Environmental Assessment/Monitoring
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INTRODUCTION
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SENES Consultants Limited (SENES) was retained by Utilities Kingston to undertake a route selection, environmental and
socio-economic impact assessment to select a Preferred Route for the new pipeline and to identify any environmental or
socio-economic impacts associated with the Preferred Route. Mitigation measures designed to minimize impacts were also
developed as part of the study. The study results were documented in the following environmental report, which conforms
to the OEB’s Environmental Guidelines for the Location, Construction, and Operation of Hydrocarbon Pipelines and
Facilities in Ontario (Fifth Edition, 2003).
STUDY PROCESS
This reinforcement pipeline is being planned in accordance with Ontario Energy Board (OEB) regulations. The OEB acts as
a regulatory body to ensure that the project is in the public’s interest, that it is necessary and that it meets all
health, safety and environmental standards and regulations.
In order to gain approval from the OEB, Utilities Kingston will be filing a 'Leave to Construct' application that
includes the environmental report. The environmental report documents that municipal, provincial and federal agency
concerns have been addressed. In addition, concerns identified by landowners and the general public must be addressed.
Once completed, the environmental report is circulated to affected municipalities, conservation authorities and the
Ontario Pipeline Co-coordinating Committee (OPCC), which is a group comprised of provincial government ministries. If
requested, the environmental report is also circulated to landowners adjacent to the Preferred Route and to interest
groups. Prior to submission of the Leave to Construct application to the OEB, Utilities Kingston should resolve all
outstanding issues. The OEB may order a written or oral hearing, based upon the complexity of the project issues and
the level of public concern. This study has been prepared in three phases:
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Phase 1: Environmental Inventory and Features Mapping;
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Phase 2: Identification of Alternative Routes and Selection of a Preliminary Preferred Route; and
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Phase 3: Environmental Impact Assessment and Mitigation Study Along the Preferred Route
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
Public and agency consultation is an important component of a successful study process. Early and frequent consultation
with the general public and government agencies has been an integral part of this study. The objectives of the
consultation process were:
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to identify potentially affected parties;
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to provide information to the parties on relevant components of the study;
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to obtain input from these parties; and
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to integrate information received into the decision-making process
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING
The primary objective of environmental inspection is to ensure that all construction activities are carried out pursuant
to pertinent environmental legislation, regulations and industry standards.
The primary objective of environmental monitoring during construction is to ensure that the natural and social
environments are not unduly affected and that the construction site is returned to pre-construction conditions as soon
as possible.
The purpose of post-construction monitoring is to ascertain the success of the restoration effort. Ultimately, the
knowledge gained from inspection and monitoring can be used in future projects to avoid or minimize similar problems
that may arise.
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