Merrick Mainline Project Project Description

June 2014

Submitted to: The Secretary National Energy Board 444 Seventh Avenue SW Calgary, Alberta T2P 0X8

450 – 1st Street SW Calgary, Alberta T2P 5H1 Direct Phone: (403) 920-5052 Email: [email protected] June 4, 2014

National Energy Board Filed Electronically 444 Seventh Avenue SW Calgary, Alberta T2P 0X8

Attention: Ms. Sheri Young, Secretary of the Board

Dear Madam:

Re: NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. (NGTL) Project Description for the Merrick Mainline Project (Project)

NGTL, a wholly owned subsidiary of TransCanada PipeLines Limited (TransCanada), proposes to construct and operate new pipeline facilities in northeast British Columbia (BC). The Project will be an extension of the NGTL System and will facilitate the connection of the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) gas supply to BC markets, Pacific Northwest markets and emerging liquefied natural gas (LNG) export markets through access to the NOVA Inventory Transfer (NIT) market hub. The project description (PD) for Merrick Mainline Project is provided under cover of this letter. The Project’s primary permanent facilities will include: • approximately 260 km of 1219 mm (NPS 48) pipeline • tie-in to the Groundbirch Mainline • Merrick Interconnect Meter Station • mainline valve sites • launcher and receiver facilities • cathodic protection facilities • miscellaneous works such as pipeline warning signs and aerial markers The proposed in-service date for the Project is currently Q1 2020. NGTL plans to file an application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to construct and operate the Project, pursuant to Section 52 of the National Energy Board Act (NEB Act) in Q4 2014. In the interim, NGTL is proceeding with field studies, environmental and socio-economic assessments, engineering design, Aboriginal and stakeholder engagement, regulatory consultation and other activities needed to support the application. June 4, 2014 Ms. S. Young Page 2 of 2

Environmental assessment will be required under both the NEB Act and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) as the preferred pipeline route involves construction of more than 40 km of new right-of-way. The enclosed PD provides a description of the Project consistent with guidance available through the NEB website. It is intended to: • facilitate an efficient regulatory review of the Project by the Board • facilitate determination of the scope of the Project, as well as the scope and type of assessment required pursuant to the NEB Act • provide the Crown with sufficient information to begin consultation with Aboriginal communities that might potentially be affected by the Project • provide the Board with sufficient information to initiate its Participant Funding Program • inform other regulatory authorities, Aboriginal communities, landowners and stakeholders Accordingly, in addition to providing the enclosed PD for consideration by the Board, NGTL also requests that the Crown begin any necessary consultation with Aboriginal communities as soon as possible.

Yours truly, NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd.

Original Signed By

Robert Tarvydas Vice-President, Regulatory Affairs Enclosures cc. Distribution List Director General, MPMO Operations NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. Merrick Mainline Project Project Description Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 1

1.1 Name and Nature of Project ...... 1 1.2 Scope and Timing ...... 1 1.3 Federal Work and Undertaking ...... 3 1.4 Project Proponent ...... 4 1.4.1 TransCanada ...... 4 1.4.2 NGTL System ...... 4 1.5 Environmental Assessment ...... 5 1.5.1 Scope of Project and Scope of Assessment ...... 5 1.5.2 Other Assessment Regimes...... 5 1.6 Crown Consultation with Aboriginal Communities ...... 6 1.7 Participant Funding Program ...... 6 1.8 Proponent Contact Information...... 6

2.0 PROJECT INFORMATION ...... 7

2.1 Main Components and Structures ...... 7 2.1.1 Permanent Structures ...... 7 2.1.2 Pipeline Routing and Facilities ...... 9 2.1.3 Meter Station ...... 13 2.1.4 Mainline Block Valve Sites ...... 13 2.1.5 In-Line Inspection Facilities ...... 13 2.1.6 Cathodic Protection ...... 13 2.1.7 Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System ...... 13 2.2 Preliminary Footprint of Main Project Components ...... 13 2.2.1 Construction Right-of-Way and Temporary Workspace ...... 13 2.2.2 Meter Station Site ...... 14 2.2.3 Mainline Valve Sites ...... 14 2.2.4 Temporary Infrastructure for Construction ...... 14

3.0 PROJECT ACTIVITIES ...... 15

3.1 Project Definition ...... 15 3.2 Construction and In-Service Timelines ...... 16 3.3 Operations and Maintenance...... 16 3.3.1 System Protection and Controls ...... 16 3.3.2 Emergency Response ...... 17 3.3.3 Public Awareness ...... 17 3.3.4 Maintenance Programs...... 17 3.4 Decommissioning, Abandonment and Site Reclamation...... 18

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4.0 LAND ...... 19

4.1 Land Ownership ...... 19 4.1.1 Federally Owned and Administered Land ...... 19 4.1.2 Consultation with Landowners, Occupants and Crown Disposition Holders ...... 19 4.2 Land Use ...... 20 4.2.1 Industry ...... 20 4.2.2 Recreation ...... 20 4.2.3 Reserves Under the Indian Act ...... 22 4.2.4 Designated Environmental and Cultural Sites ...... 22

5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES ...... 23

5.1 Physical Environment ...... 23 5.2 Atmospheric Environment ...... 25 5.2.1 Pipeline and Metering ...... 25 5.3 Acoustic Environment ...... 26 5.3.1 Pipeline and Metering ...... 26 5.4 Waste Disposal...... 26 5.5 Water ...... 26 5.5.1 Fish and Fish Habitat ...... 27 5.5.2 Navigable Waters ...... 28 5.5.3 Watercourse Crossing Methods ...... 28 5.5.4 Wetlands and Waterbodies ...... 31 5.6 Terrestrial Environment ...... 32 5.6.1 Soils...... 32 5.6.2 Vegetation ...... 32 5.6.3 Wildlife ...... 33 5.7 Socio-Economic Environment ...... 36 5.7.1 Heritage Resources ...... 36 5.7.2 Traditional Land Use and Traditional Ecological Knowledge ...... 37 5.7.3 Other Socio-Economic Considerations ...... 37 5.7.4 Socio-Economic Assessment Methods ...... 39

6.0 STAKEHOLDER AND ABORIGINAL ENGAGEMENT...... 41

6.1 Stakeholder Engagement Program ...... 41 6.1.1 Program Overview ...... 41 6.1.2 Community Engagement ...... 42 6.1.3 Stakeholders ...... 43 6.1.4 Preliminary Community Feedback ...... 44

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6.2 Aboriginal Engagement Program ...... 44 6.2.1 Program Overview ...... 44 6.2.2 Identified Aboriginal Communities ...... 45 6.2.3 Preliminary Aboriginal Feedback ...... 47

7.0 REGULATORY AUTHORIZATIONS ...... 49

7.1 Federal Authorizations ...... 49 7.2 Provincial Authorizations ...... 49 7.3 Regional and Municipal Approvals ...... 49

8.0 DISTRIBUTION LISTS ...... 51

8.1 Federal Authorities...... 51 8.2 Provincial Authorities ...... 51 8.3 Other Authorities ...... 53 8.4 Aboriginal Communities ...... 54

9.0 REFERENCES CITED ...... 57

GLOSSARY

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1-1: Overview Map of Proposed Project ...... 2 Figure 2-1: Location of Main Project Components ...... 8 Figure 2-2: Location of the Parallel and New Right-of-Way ...... 12 Figure 3-1: Preliminary Project Schedule ...... 16 Figure 4-1: Land Use in Project Area ...... 21 Figure 5-1: Ecoregions Traversed by the Project ...... 24 Figure 5-2: Provincially Identified Wildlife Areas in Vicinity of Merrick Mainline ...... 34 Figure 6-1: Aboriginal Communities in Proximity to Project Area ...... 46

LIST OF TABLES

Table 2-1: Approximate Coordinates of Primary Project Components ...... 7 Table 2-2: Parallel and New Right-of-Way ...... 10 Table 4-1: Land Ownership Along Proposed Pipeline Route ...... 19 Table 5-1: Preliminary Crossings of Named Watercourses ...... 29 Table 5-2: Potential Wildlife Species with Conservation Status in Project Area ...... 35 Table 5-3: Regional Districts, Municipalities and Aboriginal Communities ...... 37 Table 7-1: Preliminary List of Federal Regulatory Approvals and Authorizations ...... 49 Table 7-2: Preliminary List of BC Regulatory Approvals and Authorizations ...... 50 Table 8-1: Federal Government Recipients of Project Description ...... 51 Table 8-2: BC Government Recipients of Project Description ...... 51 Table 8-3: Other Authorities Receiving Project Description ...... 53 Table 8-4: Aboriginal Community Recipients of Project Description ...... 54

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix A: Project Foldout Map Appendix B: Project Fact Sheet Appendix C: Aboriginal Communities Foldout Map

Page iv June 2014 NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. Merrick Mainline Project Section 1 Project Description Introduction

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 NAME AND NATURE OF PROJECT

NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. (NGTL), a wholly owned subsidiary of TransCanada PipeLines Limited (TransCanada), proposes to construct, own and operate new pipeline facilities in northeast British Columbia (BC) to meet demand for delivery of natural gas to interconnecting pipeline facilities near the community of Summit Lake, BC. The Merrick Mainline Project (Project), will be approximately 260 km long and will start in the vicinity of the community of Groundbirch, BC. The Project will terminate at a new meter station, the Merrick Interconnect Meter Station, near Summit Lake, approximately 42 km north of Prince George, BC.

The Project will be an extension of the NGTL System and will facilitate the connection of Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) gas supply to BC markets, Pacific Northwest markets and emerging liquefied natural gas (LNG) export markets through access to the NOVA Inventory Transfer (NIT) market hub.

1.2 SCOPE AND TIMING

The preliminary scope of the Project consists of approximately 260 km of 1219 mm (NPS 48) outside diameter (OD) pipe and related components, including metering facilities and valve sites. The final scope of the Project will be subject to refinements to reflect:

• commercial commitments for transportation service on the Merrick Mainline • NGTL System capabilities • forecasted natural gas demands in the Summit Lake area

The scheduled in-service timing for the Project is currently Q1 2020.

For an overview of the proposed Project, see Figure 1-1.

June 2014 Page 1 of 60 NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. Section 1 Merrick Mainline Project Introduction Project Description

Figure 1-1: Overview Map of Proposed Project

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Approximately 182 km of the Project is expected to parallel the proposed Coastal GasLink Pipeline Project.1 Approximately 31 km of the Project is planned to be installed as “new cut” right-of-way (ROW), where existing linear disturbances are either not present or could not be paralleled due to constructability and other considerations. Approximately 47 km of the remaining route is planned to parallel existing linear disturbances such as pipelines, roads, electrical power lines and seismic cuts. If construction on the Project begins before the proposed Coastal GasLink Pipeline Project construction begins, the proposed new cut ROW will be approximately 213 km. Temporary infrastructure, such as access roads, construction camps, stockpile sites and contractor yards, will be required during construction. New permanent access roads will also be needed for pipeline operations. New electrical power lines and associated facilities might be required to meet power requirements for new metering facilities, valve sites and grounding beds. If required, these power lines and facilities will be constructed, owned and operated by third-party power providers.

1.3 FEDERAL WORK AND UNDERTAKING In addition to a requirement for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) under the National Energy Board Act (NEB Act), other permits and approvals might be required under applicable federal and provincial legislation. An environmental assessment will be required under both the NEB Act and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012), as the proposed route involves construction of more than 40 km of new pipeline. This document provides a description of the Project consistent with the guidance available through the NEB website.2 It is intended to:

• facilitate efficient regulatory review of the Project by the NEB

• facilitate determination of the scope of the Project for environmental assessment under CEAA 2012, as well as the scope and type of assessment required pursuant to the NEB Act

• provide the Crown with sufficient information to begin consultation with Aboriginal communities that might potentially be affected by the Project

• provide the NEB with sufficient information to initiate its Participant Funding Program (PFP)

• inform other regulatory authorities, Aboriginal communities, landowners and stakeholders

1 Coastal GasLink Pipeline Project: http://www.coastalgaslink.com/. 2 http://www.neb-one.gc.ca/clf-nsi/rpblctn/ctsndrgltn/rrggnmgpnb/prpplctnprjctdscrptn-eng.html.

