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What is theTerms of Reference?
Proposed NorthwestTransmission Line
The Terms of Reference (TOR) specify the studies to be conducted and
the information requirements to be provided in the Application for an
Environmental Assessment Certificate.
The BCEAO is currently holding a public comment period on the NTL's
draft TOR. The public comment period ends at midnight on April 20.
The draft TOR are posted online on the BCEAO website:
www.eao.gov.bc.ca
A paper copy of the NTL draft TOR is available for viewing in these
public libraries:
Terrace Public Library
4610 Park Avenue
Stewart Public Library
824A Main Street
Smithers Public Library
3817 Alfred Avenue
Please take a comment form if you would like to submit written
comments during the public comment period on the NTL draft TOR.
And in Vancouver:
BC Transmission Corporation
11th Floor, 1055 Dunsmuir Street
About RescanEnvironmentalServices Ltd.
Proposed NorthwestTransmission Line
Rescan Environmental Services Ltd. is a Canadian-based
environmental consulting firm that is providing a wide range of
environmental and socio-economic services to BCTC for the NTL.
A well-established leader with 25 years’ experience in the field of
environmental management, Rescan assists industries,
institutions and governments in achieving sustainable
environmental practices for the benefit of present and future
generations. Rescan effectively resolves complex environmental
issues by applying specialized technical and managerial skills.
Rescan has an international reputation for excellence in
environmental consulting. The Rescan team has successfully
completed projects for more than 300 clients in more than 50
countries, spanning six continents.
Rescan’s headquarters are in Vancouver, with branch offices in
Yellowknife, NT; Smithers, BC; Victoria, BC; Kamloops, BC;
Dease Lake, BC; and Saskatoon, SK
Types of studies
Proposed NorthwestTransmission Line
The study process involves assessing existing conditions (baseline
study); assessing the potential effects of NTL; and recommending
means of avoiding, minimizing or mitigating potential negative
impacts. Study areas include:
Metereology & Air Quality
Noise
Visual Quality
Soils
Geotechnical & Natural Hazards
Physiography & Topography
Geology & Geochemistry
Hydrology
Hydrogeology
Archaeology
Traditional Use
Traditional Knowledge
Ecosystem Mapping
Vegetation
Wildlife
Fisheries
Aquatics
Wetlands
Socio-economic
Land Use
Transportation & Utilities
Public Health
Noise studies are conducted to establish baseline conditions for
noise levels in the vicinity of the proposed NTL project area.
Noise data is collected using sound level meters which monitor noise
levels on a 24-hour basis, taking readings every minute.
Noise baseline measurements are collected at various locations
along the NTL corridor. The results of these studies are used to
evaluate potential changes in noise levels during construction and
operation of the proposed transmission line.
Proposed NorthwestTransmission Line
The purpose of a visual landscapes study is to estimate, in perspective
view, the potential visual effect of proposed operations on the scenic
landscape.
Particular attention is paid to areas that are “visually sensitive,” such as:
This information is collected and assessed by a GIS “view shed” analysis
based on topography and available forest cover data.
Fieldwork is also conducted to obtain current views from visually
sensitive areas and locations to use as a reference.
Communities
Parks
Recreation sites
Viewpoints/lookouts
Other special features.
Visual Quality
Noise
Proposed NorthwestTransmission Line
Meteorology and air quality studies establish the historical and current
meteorological and air quality conditions in the vicinity of the proposed
NTL project. This includes averages and maximums and minimums for
wind, air temperature and precipitation.
Meteorology data is collected with automated meteorological stations
near the proposed NTL corridor. These stations are operated and
maintained by Environment Canada.
Baseline air quality, in terms of dustfall, is characterized using passive
monitoring stations that collect data on a monthly basis.
This information helps to predict the effects that weather and air quality
might have on the proposed transmission line, including effects of wind,
potential icing and air quality impacts (e.g. dust) from power line
construction; and to make recommendations on how these will be
mitigated.
The results from the meteorology studies are also considered by
hydrologists as they determine the effects of snow melt run off into
streams near the proposed NTL.
The results from the air quality (dustfall) studies are considered by
vegetation specialists, who determine the most suitable re-vegetation
management plans along the proposed corridor.
Metereology &Air Quality
Vegetation &Ecosystem Mapping
Proposed NorthwestTransmission Line
Vegetation and ecosystem studies provide the basis for ecosystem
mapping and are used to produce an inventory of plant species and
ecosystems that are present in the proposed project area. This
information is used to assess alterations that could result from the
proposed NTL’s construction and operation.
Vegetation mapping is conducted along the proposed NTL corridor and
verified and refined by field studies that inventory plant and ecological
communities along the proposed NTL corridor to support ongoing
vegetation and ecosystem mapping activities in the area.
Site locations are evaluated for the presence of plants and ecological
communities tracked by the B.C. Conservation Data Centre (plants and
ecosystems), the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in
Canada (plants) and the BC Weed Control Act (invasive plants).
Geotechnical studies map and describe the terrain stability in and around
the proposed NTL corridor, including the identification of natural hazards.
