Woodland caribou
The Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) is a mammal in the family Cervidae. It is one of the most widely distributed mammals throughout Canada. The most interesting features are their long migration routes and impressive antlers, which both males and females have. Male antlers can grow up to about a meter in length. The caribou has a brown coat during the summer and a more grayish coloured coat in winter. The Woodland Caribou that live around the Lower Churchill River are part of what is known as the Boreal population. The habitat occupied by the herd differs in winter from summer. During the summer, the Woodland Caribou feed in open space while during the winter, they occupy the coniferous forest where they feed on lichen. Woodland Caribou are considered threatened under SARA and COSEWIC as a result of habitat destruction, hunting, and constant disturbance from humans.
The Woodland Caribou spend the winter period around the Lower Churchill River area. Therefore this Project could have tremendous effects on the species' survival. Not only is this species important for the ecosystem, but they are an important food source for the Innu. (Nalcor 2009, Vol. 2B).
To learn more about the Woodland Caribou, feel free to visit this website: http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/species/speciesDetails_e.cfm?sid=636
The Woodland Caribou spend the winter period around the Lower Churchill River area. Therefore this Project could have tremendous effects on the species' survival. Not only is this species important for the ecosystem, but they are an important food source for the Innu. (Nalcor 2009, Vol. 2B).
To learn more about the Woodland Caribou, feel free to visit this website: http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/species/speciesDetails_e.cfm?sid=636
Impacts of the Project
There are multiple impacts Nalcor's Project could have on the Woodland Caribou. There are two herds present in the area: the George River Woodland Caribou herd and the Red Wine Mountain Woodland Caribou Herd. The Project will cause habitat loss and also a modification of both herds' migration routes.
Habitat Loss
Habitat loss is one of the major impacts that will effect the Woodland Caribou. Site preparation, construction of site buildings, excavation, the transmission line, quarrying, the burrowing, the reservoir preparation, impounding, and road maintenance will all have a great impact on the habitat of the Woodland Caribou, especially during the winter season. Habitat disturbance will occur throughout the Project. Nalcor Energy estimates that all individuals will be displaced within the newly 126 km^2 of flooded area. However, the Project footprint was estimated to affect only 0.2 % of the Assessment Area, which suggests that there will be no effect on the winter habitat of the Woodland Caribou. Nalcor also analyzed the Project disturbance through noise and visual impacts. They claim that the Project disturbance could affect approximately 14.7% of the Assessment Area. (Nalcor 2009, Vol. 2B).
Modification of Migration Routes
Woodland Caribou are known to be one of the major migratory species of Canada. It was evaluated that the Project would greatly impact the migration route of the Woodland Caribou. In fact, it was reported that the herd is afraid of crossing the roads during calving and post-calving periods. However, herds will cross roads during their migration patterns during non-calving periods. (Nalcor 2009, Vol. 2B).
Habitat Loss
Habitat loss is one of the major impacts that will effect the Woodland Caribou. Site preparation, construction of site buildings, excavation, the transmission line, quarrying, the burrowing, the reservoir preparation, impounding, and road maintenance will all have a great impact on the habitat of the Woodland Caribou, especially during the winter season. Habitat disturbance will occur throughout the Project. Nalcor Energy estimates that all individuals will be displaced within the newly 126 km^2 of flooded area. However, the Project footprint was estimated to affect only 0.2 % of the Assessment Area, which suggests that there will be no effect on the winter habitat of the Woodland Caribou. Nalcor also analyzed the Project disturbance through noise and visual impacts. They claim that the Project disturbance could affect approximately 14.7% of the Assessment Area. (Nalcor 2009, Vol. 2B).
Modification of Migration Routes
Woodland Caribou are known to be one of the major migratory species of Canada. It was evaluated that the Project would greatly impact the migration route of the Woodland Caribou. In fact, it was reported that the herd is afraid of crossing the roads during calving and post-calving periods. However, herds will cross roads during their migration patterns during non-calving periods. (Nalcor 2009, Vol. 2B).
mitigation measures proposed by Nalcor Energy
- Consider timing of construction and other activities, and restrict access when caribou are in the area
- Reduce wildlife mortality by posting speed limits and implementing a no harassment/no harvesting policy
- Arrange work schedules to minimize travel in designated areas during calving and post-calving periods
- Remove trees from the riparian zone surrounding the reservoirs
- Monitor both the Red Wine Mountain and George River herds to ensure that predictions of Project effects are accurate including the evaluation of the effects of habitat loss and alteration, increased access, and changes in predator-prey dynamics
- Design monitoring and follow-up programs to allow for the identification of cumulative effects by referencing applicable management plans and consulting with regulators
- Monitor daily and seasonal road and river crossings by caribou and traffic access
- Provide support for telemetry work to monitor caribou population numbers, calf survival, and movement and distribution patterns
- Monitor the Red Wine Mountain caribou herd through ongoing participation with the Labrador Woodland Caribou Recovery Team, including support of satellite GPS monitoring and other work directly related to the effects of the Project
- Monitor the George River caribou herd through participation with the George River Caribou Herd Co-Management Team
(N.B. These are the exact, unmodified mitigation measures proposed by Nalcor Energy themselves) (Joint Panel Review, 2011)
Critique
Comparision was conducted using other projects including 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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