Eagle Mountain – Woodfibre Gas Pipeline Project Executive Summary FortisBC Energy Inc. Rev. 1 January 2015/492434
TABLE OF CONTENTS PART A INTRODUCTION ...... xxxiii 1.0 PROPOSED PROJECT OVERVIEW ...... xxxiii 1.1 Proponent Description ...... lxvi 1.2 Proposed Project Scope ...... lxvi 1.2.1 Purpose of the Proposed Project ...... lxvii 1.2.2 Proposed Project Location ...... lxvii 1.2.3 Project Components ...... lxix 1.2.4 Permanent Facilities ...... lxxii 1.2.5 Temporary Facilities ...... lxxii 1.2.6 Phases of the Proposed Project ...... lxxii 1.2.7 Proximity of Application Corridor to Communities ...... lxxiii 1.2.8 Project Land Use...... lxxiv 1.3 Applicable Authorizations ...... lxxiv 1.4 Alternative Means of Undertaking the Proposed Project ...... lxxv 1.5 Project Benefits ...... lxxv 1.5.1 Lower FortisBC Delivery Rates ...... lxxv 1.5.2 Project Expenditures ...... lxxv 1.5.3 Government Revenues ...... lxxv 1.5.4 Employment ...... lxxvi 1.5.5 Social Benefits of the Proposed Project ...... lxxvi 2.0 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROCESS ...... xlv 2.1 Provincial Environmental Assessment Process ...... lxxviii 2.1.1 Pre-Application Stage ...... lxxviii 2.1.2 Application Review Stage ...... lxxviii 2.1.3 Minister’s Decision ...... lxxviii 2.2 Environmental Assessment Participants ...... lxxix 2.3 Working Group ...... lxxix 2.4 Aboriginal Groups ...... lxxxii 2.4.1 Aboriginal Consultation Plan ...... lxxxii 2.4.2 Consultation and Engagement Planned During Application Review ...... lxxxiii 2.4.3 Summary of Key Issues and Concerns ...... lxxxiv 2.5 Public ...... lxxxvi 2.5.1 Public Consultation Plan ...... lxxxvii 2.5.2 Summary of Key Issues and Concerns ...... lxxxvii PART B ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, HEALTH AND HERITAGE EFFECTS ...... lvii 3.0 ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY ...... lvii 4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL PILLAR ...... lix 4.1 Geophysical Environment Effects Assessment ...... xcii 4.1.1 Soil Capability Valued Component ...... xcii 4.1.2 Terrain Integrity Valued Component ...... xciii 4.1.3 Acid Rock Drainage Valued Component ...... xciv 4.2 Atmospheric Environment Effects Assessment ...... xciv 4.2.1 Acoustic Environment Valued Component ...... xciv 4.2.2 Air Quality Valued Component ...... xcv 4.2.3 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Valued Component ...... xcvi 4.3 Water Effects Assessment ...... xcvii 4.3.1 Surface Water Valued Component ...... xcvii 4.3.2 Groundwater Valued Component ...... xcviii 4.4 Fish and Fish Habitat Effects Assessment ...... xcix
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Eagle Mountain – Woodfibre Gas Pipeline Project Executive Summary FortisBC Energy Inc. Rev. 1 January 2015/492434
4.5 Vegetation Effects Assessment ...... c 4.6 Wetland Function Effects Assessment ...... ci 4.7 Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat Effects Assessment ...... cii 5.0 ECONOMY PILLAR ...... lxxi 6.0 SOCIAL PILLAR ...... lxxii 6.1 Community and Regional Infrastructure and Services Effects Assessment...... cv 6.1.1 Community Utilities and Services ...... cv 6.1.2 Transportation Infrastructure ...... cvi 6.1.3 Community ...... cvi 6.2 Land and Resources Use Valued Component ...... cvii 7.0 HERITAGE PILLAR ...... lxxvi 8.0 HEALTH PILLAR ...... lxxvii 8.1 Human Health ...... cx 8.2 Ecological Health ...... cx 9.0 ACCIDENTS OR MALFUNCTIONS ...... lxxix 10.0 EFFECTS OF THE ENVIRONMENT ON THE PROJECT ...... lxxxii PART C ABORIGINAL GROUPS INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS ...... lxxxiii 11.0 BACKGROUND ...... lxxxiii 12.0 ABORIGINAL INTERESTS ...... lxxxiv 12.1 Background Information ...... cxvii 12.1.1 Tsleil-Waututh Nation ...... cxvii 12.1.2 Squamish Nation ...... cxvii 12.1.3 Kwikwetlem First Nation ...... cxvii 12.1.4 Musqueam Nation ...... cxviii 12.2 Potential Effects on Aboriginal Interests ...... cxviii 13.0 OTHER MATTERS OF CONCERN TO ABORIGINAL GROUPS ...... lxxxviii PART D PUBLIC CONSULTATION ...... lxxxix 14.0 PUBLIC CONSULTATION ...... lxxxix PART E ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN AND FOLLOW-UP PROGRAMS ...... xci 15.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ...... xci 15.1 Management Plans ...... cxxiv 15.2 Contingency Plans ...... cxxiv 15.3 Emergency Preparedness and Response ...... cxxv 16.0 FOLLOW-UP PROGRAMS ...... xciii 16.1 Environmental Inspection during Construction ...... cxxvi 16.2 Post-Construction Monitoring Program ...... cxxvi 16.3 Decommissioning or Abandonment Plan ...... cxxvii 16.4 Compliance Reporting ...... cxxvii PART F CONCLUSIONS ...... xcv 17.0 CONCLUSIONS ...... xcv 17.1 Key Findings on Environmental Valued Components ...... cxxviii 17.2 Key Findings on Economic Valued Components ...... cxxviii 17.3 Key Findings on Social Valued Components ...... cxxviii 17.4 Key Findings on Heritage Valued Components ...... cxxix 17.5 Key Findings on Health Valued Components ...... cxxix 17.6 Other Findings ...... cxxix 17.7 Key Findings on Aboriginal Interests ...... cxxix 17.8 Conclusion ...... cxxx
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Eagle Mountain – Woodfibre Gas Pipeline Project Executive Summary FortisBC Energy Inc. Rev. 1 January 2015/492434
LIST OF FIGURES Figure E-1 Regional Location ...... lxviii Figure E-2 Location of Major Project Components ...... lxxi
LIST OF TABLES Table E-1 Technical Details of the Proposed Project ...... lxix Table E-2 Distance of Nearby Regional Districts and Municipalities from the Application Corridor ...... lxxiii Table E-3 Distance of Nearby First Nations Reserves from the Application Corridor ...... lxxiii Table E-4 Members of the Working Group for the Proposed Project ...... lxxix Table E-5 Summary of Key Issues and Concerns Raised by Working Group Members During Consultation Activities ...... lxxx Table E-6 Summary of Key Issues and Concerns Raised by Aboriginal Groups During Aboriginal Engagement Activities ...... lxxxiv Table E-7 Summary of Key Issues and Concerns Raised by Public Stakeholders During Public Consultation Activities (Including Government Agencies) ...... lxxxvii Table E-8 Summary of Potential Adverse Effects for Soil Capability Valued Component ...... xcii Table E-9 Summary of Potential Adverse Effects for Terrain Integrity Valued Component ...... xciii Table E-10 Summary of Potential Adverse Effects for Air Quality Valued Component ...... xcv Table E-11 Summary of Potential Adverse Effects for Greenhouse Gas Valued Component ...... xcvi Table E-12 Summary of Potential Adverse Effects for Surface Water Valued Component ...... xcvii Table E-13 Summary of Potential Adverse Effects for Groundwater Valued Component ...... xcviii Table E-14 Summary of Potential Adverse Effects for Fish and Fish Habitat Valued Component ...... xcix Table E-15 Summary of Potential Adverse Effects for Vegetation Valued Component ...... c Table E-16 Summary of Potential Adverse Effects for Wetland Function Valued Component ...... ci Table E-17 Summary of Potential Effects for Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat Valued Component ...... cii Table E-18 Summary of Potential Adverse Effects for Economy Valued Components ...... civ Table E-19 Summary of Potential Adverse Effects for Community Utilities and Services Valued Component ...... cv Table E-20 Summary of Potential Adverse Effects for Transportation Infrastructure Valued Component ...... cvi Table E-21 Summary of Potential Adverse Effects for Community Valued Component ...... cvii Table E-22 Summary of Potential Adverse Effects for Land and Resources Use Valued Component ...... cvii Table E-23 Summary of Potential Adverse Effects for Human Health Valued Component ...... cx Table E-24 Summary of Potential Adverse Effects for Accidents or Malfunctions ...... cxii Table E-25 Summary of Potential Adverse Effects for Effects of the Environment on the Project ...... cxv Table E-26 Summary of Potential Adverse Effects for Aboriginal Interests ...... cxviii Table E-27 Relevant Part B Valued Components Considered in the Assessment of Aboriginal Interests and Key Mitigation Measures ...... cxix Table E-28 Other Matters of Concern for Tsleil-Waututh Nation and Kwikwetlem First Nation ...... cxxi
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Eagle Mountain – Woodfibre Gas Pipeline Project Executive Summary FortisBC Energy Inc. Rev. 1 January 2015/492434
PART A INTRODUCTION Part A of the Application for the proposed Eagle Mountain – Woodfibre Gas Pipeline Project (the proposed Project) includes an overview of the proposed Project (Volume 1, Section 1.0) and provides a description of the British Columbia (BC) Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) process through which the proposed Project will be reviewed (Volume 1, Section 2.0).
1.0 PROPOSED PROJECT OVERVIEW Volume 1, Part A, Section 1.0 provides an overview of the proposed Project, describing the proponent, proposed Project location and components, applicable authorizations, alternative means of undertaking the proposed Project and Project benefits.
1.1 Proponent Description As of January 1, 2015 the proponent of the proposed Project is FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI). The original proponent of the proposed Project, FortisBC Energy (Vancouver Island) Inc. (FEVI) amalgamated effective on that date with two sister natural gas utility companies, FEI and FortisBC Energy (Whistler) Inc. (FEW). The amalgamated entity is known as FEI, and it continues to do business as FortisBC.
The three amalgamating utilities (FEVI, FEI and FEW) were each indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of Fortis Inc., the largest investor-owned distribution utility in Canada. They provided natural gas service to Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast (FEVI), the BC Mainland (FEI) and Whistler (FEW). The amalgamated FEI will remain an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Fortis Inc. Operationally, little will change as a result of amalgamation. The legal amalgamation of the three corporate entities was the final step in an integration process that had begun over a decade ago. Although FEVI had been the original proponent of the proposed Project, it had intended to rely on FEI’s experience, expertise and resources in the construction and operation of this proposed Project through a shared service agreement or a transfer pricing policy. The vast majority of those individuals supporting the utility operations of FEI, FEVI and FEW on a day-to-day basis prior to amalgamation had been employed by FEI; this had been the case for many years. The name FortisBC will continue to be used throughout this Application to refer to any or all of the FortisBC companies named above, unless the context otherwise requires.
FortisBC is a leader in the responsible development and reliable operation of North American energy infrastructure, including natural gas pipelines, power generation and transmission, and gas storage facilities. FortisBC serves approximately 1,100,000 customers in BC and provides approximately 21 percent of the total energy consumed in the province. FortisBC has an established track record for operating energy infrastructure safely and reliably and has developed and maintained relationships with landowners, Aboriginal communities and other stakeholders across its pipeline system.
1.2 Proposed Project Scope FortisBC currently owns and operates a pipeline that commences in Coquitlam (Eagle Mountain), runs northwest to Squamish, across the Sunshine Coast, and across Texada Island to Powell River and Vancouver Island. It ultimately terminates in Victoria. The pipeline serves customers on the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island. FortisBC is proposing to construct and operate an approximately 47 km long 24 inch (NPS 24) diameter natural gas pipeline that will generally parallel (i.e., loop) a portion of its existing pipeline from the area north of the Coquitlam Watershed in Metro Vancouver to Woodfibre, southwest of Squamish, BC. The proposed Project also includes the installation of additional compression at existing compressor stations located at Eagle Mountain in Coquitlam and Port Mellon north of Gibsons, as well as a new compressor station located in Squamish, BC.
The proposed pipeline will be buried, except where aerial crossings may be used. The proposed Project will require access roads and temporary workspace, however, no worker construction camps are anticipated. Existing barge landing sites will be used at the Woodfibre and Indian Arm access points and two new temporary barge landing sites will be required at the Squamish River access points. A custody transfer station will be required at the delivery point adjacent to the Woodfibre Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility that is being proposed. Other proposed Project components include: new electrical substations and electrical transmission lines at the existing Eagle Mountain and proposed Squamish compressor station
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Eagle Mountain – Woodfibre Gas Pipeline Project Executive Summary FortisBC Energy Inc. Rev. 1 January 2015/492434
sites and mainline block valves (MLBVs) located at compressor stations and at other locations along the proposed route; a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system; in-line inspection (ILI) facilities; and corrosion protection.
Construction of the proposed Project will occur on a right-of-way to be granted through authorizations and approvals from the BC Oil and Gas Commission (BC OGC) and other permitting agencies. The proposed pipeline will be constructed along the proposed route, which, for the purpose of this Application, is defined using an Application Corridor.
The Application Corridor is generally 300 m wide but varies in width from 150 m to approximately 650 m in some locations to account for various routing considerations, potential extra workspace requirements and areas where no work will be conducted. The Project Footprint is the physical area within the Application Corridor that will be directly disturbed by the proposed Project (both pipeline and associated facilities) construction activities, including associated physical works and activities. Reference points along the Application Corridor are referred to as Kilometre Posts (KPs). KPs are located approximately every 1 km and are used to reference features or specific locations in the Application Corridor.
1.2.1 Purpose of the Proposed Project The purpose of the proposed Project is to provide natural gas transportation service to a new LNG facility being proposed by Woodfibre LNG Limited, southwest of Squamish, BC. The proposed new pipeline is planned to generally parallel (i.e., loop) the existing FortisBC pipeline that is part of the natural gas transmission system that services Squamish, Whistler, the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island. The proposed pipeline will be operated in parallel with the existing FortisBC pipeline to increase the overall natural gas transmission capacity of the FortisBC transmission system. The expanded system will meet the requirements of the new LNG facility and enable FortisBC to continue to provide reliable service to other existing and future customers.
1.2.2 Proposed Project Location The proposed Project is located in the South Coast Region of BC and crosses three regional districts: Metro Vancouver, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) and the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD).
The geographical extent of the proposed Project is defined by the proposed Application Corridor in conjunction with the siting of the proposed upgrades to the existing compressor stations (i.e., Eagle Mountain and Port Mellon). The compressor stations for the proposed Project occur in each of the three previously mentioned regional districts. The existing Eagle Mountain compressor station is located in Coquitlam in Metro Vancouver, a new compressor station is proposed in the District of Squamish in the SLRD, and the existing Port Mellon compressor station is located north of the Town of Gibsons in the SCRD.
The final location of the pipeline within the Application Corridor will be determined once further technical work is completed. The Project Footprint (the area directly disturbed by the proposed Project construction) will be narrower than the Application Corridor, typically approximately 35 m in width and varying to account for terrain conditions encountered or localized requirements for temporary workspace.
Figure E-1 illustrates the regional location of the proposed Project.
Page lxvii
SQUAMISH 0 0
0 Tantalus Provincial Park 0 KOWTAIN 17 Garibaldi Provincial Park 1 Clowhom Garibaldi Provincial Park 5 5 Lake Squamish River YEKWAUPSUM 19 Proposed Squamish Compressor Station YEKWAUPSUM 18 P Taquat i District of tt KP 35 Mamqu R January 2015 Lakes Echo Squamish am R i ive v Slippery Scott Lake KP 40 r er Lake Lake Woodfibre FIGURE E-1 Sechelt Lake SKWELWIL'EM SQUAMISH Lake KP 45 STAWAMUS 24 S t ESTUARY a KP 30 WMA w REGIONAL LOCATION SUNSHINE COAST a KP 47 m u REGIONAL Squamish s Pinecone Harbour R EAGLE MOUNTAIN-WOODFIBRE DISTRICT iv Lake Woodfibre e 0 r GAS PIPELINE PROJECT 0
0 Brennan KP 25 FRASER VALLEY 0 0
5 Lakes Stawamus Chief Existing 5 Shannon Falls REGIONAL Provincial Park 10" Pipeline Provincial Park November DISTRICT Kilometre Post Lake Murrin Clarion Compressor Station Provincial Utopia Lake Park Proposed Pipeline KP 20 In Lake d ia Existing FortisBC Pipeline Omer n 99 R Pinecone Burke i Tetrahedron Lake v Provincial Park 99 Highway Provincial SQUAMISH-LILLOOET er Park Loch Road REGIONAL DISTRICT Lomond Chapman KP 15 Warner Railway KWUM Lake DEFENCE Lake KWUM ISLAND 28 Beth Watercourse 0
0 Lake 0 Waterbody 0 Proposed 9 Young 4 24" Pipeline
5 Porteau Cove Municipality Provincial Park KP 10 Lake Anne Disappointment Phyllis Lake Lake Regional District Lake Norton Orchid Existing Port Mellon Lake Barnes Park/Protected Area
u l
Compressor Station e g Lake C a n Lake
t Peacock R n a First Nations Reserve n KP 0 a p C a o m h Deeks Lake i h l C a KAIKALAHUN 25 a i M l n n l Lakes i o Gambier n e e s R KP 5 Port Mellon l Cypress Consolation SCALE: 1:200,000 Lake i v S Provincial Park e e Lakes km Macklin r ym Existing o 0 2 4 6 8 Lake ur 12" Pipeline R Obelisk Disc (All Locations Approximate) iv er Lake Lake 0
0 INLAILAWATASH 4A 0
0 INLAILAWATASH 4 8 4
5 Enchantment Village of Lake Halkett Bay Lions Bay Burwell Provincial Park Seymour Peneplain Palisade Lake Widgeon CH2M HILL Project Number 492434 Lake Fannin Lake Lake Lake Lake Indian Arm UTM Zone 10 North. NAD 1983. Provincial Proposed Pipeline Route, KPs: Universal Pegasus International (UPI) 101 07-14-2014; Existing Pipeline: FortisBC 2012; Compressor Stations: METRO Park UPI 07-23-2014; Roads: NRCan 2014; Railways: NRCan 2012; Howe S ou nd Hydrography: NRCan. 2009, IHS Inc. 2004 and BC MFLNRO 2008; VANCOUVER Municipal Boundaries, Regional Districts: BC MFLNRO 2007; Parks, Plumper Cove Marine Elsay Wildlife Management Areas: BC MFLNRO 2008; First Nation CHEKWELP 26A Reserves: Government of Canada 2014; Hillshade: TERA Provincial Park Lake Coquitlam Environmental Consultants 2008. l CHEKWELP 26 e n Lake Although there is no reason to believe that there are any errors associated Town of n Gabbro a Kennedy with the data used to generate this product or in the product itself,
SCHALTUUCH 27 h k Lake users of these data are advised that errors in the data may be present.
Gibsons C e
Killarney Lake e d r o Mount Seymour 0
o Capilano C Mapped By: JRO Checked By: DN 0 w Lake
0 Provincial Park g n 0
n Lake n 7 i
l y 4 l Island Municipality 99 m r 5 o e L C t A of Bowen Island t o Dick BR I TI SH l n r a a l Lake i h e d n C District of District of n C OL UMB I A Bowen Island n I n a e h Buntzen Lake Ecological Reserve e West Vancouver North Vancouver u C Munro Josephine Q Village of STRAI T Anmore Lake Squamish Lake Village of OF Belcarra CAPILANO 5 d x m .
2 MISSION 1 v GE ORGIA Sasamat e R City of 1 BURRARD _ City of Vancouver n
o Lake City of i 1A INLET 3 t a North c Coquitlam o
L Pitt l a n Vancouver o i City of City of g SEYMOUR Meadows e Burrard Existing Eagle Mountain R
_ USA 1 Vancouver CREEK 2 Port Moody e Compressor Station r Inlet u
g City of Burnaby i Victoria F _
1 460000 470000 480000 490000 500000 510000 520000 6 1 0 1 t
PITT MEADOWS Eagle Mountain – Woodfibre Gas Pipeline Project Executive Summary FortisBC Energy Inc. Rev. 1 January 2015/492434
1.2.3 Project Components The proposed Project will include the following components that are associated with the construction, operations and maintenance of the proposed pipeline system. Technical details of the components of the proposed Project are provided in Table E-1. An overview of the location of major proposed Project components (i.e., compressor stations, custody transfer station, barge landings, electrical transmission lines, etc.) is provided in Figure E-2.
TABLE E-1
TECHNICAL DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT
Details Description Total Length Approximately 47 km Length Parallel* to Existing Approximately 24 km or 51% (includes roads, industrial rights-of-way, electrical transmission rights-of-way and existing Linear Corridors FortisBC pipeline) Length Parallel* to Existing Approximately 16 km (of the approximately 24 km parallel to existing linear corridors described above) FortisBC Pipeline Product Natural gas Operating Pressure 2,160 psig Pipeline Capacity 228 million standard cubic feet per day Pipe Size NPS 24 Pipe Coating Fusion bond epoxy Permanent Right-of-Way Approximately 18 m Width Pipeline Construction Approximately 35 m. Actual width will vary along the route taking into account the various terrain conditions encountered. At Footprint Width some locations where temporary workspace is necessary, the width may extend more than 100 m, however, these wider locations will be localized and will be within the Application Corridor for the Application. In some locations, the width may be narrower than 35 m. Extra Temporary Workspace 30% (approximately 10 m) of the pipeline construction footprint width (i.e., 45 m total width where pipeline construction footprint width is approximately 35 m). Barge Landings Use of the existing Indian Arm and Woodfibre barge landing sites as well as construction of two temporary barge landings in the Squamish River. Pipeline The proposed pipeline will be buried along its entire length with the exception of potential aerial crossings of certain watercourses. Above-ground anode bed posts (for cathodic protection) and pipeline marker posts (for identification) will be installed, where necessary. Above-Ground Equipment • The installation of one new compressor station (Squamish) and additions to two existing compressor stations (Eagle Mountain and Port Mellon). • A new custody transfer station near the proposed Woodfibre LNG facility site where custody transfer from FortisBC to Woodfibre LNG Limited will take place. • MLBVs to be installed within the footprints of the meter stations and compressor stations and locations along the proposed pipeline will have an approximate 30 m x 40 m footprint. • There will be two ILI facilities for the proposed Project. A sending facility will be located at KP 0 and a receiving facility will be located at KP 47 where the custody transfer station will be constructed. • A new electrical substation (70 m x 70 m) adjacent to the existing BC Hydro Meridian Substation in Coquitlam. • A new 25 kV high voltage electrical transmission line from the new electrical substation in Coquitlam to the Eagle Mountain compressor station and a new 69 kV high voltage electrical transmission line from an existing BC Hydro 69 kV electrical transmission line to an electrical substation to be constructed within the footprint of the proposed Squamish compressor station site. • SCADA system linking the pipeline(s) and associated compressor stations, custody transfer station and MLBV facilities at KP 33.2, KP 37.5 and KP 47 to the existing FortisBC Operations Control Centre in Surrey, BC. Pipeline Burial Depth As per Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Z662-11, the minimum depth of cover is 0.6 m. The burial depth of the proposed pipeline will vary from 0.6-1.2 m, depending on specific site conditions. Test Medium Fresh water or air. The testing method will be subject to BC OGC approval. Temporary Facilities • Stockpile sites (1.2 ha x 2 ha) • Contractor yards • Laydown areas • Rail sidings • Temporary workspace for installation of trenchless watercourse crossings • Borrow sites • Squamish River barge landings • Communication towers Access to Project Existing access roads will be used for construction and operations, wherever feasible. New temporary access may be required Components for construction and will be identified during detailed engineering.
