Pipeline operator runs spill drill on Swinomish Channel

Emergency management has been a hot topic in the La Conner area the past couple years.

Tabletop disaster preparation exercises have become more frequent.

An even more visible two-day emergency response activity staged from the Duane Berentson Twin Bridges boat launch on the north end of Swinomish Channel took place June 4 and 5.

“The purpose of the exercise is to validate response equipment, practice our emergency response plan, confirm viable spill control points, and refresh personnel on response tactics,” a spokesperson with the Canadian-owned Trans Mountain Corp. said in a release.

Trans Mountain maintains an oil pipeline from Edmonton, Alberta, that includes a spur from the U.S.-Canada border to two refineries north of La Conner.

Under state law, Trans-­Mountain must conduct regular response drills along the pipeline, which crosses Swinomish Channel and other waterways.

The current response plan requires Trans Mountain to provide quicker responses and increased resource protection, such as salmon and orca whales.

Swinomish and Samish tribal officials were among those who previously lodged objections to the pipeline’s presence south of the border. Because of those long-held concerns, tribal groups and agencies were invited to participate in or observe last week’s exercise.

“The exercise will involve both land and water-based training, including implementation of initial response tactics using response boats on Swinomish Channel,” Trans Mountain staff noted beforehand.

Crews were trained on the use of an oil-containment boom, skimmers, pumps and other spill response equipment.

Recreational boaters on the channel went to social media on June 4 and 5 to ask about the increased activity and presence of boats, trailers, equipment and personnel in the Twin Bridges area.

Trans Mountain Corp. operates Canada’s only pipeline system transporting oil products to the West Coast.