Hearing Order OH-001-2014
336000 337000 338000
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Footprint Plot Type (Survey Season) Baseline Ecosite Phase/AWI Ü
Terrestrial Local Study Area Ú Early Meander Start Upland Wetland Ü Cavalier Oil Sands Rights Û Late Meander Start Shrubland e1 h1/STNN k1/FTNN Water Body !( Full Plot b1 e2 i1/BTNI k2/FONS # #### !< # # # # Watercourse Partial Plot b2 e3 i1/BTNN k2/SONS Hoole Grand Rapids Road ") Disturbed/Regen Plot b3 f1 i2/BONS l1/MONG
! ! ! ! Industry Road !( Visual c1 !!!! f2 j1/FTNN DS/SONS ! ! ! Vegetation Survey Locations, Cut Trail !( Other d1 g1 j2/FONS Flooded Baseline Ecosite Phases and Pipeline Baseline Disturbances d2 h1 k1/FTNI Wetland Classes Tel us Tr e nch Vegetation d3 1:12,000 Date: 01 Nov 2012Project: 10572-514 Technical: R. Dixon Reviewer: T. Hodgson Drawn: W. Rank Soil & Vegetation 150 0 150 Metres Disclaimer: Prepared solely for the use of Cavalier Energy Inc. as specified in the accompanying report. No Figure Reference: Data obtained from AltaLIS and IHS. representation of any kind is made to other parties with which Cavalier Energy Inc. has not entered into contract. Used under license. NAD 1983 UTM Zone 12N 7.3-1a I:\Cavalier\10572\FiguresAndTables\2012\PLT\Report\Vegetation\VEG_FIGURE-7-3-1-Vegetation_Survey_Locations_Baseline_Ecosite_Phases_and_Wetland_Classes.mxd 336000 337000 338000 W
Disposal Well Pad (0.48ha)
Water Source Disposal 6214000 Well Pad ROW (0.48ha) (1.57ha)
Malaxis monophylla +
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Water Source ROW (2.77ha)
Water Source Well Pad (0.48ha)
Production Borrow (6.13ha) Well Pad (10.4ha)
Production 6213000 ROW (3.9ha)
Production ROW (1.22ha) Production Production Well Pad (10.4ha) Well Pad (10.4ha)
Production ROW (0.84ha) Usnea filipendula + Twp. 81 Twp.
Usnea filipendula Nephroma bellum +(!
Production ROW (3.89ha) Production Production Production Well Pad (10.4ha) Well Pad (10.4ha) Well Pad (8.51ha) 6212000
Production ROW (13.03ha)
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Production ROW (0.92ha) Platygyrium repens + 6211000
Production ROW (29.38ha)
Water Source ROW (1.5ha)
Water Source Well Pad (0.48ha)
Production Rg. 24 Rg. 23 W4M
Footprint Vegetation Rare Species Terrestrial Local Study Area + ASRD - Listed Cavalier Oil Sands Rights (! ACIMS - Listed Water Body Baseline Disturbances Watercourse Vegetation Hoole Grand Rapids Road Soil & Vegetation Industry Road Cut Trail Rare Plant Observations Pipeline 1:12,000 Tel us Tr e nch Date: 01 Nov 2012Project: 10572-514 Technical: R. Dixon Reviewer: T. Hodgson Drawn: W. Rank 150 0 150 Metres Disclaimer: Prepared solely for the use of Cavalier Energy Inc. as specified in the accompanying report. No Figure representation of any kind is made to other parties with which Cavalier Energy Inc. has not entered into contract. Reference: Data obtained from AltaLIS and IHS. Used under license. NAD 1983 UTM Zone 12N 7.3-2a I:\Cavalier\10572\FiguresAndTables\2012\PLT\Report\Vegetation\VEG_FIGURE-7-3-2-Rare_Plant_Observations.mxd 336000 337000 338000 W
Disposal Well Pad (0.48ha)
Water Source Disposal 6214000 Well Pad ROW (0.48ha) (1.57ha)
Water Disposal / Source ROW (10.47ha)
Disposal Well Pad (0.48ha)
Water Source ROW (2.77ha)
Water Source Well Pad (0.48ha)
Production Borrow (6.13ha) Well Pad (10.4ha)
Production 6213000 ROW (3.9ha)
Production ROW (1.22ha) Production Production Well Pad (10.4ha) Well Pad (10.4ha)
Production ROW (0.84ha) Twp. 81 Twp.
