Appalaches–Maine Interconnection Line Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement
March 2020 This study was conducted for Hydro-Québec TransÉnergie by Hydro-Québec Innovation, équipement et services partagés in collaboration with the Division Exploitation et Hydro-Québec Production and the Vice-présidence – Communications, affaires gouvernementales et relations avec les autochtones. Appalaches–Maine Interconnection Line Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement
Hydro-Québec TransÉnergie March 2020
The Project at a Glance
The Appalaches–Maine Interconnection Line The new line route takes into consideration Project is part of Hydro-Québec’s development the region’s technical constraints and sensitive strategy to increase the company’s capacity environmental elements, as well as the to export power to the New England market. concerns expressed by the public. Located The interconnection will make it possible to mainly on private land, the route runs through deliver clean, renewable energy to Massachusetts an existing line corridor along 72% of its length. and will be profitable for both Québec and all The main impacts from the line’s construction of New England. and presence are • the need to acquire a few properties The project involves connecting Appalaches and servitudes; substation in the municipality of Saint-Adrien- • land clearing and loss of wildlife habitat; d’Irlande in Québec to a U.S. transmission line • the impact on tapped sugar bushes; and ending at a substation in Lewiston, Maine. • changes to the landscape. On the Québec side, a power line 103 km long Hydro-Québec will implement measures will be have to be built between Appalaches to mitigate and compensate for the substation and the connection point with the project’s impacts. Maine grid at the Canada–U.S. border, in the municipality of Frontenac. Work will also be required within the substation.
Line length Commissioning 103 km 2022
Project cost 1.5 years $603 million Duration of environmental assessment and Line Substation Public consultation process $250 million $353 million
Regional economic spinoffs Line Substation $30 million $21 million to $45 million to $36 million
Appalaches-Maine Interconnection Line | Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement 3 Lac Sept # # Îles 73 285 # L'Islet 71°30' 71°0' 70°30' Human (MRC)environment 70°0' CAPITALE- Laurentides NATIONALE substation # # 20 Québec provincial park # Jacques- (03) # Montmagny L'Islet Cartier # # # (MRC) Infrastructure (MRC) substation # ##Québec # # # # 73 Highway Québec # Portneuf (TÉ) Lévis (MRC) # # # # 165 Provincial or secondary highway # # ## Transmission lines and substations ## # # 40 138 Lévis CHAUDIÈRE- # # 132 Lévis 69 kV (TÉ) substation APPALACHES # 120 kV Fleuve Saint-Laurent # (12) # # # #(St. Lawrence River) 230 kV 273 # Lotbinière # # 315 kV substation # # Bellechasse # 735 kV # Lotbinière (MRC) (MRC) # Private 73 # Boundaries 20 # La Nouvelle- International border # Beauce Administrative region Sainte-Marie (MRC) # # Regional county municipality (MRC) 269 or equivalent territory (TÉ) Urban growth area # Robert- Project component Cliche Les CENTRE-DU- (MRC) Study area QUÉBEC Etchemins (MRC) (17) # Beauceville Plessisville substation # # # Lac Appalaches Beauceville William L'Érable substation# # (MRC) # Antoine-Lemieux 108 Québec # ## substation Saint- # Thetford Mines Georges Québec # 165 # ! Victoriaville Thetford 271 NEW P.E.I. substation Montréal BRUNSWICK ! # Arthabaska Parc national Ontario (MRC) Les Appalaches 173 NOVA 46°0' de Frontenac Saint-Évariste SCOTIA (MRC) 46°0' #substation UNITED STATES Coleraine # Bolduc # La Guadeloupe 269 Boston ! substation substation 0 300 km 161 Disraeli Grand lac Saint-François Lac Lac Aylmer Beauce- Nicolet # Lambton Sartigan substation (MRC) # Lac Asbestos Les Sources Elgin (MRC) Lac Louise Le Granit 204 # # (MRC) 161 112 Weedon substation # Mégantic 108 substation # Québec ### Le Val-Saint- ESTRIE (05) Lac François Mégantic (MRC) Lac-Mégantic 214 Lac aux United States # # # Araignées # Mai ne Parc national du Sherbrooke# Mont-Mégantic # # Appalaches–Maine 212 Interconnection Line # Le Haut-Saint- François (MRC) Project Location Sources: BDGA, 1/1,000,000, MRN Québec, 2002 Road network, 1/250,000, BDTA (MERN Québec), Géomatique, HQIESP, 2017 Coaticook Protected areas in Québec, MDDELCC Québec, 2015 (MRC) BGTÉ, Hydro-Québec TransÉnergie, October 2018 PPAT, MAMOT Québec, September 2015 SDA, 1/20,000, MERN Québec, September 2017 Coaticook Project data, Hydro-Québec, October 2018 # Mapping: WSP File: 7578_rs_situa_get_008_200113a.mxd
0 9 18 km
MTM, Zone 7, NAD83 (CSRS)
45°0' New Hampshire 45°0' January 2020 Ve r mont 71°30' 71°0' 70°30' 70°0'
Document for information purposes only. For any other use, please contact Géomatique at Hydro-Québec Innovation, équipement et services partagés.
4 Appalaches–Maine Interconnection Line | Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement Table of Contents
The Project at a Glance ...... 3 1 project Rationale ...... 7 2 project Overview ...... 8 2.1 Addition of a converter at Appalaches substation ...... 8 2.2 Construction of the power line ...... 8 2.2.1 Development of the proposed route ...... 8 2.2.2 Description of route selected ...... 10 2.2.3 Technical description of proposed line ...... 13 2.3 Project schedule ...... 14 2.4 Regional economic spinoffs ...... 14 2.5 Partnering with communities ...... 14 3 Impacts and Mitigation Measures ...... 17 3.1 Biophysical environment ...... 17 3.2 Human environment ...... 21 4 public Participation ...... 23 5 monitoring of work and environmental follow-up ...... 24 5.1 Environmental compliance monitoring ...... 24 5.2 Environmental follow-up ...... 24 5.3 Vegetation control ...... 24 6 Emergency Response Plan ...... 25 6.1 Construction phase ...... 25 6.2 Operation phase ...... 25 7 Government Approvals ...... 26
Tables 1 Areas Crossed by Proposed Line ...... 10 2 Project Schedule ...... 14
Figures 1 New Family of Vertical Configuration Towers ...... 13 2 Typical Support and ROW Configurations for Proposed Power Line ...... 15
Maps 1 Appalaches Substation and Border Connection Point ...... 6 2 Planned Expansion at Appalaches Substation ...... 9 3 Study Corridor and Route Selected for Proposed Power Line . . . . 11
Appalaches–Maine Interconnection Line | Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement 5 # # ## # # # # Québec 72°0' 71°30' # 71°0' 70°30' 70°0' Portneuf (TÉ) Lévis Human environment (MRC) # # # # 354 # Québec provincial park ## # ## # ## Infrastructure 40 138 Lévis CHAUDIÈRE- # 132 Lévis # (TÉ) substation APPALACHES 73 Highway # Fleuve Saint-Laurent # (12) # #(St. Lawrence River) Provincial or secondary highway 273 165 # Lotbinière # substation Transmission# lines and substations # # Bellechasse # Lotbinière (MRC) 69 kV # (MRC) 73 # 120 kV # 230 kV # La Nouvelle- 20 # # # Beauce 315 kV 218 (MRC) # Sainte-Marie # 735 kV # # Private 269 Boundaries # Robert- International border Cliche CENTRE-DU- Les Administrative region (MRC) Etchemins QUÉBEC (MRC) Regional county municipality (MRC) (17) # Beauceville or equivalent territory (TÉ) Plessisville substation # # # Urban growth area Lac Appalaches Beauceville William L'Érable substation# # (MRC) ## Antoine-Lemieux 108 # ## substation Saint- # Thetford Mines Georges # 165 # Victoriaville Thetford 271 Québec substation
# Arthabaska Parc national Les Appalaches 173 Québec
46°0' (MRC) ! de Frontenac Saint-Évariste NEW P.E.I. (MRC) 46°0' substation Montréal BRUNSWICK # ! Coleraine # # La Guadeloupe 269 Ontario NOVA substation Bolduc SCOTIA 161 Disraeli Grand lac Saint-François substation UNITED STATES # Lac Boston # Lac Aylmer Beauce- ! 0 300 km Nicolet # Lambton Sartigan substation (MRC) # Lac Asbestos Les Sources Elgin (MRC) Lac Louise Le Granit 204 # # (MRC) 161 112 Weedon substation Des Cantons# Mégantic substation 108 substation # Québec #### Le Val-Saint- ESTRIE (05) Lac # François Mégantic (MRC) Lac-Mégantic 214 Lac aux \¬ United States # # # Araignées # Mai ne Connection point Parc national du # Sherbrooke# Mont-Mégantic # # 212
