NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Sahtu Settlement Area

Tags: physical sciences, water quality, vegetation, wildlife, fisheries assessment, environmental impact assessment, mitigation

Objective(s): The purpose of this study is to collect information about a variety of ecosystems encompassed by or in close proximity to the potential well sites for a proposed gas development. This field program is designed to provide site-specific information for the development of an environmental report for the development of gas wells near Tulita, NWT. This work will help ensure that sufficient information is available for the development of the appropriate mitigation of potential environmental impacts which would result from the project should it proceed. The field work will be site specific (i.e. near proposed well sites and/or representative habitat types) and will include wildlife, vegetation, fisheries, and water quality. Heritage resources will also be examined in the proposed development area.

Project Description: The purpose of this study is to collect information about a variety of ecosystems contained by or in close proximity to the potential well sites for a proposed natural gas development. Fisheries and water quality studies will involve a survey of fish habitat, and of the water quality of any water bodies in the proposed development area. Any fish collection will be outlined by Department of Fisheries and Oceans research permits if required. Water samples will be collected for baseline characterization and for suitability as drinking water. All water samples will be analyzed in the lab using standard techniques, for metal content, nutrients, alkalinity, hardness and major ions. Wildlife surveys will be carried out on foot and by aircraft. All wildlife observations (mammals and birds) will be recorded and their GPS location noted if necessary. The emphasis of the survey will be on: raptors and their nests; moose; Dall's sheep and other ungulates; black and grizzly bears; wolves and other carnivores and their dens; and beavers. Wildlife information will be obtained by observational methods by the study team wildlife biologists. Animals will not be captured. Details surrounding the wildlife survey will be available in the applicants wildlife research permit from RWED. Vegetation and soils will be examined in the potential development area. The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre databases will be examined for records of archeological sites in the area.