july 24, 2002 transcanada pipelines limited calgary

July 24, 2002

Mr. Michael L. ManthaSecretaryNational Energy Board444 Seventh Avenue S.W.Calgary, AlbertaT2P 0X8

TransCanada PipeLines Limited450 - 1st Street S.W.Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 5H1

tel 403.920.5378fax 403.920.2391email [email protected] www.transcanada.com

Filed electronicallyOriginal by courier

Dear Sirs:

Re: TransCanada PipeLines Limited (“TransCanada”)Section 58 Application for 2002 Construction - No. 9Assiniboine River Sales Tap

Enclosed for filing with the Board is a copy of TransCanada’s Section 58 Application for 2002Construction – No. 9. TransCanada applies under section 58 of the National Energy Board Act(the “Act”) for approval to construct a new Assiniboine River Sales Tap. The estimated cost ofthis project is $190,000.

TransCanada requests that the Board:

a) grant an Order pursuant to section 58 of the Act, exempting TransCanada from theprovisions of sections 30 through 33, as required, and section 47 of the Act for theproposed project, and

b) exempt TransCanada , under section 6(1)(b) Part II of the Board’s Guidelines for FilingRequirements, from complying with the early public notification requirements for theproposed project as set out in sections 4 and 5 of Part II of the Guidelines.

TransCanada plans to start construction of this project during the week of August 19, 2002.Accordingly, TransCanada requests Board approval of this Application by August 15, 2002.

Please direct all communications regarding this application to the undersigned.

Yours truly,

ORIGINAL SIGNED BY

Ian Cameron, P.Eng.Senior Engineer, Regulatory and Design Coordination

August 24, 2002Mr. M. L. Mantha

cc Section 58 Interested Parties

Project 2029581 – Assiniboine River Sales Tap 1

TransCanada PipeLines LimitedCanadian Mainline System

2002 Section 58 Application No. 9Project Title: Assiniboine River Sales TapProject No.: 2029581NEB Plant Account No.: 463Estimated Cost, incl. Overhead andAFUDC:

$190,000

1. Project DescriptionTransCanada proposes to install a new sales tap at MLV 34 + 7.4 km, which is a Class 1 locationunder CAN/CSA Z662-99. The proposed facilities will consist of two sales tap assemblies, onefor each of the existing NPS 34 Line 100-1 and NPS 34 Line 100-2. Both assemblies will consistof NPS 2 piping, an NPS 2 ball valve for line isolation and an NPS 2 check valve for flowdirection control. NPS 34 saddles will be installed on each of Lines 100-1 and 100-2 for thepurpose of pipeline reinforcement for the hot tap procedure. The piping will be externally coatedwith epoxy/urethane.

The sales tap assembly for the NPS 34 line 100-1 will be approximately 20 meters in length andthis assembly will connect into the NPS 34 (line 100-2) sales tap line downstream of the valveson the NPS 34 (100-2) sales tap piping. The length of the sales tap assembly on the NPS 34 (line100-2) line will be approximately 11 meters and will extend to the north boundary of theTransCanada right-of-way; this will be the tie in point to the pipeline of the customer, Centra GasManitoba Inc. (“Centra Gas”). A flanged electrical insulation set, for the purpose of corrosionprotection, will be installed between the tie-in points for TransCanada and Centra Gas.

In addition, TransCanada will install equipment to collect and transmit measurement data fromCentra Gas’ metering facilities.

The hot tap procedure will release to atmosphere about 0.5 cubic feet of natural gas from thepressure vessel of the hot-tap equipment. TransCanada's annual Voluntary Climate ChangeChallenge Report documents gas releases along the pipeline system.

Appendix B contains a drawing showing the layout of the proposed facility.

TransCanada will design and construct the proposed facility in accordance with the Board’sOnshore Pipeline Regulations 1999 as well as its current construction, operating andenvironmental standards and procedures. Since the estimated cost of the project is less than$500,000, a detailed list of such standards and procedures is not included herewith (Guidelinesfor Filing Requirements (the “Guidelines”) Part VI, section 6.)

2. Project JustificationTransCanada has received a request, by letter dated July 19, 2001, from Centra Gas for service atAssiniboine River Sales Tap. A copy of this letter, together with a revised form “Request for Newor Modified Measurement Facility” dated January 9, 2002, are provided in Appendix A. Thoughthe letter mentions an in-service date of Fall of 2002, Centra Gas and TransCanada have agreed tocommence service as soon as possible after September 1, 2002.

