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PART 1
1 APPLICATION AND INTENT OF THE
TERMPOL REVIEW PROCESS
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1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.2 TRP EXCLUSIONS AND OVERLAPS
1.3 RATIONALE FOR THE TRP
1.4 STATUS OF THE TRP
1.5 PROPONENT’S PARTICIPATION
1.6 INITIATION OF THE TERMPOL REVIEW PROCESS
1.1 INTRODUCTION ^
1.1.1 "TERMPOL Review Process (TRP)" refers to the Technical Review
Process of Marine Terminal Systems and Transshipment Sites". The TRP
focuses on a dedicated design ship’s selected route in waters under Canadian
jurisdiction to its berth at a proposed marine terminal or transshipment site
and, specifically, to the process of cargo handling between vessels, or
off-loading from ship to shore or vice-versa. The TRP applies to:
- the specialized equipment and procedures necessary at proposed bulk oil,
chemical, liquefied gas terminals and any other cargoes which may be
identified by Transport Canada, Marine Safety (TCMS);
- proposed transshipment facilities for these substances; and
- any proposed changes to existing terminals or designated transshipment
sites or facilities for these substances.
1.1.2 A marine terminal system is arbitrarily defined in the TRP to mean the
ship’s berth, its approaches from seaward and related port or terminal
infrastructures. A transshipment site is defined in the TRP to mean a designated
location for the transfer of cargo between vessels, including bulk oil,
chemicals, liquefied gases and any other cargoes which may be identified by the
TCMS as posing a risk to the ship, public or environmental safety.
1.1.3 The intent of the TRP is to ameliorate, where possible, those elements of
a proposal which could, in certain circumstances, threaten the integrity of the
ship’s hull and its cargo containment system and, consequently, the
environment in the vicinity of the design ship while it is navigating in waters
under Canadian Jurisdiction. The TRP also applies the same considerations to
cargo transfer operations both alongside the proposed terminal and at any
designated transshipment site. The TRP applies to operational safety measures
intended to address site-specific circumstances and those along the associated
navigational route(s).
1.1.4 In conducting a TEMPOL Review, it is necessary that the proponent’s
submission demonstrates that:
- the operator’s or owner’s safety management system is in accordance
with recognized safe management procedures;
- arrangements are planned to conduct on-going operational audits of the
safety and management system;
- major accident hazard in the context of the proposed operation have been
identified; and
- the risks therefrom have been evaluated and measures taken to reduce those
risks to an acceptable level using the best available technology.
1.2 TRP EXCLUSIONS AND OVERLAPS ^
1.2.1 The TRP is not intended to assess the terminal’s land based shore
installations, hinterland cargo handling or storage facilities. Nevertheless,
the TRP addresses several specific "terrestrial" aspects such as the
terminal wharf structure, mooring specifications and instrumentation, and those
aspects of the terminal’s operation and associated contingency planning that
are applicable to the design ships using the terminal. This inclusion of
terrestrial elements in the vicinity of the berth is minimal, but necessary from
the perspective of inter-dependent safety aspects.
1.2.2 The TRP does not prescribe detailed standards for the siting, design,
construction, and operation of marine terminal and transportation systems. Nor
does the TRP replace, or necessarily satisfy the requirements of an
environmental impact assessment process under the Canadian Environmental
Assessment Act (CEAA) or navigation impact assessment under the Navigable
Water Protection Act (NWPA). The TRP, however, may contribute to the
fulfillment of the first stage of the federal environmental assessment process.
Appropriate agencies should be consulted in this regard.