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Eagle Mountain – Woodfibre Gas Pipeline Project Executive Summary FortisBC Energy Inc. Rev. 1 January 2015/492434
TABLE E-1 Cont'd
Details Description Operations Operations and maintenance activities will include: • monitoring and surveillance using ILI, ground-based and aerial methods; • implementation of FortisBC’s Integrity Management Program; • managing brush and vegetation; • conducting regular site visits to the pipeline and facilities; • conducting pipeline and compressor station maintenance programs; and • maintaining signage. Expected Useful Life of 50+ years Pipeline Note: * % parallel was estimated based on review of air photos and disturbance was considered parallel if it was generally within 50 m of the proposed route.
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SQUAMISH 0 0
0 Tantalus Provincial Park 0 KOWTAIN 17 Garibaldi Provincial Park 1 Clowhom Garibaldi Provincial Park 5 5 Lake Squamish River YEKWAUPSUM 19 Proposed Squamish Compressor Station YEKWAUPSUM 18 Taquat District of Mamq Squamish Barge Landing Sites January 2015 Lakes Echo KP 35 Squamish uam R KP 40 ive Slippery Squamish Barge Lake r Lake Landing Sites FIGURE E-2 Woodfibre Sechelt Lake SKWELWIL'EM SQUAMISH Lake KP 45 STAWAMUS 24 S LOCATION OF MAJOR t ESTUARY a KP 30 WMA w PROJECT COMPONENTS a KP 47 m Squamish u s Pinecone P R EAGLE MOUNTAIN-WOODFIBRE Harbour it iv Lake t Woodfibre e R GAS PIPELINE PROJECT 0 r i
0 v
0 Brennan e KP 25 r 0 Compressor Station 0
5 0 250 500 Lakes Stawamus Chief Existing
5 Shannon Falls Provincial Park 10" Pipeline Transfer Station Proposed Squamish Compressor Meters Existing Woodfibre Provincial Park November 0 125 250 Barge Landing Site Lake Proposed Pipeline Murrin Clarion Meters Provincial Existing Transmission Line Utopia Lake Existing FortisBC Pipeline Park KP 20 In Proposed Transmission Line Lake d FRASER VALLEY Application Corridor ia Proposed Substation Omer n REGIONAL 99 R Barge Landing Site Tetrahedron Lake iv e DISTRICT Provincial SQUAMISH-LILLOOET r 99 Highway Park Loch REGIONAL DISTRICT Lomond Road Chapman KP 15 Proposed Warner KWUM 24" Pipeline Railway Lake DEFENCE Lake KWUM ISLAND 28 Beth Watercourse 0
0 Lake 0
0 Waterbody 9 Young 4
5 Porteau Cove Provincial Park Existing Indian Arm Barge Landing Site KP 10 Lake Anne Disappointment Municipality Phyllis Lake Lake Regional District Lake Norton Orchid Lake Barnes Park/Protected Area
u l
e g Lake C Pinecone Burke a n Lake
t Peacock First Nations Reserve R n a n KP 0 a p Provincial Park C a o m h Lake i h l C a KAIKALAHUN 25 a i M SCALE: 1:200,000 Existing Port Mellon l n n l SUNSHINE COAST i o n e km Compressor Station e s R KP 5 Port Mellon l Consolation 0 2 4 6 8 REGIONAL Deeks i v S e e Lakes (All Locations Approximate) Macklin r Lakes ym METRO Existing DISTRICT o Lake ur 12" Pipeline R VANCOUVER Obelisk Disc Howe S ou nd iv er Lake Lake 0
0 0 125 250 INLAILAWATASH 4A 0
0 INLAILAWATASH 4 8
4 Meters
5 Enchantment CH2M HILL Project Number 492434 Village of Existing Indian Arm Lake Barge Landing Site Halkett Bay Lions Bay Burwell UTM Zone 10 North. NAD 1983. Seymour Peneplain Proposed Pipeline: Universal Pegasus International (UPI) 07-14- Provincial Park Lake Indian Arm 2014; Existing Pipeline: FortisBC 2012; Application Corridor: TERA, a Palisade Lake Widgeon CH2M HILL Company 2014; Compressor Stations: UPI 07-23-2014; Lake Fannin Provincial Proposed Barge Landing: UPI 05-29-2014;Transfer Station: UPI 06- Lake Park Lake 16-2014; V1 Transmission: DBS Energy Inc 06-04-2014; V2 Existing Eagle Mountain Compressor Lake Transmission: DBS Energy Inc 06-05-2014; Roads: NRCan 2014; Railways: NRCan 2012; Hydrography: IHS Inc. 2004, NR Can 2009 and BC MFLNRO 2008; Municipal Boundaries, Regional Districts: BC 101 MFLNRO 2007; Parks, Wildlife Management Areas: BC MFLNRO Existing Transmission Line 2008; First Nation Reserves: Government of Canada 2014; Hillshade: TERA Environmental Consultants 2008; LiDAR Imagery: Atlantic Proposed Compressor Footprint Group 2013; Base Imagery: Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, Elsay DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, i-cubed, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, CHEKWELP 26A Proposed Structure Lake Coquitlam Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community CHEKWELP 26 l e Proposed Transmission Line Eagle Mountain n Lake Although there is no reason to believe that there are any errors associated Town of Plumper Cove Marine n Gabbro
a Proposed Access Road Kennedy Park with the data used to generate this product or in the product itself, SCHALTUUCH 27 h k Provincial Park Lake users of these data are advised that errors in the data may be present. Gibsons C e
Killarney Proposed Substation Lake e d r o 0
o Capilano C Mapped By: DN Checked By: JRO
0 Cypress w Lake 0 g n 0
n Provincial Lake n 7 i
l Grafton y 4 l 99 m Existing r 5 o e Park L Mount C t A Lake t Meridian Island Municipality o Dick Seymour BR I TI SH l n r Substation a of Bowen Island a l Provincial i h e Lake d n C OL UMB I A Bowen Island C 0 250 500 n n Park I n a Ecological Reserve e h Buntzen Lake e Meters Josephine Lake u C Village of Munro Q Squamish District of Anmore Lake West Vancouver Village of District of Belcarra CAPILANO 5 0 200 400 North Vancouver d x Existing Woodfibre Barge Landing Site MISSION 1 Sasamat m Meters .
4 City of 1 BURRARD v City of Vancouver e City of R 1A INLET 3 Lake _ s North e Coquitlam i t i
l Pitt i c
a Vancouver F City of _ City of Existing Eagle Mountain Meadows 2 SEYMOUR - Burrard 3 - USA 1 CREEK 2 Port Moody Compressor Station e STRAI T OF GE ORGIA Vancouver r Inlet u g City of Burnaby i Victoria F _ 1 460000 470000 480000 490000 500000 510000 520000 6 1 0 1 t
PITT MEADOWS Eagle Mountain – Woodfibre Gas Pipeline Project Executive Summary FortisBC Energy Inc. Rev. 1 January 2015/492434
1.2.4 Permanent Facilities Permanent facilities associated with the proposed Project include the pipeline, custody transfer station, compressor stations, MLBVs, SCADA system, ILI facilities, cathodic protection system, electrical substations, and high voltage electrical electrical transmission lines. Existing country roads, highway systems, and Forest Service Roads (FSRs) will be used where practical to provide access to the proposed Project site during construction.
1.2.5 Temporary Facilities Temporary facilities will be used for the construction of the proposed Project and will include temporary storage areas such as stockpile sites, contractor yards, laydown areas and rail sidings as well as borrow sites, barge landings and communication towers. Existing access roads will be used during construction. The need for temporary access roads will be identified during detailed engineering.
1.2.6 Phases of the Proposed Project The proposed Project consists of various phases of development. The phases considered in the Application include: planning, construction, operations, and decommissioning or abandonment.
The planning phase of the proposed Project included consultation and engagement with Aboriginal groups, government agencies and public stakeholders in order to assist in the gathering of baseline information along the Project Footprint. Field studies were conducted, where warranted, to supplement baseline information gathered during the review of existing literature and the consultation and engagement program, and to identify the site-specific location of potential issues.
As a component of permit issuance for the planning activities, specific mitigation measures were developed and implemented to reduce any potential adverse effects. Where mitigation measures were not specified in a permit, accepted best management practices were followed in the field survey standard operating procedures. Accordingly, the planning phase activities are not considered further in the Application.
Pipeline construction involves several activities that occur sequentially at any one location. These activities include development of access where necessary, surveying, clearing, soil conservation and grading, drainage and sediment control, pipe stringing, bending and welding, trenching, lowering-in, backfilling, testing, clean-up and post-construction restoration. The pipeline construction corridor may be divided into more than one construction spread, meaning that there will be multiple construction crews carrying out construction activities at the same time at multiple locations along the Project Footprint.
Construction activities for the permanent facilities include activities at the custody transfer station, compressor stations, MLBVs, SCADA system, ILI facilities, cathodic protection system, electrical substations and electrical transmission lines.
Activities such as line patrols, vegetation management and ILIs will continue throughout the operations and maintenance phase of the Project. The useful life of the proposed Project is expected to be beyond 50 years.
Decommissioning or abandonment of the proposed Project facilities will be considered at some time in the future. There are three categories under which pipeline decommissioning or abandonment might fall including: removal; abandonment-in-place; and a combination of abandonment-in-place and removal. These will be considered based on conditions that prevail at the time of decommissioning or abandonment. FortisBC will follow all applicable industry standards and regulations in place at the time of decommissioning or abandonment.
Subject to the receipt of regulatory and other applicable Project approvals, pipeline and compressor station construction activities are assumed to begin in approximately Q3 2015 with an in-service date of approximately Q4 2016. Restoration activities will begin following final clean-up and continue through 2017.
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1.2.7 Proximity of Application Corridor to Communities Table E-2 provides approximate distances of communities to the Application Corridor for the pipeline. The table demonstrates that the Application Corridor is in the immediate vicinity of two incorporated communities, with the next nearest incorporated community being over 11 km away.
TABLE E-2
DISTANCE OF NEARBY REGIONAL DISTRICTS AND MUNICIPALITIES FROM THE APPLICATION CORRIDOR
Community Approximate Distance from Application Corridor (km) Metro Vancouver District of North Vancouver 11.3 south District of West Vancouver 20.2 south City of Coquitlam 18.5 south SLRD District of Squamish 0 (occurs within the Application Corridor) Resort Municipality of Whistler 34.7 northeast Locality of Woodfibre 0 (occurs within the Application Corridor) SCRD District of Sechelt 38.6 southwest Town of Gibsons 34.1 southwest Community of Port Mellon 22.9 southwest
Table E-3 provides information on the distance of various First Nations reserves from the pipeline Application Corridor. More information on Aboriginal communities identified in the Section 11 Order for the proposed Project (i.e., Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Squamish Nation, Kwikwetlem First Nation and Musqueam Nation) is provided in Volume 1, Part C – Aboriginal Groups Information Requirements.
The other First Nations reserves in Table 1.3-13 have been identified as being in the Aboriginal Interests Regional Study Area (RSA) for the proposed Project. Katzie First Nation was contacted by the BC EAO in 2013, prior to the creation of the Section 11 Order, to determine if they had an interest in the proposed Project. Katzie First Nation chose not to participate in the BC EAO process for the proposed Project and, therefore, was not included in the Section 11 Order and have not been consulted. Katzie First Nation is included in this table to meet the Application Information Requirements (AIR) which requires that nearby First Nation reserves are identified along with their distance away. The spatial boundary of the Aboriginal Interests RSA was selected in order to apply a meaningful limit on the extent of this list and Katzie First Nation was the only First Nation, aside from those identified in the Section 11 Order, occurring within this spatial boundary.
TABLE E-3
DISTANCE OF NEARBY FIRST NATIONS RESERVES FROM THE APPLICATION CORRIDOR
First Nation Reserve Approximate Distance from Application Corridor (km) Reserves Belonging to Aboriginal Groups Identified in the Section 11 Order Tsleil-Waututh Nation Inlailawatash No. 4A 3.9 Inlailawatash No. 4 4.2 Burrard Inlet No. 3 22.0 Squamish Nation Poquiosin & Skamain No. 13 6.0 Poyam No. 9 31.0 Aikwucks No. 15 3.9 Yekwaupsum No. 19 1.5 Yekwaupsum No. 18 0.7 Kitsilano No. 6 34.3 Chuckchuck No. 8 28.8 Yookwitz No. 12 7.7
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TABLE E-3 Cont’d
First Nation Reserve Approximate Distance from Application Corridor (km) Squamish Nation (cont’d) Skowishin Graveyard No. 10 22.4 Kwum 9.6 Defence Island No. 28 9.6 Schaltuuch No. 27 35.0 Seaichem No. 16 3.4 Kaikalahun No. 25 28.2 Mission No. 1 27.2 Waiwakum No. 14 4.8 Kowtain No. 17 2.0 Skowishin No. 7 24.3 Stawamus No. 24 2.3 Seymour Creek No. 2 24.1 Capilano No. 5 29.4 Cheakamus No. 11 7.7 Chekwelp No. 26A 35.2 Chekwelp No 26 35.6 Kwikwetlem First Nation Coquitlam No. 1 28.7 Coquitlam No. 2 26.7 Musqueam Nation Musqueam No. 4 50.3 Sea Island No. 3 42.5 Musqueam No. 2 41.1 Other Reserves Identified in the Aboriginal Interests RSA Katzie First Nation Katzie No. 1 36.2 Barnston Island No. 3 37.3 Graveyard No. 5 35.4 Pitt Lake No. 4 22.0
1.2.8 Project Land Use The main types of land use near or crossed by the proposed Project include: parks and protected areas; forestry; mineral exploration and development; energy production and transmission; trapping; outdoor recreation; and tourism (although the Project Footprint is not located in any parks). A number of land use plans are crossed by the proposed Project, including land and resource management plans, sustainable resource management plans, landscape unit plans, resource-specific plans, municipal plans, official community plans, and Aboriginal land use plans and policies.
1.3 Applicable Authorizations The proposed Project crosses both Crown and privately-owned lands. Various aspects of the planning, construction, operations and decommissioning or abandonment of the proposed Project require permits, licences and approvals under legislation and regulations administered by federal, provincial and local regulatory agencies. FortisBC as well as its contractors and subcontractors will comply with all permits, approvals, licences and certificates that apply to the proposed Project.
In addition to permits and authorizations that may be required by law, FortisBC will also seek third-party agreements and authorizations that are necessary for working around foreign lines. These third parties may include, but are not limited to, Telus, Shaw and other utilities.
FortisBC is working with the BC EAO and BC OGC to synchronize permitting in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding established between those agencies. This is slightly different from concurrent approval, under the Concurrent Approval Regulation (BC Reg. 371/2002), which is not being pursued.
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1.4 Alternative Means of Undertaking the Proposed Project The capacity of the existing FortisBC transmission pipeline between Coquitlam and Woodfibre is insufficient to serve an LNG facility of the size being proposed by Woodfibre LNG Limited. Meeting this objective requires some combination of pipeline expansion between Coquitlam and Woodfibre along with additional compression. FortisBC considered the alternative means of carrying out the proposed Project to achieve the intended objective of serving an LNG facility at Woodfibre while continuing to provide safe and reliable service to other FortisBC customers. The assessment of alternatives involved identifying start and end points for the proposed pipeline, developing, revising and refining the proposed pipeline route, and selecting the pipeline size, as well as locations of the new compressor station in Squamish and other permanent associated facilities.
1.5 Project Benefits The proposed Project will deliver a variety of benefits. Creating the ability to serve the Woodfibre LNG facility will provide a direct financial benefit to FortisBC gas customers, including residential and commercial customers, in the form of lower natural gas delivery rates. The planning, construction and operation of the proposed Project will provide benefits by means of employment and government revenues as well as economic development and diversification for the region and local communities. These proposed Project benefits are discussed further below, and in Volume 1, Part A, Section 1.6.
1.5.1 Lower FortisBC Delivery Rates FortisBC gas customers, including residential and commercial customers, will receive financial benefit in the form of lower natural gas delivery rates due to revenues generated by the delivery of natural gas to the proposed LNG facility at Woodfibre. FortisBC delivery rates for commercial and residential customers are charged on a per gigajoule basis. As the amount of gas throughput on the system increases, the costs of operating the delivery system are divided among more gigajoules of gas. As a result, the charge per gigajoule declines. Although the proposed Project requires a considerable investment, the LNG facilities at Woodfibre will require a substantial amount of gas to operate. It is expected that the increased throughput will offset the additional cost of service associated with the proposed Project, creating the potential for the delivery rates payable by residential and commercial customers to be lower than they would be in the absence of the proposed Project.
1.5.2 Project Expenditures Capital expenditures (CAPEX) (i.e., during construction) and operating expenditures (OPEX) (i.e., during operations) were estimated by FortisBC in present value 2014 dollars. Expenditures will benefit local and regional communities and economies. Present value 2014 dollars are dollars based on 2014 prices, without any adjustment for future inflation or price escalation. CAPEX for the proposed Project from 2014 through 2017 is estimated at approximately $520 million (in present value 2014 dollars), including contingencies but excluding sales tax. Of this total, 81% ($424 million) will be spent in Canada, of which $260.6 million will be spent in BC on goods and services and $163.4 million will be spent in other provinces or territories on goods and services.
OPEX will extend for a 50 year period from 2017 and is estimated to total approximately $154 million in 2014 dollars over that period. This number excludes municipal property taxes. Total Project expenditures (CAPEX + OPEX) are therefore estimated at $674 million in constant 2014 dollars.
1.5.3 Government Revenues The proposed Project will generate government revenues. Sources of government revenue during construction will include corporate income taxes from contractors and suppliers, as well as income taxes paid by construction workers directly or indirectly employed by the proposed Project, and net sales taxes paid on goods and services. Tax revenues include direct, indirect and induced effects of the proposed Project.
CAPEX of the proposed Project will generate up to $47 million in tax revenues for the federal government, and up to $37 million in tax revenues for provincial and territorial governments. It is estimated that the
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Government of BC will receive 48% ($18 million) of tax revenues from CAPEX and approximately 52% ($19 million) will accrue to other provincial and territorial governments.
OPEX will generate tax revenues for the federal government of up to $17 million, and up to $24 million for provincial and territorial governments. Approximately 89% or $21 million will accrue to the Government of BC. In addition, approximately $18.7 million will accrue to BC in carbon taxes and $4.7 million more in motor fuel taxes. The total amount in OPEX tax revenues accruing to the Government of BC is approximately $44 million in 2014 present value dollars.
Municipal taxes will total approximately $43 million in present value 2014 dollars over the 50 year operating life of the proposed Project at current annual tax rates of $1,038,400.
1.5.4 Employment There are also employment opportunities associated with the proposed Project. As indicated previously, FortisBC operates an extensive system of energy infrastructure in BC, including natural gas pipelines, power generation and transmission, and gas storage facilities. FortisBC serves approximately 1,100,000 customers in BC and provides approximately 21% of the total energy consumed in the province (FortisBC 2013). Providing these energy services safely and reliably, with a high level of customer service, requires a significant number of personnel. FortisBC is a major employer in BC with approximately 2,200 employees.
Employment for the proposed Project will consist of direct and indirect employment during the construction and operations phases. Direct employment refers to labour required for the construction or operations of the proposed Project, while indirect employment refers to additional employment generated through the purchase of other goods and services needed for proposed Project construction or operations.
1.5.4.1 Incremental Employment CAPEX of the proposed Project will generate in the order of 3,843 person years of full-time employment (FTE) in Canada, with 52% (i.e., 1,997 person years of FTE) in BC and 48% (i.e., 1,846 person years of FTE) in the other provinces and territories. A person year of FTE is defined as 1 full-time year of employment, but not necessarily by the same worker.
OPEX will generate a small number of jobs relative to those generated by Project construction. OPEX is estimated to generate up to 1,232 person years of FTE in total, with 81% of the total (1,001 person years) generated in BC.
1.5.4.2 Employment and Contracting Strategy The proposed Project will be constructed over a period of approximately 16 months. A wide range of skilled workers will be needed to construct the proposed Project. Previous pipeline experience will be considered an important asset for some positions, while skills from related industries will be transferable for other positions (e.g., heavy equipment operation, truck driving, trades, etc.). Workers should be able to converse in English, and be willing to undergo drug and alcohol testing, as required by the contractor.
FortisBC will encourage the use regional human resources, including Aboriginal Communities, in design, planning, construction, restoration and operations. The size and schedule of the procurement packages will be designed to accommodate the capabilities of the local business community, wherever economically practical. Bids will be evaluated based on quality, delivery, service, price, safety record, environmental commitment and performance history of the bidder.
1.5.5 Social Benefits of the Proposed Project Social benefits are considered to exist when a proposed project is expected to result in a gain in social well-being in a community, province or country. The predicted social benefits of the proposed Project are identified with respect to the social, heritage and health pillars. The predicted social benefits of the proposed Project include on-the-job training and education, employment opportunities, increased availability of funds for government programs, and increased knowledge and understanding of heritage resources. The predicted benefits related to the health pillar are included in the increased availability of government
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programs that will support social services or programs related to health. Specific social benefits are described as follows.
• On-the-job training and education opportunities: Contractors and goods and service providers for the proposed Project will provide on-the-job training and skills upgrading to entry level and apprentice workers, where practical.
• Employment opportunities: The proposed Project will provide short-term employment opportunities for BC residents and other Canadians during the construction phase, as well as a small number of permanent positions related to the operations phase.
• Lower gas delivery rates: Rates for existing residential and commercial FortisBC customers are expected to be lower than they would otherwise be, thus improving affordability. The proposed Project will increase the reliability of gas service in Squamish, Whistler, the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island.
• Heritage information: Information gathered on the presence of known heritage resources and the potential for additional finds will advance the knowledge and understanding of heritage resources along the proposed route.
• Tax revenue: The proposed Project will generate tax revenue for municipal, regional, provincial and federal governments. Based on the allocations determined by the specific level of government, the increased tax revenues arising from the operations phase could be used to support social programs, such as education, health care and infrastructure.
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2.0 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROCESS This section of the Executive Summary provides a high-level outline of the BC EAO process, including its various stages and describes how the Environmental Assessment (EA) participants (i.e., Working Group, Aboriginal groups and the public) were engaged leading up to the filing of this Application, and provides a summary of key interests and concerns raised. More information is found in Volume 1, Part A, Section 2.0. The information provided below and in Volume 1, Part A, Section 2.0 demonstrates that FortisBC has taken appropriate steps to engage stakeholders throughout the process to date, and will continue to do so as the proposed Project proceeds. 2.1 Provincial Environmental Assessment Process This subsection provides information on the stages of the BC EAO process including the Pre-Application stage and the Application Review stage. 2.1.1 Pre-Application Stage The BC EAO issued an Order under Section 10 of the BC EA Act (Section 10 Order) on August 1, 2013 confirming the proposed Project was reviewable and an Order under Section 11 of the BC EA Act (Section 11 Order) on November 5, 2013 specifying scope, procedures and methods. On May 15 and November 10, 2014, Section 13 Orders were issued to amend the Section 11 Order. This Application has been developed pursuant to the BC EAO-approved AIR and complies with the procedural aspects outlined in the Section 11 Order and the subsequent Section 13 Orders. The Pre-Application stage has concluded with the FortisBC filing of the proposed Project Application to the BC EAO. 2.1.2 Application Review Stage Prior to officially accepting the Application for review, the BC EAO evaluates the Application within 30 days to determine whether it provides information on all matters required by the AIR (including proposed commitments by the proponent to address any potential adverse effects). This Application Review stage has a legislated timeline of 30 days when the Application is deemed complete by the BC EAO, and accepted for review; the Application then enters the Application Review stage. After the BC EAO has accepted the proposed Project Application, the Application Review has a legislated time frame of 180 days. During this stage, the Application is posted on the BC EAO website and the public are provided an opportunity to provide input on the proposed Project. This stage will include BC EAO-led public open houses and Working Group meetings. During the Application Review stage, the BC EAO drafts the assessment report. The report includes the findings of the assessment, the extent to which concerns were addressed, draft conditions, and, if applicable, a review of outstanding concerns. The BC EAO shares the draft assessment report with FortisBC, the Working Group and with Schedule B Aboriginal groups identified in the Section 11 Order for input. At the conclusion of this stage, the BC EAO will provide the Executive Director with information as to whether the proposed Project is likely to have significant adverse effects and recommended conditions if an Environmental Assessment Certificate (EAC) is to be issued. 2.1.3 Minister’s Decision The BC EAO Executive Director will submit the EAC package to the BC Minister of Environment and the BC Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources for decision. Decisions may include:
• issuing an EAC with or without conditions;
• refusing to issue the EAC; or
• requiring further study or assessment on the proposed Project.
