PRE-DISTURBANCE SITE AND SOIL ASSESSMENT and SOIL HANDLING RECOMMENDATIONS for the TRANS MOUNTAIN PUMP STATION EXPANSION PROJECT.

Transcription

1 PRE-DISTURBANCE SITE AND SOIL ASSESSMENT and SOIL HANDLING RECOMMENDATIONS for the TRANS MOUNTAIN PUMP STATION EXPANSION PROJECT Prepared for: TERA Environmental Consultants and Westland Resource Group Inc. as agents for: TERASEN PIPELINES (TRANS MOUNTAIN) INC. Prepared by: Mentiga Pedology Consultants Edmonton, Alberta June,

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION SOIL INVESTIGATION METHODS STONY PLAIN PUMP STATION The Study Area Location and Extent Surficial Geology and Landform Land Use General Soil Patterns Site Characterization Soil Handling Recommendation CHIP PUMP STATION The Study Area Location and Extent Surficial Geology and Landform Land Use General Soil Patterns Site Characterization Soil Handling Recommendations HINTON PUMP STATION The Study Area Location and Extent Surficial Geology and Landform Land Use General Soil Patterns Site Characterization Soil Handling Recommendations REARGUARD PUMP STATION The Study Area Location and Extent Surficial Geology and Landform Land Use General Soil Patterns Site Characterization Soil Handling Recommendations FINN PUMP STATION The Study Area Location and Extent Surficial Geology and Landform Land Use General Soil Patterns Site Characterization Soil Handling Recommendations BLACKPOOL PUMP STATION The Study Area Location and Extent Surficial Geology and Landform Land Use General Soil Patterns Site Characterization Soil Handling Recommendations STUMP PUMP STATION The Study Area...35 i

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) Location and Extent Surficial Geology and Landform Land Use General Soil Patterns Site Characterization Soil Handling Recommendations MERRITT PUMP STATION The Study Area Location and Extent Surficial Geology and Landform Land Use General Soil Patterns Site Characterization Soil Handling Recommendations JULIET PUMP STATION The Study Area Location and Extent Surficial Geology and Landform Land Use General Soil Patterns Site Characterization Soil Handling Recommendations HOPE PUMP STATION The Study Area Location and Extent Surficial Geology and Landform Land Use General Soil Patterns Site Characterization Soil Handling Recommendations WAHLEACH PUMP STATION The Study Area Location and Extent Surficial Geology and Landform Land Use General Soil Patterns Site Characterization Soil Handling Recommendations PORT KELLS PUMP STATION The Study Area Location and Extent Surficial Geology and Landform Land Use General Soil Patterns Site Characterization Soil Handling Recommendations...64 ii

4 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Concluded) LIST OF TABLES 1. Topsoil and Subsoil Characteristics on the Stony Plain Pump Station Site Topsoil and Subsoil Characteristics on the Chip Pump Station Site Topsoil and Subsoil Characteristics on the Hinton Pump Station Site Topsoil and Subsoil Characteristics on the Rearguard Pump Station Site Topsoil and Subsoil Characteristics on the Blackpool Pump Station Site Topsoil and Subsoil Characteristics on the Stump Pump Station Site Topsoil and Subsoil Characteristics on the Merritt Pump Station Site Topsoil and Subsoil Characteristics on the Juliet Pump Station Site Topsoil and Subsoil Characteristics of the Hope Pump Station Site Topsoil and Subsoil Characteristics of the Wahleach Pump Station Site Topsoil and Subsoil Characteristics of the Port Kells Pump Station Site...66 LIST OF FIGURES 1. Soils Map of the Stony Plain Pump Station Site Soils Map of the Chip Pump Station Site Soils Map of the Hinton Pump Station Site Soils Map of the Rearguard Pump Station Site Soils Map of the Finn Pump Station Site Soils Map of the Blackpool Pump Station Site Soils Map of the Stump Pump Station Site Soils Map of the Meritt Pump Station Site Soils Map of the Juliet Pump Station Site Soils Map of the Hope Pump Station Site Soils Map of the Wahleach Pump Station Site Soils Map of the Port Kells Pump Station Site APPENDIX Key to Soil Unit Abbreviations, Topographic Classes and Laboratory Results of Sampled Surface Soils...68 iii

