Fred Banham Hi Karen. To begin I wish to thank you for meeting with
Transcription
Fred Banham Hi Karen. To begin I wish to thank you for meeting with
Fred Banham From: Sent: To: Subject: Attachments: Karen Goodings <[email protected]> Saturday, October 20, 2012 9:30 AM Fred Banham FW: Follow up from May 24th meeting with the Ministry of Energy and Mines, and the OGC Pipeline Abandonment Question.docx; OIL AND GAS TRIBUNAL MEMBERS.docx; Cumulative Impacts fact sheet.pdf; Setbacks Summary Document.docx Importance: High I believe this was forwarded to you in July. This was an important step in having the communication that we felt, as a board, was important. Probably didn’t rank very high or maybe not even on the strategic plan. Will you please put this on the next agenda for follow-up. thanks From: Nash, Laurel MEM:EX [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2012 10:32 AM To: '[email protected]' Cc: Trachsel, Daymon MEM:EX; Jonsson, Corey OGC:IN Subject: Follow up from May 24th meeting with the Ministry of Energy and Mines, and the OGC Importance: High Hi Karen. To begin I wish to thank you for meeting with Corey and I on May 24, 2012 to discuss community engagement in northeast British Columbia. We very much appreciated the discussion and look forward to quarterly meetings. Below I have outlined our understanding of the questions raised at the meeting and a response. Question: Can you clarify who is on the Surface Rights Board? Answer: New Board members will be identified in July. The current members are: Name Cheryl Vickers Robert Fraser Simmi Sandhu William Oppen Viggo Pedersen Valliammai Chettiar Position Chair Vice Chair Member Member Member Member Start date Expiry July 22, 2007 Dec. 31, 2013 July 22, 2007 July 31, 2012 July 22, 2007 July 31, 2014 Dec. 8, 2008 Dec. 31, 2013 March 5, 2009 July 31, 2013 June 22, 2012 July 31, 2014 Question: Can you provide more information on pipeline decommissioning and removal of pipelines from title? Answer: First attachment provides information on this question. Question: Who are the members of the Oil and Gas Appeals Tribunal (OGAT) and how are they chosen? Can there be a landowner rep? Answer: The Oil and Gas Appeal Tribunal is an independent quasi-judicial agency that was established under Section 19 of the Oil and Gas Activities Act. The Tribunal hears appeals from decisions of the Oil and Gas Commission which include certain orders, declarations, findings of 1 contravention, administrative penalties and permitting decisions in relation to an oil and gas activity such as geophysical exploration, the construction or operation of a pipeline, road construction, and the production, gathering, processing, storage or disposal of petroleum, natural gas or both. The Tribunal consists of a shared full-time chair, part-time vice-chair(s) and part-time members. The Tribunal is jointly administered with the Forest Appeals Commission and the Environmental Appeal Board in order to take advantage of synergy and keep costs to a minimum. These three agencies are supported by an administrative office with 11 full-time staff. Members are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor through Order-in-Council. The membership of the Tribunal is drawn from across the Province and represents diverse business, legal and technical experience. Members of the Tribunal are also appointed to the Forest Appeals Commission and the Environmental Appeal Board. Cabinet appoints the vice-chair(s) and all part-time members for a specified term. The vicechair(s) and all other members serve on a part-time basis. These appointees are not employees of the public service. The second attachment is a list of OGAT members Question: Can you provide more information on the fiduciary duty the Crown has with respect to disclosure/confidentiality of First Nation financial arrangements, and whether agreements with First Nations address the issue of property rights separately from the rights of private owners? Answer: I have invited Roger Graham, Chief Negotiator, Northern Regional Negotiations Team, from the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, to our next meeting to address this issue. Question: Can you provide any information on cumulative impacts? Answer: The BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and the Ministry of Environment are jointly leading a project to explore the development of a Cumulative Effects Assessment Framework to support natural resource decision-making in BC. The third attachment provides more information about this new project. Question: Can you provide a bit more information on Health impacts? Answer: Phase 1 of the Fraser Basin Council report was released on June 6, 2012. I expect you are in possession of this, but if not, please