1.3 RATIONALE FOR THE TRP ^
1.3.1 The construction and subsequent operation of a new, modified, or
recommissioned marine terminal system for oil, chemicals, liquefied gases, or
any other identified substance, or of a new, modified, or recommissioned
transshipment site, would introduce changes in regional shipping activity. Such
developments may also pose a threat to the environment or to the safety of the
communities along the proposed route(s) to and from the terminal or
transshipment site. A TRP requires consideration be given to a range of subject
matters such as, but not limited to:
- the potential effects of increased shipping activity on existing regional
shipping networks and fishing ground activities;
- the perceived environmental concerns attributable to pollutant cargoes
carried by the additional ships;
- perceived risks to communities along the route to the terminal or
transshipment site in the case of ships carrying commodities such as, but
not limited to, those considered in this document which may pose a concern
to public safety or health;
- the navigational safety of the ship route(s) leading to a proposed new,
modified, or recommissioned marine terminal or transshipment site;
- the level of services required to facilitate safe navigation such as fixed
and floating aids, vessel traffic services, offshore electronic position
fixing systems, requirements for pilotage and radiocommunications along the
ship route(s);
- the suitability of the design ship;
- the design ship’s manoeuvring characteristics, navigational and
radiocommunications equipment, its cargo containment and handling systems in
terms of operational safety;
- the adequacy of the design ship’s berth and related terminal service
requirements;
- pollution prevention programs; and
- marine contingency planning and related emergency counter-measures.
1.4 STATUS OF THE TRP ^
1.4.1 The TRP is not a regulatory instrument. Its provisions, therefore are not
mandatory. The TRP’s criteria, however, are used by TCMS in determining the
need for making or revising specific regulations, or for implementing special
precautionary measures that may affect a ship’s operation within a particular
marine terminal system or transshipment site.
1.4.2 Any report issued by a TERMPOL Review Committee (TRP) should neither be
interpreted as a statement of government policy, nor should it be inferred that
the government endorses the report in whole, or in part. The report reflects
only the judgments of the departmental representatives who reviewed the proposal
and prepared the report. Consequently, the conclusions and recommendations
presented in a TERMPOL report are not binding on any department, agency, group
or individual. Implementation of any recommendation, however, is the prerogative
of applicable departmental executives performing regulatory functions or of the
proponent, as appropriate.
1.4.3 Fisheries and Oceans Canada will ensure the safe and environmentally
responsible use of Canada’s waters, support understanding and management of
oceans resources, facilitate the use of Canadian waters for shipping, recreation
and fishing, and provide marine expertise in support of Canada’s domestic and
international interests.
Transport Canada Marine Safety is responsible for the
administration of national and international laws designed to ensure the safe
operation, navigation, design and maintenance of ships, protection of life and
property and prevention of ship source pollution.
It must be understood, however, that DFO CCG and TCMS
regulatory roles are separate and distinct from their roles in the TRP which is
essentially a data and operational review process. The conclusions and
recommendations contained in a TERMPOL report do not relieve a proponent from an
obligation to fully comply with all applicable legislative and regulatory
requirements promulgated, and as amended from time to time, by the various
federal and provincial statutes and regulations which apply to shipping safety
and to the protection of the environment. These Acts include but are not limited
to:
- the Canada Shipping Act;
- the Navigable Waters Protection Act;
- the Arctic Waters Protection Act;
- the Canadian Environmental Protection Act;
- the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act;
- the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act;
- the Fisheries Act;
- the Oceans Act; and
- the Canada Marine Act.
1.4.4 The purpose of the TRP is to objectively appraise operational ship safety,
route safety, management and environmental concerns associated with the
location, construction and subsequent operation of a marine terminal system for
the bulk handling of oil, chemicals, liquefied gases or other cargoes identified
by TCMS, or of the designation and subsequent operation of any transshipment
site for these or other substances which may pose a risk to public safety or the
environment. Such an appraisal, using the procedures and methodologies described
in the TRP, enables an inter-departmental committee to identify potential
problems and to recommend appropriate ameliorative measures.
1.4.5 TCMS publishes and coordinates the TRP. Each participating department
involved in the review is individually responsible for its contributions and
recommendations within its own particular area of expertise and responsibility.
1.4.6 An integral part of the TRP is to aid in the development of operationally
safe marine transportation systems in waters under Canadian jurisdiction.
