Fraser Grain Terminal

Transcription

1 Fraser Grain Terminal Applicatin Review Public Cmment Perid CONSULTATION SUMMARY REPORT

2 This Cnsultatin Summary Reprt presents the findings frm the Applicatin Review Public Cmment Perid fr the Fraser Grain Terminal Exprt Facility, undertaken by Lucent Quay Cnsulting Inc. (Lucent Quay) n behalf f FGT. This dcument has been prepared as part f an applicatin under the Prject and Envirnmental Review (PER) prcess f the Vancuver Fraser Prt Authrity. Lucent Quay is a Vancuver-based cmmunicatins and engagement firm with extensive experience in prt-related and general transprtatin prjects. Fr mre infrmatin abut the cnsultatin prcess, please see the Apprach and Methdlgy sectin f this reprt. Online feedback was cllected using the Interceptum survey platfrm, which stres all data in Canada. The input received reflects the interests and pinins f peple wh chse t participate in the cnsultatin prcess. i Applicatin Review Cnsultatin Summary Reprt

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 BACKGROUND PROJECT OVERVIEW CONSULTATION AND ENGAGEMENT OVERVIEW APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY NOTIFICATION Ntificatins t Lcal Cmmunity and Businesses s t Stakehlders Advertising in Lcal Newspapers Prject Website Prject Database Cmmunicatins Psters in Cmmunity ENGAGEMENT METHODS Discussin Guide and Display Bards Online Feedback Frm Cmmunity Open Huses PARTICIPATION KEY THEMES ONLINE FEEDBACK FORM KEY THEMES OPEN HOUSE KEY THEMES WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS SUMMARY NEXT STEPS ii Applicatin Review Cnsultatin Summary Reprt

4 1 Backgrund Fraser Grain Terminal (FGT) prpses t build a grain exprt facility at Elevatr Rad adjacent t Fraser Surrey Dcks n prt industrial lands in Surrey, B.C. It will be used t ship bulk grain prducts including wheat, barley, il seeds, pulses and ther specialty grains. FGT wants t help address tw majr cnstraints in getting Canadian grain t verseas custmers tday limited western Canada rail capacity, and a shrtage f prt industrial land fr grain handling. The new facility will supprt Canadian farmers, increase efficiency in grain exprts and build strng business relatinships with custmers arund the wrld. Since 2014, exprts f grain and specialty crps have increased, with India and China becming increasingly imprtant destinatins fr Canadian prducts. By cnslidating bulk grain handling in a state-f-the-art facility, FGT can increase efficiency and reduce bttlenecks in the grain supply chain while being a gd neighbur t adjacent residents and businesses by using mdern technlgy t effectively manage dust and nise. Preliminary analysis indicates that the Prject will inject $100 millin directly int the lcal ecnmy annually, and cntribute anther $40 millin indirectly. 1.1 Prject Overview The new facility and travelling ship lader will have a mdern design that minimizes nise and dust frm grain handling peratins and will replace a derelict manufacturing warehuse n vacant prt land that has nt been used fr mre than tw years. This mdern facility will supprt Canadian trade, prvide jbs fr B.C. wrkers and minimize lcal air quality and nise effects thrugh the use f innvative and safe technlgy. The thrughput fr this prpsed Prject is 3.5 millin tnnes per annum (Mt/a) bringing the ttal capacity fr the terminal t 4 Mt/a with the 0.5 Mt/a frm the existing jint venture grain facility currently perating at the site. The facility will receive grains by rail then transfer the agri-prducts t strage sils with sme prduct laded directly t vessels. Frm the strage sils, mst f the grain will be laded nt carg ships with the remaining prduct transferred int cntainers, rail cars r trucks. The terminal will lad apprximately 80 bulk vessels per year (apprx. 1 t 2 vessels per week), including Panamax, Supramax and Handy-size vessels. While mst vessels will be fully laded at the FGT facility, larger class Panamax vessels will be laded t the maximum capacity accrding t guidelines fr the river draft (depth) and may be tpped up at anther deepwater terminal in the Metr Vancuver area. Cntainers fr exprt will be trucked t cntainer terminals, like Deltaprt. A small amunt f prduct will be destined fr distributin t custmers in the Fraser Valley via rail and trucking. New cnstructin n the site includes: Unlading statin and transfer twer with fully enclsed cnveying equipment and a built-in dust suppressin system 34 abve-grund steel strage bins (24 x 3,000 t and 10 x 500 t) Travelling ship lader with telescpic cascading sput t cntrl dust during vessel lading Semi-lp rail track Realignment f an existing rail track 1 Applicatin Review Cnsultatin Summary Reprt

