Annex N - Land Use and Tenure Baseline Report

Transcription

October 2015
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS BALDY RIDGE
EXTENSION PROJECT
Annex N - Land Use and Tenure
Baseline Report
REPORT
Submitted to:
Teck Coal Limited
Suite 1000, 205 - 9th Avenue SE
Calgary, AB T2G 0R3Teck
Report Number: 1213490003/R31
BALDY RIDGE EXTENSION - LAND USE AND TENURE
BASELINE REPORT
Executive Summary
Teck Coal Limited is proposing an extension to the existing Elkview Operations in the East Kootenay Region of
southeastern British Columbia (Figure N-1). The extension of Elkview Operations is referred to as the Baldy
Ridge Extension Project and includes the extension of existing mining areas, waste rock spoils, and storage
facilities for tailings and coarse coal refuse. The Baldy Ridge Extension Project will also require the development
of new waste rock spoils, the relocation of existing infrastructure, and development of water quality treatment
facilities based on the Elk Valley Water Quality Plan recommendations. The estimated total area of disturbance
is approximately 2,665 ha of which 763 ha are outside of the current C-2 permit boundary and 1,901 ha are
within the current C-2 permit boundary.
The main area of Elkview Operations is bounded by the Elk River to the west, Erickson and Harmer creeks to
the east, and Michel Creek to the south. Highway #3 (Crowsnest Highway) follows Michel Creek along the
western and southern sides of Elkview Operations. The primary land use activities occurring within the area are:
coal mining, recreation, tourism and forestry. The Elkview Operations property is located on 25,500 ha of
privately owned land (fee simple) in the front ranges of the Rocky Mountains, adjacent to the community of
Sparwood, British Columbia.
The Baldy Ridge Extension Project is subject to review under the British Columbia Environmental Assessment
Act, as outlined in the Baldy Ridge Extension Project Application Information Requirements (BC EAO 2015).
This baseline report forms Annex N of the Environmental Assessment Certificate Application being prepared to
meet the requirements of the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Act.
This baseline study for the Baldy Ridge Extension Project describes tenures and current land and resource use
activities occurring in the area potentially affected by the Project and in the surrounding region. The local study
area for land use and tenure is consistent with the terrestrial local study area and follows rivers, watersheds and
topographic features, where appropriate. The regional study area also includes the British Columbia
communities of Sparwood, Elkford and Fernie, as well as the unincorporated settlements (e.g., Hosmer) and
rural areas surrounding these communities. Although Crowsnest Pass is not included within the terrestrial
regional study area boundary, its residents visit the Elk Valley for recreational and hunting purposes so this area
has been included in the regional study area too.
Secondary research included a review of existing land ownership and tenure information, local, regional and
provincial land use plans, agricultural lands, recreation and tourism, access management, mining, forestry, gas
activities, wildlife harvesting and management information. Primary information was collected through mapping
sessions with user group representatives held in Sparwood and Crowsnest Pass in 2013 to determine focal
areas in the regional study area and local study area respectively, for hunting, fishing, and motorized and nonmotorized recreation and tourism.
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BRITISH COLUMBIA - ALBERTA BORDER
FIRST NATIONS RESERVE
PROVINCIAL PARK / PROTECTED AREA
PROJECT
WATERBODY
Provincial boundaries, Communities and Hydrography obtained from The Atlas of Canada,
Natural Resources Canada. Roads obtained from Geobase. Provincial Parks/Protected
Areas, Railroad and First Nations data obtained from GeoGratis. Other data obtained from Teck
Coal Limited. DATUM: NAD 83 PROJECTION: UTM ZONE 11
0
SCALE
COAL MINING OPERATION
WATERCOURSE
REFERENCE
!
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LEGEND
Pincher
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I:\CLIENTS\TECK_COAL\12-1349-0013\Mapping\MXD\SharedFigures\B-Shared-001-GIS-GeneralProjectLocation.mxd
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B R IT IS H C O LU M B I A
TITLE
25
KILOMETRES
1:750,000
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
BALDY RIDGE EXTENSION PROJECT
GENERAL LOCATION
OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT
PROJECT
DESIGN
GIS
CHECK
REVIEW
MH
12-1349-0013
07 Oct. 2013
DR
05 Aug. 2014
LE
31 Aug. 2015
MH
31 Aug. 2015
FILE No.
SCALE AS SHOWN
REV.
FIGURE N-1
0
BASELINE REPORT
The key results from the land use and tenure baseline assessment are as follows:

The Baldy Ridge Extension Project is located on fee simple land owned by Teck Coal Limited and most of
the Baldy Ridge Extension Project footprint overlaps with the District of Sparwood. The land is zoned
Extraction Industrial, which provides for mineral extraction and processing of extracted minerals. The
remainder of the Baldy Ridge Extension Project footprint and surrounding areas overlaps with the Regional
District of East Kootenay and is zoned as Rural Resource under the Elk Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 829.

The Baldy Ridge Extension Project footprint is situated on private lands that are not subject to provincial
land use plans. Crown land nearest to the Baldy Ridge Extension Project is situated within the Coal
Enhanced Resource Development Zone of the Kootenay-Boundary Land Resource Management Plan
Implementation Strategy, which states that there is an assurance of long-term security of access and
tenures to this land for coal mining exploration and development purposes.

There are a number of provincial parks in the region but none overlaps with the Baldy Ridge Extension
Project footprint.

Livestock and forage production characterizes agriculture in the Elk Valley and in 2011, an estimated 73%
of the Agricultural Land Reserve designated land in the Elk Valley was used for natural pasture/rangeland
or was forested. Agricultural Land Reserve land is concentrated along Highway #43 between Sparwood
and Elkford. Two range tenures exist to the west and to the east of the Baldy Ridge Extension Project.

Elkview Operations is surrounded by a No Unauthorized Entry Area implemented by Teck Coal Limited to
maintain public and worker safety at and near the existing operation. Permission is needed to enter this
No Unauthorized Entry Area and access is controlled by Elkview Operations. Signs are posted at potential
entry points to the No Unauthorized Entry Area, and changes or updates to the No Unauthorized Entry Area
are advertised regularly in local papers and in the annual BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis.

Coal licences held by NWP Coal Canada Ltd. (subsidiary of Jameson Resources Ltd.) are located directly
to the east of Elkview Operations. Coal licences held by CanAus Coal Limited (subsidiary of CoalMont Pty
Ltd.) on Crown land are located to the southeast on the other side of Highway #3. The federal government
owned Dominion Coal Block 73 is located approximately 6.5 km south of the Baldy Ridge Extension
Project.

For all of Teck Coal Limited’s mining operations, environmental considerations are based on the premise
that mining is a temporary use of the land and that all disturbed lands will be reclaimed to be fully
productive post-closure landscapes. Elkview Operations strives to reclaim surface disturbances in a timely
manner and to re-establish a sustainable, diverse, functional landscape that is greater than or equal to the
capability/productivity that existed prior to mining (Teck 2014a).

