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Environmental Management A ssociation of B.C. February 20, 2014

Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline Project Presentation by Jeff Green, Steve Jasper and Linda Postlewaite. Environmental Management A ssociation of B.C. February 20, 2014. Overview. 1 The Project. 2 Regulatory Process. 3 Challenges. 4 Environmental Management and Protection.

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Environmental Management A ssociation of B.C. February 20, 2014

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  1. Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline ProjectPresentation by Jeff Green, Steve Jasper and Linda Postlewaite Environmental Management Association of B.C. February 20, 2014

  2. Overview 1The Project 2Regulatory Process 3Challenges 4Environmental Management and Protection 5 Closing Thoughts

  3. Northern Gateway One of the Largest Infrastructure Projects in Canada. 1

  4. Enbridge Northern Gateway Project • 1170 km long twin pipeline from Alberta to Kitimat British Columbia • 36” oil pipe carries 525,000 bbls/d west • 20” condensate pipe carries 193,000 BBLs/d east • Pipeline includes multiple pump stations, associated power lines, and access roads • Pipeline also includes two 13 m diameter bored tunnels with a combined length of 14 km • Pipeline ends at a 19 tank land terminal in Kitimat • Marine berth will handle Suezmax to VLCC tankers • Primary markets are Asia and western USA

  5. Specialized Pipeline Aspects • Routing • Tunnels to avoid difficult terrain • Use of thick walled pipe • Use of shut-off valves at major watercourse crossings • Variable depth burial relative to integrity risk • Use of containment structures in some areas • Regular smart pig inspection

  6. Kitimat Terminal

  7. Marine Transportation Routes

  8. Marine Transportation • Approximately 440 ship transits/year • Double hulled tankers • Laden vessels escorted by tethered tugs (CCAA) • All vessels have separate tug escort • New navigation systems and aids

  9. Regulatory Process 2

  10. Regulatory Drivers • National Energy Board (NEB) Act • Inter-provincial pipeline • Export of hydrocarbons • Canadian Environmental Assessment Act • Law List (DFO, NEB, Transport Canada) • Referral under Section 25 of CEAA to a Joint Review Panel (JRP): • 2 members from the NEB • 1 member from CEA Agency

  11. JRP for Northern Gateway Ken Bateman Sheila Leggett Hans Matthews

  12. Schedule and Milestones

  13. Schedule and Milestones cont’d • JRP Decision Report issued on 19 December 2013 • The JRP recommended approval of the Project subject to 209 conditions; specifically the JRP stated: “We have concluded that the project would be in the public interest. We find the project’s potential benefits for Canada and Canadians outweigh the potential burdens and risks.”

  14. Next Steps • Federal government now has 180 days to decide if it will accept the NEB’s recommendation. • During early 2014, CEA Agency will consult with First Nations on the JRP recommendations and conditions • Governor in Council can request that the JRP reconsider its recommendation or any of its terms or conditions. • If directed by GC, the NEB will issue a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. • The final conditions will form part of the CPCN.

  15. Next Steps • Once the CPCN is issued, NGP will still have to file and seek approval on a very large number of permits pertaining to: • Land tenure • Clearing and construction • Environmental protection, mitigation and compensation • Many of these will require consultation with Aboriginal groups and directly affected stakeholders (e.g., land owners, trappers, guides)

  16. TERMPOL • Transport Canada process for marine terminals and transportation • Completed process voluntarily by May 2011 • Accepted and approved by Transport Canada • TERMPOL documents submitted as supporting document to ESA

  17. Challenges 3

  18. Challenges Terrestrial Environment • 5 ecozones from Alberta to coastal BC • Different terrain and ecosystems Marine Environment • Unprecedented scope: Territorial Sea of Canada (inside channels and sounds as well as open water) • Diverse marine ecosystem • Multiple users

  19. Challenges Aboriginal Political Landscape • Over 50 Aboriginal Communities along pipeline • ~10 Aboriginal Communities with coastal interests • Virtually no treaties in British Columbia except Treaty 8 • Rights and title for most groups not legally defined ENGO Heavy Oil Campaign • US and Canada campaign to shut down oil sands • Focus on stopping any new shipping options • Tied to stopping oil sands use in US Media • Large size & profile led to substantial media attention • Sensationalist approach by some • Difficult to get balanced and impartial views on real science

  20. Challenges • Accidents and Malfunctions • Exxon Valdez (1989) coupled with BC ferry sinking in CCAA (2010) created specter of catastrophic marine spill • Debate further intensified by: • BP Macondo blowout • Enbridge’s spill of heavy oil in the Kalamazoo River • Pipeline spills in Fort McMurray and NWT

  21. Environmental Effects and Mitigation 4

  22. Key Concerns: Pipelines • Fish Habitat • Rare plants and communities • Wetlands • Caribou habitat • Grizzly bear habitat • SARA species • Traditional land use • Oil spills

  23. Pipeline Mitigation and Compensation • Routing • SWAT • Trenchless Water Crossings • Construction in Least Risk Period • Fish Habitat Compensation • Wetland Functional Assessment and Compensation • Caribou Habitat Restoration and Compensation • Grizzly Bear Habitat and Linear Feature Removal • Specialized measures : • Trumpeter Swans • Coastal Tailed Frog

  24. Pipeline Oil Spill Planning and Readiness • Tiered pipeline response plan • Tactical watercourse plans • Regional response capability • Local response personnel • Training and exercises • Local equipment caches • Environmental benchmarking

  25. Key Concerns: Marine • Air Emissions from Vessels • Vessel Wake • Fish Habitat (at terminal) • Marine Mammals • Vessel strike risk • Underwater Noise • Marine Fisheries • Traditional Marine Use • Oil spills

  26. Marine Mitigation and Compensation • North American Emissions Control Zones (low sulfur fuels) • Vessel speed reductions • 8-10 knots summer • 10-12 knots winter • Reduces strike risk, underwater noise and wake • Whale spotting vessel • Passive acoustic monitoring • Commitment to long-term programs: • Marine mammals • Marine Birds • Marine Fish Habitat Compensation • Fisheries Liaison Committee

  27. Marine Oil Spill Planning and Readiness • Tiered marine spill response plans • Geographic response plans • Environmental sensitivity atlases • Regional response capability • Substantially exceed Transport Canada requirements • Local response personnel • Training and exercises • Equipment caches • Environmental benchmarking • Harvest Studies • Marine Environmental Effects Monitoring • Fisheries Surveys

  28. Closing Thoughts 5

  29. Considerations for Managers • Complex and long regulatory review process • Public understanding of operations, issues and solutions • Power of the media • Social license • Unprecedented scope of mitigation and compensation • Spill response • Risk communication

  30. Questions?

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