Appendix 8. Petroleum Hydrocarbon Products, Ammonium Nitrate and Explosives Management Plan

Transcription

1 Appendix 8 Petroleum Hydrocarbon Products, Ammonium Nitrate and Explosives Management Plan

2 Petroleum Hydrocarbon Products, Ammonium Nitrate, and Explosives Management Plan This Petroleum Hydrocarbon Products, Ammonium Nitrate, and Explosives Management Plan has been developed for the Giscome Quarry and Lime Plant Project (the Project). The Petroleum Hydrocarbon Products, Ammonium Nitrate, and Explosives Management Plan is a living document and will be updated as appropriate during the life of the Project. 1.0 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of the Petroleum Hydrocarbon Products, Ammonium Nitrate and Explosives Management Plan is to describe practices that will be implemented for the storage, transportation, safe handling and disposal of petroleum hydrocarbon products, ammonium nitrate and explosives during all Project phases. Petroleum hydrocarbon products include oils, gasoline, diesel and a variety of solvents. Through its application this plan will aim to mitigate the potential environmental impacts of petroleum hydrocarbon products, ammonium nitrate and explosives on the environment. 1.1 Consultation As part of Graymont s ongoing consultation for the Project, Graymont has engaged with local community members, business people, recreationalists, First Nations and others to ensure that the Project meaningfully considers the potential for impacts on First Nations and stakeholders. Graymont initially consulted with a wide range of local and regional stakeholder groups in 2007 prior to the project being put on hold. In 2013, preliminary discussions were undertaken with the Regional District of Fraser Fort George (RDFFG) officials prior to finalization of the draft Project Description document. A community newsletter and public meetings in Willow River and Prince George in June 2013 introduced the project to local residents and led to a number of one-on-one meetings with local residents that were held in July and August 2013, prior to finalization of the draft Application Information Requirements. Public Consultation continued through the Application Review phase in accordance with Public Consultation Plan Graymont submitted to the Environmental Assessment Office under Section 11 Order. Additional information on the consultation process completed as part of the environmental assessment process are provided in: Lheidli T enneh First Nation Consultation Plan for the Proposed Giscome Quarry and Lime Plant: Submitted to the Environmental Assessment Office under Section 11 Order by Graymont Western Canada Ltd. December 10, 2013; Public Consultation Plan for the Proposed Giscome Quarry and Lime Plant: Submitted to the Environmental Assessment Office under Section 11 Order by Graymont Western Canada Ltd. December 10, 2013; First Nations Consultation Report, Giscome Quarry and Lime Plant, Giscome BC, September 2015; and Public Consultation Report, Giscome Quarry and Lime Plant, Giscome BC, September Draft versions of the management and monitoring plans were submitted to the Lheidli T enneh First Nation as part of the Environmental Assessment process for review and comment. Responses to comments are provided in the EAO s tracking table. Page A8 1

3 1.2 Community Engagement Graymont will develop a Community Advisory Committee in accordance with Condition 15 of the Environmental Assessment Certificate. The Committee will be: Comprised of at least three Graymont and three community representatives, and Formed at least 30 days prior to the start of Construction. The Committee will: Establish a terms of reference for the Committee prior to the start of Construction; Meet at least once per year during Construction and the first three years Operations. Subsequent meeting frequency must be determined by the terms of reference and agreed upon by all representatives; Receive Project related environmental performance information including but not limited to air quality, groundwater and surface water quality, wildlife interactions, visual mitigations, public access management, and noise management; and Provide a venue to address community concerns with a public grievance mechanism to track and revolve issues. Graymont will include information discussed with the Community Advisory Committee and report on environmental performance as described above on a Project-specific webpage established at least 30 days prior to the start of Construction, updated at least annually and maintained throughout Project Construction, Operations, and Decommissioning. 2.0 REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES Relevant guidance includes federal and provincial legislation and industry-standard best management practices (BMPs). Legislated measures are generally mandatory, whereas BMPs may be superseded by project-specific mitigation approaches that are tailored to the local circumstances. 2.1 Federal Regulations Federal legislation relevant to this management plan is described below Environmental Protection Act The Canadian Environmental Protection Act is aimed at protecting the environment and human health from the risks posed by harmful pollutants and to prevent new ones from entering the Canadian environment Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act The Transportations of Dangerous Goods Act regulates the transportation of dangerous goods through the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations. Dangerous goods are products that are inherently dangerous whether or not they are in transport. The Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act defines the term dangerous goods as a product, substance or organism included by its nature or by the regulations in any of the classes listed in the Schedule (to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act). Page A8 2

