Gull Harbour Lighthouse Rebuild
Document reference number: 3
Public Notice
Gull Harbour Lighthouse Rebuild – Public Comments Invited
April 30, 2025 – The Canadian Coast Guard must determine whether the proposed Gull Harbour Lighthouse Rebuild, located on Lake Winnipeg Manitoba is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.
To help inform this determination, the Canadian Coast Guard is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination. All comments received will be considered public and may be posted online.
Written comments must be submitted by May 30, 2025 to:
Jordan Grootendorst
25 Huron Street, Victoria B.C. Canada
(236) 464-3649
Jordan.grootendorst@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
The Gull Harbour CCG site is home to two lighthouses: a Wooden Lighthouse constructed in 1898 and a steel-framed tower with a wooden lighthouse structure built in 1924. This project focuses on the reconstruction of the steel-framed tower from 1924. This lighthouse is a protected building under the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act (HLPA) and as such, there are some conditions for the project which must be fulfilled. The current structure is 27.3 meters tall with a ground footprint of 10 meters squared and is in need of replacement. The structural components of the steel framed tower are non-compliant to industry standards and repairing them would not be a feasible option logistically or financially. Additionally, the wooden lighthouse building is rotting and also in need of repairs. The plan is to remove the entire structure and rebuild it with a visually identical structure comprised of a lower steel tower and a wooden lighthouse building which would maintain compliance with the HLPA.
This lighthouse is located on a peninsula jutting out into lake Winnipeg in Manitoba. The sediment on the surface consists of pebbles and gravel. The site itself contains some vegetative groundcover consisting of various species of primary growth small trees and shrubs. It is not anticipated that any trees need removal during the project, however, the shrubs located at the base of the structure will be damaged or destroyed. Access to the site will be via a wide pathway which spans the length of the 1km long, peninsula meaning that no aquatic disturbances are expected in association with the planned work.