Biophysical Impact Assessment

Environmental Impact Statement Volume 5: Biophysical Impact Assessment

Part C – Aquatic Resources

Fish and Fish Habitat

Submitted to: National Energy Board and the Joint Review Panel

Submitted by: Imperial Oil Resources Ventures Limited

IPRCC.PR.2004.07

August 2004

Cover photograph courtesy of the Government of the Northwest Territories EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT VOLUME 5, PART C: SECTION 7 CONTENTS

Table of Contents

7 Fish and Fish Habitat ...... 7-1

7.1 Introduction ...... 7-1 7.1.1 Focus ...... 7-1 7.1.2 Summary of Findings ...... 7-1 7.1.3 Traditional Knowledge ...... 7-5

7.2 Assessment Approach ...... 7-9 7.2.1 Key Issues ...... 7-9 7.2.2 Valued Components and Key Indicators ...... 7-10 7.2.3 Key Questions and Effect Pathway Diagrams ...... 7-21 7.2.4 Effect Descriptions ...... 7-21 7.2.5 Study Areas and Boundaries ...... 7-24 7.2.6 Analytical Approach ...... 7-24

7.3 Effects on Fish ...... 7-31 7.3.1 Effect Pathways ...... 7-31 7.3.2 Overview of Project Design and Mitigation ...... 7-67 7.3.3 Niglintgak ...... 7-73 7.3.4 Taglu ...... 7-90 7.3.5 Parsons Lake ...... 7-95 7.3.6 Gathering Pipelines and Associated Facilities ...... 7-100 7.3.7 Pipeline Corridor ...... 7-124 7.3.8 Northwestern Alberta ...... 7-145 7.3.9 Infrastructure ...... 7-148 7.3.10 Significance of Effects ...... 7-179

7.4 Monitoring ...... 7-189 7.4.1 Compliance Monitoring ...... 7-189 7.4.2 Effects Monitoring ...... 7-190

7.5 Watercourse Crossings ...... 7-191

References

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List of Figures

Figure 7-1: Local Study Areas and Project Components – North ...... 7-26 Figure 7-2: Local Study Areas and Project Components – Central ...... 7-27 Figure 7-3: Local Study Areas and Project Components – South ...... 7-28 Figure 7-4: Effect Pathways – Fish ...... 7-31 Figure 7-5: Process for Screening Effect Pathways for Fish ...... 7-32 Figure 7-6: Crossing Method Selection ...... 7-69 Figure 7-7: Effect Pathways Assessed – Niglintgak ...... 7-73 Figure 7-8: Effect Pathways – Niglintgak Barge-Based Gas Conditioning Facility ...... 7-74 Figure 7-9: Niglintgak Survey Sites ...... 7-79 Figure 7-10: Effect Pathways – Taglu ...... 7-91 Figure 7-11: Taglu Survey Sites ...... 7-93 Figure 7-12: Effect Pathways – Parsons Lake Field ...... 7-96 Figure 7-13: Parsons Lake Survey Sites ...... 7-99 Figure 7-14: Effect Pathways – Gathering Pipelines and Associated Facilities ...... 7-101 Figure 7-15: Index Map – Anchor Fields and Gathering Pipelines ...... 7-106 Figure 7-16: Niglintgak Lateral Watercourse Crossing Survey Sites ...... 7-107 Figure 7-17: Taglu Lateral Watercourse Crossing Survey Sites ...... 7-108 Figure 7-18: Parsons Lake Lateral Watercourse Crossing Survey Sites ...... 7-109 Figure 7-19: Storm Hills Lateral Watercourse Crossing Survey Sites ...... 7-110 Figure 7-20: Effect Pathways – Pipeline Corridor ...... 7-126 Figure 7-21: Pipeline Corridor Watercourse Crossing Survey Sites – North ...... 7-133 Figure 7-22: Pipeline Corridor Watercourse Crossing Survey Sites – South ...... 7-134 Figure 7-23: Effect Pathways – Production Area Infrastructure ...... 7-150 Figure 7-24: Effect Pathways – Pipeline Corridor Infrastructure ...... 7-151 Figure 7-25: Production Area Infrastructure Survey Sites ...... 7-155 Figure 7-26: Pipeline Corridor Infrastructure Survey Sites – North ...... 7-164 Figure 7-27: Pipeline Corridor Infrastructure Survey Sites – South ...... 7-165

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List of Tables

Table 7-1: Fish Species Likely Present in the Mackenzie River and Delta Tributaries and Estuary ...... 7-11 Table 7-2: Criteria Used to Select Valued Components for Fish ...... 7-15 Table 7-3: Ranking Results for Potential Valued Components ...... 7-18 Table 7-4: Key Questions, Related Issues and Valued Components ...... 7-22 Table 7-5: Definitions of Effect Attributes for Fish ...... 7-23 Table 7-6: Study Areas and Geographic Extent ...... 7-25 Table 7-7: Summary of Effect Pathways Considered for Fish ...... 7-34 Table 7-8: Mitigation Strategies for Fish ...... 7-70 Table 7-9: Periods of Sensitivity to In-Water Work ...... 7-72 Table 7-10: Effects of Niglintgak on Fish ...... 7-76 Table 7-11: Baseline Information for Lakes – Niglintgak ...... 7-77 Table 7-12: Baseline Information for Large River Channels – Niglintgak ...... 7-78 Table 7-13: Effects of Taglu on Fish ...... 7-90 Table 7-14: Baseline Information for Taglu Lakes ...... 7-92 Table 7-15: Effects of the Parsons Lake Field on Fish ...... 7-95 Table 7-16: Baseline Information for Lakes in the Parsons Lake Field ...... 7-97 Table 7-17: Effects of the Gathering Pipelines on Fish ...... 7-102 Table 7-18: Baseline Information for Watercourse Crossings of Large River and Active I Channels – Gathering Pipelines ...... 7-104 Table 7-19: Direct Habitat Effects of the Gathering Pipelines Crossing Construction ...... 7-112 Table 7-20: Potential Effects of Frost Bulb Formation at Watercourse Crossings ...... 7-113 Table 7-21: Gathering Pipeline Watercourse Crossing Methods – Large River and Active I Channels ...... 7-120 Table 7-22: Effects of Sediment Deposition from Crossing Construction .... 7-121 Table 7-23: Effects of the Pipeline Corridor on Fish ...... 7-124 Table 7-24: Baseline Information for Watercourse Crossings of Large River and Active I Channels – Pipeline Corridor ...... 7-128 Table 7-25: Number of Potential Water Sources Identified in Each Settlement Region ...... 7-137 Table 7-26: Large River and Active I Channel Crossing Methods – Pipeline Corridor ...... 7-140 Table 7-27: Estimated Severity of Ill Effects Scores for Open-Cut Pipeline Construction at 1, 15, 30 and 45 Bankfull Widths Downstream of the Crossing ...... 7-143 Table 7-28: Baseline Information for Watercourse Crossings of Large River and Active I Channels – Northwestern Alberta ...... 7-147 Table 7-29: Large River and Active I Channel Crossing Methods – Pipeline Corridor ...... 7-148

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Table 7-30: Estimated Severity of Ill Effects Scores for Open-Cut Pipeline Construction at 1, 15, 30 and 45 Bankfull Widths Downstream of the Crossing – Northwestern Alberta ...... 7-149 Table 7-31: Number of Primary and Secondary Borrow Sites ...... 7-150 Table 7-32: Effects of Production Area Infrastructure on Fish ...... 7-152 Table 7-33: Baseline Information for Potential Water Supply Lakes – Production Area ...... 7-154 Table 7-34: Baseline Information for Barge Landings – Production Area ...... 7-156 Table 7-35: Direct Habitat Effects of Barge Landing Construction – Production Area ...... 7-158 Table 7-36: Potable Water Supplies and Volume Requirements – Production Area Camps ...... 7-159 Table 7-37: Effects of Pipeline Corridor Infrastructure on Fish ...... 7-162 Table 7-38: Baseline Information for Potential Water Supply Lakes – Pipeline Corridor ...... 7-166 Table 7-39: Baseline Information for Barge Landings – Pipeline Corridor ...... 7-168 Table 7-40: Baseline Information on Active I and Active II Channels Crossed by All-Weather Roads – Pipeline Corridor ...... 7-171 Table 7-41: Direct Habitat Effects of Access Road Construction – Pipeline Corridor ...... 7-173 Table 7-42: Potable Water Supplies – Pipeline Corridor ...... 7-175 Table 7-43: Significance of Effects of Niglintgak on Fish ...... 7-180 Table 7-44: Significance of Effects of Taglu on Fish ...... 7-181 Table 7-45: Significance of Effects of Parsons Lake on Fish ...... 7-182 Table 7-46: Significance of Effects of the Gathering Pipelines and Associated Facilities on Fish and Fish Habitat ...... 7-183 Table 7-47: Significance of Effects of the Pipeline Corridor on Fish ...... 7-184 Table 7-48: Significance of Effects of Production Area Infrastructure on Fish ...... 7-184 Table 7-49: Significance of Effects of Pipeline Corridor Infrastructure on Fish ...... 7-185 Table 7-50: Significance of Effects of Combined Project on Fish ...... 7-186 Table 7-51: Effects Monitoring for Fish and Fish Habitat ...... 7-190 Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings ...... 7-192

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7 FISH AND FISH HABITAT

7.1 Introduction

7.1.1 Focus

This section of the impact assessment is focused on an assessment of the potential effects of the project on fish in the Mackenzie Delta, Mackenzie River, its tributaries and associated waterbodies.

The impact assessment examines potential effects on fish, because fish are an important component of the natural environment of the Mackenzie River region. Fish are an important commercial, recreational and cultural resource for the people of the Mackenzie region. Fish are also indicators of the health of aquatic ecosystems because they occupy the upper levels of the aquatic food chain and are therefore the ultimate integrators and receptors of any changes in the aquatic ecosystem arising from the project.

The project elements most likely to affect fish include, but are not limited to:

• watercourse crossings by the gas pipeline and gathering pipelines

• potential dredging associated with barge landings and the Niglintgak barge-based gas conditioning facility

• crossing of watercourses by access roads

• use of waterbodies as water supply sources for project activities

7.1.2 Summary of Findings

Fish species were selected as the valued components (VCs) for this environmental impact statement (EIS) to assess effects on the aquatic ecosystem. The project’s potential effects on these VCs were assessed by predicting the effects on the following three key indicators, which are known to affect fish:

• fish habitat • fish health • fish distribution and abundance

Throughout this assessment, effects on individual fish and populations of fish are assessed by assessment effects on these key indicators. For example, if a project component is predicted to have no effect on fish habitat, then no effects are predicted on individual fish and populations of fish VCs. A summary of project effects on the key indicators is provided in the following sections.

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7.1.2.1 Fish Habitat

Project components might affect fish habitat through:

• direct habitat effects, for example, disturbance in the watercourse at watercourse crossings, barge channels or barge landings

• change in flow

• change in stream channel or sea bed morphology

• water level change in lakes

• sediment deposition

• land subsidence

Habitat would be directly altered because of:

• crossing of streams during pipeline construction in the gathering system and the pipeline corridor

• activities associated with placement of the Niglintgak barge-based gas conditioning facility, for example, dredging and footprint

• all-weather road crossings of streams

• potential dredging at barge landings

The effects of watercourse crossing construction are expected to be adverse, with a magnitude ranging from no effect to low (depending on the habitat and the crossing method), local in geographic extent, i.e., confined to the immediate area of the crossing area, and short term. These effects are primarily confined to construction, so no effects are expected during operations or decommissioning and abandonment. Effects of potential dredging and placement for the Niglintgak barge-based gas conditioning facility are expected to be adverse, but local, low magnitude and short term to long term. Potential dredging and construction of barge landings in the production area and the pipeline corridor will have no effect at existing permanent landings to low-magnitude effects at new locations, with effects being local, and short term to long term, depending on maintenance requirements.

Based on hydrologic assessments, changes in flow caused by surface runoff are only expected to affect local fish habitat associated with the pipeline corridor infrastructure. The magnitude of the effect on fish habitat is expected to be low for construction and range from no effect to low magnitude for operations and decommissioning and abandonment. Page 7-2 August 2004

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Effects of alteration of channel morphology are predicted at crossings in the gathering system and pipeline corridor and at the Niglintgak gas conditioning facility barge location. Small-scale changes in morphology are expected at crossings, with effects expected to be low magnitude and local in extent. Implementation of mitigation measures will limit any potential adverse effects to Active I and II Channels. The effects of channel morphology changes caused by potential dredging for the barge-based gas conditioning facility on the habitat of the VCs are expected to range from no effect to low magnitude, be local in extent and long term for all phases of the project.

Similarly, for changes in sea bed morphology caused by potential dredging for the barge-based gas conditioning facility, the effects of dredging and side casting on the shape and bottom contours of Kugmallit and Kittigazuit bays are considered short term, localized and similar to natural events. As a result, changes in seabed morphology are not expected to affect the habitat of the VCs.

Effects on fish habitat from water-level changes caused by water withdrawal or discharge are not expected because criteria will be established and regulatory protocols followed for selection of water sources, and withdrawal or discharge.

The effects of sediment deposition on fish habitat during watercourse construction are expected to be adverse, range from no effect to low magnitude (depending on the habitat and the crossing method), local in extent and short term. These effects will be mitigated where practical and are not expected to continue beyond long term. Once crossing construction is completed and the bed and banks of the watercourse are restored, no further deposition of sediment from crossing construction is expected during operations or decommissioning and abandonment. The effects of surface runoff and land disturbance in the corridor and during infrastructure construction are expected to range from no effect to low magnitude for most basins, and to be local in extent. Effects of potential dredging-related sediment deposition on VC habitat in the freshwater and marine environment are expected to be adverse, low magnitude, local and short term. The effects are confined to potential dredging during construction and decommissioning and abandonment.

Effects of land subsidence in the production area are the only effects predicted to last into the far future, though they are considered low magnitude because fish VCs will have time to adjust to the changing environment.

7.1.2.2 Fish Health

Project development might affect fish health by changing water quality, exposing them to suspended sediments and harming them by the direct or indirect action of explosives.

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The magnitude of the effects of suspended sediment on fish health from the pipeline corridor and associated facilities because of a change in runoff or total suspended sediments entrained during crossing construction are expected to be adverse and range from no effect to low. The extent of the effect will be local. Inputs of sediment will depend on the crossing type. Surface runoff will be reduced by implementing erosion and sediment-control plans and standard mitigation measures. Suspended sediment entrainment from land disturbance along the gathering system and pipeline corridor is expected to be less as the land revegetates during operations and decommissioning and abandonment. Potential adverse effects on fish health from in-water use of explosives are considered low magnitude because they only affect fish in the immediate vicinity, short term because they are limited to trench construction and local in extent because they are confined to the crossing location. 7.1.2.3 Fish Distribution and Abundance Changes in fish distribution and abundance can be influenced by: • effects on fish habitat and fish health • increased harvest • blockage of movements • entrainment by potential dredging • pressure or noise disturbance from vehicles on winter roads and barges Effects on distribution and abundance from project effects on fish habitat and fish health will occur only if significant effects occur for the key pathways within these indicators. The increased workforce and additional access might increase the fish harvest from local streams or lakes, but this is not expected to affect the viability of any of the fish populations. Most of the increased workforce would be present in winter, a period not conducive to extensive sport fishing. The project would create some new access such as a few all-weather roads and a cleared right-of-way along the pipeline corridor, but most of the area already has substantial winter access along the existing pipeline corridor south of Norman Wells, along the winter road or along the extensive seismic network in the region. The likelihood of a frost bulb or icing affecting fish passage will depend on the type of stream, the crossing method, substrate composition, location of the crossing and mitigation measures applied. This pathway is only considered applicable for Active I and Active II Channels. The effect magnitude is considered low and extent local to regional, and only during operations. Effects of potential dredging-related entrainment of fish and other organisms on the VCs in the freshwater or marine environment are expected to be adverse, low magnitude, local and short term. The effects of entrainment are confined to dredging during construction and decommissioning and abandonment. Page 7-4 August 2004

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The effects of pressure or noise disturbance on fish from barge traffic and under ice waves generated by trucks hauling over winter roads are expected to range from no effect to low magnitude and be local in extent during construction. Any changes in fish distribution from sound disturbance are expected to be local, short term and within the normal range of variation in day-to-day distribution of the fish. The effects are considered to be less during operations because there will be less barge and truck traffic.

7.1.3 Traditional Knowledge

Volume 1, Section 3, Traditional Knowledge, outlines the status of the traditional knowledge studies that communities near the project are undertaking. Because these studies are incomplete, the proponents used existing published traditional knowledge in this EIS.

There is substantial published traditional knowledge about fish and fishing. Areas preferred by Aboriginal fishers and information on some highly productive fishing areas are summarized in the following sections, beginning with the Inuvialuit Settlement Region and moving southward.

7.1.3.1 Examples of Important Traditional Fishing Areas

Inuvialuit Settlement Region

Mackenzie Bay and Shallow Bay provide overwintering habitat for diadromous coregonids and feeding and nursery areas for young fish (Community of Aklavik et al. 2000). The Central Mackenzie estuary is also used extensively by feeding diadromous coregonids and as overwintering and nursery areas for a variety of fish (Community of Inuvik et al. 2000).

The Fish Lakes and Rivers area includes rivers and lakes along the shoreline west of Tuktoyaktuk, inland to their headwaters, including Parsons and Yaya lakes. This area is an important fish habitat and an important historical and present subsistence harvest area for people of Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk (Community of Inuvik et al. 2000).

The inner Mackenzie Delta is an extremely important area used historically and currently by Aboriginal people of the region (MDBSRLUPC 1990). Subsistence fishing takes place at all times of the year in well-known lakes, rivers and creeks. The Peel, East, Husky and West channels are important migration and spawning areas for numerous fish species that migrate inland from the Beaufort coast. These channels are very important for subsistence fishing to people from Aklavik, who depend on fishing for a major part of their country food. People from Aklavik use the fish for subsistence purposes throughout the year, although fish harvesting increases in summer and fall. Delta lakes and channels are important nursery areas for larval coregonids and smelt.

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Gwich’in Settlement Area

Gwich’in Elders have observed variation in the timing of spawning migration (Gwich’in Renewable Resource Board 1997). Dolly Varden live in the ocean in the summer. From the Arctic coast, they travel up the Mackenzie River to Husky Channel and through the Rat River into Fish Creek, where they spawn in October. Today only five families fish along the entire length of Husky Channel and the Rat River.

The Travaillant Lake and Cardinal Lake regions are of critical ecological importance in general and of critical harvesting and cultural importance to the people of Arctic Red River in particular (MDBSRLUPC 1990). These areas contain important lakes and rivers that are used for fall fishing.

The islands, streams, creeks and channels of the upper part of the Mackenzie Delta from Point Separation, including parts of Peel, Phillips and Middle channels, have very rich feeding grounds and other habitat for numerous species of fish. This is a very important community harvesting area for the Gwich’in of both Arctic Red River and Fort McPherson. Summer and fall fish camps dot the shores of the channels.

Sahtu Settlement Area

The Sahtu Dene and Métis have travelled and used the traditional resources of the Sahtu region for centuries. Fish continue to be critical subsistence resources (SHPSJWG 2000).

The Ramparts River and wetlands flow east to enter the Mackenzie River just above Ramparts Canyon and the community of Fort Good Hope. It has been an important fishing area for Fort Good Hope families for generations.

Deh Cho Region

Willow Lake, i.e., Brackett Lake, is the site of an important seasonal camp and is considered the home of the K’áálo Got’ine or Willow Lake People. Oral tradition records many stories of the importance of this lake (SHPSJWG 2000).

7.1.3.2 Fisheries Issues

The inner Mackenzie Delta is an extremely important area used historically and currently by Aboriginal people of the region (MDBSRLUPC 1990). Peel, East, Husky and West channels are important migration and spawning areas for numerous fish species that migrate inland from the Beaufort coast. Some Elders have expressed concern about the effects of pipeline construction. Concerns extend beyond the delta to the Travaillant Lake and Cardinal Lake regions, which are important to the people of Arctic Red River (MDBSRLUPC 1990).

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Fish Health

Forest fires, pollution and commercial fishing are thought to affect the health of the fish in the Gwich’in Settlement Area (Gwich’in Renewable Resources Board 2001). Aklavik fishers are concerned that a spill of hazardous materials from industrial development in the form of hydrocarbon exploration, production, shipping and barging will have a major impact on the fish resources in these channels (MDBSRLUPC 1990).

Traditional fishers identify livers as indicators of fish health and condition. Expressing concern about possible contaminants in loche (burbot) livers and associated human health risks, residents of Aklavik, Fort McPherson and other communities wanted more definite information on the source of the problem (Kofinas et al. 2002). The Gwich’in, Sahtu and Deh Cho residents observed abnormal loche livers (CINE 1997).

When participants of a food use study were asked if they had observed any changes in the quality of animal or plant traditional foods, 14 to 24% of participants said they had (CINE 1997). All regions reported more parasites in fish.

Fish Habitat

Some Elders stress that the Gwich’in should take care of the land and not allow industrial activities that might damage the environment (Gwich’in Renewable Resources Board 2001). Elders are concerned that activities that block creeks will result in fish mortality because fish won’t get the water they need.

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7.2 Assessment Approach

Volume 1, Section 2, Assessment Method, provides information on the approach to the assessment. These methods were applied to assess the effects on fish by completing the following steps:

• key issues were identified by communicating with stakeholders

• a comprehensive list of fish species was compiled from existing information on fish in the study area. From this list, criteria were applied to rank the relative importance of each fish species as a valued component, that is, as a representative of the health of the aquatic ecosystem.

• key issues were used to formulate the key question about the potential effects of the project on fish in the Mackenzie Delta, Mackenzie River, its tributaries and associated waterbodies

• key issues and scientific judgement were used to develop key indicators, which are the attributes that could potentially be measured and affected by project activities

• key issues and scientific judgement were also used to develop pathway linkage diagrams that describe possible mechanisms by which project activities might affect the key indicators and the valued components

• effect descriptions were developed to describe the significance, i.e., direction, magnitude, geographic extent and duration, of project effects on fish

7.2.1 Key Issues

Key issues addressed in the assessment were identified through meetings with resource managers, and professional experience.

The following key issues associated with the potential effects of the project on the aquatic environment were identified:

• direct effects of construction of pipeline watercourse crossings, anchor fields and infrastructure on fish and fish habitat in watercourses or adjacent waterbodies along the pipeline corridor

• effects of sediment entrained during construction of pipeline watercourse crossings, anchor fields and infrastructure, and subsequently transported and deposited in fish habitat downstream. Habitats potentially affected include spawning habitats, rearing habitats and overwintering habitats. Fish life stages potentially affected include eggs, emerging fry, juvenile and adult fish

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• effects of watercourse blockage from subsidence, ponding, frost bulb formation or other obstructions on fish movements at the crossing sites, e.g., preventing access to spawning, feeding or overwintering habitats

• effects of underwater or near-shore detonations of explosives on fish or incubating eggs

• effects of accidental spills or leaking natural gas liquids (NGLs) on fish and fish habitats

• effects of water withdrawals from lakes and rivers for pressure testing, winter road construction, dust suppression, and camp use on overwintering and littoral habitats

• effects of the pipeline right-of-way and other facilities on the distribution, movements and local abundance of fish

• effects of increased noise levels from project activities, such as trucks, aircraft and barges, on fish distribution and abundance

• effects of increased harvest pressure from improved access and increased number of anglers along the pipeline right-of-way on fish distribution and abundance,

• effects of water quality changes caused by air emissions on fish and fish health

• effects of barge landing construction and increased barge traffic from bank erosion and changes in sediment distribution on fish and fish habitat

7.2.2 Valued Components and Key Indicators

7.2.2.1 Valued Component Selection Process

Fish species were chosen as the VCs for the assessment of project effects on the aquatic ecosystem. Fish were chosen to represent the aquatic ecosystem because:

• fish are at the top of the aquatic food chain and are the ultimate receptors of changes in the aquatic ecosystem potentially arising from the project

• various environmental monitoring programs, notably the Environmental Effects Monitoring Program of Environment Canada, regard fish as representatives for the general aquatic system. The underlying premise is that protecting a sensitive fish species will protect the fish community and aquatic system as a whole (Environment Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) 1993).

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• fish are more likely than other aquatic ecosystem components to fulfill nonenvironmental criteria. For example, some fish species also have direct economic value.

The waterbodies potentially affected by the project contain many species of fish. A selection process was used to rank and select fish species to be included as VCs in the assessment.

Fish Species Likely Present

A comprehensive list of fish species likely present in the project area was compiled from existing information (see Table 7-1). These species might use the waterbodies for one or more of spawning, rearing, feeding, migration and overwintering. Many of the species were expected to be sensitive to one or more project effects.

Table 7-1: Fish Species Likely Present in the Mackenzie River and Delta Tributaries and Estuary

Common Spawning Presence by Region Family Name Scientific Name Period ISR GSA SSA DCR NAB Carps and Emerald Notropis Spring and – – ● ● ● minnows – shiner atherinoides early summer Cyprinidae Rafinesque Finescale Phoxinus Spring and – ● ● ● ● dace neogaeus Cope mid-summer Flathead chub Platygobio gracilis Spring and ● ● ● ● ● (Richardson) mid-summer Lake chub Couesius Spring and ● ● ● ● ● plumbeus mid-summer (Agassiz) Longnose Rhinichthys Spring and – ● ● ● ● dace cataractae mid-summer (Valenciennes) Northern Phoxinus eos Spring and – – – ● – redbelly dace (Cope) early summer Spottail shiner Notropis Spring and – ● ● ● ● hudsonius early summer (Clinton) Cods – Gadidae Burbot Lota lota Winter ● ● ● ● ● (Linnaeus) Saffron cod2 Eleginus gracilis Winter ● – – – – (Tilesius) (marine) Polar cod2 Arctogadus Winter ● – – – – glacialus (Peters) (marine) Arctic cod2 Boreogadus saida Winter ● – – – – (Lepechin) (marine) Flounders – Arctic Liopsetta glacialis Winter ● – – – – Pleuronectidae flounder2 (Pallas) (marine) Starry Platichthys Winter ● – – – – flounder2 stellatus (Pallas) (marine)

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Table 7-1: Fish Species Likely Present in the Mackenzie River and Delta Tributaries and Estuary (cont’d)

Common Spawning Presence by Region Family Name Scientific Name Period ISR GSA SSA DCR NAB Herring – Pacific Clupea harengus Late winter ● – – – – Clupeidae herring2 (Linnaeus) and early spring (marine) Lampreys – Arctic Lampetra japonica Spring and ● ● ● ● – Petromyzontidae lamprey3 (Martens) early summer Mooneyes – Goldeye1 Hiodon alosoides Spring and – – ● ● – Hiodontidae (Rafinesque) early summer 1 Perches – Walleye Stizostedion Spring and ● ● ● ● ● Percidae vitreum (Mitchill) early summer 1 Pikes – Esocidae Northern pike Esox lucius Spring ● ● ● ● ● (Linnaeus) Spoonhead Cottus ricei Late summer ● ● ● ● ● sculpin (Nelson) and early fall Smelts – Pond smelt1 Hypomesus olidus Summer ● ● ● – – Osmeridae (Pallas) Rainbow Osmerus mordax Spring ● ● ● – – smelt1,3 (Mitchill) Sticklebacks – Brook Culaea inconstans Late spring – – – ● ● Gasterosteidae stickleback (Kirtland) and early summer Ninespine Pungitius Spring and ● ● ● ● ● stickleback3 pungitius early summer (Linnaeus) Suckers – Longnose Catostomus Spring ● ● ● ● ● Catostomidae sucker catostomus (Forster) White sucker Catostomus Spring – ● ● ● ● commersoni (Lacépède) Trouts – Arctic cisco1,4 Coregonus Fall ● ● ● ● – Salmonidae autumnalis (Pallas) Arctic Thymallus Spring ● ● ● ● ● grayling1 arcticus (Pallas) Broad Coregonus nasus Fall ● ● ● ● – whitefish1,3 (Pallas) Bull trout1 Salvelinus Fall – – ● ● – confluentus (Suckley) Chum Oncorhynchus Fall and early ● ● ● ● – salmon1,4 keta (Walbaum) winter Dolly Salvelinus malma Fall ● – – – – Varden1,3 (Walbaum) Inconnu1,3 Stenodus Fall ● ● ● ● – leucichthys (Güldenstadt) Page 7-12 August 2004

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Table 7-1: Fish Species Likely Present in the Mackenzie River and Delta Tributaries and Estuary (cont’d)

Common Spawning Presence by Region Family Name Scientific Name Period ISR GSA SSA DCR NAB Trouts – Cisco1 Coregonus artedii Fall and early ● ● ● ● – Salmonidae (Lesueur) winter (cont’d) Lake trout1 Salvelinus Fall ● ● ● ● – namaycush (Walbaum) Lake Coregonus Fall ● ● ● ● ● whitefish1,3 clupeaformis (Mitchill) Least cisco1,3 Coregonus Fall ● ● ● ● – sardinella (Valenciennes) Mountain Prosopium Fall – – ● ● ● whitefish1 williamsoni (Girard) Round Prosopium Fall and early ● ● ● ● – whitefish1 cylindraceum winter (Pallas) Trout-perches – Trout-perch Percopsis Spring and ● ● ● ● ● Percopsidae omiscomaycus early summer (Walbaum)

NOTES: ● = fish species likely to be present – = fish species unlikely to be present ISR = Inuvialuit Settlement Region GSA = Gwich’in Settlement Area SSA = Sahtu Settlement Area DCR = Deh Cho Region NAB = northwestern Alberta 1 harvested commercially, recreationally or for food 2 marine or brackish water species 3 diadromous and freshwater resident 4 diadromous

Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) was not included. Recent genetic investigations suggest that Arctic char previously reported in the Mackenzie Delta were actually Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) (Reist et al.1997). These studies concluded that Arctic char distribution begins at the Anderson River east of the Mackenzie River and Parsons Lake areas. Recent studies also indicate that bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) are distributed in the high-gradient streams and rivers of the south- central Mackenzie Valley and can occur north of Tulita, especially in rivers draining north. Bull trout in this northern area can be contiguous with or overlap the distribution of Dolly Varden (Richardson et al. 2001).

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Screening

Fish species listed were screened against eight attributes (see Table 7-2) with scoring criteria. The scoring criteria were adapted for this project from those designed for Environmental Effects Monitoring investigations (Environment Canada and DFO 1993) and from a receptor screening process suggested for ecological risk assessments (Suter et al. 1993).

Distribution Within the Study Area

The study area is large, extending from the Mackenzie Delta to northern Alberta. The distribution of a given fish species could be limited to a small part of the study area, whereas another species could range throughout the study area. This criterion was selected for fish species present throughout the study area rather than for fish species present only in a small area.

Regulatory Status

Species were ranked according to their status on lists prepared either by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) or the Northwest Territories government. Species not considered at risk or of concern were given the lowest rankings, and endangered species were given the highest ranking.

According to the COSEWIC Canadian Species at Risk list, the shortjaw cisco (Coregonus zenithicus) is listed as Threatened whereas the pighead prickleback (Acantholumpenus mackayi) and the freshwater form of the fourhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus quadricornis) are listed in the Data Deficient category. Threatened species are considered likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed, whereas for species listed as Data Deficient there is inadequate information to assess their risk of extinction. Of the two species categorized as Data Deficient, only the pighead prickleback is found near the Mackenzie Delta. The pighead prickleback has only been documented east of Kugmallit Bay and along the Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula. Although found in brackish water, pighead prickleback usually lives near the bottom in deeper water and prefers cooler, shallower and saltier waters for spawning and larval development. The presence of the pighead prickleback in the production area is unlikely. The freshwater form of fourhorn sculpin lives in the freshwater lakes of the Arctic Archipelago east of the production area and is unlikely to occur in the lakes of the Mackenzie Delta.

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Table 7-2: Criteria Used to Select Valued Components for Fish

Criteria for Selecting Valued Components Scores 1. Distribution within study area 1 = low abundance, uncommon or present in small proportion of study area 3 = moderate abundance or present in a medium to large proportion of study area, but not entire study area 5 = present and fairly abundant throughout study area 2. Regulatory status (measure of the relative COSEWIC1 or Northwest Territories general status rank abundance and degree of management concern) 0 = species not at risk, no concern 1 = species of special concern or species that may be at risk 3 = threatened or vulnerable species 5 = endangered species 3. Selectivity of habitat requirements 1 = very general, i.e., broad range for all life history phases, e.g., spawning, rearing, holding, overwintering 3 = moderately selective (i.e., narrow range for some, but not all, life history phases) 5 = highly selective (i.e., narrow range for all life history phases) 4. Position in food chain (primary feeding mode) 1 = planktivore (i.e., diet consists of small plants and animals that inhabit the water column) 3 = benthivore (i.e., diet consists of invertebrates that live in sediment at the bottom of waterbodies) 5 = piscivore (i.e., diet consists of fish) 5. Commercial economic importance (importance to 0 = not fished commercially commercial fisheries) 1 = incidental catch only 3 = occasionally targeted for commercial harvest 5 = highly targeted commercial fish species 6. Subsistence or cultural importance (fish species 0 = not fished for food important for subsistence or cultural reasons) 1 = incidental catch only 3 = fished for dog food 5 = highly targeted for subsistence harvest 7. Recreational importance (fish species important for 0 = non-game species recreational fishing) 1 = incidental catch only 3 = occasionally targeted game fish species 5 = highly targeted game fish species 8. Availability of information (the amount of 1 = little-studied species with limited information available on information available for each species or species habitat requirements group) 2 = some information available on habitat requirements, i.e., some knowledge of habitat requirements for spawning, rearing, overwintering, but data gaps exist 3 = well-studied species, i.e., knowledge of habitat requirements for spawning, rearing, overwintering, but not in northern North America, i.e., north of 60º 4 = well-studied species, with several studies done in northern North America, i.e., north of 60º, but few or none done in the Mackenzie basin 5 = well-studied species, with several biological studies done in the Mackenzie basin

NOTE: 1 COSEWIC = Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

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Of the species listed in Table 7-1, shown previously, Arctic cisco, least cisco, brook stickleback, the freshwater form of fourhorn sculpin, Dolly Varden, inconnu of the lower Mackenzie River and Mackenzie Delta, and Arctic grayling are considered Sensitive according to the General Status Ranks of Wild Species in the Northwest Territories, with bull trout and inconnu considered Species That May Be at Risk (Government of the Northwest Territories 2003). General status ranks identify species thought to be secure, species that are sensitive and species that may be at risk and might therefore require more attention or investigation. The COSEWIC status, on the other hand, is the result of a detailed investigation of the status of a species.

Selectivity of Habitat Requirements

Fish species that have stringent requirements for spawning, rearing or overwintering are ranked higher than those that do not. For example, salmonid species, such as trout, char and whitefish, are more selective of habitat and consequently are more sensitive to habitat degradation. In contrast, habitat requirements of forage species such as minnows are nonspecific, so their habitat is less likely to be adversely affected by project activities.

Feeding Preference

Species at the top of the food chain were ranked higher for this attribute because top predators or piscivorous fish such as lake trout can be indicators of the status of lower trophic levels. It has been suggested that recovery of top predators is reflective of proper functioning of lower trophic levels in the aquatic system (Ryder and Edwards 1985). However, it is also important to include fish species of lower trophic levels because they respond to changes in habitat and food resources more rapidly than piscivorous top predators (Environment Canada and DFO 1993). Fish species that are closely associated with the water-sediment interface and that feed on benthic invertebrates should also respond faster to chemical stressors that tend to accumulate in sediments. In the list of VCs, some species are benthivores, such as white sucker and longnose sucker.

Commercial Importance

Fish species that are commercially fished were scored higher than species that are not. Fish that are specifically targeted by commercial fishers were scored higher than fish that are incidentally harvested.

Subsistence or Cultural Importance

Fish species that are harvested for food in the study area were scored highest. Fish harvested for human consumption were scored higher than fish harvested for dog food.

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Recreational Importance

Fish species targeted by recreational fishers including fishing charters and lodges, were scored highest. Fish specifically targeted by recreational anglers were scored higher than fish that might be occasionally harvested.

Availability of Information

Fish species for which there is good understanding of habitat requirements, especially from studies in the Mackenzie basin, received higher scores than fish species for which only general habitat requirements are known. Fish for which little is known about their biology were scored lowest.

7.2.2.2 Selected Valued Components

To focus the assessment on the fish species of greatest concern, the 10- highest-ranked species were chosen as VCs (see Table 7-3). They are lake trout, inconnu, northern pike, walleye, lake whitefish, Dolly Varden, Arctic grayling, broad whitefish, burbot and Arctic cisco. This assessment focuses on the project effects on these 10 fish as a group rather than individually.

7.2.2.3 Key Indicators

It is difficult in most cases to directly measure changes in fish populations because it is rarely possible to acquire sufficient data to assess the effects on each VC separately. Instead, project effects are measured on key indicators known to affect fish populations. The following key indicators were used:

• changes in the availability, quality or quantity of fish habitat • changes in the health of individual fish • changes in the abundance and distribution of fish species

Throughout this assessment, effects on individual fish and populations of fish are determined using assessment effects on these key indicators. For example, if a project component is predicted to have no effect on fish habitat, then no effects are predicted on individual fish and populations of fish VCs. Following is a discussion of these key indicators.

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Table 7-3: Ranking Results for Potential Valued Components

Distribution Selectivity of Position Commercial Subsistence Availability Within Regulatory Habitat in Food Economic Economic Recreational of No. Candidate Valued Component Study Area Status Requirements Chain Importance Importance Importance Information Total 1 Lake trout 3 0 5 5 5 5 5 5 33 2 Inconnu 5 1 3 5 5 5 3 5 32 3 Northern pike 5 0 3 5 3 5 5 5 31 4 Walleye 3 0 3 5 5 5 5 5 31 5 Lake whitefish 5 0 3 3 5 5 3 5 29 6 Dolly Varden1 1 0 5 5 0 5 5 5 26 7 Arctic grayling 5 0 5 3 0 3 5 5 26 8 Broad whitefish 3 0 3 3 5 5 0 5 24 9 Burbot 5 0 3 5 1 5 1 3 23 10 Arctic cisco 5 0 3 3 1 5 0 5 22 11 Bull trout 1 1 5 5 0 1 3 5 21 12 Chum salmon 1 0 5 5 0 3 0 5 19 13 Longnose sucker 5 0 1 3 0 3 0 5 17 14 Round whitefish 5 0 3 3 0 1 0 4 16 15 White sucker 5 0 1 3 0 1 0 5 15 16 Cisco/lake herring 1 0 3 1 1 3 1 5 15 17 Arctic lamprey 5 0 3 3 0 1 0 2 14 18 Least cisco 3 0 3 3 1 1 0 3 14 19 Slimy sculpin 5 0 3 3 0 0 0 3 14 20 Ninespine stickleback 5 0 1 3 0 0 0 3 12 21 Trout-perch 5 0 1 3 0 0 0 3 12 22 Goldeye 1 0 3 3 1 1 0 3 12 23 Longnose dace 3 0 3 3 0 0 0 3 12 24 Lake chub 5 0 1 3 0 0 0 2 11 25 Flathead chub 3 0 3 3 0 0 0 2 11 26 Mountain whitefish 1 0 3 3 0 0 1 3 11

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Table 7-3: Ranking Results for Potential Valued Components for the Production Area and the Pipeline Corridor (cont’d)

Distribution Selectivity of Position Commercial Subsistence Availability Candidate Valued Within Study Regulatory Habitat in Food Economic Economic Recreational of No. Component Area Status Requirements Chain Importance Importance Importance Information Total 27 Brook stickleback 3 0 1 3 0 0 0 3 10 28 Finescale dace 3 0 1 3 0 0 0 3 10 29 Saffron cod2 1 0 3 5 0 0 0 1 10 30 Polar cod2 1 0 3 5 0 0 0 1 10 31 Arctic cod2 1 0 3 5 0 0 0 1 10 32 Starry flounder2 1 0 3 5 0 0 0 1 10 33 Arctic flounder2 1 0 3 5 0 0 0 1 10 34 Spoonhead sculpin 3 0 3 3 0 0 0 1 10 35 Fourhorn sculpin2 1 1 3 3 0 0 0 1 9 36 Rainbow smelt 1 0 1 3 0 0 0 3 8 37 Spottail shiner 3 0 1 1 0 0 0 3 8 38 Pacific herring2 1 0 1 5 0 0 0 1 8 39 Emerald shiner 1 0 1 3 0 0 0 2 7 40 Northern redbelly dace 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 3 6 41 Pond smelt 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 2 5

NOTES: Species 1 to 10 are the top 10 ranked fish species chosen as VCs for the production area and pipeline corridor 1 A recent investigation by Fisheries and Oceans Canada suggests Arctic char previously reported in the delta were actually Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma). These studies concluded that char distribution begins at the Anderson River east of the Mackenzie River and Parsons Lake areas. Because riverine populations west of the Mackenzie River have been shown to be Dolly Varden, Arctic char has not been considered in the VC selection for the project. 2 Marine or brackish water species

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Change in Availability, Quality or Quantity of Fish Habitat

Pathways that could affect the availability, quality or quantity of fish habitat include:

• direct effects on fish habitat of activities such as potential dredging or trench excavation, bank treatments, site preparation, placement of structures, fill or other materials in the near-shore areas of lakes, rivers or streams, or operation of heavy machinery in water

• change in surface water flow because of higher runoff volume from project facilities

• change in channel morphology from changes in flow volume, flow velocities, water levels or sediment supply

• change in water levels in lakes and streams because of water withdrawal or discharge

• sediment deposition, i.e., the deposition of sediment that is disturbed or discharged by project-related activities, then transported in water to be deposited elsewhere

• flooding because of land subsidence at Niglintgak and Taglu

Change in Fish Health

Pathways that could affect fish health include:

• effects on fish of a rapid change in pressure caused by explosives at watercourse crossings

• changes in water quality resulting from:

• acidification of waterbodies from the deposition of acid-forming substances in air emissions

• small-scale accidental spills associated with pipeline and facilities construction and normal operations

• wastewater discharge to local waterbodies

• effects of exposure to suspended sediments

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Change in Abundance and Distribution Pathways that could affect the distribution and abundance of fish include:

• change in fish health, from the health pathways described previously

• change in fish habitat, from the habitat pathways described previously

• change in harvest caused by improved access, i.e., access roads and rights-of- way, and increased numbers of workers and support personnel in the area

• blockage of fish passage

• changes in water quality that do not affect fish health directly, but that cause a change in fish behaviour, such as avoidance, so that local abundance or distribution is affected

7.2.3 Key Questions and Effect Pathway Diagrams Fish-related issues can be addressed by answering the key question about the effects of the project on the environment: What is the effect of the project on fish in the Mackenzie Delta, Mackenzie River, its tributaries and associated waterbodies? Table 7-4 shows the relationship between the key question, key issues and VCs. Effect pathway diagrams were developed to show the pathways by which project activities could affect VCs. They are shown in the following sections:

• Section 7.3.1, Effect Pathways • Section 7.3.3, Niglintgak • Section 7.3.4, Taglu • Section 7.3.5, Parsons Lake • Section 7.3.6, Gathering Pipelines and Associated Facilities • Section 7.3.7, Pipeline Corridor • Section 7.3.8, Northwestern Alberta • Section 7.3.9, Infrastructure

7.2.4 Effect Descriptions

Effect attributes are used to analyze the potential effects of the project on fish. Effect attributes for this EIS are direction, magnitude, geographic extent and duration. These are described in more detail in the following discussion and in Table 7-5. The combination of these effect attributes is used to determine if an effect is significant and to provide information about the residual effects of the project on the sustainability of the VCs. If a project component is predicted to have no effect on key indicators and VCs, then the direction of that effect is neutral, and duration and geographic extent are not applicable.

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Table 7-4: Key Questions, Related Issues and Valued Components

Potentially Affected Valued Key Question Related Key Issue Component What is the effect of • Direct effects of construction of pipeline watercourse crossings, Lake trout the project on fish anchor fields and infrastructure on fish and fish habitat in Inconnu in the Mackenzie watercourses or adjacent waterbodies along the pipeline corridor. Delta, Mackenzie Northern pike • Effects of sediment entrained during construction of pipeline River, its tributaries watercourse crossings, anchor fields and infrastructure on fish and Walleye and associated fish habitat downstream. Habitats and life stages potentially affected Lake whitefish waterbodies? include spawning habitats, rearing habitats and overwintering Dolly Varden habitats, and eggs, emerging fry, and juvenile and adult fish. Arctic grayling • Effects of blockage from subsidence, ponding, frost bulb formation or other obstructions on fish movements at the crossing sites, e.g., Broad whitefish preventing access to spawning, feeding or overwintering habitats. Burbot • Effects of in-water or near-shore detonations of explosives on fish or Arctic cisco incubating eggs. • Effects of accidental spills or leakage of NGLs on fish and fish habitats. • Effects of water withdrawals from lakes for pressure-testing, winter road construction, dust suppression and camp use on overwintering and littoral habitats. • Effects of the pipeline right-of-way and other facilities on the distribution, movements and local abundance of fish. • Effects of increased noise levels from project activities, such as trucks and aircraft, on fish distribution and abundance. • Effects of changes in harvest pressure caused by increased access along the pipeline right-of-way and associated access roads on fish distribution and abundance. • Effects of changes in water quality caused by air emissions on fish and fish health. • Effects of changes in sediment distribution and bank erosion caused by barge landing construction and increased barge traffic on fish and fish habitat.

7.2.4.1 Direction

The direction of an effect can be adverse, neutral or positive. A project activity with a negative influence on the VC has an adverse effect, such as when construction activities negatively affect the quality of fish overwintering habitat. Conversely, a project activity with a positive influence on the VC has a positive effect. For example, a positive effect would be predicted if construction activities enhanced overwintering habitat for a fish population. Neutral effects result when project activities are predicted to have no effect, positive or negative, on the VC.

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Table 7-5: Definitions of Effect Attributes for Fish

Attribute Definition Direction Adverse Effect on VC is worsening compared with baseline conditions and trends Neutral Effect on VC is not changing compared with baseline conditions and trends Positive Effect on VC is improving compared with baseline conditions and trends Magnitude No effect No effect on key indicator(s), such that there are no effects on the VC Low Effect on key indicator(s) is such that a group of fish in a population found in a localized area, e.g., within the LSAs or RSAs might be affected Moderate Effect on key indicator(s) is such that a part of a regional population, within the LSAs or RSAs, might be affected, changing abundance or distribution of the VC and affecting harvest opportunities as currently practised High Effect on key indicator(s) is such that an entire population, within the LSAs or RSAs, might be affected, changing abundance or distribution so that natural recruitment would not likely return the population to its prior level, resulting in reduced population viability and unsustainable harvest as currently practised Geographic Extent Local Effect on VC within LSA Regional Effect on VC within RSA Beyond regional Effect on VC extends beyond the RSA Duration Short term Effect on VC is limited to less than one year Medium term Effect on VC lasts from one to four years Long term Effect on VC lasts longer than four years, but does not extend more than 30 years after decommissioning and abandonment Far future Effect on VC continues for more than 30 years after decommissioning and abandonment

NOTES: LSA = local study area RSA = regional study area

7.2.4.2 Magnitude

Magnitude describes the severity or intensity of the effect. Magnitude is based on the effects of a project activity on fish at the population level. Effect magnitude can be no effect, low, moderate or high.

A population in this assessment is defined as a collection of individuals of a single fish VC species resident in a waterbody that is potentially affected by one or more of the project components. The waterbody could, for example, be a lake or the catchment area of a stream.

