POPLAR RIVER TO PASQUA 230 kV TRANSMISSION LINE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

Submitted to: Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment Environmental Assessment Branch

Submitted by:

April 2009

Prepared by:

J.D. Mollard and Associates Limited AMEC Earth & Environmental Limited (Regina)

Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Introduction Saskatchewan Power Corporation (SaskPower) is proposing to construct a 160 km overhead 230 kilovolt (kV) electrical transmission line from the Poplar River Switching Station near Coronach to the Pasqua Switching Station near Moose Jaw.

Project Need/Justification The purpose of this project is to: ƒ Reinforce the existing transmission system to meet North American Reliability Standards; ƒ Deliver additional power from the Poplar River Power Station. The Poplar River Power Station is capable of producing an additional 20 MW of power as a result of refurbishments that were completed in 2008; ƒ Lower SaskPower's operating costs by reducing transmission losses; and ƒ Reinforce the high-voltage transmission system in the Moose Jaw area.

Addition of the 230 kV transmission line, along with other planned facilities, will reinforce the existing transmission system to meet North American reliability standards for delivery of the existing Poplar River Power Station capacity (562 MW), and allow for the delivery of its additional capacity to the system. The design life of the project is 50 years.

Due to the size of this project, SaskPower and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment (MoE) are of the opinion that the project constitutes a “development” as defined in the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA) and thus requires an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) pursuant to the aforementioned Act. This requirement thus defines the need for a project- specific EIA. The assessment was carried out in accordance with Project Specific Guidelines issued by MoE in January 2008.

SaskPower considered two primary options that could meet the North American Reliability Standards for the provincial transmission system. The first option included construction of a new 138 kV transmission line between the Regina South Switching Station (located near Regina) and the Pasqua Switching Station, and the addition of voltage support equipment at Pasqua. The second option included construction of the Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV transmission line as an alternative to the Regina to Pasqua 138 kV line.

The Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV option was chosen over the Regina to Pasqua 138 kV option based on system performance and economics. The 230 kV line provides better reliability performance, and is the lowest cost option.

To minimize the impact of the construction of transmission lines, SaskPower is following environmental safeguards to ensure that environmental impacts are adequately addressed early in the project and which reinforces the support for design flexibility provided by corridor approval.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009

Examples of environmental safeguards prior to construction are:

ƒ Use of SaskPower’s Environmental Screening System and secondary screening results to provide information for identifying alternative corridors; ƒ Identification of alternative corridors which focuses on capitalizing on opportunities to mitigate impacts for an environmental, agricultural, social and economic nature; ƒ Identification of effective mitigation strategies to address potential impacts within alternative corridors under consideration and minimize residual impacts; and ƒ Implementing a public consultation program.

Examples of environmental safeguards during the project implementation phase are:

ƒ Identification of the RoW and structure placement focuses on opportunities to mitigate environmental, agricultural, social and economic impacts within the approved corridor; ƒ Environmental mitigation commitments, conditions of approval and environmental best practices are included in the construction specifications given to the construction contractor; and ƒ Environmental monitoring program throughout the construction phase.

Study Area The study area boundaries defined for this assessment encompass the connection points for the proposed transmission line, specifically the Poplar River Power Station in the south and the Pasqua Switching Station in the north. East and west study boundaries were selected to encompass the existing 230 kV P2C Poplar River-Condie transmission line on the east side and the existing 230 kV P2A Poplar River-Assiniboia and 138 kV A1P Assiniboia to Pasqua transmission lines on the west side. Moreover, a general objective in selecting the study area boundary was to facilitate consideration of all viable routing options.

The study area can be characterized as dominantly rural with a small number of widespread larger urban centres. Approximately 82% of the persons live within 29 defined urban municipalities. The largest population centre is the City of Moose Jaw and the next largest community is the Town of Assiniboia. The remaining communities all have populations below 1,000 persons. Transportation infrastructure is well developed throughout most of the study area.

The majority of land in the study area is cultivated for crops. Forage lands are generally restricted to locations where the topography and/or soils conditions make crop cultivation difficult or uneconomic. Four land use types dominate the study area — cultivated, forage/grassland, urban areas and waterbodies. The study area contains several important natural resources, including bentonite and kaolin clays, sodium sulphate, potash, oil and gas reservoirs, and substantial reserves of lignite coal.

Physiography of the study area is dominated by the Missouri Coteau upland which is located across the north central part of the study area, oriented in a northwest-southeast direction. The Moose Jaw River, East Poplar River, Cookson Reservoir, Lake of the Rivers and Willow Bunch

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Lake are dominant hydrographic features in the study area. The study area is located within the Southwest Tourism Region of Saskatchewan, an area rich in history and culture.

The study area lies within the Prairies Ecozone, a broad expanse of open grassland that occupies much of southern Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba. The Prairies Ecozone has a subhumid to semi-arid climate, made all the more pronounced by long cold winters, short dry summers, and high winds. The dry conditions restrict the growth of trees, allowing hardier grasses to flourish. The native vegetation in the ecozone is primarily mid-grasses growing in mixed stands with short grasses such as blue grama grass. There are eight ecodistricts in the study area. Two of these ecodistricts are associated with the Moist Mixed Grasslands Ecoregion; the remaining six are associated with the Mixed Grass Ecoregion.

Public Consultation SaskPower undertook two rounds of public consultation for the proposed Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line Project, in addition to media advertising, mail correspondence and maintaining a 1-800 contact phone number for project inquiries. The first round of public consultation focused on people and municipalities located within areas crossed by the three alternative corridors.

Letters were mailed to approximately 500 landowners potentially affected by the three alternative corridors in June 2007 introducing the proposed transmission project and inviting people to attend one of four public open house information sessions held later that month. SaskPower also contacted affected rural municipalities, towns, villages and cities to introduce the project and to arrange presentations to their respective councils. Four public open house meetings were advertised and then held in Coronach, Willow Bunch, Bengough and Moose Jaw. Following selection of a preferred corridor, a second round of public meetings was conducted with elected officials and a second set of open houses was held to inform stakeholders about the selection of the preferred corridor and to discuss the rationale for the decision. The second round of public consultation was conducted in February 2008.

Many questions were raised during the public consultation process. SaskPower provided information on various issues throughout the consultation phases, and the issues raised were evaluated and taken into consideration during the corridor evaluation process. SaskPower’s responses to the issues raised are detailed in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

Based on comments received at the open houses, in personal conversations, phone calls and in meetings, it appeared that the reaction to the preferred corridor from the majority of affected landowners and others was favourable. SaskPower believes that the stakeholders in the study area are generally supportive of the selected corridor. Stakeholders seemed to understand the need for the new line, and although there were several issues raised and pertinent questions asked, the information provided by the project team seemed to satisfactorily address all the issues and concerns.

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Corridor Selection Methodology and Preferred Corridor Selection SaskPower has historically applied for and been granted approval from MoE to construct major electrical transmission lines within a defined variable width corridor, most commonly 1.6 km in width. This approach provides the required flexibility to make RoW and structure placement adjustments that address potential environmental, agricultural, social and economic issues which arise during the Project Regulatory Approval Phase and the Project Implementation Phase.

The process of defining the preferred transmission line corridor initially entailed identification and evaluation of a large number of corridor alternatives within the study area to ensure that no viable options were overlooked. Alternative corridors were identified on air photos, and by viewing GIS-based satellite imagery as well as environmental, infrastructure, land use and terrain data sets. Project-specific corridor selection criteria were developed to capitalize on opportunities to mitigate potential agricultural, environmental, land use and economic impacts related to construction, operation and maintenance of the proposed transmission line. These alternative corridors were then reviewed by the project team to select the best options for follow- up evaluation.

Three alternatives corridors were identified for further study and presentation to the public which provided balanced consideration of potential environmental, agricultural, social and economic concerns within the study area. Three alternative corridors with the best characteristics were selected for further study by the project team and for discussion with the public during the first round of public consultation. These corridors are referred to as the East, Central and West alternative corridors.

Following evaluation of more detailed corridor data during the secondary project screening phase, the project team recommended the West corridor as the preferred corridor. The West corridor has significantly lower agricultural impacts and more double circuit construction than the Central and East corridors. Potential residual environmental impacts in all three corridors were judged to be low. Slightly higher estimated capital costs potentially incurred by SaskPower for the West corridor are considered a reasonable investment to help reduce overall impacts of the transmission line on agricultural operations.

Description of the Preferred Corridor Section 6 gives a detailed description of the geographical, socio-economical and environmental aspects of the preferred corridor. To facilitate its overview, the preferred corridor is divided into six segments from the Poplar River Power Station in Coronach located at the southern most point of the proposed line, to the most northern point at the Pasqua Switching Station.

Each segment is presented on a detailed satellite imagery map, providing the opportunity to see the most recent state of the land use.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Project Development The major stages in this transmission line development include pre-construction, construction, post-construction, operation and maintenance, decommissioning and abandonment. Construction is expected to begin in August of 2009 and will be completed in winter 2009/2010.

Pre-construction activities include; planning and design, corridor option identification, environmental assessment, public involvement, required approvals, Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) survey, structure location determination, easement acquisition, and material and construction tenders. For the construction phase, the major activities involved in transmission line construction include: access, brush clearing, structure location staking, material hauling, structure framing, structure erection, conductor stringing and ground resistance testing. Post-construction activities include work inspection which include ensuring that remaining construction materials or other debris are removed and that post-construction mitigation measures are being implemented in consultation with MoE. Operation and maintenance consist of routine maintenance and inspections during the non-growing seasons (unless required for emergency repair). Decommissioning and abandonment will include conductor and structure salvaging and returning the footprint of the area to its natural state.

In general, the project will employ the use of steel “H” frame structures, supporting two shield wires for lightning protection and six conducting lines. The net cultivated length (first-time construction on cultivated land) is 59.8 km. Uncultivated length (mostly grassland and forage land) is 61.7 km. The double circuit length (on cultivated land; existing line salvaged) is 31.3 km and the length on reclaimed coal mine land is 7.2 km. The overall length of the preferred corridor is 160 km

Environmental Assessment Methods The environmental assessment activity reported in this document involved the evaluation of corridor development impacts on Valued Ecosystem Components (VECs). The impact evaluation and write-up process followed a basic four-step process:

1. Completion of primary, secondary and tertiary environmental assessment scoping and data research following the standard environmental assessment process developed over the past 40 years by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency; 2. Prediction of potential environmental effects on the VECs, documenting the probable effects and determining the importance of each predicted effect; 3. Assessment of the level of impacts and/or effects, contextual to the definitions or concepts essential for each assessment criterion. A range of effects was measured using a standard polar opposite continuum; 4. Evaluation if an adverse effect is likely and what confidence level is involved in predicting the effects.

Existing Conditions, Impact Assessment and Proposed Mitigations This section describes existing conditions as assessed during the 2008 field surveys and information gathering phase. It provides an impact assessment for the preferred corridor with proposed mitigation measures.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 The assessment method as described in Section 8 is applies the temporal bounds of construction and operational periods. The decommissioning period was not considered as this phase of the project will be completed based on the regulatory requirements at the time of decommissioning.

Vegetation and Wetlands Approximately 52% of the preferred corridor is cultivated land, while 13% is forage and pastureland and 20% is grassland, including areas of native prairie. Wetlands are present in approximately 3% of the preferred corridor with the majority of wetlands occurring as small scattered potholes (Class I to IV wetlands) in the Missouri Coteau upland. Streams and riparian areas also occupy approximately 3% of the preferred corridor. Trees and shrubs occupy less than 1% of the preferred corridor and urban and industrial areas cover approximately 7% of the preferred corridor area.

The assessment of potential impacts on vegetation due to construction and operation of the proposed transmission line included the following three main components: ƒ A baseline assessment of vegetation and rare plants; ƒ An impact assessment of the project on vegetation and wetlands; and ƒ Mitigation and monitoring programs.

Vegetation surveys focussed on grassland habitat and riparian areas around wetlands and streams. Vegetation field surveys were conducted in May, June and September 2008. Thirteen (13) rare plant species as listed on the SKCDC Tracking List (SKCDC 2008c) were located in the preferred corridor during these surveys. One additional species was documented in the SKCDC database but was not located during the 2008 surveys. One species located during the 2008 survey requires a setback of 25 m under the medium disturbance category in the Saskatchewan Activity Restriction Guidelines for Sensitive Species in Natural Habitats (SKCDC 2003).

Since the disturbance associated with the project will be minimal, and with the implementation of the mitigation measures described in the EIS, overall impacts within the preferred corridor to vegetation and wetlands, including rare plants and introduction of non-native plant species, are expected to be low.

Of the native grasslands in the preferred corridor, approximately 2% (123 ha) will lie within the RoW. Impacts to native grasslands due to the structures will affect less than 1% (<1 ha) and are considered to be negative, local, low, long-term, continuous and reversible. Given the low disturbance area associated with the structures (<1 ha), and also given that there is some flexibility in the location of structures, impacts to rare plants will be minimized or even eliminated in some areas with slight offsets of structures as determined during the pre-construction rare plant surveys.

Approximately 2 ha (3%) of tree and shrub habitat will impacted by the RoW. Impacts to tree and shrub habitat as a result of construction and operation activities within the RoW are expected to be negative, local, moderate, long-term, continuous and reversible. The presence of the structures will remove <1 ha (<1%) of tree and shrub habitat for the life of the project.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Impacts to tree and shrub habitat due to the structures are expected to be negative, local, low, long-term, continuous and reversible.

Impacts to wetlands and waterbodies due to the structures will affect less than 1 ha (<1%). Mitigation measures to reduce impacts due to structures include setbacks from undisturbed riparian areas and not placing structures in wetlands or waterbodies. With these mitigation measures in place, impacts to wetlands and waterbodies due to the structures are not anticipated.

Wildlife Wildlife habitats within the preferred corridor are classified based on general vegetation characteristics and include 10 dominant habitat types: cultivated, forage, grassland, trees and shrubs, lakes, streams, wetland in cultivated land, wetland in forage land, wetland in grassland, and urban/industrial. Cultivated lands account for 52% and grassland habitats cover 20% of the preferred corridor. Coulees within the grassland habitat are primarily non-treed and support various tall shrubs.

Waterfowl and amphibian habitat in the preferred corridor is limited to small wetlands and prairie potholes. Cultivated fields provide good forage opportunities for ungulates and various bird species, but the absence of cover decreases the productivity of these habitats. The diverse landscape within the native prairie provides suitable habitat for sensitive wildlife species.

Wildlife field studies were conducted in April-June 2008 to provide site-specific information on wildlife distribution and habitat use within the preferred corridor. In addition, important habitats were identified and the presence of sensitive wildlife species was ascertained. Field surveys were conducted for amphibians, songbirds, waterfowl surveys, sharp-tailed grouse leks, and burrowing owls. In addition, incidental observations of wildlife were recorded during all surveys, and notes were made on the presence of rare or sensitive species.

The preferred corridor potentially provides suitable habitat for 52 species of concern and is home to 5 endangered species, 10 threatened species, and 9 species of special concern, as listed by COSEWIC or the SARA (COSEWIC 2008, SARA 2008). According to the SKCDC (2008), there are 8 Extremely Rare species (S1), 9 Rare species (S2), 27 Rare–Uncommon species (S3), 5 Common species (S4), 2 Very Common species (S5), and 1 species with historical occurrence but without recent verification, within the preferred corridor. Seven Common (S4) to Very Common (S5) species have been identified in this list due to their federal rankings.

Project impacts to wildlife populations will vary with the habitat types disturbed, the reproductive potential of the affected species and the size of the population within the area. The assessment included an examination of potential effects on habitat loss, habitat effectiveness, disruption of movement corridors, and mortality risks during project construction and operations, with an emphasis on sensitive species. Impacts were assessed qualitatively for the project based on distribution and habitat use information, and the application of standard mitigative measures including timing and setback restrictions.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 The majority of wildlife species present near the preferred corridor have adapted to some degree to the disturbances associated with agriculture, mining, and oil and gas activities. Disturbance within native grasslands may result in greater risk to sensitive species. Timing and setback restrictions will be implemented for construction activities within the preferred corridor where sensitive species may be present. These restrictions are designed to minimize or avoid adverse effects on sensitive wildlife and their habitats.

Project construction is expected to disturb 608 ha (2%) of the preferred corridor. Habitat loss within the preferred corridor will be moderate, and long-term disturbance will occur only where the structures are placed, affecting approximately 1 ha. The majority of disturbance from the access RoW will be on cultivated land (316 ha), grassland (123 ha) and forage (83 ha). Wetlands will be affected minimally. No structures will be positioned directly in wetland habitat; therefore adverse effects to species such as northern leopard frogs will be negligible. Habitat fragmentation will not occur as a result of construction activities.

As the disturbance to grasslands is expected to be minimal, grassland-dependent sensitive species, such as the Sprague’s pipit, are expected to experience low impacts due to habitat loss. Low impacts to burrowing owls are also expected because the structures will avoid active burrowing owl sites. Removal of small amounts of grassland habitat may affect Sprague’s pipit, however this species was found in numerous locations throughout the preferred corridor and is expected to utilize undisturbed grassland habitat surrounding the project footprint.

Overall, transmission line construction within the RoW, including the structures, is anticipated to result in low impacts to wildlife, considering the predicted changes to habitat quantity, habitat effectiveness, disruption of movement patterns and mortality risk.

Project operations are also expected to have a low impact on wildlife. Disturbances will be limited to an annual inspection and, as required, maintenance of the transmission line. Amphibians, reptiles and mammals will experience low effects from the transmission line, given the mitigation measures applied.

The project has been designed to minimize the impacts that wildlife may experience. Disturbance and habitat loss are expected to be minimal, identified sensitive habitats will be avoided during critical timing periods, and wildlife will continue to use habitat in the vicinity of the transmission line. Bird mortality, particularly among raptors, will be minimized due to the distances between conductors on a transmission line. Waterfowl mortalities will also be reduced through implementation of setbacks and wire markers. Other wildlife is not expected to experience an increased risk of mortality as a result of the transmission line. Wildlife movements will not be obstructed, and movement patterns are expected to return to near pre-disturbance conditions once construction is complete. Disturbance from transmission line inspection and maintenance activities are expected to be minimal. The overall impact from development of the transmission line is expected to be low on wildlife species and their habitats.

Fish and Fish Habitat The project includes aerial crossings over two rivers, one reservoir and numerous unnamed tributaries. Cookson Reservoir, East Poplar River and Moose Jaw River are considered the

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 most significant with respect to fish and fish habitat because these waterbodies have historically been found to support fish. In the general study area, 17 species of fish have been captured; however, all fish species noted along the preferred corridor are listed as Common (S4) to Very Common (S5), and none are ranked by the Committee On the Status of Endangered Wildlife In Canada (COSEWIC) (2008).

There are no anticipated residual impacts to fisheries resources from construction and operation of the proposed transmission line based on implementation of proposed mitigation techniques. No instream work requirements are expected for the project. Construction is planned from August to Winter 2009/2010, and low flows are anticipated. Most crossings will be dry or frozen during the planned construction period, including East Poplar River, Cookson Reservoir and Moose Jaw River which will be frozen for much of the construction period. All watercourse crossings will comply with the DFO Saskatchewan Operational Statement – Overhead Line Construction (Version 3).

Similarly, there will be no impacts to fisheries resources during operations and maintenance of the proposed transmission line. Operational activities are limited to scheduled maintenance and inspection of the transmission line. The use of temporary crossings for access during operations is not anticipated and, if required, will adhere to the same standards used during construction. Therefore, potential impacts from operations are anticipated to be similar to those described for construction.

There are no expected impacts to fisheries resources from increased fishing pressure because no permanent road or trail access will be maintained during operations and most lands along the preferred corridor are private lands with restricted access, which will not change during operations.

Heritage Resources An archaeological Heritage Resources Impact Assessment (HRIA) was conducted for this project under HRIA Permit No. 08-083 in May and June 2008. There were 272 archaeological sites recorded, within and immediately adjacent to the proposed preferred corridor.

A paleontological assessment for this project was conducted under Palaeontological Permit #08-021. While several small exposures of Cretaceous bedrock are located in the preferred corridor, only one was noted to have paleontological material associated with it.

Due to the highly intermittent levels of disturbance associated with overhead transmission lines, intrusive investigative procedures, such as shovel testing, were not conducted during this initial assessment. SaskPower commits to avoiding the recorded archaeological and paleontological sites, where possible, by structure placement during line design. Where avoidance is either not possible or not practical, SaskPower commits to conducting further archaeological and paleontological site assessment and, where necessary, implement mitigation programs in consultation with the Heritage Branch.

Socio-Economic Issues

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 A socio economic assessment was conducted to assess potential impacts on land use, rural municipalities and communities, infrastructure, recreational land use, regional economy and employment, electric and magnetic fields, potential electrical interference and noise.

Due to the short duration of construction and the small footprint of the transmission line structures, it is anticipated that there will be minimal residual impacts on land use. A very small area of land will be disturbed during construction for structure installation, and a small area of land will be considered out-of-production after construction is complete (particularly if the structure is located in a cultivated area). Compensation is negotiated with landowners on an individual basis, based on the specific impacts to the particular piece of property (i.e., cultivated versus forage land, number of structures on private property, footprint of structure, etc.). Land impacts will also be mitigated by constructing the line during fall and winter, using double circuit construction on agricultural land where high voltage transmission lines already exist, using low- impact construction techniques and by centreline or structure placement adjustments.

Communities in the areas adjacent to the transmission line may experience a small increase to their population for a short duration of time to accommodate the required workforce. Communities and local businesses will see a positive economic impact from providing food services and lodging to construction crews. The line contractor will determine the final plans for their workers, however it is anticipated that the preference will be to accommodate people to facilitate efficiencies in travelling to and from work sites. Local material suppliers (for such items as crushed rock) may be called upon by the line contractor, as well as local people for certain labour requirements.

It is not anticipated that railway or air transportation will play a role in the construction of this transmission line. Use of the road network, however, will play a large role in delivering materials and resources (people and equipment) to the specific RoW during construction. However, it is expected that there will be a minimal, short-term increase in existing traffic volumes in the area due to line construction. No road or bridge upgrades are expected for access purposes.

SaskPower does not anticipate any residual impacts with regards to parks, historic sites, recreation opportunities and other cultural, historic or tourist attractions within the study area since the preferred corridor does not affect any of those sites. No adverse effects from electric and magnetic fields, electrical interference or noise are anticipated.

Monitoring Programs Construction and post-construction monitoring programs will be developed to minimize and monitor project effects on soils, vegetation, wetlands, wildlife and water resources, as well as other factors that may affect land use within the preferred corridor. To help implement these programs, Environmental Monitor(s) will be employed during construction to perform ground patrols and report on the condition of the RoW. SaskPower will control project development through the Project Engineer, Project Approvals and Assessment Coordinator, Environmental Monitor(s) and Construction Supervisor throughout construction. The intent of monitoring is to verify the accuracy of predictions and the adequacy of proposed mitigation measures, as well as to identify and remedy any unforeseen negative effects.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 SaskPower will conduct pre-construction training for all personnel to ensure that they understand their roles and responsibilities. The Construction Supervisor will enforce all environmental protection measures, as outlined in the environmental assessment report. Representatives of provincial and federal agencies will enforce their regulations and licence conditions as necessary.

Post-construction surveys will be conducted to evaluate the efficacy of mitigation and remediation activities, and to identify any additional remediation requirements. This includes monitoring to ensure that disturbed areas are revegetated with appropriate plant species (either seeded or natural revegetation) and monitoring for weeds. Longer term monitoring of more heavily impacted sites will be conducted to ensure adequate reclamation of disturbed areas.

After the transmission line is in operation, SaskPower will conduct air patrols at least once per year by fixed-wing aircraft to monitor the condition of the transmission line. Air patrols will have very limited impacts on the environment and are generally well understood by landowners, industry and regulatory agencies.

Routine ground patrols of the RoW will typically occur once a year during the fall to minimize potential impacts to the environment and agricultural activities. These regularly scheduled inspections will be supplemented with spot-point inspections typically performed when maintenance activities take place along the power line.

Summary of Impacts and Mitigative Measures This section summarizes in a table format the impact levels on the various VECs after the application of the proposed mitigation measures. Overall, the final impacts are rated low or positive (socio-economic components). A summary table of environmental impacts and mitigation options is also presented in this section.

Conclusion The Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV transmission line project was thoroughly described throughout this document, including all the measures that are being taken to minimize the impact of this project on the communities and the environment. The overall impact for this project is expected to be low. SaskPower has been and will be working closely with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment and other organizations to continue to address present and unforeseen concerns.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 CONCORDANCE TABLE

Project Specific Guidelines were prepared by the Environmental Assessment Branch (EAB) of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment (MoE) to assist SaskPower in the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed 230 kV transmission line development between the Poplar River Power Station (near Coronach, Saskatchewan) and the Pasqua Switching Station (near Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan). The following Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) describes the expected environmental impacts and proposed mitigation measures to alleviate the impacts of this development project.

This concordance table is designed to locate those sections of this EIS report that address MoE Project Specific Guidelines for the EIS of the proposed project.

MoE Project Specific Project Specific Guidelines Description EIS Reference Guideline Reference

Sections 1.1 & 1.2 Due to the size and scope of this project, SaskPower and the MoE are of the opinion that it Refers to entire EIS constitutes a “development” as defined in The Environmental Assessment Act (the document Act) and thus that an EIA pursuant to that Act is required

Section 1.3 1.3 Public Involvement Section 4

Section 1.4 1.4 Federal and Provincial Cooperation in the EIA Refers to entire EIS document

Section 1.5 “The EIS should include an Executive Summary, written as far as possible in non-technical Executive Summary language, briefly summarizing the EIS…”

Section 2.1 Part 1 2.1 General Requirements and Evaluation of Options Introduction: This should be a brief description of the project, the rationale, the construction schedule, and the results of the EIA. It should include:

• Project Need: the goal of the project, how the project will accomplish this goal, the Section 2 anticipated lifespan of the transmission line

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MoE Project Specific Project Specific Guidelines Description EIS Reference Guideline Reference

• Project Description: an informal description of the project, including the start and end Section 7 points, the general construction details of the transmission line, ancillary projects

• Study Area: an environmental description of the region and of the study area, including Sections 3 baseline environmental data and land use patterns, population centers, and transportation corridors

• SaskPower Facilities: a description of stations, major transmission lines, and switching Sections 3.1.3 stations, etc. in the study area

Section 2.1 Part 2 Routing Analysis

• Description and analysis of corridor alternatives, including land uses and critical Section 5 environmental values (as determined from database search) along each potential corridor

• Consideration of access, utilization of road allowances, existing corridors, and disturbed Section 5 land

• Results of public consultation on corridor alternatives Section 4

• Identification of preferred corridor, with rationale for decision Section 5.4

Section 2.2 2.2 Project Specific Description Section 6 All development stages of the preferred corridor and design option for the transmission line Section 7 and ancillary projects should be described.

Section 3.1 3.1 Environmental Database Section 8 The EIS should contain a complete and accurate description of the existing environment Section 9 that may be affected by the project, assessment methodologies and results.

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MoE Project Specific Project Specific Guidelines Description EIS Reference Guideline Reference

Section 3.2 3.2 Land Use and Designations Section 9.6.1 The EIS should provide a comprehensive map and table of the lands along the preferred corridor, by quarter section, indicating current land use and any special designations (e.g., WHPA, SWF, organic farming, pasture, native prairie, First Nations land, community pasture, parks etc.)

Section 3.3 3.3 Surface Water Quality and Hydrology Section 3.1.7 This section should discuss surface water resources, if any, likely to be affected by the Section 6 project, including wetlands, lakes, sloughs, and creeks. Activities which may affect wetlands Section 7.2.10 and waterbodies include pole placement, line installation, vegetation clearing/control, access roads, and future maintenance activities. Section 9.3

Sections 3.4 3.4 Terrestrial Ecology Section 3 The EIS should provide a comprehensive analysis of the landforms, biological and human Section 6 values along the proposed corridor, as well as: Section 9

Section 3.5 3.5 Aquatic Ecology Section 3 All wetlands, lakes, rivers and sloughs along the proposed corridor should be identified and Section 6 described. Any waterbodies that contain or are likely to attract significant numbers of Sections 9.2 and 9.3 waterfowl should be noted and evaluated as to the potential for bird strike mortality. Aquatic habitat that is likely to be affected by the project should be surveyed for sensitive plant and animal species.

Section 3.6 3.6 Heritage Resources Section 9.4 SaskPower should consult with Heritage Resources Branch of the Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sports to determine the need for Heritage Resource Impact Assessment (HRIAs) on the proposed or preferred corridors. The EIS should provide information documentation to indicate that this is taking place.

Section 4.0 4.0 Socio-Economic Issues Section 9.6 The EIS should describe any effects that the project may have on local infrastructure and activity, including employment opportunities, tourism, utilization of local contractors …

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MoE Project Specific Project Specific Guidelines Description EIS Reference Guideline Reference

Section 5.0 5.0 Occupational Health and Safety Section 4.4.5 SaskPower should describe the current occupational health and safety program and identify Section 7.2 any new issues or critical points that will require changes or additions to the OH&S program

Section 6.0 6.0 Public Involvement Section 4 SaskPower should ensure that local residents and organizations are fully informed about the proposal, including potential short term, long term, or cumulative impacts and mitigation measures, as well as the benefits of the project. The EIS should include a description of the public involvement process that has been implemented, documentation of comments received, and how the proponent will take public concerns into account, with particular emphasis on locally affected persons.

Section 7.0 7.1 Impacts on the Environment from the Project Section 9 The EIS should document and evaluate the significance of positive and negative project related effects on the environment of the preferred corridor.

7.2 Impacts on the Project from the Environment Section 9.5

Section 8.0 8.0 Monitoring Requirements Section 10 The EIS should include a plan to monitor the environmental impacts of the project, which is to include: • oversight of the construction activities, to ensure that immediate impacts are as predicted, that planned mitigation measures are implemented, and to identify any unforeseen impacts • post construction surveys to evaluate efficacy of mitigation and remediation activities, and to identify any additional remediation requirements Section 9.0 9.0 Decommissioning and Reclamation Section 7.6 A conceptual plan for the decommissioning and removal of all physical works should be included in the EIS

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MoE Project Specific Project Specific Guidelines Description EIS Reference Guideline Reference

Section 10.0 10.0 Approvals N/A Notification that should the project be approved under the Environmental Assessment Act, further approvals and permits will be required.

Section 11.0 11.0 Summary Executive summary Section 11

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE

1.0 INTRODUCTION...... 9 1.1 Project Description ...... 9 1.2 Project Purpose...... 9 1.3 Project Proponent...... 10

2.0 PROJECT NEED / JUSTIFICATION ...... 11 2.1 Project Background ...... 11 2.2 Project Need...... 11 2.3 Project Options Examined...... 12 2.4 Consequences of Project Deferral ...... 13 2.5 Project Approval Process ...... 13 2.5.1 Environmental Safeguards Prior to Project Regulatory Approval ...... 14 2.5.2 Environmental Safeguards During the Project Implementation Phase15

3.0 STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION ...... 17 3.1 The Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV Study Area ...... 17 3.2 Rural and Urban Municipalities in the Study Area...... 17 3.3 Existing Power Grid Environment...... 23 3.4 Transportation and Related Infrastructure...... 25 3.5 Industry and Natural Resources...... 30 3.6 Tourism and Cultural Resources...... 33 3.7 Physiography, Surface Water Hydrology and Surface Geology of the Study Area38 3.8 Groundwater Resources ...... 45 3.9 Generalized Land Cover / Land Use ...... 47 3.10 Regional Ecological Setting...... 49 3.11 Ecological Districts in the Study Area...... 52 3.12 Climate Conditions ...... 56

4.0 PUBLIC CONSULTATION ...... 58 4.1 Overview...... 58 4.2 Consultation Activities (June 2007 to November 2008)...... 58 4.2.1 June 2007 ...... 58 4.2.2 June – December 2007...... 59 4.2.3 February 2008...... 59 4.2.4 April 2008...... 62 4.3 Information Distributed ...... 62 4.4 Issues Raised and SaskPower Responses to the Issues ...... 65 4.4.1 Project Need ...... 65 4.4.2 Project Cost ...... 66 4.4.3 Project Schedule...... 66 4.4.4 Project Characteristics ...... 66

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 4.4.5 Operational Considerations ...... 67 4.4.6 Health and Safety ...... 68 4.4.7 Environmental ...... 69 4.4.8 Socio-Economic ...... 71 4.5 Conclusions...... 71

5.0 ROUTING ANALYSIS METHODOLOGIES...... 73 5.1 Introduction...... 73 5.2 Alternative Corridor Selection...... 73 5.2.1 Data Sets (Primary Screening Data Sets) ...... 73 5.2.2 Environmental Screening Database ...... 73 5.2.3 Infrastructure Data ...... 78 5.2.4 Surficial Geology, Terrain, Land Cover and Land Use ...... 79 5.2.5 Process Used to Identify Alternative Corridors ...... 79 5.2.6 Characteristics of the Three Alternative Corridors ...... 82 5.3 Selection of a Preferred Corridor...... 84 5.3.1 Factors Used to Compare Alternative Corridors ...... 84 5.3.2 Secondary Environmental Screening Process...... 85 5.3.3 Habitat Assessment Based on Land Cover and Land Use Mapping .. 85 5.3.4 Institutional Environmental Land Designations ...... 86 5.3.5 Literature Review ...... 86 5.3.6 Secondary Screening Contacts ...... 86 5.3.7 Public Consultation ...... 87 5.3.8 Secondary Environmental Screening Results...... 87 5.4 Corridor Comparison ...... 88 5.4.1 West versus Central Corridor...... 88 5.4.2 West versus East Corridor ...... 89 5.4.3 Selection of a Preferred Corridor ...... 90

6.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED CORRIDOR...... 92 6.1 General Description of the Preferred Corridor...... 92 6.2 Detailed Description of the Preferred Corridor ...... 92 6.2.1 Poplar River Power Station North to Rivard Lake (Segment 1) ...... 92 6.2.2 Rivard Lake to West End of Willow Bunch Lake (Segment 2) ...... 96 6.2.3 West End of Willow Bunch Lake to Readlyn (Segment 3) ...... 99 6.2.4 Readlyn to South Edge of Cactus Hills (Segment 4) ...... 100 6.2.5 South of Cactus Hills to North of Cactus Hills (Segment 5) ...... 104 6.2.6 North of Cactus Hills to Pasqua Switching Station (Segment 6)...... 106

7.0 PROJECT DEVELOPMENT DESCRIPTION ...... 109 7.1 Preconstruction Stage ...... 109 7.1.1 Development Schedule...... 109 7.1.2 Required Approvals ...... 114 7.1.3 Survey Consent ...... 114

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 7.1.4 Survey...... 115 7.1.5 Easement Acquisition ...... 115 7.1.6 Material Tenders ...... 115 7.1.7 Construction Tenders...... 116 7.2 Construction ...... 116 7.2.1 Land Owner Contact ...... 117 7.2.2 Access ...... 117 7.2.3 Brush Clearing ...... 118 7.2.4 Structure Location...... 118 7.2.5 Material Handling ...... 118 7.2.6 Structure Framing ...... 118 7.2.7 Structure Erection ...... 118 7.2.8 Conductor Installation ...... 119 7.2.9 Ground Testing ...... 120 7.2.10 Water Crossing for Transmission Route ...... 120 7.2.11 Geological Areas of Concern ...... 120 7.3 Post Construction ...... 121 7.4 Operation and Maintenance ...... 121 7.5 Ancillary Facilities...... 121 7.5.1 Pasqua Switching Station Expansion ...... 122 7.5.2 Poplar River Switching Station Expansion...... 122 7.6 Decommissioning and Abandonment...... 123

8.0 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT METHODS ...... 124

9.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS, IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND PROPOSED MITIGATIONS FOR THE PREFERRED CORRIDOR...... 127 9.1 Vegetation and Wetlands ...... 127 9.1.1 Ecoregions ...... 127 9.1.2 Assessment Approach or issues...... 129 9.1.3 Methods ...... 130 9.1.4 Existing Conditions ...... 131 9.1.5 2008 Plant Field Survey Results...... 140 9.1.6 Potential Impacts and Mitigative Measures ...... 149 9.1.7 Cumulative Effects Assessment ...... 155 9.1.8 Vegetation and Wetlands: Summary of Impacts...... 155 9.2 Wildlife...... 156 9.2.1 Natural EcoRegions and Ecodistricts...... 156 9.2.2 Vegetation and Wildlife Habitat...... 158 9.2.3 Methods ...... 158 9.2.4 Key Wildlife Species ...... 164 9.2.5 Existing Conditions ...... 167 9.2.6 Potential Wildlife Impacts and Mitigative Measures...... 182 9.2.7 Wildlife Cumulative Effect Assessment...... 187

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 9.2.8 Wildlife: Summary of Impacts ...... 187 9.3 Fish and Fish Habitat ...... 188 9.3.1 Fish Communities and Sensitive Species...... 188 9.3.2 Potential Impacts on Fisheries Resources and Mitigative Measures 190 9.3.3 Cumulative Effects on Fisheries ...... 192 9.3.4 Fisheries: Summary of Impacts ...... 192 9.4 Heritage Resources...... 192 9.5 Impacts on the Project from the Environment ...... 193 9.6 Socio-Economic Issues and Impacts ...... 193 9.6.1 Land Use & Designations ...... 193 9.6.2 Potential Impacts to Land Use ...... 193 9.6.3 Potential Impacts to Rural Municipalities and Communities ...... 194 9.6.4 Potential Impacts to Infrastructure Framework ...... 195 9.6.5 Potential Impacts to Recreational Land Use...... 196 9.6.6 Potential Impacts to Regional Economy and Employment ...... 196 9.6.7 Potential Electric and Magnetic Field Impacts and Mitigative Measures196 9.6.8 Potential Electrical Interference ...... 197 9.6.9 Noise...... 197 9.6.10 Socio-Economic and Land Use Cumulative Effects Assessment ..... 198

10.0 MONITORING PROGRAMS...... 199 10.1 General Construction Monitoring...... 199 10.2 Environmental Monitoring Procedures ...... 200 10.2.1 Vegetation Monitoring ...... 200 10.2.2 Wildlife Monitoring...... 200 10.3 Operational Inspections and Monitoring...... 201

11.0 SUMMARY OF IMPACTS AND MITIGATIVE MEASURES ...... 202

12.0 CONCLUSION ...... 213 GLOSSARY ...... 214 ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ...... 221 References...... 223

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Rural and Urban Municipalities in the Study Area ...... 19 Table 2: Unorganized Hamlets in the Study Area (by Rural Municipality) ...... 20 Table 3: Railway Sidings and Other Community Locales in the Study Area (by Rural Municipality) ...... 20 Table 4: Length of SaskPower Transmission and Distribution Lines in the Study Area (by Line Type) ...... 25 Table 5: Total Length of Road Infrastructure in the Study Area (by Road Type)...... 28 Table 6: Total Length of Rail Infrastructure in the Study Area (by Owner and Subdivision)...... 29 Table 7: Aerodromes in the Study Area...... 29 Table 8: Feedlots in the Study Area...... 33 Table 9: Game Farms in the Study Area ...... 33 Table 10: Tourist Attractions and Recreational Opportunities in the Study Area...... 37 Table 11: Generalized Land Use in the Study Area...... 47 Table 12: Environment Canada Climate Stations Near the Preferred Corridor Study Area...... 56 Table 13: Summary of Mean Average Temperature, Precipitation and Snow Levels for the Climate Stations Near the Preferred Corridor Study Area...... 57 Table 14: Open House Attendance Statistics ...... 65 Table 15: Alternative Corridor Land Use Comparison ...... 83 Table 16: Comparison of Single-Circuit versus Double-Circuit Construction...... 83 Table 17: Corridor Cost Comparison ...... 84 Table 18: Summary of Alternative Corridor Comparison Factors ...... 87 Table 19: Comparison of Advantages and Disadvantages of the West and Central Corridors...... 89 Table 20: Comparison of Advantages and Disadvantages of the West and East Corridors...... 90 Table 21: West Corridor Summary ...... 92 Table 22: Environmental Assessment Criteria Definitions ...... 125 Table 23: Concepts Used to Define Extrapolated Mitigation Probability...... 126 Table 24: Vegetation and Land Cover Within the Preferred Corridor ...... 132 Table 25: Low Prairie Plants Typical of the Wetland-Low-Prairie Zone...... 135 Table 26: Emergent Plants Typical of the Wet-Meadow Zone (Normal Emergent Phase)...... 136 Table 27: Plants Typical of the Shallow-Marsh Zone...... 137 Table 28: Plants Typical of the Deep-Marsh Zone...... 138 Table 29: Plants Typical of the Fen (Alkaline Bog) Zone...... 140 Table 30: Rare Plant Species Observed in the Preferred Corridor During 2008 Field Surveys ...... 141 Table 31: Non-native Plant Species and Noxious Weeds in the Preferred Corridor...... 144 Table 32: Construction and Operation Impacts on the Preferred corridor ...... 153 Table 33: Impacts Associated With the RoW and Structures ...... 155 Table 34: Wildlife Species of Concern Listed by COSEWIC, SARA and/or the SKCDC Potentially Found in the Preferred corridor...... 165 Table 35: At Risk Definitions...... 167 Table 36: Average Number of Birds per Point Count for Seven Habitat Types in the Preferred Corridor ...... 171 Table 37: Bird Species Richness for Each Habitat Type ...... 172 Table 38: Waterfowl Observations...... 174 Table 39: Impacts Due to RoW and Post Hole Construction ...... 184 Table 40: Project Impact Rating for Wildlife During Construction Activities...... 186 Table 41: Project Impact Rating for Wildlife During Operations...... 187

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Table 42: Status of Fish Species Documented Within the Preferred Corridor...... 188 Table 43: Impact Rating for Fisheries Resources During Construction and Operations ...... 192 Table 44 Summary of Impact Levels of the Project on Valued Ecosystem Components (VECs)...... 202 Table 45 Summary Table – Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Options Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line...... 205

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Map of SaskPower's Transmission System in Southern Saskatchewan ...... 9 Figure 2: Location of the Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV Study Area in Southern Saskatchewan ...... 18 Figure 3: Rural and Urban Municipalities in the Study Area ...... 22 Figure 4: Existing Power Grid Environment in the Study Area...... 24 Figure 5: Road, Rail and Air Transportation Infrastructure in the Study Area...... 26 Figure 6: Natural Resources and Industrial Facilities in the Study Area...... 31 Figure 7: Parks and Recreation Sites in the Study Area...... 34 Figure 8: Tourism and Recreational Opportunities in the Study Area...... 36 Figure 9: National Defence Facilities in the Study Area...... 39 Figure 10: Topography and Physiographic Features in the Study Area ...... 40 Figure 11: Surface Geology in the Study Area ...... 41 Figure 12: Soil Texture in the Study Area ...... 42 Figure 13: Groundwater Resources in the Study Area ...... 46 Figure 14: Generalized Land Use in the Study Area ...... 48 Figure 15: Location of the Study Area in the Prairie Ecozone ...... 50 Figure 16: Ecodistricts in the Study Area...... 51 Figure 17: SaskPower Environmental Screening Database Ranking System...... 76 Figure 18: Type A, B, and C Lands in the Study Area ...... 77 Figure 19: Locations of Three Alternative Corridors Selected for Secondary Screening and Public Consultation...... 81 Figure 20: Comparison of Primary Environmental Screening Occurrences in the West, Central and East Corridors...... 82 Figure 21: Comparison of the Four Main Factors for Each Corridor...... 91 Figure 22: Location of the Preferred Corridor ...... 93 Figure 23: Preferred Corridor: Poplar River Power Station North to Rivard Lake (Segment 1)...... 94 Figure 24: Preferred Corridor: Rivard Lake to West End of Willow Bunch Lake (Segment 2)...... 98 Figure 25: Preferred Corridor: West End of Willow Bunch Lake to Readlyn (Segment 3)...... 101 Figure 26: Preferred Corridor: Readlyn to South Edge of Cactus Hills (Segment 4) ...... 103 Figure 27: Preferred Corridor: South of Cactus Hills to North of Cactus Hills (Segment 5)..... 105 Figure 28: Preferred Corridor: North of Cactus Hills to Pasqua Switching Station (Segment 6)...... 107 Figure 29 Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line Project Schedule ...... 110 Figure 30: Detailed Vegetation and Rare Plant Survey Plot Locations (also see Appendix 21) ...... 133 Figure 31: Locations of Rare Plants in 2008 Field Surveys (also see Appendix 21) ...... 143 Figure 32: Location of the Preferred Corridor, Ecodistricts and WHPA Lands (also see Appendix 21) ...... 157

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Figure 33: Location of Waterfowl and Amphibian Surveys Along the Preferred Corridor (also see Appendix 21)...... 160 Figure 34: Location of Songbird Surveys Along the Preferred Corridor (also see Appendix 21) ...... 161 Figure 35: Location of Burrowing Owl Call Play-Back Sites and Sharp-Tailed Grouse Lek Field Surveys (also see Appendix 21)...... 163 Figure 36: Sensitive Species Sighted During Field Work and SKCDC Database Records (also see Appendix 21)...... 169 Figure 37: Waterfowl and Waterbird Species Diversity...... 174 Figure 38: Waterfowl Distribution...... 175 Figure 39: Burrowing Owl and Sharp-Tailed Grouse Sightings, and SKCDC Records for Burrowing Owls (also see Appendix 21)...... 177 Figure 40 Magnetic Field Profile for the Polar River to Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line...... 197

LIST OF DRAWINGS

Drawing 1: H Frame Tangent Structure ...... 111 Drawing 2: Double Circuit Tangent Structure ...... 113

LIST OF PHOTOS

Photo 1: Landowners Discuss Satellite Photos at the Willow Bunch Open House (June 2007) ...... 60 Photo 2: Discussions with Landowners at the Bengough Open House (June 2007)...... 60 Photo 3: Twenty-eight Landowners Attended the Public Open House in Coronach (February 2008)...... 61 Photo 4: Forty-one Landowners Attended the Moose Jaw Public Open House (February 2008) ...... 64 Photo 5: SaskPower Responds to Landowners at the Willow Bunch Open House (February 2008)...... 70

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009

LIST OF APPENDICES (SEPARATE DOCUMENT)

Appendix 1: Preferred corridor Rare and Endangered Species List Appendix 2: Secondary Screening Data Table for EIS – Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line Project (July 4, 2008) Appendix 3: Mapped Distribution of Secondary Screening Occurrences in the Three Alternate Corridors Appendix 4: Open House Advertisements – June 2007 Appendix 5: Open House Advertisements - February 2008 Appendix 6: Council Presentations and Opend House Information – June 2007 Appendix 7: Council Presentations and Open House Information – February 2008 Appendix 8: Letters to Land Owners – June1, 2007 – December 5, 2007 and February 8, 2008 Appendix 9: Media Coverage Appendix 10: Vegetation Appendix – Frequency, Cover and Prominence Values Appendix 11: Vegetation Appendix – Species Richness Appendix 12: Vegetation Appendix – Locations of Noxious Weeds Appendix 13: Wildlife Appendix – Wildlife Incidental Observations Appendix 14: Wildlife Appendix – Total Bird Species Recorded Within a 100-m Radius During the Songbird Survey Appendix 15: Wildlife Appendix – All Waterfowl Species Observed Appendix 16: Vegetation Appendix – Preliminary List of Potential Rare, Threatened and Endangered Native Vascular Plants That May Be Encountered Within Saskpower’s Proposed Transmission Line Corridors (November 23, 2007) Appendix 17: Saskatchewan Activity Restriction Guidelines for Sensitive Species in Natural Habitats Appendix 18: Environmental Monitor’s Duties Appendix 19: Comprehensive List of Proposed Mitigations Measures Appendix 20: Land Use Designation Table and Map Appendix 21: Larger Maps (11’x17’) of Section 8

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Project Description SaskPower is proposing to construct a new 160 km 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line between its Poplar River Switching Station (near Coronach, Saskatchewan) and its Pasqua Switching Station (east of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan). The planned completion date is the winter of 2009/2010, and the estimated life span of the line is 50 years. Figure 1 is a map of SaskPower's transmission system in southern Saskatchewan. The dotted line is showing the proposed line.

Figure 1: Map of SaskPower's Transmission System in Southern Saskatchewan

Approximately 26 km of the new line is to be double circuited with an existing 138 kV line near the Pasqua Switching Station, and another 6 km double circuited with a 72 kV transmission line near Assiniboia. Additional construction (including site levelling, foundation installation, equipment installation and fencing) will be required at the Poplar River and Pasqua Switching Stations in order to connect the line. This construction is adjacent to the existing switching stations and contained on SaskPower property.

1.2 Project Purpose The purposes of the 230 kV transmission line are as follows. • Reinforce the existing transmission system to meet North American Reliability Standards. It prevents system overloads and low voltages for the loss of one of the existing 230 kV

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 transmission lines that interconnect the Poplar River Power Station to the SaskPower transmission system. • Deliver additional power from the Poplar River Power Station. The Poplar River Power Station is capable of producing an additional 20 MW of power as a result of refurbishments that were completed in 2008. • Lower SaskPower's operating costs by reducing transmission losses. • Reinforce the high-voltage transmission system in the Moose Jaw area.

Overall, the proposed 230 kV line represents the lowest cost transmission option for maintaining an acceptable level of reliability in Saskatchewan and the reliable delivery of electricity from the Poplar River Power Station. The estimated capital cost of the 230 kV power line project is approximately $58.5 Million, including terminal equipment at the Poplar River and Pasqua Switching Stations.

1.3 Project Proponent SaskPower is a Crown Corporation of the Province of Saskatchewan, and is the principal supplier of electricity in the province of Saskatchewan. Its obligation is to deliver power to the province in a safe, reliable, cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner. SaskPower operates under the legislated mandate and authority of the provincial government of Saskatchewan. Its Board of Directors is accountable to the Minister responsible for SaskPower. Under provincial legislation SaskPower is responsible for planning and operation of the Saskatchewan transmission system in a reliable manner. Corporate Head Office is located in Regina, Saskatchewan.