5 1.0 INTRODUCTION With the Trans Mountain Pump Station Expansion Project (the "Project") Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. ("Terasen Pipelines") proposes to increase the capacity of its existing National Energy Board ( NEB ) regulated oil pipeline system (the "Trans Mountain pipeline" or "Trans Mountain") to meet growing shipper demand. The Project involves modifications to three existing stations (Edmonton (KP 0.0), Kamloops (KP 822.9) and Kingsvale (KP 924.8)), construction of seven new stations on existing lands owned by Terasen Pipelines (Stony Plain (KP 49.5), Hinton (KP 317.7), Rearguard (KP 476.8), Blackpool (KP 709.9), Merritt (KP 900.8), Hope (KP ) and Wahleach (KP )) and construction of five new pump stations on lands to be acquired by Terasen Pipelines at Chip (KP 147.1), Finn (KP 612.5), Stump (KP 862.7), Juliet (KP 949.8) and Port Kells (KP ). Four of the 15 pump stations are located in Alberta and 11 are located in British Columbia within commercial/industrial, agricultural, or forested settings. Construction at the pump station sites is scheduled to commence in early 2006 and extend until December 2006 depending on the site and scope of project activities. Soil mapping was conducted from April 1-6, May 11 and May 18, 2005 on 1:5,000 scale photomosaics. The soils and landscapes were described in terms of landforms, surficial materials, slope, texture, topsoil or desirable upper material thickness, drainage conditions, profile morphology and soil chemistry. The distribution and extent of the various soils are shown on Soil Maps prepared from the original 1:5,000 scale photomosaics. The Soil Maps vary in scale from 1:1,000 1:2,500. Average depth of topsoil or upper desirable material, topography and present land use are also indicated on the Soil Maps. The topsoil and subsoil characteristics at each pump station site are described in detail in the report. Material handling recommendations are also provided. The 12 pump station sites are named according to geographic location and occur along the mainline at the following Kilometre Posts (KP s): Stony Plain KP 49.5 Chip KP Hinton KP Rearguard KP Finn KP Blackpool KP Stump KP Merritt KP

6 Juliet KP Hope KP Wahleach KP Port Kells KP Some of the new pump station sites occur on land that was previously disturbed and owned by Terasen as a Pump Station in the past but from which all equipment has been removed. The following pump station sites had previous construction disturbance by Terasen Pipelines. Stony Plain Hinton Blackpool Merritt Hope Wahleach Each pump station site has unique soil and landscape characteristics and is discussed separately. This pre-disturbance assessment describes site conditions as they exist prior to construction of the new pump station, includes recommendations for proper soil handling, and can be used as a control for reclamation site assessments in the future. 2

7 2.0 SOIL INVESTIGATION METHODS The purpose of a soil survey is to identify and delineate soil patterns in the landscape and to present the information to the user. Soil mapping is based on the philosophy of pedology that soils are natural bodies that reflect the influence of their environment. Point observations of soils are extrapolated to areas by using principles of geomorphology and surficial geology, combined with vegetation pattern indicators. Since soil is a continuum, and adjacent soils seldom have sharp boundaries, Soil Units are defined as having a certain range of properties. These Soil Units are delineated on the basis of parent geologic material and landform, soil profile and soil moisture conditions. The soil and land attributes recognized in mapping are important for various land uses. The soils have been classified and described according to the criteria established by the Soil Classification Working Group (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada 1998). This system classifies soils in their natural state, and thus indicates relationships between soils and their environment. During field investigations, soil properties examined include: depth and thickness of horizons; colour; texture; structure; consistence; and any other pertinent details. Site characteristics such as parent materials, landform, topography, drainage and surface stoniness are also described using established procedures. Where available, soil names were correlated with the previous soil surveys carried out in the general areas. For those areas where little or no soils information exists, soil names were derived from local names, and are applicable only to this study. Soil mapping was conducted on line maps at a scale of 1:1,000 1:2,500 that were derived from 1:5,000 scale photomosaics. The pump station sites were investigated in the field from April 1-6, May 11 and May 18, 2005 and the soils were inspected at between 5 and 17 locations, depending on the pump station sites. The location of all inspection sites are shown on the individual soil maps. The usual procedure was to dig a soils pit to 30 cm and then hand auger to the bottom of the B horizon or a maximum depth of 80 cm and describe the morphological characteristics of the soil. Landscape features and present land use were also described at each inspection site. A composite surface sample was collected from most of the pump station sites for laboratory analyses. (No soil samples were collected from the Rearguard or one of the Stump sites.) Laboratory analyses included; soil reaction (ph), electrical conductivity (EC), saturation percentage (Sat%), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), organic matter content (OM), particle size analysis (texture) and on samples with a ph >7.0, calcium carbonate equivalent (CaCO 3 ). The results are presented in the Appendix. Laboratory analyses were carried out by Lakeside Research in Brooks, Alberta. 3

8 The areas delineated on the soil maps are called Map Delineations. The label of a Map Delineation identifies a Soil Unit in the numerator and the Topographic Class in the denominator. Also indicated in the numerator (in parenthesis) is the average depth or range in depth of the topsoil or desirable upper surface root-zone material, in cm. For example, the notation: KN(20) 3 identifies an area of well drained Calcareous Orthic Brunisols developed on sandy textured eolian material overlying to clay textured till (Kia Nea (KN) soils) on Topographic Class 3 (2-5% slopes). The average depth of desirable upper surface root-zone material in the Map Unit is 20 cm. A key to the abbreviations used for the Soil Units and Topographic Classes is provided in the Appendix. 4

