Decision 97-08 Cardinal River Coals Ltd. TransAlta Utilities Corporation Cheviot Coal Project June 1997 Alberta Energy and Utilities Board ALBERTA ENERGY AND UTILITIES BOARD Decision 97-08: Cardinal River Coals Ltd. TransAlta Utilities Corporation Cheviot Coal Project Published by Alberta Energy and Utilities Board 640 – 5 Avenue SW Calgary, Alberta T2P 3G4 Telephone: (403) 297-8311 Fax: (403) 297-7040 Web site: www.eub.gov.ab.ca TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................1 1.1 Project Summary ..................................................1 1.2 Approval Process ..................................................2 1.2.1 Coal Development Policy for Alberta (1976) ......................3 1.2.2 Alberta Environmental Protection ...............................3 1.2.3 Alberta Energy and Utilities Board ..............................4 1.2.4 Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans/ Federal Department of the Environment/ Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency ......................4 1.3 Public Review Processes ............................................5 1.3.1 EUB Review Process .........................................5 1.3.2 Joint Review Panel Process ....................................5 1.3.3 Public Hearing ..............................................6 1.3.4 Decision–Making Process .....................................6 1.4 Public Consultation Process ..........................................6 1.4.1 AEP and EUB Requirements ...................................6 1.4.2 CEAA Requirements .........................................7 1.4.3 Activities of the Applicants ...................................7 1.5 Report Framework .................................................7 1.5.1 Format ....................................................7 1.5.2 Environmental Assessment Process ..............................8 1.6 Preliminary Matters ...............................................12 1.6.1 Change of Venue ...........................................12 1.6.2 Establishment of the Joint Review Panel .........................12 1.6.3 Public Registry .............................................13 1.6.4 Institutional Bias ...........................................13 1.6.5 Adjournment Request .......................................13 1.6.6 Expert Advice .............................................14 1.6.7 Site Visit .................................................14 1.6.8 Production Of Witnesses .....................................14 1.6.9 Production of Documents ....................................15 2 PROJECT PURPOSE, NEED, AND ALTERNATIVES ........................16 2.1 Proposed Cheviot Coal Project ......................................16 2.1.1 Views of the Applicant ......................................16 2.1.2 Views of the Interveners .....................................17 2.1.3 Views of the Panel ..........................................20 2.2 Proposed Surface Mine ............................................22 2.2.1 Views of the Applicant ......................................22 2.2.2 Views of the Interveners .....................................23 2.2.3 Views of the Panel ..........................................23 2.3 Proposed Coal Processing Plant ......................................24 ii 2.3.1 Views of the Applicant ......................................24 2.3.2 Views of the Interveners .....................................25 2.3.3 Views of the Panel ..........................................26 2.4 Proposed Transportation and Utilities System ...........................27 2.4.1 Views of the Applicant ......................................27 2.4.2 Views of the Interveners .....................................28 2.4.3 Views of the Panel ..........................................29 3 AQUATIC ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ..................................30 3.1 Water Quantity ...................................................30 3.1.1 Views of the Applicant ......................................30 3.1.2 Views of the Interveners .....................................34 3.1.3 Views of the Panel ..........................................34 3.2 Water Quality ....................................................36 3.2.1 Views of the Applicant ......................................36 3.2.2 Views of the Interveners .....................................41 3.2.3 Views of the Panel ..........................................43 3.3 Aquatic Habitat and Fisheries .......................................46 3.3.1 Views of the Applicant ......................................46 3.3.2 Views of the Interveners .....................................50 3.3.3 Views of the Panel ..........................................53 4 TERRESTRIAL EFFECTS ...............................................58 4.1 Vegetation ......................................................58 4.1.1 Views of the Applicant ......................................58 4.1.2 Views of the Interveners .....................................65 4.1.3 Views of the Panel ..........................................68 4.2 Soils and Terrain .................................................71 4.2.1 Views of the Applicant ......................................71 4.2.2 Views of the Interveners .....................................73 4.2.3 Views of the Panel ..........................................74 4.3 Carnivores ......................................................75 4.3.1 Views of the Applicant ......................................75 4.3.2 Views of the Interveners .....................................81 4.3.3 Views of the Panel ..........................................85 4.4 Ungulates .......................................................90 4.4.1 Views of the Applicant ......................................90 4.4.2 Views of the Interveners .....................................96 4.4.3 Views of the Panel ..........................................99 4.5 Small Mammals and Amphibians ...................................102 4.5.1 Views of the Applicant .....................................102 4.5.2 Views of the Interveners ....................................104 4.5.3 Views of the Panel .........................................105 iii 4.6 Harlequin Ducks ..........................................106 4.6.1 Views of the Applicant .....................................106 4.6.2 Views of the Interveners ....................................108 4.6.3 Views of the Panel .........................................110 4.7 Neotropical and Other Breeding Birds and Raptors .....................112 4.7.1 Views of the Applicant .....................................112 4.7.2 Views of the Interveners ....................................113 4.7.3 Views of the Panel .........................................114 5 ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ...........................115 5.1 Noise and Vibration ..............................................115 5.1.1 Views of the Applicant .....................................115 5.1.2 Views of the Interveners ....................................116 5.1.3 Views of the Panel .........................................117 5.2 Emissions ......................................................118 5.2.1 Views of the Applicant .....................................118 5.2.2 Views of the Interveners ....................................119 5.2.3 Views of the Panel .........................................120 6 LAND USE EFFECTS .................................................122 6.1 Land Use Policies ................................................122 6.1.1 Views of the Applicant .....................................122 6.1.2 Views of the Interveners ....................................124 6.1.3 Views of the Panel .........................................126 6.2 Natural Areas ...................................................126 6.2.1 Views of the Applicant .....................................126 6.2.2 Views of the Interveners ....................................128 6.2.3 Views of the Panel .........................................129 6.3 Jasper National Park .............................................130 6.3.1 Views of the Applicant .....................................130 6.3.2 Views of the Interveners ....................................131 6.3.3 Views of the Panel .........................................132 6.4 Recreational Users ...............................................133 6.4.1 Views of the Applicant .....................................133 6.4.2 Views of the Interveners ....................................135 6.4.3 Views of the Panel .........................................137 6.5 Commercial Users ...............................................138 6.5.1 Views of the Applicant .....................................138 6.5.2 Views of the Interveners ....................................141 6.5.3 Views of the Panel .........................................141 7 COMMUNITY EFFECTS ...............................................143 7.1 Mountain Park Townsite ..........................................143 iv 7.1.1 Views of the Applicant .....................................143 7.1.2 Views of the Interveners ....................................143 7.1.3 Views of the Panel .........................................144 7.2 Cheviot Coal Project Workers ......................................145 7.2.1 Views of the Applicant .....................................145 7.2.2 Views of the Interveners ....................................145 7.2.3 Views of the Panel .........................................146 7.3 Alexis First Nation and Smallboy Camp