Pierre River Mine Project

WATER AENV SIRS 15 – 43
Section 12.1
43a Describe Shell’s sampling protocol, detailing when specific sampling techniques
will be used.
Response 43a The monitoring program will follow the protocols outlined in Shell’s strategy for
compensation habitat monitoring currently under review by regulatory agencies
and stakeholders (Hatfield 2009). The specific details of the monitoring program
will be based initially on the Jackpine Mine – Phase 1 monitoring program,
which has undergone several years of review with regulatory agencies to refine
the program. Fish abundance will be assessed using multiple-pass electrofishing
in stream habitats and mark-recapture studies will be used for deeper habitats.
Specific locations of sampling for the Pierre River Mine will be developed before
the monitoring program is implemented in consultation with regulators and
stakeholders and will be dependent on site-specific conditions at the time of
sampling.
Reference
Hatfield (Hatfield Consultants). 2009. Evaluating aquatic habitat loss and
compensation offsets in the Athabasca oil sands. Prepared for Shell
Canada Energy. Calgary, AB. December 2009.
Request 43b Clarify how trend data will be comparable year-to-year if sampling techniques
and effort are not constant.
Response 43b A strategy has been developed to provide consistency in sampling for Shell’s
monitoring programs (Hatfield 2009). Habitat conditions may change from year
to year because of differences in flow condition or beaver activity, for example,
which may warrant changing the sampling approach to match the conditions
present. Fish abundance will be determined using either multiple-pass removal
electrofishing when conditions are suitable or mark-recapture studies. The
estimates of fish abundance will provide the trend information and habitat use
assessment required for Alberta Environment and Fisheries and Oceans Canada
monitoring. The physical habitat parameters measured seasonally each year
(Hatfield 2009) will also help interpret differences that may be observed in the
data amongst years.
Reference
Hatfield (Hatfield Consultants). 2009. Evaluating aquatic habitat loss and
compensation offsets in the Athabasca oil sands. Prepared for Shell
Canada Energy. Calgary, AB. December 2009.
12-64 Shell Canada Limited April 2010
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