AltaLink operates approximately 11,600 kilometres of transmission lines and 260 substations, bringing electricity to the homes and businesses throughout Alberta. As with other energy and development projects, operating and maintaining a transmission system has the potential to negatively impact wildlife, particularly birds. Birds can be affected by the transmission system because they can collide with the wires, become electrocuted on structures and in substations, and nest on utility poles.

At AltaLink, we recognize the concern about the interactions between birds and the transmission system. AltaLink aims to stay up to date on current research, participates actively in assessing bird interactions and takes significant steps to mitigate potential impacts. AltaLink strives to be a leader in the area of bird power line impact mitigation and is committed to continually improving performance in this area.

The following pages on AltaLink’s bird protection program will provide you with an understanding of how birds may interact with the transmission system and the steps AltaLink takes to mitigate the potential negative impacts of bird interactions. 

The recent removal of a required Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for large transmission projects does not remove the extensive internal process that AltaLink goes through to look at potential environmental impacts.

AltaLink performs thorough environmental reviews and studies on all new projects taking into account all of the environmental aspects of our operations for the purpose of Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) approval.

When necessary, we employ qualified biologists to conduct field studies to determine potentially sensitive areas for birds and wildlife. Many of our structures were built prior to current environmental legislation and we are working to upgrade our system to minimize impacts to birds and wildlife in high-risk areas.

The removal of a mandatory EIA does not affect our commitment to ensuring that we reduce the impact of our operations on birds.

Q.  What do I do if I find a bird that was injured or killed by an AltaLink facility?
A. If the bird is injured, contact AltaLink and the Alberta Wildlife Help Line immediately. If the bird is deceased, contact AltaLink at the earliest opportunity and be prepared to provide locational information.

 AltaLink Environmental:
o Telephone: (403) 267-3400
o Toll free: 1-866-451-7817
o Emergency (24 hours): 1-866-667-3400

 Albert Wildlife Help Line:
o Toll free: 1-888-924-2444
o Website: http://www.albertawildliferehab.org/crisis.html

Q. What type of legislation protects birds in Alberta?
A. Birds in Alberta are protected under both provincial and federal legislation: the Alberta Wildlife Act, Migratory Birds Convention Act, and the Species at Risk Act.

Q. How do birds interact with transmission lines?
A. Bird and wildlife interactions with electrical equipment are common in the transmission system. For information on specific interactions, see our Collisions, Electrocutions, and Nests pages.

Q. How does AltaLink identify and understand its impacts on birds?
A. AltaLink is an active member of the Ferruginous Hawk Recovery Team of Alberta, the Avian Power Line Interaction Committee (APLIC), the Raptor Research Foundation, and the Migratory Birds Industry Task Group. AltaLink performs bird surveys annually and works with external parties to identify and assess the risk to birds on our system. AltaLink also works with contractors, when necessary, to do extensive wildlife surveys on new projects.