master table of contents - open.alberta.ca · application for approval of the blackgold expansion...

Master Table of Contents

Volume 1 Project Description

Application for Approval of the BlackGold Expansion Project Volume 1 – Project Description

December 2009

Table of Contents

SECTION 1.0 – OVERVIEW TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

1.0 OVERVIEW....................................................................................................................1-1 1.1 Background ........................................................................................................1-1 1.2 Proponent...........................................................................................................1-1 1.3 Overview.............................................................................................................1-1 1.4 Public Consultation.............................................................................................1-6 1.5 Need...................................................................................................................1-9 1.6 Schedule ..........................................................................................................1-10


December 2009

Table of Contents

SECTION 2.0 – PROJECT DESCRIPTION TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION.............................................................................................2-1 2.1 Introduction.........................................................................................................2-1

2.1.1 Bitumen Recovery and Processing Components ..............................2-1 2.1.2 Site Selection and Constraints Mapping ............................................2-3

2.2 Reservoir Geology and Recovery Process.........................................................2-7 2.2.1 Geological Overview ..........................................................................2-7 2.2.2 Available Data....................................................................................2-9 2.2.3 Local Stratigraphy ............................................................................2-11 2.2.4 Reservoir Characteristics.................................................................2-16 2.2.5 Caprock Characteristics...................................................................2-22 2.2.6 Fluid Distribution ..............................................................................2-26 2.2.7 Bitumen Development......................................................................2-27 2.2.8 Production Wells and Well Pads......................................................2-37

2.3 Facilities ...........................................................................................................2-39 2.3.1 Field Facilities ..................................................................................2-39 2.3.2 Central Processing Facility ..............................................................2-41

2.4 Off-site Connections.........................................................................................2-54 2.4.1 Transportation..................................................................................2-54 2.4.2 Electrical Supply ..............................................................................2-55 2.4.3 Fuel Gas Supply ..............................................................................2-55 2.4.4 Source Water Supply and Storage ..................................................2-55 2.4.5 Diluent and Sales Oil Pipelines........................................................2-55

2.5 Air Management ...............................................................................................2-55 2.5.1 Emission Sources ............................................................................2-55 2.5.2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions ............................................................2-56

2.6 Water Management ..........................................................................................2-57 2.6.1 Volume of Process Make-up Water .................................................2-58 2.6.2 Source of Process Make-up Water ..................................................2-59 2.6.3 Potable Water Supply Requirements and Source ...........................2-60 2.6.4 Site Management.............................................................................2-60 2.6.5 Processed Water Disposal...............................................................2-61

2.7 Waste Management Plan .................................................................................2-61 2.8 Health, Safety and Environment.......................................................................2-62

2.8.1 Policies.............................................................................................2-62 2.8.2 Environmental Management ............................................................2-65 2.8.3 Health and Safety ............................................................................2-65 2.8.4 Emergency Response Plan .............................................................2-66


December 2009

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SECTION 3.0 – CONSERVATION AND RECLAMATION PLAN TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

3.0 CONSERVATION AND RECLAMATION PLAN ...........................................................3-1 3.1 Introduction.........................................................................................................3-1

3.1.1 Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act Approval Request..............................................................................................3-1

3.1.2 Facility Overview................................................................................3-1 3.1.3 Project Evaluation and Design Level Mitigation.................................3-4 3.1.4 Ecological and Physiographic Setting................................................3-5 3.1.5 Soils and Terrain................................................................................3-5

3.2 Environmental Regional Initiatives and Stakeholder Consultation .....................3-6 3.2.1 Environmental Regional Initiatives.....................................................3-6 3.2.2 Stakeholder Consultation...................................................................3-7 3.2.3 Regional Sustainable Development Strategy ....................................3-7

3.3 Reclamation Planning Concepts ........................................................................3-8 3.3.1 Reclamation Goals and Objectives....................................................3-8 3.3.2 Reclamation Guidelines .....................................................................3-9 3.3.3 General Reclamation Procedures....................................................3-10 3.3.4 Restoration of Capability..................................................................3-11 3.3.5 Operational issues ...........................................................................3-20

3.4 Conceptual Conservation and Reclamation Plan.............................................3-27 3.4.1 Development Plan............................................................................3-28 3.4.2 Disturbances for the Project.............................................................3-28 3.4.3 Reclamation Sequencing .................................................................3-28 3.4.4 Soil Handling Plan............................................................................3-35 3.4.5 Revegetation....................................................................................3-38 3.4.6 Closure Phase Reclamation ............................................................3-42

3.5 Conclusion........................................................................................................3-45


December 2009

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SECTION 4.0 – PUBLIC CONSULTATION TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

4.0 PUBLIC CONSULTATION ............................................................................................4-1 4.1 Introduction.........................................................................................................4-1 4.2 Goals and Objectives .........................................................................................4-1 4.3 Program Scope ..................................................................................................4-2