Project 2029581 – Assiniboine River Sales Tap 2

3. Alternatives ConsideredIn order to provide the requested service to Centra Gas, there are no alternatives to the proposedAssiniboine Sales Tap.

4. TimingTransCanada plans to start construction during the week of August 19, 2002. Construction willtake about five days. Accordingly, TransCanada requests Board approval by August 15.

5. Land MattersNo additional land or land rights will be required for TransCanada's proposed Assiniboine RiverSales Tap, as it will be constructed within TransCanada's existing easement. TransCanada hasobtained permission from the landowners, Robert and Bonita Leader, to install a 12 m by 6 mfloating fence around both of the saddles and valves, as shown in the Appendix B drawing.

6. Early Public NotificationTransCanada submits that the potentially adverse environmental or socio-economic effects of theproposed project are insignificant. Accordingly, TransCanada requests that the Board grant anexemption from the early public notification requirements contained in sections 4 and 5 of theGuidelines, pursuant to section 6(1)(b) of Part II of the Guidelines. However, as described below,TransCanada has made efforts to contact two groups of residents who could be affected.

The are one group residence and one single residence within a 1 km radius of the proposed salestap. Good Hope Colony Farms about 0.8 km to the north; there are about 80-90 people living atthese farms. The other residence is to the south, which is owned by Bradley Cohoe, who livesalone. The addresses of these residences are:

Good Hope Holding Company Ltd.Box 1177Portage La Prairie, MBR1N 3J9

Bradely William CohoeBox 1565Portage La Prairie, MBR1N 3P1

In July of 2002 TransCanada’s land agent contacted Good Hope Colony Farms, who expressedno objection to the proposed facility. However the agent has been unable to contact Mr. Cohoe,despite leaving messages by telephone.

7. Environmental and Socio-Economic EffectsConstruction of the proposed facility involves work of a type described by section 30.1(1)(a) ofthe Exclusion List Regulations to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (SOR/99/437)("CEAA"). Therefore, CEAA does not apply. As required by Part VII of the Guidelines, relevantsocio-economic and environmental information is provided in the Environmental ImpactAssessment Report, which is attached as Appendix C.

8. FinancingTransCanada and Centra Gas have agreed that Centra Gas will pay for the proposed sales tap byway of a contribution in aid of construction. However, TransCanada will pay for the equipmentneeded to collect and transmit measurement data from Centra Gas’ metering facility, for whichthe estimated cost is $15,000 (included in the $190,000 total estimate.)

Appendix A

Letter from Centra Gas Manitoba Inc. to TransCanada Dated July 19,2001, together with Revised Table of Forecasted Flows, Dated

January 9,

Appendix B

Schematic of Assiniboine River Sales Tap

Appendix C

Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment forAssiniboine River Sales Tap

Assiniboine River Sales TapEnvironmental and

Socio-Economic Assessment

MLV 34 + 7.4 km

June 2002

i

TABLE OF CONTENTSPage

1.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIO ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS...................................................... 11.1 Environmental Setting ...................................................................................................................... 1

2.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS .................................................................................................. 22.1 Socio-Economic Considerations....................................................................................................... 22.2 Cumulative Effects Considerations .................................................................................................. 3

3.0 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................................... 4

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1 Wildlife Species Of Concern In The Vicinity Of The Proposed TranscanadaAssinaboine River Sales Tap............................................................................................................ 2

Table 2 Potential Adverse Effects, Issues And Mitigative Measures ............................................................ 3

1. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIO ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONSThe Environmental and Socio-Economic Impact Assessment (ESEIA) has been undertaken in accordancewith the Guidelines for Filing Requirements (National Energy Board (NEB) 1995a) under Section 58 ofthe National Energy Board Act (NEB 1995b). Pursuant to Part I, Section 2 of the Guidelines for FilingRequirements, the level of detail contained within this report corresponds to the nature and magnitude ofthe anticipated environmental impacts. The proposed project is excluded from environmental assessmentpursuant to Schedule I, Part I and Part III.1, Section 30.1 of the Exclusion List Regulations to theCanadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) (SOR 99-437) (Canadian Environmental AssessmentAgency (CEA Agency) 1992).

