Bear Habitat Assessment, Kitimat to Summit Lake Routing Project

EDI was retained on behalf of Pacific Northern Gas (PNG) to conduct bear habitat assessments along the proposed route for the Kitimat to Summit Lake (KSL) Routing Project. The objective of the project was to provide an impact assessment of the PNG pipeline on bear populations, including grizzly bears (Ursus arctos), black bears (U. americanus), and Kermode bears (U. kermodei). The basis of the project was to utilize existing habitat information (in particular Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping, TEM), literature reviews, and expert opinion to examine the distribution and density of bears along the proposed route, identify key habitats and movement corridors, and use this information to determine potential impacts on bear populations and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.

Cottonwood River (Highway 97) Bridge Fish and Wildlife Assessment, Quesnel, BC

A wildlife habitat assessment was conducted within the vicinity of the Cottonwood River Bridge, on Highway 97 roughly 13 km north of Quesnel, B.C. The assessment was aimed at evaluating the potential for wildlife/vehicle collisions along the section of highway near the bridge, as well as determining the potential affects of a scheduled crossing upgrade. An Environmental Management Plan (EMP) was prepared, which provided techniques to promote wildlife passage beneath a new bridge.

Willow Creek Coal Mine Wildlife Management Plan, Chetwynd, BC

EDI was retained on behalf of Pine Valley Coal Ltd., to develop a Wildlife Management Plan for the Willow Creek Coal Mine. The Willow Creek Coal Mine is a thermal and metallurgical coal development, situated approximately 45 km west of the community of Chetwynd, British Columbia, within the Pine River Valley. The Wildlife Management Plan was developed under the recommendation of the Willow Creek Project Review Committee as a condition of project approval under the Environmental Assessment Act. The objective of this plan was to ensure that environmentally sensitive habitats and key wildlife are adequately protected within the Willow Creek Coal Mine Project Area using mitigation techniques such as progressive reclamation and ongoing monitoring. The Wildlife Management Plan will work towards re-establishing biodiversity through the project area during the life of the mine, thereby reducing the overall impact to wildlife at any given time.

Wildlife Habitat Assessments, Fort Nelson, BC

EDI was retained by EnCana to complete an overview Wildlife Habitat Survey (WHS) of a proposed Road at the Maxhamish Cut-off, approximately 150 km north of Fort Nelson, BC. EDI collected wildlife habitat field data and determined the location of Valued Ecosystem Components (VECs), such as mineral licks. The study also rated the wildlife habitat throughout the road corridor and identified anticipated impacts on wildlife and wildlife habitat within the vicinity of the proposed Maxhamish Cut-off Road. The Maxhamish WHS followed EDI's successful completion of a similar wildlife habitat assessment of the Eskai Road for EnCana.

Diet and Habitat Selection by Wolves and Grizzly Bears in a Multi-Prey Ecosystem in Northeastern BC

Brian Milakovic, Senior Wildlife Biologist with EDI, is currently conducting a PhD graduate research project at the University of Northern British Columbia. His Ph.D. candidacy work in the department of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies (NRES) has focused on the seasonal habitat selection by wolves and grizzly bears in the Besa-Prophet pre-tenure planning area in northeastern BC. Brian has concurrently participated in research to determine the distribution and habitat selection by Stone’s sheep, caribou, elk, and moose in northern BC and has conducted ecosystem level modeling that incorporates multiple-predators, multiple prey, and seasonal variations in predator-prey interactions directed to conservation and management. Brian’s primary objective is to use the results from his research to contribute to a landscape level management plan aimed at maintaining a viable large-mammal predator-prey system in a region scheduled for oil and gas development. A large component of Brian’s Ph.D. studies involved extensive habitat modeling based on GIS and remote sensing to build dynamic predictive models of seasonal habitat use by wolves and grizzly bears. In addition to habitat analyses, Brian used stable isotopes to model seasonal and annual variation in dietary selection by wolves and grizzly bears to examine the relationship between habitat selection and prey choice. This component of the research included an in-depth analysis of how inputs to the model may impact inferences on dietary selection by individuals and across the population.

Mountain Goat Habitat Assessment, Fort Nelson, BC

EDI was retained by EnCana to conduct mountain goat surveys and habitat assessments along the Boat Creek and Roan Horse Creek drainages. The purpose of the project was to investigate the use of potential non-alpine habitat areas by mountain goats, and to determine potential impacts of a 24 km winter road that was initially proposed to access a well site. Aerial surveys were used to locate mounting goats and to identify potential suitable goat habitat for detailed ground assessments. On the ground, mountain goat signs (pellets, tracks, hair) along the route were documented, along with their associated habitats. Based on local terrain and habitat features, alternative road alignments were proposed to mitigate impacts on goat populations.