Terrestrial environment
Air quality
Air emissions during construction have the potential to affect air quality in the project area. Air quality is measured by concentration of various pollutants and airborne particles present in the atmosphere. Monitoring and assessing air quality is crucial for human health and environmental protection.
Anticipated effects from project activities
- Short-term increases in dust and emissions during construction from equipment, unpaved roads and concrete fabrication
- Localized emissions from diesel exhaust and marine vessels, including temporary increase in particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide during construction
How we will reduce effects
- Implement anti-idling policy for construction equipment
- Maintain construction and marine equipment regularly to improve fuel efficiency and reduce fuel use
- Cover haul truck loads to reduce dust and provide tire washing stations during construction
- Water unpaved roads and clean paved surfaces to reduce dust during construction
- Use the new tunnel ventilation system to maintain air quality during operations
Future conditions
- Higher traffic volumes may increase particulate matter, carbon monoxide and other air pollutants; however, they will be below air quality criteria during the operations phase
- Long-term emission exposure risks are low due to decreased traffic congestion, higher travel speeds through the tunnel and changes in vehicle emission technologies
Archaeological and heritage resources
The project has the potential to affect archaeological and historical heritage resources during construction, including artifacts and sites.
Anticipated effects from project activities
- No archaeological deposits were found during testing, although some areas could not be assessed because of hard surfaces and sandy fill
- One known heritage shipwreck in the Fraser River could be affected; it is protected under the Heritage Conservation Act
- Construction activities may uncover undiscovered heritage sites
How we will reduce effects
- Avoid known sites throughout project design
- Conduct archaeological monitoring, including spot checks, while excavating in areas that could not be assessed previously
- Implement a “chance find” protocol in case new heritage sites or sources are discovered during construction
Future conditions
- No long-term or cumulative negative effects are expected for archaeological or heritage resources
- Known sites will be protected and new discoveries will be carefully managed and monitored
Land and resource use
Project activities may affect land and resource use, including access, availability and productivity of project lands.
Anticipated effects from project activities
- Temporary disruptions to recreational and tourism spaces such as Deas Island Regional Park and the Millennium Trail during construction
- Potential temporary impacts to First Nations’ land use due to limited access and environmental disruption within the project footprint
- Temporary effects on farmland, like light and noise affecting animals and dust affecting nearby crops
- Potential access disruption to lands designated for agricultural use
How we will reduce effects
- Realign Rice Mill Road and the CN Rail overpasses during construction to help minimize access disruptions
- Provide safe, alternative routes for drivers and cyclists throughout construction
- Relocate and maintain the George Massey Tunnel shuttle stop for cyclists throughout construction
- Implement communications protocols to respond to and address community access concerns
Future conditions
- Improved traffic flow will enhance access to recreational areas, businesses, agricultural sites and First Nations’ lands
- Public access to most recreational areas will be restored
- Environmental effects (noise, vibration and air quality) will remain within acceptable limits
- Permanent loss of lands currently designated for parks, recreation and conservation to accommodate the expansion of Highway 99
- Permanent loss of lands designated for agricultural use to accommodate the expansion of Highway 99
- Cumulative effects during construction, such as traffic congestion, are expected to be reversible
Soil
Soils play a vital role in supporting vegetative growth, carbon and nutrient storage and groundwater replenishment. Construction activities such as excavation and ground improvement could affect soil quality and quantity.
Anticipated effects from project activities
- Soil will be disturbed, lost or removed during construction and closure of temporary infrastructure
- Soil quality may decline from compaction, erosion or movement of soil throughout construction
- Anticipated loss of soil volume due to erosion changes or stockpile loss
How we will reduce effects
- Limit ground disturbances to previously disturbed areas
- Save ecologically valuable soils and use them to restore sites, reducing the risk of importing and exporting incompatible soils
- Separate and manage contaminated soils
- Plan soil handling activities during suitable weather conditions and suspend work during excessively wet or windy conditions
Future conditions
- Soil reclamation efforts will help return soil to original conditions
- No long-term effects on soil quality are anticipated during operations
Vegetation
Vegetation plays a fundamental role in the ecosystem. A variety of plant species and types are present in the project area.
Anticipated effects from project activities
- The project may result in the loss or disturbance of native plants, including species at risk and culturally important plants
- Expected loss or disturbance of 12.4 ha of ecological communities at risk, 8.7 ha of riparian ecosystems, 3.2 ha of terrestrial ecosystems and 1.6 ha of wetlands during construction
- Expected loss or disturbance of 12.5 ha of culturally important and traditional use plants due to construction
How will we reduce effects
- Limit soil and vegetation disturbances to designated areas
- Develop species-specific management measures, such as transplanting and propagating at-risk plants or managing invasive plants
- Avoid marine staging areas where culturally and significant plants are located
- Implement a site restoration plan to restore habitat vegetation and wildlife features
Future conditions
- Anticipated increase in available habitat for culturally important and traditional use plants through restoration of areas previously disturbed and used for the existing tunnel
- During construction, management will be required to reduce the spread of invasive plants, adaptively manage established plant communities and maintain cultural value of vegetation to First Nations
- Once construction is complete, restoration is expected to increase the total area of habitat available to re-establish native plant communities
- Cumulative effects from the project and other nearby projects may affect vegetation, but mitigation measures will help reduce effects
Wildlife and wildlife habitat
Wildlife in the project area can include a variety of bird species, bats, small mammals, river otters and reptiles.
Anticipated effects from project activities
- Potential temporary and permanent loss of wildlife habitat during construction and closure of temporary infrastructure
- Increased wildlife mortality risks for raptors, small mammals, and bats due to traffic
- Temporary habitat loss will be asses through restoration after construction, while permanent loss may require extra mitigations to reduce long-term effects
- Short-term and minor effects on habitat from construction noise and lighting
How we will reduce effects
- Limit vegetation clearing and avoid construction in sensitive habitats and during critical periods for amphibians, reptiles, birds, bats and bard swallows
- Reduce light pollution and noise disturbance near sensitive habitats
- Establish and maintain lower speed limits for project traffic and install wildlife collision barriers
- Conduct pre-construction surveys to document and protect unique wildlife features
- Develop habitat offsetting measures where potential effects are unavoidable
- Implement restoration plans to reinstate ecosystems and wetlands
Future conditions
- Most wildlife habitat loss or disturbance is expected to be temporary, with most areas restored after construction
- The project is in a highly developed area of Metro Vancouver–while the project may cause habitat loss and disturbance, wildlife are expected to be resilient as the project area has minimal high-quality habitat
