What would an oil spill at Burnaby's Westridge Marine Terminal look like? Thanks to an ecological risk assessment submitted as part of Kinder Morgan's facilities application, local residents can see maps based on hypothetical spill scenarios.
The report, prepared by Stantec Consulting, covers a range of hypothetical situations, from a small loading spill to a worst-case scenario of 160 metres cubed and gives oil-spill responders and local residents an idea of what they could be facing, should a major spill happen at the marine terminal.
"The maps are a jarring reminder of the potential catastrophic impact which could result from a rupture or spill," said Burnaby-Douglas MP Kennedy Stewart in a media statement.
The local MP hosted a media conference Friday, highlighting the maps, which were part of the 15,000-page facilities application Kinder Morgan recently submitted to the National Energy Board for approval of the proposed Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.
"Liquid flows to the lowest point, and in Burnaby that means oil passing through dense residential neighbourhoods, parks, schools, golf courses, community amenities, on its way to Burrard Inlet to the north, and Burnaby Lake, Deer Lake and the Fraser River to the south," Stewart added.
According to Stewart, who is opposing the pipeline expansion, Burnaby is identified in the report as a "high consequence area," should a spill occur.
"Clearly, a large spill event would have a devastating impact on the natural and human environment in Burnaby," Stewart said. "This includes negative impacts on human health, the local economy, watercourses, parks, conservation areas and wildlife."
Roughly eight tankers fill up at the Westridge Marine Terminal each month, but if the pipeline expansion is approved, that number would increase to 34 - which translates to 408 a year.
The report raises concerns for shoreline habitat and marine life if a loading spill were to happen, especially if the oil were to escape from a containment boom.
Stewart is also helping constituents get involved the National Energy Board hearing process for the pipeline expansion. The deadline to apply to intervene is Feb. 12. Stewart is hosting a second community meeting on Feb. 9 on the issue. For more information, go to www.letbcdecide.ca.
To read the full report, go to Jennifer Moreau's blog, by clicking here.
