|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
 Roberts Bank
Deltaport Third Berth Project
Project Description
Construction Project Rationale and Benefits Federal and Provincial Regulatory Review Processes Road Transportation Rail Transportation Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Safety and Security Consultation Project Description 1. What is the Deltaport Third Berth Project?
The Deltaport Third Berth Project (DP3) is a Vancouver Port Authority (Port) and TSI Terminal Systems Inc. (TSI) initiative to expand existing container operations at the Deltaport container terminal at Roberts Bank, in Delta, BC.
DP3 will increase capacity at Deltaport by approximately 400,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) by adding a third berth and 20 hectares of container storage facilities to the existing two-berth container terminal. The third berth at Deltaport will be operated by TSI, a private company that operates the existing Deltaport container terminal. The Project is part of the Port's overall strategy to expand container capacity at the Port of Vancouver to accommodate consumer and business-driven demand for increased Canadian trade trhough the west coast of Canada. The Project is being built at an estimated capital cost of approximately $400 million. 2. Who will pay for the Deltaport Third Berth Project?
The Port and TSI Terminal Systems Inc. (TSI), will pay for the Deltaport Third Berth Project. BC Rail Company (BCRC) will pay for rail works pertaining to the project. The Port will pay for improvements to Highway 17 pertaining to the project.
Construction
1. Who is responsible for project construction?
The construction of the Deltaport Third Berth Project (DP3) has four distinct components:
2. What is the construction schedule?
Construction on the Deltaport Third Berth Project commenced in January 2007 and is currently projected to be complete in Fall 2009.
Visit the DP3 Project Construction Phase of this website for a detailed schedule. 2008 DP3 Project Schedule [PDF | 57 KB] 3. How are construction impacts being managed?
Contractors and sub-contractors engaged by the PORT for DP3 construction are required to provide detailed environmental management plans and must confirm that that they are able to comply with environmental requirements and conditions.
DP3's Construction Environmental Management Plan includes the following components:
Independent professionals have been retained by the Port to provide construction environmental monitoring services during DP3 construction. The Port submits weekly or biweekly reports to Fisheries and Oceans Canada, depending on the level of construction activity. Project Rationale and Benefits
1. Why is the Deltaport Third Berth Project needed?
The Project is part of a broader initiative to expand container terminal capacity at the Port of Vancouver to accommodate consumer and business driven demand for increased trade with Pacific Rim nations – notably China.
2. Why pursue the expansion at Deltaport when the Port of Prince Rupert is willing and able to handle the projected container volumes?
It is not a simple either/or scenario. According to the BC Ports Strategy, by 2020 port container traffic will quadruple and current capacity at container facilities is already nearing capacity. Prince Rupert will play a significant role to increase B.C.'s container capacity in order to handle these projected volumes. However, it will not replace the need for container expansion at the Port of Vancouver, including the Deltaport Third Berth Project.
Prince Rupert will not serve Lower Mainland consumer markets. Cargo through Prince Rupert will primarily serve east coasts markets in Canada and the US. Over 30 per cent of cargo through the Port of Vancouver is destined for consumer markets in the Lower Mainland and the rest of British Columbia. The entire B.C. port system must work together in order for Canada to effectively meet the demands of container trade and facilitate the growth of Asia-Pacific trade. 3. How will the Deltaport Third Berth Project benefit the local community?
The DP3 Project will create jobs for local workers and economic opportunities for local businesses, during both construction and operation. It will also generate tax revenues for the Corporation of Delta and support the development of local infrastructure. The Project will provide positive economic benefits primarily to Delta, Metro Vancouver and B.C., from expenditure on wages, goods and services purchased, and taxes. The project will create 640 person-years of employment during construction and 356 full-time positions during annual operation. By 2020, it is estimated that port activities will generate more than 3,000 direct jobs locally and more than $161 million in wages paid in Delta. Federal and Provincial Regulatory Review Processes
1. What approvals were received for the Deltaport Third Berth Project?
The DP3 Project required provincial approval under the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Act and federal approvals following a review under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The provincial and federal review processes identified potential environmental, economic, social, heritage and/or health impacts and defined how these will be avoided or mitigated.
