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Shell Canada Limited Page 3-33 Peace River In Situ Expansion Carmon Creek Project 3.4.2.6 Vegetation – Volume IIC November 2009 Rare Plant Occurrences Fifteen rare plant species and two rare plants identified to genus, were identified in the LSA (see Appendix 3F). The locations of the rare plants found in the LSA are shown in Figure 3.4-6. Thirteen of the species are on the provincial tracking list (Gould 2006) and nine are classified by ASRD (2005, Internet site). One COSEWIC-listed species was identified during the surveys: golden saxifrage (Chrysosplenium iowense). In total, 415 vascular plant species and 120 nonvascular species were identified in the LSA. Complete species lists are provided in Appendix 3G. 3.4.2.6.1 Rare Vascular Plants The following are descriptions of the rare vascular plants identified in the LSA (see Figure 3.4-6). Lakeshore sedge (Carex lacustris) S2 G5, May Be At Risk Lakeshore sedge is an S2 species on the ANHIC tracking list (Gould 2006) and is ranked as May Be At Risk (ASRD 2005, Internet site). It is found in marshes and swampy woods (Moss 1983). Lakeshore sedge was found at one location in the LSA in a graminoid fen. Golden saxifrage (Chrysosplenium iowense) S3 G3, COSEWIC Priority 2, Sensitive Golden saxifrage is ranked as an S3 species in Alberta and is on the provincial tracking list (Gould 2006). It is a Priority 2 species listed under COSEWIC and is ranked as Sensitive by ASRD. Alberta is the centre of its range and might hold the largest populations. It is rare in adjacent jurisdictions (Rintoul 2004, pers. comm.). It is found from the Northwest Territories to Manitoba on stream banks and shady marshy ground, especially on rich soil and in wetlands (Moss 1983; Johnson et al. 1995). Golden saxifrage was found in 25 locations in the LSA, including: ephemeral drainage shrubby riparian area depression moist cutline horsetail Pb-Aw site horsetail Sw-Sb site rich shrubby fen Green saxifrage (Chrysosplenium tetrandrum) S3 G5 Green saxifrage is an S3 species on the ANHIC provincial tracking list (Gould 2006). It occurs throughout most of the province and the population appears to be in stable condition (Rintoul 2004, pers. comm.). It is a perennial species that is found on moist, shady banks and ledges from Alaska to northern Quebec, and from Washington to Alberta (Moss 1983). In the LSA, green saxifrage was found in 15 locations in the LSA, including: treed rich fen shrubby rich fen drainage horsetail Sw-Sb site dogwood Pb-Sw site horsetail Pb-Sw site shrubby riparian area Rge 17 W5M Rge 16 Twp 86 Rge 18 y9 86 Rge 19 Hw # ## # # ! # # # ## # ## ## 2 Twp 85 # # ! # ! 2 # # # # 3 # River Source Water Station ## # # Green saxifrage (Chrysosplenium tetrandrum) # Saxifrage species (Chrysosplenium species) # Yellow lady's-slipper (Cypripedium calceolus) # Broad spinulose shield fern (Dryopteris assimillis) # White adder’s-mouth (Malaxis monophylla) # Bog adder's-mouth (Malaxis paludosa) # Small butterwort (Pinguicula villosa) # Alder-leaved buckthorn (Rhamnus alnifolia) # ! Moss (Brachythecium frigidum) ! Brown moss (Drepanocladus sendtneri) ! Flagon-fruited splachnum (Splachnum ampullaceum) ! Yellow collar moss (Splachnum luteum) ! Red collar moss (Splachnum rubrum) ! Splachnum species (Splachnum species) Flat-fruited meadow rue (Thalictrum sparsiflorum) Twp 84 # Golden saxifrage (Chrysosplenium iowense) # # Rare Non-vascular Plants # # Lakeshore sedge (Carex lacustris) Roads # Rare Vascular Plants # LEGEND Footprint ! ! ! ! ! Metres Vegetation Local Study Area (LSA) 2 ## ## # # 1,500 # # ### # 750 ! ! # # 0 ! ! ! ! # ## 3 3 # 2 # # River Peace Carmon Lake 0 2.5 5 Kilometres Scale 1:125,000 SHELL CANADA LIMITED - PEACE RIVER IN SITU EXPANSION CARMON CREEK PROJECT Location of Rare Plants Found in the Vegetation