Notice of Determination

Surrey, B.C. – March 5, 2026 – The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has determined that the proposed Pile removal – Harken Towing Fraser Surrey Basin located generally at the 10500 block of Timberland Rd, Surrey BC 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 the following Indigenous groups:

• Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group (Marine)
  • Cowichan Tribes
  • Halalt First Nation
  • Lyackson First Nation
  • Penelakut Tribe
  • Ts'uubaa-asatx
• Katzie First Nation
• Kwantlen First Nation
• Kwikwetlem First Nation
• Musqueam Indian Band
• Semiahmoo First Nation
• Stz'uminus First Nation
• S'ólh Téméxw Stewardship Alliance
  • Aitchelitz First Nation
  • Chawathil First Nation
  • Cheam First Nation
  • Kwaw''Kwaw'Apilt First Nation
  • Scowlitz First Nation
  • Seabird Island Band
  • Shxwha:y Village
  • Shxw'ow'hamel First Nation
  • Skawahlook First Nation
  • Skwah First Nation
  • Skowkale First Nation
  • Soowahlie First Nation
  • Squiala First Nation
  • Sumas First Nation
  • Tzeachten First Nation
  • Yakweakwioose First Nation
  • Yale First Nation
• Tsawwassen First nation
• Tsleil-Waututh Nation

The port authority received comments during Indigenous consultation related to Indigenous monitor participation/oversight, riverbed stabilization, marine mammal mitigation, creosote-treated piles, water quality/turbidity testing,  notification for environmental incidents/ spills, cultural and archaeological protection, cumulative effects, capacity funding, receiving environmental reports, inquiry of the removal of the nearby jetty, use of silt curtains, idling on site, invasive species/noxious weeds, utilizing side-scan sonar, a soft-start for pile removals, refueling activities, and environmental monitoring. The permit considerations and conditions in the permit, including the requirement to carry out the Project in accordance with the construction environmental management plan provided by the Permit Holder, have addressed the comments.

Based on the record of consultation, the port authority is of the view that the duty to consult has been met.

A Notice of Intent to Make a Determination on the Project was posted to the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry on January 15, 2026 for public comment. One comment was received but was unrelated to the Project.

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

• All works will be carried out in accordance with planned environmental mitigation measures
• The works will not deposit a deleterious substance in water inhabited by fish, or affect fish habitat in a manner contrary to the Fisheries Act
• Barges and other support vessels will be prevented from grounding on the foreshore, riverbed or otherwise disturb 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.

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