As part of Teck’s broader commitment to sustainability, in October 2013 Teck Coal Limited announced the
purchase of three blocks of land from Tembec Industries Inc. in British Columbia, totaling approximately
7,150 ha. The intended use of this land is for the protection of key wildlife and fish habitat in the Elk River
Valley and Flathead River Valley.
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BASELINE REPORT

Surrounding Elkview Operations is Managed Forest 471. Under an agreement with Teck Coal Limited,
Canfor Corporation has the exclusive right (in perpetuity) to harvest, sell, process or dispose of all timber
on Managed Forest 471 land. Land within the boundaries of Managed Forest 471 is owned by Teck Coal
Limited including the lands around Elkview Operations. Canfor Corporation’s rights are subject to Teck
Coal Limited’s dominant user rights to explore for minerals, to conduct mining and drilling operations and to
use or remove minor amounts of certain areas from Managed Forest 471 land. Managed Forest 482 is
located to the north and south of Elk VO. Tembec completed the sales of a total of 49,000 ha of land from
Managed Forest 27 to Jemi Fibre Corporation in 2014. These lands now comprise Managed Forest 482.
Managed Forest 27 currently consists of approximately 850 ha located near St. Mary’s Lake, Morrissey,
and between Sparwood and Fernie.

A petroleum title belonging to Apache Canada Ltd. covers the southern end of Elkview Operations (referred
to as the Mist Mountain project). There has been no recent development by Apache on its Mist Mountain
project, and it is not anticipated that development will occur in the near future. Apache acquired its rights
when this company purchased British Petroleum’s Canadian assets in 2010.

Elkview Operations footprint overlaps with portions of the following Registered Trapline areas,
TR0423T021, TR0423T023, and TR0423T022. There was no registered activity on trapline TR0423T022
and TR0423T021 between 2008 and 2012, while TR0423T023 recorded five beaver, one coyote and three
marten in 2010. Prior to 2010, 2002 was the last year of reported activity for TR0423T023. Although
TR0423T021 reported consistent trapping activity prior to 2008, there has been no recorded activity for
TR0423T022 since 1986.

Gravel roads along Grave and Harmer Creeks are located on private lands owned by Teck Coal Limited
and provide access to areas north of Elkview Operations. There is no public road access into the Erickson
Valley from either Harmer Creek or from the southern end of Elkview Operations. To the east, the
Alexander Creek Access Management Area is a high use area for all-terrain vehicle riding and
snowmobiling in the Elk Valley. Riders from Alberta access the area using Deadman’s Pass, North Fork
Pass and Racehorse Pass. Trails in the Alexander Creek Access Management Area connect with Grave
Creek in the north.

Tourism in the Elk Valley peaks during the winter season, with its secondary peak occurring in summer.
The area attracts a substantial number of weekend visitors and the demand for seasonal residences in the
Elk Valley is primarily driven by Alberta residents. Fernie Alpine Resort is 5 km from downtown Fernie and
is the centrepiece for winter recreation and tourism in the local area. Mountain biking, hunting and angling
along the Elk River and Michel Creek are important draws in the summer and fall months.
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BASELINE REPORT
Study Limitations
Golder Associates Ltd. (Golder) has prepared this document in a manner consistent with that level of care and
skill ordinarily exercised by members of the engineering and science professions currently practicing under
similar conditions in the jurisdiction in which the services are provided, subject to the time limits and physical
constraints applicable to this document. No warranty, express or implied, is made.
This document, including all text, data, tables, plans, figures, drawings, and other documents contained herein,
has been prepared by Golder for the sole use of Teck Coal Limited (Teck) [Elkview Operations] and regulatory
agencies, in decision-making regarding Teck’s operations. It represents Golder’s professional judgment based
on the knowledge and information available at the time of completion, and is not applicable to any other project
or site location. Golder is not responsible for any unauthorized use or modification of this document. Other
parties may not rely on this document without the written permission of Golder.
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BASELINE REPORT
Table of Contents
N1.0 OVERVIEW....................................................................................................................................................................... 1
N1.1
Overview.............................................................................................................................................................. 1
N1.2
Purpose ............................................................................................................................................................... 3
N1.3
Scope .................................................................................................................................................................. 3
N2.0 STUDY AREA ................................................................................................................................................................... 4
N2.1
Regional Study Area ............................................................................................................................................ 4
N2.2
Local Study Area ................................................................................................................................................. 4
N3.0 METHODS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 7
N3.1
Review of Existing Information ............................................................................................................................ 7
N3.2
User Group Mapping Sessions ............................................................................................................................ 7
N3.3
Data Analysis and Reporting ............................................................................................................................... 8
N4.0 RESULTS ......................................................................................................................................................................... 9
N4.1
Land Use Plans and Designations ....................................................................................................................... 9
N4.1.1
Regional Study Area ...................................................................................................................................... 9
N4.1.2
Local Study Area .......................................................................................................................................... 15
N4.2
Land Uses, Tenures and Focal Areas ............................................................................................................... 18
N4.2.1
Access ......................................................................................................................................................... 18
N4.2.2
Parks and Protected Areas .......................................................................................................................... 20
N4.2.3
Agriculture .................................................................................................................................................... 22
N4.2.4
Coal and Mineral Exploration and Mining..................................................................................................... 23
N4.2.5
Forestry ........................................................................................................................................................ 29
N4.2.6
Oil and Gas Development ............................................................................................................................ 35
N4.2.7
Non-Timber Forest Products ........................................................................................................................ 38
N4.2.8
Wildlife and Fish Harvesting ......................................................................................................................... 39
N4.2.9
Outdoor Recreation and Tourism ................................................................................................................. 49
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N5.0 SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................................................................... 56 N6.0 CLOSURE ...................................................................................................................................................................... 58 N7.0 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................................................... 59 N7.1 Acts and Regulations ......................................................................................................................................... 68 N8.0 GLOSSARY .................................................................................................................................................................... 69 TABLES
Table N3.2-1 User Group Mapping Session Participants Held December 11 and 12, 2013 ............................................... 8 Table N4.2-1 Provincial Park Visitors ................................................................................................................................ 22 Table N4.2-2 Teck Mines in the Regional Study Area ....................................................................................................... 24 Table N4.2-3 Summary of Areas Disturbed and Reclaimed Before December 31, 2013 .................................................. 26 Table N4.2-4 Forestry Requirements on Crown and Private Land in British Columbia ..................................................... 29 FIGURES
Figure N-1 General Location of the Proposed Project ..................................................................................................... ii Figure N1.1-1 Project Footprint and Existing Elkview Operations ........................................................................................ 2 Figure N2.1-1 Land Use and Tenure Regional Study Area and Communities ..................................................................... 5 Figure N2.2-1 Land Use and Tenure Local Study Area ........................................................................................................ 6 Figure N4.1-1 Southern Rocky Mountain Management Plan ............................................................................................. 11 Figure N4.1-2 Kootenay-Boundary Land Use Plan ............................................................................................................ 12 Figure N4.1-3 Agricultural Land Reserve Areas ................................................................................................................. 14 Figure N4.1-4 Old Growth Management Areas in the Local Study Area ............................................................................ 16 Figure N4.1-5 Land Use Zoning in the Local Study Area ................................................................................................... 17 Figure N4.2-1 No Unauthorized Entry Area ........................................................................................................................ 19 Figure N4.2-2 Parks and Protected Areas in the Regional Study Area .............................................................................. 21 Figure N4.2-3 Land Ownership, Mineral Claims and Coal Tenures in the Local Study Area.............................................. 25 Figure N4.2-4 Crown Forest Land Base in the Regional Study Area ................................................................................. 30 Figure N4.2-5 Crown Forest Land Base in the Local Study Area ....................................................................................... 33 Figure N4.2-6 Canfor Harvests in the Local Study Area ..................................................................................................... 34 Figure N4.2-7 Gas Wells in the Regional Study Area ......................................................................................................... 36 Figure N4.2-8 Gas Wells in the Local Study Area .............................................................................................................. 37 Figure N4.2-9 Guide Tenures and Limited Entry Hunting in the Regional Study Area ....................................................... 41 Figure N4.2-10 Trapline Tenures in the Regional Study Area .............................................................................................. 45 October 2015
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BASELINE REPORT
Figure N4.2-11
Hunting in the Local Study Area .................................................................................................................. 47
Figure N4.2-12
Trapline Tenures in the Local Study Area.................................................................................................... 48
Figure N4.2-13
Recreation Trails and Sites in the Regional Study Area .............................................................................. 50
Figure N4.2-14
Recreation Trails and Sites in the Local Study Area .................................................................................... 51
APPENDICES
APPENDIX N.I
User Group Mapping Session Seasonal Calendars
APPENDIX N.II
Hunting and Trapping Seasons for Wildlife Management Unit 4-23
APPENDIX N.III
Hunting Data for Wildlife Management Unit 4-23
APPENDIX N.IV
Trapping Activity for Local Study Area
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BASELINE REPORT
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
Acronym/Abbreviation
Definition
AAC
annual allowable cut
ALR
Agricultural Land Reserve
Altitude
Altitude Resources Inc.
ATV
all-terrain vehicle
BC
British Columbia
BC EAO
British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office
BCEAA
British Columbia Environmental Assessment Act
BCWF
British Columbia Wildlife Federation
BSE
bovine spongiform encephalopathy
Canfor
Canfor Corporation
CMO
Coal Mountain Operations
COI
communities of interest
e.g.
for example
EA
environmental assessment
EAC
Environmental Assessment Certificate
EKB
East Kootenay Basin
Elan
Elan Coal Ltd.
ERDZ
Enhanced Resource Development Zone
EVO
Elkview Operations
FLNRO
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
FRO
Fording River Operations
GHO
Greenhills Operations
Golder
Golder Associates Ltd.
GPS
global positioning system
i.e.
that is
ILMB
Integrated Land Management Bureau
KBLUP
Kootenay-Boundary Land Use Plan
LCO
Line Creek Operations
LSA
local study area
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BASELINE REPORT
Acronym/Abbreviation
Definition
MOE
Ministry of Environment
OGMA
Old Growth Management Area
pers. comm.
personal communication
PMFLC
Private Managed Forest Land Council
RDEK
Regional District of East Kootenay
RMI
Resort Municipality Initiative
RSA
regional study area
SRMAC
Southern Rocky Mountain Advisory Committee
SRMMP
Southern Rocky Mountain Management Plan
Teck
Teck Coal Limited
Tembec
Tembec Industries Inc.
the Project
the Baldy Ridge Extension Project
THLB
Timber Harvest Land Base
TSA
timber supply area
WMU
wildlife management unit
UNITS OF MEASURE
Unit
Definition
%
Percent
ha
hectare
km
Kilometre
km2
square kilometre
m3
cubic metre
masl
metres above sea level
Mmtcc
million metric tonnes
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BASELINE REPORT
N1.0 OVERVIEW
N1.1 Overview
Teck Coal Limited (Teck) is proposing an extension of its Elkview Operations (EVO), as part of its plans to
maintain continued operations at EVO as identified in the 2014 Life of Mine Plan (Teck 2014b). The proposed
extension is referred to as the Baldy Ridge Extension Project (the Project).
The Project is situated in southeastern British Columbia (BC) in the District of Sparwood (Figure N1.1-1). The
main area of EVO is bounded by the Elk River to the west, Erickson and Harmer Creeks to the east, and Michel
Creek to the south. Highway #3 follows Michel Creek along the western and southern sides of EVO.
The Project footprint includes the following:

