News Release
Canada’s Environment Minister Announces Decision on the Environmental Assessment of the Fairview Terminal Phase II Expansion Project

OTTAWA – January 25, 2013 – Canada’s Environment Minister, the Honourable Peter Kent, announced today that the proposed Fairview Terminal Phase II Expansion Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects with the implementation of the mitigation measures described in the Comprehensive Study Report.

In reaching his decision, the Minister considered the Comprehensive Study Report and the comments received from the public on that report.

The Minister has referred the project back to Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada and the Canadian Transportation Agency for appropriate action.

A copy of the Minister’s environmental assessment decision statement is available in the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry, reference number 37956.

The Prince Rupert Port Authority and Canadian National Railway (CN Rail) are proposing to expand the existing Fairview Terminal at Prince Rupert, B.C. This will include extending the existing wharf structure and expanding the onshore terminal. As part of the project, CN Rail is proposing to construct two rail sidings, a maintenance road and wye (a triangular shaped arrangement of railway tracks with a switch point at each corner) in order to achieve terminal throughput design capacity.

This project was assessed using a science-based approach. If the project is permitted to proceed to the next phase, it will continue to be subject to Canada’s strong environmental laws, rigorous enforcement and follow-up and increased fines.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency administers the federal environmental assessment process, which identifies the environmental effects of proposed projects and measures to address those effects, in support of sustainable development.

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Media may contact:

Céline Legault
Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Tel.: 613-957-0278

Document Reference Number: 16

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