Vancity and the Corporation of Delta joined a chorus of voices expressing their opposition to Fraser Surrey Docks' proposed Direct Transfer Coal Facility.
This latest dissent comes December 17 as the 30-day public comment period on an environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the proposed project draws to an end.
The EIA, which came out November 18, was ordered by Port Metro Vancouver (PMV) in September to evaluate the potential health and environmental impacts of the project. The assessment, conducted by SNC-Lavalin, stated that the project would pose no significant risks to human health or the environment.
However, in a December 17 open letter to PMV senior planner Tim Blair, Vancity said the EIA was inadequate, and that PMV must address critical issues brought up by representatives of Fraser Health Authority and Vancouver Coastal Health before moving forward with the plan.
"We have been contacted by a number of members who have expressed concerns with the proposed facility," said Mike Matsuo, Vancity's regional director, community member services, in the letter. "As currently conceived and understood, the proposed Direct Transfer Coal Facility poses significant, and to date not reasonably assessed, adverse environmental effects."
City council for the Corporation of Delta voted unanimously December 16 to oppose the coal facility until PMV establishes an independent, interagency review committee to look into health and environmental concerns surrounding the project. It recommended that the review involve the province's ministries of health and environment, Metro Vancouver and local governments affected by the proposal.
Like Vancity, Delta's city council said PMV must not move forward as long as any concerns remain unaddressed.
"This is a very complex issue, which warrants a detailed review and analysis from all three levels of government," said Delta Mayor Lois Jackson. "It is my responsibility to ensure that the information being presented to council and the public is researched, analyzed and transparent.
"A number of residents are voicing their concerns and requesting an independent health impact assessment; this is something our community deserves."
Specifically, Delta city council recommends that further assessment include detailed modeling of potential air quality impacts from moving coal, and, if the project is approved, that there be ongoing air quality monitoring, including cameras next to the railway.
Also on December 17, Voters Taking Action on Climate Change announced it was planning a silent demonstration that afternoon outside PMV's offices to mark the end of the public comment period. It also stated that it will deliver a 12,000-signature petition to PMV, and that Ecojustice will file a submission to the port detailing flaws in the EIA.
An exact date when a decision will be made about the proposed coal transfer facility is not known, but PMV CEO Robin Silvester said it will be "reasonably soon."
- with files from the Surrey Now
