* Please return this completed questionnaire along with your application.
* We are in receipt of your application but require additional information to properly assess the environmental effects of your project proposal. Please complete this questionnaire and return to:
Canada Millennium Partnership Program
Millennium Bureau of Canada
255 Albert Street, 10th Floor
P.O. Box 2000
Postal Station “Dt”
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1E5
If you require assistance in completing this form, contact Ana Maria Leyton at (613) 943-2540, Millennium Bureau of Canada.
The responses to this questionnaire will help to assess the environmental effects of your project proposal in accordance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (Act). Completing this form as accurately and as fully as possible will expedite the processing of your proposal. Attach additional typewritten or hand printed sheets if you need more space. Please note that no federal funding support can be provided or committed to your project prior to compliance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and regulations.
PROJECT IDENTIFICATION
Millennium Bureau of Canada Project File Number: F469441-111
ProjectName: racerocks. com
Environmental Assessment Contact Person:
Individual to be contacted for additional information regarding the environmental assessment of this project.
Name: Garry Fletcher
Address: Lester Pearson College
PAGE 2:
FEDERAL COORDINATION REGULATIONS
1 ) In order to streamline the environmental assessment of this project at the federal level, please indicate whether you will be applying, or have applied, to any other federal or provincial department or department of agency for funding, permits or authorizations, or for the lease or sale of land related to this project.
| Department | |||
| Fisheries&Oceans | Promoting the establishment of the Marine Protected Area | Mark Pakenham |
It is the proponent’s responsibility to ensure that the proposed project or activity complies with all relevant federal, provincial, territorial and municipal laws and regulations. If applicable, attach a list of all permits required and standards known to apply to your project and describe how your project complies with them.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
2) Has a federal environmental assessment (EA) of this project been conducted or is one in the process of being undertaken? If so, please indicate who is undertaking or has undertaken the EA (name, organization, address and telephone number of the EA contact person) and provide a copy of the completed environmental assessment report. NO
3) Is this project subject to environmental assessment under your provincial environmental assessment process? If so, to avoid duplication refer to the EA findings prepared for the provincial process and attach the relevant documentation along with this completed form. NO
Environmental Impact Questionnaire 2 Canada Millennium Partnership Program
PAGE 3:
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
4)Project Location:
Site name: GREAT RACE ROCKS
Street address: (ISLAND- Strait of Juan De Fuca)
City and Province: Victoria, British Columbia
Postal Code: na
Geographic location (Latitude and Longitude): UTM North(centroid)53480000, UTM East(centroid)460500\
Please indicate if the project is being carried out in or on a:
national park national park reserve national historic site
historic river heritage canal
reserve land (Indian Act) settled land claim area——-PILOT MARINE PROTECTED AREA
Exclusion List Considerations:
5) The Exclusion List Regulations specify certain types of projects that have insignificant environmental effects and do not require an EA. To help determine if this is the case for your
project, respond to the following questions:
a. Are all of the proposal activities not physical in nature? YES
b. Are all of the proposal activities physical activities that are not on YES
the Inclusion List Regulations?
Please refer to the Inclusion List Regulations on the CEAA web site at:
http://www.ceaa.gc.ca/act/incl_list_reg_e.htm
c. Is the proposed project the maintenance or repair of an existing NO
physical work (e.g., maintenance or repair of an existing road, bridge or building)?
d. Is the proposed project the expansion or modification of an existing road NO
or bridge, that would not:
– be undertaken outside the existing road right of way;
– lengthen the road;
– widen the road by more than 15%;
– be carried out in or on or within 30 m of a water body; or
– involve the likely release of a polluting substance into a water body.
e. Is the proposed project the construction or installation of a building with a NO
footprint of less than 100 m2 and a height of less than 5 m, that would not:
– be carried out in or on or within 30 m of a water body; or
-involve the likely release of a polluting substance into a water body?
Environmental Impact Questionnaire 3 Canada Millennium Partnership Program
PAGE 4
f. Is the proposed project the expansion or modification of an existing building, including its fixed structures, that would not:
– increase the footprint or height of the building by more than 10 %; NO it would not increase
– be carried out in or on or within 30 m of a body of water; or YES the whole island is within 30 meters of the ocean
– involve the likely release of a polluting substance into a water body? NO it would not involve the release of polluting substances
g. Is the proposed project the construction, installation, expansion or
modification of a ramp, door or handrail to facilitate wheelchair access? NO,
If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, your project may be excluded from the Act.
6) Please provide a detailed description of the project and the main activities that will be carried out in each of its phases. The project description should outline the scope of the project and provide information answering the questions: who, where, what, how and when. Please provide detailed project site plans, maps locating the proposed activities, or project specifications and drawings, specifying the dimensions of project structures. All undertakings in relation to a physical work or activities associated with the project, their locations, and scheduling details should be listed and described. If any of the following activities are to be carried out, please describe each component separately and in detail: construction, decommissioning or abandonment of a structure, operation phase, other activities.
