Calming the waters in Podunk

The good folks in Podunk are calming down a bit this week, after a weekend of tension and fears for the latest project of renewal for the community. The latest announcement from the Prince Rupert Port Corporation that the Environmental Assessment has been signed off on by the Federal Government and some preliminary construction is set to take place, has taken a bit of the anxiety out of the air in the city.

Though the original hot button issue, the resolution of land issues with First Nations has not been resolved as yet, there seems to be some movement there as well. Hopeful signs, that it too may find a successful conclusion. A situation that gives everyone a bit of time to settle down and hold back on all the rhetoric.

The announcement of potential court action over the project by First Nations, sent everyone into a bit of a tizzy last week. Flame wars on local computer bulletin boards and anxious letter to the editor writers were the rule of the last few days. Some of the comments were constructive, but much of the commentary proved to provide no solutions and only tended to exacerbate the increasingly tense situation.

With a bit of luck, cooler heads will prevail all around and this bump in the path to economic rebirth will quickly smooth out.

The Daily News carried a story in Tuesday's edition outlining the developments of late and the timetable for the initial phase of the project. As we have done since the issue first appeared on the radar, we shall podunkicize the Daily News story for the benefit of those that missed it or don't get the Daily.

FEDS GIVE THUMBS UP TO PORT CONSTRUCTION
Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
January 24, 2006
Pages 1 and 5

The Prince Rupert Port Authority has been granted its Environmental Assessment permit to proceed with construction on the Fairview Container Terminal, allowing the construction to begin and the project to proceed in a timely fashion.

However, the question of First Nations consultation and accommodation remains.

Gary Reece, chief councilor for Lax Kw’alaams, said they expect to hear from the Conservatives, following statements made by John Reynolds, co-chair of the Conservative campaign, on behalf of Stephen Harper during the election.

“They need to take rights and title seriously,” said Reece, “I believe they will, I think we are going to be hearing from them.”

Given the results of the election, Reece indicated they would hold off on the legal action until discussions occur with the new government.

Western Economic Diversification has put forward an offer; however the federal government’s most recent legal position is that the First Nations only have the rights to consult about .72 hectares of new construction at the end of the dock. Transport Canada also didn’t get involved in the negotiations until late in the game, October 2005. Reece said they hope to get back to the negotiating table to discuss their options.

“We’d rather be negotiating than going to court,” he said.

On Friday, in an interview with the Daily News, Reynolds said they would attempt to get back to the negotiating table in an effort to see the project move forward. The project is a high priority for the Conservatives as part of developing a Pacific Gateway to Asia.

Meanwhile, Don Krusel president and CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority, said the first part of construction will happen in Vancouver, where steel pilings will be welded together and then barged up the coast. Physical activity at the site should begin in three to four weeks.

“We are pleased to be in a position to proceed and see construction commence on the new terminal,” said Krusel. “This is a significant first step in the construction program. The construction of the container terminal in Prince Rupert is now progressing and the terminal is expected to be operational in the third quarter of 2007.”

A joint venture partnership of Fraser River Pile and Dredge and Western Industrial Contractors has been selected to complete wharf construction, which is the first contract relating to the terminal development.

The marine portion of the Fairview Terminal conversion consists of extending the current dock face out into deep water through the construction of a new berth that will eventually be 400 metres long. This new wharf will extend 20 metres into the channel to a minimum water depth of 17 metres, sufficient to accommodate the next generation of super post-panamax ships. The new wharf upgrades will support the installation of three super post-panamax container cranes. It is expected to cost $110 million, one third of the construction budget.

Western Industrial Contractors of Prince George will carry out the concrete and civil work on the marine portion of the project. The company will construct both the new deck and the structure to carry the new rails for the three large container cranes to be installed at the terminal.

Fraser River Pile and Dredge will complete the pile driving and marine-related work.

CN Rail was also pleased to see the port proceed with construction. The rail company has committed $30 million toward the project.

“This is good news for shippers, who will gain from the terminal a new North American Gateway for goods moving between Asia and the principal markets of Canada and the United States,’ said Hunter Harrison, president and CEO of CN Rail.

The tenders for the civil portion of the project should be awarded by February, followed by the building and electrical contract.

A report, the Prince Rupert/Port Edward Container Port Business Opportunities, found that Phase 1 of the development (expected to be completed in early 2007 with a capacity of 500,000 standard size containers (TEU’s), there will be 1,025 person years of direct and indirect construction jobs. Other employment impacts include jobs at the terminal (150) jobs, jobs at a container port servicing businesses and a variety of indirect jobs (135).

As for government negotiations with First Nations, Steve Rhodes, manager of strategic initiatives and intergovernmental affairs for Western Economic Diversification has made a formal offer to the First Nations that is still on the table.
Although they can’t get into the specifics, it addresses issues of employment, employment training and economic development as well as an offer to talk about involving First Nations in the decision making process with the port.