Support for reusing the historic ASARCO footprint, with attention to marine habitat protection

As a member of the public participating in this process, I want to express my support for the Port of Botwood Wharf Rehabilitation Project, which I believe can be a positive development for Botwood and the wider Central Newfoundland region.

What stands out most to me is the decision to rehabilitate the existing ASARCO wharf within its historic footprint rather than develop a new site. Reusing a long-disturbed brownfield area, instead of disturbing an untouched stretch of coastline, is a responsible choice. I was also glad to see that capital dredging has been ruled out and that infilling will be limited to areas that were previously disturbed. Concentrating the work within an area that has supported marine industry for over a century, while avoiding new natural environments, seems like the right way to balance the region's needs with environmental care.

Building on that, I would encourage the Agency and the proponent to keep marine habitat protection clearly in focus as the design is finalized. The project description is candid in noting that marine plants in the in-water work area could be disturbed during pile installation, shoreline work, and infilling, and that this could be a non-negligible adverse effect. The proposed measures, limiting the in-water work area, controlling sediment and turbidity, and DFO review under the Fisheries Act, are encouraging. I would simply ask that these commitments be clearly defined and monitored, and that the results be made available as the work proceeds.

I would also note the proposed use of "soft-start" pile driving to allow fish to leave the area, along with the underwater noise threshold described in the document. Confirming how this monitoring will be carried out in practice would give the community added confidence that marine life is being protected during construction.

Overall, I support this project. Restoring the wharf in its existing location, with strong and verifiable environmental safeguards, can keep the port safely open for the region's future while minimizing harm to the surrounding marine environment.

Apply-Assist (https://apply-assist.ca/)