Adequacy of environmental risk assessment of the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project in Delta, British Columbia

Petition: 385

Issue(s): Biological diversity, environmental assessment, governance, science and technology, transport

Petitioner(s): Resident of Canada

Petitioner Location(s): Delta, British Columbia

Date Received: 1 September 2015

Status: Completed—Response(s) to petition received

Summary: The petition explains that the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project is a proposal by Port Metro Vancouver to construct a new container terminal at Roberts Bank in Delta, British Columbia. Roberts Bank is part of the Fraser River estuary and an important part of the Pacific flyway migratory bird corridor. The petition highlights environmental concerns over potential impacts to migratory birds and their stopover habitat in the estuary. In particular, the petition highlights the impacts to the biofilm layer of the mud flats, which is the main food source for the entire population of western sandpipers.

The petition notes that although Port Metro Vancouver is the proponent of the project, the Minister of Transport is responsible for port authorities in Canada, including Port Metro Vancouver. The petition therefore asks for the Minister’s assurance that the Department has assessed the ecological risks to the estuary habitat and migratory birds. The petition also asks why the Minister decided to proceed with the construction and location of the proposed terminal, in light of the international significance of this ecosystem.

The petition requests whether the Minister has considered Environment Canada’s concerns about further development on Roberts Bank. The petition also requests the Minister of Transport to confirm that an environmental assessment has taken these risks into account and that the Department has addressed the risk of future damage and degradation to ecosystems as a result of the project.

Federal departments responsible for reply: Transport Canada