A project decades in the making is beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But getting through that tunnel could still be a long process.
The Millstream Meadows site in Highlands is entering the final stages of remediation but still could have another five years before the property will be ready for sale.
B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 know exactly how itB次元官网网址檚 going to turn out,B次元官网网址� said Highlands Mayor Ken Williams. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 very preliminary.B次元官网网址�
Millstream Meadows is a 32-acre site that was used as an unregulated dumping site for septage waste from approximately 1941 to 1985.
Initially the site was privately owned but the province acquired and operated it for a brief period in 1974. It came into the CRDB次元官网网址檚 possession in 1984 before it was closed in 1985.
In 2008, the CRD and the province began the remediation process after contaminations were identified and removed roughly 76,000 metric tonnes of soil from the site. Contaminates found included metals, hydrocarbons, household debris, construction refuse, auto parts, PCBs, sewage and oil waste.
The goal of this remediation project, which has seen cooperation between the province, the CRD and the District of Highlands, is to see the property returned to public use.
But the CRD must acquire a certificate of compliance from the B.C. Ministry of Environment that will deem the site safe for use before the property can be sold.
To comply with those environmental and rezoning requirements the next phase of remediation will require an approved professional to complete investigations and risk-assessment activities, and submit applications to the Ministry of Environment.
Last week the CRD Board voted in favour of entering into that next stage and allowing staff to begin the competitive processes of receiving bids for environmental consulting services and detailed site investigations.
CRD board chair Nils Jensen said once a consultant has been selected, that group would be able to determine an updated timeline for the completion of the project once assessments have been done.
Those assessments will also help to determine when the CRD will be able to sell the property, which is currently predicted for 2020, and which portions of the property they will be able to lease out in the interim.
An overall budget for the project was estimated at $10.5 million. To date $9 million has been spent with an estimated $2.7 million in outstanding costs still projected.
B次元官网网址淲e hope to recoup most of that.B次元官网网址� Jensen said the CRD plans on doing that with income from leasing and eventually the sale of the property, adding B次元官网网址渋tB次元官网网址檒l depend on market conditions at the time.B次元官网网址�
Those costs have been shared, with the CRD contributing roughly 60 per cent and the provincial government contributing the other 40 per cent.
B次元官网网址淭his is an excellent example of different levels of government working very collaboratively to correct a historical situation,B次元官网网址� Jensen said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been a very positive experience.B次元官网网址�
Williams said the Highlands council was asked by the CRD to begin moving forward with a rezoning application that could see the land redeveloped for commercial or light industrial use.
B次元官网网址淩emediation has to be set to much higher standards for residential use.B次元官网网址� Williams said the application was still in its early stages and the next steps will be for council to review the site before it is passed onto the committee level.
B次元官网网址淭his is a comprehensive approach,B次元官网网址� he said, adding that B次元官网网址渋tB次元官网网址檚 going to be a long-term plan.B次元官网网址�
The District is also looking at another rezoning application for an adjacent property and plans to develop a thorough strategy for the entire area.
B次元官网网址淓veryone in the region seems to be on the same page with this one,B次元官网网址� Williams said.
katie@goldstreamgazette.com
