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Present:
Hugh Grasswick, Asst. Fire Chief; Jacques Campbell, SCC and SITA; Joan Combes, businessperson; John Combes, Harbour Commission; Janet Land, SGI Emergency Services; Logan Wenham, office of Gary Lunn, MP; Pat Ropars, JJM highway maintenance; Alfred Reynolds, Viable Marine Services; John Money, businessman; Terry Danyliw, Fire Chief; Brian Hollingshead, Islands Trust; Tom Johnstone, Islands Trust; Don Piper, interim dock services; Judy Tipple, Scribbler; Eric & Mary Nicol, property owners; Rick Mayher, resident; Geri Crooks, SIR, Canada Post and BC Ferries; Gloria Manzano, Dept. Fisheries wharfinger; Gloria & Dick Silverberg, Saturna Point Store and Fuel; Pat Carney, Senator; Bill Sheffield, property owner; Cunliffe Barnett, resident
Introduction: Hugh Grasswick initially presided over a meeting of stakeholders and other parties interested in the replacement of the government dock on Saturna, which was partially destroyed in a fire June 5, 2003. Given the tremendous impact the loss of this dock has on the community, an effort is underway to organize efforts to expedite a short-term solution and an eventual replacement of the facilities. The focus is on developing a strategy to hasten the repair and identifying a single point of contact on Saturna for all the agencies involved. Terry Danyliw reviewed the events on the day of the fire. The source is under investigation by both BCF and DFO and is currently unknown. Terry emphasized the high level of support provided from neighbouring islands, BC Ferries, the RCMP, Forestry, and the community itself to contain the potentially disastrous fire. Priority was given to protecting the fuel dock and tanks and that was achieved with no injuries. Terry commended the volunteer Fire Department crew and the community at large for their efforts. Janet Land (Saturna representative on the Southern Gulf Islands Emergency Services Committee) was contacted by Al Cannon, the Emergency Coordinator for the Gulf Islands shortly after the fire began. Mr. Cannon contacted Provincial Emergency Program (PEP) and the RCMP, and arranged for stand-by water taxi service to bring emergency personnel to the island or if evacuation became necessary. Pat Carney talked to Susan Steele, head of Small Craft Harbours Division (SCH), Department of Fisheries & Oceans (DFO). Pat extended her thanks for the Saturna Fire Department and BC Ferries for their efforts. Ms. Steele said a technical assessment has been done and DFO is aware of the need for interim measures. No funds will be allocated for unapproved interim measures. Assistance will not come from Parks Canada as they are not responsible for access to the parks. The DFO has two policies: one related to fishing docks and one for non-fishing docks. Pat identified 3 DFO priorities: 1) to identify a single contact person on Saturna for the various agencies involved; 2) create a Saturna committee to identify a comprehensive list of needs and facilitate interim and long-term measures; 3) to identify all the uses of the government dock. Pat will work with MP Gary Lunn’s office to identify possible sources of funding. She emphasized that we are the only Gulf island with a single government dock. John Money talked to Galiano, who formed their own Harbour Authority. They work through SCH and are completely insured. The SCH area chief is Dave Thorn who can be reached at (604) 666-2226. His second for the area is Mike Doutaz (604) 666-1339. John urged the group to look at the problem holistically. Mr. Thorn volunteered to come over and provide information to Saturna. The dock was offered to Parks Canada, who turned it down. Hugh contacted Meredith Reeve, who could not attend today but agreed that they should be included as a stakeholder. Galiano provides their own dock repairs and gets paid by SCH. John commented that the Saturna dock has the only fuel outlet in the area, outside of Miner’s Bay, Sidney and SaltSpring. He thought there may be some interest in evaluating a joint relationship with Miner’s Bay and Galiano. He reminded the group that some commercial fishing boats use the dock. Jacques Campbell was appointed as interim Chair and took over the meeting. Jacques was involved in the divestiture of the 10 docks now under the Harbours Commission. She confirmed that Saturna was not identified as one of the docks to be included and believes that DFO feels this dock should be maintained by the federal government. Gloria Manzano pointed out that the interim use of the dock was the highest priority. Terry Danyliw added that the interim solution needs to be agreed to by both BCF and DFO. Terry described a 4 ft wide walkway that could be used to connect the floating docks and the driveway. This approach was tentatively approved by engineers, provide BCF crew does the work, and work could start as soon as approval is obtained by the agencies concerned. Alf Reynolds (who took adjustors, DFO, RCMP, and BCF staff to look at the undersurface of the dock by boat) described the damage, He estimates only 50-60 of the 200 pilings actually hold up the wharf. They show some damage but are basically sound. The pilings are 12” diameter and show roughly ¾” burns along the circumference (1 ½” damage). Likewise the creosote beams, all of which are structurally sound. The 4 x12” joist over the pilings have more significant damage but it’s minimal on the shore side ( ½” to ¾“). The decking on top is completely damaged, although it appears a temporary walkway would not be a problem. BCF engineers estimated $2,600 in materials for a 4 ft walkway with rails. At this point, the group identified the uses of the government dock:
Thanks were given to Don & Lynne Piper for allowing use of their private dock in the short term. Most common carriers have included them in their liability insurance. John Money offered the key to his dock for services. Jacques identified four issues: identifying and implementing a short-term solution; action on a long-term solution; development of a stakeholder committee; and, identifying a comprehensive list of dock needs and uses. Hugh stated that we need to identify the agencies that should be advised of the committee existence and contact person. That will include at least BCF, DFO, CRD, Islands Trust, Parks Canada, MLA Murray Coell, and MP Gary Lunn. Logan emphasized that the office of MP Gary Lunn is there to assist us and we should keep them informed. Janet pointed out that a critical function of the committee is to keep the community informed. Notices of meetings, minutes, etc. should be kept current and posted at both stores and the Hall. Initial committee membership: Jacques Campbell (Interim Chair); Joan Combes (secretary); John Combes; Janet Land (or alternate); Alf Reynolds; John Money; Hugh Grasswick; Brian Hollingshead (with Tom Johnstone as alternate); Don Piper; Rick Mayher; Geri Crooks; Gloria Manzano; Susanne Middleditch; Pat Carney, ex officio member. The committee will meet Monday, June 16 at 7:30 PM at the Hall. A meeting notice will be posted and everyone is invited to attend.
Meeting adjourned at 12:15 pm. |