Woodfibre LNG Project

Transcription

1 Woodfibre LNG Project

2 Woodfibre LNG Project This is one of three Open Houses being held as part of the 45-day Public Comment Period on the Environmental Assessment Certificate (EAC) Application for the Woodfibre LNG Project. AN OPEN HOUSE IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO: Meet members of the Woodfibre LNG Project team and ask questions about the Project. Meet members of the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) and ask questions about the BC Environmental Assessment Process. Provide feedback on the Woodfibre LNG Project s Environmental Assessment Certificate Application submitted to the BC Environmental Assessment Office for review. OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE SQUAMISH Wednesday, January 28, 2015, from 4 to 8 pm CN Roundhouse & Convention Centre, Government Road, Squamish YOUR FEEDBACK You are invited to provide feedback to the BC Environmental Assessment Office on the Woodfibre LNG Project Environmental Assessment Certificate (EAC) Application through the following ways: BY ONLINE FORM: BY MAIL: BY FAX: Michael Shepard Environmental Assessment Office PO Box 9426 Stn Prov Govt Victoria, BC V8W 9V1 All comments and questions will become part of the public record, along with Woodfibre LNG s responses. WEST VANCOUVER Thursday, January 29, 2015, from 5 to 9 pm Caulfeild Elementary School, 4685 Keith Road, West Vancouver BOWEN ISLAND Friday, January 30, 2015, from 4 to 8 pm Bowen Island Community School, 1041 Mt. Gardner Road, Bowen Island

3 Woodfibre LNG Project Overview THE PROJECT The Woodfibre LNG Project is a proposed small-scale natural gas liquefaction and export facility located at the former Woodfibre Pulp and Paper Mill, about seven kilometres southwest of Squamish. The Woodfibre LNG Project is licensed to export approximately 2.1 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) per year for 25 years. Based on the current Project schedule, subject to environmental approvals, and subject to a final investment decision, Woodfibre LNG will begin construction in 2015, and be operational in WHY WE CHOSE THE WOODFIBRE SITE ü Historic industrial site ü Zoned Industrial ü Deepwater port ü Access to established commercial shipping routes ü Access to FortisBC pipeline ü Access to BC Hydro transmission grid ü Access to labour force TIMELINE November 2013 February 19, 2014 June 12 - July 27, 2014 November 24, 2014 January 13, 2015 January 22, March 9, * 2017* Environmental Assessment process begins CEA Agency issues Substitution Decision Public Comment Period EAO approves Application Information Requirements EAO initiates the 180-day review period for Woodfibre LNG Limited s Environmental Assessment Certificate Application Public Comment Period Decisions by federal and provincial ministers Construction Operation *Subject to EA and regulatory approval and a final investment decision.

4 Woodfibre LNG Project Overview Woodfibre LNG Limited is a privately held Canadian company based in Vancouver, with a community office in Squamish, and an additional office in Calgary, AB. We are a subsidiary of Pacific Oil & Gas Limited, part of the Singapore-based RGE group of companies. Woodfibre LNG Limited believes in a triple bottom line, where results benefit the community, the country, and the company. HOW WOODFIBRE LNG WILL WORK 1 Woodfibre LNG will receive natural gas from an expanded FortisBC pipeline that already delivers natural gas to homes and businesses in Squamish, Metro Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast, and Vancouver Island. 4 The LNG is stored in an LNG floating storage and offloading (FSO) unit. The FSO is comprised of two decommissioned LNG carriers, which meet the highest safety standards and have been retrofitted for this specific purpose. 2 Elements that would freeze during the liquefaction process are removed from the natural gas in the pre-treatment and liquefaction plant. These elements include carbon dioxide, water, condensate, sulphur and any other impurities. 5 Three to four times a month, an LNG carrier will arrive at the Woodfibre site. LNG will be loaded onto the carrier. About 24 hours after arriving, the LNG carrier will head out of Howe Sound on its way to overseas customers. 3 The remaining gas, which is mostly methane, is then cooled until it changes from a gas state to a liquid state (-162 C). 6 The flare is a safety feature, designed to relieve pressure at the facility, and is only used during start-up, maintenance, and following an unscheduled event like a significant power loss or emergency.

