The Cable will be located, designed, constructed and operated in a manner that will avoid and minimize impacts to the environment both underground and underwater.

Sea Breeze has conducted an environmental assessment consistent with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act for the project, which is included in the CPCN application.

The chosen technology and installation techniques allow for flexibility and enable us to factor in such considerations as spawning seasons and bird breeding as well as culturally or archaeologically valuable sites.

Submarine Considerations:

• The cables would have minimal environmental impact at the time of burial, and no long-term environmental effects.  Unlike many submarine transmission lines, HVDC Light® cables are not oil cooled and do not pose any danger of coolant leaks or spills.
• The buried cable is not likely to create a physical barrier that could interfere with crab migration, fish spawning, or the use of existing habitats or nursery areas.
• The submarine cable would be buried where conditions permit, and would not interfere with navigation or commercial and recreational activities.
• Directional drilling would bore a hole to carry the cable from land to sea.   The directional drill is expected to exit deep enough to avoid impact to kelp beds and other intertidal and foreshore habitat.
• Disruption to marine floor will be localized and short term, and recovery to pre-disturbance conditions will occur rapidly as organisms re-colonize the areas.
• Buried submarine cable will not affect coastal deposition or erosion and is not expected to have any adverse impacts to fisheries resources during operation.
• Juvenile and adult fish are mobile and can avoid the work areas during cable installation. 

The following field studies have been undertaken as part of our Environmental Assessment:

Marine field studies:

• Archaeological
• Geotechnical
• Near shore:
  • vegetation
  • shellfish

Terrestrial Considerations:

• The cables on land would be buried in a narrow trench under existing roads, rights-of-way, or existing utility corridors.
• The converter station near Pike Lake, northwest of Victoria would be located near an existing BC Hydro electrical substation in an undeveloped area.  The station would be planned and designed to minimize environmental impacts. 

The following field studies have been undertaken as part of our Environmental Assessment:

Terrestrial field studies:

• Archaeological
• Geological
• Vegetation
• Wildlife
• Fish