Consultation on coal
Texada Quarrying Ltd. (TQ) is planning to host a public consultation on its application to the provincial government to expand coal storage on Texada Island.
Lafarge Canada Inc., the company which owns TQ, has filed an application with ministry of energy, mines and natural gas to more than double the amount of coal it currently stockpiles.
The project is part of a proposal by Fraser Surrey Docks to build coal-handling facilities within its existing terminal operations that would allow for the direct transfer of coal from trains to barges. The barges would carry coal to TQ through the Sabine Channel, located between Texada and Lasqueti islands, where it would be transferred to deep-sea vessels for export to Asia.
The quarry has three individual loading facilities and a material staging and stockpiling area that is about four hectares in size located at the northwest end of Texada. The plan would increase the area to approximately six hectares. The amount of coal the company stockpiles would increase to roughly 800,000 tonnes.
The application outlines the expansion and also addresses potential environmental impacts through a stormwater management plan which would include developing water infiltration ponds to allow stormwater runoff to seep into the ground instead of flowing directly into creeks and the ocean.
The ministry gave the public 30 days to submit written comments on the company’s application. That period expired today, Friday, July 19.
In addition to the provincial government, Powell River Regional District (PRRD) has also received a number of letters from area residents concerned about the expansion plans.
At the PRRD planning committee meeting held Tuesday, July 16, the committee resolved to pass the letters along to TQ so that the company can address public concerns.
TQ’s general manager Andre Balfe commented to the Peak that the company will organize a public consultation on Texada Island in August. The company’s application is available here.
