NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region

Tags: biology, lichen, botany, industrial development, plant productivity, rare plants

Objective(s): The objective of the vegetation study is to continue to record baseline information on lichen health and productivity which may then be used to monitor impacts as a result of construction and operation activities in the proposed Parsons Lake development area.

Project Description: The objective of the vegetation study is to continue to record baseline information on lichen health and productivity which may then be used to monitor impacts as a result of construction and operation activities in the proposed Parsons Lake development area. These studies are a continuation of those conducted previously in summer and fall of 2006. The study will link to caribou monitoring work conducted by ENR in the Bluenose-West and Cape Bathurst caribou herd ranges. Rare plant surveys and vegetation classification have been previously conducted in the proposed Parsons Lake development area for ConocoPhillips in conjunction with the Mackenzie Gas Project. Further rare plant surveys were conducted on the proposed project footprint for Conoco in 2006. During 2007, information on rare plants will be recorded only when noted opportunistically during lichen studies. The vegetation crew will collaborate with ENR to ensure that study designs and methods are compatible with other programs in the region so that data can be shared. This work is necessary to properly document pre-disturbance conditions. All activities on Inuvialuit lands are expected to be conducted by foot traverse with helicopter-supported access. Crews will be flown to the site from Inuvik each day. Two types of vegetation surveys will be undertaken in the local and regional study areas. Detailed sampling of lichen condition will occur at: • up to 4 randomly selected 1 m2 sample plots located within 1 km of the proposed Parsons Lake development area; • up to 20 randomly selected 1 m2 sample plots located between 1 km and 10 km from the proposed Parsons Lake development area; • up to 9 randomly selected 1 m2 sample plots located at a distance greater than 10 km from the proposed Parsons Lake development area; and • up to 15 randomly selected 1 m2 sample plots located along the proposed Pete's Creek Winter Access roads. Sites that were established during the 2006 field season will also be revisited and all plots will be marked so they can be relocated. A maximum of two vegetation field crews, each comprised of two botanists, one wildlife monitor and a local assistant will be required. ConocoPhillips will provide information from the various surveys to the communities in the form of a non-technical summary and regular reporting to the HTCs. Fieldwork will be conducted from July 15 to August 15, 2007 in the Parsons Lake vicinity area. The field studies will be conducted within three areas of the local and regional study areas: within 1 km of the proposed Parsons Lake development area; from 1 to 10 km from the proposed development area; and greater than 10 km from the proposed development area.