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Canadian Energy Research Institute

Cumulative Effects Assessment of Natural Gas Projects in British Columbia

Anna Vypovska*, Laura Johnson, Dinara Millington, Allan FogwillIAIA2017 Conference, Montreal

April 7, 2017

Relevant • Independent • Objectivewww.ceri.ca


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• Background and research methodology

• Cumulative adverse effects to environmental VCs

• Cumulative adverse effects to Aboriginal interests

• Key approaches and initiatives to mitigate/manage cumulative impacts

Agenda


Source: LNG in B.C., 2016

Background: Natural Gas Production in BC

• BC is the 2nd largest natural gas producer in Canada

• > 2,900 Tcf of natural gas in place

• > 8,700 operating wells in 2014

• Rise in unconventional gas over the last 10 years


• Since 2010, 18 major natural gas, LNG and NGL projects in BC have completed EA process

• EA applications for these projects and EA reports by regulators were reviewed for CEA

• Primary regulatory documents/policies were analyzed for cumulative effects initiatives

Research Methodology

3

10

41

Completed Federal and/or Provincial EA Process by Project Category

Natural Gas Processing Facility

Natural Gas Pipeline

LNG Facility

Natural Gas Liguids Pipeline

Source: CERI, 2016


Cumulative Adverse Effects on Environmental VCs

• No significant cumulative adverse effects on environmental VCs for majority of the projects, if proper mitigation applied

• Significant cumulative adverse effects on Wildlife VC:

Caribou and caribou habitat (4/18 projects)

Grizzly bear (1/18 projects)

Harbour porpoise (1/18 projects)


Significant Cumulative Effects on Caribou and Caribou Habitat

Photo Credit: Wally Gobetz via Flickr


Significant Cumulative Effects on Caribou and Caribou Habitat (Continued)

Source: BC Ministry of Environment (MOE), 2010


Significant Cumulative Effects on Caribou and Caribou Habitat (Continued)

Factors contributing to cumulative effects:

• Habitat loss, alteration and fragmentation

• Fragmentation of the herd

• Displacement or disruption of caribou movement

• Enhanced predator access to caribou, resulting from natural gas activities

Examples of key mitigation measures:

• Avoiding sensitive caribou habitat

• Reducing the project corridor length within caribou ranges

• Developing Caribou Habitat Restoration Plan

• Offsetting all unavoidable and residual effects


Significant Cumulative Effects on Grizzly Bear

Photo Credit: BC Parks


Significant Cumulative Effects on Grizzly Bear (Continued)

Source: Environmental Reporting BC and BC MOE, 2012


Significant Cumulative Effects on Grizzly Bear (Continued)

Factors contributing to cumulative effects:

• Degradation, loss or fragmentation of habitat

• Alienating bears from suitable habitat

• Creating barriers or filters to movement

• Impacts to the reproductive potential of breeding females


• Avoiding critical habitat for grizzly bear

• Developing a Grizzly Bear Mitigation and Monitoring Plan

• Providing funds to support conservation of grizzly bear populations


Significant Cumulative Effects on Harbour Porpoise

Source: Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 2009

Photo Credit: National Park Service

Factors contributing to cumulative effects:• High sensitivity to acoustic

disturbance

• High degree of behavioral response

• Large industrial projects proposed in the area


• Developing a Marine Mammal Detection Program

• Monitoring of potentially affected marine mammals

• Follow up program and post-construction monitoring


Cumulative Adverse Effects on Aboriginal Interests

Source: Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, 2016


Cumulative Adverse Effects on Aboriginal Interests (Continued)

Source: Ecotrust Canada, 2016

Example: Oil & Gas Fields on the Blueberry River FN Territory

Provincial regulator (BC EAO):• Majority of Aboriginal concerns

regarding cumulative effects were satisfactorily addressed

• No significant cumulative adverse effects will occur with the implementation of mitigation

Treaty 8 First Nations in NE BC:• Industrial development in the NE BC

results in reduced ability to exercise the Treaty rights

• Cumulative effects assessment of FNs territories, relative to their respective Aboriginal interests, should be completed


Number of petroleum and natural gas wells (1950-2011) in the Peace Region of BC

Cumulative Adverse Effects on Aboriginal Interests (Continued)

Source: Lee and Hanneman, 2012


Cumulative Effects Framework (BC MFLNRO, BC MOE, 2015)

• BC is one of the first provinces to develop such a framework

• Built on the Province’s existing environmental management framework

• Includes policy, procedures and decision support tools to support cumulative effects assessment and management

• Supports assessment of impacts to First Nations rights and interests

• The framework is being implemented throughout the Province

Key Approaches & Initiatives To Manage Cumulative Impacts


Key Approaches & Initiatives To Manage Cumulative Impacts (Continued)

Source: BC Oil and Gas Commission (BC OGC), 2015

Area-Based Analysis (BC OGC 2015)


Area-Based Analysis: What values are included?


Source: BC OGC, 2014


LNG Environmental Stewardship Initiative (BC MARR, 2014)

• A new form of collaboration between the Province, Indigenous Peoples and the LNG sector established in May 2014

• The aim is to train First Nations so they can monitor land activities linked to LNG on their traditional territory

Regional Strategic Environmental Assessment (Province of BC, 2016)

• Stems from the negotiation of Pipeline Benefits Agreements

• Involves Treaty 8 First Nations in BC, the Provincial Government and industry

• Funded by the LNG Environmental Stewardship Initiative



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