INNOVATION Mar-Apr 2020

Council Nominations Under New Act | Sciences Games 2019 | Professional Governance Act Intentions Paper Response Professional Governance Act Update | Code of Ethics | Remembering Dan Lambert

INNOVATION ENGINEERS AND GEOSCIENTISTS BRITISH COLUMBIA MARCH/APRIL 2020

BELOW BC GETS BRITISH COLUMBIANS EXCITED ABOUT EARTH SCIENCES

BC GEOSCIENTISTS REIN IN A ROGUE ARTESIAN WELL

SCIENCE GAMES AND CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

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INNOVAT ION

THE EVOLVING LANDSCAPE OF GEOSCIENCE Geoscientists have played a crucial role in the development, growth, and health and safety of our province and the country. Geoscience professionals have been at the forefront of exploration in British Columbia, beginning with early geological mapping, ground and air surveying, and resource exploration techniques. Today, BC’s professional geoscientists remain leaders in exploration and independent technical assessments of resource-based exploration. Our professional geoscientists help investors, government, First Nations, and the public to interpret and understand exploration risks and their potential rewards.

MARCH/APRIL 2020 | volume 24 number 2

ENGINEERS AND GEOSCIENTISTS BRITISH COLUMBIA Suite 200 - 4010 Regent Street, Burnaby, BC Canada V5C 6N2 Tel: 604.430.8035 Fax: 604.430.8085 Email: info@egbc.ca Web: egbc.ca Toll free: 1.888.430.8035 COUNCIL 2020/2020 President L. Mah, P.Eng., FEC Vice-President L. Spence, P.Eng. Immediate Past President K. Tarnai-Lokhorst, P.Eng., FEC, FGC (Hon.)

Lianna Mah, P.Eng., FEC President president@egbc.ca

COUNCILLORS M. Adams, P.Eng.; A. Andison, BA, LLB; S. Cheema, CPA, CA; A. B. Dixon-Warren, P.Geo.; L. Hildebrandt, ICD.D, LLB; S. MacDougall, P.Eng.; B. Nanson, P.Eng.; N. Ozog, P.Eng., FEC; C. Plante, P.Geo.; T. Tiedje, P.Eng.; K.P. Turner, P.Eng., FEC, FGC (Hon.); J.D. Vincent, P.Geo.; B. Ward, P.Geo., FEC (Hon.), FGC; D. Wells, JD

ASSOCIATION STAFF A.J. English, P.Eng., Chief Executive Officer and Registrar T.M.Y. Chong, P.Eng., Chief Regulatory Officer and Deputy Registrar J. Cho, CPA, CGA Chief Financial and Administration Officer M. Logan, Chief Of Strategic Operations M.L. Archibald, Director, Communications and Stakeholder Engagement D. Gamble, Director, Information Systems P.R. Mitchell, P.Eng., Director, Professional Practice, Standards and Development D. Olychick, Director, Corporate Governance and Strategy G.M. Pichler, P.Eng., Director, Registration E. Swartz, LL.B, Director, Legislation, Ethics and Compliance M.A. Rigolo, P.Eng., Director, Programs and Professional Development L. Steele, P.Geo., Associate Director, Professional Practice A. Tan, CPA, CMA Associate Director, Finance and Administration

Today’s geoscientists take pride in finding sustainable ways to identify and develop mineral resources. Their knowledge of seismic zones and earthquakes help predict earthquake behaviour and inform earthquake-resilient infrastructure design. They undertake critical work in climate science, climate modeling, and water resource management. Geoscientists are helping to mitigate the long-term impacts of climate change by advancing the understanding of the interrelationship between geology, the world’s ice sheets, our water resources, and our climate. Geoscience professionals are also leading the development of renewable energies, like geothermal energy, and helping to form the long-term strategy for alternative sustainable energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Geoscientists also have a broader responsibility: protecting the public interest. The public depends on geoscience professionals to provide the essential expertise required for resource management, environmental management, economic development, and public health and safety. That is why, in the 1960s, provincial governments began to regulate the geoscience profession. In the 1970, there were just a few hundred licensees in Canada; today, there are more than 13,800 professional geoscientists and geoscientists-in-training across the country, almost 2,600 of whom are registered in BC. BC’s geoscientists have not only played an integral role in BC and across Canada, but they have made an indelible impact around the world. Their expertise in earth science, mineral resources, energy, water, climate change, and natural hazards is internationally recognized and respected. With the potential of big data, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data analytics, the geoscience profession will continue to evolve. BC’s professional geoscientists will remain at the forefront of development, advancing the global understanding of earth science, informing sustainable development, and leading innovation. In doing so, they are shaping a better world for all of us and for future generations. This issue of Innovation explores a small sample of the work of geoscientists in our province. We are proud to celebrate the ongoing work of geoscientists and their role in supporting our communities and protecting the public interest.

