TITLE PLACEHOLDER Welcome Environmental Assessment for the Phase 2 Transmission Project Connecting 17 Remote First Nation Communities
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TITLE PLACEHOLDER Welcome Environmental Assessment for the Phase 2 Transmission Project Connecting 17 Remote First Nation Communities Todaywe are here to provide information and gather feedback on the environmental assessment findings documented in the Draft Environmental Study Report (ESR), including: . Baseline data collection . Effects assessment results . Recommended mitigation measures . Engagement efforts We encourage you to review the information and maps, and speak to team members about any concerns or comments. Information is also available on our website: http://www.wataypower.ca/ Examples of transmission lines Wataynikaneyap Power Projects WATAYNIKANEYAP PROJECTS . $1.6 billion estimated capital cost Phase 1 – New Transmission Line to Pickle Lake . Approximately 300 km of 230 kV line . Undergoing an Individual EA Phase 2 - Connecting 17 remote First Nation communities currently serviced by diesel generators . 1,500 km of 115 kV and 44 kV transmission lines . Potential first community grid connections in 2021; build out to 2023 Pikangikum Distribution Line . 44 kV and 25 kV distribution line: Red Lake to Pikangikum First Nation . Under construction – potential connection in 2018 . Phase 2 - Conversion of distribution line to transmission line First structure installation for Pikangikum Distribution Line – February 10, 2018. Left to Right: Jonah Strang, Elden Strang, Conrad Quill, Chief Dean Owen, Corey Purcell, Sawna Cheena, Adam Fox, Mat Barbeau, P. A. Garneau, Connor Newson, Terry Jean, Katherine Blake ProjectTITLE and Proponent PLACEHOLDER Background . Purpose - Toconnect 17 remote First Nation communities in Northwestern Ontario to Ontario’s electrical grid . Proponent - Wataynikaneyap Power L.P. ▪ 51% owned by 22 First Nations. 49% owned by Fortis Inc. Fortis . FortisOntario is a subsidiary of Fortis, an electric and gas utility business with approximately $28 billion in assets, including significant transmission and distribution facilities in Ontario Golder Associates Ltd. Designated Lead Environmental Assessment Consultant . Golder is a global employee-owned organization, founded in Canada, that provides independent consulting, design and construction services in specialist areas of earth, environment and energy, with offices across Ontario Project Details, Components and Construction . Approximately 1,500 km of overhead transmission line . The system includes: ▪ Transmission line: towers, foundations and lines ▪ 21 substations (transformer stations and switching stations) ▪ Access roads, construction camps, watercourse crossings and laydown areas (for equipment during construction) . 40 metre (130 feet) wide clearing for the transmission line within a 2 kilometre (6,562 feet) wide study corridor - this is the focus of the study area for the Environmental Assessment Example of a construction camp. Example of a connection facility. Example of clearing for a transmission line. Example of a laydown area. Example of a transformer station. Example of construction of a transmission line. Rolls of transmission line conductor at a laydown area. Environmental Assessment Status Update and Schedule . Baseline studies completed in 2016 and 2017 . Draft Environmental Study Report (ESR) will soon be available for review ▪ July to August 2018 is the planned public review period ▪ A copy of the Draft ESR will be available in each community Draft ESR will also be available on the website (www.wataypower.ca) . Comments will be considered and changes made to the document where needed ▪ Final ESR will be released for review (planned for September 2018) . At the end of the EA process a Statement of Completion will be issued . Planned field programs in support of permitting include: ▪ Archaeology and cultural heritage surveys ▪ Water crossing surveys ▪ Limited supplemental wildlife surveys in June or July 2016 2017 2018 Round 1 Engagement Round 2 Engagement Meetings Round 3 Engagement Meetings (Oct 2016 –Feb 2018) Meetings (Mar –Jul 2018) (Feb –Sep 2016) Baseline EA Studies Prepare ESR Submit Submit Draft ESR Final ESR Preliminary 2‐km wide 40‐m‐wide right‐ (July (Sep study corridor of‐way 2018) 2018) (Sep 2016) (Jul 2017) Public and Public and Government Government Review Review Anticipated Statement of Completion (Oct 2018) Ongoing Aboriginal and Stakeholder Engagement We are here Applicable Environmental Assessment (EA) Processes Class EA for Minor Transmission Facilities (Hydro One 1992) • For applicable 115 kV sections and associated infrastructure Class EA for Resource Stewardship and Facility Development (Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry 2003) • For applicable less than 115 kV sections and associated infrastructure, and disposition of resources • Category C process