June 2014 Page 3 of 60 NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. Section 1 Merrick Mainline Project Introduction Project Description

1.4 PROJECT PROPONENT

The Project will be constructed and owned by NGTL, a wholly owned subsidiary of TransCanada.

1.4.1 TransCanada TransCanada is a leader in the responsible development and reliable operation of North American energy infrastructure, including:

• natural gas pipelines • oil pipelines • power generation • gas storage facilities

Having owned and operated the largest natural gas pipeline system in Canada for more than 60 years, TransCanada has an established track record for operational excellence and has developed and maintained positive working relationships with landowners, stakeholders and Aboriginal communities across its entire pipeline system.

TransCanada’s network of wholly and partially owned pipelines extends more than 68,500 km in Canada, the United States and Mexico, tapping into virtually all the major gas supply basins and markets in North America.

1.4.2 NGTL System

The NGTL System is an integrated natural gas pipeline system consisting of approximately 24,400 km of pipelines and other associated facilities, located in northeastern BC and Alberta (AB). The NGTL System is operated by TransCanada pursuant to an agreement with NGTL. The NGTL System transports natural gas to markets in Western Canada and connects to other pipelines that deliver natural gas to markets across North America, including the TransCanada Mainline at Empress, AB and TransCanada’s wholly owned Foothills System at Caroline, Crowsnest and McNeill, AB.

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1.5 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

1.5.1 Scope of Project and Scope of Assessment The following physical works and activities will be included in the Project scope for the purpose of environmental assessment pursuant to the requirements of the NEB Act and CEAA 2012: • construction and operation of approximately 260 km of mainline pipe and related facilities, including: • pipeline isolation valves • launcher and receiver facilities • cathodic protection (CP) • alternating current mitigation • metering and interconnections • communication and control systems • hydrostatic testing • helicopter landing pads, as required

• construction-related temporary infrastructure, such as:

• access (e.g., roads, travel lanes and shooflies) • pipe and equipment storage sites • contractor offices and yards • camps • borrow pits

Construction and operation of new power lines and interconnects might be required to supply or augment existing power to metering and CP sites. To the extent they are required, these facilities will be distinct physical works that will be constructed and operated by other parties and will be subject to a provincial regulatory regime separate from that governing the proposed construction and operation of the Project. For the purpose of environmental assessment, such physical works should be considered only in the context of the cumulative effects assessment. The factors to be considered relative to these Project components will be determined by and will reflect the requirements of both the NEB Act and CEAA 2012.

1.5.2 Other Assessment Regimes

As a federal work and undertaking subject to the regulatory jurisdiction of the NEB, and pursuant to the Environmental Assessment Equivalency Agreement between the BC Environmental Assessment Office and the NEB, the Project will not be subject to provincial environmental assessment processes. Nevertheless, provincial agencies or other regulatory bodies in BC might choose to participate in the federal assessment or regulatory processes to facilitate consideration of any concerns or provide advice.

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1.6 CROWN CONSULTATION WITH ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES

NGTL and its parent company, TransCanada, respect the legal and constitutionally protected rights of Aboriginal communities and recognize that their relationships with Aboriginal communities are separate and distinct from the relationships those communities have with the Crown.

To the extent that the Project triggers the need for Crown consultation with Aboriginal communities, it is critical that such consultation be initiated and completed in a timely manner. A key objective of this document is to enable the Crown to begin any necessary consultation as soon as possible.

1.7 PARTICIPANT FUNDING PROGRAM

The Project will require a public hearing under the NEB Act and will trigger the NEB-administered PFP. This program helps fund timely and meaningful participation by eligible parties such as communities, individual landowners and Aboriginal groups in the NEB’s hearing process for facility applications.3

Given the nature and number of steps that will be required to complete the PFP, NGTL requests that the NEB’s public announcement of PFP availability is made within two months of this Project Description filing, consistent with the timing that the NEB used for other recent NGTL applications for a CPCN.4

1.8 PROPONENT CONTACT INFORMATION Stephanie Brown Matthew Ducharme Regulatory Project Manager Legal Counsel Regulatory Services Law and Regulatory Research TransCanada PipeLines Limited TransCanada PipeLines Limited 450 – 1 Street SW 450 – 1 Street SW Calgary, AB T2P 5H1 Calgary, AB T2P 5H1 Tel: (403) 920-7732 Tel: (403) 920-2563 Fax: (403) 920-2347 Fax: (403) 920-2354 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

3 See the Guide to the National Energy Board Participant Funding Program under the National Energy Board Act, as revised. 4 See the NEB’s PFP availability announcements for the Northwest Mainline Expansion, Leismer to Kettle River Crossover, North Montney Mainline and Carmon Creek projects (NEB Filing ID: A1X3Y5, A1X2D4, A54731 and A3Q9A2).

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2.0 PROJECT INFORMATION

2.1 MAIN COMPONENTS AND STRUCTURES

2.1.1 Permanent Structures The primary permanent Project facilities will consist of:

• approximately 260 km of 1219 mm (NPS 48) pipeline

• interconnection facilities along the pipeline, including:

• tie-in to the Groundbirch Mainline • the Merrick Interconnect Meter station

• mainline valve sites

• launcher and receiver facilities

• cathodic protection (CP) facilities

• miscellaneous works such as pipeline warning signs and aerial markers

For the approximate geographical coordinates of the main components of the Project, see Table 2-1.

Figure 2-1 shows the primary component locations. For a foldout map that shows the proposed pipeline route and primary facilities, see Appendix A.

Table 2-1: Approximate Coordinates of Primary Project Components

Component Easting Northing UTM Zone Tie-in to Groundbirch Mainline 634122 6187111 10 Merrick Interconnect Meter Station 524902 6015324 10 Note: Final pipeline routing and station locations will be subject to engineering and environmental site evaluations, Aboriginal and stakeholder engagement, land acquisition and consultation with regulatory agencies.

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Figure 2-1: Location of Main Project Components

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2.1.2 Pipeline Routing and Facilities

Pipeline Route Selection NGTL employs a systematic and thorough route selection process using a variety of tools, such as:

• desktop studies • helicopter reconnaissance • ground verification and field surveys • engineering, geotechnical and environmental field studies This route selection process takes into account the objectives of minimizing the total route length, meeting applicable regulatory requirements and reducing the environmental footprint, while carefully assessing overall cost and constructability and meeting customer demands. Feedback through stakeholder and Aboriginal engagement programs is also considered.

Proposed Pipeline Route and Parallels The Project will start at a tie-in with the existing Groundbirch Mainline in the vicinity of the community of Groundbirch and will terminate at the new Merrick Interconnect Meter Station, near Summit Lake, approximately 42 km north of Prince George, BC. From the Groundbirch Mainline connection point, the proposed route runs in a southwesterly direction first crossing the Murray River, followed by the Sukunka River at a point approximately 9 km south of Chetwynd, BC. Once across the Sukunka River, the route continues westerly for another 12 km before taking a south-southwesterly route, crossing the Burnt and Parsnip Rivers and ending at the Merrick Interconnect Meter Station. The proposed Project ROW will run parallel to the proposed Coastal GasLink Pipeline Project for 50 km, then diverge west and south for 24 km, before again paralleling the proposed Coastal GasLink Pipeline Project for an additional 132 km before diverging south to parallel existing ROWs to the Summit Lake area. The Project will terminate at the proposed Merrick Interconnect Meter Station. In addition to paralleling the proposed Coastal GasLink Pipeline Project, the proposed route parallels existing disturbances such as roads, railways, electrical transmission lines, pipelines and seismic lines for approximately 47 km. Where feasible, these previously disturbed areas will be used during construction. For the approximate lengths of both parallel and new ROW, see Table 2-2. For the locations where the proposed ROW for the Project parallels the proposed Coastal GasLink Pipeline Project, and the locations where new ROW will be required, see Figure 2-2.

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Table 2-2: Parallel and New Right-of-Way

Approxmiate Approximate Parallel Approxmiate New Length Approximate Approximate Disturbance Right-of-Way Feature Type (m) Start KP End KP (%) (%) New Cut 5083 0+000 5+083 – 1.95 CGL Pipeline Corridor Parallel 16900 5+083 21+983 6.49 – New Cut 5873 21+983 27+856 – 2.25 CGL Pipeline Corridor Parallel 20680 27+856 48+536 7.94 – Powerline Parallel 1817 48+536 50+353 0.70 – CGL Pipeline Corridor Parallel 3825 50+353 54+178 1.47 – New Cut 825 54+178 55+003 – 0.32 Road Parallel 2158 55+003 57+161 0.83 – New Cut 2594 57+161 59+755 – 1.00 Road Parallel 844 59+755 60+599 0.32 – New Cut 14222 60+599 74+821 – 5.46 Road Parallel 521 74+821 75+342 0.20 – New Cut 4033 75+342 79+375 – 1.55 CGL Pipeline Corridor Parallel 1811 79+375 81+186 0.70 – New Cut 563 81+186 81+749 – 0.22 CGL Pipeline Corridor Parallel 8300 81+749 90+049 3.18 – New Cut 884 90+049 90+933 – 0.34 CGL Pipeline Corridor Parallel 34646 90+933 125+579 13.29 – New Cut 2112 125+579 127+691 – 0.81 CGL Pipeline Corridor Parallel 16087 127+691 143+778 6.17 – New Cut 2079 143+778 145+857 – 0.80 CGL Pipeline Corridor Parallel 1185 145+857 147+041 0.45 – New Cut 2880 147+041 149+921 – 1.10 CGL Pipeline Corridor Parallel 1494 149+921 151+415 0.57 – New Cut 1365 151+415 152+781 – 0.52 CGL Pipeline Corridor Parallel 15837 152+781 168+618 6.08 – New Cut 1899 168+618 170+517 – 0.73 CGL Pipeline Corridor Parallel 31998 170+517 202+515 12.28 – New Cut 3548 202+515 206+063 – 1.36 CGL Pipeline Corridor Parallel 8676 206+063 214+739 3.33 – New Cut 903 214+739 215+642 – 0.35 CGL Pipeline Corridor Parallel 20799 215+642 236+441 7.98 – New Cut 3535 236+441 239+976 – 1.36 Powerline Parallel 11617 239+976 251+593 4.46 – New Cut 2123 251+593 253+716 – 0.81 Existing Pipeline Corridor Parallel 5981 253+716 259+697 2.30 – New Cut 599 259+697 260+296 – 0.23 Road Parallel 305 260+296 260+601 0.12 – Total 260601 78.85 21.15

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Figure 2-2: Location of the Parallel and New Right-of-Way

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2.1.3 Meter Station A new meter station will be installed near the community of Summit Lake.

2.1.4 Mainline Block Valve Sites Mainline block valves will be installed in accordance with Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards.

2.1.5 In-Line Inspection Facilities Launcher and receiver facilities will be installed for in-line inspection (ILI) purposes. Information on these facilities will be provided in NGTL’s Section 52 application. Current design includes ILI facilities at the north and south tie-in locations.

2.1.6 Cathodic Protection A CP system including anode beds, rectifiers and associated facilities will be installed for the Project facilities. The CP system will be addressed in detailed design along with alternating current mitigation measures.

2.1.7 Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System The Project will include installation and operation of a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, which allows for remote monitoring. The Project’s SCADA system will be connected to TransCanada’s Operations Control Centre (OCC) located in Calgary. The Centre is staffed 24 hours per day.

