Margaret is the Environmental Lead for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project, responsible for making sure the environment is protected during all phases of the Project. We sat down with her to find out how the approach to environmental assessment and protection have changed over the years and how that approach is applied along the route.

How does the approach for environmental assessment and planning in urban sections of the pipeline differ from rural areas?

Where the pipeline crosses natural areas within an urban setting the environmental assessment is very similar to the assessment in rural areas where we look at things like vegetation, fish, soils, wildlife and archaeology. In built-up urban areas, the focus shifts to assessment based more on social issues and how the Project would interact with the people living in the community. We ask how pipeline construction would affect a resident’s or business’s day-to-day activities and what measures the Project can take to reduce those disturbances. Reclamation and visual aesthetics following construction are also important considerations in both land settings.

Since the original pipeline was built how has the approach to environmental assessment changed?

Public expectations and regulatory requirements have resulted in the development of detailed environmental and socio-economic assessment processes. The studies we have completed provide a full understanding of how the Project would interact with the environment so we can develop sound measures to lessen any potential impacts. The focus on environmental protection has led to innovation and advances in pipeline construction techniques such as trenchless crossings and highly effective reclamation techniques.

What is the one thing you would like people to know about the environment team?

While building its Anchor Loop Pipeline through Jasper National Park and Mount Robson Provincial Park in 2007-2008, Trans Mountain was able to protect and enhance the environment in those parks. An excellent team of environmental experts and professionals has been put together for the environmental and socio-economic assessment, many of whom also worked on the Anchor Loop Project. Many members of our team come from the local communities the Project crosses. The Environment team is dedicated to high quality assessment within the tight regulatory requirements for environmental and socio-economic assessment. National Energy Board (NEB) requirements demand a thorough assessment that will lead to environmental protection.

What past pipeline projects have you worked on and how is the environmental assessment and planning different for this Project?

I worked on the Anchor Loop Project, which traverses 160 kilometres through Jasper National Park and Mount Robson Provincial Park. I have also worked on large diameter gas pipelines extending from Alberta to Manitoba and many pipeline gathering systems throughout Western Canada. The main difference for this Project is the urban development that has taken place surrounding our existing pipeline and the growing public interest in pipelines in general. This Project also has an interesting marine component which was not part of the other pipeline projects I’ve worked on.

What is your background and how did it lead you to this Project?

I have an undergraduate degree in Physical Geography and a Master of Science Degree in Plant Science. I worked in a commercial laboratory for four years and for Environmental consulting firms for 18 years working on projects throughout Western Canada and internationally. Projects I have worked on include seismic, drilling, pipeline, mining, recreation programs and economic development programs in a variety of settings from prairie, foothill, boreal forest, rainforest and mountainous areas.

I joined Kinder Morgan Canada in 2006 and worked as the Environment Lead on the Emerald Award winning Anchor Loop Project and now have that same role on the Trans Mountain Expansion Project. I enjoy spending time outdoors, hiking and skiing, and welcome this opportunity to work on the Project in a capacity to ensure protection of the environment.

How many people are on the environment team and what experience do they bring to the Project?

The environment team consists of approximately 220 people with education levels ranging from Bachelor degrees to Doctorates in fields such Environmental Science, Zoology (Aquatic Science), Anthropology, Economics, Archaeology, Biology, Epidemiology, Botany, Forestry, Geography, Agriculture, Geology , Hydrogeology, Engineering, Marine Biology, Biochemistry, Meteorology, Agrology, Natural Resource Management, Nutrition, Paleontology, Physics and Toxicology. We also have Project team members from 24 Aboriginal communities to provide Traditional Ecological Knowledge and do archaeological studies, who are also on the environmental assessment teams.   

What is the environmental goal for the Project?

Our goal is to conduct the environmental and socio-economic assessment to a very high standard to allow identification of all relevant possible interactions with the environmental and social setting of the Project. We will develop sound measures and procedures to lessen any impact and protect the environment. Our aim is to obtain regulatory approval and to track and meet our environmental commitments.