Fraser Riverbank Stabilization Project (FRSP)

The Fraser River Shoreline Stabilization Project was completed by Shxwhá Village First Nation in partnership with Headlands Environmental Services and Milestone Environmental Contracting Inc. The project stabilized approximately 800 metres of Fraser River shoreline at the mouth of Hope Slough, west of Chilliwack, British Columbia.

Following damage caused by the 2021 Atmospheric River Event, Shxwhá and Headlands secured provincial funding to address ongoing shoreline erosion and improve resilience to future high-flow and weather events.

Headlands worked in partnership with Milestone Environmental Contracting Inc. to provide project coordination, soil management, material handling, disposal, and construction support. The project also incorporated habitat restoration and enhancement measures while considering environmental, community, and First Nations priorities.

Project Outcome

The project was successfully completed in April 2026, providing a reinforced shoreline designed to reduce erosion and improve long-term environmental and community resilience.

PROJECT DETAILS

DATE
Completed April 16, 2026

CLIENT
Shxwh:áy Village First Nation

LOCATION
Skway IR No. 5, Fraser River, west of Chilliwack, British Columbia

PROJECT TYPE
Soil Management, Material Handling, Disposal & Project Coordination

PROJECT SERVICES BY
Headlands Environmental

PROJECT GALLERY

Testimonials

“The Shxwha:y Landfill is a facility located on the Shxwha:y First Nation near Chilliwack, BC. It is a secure, engineered landfill site that is fully lined with a HDPE bottom liner, an effective leachate collection and treatment system and off site leachate disposal at the Chilliwack Wastewater Treatment Plant. The site also has a landfill gas collection and flaring system and a comprehensive environmental monitoring program. The landfill is conformant with the B.C. Landfill Criteria.

Currently, the landfill is directly managed by the Shxwhá:y Indian Band as a Land Code Band with authority to fully administer the environmental issues on their traditional territory under Shxwha:y Village Soil Deposit Permit issued to Headlands Environmental Inc.

In our professional opinion, the Shxwha:y Landfill is one of the well managed independent landfill facilities in B.C. It is authorized to receive construction and demolition waste and contaminated soil that is below Hazardous Waste Levels.”

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Dr. Tony Sperling

P.Eng, Ph.D, Chairman, President, Chief Engineer | Sperling Hansen Associates

“I had the pleasure of working with Mike over the years on a number of interesting and highly challenging projects that he was responsible for and required our input and specialized equipment. One of the projects we worked with him on was an intensive study of how shredded C&D material would increase the in place density and therefore the lifespan of a landfill. Mike is a true professional who we found to make calculated decisions based on evidence and fact, yet is open minded and innovative when looking for a solution to a challenge. I can highly recommend Mike to anyone looking to add a highly competent individual to their project.”

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Daryl Todd

President | Frontline Machinery Ltd

“Over the past several years Milestone has been working with Mike Hofer of Headlands Environmental and Shxwha:y Village delivering waste soils to the Skway facility in Chilliwack, BC. As an engineered, fully closed loop waste management facility with leachate collection and treatment through a polishing wetland that is discharged to the sanitary sewer system, Skway provides one of the best soil disposal options in the lower mainland. From an engineering and environmental perspective Milestone is confident that soil delivered to Skway is properly managed by Headlands Environmental Services.”

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Josh Howardson

Project Manager | Milestone Environmental Contracting

“Shxwhá:y Village and Headlands Environmental have been working together for over 15 years. Historically, our partnership has focused on economic development, waste management and community engagement, which continues to today. The recent investment by Headlands Environmental into soil washing and soil steaming technologies is not only leading the way in the environmental industry, it is also leading the way for Shxwhá:y Village to ensure long term prosperity for our people and land. Shxwhá:y Village looks forward to further engagement on our projects going forward and appreciate the straightforward, honest and fair way of working together."

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Narz Cunanan

Economic Development Officer | Shxwhá:y Village

“I have worked with Mike Hofer for almost a decade, and I have always found him a pleasure to deal with. Mike is honest, professional and a problem solver. Mike’s knowledge of the regulations and connections within the industry, provides me peace of mind that I always receive an environmentally and socially responsible disposal solution. I would highly recommend Mike and Headlands Environmental Services.”

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Alan McCarthy

P. Eng. | KBL Environmental

“Mike Hofer acted as an environmental consultant for a large European mining project we operated. He added significant value to the company via the work onsite and also via his regular reporting to our major financial investor, which was a large UK based bank. I would not hesitate to recommend Mike’s company for any work related to environment and community.”

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bryan Slusarchuk

President and Director | K92 Mining Inc.

“As a European technology company with the majority of our customers in northern Europe, we couldn’t have wished for a better partner to introduce SoilSaver to the North-America. When you have the opportunity to work with ambitious, creative and hardworking people, you have all the ingredients for success. Headlands’ purchase of the first SoilSaver machine in Canada is an important milestone for us, and I’m truly excited to develop the Canadian market together with Mike, Jamie and the rest of the Headlands team.”

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hans Kristian Westrum

Founder and CGO Soil Steam International

“Working with the Headlands team has been a great example of what a true project partnership should look like. From the beginning, they have approached their projects with a clear vision, open communication, and a genuine commitment to doing things the right way.

What stands out most to me is their willingness to challenge traditional thinking and invest in better ways to recover and reuse materials that historically would have been treated as waste. That willingness turned into action at their Chilliwack site, where Headlands installed the first mobile wash plant of its kind in North America. That mindset, combined with a professional, collaborative team, has made Headlands an exciting company for Frontline Washing Systems to work alongside.

We are proud of what we have accomplished together so far and even more excited about what is still ahead."

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Martin Anderton

Managing Director, Frontline Washing Systems

Project

Fraser Riverbank Stabilization Project (FRSP)

PROJECT DETAILS

PROJECT GALLERY

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