Trans Mountain Pipeline (ULC)

Trans Mountain Expansion Project

Volume 8A

Volume 8A – Marine Transportation - Effects Assessment and Spill Scenarios

Page 8A–615

5.6.1.1

Economy

Marine spills can have both positive and negative effects on local and regional economies over

the short- and long-term. Spill response and clean-up creates business and employment

opportunities for affected communities, regions, and clean-up service providers, particularly in

those communities where spill response equipment is, or would be, staged (Section 5.5). This

demand for services and personnel can also directly or indirectly affect businesses and

resource-dependant livelihoods. The net overall effect depends on the size and extent of a spill,

the associated demand for clean-up services and personnel, the capacity of local and regional

businesses to meet this demand, the willingness of local businesses and residents to pursue

response opportunities, the extent of business and livelihoods adversely affected (directly or

indirectly) by the spill, and the duration and extent of spill response and clean-up activities. As

an example, positive spill-related economic effects were documented for major spill clean-up

areas following the EVOS (McDowell Group 1990). Negative effects on tourism and commercial

fishing were also documented, as described below.

5.6.1.1.1

Commercial Fishing

Commercial fishing and aquaculture is an important economic activity in the Salish Sea region

and available information on important fishery areas and effort are provided in Fishery

Resources Survey (TERMPOL 3.3, Volume 8C, TR 8C-3). A marine spill, particularly a large

one that affects one or more important commercial fishing areas, would likely result in loss of

commercial fishing income due to regulated or voluntary closures and possibly reduced demand

due to concerns about fish quality. For example, following the EVOS, emergency fishing

closures were instituted for salmon, herring, crab, shrimp, rockfish and sablefish immediately

following the spill. All fisheries were re-opened the next year, but income from commercial

fishing decreased substantially (EVOSTC 2010). Changes to commercial fishing income persist,

but as with other resources affected by the EVOS (Section 5.6.2.1), other factors have

influenced this change and discerning what is spill-related has been difficult (EVOSTC 2010).

5.6.1.1.2

Tourism and Recreation

The shipping route for Project-related tankers passes through or directly adjacent to areas

important for boating, recreational fishing, ecotourism, kayaking, coastal camping and scuba

diving. During stakeholder meetings, some attendees expressed concern over the potential of a

pipeline spill affecting tourism in areas such as the Gulf Islands. A Project-related tanker spill

could affect the tourism and recreation industry both by directly disrupting the activities of

tourists and recreationalists and by causing economic effects to recreation or tourism-based

businesses.

In the event of a spill, recreational fishing, boating and beach use may be restricted or

prohibited near the spill site and in clean-up areas. These restrictions would typically apply

during the active clean-up period, but voluntary and regulated changes in recreational use

patterns could extend until affected areas and resources are stable or recovered. In addition,

resident and non-resident visits to spill-affected areas may decrease due to lack of available

business services such as accommodations and charter boats (McDowell Group 1990;

EVOSTC 2010).

Effects on recreation or tourism-based businesses appear to be greatest during the clean-up

period, both due to decreased demand by visitors, and labour shortages associated with service

industry workers seeking higher paying spill clean-up jobs (McDowell Group 1990). Although

money and jobs generated in this industry have grown since the EVOS, and future tourism