FortisBC receives environmental approval for Eagle Mountain-Woodfibre Gas Pipeline project

FortisBC Energy has obtained an environmental assessment certificate for its Eagle Mountain-Woodfibre Gas Pipeline project from Canada’s Environment Minister Mary Polak and Natural Gas Development Minister Rich Coleman.

Prior to announcing the decision, the ministers considered a review led by British Columbia’s Environmental Assessment Office.

A total of 30 conditions have been attached to the environmental assessment certificate with regard to the project, each of which is legally binding and needs to be met by FortisBC Energy.

The conditions have been developed after consulting and gathering input from aboriginal groups, government agencies, local governments, communities and the public.

Under the conditions, FortisBC Energy is required to develop a grizzly bear mitigation and monitoring plan to reduce impacts to grizzly bears from the project; and has to sign an agreement with the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations before starting construction.

The company also needs to develop an Indian river watershed mitigation and management plan to reduce potential effects from the project on Tsleil-Waututh’s interests.

The conditions also require the hiring of an environmental monitor before commencement of construction to help FortisBC Energy identify and avoid or reduce adverse effects from the project.

An underground trenchless construction method is also mandatory to be used in a bid to avoid impacts of any construction on the Skwelwil’em Squamish Estuary Wildlife Management Area.

Furthermore, the project is required to obtain various federal, provincial and local government permits to proceed.

The 47km long pipeline project is set to deliver sweet natural gas to the Woodfibre LNG facility located southwest of Squamish in British Columbia.

The pipeline will be capable of transmitting 6.45 million m³ per day.

FortisBC said that the company is reviewing the conditions and project design parameters and will incorporate the conditions as it continues its detailed design of the project.