Chris Hawley, Managing Editor

EDITORIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE M.I.H. Bhuiyan, P.Eng.; E.A. Brown, P.Eng.; K.C. Chan, P.Eng., CPA; T. George, P.Eng.; H. Ghalibafian, P.Eng.; G. Grill, P.Eng.; R. Ord, P.Eng.; M.J. Zieleman, EIT

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immediately preceding the first day of the first month. Advertising Contact: Gillian Cobban Tel: 604.929.6733 Email: advertising@egbc.ca

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Innovation is published six times a year by Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia. As the official publication of the association, Innovation is circulated to members of the engineering and geoscience professions, architects, contractors and industry executives. The views expressed in any article contained herein do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Council or membership of this association. Submission Guidelines: Innovation encourages unsolicited articles and photos. By submitting material to Innovation , you grant Engineers and Geoscientists BC a royalty-free, worldwide licence to publish the material; and you warrant that you have the authority to grant such rights and have obtained waivers of all associated moral rights. Innovation reserves the right to edit material for length, clarity and conformity with our editorial guidelines ( egbc.ca/innovation-editorial ) and is under no obligation to publish any or all submissions or any portion thereof, including credits. All material is copyright. Please contact the Managing Editor for reprint permission.

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US Postmaster: Innovation (ISSN 1206-3622) is published bimonthly for $25.00 per year by Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia, c/o US Agent-Transborder Mail, 4708 Caldwell Rd E, Edgewood, WA 98372-9221. Periodicals postage paid at Puyallup, WA, and at additional mailing offices, US PO #007-927. POSTMASTER send address changes (covers only) to Innovation , c/o Transborder Mail, PO Box 6016, Federal Way, WA 98063-6016.

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www.park.ca/egbc

100 TH ANNIVERSARY! ENGINEERS AND GEOSCIENTISTS BC CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR Thank you for protecting our communities!

L E T T E R S

Letters to the editor containing your views on topics of interest are encouraged. Opinions expressed in letters are not necessarily endorsed by Engineers and Geoscientists BC. Letters should be 300 words or less and can be emailed to innovation@egbc.ca. Find more information at egbc.ca/Submitting-to-Innovation. NEW IMMIGRANTS THANK FORMER ENGINEERS AND GEOSCIENTISTS BC PRESIDENT

We would like to acknowledge the generous acts that Mr. Tim Smith, P.Geo., Eng.L., FGC, FEC (Hon.) of Westrek Geotechnical Services Ltd, and former president of Engineers and Geoscientists BC, provided to our family. Our family left Syria and moved to Jordan in 2013. I (Rahaf) arrived in Canada in late 2017 to start my master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering at the University of Victoria. Since my arrival, I have been searching for a way to reunite with my family, who remained in Jordan. I was fortunate to meet some amazing members of Harbour of Hope Refugee Assistance Society, who were willing to

sponsor our family to come to Victoria. We were delighted to learn that Mr. Smith did not hesitate to offer a matching donation of $50,000 to Harbour of Hope, to help cover the expenses of sponsoring our family. My mom and my sister Reem (who is planning to become an architect) are now happily in Canada. Their immigration would not have been possible without the support of Harbour of Hope. Tim not only donated funding but also provided personal support to us as we needed guidance in deciding how to pursue our career dreams in Canada. This was new territory for us! He provided us with the August 2019 passing of Jim Stronach, P.Eng., an engineer, and physical oceanographer. Jim, who grew up in a farm in Saskatchewan, was highly respected not only within the engineering community for his outstanding quality of work, but also among his co-workers and peers for his exceptional mentorship and work ethic that serve as an inspiration to all those who crossed paths with him. Jim was one of the principals at Hayco. The 3-D hydrodynamic model that he developed, H3D, has been instrumental in answering environmental questions in BC and around the world. At the time of his passing, Jim was employed by Tetra Tech as a senior physical oceanographer, shortly after stepping down from his two-year stint as a Project Director for the Water Group. Late in his life, Jim