4.3.1 Stakeholder Identification...................................................................4-2 4.3.2 Stakeholder Consultation...................................................................4-3

4.4 Issues and Mitigation..........................................................................................4-4 4.4.1 Aboriginal Communities .....................................................................4-4 4.4.2 Other Stakeholder Engagement ......................................................4-16

4.5 Future Consultation Plans ................................................................................4-17 S:\Project Ce\Ce03745\EIA\Vol 1\fnl rpt-Sec 4 public consult vol 1 EIA-ce03745_100-10dec09.doc


December 2009

Table of Contents

SECTION 5.0 – ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT ACT APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT ACT APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS ..........................................................................................................5-1

S:\Project Ce\Ce03745\EIA\Vol 1\fnl rpt-Sec 5 epea vol 1 EIA-ce03745_100-10dec09.doc


December 2009

Table of Contents

SECTION 6.0 – ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT SUMMARY TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

6.0 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT SUMMARY............................................6-1 6.1 Introduction.........................................................................................................6-1

6.1.1 Scope of the EIA ................................................................................6-1 6.1.2 Project Assessment Scenarios ..........................................................6-1 6.1.3 Study Methods ...................................................................................6-1 6.1.4 Cumulative Effects Assessment ........................................................6-2

6.2 Summary of Project Impacts and Effects ...........................................................6-2

Application for Approval of the BlackGold Expansion Project Volume 4 – EIA Addendum

March 2010

Table of Contents

SECTION 7.0 – COMMITMENTS LIST TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

7.0 COMMITMENTS LIST ...................................................................................................7-1


December 2009

Table of Contents

SECTION 8.0 – LITERATURE CITED TABLE OF CONTENTS

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8.0 LITERATURE CITED.....................................................................................................8-1 S:\Project Ce\Ce03745\EIA\Vol 1\fnl rpt-Sec 8 lit cited vol 1 EIA-ce03745_100-9dec09.doc


December 2009

Table of Contents

ATTACHMENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS

Attachment 1: Conceptual Conservation and Reclamation Plan Figures

Attachment 2: Consultation Attachment 2-1: Plain Language Summary Attachment 2-2: Project Summary Table Attachment 2-3: Summary of Consultation Activities S:\Project Ce\Ce03745\EIA\Vol 1\fnl rpt-Sec 8 lit cited vol 1 EIA-ce03745_100-9dec09.doc

Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment

Application for Approval of the BlackGold Expansion Project Volume 2 – Environmental Impact Assessment

December 2009

Table of Contents

SECTION 1.0 – INTRODUCTION TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

1.0 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................1-1 S:\Project Ce\Ce03745\EIA\Vol 2\fnl rpt-Sec 1 introduction-vol 2 EIA-ce03745-dec09.doc


December 2009

Table of Contents

SECTION 2.0 – PROJECT DESCRIPTION TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION.............................................................................................2-1 2.1 Introduction.........................................................................................................2-1 2.2 Reservoir Recovery Process ..............................................................................2-1 2.3 Schedule ............................................................................................................2-3 2.4 Project Components...........................................................................................2-3

2.4.1 Well Pads...........................................................................................2-3 2.4.2 Central Processing Facility ................................................................2-6 2.4.3 Off-site Facilities ..............................................................................2-10

2.5 Monitoring and Environmental Management....................................................2-10


December 2009

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SECTION 3.0 – SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

3.0 SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT............................................3-1 3.1 Approach ............................................................................................................3-2 3.2 Spatial and Temporal Boundaries ......................................................................3-3

3.2.1 Spatial Boundaries.............................................................................3-3 3.2.2 Temporal Boundaries.........................................................................3-3

3.3 Public Consultation and Issue Identification.......................................................3-4 3.4 Identification and Evaluation of Impacts.............................................................3-4

3.4.1 Direction of the Impact .......................................................................3-5 3.4.2 Geographic Extent of the Impact .......................................................3-5 3.4.3 Magnitude of the Impact ....................................................................3-5 3.4.4 Duration of the Impact........................................................................3-6 3.4.5 Reversibility........................................................................................3-6 3.4.6 Confidence.........................................................................................3-6 3.4.7 Final Impact Rating ............................................................................3-7

3.5 Assessment Scenarios.......................................................................................3-7 3.5.1 Baseline .............................................................................................3-7 3.5.2 Application .........................................................................................3-7 3.5.3 Planned Development........................................................................3-7 3.5.4 Cumulative Effects Assessment (CEA)..............................................3-7

3.6 Literature Cited.................................................................................................3-15


March 2010

Table of Contents

SECTION 4.0 – AIR QUALITY TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

4.0 AIR QUALITY ................................................................................................................4-1 4.1 Introduction.........................................................................................................4-1

