A program to monitor and manage the ecosystem of the Roberts
Bank inter-causeway area has concluded after eight years that the ecosystem has
not suffered significant negative impacts due to the construction of a third
berth at Port Metro Vancouver’s Deltaport container terminal.
The independent monitoring program, called the Adaptive
Management Strategy, was developed by Port Metro Vancouver in consultation with
Environment Canada. It included a scientific advisory committee comprised of
three scientists appointed to provide independent scientific and technical
advice and recommendations to prevent or mitigate any significant negative
ecosystem trends attributable to the Deltaport Third Berth Project.
The program was designed to look specifically for changes to
the nutrient balance in the water, and for potential erosion effects, both of
which could negatively affect the ecosystem of the area located between the
Roberts Bank and Highway 17 causeways in Delta.
It was initiated in 2007 when construction of the Deltaport
third berth commenced, and carried through until 2014. Science-based monitoring
concluded there was no evidence of significant environmental impacts from the
project.
One small localized area behind a tugboat basin showed
changes in water and sediment quality due to poor drainage, and the port
authority responded by installing a swale in a berm to increase drainage.
“It is very encouraging to see the plan put in place nine
years ago has been successful in protecting the ecosystem at Roberts Bank,”
said Duncan Wilson, Port Metro Vancouver’s Vice President of Corporate Social
Responsibility.
The final report on the strategy, as well as yearly reports
since 2007, is available on Port Metro Vancouver’s website: http://www.portmetrovancouver.com/working-with-us/permitting/project-and-environmental-reviews/status-of-applications/deltaport-third-berth-project/
