Vegetation and Wetlands Resource Assessment Report For the Connacher Oil and Gas Limited – Great Divide SAGD Expansion Project April 2010 Prepared for Connacher Oil and Gas Limited Suite 900, 332 – 6 Ave. SW Calgary, Alberta, T2P 0B2 (403) 538-6201 Prepared by Geographic Dynamics Corp. 9762–54 Ave Edmonton, Alberta T6E 0A9 780-436-1217 www.gdc-online.com SUGGESTED CITATION Geographic Dynamics Corp. 2010. Vegetation and Wetland Resource Assessment Report for the Connacher Oil and Gas Limited – Great Divide SAGD Expansion Project. Prepared for Connacher Oil and Gas Limited by Geographic Dynamics Corp., Edmonton, Alberta. DISCLAIMER This report was prepared for Connacher Oil and Gas Limited and should not be reproduced in its entirety or in part without the consent of Connacher Oil and Gas Limited. For minor content reference, refer to the suggested citation above. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Important Contributions We wish to acknowledge the input and direction provided by Dane McCoy, Kim Young, Callie Volf, and Sue Rankin of Millennium EMS Solutions Ltd. Contributions from GDC Jennifer Lange: Project management, ecosite mapping, wetland classification, vascular plant identification, data entry, data analysis, report writing and editing. Kevin Kemball: Discipline lead, project management, field data collection, data analysis, report writing and editing. Aaron Shantz: Pre-stratification, plot selection, data management, GIS processing, data analysis, map production. Jody MacEachern: Data management, GIS processing, data analysis, map production, field data collection. Marcus Ma: Data analysis. Margaret Magai: Report writing and editing. Connacher Oil & Gas Limited EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Connacher Oil and Gas Limited. (Connacher) is proposing to expand operations at their existing steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) facilities located approximately 70 km southeast of the community of Ft. McMurray in north eastern Alberta. This report addresses the proposed expansion (“the Project”) and provides baseline information regarding terrestrial and wetland vegetation along with the baseline case biodiversity and habitat fragmentation conditions. In addition to the determination of baseline conditions, this report includes an assessment of the Project Application case and a Planned Development case (cumulative effects) to identify potential Project environmental effects on vegetation and wetland resources. Following review and consultation six valued environmental components (VECs) were identified and incorporated into the assessment; (1) Terrestrial Vegetation, (2) Wetlands including peatlands, (3) Old Growth Forests, (4) Non-native and invasive species, (5) Traditionally Used Plants, (6) Biodiversity. A total of 216 field plots were established between 2006 and 2009 for vegetation mapping and assessment. Potential effects on VECs were assessed after accounting for relevant mitigation measures. In determining the significance of each effect, the magnitude of the effect, its geographic extent, duration, frequency, and ability for recovery from the impact was considered. All of the VECs were found to be insignificant with mitigation and monitoring. Mitigation: developing revegetation plans that will promote the long term establishment of healthy ecosystems and ingress of native species; preserving adjacent habitat by minimizing the area required for construction and operation of the Project; stockpiled topsoil should be seeded with suitable species mix to ensure long term stability of the piles reducing erosion and the potential for weed establishment; when available, coarse woody debris should be used to amend soils to provide mycorrhizal and microbial inoculum; re-vegetation will be conducted according to the reclamation guidelines prepared by the Oil Sands Vegetation Reclamation Committee (OSVRC, 1998), CEMA, or updates; reporting the findings of rare and unranked species to ANHIC for updating provincial All Element Lists; placing rare species voucher specimens in a herbarium; select areas will be planted with pine and white and black spruce seedlings 2 to 4 years after seeding reclaimed lands; where possible, planting of aspen and white spruce should be used to increase the diversity of ecosite phases, versus the standard planting of mainly pine; accepted construction and reclamation practices should be used to maintain drainage patterns and preserve the integrity of wetland areas outside the Project footprint; create wetland “transition areas” between reclaimed sites and natural uplands and wetlands; remove fill material placed over organics to reestablish wetlands; Geographic Dynamics Corporation April 2010 ii Connacher Oil & Gas Limited reclaim borrow areas to wetlands, where possible; utilize opportunities to direct place peat materials from peatland areas scheduled for development to provide a living peat substrate and a propagule source for wetland vegetation; where suitable, introducing woody species typical of b1, b2, c1, d1, and g1 ecosite phases; during reclamation use recommended techniques and species that will limit the establishment and spread of non-native and invasive species (AENV 2008; OSVRC 1998); Aboriginal communities should be invited to participate in mitigation and monitoring recommendations and implementation to lend TEK that will compliment reclamation efforts; Connacher should determine alternative sources of traditionally used plants; areas with high biodiversity should be identified and the surface soil should be considered for soil salvage and use in direct placement reclamation; an adaptive reclamation strategy should be implemented to take advantage of opportunities present on the post-development contoured lands for establishment of a variety of plant communities (ecosite phases); use native shrubs (willow, berry species) and deciduous trees (aspen) where possible to provide structural diversity to the reclaimed stands as well as browse for wildlife; and, in areas where there is poor survival of seedlings, fill planting should be performed if target stocking densities are in jeopardy. Monitoring: monitor reclaimed sites to assess the development of healthy ecosystems that will support natural vegetation capable of ecological succession; performing survival, growth and health assessments to monitor the success of revegetation efforts; conducting a rare plant survey on any new development areas not included in this assessment; monitoring and maintenance of drainage control structures should be conducted regularly to ensure water flow and flow patterns are maintained in wetlands adjacent to the PF during the construction, operation, and closure phases of the Project; monitoring of reclaimed wetlands should continue after closure to ensure healthy wetlands are being created; ensure regular site inspections during the life of the Project (construction, operation and closure) to identify if invasive species are becoming established; control any weed populations that are identified during monitoring; and assess the success of weed control activities; follow-up with Aboriginal communities as recommended during the consultation process; and, post reclamation surveys should be completed on sites reclaimed early in the life of the Project to assess success and allow for adaptive management of subsequent stages of reclamation. Geographic Dynamics Corporation April 2010 iii Connacher Oil & Gas Limited Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY........................................................................................................ ii 1 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................1 1.1 Content ....................................................................................................................1 1.2 Background..............................................................................................................1 1.2.1 The Project .......................................................................................................2 1.2.2 Project Footprint (PF)........................................................................................3 1.2.3 Local Study Area (LSA).....................................................................................3 1.2.4 Regional Study Area (RSA)...............................................................................3 1.2.5 Climate..............................................................................................................3 1.2.6 Physiography ....................................................................................................3 1.3 Objectives ................................................................................................................4 2 INDICATORS AND ASSESSMENT CRITERIA...............................................................5 2.1 Valued Environmental Components.........................................................................5 2.2 Assessment Criteria.................................................................................................6 2.2.1 Spatial Boundaries............................................................................................6 2.2.2 Temporal Boundaries........................................................................................6 2.2.2.1 Construction and Operations......................................................................7 2.2.2.2 Closure ......................................................................................................7