let me know and I would be happy to provide it to you. The Province is now issued the Request For Applications for Phase 2 of the Study, led by the Ministry of Health. The Ministry expects that the Phase 2 work to begin in September, 2012, so new information will only be available once Phase Two has been concluded. Question: Can you provide scientific information on hydraulic fracturing? Answer: The FracFocus Chemical Disclosure Registry can be found at http://fracfocus.ca/ . This website is a project of the BC Oil & Gas Commission and is intended to provide objective information on hydraulic fracturing, fracturing fluids, groundwater and surface water protection and related oil and gas activities in Canada. The Oil and Gas Commission will follow up with you regarding the dates when they will hold public presentations in Fort St. John about water and hydraulic fracturing. Question: Will the Ministry of Energy and Mines be a part of Regional Workforce Tables once this once the process has unfolded further? Answer: The Oil and Gas Commission will participate. The Ministry of Energy and Mines will report out and follow up as required. 2 Question: Will the Ministry be licensing land agents? There is a need to licence agents due to questionable behaviour of some. Code of conduct and penalties are needed. Answer: The Ministry is currently exploring a suitable licensing model for land agents in B.C. Ministry staff met with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen in May 2012, and the next meeting is scheduled for July. Question: Where is the Province on the issue of setbacks? Answer: The fourth attachment provides a summary of where the Province is on setbacks with respect to the Oil and gas Activities Act, relevant regulations, and the Environmental Protection and Management Guide. Question: Can BC reserve some blocks (of land) from disposition? Answer: The request for Petroleum and Natural Gas subsurface rights is industry driven. The Ministry’s referral process allows the statutory decision maker to make an informed decision about how or if we can dispose of the subsurface rights. Industry makes a request for subsurface rights to our Crown Sales and GIS group within the Petroleum and Natural Gas Titles Branch (Branch). The request goes through an internal review process to ascertain whether the rights are available or not. If we believe that the rights can be made available we move towards the referral process. Referral packages are distributed to local government, First Nations and provincial agencies. All referral groups are requested to comment within a 27 day timeline. If more time is required the Branch is willing to consider the request. We have a number of different examples in the province where we do not sell subsurface tenure, however, please let me know what the concerns are that motivate for such a reserve? If surface disturbance is the concern then there are a number of different things that could occur to reduce the surface disturbance in a particular area. Question: Can BC improve the maps when you do referrals? Answer: We are working to improve the maps and look forward to working with you to ensure we capture the key elements desired on the maps. Next Steps: I hope the foregoing information answers the questions posed by you and your Council. Please let me know if any if you have other questions or if any of the material requires clarification. Finally, to follow up on the commitment for quarterly meetings with the PRRD, please let me know some potential dates for our next session, and any topics you wish to discuss. Respectfully, Laurel Nash Executive Lead Titles and Corporate Relations Division Ministry of Energy and Mines (t) 250 356-9569 (c) 250 508 1670 3 From: Karen Goodings [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2012 8:26 PM To: Trachsel, Daymon MEM:EX Subject: RE: May 24th meeting in Dawson Creek. You are most welcome. Thank you for coming and the commitment to bring back the answers. From: Trachsel, Daymon MEM:EX [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2012 10:09 AM To: '[email protected]' Cc: Nash, Laurel MEM:EX Subject: May 24th meeting in Dawson Creek. Good morning Director Goodings. I would like to thank you for the opportunity to meet with you and the PRRD Council on May 24, 2012. We had a great discussion about our community engagement efforts, and we appreciate the thoughtful comments and feedback received. Councillors and Directors had a number of questions for us during the meeting. We are presently gathering information and answers to those questions, and will be providing these to you in the next while. It was a pleasure to meet with you, and we look forward to continuing dialogue. Regards, Daymon Trachsel Manager, Corporate