wise and helpful advice and connected us to people who could assist us make career decisions. This was very helpful. In addition, Tim’s acts of generosity and kindness set an example for how our future careers as an engineer and an architect could unfold. We should never hesitate to take a huge step out of our comfort zone if this would make a change in the life of another person. Our focus should be on how best grow happiness using money, rather than growing money for itself. Our family offers thanks to Tim and Harbour of Hope. Rahaf and Reem Albalkhi Victoria, BC was still dedicated to his career and maintained his tireless professionalism and dedication to technical excellence. He maintained his mental toughness, intelligence, and sharp wit throughout. We saw Jim as somewhat reserved, not known for small-talk; he appeared calm and stoic in most situations. His high standards meant that he expected the best from everyone, but people who spent enough time with him certainly noticed he cared a great deal for those around him. He loved giving life lessons, telling jokes and interesting stories, and sharing his vast knowledge on world topics. We will truly miss him.

COLLEAGUES CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF JIM STRONACH: ENGINEER, TEACHER, AND FRIEND It is with great sadness we acknowledge

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UPDATE ON THE PROFESSIONAL GOVERNANCE ACT In November 2018, the Professional Governance Act (PGA) — the culmination of Government's Professional Reliance Review—was passed by the BC Legislature. And while the passing of the Act brought that review process to an end, it also signified the start of a new era as the PGA fully replaces the 100-year-old Engineers and Geoscientists Act later this year. Since its passing, it has been a challenge to understand the implications of the new Act , and what changes may be required of the organization and its members. (For example, the new Act no longer refers to “members,” but instead uses the term “registrants”.) The process to fully

The other significant change for registrants is that the PGA requires regulators to develop and implement a mandatory continuing education program. The core elements of this program were reviewed and approved by Engineers and Geoscientists BC Council at its November, 2019 meeting. Registrants can expect to soon hear more about the program, its requirements, and how it will work. Other items included in the Act that could have significant implications to the organization, and potentially to the practice of individual registrants, are independent practice rights for technologists, declarations of competence and conflict of interest, and regulation of firms.

Both independent practice rights and declarations require considerably more policy development work and consultation with regulators before any final decisions on how, and if, they will be implemented. That policy work is expected to take many months and no decisions are expected this year. The regulation of firms

understand the implications has been time consuming. It has involved frequent meetings with the Office of the Superintendent of Professional Governance (OSPG), and cross- referencing the old Act with every line of the PGA. That process is now substantively complete, and we are in a position to plan for the implementation

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of the new Act in November 2020, and to better inform registrants of what changes they should be aware of. Primarily, the majority of the requirements of the new Act apply to the regulator—Engineers and Geoscientists BC—and not to individual registrants. Those changes that impact the organization are largely administrative and there are very few material changes to the way in which we will deliver our mandate. Overall, as the largest, most established, and best resourced of the affected regulators, most of our processes and procedures are already in alignment with the PGA. While most of the requirements fall upon regulators, there are some key changes that registrants need to be aware of. First, the new PGA requires some amendments to Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s Code of Ethics . The PGA specifies 12 ethical principles that the Code must include. Most of these principles are consistent with our current Code , but some are new. In addition, some elements of the current Code will be eliminated. (For more information, please see our article on the Code of Ethics, on Page 8.)

moving forward. The government has recognized the strength of the model that we have been developing, and has endorsed our suggested timeline of July 2021 for these regulations to come into effect. Affected registrants and firms can expect to hear much more about this beginning later this spring. Finally, it should be noted that the Act will introduce restrictions on certain advocacy activities. How “advocacy” will be defined, and whether any existing programs will be impacted, is not yet known. Engineers and Geoscientists BC continues to actively engage with the OSPG on this topic, and strongly believes that the organization’s existing programs, like promoting the professions, serve the public and should continue. The implementation of the PGA represents a time of significant transition. And while the majority of the changes impact regulators, rather than registrants, individual registrants are encouraged to stay informed, particularly about items that will directly affect them. More information will be provided regularly in Innovation , on our website at egbc.ca , and through monthly e-News.

