Potential Effects of an Oil Pipeline Rupture on Reach 2 of Morice River
2012
This submission focuses on a portion of the pipeline route that is located adjacent to Morice River, 70 km south of Smithers. Within this area, Morice River has formed a wide floodplain that contains numerous active secondary channels, log jams and wetlands that comprise the core spawning and rearing habitat for Morice River fish populations. Schwab (2011) indicates that slope instability in this area has the potential to rupture the proposed pipelines. This report examines the implications of a pipeline rupture and subsequent clean-up efforts to river processes, fish and fish habitat.