# Le Haut-Saint- François (MRC) Appalaches–Maine Interconnection Line
Coaticook Appalaches Substation (MRC) and Border Connection Point
Coaticook Sources: # BDGA, 1/1,000,000, MRN Québec, 2002 Road network, 1/250,000, BDTA (MERN Québec), Géomatique, HQIESP, 2017 Protected areas in Québec, MDDELCC Québec, 2015 BGTÉ, Hydro-Québec TransÉnergie, October 2018 PPAT, MAMOT Québec, September 2015 SDA, 1/20,000, MERN Québec, September 2017
45°0' New Hampshire Project data, Hydro-Québec, April 2019 45°0' Mapping: WSP Ve r mont File: 7578_rsc1_get_103_intercon_200113a.mxd
0 9 18 km MTM, Zone 7, NAD83 (CSRS) Map 1 January 2020
72°0' 71°30' 71°0' 70°30' 70°0'
Document for information purposes only. For any other use, please contact Géomatique at Hydro-Québec Innovation, équipement et services partagés.
6 Appalaches–Maine Interconnection Line | Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement Project 1 Rationale
The objective of the project is to increase Hydro-Québec The proposed line will allow for delivery to New England of up to TransÉnergie (HQT)’s capacity to export power to the New England 1,200 MW of power at 320 kV. Appalaches substation has been market. The project consists in building a 320-kV direct current (DC) chosen as the starting point for the proposed power line due to line between Appalaches substation in the municipality of Saint- its proximity to the connection point at the Québec–Maine border. Adrien-d’Irlande, near Thetford Mines, to a connection point at the On the U.S. side of the border, the planned line will connect to Canada–U.S. border in the municipality of Frontenac, east of Lac the power line proposed as part of the New England Clean Mégantic (Map 1). Energy Connect (NECEC) project. The NECEC project proponent is Central Maine Power.
Appalaches substation
Appalaches–Maine Interconnection Line | Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement 7 Project 2 Overview
2.1 Nantes, with a view to pairing the proposed line with the Addition of a converter existing lines as much as possible. Pairing the lines has a number at Appalaches substation of advantages, i.e.:
Since the Hydro-Québec TransÉnergie transmission system • The integrity of the land is protected because a new line is not synchronized with that of New England, equipment to corridor will not have to be opened on mainly private land. convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) will need • It reduces the area that needs to be cleared for the new line, to be installed at Appalaches substation to link the two systems. which lessens the project’s impacts on the environment and on A 320-kV DC line will then be required to connect with the New the use of private properties affected by the proposed power line. England grid at the Canada–Maine border. Between the municipality of Nantes and the Canada–U.S. border, the study corridor was widened along about 20 km to The converter and related equipment can be installed within the accommodate a line route running alone, given the absence current perimeter of Appalaches substation. However, connecting of an existing line corridor between Mégantic substation and the converter to the 735-kV transmission system that supplies the border. the substation will involve adding new 735-kV equipment. To accomplish this, the east side of Appalaches substation will have to Following a detailed inventory of the study corridor, the line be expanded by about 33,000 m2. All the work will be performed route was developed in accordance with the technical, economic, within the existing Hydro-Québec property boundary (Map 2). environmental and social criteria established for the project. Some of the criteria are designed to avoid, to the extent possible, any 2.2 environmental component that poses a constraint to the project’s Construction of the power line technical feasibility or contains sensitive environmental and/or social elements. Other siting criteria involve identifying elements or 2.2.1 areas that are suitable for the line’s construction or insertion into Development of the proposed route the host environment. To develop the best route in environmental, social and economic terms, Hydro-Québec first identified a study corridor centred on an Respect for property boundaries and maintaining the integrity existing corridor of 230- and 120-kV lines running from Appalaches of private property was one of the siting criteria most valued by substation to Mégantic substation, south of the municipality of the community on private land.
8 Appalaches–Maine Interconnection Line | Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement 71°24' 71°23'45" S" Power line and support structure Saint-Jean-de-Brébeuf, M D Property of Hydro-Québec* Saint-Adrien-d'Irlande, M D Municipality Perennial stream D Intermittent stream
* Boundaries and measurements shown here may D not be used for purposes of property division. No property analysis was conducted by a land surveyor. " 46°8'15" S 735 kV 7097 S" D
D 735 kV 7095
S" 46°8'15"
X X X X X X X X D
X X
X Transformers D
X D
X X
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735 kV X X
D X D
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X X
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735/230-kV X
D X
Appalaches Planned X
substation X expansion
X
D
X X
X D
Telecommunications ! X X
X antenna
X Control X X D
building X X X X
D 46°8' X X Site of future
Transformer T2 converter X D X Transformer T3
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D X
X X 230 kV D D Maintenance
building
X X D D
X X X X X X X X X X X
D D D D D
D D D D
D
S"
D D Appalaches–Maine D Interconnection Line Planned Expansion at
D D Appalaches Substation D
Sources: Selected line route D Orthophoto, resolution 20 cm, © Table des MRC de l'Estrie, 2013 D Orthophoto, resolution 30 cm, MRNF Québec, © Gouvernement du Québec, 2015 BGTÉ,46°7'45" Hydro-Québec TransÉnergie, October 2018
230 kV 2375 D D SDA, 1/20,000, MERN Québec, September 2017 Project data, Hydro-Québec, May 2019 D
230 kV 2329 D Mapping: WSP File: 7578_rsc2_get_041_poste_appalaches_200109a.mxd
46°7'45"
D
D 0 50 100 m D
MTM, Zone 7, NAD83 (CSRS) Map 2 S" D
S" D January 2020
71°24' 71°23'45" 71°23'30" D D
Document for information purposes only. For any other use, please contact Géomatique at Hydro-Québec Innovation, équipement et services partagés. D
Appalaches–Maine Interconnection Line | Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement 9
D D
D D
D D
D 2.2.2 The proposed line will be paired with an existing one over 72% of Description of route selected its entire length. The route selected for the 320-kV DC power line between Note that the line route description provided here stems from a Appalaches substation and the Canada–U.S. border is 103 km long. later optimization of the segment between towers 23 and 32 in It crosses through the MRCs (regional county municipalities) Thetford Mines, which was briefly covered in the Environmental of Appalaches and Du Granit and affects 11 municipalities Impact Statement (EIS). Consequently, some of the numbers (Table 1 and Map 3). provided in this summary may differ from those cited in the EIS. This optimization of the Thetford Mines segment made it possible The route selected comprises two main segments: to move the proposed line route away from Boulevard Frontenac Ouest (highway 112) and potential viewers (motorists). Moreover, • In the first 79-km segment between Appalaches substation the optimized line segment will run through dense forest in an and the edge of the town of Lac-Mégantic, the route is paired area reserved for industrial development compatible with the with existing lines for approximately 74 km. Due to technical proposed line. constraints, it must then move away from them for about 5 km, near the optimized segment in Thetford mines and at the periphery of an old mining area in Saint-Joseph-de-Coleraine. • In the second, 24-km segment between the municipalities of Nantes and Frontenac, a new line corridor will have to be opened to the connection point at the Canada–U.S. border.
