NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Sahtu Settlement Area

Tags: soil, engineering, geotechnical survey, industrial development, pipeline corridor, geophysical exploration

Objective(s): The objective of the 2006 winter program is to gather information on the soil and ground conditions adjacent to a potential pipeline route. This information is required in order to assess the feasibility of a Mackenzie Valley pipeline and for the preparation of subsequent regulatory applications. Included in these investigations are 22 potential borrow sources, four frost heave sites, three proposed river crossings, one facility site, and one anchor trial location. Work to be carried out in areas under the jurisdiction of the Sahtu Land and Water Board will be subject to Sahtu Land and Water Board review.

Project Description: A field office will be set up in Norman Wells. Primary access to the field is the winter road that extends north of Wrigley to Fort Good Hope. Two temporary rig camps will be set up, one near the Hamlet of Tulita and the other near the intersection of of the existing winter road and Little Smith Creek. Each camp will be able to accommodate up to 65 people. Secondary access to the investigation sites and potential water sources will follow existing cutlines, rights-of-way, and trails where possible. New winter roads and trails may be constructed taking care to reduce the potential for site disturbance. The geotechnical investigation program involves drilling or excavating holes to collect soil samples at specific sites, installing devices to measure ground temperature, and using non-instrusive geophysical survey equipment to augment the borehole test pit information. Boreholes or excavations will be drilled at 22 borrow sites, four frost heave sites, and three river crossings, one facility site, and one anchor trial location the collected data will be used to determine the availability of suitable granular materials for pipeline construction, to aid in the design of the pipeline and pilings and foundations of structures, and to evaluate pipeline anchor systems. Equipment will include bulldozers, graders, front end loader, drill rigs on tracks, profiler, snowmobiles, 4x4 pickups, fuel truck, fuel sloop, plow truck, helicopter, tractor trailer/float, tandem axle trucks, water truck, hydrovac truck, flood truck, mechanic/welding rig. Garbage generated on site will be collected and hauled to the camp for incineration. Any garbage remnants or non-incinerated waste will be stored for ultimate disposal at a sanitary landfill site. Sewage will be collected on site and transported to the nearest sewage treatment facility. the researchers have set up procedures to restore access routes and investigation sites, methods of fuel spill prevention and containment, and methods to avoid or minimize disturbance to wildlife, cultural resources, surface vegetation, soils, streams, and permafrost. Local environmental and wildlife monitors will provide input to ensure that sensitive areas, harvesting activities, and wildlife are avoided. Work to be carried out in areas under the jurisdiction of the Sahtu Land and Water Board will be subject to Sahtu Land and Water Board review. The study will be conducted within the pipeline study corridor of the Tulita District of the Sahtu Settlement Area from November 1 to December 31, 2006.