Annual Report - BIEAP FREMP 2011/2012 - the BIEAP and FREMP ...

Annual Report 

Burrard Inlet Environmental Action Program 

Fraser River Estuary Management Program 

2012

LIONS BAY 

BIEAP and FREMP Boundaries 

Pitt Lake 

NORTH VANCOUVER 

DISTRICT 

WEST VANCOUVER 

ANMORE 

BOWEN 

ISLAND 

Indian Arm 

Deep 

Cove 

Point 

Atkinson 

Burrard Inlet 

COQUITLAM 

BELCARRA 

Seymour River 

Capilano River 

Lynn Creek 

NORTH 

VANCOUVER 

CITY 

Outer Harbour Inner Harbour 

Central Harbour 

Pitt River 

Coquitlam River 

Burrard Inlet Environmental 

Action Program 

English 

Bay 

PORT 

MOODY 

False Creek 

Alouette River 

PORT 

COQUITLAM 

BURNABY 

PITT 

MEADOWS 

Brunette River 

VANCOUVER 

MAPLE RIDGE 

Fraser River 

190 kilometres of marine 

foreshore and all the tidal 

waters east of a line between 

the southernmost point of point 

Atkinson and the westernmost 

point of Point Grey, including 

False Creek and all of Indian 

Arm and Port Moody Arm, and 

extending to the upstream tidal 

influence of all watercourses 

feeding into Burrard Inlet. 

Kanaka Creek 

NEW 

WESTMINSTER 

Barnston 

Island 

North Arm 

Sea Island 

Annacis 


Lulu Island 

Serpentine River 

SURREY 

South Arm 

RICHMOND 

Sturgeon Bank 

Fraser River Estuary 

Management Program 

155 square kilometres of 

estuary foreshore including land 

and water on the wet side of the 

dykes of the Fraser River from 

Kanaka Creek and the outlet of 

Pitt Lake downstream to Georgia 

Strait including the outer banks 

from Point Grey to the US Border 

and Boundary Bay. 

LANGLEY 

CITY 

DELTA 

LANGLEY 

Westham 


Nicomekl River 

Brunswick Point 

Roberts Bank 

Boundary Bay 

River 

Campbell 

WHITE ROCK 

Semiahmoo Bay 

CANADA 

U.S.A. 

POINT 

ROBERTS 

MILES 

1 2 3 4 

1 2 3 4 5 6 

KILOMETRES

3 

Contents 

BIEAP–FREMP Overview 

2 BIEAP–FREMP Boundaries Map 

3 Contents 

5 Message from the Management Committee Chair 

6 About BIEAP–FREMP 

7 Management Structure 

BIEAP Highlights 

8 Consolidated Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) 

9 2011-2012 Major Initiatives 

9 CEMP Update 

9 BIEAP 20th Anniversary 

10 Burrard Inlet Ambassador Pilot Program 

11 Spill Reporting/Burrard Inlet Species List 

FREMP Highlights 

12 FREMP Estuary Management Plan 

13 2011-2012 Major Initiatives 

14 Roberts and Sturgeon Banks Habitat Inventory 

BIEAP–FREMP Ongoing Work 

15 BIEAP–FREMP Ongoing Work 

Coordinated Project Review 

17 Overview – Environmental Review Process 

18 Project Categorization 

20 2011 BIEAP Coordinated Environmental Review 

22 2011 FREMP Coordinated Environmental Review 

24 Conclusion 

Unaudited Financial Statements 2011-2012 

26 2011-2012 Notice to Reader and Year-End Financial Report

5 

message from the chair of the management committee 

Promoting Sustainable Practices in Metro Vancouver Waterways 

It is my great pleasure to present the 2011-2012 Burrard Inlet Environmental 

Action Program – Fraser River Estuary Management Program (BIEAP-FREMP) 

Annual Report on behalf of the Partner Agencies. The past year marked 

an extremely busy and productive period in the promotion of sustainable 

initiatives and the ecological health of Burrard Inlet and the Fraser River Estuary. 

