Terms of Reference

Review of Emera Newfoundland and Labrador Maritime Link Environmental Assessment Report

Zonal Science Special Response Process – Maritimes, Newfoundland & Labrador and Gulf Regions

Part 1 – Review of Draft: November 6, 2012 (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia)
Part 2 – Review of Final: February 6, 2013 (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia)

Chairperson: Trevor Floyd

Context

Fisheries and Oceans Canada's (DFO) Habitat Management Division, Maritimes Region, is reviewing an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed construction and operation of a new 500 megawatt (+/-200 kV) high voltage current transmission line, and associated infrastructure, from Granite Canal, Newfoundland, to Woodbine, Nova Scotia, to determine if the project is likely to result in negative impacts to fish and fish habitat. As a potential responsible authority under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, DFO is required to assess and make a determination of the significance of the environmental effects associated with the project. DFO Ecosystem Management has asked DFO Science to review the draft environmental assessment. Refer to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry number 12-01-65713 for more information regarding the EA of the proposed development project.

Objectives

The objective of the Science Special Response Process is to provide science advice on the following questions:

• Is the information provided in the report accurate and complete, especially in relation to sections:
  • 4.0 Environmental Setting - Subsection 4.2 only
  • 7.0 Cabot Strait - Subsections 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 only
  • 10.0 Accidents and Malfunctions - Subsections 10.9 only
    
    
• Does the information provided support the conclusions, especially in relation to the potential effects associated with electrical and magnetic fields?
  
  
• What additional mitigation and monitoring could address these potential effects?

Expected Publications

• Science Response

Participation

• DFO Science Branch
• DFO Habitat Management Branch