Keystone XL (KXL) Pipeline Construction Monitoring

Sharp-tailed grouse (*Tympanuchus phasianellus*)

CLIENT: TC Energy

TC Energy retained AJM Environmental Inc. (AJM) to provide construction monitoring support for development of their KXL pipeline in southeastern Alberta. This scope of work included migratory bird nest sweeps, sensitive raptor nest monitoring, amphibian salvages, snake relocation and monitoring, and verifying rare plants and rare ecological communities.

Scope of work provided by AJM included:

Assisting Environmental Inspectors with implementation of the Environmental Protection Plan (EPP);
Complete of EPP feature checks and monitoring;

Execute pre-construction migratory bird nest sweeps and provide mitigation;

Complete amphibian salvages and relocations; and

Complete snake monitoring and relocations.

Environmental Protection Plan (EPP) features included rare plants, rare ecological communities, sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) leks, sensitive amphibians, sensitive raptors, and sensitive snake species. AJM implemented mitigations for many species at risk located within this region of Alberta including but not limited to: Sprague’s pipit (Anthus spragueii), barn swallow (Hirundo rustica), plains spadefoot toad (Spea bombifrons), ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis), prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis), loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus), and Ord’s kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ordii). AJM provided environmental support to support pipeline development while providing appropriate mitigation to meet regulatory requirements. This project occurred within a very unique area of the province as native prairie ecosystems are home to a diverse array of plant and wildlife species which require protection. AJM assisted TC Energy in complying with the Migratory Birds Convention Act, the Alberta Wildlife Act, and the Species at Risk Act. Additionally, AJM was able to provide remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) support to TC Energy as an additional service through taking photo and video footage of sections of the pipeline right-of-way.

Other Projects

Featured

Bleriot Ferry Rehabilitation Project

Jamac Painting & Sandblasting Ltd. (Jamac) retained AJM to provide environmental consulting for the Bleriot Ferry Rehabilitation Project near Munson, AB in 2023. Critical deliverables were to include:

• Environmental Construction Operations (ECO) Plan;

• Bird Management Plan (BMP), including a Wildlife Survey and Sweep of the area; and

• Weed Survey and Weed Infestation map.

AJM crafted an ECO plan compliant with current laws, regulations, permits, and the ECO Plan Framework. It covered all environmental aspects identified by the Environmental Risk Assessment, including Clubroot and Whirling Disease control methods, a Temporary Erosion and Sediment Control Plan, and a Bird Management Plan (BMP). The plan, once reviewed and revised in response to the Project administrator's feedback, included a Clubroot Management Plan adhering to Alberta Agriculture standards and a Whirling Disease protocol based on AEP guidelines.

Read More →

Pipeline Construction Monitoring - Foothills West Path Delivery (Turner Valley, Longview & Lundreck)

AJM was contracted by TC Energy in 2023 to provide environmental monitoring support for the construction of the Turner Valley, Longview, and Lundbreck sections of the Foothills West Path Delivery natural gas pipeline system in southwestern Alberta.

The scope of work provided by AJM included:

Early season raptor surveys to follow Restricted Activity Period (RAP) timing;
Pre-construction migratory bird nest sweeps;
Amphibian mitigation guidance and salvages;
Mountain Goat and Bighorn Sheep surveys and mitigation on Lundbreck; and
Assisting Environmental Inspectors with implementation of Environmental Protection Plans.

AJM assisted TC Energy in complying with the Migratory Birds Convention Act, the Alberta Wildlife Act, and Species at Risk Act. AJM implemented mitigations for many migratory bird species including two species listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA); the olive-sided flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) and bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus). AJM provided environmental support to support pipeline development while providing appropriate mitigations to meet regulatory requirements. Additionally, AJM aided TC Energy of implementation of the Environmental Protection Plan developed for this pipeline project. This project was a Canada Energy Regulator (CER) regulated project.