After the BC Minister of Environment and the BC Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources makes a decision, the BC EAO notifies FortisBC, government agencies (including federal and provincial permitting agencies) and Aboriginal groups of the decision. If the EAC is issued, the BC EAO posts the assessment report, the Executive Director's reasons and recommendations, the information bulletin and the EAC publically.
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2.2 Environmental Assessment Participants In April 2013, FortisBC initiated communication with key stakeholders, Aboriginal groups, local, provincial and federal governments, local communities and interested parties. Early consultation included information sharing related to the proposed Project including compressor station requirements; pipeline routing; Project benefits and updates. Consultation is planned throughout the planning, construction and operation phases. Additional information is provided in: Volume 1, Part A, Section 2.3 Working Group; Volume 1, Part C - Aboriginal Groups Information Requirements; and Volume 1, Part D – Public Consultation.
During the Application Review period, FortisBC will continue to work with the BC EAO, the Working Group, Aboriginal groups, local governments, local communities and interested parties to share information on Project-related issues. Relevant federal, provincial, regional and municipal elected officials and staff will be informed of the Application submission, and opportunities to review and comment on the Application through the BC EAO process.
2.3 Working Group Pursuant to the Section 11 Order, the BC EAO established a Working Group comprised of representatives from provincial and federal government agencies, local and regional government and Aboriginal groups.
The purpose of the Working Group is to provide advice and input on the selection of appropriate Valued Components (VCs) and assessment evaluation criteria for the proposed Project. The Working Group provides advice and input on the adequacy of any proposed mitigation measures to address potential adverse effects and certificate conditions, as well as other items related to the assessment of the proposed Project as requested by the BC EAO.
Table E-4 identifies the federal, provincial and local government agencies as well as Aboriginal groups that were invited by the BC EAO to be members of the Working Group and be involved in the proposed Project Application, including the opportunity to review and comment on the draft AIR.
TABLE E-4
MEMBERS OF THE WORKING GROUP FOR THE PROPOSED PROJECT
Working Group Members Federal Agencies • Environment Canada • Natural Resources Canada • Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) • Transport Canada Provincial Agencies • Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation • Ministry of Health • Ministry of Agriculture • Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training • Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development • Ministry of Natural Gas Development • Ministry of Environment (MOE) • Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure • Ministry of Energy and Mines • OGC • Ministry of Forest, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (MFLNRO) Regional Agencies • Metro Vancouver • SCRD • SLRD Municipal Agencies • City of Coquitlam • District of Squamish Schedule B Aboriginal Groups • Tsleil-Waututh Nation • Kwikwetlem First Nation • Squamish Nation
To date, there has been one Working Group meeting which was held on October 25, 2013 in Vancouver, BC. The purpose was to discuss assessment methodology of several VCs, potential sources of information for baseline data collection and cumulative adverse effects as well as the roles of provincial and federal bodies (e.g., BC EAO, DFO).
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Table E-5 provides a summary of key issues and concerns raised during the Application preparation stage by Working Group members and FortisBC’s response.
TABLE E-5
SUMMARY OF KEY ISSUES AND CONCERNS RAISED BY WORKING GROUP MEMBERS DURING CONSULTATION ACTIVITIES
Reference to Issue or Concern FortisBC Response Application EA Potential effects to soil Soil capability was assessed as part of the geophysical environment assessment. Section 4.0 capability and restoration As part of the follow-up programs, restoration measures will be implemented in areas affected Geophysical by proposed Project activities prior to construction, during construction and post-construction. Environment Effects A Restoration Plan Framework provides an outline of mitigation measures to be incorporated Assessment in the Final Restoration Plan, which will be prepared prior to construction. The final Part E – Environmental Restoration Plan will consider the amount and type of Project disturbance and site specific Management Plan issues and include site specific plans, where necessary, including soils. (EMP) and Follow-up Programs Air Quality Key Indicators The study area for the assessment will be determined as described in the Guidelines for Air Section 5.0 (KIs) Quality Dispersion Modeling in BC (BC MOE 2008), and include the following KIs: Atmospheric • Nitrogen Oxides (NOx); Environment Effects Assessment • Particulate Matter (PM) (PM2.5 and PM10); • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs); • Carbon Monoxide (CO); and • Sulphur Oxides. Air Quality spatial boundaries The study area for the air quality assessment is the model domain or the area within which Section 5.0 model predictions are made. The size of the model considers that the spatial boundaries are Atmospheric determined based on the Guidelines for Air Quality Dispersion Modeling in BC (BC Environment Effects MOE 2008), however, they are generally no smaller than 10 km x 10 km or any larger than Assessment 50 km x 50 km, centred on the dominant emission source (in this case compressor station[s]). Standards and guidelines for Water quality data was collected at watercourse crossing locations as per the Resource Section 6.0 Water water quality monitoring Inventory Committee guidelines on water quality program implementation and data Effects Assessment interpretation (BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks 1998, Cavanagh et al. 1998). KI in regard to benthic Aquatic ecosystem health is measured: in the Water Effects Assessment under the KI surface Section 6.0 Water invertebrates considered for water quality, Fish and Fish Habitat Effects Assessment; under the KI fish species of Effects Assessment aquatic ecosystems management interest and their habitat; and the Health Effects Assessment under the KIs drinking water quality as well as the soil and sediment quality. Although benthic invertebrates are a good indicator of overall stream health, they have limited value as an indicator of disturbance or potential impacts of pipeline construction on fish habitat (Newcombe 1994). Previous studies on pipeline watercourse crossings (Reid and Anderson 1999) showed benthic invertebrate populations are normally able to withstand short-term increases in suspended sediment and recover quickly following open cut crossings. Therefore, it was determined by the assessment team that this potential effect on benthic invertebrates would not be considered part of this assessment. EA Potential effects to fish and Most iron bacteria metabolize iron in aerobic conditions. The bacteria may impact wells and Section 7.0 Fish and fish habitat in regard to iron pipeline surfaces, and lead to corrosion of the metal surface as well as an increase in iron Fish Habitat Effects bacteria products in the water. Increasing levels of iron products in freshwater systems may pose harm Assessment to aquatic life (BC MOE 2014a). However, limited information is available on the effects of pipelines on growth and spreading of bacteria in freshwater systems. Additionally, pipelines are constructed at least 2 m underneath the streambed such that direct exposure of the pipeline to oxygenated conditions is reduced. Therefore, an assessment on the potential effects of pipeline construction on iron bacteria growth in watercourses is not planned. Fish and Fish Habitat VC Fish and Fish Habitat was selected as a VC based on scientific studies and the experience of Section 7.0 Fish and selection in regard to Fish the assessment team. Fish species of management interest and their habitat was identified as Fish Habitat Effects Species of Management a KI to include species of fish that contribute to commercial, recreational and Aboriginal Assessment Interest fisheries, as well as fish species of conservation concern that are provincially or federally-listed, or considered in planning documents (e.g., regional land and water resource use plans, BC Conservation Framework, Aboriginal Land and Resource Management Plans [LRMPs]).
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TABLE E-5 Cont'd
Reference to Issue or Concern FortisBC Response Application Potential effects on key Fish and Fish Habitat was selected as a VC based on scientific studies and the experience of Section 7.0 Fish and species such as eel-grass, the assessment team. Fish species of management interest and their habitat was identified as Fish Habitat Effects forage fish, and cetaceans a KI to include species of fish that contribute to commercial, Aboriginal and recreational Assessment fisheries, as well as fish species of conservation concern that are provincially or federally-listed, or considered in planning documents (e.g., regional land and water resource use plans, BC Conservation Framework, Aboriginal Land and Resource Management Plans). Although forage fish species are not specifically included as species of management interest, mitigation measures implemented for the protection of species of management interest will also provide protection for forage fish species. For cetaceans, the assessment assumes changes in barge traffic will be negligible, and aside from terrestrial areas directly affected by the proposed temporary Squamish River barge landing sites and sensory disturbance within a zone of influence (ZOI) associated with barge activity and construction of the barge landing sites, the proposed Project is unlikely to have a measurable interaction with marine habitats and wildlife. Since the potential adverse effects of the proposed Project on marine wildlife such as cetaceans are expected to be negligible, they were not included in the assessment. Reviews of iMapBC and the BC Eelgrass Inventory mapping applications did not show any known occurrences of eel-grass or kelp beds in the Skwelwil’em Squamish Estuary Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Vegetation Local Study Area (LSA) or Vegetation RSA. KIs for fish and wildlife should The Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat KIs were selected based on their potential interaction with Section 7.0 Fish and include an assessment of and presumed adverse response to the proposed Project, conservation or management status Fish Habitat Effects species at risk of concern, capacity to represent habitat requirements and use patterns of other species, and Assessment availability of meaningful measureable parameters that can be used to estimate potential Section 10.0 Wildlife adverse effects from the proposed Project. Several species at risk were included as KIs Effects Assessment (e.g., grizzly bear, marbled murrelet and spotted owl). A wildlife species that was not selected as an indicator has not been forgotten. It was likely not selected since its sensitivity to disturbance and/or habitat requirements are covered by an indicator species/group with similar response to environmental changes and it would, therefore, be assessed using the same approach. Information on these species are still researched and considered in field studies as well as mitigation planning. Fish species of management interest and their habitat was identified as a KI to include species of fish that contribute to commercial, recreational or Aboriginal fisheries as defined in the Fisheries Act as well as fish species of conservation concern that are listed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada or under the Species at Risk Act as Endangered, Threatened, or Special Concern, Red or Blue-listed provincially or considered in planning documents (e.g., regional land and water resource use plans, BC Conservation Framework, Aboriginal plans and guidance documents, etc.). Fish and Wildlife timing The tentative schedule for construction is Q3 2015 through Q4 2016. As described in Section 7.0 Fish and windows Section 4.4.1 of the AIR, if instream work is required outside the window of least risk, Fish Habitat Effects additional fish spawning studies will be conducted prior to construction and additional Assessment mitigation measures will be proposed to ensure fish spawning is not compromised during Section 10.0 Wildlife construction. Mitigation measures for avoiding or reducing proposed Project effects on wildlife Effects Assessment were developed in accordance with industry and regulatory guidelines, and include relevant least risk timing windows. EA Inventory of existing invasive A survey for invasive species was conducted in spring/summer 2014. All listed invasive Section 8.0 Vegetation species and monitoring species and non-listed, non-native species were recorded at all locations where they were Effects Assessment observed during the survey. Codes were assigned for the density and distribution of each species, in each land use where they were observed, following the density distribution guide established by the BC Ministry of Forests (BC MOF) (Luttmerding et al. 1990). Mitigation measures include pre-construction management of invasive species populations, management during construction and post-construction monitoring (PCM). Wildlife spatial boundaries The spatial boundaries used to assess potential adverse effects of the proposed Project on Section 10.0 Wildlife the Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat VC include the Project Footprint, Wildlife LSA, Wildlife RSA Effects Assessment and Grizzly Bear RSA. VC selection for Wildlife in The Skwelwil’em Squamish Estuary WMA was reviewed for species of importance during VC Section 10.0 Wildlife regard to the WMA selection and was considered in the desktop review in accordance with Section 4.7 Wildlife of Effects Assessment the AIR. Potential short and long-term Volume 1, Part B, Section 11.0 Economic Effects Assessment provides information about job Section 11.0 Economic employment opportunities and labour income during the proposed Project construction and operation Effects Assessment phases, under the labour force KI.
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TABLE E-5 Cont'd
Reference to Issue or Concern FortisBC Response Application Potential effects to The Community and Regional Infrastructure and Services Effects Assessment addresses Section 12.0 transportation routes, potential effects to transportation through the inclusion of road infrastructure and use patterns Community Effects recreation and tourism, and as a KI. Potential effects on community benefits are also addressed in the Community and Assessment community benefits Regional Infrastructure and Services Effects Assessment. The Land and Resources Effects Section 13.0 Land and Assessment addresses potential effects to recreation and tourism through the inclusion of Resources Effects recreational hunting, fishing and gathering, guide outfitting, commercial recreation and Assessment tourism, and recreational use KIs. Potential effects to the loss of The proposed corridor endeavors to avoid OGMAs and to reduce potential effects to the Section 13.0 Land and Timber Harvesting Land Base timber land base during construction and operations. Resources Effects and Old Growth Management Assessment Areas (OGMAs) VC selection for Ecological Aquatic health is not an independent indicator but is captured under the Country Foods Section 15.0 Health Health in regard to aquatic Quality KI for the Ecological Health VC, which addresses potential effects on terrestrial, Effects Assessment health freshwater and marine country foods. Though stream health is not an independent indicator, it is captured under various VCs with Section 7.0 Fish and diverse spatial boundaries in the assessment. The Fish and Fish Habitat VC follows current Fish Habitat Effects Fish Stream Identification Guidebooks as issued by the BC MOE and BC MOF or on non- Assessment classified drainages (NCDs) lacking defined bed and banks. Open water assessments will Section 15.0 Health involve aquatic habitat assessment and fish inventory following provincial standards and Effects Assessment procedures, which provide additional avenues for assessing stream health. Surface water has been included as a VC and assessment follows procedures including Standards and Best Practices for Instream Works (BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection [BC MWLAP] 2004), Methods for Deriving Site-Specific Water Quality Objectives in BC and Yukon (MacDonald Environmental Sciences Ltd. 1997), Fish-Stream Crossing Guidebook (BC MFLNRO et al. 2012), Transport Canada’s Navigation Protection Act, and the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers’ (CAPP) guide, Pipeline Associated Watercourse Crossings (CAPP et al. 2005). Potential effects of the Sea level rise and changes in extreme weather events were added as potential hazards along Section 17.0 Effects of environment on the proposed with the following: natural seismic events; fire; slope stability and mass wasting events; the Environment on the Project extreme weather; forest pests and pathogens; and marine clays. Project Cumulative Effects Project inclusion list in regard The proposed Project inclusion list will include additional existing or proposed projects in the Sections 4.0 to 15.0 to including EA-level projects regional area which may have the ability to affect the VC cumulatively. Cumulative effect for air and Existing and future projects that have the potential to interact with the proposed Project are Sections 4.0 to 15.0 watersheds included in the Cumulative Effects Assessment for each VC. Restoration Restoration activities and Restoration and long-term monitoring are described in Part E – EMP and Follow-up Programs. Part E – EMP and schedule Follow-up Programs Environmental Management Access management of the Part C – Aboriginal Groups Information Requirements identifies Aboriginal Interests and other Part C – Aboriginal Indian Landscape Unit matters of concern to Aboriginal groups. Part E provides information on the EMP and Follow- Groups Information up Programs, including access management. As part of the permitting process, FortisBC will Requirements develop an Access Management Plan that will address access needs during construction as Part E – EMP and well as post-construction. Follow-up Programs
2.4 Aboriginal Groups The BC EAO delegates certain aspects of consultation with Aboriginal groups to proponents through the Section 11 Order. This subsection provides an overview of the consultation planned by FortisBC during review of the Application as well as a summary of the key issues and concerns raised by Aboriginal groups during Aboriginal engagement activities completed during the pre-Application stage.
2.4.1 Aboriginal Consultation Plan In accordance with the Section 11 Order, FortisBC developed the Eagle Mountain - Woodfibre Gas Pipeline Project Aboriginal Consultation Plan. FortisBC is committed to working with Aboriginal groups within the area covered by the proposed Project to ensure they are informed of the proposed Project and aware of the potential effects and benefits as well as to understand and address issues raised by Aboriginal groups.
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The following objectives identified in the Aboriginal Consultation Plan include:
• share information with Aboriginal groups;
• build understanding about the proposed Project;
• identify potentially affected Aboriginal groups’ Aboriginal Interests;
• identify potential adverse effects on Aboriginal interests;
• identify measures to avoid or mitigate such adverse effect;
• identify measures to otherwise address or accommodate Aboriginal Groups’ concerns;
• respond to feedback received from Aboriginal Groups; and
• fulfill the Section 11 Order requirements.
FortisBC has completed the first Aboriginal consultation report.
Schedule B Aboriginal groups identified in the Section 11 Order include Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Squamish Nation and Kwikwetlem First Nation while Schedule C Aboriginal groups include Musqueam Nation.
These Aboriginal groups may either be directly affected by or have expressed a specific interest in the planning, construction or operations of the proposed Project. Schedule B participants are: notified of key milestones and provided the opportunity to comment on the draft AIR and draft VCs; provided a copy of the Application and invited to comment; provided a copy of the draft Assessment report; and invited to comment on the BC EAO’s consultation report. Schedule C participants are: notified of key milestones; invited to provide information on the Aboriginal Interests they exercise in the proposed Project area; and provided with a copy of the draft Assessment report and are invited to comment.
Feedback and input received during consultation and engagement activities have been integrated into the Application and other proposed Project plans, where appropriate, to contribute to the development of the Application. As consultation and engagement continues throughout the Application review process, FortisBC will continue to engage with Aboriginal groups and discuss specific Aboriginal interests, potential adverse environmental, economic, social, heritage and health effects from the proposed Project with a view to finding measures of avoiding, mitigating or, where appropriate, otherwise addressing those adverse effects.
2.4.2 Consultation and Engagement Planned During Application Review As outlined in the Aboriginal Consultation Plan, FortisBC’s approach for engaging with Aboriginal groups during the review of the Application and for resolving outstanding issues in accordance with the Section 11 Order includes identifying:
• continue to consult Aboriginal Groups about the proposed Project;
• provide and review the results of environmental studies;
• provide and review the Application and its findings, including the results of the impact assessments;
• invite Aboriginal groups to suggest approaches to avoid, reduce, mitigate, or otherwise accommodate potential adverse impacts to Aboriginal Interests; and
• identify longer-term Aboriginal interest in participation in economic, employment, training, and other capacity building opportunities.
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2.4.2.1 Squamish Process Over the last year, at the request of Squamish Nation, FortisBC and Squamish Nation negotiated Fortis BC’s involvement in a parallel assessment process led by the Squamish Nation: “the Squamish Nation Process.” Specifics of the process are confidential, as are discussions and the consultations themselves.
2.4.3 Summary of Key Issues and Concerns An issues tracking table has been used to document specific issues and concerns related to Aboriginal groups raised through engagement. The issues tracking table documents how the issues were addressed or resolved during the preparation of the AIR and Application.
Table E-6 provides a summary of the key issues and concerns raised during the Application preparation stage during Aboriginal engagement activities and FortisBC’s response.
TABLE E-6
SUMMARY OF KEY ISSUES AND CONCERNS RAISED BY ABORIGINAL GROUPS DURING ABORIGINAL ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
Issue or Concern FortisBC Response Reference to Application Aboriginal FortisBC is actively consulting with Musqueam Nation, Tsleil-Waututh Nation and Section 2.0 EA Process consultation Kwikwetlem First Nation with respect to the proposed Project. Part C – Aboriginal Groups Information Requirements Pipeline route Routing options have been consulted on with Aboriginal Groups. The proposed Section 1.0 Proposed Project Overview Project will follow the existing FortisBC pipeline as much as possible to minimize Appendix 18.2 Aboriginal Groups’ Comments linear environmental disturbance. The current route alignment is not yet final. The proposed Project is undergoing a provincial EA including full public and First Nations engagement and the final route will be determined based on the findings of the EA and subsequent permitting processes. Spatial Boundaries Spatial boundaries are selected based on the characteristics of each VC in order Part B – Assessment of Environmental, to conduct a meaningful evaluation of residual adverse effects of the Project on Economic, Social, Health and Heritage VCs and the determination of the significance of those residual adverse effects. Effects The BC EAO’s Guideline for the Selection of VCs and Assessment of Potential Effects (FortisBC Energy Vancouver Island Inc. 2013) provides further details on the rationale for different study areas. Economic benefits FortisBC has engaged Aboriginal groups in discussions regarding both capacity Section 1.5 Project Benefits funding as well as economic benefits that may result from the proposed Project. Section 11.0 Employment and Economy Effects Assessment Section 18.2 Consultation Activities Section 19.0 Aboriginal Interests Employment The potential effects of the proposed Project on economy, employment and labour Section 11.0 Economic Effects Assessment Opportunities force is assessed in the Application. FortisBC has and will continue to meet with all Section 18.2 Consultation Activities potentially affected First Nations for the purpose of outlining work packages that Section 19.0 Aboriginal Interests are available for First Nations companies to undertake as well as the skills necessary for the work. These discussions will take place well in advance of when the work needs to be done, in order for First Nations to prepare for the work and to enter into agreements with FortisBC and its contractors. Inclusion of the The potential effects to the riparian zone are assessed in the Water effects Section 4.0 Geophysical Environment Effects following in the assessment, the Fish and Fish Habitat effects assessment, the Wetland Function Assessment Application: effects assessment and the Wildlife effects assessment. The potential effects to Section 6.0 Water Effects Assessment • riparian zone; terrain stability are assessed in Section 4.0 Geophysical Environment Effects Section 7.0 Fish and Fish Habitat Effects • terrain stability; Assessment. The potential effects to old growth forests are assessed in the Assessment and Vegetation effects assessment. Section 8.0 Vegetation Effects Assessment • old growth Section 9.0 Wetland Function Effects forests Assessment Section 10.0 Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat Effects Assessment
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TABLE E-6 Cont'd
Issue or Concern FortisBC Response Reference to Application Inclusion of the The potential effects to salmonids are assessed in Section 7.0 Fish and Fish Section 7.0 Fish and Fish Habitat Effects following in the Habitat Effects Assessment. Assessment Application: The potential effects to birds (including marbled murrelet, spotted owl and Section 10.0 Wildlife Effects Assessment • salmonids; goshawk), amphibians (including coastal tailed frog) and mammals (including • marbled ungulates and pacific water shrew) are assessed in Section 10.0 Wildlife Effects murrelet; Assessment. • spotted owl; • goshawk; • ungulates; • coastal tailed and other frog species; and • Pacific water shrew. Soil contamination An assessment of potential soil contamination from past land uses along the Section 13.0 Land and Resources Effects proposed Project pipeline construction footprint is presented under the Land and Assessment Resources and Human Health VCs. Section 15.0 Health Effects Assessment Assessment of acid A report on the metal leaching and acid rock drainage potential of the proposed Appendix 3A and Section 23 – EMP rock drainage route was conducted by AMEC Earth & Environmental Ltd. (AMEC) for the proposed Project. Potential impacts to The potential impacts to Aboriginal hunting, fishing and gathering rights are Part C – Aboriginal Groups Information Aboriginal traditional described in Part C of the Application, which has been updated since comments Requirements activities were submitted. Potential effects of The potential effects of sediment erosion and its effects downriver and on the Section 6.0 Water Effects Assessment sediment estuary are assessed in Section 6.0 Water Effects Assessment under the Surface Water Quality KI. Access roads Environmental field surveys are conducted on access roads for the proposed Section 23.0 EMP Project. FortisBC is applying for access road permits from the BC OGC under the BC Oil and Gas Activities Act. The permit applications will identify the location of access roads, access improvements, such as bridges, and the duration of road use as well as potential effects to environmental, social and heritage features. Mitigation measures to reduce or avoid effects to the identified features will also be identified. As part of the permitting process, FortisBC will develop an Access Management Plan that will address access needs during construction as well as post-construction. A draft of the Access Management Plan will be made available to Aboriginal groups, prior to finalization, as part of the permitting process. Heritage Resources The Heritage Resources VC includes historic, archaeological and paleontological Section 14.0 Heritage Effects Assessment sites. The ZOI in which heritage resources are most likely to be affected during Part C – Aboriginal Groups Information construction is the Project Footprint. An RSA has also been defined consisting of Requirements the area extending beyond the Project Footprint and is defined as an area of intersecting Borden Blocks. A Borden Block measures approximately 16 km x 16 km. The entire watershed will not necessarily be included in the assessment. An Archaeological Impact Assessment has been conducted in accordance with the Heritage Conservation Act, guidance from the BC Archaeology Branch and Archaeological Impact Assessment permit requirements. Cultural sites identified by First Nations are included in Part C of the Application. Stream crossing Aquatic assessments are conducted at stream crossings. Experienced Section 7.0 Fish and Fish Habitat Effects assessments professional Biologists will provide recommendations regarding stream crossing Assessment methods and construction timing to FortisBC and the engineering design team to inform crossing designs. The Application will assess potential effects of the proposed crossing methods and determine mitigation measures to avoid or reduce potential effects. FortisBC will also require permits for stream crossings from the BC OGC. Hydrology Hydrology data are measured and recorded at each site including water velocity, Section 6.0 Water Effects Assessment water depth, discharge, wetted and bankfull widths, gradient, channel geomorphic units, top of bank height, confinement, channel pattern and discharge stage.