9 3.0 STONY PLAIN PUMP STATION 3.1 The Study Area Location and Extent The Stony Plain Pump Station Site is located about 1 km north of the Town of Stony Plain and about 35 km west of the City of Edmonton in central Alberta. More specifically, it lies in NE W5M, is about 90 m by 135 m in size and occurs at KP 49.5 on the mainline. The new pump station site occurs on a previously disturbed existing site that is not presently fenced. Access is from a gravel road that enters the site along the northern boundary as shown in Figure Surficial Geology and Landform Surficial deposits consist of well to poorly drained, stone-free to slightly stony, silty clay textured deltaic material that is non-saline and non-stony. The site occurs on level to gently undulating topography Land Use The central portion was previously disturbed and is not used for any agricultural purposes. The western and eastern sides occur on a hay field with a well developed sod layer General Soil Patterns Moderately well drained Orthic Dark Gray Chernozems developed on stone-free to slightly stony, silty clay textured deltaic material (Winterburn (WTB) soils) are the dominant soils in undisturbed areas. The central portion is highly disturbed (disturbed land (DL)) and appears to have had the topsoil removed. The salvaged topsoil occurs in berms located on the east, west and north sides of the property. Topsoil thickness in Winterburn (WTB) soil areas on the low relief berms varies from cm. Topsoils are easily distinguished from subsoils by colour. Topsoils are to very dark grayish brown while the upper subsoil (Bt horizon) is brown to in colour. Topsoils are to silty clay textured while upper subsoils are generally silty clay to silty clay textured. Only subsoil material (Bt or Ck horizon material) occurs at the surface in areas of Disturbed Land (DL). Sometimes gravel is mixed in with the subsoil material at the surface in areas of Disturbed Land. 5

10 3.2 Site Characterization Topsoil and subsoil information was collected from 16 inspection sites, and is recorded in Table 1. The location of the inspection sites as well as the distribution and extent of the soils are shown in Figure 1. The topsoil from Site 1 was sampled for laboratory analyses. The results are provided in the Appendix. 3.3 Soil Handling Recommendation Topsoil salvage is required to allow the disturbed area to be returned to an equivalent land capability after decommissioning of the pump station site. As topsoil is a better growth medium than the underlying subsoil, the total depth of topsoil (Ap horizon) should be salvaged from areas required for surface and subsurface work and traffic. Topsoil should also be salvaged from the areas adjacent to the Access Road if the road is expanded. Separation of topsoil from subsoil can be easily made by colour. No topsoil or upper material salvage is required in the central portion because the topsoil was previously removed from this area (Disturbed (DL) Land). Topsoil salvage is only required if further development occurs in the vicinity of the existing topsoil berms on the eastern, western and northern sides of the property. In general, there is cm of topsoil material on the low relief topsoil berms as shown in Figure 1 and Table 1. If soil conditions become wet, suspend salvage operations to prevent rutting, mixing and compaction. 6

11 Figure 1. Soils Map of the Stony Plain Pump Station Site. 7

12 Table 1. Topsoil and Subsoil Characteristics on the Stony Plain Pump Station Site. Site Horizon Depth (cm) Colour Texture 1 Ap Bt very dark grayish brown brown silty clay silty clay 2 Ap Bt to silty clay silty clay 3 Ap Bt very dark grayish brown silty clay silty clay 4 Ap Bt very dark grayish brown stilly clay 5 Bt 0-60 silty clay 6 Bt 0-45 silty clay 7 Ck 0-70 olive brown silty clay 8 Ckgj 0-50 mottled brown silty clay 9 Ckgj 0-50 mottled yellowish brown silty clay 10 Bt 0-70 silty clay 11 Bt 0-50 silty clay 12 Bt and gv 0-50 gravelly silty clay 13 Ap Bt very dark grayish brown to silty clay silty clay 14 Ap Bt very dark grayish brown to silty clay silty clay 15 Ap Bt to silty clay silty clay 16 Ap Bt very silty clay silty clay 8

13 PHOTO #1: Stony Plain Site Looking northeast from central portion of Site. Notice the low-relief topsoil berm on the extreme right side and the dugout in the treed area. PHOTO #2: Stony Plain Site Looking north down the gravel road in the central portion of the Site. Mentiga: April 05,

