Public Notice

Cumshewa MCTS Site Upgrades – Public Comments Invited

May 8 2025 – The Canadian Coast Guard must determine whether the proposed Cumshewa Mountain MCTS upgrade project, located on Moresby Island in Haida Gwaii, is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this determination, the Canadian Coast Guard is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination. All comments received will be considered public and may be posted online.

Written comments must be submitted by June 9, 2025 to:

Canadian Coast Guard

25 Huron Street
(236) 464-3649
Jordan.grootendorst@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

 

The Proposed Project

The project involves the installation of a new mechanical and electrical building to house the power supply for the on-site radio communications tower. The existing structure has deteriorated and requires replacement. Work will include forming concrete piers, placing a prefabricated aluminum building on the piers, and installing a new bulk fueling system along with generators and associated electrical components. The existing structure and fuel tank system will be decommissioned and removed.

The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) is the project proponent and will provide funding over the proposed four-year timeline. Following both desktop and field assessments, no environmental permits have been deemed necessary for the project.

The site is located on a ridge at approximately 620 meters elevation. It had been logged before CCG operations began. The surrounding area consists of coniferous forest stands of varying ages and coarse, gravelly soils. No standing water was observed within 100 meters of the site during inspections, and no stream systems are present within 500 meters. Bedrock is at shallow depths (<1m) in most areas of the site. There are no roads leading to the site;  all personnel will be transported daily by helicopter.

For more detailed information on the project, feel free to reach out to Jordan Grootendorst at the above email address.