LAKE MANITOBA AND LAKE ST. MARTIN OUTLET CHANNELS PROJECT EIS August 2019 SUMMARY March 2020 LAKE MANITOBA AND LAKE ST. MARTIN OUTLET CHANNELS PROJECT Environmental Impact Statement EIS SUMMARY March 2020 LAKE MANITOBA AND LAKE ST. MARTIN OUTLET CHANNELS PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT Table of Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT CONTEXT .......................... 1 1.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 1 1.2 REGULATORY SETTING ................................................................................................. 3 1.2.1 Federal Regulatory Requirements ................................................................... 3 1.2.2 Provincial Regulatory Requirements ............................................................... 3 1.2.3 Indigenous Peoples ....................................................................................... 3 2.0 PROJECT OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................... 4 2.1 PROJECT LOCATION ...................................................................................................... 4 2.2 PROJECT COMPONENTS ............................................................................................... 6 2.2.1 Lake Manitoba Outlet Channel ........................................................................ 7 2.2.1.1 Outlet Channel ........................................................................................... 7 2.2.1.2 Channel Inlet and Outlet ............................................................................ 8 2.2.1.3 Water Control Structure ............................................................................. 8 2.2.1.4 Permanent Bridge Structures .................................................................... 8 2.2.1.5 PR 239 and Municipal Road Realignments ............................................... 8 2.2.1.6 Associated Works and Activities ................................................................ 8 2.2.2 Lake St. Martin Outlet Channel ..................................................................... 10 2.2.2.1 Outlet Channel ......................................................................................... 10 2.2.2.2 Channel Inlet and Outlet .......................................................................... 10 2.2.2.3 Water Control Structure ........................................................................... 11 2.2.2.4 Permanent Bridge Structures .................................................................. 11 2.2.2.5 Drop Structures........................................................................................ 11 2.2.2.6 Associated Works and Activities .............................................................. 11 2.3 PROJECT CONSTRUCTION ......................................................................................... 13 2.3.1 Clearing ......................................................................................................... 13 2.3.2 Excavation ..................................................................................................... 13 2.3.3 Blasting .......................................................................................................... 14 2.3.4 Access Roads and Detours ........................................................................... 14 2.3.5 Bridges .......................................................................................................... 14 2.3.6 Water Control Structures ............................................................................... 15 2.3.7 Road Realignment ......................................................................................... 15 2.3.8 Drop Structures ............................................................................................. 15 2.3.9 Temporary Construction Camps and Staging Areas ..................................... 15 2.3.10 Water Management ....................................................................................... 16 2.3.11 Revegetation ................................................................................................. 17 2.3.12 Fuel and Waste Management ....................................................................... 17 2.3.13 Power Supply ................................................................................................ 17 2.3.14 Workforce ...................................................................................................... 18 2.4 PROJECT OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE .............................................................. 18 2.4.1 Operation Guidelines ..................................................................................... 18 2.4.2 Vegetation Management ............................................................................... 18 2.4.3 Water Management ....................................................................................... 19 2.4.4 Ice Management ............................................................................................ 19 LAKE MANITOBA AND LAKE ST. MARTIN OUTLET CHANNELS PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT 2.4.5 Fuel and Waste Storage ................................................................................ 20 2.4.1 Maintenance Requirements ........................................................................... 20 2.4.2 Workforce ...................................................................................................... 20 2.5 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ........................................................... 20 3.0 PROJECT JUSTIFICATION AND ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED ............................. 22 3.1 PROJECT JUSTIFICATION ............................................................................................ 22 3.2 ALTERNATIVE FLOOD PROTECTION INFRASTRUCTURE CONSIDERED ............... 22 3.3 ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF CARRYING OUT THE PROJECT ..................................... 23 3.3.1 Lake Manitoba Outlet Channel Routing ......................................................... 23 3.3.2 Lake St. Martin Outlet Channel Routing ........................................................ 24 3.3.3 Water Control Structures ............................................................................... 24 3.3.4 Bridges .......................................................................................................... 24 3.3.5 Provincial Road 239 Realignment ................................................................. 25 3.3.6 Power Distribution Line .................................................................................. 25 4.0 PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM SUMMARY ......................................................... 26 5.0 INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT PLAN SUMMARY ........................................................ 27 6.0 SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ASSESSMENT .................................... 30 6.1 ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT .................................................................................. 35 6.1.1 Description of the Baseline Conditions .......................................................... 35 6.1.1.1 Air Quality and Climate ............................................................................ 35 6.1.1.2 Acoustic Environment .............................................................................. 35 6.1.1.3 Ambient Light ........................................................................................... 35 6.1.2 Effects on the Environment ........................................................................... 36 6.1.2.1 Change to the Environment ..................................................................... 36 6.1.2.2 Mitigation Measures ................................................................................. 37 6.1.3 Residual Effects ............................................................................................. 39 6.2 GEOLOGY AND SOILS .................................................................................................. 41 6.2.1 Description of the Baseline Conditions .......................................................... 41 6.2.1.1 Geology ................................................................................................... 41 6.2.1.2 Soils and Terrain...................................................................................... 41 6.2.2 Effects on the Environment ........................................................................... 42 6.2.2.1 Change to the Environment ..................................................................... 42 6.2.2.2 Mitigation Measures ................................................................................. 44 6.2.2.3 Residual Effects ....................................................................................... 45 6.3 GROUNDWATER ........................................................................................................... 47 6.3.1 Description of the Baseline Conditions .......................................................... 47 6.3.2 Effects on the Environment ........................................................................... 48 6.3.2.1 Change to the Environment ..................................................................... 48 6.3.2.2 Mitigation Measures ................................................................................. 50 6.3.2.3 Residual Effects ......................................................................................