5 Environmental Assessment Process The Woodfibre LNG Project is subject to an environmental assessment review under the BC Environmental Assessment Act. The Project has also triggered an environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 and is undergoing a substituted environmental assessment review as described in more detail in Section Provincial and Federal Framework of our application for an Environmental Assessment Certificate. The Project requires an Environmental Assessment Certificate before construction can begin. Woodfibre LNG Limited has engaged experts to conduct environmental and socio-economic studies and to assess the potential construction- and operation-related effects of the Project. The Environmental Assessment Certificate Application describes the scope of these studies, the methodology that was used to describe existing conditions and assesses potential project-related effects. The Application also describes any projectrelated effects and benefits, as well as the proposed mitigation measures. Assessments and studies that are included in Woodfibre LNG Limited s Environmental Assessment Certificate Application include, but are not limited to: Labour Market Sustainable Economy Land and Resource Use Human Health Aboriginal Groups Heritage Noise Visual Quality Natural Hazards Contaminate Sites Water Quality Air Quality Greenhouse Gases Marine Mammals Marine Transportation Fish Habitat Birds Amphibians A 45-day Public Comment Period on the Environmental Assessment Certificate Application for the Woodfibre LNG Project is taking place between January 22, 2015 and March 9, All comments received during this period will be considered and responses provided on the EAO s webpage. Copies of the Application are also available for viewing at these locations: Woodfibre LNG FortisBC Community Office Cleveland Avenue, Squamish, BC Squamish Public Library nd Avenue, Squamish, BC Squamish Municipal Hall nd Avenue, Squamish, BC Bowen Island Library 430 Bowen Trunk Road, Bowen Island, BC West Vancouver Memorial Library 1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, BC West Vancouver Municipal Hall th Street, West Vancouver, BC To read the full Application, please visit:

6 Economic Benefits At Woodfibre LNG, we are optimistic about the future of Squamish and we look forward to building a project that will bring long-term benefits to the local community. POTENTIAL LOCAL BENEFITS OF THE WOODFIBRE LNG PROJECT ECONOMIC BENEFITS $83.7 MILLION: Estimated in tax revenue for all three levels of government during the construction phase of the Project. $86.5 MILLION: Estimated in tax revenue for all three levels of government per year of operation. $243.3 MILLION: Estimated to the District of Squamish, Resort Municipality of Whistler, Electoral Area D of Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, Squamish First Nation communities, and Metro Vancouver gross domestic product (GDP) during construction and more than $122.8 MILLION in GDP per year during operation. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Woodfibre LNG Limited is dedicated to providing legacy benefits for the communities throughout Howe Sound in the areas of sport, arts, culture, and heritage. Community investments have included active engagement of community groups and financial support to their community-focused events. From 2013 to the Fall of 2014, Woodfibre LNG invested more than $88,000 into community development. TICKET COMMUNITY EVENTS $15,000+ YOUTH SPORTS $30,000+ CONSTRUCTION JOBS Create 650+ jobs each year of construction. Create an additional 1,080+ jobs (indirect* and induced** employment) during the construction phase of the Project. LONG-TERM OPERATION JOBS Create 100+ local jobs during operation. Create an additional 330+ local jobs (indirect* and induced**) during operation. RESEARCH/EDUCATION/ENVIRONMENT $43,000+ For more information see Section 2.6 Project Benefits. *Indirect impacts arise from changes in activity for suppliers. **Induced impacts arise from shifts in spending on goods and services as a consequence of changes to the payroll of the directly and indirectly affected businesses.

7 Land Use and Recreation THE WOODFIBRE SITE We are proud that Squamish is the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada, and we will do everything we can to support this great industry. Industrial activity has been happening on the Woodfibre site since the early 1900s, when a small sawmill began operation. A hydroelectric generating station (capacity of approximately 1.7 megawatts) currently operates at the site. Timber harvesting has taken place in the Woodfibre Creek and Mill Creek watersheds since before1970. Since the Woodfibre Pulp and Paper Mill was closed in March 2006, access to the Woodfibre property has been limited. Outdoor recreational activities in the vicinity of the Project area include: hunting; backcountry hiking and camping; freshwater and saltwater fishing; kiteboarding and windsurfing; and recreational boating. Woodfibre LNG Limited will develop and implement an Access Management Plan to address recreational backcountry opportunities while ensuring the safety and security of the public and Woodfibre LNG staff and facilities. We will be a good neighbour by implementing and monitoring a coordinated Squamish Harbour Vessel Traffic Plan, and working with other recreational users to ensure the safe shared use of Howe Sound. For safety reasons, use of roads on the Woodfibre fee simple property will be limited to Woodfibre LNG staff and designated contractors. For more information see Section 7.4 Land and Resource Use.

