Project Description Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin Outlet Channels Prepared for: Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Submitted by: Manitoba Infrastructure January 2018 Project Description – January 2018 Table of Contents 1 GENERAL INFORMATION AND CONTACTS ................................................... 1 1.1 Nature of the Project and Proposed Location ..................................................... 1 1.2 Proponent Information ........................................................................................ 3 1.2.1 Name of the Project ......................................................................................... 3 1.2.2 Name of the Proponent ................................................................................... 3 1.2.3 Address of the Proponent ................................................................................ 3 1.2.4 Chief Executive Officer .................................................................................... 3 1.2.5 Principal Contact Person ................................................................................. 3 1.3 Jurisdictions and Other Parties Consulted .......................................................... 6 1.4 Environmental Assessment Requirements ......................................................... 7 1.4.1 Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (Canada) ............................ 7 1.4.2 The Environment Act (Manitoba) ..................................................................... 8 1.5 Other Regulatory Requirements ......................................................................... 8 1.6 Regional planning context ................................................................................ 12 2 PROJECT INFORMATION .............................................................................. 13 2.1 Project Overview ............................................................................................. 13 2.2 Provisions of Regulations Designating Physical Activities ................................ 14 2.3 Project Components and Activities .................................................................. 14 2.3.1 Physical Works Associated with the Designated Project ............................... 14 2.3.2 Anticipated Size and Capacity of the Designated Project ............................. 15 2.3.2.1 Lake Manitoba Outlet Channel ................................................................... 15 2.3.2.2 Lake St. Martin Outlet Channels ................................................................ 20 2.3.3 Expansion of Existing Infrastructure .............................................................. 22 2.3.4 Activities Incidental to the Project .................................................................. 22 2.3.4.1 Lake St. Martin Outlet Channel Access Road ........................................... 22 2.3.4.2 Existing Lake St. Martin Emergency Outlet Channel .................................. 22 2.4 Emissions, Discharges and Wastes .................................................................. 23 2.5 Project Phases and Scheduling ........................................................................ 25 2.5.1 Anticipated Scheduling for Project Phases .................................................... 26 2.5.1.1 Planning and Design (2016 - 2019) ............................................................ 26 2.5.1.2 Pre-Construction (2018 - 2019) .................................................................. 26 2.5.1.3 Construction (2019 - 2023) ........................................................................ 26 2.5.1.4 Operation and Maintenance ....................................................................... 29 3 PROJECT LOCATION .................................................................................... 31 3.1 Location Description ......................................................................................... 31 3.2 Coordinates ...................................................................................................... 31 3.3 Site Map/Plan ................................................................................................... 31 3.3.1 Detailed Site Maps ........................................................................................ 31 3.3.2 Photographs of Work Locations .................................................................... 32 3.3.3 Proximities ..................................................................................................... 32 3.3.3.1 Residences and First Nations .................................................................... 32 3.4 Land and Water Use ........................................................................................ 32 3.4.1 Zoning Designations ...................................................................................... 32 Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin Outlet Channels 1 | P a g e Project Description – January 2018 3.4.2 Legal Description ........................................................................................... 35 3.4.3 Land/Water Use, Resource Management and Conservation Plans ............... 35 3.4.4 Lands/Resources Used for Traditional Purposes .......................................... 36 4 FEDERAL INVOLVEMENT ............................................................................. 37 4.1 Financial Support ............................................................................................. 37 4.2 Federal Land and Regulatory Requirements .................................................... 37 5 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ......................................................................... 38 5.1 Existing Environment ........................................................................................ 38 5.1.2 Biophysical Setting ........................................................................................ 38 5.1.2.1 Climate ...................................................................................................... 38 5.1.2.2 Noise ......................................................................................................... 39 5.1.2.3 Air Quality .................................................................................................. 40 5.1.2.4 Potential Project Effects on Air Quality, Noise and Climate ........................ 42 5.1.3 Geology and Soils ......................................................................................... 42 5.1.3.1 Terrain and Topography ............................................................................ 42 5.1.3.3 Potential Project Effects on Terrain and Topography ................................. 44 5.1.3.2 Geology and Soils ...................................................................................... 44 5.1.3.3 Potential Project Effects on Geology and Soils .......................................... 47 5.1.4 Hydrology ...................................................................................................... 47 5.1.4.1 Groundwater .............................................................................................. 47 5.1.4.2 Unconfined Aquifer and Watershed ........................................................... 50 5.1.4.3 Potential Project Effects on Groundwater ................................................... 51 5.1.4.4 Surface Water Hydrology ........................................................................... 52 5.1.4.5 Surface Water Quality ................................................................................ 53 5.1.4.6 Potential Effects of Project on Surface Water............................................. 55 5.1.5 Aquatic Environment ..................................................................................... 55 5.1.5.1 Fish and Fish Habitat ................................................................................. 55 5.1.5.2 Potential Project Effects on Fish and Fish Habitat ..................................... 58 5.1.6 Terrestrial Environment ................................................................................. 58 5.1.6.1 Vegetation ................................................................................................. 58 5.1.6.2 Mammals ................................................................................................... 62 5.1.6.3 Birds .......................................................................................................... 66 5.1.6.4 Amphibians and Reptiles ........................................................................... 67 5.1.6.5 Species of Conservation Concern .............................................................. 69 5.2 Potential Changes in the Environment ............................................................. 71 5.3 Potential Changes on Federal and Adjacent Lands ......................................... 71 5.4 Potential Effects on Indigenous Peoples of Changes to the Environment ........ 71 6 INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT AND CONSULTATION .................................. 75 6.1 Interested and Potentially Affected Indigenous Groups .................................... 75 6.1.1 First Nations .................................................................................................. 76 6.1.2 Indigenous Groups ........................................................................................ 76 6.1.2.1 Manitoba Metis Federation ......................................................................... 76 6.1.2.2 Dauphin