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The company aiming to build a new coal export terminal in Surrey has at least for now abandoned its court challenge of Metro Vancouver's power to regulate industrial air pollution.

Fraser Surrey Docks had challenged Metro's jurisdiction over air quality after it contested a $1,000 ticket Metro issued for the release of soybean dust while loading ships two years ago.

The legal dispute had raised fears that Metro might lose its authority to control industrial emissions from any federal lands, not just at Fraser Surrey Docks, which argued it answers only to Port Metro Vancouver.

But the case ended quietly June 11 when Fraser Surrey Docks paid the fine and dropped the challenge.

"We paid the ticket just to focus our priorities and resources on other areas," Fraser Surrey Docks CEO Jeff Scott said. "We still have some clarity concerns around the jurisdiction. We still believe the port is our regulator."