AsimovAsimov’’s Laws of Roboticss Laws of Robotics1.

A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.

2.

A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.

3.

A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws.

Linear Features and AccessLinear Features and Access

Road density (km/km2)

First road

Declining probability of maintaining ecological integrity

as road density increases. The solid line represents the best-estimate curve; dashed lines represent uncertainty bounds.

Figure courtesy Karen Price

Linear Features and AccessLinear Features and AccessRoads, trails, pipelines, transmission lines + Roads, trails, pipelines, transmission lines + associated facilities (camps, pumping stations)associated facilities (camps, pumping stations)In particular, the associated human accessIn particular, the associated human accessAlter Alter predation dynamics predation dynamics (by humans & non(by humans & non--humans) ; can set up humans) ; can set up sourcesource--sinksinkIncreased erosion (siltation, mass movements), Increased erosion (siltation, mass movements), polluted runoff, dust, noisepolluted runoff, dust, noiseIntroduced and Invasive speciesIntroduced and Invasive species ↑↑Impact zone extends variable distance from road Impact zone extends variable distance from road (different for different organisms and processes)(different for different organisms and processes)

““Shifting BaselineShifting Baseline””

SyndromeSyndromegenerational or personal amnesia about past ecological conditions or fish/wildlife populations

Klondike and other gold rushesGrand Trunk Pacific railway (1914)Highway 16Coastal canneriesAlaska HighwayAlcan floodingStewart-Cassiar/Highway 37BC Rail grade Highway 37, near Iskut Village J. Pojar

Three Three Biggest Biggest Threats Threats

1. Access1. Access 2. Access 3. Access

ne BC Wayne Sawchuk Colorado, Rebecca Clarren

n Alberta, Stan BoutinCoal Mine Road near Telkwa (1980)

Corridors of DeathCorridors of Death

Wayne Sawchuk

Study in BC Rockies found

that from 1971-1998 all the grizzlies killed by

humans (96 bears) were killed within 500 m of a

road or trail.M. Woodruff

Hwy 37 south of IskutW. Sawchuk

Gold Mining in Peruvian Amazon Gold Mining in Peruvian Amazon (2003(2003--2011)2011)

NASA/Landsat

Boulder City, Turnagain R. J. Pojar

Habitat Fragmentation and ConversionHabitat Fragmentation and Conversion

NASA/Landsat

Above Nadina Lk, early 1980s

Bulkley Valley above Glentanna

J. Pojar

Rondonia, Brazil (1975-2012)

Fragmentation in northern Fragmentation in northern Alberta (O & G, logging)Alberta (O & G, logging)

Roads can trigger cascade of industrial and agricultural Roads can trigger cascade of industrial and agricultural development, spread of road network, metastasis of impacts.development, spread of road network, metastasis of impacts.But thatBut that’’s Alberta; what about northwest BC??s Alberta; what about northwest BC??Similarities on interior plateau; Terrain in mountainous parts Similarities on interior plateau; Terrain in mountainous parts of region very different; biophysically complex, naturally of region very different; biophysically complex, naturally fragmentedfragmented

Nielsen, S. 2011. Relationships between grizzly bear source-sink habitats and prioritized biodiversity sites in Central British Columbia. BC Journal of Ecosystems and Management 12: 136–147.

Grizzly Bear Source-Sink Areas

Robert Fancher Robert Fancher Cultures of Healing Cultures of Healing (regarding psychiatry & (regarding psychiatry & psychology)psychology)

““The distance The distance between what between what we know and we know and what we wish what we wish we knew is too we knew is too great to bear, great to bear, and we fill it and we fill it with believing.with believing.”” “There is a strong reluctance by some government

representatives to even consider the development of resource roads. …

however, we need to reframe our policy along the "road to resources" campaign slogan of some thirty years ago. By mitigating impacts, employing prudent institutional controls and reclaiming disturbances on an ongoing basis, at the end of the day road development is beneficial and environmentally acceptable.”Proceedings of the 20th Annual British Columbia Mine Reclamation Symposium in Kamloops, BC, 1996.

