Notice of Determination

Spanning the Fraser River between New Westminster and Surrey, directly upstream from the Pattullo Bridge, B.C. –April 1, 2021– The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has determined that the proposed CN Rail Bridge seismic retrofit project located at Spanning the Fraser River between New Westminster and Surrey, directly upstream from the Pattullo Bridge 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:

  • There will be no in-water works during the fisheries sensitive period as specified in the permit
  • 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
  • All works will be carried out in accordance with the construction environmental management plan
  • A qualified environmental professional will be retained to monitor works and activities with the potential to negatively affect fish or fish habitat
  • Sediments removed from the project site will be disposed of at appropriate off-site facilities
  • An appropriately qualified archaeological monitor will be on the Project site at all times during ground disturbing activities with the potential to intrude into native soils
  • All construction debris and waste materials will be collected in the immediate working area and disposed of at an appropriately licensed facility
  • A spill prevention, containment and clean-up plan will be developed for the project. The plan will be available in the immediate working area and project personnel will be trained on spill prevention, containment, and clean-up
  • All construction equipment will be environmentally clean and properly maintained to prevent spills, invasive species, and noxious weeds
  • The barge and other support vessels will be prevented from grounding on the foreshore, seabed or otherwise disturb the foreshore or seabed

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.

For up-to-date information on the project, visit our website.

Document Reference Number: 3

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