June 18, 2024 - The Fisheries and Oceans Canada must decide whether the installation of a circular fiberglass tub farm and an aeration tower, located at Rosewall Creek Hatchery, B.C. is likely to cause significant adverse effects.

To help inform this decision, Fisheries and Oceans Canada 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 July 18, 2024 to:

Philippe Ouellet, PSSI Project Engineer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Real Property Technical Services, Pacific Region
Email: Philippe.Ouellet@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Tel: (343) 575-5985
200 - 401 Burrard Street
Vancouver, B.C.
V6C 3S4

Assessment Summary

As part of the PSSI and associated Salmonid Enhancement Program (SEP) program, the Rosewall Creek Research Hatchery (Rosewall Hatchery) was selected to receive funding to expand the aquaculture capacity on-site to meet specific conservation enhancement targets for salmonid populations as well as to meet program's mandate. To enable the required program's conservation initiatives, new fiberglass circular tubs will be installed to ensure adequate rearing capacity. Due to aging infrastructure and poor physical condition, the current tanks and brooding infrastructure cannot adequately meet the program's expanding mandate and operational requirements, hence the current update. To meet the increased water demand due to the expanded rearing capacity, an additional aeration tower will be installed on-site.
The project involves installing an aeration tower and aquaculture tub rearing containers, along with the underground piping to connect them. The project footprint for this project will be approximately 5,100 m², mainly on previously developed land. This project will require minor tree and vegetation removal (up to 545 m²) required for the installation of the aeration tower. The project will be executed in three phases:
Phase 1: Site preparation will include:
·    Stripping of organic soils and materials to bring the area to a suitable grade for the next phase. Some material will be stockpiled onsite, while the remaining material will be disposed of at an appropriate facility.
·    Tree and vegetation removal (up to 545 m²) 

Phase 2: Construction will include:
•    Installation of Underground Services consisting of water supply line, water drain, electrical conduits.
•    Installation of Fiberglass Rearing Tubs (275 m²)
o    Installation of approximately 28 circular fibreglass rearing tubs for one of the two modules of various sizes to achieve a 1.06m working height.  All tubs will be tied directly to underground utilities noted above.
•    Construction of the Aeration Tower (footprint 60m²), including pouring of concrete slab foundation. 
•    Aeration Tower Access Road Construction (footprint 665m²)

Phase 3: Levelling of the final area with adequate backfill and gravel to achieve suitable grades and substrate once installation of above components has been completed. 
•    The access road will be completed with appropriate paving. 

A qualified Environmental Monitor (EM) and Archaeologist will be on site as required to assess potential risks to the environment and monitor the effectiveness of mitigation measures implemented during construction. No in-water works are anticipated for this project.
The construction period will be from summer 2024 to spring 2026, pending any weather delays.
Project Location
Rosewall Hatchery is a DFO owned and operated asset, located hallway between Bowser and Fanny Bay on the east side of Vancouver Island, approximately 85 km northwest of Nanaimo, BC. The hatchery was built in the 1960's as a research site. The hatchery currently supports an endangered sockeye salmon population. The site is under the jurisdiction of DFO, and as such is on federal land. 

Site Address: Rosewall Creek Salmon Hatchery, 8245 Berray Rd, Fanny Bay BC
Site Access: Public road
Latitude: 49 27' 44. 08"N 
Longitude: -124 46'35.79"W