Ft Hills Survey Consent Letter
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Enbridge Pipelines Inc. Application Submitted to the NEB Line 3 Replacement Program Appendix 4-4 Enbridge Pipelines Inc. 3000 Fifth Avenue Place 425 - 1st Street S.W. Calgary, AB T2P 3L8 www.enbridge.com 5 September 2014 Line 3 Replacement Program On behalf of Enbridge Pipelines Inc. (Enbridge), I am writing to provide you with information about our Line 3 Replacement Program (L3RP). Enbridge is proposing to replace the majority of Line 3 pipeline starting at Hardisty Terminal located near Hardisty, Alberta to Gretna Station located near Gretna, Manitoba. Subject to regulatory approvals, once the new pipeline is constructed and brought into service, the replaced pipeline would be permanently removed from operation. The National Energy Board (NEB) term for this is ‘decommissioned’. The L3RP will mean a safer, more efficient and more reliable pipeline. Enbridge is committed to safe and responsible energy delivery. We strive to ensure our projects and operations are undertaken in a manner that minimize potential for adverse environmental effects and comply with environmental and regulatory requirements. Enbridge believes our approach to the L3RP will minimize disturbances to farmlands and reduce the potential for soil stability issues This letter indicates that your land is located in an area where the existing Line 3 is proposed to be decommissioned. Most of the pipeline will remain in place; however, you may experience decommissioning activities such as segmentation of the pipeline and/or removal of above ground facilities. Enbridge is currently completing a detailed environmental assessment to determine appropriate locations for decommissioning activities. Our land agents will be contacting those landowners whose land will be directly affected by decommissioning actives in the coming months. Line 3 Replacement Program overview Line 3 is a 34-inch-diameter, 1,600-kilometre pipeline between Edmonton, Alberta and Superior, Wisconsin. In service since 1968, Line 3 shares a right-of-way with up to five active pipelines along this route, all of which make up Enbridge’s Mainline system. We anticipate submitting the application to the NEB in the fall of 2014. Depending upon the timing of regulatory approvals, the replacement pipeline could be in service in the second half of 2017. The decommissioning activities will begin on the existing Line 3 in approximately mid-2018 once the Line 3 Replacement Pipeline is in-service. Decommissioning activities are anticipated to be completed in 12 to 18 months. We will keep individual landowners and other stakeholders updated on the specific timeline in their area as we move through the planning and regulatory process. Enbridge recently filed the L3RP Project Description with the NEB. The Project Description provides an overview of the entire project. It is a public document and can be downloaded from the NEB website www.neb-one.gc.ca and/or Enbridge’s website www.enbridge.com/Line3ReplacementProgram. Detailed information regarding decommissioning can be found on pages 23 – 29 of the Project Description. How is a pipeline decommissioned? Several steps would be undertaken to manage the decommissioning process safely and responsibly, including: 1. Removing the oil from the pipeline by launching an internal device called a Pipeline Inspection Gauge (or ‘pig’). Using this method, the vast majority of the crude oil is removed from the pipeline. 2. Flushing the pipeline with cleaning agents and cleaning devices (scraper pig) to ensure the crude oil is completely removed. 3. Physically disconnecting the pipeline that will be decommissioned from any operating facilities. 4. Cutting and capping the pipe at certain locations as required. 5. Continuing the same ground monitoring program in place for active pipelines including: cathodic protection, pipeline patrol, pipeline signs, depth of cover surveys and One Call/Click Before you Dig Programs. Page 1 of 16 Enbridge Pipelines Inc. Application Submitted to the NEB Line 3 Replacement Program Appendix 4-4 2 Why leave the pipeline in place? • Avoids major construction activities and disturbance to farmlands, neighbourhoods, roadways, wetlands and green spaces. • Reduces the risk of soil stability issues that could compromise the integrity of operating pipelines that share the right-of-way. • Subject to ordinary restrictions, farming and agricultural-related activities can continue on the pipeline right-of- way. Who is responsible for the decommissioned pipeline? Enbridge is responsible for all of their pipelines whether they are in operation or decommissioned. Enbridge will be responsible for addressing any issue that may arise from the decommissioned pipeline. Public Consultation and Aboriginal Engagement We believe in open and transparent communication with all landowners, occupants, communities, Aboriginal groups and other stakeholders in proximity to our operations. Through our public consultation and Aboriginal engagement programs we will build public awareness and understanding, gather and incorporate input and