SaskPower owns and/or operates three coal-fired power stations, seven hydroelectric stations, five natural gas stations and two wind facilities in Saskatchewan. It also owns and operates approximately 155,000 km of power lines (transmission and distribution), 52 high-voltage switching stations, and 175 distribution substations in the province. This extensive network is designed to serve Saskatchewan’s large geographic area (approximately 651,900 km²) and widely dispersed population (approximately one million people). The Saskatchewan transmission system is characterized by relatively long 230 kV and 138 kV transmission lines connecting dispersed generating stations to sparsely distributed load supply points. Saskatchewan also has transmission interconnections with the provinces of Alberta and Manitoba, and the US state of North Dakota.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009

2.0 PROJECT NEED / JUSTIFICATION 2.1 Project Background In 2004, the SaskPower Board of Directors gave approval to adopt North American Reliability Standards developed by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). These standards are intended to provide a level of transmission system reliability that is consistent across North America. SaskPower is adopting these standards to meet good utility practice for the reliable operation of Saskatchewan's transmission system and interconnections with neighbouring utilities in Alberta, Manitoba and North Dakota.

In 2004-2005, the SaskPower Board of Directors gave approval to refurbish the Poplar River Power Station to extend its life and increase its capacity by 20 MW, maintaining a reliable low- cost supply of electricity for serving loads in Saskatchewan. The Poplar River Power Station represents about 16% of Saskatchewan’s installed capacity and produces about 20% of the energy needs of the province annually. Refurbishment was completed by the end of 2008.

In 2006, the SaskPower Board of Directors approved a 230 kV transmission line from the Poplar River Switching Station to the Pasqua Switching Station subject to environmental approvals. Addition of the 230 kV line, along with other planned facilities, will reinforce the existing transmission system to meet North American Reliability Standards for delivery of the existing Poplar River Power Station capacity (562 MW), and allow for the delivery of its additional capacity to the system. The new line also lowers SaskPower's operating costs by reducing transmission losses, and reinforces the high-voltage transmission system in the Moose Jaw area. Overall, the proposed 230 kV line represented the lowest cost transmission option for maintaining an acceptable level of reliability in Saskatchewan, and the reliable delivery of electricity from the Poplar River Power Station.

2.2 Project Need As part of SaskPower's responsibility to ensure that Saskatchewan residents have ready access to reliable and affordable energy, it must plan new infrastructure to meet current and future needs. Saskatchewan depends upon a reliable and efficient transmission system to deliver power from generation plants to load centres in the province. The proposed 230 kV line is needed to ensure that the Saskatchewan transmission system is capable of meeting North American Reliability Standards. This will improve overall reliability in the province by raising the transmission system performance requirements following the loss of a transmission line or generator, as compared to past SaskPower standards.

SaskPower is planning that the transmission system be capable of withstanding the loss of any single transmission line or generating unit. Transmission lines and generators are often tripped off due to disturbances such as storms, equipment failures or other causes. The loss of the 230 kV line from the Poplar River to Assiniboia (located near Assiniboia, Saskatchewan) Switching Station is a severe disturbance for the Saskatchewan transmission system. Loss of this line removes a critical outlet transmission line for the Poplar River Power Station and reduces support in the Swift Current area, causing low voltages. Also, the 138 kV transmission lines between Pasqua and Regina, and the 230 kV tie-lines with neighbouring utilities in Manitoba

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 and North Dakota, can become overloaded. Under heavy system loading conditions the 138 kV circuits between Pasqua and Regina can be overloaded by more than 150%, and there is a risk that this can cause damage to the line conductor.

To prevent equipment overloads and sustained low-voltage conditions on the transmission system, which could lead to large-scale, uncontrolled load interruptions, SaskPower currently relies on an automatic protection scheme to shed up to approximately 250 MW of load (approximately 8% of the provincial peak load). The load shed is in the Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Meadow Lake and Saskatoon areas. Although operation of this protection scheme is only expected during high power flows on the transmission system, its use does not meet North American Reliability Standards. Based on the North American Reliability Standards, firm load should not be shed to defer the need for transmission reinforcement. The increased 20 MW output from the Poplar River Power Station further degrades transmission system performance for disturbances that result in a line trip in the Poplar River area.

2.3 Project Options Examined SaskPower considered two primary options that could meet the North American Reliability Standards for the provincial transmission system.

The first option included construction of a new 138 kV transmission line between its Regina South Switching Station (located near Regina) and its Pasqua Switching Station, and the addition of voltage support equipment at Pasqua. A transmission line voltage of 138 kV was selected because it matched existing 138 kV equipment at the Regina and Pasqua Switching Stations, and it would not be heavily loaded prior to the disturbance. This new 138 kV line would mitigate overloads on the two existing 138 kV transmission lines between the Regina and Pasqua Switching Stations for the loss of the 230 kV line from Poplar River to Assiniboia. The new 138 kV line, along with planned voltage support equipment, would also avoid the need for shedding firm load in the province for the loss of this line.

The second option included construction of the Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV transmission line as an alternative to the Regina to Pasqua 138 kV line. This line would allow North American Reliability Standards to be met, deliver the additional 20 MW output of the Poplar River Power Station, and reduce line losses. A transmission line voltage of 230 kV was selected because it matched existing 230 kV equipment at the Poplar River Switching Station, provided more system loss reductions than a similar 138 kV line, and would provide better performance compared to a 138 kV line. The Pasqua Switching Station was chosen as an endpoint based on maximizing system reliability performance and minimizing system losses.

The Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV option was chosen over the Regina to Pasqua 138 kV option based on system performance and economics. The 230 kV line provided better reliability performance, and was the lowest cost option due to lower operating costs from reduced line losses. Loss reductions are estimated at 75 million kWh/year and 10.5 MW during peak system load. Normally the cost of a transmission line is recovered over the full life of the asset through electric power rates, but based on energy and demand savings, the capital cost of the 230 kV line is estimated to be recovered in approximately 15 years. Loss reductions for the 138 kV line

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 were not significant. Payback of the 138 kV line on energy and demand savings would not occur over the life of the line. Both options reinforce the transmission system in the Moose Jaw area as well, but the 230 kV option provides more capability.

2.4 Consequences of Project Deferral If the project is deferred SaskPower would either: • continue to operate the transmission system below North American Reliability Standards; or • restrict the output from the Poplar River Power Station and/or import from Manitoba and the United States to reduce loading on the transmission system.

Not meeting North American Reliability Standards would mean relying on protection schemes to shed load to mitigate the risk of equipment overloads and low voltages following the loss of the 230 kV line from the Poplar River to Assiniboia Switching Stations. Restricting the output from the Poplar River Power Station or imports would increase SaskPower's operating costs for the province. Higher cost generation would be required to replace the lost output and would advance the need for additional generation.

2.5 Project Approval Process Due to the size of this project, SaskPower and MoE are of the opinion that the project constitutes a “development” as defined in the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA) and thus requires an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) pursuant to the aforementioned Act. Under Section 2(d) of the EAA Act, a project that meets one or more of six criteria is considered a “development”, and may not proceed until an EIA is completed and receives approval from MoE. This requirement thus defines the need for a project specific EIA.

In accordance with the Canada-Saskatchewan Agreement on Environmental Assessment Cooperation (2005) the Environmental Assessment Branch (EAB) of MoE requested comments from the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) on the Poplar River to Pasqua transmission line Project Specific Guidelines. The purpose of this request was to allow the CEAA to survey federal departments to determine whether they have an interest in the proposed project under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEA Act). Since no comments were received from the CEAA regarding the proposed Project Specific Guidelines, the proponent has developed the EIA to address provincially approved regulations and specifically mentioned federal approval requirements contained in the Project Specific Guidelines.

For major electrical transmission lines, SaskPower has historically applied for and been granted approval from MoE to construct transmission lines within a defined variable width corridor, most commonly 1.6 km in width. SaskPower believes that this approach provides the required flexibility to make the RoW and structure placement adjustments to address potential environmental, agricultural, social and economic issues that arise during a period that includes the Project Regulatory Approval Phase and the Project Implementation Phase.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Environmental safeguards described below are applied on major electrical transmission lines to ensure environmental impacts are adequately addressed to support the need for design flexibility provided by corridor approval.

2.5.1 Environmental Safeguards Prior to Project Regulatory Approval 1. Identification of alternative corridors focuses on capitalizing on opportunities to mitigate impacts in the following categories (based on primary and secondary screening information): • environmental impacts; • agricultural impacts; • social impacts, and • economic impacts.

2. Principals of SERM’s Guidelines for Environmental Protection from the Development of Electrical Transmission Lines (1993) are applied in identifying alternative corridors.

3. Information from SaskPower’s Environmental Screening System is used as the primary data source in identifying alternative corridors: • Type A (Rank 5) areas that require avoidance are identified; • Type B (Ranks 3 and 4) areas that may require mitigation are identified; and • Type C (Ranks 1 and 2) areas that may require little or no mitigation are identified.

4. Secondary screening is performed to supplement information used in identifying alternative corridors, including: • habitat analysis (satellite imagery); • SKCDC data for rare/endangered species; and • other sources of information (Canadian Wildlife Service, Nature Saskatchewan, Royal Saskatchewan Museum, etc.).

5. Effective mitigation strategies to address possible situations within alternative corridors under consideration are identified that minimize possible residual impacts, including impacts to the following: • wetlands; • shrub and tree areas; • lakes; • forage land; • streams – permanent; • cultivated land; and • streams - intermittent and • endangered species. ephemeral; • grasslands;

6. First-stage public consultation, including meetings with affected rural municipalities, urban municipalities and First Nations groups (when applicable), as well as open house meetings with potentially affected landowners, are conducted to further assess potential

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 environmental, agricultural, social and economic impacts of the corridor alternatives under consideration.

7. Corridors are compared, considering potential environmental, agricultural, social and economic impacts, and public consultation results; a preferred corridor is selected for further environmental study (based on primary screening and secondary screening information, and first stage public consultation results).

8. Second-stage public consultation, including meetings with affected rural municipalities, urban municipalities and First Nations groups (when applicable), and open house meetings with potentially affected landowners, are conducted to notify stakeholders regarding the preferred corridor alternative decision.

9. Environmental and archaeological field studies are performed in selected areas within the preferred corridor.

10. An EIS is prepared in compliance with the Project Specific Guidelines provided by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment (MoE), based on construction proceeding in the preferred corridor.

2.5.2 Environmental Safeguards During the Project Implementation Phase 1. Identification of the RoW and structure placement focuses on capitalizing on opportunities to mitigate impacts within the approved corridor in the following categories (based on primary and secondary screening information, first- and second-round public consultation results, and environmental field study information): • environmental impacts; • agricultural impacts; • social impacts; and • economic impacts.

2. The RoW and structure locations are chosen that either avoid environmental impacts or minimize residual environmental impacts by employing effective mitigation strategies that will be described throughout this document.

3. Environmental mitigation commitments, conditions of approval and environmental best practices are included in the construction specifications given to the construction contractor.

4. Environmental monitoring is provided during the construction phase to ensure compliance with environmental mitigation commitments, environmental conditions of approval and environmental best practices.

5. Discussions are held with MoE during the project implementation phase and as required until all environmental concerns have been addressed in an acceptable manner.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 6. An as-built construction report addressing environmental construction issues is prepared and submitted.

7. Post-construction environmental monitoring studies are conducted, and reports are prepared and submitted as required.

These processes and environmental safeguards are described in more detail throughout this document.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009

3.0 STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION 3.1 The Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV Study Area The study area for the proposed Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV transmission line is located in southern Saskatchewan, in the rolling plains and hilly uplands south and southeast of Moose Jaw. As shown in Figure 2, the study area is rectangular, extending from the Canada-USA border north to the top of Township (Twp) 17, and from Range (Rge) 21 W2M west to Rge 30 W2M (i.e., the 2nd Meridian of the Dominion Land System). It encompasses an area of 15,314 km², or approximately 2% of the provincial landmass.

The study area boundaries were selected to encompass the connection points for the proposed transmission line, specifically the Poplar River Power Station (near Coronach) in the south and the Pasqua Switching Station (east of Moose Jaw) in the north. East and west study boundaries were selected to encompass the existing 230 kV P2C Poplar River-Condie transmission line on the east side, and the existing 230 kV P2A Poplar River-Assiniboia and 138 kV A1P Assiniboia to Pasqua transmission lines on the west side. Moreover, a general objective in selecting the study area boundary was to facilitate consideration of all viable routing options.

The following subsections provide a general description of the social, physical and biological environments of the study area. 3.2 Rural and Urban Municipalities in the Study Area The Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV study area includes all or part of 23 rural municipalities. The 23 rural municipalities are listed in Table 1, along with their Canada 2006 Census population counts. Most of these rural municipalities also include one or more urban municipalities, communities with formal boundaries and a board of elected officials separate from the Rural Municipality (RM) council. There are 29 urban municipalities in the study area, including 10 organized hamlets, 10 villages, 8 towns and 1 city. These are also listed in Table 1, with 2006 Census populations and sorted by the rural municipality in which they occur.

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Figure 2: Location of the Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV Study Area in Southern Saskatchewan

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Table 1: Rural and Urban Municipalities in the Study Area

Rural Municipality Urban Municipality (within RM) No. Name Population Name Type Population 009 Surprise Valley 199 N/A N/A N/A 010 Happy Valley 174 Big Beaver Organized hamlet 174 011 Hart Butte 272 Coronach Town 770 Fife Lake Village 66 012 Poplar Valley 245 Rockglen Town 366 Scout Lake Organized hamlet 216 042 Willow Bunch 407 Willow Bunch Town 297 040 Bengough 337 Bengough Town 135 039 The Gap 245 N/A N/A N/A 069 Norton 248 N/A N/A N/A Kayville Organized hamlet <50 070 Key West 309 Ogema Town 304 Crane Valley Organized hamlet 288 071 Excel 466 Ormiston Organized hamlet 35 Viceroy Village 194 072 Lake of the Rivers 326 Assiniboia Town 2,305 099 Calendonia 286 Parry Organized hamlet <50 Claybank Organized hamlet 152 100 Elmsthorpe 258 Avonlea Village 381 101 Terrell 257 Bayard Organized hamlet <50 Ardill Organized hamlet <50 102 Lake Johnston 161 Mossbank Town 330 129 Bratt's Lake 362 Wilcox Village 129 Drinkwater Village 65 130 Redburn 245 Briercrest Village 117 Rouleau Town 400 131 Baildon 548 N/A N/A N/A 132 Hillsborough 122 N/A N/A N/A 159 Sherwood 1,075 Grand Coulee Village 432 Belle Plain Village 64 160 Pense 490 Pense Village 507 161 Moose Jaw 1,228 Moose Jaw City 32,132 Caron Organized hamlet 120 162 Caron 500 Caronport Village 919 RM UM Total Population 8,760 40,898 Notes: RM – rural municipality UM – urban municipality

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Several small communities or other localities also exist in the study area. These localities lack defined boundaries (other than the boundaries of the subdivided lots within the community) and are not recognized as municipal entities. There are 14 unorganized hamlets in the study area. Some of these hamlets have been abandoned and remain only in memory or on topographic maps, while some may have small residential populations still. As they are unorganized their population (if any) would be included in the population count for the rural municipality in which they occur. There are also a number of railway sidings in the study area. Most are unoccupied but a few may contain one or more dwellings, forming a small community. As with the unorganized hamlets any population residing at these sidings would be included in the population count for the rural municipality in which the residents live. Table 2 lists the 14 unorganized hamlets in the study area and the rural municipalities to which they belong. Table 3 lists the 28 railway sidings in the study area and the rural municipalities to which they belong.

Table 2: Unorganized Hamlets in the Study Area (by Rural Municipality)

RM Number RM Name Hamlet Name 011 Hart Butte Buffalo Gap 042 Willow Bunch St. Victor 040 Bengough Harptree 069 Norton Amulet 070 Key West Glasnevin Verwood 071 Excel Readlyn 072 Lake of the Rivers Willows 099 Calendonia Dummer 100 Elmsthorpe Truax Spring Valley 101 Terrell Cardross Dunkirk 102 Lake Jonhston Mitchellton

Table 3: Railway Sidings and Other Community Locales in the Study Area (by Rural Municipality)

RM Number RM Name Siding Name 042 Willow Bunch Gye Roncott 040 Bengough Ritchie 069 Norton Wallace 070 Key West Bures 102 Lake Johnston Bishopric 101 Terrell Galilee Diana 129 Bratt's Lake Pitman

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RM Number RM Name Siding Name Tilney Archive 131 Baildon Buttress Crestwynd 132 Hillsborough Lillestrom 162 Caron Archydal Belbeck 161 Moose Jaw Burt Eastview Kalium 160 Pense Keystown Pattee Stelcam Adams Cominco Pinkie 159 Sherwood Rufus Sidmar Wascana

In addition to the urban municipalities, there are two Hutterite colonies in the study area. The Rose Valley Hutterite Colony is located southeast of Assiniboia in Sections 6 and 7 of Twp 7, Rge 26 W2M. The Baildon Hutterite Colony is located directly south of Moose Jaw in Section 4, Twp 14, Rge 26 W2M. There is no Census data specific to these colonies.

Figure 3 shows the locations of the rural municipalities, urban municipalities, Hutterite colonies and other unorganized communities in the study area.

As can be seen in Table 2, the rural population is relatively small, even though there are extensive tracts of agricultural land in the study area. Approximately 82% of the persons residing in the study area live within the 29 defined urban municipalities in the study area (compared to the provincial average of approximately 71% urban, based on the 2006 Census for Saskatchewan). By far the largest population centre is the City of Moose Jaw, which is home to approximately 65% of the urban population in the study area. By contrast the next largest community in the study area is the Town of Assiniboia, with 2,305 residents. The remaining communities all have populations below 1,000 persons, with population counts ranging from less than 50 to just over 900 residents.

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Figure 3: Rural and Urban Municipalities in the Study Area

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Of the 18% rural population in the study area, approximately 25% live within the rural municipalities of Sherwood and Moose Jaw (located adjacent to the cities of Regina and Moose Jaw, respectively). The remainder of the rural residents appear to be spread relatively evenly across the remaining rural municipalities.

3.3 Existing Power Grid Environment Figure 4 shows the existing SaskPower electric power grid in the study area. SaskPower owns and maintains a number of electrical power generation, transmission and distribution facilities in the study area, including a thermal power generation station, and several high-voltage transmission lines and switching stations. These existing facilities are covered in more detail below.

The Poplar River Power Station is a baseload thermal station located approximately 5 km southeast of the Town of Coronach, generating electricity through the burning of coal transported from the Coronach coal mine 16 km to the north. Unit 1 of the station was commissioned in 1981 and is rated for 291 net MW. Unit 2 was commissioned in 1983 and was initially rated at 281 net MW. In 2006, Unit 2 underwent a complete refurbishing, increasing its rating to 315 net MW. Total current rated output for the Poplar River Power Station is thus 606 net MW.

Four electrical switching stations are located in the study area. These include the Assiniboia Switching Station, a 230/138 kV station located 2 km southeast of the Town of Assiniboia, and the Pasqua Switching Station, currently a 138/72 kV station located 5.5 km east of Moose Jaw, near the hamlet of Pasqua. A 138 kV switching station is also located at the Yara (formerly SaskFerco) Belle Plaine fertilizer plant 4 km north of the Town of Belle Plain, and a 230 kV switching station is located at the Poplar River Power Station, immediately north of the main station building.

The study area also contains a number of existing high-voltage overhead transmission lines. Two 230 kV overhead transmission lines originate at the Poplar River Power Station: P2C runs northeast from the power station, eventually terminating at the Condie Switching Station northwest of Regina; P2A runs northwest from Poplar River to terminate at the Assiniboia Switching Station. Approximately 1.5 km of another 230 kV transmission line, A1R, is also in the study area boundaries, running west from the Assiniboia Switching Station to the switching station at Rhineland southeast of Swift Current.

Nine 138 kV overhead transmission lines are also found in the study area; all but one of these interconnects with the Pasqua Switching Station east of Moose Jaw. These 138 kV transmission lines include: • A1P – from Assiniboia Switching Station north to the Pasqua Switching Station; • R5B – from the switching station south of Regina to the Yara Belle Plain Fertilizer Plant; • R1P – from the Regina South Switching Station west to the Pasqua Switching Station, including a stub running north to the Keystown Pumping Station north of Pense (not in study area);

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009

Figure 4: Existing Power Grid Environment in the Study Area

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009

• B6P – from the Yara Belle Plain Fertilizer Plant west to the Pasqua Switching Station; • PQ3 – from Pasqua Switching Station north to a pipeline compressor station north of the Qu’Appelle Valley (not in study area) – built to 138 kV standards but currently being operated at 72 kV; • P1H – from the Pasqua Switching Station northwest to the switching station at Hawarden (not in study area); • C1P – from the Coteau Creek Hydroelectric Power Station at Gardiner Dam (not in study area), southeast into the Pasqua Switching Station; and • P1S – from the Pasqua Switching Station west to the switching station west of Swift Current (not in study area).

Four 72 kV overhead transmission lines are found in the study area. A 72 kV line runs east– west across the study area from the Assiniboia switching station, eventually connecting with the switching station at Weyburn. A second 72 kV line connects with this first 72 kV line near the community of Readlyn, then runs south past Willow Bunch to connect with the distribution grid near Fife Lake. A 72 kV line also runs north from the Pasqua Switching Station to supply power to the water treatment plant at Buffalo Pound, while another 72 kV line runs west from the Pasqua Switching Station into the Moose Jaw city power grid.

SaskPower also owns and maintains numerous distribution facilities (including substations and distribution lines) in the study area. Table 4 gives the approximate lengths of transmission and distribution lines in the study area, by line type.

Table 4: Length of SaskPower Transmission and Distribution Lines in the Study Area (by Line Type)

% of Provincial Line Type Length (km) Length 230 kV overhead transmission 247 6.8 138 kV overhead transmission 324 7.2 72 kV overhead transmission 187 4.3 Other overhead transmission (>72 4,181 4.8 kV) or overhead distribution lines Buried distribution lines 2,415 5.0

3.4 Transportation and Related Infrastructure Figure 5 shows the road, railway and air transportation infrastructure within the Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV study area. Overall, transportation infrastructure in the study area is relatively well developed, with less than 3% of the study area land greater than 1.6 km from a road, resource road or access trail. The following sections detail each of the transportation infrastructure types in the study area.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009

Figure 5: Road, Rail and Air Transportation Infrastructure in the Study Area

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009

Road Network As shown in Figure 5, there are several provincial highways running east–west and north–south through the study area. Three major east–west highways occur in the study area. Highway 18 connects several communities in the far south of the study area, including Rockglen and Coronach, before heading easterly to Estevan. Highway 13 (The Red Coat Trail) connects Assiniboia and Ogema before heading east to Weyburn. Highway 1 (The Trans-Canada Highway) is the northernmost east–west highway in the study area, and also the highway with the highest traffic volume. Within the study area the Trans-Canada runs west from Regina, through Belle Plain, Moose Jaw and Caronport before exiting the study area near Mortlach.

Highway 2 (The Can-Am Highway) is a major provincial highway running north–south along the western edge of the study area, from Moose Jaw south through Mossbank, Assiniboia and Rockglen, before exiting the study area heading southwest to the Canada-USA border. Highway 36 is a collector highway running south from the junction with Highway 2, through Crane Valley, Willowbunch and Coronach before heading to the Canada-USA border and the Port of Coronach. Highway 34 is another collector highway, connecting traffic from the Big Beaver area and Highway 18 to Highway 13 north of Bengough. A secondary highway, Highway 334, continues north of the Highway 13 and 34 junction, through Kayville to connect with Avonlea. Highway 39 travels southeast from the Moose Jaw area, through Drinkwater and Rouleau, to exit the study area west of Wilcox.

Other secondary highways in the study area include: • Highway 363, running southwest from Moose Jaw across the north edge of Old Wives Lake to Courval and points west; • Highway 301, running north from the Trans-Canada Highway–Highway 39 junction to Buffalo Pound Provincial Park; and • Highway 339 running south from its junction with Highway 39, through Briercrest and then on to Claybank and Avonlea.

Numbered grid roads (”supergrids”) in the study area include: • Highway 623 running north from Ogema; • Highway 624 running north from Viceroy through Ormiston to the junction with Highway 39 near Pasqua; • Highway 641 running north from Pense towards Lumsden; • Highway 642 running north from Belle Plain to Bethune; • Highway 643 running north from its junction with the Trans-Canada Highway west of Caronport; • Highway 705, a major east–west supergrid connecting Wood Mountain, Scout Lake, Willow Bunch and Bengough before heading eastward towards the Radville area; • Highway 714 connecting Rouleau directly east to Highway 6;

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009

• Highway 715 which links Claybank to Highway 624 via Bayard; • Highway 716 connecting Briercrest to Highway 2; • Highway 717 running east from Assiniboia past Lake-of-the-Rivers and Shoe Lake to the junction with Highway 334 south of Kayville; • Highway 718 from Mossbank and Highway 2, heading west; • Highway 730 from Regina west past Grand Coulee to a junction with Highway 642 north of Belle Plain; and • Highway 735 heading west from Moose Jaw towards the Chaplin Lake area.

Although 600- and 700-series roads are considered ”highways” in the national road network definitions, most of these routes are not paved but rather have an all-weather gravel surface.

Table 5 gives the breakdown of total road lengths in the study area, by type (as defined by the National Road Network database).

Table 5: Total Length of Road Infrastructure in the Study Area (by Road Type)

Road Type Length (km) % Provincial Total Numbered highway 1,015 4.9 Numbered grid road (supergrid) 445 3.7 Paved collector roads (no provincial number) 162 4.1 Grid roads (gravel) 7,516 4.7 Resource road/recreation trails (dirt) 1,632 3.9

Railway Network Figure 5 also shows the railway infrastructure in the study area. Historically, the study area was serviced by a number of branch rail lines from both the Canadian National Railway (CNR) and the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR). Most of these branch rail lines have been either abandoned or taken over by locally owned short-line carriers.

The CPR has 2 main line tracks in the study area. The CPR Swift Current Sub is a heavy mainline running east–west from Regina through Moose Jaw on to Swift Current, handling most of the intermodal, bulk freight and grain traffic in the area. Another CPR mainline, the Weyburn Sub, runs southeast from the junction with Swift Current Sub (near the siding of Pasqua) through Weyburn to Estevan and then into the USA. This is part of the old “SOO” line that connected Moose Jaw with the massive grain port terminals in Chicago and other Great Lakes ports. CPR also maintains two lighter branch rail lines in the study area: the Expanse Sub linking Assiniboia to Moose Jaw, and the Radville Sub linking Bengough through Radville to the inland terminals at Weyburn.

The CNR has largely abandoned its trackage in the study area. The only remaining active CNR track in the study area is the Central Butte Sub, which connects Moose Jaw to the main CNR sorting yard in Regina.

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Some of the abandoned CNR and CPR tracks in the study area have been taken over by locally owned short-line rail companies. There are 3 short-line rail companies operating in the study area. Red Coat Road & Rail owns and runs the former CPR line running from Pangman through Ogema and Viceroy to link with the CPR yard at Assiniboia. Likewise, the Fife Lake Railway owns and runs the former CPR line linking Coronach and Rockglen to Assiniboia. The Southern Rails Cooperative (a CNR partner short-line) owns and runs the former CNR track running southeast from Moose Jaw through Briercrest to Avonlea. These three short-lines handle almost exclusively grain traffic from the elevators still located along their route, transferring the grain cars to CPR and CNR for shipment to international ports. In addition to the above lines, Prairie Mines and Royalty Ltd. maintains a short length of track connecting the company’s coal mine north of Coronach to the Poplar River Generating Station.

Table 6 gives the breakdown of track length, by owner and subdivision, for the rail lines located in the study area.

Table 6: Total Length of Rail Infrastructure in the Study Area (by Owner and Subdivision)

Owner Subdivision Length (km)¹ Swift Current 93 Weyburn 55 CPR Expanse 66 Radville 37 CNR Central Butte 56 Red Coat Road & Rail Assiniboia 112 Fife Lake Railway Fife Lake Colony 59 Southern Rails Cooperative Avonlea 56 Prairie Mines and Royalty Ltd. N/A 24 Note: ¹ Only includes length of main (run-through) line; does not include lengths of any sidings, wyes or spurs (if any).

Aerodromes and Airports As shown on Figure 5, there are 10 aerodromes located within the Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV study area. Eight of these aerodromes are registered with Nav Canada and appear in the Canada Flight Supplement (Part 3 – Aerodromes). The remaining two are not currently registered and as such do not appear in any Nav Canada documentation. Their existence was detected through initial field mapping with satellite imagery and in communication with the owners during project open house meetings.

Table 7 gives the names and locations of the 10 aerodromes in the study area.

Table 7: Aerodromes in the Study Area

Aerodrome Name Identifier Latitude Longitude Runway Air Vice Marshal C.M. McEwen – CYMJ 50° 20’ N 105° 33’ W Asphalt

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Aerodrome Name Identifier Latitude Longitude Runway Moose Jaw Assiniboia CJN4 49° 44’ N 105° 57’ W Asphalt Briercrest South CBS7 50° 04’ N 105° 18’ W Turf D. McDermitt (unregistered) --- 49° 51’ N 105° 24’ W Gravel Moose Jaw Municipal CJS4 50° 26’ N 105° 23’ W Asphalt Rockglen CKC7 49° 10’ N 105° 56’ W Turf RM of Hart Butte (unregistered) --- 49° 06’ N 105° 36’ W Unknown Scobey Border Station – Port of CKK3 49° 00’ N 105° 24’ W Turf Coronach Spring Valley North CKP2 50° 04’ N 105° 24’ W Turf/gravel Willow Bunch CKZ2 49° 24’ N 105° 40’ W Turf

3.5 Industry and Natural Resources Oil, Gas and Mineral Resources and Industry The Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV study area contains several important natural resources, including bentonite and kaolin clays, sodium sulphate, potash, oil and gas reservoirs, and substantial reserves of lignite coal. Figure 6 shows the locations of known mineral, oil and gas, and coal reserves in the study area.

Bentonitic clay is found in the area between Avonlea and Moose Jaw Creeks. Bentonite is a type of clay that swells to several times its dry volume when saturated with water. Because of this property, and its mineral chemistry, bentonite is useful in several products such as animal feed binder, sealants, foundry sand binder, and stucco and mortar plasticizer. Canadian Clay Products, Inc. currently owns a bentonite quarry and plant near Wilcox.

Kaolin clay is found in the study area around Readlyn, Willow Bunch and Rockglen, and also in the Dirt Hills near Claybank. Kaolin is used as a component in bricks, stoneware and earthen pottery, porcelain, aluminum, cement, paper, paint, adhesives and caulking. Whitemud Resources, Inc. owns a Metakaolin processing plant in Wood Mountain immediately west of the study area. Metakaolin is made from kaolin clay through dehydroxilation at very high temperatures, and is used to enhance the performance of cement. The Whitemud Resources processing plant has a design capacity of 200,000 tonnes of Metakaolin per year.

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Figure 6: Natural Resources and Industrial Facilities in the Study Area

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 The study area is situated on the western edge of the main oil-producing area in southeastern Saskatchewan. Several oil pools have been identified in the study area. The largest of these is the Roncott Bakken Sand Pool located between Viceroy and Bengough. Other oil pools in the area include the Dahinda Madison pool (east of Kayville), the Amulet Ratcliff Beds pool (between Ogema and Pangman), the Hardy South Red River pool (south of Hardy), and the Minton Red River pool (west of Minton). Producing oil wells are found in all of the oil pool areas, as well as in the area south of Bengough.

There are no sizeable natural gas fields in the study area. However, producing natural gas wells have been developed south of Viceroy and Bengough, north of Ormiston and Kayville, and southwest of Moose Jaw.

Several highly alkaline lakes in the study area provided raw material for sodium sulphate production. Up until a few years ago, sodium sulphate mines were operating at Bishopric, on the southeastern edge of Old Wives Lake, and at Shoe Lake, east of Ormiston. Neither mine is currently producing, but the reserves of sodium sulphate remain and thus could be mined in the future.

A large potash-solution mine, the Kalium Chemical Plant, is located northwest of Belle Plain. The mine produces high-grade white potash for use in industrial products, alkaline batteries, and food sweeteners and additives.

Sizeable reserves of lignite coal exist in the study area, particularly in the areas north and west of Coronach and south of Willow Bunch. A large open-pit coal mine owned by Prairie Mines & Royalty Ltd. currently operates north of Coronach, with a quoted production of 3.4 million tonnes of coal in 2007. The coal is supplied to the Poplar River Power Station southeast of Coronach for burning in the production of electricity.

Agriculture and Agribusiness The main agricultural industry in the study area is the cultivation of cereal grains, oil seeds and pulse crops. Extensive tracts of cultivation occur throughout the study area; approximately 74% of the study area can be classified as “predominantly cultivated” (see Section 3.1.9). The main areas of extensive crop production include the Lake Regina and Trossachs Plains south and east of Moose Jaw, the uplands between the Missouri Coteau/Cactus Hills and the Big Muddy Valley, and the rolling uplands of the Wood Mountain Plateau around and northwest of Coronach.

Livestock operations in the study area include five cattle feedlots, listed in Table 8, and a 5,000 sow, ”farrow-to-finish” hog barn complex in the Ogema area (owned by Big Sky Farms). A number of game farms are also located in the study area; their locations are listed in Table 9.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Table 8: Feedlots in the Study Area

Capacity Feedlot Name (number of Location head) Rolling Hills Feedlot 5,000 Rockglen Bluestone Custom Feeding 800 Mortlach M&T Feedlot 4,000 Moose Jaw Prefontaine' Feedlot 3,500 Moose Jaw Ray Farms 200 Moss Bank

Table 9: Game Farms in the Study Area

Farm Name Location Bucks Forever Ranch Rockglen Circle S Ranch Ltd & Nordick Meat Ltd Rockglen Prairie Landmark Farms Willow Bunch Hartland Whitetails Briercrest High Point Buck Ranch Avonlea Velvet Acres Kayville Lake View Elk Ranch Moose Jaw Moose Jaw Reindeer Moose Jaw New Farms Moose Jaw Plains Elk Farm Moose Jaw Thunder Creek Elk Farm Moose Jaw

3.6 Tourism and Cultural Resources The Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV study area is located within the Southwest Tourism Region of Saskatchewan. The southwest region is an area rich in history and culture; as a result, tourism is becoming an important industry in many of the small towns and rural areas. Figure 7 shows the various parks, historic sites, recreation opportunities and other cultural, historic or tourist attractions in the study area.

National, Provincial and Regional Parks There are no national or provincial parks in the study area. The closest national park to the study area is Grasslands National Park approximately 50 km west of the study area, while the closest provincial park is Buffalo Pound Provincial Park, approximately 10 km to the north.

There are, however, 11 regional parks in the study area (see Figure 7). Most of these regional parks are located near or within a town or village, providing access to a variety of recreational opportunities such as camping, swimming pools, sports facilities, museums, restaurants and local tourist attractions. In addition, there are two commercial campgrounds in the study area that are not associated with a regional park.

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Figure 7: Parks and Recreation Sites in the Study Area

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National and Provincial Historic Sites There are two national historic sites in the study area. The Claybank Brick Plant National Historic Site is located immediately east of the Town of Claybank, in the shadow of the Dirt Hills, and includes the plant site and buildings as well as the Massold Clay Canyons (source of the clay used in the brick making process) to the south. For 70 years, the plant manufactured face bricks that were used to construct many public buildings throughout Saskatchewan and Canada, including court houses, churches, government offices and even some prominent hotels such as the Chateau Frontenac in Québec City.

The other national historic site is the Moose Jaw Court House, located near downtown Moose Jaw. Built in 1909, the courthouse is the oldest continuously functioning provincial court building in Saskatchewan, and its architecture influenced the design of all other provincial court buildings in Saskatchewan through the 1920s.

St. Victor’s Petroglyphs Provincial Historic Park is the only provincial historic site in the study area. The petroglyphs were carved into a horizontal caprock of the sandstone cliff overlooking the valley south of St. Victor, and are believed to pre-date European contact. Petroglyphs are typically carved into vertical rock faces; the St. Victor petroglyphs are the only horizontal rock face carvings in the Canadian Plains and one of only five such sites in all Canada.

Recreational Opportunities / Tourist Attractions There are a number of places of interest throughout the study area. This area of Saskatchewan has a variety of tourist attractions, such as historical sites, and ecological and cultural areas interest. There are also several golf courses, several bed and breakfasts, and hunting outfitters. These various opportunities and attractions are shown in Figure 8, and summarized in Table 10.

National Defence Facilities Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Moose Jaw is the only current Department of National Defence (DND) facility within the Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV Study Area. CFB Moose Jaw is located approximately 5 km south of the City of Moose Jaw, and has a typical rotational population of approximately 1,000 civilian and military personnel. CFB Moose Jaw is the one of the primary training and support air force bases in western Canada. It is home to 15 Wing Moose Jaw, one of 13 Air Force Wings in Canada, and the only Wing based in Saskatchewan. The 15 Wing is composed of three operational units: 15 Air Traffic Control (ATC) Squadron, 431 Air Demonstration Squadron (popularly known as the “Snowbirds”) and two Canadian Forces Flying Training School (CFFTS). The two CFFTS include the NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) program (which trains air force pilots from several NATO countries) and the Flying Instruction and Standards (FIS) Section, responsible for training military flying instructors.

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Figure 8: Tourism and Recreational Opportunities in the Study Area

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Table 10: Tourist Attractions and Recreational Opportunities in the Study Area

Name Location Type Assiniboia and District Historical Museum Assiniboia Historical Assiniboia Regional Park Golf Course Southeast of Assiniboia Golf Avonlea Heritage House Museum Avonlea Historical Bengough & District Museum Bengough Historical Big Muddy Nature Centre and Museum Big Beaver Historical/ecological Bird Lovers Bed & Breakfast West of Mossbank Bed and breakfast Briercrest Museum/Area Tours Briercrest Historical/ecological Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre Moose Jaw Ecological Castle Butte Northwest of Big Beaver Ecological Claybank Brick Plant National Historic Site East of Claybank Historical Coronach and District Museum Coronach Historical Coronach Golf Club Coronach Golf Country Flavour B&B Northwest of Coronach Bed and breakfast Deep South Pioneer Museum Ogema Historical Historic Downtown Walking Tours Moose Jaw Historical Hunter's Paradise Outfitters Mossbank Hunting outfitter Le Beau Village Museum St. Victor Historical Long Creek Golf and Country Club East of Avonlea Golf Monarch Lodge St. Victor Historical Moose Jaw Museum and art gallery Moose Jaw Historical/cultural Moose Jaw Trolley Company Moose Jaw Historical Mossbank and District Museum Mossbank Historical Rockglen Tourism Tours Rockglen Historical/ecological Rouleau and District Museum Rouleau Historical Shurniak Art Gallery Assiniboia Cultural St. Mary's Historical Society of Maxstone South of Assiniboia on Highway 2 Historical St. Victor Petroglyphs St. Victor Historical Sukanen Ship, Pioneer Village and Museum South of Moose Jaw Historical Tunnels of Moose Jaw Moose Jaw Historical Wakamow Valley Moose Jaw Ecological Western Development Museum Moose Jaw Historical Willow Bunch Golf Course Southwest of Willow Bunch Golf Willow Bunch Museum and Heritage Society Willow Bunch Historical Yvette Moore Gallery Moose Jaw Cultural

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DND also maintains two “Class F” flight airspaces in the study area, primarily for use by CFB Moose Jaw military units. CYR303 is restricted military operations airspace south of Old Wives Lake, stretching from Mossbank east to Crane Valley, and which extends from surface to 10,000 ft. Non-authorized aircraft are prohibited from entering CYR303 without prior approval from 15 ATC in Moose Jaw. CYA314(M) is a designated military airspace from 6,000 to below 18,000 ft , and is located between Avonlea and the Ogema-Pangman area. Non-user aircraft are advised to avoid CYA314(M), but can enter the airspace if they choose to, at their own risk and subject to ATC restrictions when military flights are occurring.

Figure 9 shows the locations of CFB Moose Jaw and the two Class F airspaces in the study area.

Although not in the study area, DND also maintains another Class F airspace immediately west of the study area. CYA313(M) is from 6,000 ft, to below 18,000 ft, and stretches from approximately Old Wives Lake west to Hodgeville and south as far as Gravelbourg.

3.7 Physiography, Surface Water Hydrology and Surface Geology of the Study Area Figure 10 is a colour Digital Elevation Model (DEM) showing the physiography and geomorphology of the Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV Study Area. Figure 11 is a surface water hydrology map showing watercourses and waterbodies in the study area. Figure 11 shows the surficial geology of the study area, and Figure 12 shows the detailed soil texture. Topography, surface water hydrology, surficial geology and soil conditions combine to produce the unique characteristics of each of the major physiographic features found in the study area.

The physiology of the Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV Study Area is characterized by three broad zones trending roughly northwest–southeast across the study area, as depicted on Figure 10. These three zones are: • Wood Mountain Plateau and Wood River Plain in the south; • Coteau Lakes Upland, Dirt Hills and Chaplin Plain, including the area commonly referred to as the Missouri Coteau (in the central region); and • Trossachs and Glacial Lake Regina Plains in the north.

A summary of the physiology, surface water hydrology and surficial geology of each of these three zones is provided below.

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Figure 9: National Defence Facilities in the Study Area

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Figure 10: Topography and Physiographic Features in the Study Area

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Figure 11: Surface Geology in the Study Area

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Figure 12: Soil Texture in the Study Area

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Wood Mountain Plateau and Wood River Plain The Wood Mountain Plateau is a bedrock plateau covered by a morainal veneer over most areas. The Wood River Plain is a large plain located immediately southwest of the Willow Bunch Lake and west of Lake of the Rivers. Bedrock exposures are more prevalent in the southwest corner of the study area, and somewhat thicker glacial drift occurs in morainal plateaus between the East Poplar and West Beaver Creeks, and adjacent to the lower reaches of Girard Creek. Poplar River, Girard, East Poplar, West Beaver and North Beaver Creeks flow generally to the southeast, feed by a network of gullies and creeks that drain the eroded plateau. There is also limited drainage from the plateau to the Big Muddy Valley, which itself drains southward to the Missouri River. Larger lakes in this part of the study area include Big Muddy, Willow Bunch, Fife, Montague and Shallow Lakes as well as the southern part of Lake of the Rivers. Many of these lakes are saline, and several are subject to almost complete drying during extended periods of low precipitation. When this occurs, shallow parts of the lake basins become large saline flats. This is particularly true along the Big Muddy drainage system that extends from near Old Wives Lake in the northwest part of the study area to Big Muddy Lake in the southeast corner of the study area, including Lake of the Rivers, Willow Bunch Lake and Big Muddy Lake.

The northern extent of the region is marked by the southern and western slopes of the Big Muddy Valley. This slope consists mostly of eroded bedrock slopes dissected by ravines and gullies. Bedrock sediments in the Wood Mountain Plateau consist of interbedded shale, sandstone, siltstone, coal and conglomerates of the Tertiary Ravenscrag Formation, and the underlying Upper Cretaceous Battle and Whitemud formations.

Soils in the Wood Mountain Plateau and Wood River Plain consist mostly of loam and clay loam soils, with local areas of fine sandy loam on the east side of Fife Lake, and in the river and creek floodplains and clay soils in areas that were once covered by glacial lakes.

Slopes of 15-30% occur along the south side of the Big Muddy Valley and along steeper portions of bedrock-controlled slopes in the southwest corner of the study area. Elsewhere in the Wood Mountain Plateau, slopes are mostly 2-5%, with local occurrences up to 10-15%.

Coteau Lakes Upland, Dirt Hills and Chaplin Plain The physiography of the study area central region is dominated by the Coteau Lakes Upland, bordered along its northern extent by the strong hummocky (knob and kettle) terrain of the Missouri Coteau. The Coteau Lakes Upland extends north from the Big Muddy Valley to the southern flanks of the Dirt and Cactus Hills. The Chaplin Plain encompasses an area around Old Wives Lake. This region is dominated by hilly and hummocky morainal terrain, morainal plains, and local areas of glaciolacustrine and glaciofluvial plains. The lower relief west of the Lake of the Rivers channel is due to more extensive areas of glaciolacustrine terrain in the Assiniboia and Old Wives Lake areas. Glaciofluvial plains are located in the Ormiston-Shoe Lake area and near Horizon, northeast of Bengough. Within this region, bedrock is exposed along the southern end of the Lake of the Prairies channel, the northern end of the Willow Bunch Lake Channel, and the valley sides along the channel between these locations. Bedrock sediments consist of interbedded shale, sandstone, siltstone, coal and conglomerates of the

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Tertiary Ravenscrag Formation, and the underlying Upper Cretaceous Battle and Whitemud Formations. Surface water hydrology is dominated by numerous sloughs, potholes and wetlands, with few interconnecting watercourses. External drainage from this area is also limited to creeks and ravines that drain northward along the northern slope of the Missouri Coteau Upland. Larger saline basins in this area include Shoe Lake, near Ormiston, and large saline depressions near Horizon. Some of the many smaller sloughs and potholes in this region may also be saline, depending on local conditions.

Clay loam is the dominant soil texture in the morainal areas of the Coteau Lakes Upland, with clay and heavy clay in glaciolacustrine plains, and gravely sandy loam in glaciofluvial plains.

The Missouri Coteau covers a region approximately 15-30 km wide along the northern margin of the Coteau Lakes Upland, and is marked by a sharply defined escarpment along its northern edge. The coteau is characterized by steeply sloping (likely ice-thrust) ridges and hummocky morainal terrain, with numerous glacial kettles which may hold seasonal water. Local bedrock exposures occur along the slopes of some of these ice-thrust ridges. The northeast-facing escarpment is gullied in some parts and drains towards the Thunder Creek and Moose Jaw River Channels. The Missouri Coteau is a regional physiographic feature that extends northwest and southeast of the study area over a total distance of 800 km.

Many of the slopes in the Missouri Coteau reach 15-30% in steepness, with many others in the range of 10-15%.

Soil texture is dominantly clay loam in morainal areas, with very fine sandy clay occurring in the vicinity of the Cactus Hills.

Trossachs and Glacial Lake Regina Plains The Trossachs Plain is a low-relief morainal plain that separates the northern edge of the Missouri Coteau from the Glacial Lake Regina Plain. Avonlea Creek is located in the Trossachs Plain near the eastern side of the study area, draining into the Moose Jaw River to the north.

Slopes in the Trossachs Plain range from 0.5-5% throughout the area.

The dominant soil texture is clay loam in morainal areas, with a local area of very fine sandy clay near Avonlea.

The Glacial Lake Regina Plain is a very low-relief glaciolacustrine plain located in the northeast portion of the study area. Slopes range from 0-2%, and the soil texture is heavy clay throughout the area. The major surface water hydrographic feature in the Glacial Lake Regina Plain in the study area is the Moose Jaw River Channel, which flows north into Thunder Creek Channel at Moose Jaw. A number of smaller watercourses drain into the Moose Jaw River and Avonlea Creek from the Missouri Coteau Uplands to the southwest. There are no large lakes in the Trossachs and Glacial Lake Regina Plains in the study area.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 3.8 Groundwater Resources Figure 13 shows the location of known aquifers within the Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV Study Area. Groundwater resources in the study area appear to be concentrated mainly in drift aquifers, water-bearing layers of sand and gravel interbedded within the glacial till (drift) that covers most of the study area. The exception is in the southwest corner of the study area, on the Wood Mountain Plateau south of the Big Muddy Valley. There the glacial drift thins, and in parts around Rockglen disappears altogether; groundwater is typically drawn from the shallow bedrock aquifer in the Eastend-Wood Mountain Formations. The Eastend-Wood Mountain bedrock aquifer can rise to near-surface (such as in the driftless area southwest of Rockglen), but is typically encountered 35-40 m below surface throughout most of the Wood Mountain Plateau in the study area. An aquifer is also known to exist within the older Judith River Formation. However, in the study area, the Judith River bedrock aquifer is encountered at depths of 395-600+ m below surface, too deep for use as a domestic water resource.

In the uplands between the Wood Mountain Plateau and the Missouri Coteau escarpment, the main groundwater resource is the extensive intertill sand and gravel aquifers that lay in a band along the southern flank of the Dirt and Cactus Hills. The intertill aquifers in the areas along the east side of the study area are generally encountered at depths of 6-100+ m below surface. Towards the northwest, these intertill aquifers rise to an average of 20-30 m below surface. The intertill aquifers vary from 5-20 m thick across the study area. Aquifers in the Empress Group also occur across this area, at depths typically exceeding 110 m (in the southeast) rising to 40-60 m in the northwest. The Empress Group aquifers average around 10 m in thickness, with local portions reaching 20 m thickness.

On the Missouri Coteau and the plains north and east of the escarpment groundwater can be drawn from several groups of drift aquifers stretching across the width of the study area. Aquifers of the Sutherland Group occur southwest of Moose Jaw at depths of 50 to 70m, with reported thickness of 7 to 10m. Aquifers of the Empress Group, in the Old Wives Lake area and northeast of Moose Jaw, are encountered at depths of 30 to 60m and up to about 15m thickness. Aquifers of the Saskatoon Group, Floral Formation, are encountered across the study area at depths of 20 to 30m, rising occasionally to as shallow as less than 10m depth in some places, and with reported thicknesses of around 6 to 10m. A small section of the Condie Aquifer extends into the study area at the northeast corner, at a depth of around 4m below surface and 11m thickness. The Condie Aquifer is part of the Battleford Formation of the Saskatoon Group.

Surficial stratified aquifers can also be found at the bottom of the Thunder Creek channel and in the lowlands of the Baildon area. The surficial aquifers within Thunder Creek channel are typically 5 to 6m in thickness, while those in the Baildon area can reach in excess of 30m thickness.

