Environmental
impact
studies

Why study the potential effects of
the proposed airport expansion, or any
other major development that might
change the environment?

The answer is that we depend on
the physical and biological environ-
ment for both our economic well-
being and the quality of our life.

Throughout his existence, civilized
man has often settled near river estu-
aries, which offer abundant natural
resources and an ideal setting. In tact,
most of the world’s major cities are
situated near estuaries.

Greater Vancouver, one of these
cities, still retains many of its natural
amenities.

The Lower Fraser River provides
the region with seaports for worldwide
trade and a natural system for dis-
posing domestic and industrial waste.

Besides some of the best agricul-
tural land in Canada, the Fraser Delta
includes large intertidal areas which
are relatively inexpensive to fill to
create more land for various develop-
ments.

These intertidal areas, however, are
also an integral part of the Fraser
Estuary which sustains considerable
fish and wildlife resources. In aduition,
the estuary provides many natural
areas for recreation, nature study, and
wildlife preservation.

But the Vancouver region, confined
to a bowlshaped area by sea and
mountains, has finite limits to its
natural resources. Ever-increasing pop-
ulation and industrial growth means
more and more conflict between pre-
serving natural areas and developing
them.

To resolve such conflicts, we must
understand the possible consequences
of a major development before the
project is approved.

For this reason, the federal Depart-
ment of the Environment, since March
1973, has been conducting an impact
study to assess the potential environ-
mental effects of the proposed airport
development.

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FISHERIES SERVICE

@ Fish and shellfish resources @ Commercial and sport fisheries
@ Fish migration and rearing @ Importance of Sturgeon Bank to
fisheries @ Effects of proposed development on fish populations
and habitat

CANADIAN WILDLIFE SERVICE

® Waterfowl census © Importance of Sturgeon Bank marshlands
to waterfowl @ Effects of proposed development on waterfowl
populations and habitat

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SERVICE
®@ Noise ® Water pollution and solid waste
®@ Aircraft and automobile emissions

MARINE SCIENCES DIRECTORATE

® Water characteristics in Sturgeon Bank area @ Effect of run-
way construction on water currents influencing Iona Island sewage
outfall channel

LANDS DIRECTORATE

® Land characteristics near alternate airport sites @ Land use
capabilities @ Land use changes resulting from development
alternatives

ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT SERVICE

Supplying meteorological data regarding:

® Transport and dispersion of air pollutants @ Precipitation
affecting surface run-off at runways

 

 

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