Environmental assessment<\/p>\n
Due to the size of the Living Dyke (over 7 hectares), the Project is considered reviewable under the BC Environmental Assessment Act. The Pilot Studies are not reviewable because of their smaller size that do not meet the threshold under the Reviewable Projects Regulation.<\/p>\n
The purpose of an environmental assessment is to identify and mitigate potential impacts of major projects and to seek consensus with participating Indigenous governments. Projects that are unlikely to cause significant adverse effects or serious impacts to Indigenous Interests may be exempted from a longer and more comprehensive environmental assessment process.<\/p>\n
The City is seeking an Environmental Assessment Certificate (EAC) Exemption Order due to the restorative nature of the Project and its low likelihood of causing significant adverse effects. Additional permits and approvals would still be required.<\/p>\n
The City has also been seeking input from First Nations and meeting regularly with Semiahmoo First Nation on the living dyke.\u00a0<\/p>\n
View Public Comments<\/a>.<\/p>\n Indigenous interests\u00a0<\/p>\n The Living Dyke is within the core territory of Semiahmoo First Nation, the traditional territories of the Katzie, Kwantlen, Sto:lo, and Tsawwassen First Nations, and may be of interest to other Indigenous nations and organizations.\u00a0The City is committed to working with all interested First Nations on the Living Dyke to ensure concerns are addressed. Semiahmoo First Nation is a partner on this project.<\/p>\n Below lists the City\u2019s efforts to date working with Indigenous nations:<\/p>\n Sought input from Indigenous nations through its\u2019 Disaster and Adaptation Mitigation Adaptation Program (DMAF), which consists of 13 Coastal Adaptation Projects, and during the development of the City\u2019s Coastal Flood Adaptation Strategy (CFAS, 2016 – 2019).Meeting with Semiahmoo First Nation on a bi-weekly basis since May 2021 to discuss DMAF projects including the Mud Bay Living Dyke.Regular meetings with the Boundary Bay Living Dyke Roundtable, which includes representation from First Nations.Frequent \u2018Living Dyke Core Group Meetings\u2019 with Semiahmoo First Nation.Circulated 50% and 90% Pilot site design for comment to 20 First Nations.City provides regular updates and meets with First Nations, as requested to discuss projects. City has met\u00a0separately with Semiahmoo, Kwantlen, Katzie, and Tsawwassen First Nations to date.Engagement & collaboration<\/p>\n Project information and updates will be provided on this webpage.\u00a0If you would like email updates, sign up for the CFAS newsletter. The signup form is at the bottom of this page. We generally only send out 1-3 newsletter emails a year.\u00a0<\/p>\n Province’s Public Comment Period<\/p>\n The public will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the Project to the BC Environment Assessment Office, as part of the early engagement phase of the Environmental Assessment permitting process.<\/p>\n The BC EA Public Comment Period ran from Jan 11 – Feb 27, 2023. See details on commenting on projects.<\/a><\/p>\n Navigable Waters Comment Period<\/p>\n Under the Canadian Navigable Waters Act<\/a>, notices were posted on the Surrey and the Delta sites:<\/p>\n Surrey’s preliminary engagement<\/p>\n During the development of Surrey’s Coastal Flood Adaptation Strategy (CFAS) from 2016 – 2019, and the Surrey’s DMAF Program of 13 Coastal Flood Adaptation Projects, the City has engaged with relevant stakeholders, Indigenous nations, regulators, land owners, and the public on issues facing Surrey’s coastal floodplain.<\/p>\n During this preliminary engagement, key interests, values, and concerns around Mud Bay were identified, considered, and incorporated into the development of the Mud Bay Nature-based Foreshore Enhancements Project.<\/p>\n Boundary Bay Living Dike Roundtable<\/p>\n The living dyke\u00a0concept for Mud Bay was first discussed during the CFAS process and refined further through a collaborative working group called the Boundary Bay Living Dike Roundtable (the Roundtable), which was created in 2018. The Roundtable consists of representatives from Indigenous nations, environmental regulators, coastal engineering experts, municipal staff, and researchers. Participation in the Roundtable is voluntary, and its objectives include information sharing, technical dialogue, and relationship building.\u00a0<\/p>\n The City will continue to work closely with the Roundtable for input on construction, monitoring, and evaluation of the Living Dyke.<\/p>\n News & resourcesContact<\/p>\n For more information about this project, please contact\u00a0[email\u00a0protected]<\/a>.<\/p>\n