Pierre River Mine Project

TERRESTRIAL AENV SIRS 44 – 78
Revised Response 310b
Section 13.1
A setback of 250 m along the western shore of the Athabasca River was selected
on the basis of monitoring results from the Jackpine Mine – Phase 1 Wildlife
Corridor Monitoring Program (Golder 2007b) and the Terrestrial Environmental
Setting Report for the Jackpine Mine Expansion and Pierre River Mine Project
(Golder 2007a) in addition to information from corridor monitoring programs
conducted in the area, e.g., Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.’s Horizon Oil Sands
Project. Monitoring results have shown that most species are present in the
existing Jackpine Mine – Phase 1 wildlife corridor areas and, therefore, suggest
that the criterion of genetic connectivity for populations within the regional study
area will likely be met. That is, a minimum of one and up to 10 effective
migrants per generation of all wildlife species are likely to pass through wildlife
corridors, and thus genetic connectivity is predicted to be maintained (Mills and
Allendorf 1996; Wang 2004).
Volume 1. Section 14.1 Page 14-8 SIR 371b (ERCB)
Previous Request 371b What are the sensory affects of light and traffic on
wildlife usage of the underpass?
Revised Response 371b
The effects of the bridge were considered in the assessment of wildlife
movement. The sensory effects are considered an indirect disturbance to wildlife
using the passageways under the bridge. The magnitude of the effect will be
determined by such factors as the:
• type of lighting used on the bridge
• characteristics of the traffic using the bridge
Noise levels generated by traffic will be affected by the speed, size and frequency
of traffic over the bridge. Effects, such as noise, light and smell, are factors
affecting habitat effectiveness. The wildlife passageway was regarded as a zone
of influence (ZOI) with a disturbance coefficient (DC) of less than one. A
disturbance coefficient of 1 (DC = 1) applies when there are no hindrances to
movement, whereas a DC of zero reflects a complete barrier to movement. In this
case, wildlife are predicted to use the passageway under the cover of darkness or
during periods of lower traffic volume. If wildlife use the passageway as
predicted, genetic connectivity is likely to be maintained throughout the region
(Mills and Allendorf 1996; Wang 2004) as outlined in the EIA, Volume 5,
Section 7.1.2.
Volume 2. Section 23.1 Page 23-2 SIR 383a
Previous Request 383a The CNRL requirement is 400 m. Has Shell
completed a contingency plan if the requirement for this mine will be 400 m as
well?
13-8 Shell Canada Limited April 2010
CR029