Notice of Determination

Surrey, B.C. –March 27, 2024– The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has determined that the proposed Installation of no anchor sign located at approximately 500 metres downstream of the Port Mann Bridge on the south shore of the Fraser River 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
• Technically and economically feasible mitigation measures

Best efforts were made to consult with Katzie First Nation, Kwantlen First Nation, Kwikwetlem First Nation, Leq'á:mel First Nation, Musqueam Indian Band, Semiahmoo First Nation, S'ólhTéméxw Stewardship Alliance, Tsawwassen First Nation, Tsleil-Waututh First Nation and Vancouver Island Groups including Cowichan Tribes, Halalt First Nation, Lyackson First Nation, Penelakut Tribe, Stz'uminus First Nation and Ts'uubaa-asatx Nation (Lake Cowichan).

The concerns, comments and themes raised included:

• Request for additional information on archaeological assessments.
• Request for additional information on method of pile driving and whether soil displacement and vegetation removal is included as part of the project.

The project was posted to the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry on August 22, 2023 for public comment. No comments were received.

A notification letter was to CN Rail on October 6, 2023. CN Rail wanted clarity whether any work were being proposed within their jurisdiction. 

Mitigation measures taken into account for this determination are:

• 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 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
• All construction equipment will be environmentally clean and properly maintained to prevent spills, invasive species, and noxious weeds
• A marine construction and staging plan will be developed for the project.
• Sediments contained within piles after pile driving will be left in place unless they need to be removed for engineering reasons.

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

For questions regarding the proposed project, please contact the Project and Environmental Review team at PER@portvancouver.com.