5 Extensin t three existing hlding rail tracks nrth east f the main grain facility site t reduce railcar shunting during unlading Cntainer lading facility and strage yards Rail and truck lading facility Administratin building and maintenance shp 2 Applicatin Review Cnsultatin Summary Reprt

6 2 Cnsultatin and Engagement On behalf f FGT, Lucent Quay led a cmprehensive rund f cnsultatin in accrdance with the prt authrity s requirements. Prject stakehlders and members f the public were invited t prvide cmments and ask questins abut the studies that were cmpleted as part f the Prject and Envirnmental Review (PER) applicatin t the prt authrity. 2.1 Overview The Applicatin Review Public Cmment Perid was held frm 15 Nvember t 12 December 2017, and was designed t prvide interested parties with infrmatin abut the technical studies and the permit applicatin. Opprtunities t submit input and cmments and answer questins were prvided nline and at public pen huses. All feedback received during the Applicatin Review Public Cmment Perid, including cmments received at pen huses and n the nline feedback frm, is summarized in this reprt. The Prject Team will prepare an Input Cnsideratin Reprt t utline hw feedback and questins will be cnsidered during the final phases f the Prject Design. 2.2 Apprach and Methdlgy FGT is wrking with the prt authrity t ensure that cmmunity interests are cnsidered as part f the PER prcess. FGT s apprach fr the Applicatin Review Public Cmment Perid was designed as a cmprehensive public engagement prcess t prvide valuable infrmatin t key stakehlders and members f the public, and generate meaningful dialgue as part f the prcess. The cnsultatin plan meets all requirements utlined by the prt authrity fr public and stakehlder cnsultatin. The Applicatin Review Public Cmment Perid included the fllwing activities, which are described in mre detail in sectins 2.3 and 2.4 f this dcument: Updated the Prject website t make infrmatin abut the technical studies and applicatin available t the cmmunity and stakehlders Develped and delivered ntificatin materials t infrm stakehlders and lcal residents Delivered ntificatin pstcards by hand, regular and direct mail t lcal residents and businesses ed ntificatins t the prject database ed ntificatin letters t municipal, prvincial and federal gvernment representatives Placed advertisements in fur lcal newspapers 3 Applicatin Review Cnsultatin Summary Reprt

7 Develped a discussin guide and display bards, made available fr dwnlad n the Prject website and in print at infrmatin meetings, that includes a Prject descriptin, summaries f the technical studies cnducted and details abut hw t participate Develped an nline feedback frm t cllect cmmunity and stakehlder input (paper cpies were available at public meetings) Hsted tw cmmunity pen huses 2.3 Ntificatin The Prject Team designed an effective rll ut plan t ntify key stakehlders, nearby businesses and lcal residents abut the cnsultatin prcess and pprtunities t participate Ntificatins t Lcal Cmmunity and Businesses A ntificatin pstcard was develped t encurage the lcal cmmunity t participate in the Public Cmment Perid and prvide their input. The pstcard was delivered t the lcal cmmunity by hand, direct and regular mail depending n their lcatin. The pstcard cntained infrmatin abut the Prject and details abut hw t participate including dates and times fr the cmmunity pen huses. A breakdwn f distributin is prvided belw: 1,598 pstcards delivered by direct mail 2,129 pstcards delivered by regular mail 200 pstcards delivered by hand t residents in Surrey and Delta adjacent t River Rad See Appendix 1 fr a sample f the ntificatin pstcard and maps f the ntificatin areas s t Stakehlders letters were sent t 16 gvernment representatives and industry rganizatins: City f Surrey, City f New Westminster and City f Delta Members f Parliament fr Surrey Centre, Delta and New Westminster-Burnaby Members f the Legislative Assembly fr Surrey-Whalley, Delta Nrth and New Westminster Lcal chambers f cmmerce and bards f trade Lcal unin and neighburing businesses 4 Applicatin Review Cnsultatin Summary Reprt