4.1.1 Overview ............................................................................................4-1 4.1.2 Objectives ..........................................................................................4-1

4.2 Study Area..........................................................................................................4-1 4.2.1 Spatial Boundaries.............................................................................4-1 4.2.2 Temporal Boundaries.........................................................................4-2 4.2.3 Terrain................................................................................................4-2

4.3 Assessment Approach .......................................................................................4-5 4.3.1 Issues and Assessment Criteria ........................................................4-5 4.3.2 Air Quality Issues Relating to the Project...........................................4-6 4.3.3 Air Assessment Criteria .....................................................................4-6

4.4 Methods............................................................................................................4-11 4.4.1 Air Quality Impact Assessment Scenarios .......................................4-11 4.4.2 Dispersion Modelling Methods.........................................................4-11 4.4.3 Model Accuracy ...............................................................................4-14 4.4.4 Assessment of Impacts....................................................................4-16

4.5 Existing Conditions...........................................................................................4-17 4.5.1 Observed Ambient Air Contaminants in the AQRSA .......................4-17 4.5.2 Other Air Quality Observations ........................................................4-19 4.5.3 Meteorology Used in Dispersion Modelling......................................4-19 4.5.4 Baseline Emissions..........................................................................4-20 4.5.5 Estimation of Regional VOC and PAHs Emissions..........................4-25 4.5.6 Baseline Modelling Results..............................................................4-25

4.6 Potential Impacts and Mitigative Measures......................................................4-42 4.6.1 Project Emissions ............................................................................4-42 4.6.2 Project Impacts ................................................................................4-44 4.6.3 Sulphur Dioxide Emissions and Impacts..........................................4-46 4.6.4 Nitrogen Oxide Emissions and Impacts ...........................................4-52 4.6.5 Particulate Matter Emissions and Impacts.......................................4-56 4.6.6 Carbon Monoxide Emissions and Impacts.......................................4-60


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4.6.7 Acid Deposition Emissions and Impacts ..........................................4-63 4.6.8 Nitrogen Deposition Emissions and Impacts ...................................4-66

4.7 Cumulative Effects ...........................................................................................4-68 4.7.1 Cumulative Emissions......................................................................4-68 4.7.2 Cumulative Effects ...........................................................................4-70 4.7.3 Sulphur Dioxide Emissions and Impacts..........................................4-70 4.7.4 Nitrogen Oxide Emissions and Impacts ...........................................4-76 4.7.5 Particulate Matter Emissions and Impacts.......................................4-81 4.7.6 Carbon Monoxide Emissions and Impacts.......................................4-85 4.7.7 Acid Deposition Emissions and Impacts ..........................................4-89 4.7.8 Nitrogen Deposition Emissions and Impacts ...................................4-91 4.7.9 Community and Recreational Area Location Impacts......................4-94 4.7.10 Ozone ..............................................................................................4-96 4.7.11 GHG Emissions and Impacts.........................................................4-101

4.8 Monitoring.......................................................................................................4-102 4.8.1 Local Monitoring Commitments .....................................................4-102 4.8.2 Regional Monitoring Commitments................................................4-102

4.9 Climate Change..............................................................................................4-103 4.9.1 Introduction ....................................................................................4-103 4.9.2 Project Sensitivity to Climate Change............................................4-103 4.9.3 Adaptive Management Considerations ..........................................4-104

4.10 Summary ........................................................................................................4-105 4.10.1 Overall Conclusion.........................................................................4-105 4.10.2 Changes in AQLSA and AQRSA Emissions..................................4-105 4.10.3 Ambient SO2, NO2, CO and PM2.5 Concentrations.........................4-105 4.10.4 PAI and Nitrogen Deposition..........................................................4-111 4.10.5 Community and Recreational Area Air Quality ..............................4-111 4.10.6 Ambient Ozone ..............................................................................4-112 4.10.7 GHG Emissions .............................................................................4-112 4.10.8 Climate Change .............................................................................4-112

4.11 Literature Cited...............................................................................................4-112


December 2009

Table of Contents

SECTION 5.0 – NOISE TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

5.0 NOISE ............................................................................................................................5-1 5.1 Introduction.........................................................................................................5-1 5.2 Study Area..........................................................................................................5-1 5.3 Assessment Approach .......................................................................................5-4

5.3.1 Environmental Noise Descriptors.......................................................5-4 5.3.2 Applicable Noise Guidelines ..............................................................5-4 5.3.3 Evaluation of Impact ..........................................................................5-5

5.4 Methods..............................................................................................................5-5 5.4.1 Computer Modelling...........................................................................5-5 5.4.2 Terrain................................................................................................5-5 5.4.3 Meteorology .......................................................................................5-5 5.4.4 Sound Attenuation from Buildings......................................................5-7 5.4.5 Noise Sources....................................................................................5-7