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Figure 13: Groundwater Resources in the Study Area

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3.9 Generalized Land Cover / Land Use Figure 14 is a generalized land use map of the Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV Study Area. Four basic land use types have been defined from satellite image interpretation. These four land use types include: • predominantly cultivated (i.e., yearly or regularly cultivated for crop production); • predominantly forage/grassland (generally not cultivated); • urban areas (including industrial or other built-up areas); and • waterbodies (including seasonal waterbodies).

This broad classification is based on the general land use type within a given area; however, localized occurrences of other land use types may occur within these broad confines (for example, localized occurrences of forage land may be found within an area generally classed as predominantly cultivated).

As can be seen in Figure 14, the majority of land in the study area is cultivated for crops. Forage lands are generally restricted to areas where the topography and/or soils conditions make crop cultivation difficult or unfeasible. As a general rule, the Regina, Trossachs and Wood River Plains are cultivated, while the Dirt Hills and Coteau Lakes Uplands, and the Wood Mountain Plateau tend to have higher amounts of land used for forage.

Several large waterbodies and many smaller ones occur throughout the study area, in both cultivated and forage lands. Urban areas are also common, but most of these areas are quite small and make up a small percentage of the land in the study area.

Table 11 shows a breakdown of the generalized land use types in the study area, by area and percentage of study area.

Table 11: Generalized Land Use in the Study Area

Land Use Type Area (km2) % of Study Area Predominantly cultivated 10,725 70.6 Predominantly forage/grassland 3,829 25.2 Waterbodies 557 3.7 Urban/industrial/built-up areas 76 0.5 Total 15,187 100.0

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Figure 14: Generalized Land Use in the Study Area

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3.10 Regional Ecological Setting The Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV Study Area lies within the Prairies Ecozone, a broad expanse of open grassland that occupies much of southern Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba. Because of its position deep in the interior of the continent, the Prairies Ecozone has a subhumid to semi-arid climate, made all the more pronounced by long cold winters, short dry summers and high winds. In Saskatchewan, the climate in the Prairies Ecozone is predominantly semi-arid, particularly in the south and southwest portion of the ecozone, including the study area. The dry conditions restrict the growth of trees, allowing hardier grasses to flourish. The native vegetation in the ecozone is primarily mid-grasses (wheatgrasses and speargrasses) growing in mixed stands with short grasses such as blue grama grass.

Figure 15 shows the location of the study area relative to the Prairie Ecozone in western Canada.

Within the study area, the Prairie Ecozone can be divided into two ecoregions, the Moist Mixed Grassland Ecoregion and the Mixed Grass Ecoregion. Figure 16 shows the division of the study area into the two ecoregions, along with further subdivisions of each ecoregion into ecodistricts (see Section 3.1.11 for a more detailed discussion of each ecodistrict in the study area).

The majority of the study area (about 80% by area) is within the Mixed Grass Ecoregion, the largest ecoregion within the Prairie Ecozone. The Mixed Grass Ecoregion has some of the most diverse landscapes in the Prairie Ecozone. It is predominantly a broad, rolling grassy plain, interrupted numerous times by deeply incised valleys, hummocky morainal uplands, sand dunes and benchlands. Physiographic features in this ecoregion include some of the most prominent topographic features in southern Saskatchewan, including the Missouri Coteau, the Cactus and Dirt Hills, the Wood Mountain Plateau, and the Big Muddy Valley and accompanying badlands. The thin brown soils, drier conditions and more varied landscape result in lower suitability for field crops than the Moist Mixed Grassland Ecoregion to the north, and so less of this ecoregion has been cultivated compared to other prairie ecoregions (about 62% converted for agriculture, versus over 80% agricultural in the Moist Mixed Grass Ecoregion). About half of the agricultural land in the Mixed Grass Ecoregion is pasture or rangeland; the remaining is cropland.

Native vegetation is dominated by mixed stands of speargrass, wheatgrass and blue grama grass, along with sedges and June grass. Pasture sage is the dominant forb within the grassland community. Trees are generally absent from the ecoregion, except in sheltered locations near waterbodies or when planted by humans. Most coulees and valleys tend to contain shrub species instead, including willow, wolf-willow, Saskatoon, snowberry and chokecherry. Wildlife occurrences are generally the same as for the Moist Mixed Grassland Ecoregion.

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Figure 15: Location of the Study Area in the Prairie Ecozone

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Figure 16: Ecodistricts in the Study Area

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 The remaining 20% of the study area is within the Moist Mixed Grassland Ecoregion, which contains a more subhumid climate than the Mixed Grass Ecoregion to the south. Within the study area, the boundary between the two ecoregions is approximately defined by the Missouri Coteau escarpment, which separates the hummocky Missouri Coteau proper from the flat, glaciolacustrine Trossach and Glacial Lake Regina Plains to the north and east. Dark Brown Chernozemic soils and cooler, wetter conditions make for better cropland than the lands in the Mixed Grass Ecoregion to the south. As a result, over 80% of the land in this ecoregion has been converted for agricultural use, with the vast majority of that figure dedicated to field crops. Native vegetation is dominated by mid-grasses (wheatgrass and speargrass), mixed with stands of blue grama grass (on higher, drier slopes) and rough fescue and oat grasses (in the lower, more protected slopes). Sedges and June grasses are also important components, particularly in the glaciolacustrine clay soils, and pasture sage is the dominant forb in most areas of the ecoregion. Stands of aspen poplar (with an understory of shrubs such as western snowberry and prairie rose) occur around edges of sloughs and in other protected locations such as valley bottoms and coulees. Herbs, and a variety of grasses and prostrate shrubs are also found within the aspen communities, depending on local soil conditions.

The Moist Mixed Grassland Ecoregion supports more wildlife species than the Mixed Grassland Ecoregion to the south, though not as many as occur in the Aspen Parkland Ecoregion to the north. Fifty-one (51) mammal, nearly 200 bird, 41 fish, five snakes, six frogs and toads, one turtle, and one salamander species regularly occur in this ecoregion. Expected species occurrence listings for both the Mixed Grass and Moist Mixed Grassland Ecoregions are available in Section 9.

3.11 Ecological Districts in the Study Area Within the Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV Study Area, there are eight ecodistricts as defined by the National Ecological Framework for Canada. Two of these ecodistricts are associated with the Moist Mixed Grasslands Ecoregion, the remaining six are associated with the Mixed Grass Ecoregion. Figure 16 shows the ecodistricts in the study area and their associated ecoregions.

The following is a brief description of each of the eight ecodistricts in the study area. The descriptions are ordered from south to north. Area and percentage area measurements refer to the area of ecodistrict within the Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV Study Area.

Mixed Grassland Ecodistricts M22. Wood Mountain Plateau [2,458 km2, 16.6% of Study Area]. The Wood Mountain Plateau is a thinly glaciated grassland plateau that lies along the southern border of Saskatchewan and extends from the Coronach-Big Beaver area west to Shaunavon, and north to the southern slopes of the Big Muddy Valley. The plateau lies at a higher elevation than the remaining land in the study area, averaging around 800-850 m, compared to approximately 700- 750m elevation in the Coteau Lakes Upland and Wood River Plain Ecodistricts to the north. The plateau is heavily dissected with gullies and streams, most of which drain to the south into the Frenchman River or southeast into the Missouri River; only a small amount of drainage along the northern edge of the plateau is to the north into the Big Muddy Valley and the lakes of the

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Missouri Coteau. Fife Lake and Cookson Reservoir are the only sizeable bodies of water on the Wood Mountain Plateau in the study area.

Within the study area, the majority of land on the Wood Mountain Plateau has been converted for agriculture. Cereal grains are the major crop, and there are smaller amounts of forage. Sizeable areas of native mixed grassland/rangeland remain, however, in areas where the thin soils and/or heavily dissected terrain make crop cultivation unfeasible. Such areas include the lands around the steeply sloping drainage channel southeast of Rockglen, the lands around the extensive network of ravines east of the existing Coronach coal mine, the lands along West Beaver Creek south of the Town of Big Beaver, and the hummocky lands on the plateau west and south of Big Muddy Lake.

M18. Wood River Plain [1,124 km2, 7.3% of Study Area]. The Wood River Plain is a broad, low-lying grassland plain lying to the north of the Wood Mountain Plateau, and includes the north- and east-facing slopes of the Wood Mountain Plateau and the Swift Current Platform. Most of the Wood River Plain lies to the west of the study area, with only a small finger of the plain jutting into the study area to occupy the land between the Wood Mountain Plateau, and the Willow Bunch and Lake-of-the-Rivers channels. This part of the Wood River Plains lies over 100 m lower in elevation than the Wood Mountain Plateau to the south. With the exception of the north-facing slope of the Wood Mountain Plateau, and the Twelve Mile and Big Muddy channels at its base, the Wood River Plain in the study area is fairly flat, with no major topographic features and little drainage development. A series of shallow lakes in the Big Muddy Channel, including Montague, Bonneau and Rivard Lakes, are the only sizeable waterbodies in the ecodistrict.

Almost all of the Wood River Plain in the study area has been cultivated, with most for cereal grains. Stands of native mixed-grass prairie are confined to the steeply sloping north-facing wall of the Wood Mountain Plateau, and to small areas of upland immediately south of Willow Bunch Lake.

M21. Lake Alma Upland [34 km2, 0.2% of Study Area]. The Lake Alma Upland is a band of strong hummocky morainal land that defines the southernmost stretch of the Missouri Coteau in Saskatchewan. Only a very small portion of the Lake Alma Upland occurs in the study area, a relatively flat lobe of upland protruding into the study area south of the Town of Hardy. A few small bits of the upland also occur in the study area west and northwest of Pangman. There are no sizeable waterbodies within the portion of the upland occurring in the study area.

The small areas of Lake Alma Upland that occur in the study area are entirely converted to agriculture, with most of it dedicated to cereal grains. A few fields of forage and pasture exist south of Hardy.

M20. Coteau Lakes Upland [5,247 km2, 34.6% of Study Area]. The Coteau Lakes Upland is the largest ecodistrict within the Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV study area, occupying over a third of the study area. It is a vast area of rolling morainal land that stretches from the Mossbank-Old Wives Lake area southwest of Moose Jaw, southeast to the United States border. The upland is bordered on the west by the Lake of the Rivers and Willow Bunch Lake

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 channels, on the north and east by the sharply defined Missouri Coteau and the Dirt and Cactus Hills, and on the south by the Wood Mountain Plateau. Most of the upland lies from 700-750 m elevation, falling to around 690-695 m along the Lake of the Rivers channel. Most of the drainage in the Coteau Lakes Upland is internal, feeding the numerous sloughs and small lakes in the uplands. The exceptions are the small gullies that drain into Willow Bunch, Lake of the Rivers, and Big Muddy Lakes.

Most of the land in the Coteau Lakes Upland in the study area has been converted to cropland, with cereal grains the major field crop. However, significant amounts of native mixed-grass prairie still remain in hummocky or deeply dissected terrain. Most of these remaining prairie lands are used as rangeland or pasture, and often include large Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA), provincial and local community pastures. Such areas include the large PFRA and community pastures around Ormiston-Shoe Lake (stretching from Crane Valley to southwest of Kayville), the hummocky terrain between Bengough and Hardy, and the extensive hummocky and deeply dissected terrain north and south of Big Muddy Lake.

M16. Chaplin Plain [914 km2, 6.0% of Study Area]. The Chaplin Plain is a mixture of gently rolling moraine and flat glaciofluvial terrain surrounding the Chaplin, Old Wives and Reed Lakes west of Moose Jaw. Only the area of the Chaplin Plain on the east and south sides of Old Wives Lake extends into the study area. Elevations are highest (710-720 m) in the southern portion of the ecodistrict, descending to about 660-680 m in the north around Old Wives Lake. Most of the drainage in this part of the ecodistrict is towards Old Wives Lake.

Within the study area, the part of the Chaplin Plain south of Old Wives Lake is predominantly cropland, save for small strips of native mixed-grass prairie along the west side of Lake of the Rivers. North and east of Old Wives Lake the land is a mixture of cropland on the flatter terrain and mixed-grass prairie on the hillier hummocky terrain.

M19. Dirt Hills [883 km2, 14.9% of Study Area]. The Dirt Hills Ecodistrict contains some of the most pronounced relief in the study area. It encompasses the Dirt and Cactus Hills south of Moose Jaw, the hummocky uplands of the Missouri Coteau north of Old Wives Lake, and the rolling plains to the north, which receive the drainage from the Coteau and the two hills. Parts of the Dirt and Cactus Hills exceed 810 m elevation, and parts of the Missouri Coteau northeast of Old Wives Lake approach 850 m elevation, as compared to the typical 680-700 m elevations found in the Coteau Lakes Upland only a few kilometres to the south. In the Dirt and Cactus Hills, the hummocky terrain becomes a series of sharp, curvilinear glacial ice-thrust ridges. The southerly extension of the Dirt Hills Ecodistrict drains eastward into the Trossach Plain Ecodistrict, while the more westerly part of the ecodistrict drains north into the Thunder Creek and Moose Jaw River drainage systems. There are no large bodies of water within the Dirt Hills Ecodistrict, but the hummocky areas within the ecodistrict contain numerous small potholes and sloughs. The majority of the Baildon Irrigation District south of Moose Jaw also falls with this ecodistrict.

Although most of the land within the Dirt Hills Ecodistrict has been converted to cropland, stands of native mixed grassland remain in the Dirt and Cactus Hills and in the hummocky terrain north of Old Wives Lake. Often these grasslands are interspersed with patches of

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 cropland in areas where terrain and soil conditions permit. As with the other ecodistricts in the Mixed Grassland Ecoregion, shrubs are present only in moist depressional areas such as the bottoms of gullies.

Moist Mixed Grassland Ecodistricts K19. Troassachs Plain [453 km2, 3.0% of Study Area]. The Trossachs Plain is a long, narrow band of flat to gently rolling grassland plain that extends along the northern base of the Missouri Coteau from Avonlea south to Estevan. Only a small portion of the Trossachs Plain occurs in the study area, covering the area between Avonlea and Parry. The plain in the study area is heavily dissected by drainage from the Missouri Coteau to the south, most of which drains directly into the Moose Jaw River. Many of these drainage channels have cut deeply into the plain, exposing the bedrock underlying the glacial till of the area.

Most of the Trossachs Plain Ecodistrict in the study area is cropland. However, extensive stands of native mixed-grass prairie can still be found in the large PFRA pasture to the north of Parry, and remnants can be found along slopes of the Moose Jaw River. The PFRA pasture also contains extensive areas of strongly developed Solonetzic soils, and salt-tolerant grasses and associated vegetation predominate in these areas.

K17. Regina Plain [2,709 km2, 17.7% of Study Area]. The Regina Plain is a large, nearly flat glacial lake plain that stretches from the Qu’Appelle Valley north of Moose Jaw south to near Weyburn and southeast to the Moose Mountain Uplands. It is the second-largest ecodistrict in the study area, next to the Coteau Lakes Upland, and the dominant ecodistrict within that part of the Moist Mixed Grassland Ecoregion occurring in the study area. Most drainage in the study area portion of the Regina Plain is to the north into the Qu’Appelle Valley, through tributaries including the Moose Jaw River.

The flat, featureless plain with its characteristic dark brown lacustrine clay soil makes for excellent farmland. As a result, virtually all of the land in the Regina Plain has been cultivated, predominantly for cereal crops. There do appear to be some small remnant patches of native prairie along portions of the Thunder Creek Channel east of Moose Jaw, in steep-sloped portions of the Moose Jaw River and Cottonwood Coulee, and in the sandy glaciofluvial landscape west of Caron-Caronport. The grasses are mixed with shrubs in moister, protected areas, and the north-facing slopes often have a cover of trees, predominantly cottonwoods.

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3.12 Climate Conditions There are three Environment Canada climate stations near the study area: in Moose Jaw, in Weyburn and at the Assiniboia Airport. The data from these three stations are expected to be representative of the general climate (atmospheric environment) in the study area (see Table 12).

Table 12: Environment Canada Climate Stations Near the Preferred Corridor Study Area

Station Latitude Longitude Elevation Assiniboia Airport 49° 43.800' N 105° 55.800' W 725.50 m Moose Jaw 49° 39.000' N 103° 49.800' W 569.70 m Weyburn 50° 19.800' N 105° 33.600' W 577.00 m

Because of its location in the southern Canadian Prairies, the Prairies Ecozone has a subhumid to semi-arid climate; in this part of Saskatchewan, the semi-arid climate is made all the more pronounced by long cold winters, short, dry summers and high winds.

The mean maximum temperature for Assiniboia in 2007 was 31.4°C in July and in the same month of 2006 was 29.4°C. The mean low temperature in January 2007 was -15.0°C while in February 2006 it was -14.1°C. Total rain in May 2007 was 89.4 mm and for April 2006 was 84.7 mm. There was 13.2 cm of snow in March 2007 and 18.6 cm in March 2006.

The mean maximum temperature for Moose Jaw in 2007 was 29.9°C, and in August 2006 it was 27.8°C. The mean low temperature for 2007 was -20.3°C in February while in 2006 it was -14.1°C. Total rain in May 2007 was 71.8 mm, while in June 2006 it was 125.0 mm. Total monthly maximum snowfall for 2007 was 15.1 cm in February and 16.8 cm in January 2006.

The mean maximum summer 2007 temperature at the Weyburn station was 30.0°C in July and 29.4°C in July 2006. The maximum mean low temperature for 2007 was -19.4°C in February and in 2006 it was -13.7°C in December. A maximum of 111.0 mm rain for 2007 occurred in June and in June 2006 it was 132.6 mm. The total monthly maximum snowfall for 2007 was 24.4 cm in February and 24.4 cm in February 2006.

Climate data for the three stations are presented in Table 13 and represent samples collected in 2007. Table 24 summarizes the mean average temperature, precipitation and snow amounts.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Table 13: Summary of Mean Average Temperature, Precipitation and Snow Levels for the Climate Stations Near the Preferred Corridor Study Area

Mean Average Temperature 2007 Mean High (°C) 2007 Mean Low (°C) Assiniboia 31.4E -15.0 Moose Jaw 22.9 -20.3 Weyburn 30.3 -19.4 Mean Precipitation 2007 Low Amounts (mm) 2007 High Amounts (mm) Assiniboia 0.9 mm 89.4 mm Moose Jaw 9.6 mm 71.8 mm Weyburn 5.0 mm 111.0 mm Mean Snow Amounts 2007 Low Amount s(cm) 2007 High Amounts (cm) Assiniboia 1.4 cm 13.2 cm Moose Jaw 3.6 cm 15.1 cm Weyburn 9.6 cm 24.4 cm Note: E = Estimated

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4.0 PUBLIC CONSULTATION 4.1 Overview SaskPower undertook a public consultation program for the proposed Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line Project in accordance with the Revised Project Specific Guidelines issued by MoE in January 2008.

The consultation program provided notification to potentially interested parties located in the study area. Information was provided regarding SaskPower’s intention to construct a 230 kV transmission line that would connect the Poplar River Power Station east of Coronach to the Pasqua Switching Station east of Moose Jaw. The consultation process provided detailed information about the characteristics, design, schedule and potential environmental impacts of the transmission line project, and provided opportunities for elected officials, landowners, environment and industry groups, local interest groups and members of the public to learn about the project and express their opinions on the proposal. The consultation program was designed to seek stakeholder input and comments regarding the project during the planning stages, identify issues of concern, and ensure that those concerns were addressed in the planning and design stage as well as in the EIS.

Consideration was given to possible effects on the interests of First Nations and Métis people. However, since there are no First Nation Reserve or Treaty Land Entitlement lands, or traditional use lands identified in the study area, and since the closest Reserve or TLE lands are located over 16 km east of the study area, it was determined that the project would not result in any impacts on First Nations or Métis interests, and therefore they were not specifically consulted about the project. The process of identifying three potential 1.6-2.5 km-wide corridors in the study area and then selecting only one of the three corridors as the preferred route further reduced the likelihood of interference with First Nations or Métis interests. The majority of land located in the study area was privately-owned agricultural or pasture land, with some land owned by SaskAg and leased to private individuals. Selection of the west corridor as the preferred option further reduced the likelihood of impacts on First Nations or Métis interests since it resulted in a distance of approximately 40 km from the closest Reserve Land and approximately 37 km from the closest TLE lands to the closest point of the proposed transmission line corridor. All groups not contacted directly during consultation had the opportunity to learn about the project through advertising in local media and the public open house information sessions.

4.2 Consultation Activities (June 2007 to November 2008) Following is an overview of public consultation activities that were conducted between June 2007 and November 2008 in the transmission line study area.

4.2.1 June 2007 Letters were mailed to approximately 500 landowners potentially affected by the three corridor options in the study area on June 1, 2007, introducing the proposed transmission project and inviting them to attend one of four public open house information sessions.

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SaskPower contacted the Rural Municipalities of Hart Butte, Terrell, Moose Jaw, Willow Bunch, Key West, Excel, Baildon, Redburn, Lake of Rivers and Bengough; the Towns of Coronach and Willow Bunch; the Village of Briercrest; and the City of Moose Jaw to introduce the project and arrange presentations to their respective councils.

SaskPower representatives made presentations at the following council meetings: • June 5 – RM of Moose Jaw; • June 6 – RM of Terrell; • June 7 – RMs of Hart Butte, Key West and Excel; • June 11 – RM of Willow Bunch, City of Moose Jaw and Village of Briercrest; • June 12 – Town of Coronach; • June 13 – RM of Baildon and Town of Willow Bunch; and • June 14 – RMs of Redburn, Lake of Rivers and Bengough.

Project information packages were sent to the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation and the Department of National Defence at the Moose Jaw Air Force Base.

A meeting was held with Nature Saskatchewan representatives on June 25.

Advertisements for the four public open house information sessions were placed in the following radio stations: CHAB 800 AM Radio and CILG 100.7 FM Radio six times daily between June 16 and 21. Ads were placed in the following newspapers: Assiniboia Times and Bengough Deep South Star on June 4 and 11, and the Moose Jaw Times Herald on June 9 and 16. Copies of the newspaper and radio advertisements are attached in Appendix 4.

Public open houses were held in Coronach on June 18, Willow Bunch on June 19, Bengough on June 20 and Moose Jaw on June 21, 2007.

4.2.2 June – December 2007 • Approximately 22 calls were received on the 800 toll free phone line and approximately 34 letters, emails, faxes and questionnaires were received expressing opinions from landowners and others on the project. • December 5 – A second set of letters was sent to potentially affected landowners advising that the three corridor options were still being evaluated and that a decision on the preferred corridor was expected early in 2008

4.2.3 February 2008 A second round of meetings was conducted with elected officials and a second set of open houses was held to inform stakeholders about the selection of the West corridor as the preferred corridor and to discuss the rationale for the decision.

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Photo 1: Landowners Discuss Satellite Photos at the Willow Bunch Open House (June 2007)

Photo 2: Discussions with Landowners at the Bengough Open House (June 2007)

SaskPower contacted the Rural Municipalities of Hart Butte, Terrell, Moose Jaw, Willow Bunch, Key West, Excel, Baildon, Redburn, Lake of Rivers and Bengough; the Towns of Coronach and Willow Bunch; the Village of Briercrest; and the City of Moose Jaw to arrange the second round of presentations to their respective councils. The number of council presentations was reduced in the second round as those not affected by the West corridor did not require additional information on the project.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 SaskPower representatives made corridor selection presentations at the following council meetings: • February 5 – Rural Municipalities of Moose Jaw and Excel; • February 6 – Rural Municipalities of Terrell and Baildon; • February 11 – RM of Willow Bunch; • February 12 – Town of Willow Bunch; and • February 14 – RMs of Lake of Rivers and Bengough.

Letters were mailed to landowners within all three corridors on February 8, 2008, advising them that the West corridor had been selected as the preferred option for the new line, and inviting them to a second set of open houses to meet again with the project team to discuss the rationale for the corridor selection.

Advertisements for four second-round public open houses were placed with the following radio stations: CHAB 800 AM Radio and CILG 100.7 FM Radio six times daily, between February 23 and 28. Ads were placed in the following newspapers: Assiniboia Times and Bengough Deep South Star on February 11 and 18, the Coronach Triangle News on January 27, February 18 and 25, and the Moose Jaw Times Herald on February 16 and 23. Copies of the newspaper and radio advertisements are attached in Appendix 5.

The second set of public open houses was held in Moose Jaw on February 26, Willow Bunch on February 27 and Coronach on February 28, 2008.

Approximately 25 questionnaires were submitted by attendees of the February open house sessions.

Photo 3: Twenty-eight Landowners Attended the Public Open House in Coronach (February 2008)

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 4.2.4 April 2008 In April 2008, SaskPower Land Officers contacted landowners along the West corridor whose land had potential for environmental or archaeological occurrences to obtain permission to conduct environmental surveys. 4.3 Information Distributed Handout materials, including drawings, maps and photographs were distributed at the council meetings in June 2007 and February 2008. At the public open houses held in June 2007 and February 2008, information related to the proposed transmission line was presented through displays, drawings, photographs and printed handout materials. SaskPower personnel and the project consultants (J.D. Mollard and Associates Ltd. [JDMA] and AMEC Earth & Environmental [AMEC]) were in attendance to discuss project details with local officials, landowners, representatives from local media, and others that attended the open houses. A toll-free 800- phone line (800-667-4749) and information on SaskPower’s web site (www.saskpower.com) were made available to participants and the public to encourage further questions and comments.

Information presented at the rural municipal, town, city and village council meetings held in June 2007 and at the four public open house sessions also held in June 2007 included the following: • description of the proposed line • discussion of the need for the project; • information on the other transmission options that had been considered; • information on estimated project costs, economics and benefits; • information on project benefits; • overview of the project schedule; • outline of the corridor selection criteria; • demonstration of SaskPower’s Environmental Screening System • environmental maps & considerations for corridor selection; • map indicating the locations of proposed alternative corridors; • maps indicating features of the West, Central and East corridors; • land use comparison for alternative corridors; • single- versus double-circuit comparison for alternative corridors; • cost comparison for alternative corridors; • drawings and photographs of 230 kV tubular steel H-frame single- and double-circuit tangent structures; • minimum clearances of conductors; • environmental impact review requirements;

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• alternative corridor selection process information from JDMA; • ecological and environmental investigations information from AMEC; • SaskPower Principles for the Determination of Compensation for Electrical Transmission Powerline Easements; • Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line and Transmission Line Development (72 kV, 138 kV and 230 kV) Frequently Asked Questions; • open house invitations; • corporate information about the project consultants, JDMA and AMEC; and • corporate information about SaskPower and an open house survey form and questionnaire were also provided.

Note: Please see Appendix 6 for copies of the information package handed out at the council meetings and the public open houses in June 2007.

Information presented at the rural municipality, town, city and village council meetings held in February 2008 and at the three public open house sessions also held in February 2008 included the following: • map indicating rural municipalities crossed by alternative corridors; • description of the proposed line; • discussion of the need for the project; • information on estimated project costs, economics and benefits; • overview of the project schedule; • outline of the corridor selection criteria; • environmental considerations for corridor selection; • map indicating the locations of proposed alternative corridors; • corridor comparison – secondary screening categories for comparison; • analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of the West, Central and East corridors; • direct comparisons of the West corridor versus the Central and East corridors; • corridor comparison summary; • public consultation summary – top 10 issues raised; • West corridor summary; • maps indicating selected data for the West corridor, including grassland, stream crossings, previously recorded rare and endangered species locations, potential heritage resources, cultivated land and double-circuit construction; • environmental impact review requirements;

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• open house invitations; • alternative corridor selection process information from JDMA; • ecological and environmental investigations information from AMEC; • SaskPower Principles for the Determination of Compensation for Electrical Transmission Powerline Easements; • Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line and Transmission Line Development (72 kV, 138 kV and 230 kV) Frequently Asked Questions; • corporate information about the project consultants, JDMA and AMEC; and • corporate information about SaskPower and an open house survey form and questionnaire were also provided.

Note: Please Appendix 7 for copies of the information package handed out at the Council meetings and the Public Open Houses in February 2008.

Photo 4: Forty-one Landowners Attended the Moose Jaw Public Open House (February 2008)

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Open house attendance statistics are provided in Table 14.

Table 14: Open House Attendance Statistics

June 2007 February 2008 Project Introduction Preferred Corridor Selected Coronach 25 28 Willow Bunch 41 54 Bengough 18 N/A Moose Jaw 46 41 Total in Attendance 130 123

4.4 Issues Raised and SaskPower Responses to the Issues The following questions were raised during the public consultation process through phone calls, questionnaires, council meetings and the public open houses. SaskPower provided information on various issues throughout the consultation phases, and issues raised were evaluated and taken into consideration during the corridor selection process. SaskPower’s responses to the issues raised follow each question below. Section references are provided for topics discussed in this report.

4.4.1 Project Need • Why is the new powerline needed at this time? The 230 kV transmission line will reinforce Saskatchewan’s existing transmission system to meet North American Reliability Standards for delivery of the energy generated at the Poplar River Power Station. The line, along with switching station improvements, will prevent system overloads and low voltage conditions in the event of loss of one of the existing Poplar River 230 kV lines. The new line will also deliver an additional 20 MW of capacity to the system from the recently refurbished Poplar River generating units. Additional information on project need is contained in Section 2.2 of this report.

• Will the new line improve reliability in local areas? The new 230 kV line will reinforce the transmission system in the Moose Jaw area, which will improve bulk power reliability. It will also facilitate the interconnection of potential generation projects in the Coronach, Assiniboia and Moose Jaw areas.

• What alternatives, if any, were considered other than building this line? Other transmission options were considered prior to deciding to construct the line connecting the Poplar River Power Station to the Pasqua Switching Station. There were other 230 kV and 138 kV transmission options that also prevented system overloads in the event of the loss of one of the existing Poplar River 230 kV lines; however, the Poplar River to Pasqua transmission line was the lowest cost option that met all of the technical requirements, including delivery of refurbished Poplar River capacity prevention of system overloads in the event of the loss of one of the existing Poplar River 230 kV lines and lower operating costs due to reduced energy and power losses on the existing transmission system. Section 2.3 provides additional detail on project options examined.

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• What about promoting energy conservation instead of building the new powerline? SaskPower works with all customers, (residential, agricultural, commercial and industrial), through a variety of conservation and demand side management programs. Through these initiatives, the environmental footprint of electricity production, delivery and use is reduced, while attempting to delay the need to build more high-cost electrical generation, transmission and distribution facilities. SaskPower also helps customers save money by reducing operating expenses. Examples of some of these conservation initiatives are: energy performance contracting, power savings campaigns, power saving tips and tools, and education. Activities such as these that alter electrical consumption patterns of customers can be effective in offsetting a portion of load growth, but they will not likely be able to avoid the need to build new facilities. Conservation initiatives would not be able to deliver the reliability, voltage control and capacity benefits that will be achieved through the Poplar River to Pasqua transmission line.

4.4.2 Project Cost • How much will the new transmission line cost? The estimated capital cost for the transmission line itself is approximately $40 million (current dollars), and approximately $17 million for terminal equipment at the Poplar River and Pasqua Switching Stations (current dollars). The 230 kV transmission line, along with the other planned projects, has a positive net present value of approximately $30 million due to lower operating costs associated with reduced line losses that will be realized on the transmission system.

4.4.3 Project Schedule • When will construction start and finish? Construction is expected to begin in August 2009 and will be completed by winter 2009/2010. Section 7 of this report contains a listing of the major stages of the project with their associated timelines, and Figure 29 contains a schedule of activities.

4.4.4 Project Characteristics • What are the proposed size, location and configuration of the new line? Maps indicating proposed corridor options, and photographs and drawings of the powerline structures were distributed in mailout packages, meetings with local councils and handout packages at the open houses. Copies of the handout materials describing the line are attached in Appendix 6. A detailed description of the preferred corridor is contained in Section 6 of this report. Table 19 summarizes the general characteristics of the preferred corridor and Figure 22 illustrates the location of the preferred corridor.

• Why can’t the line be located underground? Landowners were advised that transmission lines are rarely placed underground due to the high cost (up to 10 times more than overhead) and the difficulties associated with locating and repairing faults, especially in wet and winter conditions. Many distribution lines are placed underground; however, transmission lines are usually built using overhead construction. The

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 frequency of power outages on underground systems is less than on overhead; however, when the duration of outages is compared, underground systems lose much of their advantage.

• Why not double circuit? Double circuiting is an option that is available where a new powerline is to be constructed near an existing line, and the new line can be built to hold both the existing and new circuits. This allows the existing line to be removed when the new double-circuit line is in service, and results in a reduced footprint on the landscape and reduced environmental impacts. However, the reliability of two separate lines is higher than a double circuit line and there is a significant cost premium associated with double circuit construction. For the Poplar River to Pasqua transmission line, there were opportunities to double circuit for a length of approximately 32 km.

4.4.5 Operational Considerations • What can SaskPower do to minimize the effects on farming operations? Interference with agricultural practices was the most frequently raised issue during the consultation process. Landowners were very concerned about the impact a powerline would have on current farming operations. In response to this concern, SaskPower compared the three alternatives based on their overall impact on agricultural land. The West alternative was found to have the longest length on uncultivated land and the longest length on reclaimed coal land, and presented several opportunities for double circuiting. In comparison to the Central and East options, the West alternative was the option that resulted in the least impact on cultivated land.

• Do high voltage lines cause interference with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) that are commonly used in agricultural operations? Tests have been conducted under high voltage powerlines in a range of weather conditions to determine whether a GPS would be affected by transmission lines. In all test cases “there was no loss of lock on any satellite signal experienced by the GPS receiver when operated in the vicinity of the transmission line”.

• How do powerlines affect irrigated land? Where practical, powerlines are not located where they would interfere with central pivot irrigation operations. During consultation, SaskPower attempts to identify lands that have irrigation systems in place and to work with landowners to ensure irrigation is considered in the final line placement.

• What happens when a powerline crosses organic lands? SaskPower recognizes the importance of protecting the status of registered organic lands, and makes every effort to ensure line construction and RoW maintenance activities do not result in accidental contamination of organic lands. SaskPower maintains a voluntary registry of organic growers in the province, which allows its employees and contractors to identify areas that require extra precautions.

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• Does SaskPower construct powerlines that angle across fields? Where practical, SaskPower tries to avoid placing lines diagonally across cultivated fields in order to minimize the impacts on farming operations. In uncultivated areas, such as pasture land, angled lines are more common as they tend not to interfere with ranching type operations. A significant length of the preferred corridor for the Poplar to Pasqua transmission line (approximately 97 km) is aligned parallel to legal boundaries.

• Will the Poplar River to Pasqua transmission line cause radio noise and reception problems? SaskPower adheres to Industry Canada standards for radio influence voltage or radio noise. SaskPower facilities do not usually cause radio interference problems; however, SaskPower will mitigate any issues if they arise.

4.4.6 Health and Safety • Are there safety risks associated with the project? The transmission line will be constructed in compliance with all applicable standards and permits. According to agreements with Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation, when structures are required to be located near road allowances they will be placed at a distance of 0.6 meters inside the edge of the road allowance, which should provide adequate safety margins for vehicle traffic. The minimum vertical clearance for a 230kV transmission line over farmland is 7.9 m, over highways and municipal roads is 8.6 m and over railways is 9.3 m.

• Will there be electric and magnetic fields from the line and are they harmful? On a daily basis, most of us are exposed to Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF) generated by household wiring, lighting, computers and other electrical appliances, such as hair dryers, coffee makers, televisions and power tools. Since the 1970s, scientists have been researching possible EMF human health effects, particularly certain cancers including brain cancer, lymphoma, breast cancer and leukemia. This extensive research has not proven a link between health risks and EMF. However, questions remain about the possible relationship between EMF and certain human diseases.

SaskPower is committed to the health, safety and welfare of the public and its employees, and recognizes the public concern over potential adverse health effects from EMF. SaskPower works with all stakeholders, including regulatory agencies, the government and the public, to develop and implement appropriate EMF policies. As a member of the Canadian Electricity Association, SaskPower is committed to supporting EMF research to resolve ongoing questions, as well as to providing educational materials and facilitating magnetic field measurement for the public and employees.

The EMF levels around powerlines drop off very quickly with distance and therefore it is unlikely that the new line will affect field levels in people’s homes. Refer to Section 10.5 for more detailed information on EMF.

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• How close will the line come to yards and buildings? The recommended clearance to habitable buildings for a 230kV line is a minimum of 60 meters and the recommended clearance to outbuildings for a 230kV line is a minimum of 30 meters. SaskPower attempts to maintain up to 160 meters clearance to habitable buildings where practical and clearances in excess of the recommended clearances are provided where practical. It is also recommended that, where practical, lines of 72kV and higher shall not be routed through a farmyard and where this is not practical, SaskPower adheres to minimum clearances specified in CSA standard C22.3 No.1-06.

• Will the new line pose any safety risk to private airstrips? There are three landowners along the Central and East corridor options that own and operate aerial spraying businesses. Project team members met with the aerial operators, and investigated line locations that would meet all regulations and ensure aircraft safety. As the West corridor was selected and no airstrips were located in this corridor, there will not be any risks to private airstrips as a result of the new line.

4.4.7 Environmental • What are the potential Impacts on wildlife and habitat? Habitat within the alternative corridors was assessed based on land cover and land use mapping results. Land cover and land use were mapped from panchromatic and multispectral SPOT satellite imagery with reference to video acquired from a helicopter flyover, field observations, stereoscopic air photos, digital soils map data, digital elevation model data, hydrographic data, rural municipality maps and electrical distribution data (to identify occupied versus unoccupied residences). SaskPower’s environmental screening database is designed to rank sensitive lands as reflected in legislation and Saskatchewan’s environmental assessment process, and was also used to assess potential impacts on wildlife and habitat. The sensitivity ranking is derived from MoE criteria, but also reflects concerns of other government departments and agencies. Section 3.1.9 contains information about generalized land cover and land use, and Section 5.2 includes detailed information on preliminary environmental and archaeological screening. Figure 18 shows the results of the environmental screening for the Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV Study Area. Section 2.5 discusses SaskPower’s general environmental safeguards, to assist in minimizing the environmental impacts of this project. Section 10 describes construction impacts on wildlife and habitat loss and operational impacts on wildlife as well as effects on wildlife during operation. Section 12 discusses wildlife cumulative effects.

• How does SaskPower safeguard important heritage and archaeological sites? SaskPower screens potential corridors for their environmental and archaeological features using a sophisticated screening database, information from the provincial government’s Heritage Branch and field studies. An archaeological heritage resources impact assessment and a paleontological assessment were conducted under permits for this project in May and June 2008. There were 272 surface archaeological recorded, within and immediately adjacent to the proposed corridor. Approximately 1,500 stone features were observed and recorded in the single, multiple and recurrent stone feature sites. SaskPower commits to avoiding the recorded archaeological and paleontological sites where practical through structure placement

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 during line design. Where avoidance is either not possible or not practical, SaskPower commits to conducting further archaeological and paleontological site assessment and, where necessary, implementing mitigation programs in consultation with the Heritage Branch. In addition to the above, SaskPower may conduct subsurface testing or construction monitoring at locations with a high potential for unrecorded buried heritage resources, in consultation with the Heritage Branch. This will also be done after the line design phase, once structure locations are known.

• Could a transmission line be located on property with a registered conservation easement? SaskPower attempts to avoid or minimize the impacts of its facilities on environmentally sensitive lands, including lands with conservation easements. In the case of a conservation easement, SaskPower would consider the purpose for which the easement was granted, and evaluate the potential impact that a facility might have on the wildlife or habitat present on the easement. In most instances, the preferred course of action is to avoid sensitive sites. However, if it could be determined that available mitigation measures could ensure the integrity of the site, it might be acceptable to locate facilities on a conservation easement.

• What environmental approvals are necessary for SaskPower to proceed? SaskPower will follow the rules and process established by MoE, which include a requirement for an EIA. A thorough EA of the proposed project study area was conducted by JDMA, AMEC and SaskPower, and the EIS is scheduled to be submitted by SaskPower to MoE in early 2009 to seek approval to construct the new transmission line. Section 7.1.2 provides a list of other permits and approvals that will be obtained as required.

Photo 5: SaskPower Responds to Landowners at the Willow Bunch Open House (February 2008)

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4.4.8 Socio-Economic • Will the line result in decreased land values for affected properties? SaskPower attempts to design facilities that will have minimal impacts on private property. Land sales across the province are monitored on a regular basis and it has not been found that the presence of a powerline on a piece of property has a direct negative effect on the market value of that property. For aesthetic reasons, SaskPower attempts to design the placement of structures so as to cause the least visibility and interference with farmyards and dwellings. The transmission line will be designed in accordance with all safety and industry standards, therefore, SaskPower is of the opinion that there will be no effect on property values.

• Are landowners eligible for compensation if the line is located on their land? Landowner compensation will be negotiated with landowners on an individual basis, based on the specific impacts to particular pieces of property. If a powerline is located in the edge of road allowances, easements are not required, however, adjacent landowners would be offered the opportunity to grant an easement to SaskPower, which would make them eligible for compensation. The Poplar to Pasqua line will utilize double-pole structures, which are rarely located adjacent to road allowances.

• Can SaskPower expropriate land if a landowner is not willing to allow the line on their property? Yes, SaskPower has the legislated authority to expropriate easements rights where it is deemed to be necessary. However, SaskPower has an excellent track record of successfully negotiating easements with landowners, and expropriation has only been required on a small number of occasions.

• Will there be local employment opportunities during construction? Interest has been expressed in the potential employment opportunities that might occur for individuals and contractors. SaskPower is required to work within existing tendering processes, but where practical, opportunities will be provided for local employment.

4.5 Conclusions Interest in the Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line Project came from a variety of sources, including local municipal officials, potentially affected landowners, people interested in the environment, economic development, tourism, employment and the media. Materials and information were presented individually to landowners, at rural municipal, city, town and village council meetings, and to landowners and members of the public at two sets of open houses held across the study area in June 2007 and February 2008. Other potential stakeholders were notified of the project through radio and newspaper advertisements, and the public open houses. A toll-free telephone number (1-800-667-4749) was made available to the public to encourage enquiries.

Interested members of the public were provided with detailed project information as well as several opportunities to express their views and opinions on the proposed transmission line.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Based on comments received at the open houses, in personal conversations, during phone calls and in meetings, it appears that the reaction to the preferred route option from the majority of affected landowners and others was favourable, and SaskPower believes that the stakeholders in the study area are generally supportive of the West corridor option. Stakeholders seemed to understand the need for the new line, and although there were several issues raised and pertinent questions asked, the information provided by the project team seemed to satisfactorily address all the issues and concerns.

The main concern raised by potentially affected stakeholders during consultation was the possible negative impacts of the line on farming operations. As discussed in other sections of this report, farming is the predominant land use in the study area so it was understandable that potential effects on agricultural lands were found to be a priority for landowners. The West corridor route option crossed the shortest length of cultivated land, and was selected in large part due to its reduced impact on farming. Environmental and archaeological issues, as well as other land use issues that were identified by stakeholders, were investigated and addressed as described in Section 4.4 and other sections of this report.

The media coverage following the open houses was positive and reflective of the public's desire for reliable electrical supply, economic development and growth in the area. Newspaper articles referencing the project are attached in Appendix 9.

Environmental impacts or concerns identified through the public consultation process were taken into consideration with the selection of the West corridor. Where required, mitigation measures will be implemented to minimize the impacts of the transmission line (see section 10 through 13). Consultation with environmental regulators and public consultation will continue throughout the approval and construction phases of the project, particularly with the rural municipalities and landowners that are directly affected by the West corridor.

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5.0 ROUTING ANALYSIS METHODOLOGIES 5.1 Introduction This Section describes the methodologies used to identify the alternative transmission line corridors in the study area for evaluation, presentation to the public and selection of a preferred route for more detailed assessment.

5.2 Alternative Corridor Selection 5.2.1 Data Sets (Primary Screening Data Sets) Following definition of the study area, corridor study began by assembling satellite imagery and 3D air photos; together with primary environmental, infrastructure, terrain, topographic and land cover (vegetation and land use) data in a geographic information system (GIS). Data sets considered in the corridor selection process are described in Section 5.2.2 to 5.2.4.

5.2.2 Environmental Screening Database

SaskPower’s Environmental Programs Department maintains a comprehensive Environmental Screening System database. The database is designed to rank sensitive lands as reflected in both legislation and Saskatchewan’s environmental review process. The sensitivity ranking is derived from MoE criteria, but also reflects the concerns of other government departments and agencies. The ranking system is used as a tool for project planning and design purposes. It is especially useful for identifying sensitive lands at the start of the corridor selection process so that potential environmental impacts can be taken into account when alternative corridors are initially identified. This does not, however, preclude the need for biological and archaeological field surveys to document project-specific features and to investigate the possible occurrence of sensitive species or features not documented in the environmental screening database.

Lands are assigned a ranking of 1 to 5 based on the level of environmental sensitivity. A ranking of 1 is considered low and a ranking of 5 is considered highest, or most sensitive. Generally speaking, it may be assumed that environmental impacts and mitigation requirements will correspond to the ascending ranking order.

The following is a brief summary of the rankings, in descending order.

Rank 5: Designated and Protected Areas (highest) These are areas within Saskatchewan that have been set aside for protection and preservation of the environment or features in their original or natural state, most commonly through legislative or regulatory processes. These areas include: • federal bird sanctuaries; • national wildlife areas; • national and provincial parks; • national and provincial historic sites;

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• game preserves; • wildlife refuges; • ecological reserves; • Representative Areas Network (RAN) sites designated under the Ecological Reserves Act; • provincial heritage Sites of a Special Nature (SSN); and • public heritage properties (confirmed).

Rank 4: Environmentally Sensitive Lands with Special Status These are other areas within Saskatchewan that have a particular legal designation and/or are recognized and set aside because of their unique characteristics, including environmental sensitivities. These sensitivities may include rare or unique features of the local ecosystem, and thus may be very important or critical to plant and animal preservation. They may also contain significant cultural or heritage features. Rank 4 lands include: • Wildlife Habitat Protection Act (WHPA) lands; • Fish and Wildlife Development lands; • RAN lands not designated under the Ecological Reserves Act; • PFRA community pastures; • sandhills contained within a land use plan; • regional parks and recreation sites; • Ramsar sites; • Special Management Areas managed by MoE; • lands with a recorded occurrence of a Species at Risk; and • remaining archaeological sites not confirmed as SSN in Rank 5 (above).

Rank 3: Nondesignated Sensitive Lands These are lands that, although they have no special legal status or legislative protection, could be adversely impacted if appropriate environmental protection measures are not implemented. Depending on the characteristics of the development affecting Rank 3 lands, environmental assessment may still be required under the Saskatchewan Environmental Assessment Act. Rank 3 lands include: • Resource Lands; • provincial forest lands; • Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture (SaskAg) lands; • provincial community pastures; • International Biological Program sites (if still in their natural state); • important bird areas; • Saskatchewan Watershed Authority lands; • Saskatchewan Watershed Authority restricted building areas around reservoirs; • sand dune complexes not contained within a land use plan;

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• Private Stewardship Lands; and • conservation easements.

Rank 2: Privately Owned Lands with Environmental Sensitivities These are environmentally sensitive lands that are privately owned and/or administered by private groups and agencies with a vested interest in maintaining the land in its natural state, protecting wildlife species, or maintaining particular land status. Rank 2 lands include: • Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF) lands; • Ducks Unlimited Canada lands and study areas; • organic farmland; • pasture lands under private ownership; and • forested and parkland areas under private ownership; • sand dune complexes under private ownership.

Rank 1: All Other Lands (lowest) All remaining lands not in one of the above-mentioned categories can be considered of low or no environmental sensitivity for project planning and design. However, in order to obtain environmental approval for projects on Rank 1 land, it may still be necessary to review and inspect these lands for specific environmental occurrences such as fish habitat, wetlands, species-at-risk and/or heritage sites.

Figure 17 shows the results of the SaskPower environmental screening for the Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV Study Area. Note that a specific area of land may have more than one ranking applied to it because of multiple occurrences or regulations in different categories (i.e., species- at-risk occurrence in a SaskAg-owned land). In these cases, only the highest ranking has been shown.

To facilitate corridor identification and assessment, the initial five-rank system was further reduced to three categories, as follows: • Type A: Includes all Rank 5 lands. Because of the strict protections around Rank 5 lands, Type A areas are considered “no-go” areas, and every effort is made to avoid these areas during route planning. • Type B: Includes Rank 3 and Rank 4 lands. Type B lands are areas that may require some type of environmental mitigation. • Type C: Includes Rank 1 and Rank 2 lands. Type C lands are the least sensitive lands environmentally and thus would usually require little or no mitigation.

Figure 18 shows the location of Type A, B, and C lands within the Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV Study Area.

