Environmental Impact Assessment(EIA) Registration for the ...

REVISED PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) REGISTRATION
FOR THE NEPISIGUIT FALLS GENERATING STATION MODIFICATION AND REHABILITATION PROJECT
extended construction schedule is required to complete the Project within the 4-month period,
residents within the LAA will be notified.
Decommissioning and Abandonment activities will be similar to those required for Construction
and are not expected to result in significant environmental effects to the Atmospheric
Environment. Decommissioning and Abandonment activities will be subject to a regulatory
approval process and activities necessary to complete this phase of the Project will be identified
in the Decommissioning and Abandonment Plan to be developed at the appropriate time at the
end of the Project life.
In consideration of the planned mitigation, limiting construction activities to daytime hours, dust
control and noise attenuating mufflers on heavy equipment, significant environmental effects on
the Atmospheric Environment are not anticipated as a result of the Project. The environmental
effects of the Project on Atmospheric Environment, including cumulative environmental effects,
are rated not significant during all phases and are not discussed further in the assessment.
4.2.2.2 Water Resources
Water Resources comprises both Surface Water and Groundwater Resources in the LAA.
Operation has been ranked as 0 in Table 4.1 because there is no interaction between Water
Resources and this phase of the Project. The Project as planned will not enhance the
generation capacity or change its operating water levels beyond that which has been in place
since the facility was established in 1921, and therefore no change in surface water or ground
water quality or quantity is anticipated as a result of normal operation.
Construction and Decommissioning and Abandonment have been ranked as 1 in Table 4.1
because of the interaction between surface water flow, and groundwater quality or quantity in
private potable wells within the LAA.
During Construction, draw down of the headpond is planned to accommodate access to the
upstream face of the spillway dam. NB Power is committed to maintaining a minimum
downstream flow of at least 8.5 m 3 /s (300 cfs) defined NB Power’s Standard Operating
Procedure NFOP0001 Headpond Elevation and Draw Down (NB Power 2010a). The limited
draw down will ensure that suspended sediments are kept to a minimum. Total suspended
solids along with turbidity levels and headpond water levels will be monitored throughout
Construction (Section 2.2.1).
Construction will not likely result in a change in potable groundwater, as no intrusive ground
disturbing activities (e.g., blasting or pile driving) are planned as part of the Project. Although
several residences are located within the zone of influence (within 500 m), the Project as
planned is not anticipated to affect the potable water supplies, as no intrusive ground disturbing
activities (e.g., blasting or pile driving) are planned as part of the Project. By nature of the
facility, run-of-the-river, the short duration of the Construction when draw down is planned is
unlikely to affect recharge of groundwater supplies in the LAA.
Page 36 June 15, 2011