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7.2.4.3 Geographic Extent

Geographic extent describes the quantitative measurement of area within which an effect occurs. Possible values for geographic extent are local for effects within the LSA, regional for effects within the RSA and beyond regional for effects outside the RSA.

7.2.4.4 Duration

Duration refers to how long an effect lasts, i.e., how long a VC needs to recover from an impact. Recovery is defined as a return to conditions that would exist if the project had not occurred. Values for duration are short term, i.e., less than one year, medium term, i.e., one to four years, long term, i.e., four to 30 years after decommissioning and abandonment, and far future, i.e., more than 30 years after decommissioning and abandonment.

7.2.5 Study Areas and Boundaries

Two types of study area were defined to assess the geographic extent of project effects:

• local study area (LSA) • regional study area (RSA)

Seven LSAs, one for each project component or group of components for which project effects were separately assessed, were identified:

• Niglintgak • Taglu • Parsons Lake • gathering pipelines and associated facilities • pipeline corridor • production area infrastructure • pipeline corridor infrastructure

The RSA comprises the drainage basin or sub-basin of each waterbody in the LSA that could be affected by the project, including the Mackenzie River downstream of Great Slave Lake.

Table 7-6 shows the geographic extent of these LSAs and RSA and Figure 7-1 (north), Figure 7-2 (central) and Figure 7-3 (south) show the location of the LSAs.

7.2.6 Analytical Approach

The assessment of the project’s potential effects on fish relied on existing information about fish distribution, and to a lesser extent abundance, from a

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review of available historical information; and on site-specific baseline data about fish habitat availability and use from field surveys done specifically for the EIS. This baseline information is described in detail in Volume 3, Section 7, Fish and Fish Habitat.

Table 7-6: Study Areas and Geographic Extent

Type of Study Area Study Area Geographic Extent Local Study Area Niglintgak – land-based option Lease and 1-km-wide buffer Niglintgak – barge-based option Lease and 1-km-wide buffer, disturbed riverbed, 1 km downstream Taglu Lease and 1-km-wide buffer Parsons Lake Lease and 1-km-wide buffer Gathering pipelines For each watercourse crossed by the Niglintgak, Parsons Lake and Storm Hills laterals: 100 m upstream of the crossing locations to the distance downstream where sediment particles the size of coarse silt or larger will be deposited, about 45 bankfull channel widths downstream Pipeline corridor For each watercourse crossed by the gas transmission or NGL line: 100 m upstream of the crossing locations to the distance downstream where sediment particles the size of coarse silt or larger will be deposited, about 45 bankfull channel widths downstream Production area infrastructure Waterbodies likely to be directly affected by the projects, e.g., water withdrawals, discharges or surface runoff from infrastructure sites Pipeline corridor infrastructure Waterbodies likely to be directly affected by the projects, e.g., water withdrawals, discharges or surface runoff from infrastructure sites Regional Study Area RSA Catchment basin of each waterbody in the LSA likely to be affected by the project

7.2.6.1 Existing Information

Information about fish species likely to be present in waterbodies affected by the project was obtained from literature reviews and from consultation with local residents, hunter and trapper associations, and fisheries management agencies. Information about the habitat requirements of the VCs was obtained from the scientific literature. General information on the use of the habitat by fish was available for some of the waterbodies affected by the project, though site-specific information was generally lacking.

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Figure 7-1: Local Study Areas and Project Components – North

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Figure 7-2: Local Study Areas and Project Components – Central August 2004 Page 7-27

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Figure 7-3: Local Study Areas and Project Components – South Page 7-28 August 2004

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7.2.6.2 Field Surveys

Fish habitat surveys were done in three stages: reconnaissance surveys, detailed surveys and seasonal surveys. Seasonal surveys were done in winter, spring and fall. Reconnaissance surveys were done at all watercourse crossings identified from the preliminary project description, and their results were used to select waterbodies where detailed surveys were required. Detailed surveys:

• described physical, chemical and biological features • identified fish species and life stages likely to be present • assessed the suitability of the habitat present

Detailed methods and the results of the surveys are summarized in Volume 3, Section 7, Fish and Fish Habitat. Detailed information includes:

• site location

• watercourse characteristics, such as:

• drainage area and slope relationship • depths and cross-sectional profiles • water quality and discharge data

• maps of habitat features, bed materials, riparian vegetation composition and instream cover

• results from seasonal and historical fish sampling.

Baseline information on species and VC life stages likely to be present and information about their habitat requirements were used to determine habitat use of the area potentially affected by the project or project-related activity. Once habitat use by a VC was determined, information about the project and mitigation measures (see Volume 2, Project Description, and Volume 7, Environmental Management) was used to determine the magnitude and extent of effects.

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7.3 Effects on Fish

7.3.1 Effect Pathways

The effect pathway diagram in Figure 7-4 shows the key pathways by which the project could potentially affect fish and fish habitat key indicators. Each pathway was evaluated according to criteria shown in Figure 7-5, with the goal being to focus the impact assessment on only those pathways that are applicable by eliminating from further assessment any pathways considered not applicable.

Fish of Mackenzie Delta and Mackenzie River, tributaries and associated waterbodies

Change in availability, quality Change in fish health Change in abundance and or quantity of fish habitat distribution

Direct habitat Change in fish health Effects

Change in flow Change in habitat

Effects of Change in channel Change in harvest morphology explosives Blockage of Change in water Change in fish passage levels water quality

Sediment deposition Change in water quality Flooding due to subsidence Pressure or noise

Change in sea bed Entrainment morphology

Gathering system Anchor and pipeline Infrastructure fields corridor

Figure 7-4: Effect Pathways – Fish

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List of All Potential Pathways Linking Project Activities to Effects on Fish

Based on the Project Description, Is this Pathway Valid?

YES NO

Based on Assessments By Other

Technical Disciplines, Is This

Pathway Likely to Result in an

Effect on Fish?

YES NO

Pathway is Not Applicable, No Further Assessment Is Mitigation Available That is Is Required 100% Effective?

NO YES

Applicable Pathway

Further Assessment Required, Evaluate Significance

Figure 7-5: Process for Screening Effect Pathways for Fish

The first step in the screening was to use the project description in Volume 2 to determine if a key pathway is valid (see Figure 7-5, cited previously). For example, the effect of sediment deposition from gravel washing is a potential pathway. However, because no gravel washing will occur, this pathway is not applicable and would be excluded from further assessment. The second step was to use the assessments done by other technical disciplines involved in the EIS, such as air quality, hydrology, groundwater and water quality, to determine if a pathway is likely to affect fish (see Figure 7-5, cited previously). For example, where the hydrology assessment determined that runoff

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would not affect suspended sediment concentrations, runoff was also not expected to affect fish habitat. The pathway was, therefore, considered not applicable for those components, and no further assessment was done.

Availability of mitigation methods was considered in the third step of deciding which pathways were applicable. A list of potential mitigation measures was compiled (see Section 7.3.2, Overview of Project Design and Mitigation) from various guidelines and procedures available in the technical literature. If a mitigation measure was available that would make a pathway inoperable, i.e., the mitigation is 100% effective, that pathway was eliminated from further consideration. For example, the incidence of small-scale spills can be eliminated through implementation of effective environmental management systems, making this pathway not applicable

If a pathway was considered applicable following the screening process discussed previously, that pathway was evaluated further in subsequent steps of the assessment in the following sections:

• Section 7.3.3, Niglintgak • Section 7.3.4, Taglu • Section 7.3.5, Parsons Lake • Section 7.3.6, Gathering Pipelines and Associated Facilities • Section 7.3.7, Pipeline Corridor • Section 7.3.8, Northwestern Alberta • Section 7.3.9, Infrastructure

The outcome of this process is effect pathway diagrams of all applicable pathways that need to be considered in the assessment. The results of the evaluation of pathways for applicability are shown in Table 7-7, and the pathway diagrams for each project component are in the appropriate section.

7.3.1.1 Key Indicator: Change in Fish Habitat

Direct Effects on Fish Habitat

Project-related disturbances that will affect fish habitat directly include:

• potential dredging or trench excavation

• bank treatments and site preparation

• placement of structures, fill or other materials in the near-shore areas of lakes, rivers or streams

• operation of heavy machinery in the water

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Table 7-7: Summary of Effect Pathways Considered for Fish

Intermediate Production Pipeline Justification for Why Pathway is Key Effect Effect Parsons Gathering Pipeline Area Corridor Not Further Assessed for Specific Pathways Pathways Niglintgak Taglu Lake System Corridor Infrastructure Infrastructure Project Components Key Indicator: Changes in Fish Habitat Direct Pipeline – – – Y Y – – habitat crossing effects construction Barge landing – – – – – Y Y construction Potential Y – – – – – – dredging for the Niglintgak barge-based gas conditioning facility Road crossing – – – – – Y Y construction Niglintgak Y – – – – – – barge-based gas conditioning facility footprint Change in Surface runoff N N N N N N Y Hydrology assessment determined flow that effects of change in flow from surface runoff were no effect or low magnitude, so no effects on fish habitat are predicted for anchor fields, gathering system, pipeline corridor or production area infrastructure. Groundwater – – – Y Y – – Change in Frost bulb – – – N N – – Hydrology assessment determined channel formation that changes in channel morphology morphology are not expected from frost bulbs, so no effects on fish habitat are predicted.

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Table 7-7: Summary of Effect Pathways Considered for Fish (cont’d)

Intermediate Production Pipeline Justification for Why Pathway is Key Effect Effect Parsons Gathering Pipeline Area Corridor Not Further Assessed for Specific Pathways Pathways Niglintgak Taglu Lake System Corridor Infrastructure Infrastructure Project Components Change in Bed and bank – – – Y Y N N At road crossings, the pathway will channel disturbance be reduced by design for morphology from crossing conveyance of flow and by (cont’d) construction reclamation for bank stability, so no effects on fish habitat are predicted. Bed and bank Y – – – – – – disturbance from potential dredging and location of gas conditioning facility barge for Niglintgak Bed and bank – – – – – N N Hydrology assessment determined disturbance that potential dredging for barge from potential landings is not expected to change dredging at Mackenzie River channel barge landings morphology, so no effects on fish habitat are predicted. Bank – – – Y Y – – subsidence Changes in N N N N N N N Hydrology assessment predicted low runoff amount effects on flow and sediment and sediment concentrations from runoff, so no production effects on channel morphology are predicted, and no effects on fish habitat are predicted. Barge traffic – – – – – N N Hydrology assessment predicted effects are negligible compared with baseline wind and wave effects, so no effects on channel morphology are predicted, and no effects on fish habitat are predicted.

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Table 7-7: Summary of Effect Pathways Considered for Fish (cont’d)

Intermediate Production Pipeline Justification for Why Pathway is Key Effect Effect Parsons Gathering Pipeline Area Corridor Not Further Assessed for Specific Pathways Pathways Niglintgak Taglu Lake System Corridor Infrastructure Infrastructure Project Components Change in Potential Y – – – – – – sea bed dredging for the morphology Niglintgak barge-based gas conditioning facility Change in Water Y Y Y Y Y Y Y water withdrawal levels Water N N N N N N N Pathway will be mitigated. Discharge discharge will be done according to regulatory requirements and is not expected to affect lake levels of fish-bearing lakes, so no effects on fish habitat are predicted. Sediment Surface runoff N N N Y Y N Y Hydrology assessment determined deposition effects of change in flow from surface runoff were no effect or low magnitude, so pathway is not applicable and no effects on fish habitat are predicted for anchor fields or production area infrastructure. Erosion at – – – N N N N Pathway will be reduced through watercourse erosion and sediment-control crossings planning, so no effects on fish habitat are predicted. Erosion at N N N – – N N Pathway will be mitigated. Sites will facilities and be located with a minimum setback borrow sites from waterbodies and mitigation measures applied, so no effects on fish habitat are predicted.

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Table 7-7: Summary of Effect Pathways Considered for Fish (cont’d)

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Table 7-7: Summary of Effect Pathways Considered for Fish (cont’d)

Intermediate Production Pipeline Justification for Why Pathway is Key Effect Effect Parsons Gathering Pipeline Area Corridor Not Further Assessed for Specific Pathways Pathways Niglintgak Taglu Lake System Corridor Infrastructure Infrastructure Project Components Flooding Land Y Y – – – – – because of subsidence at subsidence Niglintgak and Taglu Key Indicator: Changes in Fish Health Effects of Use of – – – Y Y – – explosives explosives Change in Spills N N N N N N N Pathway will be reduced. Mitigation water measures implemented to reduce the quality potential of spills reaching receiving waterbodies, so no effects on fish health are predicted. Acidification of N N N – – – N Water quality assessment waterbodies determined that magnitude of acid deposition pathway was no effect in the production area or along the gathering system, and low and localized along the pipeline corridor. Therefore, no effects on fish health are predicted. Wastewater N N N N N N N Water quality assessment discharge determined that discharge of wastewater is predicted to have no or low effect, based on expected magnitude of effects with or without mitigation, so no effects on fish health are predicted. Suspended – – – Y Y Y Y sediment from watercourse crossing construction Suspended Y – – – – Y Y sediment from dredging

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Table 7-7: Summary of Effect Pathways Considered for Fish (cont’d)

Intermediate Production Pipeline Justification for Why Pathway is Key Effect Effect Parsons Gathering Pipeline Area Corridor Not Further Assessed for Specific Pathways Pathways Niglintgak Taglu Lake System Corridor Infrastructure Infrastructure Project Components Change in Suspended N N N Y Y N Y Hydrology assessment determined water sediment from that effect of sediment yield from quality surface runoff surface runoff was no effect or low (cont’d) magnitude for anchor fields and production area infrastructure, so pathway is not applicable for these project components, and no effects on fish health are predicted. Suspended N N N N N N N Effects of this pathway for all project sediment from components will be mitigated with erosion measures to ensure proper bank stabilization and revegetation and to limit erosion, so no effects on fish health are predicted. Pathway for production area and pipeline corridor infrastructure (barge and truck traffic) was determined to be no effect, because water quality assessment determined that barge activity and under-ice waves from hauling were not expected to affect water quality, so no effects on fish health are predicted. Suspended – – – – – – – Pathway not valid, according to sediment from project description. No washing of gravel washing gravel will occur as part of the project. Key Indicator: Changes in Fish Distribution and Abundance Change in As discussed Considered applicable for project component only if significant effects are predicted for the fish habitat for all key Change in Availability, Quality or Quantity of Fish Habitat effect pathways discussed pathways previously. leading to fish habitat key indicator

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Table 7-7: Summary of Effect Pathways Considered for Fish (cont’d)

Intermediate Production Pipeline Justification for Why Pathway is Key Effect Effect Parsons Gathering Pipeline Area Corridor Not Further Assessed for Specific Pathways Pathways Niglintgak Taglu Lake System Corridor Infrastructure Infrastructure Project Components Change in As discussed Considered applicable for project component only if significant effects are predicted for the fish health for all key Change in Fish Health effect pathways discussed previously pathways leading to fish health key indicator Change in Increased – – – Y Y Y Y harvest access Increased – – – – – Y Y anglers Blockage of Frost bulb – – – Y Y – – fish formation passage Access road – – – – – N N Effects of this pathway will be crossings mitigated. Crossings will be designed for fish passage where required, so no effects on fish distribution and abundance are predicted. Change in As discussed Considered applicable for project component only if significant effects are predicted for the water Change in Water Quality effect pathways discussed previously quality Pressure or Traffic – – – – – Y Y noise disturbance Entrainment Potential Y – – – – – – of fish and dredging for other the Niglintgak aquatic barge-based organisms gas conditioning facility

NOTES: Y = pathway applicable and assessed further N = pathway not applicable, and not assessed further – = pathway not relevant for this project component

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Direct habitat effects can include alteration or loss of specific habitat features, such as pools, aquatic vegetation and bed material, that ultimately lead to loss or impairment of habitat functions, such as overwintering, spawning and rearing.

During construction, habitat for spawning, rearing and overwintering at the pipeline crossing, barge landing or road crossing site can be directly affected by disturbance from construction activities or by deposition of sediment downstream of the site. The magnitude of the effects depends on the type of habitat at or downstream of the site and on the construction activities that will take place.

Direct Effects of Pipeline Crossing Construction

The gathering system and pipeline corridor will cross more than 500 watercourses ranging in size from small ephemeral streams to large river channels. Except for trenchless crossings, watercourse crossing construction typically requires excavation of a trench that disturbs the bed and banks of the watercourse, placement of the pipe in the trench and backfilling. These disturbances will cause localized changes in habitat at the crossing site. Direct effects on habitat result from:

• changes in stream morphology • changes in the streambed from disturbance during trench excavation • changes in composition and size of bed materials • changes in bank configuration • removal of bank vegetation

The extent and nature of potential adverse effects on fish habitat are related to the type of habitat in the area affected by crossing construction and by the crossing method.

Pipeline watercourse crossing construction methods are broadly divided into three categories: trenchless, isolation and open-cut.

Trenchless methods, such as boring, punching and ramming, and horizontal directional drilling, drill or bore beneath the watercourse, entirely avoiding disturbance of habitat in the watercourse. Aerial crossings use a bridge or abutments to suspend the pipe above the watercourse, preventing disturbance of fish habitat.

Isolation methods divert part of the flow or the entire flow around the crossing site, isolating the construction area from flowing water and allowing trench excavation, pipe installation and backfilling to occur away from flowing water. Although habitat at the crossing location is disturbed by trench excavation and the placement and removal of the diversion structures, the extent of the disturbance is typically limited to the work area.

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When open-cut methods are used, trench excavation, pipe installation and backfilling are done in flowing water. Habitat is directly affected at the site of the excavation and by sediment that is entrained during crossing construction and deposited downstream.

Matching the installation method with the watercourse type and the habitat can reduce the potential adverse effect of crossing construction (see Section 7.3.2, Overview of Project Design and Mitigation).

Temporary crossings are required for vehicles and equipment to cross the watercourse during pipeline construction. Temporary crossing structures include temporary bridges and snow and ice bridges. Direct effects on habitat are limited to disturbances of the banks at the approaches to the watercourse. All temporary bridges will be removed and restored before spring breakup. No direct effects on fish habitat from temporary crossings are expected.

Direct Effects of Potential Dredging – Niglintgak Barge-Based Gas Conditioning Facility

Dredging of the Mackenzie River estuary and parts of the delta channels might be required to bring the Niglintgak barge-based gas conditioning facility to Niglintgak and possibly to remove it at the end of operations. See Volume 2, Project Description, for details about the barge-based gas conditioning facility. The dredge is expected to be a cutter suction dredge, and disposal of dredge spoils will be by side casting. Side casting is a disposal method that disposes of dredged materials in the water beside the dredge or beside the area being dredged.

Direct Effects of Potential Dredging – Freshwater Environment

Dredging and disposal of dredge spoil by side casting causes direct effects on freshwater habitats. Direct habitat effects can include loss or alteration of specific habitat features that might lead to loss or impairment of habitat function. Direct effects can result from physical disturbance of the riverbed and changes in composition or size of bed materials. Physical disturbance of the riverbed by dredging and spoil deposition will also affect benthic invertebrate habitat. Temporary reductions in the abundance of benthic invertebrates at dredging and spoil disposal sites can be expected. The extent and nature of potential adverse effects on fish habitat will depend on the type of habitat at, or immediately downstream of, the areas that will be dredged.

Direct Effects of Potential Dredging – Marine Environment

Effects of dredging on marine habitats include the physical disturbance of the sea bottom and changes in composition and size of bed materials. Dredging of nearshore marine areas in Kugmallit Bay and Kittigazuit Bay will affect habitats used by marine and diadromous fish. The extent and nature of potential adverse

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effects on anadromous, diadromous and marine demersal fish will depend on the type of habitat present in the areas to be dredged and on its use by fish. Site- specific habitat surveys will be done at dredging locations once they have been identified. Disruption of the sea bed and changes in the size and composition of bed material will also affect benthic habitats in the dredged area, either directly by the actions of the cutter head or indirectly by burial with the side-cast dredge spoils. Changes in benthic habitat will affect community structure and distribution and abundance of benthic invertebrates in the dredged and disposal areas.

This pathway was only considered applicable for the barge-based gas conditioning facility proposed for Niglintgak. It is not applicable for the land- based gas conditioning facility option.

Direct Effects of Potential Dredging – Barge Landings

Dredging might be needed at barge landings to install the landing and for barge access. Dredging for barge landing construction might directly alter shoreline fish habitat, depending on the type of habitat at the site and on the amount of dredging required.

There are two types of barge landings: permanent barge landings and temporary spud barge landing sites.

Twelve permanent barge landing sites are existing facilities. Some upgrades will be required, but no dredging or filling is expected at existing facilities. Two new permanent barge landing sites will be developed at Niglintgak and Taglu. Some dredging or infilling will likely be required at both these locations.

Eleven temporary spud barge landing sites will be required for the project. Dredging to prepare the riverbed and banks for the spud barge might be required at all these sites. The spud barge will be moved onto the riverbank and reinstalled seasonally.

This pathway was considered applicable for the infrastructure component for new barge landings and temporary spud barge landings.

Direct Effects of the Niglintgak Barge-Based Gas Conditioning Facility Footprint

The Niglintgak gas conditioning facility barge will occupy bottom habitat in the side channel east of Kumak Island. The habitat will be unavailable to fish until the barge is removed during decommissioning. The extent of adverse effects on fish from the loss of habitat depends on the type of habitat affected and on the availability of similar habitats in the area. This pathway was considered applicable for the Niglintgak barge-based gas conditioning facility, but is not an applicable pathway for the land-based option.

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Direct Effects of All-Weather Road Crossing Construction

Crossing of watercourses by all-weather roads might affect habitat for spawning, rearing and overwintering at or near the road crossing. Effects will primarily occur during road crossing construction by the direct disturbance of the streambed, banks or riparian areas. The effects depend on the type of habitat at the crossing site, the detailed construction plan and the crossing type selected, e.g., bridge or culvert installations. This pathway was considered applicable for the infrastructure component, such as for access roads.

Effects of Change in Stream Flow on Fish Habitat

Effects of Change in Surface Runoff on Stream Flow

The project facilities, such as anchor fields, infrastructure and pipeline rights-of- way could potentially affect surface water flow. Placement of these sites on previously unaltered terrain can reduce permeability and infiltration and change surface drainage patterns. These changes can cause a higher runoff coefficient, which results in higher volumes of runoff over shorter periods than would occur under natural conditions.

Disturbance along rights-of-way might disrupt surface drainage patterns, cause localized channelization, and disrupt or redirect surface flow. As a result, flow and water levels in receiving waterbodies, such as rivers, streams and lakes, might change and affect the availability and quantity of fish habitat. The change in runoff in a given watershed is proportional to the amount of disturbance in the watershed. Increased flow in receiving watercourses can change:

• width and depth • rate of lateral migration • streambed elevation • bed material composition • structural character • ratio of pools to riffles • composition of streamside vegetation

Such changes can lead to changes in availability, quantity and quality of fish habitat.

Changes in runoff for each project component, along with criteria used to define the magnitude of effects, are discussed in the hydrology assessment (Section 5, Hydrology). The effects of changes in flow caused by surface runoff were considered low if any of the following were true:

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• runoff was diffused flow to the Mackenzie River

• change in drainage pattern up to 50 m from the disturbance footprint was not detectable, and runoff is directed to a natural receiving waterbody

• change in water level, measured using standard gauging techniques, will not be detectable in the long term

An increase in flow that is less than 2% of mean annual runoff is not expected to affect fish habitat because it would be considered within the normal range of variation. Therefore, based on the hydrology assessment, this pathway is considered not applicable for Niglintgak’s barge and land-based gas conditioning facility options, Taglu, Parsons Lake, the gathering system, the pipeline corridor and production area infrastructure. However, the pathway is considered applicable for pipeline corridor infrastructure and is carried forth in the assessment for this component (see Section 7.3.9, Infrastructure).

Effects of Changes in Groundwater on Stream Flow

Reduction or interruption of stream flow can affect overwintering habitat and spawning and nursery habitat. Locations of groundwater influx have been found to provide important overwintering habitat (Brown et al. 1994; Cunjak 1996), and blockage of groundwater inflow by frost bulb formation can reduce the amount of overwintering habitat available. Incubating eggs and fry will also be affected if spawning habitats are at the crossing or downstream in the area affected by the disrupted groundwater flow.

Subzero temperatures of the gas in the gathering pipelines and main pipeline can cause groundwater flowing below the streambed to freeze around the circumference of the pipe, forming a frost bulb. The diameter of the frost bulb will grow over time until equilibrium between freezing and melting is reached. The frost bulb below the pipe will remain all year during operations, whereas the frost bulb above the pipe will be subject to a seasonal freeze-thaw cycle. The size of the frost bulb and the resulting magnitude of effects on groundwater and stream flow are site-specific and influenced by:

• surface water flow • groundwater flow • substrate particle size • pipe temperature • soil temperature • burial depth of the pipe

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low–magnitude effect on the groundwater regime. Blockage of stream flow in winter in streams that normally have flowing surface water beneath the ice can cause a reduction or complete loss of habitat at and downstream of the crossing location. A reduction or loss of groundwater flow can affect embryos of fall spawning species or overwintering capacity for adult or juvenile fish. This effect pathway was considered applicable for the gathering system and the pipeline corridor.

Effects of Change in Channel Morphology on Fish Habitat

Channel features, such as pools, riffles and runs, provide a variety of habitat uses. Pools can be overwintering habitats, riffles can provide spawning, feeding or food-producing habitats, and the channel can be a corridor through which fish can move. Development of various project components might change flow volumes, flow velocities, water levels and sediment supply that can alter equilibrium channel conditions, such as shape and conveyance, and affect existing channel morphology and habitat use.

Hydrologic and hydraulic forces form channel features. Scouring of bed material in one location forms pools, and deposition of material in other locations forms point bars and riffles. The process is dynamic, with pools, point bars and riffles forming and disappearing as the channel meanders through the floodplain. A state of dynamic equilibrium is established when a balance develops between the channel’s ability to move water and sediment (Dunne and Leopold 1978; Carling 1995), and the general channel pattern becomes consistent for the entire section of the watercourse (Rosgen 1996). The channel pattern and accompanying channel features remain in place until external factors such as changes in flow or changes in sediment load alter the equilibrium. Channels respond by altering one or many of their characteristics, such as width and depth, rate of lateral migration, streambed elevation, bed material composition, structural character, ratio of pools to riffles, composition of streamside vegetation or water carrying capacity, until a new equilibrium is achieved (Rosgen et al. 1986; Williams and Wolman 1984; Hill et al. 1991).

Changes in channel morphology, which change habitat distribution, have the potential to alter fish abundance and distribution. The new channel form might favour one species over another or one life stage over another. In some situations, changes relative to baseline conditions can be detrimental to all species and life stages. The end result can be a shift in species diversity and abundance and a change in the carrying capacity of the river.

Effects of Frost Bulb Formation on Channel Morphology

The formation of frost bulbs was described earlier in the groundwater pathway. Under certain conditions, the frost bulb might penetrate the stream channel and partially or completely block surface flow. Blockages usually form in winter

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because of the thermal conditions below the streambed and the seasonal freeze- thaw cycle of the frost bulb above the pipe. A blockage in flow is not expected in Active II Channels because they are naturally frozen to the bottom in winter and there is no predicted change in the timing of the spring thaw (Nixon 2003). Insulation or increased burial depth in Active I Channels will ensure that a thaw zone beneath the streambed persists. Even if mitigation is not completely effective and a frost bulb penetrates an Active I Channel, it is expected to melt quickly in the spring, making changes in channel morphology unlikely. According to the hydrology assessment (see Section 5, Hydrology), changes in channel morphology because of frost bulbs are not expected. Therefore, effects on fish habitat are not expected, and this pathway is considered not applicable for the gathering system and pipeline corridor components.

Effects of Bed and Bank Disturbance on Channel Morphology – Crossing Construction

There are two mechanisms associated with crossing construction that can change channel morphology:

• changes in the shape, stability and makeup of the bank

• increased sediment inputs from erosion and bed and bank instabilities. Channel morphology could change if the amount of sediment released is sufficient to upset the dynamic equilibrium in the channel’s ability to transport water and sediment.

Although crossing construction causes small-scale changes in channel morphology, the changes occur over longer periods and might not be evident for several years after construction, during operations. Therefore, although mitigation can be applied at pipeline crossings, effects from bed and bank disturbance can still occur over the long term. This pathway was considered applicable for the gathering system and pipeline corridor components.

Bed and bank disturbance at all-weather road crossings is not expected to affect channel morphology, assuming proper design for conveyance of flow and proper reclamation for bank stability (see Section 5, Hydrology). Therefore, changes in morphology at access road crossings are not expected to affect fish habitat, and the pathway is considered not applicable for pipeline corridor and production area infrastructure road crossings.

Effect of Bed and Bank Disturbance on Channel Morphology – Niglintgak Barge-Based Gas Conditioning Facility

Potential dredging and dredge spoil disposal in delta channels could change the depth and configuration of the river channel. Increases in channel depth from dredging and changes in channel shape from removal of point bars, meander

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bends and other morphological channel features affect river hydraulics and can potentially change channel morphology.

Sustained disruption of normal sediment transport processes by potential dredging can also change channel morphology. Dredging could generate a significant amount of suspended sediment and might cause bed instabilities. Deposition of dredged materials by side casting can change the balance between the ability of the channel to transport water and sediment. Channels respond to changes in the sediment and water transport balance by becoming wider or deeper or by forming mid-channel islands and bars, point bars or braided channels. This pathway is considered applicable for Niglintgak, for the barge-based gas conditioning facility only.

Effects of Bed and Bank Disturbance on Channel Morphology – Barge Landings

Based on the hydrology assessment (see Section 5, Hydrology), bed and bank disturbance from potential dredging is not expected to change Mackenzie River channel morphology, because effects of the increased sediment concentrations are localized and short term. Barge landings and their obstruction to flow are also expected to have a low-magnitude effect on the morphology of the Mackenzie River because the landing areas are small compared with the flow area of the channel. Effects on fish habitat are not predicted, and this pathway is considered not applicable for production area and pipeline corridor infrastructure barge landings.

Effects of Bank Subsidence on Channel Morphology

Bank subsidence can occur at pipeline watercourse crossings when backfill settles and causes the bank to slump and erode and when a temperature difference between the pipe and the surrounding frozen soil causes thaw settlement. This can occur during operations and during decommissioning when frost bulbs that formed around the pipe begin to melt, causing localized subsidence of the watercourse bed and banks. This pathway was considered applicable for the gathering system and pipeline corridor components.

Effects of Changes in Runoff Amount and Sediment Yield on Channel Morphology

According to the hydrology assessment (see Section 5, Hydrology), changes in the runoff amount and sediment yield from the development of anchor fields, infrastructure, such as camps, airstrips, stockpile sites and borrow sites, and pipeline facilities might affect channel morphology.

The hydrology assessment indicated that in most cases, effects of runoff on flow and sediment yield were low magnitude. Where effects on flow and sediment

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concentrations were moderate, the runoff was diffused and no effects on stream channels were expected. With no changes in channel morphology expected from changes in runoff and sediment yield, no accompanying effects on fish habitat are expected, and the pathway is considered not applicable for any project components.

Effects of Barge Traffic on Channel Morphology

According to Section 5, Hydrology, increases in bank erosion and sediment concentration from increased barge traffic are not expected to change channel morphology. Barge-induced wave activity was considered negligible compared with baseline wind-driven wave effects. Because no changes in channel morphology from barge activity are expected, the pathway is considered not applicable.

Effects of Change in Sea Bed Morphology on Fish Habitat

Potential dredging in the marine environment of Kugmallit Bay and Kittigazuit Bay for the Niglintgak barge-based gas conditioning facility could change the bottom contours of the seabed. Side casting of dredged materials might cause localized changes in seabed contours. This pathway is considered applicable to Niglintgak, for the barge-based gas conditioning facility only.

Effects of Change in Water Levels on Fish Habitat

Effects of Water Withdrawal on Water Levels

Water withdrawal from local waterbodies will be necessary for industrial and domestic potable water use and pressure, i.e., pressure, testing. Water withdrawal can affect stream flow and water levels in lakes and streams. Lower lake levels can change:

• shoreline habitat, e.g., area of littoral zone and macrophyte growth • overwintering capacity of fish-bearing lakes • primary productivity, i.e., effect on food for fish • outlet creek discharge

Similarly, reduced stream flow can affect spawning, rearing, feeding, migration and overwintering habitats of fish-bearing streams and rivers, and it can affect watercourse productivity and the availability of food for fish, such as benthic invertebrates.

Water sources have not been chosen. It is assumed for the purpose of the assessment that waterbodies selected as sources of water for the project will have sufficient volumes, recharges and flow to ensure that water withdrawal will not adversely affect fish habitat. Selection of waterbodies and mitigation measures

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will conform to the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Protocol for Water Withdrawal for Oil and Gas Activities in the Northwest Territories (Cott and Moore 2003). The protocol stipulates that no more than 5% of lake volume can be withdrawn each season and that no water can be taken from lakes between 1.5 and 3.7 m in depth unless otherwise authorized by DFO. The pathway was considered applicable for the anchor fields, gathering system, pipeline corridor and infrastructure components. Because no washing of borrow material is currently planned, the pathway was considered not applicable for borrow sites.

Effects of Water Discharge on Water Levels

It is expected that industrial wastewater from the anchor fields will be injected into deep disposal wells and that no changes in lake or river water levels will result. Should the release of any wastewater to surface water be required, the volumes released will be small compared with the volume of the waterbody and are not expected to change water levels. For this assessment, it is also assumed that the melting of winter roads will not increase water levels. As no effects on water levels are expected, the pathway is considered not applicable for all components.

Effects of Sediment Deposition on Fish Habitat

Project-related activities that might increase the amount of sediment entrained in nearby waterbodies include:

• construction of pipeline watercourse crossings

• potential dredging associated with the Niglintgak barge-based gas conditioning facility or with barge landing construction

• construction, operations and decommissioning of access roads

• runoff from various project facilities

The sediment entrained in the waterbody will be transported and deposited downstream. The distance downstream is a function of particle size and flow, with larger particles settling first and smaller particles settling farther downstream.

Deposited sediments can modify the availability and suitability of fish habitat by:

• smothering aquatic plants

• changing the streambed conditions, which can reduce habitat suitability for benthic invertebrates and for the incubation of developing fish eggs

• in-filling pools and reducing the size of riffle areas, thereby reducing the habitat available for juvenile and adult fish

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• changing habitat condition, thereby reducing benthic invertebrate and forage fish populations and shifting fish species composition

• in-filling interstitial spaces between gravel particles, which can prevent the removal of metabolites and the inflow of dissolved oxygen or create a seal that prevents the emergence of fry

Effects of Surface Runoff on Sediment Deposition

Land disturbance caused by construction and operation of the anchor fields, gathering pipelines and associated facilities, pipeline and infrastructure on previously unaltered terrain can result in higher sediment runoff compared with natural conditions. However, sediment yield or suspended sediment entrainment and deposition will only increase if the eroded material enters the drainage. The changes in basin sediment yield depend on the sediment source, i.e., erodibility, material types and sediment availability, and on the transport of sediment to the receiving waterbody, i.e., on surface runoff characteristics and capacity, distance to watercourse, drainage density, drainage slope and basin size.

Changes in sediment yield for each project component, and the criteria for defining the magnitude of effects are provided in the hydrology assessment (see Section 5, Hydrology). According to the Hydrology impact assessment, the effects of runoff-induced changes in basin sediment yield were considered low magnitude if runoff did not increase either:

• mean annual concentration by more than 10 mg/L or if short-term increases in sediment concentration from runoff ranged from 0 to 50 mg/L

• total suspended solid (TSS) concentration in the Mackenzie River and Liard River by more than 50 mg/L above the background concentration

The magnitude of the effects of Niglintgak’s barge and land-based gas conditioning facility options, Taglu, Parsons Lake and production area infrastructure were all determined to be low. Small increases in sediment concentration, i.e., less than 10 mg/L increase in mean annual concentration or short-term increases up to 50 mg/L, are considered too small to produce measurable adverse effects on fish habitat. This pathway is considered not applicable for Niglintgak’s barge- and land-based gas conditioning facility options, Taglu, Parsons Lake and production area infrastructure.

The effects of changes in sediment concentration from runoff-induced increases in sediment yield for the gathering system, pipeline corridor and pipeline corridor infrastructure ranged from low to moderate, with moderate effects occurring at only a few sites. The pathway is considered applicable for the gathering system, pipeline corridor and pipeline corridor infrastructure, and is carried forward in the assessment for these project components.

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Effects of Erosion on Sediment Deposition

Potential causes of erosion are:

• bank disturbance during access road and pipeline crossing construction

• inadequate stabilization of banks at watercourse crossings

• uncontrolled runoff from facilities and infrastructure sites, such as anchor fields, compressor stations, camps or borrow sites

• scouring at barge landing sites

• waves generated by barge and truck traffic

Effects of Erosion on Sediment Deposition – Bank Disturbance

Erosion from disturbed or unstable banks or disturbed substrates at pipeline watercourse crossings can increase sediment loads and affect habitats downstream of the crossing. Crossings of Large River Channels and Active I and Active II Channels with steep approach slopes are most susceptible to incidental erosion. Sediment inputs from erosion along the right-of-way and banks of the watercourse will decline during operations, once previously disturbed areas begin to revegetate. Because watercourses will be frozen during construction, most sediment input will occur during the spring freshet when suspended sediment concentrations are already high and many streams are already subject to scour. Watercourses with stabilized banks will clear up shortly after breakup and are unlikely to contribute further sediment loading thereafter.

Route selection to avoid steep slopes and installation of measures to control surface drainage at watercourse approaches will reduce erosion potential. Site- specific erosion and sediment control plans for construction and operations will reduce erosion and limit input of sediment into watercourses. Mitigation measures to maintain bank stability and revegetation of approach slopes will prevent inputs of sediment from bank erosion. Regularly monitoring erosion-prone slopes and repairing eroded areas as they are encountered will also limit erosion and prevent sediment from reaching the waterbody. Because mitigation measures can control erosion and prevent sediment from reaching waterbodies, the pathway is not considered applicable for the gathering system, pipeline corridor and infrastructure access roads and barge landings.

Effects of Erosion on Sediment Deposition – Uncontrolled Runoff

Development of anchor fields and infrastructure sites changes runoff coefficients. Runoff discharge and velocity will be greater in areas where vegetation has been removed and the land surface graded or paved. Increased rates of surface runoff

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increase the potential for erosion. Locating sites away from waterbodies and implementing measures to intercept flow or to dissipate flow velocity will prevent erosion at pipeline facilities and infrastructure sites. Because erosion control will avoid sediment inputs, this pathway is considered not applicable for anchor fields, production area infrastructure and pipeline corridor infrastructure.

Effects of Erosion on Sediment Deposition – Scouring at Barge Landing

Barge landings can divert the flow along the shoreline and cause localized erosion and scouring. There could be some localized redistribution of sediment in the immediate vicinity of the barge landing. However, sediment concentration increases from barge landing scouring and erosion will be incremental compared with sediment concentrations in the Mackenzie River. This pathway is considered not applicable for barge landings.

Effects of Erosion on Sediment Deposition – from Barge Traffic or from Under-Ice Waves caused by Truck Traffic

The wake from vessels creates waves that can affect shorelines. As the number and frequency of barges moving up and down the Mackenzie River increases, there is an increased potential for wave-generated erosion of the river banks. According to the analysis of wave energy reported in Section 5, Hydrology, the total wave energy created by barge traffic over the summer season is less than the energy created by waves from dominant wind action. The total barge wave energy was estimated to be 2 to 24% of wind wave energy at Inuvik, Norman Wells and Fort Simpson. Therefore, increased barge traffic is not expected to have an effect on erosion, and the pathway for deposition of sediment from erosion resulting from barge traffic is considered not applicable.

Heavy trucks driving on winter roads create under-ice waves that also potentially increase bank or shoreline erosion. Heavy trucks depress the ice surface on lakes and rivers as they cross, creating waves in the ice and in the underlying water (Adam 1978 and CRREL 1999 cited in Stewart 2001). The amplitude of these waves depends on several factors, including:

• ice strength and thickness

• water depth

• distance from shore

• vehicle weight and speed. Limiting speed on winter roads, especially at approaches, will reduce the effect.

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The amplitude of these waves compared with natural conditions is not considered large enough to affect shoreline or bank erosion. Because erosion is unlikely to increase because of truck traffic, no adverse effects of sediment on fish habitat are expected. The pathway for deposition of sediment from erosion resulting from barge traffic is considered not applicable

No effect is expected on fish habitat from increased deposition of sediment caused by wave erosion from barge activity or from under-ice waves caused by truck traffic. This effect pathway is considered not applicable.

Effects of Watercourse Crossing Construction on Sediment Deposition – Pipeline Crossings

Deposition of sediment entrained during watercourse crossing construction is one of the primary sources of adverse effects of pipeline construction on fish habitat. The distance sediment is transported downstream is related to flow and sediment particle size. Large sediment particles settle immediately, whereas small particles are transported farther downstream. Fine particles can remain suspended indefinitely in flowing water and might not settle until they reach a lake or an area with no turbulence. Particles the size of coarse silt, i.e., 0.031 to 0.062 mm in diameter, are estimated to settle within 45 bankfull channel widths of the crossing (see Section 5, Hydrology). Habitats within this distance might be affected by sediment deposition. The deposited sediment can clog the interstitial spaces of gravel and cobble substrates that are used as spawning, egg incubation and rearing habitat. Sediment entrained during crossing construction can also settle in pools, decreasing their depth and suitability as overwintering habitat. Effects of sediment are rarely permanent. Full recovery can occur as early as six weeks after construction, but more typically within one or two years after construction (Reid and Anderson 1999; Reid and Metikosh 2002). Sediment deposited during winter construction will likely be scoured clean by the hydraulic forces of the spring freshet.

Effects of sediment deposited during crossing construction will be limited to Active I and Large River Channels. Flow during winter construction will be low, and peak TSS concentrations will decrease rapidly as particles settle quickly under less turbulent low flow conditions. Active II and Vegetated Channels will be dry or frozen to the bottom during construction and are unlikely to be affected by sediment deposition.

The pathway is considered applicable for the gathering system and pipeline corridor components.

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Watercourse Crossing Construction Effects on Sediment Deposition – Access Road Crossings

Effects of sediment deposition from road crossing construction are similar to those arising from pipeline watercourse crossing construction. Deposition of sediment entrained during access road crossing construction will affect spawning, rearing and overwintering habitat downstream of the site. Once again, the effects depend on the type of habitat at or downstream of the site, the crossing type selected, e.g., bridge or culvert installations, and the construction methods used. Construction of clear span bridges will cause minimal sediment input, and the placement of a culvert will cause inputs of larger amounts of sediment. Sediment inputs can be controlled using construction methods that divert flow around the work site.

The quantity of sediment entrained during access road crossing construction is typically lower than the amount resuspended during construction of pipeline watercourse crossings. Chronic inputs of sediment will, nevertheless, occur through operations while all-weather roads are being used. Mitigation through design criteria and by revegetating banks will reduce effects following construction.

The pathway of increased deposition of sediment from crossing construction is considered applicable for production area and pipeline corridor infrastructure, i.e., access roads and components.

Effects of Potential Dredging on Sediment Deposition – Niglintgak Barge-Based Gas Conditioning Facility

Dredging of the Mackenzie River estuary and parts of the delta channels might be required to bring the gas conditioning facility barge to Niglintgak and to remove it at the end of operations. Disturbance of the channel bottom by the cutter suction head can cause sediment to be entrained, transported and deposited downstream. Sediment deposition also occurs when material excavated from the river bottom is deposited on the riverbed by side casting. The severity of effects of sediment deposition on fish and fish habitat in the Mackenzie Delta channels will depend on the type of habitat available downstream and on its use by fish. Effects of sediment deposition on fish habitat include:

• infilling of interstitial spaces between substrate particles that are important habitat for the rearing of fry or the deposition of eggs

• reduction of water depth or infilling of habitat features, such as pools

• potential shifts to benthic communities (Waters 1995)

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Increased sediment deposition downstream of dredging activities can cause slight increases in the drift of benthic organisms. Sediment deposition from dredging and dredge spoil disposal in marine habitats is expected to have effects similar to those discussed for the freshwater environment. Deposition of material entrained during dredging and dredge spoil can change sediment size distribution in the area of the sediment plume and in areas where dredge spoils are deposited and will bury and smother benthic organisms. This pathway is considered applicable for Niglintgak, for the barge- based gas conditioning facility only. It is not applicable for the land-based option.

Effects of Potential Dredging on Sediment Deposition – Barge Landings

Dredging might be required at barge landing sites to facilitate installation of spud barges and barge access. Fish habitat near the site can be affected by deposition of entrained sediment. The magnitude of effects depends on the type of habitat at or downstream of the area dredged, the disposal method and the amount of dredging required. The effects of sediment deposited while dredging during barge landing construction will be similar to those described for dredging for the Niglintgak barge-based gas conditioning facility. This pathway is considered applicable for the infrastructure, i.e., barge landings, component.

Effects of Gravel Washing on Sediment Deposition

Gravel washing is not expected for this project. The pathway of the sediment deposition effects of washing borrow material is considered not applicable.

Effects of Flooding Caused by Subsidence on Fish Habitat Project development and operations might cause land subsidence at Niglintgak and Taglu. The extraction of natural gas and NGLs will reduce reservoir volumes and pressures, leading to compression of the reservoir and lowering of overlying land. Land subsidence will affect land elevations of the delta floodplain and the geometry of delta channels. Specific hydrologic effects fall into three main categories (see Section 5, Hydrology):

• channel hydrology, e.g., increased inundation, changes in flow distribution between channels, creation or abandonment of flow paths

• sediment characteristics, e.g., increased overland and channel sedimentation, increased bank erosion

• channel morphology, e.g., changes in channel equilibrium conditions because of changes in conveyance capacity and sediment loads

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Land subsidence is a long-term process that will begin during operations when gas is extracted from the reservoirs. Maximum subsidence will follow the end of operations when gas reserves are depleted.

The land areas of the outer Mackenzie Delta are only slightly higher than water levels in nearby lakes and channels, so a small decrease in land elevation could cause inundation of nearby low-lying areas. Issues that affect fish and fish habitat include:

• increased extent and duration of land inundation

• changes in stream hydrology, sediment characteristics and channel morphology

• changes in water quality from increased saltwater intrusion

The magnitude of these changes depends on actual flood and subsidence levels and on the potential mitigating effect of natural sedimentation. Because land subsidence is a long-term process, sedimentation over land and in channels, resulting in increasing elevations, could potentially keep pace with subsidence. Inundation of adjacent low-lying lakes during natural high flow and during saltwater intrusion from storm surges is a natural occurrence. Fish in the subsidence zone have adapted to handle these changes over a relatively short time under natural conditions, and they will likely adapt to any gradual changes caused by subsidence.

Subsidence is considered an applicable effect pathway for Niglintgak and Taglu. Land subsidence and resultant flooding is not expected to occur in the Parsons Lake lease when natural gas is extracted.

