ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION GUIDE FOR INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS

ON COMMISSIONER'S LANDS

1.0 Introduction

The purpose of this guide is to assist proponents in planning for and meeting Government of Northwest Territories (GNWT) environmental standards and information requirements for new industrial projects on Commissioner's Land.

There may be cases where an industrial proposal triggers an assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act or an environmental assessment process pursuant to a comprehensive land claims process. In these cases the information requirements of the federal or claimant process would supersede the requirements of this guide.

The GNWT has jurisdiction on Commissioner's Lands which are situated in and around most NWT communities. All GNWT leases and land use permits are for the surface rights on Commissioner's Land while the Federal Government is responsible for regulating the use of water as well as protection of water and associated aquatic resources. As a result, there may be instances where an industrial proponent may have to consult municipal by-laws as well as Federal regulatory agencies. Appendix I provides a listing of these agencies.

Several Departments have the mandate to regulate industrial projects which have environmental, health and safety components. This guide provides a summary of environmental information required by departments to review a project proposal. It also contains a summary of relevant departmental regulatory authority and standards relating to industrial projects. Proponents should contact the specific agency for information on how the guide and review process applies to their mandate.

This guide is primarily intended to be a starting point for proponents with new industrial projects applying for leases and land use permits on Commissioner's Lands. However, the information requirements in this guide will be used when an major expansion to an existing site is proposed. A flowchart illustrating the decision process for completing the information requirements of this guide and the review stages is provided in Figure 1.

1.1 Definitions

Commissioner's Land	Lands in the Northwest Territories that have been transferred by	Order in Council to the Government of the Northwest Territories. This includes highways, block land transfers and most lands within municipalities.

Industrial Pertains to any enterprise involved with manufacturing, fabricating, processing including commercial or institutional operations

2.0 Requirements

The following information is required to review an industrial proposal. The amount of information required is a function of the size, scope and complexity of the industrial process. Questions on the scope of information required in a particular area may be directed to the agency with direct responsibility. Relevant information from an environmental review or assessment conducted under a federal or land claims process should be identified in the proposal. The intention of this process is to complement, not duplicate, any existing information requirements.

2.1 General

Project name

- Provide both the name of the project and industry sector.

Key Project Personnel

- Provide the contact name, position, address, telephone number for the individual responsible for the submission.

- List the names of key personnel involved in the project and related experience.

Project Schedule

- Outline the expected time frame to commission the project.

2.2 Planning

Project setting

- Identify the proximity to, and nature of, the surrounding environment including ground water, surface water, drinking water, vegetation, sensitive areas, drainage areas, and heritage sites.

- Describe surrounding land uses (i.e. communities, business, industry, and the related infrastructure).

Public Consultation and Community support

- Summarize public consultation conducted, or to be conducted, during the planning process and the level of support identified through the consultation.

Environmental Impacts

- Indicate the environmental impacts anticipated in the construction and operation of the process.

- List any positive environmental impacts including socio economic impacts

- Describe measures that will be undertaken to reduce, control or eliminate potential negative impacts

- Summarize any environmental impact reviews or assessments relevant to the industrial projects.

- List any references which help assess the potential environmental impacts of the proposal.

Applicable Regulatory approvals

- Provide a list of the approvals, licenses, and permits requested from regulatory agencies, government departments or land owners.

2.3 Construction

Infrastructure

- Provide the facility layout and location within property limits.

- Indicate, where appropriate, water supply, sewer, waste management facilities, operations, storage, transportation and distribution buildings, and on-site fuel storage.

- Provide scale drawings, including floor and wall detail, roof detail, mechanical detail and system detail (sprinklers, fire alarms).

- Illustrate the means of access to a public highway, where applicable.

2.4 Operation

Process

- Provide a process description and process flow diagram indicating feed materials, reagents and water requirements.

- List equipment and types of technologies to be used.

- State whether the proposed technology is conventional or new

- List chemicals including concentrations, chemical properties, environmental hazards, and Manufacturer Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) if available.

- Estimate the hours of operation.

Waste management

- Provide a chart indicating the volume, physical and chemical composition, waste management options and disposal locations for each waste stream.

- Explain why the waste disposal method is appropriate for the waste stream.

