Delta councillors press for another coal facility assessment
Posted December 15, 2013 1:04 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
DELTA (NEWS1130) – Another Lower Mainland city is about to voice its concerns about increased coal train traffic running through its neighbourhoods.
On Monday, Delta council will vote on whether to ask the Port of Vancouver to halt the proposed Fraser Surrey Docks coal transfer station until a new health review is conducted.
Councillors will consider endorsing the formation of an inter-agency review committee, made up of health and environment representatives from federal, provincial and local levels.
Critics, including the region’s medical health officers, are predominantly worried coal dust will affect air quality, and Mayor Lois Jackson admits they need answers.
“The majority of people don’t necessarily believe politicians, but what they do believe is Fraser Health’s chief medical health officer, who has been calling for a complete health and environmental assessment,” she notes.
“The people in my community who are most concerned are fearful for their health, fearful for the health of their children,” she explains.
Surrey, White Rock, and New Westminster are among a number of cities that have already expressed strong reservations with the project that would see US coal arrive via train to Surrey Fraser Docks, where it would be transferred onto barges, and ultimately destined for Asia.
An environmental impact assessment has already been issued for the proposed Fraser Surrey Docks coal facility, but the region’s medical health officers agreed it was inadequate.
