The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s Habitat Enhancement Program (HEP) submitted this month a project permit application for the Maplewood Marine Restoration Project.
The scheme is located immediately south of the Maplewood Flats Conservation Area which is two kilometers east of the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge in the District of North Vancouver, British Columbia in federal waters managed by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.
As part of the Project and Environmental Review, the port authority’s Habitat Enhancement Program is required to solicit public feedback on the proposed project, results of technical studies and proposed mitigation measures. The port authority will conduct formal consultation activities with stakeholders as part of the permitting process.
Between Monday, September 24 and Friday, October 12, 2018, the Habitat Enhancement Program is inviting public comment on their proposed Maplewood Marine Restoration Project.
Open House is set to take place on Tuesday, October, 2, from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Corrigan Nature House, 2645 Dollarton Highway, North Vancouver.
About the project
The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s Habitat Enhancement Program proposes to enhance fish and wildlife habitat in Burrard Inlet located south of the Maplewood Flats Conservation Area as part of habitat offsetting for the proposed Centerm Expansion Project.
The habitat area will include intertidal habitat, subtidal eelgrass habitat, and a rock reef habitat.
Dredging of the Southwest Channel and creating new rock reef habitat is proposed to improve tidal flushing in the basin and enhanced water quality, nutrient transportation and reduce siltation of marine vegetation.
The habitat enhancement is anticipated to facilitate greater suspension and distribution of eggs and larvae of pelagic spawning fish and invertebrates.
The proposed Maplewood Marine Restoration Project would result in the conversion of approximately seven hectares of low-value, deep marine habitat, into more productive habitat for fish, birds and other wildlife.