DOUGLAS COLLEGE LIBRARY
ARCHIVES :

 

PACEFIC REGION

 

ENVIRONMENT CANADA

Volume 1, Number 1

Bulletin

 

February 1974

 

Task force study of
airport expansion

 

THE BULLETIN:

The Department of the Environ-
ment, through its individual Services —
Fisheries, Environmental Protection,
Lands, Weather, Marine Sciences and
Wildlife — has embarked on a Task
Force study of the proposed expan-
sion of Vancouver International Air-
port.

Each Service is studying the impact
of the proposed expansion as it relates
to the resource under its responsi-
bility.

The purpose of this first Bulletin is
to describe the scope of Environment
Canada’s studies, particularly those of
the Fraser Estuary.

Jack Davis
Minister of the Environment

 

 

 

Major questions

 

ESTUARY

® How would dredging and _ filling
parts of Sturgeon Bank for a new
runway affect the Fraser Estuary?

@ In what ways do fish and wildlife
utilize Sturgeon Bank, and how
would airport expansion affect
them and their habitat?

POLLUTION

® How would additional aircraft noise
affect people in the Lower
Mainland?

@ How bad would increased air and
ground traffic pollution be?

LAND USE

® How would development alter land
use on Sea Island and at other
possible airport sites?

SEA ISLANDs»,

1 Existing runways
2 Possible areas of development
3 Sewage outfall channel

     

THE : SsSu @ air facilities in the

Lower Mainland. Specifically, a new runway on
Sea Island, including eventual land fill of up to

  

@ Proposed expansion of

1400 acres on Sturgeon Bank.

In 1972, as part of its long-range
planning, the federal Ministry of
Transport proposed the construction
of a second major east-west runway on
Sea Island north of the existing air-
strip.

Following public controversy over
property expropriations for this de-
velopment, the Greater Vancouver
Tri-Level Committee (made up of
federal, provincial, and municipal offi-
cials) established a unique planning
structure which includes air carrier
companies, citizen groups, and all
levels of government. These groups are
working together to determine the
most acceptable course for future air-
port development in the B.C. Lower
Mainland.

The program, funded primarily by
the federal government, is being co-
ordinated by the Airport Planning
Committee, which is composed of
representatives from:

iI.

Ministry of Transport

Department of the Environment
Department of Public Works
Ministry of State for Urban Affairs
B.C. Department of Municipal Affairs
Greater Vancouver Regional District
Richmond Municipality

Vancouver City

General Aviation

Air Carriers

Community Forum (citizen groups)

In addition to the environmental
impact study described in this infor-
mation bulletin, these groups are parti-
cipating in a broad range of activities,
including technical transportation and
urban impact studies.

The studies focus on the proposed
expansion at Sea Island, but also relate
to the entire regional system of air
traffic. Thus, alternate sites in the
Lower Mainland are also being con-
sidered for development.

Recommendations will go to the
federal cabinet for decision later this
year.