- Describe, where appropriate, what pollution prevention and 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) options have been considered for each waste stream.

- Identify sources, types and mass emission rates of atmospheric discharges including point sources (i.e. dryer stacks, generators) and non-point sources (i.e. fugitive emissions from solvents, paints).

- Outline measures taken to reduce air emission rates.

Worker Safety

- Identify training to be provided with respect to processes, spill response/reporting, disposal and potential environmental hazards of chemicals (ie: Work Site Hazardous Material Information System -WHMIS).

Spill response

- Indicate the capability for reporting and responding to spills associated with industrial process and hazardous material storage.

2.5 Abandonment and Restoration

Closure

- Provide plans for cleanup, abandonment and disposal of equipment and/or structures in the event that the industrial process ceases to operate.

3.0 Application Procedures

The main mechanism that will trigger a review will be an application for a lease or land use permit on Commissioner's Land. However, each regulatory agency has it's mandate to fulfill whether or not a land application has been applied for.

A proponent may contact the Department of Renewable Resources to set up a pre-
consultation meeting to discuss the application process and scope of information required for the proposed project. The Commissioner's Land Review Committee (CLRC) will be used as the mechanism to distribute and review proposals. The CLRC is an ad hoc group composed of GNWT agencies for the purposes of reviewing land use and environment related issues. The proponent should provide 8 copies, including one unbound, of the proposal to the CLRC through the Policy & Planning Division, Department of Renewable Resources.

Each proposal will be processed on an individual basis. The review period will be dependent on the complexity and associated environmental risks of the industrial projects. A preliminary review will be provided to the proponent within 60 days of receiving the proposal.

4.0 Department Overviews

The following is a summary of relevant departmental mandates, areas of responsibility and contacts.

Economic Development and Tourism

The Department of Economic Development and Tourism (ED&T) assists proponents to develop business opportunities in the Northwest Territories.

In addition, ED&T administers the Territorial Parks Act, and Regulations pertaining to Territorial parks. The development of parks includes setting aside specific lands thus removing them from the category of Commissioner's Land. The Travel and Tourism Act is also administered by the Department. The Act contains specific regulations which effect tourist establishments and outfitters.

contact:

Corporate and Technical Services

Department of Economic Development and Tourism

Government of the NWT

YELLOWKNIFE, NT X1A 2L9

Phone: (403) 920-3182; Fax (403) 873-0101

Education, Culture and Employment

Under the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, Archaeology Programme, oversees the protection and management of heritage resources on Federal Crown and Commissioner's Lands. The Historical Resources Act and the Northwest Territories Archaeological Sites Regulation, apply to activities on Commissioner's Land. The Department has developed Guidelines for the Review of Development Proposals outlining their specific information requirements and review process. A second document, Guidelines for Developers for the Protection of Archaeological Resources, provides project proponents with an introduction to archaeological mitigation requirements.

contact:	Director

Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre

Department of Education, Culture & Employment

Government of NWT

YELLOWKNIFE, NT X1A 2L9

Phone: (403) 873-7551; Fax (403) 873-0205

Health and Social Services

The Department of Health and Social Services is responsible for drinking water quality and sewage disposal for industrial operations. In addition, under the Public Health Act, the medical care of camp employees is regulated.

Since services are provided by the regional health boards, inquiries should be directed to the Senior Environmental Health Officer, or, in the case of camps, to the Medical Health Officer in the Region in question. Information such as, number of employees, type of facilities, water supply details, sewage disposal details and whether employees are living on-site will be required.

Inspection/monitoring activities are legislated under the Public Health Act, Camp Sanitation Regulation, General Sanitation Regulation, Eating or Drinking Places Regulation.

contact:	Environmental Health Consultant

Department of Health and Social Services

6th floor, Centre Square

Box 1320

YELLOWKNIFE, NT XIA 2L9

Phone (403) 873-7709; Fax (403) 873-7706

Municipal and Community Affairs

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA), under the Commissioner's Land Act and Commissioner's Land Regulations, administers Commissioner's lands in the NWT. MACA administration includes the granting of leases, reserves, issuance and inspection of licences and land use permits. The maximum term that can be granted for any lease or licence is thirty years; both can be renewed. MACA is also involved in the planning and funding of municipal solid waste and sewage disposal facilities for most NWT communities. MACA have developed guidelines for the operation and maintenance of these facilities as well.

contact:	Community Planning & Lands Division

Department of Municipal and Community Affairs

Government of the NWT

Box 21 - Northwest Tower

YELLOWKNIFE, NT X1A 3S9

Phone (403) 873-7569; Fax (403) 920-6343

Renewable Resources

The Department of Renewable Resources is responsible for managing, regulating and encouraging the sustainable development of wildlife and forest resources, providing environmental protection measures in support of the renewable economy as well as planning for land and water use.

