Environmental review ordered for Roberts Bank port expansion

An independent panel will review plans by Port Metro Vancouver to build a major shipping-container facility in Delta.

The port wants to build a three-berth, marine-container facility next to the existing Deltaport and Westshore terminals that can handle an additional 2.4 million units every year atRoberts Bank. Current capacity is 1.8 million units.

Federal Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaqsays the panel will have 14 months to submit a report to the minister, who will have five months to make a decision.

She says she made the decision because of concerns raised by the public and First Nations and after considering the terminal's potential for significant adverse environmental effects.

With files from The Canadian Press