Terminal A Extension Project Approved

An environmental assessment certificate to Rio Tinto Alcan for the Terminal A Extension project in Kitimat has been issued by Environment Minister Mary Polak and Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone.
After considering a review led by British Columbia’s Environmental Assessment Office, the decision was made.
The ministers have issued the certificate with legally enforceable conditions that have made them confident to conclude that the project will be constructed and operated in a way that ensures no significant adverse effects are likely to occur from the project.

The certificate conditions were developed followed by consultation and input from Haisla Nation, government agencies, communities, and the public.

Key conditions :
To avoid impacts to fish and fish habitat;
Control marine water quality from dredging and take action if thresholds are reached;
Control marine mammals during pile driving and prevent injury to marine mammals;
Manage and monitor the dredge disposal site, including adaptive management measures in the event that the effects of contaminants are not mitigated to the extent predicted;

Keep the services of an environmental monitor throughout the construction phase, with the authority to stop work if necessary to prevent or reduce adverse effects; and carry out measures to protect marine mammals during construction. Besides, Rio Tinto Alcan proposed a number of design changes during the environmental assessment, which based on feedback received during the process.
Various federal and provincial authorizations would be required by the Terminal A Extension project to proceed.

Besides, the Environmental Assessment Office will co-ordinate compliance management efforts with other government agencies to make sure that the office is satisfied that certificate conditions are met throughout the life of the project.

The project is the extension of the existing Terminal A wharf by up to 250 meters to accommodate bulk carriers. It will take the place of existing facilities for the import and export of bulk materials.
Besides the wharf extension, the project includes a barge ramp, tug dock, and laydown area. The project will involve dredging over for three years, with a dredge disposal site for contaminated dredged sediments and laydown soils and disposal at sea for other sediments.

Construction is expected to take over three years, with the extension in operation for more than 50 years.