La Plonge Solar Project

Notice of Determination Text:

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has determined that the La Plonge Solar Project (the Project) is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects, with the implementation of mitigation and monitoring measures.

This determination was based on a consideration of the following factors:

  • Impacts on rights of Indigenous peoples.
  • Changes to the environment and the impact of these changes on the Indigenous peoples of Canada and on health, social or economic conditions resulting from project activities.
  • Comments received from the public.
  • Technically and economically feasible mitigation measures.

Potential project impacts identified include:

  • Impacts to Saskatchewan Boreal Caribou through habitat removal.
  • Impacts to migratory birds through habitat removal.
  • Impacts to raptors through habitat removal.

Mitigation measures considered for this determination are:

  • Removing vegetation outside of local migratory bird nesting season.
  • Conducting raptor stick nest surveys during the boreal raptor breeding season.
  • Conducting migratory bird breeding and migration surveys.
  • Conforming to standards to reduce attraction of migratory birds to lighting at the project site.
  • Monitoring for the presence of Saskatchewan Boreal Caribou at and around the project site.
  • Compensating habitat for the loss of critical caribou habitat.
  • Consulting the Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation if wetlands are encountered during project activities.

NRCan is satisfied that the carrying out of the Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects, and thus is able to provide financial assistance to the Proponent to undertake the Project.

 

Notice of Intent

Located on English River First Nation Reserve in northern Saskatchewan, the La Plonge Solar project is a proposed 500kW (AC) community solar project. This project includes 500 kW of solar energy and future plans for a gridscale battery energy storage system (BESS). The project is connected to a rural radial distribution line, fed by a lower reliability transmission line from the main grid. The project will reduce CO2 by an expected 220 tCO2e/year. In addition to generating renewable energy, reducing Saskatchewan's greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing dependence on coal for electricity generation, the La Plonge solar project provides grid re-enforcement for the remote radial feeder.

Project components include clearing of 19,000 m2 of natural vegetation for the project footprint, perimeter fence installation, installation of solar foundations, trenching to lay cable, and site grading. Potential adverse impacts of the project include impacts wildlife and migratory birds (e.g. caribou and migratory birds) through alteration or removal of habitat, and accidents and malfunctions from heavy equipment used during construction and operation. As part of the ongoing assessment, appropriate mitigation measures are being identified.

Natural Resources Canada must determine whether the proposed La Plonge Solar Project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. Natural Resources Canada is inviting comments from the public on the proposed project to help inform its determination under Section 82 of the Impact Assessment Act.

To aid in the public's review of the project, Natural Resources Canada has attached the draft Screening Assessment document which includes information such as the project description, potential environmental impacts, and proposed mitigation measures.

All comments received will be considered public. For more information, individuals should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website (https://iaac-aeic.gc.ca/050/evaluations/Protection?culture=en-CA).

Please submit comments in writing by January 4 to Federal_Lands-Territoire_Domanial@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

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Latest update

March 7, 2024 – Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) issued its Notice of Determination, which indicated that the La Plonge Solar Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects with the implementation of mitigation and monitoring measures.

January 4, 2024 - The public comment period is now closed.

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Key documents

Key documents
Document Number Document Title File Date
1 La Plonge Solar Project PDF (677 KB) December 4, 2023

Contacts

General inbox
Natural Resources Canada
Impact Assessment Division, Impact Assessment Officer
588 Booth Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0E4
Email: Federal_Lands-Territoire_Domanial@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca


  • Location

    • English River First Nation Reserve (Saskatchewan)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Alternative Energy

  • Assessment Status

    Completed

  • Start Date

    2023-12-04

  • Proponent

    English River Enterprises Inc.

  • Authorities

    • Natural Resources Canada

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    87134
Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

 

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...within 200 kilometres
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