Policy and Planning Corporate Policy, Planning and Legislation Branch Ministry of Energy and Mines Ph. (250) 953-3730 Cell: (250) 589-0042 Fax: 952-0637 4 PIPELINE ABANDONMENT The BC Oil and Gas Commission (Commission) cannot require a company to abandon a pipeline unless it is a risk to public or environmental safety, in which case the OGC may potentially issue an order to abandon the line. As long as the pipeline is deactivated according to regulation and the required maintenance and monitoring is maintained the pipeline could remain deactivated indefinitely. When a pipeline is permanently removed from service, it is considered abandoned. A pipeline can be abandoned in place if it is properly deactivated, cut and capped below grade and has identification markers. In order to abandon the pipeline an amendment application must be made to the Commission and requires Consultation/Notification. As part of that application to the Commission, the operator is required to allow the landowner upon whose land the pipeline is situated the opportunity to request removal of the easement from title. Prior to processing the application to amend the pipeline for purposes of abandonment on private land the OGC requires written proof that the landowner was given this opportunity and that the company has requested the removal from the Land Titles Office if this was the resolution agreed to by the landowner. The pipeline must remain registered with BC One Call and the operator remains liable for the environmental impacts of the pipeline remaining in the ground. The following sections from the Pipeline & Liquefied Natural Gas Facility Regulation that are now in effect under OGAA that apply to pipeline deactivation and abandonment. Deactivation 9 If a pipeline permit holder has not transported fluids through the holder's permitted pipeline or part of a pipeline for 18 consecutive months, the pipeline permit holder must (a) submit a plan for resuming the transportation of fluids through the pipeline, or (b) deactivate the pipeline or part of the pipeline in accordance with CSA Z662 and notify the commission on completion of the deactivation. Reactivation 10 (1) A pipeline permit holder of a deactivated pipeline system may reactivate the pipeline, but must do so in accordance with CSA Z662. (2) Before reactivating a pipeline, the pipeline permit holder must (a) notify the commission of the intention to carry out the reactivation, and (b) if the permit or a permission in a permit relating to the deactivated pipeline has been suspended, request that the suspension be rescinded. Obligations on cancellation or cessation of operations 11 The following requirements are prescribed with respect to a pipeline permit and an LNG facility permit for the purposes of section 40 (e) of the Act: (a) abandon the pipeline in accordance with CSA Z662; (b) do everything referred to in section 19 (1) (a) to (g) of the Environmental Protection and Management Regulation. Regarding BC One Call - Here is the section from the Pipeline and Liquefied Natural Gas Facility Regulation that applies: Integrity management and damage prevention programs 7 (1) A pipeline permit holder must not operate a pipeline approved by the permit unless (a) the holder has prepared a pipeline integrity management program for the pipeline that complies with CSA Z662 and Annex N of CSA Z662, (b) the holder has prepared a damage prevention program for the purpose of anticipating and preventing damage to the permit holder's pipeline, (c) the pipeline is operated in accordance with the pipeline integrity management program and the damage prevention program, (d) the holder is a member of BC One Call. This regulation stipulates that a pipeline operator can’t operate pipelines regulated by the Commission unless they are a member of BC One Call. It is the responsibility of the pipeline operator to ensure the location of their underground facilities is accurately identified and any changes or updates are forwarded to BC One Call. OIL AND GAS TRIBUNAL MEMBERS Following is a listing of current membership: Alan Andison (Chair) R. O’Brian Blackall Carol Brown Robert Cameron Monica Danon-Schaffer Cindy Derkaz W.J. Bruce Devitt Tony Fogarassy Les Gyug James Hackett R.G. (Bob) Holtby Jagdeep S. Khun-Khun Gabriella Lang Blair Lockhart Ken Long James Mattison David Searle (Vice Chair) Douglas VanDine Reid White Robert Wickett Loreen Williams Lawyer Land Surveyor Lawyer/CGA/Mediator Professional Engineer Professional Engineer Lawyer (Retired) Professional Forester (Retired) Geoscientist/Lawyer Professional Biologist Professional Forester Professional Agrologist Lawyer Lawyer (Retired) Lawyer/Geoscientist Professional Agrologist Professional Engineer Lawyer (Retired) Professional