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Canadian Environment Minister Peter Kent last week announced that the proposed Fairview Terminal Phase II Expansion project at the Port of Prince Rupert likely won't cause significant adverse environmental effects if certain mitigation measures described in a comprehensive study are implemented.

The minister — who considered the study and submitted public comments when making his decision — referred the project back to Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada and the Canadian Transportation Agency for appropriate action, he said in a prepared statement.

CN and the Prince Rupert Port Authority propose to expand the existing Fairview Terminal at the British Columbia port to quadruple annual capacity to 2 million 20-foot equivalent units. The project includes an extension of the wharf structure and expansion of an onshore terminal. As part of the project, CN plans to construct two sidings, a maintenance road and wye track to boost terminal throughput capacity.

If permitted to proceed to the next phase, the project will continue to be subject to Canada's "strong environmental laws, rigorous enforcement and follow up, and increased fines," said Kent.