The Canadian Armed Forces will be setting off explosives on Bentinck Island over three days this coming week.
The land-based demolition range a few hundred metres off Rocky Point in Metchosin and 1.5 nautical miles from Race Rocks Ecological Reserve Island will be in use from March 20 to 22 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily.
A spokesman for the Department of National Defence did not disclose what types of explosives would be used during the training exercises. In a statement, DND said training events are critical to ensure military members gain core skills and maintain operational readiness.
DND said the explosions at Bentinck Island are guided by strict mitigation measures and procedures to limit acoustic impact to marine mammals. Operations use a third-party marine mammal observer to advise military staff when the range is clear of whales prior to demolitions.
DND said events are delayed if whales are observed in or transiting toward the range, and activities do not re-start until the marine mammal observer provides an all-clear.
The public is reminded that no unauthorized person can enter the area and trespassing is prohibited.
Bentinck Island has been used as an above-water terrestrial demolition range by the Canadian Armed Forces since 1962. The island was designated as a lighthouse reserve in 1860, but was deemed redundant by the lighthouse built on nearby Race Rocks.
According to the province’s geographical names branch, the island became one of only two hospital colonies for leprosy in Canada, built in 1924 to replace the colony on D’Arcy Island.
At one point, there were 15 private cottages for patients and two larger homes for a nurse and caretakers.
Gardens, pathways and benches were built and tended by patients.
Over the years, 22 patients lived in the colony. The hospital was closed in 1956 when the last patient died at age 84. In total, 13 patients are buried in the island’s cemetery.
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