PRELIMINARY SCREENING REPORT FORM
PRELIMINARY SCREENER: Sabrina Sturman EIRB REFERENCE NUMBER:
REFERENCE / FILE NUMBER: S15J-002 TITLE: Regulatory Specialist
APPLICANT: AANDC-CARD ORGANIZATION: Sahtu Land and Water Board
DATE: July 16, 2015
Type of Development: (H) Fuel Storage Site
Type of Development: New Development (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY) Amend, EIRB Ref. # Renew, EIRB Ref. # Requires permit, licence or authorization Does not require permit, licence or authorization
Project Summary: Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development – Contaminants and Remediation Directorate (CARD) is the custodian of the Canol Trail, which has been identified as a Federal contaminated site. Activities proposed by CARD are intended to reduce the physical hazard associated with wire strewn along the entire length of the Trail (372 km). Community consultation has identified this project as priority due to the entanglement hazard for antlered wildlife (with documented animal loss) and tripping hazard for trail users. The
Sahtu Land Claim Agreement allows for but does not require the establishment of a Territorial Park along the Canol Trail and Dodo Canyon. The Sahtu Land Use Plan has identified the area as Zone 39: Do Et’Q (Doi T’oh Territorial Park and Canol Heritage Trail Reservation).
CARD is applying to the Sahtu Land and Water Board for a Type A LUP permit for establishing campsites outside of a territorial park for more than 400 person-days (11 to 15 people for 3 to 6 week collection periods)
Camp locations have yet to be finalized and will move along the Trail as the project progresses. Due to logistical constraints the project has been proposed to occur over multiple years (4) and only during summer months with no over winter storage of equipment or fuel. Water use is expected to be less than 10m3/day. Access to Sahtu Settlement Areas is not expected as CARD plans to stay within the excluded lands. As a result, select sections of of the Trail are restricted to 30 m from the Trail centre and CARD requests an exemption from standard practice to store fuel and camp generated water waste at least 100 m of the observed high water mark, at the discretion of a Land Use Inspector.
Scope: The scope of work will include: • Mobilization (Fixed wing or rotary aircraft) • Temporary camp operation (soft walled tents, shower unit, kitchen, medic, personal quarters, etc.) • Storage of fuel (TOTAL) • Brush cutting to access wire as required (brush saws and chainsaws) • Collection of wire • Use of ATV and/or ARGO units for transportation of crews and wagons for collected wire • Consolidation of wire at transfer locations to be securely stored (future remediation work) • Demobilization
Principal Activities (related to scoping) (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
Construction Exploration Decommissioning
Installation Industrial Abandonment
1
Maintenance Recreation Aerial
Expansion Municipal Harvesting
Operation Quarry Camp
Repair Linear / Corridor Scientific / Research
Water Intake Sewage Solid Waste
Other: Fuel Storage
(DESCRIBE)
Principal Development Components (related to scoping) (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
Access Road Waste Management construction disposal of hazardous waste abandonment/removal waste generation modification e.g., widening, straightening drilling wastes and hydraulic flowback fluids Automobile, Aircraft or Vessel Movement Sewage Blasting disposal of sewage Building Geoscientific Sampling Burning trenching Burying diamond drill Channeling borehole core sampling Cut and Fill Bulk soil sampling Cutting of Trees or Removal of Vegetation Gravel Dams and Impoundments Hydrological Testing construction Site Restoration abandonment/removal fertilization modification grubbing Ditch Construction planting/seeding Drainage Alteration reforestation Drilling other than Geoscientific scarify Ecological Surveys spraying Excavation recontouring Explosive Storage Slashing and removal of vegetation Fuel Storage Soil Testing Topsoil, Overburden or Soil Stream Crossing/Bridging fill Tunneling/Underground disposal removal Water Intake storage Other
NTS Topographic Map Sheet Numbers
NTS Map Sheet #s: 105O1, 105O8, 105P10, 105P11, 105P15, 105P5, 105P6, 106A1, 106A2, 106A8, 96D11, 96D12, 96D14, 96D5, 96E2, 96E3, 96E6, 96E7 (LIST ALL THAT APPLY)
Latitude/Longitude and UTM System:
Minimum Latitude: N65° 15’ 10 Maximum Latitude: N63° 18’1 Minimum Longitude: W126°58’34 Maximum Longitude: W129°49’6
(DEGREES, MINUTES, SECONDS, MAP SHEET)
2 Nearest Community and Water Body: The Town of Norman Wells is located northwest of Mile O on the opposite side of the Mackenzie River. The nearest larger water bodies are the Carcajou River, Twitya River, Bolstead Creek
Land Status (consultation information) (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
Free Hold / Private Commissioner’s Land Federal Crown Land Municipal Land