LSA DRAWN BY: EDITED BY: JP TG APPROVED: V.V FILE: Page 3-34 DATE 21 Sep 2009 FIGURE: 3.4-6 N:\PROJECTS\61330000\61334000_2009\ArcGIS\ MXDs\Vegetation\RarePlant_Locations_LSA_v3.mxd Shell Canada Limited Page 3-35 Peace River In Situ Expansion Carmon Creek Project Vegetation – Volume IIC November 2009 Saxifrage species (Chrysosplenium species) One occurrence of Chrysosplenium in the LSA was only identified to genus and could be either C. iowense or C. tetrandrum. Both of these species are rare in Alberta. Yellow lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium calceolus) Sensitive Yellow lady’s-slipper is considered a Sensitive species by ASRD (2005, Internet site). It is found in moist woodlands and on the banks of streams, ponds and lakes (Moss 1983). Yellow lady’s slipper was found in a shrubby rich fen and a treed poor fen within the LSA. Broad spinulose shield fern (Dryopteris assimilis) Sensitive Broad spinulose shield fern is considered a Sensitive species by ASRD (2005, Internet site). It is a found in moist woods (Moss 1983). The occurrences reported in this assessment include D. expansa as these two species were, until recently, considered one species. Broad spinulose shield fern was found in 10 locations in the LSA, including: low bush cranberry Sw ecosite phase shrubby rich fen treed rich fen shrubby poor fen stream microsite dogwood Pb-Sw ecosite phase White adder’s mouth (Malaxis monophylla) S2 G5, Sensitive White adder’s mouth is considered an S2 species in Alberta and is on the provincial tracking list (Gould 2006). It is also ranked as Sensitive by ASRD (2005, Internet site). It is a perennial species that is found in damp woods, bogs and on stream banks in the boreal forest. White adder’s mouth was found at two locations in the LSA including: shrubby rich fen low-bush cranberry Aw ecosite phase Bog adder’s-mouth (Malaxis paludosa) S1 G4, May Be At Risk Bog adder’s-mouth is considered an S1 species on the ANHIC tracking list (Gould 2006) and is ranked as May Be At Risk by ASRD (2005, Internet site). It is a perennial species found on mossy ground, usually on peat moss, in bogs and fens. Bog adder’s-mouth was found on a peat moss hummock in a treed rich fen in the LSA. Small butterwort (Pinguicula villosa) S1 G4 Small butterwort is an S1 species on the ANHIC tracking list (Gould 2006) and is ranked Sensitive by ASRD (2005, Internet site). It is found on sphagnum hummocks in peatlands of northern Alberta (Kershaw et al. 2001). It was found in a shrubby area in an extreme rich fen (see Section 3.4.2.7). Alder-leaved buckthorn (Rhamnus alnifolia) Sensitive Alder-leaved buckthorn is considered a Sensitive species by ASRD (2005, Internet site). It is a shrub species found in moist shady woods and swamps. Alder-leaved buckthorn was found at one site in a horsetail Pb/Sw ecosite within the LSA. Shell Canada Limited Page 3-36 Peace River In Situ Expansion Carmon Creek Project Vegetation – Volume IIC November 2009 Flat-fruited meadow rue (Thalictrum sparsiflorum) Sensitive Flat-fruited meadow rue is considered a Sensitive species by ASRD (2005, Internet site). It is a perennial species found in moist woods and meadows. Flat-fruited meadow rue was found in a shrubby rich fen and a shrubby riparian site within the LSA. 3.4.2.6.2 Rare Non-vascular Plants The following are descriptions of the rare non-vascular plants found in the LSA (see Figure 3.4-6). Moss (Brachythecium frigidum) SU G4 Brachythecium frigidum is not currently ranked in Alberta but has a global ranking of G4 and is on the provincial tracking list (Gould 2006). This species is most common on logs (Vitt et al. 1988). Within the LSA, this moss was found in a shrubby rich fen. Brown moss (Drepanocladus sendtneri) S1 G5? Drepanocladus sendtneri is ranked as an S1 species in Alberta and is on the provincial tracking