5.5 Existing Conditions...........................................................................................5-10 5.6 Potential Impacts and Mitigative Measures......................................................5-10

5.6.1 Low Frequency Noise Assessment..................................................5-13 5.7 Summary ..........................................................................................................5-13 5.8 Literature Cited.................................................................................................5-13


March 2010

Table of Contents

SECTION 6.0 – HYDROGEOLOGY TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE 6.0 HYDROGEOLOGY ........................................................................................................6-1

6.1 Introduction.........................................................................................................6-1 6.2 Study Area..........................................................................................................6-1

6.2.1 Local Study Area................................................................................6-1 6.2.2 Regional Study Area ..........................................................................6-1 6.2.3 Groundwater Model Area...................................................................6-2 6.2.4 Temporal Boundaries.........................................................................6-2

6.3 Assessment Approach .......................................................................................6-3 6.3.1 Potential Impact from Surface Facilities.............................................6-3 6.3.2 Potential Impact from Groundwater Withdrawal ................................6-3 6.3.3 Potential Impact from Wastewater Injection.......................................6-4 6.3.4 Potential Impact from Steaming and Production................................6-5

6.4 Methods..............................................................................................................6-5 6.4.1 Baseline Geology and Hydrogeology Assessment ............................6-5 6.4.2 Assessment of Potential Impacts.......................................................6-9 6.4.3 Cumulative Effects Assessment ......................................................6-22

6.5 Existing Conditions...........................................................................................6-23 6.5.1 Physical Setting ...............................................................................6-24 6.5.2 Geology............................................................................................6-24 6.5.3 Hydrogeology...................................................................................6-36 6.5.4 Arsenic in Groundwater ...................................................................6-62 6.5.5 Groundwater-Surface Water Interaction ..........................................6-65 6.5.6 Groundwater Resource Use ............................................................6-66

6.6 Application Case ..............................................................................................6-72 6.6.1 Surface Facilities..............................................................................6-72 6.6.2 Groundwater Production ..................................................................6-77 6.6.3 Wastewater Injection........................................................................6-82 6.6.4 Production and Steaming.................................................................6-84

6.7 Planned Development Case.............................................................................6-88 6.8 Monitoring.........................................................................................................6-90

6.8.1 Surface Facilities..............................................................................6-90 6.8.2 Groundwater Withdrawal .................................................................6-91 6.8.3 Wastewater Injection........................................................................6-92 6.8.4 Production and Steaming.................................................................6-93 6.8.5 Groundwater Response Plan...........................................................6-93

6.9 Summary ..........................................................................................................6-93 6.10 Literature Cited.................................................................................................6-95


December 2009

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SECTION 7.0 – HYDROLOGY TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

7.0 HYDROLOGY ................................................................................................................7-1 7.1 Introduction.........................................................................................................7-1 7.2 Study Area..........................................................................................................7-1 7.3 Issues and Assessment Criteria.........................................................................7-3

7.3.1 Temporal Boundaries.........................................................................7-3 7.3.2 Definition of Environmental Impacts ..................................................7-4

7.4 Methods..............................................................................................................7-4 7.4.1 Analytical Techniques ........................................................................7-4 7.4.2 Data Sources and Fieldwork..............................................................7-5

7.5 Existing Conditions.............................................................................................7-7 7.5.1 Climate...............................................................................................7-7 7.5.2 Hydrology.........................................................................................7-10 7.5.3 Baseline Hydrological Characteristics at Assessment Nodes..........7-15

7.6 Potential Impacts and Mitigative Measures......................................................7-17 7.6.1 Project Footprint...............................................................................7-17 7.6.2 Hydrologic Impacts ..........................................................................7-18 7.6.3 Mitigation..........................................................................................7-20 7.6.4 Monitoring ........................................................................................7-21

7.7 Cumulative Effects ...........................................................................................7-21 7.8 Summary ..........................................................................................................7-21 7.9 Literature Cited.................................................................................................7-24


March 2010

Table of Contents

SECTION 8.0 – SURFACE WATER QUALITY TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

8.0 SURFACE WATER QUALITY.......................................................................................8-1 8.1 Introduction.........................................................................................................8-1 8.2 Study Area..........................................................................................................8-1 8.3 Issues and Assessment Criteria.........................................................................8-1 8.4 Methods..............................................................................................................8-4

8.4.1 Review of Existing Information...........................................................8-4 8.4.2 Field Survey .......................................................................................8-4

8.5 Existing Conditions.............................................................................................8-5 8.5.1 Local Study Area................................................................................8-7 8.5.2 Aquatic Regional Study Area ...........................................................8-12 8.5.3 Acid Sensitivity of Lakes ..................................................................8-16 8.5.4 Summary of Guideline Exceedances in ASLA.................................8-18

