Sep 24, 2018 - Islands Trust Calls on Ottawa to Reduce and Ultimately Eliminate Freighter Anchorages

Extracted text (beginning)

Bowen, Denman, Gabriola, Galiano, Gambier, Hornby, Lasqueti, Mayne, N. Pender, Salt Spring, Saturna, S. Pender, Thetis 
 
 
News Release 
200 - 1627 Fort Street Victoria BC  V8R 1H8 
Telephone  250.405.5151 FAX:  250.405.5155 
Toll Free via Enquiry BC in Vancouver 604.660.2421.  Elsewhere in BC 1.800.663.7867 
information@islandstrust.bc.ca     www.islandstrust.bc.ca 
 
September 24, 2018 2018-10-IT 
 
Islands Trust Calls on Ottawa to Reduce and Ultimately Eliminate Freighter Anchorages 
VICTORIA – At its September meeting, the Islands Trust Council called on the federal government to work towards 
eliminating the use of 33 commercial freighter anchorages throughout the Southern Gulf Islands, an area Transport 
Canada refers to as the South Coast of British Columbia. 
 
Over the past 10 years, the number of coal, grain and break bulk cargo ships anchoring in the Gulf Islands region while 
waiting to access the Port of Vancouver has increased dramatically. Residents have had enough of the increased number 
of vessels, the increasing size of these vessels and the longer periods of time that ships spend at anchor. Ships end up 
sitting at anchor due to a lack of sufficient port infrastructure and long-standing supply chain problems. While at anchor 
these ships generate significant amounts of unnecessary noise, light, and air pollution. There are many local concerns 
about the potential risks these vessels pose to the marine environment, marine species, and oil spills. 
 
Industry and government predict anchorage use will continue to increase unless the federal government and the Port of 
Vancouver implement solutions. For ten years, the Islands Trust has worked collaboratively with industry and the federal 
government on resolving anchorage issues. The Islands Trust has asked for a twenty-year mitigation plan that would 
reduce the need for vessels to go to anchor. 
 
“It’s time to send a clear message: Canada’s long-term vision for shipping should not include commercial freighter 
anchorages in the Southern Gulf Islands,” explained Islands Trust Council Chair, Peter Luckham. “Enormous freighters are 
regularly anchored near rural island communities and in sensitive marine habitats because industry, railways and 
government have failed to adequately plan and invest in infrastructure for the predicted growth of exports. With the 
federal government reviewing Canadian port authorities and potentially amending the Canada Marine Act and the 
Canada Shipping Act, we are asking for federal leadership on the anchorages file that will prioritize marine protection and 
the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whale population, and ensure quality of life for coastal residents.” 
 
In its statement calling upon the federal government to take all measures possible to reduce and ultimately eliminate the 
use of these anchorages, the Islands Trust Council raised issues related to lack of consultation; lack of attention to First 
Nations rights and title; the nois

First 3,000 characters. Open the original for the whole document.