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Figure 17: SaskPower Environmental Screening Database Ranking System

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Figure 18: Type A, B, and C Lands in the Study Area

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5.2.3 Infrastructure Data The following infrastructure data were used for alternative corridor selection and analysis. • National Road Network v2.0 – Saskatchewan. Location and classification of all highways, roads, trails and public access routes in Saskatchewan. Downloaded from GeoBase at www.geobase.ca/geobase/en/data/nrn/index.html. • Rural and urban municipalities datasets. Rural municipality boundaries and organized communities from the Township Fabric Map v2.5, available from Saskatchewan Information Services Corp (ISC) at www.isc.ca/. Location of railway sidings, unorganized hamlets, abandoned townsites, etc. drawn from National Topographic System (NTS) 1:50,000-scale topographic maps. Community population data from Statistics Canada community profiles database (2006 census) at www12.statcan.ca/English/census06/data/profiles/community/Index.cfm?Land=E. • Cemeteries and other special grounds. Location and boundaries from National Topographic Database (NTDB) 1:50,000-scale datasets. Downloaded from GeoGratis at http://geogratis.cgdi.gc.ca/geogratis/en/product/search.do?id=8147. • Parks and tourism features. Provincial and regional parks boundaries from NTDB 1:50,000- scale datasets and from Saskatchewan Designated and Protected Areas digital data at http://gisweb1.serm.gov.sk.ca/DesignatedAreasProject. Various tourist sites and opportunities from Saskatchewan Tourism website at www.sasktourism.com/. • SaskPower aboveground and underground transmission and distribution lines. Location and operating voltage of overhead and underground lines provided by SaskPower. • Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corporation (SaskTel) and SaskEnergy Incorporated (SaskEnergy)/TransGas aboveground and underground facilities. Location of overhead and underground lines and facilities provided by SaskTel and SaskEnergy, via data-sharing agreement with SaskPower. • Oil, natural gas and water pipelines. Location of all oil, natural gas or other materials buried pipelines from Sask SuperPipes dataset, used under license from IHS Inc, Calgary, Alberta. Available at http://www.ihs.com/. • Rail lines and railway facilities. Location of rail lines from NTDB 1:50,000-scale datasets. Current owner/status of rail lines based on information from Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure. Provincially regulated rail network map from www.highways.gov.sk.ca/sask-rail/. • Communications towers. Location data from several sources, including NTDB 1:50,000- scale datasets, NavCanada 1:500,000-scale VFR Navigation Chart (NavCanada chart AIR 5006), and from data supplied by SaskPower (SaskPower-owned towers). • Registered aerodromes. Registered aerodromes location/status as listed in NavCanada Flight Supplement Handbook, Aerodrome/Facility Directory.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 5.2.4 Surficial Geology, Terrain, Land Cover and Land Use The following surficial geology and terrain datasets were used for corridor selection and analysis. • Digital elevation data. Digital elevation model (DEM) built from Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) 3-arcsecond elevation datasets. CGIAR v3.0 version, downloaded from http://srtm.csi.cgiar.org/. • Regional surficial geology. Surficial geology and soil mode of deposition derived from Digital Seamless 1:100,000 Soils Resources Database v3.0, provided by Saskatchewan Land Resource Unit, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. • Soil texture. Primary soil texture derived from Digital Seamless 1:100,000 Soils Resources Database v3.0, provided by Saskatchewan Land Resource Unit, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. • Slope classification. Slope angle and classification from digital slope raster computed from SRTM 3-arcsecond DEM, and from slope classification derived from Digital Seamless 1:100,000 Soils Resources Database v3.0, provided by Saskatchewan Land Resource Unit, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. • 3D airphoto analysis, using 1:80,000-scale stereo aerial photography available from the Map and Airphoto Library, Saskatchewan Information Services Corp. • Land cover and land use interpreted from panchromatic (2.5 m resolution) and multispectral (10-20 m resolution) SPOT satellite imagery. SPOT imagery used under license from Iunctus Geomatics Corp, Lethbridge, Alberta (www.terraengine.com/).

5.2.5 Process Used to Identify Alternative Corridors SaskPower is proposing to develop the proposed transmission line within a variable width corridor, approximately 1.6-2.5 km in width. The as-built transmission line will be contained within a 32-38 m right-of-way.

Alternative corridors were developed using data described in Sections 5.2.2 to 5.2.4, compiled in GIS.

The process for identifying alternative corridors focused on capitalizing on opportunities to mitigate potential environmental, agricultural, social and economic impacts related to construction, operation and maintenance of the proposed transmission line.

Three alternatives corridors were identified for further study and presentation to the public which provided balanced consideration of potential environmental, agricultural, social and economic concerns within the study area. The three corridors were checked from roads and aircraft, including acquisition of video from a helicopter flyover, to verify feasibility.

The three alternative corridors which were presented to the public in the first round of public consultation are shown in Figure 19. These alternatives are referred to as the East, Central and West alternative corridors.

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The rationale for the East, Central and West alternative corridors are summarized below.

East Corridor (E) Rationale • Bypasses PFRA pastures in the rural municipalities of Excel and Key West. • South end of the corridor utilizes a common corridor with the West and Central corridors, taking advantage of a recently reclaimed coal mine area and angling east on mostly uncultivated land. • Easternmost position is dictated by the position of a narrow corridor between two PFRA pastures. • Oriented almost entirely north–south, with the exception of an eastward deflection to bypass Willow Bunch Lake and a westward deflection to bypass Briercrest. • North–south orientation is maintained north of Briercrest, with options to deflect due west near the north end or to continue north and then angle toward the Pasqua Switching Station along the south side of the CPR railway adjacent to Highway 39.

Central Corridor (C) Rationale • Shortest of the three alternative corridors. • South end utilizes a common corridor with the West and Central corridors, taking advantage of a recently reclaimed coal mine area and the angling east on mostly uncultivated land. • Easternmost position takes advantage of a narrow crossing of an eastern arm of Willow Bunch Lake. • Provides the greatest opportunity to take advantage of routing on quarter-section lines. • Has a high percentage of uncultivated land compared to cultivated land. • Angled corridor segments are almost entirely located on uncultivated land.

West Corridor (W) Rationale • Bypasses Willow Bunch Lake to the west. • Takes advantage of north–south orientation on cultivated land and maximizes use of uncultivated land for angled corridor segments. • Has the longest uncultivated length and the shortest net cultivated length (i.e. greatest opportunity for double circuiting). • South end utilizes a common corridor with the West and Central corridors, taking advantage of a recently reclaimed coal mine area.

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Figure 19: Locations of Three Alternative Corridors Selected for Secondary Screening and Public Consultation

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5.2.6 Characteristics of the Three Alternative Corridors Characteristics of the East, Central and West corridors are summarized below.

Environmental Screening Comparison A comparison of primary environmental screening occurrences within the West, Central and East corridors is presented in Figure 20. This comparison shows that: • in general, the number of environmental occurrences within each of the corridors is small compared to the total area within each corridor; • for most categories, the number of environmental occurrences in each corridor is similar; • one exception is that the number of quarter sections with potential archaeological concerns is highest in the West corridor; • a second exception is that the Central corridor is the only one that crosses PFRA land; and • Type A lands are avoided by all three corridors.

Figure 20: Comparison of Primary Environmental Screening Occurrences in the West, Central and East Corridors

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Land Use Comparison

A comparison of land use in each corridor is presented in Table 15. The primary difference in land use within the three corridors is in the length of net cultivation along a preliminary centreline location that lies approximately in the centre of the corridors. Differences in length of reclaimed coal land and water crossings are also shown in Table 15, but these differences are small.

Table 15: Alternative Corridor Land Use Comparison

Net Cultivation Uncultivated Double Circuit Reclaimed Water Crossing Corridor Total (km) (km) (km) (km) Coal (km) (km) West 59.8 61.7 31.3 7.2 0.3 160.0 Central 70.3 55.5 25.7 6.1 0.6 157.6 East 104.0 52.7 1.6 6.1 0.6 164.4 Note: Uncultivated includes pasture and forage land.

Net cultivation refers to the amount of new cultivated land that is affected by construction of a new transmission line. To reduce the amount of cultivated land affected by the new transmission line, double-circuit construction will be used on cultivated land where a transmission line already exists. When double circuiting, the transmission line is built with the capability of carrying the new 230 kV conductors in addition to the 72 kV or 138 kV conductors already present on an existing transmission line that would otherwise run parallel to the new transmission line. A portion of the existing 72 or 138 kV line is then removed, leaving only one double-circuit line on the land, rather than two single-circuit lines.

Uncultivated land shown in Table 15 includes native and improved pasture land as well as seeded forage (hay) land, as interpreted from satellite imagery and helicopter reconnaissance. Different types of uncultivated land were mapped within each corridor during secondary screening.

As shown in Table 15, the West corridor has the least impact on cultivated land, while the East corridor has the greatest impact.

Table 16 shows the length of single-circuit and double-circuit construction for each of the three corridors. The West corridor provides the greatest opportunity for double-circuit construction, while the East corridor provides the least opportunity to do so.

Table 16: Comparison of Single-Circuit versus Double-Circuit Construction

Corridor Single Circuit (km) Double Circuit (km) Total (km) West 128.7 31.3 160.0 Central 131.9 25.7 157.6 East 162.8 1.6 164.4 Note: All double-circuit construction is on cultivated land. The existing line on cultivated land will be removed.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Results of Public Consultation on Analysis of Corridor Alternatives The results of SaskPower’s Public Consultation process that described Corridor Alternatives (undertaken at several Public Meetings) are described in Section 4.0.

Cost Comparison Table 17 summarizes the estimated capital, incremental maintenance and incremental line loss costs for the West, Central and East corridors.

Table 17: Corridor Cost Comparison

Incremental Incremental Line Corridor Capital Cost ($) Total Cost ($) Maintenance Cost ($) Loss Cost ($) West 36,467,000 404,000 235,000 37,106,000 Central 35,435,000 207,000 0 35,642,000 East 34,357,000 0 663,000 35,020,000 Note: Dollar amounts listed above are in present worth dollars, as this is the first occurrence of the comparison of the corridor costs; All subsequent mention of corridor costs in Sections 5 & 6 are also in present worth dollars

Incremental maintenance and line loss costs are calculated as the difference between the total maintenance and line loss costs for each alternative, and the lowest total maintenance and line loss costs.

Maintenance costs are based on a 50-year life for the line, 1.0% of capital cost/year for maintenance, and a real interest rate of 4.71% (escalation = 2.0% and interest = 6.8%).

Line loss costs are based on a 15-year average marginal energy cost of $44.5/megawatt hour (MWh), resulting in a total line loss cost of $98,000/km.

Total cost is calculated as the sum of the total capital cost, and the increment maintenance and line loss costs. Based on these estimates, the East corridor has the lowest estimated total cost and the West corridor has the highest estimated total cost.

5.3 Selection of a Preferred Corridor The process of selecting a preferred corridor entailed a more detailed assessment of routing factors within the West, Central and East corridors. Factors considered in this assessment are outlined in Section 5.3.1. and discussed in Sections 5.3.3 to 5.3.7. The secondary environmental screening process and results are discussed in Sections 5.3.2 and 5.3.8, respectively. Comparison of the three alternative corridors is presented in Section 5.4.

5.3.1 Factors Used to Compare Alternative Corridors Factors used to compare corridors are: • habitat/land cover; • endangered species information;

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• ranking of environmental lands; • land use factors; • estimated capital, incremental maintenance and incremental line loss costs; and • public involvement and regulatory issues.

Subfactors within these categories were defined and tabulated from data compiled during the primary and secondary screenings.

5.3.2 Secondary Environmental Screening Process Secondary environmental screening was carried out to further assess the advantages and disadvantages of the East, Central and West corridors. Secondary screening involved the following activities. • Land cover and land use mapping to identify habitat types occurring within the corridors, including their relative abundance and distribution. • Comparison of institutional environmental land designations within each corridor. • Literature review to identify species (flora and fauna) and habitats that may be found within the corridors, with special attention to rare and endangered species. • Contacting regulator representatives, government departments and agencies, biologists, nongovernment organizations and other knowledgeable persons regarding the occurrence of rare and endangered species and their habitats within the corridors. • Public consultation to: ƒ inform the public about the project, and request input regarding advantages and disadvantages of the corridors; ƒ gather additional information about the occurrence of rare and endangered species; ƒ document concerns regarding potential impacts; and ƒ identify additional information that may be required.

5.3.3 Habitat Assessment Based on Land Cover and Land Use Mapping Habitat within the corridors was assessed based on land cover and land use mapping results. Land cover and land use were mapped from panchromatic and multispectral SPOT satellite imagery with reference to video acquired from a helicopter flyover, field observations, stereoscopic airphotos, digital soils map data, digital elevation model data, hydrographic data, rural municipality maps and electrical distribution data (to identify occupied versus unoccupied residences).

Satellite imagery used for land cover and land use mapping was acquired in May 2006. Image resolution is 2.5 m for panchromatic bands and 10-20 m for multispectral data. Helicopter video of the alternative corridors was acquired on May 10, 2007, from an altitude of approximately 200 m.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 The following land cover and land use types were mapped within each corridor: • cultivated land; • grassland; • forage land; • shrub and tree areas in grasslands; • shrub and tree areas in cultivated and • wetlands in grasslands; forage land; • wetlands in cultivated land; • wetlands in forage land; • ephemeral streams; • intermittent streams; • lakes; • permanent streams; • occupied and unoccupied residences; • built up areas; and • roads; • railways.

5.3.4 Institutional Environmental Land Designations The occurrence of the following institutional environmental land designations was determined from SaskPower’s environmental screening database, augmented by additional information obtained from individual government departments, agencies and nongovernmental organizations: • WHPA lands; • federally defined critical habitat designation; • PFRA lands; • Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation lands; • Fish and Wildlife Development Fund lands; • conservation easements; • SaskAg lands; • important bird areas; • areas with high potential for heritage/archaeological sites; • lands with oil and gas sensitivity designation; • organic agricultural lands; • Ducks Unlimited Canada (various land designations); and • reclaimed coal mine land.

5.3.5 Literature Review A search of the Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre (SKCDC) database and available published literature was conducted to compile a list of flora and fauna species that may occur within the corridors, and to determine the observation locations of documented rare and endangered species occurrences. A species list is included in Appendix 1.

5.3.6 Secondary Screening Contacts A number of regulator representatives, government departments and agencies, biologists, nongovernment organizations and other knowledgeable persons were contacted to obtain additional information about the occurrence of rare and endangered species and their habitats within the corridors. People from government agencies and other environmental agencies were contacted during secondary environmental screening to obtain furher information. Contact was

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 made by telephone, e-mail, and meetings, depending on the respondent’s availability and preference.

At each meeting, respondents were provided with a study area map showing the location of the three corridors, printed materials distributed at public consultation meetings and SaskPower’s open house questionnaire. Those contacted by telephone or e-mail only were not necessarily provided with all this information, unless a specific request was made to do so.

5.3.7 Public Consultation An important factor used to evaluate the three corridors was an assessment of feedback received from the public. The public consultation process and results are described in Section 4.0.

5.3.8 Secondary Environmental Screening Results Secondary environmental screening results for the West, Central and East corridors are summarized in Table 18.

Table 18: Summary of Alternative Corridor Comparison Factors

Corridor Comparison Factors: Poplar River - Pasqua Transmission Line Routing Project 14-Jan-08

Measurement Data Type Area (km2) or Length (km) Count Units West Central East West Central East Corridor Corridor Corridor Corridor Corridor Corridor Habitat/land cover Total lakes and permanent streams area(km2)/count(#) 4 5 5 8 14 16 High ranking habitat area(km2)/count(#) 3 3 2 210 193 143 1) Moderate ranking habitat area(km2)/count(#) 100 100 86 318 285 222 2)

Endangered species Endangered species area(km2) 24 31 24 3)

Environmental occurrences Number of quarter-sections in each corridor 4) Type A (Areas to be avoided) area(km2) 0.1* 0 0 1 0 0 5) Type B (Areas that may require mitigation) area(km2) 91 103 72 320 292 177 Type C (Rank 2) (Areas that may require little or no mitigation) area(km2) 26817 34 39 Type C total (Rank 1 and 2) (Areas that may require little or no mitigatio area(km2) 196 179 233 Land use Net cultivation length (km) 59.8 70.3 104.0 6 & 7) Uncultivated length (km) 61.7 55.5 52.7 6) Potential quarter-line construction (km) length (km) 67.1 79.2 117.4 6) Corridor length (km) length (km) 160.0 157.6 164.4 6) Single circuit length (km) length (km) 128.7 131.9 162.8 6) Double circuit length (km) length (km) 31.3 25.7 1.6 6)

Cost (as of January 2008) Dollars ($) Estimated capital cost $ 36,467,000 35,435,000 34,357,000 Estimated incremental maintenance cost $4 04,000 207,000 0 Estimated incremental line los cost $2 35,0000 663,000 Estimated total cost $ 37,106,000 35,642,000 35,020,000 Public involvement/regulatory issues PFRA One aerodrome Archaeological site of a Two aerodromes Bypasses PFRA Special Nature Fed. Crit. Habitat

1) Category only includes # of wetlands in grassland areas 2) Category includes forage lands, native grasslands, shrub and tree areas and wetlands in forage 3) Includes rare/endangered species sites in CDC as well as recently reported sites where Burrowong Owl burrows have been observed 4) Includes partial quarter-sections as one (1) count 5) Archaeological site of a Special Nature was identified in the West Corridor after the intial round of public consultation in June 2007 6) Lengths indicated are approximate 7) *Net cultivation length represents the length of first-time construction on agricultural land. Therefore, the estimate of net cultivated length does not include construction on cultivated land where existing transmission lines will be double circuited with the new transmission line. Double circuit construction minimizes impacts on cultivated land because the existing conductors will be placed on the new double circuit structures and the existing structures will be removed.

In some cases, individual data types obtained during secondary screening have been combined under broader categories to better characterize and describe the advantages and

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 disadvantages of the three corridors. For example, habitat types are subdivided into high-ranked and moderate-ranked habitats in Table 18, based on the biodiversity of each habitat type, as well as considering the sensitivity of the habitat to transmission line construction and operation, and the sustainability potential and connectivity of the habitat to ecosystems in the study area. Definitions are provided in the footnotes of Table 18. The complete list of environmental factors considered and occurrences of each factor in the corridors by count and area are included in Appendix 2. Maps showing the distribution of secondary screening occurrences in the three corridors are included in Appendix 3.

5.4 Corridor Comparison A comparison of advantages and disadvantages of the West, Central and East corridors was drawn from secondary screening results presented in Table 18.

The West and East corridors each have several advantages, while the Central corridor has significantly fewer advantages than both the West and East corridors. Advantages and disadvantages of all corridors were evaluated in detail by the project team.

5.4.1 West versus Central Corridor A comparison of the West and Central corridors is presented in Table 19.

The consensus of the project team was to recommend the West corridor over the Central corridor as the preferred corridor. The Central corridor advantage of lower estimated costs are outweighed by avoidance of environmental and regulatory issues relating to crossing PFRA pasture containing federally designated critical habitat and lower impacts on agricultural land of the West corridor. In arriving at this recommendation, it was also noted that reducing impacts on agricultural land (10.5 km less cultivated land in the West corridor) and increased use of double- circuit construction where practical (5.6 km more double circuit construction in the West corridor) responds to concerns regarding impacts on farming activities expressed during and subsequent to the first round of public consultation (see Section 4.0 for public consultation results).

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Table 19: Comparison of Advantages and Disadvantages of the West and Central Corridors West: $37,106,000 Advantage Central: Cost Central: $35,642,000 $1,464,000 lower Advantage West West: 59.8 km (land use) Net Cultivated Length Central: 70.3 km Advantage Central (environment) West: 31.3 km Double Circuit Length Advantage West Central: 25.7 km West: 3 km2 High Ranked Habitats No advantage Central: 3 km2 West: 100 km2 Moderate Ranked Habitats No advantage Central: 100 km2 West: 8 Stream And Lake Crossings Advantage West Central: 14 West: 24 Endangered Species Advantage West Central: 31 #1 Issue: federally designated critical Regulatory Issues Advantage West ¹ habitat area in Central Public Involvement Issues #1 Issue: Farming Advantage West ² Notes: ¹ A federally designated critical habitat area extends almost entirely across the Central corridor (see below). 2 The West Corridor affects 10.5 km less cultivated land, and incorporates 5.6 km more double-circuit construction.

5.4.2 West versus East Corridor A comparison of the West and East corridors is summarized in Table 20.

The consensus of the project team was to recommend the West corridor over the East corridor as the preferred corridor. The East corridor advantages of lower estimated cost, and slightly lower areas of high and moderate ranked habitats are outweighed by significantly lower impacts on agricultural land by the West corridor. In arriving at this recommendation, it was noted that residual environmental impacts in both corridors are expected to be low by the use of effective mitigation measures. It was also noted that reducing impacts on agricultural land (44.2 km less cultivated land in the West corridor) and increased use of double-circuit construction where practical (29.7 km more double-circuit construction in the West corridor) respond to concerns regarding impacts on farming activities expressed during and subsequent to the first round of public consultation.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Table 20: Comparison of Advantages and Disadvantages of the West and East Corridors West: $37,106,000 Advantage East: Cost East: $35,020,000 $2,086,000 lower Advantage West West: 59.8 km (land use) Net Cultivated Length East: 104.0 km Advantage East (environment) West: 31.3 km Double Circuit Length Advantage West East: 1.6 km West: 3 km2 High Ranked Habitats Advantage East* East: 2 km2 West: 100 km2 Moderate Ranked Habitats Advantage East* East: 86 km2 West: 8 Stream and Lake Crossings Advantage West East: 16 West: 24 Endangered Species No advantage East: 24 #1 Issue: residual Regulatory Issues No advantage ¹ environmental impacts Public Involvement Issues #1 Issue: farming Advantage West ² Notes: ¹ Despite small differences, residual environmental impacts in both corridors can be eliminated or minimized. ² The West corridor affects 44.2 km less cultivated land, and incorporates 29.7 km more double-circuit construction.

5.4.3 Selection of a Preferred Corridor As described in Sections 5.4.1 to 5.4.3, the project team recommended the West corridor over both the East and Central corridors. As a result, the West corridor has been selected as the preferred corridor. The four main corridor comparison factors are summarized in Figure 21.

The West corridor has significantly lower agricultural impacts and more double-circuit construction than the Central and East corridors. Although there is a slightly higher area of high and moderate ranked habitats in the West corridor compared to the East corridor, environmental issues in both corridors can be mitigated with effective mitigation techniques. Slightly higher estimated costs for the West corridor are considered a reasonable investment to help reduce transmission line impacts on agricultural operations.

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Figure 21: Comparison of the Four Main Factors for Each Corridor

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6.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED CORRIDOR 6.1 General Description of the Preferred Corridor The location of the preferred corridor is shown in Figure 22. General characteristics of the preferred corridor are summarized in Table 21.

Table 21: West Corridor Summary Corridor length 160.0 km Net cultivated length ¹ (first-time construction on cultivated land) 59.8 km Uncultivated length (mostly grassland and forage land) 61.7 km Double-circuit length (on cultivated land; existing line salvaged) 31.3 km Length on reclaimed coal mine land 7.2 km Estimated capital, incremental maintenance and incremental line loss cost $37,106,000 Note: ¹ Net cultivation length represents the length of first-time construction on agricultural land. Therefore, the estimate of net cultivated length does not include construction on cultivated land where existing transmission lines will be double circuited with the new transmission line. Double-circuit construction minimizes impacts on cultivated land because the existing conductors will be placed on the new double-circuit structures and the existing structures will be removed.

6.2 Detailed Description of the Preferred Corridor For this description, the preferred corridor has been subdivided into six segments, beginning at its connection point with the Poplar River Power Station and ending at its connection point with the Pasqua Switching Station. The locations of the six segments are shown in Figure 22 and a description of each segment is provided below.

6.2.1 Poplar River Power Station North to Rivard Lake (Segment 1) The preferred corridor begins at the connection point with the Poplar River Power Station, approximately 3.5 km southeast of the Town of Coronach. From there the first section of the preferred corridor runs directly north across a mix of cultivated, pasture and reclaimed coal mine land until it reaches the valley near Rivard Lake. Total length for this section of the preferred corridor is approximately 26 km (see Figure 23).

Approximately 300 m north of the Poplar River Power Station, the preferred corridor crosses Girard Creek, which at that point has become the northwest arm of Cookson Reservoir. The corridor then proceeds north, crossing Highway 18 and passing immediately west of the Town of Coronach, before heading north across a mix of cultivated and pasture land. Approximately 14 km north of the Poplar River Power Station, the corridor crosses the East Poplar River and its associated floodplain. Within this area, the preferred corridor also crosses the Prairie Mines & Royalty Ltd. rail line, which provides coal haul between the Prairie Mines & Royalty coal mine and the Poplar River Power Station.

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Figure 22: Location of the Preferred Corridor

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Figure 23: Preferred Corridor: Poplar River Power Station North to Rivard Lake (Segment 1)

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 North of East Poplar Creek, the corridor crosses a mixture of cultivated and pasture land, then goes across approximately 6 km of reclaimed coal mine land currently owned by SaskPower. At the north end of the coal mine land, the corridor deflects slightly to the east so that the dissected southern slope of the valley near Rivard Lake can be crossed along uncultivated grass ridges that separate wooded ravines. The corridor then realigns north–south, heading towards the east side of Rivard Lake, a seasonally wet alkaline basin that was dry in spring 2007 and 2008.

The preferred corridor location in this segment was selected to: • bypass future coal reserves known to exist east and west of the corridor; • take advantage of possible routing on SaskPower-owned land; • minimize impacts to agriculture by running parallel to north–south field boundaries; and • provide an environmentally acceptable option for crossing the valley near Rivard Lake.

Note that the southern 12 km of the corridor is approximately 2.4 km wide to encompass possible routing options on SaskPower-owned land along the east side of the corridor in this area. The remainder of the corridor is approximately 1.6 km wide.

The majority of the corridor in this segment is located in the RM of Hart Butte No. 11, with the northern portion lying in the extreme southwest corner of the RM of Bengough No. 40. The only community close to the preferred corridor in this segment is the Town of Coronach which, at the corridor’s closest approach, is located approximately 0.5 km to the west.

Apart from Highway 18, which crosses the corridor in a northwest–southeast direction east of Coronach, there are few main roads in this part of the corridor. A paved road provides access to the coal mine from Coronach, and another paved road provides access to the Poplar River Power Station. A few grid roads also cross the corridor in an east–west direction, but road travel is generally limited in this segment of the preferred corridor because of the presence of Cookson Reservoir, the coal mine and the steep valley-side terrain south of Rivard Lake. The coal mine maintains two wide-haul roads for hauling coal from the dragline to the rail line loading facility. These haul roads cross the preferred corridor near the south end of the mine site. Future mine plans have been discussed with the mine operator, Prairie Mines & Royalty, to ensure that the proposed transmission line will not interfere with its coal handling operations.

Prairie Mines & Royalty maintains a rail line to haul coal from the loading facility south to the Poplar River Power Station. The rail line crosses the corridor in a northwest–southeast direction a few kilometres south of the present mine site. A number of overhead transmission lines are also located between the generating station and the coal mine in the south part of this corridor segment. A wheel irrigation system is operated on a quarter section of land south of Rivard Lake. Although the irrigated field is located within the corridor, routing options are available to construct the transmission line without impacting the irrigation operation.

The Big Muddy Badlands are the main tourism feature in the study area. However, the main tourist destinations (e.g., Big Muddy Nature Centre and Museum, Castle Butte, the Outlaw

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Caves) are located several kilometres east of the corridor, and will not be impacted by the transmission line.

This segment of preferred corridor sits atop the Wood Mountain Plateau, in the Mixed Grasslands Ecoregion. The land is gently rolling to undulating, interrupted by occasional steep- sided drainage channels such as the ones that contain the East Poplar River and Girard Creek– Cookson Reservoir. The soils in this area are predominantly loams and clay loams underlain by shallow bedrock. Exposures of this bedrock are occasionally seen along the slopes of the East Poplar River channel and tributaries, and extensive bedrock exposures can be seen in the heavily dissected valley-side slope south of Rivard Lake and east of the coal mine. The valley near Rivard Lake marks the transition between the Wood Mountain Plateau and the Wood River Plain Ecodistricts. The floor of the valley near Rivard Lake is mostly clay, and is noted for being seasonally saturated and very saline. For all these above-mentioned areas, local conditions will be assessed when a final transmission line location is selected, to optimize the final route location and minimize environmental impacts.

Most of the land within this segment of the preferred corridor is cultivated for crops, except for the slopes and floodplain of the East Poplar River and Girard Creek–Cookson Reservoir. Some forage land occurs along the sides of these channels, and in other areas where steep topography makes cultivation impractical. Areas of native prairie occur in the floodplains of the East Poplar River and around the shores of Cookson Reservoir, and are used mainly for native grazing. The south slope and floor of the valley near Rivard Lake are predominantly native prairie intermixed with the exposed bedrock slopes and sparsely wooded ravines. Some of the land in the valley in this section of the preferred corridor is used for forage, and a small parcel of cultivated land irrigated with impounded spring water is also present within the corridor.

Uncultivated land near Cookson Reservoir and the Poplar River Generating Station, riparian areas adjacent to the East Poplar River, and grassland and wooded ravines on the south slope of the valley near Rivard Lake have been identified as areas with a higher potential for archaeological and heritage resources. These same areas, particularly where they are adjacent to watercourses and wooded areas, represent preferred habitat for many types of plants and wildlife species. Piping plovers are known to occur in suitable stretches of gravel beach along the shores of Cookson and Coronach Reservoirs (immediately west of the preferred corridor), and there are SKCDC records of the existence of burrowing owl and smooth green snake in native pasture in or alongside this segment of the preferred corridor. As a result, environmental field surveys for rare and endangered plants, amphibians, burrowing owls, songbirds, waterfowl and raptors have been carried out in these areas.

6.2.2 Rivard Lake to West End of Willow Bunch Lake (Segment 2) After passing east of Rivard Lake, the preferred corridor deflects approximately 0.8 km to the west, along a ridge of high ground parallel to the north shore of Rivard Lake. The bed of an abandoned CPR rail line also runs through this area. From there the corridor deflects north for approximately 5 km, eventually crossing Grid Road 705. At Grid Road 705, the corridor deflects to the northwest, passing north of Bonneau Lake and running for approximately 18 km until the

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 corridor crosses Highway 36 and reaches the northwest corner of Willow Bunch Lake. The total length of this segment of preferred corridor is approximately 26.5 km (see Figure 24).

The location of the corridor in this area was selected to: • minimize impacts on agricultural land by following as short a route as possible across mostly cultivated land; • minimize the additional length needed to bypass Willow Bunch Lake; • maximize the distance from established farmyards; • take advantage of opportunities to locate structures on uncultivated land adjacent to cultivated fields; • remain well north of the community of Willow Bunch; • avoid sensitive habitat on the south side of Willow Bunch Lake; and • provide an opportunity to double circuit with the existing 72 kV transmission line that runs in a north–south direction west of Willow Bunch Lake.

The north–south oriented part of the corridor near Rivard Lake is located in the RM of Bengough, while the remainder of this corridor segment is in the RM of Willow Bunch No. 42. The Town of Willow Bunch is located approximately 3.5 km southwest of the preferred corridor. There are relatively few farmyards within the corridor, and those that are present are located near the edges of the corridor.

A number of east–west and north–south grid roads cross the northwest–southeast oriented segment of the corridor, and Highway 36 runs roughly north–south across the corridor near the west end of Willow Bunch Lake. Other infrastructure includes an abandoned railway bed approximately 1 km north of Rivard Lake and local electrical distribution lines servicing farms in the area. There are two regional parks near this segment of the corridor. Jean Louis Legare Regional Park is located 2 km southwest of Willow Bunch, approximately 5.5 km from the corridor, and Sylvan Valley Regional Park is located 2 km south and 1 km west of the Hamlet of St. Victor. The St. Victor Provincial Historic Park is also located just south of St. Victor; however, this hamlet is approximately 15 km southwest of the corridor, so the regional and provincial parks will not be impacted by the transmission line.

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Figure 24: Preferred Corridor: Rivard Lake to West End of Willow Bunch Lake (Segment 2)

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Most of this segment of the preferred corridor is located in the Wood River Plain Ecodistrict of the Mixed Grasslands Ecoregion. Near the end of this segment, the preferred corridor encounters the grasslands and steep ravines along the south edge of Willow Bunch Lake that mark the transition to the Coteau Lakes Upland. The land in the Wood River Plains portion of the corridor is relatively flat to mildly undulating, with occasional isolated topographic highlands but few wetlands, slough or streams. Soils are a mixture of loams and clay loams. As a result, almost all of the land in this section of the preferred corridor is cultivated. Relatively small areas of isolated grasslands are present on steeper uncultivated slopes. The edges of these grassland areas provide opportunities to avoid placing structures on cultivated land while minimizing impacts to the grassland itself. Grasslands are also present on the north rim of Rivard Lake, on some isolated areas of upland where the topography is too steep to allow cultivation, and in ravines where the corridor passes close to Willow Bunch Lake near Highway 36.

One notable feature in this segment is Willow Bunch Lake, north of the corridor. The corridor bypasses the lake to the southwest, but does cross some uncultivated valley-side terrain and ravines with bedrock exposures near the west end of the lake. The corridor west of Willow Bunch Lake is characterized by wooded ravines and gullies that host ephemeral and intermittent streams, and uncultivated grasslands and pastureland on upland areas. The land immediately adjacent to the lake is mainly grassland and forage land, and has been identified as an important habitat for waterfowl, amphibians, songbirds and burrowing owls. Rare and endangered plant species may also be present in uncultivated areas, as well as a higher likelihood of archaeological resources. There are existing SKCDC records of burrowing owls in the grasslands immediately north of Bonneau Lake, and the gravel shoreline of Willow Bunch Lake near the corridor has SKCDC occurrence and nesting historical records for Piping Plover. Fieldwork has been done throughout this area to identify rare and endangered species that may be present, as well as identify archaeological resources.

6.2.3 West End of Willow Bunch Lake to Readlyn (Segment 3) At the northwest end of Willow Bunch Lake, the corridor reaches an existing 72 kV transmission line running north–south. From there the corridor deflects to the north and runs parallel to the 72 kV line, crossing a mixture of cultivated land and pasture until it reaches the southern slope of the Lake-of-the-Rivers channel and the former Hamlet of Readlyn. This segment of preferred corridor is approximately 11 km (see Figure 25).

About half of the land in this corridor segment is uncultivated pasture or forage land. Where the existing 72 kV line crosses cultivated land, the new transmission line will be built on double- circuit structures and the existing 72 kV conductors will be placed on the new structures. Where this is done, the existing 72 kV structures will then be removed, leaving only one set of structures rather than two, thus reducing the overall impact on agricultural operations in these areas. On pasture and forage land, the new 230 kV line will be parallel to and offset from the existing 72 kV line.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 The southern half of this corridor segment is located in the RM of Willow Bunch, while the northern half is located mainly in the RM of Lake of the Rivers, with a small part of the eastern edge of the corridor in the RM of Excel. There are few urban centres near this part of the corridor. The Hamlet of Verwood is 2.5 km to the east of the corridor, and the former Hamlet of Readlyn (now almost completely abandoned) is located less than 0.5 km to the east.

Highway 36 lies within the east side of the corridor and runs north–south until it intersects Highway 13 running east–west across the corridor. A main grid road continues north from the Highways 13/36 junction, providing access to Readlyn before winding its way northwest to connect with the farmland north of the Lake-of-the-Rivers Channel. A few grid roads also run east–west across the corridor segment. In addition to the existing 72 kV transmission line mentioned above, there are low-voltage transmission lines running parallel to Highways 13 and 36, and several lines that service the two hamlets and farms in the area.

Most of this segment of the preferred corridor runs along the uplands overlooking the west edge of the Willow Bunch Lake Channel. This upland represents the transition between the relatively flat lands of the Wood River Plain Ecodistrict (to the west) and the more hummocky terrain of the Coteau Lakes Upland Ecodistrict (to the east). The terrain along this transition segment consists of uncultivated upland dissected by wooded ravines and gullies that provide surface drainage toward Willow Bunch Lake to the east. This terrain provides good habitat for songbirds, raptors, ungulates and other sensitive animal species. Rare and endangered plant species may also be present in uncultivated areas. There are no SKCDC records for the preferred corridor in this area; the closest SKCDC record is an occurrence of a long-billed curlew in the uplands approximately 1.6 km west of the corridor. Biological field surveys have also been done in this area to map occurrences of rare and endangered plants and animals.

6.2.4 Readlyn to South Edge of Cactus Hills (Segment 4) From the Readlyn area, the corridor continues to run north, parallel to the existing 72 kV transmission line, through the Lake-of-the-Rivers Channel and back up onto the farmlands to the north. Approximately 3 km north of Readlyn, the 72 kV north–south transmission line terminates at a junction with another 72 kV line running east–west. From this point, the preferred corridor makes a slight deflection to the east and then turns north again, running parallel to and a few kilometres east of Lake-of-the-Rivers, until it reaches the hummocky lands immediately south of the Cactus Hills. This segment of preferred corridor is approximately 33 km (see Figure 26).

This corridor segment crosses mostly cultivated land, with scattered patches of grassland and forage land, and numerous small wetlands and seasonally wet depressions, particularly in the northern two-thirds of this segment. The north–south orientation minimizes impacts on agricultural land because the proposed transmission line will be parallel to field boundaries (maximizing the number of structures that can be located on the edges of cultivated fields) or kept off of cultivated fields entirely.

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Figure 25: Preferred Corridor: West End of Willow Bunch Lake to Readlyn (Segment 3)

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 At the extreme southern end of this segment, the corridor straddles the boundary between the RM of Lake of the Rivers and the RM of Excel. However, a short distance north of Readlyn, the corridor deflects to the east and then continues northward with its western edge, coinciding with the boundary between the RMs of Lake of the Rivers and Excel. Approximately 17 km farther north, the corridor crosses into the RM of Terrell. The Town of Assiniboia is the largest urban municipality near the corridor in this area, but it is located approximately 20 km west of the corridor. Closer to the corridor are the small Hamlets of Crane Valley, about 8 km to the east of the corridor, and Cardross, approximately 1.5 km east of the corridor. There are very few farmyards in the southern part of this segment, increasing slightly in the northern part of this segment.

There are no major highways in this area; however, grid Road 717 runs east–west across the corridor approximately 6.5 km north of Readlyn. The only other roads in the area are more lightly used grid roads, which run east–west across the corridor, and north–south roads that lie along the edges of the corridor. Red Coat Road and Rail, a local shortline railroad company, uses and maintains the rail line that runs past Readlyn and through the corridor in an east–west direction. There is one existing low-voltage transmission line within the corridor, as well as the existing 72 kV transmission lines, both near the Hamlet of Readlyn.

The nearest regional parks to this corridor segment are the Assiniboia Regional Park, located 20 km west in the Town of Assiniboia, and the Oro Lake Regional Park, approximately 17 km east of the corridor. The Assiniboia golf course, located south of the town, is another attraction in the area. All of these attractions are located quite far from the corridor, and will not be impacted by the transmission line.

This segment of the preferred corridor sits entirely within the Coteau Lakes Upland Ecodistrict. At the southern end of the segment, the corridor crosses the relatively shallow Lake-of-the- Rivers Channel. The lake itself is several kilometres to the northwest, but this part of the channel contains a small stream and low, seasonally wet ground associated with the lake. North of the channel the land is moderately rolling, with predominantly heavy lacustrine clay soils and relatively few drainage features or waterbodies save for a few ephemeral streams. Approximately 7 km north of Readlyn, though, the land transitions to the hummocky moraine terrain typical of the Coteau Lakes Upland, with a mixture of clay loam and clay soils, and an abundance of small waterbodies (“potholes”), most of which contain water only at certain times of the year. Near the north end of this segment of the preferred corridor, the land transitions to a fluvial outwash terrain with somewhat steeper slopes and gravely sandy loam soils.

The land in this segment of preferred corridor is almost entirely cultivated, save for the lands in the Lake-of-the-Rivers Channel and the occasional small, isolated patch of prairie along a stream course or large slough. Because of the extensive cultivation, there are relatively few areas where rare and endangered species or archaeological resources might be present. Exceptions are local areas near wetlands and isolated grassland areas, which have been surveyed in the field. Waterbodies provide habitat for waterfowl, and there is one area with a historic SKCDC record of a burrowing owl. One section has been identified as having potential for archaeological resources.

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Figure 26: Preferred Corridor: Readlyn to South Edge of Cactus Hills (Segment 4)

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6.2.5 South of Cactus Hills to North of Cactus Hills (Segment 5) Having passed through the agricultural land east of Lake-of-the-Rivers, the corridor deflects northeastward, traveling over the strong hummocky highlands of the Cactus Hills towards a point approximately 25 km directly south of the Pasqua Switching Station. Almost all of the land in this part of the corridor is uncultivated grassland and forage land. Indeed, the location for this angled corridor segment was chosen specifically to cross as much uncultivated land as practical to minimize impacts on conventional agriculture (see Figure 27).

The southwestern part of this corridor segment lies in the RM of Terrell, and the northern part is in the RM of Baildon. There are very few farmyards and residences within this corridor segment, and those that are present are located near the edges of the corridor. The Hamlets of Mitchellton, approximately 5 km west, and Spring Valley, approximately 12 km east, are the only communities near this corridor segment. Highway 36 and a grid road 1.6 km east cross the corridor in a north–south direction near the centre of this corridor segment. Apart from these routes, there are relatively few other roads or infrastructure in this segment.

The Claybank Brick Plant National Historic Site is the only tourist attraction near this segment of the corridor. However, it is located approximately 17 km from the corridor, near the Hamlet of Claybank, and will not be impacted by the transmission line.

The start of this segment of the preferred corridor marks the transition between the rolling terrain of the Coteau Lakes Upland Ecodistrict and the strong hummocky terrain of the Dirt Hills Ecodistrict. Although the whole ecodistrict is named the “Dirt Hills”, the actual Dirt Hills lay some 15 km to the southeast; the topographic feature crossed by the preferred corridor is called the Cactus Hills. The hilly (knob-and-kettle) terrain of the Cactus Hills makes cultivation difficult, resulting in most of the land being used for either forage or pasture land. There are no large waterbodies in this corridor segment, but there are numerous small wetlands and seasonally wet areas. These wetlands, coupled with the extensive grasslands and pastureland, create habitat for waterfowl, amphibians, prairie songbirds, and various rare plant and animal species. The SKCDC contains historical records of piping plovers in large saline sloughs near the south end of this segment of corridor, Sprague’s pipits in native prairie land along the south flank of the Cactus Hills proper, and burrowing owls in the prairie at the north toe of the hills. Land use and topography also result in a high potential for the occurrence of archaeological features in this corridor segment. As a result, a great deal of attention was given to this area during environmental and archaeological field surveys.

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Figure 27: Preferred Corridor: South of Cactus Hills to North of Cactus Hills (Segment 5)

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6.2.6 North of Cactus Hills to Pasqua Switching Station (Segment 6) In this final segment, the preferred corridor deflects northward at the north margin of the Cactus Hills and follows a straight north alignment across mostly cultivated land to the connection point at the Pasqua Switching Station. After descending the north slope of the Cactus Hills, the preferred corridor deflects to the north to connect with the existing 138 kV A1P transmission line running from Assiniboia northeast to the Pasqua Switching Station. From there the preferred corridor runs directly north in line with A1P and parallel to grid Road 624. Where the existing 138 kV line crosses cultivated land (which is in most locations), the new transmission line will be built on double-circuit structures and the existing 138 kV conductors will be placed on the new structures. The existing 138 kV structures will then be removed, leaving only one set of structures rather than two, thus minimizing the overall impact on agricultural operations in these areas (see Figure 28).

The majority of this corridor segment is located in the RM of Baildon, with the northern third of the corridor segment lying in the RM of Moose Jaw. The City of Moose Jaw, located approximately 5 km west, is the largest community close to this corridor segment. The Village of Briercrest is approximately 8 km east of the corridor. There is also a small residential population at the siding of Pasqua, approximately 2 km southeast of the Pasqua Switching Station, and the Baildon Hutterite Colony is approximately 6 km west. There are also a number of farmyards within this corridor segment. However, construction of a new double-circuit transmission line and eventual removal of the existing 138 kV line may offer opportunities to lessen the overall impact to farms within this corridor segment.

Near the northern end of this segment, the corridor crosses Highway 39, running in a northwest- southeast direction. The Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) is located 300m from the corridor’s northern edge (approximately 580m from the 230 kV line’s planned connection point with the Pasqua Switching Station). Numbered grid road 716 crosses the corridor in an east– west direction and grid road 624 is located within the corridor, running in a parallel north–south direction. The existing 138 kV A1P transmission line runs parallel to, and west of, grid road 624, and several low voltage distribution lines service farms in the area. Within the last kilometre before the Pasqua Switching Station several more 138 kV transmission lines enter the preferred corridor in order to make a southern entry into the Pasqua Switching Station.

Approximately 10 km north of the final deflection point, the preferred corridor crosses a former CNR rail line, now operated by the Southern Rails Cooperative short line. CPR’s Weyburn subdivision main line is crossed approximately 2 km south of the north end of the preferred corridor, near the siding of Pasqua.

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Figure 28: Preferred Corridor: North of Cactus Hills to Pasqua Switching Station (Segment 6)

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 The Sukanen Ship, Pioneer Village and Museum are located 11 km south of Moose Jaw on Highway 2 and approximately 9 km west of the corridor. A museum offering local area tours is also located in the Village of Briercrest, and the City of Moose Jaw has a number of tourist attractions, including Temple Gardens Mineral Spa, the Tunnels of Moose Jaw and the Western Development Museum. The proposed transmission line is located a minimum of 5-8 km from these attractions, and as a result these attractions are not expected to be impacted by construction of the proposed transmission line.

The Dirt Hills Ecodistrict includes not only the Dirt and Cactus Hills Uplands but also the rolling ground moraine plain to the north, which receives drainage from the hills. The plain includes the same loam and clay loam soils as the hills but without the strongly hummocky terrain. The Moose Jaw River generally marks the transition to the flat, heavy clay land of the Regina Plain Ecodistrict. Within the preferred corridor this transition occurs approximately 1 km south of the siding of Tilney and approximately 4 km south of the Moose Jaw River crossing. From this point north to the Pasqua Switching Station, the preferred corridor lies within the Regina Plains Ecodistrict.

Land use in this area is almost entirely cultivation for cereal crops, with the exception of narrow forage and grassland areas adjacent to the Moose Jaw River and its tributaries. The Moose Jaw River flows west across the corridor to the City of Moose Jaw, where its course shifts toward the northeast and an eventual confluence with the Qu’Appelle River. There are also a few small waterbodies and wetlands within this corridor segment. Most of these water features are seasonal. Because of extensive cultivation in this corridor segment, there are relatively few areas that offer potential habitat for rare and endangered species. The main exception is the riparian zone around the Moose Jaw River. This area has been targeted for environmental field surveys for waterfowl, amphibians, songbirds and rare or endangered plants. There is a SKCDC record of a burrowing owl in a pasture south of Tilney, and for a community of chaffweed, a rare plant, along the edge of a slough in the preferred corridor in the same approximate area. A few other SKCDC records for burrowing owls also exist east and west of the preferred corridor, and an occurrence record for the olive-backed pocket mouse exists for the Baildon area immediately west of the corridor.

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7.0 PROJECT DEVELOPMENT DESCRIPTION The major stages in this transmission line development include pre-construction, construction, post-construction, operation and maintenance, decommissioning, and abandonment. A schedule of activities is provided below. Construction is expected to begin in August 2009 and will be completed by winter 2009/2010. See Figure 29 for complete project schedule.

7.1 Preconstruction Stage 7.1.1 Development Schedule For this transmission line project, pre-construction activities will be coordinated or performed by SaskPower. Pre-construction activities include: planning and design, corridor option identification, environmental assessment, public involvement, required approvals, Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) survey, structure location determination, easement acquisition, and material and construction tenders. JDMA and AMEC, in conjunction with SaskPower's Environmental Programs Department, conducted the environmental impact assessment, and prepared the EIS. JDMA and AMEC were also closely involved with the corridor selection process and the public involvement programme. A remote sensing LiDAR survey was done by a survey contractor working closely with SaskPower personnel.

Phase I: Structure and Right-of-Way Design For portions of the line requiring single-circuit construction, a steel H-frame (two-pole) structure design (Drawing 1) will be used. These single-circuit structures vary in height from 19.1-27.1 m, with poles positioned 8.0 m apart at the base. The average span will be approximately 315 m. These structures are equipped with two steel lightning protection wires (shield wires) and six conductors composed of aluminum stranding with steel reinforcement. Angle structures with deflections over 2° will consist of three anchored steel poles. A minimum 38 m RoW is required to allow sufficient space for construction, operations and maintenance. In treed areas, additional cleared width is required, sufficient to prevent any tree from falling within approximately 10 m of the RoW centreline.

For the portions of the line requiring double-circuit, a steel H-Frame (two-pole) structure design (Drawing 2) will be utilized. These structures vary in height from 27.5-32.5 m. The poles of each structure will be spaced 10 m apart. The average span will be approximately 245 m. These structures will be equipped with two steel lightning protection wires (shield wires) and nine conductors composed of aluminum stranding with steel reinforcement. Angle structures with deflections over 2° will consist of three anchored steel poles. A minimum 32 m RoW is required in order to allow sufficient space for construction, operations and maintenance.

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Figure 29 Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line Project Schedule

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Drawing 1: H Frame Tangent Structure

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 The steel structures, conductor, insulators and other materials proposed for this project meet or exceed CSA Standards. The structures have been designed for extreme loading conditions, including ice, wind and construction loads. Implementing this design standard, in conjunction with utilization of safe construction techniques, minimizes the risk of structural failure. In the unlikely event that loading conditions occur that result in failure of a structure, it is SaskPower’s standard to install anti-cascading structures, at set intervals in the power line, to ensure the failure is contained. These anti-cascading structures typically consist of two pole structures with in-line anchors capable of restraining any domino type of failure.

Clearances to ground, obstacles and developments meet or exceed, CSA Standard C22.3 No. 1-06, Overhead Systems, and other applicable federal and provincial regulations.

Phase II: Line Design Following completion of the LiDAR survey, design of RoW and structure placement will focus on capitalizing on opportunities to mitigate potential environmental, agricultural, social and economic impacts related to construction, operations and maintenance of the proposed transmission line. RoW and structure locations will be chosen that either avoid environmental impacts or minimize residual environmental impacts by employing effective mitigation strategies. Where practical, landowner preferences will be incorporated into RoW and structure location placement.

SaskPower’s transmission line design criteria incorporate various CSA Standards to ensure public safety is paramount in the construction, operation and maintenance of their electrical facilities. In conjunction with these CSA Standards, in particular CSA Standard C22.3 No. 1-06, SaskPower has implemented design loading conditions that reflect Saskatchewan’s unique climate and weather.

