Environmental Assessment Applications

Client
Manitoba Hydro (Manitoba)

Dates
2007 - Present

Team

InterGroup completed the socio-economic effects assessment and public involvement program for the Keeyask Generation Project EIS as part of overall Project Licensing.

The socio-economic impact assessment included baseline research and effects assessment of the Project on employment, training, business, population, community infrastructure and services, public safety and worker interaction, mercury and human health, and travel safety. InterGroup also managed the culture and heritage resources assessment. Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge played a prominent role in understanding the impacts of the Project on partner communities.

The Keeyask Generation Project is being developed by a partnership between Manitoba Hydro, Tataskweyak Cree Nation (TCN), War Lake First Nation (WLFN), York Factory First Nation (YFFN), and Fox Lake Cree Nation (FLCN). InterGroup coordinated closely with communities and stakeholders through working groups that focused on environmental and socio-economic topics (e.g., mercury and human health).

InterGroup provided expert witness testimony on environmental assessment approach, methods and socio-economic effects at the Clean Environment Commission Hearing for the Project (Oct 2013 to Jan 2014), as well as support to the regulatory process for answering Information Requests, review of intervenor documentation and input to final argument.

To assist with completion of the EIS documentation, InterGroup coordinated overall document management of the EIS, working closely with Manitoba Hydro.

For more info contact:

Client
Yukon Energy Corporation (Yukon)

Dates
2008 - 2010

Team
Cam Osler, Patrick Bowman, Nancy LeBlond, Mona Pollitt-Smith, Kristin Kent Drewes

InterGroup acted as overall Project Manager for all project regulatory and licensing activities, including Environmental Assessment (YESAB), as well as permits (DFO and Navigable Waters), licences (Yukon Water Board) and an adaptive management plan.

InterGroup completed the required socio-economic assessment, as well as facilitating and participating in consultation activities. InterGroup was the lead on preparing the YESAB Project Proposal submission and the Yukon Water Board submission, and responding to all inquiries during the regulatory process, and provided expert witness testimony before the Yukon Water Board.

The Project was successfully completed under extremely tight deadlines to meet federal funding requirements.

For more info contact: Patrick Bowman, Nancy LeBlond

Client
NWT Power Corporation (NWT)

Dates
2010 - 2011

Team
Patrick Bowman, Hayitbay Mahmudov

InterGroup participated in all project licensing activities for Bluefish, including appearance as expert witness before the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board.

For more info contact: Patrick Bowman

Client
Yukon Energy Corporation (Yukon)

Dates
2005-2007

Team
Cam Osler, John Osler, Nancy LeBlond, Mona Pollitt-Smith, Kristin Kent Drewes

The Carmacks-Stewart/Minto Spur Transmission Line Project was the first Project to be reviewed by the Executive Committee under the Yukon Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment Act process, which at the time was new environmental assessment legislation in Yukon. InterGroup managed the socio-economic assessment and overall regulatory approval filings for the Project, and was the lead on undertaking public engagement activities associated with the site selection and final routing of the Project. The Project successfully concluded the licensing process, resulting in connecting the Minto mine to the hydro grid and subsequently connecting Yukon Energy’s two original power grids.

For more info contact: John Osler, Nancy LeBlond

Client
Manitoba Hydro (Manitoba)

Dates
2011 - 2012

Team
Cam Osler, John Osler, Mona Pollitt-Smith, Denis De Pape

InterGroup provided strategic and other support to Manitoba Hydro’s Licensing and Environmental Assessment Department regarding the Bipole III Transmission Project EIS.

This included assistance with completing and filing EIS documentation, including assistance with completion of the socio-economic assessment and cumulative effects assessment for the EIS.

InterGroup also provided ongoing support with post EIS filing related to completion and filing of supplementary documentation on route revisions.

InterGroup provided expert witness testimony on assessment approach and cumulative effects assessment at the oral hearing, as well as assistance with written argument on both areas.

For more info contact: John Osler, Mona Pollitt-Smith

Client
Manitoba Floodway Authority (Manitoba)

Dates
2003

Team
Cam Osler, John Osler, Andrew McLaren, Denis De Pape

InterGroup conducted the public involvement program for the Red River Floodway Expansion Project (in addition to undertaking the socio-economic impact assessment for the Project).

The Project was one of the largest public infrastructure projects ever undertaken in Manitoba, with an initial budget of over $600 million. The Project involved major upgrades and expansions to the existing 48 km Red River Floodway, replacement and upgrading of rail and road bridge crossings, improvement to the inlet and outlet control works, and expansion of the west dike.

InterGroup provided expert witness testimony on environmental assessment approach and methods, socio-economic effects and public involvement at the Clean Environment Commission Hearing for the project.

For more info contact: Andrew McLaren