Pierre River Mine Project

TERRESTRIAL AENV SIRS 44 – 78
Section 13.1
Request 76b Which KIR represents the habitat requirements of woodland caribou? Explain
how this listed species is represented by one or several of the KIRs.
Response 76b The KIRs that could represent the habitat requirements of woodland caribou in
the LSA are lichen – jackpine communities and peatlands. These two KIRs are
considered primary habitat for woodland caribou in northeastern Alberta (Stelfox
1993). These KIRs represent potential rather than realized caribou habitat
because caribou are observed in the area very infrequently (Golder 2007), the
LSAs do not fall within a recognized caribou zone and habitat in proximity to
Base Case industrial development is of reduced value to caribou as a result of
sensory disturbance (Dyer et al. 2001).
References
Question No. 77
Dyer, S.J., J.P. O'Neil, S.M. Wasel and S. Boutin. 2001. Avoidance of Industrial
Development by Woodland Caribou. Journal of Wildlife Management.
65: 531-542.
Golder (Golder Associates Ltd.). 2007. Wildlife and wildlife habitat
environmental setting for the Jackpine Mine Expansion and Pierre River
Mine Project. Submitted to Shell Canada Ltd. December, 2007. 191 pp.
Stelfox, J.B. (ed.). 1993. Hoofed Mammals of Alberta. Lone Pine Publishing.
Edmonton, AB. 241 pp.
Request Volume 2, SIR 483d, Page 23-184.
Shell asserts that Currently the RSF model produced by Dr. Anne Hubbs is the
best available data on barred owls. In discussion of Shell’s response with Dr.
Anne Hubbs, she indicates the use of Mike Russell’s RSFs (M.Sc, Thesis 2008 –
University of Alberta) would be more appropriate as they account for individual
variability and edge effects which Anne’s model did not directly address.
77a Provide a revised assessment using Mr. Russell’s work or an explanation of why
Mr. Russell’s RSFs are not applicable to Shell’s project.
Response 77a Mike Russell’s thesis was not published until the spring of 2008 (Russell 2008)
and was not made available to Shell until November 2009 (Russell 2009, pers.
comm.). The EIA was submitted in December 2007. Habitat suitability models
are refined over time as ecological knowledge advances and new data become
available. Shell contends that it would not be appropriate to re-work analyses or
assessments based on incremental methodology refinements made subsequent to
the time that the EIA was being produced, unless a qualitative assessment of
those refinements suggests a basis for doing so.
April 2010 Shell Canada Limited 13-73
CR029