14 4.0 CHIP PUMP STATION 4.1 The Study Area Location and Extent The Chip Pump Station Site is located about 15 km west of the Village of Wildwood and about 2 km south of the Locality of Chip Lake. More specifically, it lies in W5M, is about 100 m by 100 m in size and occurs at KP on the mainline. The site lies just south of the existing mainline and a municipal gravel road occurs along the western boundary as shown in Figure Surficial Geology and Landform Surficial deposits consist of well to moderately well drained to clay textured till that is slightly to moderately stony. The till material is non-saline and non-sodic but weakly calcareous below the cm depth. The site slopes to the north and northeast. Topography is generally undulating with slopes in the 2-5% range Land Use The site has been recently tilled (see Photos #3 and #4). There is still evidence of the previous sod layer at or near the surface. The site was previously pasture land or a hay field General Soil Patterns Moderately well drained Orthic Gray Luvisols developed on slightly to moderately stony, to clay textured till (Hubalta (HUB) soils) occur throughout the site. Topsoil thickness varies from cm with a mean thickness of 22 cm. Topsoils (Ap horizon) are easily distinguished from upper subsoils (Bt horizon) by colour. Topsoils are brown to in colour while the upper subsoil is. Sometimes a brown to pale brown Ae horizon occurs between the topsoil and upper subsoil which will aid in distinguishing topsoils from upper subsoils. The Ck horizon occurs at cm below the surface and is non-saline, non-sodic and weakly calcareous. The topsoil is to clay textured, the Ae horizon silt to textured and the Bt and Ck horizons, clay textured. It appears that the soils on the site have not been cultivated over a long period of time. There is still former buried L-H horizons (duff layer) as well as Ae and Bt horizon material mixed into the topsoil (Ap) horizon. 10

15 4.2 Site Characterization Topsoil and subsoil information was collected from 10 inspecton sites and is recorded in Table 2. The location of the inspection sites as well as the distribution and extent of the soils are shown in Figure 2. No topsoil samples were collected from the site for laboratory analyses. 4.3 Soil Handling Recommendations Topsoil salvage is required to allow the disturbed area to be returned to an equivalent land capabilty after decommissioning of the pump station site. The entire depth of tpsoil (20-25 cm) should be salvaged from areas required for surface and subsurface infrastructure, work and traffic. The topsoil material has a much higher organic matter content and a more desirable texture than the underlying subsoil. Topsoils can be easily distinguished from subsoils by colour and a guide to topsoil depths are shown in Figure 2 and Table 2. If soil conditions become wet, suspend salvage operations to prevent rutting, mixing and compaction. Do not salvage topsoil material under extremely dry and windy condtions. Salvaged topsoil material should be stored at the edge of the site, where it will be readily accessible for reclamation. The stored topsoil material should be seeded to a suitable reclamation seed mixture as soon as possible to prevent soil erosion. 11

16 Figure 2. Soils Map of the Chip Pump Station Site. 12

17 Table 2. Topsoil and Subsoil Characteristics on the Chip Pump Station Site. Site Horizon Depth (cm) Colour Texture 1 Ap Ae Bt Ck brown olive brown silt clay clay 2 Ap Ae Bt brown to brown silt clay 3 Ap Bt brown to to clay clay 4 Ap Ae Bt brown to brown to clay clay 5 Ap Bt brown to to clay clay 6 Ap Ae Bt Ck brown to pale brown brown to olive brown silt clay clay 7 Ap Bt brown to to clay clay 8 Ap Ae Bt pale brown silt clay 9 Ap Ae Bt brown to brown silt clay 10 Ap Ae Bt brown silt clay 13

18 PHOTO #3: Chip Site Looking southeast from the gravel road on the west side of the site. PHOTO #4: Chip Site Looking east across the site. Area has been recently tilled. Mentiga: May 18,

19 5.0 HINTON PUMP STATION 5.1 The Study Area Location and Extent The Hinton Pump Station Site is located about 20 km southwest of the Town of Hinton in western Alberta. More specifically, it lies in W5M, is about 110 m x 180 m in size and occurs at KP on the mainline. The new pump station site occurs on a previously disturbed existing site that is fenced. Access is from a gravel road just to the northeast of the site Surficial Geology and Landform Surficial deposits consist of well drained, very stony, textured till in the central and eastern portions and, well drained, stone-free, to sandy textured eolian material overlying very stony till in the western portion. Both materials are strongly calcareous at or near the surface. A considerable amount of grading and disturbance occurs in the central and eastern portions. Topography is generally level to undulating with the exception of a gently rolling slope in the southwestern portion Land Use The site occurs on a previously disturbed site. Small aspen and white spruce dominate the areas on the periphery of the site. The central portion, where the greatest disturbance occurred and the location of the former pump station, is generally void of vegetation. The western portion, where the least previous disturbance occurred, consists of aspen, white spruce and lodgepole pine General Soil Patterns Well drained Calcareous Brunisolic Gray Luvisols developed on strongly calcareous, very stony Cordilleran till (Dalehurst (DAU) soils) occur in the central and eastern portions while well drained Calcareous Orthic Brunisols developed on stone-free eolian sandy s and s overlying very stony till (Kia Nea (KN) soils) occur in the western portion. There are large areas in the central and eastern portions that consists of disturbed land (DL) or dugouts. It appears that surface horizons have been somewhat mixed over the majority of the Site. There are some areas with a dark coloured surface horizon that varies from cm in thickness which should be considered topsoil and salvaged. Topsoil or surface root-zone material is easily distinguished from the underlying subsoil by colour. 15

