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Kootenay Lake Ferry

The Kootenay Lake Ferry is an essential part of Highway 3 and runs between Balfour and Kootenay Bay. It is the longest free ferry service in the world and an essential link in the local transportation network. Masse Environmental provided environmental management and permitting support to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for dredging at three shallow areas along the navigation channel near Balfour to ensure ongoing safety and reliability of the ferry service. Masse Environmental also provided environmental support for improvements to the ferry terminals at Balfour and Kootenay Bay.

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Columbia River Skywalk

The Columbia River Skywalk is a unique pedestrian/utility bridge that spans the Columbia River at Trail. The Skywalk spans a width of 300 m and is one of the longest suspension bridges in Canada. The bridge was developed when the City of Trail needed to find a crossing for its sewer main - the addition of the walkway enhances pedestrian access between the downtown and East Trail, and disguises what would otherwise be a less aesthetic series of pipes. Masse Environmental completed an environmental assessment for the bridge, facilitated environmental permitting for the project, and provided environmental support to the City of Trail during construction.

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Best Management Practices for Protection of Nesting Birds at BC Hydro facilities

Best Management Practices (BMP) for the protection of nesting birds at BC Hydro sites were developed for the Duncan Dam and Hugh Keenlyside Dam Spillway Gates Program. The objective of the document was to assist the Spillway Gates Program in avoiding a work delay due to birds nesting on the spillway gate towers and related structures during construction activities. The document provides mitigation measures, survey procedures, and a framework for site inspection. The BMP’s have been adapted by BC Hydro to other dams in the region.

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Nelson Landing Foreshore Development

Nelson Landing is a residential and commercial development on the site of the former Kootenay Forest Products sawmill on the Nelson waterfront. The proposed development includes several multi-housing units, a public pedestrian walkway, and retaining walls/erosion protection along the foreshore of Kootenay Lake. Masse Environmental completed a riparian assessment on the property to satisfy Environment Natural Development Permit guidelines required by the City of Nelson. The potential impacts of the project on ecological values within the Kootenay Lake riparian area were evaluated and mitigation measures and design alternatives were proposed and incorporated into the final design. This included fish habitat structures and re-vegetation details for the 'Sierra Wall' retaining system that will provide bank erosion protection. Masse Environmental facilitated the Section 9 of the Water Act Approval and DFO review processes, and continues to work closely with the Owner and Contractor during construction to ensure that habitat objectives are achieved.

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Whiskey FSR Extension

As part of the Whiskey FSR extension, BC Timber Sales constructed a 200 m portion of the road on the foreshore of Arrow Lakes Reservoir in order to avoid steep unstable terrain on the hillside. Permitting for the road required DFO Authorization because of the loss of fish habitat and a comprehensive fish habitat mitigation and compensation plan was developed to mitigate impacts to fish habitat. Mitigation and compensation included planting 3,500 live cuttings within riprap along the length of the road, planting 8,500 sedge plugs along benches at the toe of the road, and 1,500 m2 of riparian planting. The project was completed by BCTS, Galena Contractors, Sprouler Enterprises, SNT engineering, and Masse Environmental in 2014.

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Red Mountain Resort Expansion

Red Mountain Resort (RMR) near Rossland BC has undergone substantial expansion of its ski hill and base area over the last decade and Masse Environmental has been part of the multi-disciplinary team required to accomplish this goal. RMR is located at the headwaters of the Topping Creek Watershed, the domestic water source for the City of Rossland, making environmentally sound practices a critical component of the work to ensure development activities do not impact the watershed. Masse Environmental conducted assessments, reviewed designs, completed permit applications, developed CEMP’s and erosion and sediment control plans, delivered on-site training for construction contractors and conducted environmental monitoring throughout each phase of the slope side accommodation and ski hill expansion.

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YRB - Kootenay Region

Masse Environmental has worked with Yellowhead Road and Bridge on numerous sensitive highway maintenance and infrastructure upgrade projects in the Kootenay Region. We have worked closely with YRB planning, permitting and monitoring projects that have included emergency works during flood events and a five year bridge maintenance program. The longstanding relationship enables projects to be completed in a cost effective and timely manner while ensuring industry best practices and standards are adhered to.

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Revelstoke Golf Course Bank Stabilization

Environmental services were provided to Klohn Crippen Berger Ltd for bank protection works along the Columbia River at the Revelstoke Golf course. The project was undertaken by BC Hydro as part of the Revelstoke 5 project to address bank erosion issues due to operation of the Revelstoke Dam. Environmental concerns included the presence of spawning and rearing habitat for the endangered white sturgeon. Services included environmental impact assessment, mitigation plan development, permitting, agency liaison and environmental monitoring during project implementation.

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Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

Seven washouts of highway infrastructure within the West Kootenay area occurred during the 2007 spring freshet. Environmental documentation and permitting was completed for repairs at all sites including in-stream and riparian fish habitat assessments, agency liaison and compensation and mitigation plan development. Environmental monitoring was conducted during the in-stream work window to ensure construction adhered to environmental requirements and design specifications required by the project engineer and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Vegetated riprap was successfully implemented at one of the sites as shown in the photo.

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Kootenay River Floodplain Scoping Study

An environmental scoping study was completed for the Lower Kootenay River floodplain from the US border to Kootenay Lake as part of Phase 2 of the Lower Kootenay Band Flood Plain Management Plan. The objective was to identify environmental issues associated with flood management. An overview of fisheries, terrestrial and wildlife resources, including species at risk, in the floodplain was conducted. The study identified alternative approaches to mitigation and compensation for impacts to habitat from flood control activities.

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