Monday, November 10, 2014

Apologies!
Bill Yoachim inadvertently omitted
from list of supporters.



I apologize that our Blog left out Bill Yoachim as another candidate who has supported our efforts to save the park.
Bill worked closely with Doug White and their efforts prevented council from giving the order to start the bulldozers. 
Bill has stated openly on a number of occasions
that he remains very supportive.
—  Jeff Solomon

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Colliery Dams Update: Nov 3 Council Meeting

Motion adopted at the November 3rd council meeting:

  • review water distribution in overtopping situation and how it impacts overtopping flow rate;
  • review capacity of existing spillway; and
  • review concept of alternate swale/drainage course to Harewood Creek

Update: We returned to Council on Nov. 03 and asked for two further studies which were also staff recommendations. We wanted clarification of the spillway capacity, as there are differing calculations in the reports. We also want a determination of where the water would disperse should it ever exceed the spillway in Noah’s major storm. This information is important to understand the impact this storm would have on the dam. The cost of these studies was to be between $6,000 and $12,000. Council also decided to accept City Staff’s further recommendation to spend between $20,000 and $30,000 to provide preliminary designs for an alternate swale/drainage course to Harewood Creek. While this is an option that may have merit, we pointed out that it was premature to proceed with this study without having spillway and water distribution information.. We do not wish to see further money spent until it is established that it is necessary.
The newspapers have not been presenting a good account of the information and it will be up to us to write our letters. 
The points to be made are (and please do not cut and paste but use your own words. It is much more effective, even if it is only a few sentences):

1. No fatalities expected in 1,000 year flood event (risk assessment done spring of 2014) and only a minimal risk in a 50,000 year event.

2. No fatalities expected in a seismic event.
3. Getting information about the lower dam and how it would respond in an extreme flood event is important to knowing what needs, or doesn’t need, to be done, rather than making conservative guess’.
4. Take time to get information before spending money where it may not be necessary. Is it wise to spend $30,000 for an option that might not be necessary?
5. Urge new councilors to get as much information as possible so they can make informed and responsible decisions.
6. We now know that the Colliery dams do not present a big risk to our community based on the engineers reports, especially the ‘in depth’ risk assessment. It is time to consider what work is really necessary.
7. Will the other dams In our region need to go through this kind of scrutiny? Will they have the same criteria applied to them, with the astronomical costs attached? If not, why not?
8. CDPPS members should continue to be involved with decisions regarding studies and any related work.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank those on the current council who have been instrumental in helping us save the dams in our park. They are Jim Kipp, Fred Pattje, Bill Bestwick and Bill McKay. Although they were, for the most part, in the minority when important dam decisions were made, their effort to represent us was extremely important for achieving the success we have. We would also like to thank four people who are new candidates who have supported and walked with us from the very beginning of the Dam adventure: Brunie Brunie, Jim Taylor, Leon Cake and Gord Fuller. They have all, in their unique ways, brought strength to our cause and without their knowledge and commitment we would have had a far greater challenge. The Dams issue has seen a community rally in an amazing way. My hope is that the new council will reflect the call for community engagement that has been so lacking from the majority of our current council.

Note from Jeff Solomon: As some are aware, I am running for a school trustee position. I have become familiar with candidates, for both council and the school board and would be happy to give my impressions. To contact me email: solohunter@telus.net


Thank you for your support for our park.