8 2.3.3 Advertising in Lcal Newspapers Advertisements were placed in fur lcal newspapers, prviding the public with infrmatin abut the start and end date f the public cmment perid, where t find infrmatin abut the Prject, and details abut the pen huses including time and lcatins. Advertisements appeared in the fllwing newspapers n the dates nted belw: Delta Optimist, Wednesday, 15 Nvember, 2017 Surrey NOW-Leader, Wednesday, 15 Nvember, 2017 Nrth Delta Reprter, Thursday, 16 Nvember, 2017 New Westminster Recrd, Thursday, 16 Nvember, 2017 See Appendix 2 fr cpies f the newspaper advertisements Prject Website A dedicated Prject website (FraserGrainTerminal.ca) was created t prvide stakehlders and members f the public with infrmatin abut the Prject. Key services the website prvided are: Backgrund infrmatin abut the Prject Details utlining hw t participate in cnsultatin A link t the nline feedback frm Dwnladable PDF cpies f all applicatin dcuments and technical studies Dwnladable PDF cpies f all cnsultatin dcuments A link t sign-up fr Prject updates Prject and phne cntact infrmatin Link t the prt authrity website fr infrmatin abut the applicatin prcess Prject Database Cmmunicatins The Prject Team maintains a Prject database t send cmmunicatins t interested parties. During the public cmment perid 36 peple signed up t receive prject updates. An was sent t the Prject database n 15 Nvember 2017 t ntify recipients abut the start f the public cmment perid and it included a link t the Prject website and details abut hw t participate. The was successfully delivered t 149 peple. Campaign statistics are as fllws: 93 peple pened the (pen rate f 62.4%) a ttal f 834 times 45 peple clicked thrugh t the prject website (click thrugh rate f 30.2%) a ttal f 82 times 5 Applicatin Review Cnsultatin Summary Reprt

9 An was sent t the Prject database n 7 December 2017 t ntify recipients abut the upcming clsing date fr the public cmment perid. The cntained a link t the prject website and a link t the nline feedback frm. The was successfully delivered t 168 peple. Campaign statistics are as fllws: 89 peple pened the (pen rate f 62.4%) a ttal f 245 times 35 peple clicked thrugh t the prvided web links (click thrugh rate f 30.2%) a ttal f 42 times. Of the 42 ttal click thrughs: 26 were t the prject website 16 were t the nline feedback frm See Appendix 3 fr cpies f the ntificatins Psters in Cmmunity Psters were placed in high traffic areas in the cmmunity n 16 Nvember The psters prvided the public with infrmatin abut the start and end date f the public cmment perid, where t find infrmatin abut the Prject, and details abut the pen huses including time and lcatins. Psters were placed in the fllwing lcatins: Ryal Heights Elementary Schl and Square One Mntessri Annieville Elementary Schl Kennedy Senirs Recreatin Centre Ryal Heights Baptist Church Trinity Lutheran Church Ben s Market Annieville Market See Appendix 4 fr a cpy f the pster. 2.4 Engagement Methds A variety f engagement methds were used t infrm stakehlders, nearby businesses and lcal residents abut the permitting prcess, the results f the technical studies, the purpse f cnsultatin and pprtunities t participate Discussin Guide and Display Bards A discussin guide and display bards were develped fr cmmunity pen huses and fr dwnlad frm the Prject and prt authrity websites. The eight-page discussin guide was prvided as a printed take-away at the pen huse events and the display bards were presented fr review. 6 Applicatin Review Cnsultatin Summary Reprt