8 Noise, Light and Visual Quality The Woodfibre LNG Project area is located on the northwestern shore of Howe Sound, approximately seven kilometres southwest of Squamish, BC. As part of our commitment to being a good neighbour, we ve studied the potential noise, light and visual impacts of our proposed Project on Squamish and the other communities along Howe Sound. Based on our studies, our Project may result in a perceptible increase in noise during construction at Watts Point, but is unlikely to result in a perceptible change at Britannia Beach or Darrell Bay. During regular operation, increases in noise are not likely to be perceptible in any of these locations. Light from our Project may be visible from parts of Squamish and Darrell Bay, which have unobstructed views of the Project site. The Project s visual effects are expected to be minor given their scale and the historical and current level of human-related disturbance within the Regional Assessment Area. LIGHTING: Lighting will be directed downward, shielded, and managed from the facility s control room so that it can be regulated for specific tasks. If lighting is not needed for safety or security, it will be turned off. Subject to safety and operational requirements, Woodfibre LNG will also use types of lighting that are less attractive to birds and other animals. For example, blue or green lighting is less attractive to birds than red or white lighting. VISUAL QUALITY: At Woodfibre LNG, we re designing our facility to reduce the size of the disturbed area and to blend it into the environment as much as possible. We will minimize vegetation clearing and plant native trees and shrubs where possible after construction. The finish of external surfaces, including buildings, will be low glare NOISE: and, if not needed for safety purposes, done in natural colours to Whenever possible during construction, operation and reduce contrast. decommissioning, we ll schedule high-noise emitting maintenance activities during the day, and notify residents prior to high-noise emitting maintenance activities. For more information see Section 5.4 Atmospheric Sound, 5.5 Light, and 7.5 Visual Quality.

9 Potential Accidents and Malfunctions At Woodfibre LNG, safety is our number one priority. The Environmental Assessment Application includes an examination of the potential effects of an accident or malfunction event that could occur as part of the construction and operation of the Woodfibre LNG Project. The assessment is based on credible worst-case scenarios, even if there is only the slightest chance that the event could occur. Events that were considered as part of the assessment include: spill of a toxic or hazardous material; failure of a culvert, ditch, detention pond, or sediment containment measure; inappropriate operation of machinery or equipment; vehicle collision; loss of containment of LNG; unplanned facility shutdown; explosion or fire; and marine vessel collision. No high or very high risks were identified, and thresholds established by the Oil and Gas Commission (OGC) and other regulatory bodies are not exceeded for any events. To support the Accidents and Malfunctions section of the Application, Lloyd s Register Consulting prepared a Preliminary Quantitative Risk Assessment for Woodfibre LNG. This report examines the potential risks to the environment and the public as a result of accidents or malfunctions. Scenarios considered in the Accidents and Malfunctions section include flammable releases from the LNG facility, flammable releases during storage and offloading, and LNG carrier hazards. The results of the Preliminary Quantitative Risk Assessment show that the proposed Woodfibre LNG Project does not introduce any unacceptable risks to the public either at the plant boundaries or at the closest populated areas. Safety features on land will include: a flare, state-of-the-art alarm, control and monitoring systems, emergency and automatic shutdown systems, fire and leak detection systems, primary and secondary containment systems in LNG tanks, robust maintenance programs, and, emergency response plans, equipment, and training. We will prepare a Safety Loss and Management Program that includes a detailed Emergency Response Plan for the operation phase, as required by the Liquefied Natural Gas Facility Regulation. Additionally, we will have an Emergency Response Plan for the construction phase. LNG carriers, which have the best safety record in the industry, will arrive at the Woodfibre site three to four times per month. They will access the site using existing commercial shipping lanes, will be accompanied by at least three tugboats, and will be piloted by two BC Coast Pilots who know our coast best. We considered Project-related marine vessel collision as part of the Accidents and Malfunctions section, including collision with other vessels, the ground, marine facilities, or marine mammals, with potential loss of cargo. Each of these events is likely to be of low risk. The Project will be self-sufficient when dealing with emergencies during operation. Woodfibre LNG Limited will have firefighting capabilities including a deluge system and fire hydrants. In the unlikely event an accident or malfunction does occur, Woodfibre LNG will also have measures in place to mitigate the consequences of such Woodfibre LNG will be designed for the safe and efficient handling of an event. For example, we will prepare a Spill Contingency and Cleanup liquefied natural gas, both on land and on water. This includes standards set Measures Plan for Marine Birds. out in the BC Oil and Gas Activities Act and the associated Liquefied Natural Gas Facility Regulation, national and BC building codes, as well as national and international standards, guidelines and codes of practice where there are no applicable codes for BC. For more information, see Section 11 and Appendix 11.1.

