Connected Coast Underwater Fibre Optic Cable Installation Project - Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt

The Connected Coast project plans to place subsea fibre-optic cable, stretching from Prince Rupert south to Vancouver, then around Vancouver Island. The project is managed and implemented by CityWest and the Strathcona Regional District, who together form the Connected Coast Partnership. The purpose of the cable is to provide high-speed internet access to rural and remote coastal communities.

Approximately 420 meters of the 3500 kilometer cable will pass through an existing Section 16 Map Reserve that the Department of National Defence (DND) has for their own underwater cable. The Connected Coast Cable would cross through the Section 16 Map Reserve and over DND's cable near the Fairwinds Landing Site, off Andover Road in Nanoose Bay on Vancouver Island.

Approximately 370 m of previously laid 30mm split pipe, 130 m of 60 mm split pipe and associated conduit will be removed either at low tide in intertidal areas, or using float bags attached with the aid of divers in subtidal areas. The split pipe and conduit will then be reinstalled by divers, in the alignment approved by DND, in the subtidal area. The cable will be laid directly on the seabed with no trenching or dragging.

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Latest update

December 19, 2022— The Department of National Defence issued its Notice of Determination and determined that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

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Key documents

Key documents
Document Number Document Title File Date
2 Notice of Determination - December 19, 2022
1 Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination - October 26, 2022

Contacts

Becky MacInnis
Department of National Defence
Becky MacInnis, Environment Officer / MARPAC Formation Safety and Environment
Formation Safety and Environment, Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt
PO Box 17000 Stn Forces
Victoria, British Columbia V9A 7N2
Email: Rebecca.MacInnis@forces.gc.ca


  • Location

    • Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt (British Columbia)
  • Nature of Activity

    • Other, not otherwise specified
  • Assessment Status

    Completed
  • Start Date

    2022-10-26
  • Proponent

    Connected Coast Partnership
  • Authorities

    • Department of National Defence
  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands
  • Reference Number

    84068
Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

 

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