Ecology Action Centre pushes for Sawmill River daylighting

The Ecology Action Centre wants the city to bring a stream in Dartmouth back up to the surface.

The Sawmill River used to run between Sullivan’s Pond and the harbour in downtown Dartmouth. It now flows through an underground culvert.

Next spring, Halifax Water plans to replace the deteriorating pipes.

The Ecology Action Centre’s Jocelyne Rankin says this is a once in a lifetime chance to bring at least part of the river back to the surface and would make sense from an economic perspective.

“There are a lot of examples of how daylighting can bring in more economic revenue and in a full cost accounting over time be economically more beneficial than simply replacing a culvert,” she said.

Sam Austin lives close to the Sawmill River site and has written about it.

“Besides the environmental benefits of letting fish get up the river, this is a pivotal piece of property right in the centre of downtown. This is a great spot that you could have quite a lively little park,” he said.

The proposal could add $1 million to the costs of the culvert project.

A presentation on the proposal will be made to a community council meeting Thursday evening.