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ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ECO Plans for City of Calgary Stormwater Upgrade Projects (2003) Highwood prepared three project-specific Environmental Construction
Operations (ECO) Plans for stormwater construction projects throughout
the City of Calgary. Site-specific information, including contaminated
sites and environmental sensitivities were incorporated into a streamlined
and focused ECO Plan. Best management practices, emergency preparedness
and response and regulatory reviews were also included to ensure compliance
with regulatory and contract requirements and provide due diligence
responses to on-site construction practices. BC Water Objectives Analysis and Summary Reports (2003) Highwood is producing summary technical reports for the status of water quality in the Mark Creek, Blueberry Creek and Ladybird Creek watersheds within the Kootenay Region of B.C. The reports incorporate multiple years of water quality and quantity monitoring data, including hydrometric data, many water quality parameters (general ions, metals, nutrients, bacteriology) and biological sampling (benthic invertebrates and periphyton). Recommendations were made relative to site-specific Water Quality Objectives and to improve future monitoring programs. ECO Plan Template for Wastewater (2003) Highwood prepared the first Environmental Construction Operations (ECO) Plan Template for the City of Calgary Wastewater business unit. The ECO Plan Template was created specifically for stormwater upgrades funded under ICAP (Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program), including stormsewer expansion, rehabilitation and upgrades, dry and wet pond construction and stormwater outfall upgrades. This document will serve as a template that will allow the general contractors to complete project-specific ECO Plans for these stormwater upgrades. The Template included a summary of environmental sensitivities, potential impacts, best management practices, emergency preparedness and response and regulatory reviews. Project-specific ECO Plans were subsequently developed for two of these projects. Resource Use Study and Intensity Analysis (2002-2003) Highwood is completing a literature review of resource use activities
in the RMWB. The goal of the project is to synthesize data on the level
of use of resources within the RMWB and map the intensity of their use.
CEMA has previously developed a list of indicators species on which
the project focuses. Specific resources being studied include, aggregate,
surface water, forestry, road and rail, pipelines, conventional oil
and gas, and hunting and trapping, to name a few. Lists of resource
users, as well as how much of a particular resource they use was compiled,
wherever possible, to identify what is known about the demand for resources.
Environmental impact assessment in the region (post 1997) were reviewed,
in addition to several resource specific studies from government, industry
and private consultants. The final product is intended to facilitate
future resource use planning in the region from both supply and demand
perspectives and identify regional knowledge deficiencies supported
by recommendations. Environmental Planning and Management within the Town of Banff (2000-2003) Highwood is conducting an innovative three-year environmental planning project for the Town of Banff. The project includes development of a long-term biophysical monitoring program for the Town, including air quality, wastewater treatment plant effluent, aquatic resources, trail condition and use, and vegetation communities. Aquatics and water quality data were collected from the Bow River, and a fisheries population and habitat assessment was completed for Whiskey Creek within the town. Detailed mapping and characterization of existing trails and ground cover were completed to measure trail proliferation. A weed survey was completed in 2002. Based on results from the monitoring program, Highwood prepared the Town's first State of the Environment Report to inform the public and decision makers about the baseline environmental conditions for 2000/2001. The project also includes development and implementation of an Environmental Management System for Town operations, in partnership with EnAble Performance Inc. ECO Plan for Water Pipeline Crossing of West Nose Creek (2002) Highwood prepared the first Environmental Construction Operation Plans (ECO Plan) for the waterworks division of the City of Calgary for the construction of the Spy Hill Feedermain across West Nose Creek. The ECO Plan included a summary of environmental sensitivities, potential impacts, best management practices, emergency preparedness and response and regulatory reviews. Monitoring for environmental impacts and implementation of mitigations were conducted during on-site construction visits. Literature Review and Intensity Analysis of Resource Use in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (2002) Highwood is completing a literature review and spatial analysis addressing cumulative resource use (commercial, subsistence and recreational) activity and demand in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Cumulative pressures of resource use activity on select biophysical indicators were reviewed to assist in setting regional management objectives and thresholds. Regulatory Approval of Sewage Pipeline Crossing of West Nose Creek (2002) Highwood is assisting with the regulatory approvals process for Alberta Environment and Department of Fisheries and Oceans for construction of a sewage pipeline and sewage lift station within the West Nose Creek watershed. Best management practices were developed to assist with the trenchless crossing of West Nose Creek and the construction of stormwater outfalls associated with a new subdivision. Analysis of Legislated Implications of the Proposed Species at Risk Act (2001) In anticipation of the formal declaration of the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA), TransAlta Utilities (now AltaLink) retained Highwood to assess the possible legislated implications SARA may have on the future planning, construction and operation of transmission facilities in Alberta. The analysis included a summary of how SARA may affect TransAlta operations, identified species considered "at risk" for each natural region in Alberta, and assessed how TransAlta's activities may impact these species. |