Extension of existing mining areas:
 Baldy Ridge (BR3, BR4, BR6 and BR7);
 Adit Ridge (AR1); and
 Natal Ridge (NP2).

Extension and re-design of existing ex-pit waste rock spoils in Dry Creek and Erickson Valley.

Development of a new ex-pit waste rock spoil near Adit Ridge and in-pit waste rock spoils.

Extension of existing storage facilities for tailings and coarse coal refuse.

Re-location of existing infrastructure to accommodate the proposed Project:
 re-location of the existing administration and maintenance complex located on Baldy Ridge; and
 re-location of the existing raw coal conveyor and utilities corridor that runs through the tunnel in Baldy
Ridge.

Development of water quality treatment facilities.
The estimated total area of disturbance is approximately 2,665 ha of which 763 ha are outside of the current C-2
permit boundary and 1,901 ha are within the current C-2 permit boundary (Figure N1.1-1). The Project footprint
ranges in elevation between 1,185 and 2,180 metres above sea level (masl).
The Project will include continued operations of the existing EVO plant site and infrastructure. Mining is
scheduled to start in 2017 with the BR6 pit, subject to regulatory approvals. Mining activities would then continue
until the planned end of the Project in 2047.
The Project is subject to review under the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Act (BCEAA), as outlined
in the Project Application Information Requirements (BC EAO 2015). This baseline report forms Annex N of the
Environmental Assessment Certificate (EAC) Application being prepared to meet the requirements of the
BCEAA.
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PRIMARY HIGHWAY
SECONDARY HIGHWAY
WATERCOURSE
NOTE
R O BERT
TAILINGS FACILITY
WATERBODY
* Active water treatment facility will have an approximate footprint of 23,500 m² within the
conceptual location.
REFERENCE
Populated places obtained from The Atlas of Canada, Natural Resources Canada. Roads
obtained from Geobase. All other data provided by Teck Coal Limited.
DATUM: NAD 83 PROJECTION: UTM ZONE 11
C REEK
E EK
P IT C R
CONCEPTUAL CLEAN
WATER DIVERSION
CONCEPTUAL INTAKE PIPE
655000
BALDY RIDGE EXTENSION
PROJECT FOOTPRINT
PROJECT FOOTPRINT OUTSIDE THE
CURRENT C-2 PERMIT BOUNDARY
CONCEPTUAL INTAKE
CONCEPTUAL LOCATION FOR ACTIVE
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ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
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SCALE 1:70,000
PROJECT
TITLE
2
KILOMETRES
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
PROJECT FOOTPRINT AND
EXISTING ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
PROJECT
DESIGN
GIS
CHECK
REVIEW
MH
12-1349-0013
07 Oct. 2013
SS
17 Sep. 2015
LE
31 Aug. 2015
MH
31 Aug. 2015
FILE No.
SCALE AS SHOWN
REV.
FIGURE N1.1-1
0
BASELINE REPORT
This baseline integrates information collected during secondary and primary data gathering activities, and
presents the current understanding of land use and tenure activities in the region and Project-affected area.
This report is organized as follows:

Section N2 describes the study areas;

Section N3 presents the methods used for the baseline study;

Section N4 presents the results of the baseline study;

Section N5 provides a summary of key baseline results;

