Should Shoreline Restoration Proceed at Cates Park in North Vancouver?
Official title: Shoreline adaptation and restoration - Whey-ah-Wichen (Cates Park)
The District of North Vancouver and Tsleil-Waututh Nation want to restore 1.3 km of eroding shoreline at Cates Park (Whey-ah-Wichen). The project would add 26,000 cubic metres of fill and rock to protect archaeological sites, habitat, and park infrastructure from sea level rise. Construction would happen mostly at night during low tides over two years.
Why This Matters
Live near Cates Park or visit it regularly? Construction will happen 24/7, including nights and weekends, for about two years. The project aims to protect the shoreline from climate change, but truck and barge deliveries could affect local traffic and noise levels.
What Could Change
If approved, nearly 30,000 square metres of shoreline would be modified with fill, rock, and new plantings. Archaeological sites and cultural resources important to Tsleil-Waututh Nation would gain protection from erosion. Park infrastructure would be reinforced against rising sea levels.
Key Issues
- Should 26,000 cubic metres of fill and rock be placed in the intertidal zone?
- How will nighttime construction impacts be managed for nearby residents?
- Are the environmental protection measures adequate for fish habitat?
Indigenous Consultation
This consultation requires engagement with Indigenous communities under the Crown's duty to consult.