A much-anticipated environmental impact assessment about a proposed coal transfer facility at Fraser Surrey Docks concludes the project will not cause significant adverse environmental or health effects.
In August, Fraser Surrey Docks hired SNC-Lavalin to conduct an environmental impact assessment of its proposed coal transfer project at the site located on the banks of the Fraser River. The assessment was to include a review of the risk mitigation strategies, and all of the analysis, reports and feedback that had been compiled in the past 15 months.
According to a press release from Fraser Surrey Docks, it specifically asked SNC-Lavalin to assess the potential for the proposed facility to adversely impact the environment and human health. In addition to reviewing material that had been previously compiled, Fraser Surrey Docks said the environmental impact assessment contains new information about the effects of the project on human and ecological health, as well as additional measures that had been required by Port Metro Vancouver.
“We take our obligation to the community very seriously, as we have for over 50 years, and we recognize the importance of thoroughly reviewing all aspects of the proposed project,” stated a Fraser Surrey Docks’ press release.” In this regard, we sought out industry experts in the fields of toxicology, health, dust exposure, particulate matter, environment and other areas, and had them provide their expert opinions and perspectives on our proposed project. As part of the assessment, these areas and the relevant expert opinions were also reviewed by SNC-Lavalin, acting as an independent third party. The assessment provides answers to the majority of the questions that have been raised and concludes that the product will not cause significant adverse environmental, socio-economic or health effects.”
With the environmental impact assessment now complete, Fraser Surrey Docks is providing a 30-day public comment period on the environmental impact assessment report. Comments on the report are due by Dec. 17.
The report is available on the Port Metro Vancouver’s website - http://portmetrovancouver.com/en/projects/OngoingProjects/Tenant-Led-Projects/FraserSurreyDocks.aspx
Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal health chief medical health officers have asked for an independent and comprehensive health impact assessment of plans to increase coal shipments through the Lower Mainland.
“No project should proceed unless the proponent can prove it will be safe for our environmental and our communities. If the port and Fraser Surrey Docks cannot produce an assessment that meets the approval of our chief medical offices, how can they prove the project is safe?” said Dogwood’s Beyond Coal director Laura Benson in a recent press release. “Our health officials have acted diligently in the public interest to question the health impacts of the Fraser Surrey Docks coal expansion proposal. The port’s refusal to address their concerns is simply irresponsible.”
Fraser Surrey Docks has applied to Port Metro Vancouver for a permit to operate a coal transfer facility, where coal arriving on trains from the United States would be loaded on to barges and shipped to Texada Island and then to China. It’s proposed that the facility would handle between four million and eight million metric tonnes of coal annually.
New Westminster city council and New Westminster Environmental Partners have opposed the project, and more than 1,000 local residents signed a petition opposing the project that would be built across the river from Westminster Quay and Queensborough residential areas. Several hundred people attended a rally against the project at Westminster Quay last month.
Anyone wishing to comment on the assessment can email [email protected], fax 1-866-284-4271. Written responses can be forwarded to Tim Blair, senior planner, Port Metro Vancouver, 100 The Pointe, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, B.C., V6C 3T4.