In 2011, BIEAP marked its 20th anniversary as an inter-governmental 

partnership program, coordinating the environmental management of Burrard 

Inlet. BIEAP’s enduring vision for sustainability has been a thriving port and 

urban community coexisting within a healthy environment. Another 2011 

milestone was the update of the Consolidated Environmental Management 

Plan (CEMP) for Burrard Inlet, which involved the partner agencies, 

municipalities and First Nations. 

FREMP activities this year were primarily focused on developing a habitat 

inventory for Roberts and Sturgeon Banks with the goal of establishing a 

baseline for future monitoring. The project had two objectives: bring 

Sturgeon Bank in line with Roberts Bank–a significant amount of biological 

data is available for Roberts Bank but not for Sturgeon Banks; and where 

feasible, collect further data for both areas. 

In 2011, the Burrard Inlet and Fraser River Estuary Environmental Review 

Committees processed a total of 153 projects and ensured that shoreline 

development occurred in a responsible manner and where possible, 

improved habitat conditions. 

The BIEAP-FREMP Partners will continue to advance efforts to coordinate 

activities that protect, improve and help us better understand the 

environmental health of Burrard Inlet and the Fraser River Estuary 

that we depend on. 

Sincerely, 

Darrell Desjardin 

Chair

6 

About BIEAP–FREMP 

about bieap-fremp 

The Burrard Inlet Environmental Action Program (BIEAP) and Fraser River 

Estuary Management Program (FREMP) are inter-governmental partnerships 

established to coordinate the environmental management of the two most 

significant aquatic ecosystems in the Lower Mainland—Burrard Inlet and the 

Fraser River estuary. 

Established in 1985, FREMP provided a framework for managing the Fraser 

River estuary as a Living, Working River. Geographically, FREMP applies to the 

wet side of the dyke of the Fraser River downstream from Kanaka Creek and 

Pitt Lake to the Strait of Georgia. FREMP also includes Sturgeon Bank, Roberts 

Bank and Boundary Bay. The FREMP funding partners are the British Columbia 

Ministry of Environment, Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 

Transport Canada, Port Metro Vancouver and Metro Vancouver. 

Established in 1991, BIEAP provided a joint action program to protect and 

improve the Burrard Inlet. BIEAP applies to the tidal waters east of a line 

between the southernmost point of Point Atkinson and the westernmost point 

of Point Grey. BIEAP includes False Creek and all of Indian Arm and Port Moody 

Arm, and extends to the upstream tidal influence of all watercourses 

feeding into Burrard Inlet. BIEAP partners are the British Columbia Ministry 

of Environment, Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Transport 

Canada, Port Metro Vancouver and Metro Vancouver. 

BIEAP and FREMP function through a Memorandum of Understanding 

which establishes the framework for coordination of partner agencies. 

Since 1996, the Programs have been jointly administered from an office 

located in Burnaby. The overall management and policy direction is 

accomplished through a two-level structure. A Partners Committee comprising 

principals of the signing partners meets as needed to provide strategic 

direction for the programs, and a Management Committee deals with program 

management and policy issues on a quarterly basis. The Management 

Committee oversees several subcommittees and task groups. 

The coordinated environmental management of Burrard Inlet and the Fraser 

River estuary is achieved through the development and implementation of 

management plans and the one-window review of proposals for shoreline 

development and other anthropogenic activities in the inlet and estuary.

Management Structure 

BIEAP & FREMP Funding Partners 

Partners Committee Members 

2011–2012 

BC Ministry of Environment 

Jim Standen 

Environment Canada 

Paul Kluckner 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada 

Diana Trager 

Transport Canada 

Lori Young 

Metro Vancouver 

Johnny Carline 

Port Metro Vancouver 

Chris Badger/Duncan Wilson 

Management Committee Members 

2011–2012 


Jonn Bramman/Julia Berardinucci 


Chris Lee/Ruta Fluxgold 


Corino Salomi 


Neil Turner 


Albert van Roodselaar 


Darrell Desjardin 

7 







management structure 

Partners Committee 

Management Committee 

FREMP Water and Land Use 

Committee (WLUC) 

