Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination
Construction of new Airfield Support Hub (ASH) at 19 Wing Comox

April 22, 2026 — 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 May 11, 2026 to:
Alex Bissinger, Engineering Officer
Mailing Address:  RP Ops Comox Detachment-Building 31, P.O. Box 1000
Lazo, BC, Canada, V0R 2K0
E-mail:  alexandra.bissinger@forces.gc.ca

The Proposed Project

The Department of National Defence (DND) is proposing a project. The scope of work for the development of the Airfield Support Hub (ASH) area will be managed by Real Property Operations group and will consist of upgrades to underground services, access improvements, site fencing, parking, asphalt resurfacing, taxiway and road rehabilitation. The site development will include Operations Zone fence re-alignment and Abandoned Runway re-surfacing. The Project will re-align Argus Avenue and the intersection of Argus Avenue and Tracker Street and resurface a segment of the Abandoned Runway to accommodate new buildings' access to runway surfaces and refueling vehicle traffic in a foreign object debris (FOD)-free area.

The Program will also include the design, construction, site restoration, and operation of new Buildings to support military and airfield operations (such as equipment servicing and maintenance buildings, vehicle/parts storage warehouses, office buildings, etc.). Various site works will include underground utility connections as required for any new buildings/infrastructure, installing oil-water separators, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, petroleum, oil and lubricant (POL) storage sheds/rooms, wash bay(s), utility holes, hydrants, drainage swales, and concrete and asphalt work.

This Environmental Effects Determination is separate from the new High Speed Refueling Centre project which will be installed within the ASH area and will be co-located next to the planned infrastructure being installed through this program. The ASH program was initiated to support the Mission Support Squadron (MSS) who will become displaced from their current hangars/buildings through the construction of various major capital projects, which includes for the demolition of buildings which currently house MSS equipment & personnel.

Construction is expected to begin in 2026 and carry forward into the foreseeable future to support multiple buildings and site development in the ASH area.