SAMSON CREE NATION CUMULATIVE EFFECTS ASSESSMENT Updated Analysis for Selected Valued Components Specific to the Edson Mainline Expansion Project
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SAMSON CREE NATION CUMULATIVE EFFECTS ASSESSMENT Updated Analysis for Selected Valued Components Specific to the Edson Mainline Expansion Project January 9, 2020 Samson Cree Nation with Carolyn Whittaker MSc, and Firelight Research Inc. Samson Cree Nation Cumulative Effects Assessment: Updated Analysis for Selected Valued Components Specific to the Edson Mainline Expansion Project DRAFT REPORT January 9, 2020 Prepared and authored by: Samson Cree Nation with Carolyn Whittaker MSc., Susan Leech, MSc. RP Bio. and Firelight Research Inc. Thanks and acknowledgements go to Samson Cree Nation members, elders, knowledge holders, land users, staff, and leadership who contributed during the Edson Mainline Expansion Project Review and other environmental assessment processes which were drawn upon for this report. Thanks to staff and members of The Firelight Group who provided research, mapping, and writing support. Disclaimer: The information contained in this report is based on research conducted by the Samson Cree Nation Consultation Office and Firelight Research Inc., as well as published works and submissions to the National Energy Board for this and other NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. projects. It reflects the understandings of the lead authors and is not intended to be a complete depiction of the dynamic and living system of use and knowledge maintained by Samson Cree Nation (“SCN”) members. It may be updated, refined, or changed as new information becomes available. Base map data originate from the National Topographic System and Natural Resources Canada. The information contained herein should not be construed as to define, limit, or otherwise constrain the Treaty or Aboriginal rights of the SCN. CUMULATIVE EFFECTS ON THE ABORIGINAL RIGHTS AND INTERESTS OF SAMSON CREE NATION TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents ............................................................................................................... i List of Figures ................................................................................................................... iii List of Tables .................................................................................................................... iii Acronyms and Abbreviations ......................................................................................... iv 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Approach and Purpose of Report ......................................................... 1 1.2 Samson Cree Understanding of the Edson Mainline Expansion Project 2 1.3 Methods ................................................................................................ 4 Overview of Methods ............................................................................................................ 4 Temporal and Spatial Boundaries ......................................................................................... 5 Spatial Analysis Methods ...................................................................................................... 7 Overview of Cumulative Effects in Samson Cree Nation Traditional Territory .................. 8 2. Loss and Alienation of Crown lands (Spatial Analysis) ................................... 11 Forestry ........................................................................................................................................ 17 Oil and gas ................................................................................................................................... 18 Agriculture and grazing leases ..................................................................................................... 18 Reasonably foreseeable future stressors: ..................................................................................... 18 3. Update to the Status and Health of Valued Components of Concern: Environment ................................................................................................................ 22 3.1 Culturally Important Plants ................................................................. 22 The Importance of Culturally Important Plants to SCN ..................................................... 22 Current Status of Culturally Important Plants and Causes of Change ................................ 23 Project Cumulative Effects on Culturally Important Plants ................................................ 24 Summary ............................................................................................................................. 26 3.2 Wetland and Sensitive Ecosystems ................................................... 27 The Importance of Wetlands and Sensitive Ecosystems to SCN ........................................ 27 Current Status of Wetlands and Degree of Change Over Time .......................................... 28 Cause of Change in Wetland Health Status ........................................................................ 29 Project Cumulative Effects on Wetlands ............................................................................ 30 Summary ............................................................................................................................. 31 3.3 Fish and Fish Habitat .......................................................................... 32 The Importance of Fish and Fish Habitat to SCN ............................................................... 32 Status of Fish and Fish Habitat and Cause of Change ........................................................ 34 Project cumulative effects on fish, fish habitat and fishing ................................................ 35 Summary of Cumulative Effects on Fish and Fish Habitat ................................................. 36 4. Update to the Status and Health of Valued Components of Concern: Wildlife 37 4.1 Maskwa/ Grizzly Bears ....................................................................... 37 The Importance of Grizzly Bear to SCN ............................................................................. 37 Status of Grizzly Bear and Cause of Change ...................................................................... 38 Project Cumulative Effects on Grizzly Bear from Proposed Edson Mainline Expansion .. 40 Summary of Cumulative Effects on Grizzly Bear .............................................................. 41 4.2 Wâwâskeso / Elk ................................................................................ 42 The Importance of ElK to SCN ............................................................................................ 42 Status of Elk and Cause of Change ..................................................................................... 43 Project Cumulative Effects on Elk from Proposed Edson Mainline Expansion Summary: 43 i CUMULATIVE EFFECTS ON THE ABORIGINAL RIGHTS AND INTERESTS OF SAMSON CREE NATION 4.3 Migratory Birds ................................................................................... 44 The Importance of Migratory Birds to SCN ....................................................................... 44 Status of Migratory Birds and Cause of Change ................................................................. 45 Summary of Project Cumulative Effects on Migratory Birds ............................................. 47 4.4 Môswa / Moose .................................................................................. 48 The Importance of Moose to SCN ...................................................................................... 48 Status of Moose and Causes of Change .............................................................................. 49 Project Cumulative Effects on Moose from Proposed Edson Mainline Expansion Summary: ......................................................................................................................................... 50 4.5 Maskek Atihk / Caribou ....................................................................... 51 The Importance of Caribou to SCN .................................................................................................. 51 Cause of Change in Caribou: .............................................................................................. 51 Project Cumulative Effects on Caribou from Proposed Edson Mainline Expansion Summary: ......................................................................................................................................... 52 4.6 Hunting and Wildlife Habitat Fragmentation ....................................... 53 The Importance of Hunting and Wildlife Habitat to SCN .................................................. 53 Current Status of Wildlife Habitat Health and Hunting ...................................................... 54 Project Cumulative Effects on Hunting and Habitat Fragmentation ................................... 56 Summary ............................................................................................................................. 57 5. Update to the Status and Health of Valued Components of Concern: Sense of Place and Cultural and Heritage resources .............................................................. 57 5.1 Sense of Place and Transmission of Knowledge In the Eastern Slopes 57 Current Status And Degree Of Change Over Time ............................................................. 59 Causes Of Change In SCN Sense Of Place In SCN traditional territory And The