Post-Construction Monitoring Program Onion Lake

Project Summary

X-Terra Environmental Services Ltd. was commissioned since 2016 to execute a Post-Construction Monitoring Program (PCMP) within the Onion Lake Indian Reserve, at the request of IOGC. The objectives of the program are to monitor for changes in biophysical characteristics of the project area following construction. The monitoring program was separated into three categories: Wetlands, Vegetation, and Wildlife. The Onion Lake PCMP falls within federal IOGC jurisdiction and allows for the real-time implementation of mitigation measures due to year-round monitoring of the upstream facilities in the project area.

Our Role

The Wetland Monitoring component included monitoring water depth/soil moisture, wetland health, and visual changes with permanent photo locations. As part of the Vegetation Monitoring component, rare plants and weed encroachment were assessed. Rare plant populations identified in previous year of assessment/monitoring were revisited to assess for presence and health. Transects situated around the project were revisited yearly to determine the presence and density of weed species. Permanent photo locations were also located along disturbances or at unique features to visually assess changes over time. As part of the Wildlife Monitoring Component, breeding bird, common nighthawk, water bird, and winter track surveys are completed yearly to determine if there are any changes in species presence/absence, relative abundance, and species diversity following development in the project area.

Services Provided

• Rare plant population monitoring

• Weed encroachment monitoring

• Wetland functional health assessments and monitoring

• Ground based photographic monitoring

• Amphibian surveys (auditory and visual)

• Common Nighthawk surveys

• Breeding bird point count surveys

• Water bird surveys

• Winter wildlife track surveys

• Data analysis and interpretation

• Reporting and consultation

• Recommendations