The Project was comprehensively reviewed by federal and provincial government agencies through a single harmonized environmental assessment process facilitated by the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office and was open to the full participation of stakeholders and the general public. On September 29, 2006, the Port received a provincial environmental assessment certificate for the Deltaport Third Berth Project. Please visit the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office (BCEAO) website to view the information bulletin. The federal comprehensive study of the Deltaport Third Berth Project was completed on December 8, 2006. For more information, please visit the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) website. On December 19, 2006, the Port received authorization under the Fisheries Act for the project. On January 2, 2007, the Port received authorization for the Disposal at Sea Permit Application under Canadian Environmental Protection Act for the project. 2. What was the purpose of the Environmental Assessment Application?
The purpose of the Environmental Assessment (EA) Application was to assess the significance of potential effects of the DP3 Project and to identify means to avoid, reduce, and mitigate potential adverse effects. The EA Application was prepared in compliance with both federal and provincial legislation (the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Act).
Findings from the following impact assessment studies were included in the Application:
3. When did Port submit the EA Application for review?
The B.C. Environmental Assessment Office accepted the EA Application for review on February 14, 2005.
4. How was the EA Application developed?
The EA Application process had four components:
The federal Scoping Document was developed by Environment Canada (EC) and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and circulated for public comment prior to being finalized. The federal scoping document describes the scope of the assessment and the scope of factors to include in the assessment of the Deltaport Third Berth Project including cumulative effects. The provincial Terms of Reference for the EA Application was developed by the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office in conjunction with the project working group which included representatives from Environment Canada, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Health Canada, the Corporation of Delta, The Fraser Health Authority, GVRD, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Agriculture and Land and several First Nations including the Tsawwassen First Nation. 5. Was a Cumulative Effects Assessment conducted for the Project?
The Port conducted a Cumulative Effects Assessment for the Deltaport Third Berth Project EA Application based on the provincial Terms of Reference and federal scoping document. This assessment was updated in late 2005 in response to government regulatory agencies (DFO and EC), First Nations and public review comments received on the EA application.
The Cumulative Effects Assessment addressed the cumulative effects of the Deltaport Third Berth Project, in combination with other projects that had been or which were proposed based on the best information that was known at the time of the assessment (including the proposed Terminal 2 and the South Fraser Perimeter Road projects). 6. How did the public provide comments on the Deltaport Third Berth Project Application?
The B.C. Environmental Assessment Office invited comments on the Project Application during three formal public comment periods. The first public comment period ran from February 24 to May 9, 2005 and the second public comment period ran from May 11 to May 18, 2005. A third public comment period ran from December 16, 2005 to January 25, 2006 to receive comments on four supplemental documents to the Application that were submitted in December 2005 to the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office.
The federal comprehensive study report was available for public comment from July 19, 2006 to September 1, 2006. 7. What is the Owner's Table of Commitments and Assurances?
During the Provincial environmental review process for the Deltaport Third Berth Project, the BC Environmental Assessment Office produced a report titled "Deltaport Third Berth Project, Environmental Assessment Report", dated June 2006. The Owner's Table of Commitments and Assurances was included in the EAO report as Appendix E.
The Owner's Table of Commitments and Assurances includes over 150 commitments that the Port will undertake as part of the Deltaport Third Berth Project. The status of the commitments are updated quarterly and available on the Port's website at http://www.portvancouver.com/the_port/project_reporting.html 8. Who will oversee the Port's commitments?
The DP3 Project working group, led by the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office, reviews the status of the commitments on an annual basis. The working group includes representatives from Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Health Canada, the Corporation of Delta, The Fraser Health Authority, GVRD, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Agriculture and Land and several First Nations including the Tsawwassen First Nation.
