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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.


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


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.


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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.


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

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