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PROFESSIONAL GOVERNANCE ACT INTRODUCES UPDATED CODE OF ETHICS The upcoming enactment of the Professional Governance Act in November 2020 will introduce changes to the Code of Ethics for professional engineers and geoscientists. The Professional Governance has prepared a draft Code of Ethics to ensure compliance with the Professional Governance Act . The changes are modest and generally consistent with our existing Code of Ethics ; however, new principles have been introduced and some existing principles have been removed. Engineers and Geoscientists BC has

Governance Act , councils now have the authority to make bylaws without the need for a ratification vote by registrants. Subject to Council’s passing of the proposed bylaw, along with ministerial approval through the Office of the Superintendent of Professional Governance, the new Code of Ethics will come into effect in November 2020. For more information on changes to

Act requires that each regulator under this legislation—including Engineers and Geoscientists BC, and the regulatory bodies for forestry, applied biology, agrology, and applied science technology—include a minimum of 12 standardized mandatory principles within their Code of Ethics for their registrants. The intent of standardized principles is to bring greater consistency to the governance expectations of these professions. In preparation for this change, Engineers and Geoscientists BC

also identified principles within the current Code that have not been covered by the mandatory principles, but are still applicable to professional practice, and are proposing their inclusion in the new version. The Code of Ethics is enacted through bylaw and will be submitted to the Engineers and Geoscientists BC Council in June 2020 for approval. In line with the provisions in the Professional

the Code of Ethics , visit egbc.ca/Code-of-Ethics.

HAVE YOUR SAY Last month, all Engineers and Geoscientists BC registrants received a link to a survey on the new Code of Ethics bylaw. The purpose of this survey is to understand how Engineers and Geoscientists BC can best support registrants through guidance on the new bylaw. This survey is open from March 20 to April 10, 2020. Feedback garnered from this survey will help inform what tools and activities may be required to help registrants understand their new ethical responsibilities under the Professional Governance Act.

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Prism completed the detailed design and specifications work to retrofit the HVAC systems in the ice rink and the facilities for Kitsilano Community Centre.

MacLeod Nine’s work on a private residence in Argenta, BC—a custom-insulated concrete form house with curvedwalls.

FIRMS EMBRACE QUALITY MANAGEMENT STANDARDS Alison MacLeod, P.Eng., of MacLeod Nine Consultants, Ltd.—a structural engineering consulting firm in the heart of picturesque Rossland, BC—says the quality management systems that her firm committed to through Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s Organization Quality Management (OQM) program is a way for her to raise the quality bar and help ensure she’s always delivering the best quality engineering for her clients. “Engineering is all about planning, diligence, and documentation. [Quality standards] improves efficiency, and it’s good for projects. But it’s also good for my own confidence as an owner of a small company, that my firm meets or exceeds professional obligations,” she said. The OQM Program is a voluntary certification program created by Engineers and Geoscientists BC that enables companies to demonstrate that they meet the quality management standards expected for professional engineers and geoscientists. Engineers and Geoscientists BC recently certified its 400 th firm. To MacLeod, certification is assurance that she’s following top quality management practices, “I just I want to deliver the best quality product to my clients,” she says. The voluntary OQM program for firms is serving as excellent groundwork for the quality management pillar of the forthcoming mandatory regulation of firms, as outlined in the new Professional Governance Act . Engineers and Geoscientists BC formed a task

force on the regulation of firms, which proposed a model that includes three pillars: quality management, ethics, and professional development. The current OQM requirements will form the quality management pillar. The current target date for implementation of this portion of the new Act is the summer of 2021. To Stephen Kooiman, P.Eng., Principal and Mechanical Team Leader at Prism Engineering—a Burnaby-based firm that specializes in energy management, electrical and mechanical engineering, utility monitoring and sustainability consulting—OQM-style quality management is about instilling confidence in the quality of Prism’s work. “It’s like a commitment to owners that we’re serious about doing a good job,” he said. “We’re abiding by Engineers and Geoscientists BC standards, and not doing shortcuts based on price or speed.” Kooiman says that company-wide quality management helps ensure quality is consistently applied across Prism projects. “Before, it was up to individual engineers,” he said, adding that consistency in this area means that staff can quickly onboard to almost any project at any time. “It definitely standardized [quality] across the company. Formalizing this was the biggest benefit, so everyone has a clear understanding, how we interpret the standards and what the expectation is.” For more information on the upcoming requirements for the regulation of firms, visit egbc.ca/regulation-of-firms .

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CELEBRATING NATIONAL ENGINEERING AND GEOSCIENCE MONTH Engineers and Geoscientists BC wrapped up National Engineering and Geoscience Month (NEGM) at the end of March. This month-long event promotes awareness of the engineering and geoscience and Registrar. “As we move into the future, the next generation will play an important role in meeting the challenges of our ever-changing world.”

Park Shopping Centre in Kelowna, BC, is open for viewing. Please check the shopping centre’s website, at www. orchardparkshopping.com , for the latest information about hours of operation. Engineers and Geoscientists BC also engaged with youth by holding a drawing contest and organizing the ninth annual Science Games at Science World on March 7. The Science Games engage students in grades 1 through 6 in thought-provoking activities that demonstrate the interesting and entertaining side of scientific exploration and encourage young people to think about how science affects their everyday lives. Learn more about the Science Games on Page 20. For more information on events and activities that took place during NEGM, visit egbc.ca/negm .

