Thomas Westhead: Lightkeeper at Race Rocks,1940-1948

Posted on Monday,November 15, 2010 by Garry Fletcher

Sept. 20, 1940 – Sept 15, 1948 (wireless operator in 1927 according to BC Directory; later a lighthouse keeper) He also built three sailboats while on the island.

William Westhead was a lightkeeper at Race Rocks from Sept. 20, 1940 – Sept 15, 1948 (wireless operator in 1927 according to BC Directory; later a lighthouse keeper). If anyone has any further information on Mr. Westhead, we would be interested in adding it here.

In October 2010 we noticed a sailboat for sale on Used Victoria which was originally made at Race Rocks by William Westhead. Below are some photos and a writeup about that boat:

From: http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/16-Foot-Vintage-Sailing-Rowing-Dingy-wtrailer-Clinker-Construction_13276307

Newspaper Archives 1859-1906

Posted on Monday,November 15, 2010 by Garry Fletcher

July 20 1859: House of Assembly Notice of Intention to select sites for the two lighthouses

Aug 12-1859: HMS Plumper with Capt. Richards left Esquimalt to select a site for the lighthouse on Race Rocks

Sept 19, 1859: Last evening three “square rigged ” vessels were inside Race Rocks heading towards Victoria.

Dec.25 1859: Wreck of the Idaho still afloat in Strait of Juan de Fuca

April 12 1860: HMS Topaze is stationed in Victoria.. See story on our history page of their crew providing labour on Race Rocks Tower Construction

April 14 1860 House of Assembly re appropriations for Race Rocks and FIsgard.

April 26, 1860: Estimates for erection of public works.. Race Rocks and Fisgard

May31860: Band from the H.M.S.Topaze leads the Mayday parade.: Further evidence of this ship being stationed in Victoria while its crew helped build the tower at Race Rocks. Plus two other articles.

June 09, 1860 Mr. Morris , Civil Engineer now erecting the lighthouse at Race Rocks—Home government appropriates 7000 pounds for the construction of the two lighthouses.— 3500 to be paid by the Imperial government, , the other half by this colony and British Columbia– “In that case we ought to have had the right to select the lightkeepers as there are many persons her just as well qualified as any that can be imported from England”

June 30, 1860 A discussion arose as to whether the Home Government, British Columbia or Vancouver Island had to pay for the lightkeepers.
and July 05, 1860 The Assembly discusses who should pay the wages for the lightkeepers.–
Mr. Franklin ” The Home government having built the lightouses and stocked them , it was natural to suppose that they should pay for their keeping”—

July 20 1859 House of Assembly dispatches have passed between the Governor
(Sir James Douglas) and Sir L.B. Lyton ( British parliament) regarding payment for the two lighthouses.

August 28 1860 Letter from “an old sailor” on payment for Pilotage. Vessels coming in from San Francisco would pick up a pilot off Race Rocks.

August 30,1860: The gun boat “Forward” receives the two lanterns for the l;ighthouses which have just arrived from England by the “Grecian”

December 25 1860 to Jan23, 1861. Several articles relating to the wreck of the Nanette off Race Rocks:
Dec. 25 1860 Total Loss of the British Barque Nanette, wrecked on Race Rocks
Dec 27, 1860 Pilotage bill not passed yet–two days ago the Nanette sank on Race Rocks.. On Nov 9 a pilot lost his life..—The pilots say they cannot maintain a boat outside because the remuneration they receive is insufficient to support them—
–Jan.15 1861: the schooner “Rebecca” was caught stealing from the wreck of the Nanette on Race Rocks
Jan 22, 1861 Reference to loss of the Nanette on Race Rocks.
Jan 23, 1861 Reference to Nanette as one of several shipwrecks.
Jan. 26, 1861 Two men arrested for stealing goods from the Nanette wrecked at Race Rocks
Feb.1 1861 Court of Naval Inquiry re theft from wreck of Nanette.
Feb. 9 1861 Captain of Schooner Rebecca accused of stealing from wreck of Nanette

Feb.11 1861 Court of Naval Inquiry re : Wreck of Nanette
Feb.13 1861 he Nanette is sold at auction for $650.00

Dec.27, 1860—the beacon on Race Rocks was lighted last evening for the first time—

Jan. 26, 1861 False Alarm–Two heavy guns heard in the direction of Race Rocks

Feb.1 1861 Notice to Mariners about the new light being exhibited in the Light House recently erected on Great Race Rock and cautioning about the strong tides at Race Rocks No ti ice to Mariners of Lighthouse on Race Island , Strait of Juan de Fuca
Directions for Fisgard and Race Rocks — Notice to Mariners;

Feb. 4, 1861 Tax assessment for John Morris at Race Rocks of 2500 pounds.

Sept.21 1861 Topaze arrives from Chile , she left here last April (1861) En route took in tow a sloop from the Fannings Islands with starving occupants on board who had resorted to cannibalism in order to survive.

Jan. 08, 1862 Discussion on the Pilot Bill .. Government had killed the passage of an excellent Pilot law in 1860

Dec 10 1862 House of Assembly recognizes the work of Capt. Richards who surveyed and chose the site for Race Rocks.

March 22, 1864 Use of semaphore signal at Race Rocks

Dec. 17, 1866 Death at the Lighthouse Geo. N. Davies first lightkeeper died on Friday night last-

–Feb.5,1867 Disaster to the Ship Nicholas Biddel

Mar.4, 1873 Lightkeeper reports ship aground on Rosedale Reef

May 11, 1873 Dominion Estimates.. gives lightkeepers salaries ,

May 29 1873 Lightkeepers spend time blasting and removing large rocks making a landing at Race Rocks 1874 Sessional Papers- Dominion of Canada-lighthouse repair

1874–Sessional papers on repairs to lighthouse,

Feb2, 1877: “Murder”—– “Mr.T. Argyle arrived in town yesterday bringing with him in a canoe the body of an Indian woman, which , from the marks upon it, leaves but little doubt that the woman was foully murdered.”

Nov. 7, 1877 Wreck of the HMS Swordfish off Beecher bay

Nov. 7, 1877 H.M.S.Opal rescues crew of the Swordfish

Nov. 7 1877Trial of James Argyle for rescuing deserters from a naval ship (Full newspaper page!)

Nov.11,1877 Sale of the Swordfish ( wreckage)

March 22 1881 Report on lack of a granite quarry on Vancouver Island.. This may be evidence that the grey granite of Race Rocks was probably not quarried locally 21 years previous to this date.

March 31, 1881 The tug Etta White rescues American barque Antioch. note reference to the Idaho which later comes aground at RR.

July 31 1888 A watery grave: Thomas Argyle Jr., at 25 years of age the eldest son of lighthouse keeper Thomas Argyle, along with three other friends who were on their way out to Race Rocks to stay overnight with his parents, all drowned in a gale.

Aug 2 1888 Lightkeeper Argyle searches and is unable to find his son and other drowning victims.

Dec 25, 1889 Wreck of the Idaho still afloat after slipping off Race Rocks

Aug 11 1895 A Fortunate Escape: (by the New Zealand Vessel Warrimoo.)

Sept 19 1900 Lightkeeper Eastwood charged with leaving the station and employing Japanese(!!)

June 10 1909 The tug Sea Lion Sunk in Collision--run down by Oceania Vance during thick fog near Race Rocks

Sept 51909 Proposal to build a Fort (Fort Rod Hill) at the entrance to Esquimalt Harbour :
“The width of the Strait East of the Race Rocks is such that a ship of war, keeping well out to sea would be out of range of the guns at Esquimalt or at Fort Macaulay, and would be free to proceed on its way to Vancouver without interuption unless a fort were erected at some point commanding the passage.”

Sept 18 1909 Lightkeeper F.Eastwood saw drowning by the overturning of a Columbia River boat loaded — Hesquiot Indian tells another story—-No one drowned!-

1889-1906 Reference page for entries from the Daily Colonist for Lightkeeper W.P. Phil Daykin

File on Shipwrecks at Race Rocks

Go to the HISTORY INDEX for Race Rocks

For photographs of the Light station in the early years go to

Management Plan for Race Rocks MPA, Nov 2010 Draft

Posted on Monday,November 15, 2010 by Garry Fletcher

Executive Summary

Race Rocks was designated an Ecological Reserve in 1980 by the BC Government. In September 1998, Race Rocks (XwaYeN) was proposed as a Pilot MPA (Area of Interest) by DFO. In 2004 Race Rocks became a Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) to protect inshore rockfish and lingcod and their habitat from recreational and commercial fishing pressures.

