Public notice 

Berth 2 Shiploader and Sheetpile Wall Replacement – Neptune Bulk Terminals – Public comments invited 

September 27, 2023 – The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, as part of its Project and Environmental Review process, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada must determine whether the proposed Berth 2 Shiploader and Sheetpile Wall Replacement – Neptune Bulk Terminals, located at 1001 Low Level Road is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.  

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 Fisheries and Oceans 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 October 26, 2023 to: 

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

Fisheries and Oceans Canada 
Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program 
200 – 401 Burrard Street 
Vancouver, BC  V6C 3S4 
sara.jossul@dfo-mpo.gc.ca  

The proposed project

Neptune Bulk Terminals (Canada) Ltd. is proposing to complete upgrades to their facility which will include replacing the existing quadrant style shiploader system with a new single shiploader system and replacing the existing sheetpile wall with a new combi-wall (the "B2 Project") at Berth 2 of their terminal. Replacement of the existing shiploader system is required as it is at the end of its service life. And replacement of the sheetpile wall is required to bring the wall into alignment with building code requirements, seismic design standards, and to accommodate future sea level rise.  

The existing shiploader system, comprised of two shiploaders, will be replaced with a single travelling slewing potash shiploader and approach conveyors. The B2 Project also includes replacement of the existing sheetpile wall with a combi-wall system. To support the new system, infilling of approximately 1,400 m2 of subtidal fish habitat will be required, as well as installation of piles, ground improvements, improving underwater scour protection, marine and upland structures, fenders, and associated equipment. Vibratory installation of stone columns will be used for ground improvement technique to stabilize the liquifiable soils in front and behind the new combi-wall. 

The new single shiploader will accommodate ongoing operations at Neptune Bulk Terminals and will be capable of continuously loading vessels at up to 6,300 tonnes per hour. The proposed daily throughput would remain unchanged. There are no proposed changes to vessel or train traffic.  

B2 Project works will be marine- and land-based. 

To compensate for project impacts, construction of marine habitat offsetting is proposed at Lynn Creek Estuary (the "LCE Project"), as well as compensatory measures through the Neptune Bulk Terminals Bull Kelp Restoration Program (BKR).  

The LCE Project includes the construction of a shallow rock reef habitat within the Lynn Creek Estuary (49.2996, -123.0396). Boulders would be placed using marine equipment. The BKR will be explore scientific approaches to enhance and/or restore bull kelp habitat. 

It is anticipated that most B2 and LCE Project activities would be carried out during standard working hours (Monday to Saturday, 7:00 am to 8:00 pm excluding Sundays and BC/federal statutory holidays). However, some activities may occur outside of these hours.