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The Berth Two and Lynn Creek Estuary Offset Project - PER #21-068

About the Project

There are two parts to the project – our Berth Two equipment replacement and the Lynn Creek Estuary habitat enhancement.

The Berth Two activities include:

  • Removing and replacing the existing potash shiploaders and related conveyor systems with new equipment that is similar in design and function to what exists today.
     
  • Rebuilding the shiploader pivot  to strengthen the foundation.
     
  • Reinforcing the berth foundations with 28 in-water and 24 upland piles using hydraulic impact hammers to bolster the current marine structures.

While marine habitat impacts have been minimized as much as possible, Neptune will also complete a habitat enhancement project at the Lynn Creek Estuary, which is approximately one kilometre east of the terminal and is within port authority jurisdiction.

The Lynn Creek Estuary activities include:

  • Adding small to medium-sized rock at the estuary opening to improve marine habitat for juvenile salmon and vegetation.
     
  • In partnership with the University of British Columbia, propagating and planting bull kelp in the estuary to further improve the broader marine ecosystem. This is an initiative that has been underway since 2023.
     
Project Timeline Public Engagement & Consideration Report Learn More
Neptune Lynn Creek Project Overview

Project Timeline

Berth Two construction will start in mid-October 2025 and continue for 32 months through to the end of 2028. Lynn Creek Estuary activities will be completed over four weeks starting in November 2025 and finishing by-mid December 2025. 

Most construction activities will take place within regular daytime construction hours (Monday to Saturday, 7am to 8pm). As part of its permit, NBT has permission for extended hours as some construction activities may be required to occur outside of standard daytime hours. If extended hours are required, notice will be sent to those who have signed up for project construction updates. 

To sign up for updates, please use the form at the bottom of the page.
 

Project Details

Traffic

Construction activity will require vehicles to transport equipment, supplies and construction personnel, with site access either from the existing Low Level Road or by barge. Offsite parking and shuttle buses will be used to transport personnel with crew shifts staggered to off-peak hours New equipment modular construction, existing equipment demolition and recycling will occur offsite.

As a result, we anticipate minimal impact to our adjacent residential, industrial, commercial neighbours, or vessel traffic

Noise

Noise levels at both sites will be closely monitored to ensure construction activity does not result in a noticeable increase to average existing noise levels.

The removal of the existing of the shiploader and related conveyors, as well as the pile driving activities will be the primary sources of noise during construction. Neptune will limit impact pile driving to the standard port authority construction days and hours and will use a variety of methods to further minimize noise.

Neptune will also follow noise reduction best practices for the Lynn Creek estuary marine activities.

Neptune has three (two offsite and one onsite) noise monitoring stations that will be active throughout construction and also has a comprehensive process in place to notify teams, investigate and address noise concerns, including identifying the noise source – whether from construction activities, existing operations or something else – and putting appropriate mitigations in place. 

Lighting

In most cases, additional lighting will not be required as the majority of construction activities will happen during daytime hours. When additional lighting is needed for safe work practices, dark sky compliant lighting  will be used to limit light spread beyond work areas.

Air Quality

During construction, proactive steps will be taken to minimize the potential for air quality impacts, including restricting vehicle and equipment idling, using generators, covering material loads, using only vibratory and hydraulic impact piling equipment, and maintaining the use of site-wide dust control suppression and monitoring.

Neptune also has ongoing monitoring in place in ensure continued compliance with its Metro Vancouver air quality permit. 

 

 

Marine Habitat

Through engineering and project design, marine habitat impacts have been minimized.

During construction at Berth Two, barges and barge-mounted equipment will be used to remove, transport and install materials and infrastructure, and Neptune will have a number of mitigations in place, which are fully detailed within the port authority-approved Berth Two Construction Environmental Management Plan.

Lynn Creek estuary activities will be fully marine-based. During construction, barges and barge-mounted equipment will be used to transport and place materials in the designated project area with kelp planted by hand. A separate Lynn Creek Estuary Construction Environmental Management Plan has also been developed and approved by the port authority.
 

Future Operations

Once construction is complete, there will be no anticipated incremental impacts to traffic, rail activity, vessel activity, noise, air quality or light as the project is intended to replace existing equipment and positively enhance the Lynn Creek Estuary marine habitat. 

Want to Learn More?

Looking to learn more about the project? A number of reports are listed below and available for review.

You can also learn more about where potash comes from and how it is used today in About Us. 
Have additional questions? Please contact us.

Neptune Terminals
community_questions@neptuneterminals.com | 604.983.7935
 

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