A Marine Protected Area (MPA) under the Oceans Act is a are geographically defined areas in the marine environment dedicated and managed for the long-term conservation of nature. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) designates marine protected areas under the HYPERLINK “http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/O-2.4/text.html” Oceans Act in order to protect and conserve:
Commercial and non-commercial fishery resources, including marine mammals, and their habitats;
Endangered or threatened marine species, and their habitats;
Marine areas of high biodiversity or biological productivity; and
Unique habitats;
Any other marine resource or habitat as is necessary to fulfill the Minister’s mandate (of Scientific Research).
There is considerable scientific evidence that marine protected areas and networks provide a number of ecological benefits, including the enhanced recruitment of fish species, including those of commercial value, through the protection of spawning areas, larval sources, habitats and migration routes. In addition, benefits of marine protected areas and networks extend beyond the ecological as there are often social, cultural and economic benefits to establishing and managing marine protected areas. On ?????, the Race Rocks (XwaYeN) Pilot MPA received formal designation as an Oceans Act marine protected area. As a result of this designation, the waters surrounding Race Rocks are now a federal MPA.

Introduction
Race Rocks (XwaYeN), located 17 km southwest of Victoria in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, consists of nine islets, including the large main island, Great Race. Named for its strong tidal currents and rocky reefs, the waters surrounding Race Rocks (XwaYeN) are a showcase for Pacific marine life. This marine life is the result of ideal oceanographic conditions, supplying the Race Rocks (XwaYeN) area with a generous stream of nutrients
and high levels of dissolved oxygen. These factors contribute to the creation of an ecosystem of high biodiversity and biological productivity.

In 1980, the province of British Columbia, under the authority of the provincial Ecological Reserves Act, established the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve. This provided protection of the terrestrial natural and cultural heritage values (nine islets) and of the ocean seabed (to the 20 fathoms/36.6 metre contour line). Ocean dumping, dredging and the extraction of non-renewable resources are not permitted within the boundaries of the Ecological Reserve. However, the Ecological Reserve cannot provide for the conservation and protection of the water column or for the living resources inhabiting the coastal waters surrounding Race Rocks (XwaYeN) as these resources are under the jurisdiction of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).

The federal government, through the authority of the Oceans Act (1997), has established an Oceans Strategy, which is based on the principles of sustainable development, integrated management and the precautionary approach. Part II of the Oceans Act also provides authority for the development of tools necessary to carry out the Oceans Strategy, tools such as the establishment of Marine Protected Areas. This federal authority will complement the previously established protection afforded the area by the Ecological Reserve, by affording protection and conservation measures to the living marine resources.

Under Section 35 of the Oceans Act, the Governor in Council is authorized to designate, by regulation, Marine Protected Areas (MPA) for any of the following reasons:
the conservation and protection of commercial and non-commercial fishery resources, including marine mammals and their habitats;
the conservation and protection of endangered or threatened species and their habitats;
the conservation and protection of unique habitats;
the conservation and protection of marine areas of high biodiversity or biological productivity; and
the conservation and protection of any other marine resource or habitat as is necessary to fulfill the mandate of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.

In 1998, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans announced Race Rocks (XwaYeN) as one of four pilot Marine Protected Area (MPA) initiatives on Canada’s Pacific Coast. Race Rocks (XwaYeN) meets the criteria set out in paragraphs 35(1) (a), (b) and (d) above. Establishing a MPA within the Race Rocks (XwaYeN) area will provide for a more comprehensive level of conservation and protection for the ecosystem than can be achieved by an Ecological Reserve on its own. Designating a MPA within the area encompassing the Ecological Reserve will facilitate the integration of conservation, protection and management initiatives under the respective authorities of the two governments.

Since 1977, faculty, students and staff at Pearson College have been involved with Race Rocks (XwaYeN). The college is committed to explore and expand its research and education opportunities available at Race Rocks (XwaYeN) as well as maintain a long term presence as the custodian of the Ecological Reserve. Any and all research or educational activities to take place in the Race Rocks (XwaYeN) ecological reserve requires a permit issued by BC Parks. Pearson College acts on behalf of the province of BC, as custodians of the Ecological Reserve, administering research permits and monitoring access to Rack Rocks (XwaYeN). Research conducted on Race Rocks (XwaYeN) is detailed on the Race Rocks (XwaYeN) website ( HYPERLINK “http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/research/researchexternal.htm” http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/research/researchexternal.htm).

The area has cultural significance to local First Nations. The XwaYeN (Race Rocks) area is claimed traditional territory for at least four Coast Salish First Nations people; Beecher Bay First Nation, T’Sou-ke Nation, Songhees Nation and Esquimalt Nation. The term “XwaYeN” is from the Klallem language for the place called Race Rocks. XwaYeN (Race Rocks) is believed to be the gateway to the Salish Sea and is seen as an icon of the region, ecosystem and traditional territories of the Salish people.

Race Rocks (XwaYeN) provides opportunities for recreational activities as well as public awareness and education on its unique ecological features. With its close proximity to urban areas, Race Rocks (XwaYeN) is independently accessed by the public for boating, fishing, diving and wildlife viewing. Race Rocks (XwaYeN) has gained worldwide attention by divers for its marine diversity as well as its walls, pinnacles, crevices and high currents. While divers enjoy the underwater ecosystem, tourists and researchers to the area have engaged in marine wildlife viewing, typically between the months of April to October. The important tidal upwelling due to the unique bathymetric features at Race Rocks (XwaYeN), acts as a haven for a significant assortment of flora and fauna.
Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this Management Plan is to outline Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO’s) plan to manage activities in the Race Rocks (XwaYeN) MPA. This Management Plan is guided by legislative and Regulatory context, and forms a framework to put the legislation and Regulations into practice.

Legislative Authority for the Race Rocks (XwaYeN) MPA

Canada’s Oceans Act (1996) (Box 1), provides the legal basis for the Federal Government to lead and facilitate the designation of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) to protect commercial and non-commercial species, including marine mammals and their habitats, areas of high biodiversity and productivity, endangered and threatened species and unique areas. The Act contains provisions for the designation of MPAs and prescribing measures, including:
Zoning of MPAs
Prohibiting classes of activities within MPAs, and
Any other matter consistent with the purpose of the designation.
In 1999, DFO released a Marine Protected Areas Policy, outlining Canada’s commitment to developing a network of marine protected areas. The 2005 Federal Marine Protected Areas Strategy was developed to implement a federal network of marine protected areas that are managed within an integrated oceans management framework. The strategy calls for collaboration in managing and monitoring these areas, and for increasing awareness, understanding and participation of Canadians in marine protected areas. The Oceans Act provides for the conservation and protection of unique habitats and marine areas of high biodiversity and production.

Race Rocks was designated an Ecological Reserve in 1980 by the Government of British Columbia under the authority of the Ecological Reserves Act. Under the Ecological Reserve designation, only non-consumptive use is permitted; the area was closed to both commercial and recreational fisheries by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). In September 1998, Race Rocks was proposed as a Pilot MPA (Area of Interest) by DFO. It is important to note, that the selection of Race Rocks (XwaYeN) as a proposed MPA preceded the current framework for selecting Areas of Interest (AOI), which requires areas to be identified as either ecologically and biologically significant areas (EBSA) or areas that contain ecologically significant species (ESS). Under the Oceans Act, Race Rocks (XwaYeN), meets the criteria set out in paragraphs 35(1)(a), (b) and (d) (inserted box below).

In 2004, Race Rocks became a Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA), and part of the network that consists of 164 sites coast-wide. RCAs are designated to protect inshore rockfish and lingcod, and their habitat, from recreational and commercial fishing pressures. The RCA designation prohibits any fishing activities (both recreational and commercial) that would harm rockfish stocks. Race Rocks was selected as a RCA because the island and surrounding seabed were already listed as an Ecological Reserve and the complex geography of the area provides ideal habitat for inshore rockfish.

Linkages with other Legislation and Authorities

Federal Legislation and Authorities

Fisheries Act (DFO)
The Fisheries Act provides DFO the authority to manage freshwater and marine fisheries throughout Canada, including providing for licensing and enforcement and provisions for closing areas to fishing, prohibiting the harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat or the deposit of substances deleterious to fish. Violation of the Fisheries Act may carry significant fines and/or imprisonment upon conviction.

Canada Shipping Act / Navigable Waters Protection Act (TC)
Transport Canada, along with the Canadian Coast Guard, is responsible for administering the provisions of the Canada Shipping Act and the Navigable Waters Protection Act which includes regulation of navigation, as well as ship source pollution prevention, including control of ballast water. Transport Canada works with industry and the public to regulate, promote and enforce safe, secure, efficient and sustainable marine practices. The Department oversees the safety, security and marine infrastructure of small vessels, large commercial vessels and pleasure craft; regulates the safe transport of dangerous goods by water; helps protect the marine environment; and fosters marine transportation efficiency through the establishment of a marine marketplace framework. Race Rocks (XwaYeN) is located in close proximity to a major shipping lane for vessels destined to Vancouver or Seattle, both of which are busy seaports. Industry vessels are expected to comply with all relevant legislation and shipping best practices.

