Notice of Determination 

City of New Westminster, B.C. – June 28, 2024 – The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has determined that the proposed Queensborough Dike Shoreline Protection Rehabilitation located along the shoreline north of 345 Gifford Street, New Westminster, BC is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

The 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
• Technically and economically feasible mitigation measures

Best efforts were made to consult with the following Indigenous groups, Katzie First Nation, Kwantlen First Nation, Kwikwetlem First Nation, Musqueam Indian Band, Semiahmoo First Nation, S'ólhTéméxw Stewardship Alliance, Tsawwassen First Nation, Tsleil-Waututh Nation and Cowichan Tribes; the themes raised were:

• Clarification on project design
• Clarification on post-construction monitoring requirements
• Clarification on mitigation measures for aquatic resources and water quality

The Project was posted to the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry on April 12, 2024 for public comment. No comments were received.

Beedie Group and Harken Towing were notified of the Project. No comments were received.

Mitigation measures and/or permit conditions taken into account in making the determination include:

• Nest surveys will be conducted prior to any vegetation clearing during the general bird breeding season, between April 1 and July 31, inclusive, or outside this time if occupied nests are present. Nest surveys will be conducted by a qualified professional.
• All works will be carried out in accordance with the construction environmental management plan
• A qualified environmental professional will be retained to monitor works and activities with the potential to negatively affect fish or fish habitat and per the construction environmental management plan
• Any invasive plants will be managed in a manner that prevents their spread.
• Soils excavated from the project site that are not suitable for backfill will be disposed of at appropriate off-site facilities
• All construction debris and waste materials will be collected in the immediate working area and disposed of at an appropriately licensed facility
• There will be no in-water works during the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) recommended fisheries sensitive period, unless approved by DFO
• The works will not deposit a deleterious substance in water inhabited by fish, or affect fish or fish habitat in a manner contrary to the Fisheries Act.

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

Should you require more information on the project, visit our website.