Alternative Routes Determined

Preferred Route Selection

Preferred Route Selection

• Expert judgment is used to determine the Final Preferred Route– Takes into account feedback from Round One

engagement and preliminary assessment information

• Round Two Public Open Houses will provide public feedback on the Final Preferred Route

from stakeholders at routing phase and in public and aboriginal engagement

Route Selection - Conclusion

With the help of stakeholder input, expert judgment and internal expertise, a balanced, transparent and defendable Final Preferred Route is developed.

EPRI-GTC* Methodology

• Stakeholder Calibration• Siting Criteria – Stakeholders identify/refine and provide relative

suitability values (modified Delphi process to gain consensus)– Engineering Stakeholders – infrastructure co-location – Natural Environment Stakeholders – natural areas considerations– Built Environment Stakeholders – land use issues

• Stakeholders provide relative importance /weights (analytical hierarchy process)

• Computer-generated corridor models– GIS data, moving from general to specific

• Models for each of the above criteria (5:1:1)• Models with Equal weighting • Combination Model

• Expert Judgment (Internal Stakeholders)*Electric Power Research Institute-Georgia Transmission Corp.

Benefits of EPRI Process

• Objective – Based on clear identification of criteria by stakeholders– Values and weights developed during the process are

applied to geographic information– As the area of interest becomes more focused and

defined, data becomes more detailed and accurate • Consistent

– Algorithms provide replicable results • Defensible

– Understanding “what” is required and “how” to do it before determining “where” to put it

Preliminary Structure Design

• Towers, H-Frame – 2 steel columns– 6m wide between column– Average 300m between towers– Height 16m to 39.5m– Higher towers at end points and crossings

Final tower design may depend on route characteristics

Alternative Routes

• St. Vital to La Verendrye Station - Southern Loop Transmission Corridor – In a fixed right-of-way

• St. Vital to Letellier Station– 20 different segments– 4 segments common to all routes

• Goal of Workshops – Identify one Preferred Route

St. Vital to La VerendryeTransmission Line

St. Vital Station to Letellier Station

St. Vital Station to Letellier StationNorth Segments – Alternative Routes

N-1

N-2

N-3

N-4N-5 N-8

N-7

N-9N-6

N-10 N-11

St. Vital Station to Letellier StationSouth Segment – Alternative Routes

N-11

S-9

S-1

S-2

S-7

S-6

S-4S-5

S-8

S-3

2.2 Environmental Assessment

• The Project is considered a Class 2 development under The Environment Act (Manitoba) and will require an Environmental Assessment Report to be completed and submitted to Regulators.

Environmental Assessment

• Environmental Assessment generally consists of:– Characterization of the environment– Identification of potential effects on people

and the environment– Stakeholder and public engagement process– Determination of methods to avoid or

reduce potential adverse effects while enhancing beneficial effects

Study Area Characterization

• The Environmental Assessment will include characterization of the following aspects of the Study Area:– Physical Environment (climate, soils, surficial geology,

hydrogeology)– Aquatic Environment (surface hydrology, water quality, fish

and fish habitat)– Terrestrial Environment (vegetation, wildlife and habitat)– Socio-economic Environment (land use, infrastructure,

agriculture and landowners, economy, heritage resources, general concerns/issues with the Project)

Study Area Characterization

Entry sign to Crow Wing Trail, near Senkiw

Pasture, NE of Roseau River

Unnamed wetland, near Tourond

Valued Environmental Components

• The Environmental Assessment will determine Valued Environmental Components (VECs)– VEC - Any part of the environment that is considered

important by the proponent, public, scientists, and government involved in the assessment process; importance may be determined on the basis of societal or cultural values, or scientific interest or concern.

– VECs are selected by• Utilizing experience from other, similar projects• Getting input from specialists in the various disciplines• Collecting input from interested stakeholders and the

public

VECs for St. Vital Transmission Complex

VECs currently being considered for the St. VitalTransmission Complex Project include:

– Wildlife Habitat– Native Prairie– Employment and Business Opportunities– Property and Residential Development– Aboriginal Lands– Agricultural Productivity– Agricultural Land Uses– Communication and Transportation– Human Health– Public Safety– Aesthetics

Examination of Effects

• To assess the potential environmental effects of the project, the following will be undertaken:– Identification and assessment of potential environmental

effects of the project on VECs– Identification of mitigation measures for environmental

effects on VECs– Identification of methodology for determining significance

of environmental effects on VECs– Identification of measurable parameters to quantify and

evaluate the significance of environmental effects on VECs– An assessment of cumulative effects on identified VECs

2.3. Public Engagement Program

• Key Person Interviews – over 70 contacts • Stakeholder Workshops – 3 locations • Two Rounds of Public Open Houses – 4 locations

– Winnipeg, Mitchell, Dominion City and Oak Bluff

• Website • Newsletters and Advertising • Direct Mailings• Meetings