Environmental Reviews

Environmental team assessing biofilmThe Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is legally mandated by the Canada Marine Act to facilitate Canada’s trade in a way that ensures the safe movement of goods within the physical limits of our jurisdiction.

Under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA, 2012), we are also required to conduct an environmental review of any proposed project on port lands.

To fulfill our responsibilities effectively, we administer a Project and Environmental Review Process. Through this process, we consider and make a determination on the potential environmental and community impacts of proposed physical works or activities.

We will not authorize or allow a project to proceed if it is likely to result in significant adverse environmental effects. Should a project be approved, environmental conditions are included in the permit to ensure any potential impacts identified are eliminated or mitigated, and the activity will not harm fish, plants or wildlife.

We operate in an ecologically rich region with a high level of biodiversity. Two national wildlife areas, five provincial wildlife management areas and three designated rockfish conservation areas lie within or adjacent to our navigational jurisdiction, as detailed in the table below. We take these protected areas into consideration as part of our project and environmental reviews.

Protected area designation Sites within our navigational jurisdiction
Provincial Wildlife Management Areas
  • Pitt-Addington Marsh Wildlife Management Area (includes Pitt Polder Ecological Reserve)
  • Coquitlam River Wildlife Management Area
  • Roberts Bank Wildlife Management Area
  • Sturgeon Bank Wildlife Management Area
  • South Arm Marshes Wildlife Management Area
National Wildlife Areas
  • Widgeon Valley National Wildlife Area
  • Alaksen National Wildlife Area
Rockfish Conservation Areas
  • Eastern Burrard Inlet
  • Twin Islands
  • Crocker Island

Learn more about our Project and Environmental Review Process.

Environmental reporting

We are required to report to Parliament annually on activities under sections 67 to 69 of CEAA, 2012. These reports and additional details on environmental reviews are available below:

Reports to Parliament

2015 – Activity report: Vancouver Fraser Port Authority CEAA, 2012 reviews [PDF]
2014 – Activity report: Vancouver Fraser Port Authority CEAA, 2012 reviews [PDF]
2013 – Activity report: Vancouver Fraser Port Authority CEAA, 2012 reviews [PDF]
2012 – Activity report: Vancouver Fraser Port Authority CEAA, 2012 reviews [PDF]

Environmental decisions

2016 – List: Vancouver Fraser Port Authority environmental decisions [PDF]
2015 – List: Vancouver Fraser Port Authority environmental decisions [PDF]
2014 – List: Vancouver Fraser Port Authority environmental decisions [PDF]
2013 – List: Vancouver Fraser Port Authority environmental decisions [PDF]
2012 – List: Vancouver Fraser Port Authority environmental decisions [PDF]