Western Canada Marine Response Corporation | Oil Spill Emergency Response Base

November 24, 2016

Project status

Permit amendments issued

In September 2022, amendment PER No. 16-290-03 was issued to Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (Permit Holder) extending the approved project permit to July 31, 2023. The amendment is limited to upland works and allows the Permit Holder to complete the installation of their modular office building to align the project schedule with other construction projects in the area.

In April 2022, amendment PER No. 16-290-02 was issued to the Permit Holder to extend the expiry date of the approved project permit to July 31, 2022.

In July 2020, amendment PER No. 16-290-01 was issued to the Permit Holder extending both the commencement and expiry date for the approved project permit. The permit was due to commence on February 10, 2020 and expire February 28, 2021. The permit was amended to begin December 10, 2020 and expire November 30, 2021.

Permit issued

On May 15, 2017, a project permit was issued to Western Canada Marine Response Corporation to develop the Oil Spill Emergency Response Base project at 2800 Commissioner Street, in Vancouver, British Columbia on federal lands and waters managed by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.

The project was approved subject to 44 permit conditions which Western Canada Marine Response Corporation must meet to ensure the project does not result in significant adverse environmental effects.

For more information about the project and construction activities, please visit Western Canada Marine Response Corporation’s website.

About the project

Western Canada Marine Response Corporation proposes to construct an oil spill emergency response base in Burrard Inlet. This proposed base is part of a larger expansion planned to meet enhanced response requirements associated with the Trans Mountain Expansion Project. Western Canada Marine Response Corporation was engaged by Trans Mountain to review the Trans Mountain Expansion Project risk assessment and spill modeling studies, and recommend enhancements to the existing federal spill response planning standards for British Columbia. Western Canada Marine Response Corporation provided a draft equipment plan that would be capable of meeting the enhanced planning standards. This plan was submitted to the National Energy Board as part of the facilities application for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project.

The proposed base would serve as a permanent centre from which staff and equipment would be deployed to meet oil spill response requirements. The proposed base would host the majority of vessels moored within Burrard Inlet to provide initial rapid oil‐spill response along shipping routes and within the local area.

The proposed base is anticipated to handle three barges, five response vessels, and moorage for one of Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services’ new fireboats. Vessels would be fueled offsite.

During operation, the proposed response base would be operated twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, three hundred and sixty-five days a year with staffing minimized during night shift hours.

Proposed project activities and components include:

Wharf/Marine-based

Maintenance of existing concrete wharf including placement of asphalt re-surfacing, with crowning, on top of existing concrete wharf;
Repairing of concrete abutment beam;
Removal of concrete wall on western edge of concrete wharf;
Installation of timber bull rails and safety ladders around the perimeter of the existing concrete wharf;
Painting of a large corporate logo on the upward surface of the existing concrete wharf;
Installation of one 2.4 m wide x 24 m long aluminum gangway and piled steel support platform;
Installation of 14 steel pipe piles to moor and berth barges and vessels.
Construction (off-site) and installation of a concrete landing float and a 100 m long x 3.0 m wide concrete float and,
Installation of sewage pump-out on float.

Riparian

Placement of a concrete lock block retaining wall, along the existing wharf, to stabilize and retain fill for the upland parking area, and to provide a ramp access to the existing wharf. and,
Placement of approximately 62 m (778 m³) of riprap shore protection along the foreshore.

Upland

Removal of existing catch basin and placement of new pavement and storm water drainage (catch basin, pipe, oil/water interceptor) for the parking area;
Installation of an in-ground sewage lift station;
Construction of water supply to floats and office buildings;
Installation of electrical utilities for the floats and office buildings;
Installation of two single-storey Britco-type modular office trailers (each measuring 4.3 m (14 ft.) wide x 18.3 (60 ft.) long), for a footprint of 78.7 m²; and,
Provision of 24 parking stalls.

Lighting Details, Excavation, Schedule and Other

Installation of lighting for the upland area, wharf, and float;
Dock lighting to be “Dark Sky Certified” and located at dock ground level; and
Lighting on the concrete wharf and parking area to be shielded (downward facing) and utilized on an as needed basis. Trailer lighting will be shielded by the retaining wall to the south.

Resources

Contact information

For more information about Western Canada Marine Response Corporation’s proposed project, please go to their website or contact Michael Lowry, Manager, Communications by email or phone at 604-293-3380.

For questions regarding the Project and Environmental Review process, please contact us by email or phone at 604.665.9047.