10 Air Quality / GHG s Woodfibre LNG Limited is committed to building a project that is right for Squamish. The Woodfibre LNG Project will be powered by electricity from BC Hydro. By powering the plant with electricity, instead of natural gas, we will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by about 80%. This will make Woodfibre LNG one of the cleanest LNG facilities in the world. We established the current air quality using data from three ambient air monitoring stations in the Sea to Sky airshed namely: Langdale, Squamish and Horseshoe Bay. The substances analyzed included carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and suspended particles, and all are currently below the federal and provincial ambient air quality criteria. Woodfibre LNG Limited undertook air dispersion modelling based on planned activities and equipment use including marine vessels to predict air emissions from the Project operation phase. The results of the dispersion modelling were compared against federal and provincial standards and guidelines; and, all predicted concentrations were well below these standards and guidelines. We characterized current climate and climate trends using the Squamish Airport climate station. At peak capacity, the Project will have a greenhouse gas intensity of t CO 2 e per tonne LNG, which is well below the threshold of 0.16 t CO 2 e per tonne LNG in the Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Act. In response to community concern about air quality, Woodfibre LNG made the decision to power its facility with electricity from BC Hydro. Woodfibre LNG will develop control philosophies to minimize the amount of flared and vented gases, and of select chemicals that minimize contributions to climate change. We will reduce emissions from mobile equipment through regular maintenance and by reducing vehicle idling time. We will provide electrical power to the docking facilities for LNG carrier operators that are equipped to use shore power. For more information, see Section 5.2 Atmospheric Environment (Air Quality) and Section 5.3 Greenhouse Gas Management.

11 Public Health At Woodfibre LNG, safety is our number one priority. This includes the health and safety of our staff and the health and safety of our neighbours. We have been working with a variety of stakeholders in the community and local First Nations to understand their concerns related to the Project. With our proposed mitigation measures, we believe that Woodfibre LNG can be a meaningful contributor to the health and wellbeing of the community. We conducted a human health risk assessment that quantifies potential health risks associated with the Project, such as those associated with air emissions. The results of the risk assessment found that the Project will have negligible or not significant residual effects to human health. COMMUNITY CONSULTATION Woodfibre LNG is working closely with the community to develop a project that is right for Squamish and right for BC. So far, we have held: 300+ community meetings Two rounds of public consultations (14 meetings) Two telephone town halls By powering the facility with electricity from BC Hydro, Woodfibre LNG will reduce its air emissions, and as a result will reduce the Project s potential effects to human health. We will consult with representatives of labour, and Squamish and Whistler-area community organizations, about shift schedules to gather information about preferred shift scheduling options for workers in the construction and operation phases of the Project in order to manage potential effects on worker and family well-being. During Project construction and operation, we will consider use of employee buses and vans from designated locations in Metro Vancouver and Squamish to decrease the number of cars on the road at shift change, and to limit the number of tired drivers on the road following a 10 or 12-hour shift. For more information see Section 9.2 Public Health.

12 Site Contamination At Woodfibre LNG, we are optimistic about the future of Squamish and we look forward to building a project that will bring responsible economic development to the region. The Woodfibre site has been home to industrial activity since the early 1900 s. Western Forest Products (WFP) has been remediating the site to meet provincial standards, including remediating contaminated upland soils, dredging and properly disposing of contaminated woodchips and sediment from the shoreline, and closure of the historical on-site asbestos disposal area. Approximately 4,900 m 3 (490 dump truck loads) of historic woodwaste was removed from Howe Sound as part of this remediation. Woodfibre LNG s purchase of the Woodfibre property is contingent on WFP obtaining a Certificate of Compliance (COC) from the BC Ministry of Environment. The Ministry of Environment issued two COCs for the Woodfibre property on December 22, The COC confirms that WFP has cleaned up the site to acceptable contaminant levels and that existing site contamination does not pose an ecological or human health risk. Once the purchase of the Woodfibre site is finalized, Woodfibre LNG intends to perform additional remediation and restoration in the Project area. Plans for additional remediation include the removal of approximately 3,000 creosote-coated piles from the waterfront in the Project area, the creation of a green zone around Mill Creek, and the containment and closure of the on-site landfill. This work will be carried out in partnership with local groups and societies where suitable, so that local conservation and restoration targets can be met. For more information see Section 5.7 Site Contamination.