2.2 PRELIMINARY FOOTPRINT OF MAIN PROJECT COMPONENTS

2.2.1 Construction Right-of-Way and Temporary Workspace Dimensions of the pipeline construction ROW will vary depending on the ownership, location and nature of existing parallel ROW. Where available and feasible, temporary workspace (TWS) will also be obtained from existing contiguous ROW to reduce potential disturbances. The Project requires a construction minimum ROW of at least 32 m for safe and efficient construction. In addition to the minimum 32 m, further land will be required for handling and storing surface material. Where the pipeline route is adjacent to existing disturbances such as seismic lines, transmission lines and roads, NGTL might also use these existing disturbances to reduce the requirement for new land disturbance for the construction ROW. In addition to construction ROW, site-specific TWS will be required at highway, railway, road, pipeline and watercourse crossings and at other locations to accommodate pipeline construction activities.

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The construction ROW and TWS will be reclaimed after construction with a permanent easement maintained for pipeline operations.

2.2.2 Meter Station Site The meter station site will have a footprint of approximately 100 m x 100 m (10,000 m2). These sites are fenced and generally contain a skid-mounted meter run and instrument building and a skid-mounted separator. The skids usually measure approximately 4 m x 10 m (40 m2) in area and are 3.5 m high.

2.2.3 Mainline Valve Sites Mainline valve sites will be located in the permanent ROW. TWS will be required at these sites during construction. The permanent sites will be fenced to ensure safety and protection of the asset, as well as to ensure safety of the public and the environment.

Access to valve sites will be via the permanent ROW, permanent or temporary access roads, or helicopter during both construction and operations.

2.2.4 Temporary Infrastructure for Construction During construction, land will be required for temporary infrastructure such as construction camps, borrow pits, access roads, pipe storage sites, contractor yards and similar construction-related purposes. Land disturbed for these purposes will be reclaimed after construction as required by Crown land permit conditions or as per private agreements with freehold landowners.

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Page 14 of 60 June 2014 NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. Merrick Mainline Project Section 3 Project Description Project Activities

3.0 PROJECT ACTIVITIES The Project will include the following phases: • proposal and definition • construction and commissioning • operations and maintenance • decommissioning, abandonment and site reclamation

3.1 PROJECT DEFINITION

The Project proposal phase began in Q3 2013. The Project definition phase will begin in Q2 2014.

Activities during the proposal and definition phases include:

• completing project planning and preliminary design in sufficient detail for the preparation of regulatory applications, which will include completing route selection and developing survey alignment plans • conducting biophysical and socio-economic studies and assessments, including field surveys

• undertaking detailed engineering design and geotechnical studies and field work • initiating consultation with Aboriginal communities

• initiating consultation with landowners, occupants and Crown disposition holders • preparing regulatory applications and initiating the regulatory review process

The information in this Project Description is based on conceptual design. The design will be refined over time as field and other additional data are collected and assessed, and as engineering and construction planning progresses through preliminary and detailed design.

Changes could also be made to reflect the results of consultation and engagement programs, commercial negotiations, and economic, engineering and environmental and socio-economic assessments.

The Project application for a CPCN under Section 52 of the NEB Act will reflect changes and refinements to the Project that are made after this Project Description is submitted to the NEB. The application, which will include an Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment (ESA), is scheduled for filing with the NEB in Q4 2014.

The information provided in the Section 52 application will be based on preliminary design, supported by initial results from reliable desktop data, field investigation, geotechnical investigation, and engagement and consultation programs.

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While preliminary information to support the Project will be included in the Section 52 application, NGTL expects that supplemental environmental field studies will be required after the application is submitted to confirm preliminary findings regarding valued ecosystem components such as wetlands, wildlife, aquatics, vegetation and heritage resources, as well as traditional land and resource use.

3.2 CONSTRUCTION AND IN-SERVICE TIMELINES

Opportunities to optimize the infrastructure, pipeline and facility construction schedule will be pursued throughout the Project development process. Environmental timing windows will be considered during detailed construction planning. Work on temporary infrastructure is currently scheduled to begin by Q1 2016, subject to regulatory approvals. Construction would then occur between Q3 2016 and Q1 2020.

For the overall Project schedule, see Figure 3-1.

Merrick Mainline Overall Project Schedule 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Activity Description Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2

Project Planning Survey & Engineering Field Work Preliminary & Detailed Engineering Land Engagement & Acquisition Traditional Land Use (TLU) Studies Section 52 Application Filing

Regulatory Review Process

ESA Supplemental Filings:

TLU

Infrastructure Construction (Access roads, Camps, etc.) Construction & Commissioning

In-Service Date (ISD)

Figure 3-1: Preliminary Project Schedule

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3.3 OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE

3.3.1 System Protection and Controls

Once the proposed Project facilities are placed in-service, they will be monitored and controlled from TransCanada’s 24-hour OCC as part of the NGTL System.

TransCanada’s OCC SCADA system continuously monitors pipeline flow, pressure, temperature and equipment status. The SCADA system alerts the OCC operator of significant operational changes in the pipeline system.

Project facilities will also have local safety systems that will automatically respond and adjust to operational events.

3.3.2 Emergency Response

Project facilities will be incorporated in TransCanada’s emergency management system. TransCanada is accountable for emergency management for the NGTL System.

Before the Project facilities are put into operation, TransCanada will work with external emergency response personnel to ensure appropriate:

• communications protocols • operations and product awareness • understanding of TransCanada’s emergency response procedures

This helps ensure that company emergency plans appropriately link into plans maintained by other affected agencies.

3.3.3 Public Awareness

TransCanada’s existing Public Awareness (PA) program will be applied during the operational life of the Project.

The PA program is designed to increase awareness of pipeline safety and thereby protect the public, environment and TransCanada facilities. The program is intended to reach affected members of the public, excavators, contractors, emergency response providers and local public officials. It provides education about living and working safely near TransCanada facilities and includes safety messages on special incident response notification and evacuation measures, as appropriate, as well as information about TransCanada’s Integrity Management Program (IMP).

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3.3.4 Maintenance Programs

TransCanada’s standard preventive maintenance programs will be incorporated in the design and operation of the proposed Project facilities. These programs include:

• aerial patrols • internal inspections • CP monitoring • pipeline markers at roads and pipeline watercourse crossings • planned maintenance activities

3.4 DECOMMISSIONING, ABANDONMENT AND SITE RECLAMATION

The Project is expected to operate for at least 30 years. Decommissioning and abandonment activities will comply with applicable federal and provincial regulatory requirements in force at the time. Additional information will be provided in NGTL’s Section 52 application.

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4.0 LAND

4.1 LAND OWNERSHIP

For the various land types crossed by the Project, see Table 4-1.

Table 4-1: Land Ownership Along Proposed Pipeline Route

Approximate Approximate Percentage of Land Length Land Type Crossed (km) Freehold¹ 5 13.7 Provincial (Crown) 95 246.9 Federal 0 0 Municipal 0 0 Total 100 260.0 Note: 1. To date, 20 private freehold landowners and three corporate landowners have been identified along the proposed pipeline route.

4.1.1 Federally Owned and Administered Land

The proposed route does not traverse any federally owned or administered land.

4.1.2 Consultation with Landowners, Occupants and Crown Disposition Holders Project representatives have identified BC landowners, occupants and Crown disposition holders along the proposed pipeline route to:

• introduce the Project to potentially affected landowners, occupants and Crown disposition holders

• identify early routing concerns and recommendations

• notify affected stakeholders of field surveys and environmental testing

In Q4 2013, landowners were presented with an overview map of the Project during survey notification meetings. Landowners, occupants and Crown disposition holders were sent a project information package and have been invited to contact NGTL with any questions, concerns or inquiries. They will also be invited to attend open houses that are expected to occur in June or July 2014. Crown disposition holders include trappers, guides/outfitters and snowmobile clubs.

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4.2 LAND USE

Forestry is the primary land use along the Project ROW, and the secondary land use is agricultural. The proposed route traverses fairly contiguous areas of provincial Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), as follows:

• between KP 0 and KP 19 • between KP 23 and KP 28 • between KM 29 and KM 44 • between KM 60 and KM 65 • a short distance less than 1 km long roughly centred on KP 97

The proposed route traverses lands in the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) and the Fraser-Fort George Regional District (FFRD). Planned routing follows existing or planned pipeline corridors and other linear corridors (transmission lines, roads) to the extent possible and feasible.

For a map showing land use in the Project area, see Figure 4-1.

4.2.1 Industry

The main industry employers in the Project area include:

• oil and gas • forestry • mining • trade, transport and equipment operations • railway • future proposed wind energy facilities • other activities such as trapping and guiding/outfitting

Oil and gas exploration, development activities and infrastructure in the Project area include:

• seismic exploration • pipelines and related facilities • well sites • gas processing plants • access roads

4.2.2 Recreation

The Project is in close proximity to Sukunka Falls, Hole in the Wall and Crooked River provincial parks, as well as the Tacheeda Lakes Ecological Reserve.

Outdoor recreational activities such as hunting, hiking and snowmobiling occur throughout the Project area. Recreational fishing occurs in the major watercourses and lakes along the Project footprint.

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Figure 4-1: Land Use in Project Area

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4.2.3 Reserves Under the Indian Act

The Project does not cross any Indian Reserves, as defined under the Indian Act.

For a preliminary list of Aboriginal communities identified as having potential interest in the Project, see Section 6.2.2.

4.2.4 Designated Environmental and Cultural Sites

The Project does not cross any known provincially or federally designated environmental or cultural sites that are likely to restrict pipeline development.

No designated fisheries-sensitive watersheds are crossed by the proposed route (BC MOF 2002).

No part of the proposed route is located on land under the jurisdiction of Parks Canada or in an existing:

• migratory bird sanctuary • national wildlife area • ecological reserve • provincial forest • regional park

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5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES

This section describes the biophysical and socio-economic environment in the Project area and provides an overview of environmental features.

5.1 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

The Project is located in the Peace River Basin, Southern Alberta Upland, Central Canadian Rocky Mountains and Fraser Basin ecoregions. For the ecoregions traversed by the Project, see Figure 5-1.

The Peace River Basin Ecoregion is composed of gently undulating or sloping land associated with the Peace River and its major tributaries. The Southern Alberta Upland Ecoregion is characterized by rolling uplands that rise from the Peace River Basin to the Rocky Mountain Foothills to the south. The Central Canadian Rocky Mountains Ecoregion is characterized by steep-sided, round-topped mountains and foothills. The Fraser Basin Ecoregion is characterized by broad lowlands and rolling uplands (Demarchi 2011).

The Project area lies in the Black and White Boreal Spruce (BWBS), Engelmann Spruce-Subalpine Fir (ESSF) and Sub-Boreal Spruce (SBS) Biogeoclimatic (BGC) Zones.

The BWBS BGC Zone is one of the largest BGC zones in British Columbia, encompassing approximately 10% of the province’s total land area. Major tree species in this zone include white spruce, trembling aspen, lodgepole pine, black spruce, balsam poplar, tamarack, subalpine fir, common paper birch and Alaska paper birch. Frequent forest fires in the warm summer months maintain most of the forests in various successional stages. Mean annual temperature in the BWBS BGC Zone is -2.9 to 2°C. Monthly average temperatures remain below 0°C for five to seven months of the year, and above 10°C for only two to four months. Annual precipitation averages from 330 to 570 mm with 35 to 55% of it in the form of snow (Meidinger and Pojar 2011).

The ESSF BGC Zone occupies the uppermost forested elevations in BC and is predominately mountainous with some high valley bottoms and gentler, hilly terrain. At lower and middle elevations, Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir cover much of the land. At higher elevations, scattered islands of fir trees surrounded by heath, meadows and grasslands cover the landscape. Mean annual temperature in the ESSF BGC Zone is -2 to 2°C. Monthly average temperatures are below 0°C for five to seven months of the year and above 10°C for only two months of the year. Annual precipitation is variable in the zone, ranging from 400 mm in dry portions to 2200 mm in wetter areas. Roughly 50 to 70% of the precipitation is snow (Meidinger and Pojar 2011).

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Figure 5-1: Ecoregions Traversed by the Project

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The SBS BGC Zone occupies the gently rolling terrain of BC’s interior plateau. Upland coniferous forests dominate the landscape and include hybrid white spruce, subalpine fir, black spruce, lodgepole pine and Douglas fir. The climate is characterized by extreme temperatures, reaching -40°C in winter and +30°C in summer. Mean annual temperature ranges from 1.7 to 5°C. Average temperature is below 0°C for four to five months of the year and above 10°C for two to five months of the year. Mean annual precipitation ranges from 440 to 900 mm with 25 to 50% of it in the form of snow (Meidinger and Pojar 2011).