20 Dalehurst (DAU) soils are characterized by cm of to sandy textured, very stony, root-zone material overlying to sandy, textured, strongly calcareous, very stony till. The upper root-zone material is easily distinguished from the underlying upper subsoil by colour. The root-zone material (Bpk horizon) is to in colour while the undisturbed upper subsoil (Btk horizon) is usually yellowish brown. Kia Nea (KN) soils are characterized by cm of to sandy textured, stone-free, root-zone material overlying to sandy textured, strongly calcareous, stone-free eolian material. At further depths to sandy, very stony, strongly calcareous Cordilleran till may be encountered. The upper root-zone material is easily distinguished from the underlying upper subsoil by colour. The root-zone material (Bpk horizon) is to very in colour while the undisturbed upper subsoil material (Bmk horizon) is yellowish brown in colour. 5.2 Site Characterization Topsoil (root-zone) and subsoil information was collected from 12 inspection sites, and is recorded in Table 3. The location of the inspection sites as well as the distribution and extent of the soils are shown in Figure 3. The surface material from Site 12 was sampled for laboratory analyses. The results are presented in the Appendix. 5.3 Soil Handling Recommendations Root-zone material salvage is required to allow the disturbed area to be returned to an equivalent land capability after decommissioning of the pump station site. As the root-zone material is a better growth medium than the underlying subsoil, the total depth of the root-zone material should be salvaged from areas required for surface and subsurface work and traffic. Separation of root-zone material from the underlying subsoil can be easily made by colour. No root-zone material salvage is required in the central and eastern portions portion where disturbed land (DL), berms and a dugout occurs. A guide to the depth of root-zone material occurring on the site is provided in Figure 3 and Table 3. If soil conditions become wet, suspend salvage operations to prevent rutting, mixing and compaction. Do not salvage upper root-zone-material under extremely windy conditions. Loam to sandy textured materials are highly susceptible to wind erosion. Salvaged root-zone material should be stored at the edge of the site, where it will be easily accessible for reclamation. The stored root-zone material should be seeded to a suitable reclamation seed mixture as soon as possible to prevent soil erosion. 16

21 Figure 3. Soils Map of the Hinton Pump Station Site. 17

22 Table 3. Topsoil and Subsoil Characteristics on the Hinton Pump Station Site. Site Horizon Depth (cm) Colour Texture 1 Bpk Btk yellowish brown to sandy 2 Bpk Btk yellowish brown to sandy 3 Bpk Bmk brown to yellowish brown to sandy 4 ABpk Bmk yellowish brown to sandy to sandy 5 ABpk Bmk yellowish brown to sandy 6 Bpk Bmk yellowish brown 7 Ck 0-60 olive brown gravelly 8 Ck 0-40 olive brown gravelly 9 Bpk Btk yellowish brown 10 Cpk Ck olive brown 11 Bpk Btk yellowish brown 12 Bpk Bmk very yellowish brown 18

23 PHOTO #5: Hinton Site Looking north at western edge of disturbed area. Upper root-zone material can be salvaged from the upper slope area. PHOTO #6: Hinton Site Dugout area with berm along the eastern side of the property. Mentiga: April 01,

24 6.0 REARGUARD PUMP STATION 6.1 The Study Area Location and Extent The Rearguard Pump Station Site is located about 18 km north-northeast of the Village of Valemount in eastern British Columbia. More specifically, it is located just south of Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway), north of the Fraser River, and about 7 km east of the Locality of Tete Jaune Cache. The site is about 120 m long, 75 m wide in the southern portion and 40 m wide in the northern portion as shown in Figure 4. Access is from an existing gravel road on the east side of the site as shown in Figure Surficial Geology and Landform Surficial deposits consist of well to rapidly drained glaciofluvial gravels on gently undulating to undulating topography. Gravel has been excavated in the southwestern portion where a pit occurs Land Use The portion south of the existing pipeline has been cleared of trees. Gravel excavation has occurred in the southwestern portion and logs had been recently stored on the level to gently undulating southeastern portion. Selective logging is occurring north of the existing pipeline in the northeastern portion of the study area. Only the northwestern portion remains in its natural vegetative cover of mainly lodgepole pine. A road occurs just south and parallel to the existing pipeline General Soil Patterns Well to rapidly drained Eluviated Eutric Brunisols developed on gravelly sandy or gravelly textured glaciofluvial material (Rearguard (RGD) soils) occur throughout the site. These soils are highly disturbed south of the existing pipeline. A gravel pit occurs in the southwestern portion and the southeastern portion was leveled to store logs. The logs have since been removed from the site. Some disturbance has also occurred in the northeastern portion where selective logging has taken place. The surface horizons in this area, although disturbed, are still present at or near the surface. Undisturbed soils in the northwestern portion consist of an L-H, Ae, Bm horizon sequence (Rearguard (RGD) soils). 20

