Trans Mountain has prepared extensive Geographic Response Plans to help emergency responders react faster, and more effectively, in limiting potential impacts of a spill.
There is a Geographic Response Plan, or GRP, for each of Trans Mountain Pipeline’s four districts — Alberta, North Thompson, Kamloops and Sumas. These plans provide detailed, geographically-specific information to assist spill responders in the containment and recovery of released product.
Hundreds of locations in British Columbia and Alberta have been catalogued for these plans. Each GRP provides, on average, detailed information for more than 150 pre-identified locations, known as “Control Points.” This information supports effective spill response operations for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project route as well as adjacent areas that could be potentially impacted by a spill.
Control point data sheets are based on fieldwork carried out by Kinder Morgan Canada’s (KMC’s) emergency management team, and through consultations with Aboriginal groups, stakeholders and local governments. Trans Mountain worked with Aboriginal groups who shared local and cultural knowledge. In the Kamloops and Merritt areas, for example, fish and wildlife coordinator with the Simpcw First Nation participated in site visits with KMC’s field team.
Each control point data sheet details the site-specific actions to be taken to contain and recover released products at that site.
Data sheets include information such as:
- Pre-identified locations where responders can set up equipment to intercept contain spilled product.
- A map describing the terrain
- Local populations of fish, wildlife and plants
- Natural geographic features
- Recommended options for deploying equipment to contain and recover spilled product
- Access to nearby equipment staging areas
On March 21-22, 2018, KMC participated with government and industry experts at a BC Provincial Coordination Organization (PCO) symposium in Abbotsford, BC on emergency preparedness and response. KMC shared the knowledge and experience it gained in preparing these GRPs.
The audience was particularly interested in hearing about KMC’s engagement of First Nations and work with local government to incorporate and use local knowledge. “It was great to see the PCO providing leadership in improving spill preparedness and response in BC. This symposium allowed for the sharing of innovative practices across industries,” said Jamie Kereliuk, Director of Emergency Management at Kinder Morgan Canada.
As part of Trans Mountain’s compliance with its BC Environmental Assessment Certificate, Aboriginal communities and local government stakeholders including first responders and emergency managers in BC and Alberta were provided the opportunity to review the draft Geographic Response Plans and provide input. Several one-on-one meetings have also been held.
