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TitleCorridor Pipeline: Hartley Creek Crossing
Publication TypeConference Paper
Year of Publication2002
AuthorsO'Rourke, D. J.
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers
Publication Language en
ISBN Number0-7918-3620-7
KeywordsAthabasca Oil Sands, coarse fish, consultation, Corridor Pipeline System, crossing location, cultural significance, environmental planning, First Nations, fish habitat, Fort McKay First Nation, Muskeg River Mine, riparian zone, Shell Canada, sport fish, traditional ecological knowledge, traditional lands, trenchless method
Abstract

Construction of the 493 km Corridor Pipeline System commenced in summer 2000, and is scheduled for completion in 2002. The systemconnects the two major components of the Athabasca Oil Sands Project the Muskeg River Mine, north of Ft. McMurray and the Upgrader adjacent to Shell Canada Limited's Scotford Refinery, near Fort Saskatchewan. The pipeline will also link the Upgrader with terminals in the Edmonton Area. The system includes dual pipelines (610 mm and 323.9 mm O.D.) as well asassociated pump stations and valve sites. Corridor Pipeline Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BC Gas Inc. Corridor pipeline crosses Hartley Creek near the south boundary of Shell's lease C-13, north of Ft. McMurray, in the Ft. McKay First Nations traditional lands. An evaluation of the proposed crossing completed for the project application identified the location as highly sensitive to pipeline construction activities because of the high fish habitat quality and historical presence of sport and coarse fish. Although a fish survey completed for the above evaluation identified only coarse fish species, the provincial approval for the project required atrenchless crossing method unless authorized in writing by the Director.After completing detailed geotechnical and fisheries assessments of the crossing site, authorization from the director was subsequently obtained to complete the crossing using an isolation method. Planning and consultation with Ft. McKay First Nations to construct through their traditional landsincorporated aspects of traditional ecological knowledge. As part of theprogram, Corridor Pipeline committed to completion of a traditional plantsurvey. The results of the survey identified Hartley Creek as having cultural significance to the band. The riparian zone in this area supports a large concentration of food and medicinal plant species. Specialized mitigative measures were incorporated in order to maintain the density and diversity of the Hartley Creek riparian zone. This paper presents information with regard to the environmental studies and the regulatory process used to obtain approval to complete construction of the Hartley Creek crossing using an isolation method instead of the trenchless method originally required by theprovincial government. It also explains the consultation program with the Ft. McKay First Nations and environmental planning used to maintain the density and diversity of riparian vegetation at this culturally significant crossing location.

Topics

oil sands, First Nations, traditional land use, traditional ecological knowledge

Locational Keywords

Fort Saskatchewan, Edmonton, Hartley Creek, Fort McMurray, Fort McKay

Group

CEMA

Citation Key22304

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