By Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, RMG
Trans Mountain will begin investigating a historical contaminated site eight kilometres east of Valemount on July 22nd. The investigation, meant to determine the impacts of the contamination, will include the installation of eight groundwater monitoring wells.
This will entail drilling boreholes with power tools and hand augers within 30 metres of a body of water. According to the company’s Operations and Maintenance report filed with the Canada Energy Regulator, the body of water is not fish-bearing. A media spokesperson for Trans Mountain said the body of water is unnamed.
These steps are typical of pipeline operations, the company told The Goat in an email.
“Remediation of historical contamination is a standard practice when a site has been previously used for industrial or commercial purposes,” the spokesperson wrote. “Work undertaken by Trans Mountain for this project will be in compliance with a site specific Environmental Protections Plan.”
The company will also adhere to the Canada Energy Regulator’s Remediation Process Guide, the spokesperson added. According to the guide, findings of an investigation must be shared with the Regulator in an annual report after a company issues a notice of contamination.