Transboundary Implications (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY - IF KNOWN & APPLICABLE)
British Columbia Alberta Saskatchewan Yukon Nunavut Wood Buffalo National Park Inuvialuit Settlement Region
N/A
Type of Transboundary Implication: Impact / Effect Development
Public Concern ______(DESCRIBE)
N/A
PHYSICAL - CHEMICAL EFFECTS
IMPACT MITIGATION
1. Groundwater
Water table alteration
Water quality changes 1. If fuel spills it may migrate into groundwater. 2. A Spill Contingency Plan has been developed in accordance with INAC’s Guidelines for Spill Contingency Planning, April 2007. 3. Standard spill kits will be located wherever fuel is stored or transferred 4. Portable drip pans will be used during refueling ATVs to avoid any leaks/drips on the land 5. A site foreman or designate will conduct weekly visual inspections to check for leaks and damage to the fuel storage containers and transfer equipment, as well as check for stained or discoloured soils around the fuel storage areas and motorized equipment. 6. Regular maintenance and oil checks of all motorized equipment will be undertaken to avoid preventable leaks 7. Fuel transfer will be supervised by the Departmental Representative to ensure compliance with all permit requirements and contingency plans developed for the activities 8. If a reportable spill occurs, it will be reported to the NWT 24-Hour Spill Report Line at (867) 920-8130 or [email protected] 9. Minor spills will be tracked and documented by the Contractor and submitted to the appropriate authority either immediately upon request or at a pre-determined reporting interval.
Infiltration changes
3
Other:
N/A
IMPACT MITIGATION
1. Surface Water
Water flow or level changes
Water quality changes 1. Fuel may be stored 30m from ordinary high water mark, if approved in writing by an Inspector 2. Grey water sumps may be located 30m from ordinary high water mark, if approved in writing by an Inspector. 3. A Spill Contingency Plan has been developed in accordance with INAC’s Guidelines for Spill Contingency Planning, April 2007. 4. Standard spill kits will be located wherever fuel is stored or transferred 5. Portable drip pans will be used during refueling ATVs to avoid any leaks/drips on the land 6. A site foreman or designate will conduct weekly visual inspections to check for leaks and damage to the fuel storage containers and transfer equipment, as well as check for stained or discoloured soils around the fuel storage areas and motorized equipment. 7. Regular maintenance and oil checks of all motorized equipment will be undertaken to avoid preventable leaks 8. Fuel transfer will be supervised by the Departmental Representative to ensure compliance with all permit requirements and contingency plans developed for the activities 9. If a reportable spill occurs, it will be reported to the NWT 24-Hour Spill Report Line at (867) 920-8130 or [email protected] 10. Minor spills will be tracked and documented by the Contractor and submitted to the appropriate authority either immediately upon request or at a pre-determined reporting interval.
Water quantity changes
Drainage pattern changes
Temperature
Wetland changes / loss
Other:
N/A
IMPACT MITIGATION
2. Noise
Noise increase 1. Any increase in noise disturbance from camp operations and/or wire collection will be localized and temporary in nature and have no anticipated long term effects. 2. All hand tools and ATVs will be in good working order to minimize noise impacts
Noise in/near water 1. Any increase in noise disturbance from camp operations and/or wire
4 collection will be localized and temporary in nature and have no anticipated long term effects. 2. All hand tools and ATVs will be in good working order to minimize noise impacts
Other:
N/A
IMPACT MITIGATION
3. Land
Geologic structure changes
Soil contamination 1. Soil contamination is possible in the case of a spill. 2. A Spill Contingency Plan has been developed in accordance with INAC’s Guidelines for Spill Contingency Planning, April 2007. 3. Standard spill kits will be located wherever fuel is stored or transferred. 4. Portable drip pans will be used during refueling ATVs to avoid any leaks/drips on the land. 5. A site foreman or designate will conduct weekly visual inspections to check for leaks and damage to the fuel storage containers and transfer equipment, as well as check for stained or discoloured soils around the fuel storage areas and motorized equipment. 6. Regular maintenance and oil checks of all motorized equipment will be undertaken to avoid preventable leaks. 7. Fuel transfer will be supervised by the Departmental Representative to ensure compliance with all permit requirements and contingency plans developed for the activities. 8. If a reportable spill occurs, it will be reported to the NWT 24-Hour Spill Report Line at (867) 920-8130 or [email protected] 9. Minor spills will be tracked and documented by the Contractor and submitted to the appropriate authority either immediately upon request or at a pre-determined reporting interval.