list (Gould 2006). In the LSA, this brown moss was found in a shrubby rich fen. Flagon-fruited splachnum (Splachnum ampullaceum) S2 G5 Flagon-fruited splachnum is ranked as an S2 species in Alberta and is on the provincial tracking list (Gould 2006). In the LSA, flagon-fruited splachnum was found twice in a treed poor fen; in one of these occurrences it was found together with yellow collar moss. Yellow collar moss (Splachnum luteum) S3 G3 Yellow collar moss is ranked as an S3 species in Alberta and is on the provincial tracking list (Gould 2006). Yellow collar moss was found at three sites including: treed poor fen (together with flagon-fruited splachnum) in a transition area between a low-bush cranberry Aw-Sw and shrubby rich fen Red collar moss (Splachnum rubrum) S3 G3 Red collar moss is ranked as an S3 species in Alberta and is on the provincial tracking list (Gould 2006). In the LSA, red collar moss was found at six sites including: balsam poplar–black spruce stand shrubby bog treed poor fen a transition between a low-bush cranberry Aw-Sw site and a shrubby rich fen Splachnum species (Splachnum species) One occurrence of Splachnum in the LSA was only identified to genus and could be any of the five Splachnum species. All of these species are rare in Alberta. Shell Canada Limited Page 3-37 Peace River In Situ Expansion Carmon Creek Project 3.4.2.7 Vegetation – Volume IIC November 2009 Rare Ecological Communities Two extreme rich fens were identified in the LSA in the transition zone between the Dry and Central Mixedwood Natural Subregions and are currently the northernmost recorded occurrences of this community type in Alberta (Allen 2006, pers. comm., see Figure 3.4-7). They are, therefore, considered locally significant ecological communities that might be provincially significant. The extreme rich fens cover 1.4% of the LSA (see Table 3.4-7). Extreme rich fens are characterized by Hudson Bay bulrush (Scirpus hudsonianus), tufted bulrush (Scirpus cespitosus), sticky false asphodel (Tofieldia glutinosa), and the moss species Calliergon trifarium, Drepanocladus revolvens, and Scorpidium scorpioides (Vitt and Chee 1990). ANHIC’s Ecological Community Committee has not yet reviewed extreme rich fens as an addition to the Rare Ecological Communities tracking list. About 12 extreme rich fens have been documented in Alberta, mostly in the foothills in the southern half of the province (Allen 2006, pers. comm.). The larger extreme rich fen (extreme rich fen 1) covers 1.3% (189.1 ha) of the LSA (see Table 3.4-7). It is a patterned wetland complex with open, sedge-dominated lawns, marl ponds, treed fens with tamarack and peat plateaus with black spruce. It comprises flooded areas (NWF) and ecosite phases j1, j2 and k2. Current anthropogenic disturbances within this extreme rich fen include several cutlines (SO) and one well site (CIW). The extreme rich fen indicator species identified were Hudson Bay bulrush, tufted bulrush, sticky false asphodel, Drepanocladus revolvens and Scorpidium scorpioides. Small butterwort (Pinguicula villosa), a rare plant, was also identified here (see Section 3.4.2.6). Table 3.4-7: Rare Ecological Communities at Baseline Case in the LSA Rare Ecological Community Baseline Case Area (ha) % of LSA Extreme Rich Fen 1 j1 – treed poor fen 119.2 0.8 j2 – shrubby poor fen 15.1 0.1 k2 – shrubby rich fen 40.9 0.3 SO – open shrub 11.7 0.1 0.5 <0.1 CIW – well pad NWF– flooded 1.7 <0.1 189.1 1.3 j2 – shrubby poor fen 3.9 <0.1 k2 – shrubby rich fen 15.1 0.1 1.5 <0.1 Subtotal Extreme Rich Fen 2 SO – open shrub NWL – lake Subtotal Total 1.4 <0.1 22.0 0.1 211.0 1.4 Note: Subtotal and total values may not equal the sum of the individual values, due to rounding. Rge 17 W5M Rge 16 Twp 86 Rge 18 Hw y9 86 Rge 19 Twp 85 ERF - 1 ERF - 2 Carmon Lake Peac e Twp 84 River River Source Water