Table 1: Areas Crossed by Proposed Line
Administrative region and MRC Municipality Route length (km) Saint-Adrien-d’Irlande (M) 3.62 Thetford Mines (V) 10.97 Chaudière-Appalaches region Saint-Joseph-de-Coleraine (M) 14.74 MRC of Appalaches Disraeli (P) 6.69 Sainte-Praxède (P) 3.62 Subtotal 39.64 Stratford (CT) 9.79 Stornoway (M) 14.76 Saint-Romain (M) 0.87 Estrie region Nantes (M) 16.18 MRC of Granit Sainte-Cécile-de-Whitton (M) 5.56 Frontenac (M) 16.32 Subtotal 63.48 Total 103.12
Note: CT: municipalité de canton (township); M: municipalité (municipality); P: municipalité de paroisse (parish); V: ville (town).
10 Appalaches–Maine Interconnection Line | Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement # #
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108
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Jules, P International border Administrative region Regionalcounty municipality (MRC) Municipality Study corridor Route selected paired with existing line Route selected new in right-of-way Border connection point (secteur Louise) Provincial or secondary highway Other road Québec provincial park Controlled harvesting (ZEC) zone 69 kV 120 kV 230 kV 735 kV Private Louise-Gosford 70°45' Lac- Drolet, M 165 ¬ \ Saint-Évariste substation # # # Infrastructure Transmission lines substationsand # # # # Boundaries Human environment Project components Tring-Jonction, VL Tring-Jonction, # 71°0'
Lac aux Lac
108
Araignées Saint- Victor, M de-Woburn, P de-Woburn, Saint-Augustin- Frontenac, M Frontenac,
de-Beauce VL Saint- #
Saint-Éphrem- Beauce, M Beauce, Lac- Éphrem-de-
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161
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271 Sainte-Cécile-de-
269
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263 Saint-Évariste-
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ESTRIE (05) ESTRIE
263
Beauce-Sartigan Le Granit Le Lambton substation
Piopolis, M # Nantes, M Nantes,
267
Marston, TWP
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Lambton, M de-Broughton, M de-Broughton, Adstock,M
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Grand lac Grand Saint-François 71°0' Lac
CHAUDIÈRE-
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161
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212
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Val-Racine, Val-Racine, M Le Granit Le Antoine-Lemieux substation
Milan, M #
Thetford MinesThetford Saint-
214 Thetford Mines, T Mines, Thetford
108
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161 Study Corridor and Route Selected Route and Corridor Study
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Julien, M
MTM, Zone 7, NAD83 (CSRS) NAD83 7, Zone MTM, 45°45' Saint- 46°0' Bury, M January 2020 Sources: Riversystem, 1/250,000,(MERN Québec), BDTA HQIESP, Géomatique, 2017 AdressesQuébec, MERN Québec, October 2017 Protectedareas inQuébec, MDDELCC Québec, 2017 BGTÉ,Hydro-Québec TransÉnergie, October 2018 AppalachesGranitduand Regional county municipalities (MRC), 2017 Portrait provincialenaménagement du territoire (PPAT), Québec, MAMOT June 2018 SDA, 1/20,000, MERN Québec, September 2017 Project data,Hydro-Québec, November 2019 Mapping: WSP File: 7578_rsc3_get_137_traces_200113a.mxd
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Saint-Jacques- Ferdinand, M Ferdinand, Document for information purposes only. For any other use, please contact Géomatique at Hydro-Québec Innovation, équipement et services partagés. services et équipement Innovation, Hydro-Québec at Géomatique contact please use, other any For only. purposes information for Document
(17)
# Appalaches–Maine Interconnection Line | Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement 11
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2.2.3 (Figure 1). These self-supporting, steel lattice towers will be 29.7 m Technical description of proposed line to 49.7 m in height. Vertically configured tubular steel towers will also be used over a distance of 3 km near the Black Lake district in The proposed line will consist of two poles: one positive and the town of Thetford Mines, as this type of tower is particularly well one negative. Each pole will be equipped with two aluminum suited to urban environments. The proposed line will be supported conductors 48.7 mm in diameter. An optical ground wire will by a total of 322 towers with an average span of 325 m. also be installed on the line, namely, to enable it transmit telecommunications. Figure 2 shows the typical support structures and ROWs to be used The proposed line, which will cross through two ice-loading for the proposed line, depending on whether it is paired with an and wind zones, is designed to meet a strategic reliability level existing line or running alone: corresponding to a return period of 150 years. • Where the line is paired with an existing line corridor, the existing Hydro-Québec has designed a new family of vertically configured ROW will be widened by approximately 10.6 to 25.0 m. towers specifically for this project: the conductors are all located • Where the line will run alone in a new corridor, the ROW to be on one side of the tower to reduce the width of ROW to be cleared maintained will be 43 m wide.
Figure 1: New Family of Vertical ConfigurationT owers
4 to 6 m 6.5 to 12.5 m 8 to 14 m
4 to 6 m 6.5 to 12.5 m 8 to 14 m 7578_rsf1_get_042_famille_pylones_200113a.ai 7578_rsf1_get_042_famille_pylones_200113a.ai
Figure 1 New Family of Vertical Configuration Towers Document for information purposes only. For any other use, please contactFigure Géomatique at1 Hydro-Québec Innovation, équipement et services partagés. New Family of Vertical Configuration Towers Document for information purposes only. For any other use, please contact Géomatique at Hydro-Québec Innovation, équipement et services partagés.
