EnviroSearch assists clients in developing Caribou Protection Plans (CPPs) to minimize the effect of projects on endangered Woodland Caribou while facilitating industrial development in designated sensitive areas throughout Alberta. In consultation with exploration companies and regulators, these plans are implemented for new developments during the winter operating season.
A CPP includes:
- the location and extent of work;
- a description of land in the project area;
- the caribou conservation measures;
- the schedule of work; and
- a map of the project area.
CPPs and Program Approval
Completion of a CPP is a minimum requirement for obtaining seismic, drilling and pipeline program approval from Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Land and Forest Division in designated caribou ranges. The plan describes the program activities and contains measures to mitigate long-term effects by managing short-term impacts.
Caribou Management in Alberta
The Caribou Management areas in Alberta are the West Central Management Area and the Boreal Management Area in Northern Alberta. CPPs are submitted to regional forest officers and are used to predict cumulative activity levels within a caribou range. The CPP documents a company’s commitment to work within the land use strategy of the area.
Timing
Applications for winter work are required by October 15th with amendments accepted until November 30 of each year. To minimize stress during caribou calving season (April 15th to June 1st) operations within caribou ranges are avoided. At the end of the season an “as built” report is submitted to the regulator.
EnviroSearch will work with you to develop project specific CPPs to allow continued work in designated Caribou Management Areas.