Sanscorp Back in Business
By Jerry Rousseau
In October 2024, the provincial government shut-down dredging of the Fraser River near Maple Ridge, BC, the source of 95% of sand used on Lower Mainland golf courses and sportsfields.
In March 2026, I received an email from Sanscorp Products Ltd, the company impacted, with news that they succeeded in dredging the Fraser River in February.
Brody Long, Operations Manager stated, “We recently completed our dredging project in early February 2026, and it would be a good time to provide an update on the current status and the materials now available. We have stockpiled material and are well prepared heading into the spring season.”
Here is that update:
We successfully completed our most recent dredging project in early February 2026. While the project did come at a higher cost than previous years, it was very successful overall.
We were able to align with Fraser River Pile & Dredge’s schedule, with work beginning January 27 and running for approximately two weeks. As you may know, FRPD is currently the only contractor operating a suction dredge of this type, so our dredge window and timing are largely dictated by their availability.
In coordination with the Province, we finalized and executed a sturgeon side-scan monitoring program. Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Water Sustainability Act regulators were notified in advance, and the work was completed within approved environmental standards.
From our perspective, this project helped establish a clear and responsible framework for how dredging can be completed moving forward. The level of monitoring, planning, and precaution taken sets a strong baseline for future work. It’s also worth noting that this entire dredging program is fully funded by Sanscorp, with no government subsidy, while still supporting both safe navigation and essential material supply. We are confident that with continued coordination and cooperation with the Province, we can maintain a responsible dredging program and ensure a reliable long-term supply of sand products.
From an operational standpoint, we’re very pleased with the outcome. Material quality looks strong, and samples have been submitted for testing to confirm consistency with the historic performance of this deposit over the past 20 years.
We now have a solid stockpile of 3mm screened river sand and are fully prepared heading into the spring season. After a period of uncertainty, our focus is simply getting the word out that supply is available again.
While freight and fuel costs continue to be a challenge across the industry, having a high-quality product sourced locally in the Fraser Valley remains a major advantage. For customers looking for a consistent, top-tier USGA-spec sand—particularly for golf greens, sports fields, and specialty applications—we’re confident this continues to be the preferred product in the market.
More broadly, this project highlights how important it is to maintain a reliable local source of specification sand for the Lower Mainland. When supply is disrupted, there are very few viable alternatives that meet the required standards.
Is there potential for further regulatory disruptions or is the matter settled in the long-term?
We worked closely with the Province (Ministry) and technical consultants to address the concerns and establish a clear path forward. The monitoring and adjustments now in place build on our existing practices and further support responsible dredging.
There was some uncertainty earlier, and while there is always potential for further regulatory changes, we now have a solid understanding of expectations and will continue to accommodate requirements and navigate alongside the Province to support consistent supply.
Can you share any details about how Sanscorp navigated the regulatory process to achieve this positive outcome?
To navigate the process, we engaged a qualified environmental professional and a hydrology consulting firm to complete an impact study, with results that were favourable to the operation and addressed the Ministry’s technical concerns. The study was also a condition of our Water Sustainability Act approval.
From an operational standpoint, we implemented enhanced monitoring, including a daily sturgeon side-scan program, while completing the work within a least-risk timing window. We also worked closely with the Province (Ministry) and consultants, accepting the conditions while providing input based on our operations. This led to practical adjustments and a stronger overall approach.
It’s still evolving, but we’re confident it supports both environmental protection and continued access to this material.
I’m not sure the root cause of the dredging ban was clear but it looks like it had to do with sturgeon habitat/spawning/lifecycles. Can you expand on that a little bit? Originally, we thought it had to do with the Water Sustainability Act but perhaps these are closely related.
There was no formal “ban” on dredging. The situation was related to additional regulatory concerns and requirements when we requested a work window consistent with previous dredge projects - roughly 30–45 extra days during milder weather. These concerns were primarily around sturgeon habitat and timing, along with broader operational considerations. The new requirements from the Ministry added costs, which were of unknown value at the time, that had impacts on the financial feasibility of the dredge. With clearer guidelines, we were able to address those costs, and that has since been resolved.
Results from our most recent dredge provided valuable data, indicating limited sturgeon presence in the area before, during, and after operations. We also have a monitoring and notification system in place to ensure fish can move freely and are not impacted by the dredging. During this project, those measures were not required to be actioned.
Fraser River Pile & Dredge is currently the only contractor operating a suction dredge of this type, so our work is tied to their schedule, which can create challenges in aligning timing and safety with regulatory expectations.
