environmental excellence and sustainability C reating Biodiversity in the Oil Sands A Case Study Chris Fordham December 5, 2012

Transcription

1 C reating Biodiversity in the Oil Sands A Case Study Chris Fordham December 5, 2012

2 Pond 1 (2004) Wapisiw Lookout (2010) 1

3 Construction of Tar Island Dyke Pond 1 Pond

4 Reclamation of Tar Island Dyke 3

5 On the Job Training Reclamation was initiated to prevent sand erosion Tilled peat- sand mix prescription soil First trees/shrubs (1971) mice with agronomic smothered by grasses grass and first eaten B arley nurse crop (1980 s) did not compete with trees Peat placement without tilling (1991) - preservation seeds and propagules Erosion studies (1995) Reclamation of the dyke slopes completed by ~1999 of by 4

6 Reclamation Objectives 1970 s Prevent erosion 1980 s - Disturbed lands shall be reclaimed mainly with gentle slopes to primarily a forest use compatible with the pre- disturbed terrain, providing habitat for wildlife and with possibilities for recreation. Dyke slopes shall be re- vegetated primarily for erosion control with possibilities for forest and wildlife uses 1990 s - Developed lands shall be reclaimed to viable ecosystems compatible with pre- development, including forested areas, wetlands and streams. The reclaimed lands will provide a range of end uses including forestry, wildlife habitat, traditional use and recreation This objective set the stage for reclamation the completion of Pond 1 5

7 Tailings 6

8 The Plan Pond 1 contained about 12 Mm3 of MFT Weak pond secondary extraction tailings in north MFT removal and infilling with sand tailings determined to be the most appropriate way developing a solid surface for reclamation end of was of 7

9 Dredging Operations 8

10 Creating Landform Base 9

11 MFT Removal and Infill Operations

12 Pond 1 Design 11

13 Landform Development and Soil Placement 30 cm peat/mineral OR 30 cm subsoil and 30 cm p/m 12

14 Wildlife Habitat Features Swallows Bluff 13

15 Wildlife Habitat Features Wildlife or snag tree Rock piles 14

16 Wapisiw Wetland 15

17 Wapisiw Wetland Islands for nesting habitat Vegetated logs Floating rat root islands Rat root islands Vegetated logs Vegetated log Water sedge 16

18 Revegetation First tree planted by First Nations elders on June 9, ,600 trees and shrubs planted on 8.2 ha Planted by Fort McKay Environment Species included jack pine (13,500), aspen (2200), green alder (1300) and Labrador tea (1600). Seeds collected from native species in the local area in 2009 Stock grown in Smoky Lake, Alberta First Tree planted on Pond 1 17

19 Revegetation June & August ,000 seedlings 6 tree species (jack pine, white spruce, trembling aspen, balsam poplar, white birch, black spruce) 13 shrub species (eg. blueberry, red- osier dogwood, green alder, kinnikinnick, buffaloberry) 7 native bunchgrasses A quatic species (eg. water sedge, marsh cinquefoil) 18

20 The (sort of) Finished Product 19

21 Wapisiw Wildlife Early monitoring has recorded 36 species of bird used the wetland in 2011 (including 6 species of provincial concern) Bats, amphibians (Boreal Chorus Frogs & Canadian Toads), invertebrates and mammals (bears) are also using the wetland Deer, coyotes, bears, foxes birds and frequent Wapisiw Lookout in general. small rodents 20

22 Wapisiw Wildlife 21

23 Wapisiw Wildlife 22

24 Wapisiw Wildlife 23

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