The Capital Regional District has gone shopping and they're coming home with nearly 2,000 hectares of watershed land.
On July 10 the CRD announced that it had acquired loan authorization to secure $32.3 million in capital funds to purchase 1,973 hectares from the Kapoor Lumber Company. The land is located next to the Sooke Lake Reservoir and the Sooke Lake Watershed, which is the primary water supply for the Greater Victoria are.
“Delivering drinking water to over 430,000 people requires vision, long-term strategic planning and thoughtful stewardship,” said CRD board chair Cliff McNeil-Smith.
“The acquisition of the Kapoor Lands is an example of these principles. This generational investment will help ensure water security, service reliability, and environmental protection, allowing us to continue to meet the needs of our community.”
The CRD received elector approval to purchase the lands through an alternative approval process.
The Kapoor Lands will officially transfer ownership to the CRD on Sept. 15, 2025, making the CRD the caretaker of the land.
"The lands will be included in overall stewardship and watershed maintenance strategies to ensure the continued provision of high-quality, safe drinking water for residents of Greater Victoria," said the CRD in a press release.