FREMP Environmental Review 

Committee (ERC) 

Burrard Environmental Review 

Committee (BERC) 

BIEAP Plan Implementation 

Committee (PIC) 

Audit Committee (AC) 

Special Task Groups and 

Sub-committees 

BIEAP–FREMP Staff 

Program Manager 

Policy Coordinator 

Project Review Coordinator

8 

BIEAP Highlights 

bieap highlights 

Consolidated Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) 

Approved by the BIEAP partners in 2002, the Consolidated Environmental 

Management Plan (CEMP) for Burrard Inlet provides a framework for protecting 

and improving the ecological health of Burrard Inlet. In addition to referencing 

the environmental policies, regulations and programs of the federal, regional 

and provincial agencies that pertain to Burrard Inlet, the Plan identifies 

shared goals and objectives to promote coordinated decision-making and 

environmental management. The CEMP was updated in 2011, and contains 

17 objectives to achieve five shared goals: 

Goal #1 Improve water quality in Burrard Inlet 

Goal #2 Improve sediment quality in Burrard Inlet 

Goal #3 Protect and enhance fish and wildlife habitat and the natural 

biodiversity of Burrard Inlet 

Goal #4 Encourage the ecological health of Burrard Inlet in the presence of 

economic growth and development 

Goal #5 Promote awareness and environmental stewardship of Burrard Inlet 

The BIEAP Plan Implementation Committee (PIC) guides Plan implementation 

and consists of representatives from the BIEAP partner agencies and 

surrounding municipalities and First Nations: Environment Canada (EC), 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Port Metro Vancouver (PMV), BC Ministry 

of Environment (MOE), Metro Vancouver (MV), City of Burnaby, City of North 

Vancouver, City of Port Moody, City of Vancouver, District of North Vancouver, 

District of West Vancouver, Village of Anmore and Village of Belcarra. The PIC 

meets bimonthly and reports to the BIEAP-FREMP Management Committee.

9 

2011–2012 Major Initiatives 


BIEAP’s major initiatives this year were focused on CEMP Goal 1.3 – 

“Share information and contribute to the effort to prevent and mitigate water 

pollution in Burrard Inlet” and Goal 5 – “Promote awareness and environmental 

stewardship of Burrard Inlet”. 

CEMP Update 

The 2002 Consolidated Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) commits 

to reviewing the Plan at the end of the first five years to determine how well 

the goals and objectives have been achieved and determine whether it is 

still relevant or whether new goals, challenges and opportunities will require 

attention of the BIEAP partners. Since 2010, the PIC has been undertaking 

a review of the Plan. Several workshops have been held to update and revise 

the CEMP Goals and Objectives. The final updated Plan was approved in 

November 2011, and launched at the BIEAP 20-Year Celebration Event. 

BIEAP 20-Year Anniversary In 2011, BIEAP marked its 20th year as a 

partnership. In order to celebrate BIEAP’s accomplishments to date and the 

many people who have supported the partnership over the years, BIEAP hosted 

a celebration in November 2011. The event was attended by over 50 current 

and past members of BIEAP including current and previous staff at the partner 

agencies and partnership itself. Posterboards showcasing major projects and 

key reports over the past 20 years were displayed and the keynote address 

was delivered by previous Management Committee Chair Brian Clark.

10 

Burrard Inlet Ambassador Pilot Program 


While many of the BIEAP partners have outreach programs, none are geared 

specifically towards Burrard Inlet. Promoting sustainable practices in order 

to enhance the ecological integrity of the inlet is embedded within the 

mandate of all BIEAP partners and one of the reasons BIEAP was established. 

Additionally, the BIEAP Management Committee has identified the need to 

better promote PIC and BIEAP activities, in order to ensure ongoing support 

from partners, municipalities whose staff participate on PIC, and other 

organizations including First Nations, industry and NGOs. 

