Terms of Reference

Science Review of the Tazi Twé Hydroelectric Project Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

Regional Science Response Process – Central and Arctic Region

September 2014
Winnipeg, MB

Chairperson: Kathleen Martin

Context

The proposed Tazi Twé Hydroelectric Project, located in northern Saskatchewan, is subject to a federal environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (2012). Fisheries and Oceans Canada is a federal authority for the review of this project.

The Black Lake First Nation and Saskatchewan Power Corporation are proposing to construct a 50 megawatt water diversion-type electrical generating station adjacent to the Fond du Lac River between Black Lake and Middle Lake. Water from Black Lake will be diverted through a water intake structure and power tunnel to the powerhouse before being released through a tailrace channel into the Fond du Lac River, which ultimately discharges into Middle Lake. Water flow in the Fond du Lac River between Black Lake and the tail race channel will be reduced as a result of the diversion.

DFO’s Fisheries Protection Program (FPP) requested advice from DFO Science about the adequacy of the baseline information provided by the proponent in the EIS. They requested that Science focus on the section of the Fond du Lac River to be impacted by the Project. The information is to be used to fulfill DFO responsibilities as a Federal Authority in a federal environmental assessment, to comment on the potential for the Project, as proposed, to result in significant adverse environmental effects. It will also be used to determine the requirement for a Fisheries Act authorization and to inform mitigation, monitoring, offsetting and contingency planning for the proposed Project.  

Objectives

The objective of the SSRP is to provide science advice on the following questions:

1. Is the baseline information in the EIS adequate to support the Proponent’s conclusions about the Project?
2. Are the Proponent's conclusions regarding potential impacts to resident Arctic Grayling population(s) due to flow reductions in the Fond du Lack River supported?
3. Are there deficiencies in the EIS and are there approaches that can be recommended to address areas of deficiency?

Expected Publication

• Science Response

Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science)