13 Vegetation and Wildlife Woodfibre LNG will work to protect and, where possible, enhance the local environment. Approximately 74% of the Project area is disturbed and covered in old concrete and compact fill. More than a century of industrial activity has limited the vegetation communities. Where vegetation does exist in the Project area, it is generally dominated by Himalayan blackberry, which is an invasive species. There are three patches of mature forest in the Project area. They occur along Mill Creek upstream of the former mill site and on the northwest and eastern edges of the Project area. The wildlife habitat in the Project area is also limited due to previous development and vegetation clearing. Birds (avifauna), bats and amphibians were selected as valued components because they are of importance to regulators, First Nations and the public. They also may be present in the Project area, and have the potential to interact with Project activities. We re designing our facility to reduce the size of the disturbed area, and we ll replant native trees and shrubs where possible after construction. The Project area will be fenced to protect wildlife. Prior to starting clearing, we will identify important habitat to be retained. They will then be included in construction plans and protected by no-go fencing. We will conduct pre-construction surveys to assess potential western screech-owl nesting habitat and avoid this habitat in the Project s final design. We will also conduct call-playback surveys prior to clearing for western screech-owl and northern goshawk. We will retain snags, wildlife trees, and mature forest where feasible. We will develop an Invasive Plant Management Plan to mitigate the introduction, transport, and extent expansion of invasive plant species (including noxious weeds) to and from the Project area during construction and operation. We will work to create new habitat for wildlife. For example, Woodfibre LNG Limited will install western screech-owl and barn swallow nesting structures (nesting shelves or nesting cups) and bat boxes at suitable locations once construction is complete in the event we had to remove possible nesting habitat during construction. We will also salvage and replace woody debris that can be used as amphibian habitat. Further detail is provided in Section 5.11 Vegetation Communities, Section 5.12 Avifauna, Section 5.13 At-risk Bats, and Section 5.14 Amphibians.

14 Geotechnical and Natural Hazards At Woodfibre LNG, safety is our number one priority. This includes designing and building a facility that prevents or reduces the potential effects of geotechnical and natural hazards. The Project area is located within the zone of moderate to high earthquake risk of coastal BC and along the shoreline of watersheds comprising steep slopes, with active and historic mass wasting events and potentially unstable terrain. The environmental factors we considered in the studies include: extreme weather and weather-related events; flood risk; natural seismic events and associated effects; slope instability; volcanic events; wildfires; and predicted climate change (including sea level rise and precipitation and temperature change). With mitigation measures in place, the Project-related changes to geotechnical and natural hazards are expected to be low to very low. The Project will be designed for a one in 2,475 year earthquake. To address the potential for liquefaction, ground improvements will be undertaken as part of Project construction. If a ship is at dock at the time of a seismic event, and the movement between the carrier and the floating storage and offloading unit (FSO) is outside safe operating parameters, the LNG transfer will safely shutdown and release the LNG carrier from its mooring and allow it to naturally move away from the FSO with assistance from the tugs on standby. Project components, including bridges, will be designed for the 200-year instantaneous peak flows on Mill Creek and Woodfibre Creek. Buildings will be constructed at different elevations that correspond to their risk category in case of flooding. We will engage qualified professionals to conduct a debris flow and debris hazard assessment prior to construction. To address the potential effects associated with wildfire, we will conduct a fuel hazard assessment based on the Guide to Fuel Hazard Assessment and Abatement in British Columbia. Project components will be designed to accommodate a sea level rise of 0.5 metres. For additional information see Section 5.6 Geotechnical and Natural Hazards and Section 12 Effects of the Environment on the Project.