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Drawing 2: Double Circuit Tangent Structure

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7.1.2 Required Approvals Approvals for construction will be obtained as required from the following: • MoE – Assessment Branch – ministerial project approval and acceptance of this EIS; • rural municipalities – subdivision approval (through Saskatchewan Ministry of Municipal Affairs), development permits, and municipal road crossings; • Saskatchewan Ministry of Municipal Affairs – subdivision approval (Community Planning Approval); • Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport – Heritage Resources Impact Assessment Approval • Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure – crossing provincial highways; • Transport Canada/Aerodrome Safety/NAV Canada – airport clearances and compatibility with aircraft communications/navigation systems; • SaskAg & regional MoE – portion of the line which traverses Provincial Community Pastures; • SaskTel – crossing telephone lines and clearance when paralleling; • CNR, CPR and shortline railway companies – railway crossings and parallels; • MoE – Aquatic Habitat Protection Permit, crossing permits on Wildlife Habitat Protection Act Lands and other provincially designated lands; • Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) approval when working close to or crossing fish habitats • SaskEnergy/TransGas and other private underground pipe line companies –crossing underground natural gas pipelines; • Industry Canada – proximity permission; • Department of National Defence – proximity permission; • Transport Canada/Navigable Waterways – crossing permit, if required; • cities, towns, villages, and hamlets – subdivision approval as required (through Ministry of Municipal Affairs); • RCMP (with regards to communication systems);; and • SaskWater and other private water lines.

7.1.3 Survey Consent Due to utilization of aerial remote sensing LiDAR data survey, access to private property is not required to obtain the necessary geodetic and terrain form data required for structure spotting and line design. Should any ingress to private property for subsequent ground surveys be required, survey consent will be obtained prior to ground survey operations.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 7.1.4 Survey LiDAR Survey An elevation survey using LiDAR surveys will establish a profile of the RoW within the approved corridor.

LiDAR technology, in basic terms, is directed out of the airborne platform (fixed or rotary wing) by a multifaceted rotating mirror. When an earth feature intercepts the laser pulse, it is reflected back to the airborne platform. Laser pulses reflect off of any solid object below the aircraft such as trees, bare earth, transmission lines and towers, railway beds, roadways, vehicles, buildings, etc. The time interval between the laser pulse leaving the aircraft and the return of the terrain- reflected-pulse back to the sensor is measured precisely. In post-flight data processing, the LiDAR time interval measurements are converted to distance and subsequently referenced to the aircraft’s GPS, Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), and ground-based GPS stations. The GPS data are used to accurately determine the aircraft’s position in longitude, latitude and altitude. The IMU determines aircraft pitch, roll and yaw. The data are used to calculate the laser beam exit geometry. By combining the LiDAR, GPS and IMU data, a very accurate 3D digital terrain model of the transmission line corridor can be developed.

Using LiDAR surveys avoids disturbances that would have been required if a traditional ground survey was completed.

7.1.5 Easement Acquisition Easements will be acquired from landowners for private property and from the provincial government for provincial Crown lands pending MoE approval after the preferred corridor, RoW centreline and structure locations have been determined. The easement does not transfer ownership of the RoW to SaskPower, but does allow for construction, operation and maintenance of the transmission line.

Landowners retain the right to use the land within the RoW for normal farming practices, except for the areas occupied by each structure. Compensation is provided for the easement and for land out of production because of the structures, and for any damage to crops or property as a result of the construction or maintenance activities. Examples of compensation packages are presented in Appendix 6. If an easement cannot be negotiated voluntarily, SaskPower can exercise the right to expropriate under the Power Corporation Act and the Expropriation Procedure Act.

7.1.6 Material Tenders Tenders for various materials, needed for construction of the power line, are issued in advance of line construction to allow time for procurement and delivery. The timing for these tenders is dependent on the availability of the specific item. Steel required to fabricate the transmission line structures is one item that requires an advanced purchase. Other materials purchased via tendering include: conductor and shield wire, insulators, and line hardware.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 As routing and design proceed, initial tender quantity estimates are refined to provide firm quantities for construction.

7.1.7 Construction Tenders Tenders are issued for construction after structure location is completed. Contracts are awarded following tender review and internal approval. Environmental mitigation commitments and conditions of approval pertaining to construction are included in construction specifications.

7.2 Construction Under the terms and conditions of the construction contract, all contractors and subcontractors will be required to abide by federal and provincial legislation, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations. In addition, contractors, subcontractors and their employees must abide by SaskPower’s Standard Protection Code and Safety Rulebook and maintain valid: • Certificate of Recognition from the Heavy Construction Association of Saskatchewan; • Certificate of Safety from the Saskatchewan Highway Traffic Board; and • Journeyman Powerline Technician Certificates.

The powerline contractor(s) will be required to conduct, document and forward for record retention, safety meetings and tailgate meetings. Contractors must have written procedures in place to deal with emergency measures, spill reporting and accident reporting. All contractors are encouraged to employ local labour, engage local material suppliers and subcontract to local firms as warranted.

For this project, it is anticipated that the line contractor will not utilize a construction camp to accommodate its workforce. It is expected that hotel accommodations near the study area will be used. Should the line contractor require a construction camp, all necessary permits and approvals will be applied for as needed prior to camp operation.

The major activities involved in transmission line construction include: access, brush clearing, structure location staking, material hauling, structure framing, structure erection, conductor stringing and ground resistance testing. These activities will be performed by Canada-based, privately owned transmission line companies selected through the tendering process. SaskPower provides inspection services during project construction to ensure that the transmission line is constructed according to design specifications, the contractor stays within the RoW, gates are kept closed, property damage is kept to a minimum, environmental mitigation is carried out as required, and safety standards are maintained.

Third-party Environmental Monitors will be on-site during construction work. In addition to already identified environmental mitigation activities, regular discussions will be held with MoE to address any environmental concerns. At project completion, an as-built construction report addressing environmental construction issues will be prepared and submitted.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 7.2.1 Land Owner Contact During easement acquisition, the landowner will be contacted by representatives from SaskPower’s Land Department who will make note of any special requests that the land owner may have at that time. This information will be provided to the contractor before construction begins. If possible, aspects of access will be addressed, including topics such as temporary approaches, use of private roads, operations off the RoW and specific brush clearing requirements. It should be noted that the line construction contractor may also discuss specific access requirements with the land owner at a later date. The agreement reached will be recorded and a copy left with the landowner.

7.2.2 Access Access to the transmission line RoW is provided by means of existing roads and trails through three-wire barbed gates installed at all fence crossings. Where the powerline is to be built along a quarter-section line, fences (in some cases) must be relocated to allow construction to proceed. The contractor will build a temporary fence at the edge of the easement and salvage the existing fence if required by the landowner. After the transmission line is complete, the temporary fence will be salvaged and the permanent fence will be constructed in its original location. The new construction will be to a standard as good as or better than the original construction.

Any temporary access road approaches or temporary culverts and fill required for this project will be removed upon construction completion unless otherwise requested by the landowner. Where access to the RoW is via private roads or trails, permission from the landowner will be secured for this purpose with the landowner contact. It will be the responsibility of the contractor to ensure that no damage to private property occurs through the use of this access. The construction contractors may also arrange for further access with a landowner if they feel that access arrangements made by SaskPower are insufficient (e.g., obstacle such as a slough across the easement) and provided the new route is acceptable to the environmental monitor onsite. In such cases, SaskPower requires the contractor to be directly responsible to the landowner if any damage to private property occurs as a result of the use of this access.

SaskPower will attempt to limit construction and inspection traffic within the RoW so as to confine terrain disturbance to as narrow an area as possible. Should this route show signs of becoming impassable, it will be relocated several metres away within the RoW.

It may be necessary to temporarily block or limit traffic flow in order to safely conduct construction activities. These activities could include such specific activities as: offloading materials from semi-trailer units and the erection of structures by utilizing a large crane on the road surface. If this is necessary, Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure flagging procedures will be utilized to safely control traffic. All attempts will be made to minimize, or eliminate where practical, any disruptions to traffic.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 7.2.3 Brush Clearing Once access to the RoW is gained, trees and brush that may impede or endanger transmission line construction or operation will be cleared from within and adjacent to the RoW.

Clearing will be done by the line construction contractor or his subcontractor using either a hydroaxe or rotary drum mulcher.

Transmission line impact mitigation on a natural or planted shelterbelt depends on the location of the transmission line relative to the shelterbelt, as well as the tree height and species. Where the line crosses through the planted or natural shelterbelt, selective clearing will be done on trees that would be in danger of contacting the transmission line. Selective clearing will also be required for a construction trail or if a structure must be placed within the shelterbelt. Where the line parallels and is on top of a naturally occurring shelterbelt, SaskPower may consider relocating the line in the owner's field or removing the natural shelterbelt, unless the trees are obviously low-growing shrubs. If requested by the landowner, the shelterbelt sections removed could be replanted with low-growing varieties of shrubs such as caragana, lilac, buffaloberry or chokecherry.

7.2.4 Structure Location Proposed structure locations will be staked by the line construction contractor's surveyor and crew. SaskPower engineering personnel and the environmental monitor will inspect the work to ensure the structure locations are correctly positioned.

7.2.5 Material Handling Transmission line construction will be initiated with transportation of materials to the RoW. Poles, cross arms, and cross braces are usually transported on a semi-trailer truck and deposited at each structure location as required. Insulators and smaller pieces of hardware are usually hauled on a two or three-ton flatbed truck; and nuts, bolts and lockwashers are carried by the framing crew.

7.2.6 Structure Framing Transmission line structures are assembled on the ground by a four- to six-person framing crew equipped with pickup trucks, one or two flatbed trucks, and a small crane. The crane is used for positioning poles and spars that are too heavy to move by hand. Approximately 20 structures will be assembled per day.

7.2.7 Structure Erection Structure erection requires a digging crew and a setting crew. A two- or three-person crew, equipped with an auger mounted on a tandem-axle truck, excavates two holes approximately 4 m in depth and 1 m in diameter at each structure location. Should unstable or saturated soil conditions exist, a galvanized culvert may be installed to allow safe installation of the poles into the excavation. A setting crew composed of eight to ten persons, equipped with one or two

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 trucks and a 30 to 50 tonne crane will follow immediately behind the digger crew so that holes are not left unattended. Each structure will be hoisted into the air and placed in position by the crane. Once the structure has been steadied in a plumb position, the holes will be backfilled with crushed rock. Any remaining soil is spread out and levelled around the structure.

As per SaskPower’s tender request, the crushed rock used will be free of foreign materials: “Prior to structure setting, the Contractor (hired by SaskPower) shall not allow contamination of the crushed rock with foreign materials, including soil, snow, ice, and organic matter. If the crushed rock is to be temporarily stored at structure locations prior to backfill installation, the Contractor shall have adequate means to protect the crushed rock from contamination. If in the opinion of the SaskPower Line Construction Inspector, contamination of a foundation backfill has occurred the Contractor shall at its expense, remove the contaminated materials and replace with clean crushed rock.”

Two lightning protection ground rods, 3 m in length, will be driven completely into the ground at each structure and eventually connected through the structure to the shield wires on the top of the structure. A magnesium anode is installed in the ground between the poles to ensure adequate cathodic protection of the structure poles.

7.2.8 Conductor Installation Conductor will be installed using the tension stringing method. This will require three crews—a stringing crew, a clamping-in crew and a spacer crew. The stringing crew is composed of 12-15 people equipped with bucket trucks, truck-mounted cranes, tractors, pickup trucks and tension stringing machines. In the first phase, conductor travelers are installed at each structure over a 5 km section. Tension stringing first requires that a set of ropes be strung through the stringing sheaves or conductor travelers. These ropes will then be reeled in with a light cable attached. The light cable will be attached to the conductor, which will be paid out by machines with special braking mechanisms. Once the conductor and shield wire are in place over the 5 km section, they will all be pulled to the correct tension and clamped down to temporary dead ends. Using the tension stringing methods, the conductor will never touch the ground during installation. Temporary structures will be installed at road and powerline crossings to prevent interference with traffic and contact with existing powerlines.

The clamping-in crew will consist of six to eight people equipped with bucket trucks and pickup trucks. Bucket trucks capable of carrying one or two people are used to remove the conductor from the sheaves and permanently fasten the conductor to the structure. Approximately 3 km of conductor (three phases) can be installed per day by the stringing and clamping-in crews.

Since this line uses bundled conductors, the clamping-in crew will be followed by a spacer crew. Linemen in conductor carts will be pulled along the line by truck. At various spots along each span, they stop and install a spacer (required to keep the subconductors at the correct spacing). This crew will also install aerial markers as required.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 7.2.9 Ground Testing A two-person crew in a pickup truck will drive along the RoW, testing and connecting lightning protection ground rods at each structure location.

7.2.10 Water Crossing for Transmission Route All major water bodies have been avoided by the West Corridor, however there are a number of smaller water crossings within the preferred corridor that are required. These include Cookson Reservoir, East Poplar River and Moose Jaw River. SaskPower is committed to construction of the transmission line through all water crossings with the minimum of environmental impact and appropriate mitigation, in consultation with provincial and/or federal regulatory authorities when applicable.

Fisheries habitat and spawning activity within any water crossing has some potential to be disturbed during construction of the transmission line. However, any adverse impact can be mitigated by structure placement in locations which will eliminate sedimentation problems and construction activities which will avoid disturbance to the rivers and their banks.

Other mitigation measures that will be implemented at all water crossings during this project include the following: • Minimal disturbance construction techniques (construction under frozen or unsaturated/stable ground conditions, minimizing vegetation removal where practical, and leaving soil intact); • Avoidance with access road and structure placement in unfrozen, saturated/unstable conditions; • Hand clearing with pullback within specified reservations; • No deleterious substances (i.e. garbage, vegetation or soil) disposal within riparian areas; • No equipment maintenance within riparian areas or location that could cause the release deleterious substances in the waterbody; • No structure placement in riparian habitat; • Aerial marker balls as required; and • Erosion control as required.

Construction of the transmission line can be accommodated by access from either side of the particular water crossing and no vehicles or machinery will be required to enter the water.

SaskPower plans to conduct all construction activities within DFO's Operational Statements. SaskPower will obtain an Aquatic Habitat Protection Permit from MoE when expected to work close to waterbodies, including wetlands. 7.2.11 Geological Areas of Concern Sections 3.0 and 6.0 describe geological and terrain conditions in the study area (Section 3.0) and in the preferred corridor (Section 6.0). Section 5.0 explains how geological features (e.g., geological materials, steep slopes, wet ground, watercourses, location of future coal reserves, etc.) were considered in the preferred corridor selection process, along with environmental, land use, regulatory, economic and public consultation issues. As a result, areas that would present

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• the presence of steep slopes and bedrock exposures along ravines and gullies on the south side of the valley near Rivard Lake, and along ravines west of Willow Bunch Lake; and • potentially wet ground and saline conditions on the floor of the valley near Rivard Lake and in the channel bottom near Readlyn.

Even so, in most cases ravines and wet ground areas are relatively narrow and can be avoided within the preferred corridor or spanned between transmission line structures.

7.3 Post Construction Upon completion of the work, SaskPower inspection personnel will also ensure that any remaining construction materials or other debris are removed. Additionally, mitigation procedures required for post-construction environmental concerns will be implemented in consultation with MoE (e.g., revegetation, avian marking devices).

In the event that damages such as destruction of growing crops or land compaction are incurred during the construction or maintenance, the landowner or renter is entitled to compensation under the terms of the easement granted to SaskPower. The payment is in addition to the amount paid for granting the easement and will be settled by a SaskPower representative personally contacting the landowner or renter to discuss all aspects of the damage claim after transmission line construction has been completed.

7.4 Operation and Maintenance Once the transmission line is operational, inspections and routine maintenance will normally be undertaken during nongrowing seasons. However, in cases where maintenance must be performed during the growing season, all damages will be subject to compensation.

For cultivated lands or hay-producing lands where structures are installed, landowners will be consulted regarding their preference for annual herbicide application or seeding near structures to control weed growth. Alternatively, the landowner may wish to take responsibility for weed control himself. Weed control would be undertaken in the area between the poles and within an area 1.8 m from the poles.

7.5 Ancillary Facilities There are a number of ancillary facilities associated with this transmission line. These facilities, as described below, are necessary to integrate the proposed transmission line into SaskPower’s electric system. It should be noted that the work described at these facilities would be the same, regardless of which alternative corridor was chosen.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 7.5.1 Pasqua Switching Station Expansion In order to utilize the proposed transmission line, it is necessary to modify the existing Pasqua Switching Station to operate at 230 kV. This work, all on SaskPower property, includes such activities as site levelling and grading, foundation installation, steel superstructure installation, installation of a new 230 kV transformer, and fencing of the expanded site.

The Pasqua Switching Station will be expanded to accommodate a new 230 kV transformer and line position linking with the Poplar River Switching Station. This expansion (situated entirely on SaskPower property currently under cultivation) will approximately double the size of the existing station (from 3 ha to 6 ha). The expansion will include all necessary bus support structures, circuit breakers and switches required to complete termination of the 230 kV transmission line as well as a 230/138 kV oil-filled transformer. Site work (including grading, fencing, foundations and ducting) was completed in November 2008. Ground grid installations, steel support structure and aluminum bus erection are scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2009, while circuit breaker, current transformer and switch erection is scheduled for a fall 2009 completion. Final protective relaying commissioning will be completed in November of 2009 and end-to-end commissioning of line teleprotection will be completed in December of 2009.

The expansion of this switching station will cause little to no environmental impacts. Rare species surveys conducted in 2008 for the purpose of this project, and previous surveys conducted by qualified SaskPower personnel lead us to believe that the SKCDC historical data of burrowing owl burrows near the station have been inactive for years. SaskPower staff had the opportunity a few years ago to have a quick discussion with the landowner of a very small patch of grazed prairie in the area. This landowner confirmed that they used to see them on his patch of land but that he had not seen them for more than 10 years.

7.5.2 Poplar River Switching Station Expansion Similar in nature to the work occurring at the Pasqua Switching Station, work at the existing Poplar River Switching Station must be performed in order to connect the proposed power line to SaskPower’s 230 kV system.

This work, occurring on SaskPower property, will be similar to that occurring at the Pasqua Switching Station, with the exception that no additional transformer will be required. The Poplar River Switching Station, situated entirely on the grounds of the Poplar River Power Station near Coronach, will be expanded to accommodate a new 230 kV line position linking with the Pasqua Switching Station. The existing yard will increase in size from 2.2 ha to2.6 ha, integrating all necessary bus support structures, circuit breakers and switches required to complete termination of the 230 kV transmission line. All site works (grading, fencing, foundations, ducting and ground grid installations) have been completed (November 2008). Steel support structure and aluminum bus erection is scheduled to be completed in May 2009, while circuit breaker; current transformer and switch erection are scheduled for October 2009 completion. Final protective relaying commissioning will be completed in November 2009 and end-to-end commissioning of line teleprotection will be completed in December 2009.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 The work at this switching station is taking place on already heavily disturbed areas within the power plant grounds. No environmental impacts were expected.

7.6 Decommissioning and Abandonment The estimated life of this transmission line is 50 years. However, if the line is still serviceable and maintenance costs are economical, it will continue to be in service for an indefinite period of time. Should the transmission line no longer be of any use to SaskPower, the conductor and any reusable hardware will be salvaged and returned to SaskPower stores. The easement for the 32 m or 38 m RoW will be relinquished by SaskPower, if not required for future use.

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8.0 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT METHODS The environmental assessment activity reported in this document involved the evaluation of corridor development impacts on Valued Ecosystem Components (VECs). The impact evaluation and write-up process therefore followed a basic four-step process.

The first step involved completion of primary, secondary and tertiary environmental assessment scoping and data research, following the standard environmental assessment process developed over the past 40 years by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. Primary, secondary and tertiary data collection and environmental study analyses, targeted at the comprehensive study level (as defined under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act), were generally used to perform the impact evaluations. Tertiary data analysis (field work) focused on a single corridor’s key biophysical environmental attributes and mapped these characteristics on a common map scale (1:20,000). The in-depth field work in the preferred corridor was undertaken during spring, summer and fall of 2008.

Sections 9.0 and 10.0 of this report identify key biophysical VEC interactions between the project and important environmental attributes. The environmental components (VECs) focused on those biophysical elements suggested in MoE Project Specific Guidelines—project physical components, species and their habitats, ecosystem functions, special sites, species at risk, and others. Community, public consultation and socio-economic factors were not evaluated in the same manner.

The second step in the process predicted the potential environmental effects on these VECs, documenting the probable effects and determining the importance of each predicted effect. For example, is the effect potentially adverse and what are the characteristics of that effect? The resulting evaluation of impact expectations, before mitigation, presents a clear, transparent base upon which the development of sound project management and mitigation measures can be developed. The objective was to identify potential impacts so that acceptable and meaningful impact reduction interventions could be defined and structured around specific project parameters.

Several concepts were used in developing the impact evaluations. Table 22 provides a listing of the typical concepts used for each impact evaluation criteria. Some of these concepts are pre- sanctioned, in the sense that the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency uses these concepts quite liberally as impact criteria, while others rely on standard measurement criteria recognized throughout the impact assessment industry.

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Table 22: Environmental Assessment Criteria Definitions

Criteria Definition Direction Whether the project is expected to have a positive (beneficial), negative (detrimental) or neutral effect on abundance, quality or other attributes of the population or resource. Scope Geographical area potentially affected by the project. Rated as local (within the boundaries of the corridor), regional (beyond the boundaries of the corridor but within the preferred corridor) or provincial (extending beyond the regional boundaries but confined to the province). Where possible, quantitative estimates of the surface area affected by the impact, are provided. Magnitude of density Percentage of population or resource that may be affected by activities associated with the project. Where possible, the population or resource base has been defined in quantitative or ordinal terms (e.g., hectares of soil types, units of habitat). After mitigation, project impacts are classified as: <1%, 1-10% or >10% of the population, constraint or resource base. If there was insufficient information available to quantify the percent impacted, the change is identified only as an increase or decrease in the population, constraint or resource. Duration Time it takes a population, constraint or resource to recover from project impacts. Frequency Number of times an activity occurs over the construction and operations phase, and is identified as once, intermittent (more than once) or continuous (throughout life of the project). Confidence Amount and adequacy of the data and an understanding of the relationship(s) between the potential cause of impact, and the expression of the final impact assessment. Nature Effect in terms of its immediate (direct), related (indirect) or cumulative (over time or space) of the population or resource that may be affected by activities associated with the project. Where possible, the population or resource base should be defined in quantitative or ordinal terms (e.g., hectares of soil types, units of habitat). Socio-economic Defined portion of the local or regional community affected, the economic or context socio-cultural importance and the length of time for recovery. Ecological context Percentage of population or resource affected by activities associated with the project, the importance of that population, the number of generations predicted for recovery, and/or the implications for other species or trophic layers. Reversibility Length of time for expected recovery or extent of expected recovery.

The third step in the process assessed the level of impacts and/or effects, contextual to the definitions or concepts essential for each assessment criterion. A range of effects was measured, using a standard polar opposite continuum. In all cases, an aspect of professional judgment was required, making the overall approach semi-quantitative. The criteria definitions and predictive techniques made use of a combination matrix and professional judgement evaluation system.

The level of impact was defined within a range—usually expressed as low, moderate or high. Low (<1%), moderate (1-10%) and high (>10%) impacts generally represent a change in the

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 richness of the corridor biodiversity. Measurement could also be expressed as a positive, neutral or negative position; a geographic effect (local or regional); or length of time continuum (short-term, moderate-term, long-term or once, intermittent or continuous). Table 23 provides an example of the range of impact effects within which a rating was derived.

Table 23: Concepts Used to Define Extrapolated Mitigation Probability

Anticipated Scope Magnitude Duration of Frequency Impact Rating Direction1 (Geographical Reversibility of Impact1 Impact of Impact without Extent)2 Mitigation Positive Short-term Once Neutral Local Low Moderate Intermittent Low Length of time Negative Regional Moderate Long-term Continuous Moderate Length of time

Applying mitigation measures could result in a series of residual effects—after mitigation. If so, the significance of any residual effect(s) was then determined. This fourth step in the process required a judgement to evaluate if an adverse effect is likely (the probability of occurrence or significance) and what confidence level is involved in predicting the effects.

For example, the magnitude, extent (time and distance), characteristics and nature of the assessed impacts are entirely dependent on a variety of complex regional land and habitat changes. When the project contribution to wildlife disturbances in the region is expected to be very low, and limited primarily to the short duration of the construction phase, the overall residual effects of the project on wildlife are therefore anticipated to be low. Similarly, the impacts to vegetation in the corridor are considered low. The results of the impact assessment also indicate that there will be no residual impacts to fish and fish habitat in watercourses resulting from construction or operation of the proposed project. Therefore, overall effects to fish or fish habitat would not occur.

Other typical Canadian Environmental Assessment Act criteria, such as nature, socio-economic context, and ecological context, were not used because they were either not relevant to the biophysical sections or because they were generally not possible to assess using a qualitative approach, given the paucity of data collected during the study.

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9.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS, IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND PROPOSED MITIGATIONS FOR THE PREFERRED CORRIDOR This Section describes the existing conditions as assessed during the 2008 field surveys and information gathered through data searches and field studies. It also provides an impact assessment for the preferred corridor with proposed mitigation measures.

For the following section, the assessment method used is described in Section 8 and temporal bounds are also applied. Temporal bounds consist of construction and operational periods. Construction will occur over an approximate 6 month period from August 2009 to winter 2009/2010. The operational life of the transmission line may extend for over 50 years. The decommissioning period was not considered as this phase of the project will be completed based on the regulatory requirements at the time of decommissioning.

9.1 Vegetation and Wetlands The purpose of this section is to assess the impacts on vegetation due to construction and operation of the proposed Poplar River to Pasqua transmission line. This assessment is composed of three main components: • a baseline assessment of vegetation and rare plants; • an impact assessment of the project on vegetation and wetlands; and • mitigation and monitoring programs.

9.1.1 Ecoregions The preferred corridor traverses two major Saskatchewan ecoregions: Moist Mixed Grassland and Mixed Grassland. A variety of grasses is common on the uplands, with shrubs, and occasionally trees, limited to more moist depressional areas (SERM 1998).

Moist Mixed Grassland Ecoregion Vegetation in the Moist Mixed Grassland Ecoregion is dominated by two mid-grasses; northern wheatgrass (Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus) and porcupine grass (Stipa curtiseta). Mid- grasses typically occur on mid-slope positions. Blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis), a short- grass, is typical on drier upper-slope positions. Rough fescue (Festuca hallii) and hooker’s oat grass (Helictotrichon hookeri) occur in more protected lower slope positions. June grass (Koeleria macrantha) and sedges (Carex sp.) are also important components of the grassland communities in this ecoregion. Grazed areas tend to have a higher component of short-grasses such as blue grama and sedge, the proportion increasing with grazing intensity.

The soil surface is often covered with mats of clubmoss. Lichens may also occur on the soil surface. Pasture sage (Artemesia frigida) is the most dominant forb in this ecoregion. Hoary sage brush (Artemisia cana ssp. cana) and prairie rose (Rosa arkansana) are often present within the herb layer. Patches of western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis) occur in protected habitats. Valleys and coulees contain patches of brush including willow (Salix sp.),

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 silverberry (Elaeagnus commutata), Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia), western snowberry and choke cherry (Prunus virginiana) (SERM 1998).

Plant species more closely associated with sandy areas include sand grass (Calamovilfa longifolia), Canadian wild rye (Elymus canadensis), indian rice grass (Oryzopsis hymenoides), sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and porcupine grass. Common forbs in sandy habitats include hairy golden aster (Heterotheca villosa), prairie sunflower (Helianthus couplandii) and skeletonweed (Lygodesmia juncea). Shrubs include silverberry, creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis), choke cherry, Saskatoon and prairie rose (SERM 1998).

Wetlands occur throughout the Moist Mixed Grassland Ecoregion and vary from wet meadows to open water. Each wetland may contain components of various wetland types as zones along a moisture gradient. Wet meadows are dominated by marsh reed grass (Calamagrostis canadensis), northern reed grass (Calamagrostis stricta), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), fowl bluegrass (Poa palustris), Baltic rush (Juncus balticus), wild mint (Mentha arvensis), dock (Rumex sp.) and willow (SERM 1998, Huel 2000). Flooding in wet meadows occurs for a short time in spring, similar to a temporary wetland (Huel 2000). Shallow marshes are normally flooded until summer and contain species such as reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), spangletop (Scolochloa festucacea), awned sedge (Carex atherodes), beaked sedge (Carex exsiccata), creeping spike-rush (Eleocharis palustris) and water smartweed (Polygonum amphibium) (SERM 1998, Huel 2000). Deep marshes are flooded with shallow water until autumn, and include emergent vegetation such as bulrushes (Scirpus sp.), cattails (Typha latifolia) and common reed grass (Phragmites australis) (SERM 1998, Huel 2000). Bodies of permanent open water may contain submergent and floating plants, such as pondweeds (Potamogeton sp.), hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) and duckweed (Lemna sp.) (SERM 1998, Huel 2000).

Increasing salinity in wetlands shifts the vegetation to salt-tolerant species such as salt-grass (Distichlis spicata), Nuttall’s salt-meadow grass (Puccinellia nuttalliana), red samphire (Salicornia rubra), sea blite (Suaeda calceoliformis) and saltmarsh bulrush (Scirpus maritimus) (SERM 1998, Huel 2000).

Woodlands within the moist mixed grassland tend to be stands of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) with an understory of shrubs (western snowberry and prairie rose), herbs (Western Canada violet [Viola canadensis var. rugulosa], smooth and showy aster [Aster laevis and A. conspicuus], small bedstraw [Galium trifidum]) and grasses (bluegrass and sedges). Aspen stands occurring on sandy soils have an understory of prostrate shrubs, such as creeping juniper and bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi). Hay sedge (Carex siccata and C. foenea) is often an important herb in woodlands (SERM 1998).

Landscape Areas Within the Moist Mixed Grassland Ecoregion The preferred corridor intersects one Landscape Area within the Moist Mixed Grassland Ecoregion: the Regina Plain (SERM 1998). The Regina Plain is a large, level, glacial lake plain. Almost all of the area is cropland. Areas of remnant native vegetation typically occur on the

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 sides of coulees, where the land is too steep for cultivation. Some parcels of native vegetation exist on lands used for cattle grazing (SERM 1998).

Mixed Grassland Ecoregion Plant communities in the Mixed Grassland Ecoregion are very similar to the Moist Mixed Grassland Ecoregion, except the proportion of blue grama grass is higher in the Mixed Grassland Ecoregion. Mid-grasses dominate level to gently undulating landscapes, and blue grama dominates drier upper slope positions of morainic landscapes. Plant communities on sandy soils, shrublands and wetlands are the same as those described for the Moist Mixed Grassland Ecoregion.

Landscape Areas within the Mixed Grassland Ecoregion The preferred corridor spans five Landscape Areas within the Mixed Grassland Ecoregion: Wood River Plain, Dirt Hills, Coteau Lakes Upland, Lake Alma Upland and Wood Mountain Plateau. With the exception of the Wood Mountain Plateau, most of the land in these Landscape Areas is cultivated. The Wood Mountain Plateau is predominantly rangeland because of its gullied topography and gravelly soils, which severely limit the extent of cropland. Large areas of hilly, steep or gullied land within the other units are left as native prairie and used for grazing. The Coteau Lakes Upland has extensive areas of hilly land that are used as rangeland and pasture, including several PFRA community pastures (SERM 1998).

Wetlands The preferred corridor crosses within the Prairie Pothole Region of North America, which is among the most productive waterfowl habitats on the continent (Huel 2000). The Coteau Lakes Upland has a particularly high density of wetlands and large tracts of native grassland. However, this area has been mostly converted to agricultural production because of a lack of major physical barriers to cultivation. In cultivated landscapes, wetlands may be the only areas covered by permanent vegetation. Prairie wetlands evolved under a regime of fluctuating water levels, both seasonally and annually (Huel 2000). Wetland plant communities can quickly develop in wetland basins, returning with the water after years of drought.

9.1.2 Assessment Approach or issues The focus of this vegetation/wetland environmental assessment is on native prairie, which includes native grasslands, wetlands, and shrubby and treed areas. In addition to native prairie, vegetation resources selected for detailed analysis included rare plants and weeds. Native grasslands are considered to be valuable habitat for both wildlife and plants.

SaskPower is a member of the Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan (PCAP). For the purposes of the action plan, native prairie is defined as “native aquatic and terrestrial habitats within the Prairie Ecozone of Saskatchewan” (PCAP, 2003: 11). In keeping with this definition, any parcel of native prairie (grassland, shrub land, treed or wetland) is treated as native, regardless of its size or surrounding land cover. As such, wetlands within cultivated lands were given the same treatment as wetlands within native prairie.

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Potential impacts from both project construction and operations are assessed. Potential impacts from project construction are assessed in two ways. First, potential impacts due to construction activities, such as vehicle traffic and vegetation clearing, are assessed throughout the entire preferred corridor. Second, potential impacts due to the permanent structures were assessed.

Potential impacts are rated according to direction, scope, magnitude, duration, frequency, reversibility and confidence, after mitigation measures are considered. For definitions of assessment criteria, see Section 8.

9.1.3 Methods Rare plant surveys were conducted to determine the presence and location of species listed on the SKCDC Saskatchewan Tracked Species List (SKCDC 2008c) or on Schedule 1 of the federal SARA list (Species at Risk Public Registry 2008). It is important to note that although rare plant surveys can confirm the presence of rare species within a preferred corridor, due to possible rare plant dormancy and variation in annual climate patterns, a rare plant survey can seldom rule out the existence of rare species in a study area (NPSS 1998).

A literature review of vegetation in the region was conducted and a list of potential rare plant species in the preferred corridor was assembled (see Appendix 16). A search of the SKCDC database for documented rare plant occurrences in the preferred corridor was conducted (SKCDC 2008a). Information on potential rare plant species was compiled, including flowering times and habitat. A description, illustration and photograph were located for each species, where possible. A herbarium was visited to familiarize the crew with as many species as possible in advance of the survey. All nomenclature and taxa in this report conform to SKCDC content (2008f).

Information on special habitats and areas of ecological significance in the preferred corridor was also gathered.

The land use mapping was done by JDMA using SPOT multispectral satellite imagery (including both visible and near-infrared bands). The classification was assisted (and verified) by viewing oblique helicopter video taken of the preferred corridor on May 10, 2007. Land cover categories include grassland, forage/pasture, cultivated, shrub/tree, waterbodies and developed areas.

Three rare plant surveys were conducted within the preferred corridor, in the spring, summer and late summer. The spring rare plant survey was conducted from May 12-16, 2008. The summer rare plant survey was conducted from June 16-21, 2008. The late summer rare plant survey occurred from September 8-12 2008. The target of the surveys was native grasslands, wetlands and shrubby/treed areas. Only one rare plant occurrence was listed in the SKCDC database. This site was revisited to try to again locate the rare plant species.

The intent of the rare plant surveys was to determine presence or absence of rare plants (i.e., reconnaissance or floristic search). Native grassland habitats and wetlands were surveyed within the preferred corridor to get an idea of their potential to support rare plants. Surveys were

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 conducted within the preferred corridor according to the Standardized Methodology for Surveys of Rare Plants (SKCDC 2008e). When rare plants were encountered, the location was documented with a GPS unit and a SKCDC rare plant form was filled out. Where the population was sufficient to support it, a voucher specimen was collected. Otherwise, photographs were taken of the plant species as well as the general habitat in which the rare plant species was found.

Field surveys were also based on Terrestrial Field Surveys: Design and Methodology Guidelines (Bennett 2007) and NPSS’s Guidelines for Rare Plant Surveys (Bizecki-Robson 1998). All surveys adhered to Saskatchewan Activity Restriction Guidelines for Sensitive Species in Natural Habitats (SKCDC 2003).

A total of 29 plots were surveyed for rare plants (see Figure 30). Rare plants were also searched for as crews were walking to and from their target locations.

A vegetation survey was also conducted within the preferred corridor to document plant community composition. Detailed vegetation plots consisted of a 30 m transect with 0.25 x 0.5 m subplots placed every 5 m along the transect. All species within each subplot were identified and a cover estimate provided. At each vegetation plot location, the same habitat outside of the transect was searched for rare plants, and any additional species not encountered within the subplots were noted. A total of 29 vegetation plots were surveyed within the preferred corridor (see Figure 30). During field surveys, wetlands were classified according to Stewart and Kantrud (1971).

9.1.4 Existing Conditions Vegetation and Wetlands Vegetation and wetlands within the preferred corridor were mapped to the categories in Table 24 using multispectral satellite imagery.

Non-native Vegetation The majority of the preferred corridor (65.6%) is agricultural land and includes both cultivated fields (51.9%) and forage/haylands (13.7%). Forage/haylands are defined as lands that have been cultivated and seeded to non-native forage species.

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Table 24: Vegetation and Land Cover Within the Preferred Corridor

Land Cover Types Area (ha) Percent of Preferred Corridor (%) Non-native Vegetation Cultivated 14,855 52 Forage/Haylands 3,934 14 Native Vegetation Grasslands 5,818 20 Trees And Shrubs 77 <1 Wetlands and Lakes Wetlands 843 3 Lakes 239 <1 Streams Streams 762 3 Non-vegetated Urban/Industrial 2,088 7 Total 28,616 100

Native Vegetation Native grasslands account for 20.3% of the preferred corridor and are further described here based on slope position, including lower slope, mid-slope and crest/upper slope. The communities described below are not large enough to map. The communities are described based on indicator species (present in 100% of the plots) and characteristic species. Characteristic species are plant species that were either present in a minimum of 70% of the sample plots or had a prominence value of 20 or greater (prominence value = square root of [% frequency x % cover]). A complete list of plant species from detailed vegetation plots and associated frequency, mean cover and prominence values is provided in Appendix 10. Total richness for each cover type is calculated based on species lists from both rare plant and detailed vegetation plots (see Appendix 11).

Lower slope grasslands are located at the bottoms or toes of slopes, and tend to receive more moisture due to runoff and seepage. Lower slope grasslands are dominated by needle-and- thread grass (Stipa comata), june grass (Koeleria macrantha) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis). Dominant forb species within this vegetation type include prairie crocus (Pulsatilla patens), tufted white prairie aster (Aster ericoides), prairie sage (Artemesia ludoviciana), pasture sage (A. frigida), broomweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) and Colorado rubber-plant (Hymenoxys richardsonii var. richarsonii). Six detailed vegetation plots were completed within lower slope grasslands to characterize the type. Total species richness for lower slope grasslands is 136.

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Figure 30: Detailed Vegetation and Rare Plant Survey Plot Locations (also see Appendix 21)

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Mid-slope grasslands are intermediate between lower slope and upper slope/crest communities. Mid-slope grasslands are dominated by five grass or grass-like species: needle-and-thread grass, june grass, thread-leaved sedge (Carex filifolia), prairie muhly (Muhlenbergia cuspidate) and blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis). Primary forb species within mid-slope grasslands include pasture sage, broomweed, velvet goldenrod (Solidago mollis), yellow umbrella-plant (Eriogonum flavum) and tufted white prairie aster. Shrub species include prairie rose (Rosa arkansana), creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) and western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis). Four vegetation plots were completed within mid-slope grasslands. Total species richness is 149.

Crest/upper slope grasslands are the driest of the grassland community types. Six vegetation plots were completed within crest/upper slope grasslands, documenting 140 species. Dominant grass or grass-like species included: june grass, blue grama grass, needle-and-thread grass and thread-leaved sedge. Forb species include pasture sage, moss phlox (Phlox hoodii), broomweed, scarlet mallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea), Colorado rubber-plant, prairie crocus, leafy musineon (Musineon divaricatum var. hookeri), dotted blazing-star (Liatris punctata), yellow Umbrella-plant, Great plains bladder-pob (Lesquerella arenosa), Lewis wild flax (Linum lewisii), old-man’s-whiskers (Geum triflorum var. triflorum) and dense spike-moss (Selaginella densa).

Areas of trees and shrubs are limited in the preferred corridor, covering only 77 ha (0.3%). Treed areas occur in valleys and coulees, and are dominated by green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica). Other species predominant in treed areas include chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), western snowberry, Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia), northern hawthorn (Crataegus chrysocarpa), Kentucky bluegrass, cleavers (Galium aparine) and stinging nettle (urtica dioica ssp. Gracilis). Three vegetation plots were measured in treed habitat, documenting a total of 53 species.

Shrubby areas are generally located in valleys, coulees and other protected areas. These communities are dominated by western snowberry, northern hawthorn, bristly gooseberry, Saskatoon, prairie rose and snowberry (Symphoricarpos alba). Kentucky bluegrass and tufted white prairie aster are also common components of this community. Five detailed vegetation plots were completed in the shrub habitat type. Total species richness is 122.

Wetlands and Lakes Wetlands and lakes occur throughout the preferred corridor, but are most plentiful within the Coteau Lakes Upland. They make up only 3% of the area within the preferred corridor.

Wetlands are described based on Classification of Natural Ponds and Lakes in the Glaciated Prairie Region (Stewart and Kantrud 1971). There are seven classes of wetlands within this system. • Class I, Ephemeral Ponds – wetland-low-prairie zone dominates the deepest part of the pond basin.

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• Class II, Temporary Ponds – wet-meadow zone dominates the deepest part. A peripheral low-prairie zone is usually present. • Class III, Seasonal Ponds and Lakes – shallow-marsh zone dominates the deepest part; peripheral wet-meadow and low-prairie zones are usually present. • Class IV, Semi-permanent Ponds and Lakes – deep-marsh zone dominates the deepest part; shallow-marsh, wet-meadow and low-prairie zones are usually present and isolated marginal pockets of fen zones occasionally occur. • Class V, Permanent Ponds and Lakes – permanent-open-water zone dominates deepest part; peripheral deep-marsh, shallow-marsh, wet-meadow and low-prairie zones are often present; isolated marginal pockets of fen zone occasionally occur. • Class VI, Alkali Ponds and Lakes – intermittent-alkali zone dominates the deepest part; peripheral shallow-marsh, wet-meadow and low-prairie zones usually present. Deep-marsh zone is normally absent, except for occasional isolated patches near marginal seepage areas; a few isolated pockets of fen zone are normally present along the margins. • Class VII, Fen (alkaline bog) Ponds – fen zone dominates deepest part of wetland areas; peripheral wet-meadow and low-prairie zones are often present.

The majority of the wetlands in the preferred corridor are Class I (ephemeral) to IV (semi- permanent ponds and lakes). Vegetation in prairie ponds and lakes is grouped into zones; each characterized by a different community structure described below. Species lists include primary species only (i.e., those species that are most prevalent as related to cover under normal conditions) from Steward and Kantrud (1971).

Wetland-Low-Prairie Zone (Class I) The wetland-low-prairie zone typically occurs in the central area of a basin wetland or as a narrow border surrounding deeper ponds and lakes. This zone is inundated during unusually high water. In natural untilled low-prairie zones, a normal emergent phase with low-prairie plants occurs regularly (see Table 25).

Table 25: Low Prairie Plants Typical of the Wetland-Low-Prairie Zone

Common Name Scientific Name Kentucky bluegrass Poa pratensis Slender wheatgrass Agropyron trachycaulum Canada anemone Anemone canadensis Western snowberry Symphoricarpos occidentalis Velvet goldenrod Solidago altissima Tufted white prairie aster Aster ericoides

Wet-Meadow Zone (Class II) The wet-meadow zone occupies the central areas of many of the shallower pond basins and commonly occurs as a peripheral band in most of the deeper ponds and lakes. Untilled wet- meadow zones have a normal emergent phase with typical wet-meadow plants occurring as

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 emergents (i.e., fine-textured grasses, rushes and sedges of relatively low stature) (see Table 26). The wet-meadow zone ranges from fresh to subsaline.

Table 26: Emergent Plants Typical of the Wet-Meadow Zone (Normal Emergent Phase)

Common Name Scientific Name Fresh Water Kentucky bluegrass Poa palustris Graceful sedge Carex praegracilis Woolly sedge Carex pellita Sartwell’s sedge Carex sartwellii White panicled American-aster Symphyotrichum lanceolatum Slightly Brackish Water Wild barley Hordeum jubatum New England northern reed grass Calamagrostis stricta ssp. inexpansa Prairie cord grass Spartina pectinata Sartwell’s sedge Carex sartwellii Baltic rush Juncus balticus Moderately Brackish Water Wild barley Hordeum jubatum New England northern reed grass Calamagrostis stricta ssp. inexpansa Prairie cord grass Spartina pectinata Baltic rush Juncus balticus Brackish Water Alkali grass Distichlis stricta Wild barley Hordeum jubatum Subsaline Alkali grass Distichlis spicata

Shallow-Marsh Zone (Class III) The shallow-marsh zone dominates the central areas of pond basins that normally maintain surface water for an extended period in the spring and early summer but are frequently dry during late summer and fall. The shallow-marsh zone occurs as a concentric band between wet- meadow and deep-marsh zones in the deeper, more permanent ponds and lakes. Four wetland phases occur under natural untilled conditions: • a normal emergent phase of regular occurrence with grasses or grass-like plants intermediate in height; • an open-water phase, often with submerged aquatic plants, occurring during high water; • a natural drawdown emergent phase; and • occasionally a drawdown bare-soil phase that develops during periods of low precipitation.

The shallow-marsh zone ranges from fresh to subsaline, and vegetation varies with the amount of salinity (see Table 27).

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Table 27: Plants Typical of the Shallow-Marsh Zone

Normal Emergent Phase Open-Water Phase Drawdown Emergent Phase Fresh Water Broad-fruited bur-reed Various-leaved pondweed Needle spike-rush (Eleocharis (Sparganium eurycarpum) (Potamogeton gramineus) acicularis) Broad-leaved water plantain Vernal water-starwort (Alisma triviale) (Callitriche palustris) Tall manna grass (Glyceria Common bladderwort grandis) (Utricularia vulgaris) Slough grass (Beckmannia syzigachne) Awned sedge (Carex atherodes) Water smartweed (Polygonum amphibium var. emersum) Ivy-leaved duckweed (Lemna trisulca) Common bladderwort (Utricularia vulgaris) Slightly Brackish Water Narrow-leaved water plantain Brown moss Needle spike-rush (Alisma gramineum) Whitetop (Scolochloa Northeastern white water- festucacea) crowfoot (Ranunculus trichophyllus) Slough grass (Beckmannia Common bladderwort syzigachne) Creeping spike-rush (Eleocharis palustris) Awned sedge (Carex atherodes) Swamp persicaria (Polygonum amphibium) Brown moss (Drepanocladus sp.) Ivy-leaved duckweed (Lemna trisulca) Lesser duckweed (Lemna minor) Common bladderwort (Utricularia vulgaris) Moderately Brackish Water Narrow-leaved water plantain None Wild barley (Hordeum jubatum) Whitetop Slough grass Creeping spike-rush Lesser duckweed Brackish Water Three-square bulrush (Scirpus Horned pondweed (Zannichellia Wild barley americanus) palustris)

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Normal Emergent Phase Open-Water Phase Drawdown Emergent Phase alkali American Aster (Symphyotrichum ciliatum) Subsaline Water Nuttall’s salt-meadow grass None None (Puccinellia nuttalliana) red samphire (Salicornia rubra)

Deep-Marsh Zone (Class IV) The deep-marsh zone dominates central areas of pond basins that ordinarily maintain surface water throughout the spring and summer, and frequently into fall and winter. Deep-marsh zones also occur as marginal bands that adjoin the deep permanent-open-water zones of permanent ponds and lakes. Four phases of the deep-marsh zone occur: • normal emergent phase; • open-water phase (both regularly occurring); • drawdown bare-soil phase (non-vegetated); and • natural drawdown emergent phase (the latter two developing only during drought).

Vegetation in the deep-marsh zone varies with phase and salinity (see Table 28).

Table 28: Plants Typical of the Deep-Marsh Zone

Normal Emergent Phase Open-Water Phase Natural Drawdown Phase Fresh Water Ivy-leaved duckweed (Lemna Baby pondweed (Potamogeton Needle spike-rush (Eleocharis trisulca) pusillus) acicularis) Common bladderwort Common bladderwort Marsh ragwort (Senecio (Utricularia vulgaris) congestus) Slightly brackish water Blue cattail (Typha x glauca) Richardson’s pondweed Needle spike-rush (Potamogeton richardsonii) Hard-stemmed bulrush (Scirpus Baby pondweed Golden dock (Rumex maritimus) acutus) River bulrush (Scirpus fluviatilis) Hornwort (Ceratophyllum Red goosefoot (Chenopodium demersum) rubrum) Ivy-leaved duckweed Northeastern white water- Summer-cypress (kochia crowfoot (Ranunculus scoparia) trichophyllus) Common bladderwort Siberian water-milfoil Marsh ragwort (Senecio (Myriophyllum sibiricum) congestus) Brown moss (Drepanocladus Common bladderwort sp.) Lesser duckweed (Lemna minor)

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Moderately brackish Water Hard-stemmed bulrush (Scirpus Horned pondweed (Zannichellia Wild barley (Hordeum jubatum) acutus) palustris) Lesser duckweed Sago pondweed (Potamogeton Golden dock pectinatus) Red goosefoot Summer-cypress Brackish water Saltmarsh bulrush (Scirpus Horned pondweed Wild barley maritimus) Sago pondweed Rocky Mountain goosefoot (Chenopodium salinum) Summer-cypress Alkali American aster (Symphyotrichum ciliatum) Subsaline water Saltmarsh bulrush Beaked ditch-grass (Ruppia None maritima)

Permanent-Open-Water Zone (Class V) The permanent-open-water zone is where deep water occurs in a few local ponds and lakes that maintain fairly stable water levels. This zone has very few submergent vascular plant species. Beaked ditch-grass occurs in slightly brackish to brackish waters. Subsaline waters do not support vegetation within the permanent-open-water zone.

Intermittent-Alkali Zone (Class VI) The intermittent-alkali zone is an area of highly saline shallow water frequently alternating with exposed white alkali saltflats. Principal salts include sulfates and chlorides of sodium and magnesium. Emergent plants do not develop in this zone because of the high salt content. Beaked ditch-grass is typically the only plant species present in the intermittent-alkali zone.