Appalaches–Maine Interconnection Line | Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement 13 Existing 120-kV line (circuits 1168–1474)
2.3 2.4 Project schedule Regional economic spinoffs
The 320-kV Appalaches–Maine Interconnection Line Project The Appalaches–Maine Interconnection Line Project is expected to will be carried out in accordance with the schedule in Table 2. generate regional economic spinoffs of $30 million to $45 million The new structures and facilities are slated for commissioning from the line and $21 to $36 million from the substation. in fall 2022. The minimum amount corresponds to land clearing and local Table 2: Project Schedule purchasing of granular material and concrete, as well as equipment rentals and contractors’ food and lodging. Phase Target period 2.5 Spring 2018 – Draft-design studies summer 2019 Partnering with communities Summer 2019 – Government approvals fall 2020 Hydro-Québec wants its facilities to blend harmoniously into the host environment and sees its projects as opportunities to actively Preparatory work at Summer – fall 2020 Appalaches substation participate in the development of the communities involved. Such participation draws on a partnership approach based on Expansion of Appalaches substation Spring 2021 – fall 2022 the principle of equity between the community hosting a new Winter 2020–2021 – Clearing of ROW structure or facility and the entire Québec population it benefits. fall 2021 Summer 2021 – Line construction Consequently, through its Integrated Enhancement Program, fall 2022 Hydro-Québec makes funding available to eligible organizations Commissioning Fall 2022 to carry out initiatives designed to improve community life.
Such initiatives may pertain to the environment, municipal infrastructure, or community or recreational activities, regional or tourism development, energy efficiency or transportation electrification.
14 Appalaches–Maine Interconnection Line | Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement Figure 2: Typical Support and Right-of-Way Configurations for Proposed Power Line
Figure 2: Typical Support and Right-of-Way Configurations for ProposedPlanned Power Line Planned Planned 320-kV DC line 320-kV DC line 320-kV DC line (circuit 432) (circuit 432) Figure 2: Typical(circuit Support 432) and ROW Configurations for Proposed Power Line
Planned Planned Planned Existing Existing 320-kV DC line 320-kV DC line Existing 320-kV DC line Existing 230-kV line 230-kV line (circuit 432) (circuit 432) 120-kV line (circuit 432) 120-kV line East (circuit 2329) (circuit 2375) West East (circuit 1473) West East (circuit 1473) West
Existing Existing Existing Existing 230-kV line 230-kV line 120-kV line 120-kV line East (circuit 2329) (circuit 2375) West East (circuit 1473) West East (circuit 1473) West 29.7 m to 51 Variable height: Variable Variable height: Variable Variable height: Variable 29.7 m to 49.7 29.7 m to 49.7 21.5 m to 30 Variable height: Variable 10.4 m to 20 10.4 m to 20 Variable height: Variable height: Variable Variable height: Variable 18.6 m to 21.4 29.7 m to 51 Variable height: Variable Variable height: Variable Variable height: Variable 29.7 m to 49.7 29.7 m to 49.7 approx. 28 m approx. 25 m approx. 25 m approx. approx. 80.7 m approx. 21.1 m 10.6 m 45.7 m 10.6 m 45.7 m 21.5 m to 30 Variable height: Variable 10.4 m to 20 10.4 m to 20 Variable height: Variable height: Variable
Existing easement height: Variable Easement Easement Existing easement Easement Existing easement 18.6 m to 21.4 to be acquired to be acquired to be acquired
approx. 28 m approx. 25 m approx. 25 m approx. approx. Planned line paired with two 80.7 existing m 230-kV lines (circuits 2375 and approx. 2329) 21.1 m Planned line 10.6paired m with an existing45.7 120-kV m line (circuit 1473) Planned line10.6 paired m with an existing45.7 120-kV m line (circuit 1473) betweenExisting Appalaches easement and Thetford substations Easement betweenEasement Thetford andExisting Coleraine easement substations betweenEasement Thetford andExisting Coleraine easement substations to be acquired to be acquired (Line segmentto be between acquired planned towers 33 and 43 in Thetford Mines)
Planned line paired with two existing 230-kV lines (circuits 2375 and 2329) Planned line paired with an existing 120-kV line (circuit 1473) Planned line paired with an existing 120-kV line (circuit 1473) between Appalaches and Thetford substations between Thetford and Coleraine substations between Thetford and Coleraine substations (Line segment between planned towers 33 and 43 in Thetford Mines)
Planned Planned Existing Planned 320-kV DC line 320-kV DC line 120-kV line 320-kV DC line (circuit 432) (circuit 432) (circuits 1168-1474) (circuit 432)
Existing Existing Planned Planned 120-kV line Planned 120-kV line 320-kV DC line East 320-kV DC line (circuit 1474) West East 320-kV DC line West East West (circuit 432) (circuit 432) (circuits 1168-1474) (circuit 432)
Existing 120-kV line East (circuit 1474) West East West East West Variable height: Variable Variable height: Variable Variable height: Variable 29.7 m to 49.7 29.7 m to 49.7 29.7 m to 49.7 Variable height: Variable 31.1 m to 44.6 10.4 m to 20 Variable height: Variable Variable height: Variable Variable height: Variable Variable height: Variable 29.7 m to 49.7 29.7 m to 49.7 29.7 m to 49.7 Variable height: Variable
31.1 m to 44.6 approx. 16 m approx. 27 m approx. 27 m approx. 29 m approx. 25 m 45.7 m approx. 21.4 m approx. 21.6 m approx. 20.1 m 45.7 m Easement Existing easement approx. 43 m 10.4 m to 20
Easement Existing height: Variable easement to be acquired to be acquired Easement to be acquired approx. 16 m approx. 27 m approx. 27 m approx. 29 m approx. 25 m 45.7 m approx. 21.4 m approx. 21.6 m Planned lineapprox. paired 20.1 withm an existing 120-kV45.7 m line (circuit 1474) Planned line paired with an existing 120-kV line (circuits 1168-1474) Planned single line between Lac de l’Orignal in Nantes and theapprox. Canada-U.S. 43 m border between EasementColeraine substationExisting and Lac easement Thor in Stratford betweenEasement Lac Thor in StratfordExisting and Laceasement de l’Orignal in Nantes to be acquired to be acquired Easement to be acquired 7578_rsf2_get_040_coupestypes_200113a.ai Document for information purposes only. For any other use, please contact Géomatique at Hydro-Québec Innovation, équipement et services partagés. Planned line paired with an existing 120-kV line (circuit 1474) Planned line paired with an existing 120-kV line (circuits 1168-1474) Planned single line between Lac de l’Orignal between Coleraine substation and Lac Thor in Stratford between Lac Thor in Stratford and Lac de l’Orignal in Nantes in Nantes and the Canada-U.S. border 7578_rsf2_get_040_coupestypes_200113a.ai Document for information purposes only. For any other use, please contact Géomatique at Hydro-Québec Innovation, équipement et services partagés.