This includes an assessment of seismic information, volcanology, evidence
for historic, active and human-induced land movements, rockfalls,
avalanche hazards and flood hazards.
The purpose of physiographic and topographic studies are to determine
the terrestrial physiography and topographic features in the proposed NTL
project area.
This includes describing key terrain features such as:
Mountain ranges
Watercourses
Wetlands
Glaciated and post-glacial
landforms
Proposed NorthwestTransmission Line
Soils studies and terrain mapping are
conducted to determine which soils are sensitive to
degradation and erosion. Studies are carried out along the
proposed NTL corridor, at the potential substation locations, and
on land within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR)
These studies will be used in developing soil management and mitigation
plans for the proposed project. The studies include:
Terrain mapping along the corridor
Field investigation of representative sites
Description of the soils’ physical and chemical characteristics
Agricultural capability assessment of land in the ALR
Soils
Physiography & Topography
Geotechnical& Natural Hazards
Geology &Geochemistry
Proposed NorthwestTransmission Line
Metal Leaching and Acid Rock Drainage (ML/ARD) occurs naturally
when sulphide minerals in certain types of rock oxidize upon exposure
to oxygen (air) and water.
Proposed construction activities along the NTL corridor that disturb,
excavate or expose rocks containing sulphides can accelerate ML/ARD.
Whether a rock type will generate ML/ARD and cause negative
environmental impacts is assessed through laboratory static (one-time)
tests that assess the acid generating and acid consuming potential
(acid-base accounting) and kinetic (long-term repetitive leaching) tests
to determine the rates of acid generation and acid consumption.
Geology and Geochemistry studies are undertaken to characterize the
rock types that occur along the NTL corridor and assess whether they
have the potential to generate ML/ARD due to NTL project activities.
Studies include:
Review of geological information for the proposed NTL corridor
including the locations of mineral occurrences;
Identification of rock types and locations that contain sulphide
minerals;
Classification of the ML/ARD potential of rock types along the
proposed NTL corridor; reconnaissance field sampling in areas of
higher potential
Laboratory testing of rock samples from rock types with a higher
potential for acid-base accounting
Hydrogeology studies are conducted to characterize the current
groundwater aquifer conditions along the NTL corridor, in particular at
substation and construction camp sites. This information is used to
assess the potential effects of the proposed NTL corridor on
groundwater.
This assessment will be used to support the NTL project design and
construction in a manner that prevents or minimizes impacts to
groundwater.
The steps undertaken to complete the hydrogeologic assessment
involve a review of topography, geomorphology and terrain; regional
bedrock and surficial geology; regional groundwater aquifers and
groundwater well records.
Groundwater aquifer vulnerability is reviewed and classified according
to Provincial criteria, and an assessment is conducted of the general
direction of groundwater flow and groundwater quality surrounding the
proposed substation and construction camp sites.
Hydrology
Hydrogeology
Proposed NorthwestTransmission Line
Hydrology studies are conducted to characterize current surface water
quantity conditions along the NTL corridor, in order to understand the
surface hydrology of the area and allow for a robust assessment of
potential project effects. Field research includes:
Wetland hydrology field monitoring, including well installation and
water elevation surveys
Field collection of stream channel characteristics
Desk-based review of regional hydrological assessment and analysis
Aquatics
Wetlands
Proposed NorthwestTransmission Line
Aquatics studies determine aquatic communities of
watercourses and the physical conditions of their habitat
within the proposed NTL corridor
Fieldwork includes aquatic assessments of selected streams and
wetlands along the proposed NTL corridor and at substations and the
proposed substation site, and includes examining periphyton
(streams) or phytoplankton (wetlands) and benthic invertebrates.
Sediment and water quality sampling are conducted at watercourses
within the NTL proposed corridor, as well as at selected wetlands
and stream sites.
A wetland study provides an inventory of wetland types, size, locations
and their functions, such as providing wildlife habitat, filtering ground
water, and cycling nutrients between terrestrial and aquatic systems.
Studies are done to assess whether proposed activities related to a
project will alter wetland extent and wetland function.
Field work includes the collection of information on plant species, soil
profile, water movement and chemistry, and wildlife observations. These
surveys are primarily used to classify wetlands and map wetland extent,
as well as to support identification and quantification of wetland function.
There are four primary wetland functions that are studied: ecology,
hydrology, biology, and wildlife. In addition to the wetland classification
and mapping field surveys, a number of wetlands are selected for
hydrologic monitoring and aquatic biology sampling.
Wetland sites and ecosystems have been identified and classified, and
wetland hydrology and aquatic biology has been studied at various sites
along the proposed NTL corridor.
Wildlife
Fisheries
Proposed NorthwestTransmission Line
Wildlife surveys provide details about wildlife species
abundance and distribution in an area, as well as where
their important habitat is found.
Field research includes:
Desk and field-based research also identifies species at risk.
