Notice of Determination

Subtidal Cobble Replacement – North Vancouver, B.C. – February 3, 2020

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has determined that the proposed Subtidal Cobble Replacement is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

This determination was based on a consideration of the following factors:

• impacts on rights of Indigenous peoples;
• Indigenous knowledge;
• community knowledge;
• comments received from the public; and
• technically and economically feasible mitigation measures.

Mitigation measures taken into account for this determination are:

• The barge and other support vessels will be prevented from grounding on the foreshore, seabed or otherwise disturb the foreshore or seabed
• A telebelt (conveyor) system will be used to control the speed and rate of cobble release cobble to minimize disturbance and distribute cobble as close to the seabed as possible.
• Works and activities (for example, placement of barge spuds, vessel movement, cobble placement) in close proximity to existing habitat areas (for example, kelp) will be monitored and adjusted to reduce impacts
• There will be no in-water works during the fisheries sensitive period from March 1 to August 15, inclusive
• All construction debris and waste materials will be collected in the immediate working area and disposed of at an appropriately licensed facility
• All construction equipment will be environmentally clean and properly maintained to prevent spills, invasive species, and noxious weeds
• A spill prevention, containment and clean-up plan will be developed for the project, be available in the immediate working area, and project personnel will be trained on spill prevention, containment, and clean-up

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is satisfied that the carrying out of the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Therefore, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority may carry out the project, exercise any power, perform any duty or function, or provide financial assistance to enable the project to be carried out in whole or in part.