Fen (alkaline bog) Zone (Class VII) The fen (alkaline bog) zone occasionally dominates the central areas of pond basins but more frequently occurs as isolated pockets along the margins of brackish, subsaline and saline ponds and lakes. Surface water is sometimes lacking in the fen zone, but bottom soils are saturated by alkaline groundwater seepage and springs are sometimes present. The fen zone is often located on gently sloping terrain with a perceptible flow of groundwater on or near the surface, extending from seepage inflow or spring sites to the ponded surface water below. Salinity increases as water moves down the slope and this is reflected in changes in species composition of wetland plants. The fen zone occurs as a normal emergent phase and an open- water phase, with the vegetation differing for each phase (see Table 29).

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Table 29: Plants Typical of the Fen (Alkaline Bog) Zone

Normal Emergent Phase Open-Water Phase Common cattail (Typha latifolia) Fowl manna grass (Glyceria striata) Brown moss Common reed (Phragmites australis) Soft-stem bulrush (Scirpus tabernaemontani) Water sedge (Carex aquatilis) Sandbar willow (Salix exigua) Hoary willow (Salix candida) Water hemlock (Cicuta maculata) Northern aster (Symphyotrichum boreale) Brown moss (Drepanocladus sp.)

9.1.5 2008 Plant Field Survey Results Rare Plants The Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan (NPSS) defines a rare plant as “any native species that, because of its biological characteristics or because it occurs at the fringe of its range, or for some other reason, exists in low numbers or in very restricted areas in Saskatchewan or in Canada” (NPSS 1998). Thirteen (13) rare plant species as listed on the SKCDC Tracking List (SKCDC 2008c) were located in the preferred corridor during surveys conducted in 2008 (see Figure 31 and Table 30). One additional species was documented in the SKCDC database (chaffweed [Centunculus minimus]) but was not located during the 2008 surveys. One species located during the 2008 surveys—Powell’s saltbush (Atriplex powellii)—requires a setback of 25 m under the medium disturbance category in the Saskatchewan Activity Restriction Guidelines for Sensitive Species in Natural Habitats (SKCDC 2003).

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Table 30: Rare Plant Species Observed in the Preferred Corridor During 2008 Field Surveys

Total No. of SKCDC Community Found In Occurrences Common Name Scientific Name Typical Habitat Rank * During 2008 Surveys During 2008 Surveys

Powell’s saltbush Atriplex powellii S1 Alkaline flats and badlands1 Grassland (crest/upper 1 slope) Clustered Cryptantha S1 Dry hillsides and prairies2,3 Grassland 21 oreocarya celosioides (crest/upper, mid and lower slopes). Dry goosefoot Chenopodium S2 Undisturbed saline soils1 Shrub 1 dissicatum Prairie false- Nothocalais S2 Prairie pastures, on slopes, Grassland (mid- slope) 1 dandelion cuspidata hillsides and ridges, and in sandy, gravelly or clay soils4 Blue wild phlox Phlox alyssifolia S2 Dry gravel slopes and Grassland (crest/upper 3 hillsides2, 5 slope) Flat-head larkspur Delphinium bicolor S2S3 Sheltered open places in Grassland ( lower 4 coulees and the lower slopes slope); shrub of hills3 Narrow-leaved Plantago elongata S2S3 Moist alkaline prairies5 Grassland (lower 1 plantain slope) Pursh’s plantain Plantago patagonica S2S4 Dry plains and eroded Grassland (crest/upper 5 slopes5 and mid-slopes) Few-flowered wild Eriogonum S3 Eroded banks, rocky ridges Grassland 7 buckwheat pauciflorum and in prairie badlands1, 2 (crest/upper, mid and lower slopes) Rough pennyroyal Hedeoma hispida S3 Sandy soil, eroded slopes Shrub 1 and in abandoned fields2 Tufted Hymenopappus S3 Dry gravelly or sandy sites Grassland 28 hymenopappus filifolius var on valley slopes and at the (crest/upper, mid and polycephalus edges of coulees and lower slopes) badlands1 Gumbo evening Oenothera S3 Dry hillsides of gumbo or Grassland 8 primrose caespitosa clay soil and also sometimes (crest/upper, mid and on gumbo flats2 lower slopes) White milkwort Polygala alba S3 Dry ground2 Grassland 8 (crest/upper, mid and lower slopes)

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* Definitions of provincial S ranks are as follows: S1 – Extremely Rare; 5 or fewer occurrences in Saskatchewan, or very few remaining individuals. S2 – Rare; 6-20 occurrences in Saskatchewan, or few remaining individuals. S3 – Rare to Uncommon; 21-100 occurrences in Saskatchewan; may be rare and local throughout province or may occur in a restricted provincial range (may be abundant in places). S4 – Common; more than 100 occurrences; generally widespread and abundant but may be rare in parts of its range. Sources: 1 Kershaw et al. (2001). <> 2 Looman (1994). 3 Vance et al. (1999). 4 Flora of North America Editorial Committee [FNAEC] (2006). 5 Royer and Dickinson (2007).

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Figure 31: Locations of Rare Plants in 2008 Field Surveys (also see Appendix 21)

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Non-native Plant Species Many non-native species, including some invasive species, were located in the preferred corridor (see Table 31). Ten of these are listed as noxious under the Noxious Weeds Designation Regulations (Government of Saskatchewan 1999). Locations of noxious weeds are provided in Appendix 12.

Table 31: Non-native Plant Species and Noxious Weeds in the Preferred Corridor

Common Weed Scientific Name Introduced Reason for Concern Name Designation Dairy cattle that ingest yarrow are Achillea millefolium Common yarrow Y Nuisance? reported to produce off-flavoured milk var millefolium (Royer and Dickinson 1999). Hairy false Agoseris glauca var Y Unknown? dandelion dasycephala Introduced from Russia to re-vegetate dry grasslands and pastures where it often replaces native grasses (Kershaw et al. 1998). White et al. (1993) considers crested wheatgrass to be a minor invasive alien. It was introduced into the prairies from Crested Siberia in 1915 for forage and has Agropyron cristatum Y wheatgrass been widely planted in both the United States and Canada since that time. It has remained the dominant species in areas where it was first introduced, and some sites have remained virtual monocultures of crested wheatgrass after having been seeded 50 years ago. Common burdock is not a problem in cultivated land or pasture. It is found Common Arctium minus Y growing along fence lines, river banks burdock and water areas (Royer and Dickinson 1999). Not a problem in cultivated crops, but a serious weed in pastures that increases with grazing. Cattle that consume absinthe produce off- Absinthe Artemesia absinthium Y flavoured milk and dairy products. Small amounts of absinthe seed in grain have caused shipments to be rejected for export (Royer and Dickinson 1999). Hoary orache Atriplex nitens Y Five-hook Bassia hyssopifolia Y bassia

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Common Weed Scientific Name Introduced Reason for Concern Name Designation Species is used widely in agriculture, but is also an invasive species of natural areas (e.g., native prairie). It reproduces by seed production and rhizomes, and seed dispersal and production can be prolific. Historically little effort has been put toward control of this species (White et. al. 1993). It is considered a moderate invasive alien Bromus inermis ssp Smooth brome Y by White et al. (1993), the greatest inermis impact of which seems to be on native grasslands of the Canadian prairies. The southern boreal forest and aspen parkland may also be at risk of invasion by this exotic grass. Since the species is used widely in agriculture, it is unlikely that a biological control program for natural areas could be developed. Rapidly growing plant that uses large amounts of water and can crowd out crops, affecting crop yield. An Lamb’s-quarters Chenopodium album Y alternate host for several viral diseases and reportedly poisonous to some livestock (Royer and Dickinson 1999). An aggressive weed with the potential to reduce crop yields by 100%. White et al. (1993) considers this species to be a moderate invasive alien, capable of crowding out and replacing native grasses and forbs, decreasing the species diversity of an area, and Canada thistle Cirsium arvense Y Noxious changing the structure and composition of some habitats. Part of the negative impact of Canada thistle on an area may be due to the production of allelopathic substances, i.e., compounds that inhibit the growth or development of other nearby species (White et al. 1993). Can invade almost any type of disturbed area, such as forest clear cuts, riparian areas and pastures. Plants can form dense thickets, Bull thistle Cirsium vulgare Y displacing other vegetation. The spiny nature of the plant renders it unpalatable to wildlife and livestock and reduces the forage potential of pastures (Douce et al. 2007). Primarily a weed of forage crops, pastures, roadsides and waste areas, occasionally a serious weed in fall- Annual Crepis tectorum Y sown crops where the winter annual hawksbeard phase is not controlled by spring cultivation (Royer and Dickinson 1999).

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Common Weed Scientific Name Introduced Reason for Concern Name Designation Serious weed that robs crops of moisture and nutrients, reported to Flixweed Descurainia sophia Y reduce crop yield drastically in winter wheat and fall rye (Royer and Dickinson 1999). Common weed of gardens, lawns, pastures and roadsides, and difficult to Wormseed Erysimum control in similar canola crops. Y mustard cheiranthoides Alternate host for viruses potentially affecting vegetables (Royer and Dickinson 1999). Serious pasture, rangeland and roadside weed. Difficult to eradicate because of its rhizomes and seed dispersal mechanism. Plants are poisonous to livestock (except sheep) and may cause skin rashes in humans (Royer and Dickinson 1999). White et Leafy spurge Euphorbia esula Y Noxious al. (1993) rates this species as a principal invasive alien. In mixed-grass prairie, leafy spurge is capable of dominating the habitat and significantly decreasing the diversity and abundance of the existing native species (White et al. 1993). An aggressive weed found in cultivated fields, gardens and roadsides. Particularly of concern to canola growers since the seeds are similar in size to canola and can be Cleavers Galium aparine N Noxious difficult to separate, resulting in the down-grading of crop quality. The bristly hairs of cleavers allow the trailing stems to cling to the crop and make harvesting difficult (Royer and Dickinson 1999). Common weed of ditches, fence lines and orchards (Royer and Dickinson 1999). White et al. (1993) rate this Dame’s rocket Hesperis matronalis Y species as a minor invasive alien that is spreading; a garden escape that has spread to roadsides, thickets and open woods. An occasional weed in sandy, damp or drying sites, especially streambeds and flood plains. The pollen may False ragweed Iva xanthifolia Y Noxious cause serious hay fever in late summer and leaves produce a skin rash in some people (Whitson et al. 2004). May increase on overgrazed pastures and is commonly found on roadsides Blue-bur Lappula squarrosa Y Noxious and waste areas (Royer and Dickinson 1999).

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Common Weed Scientific Name Introduced Reason for Concern Name Designation Common weed of roadsides, fence lines and waste areas. Can be weedy in cultivated crops that were previously forage and hay fields (Royer and Medicago sativa ssp Alfalfa Y Dickinson 1999). Alfalfa is a Eurasian sativa species that is commonly cultivated in North America; in Canada it occurs from the District of Mackenzie to Nova Scotia (White et al. 1993). Each plant is capable of producing 100,000 seeds, and is common in roadsides and waste areas. May be toxic to livestock, and seeds contaminate cereal grains and adversely affect flour quality. Yellow sweet- Melilotus officinalis Y Associated with over 28 viral diseases clover (Royer and Dickinson 1999). White et al. (1993) rates this species as a moderate invasive alien whose principal impact occurs in prairies, alvars, natural meadows and savannas. Common weed in cultivated fields, Common lawns, roadsides and waste areas, Plantago major Y plantain and alternate host for several plant viruses (Royer and Dickinson 1999). Canada Common in meadows and waste Poa compressa Y bluegrass ground (Royer and Dickinson 1999). A weed of waste areas that has recently appeared in grain fields. May Oval-leaf Polygonum become a problem because of its Y knotweed arenastrum prolific seed production and long viability period (Royer and Dickinson 1999). A weed of waste areas with prolific Doorweed Polygonum aviculare Y seed production and long viability period (Royer and Dickinson 1999). Reduces crop yields by competing for moisture, nutrients and light. The Polygonum twining nature of wild buckwheat Wild buckwheat Y Noxious convolvulus entangles the crop and makes harvesting difficult (Royer and Dickinson 1999). Common in moist areas and low-lying depressions. A troublesome weed in Curled dock Rumex crispus Y cultivated cropland and pastures. The seeds and vegetation are toxic to poultry (Royer and Dickinson 1999). Some consider this a synonym of S. Russian-thistle Salsola australis Y tragus below.

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Common Weed Scientific Name Introduced Reason for Concern Name Designation A common weed of roadsides, railways and dry open areas. Establishes itself in areas where there is reduced competition from other Russian-thistle Salsola tragus Y Noxious plants. The wide temperature range for germination and the mechanism of seed dispersal have assisted in the spread of this plant (Royer and Dickinson 1999). Common weed of roadsides, fence Tumbling Sisymbrium Y Noxious lines and pastures (Royer and mustard altissimum Dickinson 1999). Common weed of cultivated fields and waste areas. Reported to be the cause Wild tomato Solanum triflorum Y of livestock poisoning, with only 0.1% of body weight being a lethal dose (Royer and Dickinson 1999). Mild infestations can drastically reduce crop yields; it competes with the crop Perennial sow- for moisture, nutrients (mainly Sonchus arvensis Y Noxious thistle nitrogen), light and space. Alternative host for plant viruses (Royer and Dickinson 1999). A problem in pastures where it tends to increase because it is unpalatable Tansy Tanacetum vulgare Y to livestock. Somewhat poisonous to livestock (Royer and Dickinson 1999). Common in waste areas, roadsides Red-seeded Taraxacum Y and lawns (Royer and Dickinson dandelion laevigatum 1999). Serious weed of lawns and pastures. Has begun to appear in minimum and Common Taraxacum officinale Y zero-till cultivated fields. Is an dandelion ssp officinale alternate host for several viruses (Royer and Dickinson 1999). Serious weed of cultivated fields, row crops, gardens and waste areas. Drastically reduces yields in all crops. Causes off-flavours in milk and meat Stinkweed Thlaspi arvense Y Noxious when eaten by livestock. Feed containing large amounts of seed may be poisonous to livestock (Royer and Dickinson 1999). Common weed of cultivated crops, roadsides, and waste areas. Is a Yellow goat’s- problem in fall-seeded crops where the Tragopogon dubius Y beard biennial phase produces a basal rosette of leaves (Royer and Dickinson 1999). Tufted vetch Vicia cracca Y

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9.1.6 Potential Impacts and Mitigative Measures Construction-related impacts include potential impacts due to access (e.g., compaction, crushed or damaged vegetation) and vegetation clearing (i.e., trees and shrubs). Soil stripping will not occur within the RoW. These impacts are associated with the full RoW and were calculated as follows: • the RoW is 32-38 m wide; no works or surface disturbance will occur outside of the RoW (including driving of equipment, other than on existing surface roads); and • total disturbance associated within the RoW is 608 ha.

Construction-related impacts to vegetation and habitat include the removal of surface area available for plant growth (i.e., at structure and anchor placements) for the life of the project. Impacts associated with the structures were calculated as follows: • the transmission line will be constructed using steel H-frame structures, consisting of two poles per structure; • structures will be spaced approximately 245-315 m apart; • in-line anchors will be placed approximately every tenth structure (consisting of two guy wires per pole); • surface disturbance per pole is 7.1 m2 (includes a 1-m-diameter hole to place the pole in the ground and a 3 m diameter area around each pole to spread the soil); • surface disturbance per anchors is 1 m2 ; • disturbance associated with angle structures (which have three poles and several guy wires) is not included as the numbers and locations of these structures are not known at this time; and • total disturbance due to the structures is 0.8 ha.

Since the assessment is conducted over the preferred corridor, impacts were calculated as follows:

‘The impact to a vegetation type is assumed to be proportional to the amount of that type within the preferred corridor (e.g., if 1% of the preferred corridor is shrub/tree, then 1% of the total area of impact will occur to shrub/tree). So when assessing construction impacts due to the RoW, 1% of 608 ha (total disturbance due to the RoW) or 6 ha is assumed to occur to the shrub/tree category).’

Impacts associated with operation of the transmission line include ongoing vegetation management such as weed control, and ensuring that trees and shrubs do not encroach into the RoW. Access along the RoW to conduct vegetation management could result in compaction and damaged or crushed vegetation, depending on the time of year the management activities are conducted.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 The following mitigation measures will be implemented to reduce impacts to vegetation, wetlands, rare plants and introduction of non-native plant species: • no disturbance within an approximate distance of 45 m of nonfish-bearing waterbodies and 90 m from fish-bearing waterbodies will occur to avoid disturbing riparian vegetation, unless specifically authorized by MoE or DFO (i.e., Aquatic Habitat Protection Permit and/or DFO HADD authorization); • vegetation clearing will be confined to the RoW (i.e., 32-38 m), except for selective cutting of exceptionally tall trees located outside the RoW which represent a danger to the operation of the transmission line, and according to SaskPower’s Vegetation Management Policy (SaskPower 2007; see Appendix 22); • structures will not be erected in wetlands, waterbodies or riparian habitat; • timing and setback restrictions for sensitive species identified in Saskatchewan Activity Restriction Guidelines for Sensitive Species in Natural Habitats (SKCDC) will be implemented where applicable; • all observations regarding the presence of any rare or endangered species by the Environmental Monitors will be reported to MoE for inclusion in the SKCDC database; • a pre-construction rare plant survey program will be undertaken in native pastures (particularly on crown land with potential for impacts) by a qualified botanist in native habitat portions of the RoW once the design of the transmission line has been completed. This survey will concentrate on planned structure locations; • to protect known rare plant populations, Environmental Monitors will mark for avoidance area(s) known rare plant populations that may be impacted by the construction activities and, if required, evaluate in consultation with MoE the use of other protection strategies; • minimal disturbance construction techniques will be used which will minimize traffic impacts to native plant species (construction under frozen or unsaturated/stable ground conditions, minimizing vegetation removal where practical, and leaving soil intact); • volume of traffic and width of travel lane will be minimized on the RoW to reduce the area of traffic disturbance and the potential for compaction; • to avoid excess disturbance to wetlands, access and construction activities in these areas will occur during frozen or dry conditions, whenever possible; • crossings of wetland will be avoided whenever possible, however, if required, it will only take place under frozen ground and water to the bottom conditions; • draining of wetlands and dugouts will be avoided; • stockpiling areas, where practical, will be located on existing disturbances or on areas lacking native vegetation; • access to the RoW and transmission line will be restricted to existing roads and trails to the extent practical (i.e., no new roads will be constructed as a result of this project); • travel across permanent streams will be restricted (most crossings will be dry or frozen during the planned construction period);

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• soil stripping will only occur at structure locations for levelling and safety reasons; • exposed soil will be kept to a minimum at all times; • no deleterious substances (i.e., vegetation) will be disposed of within riparian areas; • all construction equipment will be cleaned and power washed prior to its use on the project; • equipment will be cleaned prior to entering native grassland areas to prevent the spread of weeds into these areas; • any material brought into the corridor for use during construction (e.g., material to construct pads to level the crane) will be certified weed free by the Environmental Monitor; • disturbed areas will be reseeded with appropriate seed mixes following construction (i.e., appropriate native grass seed mix within the grasslands) to prevent the establishment of weeds; • disturbed banks and approaches on waterbodies will be hand seeded as soon as practical following construction to ensure rapid soil stabilization; • only Certified Canada No. 1 seed will be used. In the event that it is not available, the highest available grade of seed will be used. Certificates from the seed supplier showing weed species analysis and content (%) will be checked by the environmental inspector and any seed stock containing weeds above Agriculture Canada or provincial guidelines will be rejected. It is imperative that native seed mixes not contain any restricted or noxious weed propagules, as defined under the Noxious Weeds Designation Regulations and by the local municipality; • all straw or hay used for crimping and amendments, erosion control or other construction uses will be examined by the Environmental Monitor and, if need be, receive certification as weed free by the Environmental Monitor to prevent introduction of foreign seed; • on vegetated surfaces, subsoil and topsoil from pole-holes will be spread onsite, with minimal depth accumulations; • seed mixes for revegetation will be compatible with existing native vegetation and the end land use in the area (i.e., either native prairie, pasture or cropland); • access trail grading will not occur unless it is pre-approved; if approved, grading will be designed to minimize impacts along the route and will be scarified after construction to enhance revegetation; • clearing and grading of natural vegetation on strong slopes (>15%) will be avoided where practical; • on strong slopes (>15%), construction traffic will be rerouted or diverted to approved temporary crossings and accesses or appropriate measures will be taken to minimize soil impacts where practical; and • SaskPower will monitor disturbed areas for weeds and appropriate reestablishment and will implement remediation measures where necessary;

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Potential project impacts are assessed based on implementation of the above mitigation measures. The confidence levels associated with impacts due to the RoW are moderate, since the assessment is conducted at the preferred corridor level. The confidence level associated with impacts due to the structures is high as the area impacted by the structures to any one vegetation category could never reach a magnitude higher than low.

Impacts to Vegetation and Wetlands Approximately 2% of cultivated land (316 ha) and forage land (183 ha) in the preferred corridor will be impacted by construction and operation activities within the RoW (see Table 43). Mitigation measures to reduce impacts to agricultural lands include minimizing the volume of traffic and width of travel lane on the RoW to reduce the area of traffic disturbance and the potential for compaction, favoring construction under frozen or unsaturated/stable ground conditions, minimizing vegetation removal where practical, weed management, keeping soil disturbance to a minimum by not stripping soil within the RoW (except as required to level structure sites for safety reasons) and keeping exposed soil to a minimum at all times. Access to the RoW within cultivated lands will be required periodically throughout the life of the project for vegetation and weed management as well as transmission line maintenance or repairs. Impacts to agricultural lands as a result of the RoW are rated as negative, local, moderate, short-term, intermittent and reversible.

Impacts to agricultural lands due to the structures will affect less than 1 ha (<1%) (see Table 32) and are considered negative, local, low, long-term, continuous and reversible.

Of the native grasslands in the preferred corridor, approximately 2% (123 ha) will be impacted due to construction and operation activities within the RoW. To minimize impacts to native vegetation, mitigation measures will be implemented, the most important of which include: • where practical construction activities in native grassland will be conducted under frozen or unsaturated/stable ground conditions, and before spring thaw to minimize traffic impacts to native plant species (i.e., when the plants are dormant); • minimizing the volume of traffic and width of travel lane on the RoW to reduce the area of traffic disturbance and the potential for compaction; • minimizing vegetation removal and where practical, leaving soil intact; • soil stripping will only occur at structure locations for levelling and safety reasons; • long span H-Frame construction (245-315 m average span length), which minimizes the number of structures and therefore the number of locations of intensive construction activity (less footprint); and • where practical, spanning the transmission line over coulees to reduce disturbance to the native vegetation and habitat in these areas, and reseeding disturbed areas with appropriate seed mixes following construction (i.e., appropriate native grass seed mix within the grasslands).

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Table 32: Construction and Operation Impacts on the Preferred corridor

Baseline Impact Due to RoW Impact Due to Structures

Land Cover Types % of % of Available % of Available Area (ha) Preferred Area (ha) Area (ha) Corridor Habitat Habitat Cultivated land 14,855 52 316 2 <1 <1 Forage 3,934 14 83 2 <1 <1 Grassland 5,818 20 123 2 <1 <1 Trees and shrubs 77 <1 2 3 <1 <1 Lakes 239 <1 5 2 <1 <1 Streams 762 3 16 2 <1 <1 Wetland 843 3 19 2 <1 <1 Urban/industrial 2,088 7 44 2 <1 <1 Total 28,616 100 608 2 1 <1

Impacts to native grasslands due to the RoW are expected to be negative, local, moderate, short-term, intermittent and reversible.

Impacts to native grasslands due to the structures will affect less than 1% (<1 ha) and are considered to be negative, local, low, long-term, continuous and reversible.

Approximately 2 ha (3%) of tree and shrub habitat will impacted by the RoW. Impacts to tree and shrub habitat will be minimized by: • confining vegetation clearing to the RoW (i.e., 32-38 m), except for selective cutting of exceptionally tall trees located outside of the RoW which represent a danger to the operation of the transmission line; • restricting travel across permanent streams (i.e., riparian areas); most crossings will be dry or frozen during the planned construction period; and • long span H-Frame construction (245-315 m average span length), which minimizes the number of structures and therefore the number of locations of intensive construction activity (less footprint), and where practical, spanning the transmission line over coulees to reduce disturbance to the native vegetation and habitat in these areas.

Impacts to tree and shrub habitat as a result of construction and operation activities within the RoW are expected to be negative, local, moderate, long-term, continuous and reversible.

The presence of the structures will remove <1 ha (<1%) of tree and shrub habitat for the life of the project. Impacts to tree and shrub habitat due to the structures are expected to be negative, local, low, long-term, continuous and reversible.

Approximately 19 ha (2%) of wetlands, 5 ha (2%) of lakes and 16 ha (2%) of streams may be impacted by the RoW. Impacts associated with the RoW (e.g., compaction of soils, crushed or damaged vegetation and clearing of vegetation) will occur during both construction and operations. To minimize impacts to wetlands and waterbodies due to activities within the RoW,

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 SaskPower will avoid disturbing undisturbed riparian vegetation. Travel across permanent streams will be restricted since most crossings will be under dry or frozen conditions during the planned construction period. Also, no deleterious substances (i.e., vegetation) will be disposed of within riparian areas. With the implementation of these mitigation measures, impacts to wetlands and waterbodies are expected to be negative, local, low, short-term, intermittent and reversible.

Impacts to wetlands and waterbodies due to the structures will affect less than 1 ha (<1%). Mitigation measures to reduce impacts due to structures include setbacks from undisturbed riparian areas and not placing structures in wetlands or waterbodies. With these mitigation measures in place, impacts to wetlands and waterbodies due to the structures are not anticipated.

Impacts to Rare Plants The RoW will potentially reduce rare plant populations within native habitats (i.e., grassland, trees, shrubs and wetlands). Field survey information obtained in 2008 will be used in the RoW and structure location planning stage to avoid or span over identified rare plant populations. To minimize impacts to rare plants, once the RoW has been selected and design of the transmission line has been completed, and prior to construction, a rare plant survey program will be undertaken in native pastures (particularly crown land with potential for impacts) by a qualified botanist in native habitat portions of the RoW. This survey will concentrate on planned structure locations. Also, the Environmental Monitors will mark rare plant species populations that have been identified during the field surveys that could potentially be disturbed during construction. This will make it easier for the construction crew to take precautions and/or avoid those areas. Environmental Monitors are also responsible in noting unrecorded rare species and taking reasonable precautions for avoidance.

Where practical, construction in native habitats will occur after freeze-up and before spring thaw to minimize traffic impacts to native plant species (i.e., when the plants are dormant), and timing and setback restrictions for sensitive species identified in Saskatchewan Activity Restriction Guidelines for Sensitive Species in Natural Habitats (SKCDC 2003) will be implemented where applicable. Impacts to rare plants as a result of the RoW are rated as negative, local, long-term and intermittent. The impact cannot be rated for magnitude as the location of the RoW is not known and therefore the percent of the population impacted cannot be determined at this time.

Structures will remove surface area for rare plants for the life of the project. Impacts to rare plants as a result of the RoW are rated as negative, local, long-term and continuous. The impact cannot be rated for magnitude as the location of poles and anchors is not known relative to the locations of rare plants and therefore the percent of the population impacted cannot be determined at this time. However, given the low disturbance area associated with the structures (<1 ha), and also given that there is some flexibility in the location of structures, impacts to rare plants may be minimized or even eliminated in some areas with slight offsets of structures as determined during the pre-construction rare plant surveys.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Potential Introduction of Non-native Plant Species Construction and operation of the transmission line has the potential to introduce and spread non-native plant species into the preferred corridor. Introduction of these species into native habitat could potentially result in the reduction of fitness of that habitat to support native or rare species. Weeds can also impact the productivity of agricultural lands. This impact is expected to be negative, local, long-term, continuous and reversible. Implementation of the mitigation measures listed above (i.e., cleaning vehicles prior to entering native habitat, minimization of disturbance, timing of construction, reclamation of disturbed areas, limiting soil stripping to structure placement, minimizing number of poles by a large span of 245-315 m, weed control and monitoring, and reestablishment of native vegetation) will reduce the potential for the introduction of non-native plant species. This impact is rated as low.

9.1.7 Cumulative Effects Assessment Development of the transmission line will not occur in isolation from the effects of other human activities. Land uses in the region include urban expansion/subdivisions, agricultural conversion, oil and gas production, seismic exploration, ranching, and recreation. Since the impacts to vegetation in the preferred corridor are low, a quantitative cumulative effects assessment was not conducted.

9.1.8 Vegetation and Wetlands: Summary of Impacts Since the disturbance associated with the project will be minimal and with the implementation of the mitigation measures described, overall impacts within the preferred corridor to vegetation and wetlands, including rare plants and introduction of non-native plant species, are expected to be low. Table 33 provides a summary of the impacts associated with the RoW and structures.

Table 33: Impacts Associated With the RoW and Structures

Receptor Direction Scope Magnitude Duration Frequency Reversibility Confidence Impacts Due to the Row Agricultural Negativ Local Moderate Short-term Intermittent Reversible Moderate lands e Native Negativ Local Moderate Short-term Intermittent Reversible Moderate grassland e Tree and Negativ Local Moderate Long-term Continuous Reversible Moderate shrub habitat e Waterbodies (wetlands, Negativ Local Low Short-term Intermittent Reversible Moderate lakes and e streams) Negativ Rare plants Local Unknown Long-term Intermittent Unknown Low e Introduction Negativ of non-native Local Low Long-term Continuous Reversible Moderate e plant species Impacts Due to the Structures

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Receptor Direction Scope Magnitude Duration Frequency Reversibility Confidence Agricultural Negativ Local Low Long-term Continuous Reversible High lands e Native Negativ Local Low Long-term Continuous Reversible High grassland e Tree and Negativ Local Low Long-term Continuous Reversible High shrub habitat e Waterbodies (wetlands, Neutral High lakes and streams) Negativ Rare plants Local Unknown Long-term Continuous Unknown Low e Introduction Negativ of non-native Local Low Long-term Continuous Reversible Moderate e plant species

9.2 Wildlife

This section describes the baseline conditions and provides an assessment of potential impacts of the preferred corridor on wildlife resources. Baseline conditions were determined from literature, government databases and field surveys.

9.2.1 Natural EcoRegions and Ecodistricts The preferred corridor passes through the Moist Mixed Grassland and the Mixed Grassland Ecoregions. Ecoregions of Saskatchewan are divided into ecodistricts, of which five are present within the preferred corridor. These include the Regina Plain within the Moist Mixed Grassland Ecoregion; and the Dirt Hills, Coteau Lakes Upland, Wood River Plain and Wood Mountain Plateau within the Mixed Grassland Ecoregion (see Figure 16). A variety of habitats are found within these ecodistricts, including steep woody coulees, riparian zones, wetlands, grassy plateaus and small sand dunes. These ecodistricts provide habitat to several rare or sensitive species of amphibians, birds and mammals.

Portions of the preferred corridor are also located within areas protected under the Wildlife Habitat Protection Act (WHPA) (Government of Saskatchewan 1992). WHPA lands are described as the best existing wildlife habitat in the mapped area and are essential for maintaining current regional populations of wildlife species (Flory 1981). Alteration of WHPA lands is to be authorized pursuant to the Act, and special conditions will apply to reclamation and land management (Government of Saskatchewan 1992, Olsen 2004). The majority of WHPA lands within the preferred corridor are found in grassland habitats. WHPA lands identified within the preferred corridor are shown in Figure 32.

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Figure 32: Location of the Preferred Corridor, Ecodistricts and WHPA Lands (also see Appendix 21)

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9.2.2 Vegetation and Wildlife Habitat Wildlife habitats within the preferred corridor are classified based on general vegetation characteristics and include 10 dominant habitat types: cultivated, forage, grassland, trees and shrubs, lakes, streams, wetland in cultivated land, wetland in forage land, wetland in grassland, and urban/industrial. Cultivated lands account for 52% and grassland habitats cover 20% of the preferred corridor. Coulees within the grassland habitat are primarily non-treed and support various tall shrubs.

The Big Muddy Valley, situated in the southern portion of the preferred corridor, has been identified as important wildlife habitat (Flory 1981). Numerous tributary channels drain into the Big Muddy Valley. These channels and their associated coulees form the basis of several WHPA lands. The eroded coulee complex in the Big Muddy area provides valuable cliff nesting sites for raptors, treed cover for mule deer and white-tailed deer, and nesting habitat for a variety of songbirds.

Waterfowl and amphibian habitat in the preferred corridor is limited to small wetlands and prairie potholes. Cultivated fields provide good forage opportunities for ungulates and various bird species, but the absence of cover decreases the productivity of these habitats. The diverse landscape within the native prairie provides suitable habitat for sensitive wildlife species.

9.2.3 Methods The wildlife assessment provides an overview of field information and data for the relevant species listed by the SKCDC (2008d); in Schedules 1, 2 and 3 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA 2008); and any species considered of special concern, threatened, at risk or endangered by COSEWIC (2008). Field studies conducted in 2008 focused on wildlife species identified as important at the local, regional and provincial levels. The surveys were necessary to supplement existing data, and to identify the presence of sensitive species and their habitats that may be affected by the project. The assessment focused mainly on grassland ecoregions. Investigations were also made in selected cultivated areas.

Field studies were conducted in 2008 to provide site-specific information on wildlife distribution and habitat use within the preferred corridor. In addition, important habitats were identified and the presence of sensitive wildlife species was ascertained. Survey methods were based on recognized protocols and standard practices. Field studies conducted in 2008 included: • amphibian call surveys – May 13-14, 2008; • songbird point counts – May 22, June 8-11,2008; • waterfowl surveys – April 18-20, 29-30; May 7-8, 12, 21-23, 2008; • sharp-tailed grouse lek survey – April 16-18, 20, 2008; and • Burrowing Owl call-playback – May 8-11, 2008.

Incidental observations of wildlife were recorded during all surveys, and notes were made on the presence of rare or sensitive species.

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Amphibian Call Survey An amphibian survey was conducted within the preferred corridor on May 13-14, 2008. The survey was timed to detect sensitive amphibian species, such as the plains spadefoot, great plains toad, and northern leopard frog.

A total of 20 sites were sampled (see Figure 33). Survey sites were located at a minimum spacing of 0.8 km (Takats and Priestley 2002, ASRD 2001) along access roads. Site selection was also based on preferred habitat, and the results of a SKCDC search and landowner comments obtained through open houses. Sites were surveyed beginning 30 minutes after sunset until about 3 hours after sunset, or until calling intensity decreased as a result of low temperatures.

At each survey site, a one-minute quiet down period was followed by a four-minute listening period. Calls were identified to species and a qualitative assessment was made as to the number present according to the following criteria: • individuals can be counted, there is space between calls; • calls of individuals can be distinguished but there is some overlapping of calls; and • full chorus, calls are constant, continuous and overlapping.

Songbird Point Count Survey Point count surveys provide an indication of relative habitat use (Ralph et al. 1995). Songbird presence was determined using a fixed radius point count survey method on May 22, 2008 and from June 8-11, 2008. A Point Count Survey Method is a method for sampling birds that involves marking observations of birds detected by sight and sound over a defined radius for a specified period of time. Fifty-five (55) point counts were conducted in the preferred corridor (see Figure 34). Three point counts were completed on May 22 and the survey was stopped due to heavy winds, rain and cold temperatures; the survey recommenced on June 8 with the return of acceptable weather conditions. Point counts were located within selected quarter sections along the preferred corridor in areas where a good representation of the available habitat could be sampled. Point count locations were also based on results from the SKCDC search for songbird species of concern within the preferred corridor and from landowners interviewed prior to the survey through open houses. Vegetation characteristics at each location were recorded.

Point counts were conducted from 30 minutes before sunrise until about 4 hours after sunrise, and consisted of a 1 minute quiet down period after the observer reached the survey site followed by a 10 minute listening and observation period. Surveys were conducted under low wind conditions (below Beaufort ratings of 3) and with no significant precipitation. Birds were identified visually or audibly from male territorial breeding songs within a 100 m radius. Any species outside this distance and birds in flight overhead were noted as such.

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Figure 33: Location of Waterfowl and Amphibian Surveys Along the Preferred Corridor (also see Appendix 21)

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Figure 34: Location of Songbird Surveys Along the Preferred Corridor (also see Appendix 21)

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Waterfowl Survey The preferred corridor was surveyed for waterfowl over a period of one to three days per week, for five consecutive weeks starting on April 18, 2008. The Waterfowl Survey Periods (WSP) are defined as follows: • WSP 1 – April 18-20, 2008; • WSP 2 – April 29-30, 2008; • WSP 3 – May 7-8, 2008; • WSP 4 – May 12, 2008; and • WSP 5 – May 21-23, 2008.

Each of 20 sites was surveyed during every WSP. The sites were selected based on the presence of water, the result of the SKCDC search and information provided by landowners through open houses, and consisted of reservoirs, small potholes, creeks and rivers (see Figure 33). At each site, two observers scanned the waterbody using binoculars and spotting scopes, and recorded all individual birds by species within the survey area. A GPS coordinate was taken at each site to allow all subsequent surveys to be completed from the same location.

Sharp-Tailed Grouse Lek Survey A sharp-tailed grouse lek survey was conducted from April 16-18 and 20, 2008. Selected quarter sections along the preferred corridor were surveyed for leks (see Figure 35). Within each selected quarter section, the area was searched by foot to visually detect a lek or individual birds. The surveyors scanned the area from high vantage points, which provided a better view of the region, using binoculars and spotting scopes. Sites were surveyed for about two hours, beginning at sunrise to coincide with the peak activity on the leks. Cloud cover, temperature, wind and GPS coordinates of the sites were recorded.

The SKCDC was queried in search of reported occurrences of sharp-tailed grouse leks within the preferred corridor. Landowners were also interviewed prior to the survey through open houses in an attempt to obtain lek locations. All leks identified through these searches were investigated during the survey.

Burrowing Owl Call-Playback Survey The call playback survey was completed from May 8-11, 2008, in accordance with the Sensitive Species Inventory Protocol Guidelines (ASRD 2005). The sites were surveyed in the morning, starting at daybreak and completed by 1400 hours. The sites were not surveyed on rainy days or when winds were greater than 20 km/h. The survey was conducted in 67 pre-determined areas, which were expected to provide optimum burrowing owl habitat (see Figure 35). Playback of recorded calls was used to increase the probability of detecting breeding owls, especially males (Haug and Didiuk 1993). These surveys are approximately 80% effective when conducted over a 15 minute period (five minutes listening, five minutes call playback and five minutes listening) during the early morning (Duxbury and Holroyd 1998).

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Figure 35: Location of Burrowing Owl Call Play-Back Sites and Sharp-Tailed Grouse Lek Field Surveys (also see Appendix 21)

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 After the initial five-minute quiet down period, pre-recorded burrowing owl calls were played for five minutes using a power horn. Three sets of calls were projected in sequence followed by a 30 second delay, and repeated for the duration of the calling period. Each set was broadcast in a different location as the caller rotated over a 360° circumference. Following the calling period, two observers would spend an additional five minutes scanning the surrounding area for burrowing owl response.

The SKCDC was queried in search of reported occurrences of burrowing owls within the preferred corridor. Landowners were also interviewed during open houses in an attempt to obtain burrowing owl information. All burrowing owl sightings revealed from these sources were investigated during the survey.

Incidental Wildlife Observations To supplement information on the presence of sensitive species and other wildlife, incidental observations were made and locations were recorded when possible during all field surveys. Incidental observations are presented in Appendix 13.

Assessment Approach and Issues Similar to the environmental assessment of the vegetation resources on native prairie, predicted impacts of the project on wildlife species were assessed qualitatively based on distribution and habitat use information using the following criterion: direction, scope, magnitude, duration, frequency, confidence, reversibility and anticipated final impact rating, as described in Section 8. The expression of confidence in the assessment reflects a judgment on the quality of information. All these factors were considered in the derivation of a final impact rating. The key wildlife issues for consideration within the impact assessment are as follows. • Habitat Loss – changes in habitat availability from the direct effects of habitat alteration and vegetation removal. • Habitat Effectiveness – effective habitat loss and changes in habitat use by wildlife as a result of sensory disturbances. • Disruption of Movement Patterns – habitat fragmentation and the disruption of movement patterns and corridors from the development of the transmission line. • Wildlife Mortality – direct and indirect wildlife mortality, or potential changes in wildlife populations resulting from project activities.

9.2.4 Key Wildlife Species The preferred corridor potentially provides suitable habitat for 52 species of concern (see Table 34). Table 35 provides definitions for the designations. The preferred corridor is home to 5 endangered species, 10 threatened species, and 9 species of special concern, as listed by COSEWIC or the SARA (COSEWIC 2008, SARA 2008). According to the SKCDC (2008), there are 8 Extremely Rare species (S1), 9 Rare species (S2), 27 Rare–Uncommon species (S3), 5 Common species (S4), 2 Very Common species (S5), and 1 species with historical occurrence

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Table 34: Wildlife Species of Concern Listed by COSEWIC, SARA and/or the SKCDC Potentially Found in the Preferred corridor

SKCDC SARA Species Scientific Name COSEWIC Status Status Schedule Amphibians Plains spadefoot Spea bombifrons S3 Not at risk Great plains toad Bufo cognatus S3 Special Concern 1 Northern leopard frog Rana pipiens S3 Special Concern 1 Reptiles Eastern yellow-bellied Coluber constrictor S3 Threatened 1 racer flaviventris Greater short-horned Phrynosoma hernandesi S2S3 Endangered 3 lizard Plains hognose snake Heterodon nasicus S3 None Prairie rattlesnake Crotalus viridis S3 None Smooth green snake Liochlorophis vernalis S3 None Snapping turtle Chelydra serpentine S3 None Birds Chimney swift Chaetura pelagica S3B Threatened Field sparrow Spizella pusilla S1B? None Loggerhead shrike Lanius ludovicianus S4B Threatened 1 Northern shrike Lanius excubitor S1B, S4N None Mccown’s longspur Calcarius mccownii S3S4B Special Concern Northern mockingbird Mimus polyglottos S3S4B None Sage thrasher Oreoscoptes montanus S1B Endangered 1 Sprague’s pipit Anthus spragueii S4B Threatened 1 Canada warbler Wilsonia canadensis S5B Threatened Rusty blackbird Euphagus carolinus S5B Special Concern Olive-sided flycatcher Contopus cooperi S4B, S4M Threatened American white pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos S3B None Great blue heron Ardea herodias S3B None Caspian tern Sterna caspia S2B, S2M Not at Risk Clark’s grebe Aechmophorus clarkii S1B None Long-billed curlew Numenius americanus S4B, S4M Special Concern 1 Piping plover Charadrius melodus S3B Endangered 1 Yellow rail Coturnicops S3B, S2M Special Concern 1 noveboracensis Sandhill crane Grus Canadensis S2B, S4B None Trumpeter swan Cygnus buccinator S1B Not at Risk Burrowing owl Athene cunicularia S2B Endangered 1 Short-eared owl Asio flammeus S3B, S2N Special Concern 3 Cooper’s hawk Accipiter cooperii S4B, S2N, Not at Risk S2M Ferruginous hawk Buteo regalis S4B, S4M Threatened 3

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SKCDC SARA Species Scientific Name COSEWIC Status Status Schedule Golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos S3B, S4M, Not at Risk S3N Prairie falcon Falco mexicanus S3B, S3M, Not at Risk S3N Turkey vulture Cathartes aura S3B, S2M, None S2N Red-headed Melanerpes S1B, S1M Threatened 3 woodpecker erythrocephalus Butterflies/moths Monarch butterfly Danaus plexippus S3B Special Concern 1 Mormon metalmark Apodemia mormo S1 Threatened 1 Verna’s flower moth Schinia verna SH Threatened Mammals American badger Taxidea taxus S3S4 Not at Risk Bobcat Lynx rufus S3S4 None Prairie long-tailed Mustela frenata S3S4 Not at Risk weasel Swift fox Vulpes velox S1 Endangered 1 Northern grasshopper Onychomys leucogaster S3 None mouse Olive-backed pocket Perognathus fasciatus S3 None mouse Ord's kangaroo rat Dipodomys ordii S2 Special Concern Sagebrush vole Lemmiscus curtatus S3 Data deficient Prairie shrew Sorex haydeni S3S4 None Eastern cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus S3 None Long-eared bat Myotis evotis S3B, SNRN None Western small-footed Myotis ciliolabrum S3B, SNRN None bat

but without recent verification, within the preferred corridor. Seven Common (S4) to Very Common (S5) species have been identified in this list due to their federal rankings.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Table 35: At Risk Definitions

SKCDC Ranks and Definitions (2008) S1, Extremely Rare – 5 or fewer occurrences in Saskatchewan; or very few remaining individuals. S2, Rare – 6-20 occurrences in Saskatchewan; or few remaining individuals. S3, Rare–Uncommon – 21-100 occurrences in Saskatchewan; may be rare and local throughout province or may occur in a restricted provincial range (may be abundant in places). S4, Common – more than 100 occurrences; generally widespread and abundant but may be rare in parts of its range. S5, Very Common – more than 100 occurrences; widespread and abundant, but may be rare in parts of its range. A Range Rank (i.e., S2S3) is used when existing information on an element straddles the criteria defining two separate ranks (e.g., S2 vs. S3).

Codes and Modifiers A – accidental or casual in the province, including species recorded infrequently that are far outside their range (birds or butterflies). B – for a migratory species, rank applies to the breeding population in the province. N – for a migratory species, rank applies to the non-breeding population in the province. M – for a migratory species, rank applies to the transient population. H – historical occurrence but without recent verification (e.g. within 20 years). U – status uncertain in Saskatchewan, because of limited information. X – believed to be extinct or extirpated. NR – rank is not yet assigned (not ranked). NA – conservation status is not applicable to the species. COSEWIC Definitions (2008) Endangered – a species facing imminent extirpation or extinction. Threatened – a species likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed. Special Concern – a species of special concern because of characteristics that make it particularly sensitive to human activities or natural events. Not at Risk – a species that has been evaluated and found to be not at risk. Indeterminate – a species for which there is insufficient scientific information to support status designation. SARA Definitions (2008) Schedule 1 – official list of wildlife species at risk. Schedule 2 – species listed as threatened or endangered prior to 1999, and must be reassessed. Schedule 3 – species listed as Special Concern prior to 1999, and must be reassessed.

9.2.5 Existing Conditions Amphibians Four Common (S4) to Very Common (S5) amphibian species are potentially found within the preferred corridor, including the tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum), boreal chorus frog (Pseudacris maculate), wood frog (Rana sylvatica) and Canadian toad (Bufo hemiophrys). Three amphibian species of concern, including the plains spadefoot (Spea bombifrons), great plains toad (Bufo cognatus) and northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens), may also potentially inhabit areas of the preferred corridor (see Table 34).

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 The boreal chorus frog, wood frog and northern leopard frog were identified within the preferred corridor during the field surveys. The boreal chorus frog was the most abundant species detected, being present at 11 of the 20 sites surveyed (55%). Wood frogs were present at 1 of the 20 sites (5%). The low level of Wood Frog detections were expected because this species typically breeds earlier in the season, shortly after ice break-up. Northern leopard frogs were the only ranked species detected. They were identified at 3 of the 20 sites (15%) surveyed. One individual was recorded along the Moose Jaw River and two were heard along Girard Creek (see Figure 36). No other amphibian species were detected.

The SKCDC records did not reveal any sensitive amphibian observations within the preferred corridor. The possible presence of great plains toads was identified by a landowner at the Coronach open house (unpublished data 2007a) south of the Poplar River Coal Mine and along the East Poplar River. However, this observation was not confirmed during the surveys.

No sensitive amphibians were observed incidentally during other 2008 field surveys. Incidental observations of boreal chorus frogs were made on several occasions in April and May (Appendix 13).

The plains spadefoot is a nocturnal toad, which spends most of its time underground and is therefore rarely observed. These individuals are found in the Moist Mixed Grassland and Mixed Grassland Ecoregions (SKCDC 2008). Presence of this species is strongly correlated with the presence of sandy soils (Lauzon 1999). The reliance for sandy soils limits breeding opportunities because these areas, which are mostly found in wetland complexes, are often naturally drained (Lauzon 1999).

The great plains toad is primarily nocturnal and breeds in ephemeral wetlands that fill with water following heavy rains. Preferred breeding sites have limited residual growth and some new emergent grass along the shores of the waterbody (SARA 2008). Breeding activities are strongly correlated with heavy rainfalls (SARA 2008). The amount of rain required to stimulate breeding activities may vary by region, and breeding may be delayed in the absence of rain (SARA 2008). Great plains toad occurrences were reported south of the Poplar River Coal Mine and along the East Poplar River (unpublished data 2007a).

Northern leopard frog populations have declined over much of the species’ range, particularly in Western Canada (COSEWIC 2008). The decline is due primarily to climate changes, human disturbances and disease (COSEWIC 2008, Russell and Bauer 2000). This species requires three distinct habitat types to meet its annual life requirements: a fishless waterbody (preferred but not always possible) during breeding and metamorphosis; moist upland habitat with short vegetation along streams, springs, ponds or lakes for summering; and a well oxygenated waterbody that does not freeze to the bottom in winter (SARA 2008). Adults may travel up to 2 km from waterbodies to preferred foraging habitats during the summer months (Russell and Bauer 2000).

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Figure 36: Sensitive Species Sighted During Field Work and SKCDC Database Records (also see Appendix 21)

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Reptiles Five Common (S4) to Very Common (S5) reptile species potentially inhabit areas within the preferred corridor, including the painted turtle (Chrysemys picta), bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer), red-sided garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis), wandering garter Snake (Thamnophis elegans) and western plains garter snake (thamnophis radix) (SKCDC 2008). Six additional reptile species are ranked in Saskatchewan, including the eastern yellow-bellied racer (Coluber flaviventris), greater short-horned lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi), plains hognose snake (Heterodon nasicus), prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis), smooth green snake (Liochlorophis vernalis) and snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentine).

Historical records from the SKCDC (2008) include observations of two smooth green snakes east of Coronach (see Figure 36). One western plains garter snake was also observed incidentally during the fall rare plant survey in grassland habitat in Sec 23, Twp 13, Rge 26 W2M. The western plains garter snake is not ranked in Saskatchewan.