4 The regulations require that, with few exceptions, every person engaged in the handling, offering for transport or transporting of dangerous goods be trained in the aspects of these activities that are applicable to their assigned duties Explosives Act The Explosives Safety and Security Branch (ESSB) of Natural Resources Canada is responsible for administering the Explosives Act and regulations, and pursuing the advancement of explosives safety and security technology. The ESSB s main priority is the safety and security of the public and all workers involved in the explosives industry in Canada Fisheries Act The Fisheries Act governs the release of deleterious substances into fish habitat (Appendix 3). 2.2 Provincial Regulations Provincial legislation relevant to this management plan is described below Environmental Management Act The Environmental Management Act regulates the introduction of waste into the environment to prevent pollution. It contains a broad prohibition against causing pollution defined as the presence of pollutants in the environment at a level that alters or impairs the usefulness of the environment. The Waste Discharge Regulation under the Environmental Management Act requires certain industries obtain authorization before introducing waste into the environment. Waste includes air contaminants, litter, effluent, refuse and biochemical waste. Under the Environmental Management Act, the Hazardous Waste Regulation outlines requirements for authorized containment, storage, handling, disposal and transportation of substances identified as hazardous waste. The Spill Reporting Regulation identifies and outlines the reporting requirements in the event of a spill. 2.3 Best Management Practices Guidelines and BMPs for fuel and explosives management include the following: A Field Guide to Fuel Handling, Transportation and Storage (BC MWLAP, 2002); Develop with Care 2014: Environmental Guidelines for Urban and Rural Land Development in British Columbia (BC MOE, 2014); Aggregate Operators Best Management Practices Handbook for British Columbia (BC MEM, 2002); and Preparing an Explosives and Nitrogen Management Plan for a Mine (BC MOE, 2016). 3.0 PERFORMANCE THRESHOLDS Performance thresholds refer to measurable parameters that can be used to convey the effectiveness of measures to meet desired outcomes. Where end-point performance standards exist, these will take precedence over practice-based performance standards. In other words, alternative mitigation approaches to those recommended here may be employed so long as it can be shown that the intent of the recommendations is being met. This is the basis of Results Based Management. For this component plan monitoring will rely on compliance with recommended mitigation measures, alternative mitigation approaches (implemented as described above) or other commitments made by Graymont. Page A8 3

5 4.0 PERMITS AND APPROVALS The Explosives Act requires anyone working with explosives to have a licence, certificate or permit issued by the Minister of Natural Resources. The main exceptions are the use of explosives and some storage activities, which are regulated provincially, as well as the use of some low-hazard explosives. 5.0 PROJECT-SPECIFIC MITIGATION Project-specific mitigation for the proper management, handling and storage of petroleum hydrocarbon products and explosives are described in this section. In accordance with this management plan, Project contractor(s) will also prepare Environmental Protection Plans (EPPs) for the proper management, handling and storage of petroleum hydrocarbon products and explosives used during the construction phase of the Project. 5.1 Petroleum Hydrocarbon Products The following measures will be implemented to minimize potential adverse impacts from petroleum hydrocarbon products during all phases of the Project: 1. Storage, handling, fueling and equipment maintenance and repair sites will be located on flat, stable ground, away from environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands and riparian areas. 2. Tanks, barrels, and containers with capacity of greater than 23 litres containing hydrocarbon products will be stored within impermeable containment areas designed to contain 110% of the volume of the largest container. 3. Storage areas will be operated so that containment systems remain effective during wet weather and winter conditions. 4. Hydrocarbon storage sites will have a written Spill Contingency Plan, with required actions specified, and will include the names of those to be contacted (refer to Appendix 11 Emergency Response Plan). 5. Plastic containers used to carry petroleum products will be designed for that purpose, and will not be more than five years old. Containers will be inspected for leaks and will be sealed with a proper fitting cap or lid. 6. Containers will be labeled according to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations. 7. Containers that are of 23 litres or less will be stored and transported in an equipment box of a vehicle that is capable of containing the total quantity of fuel in the containers should it leak or spill. 8. Containers of greater than 23 litres, including 205 litre drums, will be transported upright and secured to prevent shifting and toppling. 9. Hydrocarbon products classified as dangerous goods under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations will be transported to and within Project areas in accordance with requirements of the Act and Regulations. 10. Refueling of equipment and refilling of small field containers will be carried out a minimum of 30 meters from water bodies or wetlands. 11. Vehicles and equipment, including their hydraulic fittings, will be inspected regularly to ensure that they are in good condition and free of leaks. 12. Absorbent pads will be included in the toolkits for sites requiring fuel containing equipment. Page A8 4

