Transcript Atlantic Potash Corporation and AMEC

The Importance of Baseline Data
More Than Just Counting Things
Presentation to Geology Matters
November 14, 2013
What do we mean by Baseline Data?
 Refers to information pertaining to biophysical, social and economic
aspects of a project area.
 The Project Area is the extent of area where the project may have an
effect during construction and operation. This is land, air, water
(surface and ground) and all the things that are contained within them,
including people.
 These data are pieces that are fit together to give a fulsome
description of the environment in which the project will be undertaken.
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Why do we collect Baseline Data?
 There are two main purposes to collecting baseline data:
1.
To provide a description of the current status and discernable
trends of environmental factors (e.g., air quality) against which
predicted changes can be compared and evaluated in terms of
importance. The data should provide a statistically valid measure
of any given parameter’s natural variability (as opposed to
project induced change) in order to be of value for impact
prediction and environmental monitoring.
2.
To provide a means of detecting actual change by monitoring
once a project has been initiated.
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Data Gathering
 Baseline data are collected in a number of different ways, some of
which depend upon the project type and setting.
 One typical data source is from third parties (eg. DNR, NSE,
ACCDC) through an open request for information maintained in
their internal databases for the project area (eg. moose survey, fish
habitat).
 A more “first hand” approach is to talk to local people in the project
area. This can be done several ways such as formal public
consultation, community liaison committees, targeted stakeholder
and First Nations information exchange, among others.
 Field data are also collected.
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Data Gathering continued
 Another important aspect of data gathering is to ensure sufficient time
for adequate study
 Many environmental components have to be studied over an
extended time frame, for example birds typically need to be studied
over four seasons
 Often the proponent has not thought about this requirement and will
find this difficult to accommodate within their proposed schedule
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Why Collect These Data?
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Depending on the type of Assessment underway, a formal
Terms of Reference (TOR) may have been developed by a
regulatory agency or by the client.
The TOR usually outline the expectations of the agency and
therefore, guide the data collection efforts.
It is important to remember that only data that are relevant to
the EIA should be collected. This is the point where it is key to
check that everyone on the team understands the purpose of
this effort.
Always start with the end in mind.
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Another good reason to collect data….
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There may be legal challenges associated with a project. These
legal challenges may occur once a project is underway.
A legal challenge is often related to how a project has changed a
particular aspect of the environment (eg., water quality or
quantity). Compensation may be sought as a result of a project.
Appropriate baseline data collection can be a good insurance
policy for both the project proponent and anyone who may be
affected by the project.
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Project Examples
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Brine Line (PotashCorp)
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Project consisted of an approximately 30 km pipeline in a new
Right-of-Way.
Project constraints included multiple watercourse and wetland
crossings and a water supply area
Before beginning the project the proponent was made aware
that there would be a requirement to conduct five years of post
construction monitoring on the wetland crossings at a minimum.
Knowing the requirement for post-construction monitoring
allowed the proponent to plan for required follow on funding as
well as allowing time for proper baseline data collection.
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Petitcodiac River Project
 This project is more of a restoration project and is not a typical EIA. As a
result, the baseline data collection is different.
 The Causeway was constructed between Moncton and Riverview, NB to
provide a transportation link between these communities and to protect
upstream from flooding.
 Construction began in 1966 and was completed in 1968.
 Construct fishway in accordance with legislation
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Project Options
 EIA looked at 4 options:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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Replacing the fishway
Gates open during peak migration
Gates open permanently
Replace part of the Causeway with a bridge
The status quo or existing condition was chosen as the
baseline condition against which the options were to
be evaluated.
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EIA Conclusion
 Fish Passage and other ecosystem issues worsen under
Status Quo
 Project Options 3 and 4 improve fish passage and other
ecosystem issues
 Environmental Effects of Project Options 3 and 4 are not
significant or net positive
 Options 1 and 2 do not meet the project objective of
restoring unimpeded fish passage up and downstream
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Status Quo Condition
Moncton
Riverview
Causeway
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EIA Decision and Next Steps
 The EIA concluded that Project Options 3 and 4 would
work
 Gates have been open year round since April 2010
 Need to understand impact of new condition
 More Baseline Data collection
 More monitoring
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Current Situation
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The Tidal Bore
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Questions?
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