Pierre River Mine Project

WATER AENV SIRS 15 – 43
Reference
Section 12.1
Aquatic plants and algae are recognized as important features of the aquatic
ecosystem, and as such, have been proposed as components of the conceptual
monitoring plan for lakes (see EIA, Volume 4B, Aquatic Resources Appendices,
Appendix 4-9, Section 5.2.5.1 and Section 5.2.5.2). For stream monitoring, the
presence of submergent vegetation and percent of instream cover are common
variables used for habitat suitability index (HSI) models for most species present
within the project area and have been included in the Jackpine Mine – Phase 1
monitoring program to support the validation of the HSI models. However, in the
typical stream habitat in the project area, the scientific literature indicates that
allochthonous organic carbon inputs from riparian vegetation and bogs is the
largest component of the organic matter inputs and strongly affects the character
of the heterotrophic food chain. For example, Jonsson et al. (2006) found that
aquatic primary production was an insignificant input of organic carbon relative
to terrestrial organic carbon in the aquatic environment in boreal forest in
Sweden. The use of algae and aquatic plants as a separate KIR (outside of the
consideration of fish habitat) for the purpose of completing the EIA was not
considered necessary for assessing project-related effects on fish and fish habitat.
Further details on monitoring aquatic plants will be developed in consultation
with regulators and stakeholders in the development of the detailed NNLP
compensation monitoring program.
Jonsson, A., G. Algesten, A.-K. Bergstrom, K Bishop, S. Sobek, L.J. Tranvik and
M. Jansson. 2006, Integrating aquatic carbon fluxes in a boreal
catchment carbon budget. J Hydrology 334:141-150.
Request 41c Provide a list of appropriate KIR’s for non-fish bearing shallow lakes and
wetlands including plant and animal species.
Response 41c Wetlands, such as bogs, fens and marshes, were assessed as part of the Terrestrial
Resources Assessment (EIA, Volume 5, Section 7.5.1, 7.5.2 and 7.5.3). The key
indicator resource (KIR) selection process for terrestrial resources is described in
the EIA, Volume 5, Section 7.6.7.2; this assessment considers wetlands,
vegetation and wildlife resources. Wetland KIRs include peatlands (fens and
bogs), patterned fens, rare and special plant communities (i.e., lenticular
patterned fen) and riparian communities, as they are associated with wetlands in
many cases. Wildlife KIRs associated with wetlands include Canadian toad,
yellow rail and beaver. The KIRs for shallow, non-fish bearing lakes would
include benthic invertebrates and their habitat.
12-62 Shell Canada Limited April 2010
CR029