In addition, compliance with the entire Fisheries Act Authorization, including the Habitat Compensation Plan, will be independently audited on an annual basis. Full-time independent environmental monitors oversee marine construction activities to ensure that Construction Environmental Management Plans are being followed. The Port submits weekly or biweekly reports to Fisheries and Oceans Canada, depending on the level of construction activity. Road Transportation
1. How much more traffic will be created on local roads from the Deltaport Third Berth Project?
Truck traffic will increase to approximately 2,400 single truck-trips per day (from 1,800 single truck-trips per day in 2004) by 2012. Employee service vehicle trips will increase from 2,100 single trips per day to 2,600 single trips per day over the same period. 2. What is the Port doing to alleviate the traffic congestion in Delta?
The Port is investing $3.2 million on Highway 17 improvements to mitigate the impact of the Deltaport Third Berth Project. The Port is working with the Ministry of Transportation (MoT) and the Corporation of Delta (CoD) on the improvements. Detailed design is underway and improvements are scheduled to be complete in mid 2008. The Highway 17 projects include:
Commercial Vehicle Lane Restrictions on Highway 17 MOT has received authority to implement commercial lane restrictions and is accelerating this initiative as part of the Highway 17 improvements. Implementation is expected to be complete by the end of 2007. Lane restrictions will be enforceable by local traffic authorities. Truck Licensing System The Port is implementing a more rigorous version of the Truck Licensing System(TLS) on January 1, 2008 to increase the safety and environmental standards of the container truck fleet servicing the Port. Through the TLS, the Port is committed to developing a safer, more sustainable container truck fleet to service the Port's container facilities. Roberts Bank Rail Corridor The federal government has announced $75 million to fund rail and road crossing improvements along the Roberts Bank Rail Corridor. The Port has committed up to $50 million to support the long-term growth of the Roberts Bank Rail Corridor improvements. 3. Isn't a new road alignment required to accommodate the increased container truck traffic resulting from the Deltaport Third Berth Project?
No new road infrastructure along Deltaport Way will be required to support the additional 600 daily truck-trips estimated as a result of the Project along Deltaport Way, Highway 99 or River Road. Improvements will be made to Highway 17.
4. Does the Port support the Gateway Program?
The Port supports the Gateway Program and its comprehensive approach to the Lower Mainland's transportation issues. Gateway Program components include the Port Mann/Highway 1 Project, the North Fraser Perimeter Road, including the Pitt River Bridge and Mary Hill Interchange Project, and the South Fraser Perimeter Road.
In Delta, the South Fraser Perimeter Road will address congestion and improve the movement of people and goods through the region. 5. What is the Port doing to address truck safety issues?
The Port is addressing container truck related issues through the Truck Licensing System (TLS). The TLS requires that any container truck wishing to access port property must have a valid truck license. The TLS will allow the Port to develop a safer, cleaner, more sustainable container truck fleet to service the Port's container facilities. The following new safety and environmental provisions in the TLS will be phased in starting January 1, 2008. By January 1, 2009, the Port will prohibit access to container trucks older than 1994.
The Port will continue to work with the British Columbia Trucking Association (BCTA), the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation's Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement unit and ICBC's AirCare On Road (ACOR) program to continue to raise safety and environmental standards and awareness in the trucking sector. Rail Transportation
1. What is the Roberts Bank Rail Corridor?
The Roberts Bank Rail Corridor (RBRC) is an important 70-kilometer stretch of rail connecting Canada's largest container facility and a major coal terminal at Roberts Bank with the North American rail network. It carries increasing volumes of freight through the communities of Delta, Surrey, Langley City and Langley Township.
2. How much will rail traffic increase along the Roberts Bank Rail Corridor as a result of the Deltaport Third Berth Project?
Total rail traffic to and from Roberts Bank is expected to increase from an average of 18 trains per day to 21 trains per day by 2012.
Rail improvements for the DP3 Project require 23,000 feet of additional track to be constructed by B.C. Rail Company (BCRC) within its property on the Roberts Bank causeway and within its existing Gulf Siding right-of-way. The 57B Street road-rail grade crossing, south of Deltaport Way, is proposed to be closed to accommodate additional rail support track at the Gulf Siding. The Port is working with the Corporation of Delta and the Delta Farmers' Institute to address agricultural requirements in order to achieve closure of the 57B Street crossing. 3. Who will pay for improvements to rail infrastructure for the Deltaport Third Berth Project
B.C. Railway Company is responsible for track improvements for the Deltaport Third Berth Project.
