Last of fish spawning deterrent mats removed by Kinder Morgan, says NEB

Trans Mountain Kinder Morgan photo.

NEB had not authorized installation of the deterrent mats, says now that “further enforcement action” being considered

In early Sept, the National Energy Board ordered Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC to remove plastic snow fence material laid down in the beds of eight streams during mid-August prevent fish from spawning in the area. The NEB reported Tuesday that as of Dec. 12, the last of the mats have been removed.

NEB Inspection Officers were onsite in Nov. and Dec. to inspect Trans Mountain’s compliance with the federal energy regulator’s requirement that the spawning deterrents be removed in accordance with the company’s commitments.

“The snow fencing serves as a ‘deterrent mat’ atop gravel beds they might otherwise choose to lay their eggs in,” Kinder Morgan wrote on its website.

The deterrents were removed after all spawning activity at the sites had concluded for the year.

Trans Mountain is required to monitor the effectiveness of the deterrents that were installed.

Inspection reports related to the spawning deterrents will be posted to the Compliance and Enforcement page of the NEB’s website when available.

Further enforcement action related to the unauthorized activity remains under consideration, the NEB said in its press release.

The NEB directed Trans Mountain on Sept. 22 to cease further installation of spawning deterrents along the planned route of the new pipeline.