ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PLAN Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal at Kotaneelee River Crossing

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PLAN Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal at Kotaneelee River Crossing Prepared by: Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd. Barb A...
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PLAN Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal at Kotaneelee River Crossing Prepared by: Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd. Barb Anderson, R.P. Bio.

Prepared for: Spectra Energy Transmission Project Manager: Rudy Wartlik (604) 691-5719 Manager, Lands Field Operations: Korey Green (250) 262-3459

July 15, 2015

3990 22 n d Avenue, Prince George, BC, V2N 3A1 |

tel 250 562 9155|

fax 250 562 9135|

triton-env.com

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal at Kotaneelee Crossing

July 2015

Revision History and Approvals Project Name Project Number Report Title Document # Report Author(s) Date

Version

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal at Kotaneelee Crossing 5197 EPP: Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal at Kotaneelee Crossing P3455 Barb Anderson, RP Bio. Reviewed by Review Type1 (name, company)

Mar. 5, 2015

Draft

Document Review

Janet Pritchard, Triton

January 30, 2015

Draft v.1

Technical/Peer Review

Dana O’Brian, RP Bio., Triton

Mar. 19, 2015

Draft v.2

Senior Review

Trish Merriman, RP Bio., Triton

May, 2015

Draft v.3

Client Review

Rudy Wartlik, Project Manager, Siobhan Crawford, Environmental Specialist Spectra Energy

June, 2015

Final v.3

Document Review

Amanda Wamsteeker

Notes: Review Types: 1. Peer/Technical Review: Check text, in-text reference to numbers, calculations, tables, methods, graphics, and literature cited. The Peer Review assumes the database has been QA’d for transcription and data entry errors 2. Senior Review: Check organization, defensibility, results interpretation and scope 3. Document Review: Check organization, formatting, grammar, in-text table and figure numbering, referencing, and proofreading 4. Client Review/Comments: Feedback or revisions from the client Documents may undergo several Peer, Senior, Document, and/or Client Reviews before the final document is produced. A Document Review should be the final review in most cases where changes have been made to the text. Versions are numbered by v.1, v.2, etc. with the version number changing for each stage of the reporting process (e.g., Draft v.1, Client Review or Draft v.2, Final v.3)

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

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Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal at Kotaneelee Crossing

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Disclaimer This report is rendered solely for the use of Westcoast Energy Incorporated, operating as Spectra Energy Transmission (SET), in connection with the Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal at Kotaneelee River Crossing Project (the Project), and no person may rely on it for any other purpose without Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.’s prior written approval. Should a third party use this report without Triton’s approval, they may not rely upon it. Triton accepts no responsibility for loss or damages suffered by any third party as a result of decisions made or actions taken based on this report. The objective of this report is to address the following scope requirements: provision of the Project Environmental Protection Plan for SET. This report is based on facts and opinions contained within the referenced documents and facts. We have attempted to identify and consider relevant facts and documents pertaining to the scope of work, as of the time period during which we conducted this analysis. However, our opinions may change if new information is available or if information we have relied on is altered. The following assumptions were relied on during the preparation of this report:  

That best known descriptions of the Project were provided to Triton by SET; and That any revisions to the Project scope, Project construction works or scheduling will be provided to Triton so that adjustments to the report can be made.

This report should be considered as a whole and selecting only portions of the report for reliance may create a misleading view of our opinions.

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Disclaimer ...................................................................................................................... ii 1.0 Introduction......................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Objectives ........................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Project Location ................................................................................................. 2 2.0 Project Work Plan ............................................................................................... 5 2.1 General Description and Sequencing of Construction Activities .............. 5 2.2 Equipment ......................................................................................................... 11 2.3 Proposed Work Schedule................................................................................ 12 3.0 Regulatory Framework..................................................................................... 14 3.1 Federal ............................................................................................................... 14 3.1.1 National Energy Board ............................................................................... 14 3.1.2 Fisheries and Oceans Canada................................................................. 14 3.1.3 Migratory Bird Convention Act and Wildlife Act ................................... 14 3.2 Territorial ............................................................................................................. 15 3.2.1 Northwest Territories Fisheries Regulations .............................................. 15 3.2.2 Archaeological Sites Act and Regulations ............................................. 15 3.2.3 Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act .................................... 15 3.2.4 Northwest Territories Waters Act ............................................................... 15 3.2.5 Northwest Territories Lands Act ................................................................. 15 3.2.6 Northwest Territories Devolution Measures Act ...................................... 15 3.3 First Nations Traditional Territory ..................................................................... 16 3.4 Contact Information ........................................................................................ 17 4.0 Environmental Sensitivities............................................................................... 18 4.1 First Nations Interests ........................................................................................ 18 4.2 Heritage Resources .......................................................................................... 18 4.3 Other Interests ................................................................................................... 18 4.4 Solar Radiation.................................................................................................. 19 4.5 Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat ........................................................................... 19 4.6 Species at Risk ................................................................................................... 20 4.6.1 Flora .............................................................................................................. 20 4.6.2 Fauna............................................................................................................ 20 4.7 Aquatic Habitat ................................................................................................ 27 4.7.1 Wetlands ...................................................................................................... 27 4.7.2 Streams ......................................................................................................... 27 4.8 Vegetation ........................................................................................................ 28 4.9 Permafrost ......................................................................................................... 28 5.0 Environmental Inspector Responsibilities ....................................................... 29 6.0 Mitigation and Management Plans ................................................................ 31 6.1 Access Management Plan ............................................................................. 31 6.2 Soil Handling Plan ............................................................................................. 33 6.3 Erosion and Sediment Control Plan ............................................................... 34 6.3.1 General Erosion and Sediment Control Strategies ................................ 34 6.4 Vegetation Protection Plan ............................................................................ 35 Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

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6.4.1 Invasive Plants ............................................................................................. 36 6.5 Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Plan ............................................................ 36 6.5.1 Timing of Instream Works ........................................................................... 36 6.5.2 Minimizing Footprint Impacts to Fish ........................................................ 37 6.6 Water Quality Protection Plan........................................................................ 39 6.7 Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat Protection Plan ............................................... 40 6.7.1 Species at Risk Contingency Plan ............................................................ 41 6.8 Air Quality and Noise Control ......................................................................... 42 6.9 Heritage Resources Protection Plan.............................................................. 42 6.10 Site Restoration and Reclamation ................................................................. 42 7.0 Water Quality Monitoring Plan ........................................................................ 44 8.0 Conclusions ...................................................................................................... 45 8.1 Scope Change Contingencies ...................................................................... 45 References ........................................................................................................ 46 9.0

LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Project Location ................................................................................................ 4 Figure 2. Project Overview ............................................................................................... 7

LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Existing Project ROW Access and Existing Sites ............................................. 8 Table 2. Project Component Area Calculations .......................................................... 9 Table 3. Proposed Project Schedule ............................................................................ 13 Table 4. Permitting and Notifications ........................................................................... 16 Table 5. Notification Advisories* ................................................................................... 16 Table 6. Species at Risk in the Liard Upland Mid-Boreal Ecoregion ........................ 25

LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix 1. Photographs Appendix 2. Additional Maps and Workspace Drawings Appendix 3. Agency and Organization Contacts Appendix 4. PWNHC Correspondence Appendix 5. DES Fisheries Assessment Report

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

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1.0

July 2015

Introduction

Westcoast Energy Incorporated (WEI), doing business as Spectra Energy Transmission (SET), is proposing to remove approximately 1,200 m of the deactivated 508 mm OD (outside diameter) Pointed Mountain Pipeline (PMP) at the Kotaneelee River crossing in the Northwest Territories (NWT) (the Project). The section to be removed currently spans both the valley bottom and the river channel. Construction is currently scheduled for the winter of 2015/2016. The Project requires a Land Use Permit (LUP), granted, after review and approval, by the Northwest Territory Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board (MVLWB). Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd (Triton) was retained by SET to prepare an Environmental Protection Plan (EPP) that will be submitted to the MVLWB as a supplement to SET’s Land Use Permit application. The PMP lies between the gas reserves of the Kotaneelee and the Pointed Mountain fields in the Liard Basin region of south-western NWT (Lane et al., 2001) and was installed in 1972 using open cut trenching across the Kotaneelee River channel. Concrete pipe weights were attached to the pipeline at 4.6 m intervals (Landeen and Brandt, 1975). Since that time, the river channel has shifted, resulting in lateral bank erosion. A site inspection conducted in 2014 found that there was approximately 40 m of pipeline suspended above the wetted width of the channel, in addition to approximately 60 m of exposed pipeline across the surface of, and another 124 m buried beneath, the north-east gravel bar. Inspections at that time also found that the entire length of the pipeline at the crossing, including the suspended, the exposed, and the buried sections, was approximately 222 m (DES, 2014). In April 2015, a SET-contracted pipeline induction survey indicated that the bank to bank length of this pipe section is now approximately 241 m, with 100 m of exposed pipeline across the surface of north-east gravel bar (Geoterra, 2015). Photographs of the crossing are included in Appendix 1. In 2008, SET cleaned and commenced deactivation of the PMP from MP 0.0 to MP 21.7 in 2008 pursuant to NEB Order MO-11-2008. The deactivation application indicated “In addition, a portion of the pipeline is exposed on the west bank of the Kotaneelee River at MP 11.6, presenting a potential risk of a pipeline failure during the 2008 (or future) freshets.” and “In the event of such an occurrence, Westcoast (SET) would remove the exposed pipeline segment as soon as practicable, re-fill the two pipeline sections with nitrogen and restore cathodic protection” (SET, 2008). The exposed section is approximately 100 metres in length, however, because SET will be removing approximately 1,200 metres of pipe, the ends of the deactivated pipeline will be beyond the river floodplain. The ends of the remaining pipeline Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

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will be capped, filled with nitrogen, and cathodic protection will be restored in order to maintain its deactivated state. SET previously submitted to the MVLWB a Quarrying LUP application (MV2014Q0021) in order to perform armouring and erosion control measures at the Kotaneelee crossing. However, that application was withdrawn in December 2014 as the construction approach had changed in favour of removal of this section of pipeline from the crossing. 1.1

Objectives

This EPP has been developed to provide a framework for mitigating potential environmental effects associated with the removal of the PMP at the Kotaneelee River crossing. The EPP augments the global Environmental Manual for Construction Projects in Canada (SET, 2014) and provides Project-specific direction. The EPP will contain site-specific Environmental Management Plans (to identify the mitigation measures that will be implemented to prevent or reduce potential environmental effects associated with the Project. The following plans may be subject to change based on site conditions and alternative approaches and have been developed based on current project information:

1.2



Access Management Plan



Soil Management Plan



Erosion and Sediment Control Plan



Vegetation Management Plan



Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Plan



Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat Protection Plan



Air Quality and Noise Management



Heritage Resources Protection Plan



Site Restoration and Reclamation Plan



Spill Contingency Plan (Separate Document)



Waste Management Plan (Separate Document) Project Location

The Project is located in the southwestern corner of the Northwest Territories, approximately 27 km due west of the hamlet of Fort Liard (Figure 1). It is in the Liard-Uplands Ecozone of the Mid-Boreal Level III Ecoregion, all of which are nested within the Taiga Plains Level II Ecoregion. The Mid-Boreal Ecoregion typically has warm, moist summers and cold, snowy winters, with the Liard Uplands Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

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average annual precipitation of 401-500 mm, the second highest of all Taiga Plains Ecozones. The average annual temperature is - 4.4 to - 1.0°C in the warmest area of the Taiga Plains. The plains and lowlands of the Mid-Boreal have extensive lacustrine and till deposits which are often overlain with peatlands (ENR, 2007). The Kotaneelee River originates in the Liard Ranges near the Yukon/NWT Territorial border, and travels through foothills and becomes increasingly meandering as it enters the Liard basin. It flows a length of 126 km to the south-east, at which point it enters its confluence with the Liard River. Throughout the Liard Basin, the Kotaneelee River has an active alluvial channel with side and mid-channel bars as well as islands. Large woody debris accumulate frequently in this active flood plain (DES, 2014). The pipeline crosses the Kotaneelee River approximately 32 km upstream of this confluence. In March 1972, DFO scientists very roughly estimated the discharge rate at the crossing as 124 cubic feet per second (Landeen and Brandt, 1975). Administratively, the Project is located in the Dehcho Region, one of 5 regions in the Northwest Territories. The Dehcho Region encompasses communities such as Fort Liard and Fort Simpson, in addition to areas east of Hay River and north of Wrigley. This region also includes Nahanni National Park.

