The Town of Qualicum Beach has been nominated for the 2021 Climate and Energy Action Awards for the “Beach Creek Enhancements and Waterfront Improvements” project under the climate adaptation category.
The project re-establishes an artificial estuary for Beach Creek designed to restore natural conditions to a creek outlet, enhance fish access and reduce predation on salmon returning to spawn, according to the town’s website.
It will also install an upland sediment control structure in the creek to eliminate the clam shell dredging, which is detrimental to fish habitat.
The town said the project will increase resiliency to extreme weather events and sea level rise by constructing a “soft” shore armouring approach as identified in the Waterfront Master Plan.
Fifteen communities were nominated this year in three categories: community planning and development, corporate operations and climate adaptation.
The town said in the release it would like to congratulate the District of North Vancouver as the winner of the Climate Adaptation category, for its leadership in the North Shore Sea Level Rise Risk Assessment and Adaptive Management Strategy.
The awards are organized by the Community Energy Association, in partnership with the Province of British Columbia, Union of BC Municipalities, BC Hydro, FortisBC and Real Estate Foundation of BC.