5.2 ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT

Regional air quality in the Project area is monitored at a number of stations administered by the BC Ministry of Environment (BC MOE). Monitoring locations close to the Project area include:

• Pine River Gas Plant • Pine River Hasler • Taylor Townsite • Fort St. John Cultural Centre • Groundbirch, MAML (temporary) • Beaver Lodge, AB • Henry Pirker, AB • Prince George Plaza in the south

These stations are considered to provide an adequate representation of existing criteria air contaminant (CAC) concentrations in the Project area.

5.2.1 Pipeline and Metering

Emissions for the pipeline and metering facilities are expected to be negligible during the operations phase. A qualitative air quality assessment and a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions assessment will be undertaken as part of the Project ESA, including describing local meteorological conditions and existing air quality as well as emissions sources and magnitude. There could be some fugitive volatile organic compounds (VOC) associated with the pipeline and metering stations, as well as combustion emissions, depending on the type of metering station.

To assess potential cumulative effects, emissions from existing and other proposed facilities will be researched and the potential for these to interact cumulatively with the Project will be discussed in the ESA.

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5.3 ACOUSTIC ENVIRONMENT

5.3.1 Pipeline and Metering

Ambient noise in the Project area is primarily caused by vehicle and rail traffic. During construction, elevated noise levels will result from equipment and traffic. Potential receptors of these noise emissions include residents in the Project area.

As construction is a temporary activity, a qualitative assessment of the acoustic environment will be completed for the construction phase of the Project. Mitigation measures, as recommended by best management practices such as the British Columbia Oil and Gas Commission (BC OGC) Noise Control Best Practices Guideline, Section 3.1.1, will be followed to reduce construction noise. Sensory disturbance for wildlife will also be assessed as part of the ESA.

During operations, with the exception of ILI and general maintenance activities, noise generated by the proposed pipeline and metering facilities is expected to be undetectable and will not contribute to ambient noise levels.

5.4 WASTE DISPOSAL

Typical waste types expected to be generated during Project construction and operations include: • motor oils • hydraulic fluids • welding rods • hydrostatic testing water • construction materials • HDD drilling fluids • domestic waste

Waste handling and disposal will be different for hazardous and non-hazardous materials and will be in accordance with the environmental protection plan for the Project. This plan will meet the requirements of all applicable legislation.

5.5 WATER The Project lies in the Pine River, Parsnip River and Pack River sub-basins of the Peace River Basin. A short section of the Project near the initiation point of the proposed route lies in the Sunset Creek and Coulee Creek sub-basins of the Kiskatinaw River sub-basin. There are no potential watercourse crossings in the Sunset Creek and Coulee Creek sub-basins.

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Potential watercourse crossings and non-classified drainages have been identified along the proposed route, including beaver dam complexes and named and unnamed watercourses. Some of these potential crossings were identified during helicopter reconnaissance in fall 2013. Surficial and bedrock aquifers, used for a variety of purposes (e.g., domestic, agricultural and industrial), are present in the Project area. The locations of aquifers and water supply wells will be identified to ensure that appropriate groundwater protection measures are in place during construction and operations.

5.5.1 Fish and Fish Habitat The Peace River Basin provides important habitat for several native sport fish species. The proposed route crosses coldwater and coolwater habitats in the Pine River, Parsnip River and Pack River sub-basins. Typically, coldwater fish assemblages (e.g., salmonid species) are found in higher-gradient, faster-flowing watercourses characterized by gravel and cobble substrates. Coolwater communities are normally found in the lower-gradient, slower-moving watercourses, with substrates dominated by sand and fine sediment that provide warmer temperatures.

Coldwater species found in the Pine River, Parsnip River and Pack River sub-basins include:

• bull trout • kokanee (Western Arctic populations) • pygmy whitefish • dolly varden • brook trout • lake whitefish (introduced populations) • mountain whitefish • splake (introduced populations) • Arctic grayling • westslope cutthroat trout • rainbow trout (introduced populations) • lake trout

Coolwater species found in the Pine River, Parsnip River and Pack River sub-basins include:

• burbot • walleye

A variety of non-sport fish species are also found in the Pine River, Parsnip River and Pack River sub-basins and many of the tributaries, including:

• sucker species • trout-perch • minnow species • brook stickleback • sculpin species

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Among the fish species expected to occur in the Project area, bull trout (Western Arctic populations) is listed as Special Concern by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) (COSEWIC 2013). Additionally, bull trout (Western Arctic populations) and brassy minnow are provincially Blue-listed (BC Conservation Data Centre 2013). There are no known records of fish species listed as Endangered, Threatened or Special Concern under SARA in the Project area. Environmental field assessments of the watercourse crossings will be used to:

• document pre-construction fish absence or presence, fish habitat potential and aquatic habitat conditions

• avoid and mitigate potential disturbance to aquatic habitats during construction

• confirm or revise preliminary crossing method selections

• develop suitable mitigation measures for the proposed crossings Instream fish and wildlife low-risk timing windows for the named and unnamed watercourse crossings will be determined by fish species presence and applicable provincial criteria.

5.5.2 Navigable Waters Some navigable waters might be affected by trenched pipeline crossing methods and by installation of portable bridges and other temporary works. Many of the watercourses and water bodies that will be crossed by the proposed route are anticipated to be seasonal or too small to support navigation, including for recreational purposes. Named watercourses expected to be considered navigable (to be confirmed by field investigation) include: • Sheep Creek • Anzac River • Coldstream Creek • Crocker Creek • Murray River • Parsnip River • Sukunka River • Redrocky Creek • Highhat River • Angusmac Creek • Bluff Creek • Copper Creek • Blind Creek • Witters Creek • Burnt River • Neilsons Creek • Rocky Creek • O’Dell Creek

There could be other named and unnamed navigable watercourses. Field investigations will help confirm the navigability of waterways crossed by the proposed route. Consultation regarding navigation in the Project area will also be completed.

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5.5.3 Watercourse Crossing Methods For preliminary watercourse crossing locations and documented fish presence for the named watercourses traversed by the proposed route, see Table 5-1. Preliminary pipeline and vehicle access crossing methods, based on initial constructability assessments, are also provided. NGTL selects crossing locations and techniques using industry-accepted design and installation practices, reflecting site-specific assessments and fisheries protection measures to avoid serious harm to fish. The crossing locations and methods in Table 5-1 will be updated as design and construction planning progresses to reflect, among other things:

• geotechnical conditions • environmental field assessments • consultation with regulatory agencies and Aboriginal communities • actual field conditions during construction Engineering assessments are underway to identify any potential slope stability issues and the geotechnical conditions at select watercourse crossing locations.

Table 5-1: Preliminary Crossings of Named Watercourses

Preliminary Preliminary Pipeline Crossing Equipment Watercourse Name Documented Fish Presence Method Crossing Method Sheep Creek Lake chub, white sucker, longnose sucker, Isolate if water Clearspan bridge/ slimy sculpin and longnose dace. present/open cut if snowfill/ice bridge dry or frozen to bottom Coldstream Creek Arctic grayling, rainbow trout, northern pike, longnose Isolate if water Clearspan bridge/ sucker, white sucker, slimy sculpin, longnose dace, present/open cut if snowfill/ice bridge finescale dace, redside shiner, lake chub and brook dry or frozen to stickleback. bottom Murray River Bull trout (Western Arctic populations), Dolly Varden, Trenchless or Isolate Clearspan bridge/ Arctic grayling, brook trout (introduced populations), if water present/open snowfill/ice bridge westslope cutthroat trout (introduced populations), cut if dry or frozen to mountain whitefish, northern pike, burbot, longnose bottom sucker, brassy minnow, slimy sculpin, longnose dace, finescale dace, redside shiner and brook stickleback. Sukunka River Bull trout (Western Arctic populations), Dolly Varden, Trenchless or Isolate Clearspan bridge/ rainbow trout, Arctic grayling, mountain whitefish, if water present/open snowfill/ice bridge burbot, northern pike, longnose sucker, largescale cut if dry or frozen to sucker, slimy sculpin, prickly, sculpin, redside shiner, bottom finescale dace, longnose dace and northern pikeminnow. Highhat River Arctic grayling, mountain whitefish, round whitefish, Isolate if water Clearspan bridge/ rainbow trout, burbot, white sucker, slimy sculpin and present/open cut if snowfill/ice bridge longnose dace. dry or frozen to bottom Bluff Creek Mountain whitefish and longnose sucker. Isolate if water Clearspan bridge/ present/open cut if snowfill/ice bridge dry or frozen to bottom

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Table 5-1: Preliminary Crossings of Named Watercourses (cont'd)

Preliminary Preliminary Pipeline Crossing Equipment Watercourse Name Documented Fish Presence Method Crossing Method Blind Creek Bull trout (Western Arctic populations) and rainbow Isolate if water Clearspan bridge/ trout. present/open cut if snowfill/ice bridge dry or frozen to bottom Burnt River Bull trout (Western Arctic populations), Dolly Varden, Isolate if water Clearspan bridge/ rainbow trout, Arctic grayling, mountain whitefish, present/open cut if snowfill/ice bridge longnose sucker and slimy sculpin. dry or frozen to bottom Rocky Creek Bull trout (Western Arctic populations) and mountain Isolate if water Clearspan bridge/ whitefish. present/open cut if snowfill/ice bridge dry or frozen to bottom Anzac River Bull trout (Western Arctic populations), Dolly Varden, Isolate if water Clearspan bridge/ rainbow trout, Arctic grayling, mountain whitefish, present/open cut if snowfill/ice bridge burbot, longnose sucker, slimy sculpin and prickly dry or frozen to sculpin. bottom Crocker Creek Bull trout (Western Arctic populations), rainbow trout, Isolate if water Clearspan bridge/ mountain whitefish, burbot, slimy sculpin and prickly present/open cut if snowfill/ice bridge sculpin. dry or frozen to bottom Parsnip River Bull trout (Western Arctic populations), Dolly Varden, Trenchless or Isolate Clearspan bridge/ Arctic grayling, mountain whitefish, lake whitefish, if water present/open snowfill/ice bridge rainbow trout, burbot, longnose sucker, largescale cut if dry or frozen to sucker, white sucker, peamouth chub, redside shiner, bottom northern pikeminnow, longnose dace, slimy sculpin and prickly sculpin. Redrocky Creek Rainbow trout, longnose sucker, largescale sucker, Isolate if water Clearspan bridge/ northern pikeminnow, redside shiner, peamouth chub, present/open cut if snowfill/ice bridge lake chub and prickly sculpin. dry or frozen to bottom Angusmac Creek Mountain whitefish, lake whitefish, rainbow trout, Isolate if water Clearspan bridge/ burbot, longnose sucker, largescale sucker, peamouth present/open cut if snowfill/ice bridge chub, lake chub, redside shiner, northern pikeminnow, dry or frozen to longnose dace and prickly sculpin. bottom Copper Creek No fish previously documented. Isolate if water Clearspan bridge/ present/open cut if snowfill/ice bridge dry or frozen to bottom Witters Creek Rainbow trout, northern pikeminnow, peamouth chub, Isolate if water Clearspan bridge/ redside shiner and unidentified sucker species. present/open cut if snowfill/ice bridge dry or frozen to bottom Neilsons Creek Rainbow trout, peamouth chub, lake chub, brassy Isolate if water Clearspan bridge/ minnow, redside shiner and northern pikeminnow. present/open cut if snowfill/ice bridge dry or frozen to bottom O’Dell Creek Rainbow trout, burbot, lake chub, northern pikeminnow, Isolate if water Clearspan bridge/ peamouth chub, brassy minnow, redside shiner, prickly present/open cut if snowfill/ice bridge sculpin and unidentified sculpin and sucker species. dry or frozen to bottom

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5.5.4 Wetlands and Waterbodies

The Project crosses three wetland regions of Canada: the Continental Mid-Boreal (BMC), the Central Rocky Mountain (MRC) and the South Rocky Mountain (MRS) regions. Roughly half the proposed pipeline route crosses the BMC region, while one-quarter of the proposed pipeline route occurs in each of the MRC and MRS regions. Wetlands in the BMC region consist of marshes on gently sloping lakeshores as well as flat, plateau and basin bogs, often in association with horizontal and ribbed fens, with an average peat depth of 4 m (Government of Canada 1986). Wetlands in the MRC region consist of peat plateau, palsa and veneer bogs with ribbed fens, whereas wetlands in the MRS region consist of flat bogs, horizontal fens, and floodplain and shallow basin marshes. In both the Rocky Mountain regions, wetlands occur predominantly in valleys and low slopes although basin bogs and fens occur in alpine areas (Government of Canada 1986). Peat depth is typically less than 1 m.