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

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450000

13 00

60 0

6710000

1100

14 00

70 0

10 00

Contours

60 0

110 0

90 0

400

30 0

k re e

6700000

12 0 0

60 0

Pigging Site

Pointed Mountain Fisherman Lake

110 0

13 00

6690000

800

0 10 0

0 12 0

70 0

110 0

60 0

60 0

Kotaneelee Range

30 0

1400

90 0

12 0 0

40 0

M

600

50 0

Mount Coty 50 0

90 0

00 13

Km 18.8 PMP Crossing Project Location

40 0

1100

15 00

50 0

00 14 12 00

R abbit C

0 110

Airstrip

Big Island

80 0

Kotaneelee River

Flow Direction 13 00

0 80

Wetland

70 0

10 00

13 00

110 0

00 10

1400

Waterbody

10 00

14 00

0 70

00 11

80 0

10 00 Pipeline R/W Westcoast

Project Access

6700000

60 0

1400

Boundary (Interprovincial)

6690000

110 0

00 10

13 00

00 12

Road

1200

480000

10 00

River

12 00

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0 13 0

0 90

Legend

6710000

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60 0

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us ke g

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er

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r

Lia

r 50 0

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Mount Martin 90 0

70 0

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ich eR ive

r

80 0

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Big

I sla

nd Creek

Site Location

La B

50 0

0 50

400

Fort Nelson

50 0

40 0

0 40 0 30

e r River

40 0

La B

iche Rive Pointed Mt. Pipeline Removal at r Kotaneelee Crossing 440000

Figure 1. Project Location

Kamloops

450000 0

460000 2

4

Prince George

6

8

Scale: 1:300,000

10 Kilometers

470000

480000

File No: N:\ACTIVE\7702_Spectra Energy\MXD\Kotaneelee River Crossing Spill.mxd Project No: 7702 Date: May 29, 2015 Basemap Source: Canda Base Map Map Datum: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 10N

6650000

iver

Kitimat

Liard R

B e av

40 0

500

60 0

Dawson Creek

30 0

6650000

tR iv er

30 0

10 0 0

rd

ve Ri

ito

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0 50

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Pe t

40 0

iv e

Fort Liard

6670000

50 0

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20 0

0 40

ne e R Kota e le

0 50

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal at Kotaneelee Crossing

2.0

Project Work Plan

2.1

General Description and Sequencing of Construction Activities

July 2015

Crews for the Project will be accommodated at Horizon North’s 200 bed Acho Horizon K99 Lodge (open camp) situated at km 99 on the Fort Liard highway and will commute daily to the worksite. The camp is currently closed and will re-open for projects, with rates dictated by number of beds required and duration of stay. Access to the Kotaneelee River crossing will be via three ice bridges; one constructed over the Petitot River and another at the barge crossing over the Liard River. The third will be located at the Kotaneelee River crossing, in order to execute pipe section removal. Crews and equipment will access the barge crossing using an existing Amoco road ROW (locally called the ‘Nine Mile road’), approximately 14 km long, which originates from the Fort Liard airfield. Once across the Liard River, approximately 23 km of the PMP/Amoco access road ROW (also called the ‘Apache’ road ROW) will be used to access the PMP ROW. The distance from PMP/Amoco road junction to the Project site is approximately 13 km. The access roads to the PMP ROW are considered ‘high grade’ roads with an estimated 6 meter wide top. Using these existing ROW’s, the route from the Liard River to the Kotaneelee River crossing is approximately 50 km. The PMP ROW is expected to have seral stage vegetation re-growth and will require clearing. The Amoco/PMP road ROW is expected to need snow clearing and possible crossing maintenance prior to its use by Project traffic. It is anticipated that the Project site works will be accommodated within the existing PMP ROW and with the addition of 4 temporary workspaces. Workspaces will be used to accommodate machinery, equipment, a wheeled portable safety/communications hut, the temporary storage of cut and removed pipe and pipe weights, and temporary snow, soil and vegetation stockpiles. Exact location of storage and stockpile areas within each workspace will be determined as per site conditions found at the time. Workspace 1 and 3 will be within the stream channel and a portion of both stream bank riparian areas. Workspace 2 will be located in the north-east bank riparian area adjacent to the channel. Workspace 4 will be in an upland area approximately 1.4 km north-east from the Kotaneelee River along the PMP ROW (Figure 2). Additionally, SET proposes to install flanges at the existing pig launching site, located at the northwest end of Fisherman Lake. The flanges enable the isolation of the remaining SET pipeline from sections operated by other companies at the same site. Once the flanges are installed, the nitrogen truck will fill the deactivated and capped SET PMP pipeline with nitrogen gas at approximately Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

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15 psi. There will be no excavation required and no stripping of vegetation at the existing facility site for flange installation. Hand brushing of encroaching vegetation may be done as part of obligatory maintenance of the site. Additional work at the pig launching site related to the completion of SET’s PMP pipeline deactivation will include the removal of three of the 5 double-walled (two 4,000 L capacity and three 2,000 L capacity) fluid tanks currently in position there. These will be handled and transported, adhering to TDG regulations, to SET’s operations facility in Fort Nelson, BC. Project components consist of the previously established access roads and ROWs (including crossings), the existing pig launching site, as well as temporary workspaces. Total area engaged for Project purposes, including all components, is 49.9 ha (Tables 1 and 2). Additional Project maps, as well as proposed temporary workspace drawings are included in Appendix 2. No wastes will be permanently deposited as a result of the project activities.

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

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450000

455000

6695000

Am o c

o Ro

6690000

6690000

6695000

Pigging site 40m x 40m

ad

6685000

6685000

PM

PR

OW

Potential fuel storage location for Kotaneelee 40m x 40m

PMP north-east point for section removal on ROW

PMP south-west point for section removal on ROW

6680000

6680000

Temporary Workspace # 4

Temporary Workspace 1, 2 & 3

450000

455000 NO.

Figure 2. Project Area Overview 0

0.5

1

2

Scale: 1:50,000

3 Kilometers

1

Legend

PMP point for section removal on ROW

File No:

DATE (yyyy/mm/dd) 2015/07/03

REVISION Initial Draft

N:\ACTIVE\5197 Spectra - Kotaneelee River\MXD\Working11x17.mxd

Amoco Road

Project No:

PMP ROW

Basemap Source:

Date:

Map Datum:

5197 7/3/2015

1:50,000 NTS NAD 1983 UTM Zone 10N

BY SA

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal at Kotaneelee Crossing

July 2015

Table 1. Existing Project ROW Access and Existing Sites Project Component Winter Access Route

Work Sites

Description Amoco access start point at Fort Liard airfield Petitot River Crossing Liard River (Barge) Crossing Amoco access/ PMP ROW intersection Existing Pig Launching site PMP north-east point for section removal on ROW PMP south-west point for section removal on ROW Kotaneelee River Crossing on ROW

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

10 U Easting 473456 473369 463293

Northing 6677241 6677158 6672622

Latitude 60.231063 60.230312 60.188802

Longitude -123.479238 -123.480798 -123.661878

452931 454438 447684 446731 447003

6689922 6696047 6679351 6678819 6679209

60.343056 60.398217 60.24751 60.24261 60.246147

-123.852728 -123.826822 -123.945028 -123.9621 -123.95729

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Table 2. Project Component Area Calculations Project Component

Description*

Winter Access Route

Access Road from Fort Laird to Pig Launching site

10 U Easting

Northing

Latitude

Longitude

Length (m)

Width (m)

Area∞ (ha) 26.07

PMP ROW (from Amoco/PMP junction to pipe section removal SW endpoint)

Component coordinate points as above

22.9***

Pig Launching site

Existing maintenance site

Temporary Workspace

Kotaneelee Workspace 1 (NE)

446935

6679219

60.246228

-123.958521

85

15

0.13

Kotaneelee Workspace 2 (SW)**

447086

6679263

60.246643

-123.955805

~56

15

0.08

Kotaneelee Workspace 3 (SW)**

446924

6679208

60.246128

-123.958717

~342

15

0.50

Kotaneelee Workspace 4 (SW)

447632

6680135

60.254542

-123.94617

30

20

0.06

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

49.9

All

Total area engaged by Project components

0.16

* coordinates are listed for one cardinal directional corner of each temporary workspace ** workspaces 2 and 3 have trapezium-shaped components that angle around ROW bends at the crossing *** this area was determined using the full width (~18 m) of the PMP ROW  areas are approximate

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Key elements in the Project include the following: 1. Site Access and Preparation 

Contractor equipment and crews will plow and maintain the existing access ROW’s (Amoco/PMP road and PMP ROW) as required, as well as construct ice bridges over the Petitot, Liard and Kotaneelee rivers. Access (swamp) mats will be used where required. The Contractor will also construct temporary workspaces for the project.



Water for ice bridge construction and access maintenance will be kept at less than 100 m3/day. In the event of a low snow year, access construction time will be adjusted in order to maintain this level of water consumption.



Camp cardlock facilities will be used to provide fuel for equipment and machinery. Fuel will be transported daily to and from the Project area from using pick-up truck slip tanks.



Prior to project works, the proximal PMP ROW, all workspace boundaries, and any avoidance areas will be flagged with a maximum distance of 20 m between flags.



A 15 m width of clearing in the PMP ROW should be sufficient for equipment access. However, SET is obligated to maintain the 18 m ROW width sufficiently for pipeline maintenance and repair, and it may be necessary for the section ROW directly involved in the 1200 m pipe section removal to be cleared.



A small, wheeled, portable, heated office hut will be placed upland, in temporary workspace 4, to serve as an operations, communications, safety and first aid headquarters.



Clearing of riparian vegetation will be avoided or minimized where possible. If feasible, stems will be cut rather than grubbed, to allow regrowth in spring. In areas where excavation must occur, the root wads of vegetation will be salvaged, and set aside to be used for restoration.



Project equipment and crews will then access the site to execute the pipeline removal and maintenance.

2. Pipe Removal and Reclamation 

Pipe removal is currently proposed to start with the section across the wetted width from the south-west side of the river, with work progressing to the north-east side after the wetted width section is removed.



Pipe sections not located in the wetted width, but in the channel or the floodplain will be excavated in situ, cut into sections, and removed using heavy equipment.



The pipe will be removed and sections skidded out to the Amoco ROW using an ‘Athey’ wagon; a tracked trailer pulled by heavy equipment.

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Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal at Kotaneelee Crossing

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Risers will be installed at the capped ends to enable monitoring of nitrogen in the pipeline.



Once the pipe sections and pipe weights are removed from site, end caps will be welded onto the existing lines and the remaining pipelines will be purged and filled with nitrogen.



Upon completion of purging, the Kotaneelee crossing site will be restored and reclaimed.



Following the works, disturbed access points in the riparian ROW will be backfilled with layers of vegetation and soil to natural contours.



The removed pipe, and the pipe-weights, will be loaded onto hiboys and hauled to Fort Nelson, BC, where it will be properly disposed of.



Project-related activities in the project area will cease and all crews and equipment demobilized prior to the break-up date of March 31, 2016.



Crews and equipment will egress, pulling out or notching snow fills, snow and ice bridge material on access routes, before March 31, 2016.

Specific details of the pipeline removal process are subject to change as influenced by safety concerns and conditions found at the site. 3. Deactivation Completion Operations 

Flanges will be installed at the pig launching site to enable PMP section isolation.



Nitrogen purging will be completed.



Three of the 5 existing double-walled fluid tanks at the pig launching site will be removed and transported to Fort Nelson.

2.2

Equipment

Contractor equipment on the Project will be revised as necessary and is projected to include, and not be limited to: 

One 290 excavator



One D6N dozer



One 572 Side boom



One Athey wagon



Four truck-trailer combination units



One nitrogen truck



One vacuum truck



One 8’ X 25’ wheeled office hut

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Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal at Kotaneelee Crossing

2.3



Two welders



One picker truck



Two light towers



Mobile First Aid vehicle



Two snow cats



One D5K dozer



One 772GP grader



One water truck



Two light towers



Three water pumps



One Typhon pump



Crew pick-up trucks to accommodate on-site Project staff

July 2015

Proposed Work Schedule

A line-locate survey crew was flown to the Project site in April 2015, following clearance with ENR, in order to assess pipeline depth. At this time also, some of the large woody debris (LWD) that was hung up on the exposed section of pipe and projecting from the river ice at the crossing, was removed with hand tools. The freed LWD was left on the river ice surface for transport downstream during freshet. Canola oil was used as a bar and chain oil for saw work done in the instream channel, and will be used for any similar work for this Project. Construction is expected to occur during the winter of 2015/2016, and will take approximately 90 days to complete. It is estimated that the access maintenance and construction of all ice bridges will take between 25-45 days. The pipeline removal, reclamation, demobilization and egress is estimated at 40 days. These projections are subject to change relative to weather and area conditions. Table 3 illustrates the project timeline, and includes some overlap of project phases as well as allowances for site conditions and weather. Pre-construction inspection schedules are approximate, pending site and planning conditions. Postconstruction inspections have been scheduled according to regulator consultation and may be adjusted pending site conditions and further direction from regulators.

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Table 3. Proposed Project Schedule Activity

AprMay 2015

June 2015

July 2015

Aug 2015

Sep 2015

Oct 2015

Nov 2015

Dec 2015

Jan 2016

Feb 2016

Mar 2016

April 2016

May 2016

Summer 2016

Inspection Access OM Removal Demobilization Access egress Inspection

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Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal at Kotaneelee Crossing

3.0

Regulatory Framework

3.1

Federal

3.1.1

National Energy Board

July 2015

The Project is subject to federal regulation under the National Energy Board (NEB), and Operations and Maintenance works undertaken within 30 m of a wetland or banks of a waterbody require that the NEB be notified at least 21 working days in advance of work commencement (NEB, 2013). Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the NEB and Transport Canada (TC), dated July 2, 2013, TC no longer has the responsibility to approve NEB-regulated pipelines that pass in, on, over, under, through, or across navigable waters. 3.1.2

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Several sections of the Fisheries Act apply to the construction, operations, abandonment and decommissioning of the proposed Project, and include the following: 

Section 35(1) prohibits activity that results in serious harm to fish that are part of a commercial, recreational or Aboriginal fishery, or to fish that support such a fishery.



Section 36(3) prohibits the deposition of deleterious substances into any water frequented by fish.

Under the MoU between the NEB and Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), dated December 16, 2013, applications submitted to the NEB will be reviewed for potential impacts to fish and fish habitat under the Fisheries Protection provisions of the Fisheries Act. If the NEB determines that the Project will result in “serious harm” to commercial, recreational, or Aboriginal fisheries, DFO will be notified and will be responsible for issuing a Fisheries Act section 35(2)(b) Authorization. 3.1.3

Migratory Bird Convention Act and Wildlife Act

This Act prohibits the disturbance of birds, nests, or eggs. Contravention of this Act will be avoided by conducting clearing activities in the winter, and thus outside of Environment Canada Avoidance Guideline migratory bird nesting window for this area (Zone B6); the end of April to mid- August (EC, nd).

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3.2

Territorial

3.2.1

Northwest Territories Fisheries Regulations

July 2015

Section 11 of the NWT Fishery Regulation, under the authority of the federal Fisheries Act, prohibits the construction of a temporary ice-crossings over streams, unless snow or ice is used to add to the thickness of the existing ice. Section 12, which governs the placing, transporting or release of logs or displacing or removal of gravel from spawning areas. 3.2.2

Archaeological Sites Act and Regulations

These pieces of legislation provide authority to make regulations concerning the protection, care and preservation of these resources, archaeological permitting, and seizure of inappropriately obtained items. Project proponents are encouraged to contact the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre (PWNHC) to obtain any archaeological site data for their Project area. 3.2.3

Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act

The Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act (MVRMA) regulates land and water resources in the Mackenzie Valley by incorporating the NWT Waters Act and the NWT Lands Act, and establishes regulatory Boards, such as the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board (MVLWB). The Mackenzie Valley Land Use Regulations were developed under the MVRMA. 3.2.4

Northwest Territories Waters Act

The Northwest Territories Waters Act, through the Waters Regulations directs licensing criteria and applications. 3.2.5

Northwest Territories Lands Act

The Northwest Territories Lands Act provides the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) with authority related to the disposition and use of land, including the disposition of subsurface minerals. 3.2.6

Northwest Territories Devolution Measures Act

This Act changes the regulatory regime governing NWT resource development and involved amendments in the Territorial Lands Act, the Northwest Territories Waters Act and the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act. Table 4 highlights Permitting and Notifications required for this Project. Table 5 indicates advisories given during engagement with GNWT authorities.

