Port Metro Vancouver's proposed Terminal 2 at Roberts Bank must undergo an environmental assessment by an independent review panel.
Leona Aglukkaq, the federal environment minister and minister responsible for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, made the announcement Wednesday.
A news release noted the decision was made after considering the project's "potential for significant adverse environmental effects and concerns expressed by the public and Aboriginal groups in relation to these effects." Aglukkaq set timelines for the environmental assessment, which could take up to two years for the minister's decision statement.
T2 is a proposed threeberth container terminal adjacent to the three-berth Deltaport container terminal. The massive project is part of the Container Capacity Improvement Program, a long-term strategy to meet anticipated growth on the West Coast.
The port authority notes that even with recent and current improvements at its terminals, and planned investments at the Fairview terminal in Prince Rupert, current demand forecasts indicate the West Coast will still need more container capacity by the mid-2020s. Based on the current project schedule, and subject to regulatory approvals, T2 could be operational by 2024.
The Corporation of Delta had requested the environmental review be conducted through an independent panel to ensure "the most rigorous environmental process possible."
An environmental review must be completed within 365 days, whereas a review panel has 24 months to complete a review, council was told in a staff report last month. Civic politicians were also told that panels hold public hearings to allow interested parties to present evidence and concerns.
A letter from council to Aglukkaq noted an independent panel 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." Saying the announcement is good news that offers a sliver of hope T2 can be defeated, Roger Emsley with Against Port Expansion (APE) wants the opportunity to make a presentation to the panel. Emsley, also a member of Port Community Liaison Committee, said he hopes much more information can be provided than what has been gathered by the port authority's ongoing field studies.
"(We want) to raise things, such as the 1979 environmental review, previous comments by DFO that they would never approve a container port in that location, and the 2008 Emerson federal government report which says don't develop any more infrastructure down here until you've maximized the container facilities at Prince Rupert.
"All of that and the recent research that's been done on the biofilm out on Roberts Bank, which is truly unique," Emsley said.
"The port has been trying to suggest if that (biofilm) gets impacted, the western sandpipers will go somewhere else - not true. A large percentage of western sandpipers - we're talking 80 to 85 per cent - that's where they feed on their northbound and southbound migrations."
