Cover to escape from predators and the weather is a key element to the survival of these species. Any disturbances of suitable habitat must be considered during the reclamation process. Suitable mitigation would include the planting of shrubs or other indigenous bushy species.
Though no occurrences were documented, the pipeline corridor and riparian disturbance zones should be monitored for bobcat and lynx during any activity.
This project will have a definite impact on burrow availability for this species. The installation of artificial burrows and the importance of vertical cover should be considered.
There were many occurrences of these species (pronghorn antelope, white-tailed and mule deer) recorded during the Wildlife Surveys (Axys 1995).
Activity on the range will impact antelope. The loss of vegetative cover along riparian areas will affect all.
The eighteen inch minimum (18") clearance for the bottom strand must be adhered to for fencing. Four strand fencing should not be permitted. Any fencing projects or other barriers that may inhibit the free movement of any grazing mammals, domestic and wild, should be planned with the appropriate authority.
The spring 1996 survey will attempt to identify dancing grounds and leks. If a spring construction schedule prevails, a minimum 500m buffer between leks/nests and the construction zone must be maintained to minimize impact. The buffer could be lessened if construction commenced in August. Under no circumstances should a historic or active lek be disturbed.
As noted in the Wildlife Surveys, ferruginous hawks can be extremely sensitive to human disturbance during their nesting. Human activity must be restricted to 500m during nesting season.
Ferruginous hawks are the first hawks to arrive in the spring. This is usually timed to the emergence of Richardson's ground squirrels. Any disturbed historic nests should be mitigated with an artificial structure. Reclamation should include rapid regrowth with a target of eventually removing the artificial structure.
Trulio (1995) discusses a passive relocation protocol for burrowing owls that can be adapted for mitigative purposes. Any historic or potential burrows disturbed during construction should be mitigated with "predator proof" artificial nest boxes.
The major cause of decline as reported in Canning (1992) is the loss of habitat, mainly sage brush. This thrasher is a sage brush obligate. Any areas that contain densities of sage brush that are disturbed should be mitigated.
Dense nesting cover management in reclaimed areas should be considered.
Alberta Environmental Protection currently has amphibian monitoring kits (S. Brechtel per. comm.) Monitoring for amphibians should be included in the spring survey and continued until the reclamation certificate is signed.
In Holt (1993) it is noted that managing grassland for gallinaceous birds and waterfowl provides nesting cover and foraging habitat for the owl. There should be areas in the reclamation that include these cover types.
Merlins prefer small groves of deciduous trees and may also be found nesting in trees and tall shrubs along riparian systems. Any areas disturbed must be mitigated with an urgency to achieve existing canopy and cover.
Many members of Rodentia have profound effects on other trophic levels. Members of this group have been exposed to aggressive poisoning and eradication programs that may have extirpated them from some areas.
Little is known about the recruitment of small mammals to disturbed sites. The Express pipeline and subsequent looping projects provide an excellent opportunity to monitor and qualify small mammal habitats and densities along the pipeline corridor.
Reclamation with native seeds combined with the planting of shrub/bush complexes are imperative.
Some recurring themes are emerging from the impact that this pipeline will have on the landscape and wildlife. Timing of construction, reclamation that includes shrub and other woody vegetation, the adherence to buffer zones for sensitive species, the monitoring of small mammals and amphibians, minimizing road construction and speed:
Table 3 in Axys shows that most nesting/denning is complete by the end of July. An August start for construction would have a much lesser impact on the breeding bird community than a Spring start. The reclamation process would then be completed in early Spring 1997 before the breeding season.
The first priority is to stabilize the soil with native seed mixtures. The next should be to replace existing shrub, brush and other woody complexes to attain the existing stand age as expediently as possible. Express has shown foresight to include many experts from the affected area to provide input on reclamation. This input should be implemented and include wildlife associations with habitat type. Reclamation must include the revegetation of shrub and brush complexes. Shrub and brush patterns that the right of way bisects should be revegetated as close to the standing age as possible. Existing shrubs could be salvaged and replanted or suppliers located (i.e., Indian Head).
Reclamation must include areas of dense nesting cover. Many of the potholes that frequent the prairie are fringed by dense cover. Dense cover is critical to the survival of small mammals and some birds.
Guidelines for the avoidance of development activities must be produced to respect the sensitivity of wildlife resources. Table 4 in Axys (1995) could be used as a reference. Please note that the guidelines from Saskatchewan Environment and Resources Management cited in Table 4 have been revised, please contact Mr. Wayne Harris for an update.
Small mammal distribution and association with habitat on the prairie is poorly understood. Small mammals disperse seeds, control insects, and are an important prey species. This project offers an excellent opportunity to collect baseline data and to monitor small mammal distribution within the corridor. Herptiles should also be monitored and documented. Many high profile species (i.e., burrowing owl, ferruginous hawk) may be at risk due to a lack of knowledge and attention to the prey base.
Vehicle/wildlife collisions raise significant safety concerns and could impact wildlife populations. Every effort should be made to minimize new road construction and to encourage the observance of local speed limits. This may be accomplished by aligning the pipeline closer to existing transportation systems.
Some of the wildlife encountered during this project may pose a human health concern (i.e., Hanta virus, rattlesnakes). These issues should be investigated and included as orientation for all field personnel. The orientation should also include subjects concerning harassing wildlife, disturbing nest/den sites, firearm regulations and observance of buffer zones created out of Table 4 (Axys 1995).
All pump stations or other permanent structures associated with this project should include some mitigative gain for wildlife. This could include habitat enhancement.
The spring 1996 survey by Axys should include the species highlighted in the Species Accounts. Ongoing monitoring of all species listed by Axys must be assumed by Express Pipeline and results documented. Species may be added or omitted after consultation with the appropriate authorities. Future users of the pipeline corridor must be made aware of and accountable for ongoing monitoring.
Due to the short time frame for preparation and the difficulty at obtaining materials from Express Pipeline, it is not possible to address all aspects of the impact that this project will have. This report should form a beginning of project planning that should be implemented when financing is being discussed for a project.
Operation Grassland Community would be willing to be part of an advisory team for this project.
Canning, R.J. 1992. Status report on the Sage Thrasher Oreoscoptes montanus in Canada. Report prepared for Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. 23pp.
COSEWIC 1995. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Canadian species at risk, April 1995. Environment Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. 16pp.
Goossen, J.P., S. Brechtel, K.D. De Smet, D. Hjertaas, and C. Wershler. 1993. Canadian Baird's Sparrow Recovery Pan. Recovery of Nationally Endangered Wildlife Report No. 3. Ottawa: Canadian Wildlife Federation. 28 pp.
Haug, E.A., B.A. Millsap, and M.S. Martell. 1993. Burrowing owl (Speotyto cunicularia). In The birds of North America, No. 61. (A. Poole and F.Gill, Eds.). Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, D.C.: The American Ornithologists' Union.
Holt, D.W. and S.M. Leasure 1993. Short-eared owl (Asio flammeus). In The birds of North America, No. 62. (A. Poole and F.Gill, Eds.). Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, D.C.: The American Ornithologists' Union.
Pattie, D.L. and R.S. Hoffman. 1990. Mammals of the North American parks and prairie. Independent publishing. 600pp.
Sodhi, N.S., L.W. Oliphant, P.C. James, and I.G. Warkentin 1993. Merlin (Faclo columbarius). In The birds of North America, No. 44. (A. Poole and F.Gill, Eds.). Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, D.C.: The American Ornithologists' Union.
Trulio, L.A. 1995. Passive relocation: A method to preserve burrowing owls on disturbed sites. J. Field Orinth. 66(1):99-106.
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