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Table 4. Permitting and Notifications Regulatory Authority

Authorization

Purpose

National Energy Board

Notification

Works undertaken within 30 m of a waterbody

Leveling, grading, clearing, cutting, or snowplowing of a line, trail or right-of-way Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board

Land Use Permit Type “A”

Use of a self-propelled, power-driven machine for moving earth or clearing land Use of a vehicle equal to or exceeding 10 tonnes

A water licence is not a requirement as the Project Contractor will ensure that less than 100 m3/day will be used to build up watercourse crossings and freeze in portions of access roads. The permanent deposit of waste as a result of the Project is also not anticipated for this Project. Table 5. Notification Advisories* Advising Authority

Subject

Steve Gooderham, GNWT, Environment and Natural Resources, Fort Simpson, NWT

Tree disposal from cleared areas

GNWT, Environment and Natural Resources, Fort Liard, NWT

Burn Permit

If burning occurs between May 1 and September 30, a burn permit is required.

Notification

Notify his office of work initiation

Menzie MacEachern, Director GNWT, Petroleum Resources Division, Inuvik, NWT

Recommendation Make available to the Ache Dene Koe as firewood or hauled tree length. Otherwise dispose of woody debris by burning within the ROW.

*Contact information in Appendix 3

3.3

First Nations Traditional Territory

The Project is located with the Acho Dene Koe First Nation (ADKFN) traditional territory (AAIGR, 2015). As of 2014, ADKFN and the Fort Liard Metis are signatories, along with the GNWT and the Federal Government, to an Agreement in Principal (AIP) regarding ADKFN Settlement Area. The AIP is one step in the establishing FN Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

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tenure and governance over the Settlement Area. The Project and Project access fall within the ADKFN Settlement Area. The project area is also included within territorial boundaries used by the Dehcho First Nation Land Use Planning Committee. 3.4

Contact Information

Prior to the start of construction activities, a SET representative (or designate) will notify all applicable regulatory contacts regarding Project timing, concerns, and procedures. Additional stakeholders, including the area trapline license holder and local First Nations, will be notified as required regarding Project start-up, duration, and clean-up. The contact information for regulatory agencies and stakeholder organizations are provided in Appendix 3.

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4.0

Environmental Sensitivities

4.1

First Nations Interests

July 2015

Dene and Metis continue to use the land in the Liard Basin for hunting, gathering plants and berries, fishing, and trapping. There is a licensed trapline in the Project area. Waterbodies in the area also contain fish species utilized by the Dene and Metis Nations. There are also a number of cabins present along Fisherman Lake and a seasonal youth camp along its eastern shore (GSC, 2005). Dehcho First Nation (DFN) produced a draft Dehcho Land Use Plan (DFN, 2005) in which it had identified Fisherman Lake/Clara Deh and surrounding environs as a conservation zone. However, this plan is still under revision and has yet to be accepted by GNWT. This proposed Conservation Area is illustrated on the GNWT Spatial Data Warehouse Geospatial Portal (SDW, 2015). SET recognizes the ADKFN, DFN, and Fort Liard Metis interests in land use and planning on their traditional territories and continues its consultation and engagement with these agencies regarding the Project. The Fisherman Lake area is also an internationally noted archaeological area and evidence suggests that the lake has been the site of an active aboriginal fishery for more than 7,000 years (Millar, 1968; Fedirchuk, 1975). 4.2

Heritage Resources

The PWNHC has reviewed the project information, including GIS files, maps, and proposed temporary workspace GIS data, and has confirmed that there is no conflict with any currently known archaeological resources in the Project area (Appendix 4). There have been no additional requests from the PWNHC to date. 4.3

Other Interests

GNWT Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) is currently scheduled to conduct its aerial surveys for bison in the Dehcho Region in March of 2016. However, there are currently no scheduled overflights related to the Project that will interfere with aerial surveys. Aerial inspections of Guide-Outfitter areas are generally conducted in June of each year, and in August, hunters start to frequent the Dehcho Region. The Project and Project access route are within Guide-Outfitter area D/OT/02 (ENR, 2016).

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4.4

July 2015

Solar Radiation

The angle and heat of the sun in March, even at -15 C, can cause the thawing of snow and ice that is darker in colour (for example, from soil entrainment) or snow and ice that is around dark objects (ENR, pers. comm., March, 2015). Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat

4.5

Wildlife typical of the northern boreal forest may be found within the Project area. The Liard Uplands provide high value habitat for a number of wildlife species. Some of the concerns for certain species, such as migratory birds, all bats (migratory) and bears, will be mitigated by conducting Project works in the winter months. Large mammals potentially found in the Project access areas and Project site during the winter include caribou (Rangifer tarandus), moose (Alces alces), bison (Bos bison athabascae), black bear (Ursus americanus), grizzly bear (Ursus arctos), wolf (Canis lupus), wolverine (Gulo gulo), and lynx (Lynx canadensis). Small mammals include mink (Neovison vison), marten (Martes americana), least weasel (Mustela nivalis), ermine (Mustela erminea); small rodents such as deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus), southern red-backed vole (Myodes gapperi), northern red-backed vole (Myodes rutilus), dusky shrew (Sorex monticolus), and bog lemming (Synaptomys borealis); red fox (Vulpes vulpes), snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) and muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus). Birds of prey are also present and their nests and eggs are protected by the NWT Wildlife Act (ECG, 2007). Under the same Act, animal dens, beaver dams and lodges, muskrat push-ups and any animal hibernacula are also protected. The GNWT and the Northwest Territories Protected Areas Strategy Steering Group has identified Important Wildlife Areas (IWA), and these overlay both the Project access ROWs and the Project Site. IWAs are assigned to wildlife with high socioeconomic importance, or identified as a species at risk (‘endangered’, ‘threatened’ or ‘special concern’) by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), or with a Territorial rank of ‘sensitive’ or higher (Wilson and Haas, 2012). IWA’s located in the Project area include: 

The Dehcho Beaver IWA



The Dehcho Lynx IWA



The Dehcho Moose Winter Use Area IWA



A Mineral Lick IWA around Fisherman Lake



The Nahanni Wood Bison IWA



Western Toad IWA

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The NWTPAS has also identified the LaBiche Valley and Kotaneelee Range and River as a ‘Unique Area’, important due to its ecological productivity, species and ecological diversity, and by its distinction as a glacial refugium during the last ice age. Geospatial data illustrating the above areas is available via the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) Spatial Data Warehouse (GNWT SDW, 2015). 4.6

Species at Risk

4.6.1

Flora

Raup’s Willow There is one rare plant species identified in the Project area, Raup’s Willow (Salix raupii), on the south-western side of Fisherman Lake, whose GNWT status is ‘may be at risk’ (SARC, 2015). However, access through this area will be limited through the use of the Amoco ROW only. 4.6.2

Fauna

Animal species at risk with the most potential to be encountered within the Project area during the winter months include boreal caribou, grizzly bear (dens), wolverine, wood bison, and western toad (Anaxyrus boreas). Table 6 highlights these species at risk and their Federal and Territorial assessment ranks. Western Toad Western toad hibernate underground, below the frost line and near water. They often use unoccupied small mammal burrows, beaver dams, or natural openings for hibernacula. Known locations in the Liard River valley include the Muskeg River, Rabbit Creek, and Flett Rapids areas. A single overwintering hibernacula may accommodate many individuals (SARC, 2014). Their small population size in the NWT make them vulnerable to threats such as disease, road kill during mass movement events, habitat change, and increased ultra-violet radiation (SARC, 2014). Woodland Caribou Boreal (woodland) caribou are common throughout the Dehcho region. Two ecotypes of woodland caribou may be present in and near the Project area; boreal and mountain. The regional boreal population, known as the Dehcho population, are found along and west of the Liard River valley, through which the Project access ROW’s are located. They are also found east of the Liard River Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

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(Dehcho First Nations, 2011). In another study, Gunn et al. (2004) mapped both historical and recent caribou sightings in the Dehcho region to establish predictive indicators for caribou distribution. This study predicted a low density of woodland caribou in the Fort Liard area. Their presence is strongly associated with black spruce and lichen both in upland and lowland areas. In the winter, boreal woodland caribou prefer upland areas with less snow, and in the summer, they favour forest edges, marshes and meadows where their diet consists of new plants and grasses. This population is in decline, with total numbers estimated at around 3,400 animals (ENR, 2015). All Project access ROWs and the Project site are located in boreal caribou range as identified by Environment Canada (EC, 2012). Conservation planning for boreal caribou is directed by the Recovery Strategy for the Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), Boreal Population, in Canada (EC, 2012), the Action Plan for Boreal Woodland Caribou Conservation in the Northwest Territories, 2010-2015 (ENR, 2010a) and the 2015 Draft Recovery Strategy for the Boreal Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in the Northwest Territories (unpublished). The peak calving period for Boreal Caribou in the southern NWT is May 7-21 (Nagy, 2011), and Environment Canada has identified attributes of winter habitat as including open spruce and pine forests with abundant lichens, muskeg, riparian areas and tall shrub habitats (EC, 2012). Threats to Boreal Caribou identified in the Boreal Caribou Action Plan include: 

Direct loss of habitat through landscape change resulting from human activities;



Landscape changes caused by wildfire, natural disturbances or climate change;



Avoidance or reduced use of specific areas of habitat as a result of disturbances caused by human activities;



Vehicle collisions;



Parasites and disease;



Predation, including changes in the numbers and densities of predators and alternate prey species; and



Harvesting.

The GNWT also identifies the Project area as having trace occurrences of the Nahanni Complex populations (Coal River, South Nahanni and La Biche herds) of Northern Mountain (Boreal) Caribou (GNWT SDW, 2015). Of these three herds, the South Nahanni, is considered ‘stable’ at 1,886 animals. The population trends of

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the other two herds are unknown, with the Coal River herd estimated at 413 animals and the La Biche herd estimated at 400 animals (ENR, 2015). Critical habitat is a specific legal term defined by the federal Species at Risk Act as “the habitat that is necessary for the survival or recovery of a wildlife species listed as threatened or endangered.”Although it has published a Management Plan, Environment Canada has not yet identified critical habitat for the Northern Mountain Caribou (EC, 2012). ENR advises that during the winter, the Project is unlikely to interfere with woodland caribou or caribou habitat (Floyd Bertrand, ENR, pers. comm., March, 2015). Wood Bison There are currently about 3,000 wood bison in the NWT, comprised of three known populations; the Slave River Lowlands, the Mackenzie, and the Nahanni, the latter of which occur in the Project area (ENR, 2010a). This population was established in 1980, with the introduction of 28 animals from Elk Island National Park (EINP) to the Nahanni Butte area. Another twelve bison from Saskatchewan were released in 1989, and a further 59 were added from EINP in 1998. By 2004, the population was estimated at 400 adult animals (ENR, 2010b). Habitat selection by wood bison varies seasonally. Willow and upland pastures are preferred in the summer, and sedge meadows and lakeshores are utilized in the winter (ENR, 2010b). Bison are known to graze at the PMP airstrip and near Fisherman Lake (Floyd Bertrand, ENR, pers. comm., March, 2015). The main factor limiting wood bison recovery is disease (anthrax, brucellosis, and bovine tuberculosis). Other threats include collisions with traffic, habitat loss, and drowning of large numbers during floods and spring break-up. Environment Canada has currently has drafted a Recovery Document Posting Plan, and has not identified critical habitat, for wood bison. NWT has developed a Wood Bison Management Strategy for the Northwest Territories (ENR, 2010b). Wolverine Wolverine home ranges are large and are selectively located in alpine, tundra or taiga zones. Wolverine typically feed on rodents and snowshoe hare in the summer and ungulate carrion in the winter. Dens are usually located in high elevation habitats with suitable rock, log or snow cover. Sandy soils, such as those located on eskers or fluvial plains provide optimal wolverine denning substrate Wolverine are elusive and avoid landscape and human disturbance. (Mulders, 2001). Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

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July 2015

Grizzly Bear In the NWT, grizzly bears are divided into 4 ecosystem population groups: arctic coastal, arctic mountain, barren ground, and northern interior. The project area is located within the northern interior grizzly bear population range. The Mackenzie Mountains also host the highest concentrations of grizzly bears found in the NWT. Grizzly bears generally have low reproductive rates and bears found in the Mackenzie Mountains only reach peak reproductive potential between 10 and 16 years of age (NWTSAR, 2015). Home ranges for grizzly bears can extend from 2000 km2 (males) to roughly half this value for females (ENR, 2015). Grizzly bears preferred habitats vary seasonally according forage and prey availability. Denning begins in October and usually ends in May, although bears may emerge from dens temporarily, at any time over the winter. Dens are usually located in soft soils, on well-drained slopes with predominantly south-facing aspects. They are also typically located in riparian habitat in non-forested areas (McLoughlin et al. 1999). While in the den, pregnant females give birth to young in January or February (ENR, 2015). Fish Species Arctic Grayling Arctic Grayling have been documented by investigations at two locations near the Project; an unnamed tributary on the Kotaneelee River about 48 km upstream of the PMP ROW crossing, and at its confluence with the Liard River (DES, 2014) . Key habitat requirements for this species include clear water for visually locating prey, unimpeded access between spawning, feeding, and overwintering areas and tributary streams with flow rates, water depths and un-embedded gravel substrate suitable for spawning and feeding. Spawning success appears affected by stream obstructions and prevent or delay migrating, and flooding or drought during larval stages (Stewart el al., 2007). Bull Trout Bull trout habitat can be described as cold, clean and connected. Spawning typically occurs in clean, flowing streams, in the autumn when water temperatures are below 10C. Suitable spawning substrate consists of cobble and loose gravel (NWTSAR, 2015). Bull trout in the Kotaneelee River likely exist as a resident population restricted to upper reaches of the watershed (Mochnacz et al 2004, 2013). While there is potential for adult or sub-adult bull trout to overwinter at the Kotaneelee River/PMP crossing area, current information implies that bull trout spawn well upstream (DES, 2014). Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

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Threats to bull trout populations include industrial activities and infrastructure projects that diminish habitat quality and quantity (NWTSAR, 2015).