We integrated our centennial year into NEGM with 3-D chalk art installations throughout BC. This unique form of street art gave the public a glimpse inside the world of engineering and geoscience by highlighting three major events that shaped the industry and had a lasting impact on the province of BC: the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway, the demise of Ripple Rock, and the construction of the William R. Bennett Bridge. Installations were initially planned at five venues around BC; regrettably, several installations were postponed as hosting venues closed over COVID-19 concerns. Currently, one chalk-art installation, at the Orchard

professions, highlights career choices in these fields and reminds the public of the many ways in which engineering and geoscience touch everyday life. While several events were cancelled or postponed this year due to the COVID-19 virus, events hosted in early March celebrated Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s 100 th anniversary, and encouraged young people to get involved in science. “For over 100 years, Engineers and Geoscientists BC has been at the forefront of shaping innovation and growth in British Columbia,” said Ann English, P. Eng., FEC, FCSSE, Chief Executive Officer

Ann English, P. Eng., FEC, FCSSE, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar; and Lianna Mah, P.Eng., FEC, President

Photos: Wendy D Photography

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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION HONOURS 100 YEARS OF ETHICS, EXCELLENCE, AND PROGRESS On Thursday, March 5, Engineers and Geoscientists BC celebrated our 100th anniversary at our Centennial Celebration. Close to 400 engineers, geoscientists, and industry professionals gathered at Science World to reflect on the rich history of safety and innovation in the province and look ahead

The formal presentations were capped off with personal reflections on the professions, in which MLA Ralph Sultan, P.Eng., Karen Savage, P.Eng., FEC, Tomer Curiel, P.Eng., FEC, and Christina Noel, EIT, read heartfelt and inspiring letters to their past or future selves. The celebration continued into the evening with the debut of the 3-D chalk art, a photo robot, food and drinks, and plenty of networking opportunities. Thank you to everyone who joined us at Science World to celebrate our history and 100 years of ethics, excellence, and progress. We encourage you to share your event photos and memories on Twitter using the #100YearsOfPossibility and #ThisIsOurProfession hashtags.

to the bright future of our professions. Ann English, P.Eng., FEC, Engineers and Geoscientists BC CEO and Registrar, and President Lianna Mah, P.Eng., FEC, spoke on behalf of the organization. They touched on the incredible advancements that have been made over the past century, the major engineering and geoscience feats that defined the industry and shaped the province of BC, and the opportunities for growth and evolution as we move into our next 100 years.

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Since the Professional Governance Act is expected to come into force after the close of the 2020 Council election, the 2020 Council year will be considered a transition year with the 2021 election being the first to be fully compliant with the new Act . To ensure continuity on Council is maintained during the transition and to avoid the possibility of a complete turnover of Council in a single election, the transition plan accounts for a balance of new and returning Councillors, with term lengths for newly-elected Councillors being determined based on the number of votes received. For more information, visit egbc.ca/councilelection . STRATEGIC PLAN EXTENDED Council approved the extension of its current Strategic Plan to account for the upcoming transition to the Professional Governance Act. Due to the uncertainty around the organization’s operating

COUNCIL REPORT: JANUARY 31, 2020 Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s Council of elected members and government representatives meets throughout the year to conduct the business of association governance. The following are the highlights of the January 31, 2020 meeting.

environment during this transitional period, and the outstanding details specific to regulatory requirements under the new legislation, Council deferred the development of a new strategic plan, extending the current plan to July 2021. In the interim, Council will continue to seek clarity on outstanding issues, including the prohibition on advocacy within the Professional Governance Act , and staff will continue with operational planning processes, reviewing activities to ensure that the organization operates efficiently and is organized optimally to reach the goals established in the current plan. PAN-CANADIAN GEOSCIENCE COMPETENCY PROJECT UPDATE Council received an update on the pilot program to evaluate the experience of geoscience applicants through a competency- based assessment system, modeled on the system already in place for engineering applicants. This national pilot ran from June to November 2019, as part of Phase 2 of Geoscientists Canada’s Admission Support Tools project, funded by Employment and Social Development assessment platform developed by Engineers and Geoscientists BC. The Canadian Geoscience Standards Council reviewed the results of the pilot, and received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participating geoscience regulators. Geoscientists Canada is now in discussions with Engineers and Geoscientists BC regarding finalizing and deploying the system for use by Canadian regulators who wish to employ it in their assessment of geoscience applicants. Canada, and was supported by the online competency-based

COUNCIL COMPOSITION TRANSITION PLAN The Professional Governance Act introduces broad changes to the processes governing

Council nomination, election, and composition. Council confirmed its plan for managing the transition from current requirements to new requirements for Council composition under the Professional Governance Act , including those for the number of Councillors, term length, and term limits . The plan was developed by a sub-committee of Council comprising its four government appointees, and the immediate past president.