In summer 2011, with partial funding through Service Canada – Canada 

Summer Jobs, BIEAP hired two students to implement the Burrard Inlet 

Ambassador Pilot Program. The team was responsible for designing and 

delivering an outreach program, maintaining records of public interactions 

and preparing a report summarizing activities, evaluating the effectiveness 

of the program and making recommendations for future initiatives. 

Results suggested that the Pilot Program was successful in raising awareness 

of the significance of Burrard Inlet and stormwater pollution prevention, 

maximizing information on the public’s interest and perceptions of Burrard 

Inlet and promoting the BIEAP partnership’s profile in the community.

11 

Spill Reporting/Burrard Inlet Species List 


Currently, the Provincial Emergency Program of BC records spill reports on a 

spreadsheet and the BC Ministry of Environment has indicated that having the 

number and type of substance spilled recorded on stream sensitivity maps 

would be a powerful tool for local governments and MOE. 

In Summer 2011, as part of the Burrard Inlet Ambassador Team’s 

responsibilities, the team was tasked with plotting spills on streams within 

the BIEAP study area to help the BIEAP partners to better understand which 

catchment areas require more attention. Using Google Maps, the team plotted 

spills within the District and City of North Vancouver and prepared a final 

report summarizing methodology. 

The team was also tasked with finalizing the Burrard Inlet Species List. 

This work involved compiling a list of all flora and fauna inhabiting Burrard 

Inlet. The goal of this project is to provide BIEAP partners with a more 

comprehensive understanding of the Inlet’s ecosystem species.

12 

FREMP Highlights 

FREMP Estuary Management Plan 

fremp highlights 

FREMP is guided by the Estuary Management Plan (EMP), “A Living Working 

River”, which outlines a shared vision, goals and actions for improving the 

environmental, economic, and social health of the Fraser River estuary. 

In 2003, the EMP was updated to reflect current realities and contain 

seven new Action Programs. 

Action Program #1 An Action Program to Integrate the Plan 

Action Program #2 Water and Sediment Quality 

Action Program #3 Fish and Wildlife Habitat 

Action Program #4 Navigation and Dredging 

Action Program #5 Log Management 

Action Program #6 Industrial and Urban Development 

Action Program #7 Recreation 

Implementation of the EMP is guided by the FREMP Water and Land Use 

Committee (WLUC), an advisory committee reporting to the BIEAP-FREMP 

Management Committee. Members include representatives of each FREMP 

partner agency as well as staff from municipalities, First Nations and the 

Vancouver International Airport Authority. WLUC also functions as a useful 

information-sharing forum for all those involved in managing and protecting 

the estuary.

13 

2011-2012 Major Initiatives 


FREMP’s initiatives this year were focused on a high priority recommendation 

identified on the Roberts and Sturgeon Banks Reach Overview (RSBRO) 

Phase II report finalized last year – work collaboratively to conduct new 

comprehensive mapping for Roberts and Sturgeon Banks. This will eventually 

contribute to the establishment of a regional baseline for key indicators of 

change. 

The report is part of a multi-year project to develop a Reach Overview for 

Roberts and Sturgeon Banks. In 2009, FREMP completed Phase I of the 

Roberts and Sturgeon Banks Reach Overview (RSBRO) – a compilation and 

synthesis of existing information on the physical, biological and human 

activities and processes of the reach, which provided the foundation for 

Phase II. In 2010, FREMP initiated Phase II and completed the Roberts and 

Sturgeon Banks Reach Overview (RSBRO) which involved an analysis of and 

recommendations for management of water, shoreline and upland issues that 

transcend individual municipal and agency boundaries.

14 

Roberts and Sturgeon Banks Habitat Inventory 


To establish a baseline for future monitoring, during Summer 2011, FREMP 

developed a habitat inventory for Roberts and Sturgeon Banks. The RSBRO 

indicated that while a significant amount of data is available for Roberts 

Banks, biological data is lacking for Sturgeon Banks. This project aimed 

to bring Sturgeon Bank in line with Roberts Bank and where required and 

possible, collect further data for both areas. 