1.1 Environmental SettingThe proposed TransCanada Assiniboine River Sales Tap at MLV 34 + 7.4 km near Portage La Prairie,Manitoba is located within the Lake Manitoba Plains Ecoregion of the Prairie Ecozone (EnvironmentCanada 2002a). This low-relief ecoregion, underlain by limestone bedrock, is covered by extremelycalcareous, broadly ridged glacial till in its northern half and by smooth, level, lacustrine sands, silts, andclays in its southern half. Soils within the project area are predominantly Black Chernozemic, that havedeveloped on morainal till parent material under agricultural crop vegetation (Agriculture and Agri-FoodCanada 2002). Trembling aspen and shrubs occur on moist sites, and bur oak and grass species occupyincreasingly drier sites on loamy to clayey, Black Chernozemic soils. Poorly drained, Gleysolic soilssupport willow and sedge communities. The terrain is typically flat, with slopes of less than 4%.

There were no watercourse crossings identified near the project location. Since there are no watercoursescrossed by the proposed facility or within 50 meters, fisheries issues are not a concern.

The provincial and national wildlife species of concern in this region are listed in Table 1. The proposedsales tap and adjacent right-of-way have a low potential to support wildlife or vegetation species ofconcern due to loss of native habitat to agriculture and roads. However, species of concern may be presentwithin the vicinity of the project area. In addition, native vegetated lands or large areas of improvedpasture in the vicinity of the project area are subject to the Migratory Bird Convention Act and a generalrestricted activity period from April 15 to July 31 applies. As the proposed work will take place within aTransCanada right-of-way easement and adjacent pasture - hay land, there will be no anticipated impactsto breeding and migratory birds. The proposed project, which is restricted to a 25 m x 60 m working areaand of short- term duration, will not result in adverse effects to any potential year round wildlife. TheManitoba Conservation Data Centre does not have any recorded occurrences of wildlife species in theproject area personal communication from Jason Greenall, Biodiversity Conservation Section, ManitobaConservation).

The Canada Land Inventory (CLI) (2002a) has rated lands in the project area as having moderate (Class4) limitations to the production of ungulates. Limitations include a lack of nutrients in the soil foroptimum plant growth, poor soil moisture, and poor soil depth that restricts the rooting zone of plants.Lands in the proposed project area have been rated as having moderately severe (Class 5) limitations tothe production of waterfowl, as there are no suitable waterbodies near the proposed project (CLI 2002b).

The dominant land use in the area is agricultural crops. The proposed project area consists of pasture -hay land and cultivated cereal and oil seed crops. Existing access will be utilized from the secondary highgrade gravel road. No native vegetation will be disturbed as a result of the proposed construction.

TABLE 1

WILDLIFE SPECIES OF CONCERN IN THE VICINITY OFTHE PROPOSED TRANSCANADA ASSINIBOINE RIVER SALES TAP

Species 1 Latin Name Habitat COSEWIC 2Provincial

Rank 3

BirdsCharadrius melodus piping plover Sandy beaches on salt and fresh water. Endangered S2B,SZNAthene cunicularia burrowing owl Dry open short-grass treeless country. Endangered S1B,SZN

Sources: Conservation Data Centre (CDC) 2002, Environment Canada 2002b.

2. National Ranks Assigned by Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (2002)Endangered A species facing eminent extirpation or extinction.

3. Based on current and historical Element Occurrence records in the CDC database.

S1 Extremely rare in Manitoba; usually 5 or fewer occurrences in the province or very few remaining individuals; oftenespecially vulnerable to extirpation.

S2 Very rare in Manitoba; usually between 5 and 20 occurrences in the province or with many individuals in feweroccurrences; often susceptible to extirpation.

SZN Non-breeding migrants/vagrants.

2. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONSThe scope of the proposed disturbance will be entirely within the pre-disturbed TransCanada right-of-wayof short-term duration and only 25 m x 60 m of working area will be required. Potential environmentalissues associated with the following environmental components were considered: soil capability,vegetation, wildlife, heritage resources, air and noise. Table 2 provides a description of these issues andassociated mitigation plans.