The dominant wetland types, as classified using the Canadian Wetland Classification System (NWWG 1997), in the vicinity of the Project include:

• treed, shrubby and non-woody bogs • treed, shrubby and non-woody fens • treed and shrubby swamps • emergent and seasonal emergent marshes • shallow open water ponds

There are several named lakes in the vicinity of the Project, including:

• Fern Lake • Emerald Lake • Hambone Lake • Log Lake • Redrocky Lake • Cloud LakeSummit Lake • Polar Mill Pond • Hart Lake

Efforts are being made in the pipeline routing to avoid lakes, lake margins and shallow open water wetlands. Where practical, extent of the disturbance to these features will be minimized.

Routing and mitigation considerations concerning wetlands will be to:

• minimize length traversing environmentally sensitive areas such as protected, endangered or sensitive vegetation and wildlife habitat

• follow existing linear infrastructure, where practical (e.g., pipelines, roads, transmission lines, seismic lines and railways)

• follow or use existing clearings, where feasible

• use the shortest route practical

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• implement construction mitigation and reclamation measures where avoidance is not technically or economically feasible

• monitor wetland function post-construction and recommend additional remediation measures where warranted

Ground-based wetland surveys will be completed to compile a wetland inventory along the proposed pipeline ROW and establish baseline functional conditions for wetlands temporarily disturbed during the construction phase of the Project.

Results of the field studies will be used to develop suitable general and site-specific mitigation measures to assist in maintaining the integrity of wetland ecosystems encountered by the Project.

5.6 TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENT

5.6.1 Soils

The proposed ROW lies in the Great Plains, Northern and Central Plateaus and Mountains, and Interior Plateau physiographic regions of BC (Valentine et al. 1978).

Gray Luvisols, Luvic Gleysols, Eutric Brunisols, Dystric Brunisols, Humo-Ferric Podzols and Gleysols formed on a variety of parent materials are likely to be encountered along the proposed route (Valentine et al. 1978). The parent materials identified along the route include:

• coarse to moderately coarse glacial till or colluvium • fluvioglacial gravels or glacial till and colluvium over bedrock • variable glaciofluvial till ranging from cobbles to gravels and fine sand • lacustrine/fluvial deposits derived from calcareous, saline sandstones/shales

Field programs are underway to characterize the soils along the proposed ROW and support the development of project-specific soil-handling procedures.

Additional information will be provided in the Section 52 application.

5.6.2 Vegetation

As mentioned in Section 5.1, the Project lies in three BGC zones: Black and White Boreal Spruce (BWBS), Engelmann Spruce–Subalpine Fir (ESSF) and Sub-Boreal Spruce (SBS).

The BWBS Zone is characterized by forests of white spruce, trembling aspen, lodgepole pine, black spruce, subalpine fir, tamarack, balsam poplar and paper birch (BC MOF 1991).

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The ESSF Zone occurs at higher elevations just below alpine areas and the dominant canopy species are subalpine fir and Engelmann spruce (BC MOF 1991).The SBS Zone is characterized by lodgepole pine, hybrid white spruce and subalpine fir (BC MOF 1991). The ESA will consider effects on native vegetation, ecological communities and vegetation species of concern, old-growth forests, traditional use plants and invasive species.

Ecological communities and vegetation species of concern include vegetation species designated by the Species at Risk Act (SARA) or COSEWIC, and ecological communities and vegetation species that are Red or Blue-listed by the British Columbia Conservation Data Centre (BC CDC). There are no known records of vegetation species listed as Endangered, Threatened or Special Concern under SARA or COSEWIC within 10 km of the Project. One species listed by SARA, whitebark pine, occurs in the BGCs traversed by the Project. There are eight known occurrences of BC CDC-listed vascular plant species within 10 km of the Project (BC CDC 2012). Ground-based vegetation surveys will be done in spring and summer 2014 to search for ecological communities and vegetation species of concern along the proposed route. Observations of non-native species will also be recorded.

Results of the field surveys will be used to develop suitable general and site-specific mitigation measures where avoidance is not possible, to assist in maintaining the integrity of vegetation traversed by the Project.

5.6.3 Wildlife

The proposed ROW traverses the Hart Ranges caribou range (BC MOE 2008) for approximately 51 km (see Figure 5-2). The Hart Ranges caribou are of the mountain ecotype and are provincially Red-listed (BC CDC 2013). BC Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operation have developed a Mountain Caribou Recovery Implementation Plan (MCRIP). The Hart Ranges caribou are part of the federally designated Southern Mountain population, which is listed as Endangered by COSEWIC and Threatened on Schedule 1 of SARA (COSEWIC 2013; Environment Canada 2013a). Environment Canada recently released a draft Recovery Strategy for the Woodland Caribou, Southern Mountain Population (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in Canada (Environment Canada 2014). An action plan supporting the recovery strategy has not yet been developed.

In the Hart Ranges caribou range, the proposed route crosses an Ungulate Winter Range (UWR) (u-7-003) for caribou for approximately 6.8 km (BC MOE 2009). The Project is also located in an UWR for elk, mule deer and moose (u-9-001) for approximately 1.6 km (BC MOE 2005) (see Figure 5-2).

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Figure 5-2: Provincially Identified Wildlife Areas in Vicinity of Merrick Mainline

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No other provincially identified wildlife areas, or parks and protected areas (BC MFLNRO 2008) are crossed by the Project. The Project is not located in or adjacent to any Important Bird Areas (Migratory Bird Sanctuaries, National Wildlife Areas, Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserves, Ramsar Wetlands or World Biosphere Reserves (Bird Studies Canada and Nature Canada 2012; Environment Canada 2013b; Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network [WHSRN] 2012; Bureau of the Convention on Wetlands 2013; United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization [UNESCO] 2013).

Wildlife field work will be done to identify wildlife presence and use on and adjacent to the proposed pipeline route, including wildlife species with special conservation status, and to identify site-specific habitats and habitat features (e.g., stick nests) important to wildlife along the proposed pipeline route that might be affected by Project construction and operations. Results of the field studies will be used to develop site-specific mitigation measures, where warranted, to avoid or reduce potential impacts on wildlife (particularly species of concern) and important site-specific habitats identified during field work.

Based on a preliminary desktop review, wildlife species with special conservation status that could potentially occur along the proposed pipeline route are listed in Table 5-2.

Table 5-2: Potential Wildlife Species with Conservation Status in Project Area

Provincial Scientific Name Common Name Designation Federal Designation Lasiurus borealis Eastern red bat Red – Pekania pennanti Fisher Blue – Ursus arctos Grizzly bear Blue Special Concern (COSEWIC) Myotis lucifugus Little brown myotis Yellow Endangered (COSEWIC) Myotis septentrionalis Northern myotis Blue Endangered (COSEWIC) Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine Blue Special Concern (COSEWIC) Rangifer tarandus Woodland caribou – Red Threatened Southern Mountain (Schedule 1 of SARA) population Endangered (COSEWIC) Botaurus lentiginosus American bittern Blue – Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow Blue – Setophaga castanea Bay-breasted warbler Red – Setophaga virens Black-throated green Blue – warbler Buteo platypterus Broad-winged hawk Blue – Cardellina canadensis Canada warbler Blue Threatened (Schedule 1 of SARA, COSEWIC) Setophaga tigrina Cape May warbler Red –

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Table 5-2: Potential Wildlife Species with Conservation Status in Project Area (cont'd)

Provincial Scientific Name Common Name Designation Federal Designation Chordeiles minor Common nighthawk Yellow Threatened (Schedule 1 of SARA, COSEWIC) Oporornis agilis Connecticut warbler Blue – Podiceps auritus Horned grebe Yellow Special Concern (COSEWIC) Ammodramus leconteii Le Conte’s sparrow Blue – Ammodramus nelsoni Nelson’s sparrow Red – Contopus cooperi Olive-sided flycatcher Blue Threatened (Schedule 1 of SARA, COSEWIC) Euphagus carolinus Rusty blackbird Blue Special Concern (Schedule 1 of SARA, COSEWIC) Asio flammeus Short-eared owl Blue Special Concern (Schedule 1 of SARA, COSEWIC) Buteo swainsoni Swainson’s hawk Red – Bartramia longicauda Upland sandpiper Red – Coturnicops noveboracensis Yellow rail Red Special Concern (Schedule 1 of SARA, COSEWIC) Anaxyrus boreas Western toad Blue Special Concern (Schedule1 of SARA, COSEWIC) Sources: BC CDC 2013; COSEWIC 2013; Environment Canada 2013a.

5.7 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT

5.7.1 Heritage Resources

An archaeological impact assessment will be completed in areas with archaeological potential that might be disturbed during Project construction.

Identification of high- and moderate-potential locations will be based on a number of regional and local factors. Careful consideration will be given to:

• ethnographic patterns of settlement • land use and resource exploitation • access • known gathering places • information provided by area residents • travel corridors (including waterways) • the kinds and distribution of Aboriginal food sources • restrictions on site location imposed by physical terrain • climate regimes • other factors, such as soil chemistry

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Areas identified as high or moderate archaeological potential will include:

• areas of level, well-drained terrain adjacent to defined water sources (e.g., rivers, lakes)

• level tops and benches of well-defined, elevated landforms, such as knolls and eskers, in areas of otherwise level terrain

• level terrain adjacent to distinct breaks-in-slope

• micro-topographic relief, providing well-drained landforms adjacent to or in low-lying areas or muskeg

• locations of previously known archaeological or historic period sites

5.7.2 Traditional Land Use and Traditional Ecological Knowledge

NGTL has initiated an engagement process with potentially affected Aboriginal communities. Based on the outcome of this initial engagement process, and as agreed, traditional land and resource use studies will be conducted to supplement publically available information on traditional land use in the Project area. These studies will focus on the current use of land and resources for traditional purposes, as identified by the Aboriginal communities. Where available, traditional ecological knowledge acquired through participation in biophysical studies or through Aboriginal engagement activities will help identify potential adverse effects of the proposed Project and potential mitigation opportunities.

5.7.3 Other Socio-Economic Considerations

The pipeline is mostly routed through provincial Crown land with low population densities and limited infrastructure.

For the regional districts crossed, and municipalities and Aboriginal communities in the vicinity of the proposed route, see Table 5-3.