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Table 6. Species at Risk in the Liard Upland Mid-Boreal Ecoregion COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC NAME

SARA Status

NWT Status Rank

COSEWIC STATUS

PROBABILITY OF OCCURANCE IN PROJECT AREA

Western Toad

Anaxyrus boreas

Special Concern

May Be At Risk

Special Concern

moderate - present in Liard Valley

Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeus

Special Concern

Sensitive

Special Concern

N/A - migrates to southern Canada in winter

Wood Bison

Bos bison athabascae

Threatened

At Risk

Special Concern

moderate - present in Liard Valley

Common Nighthawk

Chordeiles minor

Threatened

At Risk

Threatened

N/A - migratory

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Contopus cooperi

Threatened

At Risk

Threatened

N/A - migratory

Shortjaw Cisco

Coregonus zenithicus

Threatened

At Risk

Threatened

low – documented only in eastern NWT Lakes*

Yellow Rail

Coturnicops noveboracensis

Special Concern

May Be At Risk

Special Concern

N/A - migratory

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

No status

Sensitive

Not At Risk

N/A - migratory

Rusty Blackbird

Euphagus carolinus

Special Concern

Sensitive

Special Concern

N/A - migratory

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus anatum

Special Concern

Sensitive

Special Concern

N/A - migratory

Wolverine

Gulo

No status

Sensitive

Special Concern (western population)

low-moderate - within identified range but avoids human activity and disturbance

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rustica

No status

Sensitive

Threatened

N/A - migratory

Little Brown Myotis

Myotis lucifugus

Endangered

May Be At Risk

Endangered

N/A - migratory

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COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC NAME

SARA Status

NWT Status Rank

COSEWIC STATUS

PROBABILITY OF OCCURANCE IN PROJECT AREA

Northern Myotis

Myotis septentrionalis

Endangered

May Be At Risk

Endangered

N/A - migratory

Collared Pika

Ochotona collaris

No status

Sensitive

Special Concern

N/A - found only in high elevation habitat

Horned Grebe

Podiceps auritus

No status

Sensitive

Special Concern

N/A - migratory

Woodland Caribou (Boreal)

Rangifer tarandus caribou

Threatened

Sensitive

Threatened

moderate – within identified range, but avoids disturbance

Woodland Caribou (Northern Mountain)

Rangifer tarandus caribou

Special Concern

Not Assessed

Special Concern

moderate – within identified range, but avoids disturbance

Dolly Varden

Salvelinus malma ssp. malma

Under Consideration

Sensitive

Special Concern (northern form)

N/A - found in NW Arctic**

Bull Trout

Salvelinus confluentus

Under Consideration

May Be At Risk

Special Concern

high (DES, 2014)

Arctic Grayling

Thymallus arcticus

No status

Sensitive

Candidate for assessment

high (DES, 2014)

Grizzly Bear

Ursus arctos

No status

Sensitive

Special Concern

moderate - typically hibernating, but dens may be encountered

Polar Bear

Ursus maritimus

Special Concern

Sensitive

Special Concern

N/A - found in circumpolar regions

Canada Warbler

Cardellina canadensis

Threatened

At Risk

Threatened

N/A - migratory

*DFO http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/species-especes/cisco-p-eng.htm ** GNWT http://www.enr.gov.nt.ca/state-environment/159-status-dolly-varden-and-bull-trout All other information from NWT SARC website http://nwtspeciesatrisk.ca/en/SpeciesAtRisk

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4.7

July 2015

Aquatic Habitat

Diversified Environmental Services (DES) described the river reach associated with the Project footprint as having high overwintering value for fish species recorded in the Kotaneelee River. As fall spawning habitat for mountain whitefish was described as moderate, the presence of incubating eggs should be assumed in the absence of detailed spawning information (DES, 2014). The DES fish habitat assessment report is available in Appendix 5. Fisherman Lake, near the Project access route and Project pig launching site, supports a genetically distinct whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformus), believed to be as a result of the lake being part of a glacial refugium (Foote et. al. 1992; Rogers, 2008). Fish species documented by investigations at the Kotaneelee-Liard confluence and in an unnamed tributary to the Kotaneelee River 48 km upstream of the Project site include Arctic grayling, bull trout, mountain whitefish, burbot, longnose sucker, white sucker, lake chub, and flathead chub (RL&L 1982, Mochnacz et al 2004, 2013). Northern pike, walleye, goldeye, inconnu, Arctic cisco, lake whitefish, emerald shiner, spottail shiner, troutperch, slimy sculpin and spoonhead sculpin have been recorded in the Liard River in the vicinity of the Kotaneelee River confluence (RL&L 1980, 1982, Hamilton et al 2006, EDI 2006). It is expected that the removal of the 1,200 m section of pipeline from the Kotaneelee River valley and crossing will enhance available aquatic habitat by removing a current and potential future disturbance from the river channel and floodplain. Currently, LWD concentrate in this area by hanging up on exposed pipe during flood conditions. Removing the pipe should allow a redistribution of LWD, and thus potentiate a more natural stream and habitat architecture. Additionally, pipe exposed on gravel bars eliminate potential suitable spawning substrate from the channel. Removal of the pipe may incrementally increase potential spawning habitat. 4.7.1

Wetlands

There is a known large wetland complex, approximately 4 km north of the Kotaneelee River along the ROW (GNWT SDW, 2015). 4.7.2

Streams

There are approximately 14 streams that the access ROW cross. Summer field reconnaissance is expected to assess the condition of stream crossings currently in place, as well as investigate any maintenance and habitat protection and mitigation that will be required both prior to and during project works. Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

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4.8

July 2015

Vegetation

The Project area is located within the floodplain of the Kotaneelee River. The river banks experience both erosional and depositional events in this active floodplain (DES, 2014). Shrubs and mixed wood forest occupy the upper benches of both banks. The Project is located on pre-disturbed land (existing pipeline ROW’s) and within this ROW, shrubs and early seral vegetation communities are dominant. 4.9

Permafrost

Landeen and Brandt (1975) identified 4 areas, each approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) in length, of permafrost along the PMP route from Fisherman Lake to the Beaver River Hydration Plant. All are outside the Project crossing site on the Kotaneelee River.

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5.0

July 2015

Environmental Inspector Responsibilities

SET will retain the services of a qualified Environmental Inspector (EI) during all phases of construction to ensure that environmental mitigation measures, detailed below, are implemented as required. The EI will have qualifications and experience appropriate to the position, and will have provided environmental monitoring services for similar projects. The primary responsibilities of the EI are to ensure that the EPP is appropriately implemented, that mitigation measures function as intended, and to interpret and advise on the requirements of environmental regulatory permits. Specific duties of the EI will also include: 

Ensure all environmental permits, licenses, and/or authorizations have been obtained prior to commencement of construction activities;



Work cooperatively with Project personnel to address environmental issues and ensure conformance with the EPP and other regulatory environmental requirements;



Participate in pre-construction and key onsite meetings, so that the Contractor, any sub-contractors, and on-site workers are aware of the potential environmental risks of the Project;



Provide appropriate and timely communications to onsite personnel and to the Project Manager, Spectra Energy’s Environmental Lead, and/or Chief Inspector (CI) concerning EPP performance and any nonconformance with this EPP or applicable environmental regulatory requirements;



Take immediate action to address works that are perceived to be in nonconformance with this EPP or environmental regulatory requirements;



Immediately notify the CI when a halt work order is necessary to stop, avoid, or prevent detrimental environmental effects due to construction activities, or when a reportable incident (e.g., spill) has occurred. In the event that the CI or other site supervisor is not immediately available, the EI may advise the equipment operators to stop works until a supervisor or other SET representative can be contacted; and



Facilitate onsite environmental inspection by regulatory agencies, if required.

The EI will also prepare and submit daily monitoring reports, if requested, to SET. Reports will include the following: 

Identification of potential environmental concerns or potential hazards from construction activities;



Reportable incidents and work stoppages;



Assessment of the effectiveness of mitigation measures;



Results of field-tested water quality parameters during operations; and

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Recommendations that may be necessary to address concerns regarding environmental performance, reportable incidents, stop work orders, and compliance issues, if any.

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6.0

July 2015

Mitigation and Management Plans

Disturbances resulting from the proposed project will be temporary in nature, and general best management practices (BMPs) will be effective in mitigating any potential adverse environmental impacts. Key BMP reference documents include: 

Environmental Manual for Construction Projects in Canada (EMCPC), 3rd Edition (SET, 2014);



Pipeline Associated Watercourse Crossings, 4th Edition (CAPP, 2012);



Northern Land Use Guidelines: Access Roads and Trails (INAC ,2010);



Measures to Avoid Causing Harm to Fish and Fish Habitat (DFO, 2013); and



Used Oil and Waste Fuel Management Regulations: Plain Language Guide (ENR, 2003).

The proposed works have been scheduled to occur in winter to ease access operations, minimize soil disturbance, and time the Project during low flow periods. Conducting works during low flow periods reduces the amount of potential sedimentation and instream works. Sediment and erosion control will be implemented as needed. Mechanical cleanup will be completed immediately following construction and backfilling activities, and reclamation will occur immediately following construction. Disturbed areas will be returned to a stable condition and re-contoured to baseline topography and drainage patterns. Topsoil and fill material will be returned to the area of origin. Disposal of all refuse, surplus materials, and drilling/testing fluids will follow conditions set out in the appropriate permit(s). Further reclamation and restoration activities will adhere to the EMCPC (SET, 2014). In the event that construction activities extend outside the set dates or plans are modified from this EPP, associated permits and approvals will be updated, and the appropriate agencies will be notified. 6.1

Access Management Plan

This section describes the management and control of access during the course of the Project. Increased access can contribute to adverse environmental effects pertaining, and not limited to, land use, wildlife, vegetation, fish, water quality, increased forest fire risk, loss of productive land base, visual quality decrease, and increased risk of accidents.

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The general objectives of the Access Management Plan are to: 

Identify management measures to limit changes to existing access;



Control access to protect infrastructure;



Identify and respect existing and traditional access corridors, and reduce interactions with local resource users in the area;



Facilitate ongoing access for First Nation’s and non-aboriginal trap lines and hunting trails;



Control access to private or sensitive lands; and



Identify and protect habitat for species of management concern, where feasible.

Specific mitigation measures that will be utilized for this Project include: 

Routing for crews and equipment will use existing rights-of-way; therefore, no new access will be created;



Access operations and maintenance will not begin until there is a minimum of 10 cm of snow as ground cover and protect terrain;



Access points and roads will be clearly labelled and documented;



Approximately 800 m of the PMP ROW is expected to require access (swamp) mats and/or the use of water for building strength in the ROW surface for equipment access. This area is approximately 1.5 km north of the crossing and is adjacent to a wetland complex.



Non-Project related access for recreation will not be permitted for Project personnel;



All construction activities will be restricted to the designated ROW and approved work spaces and access roads unless otherwise approved by SET;



Personnel showing careless regard or neglect of the environment, or who disregard environmental instructions, will be reported to SET management and disciplined, including removal from the construction site;



Sensitive features (e.g., species of management concern, important habitat features) to be flagged or fenced ahead of clearing, where feasible;



Limiting the potential for humans and predators to access and travel easily on the ROW through the strategic use of slash material from the ROW, or leaving line-of-sight breaks when clearing vegetation;



Signage will be used for identifying areas that are not open for public use;

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INAC (2010) recommends trees removed that are greater than 12 cm be salvaged and stacked with implementation determined through consultation with First Nations;



Limit the amount of clearing required for the safe operation of equipment; and



Deactivation, removal and mitigation of ice bridges, access mats and snow fills, where required. Soil Handling Plan

6.2

Potential effects of the Project on soil and soil productivity include mixing of soil layers, soil compaction, rutting, erosion from wind and water, and deposition of a deleterious substance (e.g., hydrocarbons) from a spill or equipment leak. Soil handling mitigation measures may be analogous and also work in concert with erosion and sedimentation mitigation strategies. In general, the objectives of the soil handling plan are to: 

Minimize the area of disturbance;



Implement best practices for topsoil salvage and emplacement;



Prevent admixing of soil layers;



Placement of soil stockpile in shaded areas where possible to mitigate soil/snow admixing due to thermal effects;



Minimize compaction of soils; and



Return disturbed areas to original contours and stable conditions as soon as possible following construction.

Topsoil salvaging will be completed in accordance with Section 6.3.1 of the EMCPC (SET, 2014). Erosion and sediment control measures will be implemented as necessary (see Section 5.3 of this EPP). Other mitigation measures include: 

Flag/stake the boundaries of the ROW, and staging areas prior to the start of construction;



Use of soil compaction mitigation techniques such as subsoil ripping and the use of axle-balancing equipment;



Stockpiling soil away from travel lanes to prevent degradation;



Stockpiling will occur within the ROW or temporary workspaces;



Maintaining vegetative growth and root zone in stockpiled topsoil;



Minimize the amount and duration of exposed soils;



Avoid leaving large berms of snow within the riparian areas to reduce spring melt and potential sediment loading;



Prohibition of burning outside the ROW and in areas of permafrost;

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Inspection and maintenance of equipment to reduce spill potential, and removal of contaminated soils to an approved facility should a spill occur; and



Implement erosion and sediment control measures as early as possible.

Permafrost mitigation procedures will be implemented as follows: 

No open fires will be allowed on known areas of permafrost;



Soil exposure will be minimized; and



No sumps will be required for the Project.

6.3

Erosion and Sediment Control Plan

6.3.1

General Erosion and Sediment Control Strategies

The main objective of an erosion and sediment control (ESC) plan is to minimize the introduction of sediment into drainages surrounding the site and to the surrounding vegetation, and to avoid soil loss from disturbed sites. General strategies are provided in Section 6.2.2 of EMCPC (SET, 2014). Preventing erosion from the source is the primary goal of erosion control and reduces the need for down slope sediment control measures. Temporary sediment control measures such as perimeter silt fence barriers, spoil berms, sumps, ditches, check flow dams, and sediment traps are measures generally used for warm season works. Immediate soil erosion and sediment mobilization potential will be partially mitigated because the Project will be conducted in winter. However, the following measures will be implemented: 

Minimize the amount and duration of exposed soils;



Avoid leaving large berms of snow within the riparian areas to reduce spring melt and potential sediment loading;



Implement erosion and sediment control best management practices where necessary and as early as possible;



Leave disturbed areas in a stable condition to avoid erosion; and



Using cleared vegetation debris as mulch may be recommended by the EI for erosion control in riparian areas.

