Question Period Note: 84th Avenue Connector Project

84th Avenue Connector Project

My department is committed to conserving and protecting Canada’s fish and fish habitat, and administering the fish and fish habitat protection provisions of the Fisheries Act.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is aware of the 84th Avenue Connector project and will continue to work with the City of Surrey to assess potential impacts to fish and fish habitat associated with the project in order to ensure they are avoided, mitigated, or offset.

This project remains under review and no decisions under the Fisheries Act have been made at this time as to its approval.

• Under the Fisheries Act, works, undertakings or activities that may cause the death of fish by means other than fishing or the harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat are prohibited unless otherwise authorized under the Act.
• Consequently, proponents of projects who wish to work in or near water often apply to the Department for an authorization pursuant to the Fisheries Act if it is believed that their project could impact fish or fish habitat. The Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program (FFHPP) leads the reviews of these projects within the Department.
• When it is deemed that authorization under the Fisheries Act is required, FFHPP works with project proponents to ensure that impacts to fish and fish habitat are avoided, mitigated, or offset prior to an authorization being issued.
• The Department has reviewed a submission by the City of Surrey in relation to road works for the 84th Avenue connector project including work on a culvert at King Creek and construction of a clear span bridge over Bear Creek. Following its review, FFHPP has notified the city that it may either redesign the work to avoid impacts to fish or fish habitat or apply for an authorization under the Fisheries Act. The Department awaits a response from the City.
• The project is contentious within the community due to potential impacts to Bear Creek park and it generates local media attention.

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