2005 Route and Site Reconnaissance in the Gwich’in Settlement Area
Principal Investigator: Povey, Andrew (93)
Licence Number: 13845
Organization: Mackenzie Project Environment Group
Licensed Year(s): 2005 2004 2003 2002
Issued: Jun 10, 2005
Project Team: Geotechnical Engineers, Pipeline Engineers, Geomatic Specialists, Environmental Planners, Local Assistants

Project Description: The route and site reconnaissance activities will be used to: review the proposed location for a potential pipeline route through the Gwich’in Settlement Area (GSA); revisit or determine the optimal locations for proposed gas compression facilities near Inuvik; revisit or determine the optimal locations for infrastructure sites, roads, granular resource sites and potential revegetation test sites; visually inspect and confirm land forms and geotechnical features; and, identify land features that may be important to the location or construction of a potential gas gathering system. During the reconnaissance flights, locations of important land features will be confirmed by Global Positioning System (GPS), and photographs or videos will be taken. Landing may occur at selected sites for more detailed observation, subject to avoidance of sensitive areas and consultation with the local assistants and RRCs. Landings will only occur at sites where clearings or low vegetation would permit safe landing of a helicopter. Landings will not be made at sites close to occupied camps (within 500 m), or areas where large wildlife or wildlife concentrations are visible. Each reconnaissance flight will involve three or four people, including a local assistant. It is estimated that each flight will require up to 30 hours of flying time over a period of three to five days (depending on the number of sites to be visited and weather). The number of flights to be taken is currently undetermined, but will not exceed 12 flights in total or four flights in any given month. The majority of flights will take place in the summer months. It is likely that the number of landings will be in the range of 15 to 30 during each flight. The maximum time on the ground at these landing sites is expected to not exceed 1 hour. The researchers will provide information from the various surveys to the communities in the form of a non-technical summary and regular reporting to the RRCs. When the final report is completed, a copy of the document will be provided to the communities. The study will be conducted at sites located within the proposed pipeline survey corridor within the GSA. Due to the requirements of reconnaissance, the reconnaissance team may have to divert from this corridor to investigate other areas. If diversions from the corridor are required, the guidance of the local assistant will be followed to avoid areas of seasonal use by locals or wildlife.