ARCHIVED – Workshop Meeting Summary – 21 January 2011

Introductory Remarks (NEB):

• An overview of the Arctic Offshore Drilling Review was provided, including the mandate of the NEB, the events leading up to the Review and the various phases of the Review.
• The HTC and CC members were asked what can you tell us about your community, land and environment that offshore drilling may affect?

Dialogue with HTC and CC members:

In response to the question put forward, a number of areas of interest and concern were raised by HTC and CC members, including:

1. Emergency Response and Preparedness:
   
   
   • Coordination is important as communities rely on each other
   • Spill containment plans need to have local people involved as they can provide some resources to respond to an emergency
   • Given the cost of cleaning up in the Gulf, companies should be prepared to have two ships – that is the cost of doing business in the Arctic
     
2. General:
   
   
   • If an oil company puts in an application would they follow east coast or US standards?
   • When companies submit management plans it is one thing on paper but must be assured the personnel and equipment are in place
   • Drug and alcohol testing needs to be done on an ongoing basis
   • Everything is consistent at the start up but things sometimes slack off over time
   • Biggest concern looking at the area and size of the Beaufort is the long term effects – animals would be affected for a long time
   • How will the NEB test current and emerging technologies
   • Benefits to the people will be minimal and no benefits to those in some communities even though there are risks to them – need some reassurance even if it costs companies more – cost of doing business in the Arctic
   • Can't put a price on life
   • Need to make sure things are looked after for all Canadians, not just those in the Arctic
   • Rather than having set dates that drilling has to happen by, may need to take a step back and make sure things are in place
   • Industry needs to demonstrate to people the methods they will use (ie: if this the situation this is how and what they will do) and could be done by video as this gives a better understanding – NEB may want to make this a requirement
   • What is reasonable to industry is totally different to different groups of people
   • Must think of safety before money
   • Has directional drilling been considered?
   • It is important to approach matters the same way – companies should work together for consistency and this would give some comfort to people
   • Need to talk to students so they and learn and look ahead to the future
     
3. Past Experiences:
   
   
   • Years ago people didn't meet like this – if they did things would have been different
   • How many people were hurt or died in the past because they were not trained?
   • Need to learn from past mistakes
   • Grew up listening to the elders – they know so much that we can learn from
   • In past listened to elder talk about the coastline and how we need to protect it. This was when there were people working on the DEW line – the elder said to wait until people go out on the big water. How did she know that way back then and now we hear and see it happening – people are out on the big water working
     
     
4. Unique Arctic Environment:
   
   
   • There is different equipment out there and it isn't being shared – it is a tough environment and the best of the best needs to be used
   • Everything in the Arctic take a long time to grow and recover – one accident will have a great impact and make it tough to harvest
   • Last year caribou were going way out in the ocean for salt
   • There isn't as much traffic as in the Gulf to come for relief and support – may need the Canadian Coast Guard in Tuktoyaktuk
   • Ships can't move in certain ice conditions – there will need to be strict standards for ships
   • Ice is unpredictable – some years it is right to the shore and other years it is way out
   • If someone goes out there and gets stuck, who is going to go out there and pull them out – they need to do their homework before going out
   • Currents are really strong out there
   • It is important to protect the coastline – it is not just the fish but the muskrats and other animals
   • If there is a blowout no one is close to provide help
   • There have been lots of changes but ice is still the boss
   • Ice is changing – big ice at Shingle Point used to be right to the shore in the 60's, now it is not like that
   • There can be big ice and then in a few minutes the current comes and there isn't even the smallest bit of ice left
   • The ice and current are strong and can sweep a ship away
   
   
   
5. Value of Resources:
   
   
   • People won't see any royalties
   • People rely on whales for food and even without a spill, increased traffic will affect them
   • Because of seismic work, whales aren't going to Shallow Bay
   • 70% of food is fish and whale – a blowout will hurt a lot of people's way of life

Concluding Remarks and Follow-up Matters:

• NEB to provide copies of maps and pictures used
• NEB encourages continued participation in the Review

Date modified:

2022-04-21