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TABLE E-6 Cont'd
Issue or Concern FortisBC Response Reference to Application Spatial boundary for The study area boundaries for the Surface Water and Fish and Fish Habitat VCs Section 6.0 Water Effects Assessment Water, Fish and encompass the Squamish River and its confluence into Squamish Harbour. Section 7.0 Fish and Fish Habitat Effects Fish Habitat Varying Project Footprint, LSAs and RSAs have been developed for each of these Assessment VCs to ensure the KIs proposed are properly captured in the assessment. These boundaries have been developed based on professional experience. The ZOI likely to be affected by direct disturbance during construction and operations for Surface Water and Fish and Fish Habitat includes an area 100 m upstream of the crossing location and 300 m downstream of the proposed crossing location. The RSA is the area where the direct and indirect influence of other land uses and activities could overlap with the proposed Project-specific effects and cause cumulative effects on the fish and fish habitat indicator and includes sub-basins potentially directly affected by the proposed Project. Assessment of Wetland Function has been identified as a VC for the proposed Project and will Section 9.0 Wetland Function Effects Squamish Estuary utilize the KIs – hydrologic function, habitat function and biochemical function – to Assessment determine potential effects. As the Squamish Estuary falls within our Project Footprint, it is assessed within the spatial boundaries of this VC as well as the LSAs and RSAs for wildlife and wildlife habitat, surface water, groundwater, vegetation and fish and fish habitat. To support the biophysical studies for the Application, additional resources including the Squamish Estuary Management Plan (District of Squamish 1999) are referenced. The use of Borden FortisBC is required by the Heritage Conservation Act and the Permits required Section 14.0 Heritage Effects Assessment Blocks for Heritage under that Act to frame the archaeological assessment in the geographical context Resource of Borden Units. Assessment Temporary Temporary workspaces (including temporary right-of-way and stockpile locations) Part B – Assessment of Environmental, workspace that are used during construction are assessed in the Application. Environmental Economic, Social, Health and Heritage field surveys are conducted on access roads for the proposed Project. FortisBC is Effects applying for access road permits from the BC OGC under the BC Oil and Gas Activities Act. The permit applications will identify the location of access roads, access improvements, such as bridges, and the duration of road use as well as potential effects to environmental, social and heritage features. Mitigation measures to reduce or avoid effects to the identified features will also be identified. As part of the permitting process, FortisBC will develop an Access Management Plan that will address access needs during construction as well as post- construction. A draft of the Access Management Plan will be made available to Aboriginal groups prior to finalization, as part of the permitting process. Use of Cultural There are cultural sites located along the proposed Project for which avoidance Section 1.5 Alternative Means of Undertaking Areas has been requested. FortisBC is currently working on the design of the proposed the Proposed Project route to mitigate the potential effects to these sites. Mitigation measures may include avoidance, minimization, reclamation or off-set and compensation. Traditionally-Used The potential effects on country foods is assessed in the Application. A Restoration Section 13.0 Land and Resources Effects Plants (for Food, Plan will be developed for the proposed Project. Methods to avoid or mitigate Assessment Medicinal and potential adverse effects have been developed and included in the Application. Section 14.0 Heritage Effects Assessment Material Use) Subsistence The potential effects on use of subsistence activities is assessed in the Application Section 13.0 Land and Resources Effects Activities and have included the consideration of Aboriginal Rights such as Hunting, Fishing Assessment and Gathering. Language around Aboriginal Interests, including harvesting rights, Section 14.0 Heritage Effects Assessment is consistent with the BC EAO’s AIR. Aboriginal harvesting rights will be covered in Section 19 Aboriginal Interests Part C of the Application, and will include fishing, hunting, trapping and gathering indicators.
2.5 Public Public participation in the Application process helps to ensure community values and public goals for community development are considered in proposed Project planning and decision-making. Public participation provides a means for FortisBC to learn about and incorporate local information, priorities and concerns into the design of the proposed Project. There are two formal public comment review periods outlined in the Section 11 Order including a review of the draft AIR and the Application. Additional media advertisements and open houses organized by FortisBC offered opportunities for public input.
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2.5.1 Public Consultation Plan In accordance with the Section 11 Order, FortisBC developed a Public Consultation Plan. FortisBC received input on drafts of the Public Consultation Plan and the BC EAO subsequently approved the plan.
The Public Consultation Plan:
• provides information about the proposed Project and the EA process;
• encourages early information sharing;
• provides opportunities for community leaders and members to identify and document their comments, concerns, questions, and issues; and
• incorporates public feedback, knowledge, ideas and opinions.
The proposed Project’s public consultation and engagement program will be ongoing throughout all phases of the proposed Project. In addition to meeting regulatory requirements, the program is intended to promote long-term relationships with interested parties that are based on mutual respect. The public consultation and engagement is intended to build a community understanding of the proposed Project with the goal to share information about proposed Project plans and activities while gaining an understanding of how people may be affected by the proposed Project. Detailed information is provided in Volume 1, Part D – Public Consultation.
2.5.2 Summary of Key Issues and Concerns Table E-7 provides a summary of the key issues and concerns raised during the Application preparation stage by public stakeholders and FortisBC’s response.
TABLE E-7
SUMMARY OF KEY ISSUES AND CONCERNS RAISED BY PUBLIC STAKEHOLDERS DURING PUBLIC CONSULTATION ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING GOVERNMENT AGENCIES)
Where Issue is Addressed in Area of Interest of Concern Summary of Concerns and Issues the Application Aboriginal consultation Stakeholders raised the question of whether or not First Nations were consulted as part Part C - Aboriginal Groups of the proposed Project, and if so, which ones. Information Requirements Air quality Stakeholder expressed concern regarding the potential adverse effects to air quality as Section 5.0 Atmospheric a result of both the proposed compressor station in the District of Squamish and the Environment Effects proposed Woodfibre LNG Project. Due partly to this concern and partly to noise, Assessment several stakeholders in the District of Squamish suggested locating the proposed compressor station outside of Squamish. Stakeholders throughout Howe Sound suggested that both the proposed compressor station in Squamish and the Woodfibre LNG Project be electric powered in order to reduce emissions. Assessment of environment, In addition to recognizing its importance to the local economy, stakeholders in the areas Part B - Assessment of economic and social effects affected by the proposed Project felt a close connection to the environment. Environmental, Economic, Stakeholders were concerned that construction of the proposed Project would limit Social, Health and Heritage access to the variety of boating and other recreational activities in Howe Sound. There Effects are extensive hiking and cycling trails in the area that stakeholders wanted to ensure were either not disturbed during construction or properly restored. In addition, stakeholders provided information to FortisBC regarding species of concern in the area, such as whales, dolphins and grizzly bear, and expressed concern regarding the effects of the proposed Project on these populations. Construction schedule Stakeholders were interested in learning more about scheduled road closures and other Section 1.0 Proposed Project disturbances associated with the proposed Project. Overview Effects of the environment The potential adverse effects of seismic events on the proposed pipeline were a Section 17.0 Effects of the concern for stakeholders. In addition, certain stakeholders were concerned with the Environment on the Project steepness of the terrain in sections along the proposed Project, indicating that washouts of the slope may be an issue.
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TABLE E-7 Cont'd
Where Issue is Addressed in Area of Interest of Concern Summary of Concerns and Issues the Application Emergency response Stakeholders had a variety of concerns related to emergency response for both the Section 23.0 EMP proposed Project and the Woodfibre LNG Project. Some stakeholders wanted to know FortisBC’s history of pipeline integrity issues, and what plans FortisBC had in place to prevent leaks. Similarly, some stakeholders wanted to know whether or not FortisBC would be installing automated shut-down valves to help respond to an emergency and reduce its impact. In addition, stakeholders had questions regarding emergency response planning and procedures for the Woodfibre LNG Project. Stakeholders requested copies of Woodfibre LNG Limited’s disaster response plan for the Woodfibre LNG Project. Some stakeholders expressed concern regarding marine spills, and wanted more information on who holds liability for a spill during the loading and shipping phase of the Woodfibre LNG Project. Stakeholders also requested information regarding the worst case scenario and other potential issues that could be encountered in the shipping of LNG. Employment and economy In general, stakeholders held one of two views regarding employment and economy. Section 1.6 Project Benefits Some stakeholders were interested in the potential for the proposed Project to create Section 11.0 Economic Effects lasting employment in the community. These stakeholders expressed concern Assessment regarding preference not being given to local workers and contractors, and wanted to know what ongoing employment would result from the proposed Project. Other stakeholders indicated that since the close of the pulp mill, the District of Squamish and other municipalities in the area had moved toward non-industrial businesses, tourism and recreation to drive their economies. Due to this, these stakeholders were concerned that the proposed Project and the Woodfibre LNG Project would negatively impact recreational activities in the area. Hydraulic fracturing While not specifically part of the proposed Project, some stakeholders indicated they N/A were concerned that in supporting the proposed Project, they would also be supporting hydraulic fracturing (fracking). Stakeholders had a number of concerns regarding fracking, such as fresh water use, hazardous chemicals used in the fracking process and the possibility of those chemicals remaining in the gas when it is eventually used by members of the public. Long-term economic viability Tourism is becoming one of the main economic drivers for the Squamish area, and N/A Squamish is known as an outdoor recreation destination (District of Squamish 2012, Economic Growth Solutions Inc. 2005). While many local stakeholders are pleased with this transition, they also recall the closure of local timber facilities and the decline of BC’s coal industry. With this in mind, some stakeholders expressed concern regarding LNG, indicating Canada is already behind other nations in its efforts to export LNG. Stakeholders were concerned that a decline in the LNG market would force the closing of the Woodfibre LNG Project. Pipeline route Stakeholders expressed a variety of concerns regarding the proposed pipeline route. In Section 1.0 Proposed Project general, stakeholders preferred the pipeline following the existing FortisBC right-of-way, Overview thereby minimizing new disturbances to the area. Several residents along Finch Drive in Squamish indicated they would prefer the pipeline to follow Robin Drive instead of Finch Drive as it has fewer homes and would be less impactful to the community. Proposed Project through the As with the rest of the proposed Project, stakeholders were interested in the routing of Section 1.0 Proposed Project Squamish Estuary the proposed pipeline through the Squamish Estuary, many of whom indicating that Overview they would only support following the existing FortisBC right-of-way. In addition, stakeholders were interested in learning more about horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and how this would impact the Squamish Estuary. Project design for Many stakeholders were concerned with the possibility of noise, emissions and Section 1.0 Proposed Project compressor stations deteriorated air quality resulting from the compressor stations associated with the Overview proposed Project. Due to this, many stakeholders indicated they would prefer that the compressor stations be electric instead of gas powered. Public consultation While the majority of the public’s concerns with public consultation involved open Section 2.0 EA Process houses, members of the public also expressed concern with the specificity of the Section 22.0 Public available proposed Project information and confusion regarding the avenues through Consultation which to provide feedback on the proposed Project. Public consultation - open Members of the SCRD as well as stakeholders living along the Sunshine Coast Section 2.0 EA Process houses expressed frustration regarding the lack of open houses in their area early in the Section 22.0 Public proposed Project’s consultation process. During the June 11, 2014 open house in the Consultation Town of Gibsons, stakeholders expressed further frustration that Woodfibre LNG Limited did not attend, nor did it host an open house of its own in the area. While there were fewer issues with open houses in other areas of the proposed Project, certain stakeholders indicated that they expected there to be more advertising for the open houses.
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TABLE E-7 Cont'd
Where Issue is Addressed in Area of Interest of Concern Summary of Concerns and Issues the Application Seismic activity Stakeholders were generally aware of the West Coast’s seismic potential, and because Section 4.0 Geophysical of this wanted to know about plans that FortisBC had in place should a seismic event Environment Effects occur, asking in some cases for further information regarding FortisBC’s disaster Assessment response plan. A few stakeholders asked specifically whether FortisBC was planning to install automated shut-down valves. Tanker traffic While not the same project, many stakeholders did not differentiate between the N/A proposed Project and the Woodfibre LNG Project. Due to this, these stakeholders had a number of questions and concerns regarding tanker traffic in Howe Sound. Some stakeholders expressed concern regarding the impact of increased tanker traffic on recreational boaters. Others wanted further information regarding the routes the tankers would take, and wanted to know whether BC tanker pilots would be responsible for navigating the route. Stakeholders also asked questions regarding whether or not tankers would be mooring in Howe Sound. Wildlife technical studies Certain stakeholders were concerned with the timing of wildlife studies such as tail frog Appendix 1K Wildlife Technical surveys, and wanted to confirm that FortisBC’s studies would yield accurate and Report relevant results.
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PART B ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, HEALTH AND HERITAGE EFFECTS Part B of the Application provides information on the assessment methodology (Volume 1, Part B, Section 3.0) used to identify potential adverse effects, characterize potential residual adverse effects and cumulative adverse effects as well as evaluate for significance of these adverse effects related to the environmental, economic, social, health and heritage VCs for the proposed Project. Volume 1, Part B, Sections 4.0 to 17.0 provide effects assessments for the environmental, economic, social, health and heritage VCs outlined in Part B, Sections 4.0 to 10.0 of the proposed Project’s AIR.
3.0 ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY Information on existing, baseline conditions is necessary to facilitate an effective assessment. The assessment team carried out baseline studies to establish the conditions of the VCs for the proposed Project. Baseline data collection includes information on current environmental, economic, social, health and heritage conditions, as well as existing disturbances and land uses. Baseline information is reported on in the technical reports for soils, terrain, the acoustic environment, air quality, greenhouse gases (GHGs), hydrology, hydrogeology, aquatics, vegetation, wetlands, wildlife and wildlife modelling, economy, social and health, WMAs and forestry (Volume 2, Appendices 1A to 1O).
Consultation and engagement with Aboriginal groups, regulatory agencies and stakeholders was conducted to assist in the gathering of baseline information. Field studies were conducted, where warranted, to supplement baseline information gathered during the review of existing literature and the consultation and engagement program, and to identify the site-specific location of potential issues.
The assessment evaluated the potential environmental, economic, social, health and heritage effects of the proposed Project. The potential adverse effects were identified through consultation and engagement with Aboriginal groups, the Working Group, regulatory agencies and stakeholders; experience gained during previous pipeline projects with similar conditions and potential issues; and the professional judgement of the assessment team.
The assessment methods followed in Volume 1, Part B, Sections 4.0 to 15.0 track the requirements of the AIR and include:
• identification of the potential interactions of the proposed Project and the selected VCs;
• identification and description of the potential adverse effects resulting from the proposed Project;
• using existing knowledge of potential effects identified through the literature review, knowledge of previous projects in a similar geographical and cultural context, and field studies;
• identification of mitigation measures that avoid, reduce or otherwise address potential adverse effects using the tiered approach described in the BC MOE Environmental Mitigation Procedures (2014b);
• determination of potential residual adverse effects (i.e., effects after mitigation);
• characterization of the potential residual adverse effects;
• a significance determination of potential residual adverse effects;
• an evaluation of the potential for residual adverse effects to interact with similar effects of other past, present or reasonably foreseeable projects or activities;
• identification of any cumulative effects;
• identification of mitigation measures that avoid, reduce or otherwise address potential cumulative effects (if any);
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• identification of residual cumulative adverse effects;
• characterization and significance determination of residual cumulative adverse effects; and
• feedback from Aboriginal groups, the public, stakeholders and government agencies, as appropriate.
In general, the determination of significance was evaluated by developing a set of qualitative criteria based on those identified by Hegmann et al. (1999), as follows.
• Context (i.e., the extent to which the area in which a residual adverse effect may occur has already been adversely affected by human activities or is considered to have little resilience and resistance to imposed stresses).
• Spatial Boundary (i.e., Project Footprint, LSA, RSA, Provincial, National, International).
• Temporal context (i.e., duration and frequency of the event causing the residual effect, reversibility of the residual effect).
• Magnitude (i.e., severity of the residual effect in relation to environmental, social or regulatory standards).
• Level of confidence or uncertainty (i.e., availability of data to substantiate the assessment conclusion, previous success of mitigative measures, etc.).
• Probability or likelihood of occurrence of the residual effect.
All significance assessment criteria (e.g., temporal context, magnitude, etc.) were considered by the assessment team for each residual effect. In the characterization of the potential residual adverse effects, the effects assessment will discuss context by describing the sensitivity and resilience of each VC to the construction and operation of the proposed Project and the baseline conditions that contribute to that understanding.
The scope of the cumulative adverse effects assessment is a Project-specific cumulative adverse effects assessment as required under the BC EA Act. Hegmann et al. (1999) states an assessment must determine that a particular project is incrementally responsible for adversely affecting a given VC. Therefore, the cumulative effect on a given VC due to many actions are identified, and the cumulative adverse effects assessment specifies to what degree the proposed Project is contributing to that total effect.
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4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL PILLAR 4.1 Geophysical Environment Effects Assessment Volume 1, Part B, Section 4.0 of the Application presents, and the following paragraphs summarize, the assessment of the potential adverse effects of the proposed Project on the selected VCs relating to geophysical environment. The assessment of the proposed Project on the selected VCs relating to geophysical environment considers the potential adverse effects on the Soil Capability, Terrain Integrity and Acid Rock Drainage (ARD) VCs during construction, operations and decommissioning or abandonment of the proposed Project.
A Soils Technical Report in respect of the Application Corridor was completed by Soil Matters Consulting Ltd. and a Terrain Technical Report was completed by AMEC. These technical reports address the baseline conditions and form the basis of the geophysical environment discussion.
4.1.1 Soil Capability Valued Component The assessment of the Soil Capability VC and associated KIs – reclamation, including soil and sediment quality and agricultural suitability, describes the potential adverse effects of activities associated with the proposed Project on reclamation suitability and agricultural capability, such as the potential for admixing, contamination, soil loss and compaction. The BC Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping (TEM) data for the proposed Project provided general information regarding the soil and nutrient regimes of approximately 88% of the forested, shrubland and flood plain areas found along the proposed Project. This information was organized according to the Coastal Western Hemlock biogeoclimatic subzones identified in the Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification literature. The soils assessment was qualitative and included a literature review and desktop analysis. All soils along the Project Footprint are considered to be key elements of site restoration, which, in turn, is critical to the ongoing health of the forests, wetlands, alpine areas and other ecosystems that occur along the proposed Project.
The effects assessment on Soil Capability considered the following potential adverse effects, potential residual adverse effects and potential cumulative adverse effects during the construction, operations and decommissioning or abandonment of the proposed Project (Table E-8).
TABLE E-8
SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS FOR SOIL CAPABILITY VALUED COMPONENT
Potential Residual Adverse Effects Potential Cumulative Adverse Effects Potential Adverse Effects (Pre-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) • Degradation of soil structure through • Decrease in reclamation capability due to • There is high confidence that potential compaction and rutting degradation of soil structure through residual adverse effects of the proposed compaction and rutting Project on Soil Capability will be low in • Loss of surface soil material through wind or • Decrease in reclamation capability due to magnitude and not significant. Potential water erosion localized loss of productive surface soil residual adverse effects of the proposed Project, which might remain after mitigation, • • Mixing of surface soil with less productive Decrease in reclamation capability due to will be minor in nature and will be limited to subsoil during grubbing, soil salvage, storage mixing of surface soil with less productive the Project Footprint. As such, potential and replacement, and soil decompaction subsoil during topsoil salvage and residual adverse effects will not act in a activities replacement and soil decompaction cumulative fashion with residual effects of activities other existing or reasonably foreseeable • Altered landscape contours and drainage • Alteration of landscape contours and projects and activities within the Project patterns due to trench subsidence or a drainage patterns due to trench Footprint. remnant crown subsidence or a remnant crown • Diminished soil or sediment quality due to the • No residual adverse effects identified discovery of existing contaminated soils or sediments • Diminished agricultural capability of soil due to • No residual adverse effects identified admixing of topsoil with undesirable subsoil during grubbing, soil salvage and storage and replacement, and soil decompaction activities • Diminished agricultural capability of soil due to • No residual adverse effects identified loss of topsoil material through wind or water erosion
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The mitigation identified for the potential adverse effects associated with the proposed Project on the Soil Capability VC (Table 4.5-1) was developed in accordance with industry and provincial regulatory guidelines and best management practices as well as in accordance with FortisBC standards. The key mitigation includes installing and maintaining appropriate erosion and sediment control methods (e.g., straw stapling, coir matting, coir logs, geotextile and temporary berms); and backfilling the trench without mixing spoil with topsoil. Other mitigation measures include postponing construction, suspending equipment travel or utilizing construction alternatives if and where wet soil is encountered as determined by the Environmental Inspector, as well as sediment and erosion control measures.
With the implementation of mitigation, the adverse effects of the proposed Project on the Soil Capability VC were determined to be not significant.
4.1.2 Terrain Integrity Valued Component The assessment of the Terrain Integrity VC and associated KIs – terrain stability and erosion, is based on qualitative and quantitative information on terrestrial geohazards along the Application Corridor as described and characterized in the Terrain Technical Report (Volume 2, Appendix 1B).
The geotechnical assessment included a qualitative desktop analysis of multiple information sources, extensive ground and aerial inspections, and review of air photos and light detection and ranging (LiDAR).
The effects assessment on the Terrain Integrity VC considered the following potential adverse effects, potential residual adverse effects and potential cumulative adverse effects during the construction, operations and decommissioning or abandonment of the proposed Project (Table E-9).
TABLE E-9
SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS FOR TERRAIN INTEGRITY VALUED COMPONENT
Potential Residual Adverse Effects Potential Cumulative Adverse Effects Potential Adverse Effects (Pre-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) • Reduced terrain stability as a result of rock • Instabilities in cut and fill materials • Following the implementation of the blasting proposed mitigation measures, any potential • Reduced terrain stability as a result of cuts • Instabilities in cut and fill materials residual adverse effects of the proposed and fills in soil Project on the Terrain Integrity VC will be minor in nature and scope. There is high • • Reduced terrain stability as a result of cuts Instabilities in cut and fill materials confidence that potential residual adverse and fills in rock effects of the proposed Project on Terrain • Reduced terrain stability as a result of • No residual adverse effects identified Integrity will not be significant. Due to the vegetation removal minor and localized nature of the potential • Reduced terrain stability as a result of • Instabilities in cut and fill materials residual adverse effects, they are not changes to surface and groundwater expected to act in a cumulative fashion with interception, discharge or drainage other existing or reasonably foreseeable projects and activities within the Project • Reduced terrain stability as a result of • No residual adverse effects identified Footprint or Geophysical Environment LSA. pipeline construction in areas of shallow to moderately deep-seated sliding • Reduced terrain stability as a result of • No residual adverse effects identified pipeline construction triggering rockfall • Reduced terrain stability as a result of • No residual adverse effects identified pipeline construction triggering lateral stream erosion • Reduced terrain stability as a result of • No residual adverse effects identified pipeline construction triggering avulsion and scour • Soil erosion as a result of vegetation • Erosion of excavated materials removal • Soil erosion as a result of groundwater • Erosion of excavated materials interception, discharge or drainage • Soil erosion as a result of surface water • Erosion of excavated materials runoff • Soil erosion as a result of construction • No residual adverse effects identified triggering debris flows, landslides, avulsion or scour
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The mitigation identified for the potential adverse effects of the proposed Project on the Terrain Integrity VC (Table 4.6-1) was developed in accordance with industry and provincial regulatory guidelines as well as in accordance with FortisBC standards. The key mitigation measures include keeping cuts as shallow as practical while providing the required grade and workspace, and choosing the pipeline route to avoid areas of surface instability, wherever practical. Other key mitigation measures relate to blasting (following appropriate guidelines) and soil erosion (e.g., limiting grubbing and grading).
