Public notice

Submarine Fibre Optic Telecommunication Cables – Public comments invited

January 19, 2022 – The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, as part of its Project and Environmental Review process, and Transport Canada must determine whether the proposed Submarine Fibre Optic Telecommunication Cables, in Burrard Inlet is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. Written comments to be received by February 17, 2022.

To help inform this determination, and to assist the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority in making a decision on whether or not to approve the proposed project, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and Transport Canada are inviting comments from the public. All comments received will be considered public and may be posted online. For more information, individuals should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website. In addition, your contact information may be shared with third parties, e.g., the tenant, other relevant agencies, to help respond to your questions and inform possible mitigations.

Written comments must be submitted by February 17, 2022 to:

Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
Project and Environmental Review
100 The Pointe, 999 Canada Place
Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6C 3T4
per@portvancouver.com

Transport Canada
mpact Assessment Pacific Region
820 - 800 Burrard Street Vancouver, British Columbia V6Z 2J8
PACEnvironment-environnement@tc.gc.ca

The proposed project

Baylink Networks Inc., on behalf of Strathcona Connected Coast Network Corporation, proposes to install two submarine fibre optic cables in Burrard Inlet with a shore landing location at the Vancouver Convention Centre West that would allow for connection to a major internet exchange point at 1050 West Pender Street, Vancouver. The proposal is part of the "Connected Coast" project, which aims to bring high-speed communications infrastructure to remote coastal communities throughout BC. The cables would travel from the shore landing location, along the seabed in Burrard Inlet, through First Narrows and out towards Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast. The approximate lengths of the cables intended to be laid within the federal waters managed by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority are 4,322 metres and 4,379 metres; this includes the majority of the proposed cable route through Burrard Inlet up to approximately 625 metres west of the Lions Gate Bridge. The proposed shore landing location at the Vancouver Convention Centre West is within the City of Vancouver's jurisdiction. The cables would also travel through the port authority's navigational jurisdiction, which includes all of Burrard Inlet, and extends up until Point Atkinson at Lighthouse Park.

The cables measure approximately 13.5 millimetres by 6.3 millimetres, and would be installed by a cable-laying vessel, which would lay the cables directly onto the seabed, spaced approximately 50 metres apart. The cables would be armoured with an iron split pipe through First Narrows, and at the shore landing location, for additional protection. The cables are proposed to be installed separately, with the first cable planned for installation during Spring 2022 and the second cable planned for installation in late 2022/ early 2023. Cable installation from the shore landing location to the First Narrows is anticipated to take approximately five hours per cable. Cable installation from First Narrows through the remainder of the port authority's navigational jurisdiction is anticipated to take an additional three hours per cable. Works may take place outside of regular construction hours in order to reduce impacts to shipping; the schedule will be determined closer to construction.