Where vegetation must be cleared from riparian areas, hand clearing would be preferred to mechanical methods that may result in excessive ground disturbance. Close cutting is also recommended to retain root structure which provided more stable soil conditions. Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

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Shrubby vegetation is preferred due to its deeper root network which helps stabilize stream banks, and the increased riparian functions (invertebrate and nutrient contributions, shading, and contribution of small woody debris) that shrubs provide compared to grasses. Mulch, silt fence, erosion control blankets, or other methods of preventing surface soil erosion from spring run-off flows may be required to prevent loss of topsoil or sediment to be transported to the Kotaneelee River. 6.4

Vegetation Protection Plan

SET (2014) provides detail on the general management of forest resources, revegetation and restoration in Section 6.4 of the EMCPC. Measures include minimizing disturbance, minimizing any unnecessary tree removal or clearing of understory vegetation to that which is necessary to complete the works and meet operational requirements, and controlling the introduction of invasive plants. Prior to clearing of vegetation within the Project area, the limits of all areas to be cleared will be flagged. Should the removal of danger trees be required from areas adjacent to the Project footprint area, a certified danger tree assessor will be retained to assess and mark danger trees. To the extent practical, a safe operating perimeter will be flagged and trees retained. As the Project activities will be conducted during frozen soil conditions, disturbance to vegetation and terrain will be further minimized. Mitigation measures to reduce the effects of the Project on vegetation within the construction footprint include: 

Restrict site preparation and reclamation activities to the immediate construction footprint only;



Avoid unnecessary removal of trees when using existing access or opening up previously used access and consider trimming of existing vegetation where required, particularly near watercourses;



All brush and trees will be felled toward the ROW or other construction areas where possible to minimize damage to trees in adjacent areas;



Trees that inadvertently fall beyond the edge of the ROW or other construction areas will be moved to an area approved by the Environmental Inspector;



No fallen or leaning trees will be permitted off the ROW or in watercourses.



Where required, retain larger diameter woody debris to be used as rollback for erosion or access control, as wildlife slash berms, or in conjunction with other reclamation measures;



If required by local First Nations, trees of a suitable diameter will be set aside for community use;

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Brush or top shrubs where possible to protect root masses and promote rapid regrowth;



Salvage riparian vegetation root wads for stockpiling and restoration;



Salvage available strippings from the excavation area and stockpile separately from the work area; and



Following backfill, replace all strippings evenly over disturbed areas.

6.4.1

Invasive Plants

The most effective means of preventing the establishment or spread of invasive plants is to minimize the extent and duration of exposed soils. The winter timing of the Project will act to mitigate much of the risk of invasive species introductions. However, seeds are relatively invulnerably and may remain dormant throughout the cold season attached to vehicles. Mitigation measures will be implemented as per Section 6.1 (16) of the EMCPC (SET, 2014): 

Equipment and vehicles (units) must arrive to the ROW or Project site in a clean condition free of any remnant soil and vegetation to minimize the risk of invasive plant introduction;



The Environmental Inspector (EI) may prohibit any unit to be found not in compliance from entering the ROW or Project site until the unit has been cleaned using high-pressure water, steam or compressed air; and



Mulching, using cleared vegetation debris, may be recommended for riparian areas in order to control erosion, reduce competition and favour shrub growth.

6.5

Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Plan

Protection of fish and fish habitat involves timing instream works during periods of reduced sensitivity for fish, measures to prevent physical harm to fish that may be present within the Project footprint area, maintenance of water quality, and reducing the duration of instream works. General measures for protection of fish and fish habitat are included in Section 6.6 of the EMCPC. DFO’s Measures to Avoid Causing Harm to Fish and Fish Habitat will be used as required on the Project site (DFO, 2013). Further details are presented below. 6.5.1

Timing of Instream Works

The effects on spring, summer, and fall spawning fish, and sediment mobilization, will be minimized through the use of a winter work window. Burbot are the only winter spawners identified for the Kotaneelee River (RL&L ,1982; Mochnacz et. al., 2004, 2013) and NWT winter spawning timing windows indicate that work is to be avoided from December 1 to April 15 (DFO, 2013. Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

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The removal of existing pipe will require cutting and pulling portions of the pipe from the wetted width of the river. Winter work on frozen surfaces during low flow, combined with low winter risk of unforeseen increases in discharge will help minimize disturbance of stream substrates, and potential spawning areas, during the Project works. 6.5.2

Minimizing Footprint Impacts to Fish

The exact sequence of pipeline removal will be dependent on conditions in the winter of 2016; however, removal will be conducted without equipment encroaching on the wetted channel and the introduction of sediment into the river. Basic procedures to expose and remove the entire span of pipe from within the active channel and approach ROW are proposed as follows: 

Construction of temporary ice-bridge and clearing of temporary workspaces;



Removal and reallocation (near the wetted edge) of LWD currently hungup on exposed pipe on the gravel bar (north side of the Kotaneelee River). The following year’s freshet will redistribute this LWD downstream;



Excavation and lifting of buried sections of pipeline and removal of pipe weights;



As each section of pipe is exposed, it will be cut and pulled from its location within the wetted or dry portion of the channel to an upland location;



Dry spoil will be used as a berm to isolate any excavated saturated sediment from the wetted width;



Removal of the pipe section from the wetted width will be accomplished by cutting it on the north-east bank and pulling the section from (and possibly through) the south-west bank; and



Manageable lengths will be cut and temporarily stockpiled in an upland area away from construction, either within the PMP ROW or a temporary workspace. From there it will be transported from the Project site to a facility in Fort Nelson, BC.

6.5.2.1

Pipeline section in the wetted channel

As the channel surface is expected to be frozen and no pipe weights are present on this pipe section, it is anticipated that the LWD hooked on the pipe will remain in place as the pipe slides out during removal. It is anticipated that the severed pipe sections within the wetted channel will slide to shore with limited resistance. 6.5.2.2

Ice Bridge Construction

Ice bridge fill must consist of clean ice or snow as per Section 11 of the Northwest Territories Fishery Regulations. Intake hoses, if used, will be equipped with a 2.54 mm wire mesh to prevent the entrainment of fish. Ice bridge construction and reclamation on the Petitot, Liard and Kotaneelee Rivers will adhere to the Field Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

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Guide for Ice Construction Safety (DOT, 2007), and Section 5.5 of the Northern Land Use Guidelines, Access: Roads and Trails (INAC, 2010). 6.5.2.3

Other ROW watercourse crossings

Winter watercourse crossings will be constructed following the Northern Land Use Guidelines for Access Roads and Trails (INAC, 2010). Crossings may be constructed using snow fills, or ice bridges. Existing culverts or bridges may require maintenance prior to project site work. This will be determined during pre-project work reconnaissance in the non-winter season. Snowfills will only be used in streams that freeze to the bottom and the use of logs in watercourse crossings will be prohibited. 6.5.2.4

Pipeline section buried in the exposed gravel bar

The depth and extent of the excavated trench on the north-east bank and associated gravel bar will depend upon the depth of the pipe section, which varies between 1.6 m as it nears the exposed section near the wetted width, to potentially greater than 4.5 m near, but prior to rising to a 2.1 m depth on the north-east bank. It is expected that any ground-water seepage will be contained within the trench. If pumping is required, water will be pumped well into the upper benches of the floodplain and into the surrounding vegetation. Although the pipeline has previously been cleaned and deactivated, the low point in the pipeline, described above, has the potential to pool hydrocarbons. Therefore, this section will be tapped from above, assessed, and if required, vacuumed prior to being cut and lifted out of the trench. This will ensure there that the pipe section is free of liquid contaminants prior to removal. Additionally, a containment tub will be installed under the pipeline section to be tapped, and subsequently cut. Mitigation measures are as follows: 

Dry spoil from the surface excavation will be used as a berm to isolate the saturated spoil.



Sediment fencing may be used where required, under the direction of the EI.



Allow water to drain from the equipment bucket prior to swinging from the trench line, reducing run-off from the spoil stockpile.



Salvage surface material from the excavation of the gravel bar to allow a capping of the back-fill in order to re-establish a similar substrate.



The tapping, assessment and vacuuming out of the low point as described above;



Containment tubs will be used as required during section tapping and cutting;

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Where possible, areas of the gravel bar disturbed and compacted by equipment will be scarified.

Trenching and machine access on the north-east bank of the Kotaneelee River will result in removal of existing riparian vegetation. Best management practices will be adhered to where possible and applicable, described as follows: 

Exposed shrubby vegetation in riparian areas will be hand brushed where feasible to encourage regrowth.



Where vegetation must be removed, shrubby vegetation root wads will be salvaged and stored during the pipe removal. The salvaged plants will be trimmed of any damaged stems and replaced in the disturbed areas closest to the river.



Once access is no longer needed, the bank will be re-contoured.



Every effort will be made to re-vegetate using replanted root wads over the full width of the existing ROW within 30 m of the edge of the high water mark of the Kotaneelee River.



Additional losses of riparian vegetation will be minimized by minimizing equipment traffic in riparian areas. It is anticipated that traffic within 50 m of the Kotaneelee River will be limited to those necessary for the pipeline removal.

6.5.2.5

South-west Bank

At present, no significant alteration is expected for the south-west bank. The exposed pipe will be cut on the opposing side of the wetted channel width. A bell hole will be excavated on the PMP ROW approximately 30 or more meters from the river channel, upland of the steeper south-west bank. From this excavation, the pipe section including that which is currently across the wetted width, will be pulled in a horizontal direction, and eventually up and out of the ground. If, due to site or pipe conditions found during the Project or Project reconnaissance, bank alteration is necessary, it will be minimized either by moving the bell hole nearer to the stream channel for a similar pipe pull. As a last resort, if trenching is required, the similar mitigation techniques described for the northeast bank will be used, as determined by the EI. 6.6

Water Quality Protection Plan

Potential impacts to water quality in the Kotaneelee River as a result of the Project are primarily related to the potential mobilization and deposition of sediment, either from disturbance to the substrate or stream banks in wetted portions of the river, or from silt-laden runoff from adjacent upland areas that have been

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disturbed. General measures for the protection of both ground and surface water quality are also included Section 6.5 in the EMCPC (SET, 2014). Site-specific mitigation directions will include, and not be limited to, implementing the fish and fish habitat, soil, and vegetation mitigation measures included in this EPP. Fuel and hazardous materials shall be stored with secondary containment on level land at least 100 m from the ordinary high water mark of waterbodies and refueling will be attended to and will not take place within 30 m of the ordinary high water mark of any waterbody. The prevention, mitigation and response to a spill or leak of deleterious substances on site is detailed in the Project Spill Contingency Plan, submitted as a separate document. As per Section 7.0 of this EPP, a water quality monitoring program will be also employed to track potential effects of instream works. The mitigation of silt-laden runoff to the Kotaneelee River will be accomplished through the use of the winter work window and through effective erosion and sediment control, as detailed in section 5.3. Swamp mats and snow fills or ice-bridges will be used when crossing wetland areas and streams where required, and these measures are expected at the large wetland complex 4 km upland, and north of the Kotaneelee River. All snow ramps and snow berms used at stream crossing riparian areas will be pulled prior to freshet. 6.7

Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat Protection Plan

Wildlife may be affected by the Project through habitat loss, disturbance or fragmentation, enhancement of predator access, disruption of movement corridors, nests or hibernacula, and mortality or injury due to vehicle collisions or direct human interaction. The use of the winter work window partially mitigates concerns for migratory and hibernating species; however, wildlife and wildlife habitat protection measures must still be employed. Mitigation measures for working around wildlife and wildlife habitat are detailed in Section 6.8 of the EMCPC (SET, 2014). Additional mitigation measures include: 

The education of worksite crews regarding the presence of wildlife and how to avoid negative encounters;



Reducing wildlife attractants at the Project site;



Keeping records of wildlife observations;



Wildlife will be given the right-of-way during all phases and in all locations of the Project, including access ROWs as well as the Project site;



Speed limits on any roads or ROW will be adhered to, with low-speed zones designated for high-use wildlife areas;

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While clearing ROW vegetation within identified caribou habitat, line-ofsight breaks will be created by leaving a swathe of vegetation standing, or a windrow of cleared vegetation, at intervals no greater than 500 m;



Use communications while using roads and ROW to warn others of wildlife sightings;



Wildlife awareness will be addressed during tailgate meetings;



Trees will be inspected for possible stick nests;



Areas such as bell holes, entry and exit pits, and trenching will be temporarily fenced if necessary to deter wildlife and avoid entrapments;



Risers installed at each of the capped ends will have red-painted 4’ x 4’ x 4’ tubular steel guard fencing, with posts sunk to a minimum of 4’, with signage, constructed around their perimeter;



The EI will be responsible for maintaining a log of wildlife sightings and all workers will be required to report wildlife sightings to the EI;



During reconnaissance flights, overflight elevation will be a minimum of 400 m AGL (above ground level) and no aerial circling of wildlife will be permitted;



Crews will be prohibited from using the Project area for recreation; and



Negative wildlife encounters will be reported to GNWT Environment and Natural Resources Department (ENR).

6.7.1

Species at Risk Contingency Plan

The EI will conduct daily inspections and patrols during the construction period. In the event that the site personnel encounter a listed wildlife species or den site within the construction footprint, the following procedures will be implemented: 

Flag the location and notify the EI, who will notify the SET Chief Inspector (CI).



Cease operations until directed by the EI or CI.



The EI will inspect the location and may allow operations to resume if activities are low risk. Additional mitigation measures or a new construction approach (e.g., relocation of certain activities) may be necessary, and will be developed in consultation with the CI.



If the EI determines that there is caribou or wood bison sign in the area, the EI will conduct daily perimeter patrols.



If wood bison or woodland caribou are determined either by the EI worksite perimeter patrols, or by crew observation, to be within approximately 250 m of the Project activities, work will cease immediately until the animals move out of the area; and,



Any species at risk observed will be reported to ENR by the EI.

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6.8

July 2015

Air Quality and Noise Control

Construction activities may result in short term, localized effects on air quality. Potential air pollutants will be limited largely to equipment exhaust emissions during construction activities, venting of gas from the pipeline, and fugitive dust from wind and construction activities. It is recommended that vehicles not be permitted to idle if they remain stationary for longer than 1 minute. Heavy equipment should be shut down if it will remain idle for longer than 10 minutes, unless for safety concerns or as necessary to prevent engine problems during cold weather. The use of elevated idle control devices on equipment to lower engine speed when not under load is encouraged. Fugitive dust is generated by the movement of vehicles or equipment on dry ground with fine substrates is anticipated to be minimal during the winter work window. 6.9

Heritage Resources Protection Plan

Artefacts or sites that are encountered during the course of the project that may have archaeological significance or cultural value, will be managed as per the PWNHC Guidelines: 

The site/artefact is not to be disturbed or moved;



The site/artefact should be photographed and GPS coordinates taken;



Detail a description of the site/artefact and the date discovered; and



Report this information to the PWNHC (867-873-7688).