7.3.1.2 Key Indicator: Change in Fish Health

Effects of Explosives on Fish Health

Explosives might be required at selected watercourse crossings for trench excavation. Use of explosives in or near water can damage fish and other aquatic organisms. Detonation of the explosive produces a compressive shock wave followed by a rapid decay to lower than ambient pressures (Wright and Hopky 1998). This rapid change in pressure can cause the swim bladder and other organs, such as the kidney, liver and spleen to rupture and haemorrhage. According to the DFO Guidelines for Use of Explosives in or near Canadian Fisheries Waters (Wright and Hopky 1998), changes in pressure of more than 100 kilopascals (kPa) increase the risk of damage to fish. Mortality can result from direct trauma, physiological damage or loss of equilibrium, which makes fish more susceptible to predation. The extent of effects is limited to the radius of the pressure wave, which is a function of the type of explosive, the weight of the

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charge, the substrate composition and the setback distance or burial depth. DFO guidelines (Wright and Hopky 1998) outline applicable legislation, assessment and application procedures, and specify setback distances and corresponding sizes of charge considered sufficient to avoid potential adverse effects on fish near the detonation. If operational requirements make it necessary to exceed the set back distance specified in the guidelines, an application for authority to kill fish by means other than fishing will be submitted to DFO pursuant to Section 32 of the Fisheries Act. This pathway is considered applicable for the gathering system and pipeline corridor components.

Explosives might also be needed to develop borrow sites, though it is expected that borrow sites will be sufficiently far from fish-bearing waterbodies not to affect the fish. This effect pathway is considered not applicable for borrow sites.

Effects of Changes in Water Quality on Fish Health

Several activities have the potential to affect water quality during various project phases, and changes in water quality have the potential to affect the health of fish. Fish health is affected when the physical or chemical characteristics of water vary outside the normal tolerance range of fish. Therefore, the assessment of potential effects on fish health compares predicted changes in physical and chemical characteristics of waterbodies with water quality benchmarks. Section 6, Water Quality, predicts potential changes in water quality resulting from the project.

Ways in which the project can affect water quality and fish health include:

• spills • acidification • wastewater discharge • sediment entrainment

Effects of Spills on Water Quality

The spills pathway refers to small-scale spills that might be encountered during normal operations. Small-scale spills of some substances, such as fuel, oil, grease from accidental leaks, or spills from equipment working in anchor fields, at infrastructure sites, along the banks or in the stream, if intercepted by surface runoff, have the potential to reach surface waters.

Small spills can affect fish health, as some of the substances spilled can be acutely or chronically toxic to fish, affecting normal survival, growth, development or reproduction. Good environmental management practices, contingency plans and emergency response plans (see Volume 7, Environmental Management) will reduce the potential of spills reaching receiving waterbodies. This effect pathway is considered not applicable for all project components.

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Effects of Acidification of Waterbodies on Water Quality

Operating construction equipment, vehicles, generators and process equipment and periodically flaring at the anchor fields or venting of gas at compressor and heater stations will result in air emissions of acid-forming substances. These air emissions will contain sulphur oxides (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which can result in acid deposition over small areas near the source of the emissions and might cause the acidification of local waterbodies. Low, acidic, pH levels can affect fish health directly or by increasing the toxicity of other substances such as metal sulphides.

According to Section 6, Water Quality, the acid sensitivity of lakes for which data is available near the anchor fields, gathering system and associated infrastructure is low. Lakes in the Mackenzie Delta that are subject to periodic flooding and marine influences, including many of those in Niglintgak and Taglu, consistently have a low level of acid sensitivity. The quantitative analysis in Section 6, Water Quality, concluded that no effects on water quality were expected from acid deposition at the anchor fields or along the gathering system.

Modelled acid deposition rates from pipeline facilities and infrastructure were considered to have low and localized effects on water quality (see Section 6, Water Quality). Areas of higher than background acid deposition rates near pipeline facilities comprised very small proportions of the catchment areas of nearby lakes and ponds. At Little Chicago, the only compressor station located close to a lake, field water quality data indicated that surface water near the compressor station is not sensitive to acid deposition. Therefore, no effects are predicted on lake water quality in the pipeline corridor.

Most streams in the project study area were considered unlikely to be highly sensitive to episodic acidification. Episodic acidification usually occurs in mountainous areas receiving deposition from nearby industrialized areas or large population centres where high rates of nitrogen oxide emissions cause nitrogen saturation of terrestrial ecosystems. Streams that are highly sensitive to acidification are usually small and located at high elevations with steep topography, extensive areas of exposed bedrock, deep winter snowpack and shallow, base-poor soils. Streams in the project study area do not have these characteristics and are not likely to be sensitive to episodic acidification. Because of the low sensitivity to acid deposition and the low rates of acid deposition, episodic acidification is not expected to affect water quality in local waterbodies. No effects are expected on water quality of streams in the project area because of acidification.

There is no linkage between acidification of waterbodies, changes in water quality and fish health. This effect pathway is considered not applicable and was not assessed.

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Effects of Wastewater Discharge on Water Quality

The types of wastewater that can be produced by the project include domestic wastewater, such as sewage effluent and grey water, industrial wastewater, such as processing water, cooling water, produced water and drilling wastewater, i.e., pressure test water and ballast water.

Effects of Wastewater Discharge on Water Quality – Camp Wastewater

The discharge of camp wastewater can increase the concentration of nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates in the receiving waterbodies. Increased nutrients in waterbodies that are particularly sensitive or vulnerable to changes in trophic status can cause eutrophication by enrichment of nutrients. In shallow lakes, eutrophication can result in low dissolved oxygen concentrations, which can affect fish survival, particularly in winter. Several wastewater treatment and disposal options are being evaluated, and options will vary depending on camp size and location. Potential receiving waters for treated effluent have not yet been identified. Effects on water quality resulting from this pathway will be managed to comply with regulatory approval and licence requirements. Wastewater will be treated and source waterbodies selected so the magnitude of effect on water quality will be low. The release will not cause an unacceptable change in the trophic status or exceed other water quality thresholds in the receiving waterbodies. Because the effects of domestic wastewater discharge on water quality will be mitigated, no effects on fish health are predicted, and the pathway is considered not applicable.

Effects of Wastewater Discharge on Water Quality – Industrial Wastewater

Industrial wastewater can consist of several substances, including used oils, hydrate control liquids, such as glycol and methanol, processing chemicals, drilling fluids and turn-around liquids. Some of these substances can be deleterious to fish and other aquatic organisms. Effects of industrial wastewater on fish health can range from acute toxicity leading to death to chronic or sublethal effects. Sublethal and chronic effects can include behavioural changes, physiological stress, reproductive impairment, and abnormal growth and development. The extent of these effects is a function of the toxicity of the substances, their concentrations and the duration of exposure. In the anchor fields, including the Niglintgak barge-based gas conditioning facility option, industrial wastewater from processing and drilling will be deep-well injected, transported off site for disposal, or recycled (see Volume 7, Environmental Management). No wastewater discharge from the anchor fields to waterbodies is proposed.

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Wastewater produced on the barge during operations will be disposed of off-site, as is planned for gas conditioning facilities at the other anchor fields. The design of the gas conditioning facility barge will incorporate features that will prevent contamination of deck drainage water with wastewater and spilled liquid.

Because the effects from industrial wastewater discharge on water quality will be mitigated, no effects on fish health are predicted and the pathway is considered not applicable.

Effects of Wastewater Discharge on Water Quality – Pressure Test Water

Water used for the pressure testing of pipelines, flow lines and process components might be discharged to surface waters. Test water will typically be drawn from local waterbodies and might be heated or treated with additives, such as corrosion inhibitors, glycol or methanol antifreeze, or products for leak detection. Some additives can be deleterious to fish and other aquatic organisms. The treatment and the types and amounts of additives that will be used have not been confirmed.

Any discharged pressure test water will not cause unacceptable changes in trophic status or exceed other water quality thresholds in the receiving waterbodies and will comply with regulatory requirements of the various land and water management organizations. Because the discharge will not affect water quality in the receiving waterbody, no effects on fish health are expected and the pathway is considered not applicable

Effects of Wastewater Discharge on Water Quality – Ballast Water

The barge carrying the Niglintgak gas conditioning facility might take on or release ballast water to keep its draft within the range necessary for navigation. Metals, oils and grease or other hydrocarbons, or exotic organisms in the discharged ballast water can affect fish health directly or through changes in water quality. Vessels entering Canadian waters normally discharge freshwater ballast at sea and take on new ballast water before entering freshwater systems. This practice reduces the risk of introducing exotic organisms or contaminants and will prevent changes in water quality.

Once the gas conditioning facility barge has reached the chosen location in the river, the ballast water system will be managed to ensure proper barge stability and operation. Because the source of the ballast water will be the river water surrounding the barge and because ballast water will be physically separated from other water on the barge, no effects are predicted on the quality of the surrounding river water. Because water quality will not be affected, no effects on fish health of the release of ballast water are expected, and the pathway is considered not applicable.

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Effects of Suspended Sediment on Water Quality

Increasing concentrations of suspended sediment in local waterbodies can affect water quality. Increases can result directly from disturbance and resuspension of bed materials or indirectly from site runoff. Exposure to suspended sediment can affect the health of fish and other aquatic organisms, with the nature and extent of adverse effects ranging from minor physiological stress to mortality. The magnitude of the effect is a function of the TSS concentration and the duration of exposure. Fish can tolerate low TSS concentrations for long periods and high concentrations for short periods without suffering adverse effects. Newcombe and Jensen (1996) developed dose-response relationships that estimate the magnitude of adverse effect expected when fish are exposed to a given concentration of sediment over a given period. Their dose-response relationship generated a severity of effect (SEV) value ranging from 0 to 14. An SEV value of zero implied no effect. SEV values of 1 to 3 indicated behavioural changes are expected, and SEV values of 4 to 8 indicated sublethal effects ranging from increased respiration and coughing rates to major physiological stress. Lethal and paralethal effects are expected with SEV values of 9 to 14.

Effects of Suspended Sediment from Watercourse Crossing Construction

Pipeline crossing construction, including trenching, pipe installation and backfilling, will entrain sediment in the water column and increase TSS concentrations. Depending on the type of crossing selected, all-weather access road construction might also increase suspended sediment in the watercourse. Increased suspended sediment from the construction of pipeline crossings in the gathering system and pipeline corridor and of access road crossings for infrastructure is considered an applicable pathway.

Effects of Suspended Sediment from Potential Dredging – Niglintgak Barge-Based Gas Conditioning Facility

Dredging and side casting of dredge spoil in both the freshwater and marine environments could increase suspended sediment concentrations and adversely affect fish and benthic invertebrates. Increased suspended sediment from dredging for the Niglintgak barge-based gas conditioning facility is considered an applicable pathway for Niglintgak.

Effects of Suspended Sediment from Potential Dredging – Barge Landings

Dredging at barge landings could also increase suspended sediment in the Mackenzie River. Increased suspended sediment from the construction of barge landings is considered an applicable pathway.

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Effects of Suspended Sediment from Surface Runoff

According to the hydrology assessment (see Section 5, Hydrology), which estimated changes in sediment yield for each project component, runoff-induced changes in basin sediment yield were considered to have a low-magnitude effect if runoff did not increase either:

• mean annual concentration by more than 10 mg/L, or short-term increases in sediment concentration from runoff ranged from 0 to 50 mg/L

• TSS concentration for the Mackenzie River and Liard River more than 50 mg/L above background

Runoff from the three anchor fields and production area infrastructure was determined to have a low effect on sediment yield. An increase in mean annual sediment concentration of less than 10 mg/L or an episodic short-term increase of 0 to 50 mg/L range is not expected to adversely affect fish health. The pathway was considered not applicable for Niglintgak’s barge- and land-based gas conditioning facility options, Taglu, Parsons Lake and production area infrastructure.

The effects of sediment concentration changes from runoff-induced increases in sediment yield for the gathering system, pipeline corridor and pipeline corridor infrastructure ranged from low to moderate, with moderate effects at only a few sites. Therefore, the pathway is considered applicable for the gathering system, pipeline corridor and pipeline corridor infrastructure and was assessed for these project components.

Effects of Suspended Sediment from Erosion

It is assumed that implementation of mitigation measures, erosion and sediment control plans, effective bank stabilization and revegetation of approach slopes will limit the extent of erosion associated with project activities. Although there will likely be some erosion despite these measures, the increase in local waterbody sediment concentrations directly attributable to erosion is considered incremental and unlikely to affect fish health. The effect pathway is considered not applicable for all project components.

Effects of Suspended Sediment from Gravel Washing

Washing of gravel or borrow material is not expected for this project, so the pathway associated with effects of sediment deposition from washing of borrow material is considered not applicable.

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7.3.1.3 Key Indicator: Change in Abundance and Distribution

Effects of Fish Habitat Change on Fish Abundance and Distribution

Fish habitat changes resulting from project-related activities are discussed in Section 7.3.1.1, Key Indicator: Change in Fish Habitat. Abundance and distribution of fish species is a function of suitable habitat availability. Changes in habitat arising from project-related activities might favour certain species at the exclusion of others and eventually change fish distribution, or they might alter a habitat’s suitability for a given life stage. Improvements or reductions in habitat suitability can change fish production, distribution and abundance. This effect pathway is only considered applicable to project components predicted to have significant effects on the availability, quality or quantity of fish habitat.

Effects of Fish Health Change on Fish Abundance and Distribution

Project activities can cause changes in fish health ranging from lethal effects, such as mortality caused by explosives or exposure to severe changes in water quality, to sublethal or chronic effects, such as changes in behaviour, growth, development or reproduction. If effects on fish health are sufficient to affect a proportion of the population or extend over a long period, changes in the abundance and distribution of VCs might occur. This effect pathway is considered applicable to project components that are predicted to have significant effects on fish health.

Effects of Entrainment on Fish Abundance and Distribution

Potential dredging associated with the Niglintgak barge-based gas conditioning facility will entrain fish and other aquatic organisms if cutter suction dredges are used. The suction generated by the cutter head will take up fish and other aquatic organisms. Eggs, larvae and fry of freshwater and diadromous fish are most susceptible to entrainment by dredges because they are unable to move to avoid the cutter head. Although eggs and larvae are most likely to be entrained, adult fish can also be taken up. Entrainment rates vary among species, with most fish entrained by dredging being demersal, i.e., fish living close to the seabed. The species and number of fish entrained will depend on the location of the dredging and the timing of the dredging in relation to fish movements. This pathway is considered applicable for the Niglintgak barge-based gas conditioning facility only. It is not applicable for the land-based gas conditioning facility option.

Effects of Change in Harvest on Fish Abundance and Distribution

Improved access and more workers in the area can increase the amount of fish captured. Heavy angling pressure in spawning and overwintering waters or during migration can cause declines in local fish populations that might affect distribution and abundance of the VCs.

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Effects of Increased Access on Harvest

Development of right-of-way corridors and infrastructure access roads and airstrips will improve access to fish-bearing waterbodies, and increase fishing pressure and exploitation. Increased fishing pressure on local fish stocks can change the distribution and abundance of the VCs. Restricting access road use during operations and deactivating access roads during decommissioning will lessen the effect on fish distribution and abundance. However, an incremental increase in fishing pressure from improved access is likely despite these measures. This pathway is considered applicable for the gathering system, pipeline corridor and production area, and pipeline corridor infrastructure for access roads.

Effects of More Anglers on Harvest

The workforce will increase considerably during construction (see Volume 2, Project Description) and might increase recreational fishing pressure on local sport fish-bearing waterbodies. Local sport fish populations could also be affected during operations, though the operations workforce will be substantially smaller. This effect pathway is considered applicable for the infrastructure camp component. Although workers might be associated with other facilities, such as anchor fields, facilities and compressor stations, their effects are discussed under the infrastructure component.

Effects of Blockage of Fish Passage on Fish Abundance and Distribution Blockage of fish passage can result in a wide range of effects including entrapment, interference with migration, reduction of spawning success and increases in winter mortality, and isolation of fish in less suitable habitat. This can cause changes in fish distribution and, in extreme cases, depletion of local fish populations.

Effects of Frost Bulb Formation on Fish Passage

A frost bulb can penetrate the stream channel and partially or completely block the stream under certain conditions, impeding or completely blocking fish movement upstream or between overwintering habitats. Blockage of movement from one overwintering pool to another can increase winter mortality. A frost bulb that persists into the spring can prevent movement of spring spawning species, such as northern pike or Arctic grayling, to spawning habitats upstream. The inability to access spawning habitat could reduce spawning success and recruitment. Continued blockage during operations would change fish abundance and distribution. Frost bulbs will only form on certain types of streams during gathering pipeline and main pipeline operations. Once chilled gas is no longer flowing, any frost bulbs that have formed will gradually melt. This effect pathway was considered applicable for the gathering system and the pipeline corridor. August 2004 Page 7-65

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Effects of Access Roads on Fish Passage

Fish passage can be blocked at road crossings of fish-bearing watercourses. Blockages result from snow and ice bridges that remain in place on winter roads or from culverts that are not adequately sized or installed to allow fish passage. Crossings will be designed for fish passage where required. Snow and ice bridges on winter roads will either be removed before the spring freshet or will be notched to ensure flow is not disrupted. All-weather access road watercourse crossings will be either clear-span bridges or culverts that have been hydraulically designed to allow fish passage. Because distribution and abundance of the VCs will not be affected through blockage of fish passage by access roads, the pathway is considered not applicable.

Effects of Water Quality Change on Fish Abundance and Distribution

Effects of the project on water quality and associated effects on fish health were discussed in Section 7.3.1.2, Key Indicator: Change in Fish Health. Surface water quality changes outside the normal preferences of fish can cause fish to avoid affected areas, changing their abundance and distribution. This effect pathway is only considered applicable to project components for which significant changes in water quality were predicted.

Effects of Pressure or Noise Disturbance from Traffic on Fish Abundance and Distribution

Fish can be affected by pressure or noise disturbance from:

• truck traffic on winter roads • airplane and helicopter landings on frozen waterbodies • barge traffic

The level at which fish can detect sounds depends on the level of background noise (Stewart 2001). Fish have been documented to show an avoidance reaction to vessels when the radiated noise levels exceed their threshold of hearing by 30 dB or more (ICES 1994 cited in Stewart 2001). Many factors, including presence of predators or prey, seasonal or daily variations in physiology, and spawning or migratory activities can make them more or less sensitive to unfamiliar sounds (Schwarz 1985; ICES 1994 cited in Stewart 2001).

Effects of Pressure or Noise Disturbance from Trucks

Heavy trucks depress the ice surface on lakes and rivers as they cross, creating waves in the ice and in the underlying water (Adam 1978 and CRREL 1999 cited in Stewart 2001).

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Noise from heavy gravel trucks was measured at 43 to 45 dB under sea ice 1.6 km from a winter road 2.5 to 3 m thick (Greene 1983 cited in Stewart 2001). At that distance, the sound levels were 10 to 15 dB higher than ambient noise but below the hearing threshold of most fish. Noise generated by the trucks did not propagate well in shallow water and could not be detected 3.2 km from the road. Fish might ignore continuous sound levels, such as those from approaching and departing trucks, if the noise is not associated with harm or reward. This has been observed in several studies of vessel avoidance by marine fish (Stewart 2001).

Effects of Pressure or Noise from Aircraft Landing on Frozen Waterbodies

Airplanes and helicopters landing on frozen waterbodies are not expected to affect fish distribution and abundance. Noise from landing aircraft is not expected to propagate far under water, so the effects will be localized.

Effects of Pressure or Noise Disturbance from Barges

Seismic studies done in 2002 in the Mackenzie River and Mackenzie Delta reported no fish mortality or physiological damage at sound levels of 220 dB (WesternGeco (Canada) Ltd. 2003a, 2003b). Background noise from the tugboats and support vessels used in the study ranged from 120 to 170 dB. The same studies reported no consistent changes in fish densities or vertical fish distribution in the water column as the seismic vessels passed. There was also no evidence of fish herding. The barges and tugs used for the project will have acoustic characteristics similar to those used for seismic exploration. It is expected that barge traffic noise will not change fish distribution or abundance.

Summary of Effects of Pressure or Noise Disturbance

The increase in barge traffic on the Mackenzie River is unlikely to generate sound of sufficient magnitude to physically damage fish or to elicit startle or alarm responses. Effects of a similar magnitude would be expected for the under-ice noise generated by aircraft landing on frozen waterbodies. The effect pathway for pressure and noise attributed to barge traffic and aircraft is considered not applicable. However, the effect pathway of pressure or noise disturbance on fish from barge or truck traffic is considered applicable for the infrastructure traffic component.

7.3.2 Overview of Project Design and Mitigation

This section is an overview of project design features and mitigation relevant to potential effects on fish and fish habitat. Project design features are detailed in Volume 2, Project Description, and mitigation strategies are detailed in Volume 7, Environmental Management.

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Most effects change fish habitat, which ultimately changes fish VCs. Implementing measures that avoid or limit effects on fish habitat will prevent adverse effects on the VCs. Fish will mostly be affected during construction by activities that alter, disrupt or destroy habitat. Some of the effects might persist through operations. Decommissioning will remove many project components that generate effects, though some effects might still be present after decommissioning.

The effect pathway diagrams in Section 7.3.1, Effect Pathways, show key links between project components and effects on fish. Measures that break the links will avoid or eliminate any potential adverse effects or reduce them to low levels.

Mitigation can encompass a variety of actions, including changing the project design or location, changing the timing of the activity or using site-specific interventions. Project relocation and redesign generally occurs during planning, whereas specific interventions are put into effect on a site-specific basis during construction, operations and decommissioning and abandonment.

7.3.2.1 Project Location

Avoidance of conflicts with fish and fish habitat, or with the use of that habitat by fish, was among the factors considered in routing the gathering system and pipeline corridor and in selecting project facility and infrastructure locations. The pipeline route was selected to limit the number of waterbodies, such as lakes, rivers and streams, to be crossed. Effects on fish and fish habitat were also considered when selecting sites for wells, facilities and flow lines in each anchor field. Fish and fish habitat were considered when choosing infrastructure and facility locations in the production area and along the pipeline corridor. Criteria used in route and site selection are discussed in Volume 2, Project Description.

7.3.2.2 Project Design

In addition to locating project components in areas least likely to affect fish habitat, potential conflicts with fish and fish habitat were considered in the design of project components. The footprint of project facilities and infrastructure sites was reduced to limit the amount of land disturbance and impermeable area, thereby keeping runoff and risk of erosion and sediment deposition low.

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Watercourse crossing methods were chosen to avoid adverse effects on fish habitat. Open-cut crossing construction methods were limited wherever possible to streams that were dry or frozen to the channel bed. Isolation or trenchless methods were selected where overwintering or spawning and egg incubation habitats were present downstream. By matching the installation method with the watercourse type and the habitat present, the likelihood that fish and fish habitat would be adversely affected by crossing construction was reduced. The process used to select crossing methods is illustrated in Figure 7-6.

Figure 7-6: Crossing Method Selection

7.3.2.3 Management Practices

Most of the remaining potentially adverse effects on fish and fish habitat that cannot be avoided through project design can be reduced by management practices during design, construction, operations and decommissioning. Mitigation strategies for many of the potential effects on fish and fish habitat arising from the effect pathways for specific project components discussed in

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Section 7.3.1, Effect Pathways, are in Table 7-8. The table shows mitigation strategies that can be used alone or in combination to avoid or limit adverse effects on fish habitat. Table 7-8: Mitigation Strategies for Fish Effect Pathway Primary Mitigation Strategy Direct effects on fish habitat by project Reduce the amount and duration of in-water activities. activities Locate construction activities away from waterbodies where practical and according to regulatory requirements. Whenever practical use clear span bridges or culverts on all-weather roads to cross Active I watercourses. Avoid spawning, rearing or overwintering habitats, unless authorized. Where practical, implement measures to offset harmful alteration, disruption of distraction of fish habitat resulting from project footprint. Select watercourse crossing technique, as shown in Figure 7-6, shown previously. Surface runoff, erosion and Implement drainage, erosion and sediment controls such as grading and sedimentation effects on fish habitat ditching to direct runoff through silt fences, sediment traps, vegetation, berms or isolation areas as appropriate for the location. Monitor effectiveness of erosion controls through routine inspection. Set back facilities and developed areas from waterbodies. Install temporary erosion-control measures before spring breakup. Install long-term erosion-control measures on slopes and streambanks, where required. Install ditch plugs on open-cut crossings of Large River and Active I Channels and keep them in place until pipe installation is complete. Reduce disturbances near streambanks in an environmentally responsible manner. Reclaim, stabilize and armour banks as necessary following pipeline crossing installation. Plan work to avoid delays between ditching, pipe installation and backfilling. Use native backfill where spawning on overwintering habitat is present downstream, wherever practical. Undertake watercourse crossing construction in winter, where practical, during period of low or no flow. Summer crossing construction will take place at selected locations where necessary. Develop and implement site-specific erosion and sediment control plans where required. When horizontal directional drilling is used as a crossing technique, maintain an undisturbed buffer zone at the edge of the watercourse. Locate borrow sites away from waterbodies where practical. Blockage of fish passage by Increase burial depth of pipeline or use insulation at Active I crossing construction activities and pipeline locations that are susceptible to heave or frost bulb growth where fall operations spawning or overwintering fish habitat is present (locations to be identified based on pipe temperature, soil characteristics and fish habitat). Manage crown height to allow for stream flow in Vegetated, Active I and Active II watercourses before spring breakup. Notch or remove ice and snow bridges before spring breakup to ensure flow is not impeded. Design culverts or flumes on all-weather roads to provide fish passage.

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Table 7-8: Mitigation Strategies for Fish (cont’d) Effect Pathway Primary Mitigation Strategy Blasting effects on fish health Follow the Guidelines for the Use of Explosives in or Near Canadian Fisheries Waters (Wright and Hopky 1998) if in-water use of explosives is required. Leaks and spills effects on fish health Implement management practices, contingency plans and emergency response plans to prevent and address leaks and spills. Employ a leak-detection system. Use environmentally acceptable hydraulic fluid in hydraulic systems of machinery working in water. For fuel tanks greater than 4,000 L, store fuel in either double-walled tanks or in single-walled tanks with secondary containment systems as required by regulations. Set back storage sites for fuels, lubricating oils, chemicals or other hazardous materials at least 100 m from any body of water or protect from flooding, unless approved otherwise. For pipeline activities, wash, maintain and refuel vehicles at least 100 m from any waterbody unless otherwise approved. Water use and disposal effects on fish Source water from lakes and waterbodies according to the Protocol for health and habitat Water Withdrawal for Oil and Gas Activities in the Northwest Territories (Cott and Moore 2003), unless permission is otherwise granted. Record the volume of water withdrawal and ensure volumes do not exceed regulatory limits stated in Water Use Permits. Release water to the watershed in a controlled manner such that the effects to the receiving waterbodies are reduced. Quality of discharge waters must meet appropriate water quality discharge criteria. If this is not possible, alternative disposal methods are required. Dispose of wastewater or drilling waste by deep-well injection or transport off-site when wastewater cannot be appropriately treated for release to the watershed. Barge activities effects on fish habitat Manage ballast water to comply with applicable regulations. Select dredging and sediment-control method to comply with Fisheries Act authorization.

Timing Considerations Fish communities can be adversely affected by in-water work that occurs during certain periods in their life history or at certain life stages. Life history periods or life stages susceptible to disturbances from in-water construction work include:

• spawning and egg incubation • movements to or from spawning or overwintering areas • eggs and newly hatched fry In particular, mechanical disturbance and sediment deposition have been known to adversely affect incubating eggs and fry. Timing in-water work to avoid sensitive life history periods or life stages is an effective means of mitigating potentially adverse effects. Some jurisdictions have developed timing windows when in-water work should not be done. In Alberta,

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the Code of Practice for Pipelines and Telecommunications Lines Crossing a Water Body (Alberta Environment 2001) sets out restricted activity periods. No similar, legislation-based timing restrictions are in place along the Northwest Territories part of the route. Because the timing of in-water work is an important mitigation measure, periods when in-water work should be avoided were identified and used as planning tools to aid in the development of appropriate mitigation measures that would avoid or reduce any potential adverse effects on fish and fish habitat.

The sensitive period in the spring extends from the beginning of April to late July. This period covers migration and spawning for spring spawning fish species, completion of egg incubation and fry emergence. The fall sensitive period starts with the beginning of migration to overwintering habitat and spawning habitat by fall spawning species and continues through egg incubation and emergence. The time of year when fall fish migrations begin depends on local conditions such as temperature and is, therefore, difficult to determine for any given stream along the Mackenzie Valley. Because delays can prevent migrating fish from reaching overwintering or spawning habitat before freezeup has adverse effects, mid-September was used as the start of the fall sensitive period. The sensitive period of each watercourse type in each hydrologic region is shown in Table 7-9.

Table 7-9: Periods of Sensitivity to In-Water Work

Hydrologic Region Stream Class Sensitive Period Delta and Northern Large River Channel • Beginning of May to end of July Active I • September 15 to April 30 Active II • Beginning of May to end of July Vegetated Lakes • Beginning of May to end of July Central Large River Channel • Late April to late July Active I • September 15 to April Active II • Late April to late July Vegetated Lakes • Late April to late July Southern Large River Channel • Mid April to mid July Active I • Mid September to mid April Active II • Mid April to mid July Vegetated Lakes • Mid April to mid July

The sensitive periods during which in-water activities should be avoided are broad and cover a wide geographic area. In-water work can be done during these periods if the potential for adverse effects on fish and fish habitat can be reduced or avoided. Assessment of effects is done watercourse by watercourse and is based on the type of habitat potentially affected and its expected use by fish.

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Selection of crossing construction methods according to the process shown in Figure 7-6, shown previously, takes into account site-specific habitat features of individual watercourses crossed by the gathering pipelines and the main pipeline route, thereby reducing or avoiding potential adverse effects.

7.3.3 Niglintgak

Niglintgak will have 12 production wells drilled from three proposed well pads, i.e., north, central and south, associated above-ground flow lines, a gas conditioning facility, remote drilling sump and one disposal well (see Volume 2, Project Description).

Two options are being considered for the Niglintgak gas conditioning facility:

• on a barge in a side channel of Kumak Channel – the preferred option • on land on the east bank of Kumak Channel – the alternate option

The effect pathways considered applicable for Niglintgak are shown in Figure 7-7 for the land-based gas conditioning facility option and Figure 7-8 for the barge-based gas conditioning facility option.

Figure 7-7: Effect Pathways Assessed – Niglintgak

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Change in abundance and distribution

Change in availability, quantity Change in fish health and quality of fish habitat

Direct Change in Change in Sediment Fish Change in water habitat channel sea bed deposition impingement or quality effects morphology morphology entrainment

Suspended sediment

barge footprint Dredging

Niglintgak barge-based gas conditioning facility

Figure 7-8: Effect Pathways – Niglintgak Barge-Based Gas Conditioning Facility

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The magnitude of effects of Niglintgak on habitat, health and distribution and abundance of the selected fish VCs ranges from no effect to low magnitude (see Table 7-10). The effects are considered local in extent. Changes in water levels and water quality would be most prevalent during construction and operations, so would be short term to long term.

The effects of flooding because of subsidence will begin during operations and might continue after decommissioning and abandonment, so effects are considered to potentially extend to the far future. The nature and extent of effects are not fully predicted or assessed. Although local effects are likely, subsidence will occur over a long period and will be offset if the rate of sediment deposition equals the rate of subsidence.

7.3.3.1 Baseline Conditions

Fish and fish habitat surveys were done on eight lakes and two Large River Channels in Niglintgak (see Table 7-11 for information on lakes and Table 7-12 for information about river channels). Field study locations are shown in Figure 7-9. Lake studies captured broad whitefish, lake whitefish, inconnu, least cisco, northern pike, longnose sucker and ninespine stickleback. Previous studies indicated that burbot, spoonhead sculpin, lake chub, boreal smelt and rainbow smelt are also in the area.

The lakes surveyed had mostly silt and organic matter substrate with emergent and submergent macrophyte growth. The lakes could be used as rearing, adult and holding habitat by fish that enter the lakes during periods of flooding. Most lakes were considered likely to freeze to, or close to, the lake bottom in winter and provide nil to limited overwintering habitat. Overwintering surveys of these lakes showed little under-ice water and anoxic conditions. One lake, N-01, which is 22.1 ha in size, had a maximum recorded depth of 5.2 m and was considered suitable overwintering habitat for fish. Fish species likely to be present in the delta channels will be similar to those present throughout the delta and include Arctic cisco, broad whitefish, burbot, lake whitefish and northern pike. The delta channels have similar and uniform habitat characteristics, consisting of moderate or deep turbid flats and silty substrates. Instream cover for fish is provided by depth, turbidity, aquatic vegetation and overhanging vegetation along the channel margins. Because of the shallow depth, Middle Channel, i.e., RNT 000, is likely to freeze to the bed of the watercourse in winter, and is unlikely overwintering or spawning habitat for fall spawning species. Kumak Channel, i.e., RNT-001, is considerably deeper and is more likely to provide overwintering spawning habitat. Emergent aquatic vegetation along the channel margins at both sites might be used for spawning by northern pike in spring.

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Table 7-10: Effects of Niglintgak on Fish

Effect Attribute Key Phase When Impact Geographic Potential Effects Indicators Occurs Direction Magnitude Extent Duration Direct habitat effects from Habitat Construction Adverse Low Local Short potential dredging – barge- term based gas conditioning facility Operations Neutral No effect N/A N/A only Decommissioning Adverse Low Local Short and abandonment term Direct habitat effects of gas Habitat Construction Adverse Low Local Short conditioning facility footprint – term barge-based gas conditioning Operations and Neutral No effect N/A N/A facility only decommissioning and abandonment Change in channel Habitat Construction, Adverse No effect Local Long morphology – barge-based operations, and to low term gas conditioning facility only decommissioning and abandonment Change in sea bed Habitat Construction, Neutral No effect N/A N/A morphology – barge-based operations and gas conditioning facility only decommissioning and abandonment Change in water levels Habitat Construction Neutral No effect N/A N/A because of – water Operations Neutral No effect N/A N/A withdrawal Decommissioning Neutral No effect N/A N/A and abandonment Sediment deposition from Habitat Construction Adverse Low Local Short potential dredging, marine term 1 environment – barge-based Decommissioning Adverse Low Local Short gas conditioning facility only and abandonment term Flooding because of Habitat Construction Neutral No effect N/A N/A subsidence Operations and Adverse Low Local Long decommissioning and term abandonment Postdecommissioning Adverse Low Local Far future Change in water quality – Health Construction Adverse Low Local Short suspended sediment from term potential dredging, freshwater 2 Decommissioning Adverse Low Local Short environment , barge-based and abandonment term gas conditioning facility only Entrainment of fish and other Distribution Construction Adverse Low Local Short aquatic organisms and term Abundance Decommissioning Adverse Low Local Short and abandonment term

NOTES: N/A = not applicable 1 No effects expected in freshwater environment 2 No effects expected in marine environment

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Table 7-11: Baseline Information for Lakes – Niglintgak

Bathymetry Habitat Suitability for Valued Components Max. Winter Over- Spring Mean Depth Dissolved Valued Component winterin Spawni Fall/Winter Site ID Name Area Depth (m) Volume Oxygen Species Present g ng Spawning Rearing 3 3 (ha) (m) (m x10 ) (mg/L) N-01 Unnamed lak 22.1 2.7 5.2 587 5.5 – 9.1 ND ● ● – ● e N-02 Unnamed 18.0 1.3 3.7 241 0.1 – 0.2 ND – ● – ● lake N-03 Unnamed 5.3 1.4 3.4 76 3.5 – 4.9 ND – ● – ● lake N-04 Unnamed 9.8 0.9 2.1 93 NS Broad whitefish – ● – ● lake N-05 Unnamed lak 25.4 0.6 2.1 147 NS Broad whitefish ● ● – ● and es N-07 N-06 Unnamed 15.0 0.6 2.0 83 NS ND ● ● – ● lake N-08 Unnamed 21.4 1.1 2.4 234 NS Broad whitefish, inconnu ● ● – ● lake N-10 SE basin of 35.6 1.3 2.6 448 0.9 Broad whitefish, burbot, – ● – ● Kimialuk Lake inconnu, lake whitefish, northern pike

NOTES: NS = not sampled ND = VC species not documented in lake during current or previous studies – = suitable habitat not present ● = suitable habitat potentially present

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Table 7-12: Baseline Information for Large River Channels – Niglintgak

Habitat Suitability for Valued Components Over- Spring Crossing Watercourse Stream Drainage Channel Winterin Spawnin Fall/Winter ID Name Class Area Width Valued Component Species Present g g Spawning 2 (km ) (m) RNT-000 Middle Large River N/A 2180 Arctic cisco, broad whitefish, burbot, Dolly – ● – Channel Varden, inconnu, lake whitefish, northern pike RNT-001 Kumak Large River N/A 584 Arctic cisco, broad whitefish, burbot, Dolly ● ● ● Channel Varden, inconnu, lake whitefish, northern pike

NOTES: N/A = not applicable – = suitable habitat not present ● = suitable habitat potentially present

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Figure 7-9: Niglintgak Survey Sites

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7.3.3.2 Niglintgak Effects The effect pathways considered applicable for Niglintgak are in Figure 7-7 (shown previously) for the Niglintgak anchor field and Figure 7-8 (shown previously) for the barge-based gas conditioning facility. Direct effects on habitat of changes in water levels, of water withdrawals and of flooding because of subsidence are the only effects attributed to the land-based gas conditioning facility option (see Figure 7-7, shown previously).

Direct Habitat Effects – Barge-Based Gas Conditioning Facility Potential Dredging

The Mackenzie River estuary and parts of the delta channels would have to be dredged to bring the gas conditioning facility barge to Niglintgak for the barge- based option. Specific locations for dredging have not been identified, though it is likely that parts of Kugmallit Bay and Kittigazuit Bay and some reaches of East, Middle and Kumak channels of the Mackenzie River would be dredged. Additional dredging would be required to create a berth for the gas conditioning facility barge in the side channel east of the island at the confluence of Kumak Channel and Middle Channel, where it would remain grounded during operations. On decommissioning, the barge would be moved from its operations location to another location, to be determined. The areas to be dredged and the amount of dredging required at decommissioning are expected to be the same as during construction.

Potential Dredging – Freshwater Environment

Delta channels are highly turbid and lack instream cover. Bed materials are mostly silt, with small areas of gravel occasionally present in the thalweg. Delta channels are used primarily as corridors for upstream and downstream movement by adult and juvenile diadromous fish, with deeper channels also providing overwintering habitat. Disturbance of the channel bottom by dredging and spoil disposal is unlikely to affect these habitat functions. Dredging would be confined to specific locations in the river channel, and it is expected that the dredge would be at a given location for only a short time. This will allow the channel to continue to function as a migratory route.

Increased channel depth will not adversely affect overwintering, and might increase the amount of overwintering habitat available. Changes in bed material or bed composition are unlikely because the particle size distribution of the excavated material will be similar to that present at the bottom of the cut and along the sides of the channel where the dredge spoil will be deposited.

Disturbance of the riverbed by dredging and spoil deposition would affect benthic invertebrate habitat. Temporary reductions in the abundance of benthic invertebrates at dredging and spoil disposal sites would be expected, though the Page 7-80 August 2004 EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT

species richness and abundance of the existing benthic community is already limited by the silt substrate of delta channels. Based on previous studies, recovery to predevelopment conditions is expected to take one or two years. Royer et al. (1999) reported that benthic invertebrate communities in the Alaska River recovered to preconstruction levels within one year of dredging. Furthermore, aquatic organisms in the Mackenzie Delta have evolved in an area where annual disturbances are common. Erosion, sedimentation and ice scouring during spring freshet continuously alter benthic habitats (Fassnacht 1994). Although direct effects on benthic habitat cannot be avoided during dredging, the magnitude of the effects will be low and short term because of the highly localized nature of the potential dredging, the uniformity of bed materials and the recruitment of benthos from undisturbed areas upstream. These predicted effects on benthic habitat are unlikely to affect the availability of food for adult and juvenile fish.

Potential Dredging – Marine Environment

Effects on marine fish habitat include physical disturbance of the sea bottom and changes in the composition and size of bed materials. Habitat used by marine demersal species, would be most affected. Dredging of nearshore areas in Kugmallit Bay and Kittigazuit Bay would also affect marine and diadromous fish habitat. The extent and nature of potential adverse effects on diadromous and marine demersal fish would depend on the type of habitat present in the areas to be dredged and on its use by fish. Site-specific habitat surveys would be done at dredging locations once they have been identified. Seabed disruption and changes in the size and composition of bed material would affect benthic habitats in the dredged area, either directly by the actions of the cutter head or indirectly by burial with side-cast dredge spoils. Changes in benthic habitat would affect the community structure, distribution and abundance of benthic invertebrates in the dredged and disposal areas. In the worst case, benthic fauna in dredged and disposal areas would be destroyed. Although dredging would affect benthic marine organisms, effects of reduced food availability on fish are unlikely. The total area to be potentially dredged is less than 0.6% of the benthic habitat available in Kugmallit and Kittigazuit bays. Effects on availability of fish food would be negligible because only a very small part of the invertebrate food supply would be affected.

Potential Dredging – Summary

Direct effects of dredging operations on VC habitat in the freshwater or marine environment are expected to be adverse, low magnitude, local and short term. The direct effects of dredging on habitat are confined to construction and decommissioning.

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Barge-Based Gas Conditioning Facility Footprint

The barge will occupy about 4,500 to 6,000 m2 of bottom habitat. The habitat occupied by the barge will be unavailable for use by fish until the barge is removed. The extent of adverse effects on fish that could result from the loss of habitat depends on the type of habitat affected, its use, and the availability of similar habitat types in the area.

Although no habitat surveys were done at the proposed barge location, surveys were done in 2002 and 2003 on Kumak Channel about 1.5 km downstream (see Volume 3, Section 7, Fish and Fish Habitat). At the survey location, Kumak Channel (RNT-001) was classified as a deep flat, with bed materials of silt. Instream cover was provided primarily by depth and turbidity, with small amounts of aquatic vegetation present along the channel margins. Moderate channel depths and the lack of habitat diversity provided by riffles, runs and pools, for example, suggests that Kumak Channel is mostly used for overwintering and as a migration corridor for diadromous fish species moving between the Beaufort Sea and upstream areas of the Mackenzie River.

The habitat characteristics of the surveyed reach and the potential use of the habitat by fish are typical of channel habitats in the outer delta and are expected to be similar to the features and uses at the proposed barge location. Flow in the side channel is low because most Kumak Channel flow is directed to the west of the island at the confluence of the Kumak Channel and Middle Channel, so the side channel is likely to freeze to the bed in winter. Because the type of habitat affected by the barge is common and because it is unlikely that the side channel is used for overwintering, it is not expected that grounding of the barge will have adverse effects on fish habitat. In keeping with the principle of No Net Loss outlined in the Policy for the Management of Fish Habitat (DFO 1986), measures will be implemented to offset any loss of fish habitat associated with the barge. The effects of the barge footprint on habitat change in Kumak Channel are expected to be low magnitude and local. Any direct effects on habitat will be offset by implementing mitigation measures, such as discussed in Section 7.3.2, Overview of Project Design and Mitigation.

Change in Channel Morphology – Barge-Based Gas Conditioning Facility

Channel morphology might be changed during construction by bed disturbances caused by potential dredging, or by dredge spoils deposited by side casting. Changes would continue through operations and possibly into decommissioning and abandonment as new equilibrium channel conditions are established.

The likelihood and extent of channel morphology changes expected from potential dredging depend on the location and amount of dredging. At certain locations, parts of riverbanks might have to be excavated to allow the barge to

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navigate bends. Dredging would be done along the previously dredged shipping route where practical, though new areas could also be dredged. Dredging would also be required at the site to prepare the channel bed for barge installation. Information on the location and amount of dredging that could be required will not be available until bathymetry studies have been completed. It is expected that dredging would only be required at a few locations and that the amount of dredging at each location will be small. The magnitude of the change in channel morphology caused by barge-related activities ranges from low to moderate during construction (see Section 5, Hydrology). During operations, the location of the barge between the island at the confluence of Kumak Channel and Middle Channel and the right downstream bank of Kumak Channel will affect sediment transport and deposition locally, and the effects could extend farther upstream and downstream, potentially affecting the morphology of the channels. The magnitude of morphologic changes and their upstream and downstream effects are expected to be moderate, depending on site-specific flow, sediment conditions and the effectiveness of mitigation measures. Changes in channel morphology might extend beyond decommissioning because of new channel forms and the lengthy periods required to re-establish equilibrium conditions. The degree to which effects might extend beyond decommissioning depends on the magnitude, timing and extent of morphologic changes on compensatory effects of sedimentation, and on associated effects of thaw settlement. Delta channels are in a constant state of flux. Channel morphology continues to change in response to fluvial processes, and it is unlikely that fish habitat changes caused by a small amount of dredging will be distinguishable from natural changes in channel morphology. The annual sediment load to the delta is estimated to be 96 megatonnes (Mt), of which 4 Mt are carried as bed load, which is sediment not transported in the water column. Sediment from side casting of material excavated during channel dredging is likely to be negligible compared with annual sediment loads to the delta. As a result, the effects on VC habitat of changes in channel morphology caused by dredging and the barge are expected to be no effect to low magnitude, local in extent and short term for all phases of the project.

Change in Sea Bed Morphology – Barge-Based Gas Conditioning Facility Potential dredging in Kugmallit and Kittigazuit bays could change the bottom contours of the seabed, though disturbance of the sea bottom in the nearshore areas of the Beaufort Sea is not unusual. Ice scouring is common in the coastal areas of the Beaufort Sea. Trenches as deep as 7 m have been excavated by grounded ice. Once formed, these trenches become permanent features of the sea bottom. Any changes in the sea bottom from dredging would not be functionally different from trenches scoured by ice.

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Side casting of dredged materials might cause localized changes in seabed contours. Dredging would be done in shallow water no more than 5 m deep and that is typically 1 to 2 m deep. Dredged material deposited at these depths would be easily eroded by wave action and re-distributed throughout the estuary. Wave action and water circulation is expected to be sufficient to prevent the accumulation of redeposited materials. The effects of dredging and side casting on the shape and bottom contours are considered short term, localized and similar to natural events. As a result, changes in seabed morphology from dredging are not expected to affect VCs over the long term.

Changes in Water Level from Water Withdrawal

Water for Niglintgak processes, pressure testing and winter roads will be drawn from nearby water sources. Potential water sources for Niglintgak, including drilling and pressure testing, include the Mackenzie River or a nearby lake (see Volume 2, Project Description).

The magnitude of the effect of water withdrawal on water levels during construction was considered low (see Section 5, Hydrology). Selection of lakes for water withdrawal will conform to the Protocol for Water Withdrawal for Oil and Gas Activities in the Northwest Territories (Cott and Moore 2003), and only lakes where water withdrawal will not adversely affect fish or fish habitat will be used as water sources. Consequently, effects on fish are not expected. Changes in water levels from water withdrawal are expected to be less during operations than during construction. It is expected that only small amounts of potable and process water will be required during operations and that no water withdrawal will be required for decommissioning.

Sediment Deposition – Barge-Based Gas Conditioning Facility The Mackenzie River estuary and parts of the delta channels would need to be dredged to bring the barge to Niglintgak for the barge-based gas conditioning facility option.

Freshwater Environment

Sediment deposition can occur when bottom sediment entrained during dredging is redeposited or when dredge material is deposited on the riverbed by side casting. The severity of effects of sediment deposition on fish and fish habitat will depend on the type of habitat present downstream and on its use by fish. Potential dredging and spoil disposal locations are currently not known.

The substrate in the delta is typically sand and clay. Coarse material, such as gravel and cobble, although present, is rare. As a result, deposition of silt and sands resuspended by dredging or deposited by side casting is not expected to alter the existing substrate composition. Increased sediment deposition downstream of the dredging might cause slight increases in the drift of benthic Page 7-84 August 2004

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organisms, though it will not likely take long for these communities to re- establish (Royer et al. 1999). As a result, sediment deposition is not likely to adversely affect freshwater habitats of the VCs in delta channels.