With the implementation of mitigation, the adverse effects of the proposed Project on the Terrain Integrity VC were determined to be not significant.
4.1.3 Acid Rock Drainage Valued Component The assessment of the ARD VC and associated KI – ARD Potential, is based on potential ARD conditions, including surrounding areas within the potential zones of influence along the Application Corridor as described and characterized in the Terrain Technical Report (Volume 2, Appendix 1B).
The ARD assessment included a qualitative review of multiple information sources such as topographic data and provincial geological databases as well as the use of a GIS system to identify potential areas of ARD. Areas identified as potentially permissive for ARD during desktop studies were investigated on the ground and samples were collected and sent to a lab for analysis.
The effects assessment on ARD considered one potential adverse effect (lower pH and elevated metal concentrations of water in areas where ARD potential rock is exposed).
With the implementation of key mitigation measures including avoiding areas where ARD conditions exist, to the extent practical, and complying with the recommendations of the Soil Resource Specialist or Geotechnical Consultant and Environmental Inspector at locations where ARD may be present and trench dewatering is necessary, no residual adverse effects from the proposed Project on ARD are anticipated. Therefore, no significant adverse effects or cumulative adverse effects of the proposed Project on ARD have been identified.
4.2 Atmospheric Environment Effects Assessment Volume 1, Part B, Section 5.0 of the Application presents, and the following paragraphs summarize, the assessment of the proposed Project on the Atmospheric Environment VCs, specifically Acoustic Environment, Air Quality and GHG Emissions, during construction, operations and decommissioning or abandonment of the proposed Project.
4.2.1 Acoustic Environment Valued Component The assessment of the Acoustic Environment VC and associated KI – Sound Levels, identifies and analyzes the potential adverse effects of noise resulting from the construction, operations and decommissioning of the proposed Project. The potential adverse effects on both humans and wildlife are considered. Complete details on acoustic modelling design and results are provided in the Acoustic Technical Report (Volume 2, Appendix 1C).
The atmospheric environment assessment focused primarily on the long-term noise emissions associated with the operation of the proposed compressor stations, and included the use of models to determine the change in overall sound levels. The potential adverse effects of the proposed Project’s construction was assessed on a qualitative basis. Measured noise was added to modelled Project noise to determine the expected sound levels associated with the proposed Project operations, and for comparison with the Permissible Sound Level.
The effects assessment on Acoustic Environment considered two potential adverse effects (increase in daytime ambient sound levels from vehicles and equipment during construction activities and increase in sound levels associated with gas cooling units and compressor turbines during operations).
The mitigation identified for the potential adverse effects of the proposed Project on the Acoustic Environment VC (Table 5.5-1) was developed in accordance with industry and provincial regulatory guidelines including the BC Noise Control Best Practices Guideline (BC OGC 2009), Section 6 of Health
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Canada’s Useful Information for EAs (2010), and the Workers Compensation Act, Occupational Health and Safety Regulation as well as in accordance with FortisBC standards. The key mitigation measures include compliance with BC OGC’s Noise Control Best Practices Guidelines as well as local noise bylaws, and reducing construction and operations noise (e.g., use well-maintained equipment to reduce air pollution and associated noise).
Considering the implementation of mitigation, two residual adverse effects of the proposed Project on the Acoustic Environment VC were identified and characterized for significance (increase in sound levels during construction and decommissioning, and increase in sound levels during operations). With the implementation of mitigation, the adverse effects of the proposed Project on the Acoustic Environment VC were determined to be not significant.
No potential cumulative adverse effects are anticipated on the Acoustic Environment VC. The interaction between the potential residual adverse effects and other existing and reasonably foreseeable developments is considered negligible due to the localized nature of the potential residual adverse effects.
4.2.2 Air Quality Valued Component The assessment of the Air Quality VC and associated KI – Criteria Air Contaminants [CACs] (including CO, NOx, sulphur dioxide [SO2], PM and VOCs), identifies and analyzes potential adverse effects resulting from the construction, operations and decommissioning of the proposed Project with a primary focus on the operation of the proposed compressor stations. Complete details on air quality assessment and results are provided in the Air Quality Technical Report (Volume 2, Appendix 1D).
The air quality assessment included a quantitative analysis of existing air quality and climate conditions, estimation of CAC emissions expected from the proposed Project to characterize expected ambient air quality in the Air Quality RSA (see Volume 2, Appendix 1D Air Quality Technical Report).
The effects assessment on Air Quality considered the following potential adverse effects, potential residual adverse effects and potential cumulative adverse effects during the construction, operations and decommissioning or abandonment of the proposed Project (Table E-10).
TABLE E-10
SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS FOR AIR QUALITY VALUED COMPONENT
Potential Adverse Effects (Pre-Mitigation) Potential Residual Adverse Effects Potential Cumulative Adverse Effects (Post-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) • CAC emissions from the use of equipment and • Elevated concentrations of CAC • Proposed Project contribution to elevated vehicles emissions from the use of equipment and concentrations of CACs vehicles • Fugitive dust emissions from land disturbance • No residual adverse effects identified • No cumulative adverse effects identified and transport on unpaved roads • Smoke emissions from burning associated • Elevated concentrations of CAC • Proposed Project contribution to elevated with land clearing emissions, particularly PM, from burning concentrations of CAC emissions associated with land clearing
• Fugitive, non-methane (CH4) VOC emissions • Elevated concentrations of CAC • Elevated concentrations of CAC emissions associated with venting and leaks emissions during operations due to during operations due to fugitive, non CH4 fugitive, non CH4 VOC emissions VOC emissions associated with venting and associated with venting and leaks leaks
The mitigation identified for the potential adverse effects of the proposed Project on the Air Quality VC (Table 5.6-1) was developed in accordance with industry and regulatory guidelines including federal, provincial and regional ambient air quality objectives (BC MOE 2013a, Canadian Council of Ministers for the Environment [CCME] 2012, Health Canada and Environment Canada 1998, Metro Vancouver 2011a) as well as in accordance with local bylaws and FortisBC standards. Key mitigation measures include: implementing techniques to limit smoke production, including limiting pile size, reducing fuel moisture content, maintaining loose burning piles free of soil and using burn sloops or large capacity shredders; and employing best practices and using best available economically achievable technology during project
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design on all facility-related sources. Other mitigation measures include using well-maintained equipment to reduce air pollution and noise.
With the implementation of mitigation, the adverse effects of the proposed Project on the Air Quality VC were determined to be not significant.
4.2.3 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Valued Component
The assessment of the GHG Emissions VC and associated KIs – CO2, CH4 and N2O (excluding perfluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride since these GHGs are not expected to be associated with the proposed Project), identifies and analyzes potential adverse effects resulting from the construction, operations and decommissioning of the proposed Project with a primary focus on the operation of the proposed compressor stations. The potential adverse effects of GHG emissions during and as a result of activities associated with the proposed Project have been considered in terms of their contribution to national, and provincial and sector-based GHG emission totals and to global climate change. Complete details on GHG emissions associated with the proposed Project are provided in the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Technical Report (Volume 2, Appendix 1E). New compressor units at the existing Eagle Mountain compressor station and the proposed Squamish compressor station will be electric, resulting in no change to the current permit-level combustion emissions at Eagle Mountain and no combustion-related emissions at the proposed Squamish compressor station. Although a new, second gas turbine compressor package will be added at the existing Port Mellon compressor station to increase operational efficiencies, it will not be operated at the same time as the current, existing compressor, and, therefore, there will be no net change to the existing permitted combustion emissions at Port Mellon.
The GHG Emissions VC assessment included use of existing GHG inventories at the local, provincial, federal, and sector levels; the use of existing GHG emissions data for the existing compressor stations (i.e., Eagle Mountain and Port Mellon); and a variety of GHG emissions prediction models and emission factors to estimate proposed Project GHG emissions and their expected contribution to various levels of GHGs.
The effects assessment on GHG Emissions VC considered the following potential adverse effects, potential residual adverse effects and potential cumulative adverse effects during the construction, operations and decommissioning or abandonment of the proposed Project (Table E-11).
TABLE E-11
SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS FOR GREENHOUSE GAS VALUED COMPONENT
Potential Residual Adverse Effects Potential Cumulative Adverse Effects Potential Adverse Effects (Pre-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation)
• Increase in CO2 and N2O from internal • Increase in GHG emissions associated • As acknowledged in the scientific community combustion engines used in equipment, with equipment and vehicles and amongst policymakers, no individual vehicles and marine transportation activity is responsible for global effects on • Increase in GHGs associated with land • Increase in GHG emissions associated climate due to GHG emissions. The clearing activities with land clearing activities proposed Project’s GHG emissions will contribute to these cumulative adverse • • Increase in indirect GHG emissions from Increase in indirect GHG emissions from effects, but the contribution, though electricity consumption (i.e., compressor electricity consumption during operations measurable and potentially important in electric motors) comparison to provincial and national levels, • Increase in CH4 and CO2 emissions from the • Increase in GHG emissions from venting will not be significant in a global context. venting at facilities and pipeline during operations Therefore, given the inherently cumulative
• Increase in CH4 and CO2 from fugitive sources • Increase in GHG emissions from fugitive nature of GHGs and their contribution to (i.e., leaks from valves, connectors, meters sources during operations climate change, it was deemed unnecessary and other equipment) to conduct a cumulative effects assessment of GHG emissions for the proposed Project.
The mitigation identified for the potential adverse effects associated with the proposed Project on the GHG VC (Table 5.7-1) was developed in accordance with industry best practice, municipal and regional guidelines and provincial regulatory guidance as well as in accordance with FortisBC standards. The key mitigation measures include employing best practices and use of best available economically achievable technology during project design on all facility-related sources and, where practical, reducing venting and
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fugitive leaks to reduce emissions of methane and VOCs during regular operation. Other mitigation measures include operational measures (e.g., use well-maintained equipment to reduce GHG emissions, air pollution and noise and limit idling).
With the implementation of mitigation including installation of electric motor driven compressors at Squamish and Eagle Mountain, the adverse effects of the proposed Project on the GHG Emissions VC were determined to be not significant.
4.3 Water Effects Assessment Volume 1, Part B, Section 6.0 of the Application presents, and the following paragraphs summarize, the assessment of the potential adverse effects of the proposed Project on water. The assessment of the proposed Project on water considers the potential adverse effects on the Surface Water and Groundwater VCs during construction, operations and decommissioning or abandonment of the proposed Project.
Hydrology and hydrogeology assessments of the Application Corridor were completed by AMEC and form the basis of the water discussion.
4.3.1 Surface Water Valued Component The assessment of the Surface Water VC and associated KIs – surface water quality and surface water quantity, is based on characteristics and conditions of surface flow, drainage patterns and geographic extent of community watersheds along the Application Corridor as described and characterized in the Hydrology Technical Report (Volume 2, Appendix 1F). Water quality data are presented in the Aquatic Assessment Technical Report (Volume 2, Appendix 1H) as it relates to fish and fish habitat.
The hydrology assessment included a qualitative desktop review of multiple information sources as well as field assessments and evaluations. Hydrometric stations located in the vicinity of the proposed Project were used as sources of seasonal hydrology data in addition to spot streamflow measurements that were collected in the field during fish and fish habitat field surveys.
The effects assessment on the Surface Water VC considered the following potential adverse effects, potential residual adverse effects and potential cumulative adverse effects during the construction, operations and decommissioning or abandonment of the proposed Project (Table E-12).
TABLE E-12
SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS FOR SURFACE WATER VALUED COMPONENT
Potential Cumulative Adverse Effects Potential Adverse Effects (Pre-Mitigation) Potential Residual Adverse Effects (Post-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) • Reduced surface water quality • Reduction in surface water quality due to suspended • Proposed Project contribution to solids during instream construction of trenched cumulative change in surface water crossings or vehicle crossings quality • Reduction in surface water quality due to erosion from banks or approach slopes • Alteration or contamination of surface • Alteration or contamination of surface water as a result water as a result of the withdrawal and of the release of hydrostatic test water release of hydrostatic test water • Reduction in marine water quality due to • Reduction in marine water quality due to suspended sedimentation at barge landing sites solids during installation and removal of barge landings • Alteration of natural surface drainage • Localized alteration of natural surface drainage • Proposed Project contribution to patterns patterns until trench settlement is complete cumulative change in surface water • Disruption or alteration of stream flow • Disruption and alteration of natural stream flow from quantity instream activities • Alteration of stream flows as a result of • No residual adverse effects identified • No cumulative adverse effects the withdrawal of hydrostatic test water identified
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The mitigation identified for the potential adverse effects of the proposed Project on the Surface Water VC (Table 6.5-1) was developed in accordance with industry and regulatory guidelines as well as in accordance with FortisBC standards. The key mitigation measures include not withdrawing more than 10% of the instantaneous stream flow or the flow rate/volume specified by the provincial regulator, at any given time; and installing temporary vehicle crossing structures as to not disrupt fish passage at fish-bearing watercourses and NCDs or not to interfere with or impede flow or navigation at any temporary vehicle crossing location. Mitigation measures also include staging watercourse crossing construction at large water crossings, to the extent practical. Other mitigation measures include following all applicable regulations (such as obtaining BC Water Act approval under Sections 8 and 9 from BC OGC and BC MFLNRO where warranted, for the short-term use of water and changes in and about a stream) as well as preventing erosion, sedimentation, and contamination from equipment.
With the implementation of mitigation, the adverse effects of the proposed Project on the Surface Water VC were determined to be not significant.
4.3.2 Groundwater Valued Component The assessment of the Groundwater VC and associated KIs – groundwater quality and groundwater quantity, is based on the characteristics and conditions of groundwater along the Application Corridor as described and characterized in the Hydrogeology Technical Report (Volume 2, Appendix 1G).
The hydrogeology assessment included a qualitative desktop review of multiple information sources, a database search for nearby operating well sites and the use of mapped surficial geology along the proposed route.
The effects assessment on the Groundwater VC considered the following potential adverse effects, potential residual adverse effects and potential cumulative adverse effects during the construction, operations and decommissioning or abandonment of the proposed Project (Table E-13).
TABLE E-13
SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS FOR GROUNDWATER VALUED COMPONENT
Potential Residual Adverse Effects Potential Cumulative Adverse Effects Potential Adverse Effects (Pre-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) • Shallow groundwater with existing contamination • No residual adverse effects identified • No cumulative adverse effects encountered during pipeline construction identified • Sedimentation of an aquifer or groundwater well • Elevated turbidity in groundwater as a result of sedimentation • Diversion of groundwater where the pipeline crosses • Local diversion of groundwater flow • Proposed Project contribution to depressions or gullies along a slope beneath the pipeline cumulative change in groundwater • Clearing of vegetation resulting in less groundwater • Increase in groundwater recharge of quantity uptake by flora major rivers
The mitigation identified for the potential adverse effects of the proposed Project on the Groundwater VC (Table 6.6-1) was developed in accordance with industry and regulatory guidelines including the CCME Canadian Water Quality Guidelines (CCME 2002, 2007), the BC MOE Approved Water Quality Guidelines (BC MOE 2013b) and Schedule 6 – Generic Numerical Water Standards of the Environmental Management Act, Contaminated Sites Regulation (BC Reg. 375/96) as well as in accordance with FortisBC standards. The key mitigation measures include monitoring water present in the trench during trenching to determine if groundwater flow is being intercepted and avoiding known areas of contaminated soil, sediment and groundwater. Other mitigation includes procedures to be followed during drilling and storing all hazardous substances and fuels in proper containment systems, to prevent release to the environment.
With the implementation of mitigation, the adverse effects of the proposed Project on the Groundwater VC were determined to be not significant.
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4.4 Fish and Fish Habitat Effects Assessment The assessment of the Fish and Fish Habitat VC and associated KI – Fish Species of Management Interest and Their Habitat, is based on the characteristics and conditions of fish and fish habitat along the Application Corridor as described and characterized in the Aquatic Assessment Technical Report (Volume 2, Appendix 1H).
The potential adverse effects on Fish and Fish Habitat associated with the proposed Project are based on the results of the literature review, desktop analysis, field work, Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), land management and other planning documents, and consultation with government agencies, landowners, Aboriginal communities and other stakeholders, and the experience of the assessment team. The fish and fish habitat assessment included both qualitative and quantitative assessment of potential adverse effects.
The effects assessment on the Fish and Fish Habitat VC considered the following potential adverse effects, potential residual adverse effects and potential cumulative adverse effects during the construction, operations and decommissioning or abandonment of the proposed Project (Table E-14).
TABLE E-14
SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS FOR FISH AND FISH HABITAT VALUED COMPONENT
Potential Adverse Effects Potential Cumulative Adverse Effects (Pre-Mitigation) Potential Residual Adverse Effects (Post-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) • Alteration or loss of riparian habitat • Alteration or loss of riparian habitat function during • Proposed Project contribution to function construction activities cumulative increase in riparian • Alteration or loss of riparian habitat function during habitat disturbance operations • Alteration or loss of instream habitat • Direct and indirect alteration of instream habitat within the • Proposed Project contribution to ZOI at trenched crossings during construction cumulative increase in instream • Direct and indirect alteration of instream habitat within the habitat disturbance ZOI at trenched crossings during operations • Fish mortality or injury • Fish mortality or injury due to construction activities • No cumulative adverse effects • Fish mortality or injury due to operation activities identified • Fish mortality or injury due to increase in suspended solids within the ZOI during construction of trenched and vehicle crossings • Fish mortality or injury due to increase in suspended solids within the ZOI due to operations • Fish mortality or injury due to increase in suspended solids at temporary Squamish barge landing sites • Increased access to fish and fish • Disturbance of instream fish habitat due to a potential • Proposed Project contribution to habitat increase in access by the public during operations cumulative increase in instream • Increased fish mortality or injury due to a potential increase habitat disturbance in access by the public during operations • Proposed Project contribution to cumulative increase in fish mortality or injury due to a potential increase in access • Blockage of fish movement • Temporary blockage of fish movements during isolated • Proposed Project contribution to watercourse and NCD* crossings cumulative increase in blockage of fish movements • Interbasin transfer of aquatic • No potential residual adverse effects identified • No cumulative adverse effects organisms identified • Alteration or loss of fish habitat at • Alteration of fish habitat at temporary Squamish barge • Proposed Project contribution to temporary Squamish barge landing landing sites due to construction and removal activities cumulative increase in instream sites habitat disturbance • Injury or mortality to benthic • Injury or mortality to benthic invertebrates at temporary • No cumulative adverse effects invertebrates at temporary Squamish Squamish barge landing sites due to construction and identified barge landing sites removal activities Note: * Non-classified drainage
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The mitigation identified for the potential adverse effects on the Fish and Fish Habitat VC (Table 7.6-1) was developed in accordance with industry and provincial and federal regulatory guidelines including guidance provided in federal Acts, guidance from BC ministries, guidance from DFO and guidance from CCME as well as in accordance with FortisBC standards. The key mitigation includes undertaking instream activities during timing windows of least risk and conducting watercourse crossings in isolation of open or flowing water where necessary to protect fish and fish habitat, unless regulatory approvals are obtained to do otherwise. Other measures to avoid or reduce adverse effects on fish and fish habitat include trenchless crossing methods where it is determined that isolation methods are not technically feasible, as well as measures to prevent release of deleterious substances (including sediment, drilling fluid [i.e., water and bentonite clay] and contaminants) and measures to preserve riparian habitats.
With the implementation of mitigation, the adverse effects of the proposed Project on the Fish and Fish Habitat VC were determined to be not significant.
4.5 Vegetation Effects Assessment The assessment of the Vegetation VC and associated KIs – native vegetation; vegetation communities of concern; plant species of concern; and invasive plant species, is based on the characteristics and conditions of vegetation along the proposed Project and in the Vegetation LSA and RSA, as described and characterized in the Vegetation Technical Report (Volume 2, Appendix 1I).
The potential adverse effects on the Vegetation VC associated with the proposed Project are based on the results of the desktop review; engagement and consultation with Aboriginal communities, regulatory agencies and public stakeholders; TEM; and vegetation surveys conducted along the proposed Project. For the proposed Project, the following three potential pathways of adverse effects on vegetation are identified: clearing and maintenance of an earlier seral stage; introduction and spread of invasive plant species; and introduction or spread of forest pests (for forested communities). The potential adverse effects might arise from the construction, operations and decommissioning and abandonment phases of the proposed Project. The effects assessment of the Vegetation VC included both quantitative and qualitative assessment of potential adverse effects as a result of the proposed Project.
The following potential adverse effects, potential residual adverse effects and potential cumulative adverse effects during the construction, operations and decommissioning or abandonment of the proposed Project were considered for the effects assessment on the Vegetation VC (Table E-15).
TABLE E-15
SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS FOR VEGETATION VALUED COMPONENT
Potential Residual Adverse Effects Potential Cumulative Adverse Effects Potential Adverse Effects (Pre-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) • Loss or alteration of native vegetation • Alteration of native vegetation components • Proposed Project contribution to alteration components (mature and young upland forests, (mature and young upland forests, riparian of native vegetation riparian and flood plain communities, and and flood plain communities and shrubland shrubland and graminoid communities) and graminoid communities) • Spread of forest pests • Loss or alteration of vegetation communities of • Alteration of vegetation communities of • Proposed Project contribution to alteration concern concern of vegetation communities of concern • Alteration of estuarine habitat (the Skwelwil’em • Alteration of estuarine habitat (the Squamish Estuary WMA) Skwelwil’em Squamish Estuary WMA) • Loss or alteration of old growth forests • Alteration of old growth forests • Proposed Project contribution to alteration of old growth forests • Loss or alteration of an occurrence of a plant • Alteration of an occurrence of a plant • Proposed Project contribution to alteration species of concern species of concern of an occurrence of a plant species of • Loss or alteration of potential habitat for • Alteration of habitat for federally-listed plant concern federally-listed plant species at risk species at risk • Introduction and spread of invasive plant • Introduction and spread of invasive plant • Proposed Project contribution to invasive species species plant species introduction or spread
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The mitigation identified for the potential adverse effects on the Vegetation VC (provided in Table 8.5-1) was developed in accordance with industry and provincial regulatory guidelines as well as in accordance with FortisBC standards. The key mitigation measures include flagging site-specific resource features; reducing grading where and to the extent practical; avoiding or reducing disturbance in vegetation communities of concern, estuarine habitat, old growth forests and plant species of concern by applying alternative construction and restoration techniques; best practices to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive plant species; and implementing a Restoration Plan (see Volume 3, Appendix 3A EMP).
With the implementation of mitigation, the adverse effects of the proposed Project on the Vegetation VC were determined to be not significant.
4.6 Wetland Function Effects Assessment The assessment of the Wetland Function VC and associated KIs – hydrologic function, biogeochemical function and habitat function, is based on the characteristics and conditions of wetlands along the Application Corridor as described and characterized in the Wetland Evaluation (Volume 2, Appendix 1J).
The wetland evaluation included desktop research, aerial imagery interpretation, helicopter reconnaissance and ground-survey in representative wetland sites. The Wetland Function VC effects assessment is a qualitative assessment of potential adverse effects informed by quantitative data on the area of wetland expected to be disturbed by the proposed Project.
The effects assessment on the Wetland Function VC considered the following potential adverse effects, potential residual adverse effects and potential cumulative adverse effects during the construction, operations and decommissioning or abandonment of the proposed Project (Table E-16).
