Lake Erie Connector Project Environmental Report May 2015 Prepared for: ITC Lake Erie Connector LLC Novi, Michigan Prepared by: HDR Engineering, Inc. Portland, Maine May 2015 LAKE ERIE CONNECTOR PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Title Page No. 1.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Purpose and Need ................................................................................................ 1-2 1.1.1 Project Purpose ........................................................................................ 1-2 1.1.2 Project Need ............................................................................................. 1-2 1.1.2.1 Power System Reliability Benefits.......................................... 1-2 1.1.2.2 Market Efficiency Benefits ..................................................... 1-3 1.1.2.3 Environmental Benefits ........................................................... 1-3 2.0 Project Description ........................................................................................................... 2-1 2.1 General Project Description ................................................................................. 2-1 2.2 Erie Converter Station Description ...................................................................... 2-3 2.2.1 General Facility Location and Description, Erie Converter Station ........ 2-3 2.2.2 Construction Methods, Erie Converter Station ........................................ 2-9 2.3 Underground Cable Description .......................................................................... 2-9 2.3.1 General Facility Location and Description, Underground Cable ............ 2-9 2.3.2 Construction Methods, Underground Cable .......................................... 2-12 2.3.2.1 Construction Access and Temporary Workspace ................. 2-12 2.3.2.2 Cable Installation .................................................................. 2-13 2.3.2.3 Wetland and Stream Crossing Methods ................................ 2-14 2.3.2.4 Jack & Bore Construction Method ........................................ 2-14 2.3.2.5 Horizontal Directional Drilling Construction Method .......... 2-15 2.4 Underwater Cable Description ........................................................................... 2-16 2.4.1 General Facility Location and Description, Underwater Cable ............. 2-16 2.4.2 Construction Methods, Underwater Cable ............................................. 2-17 2.4.2.1 Install HDD Conduit ............................................................. 2-17 2.4.2.2 Perform Pre-Lay Grapnel Run .............................................. 2-18 2.4.2.3 Install Cable .......................................................................... 2-18 2.5 Transmission System Operating and Design Features ....................................... 2-20 2.5.1 System Operation ................................................................................... 2-21 2.5.2 Electromagnetic Compatibility Limit .................................................... 2-21 2.5.3 Relay Protection ..................................................................................... 2-21 2.5.4 Damage Repair ....................................................................................... 2-21 2.6 Project Schedule ................................................................................................. 2-22 3.0 Alternatives Analysis ....................................................................................................... 3-1 3.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 3-1 3.2 Screening Process ................................................................................................ 3-1 i May 2015 3.3 Alternatives Analyzed .......................................................................................... 3-7 3.3.1 Substation Locations ................................................................................ 3-8 3.3.2 Landfall Locations ................................................................................... 3-8 3.3.3 Converter Station Locations .................................................................... 3-9 3.3.4 Underwater Route Alternatives .............................................................. 3-10 3.3.5 Underground Route Alternatives ........................................................... 3-11 3.3.6 No-Action Alternative ........................................................................... 3-15 3.3.7 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated ................................................ 3-16 3.4 Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative (LEDPA) ............... 3-17 3.4.1 Preferred Route ...................................................................................... 3-17 3.4.2 Summary of Construction Techniques ................................................... 3-18 3.4.3 Summary of Environmental Impacts ..................................................... 3-18 3.4.3.1 Water Use and Land Use....................................................... 3-18 3.4.3.2 Geology and Soils ................................................................. 3-19 3.4.3.3 Water Resources and Quality ................................................ 3-19 3.4.3.4 Aquatic Resources ................................................................. 3-20 3.4.3.5 Terrestrial Resources ............................................................. 3-20 3.4.3.6 Protected and Sensitive Species ............................................ 3-21 3.4.3.7 Cultural Resources ................................................................ 3-21 3.4.3.8 Aesthetic and Visual Resources ............................................ 3-21 3.4.3.9 Climate, Air Quality, and Noise ............................................ 3-21 3.4.3.10 Public Health and Safety, Hazardous Materials and Waste,and Socioeconomics ................................................... 3-21 3.4.3.11 Infrastructure ......................................................................... 3-22 3.4.3.12 Land Use and Traffic ............................................................ 3-22 3.4.3.13 Environmental Justice ........................................................... 3-22 4.0 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 4-1 4.1 Water Use and Land Use ..................................................................................... 4-1 4.1.1 Lake Segment........................................................................................... 4-1 4.1.1.1 Recreation and Fishing ............................................................ 4-1 4.1.1.2 Navigation ............................................................................... 4-3 4.1.1.3 Mineral Resources ................................................................... 4-3 4.1.2 Underground Segment ............................................................................. 4-4 4.1.2.1 Land Use ................................................................................. 4-4 4.1.2.2 Recreation ............................................................................... 4-7 4.1.2.3 Land Use Plans and Policies ................................................... 4-7 4.2 Geology and Soils ................................................................................................ 4-9 4.2.1 Lake Segment........................................................................................... 4-9 4.2.1.1 Sediments .............................................................................. 4-10 4.2.1.2 Bedrock Geology .................................................................. 4-10 4.2.1.3 Surficial and Subsurface Features ......................................... 4-12 4.2.1.4 Seismicity .............................................................................. 4-12 4.2.1.5 Bathymetry ............................................................................ 4-13 4.2.2 Underground Segment and Converter Station ....................................... 4-14 4.2.2.1 Physiography and Topography ............................................. 4-14 ii May 2015 4.2.2.2 Geology ................................................................................. 4-14 4.2.2.3 Soils ....................................................................................... 4-15 4.2.2.4 Prime Farmland ..................................................................... 4-17 4.2.2.5 Seismicity .............................................................................. 4-18 4.3 Water Resources and Quality ............................................................................. 4-18 4.3.1 Lake Segment......................................................................................... 4-18 4.3.1.1 Historic Water Quality .......................................................... 4-19 4.3.1.2 Ice Scour ............................................................................... 4-21 4.3.2 Underground Segment and Converter Station Site ................................ 4-22 4.3.2.1 Wetlands ................................................................................ 4-22 4.3.2.2 Surface Waters ...................................................................... 4-25 4.3.2.3 Groundwater