RP-2000-0110	November 26, 2000

Board Staff Interrogatories - Draft

Union Gas

Trafalgar Facilities Expansion Program 2001/20

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

1.	Ref. Section 7, page 2, Para 6

In September 2000, copies of Addendums to the original Environmental Assessment (EA) were sent to the Ontario Pipeline Coordination Committee ("OPCC"), local municipalities and the Upper Thames Region Conservation Authority ("UTRCA") and Grand River Conservation Authority ("GRCA"):

a.	Please summarize comments from the above entities received to date;

b.	Submit copies of letters received to date from the OPCC members to be filed as Schedule 3 of Section 7.

2.	Ref. Section 7, page 3, Para 9

In June 2000, Union held landowner open houses at Hickson and at North Dumfries.

Please summarize the concerns identified in these public information forums. How are these concerns addressed in the overall mitigation and restoration plans, and in the negotiations with affected landowners ?

3.	Ref . Environmental Assessment, Beachville to Bright, Section 1-Addendum, page 10, Section 3.7.2. Agriculture;

Ref. Owen Sound VS to Brantford TS Route Selection and EA, page 11, Section 3.7.2 Agriculture

Regarding the need for long term soil and crop monitoring, in addition to Union's standard mitigation measures, associated with the impacts of the proposed looping:

a.	Please file a copy of ESG report (1998) "Pipeline Construction and Impacts on Agricultural Lands: A historical Review of the Union Gas Soil/Crop Monitoring Program";

b.	Describe the techniques that will be applied to identify problem soil and crop areas during construction;

c.	Describe the methods that will be applied to monitor crop recovery rates after construction;

d.	Describe the long term soil and crop monitoring program that Union will apply if problem areas are identified or if crop rates recovery are slow.

4.	Ref . EA Beachville to Bright, Section 1- Addendum, page 10, Section 3.7.2 Agriculture; and Owen Sound VS to Brantford TS Route Selection and EA, Addendum, page 11, 3.7.2 Agriculture.

Please describe the activities of the Topsoil Inspector who will monitor and supervise the soil related construction impacts and mitigation results.

5.	Ref. Section 6, Page 1, Para 3 and 4

With regard to woodlots clearing and Union's reforestation program:

a.	Indicate the approximate area of woodlots that will be cleared for each segment of the project;

b.	Which woodlots will be cleared during winter 2001 to avoid possible impacts on avian nesting habitat ?

6.	Ref . Environmental Assessment, Beachville to Bright, Appendix E : Maps - Environmental Features and Mitigation; and

Ref. Owen Sound VS to Brantford TS Route Selection and EA, Maps - Environmental Features and Mitigation.

Please describe specific measures that Union will apply before, during, and after construction to protect identified specimen trees along the proposed routes.

7.	Ref. Section 6, Page 4-5, Para 19

With regard to hydrostatic testing of Beachville-Bright section, identify possible sources of water, methods of testing and permits required ?

8.	Ref . Environmental Assessment, Beachville to Bright, Section 1-Addendum, page 7, Section 3.4.2. Conservation Authority Permits; and Ref . Environmental Assessment, Owen Sound to Brantford, Section 1-Addendum, page 7, Section 3.4.2. Conservation Authority Permits;

a.	Please identify location of flood-plains, affected by construction of the proposed pipeline, that will require "Fill, Construction, and Alteration of Waterways Permit" from UTRCA and from GRCA subject to Conservation Authorities Act. What is the status of the permits application process ?

b.	Please identify stream crossings that require "Work Permit" from the UTRCA and GRCA subject to Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act;

c.	Please identify any water-crossings that may require approval from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans ("DFO"). What is the status of the applications for the DFO approval ?

9.	Ref . Environmental Assessment, Beachville to Bright, Section 1-Addendum, page 11, Section 3.7.5.Water Wells;

Ref . Environmental Assessment, Beachville to Bright, Section 1, Appendix E : Maps - Environmental Features and Mitigation; and

Ref. Owen Sound VS to Brantford TS Route Selection and EA, Maps - Environmental Features and Mitigation.

a.	Please provide a copy of Union's Standard Water Well Monitoring Program;

b.	Please confirm that Union will conduct a survey to determine exact well locations prior to construction.

10.	Ref . Environmental Assessment, Beachville to Bright, page 79, Section 5.3.2 Wetlands and Ponds

The proposed route transects the Youngsville Forest Wetland, provincially ranked as Class 7 wetland, located immediately east of Beachville.

a.	Explain the construction operations, impacts on the wetland habitat and mitigation and restoration program that will be applied by Union.

b.	Which measures will Union consider to reduce cumulative impacts of the new easement on the wetland ?

11.	Ref . EA Beachville to Bright, Section 1-Addendum, page 17, Table 4.2 Summary of Cumulative Environmental Effects; and Owen Sound VS to Brantford TS Route Selection and EA, Addendum, page 19, Table 4.2 Summary of Cumulative Environmental Effects.

Regarding the cumulative effects on the woodlot interior reduction and creation of woodlot edge caused by vegetation clearing:

a.	Which types of habitats would be cumulatively affected ?

b.	Identify locations of these habitats.

c.	Describe the vegetation restoration program that Union will apply to mitigate such impacts.

12.	Ref. Owen Sound VS to Brantford TS Route Selection and EA, Addendum, page 11–12, Section 3.7.1 Water Crossings

Please describe the proposed method for Grand River crossing, including mitigation, restoration, and monitoring program.

13.	Ref. Owen Sound VS to Brantford TS Route Selection and EA, Addendum, page 13, Section 3.8 Review of Potential Mitigation Measures

The 1992 mitigation plan for crossing of the Grand River has to be revised and updated for implementation in 2001.

a.	Please file the revisions completed to date.

b.	If the revisions are not available, please explain the status of the revisions.

14.	Ref. Owen Sound VS to Brantford TS Route Selection and EA, page 5-17, Section 5.3.2 Flora and Fauna

The proposed route from Owen Sound VS to Brantford TS crosses Provincially Significant Sudden Bog, Grand River Forest ANSI, and Cedar Creek Class 1 designated wetland. Please describe the mitigation and monitoring plans that will be implemented by Union to reduce impacts on these natural areas.

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