Both Spectra Energy Transmission and Emera Inc take our environmental responsibilities seriously. And we have extensive experience in ensuring habitat is respected. Through our development, construction, and operation of the Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, we set new benchmarks in linear project construction and restoration. For more information on our environmental policies please click here (Environmental Manual for Construction Projects - Canada) [Note: Duke Energy, the manual's author, is now Spectra Energy, the contractor responsible for building and operating the Brunswick Pipeline.]

Should the corridor as proposed in Saint John be approved, we will work closely with the City, the Rockwood Park Advisory Board, the Saint John Horticultural Association and representatives of the public to restore and improve the park facilities, adding to the recreational activities available to the citizens of Saint John in the Park. In other areas, there will be temporary construction impacts but we implement effective strategies to mitigate those impacts.

All pipeline construction is undertaken with the utmost care, including the following measures geared to maintaining environmental integrity.

Grading - Crews construct access along the right-of-way that will be used by all subsequent crews. In forested areas, the forest soil layer is removed and stored separately from subsoil materials. In agricultural areas, the topsoil is stripped by bulldozers and/or graders so that it is not mixed with the subsoil that is subsequently removed from the trench.

Backfilling - In agricultural areas, subsoil is placed back into the trench and the trench is then covered with topsoil. Excess subsoil is removed and disposed of at an appropriate location. Topsoil is replaced using a drag-line and/or small bulldozers.

Clean-up - During clean-up, crews also repair fences, pick up debris, seed the right-of-way and restore sensitive areas such as steep slopes, ditch banks and watercourse and wetland crossings.

Watercourse Crossings - All watercourses are flagged prior to clearing. Flagging is also installed on the right-of-way to indicate the minimal disturbance zone where equipment and work activities are restricted until the watercourse crossing takes place. Access over watercourses is facilitated by using swamp mat bridges or equivalent portable bridges installed to span the watercourse.

Installation of the pipeline under watercourses is typically accomplished by one of three methods: horizontal directional drill (HDD), wet crossing or dry crossing. HDD is conducted by directionally drilling a hole under the watercourse (from bank to bank) and pulling the pipe section through. Wet crossings are constructed directly through the undiverted flow of the watercourse. Dry crossings entail damming of the water and the diversion of flowing water around the construction zone using water pumps and/or culverts. The choice of crossing method depends on the width and depth of the watercourse, flow rate, environmental sensitivities, adjacent land use and soil conditions.