The Comox Valley Regional District’s sewage commission has approved $1 million in funding to protect Goose Spit and Baynes Sound from environmental risks. Senior Manager of Water and Watershed Kris La Rose says a recent assessment identified some problems with an aging sewer pipe. He says the funds will be used to complete a specialized pipe condition assessment and make immediate repairs to the protective covers previously placed over the pipe. A request for proposal will be issued and the and it is anticipated the contract will be awarded in early 2017 with the assessment completed in mid 2017. “We are also working on a detailed emergency spill response plan,” states La Rose. “This will minimize the response time and therefor the impact of any potential spill.” The funding for the assessment will come from the Comox Valley sewerage reserve fund.