Land Matters Consultation Initiative Activities Update - January 2008

The NEB's Land Matters Consultation Initiative (LMCI) kicked into action in 2008. The goal of LMCI is to provide a forum for interested parties, and the Board, to discuss and generate options for the Board's review of lands issues. The Board is of the view that providing this venue for dialogue to improve understanding of various interests will also help to develop strong working relationships among different parties. LMCI discussions will focus on the range of existing legislative tools (such as regulations, guidance notes, the filing manual, inspections and audits) to identify possible improvements looking forward. The LMCI will work on four topics:

1. Company Interactions with Landowners;
2. Improving the Accessibility of NEB Processes;
3. Pipeline Abandonment - Financial Issues; and
4. Pipeline Abandonment - Physical Issues.

A recent letter containing the NEB's proposed process, timeframe and potential outcomes that the NEB hopes to achieve with the LMCI was sent by the Board to stakeholders on January 17^th.

To ensure easy access to information about LMCI, there is now a new icon on the NEB's Internet home pages, linking more directly to the LMCI's web page which contains major LMCI letters, announcements, NEB contact information, and a link for people to register their interest in the LMCI process.

An LMCI Document Repository [Folder 501473] is now set-up within the NEB Regulatory Documents site, to host all of the written feedback created for LMCI. Right now, the Board is collecting feedback on its proposed approach to LMCI by February 6^th.

The Board intends to issue the final LMCI approach on February 25^th, and to release background notes and discussion papers soon. The Board is proposing workshops to bring interested groups together for discussions, at times and locations to be determined.

For more information about the Land Matters Consultation Initiative, please contact:

General Questions:

Jane Morales (jane.morales@neb-one.gc.ca)
Regulatory Officer
Telephone: 403-299-3933
Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265

Media Inquiries:

Andrew Cameron
Communications Officer
Telephone: 403-299-3930
Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265

Project Manager:

Karla Reesor (karla.reesor@neb-one.gc.ca)
Project Manager
Telephone: 403-299-3867
Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265

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