Production ROW (3.89ha) Production Production Production Well Pad (10.4ha) Well Pad (10.4ha) Well Pad (8.51ha) 6212000
Production ROW (13.03ha)
Production Production Production Well Pad (10.4ha) Well Pad (10.4ha) Well Pad (10.4ha)
Production ROW (0.92ha) 6211000
Production ROW (29.38ha)
Water Source ROW (1.5ha)
Water Source Well Pad (0.48ha)
Production Rg. 24 Rg. 23 W4M
Footprint Old Growth Forest by Ecosite Phase Baseline Disturbances Terrestrial Local Study Area d2 Vegetation Cavalier Oil Sands Rights d3 Soil & Vegetation Water Body e1 Watercourse e2 Hoole Grand Rapids Road g1 Industry Road h1 Cut Trail i1 Old Growth Forest in the Pipeline j1 Local Study Area Tel us Tr e nch 1:12,000 Date: 01 Nov 2012Project: 10572-514 Technical: R. Dixon Reviewer: T. Hodgson Drawn: W. Rank 150 0 150 Metres Disclaimer: Prepared solely for the use of Cavalier Energy Inc. as specified in the accompanying report. No Figure representation of any kind is made to other parties with which Cavalier Energy Inc. has not entered into contract. Reference: Data obtained from AltaLIS and IHS. Used under license. NAD 1983 UTM Zone 12N 7.3-3a I:\Cavalier\10572\FiguresAndTables\2012\PLT\Report\Vegetation\VEG_FIGURE-7-3-3-Old_Growth_Forest_in_the_Local_Study_Area.mxd 7-21 November 2012 Cavalier Energy Inc. Hoole Grand Rapids Project
7.4 Aquatic Resources
7.4.1 Hydrology
The Project is located within the Wabasca River watershed, which extends approximately 150 km west and 50 km east of North and South Wabasca lakes and includes the headwaters of the Wabasca River. The watershed is characterized by low gradient streams and wetland environment. The Wabasca River originates from Sandy Lake, and travels approximately 500 km downstream to its confluence with the Peace River east of Fort Vermillion. The average annual precipitation in this area is estimated to be 475 mm based on precipitation records between 1971- 2000 for the Wabasca region (Environment Canada 2012).
The stream network consists of unnamed, low-order, shallow-gradient watercourses in relatively flat topography. There is a group of unnamed lakes located within the northern portions of the Project footprint (Figure 1.1-3). All Project facilities maintain a 100 m buffer from water bodies.
7.4.1.1 Potential Impacts
Potential hydrologic impacts from the Project include changes to the surface water flow regime, changes in the natural drainage patterns and sedimentation of watercourses. The potential impacts relate to the construction and operation of the following Project components:
• CPF and well pads; • access roads; • borrow area; and • camp and laydown area.
Surface compaction at the facilities noted above will increase runoff compared to the relatively permeable natural ground. The excess runoff, however, will be stored temporarily onsite in holding ponds and released later. The time delay associated with release is expected to reduce flood peaks downstream. Runoff from the camp and laydown areas will be directed back to the environment, as these facilities will not manage process-affected water.
There is a potential increase in flood peaks associated with increased surface runoff at roads due to the impermeable nature of surfaces. Roads may also disrupt surface water movement in wetland areas.
Water storage at the borrow area will reduce flood flows immediately downstream of the pit. This effect is expected to remain constant until it has been in filled and reclaimed.
7.4.1.2 Mitigation Measures
The following measures will be implemented to mitigate potential impacts of the Project on the surface water system:
• plant onsite drainage systems will typically include berms, drainage ditches and culverts that will contain, collect, and direct runoff to the industrial runoff pond; • industrial runoff water from the CPF will be contained in a holding pond and released to the natural environment once the water has been tested and meets the discharge criteria specified in the anticipated EPEA approval; • natural drainage patterns will be maintained by installing appropriate water conveyance structures such as by-pass channels and access road culverts; and
CAVALIER ENERGY INC. 7-22 November 2012 Cavalier Energy Inc. Hoole Grand Rapids Project
• all surface facilities have been sited at least 100 m from the nearest water body or watercourse to minimize potential effects to surface water bodies.
7.4.2 Fish and Fish Habitat
Fish and fish habitat resources within the vicinity of the Project were characterized using historical fish presence information and a site visit to determine availability and fish habitat potential.