—  Jeff Solomon

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Update from Jeff Solomon

I realize that things have been quiet on the dam front and I would like to give you an update.
Council, in September, agreed to have CDPPS approve the scope of work required for a study on how the dams would react in a flood event. We are requesting the study to determine if the dam wall would withstand the never before flood event predicted to happen sometime in the next 50,000 years. The next step, if there is a question regarding how the wall would respond would be to explore how the berm on the back side of the dam would react (erosion) and how it would support the wall in this event. Basic questions that have never been answered.
We were to meet with the engineer on Thursday October 9 but it was delayed. We are now on hold until next week and will probably go back to council on Oct. 27.
The City staff have removed some flood signs but are refusing to take them all down as we had insisted. (The risk assessment document states that no one is expected to die in a 1,000 year storm event.)
Please pay attention to the upcoming election.
I have been asked many times if I am running for council and I have declined. I could not really advocate for the park if I sat on council. City councilors are also required to attend many meetings and read huge numbers of documents, neither of which I am a fan of. I am, however, committing to running for the School Board as I think that I can fulfill the requirements of the job. I especially would like to support the Cedar community as I believe the facilities plan was very poorly thought out and a huge loss for the community.
Progressive Nanaimo
I also am a founding member of Progressive Nanaimo; supporting positive change in our City’s governance. Progressive Nanaimo is holding its second NEW Candidates meeting, scheduled for Oct. 14 at 6:30 at Beban Park. A third meeting will be held on Oct. 23 at 6:30 at Bowen Park. Both these meetings will give the public a better idea of who the new candidates are. Please attend one or both if you can. An informed voter is a responsible voter.
We have learned a lot about City Hall in our 2 years fighting for our dams. This is our opportunity to make good choices on election day.
Also please check out the Progressive Nanaimo facebook site for information about the new candidates and events being held. Should be very a interesting time over the next month for both the park and the election. Will keep people posted as events unfold..
Also don’t forget
Dam Zombie Halloween Party
at the Lower Dam.
All are welcome. Sat. Oct. 25 at 5:30.
October 14, 2014 - Beban Park 6:30 New Candidates meeting.
October 23, 2014 - Bowen Park 6:30 Second New Candidates meeting.
October 25, 2014 - Lower Colliery Dam – Dam Zombie Party

Thank you for your ongoing support for our park.
Jeff Solomon

Saturday, August 2, 2014

COLLIERY DAM PARK PRESERVATION SOCIETY
NEEDS YOUR HELP


COLLIERY DAM PARK PRESERVATION SOCIETY
NEEDS YOUR HELP

City of Nanaimo has every intention of pushing for destruction of the lower spillway at a price tag of over $8 million. This is by far a most invasive and costly option to fix a problem that has questionable benefit.

If the plan for the labyrinth design goes ahead it means that:
• the lower dam area will be shut off to the public for all of next summer
• both lakes will be lowered 5 meters during the construction period of 4 months which would be disastrous to the eco-system of the lakes
• the Labyrinth spillway being recommended will be almost 17 feet deep to manage the projected flow of a flood event that might occur in 35,000 OR 50,000 years. For much of the year we have about 1 inch of water in the spillway and rarely have more than one foot. Constructing the labyrinth spillway means blasting into the bedrock under the existing spillway and removing the bridge.
• When used, the low level outlet in the new spillway would draw down the water at the lower lake 10 feet, this likely would be used during peak recreational time. Drawing down water from the lower lake would only be a boost to the Chase River for a few days and would severely limit the recreational value of the lower lake during its peak usage. We have raised our concern for ensuring water flow into the entire system and we believe that this needs to be addressed and can be achieved by a comprehensive long term approach. This has become much more of a concern since the new reservoir has come online as there is now no overflow from the decommissioned reservoir. The Fish and Game Club have proposed options to enhance water in the river system and these have been on record for almost 2 years.

City of Nanaimo says they will only take some of the signs down. They are spending thousands more dollars to decide which signs should come down. Studies show the risk is minimal. They serve no purpose other than to project a sense of urgency that does not exist.

WE NEED YOU TO:
• become informed. There will be a lot of information that will be put on the City website that will help you understand the risk and the plans going forward. Please feel free to email City staff or myself with anything you do not understand. My email is solohunter@telus.net
• write Mayor and Council and insist that they stop this madness. It is important to take the time to make sure money is not wasted and that we develop a solution that does the least amount of harm to the park and its ecosystem.
• insist that the signs come down NOW. The risk is minimal.
• tell Council that you want public representation back at the table so that we have input into final decisions made. The options that have been presented to council do not address the mandate of the technical committee to be least invasive and cost effective.
• tell Council that we insist on the minutes for the Technical Committee meeting of June 27 be released with all amendments and additions as insisted by the Colliery Dam Park Preservation Society.