25 Rearguard soils are characterized by an L-H horizon (duff layer) 7-9 cm thick overlying a pale brown, to sandy textured Ae horizon that varies in thickness from 3-6 cm. The underlying Bm horizon is yellowish brown in colour, sandy to textured and very friable in consistency. The Bm horizon extends down to a depth of at least cm. The gravel content generally increases with depth. The upper cm is generally not as gravelly as the material below. 6.2 Site Characterization Root-zone and subsoil information was collected from seven inspection sites, and is recorded in Table 4. The location of the inspection sites as well as the distribution and extent of the soils are shown in Figure 4. The surface 18 cm of material from Site 3 was sampled for laboratory analyses. The results are provided in the Appendix. 6.3 Soil Handling Recommendations Root-zone material salvage is required to allow the disturbed area to be returned to an equivalent land capability after decommissioning of the pump station site. No root-zone material presently exists in the area south of the existing pipeline therefore no material has to be salvaged in this area for surface and subsurface work and traffic. Even though there is some mixing of root-zone material with subsoil in the northeastern portion where selective logging has recently occurred, some benefits would be achieved in salvaging the upper cm of material in all areas north of the existing pipeline from areas required for surface work, buildings and access roads. The surface material has a higher organic matter content and a more desirable texture (less gravel) than the underlying subsoil. The surface logs slash and stumps should be removed prior to salvage operations. If soil conditions become wet, suspend salvage operations to prevent rutting, mixing and compaction. Do not salvage upper root-zone material under extremely windy conditions. Loam to sandy textured materials are highly susceptible to wind erosion. Salvaged root-zone material should be stored at the edge of the site, where it will be readily accessible for reclamation. The stored root-zone material should be seeded to a suitable reclamation seed mixture as soon as possible to prevent soil erosion. 21

26 Figure 4. Soils Map of the Rearguard Pump Station Site. 22

27 Table 4. Topsoil and Subsoil Characteristics on the Rearguard Pump Station Site.. Site Horizon Depth (cm) Colour Texture 1 Bm BC yellowish brown gravelly sandy gravelly sandy 2 L-H Ae Bm pale brown yellowish brown organic debris sandy sandy to 3 L-F Ae Bm brown grayish brown yellowish brown organic debris sandy sandy to 4 L-H Ae Bm pale brown yellowish brown organic debris sandy sandy to 5 L-H Ae Bm pale brown yellowish brown organic debris sandy sandy to 6 L-H Ae Bm pale brown yellowish brown organic debris gravelly sandy gravelly sandy to 7 C 0-20 pale brown gravelly sandy 23

28 PHOTO #7: Rearguard Site The southern portion of the site has had prior gravel excavation. PHOTO #8: Rearguard Site - Vegetation at site. Some logging is taking place in the eastern portion. Mentiga: April 01,

29 PHOTO #9: Rearguard Site Eluviated Eutric Brunisols developed on glaciofluvial gravels occur on the site. The surface material is not usually as gravelly as the lower material. Mentiga: April 01,

30 7.0 FINN PUMP STATION 7.1 The Study Area Location and Extent The Finn Pump Station Site is located about 24 km south of the Hamlet of Blue River, in southeastern British Columbia. More specifically it is located just east of Highway 5 (Yellowhead South Highway) and east of the North Thompson River at about KP on the mainline. The site is about 100 m long and 100 m wide as shown in Figure 5. The site occurs in an abandoned gravel pit. Access to the site is from Highway 5 on a gravel road as shown in Figure Surficial Geology and Landform Surficial deposits consist of well to rapidly drained glaciofluvial or fluvial coarse sand and gravel on a gently sloping fan or terrace of the North Thompson River. The site has had gravel excavation and the area is level to gently undulating (see Photos #10 and #11) Land Use The site occurs in an abandoned gravel pit with a considerable amount of construction debris on the surface (tires, cables, oil drums, concrete, etc.). The site generally lacks a vegetative cover (see Photos #10 and #11) General Soil Patterns Well to rapidly drained Disturbed Land (DL) developed on gravelly coarse sand textured glaciofluvial or fluvial material on a gently sloping fan that has been levelled occurs throughout the site. Surface horizons (L-H, Ae and Bm horizons) no longer exist and there is a considerable amount of gravel construction debris on the surface. 7.2 Site Characterization Since the area is highly disturbed from previous gravel excavation no soil profile investigations were carried out. 7.3 Soil Handling Recommendations No root-zone material presently exists on the site in the abandoned gravel pit, therefore no upper root-zone material salvage is required in areas required for surface and subsurface work, infrastructure and traffic. 26