Engineer Professional Engineer/ Professional Biologist (Retired) Lawyer Lawyer/Mediator Victoria Charlie Lake Sooke North Vancouver West Vancouver Salmon Arm Victoria Vancouver Westbank Nanaimo Westbank Vancouver Campbell River Vancouver Prince George Victoria North Saanich Victoria Telkwa Vancouver West Vancouver Cumulative Effects Assessment Exploring a Framework for British Columbia What are cumulative effects? Cumulative effects are changes to environmental, social, and economic values caused by the combined effect of present, past, and reasonably foreseeable future actions or events on the land base. Why is British Columbia considering a Cumulative Effects Assessment Framework? British Columbia’s land base provides a wealth of economic and social benefits. As both the number and diversity of land and resource activities increase, it is important to effectively manage multiple demands on natural resource systems to sustain these benefits. Sustainable management of natural resource systems requires an understanding of the historical context of land use, as well as current and foreseeable future demands. A cumulative effects assessment framework can help to maximize the economic and social benefits while improving environmental outcomes. BC_CEAMF_Fact Sheet_20120502 How is the framework being developed? The BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and the Ministry of Environment are jointly leading a project to explore the development of a Cumulative Effects Assessment Framework to support natural resource decision-making in BC. Guidance from all natural resource agencies is provided through an interagency steering committee and project management team. Three demonstration projects have been initiated to provide ‘learning labs’ for the development of a framework and testing of tools to support cumulative effects assessment. The West Okanagan-Nicola and North-West demonstration projects were initiated in 2011, and a NorthEast project has been initiated in Spring 2012. What is a Framework? Cumulative Effects Assessment The proposed framework brings consistency to the assessment and monitoring of a commonly defined set of values. The framework will provide more effective and consistent information to support decision-making but will not make decisions. The key elements envisioned for the framework are: Values A common set of area-specific environmental, social and economic values and associated information to support natural resource decisionmaking. Assessment A consistent approach to assessing cumulative effects in natural resource decision-making with the rigour of assessment scaled proportional to risk. Decision Support Consistent tools for summarizing assessment results, with consideration to risks and trade-offs across values. Monitoring An integrated monitoring framework to track and report the condition and trend of identified values over space and time. How will First Nations and Stakeholders be involved in the development of the framework? First Nations and key stakeholders identified within the demonstration project areas have been invited to participate in a first phase of engagement on the vision for a cumulative effects framework. A summary of input received during Phase 1 engagement will be made available to Natural Resource staff and interested parties. For more information, please contact us at: [email protected] A Joint Project with BC Ministry of Environment and BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Setbacks Summary Document 1. Environmental Protection and Management Guide Section 4 - Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat Wildlife Habitat Features Suggested Setbacks Suggested operating setbacks have been developed to help minimize the impacts to some important wildlife habitat features and are identified later in this section. Where minimum construction setbacks are infeasible, applicants may deviate from this Guidebook by submitting a rationale for infringing on the setbacks and where appropriate, a mitigation strategy with the application. Note that in some instances additional setbacks may be required due to lack of topographical relief, sparse vegetation density, extensive use of habitat, and other special considerations. The following are the minimum expected construction setbacks for commonly encountered habitat features: Trumpeter Swan Nest – 200 meters Other nesting sites (for example, osprey stick nest, sandhill crane ground nests) – 100 meters Mineral licks – 100 meters Bear dens (applies to winter construction only) – 50 meters In cases where it is not possible to maintain, or where it makes ecological and operational sense to narrow, these setbacks the applicant should submit a deviation request to the Commission as part of the application. 