THIS IS NOT TIME TO BE PASSIVE. THEY WANT THIS TO BE LOCKED DOWN BEFORE THE ELECTION AND IT HAS BEEN IN MOTION FOR MONTHS. BE VOCAL NOW. 



JOIN US FOR A DEMONSTRATION AT
THE SARC (ANNEX) BUILDING ON 
DUNSMUIR STREET (City Hall)
1:00 ON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 06TH 



MAKE UP SIGNS. TELL THE CITY THAT WE ARE NOT GOING AWAY

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

IT IS TIME TO STOP WASTING TAX DOLLARS

GET RID OF THOSE DAM SIGNS

TELL MAYOR AND COUNCIL TO STOP WASTING OUR DAM MONEY   

For more information and to answer any questions please Join us on Sunday at 1pm at the lower Colliery Dam.


Monday, June 30, 2014

Colliery Dam Park Preservation Society Temporarily Withdraws from the Technical Committee

It has become increasingly clear over the last few months that that the technical committee is not being directed by the goals of least invasive and cost effective measures for dam remediation.  Our questions are no longer adequately answered and our input disregarded.   We cannot support the current process which we do not feel is credible.
Although a comprehensive analysis has determined that our dams are in good condition and pose little risk to the community, the City is unwilling to step away from their entrenched position.  They have refused to retract their emergency message and take down inappropriate signage. Initially they had stated that the major concern was an earthquake.  This has proven untrue.  Now they are stating that we must remain on emergency status because of a hypothetical storm event.  This type of fear-mongering does not lead to appropriate and practical decisions and has nothing to do with promoting safety. Furthermore, City of Nanaimo also continues to pursue remediation measures in excess of what may be required with corresponding excessive costs.
CDPPS have acted as representatives from the community which has not yet been fully engaged according to the mandate of the Technical Committee. The lack of transparency with this process has long been a major issue of concern. The public have not had an opportunity to partake in this process and have a real say in planning. The Public (via Colliery Dam Park Preservation Society) has been given token representation at the Committee level with no actual authority in the decision making process.  There is no consensus regarding the options that are being considered which have dramatic cost and impact factors. Nor is there sufficient allowance for other, potentially more appropriate options. To date there has been absolutely no information volunteered to the public at large with respect to options or related costs. This is not acceptable. This is our community’s public park and these are our tax dollars at stake.
Colliery Dam Park Preservation Society has stated that:
 there is no urgency in making any decision regarding the park immediately as the risk has been qualified and it is minimal
 that all documents from engineering consultant Golder and minutes from meetings be released for public consumption.
 that current options which are being considered and related costs be made public
 that the technical committee re-convene in a month’s time to review and plan accordingly.

For Contact:
Jeff Solomon
CDPPS  250 753-0554

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Solstice Summer Picnic — Sunday June 22nd



Solstice Summer Picnic at Colliery Dam Park
Sunday June 22nd at 1pm

Bring food to share (there will be hot dogs and a barbeque to cook on.) Colliery Dams forever balloons for the kids. This is an opportunity to celebrate our dams and our incredible community. Community as in Nanaimo, since people from all over our city have contributed their time and energy to make sure our park with its lakes is preserved. Everyone is welcome. If you have questions you can email Roblyn solohunter@telus.net

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Colliery Dams Technical Committee Update —
Risk Classification Reduced

Declassified dams, yes! What we have struggled to show has been proven and we are grateful to the City for allowing Golder to do the tests to prove that this is so. It was inconceivable to us that our dams could be the danger they were purported to be and now it is shown by verifiable evidence that they are not.
The Risk analysis was key in explaining what the risk actually is rather than the huge assumptions from previous studies, and the onsite testing to determine the actual condition of the dams again eliminated assumptions of poor quality concrete with no reinforcement.
These dams are strong and even in the strongest earthquake will pose little or no risk to our community. I appreciate the efforts of the technical committee to make the time and effort to prove that keeping our dams is the best solution.
Given this encouraging information I am hopeful that the committee will be able to determine a cost effective and non invasive method for taking care of the spillway concerns, again using common sense. The massive savings could be the money needed for the Linley Valley purchase. A two for one bonus. Kudos to the CDPPS reps for their tireless contributions (without salary) for helping to make this happen. Roblyn