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REVISED GUIDELINES ON BUILDING ENCLOSURE ENGINEERING SERVICES AND RETAINING WALL DESIGN NOW AVAILABLE Engineers and Geoscientists BC has issued revised versions of the Professional Practice Guidelines – Retaining Wall Design and Professional Practice Guidelines – Building Enclosure Engineering Services . PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES – RETAINING WALL DESIGN and revised in February 2020 (version 2.0), provide a common approach for conducting a range of professional activities related to building enclosure engineering and design. Specifically, these guidelines set out the standards of practice that a building

enclosure engineer must generally follow and meet when providing building enclosure engineering services for building projects. The guidelines outline the responsibilities for various types of building projects; they also outline the various Letters of Assurance and/or alternate accountability documents that may be required, in accordance with the applicable Building Code, local regulations, and best practices described in these guidelines. The guidelines were developed with the endorsement of the Architectural Institute of BC. Along with these two updated guidelines, Engineers and Geoscientists BC has issued two new professional practice guidelines in 2020: Watershed Assessment and Management of Hydrologic and Geomorphic Risk in the Forest Sector and Annual Equipment Inspection and Certification in British Columbia— the latter of which will be the subject of a half-day seminar/webinar (originally scheduled for April 20, 2020, but postponed due to COVID-19 concerns). To learn more, visit egbc.ca/events. All professional practice guidelines and other practice-related resources are provided at egbc.ca/Professional-Practice .

The Professional Practice Guidelines – Retaining Wall Design , originally published in November 2019 (version 1.0) and revised in February 2020 (version 1.1), help engineering professionals design retaining walls in a consistent manner. Guidance includes outlining roles and responsibilities, providing advice about how to incorporate best practices such as providing complete documentation, and following appropriate quality management procedures. The guidelines focus on the geotechnical aspects of retaining walls, but also include some regulatory and structural issues. The updated guidelines clarify when assurance statements should be completed, specify the inclusion of field review requirements in the assurance statement, and provide other minor clarifications. PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES – BUILDING ENCLOSURE ENGINEERING SERVICES The Professional Practice Guidelines – Building Enclosure Engineering Services , originally published in October 2012 (version 1.0)

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A ccording to Andy Randell, P.Geo., some British Columbians have a habit of remembering only the worst about mines. “People, especially in the Vancouver area, bring up the same few disaster stories about mining all the time,” he says, “which gives us a chance to explain that mining is overall a really, really safe industry. And from there, we can work on other misperceptions, too.” Randell is CEO and principal geologist for his own consulting company, SGDS Hive, as well as Executive Director of the Below BC Geological Association, a non-profit he founded in 2015 with the idea of increasing public awareness of both the splendours of BC’s geology and the indispensability of mining. Over the past five years, Randell and his Below BC colleagues have averaged more than 10,000 face-to-face contacts a year with British Columbians of all ages, giving school presentations and community talks, operating a booth at local events and fairs, and even participating in an East Kootenay parade. “What we’ve learned is that the general perception people have of mining depends on where we are. In Vancouver, a lot of people think mining is dirty, bad, environmentally destructive, and not necessary. With them, we work on making sure they know about things like the rigourous permitting process for new mines, which includes a comprehensive environmental scan, and we connect the dots between the stuff they use every day—like toothpaste—with the minerals required to make them and where they come from here in BC. That usually gets them thinking.” In other parts of the province, where people are already proud of their mining history, it’s not so much a matter of changing perceptions as enriching local knowledge of that history and, says Randell, “communicating what’s so wonderful about BC’s geology and being a geologist.” In tandem with their face-to-face interactions, Below BC also embarked on a mission in 2015 to photograph the private mineral collections held at the UBC’s Pacific Museum of the Earth. What