2. Environmental Protection and Management Regulation Part 2 - Permit Considerations and Directions Division 1 – Government’s Environmental Objectives Water 4 The following objectives with respect to water quality, quantity and timing of flow are prescribed for the purposes of the definition of "government's environmental objectives" in section 1 (2) of the Act: (a) that wellsites, facility areas and pipeline corridors not be located within (i) 100 m of where water is diverted by a waterworks or stored in a water storage reservoir, or (ii) 100 m of where water is diverted by a water supply well or the ground water capture zone for the water supply well, whichever is greater, unless (iii) any adverse affects on the waterworks, water supply well, water storage reservoir or ground water capture zone can be effectively mitigated, or (iv) the person proposing to locate the operating area is the holder of the authorization for the waterworks, water supply well or water storage reservoir; (b) that operating areas not be located (i) within an identified ground water recharge area, (ii) within a designated watershed, or (iii) on top of an identified aquifer unless the operating area will not have a material adverse effect on the quality and quantity of water and the natural timing of water flow. Riparian values 5 The following objectives with respect to riparian values are prescribed for the purposes of the definition of "government's environmental objectives" in section 1 (2) of the Act: (a) that operating areas not be located within any of the following: (i) a stream, except to facilitate the crossing of the stream; (ii) a lake, except to facilitate (A) the crossing of the lake, or (B) geophysical exploration on lakes that are frozen to the bottom; (iii) a wetland with a riparian class of W2, except to facilitate the crossing of the wetland; (iv) an enclosed upland within a wetland, unless (A) the wetland has a riparian class of W1 or W3, (B) the enclosed upland is greater than 5 ha, and (C) it is not practicable to locate the operating area elsewhere; (v) a riparian reserve zone except to facilitate a crossing of the applicable stream, wetland or lake; (vi) except to facilitate a crossing, a riparian management zone, unless an operating area will not have a material adverse effect on the ability of the riparian management zone to (A) conserve the fish habitat, wildlife habitat, biodiversity and the water values of the riparian management zone, and (B) protect the riparian reserve zone, if any, and (b) that sufficient streamside trees and understory vegetation be retained to prevent the temperature of a temperature sensitive stream from increasing or decreasing to an extent that would have a material adverse impact on the fish in the stream. Part 4 – Classification, Identification and Establishment Division 1 – Riparian Classification Stream riparian classes 22 (4) Subject to subsection (5), for each riparian class of stream, the minimum riparian management area width, riparian reserve zone width and riparian management zone width, on each side of the stream, are as follows: Item Riparian Class 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 S1-A S1-B S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 Riparian Management Riparian Reserve Riparian Management Area (metres) 100 70 50 40 30 30 20 Zone (metres) 50 50 30 20 0 0 0 Zone (metres) 50 20 20 20 30 30 20 Wetland riparian classes 23 (2) For each riparian class of wetland, the minimum riparian management area width, riparian reserve zone width and riparian management zone width for the wetland are as follows: Item Riparian Class 1 2 3 W1 W2 W3 Riparian Management Riparian Reserve Riparian Management Area (metres) 50 30 0 Zone (metres) 10 10 0 Zone (metres) 40 20 0 Lake riparian classes 24 (2) For each riparian class of lake, the minimum riparian management area width, riparian reserve zone width and riparian management zone width are as follows: Item Riparian Class 1 2 3 L1-A L1-B L2 Riparian Management Riparian Reserve Riparian Management Area (metres) 70 40 30 Zone (metres) 50 20 10 Zone (metres) 20 20 20 4 5 L3 L4 30 30 0 0 30 30 3. Drilling and Production Regulation Part 3 — Well Position, Spacing and Target Areas Position of wells 5 (1) If a well or facility is (a) closer than 100 m to the natural boundary of a water body, or (b) 100 m or more from the natural boundary of a water body, but situated so that, given the topography or other relevant factors, it is likely that an uncontrolled flow of oil, gas, brine or another fluid may reach the water body, the permit holder must ensure surface-control features are in place, or surface-control measures have been taken, to contain escaping fluids. (2) A permit holder must