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LMCI Meeting Summary - Brunswick Pipeline - 16 April 2008

16 April 2008
Halifax, Nova Scotia

Agenda:

• Overview of LMCI
• Discussion
• Next Steps

Key Messages from Participants

Stream 1 - Company Interactions with Landowners

• It is very challenging to help the public understand where exactly the pipeline is proposed to be; it would be helpful for the NEB to have a standard for maps that that will be used in the company's consultation program. The Board could consider establishing a multi-stakeholder committee to identify best practices for maps.
• There should be a protocol established for landowners and companies to follow when they are unable to agree on land access prior to a hearing. Companies need access to land to be able to identify environmental impacts. NEB could hire a local representative to act as an intermediary.
• Compensation matters easily become entwined in Detailed Route Hearings. It would improve transparency and process efficiency if payments for land use were made public so that everyone knows the standards. NEB could appoint someone to develop standard payments, particularly when disagreements on land value arise. There should be an appeal mechanism for this as well.
• Most people in the community prefer to have public meetings rather than one-on-one discussions at open houses. Open houses which rely on one-on-one conversations can be intimidating for the public and the community often looks to certain people to ask the tough questions for all.
• Land agents have been doing things the same way for a long time. It may be time to find a new way to approach right-of-way matters. The NEB could make an educational video for landowners of what to expect from their Land Agent and what their rights are regarding easement agreements.
• The NEB could appoint a local ombudsman to be the face of the NEB in the local area and to provide dispute resolution services. It would help the community believe that the NEB is sensitive to the local perspective and understands the need to be directly approachable.
• The concept of setting objectives or goals for companies gives them the flexibility to achieve the goals in ways that work for all parties. It is not clear how the Board will be able to audit or perform inspections on goals related to respecting the interests of those affected, as meeting the goal can be open to interpretation.
• There is a need for policy direction on route design that would help companies support decisions (e.g. avoid fresh water)

Stream 2 - Improving Access of NEB Processes

• It does not seem fair that landowners do not have resources available to them to participate in hearings.
• Regulators should find a way to make funds available to landowners for hearings.
• Noted that within the hearing process for the Nova Scotia Utilities Commission, a public advocate is appointed and funded to represent intervenors.
• Ambiguity has been created about the meaning of having an approved pipeline corridor. It is unclear to the companies what process steps are required when companies must negotiate routing options outside of the approved corridor with affected landowners. Companies need to have clear regulatory process steps to be able to manage projects effectively and efficiently.
• The NEB could have a public advocate at the hearings and available to the public for questions/assistance during the regulatory processes and construction.
• Previous evidence from hearings is hard to find on the NEB website.
• Naming conventions make it difficult to find files on the website.

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Date Modified:

2011-10-28