CITY OF PRINCE GEORGE WELLS PROTECTION PLAN

March 2015
City of Prince George Well Protection Plan
1.3 Canadian National Railways Presence in the City of Prince George
Experts are forecasting increased product demand from the mining, forestry, oil, and gas industries as well as
an increased flow in manufactured goods, many of which are being transported primarily via our national rail
networks. For example, in 2011, more than half a million carloads/intermodal units moved over CN’s B.C.
north corridor, with the vast majority passing through the CN Yard located between the southwest bank of the
Nechako river and the City’s downtown core.
As the City of Prince George is strategically located between Edmonton and Prince Rupert along east/west CN
lines, it stands to benefit significantly from this economic growth and CN traffic on this line is expected to
continue to increase. Specialized shipping capabilities, insulated containers and a 10 day supply chain
advantage also make Prince Rupert a preferred port for time-sensitive materials. (Caruso, 2014) In addition,
as ‘The Gateway to the North’, the City also experiences significant north/south rail activity.
The focus of interest for this study lies primarily between Mile 0 (Prince George CN Yard) and Mile 6.31 in the
Miworth subdivision, between which the Nechako Aquifer is located. CN lines from Mile 0 to Mile 6.31 are
situated beside or in some cases directly above the Nechako Aquifer. While moving these rail lines is
theoretically possible, it is unlikely to be economically or logistically probable.
Historic Threats to the Nechako Aquifer by CN
Despite the efforts of both the City and CN staff to mitigate the risks associated with transporting goods
through the City, accidents do occur.
In his Railway Occurrences (Incidents and Accidents) in Northern BC 2003 – 2013, James Haggerstone
(2013), in consultation with CN, identified the dangerous goods (see below) that have either spilled or been
involved in incidents in or surrounding the Prince George CN Yard. In 2013, involved products included the
following: petroleum gas, fuel oil and diesel fuel; while in 2012 the products included: petroleum gas, sulphuric
acid, sodium hydroxide solution, methanol, ethanol, environmentally hazardous substances, fuel oil and
aluminum smelting by-products.
In 2013, there were approximately 11 rail incidents in Prince George:
Derailments in Yard: 8
Collisions: 3
Dangerous Goods Incidents: 5
In 2012, there were approximately 13 rail incidents in Prince George:
Derailments in Yard: 11
Collisions: 2
Dangerous Goods Incidents: 8
Note: The Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act (Canada) lists Dangerous Goods as
explosives, compressed and liquefied gases, flammable and combustible materials, oxidizing
materials and organic peroxides, poisonous and infectious substances, radioactive materials,
corrosives, and miscellaneous dangerous goods.
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