'Better shape than we found it': New BC Transit facility earns environmental recognition in View Royal
BC Transit’s new handyDART Centre has been recognized as Vancouver Islands first "Salmon Safe" site.
The certificate was awarded Monday at the View Royal construction site recognizing BC Transit for its efforts integrating water conservation and stormwater management into its redevelopment design, and for the restoration of a stream that runs into the salmon-bearing Craigflower Creek.
The certification came from the Fraser Basin Council and its Salmon-Sage program that recognizes progressive, environmentally-friendly land and water management practices in B.C.
"Salmon-Safe certification reflects exemplary stewardship of urban and agricultural lands," said Theresa Fresco, program manager with the Fraser Basin Council.
"BC Transit has taken great care and leadership at the new handyDART centre to improve the ecology of a previously degraded industrial site, adopt sound water management practices and restore a stream and riparian areas," she added.
The new BC Transit facility was certified "salmon safe" on Sept. 26, 2022. (BC Transit)
BC Transit says it worked with the community on the redevelopment of the property.
"We’ve been working with local stream-keepers, nearby residents and local experts to ensure that we’re enhancing the stream that runs through the site, which is currently the most significant environmental restoration project underway in the Craigflower Creek watershed," said BC Transit chief sustainability officer and VP of asset management, Aaron Lamb.
"This is a great example of how we can partner with the community to leave something in better shape than we found it through redevelopment," he said.
The Fraser Basin Council heralded the site as an example of how future urban developments should be carried out.
Some of the work BC Transit integrated into the redevelopment to receive the certification included realigning the stream to help with flow, placing raingardens along the creek to retain run-off during storms, increasing woodland habitat and replacing trees in a 2:1 ratio.
The certification will last five years and could be renewed at that time.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.