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they quickly learned is that flat, 2-D images are “really just postcards”—useful for scientific purposes, yes, but not exactly scintillating viewing for the public. “In thinking about how we could make the catalogue more effective, we came up with the idea of using a rotating, 360 o camera system,” says Randell, and began to re-shoot the UBC specimens. Never one to think small, he also applied for a Geoscience BC grant in late 2018 that would allow Below BC to send out teams across the province to photograph other mineral, rock, and ore collections (plus a few fossils) in museums, storage facilities, garages, and living rooms, using the 3-D camera. The grant would also allow for the purchase of a GigaPan camera system to take a series of panoramic, high-resolution images of geological heritage sites. Below BC won the grant, helped by the enthusiastic support of groups like the East Kootenay Chamber of Mines. “Assembling this kind of information is invaluable,” says Chamber president, Jason Jacob. “Under the Health, Safety P revious page from top : Skarn with epidote crystal from the Queen Victoria Mine, west of Nelson, BC., located at the Chamber Of Mines Of Eastern BC. Yellow barite, green fluorite and white quartz from the Rock Candy Mine in Grand Forks, BC, located at the Greenwood Museum in Greenwood, BC. Amethyst, a variety of quartz and semiprecious stone, originally from an unknown location near Terrace, BC, currently located at Lakes District Museum in Burns Lake. A bove : Below BC's Jacob Moffat takes high-resolution photos of the mineral collection at the Chamber Of Mines Of Eastern BC, in Nelson.

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and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia , all mines— even really old mine sites—must be put back to as close to their original state as possible as soon as they close. That is socially, environmentally, responsible, but at the same time, it means that mining history is just gone. Younger generations won’t know or understand why mines were created, or even where they were, and how much they continue to contribute to the life they live today.” Below BC’s new Digital Geology, Mining and Heritage Museum documents specimens that might otherwise be lost over time, or may be seen only by a few local rock hounds, and makes them available to anyone with internet access. “The specimens can then be used,” says Jacob, “not only by elementary school kids but also for exploration. They can be re-examined and maybe some older prospector like me might find something interesting and decide to explore the spot again.” F rom top : Crystal Lake Mining’s Newmont Lake Project The fossil of a trilobite, part of a group of extinct marine arachnomorph arthropods. Trilobites flourished in what are now the Fort Steele and the Bull River Areas of BC, and represent some of the earliest Cambrian life in Canada—about 513 million years old. This fossil is located at the Cranbrook History Centre. Allegra Whistler, P.Geo., on a Below BC roadtrip.

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A “hoodoo” (or, “tent rock”), located in Pinnacles Provincial Park

taking a geology course. Any way that we can make connections between the geology of BC and its history—the Gold Rush era, for example—helps them see how the province grew and changed because of its geology: why towns were established where they were, why roads went a certain way. It’s very exciting. My students can virtually hold in their hands samples that are in some cases over 100 years old, and see through the Below BC map that there is not a corner of BC that has not been touched by mining.” The first few GigaPan pictures of geological heritage sites taken during the 2019 road trips are now up on the Below BC site, too. With these new images, created using a robotic motor that automates a gigapixel camera to take hundreds of images over a single area, such as fossil plant beds near Oliver or the largest recorded landslide in Canada near Hope, viewers are able to zoom in to examine even minute details with great clarity. The recent road trips also resulted in an unanticipated viral moment for Below BC. On June 17, 2019, Jacob Moffat snapped a quick photo of fellow Below BC team member Allegra Whistler, P.Geo., standing next to

Another use for the 3-D images, says Randell, is professional development. “We had teams travel over 11,000 kilometres last summer, taking pictures of more than 1,200 specimens [about 250 have been uploaded to date, resulting in a 1,000 percent increase in website hits], and we have big plans to do many more when funding is available. Geologists and mining engineers will be able to spin and zoom and examine samples up close and get to know the rocks of pretty much any area of the province before they head out to a site.” Each 3-D image in the digital museum comes with a detailed description that includes what the specimen is, where it came from and the history of that site, and where the original sample is kept. Visitors to the Below BC site can access images directly, under the Geology of BC tab, or through an interactive map on the home page that provides a visual record of past and present mining exploration, as well as fossil and artifact discoveries, throughout British Columbia. “It’s really powerful as a tool,” says Derek Turner, P.Geo., who teaches in the Earth and Environmental Sciences department at Douglas College. “As an educator, I see it as a unique resource. Most of my students are not geology students; they are just