Ground disturbance 1. Collection and consolidation of the wire will be conducted primary manually with little to no impact to land systems 2. Access to the site and mobilization/de-mobilization of equipment will be by fixed wing or rotary aircraft. 3. All efforts will be made to use existing infrastructure (e.g. airstrips) as to reduce any potential impact to the land from aircrafts 4. Existing access routes along the trail will be utilized were possible, 5. Transportation along the trail will be completed through the use of ATVs and use will be restricted to program activities (e.g. camp use, transportation to/from wire, etc.) and primarily within the impacted area. 6. Where road access has been degraded, all efforts will be made to reduce any impacts to the land from ATV use 7. Any potential impact associated with site access will be mitigated by employing techniques found within the current AANDC Northern Land Use Guidelines – Access: Roads and Trails and for Camp and Support Facilities
Buffer zone loss
5 Soil compaction & settling
Destabilization / erosion 1. All clearing of vegetation is to occur along the Canol Road Telephone alignment which predominant consists of previously disturbed areas.
Permafrost regime alteration
Other:
N/A
IMPACT MITIGATION
4. Non Renewable Natural Resources
Resource depletion 1. Equipment and vehicles using fossil fuels will be utilized in the most efficient manner possible in order to minimize program fossil fuel requirements.
Other
N/A
IMPACT MITIGATION
5. Air / Climate / Atmosphere
Greenhouse gases 1. Vehicles and equipment, using fossil fuels, emit substances that contribute to air pollution and global warming. The cumulative effects of these activities are an unavoidable impact of fossil fuel usage. The cumulative effects are unknown. 2. All hand tools and ATVs will be in good working order to minimize excess exhaust emissions.
BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT
IMPACT MITIGATION
1. Vegetation
Species composition 1. Clearing of vegetation may be required to access the wire and clear a laydown for camp(s). 2. All clearing of vegetation is to occur along the existing Canol Trail alignment with the exception of some areas where the wire may have been moved outside of the alignment/route (buffer of ~30m from trail centre). 3. All efforts will be made to reduce the amount of vegetation required to be removed. 4. Manual removal will be the primary method, followed by removal of vegetation using powered hand-held tools. 5. Minimizing brush removal will mitigate soil erosion and enhance re-
6 growth potential
Species introduction 1. No intentional introduction of non-native vegetation species will occur.
Toxin / heavy metal accumulation
Loss of timber along seismic lines
Damage to ground 1. Clearing of vegetation may be required to access the wire and clear a vegetation and permafrost laydown for camp(s) 2. All clearing of vegetation is to occur along the existing Canol Trail alignment with the exception of some areas where the wire may have been moved outside of the alignment/route (buffer of ~30m from trail centre). 3. All efforts will be made to reduce the amount of vegetation required to be removed. 4. Manual removal will be the primary method, followed by removal of vegetation using powered hand-held toolds. 5. Minimizing brush removal will mitigate soil erosion and enhance re- growth potential
Increased fire hazard 1. Incineration of waste will likely be used in the camp operations on Canol Trail. The incinerator will be designed and operated to treat suitable waste types and quantities. 2. An incineration management plan will be submitted as part of the Camp Plan 3. Clean ash from this operation would be collected and shipped off-site for disposal
N/A
IMPACT MITIGATION
2. Wildlife & Fish
Effects on rare, threatened or endangered species
Fish population changes
Waterfowl population
Breeding disturbances 1. If active bird nests are encountered during project activities, the nesting area will be avoided until nesting is complete.
Population reduction
Species diversity change
Health changes (identify) 1. The project will remove physical hazard to wildlife and trail users. 2. Spills of fuel could be harmful to wildlife and aquatic life. 3. All spills will be cleaned up according to the Spill Contingency Plan.
7 Behavioral changes (identify)
Habitat changes / effects
Game species effects
Toxins / heavy metals
Forestry changes
Agricultural changes
Other:
N/A
INTERACTING ENVIRONMENT
1. Habitat & Communities
Predator-prey
Wildlife habitat / ecosystem 1. Activities occurring during sensitive periods identified in SLUP (Table composition changes 4. Wildlife Setbacks, Minimum Altitude and Sensitive Periods) for wolf, Dall’s sheep, Mountain goat, raptors, and waterfowl. 2. Wire clean-up activities will remove entanglement risk to antlered animals (moose and caribou) 3. A Wildlife Management Plan will be in place to guide the activities to avoid negative impacts to local wildlife 4. Up to two (2) wildlife monitors will be onsite for duration of project 5. Mitigation measures to prevent wildlife from accessing food, domestic wastes, and petroleum-based chemicals will be included in the plan.