Table 5-3: Regional Districts, Municipalities and Aboriginal Communities

Municipality or Closest Community Approximate Location Regional District Peace River Regional District KP 0.0 to KP 145.9 Regional District of Fraser-Fort George KP 145.9 to KP 260.0 Municipality Groundbirch 1.5 km east of KP 5.5 District of Taylor 38.0 km north of KP 0.0 City of Fort St. John 46.0 km north of KP 0.0 City of Dawson Creek 37.0 km east of KP 2.5 Village of Pouce Coupe 45.4 km east of KP 2.5

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Table 5-3: Regional Districts, Municipalities and Aboriginal Communities (cont'd)

Municipality or Closest Community Approximate Location Municipality (cont’d) District of Hudson’s Hope 33.7 km northwest of KP 47.5 District of Chetwynd 8.6 km west of KP 60.0 District of Tumbler Ridge 17.0 km east of KP 124.0 District of Mackenzie 60.0 km northwest of KP 189.0 City of Prince George 28.7 km south of KP 260.0 Unincorporated community of Summit Lake 1.0 km west of KP 260.0 Unincorporated community of Bear Lake 1.5 km west of KP 234.0 Aboriginal Community Blueberry River First Nation 98 km north of KP 0 Halfway River First Nation 89 km northwest of KP 0 Kelly Lake Cree Nation 75 km southeast of KP 19 McLeod Lake Indian Band 3 km northwest of KP 208 Saulteau First Nations 20 km north of KP 47 West Moberly First Nations 25 km north of KP 70 Lheidli T’enneh First Nation 28.5 km south of KP 260 Nak’azdli Band 128 km West of KP 250 Doig River First Nation 85.5 km North of KP 0 Prophet River First Nation 275 km North of KP 0 Fort Nelson First Nation 341 km North of KP 0 Horse Lake First Nation 84 km southeast of KP 19 Kelly Lake First Nation 75 km southeast of KP 19 Métis Nation of BC N/A Moccasin Flats Métis Society 11.0 km west of KP 47.0 North East Métis Association 38.0 km east of KP 2.5 BC Métis Federation N/A Fort St. John Métis Society 46.0 km north of KP 0.0 Dawson Creek Métis Federation 38.0 km east of KP 3.5 Kelly Lake Métis Settlement Society 75 km southeast of KP 19 Red River Métis Society 55.0 km northwest of KP 5.0 Northern Interior Métis Cultural Society 28 km south of KP 260 Nechako Métis Elders Council 28 km south of KP 260

Page 38 of 60 June 2014 NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. Merrick Mainline Project Section 5 Project Description Environmental Features

Table 5-3: Regional Districts, Municipalities and Aboriginal Communities (cont'd)

Municipality or Closest Community Approximate Location Aboriginal Community (cont’d) Prince George Métis Community Association 28 km south of KP 260 Prince George Métis Elders Society 28 km south of KP 260 Carrier Sekani Tribal Council N/A Treaty 8 Tribal Association N/A Note: The BC Métis Federation, Métis Nation of BC, Carrier Sekani Tribal Council and Treaty 8 Tribal Association represent membership throughout the province and therefore a distance measurement is not applicable at this time. N/A = Not applicable.

Construction will use existing infrastructure and services such as roads, rail line staging areas and accommodation centres throughout the Project area, to the extent feasible.

In addition to heritage resources and traditional land use, the socio-economic assessment for the Project will consider effects of Project construction and operations on:

• human occupancy and resource use (e.g., hunting, fishing, trapping, outfitting and recreational use)

• social and cultural well-being (e.g., demographic features)

• human health (e.g., nuisances and environmental changes)

• infrastructure and services (e.g., roads and waste facilities)

• navigation and navigation safety (e.g., navigable waterways)

• employment and economy (e.g., contract and employment opportunities, income and government revenue)

5.7.4 Socio-Economic Assessment Methods

Socio-economic effects will be assessed as part of the ESA, using a combination of baseline data collection and technical discussions with local stakeholders (e.g., municipal/provincial agencies, outfitters and local land users).

Baseline data collection (via desktop research) will provide an information base about the Project area and socio-economic conditions. These data will be used, in part, to formulate questions for the technical discussions (via telephone calls, emails and face-to-face meetings).

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The goals of these discussions are to:

• provide insight into local issues and concerns relating to the Project

• provide the necessary information for recommendations for appropriate mitigation and benefits measures that address community needs and are within the scope of potential Project effects

• confirm information collected through baseline data collection

• fill information gaps

The economic effects assessment resulting from the Project (e.g., Gross Domestic Product, jobs and tax revenue) will be estimated using the Statistics Canada Interprovincial Input/Output Model.

Page 40 of 60 June 2014 NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. Merrick Mainline Project Section 6 Project Description Stakeholder and Aboriginal Engagement

6.0 STAKEHOLDER AND ABORIGINAL ENGAGEMENT

6.1 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM

6.1.1 Program Overview

The stakeholder engagement program for the Project has been designed, and is being conducted, in accordance with TransCanada’s commitment to being a good neighbour by building and maintaining positive relationships with the people who reside near its operations.

Preliminary engagement for the Project started in Q3 2013. Engagement activities will continue for the duration of the Project.

The program is intended to enable the development and maintenance of positive relationships by:

• providing clear, relevant and timely information about TransCanada and the Project

• identifying concerns of community leaders and other interested stakeholders

• providing an opportunity for stakeholders to provide feedback on the Project

• answering stakeholder questions about TransCanada and the Project

• fostering relationships between TransCanada and communities along the proposed route

• ensuring NEB engagement process requirements are met or exceeded

Engagement activities and communication tools include:

• Project email box ([email protected])

• Project webpage (http://www.transcanada.com/merrick-mainline-pipeline-project.html)

• Project toll-free telephone number (1.855.920.4693)

• project-specific fact sheets and letters (see Appendix B)

• TransCanada program materials (community investment, pipeline integrity, Stakeholder Engagement Commitment Statement, stakeholder and Aboriginal relations brochures) and the NEB Fact Sheet

• personal contact with stakeholders, including face-to-face meetings

• newspaper and radio advertisements

• open houses

June 2014 Page 41 of 60 NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. Section 6 Merrick Mainline Project Stakeholder and Aboriginal Engagement Project Description

6.1.2 Community Engagement

The engagement program for the Project will be accomplished in three phases:

• preliminary stakeholder identification and material development • stakeholder notification and engagement • transition to operations

Phase I – Preliminary Stakeholder Identification and Material Development

Using a combination of desktop research and existing contacts, TransCanada has identified a preliminary list of potential stakeholders in the Project area. Additional stakeholder identification is accomplished through ongoing consultation with local government members, government agencies and community members, and by searching land titles and land use rights.

Phase II – Stakeholder Notification and Engagement

Stakeholder notification began in Q3 2013. Early stakeholder notification involved providing project information such as proposed pipeline routing information, facilities, project timelines and information on other key project-related activities. In addition, TransCanada has provided information regarding the NEB regulatory review process and the means by which the public can participate.

As the Project evolves, stakeholders will be provided with a variety of methods to receive and obtain additional information about the Project, including updated fact sheets, open houses and presentations to local communities.

Throughout the stakeholder engagement process, TransCanada works with stakeholders to resolve or mitigate any concerns or issues.

Phase III – Transition to Operations

Stakeholder engagement activities for the Project will be transitioned to the PA program for operations (see Section 3.3.3).

To help ensure a seamless transition to the PA program, the process begins during Project construction. The PA program for the Project is expected to be implemented by TransCanada’s regional office in Fairview, AB.

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6.1.3 Stakeholders

Community and Government Stakeholders

TransCanada is engaging with a broad range of community and government stakeholders on the Project, including:

• community members • municipal leaders and representatives (e.g., regional districts and municipalities) • provincial and federally elected officials • government agencies and representatives • non-government organizations

Landowners and Occupants

Landowners and occupants will be consulted through all phases of the Project. TransCanada has identified potentially affected landowners and occupants within the vicinity of the proposed route in the following districts, communities and municipalities:

• Peace River Regional District • Regional District of Fraser-Fort George • District of Taylor • District of Mackenzie • District of Hudson’s Hope • District of Chetwynd • District of Tumbler Ridge • City of Fort St. John • City of Prince George • Bear Lake • Groundbirch • Summit Lake • Pouce Coupe • Lone Prairie

Land and Water Users

To identify land and water users and Crown disposition holders, TransCanada uses a combination of desktop research, the BC government’s Integrated Land and Resource Registry (ILRR) and BC Online. Land and water users are notified of the Project by mail, have been invited to contact NGTL with any questions, concerns or inquiries, and will be informed of any project schedule changes.

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These groups and individuals include:

• navigable water users • snowmobile clubs • guides • outfitters • trappers

6.1.4 Preliminary Community Feedback

Consultation with community stakeholders has enabled TransCanada to identify preliminary areas of interest and concern about the Project. Consistent communication between TransCanada and stakeholders will ensure that feedback is acted on in a timely manner and that concerns will be considered in project planning.

Preliminary discussions with community stakeholders have identified the following areas of interest and potential concern about the Project:

• location of worker camp sites • impacts on local infrastructure • visual scarring on the land • employment and training • maximizing economic benefits to the communities • lifespan of pipeline infrastructure

6.2 ABORIGINAL ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM

6.2.1 Program Overview

The Aboriginal engagement program for the Project is designed to assist TransCanada in understanding and addressing the interests and concerns of Aboriginal groups with respect to the Project and, in particular, to:

• identify Aboriginal groups that might have interest or concerns about the Project

• provide ongoing project-related information

• work with the communities to obtain local and traditional knowledge about the Project area and potential effects on traditional land and resource use

• obtain socio-economic information relating to the Project

• facilitate economic participation in the Project

• identify potential concerns about the Project

• determine appropriate mitigation strategies

Page 44 of 60 June 2014 NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. Merrick Mainline Project Section 6 Project Description Stakeholder and Aboriginal Engagement

Through information exchange and dialogue, TransCanada will continue to work with Aboriginal groups to address identified concerns and potential effects. Local and traditional knowledge will be integrated in Project design, and mitigation plans will be developed and implemented, as appropriate and available, to address identified concerns. Where opportunities exist, TransCanada will work with the communities to help enhance capacity, including employment opportunities.

6.2.2 Identified Aboriginal Communities

The first step in the engagement process is to identify the communities with which NGTL will initially engage. To identify these communities, NGTL starts with a desktop study to determine the proximity of the project to:

• reserves under the Indian Act • Aboriginal communities • areas identified by Aboriginal communities as traditional land use areas

Using a combination of publicly available information, NGTL’s own operating experience and established network of contacts with Aboriginal communities, NGTL has developed an initial list of Aboriginal groups that might be affected by the proposed Project. These Aboriginal groups have been advised of the Project and will be provided with copies of this Project Description:

• West Moberly First Nations • BC Métis Federation • Saulteau First Nations • Fort St. John Métis Society • Halfway River First Nation • Dawson Creek Métis Federation • McLeod Lake Indian Band • Kelly Lake Métis • Blueberry River First Nation Settlement Society • Kelly Lake Cree Nation • Red River Métis Society • Lheidli T’enneh First Nation • Northern Interior Métis • Nak’azdli Band Cultural Society • Doig River First Nation • Nechako Métis Elders Council • Prophet River First Nation • Prince George Métis Community • Fort Nelson First Nation Association • Horse Lake First Nation • Prince George Métis • Kelly Lake First Nation Elders Society • Métis Nation of BC • Carrier Sekani Tribal Council • Moccasin Flats Métis Society • Treaty 8 Tribal Association • North East Métis Association

For the Aboriginal communities5 in proximity to the Project area, see Figure 6-1 and Appendix C.

5 The BC Métis Federation, Métis Nation of BC, Carrier Sekani Tribal Council and Treaty 8 Tribal Association represent membership throughout the province and therefore are not shown in Figure 6-1.

June 2014 Page 45 of 60 NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. Section 6 Merrick Mainline Project Stakeholder and Aboriginal Engagement Project Description

Figure 6-1: Aboriginal Communities in Proximity to Project Area

Page 46 of 60 June 2014 NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. Merrick Mainline Project Section 6 Project Description Stakeholder and Aboriginal Engagement

6.2.3 Preliminary Aboriginal Feedback

TransCanada has provided project information and initiated preliminary discussions with Aboriginal groups. These discussions have enabled TransCanada to better understand potential issues or concerns with the Project.

Preliminary discussions with Aboriginal groups have identified the following areas of interest and potential concerns about the Project:

• access • cumulative effects • erosion • general environmental concerns • proximity to treaty land entitlement claims • reclamation • training and employment • vegetation • wildlife and wildlife habitat

These potential concerns will be considered in the Project ESA and will form the basis for future consultation between NGTL and each interested Aboriginal group.