TABLE E-16
SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS FOR WETLAND FUNCTION VALUED COMPONENT
Potential Residual Adverse Effects Potential Cumulative Adverse Effects Potential Adverse Effects (Pre-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) • Alteration or loss of hydrologic function during and • Alteration or loss of hydrologic • Incremental increases in alteration of following the construction of the pipeline and function until natural flow regime is wetland hydrologic function until grade and temporary facilities and during maintenance activities re-established natural flow patterns are re-established • Alteration or loss of estuarine hydrologic function • Alteration or loss of estuarine • Incremental increases in alteration of during and following the construction of the pipeline hydrologic function until natural flow estuarine hydrologic function until grade and temporary facilities and during maintenance regime is re-established and natural flow patterns are re-established activities • Alteration or loss of biogeochemical function during • Alteration or loss of biogeochemical • Incremental increases in alteration of and following the construction of the pipeline and function until hydrologic regime is wetland biogeochemical function until temporary facilities and during maintenance activities re-established and substrate recovers hydrologic regime is re-established and replaced substrate has recovered • Alteration or loss of estuarine biogeochemical • Alteration or loss of estuarine • Incremental increases in alteration of function during and following the construction of the biogeochemical function until estuarine biogeochemical function until pipeline and temporary facilities and during hydrologic regime is re-established hydrologic regime is re-established and maintenance activities and substrate recovers replaced substrate has recovered • Alteration or loss of habitat function during and • Alteration or loss of habitat function • Incremental increases in alteration of following the construction of the pipeline and until hydrologic regime and wetland habitat function until vegetation is temporary facilities and during maintenance activities vegetation are re-established re-established • Alteration or loss of estuarine habitat function during • Alteration or loss of estuarine habitat • Incremental increases in alteration of and following the construction of the pipeline and function until hydrologic regime and estuarine habitat function until vegetation is temporary facilities and during maintenance activities vegetation are re-established re-established
The recommended mitigation measures for the Wetland Function VC (Table 9.5-1) were developed in accordance with wetland conservation guidance documents, industry best practices and provincial regulatory guidelines as well as in accordance with FortisBC standards. The key mitigation measures include restoring wetlands to their pre-construction profile and backfilling subsoil and mineral soils prior to organic material in wetlands to ensure that organic material, where present, remains at the surface. Other mitigation includes sediment control as well as measures to protect riparian areas and species at risk.
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With the implementation of mitigation, the adverse effects of the proposed Project on the Wetland Function VC were determined to be not significant.
4.7 Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat Effects Assessment The assessment of the Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat VC and associated KIs is based on the results of a literature review, desktop analysis, field work, and habitat modelling, as well as consultation and engagement with government agencies, Aboriginal communities, and the experience of the assessment team. The Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat KIs include grizzly bear, furbearers, ungulates, bats, mature/old forest birds, early seral forest birds, grassland/shrubland birds, riparian and water birds, peregrine falcon, marbled murrelet, spotted owl, pond-dwelling amphibians and coastal tailed frog.
Pipeline and facility construction, operation and decommissioning activities have the potential to affect Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat through alteration of vegetation, terrain and drainage, and sensory disturbance (e.g., noise, light and activity), causing changes in wildlife habitat, movement and mortality risk (Table E-17). These effects mechanisms or “pathways” define the potential adverse effects on Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat identified for the proposed Project. Habitat loss and alteration can cause displacement of wildlife and can potentially result in the use of less suitable habitat, reduced foraging ability, increased energy expenditure and lower reproductive success. Pipeline construction and operations can alter wildlife movement by reducing habitat connectivity and creating barriers or filters to movement. Wildlife mortality risk may increase during construction of the proposed Project as a result of wildlife collisions with vehicles or equipment, loss or disruption of habitat (e.g., clearing and soil handling has potential to destroy nests, dens, overwintering sites), sensory disturbance (e.g., nest abandonment) and human conflict (e.g., attraction of wildlife to contractor yards). In addition, wildlife mortality risk may be affected during pipeline operation as a result of changes in predator/prey dynamics and increased access for trapping, hunting and poaching.
TABLE E-17
SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL EFFECTS FOR WILDLIFE AND WILDLIFE HABITAT VALUED COMPONENT
Potential Residual Adverse Potential Cumulative Adverse KIs Potential Adverse Effects (Pre-Mitigation) Effects (Post-Mitigation) Effects (Post-Mitigation) • Grizzly bear • Change in habitat for all KIs • Combined residual • The proposed Project’s • Furbearers • Change in movement for all KIs adverse effect of the contribution to cumulative proposed Project on all adverse effects on all KIs • Ungulates • Change in mortality risk for all KIs KIs resulting from • Bats changes in habitat, • Mature/old forest birds movement and mortality • Early seral forest birds risk • Grassland/shrubland birds • Riparian and water birds • Peregrine falcon • Marbled murrelet • Spotted owl • Pond-dwelling amphibians • Coastal tailed frog
The combined suite of residual adverse effects of the proposed Project on wildlife habitat, movement and mortality risk constitute the residual adverse effect for each KI (Table E-17). An assessment of these combined residual adverse effects was determined to be the most appropriate method of evaluating potential adverse effects of the proposed Project, since wildlife populations and individuals would potentially experience influences of all three effect pathways. The combined residual adverse effect approach uses a receptor-based method to evaluate the effects on the KI in a holistic fashion, and is both more realistic and conservative (i.e., precautionary) than assessing the individual residual adverse effects.
The proposed Project crosses the Skwelwil’em Squamish Estuary WMA, which overlaps with the Squamish River Area Important Bird Area and Wildlife Habitat Area (WHA) for spotted owl. Approximately 1.5 km of the proposed pipeline within the WMA is proposed to be installed via HDD in order to reduce disturbance
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to habitat within the WMA. The proposed HDD avoids most of the WMA with the exception of approximately 750 m west of the Squamish River. FortisBC is committed to continuing consultation with provincial regulators to develop and implement the appropriate mitigation to reduce residual adverse effects of the proposed Project on wildlife and wildlife habitat in the Skwelwil’em Squamish Estuary WMA. Mitigation will include habitat restoration and may include offsets, in order to align with the management objectives set out for the WMA.
The proposed Project crosses Long-Term Owl Habitat Area and Managed Future Habitat Area within the WHA 2-517 for spotted owl. The proposed mitigation is expected to reduce the residual adverse effects of the proposed Project on spotted owl. FortisBC is committed to preparing a mitigation plan in consultation with BC MFLNRO’s Spotted Owl Recovery Coordinator, and working with the appropriate regulatory authorities to determine any appropriate variations from the General Wildlife Measures set out in the Order associated with WHA 2-517 to protect spotted owl habitat, which will potentially include offsets.
The proposed Project crosses Rotation Winter Range for black-tailed deer in Ungulate Winter Range (UWR) u-2-005. FortisBC will seek to conduct activities in accordance with the General Wildlife Measures set out in the Ungulate Winter Range Order (e.g., forest retention targets), or seek permission from the appropriate regulatory authority for deviation from the General Wildlife Measures prior to commencing construction.
The federal recovery strategy for marbled murrelet identifies critical nesting habitat. Locations where the marbled murrelet critical habitat areas occur within the Project Footprint will be investigated in the field during the detailed routing and Project design phase, in order to evaluate the biophysical attributes of the habitat. The results of field investigations will inform final routing and siting of temporary construction workspace and facilities within the Application Corridor to avoid marbled murrelet critical habitat to the extent practical, reduce disturbance where avoidance is not possible, and reduce fragmentation of habitat and creation of habitat edges. FortisBC is committed to continued consultation with the appropriate regulatory agencies to develop and implement mitigation that aligns with the recovery strategy objectives, to reduce the potential adverse effects of the proposed Project on marbled murrelet habitat where critical habitat cannot be avoided.
Results of the cumulative effects analyses indicate that the existing level of disturbance in the Grizzly Bear RSA has exceeded biological thresholds and targets. As a result, the existing cumulative adverse effect on grizzly bear is considered a significant cumulative effect. The proposed Project will interact with existing and reasonably foreseeable developments, but will have a relatively small contribution to the cumulative adverse effect. FortisBC recognizes that the proposed Project will contribute to an already significant cumulative effect on grizzly bear, and is committed to consulting with provincial regulators to develop and implement a Grizzly Bear Mitigation and Monitoring Plan to reduce the proposed Project’s contribution to the cumulative adverse effects on grizzly bear, which may include offsets, if required.
The mitigation identified for the potential adverse effects on the Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat VC (identified in Table 10.5-1) were developed in accordance with industry and provincial regulatory guidelines as well as FortisBC standards. The key mitigation includes measures regarding habitat loss/alteration, sensory disturbance, human/wildlife conflict, barriers to wildlife movement during construction, access management, wildlife disturbance and attraction of wildlife during construction and operations, aerial survey guidelines, migratory birds, the Squamish River Area Important Bird Area, the Skwelwil’em Squamish Estuary WMA, UWR U2-005 (black-tailed deer), WHA 2-517 (spotted owl), raptor and owl nests, amphibian breeding ponds, coastal tailed frog watercourses, bat maternity roosts/hibernacula, mammal dens, mineral licks, beaver dams/lodges, species with special conservation status, and environmental inspection and monitoring.
With the implementation of mitigation, the adverse effects of the proposed Project on the Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat VC were determined to be not significant.
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5.0 ECONOMY PILLAR The assessment of the Economy VC and Employment and Labour Force VC and associated KIs - government revenue, contracts and procurement, business disruption, employment training, and labour force, is based on the characteristics of the existing economic conditions along the Application Corridor as described in the Economic, Social and Health Technical Report (Volume 2, Appendix 1M).
Information sources for the Economy pillar include publicly available information and discussions with representatives from municipal, regional and provincial governments, business associations, community reports developed by Aboriginal communities, and other community organizations.
The effects assessment on the Economy VC and Employment and Labour Force VC considered the following potential adverse effects and one potential residual adverse effect and cumulative effect during the construction, operations and decommissioning or abandonment of the proposed Project (Table E-18).
TABLE E-18
SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS FOR ECONOMY VALUED COMPONENTS
Potential Residual Adverse Effects Potential Cumulative Adverse Effects Potential Adverse Effects (Pre-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) • Barriers to local participation in contracting • No residual adverse effects identified • No cumulative adverse effects identified opportunities • Disruption of local businesses • Disruption of local businesses • Proposed Project contribution to cumulative adverse effects on Economy • Adverse effects on Economy during • No residual adverse effects identified • No cumulative adverse effects identified decommissioning or abandonment • Barriers to employment training for the • No residual adverse effects identified • No cumulative adverse effects identified proposed Project • Barriers to obtaining employment for the • No residual adverse effects identified • No cumulative adverse effects identified local labour force
FortisBC has developed mitigation to reduce or avoid the potential adverse effects of the proposed Project on local businesses (Table 11.5-1). The mitigation was developed according to FortisBC standards, industry-accepted best practices, and experience with past projects where similar measures have proven effective. The key mitigation is to work with businesses directly affected by construction to reduce effects as a result of noise, dust and limited access. Other mitigation includes communicating with police and emergency services personnel prior to and during Project construction to inform local businesses and residents of changes in access and construction-related vehicle traffic.
With the implementation of mitigation, the adverse effects of the proposed Project on the Economy and Employment and Labour Force VCs were determined to be not significant.
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6.0 SOCIAL PILLAR 6.1 Community and Regional Infrastructure and Services Effects Assessment Volume 1, Part B, Section 12.0 of the Application presents, and the following paragraphs summarize, the assessment of the potential adverse effects of the proposed Project on the VCs Community and Regional Infrastructure and Services. The assessment of the proposed Project on the selected VCs considers the potential adverse effects on the Community Utilities and Services, Transportation Infrastructure and Community VCs during construction, operations and decommissioning or abandonment of the proposed Project.
6.1.1 Community Utilities and Services The assessment of the Community Utilities and Services VC and associated KIs – emergency services, health care services, recreational facilities, accommodation, waste management, social services and advanced education facilities is based on the characteristics and conditions of community and regional infrastructure and services along the Application Corridor as described and characterized in the Economic, Social and Health Technical Report (Volume 2, Appendix 1M).
The following discussion of the Community Utilities and Services VC is based on desktop research and information gathered during technical discussions. The term technical discussions is used to refer to meetings held with technical specialists such as planners, economic development officers and recreational facility operators, as opposed to elected representatives.
The effects assessment on the Community Utilities and Services VC considered the following potential adverse effects, potential residual adverse effects and potential cumulative adverse effects during the construction, operations and decommissioning or abandonment of the proposed Project (Table E-19).
TABLE E-19
SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS FOR COMMUNITY UTILITIES AND SERVICES VALUED COMPONENT
Potential Residual Adverse Effects Potential Cumulative Adverse Effects Potential Adverse Effects (Pre-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) • Increased demand on local emergency • Increased demand on existing emergency • Proposed Project contribution to cumulative services, health care services and social services, health care services and social increase in demand on community and services services regional utilities and services • Increased use of recreational facilities by • Increased use of recreational facilities by proposed Project workers proposed Project workers • Disruption of community quality of life by proposed Project activities • Demand for accommodation • Increased demand for short-term accommodation • Upward pressure on housing costs in select communities • Increase in solid, liquid and hazardous • Increase in solid, liquid and hazardous waste at waste at landfills, transfer stations, landfills, transfer stations, hazardous waste hazardous waste centres and wastewater centres and wastewater treatment facilities treatment facilities • Adverse effects on Community Utilities • No residual adverse effects identified • No cumulative adverse effects identified and Services during decommissioning or abandonment
Recommended mitigation measures were developed in accordance with industry and provincial regulatory guidelines as well as in accordance with FortisBC standards (Table 12.5-1). The key mitigation includes informing police, emergency services providers, municipalities, local hotel and motel operators, and community representatives of proposed Project details, including traffic and construction schedules.
With the implementation of mitigation, the adverse effects of the proposed Project on the Community Utilities and Services VC were determined to be not significant.
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6.1.2 Transportation Infrastructure The assessment of the Transportation Infrastructure VC and associated KIs – road infrastructure and use patterns and airports and railways, is based on the characteristics and conditions of community and regional infrastructure and services along the Application Corridor as described and characterized in the Economic, Social and Health Technical Report (Volume 2, Appendix 1M).
The following discussion of the Transportation Infrastructure VC is based on desktop research and information gathered during technical discussions. The term “technical discussions” is used to refer to meetings held with technical specialists such as planners, economic development officers and recreational facility operators, as opposed to elected representatives.
The effects assessment on the Transportation Infrastructure VC considered the following potential adverse effects, potential residual adverse effects and potential cumulative adverse effects during the construction, operations and decommissioning or abandonment of the proposed Project (Table E-20).
TABLE E-20
SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS FOR TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE VALUED COMPONENT
Potential Residual Adverse Effects Potential Cumulative Adverse Effects Potential Adverse Effects (Pre-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) • Increased traffic volumes as a result of • Increased proposed Project-related traffic on • Proposed Project contribution to cumulative transporting workers, supplies and highways and local roads adverse effects on transportation equipment infrastructure • Physical disturbance to roads • Physical disturbance to roads • Increase in passengers at local and • No residual adverse effects identified • No cumulative adverse effects identified regional airports • Increased rail traffic as a result of • No residual adverse effects identified • No cumulative adverse effects identified transporting supplies and equipment • Adverse effects on Transportation • No residual adverse effects identified • No cumulative adverse effects identified Infrastructure during decommissioning or abandonment
Recommended mitigation measures were developed in accordance with industry and provincial regulatory guidelines as well as in accordance with FortisBC standards (Table 12.6-1). The key mitigation includes communicating with RCMP, police and emergency services personnel in the vicinity of the Project Footprint to keep these organizations informed of traffic schedules and to enlist their services as needed, and adhering to the measures related to pre-construction and construction traffic in the Traffic Control Management Plan in Volume 3, Appendix 3A EMP.
With the implementation of mitigation, the adverse effects of the proposed Project on the Transportation Infrastructure VC were determined to be not significant.
6.1.3 Community The assessment of the Community VC and associated KI – community quality of life, is based on the characteristics and conditions of community and regional infrastructure and services along the Application Corridor as described and characterized in the Economic, Social and Health Technical Report (Volume 2, Appendix 1M).
The following discussion of the Community VC is based on desktop research and information gathered during technical discussions. The term “technical discussions” is used to refer to meetings held with technical specialists such as planners, economic development officers and recreational facility operators, as opposed to elected representatives.
The effects assessment on the Community VC considered the following potential adverse effects, potential residual adverse effects and potential cumulative adverse effects during the construction, operations and decommissioning or abandonment of the proposed Project (Table E-21).
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TABLE E-21
SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS FOR COMMUNITY VALUED COMPONENT
Potential Residual Adverse Effects Potential Cumulative Adverse Effects Potential Adverse Effects (Pre-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) • Change in community quality of life • Change in community quality of life during the • Proposed Project contribution to cumulative construction phase adverse effects on community quality of life. • Adverse effects on Community during • No residual adverse effects identified • No cumulative adverse effects identified decommissioning or abandonment
Recommended mitigation measures were developed in accordance with industry and provincial regulatory guidelines as well as in accordance with FortisBC standards (Table 12.7-1). The key mitigation measures include notifying municipalities of the anticipated pipeline routing and construction schedules, and informing Aboriginal communities, trappers, guides, outfitters, landowners, lessees, tenure holders and recreational organizations of Project developments throughout construction. Other mitigation includes establishing alternate access routes for commercial or residential areas where applicable.
With the implementation of mitigation, the adverse effects of the proposed Project on the Community VC were determined to be not significant.
6.2 Land and Resources Use Valued Component The assessment of the Land and Resources Use VC is based on the characteristics and conditions of land and resources along the Application Corridor as described and characterized in the Economic, Social and Health Technical Report (Volume 2, Appendix 1M). KIs associated with Land and Resources Use include human habitation, consistency with land use plans, visual aesthetics, parks and protected areas, recreational use, recreational hunting, fishing and gathering, guide outfitting, trapping, commercial recreation and tourism, agriculture and range use, forestry, mineral and subsurface resources, industrial use, contaminated sites, linear infrastructure, navigability of waterways and commercial fisheries.
The assessment of potential adverse effects of the proposed Project on the Land and Resources Use VC is based on the results of the review of available reports, statistical research and analysis, field work, and technical discussions with government agencies, landowners, Aboriginal communities, and other stakeholders, as well as the experience of the assessment team.
The effects assessment on the Land and Resources Use VC considered the following potential adverse effects, potential residual adverse effects and potential cumulative adverse effects during the construction, operations and decommissioning or abandonment of the proposed Project (Table E-22).
TABLE E-22
SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS FOR LAND AND RESOURCES USE VALUED COMPONENT
Potential Residual Adverse Effects Potential Cumulative Adverse Effects Potential Adverse Effects (Pre-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) • Disturbance of residential use areas • Disturbance of residential use areas • Proposed Project contribution to cumulative physical disturbance to land and resource use areas • Proposed Project contribution to cumulative change to access and use patterns
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TABLE E-22 Cont’d
Potential Residual Adverse Effects Potential Cumulative Adverse Effects Potential Adverse Effects (Pre-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) • Disruption of recreational users and recreational • Disruption of recreational users and hunters, See above hunters, fishers and gatherers fishers and gatherers during construction • Increased access to previously inaccessible areas • Physical disturbance of recreational use areas • Physical disturbance of recreational use areas • Disruption of trapping activities • Disruption of trapping activities • Disruption of commercial recreation and tourism • Disruption of commercial recreation and tourism operations operations • Disruption to timber harvesting operations • Disruption to timber harvesting operations • Reduced long term volume of merchantable • Reduced long-term volume of merchantable timber available for harvesting (reduction to the timber available for harvesting (reduction to the timber-harvesting land base) timber harvesting land base) • Disruption of non-timber forest product (NTFP) • Disruption of NTFP harvesting harvesting • Disruption of mineral and aggregate tenures • Limitations to future mineral and aggregate activities • Disruption to industrial use areas • Disruption of access to industrial use areas • Inconsistency with land use plan objectives • Inconsistency with land use planning objectives for the Skwelwil’em Squamish Estuary WMA • Disruption of navigable waterways • Disruption to watercourse users on navigable • Proposed Project contribution to waterways cumulative change to access and use patterns • Sensory disturbance of residential land users • Sensory disturbance of residential land users. • No cumulative adverse effects Please refer to Volume 1, Part B, identified Section 12.7 (Community) in the Community and Regional Infrastructure and Services Effects Assessment of the Application • Physical alteration of areas with visual quality • Physical alteration of areas with VQOs • Proposed Project contribution to objectives (VQOs) cumulative aesthetic disturbance • Alteration of viewsheds • Alteration of viewsheds • Physical disturbance of previously contaminated • No residual adverse effects identified • No cumulative adverse effects sites identified • Disruption of ALR • No residual adverse effects identified • No cumulative adverse effects identified • Infringement on OGMAs • No residual adverse effects identified. Ecological • No cumulative adverse effects effects related to old growth forests can be found identified in Section 8.0 Vegetation Effects Assessment of the Application • Disruption of linear infrastructure • No residual adverse effects identified. Please • No cumulative adverse effects refer to Section 16.0 Accidents or Malfunctions identified • Adverse effects on Land and Resources Use • No residual adverse effects identified • No cumulative adverse effects during decommissioning or abandonment identified
Recommended mitigation measures were developed in accordance with industry and provincial regulatory guidelines as well as in accordance with FortisBC standards (Table 13.5-1). The key mitigation includes the notification of landowners and tenure holders prior to initiation of construction, of the construction details including the route alignment and construction schedule, and measures to reduce disruption of land use as warranted. Other mitigation includes establishing alternate access routes for commercial or residential areas where applicable, and installing signage to direct traffic flows, as warranted.
With the implementation of mitigation, the adverse effects of the proposed Project on the Land and Resources Use VC were determined to be not significant.
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7.0 HERITAGE PILLAR The assessment of the Heritage Resources VC and associated KIs – historic sites, archaeological sites and palaeontological sites, is based on the characteristics and conditions of heritage resources along the Application Corridor.
The Heritage Resources VC assessment included a desktop review of multiple information sources as well as field work along the proposed route. More than 359 subsurface tests have been excavated on 36 landforms of moderate to high archaeological potential under Heritage Inspection Permit 2014-0188, which represents approximately 59% of the planned Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA) of the Project Footprint. During this assessment, a total of 2 sites were identified within the Project Footprint. These sites consist of: no previously recorded sites; two previously unknown archaeological sites; and no historic sites.
The effects assessment identified several potential adverse effects of the proposed Project on the Heritage Resources VC, including:
• disturbing historic sites;
• disturbing elements essential to the heritage character of historic features;
• hindering or increasing access to historic sites and destroying contextual information;
• disturbing archaeological sites;
• disturbing elements essential to the heritage character of archaeological features;
• disturbing palaeontological sites;
• disturbing elements essential to the heritage character of paleontological features;
• hindering or increasing access to palaeontological sites and destroying contextual information; and
• hindering or increasing access to archaeological sites and destroying contextual information.
A summary of the potential adverse effects and recommended mitigation measures (Table 14.5-1) was developed in accordance with industry and provincial regulatory guidelines, including the BC Heritage Conservation Act (HCA), BC AIA Guidelines (BC MOF 1998), as well as in accordance with FortisBC standards. The key mitigation includes the following.
• Suspend work within 30 m of archaeological, palaeontological or historical sites discovered during construction. No work at that particular location shall continue until permission is granted by the appropriate regulatory authority. Follow the contingency measures identified in the Heritage Resource Discovery Contingency Plan (see Section 7.5 of Volume 3, Appendix 3A EMP), including notification to applicable First Nation Manager or alternate individual designated by the First Nation upon discovery.
• All site-specific mitigation measures are decided on a case by case basis as the result of consultations between FortisBC, BC MFLNRO Archaeology Branch and applicable First Nations.
With the implementation of mitigation, no residual adverse effects or potential cumulative adverse effects of the proposed Project on Heritage Resources have been identified. As no residual adverse effects or potential cumulative effects have been identified, the potential effects of the proposed Project on the Heritage Resources VC were determined to be not significant.
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8.0 HEALTH PILLAR 8.1 Human Health The assessment of the Human Health VC and associated KIs – noise, respiratory health, drinking water quality and soil and sediment quality, is based on the characteristics and conditions of human health conditions along the Application Corridor as described and characterized in the Economic, Social and Health Technical Report (Volume 2, Appendix 1M).