Reptile species in Saskatchewan with special status are experiencing recent population declines and are at the northern margins of their distribution range (Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan 2008). All of these ranked species have narrow habitat preferences and tolerances. The preferred habitats for Saskatchewan reptiles include drier areas of grassland, sagebrush and south-facing slopes (Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan 2008). They are also frequently found foraging around waterbodies where they find the majority of their prey.

Birds Songbirds A variety of songbirds may be present in the preferred corridor. Two species, the olive-sided flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) and the Canada warbler (Wilsonia canadensis), are common in Saskatchewan but are listed as Threatened by COSEWIC (2008). The rusty blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) is also ranked as Common in Saskatchewan but is listed as a Species of Special Concern by COSEWIC (2008). In Saskatchewan, eight species have Special Status including the chimney swift (Chaetura pelagica), field sparrow (Spizella pusilla), loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus), northern shrike (Lanius excubitor), McCown’s longspur (Calcarius mccownii), northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos), sage thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus) and Sprague’s pipit (Anthus spragueii) (SKCDC 2008).

The Canada warbler and rusty blackbird prefer open habitats, such as riparian shrublands and wetland areas. The olive-sided flycatcher and chimney swift prefer open wooded areas, and are often found near water. The field sparrow prefers brushy woodland edges and overgrown fields. The loggerhead shrike and northern mockingbird prefer open habitat with scattered shrubby trees. The McCowns’s longspur and sage thrasher prefer short grass prairie habitat with sparse vegetation. The northern shrike inhabits semi-open country near swamps and bogs. The Sprague’s pipit likes native prairie with intermediate height vegetation and moderate amounts of ground litter (Thayer 2007).

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 During the spring point count survey, 846 birds representing 30 species were recorded, excluding fly-over observations, waterfowl, game birds and waterbird species. All bird observations are presented in Appendix 14. Abundances for the 30 observed species were calculated for seven habitat types (see Table 36). The red-winged blackbird was the most commonly heard songbird, and was present in six of the seven habitat types. Approximately 67% of the songbirds heard were represented by seven species. In order of decreasing abundance, the species included red-winged blackbird, western meadowlark, brown-headed cowbird, clay-coloured sparrow, horned lark, yellow warbler and Baird’s sparrow.

Table 36: Average Number of Birds per Point Count for Seven Habitat Types in the Preferred Corridor

Trees & Wetland in Wetland in Cultivated Forage Grassland Lake/Margin Total Common Name Shrubs Forage Grassland (n = 2) (n = 10) (n = 28) (n = 2) (n=55) (n = 8) (n = 4) (n = 1) Songbirds Baltimore oriole 0.13 0.25 0.04 Brown-headed cowbird 1.00 1.80 2.18 0.50 1.13 2.50 1.84 Common grackle 0.50 0.04 Red-winged blackbird 4.00 2.40 0.96 3.25 10.00 8.00 2.42 Western meadowlark 3.50 2.10 2.25 2.00 0.63 2.25 2.00 2.02 Yellow-headed blackbird 2.00 0.15 American goldfinch 0.10 0.02 American robin 1.00 0.10 0.11 0.63 1.00 0.22 Baird's sparrow 0.80 0.75 0.25 0.50 0.60 Brown thrasher 0.30 0.14 0.50 0.20 Cedar waxwing 1.50 0.05 Chestnut-collared 0.75 0.38 longspur Clay-coloured sparrow 1.80 1.25 0.50 1.75 1.75 1.00 1.38 Eastern kingbird 0.20 0.32 1.00 1.25 1.75 0.55 Gray catbird 0.20 0.18 1.13 0.29 Horned lark 2.00 0.90 1.50 0.50 0.38 1.00 1.15 House sparrow 0.75 0.11 House wren 0.38 0.05 Least flycatcher 0.10 1.00 0.50 0.20 Savannah sparrow 0.50 0.30 0.68 0.50 0.49 Sharp-tailed sparrow 0.13 0.25 0.04 Song sparrow 0.10 0.18 0.13 0.25 0.15 Sprague's pipit 0.50 0.30 0.79 0.47 Vesper sparrow 1.50 0.60 0.43 0.75 1.00 0.51 Warbling vireo 0.13 0.02 Western kingbird 0.07 0.75 0.25 0.16 Yellow warbler 0.70 0.54 2.38 1.50 1.00 0.87 Barn swallow 3.50 1.00 0.32 3.00 0.58 Corvids American crow 0.30 0.25 0.25 1.00 0.22 Black-billed magpie 0.36 0.18 Average per habitat 17.50 14.10 14.01 9.00 17.93 25.50 15.00 15.40 Total species 9 19 20 7 21 16 7 30

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The highest bird species richness was observed in trees and shrubs, and grassland habitats (see Table 37). Trees and shrub habitats are frequently higher in biodiversity than other habitat types in the prairies because they provide good cover; there is also a scarcity of trees in the prairies. The high species richness in grassland habitat is potentially the result of the large sample size in this habitat. Grassland habitat accounts for 20% of the preferred corridor and field surveys were focused on this habitat type because the majority of ranked songbirds prefer this habitat type.

Table 37: Bird Species Richness for Each Habitat Type

Habitat No. of Point Counts Species Richness Cultivated 2 9 Forage 10 19 Grassland 28 20 Lake/margin 2 7 Trees and shrubs 8 21 Wetland in forage 4 16 Wetland in grassland 1 7

The Sprague’s pipit was the only species of concern detected during the songbird survey. A total of 26 Sprague’s pipits were recorded; 22 in grassland, 3 in forage and 1 in cultivated habitat. The SKCDC reported one Sprague’s pipit observation and one piping plover observation within the preferred corridor. Several other observations were reported from the SKCDC, including two piping plovers, four Sprague’s pipits, and one long-billed curlew; however, these observations were reported for areas near, but outside of, the preferred corridor (see Figure 36).

During the 2008 field surveys, 31 Sprague’s pipits were recorded incidentally throughout the preferred corridor (see Appendix 14 and Figure 36). Eleven Sprague’s pipits were also recorded outside the preferred corridor (see Figure 36). One loggerhead shrike was observed perched on a fence post; this observation was made outside the preferred corridor. Incidental songbird species recorded are presented in Appendix 14.

The Canada warbler and rusty blackbird prefer open habitats, such as riparian shrublands and wetland areas. The olive-sided flycatcher and chimney swift prefer open wooded areas, and often near water. The field sparrow prefers brushy woodland edges and overgrown fields. The loggerhead shrike and northern mockingbird prefer open habitat with scattered shrubby trees. The McCowns’s longspur and sage thrasher prefer short grass prairie habitat with sparse vegetation. The northern shrike inhabits semi-open country near swamps and bogs. The Sprague’s pipit likes native prairie with intermediate height vegetation and moderate amounts of ground litter (Thayer 2007).

Waterfowl and Waterbirds Various species of waterfowl and waterbirds potentially breed in the potholes and lakes located within the preferred corridor, and several of these have been given Special Status in

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Saskatchewan (see Table 34). Of the ranked species, the American white pelican, caspian tern, Clark’s grebe, and trumpeter swan are species that migrate through the general area of the preferred corridor.

The piping plover will breed on exposed sandy or gravely beaches and will nest just above the high-water mark (Ehrlich et al. 1988). Seeps provide important foraging habitat for piping plovers (Thayer 2007). Periodic high-water events and prolonged periods of low water, which allow vegetation to encroach onto nesting beaches, reduce the habitat suitability for this species.

The yellow rail typically occupies sedge-dominated wetlands with a dense build-up of vegetation litter for nesting (RIC 1998, COSEWIC 2001). Ephemeral waterbodies that are usually dry by mid-July are often preferred. Encroachment of shrubs and cattails will decrease habitat quality (WDNR 2008). The yellow rail is considered to be a semi-colonial nesting species as it is more typical to find groups of birds nesting together than it is to find single pairs.

Preferred nesting habitats for the sandhill crane are located within seasonally flooded wetlands, open marshes, fens and bogs surrounded by forests or shrubs (Baker et al. 1995; Acorn and Fisher 1998). Nesting areas are secluded and located away from disturbance (Semenchuk 1992). Sandhill cranes are especially sensitive to disturbance during reproductive periods. This species will migrate to and utilize the same breeding grounds every year (Semenchuk 1992).

A waterfowl survey was conducted over a five-week period in spring 2008, concurrent with the expected arrival of migratory birds. There were 43 waterfowl species recorded (see Appendix 15). The most common species encountered were mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), northern pintail (Anas acuta), northern shoveler (Anas clypeata), blue-winged teal (Anas discors) and Canada goose (Branta canadensis). These five species represented 65% of all birds recorded. A total of 2,185 individual birds were recorded during the course of the survey (see Table 38). Three sensitive species were identified within the preferred corridor: the american white pelican, great blue heron, and long-billed curlew (see Figure 34). Of the 19 pelicans recorded, 14 were observed at Station A (Cookson Reservoir) during WSP 1 (April 18- 20, 2008). The other five individuals were observed along the East Poplar River (Station D). One was recorded during survey WSP 4 and four were recorded during survey WSP5 (May 21- 23, 2008). Three great blue herons were observed during the waterfowl survey; two during WSP 1 at Station H and one during WSP 5 at Station L. Station H is situated northwest of Readlyn along a small creek, while Station L is situated on the shores of a small pothole. Two additional great blue herons were recorded incidentally during the 2008 field surveys; one along the Moose Jaw River (NE Sec 25, Twp 7, Rge 28 W2M) and one in a small prairie pothole (NW Sec 3, Twp 13, Rge 26 W2M). A long-billed curlew was observed incidentally near Willow Bunch Lake (SW Sec 5, Twp 6, Rge 27 W2M). The SKCDC database reported several piping plover pairs and solitary birds on the shoreline of an unnamed lake in Sec 16, Twp 11, Rge 27 W2M (SKCDC 2008). Incidental waterfowl and waterbird observations are presented in Appendix 13.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Table 38: Waterfowl Observations

WSP No. of Species No. of Birds 1 – April 18-20 18 333 2 – April 29-30 24 475 3 – May 7-8 24 485 4 – May 12 24 469 5 – May 21-23 25 423 Total 44 1 2,185 Note: 1 Reflects the total number of species over the entire survey period.

Over the course of the survey, the highest species diversity was 25 species, recorded in WSP 5, and the lowest diversity (18 species) was recorded in WSP 1 (see Table 38). The majority of the species were present within the preferred corridor by WSP 2 (see Figure 37).

18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 Number of Species of Number 2 0 ABCDEFGHI JKLMNOPQRST Survey Stations

WSP 1 WSP 2 WSP 3 WSP 4 WSP 5

Figure 37: Waterfowl and Waterbird Species Diversity

Waterfowl density was inconsistent across the length of the preferred corridor and across the WSP (see Table 38). The highest number of individual birds was recorded in WSP 3. There were seven survey stations that consistently produced high bird densities; Stations A, C, I, K, L, M and N (see Figure 37). These seven survey stations can be grouped into three ecodistricts; Wood Mountain Plateau, Coteau Lakes Upland and Dirt Hills (see Figure 38). The high species density in these ecodistricts is potentially the result of the larger amounts of water present within these landforms. About 80% of the water within the preferred corridor is present within these three landforms. The waterbody responsible for large waterfowl counts in the Wood Mountain Plateau Ecodistrict was Cookson Reservoir. A factor potentially accountable for high waterfowl

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 density in the Coteau Lakes Upland and Dirt Hills Ecodistricts is the fact that these two geographical areas are mainly comprised of cropland (Acton et al. 1998), which provides good forage opportunities for waterfowl.

250

200

150

100

50

Number of Individual Birds Individual of Number 0 ABCDEFGH I JKLMNOPQRST Survey Stations

WSP 1 WSP 2 WSP 3 WSP 4 WSP 5

Figure 38: Waterfowl Distribution

Upland Game Birds Upland game birds potentially found in the preferred corridor include the ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), gray partridge (Perdix perdix) and sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) (Thayer 2007). All three species are Common (S4) and year-round residents within the preferred corridor. Sharp-tailed grouse leks have been given special status in Saskatchewan.

The traditional dancing grounds (lek) of sharp-tailed grouse are considered a special habitat feature in Saskatchewan and are to be protected. Leks are found in open areas with sparse vegetation where the males can be seen and heard. The leks are used by the males to attract females through ceremonial displays of gobbles, strutting and fighting (Semenchuk 1992). Gatherings at lek sites occur from mid-March to May and peak courtship displays take place in April (ASRD 2005). The conversion of grassland to crops, intense grazing and pesticide use is believed to have caused a decline in sharp-tailed grouse (Watmough 1995, Roersma 2001, Millar 1999).

A sharp-tailed grouse lek survey was conducted to identify the presence of active leks within the preferred corridor. The SKCDC records did not contain any records of leks within the preferred corridor; however, landowner comments from the open houses reported three potential leks (SKCDC 2008; unpublished data 2007b, 2007c). The three leks identified by landowners were investigated, one of which was found to be active.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 The lek survey was conducted within 71 quarter sections, and two active leks were detected (see Figure 37). One lek (Lek #1) had 11 birds present and a second lek (Lek #2) had 20 birds. Birds present on Lek #2 were recounted during the burrowing owl survey, and 15 birds were recorded on the lek. Several groups of sharp-tailed grouse were also recorded during the survey, totalling 21 birds (see Figure 39).

Several incidental observations of sharp-tailed grouse were made during the 2008 field surveys (see Appendix 13), including four additional active leks (Leks #3-6) (see Figure 39). Lek #3 was detected on May 8, 2008, and 12 birds were present. Leks #4-6 were recorded on June 6, 2008, and contained 26, 6 and 7 sharp-tailed grouse, respectively. Every active lek recorded was in grassland habitat and on top of a hill or high vantage point.

Owls Five owl species have ranges that may include the preferred corridor (Thayer 2007, SKCDC 2008). Three species are Very Common (S5): northern saw-whet owl (Aegolius acadicus), long- eared owl (Asio otus), and great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) and two species have been ranked Rare to Uncommon (S3): short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) and burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia). Most of these species are resident within their ranges year-round except for the short-eared owl, long-eared owl and burrowing owl which migrate south during the winter. Incidental observations of owls during the field survey are presented in Appendix 13.

Two short-eared owls were recorded incidentally during the field survey in 2008, both were observed southeast of Michellton. The short-eared owl is associated with open habitats, including grasslands, marshes and weedy fields (Thayer 2007). Since the short-eared owl nests close to the ground, removing the dense ground cover renders them vulnerable to predators.

Burrowing owl populations have been decreasing over most of their range, largely due to habitat loss and habitat degradation (Wellicome 1997). The burrowing owl is a summer resident in Saskatchewan and requires very specific habitat features for nesting. Nesting habitat must contain holes created and abandoned by digging mammals such as ground squirrel (Spermophilus spp.), american badger (Taxisea taxus) or red fox (Vulpes vulpes). These adopted nesting burrows must be greater than 10 cm in diameter and located in short or sparsely vegetated areas on flat, rolling and treeless terrain (Wellicome 1997). Preferred nesting habitat is also generally more common in grassland pasture that have been grazed by livestock (ASRD and ACA 2005). The owl also requires tall grasses within its home range to provide adequate amounts of prey.

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Figure 39: Burrowing Owl and Sharp-Tailed Grouse Sightings, and SKCDC Records for Burrowing Owls (also see Appendix 21)

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 A burrowing owl call playback survey was conducted within the preferred corridor to determine possible species presence and distribution with the preferred corridor. The call playback survey totalled 1,005 minutes, of which 335 minutes were spent broadcasting calls. Fifty-seven (57) call playback stations were situated within native grassland habitat consisting of suitable burrowing owl habitat, while the remaining 10 sites were on cultivated land, positioned to cover a broader spectrum of habitat types, and to survey previously identified burrowing owl locations.

No responses to the call playback or owl observations were made during the survey, however incidental burrowing owl observations were made during other field surveys. Preferred burrowing owl habitat was present within the preferred corridor, and comprised mainly native grass prairie or tame pasture. Although burrowing owl habitat does exist in portions of the preferred corridor, disturbances such as mining activities, cultivation, roads, and oil and gas developments have likely affected habitat use within this area.

Seven historical burrowing owl observations have been recorded within the preferred corridor, of which five were from the SKCDC (2008). The remaining sites were reported burrowing owl observations from local landowners (unpublished data 2007b). All of these sites were inspected during the survey and no burrowing owls or their burrows were observed. Several other burrowing owl observations were also reported in the SKCDC outside of the preferred corridor (see Figure 39).

Incidental observations of four individual burrowing owls were made during the 2008 field surveys. At one location (Owl 1), an owl was observed on two different occasions. In both instances, the owl was observed sitting on a fence post (see Figure 39). This location is northwest of Bonneau Lake, and historical records provided by the SKCDC indicated the presence of burrowing owls within 2 km of this location (SKCDC 2008). Both observations were outside of the preferred corridor. Two other burrowing owls were detected at the entrance of a burrow (Owl 2). The amount of whitewash and pellets observed at this site suggests this burrow is used regularly. The burrow was located within pasture habitat and inside the preferred corridor.

Raptors Eight Common (S4) to Very Common (S5) raptor species potentially breed in the preferred corridor, including bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus), red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), northern harrier (Circus cyaneus), Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swainsoni), ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis), merlin (Falco columbarius) and American kestrel (Falco sparverius) (SKCDC 2008, Thayer 2007). The ferruginous hawk is ranked in Saskatchewan as Common (S4M/S4B), but is listed as a Species of Special Concern by COSEWIC. There are four other raptor species, including the Cooper’s hawk (Accipiter cooperii), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), prairie falcon (Falco mexicanus) and turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), which potentially occur in the preferred corridor, all of which are ranked in Saskatchewan. All 12 raptor species are migratory.

Raptor-specific surveys were not completed within the preferred corridor; however, several incidental raptor observations were made during the 2008 field surveys, including ranked species such as the ferruginous hawk, turkey vulture, prairie falcon and golden eagle (see

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Figure 36). Incidental observations of nonsensitive raptor species were also made during the 2008 field surveys, including merlin, northern harrier, red-tailed hawk and Swainson’s hawk (see Appendix 13).

Two ferruginous hawks were observed inside the preferred corridor; one near the Cookson Reservoir and one near the East Poplar River. Both observations were found soaring over pasture habitat. An additional ferruginous hawk was also observed incidentally but outside of the preferred corridor. Ferruginous hawks prefer open country consisting of flat, rolling terrain in areas where grassland or shrub-steppe regions comprise at least 50% of the landscape (Schmutz 1999). These areas are used exclusively for breeding and must support sizeable populations of rabbits (Leporidae spp.) and ground squirrels (Spermophilus spp.) as these species comprise greater than 90% of the hawk’s diet (Schmutz 1999). Unlike other members of the Buteo family, ferruginous hawks may nest on the ground, especially on eroded banks of coulees. Fire suppression and shelterbelt planting have increased the density of trees throughout the prairies, and ferruginous hawks will nest in trees when available (Schmutz 1999).

One prairie falcon was observed in the Cactus Hills, southeast of Leakville. Prairie falcons inhabit dry, open country and prairie habitats (Thayer 2007). They will nest on protected ledges of cliffs, often along major rivers (Thayer 2007).

Three turkey vultures were observed, one near Cookson Reservoir and two at the north end of Willow Bunch Lake. One other incidental vulture observation was made outside the preferred corridor. The Turkey Vulture prefers dry open country, farmlands and woodlots (Thayer 2007). They are usually seen soaring alone or in small groups. They tend to roosts in tall trees or abandoned buildings (Thayer 2007).

A golden eagle nest with one chick and an adult pair was recorded on numerous occasions near Willow Bunch Lake, along Highway 36 but outside the preferred corridor. An abandoned golden eagle nest was also observed in a small poplar tree near a slough, northeast of Lake-of- the-Rivers, also outside of the preferred corridor. Golden eagles will nest in large trees or on cliffs. They prefer hilly terrain adjacent to some open country where they hunt for small mammals, snakes and birds (Ehrlich et al. 1988).

The Cooper’s hawk was the only ranked species not detected during the 2008 field surveys. Cooper’s hawk inhabits open woodlands or streamside deciduous groves (Ehrlich et al. 1988). It will nest in a tree along woodland edges and clearings and usually builds a new stick nest every year (Ehrlich et. al. 1988). The species nesting habitat is also strongly associated with the presence prey species, mainly songbirds and small mammals.

Nightjars One species of nightjar may inhabit the preferred corridor—the common nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) (Sibley 2000). The common nighthawk is ranked as Very Common (S5) in Saskatchewan; however, it is listed as Threatened by COSEWIC (2008).

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Common nighthawks are most active at sundown. Breeding sites include open habitats where the ground is devoid of vegetation, such as sand dunes, rocky outcrops and wetlands (COSEWIC 2008). Male common nighthawks are territorial, and average territory size has been estimated at about 19 ha (Wedgwood 1973).

Woodpeckers Four woodpecker species potentially occur within the preferred corridor (SKCDC 2008, Thayer 2007). Three of these are ranked as Common (S4) to Very Common (S5) in Saskatchewan: northern flicker (Colaptes auratus), downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) and hairy woodpecker (Picoides villosus). The red-headed woodpecker is considered Extremely Rare (S1) in Saskatchewan.

Preferred woodpecker habitat is limited for all species within the preferred corridor due to a lack of forested habitats. The red-headed woodpecker inhabits open woods, farmlands, bottomlands and backyards (Ehrlich et al. 1988). This species will forage on tree trunks and on the ground for insects and berries. The red-headed woodpecker will bore holes in dead trees, fence posts and telephone posts (Ehrlich et al. 1988).

Butterflies and Moths There are three sensitive butterfly and moth species that potentially occur within the preferred corridor. The monarch butterfly prefers open habitats, including fields, meadows, weedy areas, marshes and roadsides. This species is also closely associated with milkweed plant species (Government of Canada 2008). The mormon metalmark prefers dry areas, typically associated with hillsides, and embankments on barren, sandy or gravely soils (SARA 2008). These conditions are ideal for the growth of its host plants, branched umbrella-plant (Eriogonum pauciflorum) and common rabbitbrush (Ericamerica nauseosus) (SARA 2008). The Verna’s flower moth inhabits sparsely vegetated prairie grasslands where colonies of pussytoes (Antennaria spp.), the larval food plant, occur (COSEWIC 2005).

Specific field surveys were not conducted for these species, however the presence in the preferred corridor of the preferred host plants for these insect species was confirmed. One milkweed plant and several observations of pussytoes and common rabbitbrush were recorded during the summer rare plant survey. Pussytoes and common rabittbrush were recorded in all native grasslands visited. None of these plants were found in extensive patches, and no butterflies, moths or their larvae were observed. Several sites containing large aggregations of branched umbrella-plant locations were also recorded during the fall rare plant survey. The sites were all observed within the Big Muddy Valley.

Mammals Ungulates There are five species of ungulates that occur, or have the potential to occur, in the preferred corridor (Whitaker 1980). Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are the most abundant, and the pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana) is also

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 frequently observed. Moose (Alces alces) and elk (Cervus elaphus) are occasionally observed in close proximity to treed areas or extensive coulee complexes.

Several incidental observations of mule deer, white-tailed deer and pronghorn antelope were made during the 2008 field surveys (see Appendix 13), and these species were recorded throughout the length of the preferred corridor. Deer were observed primarily within coulees and riparian areas. Ungulates were also observed foraging in grasslands.

Carnivores Common carnivore species potentially occurring within the preferred corridor include small canids such as the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and coyote (Canis latrans); mustelid species such as the least weasel (Mustela nivalis), ermine (Mustela erminea) and striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis); raccoon (Procyon lotor); and black bear (Ursus americanus) (Whitaker 1980). Incidental coyote observations were recorded throughout the preferred corridor (see Appendix 13).

Four ranked species may also occupy habitats within the preferred corridor, including the American badger (Taxidea taxus), bobcat (Lynx rufus), prairie long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata) and swift fox (Vulpes velox). The American badger was incidentally observed at two open pasture locations within the preferred corridor, a habitat type preferred by the badger (Whitaker 1980) (see Figure 36). American badgers also prefer farmlands and are sometimes found near the edges of woodlots (Whitaker 1980).

The swift fox prefers short grass prairie habitat and is rarely observed due to its nocturnal behaviour (Whitaker 1980). This species is very rare in the region. It will excavate its own dens or enlarge a badger’s den. The prairie long-tailed weasel is an animal of open country. It tends to like agricultural areas and grassy slopes (Whitaker 1980). The bobcat (Lynx rufus) prefers to inhabit scrubby country with broken forest as well as farmlands (Whitaker 1980).

Aquatic and Semi-Aquatic Mammals Two aquatic or semi-aquatic mammals may occur within the preferred corridor: beaver (Castor canadensis) and muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) (Whitaker 1980). Neither of these species is of concern in Saskatchewan.

Small Mammals Over 30 small mammals potentially occur within the preferred corridor (SKCDC 2008). Four species of mice and voles, including the northern grasshopper mouse (Onychomys leucogaster), olive-backed pocket mouse (Perognathus fasciatus), Ord’s kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ordii) and sagebrush vole (Lemmiscus curtatus) are ranked in Saskatchewan, and are found primarily on sandy soils in prairie grasslands (SKCDC 2008). They also tend to prefer sparsely vegetated habitats, where visibility and mobility are unimpeded. One shrew, the prairie shrew (Sorex haydeni) is ranked in Saskatchewan. Preferred habitat for the prairie shrew is open grasslands and is also often found near water (SKCDC 2008). The eastern cottontail

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(Sylvilagus floridanus), ranked in Saskatchewan, is primarily found in meadows, orchards and shrubby areas, and is likely not to occur in the preferred corridor.

Of the eight bat species potentially present within the preferred corridor, two are ranked species in Saskatchewan: long-eared bat (Myotis evotis) and western small-footed bat (Myotis ciliolabrum). The long-eared bat inhabits treed areas adjacent to badlands, while the western small-footed bat prefers badlands and arid river valleys. Both species will roost in tree cavities, under loose bark or in old buildings (Caceres and Pybus 1997; Nagorsen and Brigham 1993). It is expected that the lack of trees within the preferred corridor will limit roosting sites for bats.

The most common small mammal species observed incidentally during the 2008 field surveys was the Richardson’s ground squirrel (Spermophilus richardsonii). This species was observed throughout the preferred corridor and in various habitat types. The SKCDC database also reported a sighting of an olive-backed pocket mouse in 1925 near Baildon (see Figure 36).

9.2.6 Potential Wildlife Impacts and Mitigative Measures Project impacts to wildlife populations will vary with the habitat types disturbed, the reproductive potential of the affected species and the size of the population within the area. This assessment includes an examination of potential effects on habitat loss, habitat effectiveness, disruption of movement corridors, and mortality risks during project construction and operations, with an emphasis on sensitive species. Impacts are assessed qualitatively for the project based on distribution and habitat use information, and the application of standard mitigative measures including timing and setback restrictions.

Since the assessment is conducted within a preferred corridor, the following assumptions were made to obtain the disturbance areas: • a steel H-frame structure design will result in two poles per structure location; • the poles at each structure location will be spaced 8-10 m apart; • the distance between the H-frames will be approximately 245-315 m; • the length of the transmission line will be 160 km; • the surface disturbance per pole will be 7.1 m2 (spread tailings = 3 m diameter/pole and ground disturbance/pole = 1 m in diameter, which is included in the spread tailings); and • the construction RoW will be 32-38 m wide.

The following mitigation measures will be applied to reduce impacts to wildlife during transmission line construction and operation: • no disturbance within approximately 45 m from nonfish-bearing waterbodies and 90 m from fish-bearing waterbodies, unless specifically authorized (e.g., Aquatic Habitat Protection Permit and/or DFO authorization); • vegetation clearing will be confined to the RoW (i.e. 32-38 m), except for selective cutting of exceptionally tall trees located outside the RoW which represent a danger to the operation of the transmission line,;

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• sensory disturbances outside of normal construction practices such as noise, will be minimized when possible; • when operating a construction equipment or other vehicle for this project, employees will watch for wildlife and yield on the RoW when they are encountered; • all construction equipment or other vehicle collisions with wildlife or encounters with troublesome animals will be immediately reported to the Environmental Monitor; • if an occupied denning site, raptor nest or problem animal is found at any time during construction, the Environmental Monitor will assess the situation and advise on the course of action (which may include contacting MoE) before work at the specific site proceeds; • structures will not be erected in wetlands/potholes, waterbodies or riparian habitat; • once the RoW and structure locations are determined, an assessment of waterbodies in proximity to the RoW will be conducted to determine which waterbodies are likely to attract a significant number of waterfowls. An evaluation of the potential for bird strike mortality will be conducted and locations where a wire deflection device (aerial ball markers) will be determined in consultation with MoE. • timing and setback restrictions for the sensitive species identified in Appendix 17 (under the medium disturbance category) will be implemented where applicable, including avoidance of active leks as specified; • any construction activities (not including centreline surveys and structure staking) to be done prior to August 31st and after March 15th in grassland habitats will be preceded by fieldchecks conducted by a qualified biologist for the possible presence of Sprague’s pipit nests and avoid sharp-tailed grouse leks respectively; • a no hunting/no firearm policy will be implemented for all project personnel, including contractors, while working onsite; • an environmental monitor will be present during construction and will report all observations regarding the presence of any Rare or Endangered Species to MoE for inclusion in the SKCDC; and • feeding of wildlife by project personnel will not be allowed while working on site.

Construction Impacts on Wildlife The majority of wildlife species present near the preferred corridor have adapted to some degree to the disturbances associated with agriculture, mining, and oil and gas activities. Disturbance within native grasslands may result in greater risk to sensitive species. Timing and setback restrictions (see Appendix 17) will be implemented for construction activities within the preferred corridor where Sensitive species may be present (SKCDC 2003). These restrictions are designed to minimize or avoid adverse effects on Sensitive wildlife and their habitats.

Habitat Loss Project construction is expected to disturb 608 ha (2%) of the preferred corridor (see Table 39). Habitat loss within the preferred corridor will be moderate, and long-term disturbance will occur

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 only where the structures are placed, affecting approximately 1 ha. The majority of disturbance from the access RoW will be on cultivated land (316 ha), grassland (123 ha) and forage (83 ha). Wetlands will be affected minimally with the removal of 19 ha of potential habitat (<1% of the preferred corridor). No structures will be positioned directly in wetland habitat, therefore adverse effects to species such as northern leopard frogs will be negligible. Habitat fragmentation will not occur as a result of construction activities.

Table 39: Impacts Due to RoW and Post Hole Construction

Baseline RoW Impact Post Hole Impact % of Land Cover Types % of Available % of Available Area (ha) Preferred Area (ha) Area (ha) Habitat Habitat Corridor Cultivated land 14,855 52 316 2 <1 <1 Forage 3,934 14 83 2 <1 <1 Grassland 5,818 20 123 2 <1 <1 Trees and shrubs 77 <1 2 3 <1 <1 Lakes 239 <1 5 2 <1 <1 Streams 762 3 16 2 <1 <1 Wetland in cultivated 448 2 10 2 <1 <1 Wetland in forage 138 <1 3 2 <1 <1 Wetland in grassland 257 <1 6 2 <1 <1 Urban/industrial 2,088 7 44 2 <1 <1 Total 28,616 100 608 2 1 <1

As the disturbance to grasslands is expected to be minimal, grassland-dependent sensitive species, such as the Sprague’s pipit, are expected to experience low impacts due to habitat loss. Low impacts to burrowing owls are also expected because the structures will avoid active burrowing owl sites. Removal of small amounts of grassland habitat may affect Sprague’s pipit, however this species was found in numerous locations throughout the preferred corridor and is expected to utilize undisturbed grassland habitat surrounding the project footprint.

Habitat Effectiveness The effects of sensory disturbance on wildlife will vary depending on the wildlife species present. Different species, and individuals within a species, will demonstrate unique reactions to the same stimuli (Anderson et al. 1990). Habitat conditions will also affect an animal’s response to sensory inputs, and individuals in areas with greater cover will result in lesser reactions to sensory disturbance.

Effective habitat loss is of particular concern when an animal is dependent on a narrow range of preferred habitat and is forced to move into lesser quality habitat. Displacement can be long- term or short-term, depending on the species and the magnitude of the disturbance. Birds will usually flee in response to sensory disturbance, putting the eggs or young in a vacated nest at risk due to heat, cold and predators (Larkin 1996). The nests of ground-nesting species such as Sprague’s pipit may also be left exposed, when adults flee in response to sensory disturbances. Loud noises and human activities can result in short- or long-term effects, including changing

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 the flight orientation of migratory birds (Berry 1980). Noise associated with construction traffic may reduce foraging efficiency and intra-specific communication in owls (Delaney et al. 1999). Setback restrictions have been defined for some wildlife species in Saskatchewan in an effort to minimize disturbance during construction (see Appendix 17).

A variety of factors may influence the response of animals to noise, and most species will likely avoid construction activities and habitats adjacent to the preferred corridor because of high noise levels during the initial construction phases; therefore, additional usable habitat may be lost. Disturbance can have both direct and indirect effects, as animals may experience changes in foraging behaviours and interactions with other animals in a territory or home range that are not directly observable. However, effects will be isolated to construction with high reversibility once construction is complete. A low percentage of ranked species such as the American badger will be affected, and populations will not experience large-scale changes in habitat use as a result of the project.

High noise levels during construction may reduce successful breeding in amphibians if the noise prevents amphibians from hearing individuals of the same species. However, noise effects will be limited to areas near the RoW, and the proposed construction timing (August to end of winter) will avoid the amphibian breeding period of ranked species such as northern leopard frogs, which were identified within the preferred corridor.

Disruption of Movement The disruption of wildlife movement may occur as a result of sensory or physical barriers as a result of construction activities. Because of the highly mobile nature of birds, construction activities are anticipated to result in negligible effects on bird movements beyond avoidance by birds to areas of construction activity.

Directional movement of mammals is likely concentrated within coulee and riparian habitats. Random foraging movements occur within the grasslands and cultivated areas. The access road used during construction will potentially deflect mammals as a result of increased traffic and construction machinery.

Amphibians may travel several hundred metres, and up to 1 km between breeding and over- wintering areas. However, amphibian movement across the RoW to breeding and over- wintering areas is very unlikely due to proposed timing of construction.

Overall, the predicted impacts to the movement of wildlife are expected to be low.

Mortality Risks Wildlife mortality may occur as a result of direct or indirect project effects. Direct sources of wildlife mortality include: vehicle-wildlife collisions, and destruction of den sites, hibernacula and nests. Indirect mortality may occur as a result of habitat loss and displacement. Risk of wildlife mortality is species-specific and depends on the likelihood of that species encountering sources of potential mortality.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Vehicle traffic along the access road will constitute the largest mortality risk to wildlife during construction. However, transmission line construction typically involves the use of large, slow- moving vehicles, and will be isolated to sections of the preferred corridor as opposed to the entire area all at once. With implementation of timing and setback constraints for certain sensitive species, no additional mortality risks are anticipated. Once construction is complete, the risk of vehicle-wildlife collisions will be reduced because access will only be for maintenance.

Wildlife displacement may also occur as a result of human disturbance and noise. Avoidance of activity during sensitive seasons (nesting, denning, breeding seasons) will minimize mortality risks. Potential northern leopard frog breeding habitat is located in the Moose Jaw River and Girard Creek, and implementation of setback restrictions from riparian areas will minimize impacts to these sites. Mortality risks for other species such as Sprague’s pipit, burrowing owls and American badger are low due to timing restrictions and avoidance of den sites.

Construction Impact Ratings Construction of the transmission line within the RoW, including the structures, is anticipated to result in low impacts to wildlife considering the predicted changes to habitat quantity, habitat effectiveness, disruption of movement patterns and mortality risk (see Table 40).

Table 40: Project Impact Rating for Wildlife During Construction Activities

Final Impact Project Phase Direction Scope Magnitude Duration Frequency Confidence Reversibility Rating Construction Negative Local Low Short-term Once Moderate Reversible Low

Operation Impacts on Wildlife The main activity during operation will be routine inspection of the transmission line and, as required, maintenance of the transmission line structures.

Habitat Loss No wildlife habitat will be affected during operation.

Habitat Effectiveness There will be little human activity during transmission line operation, and it will be limited to inspection and maintenance activities. Traffic volumes and noise levels will be similar to pre- construction conditions. Effective habitat loss will be low.

Disruption of Movement Corridors No physical barriers will exist for wildlife as a result of the transmission line. Wildlife movement that may have been affected during construction is expected to return to pre-disturbance conditions.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Mortality Risks Birds, especially birds of prey, may experience an increase in mortality risk through collision with the transmission line resulting in electrocution (United States Geological Survey – National Wildlife Health Center 1995, Bevanger and Broseth 2004, United States Fish Wildlife Service 2005). Understanding that electrocution takes place when birds or wildlife touches two conductors at the same time, the distance between conductors on a transmission line is such that the likelihood of electrocution is minimal. Waterfowl species may also be susceptible to collisions with the transmission line in areas of high bird concentrations, especially near larger waterbodies. Proposed mitigations such as setback guidelines around waterbodies and the use of marker balls will minimize waterfowl mortalities in these areas. Mortality to other wildlife species is not expected as a result of the transmission line.

Operation Impact Ratings Project operations are expected to have a low impact on wildlife (see Table 41). Disturbances will be limited to an annual inspection and, as required, maintenance of the transmission line. Amphibians, reptiles and mammals will experience low effects from the transmission line, given the mitigation measures applied.

Table 41: Project Impact Rating for Wildlife During Operations

Project Final Impact Direction Scope Magnitude Duration Frequency Confidence Reversibility Phase Rating Operations Neutral Local Low Long-term Continuous High Reversible Low

9.2.7 Wildlife Cumulative Effect Assessment Project contributions to disturbances in the region are expected to be very low and limited primarily to the short duration of the construction phase. Therefore, project cumulative effects are anticipated to be low.

9.2.8 Wildlife: Summary of Impacts The project has been designed to minimize the impacts that wildlife may experience. Disturbance and habitat loss are expected to be minimal, identified sensitive habitats will be avoided during critical timing periods, and wildlife will continue to use habitat in the vicinity of the transmission line. Bird mortality, particularly among raptors, will be minimized due to the distances between conductors on a transmission line. Waterfowl mortalities will also be reduced through implementation of setbacks and wire markers (aerial balls). Other wildlife is not expected to experience an increased risk of mortality as a result of the transmission line. Wildlife movements will not be obstructed, and movement patterns are expected to return to near pre-disturbance conditions once construction is complete. Disturbance from transmission line inspection and maintenance activities are expected to be minimal. The overall impact from development of the transmission line is expected to be low on wildlife species and their habitats.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 9.3 Fish and Fish Habitat This section presents a baseline assessment and impact evaluation of fish and fish habitat resources along the preferred corridor. The preferred corridor passes through two basins: the Missouri River Basin and the Qu’Appelle River Basin, both of which are part of the Gulf of Mexico drainage system (Saskatchewan Watershed Authority [SWA] 2007, SWA 2008).

The project involves aerial crossings over two rivers, one reservoir and numerous unnamed tributaries. Cookson Reservoir, East Poplar River and Moose Jaw River are considered the most significant since these waterbodies have historically been found to support fish (Scott and Crossman 1973, Atton and Merkowski 1983, Saskatchewan Parks and Renewable Resources [SPRR] 1991).

Potential impacts to fish and fish habitat are considered low during the project planning phase, due to the nature of the project (i.e., overhead transmission line). These factors directed the level of detail required for the evaluation of fish and fish habitat resources within the preferred corridor. Information used for the assessment was compiled from available historical information sources, government documents and discussions with regional fisheries biologists. Rivers, streams and other waterbodies evaluated for the project were determined based on satellite imagery interpretation.

Missouri River Basin The Missouri River Basin is part of the Mississippi River watershed and eventually drains into the Gulf of Mexico. The majority of the basin lies in the United States, with a small portion extending into Saskatchewan and Alberta. Both the East Poplar River and the Cookson Reservoir are located within the Missouri River Basin.

Qu’Appelle River Basin The Qu’Appelle River Basin lies directly north of the Missouri River Basin and is also a part of the Mississippi River Watershed. The basin encompasses the Qu’Appelle River, Moose Jaw River, and numerous tributaries and lakes. The RoW will cross the Moose Jaw River on the northern section of the preferred corridor.

9.3.1 Fish Communities and Sensitive Species In the general study area, 17 species of fish have been captured (Scott and Crossman 1973, Atton and Merkowski 1983, SPRR 1991), as shown in Table 42. Both the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are non-native species and do not require conservation status (SKCDC 2008a). All fish species noted along the preferred corridor are listed as Common (S4) to Very Common (S5), and none are ranked by the Committee On the Status of Endangered Wildlife In Canada (COSEWIC) (2008).

Table 42: Status of Fish Species Documented Within the Preferred Corridor

Common Name Scientific Name Saskatchewan COSEWIC Ranking3 Ranking1

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Common Name Scientific Name Saskatchewan COSEWIC Ranking3 Ranking1 Sport Fish Goldeye Hiodon alosoides S4S5 2 N/A Northern pike Esox lucius S5 N/A Rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss SNA N/A Walleye Sander vitreus S5 N/A Non-Sport Fish Brassy minnow Hybognathus hankinsoni S3S4 2 N/A Brook stickleback Culaea inconstans S5 N/A Common carp Cyprinus carpio SNA N/A Fathead minnow Pimephales promelas S5 N/A Finescale dace Phoxinus neogaeus S5 N/A Iowa darter Etheostoma exile S5 N/A Lake Chub Couesius plumbeus S5 N/A Longnose dace Rhinichthys cataractae S5 N/A Northern redbelly dace Phoxinus eos S3S4 2 N/A Pearl dace Margariscus margarita S5 N/A River shiner Notropis blennius S5 N/A Shorthead redhorse Moxostoma macrolepidotum S4S5 2 N/A White sucker Catostomus commersoni S5 N/A Notes: 1 Rankings: S5 – Very Common; S4 – Common; S3 – Rare to Uncommon; SNA – conservation status is not applicable to the specie (SKCDC 2008b). 2 A range rank (e.g., S3S4) is used when existing information on an element straddles the criteria defining two separate ranks (e.g., S2 vs. S3) (SKCDC 2008b). 3 COSEWIC 2008.

East Poplar River The East Poplar River drains south into the Poplar River, which flows into Montana and eventually drains into the Missouri River. Sport fish and non-sport fish species have been documented in the East Poplar River. Four sport fish species have been captured, and include goldeye (Hiodon alosoides), northern pike (Esox lucius), rainbow trout and walleye (Sander vitreus). Both walleye and rainbow trout have been stocked in the river (McCutcheon, pers. comm.). Nonsport fish species documented include brassy minnow (Hybognathus hankinsoni), brook stickleback (Culaea inconstans), common carp, fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), fine-scale dace (Phoxinus neogaeus), Iowa darter (Etheostoma exile), lake chub (Couesius plumbeus), longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae), northern redbelly dace (Phoxinus eos), pearl dace (Margariscus margarita), shorthead redhorse (Moxostoma macrolepidotum) and white sucker (Catostomus commersoni).

Cookson Reservoir Cookson Reservoir is located southeast of Coronach on the East Poplar River. The reservoir was formed in 1976 with construction of the Morrison Dam across the East Poplar River (DFO 2007). The reservoir was initially stocked in 1976 with walleye and currently five hundred thousand walleye fry are stocked every two years (Saskatchewan Environment and Resource

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 Management [SERM] 2006). common carp, northern pike, walleye and white sucker have been captured in the reservoir. Prior to reservoir construction, fish species present were the same as documented in the East Poplar River, and included brassy minnow, brook stickleback, common carp, fathead minnow, finscale dace, goldeye, Iowa darter, lake chub, longnose dace, northern pike, northern redbelly dace, shorthead redhorse, pearl dace and white sucker (SPRR 1991).

Moose Jaw River From the headwaters, the Moose Jaw River drains northwest, paralleling the edge of the Missouri Coteau, to the City of Moose Jaw. Once in Moose Jaw, the river veers northeast, joining the Qu’Appelle River 5 km downstream of Buffalo Pound Lake (MJRWAC 2006). Numerous dams and weirs are found along the entire length of the Moose Jaw River and consequently provide barriers to fish migration (SWA 2005).

Walleye, yellow perch and northern pike are the only sport fish species documented in the Moose Jaw River (SPRR 1991, SWA 2005). Non-sport fish species include white sucker, brook stickleback and river shiner (Notropis blennius) (SPRR 1991). The virile crayfish (Orconectes virilise) has also been documented (SWA 2005).

Small Streams Several tributary streams occur along the preferred corridor. No historical fisheries data exist for these small tributaries.

9.3.2 Potential Impacts on Fisheries Resources and Mitigative Measures There are no anticipated residual impacts to fisheries resources from construction and operation of the proposed project providing the mitigation techniques discussed below are implemented. The project consists of overhead transmission line crossings that are suspended by steel H- frame structures. Each H-frame structure will have two poles spaced 8-10 m apart. The distance between the H-frames is 245-315 m.

No instream work requirements are expected for the project. Construction is planned from August to winter 2009/2010, and low flows are anticipated. Most crossings will be dry or frozen during the planned construction period, with the exception of East Poplar River, Cookson Reservoir and Moose Jaw River. All watercourse crossings will comply with the DFO Saskatchewan Operational Statement – Overhead Line Construction (Version 3).

The impact evaluation uses the assessment ratings defined in Section 8. Table 43 provides a summary of the potential impacts to fisheries resources for the construction and operation of the project.

Construction Impacts on Fisheries Construction-related activities have the potential to affect fisheries resources directly or indirectly through the use of heavy equipment and installation of the transmission line, in and around fish-bearing waterbodies. The vegetation clearing reservation near waterbodies will be

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 in accordance with the DFO and Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management, Fisheries Branch - Fish Habitat Protection Guidelines: Overhead Powerlines. Approvals will be obtained from DFO and MoE for any requiring vegetation clearing within those reservations. The following are the reservations of undisturbed vegetation when the transmission line is not crossing the waterbody: • 90 m for watercourses with permanent fish populations or those capable of supporting fish populations by stocking; • 30 m for watercourses with seasonal fish populations; and • 15 m for watercourses that does not support permanent or seasonal fish populations.

Introduction of Deleterious Substances There is potential for the release of deleterious substances from heavy machinery working adjacent to fish-bearing waterbodies through accidental spills, hydraulic leaks or external grease that becomes exposed to surface water. Structure installation will lead to exposed ground surfaces or spoil materials, which could lead to erosion and sedimentation into fish- bearing waterbodies. These substances could affect fish health, reproductive success, behaviour and/or result in direct fish mortalities.

Disturbances to the bed and banks, and the associated release of sediments from temporary crossings may cause potential impacts to fish and fish habitat. Further, the potential release of deleterious substances from upland sources will be mitigated by implementation of a spill contingency plan, erosion and sediment control measures, and reclamation.

Direct Loss, Alteration or Disruption of Habitat There is low potential for the loss, alteration or disruption of fish habitat. There will be no instream work required during construction of the transmission line. There may be minor clearing of riparian vegetation near waterbodies to facilitate construction, but reclamation will mitigate potential impacts. When moving construction equipment, established watercourse crossings will be used wherever possible to minimize streambed and stream bank impacts.

Operations Impacts on Fisheries There will be no impacts to fisheries resources during operations and maintenance (see Table 43). Operational activities are limited to scheduled maintenance and inspection of the transmission line. The use of temporary crossings for access during operations is not anticipated and, if required, will adhere to the same standards used during construction. Therefore, potential impacts from operations are anticipated to be similar to those described for construction. Potential impacts during operations are limited to the risk of increased fishing pressure due to improved access conditions, as discussed below.

Increased Fishing Pressure Increased fishing pressure on fish-bearing waterbodies is sometimes a concern because of improved access provided by operations activities. This potential impact would be primarily

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 associated with the East Poplar River, Cookson Reservoir and Moose Jaw River systems, and fish species that are sensitive to increased fishing pressure (i.e., walleye, northern pike). However, there will be no permanent road or trail access that will be maintained during operations. Most lands along the preferred corridor are private lands with restricted access, which will not change during operations. Therefore, there will be no expected impact to fisheries resources from increased fishing pressure.

9.3.3 Cumulative Effects on Fisheries Results of this impact assessment indicate that there will be no residual impacts to fish or fish habitat in watercourses resulting from project construction or operations. Therefore, cumulative effects to fish or fish habitat will not occur.

9.3.4 Fisheries: Summary of Impacts The following section, as well as Table 43, summarizes the potential impacts to fisheries resources from construction and operation activities.

Table 43: Impact Rating for Fisheries Resources During Construction and Operations

Final Impact Project Phase Direction Scope Magnitude Duration Frequency Confidence Rating Construction Neutral Local Low Short-term Once High Low Operations Neutral Local Low Short-term Continuous High Low

9.4 Heritage Resources An archaeological Heritage Resources Impact Assessment (HRIA) was conducted for this project under HRIA Permit No. 08-083 in May and June 2008. There were 272 archaeological sites recorded, within and immediately adjacent to the proposed preferred corridor. All sites were surface discoveries, including 120 single-stone feature sites, 85 recurrent-stone feature sites, 62 multiple-stone feature sites, 4 historic sites and 1 artifact scatter. Approximately 1,500 stone features were observed/recorded in the single-, multiple- and recurrent-stone feature sites.

A palaeontological assessment for this project was conducted under Palaeontological Permit #08-021. While several small exposures of Cretaceous bedrock are located in the preferred corridor, only one was noted to have palaeontological material associated with it. This exposure near the centre of the preferred corridor had multiple trace fossils and fossils. The exposure is estimated to have a frequency of approximately three trace fossil specimens/m² of exposed bedrock and approximately 0.5 fossil specimens/m² of exposed bedrock.

Due to the highly intermittent levels of disturbance associated with overhead transmission lines, intrusive investigative procedures, such as shovel testing, were not conducted during this initial assessment. SaskPower commits to avoiding the recorded archaeological and palaeontological sites, where practical, by structure placement during line design. Where avoidance is either not

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 possible or not practical, SaskPower commits to conducting further archaeological and palaeontological site assessment and, where necessary, mitigation programs in consultation with the Heritage Branch.

