The Collaborative Group of Landowners Affected by Pipelines Holds AGM

Baring - August 2014 - Submitted by Brian Kingman

By Brian Kingman, CGLAP Secretary 

CGLAP holds AGM in Abbotsford, BC

The Collaborative Group of Landowners Affected by Pipelines met on May 26th in Abbotsford to review this past years’ involvement and preparations for the Kinder Morgan – Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. CGLAP is a pro pipeline group and the largest advocacy group for the Directly Affected land owners who will be involved in the Trans Mountain Pipe line expansion.

CGLAP is a registered non-profit association and has Intervenor Status with the NEB. Members are primarily homeowners and farmers located from Rosedale in Chilliwack through to Walnut Grove in Langley. This is a significant stretch of over 60 kilometers of pipeline through the heart of the Fraser Valley and arguably the finest soils in Canada.  
Because each landowner is directly affected by the pipeline expansion, concern runs high among the members. 83 people or 87% of the members attended the meeting, reflecting the apprehension of the membership. “We would like to see an amicable resolution to all our concerns about the pipeline’s impact on our homes and farms.” said Brian Kingman, secretary of the group, “We have invested a lot of time and money outlining our concerns and proposing solutions to Trans Mountain” said CGLAP President Peter Reus. He also reported progress in meetings with Trans Mountain and is hopeful that all of CGLAP’s issues will be met very soon. A partnership agreement with Trans Mountain seems to be the major hurdle at this time.

There is also a real concern of the aspect of new farming regulations that have now commenced due to the new “Safety Zone” of 60 meters, 30 m (100 feet) on either side of the pipeline right of way, itself, 18 m (60 feet) wide. CGLAP has won through the NEB Intervenor Process, establishing the new pipe of 944 cm (36”) depth of 1.2 meters through the Fraser Valley and is trying hard to convince Trans Mountain to lower the 1953 pipe to the same depth as it currently sits at .8 meters (30 inches) or less, far too shallow to effectively handle todays farm machinery and cultivation techniques.
CGLAP is also involved with a UFV assisted pipeline temperature affect study to determine the heat generated from the oil passing through the pipe and if there is any detrimental effect on crops grown in the proximity of the pipeline, especially in regard to premature crop ripening. 

CGLAP director Dave Van Belle of Matsqui Prairie, related the incident of being approached by Trans Mountain when an employee was hand digging a water ditch on and near the right of way to handle a small amount of Big-O drain pipe.
CGLAP reaffirmed the current Board of Directors, Garnet Etsell, Gordon Taylor, Dave Van Belle, Philip Graham, Joe Woldanski, Courtenay McDonald, Donna Kingman and welcomed newly elected; Ms. Margaret (Peggy) Livingston of Philps Farms of Mount Lehman. 

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