Delta council this week reiterated its position that a joint review panel assess Port Metro Vancouver's Terminal 2 proposal at Roberts Bank.
On Monday, civic politicians voted to send a letter to federal Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq requesting the proposal be subject to "the most rigorous environmental process possible - namely, a review panel assessment."
Earlier this month, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency determined T2 would have to undergo a federal environmental assessment. The assessment formally commenced on Nov. 8 and the public has until Dec. 8 to provide input (the document can be viewed at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca).
Last week, Delta South MLA Vicki Huntington encouraged residents to have their say on the proposal.
"It's incredibly important that we stay on top of this assessment," she said. "It will be one of the most important things that has ever taken place in Delta in terms of its impact on quality of life, on the future of the agricultural land and on the ecology. So we have to stay on top of it as a community."
According to a Delta staff report, within 60 days of the start of an environmental assessment, the environment minister can refer a designated project to a review panel.
The municipality sent a letter requesting a review panel assess the project but the decision was made this week to reiterate that position with the environment minister.
"This would not only provide a longer timeframe for public input to the process
but it provides a robust forum through which to assess potential environmental impacts and ensure that steps are taken to mitigate those impacts," states the letter.
A review must be completed within 365 days of the notice of commencement, whereas a review panel has 24 months to complete the review. Review panels also hold public hearings to allow interested parties to present evidence, concerns and comments.
