The Port Mann/ Highway 1 Improvement Project was subject to environmental assessment review under both the federal and provincial environmental assessment acts. Following a harmonized review, the Project received Provincial Environmental Certification on June 12, 2008 and federal approval on July 11, 2008.
The Environmental Assessment (EA) certificate includes conditions and commitments that provide a framework for the construction contractor’s environmental management planning and implementation.
Consultation for Environmental Assessment
Planning for the Port Mann/Highway 1 Project has incorporated extensive public input, since early 2006 when the Gateway Program Definition Report was launched.
As part of the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the project, a 30-day public comment period was conducted on the Terms of Reference during the fall of 2006. This was followed by a 60-day public comment period in late 2007 during the 180-day application review period. This included five open houses in various municipalities along the corridor. Approximately 490 individuals participated in the consultation program, either through open houses, correspondence to the EAO or through the project info line.
Based on the EA, and the Ministry of Transportation’s Noise Policy (1993) the design-build noise mitigation in the form of noise walls and berms is being planned where future expected noise levels warrant these measures. These measures are being planned in accordance with requirements established as part of the environmental assessment certification for the project, which called for further consultation with local communities about noise, landscaping and design refinements.
The timing of local area consultations is based on construction activity. Consultation was undertaken in three local areas in 2009, five areas in 2010 and four areas in 2011. Remaining areas for consultation in early 2012 are in parts of Burnaby. Locations are being determined as contractor designs are refined. Resident and business input is considered with financial and technical information and used to refine final designs and implementation where schedule, cost and technical requirements allow.