Two large District of Kitimat public works projects set for this year will be paid for by its own reserves and by 2018 tax revenues.
At an estimated $2 million, the Radley Park erosion protection project is the largest on the district’s list for the year with $1.046 million to come from reserves and $953,000 from 2018 taxation.
Riprap, which is rock and other material, will be placed alongside the river bank at the park to prevent further erosion of parkland.
“At this point we are likely aiming for August at low water levels, after approval [from the federal Fisheries and Oceans Department is obtained,” said district chief administrative officer Warren Waycheshen. “Nothing can be done without this approval.”
The goal is to protect approximately 500 metres of shoreline.
“This would start at the boat launch area and extend downriver the length of the park. The work would be done based on past studies and updated information received in 2018,” said Waycheschen.
At an anticipated $1.5 million, capping of the area which was once the district’s main landfill. Project design and tendering are set to be complete by the end of April.
“The area to the south of the existing active landfill site, outside the fence, is required to be permanently closed and capped to [provincial] environmental regulation requirements,” explained Waycheschen.
“The capping system will provide a secure and impermeable barrier to water filtering through the refuse fill to minimize the leaching of contaminants to the groundwater. The surface will be grassed over on completion.”
Waycheshen said the design in progress will determine the type of materials to be used in a series of layers.
“Once the area is prepared to a final slope contour the basic structure would be made of a permeable layer to collect any gasses released, an impervious layer to stop moisture and rain from penetrating, a surface water collection system and protective cover of stable soil and landscaping with grass,” he added.
”There are a multitude of different products available to complete this, depending on the needs.”
The money for the project will come from savings tucked away by the district over the years in anticipation of the work.