The public has an opportunity to comment on the pending review of the proposed Terminal 2 container terminal project.
The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is gathering feedback on its draft terms of reference to establish an independent review panel for the comprehensive environmental assessment of the project.
T2 is a proposed threeberth container terminal at Roberts Bank, a facility that would be constructed on a new man-made island adjacent to the existing Deltaport container terminal.
Port Metro Vancouver last year filed a project description with the CEAA and B.C.'s Environmental Assessment Office.
Federal Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq subsequently announced the project would be referred to an independent review panel, a more stringent and time-consuming environmental review process. The CEAA then developed the draft terms of reference, which will establish the mandate of the review panel, its composition as well as the process and timelines for the environmental assessment. The agency is accepting written comments until Sept. 22.
The port authority, meanwhile, is continuing field studies this month as part of
ongoing environmental and technical work for T2.
When the studies are completed, the port will submit an environmental impact statement, expected to occur in early 2015. Once submitted, the federal assessment would be launched and the review panel established several months afterward.
The port says T2 would provide additional capacity of 2.4 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent unit containers) per year to meet forecasted demand until 2030. For more information on submitting comments to the CEAA, check the agency's website at ceaa.gc.ca (reference number 80054) or call Debra Myles, panel manager, at 603-613-0626 or 1-866-582-1884.
