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Premier started the EIS within One Week of the Initial Meeting, and Completed it on Budget and on Schedule. Premier then completed Construction Monitoring, and the facility was energized during summer, 2015.
SITUATION
Premier Environmental Services Inc. was retained to complete an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) for a ground-mounted solar facility, located north of Milton, Ontario. This EIS considered varied features on-site, including soils, vegetation, wildlife, and species at risk (SAR). The EIS was defined through communications with Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) and Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF).
CHALLENGE
This EIS involved multi-season surveys for breeding birds, amphibians (frogs and toads), snakes, along with soil profiles and vegetation inventories. Information from these surveys was used to confirm the absence of SAR in habitats near the solar array, and to map the site using Ecological Land Classification. This mapping information along with other survey data was then used within the EIS to evaluate three options for wire placement across the PSW and creek: conventional poles, trenching, and directional drilling. This evaluation revealed that a combination of trenching and directional drilling could be used to place wires across the PSW and creek with minimal environmental disturbance in an economical manner that requires very little future maintenance. The EIS was approved within nine months of project initiation. At this time, Premier is providing construction monitoring oversight for the trenching and directional drilling. Premier is also providing a tree compensation plan for 30 trees removed due to the trenches and drilling activities.
RESULTS
This EIS involved multi-season surveys for breeding birds, amphibians (frogs and toads), snakes, along with soil profiles and vegetation inventories. Information from these surveys was used to confirm the absence of SAR in habitats near the solar array, and to map the site using Ecological Land Classification. This mapping information along with other survey data was then used within the EIS to evaluate three options for wire placement across the PSW and creek: conventional poles, trenching, and directional drilling. This evaluation revealed that a combination of trenching and directional drilling could be used to place wires across the PSW and creek with minimal environmental disturbance in an economical manner that requires very little future maintenance. The EIS was approved within nine months of project initiation. At this time, Premier is providing construction monitoring oversight for the trenching and directional drilling. Premier is also providing a tree compensation plan for 30 trees removed due to the trenches and drilling activities.