The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) board is allowing work to continue to obtain permits and approval for the emergency siphon project for Edwards Lake, with a budget of $175,000.
As the SCRD faced extended drought conditions this summer, an emergency operations centre (EOC) took on a number of projects to supplement the water supply, including preparations for emergency siphons at Edwards Lake.
During the EOC’s activation, the main components, including siphon pipes, were purchased and received. A final draft of a construction design, as well as an engineering design, were completed. An environmental impact assessment was started, and an archeological impact assessment was initiated.
Applications for a park use permit, Water Sustainability Act use approval, and rights and title review were submitted to BC Parks, the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, and shíshálh Nation respectively.
As of the board’s Oct. 14 meeting, $135,000 had been spent on the project. An additional $40,000 for remaining parts and the completion of the archeological impact assessment are anticipated.
“Staff are considering that finalizing this project would be more cost-effective than abandoning the project, and would add redundancy to the Emergency Response Plan for the Chapman Water System,” the staff report says.
