Vancouver, BC – November 10, 2022 Environment and Climate Change Canada has determined that the proposed Vopak Pacific Canada Project 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; and
  • technically and economically feasible mitigation measures.

Mitigation measures taken into account for this determination are found on the Provincial EPIC website: 2021.07.29_TAB_12.2-1_Summary_of_Mitigation_Measures_rev4_FINAL.pdf (gov.bc.ca). In addition to the mitigation measures found in the linked table, Vopak added the following mitigations that Federal Authorities considered in their review:

  • To evaluate the accuracy of the effects assessment from the episodic disturbance due to possible scouring action by the mooring buoy chains, and better understand the nature of effects, if any, to epibenthic communities, an operation monitoring program will be implemented. This will include a survey and sampling effort after approximately one year and three years of operation to compare epifauna with those observed during the pre-construction field surveys. The monitoring program design will consider inclusion of reference monitoring areas. The results of the monitoring during operations will determine whether additional monitoring is required.
  • Avoid clearing vegetation (i.e., trees above 2 m in height) within little brown myotis roosting habitat during the sensitive timing window for little brown myotis roosting (early April to early November). (DRAFT – due to ongoing SARA permitting process)

Further to the mitigation measures considered, management plans and component plans can be found at the following link 29_Vopak_E_10_Mgmt_202011.pdf (gov.bc.ca).

The mitigations presented in this list do not relieve the Proponent from any obligation to comply with other legislative or other legal requirements of the federal, provincial, or local governments. Nothing in this document shall be construed as affecting what may be required of the Proponent to comply with all applicable legislative or legal requirements.

Environment and Climate Change Canada is satisfied that that the carrying out of the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Therefore, Environment and Climate Change Canada may carry out the project, exercise any power, perform any duty or function, or provide financial assistance to enable the project to be carried out in whole or in part.

Document Reference Number: 3

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