Species at Risk Act (EC/DFO/PC)
In 2003, the Species at Risk Act (SARA) was enacted by the federal government to protect species at risk and their critical habitat. SARA is jointly administered by DFO, EC and Parks Canada Agency; the Minister of DFO is responsible for aquatic species at risk; EC is the federal lead for coastal migratory bird species at risk. The Act protects species identified as endangered or threatened through prohibitions against harming, harassing, capturing, taking or killing an individual, and against destroying its residence or critical habitat. The Act also requires the development of recovery and management plans. These documents outline short-term and long-term goals for protecting and recovering species at risk. Race Rocks is home to two species that have been listed under SARA: 1) Northern Abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana) (Threatened),

Canadian Environmental Protection Act (NEB)
Legislated in 1999, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) aims to prevent pollution and to protect the environment, including the marine environment, and human health by preventing and managing risks posed by toxic and other harmful substances. The Act provides for establishment of national guidelines for monitoring dredged and excavated material at ocean disposal sites, interim marine and estuarine water quality guidelines, water quality guidelines for the protection of aquatic life, disposal at sea and control of land-based sources of pollution, offshore oil and gas, and toxic substances.

Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA)
The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA), reporting to the Minister of Environment, require environmental considerations, alongside social and economic considerations, are taken into account in all federal decisions respecting policies, plans, programs and projects in a manner that supports balanced, integrated decision-making and progress toward sustainable development. The Agency also supports oceans-sector-related research projects such as integrated assessment of ecosystem impacts due to climate change in coastal communities and evaluating biodiversity in marine environmental assessments.

Provincial Legislation and Authorities

Ecological Reserves Act
In 1980, the province of British Columbia, under the authority of the provincial Ecological Reserves Act, established the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve. This provided protection of the terrestrial natural and cultural heritage values (nine islets) and of the ocean seabed (to the 20 fathoms/36.6 metre contour line). Ocean dumping, dredging and the extraction of non-renewable resources are not permitted within the boundaries of the Ecological Reserve. However, the Ecological Reserve cannot provide for the conservation and protection of the water column or for the living resources inhabiting the coastal waters surrounding Race Rocks (XwaYeN).

BC Parks leases to the Canadian Coast Guard, a division of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the envelope of land around the light tower, which also includes the vertical solar panels and fog horn.

Local Authorities

The Race Rocks MPA is within the Capital Regional District, with the District of Metchosin having boundaries that are just inland from Race Rocks. In the District of Metchosin, through its Official Community Plan, the community has identified much of the mainland shore area as sensitive shore line areas and protected it under special municipal zoning. Issues associated with the Community Charter and the Official Community Planning and construction of buildings or business ventures on the islands may involve input from the local government. In addition, in Metchosin’s OCP the Whirl Bay, Rocky Point and Bentinck Island Group are listed as potential or future park areas.

Additional Federal, Provincial or Territorial Authorities

Department of National Defence (DND)
The Department of National Defence has a major presence in the oceans sector and contributes to the government’s maritime sovereignty objective through its maritime forces and institutions across the country. DND has a lead role with respect to national security issues in Canada’s ocean areas.

Background
General Location and MPA Boundaries

The Race Rocks (XwaYeN) Marine Protected Area (MPA) is 268.5 hectares in size and encompasses the majority of seamounts surrounding Great Race (largest of the islets) (Figure ?). The Race Rocks MPA will include the marine waters within an approximation of the 36.5 meter depth contour surrounding but not including the nine islets. The internal boundary is limited to the seaward side of the low tide contour for each of the islets. The sea floor is not included as it is within the authority of the province of British Columbia and is managed under the Ecological Reserve Act. There is no zoning within the Race Rocks MPA.

Figure ?: Race Rocks (XwaYeN) Marine Protected Area with boundary coordinates.

Recent Conservation Initiatives
1980
Province of British Columbia (under the Ecological Reserves Act), established the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve.
1990
Seasonal fisheries closures under the Fisheries Act, restricting all commercial fishing of finfish and shellfish in the area
1991
Race Rocks Lighthouse became a Recognized Federal Heritage Building
1997
Canada’s Oceans Act came into force, including the establishment of the Oceans Management Strategy (OMS).
1998
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans announces four “pilot” MPA initiatives including Race Rocks.
1998
Canada/BC MPA strategy implemented.
1999
Northern abalone (Halliotis kamischatkana) designated as a threatened marine species by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC); waters surrounding Race Rocks are an important nursery and recruitment area for this species.
1999 (Dec)
Establishment of the Race Rocks Advisory Board (RRAB).
1999
DFO released a Marine Protected Areas Policy
2000
(March 22)
RRAB made recommendations including a governance model, voluntary compliance/best practices guidelines and for Race Rocks be a joint federal/provincial MPA named X’waYeN (Race Rocks)
2000
(Sept. 14)
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the BC Minister of Environment Lands and Parks announced endorsement of Race Rocks to become Canada’s first Oceans Act MPA.
2000
(Oct. 28)
Draft designation regulation for Race Rocks pre-published in Part1 of the Canada Gazette.
(during 60 day public comment period)
Chiefs of three of the Race Rocks FN intervened, expressing their opposition to the MPA designation.
2002
Canada Gazette regulatory package expired

However, the Ecological Reserve cannot provide for the conservation and protection of the water column or for the living resources inhabiting the coastal waters surrounding Race Rocks (XwaYeN).

The Oceans Strategy isbased on the principles of sustainable development, integrated management and the precautionary approach. This policy, established under the auspices of the Oceans Act also provides authority for the development of tools necessary to carry out the Oceans Strategy, tools such as the establishment of Marine Protected Areas. This federal authority complements the previously established protection afforded by the Ecological Reserve, by affording protection and conservation measures to the living marine resources.

By establishing a MPA within the Race Rocks (XwaYeN) area, a more comprehensive level of conservation and protection for the ecosystem can be achieved than by an Ecological Reserve on its own. The designation of this MPA encompassing the Ecological Reserve facilitates the integration and increases the synergy of conservation, protection and management initiatives under the respective authorities of the two governments.

Additional protection measures have taken place in and around the Race Rocks (XwaYeN) area including seasonal fisheries closures under the Fisheries Act, restricting all commercial fishing of finfish and shellfish in the area since 1990. Recreational harvesting of salmon and halibut and harvesting of non-commercial species continue, but much of that activity has been curtailed after the designation of a Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) around Race Rocks (XwaYeN) in 2004. The prohibition of living marine resource harvesting along with an Oceans Act MPA designation provides a longer-term commitment to the conservation and protection of the Race Rocks (XwaYeN) ecosystem.

The Race Rocks Advisory Board (RRAB) was established to assist DFO and BC Parks with consultations and the development of consensus-based recommendations for designation and management of the MPA. The Race Rocks Public Advisory Board (RRPAB) is composed of community representatives and Race Rocks stakeholders including Pearson College (who presently funds and provides the Ecoguardian at Great Race), private businesses, recreational users, the education sector, research interests, the Ecological Reserve Volunteer Warden and several conservation/environmental protection groups.

MPA Establishment Process

2004
Designation of a Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) around Race Rocks
2005
Federal Marine Protected Areas Strategy developed.
2009
Establishment of Race Rocks Public Advisory Board (RRPAB)
2010
DFO and First Nations (T’Sou-ke Nation, Songhees Nation and Beecher Bay First Nation) signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

Ecological Overview and Assessment

In 2001, a comprehensive assessment of the physical and biological systems of Race Rocks (XwaYeN) was completed by Wright and Pringle (2001). The 2001 report provides an extensive ecological overview describing the geological, physical oceanographic and biological components of Race Rocks (XwaYeN) and the surrounding waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca at the time. Natural history observations and some traditional knowledge were also included. An updated EOAR was produced in 2010, to supplement the existing ecological overview by summarising new information collected in the Race Rocks (XwaYeN) area since 2001 and describe any changes to trends in species distributions and oceanographic conditions.
Economic, Social and Cultural Overview and Assessment

An economic, social and cultural overview assessment was conducted to review human activities that were undertaken in the proposed MPA or that are likely to be undertaken in the established MPA in the future. Human activities that take place in close proximity to the MPA and may influence activities within the MPA were also investigated. In general, the marine ecosystem within this area is known for its exceptional diversity which is of importance to commercial and recreational fisheries in adjacent areas. Activities were organized into three specific categories; 1) commercial activities, 2) neighbouring marine traffic, and 3) non-commercial activities.

Commercial activities include commercial shipping, Coast Guard, Canadian Military, fisheries and aquaculture. Increased inbound and outbound deep sea traffic is related to freight demands at the ports served as well as investments of the ports to increase their efficiency and expand their capacity. Most of the business for the Canadian Coast guard in the Race Rocks area is serving marine wildlife viewing, sport fishing and diving vessels which is closely related to population growth in the CRD and areas resulting in increased demand for coast guard services. DND’s military buffer zone, partially overlapped with the Race Rocks (XwaYeN) MPA, is anticipated to continue the activities of training, demolition and ammunition depot.

Tourism and recreation, primarily ocean-based outdoor activities include boating, angling, wildlife viewing, kayaking and diving. In January of 2009, Tourism BC concluded that BC was considered the most appealing ocean destination in North America which clearly indicates the potential demand for ocean activities on the BC coast among resident and visitor markets.

Pearson College, an educational institution manages the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve under an agreement with BC and focuses on community outreach programming. Research and education activities, subject to review and approval by the Race Rocks Operating Committee (BC Parks and Pearson College), require a permit and all research materials and results must be made available as public information.

