Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination
Tank Farm Berm and Cleaning Project – 19 Wing Comox

July 15, 2025 — 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 August 3, 2025 to:
Brandon Willms, Mechanical Engineer, Detachment Comox, Real Property Operations Unit (Pacific)
Mailing Address:  Real Property Operations Comox Detachment - Building 31
Post Office Box 1000, Station Main
Lazo, British Columbia V0R 2K0
E-mail:  Brandon.Willms2@forces.gc.ca

The Proposed Project

The Department of National Defence (DND) has proposed a project at 19 Wing Comox. The Project consists of work within the existing petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL) Tank Farm Compound which contains five (5) individual POL Tanks, each with their own secondary containment area made up of a berm and liners; an outer Wear Liner and an inner Containment Liner. The Project will involve replacement of the existing berm Wear Liners for each containment area. The berm Wear Liners are intended to protect the existing Containment Liners from physical wear. DND engaged a third-party consultant to conduct a detailed assessment of both liners where it was determined that the inner Containment Liners were in good functional condition. Before any work or activities begin within the containment area around each fuel tank, the tank will be drained and taken offline. This will be achieved by transferring the fuel to another tank in the Tank Farm using existing piping and DND personnel. The Project will also involve the following inspection, and as-required repairs, at each containment area: repair/replace existing Containment Liners, replace aggregate in the berm to functional level, and repair existing pedestrian pedestal walkways on the berms. This will require the removal of some vegetation which has established in/on the containment areas and the repair of resulting perforations in the Containment Liners. Lead-based paint on the POL Tanks piping will be removed, abated, and re-coated/painted at specific locations where coatings have deteriorated. This Project is planned to occur during the Summer of 2026 and be completed by a Civilian Contractor on behalf of DND, 19 Wing Comox, Real Property Operations.