Current Projects

Electric Vehicle Charging Network

This project, with an estimated total cost of approximately $460,000, will enable participating local governments and First Nations to install EV charging stations in their jurisdictions at no cost. The project plan includes allocations for detailed site inspections, installation of connecting electrical grids, and purchase and installation of charging units. In addition, EV charge station suppliers have indicated that the units will be networked, offering a cost-recovery option for local governments for electricity costs. Wall-mounted units are the preferred option and are generally 50% less costly than free-standing pedestal units. We anticipate a unit cost of approximately $25,000 for a fully installed charge station, including detailed design, equipment purchase, installation, project management, and contingency.

We expect to have agreements in place by March 31, 2026, with equipment suppliers and installers for the first phase of 9 – 11 charging units, with installation to be completed by the fall of 2026.

Strategic Framework for a Seaweed Cultivation Pilot Project

The RDMW has partnered with the Quatsino First Nation to develop a strategic framework to guide a pilot seaweed cultivation initiative.

The primary objectives of the Strategic Framework are:

1. To examine the economic and operational viability of a kelp seaweed cultivation operation based in the traditional territory of the Quatsino First Nation, with consideration to site selection, regulatory issues, capital and labour requirements, processing, marketing and distribution issues.
2. To develop a work plan that will evaluate the short-, medium- and long-term environmental impact of kelp cultivation, including potential effects on benthic communities, water quality, and other marine life, at the preferred site and adjacent waters and to identify mitigation strategies.

Knotweed Eradication Program

The RDMW has managed a Knotweed eradication program periodically in the region since 2017. The COVID epidemic of 2020/21 and the protocols that were introduced to manage the spread of the virus, resulted in a reduction in the number of sites that could be treated and the number of visitations to each site. In subsequent years, resource constraints effectively ended the program.

We are now embarking on an initiative to develop a comprehensive, sustainable approach in partnership with First Nations, other local governments in the RD, provincial Ministries, and private landowners.

The program would establish an advisory committee to help develop and maintain a regional database of knotweed occurrences, draft a financial plan, and select a contractor to manage field employees for the program, including, if necessary, ensuring that they receive appropriate training and obtain an applicator certificate.