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Birtle Transmission Project

The Birtle Transmission Project built a 230-kV transmission line from Birtle Station, south of the community of Birtle, to the Manitoba–Saskatchewan border. SaskPower was responsible for building the transmission line in Saskatchewan that connects to their station in Tantallon, SK.

The project began with public and Indigenous engagement in fall 2016 to spring 2017. The line was energized March 29, 2021 to begin transmitting power to Saskatchewan. We received a Class 2 Development Licence (Licence #3314) under The Environment Act (Manitoba) on January 14, 2020. Construction started in July 2020 and the project was completed in March 2021.

Document library

View materials created for the Birtle Transmission Project:

Environmental protection and management plans

These plans were used as guides for contractors and field personnel during the construction of the Birtle Transmission Project. They helped us meet environmental legislation requirements and protect the environment.

• Access management plan (PDF, 3.1 MB);
• Access management plan mapbook (PDF, 21.9 MB);
• Biosecurity management plan (PDF, 6.1 MB);
• Construction environmental plan (PDF, 19.7 MB);
• Construction environmental protection plan mapbook (PDF, 20.7 MB);
• Cultural and heritage resources protection plan (PDF, 4.8 MB);
• Environmental monitoring plan (PDF, 958 KB);
• Grasslands offset plan for impacts to grassland bird habitat in the Spy Hill–Ellice Community Pasture (PDF, 4.7 MB).

Annual monitoring reports

• Environmental monitoring report 2022 (PDF, 6.2 MB);
  • Vegetation technical report 2022 (PDF, 1.6 MB);
  • Sharp-tailed grouse technical report 2022 (PDF, 1.3 MB);
  • Bird species of conservation concern technical report 2022 (PDF, 4.8 MB);
  • Mammals technical report 2022 (PDF, 192 KB).
• Environmental monitoring report 2021 (PDF, 3.2 MB);
  • Stream crossing technical report 2021 (PDF, 1.5 MB);
  • Vegetation technical report 2021 (PDF, 20.9 MB);
  • Sharp-tailed grouse technical report 2021 (PDF, 3.4 MB);
  • Bird species of conservation concern technical report 2021 (PDF, 2.7 MB).
• Environmental monitoring report 2020 (PDF, 2.8 MB);
  • Invasive vegetation technical report 2020 (PDF, 2 MB);
  • Sharp-tailed grouse lek technical report 2020 (PDF, 2.3 MB).

Culture and heritage monitoring report

• Culture and heritage monitoring report 2021 (PDF, 1.8 MB).

Final preferred route maps

Localized final preferred route maps:

• Map index (PDF, 3.3 MB).
  • Map 1 (PDF, 449 KB);
  • Map 2 (PDF, 415 KB);
  • Map 3 (PDF, 458 KB);
  • Map 4 (PDF, 404 KB);
  • Map 5 (PDF, 405 KB);
  • Map 6 (PDF, 426 KB);
  • Map 7 (PDF, 451 KB);
  • Map 8 (PDF, 322 KB).

GIS data – project infrastructure for download

This zip file contains spatial files in ESRI Shapefile format of the project infrastructure. They are viewable using geographic information system software. We recommend extracting the files to your computer, rather than opening them online. The .kml file will allow you to view the route(s) with software such as Google Earth®.

• Project components (Zip file, 1.6 MB).

Round 2 (2017)

• Newsletter: Preferred Route (PDF, 427 KB);
• Advertisement (PDF, 114 KB);
• Alternating Current – Electric Magnetic Fields (PDF, 390 KB).
  • Alternating Current Lines and Electronic Devices (PDF, 380 KB);
  • Health Canada - Electric and Magnetic Fields from Power Lines and Electrical Appliances (PDF, 2 MB);
  • Cattle & EMF (PDF, 45 KB);
  • International Commission on Non-ionizing Radiation Protection (PDF, 121 KB).
• Right of Way - Tree Clearing and Maintenance (PDF, 1 MB);
• Keeping power lines clear of trees (PDF, 1.4 MB);
• Biosecurity and Transmission Lines (PDF, 1.3 MB);
• Public Open House storyboards (PDF, 418 KB);
• Landowner questionnaire (PDF, 46 KB).