8.6 Potential Impacts and Mitigative Measures......................................................8-18 8.6.1 Impact of Subsurface Operations ....................................................8-18 8.6.2 Impact from Changes in Runoff .......................................................8-18 8.6.3 Effects of Construction Activities on Local Waterbodies..................8-20 8.6.4 Effects of Runoff from the Well Pads on Surface Water ..................8-21 8.6.5 Effects of Runoff from the Roads and Utility Corridors on Local

Waterbodies.....................................................................................8-21 8.6.6 Effects of Acid Deposition on Waterbodies of the ALSA and

ARSA ...............................................................................................8-22 8.7 Cumulative Effects Assessment .......................................................................8-24 8.8 Monitoring.........................................................................................................8-25 8.9 Summary ..........................................................................................................8-26 8.10 Literature Cited.................................................................................................8-28


December 2009

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SECTION 9.0 – FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

9.0 FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES ..................................................................9-1 9.1 Introduction.........................................................................................................9-1 9.2 Study Area..........................................................................................................9-1

9.2.1 Aquatic Regional Study Area .............................................................9-1 9.2.2 Aquatic Local Study Area...................................................................9-1 9.2.3 Project Area .......................................................................................9-6

9.3 Issues and Assessment Criteria.........................................................................9-6 9.3.1 Issue Scoping ....................................................................................9-6 9.3.2 Assessment Criteria...........................................................................9-7 9.3.3 Indicator Resources ...........................................................................9-7

9.4 Methods..............................................................................................................9-8 9.5 Existing Conditions.............................................................................................9-9

9.5.1 Regional Setting.................................................................................9-9 9.5.2 Local Setting ....................................................................................9-10 9.5.3 Special Status Species ....................................................................9-18 9.5.4 Benthic Invertebrate Communities...................................................9-18

9.6 Potential Impacts and Mitigative Measures......................................................9-19 9.6.1 Changes in Sediment Loading.........................................................9-19 9.6.2 Changes in Stream Flow..................................................................9-21 9.6.3 Changes in Fishing Pressure Due to Increased Access and

Workforce.........................................................................................9-24 9.6.4 Changes in Abundance, Habitat or Health of Special Status

Species ............................................................................................9-25 9.6.5 Mitigation and Monitoring.................................................................9-26

9.7 Cumulative Effects ...........................................................................................9-26 9.8 Summary ..........................................................................................................9-27 9.9 Literature Cited.................................................................................................9-27


March 2010

Table of Contents

SECTION 10.0 – SOILS AND TERRAIN TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

10.0 SOILS AND TERRAIN.................................................................................................10-1 10.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................10-1 10.2 Study Area........................................................................................................10-1

10.2.1 Spatial Boundaries...........................................................................10-1 10.2.2 Temporal Boundaries.......................................................................10-1

10.3 Issues and Assessment Criteria.......................................................................10-1 10.4 Methods............................................................................................................10-2

10.4.1 Biophysical Characteristics of the Local Study Area........................10-2 10.4.2 Soil Classification and Mapping .......................................................10-2 10.4.3 Sampling and Laboratory Analysis ..................................................10-5 10.4.4 Soil Suitability for Reclamation ........................................................10-5 10.4.5 Land Capability Classification for Forestry.......................................10-7 10.4.6 Soil Erosion Risk..............................................................................10-8 10.4.7 Acid Deposition ..............................................................................10-10 10.4.8 Derivation of Spatial Statistics Using GIS ......................................10-10

10.5 Existing Conditions.........................................................................................10-10 10.5.1 Baseline Regional Terrain and Soil Conditions..............................10-10 10.5.2 Baseline Terrain and Soil Conditions of the TLSA.........................10-19

10.6 Impact Assessment Mitigative Measures .......................................................10-41 10.6.1 Project Impacts on Soils, Terrain and Geology..............................10-41 10.6.2 Terrain Disturbance .......................................................................10-44 10.6.3 Soil Disturbance.............................................................................10-44 10.6.4 Soil Quality.....................................................................................10-51 10.6.5 Project Impacts on Soil Capability for Forestry ..............................10-55 10.6.6 Project Impacts on Soil Suitability for Reclamation........................10-58 10.6.7 Soil Acidification.............................................................................10-59 10.6.8 Project Impacts on Ground Heave.................................................10-64 10.6.9 Project Impacts on Unique Terrain and Soil Units .........................10-64 10.6.10 Summary of Project Specific Effects..............................................10-66 10.6.11 Management and Mitigation of Residual Impacts ..........................10-66 10.6.12 Residual Effects on Terrain and Soils............................................10-70 10.6.13 Monitoring ......................................................................................10-70