ACTUAL IMPACTS“The majority of the environmental impacts have been positive, with the clean up of old exploration sites and the establishment of grazing areas along the road. Numerous visual sightings have been made of moose, black bears and grizzly bears. The no-hunting policy has ensured that these animals are basically unaffected by the presences of human activity.”

ESKAY CREEK ACCESS ROAD:ESKAY CREEK ACCESS ROAD:

A CASE STUDYA CASE STUDY

F. Marlin Murphy, William A. NapierF. Marlin Murphy, William A. Napier

Homestake Canada Inc.Homestake Canada Inc.

Trombulak & Frissell. 2000. Trombulak & Frissell. 2000. Review of ecological effects of roads on Review of ecological effects of roads on terrestrial and aquatic communitiesterrestrial and aquatic communities. . Conservation Biology 14: 18Conservation Biology 14: 18--30.30.

““Even when a small percentage of Even when a small percentage of the landthe land’’s surface is directly s surface is directly occupied by roads, few corners of occupied by roads, few corners of the landscape remain untouched the landscape remain untouched by their offby their off--site ecological effects.site ecological effects.”” down Skeena R. west of Terrace

J. Pojar

“We reviewed the scientific literature on the ecological effects of roads and found support for the general conclusion that they are associated with negative effects on biotic integrity in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. ... Our review underscores the importance to conservation of avoiding construction of new roads in roadless or sparsely roaded areas.”

Kemess tailings impoundmentKemess tailings impoundment

J. Mikes

1 million m1 million m³³

of toxic sludge (Hungary of toxic sludge (Hungary 2010, six months later)2010, six months later)

Palindromo Meszaros

Transboundary Transboundary IssuesIssues

Misty Fiords National Monument, SE AlaskaPhoto: Zarxos at Wikimedia Commons.

KSM proposal

River Diversion ProjectsRiver Diversion Projects

Nov. 16, 2011: a loaded fuel truck and trailer bound for Forrest Kerr hydroelectric project, lost control on a steep hill and crashed against a rock wall at kilometer 12 on the Eskay Creek road, spilling 9,300 litres of winter diesel near the Iskut River.

Forrest Kerr, Iskut River

AltaGas

AltaGas

Iskut Canyon J. Bourquin

Recreational Opportunities and Quality Recreational Opportunities and Quality ↕↕

Sibola Range J. Pojar

n Coast MtnsJ. Peepre Turnagain R. J. Pojar

road to Camp Lake P. LePage

W. Sawchuk

““Sacred Headwaters via Kemess Mine Sacred Headwaters via Kemess Mine Road, June 25Road, June 25--29: any takers?29: any takers?””

“Crooked Creek, Gnarly Adventurer”

Oil & GasOil & Gas

Wayne Sawchuk

W Canada supplies ~10% US oil W Canada supplies ~10% US oil UnUn--paced development (boompaced development (boom--bust, cyclical)bust, cyclical)Darling of governments Darling of governments (revenues)(revenues)Several new continentalSeveral new continental--scale scale pipeline proposalspipeline proposalsNew pipelines>>economically New pipelines>>economically marginal fields can be developedmarginal fields can be developedImpactsImpacts

Huge user of water & energyHuge user of water & energyLinear disturbancesLinear disturbancesRampant accessRampant accessSite degradation and pollution Site degradation and pollution (GGEs, water, air, noise)(GGEs, water, air, noise)

Upper Gosnell-Burnie J. Pojar

Morice R. J. Pojar

Oil and Gas –

Manifest Destiny“They’re

just looking

for a bigger

sandbox to play

in.”

