Park visitors, river trail walkers and residents in Southlands and Deering Island  should be aware of the plan by Metro Vancouver to build a Barge Terminal 200 yards across from Deering Island Park, starting in 2024 in the north arm of the Fraser River.   The Barge Terminal is being built to support a 10 year construction project to upgrade and rebuild the Iona Waste Water Treatment facility on Iona Island.  There would be unloading of construction materials 13 hours per day, 6 days per week and for an anticipated duration of 10 years.  

Our concerns relate to health, safety and environmental issues:

1. Air Pollutants - longterm inhalation of these particles can result in respiratory, cardiovascular and immune system disease as well as carcinoma.
2. Noise - there is already significant and worsening noise from YVR Airport.  Steady noise over 85 decibels for an extended period of time will lead to deafness; while prolonged exposure at low levels may result in psychological and neurogenic disorder.
3. Light Pollution - the constant exposure of added light pollution adds to detrimental health effects.
4. This is an already narrow and busy site on the river. The addition of a permanent Barge Terminal will add ot the risk of more strikes to the shoreline and potential mid-river collisions.
5. The impact on existing bird and fish habitat in the area, including the eagles and herons.

The concerned citizens and recreational users of this area believe that Metro Vancouver should reconsider and find an alternative solution to the siting of this Barge Terminal across from Deering Island Park.

For more information, visit https://fraserriver.org