The Green Shores shoreline restoration project in Esquimalt Gorge Park is halting construction until summer 2024, The township is currently waiting for archaeology permits and permission from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to resume work. There are windows of time where, due to fish life cycles and other marine life considerations, work is not allowed.
Overall, project construction drawings are complete and the delay will not see significant financial impacts. Work will resume once the fisheries window allows and permits are received.
The Green Shores Project will remove human-made materials and regrade the hardened estuarine shoreline to create a more natural profile as protection against sea level rise. It will also enhance salt marsh habitat and establish native vegetation in the upland riparian areas (where the land meets the water). These features will provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife.
Project partners include the Capital Regional District, Stewardship Centre for BC (SCBC), Coastal Collaborative Sciences (CSS), and Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF).