Notice of Determination

Surrey, B.C. – November 1, 2024 – The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has determined that the proposed Parsons Channel maintenance dredging occurring from approximately kilometre marker 51 and ending at approximately kilometre marker 56 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 Katzie First Nation, Kwantlen First Nation, Musqueam Indian Band, Semiahmoo First Nation S'ólh Téméxw Stewardship Alliance (STSA) on behalf of their member Nations through the People of the Rivers Referrals Office (PRRO) online portal StoloConnect, Tsleil-Waututh Nation, and Vancouver Island groups (Cowichan Tribes, Halalt First Nation, Lyackson First Nation, Penelakut Tribe, Stz'uminus First Nation and Ts'uubaa-asatx). The themes raised were around:

• Mitigations to avoid and mitigate dredging impacts on the water, fish, vegetation, and wildlife
• Environmental monitoring
• Scope of work

The project was posted to the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry on June 6, 2024, for public comment. No comments were received.

The Council of Marine Carriers, Metro Vancouver, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, BC Hydro, City of Surrey and City of Langley were notified of the project. Comments raised were:

• Clarification on the scope of work
• Requests for notifications prior to dredging

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

• Activities will be carried out in accordance with the environmental management plan, including environmental monitoring
• Activities will be carried out in accordance with the communication plan
• 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
• 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 barge and other support vessels will be prevented from grounding on the foreshore, riverbed or otherwise disturbing the foreshore or riverbed

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, contact the Project Environmental Review inbox at PER@portvancouver.com.