Private Dock Construction - Esquimalt Harbour

Songhees Nation has proposed a marine infrastructure project in Plumper Bay that involves the supply and installation of a new floating dock system within the licensed water lot area to upgrade existing facilities. The dock will be owned and used by Songhees Nation for operational and community purposes and will not be open to the general public. The project will consist of the installation of a new Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)-style timber dock, associated access structures, and pile foundations to provide safe and reliable marine access.

The scope of work includes towing a derrick barge to site and installing a new approximately 65-foot by 12-foot floating timber dock supported by driven steel pipe piles. The dock will be secured using four steel pipe piles, each fitted to support the floating structure and accommodate tidal fluctuations. Repairs to an existing abutment structure will be installed to transition from the upland area to the dock system.

Access to the dock will be provided by new aluminum gangways, including an approach gangway and a secondary gangway, each approximately 4 feet wide by 40 feet long, connecting the upland area to the floating dock. All structural components will be designed to withstand marine conditions and regular operational use.

Dock components, piles, and access structures will be prefabricated off-site and transported to the project location by barge. Installation will be completed from the water using a marine crane, minimizing disturbance to the shoreline and surrounding upland areas. All work will be carried out in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and standard best practices for marine construction.

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Latest update

March 1, 2026 – The public comment period on the project is closed. The Department of National Defence is considering comments received to help inform its determination on whether the carrying out of the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

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Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
1 Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination - February 19, 2026

Contacts

Becky MacInnis
Department of National Defence
Becky MacInnis, Environment Officer / MARPAC Formation Safety and Environment
Formation Safety and Environment, Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt
PO Box 17000 Stn Forces
Victoria, British Columbia V9A 7N2
Email: Becky.MacInnis@forces.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

    • Esquimalt Harbour (British Columbia)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Ports and Harbours

  • Assessment Status

    In progress

  • Start Date

    2026-02-19

  • Proponent

    Songhees Nation

  • Authorities

    • Department of National Defence

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    90238

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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