Bids Are Invited For Socio-Economic Analysis And Risk Assessment Of The Stó:Lō Syélt Xésxel - Fraser River Debris Trap

The Ministry Of Emergency Management And Climate Readiness (“The Ministry”) Seeks A Contractor To Conduct A Socio-Economic Analysis And Risk Assessment Of The Stó:Lō Syélt Xésxel - Fraser River Debris Trap (Ssxfrdt), A Vital Public Safety And Environmental Asset That Captures Floating Debris From The 1,300 Kilometre Length Of The Fraser River. Operations Are Conducted From Crown Land And, When Permission Is Given, Shxwōwhámél First Nation (Shxw’Ōwhámél) Land. In Addition, Permission From Yale First Nation And The Certificate Of Possession Holder Is Required To Access An Anchor Site For The Ssxfrdt.The Ssxfrdt Is A Water-Based Containment Facility Consisting Of Two 1,000 Metre Floating Booms, Strategically Anchored And Maneuvered To Passively Divert Floating Debris Into A Catchment Basin, A 50,000 Square Metre Backwater Area (The “Facility”).The Floating Booms Are Deployed In March, Prior To The Annual Spring Freshet. In An Average Year, The Ssxfrdt Diverts Up To 100,000 Cubic Metres Of Debris, Where It Is Then Transported, Sorted And Processed. It Is Estimated That The Facility Prevents Millions Of Dollars In Damages Each Year Related To The Cleanup, Repair And Maintenance Of Boats, Docks, Bridges, Riverfront Infrastructure And Wetland Habitat. In Addition, There May Be Economic Opportunities For The Woody Materials Captured By The Facility.The Onset Of Recent Climatic And Geological Related Debris Flow Events Have Necessitated Deployment Of The Fin Booms During Periods Outside Of The Typical Spring Freshet. The Increasing Severity, Intensity, Duration, And Frequency Of Debris Flow Events Continues To Increase Both The Operational Costs And Reliance On Aging Facility Infrastructure.The Ministry, With Shxw’Ōwhámél Participating As Ssxfrdt Co-Managers, Is Commissioning A Socio-Economic Analysis And Risk Assessment Of The Ssxfrdt, Utilizing Existing Climate Projections And Recommendations For Ongoing Operations, To Address The Following Considerations:How Will Climate Change Continue To Impact The Operations Of The Ssxfrdt? The Ministry Is Seeking To Understand:Volume Of Debris Loads;Operational Costs (Including Maintenance And Repairs); And,Replacement Or Redesign Of The Facility, The Potential Benefits, And Consequences.Climate Change Projections To The 2050S, At Minimum, Should Be Considered.