Public Comments Invited

[September 19 2024]  - The Fisheries and Oceans Canada must decide whether the construction of the Upper Fraser River Salmon Conservation Hatchery facility, located at Prince George, B.C. is likely to cause significant adverse effects. 

To help inform this decision, Fisheries and Oceans Canada is inviting comments from the public on the project and its potential effects on the environment. All comments received will be considered public. For more information, individuals should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website.
Written comments must be submitted by October 19th 2024 to:

Real Property and Environmental Management – Technical Services Team
PSSI Projects
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region
 
Address:
200 – 401 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC 
V6C 3S4
Email: DFO.PSSI.Projects@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Assessment Summary

The construction of a new salmon enhancement facility in the Upper Fraser watershed is a core initiative  of the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative (PSSI) which aims to fill a critical infrastructure gap in the region to address conservation and rebuilding priorities for Chinook and Sockeye salmon. The Lheidli T'enneh First Nation is collaborating with DFO on the proposed project and support has continued throughout its development. DFO has engaged with the City of Prince George to accommodate applicable bylaws and permitting requirements, including protection of the riparian zone surrounding the Nechako River. Throughout the construction of the project, a qualified environmental monitor and archaeological monitor will be on site as required to assess potential risks to the environment and monitor the effectiveness of mitigation measures to be implemented across the various phases of the project.  

The total project footprint is approximately 2.15 hectares and is expected to be completed over 3 phases:

Phase 1: Site preparation, Earthworks, and Utilities
Includes site vegetation clearing and stripping of overburden material within the development area to establish a suitable grade and foundation for the next phase. Approximately 0.8 hectares within the project area will be cleared of vegetation, followed by the removal of 5,300 m3 overburden material. Some material will be stockpiled onsite while the remaining material will be disposed of at an appropriate facility. Approximately 30,000 m3 of engineered fill material will be transported on location to support site grading, fill and compaction activities, as well as to elevate the site footprint to meet the City of Prince George Flood Plain Regulation. The site will be graded to achieve temporary construction access, site road/pathways and site drainage. Planned building areas will be prepared for installation of building slabs, footings and/or foundations. Underground utility services, including water supply lines, domestic and fire protection waterlines, and sanitary and storm water piping, and electrical conduits, will be installed via trenching activities.

Phase 2: Facility Construction 
Commencement of concrete works for building foundations and hatchery infrastructure, above-ground installation of utility services, and underground building utility service tie-ins will take place. Hatchery infrastructure to include building of a staff residence and office, workshop, storage facilities, two indoor hatchery modules, an aeration tower, head tanks, and a series of holding tubs. Other infrastructure requirements will include water delivery and sanitation systems, a backup power generator and effluent channel. 

Phase 3: Finishing Works & Commissioning
Anticipated to complete culvert installation, grading of roads, pathways and sidewalks, and the installation of curbs and pathways. Landscaping elements will include planting of trees and vegetation. A fence and gate will be installed surrounding the hatchery facility. Signage and other finishing items will be installed throughout the hatchery facility. Finally, the site will undergo the commissioning phase where final utility connections and systems will be tested and building infrastructure will undergo furnishing.
Project Locations

The proposed Upper Fraser River Hatchery will be located on the north bank of the Nechako River near its confluence with the Fraser River, just north of downtown Prince George. The site is under the jurisdiction of DFO, and as such, is on federally administered land. It lies within the unceded traditional territory of the Lheidli T'enneh First Nation. The 4.1-hectare site at 1177 PG Pulpmill Road currently sits vacant and historically the site was used for small-scale agricultural activities. It was chosen primarily due to the proximity to large volumes of available ground and surface water, but the urban location also allows easy access to power, natural gas, and other necessary services required for hatchery operations.

Site Address: 1177 Prince George Pulpmill Road, Prince George, BC. V2K 5P4

Site Access: Site is vehicle accessible from Prince George Pulpmill Road, located north of the Nechako River in the City of Prince George.
Latitude: 53.931476
Longitude: -122.738426