A federally appointed panel has found the development of a new shipping container terminal south of Vancouver would result in "significant adverse'' effects on endangered southern resident killer whales. In its 627-page report, released Monday, the environmental assessment panel points to the negative impacts of marine shipping associated with the proposed terminal at Roberts Bank in Delta, B.C. If Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson determines the environmental effects are significant, he'll refer the decision to cabinet to determine whether those effects are justified. The proposed Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project includes a new three-berth marine container terminal and a widened causeway to the mainland to accommodate additional road and rail infrastructure. "We're happy and encouraged the panel has heard our concerns and have agreed the project has significant risks to southern resident killer whales, chinook salmon and many others.''

Source: CBC News March 31, 2020 15:22 UTC