Appalaches–Maine Interconnection Line | Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement 15
Impacts and Mitigation 3 Measures
The impact assessment for the Appalaches–Maine Interconnection The following sections summarize the main impacts anticipated. Line Project considered the effects of building the proposed line in the following two scenarios: 3.1 Biophysical environment • Between Appalaches substation and the municipality of Nantes, the proposed power line will be paired with one or more Soil surface, soil profile and drainage existing lines for close to its entire length (i.e., 74 out of 79 km). The proposed line will cross through four severe erosion zones for Hydro-Québec will need to acquire a new servitude so that about 1 km, as well as the tailings dump from the old Normandie it can add 10 to 25 m to the width of the ROW under its existing mine in Saint-Joseph-de-Coleraine, which contains areas that are servitude, which is currently approximately 80 m wide north moderately prone to erosion. It will also cross through areas with of Thetford substation and about 45 m wide south of it. steep to moderate slopes. • From Nantes, the proposed line will run alone in a new line corridor for approximately 24 km to the Canada–U.S. border. To prevent slope erosion, Hydro-Québec will apply selective The servitude to be acquired and cleared will be 43 m wide. clearing methods on slopes greater than 40% to ensure maximum The last, 8-km segment of the line will run through land preservation of existing vegetation and maintain the equilibrium belonging to the Domtar forest products company. slope. Efforts will be made to keep machines out of areas with slopes over 25%. On any road stretch with a grade of over 9% For this project, Hydro-Québec conducted detailed inventories and where the foot of the slope is located less than 60 m from a of the various biophysical, human and landscape environment wetland or aquatic environment, Hydro-Quebec will apply the components with a view to establishing the most environmentally measures prescribed by the Regulation respecting the sustainable and technically acceptable line route possible. The project also development of forests in the domain of the State. underwent several adjustments in response to requests from the host community, including property owners affected by the line After ROW clearing, an erosion sediment management plan will route. The summary of the project’s residual impacts bears witness be produced for each tower work area likely to disturb a wetland to Hydro-Québec’s efforts to identify the line route that has the or aquatic environment. The plan will set out which measures are least impact on the environment and is the most acceptable to to be implemented where to prevent soil erosion (seeding, rockfill, the host community. energy dissipation berm, diversion ditch, etc.) and manage sediment input (sediment barrier, sediment retention boom, sediment trap, However, building the proposed power line will inevitably have an sediment dewatering bag, etc.). impact on the environment. To minimize this impact and optimize the line’s integration into the host environment, Hydro-Québec will implement several specific mitigation measures in addition to the general measures it currently applies to all its power line and substation projects. At the end of the work, Hydro-Québec will restore all sites affected by construction of the power line, not only within the ROW, but also along the access roads used during the work.
Appalaches–Maine Interconnection Line | Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement 17 Forest stands Moreover, erecting the towers will involve setting up work areas Clearing of the ROW will cause the loss of 237.45 ha of vegetation that will temporarily disturb 3.94 ha of wetland. At the end of the in various forest stands, i.e., 28.82 ha on Domtar land, 2.21 ha on work, Hydro-Québec undertakes to restore the affected wetlands public land and 206.42 ha in privately owned forests. Woodland to their former condition and conduct an environmental follow-up covers well over 30% of the municipalities crossed by the proposed of the wetlands temporarily disturbed by construction. power line; significant biodiversity losses are generally observed below this threshold. Clearing of the ROW will affect 47 treed swamps and six treed peatlands covering a total area of 14.43 ha. Only seven of these 53 Hydro-Québec will implement a clearing method adapted to affected wetlands will be 50% cleared. The shrub layer in treed each environment crossed. All property owners affected by the wetlands will be preserved to maintain as much shade and soil work to clear the ROW will be compensated, regardless of whether humidity as possible. or not they are located on protected agricultural land under the Hydro-Québec–UPA Agreement on the Siting of Power Lines on Farms In general, despite the modified plant cover in the ROW, most of the and in Woodlands. wetlands will continue to perform their main ecological functions (e.g., filtering pollution, mitigating erosion, regulating water levels Wetlands and protecting plant and wildlife habitat). The wetlands’ habitat The power line ROW will cross through 152 wetlands covering a function will be modified without being altered, as it will now cater total of 35.22 ha, 82.7% of which consists of marshes, treed swamps to open-environment species rather than forest species. and shrub swamps. The selected line route will have no effect on any wetland designated of interest under the Act respecting the Hydro-Québec will use various methods to protect wetlands within conservation of wetlands and bodies of water. the ROW or access roads, including working on frozen ground, using vehicles equipped with tracks or oversize tires, placing fill The care taken to avoid wetlands in developing the line route and over geotextile, putting down log platforms, etc. siting the towers means that only 20 (i.e., 6%) of the 322 planned towers will permanently encroach on a wetland, resulting in the loss of about 0.34 ha. Wetland losses around the towers will be minimal (168 m2 on average) and in most cases, will represent a very small proportion of wetland affected (i.e., less than 2%). Hydro-Québec will provide financial compensation for the permanent loss of wetlands in accordance with the Act respecting the conservation of wetlands and bodies of water.
Wetland in an existing right-of-way
18 Appalaches–Maine Interconnection Line | Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement Aquatic environments Prior to construction, the populations of Green Mountain Only nine of the 322 planned towers will permanently encroach maidenhair fern and Rand’s goldenrod identified in the proposed on a shoreline buffer strip. The total area affected is estimated line ROW or existing line corridor will be marked out as part of at 0.08 ha. The work areas required to construct 22 towers will a strategy to avoid jobsite vehicle and machinery traffic in these result in temporary disturbances to 0.90 ha of shoreline buffer strips. areas. The locations of vulnerable-to-harvest species will be taken into account in establishing temporary roads, also with a view to At the end of construction, affected buffer strips will be restored and minimizing traffic in these areas. Populations that can be avoided their shrub cover will quickly regenerate. Hydro-Québec will apply during the work will be marked out. the revegetation method most suited to the environment affected (i.e., seeding with a mix adapted to the specific area, planting, etc.). Non-native invasive plant species In total, 11 non-native invasive (plant) species (NNIS) were identified The line ROW will cross 67 streams with forested shorelines. along roads that cross the selected line route. The species most The manual and selective clearing methods to be applied along frequently observed, i.e., common reed, reed canary grass and these streams will result in the loss of some 6.57 ha of tree layer. smooth brome, were seen mainly in the route segment north of Reforestation of some of these shorelines is planned to combat the Rivière Saint-François. The other species were only sporadically erosion or protect certain special-status wildlife species, including seen and found to be generally sparse. stream salamanders. To prevent the propagation of invasive plant species or the During construction, existing bridges and culverts will function introduction of new ones during the work, Hydro-Québec will as stream crossing structures. In the absence of such structures, apply various specific measures such as marking out invasive plant temporary bridges will be installed to span the entire width of populations, cleaning machinery, burying contaminated excavated the stream without modifying its bed or flow. Upon completion material, quickly reseeding work areas, etc. These measures will of the work, the temporary bridges will be removed and the also be included in the tender documents for contractors. affected sections of the stream banks restored.
Special-status plant species Nine special-status plant species were identified in the habitat areas inventoried along the proposed line route, including:
• Five species designated as vulnerable to harvest in Québec, i.e., northern maidenhair fern, crinkleroot, Canada lily, ostrich fern and bloodroot. • Four species likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable, i.e., Green Mountain maidenhair fern, butternut, greater round-leaved orchid and Rand’s goldenrod. Of these four species, only Green Mountain maidenhair fern and Rand’s goldenrod were identified in the proposed line ROW or the existing line corridor.
