Helping to resolve the largest single point source metal contamination problem in North America

One of FBC’s earliest sustainability stories is about people coming together for the remediation of Britannia Mine, a notoriously polluted site on BC’s Sea to Sky Highway, partway between Vancouver and Whistler.

Britannia Mine was once described as the largest single point source metal contamination problem in North America. It operated as a copper mine from 1902 to 1974 when it was closed. The mine site discharged large volumes of acidic water containing copper, zinc and cadmium throughout its 70 years of operation and for decades to follow. The acid rock drainage had contaminated the water, soil and sediments in the area, and devastated marine life in Howe Sound. The situation was serious, and was a substantial barrier to economic and social development for the community of Britannia Beach.

The Fraser Basin Council entered the picture in 1998 to assist as a facilitator, at the invitation of government agencies, a landowner and local residents. FBC set tables for dialogue that involved government, private sector bodies, and the community. The aim was to build a common understanding of the issue, a commitment to collaborative action, and a way forward on site remediation.

As a result of that work, later negotiations among the parties, and new contaminated sites legislation, progress was made. A settlement agreement was later reached between the Province and the past owners/operators for remediation of the site.

The turn-around at Britannia has involved several steps — installation of an interim concrete plug by UBC to divert polluted water from a tributary to Britannia Creek, treatment of the wastewater at the new plant, and improved groundwater management.

Britannia Beach is now a vital, healthy community. Pink salmon were spotted once again in Howe Sound and Britannia Creek in 2011 — something hardly imaginable a decade ago. This was a testament to the resilience of nature when past wrongs are set right. When public safety later called for the decommissioning of several old dams in the watershed, habitat for fish and other aquatic species improved further: another win-win!