Detailed Site Investigation (DSI) at properties including 3111 Kenney Street, 5014 Keith Avenue and 5020 Keith Avenue, Terrace, BC

The City of Terrace will update a Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) and complete the field work and reporting for a Detailed Site Investigation (DSI) at a 3-parcel lot covering 6.13 hectares in an industrial zone near the city center. The land, owned by the City of Terrace, formerly housed a sawmill, a timber sort yard and a beehive burner as well as being used for agriculture. However, for the last several decades it has been vacant. The site is located approximately 700 metres northeast of the Skeena River and directly south of the Canadian National Railway, and was a central component of a recent community Neighborhood Planning exercise. The City plans to subdivide the site and create a road network to support a commercial/light industrial district can be created in this high traffic area. Investors have already approached the City regarding leasing or purchasing the property, but all have similar concerns regarding potential environmental contaminants. The consultant working with the City has indicated that there is a strong likelihood that the site is not in fact contaminated, but whether contamination is real or perceived, it affects potential future use of the property. The objective of the DSI is to further characterize soil, groundwater, and vapour quality at the site, and to evaluate the potential for groundwater contamination identified during previous environmental investigations. The PSI identified potential contamination on the site from petroleum hydrocarbons associated with the sawmill, as well as possible asbestos and mercury in an old office building. The DSI will review and refine Areas of Potential Environmental Concern and Potential Contaminants of Concern by drilling up to five boreholes; constructing up to five groundwater monitoring wells; and conducting laboratory analysis of the samples. Consultants will prepare a Stage 1 PSI Update report and a DSI report; as well as conduct a contaminated Sites Approved Professional review and submit the recommendation for a Determination that the Site is not contaminated. If the site is contaminated, the City of Terrace will seek out a Certificate of Compliance. (Project description from original funding application)