Compliance verification activity type: Field Inspection
Team:
Regulated company: Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC
Operating company: Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC
Province(s) / Territory(s):
Discipline(s):
Related events:
Rationale and scope:
Field inspection in conjunction with the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) site visit of Spread 2 watercourse crossings for which authorization was issued under the <em>Fisheries Act</em> due to the presence of critical habitat for Athabasca rainbow trout . The primary purpose was to evaluate the integrity of the restored bed and banks of watercourses and ensure appropriate mitigation is in place to prevent sedimentation of the watercourses. An Indigenous Monitor (IM) from the Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee (IAMC) participated in this activity.
Compliance tool(s) used:
Facilities:
Facility Types
Life-cycle Phases
Regulatory requirements that apply to this activity:
Regulatory instrument number(s):
Observation 1 - General Observations
Date & time of visit: 2022-07-27 09:00
Discipline: Environmental Protection
Categories:
Facility:
Observations:
This inspection was focused on several watercourse crossings in Spread 2 that provide critical habitat for Athabasca rainbow trout (Endangered). Pipeline crossing and reclamation activities had been completed at all the watercourses observed during this inspection. Erosion and sediment control appeared functional, though some areas requiring maintenance (e.g., removal of accumulated sediment) were observed. The riparian areas had been seeded (grasses) and staked with willows, with varying degrees of growth observed (from ~10-60% coverage) after less than a full growing season. Trans Mountain representatives indicated that areas with low willow-staking success would be revisited during reclamation activities for the remainder of the RoW and that crews had been provided with additional training on willow staking. At some crossings (e.g, Trail Creek), the area of disturbance was narrowed within the riparian buffer. In general, appropriate signage was observed (e.g., environmental resources, no fueling). Areas of noxious weeds (e.g., oxeye daisy) were observed in multiple locations along the RoW, as well as in high densities off RoW (e.g., along public roads). Weed management was discussed and Trans Mountain indicated that weed management activities (i.e., spraying) were ongoing and into the second treatment of the summer and the areas noted during the inspection were provided to the appropriate personnel for follow-up.
Compliance tool used: No compliance tool used
Observation 2 - Corrected Non-Compliance - Non-Functional Erosion and Sediment Control
Date & time of visit: 2022-07-27 11:00
Along access road 146, the geotextile wingwalls on a bridge over a watercourse were not functioning as intended due to damage to the geotextile. One side was observed to have a tear near ground level and the other side had a hole through which sediment was deposited within the riparian area of the creek (non fish-bearing). The Inspection Team were shown photographs demonstrating that this was repaired prior to leaving the field. A small stretch (~1-2 meters in length) of sediment fence was observed partially buried within the reclaimed riparian area at AB-202 and was removed prior to the end of the inspection. No additional corrective action is required.
Compliance tool used: Corrected Non-compliance (CNC)
Regulatory requirement:
Relevant section(s):
Company action required:
No further action required.
Due date: 2022-09-16
Date closed: 2022-09-09 Note: the date closed is the date that the inspector completed their review of the company corrective actions for adequacy and determined that no further actions are required.
Reason closed: Requirement met
Compliance achieved: Yes
Identified non-compliances to company plans or procedures are non-compliances either to:
- the condition of an authorization document that requires the implementation of that plan or procedure; or
- the relevant section of the regulations that requires implementation of that plan or procedure including those sections that require implementation of plans or procedures as a part of a Program
