Base de données de recherche des TNO

Régions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region

étiquettes: physical sciences, environmental assessment, site reconnaissance, environmental protection plan

Objectif(s): The objective of the project is to continue developing a suitable knowledge base for planning, assessment of impacts, and development of environmental protection plans for the Mackenzie Gas Project. Studies include: site reconnaissance, impacts on heritage resources, aquatic studies, hydrology, water and sediment quality, bathymetry studies, shoreline monitoring, terrestrial studies, vegetation mapping, rare plant surveys, wildlife studies, and bird surveys in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, as well as environmental site assessment updates for Camp Farewell.

Description du projet: Helicopter flights will take place for site reconnaissance in the Niglintgak field area. The surveys will locate various features with GPS, photographs, and video, including land near major water courses, unique features (e.g. patterned ground), and problem areas. Re-survey of existing lease boundaries at Camp Farewell will be done. Optimal sites for infrastructure and water resources will be determined. Helicopter landings will avoid wildlife concentrations, vegetated areas, and heritage sites. Investigations will be done into fish, fish habitat, hydrology and water quality in rivers and lakes previously visited, and near proposed infrastructure sites and water resources. Water level monitoring stations will be installed in Shallow Bay, Kitigazuit Bay, and Niglintgak to provide continuous data on daily and seasonal fluctuations in water levels, tides and storm surges. Spring discharges and flow velocities will be measured to determine effects on channel morphology. Sediment sampling will simultaneously be carried out to determine bottom characteristics and total suspended solids. Bed, bank and instream island materials will be collected for analysis. Water samples will be collected for calibration of hydroacoustic systems. Samples will also be analysed to determine sediment quality, composition and contaminants, and to identify benthic species and biomass in areas likely to be dredged. Water quality data (temperature, O2, conductivity, pH, and turbidity) will be collected at each location. Bathymetric studies on the proposed Shallow Bay and Kittigazuit gas transportation routes will determine: if they need dredging; if depths of channels are changing affecting whether future dredging can be ruled out; and suitable locations for dredge spoils. The bathymetric program will involve single beam and sweep echosounder systems. Temporary water level monitoring buoys and an RTK station will be deployed as part of the survey. Shoreline recession monitoring will be undertaken on Kumak Channel. Wooden stakes will be installed in several locations, 5m from the edge of the bank at surveyed locations, and monitored. Vegetation and wildlife studies will be performed at the remote sump location and Niglintgak. Vegetation mapping and wildlife surveys will be done visually from a helicopter. Rare plant surveys will be done using the random meander technique, and documented with GPS and photographs. Samples may be taken for identification and voucher specimens if populations are sufficiently large (at least 20 plants). Bird surveys will provide information on abundance, species composition, distribution, and habitat use of songbirds, shorebirds and waterfowl. Seasonally critical and high quality habitats for wildlife will be identified at proposed development sites. Focus will be on Species at Risk Act-listed species and those identified as important for traditional use. Grizzly bear denning surveys, and site specific wildlife habitat surveys will be performed. Helicopter overflights will be used to refine areas of heritage resources. Air photograph mosaics will be examined for heritage resources, followed by foot traverse, visual examination, and subsurface shovel testing in areas of potential. Test pits are usually 40-50cm on a side and 20-40cm deep to sterile layers, or until permafrost preclude further digging will be used. Shovel tests approaching 80cm in depth are possible. The EA updates at Camp Farewell will include historical research, visual inspection, geophysical survey to determine the lateral extent of potential salt impact and subsurface metal debris. Soil and groundwater sampling in the area of a historic diesel spill and burn pit will be collected. Surface soil conditions, active layer depth, site accessibility, slope and vegetation cover, and surface obstructions will be determined. Deep soil sampling will be conducted with a lightweight, heli-portable drilling rig. Approximately 15-20 boreholes will be drilled. Surface and groundwater samples will be collected, and piezometers will be installed on the perimeter. A background piezometer will be in an upgradient area, away from any historical site activities to measure background water conditions. The studies will be conducted from _____ to October 31, 2006 at locations within Shallow Bay, Kittigazuit Bay, and in and around Camp Farewell.