Since 1991, we have been creating, restoring and enhancing fish and wildlife habitat, including salt water marshes, intertidal marshes and eelgrass beds, to help maintain a balance between a healthy environment and future development that may be required for port operations.
The Habitat Enhancement Program is a Vancouver Fraser Port Authority initiative focused on creating, restoring and enhancing the viability and sustainability of fish and wildlife habitat. It was formalized in 2012 through a working agreement with Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Through this agreement, we are able to develop habitat sites that can be “banked”, allowing us to directly offset effects of port development may have on fish and/or fish habitat.
In addition to working with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, we also consult with local Indigenous groups, all levels of government, neighbouring communities, and other regulators on these projects. This allows us to make sure the interests of all parties are considered, for the benefit of everyone. We have also collaborated with environmental organizations, such as Ducks Unlimited and the Pacific Salmon Foundation, to leverage their expertise when enhancing habitats that benefit fish and other wildlife.
Port authority-led habitat enhancement projects
Location |
Name |
Status |
| Delta | Tsawwassen Eelgrass | Design, permitting and approvals phase |
| Delta | Westham Island Canoe Pass Tidal Marsh | Permitting and approvals phase |
| North Vancouver | Maplewood Marine Restoration | Under construction |
| Richmond | McDonald Tidal Marsh | Permitting and approvals phase |
| Richmond | South Arm Jetty Tidal Marsh | Design, permitting and approvals phase |
| Vancouver | Point Grey Tidal Marsh | Design, permitting and approvals phase |
Over the last 20 years, we have completed eight habitat enhancement sites throughout the Lower Mainland. Some of the recently completed projects include:
Location |
Name |
Status |
| Vancouver | New Brighton Park | Complete |
| Roberts Bank, Boundary Bay | Salt Marsh Restoration | Complete |
| Fraser River | Glenrose Tidal Marsh Project | Complete |
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Learn more about our ongoing field studies as part of the environmental and technical work behind our habitat enhancement projects. June 2018 – Field Studies Notification |