May 26 2014
COLLIERY DAMS TECHNICAL COMMITTEE PUBLIC INFORMATION UPDATE

RISK CLASSIFICATION OF COLLIERY DAMS REDUCED
FOLLOWING PHASE ONE WORK OF TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

Work undertaken by Golder Associates on behalf of the Technical Committee during Phase One of its mandate included detailed site testing, analysis and risk assessment of the Colliery Dams. That technical analysis indicated that there is an extremely low risk of sudden or rapid failure of the dams in an earthquake that would cause a large wave of water or debris to impact the neighbourhood below the dams.
That work has been a significant factor contributing to the replacement of the “Extreme” consequence classification of the dams by lower classifications, as described in this public update. Analysis is continuing to determine the best option to increase spillway capacity, which must be expanded to meet flow requirements in a prolonged heavy rainfall. A further report will be issued in approximately 4-6 weeks on the remediation work to be undertaken, the schedule, the status of signage in place, and the timing for release of the consultants’ reports.

Background:
· An update on the status of the Technical Committee’s work was last provided on March 24 2014. This update provides information about the physical state of the dams that has emerged through Phase One of the work of the Committee.
· The mandate of the Committee is to focus on options for remediating the existing dams
that will satisfy the requirements of the BC Dam Safety Regulation, which is administered by
Dam Safety Section (DSS) of the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
· As part of Phase One of its work under that mandate, the Committee was tasked with
reviewing existing data and collecting additional data with the objective, among other
things, of “potentially reducing the hazard rating of the dams through better understanding
of the dam structures, failure rates and methods/probability of events that would result in
failure of the dams.” (In the Regulation, the term used for “hazard rating” is “consequence
classification.”)

Risk assessment approach:
· In its approach to the Phase One work, the Committee endorsed a “risk assessment”
approach to assessing the physical state of the dams (engineers Golder Associates were
selected by the Committee to undertake this work based on their high level of expertise in
this area and their recommendation that a risk assessment approach be used to develop the
most appropriate remediation options in due course).
· Why has the Committee taken this approach?
o Changes to the Canadian Dam Association Dam Safety Guidelines made in October 2013
provided the Technical Committee with the opportunity to employ this approach to
evaluate the dams and their hazard rating (consequence classification), and develop the
most appropriate remediation options to achieve acceptably low public safety risk.
o This is a technical and complex undertaking, but worth understanding as it has made a
significant difference to the outcome of the Committee’s work. Without the ability to
use this approach, the Committee would have been limited to only considering
remediation options that would meet the design standards associated with dams with
“extreme consequence” ratings, which likely would require more extensive remediation.
o Risk, in this context, is a measure of the likelihood and severity of adverse consequences
from potential dam failure under various conditions, such as an earthquake or
prolonged heavy rainfall, and is usually expressed in terms of life-safety and economic
impacts.
o Understanding the extent of the risk assists with the selection of remedial options to
address deficiencies in the dams in a way that will meet Dam Safety Section
requirements.1 In the case of the Colliery Dams, the priority is to ensure that any work
done on the dams is essential to meet life-safety requirements while meeting the
Committee’s other objectives as outlined at its first meeting (attached to this update).
· As part of the risk assessment process, Golder has undertaken detailed testing and analysis
of the dams over the past six months. That new information was required to support a case
to reduce the hazard ratings or consequence classifications of the dams and to establish the
appropriate level of remediation required.
· Golder therefore undertook physical site investigations, and core samples of the dams, as
well as hydrological, hydraulic, structural, geotechnical and earthquake analyses, to ensure
that the Committee had complete information.