Ostrich fern
Appalaches–Maine Interconnection Line | Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement 19 Large and small wildlife The proposed power line will cross some 80 rivers/streams and Clearing of the line ROW will result in the loss of approximately in several cases, will use existing bridges or culverts to do so. 237.45 ha of the natural habitat of small forest wildlife species. In the absence of such structures, temporary bridges will be These animals will have to move to replacement habitat areas in installed but will not affect fish habitat, as they will span the river the vicinity of the ROW. On the other hand, the ROW will constitute or stream without modifying its bed or flow. At the end of the favorable habitat for species that frequent forest fringes, open work, the temporary bridges will be removed and the affected environments and riparian ecosystems. Based on the work schedule, stream banks restored. no clearing work will take place between mid-April and late August to avoid the birthing and nursing periods of small wildlife species. A land clearing method that will preserve a strip of shoreline forest vegetation at least 15 m wide will be used to ensure that Clearing of the ROW will cause a 3.18-ha reduction in the forest fish habitat is protected. Preserving the riparian vegetation will also stands used by white-tailed deer in the east part of the Salaberry help minimize erosion. Along some of the stream banks, a forest deer yard, west of the urban growth area of Thetford Mines. This loss vegetation cover compatible with operation of the power line represents only 0.06% of the total deer yard and will only affect the will be re-established after the work is completed. area alongside an existing road and power line. The clearing work will also take away 128 ha of the forest habitat of moose, whose In addition, measures such as the installation of sediment barriers home range nevertheless covers a vast area (500 to 1,000 ha). or traps will be implemented during land clearing and tower Several decades of follow-up studies by Hydro-Québec show construction to prevent erosion and control sediment deposits that once the work is completed, white-tailed deer and moose in lakes, rivers and streams. will once again use the line ROW, since the forest vegetation allowed to grow there will provide them with a favorable source of food. Reptiles and amphibians Field inventories revealed the presence of one special-status snake Bats and birds and two special-status stream salamander species (ring-necked Clearing work in the line ROW will affect 19.23 ha of mature tree snake, dusky salamander and spring salamander). During both stands (at least 70 years old) and 14.43 ha of treed wetlands likely construction and operation of the line, specific mitigation measures to be used by bats. It will also reduce the nesting area of forest birds. will be implemented to protect stream salamanders whose presence The three special-status bat species (silver-haired bat, hoary bat has been confirmed by Hydro-Québec and the Centre de données and red bad) and two special-status bird species (Canada warbler sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec [Québec natural heritage data and eastern wood-pewee) identified along the line route are likely centre] in six streams along the line route. The ring-necked snake to be affected by land clearing. To reduce the project’s impact on will lose potential forest habitat, but the species has already been these species, no clearing will be carried out during the bat birthing observed in power line ROWs. and nursing and bird nesting periods, i.e., between mid-April and late August.
Fish The project’s main sources of impact on fish and fish habitat relate to the temporary stream crossing structures required during the work and to ROW clearing work in buffer strips. No towers will be erected in rivers or streams. Spring salamander
20 Appalaches–Maine Interconnection Line | Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement Protected areas – Parc National de Frontenac loss of properties and use of the affected areas. Hydro-Québec has The proposed line route crosses through 590 m of Parc National personally met with all property owners affected by the acquisition de Frontenac [Frontenac provincial park], which is a protected of servitudes along the line route to answer their questions and area under the Parks Act. Only one tower will be erected within concerns in as much detail as possible. Whenever possible, the the park boundaries. property owners were also consulted concerning route alignment and tower siting. Having analyzed the various options, Hydro-Québec determined that the line route with the least impact will run alongside Recreation and tourism an existing line within the confines of the park. Building the People hunt, fish and trap along the selected line route. There route entails clearing 1.44 ha of forest and causing temporary are a number of hunting stands and blinds in or near the proposed encroachment into a wetland from the worksite required to ROW. The existing line corridor most of the proposed line will build the tower. be paired with is currently used for white-tailed deer and moose hunting. The project involves initiating a prior procedure to modify the park boundaries to exclude the areas to be crossed by the proposed Hydro-Québec will keep all affected property owners informed of power line. Hydro-Québec also undertakes to implement measures the project schedule so that they can have any of their buildings to compensate for the proposed line’s passage through the park now located in the proposed line ROW or alongside its access routes and restore the site after the work is completed. moved prior to the start of work and can better plan their activities in accordance with the progress of the work in the ROW.
The selected route will cross various cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, horseback riding, snowmobiling and ATV trails, as well as a canoe route on the Rivière Saint-François. Construction noise and the partial obstruction of certain sections might make some of the trails temporarily unusable. Hydro-Québec will keep trail managers and snowmobile and ATV club representatives continually informed of the project schedule and the locations of tower construction sites, and will work with them to establish the measures to be taken to coordinate the construction work with recreational activities and maintain user safety. Specific measures will also be implemented to ensure the safety of Saint-François, Bécancour and Chaudière river users during conductor stringing, in the event that it is carried out during boating season.
Forest in Parc National de Frontenac Farming Most of the proposed line is be located in an agroforest environment. Of the territory crossed by the line, 62% is protected 3.2 agricultural land and 16% is land used for farming or maple Human environment syrup production.
Built environment and private properties In all cases, the acquisition of servitudes and payment of One of the project’s main impacts on the human environment compensation associated with the presence of a power line relates to the required acquisition of four residences and two will be handled in an equitable manner and in accordance with cottages in the proposed line ROW between Saint-Adrien-d’Irlande the Hydro-Québec–UPA Agreement on the Siting of Power Lines on and Nantes. In all cases, Hydro-Québec has proposed to adjust the Farms and in Woodlands, even if they are outside the confines acquisition schedule to each property owner’s specific situation of protected agricultural land. between 2019 and the start of the construction phase in 2021, with a view to limiting the project’s impacts on their property Approximately 8% of the forest affected by the proposed line ROW and lifestyle. Some property owners will also be able to have is sugar bush. Most of the maple producers are concentrated in the their residence moved to another location on their own property. municipalities of Stratford and Stornoway. Hydro-Québec will make Hydro-Québec will make every effort to ensure that each property every effort to avoid clearing land during the 2021 maple syrup owner receives personalized, fair treatment. season to protect the harvest of the producers concerned.
Construction of the line also involves acquiring servitudes on land All disturbed areas will be restored at the end of the work. within the ROW. Financial compensation will be provided for the
Appalaches–Maine Interconnection Line | Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement 21 Urban development Landscape The proposed line route will cross through the urban growth area Pairing the proposed line with existing ones will minimize the effects in the Black Lake district of the town of Thetford Mines. To preserve of ROW clearing on the surrounding landscape. Using tubular the attractiveness of the residential expansion zone, Hydro-Québec towers along the 3-km stretch the line will cross in the Black Lake proposes to use a family of tubular towers that are well adapted district of Thetford Mines will help the line blend into the urban area. to urban areas over a distance of 3 km. In collaboration with the town, measures will also be established to blend the line into its Between Nantes and Frontenac, the line’s presence in a new corridor surroundings more effectively by creating a permanent vegetation will be particularly noticeable at locations such as road crossings. screen along the edge of the residential area to be developed. Special attention was paid to siting the towers as far away as possible from roadside homes. In addition, vegetation may be Heritage and archaeology planted near certain homes more affected by clearing of the ROW. The proposed line ROW crosses through eight areas with archaeological potential that will undergo field inventories prior Noise to construction. Should the inventories reveal the presence A high-voltage line produces noise, primarily due to the corona of any remains or artefacts, Hydro-Québec will conduct an effect around the conductors. This effect is produced by electric archaeological dig at the affected site(s). micro-discharges at rough points on a conductor’s surface.