31 Figure 5. Soils Map of the Finn Pump Station Site. 27

32 PHOTO #10: Finn Site Site is in an abandoned gravel pit. PHOTO #11: Finn Site Looking north from existing access road at the abandoned gravel pit. Mentiga, April 02,

33 8.0 BLACKPOOL PUMP STATION 8.1 The Study Area Location and Extent The Blackpool Pump Station Site is located on the historic floodplain of the North Thompson River about 13 km south of the Town of Clearwater in southeastern British Columbia. The site occurs just east of Highway 5 (Yellowhead South Highway) and west of the North Thompson River at KP on the mainline. The new pump station site occurs on a previously disturbed existing site that is fenced. Expansion of the previous fenced site is to be on existing Terasen-owned land to the north and east on pasture land as shown in Figure 6. The new pump station will likely be built within the existing fenced area on primarily disturbed land (DL) Surficial Geology and Landform Surficial deposits consist of y fine sand and fine sandy textured fluvial deposits on the historic floodplain of the North Thompson River. Topography is generally level to undulating with slopes less than 3%. Some historic meander scars occur in the expanded area to the north of the previously disturbed existing site Land Use The previous existing site within the fenced area contains tanks, holding ponds and other oil facility equipment (see Photos #13 & #14). An undisturbed wooded area occurs in the southwest corner and an undisturbed grassed area occurs in the northeast corner of the fenced area. The remainder of the area within the fence is disturbed in one from or another (gravel on surface, gravel roads, berms, tanks, valves, piles of concrete, etc.). Expansion to the east outside the fence on Terasen-owned land is on improved pasture while expansion to the north is mainly on unimproved pasture Terasen-owned land that is frequently wooded (see Photo #12) General Soil Patterns Well to imperfectly drained Orthic Eutric Brunisols and Orthic Melanic Brunisols developed on sandy to y sand textured, stone-free fluvial sediments are the dominant soils (Blackpool (BLP) soils) in undisturbed areas. Poorly drained depressional areas consist of Rego Gleysols developed on to silty clay textured fluvial material (Mosquito (MSQ) soils). These soils are of minor extent occupying a meander scar in the northeastern portion of the site. A large area in the 29

34 fenced compound consists of Disturbed (DL) Land. Disturbed Land is land that has been disturbed by prior construction activities. It may have gravel added to the surface or may have been previously graded. In general, Disturbed Land (DL) does not have any salvageable topsoil. Blackpool (BLP) soils, the dominant soils in undisturbed areas, are characterized by 7-14 cm of to very dark grayish brown, sandy to textured topsoil (Ah or Ap horizon) overlying a brown to, y sand textured subsoil (Bm horizon). The Bm horizon contains numerous mica flakes and is non-calcareous. No gravel or coarser textured material was encountered within 1.2 m of the surface at any of the sites investigated. Mosquito (MSQ) soils are poorly drained and occur in the meander channel in the northeastern portion of the site. Topsoil thickness is about 9 cm and these soils tend to be somewhat finer textured ( to silty clay textured) than Blackpool soils. 8.2 Site Characterization Topsoil and subsoil information was collected from 17 inspection sites, and is recorded in Table 5. The location of the inspection sites as well as the distribution and extent of the soils are shown in Figure 6. The topsoil at Site 1 was sampled for laboratory analyses. The results are provided in the Appendix. 8.3 Soil Handling Recommendations Topsoil salvage is required to allow the disturbed area to be returned to an equivalent land capability after decommissioning of the pump station site. As topsoil is a better growth medium than the underlying subsoil, the total depth of topsoil (Ah or Ap horizon) should be salvaged from undisturbed areas required for surface and subsurface work, buildings and traffic. Separation of topsoil from subsoil can be easily made by colour. No topsoil or upper root-zone material salvage is required in areas of Disturbed Land (DL) because no meaningful topsoil occurs in these areas. Since topsoil thickness is rather thin (7-14 cm thick) in undisturbed areas it is recommended that the upper cm of material be salvaged. In some cases the upper subsoil will be salvaged along with the topsoil horizon. The material will still have a much higher organic matter content and a more desirable texture (sandy to ) than the underlying subsoil (y sand) material. If soil conditions become wet, suspend salvage operations to prevent rutting, mixing and compaction. Do not salvage topsoil material under extremely windy conditions. Sandy to y sand textured materials are highly susceptible to wind erosion. Salvaged topsoil material should be stored at the edge of the site, where it will be readily accessible for reclamation. The stored topsoil material should be seeded to a suitable reclamation seed mixture as soon as possible to prevent erosion. 30