15 Marine Water Quality Woodfibre LNG s seawater cooling system will be designed to minimize potential effects on marine water quality and on marine plants and animals. HOW IT WILL WORK To prevent clogging of the seawater cooling system intake lines, a bio-fouling agent such as sodium hypochlorite may be required. Prior to discharge, the seawater will pass through a de-aeration tank and, if required, a de-chlorination agent will be added to the water so the concentration of residual chlorine will meet or exceed the Canadian water quality guideline. Water temperature will be 1 C above ambient temperature within 10 metres of the seawater cooling system diffuser. ARTIST S RENDERING Travelling (Fine) Screen Buckets capture aquatic life Trough and pipe to return aquatic life to Howe Sound The Woodfibre LNG seawater cooling system intake is being designed to meet Canadian legislation (e.g., Fisheries Act) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada s best management practices. There will be a coarse screen to protect larger animals (e.g., seals). The intake will be located in deep water (>25 m), well below the layer where marine organisms including herring larvae and juvenile salmonids are found in the greatest numbers. Travelling screens are planned to protect marine life and return fish and other marine organisms safely to Howe Sound. The seawater cooling system will circulate an estimated 17,000 m 3 of water per hour. De-aerator Heat Exchangers Inlet Pipe Dechlorination agent (if needed) Outlet Pipe Diffuser Coarse Screen For additional information see Section 5.10 Marine Water Quality, Section 5.16 Marine Benthic Habitat, and Section 5.18 Forage Fish and Other Fish (Marine).

16 Marine Transport LNG carriers will navigate from the Woodfibre site s deep-water port through established commercial shipping routes in Howe Sound to the Strait of Georgia and out to the Pacific Ocean. There were a total of 12,909 large vessel movements in Howe Sound in 2013, all enabled by existing navigational aids along the route. (Source: Canadian Coast Guard) All channels on our proposed LNG carrier route exceed Transport Canada s TERMPOL (Technical Review Process of Marine Terminal Systems and Transshipment Sites) guidelines for two-way vessel operation. At Woodfibre LNG, we will have three to four carriers arrive at the site each month. The LNG carriers will travel along existing commercial shipping lanes, will be escorted by at least three tug boats, and will be piloted by two BC Coast Pilots who know our coast best. LNG carriers will be manoeuvring at about 8 to 10 knots in Howe Sound. A vessel wake assessment estimated the wake generated by the carriers in normal conditions would be less than 10 centimetres at 50 metres away from the carrier, which is less than the wind-generated waves typically encountered in Howe Sound. LNG SHIPPING SAFETY LNG has been shipped safely around the world for 50 years. There has never been a recorded incident involving a loss of containment of an LNG carrier at sea. LNG carriers are among the most modern ships in operation. These ships have complex containment systems, double-hull protection and are heavily regulated by international and federal standards. In the unlikely event there is a spill from an LNG carrier, LNG will never mix with water. Instead, it will quickly return to a gas state, and because methane is lighter than air, the gas will rise and dissipate into the air. Woodfibre LNG Limited will ensure that automatic-mooring-line monitoring is always used at its terminal. When connected to the onshore system, the instrument systems and the shore-ship LNG transfer system will function as one system, allowing emergency shutdowns of the entire system, either from the vessel or from the shore. A marine Control Zone extending between 450 metres and 550 metres from the shoreline will be established. For safety, only Project-related traffic will be permitted to enter this area. As an added precaution, Woodfibre LNG Limited is participating in Transport Canada s TERMPOL, a voluntary technical review of the proposed shipping route that will support a safe-shipping environment. We will implement the mitigation measures that result from this review. Woodfibre LNG will develop a Squamish Harbour Vessel Traffic Plan to identify strategies to minimize displacement of marine-based recreational activities. As a component of the Squamish Harbour Vessel Traffic Plan, Woodfibre LNG will also work with Matthews Southwest and Bethel Lands Corporation, and District of Squamish, to minimize displacement of recreation activity by Project-associated ferry and water taxi traffic that travels to and from the Project site. For more information see Section 7.3 Marine Transport.

