Notice of Determination

Fraser River fronting River Front Park in Coquitlam, B.C. –July 15, 2020 -  The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has determined that the proposed Fraser Mills Pile Removal is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

This determination was based on a consideration of the following factors:

  • Impacts on rights of Indigenous peoples
  • Indigenous knowledge
  • Community knowledge
  • Comments received from the public
  • Technically and economically feasible mitigation measures

Mitigation measures taken into account for this determination are:

  • The permit holder will meet requirements of the Fisheries Act. They will prevent pollution from entering the Fraser River and avoid impacts to fish and fish habitat
  • The works will not deposit a deleterious substance in water inhabited by fish, or affect fish or fish habitat in a manner contrary to the Fisheries Act.
  • There will be no in-water works during the fisheries sensitive period from March 1 to June 15, inclusive
  • The physical activities will be conducted to avoid increasing sedimentation of foreshore and nearshore areas and induced turbidity of local waters
  • The barge and other support vessels will be prevented from grounding on the foreshore, seabed or otherwise disturb the foreshore or seabed
  • A spill prevention, containment and clean-up plan will be developed for the project, be available in the immediate working area, and project personnel will be trained on spill prevention, containment, and clean-up
  • All construction debris and waste materials will be collected in the immediate working area and disposed of at an appropriately licensed facility
  • All construction equipment will be environmentally clean and properly maintained to prevent spills, invasive species, and noxious weeds
  • No refueling or maintenance activities will be conducted within 30 metres of a waterbody or in areas where run-off may potentially reach a waterbody
  • All piles will be removed completely by extracting the entire length of the pile from the riverbed. If the condition of the pile prevents the complete removal, the pile will be removed to the extent possible to avoid leaving a pile stump that may pose a hazard to navigation.

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is satisfied that the carrying out of the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Therefore, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority may carry out the project, exercise any power, perform any duty or function, or provide financial assistance to enable the project to be carried out in whole or in part.

Document Reference Number: 2

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