10 The discussin guide and display bards prvided the fllwing infrmatin: Infrmatin abut the permitting prcess A prject verview Summary f the scpe and key findings fr the technical studies and plans Details abut hw t participate in cnsultatin Next steps See Appendix 5 fr cpies f the discussin guide and display bards Online Feedback Frm A 13-questin feedback frm was used t cllect input as part f the Applicatin Review Public Cmment Perid. Designed primarily as an nline feedback frm, a link t the feedback frm was prvided n the Prject website and printed cpies were available at the public infrmatin sessins. Respnses summarized by key theme can be fund in sectin 4 f this dcument. See Appendix 6 fr a cpy f the feedback frm. See Appendix 7 fr verbatim respnses Cmmunity Open Huses Tw cmmunity pen huses were held during cnsultatin, and were designed t create an pprtunity fr cmmunity dialgue abut the Prject, the results f the technical studies and the prt authrity permitting prcess. Key areas fr discussin included: Results f Technical Studies Overview f hw the terminal will perate The tw meetings were infrmal, drp-in style events with printed reference materials available fr review, including the discussin guide, display bards and full cpies f all reprts and the applicatin dcument. Tw ipads were prvided fr participants t access the nline feedback frm t prvide input. The Prject Team and subject matter experts were in attendance t prvide infrmatin abut the Prject and answer questins frm participants. Representatives frm the prt authrity were als n site t answer questins pertaining t the prt authrity's PER prcess. The public infrmatin meetings were held at the fllwing lcatins: Inn at the Quay, 900 Quayside Drive, New Westminster Thursday, 30 Nvember, 2017 frm 5:30 t 8:30 p.m. Ryal Heights Elementary Schl, Avenue, Surrey Saturday, 2 December, 2017 frm 11:00 a.m. t 2:00 p.m. 7 Applicatin Review Cnsultatin Summary Reprt

11 3 Participatin The Applicatin Review Public Cmment Perid prvided a variety f methds fr participatin and input, including public pen huses, an nline feedback frm, and a Prject phne number and address. Participatin results are as fllws: 13 peple attended the public infrmatin meeting in New Westminster 10 peple attended the public infrmatin meeting in Surrey 13 peple cmpleted the feedback frm nline (n paper cpies were submitted) 3 written submissins were received by 36 peple requested t be added t the Prject database 543 unique page views n the prject website were recrded The tp 10 dcuments dwnladed frm the website ttalled 5,041 hits as fllws: Drawings Pack 1.0 2,005 hits Nise Assessment 1,181 hits Display Bards 812 hits Drawings Pack hits Prject descriptin and peratins 156 hits Discussin Guide 86 hits Traffic Impact Study 42 hits Prject Overview 15 hits Air Assessment 11 hits Getechnical Reprt 3 hits Participants wh cmpleted the feedback frm indicated that they had heard abut the meeting thrugh: Ntificatin letter delivered t hme r business (5) Friends r neighburs (5) (4) Lcal newspapers (3) Psters (0) 8 Applicatin Review Cnsultatin Summary Reprt

12 Of the three written submissins received via One submissin was frm a reginal gvernment representative One was submitted by a lcal business One was submitted by a lcal resident Respnses are summarized by key theme in Sectin 4 f this dcument. 9 Applicatin Review Cnsultatin Summary Reprt

13 4 Key Themes 4.1 Online Feedback Frm Key Themes Between 15 Nvember and 12 December 2017, 13 peple cmpleted the nline feedback frm. Key themes frm the nline respnses include the fllwing. Air Quality: Nise: Questins and cncerns abut ptential effects, in particular dust and diesel particulate matter Questins and cncerns abut current air quality Questin abut accuracy f baseline study Questins and cncerns abut ptential nise effects due t ships running engines while dcked at the terminal Questins and cncerns abut train nise, especially idling, shunting and whistles, in particular current nise levels Questin abut selectin f sensitive receptrs Questins abut accuracy f baseline study View and Shade: Traffic: Cncern abut river views being blcked Questin abut vegetatin bundary and value it brings t lcal residents Cncern abut increased train traffic and whistle nise at level crssing especially at night Cncerns abut number f cntainer trucks entering and exiting the site Lighting: Other: Cmment abut current light levels being a nuisance Cncern abut increased light levels Questins abut hw impacts will be mitigated Cmment abut prtecting wrkers Cmment abut Envirnment Canada enfrcing any issues pertaining t species-at-risk and spills Cmment abut residents having adequate legal recurse shuld strmwater pllutin r a spill ccur Questin abut grundwater treatment center being tied int lcal strm r sanitary system Questin abut cmpatibility with Fraser Surrey Dcks Direct Transfer Cal Facility prject See Appendix 7 fr verbatim respnses. 10 Applicatin Review Cnsultatin Summary Reprt

