B.C., Federal Government Support Dredging Vancouver’s Burrard Inlet, Others Opposed

Energy Minister Adrian Dix has indicated support for a federal initiative to dredge Vancouver’s Burrard Inlet. This move could potentially enhance port efficiency by allowing ships to fully load without the risk of bottoming out, thereby reducing port traffic. This stance marks a shift from the B.C. government’s earlier opposition to similar expansion projects.

The dredging proposal would accommodate Aframax-class tankers, enabling them to pass under the Second Narrows Bridge fully loaded, following refueling at Burnaby’s Westridge Marine Terminal. These vessels often operate at 80% capacity currently to ensure clearance.

Juan José Alava from the University of B.C.’s Ocean Pollution Research Unit voices concern over potential ecological disruptions. Dredging could disturb the delicate balance of the inlet’s ecosystem, one of B.C.’s picturesque aquatic regions. Effects such as increased water turbidity could hinder phytoplankton, the foundation of the marine food web, affecting a wide range of marine species.

Alava emphasizes the risk of a cascade effect impacting the entire ecosystem, including fish, seals, and killer whales. There are also concerns about the dredging process potentially affecting salmon spawning and releasing pollutants trapped on the ocean floor.

Similarly, Enda Murphy from the University of B.C. warns of potential costs and the extent of material removal required. The project would necessitate robust investigation and consideration of the effects on adjacent shorelines, particularly for communities striving to restore Burrard Inlet’s natural state.

Any dredging would require thorough environmental assessments coupled with political engagements, given its implications for local communities and First Nations. The Tsleil-Waututh First Nation, whose lands are closely tied to Burrard Inlet, remains unengaged formally on dredging proposals and holds substantial reservations about potential cultural and environmental impacts.

Chief Jen Thomas from the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation notes that these waters are of significant cultural, spiritual, historical, economic, and ecological importance. Any plans to disturb them would be met with resolute concern, she states, emphasizing the need for proper engagement and respect for inherent and constitutionally protected rights.

Conservationists, like Lucero Gonzalez from the Wilderness Committee, argue against expansionism that threatens the already delicate ecological systems of the Burrard Inlet and Salish Sea, crucial habitats for Southern Resident whales among other species.

Minister Dix clarified that while the project is federally initiated, B.C. supports it under stringent compliance with environmental and Indigenous consultation standards. He previously indicated B.C.’s willingness to engage in discussions on harnessing the full capacity of existing infrastructure like the pipeline.

Opposition voices, including B.C. Greens leader Jeremy Valeriote, call for comprehensive environmental reviews and transparent, meaningful negotiations with all stakeholders, cautioning against casual decision-making without solid backing.

Dix acknowledges the need for a thorough federal review as a precursor to any provincial support, highlighting ongoing dialogues with the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation to ensure collaborative discussions regarding potential projects affecting shared waters.

The initiative is yet to materialize into a formal project, and the provincial government reiterates its commitment to upholding collaborative discussions and environmental integrity throughout the process.