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Home > Public Participation and Land Matters > Land Matters Consultation Initiative (LMCI) > LMCI Consultation Schedule > LMCI Information Session - Members of the Public - 31 March 2008

LMCI Information Session - Members of the Public - 31 March 2008

31 March 2008
7:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Community: Outlook, Saskatchewan
Number of Attendees: 65

Stream 1 - Company Interaction With Landowners

  • company Open Houses not always in right places; people not finding out about the project - identify sites which are relevant to landowners
  • need to establish protocol around shut down for weather related issues to minimize impact on lands; i.e., shut down during wet weather or freeze up
  • When a complaint is made to the NEB someone from the Board should investigate
  • Board needs to respond in a timely manner to complaints and need service standards.
  • when the NEB is changing rules around use of the right-of-way (ROW), landowners need to be contacted/consulted (30 meter safety zone) - same for any change in use of land.
  • There is a need for process to get input from landowners on a more regular basis re: issues of concern
  • NEB has a role to play in educating landowners on issues that can impact them; NEB needs to get out - to talk face to face about issues - landowners have no time to read.
  • landowners need to know the kinds of things they should negotiate into agreements - have had to rely on those with past experience and landowner associations; i.e., stripping vs. trenching.
  • uncertain about what information from land agents gets back to company - company land agents as well as contracted land agents.
  • need for third party auditors to audit company practices
  • companies need to ensure safe practices - fencing above integrity digs are happening
  • NEB needs more of a presence - more frequent inspections.
  • no way to enjoy quiet use of landowner's land - no time to waste or to “watch” pipes for companies.
  • timing of negotiation to accommodate companies and landowners - seeding season
  • landowners need to be involved when deciding timing of construction.
  • landowners would like to know the results of integrity digs
  • companies should notify landowners in advance when they need to access property - explain what they are doing and the results; need to respect landowners
  • town councils must be consulted especially regarding emergency response and impacts to water supply if a rupture occurred.
  • NEB and companies have a role to play in providing information to landowners - information needs to be correct and consistent.
  • companies could monitor and inspect for crop loss - be proactive rather than landowner having to notify company, wait for them to come, and drive out to site, etc.
  • information wanted on how NEB monitors integrity of pipelines
  • NEB inspectors should introduce themselves to landowners when on right-of-way during construction; companies should do same
  • landowners could play role of an inspector or be part of inspection team - they should be paid like other company inspectors
  • landowners can be monitors also, but need to have knowledge on what to look for.
  • annual payment for crop loss
  • depth of cover - 5 feet below frost line; use thicker pipe
  • companies need to recognize landowner association - CAPLA, SAPLA, etc.
  • NEB should be inspecting during operations and not rely completely on company information
  • NEB should accept invitations to attend meetings of associations.
  • licensed Land Agents Licensing Act - Alberta - do not want this to be the standard across the country - does not allow the landowners to get advice from associations.
  • would prefer to negotiate agreements between company (not land agent) and landowner association rep. (not individual land owners)

Stream 2 - Improving the Accessibility to NEB Processes

Educating Communities/Decision Making

  • NEB to provide knowledge about processes, complaints access.
  • water crossing areas/communities downstream
  • hold meetings where communities are affected
  • NEB could host issue-specific meetings for communities/landowners - e.g., emergency management and response

Capacity

  • costs associated with opportunities lost when participating in NEB processes
  • landowners need expert advice on project specific issues
  • hold hearings close to affected communities

NEB role

  • there is a role for the NEB outside of the hearing/arbitration process to facilitate discussions with affected parties.
  • independent third party verification of certain issues - i.e., safety/integrity of water crossings

Pipeline Integrity

  • regulations - what are NEB standards for emergency management and response?
  • is there a plan for communities to see with respect to companies' response to a rupture?
  • emergency response - + 50 year old pipelines

Regulatory Development

  • access to specialists on project specific issues - e.g., water crossings and water availability.
  • perception there is an absence of government set standards for issues like watercourse crossings - standards should not set by companies.
  • perception of non-bias and independence - also a role for 3rd party experts in developing standards

Hearing Design

  • perception that you need to have intervenor status to make a difference.
  • smaller groups are more comfortable in which to speak
  • location of a hearing - accessible for landowners and communities affected
  • have enough time for spontaneous oral statements.
  • plain language and information about NEB role and processes - internet access ok in SK
  • advertising in local newspapers to reach affected people
  • hearing notice - communities need to hear about hearings with lots of notice

Complaint Process

  • concerned citizens need to know and have access to trigger an NEB action - who would I phone?

Stream 4 - Pipeline Abandonment - Physical Issues

  • pipeline must be removed
  • concerned that pipe will raise up due to frost (i.e., frost heave)
  • pipeline should be back-filled with equivalent fertility soil and monitored
  • landowners should have the final say on acceptability of abandonment plans
  • post - abandonment liability - landowner not liable ever.
  • need to have power to compel companies to abandon
  • no pipelines abandoned in place in water crossing

Other Issues

  • awareness on emergency response
  • who is responsible? Town?
  • explain what is happening to the water crossings - visible pipe, trust decreasing
  • concerned whether or not NEB has inspectors performing inspections during critical times of construction
  • concerned with landowners accessibility to information during construction
  • water crossing concerns - water contamination
  • increasing proximity of lines to homesteads and farmsteads
  • worried about products being shipped in pipelines near homesteads
  • depth of coverage (leakage, soil contamination)
  • irrigation issues for irrigations lands
  • past performances - lost crops
  • difficulty in dealing with companies and land agents

 

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Date Modified:
2011-10-28