Station 0 0 750 2.5 1,500 Metres LEGEND Vegetation Local Study Area (LSA) Footprint Roads Extreme Rich Fen 5 Kilometres Scale 1:125,000 SHELL CANADA LIMITED - PEACE RIVER IN SITU EXPANSION CARMON CREEK PROJECT Vegetated Disturbance Shrubby (open) Ecosite Phases j1 - Treed Poor Fen Rare Ecological Communities in the Vegetation LSA j2 - Shrubby Poor Fen k2 - Shrubby Rich Fen DRAWN BY: EDITED BY: JP TG APPROVED: V.V. DATE 21 Sep 2009 FIGURE: 3.4-7 N:\PROJECTS\61330000\61334000_2009\ArcGIS\MXDs\ FILE:Vegetation\RareEcologicalCommunities_LSA.mxd Page 3-38 Shell Canada Limited Page 3-39 Peace River In Situ Expansion Carmon Creek Project Vegetation – Volume IIC November 2009 A second, smaller extreme rich fen covers 22.0 ha (<0.1% of the LSA) and comprises ponds (NWL) and ecosite phases j2 and k2 (see Table 3.4-7). The extreme rich fen indicator species present were sticky false asphodel, Scorpidium scorpioides and Drepanocladus revolvens. Tamarack dominated the shrub layer, which also included dwarf birch (Betula pumila) and fly honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea). Slender arrow-grass (Triglochin palustris) was the dominant forb and needle spike-rush (Eleocharis acicularis) the dominant graminoid. The moss Campylium stellatum was common. 3.4.2.8 Rare Plant Potential About 11.6% of the LSA is ranked as having medium potential to support rare plants and 4.4% as having high potential to support rare plants (see Table 3.4-8). Figure 3.4-8 shows the distribution of ecosite phases with medium and high rare plant potential in the LSA. Table 3.4-8: Ecosite Phases with Medium and High Potential to Support Rare Plants in the LSA Ecosite Phase Area of LSA (ha) Percent of LSA (%) Medium Potential e1 – dogwood Pb-Aw 21.8 0.1 e2 – dogwood Pb-Sw 73.6 0.5 k2 – shrubby rich fen 987.8 6.7 92.3 0.6 NWF – flooded 173.7 1.2 NWL – lake, pond 362.4 2.5 1,711.6 11.6 f1 – horsetail Pb-Aw 60.9 0.4 f2 – horsetail Pb-Sw 170.4 1.2 l1 – marsh Subtotal High Potential f3 – horsetail Sw 2.1 <0.1 k3 – graminoid rich fen 123.0 0.8 SR – shrubby riparian 290.7 2.0 Subtotal Total 647.1 4.4 2,358.7 16.0 Note: Subtotal and total values may not equal the sum of the individual values, due to rounding. Rge 17 W5M Rge 16 Twp 86 Rge 18 Twp 85 Hw y9 86 Rge 19 Carmon Lake Peac e Twp 84 River River Source Water Station 0 0 750 2.5 1,500 Metres LEGEND Vegetation Local Study Area (LSA) Footprint 5 Kilometres Scale 1:125,000 SHELL CANADA LIMITED - PEACE RIVER IN SITU EXPANSION CARMON CREEK PROJECT Rare Plant Potential 1 Very Low (CP, g1, i1, i2, SC, SO) Roads 2 Low (a1, b1, b3, b4, c1, d1, d2, d3, h1, j1, j2, k1, HF, HG) Anthropogenic Disturbance 3 Medium (e1, e2, k2, l1, NWF, NWL) 4 High (f1, f2, f3, k3, SR) Rare Plant Potential for Each Ecosite Phase in the Vegetation LSA DRAWN BY: EDITED BY: JP TG APPROVED: V.V. FILE: Page 3-40 DATE 21 Sep 2009 FIGURE: 3.4-8 N:\PROJECTS\61330000\61334000_2009\ArcGIS\ MXDs\Vegetation\RarePlant_Potential_LSA.mxd Shell Canada Limited Page 3-41 Peace River In Situ Expansion Carmon Creek Project 3.4.2.9 Vegetation – Volume IIC November 2009 Ecosite Phases Supporting Traditional Use Plants Ecosite phases considered to have medium to high potential to support traditional use plants comprise 55.5% of the LSA (see Table 3.4-9). Ecosite phases with the potential to support lowbush cranberries comprise about half of this area (27% of the LSA). Figure 3.4-9 shows the distribution of these ecosite phases in the LSA. Table 3.4-9: Ecosite Phases Potentially Supporting Traditional Use Plants in the LSA Ecosite Phase Area of LSA (ha) Percent of LSA (%) Blueberries and Bog Cranberries a1 – lichen Pj 14.3 0.1 b1 – blueberry Pj-Aw 64.1 0.4 c1 – Labrador tea–mesic Pj-Sb 89.4 0.6 167.8 1.1 b3 – blueberry Aw-Sw 36.8 0.3 b4 – blueberry Sw-Pj 76.0 0.5 112.9 0.8 d1 – low-bush cranberry Aw 1,040.5 7.1 d2 – low-bush cranberry Aw-Sw 2,731.0 18.6 21.8 0.1 e2 – dogwood Pb-Sw 66.3 0.5 f2 – horsetail Pb-Sw 155.3 1.1 4,014.9 27.3 735.7 5.0 1,254.7 8.5 768.3 5.2 Subtotal Blueberries Subtotal Low-bush Cranberries e1 – dogwood Pb-Aw Subtotal Bog Cranberries i1 – treed bog i2 – shrubby bog j1 – treed poor fen j2 – shrubby poor fen Subtotal 904.6 6.1 3,663.3 24.9 122.3 0.8 Rat Root k3 – graminoid rich fen l1 – marsh Subtotal Total 92.3 0.6 214.6 1.5 8,173.5 55.5 Note: Subtotal and total values may not equal the sum of the individual values, due to rounding. 