Section N7 presents references cited in this report; and
 Section N8 provides a glossary of terms used in this report.
N1.2 Purpose
The purpose of the land use and tenure baseline report is to describe existing land-based activities and tenures
within the vicinity of the Project. This information will be used to:

identify potential effects of Project construction and operations on land use activities and tenures;

determine suitable mitigation and benefit measures;

identify residual effects after mitigation; and

evaluate the significance of residual effects once mitigation has been taken into account.
The assessment of potential effects is presented in Sections B3.1 and B4.2 of the EAC Application prepared for
the Project.
N1.3 Scope
The land use and tenure baseline presented in this report addresses the current land use activities and trends at
the regional and local level. The scope for the land use and tenure baseline report included a review of historical
information and the analysis of data collected during field surveys and desktop study. Traditional land use
baseline information for specific First Nations (Ktunaxa Nation) is presented in the Ktunaxa Nation interests
section of the EAC Application (Section C).
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BASELINE REPORT
N2.0 STUDY AREA
N2.1 Regional Study Area
The regional study area (RSA) for the land use and tenure discipline incorporates the regional terrestrial study
area as set out in the valued components (VCs) document (Teck 2015a) plus the incorporated municipality of
Crowsnest Pass, and as such reflects the area of potential regional effects of the Project.
The RSA includes the BC communities of Sparwood, Elkford, and Fernie as well as the unincorporated
settlements (e.g., Hosmer) and rural areas surrounding these communities. The community of Crowsnest Pass
in Alberta has also been included in the RSA because its residents heavily use the Elk Valley for recreational
and hunting purposes (Figure N2.1-1). These four study area communities are home to approximately 70% of
EVO employees and it is anticipated that they will be the home communities for a similar percentage of the
Project’s workforce. These workers, their families and other members of these communities may be affected
through the Project’s potential effects on local outdoor recreation and public access.
N2.2 Local Study Area
The land use and tenure LSA corresponds with the terrestrial LSA plus the District of Sparwood, which was
included because of its proximity to the Project (Figure N2.2-1). The LSA, which covers 23,660 ha, is defined to
capture direct and small-scale indirect effects to the terrestrial environment resulting from the Project
(e.g., human and terrestrial wildlife health, wildlife and wildlife habitat, fish and fish habitat, water quality and
aquatic health, and noise, air and visual) as these effects have the potential to result in subsequent effects on
land use and tenure.
The northern edge of the LSA is bounded by Grave Creek, while the western edge is bounded by the Elk River
and the western edge of the District of Sparwood municipal boundary. The southern and eastern boundaries of
the LSA are defined by topographic ridges. Located next to the BC-Alberta border, the LSA includes part of
Highway #3 and the existing Elk Valley Operations footprint.
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660000
710000
!
!
³
Longview
Invermere
5600000
5600000
610000
R
RIV E
EL K
Fording River
Operations
IVE
5550000
GR
Greenhills
Operations
DIN
5550000
R
FO
W HI T E RIV E R
R
A LB E R TA
Elkford !
IE
LUS S
R
BULL RIVE R
E
R RIV
V
U
43
Line Creek
Operations
Ä
Ã
22
Ä
Ã
!
95A
_Elkview
^
Operations
Ä
Ã
5500000
3
Municipality of
Crowsnest Pass
Hosmer
IC
TE
RI
VE
Fernie
!
Blairmore
C
REE
Coal Mountain
Operations
Ä
Ã
LAKE
KOOCANUSA
!
_
^
PROJECT LOCATION
PRIMARY HIGHWAY
SECONDARY HIGHWAY
WATERCOURSE
REFERENCE
!
Elko
610000
!
Pincher
Creek
!
Beaver
Mines
3
Wardner !
LEGEND
OLDMAN
RESERVOIR
K
R
I:\CLIENTS\TECK_COAL\12-1349-0013\Mapping\MXD\LandResourceUse\B-LRUT-002-GIS-RSA.mxd
Y
NA
Cranbrook
L
HE
O
KO
!
!
Coleman
M
!
!
5500000
Sparwood
660000
710000
25
SCALE
MUNICIPAL BOUNDARY
PROJECT
REGIONAL STUDY AREA
STUDY AREA COMMUNITY
WATERBODY
0
TITLE
25
KILOMETRES
1:750,000
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
LAND USE AND TENURE
REGIONAL STUDY AREA
AND COMMUNITIES
PROJECT
DESIGN
GIS
CHECK
REVIEW
BB
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REV.
FIGURE N2.1-1
0
660000
GR
E
AV
CR
670000
EE
K
³
M
E
C
RE
EK
ME R
EK
YC
RE
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CREE K
CRE
CUMMINGS
IL
HAR
5520000
DALZ ELL CREE K
SI
X
5520000
650000
DR
V
U
EV
O
43
Sparwood
HE
L
CR
Ä
Ã
EE
K
ER ICKS ON
K
EE
CR
FIR
RO
BE
RT
CR
EE
K
CREE K
LLADNAR CREEK
5510000
ALEXA NDER CREE K
IC
3
M
5510000
!
M
CC
O
L
CR
EE
Crowsnest
5500000
5500000
K
Hazell
RI
VE
R
!
A LB E R TA
EL
K
I:\CLIENTS\TECK_COAL\12-1349-0013\Mapping\MXD\LandResourceUse\B-LRUT-001-GIS-LSA.mxd
O
!
650000
LEGEND
!
PRIMARY HIGHWAY
SECONDARY HIGHWAY
WATERCOURSE
660000
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
C-2 PERMIT BOUNDARY
LOCAL STUDY AREA
PROVINCIAL PARK /
PROTECTED AREA
REFERENCE
Populated places and provincial boundary obtained from The Atlas of Canada, Natural
Resources Canada. Roads obtained from Geobase. Parks/Protected Areas obtained from
GeoGratis. Alberta hydrography obtained from NTDB. All other data provided by Teck Coal
Limited. DATUM: NAD 83 PROJECTION: UTM ZONE 11
0
SCALE 1:140,000
PROJECT
WATERBODY
DOMINION COAL BLOCK PARCEL 73
670000
4
TITLE
4
KILOMETRES
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
LAND USE AND TENURE
LOCAL STUDY AREA
PROJECT
DESIGN
GIS
CHECK
REVIEW
BB
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REV.
FIGURE N2.2-1
0
BASELINE REPORT
N3.0 METHODS
N3.1 Review of Existing Information
Secondary research completed for the baseline report includes a review of land ownership and tenure
information and of local, regional and provincial land use plans. Tenure information was collected from DataBC
and the Integrated Land and Resource Registry. Local, regional and provincial land use designations and plans
were reviewed, as was information on the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALC 2002).
Additional information about mining, forestry and gas activities was provided by Tembec Industries Inc.
(Tembec), Canfor Corporation (Canfor) and Teck. Information on parks and protected areas and their use came
from BC Parks online publications, while tourism and outdoor recreational use information was collected from
tourism, recreational club and service provider reports and websites. Wildlife and fish harvesting data were
provided by the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (FLNRO).
N3.2 User Group Mapping Sessions
Primary research was conducted via mapping sessions with user group representatives. These were held in
Sparwood and Crowsnest Pass on December 11 and 12, 2013 respectively. Local user groups were invited to
each send one or two representatives to one of the sessions. At the beginning of the group mapping session,
Teck gave a presentation about the Project and informed the attendees about upcoming public consultation
activities. Each attendee was given the opportunity to ask questions about the Project and questions and
responses were noted and shared with Teck’s consultation team. After the presentation, representatives were
asked to complete a seasonal calendar of group activities and were interviewed individually about the history
and activities of their respective clubs or organizations. During user group mapping sessions, short individual
interviews were conducted to collect information on the organization’s history, membership and activities. The
groups invited to attend are shown in Table N3.2-1. A total of 13 groups were represented at the meetings.
Mapping sessions were also held with representatives of motorized recreation groups to obtain information for
Teck’s Line Creek Operations Phase II and Swift Projects. During this session, a representative of the Elkford
all-terrain vehicle (ATV) Club and Elkford Snowmobile Association provided Golder Associates Ltd. with digital
maps of motorized recreation trails and cabin locations in the Elk Valley. During the sessions in 2013, it was
confirmed that these digital maps are still current. Mapping information collected in support of the Swift and Line
Creek Operations Phase II projects has also been used where appropriate.
October 2015
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BASELINE REPORT
Table N3.2-1
User Group Mapping Session Participants Held December 11 and 12, 2013
Representative Invited
Representative Attended
Elk Valley Mountaineers
Group


