print
text size
+
 

Vol. 1, Section 4: Environmental Management

The environmental aspects of the Project will be effectively managed through the environmental management framework, which includes corporate policies, supported by management systems, practices, and plans.

Plans have been or will be developed and regularly revised as required throughout the life of the Project, consistent with the principles of continuous improvement and adaptive management. Existing and proposed plans are outlined below. Proposed plans will be developed based on final Project design and in consultation with the applicable regulatory agencies.

Figure 4-1 Environmental Management Framework (PDF: 15k)

4.1 Corporate Responsibility Policy
EnCana's Corporate Responsibility Policy builds on the foundation of EnCana's Constitution, translating corporate principles and values into actionable commitments in eight key performance areas, including Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S). The Corporate Responsibility Policy commits every staff member to conducting EnCana business ethically, legally, and in a manner that is fiscally, environmentally, and socially responsible, and provides the overarching values and policy framework for EH&S performance.

EnCana's Corporate Responsibility Policy applies to any activity undertaken by or on behalf of EnCana, anywhere in the world, associated with the finding, production, transmission, and storage of products, including decommissioning of facilities, marketing, and other business and administrative functions. With respect to the environment in particular, EnCana will adhere to the following principles:
  • safeguard the environment and operate in a manner consistent with recognized global industry standards in environment, health, and safety
  • strive to make efficient use of resources, to minimize its environmental footprint, and to conserve habitat diversity and the plant and animal populations that may be affected by its operations
  • strive to reduce its emissions intensity and increase its energy efficiency.
  • maintain clear honest and respectful dialogue with stakeholders
  • integrate environmental management into all parts of it's business
  • comply with laws, regulations and industry standards
  • identify, assess and manage environmental risk throughout it's business
  • ensure each employee, contractor and third party service provider understands their environmental responsibilities, is trained to meet them, and is monitored for compliance
  • establish environmental objectives, measure progress, and strive to continually improve environmental objectives

Back to top

4.2 EnCana Existing Environmental, Health and Safety Best Practices Management System
EnCana's EH&S Best Practices Management System is a corporate-wide safety and environmental management system designed to guide all levels of employees, contractors, and sub-contractors in achieving the desired level of EH&S performance. The ten elements that make up the Best Practices system focus on areas applicable to all of EnCana, and include:
  • Leadership
  • Managing Risk
  • Emergency Preparedness and Response
  • Assuring Competency
  • Conducting Business Responsibly
  • Ensuring Contractor and Supplier Performance
  • Managing Incidents
  • Documentation Management
  • Reporting EH&S Performance
  • Evaluating System Effectiveness
By following the programs, practices, and procedures stemming from the Best Practices system, EnCana meets its required accountabilities and in turn demonstrates sound EH&S performance to its stakeholders. Environmental management expectations and requirements are outlined for each of the ten elements and include the following:
  • setting of environmental goals and performance objectives, and measurement and communication of performance
  • environmental risk assessment
  • emergency response planning and preparedness
  • training and competency to ensure employees are aware of and trained on the environmental responsibilities associated with their job activities
  • practices to ensure environmentally-sound performance throughout the lifecycle of the asset
  • compliance with permits, regulations, and legal requirements
  • evaluation and selection of third party goods and services for conformance with environmental standards and requirements
  • reporting, investigation, and follow-up of environmental incidents a
  • system audits to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Back to top

4.3 Public Consultation
Background
Public Consultation is a primary component of building an effective Project specific environmental management program, it provides the background on resources and issues important to EnCana's stakeholders. The proactive identification of stakeholders, dissemination of information to stakeholders and other interested parties, as well as consultation with and input from these stakeholders, are key elements of the overall EIS process. EnCana's public consultation program is designed to ensure that all appropriate stakeholders, interested groups and individuals in the local communities have an opportunity to review and comment on the Project and EIS process, to offer feedback, ideas and information that could influence decisions and recommendations, and for EnCana to have an opportunity to respond to any concerns.

A diverse variety of individuals and groups participated in the consultation opportunities and events, including: residents, local municipalities and regional, provincial, federal government authorities, and businesses in the local area, academia, regulatory agencies, environmental nongovernmental organizations, and interested members of the public.

Corporate Responsibility
EnCana is committed to working with landowners, residents, communities, local governments and regulatory bodies to build and maintain long-term, mutually beneficial relationships. As such, EnCana considers stakeholder interests in all company operations by:
  • conducting public consultation in accordance with industry and regulatory guidelines;
  • consulting with landowners and residents who may have questions about our proposed or existing activities;
  • providing opportunities for community awareness and input about our operational plans in proximity to residents, landowners and Aboriginal communities; and
  • supplying continuous support for crisis management planning.
EnCana is also committed to continuous and lasting improvements, by:
  • conducting regular reviews of our activities in each community in which the company operate; and,
  • asking landowners, residents, communities and other stakeholders for their feedback on our role as a corporate neighbour.

EnCana's approach to building these relationships is one based on respect and timely communication about relevant and proposed developments. EnCana believes that community consultation is a collaborative process shared by the Company and our communities.

Each public consultation process is designed to encourage open and productive dialogue to support improved decision-making. EnCana's stakeholder and community consultation initiatives strive to balance the need for meaningful engagement and transparency with legal obligations relating to confidentiality and securities regulations.

Back to top

4.4 Comprehensive Project Environmental Assessment
Volumes 2 to 6 contain environmental assessments on each of the valued ecological components. The findings of the environmental assessment have and will guide the requirements in the Environmental Protection Plan and practices in the NWA.

