On December 13 the second of three public comment periods for the proposed Canpotex facility on Ridley Island got underway, with a new document being released providing additional details on the project and the proposed Ridley Island rail, road and utility corridor.
The summary of the environmental impact statement says a single report was prepared for the two projects “because the two projects are interdependent”.
According to the summary of the environmental impact statement, the Canpotex terminal would have the capacity of 11.5 million tonnes of potash per year and will include a 739 metre long marine causeway, trestle and berth capable of loading vessels up to 180,000 dead weight tonnes, a 180,000 tonne potash storage building, an automated railcar unloading and covered conveyor system, a settlement pond for storm water and buildings for personnel, maintenance and storage. The causeway was reduced by 216 metres from the original plan to lessen the marine impact. Another change is that an at-sea disposal site withing the boundaries of the Prince Rupert Port Authority is being proposed , which was changed from Brown Passage to reduce the travel time and emissions for disposing of dredged materials.
The Ridley Island road, rail and utility corridor includes a seven to eight kilometre long rail loop that can handle up to 14 inbound and 11 outbound tracks, with three inbound and two outbound tracks dedicated to Canpotex, a three to four kilometre long 69 volt transmission powerline to connect the terminal to the BC Hydro grid and an inner paced access road loop with a rail overpass and underpass.
Based on information received during this comment period and the previous one, the proponents will be creating a Comprehensive Study Report for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, and the timing of the public comment period on that report will be announced later.
The entire document, which looks at potential environmental impacts associated with the project, is available online at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca (reference 09-03-47632). Public comments can be submitted between now and January 20 by e-mailing Canpotex@ceaa-acee.gc.ca, faxing 604,666-6990 or sending mail to:
Canpotex Potash Export Terminal and Ridley
Island Road, Rail, and Utility Corridor Project,
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
410-701 West Georgia Street
Vancouver BC V7Y 1C6