June 2014 Page 47 of 60 NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. Section 6 Merrick Mainline Project Stakeholder and Aboriginal Engagement Project Description

Page 48 of 60 June 2014 NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. Merrick Mainline Project Section 7 Project Description Regulatory Authorizations

7.0 REGULATORY AUTHORIZATIONS

7.1 FEDERAL AUTHORIZATIONS In addition to approvals under the NEB Act, various other federal approvals and authorizations might be required for the Project.

For a preliminary list of federal approvals and authorizations, see Table 7-1. A final list will be developed in consultation with federal authorities, as changes to the federal permitting process are implemented, and as Project design and construction planning progresses.

Table 7-1: Preliminary List of Federal Regulatory Approvals and Authorizations

Department Authority Approval Fisheries and Oceans Canada Section 35(2) of Fisheries Act As required, authorization for open-cut contingency crossing techniques for horizontal directionally drilled and certain isolated pipeline watercourse crossings. Industry Canada Radiocommunication Act Section 5: Radio Licence. Natural Resources Canada Explosives Act Section 7 and 8: Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil Permit, Temporary Magazine Licence, Explosives Transportation Permit.

7.2 PROVINCIAL AUTHORIZATIONS Various authorizations under provincial legislation might be required to undertake activities ancillary to, but necessary for, Project construction and operations.

For a preliminary list of BC approvals and authorizations, see Table 7-2. Final lists will be developed in consultation with provincial authorities as design and construction planning progresses.

7.3 REGIONAL AND MUNICIPAL APPROVALS A variety of permits and authorizations from regional, municipal and other local authorities might be required, as well as from private third-party utilities, railway and pipeline companies. These approvals will be confirmed as project planning and design progress.

Typical regional, municipal and other local government approvals include:

• electrical permits for metering and compression facilities, if required • access road permits • permissions to cross county and regional district roads • water use • health approval for industrial camps

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Table 7-2: Preliminary List of BC Regulatory Approvals and Authorizations

Department Authority Approval BC Oil and Gas Land Act • Section 10 permit and statutory ROW on Commission Crown land • Crown Land Investigative Permit • Road permit Water Act • Section 8 approval for short-term use of water • Section 9 approval for modification of a watercourse channel Forest Act • Master licence-to-cut under Section 47.4 • Cutting Permit • Herbicide Application • Road Use Permits for Industrial Use Oil and Gas Activities Act and • Use of existing roads Land Act • Aggregate Operations and Borrow Pit Permit Ministry of Forests, Lands Forest Practices Code of • Approval from local Forest District of and Natural Resource British Columbia Act and fire preparedness plan for construction Operations Forest Fire Prevention and activities between April 1 and October 31 Suppression Regulations • Burn Permit • Fire Preparedness Plan Wildlife Act • Fish Collection – scientific purposes • Authorization Permit – Wildlife Damage (if required, i.e., beaver dam removal) Heritage Conservation Act Section 14 permits for heritage resource investigation Section 12 permits for site alteration, if necessary Ministry of Environment Integrated Pest Management Section 6 permit for use of pesticides Act Ministry of Transportation Highway Act Road use and crossing agreements and Infrastructure Commercial Transport Act Section 8: Oversize-Overweight Vehicle Permits Commercial Transport Division 6: Non-Resident Commercial Vehicle Regulations Permit Transportation Act • Use or Occupancy Permit to cross or use highway ROW • Work Notification • Lane Closure • Sign Permit • Development Approval • Controlled Access Highway Permit

Page 50 of 60 June 2014 NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. Merrick Mainline Project Section 8 Project Description Distribution Lists

8.0 DISTRIBUTION LISTS

This section provides the initial distribution lists for this Project Description.

The distribution lists of federal and provincial government department and agency recipients, and other authorities, were developed based on publicly available information and the collective experience of NGTL and its environmental consultants.

8.1 FEDERAL AUTHORITIES

For the federal government recipients of this Project Description, see Table 8-1.

Table 8-1: Federal Government Recipients of Project Description

Department Contact Contact Information Environment Canada Environmental Assessment Officer – 401 Burrard St. Environmental Assessment and Vancouver, BC V6C 3S5 Marine Programs Senior Environmental Assessment 5421 Robertson Rd Officer – Program and Planning Delta, BC V4K 3Y3 Coordination Fisheries and Oceans Canada Triage and Planning Unit, 200 – 401 Burrard Street Fisheries Protection Program, Vancouver, BC V6C 3S4 Ecosystems Management Branch Aboriginal Affairs and Environment and Natural Resources 600, 1138 Melville Street Northern Development Canada Vancouver, BC V6E 4S3 Natural Resources Canada Environmental Assessment Group 580 Booth Street 11th Floor, Room C7C7-1 Ottawa, ON K1A 0E4 Major Projects Management Office 155 Queen Street, 2nd Floor Ottawa, ON K1A 0E4

8.2 PROVINCIAL AUTHORITIES For the BC government recipients of this Project Description, see Table 8-2.

Table 8-2: BC Government Recipients of Project Description

Department Contact Contact Information Ministry of Natural Gas Director, Regulatory Policy PO Box 9052 Stn Prov Govt Development Victoria, BC V8W 9E2 [email protected] Ministry of Forests, Lands and Resource Manager, Prince George 1011 4th Avenue Natural Resource Operations District Prince George B.C. V2L 3H9 [email protected] Project Manager, Major Projects Office PO Box 9352, Stn Prov Govt Victoria, BC V8W 9M1 [email protected]

June 2014 Page 51 of 60 NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. Section 8 Merrick Mainline Project Distribution Lists Project Description

Table 8-2: BC Government Recipients of Project Description (cont'd)

Department Contact Contact Information Ministry of Forests, Lands and Project Manager, Major Projects 1011 4th Avenue Natural Resource Operations (Omineca Region) Prince George B.C. V2L 3H9 (cont’d) [email protected] Director, Authorizations 1011 4th Avenue Lands & Water Referrals, Omineca Prince George B.C. V2L 3H9 Region [email protected] First Nations Relations, Omineca Region 1011 4th Avenue Prince George B.C. V2L 3H9 [email protected] Landbase Stewardship Section Head, 1011 4th Avenue Omineca Region Prince George B.C. V2L 3H9 [email protected] Land & Resource Team Leader, 1011 4th Avenue Omineca Region Prince George B.C. V2L 3H9 [email protected] Regional Manager, Recreation Sites and 1011 4th Avenue Trails Branch, North Area Prince George B.C. V2L 3H9 [email protected] Forest Road Engineering Specialist, 1011 4th Avenue Engineering Branch, North Area Prince George B.C. V2L 3H9 [email protected] Engineering Officer, Prince George 1011 4th Avenue District Prince George B.C. V2L 3H9 [email protected] Director Authorizations - Lands & Water 400, 10003 – 110th Avenue, Referrals, Northeast Region Fort St. John, B.C V1J 6M7 [email protected] Section Head, Ecosystem Fish & 400, 10003 – 110th Avenue, Wildlife, Northeast Region Fort St. John, B.C V1J 6M7 [email protected] Ecosystem Biologist Fish & Wildlife 400, 10003 – 110th Avenue, Habitat, Northeast Region Fort St. John, B.C V1J 6M7 [email protected] Resource Manager, Peace District 1201 103rd Avenue Dawson Creek BC V1G 4J2 [email protected] Engineering, Peace District 1201 103rd Avenue Dawson Creek BC V1G 4J2 [email protected] Operations Manager, Range Branch, 1011 4th Avenue Prince George Prince George B.C. V2L 3H9 [email protected] Archaeology Branch – Manager PO Box 9816 Stn Prov Govt Victoria, BC V8W 9W3 [email protected]

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Table 8-2: BC Government Recipients of Project Description (cont'd)

Department Contact Contact Information BC Oil and Gas Commission Executive Director Bag 2 Fort St. John, B.C. V1J 2B0 [email protected] Senior Environmental Specialist PO Box 9331 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC V8W 9N3 [email protected] Ministry of Environment Regional Director Environmental 325–1011 4th Avenue Protection Division, Omineca and Prince George B.C. V2L 3H9 Northeast [email protected] Ministry of Transportation and Regional Manager, Planning & 213 1011 4th Ave Infrastructure Partnerships, Omineca & Northeast Prince George BC V2L3H9 Regions [email protected]

8.3 OTHER AUTHORITIES

For other authorities who will receive copies of this document, see Table 8-3.

Table 8-3: Other Authorities Receiving Project Description

Authority Contact Information BC Trappers Association (Region 7) PO Box 1063 Prince George, BC V2L 4V2 Email: [email protected] Peace River Regional District Fred Banham, Chief Administrative Officer Box 810, 1981 Alaska Avenue Dawson Creek, BC V1G 4H8 Email: [email protected] City of Prince George Kathleen Soltis, City Manager 1100 Patricia Blvd Prince George, BC V2L 3V9 [email protected] City of Fort St. John Dianne Hunter, City Manager 10631 – 100th Street Fort St. John, BC V1J 3Z5 Email: [email protected] District of Taylor Charlette Mcleod, Chief Administrative Officer PO Box 300, 10007 – 100th A Street Tumbler Ridge, BC V0C 2K0 Email:[email protected] District of Chetwynd Doug Fleming, Chief Administrative Officer 400 North Access Road, Box 357 Chetwynd, BC V0C 1J0 Email: [email protected] District of Tumbler Ridge Barry Elliot, Chief Administrative Officer PO Box 100, 305 Founders St. Tumbler Ridge, BC V0C 2W0 Email: [email protected]

June 2014 Page 53 of 60 NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. Section 8 Merrick Mainline Project Distribution Lists Project Description

Table 8-3: Other Authorities Receiving Project Description (cont'd)

Authority Contact Information District of Hudson’s Hope John Locher, Chief Administrative Officer Box 330, 9904 Dudley Drive Hudson’s Hope, BC V0C 1V0 Email: [email protected] Regional District of Fraser-Fort George Maria Skolic, Sustainable Development Manager 155 George Street Prince George, BC V2L 1P8 Email: [email protected] City of Dawson Creek Jim Chute, Chief Administrative Officer Box 151 10105 – 12A Street Dawson Creek, BC V1G 4G4 Email: [email protected]

8.4 ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES

As discussed in Section 6.2.2, NGTL developed an initial list of Aboriginal communities that might potentially be affected by the Project.

The communities on the list have been notified about the Project and will be provided with copies of this Project Description (see Table 8–4).

