Pierre River Mine Project

WATER AENV SIRS 15 – 43
Reference
planning and operations will be incorporated into closure and reclamation
planning.
Section 12.1
Shell recognizes that research is currently underway with the Canadian Oil Sands
Network for Research and Development (CONRAD) and the Wetlands and
Aquatic Sub Group (WASG) of the Cumulative Environmental Management
Association (CEMA) to further investigate methodologies for wetlands
reconstruction on reclaimed landscapes. For example, CONRAD supports fen
reclamation research that is investigating the success of vegetation island
transplants. The WASG has initiated reclamation research on the processes and
function of existing wetlands for practical application in the Oil Sands Region.
Reclamation programs will be adaptively managed to incorporate the results and
recommendations from ongoing research regarding establishment of wetlands,
including peatlands, on the closure landscape.
CEMA. 2007. Guideline for wetland establishment on reclaimed oil sands leases
(revised edition) 2007. Prepared by Harris, M.L. for CEMA Wetlands
and Aquatics Subgroup of the Reclamation Working Group, Fort
McMurray, AB. Dec/07.
Request 34d Clarify why peatlands are deemed irreversible given that current research is
exploring their reclamation.
Response 34d As discussed in the response to AENV SIR 34c, Shell has remained conservative
in its assumptions regarding peatlands establishment on the reclaimed landscape
in order to ensure that the environmental impact analysis would be as
conservative as possible. Shell acknowledges that the results of peatland research
may change the assumption that the effects on peatlands and patterned fens may
be irreversible. Peatlands reclamation research is currently underway through
CONRAD and CEMA as outlined in the response to AENV SIR 34c, and
additionally through research groups, such as the Peatland Ecology Research
Group (PERG) based at Laval University (see http://www.gret-perg.ulaval.ca/ ).
Shell will incorporate the results of peatland establishment research into
reclamation planning and operations.
Request 34e Provide information on how Shell will incorporate progressive wetland
reclamation to minimize irreversible effects on wetlands.
Response 34e As previously discussed, Shell will utilize the Guideline for Wetland
Establishment on Reclaimed Oil Sands Leases (CEMA 2007) for the reclamation
of wetlands types within the guideline, and will incorporate the results of
peatland establishment research into reclamation planning and operations.
Reclamation programs will be adaptively managed to incorporate the results and
recommendations from ongoing research regarding establishment of wetlands,
including peatlands, on the closure landscape. All areas, including wetlands, will
April 2010 Shell Canada Limited 12-51
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