Notice of Intent to Make a Determination

SaskPower Rural Rebuild 2D-41 Birmingham Southwest - Public Comments invited

June 2, 2025 - Indigenous Services Canada must determine whether the proposed SaskPower Rural Rebuild 2D-41 Birmingham Southwest, to be located on Star Blanket First Nation Reserve, is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. To help inform this determination, Indigenous Services Canada is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination.

Written comments must be submitted by July 1, 2025 to:

Indigenous Services Canada
2010 12th Avenue
Regina, SK  S4P 0M3

Telephone: 306-581-3134
Email: isc-skenv@sac-isc.gc.ca

 

Proposed Project

The purpose of the Project is for SaskPower to replace aging overhead powerline infrastructure in order to maintain the integrity of power service for existing and future customers. The Project is situated within cultivated and grassland areas, within existing SaskPower overhead powerline rights-of-way (ROW), and within road allowances adjacent existing roads. A portion of the Project will traverse four quarter sections of land within the Star Blanket First Nation Reserve on pasture, hay, and grass land uses.

 

The proposed Project is located on or near four quarter sections of Star Blanket First Nation Reserve land with legal land descriptions as follows:

* SW-32-22-08-W2M (construction in the developed road ROW to the south)

* SE-32-22-08-W2M (construction in the developed road ROW to the south and east)

* SW-33-22-08-W2M (construction in the developed road ROW to the south and west)

* NW-33-22-08-W2M (construction in the developed road ROW to the west, salvage on the northern portion of the quarter section, and underground line install to the residence located on the west side of the quarter section).

 

The project includes vegetation clearing, the salvage of existing wood poles with associated hardware and overhead conductor, and the installation of wood poles with associated hardware and overhead conductors. The Project will be accessed from locations within road allowances and SaskPower ROW. The removal of trees and shrubs is required for safe equipment access and tree-fall clearance to reduce the risk of damage to the overhead powerline and the potential for fire due to tree contact with the overhead conductor.

 

The Project area contains a creek crossing in two locations on Pearl Creek and multiple Class I to Class IV wetlands located within 30 metres of the Project area.  The creek has been deemed narrow enough that SaskPower proposes to span it with an overhead line. The ground work near the creek is planned to be completed in the road ROW.