Land use by the Abenaki The proposed line will generate very little noise, regardless of The Abenaki communities of Odanak and Wôlinak are located about weather conditions. The maximum noise level generated by the 80 km north of the study corridor. In 2001, the two communities’ line at the edge of the ROW is estimated at 21 dBA, which is so band councils signed an agreement with Québec concerning low that it will not be audible. In brief, at the edge of the ROW, the hunting and fishing for subsistence, ritual or social purposes. noise levels produced by the proposed line, regardless of whether Under this agreement (amended in 2009), both band councils it runs alone or is paired with other lines, will be well below the most and the Grand Conseil de la nation Waban-Aki [Grand Council stringent criterion of 40 dBA set by the Ministère de l’Environnement of the Waban-Aki Nation] adopted a code of practice to govern et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MELCC) [Québec these activities. department of the environment and the fight against climate change] in its instruction note on noise. The agreement and code of practice specify the area where members of these communities may hunt, fish and trap, as well Electric and magnetic fields as the conditions governing these activities. The study corridor The electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) produced by power lines for this project abuts on the western boundary of this specified are a source of concern for the public. To address that concern, area. Members of the Waban-Aki Nation pursue subsistence, Hydro-Québec analyzed the EMF exposure profiles generated by ritual or social hunting and fishing activities in or near the operation of the proposed DC line. proposed line ROW. The analysis revealed that the EMFs produced by the proposed line Hydro-Québec has undertaken to maintain an ongoing line of will be similar in strength to naturally occurring EMFs and will not communication with the Ndakina Office of the Grand Conseil be noticeable, either within or outside the line ROW. They will be de la Nation Waban-Aki to keep hunters informed of the weak and will pose no risk to human health. construction schedule for the proposed line so that they can adjust their activities accordingly. A DC line may also produce ions at the surface of the conductors, which are repelled by the electric field and move away from the conductors, creating a measurable ground-level ion current. This phenomenon is not subject to any international guideline or recommendation and will have no effect on human health.
22 Appalaches–Maine Interconnection Line | Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement Public 4 Participation
For the Appalaches-Maine Interconnection Line Project, At the end of the process, the solution presented to the two MRCs Hydro-Québec carried out a public participation process that affected included several line route optimizations designed to, extended from spring 2018 to summer 2019 and involved the namely, minimize the project’s impact on affected property owners. following four main phases: The community representatives and affected property owners • Preliminary Information (spring 2018) said they appreciated the flexible, personalized format of the • General Information (spring and summer 2018) public participation process. They also acknowledged the efforts • Public Consultation (fall 2018 to spring 2019) made by Hydro-Québec to optimize the line route with a view • Information on the Solution Selected (summer 2019) to mitigating its impact on community development and the operations of commercial and industrial property owners. The process was based on the notion of striking a balance between Hydro-Québec’s objectives and the needs and expectations The communication tools used to inform the public about the expressed by regional administrators and land users, as well as project included three information bulletins and two advertorials by property owners and citizens potentially affected by the project. published during the draft-design phase. The Info-Project phone The overall objective was to ensure that the project blends as line may still be used by the general public, the property owners smoothly as possible into the host environment. During the public affected by the project and nearby residents of the proposed participation process, Hydro-Québec contacted each property line. Lastly, all project-related documentation is available owner affected by the project at least once to gather a as many of on the website set up at the beginning of the project, at their concerns as possible. These concerns were then taken into www.hydro.quebec/appalaches-maine. consideration in improving the final line route as much as possible.
Hydro-Québec
Upcoming environmental Planned 320-kV Existing 120-kV and technical surveys Schedule PROJECT OPTIMIZATION DC line AC line AND INFORMATION ON Over the next few months, Hydro-Québec will Draft-design studies SOLUTION SELECTED conduct environmental and technical field surveys Spring 2018–summer 2019 Summer 2019 to prepare for land-clearing work and construction Permitting of the future power line: Summer 2019–fall 2020 • Geotechnical surveys related to siting of the future towers to determine the type of foundation to Construction Winter 2021–fall 2022 lay for each support structure.
• Forest surveys on all properties affected to Commissioning 33 m to 51 71°30' 71°0' Sensitive elements Infrastructures#70°30' 31.1 m to 44.6 determine the type and volume of timber to be Fall 2022 Height varying from: Height varying from: felled, the traffic strategy to be implemented and Consultation on the Technical characteristics Protected area Wind farm the mitigation measures to be applied during Biological refuge Substations and transmission lines Scenic point # work near sensitive elements such as wetlands proposed line route of the planned DC line 120 kV Public land # # 230 kV or watercourses. Permitting Over the past months, Hydro-Québec has Hydro-Québec has developedAbout 29 a m new family of towers for Robert- Property of Domtar* # Cliche 735 kV • Characterization of the watercourses over which Hydro-Québec is currently conducting an environmental impact held numerous meetings with community this project: Aboutthe conductors25 m are located45.7 on m one side only, CENTRE-DU- 73 Les Boundaries (MRC) Appalaches–Maine Planned right-of-way Existing right-of-way QUÉBEC (17) EtcheminsProject components temporary bridges may be installed. assessment for the project and will be filing various applications representatives and many of the landowners thus reducing the width of the right-of-way to be cleared. International border (MRC) Study area • Detailed inventories of wetlands affected by the for government approvals in the coming months. affected by the proposed line route to take • Each tower will be made up of a positive pole (+320 kV) # PosteAdministrative de region Interconnection Line Ligne jumelée avec une ligne existante # work areas for certain towers. their concerns into account and make and a negative pole (−320 kV). Beauceville Line route selected entre Stornoway et Nantes Regional #county paired with existing line The interconnection line will be subject to the provincial 269 municipality (MRC) • Inventories of areas with archaeological potential adjustments to the project, wherever possible. • Each pole will be equipped with two conductors. Beauceville Line route selected environmental impact assessment and review procedure, which Municipality in new right-of-way identified along the line route selected. • The line will be supported by approximately 320 towers. Lac includes a review by the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur William Grouping of sensitive \¬ Crossing point • The average distance between towers will be 325 m. # elements # All of the above preparatory work will be carried l’environnement [office for public hearings on the environment] In spring 2018, Hydro-Québec began studies for the construction of a new Project optimization # * The boundaries and measurements in this document should not be used for 165 # out with the consent of the landowners affected, as well as an analysis by the National Energy Board, given that interconnection between the Hydro-Québec and Maine power systems, the As a result of these exchanges, the following The right-of-way to be cleared will be 43 m wide where # Appalaches boundary demarcation.Saint-Georges No land analysis has been conducted by a land surveyor. L'Érable substation between fall 2019 and summer 2020. the power line will cross an international border. goal being to increase the energy transmission capacity between Québec the line runs alone and 10 to 25 m wide where it is paired ! modifications have been made to the project (MRC) # 271 and New England. The project consists of building a new 320-kilovolt (kV) with an existing line. Saint-Adrien-d'Irlande, M Thetford # so far: direct current (DC) transmission line between Appalaches substation in Mines, V CHAUDIÈRES- • A family of tubular towers has been developed APPALACHES (12) Saint-Adrien-d’Irlande near Thetford Mines and a connection point at the 108 to allow for the integration of a 3.5-km segment Canada–U.S. border in the municipality of Frontenac. Les Appalaches Saint-Joseph-de-