Relevant legislation includes the Environmental Protection Act, Pesticide Act, Forest Protection Act, Forest Management Act, Wildlife Act plus their associated regulations and guidelines. Relevant guidelines under the Environmental Protection Act include the Guideline for Industrial Waste Discharges in the NWT and the Guideline for the General Management of Hazardous Waste in the NWT.

contact:	Environmental Protection Division

Department of Renewable Resources

600, 5102-50 th Avenue

YELLOWKNIFE, NT X1A 3S8

Phone (403) 873-7654; Fax (403) 873-0221

Safety and Public Services

The Department of Safety and Public Services enforces compliance with technical and mechanical safety legislation. The Gas Protection Act, Electrical Protection Act and Fire Prevention Act and associated regulations all require the prior approval of materials and plans for mechanical and other installations and work procedures prior to work commencing. Proponents should be aware of the requirement to register for Workers' Compensation and to obtain an NWT business license.

contact:	Deputy Minister's Office

Department of Safety and Public Services

Box 1320

YELLOWKNIFE, NT X1A 2L9

Phone (403) 873-7619 Fax (403) 873-0458

Transportation

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has a responsibility to plan, design, construct or reconstruct, acquire or operate, and maintain public transportation infrastructure as well as regulate and licence individuals and vehicles operating in the NWT.

contact:	Transportation Planning Division

Department of Transportation

Box 1320

YELLOWKNIFE, NT X1A 2L9

Phone (403) 873-7666; Fax (403) 920-2565

The Department of Transportation is involved in the administration of airport lands.

contact:	Property Management Coordinator

Arctic Airports Division

Department of Transportation

Box 1320

YELLOWKNIFE, NT X1A 2L9

Phone (403) 920-3244; Fax (403) 873-0297

Workers' Compensation Board

The Workers' Compensation Board, Prevention Services Division ensures compliance with occupational health and safety legislation to promote the safety of both the worker and work place. WCB provides training under the Work Site Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) to ensure employees are trained in the safe storage and handling of controlled products. Legislation includes the Safety Act, Mine Health and Safety Act and Explosives Use Act and associated regulations.

WCB also has its' traditional mandate of serving injured workers and employers in an effective and efficient manner and providing rehabilitation services and compensation to injured workers under the Workers' Compensation Act.

contact:	Prevention Services Division

Workers' Compensation Board

Box 888

YELLOWKNIFE, NT X1A 2R3

Phone (403) 873-7078 Fax (403) 873-0262

Appendix I- Federal Contacts

1.	Water Resources Division

Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

P.O. Box 1500

Yellowknife, NT, X1A 2R3

Phone (403) 873-8240; Fax (403) 873-9318

Administer the Northwest Territories Waters Act.

Lands Administration

Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

P.O. Box 1500

Yellowknife, NT, X1A 2R3

Phone (403) 920-8165; Fax (403) 920-4669

Administer the Territorial Lands Act

2.	Environmental Protection Division - NWT District Office

Environment Canada

P.O. Box 370

Yellowknife, NT, X1A 2N8

Phone (403) 920-6060; Fax (403) 873-8185

Maintain legislative authority under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and

Fisheries Act and related regulations including the Metal Mining Liquid Effluent Regulations, Petroleum Liquid Effluent Regulations and Meat and Poultry Products Plant Liquid Effluent	Regulations.

3.	Department of Fisheries and Oceans

Environment Canada

200, 5102- 50th Ave.

Yellowknife, NT X1A 3S8

Phone (403) 920-6640; Fax (403) 873-8871

Administer the Fisheries Act and related regulations.