Environmental Review Process

Transcription

1 The Saskatchewan Natural Gas Advantage Workshop Environmental Review Process Bernie Ryma Environment & Sustainability TransGas February 24, 2010

2 Presentation Outline The presentation today will provide an overview of the environmental review process as it exists today in Saskatchewan and our experience working within this framework Conclude by speaking about the provincial government s plans for the future and our preparations for change

3 Environmental Regulatory Framework All Oil and Gas projects are evaluated against the development criteria of The Environmental Assessment Act: Impacts on any unique, rare or endangered feature of the environment Conflicts in provincial resource use Unregulated releases of pollutants or by-products Widespread public concern because of environmental changes Impacts of new resource-use technology Significant environmental impacts from this or associated projects

4 TransGas Experience with the Review Process Our projects typically fall into three environmental categories: Projects on private lands, Project Proposals, or Environmental Protection Plans (EPPs) A full environmental impact assessment (EIA) is rare

5 TransGas Assessment Process All TransGas projects go through a rigorous environmental assessment process Identify potential environmental sensitivities Establish plans to eliminate or mitigate detrimental impacts Specific areas of concern include wetlands, native prairie, unique landscapes and landforms such as the Great Sandhills These areas represent a broad spectrum of biodiversity and are frequently home to species at risk or species of concern Impact Minimization Develop protection plans and construction practices to address environmental concerns Develop appropriate mitigation techniques prior to any project going ahead

6 Environmental Assessments Environmental studies look at: the landscape surrounding the pipeline route associated land cover heritage resources wildlife resources hydrology features including lakes, rivers and wetlands ground elevation/topography local communities, federal reserves, planning districts, crown land landowner and public interests First Nation s interests transportation corridors wildlife management zones terrestrial and aquatic species rare and endangered species and species at risk forest reserves air quality noise ancillary and cumulative affects

7 Approval Process Provincial Obtain clearance under the Environmental Assessment Act Single, coordinated approval process dealing with environmental and land issues (Harmonized review & approval process between Environment & Agriculture) Identify other permitting requirements Federal Obtain Approvals from Federal Agencies where required under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and the Fisheries Act

8 Time to Receive Approvals

9 Role of the Saskatchewan Ministries The Saskatchewan Ministries encourage early environmental planning and local consultation Their goal is to: Create the best project possible Avoid unnecessary impacts Reduce need to fix impacts after the fact Identify and resolve concerns before construction Ensure stakeholders know about potential impacts and are consulted

10 Tools and Resources used by TransGas Geomatics Services Mapping Ministry of Environment Land Use Map Southern & Northern Digital Land Cover Sask. Conservation Data Centre Mapping Wildlife Layers Water Bodies and Stream Heritage Resources

11 Earth Maps

12 Ministry of Environment Land Use

13 Digital Land Cover

14 Sask Conservation Data Centre

15 SPOT Satellite Map

16 Surface Waterbodies and Streams

17 Intergovernmental Agencies Ministry of Agriculture Lands (MoA) Project Proposal, field work likely Resource Lands (MoE) Project Proposal likely Provincial Community Pastures (MoE) Project Proposal likely Agriculture Canada - AESB Pasture Avoid Environment Canada SARA & timing restrictions Federal Reserve Lands Need Band Council Resolution or blanket permit. Project goes to INAC Environment. Send to MoE as a FYI unless impacts will occur off reserve land as well

18 Future Plans - Legislative Changes Environmental Assessment Act is being up-dated Ministerial sign-off on no development determination Ability of Minister to provide additional terms and conditions along with no development determination Enhanced penalties consistent with the rest of Canada for failure to comply Ability to create Class Assessments

19 Legislative Changes Environmental Management and Protection Act and Environmental Code Establish general objectives, specific requirements and accepted practices for managing a variety of types of projects and impacts Codes expected to be followed in the design of all projects Remove the need for permitting in many circumstances for all but high risk types of projects Concept will be embedded into other pieces of legislation e.g., Forest Resource Management Act Codes currently under development

20 Codes of Practice at TransGas TransGas already has Codes of Practice and Environmental Protection Standards in place Transition to the new regulatory model will require only modest changes to our Corporate Environmental Management System