Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination
Construction of North Naden Temporary Accommodations – Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt

September 29, 2023 — The Department of National Defence must decide whether the proposed project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this decision, the Department of National Defence is inviting comments from the public on the project and its potential effects on the environment. All comments received will be considered public. For more information, individuals should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website.

Written comments must be submitted by October 8, 2023 to:
Becky MacInnis, Environment Officer / MARPAC Formation Safety and Environment
Mailing Address:  Formation Safety and Environment, Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, PO Box 17000 Stn Forces
Victoria, BC, Canada, V9A 7N2
E-mail:  Rebecca.MacInnis@forces.gc.ca

The Proposed Project

The Department of National Defence (DND) is proposing a project. The project will include construction of temporary accommodations facility with approximately 400 hotel style units with private washrooms. The buildings will be three story structures consisting of approximately 130 units per block. A total of three blocks will eventually be constructed with a total building area of 6,500 square meters. Various support buildings for barrack warden, storage and lockers will also be required. A capacity study will be completed to analyze feasibility of utilizing existing water, sewer, electrical, gas and communications infrastructure to tie into. A new asphalt driveway and parking lot will be required, with the size of the parking lot still to be determined. All construction activities will require excavation/trenching where required. The project site is currently a mowed grass area and is used as a soccer field. The project is required to provide temporary accommodation while the new Junior Non-Commissioned Member Training Accommodation Facility is constructed, and Nelles Block is demolished, on the south Naden property.