Sooke has ordered Viewpointe Estates to stop work within the 30-metre riparian area of its development project, citing potential violations of environmental regulations.
The move follows concerns raised by residents about the project’s impact on Ella Stream and the surrounding watershed.
According to a statement from the District of Sooke, the company must hire a qualified environmental professional to assess the affected area and produce a comprehensive impact report.
Concerns extend beyond municipal jurisdiction, prompting Sooke to involve the B.C. Ministry of Environment to investigate potential breaches of provincial regulations, including natural resource violations, non-compliance with the Water Sustainability Act, and contraventions within riparian zones.
“Any enforcement action would likely involve the province, with the district offering support,” the statement clarified.
Viewpointe Estates, however, maintains they’ve operated within the bounds of regulations.
“We’ve been informed to avoid the streamside protection area and haven’t undertaken any work within the 30-metre riparian setback,” said Chad Bryden, the development’s director.
“We’re committed to fulfilling all environmental requirements and protecting Ella Stream,” Bryden added, highlighting their engagement of an additional qualified professional to oversee park and trail construction.
However, residents like Margaret Cheshire, who launched a petition demanding transparency and environmental remediation, paint a different picture.
“The recent obliteration of Ella Stream and the obfuscation of facts by our municipal government has pushed us to take action,” she said, emphasizing the stream’s vital role in the ecosystem and the ongoing damage to the local watershed.
Her petition, garnering more than 70 signatures, urges full transparency regarding the project’s impact.
The Viewpointe Estates saga stretches back to 2011, riddled with controversies ranging from blasting permits to “a merry-go-round of ownership,” as described by Sooke Coun. Dana Lajeunesse in 2022.
The development consists of 100 lots on about 20 hectares between Maple Park Terrace and Mountain Heights Drive that will be completed during four phases in the next two years. About seven hectares is parkland and will include a playground and more than a kilometre of trails and amenities.
Bryden’s company purchased the site in December 2022, and continuing development started in 2012. The prior owner’s work, guided by an environmental professional and biologist, included Riparian Areas Protection Regulation assessments and plans for watercourse protection.
“We have retained an additional (qualified environmental professional) to oversee the new park, trail construction and park remediation, and look forward to working with the community as we move forward,” Bryden added. He plans to meet with district officials this week.
Residents like Allen Kind, who lives near the site, allege hundreds of meters of the stream have been buried under rocks in recent years.
“The blasting has been intense lately,” he added, echoing concerns about the project’s environmental footprint.
Chris Moss of the 606 Water Group underscores the critical nature of Ella Stream.
“It’s one of the few, if not the only, watershed originating in Sooke. Once it’s gone, it’s gone,” he said, emphasizing the importance of enforcing environmental protections.
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