ABSTRACT
The Emergencies Science and Technology Section (ESTS) of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) began its activities in the early 1970s. The Section has many responsibilities related to emergencies science including physical and chemical properties analysis, countermeasures research, and field-based research and instrument analysis. Since the early 1980s it has also collected, analysed, assessed, and reported on background shoreline data. The ESTS has always involved response partners, communities, industries, municipalities, and Indigenous communities in the shoreline survey process.
Since 2015, there has been growing awareness that partnerships between the ESTS and coastal First Nations improve the quality of Pre-Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Technique (PreSCAT) assessments and supports improved marine response preparedness in the case of an oil or chemical spill. Recognizing that engagement with Indigenous peoples is critical to the success of the ESTS Shoreline Program, this paper describes the increasing role of First Nations in Pre-SCAT surveys through descriptions of projects undertaken in five study regions: St. Clair River (Ontario), Burrard Inlet (British Columbia (BC)), Fraser River (BC), Saanich Inlet (BC), and Cowichan Bay and Southern Gulf Islands (BC).
In brief, shoreline Pre-SCAT surveys include a wide variety of information-gathering and field activities, conducted both remotely and on-site. Pre-SCAT survey co-development now includes discussion with First Nations on site choice, the cultural importance of each shoreline segment, and knowledge sharing regarding the sensitivities of the coastline. Using this knowledge and physical and chemical data collected during the surveys, scientists produce detailed technical information sheets for each site. Through improved co-development practices between ESTS and First Nations partners, these technical information sheets now include knowledge provided by the First Nations with rights in these Territories (e.g., cultural resources such as middens, archeological sites, etc.). Collaboratively developed shoreline reports improve decision-making capacity in coastal communities in the context of a response to an environmental emergency.