Preferred route maps

• Map index (PDF, 496 KB).
  • Map 1 (PDF, 435 KB);
  • Map 2 (PDF, 378 KB);
  • Map 3 (PDF, 432 KB);
  • Map 4 (PDF, 382 KB);
  • Map 5 (PDF, 382 KB);
  • Map 6 (PDF, 404 KB);
  • Map 7 (PDF, 438 KB);
  • Map 8 (PDF, 339 KB).

Round 1 (2016)

• Map: Alternative routes segments and border connection zones (PDF, 1.1 MB);
• Newsletter: Alternative routes and potential border crossings (PDF, 746 KB);
• Transmission line routing process (PDF, 1.2 MB);
• Postcard – November 2016 (PDF, 127 KB);
• Public Open House storyboards (PDF, 346 KB);
• Survey/feedback form (PDF, 58 KB).

• Map index (PDF, 3.7 MB).
  • Map 1 – southeast area (PDF, 3.9 MB);
  • Map 2 – southwest area (PDF, 4.1 MB);
  • Map 3 – northeast area (PDF, 3.7 MB);
  • Map 4 – northwest area (PDF, 4.2 MB).

Environmental assessment

An environmental assessment was submitted to Manitoba Conservation and Climate for review and approval was received. This project was classified as a Class 2 development under The Environment Act (Manitoba).

The EA report for the project included:

• a description of the project, through construction, operation, and maintenance;
• study area characterization through fieldwork and background investigation;
• outline the public and indigenous engagement processes, and the feedback received;
• identification and assessment of potential environmental and socio-economic effects; and
• development of mitigation measures to minimize potential effects on people and the environment.

Environmental Assessment Report – January 30, 2018

• Executive summary and contents (PDF, 642 KB);
• Chapter 1 – Introduction (PDF, 461 KB);
• Chapter 2 – Project description (PDF, 515 KB);
• Chapter 3 – Public engagement process (PDF, 641 KB);
• Chapter 4 – Indigenous engagement process (PDF, 3.5 MB);
• Chapter 5 – Existing environment (PDF, 8.8 MB);
• Chapter 6 – Routing process (PDF, 2 MB);
• Chapter 7 – Environmental assessment (PDF, 1.8 MB);
• Chapter 8 – Effects of the environment on the project (PDF, 59 KB);
• Chapter 9 – Accidents and malfunctions (PDF, 155 KB);
• Chapter 10 – Environmental protection follow-up and monitoring (PDF, 420 KB);
• Chapter 11 – Environmental assessment summary (PDF, 120 KB);
• Chapter 12 – References (PDF, 158 KB).

Appendices

• Appendix A – Transmission line routing (PDF, 5.9 MB);
• Appendix B – Public engagement information (PDF, 4.4 MB);
• Appendix C – Indigenous engagement summary (PDF, 224 KB);
  • Appendix C – Draft Canupawakpa Dakota Nation values and interests report (PDF, 4.2 MB);
  • Appendix C – Draft Gambler First Nation values and interests report (PDF, 2.5 MB);
  • Appendix C – Manitoba Metis Federation report (PDF, 12.6 MB);
  • Appendix C – Waywayseecappo First Nation traditional knowledge study (PDF, 12.8 MB).
• Appendix D – Biophysical technical report (PDF, 12.3 MB);
• Appendix E – Socioeconomic information (PDF, 148 KB);
• Appendix G – Draft construction environmental protection plan (PDF, 3.2 MB);
  • Appendix G – CENVPP map book maps 1–7 (PDF, 4.7 MB);
  • Appendix G – CENVPP map book maps 8–15 (PDF, 4.3 MB);
  • Appendix G – CENVPP map book maps 16–24 (PDF, 4.8 MB);
  • Appendix G – CENVPP map book maps 25–29 (PDF, 3.5 MB).
• Appendix H – Cultural and heritage resources protection plan (PDF, 4.2 MB);
• Appendix I – Draft environmental monitoring plan (PDF, 931 KB).

Contact us

For more information about the Birtle Transmission Project, email Transmission & Distribution Environment and Engagement.