There are two alternative energy projects associated with Race Rocks, including the solar panel project and the tidal energy project
Management Framework

In 1997, the Oceans Act provided Fisheries and Oceans Canada with a leading and coordinating role in the development of a cooperative and collaborative approach to a network of federal marine protected areas in Canada. In 2005, the Government of Canada launched a comprehensive Oceans Action Plan (OAP) to coordinate and implement oceans activities, and to sustainably develop and manage our oceans. The implementation of Canada’s Oceans Strategy, having the overarching goal to “ensure healthy, safe and prosperous oceans for the benefit of current and future generations of Canadians”. Under the Health of the Oceans pillar of the OAP, several activities are identified including the development of a Federal Marine Protected Areas Strategy. The Federal Marine Protected Areas Strategy defines a marine protected areas network as: “a set of complementary and ecologically linked marine protected areas, consisting of a broad spectrum of marine protected areas, established and managed within a sustainable ocean management planning framework and linked to transboundary, global and terrestrial protected area networks”.

The resultant conservation and management objectives provide guidance for the effective implementation of the Regulations and will assist in management of activities within the MPA.
(Placeholder for National Framework for Canada’s Network of MPAs and Canada-BC MPA Network Strategy)

Guiding Principles

GUIDING PRINCIPLE
DESCRIPTION
Integrated Management (IM)
A collaborative, flexible and transparent planning and management process recognizing shared responsibility of governments, Aboriginal groups, coastal communities, industry and others to support the sustainability of our marine resources.
Ecosystem Approach
Recognition of the complexity of ecosystems and the interconnections and energy flows among their component parts.
Precautionary Principle
Decisions and actions on conservation measures can and will be taken in the absence of scientific certainty.
Respecting Aboriginal Peoples
In addition to constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights as well as land claims agreements, the federal government is committed to working with affected Aboriginal Peoples to collaboratively plan, establish and manage marine protected areas.
Knowledge Based
The integration and use of both scientific and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), which includes Aboriginal, local and historical sources of information, can contribute significantly to the identification, development and management of an effective federal marine protected areas network.
Consultation and Collaboration
Mechanisms for gathering of information, increasing public awareness, conducting research, and ensuring participation of those with an interest or role to play in marine protected areas planning and management will be established to improve collaboration and cooperation amongst partners.
Public Awareness, Education and Stewardship
Engaging Canadians in the development of marine protected areas and their network include ocean stewardship activities that contribute to capacity building, increasing public awareness and understanding of ocean conservation issues as well as the development of constituencies that support the marine protected areas network.
Management Effectiveness
The evaluation of the outcomes of a particular marine protected area measured against specific objectives.
Adaptive Management
Evaluation of management effectiveness and applying new science knowledge to adjust management regimes in order to continue meeting marine protected area objectives.

Conservation Objectives
Conservation objectives are statements, expressed in broad terms, which describe aspirations for the ecological feature(s) of the MPA. To ensure that the MPA Regulations and management measures are effective, there must be a standard against which they can be evaluated. The conservation objective, developed by DFO with input from the RRPAB, provides that standard.

To protect and conserve an area of high biological productivity and biodiversity, providing habitat for fish and marine mammals, including threatened and endangered species.
MPA Management Objectives

Management principles and objectives identify priorities for management that support the achievement of the conservation objective.

Impacts from human activities in the area will not compromise the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem function of the Race Rocks Marine Protected Area.

Build a knowledge base to define and understand biodiversity and ecosystem function, using best science and TEK/LEK.

Monitor biodiversity and ecosystem function.

Monitor and evaluate management effectiveness to ensure management is contributing toward achievement of overarching Conservation Objective.

Management Strategies
(Note the following is a list of the TYPE of management strategies that will be considered to meet the conservation objectives)

Principles developed in Canada’s National Policy and Operational Framework for Integrated Management and the Oceans Act were the basis for determining the development of strategies for the Race Rocks MPA

Assess, identify and mitigate impacts of human activities on:
populations and ecosystem dynamics
unique and vulnerable species and habitats, including migratory species
to the physical and chemical qualities of surrounding waters and sediments
Review existing Best Management Practices and guidelines to integrate them into MPA approvals as appropriate.
Apply adaptive management of human activities based on assessments and mitigation measures identified.
Identify priority habitats and species for recovery and restoration
Recommend mechanisms for recovery and restoration of degraded habitats and species of concern
Identify knowledge gaps and establish research priorities and protocols
Support and undertake inventories, surveys to contribute to monitoring to systematically expand the understanding of the ecosystem based on established research priorities
Establish ecological benchmarks and thresholds for assessing changes in population, community and ecosystem dynamics, including impacts of human activities
Document First Nations traditional knowledge, local ecological knowledge and scientific knowledge
Utilize existing or develop information sharing protocols between agencies, user groups and other organizations
Develop relationships with the research community working on relevant issues
Build awareness in Stakeholder communities as well as other regulators to achieve compliance with the Race Rocks (XwaYeN) MPA conservation objectives.
Educate and inform stakeholders of existing regulations and policies relevant to the Race Rocks (XwaYeN) Marine Protected Area (e.g. Ballast Water Control and Management Regulations)
Identify and utilize opportunities for public engagement
Partner with user groups to reach visiting public and international tourist in order to convey messaging of conservation and protection
Apply BMPs, guidelines and mitigation measures appropriate to minimize impact of awareness related activities
Management Measures / Output

Management measures are the practical tools and procedures to be used by DFO to achieve conservation and management objectives and help gauge the effectiveness of the MPA.

Compatible Activities:
First Nations harvest of fish. Honouring constitutionally protected rights. Agreements being pursued with First Nations include fisheries management related work and communications, with respect to Race Rocks.
Wildlife viewing in the waters surrounding Race Rocks (XwaYeN) as well as on the islets themselves following the guidelines produced for observing marine wildlife, “BeWhaleWise” (2009), stating boaters should slow down to speeds less than 7 knots when within 400 metres of a whale, keep clear of the whales path and do not position the vessel closer than 100 metres to any whale ( HYPERLINK “http://www.BeWhaleWise.org” www.BeWhaleWise.org). These guidelines also apply when observing pinnipeds and birds on land. These guidelines were developed to minimize <>human impacts to marine wildlife while allowing for viewing opportunities.
Private recreational boating, subject to adherence to guidelines
SCUBA diving, when undertaken with minimal impact to marine life. PADI project AWARE (2007) has developed guidelines for divers to protect the underwater environment while diving. Low impact diving would involve not collecting any living or dead organisms, ensuring that the diver’s buoyancy level is appropriate so as not to disturb the seafloor, not feeding or disturbing marine wildlife, and ensuring that dive vessels do not set an anchor line onto the substrate.
Research activities that contribute to the scientific knowledge of biodiversity and ecosystem function are compatible with the conservation objectives of this area. All parties interested in conducting scientific research within the Race Rocks (XwaYeN) ecological reserve require a BC Ecological Reserve permit and clearance from the Province of BC (administered by Pearson College).
Scientific monitoring and surveillance activities carried out to monitor marine life as well as those activities directed towards conservation and protection. Along the south coast of BC, overflights for pinniped stock assessment and creel surveys take place. This work is, at times necessary to achieve the conservation objectives of the MPA and to measure changes to the ecosystem and its functions.
Educational activities, subject to guidelines as appropriate, relating to school group tours (akin to ecotourism) and student led research projects (akin to Scientific Research), subject to activity approvals.

Incompatible Activities/ Threats
Commercial and recreational fishing and other resource extraction activities.
Harassment of wildlife through wildlife viewing.
The island of Great Race and the seabed nearby contain a number of manmade structures. These structures were built before the establishment of the MPA. These include the historic lighthouse, housing and power generation facilities on Great Race as well as the turbine and infrastructure used by the tidal current project to generate environmentally sustainable electricity. Further development within the MPA boundary is not compatible with the conservation objectives for the MPA.

Governance

DFO has the primary responsibility for the protection and management of the Race Rocks MPA. However, the Race Rocks MPA overlaps with the existing Ecological Reserve (ER) and as such, requires the coordination of a number of government agencies to implement relevant legislation and guidelines.

Collaborative Governance

The Oceans, Habitat and Enhancement Branch (OHEB) is the lead organization within DFO for the management of Race Rocks. However, a collaborative approach to managing the activities in the MPA will be required. A tripartite coordination between federal government, provincial government and First nations is coordinated under committees such as the Oceans Coordination Committee (OCC), Marine Protected Area Implementation Team (MPAIT), Regional Committee on Oceans Management (RCOM), Pacific Inter-Departmental Oceans Committee (PIOC) and the Government-First Nations Management Board (GFNMB). In addition, other government departments and agencies, MPA users and other individuals with an interest in the MPA play important roles in meeting the objectives for the MPA and implementing the management plan.

