Notice of Determination: Porpoise Harbour Dock Demolition

September 18, 2025 – The Prince Rupert Port Authority issued its Notice of Determination and determined that the Porpoise Harbour Dock Demolition Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

This determination was based on a consideration of the following factors:

• Indigenous Consultation
• Environmental Components
• Health, Social and Economic Components
• Impacts on Indigenous Peoples

Mitigation Measures provided for reaching this determination included:

• Use clean and leak-free equipment for all aspects of construction
• Equipment working around or over water should contain biodegradable hydraulic fluid
• An Environmental Monitor (EM), supervised by a Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP), will be onsite to monitor works and to detect, contain, and clean up spills as quickly as possible, as required
• Keep fully stocked spill kits in all machinery, and a spill bin with hydrophobic spill booms available
• Follow measures to protect fish and fish habitat as per Section 3.0 of DFO's Interim Code of Practice: repair, maintenance, and construction of docks, moorings, boathouses (DFO 2024b)
• Install a containment boom around the work area to contain construction debris
• Monitor turbidity upstream and downstream of the work area throughout wharf removal
• If turbidity exceeds BC Approved Water Quality Guidelines, works will be altered or halted until turbidity is within the below guidelines:
  • Clear water (background <8 NTU): Induced turbidity should not exceed background levels by more than 8 NTU during any 24-hour period (hourly sampling preferred). For sediment inputs that last between 24 hours and 30 days (daily sampling preferred) the mean turbidity should not exceed background by more than 2 NTU.
  • Turbid/High flow (background > 8NTU): Induced turbidity should not exceed background levels by more than 5 NTU at any one time when background turbidity is between 8 and 50 NTU. When background exceeds 50 NTU, turbidity should not be increased by more than 10% of the measured background level at any one time
• EM supervised by a QEP to monitor works to ensure best practices outlined in the Project's mitigation measures are followed
• If motile marine invertebrates (e.g. sea stars, sea cucumbers, crabs) are encountered, they should be avoided where possible or relocated if required
• If there is a risk to a marine mammal from direct contact, works will be temporarily suspended until the individual has left the area or has not been sighted for 30 minutes
• Marine Mammal Regulations (DFO 2018a) will be followed
• Deploy containment boom to prevent floated debris from exiting the demolition area
• Collect and remove all debris captured within the boom
• Utilize spill clean up materials if a hydrocarbon sheen is observed when disturbing creosote piles
• Ensure proper disposal of creosote treated timber offsite
• Works that occur within the bird nesting window are subject to a pre-clearing bird nest survey to protect bird nesting habitat as per the Migratory Bird Conservation Act and Wildlife Act. A bird next survey would be required to demonstrate that no active bird nests are present within the work area during the nesting period
• Perform pile removal from a floating barge to limit the need for heavy equipment onshore

Supplemental mitigation measures resulting from the review process:

• The contractor will follow the advice outlined in DFO's Letter of Advice
• The contractor will follow all the mitigation measures outlined in the Environmental Overview Assessment
• Pre-clearing bird nest surveys will be conducted, and if an active bird nest is located on the Project site, the EM and QEP will follow all relevant avian regulations for works to proceed
• If there are any issues or non-compliances, notification will be provided to PRPA as soon as possible
• If any unanticipated archaeological materials or ancestral remains are encountered during Project works, notification will be provided to PRPA as soon as possible
• Documentation to PRPA from the contractor is required to confirm proper transportation and disposal protocols for creosote handling were followed
• The contractor shall employ a chance find protocol for archaeological material and stop work immediately should archaeological material (including ancestral remains) be identified and notify PRPA without delay
• The contractor and contractor's EM must reference DFO's Marine Mammal Regulations and Abalone Protection Measures in conducting work
• The contractor's EM will have the authority to stop project work from proceeding if mitigation measures are not employed or are deemed ineffective

PRPA is satisfied that the carrying out of the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. In accordance with the Impact Assessment Act, PRPA may now 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.