Table 8-4: Aboriginal Community Recipients of Project Description

Aboriginal Community Leadership Contact Contact Information West Moberly First Nations Chief Roland Willson PO Box 90 Moberly Lake, BC V0C 1X0 Saulteau First Nations Chief Harley Davis PO Box 1020 Chetwynd, BC V0C 1J0 Halfway River First Nation Chief Darlene Hunter PO Box 59 Wonowon, BC V0C 2N0 McLeod Lake Indian Band Chief Derek Orr 61 Sekani Drive McLeod Lake, BC V0J 2G0 Blueberry River First Nation Chief Marvin Yahey PO Box 3009 Buick Creek, BC V0C 2R0 Kelly Lake Cree Nation Chief Cliff Calliou Box 66 Tomslake, BC V0C 2L0 Lheidli – T’enneh First Nation Chief Dominic Frederick 1041 Whenun Road Prince George, BC V2K 5X8 Nak’azdli Band Chief Fred Sam PO Box 1329 284 Kwah Road Fort St. James BC VOJ 1P0 Doig River First Nation Chief Norman Davis PO Box 56 Rose Prairie, BC V0C 2H0

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Table 8-4: Aboriginal Community Recipients of Project Description (cont'd)

Aboriginal Community Leadership Contact Contact Information Prophet River First Nation Chief Lynette Tsakoza Box 3250 Fort Nelson, BC V0C 1R0 Fort Nelson First Nation Chief Sharleen Gale RR1, Mile 295 Alaska Highway Fort Nelson, BC V0C 1R0 Horse Lake First Nation Barry Hochstein, Horse Lake First Nation Industry IRC President Relations Corporation PO Box 303 Hythe, AB T0H 0L0 Kelly Lake First Nation Chief Claire Gauthier Box 116 Tomslake, BC V0C2L0 Métis Nation of British Columbia Christopher Gall 30691 Simpson Road Acting Director of Natural Resources Abbotsford, BC V2T 6C7 Leona Shaw SN Director/Natural Resources Moccasin Flats Métis Society President Darlene Campbell Box 698 (4101 – 52a Avenue) Chetwynd, BC V0C 1J0 North East Métis Association Sadie Lukan, President 1028 102 Avenue Dawson Creek, BC V1G 2B8 B.C. Métis Federation President Keith Henry 300 3665 Kingsway Vancouver, BC V5R 5W2 Fort St. John Métis Society President Jacqualine Alderking 10071 – 100 Street Fort St. John, BC V1J 3Y5 Dawson Creek Métis Federation President Robert Sloan Box 167 Arras, BC V0C 1B0 Kelly Lake Métis Settlement Society President Lyle Letendre Box 54 Tomslake, BC V0C 2L0 Red River Métis Society President Earlene Bitterman Box 597 Hudson Hope, BC V0C 1V0 Northern Interior Métis Cultural President Pat Pocha 1646 Juniper Street Society Prince George, BC V2L 1N5 Nechako Métis Elders Council President Joyce Roberts 5185 Courval Road Prince George, BC V2N 2Z9 Prince George Métis Community President Ray Hourie Via email Association Prince George Métis Elders Society President Jean Walker 117, 1600 – 3 Avenue Prince George, BC V2L 3G6 Carrier Sekani Tribal Council Tribal Chief Terry Teegee Suite 200, 1460 – 6 Avenue Prince George, BC V2L 3N2 Treaty 8 Tribal Association Chief Liz Logan 10233 – 100 Avenue Fort St. John, BC V1J 1Y8

June 2014 Page 55 of 60 NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. Section 8 Merrick Mainline Project Distribution Lists Project Description

Page 56 of 60 June 2014 NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. Merrick Mainline Project Section 9 Project Description References Cited

9.0 REFERENCES CITED

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British Columbia Conservation Data Centre. 2013. British Columbia Species and Ecosystems Explorer. British Columbia Ministry of Environment. Victoria, British Columbia. Website: http://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/. Accessed: December 2013.

British Columbia Conservation Data Centre. 2012. Endangered Species and Ecosystems - Non Sensitive Occurrences (digital file). Victoria, BC. Website: https://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/dwds/home.so. Acquired: May 2013. Last Update Check: May 15, 2013.

British Columbia Integrated Land Management Bureau (ILMB). 1999. Dawson Creek Land and Resource Management Plan. Website: http://archive.ilmb.gov.bc.ca/slrp/lrmp/fortstjohn/dawson_creek/docs/dawson_c reek_lrmp_march_1999.pdf. Accessed: May 2011.

ILMB. 2006. Peace Moberly Tract Draft Sustainable Resource Management Plan. Website: http://archive.ilmb.gov.bc.ca/slrp/srmp/north/peace_moberly/final_dr aft_PMT_SRMP-July19.pdf. Accessed: May 2011.

ILMB. 1999. Fort St. John Land and Resource Management Plan. Website: http://ilmbwww.gov.bc.ca/sites/default/files/resources/public/PDF/LRMP/Fort %20Stjohn_LRMP.pdf. Accessed: May 2011.

British Columbia Ministry of Environment. 2008. British Columbia Caribou Herd Boundaries (digital file). Accessed: Acquired Privately.

British Columbia Ministry of Environment. 2010. Caribou Distribution in British Columbia by Ecotype. Website: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/speciesconservation/caribou_by_ecotype.html. Accessed: June 2013.

British Columbia Ministry of Forests. 2002. Fish-Stream Crossing Guidebook. Forest Practices Branch, BC Ministry of Forests. Victoria, BC. Website: www.for.gov.bc.ca/tasb/legsregs/fpc/FPCGUIDE/FishStreamCrossing/FSCGd Bk.pdf. Accessed: April 2011.

British Columbia Ministry of Environment. 2009. Order – Ungulate Winter Range U-7-003. Mountain Caribou – Upper Fraser, Hart Ranges and Mount Robson Planning Units. Website: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/documents/uwr/u-7-003_order_09Dec09.pdf. Accessed: December 2013.

June 2014 Page 57 of 60 NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. Section 9 Merrick Mainline Project References Cited Project Description

British Columbia Ministry of Environment. 2005. Order – Ungulate Winter Range U-9-001. Website: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/documents/uwr/uwr_u9_001.pdf. Accessed: December 2013.

British Columbia Ministry of Environment. 2011. BC Air Quality Network Description. Website: http://www.bcairquality.ca/assessment/network- description.html. Last accessed May 2011.

British Columbia Conservation Data Centre. 2013. BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer. Ministry of Environment. Website: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/atrisk/toolintro.html. Accessed: December 2013.

British Columbia Oil and Commission. 2006. Trumpeter Swan Inventory (qspp_cybu) (digital file). Website: ftp://www.bc.ogc.ca/outgoing/OGC_Data/Non_OGC_Data/Habitat/. Acquired: May 2009

British Columbia Ministry of Forests. 1991. Ecosystems of British Columbia. D. Meidenjer and J. Pojar (ed.). Special Report Series No. 6. Victoria, BC.

British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. 2008. Tantalis Parks, Ecological Reserves and Protected Areas (digital file). Victoria, British Columbia. Website: https://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/dwds/home.so. Acquired: August 2011. Last Update Check: August 2013.

British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. 2008a. British Columbia Forest Service Research Branch. Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification Program. Website: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hre/becweb/resources/classificationreports/index.html Accessed: June 2013.

British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. 2008b. BC Freshwater Atlas Stream Network (digital file). Victoria, BC. Website: https://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/dwds/home.so. Acquired: July 2011. Last Update Check: January 11, 2013.

British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. 2011. British Columbia Tree Farm Licence, Timber Supply Area, Forest Region and Forest Districts Location Map. Updated October 2011. Website: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/ftp/hth/external/!publish/web/timber-tenures/TFL- TSA-District-Map_h.pdf. Accessed: June 2013.

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British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. 2013. Integrated Land Management Bureau. iMapBC Internet Mapping Application. Website: http://webmaps.gov.bc.ca/imfx/imf.jsp?site=imapbc. Accessed: June 2013.

Bureau of the Convention on Wetlands. 2013. The Ramsar List: The List of Wetlands of International Importance. Website: http://www.ramsar.org/pdf/sitelist.pdf. Accessed: December 2013.

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. 2013. Canadian Species At Risk. Website: http://www.cosewic.gc.ca/eng/sct5/index_e.cfm. Accessed: December 2013.

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. 2013. Wildlife Species Search. Database of Wildlife Species Assessed by COSEWIC. Website: http://www.cosewic.gc.ca/eng/sct1/searchform_e.cfm. Accessed: December 2013.

Delong, C. 2004. A Field Guide to Site Identification and Interpretation for the North Central Portion of the Northern Interior Forest Region. Land Management Handbook No. 54. BC Ministry of Forests. Victoria, BC.

DeLong, C., A. Banner, W.H. MacKenzie, B.J. Rogers and B. Kaytor. 2011. A Field Guide to Ecosystem Identification for the Boreal White and Black Spruce Zone of British Columbia. Land Management Handbook No. 65. BC Ministry of Forests. Forest Science Program. Victoria, BC.

DeLong, C., A. MacKinnon and L. Jang. 1990. A Field Guide for Identification and Interpretation of Ecosystems of the Northeast Portion of the Prince George Forest Region. Land Management Handbook No. 22. Research Branch, BC Ministry of Forests. Victoria, BC.

Demarchi, Dennis A. 2011. The British Columbia Ecoregion Classification. British Columbia Ministry of Environment. Victoria, British Columbia. Website: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/ecology/ecoregions/index.html. Accessed: December 2013.

Environment Canada. 2013a. Species at Risk Public Registry. Website: http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/species/default_e.cfm. Accessed: December 2013.

Environment Canada. 2013b. Network of Protected Areas. Website: http://www.ec.gc.ca/ap-pa/default.asp?lang=En&n=989C474A-1. Accessed: December 2013.

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Environment Canada. 2014. Recovery Strategy for the Woodland Caribou, Southern Mountain Population (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in Canada [Proposed]. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Environment Canada. Ottawa, ON. viii + 68 pp.

Farstad, L., T.M. Lord, A.J. Green and H.J. Hortie. 1965. Soil Survey of the Peace River Area in British Columbia. Report No. 8 of the British Columbia Soil Survey. University of British Columbia, British Columbia Department of Agriculture and Research Branch, Canada Department of Agriculture.

Government of Canada. 2012. Species at Risk Public Registry. Website: http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/species/default_e.cfm. Accessed: January 2013.

Lee, P. and M. Hanneman. 2012. Atlas of Land Cover, Industrial Land Uses and Industrial-Caused Land Change in the Peace Region of British Columbia. Global Forest Watch Canada Report 4, International Year of Sustainable Energy for All. 95 p.

Lord, T.M. and A.J. Green. 1986. Soils of the Fort St. John-Dawson Creek Area, British Columbia. Land Resource Research Centre, Vancouver, BC. Land Resource Research Centre Contribution No. 85-27. Research Branch, Agriculture Canada.

Meidinger, D. and J. Pojar. 1991. Ecosystems of British Columbia. Special Report Series 6, February 1991. Research Branch and Forest Sciences Section. BC Ministry of Forests. Victoria, BC. Website: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/Docs/Srs/Srs06.htm. Accessed: December 2013.

National Wetlands Working Group (NWWG). 1997. Canadian Wetland Classification System. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. 2013. The World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Website: http://www.unesco.org/mab/wnbrs.shtml. Accessed: December 2013. Valentine, K.W.G., P.N. Sprout, T.E. Baker and L.M. Lavkulich (eds.). 1978. The Soil Landscapes of British Columbia. BC Ministry of Environment, Resource Analysis Branch. Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. 2012. Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network Site Boundaries. Website: www.whsrn.org. Accessed: December 2013.

Page 60 of 60 June 2014 NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. Merrick Mainline Project Project Description Glossary

AB Alberta

ALR Agricultural Land Reserve

AT Alpine Tundra

BAFA Boreal Altai Fescue Alpine

BC British Columbia

BGC Biogeoclimatic

BWBS Black and White Boreal Spruce

CAC criteria air contaminant

CDC Conservation Data Centre

CEAA Canadian Environmental Assessment Act

CMB Continental Mid-Boreal

COSEWIC Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

CP cathodic protection

CPCN Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity

CRM Central Rocky Mountain

ESA Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment

ESSF Engelmann Spruce-Subalpine Fir

FFRD Fraser-Fort George Regional District

GHG greenhouse gas emissions

ILI in-line inspection

ILMB Integrated Land Management Bureau

IMP Integrity Management Program km kilometre

June 2014 Page GL-1 NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. Merrick Mainline Project Glossary Project Description

KP Kilometre Post

LNG liquefied natural gas

MFLNRO Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations

MOE Ministry of Environment

MOF Ministry of Forests

MPB mountain pine beetle

NEB National Energy Board

NGTL NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd.

NIT NOVA Inventory Transfer

NPS nominal pipe size

NWWG National Wetlands Working Group

OCC Operations Control Centre

OD outside diameter

OGC Oil and Gas Commission

PA Public Awareness

PFP Participant Funding Program

Project Merrick Mainline Project

PRRD Peace River Regional District

ROW right-of-way

SARA Species at Risk Act

SBS Sub-Boreal Spruce

SCADA supervisory control and data acquisition

SRM South Rocky Mountain

Page GL-2 June 2014 NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. Merrick Mainline Project Project Description Glossary

TransCanada TransCanada PipeLines Limited

TWS temporary workspace

UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

UWR Ungulate Winter Range

VOC volatile organic compounds

WHSRN Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network

June 2014 Page GL-3 NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. Merrick Mainline Project Glossary Project Description

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