Marine Environment

Effects of sediment deposition caused by potential dredging and dredge spoil disposal on marine habitats are expected to be similar to effects discussed for freshwater habitats. Sediment size distribution would change within the area of the dredging equipment’s sediment plume and in areas where dredge spoils are deposited. The seabed in Kittigazuit and Kugmallit bays varies from soft to firm clay, to silt, to medium-grained sand and is well-mixed by ocean processes. After exposure to the active processes of ice scour, erosion slumping and sediment transport, the estuary sediments in the dredged and disposal areas would rapidly acquire the characteristic of the undisturbed seabed. Any adverse effects of sediment deposition on changes in sediment size distribution are therefore expected to be localized, low magnitude and short duration.

Sediment from dredging and dredge spoil disposal would bury and smother marine benthic organisms. The extent of adverse effects depends on the ability of the organisms to migrate upward through the deposited materials. Although low-density fluid muds from disposal of fine-grained materials initially affected benthic invertebrates, rapid recovery was reported within a few months (LaSalle et al. 1991).

Summary

Effects on VC habitat of sediment deposited during potential dredging in both freshwater and marine environments are expected to be adverse, but low magnitude, local and short term. The effects of dredging are confined to construction and decommissioning.

Flooding Because of Subsidence

Land subsidence at Niglintgak is estimated to be 0.45 m, centred under Middle Channel at the southern end of Niglintgak Island. The zone of influence extends about 6 km upstream and downstream of this location and roughly 2 km beyond the channel banks, i.e., south of Middle Channel and northeast into Kumak Channel.

Flow and sediment regime changes that might result from land subsidence will be gradual. Because changes in channel morphology also take considerable time, the overall effect on channel morphology is expected to be low. Detectable changes in channel morphology caused by land subsidence would be restricted to the local study area.

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Changes in channel bed elevations could result in an intrusion of saltwater farther upstream in the delta. These intrusions would alter water quality, changing salinity; and the existing freshwater habitat in the outer delta would be replaced by saltwater, brackish or estuarine habitats. The amount of habitat available for marine and estuarine species would increase, and the amount of freshwater habitat would decrease. This would affect the distribution and abundance of freshwater and estuarine species, although diadromous species are unlikely to be affected. A discussion of saltwater intrusion and the potential effects of flooding on lake water quality is in Section 6, Water Quality.

Land subsidence might also result in increased inundation of lakes in the subsidence zone. Fish sampling in three small unnamed lakes beside Mackenzie River channels near Niglintgak found no fish in two of the lakes and ninespine stickleback in the third. No VCs were captured in the lakes.

Because land subsidence is a long-term process and will occur slowly, fish populations would have time to adjust and change their distribution in response to changes in freshwater and estuarine habitat availability. As a result, the effects on fish that might arise because of flooding from subsidence are expected to be low magnitude and local in extent. The effects would begin during operations and extend through decommissioning into postdecommissioning, so would extend to the far future.

Suspended Sediment – Barge-Based Gas Conditioning Facility

Freshwater Environment

Suspended sediment entrained during potential dredging and disposal of dredge spoil can affect fish. The magnitude of effects would depend on the sediment concentration and the duration of exposure. The effects on freshwater salmonid fish of exposure to sediment, relative to concentration and exposure duration scenarios encountered during dredging, were reviewed by Wilber and Clarke (2001). Exposure to TSS concentrations of 1,000 mg/L for one day was selected as the worst-case scenario for adult and juvenile salmonid fish exposed to a sediment plume from a dredge. Responses of adult and juvenile salmonids within this dosage range were mostly behavioural, with some sublethal effects, such as minor physiological stress or reduced feeding. Actual exposures are more likely to range from minutes to hours because fish would typically escape from the sediment plume.

Fish in the Mackenzie Delta channels are routinely exposed to elevated suspended sediment concentrations. Summer TSS concentrations in East Channel from 1972 to 1987 ranged from 51 to 205 mg/L, with a median concentration of 128 mg/L (see Volume 3, Section 7, Fish and Fish Habitat). Spring TSS levels are considerably higher. TSS concentrations in Harry Channel exceed 400 mg/L. It is likely that fish living in the Mackenzie Delta have adapted to chronically elevated

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TSS concentrations, so the effects on fish of exposure to sediment entrained by dredging are expected to be less than predicted by Wilber and Clarke (2001).

Effects on the health of VCs of suspended sediment entrained by dredging in freshwater are expected to be adverse, low magnitude, local in extent and short term. The effects are confined to dredging during construction and decommissioning only.

Marine Environment

Clarke and Wilber (2000) and Wilber and Clarke (2001) reviewed the effects on estuarine fish of sediment from dredging. The eggs and larvae of estuarine and coastal fish were more sensitive to suspended sediment exposure than were other life stages. Dosage responses to elevated suspended sediment concentrations were species-specific. The probable period of exposure to a suspended sediment plume, and hence the severity of adverse effects, is influenced by differences in egg form. Adhesive, demersal eggs could be exposed to a passing plume for as long as 3.5 days, depending on the advance rate of the dredge, whereas exposure time for semi-buoyant or pelagic eggs would be considerably less. A dosage of 1,000 mg/L for 3.5 days was considered the worst-case scenario for exposure of eggs and larvae to sediment entrained by dredging activities. At this dosage, adverse effects ranged from delayed hatching success after one day of exposure to more than 25% mortality after one to 3.5 days exposure.

Wilber and Clarke (2001) used the probable dosage of 1,000 mg/L for one day to estimate effects of dredging on estuarine fish. As with the freshwater fish, it was assumed that actual exposure times are substantially less than one day and exposures of minutes to hours are more likely. Lethal responses reported for non-salmonid estuarine fish were at concentrations much higher than 1,000 mg/L. The only exceptions in this study were Atlantic silversides (Menindia menindia) and white perch (Morone americana), which showed lethal responses at concentrations less than 1,000 mg/L.

Marine bivalve eggs and larvae were not affected by exposure to sediment at dosages less than 1,000 mg/L for less than two days (Wilber and Clarke 2001). However, lethal effects were observed at higher concentrations and at durations of more than 10 days. Similarly, adult crustaceans were unaffected by TSS concentrations at a probable dosage of 1,000 mg/L for one day (Wilber and Clarke 2001), and lethal responses were not observed until concentrations exceeded 7,000 mg/L and exposure times exceeded four days.

The TSS concentration of 1,000 mg/L used by Wilber and Clarke (2001) as the probable dose was the maximum TSS concentration expected in a sediment plume from a mechanical clam shell dredge. The TSS concentration entrained during dredging with a cutter suction dredge will be considerably lower (Clarke and Wilber 2000). Taking into account the expected effects of dredging on estuarine

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fish previously discussed, the use of cutter suction dredges, and the naturally high TSS concentrations in the nearshore waters of Kugmallit and Kittigazuit bays, it is unlikely that sediment entrained during dredging will adversely affect fish or benthic invertebrates in the marine environment.

Entrainment of Fish and Other Aquatic Organisms – Barge-Based Gas Conditioning Facility

Freshwater Environment

The suction generated by the cutter head of cutter suction dredges can take up fish and other aquatic organisms. Although eggs, larvae and fry are more susceptible to entrainment because of their inability to avoid the cutter head, adults can also be entrained. Entrainment rates vary among species. For example, entrainment rates can reach 0.45 fish/m3 of material dredged (LaSalle et al. 1991, Reine and Clarke 1998), although rates for most fish studied are around 0.0008 fish/m3. According to these studies, large and small fish are entrained in similar proportions, suggesting large fish are no more able to avoid the dredge than small fish. Virtually all entrained fish are killed.

Increases in entrainment rates for fry were reported when fry occupied a narrow, constricted channel (Reine and Clarke 1998). Narrow channels are believed to concentrate fry in a smaller space, exposing more of them to the suction of the dredge. Few studies have attempted to determine the effects on fish populations of entrainment rates and mortality related to dredging. However, one study estimated that as many as 0.4% of the total out-migration of salmon fry and smolts in the Fraser River of British Columbia were entrained by hydraulic dredging (Reine and Clarke 1998).

The channels of the Mackenzie Delta are major corridors for movement of freshwater resident and diadromous species. Diadromous lake whitefish, broad whitefish, Arctic cisco, least cisco and inconnu move upstream and downstream through the delta. Upstream movements start when inconnu enter the delta shortly after breakup in late May. The inconnu are followed by Arctic cisco, lake whitefish, broad whitefish and least cisco (Chang Kue and Jessop 1990). Upstream movements of coregonid species continue throughout the open-water period. As peak numbers of inconnu begin to decline in July, they are followed by Arctic cisco, which pass through the delta in peak numbers in mid-August. Arctic cisco are followed by lake whitefish and broad whitefish in late July and early August. Least cisco, the last coregonid species through the delta, appear as the numbers of lake whitefish and broad whitefish decline. Peak numbers of least cisco occur in late September or early October. Downstream movements of these coregonid species begin shortly after spawning, and a major downstream postspawning run occurs in late October (Chang Kue and Jessop 1990). In addition to the upstream movement of adult coregonids throughout the summer, young-of-the-year and juveniles of these species move or are washed downstream

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into the nearshore waters. From there, they move along the Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula and Richards Island.

The species and number of fish entrained would depend on the location, duration and timing of the potential dredging relative to fish movements. The locations that might be dredged and the dredging schedule have not yet been identified. Nevertheless, considering the many juvenile and adult fish passing through the delta during the open-water period and the narrow width of some of the delta channels, it is likely that some fish would be entrained by dredging. Of the age groups, young-of-year and one-year-old fish will likely be most affected if they are passing through the area when dredging is underway. Most adult fish are expected to avoid the cutter head and consequently are less likely to be affected. Although some losses from entrainment can be expected, the effects would be localized, short term and limited to a very small part of the total number of fish moving through the delta.

Marine Environment

Cutter suction dredges can also entrain marine and diadromous fish and benthic invertebrates. Eggs and larvae of pelagic and demersal fish and sessile epibenthic and inbenthic invertebrates are particularly susceptible to entrainment because of their inability to escape the cutter head. However, adult fish are also subject to entrainment. Most adult fish entrained by dredging are demersal types. Dredging of Tuktoyaktuk Harbour and McKinley Bay with a 90-cm cutter suction dredge entrained a variety of marine and diadromous species, including whitefish, cisco, inconnu, sculpins, and Arctic and saffron cod (Pelletier and Wilson 1980).

The number of fish entrained while dredging would depend on the duration, timing and location of the dredging. Diadromous coregonids live in the shallow near-shore low-salinity areas of Kugmallit and Kittigazuit bays, and several demersal marine species have been reported in the area. Marine species include starry flounder, Arctic flounder, fourhorn sculpin (Lawrence et al. 1984), Arctic cod and polar cod (Debrocky Seatech Limited 1980). Depending on the timing and location of the potential dredging, these species could be entrained. Less than 0.6% of the area of Kittigazuit and Kugmallit bays might be dredged, and because fish are distributed throughout the bays and are not believed to be present in large numbers, it is likely that only a few individuals would be entrained. In this case, the effects on fish populations are expected to be negligible. However, if areas where fish are concentrated for migration or by salinity tolerances are dredged, the effects of entrainment can be more severe.

Summary

Effects on VCs of entrainment of fish and other organisms while dredging in the freshwater or marine environment are expected to be adverse, low magnitude,

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local and short term. The effects of entrainment from dredging are confined to construction and decommissioning.

7.3.4 Taglu

Taglu includes the gas conditioning facility, 10 to 15 production wells on a single proposed well pad, associated above-ground flow lines, and one or two disposal wells (see Volume 2, Project Description). The effect pathways considered applicable for Taglu are shown in Figure 7-10.

The magnitude of effects of Taglu on habitat, health, distribution and abundance of the selected fish VCs range from no effect to low magnitude (see Table 7-13). The effects are considered local in extent. Water levels and water quality would change most during construction and operations, so the changes would be short term to long term.

The effects of flooding that could arise because of subsidence will begin during operations and might continue into postdecommissioning, so are far future in duration. The nature and extent of effects are not fully assessed. Although local effects are likely, they might be offset if the rate of sedimentation approximates the rate of subsidence.

Table 7-13: Effects of Taglu on Fish

Effect Attribute Potential Key Phase When Impact Geographic Effects Indicators Occurs Direction Magnitude Extent Duration Change in Habitat Construction Neutral No effect N/A N/A water levels Operations Neutral No effect N/A N/A from water withdrawal Decommissioning and Neutral No effect N/A N/A abandonment Flooding Habitat Operations and Adverse Low Local Long term because of decommissioning and subsidence abandonment Postdecommissioning Adverse Low Local Far future

NOTE: N/A = not applicable

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Change in availability, quality or quantity of fish habitat

Change in water levels Flooding because of subsidence

Water withdrawal/discharge

Taglu anchor field

Figure 7-10: Effect Pathways – Taglu

7.3.4.1 Baseline Conditions

Fish and fish habitat surveys were done at three lakes in the Taglu lease (see Table 7-14 for baseline information and Figure 7-11 for study locations). Broad whitefish, lake whitefish, northern pike, least cisco, inconnu and ninespine stickleback were captured during sampling. Previous studies indicated that Arctic cisco, burbot, spoonhead sculpin, lake chub, boreal smelt and trout-perch were also in the area.

Lakes in the area range from small, 3-ha floodplain lakes with no inlet or outlet stream channels to large lakes such as 1,279-ha-Big Lake, one of the largest lakes in the Mackenzie Delta. Small lakes have mostly silt and organic matter substrate, are likely to freeze to the lake bottom in winter and are considered to have limited fish habitat. Big Lake, in contrast, provides suitable adult feeding, holding and overwintering habitat for all species because of sufficient depth and cover. Abundant submergent aquatic vegetation provides suitable spawning, rearing and adult feeding and holding habitat for northern pike.

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Table 7-14: Baseline Information for Taglu Lakes

Bathymetry Habitat Suitability for Valued Components Max. Winter Over- Spring Mean Depth Dissolved Valued Component Winteri Spawni Fall/Winter Site ID Name Area Depth (m) Volume Oxygen Species Present ng ng Spawning Rearing 3 3 (ha) (m) (m x10 ) (mg/L) T-01 Big Lake 1,279 3.2 4.3 40,501 8.4 - 9.2 Broad whitefish, burbot, ● ● ● ● inconnu, lake trout, lake whitefish, northern pike T-02 Unnamed 5.7 1.3 3.1 73 2.8 - 3.1 Arctic cisco, broad whitefish, – ● – ● lake burbot, inconnu, lake whitefish T-05 Unnamed 3.1 N/A 3.3 N/A N/A ND – ● – ● lake

NOTES: N/A = data not available ND = VC species not documented in lake during current or previous studies – = suitable habitat not present ● = suitable habitat potentially present

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Figure 7-11: Taglu Survey Sites

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7.3.4.2 Taglu Effects

Changes in Water Level because of Water Withdrawal

Water for Taglu processes, pressure-testing and winter roads will be drawn from nearby water sources. Potential water sources include the Mackenzie River and nearby lakes and rivers (see Volume 2, Project Description).

The magnitude of the effect of water withdrawal on water levels during construction was considered low (see Section 5, Hydrology). Selection of lakes for water withdrawal will follow the Protocol for Water Withdrawal for Oil and Gas Activities in the Northwest Territories (Cott and Moore 2003), and only lakes where water withdrawal will not adversely affect fish or fish habitat will be used as water sources. Consequently, effects on fish are not expected. Changes in water levels from water withdrawal are expected to be less during operations than during construction. It is expected that only small amounts of potable and process water will be required during operations and that no water withdrawal will be required for decommissioning.

Flooding Because of Subsidence

Land subsidence at Taglu is expected to be less than at Niglintgak because of the greater depths from which gas will be extracted and differences in rock properties. Maximum subsidence is expected be about 0.34 m. The subsidence zone is centred almost halfway between the Taglu facilities and the southern shoreline of Big Lake. The subsidence contours are generally concentric, with the 0.1 m contour crossing the northern third section of Big Lake. Effects of the subsidence on channel hydraulics and flooding of land could result in effects on morphology.

Flow and sediment regime changes that might result from land subsidence will be gradual. Because changes in channel morphology also take considerable time, the overall effect on channel morphology is expected to be low to moderate. Detectable changes in channel morphology caused by land subsidence would be restricted to the local study area.

Changes in channel bed elevations could result in an intrusion of saltwater farther upstream in the delta. There would be changes in water quality because of the changes in salinity, and the existing freshwater habitat in the outer delta would be replaced by saltwater, brackish or estuarine habitats. The amount of habitat available for marine and estuarine species would increase, and the amount of freshwater habitat would decrease. This would affect the distribution and abundance of freshwater and estuarine species, although diadromous species are unlikely to be affected. Saltwater intrusion and the potential effects of flooding on lake water quality are discussed in Section 6, Water Quality.

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Land subsidence might also result in increased inundation of lakes in the subsidence zone. At the two lakes sampled near Taglu, fish were not captured in unnamed lake T-02, the lake more likely to be inundated by flow from Harry Channel. VCs are present in Big Lake, also called T-01. Big Lake is north of the zone currently affected by land subsidence. It is unknown if land subsidence will affect Big Lake. Land subsidence is a long-term process and will occur slowly, and fish populations would have time to adjust and change their distribution. Effects on fish of flooding from subsidence are expected to be low magnitude, local and extend to the far future.

7.3.5 Parsons Lake

The Parsons Lake field includes the gas conditioning facility, two well pads, i.e., north and south, associated above-ground flow lines and two disposal wells (see Volume 2, Project Description). The site will be developed in two phases. The north pad, including a single well pad with nine to 19 production wells, two wastewater disposal wells and a gas conditioning facility, will be developed first. The south pad will follow development of the north pad by five to 10 years and will include a single well pad with three or four wells. An above-ground flow line will transport product from the south pad to the north pad for processing and supporting infrastructure, including an airstrip.

The effect pathways for the Parsons Lake field are similar to those discussed for Niglintgak and Taglu. However, land subsidence and resultant flooding are not expected in the Parsons Lake lease when natural gas is extracted. The effect pathways considered applicable for the Parsons Lake field are shown in Figure 7-12.

The Parsons Lake field is not expected to have any adverse effects on the habitat, health, distribution and abundance of selected fish VCs (see Table 7-15).

Table 7-15: Effects of the Parsons Lake Field on Fish

Effect Attribute Potential Key Phase When Geographic Effects Indicators Impact Occurs Direction Magnitude Extent Duration Change in Habitat Construction Neutral No effect Local Short term water levels Operations Neutral No effect Local Long term from water withdrawal Decommissioning Neutral No effect N/A N/A and abandonment

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Change in availability, quality or quantity of fish habitat

Change in water levels

Water withdrawal/discharge

Parsons lake anchor field

Figure 7-12: Effect Pathways – Parsons Lake Field

7.3.5.1 Baseline Conditions

Fish and fish habitat surveys were done at 12 lakes in the Parsons Lake lease, including at two Parsons Lake bays (see Table 7-16 for baseline information and Figure 7-13 for study locations).

Northern pike, lake whitefish, burbot, ninespine stickleback and cisco species were captured during sampling. Most lakes had substrate of silt or organic materials. Aquatic vegetation in the lakes and along their perimeters suggests the lakes could provide suitable spawning habitat for pike. Isolated areas of gravel and cobble substrate, suitable spawning habitat for whitefish species, were present in varying amounts along the perimeters of several lakes. Although most lakes sampled had a maximum depth of more than 3 m, overwintering habitat was limited by low dissolved oxygen levels below the ice in late winter. Suitable rearing habitat was present, with overhanging vegetation, submergent vegetation, cobble and deep water providing cover.

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Table 7-16: Baseline Information for Lakes in the Parsons Lake Field

Bathymetry Habitat Suitability for Valued Components Mean Max. Winter Valued Dept Depth Dissolved Component Over- Spring Fall/Winter Site ID Name Area h (m) Volume Oxygen Species Present Wintering Spawning Spawning Rearing 3 3 (ha) (m) (m x10 ) (mg/L) P-068 Unnamed 24.9 1.9 7.0 463 0.2 – 3.6 Northern pike – ● – ● lake P-078 Unnamed 9.0 0.9 3.0 78 0.3 – 0.5 Arctic grayling, lake – ● – ● lake trout, lake whitefish, northern pike P-083 Unnamed 4.1 1.9 4.3 78 N/A Northern pike ● ● – ● lake P-092 Unnamed 23.6 1.7 3.7 403 0.3 – 0.8 Northern pike – ● – ● lake P-103 Unnamed 19.1 2.0 5.2 381 0.6 – 2.4 Northern pike – ● – ● lake P-104 Unnamed 4.4 1.4 4.6 63 0.2 – 2.2 Northern pike – ● – ● lake P-110 Unnamed 4.8 1.4 4.0 66 0.2 – 1.5 ND – ● – ● lake P-111 Unnamed 5.6 2.0 4.6 112 0.1 – 1.5 ND – ● – ● lake P-115 Unnamed 1.3 1.1 2.8 14 N/A ND – ● – ● lake P-116 Unnamed 10.8 1.8 4.0 197 N/A ND – ● – ● lake P-117 Unnamed 4.0 1.2 2.4 47 N/A ND – ● – ● lake Z-41 Unnamed 37.0 1.6 5.2 580 0.1 – 0.2 Northern pike – ● – ● lake

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Table 7-16: Baseline Information for Lakes in the Parsons Lake Field (cont’d)

Bathymetry Habitat Suitability for Valued Components Mean Max. Winter Valued Dept Depth Dissolved Component Over- Spring Fall/Winter Site ID Name Area h (m) Volume Oxygen Species Present Wintering Spawning Spawning Rearing 3 3 (ha) (m) (m x10 ) (mg/L) PAR-01 and Parsons 5,825 3.2 8.2 185,029 0.1 – 11.6 Arctic grayling, ● ● ● ● PL-07 Lake broad whitefish, burbot, lake trout, lake whitefish, northern pike

NOTES: N/A = data not available ND = VC species not documented in lake during current or previous studies – = suitable habitat not present ● = suitable habitat potentially present

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Figure 7-13: Parsons Lake Survey Sites

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7.3.5.2 Parsons Lake Effects

Changes in Water Level – Water Withdrawal

Parsons Lake will likely be the main source of water for industrial use at the Parsons Lake field (see Volume 2, Project Description). A hydrological assessment is required to quantify changes in water level in Parsons Lake resulting from withdrawal. However, given Parsons Lake’s 8.2-m maximum depth, 3.2-m mean depth and 5,825-ha surface area, it is assumed that water withdrawals will not have a measurable effect on water levels in Parsons Lake and will not affect fish.

If lakes other than Parsons Lake are required as a water source, they will be selected according to DFO’s Protocol for Water Withdrawal for Oil and Gas Activities in the Northwest Territories (Cott and Moore 2003). Only lakes where water withdrawal will not adversely affect fish or fish habitat will be used as water sources, so no effects on fish or fish habitat are expected. Changes in water levels from water withdrawal are expected to be less during operations than during construction. It is expected that only small amounts of potable and process water will be required during operations and that no water withdrawal will be required for decommissioning.

7.3.6 Gathering Pipelines and Associated Facilities

The gathering pipelines connect the three anchor fields to the Inuvik area facility (see Volume 2, Project Description). The gathering pipelines and associated facilities include the Niglintgak lateral, Parsons Lake lateral, Taglu lateral, Storm Hills lateral, Storm Hills pigging facility and Inuvik area facility. See Figure 7-14 for the effect pathways considered applicable.

Effects on habitat, health, and distribution and abundance of fish VCs range from no effect to low-magnitude effect (see Table 7-17). The geographic extent of effects is mostly local, though some effects, such as groundwater flow, might extend to the RSA. Most of the effect pathways discussed, i.e., direct habitat effects, sediment entrainment and deposition, and in-water use of explosives, only occur during crossing construction and therefore are short term. The adverse effects of watercourse crossing construction vary depending on the type of watercourse, i.e., its classification, and the crossing method employed. The magnitude of effects does not exceed low.

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Change in availability, quality or Change in fish Change in abundance and quantity of fish habitat health distribution

Crossing Effects of Direct habitat effects construction explosives Change in Increased Frozen Change in harvest access Change in flow Groundwater water quality Blockage of Frost bulb Crossing fish passage formation construction Change in channel morphology Suspended Bank sediment subsidence

Change in Water water levels withdrawal

Surface runoff Sediment deposition Crossing construction

Gathering pipelines and associated facilities

Figure 7-14: Effect Pathways – Gathering Pipelines and Associated Facilities August 2004 Page 7-101

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Table 7-17: Effects of the Gathering Pipelines on Fish Effect Attribute Key Phase When Geographic Potential Effects Indicators Impact Occurs Direction Magnitude Extent Duration Direct habitat Habitat Construction Adverse No effect to low Local Short term effects of crossing Operations and Neutral No effect N/A N/A construction decommissioning and abandonment Change in Habitat Construction Neutral No effect N/A N/A groundwater flow Operations Adverse No effect to low Local to regional Long term Decommissioning Neutral No effect N/A N/A and abandonment Change in channel Habitat Construction Adverse Low Local Short term morphology – bed Operations Adverse No effect to low Local Long term and bank disturbance Decommissioning Neutral No effect N/A N/A and abandonment Change in channel Habitat Construction Adverse Low Local Short term morphology – bank Operations Adverse Low Local Long term subsidence Decommissioning Adverse Low Local Long term and abandonment Changes in water Habitat Construction Neutral No effect N/A N/A levels – water Operations Neutral No effect N/A N/A withdrawal Decommissioning Neutral No effect N/A N/A and abandonment Sediment Habitat Construction Adverse No effect to low Local Short term deposition from Operations and Neutral No effect N/A N/A surface runoff decommissioning and abandonment Sediment Habitat Construction Adverse No effect to low Local Short term deposition during crossing construction Change in water Health Construction Adverse No effect to low Local Short term quality because of Operations and Neutral No effect N/A N/A suspended decommissioning sediment and abandonment Effects of Health Construction Adverse Low Local Short term explosives Change in harvest Distribution Construction and Neutral No effect N/A N/A – increased and operations access abundance Decommissioning Neutral No effect N/A N/A and abandonment Blockage of fish Distribution Operations Adverse No effect to low Local to regional Long term movement – frost and Decommissioning Neutral No effect N/A N/A bulbs abundance and abandonment

NOTE: N/A = not applicable

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7.3.6.1 Baseline Conditions

The gathering pipelines cross 75 watercourses, 54 of which are classified as Vegetated Channels. Vegetated Channels have poorly defined flow paths and ephemeral flow with flow only after snowmelt and rain, and are unlikely to provide habitat for any VC life stage except when they are flowing in spring. The six watercourses classified as Active II Channels have discernible banks and substrates but are expected to freeze to the bed of the watercourse. Some Active II Channels along the route are suitable spawning and rearing habitat for Arctic grayling and sucker species and, in some cases, for northern pike. Eleven watercourses are classified as Active I Channels, which are expected to have perennial flow or only partly freeze to the bed of the watercourse in winter. Active I Channels include Aklak Channel, Zed Creek, Hans Creek and eight unnamed channels and streams. Table 7-18 shows fish species information and the presence of overwintering and spring and fall spawning habitat for Active I and Large River Channels. These sites are shown in Figure 7-15 (index map), Figure 7-16 (Niglintgak lateral), Figure 7-17 (Taglu lateral), Figure 7-18 (Parsons Lake lateral) and Figure 7-19 (Storm Hills lateral). Surveyed Active I streams exhibit a variety of habitat features, including riffles, deep and shallow runs, flats and pools. Substrates range from coarse materials to fine silt. Instream cover includes overhanging vegetation, undercut banks and aquatic vegetation. Boulder gardens, woody debris and depth and turbulence cover occur intermittently.

Four of the watercourses are classified as Large River Channels, which are watercourses that drain more than 1,000 km2. Among these watercourses are crossings of delta channels, including East Channel of the Mackenzie River and Harry Channel, which have uniform habitat characteristics, moderate or deep turbid flat habitat, and mostly silt substrate (see Table 7-18 for baseline information and Figure 7-16, cited previously, for study locations). Instream cover for fish is provided by depth, turbidity, aquatic vegetation and overhanging vegetation along the channel margins. Because of depth and flow, these channels are unlikely to freeze to the bed of the watercourse in winter and provide suitable overwintering habitat.

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Table 7-18: Baseline Information for Watercourse Crossings of Large River and Active I Channels – Gathering Pipelines

Habitat Suitability for Valued Components Over- Spring Crossing Watercourse Stream Drainage Channel Winterin Spawnin Fall/Winter ID Name Class Lateral Area Width Valued Component Species Present g g Spawning 2 (km ) (m) RNT-002 Aklak Channel Active I Niglintgak N/A 67 Arctic cisco, broad whitefish, burbot, ● ● ● Dolly Varden, inconnu, lake whitefish, northern pike RNT-004 Kanguk Large Niglintgak N/A 107 Arctic cisco, broad whitefish, burbot, ● ● ● Channel River Dolly Varden, inconnu, lake whitefish, northern pike RNT-006 Kuluarpak Large Niglintgak N/A 126 Arctic cisco, broad whitefish, burbot, ● ● ● Channel River Dolly Varden, inconnu, lake whitefish, northern pike RPR-001 Unnamed Active I Taglu N/A 34 Arctic cisco, broad whitefish, burbot, ● – – channel Dolly Varden, inconnu, lake whitefish, northern pike RPR-002 Harry Channel Large Taglu N/A 140 Arctic cisco, broad whitefish, burbot, ● ● ● River Dolly Varden, inconnu, lake whitefish, northern pike RPR-003 Unnamed Active I Taglu N/A 36 Arctic cisco, broad whitefish, burbot, – ● – channel Dolly Varden, inconnu, lake whitefish, northern pike RPR-005 Unnamed Active I Taglu N/A 60 Arctic cisco, broad whitefish, burbot, – ● – channel Dolly Varden, inconnu, lake whitefish, northern pike RPR-007 Yaya River Active I Taglu 34 5 Northern pike – ● – RPR-011 Unnamed Active I Taglu N/A 122 Arctic cisco, broad whitefish, burbot, ● ● ● channel Dolly Varden, inconnu, lake whitefish, northern pike RPR-012 Unnamed Active I Taglu N/A 25 Arctic cisco, broad whitefish, burbot, – ● – channel Dolly Varden, inconnu, lake whitefish, northern pike

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Table 7-18: Baseline Information for Watercourse Crossings of Large River and Active I Channels – Gathering Pipelines (cont’d)

NOTES: Drainage Area = area of watershed upstream of the crossing location Channel Width = mean wetted channel width in summer N/A = drainage areas for Mackenzie Delta channels are not applicable – = suitable habitat not present ● = suitable habitat potentially present

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Figure 7-15: Index Map – Anchor Fields and Gathering Pipelines

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Figure 7-16: Niglintgak Lateral Watercourse Crossing Survey Sites August 2004 Page 7-107

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Figure 7-17: Taglu Lateral Watercourse Crossing Survey Sites Page 7-108 August 2004

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Figure 7-18: Parsons Lake Lateral Watercourse Crossing Survey Sites August 2004 Page 7-109

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Figure 7-19: Storm Hills Lateral Watercourse Crossing Survey Sites Page 7-110 August 2004

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7.3.6.2 Gathering Pipelines and Associated Facilities Effects

The effect pathways considered applicable for the gathering pipelines and associated facilities are shown in Figure 7-14, shown previously. The applicable effect pathways are mostly related to construction and operation of the laterals, e.g., watercourse crossing construction and frost bulb formation.

Direct Habitat Effects of Crossing Construction

The gathering pipelines will cross several watercourses, ranging from small ephemeral streams to large rivers. Crossing Vegetated and Active II watercourses is not expected to directly affect fish habitat because these watercourses will be either dry or frozen to the bed during crossing construction, and their bed and banks will be restored to their original contours before flow returns in spring. Large River and Active I Channels, which are likely overwintering, spawning, egg incubation and rearing habitat for fall spawning species, will be crossed using the trenchless method where practical. The trenchless method will avoid disturbing habitat at the crossing location with isolation or open-cut methods. Where there is no spawning or overwintering habitat in the area of crossing construction, Large River and Active I watercourses will be crossed using isolation or open-cut methods.

Direct effects on habitat cannot be avoided when open-cut or isolation methods are used. Habitat features present at the crossing location will be disturbed by trenching, pipe installation and backfilling. The time required for crossing construction depends on the width of the watercourse. Typically, the duration of crossing construction is three to five days, although more time is required for larger watercourses. On completion of crossing construction, disturbed materials are replaced with similar-sized substrates and the bed and banks of the watercourse are restored to their original contours. Because the disruption of habitat by crossing construction is typically short in duration and the affected habitats are restored after construction, the magnitude of effects on habitat directly related to crossing construction is considered low. Direct effects of watercourse crossing on fish habitat are summarized in Table 7-19. Direct effects on the VCs are expected to be adverse, range from no effect to low magnitude depending on the habitat present and the crossing method, local in extent because they are confined to the immediate area of the crossing and short term. The effects of direct habitat alteration are confined to the physical construction of the gathering pipelines, so no effects are expected during operations or decommissioning and abandonment.

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Table 7-19: Direct Habitat Effects of the Gathering Pipelines Crossing Construction

Fall Spawning and Overwintering Habitat for Valued Components at Crossing Directio Magnitud Geographi Class Crossing Flow Method n e c Extent Duration Active I or Yes Yes Trenchless, Neutral No effect N/A N/A Large Rive including r aerial Isolation or Adverse Low Local Short open-cut term trenchless methods not feasible No Yes Open cut Neutral Low Local Short term Active II N/A No Open cut1 Neutral No effect N/A N/A Vegetated N/A No Open cut Neutral No effect N/A N/A

NOTES: N/A = not applicable 1 Isolation method will be used if flowing water is encountered during crossing construction

Changes in Flow

Groundwater

The magnitude of effects on groundwater and stream flow is site-specific and depends on several factors, including surface water flow, groundwater flow, pipe temperature and burial depth of the pipe, all of which influence the size of the frost bulb that will form. Table 7-20 describes groundwater flow changes for different channel types and crossing methods and assesses effects on fish habitat of partial groundwater flow blockage from frost bulb formation (see also Section 5, Hydrology).

The effect pathway for groundwater changes caused by frost bulb formation is only valid for Active I Channels. Streams classified as Vegetated or Active II Channels are typically dry or frozen to the channel bed in winter and consequently have negligible or low groundwater flow. More than 75% of the streams crossed by the gathering pipelines are either Vegetated or Active II Channels. Disruption of groundwater flow for Large River Channels will be negligible because of the size of the river and the minor contribution of groundwater to the total surface flow.

Of the 11 identified Active I crossings in the production area, six streams might be used for fall spawning and overwintering. Insulating the pipe or increasing burial depths at these crossings will ensure that a thaw zone persists beneath the streambed. This talik thaw zone will mitigate any changes in groundwater and surface flow and not affect fish habitat.

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Table 7-20: Potential Effects of Frost Bulb Formation at Watercourse Crossings

Stream Hydrogeological Conditions Type and Thermal Crossing Condition at Residual Effects on Fish 1,2,3 4 Method Crossing Substrate Groundwater Potential Physical Effects Mitigation Habitat Vegetated Permafrost Coarse5 Ephemeral Not applicable5 Not applicable Not applicable drainage and flow. Fine No frost bulb forms and no pipe None required None – no disruption of fish By definition, there heave occurs as ground under habitat is negligible stream is already frozen groundwater Non- Coarse5 contribution to flow Not applicable5 Not applicable Not applicable permafrost in Vegetated Fine Frost bulb forms and pipe will Inspect and regrade where None – any changes in Channels and no heave over several years and might necessary drainage pattern would be groundwater cause upward displacement of the gradual. If pike spawning contribution in Vegetated Channel habitat is present, the winter. channel will likely form new potential spawning habitat under new drainage conditions with no effect on VCs. Active II Permafrost Coarse Minimal a) Frost bulb forms and, in winter, None None – fish habitat and groundwater joins with in-stream ice and migration will not be affected contribution to seasonal frost penetration below channel flow and no stream bed. Bulb would not contribution in persist above stream bed winter through spring and summer because of the stream’s thermal regime. Earlier stream freezeup is possible because of cold pipe in ground. b) No pipe heave and associated stream bed displacement would occur because of coarse substrate, which is not susceptible to heave c) Minor groundwater blockage could occur in spring and fall. There is no groundwater contribution or effect in winter.

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Table 7-20: Potential Effects of Frost Bulb Formation at Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

Stream Hydrogeological Conditions Type and Thermal Crossing Condition Residual Effects on Fish 1,2,3 4 Method at Crossing Substrate Groundwater Potential Physical Effects Mitigation Habitat Active II Permafrost Fine Minimal a) Frost bulb forms and, in winter, None None – fish habitat and (cont’d) (cont’d) groundwater joins with in-stream ice and migration will not be affected contribution to seasonal frost penetration below channel flow and stream bed. Bulb would not no contribution in persist above stream bed winter through spring and summer because of the stream’s thermal regime. Earlier stream freezeup is possible because of cold pipe in ground. b) Pipe will heave because of fine substrate, which is susceptible to heave, and might displace the stream bed. Incremental bed displacement will likely be eroded annually by stream flow. c) Minor groundwater blockage could occur in spring and fall. There is no groundwater contribution or effect in winter. Non- Coarse Minimal Same as for Active II, permafrost, None No residual effect in fall, permafrost groundwater coarse substrate except that: winter or summer. Possible contributions to c) minor groundwater blockage low residual effect on Arctic channel flow could occur and there is a grayling in the spring if icings possibility of ice formation in fall occur because of the and winter pipeline and if grayling spawning migration is Fine Same as for Active II, permafrost, delayed or disrupted. fine substrate except that: c) minor groundwater blockage could occur and there is a possibility of ice formation in fall and winter

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Table 7-20: Potential Effects of Frost Bulb Formation at Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

Stream Hydrogeological Conditions Type and Thermal Crossing Condition Residual Effects on Fish 1,2,3 4 Method at Crossing Substrate Groundwater Potential Physical Effects Mitigation Habitat Active I Permafrost Coarse Groundwater a) Frost bulb forms and might 1. Increase pipeline burial depth 1. None – mitigation will open cut or and non- contributions to extend into stream channel. Bulb or use insulation at Active I ensure that a thaw zone isolation permafrost, channel flow would not persist above stream crossings that are persists all year below with talik or expected in all bed through spring and summer susceptible to heave and stream beds that are thaw zone seasons because of the stream’s thermal bulb growth into stream susceptible to frost bulb always regime. channel and where fall growth and where there is present b) No pipe heave and associated spawning or overwintering fall spawning or below displacement of stream bed fish habitat is present, overwintering habitat. No channel would occur because of the locations to be identified change in flow or fish coarse substrate, which is not based on pipe temperature, habitat. susceptible to heave soil characteristics and fish 2. None – no change in flow, habitat c) Minor groundwater blockage water levels or velocity would occur. Groundwater will 2. No mitigation required at where fish habitat present likely find a path around the bulb locations that are not but not susceptible to frost and might enter the channel. susceptible to frost bulb bulb formation formation, e.g., relatively 3. Low – moderate effect on Fine Groundwater a) Frost bulb forms and might warm pipe, or where there is unmitigated streams if contributions to extend into stream channel. Bulb no fall spawning or icings prevent fish channel flow would not persist above stream overwintering habitat passage or block expected in all bed through spring and summer groundwater and surface seasons, though a because of thermal regime of flow resulting in loss or smaller stream reduction of overwintering percentage than b) Pipe will heave because the fine and spawning habitat for coarse substrate is susceptible to heave substrate streams and might result in displacement because of lower of the stream bed. Incremental permeability bed displacement will likely be eroded annually by stream flow. c) Minor groundwater blockage would occur. Groundwater will likely find a path around the bulb and might enter the channel.

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Table 7-20 Potential Effects of Frost Bulb Formation at Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

Hydrogeological Conditions Stream Thermal Type and Condition Crossing at Residual Effects on Fish 1,2,3 4 Method Crossing Substrate Groundwater Potential Physical Effects Mitigation Habitat Large Permafrost Coarse Groundwater Same as for Active I coarse Same as for Active I, with None – no change in flow, River or non- contributions to substrate increased burial depth and water levels or velocity. open cut permafrost channel flow insulation where required Thawed zone below Fine Same as for Active I fine substrate , with talik expected in all channel maintained all or thaw seasons year, and mitigation will be zone applied where required, always i.e., if susceptible to frost present bulb formation and below presence of fall spawning channel and overwintering habitat. No effect on fish habitat. Active I or Permafrost Coarse Groundwater The depth of cover associated Large depth of burial will None – will always Large – Active I Fine contributions to with large depth of burial ensure that a thaw zone exists maintain thawed zone. No River with only flow expected in construction will ensure that any below the stream bed at all change in flow, water levels large all seasons frost bulb formation will not extend times or velocity. No effect on Non- Coarse depth permafrost into the stream channel. Overall fish habitat. Fine burial , or talik groundwater regime and input to constructi below stream is not affected. on channel

NOTES: 1 These potential effects relate specifically to the natural gas line, which will be a small-diameter line with low flow at ambient temperatures. However, there is a possibility of frost bulb effects similar to the NGL line where the liquid in the line is cold and the line crosses a talik under a watercourse crossing. 2 The potential effects described are applicable during operations when gas is flowing, not during construction. 3 Pipeline heave will only occur in fine substrate, which is frost-susceptible. Heave will occur over several years, and the magnitude of heave and the resulting upward displacement of the streambed will depend on site-specific soil moisture and ice characteristics. 4 Engineering studies, e.g., thermal simulations, heave analysis and insulation design, are required to identify watercourse crossings susceptible to heave and frost bulb formation. Environmental review, e.g., fish habitat assessment, can then be done to identify crossings where mitigation measures will be required. 5 Vegetated Channels are typically characterized by a base of fine soil and organic compounds. By definition, Vegetated Channels do not have coarse substrate.

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Groundwater flow changes caused by frost bulb formation will have no effect on fish habitat for Vegetated, Active II and Large River Channels. Because mitigation measures will be applied at all crossings susceptible to frost bulb formation where spawning or overwintering habitat is present, effects on Active I Channels are expected to range from no effect to low effect. Low effects would only occur at Active I Channels where mitigation measures were not implemented, i.e., where there is no spawning, overwintering or susceptibility to frost bulb formation. When frost bulbs form at crossings where mitigation measures have not been implemented, the extent of effect could extend beyond the LSA but would be confined to the RSA. These occurrences are expected to be rare and site-specific. Potential adverse effects will occur over the entire operational period of the pipeline. Once chilled gas is no longer flowing, any frost bulbs that have formed will melt over time.

Changes in Channel Morphology

Bed and Bank Disturbance – Crossing Construction

Effects of small-scale changes in morphology, such as those resulting from watercourse crossing construction, are expected to be low magnitude and local in extent. Active I and II Channels are most likely to be affected.

Locating pipeline and road watercourse crossings at sites where the channel is stable will increase the likelihood that banks can be successfully restored, and the existing stream morphology will continue to evolve naturally. Erosion of weakened banks and unconsolidated substrate at crossing locations can be reduced by shore-protection measures designed according to principles of fluvial geomorphology. The shore-protection measures work in concert with the watercourse, and the dynamic stability of the channel is maintained.

No effects are expected on Vegetated Channels because many do not have defined banks. Changes can be avoided by carefully marking small streams, surveying stream gradients and grading them after construction is completed to ensure the hydraulic configuration of the streams will be restored.

Mitigation measures will limit the magnitude of any potential adverse effects on Active I and II Channels to no effect or low magnitude. Effects of changes in channel morphology are likely to become evident during operations. Effects will be localized and can be eliminated if eroded or disturbed banks are repaired immediately after they have been detected. Disturbance of banks at Large River crossings is unlikely to change channel morphology. The effects of construction- related changes in the banks of Large River Channels will be minor compared with the natural factors that affect and maintain channel morphology.

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Bank Subsidence

Effects of bank subsidence will be similar to the effects of bed and bank disturbance. Effects of small-scale changes in morphology from bank subsidence at crossings are expected to be low magnitude, and restricted to the LSA, so local in extent.

Changes in Water Levels – Water Withdrawal Water withdrawal from local waterbodies might be necessary to pressure-test the gathering pipelines. The sources and volumes have not been identified. Only the largest lakes, the Mackenzie River and other large rivers will have adequate winter flow and depths to allow suitable withdrawal rates. No adverse effects of water withdrawal are expected because criteria will be established to ensure that water withdrawal will not adversely affect fish habitat. Selecting lakes for water withdrawal will conform to the Protocol for Water Withdrawal for Oil and Gas Activities in the Northwest Territories (Cott and Moore 2003). Changes in water levels caused by water withdrawal are expected to be less during operations than during construction. It is expected that only small amounts of potable and process water will be required during operations and that none will be required for decommissioning. Consequently, water withdrawal will not affect fish habitat.

Sediment Deposition

Surface Runoff – Overview

Land disturbance from gathering pipeline construction and operations, including the right-of-way in areas of previously unaltered terrain, might cause higher sediment runoff compared with natural conditions. Deposition will only increase if sediment carried by runoff enters the receiving stream.

Surface Runoff – Gathering Pipeline Rights-of-Way

The change in a watershed’s sediment yield will be roughly proportional to the amount of disturbance in the watershed and the increase in the disturbed area’s erosion potential (see Section 5, Hydrology). About 660 ha will be disturbed by clearing the gathering pipeline rights-of-way. Sites will be prepared for pipeline installation when frozen, but the cleared right-of-way will be exposed to precipitation and subject to erosion in spring and summer. Only a small part of the 660 ha along the cleared right-of-way is expected to contribute sediment directly to the receiving streams, and a large proportion of the sediment would be trapped in vegetation. Implementation of erosion and sediment control plans and standard mitigation measures outlined in Section 7.3.2, Overview of Project Design and Mitigation, and discussed in Volume 7, Environmental Management, will reduce sediment input. Appropriate mitigation measures can nearly eliminate the effects Page 7-118 August 2004

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on fish habitat of sediment deposition from surface runoff. The magnitude of effects will be low during construction and no effects are expected during operations and decommissioning and abandonment.

Surface Runoff – Gathering Pipelines and Associated Facilities

Runoff from areas of concentrated disturbance, such as the Inuvik area facility and the Storm Hills pigging facility, will have the greatest effect on sediment yield. Runoff from the Inuvik area facility, if directed toward the nearby unnamed stream, can increase sediment deposition, though mitigation measures, such as those outlined in Section 7.3.2, Overview of Project Design and Mitigation, and discussed in Volume 7, Environmental Management, can reduce the amount of sediment-laden runoff leaving the site. The magnitude of effects on fish habitat of sediment carried in runoff from the Inuvik area facility is considered low if effective mitigation measures are in place. The Storm Hills pigging facility is about 1.5 km away from a small, unnamed lake. Because there is no defined drainage connecting this facility to the lake, if effective mitigation measures are implemented and sediment is trapped by vegetation, no effects on fish habitat of sediment deposition from runoff from the Storm Hills pigging facility are expected.

Surface Runoff – Summary

The magnitude of effects of sediment deposition on fish habitat from a change in gathering pipeline runoff is expected to be no effect to low magnitude for most basins during construction because the increases are unlikely to cause much sediment deposition in habitat areas. Extent of the effect will be local. Sediment deposition from land disturbed along the gathering pipelines is expected to be less during operations and decommissioning because the rights-of-way will be reclaimed. Consequently, no effects are expected during operations and decommissioning and abandonment.