7.4.2.1 Historical Fish Presence
Historical fish presence data were obtained from ESRD’s Fish and Wildlife Management Information System database (Government of Alberta 2012a). Brook stickleback is the only species documented within the unnamed water bodies north of the proposed CPF. The North and South Wabasca Lakes, located approximately 25 km and 15 km downstream, respectively, and their tributaries support a variety of fish species as listed in Table 7.4-1. If access is unimpeded, fish species documented in Table 7.4-1 may be seasonally present in the vicinity of the Project.
Table 7.4-1 Historical Fish Species Presence in the Wabasca River Watershed (FWMIS 2012)
Scientific Name Common Name Catostomus catostomus Longnose Sucker Catostomus commersoni White Sucker Coregonus artedi Tullibee (Cisco) Coregonus clupeaformis Lake Whitefish Cottus cognatus Slimy Sculpin Cottus ricei Spoonhead Sculpin Couesius plumbeus Lake Chub Culea inconstans Brook Stickleback Esox Lucius Northern Pike Lota Lota Burbot Notropis hudsonius Spottail Shiner Perca flavescens Yellow Perch Platygobio gracilis Flathead Chub Pungitius pungitius Ninespine Stickleback Stizostedion vitreum Walleye
Of the species identified in Table 7.4-1, spoonhead sculpin has been listed as ‘May be at risk’ by the Government of Alberta (ASRD 2010). None of these species have qualified for protection under SARA (Government of Canada 2012) or are listed as endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC 2011).
7.4.2.2 Fish Habitat
Watercourses near the Project include several headwater tributaries to the North and South Wabasca Lakes as well as several unnamed water bodies. Many of the smaller watercourses in the vicinity of the Project are located in areas that can be characterized as poorly drained and are comprised of bog, fen or mixedwood forests. Surface water flow in these watercourses is typically of low velocity with depositional substrate.
CAVALIER ENERGY INC. 7-23 November 2012 Cavalier Energy Inc. Hoole Grand Rapids Project
Two sites were identified as potential watercourse crossings for Project ROWs. (Figure 7.4-1; Table 7.4-2). Both watercourses were characterized as topographically low drainage areas with nil fish habitat potential.
Crossing 1 was a topographically low drainage with no defined channel. Fish habitat was ranked as nil for all fish species (Figure 7.4-2, Photos 1 and 2).
Crossing 2 was located between two water bodies (approximately 600 m from each) in an undefined drainage (Figure 7.4-1). The crossing location was characterised as a topographically low drainage area with no defined channel (Figure 7.4-2, Photos 3 and 4). Fish habitat was ranked as nil for all fish species.
Table 7.4-2 Watercourse Crossing Summary
Watercourse Watercourse UTM (NAD ’83, 12) Site Class Restricted Navigability Proposed Fish Habitat Crossing ID Name Description Activity Crossing Captured Ranking Period Type 1 Unnamed 335721 6209049 Drainage N/A N/A No Access No Effort Nil Sport Tributary Road Nil Forage 2 Unnamed 335673 6211588 Drainage N/A N/A No Right-of- No Effort Nil Sport Tributary way Nil Forage
7.4.2.3 Potential Impacts
Fish and fish habitat may be affected by construction, operation and reclamation activities associated with the Project through:
• introduction of sediment into the watercourse during construction and via surface water runoff over disturbed areas after construction; • entry of deleterious substances into the watercourse or the riparian zone; and • disturbance or removal of riparian habitat leading up to and in the vicinity of the watercourse.
7.4.2.4 Mitigation Measures
To mitigate potential effects associated with the Project, the CPF and pads have been situated where possible, away from large waterbodies and watercourses and their direct tributaries. Project infrastructure will also be located in a relatively level area to increase soil stability and minimize erosion. Runoff and site spills will be contained. Significant impact to fish and fish habitat from construction activities will be limited through:
• following best management practices for watercourse crossings as outlined in the Code of Practice for Watercourse Crossings (AENV 2007a), Fish Habitat Manual: Guidelines and Procedures for Watercourse Crossing in Alberta (AT 2009) and Pipeline Associated Watercourse Crossings (CAPP 2005); • complying with Fisheries and Oceans Operational Statements as they apply to selected construction methods; and • conducting construction activities outside of times considered sensitive to fish determined by the Restricted Activity Period (AENV 2007a), when applicable.
Additional surface water management and mitigation measures are described in more detail in Section 6.6.2.
CAVALIER ENERGY INC.