MPA Advisory Board
Government-First Nations Management Board (GFNMB)

(SEE CONSULTATIONS DOC)

Roles and Responsibilities

This section provides an overview of the activities related to the administration of the MPA and identifies roles and responsibilities of DFO, other government departments, and……… Government and non-government organizations play a role in managing the Race Rocks MPA and ensuring it is protected for future generations (SEE FIGURE IN GULLYMP pg 57 – circles). There are roles and responsibilities related to legal requirement for both government departments and users of the area. However, others with an interest in the MPA can play a role through providing advice on management, research guidelines, undertaking outreach, or participating in stewardship activities in the MPA. (Table?) The ongoing participation and involvement of a variety of federal and provincial government bodies, industry and public interests is essential to the protection of the Race Rocks ecosystem.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada

DFO is the lead authority for oceans management in Canada and coordinates federal programs, policies and management strategies related to Race Rocks. As the lead authority for the Race Rocks MPA, DFO has the primary responsibility for its protection and management. The Oceans, Habitat and Enhancement Branch (OHEB) is the lead organisation within DFO Pacific Region. Using an integrated management approach, OHEB will serve an overall facilitation and coordination function for implementation of the management plan and management of the Race Rocks MPA.
Section 32 of the Oceans Act provides the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans with the authority to establish, designate or recognise advisory bodies. The post-designation Race Rocks MPA Advisory Board, comprised of key partners and stakeholders with interests in the management of the MPA) has been formed. The role of this MPA Advisory Board is:
Advise on management plan development;
Participate in monitoring programs, review of protocols and data collection (i.e. where local/coastal communities and oceans users have pertinent expertise, such as providing experiential, local and traditional ecological knowledge of the MPA ecosystem);
Provide advice on adapting the management plan and monitoring strategy, where necessary;
Share progress reports with broader stakeholder community;
Review annual work plans and performance reports; and
Help promote compliance through awareness raising with interest groups.
Department of National Defence

The Department of National Defence’s (DND) military buffer zone for the WQ (Whiskey Quebec) military training area is partially located in the waters of the proposed Race Rocks (XwaYeN) MPA. While training activities do not take place within the Race Rocks (XwaYeN) MPA boundary, Bentinck Island, located approximately 2 km away, is a blasting training site in the use of explosives for the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt.
Province of British Columbia

For over 30 years, BC Parks has been engaged with the protection of Race Rocks through the establishment of Race Rocks as an Ecological Reserve (ER). While the ER includes the islets and sea floor, it does not include the federally controlled water column.

collaborative management between MPA and ER
highlight linkages
First Nations

The area has cultural significance to local First Nations. The XwaYeN (Race Rocks) area is claimed traditional territory for at least four Coast Salish First Nations people; Beecher Bay First Nation, T’Sou-ke Nation, Songhees Nation and Esquimalt Nation. The term “XwaYen” is from the Klallem language for the place called Race Rocks. The nutrient rich waters of this area provided a wide diversity of food fishing opportunities year round. XwaYeN (Race Rocks) is believed to be the gateway to the Salish Sea and is seen as an icon of the region, ecosystem and traditional territories of the Salish people.

Pearson College Any and all research or educational activities to take place in the Race Rocks (XwaYeN) ecological reserve require a permit issued by BC Parks. Pearson College acts on behalf of the province of BC, as custodians of the ecological reserve, administering research permits and monitoring access to Rack Rocks (XwaYeN).

Monitoring and Reporting on Management Effectiveness
Research and Monitoring Strategy

Research and monitoring activities carried out as part of SARA action plans will be beneficial for increasing the understanding of the Race Rocks ecosystem. Conversely, research and surveillance activities carried out to manage the MPA may also be beneficial for assessing compliance with SARA and promoting the recovery of particular at-risk species.

Race Rocks (XwaYeN) has been used as a field site for scientific research and education by Pearson College as well as other researchers. Currently, all parties interested in conducting scientific research within the Race Rocks (XwaYeN) ecological reserve require a BC Ecological Reserve permit and clearance from the Province of BC (administered by Pearson College). The role played by the Eco-Guardian at Race Rocks provides a great opportunity for partnering to help achieve monitoring goals. Research activities that contribute to the scientific knowledge of biodiversity and ecosystem function are compatible with the conservation objectives of this area, subject to activity plan approval.

Public Awareness, Education and Stewardship

To meet the MPA Management Objectives as described in section 3.3 (3. a-c), Race Rocks (XwaYeN) will provide opportunities for recreational activities as well as public awareness and education on its unique ecological features. This section describes the overall approach to providing information on the Race Rocks MPA to affected user groups and all Canadians.

With its close proximity to urban areas, Race Rocks is accessible to many people, providing a unique opportunity to showcase a coastal marine protected area, increasing public awareness and providing educational opportunities.

For the MPA to be successfully managed, it is important that the public, particularly affected user groups, area aware of the MPA designation and Regulations. Outreach and education activities will be directed to improve compliance with the Race Rocks Regulations.
To contribute to the successful implementation of a network of MPAs in Canada, those involved with the establishment of MPAs in other parts of the country should be aware of the process taken with Race Rocks and the challenges that were faced. The lessons learned from the designation of the Race Rocks MPA will be documented and shared with colleagues and the public.

ACTIVITIES

OUTREACH MATERIALS

CURRICULUM MATERIALS

MATERIALS FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS

RaceRocks.com
Pearson College, in addressing the concern about environmental impacts from site visits during the 1980s and 1990s, launched a website in 2000 to support non-commercial education through live streaming video.

Tourism and Recreation

With its close proximity to urban areas, Race Rocks (XwaYeN) is independently accessed by the public for boating, diving and wildlife viewing. Boaters may use the waters surrounding Race Rocks (XwaYeN) as a thoroughfare to other areas, shelter from the elements, as a reference point for navigation, or a general point of interest.

Race Rocks (XwaYeN) has been recognized as an important sport fishing destination since western settlement with anglers seeking Pacific salmon, halibut, lingcod, rockfish, prawns and crabs.

Since 1900, Race Rocks (XwaYeN) has gained worldwide attention by divers for its marine diversity as well as its walls, pinnacles, crevices and high currents. While divers enjoy the underwater ecosystem, tourists and researchers to the area have engaged in marine wildlife viewing, typically between the months of April to October. The important tidal upwelling due to the unique bathymetric features at Race Rocks (XwaYeN), acts as a haven for a significant assortment of flora and fauna (Figure 5).

Management Plan Review

The current management plan is intended to guide management of the Race Rocks MPA from (year) to (year). EXAMPLE ONLY

Surveillance, Enforcement and Compliance

Surveillance, Enforcement and Compliance planning for Race Rocks (XwaYen) MPA will be developed consistent with DFOs National Oceans Act Marine Protected Area Compliance and Enforcement Policy currently being developed. A coordinated approach between DFO and BC Parks to compliance and enforcement is required for the MPA given its existing Ecological Reserve status.
Specific Roles and Responsibilities

As the lead federal authority for the MPA, DFO will have overall responsibility for ensuring that the Regulations and conservation measures are respected and enforced, while other agencies also have accountabilities under their own mandates in the area (Province of BC). DFO’s role is undertaken through the Department’s legislated enforcement mandate and responsibilities under the Oceans Act, the Fisheries Act, the Species at Risk Act and other federal legislation covering fisheries conservation, environmental protection, habitat protection and marine safety. DFO also provides a leadership and coordination role for broader inter-agency surveillance, monitoring and enforcement activities in support of the MPA. Under this coordinated approach, the primary means of the Departmental enforcement presence will be through an already existing surveillance program.

In addition, BC Parks has a management contract with Pearson College of the Pacific to provide a 24 hour a day resident EcoGuardian at the Ecological Reserve. Wherever possible, DFO should strive to work cooperatively with BC Parks and the designated EcoGuardian to achieve surveillance and compliance objectives.

DFO fishery officers will work together with other law enforcement personnel (or enforcement officers so designated by the Minister according to section 39 of the Oceans Act) to ensure that the proposed management actions and regulations for the area are respected. Enforcement of the regulations and subsequent offences will be dealt with under sections 37 and 38 of the Oceans Act.
Submission and Evaluation of Activity Plans (Example ONLY)

Scientific Monitoring and Research

DFO wishes to encourage research at the Race Rocks MPA while meeting its conservation objectives. Research in the Race Rocks MPA has a dual identity: first, as a human use with potential impacts which management measures seek to address; and second, as a generator of data, knowledge and information valuable for the adaptive management of the MPA. A research strategy will be developed to include monitoring protocols and be regularly updated.
Surveillance, Enforcement and Compliance

Enforcement officers are charged with enforcing all of the provisions out the Oceans Act, including all MPA Regulations. Violations of the MPA Regulations carry penalties under the Oceans Act, while contraventions of licences and consent issued for foreign vessel access can result in charges under the Fisheries Act and under the Coasting Trade Act. Upon conviction, the courts may impose fines and prison terms for offences under each of these Acts.

The following is a list of responses available to deal with alleged violations of provisions of MPA Regulations of the Oceans Act:
Warnings;
Orders recommended by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and
Injunctions;
Alternative measures to prosecution; and
Prosecutions.

