Question Period Note: Coastal GasLink pipeline

How is the government addressing the allegations that construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline is impacting fish and fish habitat in Clore Creek?

• DFO is aware of reports of sediment releases in Clore Creek from the Coastal GasLink construction project, and is monitoring the situation closely for impacts to fish and fish habitat.
• DFO biologists and enforcement officers conducted a site inspection the week of January 9, 2023.
• Given that this is an ongoing investigation, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.

• The Coastal Gas Link (CGL) project is a 670 km long natural gas pipeline project from the Dawson Creek area to Kitimat, BC. Construction of the pipeline involves approximately 1,089 stream crossings in the Peace River, Fraser River, Skeena River, and Kitimat River watersheds.
• DFO worked together with CGL to define construction methodologies and mitigations that avoid and/or reduce impacts to fish and fish habitat.
• DFO reviewed approximately 50 crossings and all were the object of letters of advice (some crossings were relocated or re-designed to avoid the need for a DFO Fisheries Act authorization).
• Clore Creek is an upper tributary of the Skeena River, and one of many stream crossings associated with the project.
• The work at Clore Creek currently involves installation of pumps to bypass water around the worksite while the pipeline is installed across the watercourse.

Clore Creek Sediment Release
• Qualified Environmental Professionals (Biologists) retained by CGL assessed instream habitat in the area of the Clore Creek crossing location.
• The instream habitat was characterized as having poor spawning potential, poor rearing potential, and moderate wintering potential.
• An instream fish passage barrier 5 km downstream of the site restricts salmon and steelhead from the Clore Creek crossing/construction location.
• DFO’s understanding is that there may have been a sediment pulse as a result of digging to install pumps at the worksite, as well as additional sediment release from some slumping into the pump area.
• The impacts from sediment plumes on fish can be harmful or not harmful depending on the duration and concentration of the sediment in the water column. Sediment can also settle and smother fish habitat (the gravel bed) and this is what DFO is currently looking into.
• DFO Fishery Officers, a DFO habitat biologist, and an employee from Environment and Climate Change Canada travelled to the Clore Creek site on January 13, 2023, to inspect the work being done at the CGL pipeline crossing.
• The purpose of this inspection was to gather information which may help identify potential impacts to downstream fish habitat as a result of the construction activity at an open cut crossing.
• DFO Fishery Officers are working closely with DFO habitat biologists to determine possible next steps. As such, DFO has no further information which can be provided and no further comments at this time.

If pressed
• DFO was aware of the work occurring at Clore Creek and receives weekly reports on progress.
• In 2020, the Department reviewed Coastal GasLink’s construction plan and provided advice to avoid negative impacts on fish and fish habitat.
• The plan includes mitigation measures for pipeline installation to avoid sediment release. DFO will consider whether any further measures are required.
• DFO will continue to monitor activities and will take appropriate enforcement actions should any Fisheries Act violations be confirmed.