From mining operations to luxury condominiums, BKL has conducted 3rd party reviews on a variety of project across all sectors. For these assignments, BKL’s team applies its experience and insights to ensure technical content aligns with best practice methodologies and international standards. Here are a few examples of projects BKL has reviewed.
Site C Clean Energy Project
Fort St. John, BC
Slated to open in 2024, Site C is BC Hydro’s third dam on the Peace River and will add about 5,100 gigawatt hours of energy to the province’s integrated electrical system each year. BKL conducted a third-party peer review of the project’s construction noise assessment.
Powerhouse construction at Site C
Aquilini Centre
Vancouver, BC
For this downtown Vancouver development, which comprises three residential towers adjacent to Rogers Arena, BKL reviewed and commented on noise studies to assess the potential effects of concert and event noise on residents. BKL provided advice for calculating noise exposures at various floors, highlighted areas of concern, and confirmed that testing complied with ASTM requirements and the city’s acoustic performance test.
One Pacific
Vancouver, BC
Located near BC Place and Plaza of Nations, this luxury condominium had to meet the City’s acoustic performance test before receiving its occupancy permit. Understanding concerns with event noise from the nearby venues, BKL provided guidance to the City on the criteria and methodology used in the performance testing.
Bedrock Granite Sales Ltd.
Coquitlam, BC
When this industrial site, situated near a residential area, sought to expand operations, the municipality hired BKL to review a noise mitigation report and visit the site. BKL identified some concerns with the existing mitigation plan and shared recommendations with city staff. BKL later reviewed a second assessment and confirmed the concerns had been answered.
Davidson Project
Smithers, BC
BKL conducted a peer review of noise modelling relating to a noise impact assessment completed for this underground molybdenum mine. BKL confirmed the accuracy of the modelling and shared a few minor recommendations to emphasize certain mitigation suggestions and include additional noise sources.
Quintette Mine
Tumbler Ridge, BC
Part of a feasibility study for the reopening of this coal mine, BKL conducted a third-party review of the project’s noise assessment. In the review, BKL shared observations and responded to comments. While Teck received a permit for this project, they deferred restarting the mine, which now sits idle.
Quintette Mine
Roman Mine
Tumbler Ridge, BC
For this open-pit coal mine, BKL participated in a third-party review. BKL recommended the client conduct a noise assessment to consider the effects of noise from blasting and increased road traffic on wildlife and nearby residents.
Interior to Lower Mainland Transmission Line Project
On behalf of the Stó:lō Nation, BKL reviewed and commented on the technical content of a noise report relating to this project, which saw the construction of a transmission line between the Nicola Substation in BC’s interior and the Meridian Substation in Coquitlam, BC. BKL identified inconsistencies within the methodologies applied when choosing measurement locations, assessing construction noise, and measuring non-residential land uses. BKL also suggested more suitable criteria for the project, to assess the project’s impact on Indigenous communities.
New Prosperity Mine
Cariboo Regional District
The Tsilhqot’in National Government hired BKL to review the acoustical details in the environmental impact statement for this proposed mine, located 125 kilometers southwest of Williams Lake. BKL’s acousticians found the statement lacked relevant noise criteria and overlooked the potential effects mining and construction noise could have on Teztan Biny, a nearby lake with spiritual and recreational importance for the Tsilhqot’in Nation.
Teztan Biny
Rigel Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage Project
Northern Alberta
BKL conducted a third-party technical review of the environmental noise impact assessment for this oil sands project, and provided recommendations for improving the assessment, specifically suggesting the applicant include rationale for background noise criteria and confirm its noise data represents worst-case scenarios. BKL recommended conducting a construction noise assessment that includes transportation noise, a monitoring plan and noise management plan, and considers the direct and in-direct effects on Indigenous communities and activities.