Tag Archives: DFO

Rivers & Oceans

Great Bear Sea waters move closer to federal protection

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By Sonal Gupta, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A stretch of ocean off BC’s central coast, where salmon, herring, whales, sea otters and some of the province’s largest kelp beds share waters with fishing boats and coastal communities, is moving toward federal protection.

Six First Nations, Ottawa and the province signed an agreement Friday to establish a new National Marine Conservation Area Reserve in the Great Bear Sea, beside the globally known Great Bear Rainforest.

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Environment, Industry

Friends of Cortes Island: Re the proposed Cortes Island Quarry Expansion

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To: Ministry of Mining and Critical Infrastructure

Re: Cortes Island Quarry, Mine File 1610613

Friends of Cortes Island wishes to formally object to the proposed expansion of Cortes Island Quarry by the applicant 2385425 Alberta Ltd (operating locally under the business name of Island United).

We are deeply concerned that the proposal will cause significant harm to nearby sensitive ecosystems, namely riparian and wetland habitat and fish-bearing creeks. It will also result in the direct loss of a sizeable area of associated forest habitat.

In addition, we are very concerned that the application has been submitted without a comprehensive environmental impact assessment or any meaningful mitigation measures. As such, we respectfully ask the Ministry to reject the proposal in its current form. Please see our comments and recommendations below.

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Industry, Rivers & Oceans

Local volunteers challenge the expansion of a BC quarry near fish-bearing creeks

By Sonal Gupta, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A small quarry on Cortes Island, BC, could soon grow to more than four times its current size and local streamkeepers say the province may be considering the expansion without a full picture of nearby creeks, wetlands and fish habitat.

Island United, a local construction company, runs the Cortes Pit — a rock and gravel quarry in Whaletown. The company is asking the province to greenlight its plans to expand the quarry from 1.25 hectares to 5.16 hectares, add gravel washing and a concrete plant and extract about 40,000 tonnes of rock and gravel each year.

In a formal objection, Cortes Island Streamkeepers, a local volunteer group that monitors and restores island streams, is asking the province to pause the application while it works to set the record straight on what it calls “misleading information” about nearby streams and fish presence.

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Industry

Gleanings from the May 7 Community Meeting: Island United’s proposed Quarry Expansion

Around 100 people packed into Mansons Hall on May 7, 2026, for a community meeting on the proposed expansion of the Island United Quarry on Cortes Island. While most appeared to be opposed to the project in its current form, some added that Cortes Island needed a smaller quarry more in line with the island’s needs

Neither Howard Nielsen, who owns Island United, nor his wife were present. Regional Director Mark Vonesch explained, “ It’s their 15th wedding anniversary and they’re on a trip.” 

Mike Moore, who MC’d the event,  added, “First of all this is a meeting that is for information. We’ll have a question and answer period at the end of a few little presentations. It’s not a protest by any means. No profanity (audience chuckled); no derogatory comments. We’re here to look at the Island United Quarry expansion in Whaletown.”

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Rivers & Oceans

Some BC First Nations want to replace the salmon farming ban with their own system — and preserve jobs

Editor’s Note: Four of the 17 First Nations supposedly belonging to the Coalition of First Nations for Finfish Stewardship asked that their names be removed when this organization was first announced. They were the Mamalilikulla, Namgis and Kwikwasutinuxw Haxwa’mis First Nations (collectively referred to as the “Broughton First Nations”) and the Klahoose First Nation. This was apparently not done.

By Sonal Gupta, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Some BC First Nations want Ottawa to cancel its ban on open-net salmon farms and hand them the reins of a reformed system that could better protect both wild salmon and jobs in their communities.

Continue reading Some BC First Nations want to replace the salmon farming ban with their own system — and preserve jobs →