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ABSTRACT |
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TITLE: |
Pipeline Projects and Cumulative Effects Assessment Issues |
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AUTHOR(S): |
Chris G. Finley - cfinley@neb-one.gc.ca Richard D. Revel - revel@ucalgary.ca |
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By virtue of their linear nature,
pipelines provide interesting dilemmas that one must face when determining
how best to address project-related cumulative environmental effects.
Effects from pipeline construction and operation can act in combination
with other projects and activities such as resource extraction, recreational
use, and other land-use practices to cause significant adverse environmental
effects. The challenge is to first determine the environmental effects
of the project. Three main types of disturbances stem from pipeline
construction and operation: those concentrated around or emanating
from a point or local area (e.g., temporary work spaces), a linear
area (e.g., right-of-way), or a regional area (e.g., emissions from
compressor stations). Pipeline projects can also be separated into
several phases that including planning, construction, operation, decommissioning,
and abandonment. Each of the project phases and associated activities
has the potential to adversely affect environmental values. Pipelines,
being linear, provide interesting cumulative effect issues. Key cumulative
effects issues include habitat loss and fragmentation, access creation
and management, upstream induced effects, and watercourse crossings.
To effectively assess pipeline cumulative effects stakeholders should
follow and established cumulative effects assessment (CEA) framework
or approach. The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency’s Cumulative
Effects Assessment Practitioners Guide provides an example of a CEA
framework that provides a starting point to assist the determination
of the significance of cumulative effects as a result of pipeline
development. As part of project-specific environmental assessments,
the potential cumulative environmental effects are often identified,
evaluated, mitigative measures proposed and the significance of effects
assessed. Proper implementation of mitigative measures in the field
is critical to the management of project-related cumulative effects.
This paper argues that an overall CEA approach or framework for a
pipeline project should be developed in a manner that is similar to
a CEA for a non-linear project or non-pipeline project although it
also recognizes that pipelines have some effects that are unique.
Cumulative effects from pipelines can be managed by applying standard
environmental assessment principles, using guidelines as frameworks
to assist the undertaking of CEAs, and by
ensuring mitigation is effectively applied. |
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