Race Rocks.com– Introduction
Protection of the wildlife, both above and below the water, is the foundation of this project. Yet, the easily accessible location is under constant pressure from human activities. The experience of the current Reserve Guardians underscores the importance of constant vigilance–they have recorded harmful impacts on nesting populations and other species in the reserve area due to inappropriate use of the area by visiting boaters,divers, and fishers, Although recent reporting of activities to Fisheries and good cooperation in monitoring and follow-up has resulted in a good level of protection presently.
Race Rocks Marine Protected Area protects a significant high-current subtidal and intertidal ecosystem.
We propose to implement an innovative alternative to on-site visits on the reserve by developing a technological link that will provide Canadians with a means of visiting this fragile environment without environmental impact. To do this we will:
initiate 24-hour live interactive web-site connection from the Race Rocks Marine Protected Area.
relay high quality broadcast information to Canadians that showcases the unique marine environment.
develop a compelling web site for use in Canadian schools
create instructional strategies to educate users about marine environment, environmental issues, historical and First Nations use of the Area.
establish an electronic data bank of marine life and environmental conditions
This project is supported by several community groups and governmental agencies including: The Royal British Columbia Museum, The Vancouver Aquarium, LGS Inc., Open School, BC Ministry of Environment, Land and Parks, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada
It is an exciting new project that is compatible with the goals of the Millennium Partnership program. In particular, it will contribute to the support of a sustainable environment while developing a unique Canadian initiative that partners technology and conservation.
The security of the reserve could be greatly enhanced by cameras with robotic control. In this way, limited human security services could be augmented by round the clock surveillance and monitoring by video and robots.
7) Describe the environment in which the project will take place, with particular attention to: land use, hydrology, topography, vegetation, presence of wildlife, etc.
Chart of the area and a map of the Island of Great Race Rocks are included.
8) Will the project occur in, on or within 30 meters of a water body? If yes, provide details. A water body includes rivers, lakes, canals, reservoirs, oceans or wetlands.
The Island of Great Race Rocks on which this is occurring is in the Strait of Juan de Fuca .It has been the site of a Coast Guard Since 1860
Environmental Impact Questionnaire?4?Canada Millennium Partnership Program
PAGE 5
9) Does the project involve cutting or removal of trees, shrubs or vegetation? If yes, provide details and specify the size of the area affected.
No. The island is barren except for soil brought in by the Coast Guard in early years for gardens and lawns.
10) Are there any cultural heritage resources located on or off-site that could be potentially affected by the project? If yes, provide details.
Note: a cultural heritage resource is a human work or a place that has historic value such as
historical monuments, cultural landscapes, conservation areas, archaeological and underwater sites.
There are two historical resources, The 1860’s built tower, and the shipwreck of the Idaho off Rosedale reef, South of the island. Neither would be affected except in a positive way. Currently the Tower is leased from the BC government by the Coast Guard, so anything that affects it would have to be approved by them first anyway. The shipwreck is protected under BC legislation protecting all shipwrecks.
11) Will heavy equipment be used during or after project implementation or operation? If yes, provide details.
No
12) Does the project involve the handling, use, release or disposal of hazardous materials during or after project implementation (e.g., chemically-treated wood, lead-based paints, PCBs, asbestos, oil or gas tanks, resins, toxins, pesticides, fertilizers, caustic substances, etc.)? If yes, provide details.
No
13) Is the project likely to release any harmful or polluting substances into a water body during or after project implementation (e.g., silting, chemicals, waste, etc.)? If yes, provide details.
No
Environmental Impact Questionnaire 5? Canada Millennium Partnership Program
PAGE 6
14) Are there any other pertinent details concerning the project that could impact on the environment? If yes, provide details.
The only impact will be positive
. The Coast Guard Automated the Station in 1997. The station was destined for demolition. Intervention by Lester Pearson College has raised the funds since that time to support the previous light-keepers to stay on at the island so that the ecological reserve surrounding the island can be protected. Lester Pearson College is still supplying complete operating costs including fuel oil for the generator.
Our College had made the surrounding 256 hectares- to a depth of 36 meters, a provincial Ecological Reserve in 1980 . We obtained the assistance of the Institute of Ocean Sciences in 1981 to establish and maintain the current meter near the islands which eventually led to the creation of the Race Passage current tables —
We obtained a closure for commercial fisheries in 1990
Garry Fletcher , faculty in Biology and Environmental Systems at Lester Pearson College has been the Provincial Ecological Reserve Warden of the reserve since 1980, and is the project manager for this project.
