Notice of Determination

September 17, 2020  – Transport Canada has determined that the proposed WCMRC Oil Spill Response Facility at Nanaimo Harbour 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 measures taken into account for this determination are:

• A Marine Construction and Staging Plan will be developed 30 days prior to commencing construction activities.
• A Spill Prevention and Emergency Response Plan will be developed.
• Vessels and requirement equipment associated with the project will be positioned in such as manner as to not obstruct line of sight to navigational aids and markers.
• Any required pile driving will be adhered to the Best Management Practices for Pile Driving and Related Operation.
• Hydro-acoustic monitoring of underwater noise levels associated with impact pile driving activities will be undertaken, in order to determine whether levels potentially harmful to marine mammals are occurring.
• Measures recommended by DFO to avoid and mitigate the potential for prohibited effects to fish and fish habitat will be implemented.

Transport Canada is satisfied that the carrying out of the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. Therefore, Transport Canada 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.