The District of Squamish is looking for a consultant to guide the dredging of Mamquam Blind Channel to maintain the navigability of the channel.
The work includes bathymetric survey, environmental review, financial analysis, dredge options and engagement planning for consultations with government agencies and project stakeholders, according to the RFP issued by the district.
The primary objective, the district says, is to determine dredging needs for a safe navigation while limiting environmental impacts and enhancing coastal ecosystem function.
A secondary priority is to consider companion dredging needs for water lots for private, public, industrial and commercial needs.
The geographic area within the Mamquam Blind Channel included in this scope of work spans from the CN Rail bridge southwest of Highway 99 to the Squamish Harbour at the south end of the Squamish Oceanfront peninsula.
The Mamquam Blind Channel is the historic mouth of the Mamquam River where it enters Howe Sound.
There have been ongoing issues with safety and channel navigability, particularly during low tides due to the sediment.
In 2013, a dredge review was completed that estimated approximately 80,000 to 100,000 cubic metres of material would need to be removed to provide safe navigation of the channel at low tides.
Previous studies have identified that the Stawamus River produces approximately 2,500 cubic metres of aggregate materials annually.
A minor dredge project was completed in 2013 removing approximately 5,000 cubic metres of material from the channel and a short-term stop-gap measure to improve navigability.
Carlotta Liechti says
STOP! DOS should not be undertaking this expensive study. Put this to the new developers and interested parties. Red Bridge, Bosa, Solterra are some that come to mind.