Sunshine Coast Water Security Project

The project is proposed by the shíshálh Nation and aims to protect the small communities of the Sunshine Coast from water shortages due to increase drought pressure from climate change. The project will help ensure that residents have access to sufficient and reliable water supply to support their living, economic, tourism, and development activities. It will also help improve food security by supporting agriculture in the area. The project will increase water storage capacity through converting a decommissioned mine pit into a large-scale water storage reservoir partially located on shíshálh Nation reserve lands. Other related infrastructure will be constructed; however, they are not included in HICC's environmental effects determination for this project as they are not located on federal lands.

Project works include:

  • Decommissioning of a mine pit
  • Conversion of the decommissioned mine into a reservoir
  • Installation of piping and pumping infrastructure
  • Construction of perimeter road
  • Excavation

The project will partially take place on federal lands (Sechelt Band Lands No. 2) and has requirements under section 82 of the Impact Assessment Act (IAA).

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Latest update

July 31, 2025 - Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) has determined that the proposed Sunshine Coast Water Security Project (the Project) is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

This determination was based on a consideration of the following factors:

  • Impacts on rights of Indigenous peoples;
  • Indigenous knowledge;
  • community knowledge;
  • comments received from the public; and
  • technically and economically feasible mitigation measures.

Mitigation and monitoring measures taken into account for this determination included active and adaptive management measures that would be implemented for the protection of local environmental.  Based on the consideration of these measures, HICC is satisfied that that the carrying out of the Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Therefore, HICC may carry out the Project, exercise any power, perform any duty or function, or provide financial assistance to enable the Project to be carried out in whole or in part.

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Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
2 Notice of Determination - July 31, 2025
1 Public Notice - May 23, 2025

Contacts

Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada
Stéfanie Larose, Environmental Review Officer
800 René-Lévesque W
Montreal, Quebec H3B 1X9
Telephone: 343-596-7166
Email: stefanie.larose@infc.gc.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • Sechelt (British Columbia)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Water Management

  • Assessment Status

    Completed

  • Start Date

    2025-05-23

  • Proponent

    shíshálh Nation

  • Authorities

    • Infrastructure Canada

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    89519

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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