Victoria, British Columbia – July 3, 2024 – Transport Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada have determined that the proposed Connected Coast Fibre Optic Cable Installation Project – Victoria Harbour 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:  

• Activities will be carried out in accordance with the Construction Environmental Management Plan.
• Works will be carried out in accordance with the management recommendations provided in the Archaeological Monitoring Plan. An appropriately qualified archaeological monitor will be on the Project site during ground disturbing activities and a chance find procedure will be implemented for the Project.
• Interested Indigenous groups will be invited to monitor and be present on the Project site during ground disturbing activities.
• An Environmental Monitor (EM) will be on site prior to and during construction to survey and monitor for presence of forage fish spawning, presence of year-round and migratory birds, presence of amphibians along the workspace, potential turbidity plumes below the high-water mark (HWM) during construction activities, wildlife habitat features, presence of noxious weeds, among others.
• Environmental monitoring and marine mammal monitoring will be conducted during all Project activities that may result in potential or adverse effect to fish and fish habitat.
• During all in-water works, a 100m exclusion zone will be established around the active work area for whales, dolphins, and porpoises, except killer whales where a 400m exclusion zone (EZ) applies in Southern BC coastal waters. A marine mammal observer (MMO) will be present to monitor for any marine mammals entering exclusion zones (EZ) during in-water works.
• Project vessels will travel at less than 4 km/hr (2.2 knots) during cable installation.
• Guidelines to avoid disturbance to seabird and waterbird colonies in Canada will be followed during landing construction and open ocean cable laying.
• Mitigation measures to reduce impact from noise and artificial lighting will be followed.
• All crew members will be trained in spill response procedures and will be familiar with the location and contents of spill kits. Appropriate equipment will be available on site for any potential emergency clean-up of contaminated soil required in the intertidal zone.
• All construction equipment will be environmentally clean and properly maintained to prevent spills, invasive species, and noxious weeds.

Transport Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada are satisfied that that the carrying out of the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. 

Therefore, the authorities 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.