Elkford ATV Club


Crowsnest Pass Quad Squad


Crow Snow Riders


Fernie Rod and Gun Club


Sparwood Fish and Wildlife Association


Elkford Rod and Gun Club


Hillcrest Fish and Game Association


Sheep Mountain Outfitters


Elk River Guiding Company


Freestone Fly Angler


Conservation Officer Service (BC Ministry of Environment)


Fernie Search and Rescue


Fernie Trails Alliance

-
Fernie Snowmobile Association

-
Fernie Nordic Society

-
Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club

-
Elk Valley ATV

-
Elkford Snowmobile Association

-
Elkford Recreation Development

-
Bohomelec Stables

-
United Riders of Crowsnest

-
East Kootenay Wildlife Association

-
Corbin Country Club

-
Kootenay Fly Shop & Guiding Company

-
Elk River Alliance

-
Mountain High Adventures

-
Fernie Fly Fishing

-
Fernie Wilderness Adventures

-
Dave Brown Outfitters

-
Big Horn Guide Outfitters

-
Inn on the Border

-
Elkford Search and Rescue

-
Note:  = yes; - = no.
N3.3 Data Analysis and Reporting
Data collected through a review of publicly available information, group sessions and individual interviews were
summarized and sorted by land use and tenure categories for presentation in this report.
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BASELINE REPORT
N4.0 RESULTS
N4.1 Land Use Plans and Designations
This section describes existing local, regional and provincial land use management plans, zoning and land use
designations near the Project, including:

East Kootenay Land Use Plan;

Southern Rocky Mountain Management Plan (SRMMP);

Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR);

Old Growth Management Areas (OGMA); and

Municipal and Regional Zoning.
The Project is located on fee simple land owned by Teck and most of the Project footprint (with the exception of
the very eastern portion of the Project) and the LSA are situated within the municipal boundaries of Sparwood
(Figure N4.1-5), which has zoned the area as Extraction Industrial. The Extraction Industrial zone provides for
mineral extraction and processing of extracted minerals. Specific allowed uses include mineral extraction,
processing of minerals extracted, railway lines and utilities lines required for the processing or extraction, waste
rock spoils and accessory buildings (District of Sparwood 2014b). The remainder of the Project footprint and
LSA overlaps with the RDEK and is zoned as Rural Resource under the Regional District of East Kootenay Elk
Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 829 (RDEK 2014b). The Rural Resource designation allows agricultural, rural
residential and rural resource land uses for parcel sizes of 8 ha and larger. The Rural Resource designation
recognizes the use of this land for public utility use, resource extraction, green space and outdoor recreation.
Land within the Project footprint and currently outside of the District of Sparwood’s boundary will be transferred
from RDEK jurisdiction into Sparwood’s municipal boundary for inclusion in the Elk Valley Tax Sharing
Agreement under the Municipalities Enabling and Validating Act (2001). The transfer would likely occur if
ministerial approval of the Project were granted (District of Sparwood 2009, pers. comm.).
N4.1.1 Regional Study Area
N4.1.1.1 Provincial Land Use Plans
In 1991, the BC Government directed that a strategic Kootenay-Boundary Land Use Plan (KBLUP) be prepared
to identify a comprehensive and integrated vision for regional land and resource use. The East Kootenay Land
Use Plan was completed in 1995 and the KBLUP Implementation Strategy was adopted in 1997 (Government of
British Columbia 1995; FLNRO n.d.a). The Kootenay-Boundary Higher Level Plan order was approved in 2001,
which established new resource management zones and objectives (FLNRO n.d.a; Kootenai Tribe of Idaho and
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 2004). The Kootenay-Boundary Higher Level Plan order was revised in 2002
(FLNRO n.d.a).
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BASELINE REPORT
The 2003 Southern Rocky Mountain Management Plan (SRMMP), which covers the Flathead, Wigwam, the east
side of the Bull River drainage, and the west side of the Elk River drainage (Figure N4.1-1), further refined and
clarified the KBLUP Implementation Strategy and implemented the Kootenay-Boundary Higher Level Plan order
(Kootenai Tribe of Idaho and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 2004; FLNRO 2002). All federal lands, private lands
and provincial parks are excluded from the SRMMP (FLNRO 2002). The plan balances economic, social and
environmental values for the long-term health of the economy, communities and ecosystems (Kootenai Tribe of
Idaho and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 2004). The Southern Rocky Mountain Advisory Committee (SRMAC)
was established to advise the BC Government on SRMMP monitoring, implementation, and effectiveness, and
to recommend changes in plan direction and content (FLNRO 2002). Specific duties of the committee include
participating in plan support and monitoring, providing advice and recommendations, and reviewing proposals,
developments and maps. The committee has not recently been active (FLNRO 2014a pers. comm.).
Under the East Kootenay Land Use Plan, land within the RSA overlaps with the following designations
(Figure N4.1-2).

Integrated Resource Management Zone – The primary objective in the Integrated Resource Management
Zone designation is to balance environmental, economic and social benefits of the resources within the
zone. Land in this designation supplies extensive opportunities for most land use activities (Kootenay
Inter-Agency Management Committee 1997).

Special Resource Management Zones - Areas with high concentrations of regionally significant and
sensitive resource value (e.g., critical fish and wildlife habitat), ecosystems that are underrepresented in the
region’s protected area systems, important viewscapes, sensitive recreations areas and cultural heritage
features (Kootenay Inter-Agency Management Committee 1997).

Enhanced Resource Development Zone (ERDZ) - Lands designated as ERDZ indicate the suitability or
potential of the land for relatively intensive resource development activities, aimed primarily at regional
economic development and community and workforce stability (Kootenay Inter-Agency Management
Committee 1997).