35 Figure 6. Soils Map of the Blackpool Pump Station Site. 31

36 Table 5. Topsoil and Subsoil Characteristics on the Blackpool Pump Station Site. Site Horizon Depth (cm) Colour Texture 1 Ap Bm very dark grayish brown brown sandy y sand 2 Ah Cg mottled grayish brown sandy to 3 Ah Bm sandy y sand 4 Ah Bm very dark grayish brown sandy y sand 5 Ah Bm very dark grayish brown sandy y sand 6 Ap Cgj brown sandy sandy 7 Ap Bm sandy y sand 8 Ap Bm sandy y sand 9 Ap Bm very dark grayish brown brown sandy y sand 10 Ah Bm very dark grayish brown sandy y sand 11 Ah Bm brown sandy y sand 12 C 0-30 brown gravelly sandy 13 C 0-30 brown sandy 14 C 0-30 brown sandy 15 C 0-30 brown sandy 16 Ah Bm very dark grayish brown sandy y sand 17 Ah Bm very dark grayish brown sandy y sand 32

37 PHOTO #12: Blackpool Site Looking south from Highway 5 along the eastern boundary of the expanded area to the north. Mainly unimproved pasture with meander scars. PHOTO #13: Blackpool Site Disturbed area within the fenced previous existing site. Looking north from west side of small tank in compound. Mentiga: April 02,

38 PHOTO #14: Blackpool Site - Tank, holding pond and berms in former existing site within the fenced area. Mentiga: April 02,

39 9.0 STUMP PUMP STATION 9.1 The Study Area Location and Extent The Stump Pump Station Site is located about 42 km south of the City of Kamloops and about 40 km northeast of the Town of Merritt in south-central British Columbia. More specifically the site is located about 3 km west of the southern end of Stump Lake. The site occurs on the west side of the existing pipeline at about KP and is approximately 115 m x 170 m in size as shown in Figure 7. An access road will have to be built to the site Surficial Geology and Landform Surficial deposits consist of stone-free glaciofluvial or fluvial sands on gently undulating to moderately rolling terrain Land Use The site is covered mainly by pine and is used for cattle grazing. Historic irrigation canals and structures occur on the site (see Photos #16 and #17) General Soil Patterns Well drained Eluviated Eutric Brunisols and Orthic Eutric Brunisols developed on stone-free glaciofluvial or fluvial sands (Fleet Creek (FL) soils) occur throughout the site. Fleet Creek soils (FL) are characterized by a thin L-H horizon overlying a fine sandy textured, yellowish brown to Bm horizon overlying a brown to, fine sandy to y coarse sand textured BC horizon. The BC horizon occurs at cm below the surface. Sometimes a thin, weakly developed pale brown or grayish brown Ae horizon occurs below the L-H horizon. The texture of the thin Ae horizon is fine sandy. Fleet Creek soils are non-stony. No stones were observed at any of the sites investigated. 35

40 9.2 Site Characterization Root-zone and subsoil information was collected from five inspection sites and is recorded in Table 6. The location of the inspection sites as well as the distribution and extent of the soils are shown in Figure 7. No soil samples were collected for laboratory analyses. 9.3 Soil Handling Recommendations Root-zone material salvage is required to allow the disturbed area to be returned to an equivalent land capability after decommissioning of the pump station site. Even though there is not a distinct topsoil horizon (Ah, Ahe or Ap horizon), some benefits would be achieved in salvaging the upper cm of material from areas required for surface and subsurface infrastructure, work and traffic. The upper cm of material should also be salvaged from the new access road that will have to be built to the site. The surface material has a much higher organic matter content and a more desirable texture (finer textured) than the underlying subsoil. If soil conditions become wet, suspend salvage operations to prevent rutting, mixing and compaction. Do not salvage upper root-zone material under extremely windy conditions. Sandy and textured materials are highly susceptible to wind erosion. Salvaged root-zone material should be stored at the edge of the site, where it will be readily accessible for reclamation. The stored root-zone material should be seeded to a suitable reclamation seed mixture as soon as possible to prevent soil erosion. The sandy textured soils on the site are highly susceptible to wind erosion and unstable trench walls when vertically ditched. 36

41 Figure 7. Soils Map of the Stump Pump Station Site. 37

42 Table 6. Topsoil and Subsoil Characteristics on the Stump Pump Station Site. Site Horizon Depth (cm) Colour Texture 1 L-H Bm BC very dark grayish brown yellowish brown brown to organic debris sandy y coarse sand 2 L-H Ae Bm BC pale brown brown organic debris fine sandy fine sandy y coarse sand 3 L-H Bm BC very dark grayish brown brown to organic debris fine sandy fine sandy 4 L-H Bm BC yellowish brown brown organic debris fine sandy fine sandy 5 L-H Ae Bm BC grayish brown brown to organic debris fine sandy fine sandy fine sandy 38

43 PHOTO #15: Stump Site Looking south down the existing pipeline right-of-way. Vegetation consists mainly of pine. PHOTO #16: Stump Site Old irrigation canal that occurs on the site. Mentiga: April 04,

44 PHOTO #17: Stump Site Remains of an irrigation trough that traverses the northeastern portion of the site. Notice the relatively open stand of pine. Mentiga: April 04,