Canada. Seabed Lease approval brings Victoria International Marina closer to construction

WAM Development Group and its Community Marine Concepts Ltd. partnership has received approval from BC’s Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations for a seabed lease where it can build docks for the Victoria International Marina.

“This is an important step in the approval process that will soon bring one of the most modern, environmentally-friendly and beautiful marina projects in the world to Victoria’s middle harbour,” said Lachlan MacLean, Vice-President of WAM Development Group.

“We are currently awaiting federal government approval on our navigable waters permit and environmental screening, which we are confident will happen soon” he said.

The marina project has been the subject of six years of intense analysis and examination by leading environmental and navigation specialists from government and the private sector. Just over a year ago, the original 52 slip design of the project received federal government approval. However, when the City subsequently down-zoned the Crown waterlot where the marina docks are to be located, the developers reduced the size of the marina to 29 slips to conform with the new zoning.  As a result, they were also required to re-submit the application for a new navigable waters permit.

In March, the Esquimalt and Songhees First Nations reached an agreement with the marina developers on economic benefits they will share from the project. In return, both groups ceased legal action.

“Now that we have the seabed lease from the province and with the full support of the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations, we look forward to starting construction on the marina as soon as we receive final approvals from the federal government, which we are hoping will be announced very soon,” says MacLean.

“We look forward to creating new boat moorage and a key community space that generates economic and tourism opportunities for Victoria, Vancouver Island and the coastal communities of British Columbia.”

Anyone who would like further information about the marina and the approval process can visit www.marinafacts.ca.