Coal Enhanced Resource Development Zone – A Coal ERDZ encompasses areas of known coal reserves,
existing coal mining facilities and infrastructure and areas for potential expansion. The Coal ERDZ
designation signifies an assurance of long-term security of access and tenures to this land for coal mining
exploration and development purposes (Kootenay Inter-Agency Management Committee 1997).
October 2015
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660000
710000
!
³
5600000
! Longview
Invermere
5600000
610000
R
RIV E
EL K
Fording River
Operations
R
FO
W HI T E RIV E R
DIN
Greenhills
Operations
5550000
IVE
R
5550000
GR
Elkford !
IE
LUS S
43
Sparwood
Ä
Ã
95A
!
22
Operations
Ä
Ã
Coleman
5500000
3
Hosmer
H
IC
L
C
E
TE
Y
NA
!
RI
VE
Cranbrook
!
!
Municipality of
Crowsnest Pass
Fernie
!
Blairmore
RE E K
Coal Mountain
Operations
!
R
Ä
Ã
LAKE
KOOCANUSA
!
Elko
610000
!
_
^
PROJECT LOCATION
PRIMARY HIGHWAY
SECONDARY HIGHWAY
WATERCOURSE
BRITISH COLUMBIA ALBERTA BORDER
REFERENCE
Pincher
Creek
Beaver !
Mines
3
Wardner !
LEGEND
OLDMAN
RESERVOIR
M
!
O
KO
I:\CLIENTS\TECK_COAL\12-1349-0013\Mapping\MXD\LandResourceUse\B-LRUT-019-GIS_RockyMtnMangPlan.mxd
A LB E R TA
_Elkview
^
5500000
BULL RIVE R
R
V
U
Ä
Ã
E
R RIV
Line Creek
Operations
660000
710000
25
LOCAL STUDY AREA
SCALE
MUNICIPAL BOUNDARY
REGIONAL STUDY AREA
PROJECT
RESOURCE EVALUATION AREA
SOUTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN
MANAGEMENT PLAN AREA
WATERBODY
Natural Resources Canada. Roads obtained from Geobase. Provincial Parks/Protected Areas,
Railroad and First Nations data obtained from GeoGratis. Resource Evaluation Area and
Southern Rocky Mountain Management Plan Area obtained from the LRDW. Other data
obtained from Teck Coal Limited. DATUM: NAD 83 PROJECTION: UTM ZONE 11
0
TITLE
25
KILOMETRES
1:750,000
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
SOUTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN
MANAGEMENT PLAN
PROJECT
DESIGN
GIS
CHECK
REVIEW
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REV.
FIGURE N4.1-1
0
660000
710000
³
! Longview
5600000
!
Invermere
5600000
610000
R
RIV E
EL K
Fording River
Operations
R
A LB E R TA
Elkford
!
IE
LUS S
43
!
22
_Elkview
^
Operations
Ä
Ã
Ä
Ã
5500000
3
Hosmer
IC
TE
Y
NA
RI
!
L
HE
O
KO
VE
Blairmore
C
R EEK
Coal Mountain
Operations
Fernie
KOOTENAY-BOUNDARY
LAND
USE PLAN
(1997)
Beaver
!
Pincher
Creek
Mines
COAL ENHANCED
RESOURCE
DEVELOPMENT ZONE
Ä
Ã
3
Wardner !
OLDMAN
RESERVOIR
!
R
Cranbrook
!
Municipality of
Crowsnest Pass
M
!
Coleman
5500000
BULL RIVE R
R
V
U
Ä
Ã
E
R RIV
Line Creek
Operations
Sparwood
!
5550000
IVE
95A
I:\CLIENTS\TECK_COAL\12-1349-0013\Mapping\MXD\LandResourceUse\B-LRUT-018-GIS_KootenayLandUsePlan.mxd
GR
Greenhills
Operations
DIN
5550000
R
FO
W HI T E RIV E R
ENHANCED RESOURCE
DEVELOPMENT ZONE
INTEGRATED RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT ZONE
LAKE
KOOCANUSA
SPECIAL RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT ZONE
!
PRIVATE LAND
Elko
610000
LEGEND
!
_
^
PROJECT LOCATION
PRIMARY HIGHWAY
SECONDARY HIGHWAY
WATERCOURSE
REFERENCE
660000
PROJECT
REGIONAL STUDY AREA
WATERBODY
Railroad and First Nations data obtained from GeoGratis. Kootenay land use areas obtained
from the LRDW. Other data obtained from Teck Coal Limited.
0
SCALE
LOCAL STUDY AREA
MUNICIPAL BOUNDARY
710000
25
25
KILOMETRES
1:750,000
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
TITLE
KOOTENAY-BOUNDARY LAND USE PLAN
PROJECT
DESIGN
GIS
CHECK
REVIEW
BB
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FILE No.
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REV.
FIGURE N4.1-2
0
BASELINE REPORT
N4.1.1.2
Agricultural Land Reserve
The Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) administers the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR). Land designated as
situated within ALR boundaries can be used only for certain agriculture related purposes. The objectives of the
ALR include preserving agricultural land, and encouraging and enabling farm businesses throughout BC (ALC
2010).
Within the RSA, the ALR areas are located between Sparwood and Elkford along Highway #43 and between
Sparwood and Fernie along Highway #3 (Figure N4.1-3). The total ALR area in the RDEK is 264,379 ha, of
which 13,177 ha overlaps with the RSA.
Further information on agriculture activity in the RSA is provided in Section N4.2.3.1.
N4.1.1.3
Old Growth Management Areas
In 1999, a biodiversity planning initiative focused on the establishment of legal old growth management areas
(OGMA) was launched by the BC Government. The Kootenay-Boundary Higher Level Plan Order provides legal
direction for identifying old and mature seral forests. The order provides targets for retention of seral types by
landscape units and biogeoclimatic subzones and variants and defines what ages or other attributes constitute
mature and old seral types. Direction is provided on recruitment of old growth where subject areas are in deficit
of retention requirements.
In 2006, the Integrated Land Management Bureau (ILMB) decided not to legalize spatial OGMAs in the Southern
Interior Region as existing legal objectives were deemed adequate (ILMB 2007). Therefore, OGMAs in this area
are referred to as non-legal OGMAs. OGMAs and old growth areas within the RSA are further described in the
ecosystem assessment (Section B2.3.1) of the EAC Application.
N4.1.1.4
Municipal and Regional Zoning
Municipal and regional zoning and subdivision bylaws regulate the allowable uses, such as industrial,
commercial and residential, on private property within a designated area and can specify other elements of land
use, such as the size of buildings and lots. The four incorporated RSA communities (i.e., Sparwood, Elkford,
Fernie and Crowsnest Pass) control land use zoning on private land within their boundaries, as does the RDEK
for the unincorporated areas of the RSA.
Coal mines, coal processing works or coal related infrastructure that are located in the RSA are subject to the
Elk Valley Property Tax Sharing Agreement, which allocates revenues collected from property taxes levied on
the industrial coal mining properties in the Elk Valley between Sparwood, Elkford, Fernie and the RDEK
(Electoral Area A). 1 Under the agreement, if coal mining or processing properties are identified outside existing
