Notice of Determination

Victoria, BC – June 01, 2021 – The Canadian Coast Guard has decided that the proposed Canadian Coast Guard Mount Gil Radio Site Upgrade and Radar Installation project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental impacts. This determination is related to the second phase of the proposed work involving the installation of a new radar system and new fuel tank system. This determination also considered the decommissioning of the current infrastructure on site

In making this determination, the Canadian Coast Guard considered the following factors and mitigation measures:

• community knowledge;
• comments received from the public: No public comments were received;
• mitigation measures:

• Impacts on rights of Indigenous peoples: Engagement with the Gitga'at and Gixaala First Nations was conducted and both Nations had concerns related to the new radar installation. Consultation with the product manufacturer and Health Canada Guidelines has determined that the radar will not pose a risk to wildlife or humans as the tower will be locked to prevent public access, the site is remote, the radar system rotates preventing birds from nesting and preventing the radar from pointing in one location
• comments received from the public: No public comments were received;
• mitigation measures: Canadian Coast Guard consulted a qualified environmental professional to perform an Environmental Site Assessment at Mt. Gil. Soil analysis confirmed metals and hydrocarbon contamination.
  Implementation of mitigation measures is required for the project to address:
• Metals and hydrocarbon contamination in soils. A qualified environmental professional has been retained to assist with soil management and spot remediation in the areas to be excavated.
• Potential hazardous building materials in old buildings - A hazardous building survey was completed
• Work is occurring outside the bird nesting window for this area
• Asbestos abatement plan and environmental protection plan prepared
  • All Transportation of Dangerous Goods Protocol for Hazardous Waste will be followed
  • Soil samples collected from excavated material and tested for contaminants
  • Appropriate PPE worn by all personnel on site
  • Preliminary soil sampling across the site to characterize soil to be excavated
  • Only remove soil from site that exceeded British Columbia Contaminated Sites Regulations
  • Dispose of contaminated soil and hazardous building materials at an offsite designated disposal facility
  • A new and improved fuel system to prevent leaks and reduce the need to store fuel in drums on site
     

The Canadian Coast Guard is satisfied that there is little potential for the project to cause adverse environmental effects on areas of federal jurisdiction. The work will improve the overall health of the site by removing contaminated and hazardous material from site and an upgraded fuel system to prevent leaks and reduce improper fuel storage on site. Environmental effects that are within provincial jurisdiction would be addressed through provincial regulations. Therefore, the Canadian Coast Guard may exercise any power, perform any duty or function, or provide financial assistance to enable the project to be carried out in whole or in part.