northeastern BC near border with NT

Global ResponsibilitiesGlobal ResponsibilitiesGlobal stewardshipGlobal stewardship

grizzlies, temperate rainforests, grizzlies, temperate rainforests, wild clean rivers & salmon, wild clean rivers & salmon, predatorpredator--prey systems, rich prey systems, rich marine ecosystems, endemic marine ecosystems, endemic species, ecosystem diversity species, ecosystem diversity & landscape complexity & landscape complexity DonDon’’t pee in swimming poolt pee in swimming pool

Limit GHG emissions as our Limit GHG emissions as our contribution to global contribution to global reductionreduction Burnaby Narrows L. Horrocks

Taku R M. Connor

D. MacKinnon

BioScience. 2004. 54: 123-138.

N Am large mammal species ranges collapse towards nw BC

Sabine JessenJ. Peepre

Future predicted distribution of wolverine

Current distribution of wolverine

Wolverine tracks J. Puddifoot

Upper Skeena

J. Mikes

Healthy aquatic systemsClean, free-flowing rivers

Healthy (relatively) fish populations

“Pristine” lakes, all sizes

Large intact watersheds (hydrologic connectivity)

Healthy aquatic systemsHealthy aquatic systemsClean, freeClean, free--flowing riversflowing rivers

Healthy (relatively) fish populationsHealthy (relatively) fish populations

““PristinePristine”” lakes, all sizeslakes, all sizes

Large intact watersheds (hydrologic Large intact watersheds (hydrologic connectivity)connectivity)

LandscapeLandscape--level ecological attributes of global level ecological attributes of global significancesignificance

Water Is KeyWater Is Key•

hydroelectric dams & run-of-river diversions

•

hydraulic fracturing•

“produced water”

disposal

•

extraction & processing of tar sands & oil shale

•

stream crossings•

ice roads & pads•

melting permafrostn Yukon

J. PojarIskut Canyon IPP J. Bourquin

Peace River W. Sawchuk

W. Sawchuk

Coalbed Methane: Coalbed Methane: ““ItIt’’s like carpet bombing. you put as many holes s like carpet bombing. you put as many holes in the ground as efficiently as a you can.in the ground as efficiently as a you can.””

John King, Senior Vice-President, Precision Drilling Corp. in "Coal Gas Push to Increase 2005 Drilling", Financial Post, September 21, 2004.

CBM development, Rifle, CO Rebecca Claren

Spatsizi headwaters J. Pojar

Spatsizi headwaters, CBM test hole site J, Bourquin

Air Quality: Kitimat-Terrace Corridor

J. Lehmann Globe & Mail

CAPP

Kitimat LNG

Option: “inside the fence” power production?

Mean Annual T and PMean Annual T and P

Spittlehouse, D. 2008. Climate Change, Impacts and Adaptation Scenarios: Climate change

and forest and range management in British Columbia. Technical Report 45. BC Ministry

of Forests and Range, Victoria, B.C. 38 p.

Natural DisturbancesNatural DisturbancesIncreased frequency, intensity, impactIncreased frequency, intensity, impactMore frequent extreme eventsMore frequent extreme eventsDisturbance interactions & uncertaintyDisturbance interactions & uncertainty

As agents of change, shifting disturbance regimes & patterns as important as Δs T & P. Landscape-scale disturbances & extreme weather events could shape transient & ultimate new ecosystems.

Swiss Fire BCFS

Lodgepole pine landscape transformed by MPB, central B.C. L. MacLauchlanMelting glaciers & permafrost trigger bedrock failures

Fall 2011 Rainstorms, northwestern B.C.

Bear River

Revision Creek, Hwy 37

Big Canyon

Bitter Ck Bridge collapse

Red Chris exploration campRedcedar highgrading, Haida Gwaii

Big threat not cc acting in isolation; Big threat not cc acting in isolation; combination cc & other human footprints. combination cc & other human footprints.