3.4.2.10 Non-native and Invasive Species Sixteen non-native and invasive species were identified in the LSA (see Appendix 3H). Species classified as noxious weeds under the Alberta Weed Control Act (2000) in the LSA were Canada thistle and perennial sow thistle (see Figure 3.4-10). Rge 17 W5M Rge 16 Twp 86 Rge 18 Twp 85 Hw y9 86 Rge 19 Carmon Lake Peac e Twp 84 River River Source Water Station 0 0 750 2.5 1,500 Metres LEGEND Vegetation Local Study Area (LSA) Footprint Roads 5 Kilometres Scale 1:125,000 SHELL CANADA LIMITED - PEACE RIVER IN SITU EXPANSION CARMON CREEK PROJECT Ecosite Phases Supporting Traditional Use Plants Blueberries and Bog Cranberries (a1, b1, c1) Blueberries (b3, b4) Ecosite Phases Supporting Traditional Use Plants in the Vegetation LSA Low-bush Cranberries (d1, d2, e1, e2, f2) Bog Cranberries (i1, i2, j1, j2) Rat Root (k3, l1) DRAWN BY: EDITED BY: JP TG APPROVED: V.V. DATE 21 Sep 2009 FIGURE: 3.4-9 N:\PROJECTS\61330000\61334000_2009\ArcGIS\MXDs\ FILE:Vegetation\Ecosite_Sup_TradUsePlants_LSA.mxd Page 3-42 Rge 18 Hw y9 86 ek Rge 16 W5M Rge 17 Twp 86 Rge 19 # ## # ## # # # # ## # # ## !! # ! ! ! # # ! Twp 85 ! ! ! ! # # # # # ## # ## # # # # ## ## ## # # # # # # # # # ! ! !! ! # ! # # ! ## # ! !! ! # ### # ! # ! ! ! ! # # # ## ! ! # # # " # # River Source Water Station Carmon Lake # # # # # ! ! Twp 84 Peac e # # # # # ! ! ## River ! # # # 750 1,500 Metres # LEGEND # 0 Vegetation Local Study Area (LSA) 0 Footprint 2.5 5 Kilometres Scale 1:125,000 Roads Noxious Weeds ! Canada thistle ! Perennial sow thistle (Sonchus arvensis) SHELL CANADA LIMITED - PEACE RIVER IN SITU EXPANSION CARMON CREEK PROJECT (Cirsium arvense) Nuisance Weeds # Quack grass (Agropyron repens) # Annual hawk's-beard (Crepis tectorum) # Hemp nettle # Rough cinquefoil # Common dandelion (Galeopsis tetrahit) (Potentilla norvegica) (Taraxacum officinale) Location of Noxious and Nuisance Weeds in the Vegetation LSA DRAWN BY: EDITED BY: JP TG APPROVED: V.V. DATE 17 Sep 2009 FIGURE: 3.4-10 N:\PROJECTS\61330000\61334000_2009\ArcGIS\ FILE: MXDs\Vegetation\NoxiousNuisance_Weeds_LSA.mxd Page 3-43 Shell Canada Limited Page 3-44 Peace River In Situ Expansion Carmon Creek Project Vegetation – Volume IIC November 2009 Nuisance species were quack grass, annual hawk’s-beard, hemp nettle, rough cinquefoil and common dandelion (see Figure 3.4-10). Agronomic species considered invasive in natural areas were crested wheat grass, smooth brome, creeping red fescue, white sweet-clover, yellow sweetclover, reed canary grass, timothy and Kentucky bluegrass (see Figure 3.4-11). Most species were found in previously disturbed areas in the LSA 3.4.3 3.4.3.1 Regional Study Area Alberta Ground Cover Classification At Baseline Case, there are 13 AGCC classes in the RSA (see Table 3.4-10). The three most common classes make up 74.5% of the RSA. Closed deciduous is the most abundant class and comprises 29.8% of the RSA, black spruce bog comprises 24.7% of the RSA, and closed spruce comprises 20.0% of the RSA. Anthropogenic disturbances comprise 8.5% of the RSA. Figure 3.4-12 shows the distribution of AGCC classes at Baseline Case in the RSA. Table 3.4-10: AGCC Class Area at Baseline Case AGCC Class Corresponding Ecosite Phase or AVI Label Area (ha) % of RSA Upland AGCC Classes Closed pine a1, c1 80.2 