Aerial surveys of ungulates (moose, mountain goat) and grizzly bear
Ground-based habitat mapping
Breeding bird surveys (including raptors, waterfowl, and songbirds)
Bat species identification through echolocation and mist-net capture
surveys
The purpose of the fisheries study is to determine fish presence and fish
habitat quality of the watercourses crossed by the potential NTL corridor
Fieldwork is conducted along the corridor to locate watercourse
crossings and to conduct fish and fish habitat assessments.
Fish habitat and riparian function assessments are conducted at stream,
wetland and lake crossings within the NTL proposed corridor.
Fisheries sampling is conducted at streams, wetlands and lakes both
within and in the vicinity of the NTL proposed corridor.
The results of this information help to predict potential effects on fish
and fish habitat and develop mitigation measures to avoid or minimize
these effects.
Public Health
Socio-Economic
Proposed NorthwestTransmission Line
Public Health studies describe the existing conditions and factors
affecting public health in the communities within the vicinity of the
proposed NTL project. This includes:
Socio-economic studies provide profiles of study communities, including
population, economy, employment, education/training, services and infrastructure.
They describe levels of community well being and identify areas of interest or
vulnerability which may be affected by the proposed project.
Desk-based research is conducted and includes:
Community based research is conducted to support and complement quantitative
data through interviews and focus groups.
A description of the existing audible noises, whereby the nature of audible
noises are assessed as they relate to operation and maintenance of the Project
as well as corona noise.
Guidelines for electric and magnetic fields (EMF) and an assessment of typical
range of EMF exposure.
A description of the status of domestic water quality and supply, including a
review of the groundwater well database of registered private and commercial
wells and a review of the provincial aquifer classification system to describe
potential vulnerability of the aquifers within the study area to contamination.
A description of the local country foods existing in the area – such as fish,
animals and plants – that are important to local harvesters.
The identification of study communities;
The review and compilation of government generated statistics and locally
produced research such as community agency reports and articles.
A gap analysis of available information is conducted to determine areas of
focus for field studies of each community.
Land Use
Proposed NorthwestTransmission Line
The land use study identifies and describes all existing
tenures, uses and interests within vicinity of the project area
to assess for possibility of changes to these tenures and uses.
This includes intersecting resource tenures and activity such as forestry;
mining; First Nations land use; trap line and guide outfitting license
holders; fishing and angling; agriculture (ALRs); residential property and
business owners; tourism and recreational uses.
The land use study also considers land use plans and identifies
management directions and resource management zone objectives for
the relevant Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP)
Desk-based research is conducted through review of government
registries, data, associations, local and regional LRMPs and official
community plans (OCPs).
Field work consists of interviews and focus groups with identified land
tenure holders and user groups.
Transportation studies identify, describe and assess locations of
existing and proposed transportation corridors intersected by the
proposed transmission corridor.
This includes mapping and demonstrating locations of existing and
proposed public roads, highways, railways, airports and flight paths
within the proposed project area.
A study of local utilities describes locations of existing utilities including
electricity transmission lines, telecommunication facilities, water
mains, sanitary and storm
sewers, natural gas and oil
transmission and distribution
pipelines which are parallel to,
or intersected by the
transmission corridor.
Transportation& Utilities
TraditionalKnowledge and Use
Proposed NorthwestTransmission Line
In accordance with the Nisga'a Final Agreement, the Nisga’a Nation
has unique rights and interests in the areas where the proposed NTL
project overlaps with Nisga'a Lands, the Nass wildlife area, and the
Nass Area. The Nisga’a Nation and its members also hold unique
knowledge of these areas.
First Nations whose traditional territories include portions of the
proposed NTL project area also have unique knowledge of their
respective territories, including ecological and human use knowledge.
BCTC is working with the Nisga’a Nation and First Nations to support
community directed studies, including TK/TU studies, that will
recognize and consider knowledge of past and current use of lands and
resources in the NTL study area, including valued ecosystem
components; traditional and current use sites; and landscape and
resources sites.
Archaeology
Proposed NorthwestTransmission Line
Archaeological studies are designed to find evidence of past
human activity.
Research includes the evaluation of archaeological, historical and
ethnographic literature relevant to the proposed project area.
An Archaeological Overview Assessment (AOA) is then conducted. Based
on the AOA, it is determined if an Archaeological Impact Assessment
(AIA) may be required in any portion of the study area. The AIA is
conducted with a Heritage Inspection Permit under the Heritage
Conservation Act, issued by the Archaeology Branch, Ministry of
Tourism, Culture and Arts, Province of British Columbia.
Archaeological evidence, such as stone tools, are identified, analysed
and interpreted, and catalogued.
If heritage sites are discovered, plans are made to either avoid the sites
or mitigate for disturbance.
Proposed NorthwestTransmission Line
Environmental Management plans will be prepared which identify the
processes, operations and types of materials to be used along the
proposed transmission corridor and at the proposed substation site.
Contingency and emergency response plans (SCERP) and a contaminated
materials management plan (CMMP) will be developed to minimize
environmental effects from any potential accidental spills during
construction of the proposed NTL project.
EnvironmentalManagement Program