Beaver
The American Beaver (Castor canadensis), a member of the Rodent family, is a semi-aquatic mammal that is widely distributed throughout Canada. They are known for their long teeth and large flat tail. They have thick, oily, brown fur that allows them to stay dry in the water. They are excellent swimmers and excellent builders. Beavers spend the majority of their time constructing dams and lodges with surrounding trees. During the spring and summer they feed on shrubs and during the fall and winter they consume trees. Beavers occupy streams, rivers, and lakes throughout the country. Beavers are not considered to be at risk under SARA and COSEWIC.
The beavers are really active throughout the Lower Churchill River area, therefore the Project can have great effects on them. Also, they are an important species for Innu. (Nalcor 2009, Vol. 2B).
To learn more about the Beaver, feel free to visit this website: http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/kids/animal-facts/beaver.asp
The beavers are really active throughout the Lower Churchill River area, therefore the Project can have great effects on them. Also, they are an important species for Innu. (Nalcor 2009, Vol. 2B).
To learn more about the Beaver, feel free to visit this website: http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/kids/animal-facts/beaver.asp
Impacts of the project
This Project will have major impacts on the Beavers. The inundation of the reservoirs will destroy the entire surrounding habitat of the beavers. (Nalcor 2009, Vol. 2B).
mitigation measures proposed by nalcor energy
- Determine habitat availability and quality outside the Project area for species at risk and the distribution and abundance of species at risk in the Project area
- Develop protocols to mitigate disturbance and incidental take and outline how construction would minimize these effects
- Reduce habitat loss effects on key indicator species using mitigation measures such as relocating active beaver colonies
- Relocate active beaver colonies and establish habitat selection criteria for beaver to maximize adult/kit survival for relocated colonies
- Conduct summer and winter ground surveys of wildlife habitat association transects to establish a baseline and examine changes in distribution and abundance of wildlife
- Monitor beaver in blocks via aerial surveys to examine changes in distribution and monitor effectiveness of the beaver relocation program
- Record and report animal mortality related to the Project
- Carry out monitoring programs for each key indicator species to aid in the development of adaptive management procedures.
(N.B. These are the exact, unmodified mitigation measures proposed by Nalcor Energy themselves) (Joint Panel Review, 2011)
Critique
The comparision was conducted using other projects such as Dunvegan Hydroelectric Project (Alberta), Eastmain-1-A and Rupert Diversion Project (Quebec), Keeyask Generation Project (Manitoba), Lower Mattagami River Hydroelectric Complex Project (Ontario), Romaine River Hydroelectric Project (Quebec).
positive aspects
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negative aspects
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