Pasquia Bog Peat Harvest Project Premier Horticulture Ltd. Environmental Impact Assessment Submittted to: Saskatcchewan Ministry of Environment – Environmental Assessment Branch June 2012 PASQUIA BOG PEAT HARVEST PROJECT PREMIER HORTICULTURE LTD. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT Executive Summary PROJECT OVERVIEW Premier Horticulture Ltd. (Premier Sask Inc.) (Premier) is proposing to harvest a 1,880 ha area of peat over 80 years, divided into 15 phases (herein referred to as Pasquia Bogs). The Pasquia Bogs are situated within Townships 49 and 50, Ranges 30 and 31, West of Principal Meridian and located approximately 55 km northeast of Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan and approximately 22 km east of Highway 9. The Pasquia Bogs consist of five major bogs and two smaller bog clusters. This Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) focuses on the first 20 to 30 years of development (Phase 1 to 4), which consists of a 526 ha area of peat bog for harvesting and a 53.2 ha area of peat bog to use as a donor site (Site Study Area (SSA)). Phase 1 to 4 is divided into 11 sections to be harvested. A 21.6 km public, year-round access road was constructed in 2010/2011 from Highway 9 to approximately 60 m west of the Pasquia River, to enable peat from the Pasquia Bog to be transported to the Carrot River Processing and Bagging Plant. The access road underwent its own environmental approval with the Ministry of Environment (MOE) and therefore is not considered a project activity within this EIS. PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PROJECT The Saskatchewan operation by Premier is well-known throughout the industry for the quality of its peat moss. Over the years the majority of Premier’s clients requires and utilizes an exceptionally fibrous moss. Their Ravendale operation near Carrot River has enough peat supply for only the next 5 to 10 years within its subdivision. There are no adjoining undeveloped sections available to enhance their outcome quality and are facing an ever decreasing availability of quality peat to supply their operations. In the summer of 2011, the remaining available reserves were opened up to operations. In order to maintain the peat supply and standard to the Carrot River Processing and Bagging Plant, Premier needs to develop in new areas. Premier has invested significant capital in the Carrot River Processing and Bagging Plant and wishes to keep the infrastructure in place at this location. In order to maintain the same quality standard and supply of peat, Premier needs to locate new peat bogs for development. However, only small peat bogs (40 to 80 ha) are located in close proximity to the Carrot River Processing and Bagging Plant. Therefore, the Project location was chosen because the territory size is large (1,880 ha), it contains a high quality peat moss (contains Hi fibers and a low pH), it provides a long term supply of peat (80 years), and there is a low amount of vegetation cover. sch w:\active\113253562\environmental_assessment\report\eis_2011\report_final\53562_pasquia_eis_10jun2012.docx E.1 PASQUIA BOG PEAT HARVEST PROJECT PREMIER HORTICULTURE LTD. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROJECT DESCRIPTION That project has four distinct phases, which includes construction, operation, decommissioning, and restoration. Peat harvesting within the SSA will occur over a 20 to 30 year period. An estimated development schedule for the SSA is presented below. Tentative Project Schedule for the SSA Year Activity early 2013 Construction – Pasquia River bridge Construction - Site clearing, and construction of internal access roads, 2013 to 2014 operations and maintenance yard, drainage ditches, and sedimentation ponds 2013 to 2014 Operation - Opening of Phase 1 2015 to 2016 Operation - Opening of Phase 2 2017 to 2018 Operation - Opening of Phase 3 2019 to 2021 Operation - Opening of Phase 4 2028 to 2029 Operation - Closing of Phase 1 2030 to 2031 Operation - Closing of Phase 2 2032 to 2033 Operation - Closing of Phase 3 2034 to 2035 Operation - Closing of Phase 4 2035 + Decommissioning - removal of internal access roads and other facilities Restoration - Implementation of Premier’s Restoration Plan, including the 2035 + plugging of drainage ditches and spreading of plant material from the donor sites onto the restoration fields 2035 + Opening of the northern bog clusters (Phases 5 to 15) For the purposes of the environmental assessment, the following activities are included in each phase: Construction; activities associated with the initial opening of the SSA, including site preparation (vegetation clearing), construction of internal access roads (including use of borrow pits), construction of an Operations and Maintenance Yard and associated parking areas, construction of drainage ditches and sedimentation ponds, and construction