In a report released this morning, the National Energy Board has once again issued its support for the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion project.
This time, however, the approval comes with a few caveats in the form of 16 recommendations.
Most of those revolve around the development of animal protection programs, specifically for marine birds, fish, and coastal killer whale populations.
Among the other recommendations are: reviews and updates to oil response programs, a noise reduction strategy, operational considerations, a greenhouse gas reduction strategy, and a number of incentives.
On top of that, the Board is also requesting continued efforts to seek feedback and input from First Nations, as well as continued consultations.
With the approval, it is now up to the Federal Government to decide whether or not to move forward with the project.
Currently, the government is undergoing consultations with area First Nations, 75 percent of which they claim to already be in contact with.
Full list of recommendations:
- Develop and implement a regional cumulative effects management plan.
- Report publicly on the cumulative effects and health of the Salish Sea.
- Develop a marine bird-monitoring and protection program.
- Expedite the work in completing the feasibility study for establishing a Southern Strait of Georgia National Marine Conservation Area Reserve.
- Develop a program to offset both the increased underwater noise and the increased strike risk posed to Species at Risk Act-listed marine mammal and fish species.
- Consider slowdowns in certain marine shipping routes and noise reduction on ferries.
- Update federal marine shipping oil spill response requirements.
- Mandate enhanced tug escort in the Salish Sea for tankers.
- Consider the need for a Canada/United States Transboundary Vessel Traffic Risk Assessment.
- Develop greenhouse gas reduction measures related to marine shipping.
- Seek feedback from the Indigenous advisory and monitoring committee on the marine safety system.
- Continue engagement with coastal Indigenous communities, recreational boaters, fishing vessel operators and operators of small vessels.
- Enhance the safety of all sizes of marine vessels.
- Provide financial incentives to promote innovation in new oil recovery technologies.
- Review the federal marine oil spill compensation regimes.
- Develop a formal complaint resolution program.