The primary means of surveillance and enforcement in the MPA is through DFO’s Conservation and Protection Program. In addition to its general MPA enforcement activities, DFO is responsible for fisheries enforcement matters related to the MPA. Fisheries violations can result in charges under both the Fisheries Act and the Oceans Act as Fishery Officers are designated as enforcement officers under both pieces of legislation.

The enforcement provisions of the Species at Risk Act may also be used in support of the MPA when dealing with listed species. Fishery Officers are designated as enforcement officers for the Species at Risk Act and violations may result in charges under this legislation, as appropriate.

REFERENCES AND RELATED MATERIAL

Ballast Water Control and Management Regulations. Canada Gazette Part 1, Vol. 139, No. 24, June 11, 2005. Available online: “http://www.canadagazette.gc.ca/archives/p1/2005/2005-06-11/pdf/g1-13924.pdf” <
Canada’s Federal Marine Protected Areas Strategy, Government of Canada. 2005.

Oceans Act Marine Protected Area Regulations, Compliance and Enforcement Policy – May 2010 Draft

Race Rocks Area of Interest Regulatory Intent Statement. Working copy of the Draft Regulatory Intent for Race Rocks MPA, August 2010.

Socio-Economic Base Case Update for Race Rocks Proposed Marine Protected Area. Prepared for DFO – Habitat Management Division, March 31, 2009 by R. Sunderman, Peak Solutions Consulting Inc.

The Role of the Canadian Government in the Oceans Sector. Fisheries and Oceans Canada.2009.

Wiring Diagrams to Illustrate the Oceans Act MPA Designation Process and Management Responsiblities. Prepared by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Oceans Sector for the Race Rocks Public Advisory Board, May 18, 2010.
PAGE 22

Doug Biffard: Is this an accurate reflection of the authority of BC Parks and the roles and responsibilities of Pearson as custodians?
Needs reference

History of Communications from Race Rocks

Posted on Monday,March 15, 2010 by Garry Fletcher

Signals used for communication with Esquimalt and Fort Rodd Hill prior to radio communications	The microphone used in the radio room pre-1960 for weather and radio communications.	This keypad was used for the telegraphic communications in Morse Code over the radio in the early years.See link to communications	In this picture, taken before 1976, the radio tower for communications, (VHF?) appears on the left hand side. On the right side are the guy-wires for the radio beacon.
Rectifier	Radio Beacon	GE Radio.. with label—->	Sinclair Radio Labs label

Some time in the 1980’s the Coastguard installed a Radio network which connected the lightstations. It wasn’t until the late1980s that VHF radios became the method of communication at Race Rocks. In 2000, with the millennium project, Lester Pearson College installed the V(oice) O(ver) I(nternet) P(rotocol) installed at Race Rocks. This provided, through a microwave link to the Lester Pearson College phone exchange, the first regular telephone service to Race Rocks. See the technology index.

In March 2010, I had a conversation with Trevor Anderson about the radio communications when he was at Race Rocks from 1966 to 1982.. Below are some of his thoughts about communications at that time.

The radio beacon at Race Rocks came under a different government department. They had installed a small generator for the beacon alone. The same applied for the radio equipment.
The Sequential radio beacon: Before the days of GPS, ships at sea along the Strait of Juan de Fuca had available in some areas a position fixing system which relied on a radio signal broadcast from a series of shore stations. There were 6 stations broadcasting from radio beacons in the Juan de Fuca /Georgia Strait area. Five were located at American sites and Race Rocks was the only one broadcasting from Canada on that frequency . Some of the other stations on the circuit with the radio beacons were at Port Angeles, Neah Bay, and Shelter Island. There was a non-directional wire antennae from the engine room where the radio was housed. The 6 stations were all on the same frequency. Each station sent out a Morse code letter ( From Race Rocks it was the letter J in Morse code) every 6 minutes, so each station had 1 minute per station when the code was broadcast in sequence. This relied of course on accurate timing, and Trev said that they had a wind-up clock which would occasionally go out. Then it wasn’t long until the Americans were phoning to alert him.

For Canadian Coastguard communications there was an AM radio network for the Lightstations all up and down the Coast. Weather reports were broadcast from Prince Rupert to Race Rocks on the 1850 frequency. I asked Trev if that network could be used for lightkeepers to talk to other stations, he said ” Only after midnight and then the Coastguard didn’t approve of that.”One of the problems with operating radio broadcasting equipment was that the radios operated by large tubes which would frequently need to be replaced, so Trev said his radio repair kit was always handy. He came with good radio skills however as he had been trained in communications when he was in the Second World War. He was the communications officer aboard a Lancaster Bomber which was shot down over the Mediterranean Sea when flying missions with the British Air force in North Africa. To this day he and his group from the Canadian Air Force who were assigned to work with the British in North Africa, have gone pretty well unrecognized for their heroic missions. He also has an incredible story of his miraculous escape through the window of his radio room of the bomber.Garry Fletcher, March, 2010

150 years of Operation of the Race Rocks Lighthouse

Posted on Wednesday,December 30, 2009 by Garry Fletcher

The British Colonist July 18,1859: ” The Imperial Treasury had advanced 7000 lbs to construct two lighthouses, a large one on Race Rocks : a smaller one on Fishguard (sic) Island, mouth of Esquimalt Harbor. Half the sum to be paid by British Columbia and Vancouver’s Island: the other half to be borne by the Imperial Government.”

The British Colonist December 27, 1860: “The Race Rocks Light—The beacon on Race Rocks was lighted last evening for the first time. We had not the pleasure of seeing it shine ; but are informed that it was very brilliant, and every way suited to the duty it will henceforth perform.”

You can read other interesting articles from the Daily Colonist of the 1800’s here:
Night time exposure by Ryan Murphy. For this and other images of the lighthouse see this file;On Dec 26, 2010 we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the lighting of the lamp in the lighthouse at Race Rocks. This lighthouse, on the most southerly tip of the West Coast of Canada, is the only rock-built lighthouse in British Columbia. It has served the people of the West Coast marine community uninterrupted all this time, and still continues as an important lighthouse and foghorn station today .To mark this sesquicentennial year, Lester B. Pearson College, who manages the island and the Ecological Reserve for B.C.Parks, has set up the Race Rocks Endowment Fund dedicated to the on-going sustainable operation of Race Rocks.

This file has many aspects of the history of the light station.

In the past year as much information as is available has been extracted on the early keepers of Race Rocks and several of the stories of heroism and tragedy are linked here.

Last year the tower underwent an extensive restoration and it now is in excellent condition.

From the top of the lighthouse, Camera1provides 360 degree coverage of the Eastern entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, from this most southerly point of land on the West Coast of Canada.

Race Rocks Light tower is situated in the Race Rocks Ecological reserve, on an envelope of land on Great Race Rock leased from the Province of British Columbia. Lester B.Pearson College has since the tower and foghorn were automated by the Canadian Coast guard in 1997, provided an Ecoguardian to live on the lightstation and has a long term lease from B.C.Parks for the operation and management of the area.

Garry Fletcher

See the News Page for recent articles about Race Rocks

Barry MacDonald visits Race Rocks

Posted on Monday,February 9, 2009 by Garry Fletcher

Barry MacDonald, President of the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society went out to Race Rocks with Garry today. Barry has been instrumental in getting the Lighthouse Heritage Protection Bill through parliament and working for the protection of the Atlantic Coast Lighthouses: http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/history/heritagetower.htm#Anchor-Pat-11481 . In this picture, he tells us about how the Air Chime Fog horns were once used across North America, but are now all discontinued.The one he is examining was removed for the installation of solar panels and has since been replaced, preserving the look of the four air chimes on the energy building.
http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/history/foghorn/foghorn.htm

Mike and Carol Slater: Ecoguardians 1997-2008

Posted on Saturday,November 29, 2008 by Garry Fletcher

MIKE AND CAROL SLATER-
The last lightkeepers of Race Rocks 1990-1997, and the first Ecoguardians at Race Rocks Ecological Reserve,1997-2008

Mike Slater passed away on February 12, 2017.

In 1990 the head keeper Mike Slater and his wife Carol came to the station. Carol in particular held strong views about the need to live in harmony with the nature that truly surrounds Race Rocks. The Slaters worked hard to protect the reserve and assist researchers. These volunteer activities fall far outside their regular lightstation duties. During the early 1990’s the ominous signs of the first radical change at Race Rocks became apparent as the Coast Guard experimented with automated equipment to operate the station. In the spring of 1994 the first announcements about de-staffing of lightstations on the British Columbia Coast were made. The decision was surprising and unpopular. In September, 1995, the Minister of Fisheries, Brian Tobin and the MP for Victoria, David Anderson paid a visit to the island and are shown here talking with Mike and Carol Slater and Pearson College faculty and students. Most surprising, a few months later was the announcement that Race Rocks was on the list of the seven stations to be de-staffed in the first round of budget cuts. Race Rocks was to be closed on March 1st 1997. Mike and Carol watched as the last of the automated equipment was installed and a maintenance crew measured the windows of their house for shutters. They might as well have measured the keepers for a box too as the end of a way of life would be coming to Race Rocks.
TEMPORARY REPRIEVE, 1997:
For the time being Race Rocks and its keepers won a reprieve. In an emergency two year agreement Pearson College undertook to operate the facility in cooperation with the Coast Guard, as an education centre. A private donor agreed to cover the salary costs for the Slaters who were invited to stay on at Race Rocks by Pearson College. The College continued negotiations with the Provincial Government, the actual owners of the land, to operate the facility on a long term basis. Twenty years later, Lester B. Pearson College is still managing the island on a long term lease from BC Parks. We are determined to make the island self-sufficient. So with that in mind, the Race Rocks endowment fund has been set up for operating racerocks.