4. What are you doing to alleviate the long-term impacts of additional rail traffic?
The federal government and partner agencies will build nine new road-rail grade separations along the Roberts Bank Rail Corridor to enhance the efficiency and safety of rail operations and accommodate the anticipated growth in trade-related traffic. The federal government has announced $75 million to fund road/rail grade crossing improvements along the Roberts Bank Rail Corridor (RBRC) as part of the Asia-Pacific Gateway & Corridor Initiative.
The Port will also contribute up to $50 million towards road/rail grade separations to support long-term growth along the Roberts Bank Rail Corridor. 5. What is the Roberts Bank Rail Corridor Road/Rail Interface Study?
The Roberts Bank Rail Corridor Road/Rail Interface Study was completed in February 2007. The study is not part of the Deltaport Third Berth Project. The study looked at addressing long-term infrastructure solutions and identified road and rail infrastructure improvements along the corridor to facilitate long-term port growth. The study identifies mitigation for current noise issues and improved connectivity for agricultural traffic. The study was coordinated by Transport Canada with other participants including the BC Ministry of Transportation, TransLink, Greater Vancouver Gateway Council and the Port. Delta, Surrey, Langley City and the Township of Langley also contributed to the study.
In Delta, grade separations have been identified at:
Environmental Impacts and Mitigation
1. What is being done to limit air emissions and protect air quality?
The Port and terminal operator TSI are committed to limiting emissions associated with the Deltaport Third Berth Project construction, as well as general port operations. Air quality actions and commitments include:
2. What is the Port doing to help reduce air emissions from general port activities?
The Port has undertaken a number of initiatives to reduce air emissions from port operations, including emissions from ocean-going vessels, such as:
3. What is being done to limit noise and light levels from the Deltaport Third Berth Project?
Noise impacts related to DP3 constructions are expected to be minimal. There have been some concerns regarding dredging noise and the construction contractor has retrofitted the dredge equipment with noise silencers.
A Noise Management Plan has been implemented to monitor and reduce noise levels during construction and operations where possible. The Port is working with the construction contractor, the terminal operator and residents to measure and resolve noise issues resulting from project construction activities. Rail noise is expected to increase during operations by between 1dBA and 2 dBA. Although increases of this level are not normally perceptible to the human ear, they would marginally increase existing levels. The Port recognizes the importance of minimizing noise impacts on residential areas and will continue to work with local residents to address noise associated with rail and terminal activities. Construction, dredging and terminal construction activities will require lighting and Deltaport's lighting system will be expanded to illuminate the new facility. A number of measures have been proposed to reduce potential construction and operations lighting impacts, including:
4. What are the potential impacts to the marine environment from the Deltaport Third Berth Project?
The main impacts to the marine environment include:
5. What is being done to protect the marine environment?
The Deltaport expansion will create more wildlife habitat than it affects. The proposal to add a third berth to the existing Deltaport container terminal will directly affect 20 hectares at Roberts Bank. Our habitat compensation program will create more than 27 hectares of marine and bird habitat - including 20 hectares at Roberts Bank and 7.5 hectares in the Fraser Estuary.
Additional mitigation and prevention measures addressing potential impacts on the marine environment include undertaking marine construction in compliance with Fisheries and Oceans Canada dredging guidelines for protection of marine habitats and resources and employing a full-time independent environmental monitor to oversee marine construction. 6. What is being done to protect birds?
Impacts to waterfowl and coastal seabirds are primarily those associated with the loss of resting/roosting and/or foraging habitat under the DP3 Project footprint. Marine habitat compensation will add sheltered foraging areas and provide additional resting/roosting habitat.
7. What are the potential impacts to wildlife and vegetation from the Deltaport Third Berth Project?
There are no significant effects anticipated on vegetation or wildlife. Mitigation measures have been established to protect wildlife and vegetation during construction and operations.
