Public Notice
Drydock Leak Repairs at HMC Dockyard, Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt

December 10, 2019 — The Department of National Defence must decide whether the proposed project Drydock Leak Repairs at HMC Dockyard, Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this decision, the Department of National Defence is inviting comments from the public on the project and its potential effects on the environment. All comments received will be considered public. For more information, individuals should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website.

Written comments must be submitted by December 20, 2019 to:

Jennifer Holder, Maritime Forces Pacific, Environmental Staff Specialist
Formation Safety and Environment, Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt,
Post Office Box 17000  Station Forces, Victoria British Columbia, V9A 7N2 
E-mail Address:Jennifer.Holder@forces.gc.ca

The Project - Drydock Leak Repairs at HMC Dockyard, Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt

The drydock at HMC Dockyard, CFB Esquimalt is located between B-Jetty and C-Jetty. It was constructed in 1887 and is a historic structure. The graving dock was constructed using a combination of brick, rubble concrete and sandstone blocks.

The walls consist of an outer facing of sandstone blocks, rubble concrete and bricks. The thickness of the walls varies along its height. Two quay walls, one on the east side and one on the west side, were constructed at the same time as the graving dock. Both quay walls consist of an outer facing of sandstone blocks, rubble concrete and bricks.

Above water and below water visual condition assessments of the drydock and the quay walls were carried out and completed in 2018. Results from this assessment confirmed that there is deterioration and spalling of joints and bedding material between sand stones, and leakage of water through walls. As an immediate short-term viable solution to remedy the leaking, this project will involve repairing of existing masonry until further investigation work can be completed and a long-term solution developed. Masonry repair work will involve repointing of joints and installation of mortar between the sandstone blocks inside the graving dock and on the quay walls. Intertidal and subtidal marine growth located in these areas will require removal prior to repairs occurring.