In addition to the above, SaskPower may conduct subsurface testing or construction monitoring at locations with a high potential for unrecorded buried heritage resources, in consultation with the Heritage Branch. This will also be done after the line design phase, once structure locations are known.

9.5 Impacts on the Project from the Environment During construction, it is possible that weather may cause delays to the schedule. Construction crews may be shut down for certain time periods due to temperature extremes (either heat or cold), amount of snow or rain and/or high winds, for example. Consideration for the safety of workers and preservation of the environment must be given in these instances.

In the unlikely event of vandalism or an extreme weather condition (e.g., ice storm, tornado) affecting this transmission line after it has been put into service, customers may experience power disruption. SaskPower personnel will ensure that any repairs to the line are completed in a safe, timely manner.

9.6 Socio-Economic Issues and Impacts Potential socio-economic issues and impact evaluation are addressed in this section. These can be assessed at the study area level or at the preferred corridor level depending on the issue. Existing socio-economic conditions of the study area and within the preferred corridor, including population demographics, local infrastructure and activities, are described in detail in Sections 3 and 6 respectively.

SaskPower implements a number of safeguards during the regulatory approval and implementation phases. Identification of alternative corridors (and finally RoW and structure placement) focuses on capitalizing on opportunities to mitigate environmental, agricultural, social and economic impacts.

9.6.1 Land Use & Designations A table and comprehensive maps which describe the current land use and special designations of the lands along the preferred corridor are located in Appendix 20. These are shown by quarter sections. Special designations include WHPA Lands, Agricultural Crown Lands (formerly SAF Lands), organic lands, etc.

9.6.2 Potential Impacts to Land Use To minimize impacts on the land and environment, it was concluded that the Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV transmission line will be built with double-circuit capabilities in cultivated areas with existing high-voltage transmission lines. In these locations, the existing transmission line will be moved to the new structures and the original structures removed. Utilizing double-circuit

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 construction where practical contributes in minimizing impacts on land use because it reduces the number of structures and transmission line RoWs.

During the final design phase, there will be a number of opportunities applied to mitigate impacts on land use, including some of the following. • Long span construction (230 kV tubular steel bundled conductor tangent design): • single circuit – average span = 315 m (approximately 2-3 structures per ¼ section); and • double circuit – average span = 245 m (approximately 3-4 structures per ¼ section). • Structure placement: • utilize pasture land versus cultivation where practical; • route along quarter lines, blind lines or parallel to crop lines where practical; • place transmission line structures on fence lines, crop lines, field windbreaks, at the edge of poorly drained areas and bluffs of trees, strips of unbroken lands, and on the edge of road allowances in order to reduce interference with farm machinery operation; • when this is not feasible, provide a 30 m reservation between any of the above obstacles and the nearest pole or anchor of the structure to allow farm machinery to pass; and • provide adequate clearance to outbuildings.

Land impacts will also be mitigated by constructing the line during fall and winter, using low- impact construction techniques and by centreline or structure placement adjustments to minimize impacts.

Due to the short duration of construction and the small footprint of the transmission line structures, it is anticipated that there will be minimal residual impacts on land use. A very small area of land will be disturbed during construction for structure installation, and a small area of land will be considered out-of-production after construction is complete (particularly if the structure is located in a cultivated area). Compensation is negotiated with landowners on an individual basis, based on the specific impacts to the particular piece of property (i.e., cultivated vs. forage land, number of structures on private property, footprint of structure, etc.).

9.6.3 Potential Impacts to Rural Municipalities and Communities SaskPower attempts to design facilities that will have minimal impacts on private property and communities. The preferred transmission line centreline will ensure accordance with all safety and industry standards.

Communities in the areas adjacent to the transmission line may experience a small increase to their population for a short duration of time due to the required workforce. SaskPower estimates that there may be 30-50 people working on the line contract during the 5-6 month construction phase. Communities and local businesses will see a positive economic impact from providing food services and lodging to the construction crews. Local material suppliers (for such items as crushed rock) may be called upon by the line contractor, as well as local people for certain labour requirements.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 9.6.4 Potential Impacts to Infrastructure Framework Transportation It is not anticipated that railway or air transportation will play a role in the construction of this transmission line. Use of the road network, however, will play a large role in delivering materials and resources (people and equipment) to the specific RoW during construction. However, it is expected that there will only be a minimal, short-term increase in existing traffic volumes in the area due to line construction. No road or bridge upgrades are expected for access purposes.

The type of roads that will be mainly used to access construction sites include regional paved and gravel highways, as well as local gravel and dirt roads. SaskPower does not anticipate that any damage will occur to any roadways during construction; however, in the event that this occurs, SaskPower will be in contact with the affected parties (Ministry of Highways, rural municipalities, local landowners, etc.) to resolve the situation.

Access to the transmission line RoW will be provided by means of existing roads and trails, and through three-wire barbed gates installed at fence crossings. Any temporary access road approaches or temporary culverts and fill required for this project will be removed upon construction completion unless otherwise requested by the landowner.

SaskPower will attempt to limit construction and inspection traffic within the RoW so as to confine terrain disturbance to as narrow an area as possible. It may be necessary to temporarily block or limit traffic flow in order to safely conduct construction activities. Refer to Section 7.2.2 for further information.

It is not anticipated that road bans will be a factor due to the timing of construction.

Community Infrastructure and Services It is expected that the infrastructure and services within the existing communities will be utilized by the construction personnel required for this project. The workforce will take advantage of local accommodations and services that may include (but may not be limited to) motels, campgrounds, restaurants and convenience/grocery stores. The line contractor will determine the final plans for their workers, however it is anticipated that the preference will be to accommodate people to facilitate efficiencies in travelling to and from their specific work sites each day.

Local municipal infrastructure (including utilities, water, wastewater, solid waste, communications, etc.) in the study area are site specific and managed locally. Additional infrastructure and/or services (in as far as health services and education, for example) are not anticipated to be required due to the nature of the temporary relocation of the work crews and short duration of the construction. Existing emergency services in the area will be utilized, if required.

Once the transmission line is put into service, operation of these facilities will be coordinated by SaskPower personnel. It is not anticipated that any additions to the existing workforce will be required.

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9.6.5 Potential Impacts to Recreational Land Use SaskPower does not anticipate any residual impacts with regards to various parks, historic sites, recreation opportunities and other cultural, historic or tourist attractions within the study area since the preferred corridor does not affect any of those sites.

9.6.6 Potential Impacts to Regional Economy and Employment There may be employment and business opportunities as the transmission line will be constructed using Canadian, privately owned transmission line companies selected through a tendering process. Many of these companies will have staff readily available, and the short duration of the project will mean that employment opportunities may be relatively limited and short term. However, SaskPower will encourage all contractors to hire local people whenever possible. Local businesses (hotels and restaurants) located in the communities near the transmission line may benefit during the few months of construction.

SaskPower encourages tenderers to use Saskatchewan products and services. SaskPower also encourages tenderers to provide job training, employment and business opportunities for visible minorities, persons with disabilities and women in under-represented occupations. SaskPower may give the tenderers a preference if, while performing the contract, the tenderer provides training, employment opportunities or other business opportunities for Saskatchewan residents or businesses.

Once in service, steel transmission lines may require periodic maintenance. Current SaskPower employees will conduct/coordinate yearly line inspections and perform any required maintenance activities required.

9.6.7 Potential Electric and Magnetic Field Impacts and Mitigative Measures On a daily basis, most people are exposed to EMF generated by household wiring, lighting, computers and other electrical appliances, such as hair dryers, coffee makers, televisions and power tools. Since the 1970s, scientists have been researching possible human health effects of EMF, particularly certain cancers (including brain cancer, lymphoma, breast cancer and leukemia). This extensive research has not proven a link between health risks and EMF. However, questions remain about the possible relationship between EMF and certain human diseases.

SaskPower is committed to the health, safety and welfare of the public and its employees, and recognizes the public concern over potential adverse health effects from EMF. SaskPower works with all stakeholders, including regulatory agencies, the government and the public, to develop and implement appropriate EMF policies. As a member of the Canadian Electricity Association, SaskPower is committed to supporting EMF research to resolve ongoing questions, as well as to providing educational materials and facilitating magnetic field measurement for the public and employees.

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 The EMF levels around powerlines drop off very quickly with distance, and therefore it is unlikely that the new line will affect field levels in people’s homes. Figure 40 shows the magnetic field profile for the Poplar River - Pasqua Transmission Line.

Figure 40 Magnetic Field Profile for the Polar River to Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line

9.6.8 Potential Electrical Interference SaskPower must adhere to Industry Canada standards for radio influence voltage (radio noise). Radio noise is minimized through appropriate structure, hardware and conductor design. SaskPower does not expect to experience problems, however, SaskPower will mitigate any issues if they arise.

9.6.9 Noise The most common industrial and commercial noise sources found in the preferred corridor area are generated from ordinary rural agricultural and commercial activities. Everyday farming, cattle grazing and transportation activities, plus familiar rural community routines and seasonal tourism, and summer events contribute to normal background noise levels.

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Construction The addition of line development noise levels generated by heavy construction equipment (backhoes, dozers, brushers, tower erection cranes, etc.) and the transportation systems required to move construction material along highways and municipal roads will be short term in nature and be a fairly minor intrusion relative to the typical background noise levels experienced in the affected communities.

Operation Audible noise is generally not considered to be significant on transmission lines below 500kV, and then only during precipitation. In such a rain, audible noise produced by the Poplar River - Pasqua Transmission Line operating at 230kV would not exceed background noise levels.

9.6.10 Socio-Economic and Land Use Cumulative Effects Assessment Looking into the future, it is possible that development of this transmission line may make the adjacent areas more attractive to industrial developments and businesses.

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10.0 MONITORING PROGRAMS As a mitigation measure, SaskPower has opted to provide environmental monitoring during the construction of this project.

10.1 General Construction Monitoring In an effort to ensure that proper mitigation strategies are implemented during construction activities and that the monitoring program is conducted in an appropriate manner, the environmental monitor(s) will receive an information package that will list all mitigation measures, regulatory requirements and conditions (either under regulations, permits, assessment results and approvals), terrain conditions, environmental conditions within the work area and any other information that will assist the Environmental Monitor in the performance of their duties. The environmental monitors will perform ground patrols and will report on the environmental conditions of the RoW and construction work to SaskPower’s environmental staff. Any environmental issues that may arise will be dealt with in consultation with MoE and the Project Engineer.

A description of the environmental monitor’s duties is contained in Appendix 18. SaskPower will oversee environmental matters during construction through the Project Engineer, SaskPower’s Environmental Assessment and Approvals Coordinator, the Environmental Monitor and the Construction Supervisor.

The Environmental Monitor will report to SaskPower’s Environmental Assessment Coordinator for the project. In the event that a regulatory agent is asking to visit the construction site, the Environmental Monitor will accompany that agent and make sure that safety protocols and orientations are adhered to.

SaskPower will conduct a pre-construction session for all personnel to ensure that they understand their roles and responsibilities. The construction supervisor will support the environmental in enforcing all environmental protection measures, as outlined in the environmental assessment, in conditions of all regulatory permits and approvals and in SaskPower’s general mitigation measures.

Following construction, SaskPower will: • if requested by MoE or other environmental regulators, a post-construction inspection of the project may be conducted in conjunction with the Construction Supervisor, SaskPower’s Assessment and Approvals Coordinator and the Environmental Monitor; • conduct a post-construction inspection of all stream and creek crossings; • seek reclamation acceptance with landowners, including with MoE on provincial crown- controlled lands; and

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• submit a post-construction environmental as-built report for the project 90 days after the project reaches substantial completion, and will indicate any follow-up mitigation or impact management requirements.

10.2 Environmental Monitoring Procedures In addition to the above-noted general construction monitoring procedures, the monitoring procedures listed below will be used for specific disciplines.

10.2.1 Vegetation Monitoring An environmental monitor will be onsite during construction to ensure that immediate impacts are as predicted, that planned mitigation measures are implemented (see Section 9) and to identify any unforeseen impacts. Post-construction surveys will be conducted to evaluate the efficacy of mitigation and remediation activities, and to identify any additional remediation requirements. This includes monitoring to ensure that disturbed areas are revegetating with appropriate plant species (either seeded or natural revegetation) and monitoring for weeds. Longer term (3-5 years post construction) monitoring of more heavily impacted sites will be conducted to ensure adequate reclamation of disturbed areas. Following revegetation, the ground cover will be monitored for vegetation establishment and the presence of weeds for two complete growing seasons or until an appropriate ground cover of target species is reached.

The intent of monitoring is the systematic audit of the EIA process; the accuracy of predictions and the adequacy of proposed mitigation measures, as well as to identify and remedy any unforeseen negative effects.

10.2.2 Wildlife Monitoring The Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV transmission line will cross areas that contain wildlife habitat and support important wildlife species. Populations of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians exist along the preferred corridor. Sharp-tailed grouse leks, burrowing owl burrows and raptor nesting sites are of prime concern, and protection of these sites will be the main focus of the monitoring programs. The wildlife monitoring activities for the project will include the following. • Construction activities will be overseen by a qualified wildlife biologist or environmental monitor to ensure that immediate impacts are as predicted and that planned mitigation measures are implemented. • The environmental monitor will actively investigate the project RoW area for the presence of undocumented sharp-tailed grouse leks, burrowing owl burrows and raptor nests before construction occurs in the area. If a new site is found on or within the Saskatchewan setback guidelines, construction activities within the setback distance will halt, the location will be catalogued and the local MoE wildlife biologist will be contacted for further direction. The site will be left undisturbed by construction personnel and activities. • The environmental monitor will regularly monitor the preferred corridor for the presence of wildlife, in and around the construction site. If an increased sighting frequently occurs,

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 appropriate corrective measures will be undertaken (in consultation with MoE) where necessary.

10.3 Operational Inspections and Monitoring SaskPower will conduct air patrols at least once per year by fixed-wing aircraft to monitor the condition of the transmission line. Air patrols will have very limited impacts on the environment and are generally well understood by landowners, industry and regulatory agencies.

Routine ground patrols of the RoW will typically occur once a year during the fall to minimize potential impacts to the environment and agricultural activities. These regularly scheduled inspections will be supplemented with spot-point inspections typically performed when maintenance activities take place along the transmission line.

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11.0 SUMMARY OF IMPACTS AND MITIGATIVE MEASURES Table 41 summarizes the impact levels on the various Valued Ecosystem Components (VECs) as the defined environmental assessment criteria in Section 8 after the application of mitigation measures proposed in this document. A similar assessment methodology was applied to socio-economic components. Table 42 summarizes the type of impacts and the some of the proposed mitigation measures. A complete list of all the mitigative measures is provided in Appendix 19.

Table 44 Summary of Impact Levels of the Project on Valued Ecosystem Components (VECs)

VECs Receptor Directio Scope Magnitude Duration Frequency Reversibility Confidenc Final n e Impact Rating

Vegetation and Wetlands

Impacts Due to the Row Agricultural lands Negative Local Moderate Short-term Intermittent Reversible Moderate Native grassland Negative Local Moderate Short-term Intermittent Reversible Moderate Tree and shrub Negative Local Moderate Long-term Continuous Reversible Moderate habitat Waterbodies (wetlands, lakes Negative Local Low Short-term Intermittent Reversible Moderate and streams) Rare plants Negative Local Unknown Long-term Intermittent Unknown Low Introduction of non-native plant Negative Local Low Long-term Continuous Reversible Moderate species Impacts Due to the Structures Agricultural lands Negative Local Low Long-term Continuous Reversible High Native grassland Negative Local Low Long-term Continuous Reversible High Tree and shrub Negative Local Low Long-term Continuous Reversible High habitat Waterbodies Neutral High (wetlands, lakes

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VECs Receptor Directio Scope Magnitude Duration Frequency Reversibility Confidenc Final n e Impact Rating and streams) Rare plants Negative Local Unknown Long-term Continuous Unknown Low Introduction of non-native plant Negative Local Low Long-term Continuous Reversible Moderate species

For Vegetation and Wetlands: Low

Wildlife

Construction Phase

Negative Local Low Short-Term Once Reversible Moderate Low

Operations Low Neutral Local Low Long-Term Continuous Reversible High

Fisheries Resources

Construction Phase

Neutral Local Low Short-Term Once - High Low

Operations

Neutral Local Low Short-Term Continuous - High Low

Socio-Economic

Land Use Negative Local Low Long-Term Continuous Reversible High Low

Rural Municipalities and Positive Local Moderate Short-Term Once - High (+) Communities

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VECs Receptor Directio Scope Magnitude Duration Frequency Reversibility Confidenc Final n e Impact Rating Infrastructure Negative Local Low Short-Term Once - High Low Framework Recreational Neutral Local Low Short-Term Once - High -- Land Use Regional Economy and Positive Local Moderate Short-Term Once - High (+) Employment EMF, Electrical Interference, Negative Local Low Long-Term Continuous Reversible High Low Noise

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Table 45 Summary Table – Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Options Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line EIS Environmental Issue Type of Impact Mitigation Options Reference Section(s) • No disturbance within 45m from nonfish-bearing 9.2.6 waterbodies and 90m from fish-bearing waterbodies, unless specifically authorized (e.g., Aquatic Habitat Protection Permit and/or DFO authorization) • Vegetation clearing will be confined to the ROW (i.e. 32-38 m), except for selective cutting of exceptionally tall trees located outside the RoW which represent a danger to the operation of the transmission line, • Shrub and tree removal minimized allowing for safe construction and line operational security • Utilize minimal disturbance construction techniques Habitat Loss. Direct loss of wildlife habitat due (construction under frozen or unsaturated/stable to construction activities (tree and shrub clearing Wildlife ground conditions), minimizing vegetation removal for construction, removal of habitat at location of whenever practical and leaving soil intact structures, etc.). • No structures will be positioned directly in wetlands/potholes, waterbodies or riparian habitat • Structure placement designed to avoid known locations of important habitat for sensitive species, such as leks and active burrowing owl nests • Any construction activities (not including centreline surveys and structure staking) to be done prior to August 31st and after March 15th in grassland habitats will be preceded by fieldchecks conducted by a qualified biologist for the possible presence of Sprague’s pipit nests and avoid sharp-tailed grouse leks respectively; Loss of Habitat Effectiveness. Under- • Maintain adequate setback restrictions for certain 9.2.6 utilization or abandonment of suitable habitat by species, as detailed by Saskatchewan Ministry of wildlife due to factors associated with Environment Activity Restriction Guidelines (c.f., Appendix 17 of EIS) construction / operation / maintenance (noise, Wildlife • Utilize fall-winter construction to avoid disruption of presence of machinery or humans, etc.). May amphibian breeding period also include abandonment of eggs or young, • Sensory disturbances, such as noise, will be minimized reduced foraging efficiencies, reduced intra- where practical specific communication, interference with • An Environmental Monitor will be present during

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 EIS Environmental Issue Type of Impact Mitigation Options Reference Section(s) breeding behaviors, and disruption of local construction and will report all observations regarding movement patterns. the presence of Rare or Endangered species to the MoE for inclusion in the Sask CDC database • If an occupied den, raptor nest or problem animal is found any time during construction, the Environmental Monitor will assess the situation and advise on the course of action (which may include contacting MoE) before work at the specific site proceeds • Any construction (not including centreline surveys and structure staking) to be done prior to August 31st and after March 15th in grassland habitats will be preceded by fieldchecks conducted by a qualified biologist for the possible presence of Sprague’s pipit nests and avoid sharp-tailed grouse leks respectively; • Known active grouse leks will be avoided at all times • Known burrowing owl burrow sites will be avoided at all times • Employees and contractors will be reminded to watch 9.2.6 for wildlife when operating a vehicle, and yield on the ROW when wildlife are encountered Mortality. Direct and indirect wildlife mortality • All construction equipment or other vehicle collisions due to vehicle-wildlife collisions (during with wildlife or encounters with troublesome animals will construction and maintenance), destruction of be immediately reported to the environmental monitor Wildlife den sites / hibernacula / nests (construction), • No hunting/no firearm policy will be implemented for all collision with conductors and lightning shield personnel, including contractors, while on-site wires (during operation), or other interactions • Feeding of wildlife by project personnel will not be with infrastructure or personnel allowed while working on site • Aerial marker balls or bird deflectors will be placed on wires where it was determined that a waterbody is likely to attract a significant number of waterfowls Disruption of Movement. Avoidance or • Timing of construction to avoid time period in which 9.2.6 deflection of movement of wildlife due to amphibians are moving to over-wintering areas presence of structures or construction activities, resulting in a disruption in regular movement Wildlife patterns. Amphibians in particular may experience some disruption if access or construction occurs in between their breeding and overwintering areas

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 EIS Environmental Issue Type of Impact Mitigation Options Reference Section(s) • Minimize volume of traffic and width of travel land on 9.1.6 the RoW to reduce the area of traffic disturbance and the potential for compaction of the soil • Minimal disturbance construction techniques will be used which will minimize traffic impacts to native plant species (construction under frozen or Impacts to Cultivated Lands. Impact of unsaturated/stable ground conditions, minimizing construction and operation activities within the vegetation removal where practical, and leaving soil Vegetation intact) right-of-way when located in cultivated • Equipment will be cleaned prior to entering native agricultural lands grassland areas to prevent the spread of weeds into these areas Minimal soil stripping limited to the structure locations and exposed soil will be kept to a minimum at all times • Access to the RoW and transmission line will be restricted to existing roads and trails to the extent practical (i.e., no new roads will be constructed) • Minimizing volume of traffic and width of travel land on 9.1.6 the RoW to reduce the area of traffic disturbance and the potential for compaction • Minimal disturbance construction techniques will be used which will minimize traffic impacts to native plant species (construction under frozen or unsaturated/stable ground conditions, minimizing vegetation removal where practical, and leaving soil intact) Impacts to Native Grasslands. Impact of • Minimal soil stripping limited to the structure locations construction and operation activities on native and exposed soil will be kept to a minimum at all times Vegetation vegetation within the right-of-way when located in • Long span H-Frame construction (245-315 m average areas of native grassland span length), which minimizes the number of structures and therefore the number of locations of intensive construction activity (less footprint); • Where practical, spanning the transmission line over coulees to reduce disturbance to the native vegetation and habitat in these areas, and reseeding disturbed areas with appropriate seed mixes following construction (i.e., appropriate native grass seed mix within the grasslands); • Reseeding disturbed areas with appropriate seed mixes

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 EIS Environmental Issue Type of Impact Mitigation Options Reference Section(s) following construction (i.e., appropriate native grass seed mix within the grasslands) • Access to the RoW and transmission line will be restricted to existing roads and trails to the extent practical (i.e., no new roads will be constructed as a result of this project) • Vegetation clearing will be confined to the width of the 9.1.6 RoW, and in accordance with SaskPower's Vegetation Impacts to Trees and Shrubs. Impact of Management Policy (SaskPower 2007) Vegetation construction and operation activities on tree and • Travel across permanent streams (i.e., riparian areas) shrub habitat within the right-of-way will be restricted • Using a large span 245-315 m which minimizes the number of structures • No disturbance within 45m of nonfish-bearing 9.1.6 waterbodies and 90m from fish-bearing waterbodies will occur to avoid disturbing riparian vegetation, unless specifically authorized by the MoE or DFO • Draining of wetlands and dugouts will be avoided • Where practical, access and construction activities will Impacts to Wetlands. Impact of construction occur during frozen or dry conditions and operation activities on wetland and riparian • Structures will not be erected in wetlands, waterbodies Vegetation vegetation within the right-of-way, including or riparian habitat compaction of soils, crushed or damaged • Travel across permanent streams will be restricted vegetation, and clearing of vegetation. (most crossings will be dry or frozen during the planned construction period) • No deleterious substances (i.e., vegetation) will be disposed of within riparian areas • Disturbed banks and approaches on waterbodies will be hand seeded as soon as practical following construction to ensure rapid soil stabilization • A pre-construction rare plant survey program will be 9.1.6 undertaken by qualified botanists in native habitat Impacts to Rare Plant Species. Impact of portions of the RoW before construction, emphasizing construction and operation activities on rare or structure locations. Vegetation endangered plant populations within the right-of- • All observations regarding the presence of rare or way, including vegetation clearing and loss of endangered species by project personnel will be surface area at structure sites reported to the MoE for inclusion in the Sask CDC database • Environmental Monitors will mark for avoidance area(s)

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 EIS Environmental Issue Type of Impact Mitigation Options Reference Section(s) known rare plant populations that may be impacted by the construction work and, if required, evaluate in consultation with MoE the use of other protection strategies • Where practical, construction in native habitats will occur after freeze-up and before spring thaw to minimize traffic impacts to native plant species (i.e., when the plants are dormant) • Timing and activity setback restrictions for sensitive species identified in Saskatchewan Activity Restriction Guidelines for Sensitive Species in Natural Habitats (see Appendix 17) will be implemented • Where practical structure placement will be adjusted to avoid identified populations of rare species • Equipment will be cleaned prior to entering native 9.1.6 grassland areas to prevent the spread of weeds into these areas • Any material brought into the corridor for use during construction will be certified weed free by the Environmental Monitor Introduction of Non-Native Plant Species. • Where reseeding is to take place only approved seed Introduction and spread of weeds or other non- mixes will be used. Vegetation native plant species in the right-of-way due to • All straw and hay used for crimping and amendments, erosion control or other construction uses will be contamination from equipment used in the examined and, if need be, receive certification as weed construction or operation of the line free to prevent introduction of foreign seed • Seed mixes for revegetation will be compatible with existing native vegetation and the end land use in the area (i.e., either native prairie, pasture or cropland) • SaskPower will monitor disturbed areas for weeds and appropriate reestablishment and will implement remediation measures where necessary • Access trail grading will not occur unless it is pre- 9.1.6 Loss of surface area. Loss of surface area for approved; if approved, grading will be designed to minimize impacts along the route and will be scarified vegetation due to erosion on steep slopes or Vegetation after construction to enhance revegetation from grading, stockpiling, or construction • Clearing and grading of natural vegetation on strong activities. slopes (>15%) will be avoided when possible • On strong slopes (>15%), construction traffic will be

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 EIS Environmental Issue Type of Impact Mitigation Options Reference Section(s) rerouted or diverted to approved temporary crossings and accesses or appropriate measures will be taken to minimize soil impacts when possible • stockpiling areas, where practical, will be located on existing disturbances or on areas lacking native vegetation • Maintain vegetation non-disturbance from waterbodies 9.3.2 which are not crossed by the transmission line in Deleterious Substances. Potential harm to fish accordance with DFO and Sask MoE guidelines, and fish habitat from the release of deleterious including as follows: 90m for watercourses with substances into the water. Such substances permanent fish populations or those capable of could come from heavy machinery working supporting fish populations by stocking; 30m for watercourses with seasonal fish populations; and 15m adjacent to the water through accidental spills, Fisheries for watercourses that do not support permanent or hydraulic leaks, or external grease exposed to seasonal fish populations surface water. Pole installation will lead to • SaskPower will implement a spill contingency plan to exposed ground surfaces and spoil materials deal with the accidental release of deleterious which could lead to erosion and sedimentation substances by machinery upland of waterbodies into fish-bearing waterbodies. • Erosion and sediment control measures will be implemented where exposed soils from structure installation occurs upland of waterbodies Direct Loss of Habitat. Loss, alteration or • Reclamation of riparian areas cleared during 9.3.2 disruption of fish habitat due to construction or construction operation activities, such as clearing of riparian • Established watercourse crossings will be used Fisheries vegetation near waterbodies during construction whenever possible to minimize streambed and bank or damage to banks and streambeds during impacts equipment crossings Increased Fishing Pressure. Increased fishing • Permanent road or trail access along the right-of-way 9.3.2 will not be maintained during operations Fisheries pressure due to improved access to fish-bearing • Lands along the RoW will remain private lands with waterbodies via transmission line right-of-way restricted access • An archaeological Heritage Impact Assessment (HRIA) 9.4 Protection of Heritage Resources. Protection was conducted on the preferred corridor. Heritage Resources of archaeological or paleontological historical • SaskPower will continue to work in consultation with the sites Heritage Branch throughout the construction of this project. Land Use Impacts. Potential impacts to land • Double-circuit construction in cultivated areas with 9.8.1 Socio-Economic use such as interference with agricultural existing high-voltage transmission lines

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 EIS Environmental Issue Type of Impact Mitigation Options Reference Section(s) operations or loss of productive agricultural or • Where practical, routing along quarter-section lines, pasture land section blind lines, or parallel to existing crop lines • Where practical, routing along fence lines, crop lines, field wind breaks, at the edge of poorly drained areas and bluffs of trees, strips of unbroken lands, or on the edge of road allowances • Where placement on cultivated land is unavoidable, ensure a 30m reservation between RoW and nearest obstacle to allow farm machinery to pass • Provide adequate clearance to outbuildings • Where practical, autumn or winter construction to reduce interference with seeding/harvest operations • Use of low-impact construction techniques • Movement of structures during design phase to allow for avoidance of obstacles / problems such as those listed above • Financial compensation negotiated with landowners (on individual basis) based on specific impacts to their property (number of structures, structure footprint, etc) Impacts to Rural Municipalities and • Transmission line will be designed to minimize impacts 9.6.3 Communities. Potential impacts to communities on private property and rural municipalities, both during construction • Construction and operation of transmission line will be phase and in long-term, including effects on in accordance with all safety and industry standards Socio-Economic aesthetics and perceived value of property, increased local business purchases by construction crews, possible increased employment and • No road or bridge upgrades are expected for access 9.6.4 purposes Transportation Infrastructure. Impacts to • SaskPower will be in contact with affected parties existing transportation infrastructure, including (Ministry of Highways, Rural Municipalities, local increases in traffic volume on roads, temporary Socio-Economic landowners) to resolve any damages incurred on roads blockage or obstruction of traffic flow on certain due to construction roads for safe construction activities, or roadway • Temporary access road approaches or temporary damage during materials / equipment movement, culverts and fill required for the project will be removed upon construction completion, unless otherwise requested by the landowner Socio-Economic Community Infrastructure and Services. • Where practical, and at the discretion of the line 9.6.4

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Poplar River – Pasqua 230 kV Transmission Line April 2009 EIS Environmental Issue Type of Impact Mitigation Options Reference Section(s) Impacts on existing community infrastructure and contractor, construction personnel will utilize existing services, such as increased demand for local local infrastructure and services within nearby goods and services by constructions crews, and communities, including local accommodations and increased demand for emergency services services such as restaurants, stores and campgrounds. • Existing emergency services in the area will be utilized, if required • Relatively short length of time of construction and constant relocation of construction crews will eliminate need for additional infrastructure or services (such as expanded health services or education) Recreational Land Use. No impacts are • no mitigation necessary 9.6.5 anticipated to recreational lands such as parks, Socio-Economic historic sites, tourist attractions or other cultural, historic or recreation opportunities • SaskPower will encourage all contractors to hire local 9.6.6 people whenever possible Regional Economy and Employment. Impacts • SaskPower will encourage contractors to provide job to the regional economy and employment within Socio-Economic training, employment and business opportunities for the local area due to construction and operation visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and women of the line in underrepresented occupations • SaskPower encourages tenderers to use Saskatchewan products and services EMF Health Effects. Possible health effects due • EMF levels around powerlines drop off very quickly with 9.6.7 Socio-Economic to exposure to EMF from nearby transmission distance; it is therefore unlikely that the new line will line affect field levels in people’s homes Potential Electrical Interference. Interference • Minimized through appropriate structure, hardware and 9.6.8 Socio-Economic with electric and electronic devices or signals conductor design. due to EMF generated by transmission line • SaskPower will mitigate if issues arise Line Noise Impacts. Potential transmission line • For construction, machinery and construction noise will 9.6.9 noise impacts from the conductor, including a be short term in nature and typical of farming Socio-Economic machinery minor noise level or hum discernable during • For operation of the line, audible noise would not operation of the line exceed background noise levels

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12.0 CONCLUSION The Poplar River to Pasqua 230 kV transmission line project was thoroughly described throughout this document, including all the measures that are being taken to minimize the impact of this project on the communities and the environment. The overall impact for this project is expected to be low. SaskPower has been and will be working closely with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment and other organizations to continue to address present and unforeseen concerns.

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GLOSSARY

Aboriginal Includes the Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada.

Aquifer Groundwater-bearing formations within the earth which are sufficiently permeable to transmit and yield water in usable quantities.

Artifact Any object made, used or modified by humans. Archaeologically, artifacts are often implements made of stone or bone (e.g., a projectile point), but can include non-portable features (such as fire pits) and animal remains used by people.

Baseline The current state of the environment or environmental setting for a particular Information element. This information will assist in determining potential project environmental effects by providing an environmental reference point for the element, with which to compare future environmental conditions, and potential project effects.

Bedrock Plateau A high, relatively flat area where the underlying earth material is preglacial sediment (i.e., shale, sandstone, etc.), commonly referred to as bedrock.

Bedrock Sediments Pre-glacial sediment that has been transported by ice, water, air or gravity that was originally part of the solid rock that makes up the earth’s crust.

Bedrock-Controlled A landform in which the underlying bedrock determines the shape of an inclined Slopes surface.

Benchland Also called terraces. A flat land surface that forms a distinct “bench-like” landform. Usually located along the side of a valley and may consist of several terrace levels.

Biophysical The components of the earth, including: Environment • land, water and air, including all layers of the atmosphere; • all organic and inorganic matter and living organisms; and • the interacting natural systems that include components referred to in the previous bullets.

Call-Playback The broadcasting of an animal vocalization to invoke a response.

Centreline The surveyed line within the preferred corridor along which the transmission line will be constructed. The centreline location will be finalized after project approval has been granted by MoE.

Chernozemic Soils Soils with a thick, nearly black or black, organic matter-rich A horizon, high in exchangeable calcium, which is underlain by a lighter-coloured transitional horizon and occurs above a zone of calcium carbonate accumulation. This fertile black soil, rich in humus, forms in a cool subhumid climate under a vegetation of tall grass and midgrass prairie.

Constraint Environmental, engineering and socio-economic conditions that limit the design, alignment or timing of facility construction and use.

Coulee A deep gully formed by surface erosion caused by rain or melting snow. Coulees often carry seasonal flow and are usually dry in the summer.

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Cretaceous A geological period of earth history during which dinosaurs reached their maximum development. Much of southern Saskatchewan is underlain by Cretaceous age bedrock. The Cretaceous commenced about 144 million years ago and ended about 65 million years ago. It is partially defined by the extinction of the dinosaurs around 65 million years ago. The Cretaceous is part of the Mesozoic Era, the age of the dinosaurs. See Mesozoic.

Critical Habitat The habitat that is necessary for the survival or recovery of a listed wildlife species and that is identified as the species’ critical habitat in the recovery strategy or in an action plan for the species. [Species at Risk Act s. 2]

Cumulative Effects Changes to the environment that are caused by an action in combination with other past, present and future human actions. (“Action” includes projects and activities.)

Curvilinear Glacial Broadly accurate, subparallel ridges, commonly high (up to 60 m), large and long Ice-Thrust Ridge (up to several km), resembling moraines but composed mostly of detached blocks of unconsolidated bedrock and/or Quaternary deposits that have been folded and thrusted by glacial pressure.

Deleterious (a) Any substance that, if added to any water, would degrade or alter or form Substance part of a process of degradation or alteration of the quality of that water so that it is rendered or is likely to be rendered deleterious to fish or fish habitat or to the use by man of fish that frequent that water; or (b) Any water that contains a substance in such quantity or concentration, or that has been so treated, processed or changed, by heat or other means, from a natural state that it would, if added to any other water, degrade or alter or form part of a process of degradation or alteration of the quality of that water so that it is rendered or is likely to be rendered deleterious to fish or fish habitat or to the use by man of fish that frequent that water. [Fisheries Act s. 34(1)]

Double Circuit The practice of building a transmission line with a structure that can support two Construction sets of electrical circuits.

Easement An agreement under which a company acquires the right to use the land for the pipeline or transmission line. It is a written contract that sets out the rights of the company and rights of the landowner for the use of the RoW.

Ecodistrict An area of relatively homogenous ecological conditions. Ecodistricts are defined by characteristics such as regional landforms, soil development, vegetation and precipitation.

Ecozone An ecological zone having unique climate, relief, soil, flora and fauna and human activities.

Endangered A species facing imminent extirpation or extinction in Canada (COSEWIC 1997). Species

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Environmental In respect of a project: Effect (a) Any change that the project may cause in the environment, including any change it may cause to a listed wildlife species, its critical habitat or the residences of individuals of that species, as those terms are defined in subsection 2(1) of the Species at Risk Act, (b) Any effect of any change referred to in paragraph (a) on: (i) health and socio-economic conditions, (ii) physical and cultural heritage, (iii) the current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes by aboriginal persons, or (iv) any structure, site or thing that is of historical, archaeological, paleontological or architectural significance, or (c) Any change to the project that may be caused by the environment, whether any such change or effect occurs within or outside Canada. [Canadian Environmental Assessment Act s. 2]

Environmentally An area designated in regional or local land use plans, or by a local, regional, Sensitive Area provincial or federal government body as being sensitive to disturbance or identified by an applicant as being sensitive for some reason.

Erosion The process by which material, such as rock or soil, is worn away or removed by wind or water.

Fen Low-lying wet land with grassy vegetation; usually is a transition zone between land and water – alkaline bog zone.

Firm Load The load of current on transmission line conductors that SaskPower is obligated to provide for except under certain prescribed conditions.

Floodplain Flat land bordering a stream and subject to periodic flooding by the stream. Two or more levels of flooding may be present.

Fluvial Deposits Material deposited by running water, such as a river or stream.

Fluvial Outwash Bodies of chiefly gravely to sandy stratified drift that are washed out and Terrain deposited by glacial streams or rivers.

Forage Land A landcover type that includes hayland and improved (i.e., seeded) pasture land; also includes previously cultivated land that has been reseeded to grass.

Forb Any broad-leaved herbaceous plant that is not a grass, especially one that grows in a prairie or meadow.

Geomorphology The study of landscape and geologic forces that produce it. It concerns that branch of physical geography dealing with the form, origin and development of the earth’s surface features (landforms) and the history of geologic changes through the interpretation of topographic forms.

Glacial Drift Material of any sort deposited by geological processes after having been removed from another location by processes connected with past glaciations. Glacial drift includes all materials moved by glaciers and by the action of meltwater streams and glacial lakes associated with them.

Glacial Kettles A sharply outlined closed depression in glacial drift created by the melting out of a mass of underlying ice. Many kettles are steep-sided bowl-shaped depressions resembling in a kettle drum form. Commonly 3-30 m deep and 30-150 m across.

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Glacial Till Nonsorted and nonstratified relatively loose or compact drift deposited directly by glacial ice. Generally, till is composed of a wide range of mixed grain sizes (clay to boulders), with some of the pebbles and stones being polished, striated (scratched), and soled (corners blunted and faces bevelled and smoothed), indicating ice movement and abrasion. The relative proportions of clay, silt, sand, gravel, cobbles and boulders in till vary according to the character of the local bedrock or unconsolidated deposits over which the glacier moved, and with distance of transport and amount of grinding.

Glaciofluvial Sediments or landforms produced by sediments deposited by melt waters originating from a glacier or ice sheet.

Glaciolacustrine Pertaining to, or characterized by, glacial lake processes or conditions. The term is applied especially to fine-grained (sand, silt, clay) sediments that were deposited in glacial lakes.

Grassland Native prairie which has never been cultivated; such areas may be grazed by cattle, but they have never been broken or modified by mechanical means.

Groundwater Subsurface water that occurs beneath the water table in soils and geological formations (in the pores/voids within rocks both unconsolidated and consolidated) that are fully saturated. It is the water within the earth that supplies water wells and springs.

H Frame Structure A two-pole structure with one or two horizontal tie members used to support three phases and their associated insulators. The structure may also be designed to support additional wires.

Habitat The part of the physical environment in which a plant or animal lives.

Historical Works of nature or by humans valued for their paleontological, archaeological, Resources prehistoric, historic, cultural, natural, scientific or aesthetic interest.

Historical Period In Canada, any site post-dating European contact Site

Holocene The present geological epoch. The warming period associated with the end of the Ice Age, beginning about 10,000 years ago. Defined geologically by the disappearance of major ice age fauna, such as mammoth.

Hutterite Colony An agricultural community composed of and run by members of an Anabaptist religious group, the Hutterites.

Hydrographic A landscape feature associated with bodies of water. Feature

Incised Valleys A very deeply cut valley bounded by terraces, hills or mountains, commonly traversed by a stream that receives drainage from the surrounding upland.

Interbedded Shale Alternating layers of shale and other sedimentary bedrock materials.

Intertill Between two glacial till formations.

Knob-and-Kettle An undulating landscape in which a disordered assemblage of knolls, mounds, or ridges of glacial drift is interspersed with irregular depressions - hilly terrain.

Lacustrine Pertaining to lakes. The sedimentary deposits laid down under water on the bed of a lake.

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Loam The textural class name for soil having moderate amounts of sand, silt and clay. Pedologically, loam soils contain 7-27% clay, 28-50% silt and less than 52% sand.

Mesozoic: A geological era of earth history that runs from about 245 million years ago to 65 million years ago. That period of earth history during which reptilian life forms (essentially dinosaurs) were dominant. “Meso” means middle and the reptiles were dominant between the marine invertebrates of the Palaeozoic which preceded them and the Cenozoic, the current era, where mammals are the dominant large animal life form. See Cretaceous.

Migratory Bird A migratory bird referred to in the Migratory Birds Convention, and includes the sperm, eggs, embryos, tissue cultures and parts of the bird. [Migratory Birds Convention Act s. 2]

Mitigation In respect of a project, the elimination, reduction or control of the adverse environmental effects of the project, and includes restitution for any damage to the environment caused by such effects through replacement, restoration, compensation or any other means. [Canadian Environmental Assessment Act s. 2]

Monitoring Program The program for observing the potential environmental effects of a project, resolving specific outstanding environmental issues, and determining the action required based on the result of these activities.

Morainal Plains Extensive areas of glacial till with low relief and characterized by gently sloping surface topography with shallow closed depressions.

Morainal Veneer A thin (usually <1 m) surficial layer of glacial till.

Moraine Terrain Terrain characterized by glacial till with uneven surface topography and closed depressions.

North American These reliability standards are the result of industry efforts led by NERC to Reliability increase the reliability of the transmission system in North America. American and Standards Canadian jurisdictions are adopting these standards to help prevent a large-scale loss of load similar to what happened in 2003, when large portions of Ontario and the eastern to midwest United States lost electrical service.

Pasture Vegetated land used for grazing of livestock.

Physiography Description of the physical geography of an area including its geology, geomorphology, terrain, water resources, vegetation, climate, soils, etc.

Power System Includes the generating stations, transformers, switching stations, transmission lines, substations, distribution lines and circuits necessary for the production, transmission and distribution of electricity.

Preferred Corridor For this project, a 1.6-2.5 km wide tract of land that extends from one end of the proposed project to the other and best meets the transmission line route selection criteria to minimize environmental, social, land use and economic impacts. Approval is requested from MoE to build the proposed transmission line within the preferred corridor.

Project Team The Project Team includes SaskPower staff from various departments and staff members from JDMA and AMEC.

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Ramsar Sites The Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance (known as Ramsar Sites) is from an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands. It was developed and adopted by participating nations in Ramsar, Iran.

Rangeland Vegetated land used for grazing of livestock.

Reclamation The process of re-establishing a disturbed site to a former or other productive use, not necessarily to the same condition that existed prior to disturbance. The land capability may be at a level different (i.e., lower or higher) than that which existed prior to the disturbance, depending on the goal of the process. Reclamation could include management of a contaminated site and/or revegetation where necessary. Reclamation is not considered complete until the goals for reclamation have been achieved.

Reliability Power system reliability is the degree of performance of the elements of the bulk electric system that results in electricity being delivered to customers within accepted standards and in the amount desired

Residual Effects Effects which are still present after mitigation measures have been applied.

Right-of-Way The strip of land acquired for which a company has obtained the rights for (RoW) construction and operation of the pipeline or transmission line.

Riparian Zone The lands adjacent to streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands, where the vegetation and soils are strongly influenced by the presence of water.

SaskEnergy SaskEnergy Incorporated (SaskEnergy) is a designated subsidiary of Crown Investments Corporation of Saskatchewan, governed by the SaskEnergy Act

SaskTel Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corporation (SaskTel) is a designated subsidiary of Crown Investments Corporation of Saskatchewan, providing competitive communication services throughout Saskatchewan over its digital networks

Shovel Test A preliminary test excavation to determine what archaeological materials may be present in an area. Often used in conjunction with surface surveys to locate heritage resources and determine the depth and extent of cultural materials.

Shrub-Steppe An arid area with a mixture of grass and shrubs. Regions

Siltstone A fine-grained sedimentary rock in which the dominant grain-size is silt.

Siting The process of selecting the location of new facility. This process is sometimes referred to as site selection.

Solonetzic Soils with solonetzic B and saline C horizons. Solonetzic B horizons have hard columnar structures and a ratio of exchangeable calcium to exchangeable sodium of 10 or less. Occur in cool, semiarid to subhumid continental climates, and in forest areas.

Species at Risk An extirpated, endangered or threatened species or a species of special concern. [Species at Risk Act s. 2]

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Stakeholder A stakeholder is any group or individual that may be potentially affected by a proposed project. Stakeholders typically include elected officials, government and non-government agencies, First Nations and Metis people, environmental and other special interest groups, developers, educators, landowners and members of the public. There is usually a unique set of stakeholders identified for each project.

Study Area The area within the spatial boundaries of the scope of the environmental and socio-economic effects assessment.

Substation A network of switching, interrupting and voltage-transforming apparatus for the purpose of transferring power from the electrical transmission system to the local electrical distribution system for utilization by electrical customers.

Switching Station A network of switching, interrupting and voltage-transforming apparatus for the purpose of interconnecting various transmission lines of an electrical grid system.

Thinly Glaciated A high, flat native prairie that was covered by only a thin layer of ice during the Grassland Plateau last glacial period.

Topography The three-dimensional characteristics of a land surface.

TransGas TransGas Limited (TransGas), is a wholly owned subsidiary of SaskEnergy Incorporated (SaskEnergy) and has the exclusive right to transport natural gas within the province

Transmission Line An electrical circuit consisting of conducting wire (conductor), supporting structures, and associated auxiliary equipment used to deliver electrical power from one location to another.

Transmission A network of interconnected transmission lines, associated transmission System equipment, generation and load.

Ungulates A hoofed mammal, such as a moose or a deer.

Waste Areas/Waste Term used to describe habitat for plants, generally considered to be a disturbed Ground area that has not been reclaimed or revegetated.

Water Body A waterbody, including a canal, reservoir, an ocean and a wetland, up to the high- water mark, but does not include a sewage or waste treatment lagoon or mine tailings pond. [Exclusion List Regulations s. 2]

Wetlands Land where the water table is at near or above the surface, or which is saturated for a long enough period to promote such features as wet-altered soils and water tolerant vegetation. Wetlands include organic wetlands or “peatlands”, and mineral wetlands or mineral soil areas that are influenced by excess water, but produce little or no peat.

Whitewash Bird defecation.

WHPA Lands Lands administered under the Wildlife Habitat Protection Act (Government of Saskatchewan 1992).

Wildlife Any species of wild organism, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates, plants, fungi, algae or bacteria.

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ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

3D Three dimensional

ACA Alberta Conservation Association

AMEC AMEC Earth & Environmental

ASRD Alberta Sustainable Resource Development

ATC Air traffic control

CEA Act Canadian Environmental Assessment Act

CEAA Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

CFB Canadian Forces Base

CNR Canadian National Railway

COSEWIC Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

CPR Canadian Pacific Railway

CSA Canadian Standards Association

CYA313(M) A designated military airspace from 1,829 to below 5,486 m and stretches from approximately Old Wives Lake west to Hodgeville and south as far as Gravelbourg

CYA314(M) A designated military airspace from 1,829 to below 5,486 m, located between Avonlea and the Ogema-Pangman area

CYR303 A restricted military operations airspace south of Old Wives Lake

DFO Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada

DND Department of National Defence

EA Environmental assessment

EAA Environmental Assessment Act (EAA)

EAB Environmental Assessment Branch (from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment)

EIA Environmental impact assessment (the process of obtaining provincial ministerial approval)

EIS Environmental impact statement (the document submitted to obtain provincial ministerial approval

EMF Electromagnetic field

GIS Geographic information system

GPS Global positioning system ha Hectare

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HADD Harmful alteration, disruption or destruction (as defined under The Fisheries Act)

HRIA Historical resources impact assessment.

JDMA J.D. Mollard and Associates Limited kWh A kilowatt-hour is a measure of energy usage, and a typical household would consume 8,100 kwh per year kV kilovolt – a unit of voltage representing 1000 volts

LiDAR Light Detection And Ranging

MoE Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment

MW Megawatt – a unit of power representing 1 million watts; typically for Saskatchewan,1 MW can serve approximately 267 homes

MWh Megawatt hour

NERC North American Electric Reliability Corporation. Its reliability standards are the result from industry efforts to increase the reliability of the North American transmission system and prevent another large-scale loss of load similar to what happened in 2003, when large portions of Ontario and the eastern to mid-west United States lost electrical service.

NPSS Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan

PFRA Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration

RAN Representative areas network

RM Rural municipality

RoW Right–of-way

SARA Species at Risk Act

SAR Species at Risk

SaskAg Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture

SKCDC Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre

SPOT Satellite Pour l’Observation de la Terre ™

Sp., Spp. Species: singular (sp.) or plural (spp.)

SSN Sites of a Special Nature (archaeological designation)

SWF Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation

VEC Valued ecosystem component

WHPA Wildlife Habitat Protection Act

WSP Waterfowl survey period

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Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). 2007. Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee..Available at: http://www.mb.ec.gc.ca/water/fa00s03.en.html. Accessed November 2008

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