October 12, 1988 News 985-2131 Classified 986-6222 Distribution 986-1337 56 pages 25¢

CRITICS CHARGE TRANSPORT § TUDY IS_ INADEQUATE

THE NEWLY-released study of dangerous goods transpor-
tation in the Lower Mainland provides the most com-
prehensive look to date at the controversial issue of shipping
such goods through North Shore and Vancouver waterfront

areas.

While critics charge the study
did not go far cnough in coming
up with adequately specific infor-
mation about local dangerous
goods movement and production
or concrete alternatives to deal
with the redirection of the increas-
ing loads of the various hazardous
products, the report does offer a
snapshot overview of local haz-
ardous goods transport activity.

The transportation
infrastructure currently in
place saw an estimated 2,3
million tonnes of
dangerous goods carried
through North Vancouver
in 1986.

The study, compiled between
April 1987 and June 1988, was
carried out by federal, provincial,
and municipal agencies; fire and
police departments; dangerous
goods producers, users and trans-
porters; industrial and labor
organizations; public advocacy
groups and concerned citizens.

But said North Vancouver fed-
eral Liberal candidate James Hat-
ton, who is calling for greater
disclosure regarding the transpor-
tation of dangerous goods, ‘‘The
report itself states that North Van-
couverites’ greatest concerns are
for the amounts of hazardous
goods produced and transported
here and the provisions made for
handling emergencies. Unfortu-
nately, even with this report, we
still do not have this essential in-
formation.”

North Vancouver-Burnaby MP
Chuck Cook noted that while the
study team concluded the transport
of dangerous goods was generally
safe, improvements could be made
in modal operations, in training
personne! and in emergency
Tesponse.

North Vancouver District Mayor
Marilyn Baker, who provided in-
put into the study as deputy
chairman of the GVRD transpor-
tation of dangerous goods sub-
committee, praised the  study’s

By MICHAEL BECKER

News Reporter

recommendation that) a central
emergency response training facili-
ty be established at an institution
such as the North Vancouver-
based Pacific Marine Training In-
stitute.

But she blasted the impact of
“unilateral decisions made by the
Vancouver Port Corporation to
develop a container terminal on
the south side of Burrard Inlet in
an area that includes the Burl-
ington Northern terminal, which
handles the bulk of dangerous
goods handled from the port's
south shore, including liquified
petroleum gas from North Van-
couver,

Said Baker, ‘‘The question sticks
out like a sore thumb. In my
estimation, all of the parties in-
volved can't be making unilateral
decisions without addressing the
consequences and thinking through
the iinpact.’’

The transportation infrastruc-
ture currently in place saw an
estimated 2.3 million tonnes of
dangerous goods carried through
North Vancouver in 1986. The
figure includes tonnages from rail,
marine and road transport and
represents the second highest vol-
ume moved through Lower
Mainland municipalities for the
year. West Vancouver recorded
approximately 153,000 tonnes for
the same year. Burnaby had the
highest with approximately 2.87
million tonnes.

According to the study, the gov-
ernment wharf at Horseshoe Bay
handles explosives and B.C, Fer-
ties is listed as a carrier of miscel-
laneous dangerous goods. The
rail-serviced Seaspan barge ramp
on the North Vancouver Burrard
Inlet waterfront transports by tug
and barge goods including
anhydrous ammonia, chlorine,
sulphuric acid, sodium chlorate,
sulphur dioxide, and caustic soda.
Nearby Vancouver Wharves ships
dichlorobenzene, methanol and

See Spills

NEWS Photo Cindy Bollay