followed Class EA for Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves (Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry 2004) • For disposition of resources for applicable less than 115 kV sections within Provincial Parks • Category C process followed Section 67 Canadian EA Act (CEAA 2012) • For sections of the transmission line on First Nation reserve lands One integrated Environmental Study Report How We Have Engaged on these EA Processes . Regulatory announcements – Notice of Commencement of EA . Project website – www.wataypower.ca . Project team contacts . Community meetings – including presentations, panels, handouts, maps, comment and evaluation forms . Traditional Land and Resource Use studies . Newsletters . Community liaison sessions Engagement with Wawakapewin First Nation Who We Are Engaging With Group 1 – • Bearskin Lake First Nation • Nibinamik First Nation As per Interim Delegation in 2013 and • Cat Lake First Nation • North Caribou First Nation a Memorandum of Understanding • Deer Lake First Nation • North Spirit Lake First Nation between Ontario and Wataynikaneyap • Eabametoong First Nation • Pikangikum First Nation signed in 2016 in relation to the Duty • Kasabonika First Nation • Poplar Hill First Nation to Consult • Keewaywin First Nation • Sachigo Lake First Nation • Kingfisher Lake First Nation • Sandy Lake First Nation • Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug • Slate Falls Nation • Lac Seul First Nation • Wapekeka First Nation • Marten Falls First Nation • Wawakapewin First Nation • McDowell Lake First Nation • Webequie First Nation • Mishkeegogamang First Nation • Wunnumin Lake First Nation • Muskrat Dam First Nation • Wabauskang First Nation • Neskantaga First Nation Group 2 – • Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal • Grand Council of Treaty #3 groups responsible for representing • Taashikaywin Land Use Planning Group traditional lands and land use plans • Cat Lake and Slate Falls Community Based Land Use Planning Implementation Team that may be affected by the Project • Whitefeather Forest Community Resource Management Authority • Deer Lake First Nation Land Use Planning Group • McDowell Lake First Nation Land Use Planning Group • Wawakapewin First Nation Land Use Planning Group Group 3 – • Ojibway Nation of Saugeen Aboriginal communities and groups • Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishnabek who were engaged in Phase 1 and/or • Eagle Lake First Nation are owners of Wataynikaneyap • Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation • Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation • Métis Nation of Ontario Region 1 Consultation Committee Others – People who have identified • Government (municipal, provincial, federal) an interest in the Project • Non-Government Organizations • Crown land interest holders • Land owners • General public Engagement with Group 1 Communities Round Dates Objectives 1. Pre-EA Notification 2013-2014 - Review preliminary 5-km-wide corridors and identify preferred Jan – Sept 2016 corridor - Seek input to revise 5-km-wide corridors to 2-km-wide study corridors 2. Scoping Oct 2016 – Feb 2018 - Review 2-km-wide study corridors and alternatives, including preliminary locations of Project components (temporary and permanent access roads, temporary laydown areas, temporary camps) - Collect traditional land and resource use information - Review draft EA Workplan and Engagement Plans 2a. Update Jun 2017 - Provide newsletter including map of proposed 40-m-wide right of way (ROW) and preliminary Project component locations 3. Review EA findings MNRF Review of Draft Review: including Draft ESR ESR: underway - Baseline data and later final ESR Community Meetings: - Effects assessment results Mar - Jul 2018 - Recommended mitigation Draft ESR review: Jul –Aug 2018 (anticipated) What We Have Heard Key Topics Identified by Aboriginal Communities: 250 200 200 150 FREQUENCY 100 71 58 51 50 46 30 21 16 16 14 12 11 10 8 66 4 332 1111 0 TOPICS Key Topics Identified by Stakeholders: 14 13 12 10 9 8 7 6 6 FREQUENCY 4 4 22 2 111111 0 TOPICSTOPICS What is considered in an Environmental Assessment? Baseline Natural Environment . Vegetation and Wetlands What is the environment like now? . Wildlife Potential Effects . Fish and Fish Habitat Physical Environment What positive and/or negative effects might . Surface Water the project have on the environment? . Ground Water Mitigation . Visual Aesthetics What can we do to reduce/avoid effects? . Air Quality and Climate Change . Noise Net and Cumulative Effects Human Environment Are there effects that cannot be avoided? . Socio-Economics Are there effects that could combine with . Non-Aboriginal Land effects from other projects? and Resource Use . Human Health Determine Significance . Archaeology Are the remaining/cumulative . Cultural Heritage effects significant? . Aboriginal and Treaty Rights and Interests Environmental