municipal boundaries, then a municipality can apply for a boundary expansion to facilitate property taxation of
these properties.
1
Crowsnest Pass is not part of the Elk Valley Property Tax Sharing Agreement.
October 2015
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660000
710000
³
! Longview
5600000
!
Invermere
5600000
610000
R
RIV E
EL K
Fording River
Operations
IVE
5550000
GR
Greenhills
Operations
DIN
R
5550000
R
FO
W HI T E RIV E R
A LB E R TA
Elkford !
IE
LUS S
Line Creek
Operations
V
U
Ä
Ã
R
BULL RIVE R
E
R RIV
43
22
Ä
Ã
95A
!
_Elkview
^
Operations
Ä
Ã
5500000
Hosmer
IC
TE
Y
NA
RI
!
VE
PROJECT LOCATION
SECONDARY HIGHWAY
AGRICULTURAL
LAND RESERVE AREA
REFERENCE
OLDMAN
RESERVOIR
RE E K
Fernie
Pincher
Creek
!
Beaver !
Mines
Ä
Ã
LEGEND
WATERCOURSE
C
Coal Mountain
Operations
!
Elko
610000
PRIMARY HIGHWAY
Blairmore
R
LAKE
KOOCANUSA
_
^
!
3
Wardner !
!
L
HE
O
KO
Cranbrook
!
!
Municipality of
Crowsnest Pass
M
!
I:\CLIENTS\TECK_COAL\12-1349-0013\Mapping\MXD\LandResourceUse\B-LRUT-012-GIS_AgricultureLRA.mxd
Coleman
3
5500000
Sparwood
660000
710000
25
SCALE
LOCAL STUDY AREA
MUNICIPAL BOUNDARY
PROJECT
RANGE TENURE
REGIONAL STUDY AREA
WATERBODY
Areas, Railroad and First Nations data obtained from GeoGratis. Regional District data
obtained from ICIS. Agricultural Data obtained from the LRDW. Other data obtained from Teck
0
25
KILOMETRES
1:750,000
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
TITLE
AGRICULTURAL LAND RESERVE AREAS
PROJECT
DESIGN
GIS
CHECK
REVIEW
BB
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REV.
FIGURE N4.1-3
0
BASELINE REPORT
N4.1.2 Local Study Area
N4.1.2.1 Provincial Land Use Plans
The Project footprint is situated on private lands that are not subject to provincial land use plans. Crown land
within the LSA is designated as Coal ERDZ, which provides for industrial uses that are consistent with Teck’s
operations.
N4.1.2.2
Agricultural Land Commission
There are 1,124 ha of ALR designated lands overlapping the western side of the LSA between Sparwood and
Elkford (Figure N4.1-3). No ALR lands overlap with the Project footprint. Further information on agriculture
activity in the LSA is provided in Section N4.2.3.2.
N4.1.2.3
Old Growth Management Areas
No legal OGMAs are located within the LSA and Project footprint (Figure N4.1-4). However, non-legal OGMAS,
as described in Section M4.1.1.3, are present in the LSA.
N4.1.2.4
Municipal and Regional Zoning
Most of the Project footprint overlaps with the District of Sparwood (Figure N4.1-5). The District of Sparwood has
zoned land within the Project footprint “M-3 Extraction Industrial,” which is to provide for mineral extraction and
processing of extracted minerals (District of Sparwood 2014b). Specific allowed uses include mineral extraction,
processing of extracted minerals, railway lines and utilities lines required for processing or extraction, waste
spoils and accessory buildings. Within the LSA along Highway #3 east of the G North Road, zoning designations
include A-1 (Agricultural Land), C-2 (Highway Commercial), M-1 (Light Industrial), and M-2 (Heavy Industrial).
West of G North Road, zoning includes different residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial designations.
The remainder of the Project footprint and the rest of the LSA overlaps with the RDEK and is zoned Rural
Resource under the RDEK Elk Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 829 (Figure N4.1-5). The Rural Resource designation
allows agricultural, rural residential and rural resource land uses for parcel sizes of 8 ha and larger. The Rural
Resource designation recognizes the use of this land for public utility use, resource extraction, green space and
outdoor recreation.
October 2015
Report No. 1213490003/R31
15
660000
GR
E
AV
CR
670000
EE
K
³
M
E
C
RE
EK
ME R
K
EE
DR
Y
CR
EK
CREE K
CRE
CUMMINGS
IL
HAR
5520000
DALZ ELL CREE K
SI
X
5520000
650000
V
U
EV
O
43
Sparwood
Ä
Ã
IC
HE
3
L
CR
EE
K
ER ICKS ON
K
EE
CR
FIR
RT
BE
RO
M
CC
O
O
L
CR
EE
!
Crowsnest
5500000
5500000
K
Hazell
RI
VE
R
!
A LB E R TA
EL
K
I:\CLIENTS\TECK_COAL\12-1349-0013\Mapping\MXD\LandResourceUse\B-LRUT-022-GIS-LSAOldGrowth.mxd
CR
EE
K
CREE K
LLADNAR CREEK
5510000
ALEXA NDER CREE K
M
5510000
!
650000
LEGEND
!
PRIMARY HIGHWAY
SECONDARY HIGHWAY
WATERCOURSE
660000
LOCAL STUDY AREA
OLD GROWTH MANAGEMENT
AREA - NON LEGAL
PROVINCIAL PARK /
PROTECTED AREA
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
C-2 PERMIT BOUNDARY
REFERENCE
0
SCALE 1:140,000
PROJECT
WATERBODY
670000
4
TITLE
4
KILOMETRES
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
OLD GROWTH MANAGEMENT AREAS
IN THE LOCAL STUDY AREA
PROJECT
DESIGN
GIS
CHECK
REVIEW
SR
SS
MH
SDL
12-1349-0013
25 Aug. 2014
24 Oct. 2015
06 Oct. 2015
24 Oct. 2015
FILE No.
SCALE AS SHOWN
REV.
FIGURE N4.1-4
0
660000
GR
E
AV
CR
670000
EE
K
³
M
E
C
RE
EK
ME R
K
EE
DR
Y
CR
EK
CREE K
CRE
CUMMINGS
IL
HAR
5520000
DALZ ELL CREE K
SI
X
5520000
650000
V
U
EV
O
43
Sparwood
HE
L
CR
Ä
Ã
EE
K
ER ICKS ON
K
EE
CR
FIR
RT
BE
RO
M
CC
O
O
L
CR
EE
!
Crowsnest
Hazell
RI
VE
R
!
5500000
5500000
K
A LB E R TA
EL
K
I:\CLIENTS\TECK_COAL\12-1349-0013\Mapping\MXD\LandResourceUse\B-LRUT-015-GIS_LandUseZoning.mxd
CR
EE
K
CREE K
LLADNAR CREEK
5510000
ALEXA NDER CREE K
IC
3
M
5510000
!
LEGEND
!
650000
PRIMARY HIGHWAY
SECONDARY HIGHWAY
WATERCOURSE
DISTRICT OF SPARWOOD
DISTRICT BOUNDARY
660000
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
C-2 PERMIT BOUNDARY
DOMINION COAL BLOCK
PARCEL 73
REFERENCE
PROJECT
REGIONAL DISTRICT OF EAST
KOOTENAY RURAL RESOURCE ZONE
WATERBODY
GeoGratis. Alberta hydrography obtained from NTDB. Bylaw Zoning data obtained from the
Regional District of East Kootenay. Municipal District data obtained from ICIS. All other data
provided by Teck Coal Limited. DATUM: NAD 83 PROJECTION: UTM ZONE 11
0
SCALE 1:140,000
LOCAL STUDY AREA
PROVINCIAL PARK /
PROTECTED AREA
670000
4
TITLE
4
KILOMETRES
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
LAND USE ZONING
PROJECT
DESIGN
GIS
CHECK
REVIEW
BB
12-1349-0013
19 Jul. 2013
SS
24 Oct. 2015
SDL
24 Oct. 2015
MH
06 Oct. 2015
FILE No.
SCALE AS SHOWN
REV.
FIGURE N4.1-5
0
BASELINE REPORT
N4.2 Land Uses, Tenures and Focal Areas
This section describes the following land uses, tenures and focal areas in the RSA and LSA:

