By Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, RMG
The Canada Energy Regulator (CER) has granted relief from the requirement that Trans Mountain submit multiple post-construction environmental monitoring reports for its construction yards and camps in Valemount and Blue River, as well as valve sites in Mount Robson Provincial Park.
The Trans Mountain Expansion Project is subject to 156 conditions set out by the CER, which outline the administrative, environmental, and socio-economic requirements the company must meet before, during and after the project. Condition 151 requires the company to submit post-environmental monitoring reports to the CER in the first, third and fifth year after a site is fully operational. These reports give an overview of any reclamation activities, such as revegetation, which the company completes after construction is finished.
However, Trans Mountain can be granted relief from Condition 151 for some pump stations and terminals, according to an email statement the CER sent to The Goat. The company is still required to file a post-construction environmental monitoring report one year after the area’s final clean-up – which will be uploaded to the CER’s website – but subsequent reports are not required, the statement continues.
According to Trans Mountain, the report will include confirmation of any weed treatments used within the sites, and the clean-up activities done after construction.
Trans Mountain said they requested relief from the condition for these sites because there are no environmental features – such as bodies of water, wetlands, rare plant or animal species, or animal habitats – within them.
“The valve sites are levelled, gravelled and fenced – there are no environmental features on the valve sites,” the company wrote in an email to The Goat. “While relief has been granted from CER Condition 151 for these [sites]… Trans Mountain maintains its commitment to environmental protection and will continue to identify, document and resolve environmental issues or hazards.”
This includes producing post-disturbance assessments at the valve sites in Mount Robson Provincial Park, the email says. Trans Mountain says they will contact park authorities if any issues are identified, and the park was consulted in the initial stages of planning and executing the pipeline expansion project.
In its email to The Goat, CER said it conducts regular field inspections and arranges compliance meetings with CER-regulated companies, to ensure they meet CER requirements.