6.10

Site Restoration and Reclamation

This section outlines the re-vegetation and reclamation practices that will be used for restoration of the ROW and other works on forested lands. Some aspects of preparatory activities prior to restoration and reclamation are covered in the Vegetation Protection Plan. Additionally, a re-vegetation program will be initiated along the ROW and in other work areas as designated by the SET as soon as practical after construction and include the following components: 

Salvaged root wads will be replanted as best as possible into the riparian area.



Brush and woody debris may be used as a mulching layer as an erosion control measure.



Other sediment control measures, such as silt fencing, may be implemented as required.

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Reclamation sequence and scheduling will address requirements for growing seasons, short and long term site stabilization.



Natural recovery will be undertaken in riparian, wetland or muskeg areas. Project-related disturbed riparian areas may be reseeded or additionally replanted following GNWT-recommended inspections and follow-up in late June (after freshet) and again in late summer, if required.



All ice bridges and stream crossing fills will be removed after completion of the Project.



Notches will be made into the ice, where deemed necessary, at crossings to prevent pooling of water or the formation of ice dams during spring break-up.

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7.0

July 2015

Water Quality Monitoring Plan

In order to ensure Project activities do not negatively affect aquatic resources, a water quality monitoring program is provided. Activities associated with the excavation and pipe removal phases of the Project present the highest potential for release of sediment. Routinely tracking water quality upstream (control), adjacent to (near-field), and downstream (far-field) of the work area will ensure there is adequate data to assess the environmental effects in the event of a release of sediment or other deleterious substances to the watercourse (INAC, 2009). Portable metres will be used to collect turbidity, pH and conductivity measurements for evaluation onsite. The frequency of sampling will be determined by construction activity and environmental events (i.e. spill, rain event). Guidance documents for the water quality monitoring plan included those authored by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME), where turbidity, measured as NTU, is used as a surrogate for total suspended particulate matter in water as it is easily measured in the field. Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life (CCME, nd) indicate that short-term (i.e., 80 NTU, turbidity should increase not more than 10% of background concentrations. During pipeline removal from the Kotaneelee River watercourse, should turbidity increase beyond these guideline limits, works will be temporarily slowed or suspended until turbidity levels return to acceptable limits. On-site ambient air temperature, ice thickness and under-ice water depth during the winter may require adjustments in water quality monitoring protocol. Conditions and justifications will be documented as required.

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July 2015

Conclusions

This document was developed referencing applicable regulations, guidelines and best management practises. It was also developed through consultation with both Federal and NWT government departments and regulatory representatives. Further revisions to this document may be made upon review by, and advisement of, the MVLWB, or other referring government agencies. 8.1

Scope Change Contingencies

Any changes to construction methods or scope are the responsibility of the SET and/or the Contractor and must be communicated to the EI prior to implementation. The EI is responsible for recommending alterations in mitigation approach that are deemed necessary to mitigate environmental risks on a sitespecific and situational basis, in collaboration with the Contractor and SET representative.

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References

[AAIGR] Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, 2015. Government of Northwest Territories, Yellowknife, NT, accessed January 2015, http://www.daair.gov.nt.ca/_live/pages/wpPages/AchoDeneKoe.aspx [CAPP] Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. 2012. Pipeline Associated Watercourse Crossings. Prepared by TERA Environmental Consultants. Calgary, AB. [CCME] Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. Canadian Water Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life, accessed February 2015, http://stts.ccme.ca/en/index.html?chems=216,217,218,215,220,219&chapters=all Dehcho First Nations. 2011. Traditional Knowledge Assessment of Boreal Caribou (Mbedzih) in the Dehcho Region. Prepared by Dehcho First Nations for the Canadian Wildlife Service. Dehcho First Nations, Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories. [DES 2014] Diversified Environmental Services, 2014. Spectra Energy Transmission Pointed Mountain 508mm Pipeline Removal, Kotaneelee River: Fisheries Habitat Assessment. DES, Fort St. John, BC. [DFO] Department of Fisheries and Oceans, 2013. Measures to Avoid Serious Harm to Fish and Fish Habitat, accessed March, 2015, http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pnwppe/measures-mesures/index-eng.html [DOT] Department of Transportation, Government of Northwest Territories, 2007. A Field Guide to Ice Construction Safety. [EC] Environment Canada. 2012. Management Plan for the Northern Mountain Population of Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in Canada. Species at Risk Act Management Plan Series. Environment Canada, Ottawa. [EC] Environment Canada, nd. Avoidance Guidelines, accessed January 2015, https://www.ec.gc.ca/paomitmb/default.asp?lang=En&n=AB36A082-1 [ENR] Environment and Natural Resources. 2003. Used Oil and Waste Fuel Management Regulations: Plain Language Guide. GNWT, Yellowknife, NT. [ENR] Environment and Natural Resources, Ecosystem Classification Group. 2007 (rev. 2009). Ecological Regions of the Northwest Territories – Taiga Plains. Government of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife, NT, Canada.

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[ENR] Environment and Natural Resources, 2010a. Action Plan: Boreal Woodland Caribou Conservation in the Northwest Territories, 2010-2015. Government of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife, NT, Canada. [ENR] Environment and Natural Resources, 2010b. Wood Bison Management Plan for the NWT: 2010-2020. Government of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife, NT, Canada. [ENR] Environment and Natural Resources, 2015. Status of woodland caribou in a changing landscape, accessed January 2015, http://www.enr.gov.nt.ca/stateenvironment/166-status-woodland-caribou-changing-landscape [ENR] Environment and Natural Resources, 2016. Northwest Territories Summary of Hunting Regulations: July 1, 2015 to June 20, 2016, accessed June 2015, http://www.enr.gov.nt.ca/summary-nwt-hunting-regulations-july-1-2015-june-302016 Fedirchuk, G.J. 1975. Functional analysis of the Julian technology, Fisherman Lake, Northwest Territories. Ph.D dissertation. University of New Mexico, USA. Foote, C.J., J.W. Clayton, C.C. Lindsey, and R.A. Bodaly. 1992. Evolution of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformus) in North America during the Pleistocene: evidence for a Nahanni Glacial refugia race in the northern Cordillera region. Can. J. Aquat. Sci. 49: 760-768. Geoterra. 2015. Buried Pipe and Utility Sketch, Pointed Mountain Pipeline. Unpublished map and data. [GNWT SDW] GNWT Spatial Data Warehouse Geospatial Portal, accessed January 2015, http://apps.geomatics.gov.nt.ca/SilverlightViewer_SDW/Viewer.html?Viewer=Sp atial%20Data%20Warehouse [GSC] Geological Survey of Canada. 2005. An investigation of gas seeps and aquatic chemistry in Fisherman Lake, southwest Northwest Territories. Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa. Gunn, A., J. Antoine, J. Boulanger, J. Bartlett, B. Croft and A. D’Hont. 2004. Boreal habitat and land use planning in the Deh Cho region, Northwest Territories. GNWT, Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. Yellowknife, NWT. [INAC] Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, 2009. Guidelines for Designing and Implementing Aquatic Effects Monitoring Programs for Development Projects in the Northwest Territories, Volume 4, Yellowknife, NWT.

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

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[INAC] Indian and Northern Affairs Canada 2010. Northern Land Use Guidelines, Access: Roads and Trails. Ottawa, Ontario and Yellowknife, NWT. Landeen, B.A. and W.C. Brandt. 1975. Impressions on the construction of the Pointed Mountain Gas Pipeline. Prepared by the Northern Operations Branch, Fisheries and Marine Service, Department of the Environment for the Environmental-Social Programme, Northern Pipelines, Task Force on Northern Oil Development. Lane, L.S., K.M Fallas, and W.F. Miles. 2001. “Geology of the Fort Liard Region, Yukon and NWT: New Insights from the Central Foreland Natmap Project” (paper presented at the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists ‘Rock the Foundation Convention’, June 18-22, 2001). McLoughlin, P. D., F. Messier, R. L. Case, R. J. Gau, R. Mulders, and H. D. Cluff. 1999. The spatial organization and habitat selection patterns of barren-ground grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut: Final report to the West Kitikmeot / Slave Study Society. University of Saskatchewan. Saskatoon, SK, and Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. Yellowknife, NWT. Millar, J.F.V. 1968. Archaeology of Fisherman Lake, Western District of Mackenzie, NWT. Ph.D thesis dissertation, University of Calgary. Mochnacz, N.J., J.D. Reist, P. Cott, G. Low and R. Wastle. 2004. Biological and habitat data for Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) and associated species from stream surveys conducted in the Southern and Central Mackenzie River Valley, Northwest Territories, 2000 to 2001. Can. Data Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 1131: iv + 38p. Mochnacz, N.J., R. Bajno, J.D. Reist, G. Low and John A. Babaluk. 2013. Distribution and biology of Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in the Mackenzie Valley, Northwest Territories, with notes on sympatry with Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma). Arctic Vol. 66 No. 1 (March 2013) P. 79-93 Mulders, R. 2001. Wolverine ecology, distribution, and productivity in the Slave Geological Province. Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, GNWT. Nagy J.A. 2011. Use of space by caribou in northern Canada. PhD thesis, University of Alberta. Edmonton, AB. 164pp. [NWTPAS] Northwest Territories Protected Areas Strategy, 2015, accessed January 2015, http://www.nwtpas.ca/science-focalspecies.asp [NWTSAR] Northwest Territories Species at Risk, 2015, accessed February 2015, http://www.nwtspeciesatrisk.ca/ Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

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RL&L. (RL&L Environmental Services Ltd.) 1982. Aquatic investigations of the Liard River, British Columbia and Northwest Territories relative to proposed hydroelectric development at Site A. Prepared for BC Hydro and Power Authority, Vancouver, BC. FISS Ref. No. 700-095. PFI-013L. Rogers, S.M. 2008. COSEWIC Special Report: Designatable units at an appropriate scale for the Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) in Canada. Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC. [SARC] Species at Risk Committee. 2014. Species Status Report for Western Toad (Anaxyrus boreas) in the Northwest Territories. Species at Risk Committee, Yellowknife, NT. [SARC] Species at Risk Committee. 2015, accessed http://nwtspeciesatrisk.ca/en/species/raups-willow

January

2015,

[SET] Spectra Energy Transmission. 2008. 2008-03-14 Application to Deactivate the 508 mm OD Pointed Mountain Pipeline (application file to the NEB), accessed March, 2015, https://docs.neb-one.gc.ca/lleng/llisapi.dll?func=ll&objId=502724&objAction=browse&viewType=1 [SET] Spectra Energy Transmission. 2008. Westcoast Energy Inc., 2008 Application Pursuant to Section 44 of the Onshore Pipeline Regulations, 1999, accessed June 2015, https://docs.neb-one.gc.ca/lleng/llisapi.dll?func=ll&objId=502687&objAction=browse [SET] Spectra Energy Transmission. 2014. Environmental Manual for Construction Projects in Canada. Spectra Energy Transmission, Calgary, Alberta. Stewart, D.B., Mochnacz, N.J., Reist, J.D., Carmichael, T.J., and Sawatzky, C.D. 2007. Fish life history and habitat use in the Northwest Territories: Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus). Can. Manuscr. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2797: vi + 55 p.

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

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APPENDIX 1 PHOTOGRAPHS

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

Appendix 1

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal at Kotaneelee Crossing

July 2015

Photo 1. Kotaneelee River crossing, upstream view

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

Appendix 1

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal at Kotaneelee Crossing

July 2015

Photo 2. Kotaneelee River Crossing, downstream view

Photo 3. Pipe weight exposed on gravel bar Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

Appendix 1

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal at Kotaneelee Crossing

July 2015

Photo 4. Pig launching site showing generator shed, shed heater propane tank, metering shed, sending barrel (red), and 5 double-walled fluid tanks.

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

Appendix 1

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal at Kotaneelee Crossing

July 2015

APPENDIX 2 ADDITIONAL MAPS AND WORKSPACE DRAWINGS

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

Appendix 2

6,700,000

460,000

6,700,000

440,000

PROPOSED TEMPORARY WORKSPACES KOTANEELEE RIVER WITHIN UNIT K SECTION 65 AND UNSURVEYED CROWN LAND WITHIN UNIT H SECTION 66 60-20-123-45 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

PROCESSING PLANT

6060-30 30 N N 124 124-00 -00 W W

6060-30 30 N N 123 123-45 -45 W W

6060-30 30 N N 123 123-30 -30 W W

Westcoast Energy Inc.