The assessment of potential adverse effects on Human Health associated with the proposed Project is based on the results of the Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment (HHERA) (Volume 2, Appendix 3 in Volume 2, Appendix 1M), and applicable biophysical sections of the Application: noise in Volume 1, Part B, Section 5.0 Atmospheric Effects Assessment; air quality in Volume 1, Part B, Section 5.0 Atmospheric Effects Assessment; drinking water quality in Volume 1, Part B, Section 6.0 Water Effects Assessment; and soil and sediment quality in Volume 1, Part B, Section 4.0 Geophysical Environment Effects Assessment.
The assessment of the effects of the proposed Project on the Human Health VC considered the following potential adverse effects, potential residual adverse effects and potential cumulative adverse effects during the construction, operations and decommissioning or abandonment of the proposed Project (Table E-23).
TABLE E-23
SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS FOR HUMAN HEALTH VALUED COMPONENT
Potential Adverse Effects Potential Residual Adverse Effects Potential Cumulative Adverse Effects (Pre-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) • Noise disturbance to nearby • Noise disturbance to nearby residents during • The proposed Project’s contribution to the residents construction cumulative increase of adverse effects on human health during construction • Noise disturbance to nearby residents during • The proposed Project’s contribution to the operations cumulative increase of adverse effects on human health during operations • Air quality effects on respiratory • Air quality effects on respiratory health during • The proposed Project’s contribution to the health construction cumulative increase of adverse effects on human health during construction • Air quality effects on respiratory health during • The proposed Project’s contribution to the operations cumulative increase of adverse effects on human health during operations • Change in drinking water quality • No residual adverse effects identified • No cumulative adverse effects identified
• Potential adverse human health • No residual adverse effects identified • No cumulative adverse effects identified effects due to the disturbance of contaminated soil and sediments
The mitigation identified for these potential adverse effects was developed in accordance with industry and provincial regulatory guidelines as well as in accordance with FortisBC standards (Table 15.5-1). The key mitigation includes complying with appropriate provincial and municipal regulatory guidelines related to noise during construction to reduce disturbance related to noise, employing best practices and using best available economically achievable technology during detailed design on all proposed Project facilities. Other mitigation measures include those assigned to mitigating effects to the acoustic environment, respiratory health, drinking water quality and soil and sediment quality.
With the implementation of mitigation, the adverse effects of the proposed Project on the Human Health VC were determined to be not significant.
8.2 Ecological Health The assessment of the Ecological Health VC and associated KI (Country Foods Quality) is based on the characteristics and conditions of ecological health along the Application Corridor as described and characterized in the Economic, Social and Health Technical Report (Volume 2, Appendix 1M).
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The Ecological Health VC assessment is based on the HHERA (Appendix 3 of Volume 2, Appendix 1M) as well as information from Volume 1, Part C – Aboriginal Groups Information Requirements, third-party reports received from the First Nations identified in the Section 11 Order, publicly available information identified during desktop research and technical discussions with provincial and municipal government staff, community organizations and other stakeholders and First Nations.
The effects assessment on Ecological Health, given the associated KI of Country Foods Quality, considered one potential adverse effect (decreased quality of country foods in plant gathering areas, hunting sites and fishing sites).
The mitigation identified for this potential adverse effect was developed in accordance with industry and provincial regulatory guidelines as well as in accordance with FortisBC standards (Table 15.6-1). The key mitigation includes measures identified to mitigate effects to drinking water quality (as a potential pathway to fish and wildlife), soil and sediment quality (as a potential pathway to fish, wildlife and vegetation), the acoustic environment (because changes to the acoustic environment may affect ecosystems as well as the ability to gather country foods) and respiratory health (because air quality may affect the health of ecosystems).
With the implementation of mitigation measures, no residual adverse effects from the proposed Project on the Ecological Health VC are anticipated and, therefore, no significant adverse effects or cumulative adverse effects of the proposed Project on the Ecological Health VC have been identified.
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9.0 ACCIDENTS OR MALFUNCTIONS FortisBC has a good record for safely constructing and operating its natural gas pipeline system in BC. FortisBC has been operating in BC for over 50 years and has a strong commitment to safety in its values, policies and practices.
Potential accidents or malfunctions include contamination from spills, spills of hazardous substances stored on-site, pipeline leakage or failure, utility interruptions, fires or explosions, fly rock from blasting, motor vehicle accidents, acid or metal leaching and sediment releases into watercourses.
The potential risk of each accident or malfunction is evaluated by examining the likelihood and consequence of an event on each VC identified in the AIR. Potential adverse effects were identified for the following VCs: Soil Capability, ARD, Air Quality, GHG Emissions, Surface Water, Groundwater, Fish and Fish Habitat, Vegetation, Wetland Function, Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat, Community Utilities and Services, Transportation Infrastructure, Community, Economy, Land and Resource Use, Human Health, Ecological Health, and Heritage Resources.
The purpose of likelihood and consequence analysis is to determine an initial risk rating pre-mitigation. FortisBC will adopt mitigation measures that affect both the likelihood and the consequences outlined below in order to reduce the potential residual adverse effects of accidents or malfunctions to low risk for most and medium risk for the remaining few.
The effects assessment of accidents or malfunctions considered the following potential adverse effects and potential residual adverse effects during the construction, operations and decommissioning or abandonment of the proposed Project (Table E-24).
TABLE E-24
SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS FOR ACCIDENTS OR MALFUNCTIONS
Potential Adverse Effects (Pre-Mitigation) Potential Residual Adverse Effects (Post-Mitigation) • Adverse effects on instream habitat • Contamination from a spill could adversely affect instream habitat • Spills of hazardous substances stored on-site could adversely affect instream habitat • Adverse effects on riparian habitat • Contamination from a spill could adversely affect riparian habitat • Spills of hazardous substances stored on-site could adversely affect riparian habitat • Adverse effects on fish populations from fish • Contamination from a spill could adversely affect fish mortality mortality • Spills of hazardous substances stored on-site could adversely affect fish mortality • Adverse effects on water and air quality • Contamination from a spill could adversely affect water and air quality • Adverse effects on wetlands • Contamination from a spill could adversely affect wetlands • Spills of hazardous substances stored on-site could adversely affect wetlands • Adverse effects on vegetation • Contamination from a spill could adversely affect vegetation • Spills of hazardous substances stored on-site could adversely affect vegetation • Fires or explosions could adversely affect vegetation • Adverse effects on wildlife and wildlife habitat • Contamination from a spill could adversely affect wildlife and wildlife habitat • Spills of hazardous substances stored on-site could adversely affect wildlife and wildlife habitat • Pipeline leakage or failure could adversely affect wildlife and wildlife habitat • Fires or explosions could adversely affect wildlife and wildlife habitat • Adverse effects on soil capability • Contamination from a spill could adversely affect soil capability • Adverse effects on local emergency services, • Contamination from a spill could adversely affect local emergency services, traffic and local traffic and local economies economies • Spills of hazardous substances stored on-site could adversely affect local emergency services, traffic and local economies • Pipeline leakage or failure could adversely affect local emergency services, traffic and local economies • Fires or explosions could adversely affect local emergency services, traffic and local economies • Adverse effects on previously unidentified • Contamination from a spill could adversely affect previously unidentified heritage resources heritage resources • Fires or explosions could adversely affect previously unidentified heritage resources • Adverse effects on water quality • Spills of hazardous substances stored on-site could adversely affect water quality
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TABLE E-24 Cont'd
Potential Adverse Effects (Pre-Mitigation) Potential Residual Adverse Effects (Post-Mitigation) • Adverse effects on soil, including • Spills of hazardous substances stored on-site could adversely affect soil, including contamination contamination or loss or loss • Adverse effects on fish and fish habitat • Pipeline leakage or failure could adversely affect fish and fish habitat • Adverse effects on vegetation and wetlands • Pipeline leakage or failure could adversely affect vegetation and wetlands • Adverse effects on human health or property • Pipeline leakage or failure could adversely affect human health or property • Fly rock from blasting could adversely affect human health or adjacent property • Damage to utility lines may lead to • Damage to utility lines may lead to interruption of services interruption of services • Loss or reduction of aquatic riparian habitat • Fires or explosions could lead to a loss or reduction of aquatic riparian habitat • Loss or damage to adjacent property due to • Fires or explosions could lead to a loss or damage to adjacent property fire • Adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems, • Fly rock from blasting could adversely affect aquatic ecosystems, wildlife and wildlife habitat or wildlife and wildlife habitat or vegetation vegetation • Exposure of acid-generating rock and rock • Acid or metal leaching could adversely affect terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems subject to metal leaching affecting the environment • Exposure of acid-generating rock and rock • Acid or metal leaching could adversely affect human health and land and resource use subject to metal leaching affecting human health • Adverse effects on aquatic instream and • Sediment releases into watercourses could adversely affect aquatic instream and riparian habitat riparian habitat • Injury to people or wildlife or damage to • A motor vehicle accident or marine vessel accident could cause injury to people or wildlife or property damage to property
Key mitigation measures are measures that are unique to the proposed Project and the surrounding environment or measures that contribute to the protection of the environment and socio-economic conditions. The key mitigation relating to the potential adverse effects of accidents or malfunctions on the proposed Project include (Tables 16.5-1 through 16.11-1):
• in the event of an accident or malfunction, notify the appropriate authorities and implement the Emergency Response Plan (ERP), contingency plans and fire response plan, where applicable;
• implement incident prevention measures and safety devices as outlined in the EMP;
• transport, handle, use and dispose of hazardous materials in accordance with provincial and federal regulatory requirements, and as identified in the Waste Management Plan (Section 6.9 of the EMP) as well as the Spill, Fuel and Hazardous Materials Contingency Plan (Section 7.8 of the EMP);
• review the Emergency Contacts list and all contingency plans (e.g., for spills, fire, discovery of rare plants or rare ecological communities, wildlife species of concern or historical, archaeological or palaeontological features) prior to kicking off construction. All key personnel on the Project Footprint must be aware of these plans;
• report spills immediately to the Environmental Inspector (EI) who will notify the appropriate government agencies;
• blasting activities are coordinated with local authorities and comply with appropriate jurisdictional guidelines, where required. Coordinate blasting activities within the reasonable proximity to adjacent roads, railway tracks and recreational areas with local authorities as well as landowners prior to commencement of activities; and
• review and adhere to the measures related to pre-construction and construction traffic in the Traffic and Access Management Plans.
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Major accidents and malfunctions are extremely rare. The risks and related mitigation measures are supported by a likelihood and consequence analysis in order to determine a risk rating. Considering the mitigation, the potential residual adverse effects of accidents or malfunctions are mostly low risk with the exception of a few that are medium risk.
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10.0 EFFECTS OF THE ENVIRONMENT ON THE PROJECT FortisBC has constructed and operated pipeline systems and associated infrastructure in BC for decades. FortisBC’s experience is being applied at all stages of construction and operations in order to prevent and respond to potential adverse effects of the environment on the proposed Project. Extensive studies have been conducted and will be further developed to optimize the proposed route within the Application Corridor, facility sites and design for the long-term integrity of the pipeline and associated infrastructure. As a result, the key mitigation used when considering the significance of risk due to effects of the environment on the Project is avoidance as a result of route selection.
The environmental factors deemed to have potential adverse effects on the proposed Project include natural seismic events, fire, slope stability and mass wasting events, extreme weather, predicted future climate scenarios (including sea level rise and changes in extreme weather), forest pests and pathogens, and marine clays.
For each of these environmental factors, the potential risk is evaluated by examining the likelihood and consequence of an event during construction, operations and, where relevant, decommissioning or abandonment.
The assessment of effects of the environment on the Project considered the following potential adverse effects and potential residual adverse effects during the construction, operations and decommissioning or abandonment of the proposed Project (Table E-25).
TABLE E-25
SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS FOR EFFECTS OF THE ENVIRONMENT ON THE PROJECT
Potential Adverse Effects (Pre-Mitigation) Potential Residual Adverse Effects (Post-Mitigation) • Liquefaction triggering failure of facility foundations and • Natural seismic events could cause liquefaction triggering failure of facility pipeline uplift or buoyancy foundations and pipeline uplift or buoyancy • Dynamic loading and straining of the pipeline due to seismic • Natural seismic events could cause dynamic loading and straining of the pipeline ground motion due to seismic ground motion • Delay of construction, maintenance or decommissioning, or • Fire could cause a delay of construction, maintenance or decommissioning, or abandonment activities abandonment activities • Loading, deeper burial, deformation, failure or exposure of • Slope stability and mass wasting events could cause loading, deeper burial, the pipeline deformation, failure or pipeline exposure • Damage to above-ground structures and valves as well as • Slope stability and mass wasting events could cause damage to above-ground temporary construction sites structures, valves and temporary construction sites • Delay of the construction schedule due to inclement weather • Extreme weather could cause a delay of the construction schedule • Disturbance or obstruction of the right-of-way or access • Extreme weather could lead to a disturbance or obstruction of the right-of-way or roads access roads • Exposure or damage to the pipeline could occur at localized • Extreme weather could cause flooding resulting in exposure or damage of the areas as a result of flooding pipeline • Sea level rise could lead to persistent localized flooding of the pipeline or facilities • Changes in extreme weather could lead to a delay of • Future climate scenarios could lead to changes in extreme weather resulting in a maintenance, or decommissioning or abandonment activities delay of maintenance, or decommissioning or abandonment activities • Reduction of the effectiveness of restoration activities • Forest pests and pathogens could reduce the effectiveness of restoration activities
The key mitigation relating to the potential adverse effects of the environment on the proposed Project (Tables 17.3-1 through 17.8-1) includes measures relating to route optimization and geotechnical hazard avoidance as well as appropriate operations monitoring and maintenance.
Unanticipated effects of the environment on the proposed Project may occur and can affect existing pipeline infrastructure. This risk analysis is supported by a likelihood and consequence determination in order to derive a risk rating based on a worst-case scenario.
Considering the mitigation, the potential residual adverse effects of the environment on the proposed Project are mostly low risk with the exception of a few that are medium risk.
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PART C ABORIGINAL GROUPS INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS 11.0 BACKGROUND Volume 1, Part B, Section 18.0 provides background information on Aboriginal groups identified in the Section 11 Order for the proposed Project that was available to FortisBC at the time of writing, including:
• ethnography;
• language;
• land use setting and planning;
• governance;
• economy; and
• maps identifying Indian Reserves and asserted traditional territories.
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12.0 ABORIGINAL INTERESTS FortisBC has worked with the Schedule B and Schedule C Aboriginal groups identified in the Section 11 Order to obtain information on the potential adverse effects of the proposed Project on Aboriginal Interests through consultation and by providing opportunities for capacity funding for Project-specific Traditional Land Use (TLU) and TEK studies.
12.1 Background Information FortisBC has conducted a desktop study of relevant publicly available information to inform its understanding of potential adverse effects on Aboriginal Interests. FortisBC has shared the publically available information sources with Aboriginal communities to ensure they are accepted resources.
12.1.1 Tsleil-Waututh Nation Tsleil-Waututh Nation culture is expressed by their laws and teachings, regalia, ceremonies and stories. Tsleil-Waututh Nation peoples have a deep and strong connection to the land, its resources and their Creator. Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s consultation area covers approximately 4,123.56 km2, most of which is located within the very wet maritime subzone of the Coastal Western Hemlock biogeoclimatic zone.
Tsleil-Waututh Nation uses their traditional territory for subsistence, as well as for cultural and spiritual activities. For example, Tsleil-Waututh Nation members fish for salmon in Burrard Inlet and the Fraser River.
In December 2005, Tsleil-Waututh Nation signed a Partnership Agreement with the Province of BC to develop an integrated LRMP for the Sea-to-Sky region. The plan addresses the interests of the province, Tsleil-Waututh Nation and stakeholders in the Indian River Watershed Planning Area. It also provides objectives for the conservation of environmental values and sustainable development in the watershed.
12.1.2 Squamish Nation Over the last year, FortisBC and Squamish Nation negotiated Fortis BC’s involvement in a parallel assessment process lead by the Squamish: “the Squamish Nation Process.” FortisBC will provide information and inputs to support the Squamish Nation Process, but Squamish Nation will lead and manage consultation within the Nation. Specifics of the process are confidential, as are discussions and the consultations themselves.
12.1.3 Kwikwetlem First Nation Kwikwetlem First Nation is a member of the traditional Stó:lô Coast Salish cultural grouping. The Halq’eméylem word Kwikwetlem refers to the people, their community and territory, and means ‘red fish up the river’, the name given to a distinct sub-species of early sockeye salmon that once ran in large numbers up the Coquitlam River to Coquitlam Lake. Kwikwetlem First Nation’s asserted traditional territory covers approximately 1,865 km2, most of which is located within the very wet maritime subzone of the Coastal Western Hemlock biogeoclimatic zone.
The Kwikwetlem First Nation territory is centered on the Coquitlam Lake drainage, which includes the Coquitlam River and the north side of the Fraser River, east of the Coquitlam River. The territory extends from the east side of Pitt Lake, both sides of the Pitt River, and follows Mossum Creek to Port Moody Inlet to Stony Creek and across Sapperton Heights to the west to the northern arm of the Fraser River. Additionally, the territory extends from the west end of Barnston Island in the west, to Annacis Island in the east. This territory is located within the very wet maritime subzone of the Coastal Western Hemlock biogeoclimatic zone.
Kwikwetlem First Nation use their traditional territory for fishing, hunting and trapping, plant and wood gathering, crafting, burial and spiritual locations, trails, travelways, trading, settlements, and other social and cultural practices.
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12.1.4 Musqueam Nation Musqueam people have lived in the Greater Vancouver area of BC for thousands of years. Evidence of Musqueam’s existence in this area has been recorded in archaeological journals, particularly the Marpole midden at the mouth of the North Arm of the Fraser River (over 4,000 years old) and at the Musqueam reserve (in excess of 3,500 years). Musqueam’s asserted traditional territory is located on the Fraser River estuary and includes present-day Vancouver, South Vancouver, North Vancouver, New Westminster, Burrard Inlet, Richmond and Burnaby. Musqueam’s traditional territory lies within the very wet maritime subzone of the Coastal Western Hemlock biogeoclimatic zone.
Musqueam developed the Musqueam First Nation: A Comprehensive Sustainable Community Development Plan in 2011. The plan weaves together a number of historical Musqueam documents related to planning, including the 2010 Musqueam Land Use Plan which guides the stewardship of resources in Musqueam’s traditional territory.
12.2 Potential Effects on Aboriginal Interests As the Squamish Nation Process described in Section 12.1.2 will consider potential effects, the Squamish Nation are not considered further in this section.
The effects assessment on Aboriginal Interests considered the potential adverse effects, potential residual adverse effects and potential cumulative adverse effects during the construction, operations and decommissioning or abandonment of the proposed Project as presented in Table E-26.
Following the implementation of the mitigation presented in Table E-27, four potential residual adverse effects were identified and characterized. One potential cumulative effect was also identified and characterized.
TABLE E-26
SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS FOR ABORIGINAL INTERESTS
Potential Residual Adverse Effects Potential Cumulative Adverse Effects Potential Adverse Effects (Pre-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) (Post-Mitigation) • Disruption of hunting activities • Disruption of subsistence activities • Proposed Project contribution to disruption • Disruption of trapping activities and alteration of Aboriginal Interests • Disruption of fishing activities • Disruption of vegetation gathering activities • Disruption of use of habitation sites • Disruption of use of trails and travelways • Alteration of hunting sites • Alteration of subsistence resources • Alteration of trapping sites • Alteration of access to marine fishing areas • Alteration of vegetation sites • Alteration of habitation sites • Alteration of trails and travelways • Impacts to hunting resources (wildlife) • Disruption of subsistence activities • Impacts to trapping resources (wildlife) • Alteration of subsistence resources • Impacts to fishing resources • Impact to vegetation resources • Disruption of sacred areas • Disruption of cultural areas use • Disruption of gathering areas use • Alteration of sacred areas • Alteration of cultural areas • Alteration of gathering places
Table E-27 summarizes the key measures used to mitigate potential adverse effects on subsistence activities and cultural areas of the Schedule B and C Aboriginal groups as determined by the assessment of potential adverse effects on VCs described in Volume 1, Part B of the Application.
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TABLE E-27
RELEVANT PART B VALUED COMPONENTS CONSIDERED IN THE ASSESSMENT OF ABORIGINAL INTERESTS AND KEY MITIGATION MEASURES
Relevant Part B VCs Key Mitigation Measures ARD • Where ARD conditions exist, avoidance will be considered. • Remove potentially acid-generating (PAG) rock to an approved location further away from water sources. • Inspection of bedrock must be conducted by trained personnel for the presence of sulfide mineralization. If sulfide mineralization is present, take representative samples of rock from every 1,000 m3 exposed material and analyzed for acid base accounting. If identified, potentially acidic rock can be temporarily stored (a few months). • Monitor runoff from exposed PAG rock or repository for pH and sulphate concentrations. If monitoring identifies ARD, passive treatment methods, such as limestone drains and basins, will be used to adjust the pH of the drainage to near neutral conditions. Air Quality • Use well-maintained equipment to reduce air pollution and noise. • Limit idling. • Seek to reduce open burning and market as much cleared timber as practical to reduce emissions of smoke (PM) as well as GHGs. • Weld pipe connections and other fittings to the extent practical to reduce fugitive emissions during operation. Acoustic • Comply with appropriate provincial and municipal regulatory guidelines related to noise during construction to reduce disturbance Environment related to noise. • Use well-maintained equipment to reduce air pollution and noise. Surface Water • Notify and comply with the advice of the EI at locations where water potentially contaminated with hydrocarbons or other materials is to be discharged from the trench. Mitigation measures may include the use of tank trucks to haul discharged water to an appropriate disposal facility or site, ensuring the intake is submerged below the surface sheen, lab testing and use of sorbent booms to hold the sheen away from the pump intake. • All required approvals, licences and permits are to be in place prior to commencing hydrostatic testing activities. • Seed areas with an approved annual or perennial grass cover crop or native grass mix as soon as practical after construction as outlined in the Restoration Plan. Install temporary erosion control measures such as temporary berms, sediment fences, mounds or cross ditches within 24 hours of backfilling banks and approach slopes of watercourses and NCD crossings at any location where runoff from the Project Footprint may flow into a watercourse or NCD. Commence clean-up following backfill and erosion control operations as soon as practical. Transplant dormant shrubs, or install dormant willow stakes or commercially grown rooted stock plants (plugs), where warranted, during restoration of streambanks where riparian vegetation was present prior to construction. • Prohibit the use of herbicides within 30 m of a watercourse, NCD, wetland or lake unless otherwise approved by the EI and subject to conditions of regulatory requirements. Fish and Fish • Obtain all necessary approvals, licences and permits, as well as fulfill all regulatory requirements for a particular activity or Habitat construction site prior to the commencement of the applicable activity or construction at that site (see Appendix B of the EMP). FortisBC, its authorized representatives, Contractor(s), and Subcontractors, will comply with all conditions as presented to FortisBC on permits, approvals, licences, certificates and Project-specific management plans. Inconsistencies between conditions of different permits and contracts will be resolved prior to construction. • Crossings should not be realigned or straightened in any way, or have their hydraulic characteristics changed. If realignment of a watercourse or NCD cannot be avoided, develop a site-specific plan for watercourses or NCDs undergoing channel realignment that is approved by the appropriate regulatory agencies and meets the requirements laid out in the EMP. • Avoid dumping fuel, lubricating fluids, hydraulic fluids, methanol, antifreeze, herbicides, biocides or other chemicals on the ground, or into any watercourse, NCD or wetland. In the event of a spill, implement the Spill, Fuel and Hazardous Materials Contingency Plan. • Prohibit depositing construction waste in watercourses, wetlands or NCD. Vegetation • Seed areas with an approved annual or perennial grass cover crop, or native grass mix as soon as feasible after construction as outlined in the Restoration Plan. • Where and to the extent practical, native groundcover and shrubs will be allowed to regenerate on the Project Footprint following construction. • Conduct vegetation monitoring when vegetation is mature enough for accurate species identification and evaluation during mid to late summer after the first full growing season following construction. Monitor for vegetation issues such as weed infestations and poor vegetation establishment along the Project Footprint. Conduct additional soils monitoring, if warranted, to identify the cause of vegetation issues, if any. Where issues are identified through this assessment, implement remedial measures as soon as feasible. • Flag or fence-off any shrubs or trees to be salvaged and replaced at watercourses and wetlands following construction, including any vegetation removed from below the ordinary high watermark of a watercourse. This task will be completed by the EI.
