File OF-Fac-Gas-W102-2010-06 01
18 February 2011
Ms. Adriana Glos
Environmental Assessment Officer
Environmental Assessment & Marine Programs
Environment Canada
201, 401 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 3S5
Facsimile 604-666-7294
Dear Ms. Glos:
Notification pursuant to subsection 79(1) of the Species at Risk Act (SARA)
in respect of the Transmission North Expansion Project (the Project) as
proposed by Westcoast Energy Inc., carrying on business as Spectra
Energy Transmission (Westcoast)
Pursuant to subsection 79(1) of the SARA, the National Energy Board, as a Responsible
Authority, is notifying the Minister of Environment that the above-noted Westcoast Project,
if approved and constructed, may affect six wildlife species listed on Schedule 1 of the SARA.
Canada warbler, olive-sided flycatcher, common nighthawk and woodland caribou are currently
listed as Threatened. Rusty blackbird and western toad are currently listed as being of Special
Concern.
The Project involves two main components, both located in northeastern British Columbia:
•
The Northern Component would involve the construction of the Fort Nelson Mainline
Loop (FNML): a 24 km long, 914 mm (36-inch) outside diameter (OD) pipeline located
alongside Westcoast’s existing Fort Nelson Mainline. Various upgrades are also required
at existing compressor station (CS) N4 and would include replacing the existing
compressor. The FNML would be located approximately 35 km north of Hudson’s Hope
while CS-N4 is 36 km west of Wonowon.
•
The Southern Component is 75 km southeast of the FNML and would involve the
construction of the 20 km long, 914 mm (36-inch) OD Stewart Lake Pipeline and, at its
downstream end, the Sunset Creek CS. This component is south of the Peace River near
the community of Groundbirch, approximately 38 km southwest of Fort St. John.
…/2
-2The Project is subject to a screening level assessment under the Canadian Environmental
Assessment Act. Additional information about the environmental assessment is available
through the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry using reference number 10-01-59648.
In response to the Board’s 17 December 2010 Federal Coordination Notification letter,
Environment Canada has identified itself as a Federal Authority in possession of specialist
or expert information or knowledge with respect to the Project.
The Environmental Screening Report (ESR) for the Project, once completed, will be located
in the Project’s folder within the Regulatory Document Index on the Board’s website
(www.neb-one.gc.ca). The ESR will identify the Project’s potential effects on species at risk
and will include an assessment of those effects.
Further enquiries can be directed to Nick Thomas, Environmental Specialist, at 506-851-4927.
Yours truly,
Anne-Marie Erickson
Secretary of the Board