Fall Action at Kus-kus-sum

You may have noticed that excavators were back at work on the Kus-kus sum site this August, continuing to transform the former sawmill site into a healthy estuarine ecosystem.

We saw the last of the creosote and hydrocarbon contaminated soils leave the site to be transported to a registered facility in Campbell River for disposal. These legacy contaminants were left behind by the industrial activities which took place at Kus-kus-sum since the 1940s. Clearing these soils away is a major milestone in our goal of creating a healthy ecosystem at Kus-kus-sum.

The excavation crews also continued to remove the artificially added fill and to reshape the shoreline to support riparian and tidal marsh vegetation. This summer we have successfully completed regrading another 5,000 m² of the site. We have also scattered logs and other woody organic material to help develop the soil chemistry and to attract insects, birds, and other wildlife.

This September and into October, we will be working with volunteers to remove invasive species which are trying to establish themselves on the site. This is an ever present threat to the site. Many hands make light work, so we hope to see many volunteers helping weed.

In October, we will be receiving a shipment of 3,000 native plants which will be added to the newly prepared areas. We will also need plenty of volunteer help to plant these species in their new home. Please watch out for volunteer postings and lend a hand when you can. Families are welcome to help with this process, however, it is the responsibility of guardians to supervise children in their care. Also, while we love furry friends, we do ask that pets are not brought to the site to limit harmful digging or trampling.

We are continuing to pursue options for receiving sites for the remaining “clean-but-salty” soils which can be seen stockpiled at the southeastern end of the site. We are hopeful that a receiving site will be identified soon, clearing the way to complete the final components of the restoration.

The removal of the steel retaining wall will be the final piece of the restoration process. Its removal is planned for the winter of 2025/2026. Once the restoration is completed we will be rematriating the site back to the K’ómoks First Nation. The K’ómoks First Nation and the City of Courtenay have been project partners since the initiation of this project. 

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