Ecological Monitoring Committee for the Lower Athabasca:

Program Development and Implementation

Presentation to the Alberta Environmental Monitoring Panel, May 6, 2011

Program Purpose

Deliver a coordinated, rationalized regional biodiversity and wildlife monitoring program that is effective, efficient and credible

Improved monitoring of wildlife and biodiversity Information on the status and trends of species, the

effects of human activities, and the success of mitigation efforts

Better information available for environmental management in the Lower Athabasca region

Background

Industry requirements for biodiversity and wildlife monitoring in approvals under Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA)– Not designed for regional picture– Not standardized

ABMI operates a provincial biodiversity monitoring program – Additions to ABMI could address region-specific priorities

Agreement in 2009 to seek improvements to current system through a coordinated approach

Desired Improvements

From: To:Focus on site and place monitoring only Integrated monitoring program with emphasis

on ecosystem level

Scattered and variable approach to monitoring at the project level

Standardized and systematic approach with ABMI as the foundation for the integrated monitoring program

Project level approach to biodiversity issues and questions

Regional to sub-regional programs designed through a collaborative process

Voluntary funding support for ABMI Full and equitable participation in funding the ABMI

Diverse reporting frameworks Consistent reporting framework in support of public and compliance reporting

Inability to report on regional ecological health Ability to report on regional ecological health

Proprietary control over regional data Full and timely access to regional data through a central repository

All monitoring in EPEA approval Monitoring situated for best effect

Program Development

2010 Industry-Government Joint Working Group to address

– Monitoring system design– Governance– Funding and 2011 Program outline

Recommendations issued August 2010 Fall 2010 – GoA, Oilsands Developers Group and

ABMI build agree to build new monitoring program

Governance

• Rationalize EPEA approval requirements• meet public interest expectations• effective regional monitoring

• Ecological Monitoring Committee for Lower Athabasca (EMCLA) includes:• Government – federal and provincial• Oil sands industry• Scientific support and coordination -- ABMI

Work Plan Process

Objectives defined Annual activities and deliverables established Long term planning Scientifically defensible Monitoring Program

– Subject matter science experts project team project advisors Peer review

– Participants – governments and academia

Project Participants

Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute

Alberta Innovates Technology Futures

University of Alberta Royal Alberta Museum Bird Studies Canada Devonian Botanical Garden Alberta Conservation

Association Environment Canada

Beaverhill Bird Observatory Boreal Avian Monitoring

Project Strix Ecological Consulting Alberta Tourism, Parks, and

Recreation Alberta Sustainable

Resource Development Al-Pac Forest Industries

Annual Reporting

EMCLA annual report– Summary of the year’s work – Achievements– Variances from the work plan– Highlights of ongoing and completed projects

ABMI annual update commissioned by EMCLA– Summary of work in Lower Athabasca Region

Workplan for the coming year and three-year vision:– Details on the timing of projects– Scope of work– Study design

Transparency

Data and reports publicly available through ABMI

Peer reviewed Scientifically credible analysis Addresses issues raised through regulatory

processes of project reviews and approvals

2011 Program

Design and implementation of monitoring programs– Planning– Execution– Reporting

Three programs in development– Rare Plants– Select Animal Species– Effects of Linear Development on Caribou

Rare Plants

Design and implement an informative and appropriate rare plant monitoring program

Credible information on the abundance and distribution of plant species that are rare or of conservation concern

Information on threats to individual species and habitats

Select Animal Species

An effective, long-term animal monitoring program to address gaps in ABMI monitoring

Provides data to address specific research and management questions

• Feasibility assessments for Yellow Rails, owls, and amphibians selected as the priority for 2011

Effects of Linear Development on Caribou

Assessing the influence of aboveground pipelines and associated linear features on movement

Determine whether mitigations are effectively improving caribou conservation

Learning Process

1. Address regional monitoring needs relevant to industry, government, public concerns

2. Use a broad definition of user• Resource and environmental managers – industry and

government• Decision makers• Interested and affected parties

3. Adaptable but with firm base• Expect change. Ensure design can detect change and

adapt as appropriate• Protect monitoring core when adapting

4. Leverage existing systems to create value• ABMI• Industry monitoring

Recommendations to AEMP Biodiversity Monitoring

1. Incorporate program elements from EMCLA

2. Maintain Leverage of ABMI and industry programs

3. Address regional issues4. Assess cumulative effects