Partial funding was secured through Service Canada to hire a field crew of two 

to undertake this work. The FREMP Habitat Working Group was reconvened to 

guide technical aspects of the project, with high level direction provided by 

the Roberts and Sturgeon Banks Reach Overview Steering Committee. A final 

report summarizing activities and findings was developed identifying data 

gaps and providing recommendations for next steps.

15 

BIEAP–FREMP Ongoing Work 

bieap-fremp ongoing work 

BIEAP–FREMP provides a forum for ongoing dialogue on issues, challenges 

and opportunities for implementing policy and improving the environmental 

management of Burrard Inlet and the Fraser River Estuary while acting as a 

platform for effecting cooperation and collaboration among Partner agencies 

and other key stakeholders. This distinctive role has also led to a request by 

the BC Ministry of Environment in 2002, that any outstanding federal agency 

concerns, with respect to treatment plant effluent toxicity and combined 

sewage overflows in Metro Vancouver, be resolved through the BIEAP–FREMP 

forum. BIEAP-FREMP’s role in this capacity has been maintained per the 

new Integrated Liquid Waste and Resource Management Plan for the region 

(ILWRMP). 

Metro Vancouver’s ILWRMP, assists with the integration of water quality 

management and monitoring, and is a critical part of implementing the 

management plans for Burrard Inlet and Fraser River Estuary (CEMP and EMP) 

Water Quality Programs. 

Another key component of the partnership’s efforts to coordinate the 

environmental management of Burrard Inlet and the Fraser River estuary is the 

ongoing review of proposals for shoreline development and other anthropogenic 

activities in these ecosystems. The process occurs at the technical level through 

the submission of projects and their subsequent review by Environmental Review 

Committees (ERCs). This process saves partner agencies staff time and resources 

and is of benefit to project proponents. To date, the Environmental Review 

Committees have reviewed over 4150 projects in the waterways. Following are 

the coordinated project review highlights of 2011.

17 

Overview – Environmental Review Process 

coordinated project review 

january 1 – december 31, 2011 

The coordinated project review process allows the Burrard Inlet Environmental 

Action Program (BIEAP) and Fraser River Estuary Management Program 

(FREMP) partners to collectively review proposals before a federal, provincial 

or municipal authority makes any decision that would allow the project 

to proceed. Project review provides the responsible authorities with 

recommendations and conditions a proponent should implement in order to 

reduce risk to the aquatic habitat of the Fraser River and Burrard Inlet, and 

comply with legislation and mandates of the partner agencies. 

BIEAP and FREMP use a two-track process to review projects in Burrard Inlet 

and the Fraser River Estuary. ‘Track 1’ projects are generally of a predictable 

nature, frequently maintenance- or repair-type activities with low public 

interest and a lowered risk of environmental impact. Track 1 applications are 

administered by the Lead Agency (i.e., Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, VFPA), 

the agency with a permitting responsibility associated with the project. Track 

1 projects are made available for comment by the Lead Agency for a period 

of time prior to that Agency (typically VFPA) issuing a Permit or Authorization 

to undertake the works. Project applications routed to the ‘Track 2’ process 

constitute proposals of increased scope, complexity and/or a higher potential 

for environmental impacts. These projects are reviewed by the BIEAP and 

FREMP Environmental Review Committees (ERCs). Review of Track 2 projects is 

the main function of the ERCs. 

Further to the Track 1 and Track 2 process, VFPA (Port Metro Vancouver) issues 

‘Standard Conditions’ for projects which are very minor in scope, such as singlepile 

replacement. The standard conditions mirror those included in ERC project 

review letters and are specific to common activities (e.g., Standard Conditions 

for pile replacement and maintenance). Standard Conditions accompany PMV’s 

authorization for minor projects. Five authorizations accompanied by Standard 

Conditions were issued in BIEAP’s jurisdiction in 2011 and a total of 30 sets of 

Standard Conditions were issued in the FREMP area. 

Partner agencies actively engaged in coordinated project review in 2011 were Port 

Metro Vancouver, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Transport Canada’s Navigable 

Waters Protection Program (non-environmental capacity). The BC Ministry of 

Environment withdrew membership from the ERCs as of June 15, 2011.

