A pair of U.S. environmental groups have some advice for northern residents on the proposed $5.5-billion Enbridge oil pipeline: Ensure there is public oversight during construction and that municipalities are prepared for an oil spill.
In Wisconsin, Enbridge agreed to pay $1.1 million to settle claims it broke numerous state environmental laws during construction of its Southern Access pipeline in 2007 and 2008. The more than 500 violations included clearing wetland areas, placing soil in wetlands and leaving construction debris in wetlands.
The violations would not have come to light, however, unless independent monitors had been appointed to report on the pipeline construction, said Erin O'Brien, who is with the Wisconsin Wetlands Association.
O'Brien on a speakers' tour of northern B.C. sponsored by several regional groups, including the Prince George-based Sea to Sands Conservation Alliance.
Although the use of the monitors is not legislated, their inclusion was agreed to in response to the environmental group's concerns on the impact of pipeline construction on wetlands and rivers.
Enbridge paid for the monitors - one for every 100 kilometres - but the monitors reported directly to the state, producing reports and photographs, noted O'Brien.
While she acknowledged that Enbridge has its own environmental monitors, she encouraged northern B.C. residents to call for this independent monitoring if the $5.5-billion Northern Gateway project is approved. "If you welcome a pipeline project, welcome it with open eyes," said O'Brien.
In Michigan, Enbridge's U.S. subsidiary suffered a major spill in last July which leaked an estimated three million litres of oil, some of it into the Kalamazoo River, sparking a massive clean-up effort.
Beth Wallace, who works with the National Wildlife Federation in Michigan, said municipal government's must be prepared for an oil spill themselves, even if the company has response plans.
Strong response plans at the local level are needed to ensure there is solid communication between the company and local agencies, she said. Without it, there is a lot of anger and frustration, said Wallace, who argues the oil spill has not been adequately cleaned up in Michigan.
While a number of environmental speakers have held open forums in Prince George on their concerns over the proposed $5.5-billion Northern Gateway pipeline, Enbridge has yet to hold this type of meeting.
The company argues, however, it has been consulting with the public through open houses, closed-door community advisory board meetings and other sessions with stakeholders, including First Nations.
Enbridge has also held so-called technical meetings, where the company does present its plans and answer question in a public setting, so far, in places like Terrace and Burns Lake.
Enbridge spokesperson Gina Jordan said she didn't know if this type of meeting would be held in Prince George, the largest community in northern B.C.
Jordan also noted that even though the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has signed off on the primary cleanup in Michigan, it doesn't mean the company is finished.
"We've said we'll stay in the community as long as it takes," said Jordan, based in Calgary. "We know there is still work to be done."