For more information of the new line near an urbanized area of the 46°0' (MRC) Coleraine, M 46°0' town of Thetford Mines. Planned 320-kV hydro.quebec/appalaches-maine Project plans also call for the installation of a converter at Appalaches DC line # 173 • The route of the approximately 24-km segment 269 substation, which will convert alternating current to direct current to # # Appalaches MRC of the new line in the Du Granit MRC has been Disraeli, P supply the new interconnection. COLETTE LETTRE-RACINE Grand lac relocated to protect woodlands or follow lot Sainte- Saint-François ! Praxède, P Advisor – Community Relations boundaries. 161 Parc national Direction – Affaires régionales et collectivités • To the extent possible, the future tower sites Disraeli, V de Frontenac [email protected] Lac Beauce- have been determined in accordance with Nicolet # Sartigan (MRC) INFO-PROJECT line : 1 8 5 5 8 4 5-7 4 1 7 landowners’ requests, to avoid valued elements Lac Aylmer Stratford, CT Le Granit (MRC)
Du Granit MRC on their properties. 33 m to 51 Saint-
Height varying from: NADINE JEANNOTTE • The line route has been adjusted to ensure Lac Romain, M Les Sources Elgin Advisor – Community Relations the safe coexistence of the power line and (MRC) Zec de Lac Saint-Romain Direction – Affaires régionales et collectivités the region’s extensive logging operations. Louise [email protected] • The commitment has been made to plant Stornoway, M Rivière Chaudière # shrub species that are compatible with the About 21.5 m About 21.5 m # INFO-PROJECT line : 1 8 7 7 6 5 3-1 1 3 9 112 161 Sainte- About 43 m Cécile-de- future power line to limit the impact of land ESTRIE (05) Indigenous Communities Whitton, M clearing operations on certain properties. Planned right-of-way PATRIC FRIGON 204 7578_bu_get_025_coupestypes_tr_4_5_181109a.ai Advisor – Indigenous Relations • The project schedule has been adjusted to 108 take the sugar bush season into account. Ligne dans un nouveau couloir Nantes, M Direction – Relations avec les autochtones entre Nantes et le point de traversée # Power line in a new corridor Le Haut-Saint- Mégantic [email protected] 214 ! between Nantes and the crossing point François (MRC) substation 5 1 4 2 8 9-2 2 1 1, extension 8 7 9 0 Lac- Description of Mégantic, V Frontenac, M line route selected Lac Lac aux \¬ Mégantic Araignées 45°30'
# 45°30' The line route selected is 103.4 km long and Work at Appalaches substation Original text written in French. Appalaches substation in Saint-Adrien-D’Irlande Ligne d’interconnexion des Appalaches–Maine # Ma i ne Ce document est également publié en français. crosses both the Appalaches MRC (40 km) The work at Appalaches substation will involve installing and Du Granit MRC (63.4 km), affecting eleven Zec a new direct current converter and connecting it to the municipalities in all (see map). Louise- existing power grid. Gosford The future line will be paired with one or more The converter will comprise various types of electrical 212 existing lines along 73% of its route. Starting equipment and two new buildings. The equipment will
2019E1443-A at Nantes, the planned line will run alone along be installed within the substation’s current boundaries. a new corridor for approximately 24 km to the 100 % Canada–U.S. border. The crossing point, where The converter will be connected to the 735-kV section Québec the line will connect to the power system on of the substation. Installation of the new equipment the U.S. side, is located on private land northeast needed for the connection will require that the substation United States of Zec Louise Gosford in the municipality of be expanded on the east side within the boundaries of Frontenac. Hydro-Québec’s property. The expansion is estimated New to cover an area of 227 m by 145 m. Hampshire
0 5,75. 11,5. km
MTM, Zone 7, NAD83 (SCRS) 71°30' 71°0' 7578_bu_get_066_infodecision_190529a.mxd 70°30'
Document for information purposes only. For any other use, please contact Géomatique at Hydro-Québec Innovation, équipement et services partagés. 2 3
Appalaches–Maine Interconnection Line | Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement 23 MONITORING OF WORK AND ENVIRONMENTAL 5 FOLLOW-UP
5.1 5.3 Environmental compliance monitoring Vegetation control
An environmental compliance monitoring program will be Once a power line or substation is commissioned, Hydro-Québec implemented to ensure that all mitigation measures and Hydro- carries out vegetation control to ensure the facility operates Québec commitments are carried out and honored throughout smoothly. The frequency of vegetation control interventions the project. Furthermore, the company will maintain ongoing varies, depending on the plant species present. The most suitable communication with affected property owners and nearby vegetation control method is based on current environmental residents of the proposed line to keep them informed of the and economic criteria and health, safety and efficiency standards. work schedule as the project progresses. Hydro-Québec uses several vegetation control methods, including the following: 5.2 Environmental follow-up • Selective cutting using brush cutters, chain saws or, in some cases, mowers Hydro-Québec conducts an environmental follow-up whenever • Selective application of herbicides, in compliance with it deems it necessary to assess the effectiveness of the mitigation current regulations measures implemented and measure a project’s actual impacts. For • Development (i.e., Christmas tree farms, cultivated land the Appalaches-Maine Interconnection Line Project, the company and snowmobile, ATV and other recreational trails) proposes to conduct an environmental follow-up of a representative sample of the wetlands that will undergo temporary disturbances due to the encroachment of a tower building site or the presence of a road used during construction. At the end of the work, a follow-up of the non-native invasive plant species identified in these areas will also be conducted. In addition, a follow-up of noise levels at Appalaches substation will also be carried out following commissioning of the substation’s new converter.
24 Appalaches–Maine Interconnection Line | Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement Emergency 6 Response Plan
6.1 The emergency response plan will be posted in the same locations Construction phase and explains the steps to be taken in case of an accident, fire, gas leak or other incident; It also provides the contact information for The emergency response plans implemented by Hydro-Québec the main emergency services. Lastly, an accidental spill report must during construction and operation of its structures and facilities are be submitted following any contaminant spill. multi-risk plans based on a risk analysis of all possible emergency situations that can occur at a jobsite or during operation of a 6.2 structure or facility, be it a power line or a substation. Operation phase
During construction, Hydro-Québec will apply a health and safety After commissioning of the proposed structure, Hydro-Québec will plan, as well as an environmental emergency response plan. implement the Hydro-Québec TransÉnergie emergency plan, which Accidental contaminant spills constitute one of the risks associated covers emergency situations that can occur during operation. It also with construction of a power line or work in a substation. describes all the risks associated with operation of a power line or substation and sets out the procedures to be followed in case of a On all its jobsites, Hydro-Québec applies the provisions of the contaminant spill, more specifically at a substation. Guide d’intervention et plan de mesures d’urgence [emergency measures plan and response guide], which describes the response plans, the responders’ roles and responsibilities, and the contaminant spill response equipment to be used. A flowchart containing the information for all internal and external responders to be contacted in case of emergency will be posted in Hydro-Québec’s trailers and those of the contractor in charge of the work.
Appalaches–Maine Interconnection Line | Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement 25 Government 7 Approvals
Construction of the proposed power line is subject to the The project is also subject to federal approvals under section 248 environmental and social impact assessment and review procedure of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act on the construction of an and the granting of a certificate of authorization from the Québec international power line. government under section 31.5 of the Environment Quality Act (EQA), since the line’s voltage is more than 315 kV and it covers a distance of more than 2 km (see section 10, Schedule 1 of the Regulation respecting the environmental impact assessment and review of certain projects).
Village in Appalaches MRC
26 Appalaches–Maine Interconnection Line | Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement Printed on paper made in Québec from 100% postconsumer recycled fibre. Ce documentestégalementpubliéenfrançais. written inFrench.Original text
2020E0128-A