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SCIENCE GAMES 2020

O n Saturday, March 7, 2020, Engineers and Games at Science World. Over 130 students from across the Lower Mainland demonstrated their problem-solving and teamwork skills, tackling hands-on activities that featured engineering and geoscience concepts. Science Games is an interactive science competition, part of National Engineering and Geoscience Month, that allows students to investigate how science affects their everyday Geoscientists BC hosted the ninth annual Science

lives. The goal of the event is to provide a fun environment where students can showcase their science talent, and for Engineers and Geoscientists BC to promote an interest in science education and careers in scientific fields. Division 1 teams (comprising students from grades one, two, and three) learned about industrial engineering, marine construction, and coding with robots. Division 2 teams (comprising students from grades four, five, and six) were faced with challenges around structural design, mechanical engineering

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through waterslide development, and slope stability. These topics align with many areas of scientific discovery that the students are currently learning about in school. Engineers and Geoscientists BC wishes to thank its Premier Sponsor, SRK, and activity sponsors BC Hydro, SLR, Stantec, and TRUE Consulting. We also thank registrants who volunteered their time to conduct and judge the events and serve on the Science Games Steering Committee.

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TAMING A ROGUE WELL

In 1965, a drill team investigating ice-age sediments near Vernon, BC, accidently encountered an artesian well with an extreme flow rate, later estimated to be enough to fill two Olympic-sized swimming pools each day. After multiple attempts to plug the well over several decades, officials decided something must be done to protect a nearby creek and fish habitats.

PATTIE AMISON, P.GEO., NICK SARGENT, P.GEO., JACQUELINE FOLEY, GEO.L.

The equipment used during the Coldstream Ranch Well 2015 plugging operation in 2015 shows the drill rig was set up over the well (right), and the temporary tanks and piping used to manage water from the month-long dewatering operation (left). Water from the collection tanks was piped underneath the new section of pavement (bottom right). Water from the well was discharged to locations based on its quality: turbid water was irrigated onto a field for slow recharge to ground, and clear water was piped 350 metres to Coldstream Creek. A ll photos for this story were provided by G older A ssociates , L td .

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I n June 1965, a team led by the Geological Survey of Canada was drilling a six-inch diameter investigative borehole at the Coldstream Ranch, southwest of Vernon, BC, to learn about sediments deposited in the region during the last ice age. The team encountered alternating layers of coarse-grained (sand and gravel) and fine-grained (silt, clay and glacial till) material, when something unexpected happened. When the drill bit reached 61 metres depth, it encountered a high-pressure artesian aquifer, causing water and sediment to forcefully blast out of the drillhole. The driller, with good reason, jumped off the drill rig and moved his truck off the site; a crater quickly formed and swallowed some of the drilling equipment. Groundwater spouted from the open hole in the ground and the drillers had no means to control it. The initial flow rate couldn’t be measured but was later estimated to be 54 litres per second—almost enough to fill two Olympic- sized swimming pools each day. AQUIFERS AND ARTESIAN WELLS: A PRIMER An aquifer—which is a body of sediment or rock that can supply useful quantities of water—can become artesian when precipitation at high elevations infiltrates into the soil and flows below ground surface into low lying areas, like valley bottoms. The hydraulic head (pressure) can build up in the aquifer if an aquitard (i.e., fine-grained materials such as clay or glacial till that act as a barrier to flow) overlies the low- lying portion of the aquifer. Pressures in artesian aquifers can be high when there is a significant elevation difference between the recharge area and the lower portion of the aquifer. At the Coldstream Ranch, for instance, the ground elevation is nearly 1,000 metres lower than the mountains, which are the source of recharge for the deep aquifers beneath the site. When a borehole is drilled into an artesian aquifer, it creates a pathway for upward flow of groundwater. If the pressure in the aquifer is high enough, groundwater will flow up past the top of the well, resulting in a flowing artesian well. When a well is not properly designed for these conditions, water can flow up outside the casing of the well and surface at the wellhead. If this occurs, it can be very difficult to control flow from the aquifer and a sinkhole can develop around the well. A “breakout” like this can cause erosion, impact water quality in surrounding surface water bodies and aquatic habitat, and waste groundwater. Today, drillers and geoscientists have better tools available to identify where to expect flowing artesian aquifers—like the BC Provincial Groundwater Wells and Aquifers (GWELLS) online database. If there is potential to encounter flowing artesian conditions, wells can be designed and constructed to control

This 1965 photo shows drilling of the original exploratory borehole before artesian conditions were encountered.

The 1966 plugging attempt caused a crater to form around the well during the installation of 30-inch casing ( left ) .

This 1966 photo shows sacks of cement powder that were used to seal 50 dump trucks worth of gravel that was backfilled into the crater around the well. The cement plug stabilized but groundwater soon flowed up around the plug.

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