MissisquoiRiver

Victory StateForest

Sebago Lake

Crooked River

A tar sands oil pipeline along New England’s rivers:What are we risking?

Kathryn ThomsonAdvisor: Dr. Cameron WakeUniversity of New Hampshire

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Since 2010, there have been five major crude oil spills in the US. They negatively impact ecosystems and communities onsite and downstream. Costing up to $1 billion in damage, clean-up of diluted bitumen from tar sands deposits has been more expensive per volume than conventional crude oil.

Tar Sands Oil Spills The Portland to Montreal Pipeline Freshwater Ecosystem Services

Plans are developing for diluted bitumen transport through the Portland to Montreal Pipeline. Built in the 1950s, it has historically handled lighter oil and natural gas. The pipeline route travels through floodplains, intersecting wetlands, lakes and rivers.

Ecosystem services are goods and services provided by the environment that support human quality of life. A pipeline spill into freshwater can negatively impact the services it provides it provides to New England communities.

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Engaged Mapping - #Pipehike

During a trek of the pipeline, maps were presented in at risk communities. This initiated discussions about the relationship between freshwater resources and the community’s environmental, social and economic values. Photos document some of the places locals expressed with high value.

Research funded by National Science Foundation Grant #1101245 through the NH EPSCoR Research Experience for Undergratuates & the National Wildlife Federation Campus Ecology Fellowship.Additional thanks to Michael Routhier, Dr. Michael Palace, Phay Rubin, Brett Chamberlin and Morse GIS Lab.

Crystal Lake

Androscoggin River

Missisquoi River

Lake

Memphramagog

Connecticut River

Androscoggin River

Sebago

Lake

Crooked River