RAPID/Roadmap/2 (4)
Bulk Transmission Canada Site Considerations Overview (2)
- Pre-existing land uses that may restrict or inhibit project development;
- Land access requirements;
- Proximity to existing transmission lines and rights-of-way;
- Proximity to existing land and highway rights-of-way;
- Transmission siting and interconnection requirements;
- Aesthetic and recreational resources at, and near the proposed site location that may be impacted by project development;
- Cultural and environmental resources at, and near, the proposed site location that may be impacted by project development, including:
- cultural resources at, and near, the proposed site location;
- water resources at, and near, the proposed site location;
- ecological and geological resources at, and near, the proposed site location; and
- biological resources at, and near, the proposed site location.
Canada Site Considerations Overview Process
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2.1 to 2.2 – Consider Project Location Restrictions
The developer should consider whether the proposed project site location has pre-existing land use restrictions. If the land being considered is managed by a federal, provincial, territorial, or local government entity there may be certain restrictions limiting what the land can be used for. The developer should contact the appropriate federal, provincial, territorial, or local government entity with jurisdiction for more information.
Statutory or regulatory limitations require that certain lands be excluded from consideration for development. Development may be restricted on a site for a variety of reasons, including:
- National park, park reserve, landmark or historic site;
- Provincial and territorial parks;
- National wildlife areas, marine wildlife areas, and migratory bird sanctuaries;
- Wilderness area or wilderness study area;
- Military reservation;
- Reserve Lands ;
- Cultural and historic value;
- Recreational, geologic, wildlife, or scenic value;
- Fish presence value;
- Presence of species at risk;
- Impacts to military operations; or
- Urban park and recreation recovery lands.
2.3 to 2.4 – Consider Land Access Requirements and Proximity to Existing Rights-of-Way
The developer should consider land access requirements and the proximity of existing rights-of-way when selecting a site location for a proposed project. Land access is a key consideration for a bulk transmission project and ancillary project activities (e.g., access roads, highway encroachments, etc.) A bulk transmission project will likely require access to, over, or under a combination of federal, provincial, territorial, local, reserve and private land. The developer should consider the project’s location in terms of proximity to existing transmission, land, and highway rights-of-way for transmission development and what approvals are required. Generally, to gain access to federal, provincial, territorial, local and reserve land, the developer needs to obtain a right-of-way, lease, or other use authorization. For access to private land, the developer must, generally, buy the land or negotiate an easement with the private landowner.
For more information on land access requirements, see:
Canada Land Access Overview: 3
2.5 to 2.6 – Consider Siting and Interconnection Requirements
The developer should also consider the preliminary site location in terms of transmission siting and interconnection requirements. The developer should consider the site locations proximity to existing transmission lines and interconnections and what approvals may be required. For more information, see:
Canada Siting and Regulation Overview: 8
2.7 to 2.8 – Review Applicable Federal, Provincial, Territorial, Local, and/or Indigenous Development Requirements
When considering a site for development, a developer should review the federal, provincial, territorial, local, and/or indigenous approvals that may be required for development at the proposed site location. For instances, the developer should consider:
- Aesthetic and recreational resources at, and near the proposed site location that may be impacted by project development;
- Cultural and environmental resources at, and near, the proposed site location that may be impacted by project development, including:
- cultural resources at, and near, the proposed site location;
- water resources at, and near, the proposed site location;
- ecological and geological resources at, and near, the proposed site location; and
- biological resources at, and near, the proposed site location.
Reviewing the questions considered during the on-site evaluation would be useful in identifying potential federal, provincial, territorial, local and indigenous development approvals. For more information, see:
Canada On-Site Evaluation Overview: 10
2.9 to 2.10 – Consider Environmental Review
The developer should consider the proposed project’s impact on environmental resources. The developer may need approval from the appropriate federal agency if the proposed project may have environmental impacts.
In addition, most provinces and territories have passed environmental laws and regulations. Some provinces and/or territories have an all-encompassing environmental review process such as the British Columbia – Environmental Assessment Act, R.S.B.C. 2002, c. 43, while other provinces and/or territories consider only certain issues.
For more information on federal, provincial, and territorial environmental reviews, see:
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