Thank you to Gary Buxton, District of Squamish general manager of development services and public works, for submitting a letter to the editor (May 26) with regard to protection of community water in relation to FortisBC’s proposed pipeline and compressor station on Mount Mulligan.
His letter supports important community dialogue, especially in the absence of further public input to the FortisBC project’s B.C. Environmental Assessment process. Public discourse is important in proposals that affect a community’s well-being.
Beyond discussion of the the district’s Well Protection Plan, additional questions need public consideration.
Fire: What level of risk would a fire or explosion have on the fire department? Council has stated that Squamish Fire and Rescue does not have adequate training or capacity to respond to a facility fire or explosion emergency. The district’s response would be limited to the “fence-line” of this remote location, which FortisBC describes also as “posing access challenges during winter months.”
Yet, the EA application states that “a fire or explosion would require a response from local [fire] emergency services.” Why the disconnect? How and when is this remedied? What plans and protocols are in place should an emergency exceed FortisBC’s mitigation measures?
If there is a major event, could there also be critical damage to district water system infrastructure including water main pipes, chlorination facilities or the wells themselves? Who would deal with these emergency aspects? Who would pick up the tab for training, response and remediation?
Earthquake preparedness: The pipeline route appears to partially parallel the water main line coming from the Powerhouse Springs well field. Government data shows a southeast to northwest earthquake fault/thrust line extending through this area just east of Raven’s Plateau. Are there provincial or local guidelines for building pipelines/compressor facilities in earthquake zones? Who regulates this?
FortisBC has outlined mitigation and best management practice strategies in its EA application, stating “fires and explosions are not expected to occur under normal circumstances.” Uncertainties have become the new normal. Scientific and government projections for longer, drier summers with higher risk of forest fires are common knowledge. Earthquakes are expected but unpredictable in time and magnitude.
This leaves a burning question, and one that I am confident the district shares: Faced with unknowns, what decisions do we need to make to best protect our community water for the long term?
Star Morris
Squamish
Squamish resident Star Morris posed a number of questions about the proposed location for our new natural gas compressor station in her May 19 letter to the editor, “Letter: Consider the future of water in Squamish” that we’d like to address.
We took many factors into account when selecting the Mount Mulligan site and believe it’s the best option to balance minimizing local impacts, community feedback, environmental interests and a number of other factors. It’s worth noting the location was chosen based on specific feedback from members of the community and Squamish Nation. It’s located 1.8 kilometres from the nearest residence in Squamish, at approximately 1,400 feet elevation and on the other side of a bluff.
We chose the site because it’s located on land that is actively used as a woodlot, which will minimize environmental impacts. The site also has existing forestry road access, which we will upgrade, so we can ensure access and maintain safe operations.
As Gary Buxton noted in the District of Squamish’s response letter (May 26), the Mount Mulligan site is located within the Stawamus River watershed, where the district has one of its emergency backup surface water supplies.
We share Ms. Morris’s passion for protecting Squamish’s groundwater supplies; our best management practices and mitigation measures will ensure the Stawamus River watershed is protected during normal operations of our natural gas pipeline and compressor station, and if there is ever an emergency.
Our existing natural gas pipeline that provides service to more than 108,000 customers in Squamish, Whistler, the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island is routed through the Coquitlam watershed. It has safely operated without a single issue or incident for more than 25 years because of our strong commitment to safe operations, environmental stewardship and emergency preparedness.
As part of the design process, we’re evaluating two possible fire suppression systems for the Mount Mulligan compressor station. The first is a nitrogen/water system. The other uses a closed loop foam suppression system meaning that, if deployed, the foam is captured and disposed of safely and will not be released to the environment.
We respect that some residents still have concerns and questions about our project and in particular the Mount Mulligan compressor station. We’ll respond to all questions.
Elliot Moses
FortisBC Community Relations Manager