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
15) Is the project likely to affect unique, sensitive or endangered features of the natural environment and/or rare or endangered species of fauna or flora? If yes, provide details. The List of Canadian Wildlife at Risk is available through the COSEWIC Secretariat at: (819) 9974991 or e-mail: Sylvia.Normand@ec.gc.ca
The reserve also has ecologically important populations of benthic and free-floating invertebrates. It protects several rare species including the spiral white snail Opalia, and many rare hydroid species that represent unique Canadian or North American occurrences. It also provides haul out and feeding areas for elephant seals and sea lions as well as breeding areas for harbour seals and nesting habitat and resting areas for seabirds. Further, the area has been closed to commercial fin and shellfish harvesting since 1991.
It is these characteristics that make it such a unique environment for discovery and education, yet also threaten it:
there is a threat of poaching in the protected area — it is estimated that $10 million worth of commercial marine species could be poached from the reserve
because of the high concentrations of sea birds and mammals there is considerable tourist pressure — inappropriate activities in the area could threaten breeding populations and resident animals
it’s unique characteristics make it a highly desirable school outing — again, excessive demands placed on this natural system threaten the very qualities that distinguish it .
There will of course be no negative effect on any of the wildlife. The net effect should be a reduction of impact on wildlife as the educational value of the project will be directed at improving the public’s Interaction with the resources, and this technology should provide round-the clock monitoring ability in the area as well.
16) Is the project likely to disturb existing fish or wildlife or their habitats? If yes, provide details.
No, Our whole point of all our efforts so far has ben to promote conservation.
17) Is the project likely to disturb the existing drainage system? If yes, provide details.
No
18) Is the project likely to cause the release of noise or atmospheric emissions? If yes, provide details.
No
Environmental Impact Questionnaire 6?Canada Millennium Partnership Program
PAGE 7
19) Could the environmental effects resulting from the project adversely affect the cultural heritage resources identified in question 10? If yes, provide details.}
No
20) Is there likely to be any public sensitivity to the project either during the project start-up or operation? If yes, describe the nature of the sensitivity and any action taken so far to assess or address the concerns (e.g., public complaints, media reactions, etc.).
No, we have good public support . The Fisheries and Oceans office in Victoria has recently established the Race Rocks Marine Protected Area Advisory Board, which is overseeing the project as well See the note below on this board. The local municipality awarded Lester Pearson College in September 1999, the award for the environmental citizen of the year for our work at Race Rocks .
21) Describe any other significant adverse environmental effects to air, water or land likely to result from your project and quantify their significance.
There will be no adverse effects
22) Will the change in environment produced by your project have any impact on health or socioeconomic conditions, physical or cultural heritage, land or resource use by Aboriginal peoples, or any structure or site of historical/paleontologicaVarchitectural significance? If yes, provide details.
Yes, Integral to this proposal is the mandate in September of 1998 from the then fisheries minister David Anderson in the naming of the Pilot phase of the Marine Protected Area, to involve First Nations fully in the implementation of Marine Protected Areas..
Race Rocks has been an important part of the West Coast First Nations for many generations. We have sought the First Nations History and have established the Clalum name for the area which means swift waters. We have already begun discussions with several individuals from local First Nations groups including: Esquimalt First Nations, Brentwood First Nations, Beecher Bay First Nations
We are committed to working with these groups to ensure that their history is honoured and that they will benefit from the project. This spring our local First Nations people will be participating in the interpretive and educational programming for the facility.
23) Describe any mitigating measures proposed to eliminate, reduce or control any adverse environmental effects of the project. Specify the extent to which these measures will mitigate the environmental effects. Indicate the expected significance of any adverse effects after the mitigation measures have been implemented.
1.By providing an increase in baseline data on bird and mammal populations, invertebrate and algae populations, and physical factors, the goals of conservation ecology can be enhanced.
2.Already, under Pearson College’s management over the past two years, much of the island of Great Race Rocks has started to return to native grasses, once kept trimmed by the CoastGuard. The noticeable effect has been a retention of water in the thin layer of soil for a longer period over the dry summer. It is believed that this may lead to nesting of other species of seabirds, especially alcids, requiring ground nesting habitat.
3.Last year, an artificial tidepool has been constructed in a previously barren intertidal site. This was done under permit from Ecological Reserves for research on ecological succession and colonization by hydroids and the operation of a tidepool camera and data monitoring station so that none of the natural tidepools would be affected.
4.Any equipment that my eventually be installed in the water will be made of materials not requiring anti-fouling substances. Stainless steel bolts will be the requirement if any installation is needed in rock.
5.Continual monitoring of the coastal area could help to prevent impacts from oil spills or ballast dumping at sea in the MPA.
6.When Lester Pearson College took over the management of the island in 1997, the first act to reduce sewage pollution from the assistant keepers house was to install a compostibg toilet. This has already enhanced the marine life in the intertidal inlet that previously had an open sewer from this house.
