The Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion (TMX) development at Bridal Falls near Chilliwack threatens endangered animals and delicate wetlands.
Three environmental organizations are asking the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) to take preventive measures.
Petition to Stop the Habitat Destruction Near the Chilliwack Pipeline Site
(Photo : CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN/AFP via Getty Images)
On August 6, The Pipe Up Network and others sent a notice of motion to the CER for what they claim is illegal habitat degradation, as per Mission City Record.
Environmentalists contend that the CER should be implementing the expansion's requirements, but over the previous ten years, several Auditor General reports have revealed failures of enforcement by the federal regulator.
The Pipe Up Network's Lynn Perrin stated in a release that this small region is significant for animals and humans, and its worth is even more crucial now that the neighboring fields were clear-cut.
The marsh region between Chilliwack and Popkum is also home to nesting birds and amphibians, including the endangered coastal giant salamander.
Last month, a TMX representative emphasized that the corporation does mitigating steps to safeguard other species including nesting birds.
Progress was informed by a TMX representative that mitigation procedures include the use of non-intrusive nest sweeps and the development of species-specific buffer zones around active nests to guarantee our construction activities have the least impact on nesting birds feasible.
When conducting surveys, a protective buffer is installed if nesting activity is discovered.
Last month, Protect the Planet started a petition asking B.C. Minister Katrine Conroy to revoke Trans Mountain's permission to recover threatened coastal giant salamanders in the area-a measure that should only be taken as a last option.
Their petition already has more than 600 signatures.
The area between South Popkum Road and the Bridal Falls Forest Service Road was scheduled to be cleared by TMX contractors, but a nearby neighbor was able to stop the work and subsequently called the Community Nest Finding Network (CNFN) for more aid.
A biologist was called in to confirm the existence of active bird nests after CNFN discovered and documented them.
This was done until the baby birds fledged.
Also Read: Trans Mountain Tree Cutting Can Resume as Stop-Work Order On Pipeline Route Lifts
Close Call of Habitat Destruction in Chilliwack Area
The Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project (TMX) has finally begun in the Chilliwack region, but at one spot close to Bridal Falls, it has been put on hold because of a pair of woodpeckers that are engaged in mating behavior, as per The Progress.
Red-breasted sapsuckers, American robins, and Anna's hummingbirds can all temporarily halt the operation of heavy equipment used by TMX personnel to clear the area next to the existing pipeline path, including excavators, feller bunchers, and unlimbers.
A person has discovered nests every time the Community Nest Finding Network has been on site before (TMX personnel) had chopped trees.
Trans Mountain should not be permitted to cut down trees during prime nesting season because they are having trouble discovering the nests.
That person is Sara Ross from the Community Nest Finding Network (CNFN), a group that has spent the majority of its time blocking TMX operations by searching for nests in the Burnaby area since 2021.
It all began when activists in trees found Anna's hummingbird eggs, which led to construction halts in the Brunette River Conservation Area for more than three months last summer.
Red-breasted sapsucker nests in trees that were active were most recently discovered close to Bridal Falls.
Ross claimed that the nest was easy to spot from the ground, and even though she claimed that they were the ones who alerted TMX to the nest after the company's certified environmental professional had found nothing, the company remained silent when asked about the extent of its wildlife surveying along the pipeline route.
A TMX representative stated via email that bird nests were located and adequate buffers were built during these surveys near Bridal Falls.
Construction work is put on hold until nestlings have flown the nest or until it has been determined that the nest is no longer active.
The business requires that precautions be taken to safeguard nesting birds, such as the red-breasted sapsucker nest found close to Bridal Falls.
The TMX spokeswoman stated that mitigation measures will be used to ensure that construction activities have the least possible effect on breeding birds, including the use of non-intrusive nest sweeps and the creation of species-specific buffer zones around active nests.
When conducting surveys, a protective buffer is installed if nesting activity is discovered.
Related Article: Detailed Pipeline Route Through Chilliwack Approved by a Federal Regulator
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