of the Pasquia River Bridge. This is consisted to be short-term, approximately 1 to 2 years. Operation; activities associated with the on-going operation of the SSA, including harvesting, peat hauling, and maintenance (drainage ditches, sedimentation ponds, and internal access roads). In addition, the operation phase includes the activities associated with the opening of future bog phases within the SSA (Phase 2 to 4), which involves site clearing, construction of primary and field drainage ditches, and construction of internal access roads. This is considered to be long-term, since it runs the entire length of the project (up to 80 years). sch w:\active\113253562\environmental_assessment\report\eis_2011\report_final\53562_pasquia_eis_10jun2012.docx E.2 PASQUIA BOG PEAT HARVEST PROJECT PREMIER HORTICULTURE LTD. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT Decommissioning; activities associated with the closure of the SSA, including the removal of internal access roads and other facilities. This is considered to be short-term, as decommissioning activities can occur within 1 to 2 years. Restoration; activities associated with the re-establishment of vegetation in the SSA, including the plugging of drainage ditches and spreading of plant material from the donor sites onto the restoration fields. This is considered to be long-term, as re-establishment of the Sphagnum layer can take over 100 years. Premier has extensive experience in peatland restoration, through their involvement in numerous large scale restoration projects at all its operations across Canada, including Saskatchewan, and in the United States as well. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT Public open house meetings were held in Carrot River, SK and Hudson Bay, SK on February 23 and 24, 2010, respectively. Representatives from the Province of Saskatchewan, the Town of Carrot River, Premier, and Stantec were present at the meetings. A total of 73 and 40 people attended the Carrot River and Hudson Bay open houses, respectively. No negative feedback was received from the public. All attendees were in support of the project and acknowledged the economic benefits the project would have for the region. Several inquiries were received regarding employment opportunities for the road construction. Trappers and outfitters in the vicinity of the SSA were contacted in August 2009 in regards to the Pasquia Bog Peat Harvest Project. In total, 3 trappers and 3 outfitters were consulted in regards to the proposed Project. No concerns were received from the trappers in the area. One of the outfitters expressed a concern with how the access road could open the area to additional hunters and the public. Engagement activities with First Nations and Métis groups commenced for the Pasquia Bog Peat Harvest Project in 2009. Despite a lengthy engagement period from August 2009 to March 2012 (refer to Appendix 11), Premier was unable to obtain any traditional land use information from the First Nations or Métis people in regards to the project study area. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ANALYSIS - BIOPHYSICAL Atmosphere and Air Quality An increase in atmospheric emissions during the construction, operation and decommissioning phases of this Project will occur mainly to dust and vehicle emissions. During the construction and decommissioning phases, the primary sources of emissions will be from construction equipment and vehicles, and dust picked up by wind or moving vehicles. Emissions during the operational phase will originate from equipment and vehicles, and dust from the peat stockpiles and from the peat hauling trucks. Premier will implement the following mitigation measures, sch w:\active\113253562\environmental_assessment\report\eis_2011\report_final\53562_pasquia_eis_10jun2012.docx E.3 PASQUIA BOG PEAT HARVEST PROJECT PREMIER HORTICULTURE LTD. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT which include applying water to internal access roads (if necessary), covering peat during transport, covering peat stockpiles (as necessary), minimizing the idling of vehicles, ceasing peat harvesting activities on excessively windy days, and regular inspection of equipment. With the implementation of mitigation measures the residual effect is considered to be minor, reversible, and not significant. Noise and Vibration An increase in ambient noise levels will be experienced during the construction, operation and decommissioning phases of this Project. During the construction and decommissioning phases the main sources of noise will be generated by mechanized equipment and vehicles. During the operation phase, the increase in noise levels will be attributable to the vacuum harvesting and hauling vehicles. Premier will implement the following mitigation measures, which include the use of noise suppressors, minimizing idling of vehicles, regular