Second Narrows dredging project in critical habitat for orcas

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 

Hello Karl,

Orcas, already an endangered species, are facing yet another industrial threat to their fragile habitat.

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is proposing the Second Narrows Dredging Project, which would deepen and alter parts of the channel east of the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge to improve shipping efficiency and allow vessels to load more fully, including those from the Trans Mountain pipeline terminal.

Dredging – the underwater excavation and removal of sediments and debris – disturbs contaminated sediments, re-exposing habitat to historical pollution. The Burrard Inlet connects directly to critical habitat for the endangered Southern Resident killer whale — a population already struggling due to vessel noise, declining salmon stocks, and toxic pollution.

The Port Authority is accepting public comments until March 22, 2026, as part of its environmental review process.

Will you join me in opposing this project by submitting a comment?

Submitting a comment only takes a few minutes, and we’ve drafted a message you can personalize. When decision-makers review this project, they need to hear clearly that communities expect stronger protections for marine life and our climate.

We’re already raising alarms about the expansion of the Tilbury LNG facility in Delta, and the steady increase in tanker traffic through the Salish Sea. This dredging proposal would further industrialize these waters and lock in more fossil fuel infrastructure for decades to come, increasing the pressure on these already stressed waters.

This is our opportunity to clearly say: this project poses serious and lasting harm.

But we have a chance to oppose this project — if we act now. We know that public pressure works, but only if we show up together!

Add your voice right now and tell the Port Authority to reject the project.

Thank you Karl, for being a part of this movement – and for always being ready to take on what others have thought impossible. Thanks to your action, monthly gifts, and support, together we’ve worked tirelessly to shift B.C. toward a safe, just, and sustainable future, and we’re never backing down.

With resolve,  

Anna Barford

Oceans Campaigner

Stand earth

Stand.earth delivers large-scale change by interrupting the systems that create environmental and climate crises, and challenging corporations and governments to treat people and the planet with respect.

San Francisco office: 548 Market Street, Suite 74196, San Francisco, CA 94104-5401
On traditional Chochenyo and Karkin Ohlone Lands

Bellingham office: 1329 N State St., Bellingham, WA 98225
On traditional Lummi and Nooksack Lands

Vancouver office: 5307 Victoria Drive, Suite 347, Vancouver, BC V5P 3V6
On Unceded Territories of the səl̓ílwətaʔɬ, xʷməθkwəy̓əm, and Skwxwú7mesh Nations