Terms of Reference

Review of the Labrador-Island Transmission Link Project Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

Zonal Science Special Response Process (SSRP) – Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec Regions

May 17, 2012 at 1 pm (NL time)
St. John’s, NL

Chairperson: Dr. Garry Stenson, Marine Mammals Section, Science Branch, NL Region

Context

The Labrador-Island Transmission Link project involves the development of a high voltage direct current (HVdc) transmission system extending from the lower Churchill River in central Labrador to Soldiers Pond on the Island of Newfoundland. The proposed project will extend over a distance of approximately 1,100 km and will include alternating current (ac) to direct current (dc) converter stations at Muskrat Falls, Labrador and Soldiers Pond, Newfoundland; overhead transmission lines; a submarine cable crossing the Strait of Belle Isle; and shore electrodes in the Strait of Belle Isle and Conception Bay.

The Proponent was advised by the Minister of Environment and Conservation that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required for the Project under the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Protection Act (EPA). The Project is also subject to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA). The purpose of the EIS is to identify alternatives to the Project, alternatives methods for carrying it out, the environment that will be affected, the important environmental effects associated with the Project, measures that are required to mitigate against any adverse effects and the significance of residual environmental effects. The EIS shall contain a review and assessment of all available information pertinent to the conduct of this environmental assessment as well as such additional new information or data as provided by the Proponent or requested by Canada or Newfoundland and Labrador. Component Studies shall address baseline data requirements to support the evaluation of environmental effects and/or the development of mitigation measures as well as monitoring and follow up programs.

Development of the Project will alter the aquatic environment, which could result in impacts on fish and fish habitat.  Since the project is likely to cause a harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat, this would require issuance of a Fisheries Act Authorization, thereby making Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) a responsible authority under CEAA. Ecosystems Management have requested that Science Branch (NL and Quebec Regions) undertake a review of specifically identified information contained in the EIS and relevant component studies provided by Nalcor for the Labrador-Island Transmission Link.

Objectives

This review will evaluate:

• The completeness of the EIS in describing the existing environment and environmental effects of the project;
• The accuracy of the information provided within the EIS; and
• The extent to which the EIS addresses requirements outlined within the project’s Scoping Document.

Expected Publications

• CSAS Science Response

Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science NL and Quebec Regions
• Ecosystems Management NL Region

References

Environmental Impact Statement Guidelines and Scoping Document