answer any questions you may have. We will be providing project updates in a newsletter throughout the life of the proposed Program. The newsletter will outline additional consultation activities and identify ways that you can receive more information. We also welcome the opportunity to meet with you in person to learn more about your questions and/or concerns and to provide additional information about the proposed Program. The National Energy Board The proposed Program will be regulated by the NEB, which is an independent federal agency that acts in the Canadian public interest to promote safety and security, environmental protection and economic efficiency in the regulation of pipelines, energy development and trade. The NEB works within a mandate set by Parliament. Enclosed for your information are copies of two documents produced by the NEB, titled: “Living and Working Near Pipelines” and “A Proposed Pipeline or Power Line Project: What You Need to Know”. These publications describe the rights of landowners and the public, as they relate to pipelines, and how public concerns regarding projects can be addressed. For more information on these issues, visit the NEB’s website at www.neb-one.gc.ca or contact the NEB toll-free at 1-800-899-1265. Inquiries can also be e-mailed to [email protected]. About Enbridge Over the past 60 years, Enbridge has become a leader in the safe and reliable delivery of energy in North America and is proud to be recognized as one of the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World. • We transport energy, operating the world's longest and most sophisticated crude oil and liquids transportation system. We have a significant and growing presence in the natural gas transmission and midstream businesses, and an increasing involvement in power transmission. • We generate energy, expanding our interests in renewable and green energy technologies including wind and solar energy, geothermal and hybrid fuel cells. • We distribute energy, owning and operating Canada's largest natural gas distribution company, and provide distribution services in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and New York State. Page 2 of 16 Enbridge Pipelines Inc. Application Submitted to the NEB Line 3 Replacement Program Appendix 4-4 3 We Want to Hear From You Enbridge values your feedback. We encourage you to contact us with your questions or concerns. Please call our toll- free phone line at 1-888-967-3899 send an e-mail to [email protected] or visit www.enbridge.com/Line3. Our team will promptly respond to your inquires. Sincerely, Dave Lawson Vice President, Major Projects Execution Enbridge Pipelines Inc. Attached: Proposed Program Area Map Line 3 Brochure Decommissioning Fact Sheet NEB brochure “Information for Proposed Pipeline or Power Line Projects that Involve a Hearing” NEB brochure “Living and Working Near Pipelines” Page 3 of 16 Enbridge Pipelines Inc. Application Submitted to the NEB Line 3 Replacement Program Appendix 4-4 Pipelines are the safest method to transport products, The Pipeline Right of Way The Safety Zone Safety Checklist such as natural gas, oil or other commodities, across the country. If these pipelines are damaged the results A pipeline is installed within a strip of land referred The Safety Zone extends 30 metres (100 feet) 1. Plan your activity — Identify the precise could be very serious. You have an important role to to as a right of way. The pipeline company has on either side of the right of way. To ensure location of your work; check records for play to ensure safety. Please, call before you dig. acquired rights to use this land for the construction, safety, excavation using mechanical equipment or evidence of pipeline easements or other operation and maintenance of its pipelines, however, explosives within this zone requires approval from buried facilities. Call Before You Dig ownership of the land remains with the landowner. the pipeline company. However, the existence of 2. Visit the site and look for pipeline warning the safety zone does not preclude development of signs or pipeline marker posts. You must call and obtain written approval from the All activities within the right of way are governed by the land. pipeline company before mechanically excavating and the NEB Act, the NEB Pipeline Crossing Regulations, 3. Contact the pipeline company and obtain constructing within the right of way or mechanically Parts I and II, and easement agreements negotiated Prohibited Area a copy of the pipeline company’s guidelines for excavating within 30 metres (100 feet) of the right between the landowner and the pipeline company. ground disturbances. of way. If you are unable to reach an agreement with When a pipeline company receives a request to To ensure safety, you will need to contact the 4. Obtain the pipeline company’s written the pipeline company, contact the National Energy locate its pipes, the company may designate a company to get written approval for a number of approval for the crossing. Board at 1-800-899-1265. restricted area. The restricted area is situated in the different activities on the right of way.