0.1 Closed spruce b4, d3, e3, f3, h1 24,018.8 20.0 Closed deciduous b2, d1, e1, f1, 35,840.7 29.8 Closed coniferous and deciduous b1, b3, d2, e2, f2, 8,389.1 7.0 68,328.8 56.8 29,699.9 24.7 6,895.1 5.7 Subtotal Wetland AGCC Classes Black spruce bog g1, i1, i2, j1, j2 Shrubby wetland k1, k2, SR Graminoid wetland k3, l1 Subtotal 3,625.5 3.0 40,220.5 33.4 Anthropogenic Vegetated AGCC Classes Closed upland shrub SC 1,802.6 1.5 Mixed grassland HG, HF, CP 1,144.3 1.0 Cropland and rangeland CP 6,790.0 5.6 9,736.9 8.1 Subtotal Anthropogenic Non-vegetated AGCC Classes Major roads, highways and railways AIH, AII 305.7 0.3 Commercial and industrial AII 115.6 0.1 421.3 0.4 1,647.9 1.4 1,647.9 1.4 120,355.5 100.0 Subtotal Water Lake, pond, reservoir, river and stream AIW, NWF, NWL Subtotal Total Notes: Subtotal and total values may not equal the sum of the individual values, due to rounding. Rge 18 Hw y9 86 k Rge 16 W5M Rge 17 ! ! !! !! !! ! ! ! ! Twp 85 ! ! ! ! !!! ! Carmon Lake River Source Water Station ! River ! ! 0 750 Twp 84 Peac e ee Rge 19 Twp 86 Rge 20 1,500 Metres ! LEGEND Vegetation Local Study Area (LSA) 0 Footprint 2.5 5 Kilometres Scale 1:125,000 Roads Invasive Agronomic Species ! Crested wheat grass (Agropyron pectiniforme) ! Smooth brome ! Creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra) ! White sweet-clover (Melilotus alba) ! Yellow sweet-clover (Melilotus officinalis) ! Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) ! Timothy (Phleum pratense) ! Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) SHELL CANADA LIMITED - PEACE RIVER IN SITU EXPANSION CARMON CREEK PROJECT (Bromus inermis) Location of Non-native Invasive Species in the Vegetation LSA DRAWN BY: EDITED BY: JP TG APPROVED: V.V. DATE 17 Sep 2009 FIGURE: 3.4-11 N:\PROJECTS\61330000\61334000_2009\ArcGIS\ FILE: MXDs\Vegetation\NonNative_Invasive_LSA.mxd Page 3-45 Rge 21 Rge 20 Rge 19 Rge 18 Rge 17 Rge 16 Rge 15 W5M Rge 14 Marten River Ca R te ive Twp 86 r Hw t do Woodland Cree Reserve 226 6 y 98 Pe a ce R iv e r Cadotte Lake rm on Cr ee k Twp 85 Ca Twp 84 Carmon Lake k u So th er iv He ar tR rth He a rt Riv r iv e No rth No R art He Pats Creek er 0 0 1,000 2,000 2.5 5 Kilometres Scale 1:175,000 Metres LEGEND Vegetation Local Study Area (LSA) AGCC Classes SHELL CANADA LIMITED - PEACE RIVER IN SITU EXPANSION CARMON CREEK PROJECT Shrubby wetland Vegetation Regional Study Area (RSA) Closed pine Graminoid wetland Footprint Closed spruce Closed upland shrub Anthropogenic Disturbance Closed deciduous Mixed grassland Roads Closed coniferous and deciduous Cropland and rangeland Black spruce bog Water DRAWN BY: EDITED BY: TG TG Distribution of AGCC Classes at Baseline Case in the Vegetation RSA APPROVED: V.V. DATE 21 Sep 2009 FIGURE: 3.4-12 N:\PROJECTS\61330000\61334000_2009\ArcGIS\ FILE: MXDs\Vegetation\AGCC_baseline_RSA_v3.mxd Page 3-46 Twp 83 Cr e e Riv Peace Pa ts er River Source Water Station Shell Canada Limited Page 3-47 Peace River In Situ Expansion Carmon Creek Project 3.4.3.2 Vegetation – Volume IIC November 2009 Potential Acid Input At Baseline Case, the total area of AGCC classes with PAI levels to which they are sensitive is 571.4 ha (see Table 3.4-11). This area occupies 0.5% of the RSA. Eight AGCC classes occur under PAI levels to which they are sensitive. Figure 3.4-13 shows the distribution of AGCC classes, grouped according to PAI sensitivity, under the 0.25, 0.50 and 1.00 keq H+/(ha·y) isopleths at Baseline Case. Table 3.4-11: Area of Ecosite Phases Sensitive to PAI at Baseline Case in the RSA Ecosite Phase 0.25 + keq H /(ha·y) (ha) 0.50 + keq H /(ha·y) (ha) 1.00 + keq H /(ha·y) (ha) Total (ha) Total (% of RSA) Closed Pine 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Subtotal 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 High Sensitivity Medium Sensitivity Closed Spruce n/a 55.7 