Crossing Construction

The effects of sediment deposition from crossing construction depend on the stream type, the habitat use in the area affected by the crossing and the crossing method.

Selecting a crossing method that entrains the least amount of sediment when sensitive habitats are downstream will reduce the effects of sediment deposition. Effects of sediment deposition on downstream habitats will be greatest for open-cut crossings of Active I or Large River Channels. Table 7-21 summarizes the crossing methods selected for watercourses crossed by the gathering pipelines.

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Table 7-21: Gathering Pipeline Watercourse Crossing Methods – Large River and Active I Channels Crossing Method Lateral Trenchless Isolation Open Cut Niglintgak RNT-002 Aklak Channel RNT-004 Kanguk Channel RNT-006 Kuluarpak Channel Taglu RPR-001 Unnamed channel RPR-003 Unnamed channel RPR-002 Harry Channel RPR-007 Yaya River RPR-005 Unnamed channel RPR-012 Unnamed channel RPR-011 Unnamed channel RPR-013 East Channel Parsons Lake RPL-001 Zed Creek Storm Hills RPR-036 Hans Creek RPR-048 Unnamed stream RPR-046 Unnamed stream

Lower winter flow and less turbulence under ice will limit the distance sediment will travel during winter construction. Most of the sediment, particles the size of coarse silt or larger, will settle within 45 bankfull widths of the crossing. TSS concentrations will decrease rapidly as particles settle quickly under less turbulent low flow conditions. Active II and Vegetated Channels are unlikely to be affected by sediment deposition because they will be dry or frozen to the bottom during construction. Effects of sediment deposition from crossing construction will be limited to habitats in Active I and Large River Channels. The effects of sediment deposition on VC habitat during construction are expected to be adverse, no effect or low magnitude depending on the habitat and the crossing method, local and short term. Sediment deposition is restricted to the period of crossing construction. Once the bed and banks of the watercourses have been reclaimed, generally in the first summer after construction, no additional sediment deposition will occur. Table 7-22 summarizes the effects of sediment deposition during crossing construction. Changes in Water Quality Suspended Sediment – Surface Runoff The effect of land disturbance along the gathering pipeline rights-of-way on sediment yield and sediment concentration was discussed previously for sediment deposition under Surface Runoff – Gathering Pipeline Rights-of-Way, and disturbances from the Inuvik area facility and the Storm Hills pigging facility and their effects on sediment yield and sediment concentrations were discussed under Surface Runoff – Gathering Pipelines and Associated Facilities. Increases in mean annual sediment concentration range from 1 to 17 mg/L for drainages along the gathering pipeline rights-of-way and from 10 to 56 mg/L for the gathering pipeline facilities. The largest TSS increases are typically in small drainage basins with the most disturbed area. Page 7-120 August 2004

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Table 7-22: Effects of Sediment Deposition from Crossing Construction

Fall Spawning and Overwintering Habitat Flow or for Valued Standing Components at Water Crossing Geographic Class Crossing Present Method Direction Magnitude Extent Duration Active I or Yes Yes Trenchless, Neutral No effect N/A N/A Large including River aerial Isolation Adverse Low Local Short term Open cut – Adverse Low Local Short term trenchless or isolation methods not feasible No Yes Isolation, or Adverse Low Local Short term open cut when isolation method not feasible Active II N/A No Open cut Neutral No effect N/A N/A Yes Isolation Adverse Low Local Short term Vegetated N/A No Open cut Neutral No effect N/A N/A

NOTE: N/A = not applicable

Implementation of erosion and sediment control plans and standard mitigation measures outlined in Section 7.3.2, Overview of Project Design and Mitigation, and discussed in Volume 7, Environmental Management, will further reduce sediment input. With implementation of appropriate mitigation measures, the increases in suspended sediment concentration from surface runoff on water quality in receiving streams can be almost eliminated. The effects on fish health of increased sediment concentration in runoff from the gathering pipelines and associated facilities are expected to be adverse. The magnitude of effects will range from no effect to low magnitude during construction. Extent of effects will be local and duration will be short term, confined primarily to construction. Suspended sediment entrainment from land disturbance along the gathering pipelines is expected to be less during operations and decommissioning as right-of-way revegetation takes hold and the disturbed areas around pipeline facilities are stabilized. Consequently, no effects are expected during operations and decommissioning and abandonment.

Suspended Sediment – Crossing Construction

The effects of suspended sediment on fish health, and the Newcombe and Jensen (1996) dose-response relationship, are discussed in Section 7.3.1, Effect Pathways.

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Four Active I watercourses along the gathering pipelines are proposed to be crossed by the open-cut method. They include:

• RPR-003 – unnamed side channel off Harry Channel • RPR-007 – Yaya River • RPR-012 – unnamed side channel off East Channel • RPR-048 – unnamed tributary to Jimmy Lake

Late-winter surveys in 2003 and 2004 determined that all these watercourses were frozen to the substrate. Assuming similar conditions will be encountered during winter construction of the gathering pipelines, no effects of suspended sediment entrainment are expected.

Effects of Explosives

It is not known at what crossings in-water use of explosives will be required. Where explosives will be used, the area of effect will be limited to the immediate crossing location. Effects of in-water detonation of explosives will be limited to fish in overwintering habitat in Active I or Large River Channels. If overwintering habitat is not present at the crossing, fish will not be affected. Active II or Vegetated Channels will not be affected. Time over which effects occur is extremely short and limited to the period of detonation. Explosives will be used in-water according to the Guidelines for Use of Explosives in or near Canadian Fisheries Waters (Wright and Hopky 1998). If operational requirements make it necessary to deviate from prescribed set-back distances, an application for authorization to kill fish by means other than fishing will be submitted to DFO pursuant to Section 32 of the Fisheries Act.

Potential adverse effects on fish health arising from the in-water use of explosives are considered low magnitude because they only affect fish in the immediate vicinity, short term because they are limited to trench construction and local in extent because they are confined to the crossing location.

Changes in Harvest – Increased Access

No effects on VC abundance and distribution are expected because of increased access from the gathering pipeline rights-of-way. The gathering pipeline rights-of-way passes through tundra, and it is unlikely that clearing the right-of-way will improve accessibility to other waterbodies for fish harvest. The effects of increased harvest pressure in the area from workers building the gathering pipelines are assessed in Section 7.3.9, Infrastructure.

Blockage of Fish Passage The likelihood of a frost bulb affecting fish passage will depend on the type of stream, the crossing method, the substrate composition, the location of the crossing and the mitigation measures applied (see Table 7-20, shown previously). Page 7-122 August 2004

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Active I and Active II Channels are the most likely to have fish passage blocked by frost bulbs. Lack of groundwater flow in Vegetated Channels makes frost bulb formation unlikely. Because habitat features of Vegetated Channels and adjacent areas are the same, any new drainage pathways resulting from frost heave would still permit access to similar habitat features upstream. The size of the channel, depth of flow and all-year flow in Large River Channels make blockage of fish passage by frost bulbs unlikely. Even if the frost bulb penetrated the streambed, the resulting change in the channel bottom would not be a barrier to fish passage.

Small Active I Channels will have the highest risk of complete flow blockage by frost bulbs in winter because of the shallower depth of flow and narrower river width. The size of the frost bulb and the potential to penetrate the stream channel will depend on the surface water flow, groundwater flow, substrate particle size, pipe temperature and burial depth of the pipe.

Insulating the pipe or burying it deeper at water crossings will ensure that a thaw zone persists beneath the streambed in Active I Channels susceptible to large frost bulb growth. This talik thaw zone will prevent frost bulbs from penetrating the channel bottom.

Although Active II Channels freeze to the bottom in winter, they can serve as migratory corridors for fish during the open-water period. The persistence of frost bulbs and icings into spring, when fish might be moving in Active II Channels, could impede access to spawning areas or rearing habitats. Preliminary thermal simulations (Nixon 2003) predict that pipe temperatures will not delay thawing in the spring and that the frost bulb above the pipe will continue to thaw throughout the summer. Therefore, blockage or interference with spring fish movements is not expected.

The chilled pipe might cause Active II Channels to freeze earlier in the fall, but because Active II Channels are unlikely to provide overwintering or spawning habitat because of their intermittent flow, earlier freezing is not expected to affect fish movement. Fish in an Active II Channel would migrate out of the system to overwintering habitats at the onset of lower flow and colder temperatures.

The effect of icings on fish movement would be localized and limited to a small number of streams. Frost bulbs would likely not persist throughout the year, but would form and thaw over the span of operations. Therefore, the effect magnitude is considered low, local and long term, during operations. Frost bulbs will only be a concern during gathering pipelines and associated facilities operations. Once chilled gas is no longer flowing, any frost bulbs that have formed will melt and disappear over time.

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7.3.7 Pipeline Corridor

The pipeline corridor includes the gas pipeline, NGL pipeline and pipeline facilities, including block valves, compressor stations and a heater station. Descriptions and locations of pipeline facilities are in Volume 2, Project Description.

Natural gas delivered to the Inuvik area facility by the gathering pipelines will be separated into sweet natural gas and NGLs. Two pipelines will be used to transport natural gas and NGLs southward. A 1,220-km NPS 30 pipeline will transport sweet natural gas from the Inuvik area facility to just south of the Northwest Territories and Alberta boundary. A parallel NPS 10 pipeline will transport NGLs from the Inuvik area facility to a point near the Norman Wells compressor station, where the NGLs will be transferred to the existing Enbridge pipeline. The gas pipeline and the NGL pipeline will share a common 50-m right- of-way for 475 km. For this assessment, it was assumed the gas pipeline and the NGL pipeline will share the same trench at Active I or Large River Channels crossed using open-trench or isolation methods.

The effects of construction, operations and decommissioning and abandonment of the pipeline and associated facilities are summarized in Table 7-23. The effect pathways applicable to construction, operations and decommissioning and abandonment are shown in Figure 7-20. The pipeline and associated facilities are predicted to affect the habitat, health and distribution and abundance of the fish VCs in ways that are similar to effects of the gathering pipelines. The effects range in magnitude from no effect to low magnitude and are local to regional in extent. Most effects, such as direct habitat effects, sediment deposition, increased suspended sediment and in-water use of explosives, only occur during crossing construction and therefore are short term. The potential adverse effects of watercourse crossing construction differ depending on the type of watercourse, i.e., classification, and the crossing method used. Nevertheless, the magnitude of effects does not exceed low.

Table 7-23: Effects of the Pipeline Corridor on Fish

Effect Attribute Potential Key Phase When Geographic Effects Indicators Impact Occurs Direction Magnitude Extent Duration Direct habitat Habitat Construction Adverse No effect to low Local Short term effects of Operations and Neutral No effect N/A N/A crossing decommissioning construction and abandonment

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Table 7-23: Effects of the Pipeline Corridor on Fish (cont’d)

Effect Attribute Potential Key Phase When Geographic Effects Indicators Impact Occurs Direction Magnitude Extent Duration Change in Habitat Construction Neutral No effect N/A N/A groundwater Operations Adverse No effect to low Local to regional Long term flow Decommissioning Neutral No effect N/A N/A and abandonment Change in Habitat Construction Adverse Low Local Short term channel Operations Adverse No effect to low Local Long term morphology from bed and Habitat Decommissioning Neutral No effect N/A N/A bank and abandonment disturbance Change in Habitat Construction Adverse Low Local Short term channel Operations Adverse Low Local Long term morphology caused by bank Decommissioning Adverse Low Local Long term subsidence and abandonment Changes in Habitat Construction Neutral No effect N/A N/A water levels Operations Neutral No effect N/A N/A caused by water Decommissioning Neutral No effect N/A N/A withdrawal and abandonment Sediment Habitat Construction Adverse No effect to low Local Short term deposition from Operations and Neutral No effect N/A N/A surface runoff decommissioning and abandonment Sediment Habitat Construction Adverse No effect to low Local Short term deposition from crossing construction Change in Health Construction Adverse No effect to low Local Short term water quality Operations and Neutral No effect N/A N/A from decommissioning suspended and abandonment sediment Effects of Health Construction Adverse Low Local Short explosives term Change in Distribution Construction and Neutral No effect N/A N/A harvest and operations caused by abundance Decommissioning Neutral No effect N/A N/A increased and access abandonment Blockage of Distribution Operations Adverse No effect to low Local to regional Long term fish movement and Decommissioning Neutral No effect N/A N/A by frost bulb abundance and abandonment

NOTE: N/A = not applicable

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Change in availability, quality or Change in fish Change in abundance and quantity of fish habitat health distribution

Change in Water water levels withdrawal

Surface runoff Sediment deposition Crossing construction

Pipeline corridor

Figure 7-20: Effect Pathways – Pipeline Corridor

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7.3.7.1 Baseline Conditions

The pipeline right-of-way crosses 496 watercourses from the Inuvik area facility near the Inuvialuit Settlement Region and Gwich’in Settlement Area boundary to its terminus just south of the Northwest Territories–Alberta boundary. Of these 337 were classified as Vegetated Channels. These channels have poorly defined flow paths, exhibit ephemeral flow, flowing only after snowmelt and rain, and are unlikely to provide habitat for any VC life stage except when they are flowing in spring. Seventy watercourses were classified as Active II Channels, which have discernible banks and substrates but are expected to freeze to the bed of the watercourse. Some of the Active II Channels along the route have suitable spawning and rearing habitat for Arctic grayling and sucker species and, in some cases, for northern pike.

Fifty-nine of the watercourses were classified as Active I Channels, which are expected to have perennial flow or to only freeze partially to the bed of the watercourse in winter. Active I Channels also included several watercourses with small spring-fed drainage areas that would not freeze to the streambed. Thirteen of the 496 watercourses were classified as Large River Channels with drainage areas of 1,000 km2 or more. These included the Tieda River, Loon River, Hare Indian River, Donnelly River, Great Bear River, Big Smith Creek, Blackwater River, Ochre River, Willowlake River, Trout River, Mackenzie River, River Between Two Mountains and Jean-Marie Creek (see Table 7-23, cited previously).

Table 7-24 shows fish species information and the presence of overwintering and spring and fall spawning habitat for Active I and Large River Channels crossed by the pipeline corridor. Crossing locations are shown in Figure 7-21 (north) and Figure 7-22 (south).

Active I Channels provide suitable adult feeding and holding habitat for large- bodied fish species, such as Arctic grayling, whitefish species, sucker species and northern pike. The habitat features of most of the Active I Channels surveyed are suitable spring spawning and rearing habitat for Arctic grayling, northern pike and sucker species. Some Active I Channels also provide conditions suitable for overwintering, spawning and egg incubation by fall-spawning species.

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Table 7-24: Baseline Information for Watercourse Crossings of Large River and Active I Channels – Pipeline Corridor

Habitat Suitability for Valued Components Crossing Watercourse Stream Channel Over- Spring Fall/Winter ID Name Class Region Drainage Width Valued Component Species Present Wintering Spawning Spawning 2 Area (km ) (m) REV3-AE Unnamed Active I Gwich'in 90 UNK UNK UNK UNK UNK REV3-AU Unnamed Active I Gwich'in 194 UNK UNK UNK UNK UNK RPR-069 Unnamed Active I Gwich'in 82 6.4 Arctic grayling – ● – RPR-070 Unnamed Active I Gwich'in 173 6.2 Arctic grayling – ● – RPR-097 Travaillant River Active I Gwich'in 274 8.3 Arctic grayling, broad whitefish, inconnu, lake – ● – trout, lake whitefish, northern pike, walleye RPR-099 Unnamed Active I Gwich'in 583 8.0 Arctic grayling, broad whitefish, inconnu, lake – ● – trout, lake whitefish, northern pike, walleye RPR-141 Thunder River Active I Gwich'in 310 5.8 Arctic grayling, broad whitefish, lake trout, – ● – lake whitefish, northern pike RPR-211 Unnamed Active I Sahtu 98 5.4 Arctic grayling – ● – RPR-212 Unnamed Active I Sahtu 50 5.5 Arctic grayling – ● – RPR-221 Tieda River Large Sahtu 959 14.6 Arctic grayling, broad whitefish, lake trout, – ● – River lake whitefish, northern pike RPR-232 Loon River Large Sahtu 3,600 32.2 Arctic grayling, Arctic cisco, broad whitefish, ● ● ● River lake whitefish, northern pike RPR-249 Hare Indian Large Sahtu 23,190 204.0 Arctic grayling, broad whitefish, burbot, lake ● ● ● River River whitefish, northern pike RPR-253 Jackfish Creek Active I Sahtu 44 16.3 ND – ● – RPR-255 Unnamed Active I Sahtu 110 20.0 Arctic grayling, northern pike – ● – RPR-256 Tsintu River Active I Sahtu 512 7.4 Arctic grayling, lake whitefish, northern pike, – ● – walleye RPR-258 Snafu Creek Active I Sahtu 304 9.4 Arctic grayling, northern pike – ● – RPR-261 South Snafu Active I Sahtu 148 7.8 Arctic grayling, northern pike – ● – Creek RPR-266 Donnelly River Large Sahtu 1,133 25.5 Arctic grayling, Arctic cisco, broad whitefish, – ● – River burbot, inconnu, lake whitefish, northern pike, walleye

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Table 7-24: Baseline Information for Watercourse Crossings of Large River and Active I Channels – Pipeline Corridor (cont’d)

Habitat Suitability for Valued Components Watercourse Stream Drainage Channel Valued Component Species Over- Spring Fall/Winter Crossing ID Name Class Region Area Width Present Wintering Spawning Spawning 2 (km ) (m) RPR-268/269 Portable Bridge Active I Sahtu 14.5 UNK Northern pike – ● – Creek RPR-285 Hanna River Active I Sahtu 227 10.8 Arctic grayling, burbot, inconnu, ● ● ● northern pike, walleye RPR-288 Elliot Creek Active I Sahtu 23 6.2 Arctic grayling ● ● ● RPR-291 Unnamed Active I Sahtu 63 5.6 ND – ● – RPR-292 Oscar Creek Active I Sahtu 652 12.2 Arctic grayling, Arctic cisco, broad ● ● ● whitefish, burbot, inconnu, lake whitefish, northern pike, walleye RPR-299 Billy Creek Active I Sahtu 140 12.0 Arctic grayling, burbot, northern pike – ● – RPR-301 Bosworth Creek Active I Sahtu 110 10.0 Arctic grayling, burbot – ● – RPR-306 Canyon Creek Active I Sahtu 70 6.7 Arctic grayling, burbot, northern pike ● ● ● RPR-310 Helava Creek Active I Sahtu 23 2.2 Arctic grayling, northern pike – ● – RPR-311 Christina Creek Active I Sahtu 25 2.2 ND – ● – RPR-313 Prohibition Active I Sahtu 138 5.2 Arctic grayling, broad whitefish, ● ● – Creek northern pike RPR-323 Vermilion Creek Active I Sahtu 131 7.1 Arctic grayling, broad whitefish, ● ● ● burbot, inconnu, northern pike RPR-324 Nota Creek Active I Sahtu 142 4.5 Arctic grayling – ● – RPR-325 Jungle Ridge Active I Sahtu 60 4.4 Arctic grayling, northern pike – ● – Creek RPR-330 Great Bear Large River Sahtu 156,420 500.0 Arctic grayling, Arctic cisco, burbot, ● ● ● River inconnu, lake trout, lake whitefish, northern pike, walleye RPR-342 Unnamed Active I Sahtu 31 6.0 Northern pike – ● – RPR-349 Big Smith Large River Sahtu 963 29.7 Arctic grayling, northern pike ● ● ● Creek

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Table 7-24: Baseline Information for Watercourse Crossings of Large River and Active I Channels – Pipeline Corridor (cont’d)

Habitat Suitability for Valued Components Crossing Watercourse Stream Drainage Channel Over- Spring Fall/Winter ID Name Class Region Area Width Valued Component Species Present Wintering Spawning Spawning 2 (km ) (m) RPR-351 Little Smith Active I Sahtu 510 20.4 Arctic grayling, broad whitefish, burbot, ● ● – Creek northern pike, walleye RPR-358 Saline River Active I Sahtu 299 14.2 Arctic grayling, burbot, northern pike, ● ● ● walleye RPR-371 Steep Creek Active I Sahtu 148 10.1 Arctic grayling, burbot, northern pike ● ● ● RPR-377 Blackwater Large River Deh Cho 10,400 99.0 Arctic grayling, lake whitefish, northern ● ● ● River pike RPR-379 Unnamed Active I Deh Cho 25 3.0 Arctic grayling – ● – RPR-381 Dam Creek Active I Deh Cho 69 5.8 Arctic grayling – ● – RPR-388 White Sand Active I Deh Cho 292 17.5 Arctic grayling, burbot, northern pike ● ● ● Creek RPR-391 Ochre River Large River Deh Cho 1,160 35.0 Arctic grayling, burbot, inconnu, ● ● ● northern pike, walleye RPR-399 Hodgson Creek Active I Deh Cho 127 5.2 Arctic grayling, burbot, northern pike, ● ● ● walleye RPR-403 Unnamed Active I Deh Cho 63 4.9 Arctic grayling, burbot – ● – RPR-410 Smith Creek Active I Deh Cho 100 6.6 Arctic grayling, burbot, lake whitefish, ● ● – northern pike, walleye RPR-419 River Between Large River Deh Cho 4,520 42.2 Arctic grayling, lake trout, lake ● ● ● Two Mountains whitefish, northern pike, walleye RPR-428 Willowlake River Large River Deh Cho 19,900 375.0 Arctic grayling, burbot, lake whitefish, ● ● ● northern pike, walleye RPR-457 Trail River Active I Deh Cho 447 12.1 Arctic grayling, burbot, lake whitefish, ● ● ● northern pike, walleye RPR-458 Unnamed Active I Deh Cho 117 6.1 ND ● ● ● RPR-460 Unnamed Active I Deh Cho 138 5.4 ND – ● – RPR-466 Harris River Active I Deh Cho 700 13.2 Arctic grayling, burbot, northern pike ● ● ●

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Table 7-24: Baseline Information for Watercourse Crossings of Large River and Active I Channels – Pipeline Corridor (cont’d)

Habitat Suitability for Valued Components Crossing Watercourse Stream Drainage Channel Over- Spring Fall/Winter ID Name Class Region Area Width Valued Component Species Present Wintering Spawning Spawning 2 (km ) (m) RPR-468 Nadia Active I Deh Cho 60 6.3 Northern pike ● ● ● (Bluefish) Creek RPR-470 Mackenzie Large Deh Cho 992,000 780.0 Arctic grayling, Arctic cisco, burbot, ● ● ● River River inconnu, lake trout, lake whitefish, northern pike, walleye RPR-472 Manners Active I Deh Cho 120 9.9 Arctic grayling, northern pike ● – ● Creek RPR-473 Manners Active I Deh Cho 25 UNK Arctic grayling, northern pike UNK UNK UNK Creek RPR-475 Jean-Marie Large Deh Cho 1,570 30.1 Arctic grayling, burbot, lake whitefish, ● ● ● Creek River northern pike, walleye RPR-476 Jean-Marie Active I Deh Cho 286 11.1 Arctic grayling, burbot, lake whitefish, ● ● ● Creek northern pike, walleye RPR-477 Jean-Marie Active I Deh Cho 105 5.6 Arctic grayling, burbot, lake whitefish, – ● – Creek northern pike, walleye RPR-478 Unnamed Active I Deh Cho 132 6.3 ND – ● – RPR-479 Trout River Large Deh Cho 6,372 42.1 Arctic grayling, lake whitefish, northern ● ● ● River pike, walleye RPR-480 Unnamed Active I Deh Cho 36 6.2 ND – ● – RPR-481 Unnamed Active I Deh Cho 237 12.3 ND ● ● ● RPR-487 Unnamed Active I Deh Cho 60 7.4 ND ● ● ● RPR-489 Unnamed Active I Deh Cho 67 5.8 ND ● ● – RPR-494.1 Unnamed Active I Deh Cho 22 UNK UNK UNK UNK UNK RPR-497 Unnamed Active I Deh Cho 29 5.0 Arctic grayling, northern pike – ● – RPR-499 Unnamed Active I Deh Cho 28 4.8 Arctic grayling, northern pike ● ● – RPR-503 Unnamed Active I Deh Cho 53 20.0 ND – ● – RPR-506 Unnamed Active I Deh Cho 94 17.3 Northern pike ● ● –

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Table 7-24: Baseline Information for Watercourse Crossings of Large River and Active I Channels – Pipeline Corridor (cont’d)

NOTES: Drainage Area = area of watershed upstream of the crossing location Channel Width = mean wetted channel width during summer UNK = unknown; yet to be surveyed ND = VC species not documented in watercourse during current and previous studies – = suitable habitat not present ● = suitable habitat potentially present

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Figure 7-21: Pipeline Corridor Watercourse Crossing Survey Sites – North

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Figure 7-22: Pipeline Corridor Watercourse Crossing Survey Sites – South Page 7-134 August 2004

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Larger Active I Channels, especially those with substantial groundwater inflow, provide overwintering habitat for fish. All of the Large River Channels provide suitable adult feeding and holding habitat for a range of large-bodied fish species or species groups, including Arctic grayling, whitefish species, sucker species and northern pike. Some Large River Channels also provide habitat suitable for use by fall, e.g., whitefish species, or winter, e.g., burbot, spawning species, and most provide habitat suitable for overwintering near the crossing.

7.3.7.2 Pipeline Corridor Effects

The pathways through which construction, operations and decommissioning and abandonment of the pipeline and associated facilities affect the key indicators are similar to those discussed for the gathering pipelines and associated facilities. The applicable effect pathways for the pipeline corridor are mostly related to construction and operations of the gas pipeline, but also include effects of the associated facilities, such as runoff from compressor stations. The applicable pathways are in Figure 7-20, shown previously. The effects of access roads or camps associated with the pipeline and related facilities are discussed in Section 7.3.9, Infrastructure.

Direct Habitat Effects – Crossing Construction

Direct effects on fish habitat of watercourse crossing construction for the gas and NGL pipelines are the same as the effects of the gathering pipeline construction.

The disruption of habitat by crossing construction is typically short term, lasting three to five days, although more time is needed for larger watercourses. Because the affected habitats are restored after construction, the magnitude of effects on habitat directly affected by crossing construction is considered no effect to low magnitude. Table 7-19 (shown previously) summarizes the direct effects of watercourse crossings on fish habitat. Extent of the direct habitat effects is local, that is, confined to the immediate crossing area. The effects of direct habitat alteration are confined to the physical construction of the gathering pipeline and laterals, so no effects are expected during operations or decommissioning and abandonment.

Changes in Flow

Groundwater

The effects on groundwater flow of frost bulbs at watercourses crossed by the gas pipeline are the same as the effects described for the gathering pipelines. Table 7-20 (shown previously) describes groundwater flow changes for different channel types and crossing methods and assesses effects on fish habitat of partial groundwater flow blockage from frost bulb formation. The assessment is for the natural gas pipeline only. Frost bulbs will only affect groundwater at crossings of

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Active I Channels. Vegetated Channels or Active II Channels are typically dry or frozen to the channel bed in winter, so have negligible or low groundwater flow. More than 80% of the streams along the pipeline corridor fall into these two categories. Groundwater flow disruption in Large River Channels will be negligible because of the size of the river and the relatively minor contribution of groundwater to the total surface flow.

Insulation and deeper burial will limit frost bulb formation in Active I Channels that are susceptible to larger frost bulb growth and that have overwintering or fall spawning habitat. This will ensure a thaw zone persists beneath the streambed to allow groundwater to enter the channel.

Groundwater flow changes caused by frost bulbs will not affect fish habitat in Vegetated, Active II and Large River Channels. Because mitigation measures will be applied at all crossings susceptible to frost bulb formation where spawning or overwintering habitat is present, effects on Active I Channels are expected to range from no effect to low effect. Low effects would occur only in Active I Channels where mitigation measures were not applied, i.e., channels with no spawning and overwintering habitat and no susceptibility to frost bulb formation. When frost bulbs form at crossings where mitigation measures have not been implemented, the extent of effects could extend beyond the LSA but would be confined to the RSA. These occurrences are expected to be rare and site-specific. Potential adverse effects will occur over the entire operational period of the pipeline. Once chilled gas is no longer flowing, any frost bulbs that have formed will melt over time.

Changes in Channel Morphology

Bed and Bank Disturbance – Crossing Construction

The effects on fish habitat of channel morphology changes arising from bed and bank disturbance during watercourse crossing construction are similar to the effects described for the gathering pipelines. Small-scale changes in morphology, as might be observed at crossings, are expected to be low magnitude and local in extent. Active I and II Channels are most likely to be affected.

Locating pipeline and road watercourse crossings at stable sites will increase the likelihood that the banks will be successfully restored so the existing stream morphology can continue to evolve naturally. Erosion of weakened banks and the accumulation of unconsolidated substrate at crossings can be reduced by shore-protection measures. Carefully marking small streams, surveying stream gradients and grading after construction will ensure that the hydraulic configuration of these streams is restored. Mitigation measures in Active I and II Channels will limit potential adverse effects to low magnitude and local extent. No effects are expected on Vegetated and Large River Channels.

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Effects of channel morphology changes are likely to become evident during operations. Effects will be localized and can be limited if eroded or disturbed banks are repaired as soon as possible after they have been detected. Disturbance of banks at Large River crossings is unlikely to change channel morphology. The effects of changes in Large River Channel banks arising from crossing construction will be minor compared with natural factors that affect and maintain channel morphology.

Bank Subsidence

Changes in Water Levels – Water Withdrawal

Water will need to be withdrawn from local waterbodies when pressure-testing the gas and NGL pipelines. Additional water might be needed to operate other pipeline facilities such as compressor stations. Water volumes needed for pressure-testing are about 8,400 m3/20 km of NPS 30 pipe tested. Final selection of water sources has not been completed. Table 7-25 shows the number of waterbodies that have been identified as potential water sources for each region.

Table 7-25: Number of Potential Water Sources Identified in Each Settlement Region

Settlement Area or Region Number of Potential Water Sources Gwich’in Settlement Area 65 Sahtu Settlement Area • K’ahsho Got’ine District 53 • Tulita District 24 Deh Cho Region 19 Total 161

The effects of water withdrawn for pressure-testing and for pipeline facilities will be similar to the effects described for the gathering pipelines. No adverse effects of water withdrawal are expected because criteria will be established to ensure that water withdrawal will not adversely affect fish habitat. Selection of lakes for water withdrawal will conform to the Protocol for Water Withdrawal for Oil and Gas Activities in the Northwest Territories (Cott and Moore 2003). Water withdrawal is expected to change water levels less during operations than during construction. It is expected that little water for either domestic or industrial uses will be needed during operations and that none will be needed for decommissioning. Consequently, water withdrawal will not affect fish habitat.

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Sediment Deposition

Surface Runoff – Overview

Land disturbed by pipeline construction and operations, including the right-of- way and facilities in previously unaltered terrain, might result in higher sediment runoff compared with natural conditions, but only if sediment carried by the runoff enters the receiving streams. The effects of increased sediment deposition arising from sediment yield changed in surface runoff will be similar to the effects described for the gathering pipelines.

Surface Runoff – Pipeline Right-of-Way

The change in sediment yield in a given watershed will be roughly proportional to the amount of disturbance in the watershed and to the increase in erosion potential for the disturbed area (see Section 5, Hydrology). About 5,570 ha of land will be disturbed when clearing the pipeline right-of-way. Sites will be prepared for pipeline installation during frozen conditions, but the cleared right-of-way will be exposed to precipitation and subject to erosion through spring and summer. Only a small area of the 5,570 ha will contribute sediment directly to the receiving streams, and a large proportion of the sediment will be trapped in the intervening vegetation. Implementation of erosion- and sediment-control plans and of standard mitigation measures outlined in Section 7.3.2, Overview of Project Design and Mitigation, and discussed in Volume 7, Environmental Management, will further reduce sediment input. Mitigation measures will practically eliminate the effects on fish habitat of sediment deposition from surface runoff. Magnitude of effects will be low during construction, and no effects are expected during operations and decommissioning and abandonment.

Surface Runoff – Pipeline Facilities

Runoff from areas of concentrated disturbance, such as around Little Chicago, Norman Wells and Blackwater River compressor stations and the Trout River heater station, will have the greatest effect on sediment yield.

Runoff from most of the compressor stations is not expected to increase mean annual suspended sediment concentrations by more than 10 mg/L, and deposition from concentrations in this range are unlikely to affect fish habitat in waterbodies receiving the runoff. Estimated increase in annual sediment concentration caused by runoff from the Little Chicago compressor station is 101 mg/L and from the NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. (NGTL) interconnect facility is 49 mg/L (see Section 5, Hydrology). The unnamed lake potentially affected by the Little Chicago compressor station is 300 m downslope from the site and is not connected to the site by a defined drainage path. Mitigation measures such as those outlined in Section 7.3.2, Overview of Project Design and Mitigation, and discussed in Volume 7, Environmental Management, and sediment trapping by Page 7-138 August 2004

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vegetation will effectively prevent sediment-laden runoff from entering the lake. The magnitude of effects on fish habitat caused by sediment deposition from the Little Chicago compressor station runoff is therefore considered no effect or low magnitude.

Surface Runoff – Summary

The magnitude of effects on fish habitat of sediment deposition resulting from pipeline and pipeline facility surface runoff is expected to be no effect to low magnitude for most basins because the increases are unlikely to cause much sediment deposition in habitat areas. Extent of the effect will be local. Sediment deposition from land disturbed for the pipeline and pipeline facilities is expected to be less during operations and decommissioning and abandonment than during construction.

Crossing Construction

The effects of fish habitat changes arising from sediment deposition during pipeline corridor construction are similar to the effects described for the gathering pipelines. Effects depend on stream type, use of the habitat in the area affected by the crossing and the crossing method.

Effects of sediment deposition on downstream habitats will be greatest for open-cut crossings of Active I or Large River Channels. Table 7-26 lists the crossing methods selected for each watercourse crossed by the pipeline corridor.

The effects on VC habitat of sediment deposited during crossing construction are expected to be adverse, range from no effect to low magnitude depending on the habitat present and the crossing method, local in extent and short term. Sediment will only be deposited during crossing construction. Once the bed and banks of the watercourses have been restored, generally in the first summer after construction, no more sediment will be deposited. Table 7-22, shown previously, summarizes the effects of sediment deposition during crossing construction (see Section 7.3.6, Gathering System).

Changes in Water Quality

Suspended Sediment – Surface Runoff

The effects of land disturbance along the pipeline right-of-way and pipeline facilities on sediment yield and sediment concentration were discussed previously in this section (see Section 7.3.7, Pipeline Corridor, Pipeline Facilities). Estimated increases in mean annual sediment concentration range from 1 to 22 mg/L for drainages along the pipeline right-of-way and from less than 10 to 101 mg/L for the pipeline facilities. The largest TSS increases are typically in small drainage basins with the most disturbed area.

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Table 7-26: Large River and Active I Channel Crossing Methods – Pipeline Corridor

Region or Crossing Method Area Trenchless Isolation Open Cut Gwich'in RPR-069 Unnamed RPR-099 Unnamed Settlement RPR-070 Unnamed Area RPR-097 Travaillant River RPR-141 Thunder River Sahtu RPR-249 Hare Indian River RPR-221 Tieda River RPR-211 Unnamed Settlement RPR-330 Great Bear River RPR-232 Loon River RPR-212 Unnamed Area RPR-358 Saline River RPR-256 Tsintu River RPR-253 Jackfish Creek RPR-258 Snafu Creek RPR-255 Unnamed RPR-261 South Snafu Creek RPR-268 and 269 Portable Bridge RPR-266 Donnelly River Creek RPR-285 Hanna River RPR-291 Unnamed RPR-288 Elliot Creek RPR-299 Billy Creek RPR-292 Oscar Creek RPR-310 Helava Creek RPR-301 Bosworth Creek RPR-311 Christina Creek RPR-306 Canyon Creek RPR-325 Jungle Ridge Creek RPR-313 Prohibition Creek RPR-342 Unnamed RPR-323 Vermilion Creek RPR-324 Nota Creek RPR-349 Big Smith Creek RPR-351 Little Smith Creek RPR-371 Steep Creek Deh Cho RPR-377 Blackwater River RPR-388 White Sand Creek RPR-379 Unnamed Region RPR-391 Ochre River RPR-399 Hodgson Creek RPR-381 Dam Creek RPR-428 Willowlake River RPR-410 Smith Creek RPR-403 Unnamed RPR-470 Mackenzie River RPR-419 River Between Two RPR-473 Manners Creek Mountains RPR-478 Unnamed RPR-457 Trail River RPR-480 Unnamed RPR-458 Unnamed RPR-487 Unnamed RPR-460 Unnamed RPR-489 Unnamed RPR-466 Harris River RPR-494.1 Unnamed RPR-468 Nadia (Bluefish) RPR-497 Unnamed Creek RPR-499 Unnamed RPR-472 Manners Creek RPR-503 Unnamed RPR-475 Jean-Marie Creek RPR-510 Unnamed RPR-476 Jean-Marie Creek RPR-477 Jean-Marie Creek RPR-479 Trout River RPR-481 Unnamed RPR-506 Unnamed RPR-511 Unnamed

NOTE: Crossing methods for streams REV3-AE and REV3-AU in Gwich’in have not been determined.

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sediment input. Appropriate mitigation measures can practically eliminate increases in suspended sediment concentration from surface runoff in receiving streams.

The effects on fish health of increased sediment concentrations in runoff from the pipeline corridor and facilities are expected to be adverse. Magnitude of effects will range from no effect to low magnitude during construction. Extent of effects will be local and short term, mostly confined to construction. Suspended sediment entrainment from land disturbed along the pipeline corridor is expected to be less during operations and decommissioning as right-of-way revegetation occurs and the disturbed areas around pipeline facilities become stabilized. Consequently, no effects are expected during operations and decommissioning and abandonment.

Suspended Sediment – Crossing Construction

A dose response relationship developed by Newcombe and Jensen (1996) was used with a sediment entrainment model that estimated TSS concentrations during various stages of pipeline construction (GRI 2002; Reid et al. 2004), to indicate the effects on fish of sediment entrained during pipeline crossing construction. Peak TSS concentrations were estimated one, 15, 30 and 45 bankfull widths downstream of open-cut crossings with under-ice flow conditions in late winter in April 2003 and April 2004. TSS concentrations were estimated for two scenarios:

• all instream construction activities, i.e., trenching, pipeline installation and backfilling, considered as one combined event

• trenching, i.e., the construction component with the potential to generate most sediment entrainment, considered as a single event

Estimated peak TSS concentrations were combined with estimated exposure periods to calculate severity of ill effects (SEV) values. The periods of exposure to peak TSS concentrations cannot be estimated because peak levels are transitory as sediment pulse passes from ascending to descending limb. To obtain a conservative estimate, it was assumed that the peak levels would prevail over the entire construction period. This overestimated the true exposure period because peak concentrations during pipeline watercourse crossing construction are generally short in duration and decline rapidly when instream work is over. Nevertheless, the overestimate was used as a worst-case scenario for the dose- response relationship.

The estimated exposure periods vary with the width of the stream to be crossed. The typical duration of instream work for watercourse crossings 5 to 10 m wide is 14 hours (Morin 2004, personal communication). The mean duration of instream work for 11 open-cut crossings reported by Reid et al. (2004) was 13.7 hours. This time would increase to 28 hours for streams 50 m wide. The exposure periods for trenching were assumed to be about half the time required for all

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instream activities. Table 7-27 shows SEV values estimated for juvenile and adult salmonids exposed immediately downstream of the crossing and at 15, 30 and 45 bankfull widths downstream of the crossing. It is important to note that the entrainment model was developed using data collected from TSS monitoring studies in Alberta and the United States in open-water conditions. Stream hydraulics under ice cover are considerably different than under open water, and it is likely that the entrainment model overestimates TSS concentrations so actual TSS values will be lower. Also, the model was developed for larger streams with considerable flow and does not accurately estimate the sediment entrainment in small streams with minimal flow. Nevertheless, the entrainment model and SEV approach offers the best currently available means of assessing the effect of the crossings. High TSS values are sometimes a result of regression equations, on which the entrainment model is based, applied to extreme low flow outside the range for which they were calibrated.

The percentage of fine particles, of coarse silt and smaller, in the streambed influences estimates of TSS entrained during crossing construction. TSS concentrations increase with the percentage of fines in the excavated material. The particle size of material to be excavated at each watercourse crossing is not known. In the absence of site-specific data, percentage of fines was estimated based on assumed physiographic characteristics of the hydrological regions. Percentage of fines used to derive the TSS concentrations was 15% fines for the northern hydrological region, 10% fines for the central hydrological region and 20% for the southern hydrological region.

SEV values suggest that exposure to peak TSS concentrations such as those estimated to occur immediately downstream of crossing construction could cause responses ranging from major physiological stress to less feeding and a lower growth rate in adult and juvenile salmonids. Lethal effects, of 0 to 20% mortality, are associated with SEV scores of 10 or higher. Scores of this magnitude were not derived at any of the crossings, despite the overestimates resulting from extending the peak TSS exposure times to the entire construction period.

SEV values derived for exposure to peak concentrations 15, 30 and 45 bankfull widths downstream are lower. The effects expected in adult and juvenile salmonids are minor to moderate physiological stress, including increased rate of coughing, increased respiration rate and impaired homing.

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Table 7-27: Estimated Severity of Ill Effects Scores for Open-Cut Pipeline Construction at 1, 15, 30 and 45 Bankfull Widths Downstream of the Crossing

All Activities: Trenching, Installation and Backfilling Trenching Assumptions Peak TSS (mg/L) Severity of Ill Effects Peak TSS (mg/L) Severity of Ill Effects Max Under- Mean Median At 1 BW At 15 BW At 30 BW At 45 BW At 1 BW At 15 BW At 30 BW At 45 BW At 1 BW At 15 BW At 30 BW At 45 BW At 1 BW At 15 BW At 30 BW At 45 BW Stream Political Hydrologic Drainage Bankfull Ice Winter % Grain d/s of d/s of d/s of d/s of d/s of d/s of d/s of d/s of d/s of d/s of d/s of d/s of d/s of d/s of d/s of d/s of Crossing ID Name Region Region Area Width Depth Velocity Fines Size Duration Crossing Crossing Crossing Crossing Crossing Crossing Crossing Crossing Duration Crossing Crossing Crossing Crossing Crossing Crossing Crossing Crossing (km2) (m) (m) (m/s) (m) (h) (h) RPR-099 Unnamed Gwich'in Delta 583 8 0.00 frozen 20 0.001 N/A – – – – – – – – N/A – – – – – – – – RPR-211 Unnamed Sahtu Northern 98.3 15 0.31 no flow 15 0.02 14 – – – – – – – – 7 – – – – – – – – RPR-212 Unnamed Sahtu Northern 50.4 4 0.60 no flow 15 0.02 10 – – – – – – – – 5 – – – – – – – – RPR-253 Jackfish Sahtu Northern 44 5 0.91 0.003 15 0.02 10 4,010 512 302 222 8.6 7.1 6.7 6.5 5 7,294 836 480 347 8.6 7.0 6.6 6.4 Creek RPR-255 Unnamed Sahtu Northern 110 20 1.42 no flow 15 0.02 14 – – – – – – – – 7 – – – – – – – – RPR-268 and Portable Sahtu Northern 14.5 2 0.00 frozen 15 0.02 N/A – – – – – – – – N/A – – – – – – – – 269 Bridge Creek RPR-291 Unnamed Sahtu Central 63 9 0.00 frozen 10 0.03 14 0 0 0 0 – – – – 7 0 0 0 0 – – – – RPR-299 Billy Creek Sahtu Central 140 10 0.82 no flow 10 0.03 14 – – – – – – – – 7 – – – – – – – – RPR-310 Helava Sahtu Central 23 9 0.00 frozen 10 0.03 14 0 0 0 0 – – – – 7 0 0 0 0 – – – – Creek RPR-311 Christina Sahtu Central 25 10 0.02 no flow 10 0.03 14 – – – – – – – – 7 – – – – – – – – Creek RPR-325 Jungle Sahtu Central 60 8 0.18 0.010 10 0.03 12 4,869 622 367 270 8.8 7.3 6.9 6.7 6 6,588 755 434 313 8.6 7.0 6.6 6.4 Ridge Ck RPR-342 Unnamed Sahtu Central 31 6 1.35 0.005 10 0.03 10 2,821 360 213 156 8.3 6.8 6.4 6.2 5 4,567 523 301 217 8.3 6.7 6.3 6.0 RPR-379 Unnamed Deh Cho Central 24.5 6 0.00 frozen 10 0.03 10 0 0 0 0 – – – – 5 0 0 0 0 – – – – RPR-381 Dam Creek Deh Cho Central 69.4 11 0.00 frozen 10 0.03 14 0 0 0 0 – – – – 7 0 0 0 0 – – – – RPR-403 Unnamed Deh Cho Central 63 8 0.04 0.020 10 0.03 12 9,542 1,218 719 529 9.3 7.8 7.4 7.2 6 11,033 1,264 726 525 9.0 7.4 7.0 6.8 RPR-473 Manners Deh Cho Southern 24.7 5 N/A N/A 20 0.01 10 0 0 0 0 – – – – 5 0 0 0 0 – – – – Creek RPR-478 Unnamed Deh Cho Southern 132 7 0.67 0.015 20 0.01 10 7,274 929 548 403 9.0 7.5 7.1 6.9 5 10,112 1,159 666 481 8.8 7.3 6.8 6.6 RPR-480 Unnamed Deh Cho Southern 36.1 7 0.07 0.010 20 0.01 10 9,317 1,190 703 516 9.2 7.7 7.3 7.1 5 12,761 1,462 840 607 9.0 7.4 7.0 6.8 RPR-487 Unnamed Deh Cho Southern 60.2 5 1.01 0.024 20 0.01 10 10,267 1,311 774 569 9.3 7.8 7.4 7.1 5 13,825 1,584 910 658 9.1 7.5 7.1 6.8 RPR-489 Unnamed Deh Cho Southern 66.7 5.8 0.32 0.010 20 0.01 10 7,192 918 542 398 9.0 7.5 7.1 6.9 5 10,613 1,216 698 505 8.9 7.3 6.9 6.6 REV3-AM Unnamed Deh Cho Southern 22 N/A N/A N/A 20 0.01 N/A – – – – – – – – N/A – – – – – – – – RPR-497 Unnamed Deh Cho Southern 29 5 0.36 no flow 20 0.01 10 – – – – – – – – 5 – – – – – – – – RPR-499 Unnamed Deh Cho Southern 28.2 4.8 0.65 no flow 20 0.01 10 – – – – – – – – 5 – – – – – – – – RPR-503 Unnamed Deh Cho Southern 53.2 100 0.42 0.010 20 0.01 28 853 109 64 47 8.1 6.6 6.2 5.9 14 1,117 128 74 53 7.8 6.2 5.8 5.6 RPR-510 Unnamed Deh Cho Southern 51 5 0.17 no flow 20 0.01 10 – – – – – – – – 5 – – – – – – – – NOTES: Winter flow data based on April 2004 field survey, with results not included in Volume 3, Section 7, Fish and Fish Habitat frozen = frozen to substrate during late winter surveys no flow = under-ice non-flowing water recorded during late-winter surveys delta = Mackenzie Delta channel drainage areas are not applicable N/A = data not available, Revision 3 streams yet to be surveyed BW = bankfull width d/s = downstream Peak TSS = maximum concentration of total suspended solids estimated to occur during pipeline construction – = TSS concentrations and SEV scores could not be calculated because of lack of flow, frozen conditions or missing data for some streams SEV values calculated for juvenile and adult salmonids: 0 = no effects 1 to 3 = behavioural effects 4 to 9 = sublethal effects more than 10 = lethal effects

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The SEV values estimate the worst-case effects expected from exposure to sediment. However, the calculated SEV values overestimate both the concentrations present in the water column and the duration of exposure. Sediment monitoring during pipeline watercourse crossing construction (GRI 2003) indicates that the duration of exposure to elevated concentrations is relatively short for most watercourse crossings. Peak concentrations are high during trenching and during backfilling and usually coincide with the period of in-water work. TSS concentrations drop to background levels almost immediately when construction activities cease, so the likelihood of prolonged exposure to high TSS concentrations is considerably reduced. Furthermore, it is unlikely that fish, eggs or larvae will be exposed to such sediment concentrations because open-cut methods will be avoided in areas with spawning, nursery or overwintering habitat.