18 

Project Categorization 

Project Type 



For the purposes of meaningful reporting, Track 2 projects are assigned to 

one project type (defined below), which best fits the activity proposed: 

New Development projects: new structure, major expansion of an existing 

project footprint, change of land use or activity that has not previously 

occurred in that geographic location, (e.g., new marina construction). 

Maintenance projects: a project that enables the continuation of an activity 

or the ongoing integrity of a structure (e.g., dredging to maintain a wharf 

facility, improvements to bank stabilization structures). 

Renewal projects: activities aimed specifically at improving the 

environmental integrity of a site or reducing activities on that site 

(e.g., habitat creation, debris removal, decommissioning or 

demolition of facilities). 

Exploratory testing projects: projects which are chiefly to do with testing an 

environmental parameter (e.g., core drilling, geotechnical testing). 

Events: singular short-term usage of land in FREMP jurisdiction 

(e.g., recreational contests, filming, house moving). 

Interest Group 

Following the initial project type categorization, projects are then classified 

by interest group based on the interests of the proponent initiating the 

project and the final user group of the project outcomes. Interest group 

categories include: 

Commercial: mostly private and corporate business and enterprise. 

Civil: authorities responsible for public infrastructure and amenities 

(e.g. government agencies, municipalities, transport authorities). 

Private/Residential: typically waterfront home owners. 

Conservation group: groups with a specific conservation mandate, 

undertaking projects aimed at conserving the natural environment and 

ecosystem services.

19 

Activity Type 



The specific activities associated with a project are also recorded with each 

application. Sixteen activities have been identified. In cases involving several 

activities, the project is categorized under the most significant corresponding 

activity. 

Construction (land-based structures) 

Dock and float works (including maintenance) 

Filling (adding fill to a site) 

Dike works 

Bridge works 

Marina (new) 

Vegetation management (removal, planting or transplanting) 

Rip-rap (shoreline stabilization) 

Dredging 

Outfalls (sewer, stormwater) 

Boat Launch (new or maintenance) 

Demolition (structures) 

Pollution prevention/cleanup 

Contaminant remediation (including remedial dredging) 

Drilling (substrate) 

Event (singular or occasion activity on foreshore, e.g. sandcastle competition)

2011 BIEAP Coordinated Environmental Review 

In 2011 the Burrard Environmental 

Review Committee (BERC) processed 

a total of 52 projects, comprising 31 

Track 1s and 21 Track 2s. This amounts 

to 13 fewer projects reviewed by 

BERC compared with 2010. BERC also 

completed reviews of an additional 

seven Track 2 projects carried over from 

previous years. 

The lead agency role for Port Metro Vancouver (PMV) decreased by 22% in 2011 compared with 2010. Only 29% of 

projects were referred to BERC by PMV as Track 2 projects. This is lower than in previous years and is reflective of a 

significant proportion of projects being referred to BERC from the False Creek and West Vancouver areas, which are 

generally not within Port Metro Vancouver’s jurisdiction. Other construction projects occurred along Belcarra Bay but 

did not involve in-water works; therefore, BERC’s major role was in informing permitting processes administered by 

municipalities. Of the 21 Track 2 Projects referred to BERC, six occurred within the City of Vancouver, four within the 

City of North Vancouver and Port Moody, and the remainder in West Vancouver and the Village of Belcarra. 

No. of projects 

10 

8 

6 

4 

2 

0 

New Developments 

Track 2 Project Types and Proponent 

Interest Groups in 2011 

20 

Maintenance 

Renewal 

Project type 

Exploratory/Testing 

Event 

Residential 

Civil 

Commercial 

BERC 15 (71%) 

VFPA 6 (29%) 

Lead Agency Distribution of BERC 2011 Track 2 Projects. 

Project Distribution 

In 2011, 11 projects were initiated by commercial 

entities, comprising five maintenance projects 

and three new developments. There were 

three projects initiated by private interests and 

involved the construction of waterfront homes. 