6060-30 30 N N 123 123-15 -15 W W

1:150,000

Northwest along Existing Access Road for 8km

F

is

he

rm

an

La

2

4

6 km

Westcoast Pipeline R/W

ke

Southwest along Existing Access Road for 5km

0

Projection UTM Zone 10 NAD 83 Map to scale when plotted on a page 280mm x 432mm (B size)

Access Route

AIRSTRIP

;

Proposed Temporary Workspace

Southwest along Spectra Pipeline R/W for 8.4km

Ice Bridge Highway

W

Road

Northwest on Amoco Access Road for 23km

Rough Road Trail

e

e

R i v er

l e e

R i v e r

L

I

A

7 V U

Westcoast File:

Date: March 3, 2015 Revision: 1

6,680,000

TRYON LAND SURVEYING LTD. Dawson Creek Fort St John www.TryonGroup.ca 250-782-5868

D

Tryon Job: 150044 (Mp1-0)

PROPOSED PROJECT

NWT YT

Southwest on Amoco Winter Access Road for 13.7km

VE RI

R

6060-10 10 N N 123 123-45 -45 W W

6060-10 10 N N 123 123-30 -30 W W

6060-10 10 N N 123 123-15 -15 W W

NWT BC

1:1,000,000 440,000

460,000

Fort Liard 7 U V

D

e

Liard River Ice Bridge

R

V

;

E

o n

le

6060-10 10 N N 124 124-00 -00 W W

R

ta

ee

E SPECTRA PIPELIN PLAN CLSR 57906

ta n TWS 1-3

K

I

FORT LIARD

Project Name: Kotaneelee River Pipeline Removal

LIAR

Ko

1:20,000

6060-20 20 N N 123 123-15 -15 W W

6060-20 20 N N 123 123-30 -30 W W

Temporary Workspaces 1: N6679219 E446935 2: N6679263 E447086 3: N6679208 E446942

DETAIL

TWS 4

6060-20 20 N N 123 123-45 -45 W W

R

6060-20 20 N N 124 124-00 -00 W W

;

6,680,000

Temporary Workspace 4 N6680135 E447632

77 V U

446,900

447,000

447,100

Westcoast Energy Inc. K

PROPOSED TEMPORARY WORKSPACES KOTANEELEE RIVER WITHIN UNIT K SECTION 65 AND UNSURVEYED CROWN LAND WITHIN UNIT H SECTION 66 60-20-123-45 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

o ta

n e

e

iv er Proposed Temporary Workspace 2 N6679263 E447086

20

15

30

19

35

20

30

40

50 m

Proposed Temporary Workspace Surveyed Right of Way

181 15

LSR AN C L P LI NE

A PIP

5790

6

E

85

6,679,200

S

6,679,200

10

Projection UTM Zone 10 NAD 83 Map to scale when plotted on a page 280mm x 432mm (B size)

158

GRID 60-20N 123-45W SECTION 65

85

0 11

1:1,250 0

Proposed Temporary Workspace 1 N6679219 E446935

TR PE C

SITE PLAN 'A'

23

33

15

6,679,300

R

6,679,300

e

15

le

Proposed Temporary Workspace 3 N6679208 E446942

Project Name:

UNIT N

UNIT O

UNIT K

UNIT J

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal - Kotaneelee River

Westcoast File:

Date: March 3, 2015 Revision: 1

15

TRYON LAND SURVEYING LTD. Dawson Creek Fort St John www.TryonGroup.ca 250-782-5868

30

15

Tryon Job: 150044 (Mp4a-0)

Site Plan 'A' Temporary Workspace 1 Temporary Workspace 2 Temporary Workspace 3 Site Plan 'B' Temporary Workspace 4 Total:

0.13 ha 0.08 ha 0.50 ha

6,679,100

CROWN LAND AREA TABLE

NWT YT

6,679,100

PROPOSED PROJECT

a Li

0.06 ha 0.77 ha

1:1,000,000 446,900

447,000

447,100

rd

Ri

ve

r

Fort Liard

7 V U

447,580

447,600

447,620

447,640

447,660

447,680

447,700

6,680,200

6,680,200

Westcoast Energy Inc. PROPOSED TEMPORARY WORKSPACES KOTANEELEE RIVER WITHIN UNIT K SECTION 65 AND UNSURVEYED CROWN LAND WITHIN UNIT H SECTION 66 60-20-123-45 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

6,680,180

0

5

10

15

20 m

Projection UTM Zone 10 NAD 83 Map to scale when plotted on a page 280mm x 432mm (B size)

LS

R

57

90

6

6,680,180

SITE PLAN 'B' 1:500

AN

C

Proposed Temporary Workspace

PL

Surveyed Right of Way

E N

6,680,160

LI PI PE

6,680,140

6,680,140

30

SP

EC

TR

A

30

6,680,160

20

20

Project Name:

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal - Kotaneelee River

Westcoast File:

Proposed Temporary Workspace 4 N6680135 E447632

Date: March 3, 2015 Revision: 1

6,680,120

6,680,120

TRYON LAND SURVEYING LTD. Dawson Creek Fort St John www.TryonGroup.ca 250-782-5868 Tryon Job: 150044 (Mp4b-0)

PROPOSED PROJECT CROWN LAND AREA TABLE

SECTION 66 UNIT G

UNIT H

0.13 ha 0.08 ha 0.50 ha 0.06 ha 0.77 ha

6,680,100

6,680,100

GRID 60-20N 123-45W

NWT YT

Site Plan 'A' Temporary Workspace 1 Temporary Workspace 2 Temporary Workspace 3 Site Plan 'B' Temporary Workspace 4 Total:

a Li

1:1,000,000 447,580

447,600

447,620

447,640

447,660

447,680

447,700

rd

Ri

ve

r

Fort Liard

7 V U

447000

446000

446500

447000

447500

448000

447500

448000

6679500 6679000

6679000

6679500

6680000

446500

6680000

446000

Crossing Overview

Kotaneelee PMP Removal

Legend

0 25 50

100

150

200

Scale: 1:10,000

250

300 Meters

File No:

N:\ACTIVE\5197 Spectra - Kotaneelee River\MXD\SiteOverview8x11.mxd

PMP point for section removal on ROW

Project No:

Temporary Workspace

Basemap Source:

Date:

Map Datum:

5197

Jul 03, 2015 Bing Maps Aerial NAD 1983 UTM Zone 10N

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal at Kotaneelee Crossing

July 2015

APPENDIX 3 AGENCY AND ORGANIZATION CONTACTS

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

Appendix 3

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal at Kotaneelee Crossing

July 2015

Miki Erhlich, Regulatory Officer, Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board 7th Floor, 4922-48th St. | PO Box 2130 | Yellowknife, NWT | Canada | X1A 2P6 867.766.7469 [email protected] GNWT Petroleum Resources Division Menzie McEachern, Director, Inuvik, NWT 867-777-7475 [email protected] GNWT’s Petroleum Resources Division has requested notification about the planned activity. James Fulford, Executive Director GNWT Office of the Regulator of Oil and Gas Operations Box 1320, Yellowknife, NWT X1A 2L9 867- 920-6267 [email protected] Glen Mackay, Assessment Archaeologist Prince Wales Northern Heritage Centre Box 1320, Yellowknife, NWT, X1A 2L9 867-920-6182 [email protected] Burn permits GNWT Environment and Natural Resources Fort Liard office 867-770-4300 Dahti Tsetso, Resource Management Coordinator Dehcho First Nation, Box 89, Fort Simpson, NWT, X0E 0N0 867-695-2355 [email protected] Alexander Fanni, Lands Development Coordinator, Acho Dene Koe First Nation 867-770-4573 [email protected] Ernest McLeod Fort Liard Metis Local 67 Fort Liard, NWT 867-770-4571 ext 227 Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

Appendix 3

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal at Kotaneelee Crossing

July 2015

Alan Harris, Works and Services Manager Hamlet of Fort Liard, NWT 867-770-4140 ext. 103 Laurie Nadia Dehcho Regional Superintendent - Department of Lands Government of the Northwest Territories Regional Education Centre, 2nd Floor PO Box 150 Fort Simpson, NWT Phone 867-695-2626 Cell 867-445-7816 [email protected] Nathen Richea Manager, Water Resources Division GNWT, Environment and Natural Resources Yellowknife, NWT Phone 867-765-6775 [email protected] Floyd Bertrand, Manager, Wildlife and Environment, Government of the Northwest Territories Fort Liard, NWT Phone 867-770-4300 [email protected]

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

Appendix 3

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal at Kotaneelee Crossing

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APPENDIX 4 PWNHC CORRESPONDENCE

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

Appendix 4

I assume that the plant, Fisherman Lake airstrip, pigging site, access and pipeline ROW's have been desktop assessed for sites already, but I am thinking that it might a good idea to run those as well. Thank you, Barb From: Julie Buysse [ma ilto:Julie [email protected]] Sent: Monday, M arch 09, 2015 2:58 PM To: Barb And erson Subject: RE : Kotaneelee Hi Barb, Thank you for th is information. I just want to confirm with you that we are searching the archaeological site database for proxim ity to the four identified workspaces only. There is one single known archaeologica l site within distance of these workspaces, but it is roughly 2km away in a NNE di rection (and a good 450 m west of the pipeline ROW). Let me know if I have this correct and I will send a confirmation email to say that there are no known archaeological sites within 150 m of your project area. Thanks, Julie

From: Barb Anderson [mailto:[email protected]]

Sent: Thursday, Ma rch 05, 2015 2:36 PM To: Julie Buysse; Archaeology

Subject: Kotaneelee Hi Julie, Thank you for your prompt reply. Here are all the shapefiles provided by Spectra. I will include the draft maps of the temporary workspaces so you can sort them out from all the established ROW and lease sites. If you require any more information, please let me know. Regards,

Barb Ande rson RP Bi o

Bio l og ist / Project Man ager T 250.562.9155 C 250.612.8792 F 250.562.9135 3990 22"" Avenue., Prince George, BC V2N 3Al

www.triton-eov. com

2

Barb Anderson From:

Sent: To:

Subject: Attachments:

Barb Anderson Wednesday, March 11, 2015 9:34 AM 'Julie Buysse' RE: Kotaneelee PiggingSite.kmz; DSC_8113.JPG

Hi Ju lie, Thank you again for your prompt reply. Attached are coordinates, a kmz fi le and a photo showing the pigging site, and yes, it has been in existe nce for a while. I be lieve it is adjacent to the old pla nt site. Currently, aside from the add itiona l new temporary workspaces discussed, t here are no plans to deviate from the existing footprint. 10 U 454437.00 m E, 6696047.00 m N Best Regards, Barb From: Julie Buysse [mailto:[email protected]) Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2015 9:22 AM To: Barb Anderson Cc: Glen MacKay Subject: RE: Kotaneelee Hi Barb, I have confirmed that there are no known archaeologica l sites w ithin 150 metres of the four new workspaces you've identified. Also, we don't see any issue with accessing the existing roads/ROW's. You have mentioned however, the processing plant, Fisherman Lake airstrip and the pigging site? These too are existing foot prints of course. There are known archaeological sites within proximity to these features, but unless the project w ill be deviating from t his existing footprint, it wo n't be necessary to release the site data. In terms of the pigging site, I don't have a geographic location for this, and I don't see it identified on the maps you've supplied . Thanks, Julie From: Barb Anderson [mailto:[email protected] ]

Sent: Monday, March 09, 2015 4:11 PM To: Julie Buysse Subject: RE: Kotaneelee Hi Julie, Thank you for your prompt reply. The fo ur temporary workspaces will be new disturbances, so they need t o be assessed for archeological and cultura l sensit ivities. The access to the Kotanee lee crossing (project site) will be via the existing Amoco road from the Fort Lia rd airstrip (crossing the Petitot and Lia rd Rivers) to the Amoco/PMP ROW and Amoco airstrip area . From there using the PMP ROW all the way to t he Kotaneelee river. (The ROW have been t here since t he 1970's).

1

Barb Anderson From: Sent: To: Subject:

Julie Buysse Wednesday, March 11, 2015 9:48 AM Barb Anderson RE: Kotaneelee

OK, t hanks Barb. Since there is no deviation from the existing footprint of the pigging site, processing plant, airstrip and existing road s and ROW's, I will confirm that there are no archaeological sites within 150 metres of the four proposed workspaces. I have been spea king with Glen M acKay, Assessme nt Archaeologist, who may be contacting you to advise whether an Arch aeologica l Impact Assesment (AJA) will be necessary fo r t he new disturbances. Please let me know if you have any additional question s or conce rns. Thanks, Julie

From: Barb Anderson [mailto:[email protected]]

Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2015 10:35 AM To: Julie Buysse Subject: RE: Kotaneelee Hi Julie, Thank you again for your prompt reply. Attached are coordinates, a km z fil e and a photo showing the pigging site, and yes, it has bee n in existence for a while. I believe it is adjacent to th e old plant site. Currently, aside from the additional new t emporary workspaces discussed, t he re are no plans to deviate from the existing footprint. 10 U 454437.00

m E, 6696047.00 m N

Best Regards, Barb From: Julie Buysse [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, M arch 11, 2015 9:22 AM To: Barb Anderson Cc: Glen MacKay Subject: RE: Kotaneelee Hi Barb, I have confirm ed that there are no known archaeologica l sites within 150 metres of the four new workspaces you've identified. Al so, we don't see any issue with accessing the existing roads/ROW's. You have mentioned however, the processing plant, Fisherm an Lake airstrip and the pigging site? These too are existing footp rints of course. There are know n archaeological sites within proximity to these features, but unless the project will be deviating from this existing footprint, it w on't be necessary to release t he site data. In terms of the pigging site, I don't have a geographic location fo r this, and I don' t see it identified on th e maps you've supplied . Thanks, Julie

1

From: Barb Anderson [ mailto:[email protected]]

Sent: Monday, March 09, 2015 4: 11 PM To: Julie Buysse Subject: RE: Kotaneelee Hi Julie, Thank you for your prompt reply. The four temporary workspaces w ill be new distu rbances, so they need to be assessed for archeological and cultural sensitivities . The access to the Kotaneelee cro ssing (project site) will be via the existing Amoco road from the Fort Liard airst rip (crossing the Pet itot and Liard Rivers) to the Amoco/PMP ROW and Amoco airstrip area . From there using the PMP ROW all the way t o t he Kotaneelee river. (The ROW have been there since the 1970's) . I assume that the plant, Fisherman Lake airstrip, pigging site, access and pipeline ROW's have been desktop assessed for sites already, but I am thinking t hat it m ight a good idea to run those as well. Thank you, Barb From: Julie Buysse [mailto:Julie [email protected]) Sent: Monday, March 09, 2015 2:58 PM To: Barb Anderson Subject: RE: Kotaneelee Hi Barb, Thank you for this info rmation. I just want to confirm with you that we are searching the archaeological site database for proximity to the four identified workspaces only. There is one single known archaeologica l site within distance of these wo rkspaces, but it is ro ughly 2km away in a NN E direction (a nd a good 450 m w est of the pipeline ROW) . Let me know if I have this correct and I will se nd a confirmation email to say that there are no know n archaeological sites w ith in 150 m of your project area. Thanks, Julie From: Barb Anderson [mailto:[email protected]]

Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2015 2:36 PM To: Julie Buysse; Archaeology

Subject: Kotaneelee Hi Julie, Thank you for your prompt reply. Here are all th e shapefiles provided by Spect ra. I will include the draft maps of the temporary workspaces so you can sort them out from all the established ROW and lease sites. If you require any more information, please let me know. Rega rds,

Barb Anderson

2

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal at Kotaneelee Crossing

July 2015

APPENDIX 5 DES FISHERIES ASSESSMENT REPORT

Pointed Mountain Pipeline Removal EPP Prepared by Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd.