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TABLE E-27 Cont'd
Relevant Part B VCs Key Mitigation Measures Wetland • Seek to schedule wetland crossing construction, to the extent practical, to be completed within 1 working day. Function • To the extent practical, restore all wetlands to their pre-construction profile. Recontour the Project Footprint and re-establish the pre- construction grades and drainage channels, to the extent practical. • Where wetlands will be disturbed by proposed Project activities, obtain an approval under Section 9 of the Water Act from the appropriate regulatory authority. • Use wide track equipment, low pressure equipment or conventional equipment operated from swamp mats, rig mats, matting, or, if approved, corduroy ramps when working on saturated soils during non-frozen conditions. The feasibility of the use of corduroy in wetlands will be determined by the EIs. • Backfill subsoil and mineral soils prior to organic material in wetlands so that organic material, where present, remains at the surface. Wildlife and • Complete pre-construction wildlife surveys to identify habitat features that warrant site-specific mitigation. Survey locations should Wildlife Habitat be selected to focus on habitats or segments of the route determined to have potential for occurrence of site-specific habitat features that could be adversely impacted by the Project Footprint. • Conduct work expeditiously to maintain a tight construction spread (i.e., interval between front-end work activities such as grading and back-end activities such as clean-up) to reduce the duration of the open trench and to reduce potential barriers and hazards to wildlife. • Use existing access roads to the extent practical. • Do not harass or feed wildlife. Prohibit Project personnel from having pets on the Project Footprint or at associated Project facility sites. Transportation • Place weekly announcements in local papers to notify the public of the location and timing of construction activities and notification Infrastructure of formal closures as well as areas that will not be available for use. • Place signage on access roads in the vicinity of the construction activities notifying road users that construction activities are taking place. Land and • Notify Project personnel that recreational fishing in publically accessible lakes and rivers in the Project Footprint must comply with Resource Use provincially recommended protocols for washing fishing equipment such as waders with 100 mg/L chlorine bleach or other recommended solutions before use in any watercourse or NCD to prevent the introduction and spread of pathogens (e.g., whirling disease) and invasive species (e.g., Didymo algae) in the Project Footprint. • Comply, where navigable waters are located, with notification and warning of recreational boaters under the Navigation Protection Act (NPA) requirements or approval(s). Maintain lighting (e.g., yellow flashing lights, light towers), signage and other warning systems required by the NPA, in place until navigational hazards are removed. • If mercury testing is required, follow the Mercury Testing Protocol outlined in the Skwelwil’em Squamish Estuary WMA - Management Plan Appendix I. • Replace ornamental trees and other vegetation disturbed during construction or site-specific maintenance on residential and commercial properties, as applicable. • Maintain access to established recreation features, through the clearing, construction and restoration period, to the extent practical. Heritage • All site-specific mitigations are decided on a case-by-case basis as the result of consultations between FortisBC, the BC MFLNRO Resources Archaeology Branch and applicable First Nations. The list of potential mitigation options includes but is not limited to: − avoidance by altering the Project Footprint; − avoidance by implementing a flagged ‘No Work Zone’ buffer with on-site monitoring during construction; − avoidance by use of trenchless crossing methods; − mitigation excavation; and − controlled data recovery in accordance with all permit obligations under the HCA. Human Health • See measures under Acoustic Environment, Air Quality, Surface Water, Fish and Fish Habitat, Vegetation, Wetland Function, Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat and Land and Resource Use. Ecological • Many Aboriginal individuals harvest medicinal, ceremonial and food source plants. Plants are gathered in a variety of environments, Health which include old forests, along watercourses and in rugged or mountainous areas. Detailed information regarding medicinal plants is passed down from the Elders and is considered proprietary by the communities. To protect these plants, take one or more of the following measures to the extent practical: seek to limit the use of chemical applications such as herbicides; replace plant species during restoration; and seek to avoid, where reasonable and practical, plant gathering areas identified by Aboriginal individuals. • Avoid dumping fuel, lubricating fluids, hydraulic fluids, methanol, antifreeze, herbicides, biocides or other chemicals on the ground or into any watercourse, NCD or wetland. In the event of a spill, implement the Spill, Fuel and Hazardous Materials Contingency Plan.
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13.0 OTHER MATTERS OF CONCERN TO ABORIGINAL GROUPS This section of the Application provides FortisBC’s analysis of the potential adverse effects of the proposed Project on the social, economic, heritage and health matters of concern raised by Aboriginal groups that are distinct from Aboriginal Interests discussed in Volume 1, Part C, Section 19.0 and were not addressed through the assessment of VCs in Volume 1, Part B of the Application. This analysis has been conducted for the Schedule B and Schedule C Aboriginal groups identified by the BC EAO in the Proposed Project’s Section 11 Order.
Table E-28 provides information on the other matters of concern for Tsleil-Waututh Nation and Kwikwetlem First Nation. Squamish Nation has provided a letter to the BC EAO stating that their engagement around the proposed Project will occur as a separate, confidential process. Squamish Nation is conducting a confidential project, therefore, no information on this subject is included in this section on Squamish Nation. At the time of writing, Musqueam Nation had not identified any matters of concern to FortisBC.
TABLE E-28
OTHER MATTERS OF CONCERN FOR TSLEIL-WAUTUTH NATION AND KWIKWETLEM FIRST NATION
Aboriginal Groups Other Matters of Concern Tsleil-Waututh Nation Opening of the Indian Arm FSR due to the proposed Project, resulting in increased access by non-Aboriginal users into Tsleil-Waututh TLU areas, and increased noise and activity along the road. Kwikwetlem First Altered access to TLU areas and the reduction of non-urban environments in their asserted traditional territory. Nation
Potential adverse effects include increased access to Indian Arm FSR, altered access to TLU areas and effects of the reduction of non-urban environments. The mitigation measures identified for the other matters of concern are considered by FortisBC to adequately address the potential adverse effects of the proposed Project.
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PART D PUBLIC CONSULTATION Part D of the Application provides a summary of public consultation activities and their outcomes for the proposed Project.
14.0 PUBLIC CONSULTATION FortisBC initiated public consultation on the proposed Project with potentially affected communities in April 2013. Early consultation enabled FortisBC to provide public stakeholders with proposed Project information as well as information on the BC EAO process. The Public Consultation Plan provides information on how FortisBC communicated with public stakeholders throughout the BC EAO process, including the pre-Application, Application Review and post-Application stages. In addition to meeting regulatory requirements, the Public Consultation Plan was intended to promote long-term relationships with stakeholders that are based on mutual respect.
Through public consultation, FortisBC is committed to:
• providing clear information about the proposed Project and the BC EAO process;
• encouraging early information sharing;
• providing opportunities for community leaders and members to identify as well as document their comments or concerns; and
• incorporating feedback and knowledge from stakeholders into proposed Project planning.
In addition, during the development of the Application, FortisBC conducted interviews with stakeholders, including local, regional district and provincial government representatives, business organizations, recreation groups and environmental non-government organizations to understand the potential social and economic adverse effects that may arise from the construction and operation of the proposed Project. The Economic, Social and Health Technical Report (Appendix 1M) provides background information on each of the communities and the range of issues identified by various representatives.
Consultation activities that occurred from April 2013 to September 2014 include:
• Project announcement via meetings, conferences and phone calls with stakeholders;
• Project description feedback via email, phone calls and meetings with stakeholders;
• information sessions and open houses, including an invitation to comment on the draft AIR;
• meetings with stakeholders for socio-economic and community investment outreach;
• outreach to scientific disciplines (e.g., BC MOE, BC MFLNRO); and
• outreach to landowners.
FortisBC will continue to engage the public in consultation activities throughout the course of the proposed Project planning and Application stage. Future consultation activities include:
• continuing to exchange information with interest groups and interested parties;
• continuing to consult with and updating local, regional and provincial governments;
• holding public open houses to review the Application;
• conducting BC OGC required consultation and notification around compressor station locations as well as upgrades and pipeline routing;
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• responding to all inquiries from the public as they arise via the proposed Project email address and toll-free line or by any other means;
• attending events such as open houses organized and as requested by Woodfibre LNG Limited to discuss proposed Project aspects;
• maintaining and updating the FortisBC website in regard to developments of the proposed Project;
• issuing newsletters to landowners and the public living adjacent to the proposed Project; and
• responding to media requests for interviews and proposed Project information.
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PART E ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN AND FOLLOW-UP PROGRAMS Part E of the Application provides information on the EMP for the proposed Project (Volume 1, Section 23.0) as well as follow-up programs and monitoring (Volume 1, Section 24.0).
15.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN FortisBC has developed an EMP to set out its planned measures for avoiding or reducing the potential adverse effects and risk of adverse effects of the proposed Project on VCs during construction. The EMP filed with this Application will be refined prior to the commencement of ground-disturbing activities associated with the construction of the proposed Project, and following discussions and review by regulatory agencies.
The EMP includes both general and site-specific environmental protection measures which have been developed based on past project experience and current industry best management practices.
Specifically the EMP:
• outlines environmental protection measures related to proposed Project activities;
• provides instructions for carrying out construction activities to reduce adverse environmental effects; and
• serves as reference information to the construction staff and personnel to support decision-making and provide links to more detailed information.
The EMP is based on several information sources including but not limited to commitments made in the Application, feedback obtained through consultation and engagement, results of the biophysical field programs and FortisBC’s Safety and Environmental Policy and Environmental Management System; industry best standards and guidelines; and professional experience.
The EMP applies to the Project Footprint including the proposed pipeline construction footprint, temporary workspace, temporary access roads, staging areas, permanent facility site construction footprints and all activities associated with construction. During operations of the proposed Project, FortisBC refers to their existing Environmental Management System, environmental standards and guidance documents which are used in the management of the entirety of FortisBC’s pipeline system, and which will be updated, where required, as a result of the proposed Project.
The current version of the EMP, including construction details and specific management plans for the proposed Project, is provided in Volume 3, Appendix 3A along with Environmental Worksheets in Volume 3, Appendix 3B.
15.1 Management Plans Management plans are guidelines and procedures followed during construction to support the mitigation identified in the EMP (Volume 3, Appendix 3A). The final EMP issued prior to construction will include numerous management plans, while the preliminary EMP includes draft management plans or framework documents on a variety of topics (e.g., access management, soil erosion and sediment control, invasive plant species management, fire response, and traffic control).
15.2 Contingency Plans Contingency plans are guidelines and procedures followed during construction to support the handling of environmental incidents, should they occur. Contingency plans to be developed prior to construction may include plans related to contaminated soils discovery, species of concern discovery (for fish, vegetation and wildlife), floods and excessive flow, and spill, fuel and hazardous materials. Contingency plans are prepared by resource specialists with reference to past projects in similar areas as well as to FortisBC’s experience in the proposed Project area.
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15.3 Emergency Preparedness and Response An ERP will be developed prior to construction for the proposed Project in order to identify emergency personnel and the logical sequence of actions that should be taken in the event of an emergency during the construction phase. FortisBC has existing ERPs for operations that will be updated, where required, to include the new proposed Project facilities. The ERPs establish written emergency procedures, communication coordination, and clean-up responsibility to reduce hazards resulting from proposed Project activities.
FortisBC has training and exercise programs that provide the delivery of training on their ERPs. Training includes what to expect during a response to an emergency at FortisBC’s pipelines and facilities and outlines roles and responsibilities.
In addition to this, FortisBC will provide information to the public and local authorities. Information sessions will be conducted regularly with first responders (e.g., police and fire department) to review the ERP and provide information on potential hazards, as well as communications and emergency control capability. FortisBC has existing public gas and safety awareness programs in place to educate the public on how to safely live and work around gas pipeline rights-of-way. These steps are taken to position FortisBC to respond quickly and with appropriate measures if an emergency occurs.
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16.0 FOLLOW-UP PROGRAMS This section provides information on the practices and programs FortisBC has developed for follow-up programs that align with the environmental management measures and commitments made in the Application throughout all phases of the proposed Project. A summary is provided for environmental inspection during construction, the PCM Program, decommissioning or abandonment plan and compliance reporting.
16.1 Environmental Inspection during Construction Environmental inspection refers to the procedures and activities that FortisBC will conduct to manage the environment during construction of the proposed Project. The Environmental Inspection Program is a key component of the proposed Project’s environmental compliance strategy.
The Environmental Inspection Program will be conducted by trained professionals (i.e., EIs and resource-specific specialists). The geographical area of responsibility for each EI will be determined prior to the commencement of clearing and construction activities.
The EIs will facilitate ongoing compliance with the environmental protection and socio-economic commitments contained in the Application, the EMP, environmental permit and approval conditions, and other environmental commitments, as well as applicable environmental laws and regulations throughout the construction phase of the proposed Project. FortisBC will engage regulatory agencies and Aboriginal groups during environmental inspection of construction.
The EIs are an integral part of the construction management team that provide advice on major decisions or courses of action to address unexpected environmental conditions encountered during construction. The EIs are generally contracted to the environmental consultant and report to the Construction Manager, who reports to the FortisBC Project Manager. The EIs hired for the proposed Project will be required to have experience in environmental inspection and planning. The EIs will have an understanding of pipeline and facility construction techniques, and will take a preventative approach to environmental issues. In addition, the EIs will be supported by appropriate resource specialists (e.g., soils, cultural resources, aquatics, rare plants, restoration and wildlife resource specialists) who have expertise in the particular issues associated with the proposed Project and, depending upon the issue, will be available on-site or will be consulted.
Environmental issues and the measures conducted to resolve each issue will be recorded and tracked in the Environmental Issues List as well as in regular reports prepared by the EIs. After construction is completed, the EIs will assist FortisBC’s Environmental Consultant to prepare the environmental as-built report using daily reports, photographs, and records of liaison with regulatory agencies, Aboriginal groups and local governments.
The EIs will be responsible for monitoring and, where required, taking action with FortisBC field management to: comply with the proposed Project’s environmental commitments, approvals, permits and licences; document the effectiveness of mitigation at avoiding or reducing potentially adverse environmental effects; recommend additional or alternative mitigation if required; identify resource-specific issues; and determine the status of environmental issues following construction. The EIs will have the authority to stop work at a specific location in the event of an environmental emergency or non-compliance and will recommend remedial measures.
16.2 Post-Construction Monitoring Program A PCM Program will be developed and will include an assessment of: soil capability; terrain integrity; the success of revegetation (or recolonization); weed management; and erosion and sediment control efforts along the construction footprint. The PCM Program will be conducted during the first, third and fifth years following the first full growing season after final clean-up of the entire Project Footprint as well as the implementation of restoration measures. Methods for monitoring the status of environmental effects of the proposed Project will be based on the principle that the success of land restoration is measured against the adjacent representative site conditions (or equivalent sites near the Project Footprint), while taking into consideration the natural variation and the status of restoration at the time of the assessment.
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The objectives of the PCM Program will be to:
• evaluate the effectiveness of environmental protection and enhancement measures;
• document the recovery of areas disturbed by proposed Project construction;
• identify any new environmental issues that may have arisen following restoration;
• track and address commitments made to landowners, tenure holders, Aboriginal groups and land users; and
• recommend, coordinate and implement any corrective measures that are warranted as well as any additional measures to address outstanding or new environmental issues.
Detailed assessments will be conducted in environmentally sensitive locations (i.e., riparian areas) and at sites where restoration issues have been identified during the previous years of monitoring to assist with the design of additional mitigation, where warranted, or as directed by the appropriate regulator. Follow-up monitoring at these locations will be completed to determine restoration success and whether further restoration measures are warranted.
16.3 Decommissioning or Abandonment Plan For the purposes of temporal consideration for the Application, the decommissioning or abandonment phase will begin following the cessation of over 50 years of operation of the proposed Project. At the time of decommissioning or abandonment of the proposed Project, it is expected that FortisBC will review and consider current options, issues and regulatory requirements in consultation with Aboriginal groups and stakeholders having a legitimate interest in the proposed works.
For the purposes of the current assessment, decommissioning or abandonment is based on the guidelines and standards provided in CSA Z662-11. These guidelines recommend that decommissioning or abandonment considerations and methods should be land use-based. The objective is to avoid impairing the future use of the land, including the pipeline right-of-way and adjacent lands. It is expected that regulatory requirements will evolve over time. At the time of decommissioning or abandonment of the proposed Project, FortisBC will review and consider current options, issues and regulatory requirements in consultation with relevant Aboriginal groups and other stakeholders.
16.4 Compliance Reporting Prior to commencement of construction, a compliance reporting framework will be developed by FortisBC for the proposed Project that will provide a high-level overview of:
• compliance principles, goals and objectives;
• the delivery, management and reporting of compliance activities;
• the respective environmental roles, responsibilities and reporting structure of FortisBC staff, consultants, EIs and Contractors during the construction phase of the proposed Project; and
• a list of the monitoring and compliance reports to be prepared as well as a reporting schedule.
A complete compliance tracking and reporting program that will include commitments associated with the EAC will be developed for the proposed Project. FortisBC will adhere to the external reporting requirements of its regulatory approvals, including the EAC as well as subsequent permits and authorizations. FortisBC will implement the compliance reporting program so the EMP, monitoring plans and EAC commitments for the phases of the proposed Project are fulfilled, and the progress of commitments are regularly reported to the applicable regulatory agencies as well as others who may require this information.
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PART F CONCLUSIONS Part F of the Application for the proposed Project summarizes the Project design elements, residual effects, cumulative adverse effects and key mitigation measures for the proposed Project.
17.0 CONCLUSIONS This Application has been prepared to consider the potential adverse effects of the proposed Project in light of FortisBC’s experience of constructing and operating pipeline projects throughout BC. The Application presents mitigation measures based on previous project experience and industry practice. FortisBC has evaluated potential routes and sites in an effort to avoid adverse effects, and these efforts have been informed by feedback gathered by Aboriginal groups, regulatory agencies, stakeholders and the public. FortisBC will continue to refine the location of the Project within the Application Corridor described in this Application through the construction planning and detailed engineering design stage.
The following summarizes the key findings for the Environment, Economic, Social, Heritage and Health pillars on which the assessment of adverse effects is based.
17.1 Key Findings on Environmental Valued Components The assessment of adverse effects of the proposed Project on the environment considered 15 VCs that address the geophysical and atmospheric environments, as well as water, fish and fish habitat, vegetation, wetlands, and wildlife. The proposed Project crosses a diverse range of habitats and ecosystems, and the Squamish Estuary was found to contain a high concentration of environmental values.
The assessment concluded that, although the proposed Project will contribute to adverse effects, there would not be significant adverse effects on any of the environment VCs. This conclusion considered the application of comprehensive mitigation that has been developed, tested and found effective on projects of similar scale and complexity.
The assessment considered the contribution of the proposed Project to cumulative adverse effects, and concluded that although the proposed Project does contribute to cumulative adverse environmental effects, this contribution is not significant.
The cumulative effects assessment for wildlife and wildlife habitat found that levels of existing linear disturbance already exceed established thresholds for grizzly bear. In this case, the assessment relied on the development and implementation of a Grizzly Bear Mitigation and Monitoring Plan, which may include offsets if required, to address the proposed Project’s contribution to this cumulative adverse effect.
17.2 Key Findings on Economic Valued Components The assessment of adverse effects of the proposed Project on the economy considered the two VCs of Economy and Employment and Labour Force, with a focus on the KIs government revenue, contracts and procurement, employment training and labour force. Overall, the proposed Project is expected to have a positive effect on the economy with a total construction spending expected to exceed $520 million, and federal, provincial and property tax revenues in excess of $84 million for CAPEX. OPEX tax revenues will be in excess of $104 million for federal, provincial and municipal tax revenues over the 50 year life of the proposed Project.
The assessment concluded that residual adverse effects on these two VCs and the cumulative adverse effects are not significant.
17.3 Key Findings on Social Valued Components The assessment of adverse effects of the proposed Project on social VCs considered four VCs: Community Utilities and Services; Transportation Infrastructure; Community Quality of Life; and Land and Resource Use. The assessment takes into account current and planned uses of the land, and how communities may be affected by the construction and operation of the proposed Project. FortisBC will undertake measures to mitigate potential effects of the proposed Project on these VCs. In doing so, FortisBC will consult with
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potentially affected Aboriginal groups and stakeholders. FortisBC plans to implement an adaptive approach to managing issues and concerns that may arise.
The assessment concluded that residual adverse effects on these social VCs and the cumulative adverse effects are not significant.
17.4 Key Findings on Heritage Valued Components The assessment of adverse heritage effects considers historic, archaeological, and paleontological sites. Mitigation to protect heritage resources includes primarily avoidance. Where avoidance is not feasible, effects mitigation strategies will be developed with the guidance and approval of the BC Archaeology Branch and the BC OGC. FortisBC is completing an Archeological Impact Assessment for the proposed Project, which is considered to mitigate any potential adverse effects on heritage resources.
The assessment concluded that adverse and cumulative effects on heritage resources are not significant.
17.5 Key Findings on Health Valued Components The assessment considered potential adverse effects of the proposed Project on Human Health and Ecological Health VCs, and took into account five KIs: noise; respiratory health; drinking water quality; soil and sediment quality; and country foods quality. Typical mitigation and industry accepted best practices are expected to avoid or reduce the potential adverse effects.
The assessment concluded that residual adverse effects on these two VCs and the cumulative adverse effects are not significant.
17.6 Other Findings The Application presented information on the potential for unplanned events, such as accidents or malfunctions on the proposed Project to potentially result in adverse effects to the VCs assessed. With the implementation of mitigation, such as safety measures, safety and environment training, implementation of an established emergency response program, and coordination with emergency response agencies, the Application concludes that the majority of potential adverse effects are considered to be of low risk with the exception of a few that are medium risk.
The environment has the potential to adversely affect the proposed Project through natural seismic events, fire, slope stability and mass wasting events, future climate scenarios, forest pests and pathogens, and marine clay, and if unmitigated, could affect the proposed Project. The Application concludes that implementation of contingency plans and adherence to strict design requirements will result in no potential residual adverse effects of the environment on the proposed Project that could be considered of high risk.
The proposed Project as a whole is expected to provide social and economic benefits to FortisBC residential and commercial customers, the local Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities, and to generate tax revenues.
17.7 Key Findings on Aboriginal Interests The assessment of adverse effects on Aboriginal Interests considered four Aboriginal groups, including the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Squamish Nation, Kwikwetlem First Nation and the Musqueam Nation. The assessment applied to the Part B VCs that were identified as having an effects pathway that may lead to potentially adverse effects on Aboriginal Interests. The identified Part B VCs included ARD, Air Quality, Acoustic Environment, Surface Water, Fish and Fish Habitat, Vegetation, Wetland Function, Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat, Transportation and Infrastructure, Land and Resources, Heritage Resources, and Ecological Health.
The assessment identified four potential residual effects on Aboriginal Interests including disruption of subsistence activities, alteration of subsistence resources, disruption of cultural areas use and alteration of cultural areas. The mitigation measures identified for these potential residual effects are considered by FortisBC to adequately address potentially adverse effects on Aboriginal Interests.
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17.8 Conclusion The Application concludes that potential adverse effects of the proposed Project can be avoided or reduced to acceptable levels, therefore, the potential residual and cumulative adverse effects of the proposed Project on VCs related to the five pillars of environment, economic, social, heritage and health are considered not significant. FortisBC has a good record for safely constructing and operating its natural gas pipeline system in BC. FortisBC has been operating in BC for over 50 years and has a strong commitment to safety in its values, policies and practices. However, the Application also concludes that the proposed Project has the potential to have adverse effects on environmental, social, economic, heritage and health values as well as Aboriginal interests. These potential adverse effects are commonly encountered during pipeline and facility construction and operation, and accordingly a comprehensive approach to mitigation has been developed and described in the Application. This approach considers factors such as avoiding adverse effects through route and facility site selection and project planning, mitigation to reduce potential adverse and cumulative effects, restoration and monitoring, and where appropriate, compensation or offsets.
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