Jessie Lake Environmental Overview FINAL Secured
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
FINAL Environmental Overview Proposed Range Rd. 460 Improvements Municipal District of Bonnyville, Alberta NE 1-64-6-W4M Project 2014.08 Revised August 2014 Prepared For: SE Design and Consulting Inc. PO Box 151 Cold Lake, AB T9M 1P4 18931-111 Avenue NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T5S 2X4 Phone (780) 455-4292, www.green-plan.com, E Mail: [email protected] Environmental Overview – Jessie Lake Rd. October, 2014 Executive Summary Impact Assessment The re-surfacing road work will be undertaken in two phases; Phase I: the existing recycle asphalt will be removed and hauled off-site; Phase II: the base will be re-worked and a new surface applied. No road widening will take place and therefore works will not occur outside of the existing right-of-way footprint. Accordingly, the overall environmental risk associated with the project is considered low. The main concerns relate to sediment control and asphalt and oil migration into Jessie Lake and minor annoyances to the public related to traffic and pedestrian detours. Recommended mitigation measures to minimize potential impact are provided below. Recommendations General: • The quality of the aquatic environment adjacent to the site after construction, at a minimum should be equivalent to or exceed that which existed prior. • Isolate the work from the waterbody with a silt fence. • All equipment entering the project area should be maintained for fluid leaks. • All equipment entering the site should be clean of debris; invasive species and noxious weeds to eliminate the potential for bioinvasives. Erosion and Sediment Control: • Install erosion and sediment control measures before conducting earthworks. Silt fences can be very effective in controlling sediment flow into and along ditches and watercourses when correctly installed. They are constructed with filter fabric and posts or stakes, and should be anchored with random class rip rap. Silt fences are effective against surficial sheet flow and light erosion from low gradient slopes. They are not meant to be installed in areas of high erosion or steep slopes. Accumulated sediment should be removed regularly from the silt fence and disposed of in a manner that prevents subsequent entry into waterways. Silt fence should be used to line or surround work sites that have the potential to create erosion. • Place excess material in a location where it will not erode into the waterbody. Install silt screen at the base of stockpiles. Exposed soil with little or no vegetation cover pose a major hazard, especially if the soil is highly erodible. The main areas or concern are: exposed earth stockpiles; SE Engineering and Consulting Inc. i Environmental Overview – Jessie Lake Rd. October, 2014 exposed soils on slopes and ditches; large tracks of vegetated land with direct conveyance open excavations with direct runoff. Silt screens can be effective in minimizing sediment loss. • A designated access route should be established to prevent rutting and erosion. Deleterious Substances: • Servicing or washing of construction equipment should not be undertaken near the waterbody (at least 100 m from the waterbody), and should be undertaken on a level ground surface. • A designated construction zone should be identified and construction equipment should be kept within this zone. Disturbance should not occur outside of this area. • To prevent contamination of the waterbody, petroleum products should not be stored within a 100 m of the waterbody. If required, the storage area for petroleum products should be placed on level ground and kept isolated. Regulatory: No known formal regulatory authorizations are required to undertake the proposed works. However the proponent must undertake the works in accordance with the legislation as outlined in Table 2.0. The proponent should become familiar with this information. If federal and/or provincial grant money will be used for the road improvements, it is advised that the proponent contact the grant advisor to discuss specific environment requirements and/or reports that may be required as a result of the funding. Using information outlined in the report, prior to conducting any physical work, the contractor responsible for undertaking the works should develop an Environmental Construction and Operation Plan (ECO Plan). The Eco Plan is the Contractors plan for the identification and mitigation of environmental impacts that may occur as a result of their activities and is based on the EO findings. The ECO plan should be reviewed by the M.D. and/or the Consultant representatives prior to commencing construction. Pending Provincial and/or Federal funding, the proponent may be responsible to undertake a final environmental report summarizing those mitigation measures, as outlined in an Environmental Construction Operation Plan, were successful in minimizing and/or avoiding adverse environmental effects. In Green Plans experience, this has been a requirement of the Canada – Alberta Building Canada Fund grant. In addition the proponent may be required to undertake onsite monitoring during construction activity. SE Engineering and Consulting Inc. ii Environmental Overview – Jessie Lake Rd. October, 2014 Guidelines for preparing an ECO Plan can be found on Alberta Transportations website; ‘Environmental Construction Operations (ECO) Plan Framework – Instructions on Preparing ECO Plans for Alberta Transporation, City of Calgary and City of Edmonton Construction Projects’. Public Annoyances: Prior to undertaking works, the proponent should advise the local ESRD Lands Officer of the project and anticipated construction timeline. In addition, it is recommended the proponent sign the area to advise local residents of the construction activity and anticipated scheduling. SE Engineering and Consulting Inc. iii Environmental Overview – Jessie Lake Rd. October, 2014 Table of Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Project Background and Rationale ................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Purpose of the Environmental Overview ...................................................................................... 2 1.3 Study Team Qualifications and Project Contact Information ....................................................... 2 2.0 PROJECT OVERVIEW .......................................................................................................................... 4 2.1 Road Design and Land Use Requirements .................................................................................... 4 2.2 Construction Details ...................................................................................................................... 5 2.2.1Utilities .......................................................................................................................................... 5 2.2.2 Borrow, Aggregate and Haul Roads ............................................................................................. 5 2.2.3 Road Surfacing ............................................................................................................................. 5 2.2.4 Disturbances to LandUse Buildings and Structures ..................................................................... 6 2.2.5 Material and Equipment Use and Storage ................................................................................... 6 2.2.6 Human Resources, Accommodations, Vehicles ........................................................................... 6 2.2.7 Health, Safety and Environmental Protection ............................................................................. 6 3.0 Biophysical Overview ........................................................................................................................ 7 3.1 Environmental Setting .................................................................................................................. 7 3.2 Jurisdiction and Land Use ............................................................................................................. 8 3.3 Hydrology ...................................................................................................................................... 9 3.4 Geology, Soil and Geotechnical Conditions ................................................................................ 10 3.5 Groundwater ............................................................................................................................... 10 3.6 Vegetation and Rare Plants ......................................................................................................... 11 3.7 Fish and Wildlife .......................................................................................................................... 12 3.8 Historical Resources .................................................................................................................... 12 3.9 Surrounding Land Use ................................................................................................................. 12 4.0 REGULATORY REVIEW ................................................................................................................. 13 5.0 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS......................................................................................... 18 5.1 Recommendations .....................................................................................................................