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NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Crossover and Calais Extension Pipeline Project August 2010 / 6889/6890

APPENDIX 3

AQUATIC ASSESSMENT BY TERA ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS

Page A3-1

AQUATIC ASSESSMENT FOR THE PROPOSED NOVA GAS TRANSMISSION LTD. WATINO CROSSOVER AND CALAIS EXTENSION PIPELINE PROJECT

August 2010 6889/6890

Prepared for: Prepared by:

NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of TransCanada PipeLines Limited , . TERA Environmental Consultants Suite 1100, 815 - 8th Avenue S.W. Calgary, Alberta T2P 3P2 Ph: 403-265-2885

NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. Aquatic Assessment Watino Crossover and Calais Extension Pipeline Project August 2010 - 6889/6890

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1.0 INTRODUCTION...... 1 1.1 Project Description...... 1 1.2 Study Area ...... 1 1.3 Fish Community ...... 5 1.4 Regulatory Framework...... 6 1.5 Scope of Work...... 7 2.0 METHODS ...... 8 2.1 Field Crew Structure and Traditional Ecological Knowledge...... 8 2.2 Aquatic Habitat Assessment ...... 8 2.3 Fish Community ...... 9 3.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ...... 10 3.1 Watercourse Crossing along the Proposed Watino Crossover ...... 10 3.1.1 Traditional Ecological Knowledge Results...... 10 3.1.2 Aquatic Habitat Results...... 10 3.1.3 Fish Investigations ...... 11 3.2 Watercourse Crossing along the Proposed Calais Extension ...... 11 3.2.1 Aquatic Habitat Results...... 11 3.2.2 Fish Investigations ...... 11 4.0 RECOMMENDATIONS...... 15 4.1 Recommendations for the Proposed Watino Crossover...... 15 4.1.1 Pipeline Crossing Methods ...... 15 4.1.2 Recommended Temporary Vehicle and Equipment Crossing Methods...... 15 4.2 Recommendations for the Proposed Calais Extension ...... 19 4.2.1 Recommended Pipeline Crossing Methods...... 19 4.2.2 Recommended Vehicle and Equipment Crossing Methods ...... 19 5.0 MITIGATION ...... 21 5.1 Mitigation for Trenchless Pipeline Crossings...... 22 5.2 Mitigation for an Isolated Pipeline Crossing...... 22 5.3 Mitigation for Dry or Frozen to Bottom Open Cut Pipeline Crossings ...... 23 5.4 Mitigation for Vehicle and Equipment Crossings ...... 24 5.5 Mitigation for Navigable Watercourses ...... 24 6.0 SUMMARY/CLOSING...... 26 7.0 REFERENCES...... 27 7.1 Personal Communication...... 27 7.2 Literature Cited...... 27

LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix A Watercourse Site Record for the Proposed Watino Crossover ...... A-1 Appendix B Watercourse Site Record for the Proposed Calais Extension ...... B-1

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NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. Aquatic Assessment Watino Crossover and Calais Extension Pipeline Project August 2010 - 6889/6890

LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 Regional Location of the Proposed Watino Crossover Pipeline ...... 3 Figure 2 Regional Location of the Proposed Calais Extension Pipeline...... 4 Figure 3 Fish Symbol Map for Watercourse Crossings along the Proposed Watino Crossover Pipeline...... 17 Figure 4 Fish Symbol Map for Watercourse Crossings along the Proposed Calais Extension Pipeline...... 18

LIST OF TABLES Table 1 Fish Species that Occur in the Near the Proposed Watino Crossover and River Near the Proposed Calais Extension ...... 5 Table 2 Summary of Water Quality Parameters and Mean Channel Characteristics...... 12 Table 3 Fish Habitat Potential Ratings for Watercourses Crossed by the Proposed Pipeline Routes...... 13 Table 4 Fish Sampling Results for Watercourses Crossed by the Proposed Pipeline Routes...... 14 Table 5 Summary of Recommended Pipeline and Vehicle/Equipment Crossing Methods for Watercourses Crossed by the Proposed Pipeline Routes...... 16

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NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. Aquatic Assessment Watino Crossover and Calais Extension Pipeline Project August 2010 - 6889/6890

