The first letter fired off to the NEB earlier this year by City of Chilliwack raised red flags about potential impacts of the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline expansion on the Sardis-Vedder Aquifer.
Now a second letter to the National Energy Board (NEB), adds two key concerns, that were supposed to be contained in the original letter from March. One is about the proposed route in relation to the Trans Canada Highway option, and the other asks about devastating spill impacts on the Browne Creek Wetlands.
The latest letter to NEB raises concerns about the pipeline route and its local impacts, in the face of the May 7 deadline looming for route comments.
”The Trans-Canada Highway pipeline route, had it been selected, would have significantly alleviated concerns around our Sardis-Vedder Aquifer by moving the pipeline several kilometres north,” writes Chilliwack Mayor Sharon Gaetz in the second letter to NEB. “We have written to the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Honourable Todd Stone, inquiring details on the decision. Since the BC Hydro route is not available, this alignment should be revisited.”
The second concern zeroed in on construction and long-term spill impacts to the Browne Creek Wetlands in Chilliwack.
“These protected natural areas are located on the pipeline route just south of the Vedder River,” according to the city letter. “The original proposed construction methodology involved tunnelling under the wetlands.
“Due to geotechnical constraints, this is not possible and construction will have an impact on this resource,” wrote Mayor Gaetz. “We request a reconsideration of the route to move the pipeline away from this important and sensitive natural feature.”
Councillor Jason Lum had brought up those two issues in previous council discussions, but they didn’t get reflected in the final letter that got sent out to the NEB ultimately in March.
“The initial letter as it went out, represented some of the concerns, but not all of the concerns raised that day. So having this subsequent letter drafted to clarify and reiterate how important these issues are to council, was the right thing to do,” said Lum.
In the end, it’s not a condemnation of pipelines per se.
“It’s not about being pro- or anti-pipeline, it’s about how do we achieve the minimum amount of risk to our drinking water,” Coun. Lum added.
Ian Stephen of the WaterWealth Project noticed the first letter did not contain Coun. Lum’s concerns, and was glad to see the second letter drafted covering the omitted concerns.
“I was very pleased to see that,” said Stephen. “It really seems there is growing consensus that the old pipeline route doesn’t make sense.”
Chilliwack council is now awaiting a response on these matters from Kinder Morgan and the National Energy Board.