The open-cut method of crossing construction will only be used where no spawning or overwintering habitat was reported, where no other construction methods are available, or as a contingency when the preferred trenchless and isolation methods have failed. The amount of sediment entrained is considerably less when isolation methods are used (GRI 2003; Reid et al. 2004). Mean TSS concentrations 50 m downstream were 99 mg/L for 12 flumed crossings and 22 mg/L for 10 dam and pump crossings (Reid et al. 2004). A negligible amount of sediment is entrained when trenchless methods are used.

The effects on fish health of TSS entrained during crossing construction are therefore expected to be adverse, but low magnitude and local in extent.

Effects of Explosives

Effects of in-water detonation of explosives will be limited to fish occupying overwintering habitat in Active I or Large River Channels. The area of effect is limited to the immediate crossing location. No effects on fish are expected if there is no overwintering habitat at the crossing. Active II or Vegetated Channels, which account for more than 70% of the watercourses crossed by the pipeline corridor, will not be affected. The exposure time is extremely short, i.e., limited to the period of detonation. Explosives will be used in water according to the Guidelines for Use of Explosives in or Near Canadian Fisheries Waters (Wright and Hopky 1998). If operational requirements make it necessary to deviate from the prescribed set-back distance, an application for authorization to kill fish by means other than fishing will be submitted to DFO pursuant to Section 32 of the Fisheries Act.

Potential adverse effects on fish health arising from the in-water use of explosives are considered low magnitude, only affecting fish in the immediate vicinity, short term, i.e., limited to trench construction and confined to the crossing location, so local in extent.

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Changes in Harvest – Increased Access The effects on fish abundance and distribution of increased harvest from improved pipeline right-of-way and facility access are similar to the effects described for the gathering pipelines. No effects on VC abundance and distribution are expected. The effects of increased harvest pressure from the workforce building the pipeline corridor are discussed in Section 7.3.9, Infrastructure. Blockage of Fish Passage The effects on fish abundance and distribution of fish passage blocked by frost bulbs in watercourses crossed by the pipeline are similar to those described for the gathering pipelines. The likelihood of a frost bulb affecting fish passage will depend on the type of stream, the crossing method, substrate composition, location of the crossing and the mitigation measures applied (see Table 7-20, shown previously). Active I and Active II Channels are the most likely to have fish passage blocked by frost bulbs. Lack of groundwater flow in Vegetated Channels makes frost bulb formation unlikely. The channel size, depth of flow and presence of all-year flow make blockage of fish passage by frost bulbs in Large River Channels unlikely. Insulating the pipe or increasing burial depths at water crossings will maintain a thaw zone beneath the streambed in Active I Channels susceptible to large frost bulb growth. The presence of this talik thaw zone will prevent the formation of frost bulbs that penetrate the channel bottom. The effect of icings on fish movement would be localized and limited to a few streams. Frost bulbs would likely not persist throughout the year, but the formation and thawing of frost bulbs would occur over the span of operations. Therefore, the effect magnitude is considered low, local and long term, occurring during operations. Frost bulbs will only be a concern during gathering pipeline operations. Once chilled gas is no longer flowing, frost bulbs will melt and disappear over time. 7.3.8 Northwestern Alberta The proposed gas pipeline crosses the boundary into northwestern Alberta where it ties into the NGTL interconnect facility. The NGTL Northwest Mainline (Dickens Lake Section) extends to this tie-in point from about 65 km south of the Alberta-Northwest Territories boundary. 7.3.8.1 Baseline Conditions The pipeline crosses several Vegetated, Active II and Active I Channels and a single Large River Channel in northwestern Alberta. Table 7-28 shows information on fish species, and the presence of overwintering and spring and fall spawning habitat for the watercourses for Active I and Large River Channels.

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Vegetated Channels are unlikely to provide habitat for any life stage of fish except when they are flowing in spring. Active II Channels are expected to freeze to the bottom and provide no overwintering habitat for fish. Some Active II Channels likely provide suitable spring spawning and rearing habitat for northern pike, Arctic grayling and sucker species.

Sixteen watercourses in Alberta were initially classified as Active I Channels, which are expected to have perennial flow or to freeze only partly to the bottom in winter. Many of the Active I watercourse crossings in northwestern Alberta are in beaver-impounded stream sections that might not freeze to the bottom in winter. Several of the Active I Channels are suitable spring spawning and rearing habitat for northern pike, Arctic grayling and sucker species, though most will not provide suitable overwintering conditions because of a lack of flow or because of low winter dissolved oxygen conditions in the beaver-impounded sections.

One watercourse, the Petitot River, was classified as a Large River Channel and provides suitable adult feeding and holding habitat for large-bodied fish, including Arctic grayling, sucker species and northern pike. It also has habitat suitable for overwintering near the crossing.

Construction is most likely to affect fish and fish habitat. The main disruption to fish habitat will occur at crossings of streams and the Petitot River in the pipeline corridor. Because most of the Active I crossings are through beaver-impounded channels that do not support overwintering fish, effects of construction are expected to be low magnitude.

Additional workers in the area and increased access during construction and operations might increase fish harvesting in lakes and streams in the area, but this is not expected to affect the viability of any of the fish populations.

7.3.8.2 Northwestern Alberta Effects

The methods of crossing the watercourses in northwestern Alberta are not yet determined. For this assessment, the crossing methods listed in Table 7-29 are assumed.

The model used for the pipeline corridor was used to predict the effects on fish of sediment entrained during water crossing construction. Table 7-30 shows the SEV values estimated for juvenile and adult salmonids immediately downstream of the crossing, and at 15, 30 and 45 bankfull widths downstream of the crossing.

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Table 7-28: Baseline Information for Watercourse Crossings of Large River and Active I Channels – Northwestern Alberta

Habitat Suitability for Valued Components Crossing Watercourse Stream Drainage Channel Over- Spring Fall/Winter ID Name Class Region Area Width Valued Component Species Present Wintering Spawning Spawning 2 (km ) (m) NWML-04 Unnamed Active I Alberta 1 UNK UNK – UNK UNK NWML-05 Unnamed Active I Alberta 40 8.7 ND – ● – NWML-07 Thinahtea Creek Active I Alberta 71 22.3 Northern pike – ● – NWML-08 Unnamed Active I Alberta 52 8.0 ND – ● – NWML-09 Unnamed Active I Alberta 9 UNK UNK – UNK UNK NWML-10 Unnamed Active I Alberta 36 26.0 ND – ● – NWML-13 Unnamed Active I Alberta 13 UNK UNK – UNK UNK NWML- Unnamed Active I Alberta UNK UNK UNK – UNK UNK 13.5 NWML-14 Unnamed Active I Alberta 43 20.6 ND – ● – NWML-15 Unnamed Active I Alberta 7 UNK UNK – UNK UNK NWML-16 Unnamed Active I Alberta 102 4.8 ND ● ● – NWML-19 Unnamed Active I Alberta 2 UNK UNK – UNK UNK NWML-22 Petitot River Large Alberta 7,710 59.8 Arctic grayling, burbot, northern pike, ● ● ● River walleye NWML-23 Unnamed Active I Alberta 15 UNK UNK – UNK UNK NWML-26 Unnamed Active I Alberta 90 12.7 Arctic grayling – ● – NWML-27 Unnamed Active I Alberta 9 UNK UNK – UNK UNK NWML-28 Unnamed Active I Alberta 260 10.5 Arctic grayling – ● –

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Table 7-29: Large River and Active I Channel Crossing Methods – Pipeline Corridor

Region or Crossing Method Area Trenchless Isolation Open Cut Northwestern NWML-22 Petitot River NWML-16 Unnamed NWML-04 Unnamed Alberta NWML-28 Unnamed NWML-05 Unnamed NWML-07 Thinahtea Creek NWML-08 Unnamed NWML-09 Unnamed NWML-10 Unnamed NWML-13 Unnamed NWML-13.5 Unnamed NWML-14 Unnamed NWML-15 Unnamed NWML-19 Unnamed NWML-23 Unnamed NWML-26 Unnamed NWML-27 Unnamed

7.3.9 Infrastructure

The project infrastructure includes:

• barge landing sites • pipe and material stockpile sites • fuel storage sites • temporary, existing and mobile camps • potable water supply • all-weather and winter access roads • airstrips, ice strips and helipads • communication centres

In addition to project infrastructure, 120 borrow sites that will provide borrow material needed to construct the anchor fields, pipelines, facilities and infrastructure have been identified. Seventy of these are primary sites and 50 are secondary sites, which are alternative locations that might be required if primary sites are found to be unsuitable. The numbers of primary and secondary borrow sites in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Sahtu Settlement Area, Gwich’in Settlement Area and Deh Cho Region are listed in Table 7-31. No borrow sites have been identified for northwestern Alberta.

Borrow sites are described in Volume 2, Project Description.

The effect pathways considered applicable are shown in Figure 7-23 for production area infrastructure and in Figure 7-24 for pipeline corridor infrastructure.

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Table 7-30: Estimated Severity of Ill Effects Scores for Open-Cut Pipeline Construction at 1, 15, 30 and 45 Bankfull Widths Downstream of the Crossing – Northwestern Alberta

All Activities: Trenching, Installation and Backfilling Trenching Assumptions Peak TSS (mg/L) Severity of Ill Effects Peak TSS (mg/L) Severity of Ill Effects Max At 15 At 30 At 45 At 15 At 30 At 45 At 15 At 30 At 45 At 15 At 30 At 45 Under- Mean Median At 1 BW BW d/s BW d/s BW d/s At 1 BW BW d/s BW d/s BW d/s At 1 BW BW d/s BW d/s BW d/s At 1 BW BW d/s BW d/s BW d/s Political Drainage Bankfull ice Winter % Grain d/s of of of of d/s of of of of d/s of of of of d/s of of of of Crossing ID Stream Name Region Hydrologic Region Area Width Depth Velocity Fines Size Duration Crossing Crossing Crossing Crossing Crossing Crossing Crossing Crossing Duration Crossing Crossing Crossing Crossing Crossing Crossing Crossing Crossing (km2) (m) (m) (m/s) (m) (h) (h) NWML-04 Unnamed Alberta Southern 0.6 10 0.24 no flow 20 0.01 10 – – – – – – – – 5 – – – – – – – – NWML-05 Unnamed Alberta Southern 40 5 0.48 no flow 20 0.01 10 – – – – – – – – 5 – – – – – – – – NWML-07 Unnamed Alberta Southern 71 8 0.17 no flow 20 0.01 12 – – – – – – – – 6 – – – – – – – – NWML-08 Unnamed Alberta Southern 52 6 1.10 no flow 20 0.01 10 – – – – – – – – 5 – – – – – – – – NWML-09 Unnamed Alberta Southern 9.0 5 0.40 no flow 20 0.01 10 – – – – – – – – 5 – – – – – – – – NWML-10 Unnamed Alberta Southern 36 26 0.40 no flow 20 0.01 14 – – – – – – – – 7 – – – – – – – – NWML-13 Unnamed Alberta Southern 12.5 25 0.06 no flow 20 0.01 10 – – – – – – – – 5 – – – – – – – – NWML-13.5 Unnamed Alberta Southern N/A 20 0.34 no flow 20 0.01 10 – – – – – – – – 5 – – – – – – – – NWML-14 Unnamed Alberta Southern 43 6 0.00 frozen 20 0.01 10 0 0 0 0 – – – – 5 0 0 0 0 – – – – NWML-15 Unnamed Alberta Southern 7.0 40 0.24 no flow 20 0.01 14 – – – – – – – – 7 – – – – – – – – NWML-19 Unnamed Alberta Southern 1.6 8 0.00 frozen 20 0.01 10 – – – – – – – – 5 – – – – – – – – NWML-23 Unnamed Alberta Southern 15 10 0.48 no flow 20 0.01 10 – – – – – – – – 5 – – – – – – – – NWML-26 Unnamed Alberta Southern 90 9 0.56 no flow 20 0.01 12 – – – – – – – – 6 – – – – – – – – NWML-27 Unnamed Alberta Southern 9 7 0.76 no flow 20 0.01 10 – – – – – – – – 5 – – – – – – – –

NOTES: Winter flow data based on April 2004 field survey, with results not included in Volume 3, Section 7, Fish and Fish Habitat frozen = frozen to substrate during late winter surveys no flow = under-ice non-flowing water recorded during late-winter surveys delta = Mackenzie Delta channel drainage areas are not applicable N/A = data not available, Revision 3 streams yet to be surveyed BW = bankfull width d/s = downstream Peak TSS = maximum concentration of total suspended solids estimated to occur during pipeline construction – = TSS concentrations and SEV scores could not be calculated because of lack of flow, frozen conditions or missing data for some streams SEV values calculated for juvenile and adult salmonids: 0 = no effects 1 to 3 = behavioural effects 4 to 9 = sublethal effects more than 10 = lethal effects

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Table 7-31: Number of Primary and Secondary Borrow Sites Settlement Area or Regions Primary Secondary Inuvialuit Settlement Region 7 9 Gwich’in Settlement Area 11 6 Sahtu Settlement Area 15 5 K’ahsho Got’ine District Tulita District 14 10 Deh Cho Region 20 19

Change in availability, quality or Change in fish Change in abundance and quantity of fish habitat health distribution

Dredging for Direct habitat barge landings effects Change in Change in water quality harvest Road Increased crossings anglers

Suspended Increased Change in sediment access water levels Water withdrawal

Sediment Road deposition crossings

Dredging

Production area infrastructure

Figure 7-23: Effect Pathways – Production Area Infrastructure

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Change in availability, quality or Change in fish Change in abundance and quantity of fish habitat health distribution

Dredging for barge landings Direct habitat Change in Change in Increased Effects water quality harvest anglers Road crossings Increased access Suspended Change in Surface runoff sediment flow Pressure or noise disturbance

Change in Water water levels withdrawal

Road Sediment crossings deposition Dredging

Pipeline corridor infrastructure

Figure 7-24: Effect Pathways – Pipeline Corridor Infrastructure

7.3.9.1 Production Area Infrastructure

The magnitude of production area infrastructure effects on fish habitat, fish health and fish distribution and abundance of the selected fish VCs range from no effect to low magnitude (see Table 7-32). Effects are local in extent.

Baseline Conditions

Baseline fish and fish habitat information was collected at potential water supply lakes, barge landings and access road crossings. Borrow sites and infrastructure facilities such as camps, fuel and material storage areas, airstrips, helipads and communication centres, were considered sufficiently far from adjacent waterbodies that their construction, operations or decommissioning and abandonment are unlikely to affect fish or fish habitat. Consequently, baseline surveys were not done at these sites. Volume 3, Section 7, Fish and Fish Habitat, has fish and fish habitat baseline information for infrastructure sites.

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Table 7-32: Effects of Production Area Infrastructure on Fish

Effect Attribute Key Phase When Geographic Potential Effects Indicator Impact Occurs Direction Magnitude Extent Duration Direct habitat Habitat Construction Adverse Low Local Short term effects of barge Operations and Adverse Low Local Long term landings decommissioning and abandonment Direct habitat Habitat Construction Neutral No effect N/A N/A effects of road Operations Neutral No effect N/A N/A crossing construction Decommissioning Neutral No effect N/A N/A and abandonment Changes in water Habitat Construction Neutral No effect N/A N/A levels caused by Operations Neutral No effect N/A N/A water withdrawal Decommissioning Neutral No effect N/A N/A and abandonment Sediment Habitat Construction Neutral No effect N/A N/A deposition from Operations and Neutral No effect N/A N/A road crossing decommissioning construction and abandonment Sediment Habitat Construction Neutral No effect N/A N/A deposition from Operations and Neutral No effect N/A N/A potential dredging decommissioning and abandonment Change in water Health Construction Adverse Low Local Short term quality caused by Operations Neutral No effect N/A N/A suspended sediment Decommissioning Neutral No effect N/A N/A and abandonment Change in harvest Distribution Construction Neutral No effect N/A N/A caused by and Operations Neutral No effect N/A N/A increased anglers abundance

Decommissioning Neutral No effect N/A N/A and abandonment Change in harvest Distribution Construction Neutral No effect N/A N/A caused by and increased access abundance Operations and Neutral No effect N/A N/A decommissioning and abandonment Pressure or sound Distribution Construction Adverse No effect – Local Short term disturbance and low abundance Operations and Adverse No effect – Local Long term decommissioning low and abandonment

NOTE: N/A = not applicable

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Potential Water Supply Lakes

Fish and fish habitat surveys were done on two lakes identified as potential water supply lakes (see Table 7-33 for baseline information and Figure 7-25 for study locations). These lakes, Old Trout Lake and an unnamed lake, were selected because of their proximity to infrastructure sites.

Table 7-33, cited previously, summarizes bathymetric information, concentrations, VCs present and habitat use of these lakes. According to the DFO Protocol for Water Withdrawal for Oil and Gas Activities in the Northwest Territories (Cott and Moore 2003), only Old Trout Lake, I-02, was considered to have sufficient volume for project water supply use.

Barge Landings

Five barge landing sites were investigated (see Table 7-34 for baseline information and Figure 7-25, cited previously, for study locations), including the existing barge landings at Tununuk Point, Lucas Point and Swimming Point, and proposed sites at Niglintgak and Taglu. The habitat at these sites is mostly deep- flat with silt substrate. Instream cover is provided by turbidity and water depth. Table 7-34, cited previously, summarizes the potential habitat suitability for overwintering, spawning and rearing. At some sites, there might be suitable northern pike spawning habitat in slow-water vegetated areas along channel margins. Burbot are also known to spawn over fine-textured substrate in some delta channels. (Lombard North Group 1976). However, no fall spawning habitat is considered to be present at these sites because of the predominantly silt substrate. Based on depth and expected winter flow, these channels are not expected to freeze to the bed and might be used as overwintering habitat by all species potentially present in this area.

As these sites are all in delta channels, fish species present might be any of the freshwater and diadromous species identified in the Mackenzie River and delta (see Volume 3, Section 7, Fish and Fish Habitat, for a discussion of fish species in the area). Delta channels generally have good water quality, substantial flow throughout winter, connection to adjacent waterbodies, suitable dissolved oxygen levels and high turbidity. Fish might use these channels as corridors for upstream migration and for rearing, feeding, overwintering or spawning.

Road Crossings

Fish and fish habitat surveys were only done on Active I and Active II streams crossed by all-weather roads, none of which crossed Active I or Active II watercourses in the production area. No surveys were done along winter access roads.

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Table 7-33: Baseline Information for Potential Water Supply Lakes – Production Area

Bathymetry Habitat Suitability for Valued Components Max. Maximum Water Valued Component Over- Spring Fall/Winter 1 Site ID Name Area Mean Depth Depth Volume Withdrawal Species Present Wintering Spawning Spawning Rearing 3 3 (ha) (m) (m) (m3x103) (m x10 /year) I-01 Unnamed 41.7 1.3 3.7 551 0 Broad whitefish, lake – ● – ● lake whitefish, northern pike I-02 Old Trout 848 3.4 15.2 28,950 787 Arctic grayling, broad ● ● ● ● Lake whitefish, burbot, inconnu, lake trout, lake whitefish, northern pike

NOTES: – = suitable habitat not present ● = suitable habitat potentially present 1 Maximum allowable water withdrawal is based on 5% of total under-ice lake volume, assuming 2 m of ice cover

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Figure 7-25: Production Area Infrastructure Survey Sites August 2004 Page 7-155

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Table 7-34: Baseline Information for Barge Landings – Production Area Habitat Suitability for Valued Channel Width Water Depth Components (m) (m) Site Valued Component Over- Spring Fall/Winter Site ID Name Type Status Min. Max. Median Max. Species Present Wintering Spawning Spawning Rearing BL-N2 Niglintgak Permanent New 522 790 7.4 19.2 Arctic cisco, broad ● ● ● ● barge whitefish, burbot, Dolly landing – Varden, inconnu, lake Kumak whitefish, northern pike Channel BL-T1 Taglu Permanent New 97 116 6.4 14.0 Arctic cisco, broad ● ● ● ● barge whitefish, burbot, Dolly landing – Varden, inconnu, lake Kuluarpak whitefish, northern pike Channel BL-SP1 Swimming Temporary Existing 844 2,797 4.9 17.1 Arctic cisco, broad ● ● ● ● Point spud In use whitefish, burbot, Dolly barge Varden, inconnu, lake landing – whitefish, northern pike East Channel BL-LP1 Lucas Temporary Existing 1,031 1,814 4.7 12.2 Arctic cisco, broad ● ● ● ● Point spud In use whitefish, burbot, Dolly barge Varden, inconnu, lake landing – whitefish, northern pike East Channel BL-TP1 Tununuk Permanent Existing 478 1,233 7.3 21.5 Arctic cisco, broad ● ● ● ● Point whitefish, burbot, Dolly barge Varden, inconnu, lake landing – whitefish, northern pike East Channel

NOTES: Channel widths and depths are based on three bathymetric transects at each site ● = suitable habitat potentially present

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Production Area Infrastructure Effects

The pathways in Figure 7-23, shown previously, do not necessarily apply to all infrastructure components. For example, direct habitat effects will only result from dredging of barge landings and construction of all-weather road watercourse crossings, but not from other infrastructure components, such as camps or stockpile sites. The infrastructure components likely to affect fish habitat, fish health, or fish distribution and abundance through a particular pathway are identified at the beginning of each pathway discussed. Direct habitat effects might result from:

• potential dredging at barge landings • construction of all-weather road watercourse crossings

No other infrastructure facilities are expected to directly affect fish habitat.

Direct Habitat Effects: Barge Landings

Dredging, if required at barge landings to facilitate landing installation and barge access, would affect channel habitats and shoreline fish habitat. The magnitude and extent of effects would depend on the type of habitat at the site and on the amount of dredging required. The direct habitat effects of production area barge landings also depend on the type of barge landing to be used or developed.

Barge landings in the production area include:

• permanent barge landing sites:

• new barge landing site to be developed at Taglu

• new barge landing site to be developed at Niglintgak for the land-based gas conditioning facility option

• existing barge landing at Tuktoyaktuk

• existing barge landing at Camp Farwell

• existing barge landing at Tununuk

• temporary spud barge landing sites at:

• Swimming Point • Lucas Point

Improvements to the existing permanent barge landing sites might be required to accommodate barges and project equipment. Dredging, filling or other in-water work that might directly affect habitat will likely not be required.

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Some dredging or filling might be needed for construction of the two new barge landings at Niglintgak and Taglu. Habitat features at the proposed barge landings are suitable for spawning, rearing and overwintering by VCs. The type of channel habitat at both locations is suitable for use by all VCs in the Mackenzie Delta and is not limited in availability. The effects of potential dredging on habitats near the barge landings are expected to be low magnitude and local (see Table 7-35). Duration of effects will be limited to construction. In keeping with the principle of No Net Loss outlined in the Policy for the Management of Fish Habitat (DFO 1986), measures will be implemented to offset any loss of fish habitat from dredging or construction of barge landings.

Table 7-35: Direct Habitat Effects of Barge Landing Construction – Production Area

Type of Waterbody Barge Potentially Landing Affected/ Geographic Facility Sites Class Direction Magnitude Extent Duration Existing • Tuktoyaktuk Mackenzie Neutral No effect N/A Not permanent River/ applicable, • Camp Farewell barge landing Large River existing site • Tununuk Point, facility Bar-C Temporary • Swimming Point Mackenzie Neutral No effect N/A N/A spud barge River/ • Lucas Point site Large River New • Niglintgak, land- Mackenzie Adverse Low effect Local Short term permanent based option River/ barge landing • Taglu Large River site to be developed for the project

NOTE: N/A = not applicable

The two temporary spud barge landings included in the production area infrastructure are both currently in use. Any adverse effects of these facilities on shoreline or near-shore habitats occurred when the barge landings were initially developed. Continued use of these sites over the duration of the project is not likely to result in additional direct effects on fish habitat.

Direct Habitat Effects – Access Road Watercourse Crossing Construction

No all-weather access road watercourse crossings of either Active I or Active II streams are expected in the production area. The effects of winter road crossing construction can be reduced by mitigation measures described in Section 7.3.2, Overview of Project Design and Mitigation, and in Volume 7, Environmental Management. No adverse effects of road crossings in the production area are expected over the life of the project.

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Although road crossing construction might cause erosion and sediment entrainment and deposition before revegetation and stabilization, direct effects on habitat are not expected during operations. However, winter road crossings or points of access to waterbodies might be subject to some bank and approach disturbance, which could cause some sediment entrainment after snowmelt.

Changes in Water Levels – Water Withdrawal

Potable camp water will be drawn from the Mackenzie River or local lakes. Table 7-36 lists potable water supplies and volume requirements for production area infrastructure.

Table 7-36: Potable Water Supplies and Volume Requirements – Production Area Camps Infrastructure Site Source Volume (m3/d) Niglintgak barge-based To be determined 45 Niglintgak land-based To be determined 60 Camp Farewell To be determined 28 Taglu Kuluarpak Channel or Big Lake 68 Swimming Point East Channel Mackenzie River 216 Tununuk Point Mackenzie River 5 Lucas Point East Channel Mackenzie River 9 Parsons Lake Parsons Lake 65 Storm Hill pigging facility To be determined 9 Inuvik area facility Inuvik townsite, delivered by truck 57

Only one of the two potential water supply lakes surveyed in the production area, Old Trout Lake, I-02 has sufficient volume to be considered as a potential supply. The Mackenzie River or other large lakes, such as Big Lake and Parsons Lake, also have sufficient winter flow and water volumes to allow water withdrawals without adverse effects on fish habitat.

No adverse effects of water withdrawal are expected, because of criteria established to ensure that water withdrawal will not adversely affect fish habitat. Selecting lakes for water withdrawal will conform to the Protocol for Water Withdrawal for Oil and Gas Activities in the Northwest Territories (Cott and Moore 2003). Water level changes caused by water withdrawal are expected to be less during operations than during construction. It is expected that only small amounts of potable and process water will be required during operations and that no water will be needed for decommissioning. Consequently, there will be no effect of water withdrawal on fish habitat.

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Sediment Deposition – Road Crossing Construction

No all-weather access road watercourse crossings of either Active I or Active II streams in the production area are expected. The effects of winter road crossing construction can be reduced by mitigation measures described in Section 7.3.2, Overview of Project Design and Mitigation, and in Volume 7, Environmental Management. No adverse effects of road crossings on fish habitat in the production area are expected over the life of the project.

Sediment Deposition – Potential Dredging

Sediment deposition can occur when bottom sediment entrained during dredging is redeposited or when dredge material is deposited on the riverbed by side casting. The amount of dredging potentially required for barge landing construction and operations is expected to be minor because five of the seven barge landings are existing sites currently in use. The effects of sediment deposition from potential dredging for the two new permanent barge landings at Niglintgak and Taglu will be similar to the effects described for the Niglintgak barge-based gas conditioning facility (see Section 7.3.3, Niglintgak). Sediment deposition from dredging at barge landings is unlikely to adversely affect freshwater VC habitats in delta channels.

Change in Water Quality – Suspended Sediment from Road Crossing Construction

Change in Water Quality – Suspended Sediment from Potential Dredging

Suspended sediment entrained during dredging and during dredge spoil disposal can affect fish. The magnitude of effects will depend on the sediment concentration and the duration of exposure. The amount of dredging done for barge landing construction and operations is expected to be minor because five of the seven barge landings are existing sites currently in use. The effects of sediment deposition from potential dredging for the two new permanent barge landings at Niglintgak and Taglu would be similar to the effects described for the Niglintgak barge-based gas conditioning facility (see Section 7.3.3, Niglintgak).

The effects of sediment on freshwater salmonid fish, in concentration and exposure duration scenarios encountered during dredging, were reviewed by Page 7-160 August 2004

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Wilber and Clarke (2001). They selected exposure to TSS concentrations of 1,000 mg/L for one day as the worst-case scenario for adult and juvenile salmonid fish exposed to a sediment plume from a dredge. Responses of adult and juvenile salmonids within this dosage range were mostly behavioural, with some sublethal effects, such as minor physiological stress or reduced feeding. Actual exposures are more likely to range from minutes to hours because fish would typically escape from the sediment plume or the plume would move downstream with flow.

Fish in the Mackenzie Delta channels are routinely exposed to elevated suspended sediment concentrations. Summer TSS concentrations in East Channel from 1972 to 1987 ranged from 51 to 205 mg/L, with a median concentration of 128 mg/L (see Volume 3, Section 7, Fish and Fish Habitat). Spring TSS levels are considerably higher. TSS concentrations in Harry Channel exceed 400 mg/L. Fish living in the Mackenzie Delta have likely adapted to chronically elevated TSS concentrations so the effects on fish of exposure to sediment entrained by dredging are expected to be less than predicted by Wilber and Clarke (2001).

Effects on VC health of suspended sediment entrained by dredging in the freshwater environment are expected to be adverse, low magnitude, local in extent and short term. The effects are confined to dredging during construction.

Change in Harvest – Increase in Anglers

Changes in harvest caused by increased numbers of anglers in the production area are not expected to affect the viability of VC populations. Although the numbers of people in the area will increase substantially through project construction, the influx will come mostly in winter when fishing opportunities are limited. Fewer people will be in the area in summer. The populations of workers will be even lower during operations and decommissioning and abandonment. Although even small numbers of anglers can rapidly deplete fish stocks, strict policies that will prohibit fishing while working on the project will limit adverse effects on the fish community from increased numbers of anglers. No adverse effects are expected.

Change in Harvest – Increased Access

Although additional winter roads in the production area will increase winter access to fish-bearing waterbodies, adverse effects on the distribution and abundance of sport fish stocks are unlikely. Most waterbodies that could be used for fishing are already accessible to local users, and it is unlikely that improved winter access will change traditional use.

Pressure or Noise Disturbance

The low level of truck traffic noise on winter roads is expected to have low or no effect on fish distribution and abundance because of limited sound propagation under ice in shallow water and because of acclimation to sounds from truck

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traffic. Any fish distribution changes caused by sound disturbance are expected to be local, short term and within the normal daily and day-to-day movement range. The effects are considered to be less during operations when there will be less barge and truck traffic.

7.3.9.2 Pipeline Corridor Infrastructure

The magnitude of pipeline corridor infrastructure effects on fish habitat, fish health and fish distribution and abundance of the selected fish VCs range from no effect to low magnitude (see Table 7-37). Effects are local to regional in extent.

Table 7-37: Effects of Pipeline Corridor Infrastructure on Fish

Effect Attribute Potential Key Phase When Impact Geographic Effects Indicator Occurs Direction Magnitude Extent Duration Direct habitat Habitat Construction Neutral No effect N/A N/A effects of barge Operations and Neutral No effect N/A N/A landings decommissioning and abandonment Direct habitat Habitat Construction Adverse No effect to Local Short effects of road low term crossing Operations Neutral No effect N/A N/A construction Decommissioning Adverse Low Local Long term Flow changes Habitat Construction Adverse No effect to Local Short caused by low term surface runoff Operations and Neutral No effect N/A N/A decommissioning and abandonment Water level Habitat Construction Neutral No effect N/A N/A changes caused Operations Neutral No effect N/A N/A by water withdrawal Decommissioning and Neutral No effect N/A N/A abandonment Sediment Habitat Construction Adverse No effect to Local Short deposition from low term surface runoff Operations and Neutral No effect N/A N/A decommissioning and abandonment Sediment Habitat Construction Adverse No effect to Local Short deposition from low term road crossing Operations and Neutral No effect N/A N/A construction decommissioning and abandonment Sediment Habitat Construction Adverse Low Local Short deposition from term potential Operations and Neutral No effect N/A N/A dredging decommissioning and abandonment

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Table 7-37: Effects of Pipeline Corridor Infrastructure on Fish (cont’d)

Effect Attribute Potential Key Phase When Impact Geographic Effects Indicator Occurs Direction Magnitude Extent Duration Change in water Health Construction Adverse No effect to Local Short quality caused low term by suspended Operations and Adverse No effect to Local Long sediment decommissioning and low term abandonment Change in Distribution Construction Neutral No effect N/A N/A harvest caused and Operations Neutral No effect N/A N/A by increased abundance anglers Decommissioning Neutral No effect N/A N/A Change in Distribution Construction Adverse Low Local – regional Short harvest caused and term by increased abundance Operations and Adverse Low Local Long access decommissioning term Pressure or Distribution Construction Adverse No effect to Local Short sound and low term disturbance abundance Operations and Adverse No effect to Local Long decommissioning and low term abandonment

NOTE: N/A = not applicable

Baseline Conditions

Baseline fish and fish habitat information was collected at potential water supply lakes, barge landings and access road crossings (see Figure 7-26, north, and Figure 7-27, south). Borrow sites and infrastructure facilities such as camps, fuel and material storage areas, airstrips, helipads and communication centres, were considered sufficiently far from adjacent waterbodies that their construction, operations or decommissioning and abandonment are unlikely to affect fish or fish habitat. Consequently, baseline surveys were not done at these sites. Volume 3, Section 7, Fish and Fish Habitat, has fish and fish habitat baseline information for infrastructure sites.

Potential Water Supply Lakes

Fish and fish habitat surveys were done on 14 potential water supply lakes: two in the Gwich’in Settlement Area, five in the Sahtu Settlement Area and seven in the Deh Cho Region (see Table 7-38). These lakes were selected because of their proximity to infrastructure sites.

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Figure 7-26: Pipeline Corridor Infrastructure Survey Sites – North

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Figure 7-27: Pipeline Corridor Infrastructure Survey Sites – South August 2004 Page 7-165

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Table 7-38: Baseline Information for Potential Water Supply Lakes – Pipeline Corridor

Bathymetry Maximum Habitat Suitability for Valued Components Region Max. Water Valued Component Over- Spring Fall/Winter 2 Site ID Name or Area Area Mean Depth Depth Volume Withdrawal Species Present Wintering Spawning Spawning Rearing 3 3 (ha) (m) (m) (m3x103) (m x10 /year) I-03 Unnamed Gwich'in 188 0.4 5.2 765 0.34 Northern pike ● ● – ● I-04 Campbell Gwich'in 335 3.5 15.8 11,631 376 Arctic cisco, Arctic ● ● ● ● Lake1 grayling, broad whitefish, burbot, inconnu, lake trout, lake whitefish, northern pike, walleye I-05 Tutsieta Sahtu 876 3.0 30.5 25,969 958 Lake whitefish, northern ● ● ● ● Lake pike I-06 Unnamed Sahtu 167 0.5 3.4 844 0 ND – ● – ● I-07 Unnamed Sahtu 319 1.1 12.4 3,610 66 Northern pike ● ● ● ● I-08 Unnamed Sahtu 123 3.4 11.9 4,247 139 Lake whitefish, northern ● ● ● ● pike I-09 Mio Lake Sahtu 751 0.6 1.8 4,424 0 Northern pike – ● – ● I-10 Eentsaytoo Deh Cho 516 0.8 1.8 4,178 0 ND – ● – ● Lake I-11 Unnamed Deh Cho 73.3 0.6 1.2 471 0 ND – ● – ● I-12 Unnamed Deh Cho 54.0 1.4 1.5 770 0 ND – ● – ● I-13 Unnamed Deh Cho 30.0 1.1 2.4 331 0 ND – ● – ● I-14 Unnamed Deh Cho 226 N/A 2.3 N/A 0 ND – ● – ● I-16 Trainor Lake Deh Cho 3,385 2.8 7.2 96,213 3,405 Burbot, lake whitefish, ● ● ● ● northern pike I-17 Unnamed Alberta 13.4 0.5 0.9 64 0 ND – ● – ●

NOTES: N/A = data not available ND = VC species not documented in lake during current or previous studies – = suitable habitat not present ● = suitable habitat potentially present 1 Bathymetric statistics for Campbell Lake apply only to the surveyed northeast basin, i.e., about 15% of the entire lake area 2 Maximum allowable water withdrawal is based on 5% of total under-ice lake volume, assuming 1.5 m of ice cover in Gwich’in and Sahtu and 1.0 m of ice cover in Deh Cho and Alberta

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Table 7-38, shown previously, summarizes bathymetric information, VCs present and habitat use of these lakes. According to the DFO’s Protocol for Water Withdrawal for Oil and Gas Activities in the Northwest Territories (Cott and Moore 2003), only six of these lakes were considered to have sufficient volume for water supply use.

Barge Landings

Ten sites that might be used as barge landing sites on the Mackenzie River and one site on the Liard River were investigated in detail (see Table 7-39). Six barge landings are in the Sahtu Settlement Area and five are in the Deh Cho Region. The channel habitat at these sites was mostly deep run habitat, deep and swift- flowing with little surface agitation. The substrate is predominantly silt or sand, with boulder and cobble at some sites. Instream cover is provided by turbidity and water depth, with some boulder and woody debris in shoreline areas. Table 7-39 summarizes the suitability of the habitat for overwintering, spawning and rearing. The sides of the channel are relatively steep, dropping to depths of more than 2 m within 20 m of the shore. At these locations, the rivers are unlikely to freeze to the bed and would be used as overwintering habitat by VCs.

As these sites are all on the Mackenzie or Liard rivers, the fish species at the barge landing sites might be any of the freshwater and diadromous species identified in the study area (see Volume 3, Section 7, Fish and Fish Habitat, for a discussion of fish species in the area). The Mackenzie River and its tributaries support both diadromous species, which move between the Beaufort Sea and upstream spawning and overwintering habitats, and resident fish species. Fish use these rivers as upstream migration corridors and for rearing, feeding, overwintering or spawning.

Road Crossings

Fish and fish habitat surveys were only done on Active I and Active II streams crossed by all-weather roads. No detailed surveys were done along winter access roads.

Most of the watercourses crossed by all-weather roads were classified as Vegetated Channels. Four of the all-weather roads that were investigated crossed Active I or Active II watercourses (see Table 7-40). All of the watercourses provided suitable spawning habitat for northern pike, although their potential as overwintering habitat cannot be verified until under-ice flow and dissolved oxygen levels are confirmed.

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Table 7-39: Baseline Information for Barge Landings – Pipeline Corridor

Channel Width Water Depth Valued Habitat Suitability for Valued Components Region Component Over- Spring Fall/Winter Site ID Site Name or Area Type Status Min. Max. Median Max. Species Present Wintering Spawning Spawning Rearing (m) (m) (m) (m) BL-29 Little Sahtu Temporary Existing 1,654 1,678 6.3 14.7 Arctic grayling, ● ● ● ● Chicago Spud Not in Arctic cisco, broad barge Use whitefish, burbot, landing inconnu, lake whitefish, northern pike BL-31 Fort Good Sahtu Temporary Existing 925 1,104 10.3 16.5 Arctic grayling, ● ● ● ● Hope Spud In use Arctic cisco, broad barge whitefish, burbot, landing inconnu, lake whitefish, northern pike, walleye BL-NW1 Norman Sahtu Permanent Existing 1,375 1,375 4.2 12.2 Arctic grayling, ● ● ● ● Wells In use Arctic cisco, broad barge whitefish, burbot, landing inconnu, lake whitefish, northern pike, walleye BL-63 Tulita Sahtu Temporary Existing 765 1,107 5.3 10.4 Arctic grayling, ● – ● ● West Spud Not in use Arctic cisco, broad barge whitefish, burbot, landing inconnu, lake whitefish, northern pike, walleye BL-04 Tulita East Sahtu Temporary Existing 1,023 1,150 8.3 13.1 Arctic grayling, ● ● ● ● barge Spud In use Arctic cisco, broad landing whitefish, burbot, inconnu, lake whitefish, northern pike, walleye

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Table 7-39: Baseline Information for Barge Landings – Pipeline Corridor (cont’d)

Channel Width Water Depth Valued Habitat Suitability for Valued Components Region Component Over- Spring Fall/Winter Site ID Site Name or Area Type Status Min. Max. Median Max. Species Present Wintering Spawning Spawning Rearing (m) (m) (m) (m) BL-10 Little Sahtu Temporary Existing 650 739 7.7 13.4 Arctic grayling, ● ● ● ● Smith Spud Not in Arctic cisco, broad Creek use whitefish, burbot, barge inconnu, lake landing whitefish, northern pike, walleye BL-18 Blackwater Deh Cho Temporary Existing 451 799 9.6 19.2 Arctic grayling, ● ● ● ● River Spud Not in Arctic cisco, broad barge use whitefish, burbot, landing inconnu, lake whitefish, northern pike, walleye BL-14 Ochre Deh Cho Temporary Existing 590 665 7.7 18.9 Arctic grayling, ● ● ● ● River Spud Not in Arctic cisco, broad barge use whitefish, burbot, landing inconnu, lake whitefish, northern pike, walleye BL-SC1 Little Deh Cho Temporary Existing 701 1,028 5.0 10.4 Arctic grayling, ● ● ● ● Smith Spud Not in Arctic cisco, Creek use burbot, inconnu, barge lake whitefish, landing northern pike, walleye BL-59 Camsell Deh Cho Permanent Existing 1,136 1,975 6.2 15.5 Arctic grayling, ● ● ● ● Bend In Use Arctic cisco, barge burbot, inconnu, landing lake whitefish, northern pike, walleye

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Table 7-39: Baseline Information for Barge Landings – Pipeline Corridor (cont’d)

Channel Width Water Depth Valued Habitat Suitability for Valued Components Site Region Component Over- Spring Fall/Winter Site ID Name or Area Type Status Min. Max. Median Max. Species Present wintering Spawning Spawning Rearing (m) (m) (m) (m) BL-LR1 Liard Deh Cho Permanent Existing 666 742 3.0 8.2 Arctic grayling, ● – ● ● River In Use Arctic cisco, crossing burbot, inconnu, lake whitefish, northern pike, walleye

NOTES: Channel widths and depths are based on three bathymetric transects at each site – = suitable habitat not present ● = suitable habitat potentially present

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Table 7-40: Baseline Information on Active I and Active II Channels Crossed by All-Weather Roads – Pipeline Corridor

Valued Habitat Suitability for Valued Components Component Road Road Watercourse Drainage Channel Species Over- Spring Fall/Winter Name ID Crossing ID Description Name Stream Class Region Area Width Present Wintering Spawning Spawning Rearing 2 (km ) (m) Campbell 30 030-04 Connects Unnamed Active II Gwich'n 95 5.7 Northern – ● – ● Lake Inuvik area stream pike facility with Dempster Highway and Campbell Lake camp Town of 31 031-02 Connects Unnamed Active I Gwich'n 230 17.8 Northern ● ● – ● Inuvik right-of-way stream pike with Road 30 Fort Good 08 008-02 Connects to Unnamed Active II Sahtu 50 2.1 Northern – ● – ● Hope right-of-way stream pike north of Fort 008-03 Unnamed Active II Sahtu 45 1.8 Northern – ● – ● Good Hope stream pike Camsell 00 000-01 Connects Unnamed Vegetated Deh Cho N/A 2.0 ND – ● – ● Bend Mackenzie stream 000-02 Highway with Unnamed Active I Deh Cho 150 9.0 Arctic – ● – ● Trainor Lake stream grayling, compressor northern station and pike right-of-way 000-07 Unnamed Active I Deh Cho 75 2.0 ND – ● – ● stream

NOTES: Drainage Area = area of watershed upstream of the crossing location Channel Width = mean wetted channel width during summer N/A = data not available ND = VC species not documented in watercourse during current or previous studies – = suitable habitat not present ● = suitable habitat potentially present

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Most of the watercourses crossed by proposed permanent road crossings are Vegetated Channels, the rest are Active I or Active II Channels. None of the permanent roads cross named streams. Detailed fish and fish habitat studies were only done on the seven Active I and Active II streams crossed by permanent roads (see Table 7-40, cited previously). Six of the streams provide suitable habitat for spring spawning species, particularly northern pike. Potential overwintering habitat was identified at crossings 000-02, 030-04 and 031-02, though under-ice flow and dissolved oxygen levels in late winter need to be verified to determine winter use by fish.

Pipeline Corridor Infrastructure Effects

The pathways shown previously in Figure 7-23, shown previously, do not necessarily apply to all infrastructure components. For example, direct habitat effects will only result from potential dredging of barge landings and construction of all-weather road watercourse crossings, but not from other infrastructure components, such as camps or stockpile sites. The infrastructure components likely to affect fish habitat, fish health, or fish distribution and abundance through a particular pathway are identified at the beginning of each pathway discussed.

Direct habitat effects might result from:

• potential dredging at barge landings • construction of all-weather road watercourse crossings

No other infrastructure facilities are expected to directly affect fish habitat.

Direct Habitat Effects – Barge Landings

Dredging might be required at barge landing locations to facilitate landing installation and barge access. The direct effects on fish habitat of barge landing construction or improvement along the pipeline corridor are similar to the effects described for production area infrastructure (see Section 7.3.9.1, Production Area Infrastructure).

Barge landings along the pipeline corridor include:

• permanent barge landing sites:

• Norman Wells, two sites • Camsell Bend ferry crossing

• temporary spud barge landing sites:

• Little Chicago • Fort Good Hope • Tulita, west

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• Tulita, east • Little Smith Creek • Blackwater River • Ochre River • Camsell Bend • Liard River ferry crossing

All permanent and temporary spud barge landings are located at existing sites, and no new landings are being considered in the pipeline corridor. Improvements to existing barge landing sites might be required to accommodate barges and project equipment. No dredging, filling or other in-water work that is likely to directly affect habitat is expected. Construction or improvement of permanent barge landings or temporary spud barge landings are not expected to adversely affect fish.

Direct Habitat Effects – Road Crossing Construction

The effects of road crossing construction on fish habitat depend on the type of habitat at the crossing site and on the crossing type selected, e.g., bridge or culvert. Site-specific information on the type of crossing that will be installed at all-weather road watercourse crossings has not been determined. Effects are expected to range from no effect to low, depending on the watercourse classification and the crossing type (see Table 7-41). In keeping with the principle of No Net Loss outlined in the Policy for the Management of Fish Habitat (DFO 1986), measures will be implemented to offset any adverse effects of road crossing construction on habitat. No adverse effects are expected during operations. Some watercourse beds and banks might be disturbed during decommissioning of culverts and bridges. Adverse effects can be avoided by implementing measures described in Section 7.3.2, Overview of Project Design and Mitigation, and in Volume 7, Environmental Management.