Ecosystem responses complex & difficult to Ecosystem responses complex & difficult to predict; reflect combined predict; reflect combined and synergistic effects of and synergistic effects of ΔΔss climate, natural climate, natural disturbances, land & resource uses, and invasive disturbances, land & resource uses, and invasive species. species.

Baker mine, Swannell Ranges J. Mikesgas road, W. Sawchuk

↑↑ Warmer water in Warmer water in rivers, lakes & rivers, lakes & oceanoceanColdCold--water fish water fish declinedeclineLess snow, more Less snow, more rain (shoulder rain (shoulder seasons) seasons) >>changes >>changes streamflow streamflow ----volume & timingvolume & timingGlacial systems Glacial systems differ differ …… for a whilefor a while

Taku River M. Geertsema

D. Mackinnon

Salmon StreamsSalmon StreamsSeveral of B.C.Several of B.C.’’s largest riverss largest riversLarge populations of spawning Large populations of spawning salmonids + steelheadsalmonids + steelheadLakeLake--headed salmon streamsheaded salmon streamsWater T of smaller lakes & Water T of smaller lakes & streams such as Kitwanga, streams such as Kitwanga, Nadina, Maxan, Kwinageese??Nadina, Maxan, Kwinageese??

Morice Lake J. PojarOwen Lk & Nadina Mtn J. Pojar

Amazay (Duncan) LakeAmazay (Duncan) Lake

J. Mikes

Morrison Mine project denied Environmental Assessment Certificate

Babine Lake, SE arm J. Pojar

Potential adverse Potential adverse environmental, economic, environmental, economic, social, heritage and social, heritage and health effects of copperhealth effects of copper--gold open pit mine were gold open pit mine were ““adequately identified and adequately identified and assessed.assessed.””But doubts remained But doubts remained about proponentabout proponent’’s ability s ability to honour commitments, to honour commitments, meet imposed conditions, meet imposed conditions, and reclaim/restore site and reclaim/restore site after mine closure.after mine closure.

Increasing Awareness of Risk?Increasing Awareness of Risk?Proposed Morrison MineProposed Morrison Mine

Tulsequah Chief Paul Morrison

Potential impacts to genetically unique sockeye salmon population that contributes to the Skeena River sockeye.Insufficient data about lake’s limnology & behaviour, and capacity to dilute effluent; potential diminished long-term water quality in Morrison Lake not an acceptable risk. Potential for long-term (“in perpetuity”) environmental risk & financial liability for the Province were not acceptable in this case.

Information NeedsInformation Needs

1)1)

regional environmental assessmentregional environmental assessment2)2)

historical abundance of focal specieshistorical abundance of focal species

3)3)

basin characteristics of all major rivers; basin characteristics of all major rivers; freshwater freshwater ““ecological drainage unitsecological drainage units””

4)4)

““conservation unitsconservation units””

of salmonids (Wild Salmon of salmonids (Wild Salmon Policy)Policy)

5)5)

groundwater (GDWgroundwater (GDW--dependent ecosystems & dependent ecosystems & threats)threats)

6)6)

regional natural capital & ecosystem servicesregional natural capital & ecosystem services7)7)

more social researchmore social research King Salmon Lake M. Connor

RecommendationsRecommendations

1)

Cease “disrespecting”

NW natural environment2)

Reverse trends toward nationalisation of cost & privatisation of profit

3)

Increased & metred fees for industrial water consumption

4)

Full “life cycle”

analysis of major development proposals (assessment of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change impacts)

5)

Leave the coal in the ground6)

“Limited Entry”

industrial development7)

Re-think Nature Conservation

Banks Island J. Pojar

Creative Humans Creative Humans Can Can Make A DifferenceMake A Difference

““Offices are full of people doing things that, if Offices are full of people doing things that, if they didnthey didn’’t, it wouldnt, it wouldn’’t make any difference.t make any difference.””

Elmore Elmore Leonard. Leonard. 1987. 1987. Bandits. Bandits. Arbor House, Arbor House, NYNY