Mike and Carol Slater 2008

This powerpoint presentation touches on some of the aspects of their life in the last few years at Race Rocks.

Pat Carney finally wins her lighthouse fight, TC, May 15, 2008

Posted on Thursday,May 15, 2008 by Garry Fletcher

News Column: By Jack Knox, Pat Carney finally wins her lighthouse fight, Times Colonist, May 15, 2008

“Busy Saturday for Pat Carney on Saturna Island this weekend. After the market at the recycling centre, where she’ll be selling garden plants for her church, it’s off to the open house at the East Point lighthouse.

That open house might not seem like a big deal to some, but to Carney, just retired from the Senate, it symbolizes victory.

For almost 10 years, Carney has been striving to save B.C.’s crumbling, historic lighthouse buildings, or at least arrange it so that community groups can get their mitts on them and put them to good use. Six times she tried to push through legislation that would allow that to happen. Six times she failed, Sisyphus pushing that boulder up the hill, only to see it roll back again.

But lo and behold, her seventh attempt finally made it all the way through Parliament this month — four months after the Saturna resident flew home from Ottawa for the last time. Shows what persistence will do.”

…….Continued, see the full article here:
Pat Carney finally wins her lighthouse fight, Times Colonist, May 15, 2008

Baker Bricks from old buildings at Race Rcks

Posted on Saturday,March 15, 2008 by Garry Fletcher

When we posted the images of the Baker Bricks on the racerocks.com website, we had no idea where they came from, for what they had been used on the island, or from what time period. As indicated on our “Old Brick page” the bricks occur in various spots buried around the island, especially up near the tower and engine room.

This led us to speculate that the bricks may have been used in some of the original buildings built in 1860 with the tower, perhaps even the attached stone building. Pictures from the B.C. Archives that we link on our history page showed many buildings which do not exist today. The early pictures can be placed in two categories: On the left from 1875, or 1860 to around 1900, when the original lantern room was intact, and then later pictures, after approx.1912 when the present lantern room was attached . In the earlier picture on the left, we can see a number of brick chimneys in the original buildings. On the picture on the right, a different set of buildings, some with chimneys are evident.

I also found this reference that connects the bricks we find out there to the Victoria company. http://www.victoria.ca/archives/archives_refbrk_fulllist.shtml
“George E. Graham was born in Victoria in 1901. He was a superintendent at Baker Brick and Tile. ” (Location of his commemorative brick in the heritage

In March 2008, we got an e-mail from Gloria Wallin of Victoria about the Baker Brick and Tile Company. She was not aware of the superintendant George Graham, but said:“My ancestors were the original Baker’s who started this company. Brothers James, John, & Michael Baker started this company. I’m descended from Michael Baker.”“

She then sent us the newspaper article of (Date?) : “The Brick yard was huge and was located where Mayfair Mall stands today. There were many employed there with many managers etc. Many of the brick homes in Victoria today are built from these bricks, including James Baker’s last home at 714 Discovery St. (still stands today).I would imagine many other buildings including some business downtown were built with these bricks. James brother Michael’s home is also standing which the brothers built with their brick at 968 Balmoral.”

She noted that the article also says “The blue clay found at a depth of five to six meters proved best, and the mix was dumped in a pit and were stirred with a horse-drawn scoop. The green bricks were hand cut at first but soon wire was used for this. Since the bricks would be dried in the sun before firing, it was largely a seasonal business. Another article says the Baker’s produced some 5 million bricks. The firm was well known for it’s high quality pressed bricks, for which the facade of the Board of Trade Building was a showpiece.”</spanSo from this added information we now know that the Baker bricks on Great Race Rock must have arrived on the island after 1870. So they must have been used in the chimneys of some of the smaller engine room and attached buildings. Thanks to Gloria Wallin for helping us to sort out this little mystery . Now of course we are interested in knowing where the bricks went from the old stone house which was attached to the tower and was removed in the early 1970’s.Perhaps some of the other bricks from our Old Brick File were from the old stone house. Could they have been quarried in small yards in Beacon Hill and the HBC (Hudson’s Bay Company) farms at Colwood and Craigflower started by 1855 or did they come around Cape Horn or as the article says “..by the end of the 1850’s most of the bricks in Victoria were still being imported from San Francisco.”

Race Rocks Lighthouse Great Race Island, British Columbia DFRP # 17447 Condition Assessment Including Indicative Cost Estimate: 2007

Posted on Friday,December 14, 2007 by Garry Fletcher

This document was prepared two years before DFO actually did the upgrading of the light tower. The following quotes on the historic significance is worth noting.

The Race Rocks tower is located on Great Race Island, a small and barren rock outcrop in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, about fifteen kilometres south of Victoria, British Columbia. Erected in 1860, simultaneously as Fisgard light, with which it was designed to function, the Race Rocks light tower is British Columbia’s second oldest operating lighthouse and a forerunner of the extensive system of navigational aids built during the following century along Canada’s West Coast.

Construction of both the Fisgard and Race Rocks towers was undertaken in 1859, at the initiative of colonial officials and with partial financial and technical support of the Imperial Government. The latter provided its expertise, the lighting apparatus, which according to the local legend, would have travelled from England with Fisgard’s first light keeper, and 7000 pounds in funding, half as a grant, half as a loan. The colonial government oversaw the selection of the site and the construction following a plan of combined tower and dwelling, attributed to both JohnWright of London and to the Surveyor General of British Columbia, Joseph Pemberton.1

“Race Rocks light tower is “the only known example of tall, pre-Confederation, unsheathed stone masonry tower, built outside of Ontario”.2 Along with towers of a similar design on the Great Lakes, it shares the classification of “Imperial” tower, a reference to its typology as a tall, tapered, circular, pitched-faced stone structure, rather than to the British involvement in its construction. Unlike the Imperial towers of Ontario, however, the interior configuration of the Race Rocks lighthouse was based on its being attached to the keeper’s residence, and consists of a continuous stone spiral staircase rather than of superposed wooden floors linked by ladders.

The light at Race Rocks was lit on December 26, 1860, a month after that of the Fisgard tower. Until the construction of the landfall light at Carmanah Point in 1891, it was considered the most important lighthouse in British Columbia. It was attended to by a long succession of light keepers and their families, who lived in the attached stone residence until the construction of new dwellings in 1964, closely followed by the demolition of the original house in 1967.”

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Background

The Heritage Conservation Network (HCN) project team has completed the condition assessment and report for the Race Rocks Lighthouse located on Great Race Island in the Juan de Fuca Strait, south of Victoria, British Columbia, as part of the project for eighteen lighthouses for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). The report contains structural and building envelope conditions, analysis of these conditions, recommendations and indicative cost estimates for mandatory and cyclical conservation work both in the short and the long term.

See the Full PDF at :Condition Assessment

Conservation Approach

This condition assessment, report and related recommendations, follow the conservation approach of minimal intervention and least harm to preserve/protect heritage character. This approach will help provide DFO with information required to properly manage the Race Rocks lighthouse while ensuring that the building is safe in terms of both public and staff and that the existing heritage fabric will be protected and maintained.

Description

The Race Rocks Lighthouse is a pitched-face stone structure with a round, tapered shaft, painted with a series of horizontal black and white painted stripes. The tower corbels at the top forming a gallery around the cast iron lantern, which rises approximately 32 meters (105′-0″) tall from grade, and tapers from a diameter of approximately 5.8 meters at its base to 3.8 meters at its narrowest point below the gallery. The tower is accessible through a curved metalic stair and arched door opening, located 3.20 meters (10’6″) above grade. It is pierced with 4 window openings, the two lowest of which are arched and the top two, rectangular. The cast iron octagonal lantern, which sits atop the concrete parapet, can be reached by a continuous stone spiral staircase, which terminates just below it.

Heritage Value

The Race Rocks Lighthouse is a Recognized federal heritage building (FHBRO log number 90-85). It obtained a total score of 62, based on a score of 14 for historical associations, 23 for architecture, and 25 for environment. A review of the related Heritage Character Statement is provided in the report to help the lighthouse custodians identify and protect heritage fabric and aid in guiding future maintenance and repair interventions so as to maintain the lighthouse’s heritage value. This section identifies all of the elements of the lighthouse that are important in defining the overall heritage values that require protection. Its character-defining elements reside in its robust stonework construction consisting of large rusticated blocks with limited decorative detailing, typical of “Imperial” lighthouse design, in its black and white day marking and in the interior spiral stone stairway. Other buildings on the islands are considered to contribute to the heritage character of the tower’s environment, but were not investigated for this report.