Results of risk assessment:
· Until now, both of the dams have been classified by Dam Safety Section as “Extreme
consequence” in the event of a severe storm or earthquake, which is the highest
consequence rating under the Regulation.
· The Extreme rating was based on a previous perception that the dams were very vulnerable
to serious damage and potential sudden failure in the event of an earthquake or severe
storm, and therefore posed a serious risk to public safety.
· Golder’s extensive site investigation work and comprehensive analysis of the results and
risks associated with the dams indicates that risks related to the dams are in fact
significantly lower than previously believed.
· The dams appear to be in the same condition they were when remediation work was done
on them in 1980. Testing has shown that the concrete walls are in good condition with very
limited signs of deterioration.
· Earthquake: The results of the analysis indicate that given the current physical state of the
dams, there is an extremely low probability of a dramatic rupture in an earthquake that
would put public safety at risk. It was established that the dams are very unlikely to fail
during an earthquake in a manner that would result in loss of life. If the dams were to be
damaged by an earthquake, it would most likely be manifested through slow leaking
through cracks in the dam walls rather than a sudden failure of the walls.
http://www.damsafety.org/resources/?p=39512aab-b30b-42de-a964-499b75372adf
· Severe storm: The results of the analysis also indicate that risks of serious damage resulting
from a severe storm are lower than previously thought. However, spillway capacity must be
addressed to reduce the risk further to the level required by dam safety standards.
· The Committee is pleased to report that, based on this new information, the Dam Safety
Section has decided to reduce the hazard rating, or consequence classification of the dams,
from their current “Extreme” rating to “High” for the Middle Dam and “Very High” for the
Lower Dam. Those new classifications will be put in place as soon as Dam Safety Section has
received and reviewed all of the detailed reports currently being completed by Golder.
What does this mean in practical terms?
· These rating reductions represent an acknowledgement by Dam Safety Section that the
dams carry significantly lower risks than an Extreme rating suggests.
· The Committee is now able to develop remediation options that will satisfy public safety
standards, consistent with these lower classifications. These include options to increase
spillway capacity at the Lower Dam, as Golder has determined that this improvement would
be of benefit in a severe storm.
· Any remaining incremental risk (due to dam failure) to the public downstream of the dams,
after remediation is in place, will fall within generally acceptable societal norms for
exposure of the public to risks (similar to that associated with the likelihood of a fatality due
to an auto accident).
· Golder’s detailed risk assessment report will be publicly available when it is finalized later
this summer.

Next steps:
· The Committee remains engaged in the review of remediation options generated by Golder,
based on the outcome of the risk assessment and in discussions with Dam Safety Section
and expects that detailed information will be provided in this regard in the next 4-6 weeks.
· The City is also reviewing its current short term emergency mitigation plan in light of this
new information about the risk associated with the dams, recognizing that this plan was
taken into account in the risk assessment.

Mandate of Technical Committee
As described in October 21 2013 report approved by Nanaimo City Council
Focus on outcomes that only involve remediating the existing dams, using the following phased approach:
· Phase 1: Review the existing data and direct additional data collection as necessary.
· Phase 2: Develop option(s) for remediating the existing dams that will satisfy the
requirements of the Dam Safety Section of the Ministry of Forests, Lands and
Natural Resources.
· Develop plans for short-term physical alterations to the dams in 2014 to provide
the necessary time to carry out the long-term strategy (if required).

Objective of Technical Committee
As set out by Committee at its first meeting
Development of an environmentally minimally invasive, cost- and time-effective solution while satisfying required safety standards - i.e. a solution that addresses:
· The safety of downstream residents and workers;
· Dam Safety Section requirements;
· The respective objectives of the City, Snuneymuxw First Nation, the Colliery Dam
Park Preservation Society and the community;
· Environmental concerns, including fisheries habitat and ecology;
· Cost-effectiveness; and
· Having a timely permanent solution in place in 2014 if possible, but no later than
2015, with shorter term mitigation in place if required in 2014.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Camaraderie, Food and Work Well Done —
Work Party for Invasive Species Removal
Saturday April 26 10 A.M.



