EJQ3 - Winter 2025 - Journal - Page 36
LOCATED AT THE CONFLUENCE of mountains and ocean, Squamish, B.C.
is surrounded by a breathtaking backdrop in an area renowned for its
trails, adventure sports, and diverse wildlife populations. Coupled with
the thriving art and culture scene, Squamish is growing.
Starting in the 1960s, a mercury cell chlor-alkali plant operated on the
Oceanfront Peninsula just south of downtown Squamish. It produced
caustic soda, hydrochloric acid, and chlorine for the pulp and paper industry. The historical plant operations resulted in the release and deposition of mercury contamination from the plant’s chemical manufacturing
processes. After the plant ceased operations in the 1990s, the province of
British Columbia ordered remediation which resulted in signi昀椀cant remedial excavation programs, and a Certi昀椀cate of Compliance (Certi昀椀cate)
for residential use issued in 2005 for one-third of the land. An Approval-in-Principle was issued for the remaining lands and included longterm monitoring of the site.
STANTEC DIVER PREPARING FOR
SEDIMENT SAMPLING IN HOWE SOUND.
PHOTO CREDIT: CONOR MCCRACKEN
For decades, the Oceanfront Peninsula remained o昀昀 limits to the waterfront community of Squamish who had limited direct local access to Howe
Sound. But in 2004, the lands were transferred to the District of Squamish
and a master plan for the redevelopment of the plant area was created.
E N V I RON M E N T J OURN A L QUA RT E RLY RE PORT • W I NT E R 2 0 2 5 • P AGE 3 6