Back to top

4.5 Environmental Protection Plan
EnCana has developed environmental protection measures, which are documented in the Draft Environmental Protection Plan (EPP), to mitigate potential environmental effects from its activities. The purpose of the EPP is to ensure the fulfillment of EnCana's environmental commitments and responsibilities. To this end, the EPP is consistent with the requirements of applicable regulations, standards, and guidelines, as well as with EnCana's own policy commitments and EH&S Best Practices Management System. The EPP will be revised if required to address Project-specific commitments and responsibilities identified through the environmental assessment and regulatory approvals process.

The EPP will be updated as required over the life of the Project. Both routine and abnormal conditions and emergencies that can reasonably be anticipated will be addressed. The EPP is designed to provide a suite of mitigation strategies to implement adaptive management as needed.

The EPP comprises a field-usable reference document providing clear and specific guidance to employees and contractors regarding procedures for protecting the environment and minimizing environmental effects when planning and/or conducting specific activities. The EPP addresses employee and contractor training, and will be an important tool in inspection and performance measurement throughout the life of the Project. Contractors are and will be required to comply with the EPP.

The EPP documents environmental concerns, applicable legislative requirements, and appropriate protection measures, and includes Environmental Compliance Monitoring (ECM) procedures. The EPP clearly defines ECM sampling processes, responsibilities, requirements for training, and reporting. The Draft EPP is contained in Appendix I.

4.5.1 Waste Management
For waste considerations not specifically covered in the EPP, EnCana has in place a general waste management plan to control the handling of all waste materials generated because of construction or facility operation. Since certain elements of the EnCana waste management plan are proprietary, the plan will be available for regulatory review upon request.

4.5.2 Conceptual Reclamation Plan
The Conceptual Reclamation Plan for the Project was prepared to provide information for the environmental impact assessment and for the planning process leading from the initial disturbance caused by infill drilling, to operational management, decommissioning and abandonment.

The Conceptual Reclamation Plan describes goals and objectives of the mitigation measures that are recommended for the Project. It reviews reclamation requirements in other jurisdictions as well as lessons learned from scientific and regulatory basis for the plan. Specific outcomes for each stage of the reclamation process are explained and methods that are scientifically rigorous and reproducible are proposed for measuring success at various milestones in the reclamation process. The details regarding the conceptual reclamation plan are presented in Appendix H

Back to top

4.6 Incident Management System
EnCana has in place a computer and web based incident management system that controls the response to any emergency or accident and tracks the corrective actions. A summary of the system including an example of how the system functions will be provided upon request.

4.6.1 Emergency Response Plan
EnCana's existing Emergency Response Plan (ERP) contains specific provisions for notification and assessment of and response to environmental incidents. Specifically, the ERP provides emergency response command and control functions for emergencies and covers foreseeable emergencies that could occur during all phases of the Project lifecycle. The ERP addresses hazard identification and assessment, environmental considerations, consultation with government agencies, incorporation of industry best practice, and use of external support resources. The ERP addresses environmental effects monitoring where necessary following emergency response activities. EnCana records all spills in its Incident Management System. Reportable spills are reported to the EUB, which provides a single-window approach to notifying the provincial regulators. EnCana's spill reporting process for Alberta mirrors the EUB and AENV processes. EnCana reports to the EUB all spills that are:
  • off-lease;
  • from a pipeline;
  • of a volume greater than 2 m³; or
  • into a waterbody.
Spills may be reported also to AENV if they are:
  • into a waterbody;
  • waste/used refined products (such as lube oil) if volume exceeds 5 litres;
  • refined products (gasoline, diesel) if volume exceeds 200 litres; and
  • reportable chemical spills specified by applicable Transportation of Dangerous Goods legislation.

Spills are also reported, if required, to other regulators (e.g., Fisheries and Oceans Canada, in the event of a spill into a fish-bearing watercourse).

4.6.2 Fire Contingency and Suppression
Wildfires could result from military activities, lightning, oil and gas operations, vehicles, and accidents. In the unlikely event of a wildfire in the NWA, environmental damage would likely result from the ignition and burning of vegetation. Such damage, however, would only result over the footprint of the wildfire. Depending upon the timing of the fire, wildlife may be affected during the breeding and nesting season.

EnCana's ERP includes a plan for responding to wildfires that can occur in the summer and fall at CFB Suffield. Wildfires are rare in the NWA and emergency response in the NWA has been prioritized to limit the damage in the NWA from fires, regardless of their origin. When conditions require, extra care is taken to limit ignition sources at CFB Suffield including in the NWA

Back to top

4.7 Environmental Effects Monitoring
EnCana will develop and implement a Environmental Effects Monitoring Plan (EEMP) for the lifecycle of the Project. The EEMP will address follow-up and monitoring programs determined, through the environmental assessment process, to be necessary to confirm the predicted environmental effects and the effectiveness of mitigation, to identify any unforeseen environmental effects, and to determine the need for and scope of any potential new or modified mitigation to avoid, eliminate, or reduce environmental effects. The EEMP will be based on the findings documented in the EIS, and will address, for each follow-up and monitoring program, purpose, objectives, scope, and methods. The EEMP will be based on the following structure:


4.7.1 Structure
The intent of the Project EEMP is to verify the predictions of the EIS and confirm (and adaptively manage) the success of mitigation.

Program Components
The components of the monitoring program will address the Project issues identified by environmental specialists and stakeholders for which monitoring should be conducted. The monitoring program may include:
  • vegetation (including non-native and invasive species)
  • wildlife
  • ground and surface water quality
  • soil erosion
  • reclamation progress

This process and ongoing consultation will guide the final selection of the specific components.

Program Elements
Each component is expected to have specific elements that will guide the collection of the information. The important elements as identified from past monitoring programs are:
  • timing
  • frequency
  • access method
  • contingency
  • contact system
  • verification and documentation systems
  • feedback loop
  • appropriate expertise
  • methodology

Back to top