On September 16, 2015, Trans Mountain submitted an Addendum to BC Parks (Addendum) regarding the Stage 2 Boundary Adjustment Detailed Proposal (Boundary Adjustment Proposal) for parks and protected areas crossed by the Trans Mountain Expansion Project (Project). Locations potentially impacted by the Project include:

  • Finn Creek Class A Provincial Park
  • Lac du Bois Grasslands Protected Area

BC Parks reviewed the Boundary Adjustment Proposal and Addendum and forwarded them for ministerial review and BC Cabinet decision in the 2016 sitting of the BC Legislature. A Boundary Adjustment creates a temporary removal of land required for the Project right-of-way from the provincial park or protected area for the period of construction and until reclamation is complete.

On May 2, 2016, the BC Cabinet passed legislation to approve the Boundary Adjustment Proposal for Finn Creek Park, which was brought into force by an Order in Council (OIC) in March, 2017. The following conditions were met before the OIC was issued:

  • November 29, 2016: the Project was approved by the Federal Governor in Council, following the May 19, 2016 recommendation by the National Energy Board
  • January 11, 2017: the Province of BC announced Trans Mountain had satisfied its five conditions for heavy oil pipelines
  • January 11, 2017: the Province issued an Environmental Assessment Certificate to Trans Mountain

Trans Mountain has filed the following Land Use and Occupancy Park Use Permit (PUP) applications:

  • February, 2017: PUP application to authorize construction of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project through the Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area. The PUP application will include a similar degree of assessment as for the Finn Creek Provincial Park and the Lac du Bois Grasslands Protected Area Boundary Adjustment Proposals.
  • March, 2017: PUP application for Finn Creek Provincial Park

Trans Mountain filed one additional PUP application:

  • April, 2017: PUP application for Lac du Bois Grasslands Protected Area

Subsequent to the above filings, the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy has issued Land Use and Occupancy Park Use Permits to Trans Mountain for the Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area, Finn Creek Provincial Park and Lac du Bois Grasslands Protected Area.