7.Currently the island is powered by a diesel generator which can provide ample power for the project. The light tower and foghorn have been automated with the installation of solar panels and batteries. It is our goal to eventually have alternate energy powering the whole island. The racerocks.com project could lead to a very high profile for such a level of sustainability to be promoted on the island. It is anticipated that further environmentally acceptable solar and wind generation alonfg with proper storage capacity could replace the present oil-burning generator, which costs us $11,000 in fuel to operate.
8. The main activity of installation will be in the months of January to May, before the bird nesting, and harbour seal pupping season and after the peak sealion haulout period has occurred in the fall period . At his time of year there is no impact on resident birds or mammals. During nesting season, cameras allowing closeup viewing of birds and mammals without human presence can be a great asset to conservation, and will enhance the monitoring of human activity in the MPA.
9. The major mitigation should be reduced ecotourism impacts by improved public awareness. For instance, when the public can be educated about the importance of not disturbing feeding or resting marine birds and mammals, a great service to promotion of sustainabilty will be achieved.
10. The island is also a haulout and breeding colony for over 200 harbour seals. A remotely operated camera would be able to provide an opportunity to observe their life cycle, year round, without human disturbance.
11. When fishers have easy access to see what is living underwater, they should be more appreciative of the need to set aside “No Take” areas for conservation purposes. Large populations of greenling, ling cod and rock fish have been allowed to establish in the reserve partially because of the increased monitoring and handing out of pamphlets in the reserve by our resident managers, the previous light keepers.
12. The increase in the past few years of commercial whale watching/marine mammal watching boats in the area has had the potential to become a major ecotourism negative effect on the area. In the past two months in two meetings with representatives of this group, great steps in cooperation have been achieved. The ability to provide educational information and to have constant monitoring of the activity of this group will certainly help to prevent any future abuse of the resource.
13, This project will ensure the opportunity to keep staff living on the island. Without this project and the support of our other sponsors, Lester Pearson College would have to destaff the island in the coming year, as there are no funds currently available from B.C. Parks or Fisheries to currently staff the island.
14. Perhaps the one new mitigating factor that will help most of all to ensure that all standards of conservation are met in any project like this in the future is the recent formation of the RACE ROCKS Marine Protected Area ADVISORY BOARD
This Board is serving in an advisory capacity for both levels of government in the operation of this marine protected area and therefore has direct responsibility for the operation of this project. It is also composed of a number of stakeholders/interest groups. At the first meeting of this board on December the second,1999, the racerocks.com project was presented and discussed with this board. This board will immediately work on the task of establishing an environmental screening process for this Marine protected Area for all future activities in the Area.
MEMBERS OF RACE ROCKS ADVISORY BOARD
(addresses and e-mails removed for privacy)
> Cheryl Borris :chairperson of Friends Eco Reserves,
> Erin Bradley Dive community
> Howard Breen: Georgia Strait Alliance-
> Garry Fletcher:Pearson College faculty
> Kelly Francis :Fisheries &Oceans Division Head.
> Gordon Hanson:First Nations projects-advisor
> Dan Kukat:Sports Fish Advisory Board representative
> Lt. Cdr. Bill Laing :Dept. National Defence
> Angus Matthews : Pearson College, Administrator
> Jim Morris : B.C. Parks, Ecological Reserves management.
> Marc Pakenham : Fisheries & Oceans- Oceans Community Advisor – South Coast
Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Pacific
> Dr.John Pringle: Fisheries & Oceans, Habitat Protection Branch, IOS
> Tom Sampson: Coast Salish Sea, First Nations Repreesentative.
> Jennie Sparkes :Parks Canada, Victoria
> Keith Symington C.Parks&Wilderness Soc. Vancouver
> Dr. Anita Voss : Science, the major researcher to date on Hydroids in the Reserve.
> Scott Wallace :Science, UBC- PHD research on the Abalone populations of the Area.
> Kevin Walker :Whale Watchers Assoc.
We invite you to look at the complete proposal linked from the following proposed site:
http://www.racerocks.com
This questionnaire has been surveyed by 20 second year students in the Environmental Systems Program of Lester Pearson College. Their critical evaluation of the project since it’s inception has been invaluable . I have used this as a case study of the Environmental Impact Processes as a tool in Ecological Conservation.
Garry Fletcher.
Environmental Impact Questionnaire 7 Canada Millennium Partnership Program
PAGE 8
24) Describe the monitoring or follow-up programs that you plan to undertake to assess the significance of the environmental impact of the project and the effectiveness of the mitigation measures taken.
There will be continuous monitoring by internet of both abiotic and biotic factors in the MPA as a result of this new technology. Records of web traffic to racerocks.com will determine the extent of public use of the internet site.
I certify that the above information is correct, complete and represents full disclosure of the facts.
Prepared by: Garry Fletcher
Date:November December 1, 1999
Environmental Assessment Form 8 Canada Millennium Partnership Program