Radio-tagged Sturgeon

Transcription

1

2

3

4 Radio-tagged Sturgeon 1

5 Fall Fisheries Study - Results Benthic Invertebrate (Fish Food) Assessment - to determine the amount and quality of fish food available - 49 samples taken throughout the project area - Diverse, abundant bug communities found throughout the study area - Rapids have higher numbers of bugs than slower moving areas 2

6 Fall Fisheries Study Results Fish Mercury Assessment - Baitfish captured in October, gamefish captured in May/September were submitted for analysis of mercury content - Gamefish results not yet available sent to MOE to put in Guide to Eating Sportfish - Baitfish results complete and will be used to compare to post-construction surveys 3

7 Terrestrial Study Dates: September 9-16, 2009 Fly Over - look for large nests, beaver lodges, Species at Risk habitat (e.g., caribou, common nighthawk, Canada warbler, black tern, rusty blackbird, and olive-sided flycatcher) Ground Survey - vegetation plots (10x10 m) to identify vegetation species throughout study area based on MNR requirements - observations of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians (e.g. frogs) 4

8 Terrestrial Study - Results Birds - 14 bird species observed, more expected to be present during breeding season - bald eagles observed at railway tracks and downstream from Site 7 Neekik - two stick nests observed one no longer in use, other likely a common raven nest - other priority species and Species at Risk could also potentially be present Mammals - common species including moose, beaver and river otter - black bear, wolf, lynx, skunk, marten, mink, hare and other small species likely present 5

9 Stick nest along river Stick Nest 6

10 Beaver lodge along river 7

11 Terrestrial Study - Results Woodland Caribou - no recent reports of caribou in study area, but they are known to occur in the regional area, particularly north and west of study area - winter caribou survey has been undertaken February 20-22, 2011 No caribou observed within 24 km by 40 km grid around the study area Reptiles/Amphibians - eastern garter snake, American toad and wood frog observed, other frog species likely present 8

12 Terrestrial Study - Results Vegetation Communities - relatively common vegetation communities observed throughout study area no provincial or federal Species At Risk observed or expected - rocky rivershore only present at Sites 1 Muskoo, 3 Neeskah and 4 Peeshoo - no rare or uncommon species recorded in these areas 9

13 Site 1 - Muskoo 10

14 Site 3 - Neeskah 11

15 Site 4 - Peeshoo 12

16 Dragonfly Survey 102 shoreline sample plots in July 2009 taking the shed skin random collection of adults as they are found 28 dragonfly species and 2 damselfly species found 4 provincially rare species (extra-striped snaketail, uhler s sundragon, broad-tailed shadowdragon, riffle snaketail) extra-striped clubtail was the most common species observed in study area 13

17 Rusty Snaketail 14

18 Shed skins along rivers edge 15

19 Discussions with Members of Constance Lake First Nation Northland and Hatch met with several members of Constance Lake First Nation to obtain Traditional Ecological Knowledge which will be integrated into the environmental reports with the assistance of Constance Lake First Nation Knowledge of the site from Constance Lake First Nation workers during the field studies will also be integrated 16

20 Discussions with Members of Constance Lake First Nation Highlights include: moose calve on islands between Site 8 Amisk and Site 7 Neekik importance of lake sturgeon importance of fish for food in the past and present for the community Northland and Hatch would like to interview more members of Constance Lake First Nation to obtain further Traditional Ecological Knowledge of the area 17

21 Effects of the Project on the Fishery - Head Ponds The river reaches upstream from the dams will be deeper, slower flowing and wider Fish populations (walleye, pike, sucker) may increase within each head pond due to this increase in habitat 18

22 Effects of the Project on the Fishery - Dams Dams will block upstream fish movements fish communities between dams will be isolated Spawning habitat will be maintained or created to ensure that fish populations have all the habitat types they require 19

23 Effects of the Project on the Fishery River Flow Plants will be operated as run-of-river facilities The amount of flow entering the upstream pond will essentially equal the flow leaving the downstream generating station Some minor fluctuations in water level in each head pond may occur, but there will be no change downstream from Wapoose (Site 6) 20

24 Effects on Lake Sturgeon Most sturgeon spawning occurs downstream from Site 6 no impacts on that area due to the Project Sturgeon will be blocked from moving upstream past Wapoose (Site 6) but will continue to spawn and feed downstream from that facility Sturgeon will continue to move back and forth from the Forks of the Kabinakagami and Nagagami to the Limestone Rapids area 21

25 Next Steps - Environmental Environmental Studies caribou study February 2011 prepare report Archaeological study Fluvial-geomorphology study Environmental features along proposed transmission line MNR site release process in process obtain Applicant of Record status Federal Gov t Environmental approvals complete federal environmental assessment process review background documents, obtain Traditional Ecological Knowledge, complete field studies, determine impacts, determine activities and measures to decrease impacts, propose monitoring plan, complete Aboriginal, public and agency consultation 22

26 Next Steps - Environmental after federal environmental assessment process is completed and approved, obtain other federal permits (e.g. fisheries act authorization) Environmental approvals from provincial government provincial environmental assessment process is very similar to the federal process and only one report is prepared After provincial environmental assessment process is completed and approved, obtain other provincial permits (e.g. Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act permits) 23

27 Timelines MNR Site Release Process tentatively March 2011 Federal and provincial environmental assessment process commence spring 2011 and finish fall 2011 Engineering Design Spring/Summer 2011 Environmental permits winter 2011/12 Construction spring