Fraser Surrey Docks will soon be shipping coal overseas.
Port Metro Vancouver announced Thursday morning it has approved a long-proposed coal-transfer facility at Fraser Surrey Docks.
It would take at least four million tonnes of U.S. coal by train through White Rock and Surrey each year and send it by barge down the Fraser River to Texada Island for reloading to ocean-going ships.
Environmentalists, residents and other groups opposed to the project had raised concerns about the terminalB次元官网网址檚 potential harm on the environment and air quality.
Fraser Health Authority chief medical health officer Dr. Paul Van Buynder called last year for a full health-impact assessment, and criticism of the project has also come from Metro Vancouver cities, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancity and the B.C. Nurses Union. Climate-change activists, including Voters Taking Action on Climate Change (VTACC) believe U.S. coal might stay in the ground and not be burnt overseas if new coal terminals arenB次元官网网址檛 built in Metro Vancouver or along the U.S. west coast.
The South Surrey/White Rock Chamber of Commerce also took a stance against the project, although the Surrey Board of Trade supported it, along with such stakeholders as the United Steelworkers and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.
In announcing last week that the project is going ahead, Port Metro Vancouver noted it was aware of opposition to the facility, but said B次元官网网址渁ll public, municipal, agency, First Nations and other stakeholder concerns and questionsB次元官网网址� were addressed, adding that B次元官网网址渟hould there exist any risk of adverse impacts of the proposalB次元官网网址� those impacts could be mitigated to acceptable levels.B次元官网网址�
Some opponents were not surprised the project received the go-ahead.
B次元官网网址淚t was pretty disappointing, but not unexpected,B次元官网网址� said White Rock Mayor Wayne Baldwin, who last year attended a protest against increased coal traffic through the Peninsula, along with Surrey-White Rock Liberal MLA Gordon Hogg, White Rock Coun. Helen Fathers and Surrey Coun. Barinder Rasode.
B次元官网网址淚t will ultimately mean a lot more trains going through,B次元官网网址� Baldwin said, noting that the issue of the full health-impact assessment called for by Van Buynders has yet to be undertaken.
B次元官网网址淚t strengthens our resolve about getting something done about dangerous goods and excessive train traffic through our community.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚 knew it was coming,B次元官网网址� said Paula Williams, co-organizer of the grassroots South Surrey-based network Communities and Coal, which has been sharply critical of the Fraser Surrey Docks expansion project and potential health impacts since being formed last year. B次元官网网址淪o itB次元官网网址檚 not necessarily a surprise. IB次元官网网址檓 disappointed, yes, but not surprised.B次元官网网址�
The Crescent Beach resident noted Golder Associates Ltd., which did a review of the project B次元官网网址� and is described by Port Metro Vancouver in its releases as B次元官网网址渁n independent environmental consultantB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� has a business relationship with the Macquarie Group, parent company of Fraser Surrey Docks.
B次元官网网址淭hey have gone into business together in different partnerships to bid on projects, including an airport tunnel in Toronto and a construction contract in Alaska,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 not sure of the definition of an independent third-party reviewer (that Port Metro Vancouver is using), but it doesnB次元官网网址檛 sit well.B次元官网网址�
Williams said it appeared from the Port Metro Vancouver website that Golder just spot-checked information, rather than gathering data themselves.
However, Peter Xotta, vice-president of planning and operations at Port Metro Vancouver, said the decision was not taken lightly.
B次元官网网址淭hrough our comprehensive project review process, stakeholder consultation, as well as third-party validated environmental and health studies, it was determined there are no unacceptable risks and the project could be permitted.B次元官网网址�
Port Metro Vancouver says the $15-million project will provide 25 direct and 25 indirect full-time jobs. Approval came after a lengthy review process.
B次元官网网址淥ver the past two years, a significant amount of work and a number of comprehensive studies have gone into ensuring this project is safe and that concerns raised were addressed,B次元官网网址� said Jeff Scott, president and CEO of Fraser Surrey Docks.
B次元官网网址淲e take our obligation to the community very seriously, as we have for over 50 years. We understand our responsibility and will deliver on our commitment to ensure this project is operated safely and responsibly.B次元官网网址�
Williams said the decision took two years because of public and political pressure for an environmental assessment, not necessarily because a thorough review was completed. She said her group will now go into a B次元官网网址渄ifferent stage of battle,B次元官网网址� calling the situation a B次元官网网址渃hess gameB次元官网网址� theyB次元官网网址檙e ready for.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e not going away. WeB次元官网网址檙e still committed to obtaining an independent health-impact statement. Even though Port Metro Vancouver is hiding behind (the limits of) its jurisdictional responsibilities, someone has to take responsibility.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e not trying to stop shipments of coal B次元官网网址� we just want the truth.B次元官网网址�
The docks are located on South Fraser Perimeter Road, southwest of the Pattullo Bridge.
