Science Response 2013/014
Science Review of the Old Harry Prospect Exploration Drilling Program
Context
On December 20, 2011, Corridor Resources Inc. filed its updated Environmental Assessment of the Old Harry Prospect Exploration Drilling Program along with the Old Harry Drilling Mud and Cuttings Dispersion Modeling Final Report and Modeling in Support of Corridor Resources Old Harry Exploratory Drilling Environmental Assessment with the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB). In January 2012, the Environmental Assessment and Major Projects (EAMP) division of the Ecosystems Management Branch in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region requested that DFO Science undertake a review of these documents with a review deadline of February 17, 2012.
The objective of this process was to provide review and comment on the relevant documents with respect to the following context:
- Environmental Assessment of the Old Harry Prospect Exploration Drilling Program – As it relates to the components under the jurisdiction of DFO (see Appendix 2) – Are the proposed VECs and the assessment approach described complete and appropriate? Is information presented complete and based on the most recent information (and modeling as applicable) available? Are the environmental effects assessments complete and based on the most recent information and modelling available? Does it adequately consider the present state of knowledge, and are the uncertainties adequately described and incorporated in the conclusions?
- Old Harry Drilling Mud and Cuttings Dispersion Modeling Final Report – Is the oil spill modelling presented complete and based on the most recent information and models available, does it adequately describe the present state of knowledge of potential distribution patterns, and are the uncertainties in model inputs and outputs adequately described and incorporated in the conclusions?
- Modeling in Support of Corridor Resources Old Harry Exploratory Drilling Environmental Assessment – Is the modelling presented complete and based on the most recent information and models available, does it adequately describe the present state of knowledge, and are the uncertainties in the model inputs and outputs adequately described and incorporated in the conclusions?
Given that DFO is not the final advisory body for this request (through the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) process), and the short timeline to carry out a review, a DFO Science Special Response process was undertaken. Science expertise within Fisheries and Oceans, across the Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Maritimes, and Gulf regions, was solicited to address this review. Identified participants provided a review of the EA documentation to be collated before a draft of the prepared response underwent a group evaluation for agreement upon the final Science Response. It should be noted that DFO Science Branch comments were limited to the areas of the report where expertise was available at the time of the review.
The review found that overall; the quality of scientific content presented in the environmental assessment (EA) varies across the sections. While the potential environmental impacts of exploratory drilling regarding drilling fluids and cuttings is well-covered and conclusions are in line with many reviews and individual studies dealing with the effects, much of the preceding content relating to Valued Ecosystem Components (VECs) was deficient. Revised content, including a clear scope of work, corrected and updated information pertaining to VECs, and inclusion of modeling for noise sources is required within the assessment. At the same time, existing modeling related to trajectory of potential oil spills requires additional consideration. Finally, the declaration that "The environmental assessment indicates that no significant residual adverse environmental effects, including cumulative environmental effects, will occur as a result of the Project" needs to be reconsidered once the important information gaps are filled and taking into consideration uncertainties and potential unplanned events (e.g., spills and blowouts; events beyond the geographic scope identified).
This Science Response report is from the Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat, Zonal Science Special Response Process (SSRP) of March 5, 2012 on the Old Harry Prospect Exploration Drilling Program.
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