Appendix 4. Soil Management Plan

Transcription

1 Appendix 4 Soil Management Plan

2 Soil Management Plan This Soil Management Plan (SMP) has been developed for the Giscome Quarry and Lime Plant Project. The SMP is a living document and will be updated as appropriate during the life of the Project. 1.0 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The SMP describes the measures that will be taken to salvage and store soils for reclamation purposes, while maintaining soil integrity. Salvaged soils will be used during reclamation to facilitate the restoration of functioning ecosystems. During construction and operation soil salvage will occur in areas where existing soils are excavated, cut, filled or graded. To protect the integrity of existing soils, soils must be salvaged, handled, transported, stored and re-distributed in areas that are being reclaimed in a manner that does not result in degradation of soil quality and future productivity. The main objectives of the SMP are to: Preserve adequate volumes of soil for reclamation; Mitigate impacts to soil structure by salvaging soil under appropriate weather and soil moisture conditions; Retain integrity of soils during storage by maintaining separation between soils and lower quality material; and Prevent soil erosion during salvage operations and from stockpiles. The SMP will work in conjunction with other management plans including the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (Appendix 5) the Reclamation and Closure Plan developed for the Project (Appendix of the Application). 1.1 Consultation As part of Graymont s ongoing consultation for the Project, Graymont has engaged with local community members, business people, recreationalists, First Nations and others to ensure that the Project meaningfully considers the potential for impacts on First Nations and stakeholders. Graymont initially consulted with a wide range of local and regional stakeholder groups in 2007 prior to the project being put on hold. In 2013, preliminary discussions were undertaken with the Regional District of Fraser Fort George (RDFFG) officials prior to finalization of the draft Project Description document. A community newsletter and public meetings in Willow River and Prince George in June 2013 introduced the project to local residents and led to a number of one-on-one meetings with local residents that were held in July and August 2013, prior to finalization of the draft Application Information Requirements. Public Consultation continued through the Application Review phase in accordance with Public Consultation Plan Graymont submitted to the Environmental Assessment Office under Section 11 Order. Page A4 1

3 Additional information on the consultation process completed as part of the environmental assessment process are provided in: Lheidli T enneh First Nation Consultation Plan for the Proposed Giscome Quarry and Lime Plant: Submitted to the Environmental Assessment Office under Section 11 Order by Graymont Western Canada Ltd. December 10, 2013; Public Consultation Plan for the Proposed Giscome Quarry and Lime Plant: Submitted to the Environmental Assessment Office under Section 11 Order by Graymont Western Canada Ltd. December 10, 2013; First Nations Consultation Report, Giscome Quarry and Lime Plant, Giscome BC, September 2015 Public Consultation Report, Giscome Quarry and Lime Plant, Giscome BC, September 2015 Draft versions of the management and monitoring plans were submitted to the Lheidli T enneh First Nation as part of the Environmental Assessment process for review and comment. Responses to comments are provided in the EAO s tracking table. 1.2 Community Engagement Graymont will develop a Community Advisory Committee in accordance with Condition 15 of the Environmental Assessment Certificate. The Committee will be: Comprised of at least three Graymont and three community representatives, and Formed at least 30 days prior to the start of Construction. The Committee will: Establish a terms of reference for the Committee prior to the start of Construction; Meet at least once per year during Construction and the first three years Operations. Subsequent meeting frequency must be determined by the terms of reference and agreed upon by all representatives; Receive Project related environmental performance information including but not limited to air quality, groundwater and surface water quality, wildlife interactions, visual mitigations, public access management, and noise management; and Provide a venue to address community concerns with a public grievance mechanism to track and revolve issues. Graymont will include information discussed with the Community Advisory Committee and report on environmental performance as described above on a Project-specific webpage established at least 30 days prior to the start of Construction, updated at least annually and maintained throughout Project Construction, Operations, and Decommissioning. 2.0 REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES Relevant guidance includes provincial legislation. Legislated measures are generally mandatory, whereas Best Management Practices may be superseded by project-specific mitigation approaches that are tailored to the local circumstances. Page A4 2