14 4.2 Open Huse Key Themes Meeting Key theme Key themes belw are categrized as fllws: Few = 1 t 3 peple Sme = 3 t 5 peple Many = mre than 5 Open Huse #1 Inn at the Quay, 900 Quayside Drive New Westminster Thursday, 30 Nvember :30 p.m. t 8:30 p.m. 13 attendees Many participants had general interest questins abut the prject Sme had inquiries abut business pprtunities assciated with the Prject Few had questins and cncerns abut air quality impacts frm dust Few had questins and cncerns abut trains blcking the entrance t lcal businesses Few had questins abut traffic impacts during cnstructin and peratins 11 Applicatin Review Cnsultatin Summary Reprt

15 Meeting Key theme Key themes belw are categrized as fllws: Few = 1 t 3 peple Sme = 3 t 5 peple Many = mre than 5 Open Huse #2 Sme participants had questins and cncerns regarding Ryal Heights Elementary Schl Avenue, Surrey Saturday, 2 December :00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. 10 attendees air quality impacts, in particular dust and diesel frm ships and trains Sme had questins and cncerns regarding nise effects frm train whistles and idling Sme had questins and cncerns regarding nise effects due t ships running engines while dcked at the terminal Few had cncerns abut the current nise f pipes drpping and back-up beepers n vehicles Few indicated they were satisfied with the level f ntificatin n this Prject Few had questins abut the status f the Fraser Surrey Dcks Direct Transfer Cal Facility prject Few had cncerns and questins abut the increase in truck traffic entering and leaving the site Few had questins abut cumulative effects assessments and whether they were required fr this permit applicatin Few had safety cncerns due t increased truck traffic Few had questins abut impacts t views 12 Applicatin Review Cnsultatin Summary Reprt

16 4.3 Written Submissins During the Applicatin Review Public Cmment Perid, three written submissins were received via . One submissin was frm a neighburing business, ne submissin was frm a lcal resident and ne was frm a reginal gvernment representative. Questins and areas f interest identified in the submissin frm the neighburing business include: Cncerns abut increased rad and rail traffic and the ptential impacts t access and egress Cncerns abut safety issues fr staff accessing site in passenger vehicles Questins abut any planned rad imprvements t mitigate increased cngestin The lcal resident submitted phts f recent lading prcedures at the current site. Questins and areas f interest identified in the submissin frm the lcal resident include: Questins and cncerns abut ptential effects n lcal air quality Questins and areas f interest identified in the submissin frm the reginal gvernment representative include: Questins and clarificatins abut the air quality assessment Questins and clarificatins abut cnstructin planning in the vicinity f reginal infrastructure Questins and clarificatins abut planning regarding invasive species 13 Applicatin Review Cnsultatin Summary Reprt

17 5 Summary The Applicatin Review Public Cmment Perid was held frm 15 Nvember t 12 December 2017, and was designed t prvide interested parties with infrmatin abut the technical studies and the permit applicatin and answer any questins they may have. Opprtunities t submit input and cmments were prvided nline and at public pen huses. The Prject Team develped an nline and print feedback frm, and hsted tw public pen huses in Delta and New Westminster with the intentin t intrduce the Prject t interested parties and receive cmments abut the prpsed facility. Key themes emerging frm cnsultatin cnducted as part f the Applicatin Review Public Cmment Perid include: Air quality is a key area f cncern, in particular dust and diesel particulate matter impacts Nise is a key area f cncern, in particular train whistles and idling and ships running engines while dcked at the terminal Traffic is a key area f cncern, in particular the increase in truck traffic and trains blcking traffic frm neighburing businesses 6 Next Steps The Prject Team will prepare an Input Cnsideratin Reprt t utline hw feedback and questins will be cnsidered during the final phases f the Prject Design. 14 Applicatin Review Cnsultatin Summary Reprt