Project Description PRGT4776-TC-EN-SD-0001 May 21, 2013 Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Project Project Description Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Proponent Information .......................................................................................1 1.1.1 Proponent Contact Information ........................................................2 1.2 Website ..............................................................................................................2 1.3 Regulatory Framework ......................................................................................2 1.3.1 Permits, Licences, Approvals and Authorizations Required ...........3 2.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT ....................................................................... 7 2.1 Facilities, Infrastructure and Route ....................................................................7 2.2 Project Purpose and Rationale ...........................................................................8 2.3 Estimated Capital Cost and Employment ..........................................................9 2.4 Project Planning Undertaken to Date .................................................................9 3.0 AREAS OF FEDERAL INTEREST ......................................................................................... 11 3.1 Federal Authorizations .....................................................................................11 3.1.1 Fisheries Act ..................................................................................11 3.1.2 Species at Risk Act ........................................................................11 3.1.3 Migratory Birds Convention Act ...................................................11 3.1.4 Navigable Waters Protection Act ...................................................11 3.1.5 Canadian Environmental Protection Act .......................................12 3.1.6 Explosives Act ...............................................................................12 4.0 PROJECT OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................... 13 4.1 Scope of the Project .........................................................................................13 4.1.1 Pipeline ..........................................................................................13 4.1.2 Watercourse and Inlet Crossings ...................................................13 4.1.3 Marine Alternatives .......................................................................14 4.1.4 Meter Stations ................................................................................14 4.1.5 Compressor Stations ......................................................................14 4.1.6 Mainline Valves .............................................................................14 4.1.7 Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System ............................................................................................15 4.1.8 Communication Links and Power Supply .....................................15 4.1.9 In-Line Inspection Facilities ..........................................................15 4.1.10 Cathodic Protection ........................................................................15 4.1.11 Temporary Infrastructure ...............................................................15 4.1.12 Operations and Maintenance Activities .........................................15 4.2 Project Schedule ...............................................................................................16 4.3 Pipeline Right-of-Way .....................................................................................16 4.4 Project Activities ..............................................................................................17 PRGT4776-TC-EN-SD-0001 May 21, 2013 Page i Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Project Contents Project Description 4.4.1 Construction ...................................................................................18 4.4.2 Operations and Maintenance ..........................................................21 4.5 Resource and Material Requirements ..............................................................23 4.5.1 Energy Requirements .....................................................................23 4.5.2 Water Requirements .......................................................................23 4.5.3 Excavation and Fill Requirements .................................................23 4.5.4 Toxic and Hazardous Materials .....................................................24 4.5.5 Waste Disposal...............................................................................24 5.0 NISGA’A NATION ENGAGEMENT ........................................................................................ 25 6.0 ABORIGINAL ENGAGEMENT ............................................................................................... 27 6.1 Aboriginal Groups ...........................................................................................27 6.2 Aboriginal Engagement Activities Completed to Date ...................................27 7.0 PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ........................................................................................................ 29 7.1 Stakeholder Groups Identified .........................................................................30 7.2 Regional and Municipal Governments Potentially Affected ...........................30 7.3 Public Engagement Activities Completed to Date ...........................................31 7.4 Regulatory Engagement Conducted to Date ....................................................31 7.5 Key Discussion Topics and Comments ...........................................................32 8.0 PROJECT SETTING ............................................................................................................... 33 8.1 Pipeline Route Overview .................................................................................33 8.1.1 Marine Alternatives .......................................................................34 8.2 Physical Environment ......................................................................................34 8.3 Atmospheric Environment ...............................................................................35 8.4 Acoustic Environment .....................................................................................36 8.5 Aquatic Species, Fish and Fish Habitat ...........................................................37 8.5.1 Freshwater ......................................................................................37 8.5.2 Marine Alternatives .......................................................................40 8.6 Terrestrial Environment ...................................................................................41 8.6.1 Soils................................................................................................41 8.6.2 Vegetation ......................................................................................41 8.6.3 Wildlife ..........................................................................................44 8.7 Human Environment ........................................................................................46 8.7.1 Regional and Municipal Populations .............................................46 8.7.2 Regional Development Areas ........................................................47 8.7.3 Land Ownership .............................................................................48 8.7.4 Land Use ........................................................................................48 8.7.5 Reserves Defined Under the Indian Act ........................................50 8.8 Archaeological and Heritage Resources ..........................................................52 PRGT4776-TC-EN-SD-0001 Page ii May 21, 2013 Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Project Project Description Contents 8.8.1 Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Traditional Land Use .................................................................................................52 9.0 POTENTIAL PROJECT EFFECTS ......................................................................................... 55 9.1 Environmental Effects .....................................................................................55 9.1.1 Atmospheric Environment .............................................................55 9.1.2 Acoustic Environment ...................................................................56 9.1.3 Aquatic Species, Fish and Fish Habitat .........................................56 9.1.4 Terrestrial Environment .................................................................57 9.2 Social Effects ...................................................................................................59 9.2.1 Land Use ........................................................................................59 9.2.2 Community Infrastructure and Services ........................................59 9.2.3 Visual Aesthetics ...........................................................................59 9.3 Economic Effects .............................................................................................59 9.4 Heritage and Archaeological Resources ..........................................................60