10.7 Cumulative Effects .........................................................................................10-71 10.8 Summary ........................................................................................................10-71 10.9 Literature Cited...............................................................................................10-74


December 2009

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SECTION 11.0 – VEGETATION TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

11.0 VEGETATION..............................................................................................................11-1 11.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................11-1 11.2 Study Area........................................................................................................11-1

11.2.1 Geographic Boundaries ...................................................................11-1 11.2.2 Temporal Boundaries.......................................................................11-1

11.3 Issues and Assessment Criteria.......................................................................11-3 11.3.1 Issues...............................................................................................11-3 11.3.2 Resource Indicator Selection ...........................................................11-5 11.3.3 Assessment Criteria.........................................................................11-6 11.3.4 Cumulative Effects Assessment Methods........................................11-6

11.4 Methods............................................................................................................11-6 11.4.1 Review of Existing Information.........................................................11-6 11.4.2 Spatial Datasets...............................................................................11-7 11.4.3 Baseline Analysis and Mapping .......................................................11-7 11.4.4 Field Surveys ...................................................................................11-7

11.5 Existing Conditions...........................................................................................11-8 11.5.1 Ecological Setting ............................................................................11-8 11.5.2 Habitat Distribution...........................................................................11-9 11.5.3 Rare Plant Species and Ecological Communities..........................11-16 11.5.4 Weeds and Non-native Plant Species ...........................................11-21 11.5.5 Traditional Use Plants....................................................................11-23

11.6 Impact Assessment and Mitigative Measures ................................................11-25 11.6.1 Impacts to Habitat Distribution .......................................................11-25 11.6.2 Impacts to Rare Plant Species and Ecological Communities ........11-35 11.6.3 Impacts Due to the Spread of Non-native Plants and Weed

Species ..........................................................................................11-37 11.6.4 Impacts to Traditional Use Plants ..................................................11-39 11.6.5 Accidents, Malfunctions and Severe Natural Environmental

Events ............................................................................................11-40 11.6.6 Mitigation and Monitoring...............................................................11-40



December 2009

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SECTION 12.0 – WILDLIFE TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

12.0 WILDLIFE ....................................................................................................................12-1 12.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................12-1 12.2 Study Area........................................................................................................12-1

12.2.1 Spatial and Temporal Boundaries....................................................12-1 12.2.2 Baseline Characteristics ..................................................................12-3

12.3 Issues and Assessment Criteria.......................................................................12-5 12.3.1 Issues Scoping.................................................................................12-5 12.3.2 Selection of Key Wildlife Indicator Species for Assessment ............12-5

12.4 Methods............................................................................................................12-5 12.4.1 Review of Existing Information.........................................................12-5 12.4.2 Field Surveys ...................................................................................12-5 12.4.3 Habitat Suitability Modelling...........................................................12-24 12.4.4 Impact Assessment Criteria ...........................................................12-25 12.4.5 Cumulative Effects Assessment ....................................................12-26

12.5 Existing Conditions.........................................................................................12-26 12.5.1 Wildlife Species of Concern ...........................................................12-26 12.5.2 Amphibians ....................................................................................12-32 12.5.3 Reptiles ..........................................................................................12-33 12.5.4 Birds...............................................................................................12-33 12.5.5 Mammals .......................................................................................12-45 12.5.6 Baseline Habitat Suitability Modelling ............................................12-60

12.6 Potential Impacts and Mitigative Measures....................................................12-82 12.6.1 Project Mitigation Measures...........................................................12-84 12.6.2 Key Wildlife Indicatory Species......................................................12-86

12.7 Cumulative Effects .......................................................................................12-126 12.7.1 Regional Habitat Loss..................................................................12-127 12.7.2 Linear Disturbance.......................................................................12-130 12.7.3 Habitat Fragmentation .................................................................12-131 12.7.4 Regional Wildlife Impact Mitigation and Management .................12-134 12.7.5 Monitoring and Follow-up.............................................................12-137

12.8 Summary ......................................................................................................12-137 12.9 Literature Cited.............................................................................................12-142


December 2009

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SECTION 13.0 – BIODIVERSITY TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

13.0 BIODIVERSITY............................................................................................................13-4 13.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................13-4 13.2 Study Area........................................................................................................13-4


13.3 Issues and Assessment Criteria.......................................................................13-5 13.3.1 Issues and Scoping..........................................................................13-5 13.3.2 Resource Indicator Selection ...........................................................13-6 13.3.3 Assessment Criteria.........................................................................13-7 13.3.4 Cumulative Effects Assessment Methods........................................13-7

13.4 Methods............................................................................................................13-8 13.4.1 Review of Existing Information.........................................................13-8 13.4.2 Spatial Datasets...............................................................................13-8 13.4.3 Baseline Analysis and Mapping .......................................................13-8 13.4.4 Field Surveys ...................................................................................13-9