4 2.1 Provincial Provincial legislation related to the protection and management of soil relevant to this plan is described below Environmental Management Act The Environmental Management Act regulates the introduction of waste into the environment to prevent pollution. It contains a broad prohibition against causing pollution defined as the presence of pollutants in the environment at a level that alters or impairs the usefulness of the environment Contaminated Sites Regulation The Ministry of Environment regulates the movement of soil from contaminated sites to protect human health and the environment and to prevent the creation of new contaminated site through the Contaminated Sites Regulation. The Contaminated Sites Regulation lists soil criteria for toxicity to soil invertebrates and plants Mines Act The BC Mines Act requires that the stability of man-made structures (e.g., impoundments, dumps and slopes), are planned in advance, inspected, monitored, and maintained throughout the operations and at the time of project closure. 3.0 PERMITS AND APPROVALS A Mines Act permit from the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas will be required prior to commencing any work on a mine site, in accordance with the Province s Mines Act (1996) and the Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia. Soil excavation, handling, or storage activities associated with the construction, operation, closure and post-closure phases of the Project will require that the Mines Act permit is in place before works proceed. 4.0 SOIL SUITABILITY FOR RECLAMATION The reclamation suitability of the soil was summarized by WPK (2007) based on previous mapping and additional investigation. The development of this study is discussed in the Reclamation and Closure Plan developed for the Project. Each soil association was divided into multiple soil horizons. Overall reclamation suitability was simplified into two reclamation suitability classifications within the proposed quarry area identified as Upper Lift (UL) and Lower Lift (LL). The details of each are described in full by WPK. However, generally, the UL class included the top 0.3 m and the LL extended from 0.3 to 0.6 m. UL was given a reclamation suitability rating of poor citing a low percent saturation as the limiting property. The LL was given a reclamation suitability rating of good. The LL was limited to the depth range based on the required volume of soil at the time. The lower boundary of LL may be adjusted to ensure sufficient volume of material is available for reclamation of the current site plan (WPK, 2007). This assessment was done using criteria developed strictly for mineral soils and is not applicable to organic soils that make up a portion of the UL. As such, the UL should be considered for salvage and use as a soil conditioner (WPK, 2007). If deemed suitable based on a different set criteria or as soil amendment, the UL suitability could be reclassified as a more suitable material or as a suitable conditioner. In many cases, forest litter, and organics are beneficial as a soil amendment. Page A4 3

5 Based on the above assessment, the salvageable reclamation at the quarry site for the purpose of this plan was classified as organic topsoil and mineral topsoil. The organic topsoil layer was assumed to be typically about 0.1m thick with the mineral topsoil layer being about 0.5m thick. It is assumed the soils for salvage and use in reclamation will be a blend of the organic and mineral soil. The soil salvage volumes described in the Reclamation and Closure Plan were based on an assumed combined thickness of 0.5m (0.1m of organic topsoil and 0.4m of mineral topsoil). 5.0 PROJECT-SPECIFIC MITIGATION Prior to construction, a soil suitability/quality assessment will be completed by a soil scientist and silviculturist to determine how salvaged soils will be placed in the Soil Stockpile (which is the primary storage area for salvaged reclamation media), and windrowed along linear site features. The assessment will determine how various material types will be segregated at the Soil Stockpile site to preserve and/or enhance the value of stored reclamation media. The results of the soil suitability/quality assessment will be used to update the Soil Management Plan. During the construction and operation phases, areas to be stripped will be logged, cleared, and grubbed with merchantable timber sold where feasible. The remaining woody debris will be stockpiled separately from the salvaged reclamation material for the duration of the Project or placed on progressively reclaimed areas where appropriate to enhance the landform. If an excess of woody debris exists, it will be used in final reclamation activities if intact at the end of quarry life. Direct placement of salvaged soil and progressive soil replacement and reclamation helps maintain a healthy environment and increases the effectiveness of erosion. During construction and operation, surficial disturbance will be minimized and disturbed areas will be reclaimed as soon as possible by maximizing direct replacement of salvaged material. Material will be windrowed along linear access corridors (e.g., roads) to minimize the haulage required to reclaim those areas. Specifications for windrow dimensions, and management will also be determined by the soil suitability/quality assessment. Salvaged soil and other overburden material will be stockpiled and re-vegetated in a timely manner. Stockpiles will be located outside of general work areas (refer to Reclamation and Closure Plan) so they will not be re-disturbed by or interfere with construction and/or operation activities. Mechanically disturbing saturated soils can result in soil compaction and the promotion of massive soil structure (where the entire soil horizon appears cemented into one mass). Mechanical disturbance of excessively dry soils can result in wind erosion and can destroy soil aggregates. Soil conditions will dictate salvage activities to avoid salvaging soil under these conditions. To retain the quality of the soil during reclamation, soils will be re-distributed in a manner that preserves their integrity. A rough and loose replacement technique will be used to minimize compaction and increase microsite variability. Compaction, if encountered, may be reduced by ripping or other means to encourage deeper rooting. Page A4 4