8. What is the Habitat Compensation Plan?
The Habitat Compensation Plan will provide approximately 20 hectares of on-site compensation projects and 7.5 hectares of off-site compensation.
Habitat compensation projects include:
Fisheries and Oceans Canada issued the Fisheries Act Authorization approving the Habitat Compensation Plan in December 2006. Compliance with the entire Fisheries Act Authorization, including the Habitat Compensation Plan, will be independently audited. Additional mitigation and prevention measures addressing potential impacts on the marine environment include undertaking marine construction in compliance with Fisheries and Oceans Canada dredging guidelines for protection of marine habitats and resources and employing a full-time independent environmental monitor to oversee marine construction. 9. What is the Adaptive Management Strategy?
An Adaptive Management Strategy (AMS) has been developed through consultation between the Port, Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, the Geological Survey of Canada and consultants with expertise in the areas of interest. The AMS is a science-based approach to monitoring and managing the Roberts Bank inter-causeway ecosystem.
The key areas considered by the AMS include the following:
A Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), with three scientists chosen by the Port and Environment Canada, was established to provide scientific and technical advice and recommendations to the Adaptive Management Strategy. Safety and Security
1. How is Port dealing with safety and security at Roberts Bank?
The Port has made significant investments and operational improvements over the past three years to ensure that terminals, port facilities and operating communities are secure. We will continue to make further improvements in the future to ensure that Roberts Bank remains safe.
Consultation
1. What opportunities are there for public input?
All phases of the project review are open to the full participation of local communities, Port of Vancouver stakeholders and the general public.
The Port is dedicated to a long-term open and interactive consultation process and is committed to working closely with the Deltaport Third Berth Project Community Liaison Committee (DCLC) during the construction and first-year operation of the third berth. DCLC is comprised of 17 individuals representing local residents, local community associations, local businesses and port stakeholder groups, all working with the Port to specifically address DP3 Project issues in Delta relating to traffic, noise, light and environmental issues. To learn more about the DCLC, including its Terms of Reference and meeting notes, please visit the Deltaport Third Berth Project Community Liaison Committee. 2. Does the Port receive input from First Nations, including the Tsawwassen First Nation?
The Port is actively working with the Tsawwassen First Nation and other First Nations with traditional interests in the area to ensure that their issues and concerns are fully considered over the course of the project.
3. Will local municipalities have a role in the project during the construction phase?
Absolutely. Local municipalities continue to have an ongoing and meaningful role in the project during the construction phase. In fact, the Port is committed to working with local communities for the long-term to address their most pressing issues and priorities.
4. What is Port doing for the community of Delta
The Port is actively involved in the communities we border through extensive community relations, investment and engagement initiatives. We manage a dynamic, broad-based Community Investment Program based on three pillars: Education, Community Enrichment and Environmental Stewardship.
The Port supports a Partners in Education Scholarship Program, employee and fundraising initiatives, the Pacific Salmon Foundation and other community sponsorships and donations. We attend approximately 75 community events annually with our Community Relations team and our mascot, Salty Sam the Seagull. The Port offers presentations both externally and in our Interpretive Centre, in addition to a Speakers Bureau for specialized presentations to local business and community groups. We provide Port-in-a-Box to educators and host a Leadership Programme where we partner with secondary schools to foster education and leadership in the community. The Port seeks to proactively engage with communities to identify port-community synergies and concerns regarding port operations, and to work together on plans for sustainable development. The Port participates in many community activities in Delta, these include:
5. Where can I go if I have questions or concerns regarding the Deltaport Third Berth Project?
If you have questions or concerns regarding the Deltaport Third Berth Project, you can contact the Port's public information and feedback line at 604-665-9337, or email container_expansion@vfpa.ca
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
The Port & Operations | Trade & Shipping | Vancouver-Alaska Cruise | Community | Media | Statistics | Photo Gallery About VPA | Contact Us | Privacy Statement © 2007 Vancouver Port Authority, All Rights Reserved |
 |
