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Linear Rights-of-Way

Linear facilities can include oil and gas pipelines, high voltage transmission lines, telecommunication networks, highways and railways. These linear corridors are vital to the efficient transportation of raw and processed materials and information. Mining and oil and gas exploration also require seismic lines and ground access.

These corridors present unique planning challenges. While rights-of-way result in a limited footprint of development in any given area, they frequently extend over considerable distances, and can transect highly variable environmental and land use conditions. Because of their potential to influence a variety of resource and land use activities, they frequently generate high levels of public interest and regulatory scrutiny.

The rapid proliferation of multiple linear rights-of-way within a localized area has also led to concerns regarding the cumulative environmental effects such as landscape fragmentation, increased human access and direct habitat loss.

AXYS specializes in environmental planning and inspection designed to meet the intent of sustainable development and ensure regulatory compliance for a variety of linear developments.

Resources

The AXYS team offers dedicated scientists, planners and field staff who specialize in practical environmental planning and conflict resolution, and on-site environmental management. To address the diversity of landscapes and environmental issues that can be encountered with linear developments, our team can draw from internal corporate expertise in soils and terrain, vegetation and reclamation, wildlife and aquatic resources, and land use issues.

We combine strong environmental backgrounds with construction experience to ensure that planning measures developed for projects are both effective and reasonable to implement from a contractor's perspective.

Background

Through effective planning and management of rights-of-way, adverse environmental and socio-economic effects can often be minimized or eliminated. A growing list of proven, practical techniques and innovative methods are now available which are designed to protect the environment.

These techniques can also be incorporated into construction specifications. During construction, onsite inspectors have proven to be essential towards ensuring that these methods are properly implemented and that any unforeseen problems are promptly handled.

Once a linear facility is operational, compliance monitoring can ensure that the facility is meeting all government standards for environmental protection. Ongoing environmental monitoring can determine whether measures for environmental protection have been effective and if they are being adequately maintained. Both these management strategies can help detect potential concerns in a timely fashion, thereby allowing for prompt and effective action and avoiding damage to the facility and the right-of-way.

During the project abandonment phase environmental audits are typically completed to identify potential environmental concerns, such as contaminated sites. Based on these assessments, methods for site remediation and reclamation can be developed and implemented.

Services

AXYS supports a full compliment of rights-of-way specialists who have completed planning for several hundred projects totaling well over 10,000 km of rights-of-way. Depending on our client's specific project needs, we can offer
services for the full life cycle of the project.

Regulatory Process Advice

AXYS can advise you on regulatory requirements for your project and the best approach towards government approval processes.

Preliminary Route Reconnaissance

AXYS typically undertakes a route reconnaissance with project engineers and construction specialists to identify potential environmental and social issues such as slope stability, stream crossings, soils and vegetation conservation, important wildlife habitats, and human land uses. Based on the reconnaissance, several potential routes may be identified for further evaluation.

Route Comparisons and Selection

In conjunction with preliminary engineering designs, AXYS can complete systematic comparisons of the different routing options, using criteria such as construction difficulties, vehicle access, risks to pipeline stability, land use compatibility, environmental impact, socioeconomic concerns and regional cumulative effects. Preferred routes can then be selected using a range of methods from qualitative comparisons to structured matrix evaluations.

Public Consultation and Involvement

To ensure that the public have adequate opportunities to provide input on issue identification, route selection and protection planning, AXYS can organize and implement public involvement processes, including community meetings, open houses, workshops, newsletters and one-on-one meetings. For projects that involve First Nations lands, AXYS can develop and help negotiate settlements, community involvement and job creation programs.

Detailed Assessment of Environmental Impacts

For provincially or federally regulated pipelines, AXYS can complete a comprehensive environmental impact assessment that will fully meet the requirements for project application. Assessments typically include issues scoping; quantification of the potential effects on air, water, soils and terrain, vegetation, wildlife, and resource use; environmental protection and mitigation plans, and recommendations for monitoring.

Specifications for Environmental Protection

Changes in the timing and location of specific project components, as well as changes in construction techniques and operations can often be employed to minimize impacts on the environment. Environmental protection may also include the enhancement or creation of fish and wildlife habitat through compensation. In the mid-eighties, AXYS was instrumental in promoting the use of alignment sheets to illustrate and describe site-specific protection planning measures in language that can be easily understood by contractors.

Expert Witnesses

In the event that a project proceeds to a regulatory hearing, AXYS can provide linear corridor specialists, biologists and physical scientists who are experienced in providing expert testimony.

Environmental Inspection

During construction and the initial operation of a facility, AXYS can provide environmental inspectors who will work closely with construction crews and operators to ensure that all government regulations are respected, and environmental protection measures are correctly implemented. Inspectors will also respond to site-specific problems, thereby minimizing potential environmental impacts and project delays. Inspectors also help ensure that proper communication is maintained with government agencies and other interested stakeholders.

Reclamation Planning and Implementation

As part of the project planning process, AXYS can develop site specific reclamation plans that describe erosion control measures, soil handling techniques, revegetation measures (seed mixes, soil stabilizers, fertilizers, application rates) and maintenance needs. We can also provide soil and plant specialists to oversee the actual reclamation activities.

Post-Construction Audits and Monitoring

Once construction is complete and a facility is operating, AXYS can design and implement auditing programs to identify potential issues such as site contamination, slope erosion, and wildlife conflicts. We can also prepare 'as-built' reports that document the performance of the specialized design measures (e.g., erosion control, wildlife crossings) and construction procedures (e.g., directionally drilled crossings). AXYS also conducts monitoring programs to assess the effectiveness of the environmental protection measures (e.g., revegetation success).

Abandonment

Once a project has reached the end of its life cycle, AXYS can help prepare abandonment plans, including recontouring, soil remediation, erosion control, and revegetation.