Uplands Environmental Assessment and Remedial Action Plan

The town of Ladysmith intends to undertake remediation of a waterfront “uplands area” that has been contaminated due to historic industrial uses on the site that include former fuel-pump islands, boat-maintenance areas and waste-oil storage. This project will take place on lots 1,4 and 5 of the uplands area, which is defined as the land from the foreshore up to the E&N rail line, and from Captain Tristan de Koninck Way to 940 Oyster Bay Drive. For more than a decade a number of studies have been conducted related to this site involving environmental assessments and redevelopment planning. The assessment work to be performed as part of this project includes a detailed site investigation to properly delineate the contamination at the site and, based on these details, the development of a plan to remediate and/or manage the risks around contamination. This work is a step toward redeveloping the uplands area and reaching the goals identified in the town’s Waterfront Area Plan, which includes supporting implementation with development approaches that leverage land value and optimize mutual benefits for the Ladysmith and Stz’uminus First Nation communities. The Ladysmith Waterfront Area plan was developed during a 15-month extensive community consultation process that included the residents of Ladysmith and the Stz’uminus First Nation working in partnership. The immediate environmental benefits associated with this project are the minimization of the risks associated with land contamination. However, there will also be downstream environmental benefits related to cleaning up the harbour and upland areas so they can be used by locals and attract tourism. The project also has the potential to restore Stz’uminus First Nation shellfish harvesting. Further environmental benefits will be gained through developing additional green space and protecting and improving the habitats and ecology of shoreline areas. Innovative aspect(s): The prescribed nature of the provincial requirements for environmental site assessments does not allow for much innovation for that portion of this project. However, there are options for innovation in how contamination is managed and the site redeveloped. The town has committed to using innovative approaches in the redevelopment of the land, including: leadership in establishing strong connections and community engagement; making the Stz’uminus First Nation an equal partner in the redevelopment process; ensuring Indigenous culture is represented in the resulting design; and incorporating a range of uses for the area that will have environmental, social and economic benefits for both communities. Replicability: Other municipalities in Canada with underused waterfront areas could benefit from the best practices and lessons learned resulting from Ladysmith’s waterfront redevelopment and the extensive consultation, engagement and partnership processes used in planning this project. (Project description from original funding application)