Fiber optic cable installation at the Canadian Coast Guard Westham Island DGPS site
Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination
Fiber optic cable installation at the Canadian Coast Guard Westham Island DGPS site
September 25, 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 October 14, 2026 to:
Jordan Grootendorst, Environmental Technologist – Canadian Coast Guard – Marine and Civil Infrastructure
Mailing Address: 25 Huron Street
Victoria, BC, V8V 4V9
E-mail: jordan.grootendorst@canada.ca
or
Andrew Wight, Engineering Manager – Canadian Coast Guard – Marine and Civil Infrastructure
Mailing Address: 25 Huron Street
Victoria, BC, V8V 4V9
E-mail: andrew.wight@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
The Proposed Project
The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) has proposed a project. The Project is located near the north side of Westham Island, in Delta, British Columbia. Proposed project work consists of burying a new fiber optics cable, approximately 800 m in length, originating on Robertson Road, travelling alongside an existing dirt road, and installing two new service boxes. No work is proposed in the roadside ditches and works may require the removal of some shrubs. The Project footprint is on federal lands that are owned by the Canada Coast Guard (CCG). The Project footprint overlaps with the Alaksen National Wildlife Area, George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, and is within the Boundary Bay – Roberts Bank – Sturgeon Bank Important Bird and Biodiversity Area. The Project is being undertaken and funded by Telus Communications Inc. on federal land operated by the CCG. Work is anticipated to start in the fall of 2026.
Document reference number: 1