Announcements
Milltown Marina Community Consultation UPDATE
- December 20, 2011
The Milltown Marina project has undergone a number of design changes as a result of community input that we would like to share with you.
The layout of the marina has changed to incorporate two community amenity areas, including a public observation point at the foot of Bentley Street, as well as a publically accessible park on the southeast corner of Richmond Island. A habitat islet has also been added to the project proposals, located adjacent to the Fraser River Park. Further sediment sampling was undertaken to address concerns related to exposing and disturbing potentially contaminated sediments during dredging. The additional data collected indicated that contaminant levels at the surface and at the proposed dredge depth within the slough are consistent with background levels elsewhere in the river.
The project overview below has been updated to reflect these amendments. The updated site plan, habitat creation plan and additional sediment report can be viewed under the Application Documents section below. Next steps in the process can be seen under the Project Review Process.
For more information about the application process, please contact Anne Stevenson, Planner, by email or at 604.665.9134.
To obtain a copy of the Environmental Screening Report, please contact Kim Keskinen, by email or at 604.665.9121.
Learn more
Project overview
Port Metro Vancouver has received an application from Musqueam Indian Band and Bastion Development Corporation to jointly develop a commercial marina for recreational vessels at Richmond Island. The proposed development site is located along the north shore of the North Arm of the Fraser River at the foot of Bentley Street in Vancouver. The development site consists of the upland portion referred to as Richmond Island as well as the slough located immediately north of the island. Richmond Island and the southern half of the slough are located within City of Richmond’s municipal boundary. The northern half of the slough is located within City of Vancouver.
The full application can be accessed via the links below. To summarize briefly here, the proposal includes:
- Dredging of approximately 70,000 cubic metres from the slough
- Creation of a habitat island *new
- Up to 9,000 linear feet of dock space for in-water moorage of 174 recreational vessels
- Upland dry-stack storage for 242 recreational vessels
- A boat gantry crane and ramps connecting to the slough from Richmond Island
- 5,000 square feet of floor space in a Marine Trades building for a boat repair operation
- 9,000 square feet of floor space in a Marine Centre Services building for a café, marine supplies store and caretaker’s residence
- At-grade parking for 228 vehicles
- Pedestrian and cycling pathway along the existing access road connecting Bentley Street to Richmond Island
- Public observation deck at the foot of Bentley Street *new
- Publically accessible park on southeast corner of Richmond Island *new
- Installation of water, sanitary and electric services to the site
Application Documents
Project Review Process
The proposed development is subject to Port Metro Vancouver’s Project Review Process. This process includes an environmental assessment as required under the Canada Port Authority Environmental Assessment Regulations. In conducting our review, we have referred the application to external agencies for comment including the City of Vancouver and City of Richmond. We have also contacted First Nations identified as having an interest in the area and consulted with local community members.
As part of our environmental assessment, PMV referred the application to the Fraser River Estuary Management Program (FREMP), which includes representation from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Environment Canada, Transport Canada. This review was completed on January 4, 2012. Currently, the Proponents are making a submission to the BC Environmental Assessment Office (BCEAO) in support of their application to waive out of the Provincial process. Port Metro Vancouver will not issue a Permit until a decision has been made by BCEAO.
Should Port Metro Vancouver approve the project, we will issue a Project Permit to the proponent allowing for the proposed development to proceed subject to conditions. An amendment to Port Metro Vancouver’s Land Use Plan will also be required to accommodate the project. The Land Use Plan currently designates the water area for Log Storage use. The proposed designation for the waterlot is Water Oriented – Commercial. Our process to amend the Land Use Plan requires approval by Port Metro Vancouver’s Board of Directors.