Province of BC Terminates Crown Water Lease for Shipbreaking at Union Bay

environment · July 10, 2025 · Union Bay, Baynes Sound

The Province of British Columbia has terminated Crown water lease V930973, previously held by Deep Water Recovery (DWR), due to repeated regulatory non-compliance and environmental concerns related to shipbreaking activities in the ecologically sensitive Baynes Sound area. The Comox Valley Regional District has filed an injunction against unregulated shipbreaking on adjacent private upland property.

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Sources

• “The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship... made the decision to terminate Crown lease V930973... DWR had been issued 20 warnings and advisories for regulatory non-compliance... The Province has determined and proceeded with the cancellation of DWR’s lease to protect the public interest.” — The Islands Grapevine – July 10th, 2025 (July 10th, 2025)

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