2.1 Socio-Economic ConsiderationsDue to the relatively small scale, short duration and location of the work, this project should not have anysignificant socio-economic impacts. The small scale of the sales tap installation will not necessitate alarge manpower requirement and, therefore, there will not be a significant influx of personnel into thesurrounding communities. No new roads or right-of-ways need to be constructed to gain access to thesales tap thus no new infrastructure will need to be created. Potential socio-economic impacts are limitedto minor nuisance impacts related to noise and traffic. Increases in noise and dust could result fromincreased travel on existing roads. Nuisance impacts from increased travel should be minor, as theincrease in road use will be minimal and of short duration.

TABLE 2

POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS, ISSUES AND MITIGATIVE MEASURES

Consideration Specific Effect/Issue Recommendations/MitigationTopsoil/subsoil Mixing • Strip topsoil prior to excavating bellholes and trench.

• Salvage all available topsoil as directed by the on-site Inspector.• Separate topsoil and subsoil storage piles an adequate distance to

ensure no mixing occurs.• Backfill and adequately compact subsoil.• Replace topsoil over the stripped area immediately following

backfilling.Soil Compaction / Rutting • Restrict vehicle traffic if soils are excessively wet and full right-of-

way stripping has not been conducted.• Test for depth of soil compaction where it is suspected.• Relieve compacted areas with subsoiler or alternative decompaction

implement prior to topsoil replacement.

Loss of AgriculturalProductivity

• Salvage and replace topsoil; relieve subsoil compaction, whererequired; adhere to wet-weather shutdown policy; seed and fertilizefollowing construction.

Soil Capability

Stone Removal • Remove stones and rocks greater than 0.1m in any dimension to adepth of 0.3m

Vegetation Introduction of Weeds • Ensure that equipment arrives on-site in a clean condition.

Wildlife Disturbance of Wildlife • Construction will be restricted to a 25m x 60m on the existingTransCanada right-of-way that is in hay land / improved pasture use.

• Auditory and visual disturbance to wildlife in the vicinity of theproject will not be any greater than the general disturbance arisingfrom existing farming practices.

HeritageResources

Archaeological,Palaeontological and Historicalresources

• Conduct hydrovac, excavation and installation within the previouslydisturbed right-of-way.

• Cease operations and contact the appropriate provincial authoritiesshould any heritage resources be encountered during construction.

Air Excavation Dust • Use water or other dust suppressants on exposed piles if warranted.Noise • Adhere to any local noise bylaws or in absence of a noise bylaw

confine work period between 7 AM and 7 PM.Accidents Spills and Emergencies • Implement mitigative measures identified within TransCanada’s

Release Response Operating Procedure # 003671958.

2.2 Significance and Cumulative Effects ConsiderationsAny environmental effects are expected to be minor, localized, and short-term in duration and thereforeinsignificant. As a result of the mitigation measures to be employed by TransCanada in relation to thisproject, as described in Table 2, no residual environmental effects are anticipated. Accordingly there is nopotential for a cumulative impact.

3. REFERENCESAgriculture and Agri-Food Canada. 2002. Soil Landscapes of Canada Website:

http://sis.agr.gc.ca/cansis/nsdb/slc/webmap.html. Last updated 04/02/2001.

Canada Land Inventory. 2002. Land Capability for Ungulates. 62g. http://geogratis.cgdi.gc.ca/cgi-bin/geogratis/cli/ungulates.pl

Canada Land Inventory. 2002. Land Capability for Waterfowl. 62g. http://geogratis.cgdi.gc.ca/cgi-bin/geogratis/cli/waterfowl.pl

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. 1992. Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. 1992, c.37(C-15.2). 42 pp. Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Website:http://www.ceaa.gc.ca/act/CEAAct_e.pdf.

Committee on the Status of Canadian Wildlife in Canada. 2002. Canadian Species at Risk November2001. Website: http://www.cosewic.gc.ca/pdf/English/Full_List Species_e.pdf.

Environment Canada. 2002. Ecozones and Ecoregions of Canada.http://www.ec.gc.ca/soerree/English/Framework/NarDesc/canada_e.cfm

National Energy Board. 1995a Guidelines for filing requirements. Calgary, Alberta. 77 pp.

National Energy Board. 1995b. National Energy Board Act. Consolidated in 1995, updates to 2000.

july 24, 2002 transcanada pipelines limited calgary

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