SECTION 5

EIA METHODOLOGY

Environmental Assessment Certificate Application for the RichmondAirportVancouver Rapid Transit Project

EIA Methodology

The EIA methodology employed for the RAV Project was developed based on requirements defined in BCEAA and CEAA, with input from the BCEAO, the Biophysical/Technical Working Group and the Socio-Economic/Community Working Group. During the Pre-Application stage, RAVCo developed study terms of reference and retained specialist consultants to undertake the following: Fisheries and Aquatic Habitat Assessment Terrestrial Biophysical Assessment Socio-economic/Socio-Community Assessment Screening Level Contaminated Sites Assessment Air Quality Assessment Noise Assessment Electric and Magnetic Fields Assessment Archaeological Impact Assessment Historical and Heritage Assessment.

In addition, in June 2003, RAVCo retained Arbortech Consultants Ltd. to conduct an arboricultural survey and assessment of existing trees located within four sections of the proposed RAV Project corridor, as follows: Richmond No. 3 Road medians from Westminster Highway to Bridgeport Road; Vancouver International Airport Trees in corridor from Templeton Street to the Airport terminal; Vancouver Cambie Street median from SW Marine Drive to King Edward Avenue; and, Vancouver Cambie Street boulevards (same portion as above).

The purpose of this study, which was carried out in conjunction with the terrestrial biophysical assessment, was to conduct a baseline inventory and assess the condition of trees along these sections of the RAV corridor. SECTIONS 6 TO 15 present impact assessment results based on reports prepared by the specialist subconsultants in each of the disciplines listed above. Spatial boundaries described in each of the reports vary somewhat, depending on the characteristics of the resources being assessed. In general, however, the study

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Environmental Assessment Certificate Application for the RichmondAirportVancouver Rapid Transit Project

boundaries are defined as the project area which includes the RAV corridor, as shown in SECTION 2: FIGURE 2.1, with a footprint width of approximately 100 m. The assessment of project impacts focused on components of the local environment that are of ecological, cultural, scientific, socio-economic and/or aesthetic importance, including VECs. A summary of ecosystem components identified during the course of these assessments is provided in SECTION 16.2.2. Also presented in SECTION 16 are the results of a cumulative environmental effects analysis for construction and operation of the RAV Project. An accidents and malfunctions analysis and an evaluation of the effects of the environment on the project are presented in SECTION 17 and 18, respectively. A summary of the environmental assessment findings, including potential health effects, is provided in SECTION 19.

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