Maintenance rebuild of the AltaLink 551L transmission line between Banff and Lake Louise: Detailed Environmental Impact Analysis DRAFT Submitted by: Avens Consulting Inc. Canmore AB Submitted to: AltaLink LP Calgary AB And Parks Canada October 2015 AltaLink draft 551L Maintenance Rebuild EA AVENS CONSULTING In association with: Bruce Gleig – GIS Consultant Andrea Ram – GIS and Aquatics Report Authorship Project Manager: Rhonda DeLong, M.Sc., Avens Consulting. Wildlife: Mark Piorecky, M.Sc., Valhalla Environmental Consulting Inc. Vegetation: Rhonda DeLong, M.Sc., Avens Consulting Landforms and Soil: Matt Johnson, C. Tech., Corvidae Environmental Consulting Inc. Aquatic resources and hydrology: Andrea Ram, M.GIS, Ram Consulting Cultural resources: Neil Mirau and Don Boras, Arrow Archaeology Visibility analysis and GIS mapping: Bruce Gleig, B.E.S, GIS Consultant Avens Consulting September 2015 i AltaLink draft 551L Maintenance Rebuild EA Table of Contents 1. Project ..................................................................................................................... 1 1.1. Background ........................................................................................................................................1 1.2. Purpose and Justification .................................................................................................................2 1.3. Scope of Project .................................................................................................................................4 1.4. Scope of the assessment .....................................................................................................................6 1.5. Regulatory context and guiding documents ....................................................................................8 1.6. Alternatives to the proposed project..............................................................................................11 1.6.1. No line replacement option ...................................................................................................................... 11 1.6.2. Improved technology and repair option ................................................................................................... 12 1.6.3. Underground 69 kV Transmission Cable Option ..................................................................................... 13 1.7. Alternate means of implementing the project ...............................................................................14 1.8. AltaLink Transmission Line Rebuild Operations ........................................................................16 1.8.1. Length of transmission line and sections ................................................................................................. 16 1.8.2. Access ...................................................................................................................................................... 17 1.8.3. Transmission line rebuild procedures and equipment .............................................................................. 21 1.8.4. Post-construction Reclamation ................................................................................................................ 40 1.9. Fortis Distribution Line Rebuild Operations ................................................................................42 1.9.1. Length of Distribution line....................................................................................................................... 42 1.9.2. Access ...................................................................................................................................................... 43 1.9.3. Distribution line burial procedures and equipment .................................................................................. 45 1.9.4. Distribution line underbuild procedures and equipment .......................................................................... 48 1.10. Waste disposal ..............................................................................................................................49 1.11. Handling and storage of toxic/hazardous materials .................................................................50 1.12. Erosion and runoff control measures ........................................................................................50 1.13. Long-term transmission line operations ....................................................................................52 1.14. Long-term distribution line operations .....................................................................................52 1.15. Project schedule ...........................................................................................................................52 1.15.1. Annual and Seasonal Schedule ................................................................................................................ 52 1.15.2. Seasonal Closures .................................................................................................................................... 55 1.16. Project permit requirements ......................................................................................................56 2. Site Baseline Conditions ...................................................................................... 57 2.1. Site location ......................................................................................................................................57 2.2. Air quality ........................................................................................................................................57 2.3. Geography and soils ........................................................................................................................57 Avens Consulting October 2015 ii AltaLink draft 551L Maintenance Rebuild EA 2.4. Vegetation ........................................................................................................................................64 2.4.1. Ecosites and Vegetation communities ..................................................................................................... 64 2.4.1. Species richness and community diversity .............................................................................................. 66 2.4.2. Rare and uncommon plant communities .................................................................................................. 67 2.4.3. Rare plants ............................................................................................................................................... 70 2.4.4. Invasive non-native plants ....................................................................................................................... 73 2.5. Wildlife .............................................................................................................................................74 2.5.1. Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat in the RSA, LSA and PSA ....................................................................... 74 2.5.2. Ungulates ................................................................................................................................................. 75 2.5.3. Large Carnivores...................................................................................................................................... 77 2.5.4. Mesocarnivores ........................................................................................................................................ 78 2.5.5. Small Mammals ....................................................................................................................................... 79 2.5.6. Bats .......................................................................................................................................................... 79 2.5.7. Birds ......................................................................................................................................................... 80 2.5.8. Amphibians and Reptiles ......................................................................................................................... 83 2.6. Hydrology and Aquatic Resources.................................................................................................84 2.6.1. Hydrology and aquatic habitat ................................................................................................................. 85 2.6.2. Fish Species ............................................................................................................................................. 85 2.6.3. Proposed waterbody crossings ................................................................................................................. 87 2.7. Cultural features..............................................................................................................................97 2.7.1. Aesthetic features ..................................................................................................................................... 97 2.7.2. Public facilities and services .................................................................................................................... 98 2.7.3. Public safety ........................................................................................................................................... 100 2.7.4. Cultural heritage ...................................................................................................................................