Civil projects included upgrades to BC Hydro’s 

Burrard Generating Station, Lynn Creek trail 

construction in North Vancouver, installation of 

a non-motorized boat launch in False Creek by 

the City of Vancouver and removal of the Jericho 

Wharf and restoration of the natural beach profile 

in its location. Isolated ‘events’ included filming 

near Cates Park and Indian Arm, and the transfer 

of a house onto a barge in West Vancouver for 

transportation by sea.

There were a total of 11 activity types represented in BERC 2011 project applications. The most 

common activities were general construction on the waterfront, and work on docks and floats. 

Construction activities included seawall installation, demolition activities and home construction 

in the Belcarra area, trail construction in North Vancouver and the establishment of a boat fuelling 

facility in False Creek, including the upland installation of fuel tanks. 

Maintenance to docks and floats included two facilities in False Creek and one at Seaspan, 

North Vancouver. Additionally, a major upgrade to the Seabus marina in False Creek was proposed. 

Environmental benefits were achieved through BERC’s requirement for shoreline construction 

activities to have regard for Fisheries and Oceans Canada policy of, where possible, leaving existing 

vegetation in place along the high water mark for construction projects. Full restoration of the 

natural beach profile following the removal of Jericho Wharf was also a requirement resulting from 

project review. 

In 2011, of the 21 projects referred to BERC, 18 reviews were completed and two projects were 

placed ‘on-hold’ due to BERC requiring proponents to provide further information. One project was 

referred very late in the year with review carrying over into 2012. Of the 18 completed reviews, 

16 reviews (89%) were completed within the 30-day review target. 


21 

7 

6 

5 

4 

3 

2 

1 

0 

Construction 

Dock/Floats 

Dredging 

Events 

Boat Launch 

Demolition 

Activity Type 

Filling 

BERC Total Activity Types Represented in 2011 Track 2 Project Applications 

Private/Residential 

Civil 

Commercial 

Marina 

Outfalls 

Rip-rap 

Vegetation Management

2011 FREMP Coordinated Environmental Review 

In 2011 the FREMP Environmental Review Committee (ERC) processed 

a total of 101 projects, 64 of which were Track 1s and 37 were Track 2s. 

This is six fewer projects processed compared with 2010 but 24 more than 

2009. The FREMP ERC also completed reviews of a further six projects 

carried over from previous years. 

Of the 37 Track 2 projects submitted to FREMP, 32 projects had FREMP as 

the lead agency. This is reflective of projects whereby the municipalities 

have the final permitting role, namely shoreline construction activities on 

fee simple land. In these cases, the role of project review is to inform the 

municipality’s permitting process. Only five Track 2 projects were referred 

by Port Metro Vancouver. 

Fifteen FREMP-referred projects occurred within the Corporation of Delta, six within the City of Surrey 

and three within the City of Richmond. 

Port Metro Vancouver referred five projects to the FREMP ERC for works under Port permitting jurisdiction. 

This constituted 13% of total projects reviewed by the FREMP ERC. PMV was also the proponent for a project 

involving geotechnical investigation at Roberts Bank in relation to potential future expansion of the Port’s 

container capacity. Per the BERC experience, the FREMP review process in 2011 most frequently informed 

permitting of other non-FREMP ERC agencies, such as municipalities which issue building permits for shoreline 

developments on fee simple property. 


16 

14 

12 

10 

8 

6 

4 

2 

0 

New Development 

Track 2 Project Types and Proponent 

Interest Groups in 2011 

22 

Maintenance 

Renewal 

Project type 

Exploratory/Testing 

Event 

Conservation 

Residential 

Civil 

Commercial 

FREMP ERC 32 (87%) 

VFPA 5 (13%) 

Lead Agency Distribution of 

FREMP ERC 2011 Track 2 Projects. 

