Request for Proposal - Mi`kmaq Rights Initiative

Request for Proposal
For
Third party review of the Alton Natural Gas
LP Brine Storage and Discharge Facility
Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office
Closing on:
April 17, 2015
(4:00pm Atlantic Standard Time)
1.0
Introduction
Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office (KMKNO) requests the assistance of an
environmental consulting firm to review the existing available information on the Alton
Natural Gas LP Brine Storage and Discharge Facility to evaluate the scientific and
technical information for completeness and for comparison to documented and validated
scientific methods including the interpretation of the information with generally accepted
standards of good scientific practice. The purpose of this third party review is to inform
the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia in their consultation with the Province of Nova Scotia about
potential impacts and risks associated with the project on the Shubenacadie River,
specifically on fish and fish habitat.
This review will be used as a tool to help identify potential impacts on Mi’kmaq Rights
and Title as well as identify the need for any further studies, analysis or mitigation, which
may potentially include future risk assessment, modeling and/or monitoring.
KMKNO will provide copies of all information received from the proponent on this
project. Due to the fact that the project was granted a conditional approval in 2007 by the
Province of Nova Scotia, there is additional information developed by the proponent and
regulators that has recently been made available to the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia. Methods
to obtain any outstanding information will be discussed with the successful candidate for
this work.
A site visit to the Alton Natural Gas LP Brine Storage and Discharge Facility will be
arranged if necessary in completing the scope of work contained in this terms of
reference.
2.0 Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office
KMKNO is the administrative body working on behalf of the Assembly of Nova Scotia
Mi’kmaq Chiefs (Assembly). Currently, KMKNO does not represent Sipekne’katik
Mi’kmaw Community in negotiations under the Made-In-Nova Scotia Process or
consultations under the Terms of Reference for a Mi’kmaq-Nova Scotia-Canada
Consultation Process. With our central office located in the Millbrook Mi’kmaw
Community, and satellite offices in Eskasoni and Glooscap, this organization conducts
and coordinates negotiations and consultations under the direction of the Assembly.
Since 2007, KMKNO has been actively engaged in meaningful and productive
consultations with a diverse number of proponents and in a diverse field of private and
public sector developments. With over 300 consultations currently underway many of
Nova Scotia’s most prominent corporations and federal/provincial departments have
become engaged in the consultation process.
2|Page
3.0 Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs
The Assembly is made up of 13 Mi’kmaq Chiefs in Nova Scotia. Five bands are located
on Cape Breton Island and eight are located on the mainland of Nova Scotia. The
Assembly’s 13 Chiefs convene every month and are co-chaired by two Nova Scotia
Mi’kmaq Chiefs.
The RFP process shall be under the direct authority of the Assembly and as such, the
Assembly will decide which respondent will be successful in this RFP. The successful
respondent shall enter into a service agreement with KMKNO who will in turn report to
the Assembly.
4.0
Background
In December, 2007, an Environmental Assessment was approved with conditions for the
proposed Alton Gas Storage Project by the Minister of the Department of Environment
and Labour. Since that time, the proponent has worked with the regulators to satisfy the
conditions, but the information developed since 2007 was not made available to the
Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia until recently. During formal consultation with the Province of
Nova Scotia, the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia raised numerous questions and significant
concerns about the analysis and conclusions of the proponent and Fisheries and Oceans
Canada in relation to potential impacts to the Shubenacadie River, specifically to fish and
fish habitat.
KMKNO has requested all additional information and will provide it to the successful
candidate when received.
5.0 Objectives and Scope of Work
The objectives of this work is to complete a third party review of the existing
information, including methodology used, the data collected, the interpretation of the
data, reports and laboratory analysis undertaken by the proponent and Fisheries and
Oceans. Specifically, this includes:
A. Complete a literature review of existing information for similar operations around
the world, specifically, on solution mining, brine discharge requirements and the
associated environmental impacts;
B. Review the existing information to evaluate the scientific and technical
information for completeness and for comparison to documented and validated
scientific methods including the interpretation of the information with generally
accepted standards of good scientific practice; and
C. Identify any information gaps and, if warranted, recommendations on how to
address the information gaps.
3|Page
6.0
Location
The proposed project consists of creating salt cavern storage facilities approximately 10
km North of Stewiacke, Nova Scotia (Figure 1.). The proposal includes developing 12
km of pipeline to dispose of the discharge that will be developed in the brining process.
The discharge site is described in Figure 2.
