Stop the Proposed Transportation of Toxic Jet Fuel Anywhere into the Fraser River Estuary

TOWARD STOPPING THE PROPOSED VANCOUVER AIRPORT FUEL FACILITIES CORPORATION'S (VAFFC) TRANSPORT OF TOXIC JET FUEL ANYWHERE  INTO THE FRASER RIVER ESTUARY, THE BUILDING THEREIN OF A MARINE OFF- LOADING TERMINAL AND FUEL STORAGE  FACILITY

 To:  The B.C. Environmental Assessment Office (BCEAO); Metro Port Vancouver; Ministers of BC Environment, Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, BC Energy and Mines and BC Natural Resource Operations; Metro Vancouver Board; Mayors and City Councils of Vancouver, Richmond and Delta; the Metro Vancouver area Members of Parliament and of the BC Legislative Assembly.

From:  Concerned Citizens of Canada and the Fraser River Estuary area; Friends and Members of VAPOR (Vancouver Airport Pipeline Opposition for Richmond); the Wreck Beach Preservation Society; Fraser River Coalition and Boundary Bay Conservation Committee.

Whereas, the Canadian Heritage Fraser River and its Estuary lies within the globally significant Pacific migratory bird fly- way and in that only 11% of the wetlands of the Estuary have survived human activity, this critical remnant habitat must be given maximum protection;

Whereas, the Fraser Estuary is vital to the survival of Pacific salmon as part of the world's largest salmon river ecosystem it also provides essential habitat for endangered sturgeon and 70 other fish species;

Whereas the proposed VAFFC Terminal is to be sited along the Fraser River in an areas prone to flood and severe shaking and liquefaction during earthquakes and that such a similar application to build such was rejected in 1989;

Whereas, VAFFC has given us high probabilities of jet fuel spillage into the Fraser River during normal transfer of fuel at the proposed marine Terminal and that the immediate upstream and extensive downstream areas have many sensitive fishery and wildlife habitats and is home to many riverside residential, recreational and commercial areas,

Whereas, spilled jet fuel is toxic and spreads quickly over water it would have a great negative impact on the  Fraser River, its fish and wildlife and the many sensitive habitats including the very large marshes and mudflats in the Steveston and Ladner areas and on Roberts and Sturgeon's Banks and in the North Arm Musqueam Marshes;

Whereas, dense residential areas and a recreational complex are located just 400 meters downstream of the proposed jet fuel Terminal any spill could drift into that area causing an impact to human life and enjoyment of life;

Whereas pipelines exist or could be built to existing refineries in BC and Washington State, thus eliminating the need for marine shipping on the Fraser, these safer and smaller carbon footprint alternatives need to be thoroughly explored.

Whereas, global warming must now be addressed and with the need to reduce fossil fuel consumption, the future of our environment and future generations of our children must receive consideration;

We, the undersigned, without prejudice, therefore, petition all parties listed above to:



(1)   Cease plans for transporting and handling of  toxic jet fuel anywhere in the Fraser River Estuary or the building of any jet fuel storage facility beside or near the river or near the estuarine shoreline;



2)   Call upon VAFFC to adopt the option of a safe pipeline delivery of fuel to Vancouver International Airport from US and Canadian fuel refineries and to locate any new pipeline away from residential and environmentally-sensitive areas.

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