6 In addition, specific soil management measures will include the following: 1. Site preparation will be supervised by the Independent Environmental Monitor (IEM) or operations supervisor and will follow a soil salvage plan described in the Reclamation and Closure Plan developed for the Project. 2. Erosion and sediment control measures will be put in place prior to vegetation clearing and soil salvage in accordance with the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (Appendix 5). 3. Soil salvage will include mineral and organic materials identified in the Reclamation and Closure Plan developed for the Project. 4. Woody debris such as large tree limbs, root-balls, logs, etc. will not be placed in soil stockpiles but may be retained for re-distribution as part of reclamation. 5. Soil salvage will immediately follow vegetation clearing, however soil salvage will not be conducted when soils are saturated or have very little moisture content, as working in these conditions can degrade soil quality. 6. When possible, coarse fragments larger than 25cm diameter will be separated during salvaging to enable effective contouring of the soil stockpile. Removing coarse fragments will also improve the quality of the soil for use in future reclamation efforts. Overburden storage will comply with the following guidelines: 1. Stockpiles will be constructed to be geotechnically stable in accordance with the Limestone Fines, Soil, and In-Pit Stockpile Geotechnical Assessment developed for the Project. 2. Stockpile design will incorporate setbacks to ensure materials are not inadvertently displaced outside intended areas. 3. Stockpiles will be located on relatively level ground and outside of active floodplains and riparian areas (except where permitted). 4. Stockpiles will be created as soil salvage activities progress. As material is added, slopes will be contoured to ensure stockpile stability, minimize erosion, and facilitate vegetation to establish. 5. To minimize compaction, traffic in stockpile areas will be limited to stacking and shaping the stockpile. If required, the stockpile area will be lightly ripped (using a sub-soiler) to reduce compaction prior to seeding/planting activities. 6. Runoff diversion and collection ditches will be constructed around the stockpile and will be shaped in a way that will promote slow, efficient drainage of the slopes. Water management structures will be in place prior to vegetation clearing (refer to the Water Management Plan developed for the Project). 7. The stockpile will be progressively seeded for erosion control and ground cover to reduce erosion and migration of material, maintain soil quality, and prevent invasive plants from establishing. 8. Along new linear structures such as access roads and the conveyor path, organics will be windrowed, where practical, along the edge of the structure. 9. Along roads, the windrowed material will be protected from erosion and dust penetration by geotextile or vegetation able to provide the equivalent protection. Erosion control measures will be put in place around the windrows, as required. Page A4 5

7 6.0 EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING Effectiveness monitoring will rely on compliance with applicable legislation and recommended mitigation measures or other commitments with respect to soil management. The IEM or operations supervisor will be responsible for documenting the measures used, as well as indicating where there are any deficiencies. The IEM or operations supervisor will regularly monitor the mitigation measures implemented and communicate compliance or non-compliance, and/or incidents with appropriate regulatory authorities as necessary. 7.0 REFERENCES CCME [Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment], Canadian Soil Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Environmental and Human Health. Available from: WPK [WorelyParsons Komex], Soil Mapping Mine Permit Application - DRAFT. Report section prepared for Graymont Western Canada Incorporated as part of the Giscome Quarry Mine Permit Application. Page A4 6