Pierre River Mine Project

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References
Section 13.1
bird nesting period which is typically April 1 to August 30 (Environment Canada
2006; FAN 2007). Thus, clearing typically occurs outside of this nesting period
(i.e., in September to March), as stated in EIA, Volume 5, Section 7.1.3, page
7-10.
Birds of prey are protected under the Alberta Wildlife Act (AWA) which states
that a “person shall not wilfully molest, disturb or destroy a house, nest or den of
prescribed wildlife... in prescribed areas and at prescribed times” (Government of
Alberta 2000). Owls do not have specific provisions under the AWA, and Alberta
Sustainable Resources Development (ASRD) is developing guidelines to address
habitat and protection needs of sensitive species (A. Hubbs, 2009, pers. comm.).
Shell recognizes that there are potential impacts on owl nests, and has included
the potential impact within the EIA analysis. Shell is committed to conducting
the pre-clearing nest surveys as required by the MBCA and AWA, and the
primary mitigation for compliance is to conduct clearing outside of the main
migratory bird nesting period which is typically April 1 to August 30
(Environment Canada 2006; FAN 2007).
Environment Canada. 2006. Submissions of the Government of Canada. The
Joint Review Panel Established by the Alberta Energy and Utilities
Board and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. Kearl Oil
Sands Project, Imperial Oil Resources Ventures Limited. Available
online at
http://www.ceaa.gc.ca/050/documents_staticpost/cearref_16237/KR-
0029.pdf. Assessed October 23, 2009.
FAN (Federation of Alberta Naturalists). 2007. The Atlas of Breeding Birds of
Alberta: A Second Look. 626 pp.
Government of Alberta. 2000. Wildlife Act. R.S.A. 2000, c. W-10. Current to
June 4, 2009. Sustainable Resource Development. 65 pp.
Government of Canada. 1994. Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994. S.C.,
1994, c. 22. Current to September 17, 2009. Published by the Minister of
Justice. 54 pp.
Hubbs, A. 2009. (Fish and Wildlife Management, Alberta Sustainable Resource
Development, Rocky Mountain House). Personal communication with
Amy Darling (Golder Associates Ltd.) on October 22, 2009.
13-40 Shell Canada Limited April 2010
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