Saturday April 26th (this coming) at 10 am.   There will be a work party at the Colliery Dam Park (lower)  to remove invasive species.  Children are welcome! 

We will work until noon and then there will be a potluck and barbeque afterwards. 
Tools supplied but bring your own if you have.  There will be someone to show what to look for and how to remove the invasive plants. 

Camaraderie, food and work well done.  Should be a great day.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Council meeting on Monday 7pm February 24th


"To update Council on the engineering consultant expenditures for the research and planning Phases 1 and 2 related to developing options for the remediation of the Colliery Dams." 

 Jeff Solomon will be speaking to council and everyone is encouraged to come in support. As we are getting closer to the time when solutions for remediation will be presented it will be important to show our continued commitment to keeping our dams. Lets show City council we support the remediation plan by coming to tomorrow's council meeting.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Press Release —
Colliery Dams Technical Committee
Public Status Update



 The Colliery Dams Technical Committee is pleased to provide the following public progress update, also available on the City of Nanaimo website. All of the Committee members remain focused on supporting the work that needs to be done to develop a remediation plan for the dams that will meet their collective objectives.

The Technical Committee was struck on October 21 2013 by the City of Nanaimo, with a mandate to develop remediation options to present to the City of Nanaimo and Snuneymuxw First Nation for consideration before a final decision is made.  Mayor John Ruttan says: “I’m very pleased to hear that the Technical Committee is making substantial progress on the work that has to be done, and working collaboratively together on developing options for remediation of the Colliery Dams. We have a good short-term emergency plan in place in the meantime, and I’m looking forward to seeing the options and making progress very soon on a permanent solution.”

Here's the link to the Technical Committee Public Status Update pdf file.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Important Notice for the Harewood Community

Wednesday, January 15th at 10:30am 
the City will be conducting an emergency test in the Harewood area. 

People who live in the inundation area, who previously have been contacted, will receive a phone call regarding the test. The siren will be sounded at full volume for 3 minutes and John Barsby students and staff will participate in an evacuation drill. This will be very loud and there will likely be people living outside the inundation zone unaware of what it is for. If you think there are people you know living in the area who might not be aware please take time to inform them. If you find it particularly upsetting you may want to make plans to be away from the area at that time.

We are asking for the siren to only be sounded for 60 seconds as we think this would be an appropriate amount of time for a test but as yet have not received an answer. This is a City decision and if you have any comments or feedback I would ask you to direct it to them.

The technical committee is working toward a remediation plan that will take away the necessity for the siren testing for the dams. Our hope is that eventually it can be used as part of an overall emergency alert system for our area.

Although the City was required to develop an emergency plan, and it is good to be prepared in the case of an emergency, it is also important to keep in mind that the City engineer told us last winter that the dams are stable in their current condition. It is the classification that has changed. The condition of the dams is the same. Engineers have stated that the dams have shown ‘no apparent’ deterioration since being upgraded in 1980. They have withstood flood and seismic events for over 100 years. The major change is the Dam Safety standards, with more stringent requirements.

Again, if you know someone that you think might be unduly concerned with the test please give them this information.


We appreciate your patience and any assistance you can offer at this time.

Roblyn Hunter

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Update From the Technical Committee


COLLIERY DAMS TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
STATUS UPDATE

Background

Mandate of Technical Committee:

On October 21, 2013 the City of Nanaimo struck the Technical Committee with a mandate to focus
on outcomes that only involve remediating the existing dams, using the following phased approach:

• Phase 1: Review the existing data and direct additional data collection as necessary.
• Phase 2: Develop option(s) for remediating the existing dams that will satisfy the
requirements of the Dam Safety Section of the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources.
• Develop plans for short-term physical alterations to the dams in 2014 to provide the
necessary time to carry out the long-term strategy (if required).

Composition of Technical Committee:

The Committee is comprised of representatives of the City; Snuneymuxw First Nation; the Colliery
Dams Park Preservation Society; and engineering firm Golder Associates. Committee facilitator
Katherine Gordon was appointed on November 26. Both Golder Associates and Gordon were
appointed by the Committee after review of a number of candidates.

