Pipelines Regulations 2017

The Environment Management Plan must contain an implementation strategy for the pipeline operation.

The implementation strategy must specify the systems, practices and procedures to be used to ensure that—

any environmental risks identified in accordance with regulation 45(a) are eliminated or minimised so far as reasonably practicable; and

the environmental performance objectives and standards specified in accordance with regulation 46(a) are met.

The implementation strategy must include measures to enable assessment of the effectiveness of the systems, practices and procedures in subregulation (2).

The implementation strategy must provide for—

monitoring, auditing and management of compliance with the requirements of subregulation (2); and

assessment by the licensee of the licensee's performance in relation to compliance with the requirements of subregulation (2); and

the keeping of quantitative records of emissions and discharges of substances from the pipeline.

The implementation strategy must provide for the establishment and maintenance of an emergency response plan that—

identifies all potential emergency situations that may arise in relation to the pipeline operation; and

identifies and assesses the environmental risks arising from the potential emergency situations identified in paragraph (a); and

includes response arrangements for minimising any harm to the environment arising from potential emergency situations identified in paragraph (a).

The implementation strategy must include procedures to ensure that the response arrangements in the emergency response plan are tested—

when the response arrangements are introduced; and

when the response arrangements are significantly amended; and

not later than 12 months after the most recent test.

The implementation strategy must include arrangements for consultation by the licensee with all relevant entities in relation to the pipeline operation and the licensee's performance in protecting the environment, during the life of the pipeline operation.

The implementation strategy must establish a clear chain of command, setting out the roles and responsibilities of personnel in relation to the implementation, management and review of the Environment Management Plan.