The Editor,
Re: Richmond’s Sturgeon Bank eroding at an alarming rate,” News Aug. 1
Sturgeon Bank is part of a designated Wildlife Management Area which is managed by the provincial Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations and is located within Port Metro Vancouver’s area of navigational jurisdiction. Port Metro Vancouver (PMV) has been working with the province, the City of Richmond, regulators, First Nations and other stakeholders to proactively investigate and understand potential factors that may be causing erosion at Sturgeon Bank between the main arm and middle arm of the Fraser River.
PMV established a committee to investigate the issues, opportunities, benefits and challenges related to potentially restoring marsh habitat, which could have benefits for fish and birds, as well as flood protection. It is important to note that the cause of erosion on Sturgeon Bank is complex and cannot be attributed solely to dredging. It is equally important to note that dredging is done to maintain the depth of navigation channels for ship passage, and is not undertaken for the purposes of obtaining fill.
The main mechanism for erosion is the reduction of sediment reaching Sturgeon Bank which would have commenced in the early 1900s with the construction of the dykes and jetties around Richmond. Other contributing factors may include changes in snow goose grazing, water salinity, sediment disturbance, chemical oceanographic processes and indirect effects from dredging.
Committed to environmental stewardship and sustainability, PMV recognizes the value of habitat enhancement, flood protection and existing recreational values at Sturgeon Bank ...and is working to develop potential next steps to collect more information.
Duncan Wilson
Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility,
Port Metro Vancouver