Katherine Gordon will act as the contact person in relation to any questions about these updates or
the work of the Committee.

Role of Technical Committee:

The Committee is tasked with making viable recommendations on rehabilitation options to be
reviewed by the City, Snuneymuxw First Nation and the Dam Safety Section. Those
recommendations are to be made by February 28 2014 to the Executive Committee, which is
comprised of City senior staff and Snuneymuxw advisors directed by the Chief. The Executive
Committee oversees the Technical Committee and if necessary provides guidance and advice to the
Technical Committee.

Decision-making process:

In due course the Executive Committee will provide commentary and recommendations to the
Policy Group (Mayor and Council/Snuneymuxw Chief and Council) for consideration and discussion.
As owner of the dams, City Council must make the final decision on which rehabilitation option to
pursue and any short-term mitigation options required before permanent remediation takes place.

The parties involved at the table agree that this is a fair, credible process to follow.

Meetings of the Technical Committee

The Technical Committee has met twice, on December 5 and 13, and three meetings are scheduled
for January to discuss communications and risk assessment approaches and technical options being
developed by Golder Associates for committee consideration. Representatives of the Dam Safety
Section attend meetings in order to ensure they are fully informed and are able to contribute to the
progress of technical discussions.

Objective of the Technical Committee

The Committee has agreed on the following overarching objective for its work:
Development of an environmentally minimally invasive, cost- and time-effective solution while
satisfying required safety standards - i.e. a solution that addresses:
• The safety of downstream residents and workers;
• Dam Safety Section requirements;
• The respective objectives of the City, Snuneymuxw First Nation, the Colliery Dam Park
Preservation Society and the community;
• Environmental concerns, including fisheries habitat and ecology;
• Cost-effectiveness; and
• Having a timely permanent solution in place in 2014 if possible, but no later than 2015, with
shorter term mitigation in place if required in 2014.

Approach to Development of Rehabilitation Options

Investigation work

The Committee is combining work on Phases 1 and 2 of its assigned tasks. Golder Associates is in the
process of reviewing the existing data and collecting additional data as required. The Committee has
provided Golder with copies of historical and other relevant documents and reports and City staff are
working with Golder to provide whatever support is required in order to conduct any additional physical
site investigation of the Lower and Middle Dams.

The physical site investigation involves a limited geophysical examination of the two dams that will take
place during the week of January 13. This is a non-invasive way to survey a large area of the dams with
hand-held equipment that can be used in areas that are difficult to access with conventional drilling
equipment and minimize disturbance to the dams and watercourses.

The objectives include providing information related to the internal dam fill zoning of the two dams,
gathering information about the water table, underlying foundations and reinforcement (such as rebar)
within the concrete wall, collect information which may help to establish whether a low-level-outlet may
exist, and gather any other geophysical information, including seismic velocities, that will help in
developing suitable remediation options.

The work will be carried out on land, is non-invasive and is not expected to have adverse
environmental impacts as the radar and seismic signal sources are all very low energy. However, it
may be necessary, during one day of seismic surveying, to limit public access in order to minimize
vibration noise during the seismic recordings. If this is the case, notices will be posted at entrances
to the Colliery Dams Park and on the City of Nanaimo website, as well in local newspapers.

A second phase of site investigation will likely take place in the first half of February and involve
investigative drilling in the embankments and concrete core of the dams. The geophysics work may
provide information that will influence the scope of the drilling.

Risk assessment

At the same time, Golder has adopted an approach which includes the revised (2013) Canadian Dam
Association Dam Safety Guidelines to satisfy Dam Safety Section requirements. This approach applies a
risk assessment methodology to the development of satisfactory rehabilitation options. Dam Safety
Section staff have indicated that they are willing to work with this new approach. It is an approach that
both governments and industry are increasingly moving towards in developing cost-effective strategies
to address risk issues.

Over the next few weeks, Golder will be undertaking a risk assessment of the dams and concurrently
developing technical remediation options. The preliminary work will be presented to the Committee in
late January.