13.5 Existing Conditions...........................................................................................13-9 13.5.1 Habitat Diversity...............................................................................13-9 13.5.2 Species Diversity ...........................................................................13-14 13.5.3 Landscape Diversity.......................................................................13-16

13.6 Impact Assessment and Mitigative Measures ................................................13-28 13.6.1 Impacts to Habitat Diversity ...........................................................13-28 13.6.2 Impacts to Species Diversity..........................................................13-33 13.6.3 Impacts to Landscape Diversity .....................................................13-37 13.6.4 Accidents, Malfunctions and Severe Environmental Impacts ........13-52 13.6.5 Mitigation and Monitoring...............................................................13-52

13.7 Cumulative Effects Assessment .....................................................................13-52 13.8 Summary ........................................................................................................13-52 13.9 Literature Cited...............................................................................................13-54


December 2009

Table of Contents

SECTION 14.0 – LAND AND RESOURCE USE TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

14.0 LAND AND RESOURCE USE.....................................................................................14-1 14.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................14-1 14.2 Study Area........................................................................................................14-1 14.3 Issues and Assessment Criteria.......................................................................14-1 14.4 Methods............................................................................................................14-3

14.4.1 Existing Information .........................................................................14-3 14.5 Existing Conditions...........................................................................................14-4

14.5.1 Land Use Plans and Policies ...........................................................14-4 14.5.2 Designated, Protected or Representative Areas..............................14-8 14.5.3 Dispositions....................................................................................14-10 14.5.4 Oil Sands, Petroleum and Natural Gas Leases .............................14-14 14.5.5 Disturbance....................................................................................14-17 14.5.6 Forest Resources...........................................................................14-17 14.5.7 Access ...........................................................................................14-19 14.5.8 Consumptive Outdoor Recreation..................................................14-19 14.5.9 Non-Consumptive Outdoor Recreation..........................................14-29 14.5.10 Aggregate and Mineral Resources ................................................14-30

14.6 Impact Assessment and Mitigative Measures ................................................14-31 14.6.1 Land Use Plans and Policies .........................................................14-31 14.6.2 Designated, Protected or Representative Areas............................14-31 14.6.3 Land Use Dispositions ...................................................................14-31 14.6.4 Forestry..........................................................................................14-34 14.6.5 Access ...........................................................................................14-34 14.6.6 Consumptive Outdoor Recreation..................................................14-36 14.6.7 Impacts to Traditional Use Plants ..................................................14-38 14.6.8 Non-Consumptive Outdoor Recreation..........................................14-40 14.6.9 Aggregate and Mineral Resources ................................................14-40



December 2009

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SECTION 15.0 – HISTORICAL RESOURCES TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

15.0 HISTORICAL RESOURCES........................................................................................15-1 15.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................15-1 15.2 Study Area........................................................................................................15-1 15.3 Issues and Assessment Criteria.......................................................................15-1 15.4 Methods............................................................................................................15-2

15.4.1 Prefield Investigations......................................................................15-2 15.4.2 Field Investigations ..........................................................................15-2 15.4.3 Postfield Investigations ....................................................................15-3

15.5 Existing Conditions...........................................................................................15-3 15.5.1 Previously Recorded Historical Resources in the Local

Study Area .......................................................................................15-4 15.6 Summary ........................................................................................................15-11 15.7 Literature Cited...............................................................................................15-11


December 2009

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SECTION 16.0 – TRADITIONAL LAND USE AND TRADITIONAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

16.0 TRADITIONAL LAND USE AND TRADITIONAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE......16-1 16.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................16-1 16.2 Study Area........................................................................................................16-1


16.3 Issues and Assessment Criteria.......................................................................16-5 16.4 Methods............................................................................................................16-5

16.4.1 Data Collection Methods..................................................................16-5 16.5 Existing Conditions...........................................................................................16-9

16.5.1 Beaver Lake Cree First Nation.......................................................16-10 16.5.2 Chipewyan Prairie Dene First Nation.............................................16-11 16.5.3 Heart Lake First Nation ..................................................................16-12 16.5.4 Fort McMurray First Nation #468 ...................................................16-14 16.5.5 Conklin Métis Local #193...............................................................16-15 16.5.6 Chard Métis....................................................................................16-19 16.5.7 Fort McMurray Métis Local #1935 .................................................16-19

16.6 Potential Effects .............................................................................................16-22 16.6.1 Mitigation Measures.......................................................................16-23

16.7 Summary ........................................................................................................16-24 16.8 Literature Cited...............................................................................................16-24


December 2009

Table of Contents

SECTION 17.0 – SOCIO-ECONOMICS TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

17.0 SOCIO-ECONOMICS ..................................................................................................17-1 17.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................17-1

17.1.1 Project Description...........................................................................17-1 17.2 Study Area........................................................................................................17-2

