News Release
Proposed Fairview Terminal Phase II Expansion Project – Environmental Assessment to Continue as a Comprehensive Study

OTTAWA – November 2, 2009 – Canada’s Environment Minister Jim Prentice announced today that a comprehensive study is the most appropriate type of environmental assessment for the proposed Fairview Terminal Phase II Expansion Project, in Prince Rupert, British Columbia.

The Minister based his decision on the report and recommendation submitted by the responsible authorities, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada, the Canadian Transportation Agency, as well as the Prince Rupert Port Authority, as a regulator for this project. The report contains information on the scope of the project, the factors to be considered in the environmental assessment and the scope of those factors, public comments in relation to the project, the potential of the project to cause adverse environmental effects and the ability of the comprehensive study to address issues relating to the project.

A copy of the report can be obtained by contacting:

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Suite 320, 757 Hastings Street West, Sinclair Centre
Vancouver, BC V6C 1A1
Telephone: 604-666-2401
Fax: 604-666-6990
FairviewPhase2@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada, the Canadian Transportation Agency, as well as the Prince Rupert Port Authority will now continue the comprehensive study of the proposed Fairview Terminal Phase II Expansion Project. A comprehensive study report will be submitted to the Minister of the Environment. At that time the public will be given an opportunity to comment on the findings and recommendations of the report before the Minister renders his final decision.

The Prince Rupert Port Authority is proposing to expand its existing Fairview Container Terminal in Prince Rupert. This will include extending the existing wharf structure and expanding the on-shore terminal. As part of the project, Canadian National Railway is proposing to construct the two sidings and wye (a triangular shaped arrangement of railway tracks with a switch point at each corner) in order to achieve terminal throughput design capacity. Canadian National Railway is therefore the co-proponent of the project, with the Prince Rupert Port Authority.

Further information on this project is available in the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry under reference number 08-03-37956.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency administers the federal environmental assessment process, which identifies the environmental effects of proposed projects and measures to address those effects, in support of sustainable development.

Media may contact:

Lucille Jamault
Senior Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Tel.: 613-957-0434