File photo.
The City of North Bay and the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) have each submitted an application to the National Energy Board (NEB) today to participate in the Energy East Pipeline hearings as an Intervenor.
“Our concern is the protection of our only source of drinking water,” stated Mayor Al McDonald. “We have a duty and a responsibility to our citizens and their families to be engaged in this process.”
If approved by the NEB as Intervenors, the City and NBMCA have the right to receive all of the documents filed by all parties during the hearing process and have the opportunity to present written evidence, question others on their written evidence, cross-examine other witnesses at the oral portion of the hearing, and give final arguments, says a news release issued this morning.
Learn more about the project here: http://www.neb-one.gc.ca/pplctnflng/mjrpp/nrgyst/index-eng.html#s3
Energy East ‘s proposal to construct and operate a 4,500 km oil pipeline system to transport 1.1 million barrels of oil per day from Alberta to New Brunswick includes 85 km of pipeline that currently transports natural gas and will be converted to transport oil through the jurisdiction of the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority.
The City’s primary concern is the potential impact the pipeline could have on North Bay’s drinking water source. The pipeline crosses numerous streams and watercourses which flow into Trout Lake, and crosses under Trout Lake where it meets Turtle Lake.
The proposed Energy East Pipeline project crosses 14 wetlands and 40 watercourses in the watersheds, including a provincially significant wetland that is the headwaters of Chippewa Creek. Mattawa River, Kaibuskong River, Sharpes Creek, Amable du Fond River, Pautois Creek and Boom Creek and their tributaries are also crossed by the pipeline.
“NBMCA’s mandate includes advice to 10 member municipalities. A spill or malfunction could impact North Bay, as well as Bonfield, Calvin, and Papineau-Cameron. Downstream effects of a spill/malfunction could impact an additional three municipalities,” said Dave Mendicino, Chair of the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority.
“We have high regard for the protection of private drinking water supplies along the route, as well as the heritage values of the La Vase Portages-Mattawa River system designated a Canadian Heritage River System. We are applying as Intervenors to ensure our watershed is protected,” he added.
The North Bay-Mattawa Drinking Water Source Protection Committee has applied to the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to have the transportation of oil through the source protection area deemed a local threat.
The National Energy Board is currently reviewing the Energy East Application for completeness. If the Board determines that the application is sufficiently complete, it will issue a Hearing Order along with the list of approved participants.
The Hearing Order is a key document that outlines how the review will take place, the roles and responsibilities of participants and any associated timelines. From the time that the Hearing Order is issued, the Board has up to 15 months to deliver its recommendation report to the Federal government who then has another three months to review the recommendation and make the final decision.
