Environmental Spill Management

Project Summary

X-Terra Environmental Services Ltd. was commissioned in 2016 to assist with the environmental assessments and permitting required during spill clean up. These included nest surveys, species at risk surveys, and vegetation inventories. Associated permitting included Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Authorization for the various cleanup activities, Aquatic Habitat Protection Permit applications for required disturbance to the bed and banks of the river, and Crown Land Approval applications for cleanup activities on Provincial Crown Land or crossing Crown Land to access the river. X-Terra also lead the environmental monitoring during the response with up to 44 environmental monitors during the initial response phase. In addition to permitting and monitoring, X-Terra also lead the Resources at Risk group due to years of extensive experience and knowledge of the area and the associated sensitivities along the North Saskatchewan River. This included identifying, mapping and prioritizing cleanup activities based on these resources at risk. It also involved engagement with local indigenous communities while completing Traditional Resource at Risk Assessments with elders and knowledge holders from the key communities along the North Saskatchewan River and the surrounding area. Furthermore, subsequent to the initial response, X-Terra’s role also included permitting and monitoring of the reclamation of the access points and boat launches used to respond to the spill.

Services Provided

• River access identification and landowner contacts

• Reporting and consultation

• Recommendations