Appendix 5

DIVERSIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES BOX 6263, FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. V1J 4H7 PHONE/FAX (250) 787-9101

SPECTRA ENERGY TRANSMISSION POINTED MOUNTAIN 508 mm PIPELINE REMOVAL KOTANEELEE RIVER CROSSING FISHERIES HABITAT ASSESSMENT Date:

October 1, 2014

Attention: Ed McClarty, AScT Geotechnical Integrity Specialist Spectra Energy Transmission Fort St. John, B.C. Spectra Energy Transmission (Spectra) proposes to remove a section of exposed 508 mm (20inch) pipeline at the Pointed Mountain pipeline crossing of the Kotaneelee River (Km 18.8), located approximately 177 km north-northwest of Fort Nelson, British Columbia and 27 km west of Fort Liard, Northwest Territories. The pipeline crossing is located in the Northwest Territories in the lower mainstem of the Kotaneelee River (UTM 10.4470030.6679209), approximately 32 km upstream of its confluence with the Liard River. The Kotaneelee River originates in mountainous terrain in the Liard Ranges of the Northwest Territories and flows south-southeastward for approximately 125 km to its confluence with the Liard River. As the river valley exits the foothills of the Liard Ranges and enters the Liard Plain, the channel becomes increasingly meandering within the alluvial flood plain and is frequently confined by steep banks associated with elevated terraces located on both sides of the river valley. The active alluvial channel is wide with extensive side bars, frequent mid-channel bars and occasional islands. Accumulations of large woody debris (LWD) in the active flood plain are common. These features suggest that the Kotaneelee River is subject to periodic extremes in discharge resulting in frequent bank instability and bedload movement. Fish species information for the Kotaneelee River is limited to the results of backpack electrofishing at the confluence with the Liard River and on an unnamed Kotaneelee tributary approximately 48 km upstream of the Spectra crossing. Fish species documented by these investigations include Arctic grayling, bull trout, mountain whitefish, burbot, longnose sucker, white sucker, lake chub, and flathead chub (RL&L 1982, Mochnacz et al 2004, 2013). In addition, northern pike, walleye, goldeye, inconnu, Arctic cisco, lake whitefish, emerald shiner, spottail shiner, troutperch, slimy sculpin and spoonhead sculpin have been recorded in the Liard River in the vicinity of the Kotaneelee River confluence (RL&L 1980, 1982, Hamilton et al 2006, EDI 2006). Assuming species composition in the Kotaneelee River is similar to that in nearby Liard River tributaries (e.g., LaBiche and Beaver rivers (RL&L 1997)), the probability of occurrence of the latter mentioned species in the vicinity of the crossing is low. The Pointed Mountain pipeline crossing of the Kotaneelee River was installed during the winter of 1972. The crossing was constructed by excavating a trench approximately 4.3 m deep 1

across the channel with no isolation or flow diversion. The assembled crossing section consisted of 508 mm pipe encased in strapped wooden planking with a 907 kg concrete pipe weight attached at 4.6 m intervals. The section was dragged into place once the trenching of the channel was complete (Landeen and Brandt 1975). No backfilling was conducted within the channel, with the exception of stream banks and exposed gravel bars. Significant lateral bank erosion has occurred at the crossing since construction, resulting in the exposure of the pipe in portions of the RoW originally outside the channel. Attempts to protect the pipeline with a rock revetment in 1980 were unsuccessful. Lateral movement of the channel continued and by 2007, roughly 56 m of pipeline was exposed. Since 2007, gas production from the Kotaneelee Field has declined, the pipeline has been shut-in, and conditions with respect to pipeline integrity at the crossing have continued to degrade. Spectra proposes to remove the entire section of pipeline spanning the Kotaneelee River and adjacent valley bottom, in January 2015, during frozen ground access conditions. Two additional advantages of a winter work window are annual minimum wetted width and discharge rate and low risk of unforeseen increase in discharge. On September 18, 2014, DES conducted an inspection of the Kotaneelee River crossing site to confirm current habitat conditions, identify potential fisheries habitat concerns and provide recommendations to minimize adverse environmental impacts during the proposed remedial works. The current pipeline crossing occurs on a wide sweeping bend of the Kotaneelee River that reverses the direction of flow almost 180°. An extensive depositional bar has developed on the inside of the bend where the river thalweg was previously located, while the outside of the bend consists largely of an actively eroding bank that is vegetated with a mix of shrubs and mature timber. The current channel thalweg flows under the exposed pipe between the eroding bank on the south side of the crossing, and the apex of the gravel bar on the inside of the bend (Plates 1 to 4). Approximately 40 m of pipeline is suspended across the surface of the wetted channel; no pipe weights are visible on this section. On the south side of the crossing, the pipe enters the moderately sloping river bank at an elevation 0.5 m higher than the wetted channel (Plate 5). Uprooted trees carried downstream during higher flows have become hung-up on the suspended pipe at the water’s edge. These trees are located within the wetted channel and will be frozen in place in January 2015. On the north side of the crossing, approximately 60 m of pipe is exposed on the surface of the gravel bar beginning at the wetted edge and continuing in a north-easterly direction (Plates 6 and 7). Concrete pipe weights are attached to this section of the exposed pipeline. LWD carried downstream during high water events has also accumulated on this section of pipe. Under higher flows, scouring has occurred along the upstream face of the root wads of the woody debris caught on this section. At present, the roots are suspended in shallow water which has back-flooded the scoured area (Plate 5). From the point where the pipeline enters the substrate of the bar, it remains buried in gravel until it reaches the north edge of the active river channel where it emerges and climbs up the bank into the original approach RoW (Plate 8). The river bank at this location is gently sloping and comprised of a mix of fine silt, gravel and cobble substrates. The combined distance of exposed and buried pipeline on the north side of the crossing is approximately 184 m while the entire distance from south to north bank of the crossing is approximately 222 m. Fish habitat in this reach of the Kotaneelee River typically consists of long, relatively deep runs and pools interrupted by shallow riffle sections. Average channel width is approximately 85m although it ranges from 80 to 180 m. River bed substrates are comprised of gravels and some 2

cobble, embedded within a significant component of fine silt and sand. Observations of water clarity made by DES during the September 2014 site inspection and an October 2007 site inspection, suggest that this reach of the Kotaneelee River is moderately turbid at low fall flow rates. Overwintering potential within this reach is considered high and the likelihood that fish species recorded in the system are over-wintering in the vicinity of the crossing is also high. In addition, fall spawning suitability for mountain whitefish appears moderate within the reach and the presence of incubating eggs in the vicinity of the crossing during winter is assumed in the absence of detailed spawning information. Bull trout in the Kotaneelee River appear to exist as a resident population restricted to upper reaches of the watershed (Mochnacz et al 2004, 2013). While there is potential for adult or sub-adult bull trout to overwinter at the crossing, available information suggests that bull trout spawn well upstream. Proposed remedial works within the channel of the Kotaneelee River include exposing and removing the entire span of pipe within the active channel. This will include redistribution of LWD, excavating buried sections of pipeline and removing pipe weights so the pipeline can be cut into manageable lengths and hauled away. As each section of pipe is exposed, it will be cut and pulled from its respective location within the wetted or dry portion of the channel or adjacent approach RoW. The exact sequence of removal will be dependent on conditions in January 2015, however, removal must be conducted without the encroached of equipment into the wetted channel and without introduction of sediment into the river. Removal of pipe from the south side of the river will require installation of a temporary ice bridge upstream of the exposure, from the gravel bar located on the north side of the crossing to the approach RoW on the south side. In order to prevent a restriction in flow and potential diversion of unwanted flow into the work site, it is essential that the ice bridge be constructed robustly enough to support the equipment expected to cross it. Excessive disturbance of the south river bank can be avoided by pulling the pipeline through the bank in a southerly direction after it is cut on shore where it enters the bank. If necessary, minimal excavation of the south bank may be required to “loosen” the pipe for removal. Woody debris hooked on the pipe on the north side of crossing, will be lifted off and stock-piled on the gravel bar near the wetted edge of the river, where it can be carried away during the 2015 freshet and become incorporated as fish habitat downstream. Following the removal of the LWD, the portion of pipeline spanning the frozen wetted channel can be cut and pulled to shore. As the channel surface is expected to be frozen and no pipe weights are present on this pipe section, it is anticipated that the LWD hooked on the pipe on the south side of the crossing will remain in place as the pipe slides out during removal. No large scale disturbance is anticipated by removal of this pipe section aside from potentially breaking the grip of the ice on the pipeline by careful manipulation with a backhoe bucket prior to starting the final pull of the section. It is anticipated that severed pipe sections within the wetted channel will slide to shore with limited resistance. Removal of the pipe buried in the exposed gravel bar will require excavation deep enough to allow lifting of the pipe section and removal of the pipe weights. The extent of the excavation will be dependent on the depth of the pipeline across the gravel bar, which is presently unknown. It is anticipated that ground water will be present in the excavation; however, it will be contained within the ditch. Likewise, spoil excavated from the ditch may be saturated with groundwater as it is bailed from the ditch-line. As this portion of the excavation is aligned in an axis parallel to the wetted channel, dry spoil from the top of the excavation can be used to establish a berm to isolate saturated spoil from the wetted channel as it is stockpiled. In addition, allowing water to drain from the digging bucket before swinging from the ditch-line will reduce the potential for run-off from the spoil pile. These measures will be particularly important 3

as the excavation nears the north side of the crossing where the elevation of the gravel bar is much lower, the ditch-line appears to be closer to the wetted channel, and the substrates appear to be comprised largely of fines. Fortunately this section of pipe is anticipated to be much shallower as it rises out of the current channel and therefore less excavation will be required. As with the south side, the amount of the disturbance of the river bank on the north side of the crossing will be limited to removing only enough cover to “loosen” the pipe from the bank and lift it clear. Fill removed from the bank will be replaced and re-contoured to restore the slope of the bank to its previous condition. The remedial work is expected to have no adverse impact on fish over-wintering in the vicinity of the site provided measures are taken to avoid encroachment on the wetted river channel and contain silt-laden water draining from spoil piles as the buried section of pipeline is exposed. It is anticipated that the pipeline removal within the active river channel may take 5 to 7 days. Frost conditions in January 2015 and depth of cover on the section of pipe buried in the gravel bar will dictate the duration of this phase of the project. Potential for adverse impacts can be further minimized through the implementation of the following measures:  Equipment used within the river channel portion of the work must be in a clean, well maintained condition, free of leaks and deleterious materials for the duration of the project.  Emergency spill kits must be present on site and readily available for deployment if needed.  Disturbed soil, slopes and work spaces should be reseeded with a suitable restoration seed mix.  Willow clumps excavated from the ditch line during excavation of the buried pipe near the crest of the river banks on both side of the crossing, should be salvaged and replanted at the river banks where any excavation has taken place.  Attempts must be made to salvage and retain surface gravel material from areas of the gravel bar where excavation will take place. Upon removal of the pipe and backfilling of the ditch these materials are to be used to cap the ditch-line in order to mimic conditions prior to the disturbance. The success of this measure will partially depend on the extent of frost penetration on the gravel bar and ambient temperatures while the project is underway. If the gravel bar is deeply frozen or stockpiled material freezes too hard, separation of materials will be hampered.  Where possible, areas of the gravel bar disturbed and tracked by equipment will be scarified to remove evidence of their presence. Cordially,

Ted Euchner, R.P.Bio. Diversified Environmental Services Fort St. John, BC Ph: (250) 787-9101 Email: [email protected]

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REFERENCES CITED

EDI (Environmental Dynamics Inc.) 2001. Summarized permit information for the scientific collection of fish during the EDI Environmental Dynamics Inc. (Environmental Dynamics) 2001 field season. Memo to Nick Baccante, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Ministry of Environment, Lands and Air Protection, Fort St. John, BC. FISS Ref. No. HQ2463. Hamilton, D., J.M. Shrimpton and D. Heath. 2006. Chum salmon in the Mackenzie – Liard River. Prepared for the Muskwa-Kechika Trust Fund. M-KTF Report No. M-K 20012002-75. Landeen, B.A. and W.C. Brandt. 1975. Impressions on the construction of the Pointed Mountain Gas Pipeline. Prepared by the Northern Operations Branch, Fisheries and Marine Service, Department of the Environment for the Environmental-Social Programme, Northern Pipelines, Task Force on Northern Oil Development. 58 pp. Mochnacz, N.J., J.D. Reist, P. Cott, G. Low and R. Wastle. 2004. Biological and habitat data for Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) and associated species from stream surveys conducted in the Southern and Central Mackenzie River Valley, Northwest Territories, 2000 to 2001. Can. Data Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 1131: iv + 38p. Mochnacz, N.J., R. Bajno, J.D. Reist, G. Low and John A. Babaluk. 2013. Distribution and biology of Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in the Mackenzie Valley, Northwest Territories, with notes on sympatry with Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma). Arctic Vol. 66 No. 1 (March 2013) P. 79-93. RL&L. (RL&L Environmental Services Ltd.) 1980. Downstream aquatic impact studies in the mainstem Mackenzie and Liard Rivers. Interim report prepared for BC Hydro and Power Authority, Vancouver, BC. FISS Ref. No. 700-094. PFI-013E. RL&L. (RL&L Environmental Services Ltd.) 1982. Aquatic investigations of the Liard River, British Columbia and Northwest Territories relative to proposed hydroelectric development at Site A. Prepared for BC Hydro and Power Authority, Vancouver, BC. FISS Ref. No. 700-095. PFI-013L. RL&L. (RL&L Environmental Services Ltd.). 1997. Fish and fish habitat inventory of the Beaver and LaBiche rivers, BC, 1996. Prepared for Slocan Forest Products, Fort Nelson, BC and BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Fort St. John, BC. RL&L Report No. 527F: 80 p. + 5 app.

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Plate 1. Pointed Mountain pipeline crossing of the Kotaneelee River; aerial view downstream (September 18, 2014).

Plate 2. Pointed Mountain pipeline crossing of the Kotaneelee River; aerial view upstream, (September 18, 2014).

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Plate 3. Pointed Mountain pipeline crossing of the Kotaneelee River; aerial view upstream (September 18, 2014). 7

Plate 4. Pointed Mountain pipeline crossing of the Kotaneelee River; view upstream of floated pipeline section and accumulated LWD (September 18, 2014).

Plate 5. Pointed Mountain pipeline crossing of the Kotaneelee River; view downstream of south river bank (September 18, 2014).

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Plate 6. Pointed Mountain pipeline crossing of the Kotaneelee River; view upstream of accumulated LWD and exposed pipe and weights on the north side of the crossing (September 18, 2014). .

Plate 7. Pointed Mountain pipeline crossing of the Kotaneelee River; view upstream from north river bank toward the exposed section of pipe and weights near the wetted channel (September 18, 2014). 9

Plate 8. Pointed Mountain pipeline crossing of the Kotaneelee River; view downstream toward north bank and exposed section of pipe and weight (September 18, 2014).

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