Delta South MLA Vicki Huntington is urging the provincial government to request a federal environmental assessment for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railway extension in Delta.
The rail expansion would see BNSF twin up to 8.8 kilometres of its track on the southwestern edge of North Delta in order to serve an additional oncedaily coal train demanded by the Fraser Surrey Docks coal export plan.
"The BNSF tracks follow a fish-bearing stream. They go through a municipal park, run alongside a busy walking trail and cross part of Burns Bog - an ecological conservancy and one of the most environmentally fragile areas in our region," said Huntington. "We need an environmental assessment."
Controversy over coal traffic has included outcry over environmental impact, health risk and limited community consultation. In the legislature, Huntington twice accused the environment minister of failing to support community and municipal government calls for action.
"I'm pleased to support thousands of residents who have already signed petitions or written their MLAs," she said.
Delta council's request this year for an environmental assessment was denied in a one-page letter from the federal environment minister, but Huntington suggests the lack of provincial support was a factor. "Had B.C. thrown its resources and political influence behind the municipality, the answer might have been more respectful.
"The province has a duty to thousands of residents directly impacted by this proposal. No port in the western seaboard has been able to satisfy public and expert concerns over the mass export of U.S. thermal coal in their community," she said. "Why are we ignoring the same concerns?"
