Mitigating Impact
Compensation Overview
MATL is committed to mitigating all negative impacts to property and farming operations during construction and throughout the operation of the transmission line. In the event that issues arise that cannot be mitigated, landowners will be fully compensated for any losses. Such issues include any loss of use and adverse impact on farming operations.
Appropriate compensation has been derived from such factors as the route of the transmission line and the type of structures used, impacts on irrigation and aerial spraying operations, and input costs associated with specific farming operations.
MATL’s annual payment structure is designed to compensate and offset the tangible and intangible impacts of the MATL transmission line on farming operations. MATL has engaged experts in the field of Agricultural Assessment, and their analyses have generally resulted in estimates of losses that are significantly exceeded by MATL’s annual payments.
Allowance has also been made for numerous intangibles in the final annual payment figure such as increased risk of collision between farming implements and MATL towers, insurance requirements, increased spraying costs, etc.
Equitable Compensation
MATL will treat all landowners equitably. Compensation will be increased retroactively on agreements that have already been signed in the event that MATL’s compensation rates for land value, general disturbance or annual pole payments increase during negotiations for the MATL line.
This policy takes into account the possibility that some landowners may rely on the Surface Rights Board to determine compensation for the MATL line. Any final awards by the Surface Rights Board that are higher than previously signed agreements will be applied retroactively to landowners with reasonably similar land along the MATL line.
Land Value
MATL has commissioned a study regarding land values throughout the Canadian portion of the MATL route. This study was prepared by licensed appraisers at Serecon Land Valuation and Agricultural Consulting.
Based on Serecon’s findings, MATL’s offers for land value represent a premium on the market value of the subject land. According to Serecon, the market value of the subject property considered many factors, including proximity to the nearest farming centres, proximity to existing farming operations, and productivity of the soils. The existence of transmission infrastructure is only one factor out of many that would be considered by a prospective purchaser.
Ongoing annual payments are designed to offset any financial impact the transmission infrastructure has on farming operations, and as such, will alleviate the impact that the transmission infrastructure would have on the resale of the subject agricultural property.
Environmental Protection and Reclamation
Following the completion of the transmission line, MATL will restore all construction sites to their original state; to the extent it is practical to do so. This includes rectifying ruts, compacted soil, damaged fences, disturbed grassland, etc. MATL will not install gravel on the Right-of-Way without the consent of the landowners.
During the construction process, MATL will take all reasonable measures to prevent or minimize damage to property. When erecting transmission structures, topsoil will be saved and replaced around the pole. Excavated subsoil, where it is not detrimental to the growth of crops, will be spread in a thin layer around the pole. Otherwise, it will be removed from the site.
At the substation locations, topsoil and subsoil will be stockpiled and reused for site restoration and landscaping. Where damage unavoidably occurs, MATL will work with the landowner to restore the affected areas to their original condition. In some instances, the best solution may be to engage the landowner in this task; for example, employing a farm operator to repair compaction.
Thorough Environmental Protection Plans will be filed with the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
Weed Control
MATL recognizes that the invasion of weeds into agricultural crops is a serious matter that can cause significant damage if uncontained. MATL is committed to managing the weeds along its right-of-way during construction and as part of the company’s ongoing operations. MATL will follow a weed control program that meets all state, provincial and local regulatory requirements as well as best industry practice and which is consistent with its corporate responsibility for its facilities and towards its neighbors.
If required by the landowner, MATL will seed any areas to grass and control weeds at its own expense until the grass is established. A reasonable area of grass seeding will be determined by MATL and the landowner.
Impact on Irrigation Equipment
MATL will strive to design the spans in the vicinity of irrigated lands to accommodate the existing irrigation system. If this is not possible and/or reasonably economic, then MATL will pay for the reasonable modification of the irrigation system in question to maintain the number of irrigated acres.
If it is not possible to reasonably modify the irrigation system to maintain the number of irrigated acres, MATL will compensate the landowner for the substantiated lost productivity that is not offset by potential benefits of system modifications.
Aerial Spraying
MATL has listened to the concerns raised by landowners with regard to areas that can not be aerial sprayed, and has taken these concerns very seriously.