Figure 1. Location of the Proposed Project
4|Page
Figure 2. Brine Discharge Facility Location
7.0 Background Information
Available information includes the following (additional information has been requested
and will be provided during proposal development):
A. Alton Natural Gas Storage Facility Environmental Assessment http://www.novascotia.ca/nse/ea/AltonNaturalGasStorage.asp
Registration Document section 1-4
section 5-9
Appendix A- Physical Description of the Shubenacadie River
Appendix B1 - Water Intake and Discharge Facilities
Appendix B2 - Water Intake and Discharge Facility Design
Appendix C - Dispersion Modeling of Discharged Brine
Appendix J1 - Mi’kmaq Ecological Knowledge Study
Appendix J2 - Mi’kmaq Hunting Sites and Areas
Appendix J3 - Mi’kmaq Hunting Sites and Areas
Appendix J4 - Mi'kmaq Plant Gathering Sites and Areas
Appendix J5 - Mi’kmaq Land Occupation Sites and Areas
Appendix K- Phase I Archaeological Impact Study
Supplemental Information (3 documents)
5|Page
B. Alton Natural Gas Pipeline Environmental Assessment –
http://www.novascotia.ca/nse/ea/alton-natural-gas-pipeline-project.asp
Registration Document 1 to 4
5, part 1
5, part 2
5, part 3
6 to 9
Appendix A to C
Appendix D - Mi’kmaq Ecological Knowledge Study
Appendix E to F - Archaeological Impact Study
· Groundwater Resources;
· Fish and Fish Habitat;
· Rare Vascular Plants;
· Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat;
· Wetlands;
· Land and Resource Use; and
· Archaeological and Heritage Resources.
C. Cook, A.M., J. Duston, and R.G. Bradford. 2010. Temperature and salinity
effects on the survival and growth of early life stage Shubenacadie River striped
bass. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 139:749-757.
http://www.researchgate.net/publication/233313020_Temperature_and_Salinity_
Effects_on_Survival_and_Growth_of_Early_Life_Stage_Shubenacadie_River_St
riped_Bass
D. Gina MacInnis thesis, 2012. Spatio-temporal distribution of eggs and age-0
striped bass (Morone saxatilis) in the Shubenacadie River estuary. Master’s
thesis, Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia.
http://dalspace.library.dal.ca/bitstream/handle/10222/15896/MacInnis,%20Gina,
%20MSc,%20AGRI,%20Dec%202012.pdf?sequence=3
E. Craig Reesor thesis, 2012. Temporal distribution of Morone saxatilis eggs and
larvae and Neomysis americana in the Shubenacadie estuary. Master’s thesis,
Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia.
http://dalspace.library.dal.ca/bitstream/handle/10222/15843/Reesor%2c%20Craig
%2cM.Sc.%2cAGRI%2c%20July%202012.pdf?sequence=3
6|Page
8.0
Team Members
The successful candidate will work with representatives from KMKNO and potentially
others. The primary contact for this work is:
Michael Cox
Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office
75 Treaty Trail, Truro NS
B6L 1W3
Phone: (902) 843-3880
Fax: (902) 843-3882
Email: michaelcox@mikmaqrights.com
Questions regarding the Request for Proposals are to be directed to Michael Cox.
9.0 Team Meetings
The successful candidate will initially meet with KMKNO to discuss a work plan that
outlines the specific activities and timelines for the completion of the work. Additional
meetings/conversations will be as needed during the completion of the above noted scope
of work.
Meetings with community members, regulators and the proponent can be arranged as
needed.
10.0 Schedule
The successful candidate will provide a schedule to complete the scope of work above
within a 90 day timeframe. Written acceptance of the successful proposal will be
provided by KMKNO and no work should commence until the acceptance is received.
11.0 Deliverables
The successful candidate will provide a draft of the work completed for internal KMKNO
review that includes the findings of the review, a list of information gaps, if required, and
a proposal for activities necessary to address the gaps.
Finalization of the report will not be completed until the Assembly is provided with the
information for review and approval.
7|Page
12.0 Terms of Payment
A mutually agreeable schedule of payment can be developed with the successful
candidate prior to the commencement of work.
13.0 Budget Overrun
The successful candidate will be constrained by the original agreed to cost based on the
received proposal. The budget shall not be exceeded without formal approval by
KMKNO.
14.0 Consultant Proposal
At a minimum, the following will be included in proposals received for this work:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Project team and experience
Previous work completed with the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia
A glossary of terms used to describe the work to be completed
A detailed work plan identifying tasks and timelines
Budget requirements
15.0 Proposal Evaluation and Selection Process
The proposal will be reviewed by KMKNO. KMKNO reserves the right to evaluate the
merits of each received proposal or reject any proposal. The successful candidate will be
informed in writing by KMKNO.
Proposals will be evaluated on the following:




Methodology (35%)
Project Team Experience (35%)
Schedule (20%)
Cost (10%)
Submit an electronic copy of your response no later than
4:00pm (Atlantic Standard Time) on
Friday, April 17th, 2015 to
michaelcox@mikmaqrights.com
8|Page