4.2 60.0 0.0 Closed Deciduous n/a 114.0 21.5 135.5 0.1 Closed Coniferous and Deciduous n/a 41.9 5.0 46.9 0.0 Black Spruce Bog n/a 224.7 31.5 256.1 0.2 Cropland and Rangeland n/a 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Closed Upland Shrub n/a 9.3 3.9 13.2 0.0 Mixed Grassland n/a 17.6 13.3 30.9 0.0 Subtotal n/a 463.2 79.4 542.6 0.5 Shrubby Wetland n/a n/a 17.2 17.2 0.0 Graminoid Wetland n/a n/a 11.5 11.5 0.0 Subtotal n/a n/a 28.7 28.7 0.0 Total 0.0 463.2 108.2 571.4 0.5 Low Sensitivity Notes: n/a = not applicable. Subtotal and total values may not equal the sum of the individual values, due to rounding. Rge 21 Rge 20 Rge 19 Rge 18 Rge 17 Rge 16 Rge 15 Rge 14 W5M Marten River Ca R te ive Twp 86 r Hw t do Woodland Cree Reserve 226 6 y 98 Pe a ce R iv e r Cadotte Lake 0.25 rm on Cr ee 0.50 1.00 k Twp 85 Ca 0.25 Twp 84 Carmon Lake 0.50 River Source Water Station k u So th er iv He ar tR rth He a rt Riv r iv e No rth No R art He Pats Creek er 0 0 1,000 2,000 2.5 5 Kilometres Scale 1:175,000 Metres LEGEND Vegetation Local Study Area (LSA) SHELL CANADA LIMITED - PEACE RIVER IN SITU EXPANSION CARMON CREEK PROJECT PAI Sensitivity (AGCC) Vegetation Regional Study Area (RSA) Low Footprint Medium Anthropogenic Disturbance High DRAWN BY: Distribution of PAI Sensitivity Under the 0.25, 0.50 and 1.00 keq H+/(ha y) PAI Isopleths at Baseline Case in the Vegetation RSA Roads . PAI Isopleth Contour + (keq H /(ha y)) z EDITED BY: TG TG APPROVED: V.V. DATE 21 Sep 2009 FIGURE: 3.4-13 N:\PROJECTS\61330000\61334000_2009\ArcGIS\ FILE: MXDs\Vegetation\PAI_Baseline_RSA_v2.mxd Page 3-48 Twp 83 Cr e e Riv Peace Pa ts er 0.25 Shell Canada Limited Page 3-49 Peace River In Situ Expansion Carmon Creek Project 3.5 Vegetation – Volume IIC November 2009 Application Case The Application Case assumes maximum disturbance, in which all aspects of the Project are constructed and operated concurrently. This conservative approach likely overpredicts Project impacts, as the footprint will be progressively constructed and reclaimed throughout the life of the Project. Residual effects were measured at maximum disturbance in the Application Case and postreclamation at closure, when all mitigation techniques will have been implemented. Potential Project effects on vegetation indicators were assessed for the Application Case and for closure, using the criteria of direction, extent, magnitude, duration, frequency, permanence and confidence, and were given a final impact rating of no impact, negligible, low, medium or high, as described in Section 3.2.3. Indicators that have residual effects with a final impact rating other than no impact in the LSA were assessed in the Planned Development Case in the RSA. 3.5.1 3.5.1.1 Surface Disturbance Potential Project Effects Vegetation will be directly affected through clearing for Project activities, including the construction of the CPFs, well pads, plant roads and connector systems. Vegetation species and communities will be removed or altered during site preparation and construction for the proposed facilities. The surface area of some plant communities will be reduced, and the surface area of non-vegetated disturbed lands will increase. The potential area of direct disturbance will be limited to the footprint. Surface disturbance could indirectly affect vegetation communities through: edge effects invasion of plant pathogens, pests and non-native and invasive species habitat fragmentation and changes to topography soil capability and hydrology The effects of edge effects and fragmentation on vegetation communities are discussed in detail in Biodiversity (see Section 5). 