17 Marine Mammals, Marine Fish and Fish Habitat Woodfibre LNG Limited is committed to building a project that is right for Squamish and right for BC that includes protecting the waters of Howe Sound. Dungeness crabs, tanner crabs, shrimps, squat lobsters, sea cucumbers, urchins, anemones, and seastars have been observed in the waters of the Project area. The closest living glass sponge reef was documented approximately 10 kilometres from the Woodfibre property. Underwater video surveys did not capture any occurrences of glass sponges within the Project area. Three of the forage fish species, Pacific herring, surf smelt and Pacific sand lance, are known to spawn on the beaches in Howe Sound and eulachon have been known to use Squamish River as an irregular spawning habitat. Coho salmon, chinook salmon, chum salmon, pink salmon, steelhead, sea-run coastal cutthroat trout, and sea-run Dolly Varden spawn in the rivers and streams that drain into Howe Sound. At least 11 species of marine mammals have been reported or have the potential to occur in Howe Sound. No critical habitat for marine mammals exists in Howe Sound, but established critical habitat for southern resident killer whales is present south of the Project near the mouth of the Fraser River. Woodfibre LNG Limited will continue with efforts to clean up the Woodfibre site and marine foreshore. Neither disposal at sea, nor large-scale dredging for navigation, is being considered for the Project. The seawater cooling system intake will be designed in accordance with Fisheries and Oceans Canada s best management practices. Ramps and gangways used to access floating facilities will be installed at an elevation of at least two metres above the highest high-water mark to allow ambient light to reach the seafloor, wherever possible. An environmental monitor will monitor marine water quality during construction, and construction will be halted if water quality doesn t meet the provincial water quality guidelines. We will require that shipping contractors manage ballast water in accordance with applicable legislation. We will prepare and implement an Underwater Noise Management Plan that describes how noise effects associated with pile driving will be mitigated. The plan will reference Fisheries and Oceans Canada s best management practices and include a monitoring component to verify that the recommended mitigation measures are effective. During impact pile-driving activities, a qualified marine mammal observer will monitor for marine mammals and will communicate presence or absence to the contractor. For more information, see Section 5.16 Marine Benthic Habitat, Section 5.18 Forage Fish and Other Fish (Marine), and Section 5.19 Marine Mammals.

18 Freshwater Fish and Fish Habitat Woodfibre LNG will work to protect, and where possible enhance, freshwater habitat in the Mill and Woodfibre creeks. The Woodfibre site has two main creeks: Woodfibre Creek is located on the southwest corner of the Project area and Mill Creek runs through the centre of the Project area. Where Mill Creek crosses the Project area, it has been channelized, confining flows to a straight channel with banks armoured with riprap or replaced with concrete walls. There is a natural barrier to salmon, approximately 415 metres upstream of Howe Sound. Surveys conducted in 2013 and 2014 found adult pink salmon, sculpin, juvenile coho salmon, and rainbow trout in Mill Creek. Previous studies have also documented steelhead and chum salmon adjacent to the Project area. The left bank of Woodfibre Creek in the Project area is armoured using metal cylinders and concrete. Upstream movement by salmon is blocked by a 10-metre high falls, 150 metres upstream of Howe Sound. Although Woodfibre Creek is described as poor quality fish habitat, rainbow trout and coastal cutthroat trout have been previously observed within its lower section. Fish surveys conducted for the Project confirmed the presence of pink salmon, rainbow trout, chinook salmon, and sculpin. A freshwater intake will be required on Mill Creek to supply water to the LNG facility. We will design and construct the intake in accordance with federal and provincial best management practices. We will develop and implement a Water Management Plan that protects fish and fish habitat by prescribing minimum instream flow releases that are specific to the geomorphology and flow regime of Mill Creek. An environmental monitor will monitor surface water quality and evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation measures. The environmental monitor will be given the authority to immediately suspend any activities that may have an adverse effect to watercourses in the Project area. For more information see Section 5.8 Surface Water Quality, Section 5.9 Surface Water Quantity, and Section 5.15 Freshwater Fish and Fish Habitat.

19 Your Feedback The Woodfibre LNG Project is subject to an environmental assessment review under the BC Environmental Assessment Act. You are invited to provide feedback to the BC Environmental Assessment Office on the Woodfibre LNG Project Environmental Assessment Certificate Application through the following ways: BY ONLINE FORM: BY MAIL: Michael Shepard Environmental Assessment Office PO Box 9426 Stn Prov Govt Victoria, BC V8W 9V1 BY FAX: All comments and questions will become part of the public record, along with Woodfibre LNG s responses.

20 Telephone: Web: Woodfibrelng.ca