17.2.1 Spatial Boundaries...........................................................................17-2 17.2.2 Temporal Boundaries.......................................................................17-4 17.2.3 Socio-Economic Valued Components and Key Indicators...............17-4

17.3 Issues and Assessment Criteria.......................................................................17-4 17.3.1 Issues Identification .........................................................................17-4 17.3.2 Assessment Criteria.........................................................................17-5

17.4 Methods............................................................................................................17-6 17.4.1 Baseline Data Collection..................................................................17-6 17.4.2 Types of Effects ...............................................................................17-6 17.4.3 Effects Analysis................................................................................17-7

17.5 Existing Conditions...........................................................................................17-9 17.5.1 Regional Study Area ........................................................................17-9 17.5.2 Local Study Area............................................................................17-44

17.6 Potential Effects and Mitigative Measures .....................................................17-47 17.6.1 Introduction ....................................................................................17-47 17.6.2 Effects on the RSA.........................................................................17-47 17.6.3 Effects on the LSA .........................................................................17-60

17.7 Cumulative Effects .........................................................................................17-61 17.7.1 Regional Study Area ......................................................................17-61 17.7.2 Local Study Area............................................................................17-62

17.8 Summary ........................................................................................................17-63 17.9 Literature Cited...............................................................................................17-65

Application for Approval of the BlackGold Expansion Project Volume 4 – EIA Amendment

March 2010

Table of Contents

SECTION 18.0 – HUMAN HEALTH TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

18.0 HUMAN HEALTH ........................................................................................................18-1 18.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................18-1

18.1.1 Scope of Assessment ......................................................................18-1 18.2 Study Area........................................................................................................18-2

18.2.1 Spatial Boundaries...........................................................................18-2 18.2.2 Temporal Boundaries.......................................................................18-2

18.3 Assessment Cases...........................................................................................18-4 18.4 Assessment Methods .......................................................................................18-5

18.4.1 Problem Formulation........................................................................18-5 18.4.2 Exposure Assessment ...................................................................18-20 18.4.3 Toxicity Assessment ......................................................................18-29 18.4.4 Risk Characterization.....................................................................18-35

18.5 Mitigative Measures .......................................................................................18-37 18.5.1 Air Quality ......................................................................................18-37 18.5.2 Surface Water Quality....................................................................18-41 18.5.3 Groundwater Quality ......................................................................18-42

18.6 Results ...........................................................................................................18-42 18.6.1 Acute Inhalation .............................................................................18-42 18.6.2 Chronic Inhalation ..........................................................................18-46 18.6.3 Chronic Multiple Pathway ..............................................................18-50

18.7 Monitoring.......................................................................................................18-52 18.8 Summary ........................................................................................................18-52 18.9 Literature Cited...............................................................................................18-54

Volume 3 Environmental Impact Assessment Appendices


March 2010

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

APPENDIX A FINAL TERMS OF REFERENCE – ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT

APPENDIX B AIR QUALITY

Appendix B1 Air Quality Modelling Approach Appendix B2 Emission Sources Information – Criteria Air Contaminants Appendix B3 Air Quality and Meteorological Observations in the RSA Appendix B4 Background Emission Source Information – VOCs and PAHs Appendix B5 Baseline, Application and Planned Development Model

Predictions APPENDIX C HYDROGEOLOGY

Appendix C1 Summary of Field Investigations Appendix C2 Groundwater Chemistry Data Appendix C3 Alberta Environment Provincial Water Well Data Appendix C4 Groundwater Flow Numerical Model

APPENDIX D SURFACE WATER QUALITY APPENDIX E SOILS AND TERRAIN

Appendix E1 Profiles Appendix E2 Lab Data Appendix E3 Land Capability Rating System for Bitumount Soil Series

APPENDIX F VEGETATION

Appendix F1 Baseline Methods Appendix F2 Baseline Data Appendix F3 Vegetation and Wetland Assessment Method

APPENDIX G WILDLIFE Appendix G1 Bat Survey Capture Data Appendix G2 Songbird Point Count Survey Results

APPENDIX H BIODIVERSITY

Appendix H1 Biodiversity Assessment Methods Appendix H2 Breeding Bird Species Richness Assessment


March 2010

Table of Contents

APPENDIX I SOCIO-ECONOMICS Appendix I1 KNOC BlackGold Project Contact List for the SEIA

APPENDIX J HUMAN HEALTH

Appendix J1 Chemical Profiles Appendix J2 Model Description and Worked Example Appendix J2A Predicted Game Meat Concentrations Appendix J2B Multiple Pathway Exposure Model and Predicted Exposure

Point Concentration Appendix J3 Predicted Air Concentrations and Inhalation Risk Estimates Appendix J4 Health Canada’s SUM15 Approach

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