not drill a well within (a) 40 m of the right of way or easement of any road allowance or public utility, (b) 100 m of a permanent building, installation or works, (c) 100 m of a place of public concourse, or (d) 100 m of a reservation for national defence. Part 7 — Safety, Security and Pollution Prevention Fire Prevention 47 A permit holder must ensure all of the following: (c) flares and incinerators are located at least 80 m from any public road, public utility, building, installation, works, place of public concourse or reservation for national defence; Position of tanks and production equipment 48 A permit holder must ensure that any petroleum storage tanks and production equipment for a well or facility for which the permit holder is responsible are located not less than 60 m from any right of way, easement, road allowance, public utility, building, installation, works, place of public concourse or reservation for national defence. 4. OGAA General Regulations Part 1 – Miscellaneous Pipeline crossing distances 11 (1) In this section, “ground activity” means any work, operation or activity that results in a disturbance of the earth, including a mining activity as defined in section 1 of the Mines Act, but not including (a) cultivation to a depth of less than 45 cm below the surface of the ground, and (b) a disturbance, other than cultivation referred to in paragraph (a), of the earth to a depth of less than 30 cm. (2) A ground activity is a prescribed activity for the purposes of section 76(1)(b) of the Act. (3) The following distances are prescribed for the purposes of section 76(1) of the Act: (a) 40 m, for any activity other than the prescribed activity referred to in subsection (2); (b) 40 m, for the prescribed activity referred to in subsection (2) 5. Geophysical Exploration Regulation Geophysical exploration near pipeline, utility, residence, etc. 4 (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), if a geophysical permit holder conducts geophysical exploration in the vicinity of any gas, oil or water pipeline or well, electric cable, transmission line, utility, residence or other improvement, the geophysical permit holder must not damage or interrupt the use of the pipeline, well, electric cable, transmission line, utility, residence or other improvement. (2) Subject to subsection (3), the use of an explosive or non-explosive energy source to carry out geophysical exploration in relation to a structure described in column 1 of Schedule 1 must not be conducted at a distance less than the minimum distance shown in column 2 or 3. (3) An explosive or non-explosive energy source may be used to carry out geophysical exploration in relation to a structure described in column 1 of Schedule 2 at a distance not less than the minimum distance shown in column 2 or 3 if the geophysical permit holder has the prior written consent of the owner of the structure Schedule 1 Minimum Buffer Distances [section 4 (2)] 1 Structure Building or structure with a concrete base, residence, barn, concrete irrigation structure, concrete lined irrigation canal and concrete water pipeline Artificial water hole, developed spring or piezometer Driveway, gateway or buried water pipeline (other than a concretelined pipeline) Buried telephone or telecommunication line Survey monument Petroleum or natural gas pipeline (measured from the centre line of the pipeline) and a petroleum or natural gas well Piping used to transmit, at less than 700 kPa, natural gas to consumers by a gas utility as defined in the Gas Utility Act Dugout or other earthen excavation designed to collect runoff and store water for later use, measured from the inside edge of the high water mark Irrigation canal (other than a concrete-lined canal) Dam having a storage reservoir capacity of 30 000 cubic meters or more and that is 2.5 meters high or more when measured to the top of the barrier 2 Non-explosive energy source (metres) 3 Explosive energy source Charge weight (kg) Distance (metres) 50 all 180 100 (Vibroseis) 50 (other than vibroseis) all 180 5 all 10 2 all all >0 2 >2 4 >4 6 >6 8 > 8 10 > 10 20 > 20 40 >40 100 2 2 15 2 32 45 55 64 72 101 143 226 3 all 3 25 all 50 10 all 10 50 all 180 Cemetery, measured to its surveyed boundary Domestic septic tank below ground or septic storage device above ground 50 all 100 15 all 15 Schedule 2 Reduced Buffer Distances [section 4 (3)] 1 2 3 Structure Non-explosive energy source (metres) Explosive energy source Residence, barn, building or structure with a concrete base, concrete irrigation structure, concrete lined irrigation canal, concrete water pipeline, artificial water hole, developed spring or piezometer 50 Charge weight (kg) Distance (metres) >0 2 64 >2 4 90 >4 6 110 >6 8 128 >8 10 142 >10 12 156