MATL investigated these claims and did not find any examples where the cultivation of specialty crops in the vicinity of transmission lines was not possible. In most cases, specialty crops are being grown immediately adjacent to the transmission infrastructure, which leads MATL to conclude that either aerial spraying remained effective, or aerial spraying could be supplemented with ground-based spraying to allow for the continued cultivation of all crops in the immediate vicinity of the transmission infrastructure.
In the event that MATL’s transmission infrastructure prevents crops from being sprayed effectively, or if there are increased expenses associated with supplementing current spraying practices, MATL is committed to reimbursing landowners for these increased costs.
Fencing and Induced Currents
MATL is not aware of any circumstance where injury has resulted from an induced current on a fence line.
It is possible, however, for a fence to pick up a small electrical charge that could be an irritant to livestock. To avoid this, MATL will ensure that all fences and metal structures near the transmission line are properly grounded.
Insurance & Indemnification
MATL is aware that the installment of power line structures may increase the number of risks associated with day-to-day farming operations. The compensation structure accounts for intangible impacts as a result of the installation of transmission infrastructure.
MATL bears the responsibility of repairing our infrastructure in the event that it is damaged, and likewise, landowners would bear a similar responsibility for their own equipment. Part of MATL’s compensation could be invested in insurance, which could further protect landowners from financial harm resulting from damage to equipment.
For further clarity, MATL refers all landowners to the paragraphs addressing “Liability of the Grantor” contained within the proposed Alberta Right-of-Way Agreement for an Electric Transmission Line as follows:
LIABILITY OF THE GRANTOR
The Grantor shall not be liable to MATL for any
damage caused to the Transmission Line, Telecommunication Facilities or any
Works, equipment, apparatus and appurtenances of MATL associated therewith,
which occurs as a result of the permitted use and occupation of the Right-of-Way
by the Grantor or his agents, servants or contractors, excepting thereto
all damage caused by the wilful or negligent acts or omissions of the Grantor,
or his agents, servants or contractors.
GPS Equipment
At the request of any landowner, MATL will arrange for a baseline investigation of the GPS signal prior to construction of the MATL line. If the landowner believes his or her GPS system is compromised once the power line is built, MATL will then send an expert to investigate the situation and identify the problem.
If the MATL line is found to be the source of the problem, the company will, in cooperation with the landowner, mitigate all negative impacts to the GPS system at the company’s expense. If no other more cost-effective solution is available, MATL will purchase higher quality equipment for the landowner that will not be affected by the transmission infrastructure.
Landowners with concerns about potential interference with GPS should contact MATL.
TV, Radio, Internet, and Satellite Reception
If current reception for communication devices is strong, it is highly unlikely that the transmission line will affect the signals. However, if the reception is weak before the line is built, the new transmission line may have an effect on the signal.
Landowners with concerns about potential interference with satellite, wireless internet, television, radio and/or other communication devices should contact MATL. MATL will initiate studies to determine the problem and find solutions. Houses within two miles (3.2 km) of the proposed MATL power line are offered this free service.
If the problems are caused by MATL’s facilities, MATL will correct the problem at its own expense.
Audible Noise
Noise impact from transmission infrastructure will be negligible. Audible noise calculations conducted by SNC-Lavalin at the edge of the proposed safety zone (16 m from the centre of the MATL line) indicate that levels are below commonly accepted guidelines. Audible considerations were also taken into account during the design phase of the substation.
While noise issues are not anticipated, mitigation options will be investigated if necessary.
Currently, no specific noise level criteria exist for electrical transmission
lines or substations; however MATL is committed to operating within the guidelines
of the Energy Resources Conservation Board’s Directive
038: Noise Control. (See www.auc.ab.ca/acts-regulations-and-auc-rules/rules/Pages/Rule012.aspx)
Visual Impact
The issue of visual impact related to power lines is not new in Southern Alberta. While MATL acknowledges that there may be visual impacts caused by power lines, it also notes that within Alberta, power lines currently exist along the proposed route and are readily visible.
Power lines are needed to distribute electricity to rural users and without power lines electricity would not be available for use.
MATL has committed to consult with landowners regarding final structure placement. In the event that a structure would otherwise be placed in the immediate vicinity of a preferred line-of-sight, MATL may be able to adjust the structure placement.