RDATE:25072008

Ministry of Environment

VICTORIA - The Ministry of Transportation (the proponent) has received an environmental assessment certificate (EA) for the South Fraser Perimeter Road Project, which is part of the government's Gateway Program.

The project is a new four-lane, 80 km/h route along the south side of the Fraser River, extending from the Highway 17/Deltaport Way intersection in southwest Delta to 176^th Street in Surrey with connections to highways 1, 91 and 99, and TransLink's new Golden Ears Bridge connector.

Currently, there is no east-west transportation corridor to serve the port facilities, industrial sites and commuters on the south side of the Fraser River.

In addition to the provincial EA, the project also triggered an environmental assessment as a screening under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The EAO and federal agencies have undertaken a co-operative environmental assessment process in accordance with the Canada/British Columbia Agreement for Environmental Assessment Cooperation.

Based on its assessment report, EAO has concluded that effects from the project will be within acceptable levels, subject to implementation of mitigation measures and commitments agreed to by the proponent.

Environment Minister Barry Penner and Community Development Minister Blair Lekstrom made their decision to grant the EA certificate after considering the details of the harmonized review.

Before the project can proceed, the proponent must obtain the necessary provincial licences, leases and other approvals, as well as regulatory approvals from the federal authorities responsible (in this case, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Transport Canada).

The environmental assessment included approximately 140 commitments that the proponent must implement throughout various stages of the project. Key commitments include:

-- Ensure the design, construction and operation of the project complement long-term management objectives of the Burns Bog Ecological Conservation Area.

-- Implement measures to enhance agricultural productivity in Delta, such as improving existing drainage and irrigation networks and farm vehicle access within the ALR in Delta.

-- Provide an air quality and dust control plan to all relevant agencies prior to construction, and mitigate all noise and vibration impacts during design, construction and operation.

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-- Work with the Musqueam Indian Band and other interested First Nations to develop a mutually acceptable plan for the Glenrose/St. Mungo area, to preserve archaeological deposits during planning, design, construction and operation of the project.

-- Consult with local governments, stakeholders and the public during all stages of project development.

Capital costs are expected to be $1 billion, including $300 million for property acquisition and $700 million for construction. The project is expected to generate approximately 4,200 person-years of employment and contribute an estimated $387 million to the provincial gross domestic product.

More information on the environmental assessment certificate can be found at: www.eao.gov.bc.ca

CONTACT: Kate Thompson, Media Relations, Province of British Columbia Tel: +1 250 953 4577 WWW: http://www.gov.bc.ca

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