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
Table 4.2
Environmental
Effect
Change in
Aquatic
Environment
Measurable Parameters for the Aquatic Environment
Measurable
Parameter
Rationale for Selection of the Measurable Parameter
Fish Mortality • Fish mortality is an important measurable parameter for Change in
Aquatic Environment as it is the ultimate measure for a Change in
Aquatic Environment. Destruction of fish by means other than fishing
is forbidden by the Fisheries Act. All Project activities having the
potential to cause the death of fish (e.g., dewatering) must be
managed or mitigated in order to prevent such an environmental
Productive Capacity
of Fish Habitat
effect.
• The Decision Framework for the Determination and Authorization of
Harmful Alteration, Disruption or Destruction of Fish Habitat
(DFO 1998) states that when reviewing project proposals, habitat
managers strive, pursuant to the No Net Loss guiding principle, to
maintain the current productive capacity of fish habitats supporting
Canada’s fishery resources, such that the habitat is able to produce
fish suitable for human consumption.
Water Quality • Water quality suitable for fish populations to live can be measured by
using several key parameters that include Total Suspended
Sediments (TSS), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Temperature, and pH.
DO, temperature and pH are measured in-situ, while TSS is
measured using laboratory analytical methods.
• Total Suspended Sediments (TSS, mg/L) is an indicator of the
amount of suspended sediment in a watercourse. It can be a good
measure of the quality or viability of fish habitat.
• Dissolved Oxygen (DO, mg/L) is an indicator of the quality of habitat.
DO in water is necessary to sustain fish populations.
• Water temperature (Celsius degrees) is also an important measure of
the quality of water as fish habitat. Fish are limited in various life
stages by minimum and maximum temperatures. Changes in
temperature can affect the quality of habitat and, in the extreme, can
result in mortality.
• pH is an indicator of fish habitat. Optimal fish habitat exists within a
range of pH, outside of which levels can be stressful for fish and their
habitat (including other biota on which they rely for food) or result in
mortality.
The measurable parameters in Table 4.2 were based on the professional judgment of the study
team and discussions with regulatory agencies. Measurable parameters have clear units of
measurement and are indicative of water quality, fish habitat quality, and fish survival, which are
supportive of fish populations.
4.3.1.3 Temporal Boundaries
The temporal boundaries for the assessment of the potential environmental effects of the
Project on the Aquatic Environment include the periods of Construction (beginning no earlier
than June 1, 2012 and ending September 30, 2012), Operation of the NFGS (for an estimated
50-75 years), and Decommissioning and Abandonment (following Operation, at the end of the
useful life of the NFGS). In general, any potential Project environmental effects on the Aquatic
Environment will begin and peak during Construction but diminish during Operation similar to
current levels in the absence of the Project.
Page 46 June 15, 2011