Pierre River Mine Project

WATER AENV SIRS 15 – 43
Reference
Section 12.1
be progressively reclaimed on the landscape where mining operations have been
completed.
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 34f Provide information on how Shell will attempt to reclaim rare and special plant
communities associated with wetlands.
Response 34f As required by current Reclamation Criteria (ASRD 2007) and amended criteria
currently in draft from Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, and operating
approval conditions, Shell will provide the conditions for rare and special plant
communities to establish on the reclaimed landscape, where appropriate. As
presented in the EIA, Appendix 5-2, Section 2.5.1, Shell is planning to reclaim
the project area to plant communities typical of the local boreal forest. As
research findings present further methods to establish boreal peatlands and the
rare or special plant communities associated with them, Shell will incorporate the
results into reclamation planning and operations. Reclamation programs will be
adaptively managed to incorporate the results and recommendations from
ongoing research regarding establishment of rare and special plant communities
associated with wetlands on the closure landscape.
Reference
Question No. 35
ASRD. 2007. A guide to reclamation criteria for wellsites and associated
facilities - 2007 - forested lands in the Green Area update. Edmonton,
AB. April/07.
Request Volume 2, SIR 389a, Page 23-10.
Shell states that after closure the environmental consequences are high for
wetlands (80% loss) at the local level, but are negligible at the regional level.
However, there is no attempt to consider the effects of Shell’s impacts on
wetlands at the regional level in the context of cumulative effects.
35a Provide information of the consequence of wetland loss of Shell’s proposed
development at the regional level in the context of cumulative effects.
Response 35a The consequence of wetland loss at the regional level due to the Jackpine Mine
Expansion and Pierre River Mine are contained in the EIA. Taking into account
12-52 Shell Canada Limited April 2010
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