1.5 PROPONENT’S PARTICIPATION ^
1.5.1 The success of the TRP depends largely upon the proponent’s adherence to
the procedures described in the TRP, and the quality of the data submitted to
the Committee conducting the review. The TRC is not necessarily limited to the
data supplied by the proponent because departmental databases or other sources
of information may enable the TRC to verify much of the substance of the
proponent’s submission and to identify potential problems. Through this
cooperative "one window" procedure, the proponent and the department(s)
can conduct an informed and comprehensive review of a particular proposal and
ascertain, objectively, those measures which will improve the safe navigation
and operation of the design ship in waters under Canadian jurisdiction and
ameliorate environmental concerns at an early stage of a proposed project.
1.6 INITIATION OF THE TERMPOL REVIEW
PROCESS ^
1.6.1 The TRP would be initiated by the proponent addressing a request for
review, in writing, to TCMS as a complement to the requirements of NWPA process.
The CCG administers NWPA. The purpose of the NWPA is to
protect the public right of navigation by prohibiting the building or placement
of any work in, upon, over, under, through, or across a navigable waterway
without the approval of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.
1.6.2 The proponent’s project manager and other representatives are encouraged
to informally discuss all relevant subject matters relating to a TRP submission
with representatives of the department(s) listed in Section 2.1 as soon as
designated. This recommended procedure ensures:
- a clear understanding of the review process;
- identifies data available to the proponent from departmental sources; and
- enables the proponent’s representatives to determine the scope and depth
of the data required.
(See Figure 1, "Responsibilities of the TERMPOL Review
Committee (TRC)")
1.6.3 After the proponent formally requests a review under the TRP, the Director
General (AMS) of TCMS appoints a chairperson who convenes a TRC comprising
representatives from all departments or agencies with expertise or
responsibilities relevant to the project.
1.6.4 The TRC and the proponent’s representatives should meet soon after the
Committee is convened in order to:
- agree on the scope, and format of the studies and surveys required from
the proponent;
- establish administrative lines of communication between the TRC and the
proponent’s representatives;
- agree on a schedule of periodic progress meetings with the proponent’s
representatives; and
- inform the proponent’s representatives of federal databases and other
information resources available to them.
1.6.5 Twenty five (25) printed copies of the proponent’s submission will be
required as well as floppy disks using current word processing software, IBM
compatible. The submission should be sent to:
Director General
Marine Safety
Transport Canada
Tower C, Place de Ville
Sparks Street 11th floor
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0N8
Tel.: (613) 998-0610
Fax: (613) 954-1032
Alternatively, if the TRC is based in a Region, the
submission could be sent to the Regional Director Transport Canada, Marine
Safety.
1.6.6 During the TRP, the Committee may identify information gaps, or it may
require amplification of data provided by the proponent. Requests of this nature
will be directed to the proponent’s representatives using the administrative
procedure agreed upon during the initial meeting.
1.6.7 The proponent’s submission, or submissions, will be treated as
"industrially confidential" information if required for the duration
of the review. The information will be available to the public only after the
release of the TERMPOL Review Report (TRR).
1.6.8 The composition and operation of the TRC is described in greater detail in
Part 2 of the TRP. Part 3 of the TRP describes the various surveys and studies
which may be required in the TRR.
^
STAGE |
ACTIVITY |
1 TERMPOL Review Committee (TRC) constituted.
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1.1 Initial review of proposed project outline.
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1.2 Initial discussion of surveys and studies required.
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1.3 Identify departmental resources available.
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2. TRC meets with proponent/proponent’s representatives.
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2.1 Agree on scope and depth of surveys and studies required.
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2.2 Inform proponent / proponent’s representatives of
departmental information resources available.
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2.3 Agree on format of proponent’s submission.
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2.4 Establish administrative lines of communication.
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2.5 Agree on schedule of progress meetings (if necessary).
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3. TRC Chairperson receives proponent’s submission.
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3.1 Proponent’s submission distributed to TRC.
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4. TRC begins review process.
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4.1 TRC identifies need for additional information or amplification
of information provided.
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4.2 TRC meets with proponent’s representatives (if necessary).
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4.3 TRC may seek expert advice on matters raised in proponent’s
submission.
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5. TRC submits report to TCMS - AMS
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5.1 AMS approves TRC Report with authorities from other
departments.
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6. AMS forwards report to Proponent.
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Figure 1: Responsibilities of the TERMPOL Review Committee (TRC)
^
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