Table 7-41: Direct Habitat Effects of Access Road Construction – Pipeline Corridor

Geographic Road Type Class Crossing Type Direction Magnitude Extent Duration All-weather Vegetated Culvert Neutral No effect N/A N/A roads Active II Culvert Adverse Low Local Short term Active I Culvert Adverse Low Local Short term Active I Bridge Neutral No effect N/A N/A Winter All classes Snow and ice Neutral No effect N/A N/A roads Lakes Snow and ice Neutral No effect N/A N/A

NOTE: N/A = not applicable

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Surface Runoff – Infrastructure Sites

Changes in runoff coefficients from land disturbed by infrastructure subcomponents, such as camps, roads, barge landings, storage areas, airstrips and borrow sites, can increase the amount and rate of surface runoff. Runoff amount changes resulting from land disturbed by infrastructure development are considered low for all but two of the basins affected (see Section 5, Hydrology). The two basins catch runoff from the storage sites at the Little Chicago compressor station and at the McGill station. Although development of facilities at the Little Chicago compressor station will increase flow to an unnamed lake from 0 to 0.001 m3/s, adverse effects on habitat can be reduced by mitigation measures that redirect or contain the runoff or that reduce its volume or velocities. Similarly, mitigation measures can reduce the effects of the 0.003 m3/s increase in mean annual runoff flow from facilities at the McGill Station. With mitigation measures in place, the magnitude of effects of surface runoff on fish habitat at all infrastructure facilities ranges from no effect to low effect during construction. No effects are expected during operations or decommissioning and abandonment.

Surface Runoff – Borrow Sites

Runoff predicted to result from development of any of the 120 borrow sites in the pipeline corridor did not change mean annual flow by more than 0.001 m3/s, or less than 2% (see Section 5, Hydrology). Mean annual flow changes of this magnitude are unlikely to affect fish habitat in receiving streams.

Surface Runoff – Summary

Effects on fish habitat of changes in runoff amount from land disturbed by infrastructure development, including borrow sites, during construction are expected to be low. No adverse effects are expected during operations and decommissioning and abandonment because camps, storage, stockpile and staging sites, and borrow sites will be reclaimed and revegetated, which will reduce runoff and increase infiltration. Extent of the effect will be local.

Changes in Water Levels – Water Withdrawal

Potable water for camps and other infrastructure facilities will come from local communities, the Mackenzie River or local lakes. Table 7-42 lists expected potable water supplies and volume requirements for the pipeline corridor.

Six of the potential water supply lakes surveyed in the pipeline corridor have sufficient volume to be considered as potential water supplies. Trainor Lake, the proposed potable water source for the Trout River heater station and the Trout Lake camp, has a volume of more than 95 million cubic metres (see Volume 3, Biophysical Baseline). The shoreline perimeter is about 25 km, with a

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littoral area of about 2,600 ha. The littoral zone is broad and gently slopes away from the shore. Burbot, lake whitefish and northern pike have been reported in Trainor Lake, and the lake habitats are suitable for spawning, rearing and overwintering of these VCs. The annual withdrawal of 78,000 m3 of water is not expected to adversely affect fish habitat in Trainor Lake. The Mackenzie River and other large waterbodies also have sufficient winter flow and water volumes to allow water withdrawals without adversely affecting fish habitat.

Table 7-42: Potable Water Supplies – Pipeline Corridor

Infrastructure Site Source Volume (m3/d) Campbell Lake Inuvik townsite (delivered by truck) 306 Little Chicago Mackenzie River 306 Little Chicago compressor station Mackenzie River 27 Fort Good Hope Fort Good Hope townsite 306 Norman Wells Norman Wells townsite 306 Little Smith Creek Mackenzie River 216 Blackwater River compressor station Mackenzie River 27 Ochre River Mackenzie River 216 Camsell Bend ferry crossing Mackenzie River 216 Trail River compressor station To be determined 27 McGill Station Fort Simpson townsite (delivered by truck) 216 Trout River heater station Trainor Lake 9 Trout Lake (Trainor Lake) Trainor Lake 205 NGTL interconnect facility To be determined 9 Hay River Town of Hay River 68

No adverse effects of water withdrawal are expected because of criteria established to ensure that water withdrawal will not adversely affect fish habitat. Selecting lakes for water withdrawal will conform to the Protocol for Water Withdrawal for Oil and Gas Activities in the Northwest Territories (Cott and Moore 2003). Water level changes caused by water withdrawal are expected to be less during operations than during construction. It is expected that only small amounts of potable and process water will be required during operations and that no water will be needed for decommissioning.

Sediment Deposition from Surface Runoff – Infrastructure Facilities

The change in a given watershed’s sediment yield will be roughly proportional to the amount of disturbance in the watershed and the increase in the disturbed area’s erosion potential (see Section 5, Hydrology). Deposition will only increase if sediment carried by runoff enters watercourses.

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Effects of land disturbance on basin sediment yield and sediment concentrations were considered low for basins affected by infrastructure facilities along the pipeline corridor (see Section 5, Hydrology). Most developments are beside the banks of the Mackenzie River or in areas where runoff and any associated sediment load will be diffused. The riparian vegetation will trap most of the sediment before it enters the river, and increases in sediment concentrations will not be detectable because of the high background suspended sediment levels in the Mackenzie River.

Mean annual sediment concentration increases in basins associated with the facilities at Campbell Lake and Little Chicago and with the NGTL interconnect facility could range from 10 to 175 mg/L. Natural trapping of sediment by vegetation and mitigation measures such as those outlined in Section 7.3.2, Overview of Project Design and Mitigation, and discussed in Volume 7, Environmental Management, will prevent sediment-laden runoff from entering receiving waterbodies. The magnitude of effects on fish habitat of sediment deposited by surface runoff is expected to range from no effect to low magnitude.

Sediment Deposition from Surface Runoff – Borrow Sites

No effect on fish habitat of sediment deposition increases caused by surface runoff from borrow sites is expected. Almost all borrow sites are separate from infrastructure areas, either in basins larger than 22.5 km2 in size, which is the estimated threshold basin area for low-effect sediment concentrations, or farther than 500 m from a receiving waterbody. One borrow site, 4.038, is within 200 m of a small Active II stream. Sediment in runoff from the site could increase sediment yield in the sub-basin draining into the stream. Mitigation measures and the trapping of sediment by vegetation will prevent sediment deposition increases that might affect fish habitat.

Sediment Deposition from Surface Runoff – Summary

Mitigation measures outlined in Section 7.3.2, Overview of Project Design and Mitigation, and in Volume 7, Environmental Management, will prevent adverse effects on habitat from sediment deposition in surface runoff. Taking into account the implementation of mitigation measures, the direction of effects of runoff from infrastructure facilities was considered adverse, but magnitude ranged from no effect to low. The magnitude of effects is likely to be less during operations and decommissioning and abandonment when sites are being reclaimed. No adverse effects are expected during these phases of the project.

Sediment Deposition – Road Crossing Construction

The effects of sediment deposited during access road crossing construction depend on the type of habitat at and downstream of the crossing site. Effects on habitat will be similar to effects of gathering pipeline watercourse crossing

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construction. Mitigation measures described in Section 7.3.2, Overview of Project Design and Mitigation, and in Volume 7, Environmental Management, will prevent adverse effects on habitat from sediment deposited during road crossing construction. The effects of sediment deposition on VC habitat during road crossing construction are expected to be adverse, range from no effect to low magnitude depending on the habitat, local extent and short term. Deposition of sediment is restricted to the period of crossing construction. No effects of sediment deposition are expected during operation if erosion and sediment control measures are in place and properly maintained.

Sediment Deposition – Potential Dredging

The effects on fish habitat of sediment deposition caused by dredging at pipeline corridor barge landings are similar to effects described for the production area barge landings (see Section 7.3.9.1, Production Area Infrastructure). Suspended sediment entrained during dredging and dredge spoil disposal can affect fish. The magnitude of effects will depend on the sediment concentration and the duration of exposure. The amount of dredging for barge landing construction and operation is expected to be minor because all barge landings are existing sites, although some are not currently in use. Effects of suspended sediment entrained by dredging in freshwater are expected to be adverse, low magnitude, local extent and short term. The effects are confined to dredging during construction.

Change in Water Quality from Suspended Sediment – Surface Runoff

The effects on fish health of water quality changes arising from increases in suspended sediment in runoff from pipeline infrastructure are linked to the effects of surface water runoff on sediment deposition (see Surface Runoff – Summary). Effects of land disturbances on basin sediment concentrations are considered low for most basins affected by infrastructure facilities along the pipeline corridor. In a few basins where the effects of runoff on mean annual sediment concentrations are considered moderate (see Section 5, Hydrology), mitigation measures, such as erosion and sediment control plans, and trapping by vegetation are expected to reduce TSS concentrations to levels unlikely to affect fish health. Effects on fish health of water quality changes arising from increased TSS concentrations in runoff from pipeline infrastructure facilities, including borrow sites, range from no effect to low magnitude. No adverse effects are expected during operations and decommissioning and abandonment. Extent of the effect will be local.

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Change in Water Quality from Suspended Sediment – Road Crossing Construction

The effects on fish health of water quality changes arising from increased TSS concentrations during construction of all-weather road watercourse crossings are less than effects described for gathering system and pipeline corridor watercourse crossing construction. Consequently, the amount of entrained sediment, the concentrations and the duration of exposure are much less. Erosion and sediment- control measures, techniques that isolate the work site from flowing water and mitigation measures such as those described in Section 7.3.2, Overview of Project Design and Mitigation, and in Volume 7, Environmental Management, will limit adverse effects on fish health.

The effects on VC health of suspended sediment concentration increases during road crossing construction are expected to be adverse, ranging from no effect to low magnitude, depending on the construction method, duration of exposure and habitat. Extent of the effect is local and duration is short term and confined to the period of construction. No effects of sediment deposition are expected during operations, if erosion- and sediment-control measures are in place and properly maintained.

Change in Water Quality from Suspended Sediment – Potential Dredging

The effects of water quality changes arising from suspended sediment increases caused by dredging for barge landings in the pipeline corridor would be similar to effects described for production area barge landings (see Section 7.3.9.1, Production Area Infrastructure). Suspended sediment entrained during dredging and dredge spoil disposal can affect fish, the magnitude of effects depending on the sediment concentration and the duration of exposure. The amount of dredging, if any, for barge landing construction and operation is expected to be minor because all of the barge landings are at existing sites, although some are not currently in use.

No adverse effects on VC health of suspended sediment entrained by dredging in freshwater are expected.

Change in Harvest – Increased Anglers

The effects on fish abundance and distribution of harvest changes caused by more anglers along the pipeline corridor are similar to effects described for the production area infrastructure (see Section 7.3.9.1, Production Area Infrastructure). No changes in harvest that would affect the viability of VC populations are expected from increased numbers of anglers in the area.

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Change in Harvest – Increased Access

The effects on fish abundance and distribution of harvest changes arising from improved access accompanying pipeline infrastructure facility development would be similar to or slightly greater than effects described for the production area infrastructure (see Section 7.3.9.1, Production Area Infrastructure). The effect on fish abundance is expected to be adverse, but low magnitude, local to regional in extent, and occurring during construction and operations. Restriction on the use of access roads during operations and the deactivation and reclamation, i.e., revegetation, of access roads during decommissioning will lessen the effect on fish distribution and abundance.

Pressure or Noise Disturbance

The effects on fish of pressure or noise disturbance from barge traffic and from under-ice waves generated by trucks hauling on winter roads on waterbodies are discussed in Section 7.3.1, Effect Pathways. The low level of noise attributed to truck traffic, limited propagation of sound under ice in shallow water and acclimation to truck traffic sounds are expected to have a low-magnitude or no effect on fish distribution and abundance. Fish distribution changes caused by sound disturbance are expected to be local, short term and within the normal variation in distribution. The effects are considered to be less during operations when there will be less barge and truck traffic.

7.3.10 Significance of Effects

In the previous section, the residual project effects were described in terms of their direction, magnitude, geographic extent and duration. These characteristics are used to determine the significance of the effects on fish and fish habitat.

Volume 1, Section 2, Assessment Method, includes a discussion of the rationale for determining significance. An adverse residual effect is considered significant if the effect is either:

• moderate or high magnitude and extends into the far future, for more than 30 years after project decommissioning and abandonment

• high magnitude and occurs outside the LSA at any time

This section presents the significance of the effects of each project component and of the combined project. Tables give the results of the effects assessment and indicate if an effect is significant. The evaluation of significance of effects is conservative, that is, in all cases the worst-case direction, magnitude, geographic extent and duration are chosen for each project component, key indicator and project phase.

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The highest magnitude of effect on key indicators identified in the project activity-specific effects assessment was low, and for most effects, the longest duration was predicted to be long term. Effects of land subsidence are predicted to last into the far future but be low magnitude. No significant effects were predicted for the fish key indicators.

7.3.10.1 Niglintgak

The magnitude of effects of Niglintgak on fish will range from no effect to low, and effects will likely be limited to the local area. Except for the effects of land subsidence, which might extend into the far future, duration of effects will be limited to the short or long term.

Water level changes and effects of potential dredging for the barge-based gas conditioning facility occur mostly during construction and operations, into the long term. The effects of flooding because of land subsidence will be short term beginning during operations, and might continue into the far future. However, as land subsidence will occur slowly, fish populations would have time to adjust and change their distribution. No significant effects on fish at Niglintgak are predicted in Table 7-43.

Table 7-43: Significance of Effects of Niglintgak on Fish

Effect Attribute Key Phase When Impact Geographic Indicators Occurs Direction Magnitude Extent Duration Significant Habitat Construction Adverse Low Local Long term No Operations Adverse Low Local Long term No Decommissioning and Adverse Low Local Far future No abandonment Health Construction Adverse Low Local Short term No Operations N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Decommissioning and Adverse Low Local Short term No abandonment Distribution Construction Adverse Low Local Short term No and Operations N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A abundance Decommissioning and Adverse Low Local Short term No abandonment

NOTE: N/A = not applicable

7.3.10.2 Taglu

The magnitude of effects of Taglu on fish is expected to range from no effect to low magnitude and be local in extent. Only the effects of land subsidence might extend into the far future.

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Water level changes occur mostly during construction and operations. The effects of flooding because of land subsidence might begin during operations and might continue into postdecommissioning. However, as land will subside slowly, fish populations would have time to adjust and change their distribution. No significant effects on fish at Taglu are predicted in Table 7-44.

Table 7-44: Significance of Effects of Taglu on Fish

Effect Attribute Key Phase When Geographic Indicators Impact Occurs Direction Magnitude Extent Duration Significant Habitat Construction Adverse Low Local Short term No Operations Adverse Low Local Long term No Decommissioning Adverse Low Local Far future No and abandonment Health Construction N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Operations N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Decommissioning N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A and abandonment Distribution Construction N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A and Operations N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A abundance Decommissioning N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A and abandonment

NOTE: N/A = not applicable

7.3.10.3 Parsons Lake

No effects on fish are expected at Parsons Lake. Therefore, no significant effects on fish and fish habitat at Parsons Lake are predicted in Table 7-45.

7.3.10.4 Gathering Pipelines and Associated Facilities

Effects of the gathering pipelines and associated facilities on fish will not exceed low magnitude and will be local to regional in extent.

Many of the effect pathways discussed, i.e., direct habitat effects, sediment entrainment and deposition, and in-water use of explosives, are short term, occurring only during crossing construction, and the potential effects differ depending on the watercourse classification and the crossing method.

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Table 7-45: Significance of Effects of Parsons Lake on Fish

Effect Attribute Key Phase When Geographic Indicators Impact Occurs Direction Magnitude Extent Duration Significant Habitat Construction Neutral No effect N/A N/A No Operations Neutral No effect N/A N/A No Decommissioning Neutral No effect N/A N/A No and abandonment Health Construction N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Operations N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Decommissioning N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A and abandonment Distribution Construction N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A and Operations N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A abundance Decommissioning N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A and abandonment

NOTE: N/A = not applicable

The geographic extent of effects will be confined to the local area, except for effects of: • changes in flow caused by effects on groundwater • blockage of fish movement by frost bulb formation • changes in fish distribution brought about by increased access

The effects from these pathways exceed low magnitude. Some effects might extend beyond the local area to the regional area, but their duration will not persist beyond long term.

Effects on fish from the gathering pipelines and associated facilities are predicted to be not significant (see Table 7-46).

7.3.10.5 Pipeline Corridor

The magnitude of effects of the pipeline corridor on fish will not exceed low magnitude, and will be local to regional in extent.

As with the gathering pipelines and associated facilities, many of the effect pathways discussed are short term, occurring only during crossing construction, and the potential effects differ depending on the watercourse classification and the crossing method.

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Table 7-46: Significance of Effects of the Gathering Pipelines and Associated Facilities on Fish and Fish Habitat

Effect Attribute Key Phase When Geographic Indicators Impact Occurs Direction Magnitude Extent Duration Significant Habitat Construction Adverse Low Local Short term No Operations Adverse Low Regional Long term No Decommissioning Adverse Low Local Long term No and abandonment Health Construction Adverse Low Local Long term No Operations Neutral No effect N/A N/A No Decommissioning Neutral No effect N/A N/A No and abandonment Distribution Construction Adverse Low Local Long term No and Operations Neutral No effect N/A N/A No abundance Decommissioning Neutral No effect N/A N/A No and abandonment

NOTE: N/A = not applicable

The geographic extent of effects will be confined to the local area, except for effects of:

• changes in flow caused by effects on groundwater • blockage of fish movement by frost bulb formation • changes in fish distribution brought about by increased access

The effects from these pathways might extend beyond the local area to the regional, but the duration will not extend beyond long term.

Effects on fish from the pipeline corridor are predicted to be not significant (see Table 7-47).

7.3.10.6 Infrastructure

Production Area Infrastructure

The magnitude of effects of production area infrastructure on fish will not exceed low magnitude and will be local to regional in extent.

Extent of effects will be confined to the local area, except for effects on fish distribution brought about by increased access. The effects from these pathways might extend beyond the local area to the regional, but duration is not expected to extend beyond long term.

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Table 7-47: Significance of Effects of the Pipeline Corridor on Fish

Effect Attribute Key Phase When Geographic Indicators Impact Occurs Direction Magnitude Extent Duration Significant Habitat Construction Adverse Low Regional Long term No Operations Adverse Low Regional Long term No Decommissioning Adverse Low Local Long term No and abandonment Health Construction Adverse Low Local Long term No Operations Neutral No effect N/A N/A No Decommissioning Neutral No effect N/A N/A No and abandonment Distribution Construction Adverse Low Regional Short term No and Operations Adverse Low Regional Long term No abundance Decommissioning Adverse Low Local Long term No and abandonment

NOTE: N/A = not applicable

Effects on fish from production area infrastructure are predicted to be not significant (see Table 7-48).

Table 7-48: Significance of Effects of Production Area Infrastructure on Fish

Effect Attribute Key Phase When Geographic Indicators Impact Occurs Direction Magnitude Extent Duration Significant Habitat Construction Adverse Low Local Short term No Operations Adverse Low Local Long term No Decommissioning Adverse Low Local Long term No and abandonment Health Construction Adverse Low Local Short term No Operations Neutral No effect N/A N/A No Decommissioning Neutral No effect N/A N/A No and abandonment Distribution Construction Adverse Low Regional Short term No and Operations Adverse Low Regional Long term No abundance Decommissioning Adverse Low Local Long term No and abandonment

NOTE: N/A = not applicable

Pipeline Corridor Infrastructure

The magnitude of effects on fish is considered low, and local to regional in extent.

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Similar to production area infrastructure, the extent of effects will be confined to the local area, except for effects on fish distribution brought about by increased access. The effects from these pathways might extend beyond the local area to the regional, but the duration is not expected to extend beyond decommissioning and abandonment, that is, not beyond long term.

Effects on fish from pipeline corridor infrastructure are predicted to be not significant (see Table 7-49).

Table 7-49: Significance of Effects of Pipeline Corridor Infrastructure on Fish

Effect Attribute Key Phase When Geographic Indicators Impact Occurs Direction Magnitude Extent Duration Significant Habitat Construction Adverse Low Local Short term No Operations Adverse Low Local Long term No Decommissioning Adverse Low Local Long term No and abandonment Health Construction Adverse Low Local Short term No Operations Adverse Low Local Long term No Decommissioning Adverse Low Local Long term No and abandonment Distribution Construction Adverse Low Regional Short term No and Operations Adverse Low Regional Long term No abundance Decommissioning Adverse Low Local Long term No and abandonment

7.3.10.7 Combined

For each component of the project, effects on fish do not exceed low magnitude, and are local to regional in extent. Most effects do not extend beyond long term. These effects would not combine to significantly affect fish key indicators, such as fish habitat, fish health, and fish abundance and distribution.

Effects of land subsidence in the production area are the only effects predicted to last into the far future. However, the effects are considered low magnitude because fish will have time to adjust to the changing environment. The effects will not combine to significantly affect fish.

Effects on fish from the combined effects of all project components are predicted to be not significant (see Table 7-50).

7.3.10.8 Prediction Confidence Available information and an understanding of fish species, their habitat requirements and their expected responses to project-related activities are used to

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predict the effects of the project on VCs. As with all predictions of future conditions, the predictions in the impact assessment have a level of uncertainty.

Table 7-50: Significance of Effects of Combined Project on Fish

Effect Attribute Key Phase When Geographic Indicators Impact Occurs Direction Magnitude Extent Duration Significant Habitat Construction Adverse Low Regional Long term No Operations Adverse Low Regional Long term No Decommissioning Adverse Low Local Far future No and abandonment Health Construction Adverse Low Local Long term No Operations Adverse Low Local Long term No Decommissioning Adverse Low Local Long term No and abandonment Distribution Construction Adverse Low Regional Long term No and Operations Adverse Low Regional Long term No abundance Decommissioning Adverse Low Local Long term No and abandonment

Prediction confidence for effects of the gathering system and pipeline corridor and infrastructure is high. The effects of these project components are low magnitude and short term, and a variety of mitigation measures are available. Confidence in predictions of the effects of Niglintgak and Taglu development is moderate, whereas prediction confidence for the Parsons Lake field is high. Uncertainty about the effects of subsidence from reservoir depletion at Niglintgak and Taglu and its resulting effect on habitats used by freshwater and brackish water species in the future results in a moderate level of certainty about the expected effects. Provided that proposed mitigation measures are implemented, there is a relatively high degree of confidence that effects will be less than predicted because where data is uncertain, the precautionary principle has been applied in developing the effects assessment (see Volume 1, Section 2, Assessment Method). As a result, there is a high degree of confidence in the determination of significance. 7.3.10.9 Precautionary Principle A precautionary principle was applied to ensure that the EIS does not under-report potential effects. The precautionary approach requires that where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty will not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation (Government of Canada 2001). Examples include: • where it is uncertain if an effect will occur, it is assumed likely to happen. For example, if features in the area affected by the project indicate that a channel

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is suitable for spawning by any of the VCs, it is assumed that spawning habitat could be affected. • any value that exceeds guideline levels is assumed to have a high effect, even though guidelines can be highly protective of the environment and a receptor might not necessarily be affected. For example, infrequent values exceeding water quality criteria for fish are unlikely to adversely affect fish but are viewed as a high effect. In response to uncertainties in the prediction of project effects, programs will be established throughout all stages of the project to monitor effects and to provide a basis for adjusting environmental management actions.

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7.4 Monitoring

Volume 7, Section 6, Environmental Compliance and Effects Monitoring Plan, provides an overview of the intent and purpose of the environmental monitoring program to be implemented for the project.

Two types of programs will be developed:

• compliance monitoring • effects monitoring

7.4.1 Compliance Monitoring Compliance monitoring will ensure that all environmental mitigation, as outlined in the Environmental Compliance and Effects Monitoring Plan, is implemented. It will also ensure that work proceeds in compliance with regulations and the proponents’ environmental policies. Compliance monitoring will be a component of all phases of the project, from environmental inspection monitoring during construction to monitoring required for licences issued by the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Boards. Compliance monitoring will be specific to the protection of fish habitat, such as:

• monitoring the effects of sediment release by systematically measuring turbidity and total suspended solids during construction of open-cut and isolation crossings

• water quality monitoring for drilling mud fractionation-out events during construction of trenchless crossings

• ensuring that fishing by project personnel is curtailed during construction

• ensuring fish are salvaged between dams used in isolation crossing methods

• monitoring adherence to protection measures for washing equipment, inspecting hydraulic, fuel and lubricating systems, servicing and refuelling equipment, and storing fuel near watercourses

• ensuring that granular material used as bank and instream backfill is appropriately sized and effectively free of silt

• monitoring pressure changes while detonating explosives, where necessary, to ensure that DFO guidelines (Wright and Hopky 1998) are adhered to

• ensuring that screen configuration and positioning of water withdrawal pipes conform to DFO (1995) specifications, and monitoring their effectiveness

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7.4.2 Effects Monitoring

Effects monitoring will confirm the accuracy of the prediction of effects and determine the effectiveness of mitigation and enhancement measures. Effects monitoring is a component of the project’s environmental management system. The environmental management system provides a framework for adapting project practices in response to results of effects monitoring programs.

The effects monitoring program for fish and fish habitat will be designed to assess the key indicators used in the assessment of project effects. Table 7-51 is a summary of the proposed effects monitoring. It lists the key indicators, schedule, parameters and sampling locations that will be addressed.

Table 7-51: Effects Monitoring for Fish and Fish Habitat

Key Indicators Monitoring Parameters Sampling Locations Changes in quality and • bank stability • at and downstream of availability of fish habitat • revegetation success pipeline and road crossings, particularly • sediment deposition where open-cut and • performance of mitigation and isolation methods were enhancement structures used Changes in fish health • water quality, e.g., hydrocarbons, • selected lakes and coliform bacteria, turbidity, pH, watercourses in the zone of dissolved oxygen influence of anchor fields • fish abnormalities and infrastructure facilities Changes in distribution • domestic and recreational fish • selected lakes and and abundance of fish harvest watercourses in the zone of species • fish passage influence of the project • • fish species composition and culverted road crossings diversity • pipeline crossings with risk • fish use of known spawning and of frost bulb formation, i.e., rearing areas delay or blockage of spring spawning migrations

Effects monitoring programs will be established in consultation with communities and regulators.

Monitoring will also be done to confirm the effects predicted by the hydrology and water quality components, which in turn affect the effects predicted in this assessment through the fish habitat and fish health pathways, including:

• water levels of lakes identified for water withdrawal • instream flow at any watercourse identified for water withdrawal • water quality of lakes identified for wastewater discharge

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7.5 Watercourse Crossings

Table 7-52 lists all watercourse crossing locations, by region. These are the crossing methods assumed for the purpose of impact assessment. The final crossing methods could change as engineering design work continues.

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Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Site Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) ISR RNT– Kumak 8 489596 7690792 Large River N/A Arctic cisco, ● ● ● ● Beginning of Trenchless 001* Channel Channel (delta broad May to end channel) whitefish, of July and burbot, mid- inconnu, lake September to whitefish, end of April least cisco, longnose sucker, northern pike, whitefish sp. NOTE: * RNT-001 is a crossing of Kumak Channel by a flow line. Flow lines have not been included as part of the gathering system or the pipeline corridor elsewhere in this document. Currently Kumak Channel is the only watercourse that will be crossed by a buried flow line. RNT– Aklak 8 491327 7690785 Active I N/A Arctic cisco, ● ● ● ● Beginning of Trenchless 002 Channel (delta broad May to end channel) whitefish, of July and burbot, mid- inconnu, lake September to whitefish, end of April least cisco, longnose sucker, northern pike, whitefish sp. RNT– Unnamed 8 491327 7690785 Vegetated 1 ND – – – – Beginning of Open cut 003 stream May to end of July RNT– Kanguk 8 499676 7694674 Large River N/A ND ● ● ● ● Beginning of Trenchless 004 Channel (delta May to end channel) of July and mid- September to end of April RNT– Unnamed 8 499863 7694797 Active II N/A Cisco sp. ● – – ● Beginning of Open cut 005 stream (delta May to end channel) of July

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Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) ISR RNT– Kuluarpak 8 500567 7695253 Large River N/A Arctic cisco, ● ● ● ● Beginning Trenchless (cont’d) 006 Channel (delta broad whitefish, of May to channel) burbot, end of July inconnu, lake and mid- whitefish, least September cisco, longnose to end of sucker, April northern pike, whitefish sp. RPR– Unnamed 8 502793 7695594 Active I N/A Arctic cisco, ● – ● ● Beginning Trenchless 001 channel (delta broad whitefish, of May to channel) burbot, end of July inconnu, lake and mid- whitefish, least September cisco, longnose to end of sucker, April northern pike, whitefish sp. RPR– Harry 8 502949 7695498 Large River N/A Arctic cisco, ● ● ● ● Beginning Trenchless 002 Channel (delta broad whitefish, of May to channel) burbot, end of July inconnu, lake and mid- whitefish, least September cisco, longnose to end of sucker, April northern pike, whitefish sp. RPR– Unnamed 8 503564 7695139 Active I N/A Burbot, ● – – ● Beginning Open cut 003 channel (delta northern pike of May to channel) end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 505232 7694101 Vegetated N/A ND – – – – Beginning Open cut 004 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 505783 7693744 Active I N/A Broad whitefish, ● – – ● Beginning Trenchless 005 channel (delta lake whitefish, of May to channel) longnose end of July sucker, northern pike

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Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) ISR RPR– Unnamed 8 509373 7689518 Lake NA Broad whitefish, ● – ● ● Beginning Isolation (cont’d) 006 lake lake whitefish, of May to least cisco, end of July longnose sucker, northern pike RPR– Unnamed 8 510882 7687394 Active II 1.6 ND ● – – ● Beginning Open cut 006.1 stream of May to end of July RPR– Yaya River 8 516418 7679501 Active I 34.1 Northern pike ● – – ● Beginning Open cut 007 of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 517733 7677553 Active II NA ND – – – – Beginning Open cut 008 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 520279 7674820 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open cut 009 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 522226 7674433 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open cut 010 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 524867 7672734 Active I N/A Broad whitefish, ● ● ● ● Beginning Trenchless 011 channel (delta inconnu, lake of May to channel) whitefish, least end of July cisco, longnose and mid sucker, September northern pike, to end of whitefish sp., April RPR– Unnamed 8 525543 7671716 Active I N/A Broad whitefish, ● – – ● Beginning Open cut 012 channel (delta lake whitefish, of May to channel) least cisco, end of July northern pike

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Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large (NAD 83) Bodied Fish Species Site Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) ISR RPR– East Channel 8 527410 7669467 Large River N/A Arctic cisco, ● ● ● ● Beginning of Trenchless (cont’d) 013 (delta broad May to end channel) whitefish, of July and burbot, mid- inconnu, lake September to whitefish, end of April least cisco, longnose sucker, northern pike, RPR– Unnamed 8 528871 7665297 Active II NA ND – – – – Beginning of Open cut 014 stream May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 530407 7662261 Active II approx ND – – – – Beginning of Open cut 015 stream 14 May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 537018 7652759 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Beginning of Open cut 016 stream May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 537251 7652451 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Beginning of Open cut 017 stream May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 537582 7651903 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Beginning of Open cut 018 stream May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 537808 7651414 Vegetated approx ND – – – – Beginning of Open cut 019 stream 1.5 May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 538308 7650340 Vegetated 1 to 2 ND – – – – Beginning of Open cut 020 stream May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 538912 7649102 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Beginning of Open cut 021 stream May to end of July

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Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Site Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) ISR RPR– Unnamed 8 539537 7467645 Vegetated 2.2 ND – – – – Beginning Open cut (cont’d) 022 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 541048 7644422 Vegetated 1.8 ND – – – – Beginning Open cut 023 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 541617 7643562 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Beginning Open cut 024 Stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 541809 7642924 Vegetated approx ND – – – – Beginning Open cut 025 stream 1.5 of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 544080 7638252 Vegetated 0.6 ND – – – – Beginning Open cut 026 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 544335 7637792 Vegetated 9.3 ND – – – – Beginning Open cut 027 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 544510 7637476 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Beginning Open cut 028 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 545070 7656580 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Beginning Open cut 029 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 545394 7636047 Vegetated 1.6 ND – – – – Beginning Open cut 030 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 545933 7635239 Vegetated 15.5 ND – – – – Beginning Open cut 031 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 546181 7634860 Active II 11.2 ND – – – – Beginning Open cut 032 stream of May to end of July

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Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Site Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region IDa Name Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method Zone Easting Northing 2 (km ) ISR RPL– Unnamed 8 557502 7653705 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open cut (cont’d) 000 stream of May to end of July RPL– Zed Creek 8 558253 7649222 Active I 300 Arctic grayling, ● – – ● Beginning Trenchless 001 lake trout, lake of May to whitefish, least end of July cisco, northern pike, round whitefish RPL– Unnamed 8 558565 7646807 Vegetated 5 ND – – – – Beginning Open cut 002 stream of May to end of July RPL– Unnamed 8 558439 7645809 Vegetated 0.5 ND – – – – Beginning Open cut 003 stream of May to end of July RPL– Unnamed 8 557341 7644432 Vegetated 5 Lake trout, – – – – Beginning Open cut 004 stream northern pike, of May to whitefish end of July species RPL– Unnamed 8 556082 7643540 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open cut 004.1 stream of May to end of July RPL– Unnamed 8 552332 7638718 Vegetated 0.1 ND – – – – Beginning Open cut 005 stream of May to end of July RPL– Unnamed 8 551147 7636261 Vegetated 0.25 ND – – – – Beginning Open cut 006 stream of May to end of July RPL– Unnamed 8 549065 7635432 Vegetated 0.28 ND – – – – Beginning Open cut 007 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 547130 7633172 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Beginning Open cut 033 stream of May to end of July

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Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Site Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) ISR RPR– Unnamed 8 547317 7632799 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Beginning Open cut (cont’d) 034 stream of May to end of July RPR– Hans Creek 8 549384 7629445 Active I 175 Arctic grayling, ● – – ● Beginning Isolate 036 burbot, least of May to cisco, northern end of July pike, whitefish species RPR– Unnamed 8 550406 7628008 Vegetated 7.6 ND – – – – Beginning Open cut 037 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 551134 7626565 Vegetated 3.7 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 038 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 553024 7623051 Vegetated 2.8 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 039 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 553463 7622423 Vegetated approx ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 040 stream 1 of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 553662 7622139 Vegetated approx ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 041 stream 1 of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 554169 7621414 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 042 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 554567 7619622 Vegetated 11 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 043 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 555495 7614976 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 044 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 556013 7613837 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 045 stream of May to end of July

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Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Site Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) ISR RPR– Unnamed 8 556720 7613342 Active I 67.2 Northern pike ● – – ● Beginning Isolation (cont’d) 046 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 557363 7613143 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 047 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 558254 7612095 Active I 115 Arctic grayling ● – – ● Beginning Open Cut 048 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 558804 7611639 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 049 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 559936 7610627 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 050 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 560016 7610402 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 051 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 561160 7606338 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 052 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 561920 7605752 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 053 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 565480 7602825 Vegetated approx ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 054 stream 2 of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 566756 7601565 Vegetated approx ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 055 stream 4 of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 567587 7599869 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 056 stream of May to end of July

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Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

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Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Gwich'in REV3– Unnamed 8 572201 7586549 Active I NA ND Beginning TBD (cont’d) AU stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 573006 7586367 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 062 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 575200 7581612 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 063 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 575570 7581026 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 064 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 575582 7579884 Vegetated 24.2 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 065 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 577522 7574465 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 066 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 578924 7570808 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 067 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 579477 7569472 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 068 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 580987 7565909 Active I 82 Arctic grayling ● – – ● Beginning Isolate 069 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 583731 7562632 Active I 173 Arctic grayling ● – – ● Beginning Isolation 070 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 584938 7561553 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 071 stream of May to end of July

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Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Gwich'in RPR– Unnamed 8 587907 7558244 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut (cont’d) 072 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 589275 7556736 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 073 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 589475 7556502 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 074 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 590373 7555151 Active II 71.3 Arctic grayling ● – – ● Beginning Isolation 075 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 590495 7554957 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 076 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 591672 7553408 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 077 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 592288 7552615 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 078 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 592749 7552021 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 079 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 592938 7551778 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 080 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 593456 7551110 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 081 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 593975 7550527 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 082 stream of May to end of July

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Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Site Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Gwich'in RPR– Unnamed 8 594353 7550202 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning of Open Cut (cont’d) 083 stream May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 595070 7549587 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning of Open Cut 084 stream May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 596149 7548659 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning of Open Cut 085 stream May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 597510 7547490 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning of Open Cut 086 stream May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 597653 7547363 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning of Open Cut 087 stream May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 598010 7547040 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning of Open Cut 088 stream May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 598333 7546770 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning of Open Cut 089 stream May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 599358 7546133 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning of Open Cut 090 stream May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 605257 7541851 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning of Open Cut 091 stream May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 607138 7541909 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning of Open Cut 092 stream May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 8 609852 7540939 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning of Open Cut 093 stream May to end of July

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Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

Page 7-204 August 2004

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Gwich'in RPR– Unnamed 8 626106 7528615 Vegetated 1.7 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut (cont’d) 100 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 378499 7528231 Vegetated 0.3 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 101 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 379758 7526861 Vegetated 0.3 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 102 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 381780 7525744 Vegetated 2.5 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 103 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 383966 7525212 Vegetated 0.4 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 104 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 384124 7525200 Vegetated 1.6 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 105 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 384869 7525141 Vegetated 1.1 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 106 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 386208 7524800 Active II 2.7 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 107 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 386487 7523974 Active II 32.5 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 108 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 387205 7521443 Vegetated 3.8 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 109 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 388140 7519907 Vegetated 0.7 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 110 stream of May to end of July

August 2004 Page 7-205

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Gwich'in RPR– Unnamed 9 391098 7516007 Vegetated 0.3 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut (cont’d) 111 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 391676 7513965 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 112 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 392332 7512724 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 113 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 393954 7509711 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 114 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 394079 7509178 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 115 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 394255 7508666 Active II NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 116 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 395027 7507109 Active II 39.7 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 117 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 402766 7504684 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 118 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 402957 7504666 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 119 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 405177 7504070 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 120 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 405625 7503925 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 121 stream of May to end of July

Page 7-206 August 2004

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Gwich'in RPR– Unnamed 9 406569 7503534 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut (cont’d) 122 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 406980 7503292 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 123 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 407572 7502829 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 124 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 408237 7502310 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 125 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 408941 7501842 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 126 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 409522 7501463 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 127 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 410268 7500976 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 128 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 411284 7500677 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 129 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 411595 7500619 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 130 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 412603 7500434 Active II NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 131 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 414891 7499206 Active II NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 132 stream of May to end of July

August 2004 Page 7-207

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Gwich'in RPR– Unnamed 9 415492 7498707 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut (cont’d) 133 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 415712 7498515 Active II 41.7 Northern pike ● – – ● Beginning Open Cut 134 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 416362 7497786 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 135 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 417395 7496728 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 136 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 417983 7496083 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 137 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 418356 7495495 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 138 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 418953 7494680 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 139 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 420018 7493069 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 140 stream of May to end of July RPR– Thunder 9 421158 7492158 Active I 310 Arctic grayling, ● – – ● Beginning Isolation 141 River broad whitefish, of May to lake trout, lake end of July whitefish, longnose sucker, northern pike, pond smelt, round whitefish RPR– Unnamed 9 422593 7491560 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 142 stream of May to end of July

Page 7-208 August 2004

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Gwich'in RPR– Unnamed 9 422915 7491196 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut (cont’d) 143 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 424058 7490535 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 144 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 424665 7490361 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 145 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 424924 7490052 Active II NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 146 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 426737 7488371 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 147 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 427398 7487647 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 148 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 427997 7486363 Active II 32.3 Arctic grayling, ● – – ● Beginning Open Cut 149 stream northern pike of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 428463 7485469 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 150 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 428828 7484775 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 151 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 429246 7483855 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 152 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 429542 7483091 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 153 stream of May to end of July

August 2004 Page 7-209

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Gwich'in RPR– Unnamed 9 430021 7482230 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut (cont’d) 154 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 431038 7480608 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 155 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 431058 7480576 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 156 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 431773 7479434 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 157 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 432487 7478682 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 158 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 432845 7478252 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 159 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 432888 7478185 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 160 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 433186 7477723 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 161 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 433866 7476629 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 162 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 434661 7475281 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 163 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 435005 7474711 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 164 stream of May to end of July

Page 7-210 August 2004

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Gwich'in RPR– Unnamed 9 435162 7474452 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut (cont’d) 165 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 435588 7473747 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 166 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 436467 7472401 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 167 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 437144 7471621 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 168 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 438091 7470370 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 169 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 438706 7469590 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 170 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 439008 7469189 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 171 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 439526 7468503 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 172 stream of May to end of July Sahtu RPR– Unnamed 9 440085 7467521 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 173 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 440929 7466530 Active II 23 Arctic grayling, ● – – ● Beginning Open Cut 174 stream longnose of May to sucker end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 441037 7466409 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 175 stream of May to end of July

August 2004 Page 7-211

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Sahtu RPR– Unnamed 9 442010 7465394 Active II NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut (cont’d) 176 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 442398 7465040 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 177 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 442468 7464975 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 178 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 442767 7464697 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 179 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 443240 7464256 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 180 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 443556 7463934 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 181 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 443681 7463809 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 182 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 444310 7463275 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 183 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 445464 7462272 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 184 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 445764 7462011 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 185 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 446111 7461707 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 186 stream of May to end of July

Page 7-212 August 2004

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Sahtu RPR– Unnamed 9 446968 7460959 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut (cont’d) 187 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 447551 7460451 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 188 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 448071 7460177 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 189 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 449763 7458914 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 190 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 450910 7457863 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 191 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 451489 7457221 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 192 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 452110 7456508 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 193 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 452607 7455941 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 194 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 453906 7454286 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 195 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 454444 7453600 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 196 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 455029 7452831 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 197 stream of May to end of July

August 2004 Page 7-213

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Sahtu RPR– Unnamed 9 455379 7452365 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut (cont’d) 198 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 456077 7451453 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 199 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 456642 7450674 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 200 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 457059 7449439 Active II 31.2 Arctic grayling, ● – – ● Beginning Open Cut 201 stream longnose of May to sucker end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 457298 7448675 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 202 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 458000 7446438 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 203 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 457871 7441676 Active II 124 Arctic grayling ● – – ● Beginning Open Cut 204 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 457708 7440338 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 205 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 460935 7433125 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 206 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 460960 7433097 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 207 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 461207 7432276 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 208 stream of May to end of July

Page 7-214 August 2004

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Sahtu RPR– Unnamed 9 461393 7430482 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut (cont’d) 209 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 461439 7430070 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 210 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 461679 7428507 Active I 98.3 Arctic grayling ● – – ● Beginning Open Cut 211 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 465246 7420465 Active I 50.4 Arctic grayling, ● – – ● Beginning Open Cut 212 stream longnose of May to sucker end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 467668 7417761 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 213 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 467747 7417677 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 214 stream of May to end of July RPR– Payne Creek 9 472562 7412777 Active II 26.9 Arctic grayling ● – – ● Beginning Open Cut 215 of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 473489 7411868 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 216 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 475745 7409372 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 217 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 477154 7407946 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 218 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 477877 7407214 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 219 stream of May to end of July

August 2004 Page 7-215

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Sahtu RPR– Unnamed 9 485550 7399985 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut (cont’d) 220 stream of May to end of July RPR– Tieda River 9 486776 7398980 Large River 959 Arctic grayling, ● – – ● Beginning Isolation 221 broad whitefish, of May to lake trout, lake end of July whitefish, longnose sucker, mountain whitefish, northern pike, round whitefish RPR– Unnamed 9 488550 7397253 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 222 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 493391 7393887 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 223 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 498632 7386483 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 224 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 499865 7385119 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 225 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 500424 7384532 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 226 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 505081 7379614 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 227 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 505325 7379300 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 228 stream of May to end of July

Page 7-216 August 2004

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Sahtu RPR– Unnamed 9 505915 7378542 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut (cont’d) 229 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 506688 7377715 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 230 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 507066 7377323 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 231 stream of May to end of July RPR– Loon River 9 507945 7376373 Large River 3600 Arctic cisco, ● ● ● ● Beginning Isolation 232 Channel Arctic grayling, of May to broad end of July whitefish, lake and Mid whitefish, least September cisco, to end of longnose April sucker, mountain whitefish, northern pike, round whitefish, RPR– Unnamed 9 508781 7375150 Active II 16 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 233 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 509118 7374617 Vegetated 1 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 234 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 510380 7372599 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 235 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 510654 7372161 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 236 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 510991 7371626 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 237 stream of May to end of July

August 2004 Page 7-217

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Sahtu RPR– Unnamed 9 511344 7370982 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut (cont’d) 238 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 513607 7367324 Vegetated 2.6 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 239 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 513778 7367020 Active II NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 240 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 515297 7364556 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 241 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 516798 7362473 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 242 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 517110 7361989 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 243 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 517285 7361651 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 244 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 518123 7360040 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 245 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 518164 7359961 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 246 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 519446 7357675 Vegetated 4.8 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 247 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 519537 7357543 Vegetated 1.8 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 248 stream of May to end of July

Page 7-218 August 2004

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d) UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Sahtu RPR– Hare Indian 9 520684 7355332 Large River 23190 Arctic grayling, ● – ● ● Beginning Trenchless (cont’d) 249 River Arctic lamprey, of May to broad end of July whitefish, and Mid burbot, cisco, September lake whitefish, to end of least cisco, April longnose sucker, mountain whitefish, northern pike, round whitefish, white sucker RPR– Unnamed 9 520743 7354563 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 250 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 520596 7352777 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 251 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 521109 7351089 Vegetated 0.7 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 252 stream of May to end of July RPR– Jackfish Creek 9 520991 7349699 Active I 43.5 ND ● – – ● Beginning Open Cut 253 of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 524203 7339381 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 254 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 524602 7338137 Active I 110 Arctic grayling, ● – – ● Beginning Open Cut 255 stream northern pike of May to end of July

August 2004 Page 7-219

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Sahtu RPR– Tsintu River 9 525721 7334707 Active I 512 Arctic grayling, ● – – ● Beginning Isolate (cont’d) 256 lake whitefish, of May to longnose end of July sucker, mountain whitefish, northern pike, walleye RPR– Unnamed 9 528978 7325259 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 257 stream of May to end of July RPR– Snafu Creek 9 530346 7321588 Active I 304 Arctic grayling, ● – – ● Beginning Isolation 258 longnose of May to sucker, end of July northern pike, pond smelt RPR– Unnamed 9 530550 7320431 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 259 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 530707 7319582 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 260 stream of May to end of July RPR– South Snafu 9 530907 7318601 Active I 148 Arctic grayling, ● – – ● Beginning Isolation 261 Creek northern pike of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 531328 7317558 Vegetated 0.3 ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 262 stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 532807 7313193 Active II NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 263 Stream of May to end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 534582 7308651 Active II NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut 264 stream of May to end of July

Page 7-220 August 2004

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d) UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Sahtu RPR– Unnamed 9 535475 7306910 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Beginning Open Cut (cont’d) 265 stream of May to end of July RPR– Donnelly River 9 536957 7305484 Large River 1133 Arctic grayling, ● – – ● Beginning Isolate 266 broad of May to whitefish, end of July burbot, lake whitefish, longnose sucker, northern pike RPR– Chick Creek 9 539412 7303421 Active II 61.5 Arctic grayling, ● – – ● Beginning Open Cut 267 northern pike of May to end of July RPR– Portable 9 543577 7300047 Active I 14.5 Northern pike ● – – ● Beginning Open Cut 268 and Bridge Creek of May to 269 end of July RPR– Unnamed 9 551152 7291142 Vegetated 1.1 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 270 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 9 551282 7289037 Vegetated 1 ND – – – ● Late April Open Cut 271 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 9 551235 7286800 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 271.1 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed lake 9 551325 7285872 Lake NA ND ● – – ● Late April Open Cut 272 to late July RPR– Unnamed lake 9 551407 7285750 Lake NA ND ● – – ● Late April Open Cut 273 to late July RPR– Unnamed 9 551574 7285620 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 273.1 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed lake 9 551560 7285391 Lake NA Northern pike ● – – ● Late April Open Cut 274 to late July RPR– Unnamed 9 551949 7284985 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 275 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 9 552166 7284714 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 276 stream to late July