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Project Description NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. (NGTL), a wholly owned subsidiary of TransCanada PipeLines Limited (TransCanada), is applying to the National Energy Board (NEB) under Section 58 of the NEB Act for authorization to construct and operate the proposed Watino Crossover and Calais Extension Pipeline Project (the Project). The proposed Watino Crossover pipeline route (Figure 1) will be constructed from the existing Lateral Pipeline in 13-22-77-25 W5M to the existing Watino Meter Station in 2-14-77-25 W5M. The pipeline components of the proposed Watino Crossover will consist of 4.3 km of new sweet gas pipeline (NPS 4). The construction right-of-way will be 15 m wide, with additional temporary workspace required at select locations to accommodate construction activities. Pending regulatory approval, construction is scheduled to commence November 1, 2010 with an on-stream date of January 1, 2011. The proposed Calais Extension pipeline route (Figure 2) will be constructed from the existing Valleyview Compressor Site in 9-9-69-22 W5M to the existing Calais Meter Station in 15-16-69-22 W5M. The pipeline components of the proposed Calais Extension will consist of 2.5 km of new sweet gas pipeline (NPS 4). The construction right-of-way will be 15 m wide, with additional temporary workspace required at select locations to accommodate construction activities. Pending regulatory approval, construction is scheduled to commence November 1, 2010 with an on-stream date of January 1, 2011. This document describes the methods and results of the aquatic habitat assessments and fisheries investigations that NGTL contracted TERA Environmental Consultants (TERA) to perform as part of NGTL’s regulatory requirements. This report also discusses how TERA and the communities of the Duncan’s First Nation and Nation worked collaboratively to identify and document aboriginal traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) at each watercourse crossing.

1.2 Study Area The Project is located in the Dry Mixedwood Natural Subregion of the Boreal Forest Natural Region (Natural Regions Committee 2006). Topography in this subregion has undulating plains and hummocky uplands. Most of the landscape has been cultivated. Vegetation is characterized by aspen forests with shrubby understories in wet areas, and white spruce and jack pine in dry areas. Land use in this Subregion includes: forestry; oil and gas; coal mining; recreation; grazing; and agriculture. In addition, the Project crosses traditional lands used by the Duncan's First Nation and Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation.

The proposed Watino Crossover pipeline route is located north of the city of , Alberta, in . The proposed Watino Crossover pipeline traverses 53% (2.3 km) privately-owned land and 47% (2.0 km) provincial Crown land. The proposed pipeline route is in the Smoky River sub-basin. The Smoky River is a major tributary to the . The Smoky River originates from several glaciers in the northern portion of in the . The Smoky River flows north through the foothills to its confluence with the Peace River. Major tributaries of the Smoky River include: ; ; Simonette River; and . The elevation of the Smoky River ranges from 1,680 m above sea level (asl) at its headwaters to 315 m asl at its confluence with the Peace River.

The Water Survey of maintains a hydrological station on the Smoky River near the town of Watino, Alberta (Station No. 07GJ001) (Environment Canada [EC] 2010a). Discharge at this station has been recorded year round since 1915. The annual high flow event typically occurs in June and flows gradually decline through summer and into fall. The lowest flows occur in winter and early spring before the snowpack begins to melt. The hydrograph shows that mean flows are lowest in February at 43.0 m³/s and are highest during the spring freshet to peak in June at 1,000.0 m3/s (EC 2010a).

The proposed Calais Extension is located east of the city of Grande Prairie, Alberta in the Municipal District of Greenview No. 16 and traverses private land for its entire length. The proposed pipeline route is in the Little Smoky River sub-basin. The Little Smoky River is a direct tributary to the Smoky River. The

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NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. Aquatic Assessment Watino Crossover and Calais Extension Pipeline Project August 2010 - 6889/6890

Little Smoky River originates in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains west of the town of , Alberta. It flows generally in a northeast direction throughout the foothills to its confluence with the Smoky River. The elevation of the Little Smoky River ranges from 1,470 m asl at its headwaters to 385 m asl at its confluence with the Smoky River.

The Water Survey of Canada maintains a hydrological station on the Little Smoky River near the town of Guy, Alberta (Station No. 07GH002) (EC 2010b). Discharge at this station has been recorded year-round since 1959. The annual high flow event typically occurs in May and flows gradually decline through summer and into fall. The lowest flows occur in winter and early spring before the snowpack begins to melt. The hydrograph shows that mean flows are lowest in February at 4.9 m³/s and are highest during the spring freshet to peak in June at 138.0 m3/s (EC 2010b).

