Port Metro Vancouver is undertaking various field studies this month as it prepares to submit an application for Terminal 2. The port authority says three studies are underway, including one examining the existing visual impacts at Roberts Bank as well as identifying potential lighting changes associated with the proposed three-berth container terminal.
Another is a continuation a study of the behaviour of marine mammals in the vicinity of the marine terminals.
The third is a study on the impact of underwater noise levels on southern resident killer whales.
For the marine mammal observation study, the port says a ground-based remote video surveillance system may be used. For the underwater noise study, ambient noise levels and marine mammal vocalizations will be recorded continuously for one year at Roberts Bank using a hydrophone cabled to shore.
All the field studies will eventually form an environmental impact statement, a comprehensive document to be submitted to the federal government at the end of this year or early 2015. Once submitted, it will launch a lengthy environmental review process involving an independent panel.
Port Metro Vancouver says it's also continuing a comprehensive consultation process that began in June 2011.
The port is also planning further environmental projects in Delta, including creating a new tidal marsh habitat near Canoe Pass, as part of a "habitat banking" program, designed to give the port environmental credits in advance of T2.
The port authority recently released its 2013 year-end results showing its facilities handled 135 million tonnes of cargo, a record for Port Metro Vancouver and an overall increase of nine per cent over 2012.