August 2004 Page 7-221

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d) UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Sahtu RPR– Unnamed 9 552417 7284399 Vegetated 0.1 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut (cont’d) 277 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed lake 9 552664 7284112 Lake NA ND ● – – ● Late April Open Cut 278 to late July RPR– Unnamed 9 552910 7283835 Vegetated 0.1 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 279 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 9 553265 7283392 Vegetated 0.1 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 280 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 9 553339 7283260 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 281 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 9 553578 7282753 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 282 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 9 553922 7281713 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 283 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 9 554138 7281054 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 284 stream to late July RPR– Hanna River 9 554315 7280516 Active I 227 Arctic grayling, ● ● ● ● Late April Isolation 285 burbot, to late July inconnu, and mid- longnose September sucker, to mid northern pike, -April walleye, RPR– Unnamed 9 554504 7279852 Vegetated 1 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 286 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 9 555038 7278306 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 287 stream to late July

Page 7-222 August 2004

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Sahtu RPR– Elliot Creek 9 563979 7268293 Active I 22.8 Arctic grayling, ● ● ● ● Late April Isolation (cont’d) 288 white sucker to late July and mid- September to mid-April RPR– Unnamed 9 565471 7266793 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 289 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 9 566133 7265677 Vegetated 26.5 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 290 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 9 572422 7259129 Active I 63 ND ● – – ● Late April Open Cut 291 stream to late July RPR– Oscar Creek 9 572947 7258408 Active I 652 Arctic cisco, ● ● ● ● Late April Isolation 292 Arctic grayling, to late July Arctic lamprey, and mid- broad September whitefish, to burbot, cisco, mid-April inconnu, lake whitefish, least cisco, longnose sucker, mountain whitefish, northern pike, round whitefish, walleye, white sucker RPR– Unnamed 9 576898 7255052 Vegetated 2.6 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 293 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 9 578809 7254240 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 294 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 9 580457 7253058 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 295 stream to late July

August 2004 Page 7-223

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d) UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Sahtu RPR– Unnamed 9 580669 7252904 Vegetated 1 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut (cont’d) 296 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 9 581988 7251942 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 297 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 9 582867 7251318 Vegetated 1 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 298 stream to late July RPR– Billy Creek 9 587601 7247842 Active I 140 Arctic grayling, ● – – ● Late April Open Cut 299 burbot, to late July northern pike, longnose sucker, white sucker RPR– Unnamed 9 588275 7247465 Vegetated 1.6 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 300 stream to late July RPR– Bosworth 9 598812 7242768 Active I 110 Arctic grayling, ● – – ● Late April Isolation 301 Creek burbot, to late July longnose sucker, white sucker RPR– Unnamed 9 606558 7240769 Vegetated 6.7 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 302 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 9 609347 7239484 Vegetated approx ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 303 stream 8.5 to late July RPR– Joe Creek 9 609347 7239484 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 304 to late July RPR– Joe Creek 9 613404 7237722 Active II NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 305 to late July

Page 7-224 August 2004

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Site Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Sahtu RPR– Canyon 9 615838 7235994 Active I 70 Arctic grayling, ● ● ● ● Late April to Isolation (cont’d) 306 Creek Arctic lamprey, late July and burbot, least mid- cisco, longnose September to sucker, mid-April mountain whitefish, northern pike, round whitefish RPR– Unnamed 9 617314 7234883 Active II approx ND – – – – Late April to Open Cut 307 stream 2.5 late July RPR– Francis Creek 9 618967 7233677 Active II 28 Arctic grayling ● ● ● ● Late April to Open Cut 308 late July RPR– Unnamed 9 619367 7233412 Vegetated approx ND – – – – Late April to Open Cut 309 stream 2.5 late July RPR– Helava Creek 9 620763 7232296 Active I 23 Arctic grayling, ● – – ● Late April to Open Cut 310 Arctic lamprey, late July longnose sucker, northern pike, round whitefish RPR– Unnamed 9 621305 7232012 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April to Open Cut 310.1 stream late July RPR– Christina 9 621588 7231670 Active I 25 ND ● – – ● Late April to Open Cut 311 Creek late July RPR– Unnamed 9 623642 7230364 Active II 9 ND ● – – ● Late April to Open Cut 312 stream late July RPR– Prohibition 9 626292 7227921 Active I 138 Arctic grayling, ● – – ● Late April to Isolation 313 Creek broad whitefish, late July and cisco, longnose mid- sucker, September to mountain mid-April whitefish, northern pike, round whitefish

August 2004 Page 7-225

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Site Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Sahtu RPR– Unnamed 9 627399 7227382 Active II NA ND – – – – Late April to Open Cut (cont’d) 314 stream late July RPR– Unnamed 9 627899 7227113 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Late April to Open Cut 315 stream late July RPR– Unnamed 9 628643 7222669 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April to Open Cut 315.1 stream late July RPR– Unnamed 9 628818 7226581 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Late April to Open Cut 316 stream late July RPR– Unnamed 9 628983 7226459 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Late April to Open Cut 317 stream late July RPR– Unnamed 9 629630 7226030 Vegetated approx ND – – – – Late April to Open Cut 318 stream 2.0 late July RPR– Unnamed 9 631279 7224839 Vegetated approx ND – – – – Late April to Open Cut 319 stream 15 late July RPR– Unnamed 9 631712 7224526 Vegetated approx ND – – – – Late April to Open Cut 320 stream 2.0 late July RPR– Unnamed 9 632060 7224275 Vegetated approx ND – – – – Late April to Open Cut 321 stream 2.0 late July RPR– Unnamed 9 634210 7222227 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Late April to Open Cut 322 stream late July RPR– Vermilion 9 634623 7222098 Active I 131 Arctic grayling, ● ● ● ● Late April to Isolate 323 Creek broad whitefish, late July and burbot, inconnu, Mid least cisco, September longnose to mid April sucker, mountain whitefish, northern pike, round whitefish RPR– Nota Creek 9 635169 7221789 Active I 142 Arctic grayling, ● – – ● Late April to Isolation 324 longnose late July sucker, round whitefish, white sucker

Page 7-226 August 2004

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

August 2004 Page 7-227

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Sahtu RPR– Unnamed 10 393165 7200177 Active II 30.6 Arctic grayling, ● – – ● Late April Open Cut (cont’d) 332 stream burbot, to late July northern pike, whitefish sp. RPR– Unnamed 10 394959 7198712 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 333 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 396675 7197822 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 334 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 400375 7196524 Active II 85 Arctic grayling ● – – ● Late April Isolate 335 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 404680 7189792 Vegetated <2 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 336 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 405487 7188074 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 337 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 405656 7187656 Vegetated approx ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 338 stream 3 to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 406425 7186161 Vegetated approx ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 339 stream 1 to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 407796 7185135 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 340 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 408390 7183004 Vegetated approx ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 341 stream 1 to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 408953 7181412 Active I 31 Northern pike ● – – ● Late April Open Cut 342 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 410994 7175557 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 343 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 411510 7174746 Active II NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 344 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 412078 7171485 Active II approx ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 345 stream 6.5 to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 412160 7171394 Active II approx ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 346 stream 6.5 to late July

Page 7-228 August 2004

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Sahtu RPR– Unnamed 10 413223 7168155 Vegetated approx ND – – – – Late April Open Cut (cont’d) 347 stream 3 to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 413051 7166387 Vegetated tiny ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 348 stream to late July RPR– Big Smith 10 413296 7164547 Large River 963 Arctic grayling, ● ● ● ● Late April Isolate 349 Creek longnose to late July sucker, and mid mountain September whitefish, to northern pike, mid-April round whitefish RPR– Unnamed 10 415585 7151326 Vegetated approx ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 350 stream 1 to late July RPR– Little Smith 10 416200 7146761 Active I 510 Arctic grayling, ● – ● ● Late April Isolate 351 Creek bull trout, to late July broad and mid- whitefish, September burbot, Dolly to Varden, mid-April longnose sucker, northern pike, round whitefish, walleye, RPR– Unnamed 10 419293 7142620 Active II NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 352 stream to late July RPR– Seagrams 10 420705 7140122 Active II 47.6 Arctic grayling ● – – ● Late April Open Cut 353 Creek to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 420930 7136893 Active II 1.8 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 354 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 424006 7133065 Active II 9.4 ND ● – – ● Late April Open Cut 355 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 425174 7132590 Vegetated approx ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 356 stream 4.2 to late July

August 2004 Page 7-229

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Sahtu RPR– Unnamed 10 425580 7132298 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut (cont’d) 356.1 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 425751 7132202 Vegetated approx ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 357 stream 2.4 to late July RPR– Saline River 10 427187 7130349 Active I 299 Arctic grayling, ● ● ● ● Late April Trenchless 358 bull trout, to late July burbot, and mid- longnose September sucker, to northern pike, mid-April round whitefish, walleye RPR– Unnamed 10 429855 7129066 Vegetated 4.2 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 359 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 430125 7128705 Active II 11 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 360 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 430519 7128177 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 361 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 430789 7127815 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 362 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 431168 7127390 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 363 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 431398 7127070 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 364 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 432137 7126040 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 365 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 432317 7125798 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 366 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 432953 7124644 Active II approx ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 367 stream 4 to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 433043 7124428 Vegetated approx ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 368 stream 4 to late July

Page 7-230 August 2004

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Sahtu RPR– Unnamed 10 433380 7123625 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut (cont’d) 369 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 433494 7121478 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 370 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 433290 7121023 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 370.1 stream to late July RPR– Steep Creek 10 433477 7118381 Active I 148 Arctic grayling, ● ● ● ● Late April Isolation 371 burbot, to late July longnose and mid- sucker, September northern pike to mid-April RPR– Unnamed 10 434385 7115279 Vegetated 3.8 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 372 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 434439 7113096 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 373 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 435644 7108244 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 374 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 437768 7101905 Vegetated approx ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 375 stream 10 to late July Deh RPR– Unnamed 10 440272 7097726 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut Cho 376 stream to late July RPR– Blackwater 10 443789 7091664 Large River 10400 Arctic grayling, ● ● ● ● Late April Trenchless 377 River lake whitefish, to late July longnose and mid- sucker, September northern pike, to mid- round whitefish April REV3– Unnamed 10 444426 7089450 Vegetated NA ND Late April Open Cut AK stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 447068 7087361 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 378 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 448927 7086017 Active I 25.4 Arctic grayling, ● – – ● Late April Open Cut 379 stream longnose to late July sucker

August 2004 Page 7-231

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Deh RPR– Unnamed 10 450932 7083773 Active II NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut Cho 380 stream to late July (cont’d) RPR– Dam Creek 10 459106 7073267 Active I 69.4 Arctic grayling, ● – – ● Late April Open Cut 381 longnose to late July sucker RPR– Unnamed 10 461666 7067954 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 382 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 463349 7064342 Active II NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 383 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 463834 7063352 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 384 stream to late July RPR– Strawberry 10 465200 7060223 Active II NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 385 Creek to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 467175 7054771 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 386 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 466981 7048640 Active II approx ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 387 stream 1 to late July RPR– White Sand 10 467004 7047433 Active I 292 Arctic grayling, ● ● ● ● Late April Isolation 388 Creek burbot, to late July longnose and mid- sucker, round September whitefish to mid-April RPR– Unnamed 10 467455 7046066 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 389 Stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 467558 7045750 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 390 stream to late July

Page 7-232 August 2004

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Deh RPR– Ochre River 10 468845 7039802 Large River 1160 Arctic grayling, ● ● ● ● Late April Trenchless Cho 391 burbot, to late July (cont’d) inconnu, and mid- longnose September sucker, to northern pike, mid-April round whitefish, walleye, white sucker RPR– Unnamed 10 469913 7036918 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 392 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 470967 7034156 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 393 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 474169 7029067 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 394 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 474204 7029021 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 395 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 474402 7028759 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 396 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 474779 7028266 Active II NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 397 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 475528 7027278 Active II NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 398 stream to late July RPR– Hodgson 10 476681 7023333 Active I 127.2 Arctic grayling, ● ● ● ● Late April Isolation 399 Creek burbot, to late July longnose and mid- sucker, September northern pike, to round mid-April whitefish, walleye RPR– Unnamed 10 477649 7019319 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 400 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 477735 7018923 Active II NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 401 stream to late July

August 2004 Page 7-233

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Deh RPR– Unnamed 10 478198 7016792 Active II 1 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut Cho 402 stream to late July (cont’d) RPR– Unnamed 10 477767 7015823 Active I 63 Arctic grayling, ● – – ● Late April Open Cut 403 stream burbot, to late July longnose sucker RPR– Unnamed 10 628643 7222669 Active II 4 ND ● – – ● Late April Open Cut 404 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 479481 7010214 Active II 1.3 ND – – – ● Late April Open Cut 405 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 480188 7009375 Vegetated approx ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 406 stream 2.5 to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 481335 7008284 Vegetated <2 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 407 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 481739 7007899 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 408 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 482874 7006631 Active II 6 to 7 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 409 stream to late July RPR– Smith Creek 10 483081 7006394 Active I 100 Arctic grayling, ● – ● ● Late April Isolation 410 burbot, lake to late July whitefish, least and mid- cisco, September longnose to sucker, mid-April mountain whitefish, northern pike, round whitefish, walleye RPR– Unnamed 10 484423 7005301 Lake NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 411 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 486230 7002786 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 412 stream to late July

Page 7-234 August 2004

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d) UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Deh RPR– Unnamed 10 487209 7001538 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut Cho 413 stream to late July (cont’d) RPR– Unnamed 10 487989 6998511 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 414 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 488543 6995740 Active II 43.5 Arctic grayling ● – – ● Late April Open Cut 415 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 490362 6990841 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 416 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 490980 6981409 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 417 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 491373 6980690 Active II NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 418 stream to late July RPR– River Between 10 491863 6979078 Large River 4520 Arctic grayling, ● ● ● ● Late April Isolation 419 Two Mountains lake trout, lake to late July whitefish, and mid- longnose September sucker, to mountain mid-April whitefish, northern pike, round whitefish, walleye, RPR– Unnamed 10 492057 6975556 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 420 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 492249 6974143 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 421 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 492374 6973225 Active II 17 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 422 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 492943 6970368 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 423 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 493490 6965788 Active II NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 424 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 493870 6961977 Vegetated approx ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 425 stream 1 to late July

August 2004 Page 7-235

EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA

Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d) UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Deh RPR– Unnamed 10 494107 6955365 Vegetated 0.8 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut Cho 427 stream to late July (cont’d) REV3– Unnamed lake 10 495854 6952895 Lake NA ND Late April Open Cut AL to late July TBD RPR– Willowlake 10 494700 6952028 Large River 19900 Arctic grayling, ● ● ● ● Late April Trenchless 428 River Arctic lamprey, to late July burbot, cisco, and mid- lake whitefish, September longnose to sucker, mid-April mountain whitefish, northern pike, round whitefish, walleye, white sucker RPR– Unnamed 10 496452 6949583 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 429 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 497187 6946338 Active II 27 ND ● – – ● Late April Open Cut 430 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 501694 6938958 Vegetated 2.4 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 431 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 503824 6936180 Active II 15 ND – – – ● Late April Open Cut 432 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 511839 6927485 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 433 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 512649 6926638 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 434 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 513610 6925446 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 435 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 514827 6923934 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 436 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 516035 6922432 Vegetated 4.2 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 437 stream to late July

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Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Deh RPR– Unnamed 10 516980 6921257 Active II 10.5 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut Cho 438 stream to late July (cont’d) RPR– Unnamed 10 518202 6919739 Vegetated 9.3 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 439 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 520082 6917402 Vegetated 7.6 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 440 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 522653 6914206 Vegetated 11.0 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 441 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 523602 6913570 Vegetated 6.9 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 442 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 524570 6913037 Vegetated 7.7 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 443 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 526918 6911745 Active II 9.0 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 444 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 527762 6911280 Vegetated 1.1 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 445 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 528658 6910787 Vegetated 8.0 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 446 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 530069 6910027 Active II 16.0 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 447 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 530954 6909523 Vegetated 9.8 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 448 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 531730 6908946 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 449 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 532616 6908270 Vegetated 8.9 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 450 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 534163 6907088 Vegetated 11.0 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 451 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 535074 6906393 Vegetated approx ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 452 stream 2 to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 539709 6902849 Active II 35.4 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 453 stream to late July

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Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Deh RPR– Unnamed 10 540194 6902479 Active II 22.7 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut Cho 454 stream to late July (cont’d) RPR– Unnamed 10 542917 6900398 Vegetated 18.0 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 455 stream to late July RPR– Unnamed 10 544117 6899481 Vegetated 9.9 ND – – – – Late April Open Cut 456 stream to late July RPR– Trail River 10 549318 6895566 Active I 447.0 Arctic grayling, ● ● ● ● Late April Isolation 457 burbot, lake to late July whitefish, and mid- longnose September sucker, to mountain mid-April whitefish, northern pike, walleye RPR– Unnamed 10 560448 6888422 Active I 117.0 ND ● ● ● ● Mid-April Isolation 458 stream to mid-July and mid- September to mid-April RPR– Unnamed 10 562633 6886542 Active II 40.5 ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut 459 stream to mid July RPR– Unnamed 10 567364 6883188 Active I 138.0 ND ● – – ● Mid-April Isolation 460 stream to mid-July RPR– Unnamed 10 569601 6221574 Vegetated 21.1 ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut 461 stream to mid-July RPR– Unnamed 10 571459 6880367 Active II 19.5 ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut 462 stream to mid-July RPR– Unnamed 10 578795 6874355 Vegetated 42.1 ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut 463 stream to mid-July RPR– Unnamed 10 586027 6864330 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut 464 stream to mid-July RPR– Unnamed 10 587355 6862983 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut 465 stream to mid-July

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Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

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Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

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Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Site Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Deh RPR– Jean–Marie 10 626267 6777538 Active I 104.6 Arctic grayling, ● – – ● Mid-April to Isolation Cho 477 Creek burbot, goldeye, mid-July (cont’d) lake whitefish, longnose sucker, mountain whitefish, northern pike, walleye, white sucker RPR– Unnamed 10 627226 6774546 Active I 131.7 ND ● – – ● Mid-April to Open Cut 478 stream mid-July RPR– Trout River 10 631674 6762984 Large River 6372.3 Arctic grayling, ● ● ● ● Mid-April to Isolation 479 northern pike, mid-July and walleye, white mid- sucker September to mid-April RPR– Unnamed 10 632522 6761053 Active I 36.4 ND ● – – ● Mid-April to Open Cut 480 stream mid-July RPR– Unnamed 10 635160 6752453 Active I 237 ND ● ● ● ● Mid-April to Isolation 481 stream mid-July and mid- September to mid-April RPR– Unnamed 10 635495 6751071 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Mid-April to Open Cut 482 stream mid-July RPR– Unnamed 10 636462 6747551 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Mid-April to Open Cut 483 stream mid-July RPR– Unnamed 10 637038 6745836 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Mid-April to Open Cut 484 stream mid-July RPR– Unnamed 10 638216 6742527 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Mid-April to Open Cut 485 stream mid-July RPR– Unnamed 10 638608 6741429 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Mid-April to Open Cut 486 stream mid-July

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Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Deh RPR– Unnamed 10 639211 6739591 Active I 60 ND ● – – ● Mid-April Open Cut Cho 487 stream to mid-July (cont’d) and mid- September to mid-April RPR– Unnamed 10 639682 6738434 Vegetated 8 ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut 488 stream to mid-July RPR– Unnamed 10 639897 6737525 Active I 67 ND ● – ● ● Mid-April Open Cut 489 stream to mid-July and mid- September to mid-April RPR– Unnamed 10 640482 6736193 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut 490 stream to mid-July RPR– Unnamed 10 642276 6731053 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut 491 stream to mid-July RPR– Unnamed 10 642840 6729420 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut 492 stream to mid-July RPR– Unnamed 10 644056 6727308 Active II NA ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut 493 stream to mid-July RPR– Unnamed 10 646707 6721701 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut 494 stream to mid-July REV3- Unnamed 10 647835 6720492 Active I NA ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut AM stream to mid-July REV3- Unnamed 10 648672 6719232 Active II NA ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut AN stream to mid-July REV3– Unnamed 10 649410 6718121 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut AO stream to mid-July RPR– Unnamed 10 650515 6713578 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut 495 stream to mid-July RPR– Unnamed 10 652415 6709794 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut 496 stream to mid-July

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Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Deh RPR– Unnamed 10 653025 6708641 Active I 30 Arctic grayling ● – – ● Mid-April Open Cut Cho 497 stream to mid-July (cont’d) RPR– Unnamed 10 653461 6707892 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut 498 stream to mid-July RPR– Unnamed 10 654263 6706544 Active I 37.1 Arctic grayling, ● – ● ● Mid-April Open Cut 499 stream northern pike to mid-July and mid- September to mid-April RPR– Unnamed 10 655003 6705277 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut 500 stream to mid-July RPR– Unnamed 10 655596 6704272 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut 501 stream to mid-July REV3– Unnamed 10 658009 6704555 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut AP stream to mid-July REV3– Unnamed 10 659543 6700546 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut AQ stream to mid-July REV3– Unnamed 10 659622 6700346 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut AR stream to mid-July RPR– Unnamed 10 663428 6689614 Vegetated 27.1 ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut 502 stream to mid-July RPR– Unnamed 10 664494 6687559 Active I 53 ND ● – – ● Mid-April Open Cut 503 stream to mid-July RPR– Unnamed 10 665731 6682441 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut 504 stream to mid-July RPR– Unnamed 10 665763 6681504 Vegetated approx ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut 505 stream 3 to mid-July RPR– Unnamed 10 665595 6678645 Active I 93.9 Northern pike ● – ● ● Mid-April Open Cut 506 stream to mid-July and mid- September to mid-April

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Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Deh RPR– Unnamed 10 666201 6671803 Active II 86.5 ND ● – – ● Mid-April Open Cut Cho 507 stream to mid-July (cont’d) RPR– Unnamed 10 666270 6669600 Active II 4.4 ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut 508 stream to mid-July RPR– Unnamed 10 666346 6667859 Active II 48.2 ND – – – ● Mid-April Open Cut 509 stream to mid-July RPR– Unnamed 10 666469 6664015 Active I 50.9 Longnose ● – – ● Mid-April Open Cut 510 stream sucker to mid-July RPR– Unnamed 10 666563 6662591 Active I 261 White sucker ● – ● ● Mid-April Isolation 511 stream to mid-July RPR– Unnamed 11 334443 6658536 Vegetated 14.7 ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut 512 stream to mid-July REV3– Unnamed 11 332845 6657098 Vegetated NA ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut AT stream to mid-July NWML– Unnamed 11 333884 6658365 Vegetated 12.0 ND – – – – Mid-April Open Cut 01 stream to mid-July Alberta NWML– Unnamed 11 333764 6653598 Vegetated 10 ND – – – – April 16 to Open Cut 02 stream July 15 NWML– Unnamed 11 333744 6652298 Vegetated 6 ND – – – – April 16 to Open Cut 03 stream July 15 NWML– Unnamed 11 333716 6648916 Active I 0.6 ND UNK UNK UNK UNK April 16 to Open Cut 04 stream July 15 NWML– Unnamed 11 334280 6647570 Active I 40 ND ● – – ● April 16 to Open Cut 05 stream July 15 NWML– Unnamed 11 333976 6646416 Vegetated 2 ND – – – – April 16 to Open Cut 06 stream July 15 NWML– Thinahtea 11 333124 6643480 Active I 71 Northern pike ● – – ● April 16 to Open Cut 07 Creek July 15 NWML– Unnamed 11 332875 6640736 Active I 52 ND ● – – ● April 16 to Open Cut 08 stream July 15 NWML– Unnamed 11 333136 6639200 Active I 9 ND – – – – April 16 to Open Cut 09 stream July 15

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Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

UTM Coordinates Large Bodied (NAD 83) Fish Species Watercourse Watercourse Captured or Spring Fall/Winter Sensitive Crossing 1 2 Region Site IDa Name Zone Easting Northing Classification DA Reported Spawning Spawning Overwintering Rearing Period Method 2 (km ) Alberta NWML– Unnamed 11 667281 6641849 Active I 36 ND ● – – ● April 16 to Open Cut (cont’d) 10 stream July 15 NWML– Unnamed 11 334266 6633924 Vegetated 3.5 ND – – – – No Open Cut 11 stream Restricted Activity Period NWML– Unnamed 11 334266 6633085 Vegetated 8.5 ND – – – – April 16 to Open Cut 12 stream July 15 NWML– Unnamed 11 334150 6630366 Active I 12.5 ND UNK UNK UNK UNK April 16 to Open Cut 13 stream July 15 NWML– Unnamed 11 334101 6630057 Active I NA ND UNK UNK UNK UNK April 16 to Open Cut 13.5 stream July 15 NWML– Unnamed 11 334112 6629473 Active I 43 ND ● – – ● April 16 to Open Cut 14 stream July 15 NWML– Unnamed 11 334029 6627563 Active I 7 ND UNK UNK UNK UNK April 16 to Open Cut 15 stream July 15 NWML– Unnamed 11 333945 6625737 Active I 102 White sucker ● – ● ● April 16 to Isolation 16 stream July 15 NWML– Unnamed 11 333743 6621037 Vegetated <1 ND – – – – April 16 to Open Cut 17 stream July 15 NWML– Unnamed 11 333722 6620642 Active II <4 ND – – – – April 16 to Open Cut 18 stream July 15 NWML– Unnamed 11 333659 6619766 Active I 1.6 ND – – – – April 16 to Open Cut 19 stream July 15 NWML– Unnamed 11 333642 6618727 Vegetated edge of ND – – – – April 16 to Open Cut 20 stream lake? July 15 NWML– Unnamed 11 332662 6612872 Vegetated <0.5 ND – – – – No Open Cut 21 stream Restricted Activity Period

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Table 7-52: Watercourse Crossings (cont’d)

NOTES: 1 Drainage area of watershed upstream of the crossing location 2 Sensitivity period for Alberta watercourses corresponds to restricted in–water work set out by Alberta Environment in Code of Practice for Pipelines and Telecommunications Lines Crossing a Water Body (Alberta Environment 2001) NA = Not Available TBD= To be determined UNK = Unknown; streams yet to be surveyed ND = Presence of fish not documented in watercourse during current and previous studies – = Suitable habitat not present ● = Suitable habitat potentially present

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EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT SECTION 7: FISH AND FISH HABITAT VOLUME 5: BIOPHYSICAL IA

Schwarz, A.L. 1985. The behaviour of fishes in their acoustic environment. Environmental Biology of Fishes 13(1): 3-15. In: D.B. Stewart. 2001. Possible Impacts on Overwintering Fish of Trucking Granular Materials over Lake and River Ice in the Mackenzie Delta Area. Prepared by Arctic Biological Consultants, Winnipeg, Manitoba for Fisheries Joint Management Committee. Inuvik, Northwest Territories.

Stewart, D.B. 2001. Possible Impacts on Overwintering Fish of Trucking Granular Materials over Lake and River Ice in the Mackenzie Delta Area. Prepared by Arctic Biological Consultants, Winnipeg, Manitoba for Fisheries Joint Management Committee. Inuvik, Northwest Territories.

Suter, G.W., L.W. Barnthouse, S.M. Bartell, T. Mill, D. Mackay and S. Paterson. 1993. Ecological Risk Assessment. Lewis Publishers. Boca Raton, Florida. xiv.

Waters, T.F. 1995. Sediment in Streams: Sources, Biological Effects and Controls. American Fisheries Society, Monograph 7. Bethesda Maryland.

WesternGeco (Canada) Ltd. 2003a. Environmental Assessment for the WesternGeco Mackenzie and Liard Rivers 2D Seismic Program 2003. Submitted to the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and National Energy Board, Calgary, Alberta.

WesternGeco (Canada) Ltd. 2003b. Environmental Impact Statement for the WesternGeco Mackenzie Delta Marine 2D Seismic Program 2003. Submitted to the Environmental Impact Review Board, Inuvik, Northwest Territories and National Energy Board, Calgary, Alberta.

Wilber, D.H. and D.G. Clarke. 2001. Biological effects of suspended sediments: A review of suspended sediment impacts on fish and shellfish with relations to dredging activities in estuaries. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 21: 855-875.

Williams, G.P. and M.G. Wolman. 1984. Downstream Effects of Dams on Alluvial Rivers. U.S. Geological Survey, Professional Paper 1286. U.S. Government Printing Office. Washington, D.C.

Wright, D.G. and G.E. Hopky. 1998. Guidelines for the use of explosives in or near Canadian fisheries waters. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2107: iv.

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EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT VOLUME 5, PART C, SECTION 7 GLOSSARY

GLOSSARY

°C The symbol for degree Celsius.

< The symbol for less than.

> The symbol for greater than.

% The symbol for percent. abandonment and The act of permanently stopping operations, removing facilities and reclamation restoring land to a productive state.

Active I Channel A watercourse with perennial flow, discernible banks and substrate, and a drainage area less than 1,000 km2. In winter, it might be partially frozen to the bottom because of groundwater input, beaver activity, or large pools and deep water.

Active II Channel A watercourse with intermittent flow, discernible banks and substrate, and a drainage area less than 1,000 km2. In winter, it is frozen to the bottom or dry below the ice surface. adult fish Fish that are fully developed and have attained sexual maturity. adverse effect The impairment of, or damage to, the environment or health of humans, or damage to property, or loss of reasonable enjoyment of life or property. all-weather road A paved or unpaved, i.e., gravel, road that is open to traffic all year. anadromous species Fish that travel up freshwater streams from the sea to spawn. anchor fields The three natural-gas fields, Niglintgak, Taglu and Parsons Lake, whose production will provide the initial volume of gas shipped in the project pipelines. angling Capturing fish with a hook and line. anoxic Lacking oxygen.

APG The abbreviation for Aboriginal Pipeline Group. aquatic Growing in, living in or frequenting water. Also, occurring, or situated, in or on, water.

August 2004 Page G-1 EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT GLOSSARY VOLUME 5, PART C, SECTION 7 bank The rising slope or face of ground bordering a watercourse. It is located above the streambed and below the level of rooted vegetation. bankfull width The width of a watercourse when it completely fills its channel and the elevation of the water surface reaches the upper margins of the bank. baseflow A portion of the stream discharge that is derived from natural storage, i.e., outflow from groundwater, large lakes or wetlands, or sources other than rainfall that create surface runoff. baseline A surveyed condition that serves as a reference point to which later surveys or assessments are coordinated or correlated. benthic Dwelling on, or relating to, the bottom of a body of water. benthos Organisms that live on the bottom of a waterbody, in or near the substrate. biophysical Referring to the air, noise, aquatic (groundwater, hydrology, water quality and fisheries) and terrestrial (soils, landforms, permafrost, vegetation and wildlife) conditions in the project area. boulder A large rock with a diameter exceeding 256 mm. boulder garden An aquatic habitat characterized by an abundance of boulders that provide instream cover for fish. borrow site An area that could be excavated to provide material, such as gravel or sand, to be used, where required, by the project. brackish water Saline water with a soluble salt concentration between that of fresh water and sea water, but not as high as sea water. channel A natural or artificial waterway that periodically or continuously contains moving water, has a definite bed, and has banks that confine the water at low to moderate streamflow. cobble A rock fragment larger than a pebble and smaller than a boulder, with a diameter of 64 to 256 mm. compliance monitoring Monitoring to ensure that: • the environmental mitigation outlined in the environmental protection and reclamation plans is implemented • work proceeds in compliance with regulations and the proponents’ environmental policies

Page G-2 August 2004 EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT VOLUME 5, PART C, SECTION 7 GLOSSARY compressor station A facility containing equipment that is used to increase pressure to compress natural gas for transportation in a pipeline. confluence The place where two watercourses meet and flow together to form one.

Construction Phase The phase of a project preceding the Operations Phase, during which project facilities and infrastructure are assembled and installed, and connected and tested to ensure that they operate as designed.

COSEWIC The abbreviation for the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. creek A small lotic system that serves as the natural drainage course for a small drainage basin. cumulative effects Changes to the environment caused by an action, including projects and activities, in combination with other past, present and future human actions. dB The abbreviation for decibels. decommissioning The act of taking a processing plant or facility out of service and isolating equipment, to prepare for routine maintenance work, suspending or abandoning. delta An area of alluvial deposits, usually triangular in shape, at the mouth of a river or stream. delta channel A watercourse flowing through a delta. demersal Sinking to or lying on the bottom, or living on or near the bottom and feeding on benthic organisms.

DFO The abbreviation for Department of Fisheries and Oceans. diadromous species Fish that migrate between salt and fresh waters. discharge The rate of flow at a given moment, expressed as volume per unit of time. downstream In the direction of flow of a watercourse.

August 2004 Page G-3 EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT GLOSSARY VOLUME 5, PART C, SECTION 7 effects monitoring Monitoring conducted to: • confirm the accuracy of predicted effects • determine the effectiveness of mitigation and enhancement measures

EIS The abbreviation for environmental impact statement. environment The components of the earth, including: • land, water and air, including all layers of the atmosphere • all organic and inorganic matter and living organisms • the interacting natural systems that include all components referred to in the previous bullets environmental effect For a project, any change that the project might cause in the biophysical environment. Also, any change to the project that might be caused by the environment. environmental impact The process of evaluating the biophysical, social and economic assessment effects of a proposed project. environmental impact A report containing the environmental impact assessment. statement estuary A semi-enclosed coastal body of water that has a free connection with the open sea and within which sea water is diluted with fresh water. facilities Structures of the gathering and gas pipeline systems, including compressor and pump stations, block valves, pigging facilities, heater stations and meter stations. fines Particulate material, less than 2 mm in diameter, including sand, silt, clay and fine organic material. flat habitat Stream habitat characterized by low-velocity and nearly laminar flow, differentiated from pool habitat by high channel uniformity and depositional substrate. floodplain A low-lying area adjacent to a river or lake that can be inundated during periods of seasonally high water levels, such as floods. fluvial Pertaining to, or produced by, the action of a stream or river. Also, pertaining to anything existing, growing, or living in or near a river or stream.

Page G-4 August 2004 EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT VOLUME 5, PART C, SECTION 7 GLOSSARY forage fish Fish species used as food source by other fish. freezeup Freezing up of a watercourse or waterbody in the fall or winter. freshet Rapid temporary rise in stream discharge and water level caused by heavy rains or rapid melting of snow and ice. fry A young fish at the post-larval stage. Can include all fish stages from newly hatched to fingerling. gas conditioning facility A facility located at each anchor field, which collects raw gas from the wells and dehydrates and conditions the product for transport through the gathering system. gas pipeline The proposed gas pipeline that would extend from the Inuvik area facility, parallel to the NGL pipeline along the Mackenzie River to Norman Wells, and continue south to connect to an extension of the existing Alberta system south of the Northwest Territories–Alberta boundary. Also known as the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline. gathering pipelines Four pipelines, also known as laterals, that transport natural gas and NGLs from the anchor fields to the Inuvik area facility. These include the Niglintgak lateral, Taglu lateral, Parsons Lake lateral and Storm Hills lateral. gathering system A system of pipelines and associated facilities that include four gathering pipelines, the Inuvik area facility, the NGL pipeline and related facilities, such as valves, pig launchers and receivers. geographic extent The quantitative measurement of the area within which an effect occurs. gill net A net that captures fish by entangling the head, gills or fins. gravel A substrate particle between 2 and 64 mm in diameter. groundwater Subsurface water that is recharged by infiltration and enters streams through seepage and springs. ha The metric symbol for hectare. habitat The place or environment where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives and grows. holding habitat A place with low water velocity where fish can rest and conserve energy.

August 2004 Page G-5 EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT GLOSSARY VOLUME 5, PART C, SECTION 7 hydrology The science dealing with the waters of the earth, including their properties, circulation, distribution and reaction with the environment. icing A mass or sheet of ice formed on the ground surface during the winter by successive freezing of sheets of water that seep either from the ground, a river or a spring. infrastructure Basic facilities, such as transportation, communications, power supplies and buildings, which enable an organization, project or community to function. instream Within the wetted perimeter of the stream channel. instream cover Areas with structure, e.g., boulders, rock and logs, in a stream channel that provide aquatic organisms with shelter or protection from predators or competitors. inundation Flooding, or to be covered with standing or flowing water.

Inuvik area facility The gas processing facility to be located near Inuvik where gas and liquids will be processed and separated, then delivered to the gas and NGL pipelines. invertebrate Large group of lower animals that lack a spinal column. juvenile fish Young fish, similar in form to an adult, but not yet sexually mature. key indicator A factor used to measure the status of a valued component.

KI The abbreviation for key indicator. km The metric symbol for kilometre. km2 The metric symbol for square kilometre.

L The metric symbol for litres.

Large River Channel A watercourse with perennial flow, a wetted width greater than 25 m, and a drainage area greater than 1,000 km2. lateral A gathering pipeline that connects the production area facilities to the Inuvik area facility. limiting factor Anything that has a measurable controlling effect on a species’ growth or expansion, or on a biophysical element’s continued capability to support its ecosystem. Page G-6 August 2004 EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT VOLUME 5, PART C, SECTION 7 GLOSSARY littoral zone Shallow shore area of a waterbody where light can usually penetrate to the bottom and that is often occupied by rooted aquatic plants. The extent of the plants might mark the boundaries of the zone.

LSA The abbreviation for local study area. m The metric symbol for metre. m/s The metric symbol for metres per second. m2 The metric symbol for square metre. m3 The metric symbol for cubic metre. m3/s The metric symbol for cubic metres per second. m3/d The metric symbol for cubic metres per day.

Mackenzie Gas Project A project that will develop three onshore natural gas anchor fields in the Mackenzie Delta and transport natural gas by pipeline to market in northwestern Alberta by 2009. The project comprises the anchor fields, wells, gathering pipelines and associated facilities, work camps, material stockpiling and shipping sites, roads, borrow sites, and other associated infrastructure. macro- A prefix meaning large, comprehensive, or visible to the naked eye. macrophyte A plant visible to the naked eye, especially one in an aquatic habitat. mg/L The metric symbol for milligrams per litre. minnow The common name for any freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. Also used for any small or young fish. mitigation The elimination, reduction or control of a project’s adverse effects, including restitution for any damage caused to the environment by such effects through avoidance, replacement, restoration, compensation or other means. monitoring Periodic inspection to meet the following objectives: • observe and report on compliance with approval conditions • confirm effectiveness of approved protection measures • verify the accuracy of impact predictions • identify any effects not predicted in the impact assessment

August 2004 Page G-7 EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT GLOSSARY VOLUME 5, PART C, SECTION 7 morphological Pertaining to physical attributes of a waterbody and the methods for measuring those attributes.

Mt The metric symbol for megatonnes. natural gas A compressible mixture of hydrocarbons with a low specific gravity that occurs naturally in a gaseous form. natural gas liquids Hydrocarbons that are gaseous in the reservoir, but that will separate out in liquid form at the pressures and temperatures at which separators normally operate. The liquids consist of varying proportions of butane, propane, pentane and heavier fractions, with little or no methane or ethane.

NGL The abbreviation for natural gas liquid.

NGTL The abbreviation for NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd.

Niglintgak field The anchor field to be developed by Shell Canada Limited, which includes three well pads, one gas conditioning facility, flow lines and supporting infrastructure. The gas conditioning facility might be barge based or land based.

Niglintgak lateral The gathering pipeline connecting the Niglintgak gas conditioning facility to a connection point on the Taglu lateral at the Taglu gas conditioning facility. open water A portion of lake or stream that remains unfrozen or is not covered by ice during winter.

Operations Phase The phase of a project during which the pipeline and associated facilities are operated. overwinter To live or keep alive through the winter. overwintering habitat Habitat used by aquatic organisms during winter.

Parsons Lake field The anchor field to be developed by ConocoPhillips Canada (North) Limited and ExxonMobil Canada Properties. Initially, the field will consist of the north pad, which will have one pad for the well sites and gas conditioning facility. A second well pad will be developed five to 10 years after the north pad.

Parsons Lake lateral The gathering pipeline connecting the Parsons Lake gas conditioning facility to a connection point at the Storm Hills pigging facility.

Page G-8 August 2004 EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT VOLUME 5, PART C, SECTION 7 GLOSSARY permafrost Perennially frozen ground, occurring wherever the ground temperature remains below 0°C for two or more consecutive years. pH A measure of the relative acidity or alkalinity of a liquid. The pH scale ranges from 1 to 14, with 7 being neutral, 1 being the most acidic and 14 being the most alkaline. pig An in-line scraper, i.e., brush, blade cutter or swab, that is forced through a pipeline by fluid pressure. The pig is used to remove scale, sand, water and other foreign matter from the interior surfaces of the pipe. In hydrostatic testing, the pig is used inside the line to push air ahead of the test water and to push water out after the test. pig launcher A facility on a pipeline for inserting and launching a pig pig receiver A piping arrangement whereby an incoming pig can be diverted into a receiving cylinder, isolated and then removed. pingo An ice-cored hill, forced up by frost-heaving hydrostatic pressure in an area underlain by permafrost. It usually forms in drained or partially drained lake basins. pipeline corridor The 1-km-wide area that centres on the combined right-of-way for the gas and NGL pipelines, from the Inuvik area facility south to the NGTL interconnect facility in Alberta, defined for the purpose of the EIS biophysical baseline and effects assessment studies. pool A discrete portion of a watercourse channel, featuring increased depth and reduced velocity relative to adjacent riffle and run habitats. It is produced by channel scour. production area The area that encompasses all project components located north of the Inuvik area facility, including the Niglintgak, Taglu and Parsons Lake fields, the gathering pipeline and associated facilities, infrastructure, and the 1-km buffer area surrounding each of these project components, defined for the purpose of the EIS biophysical baseline and effects assessment studies. project, the The abbreviation for the Mackenzie Gas Project. project proponents The five organizations (Imperial Oil Resources Ventures Limited, the APG, ConocoPhillips Canada (North) Limited, Shell Canada Limited and ExxonMobil Canada Properties) that are undertaking the Mackenzie Gas Project. rapids A channel type with high velocity, turbulent flow, and very coarse substrate. It is deeper than a riffle.

August 2004 Page G-9 EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT GLOSSARY VOLUME 5, PART C, SECTION 7 rear To feed and provide nursery habitat for larval and juvenile fish. reclamation The process of re-establishing a disturbed site to a former or other productive use, not necessarily to the same condition that existed before disturbance. The land capability might be at a level different, i.e., lower or higher, than that which existed prior to the disturbance, depending on the goal of the process. Reclamation includes the management of a disturbed site and revegetation where necessary. residual effects Environmental effects that remain after mitigation. Effects that are present after mitigation has been applied. riffle A channel type featuring high velocity relative to run habitat, but lower than rapids. The surface is broken by submerged or exposed bed material and the channel is shallow relative to other habitat types. right-of-way The pipeline easement in which the pipeline will be installed and operated. The pipeline right-of-way width for the project will vary from 30 to 50 m, depending on pipe size and the number of pipes to be installed in the trench. riparian Situated or dwelling on the margin of a river or other waterbody. river A large, natural or human-modified freshwater stream that flows in a defined course or channel. It has considerable flow volume compared to its smaller tributaries.

RSA The abbreviation for regional study area. run A channel type featuring moderate to high current velocity relative to pool and flat habitats. Its water surface is largely unbroken. It is generally deeper than riffle and rapid habitats. runoff The water from rain and snow that flows over land to streams, ponds or other surface waterbodies. Also, the water from precipitation that does not infiltrate into the ground or evaporate. sand Substrate particles between 0.062 and 2 mm in diameter. scour Localized erosion of substrate from the streambed by flowing water, when water velocity is high. sediment Fragmented material from weathered rocks and organic material that is suspended in, transported by, and eventually deposited by, air, water or ice.

Page G-10 August 2004 EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT VOLUME 5, PART C, SECTION 7 GLOSSARY

SEV The abbreviation for severity of effect. side channel An elongated extension off a main channel that can become separated from the main channel under low flow conditions, and dry up. silt Fine soil particles between 0.004 and 0.062 mm in diameter, carried by flowing water and deposited as sediment on the bottom or shore of a lake or stream. slope The percentage of vertical rise relative to the horizontal distance, e.g., a level site of 0º has a 0% slope, and 45º is equivalent to a 100% slope. spawning Fish reproduction process characterized by females and males depositing eggs and sperm into the water simultaneously or in succession so as to fertilize the eggs. spawning habitat Habitat selected by fish for spawning. species at risk An extirpated, endangered or threatened species or a species of special concern, as defined in the Species at Risk Act. spring breakup The time of year when the temperature rises sufficiently to thaw ice, causing it to break up in rivers and lakes.

Storm Hills lateral The gathering pipeline connecting the Storm Hills pigging facility to a connection point at the inlet of the Inuvik area facility. stream A small, natural watercourse containing flowing water for at least part of the year. stream gradient The number of metres a watercourse drops per kilometre of its length, measured in the direction of flow. Also known as stream slope. study area The area within the spatial boundaries of the scope of the biophysical environmental effects assessment. submergent vegetation Aquatic vegetation that grows with its roots under water and with leaves and stems that do not emerge above the surface of the water. substrate Mineral and organic material forming the bottom of a watercourse or waterbody.

Taglu field The anchor field to be developed by Imperial Oil Resources Limited, consisting of one site that will include the well pads, gas conditioning facility, flow lines and supporting infrastructure.

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Taglu lateral The gathering pipeline connecting the Taglu gas conditioning facility to a connection point at the Storm Hills pigging facility. thalweg The path of a stream or river that follows the deepest part of the channel. traditional knowledge Cultural knowledge that is based on direct observation or information passed on orally from other community members, developed from centuries of experience of living off the land. transect A line or strip across the earth’s surface, or through any object, along which a survey or observations are made. tributary A stream that feeds or flows into a larger watercourse or waterbody.

TSS The abbreviation for total suspended solids. tundra A vast treeless zone, between the ice cap and the tree line of North America and Eurasia, characterized by a short growing season and permanently frozen subsoil. Tundra refers both to the region and the vegetation growing within it. turbidity The relative clarity of a waterbody. A measure of the extent to which light penetration in water is reduced by presence of suspended particles, such as silt, clay, organic matter or plankton. universal transverse A mapping grid system for establishing fixed point locations using mercator exact measurements. upstream Direction from which a river or stream flows.

UTM The abbreviation for universal transverse mercator.

Vegetated Channel A watercourse with ephemeral flow, no discernible banks or sediment transport, and a drainage area less than 15 km2. It is primarily a shallow flow through shrubs and trees during spring runoff or rainfall. It is dry most of the year. valued component Characteristic or feature that represents important environmental conditions identified by assessment specialists, communities or stakeholders.

VC The abbreviation for valued component.

Page G-12 August 2004 EIS FOR MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT VOLUME 5, PART C, SECTION 7 GLOSSARY water column A portion of water in a waterbody extending vertically from a given point on the surface to any depth. It is generally used to locate, describe or characterize the chemical and physical constituents at a given depth or depth range. water crossing A location where a pipeline or access road crosses a stream, river or lake. waterbody A body of water up to the high-water mark, including canals, reservoirs, oceans and wetlands, but not including sewage or waste treatment lagoons. watercourse A natural or artificial channel with perennial or intermittent flow and definable bed and banks. watershed A region or area draining into a particular stream or river. wetlands A broad group of wet habitats where the water table is usually at or near the surface, or the land is covered by shallow water.

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