Pierre River Mine Project

WATER AENV SIRS 15 – 43
Question No. 20
Request Volume 2, SIR 280, Page 21-21.
Section 12.1
Shell states that the reaches of Pierre River, Eymundson Creek and Big Creek
located within the LSA are considered to be lost in their entirety and any change
in habitat as a result of change in flow was incorporated into the fish area lost,
as described in EIA Vol. 4, Appendix 4-6, Table 7.
20a Describe how the change in flow may affect fish and fish habitat outside the LSA,
with particular focus on winter flows.
Response 20a The Athabasca River downstream of the Firebag River confluence would be the
only watercourse which may be potentially affected outside of the Pierre River
Mine local study area (LSA) from changes in habitat area. Potential changes to
flows in the Athabasca River from construction, operations and closure activities
in the Pierre River Mine development area were considered in Section 6.7.7.3
(EIA, Volume 4, Section 6.7, page 6-663). The change in flows in the Athabasca
River due to closed-circuit operations and reclaimed areas resulting from the
Pierre River Mine is considered negligible (EIA, Volume 4, Section 6.4.7.3).
Therefore, no impacts to fish habitat in the Athabasca River would be expected
from changes to streamflows resulting from activities in the Pierre River Mine
development area, other than those potentially related to water withdrawals for
the project.
Reference
A discussion of changes to Athabasca River flows and fish habitat relating to
water withdrawals is in the EIA, Volume 4, Section 6.7.7.3. Flows in the
Athabasca River, including winter flows, are being managed under the Water
Management Framework for the lower Athabasca River (AENV and DFO 2007).
A Phase 2 Framework is currently being developed by Alberta Environment and
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, which will further define how cumulative
withdrawals under low flow conditions will be managed and the potential effects
on fish habitat associated with cumulative withdrawals. Shell has committed to
operating under the current framework and any future frameworks that define
limits to water withdrawals on the Athabasca River.
AENV and DFO (Alberta Environment and Fisheries and Oceans Canada). 2007.
Water Management Framework: Instream Flow Needs and Water
Management System for the Lower Athabasca River. Edmonton, AB.
37 pp.
12-22 Shell Canada Limited April 2010
CR029