A comprehensive study assessing current marine-spill preparedness and response capabilities was released by the Province today. The study also outlines necessary improvements to achieve a world-class system to ensure B.C.'s coast is protected from potential marine spills.

Nuka Research, an international expert in spill preparedness and response, had been commissioned by the provincial government to undertake the study so B.C. could better understand the federal government's ability to deal with a spill off the west coast. The West Coast Spill Response Study contains three volumes, including:

• Volume 1 - An assessment of the existing marine-spill prevention and response regime in place for B.C.
• Volume 2 - A vessel traffic study assessing the current and potential levels of shipping on the west coast of Canada and the current volume of hydrocarbons being shipped or used as fuel.
• Volume 3 - An analysis to identify international best practices and the elements required for establishing a world-class marine spill preparedness and response system.

The study lays the foundation for building a world-class marine spill response and preparedness system, one of the Province's five conditions for considering heavy oil pipelines in B.C.

While the federal government is the lead for marine spills and is already taking some important steps to improve the system, the study concludes more federal resources are needed to protect the west coast. B.C will continue to work with the Government of Canada and push for changes necessary to ensure world-class requirements and regulations are in place.

The complete study can be found at: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/main/west-coast-spill-response-study/

Quotes:

Mary Polak, Minister of Environment -

"While we respect federal jurisdiction over marine spills, we must ensure B.C.'s interests are being met, and that means adding more resources to protect our coast. This study is essential to informing our discussions with the federal government in building a world-class marine spill response system."

Learn More:

BC Newsroom - Ministry of Environment: http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/ministries/environment-1

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contact:

Ministry of Environment Communications
250 953-3834

BACKGROUNDER

West Coast Spill Response Study

Volume One: Assessment of British Columbia Marine-Spill Prevention and Response Regime

This volume examines Canada's regulatory framework with a focus on the one industry-funded response organization based in British Columbia - Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (WCMRC). WCMRC has equipment based along the B.C. coast and is certified by Transport Canada as being able to respond to a 10,000 tonne spill to marine waters. Nuka Research ran a series of simulated oil spills to illustrate how much spilled oil could be collected using WCMRC's equipment, resources and personnel brought in from nearby U.S. states. Based on the results of the simulations and a high level review of existing laws and regulations, several areas warranting further consideration and possible enhancement are identified. These include the response planning standard, general oversight, inter-agency co-ordination, the location of resources along B.C.'s coastline, and planning assumptions and operational procedures such as a significant reliance on contractors and an assumed 24-hour operational period.

Volume Two: Vessel Traffic Study

This volume is the first extensive analysis of vessel traffic performed for this area and compiles the movement of vessels for six passage lines along the B.C. coast. Key information was collected for more than 54,000 vessel tracks across those passage lines over the two-year period from 2011-2012. The vast majority of vessel transits (78 per cent) occur in southern B.C. While overall vessel traffic is forecasted to remain much higher in the Vancouver area than farther north on the coast, the greatest changes could be seen based on potential traffic going in and out of Prince Rupert, Stewart and Kitimat.

Volume Three: World-Class Oil Spill Prevention, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery System

This volume presents a high-level overview of the features of a world-class system with recommendations and considerations for areas of enhancement. It acknowledges that spills can still happen even with the best possible prevention and safety measures in place, and even the best possible spill response system cannot guarantee that resources-at-risk will be protected from negative impacts if a spill occurs. Eleven key features of a world-class system are identified and categorized into three groups: prevention, preparedness and response, and the overall system.

Prevention Elements:

• Vessel operations surpass international safety and spill prevention standards.
• Vessel traffic is monitored and, in higher-risk areas, actively managed to prevent accidents.
• Rescue and salvage resources can be on-scene quickly enough to be effective after an incident or spill.

Preparedness and Response Elements:

• Geographic areas are prioritized for protection from oil spills.
• Contingency planning is comprehensive, integrated and well understood by all relevant parties.
• Sufficient equipment can be deployed quickly to respond to a worst-case spill.
• Sufficient personnel are available to respond to a worst-case spill.
• A process is in place to restore damaged resources and to promote ecosystem recovery after a spill.

System Elements:

• Government ensures compliance and transparency.
• All parties actively pursue continuous improvement through research and development and the testing of planning assumptions.
• Financial mechanisms and resources meet needs from initiating the response through recovery.

Media Contact:

Ministry of Environment Communications
250 953-3834