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824000 825000 826000 827000 828000 829000 830000 28 27 26 11 10 77–25–5 77–25–5 77–25–5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 7

AUGUST 2010 6185000 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 FIGURE 1 4 3 2 1 4 3 2 REGIONAL LOCATION OF THE PROPOSED WATINO 13-22-77-25 W5M CROSSOVER PIPELINE 6184000 [ 14 15 16 13 14 15 16 13 14 15 16 13 14 15 16 13 14 15 6889

Watercourse Crossing 11 10 9 12 11 ( 10 9 12 11 10 9 12 11 10 9 12 11 10

6184000 Proposed Pipeline 20 21 22 77–25–5 23 24 77–25–5 77–25–5 77–25–5 77–25–5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 6183000

3 2 1 4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 4 3 2

SCALE: 1: 20,000 M

6183000 0 100 200 300 400 500 14 15 16 13 (ALL LOCATIONS APPROXIMATE) 14 15 16 13 14 15 16 13 14 15 16 13 14 15 6182000 11 10 9 12 11 10 9 12 11 10 9 WC1 11 10 9 12 11 10

824000 12 17 16 15 77–25–5 ( 14 13 77–25–5 77–25–5 77–25–5 77–25–5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 1:50,000 NTS Map: 2009.

6182000 Produced under license from Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, with permission of Natural Resources Canada; Watino Meter Station 2-14-77-25 W5M

3 2 1 4 3 2 831000 Although there is no reason to believe that there are any 1 4 3 2 1 4 errors associated with the data used to generate this product 3 2 1 4 3 2 or in the product itself, users of these data are advised that errors in the data may be present. 6181000

14 15 16 13 14 15 16 13 14 15 16 13 14 15 16 13 14 15 BRITISH COLUMBIA ALBERTA

6181000 Fort St. John ! Dawson Creek ! 11 10 9 12 11 10 9 12 11 10 9 12 11 10 9 12 11 10 PROJECT AREA Prince George 8 ! 9 10 ! 77–25–5 11 12 Quesnel 77–25–5 ! 6180000 6 7 8 5 6 77–25–5 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 77–25–5 7 8 5 6 77–25–5 7 Williams Lake !

825000 826000 6180000 827000 828000 829000 830000 831000

6889_Watino_Regional_Location.mxd 862000 863000 864000 865000 6109000 866000 867000 868000

15 16 13 14 15 16 13 14 15 16 13 14 15 16 13 14 15

10 9 12 11 10 9 12 11 10 9 12 11 10 9 12 11 10 9 6109000

AUGUST 2010 20 21 22 23 69–22–5 69–22–5 69–22–5 69–22–5 FIGURE 2 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6108000 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 REGIONAL LOCATION OF THE PROPOSED CALAIS EXTENSION PIPELINE

1 4 2 1 4 3 2 1 4 3 2 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 Calais Meter Station 6889 15-16-69-22 W5M 6108000 ( Watercourse Crossing 15 16 13 14 15 16 13 14 15 16 13 14 15 16 13 14 15 Proposed Pipeline 6107000

10 9 12 11 10 9 12 11 10 9 12 11 10 9 12 11 10 9

17 16 15 14 69–22–5 69–22–5 69–22–5 69–22–5

7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 6107000

SCALE: 1: 20,000 M 0 100 200 300 400 500 (ALL LOCATIONS APPROXIMATE) 2 1 4 3 2 1 6106000 4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1

14

15 16 15 13 14 15 16 13 WC2 16 13 14 15 16 13 14 15

( 6106000

10 9 12 11 10 9 12 11 10 9 12 11 10 9 12 11 10 9 1:50,000 NTS Map: 2009. Produced under license from Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, with permission of Natural Resources Canada;

6105000 8 9 10 11 69–22–5 69–22–5 69–22–5 69–22–5 Although there is no reason to believe that there are any Valleyview Compressor Site errors associated with the data used to generate this product 7 8 5 or in the product itself, users of these data 6 7 8 5 6 7 10-9-69-22 W5M 7 8 5 6 7 8 are advised that errors in the data may be present. 8 5 6 862000

2 6105000 BRITISH 1 4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 COLUMBIA ALBERTA

Fort St. John ! Dawson Creek !

6104000 15 16 13 14 15 16 13 14 15 16 13 14 15 16 13 14 15 PROJECT 16 AREA

869000 Prince George ! Edmonton ! Quesnel ! 10 9 12 11 10 9 12 11 10 9 12 11 10 9 12 11 10 9 Williams Lake !

863000 864000 865000 866000 867000 868000 869000

6890_Calais_Regional_Location.mxd