6 5.2 Explosives and Nitrate Management Explosives will be supplied by a single-service contract with a licenced contractor who will have a detailed operations protocol for transportation, storage and handling of explosives. Explosives will be primarily bulk ammonium nitrate/fuel oil (ANFO) and emulsion delivered to the quarry by a mixing bulk truck. Emulsions will be used for wet blasting; ANFO will be used for dry blasting to limit ammonia leaching. During construction and operation, the ANFO usage will be in a package form. There will be no explosive or detonator magazines on site. All explosives will be trucked to the site on the day of the blast. Ammonium nitrate dissociates readily in water to ammonia, which can be directly toxic to aquatic life or can indirectly affect aquatic life through decreasing dissolved oxygen levels in water. Ammonia can also affect the ph and temperature of water. All emulsion materials are toxic to aquatic life, except at low concentrations. Eliminating storage of ammonium nitrate and emulsion materials on land greatly reduces the risk of impacts to water bodies. The following measures will be implemented to minimize potential adverse impacts from explosives during all Phases of the Project: 1. Through communication and training, workers will be made aware that blasting agents such as nitrates and ammonia can impact water quality. 2. Safe handling and loading procedures will be used to prevent spillage during loading. Appropriate spill clean-up materials to the size and type of spill will be available to properly address spills that may occur. 3. Accidental spills of ammonium nitrate from an explosives truck will be cleaned up immediately in accordance with the Emergency Response Plan (Appendix 11). Clean up will be done by contractors licensed to handle explosives. 4. Since blasting agents can leach in wet blast holes, holes loaded with water soluble products will be lined if there is any possibility of wet ground in the area. 5. Blasts will be designed to maximize efficiency of blasting agents. 6. Exposing explosives to precipitation will be avoided. 7. Blast hole liners will be used even when minimal amounts of water are present. If there is excessive water, blasters will use emulsion instead. 8. Holes will not be loaded with blasting agents until necessary in order to reduce the time elapsed between loading and detonation. 9. Disposal of blasting reagent packaging and related waste will be done in accordance with relevant legislation and guidelines (refer to Appendix 9 Waste Management Plan). 10. Water, and its ability to come in contact with explosive residue on waste rock, will be managed in accordance with the Water Management Plan, which has been developed for the Project. The Water Management Plan describes the quarry s system of perimeter ditches, surface water collection, settling structures, clean water diversion and site water balance. The Water Management Plan also describes all receiving aquatic environments including groundwater and surface water Ammonium Nitrate/Explosive Storage As indicated above, there are no current plans to store ammonium nitrate or other explosive related material onsite. However, if onsite storage is planned for any phase of the Project this management plan will be revised to include a site-specific storage and mitigation plan. Page A8 5

7 Currently mitigation measures and best management practices have been considered at a conceptual level only and include the following: 1. Explosives storage will be controlled and runoff from storage areas will be fully contained. 2. Ammonium nitrate will be store on a pad constructed of crushed fill and a berm will be constructed around the pad. Sandwiched in the fill and continuing up into the berm will be a geomembrane liner to ensure the facility is impermeable. Alternatively, ammonia nitrate bags may be stored in a covered building. 3. All partially full contaminated or ripped bags of prill 1, spilled prill and used empty bags will be collected and stored in a dedicated contained location for shipment off-site. 4. All spilled prill will be recorded on a spill report and all bags will be inspected by the IEM (or operations supervisor during operations) and condition accounted for receiving and shipping offsite. These data will be kept as part of inventory reconciliation and in an environmental database. 5.3 Transportation Equipment will be inspected prior to transportation of hydrocarbon products or explosives to ensure it is substantially free and clean of oil and grease. Trucks transporting ammonium nitrate will not be washed on-site. Equipment is required to be in good working order, meeting manufacturer standards. Fully stocked spill kits adequate to deal with emergencies on the road will be available, including provision of spill kits within vehicles onsite used for the transport of equipment, waste and hazardous materials (refer to Appendix 9 Waste Management Plan and Appendix 11 Emergency Response Plan). 6.0 EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING Effectiveness monitoring will rely on compliance with applicable legislation and recommended mitigation measures or other commitments made by the Proponent with respect to petroleum hydrocarbon products, ammonium nitrate, and explosives management. The Independent Environmental Monitor (IEM) or the operations supervisor will be responsible for documenting the measures used, as well as indicating where there are deficiencies. The IEM or operations supervisor will regularly monitor the mitigation measures implemented and will communicate compliance or non-compliance, and or incidents with the appropriate regulatory authorities as necessary. Environmental Monitoring applicable to petroleum hydrocarbon products, ammonium nitrate, and explosives management will be carried out in accordance with the environmental monitoring program developed for the Project including discharge and receiving environment monitoring. This monitoring program is described in Appendix 2 Water Quality Management Plan and describes monitoring procedures, sites, and frequency. 1 A prill is a small aggregate or globule of a material, most often a dry sphere, formed from a melted liquid. Prilled is a term used in mining and manufacturing to refer to product that has been pelletized. Page A8 6

8 7.0 REFERENCES BC MEM [Ministry of Energy and Mines], Aggregate Operators Best Management Practices Handbook for British Columbia, Victoria, BC. BC MOE [Ministry of Environment], Develop with Care 2014: Environmental Guidelines for Urban and Rural Land Development in British Columbia, Victoria, BC. BC MOE [Ministry of Environment], Preparing and Explosives and Nitrogen Management Plan for a Mine, Version 1.0, May BC MWLAP [Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection], A Field Guide to Fuel Handling, Transportation and Storage, February 2002, Victoria, BC. Page A8 7