Trees have come down and a makeshift road constructed from planks has been placed just next to Richmond Nature Park – along the east side of Highway 99 – as the Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation (VAFFC) builds a new jet-fuel pipeline to service the airport.
The 13-kilometre-long pipeline, which will run from the south arm of the Fraser River to the airport, is expected to be completed by late 2021.
The land where the pipeline is being constructed is on provincial land, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Not acceptable! Acres of natural peatland bog has been clearcut overnight in the #RichmondBC Nature Park for the #jetfuel pipeline to #YVR. The airlines way of celebrating #WorldWildlifeDay? pic.twitter.com/KLtpfbiSPN
— Michael Wolfe (@bogberry) March 5, 2020
According to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, the work being done is within the highway right-of-way and not in Richmond Nature Park.
Richmond city spokesperson Clay Adams pointed out the city has always opposed the project but has no jurisdiction over it.
“We have sought to ensure minimal impacts to the Richmond Nature Park area through the environmental assessment process and seek ongoing assurances from VAFFC and the provincial agencies that all environmental protection and restoration requirements are and will be addressed,” he added.
The VAFFC, a consortium of oil companies, said the pipeline needed to be constructed because of increased demand, saying trucks currently need to bring in 70 truckloads of fuel every day to service the airport.
In addition to the pipeline construction, tanks at the fuel-receiving facility are under construction and in-water and foreshore work is underway at the marine terminal.
The pipeline crossing construction across the Moray Channel between Lulu Island and Sea Island is also underway and will continue until the end of March, according a schedule posted by VAFFC.
Construction with local noise and some traffic disruption is expected on Bridgeport and River Road, on Francis between Ecowaste Landfill to Highway 99, and on No. 6 Road and Sidaway Road.
Construction from Francis Road to Bridgeport Road is expected to continue until mid-June.
