Environmental Studies Research Funds 172 Valued Component Thresholds (Management Objectives) Project March 2009 Correct citation for this report is: Antoniuk, T., S. Kennett, C. Aumann, M. Weber, S. Davis Schuetz, R. McManus, K. McKinnon and K. Manuel.2009. Valued Component Thresholds (Management Objectives) Project. Environmental Studies Research Funds Report No. 172. Calgary, AB. 164 p. The Environmental Studies Research Funds are financed from special levies on the oil and gas industry and administered by the National Energy Board for the Minister of Natural Resources Canada and the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. The Environmental Studies Research Funds and any person acting on their behalf assume no liability arising from the use of the information contained in this document. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Environmental Studies Research Funds agencies. The use of trade names or identification of specific products does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation for use. Printed under the auspices of the Environmental Studies Research Funds Cat. No. NE22-4/172E (Print) ISBN 0-921652-91-7 Cat. No. NE22-4/172E-PDF (On-line) ISBN 978-1-926750-11-8 To view a colour version of this publication, visit us online at esfunds.org/pubpub_e.php © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2010 Recycled paper Environmental Studies Research Funds Report No. 172 March 2009 Valued Component Thresholds (Management Objectives) Project by Terry Antoniuk Salmo Consulting Inc. Steve Kennett Pembina Institute Craig Aumann and Marian Weber Alberta Research Council Susan Davis Schuetz, Rob McManus, and Kathryn McKinnon Fulcrum Strategic Consulting Karen Manuel Salmo Consulting Inc. TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................................................. 1 RÉSUMÉ ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 3 1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................................................5 1.1 Methods ................................................................................................................................................................................. 6 1.1.1 Literature Review ................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.1.2 Stakeholder Scan .................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.1.3 Implementation Workshop ................................................................................................................................... 6 1.2 Report Outline ..................................................................................................................................................................... 7 2. VALUED COMPONENTS, INDICATORS AND OBJECTIVES ........................................................................... 7 2.1 Definitions .............................................................................................................................................................................7 2.2 Stakeholder Scan Comments .............................................................................................................................................. 9 2.3 Selecting Valued Components and Indicators ................................................................................................................10 2.3.1 Valued Components.............................................................................................................................................10 2.3.2 Indicators ...............................................................................................................................................................12 2.3.3 Defining Management Objectives ......................................................................................................................13 2.3.3.1 Applying Science ................................................................................................................................15 2.3.3.2 Applying Traditional and Local Knowledge ...................................................................................16 2.3.3.3 Social Values and Risk Tolerance.....................................................................................................16 2.3.3.4 Implementation Considerations ......................................................................................................20 3. CUMULATIVE EFFECTS OF NORTHERN HYDROCARBON ACTIVITIES ............................................. 21 3.1 Key Pathways and Issues ...................................................................................................................................................22 3.2 NWT Valued CoMponentS and Indicators ...................................................................................................................26 3.2.1 Priority Valued Components and Indicators ....................................................................................................27 4. NWT IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS ................................................................................................... 36 4.1 Stakeholder Scan Comments ............................................................................................................................................37 4.2 Applying the Cumulative Effects Curve ..........................................................................................................................38 4.2.1 Multiple Jurisdictions and Interests ...................................................................................................................41 4.2.2 Managing Permanent or Long-lasting Impacts ................................................................................................42 4.2.3 Managing Impacts of Early Entrants .................................................................................................................43 4.2.4 Allocating Space within Objectives ....................................................................................................................44 4.2.5 Flexibility and Adaptation ...................................................................................................................................45 4.2.6 Project Review and Mitigation Tools .................................................................................................................45 4.2.7 Market-Based Instruments .................................................................................................................................46 4.2.7.1 Price Based Instruments ...................................................................................................................47 4.2.7.2 Quantity Based Instruments ............................................................................................................47 4.2.8 Management and Monitoring .............................................................................................................................49 5. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .......................................................................................................50 5.1 Developing Valued Component Indicators and Objectives ...........................................................................................50 5.1.1 Needs, Benefits, Opportunities and Challenges ...............................................................................................51 5.2 Current Valued Component Objectives ..........................................................................................................................54 5.3 Priority Valued Component Objectives ...........................................................................................................................55 Valued Component Thresholds (Management Objectives) Project i 5.4 Raising Awareness: Benefits and Implementation Priorities .........................................................................................57 5.4.1 Communicating the Benefits of Valued Component Objectives ....................................................................57 5.4.2 Implementation Priorities ...................................................................................................................................58 6. REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................................................................ 62 Appendix A Biophysical Valued Components, Indicators and Objectives Relevant to Onshore Hydrocarbon Cumulative Effects in the Northwest Territories ....................................................................................................67 Appendix B Stakeholder Scan Summary of Stakeholder Comments Written Survey Guide Telephone Interview Guide Written Survey Responses Telephone Interview Responses ...............................105 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Valued Component assessment and management