Mohawk Council of Kahnawake comments on approval of Enbridge Line 9B

03/07/2014

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that it has concerns regarding the National Energy Board’s (“the Board”) approval of Enbridge Pipelines’ application for the reversal of the flow and increased capacity for its pipeline that runs between Montreal and southern Ontario.

From a technical perspective, the MCK acknowledges that the Board did take some of its concerns into consideration, particularly in relation to the need for and requirements of Watercourse Crossing Management Plans and the location of emergency shut-off valves. However, the conditions established fall short of the MCK’s recommendations.

In addition, many recommendations made by the MCK and others were rejected or ignored, including the need for certain types of pressure testing, worst-case spill modeling and minimum insurance levels for Enbridge. The MCK also has serious concerns with the engagement reporting requirements for Enbridge, which expire in three years on a project that is anticipated to last thirty years.

The MCK also deplores the Board’s narrow view as to potential impacts on First Nations’ rights and interests stemming from the pipeline’s operations. The Board should have accorded more weight to the potential impacts from a spill on Kahnawà:ke’s rights and interests.

The MCK will continue to pressure Enbridge and the National Energy Board to implement additional accommodation and safety measures and to ensure that the conditions imposed are carried out appropriately. The MCK will also be participating in Emergency Management activities in relation to this pipeline so that we will be able to respond in the most effective way possible in the best interest of Kahnawà:ke.