Gros Morne National Park

On 4 February 2013 the World Heritage Centre contacted the State Party in reference to information received on plans for directional drilling and hydraulic fracturing by the Shoal Point Energy company in community enclaves surrounded by the World Heritage property. The World Heritage Centre indicated concerns that these exploratory activities could threaten the Outstanding Universal Value, and in particular the integrity, of the property and requested more information.

A response from the State Party on 25 February confirmed that Shoal Point Energy had plans to drill and hydraulically fracture (frack) three onshore-to-offshore test wells in 2013. Exploration activities would begin in the spring of 2013 in one of the enclaves at Sally’s Cove, located less than 500 meters from the Gros Morne National Park boundary, and could be extended to other enclaves including St Paul’s as well as other locations in the vicinity of the property. The response further noted that a Strategic Environmental Assessment process for the western Newfoundland offshore area adjacent to the Gros Morne National Park would be undertaken, led by the joint federal-provincial Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB). The response indicated that Parks Canada had been invited to participate as a stakeholder to provide input in this process.

The State Party subsequently sent updated information to the World Heritage Centre (received on  8 April), in which they indicated that Shoal Point Energy and Black Spruce Exploration Corp had submitted a project description and draft scoping document for exploratory drilling for the period 2013-2019, and that C-NLOPB had invited relevant federal and provincial agencies to comment on these documents and to indicate whether they had the specialist or expert knowledge necessary to participate in the environmental assessment process. The State Party noted that Parks Canada had confirmed its expertise and desire to participate in the environmental assessment process.

The State Party’s communication noted that in addition to the C-NLOPB process, the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador would also conduct an environmental assessment and would invite Parks Canada to participate. The State Party also noted the likelihood that the C-NLOPB and provincial environmental assessment processes would be conducted jointly. The second communication reiterated Parks Canada’s commitment to participate in all environmental assessment processes.

The World Heritage Centre and IUCN conclude that plans to drill and hydraulically fracture (frack) three onshore-to-offshore test wells in the immediate vicinity of the property could impact the Outstanding Universal Value and in particular the integrity of the property as a result of pollution, industrial infrastructure and shocks to geological formations.

They recommend that the Committee urge the State Party to complete the Environmental Impact Assessment process to review these impacts and to submit its result for review to the World Heritage Centre before taking a final decision. In particular, it is recommended that the State Party proceed with assessments on the possible impacts of drilling and hydraulic fracturing activities, such as offshore leakage reaching the property, pollutants affecting pristine lakes on the property, and the risk of rock fall from high cliffs caused by shocks during hydraulic fracturing, including areas of the property with high visitation.

They further recommend that a joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN reactive monitoring mission be sent to the property to assess potential risks to the Outstanding Universal Value from activities in enclaves surrounded by the property and other areas bordering the property.