Introduction

2229 Boxwood Rd is an 8.5 hectare property located in central Nanaimo near Beban Park. It is currently being developed as a low density residential area. Although development seems simple with regards to topograpahy and local opinion, it has actually been quite the hardship. The lot is full of mining and construction waste which proved to be difficult to navigate, therefore the plot has switched possesion many times. The purpose of this lab was to conduct an Environmental Site Assement as if it were 2017 and no remediation had occured yet. To do this, each team did a historical review as well as a field survey to determine the issues associated with this property.

2017 Satellite image of 2229 Boxwood Road

Background

The first recorded human use of this property was as a part of the Northfield Coal Mine which was operational from 1889-1895 and later used by the Wellington Mine. The coal waste from operations on this site are still present today as well as an adit and a shaft (both of which have been deactivated). A lake was also present on this propery around 1930-1985, which was in-filled by various debris from projects nearby.

Air photo from 1958 showing body of water that was later in-filled.
1972 image showing the body of water being filled in.

Phases of ESA’s

Phase 1: Non-Intrusive Historical Review

Conducting a historical investigation, site reconnaissance, and preparing a document of findings and conclusions. Some records to review are:

  • Aerial photography and satellite imagery
  • Water wells and climate information
  • City directories and Site Registry
  • Geologic information
  • Municipal Files and Archives

Phase 2: Intrusive Site Investigation

If Phase 1 results in the determination that the site has a chance of contamination, then Phase 2 is put into motion. This phase could result in surficial and sub-surface soil sampling, groundwater, and surface water sampling. These results are then compared to CSR standards, if samples are determined safe then no further work is needed. If samples are above the standards then site must move on to Phase 3, where delineating, quantify, and calculating volumes occurs.

Phase 3: Remediation

Once estimations on remediation extent are determined, then remediation is undertaken. Remediation varies from site to site, but results in safe environmental conditions.

Field Trip

On Wednesday, March 6, the GEOL312 class joined Roxanne Croxalle from Tetra Tech to take a little tour of 2229 Boxwood Road. This was a very informative trip and lots of aspects on the property were discussed. We started the tour in the North end then worked our way through the property. The North end consisted of a remediated section where surface soil which was contaminated with coal and construction waste, was stripped at a level around 1.5 m below surface. Roxanne let us know that the soil in this area was clean enough to where you could basically eat it without safety concerns. We then headed are way to the centre of the property where a large mound sits. This mound is actually 32,000 cubic metres of coal waste covered with an extremely compact 1 m deep layer of soil. This mound has a coventent on it (no moving or building on it) as well as acts as a sound barrier for a future roundabout planned just Southeast of the planned residences.

Dr. Tim Stokes grilling Roxanne with questions on remediation while looking at the site for the future roundabout.
Senior VIU student Brayden Klassen posing in front of the remediation mound that covers 32,000 cubic metres of coal mining waste.
Image from the top of the mound looking North which displays the professional landscaped hill side full of native species.

Conclusion

This lab provided the class with insight on the behind-the-scenes of development of project sites in the district of Nanaimo. Roxanne was a wonderful educator into life as a geoscientist in this field and gave us a great tour of the property. It was very nice to see how much weight local and federal governments put onto remediation of properties where past human activites have environmentally altered the landscape. It is wierd to think of a time where waste was simply dumped in empty lots without consideration. Anyway, good lab and heres to a clean future!