ABSTRACT 7th International Symposium on Environmental Concerns in Rights-of-Way Management
TITLE:	CROSSING^TM. Stream crossing decision support system
AUTHOR(S):	Scott Reid - sreid@golder.com Golder Associates Ltd. Calgary, AB, Canada Mike Bender Golder Associates Ltd. Calgary, AB, Canada Serge Metikosh Golder Associates Ltd. Calgary, AB, Canada Brian Zelt - bzelt@e2canada.com E2 Environmental Alliance Calgary, AB, Canada
The construction of natural gas pipelines can require the traversing of streams, rivers and other waterbodies. Sediment released during instream construction has the potential to adversely affect downstream aquatic life and their habitats. At present, there are few tools available for predicting the potential effects of pipeline water crossings on aquatic life. CROSSING^TM is a personal computer based program for pipeline water crossing decision and assessment support. CROSSING^TM uses readily available or measurable information about the watercourse and crossing method to assist in the assessment of risks to downstream fish communities due to sediment release. Sediment generation and transport predictions are based on physically based models derived from physical principles and monitoring data from past water crossings. Predicted sediment concentrations and duration of instream construction activities are applied to sediment effects dose-response relationships to arrive at an assessment of the sensitivity of the watercourse to the proposed pipeline construction. Information from past sediment effects studies is also applied to assist in assessing the duration and magnitude of water crossing construction effects on fish and fish habitat. Ref#: Abs-1-100