PWGSC, P&TSM, Heritage Conservation Network 1

Race Rocks Lighthouse Condition Assessment Reports Victoria, British Columbia Including Indicative Cost Estimate

Methodology

Background and historical documentation were consulted both before and after the on-site investigation. This included a review of documents related to environmental site assessments in the preparation of the Site Specific Safety Plan prior to the site visit. The on-site investigation consisted of a preliminary site orientation by the team members to gain a general understanding of the building and its surroundings. Detailed visual and tactile investigations were then carried out on both the exterior and interior of the lighthouse. All investigations were non-destructive by nature and any samples were gathered from loose or fallen materials.

Assessment

Building Structure:
Overall, the stone walls from the foundations to the top of the tower were found to be in fair to poor condition. Although there are no signs of displacements or structural instability, extensive damage was observed. Two large vertical cracks extend vertically from the base of the tower to a height of approximately 10 meters and will require mapping and monitoring. Deterioration of the stone also included delamination and salt formation, mostly visible on the interior walls, at the top of the tower, corresponding to exterior areas that were covered in “gunite” several decades ago. Water appears to be trapped in the walls at that level and the stone masonry will require rapid treatment in the affected area to limit further decay. Extensive cleaning, repointing and renewal of the impervious coating will also be required throughout.

Lantern and Gallery:
Deferred maintenance of the lantern and gallery has lead to deterioration of surfaces, with paint chipping and corrosion of the cast iron lantern and paint failure and concrete spalling of the underlying parapet. The gallery also shows traces of surface deterioration, with decayed paint and a failing membrane.

Building Envelope:
With the exception of an opening obstructed with fog-detection equipment, windows and the access door were found to be in good condition overall. The main recommendation with regards to the building envelope concerns the improvement of ventilation and heating levels to help resolve the stone deterioration on the interior face of the walls. Ventilation may for instance be provided through the windows and door openings.

Other Building Elements:
The exterior stair is a recent addition to the structure and is in good condition overall. It may warrant replacement in the future for reasons of code compliance and enhancement of the structure’s heritage character.

2 PWGSC, P&TSM, Heritage Conservation Network

Race Rocks Lighthouse Condition Assessment Reports Victoria, British Columbia Including Indicative Cost Estimate

Recommendations

The principal recommendations for this condition assessment would include:

Examine and monitor the two vertical cracks at the base of the tower for a minimum of 1-2 years to verify if they are still active and identify their cause(s).
Remove the “gunite” coating from the top of the exterior walls using an appropriate method.
Clean, repair and repoint the stone on both interior and exterior faces of the tower.
Remove all paint on the interior of the tower, using an appropriate non-abrasive method.
Replace the existing impervious coating with a coating that allows circulation of water vapour and repaint the existing daymarking.
Remove and repair the cast iron lantern (workshop conservation).
Repair of the top of the parapet, at the base of the lantern.
Provision of additional ventilation and heating inside the tower.
Implement regular maintenance activities. A detailed list of recommendations, identifying the recommended short- or long-term time frame is provided by building element in Section 4.0 and by type (mandatory, cyclical, investigation). Further investigation into building elements that were not accessible, research, and monitoring of conditions will also be an important future activity.
Cost Estimates

The estimated cost for all recommended mandatory and cyclical work for the next twenty-five (25) years is $3,503,600. The corresponding Net Present Value (NPV) is $1,782,000.

This amount corresponds to the sum (in NPV) of the mandatory generally short-term work $598,000, the cyclical generally long-term work $653,000 while also providing an allowance of $76,000 for further essential investigation, monitoring, and research, and $455,000 for overall fees, administration, etc.

The cost estimates for a Five Year Operating and Maintenance Plan, as provided by DFO, are included in Appendix J.

Race Rocks Lighthouse Victoria, British Columbia

Condition Assessment Reports Including Indicative Cost Estimate

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ……………………………………………………………………………………………..1

1.0 INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………………………………………..5

1.1 Background……………………………………………………………………………………………….5
1.2 Historic Context …………………………………………………………………………………………5
1.3 Conservation Approach ………………………………………………………………………………9
1.4 Project Team ……………………………………………………………………………………………11

2.0 LIGHTHOUSE DESCRIPTION…………………………………………………………………………12

2.1 Construction of the Lighthouse……………………………………………………………………12
2.2 Evolution of the Lighthouse ……………………………………………………………………….13

3.0 HERITAGE VALUE ………………………………………………………………………………………….17

4.0 CONDITION OBSERVATIONS, ASSESSMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS …18

4.1 Methodology …………………………………………………………………………………………….18
4.2 Building Structure ……………………………………………………………………………………..19
1. 4.2.1 Foundation …………………………………………………………………………………….19
2. 4.2.2 Wall Structure ………………………………………………………………………………..24
3. 4.2.3 Floor Structure and Interior Stair ………………………………………………………34
4.3 Lantern and Gallery ………………………………………………………………………………….38
4.4 Building Envelope …………………………………………………………………………………….46
1. 4.4.1 Exterior Walls and Roof ………………………………………………………………….46
2. 4.4.2 Windows……………………………………………………………………………………….49
3. 4.4.3 Doors…………………………………………………………………………………………….52
4.5 Other Building Elements ……………………………………………………………………………54

5.0 ISSUES ANALYSIS …………………………………………………………………………………………..56

5.1 Health and Safety ………………………………………………………………………………………56
5.2 Protection of Heritage Character …………………………………………………………………56
5.3 Site-Specific Challenges to Future Planning Work ………………………………………..56
5.4 Materials Conservation Specialists Required ………………………………………………..57
5.5 Need for a Regular Maintenance Program ……………………………………………………58

6.0 URGENT WORK TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC AND STAFF …………………………..59

PWGSC, P&TSM, Heritage Conservation Network i

Race Rocks Lighthouse Condition Assessment Reports Victoria, British Columbia Including Indicative Cost Estimate

7.0 LONG-TERM CONSERVATION PROJECT PLAN AND
OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE PLAN ……………………………………………………..60

7.1 Urgent Work to Protect Heritage Character ………………………………………………….60
7.2 Recommendations for Further Investigation, Including Testing and Recording…60
7.3 Twenty-five Year Mandatory and Cyclical Long-term Repairs/Replacements ….61
7.4 Five Y ear Operating and Maintenance Plan ………………………………………………….63
7.5 Schedule…………………………………………………………………………………………………..63

8.0 COST ESTIMATES …………………………………………………………………………………………..64

8.1 Twenty-five Year Project Plan ……………………………………………………………………65
8.2 Five Year Operating & Maintenance Plan…………………………………………………….66
8.3 Demolition Option and Due Diligence …………………………………………………………66

APPENDIX A: APPENDIX B: APPENDIX C: APPENDIX D: APPENDIX E: APPENDIX F: APPENDIX G: APPENDIX H: APPENDIX I: APPENDIX J:

Reference Documents ……………………………………………………………………….. A-1

FHBRO Heritage Character Statement, Score and Building Report ……B-1

The Stone Tower………………………………………………………………………………..C-1

Supplementary Chronology of Historical Information ………………………. D-1

Archival Drawings……………………………………………………………………………..E-1

Executive Summaries of Environmental Assessment Reports……………… F-1

Site Specific Safety Plan ……………………………………………………………………. G-1

Field Observations……………………………………………………………………………. H-1

Detailed Cost Table for all Recommendations ……………………………………..I-1

Five Year Operating and Maintenance Plan ………………………………………..J-1

See the Full PDF at :Condition Assessment

BIRD LIST – Race Rocks Ecological Reserve Thursday,November 21, 2024
Storm Season Sunday,November 17, 2024
Mixed Weather Wednesday,November 13, 2024
Animal Census Nov 11 Monday,November 11, 2024
After storm Thursday,November 7, 2024
Back to the Rock! Wednesday,November 6, 2024
October 2024 Temperature and Salinity Report Saturday,November 2, 2024
Last Day! Wednesday,October 30, 2024
Sea Lion Disentanglement Story Tuesday,October 29, 2024
Entangled Sea lion Rescued at Race Rocks Ecological Reserve Tuesday,October 29, 2024

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve-

marine ecology educational resource, remote-control webcams,elephant seal colony,Sea lion haulout,sustainable energy, solar energy

Category Archives: History

Thomas Westhead: Lightkeeper at Race Rocks,1940-1948

Newspaper Archives 1859-1906

Management Plan for Race Rocks MPA, Nov 2010 Draft

History of Communications from Race Rocks

150 years of Operation of the Race Rocks Lighthouse

Barry MacDonald visits Race Rocks

Mike and Carol Slater: Ecoguardians 1997-2008

Pat Carney finally wins her lighthouse fight, TC, May 15, 2008

Baker Bricks from old buildings at Race Rcks

Race Rocks Lighthouse Great Race Island, British Columbia DFRP # 17447 Condition Assessment Including Indicative Cost Estimate: 2007