Project Distribution 

FREMP ERC project proposals were dominated by 

commercial and civil interests, with 15 projects in 

total emanating from government agencies and 16 

from the commercial sector. Private residential projects 

constituted five proposals. Of the total projects, 

41% qualified as new developments while 35% 

were proposals to undertake maintenance to existing 

structures and facilities. Proposals generated for the 

specific purpose of renewal, primarily came from civil 

interests and included the improvement of drainage 

systems on agricultural land, and the installation of 

a rainwater infiltration wetland. The ‘event’ recorded 

in this category involved an application to have a 

community gathering at White Rock Beach and loading 

of a house onto a barge for transportation by sea.


10 

9 

8 

7 

6 

5 

4 

3 

2 

1 

0 

The 37 Track 2 projects covered a total of 14 activity types. Construction was the most common activity, 

constituting nine projects, which included numerous private and commercial shoreline developments. 

Proposals involving drilling were the second most common applications made to the FREMP ERC 

and included two exploratory testing projects on Roberts Bank in connection with PMV’s feasibility 

assessments for expansion of the Roberts Bank facility (Deltaport). Dredging projects mostly involved 

maintenance dredging of marinas and berthing facilities, as well as one project to deepen and 

widen the Tri-Mac Channel, located in the Fraser River between Deas Island and Tilbury Island. 

The environmental review process for the new Milltown Marina in Richmond Slough was 

the major new marina application made to FREMP in 2011. 

Of the 37 proposals referred to the FREMP ERC in 2011, 34 reviews were completed by the end of 

2011, 32 of which were completed within 30 business days (94%). Two projects requiring Canadian 

Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) referral and First Nations consultation were carried over into 

2012. One project was placed on hold due to the proponent requiring approval from the BC Ministry 

regarding the establishment of a right-of-way. 

Construction 

FREMP ERC Total Activity Types Represented in 2011 Track 2 Project Applications 

23 

Drilling 

Outfalls 

Dike Works 

Dock/Floats 

Dredging 

Event 

Vegetation Management 

Activity Type 

Bridge Works 

Boat Launch 

Demolition 

Conservation Group 

Private/Residential 

Civil 

Commercial 

Filling 

Marina 

Rip-rap

24 

Conclusion 



Project review in 2011 saw a decline in Track 2 project applications from 2010 

with 11 fewer referrals to BERC and eight fewer referrals to the FREMP ERC. 

Track 1 project referrals from Port Metro Vancouver remained around the same 

levels as 2010. The vast majority of projects were reviewed within 30 business 

days and up to 85% of projects were reviewed within 15 business days of 

being received by the FREMP ERC and 55% within 15 days for BERC. 

Differences between activity types for BERC and FREMP ERC reflect the major 

differences between a river system (Fraser) and a marine inlet. The Fraser 

River with its many tributaries and mixed demography of business, industry, 

recreation and private interests along its shores, inherently has a broader 

range of activity types represented than the BIEAP area, which is dominated 

by commercial Port facilities. However, upland construction initiated by private 

interests was the most common activity type referred to the ERCs in both 

areas. Particularly effective is the requirement placed on would-be shoreline 

developers by the Corporation of Delta who mandatorily require a proponent 

to have a FREMP review undertaken prior to their releasing of any building 

permits. Broader adoption of this referral process by municipalities in the 

BIEAP and FREMP areas would help to ensure that shoreline developments 

are consistent with current best practices for environmental protection. 

Further to coordinating the Track 2 project review process, the Project 

Review Coordinator provided information and support to partner agencies 

and municipalities outlining the project review processes and fielded more 

than 400 phone calls relating to a variety of Fraser River and Burrard Inlet 

environmental issues and project related enquiries.

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The BIEAP and FREMP Office is open 

between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, 

Monday to Friday. Services available 

to the public include a variety of 

information brochures, reports, maps 

and reference materials, computer 

digital maps and databases, 

and project files. 

We are located at: 

Suite 501 – 5945 Kathleen Avenue 

Burnaby, BC V5H 4J7 

604 775 5756 Phone 

604 431 6739 Fax 

mail@bieapfremp.org 

www.bieapfremp.org

Annual Report - BIEAP FREMP 2011/2012 - the BIEAP and FREMP ...

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