3.5.1.2 Mitigation The Project planning process involved the development of a constraints map to avoid, where practicable, facility development on or adjacent to certain vegetation indicators such as rare plants and uncommon wetland classes. This enabled Shell to design the footprint in a way that minimizes impacts to these indicators. Shell plans to incorporate the following mitigation measures to reduce Project impacts on the landscape during construction and ongoing operations: use previously disturbed areas to reduce the amount of new clearing and avoid disturbing sensitive vegetation and wetlands avoid clearing sensitive vegetation features and avoid clearing within 100 m of defined waterbodies, where possible limit proposed surface areas for Project facilities optimize linear corridor widths and, where practicable, accommodate multiple-use areas such as roads, pipelines and power lines within the same right-of-way (ROW) to limit surface disturbance Shell Canada Limited Page 3-50 Peace River In Situ Expansion Carmon Creek Project Vegetation – Volume IIC November 2009 The facilities will be progressively reclaimed throughout the operational life of the Project, which is about 35 years. Reclamation activities involve recontouring land surfaces, replacing soil and revegetation. For a more detailed description of reclamation and revegetation activities, see Section 6: Conceptual Conservation and Reclamation Plan. The Green Area of the LSA is part of DMI’s Forest Management Agreement (see Volume IID, Section 5: Land and Resource Use). As part of its ongoing stakeholder engagement, Shell continues to work with DMI on an integrated land management plan to reduce the cumulative footprint in forested areas. This will reduce cumulative impacts to upland ecosite phases and old growth forests. Rare plant surveys will be conducted to identify species and locations prior to construction. The following mitigation measures will be implemented to minimize or eliminate impacts on any rare plants identified in the LSA: where practicable, to protect rare plants (as defined by ANHIC), Shell plans to avoid rare plant areas, collect and sow rare plant seeds or transplant rare plant species to similar natural areas culverts or bridges will be installed where needed to maintain natural drainage patterns Planning mitigation techniques for rare plants is species- and site-specific, and cannot be generalized from life cycles, habitats or plant families (Bush 2001). Determining appropriate mitigation techniques also depends on: rarity of the species reason for rarity patterns of distribution response to disturbance 3.5.1.3 Residual Effects at Application Case and Closure This section describes, in detail, surface disturbance effects to vegetation and wetland indicators in the LSA. Vegetation and wetland resources will be directly affected by clearing for the Project. Table 3.5-1 shows the specific types of clearing in each ecosite phase and AVI land label type. Table 3.5-2 shows the types of clearing on AWI wetland classes in the LSA. Table 3.5-3 compares the impacts of surface disturbance for the Application Case and closure to the Baseline Case for ecosite phases and AVI land label types. Table 3.5-4 compares the impacts for AWI wetland classes. About 12.3% of upland ecosite phases and 8.0% of wetland ecosite phases will be affected by surface disturbance in the Application Case (see Table 3.5-3). Upland ecosite phases will be affected primarily by the clearing of 186.0 ha for facilities (i.e., CPFs, river source water station), and of this, ecosite phase d2 (161.0 ha) will be most affected (see Table 3.5-1). Clearing for well pads will affect 183.0 ha of upland ecosite phases and clearing for borrow pits will affect 157.8 ha. Most of this clearing will occur on ecosite phase d2 (see Figure 3.5-1). The area of clearing varies considerably among upland ecosite phases, but the percentage of the cleared land is less variable, ranging from 0% in ecosite phases b3, e1 and f3 to about 16.1% in ecosite phase d2 (see Table 3.5-3).