Current Field Studies

Scientific field studies will be taking place along the proposed alternative corridors to understand the existing conditions of the environment including terrain, groundwater, surface water, fish, birds, wildlife, and vegetation. The studies will be conducted during multiple seasons over several years The information we collect through these studies will be strengthened by the Indigenous Knowledge (IK) that will be shared with us by Webequie and Marten Falls First Nations and the neighbouring Indigenous Communities through the IK Program.

Vegetation Surveys / Ecological Land Classification (ELC): Vegetation surveys consist of plots to sample and record vegetation in the study area. Field data collection aligns with the provincial ELC program for the boreal region. These surveys were conducted across three seasons including spring, summer and fall.

Terrain Surveys: Soil surveys using a hand auger to ground-truth existing terrain maps, identify potential aggregate, and thickness of peat.

Geotechnical Drilling: Geotechnical drilling and laboratory testing will be conducted in summer/fall 2023 to support engineering design. Soil and bedrock samples will collected to understand geotechnical parameters and acid rock drainage potential. Groundwater monitoring wells are being installed at borehole locations to support the groundwater program.

Terrain Surveys: Soil surveys using a hand auger to ground-truth existing terrain maps, identify potential aggregate, and thickness of peat.

Geotechnical Drilling: Geotechnical drilling and laboratory testing was conducted in spring 2022 to support engineering design. Groundwater monitoring wells were installed at borehole locations to support the groundwater program.

Bathymetry: Bathymetric surveys to support engineering design of watercourse crossings.

Fish and Fish Habitat Surveys: Includes fish habitat assessments and fish community sampling using minnow traps and eDNA. These were conducted at potential water crossings in spring and summer.

Breeding Bird Surveys: Installation of Acoustic Recording Units (ARU) and point count surveys to determine presence/absence of species as well as abundance/distribution and the status and trends in the bird populations. The ARUs are left in place year-round, with field crews periodically replacing their batteries and SD cards. Point counts are conducted by skilled observers to identify birds by sight and sound.

Waterfowl Migration Surveys: Low-level aerial surveys over water bodies (lakes, ponds, stream and rivers to estimate the seasonal distribution, abundance and density of waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors. These surveys are conducted in spring and fall.

Bat Surveys: Installation of ultrasonic Acoustic Recording Units (ARU) to identify bat species and distribution within in the study area. They are set up in the spring and taken down in the fall, with field crews periodically replacing their batteries and SD cards.

Wolverine Surveys: Wolverine aerial tracking surveys conducted during winter to look for evidence of wolverine dens. Survey was conducted to support permitting of geotechnical drilling program as well as the biology program.