Environment

Our comprehensive environmental study program that began in 2011 focused on key species such as salmon, coastal birds, southern resident killer whales, Dungeness crab, and important topics such as air quality and human health, amongst other areas. This work informed our environmental impact statement, a document that summarizes our assessment of potential environmental, economic, social, heritage, and health effects that could result from the project. It also includes proposed mitigation measures to reduce, avoid, or offset those potential effects. These proposed mitigation measures have evolved over time and continue to do so through consultation with Indigenous groups, input from regulatory agencies, and the recommendations included in the report provided by the federally-appointed independent review panel who conducted the environmental assessment.

In 2012 and 2013, we established four technical advisory groups, comprised of local and international scientific and technical experts with specialized knowledge from regulatory agencies, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, and consulting firms. The purpose of the groups was to improve the relevance, quality, rigour, and completeness of studies and information submitted as part of the environmental impact statement.

Each group provided expert advice regarding one of four key environmental components in the Roberts Bank ecosystem, including:

• Biofilm and shorebirds
• Coastal geomorphology
• Productive capacity
• Southern resident killer whales

Experts reviewed existing information and field study work plans, identified priority information needs and appropriate methods of impact assessment, and made recommendations to the port authority. Terms of reference were established for the technical advisory groups, and input received from participants is summarized in several individual reports.

Based on our environmental studies, we are confident that potential adverse effects can be fully or partially avoided or reduced through project design and the implementation of environmental management plans.

Field studies at Roberts Bank have continued since the submission of the environmental impact statement. More information can be found in the ongoing environmental work section below and within the field studies page.

The project entered an environmental assessment process in 2013 and, in 2016, an independent review panel was appointed by the minister of environment and climate change to lead the assessment, under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012.

The review phase of the environmental assessment concluded in August 2019 following a six-week public hearing. The independent review panel evaluated what they heard and the information received throughout the environmental assessment process to develop its Federal Review Panel Report. The report was submitted to the minister of environment and climate change in March 2020.

In August 2020, the government requested we provide further information, through an information request. As a result, the federal timeline for decision making was paused, and will resume once the information provided satisfies the request. After more than a year of additional technical work, consultation with 46 Indigenous groups, and engagement with federal agencies, we recently submitted our response to the information request. In December 2021, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) launched a public comment period to seek feedback from the public, Indigenous groups, regulators, and other stakeholders on our response and the draft conditions (requirements that the port authority must comply with should the project proceed).

Learn more about the environmental assessment.

Since the submission of the environmental impact statement to federal authorities in March 2015, we have conducted additional studies based on feedback and engagement with Indigenous groups, local communities, environmental groups, and government agencies. As an example of the breadth of this ongoing work, we submitted over 3,000 pages of additional information to the independent federal review panel, which was used during the environmental assessment. Continuing on the work that was initiated in 2011, the field study team remains active, conducting a variety of field study programs at Roberts Bank on an ongoing basis. This work includes study on a variety of key species such as juvenile salmon, eulachon, Dungeness crab, biofilm, great blue heron, barn owls, and diving birds. The findings from these studies, along with ongoing consultation and collaboration with Indigenous groups, regulators and other stakeholders, are being used to refine our mitigation measures and inform our environmental management plans and follow-up program elements. This collaborative approach has been invaluable for ensuring that Indigenous knowledge and input from regulators is integrated.

We are also working with Indigenous groups and regulators to develop our offsetting plan as part of the Fisheries Act Authorization application that will be submitted to Fisheries and Oceans Canada. In response to feedback from Indigenous groups, we have committed to creating 86 hectares of offsetting habitat, which is nearly three times the amount initially proposed in our environmental impact statement. The final offsetting plan will focus on key species and habitat types as indicated by Indigenous groups, including Chinook and sockeye salmon, eulachon, Dungeness crab, white sturgeon, southern resident killer whales, eelgrass, and intertidal marsh.

We look forward to continuing to work with Indigenous groups, regulators, and other stakeholders to refine our proposed mitigation measures, offsetting, and follow-up programs to ensure the ongoing productivity at Roberts Bank for generations to come.

Learn more about the ongoing work at Roberts Bank:

• Western sandpipers return to Roberts Bank
• Protecting salmon at Roberts Bank

As a part of the environmental assessment process, we committed to 82 project commitments to protect the environment should the project proceed. These commitments include measures to reduce and offset potential effects during construction and operation of the terminal. This would be done through the creation of additional habitat, implementing environmental management and follow-up plans for construction and operations, and working with Indigenous groups and other key stakeholders on regional environmental programs.

Here are a few examples of our commitments to protect the environment at Roberts Bank:

• We designed the placement of the terminal in deep, subtidal waters to avoid sensitive fish habitat
• In consultation with Indigenous groups and regulators, we will build 86 hectares of new habitat, including intertidal marshes and eelgrass, to offset potential project related effects as a result of the terminal footprint. These habitats are important for many key species such as Chinook salmon and Dungeness crab.
• We will develop specific construction environmental management plans to reduce effects to the environment and the local community. As an example, we would avoid in-water activities during certain times of the year when important species like juvenile salmon are present at Roberts Bank.
• We will undertake follow-up monitoring to evaluate project-related effects and the success of offsetting habitats, and will make adjustments and improvements as necessary
• Should the project proceed, we will develop a project-specific fund to support the recovery of Chinook salmon, a key food source for southern resident killer whales. This new initiative will be shaped with the input and collaborative efforts of Indigenous groups, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, as well as other stakeholders.

For the full list of our commitments, read the updated project commitments.

We are also continuing to work collaboratively with industry partners on a number of regional programs and initiatives, such as:

• EcoAction Program: provides financial incentives in the form of discounts on harbor dues to recognize shipping companies that have made investments in their fleet to perform above and beyond industry best practices
• Northwest Port Clean Air Strategy: a first-of-its-kind strategy uniting Pacific Northwest ports on both sides of the border around a shared vision to phase out port-related emissions by 2050
• Member of the World Ports Climate Action Program: a new initiative bringing together port authorities from around the world to work on projects that address the issues of global warming

While these programs are not considered part of our proposed mitigation for the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project, they play a vital role in maintaining the health of the local environment and Salish Sea by addressing potential cumulative effects of port and marine shipping activity.

Understanding the effects of marine shipping on whales

Since 2014, the Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program has undertaken numerous collaborative research initiatives to better understand and manage the cumulative effects of shipping activities on whales in our region, in particular the southern resident killer whales. Initiatives include voluntary ship slowdowns in Haro Strait and Boundary Pass and the voluntary lateral displacement for tugs in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Enhancing fish habitat

As part of our approach to environmental stewardship and sustainability, we have been proactively enhancing local habitat for more than 20 years. The Habitat Enhancement Program is a port authority initiative focused on creating, restoring, and enhancing fish and wildlife habitat. It is a proactive measure intended to provide a balance between a healthy environment and future development projects that may be required for port operations.

In addition, our Maplewood Marine Restoration Project was awarded the 2021 Remediation and Restoration Award by the Environmental Managers Association of B.C. This project, completed in 2021 in collaboration and consultation with Tsleil-Waututh Nation, involved the restoration of roughly 4.5 hectares of habitat within the Maplewood basin by creating a tidal flat, an eelgrass bed, and a rock reef.

Rewarding environmental efforts

Each year, we recognize marine carriers and terminal operators for their voluntary efforts to conserve energy and reduce emissions. In 2021, we recognized 19 port customers with Blue Circle Awards for their commitment to reducing the impact of port operations on the environment and on our neighbouring communities.