Reduction / removal of keystone or endangered species
Removal of wildlife corridor or buffer zone
Other: Canadian Important Bird Areas
1. Social & Economic
Planning / zoning changes or conflicts
Rental house
Airport operations / capacity changes
Human health hazard 1. Hazardous materials on-site will be primarily limited to fuel 2. Wire clean-up activities will remove physical hazard for hikers 3. On-site work requires working on or near Class 1 contaminated sites 4. Anyone handling hazardous material on-site will be required to wear
8 all personal protective equipment. 5. All personnel are required to support and comply with the Environment, Health and Safety program, making safety, health and protection of the environment a part of their daily routine and ensuring that they follow safe work methods and relevant regulations.
Impair the recreational use of water or aesthetic quality
Affect water use for other purposes
Affect other land use operations
Quality of life changes
Public concern
Other:
N/A
1. Cultural & Heritage
Affects to historic property
Increased economic pressure
Changes to or loss of historic resources
Changes to or loss of archeological resources
Increased pressure on archeological resources
Effects to aboriginal 1. AANDC will follow contractual Aboriginal Opportunity Consideration lifestyle requirements and attempt to maximize the employment and business opportunities for Tulita District, and other Sahtu beneficiaries.
Other: Incorporation of 1. Traditional knowledge and land use information will be gathered from local knowledge/community local elders, hunters and trappers, and monitors to help identify consultation important and sensitive community values in the area and if necessary, monitor impacts to these from the proposed activities (Sahtu Land Use Planning Board 2011). 2. AANDC-CARD will continue engagement efforts with local communities to address concerns, improve understanding of potential effects of the Program, develop appropriate mitigation and monitoring programs,
9 PRELIMINARY SCREENER / REFERRING BODY INFORMATION (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
RA or ADVISE PERMIT DRA REQUIRED Federal ATOMIC ENERGY CONTROL BOARD CANADIAN HERITAGE CANADIAN TRANSPORTATION AGENCY ENVIRONMENT CANADA FISHERIES & OCEANS ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS AND NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT CANADA INDUSTRY CANADA NATIONAL DEFENSE NATIONAL ENERGY BOARD NATURAL RESOURCES PUBLIC WORKS & GOVERNMENT SERVICES TRANSPORT CANADA CANADIAN NUCLEAR SAFETY COMMISSION
Territorial MUNICIPAL & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS PUBLIC WORKS & GOVERNMENT SERVICES ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES PRINCE OF WALES NORTHERN HERITAGE CENTRE INDUSTRY, TOURISM AND INVESTMENT LANDS OFFICE OF THE REGULATOR OF OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS
Boards GWICH’IN LAND & WATER BOARD SAHTU LAND & WATER BOARD MACKENZIE VALLEY LAND & WATER BOARD MACKENZIE VALLEY ENVIR. IMPACT REVIEW BOARD SAHTU LAND USE PLANNING BOARD SAHTU RENEWABLE RESOURCES BOARD SAHTU HEALTH BOARD
Aboriginal / First Nation SAHTU SECRETARIAT INCORPORATED FORT NORMAN WELLS METIS LAND CORPORATION FORT NORMAN WELLS RENEWABLE RESOURCES COUNCIL NORMAN WELLS LAND CORPORATION NORMAN WELLS RENEWABLE RESOURCE COUNCIL TULITA RENEWABLE RESOURCES COUNCIL TULITA LAND CORPORATION TULITA BAND COUNCIL TULITA DISTRICT LAND CORPORATION
Local Government TOWN OF NORMAN WELLS
10 REASONS FOR DECISION (LIST ALL REASONS AND SUPPORTING RATIONALES FOR PRELIMINARY SCREENING DECISION)
• Adequate time has been given to Reviewers to provide potential environmental impacts and mitigation measures on information as requested from the Proponent during the Initial review period. • The effects of the Program on the environment can take place in an environmentally responsible manner provided that mitigation measures are followed.
PRELIMINARY SCREENING DECISION
Outside Local Government Boundaries O The development proposal might have a significant adverse Impact on the environment, refer it to the EIRB. Y Proceed with regulatory process and/or implementation. O The development proposal might have public concern, refer it to the EIRB.
Y Proceed with regulatory process and/or implementation.
o Wholly within Local Government Boundaries O The development proposal is likely to have a significant adverse Impact on air, water or renewable resources, refer it to the EIRB. o Proceed with regulatory process and/or Implementation. o The development proposal might have public concern, refer It to the EIRB. o Proceed with regulatory process and/or Implementation.
Preliminary Screening Organization Sahtu Land & Water Board
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