access;

parks and protected areas;

agriculture;

coal and mineral exploration and mining;

forestry;

natural gas (coal bed methane) development;

non-timber forest products;

wildlife and fish harvesting; and

outdoor recreation and tourism.
N4.2.1 Access
N4.2.1.1 Regional Study Area
Access to and within the RSA is primarily via Highway #3 through Fernie from the west and Crowsnest Pass
from the east (Figure N2.1-1). A Canadian Pacific rail line runs north-south through the centre of the RSA as well
as east-west from Sparwood to Crowsnest Past. Many motorized and non-motorized trails provide access to
recreation areas (Section N4.2.9.1.1). The Elk Valley Regional Airport is located near Highway #43 on Lower
Elk Valley Road between Sparwood and Elkford. The airport is not a commercial facility and is used by small
private planes, corporate aircraft, medevac flights and the Forest Service (in the summer months) (RDEK 2008).
N4.2.1.2
Local Study Area
Access to EVO’s main gate is by way of Highway #3 (Crowsnest Pass Highway) and then north on Michel Creek
Road. Access to the northern end of the LSA is possible from Highway #43 through the Grave Prairie Access
Management Area using gravel roads. Access to the north can also be obtained by traveling along the eastern
side of the LSA through the Alexander Creek Access Management Area from Highway #3.
Canfor has an access arrangement with Teck that allows Canfor to use roads, bridges, and transportation
facilities on Managed Forest 471 or providing access to Managed Forest 471 (Teck 2015c, pers. comm.).
A Teck managed “No Unauthorized Entry Area” overlaps EVO. The No Unauthorized Entry Areas were
implemented by Teck to maintain public and worker safety near the existing operations or exploration, and
permission from Teck is needed to enter a No Unauthorized Entry Area (Figure N4.2-1). Signs are posted at
potential entry points and along the No Unauthorized Entry Area. Permission is needed to enter the mine site
and the No Unauthorized Entry Area and access is controlled by EVO. The location of the No Unauthorized
Entry Area is published regularly in local papers and in the annual BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations
Synopsis.
October 2015
Report No. 1213490003/R31
18
660000
GR
E
AV
CR
670000
EE
K
³
X
M
E
CR
EE
K
ME R
EK
CREEK
CRE
CUMMINGS
IL
HAR
5520000
DALZELL CREE K
SI
5520000
650000
V
U
43
EV
O
Y
DR
CR
K
EE
BR IT IS H C OL UM BI A
Ä
Ã
3
ERICKSON
CREE K
LLADNAR CREEK
5510000
!
ALEXANDER CREEK
5510000
Sparwood
M
H
IC
EE
K
CR
RT
FIR
CR
BE
RO
K
EE
EE
K
CR
CC
O
L
O
CR
Crowsnest
5500000
5500000
K
EE
Hazell
RI
VE
R
!
K
ALB ER TA
EL
I:\CLIENTS\TECK_COAL\12-1349-0013\Mapping\MXD\LandResourceUse\B-LRUT-020-GIS_NoUnauthorizedEntry.mxd
EL
M
!
650000
LEGEND
!
PRIMARY HIGHWAY
SECONDARY HIGHWAY
WATERCOURSE
DOMINION COAL BLOCK
PARCEL 73
REFERENCE
660000
670000
4
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
C-2 PERMIT BOUNDARY
LOCAL STUDY AREA
MUNICIPAL NO SHOOTING
SCALE 1:140,000
PROJECT
NO UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY AREA
SPARWOOD RIDGE RESTRICTED AREA
WATERBODY
0
4
KILOMETRES
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
TITLE
NO UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY AREA
PROJECT
DESIGN
GIS
CHECK
REVIEW
BB
12-1349-0013
19 Jul. 2013
SS
24 Oct. 2015
SDL
24 Oct. 2015
MH
06 Oct. 2015
FILE No.
SCALE AS SHOWN
REV.
FIGURE N4.2-1
0
BASELINE REPORT
In addition, a “Sparwood Ridge Restricted Area”, located south of EVO, has been implemented by Teck to
prevent public access to the area because of ongoing safety hazards associated with previous underground
mine workings (Figure N4.2-1). A “municipal no shooting area” also surrounds the community of Sparwood,
restricting the use of firearms.
N4.2.2 Parks and Protected Areas
Parks and protected areas within and near the RSA are shown in Figure N4.2-2. Small portions of BC’s Height of
the Rockies Provincial Park overlap the northern boundary of the RSA. The Height of the Rockies Provincial
Park is part of a protected area network lying north and south along the Continental Divide and has
internationally significant biodiversity values and sustains habitat for a wide array of animals including grizzly
bears and mountain goats. The park is closed to logging, mining and other resource uses, but (existing) grazing,
guide outfitting and trapping activities are permitted. Height of the Rockies Park is a non-mechanized park where
motorized and mechanized recreational access is prohibited (i.e., floatplanes, helicopters, snowmobiles, ATVs
and mountain bikes) (BC Parks 2014a).
At the north end of the RSA, Elk Lakes Provincial Park is an easily accessible wilderness park characterized by
sub-alpine landscapes, remnant glaciers, rugged peaks and lakes. The park offers hiking, canoeing, climbing,
fishing, horseback riding and hunting. Winter use of the park for ski touring and snowshoeing is limited due to
unploughed roads, but it is possible to reach the park from Alberta by way of the Peter Lougheed Park ski trails.
Snowmobile use in the Cadorna Valley of Elk Lakes Parks is limited to the seismic road and the regular winter
route to Abruzzi Lake. Snowmobile use is not permitted in any other areas of the park (BC Parks 2014b).
The following smaller BC provincial parks are found within the RSA.

Crowsnest Provincial Park is located west of the BC – Alberta provincial boundary north of Highway #3.
This park provides a stopping place with views of the Erickson and Loop ridges of the Rockies
(BC Parks 2013a).

Mount Fernie Provincial Park is located immediately southwest of Fernie and is close to amenities such as
skiing, golfing, restaurants and art galleries that surround the City of Fernie (BC Parks 2013b).

Elk Valley Provincial Park, 18 km northeast of Fernie, is a picnic area near Highway #3 with access to the
Elk River’s riparian habitat (BC Parks 2013c).
BC Parks provides annual statistics on visitor and camping attendance at Elk Lakes Provincial Park and Mount
Fernie Provincial Park (Table N4.2-1). Swings in park attendance between years can be attributed in some
instances to differences in data collection methods, but changes are also a result of other factors such as
weather conditions. Between 2009/2010 and 2012/2013, the total number of visitors increased for both parks;
7,000 for Elk Lakes Provincial Park in 2012/2013, while Mount Fernie Provincial Park had over 30,000 visitors in
the same year. Close to 40% of all visitors in Elk Lakes Provincial Park and Mount Fernie Provincial Park were
campers.
October 2015
Report No. 1213490003/R31
20
660000
Peter Lougheed
Provincial Park
710000
High River !
Don Getty
Wildland
Provincial Park
ALDERIDGE CREEK
RECREATIONAL SITE
RIV
ER
5600000
A LB E R TA
R RIV
E
Elkford
LUS S
IE
Line Creek
Operations
BULL RIVE R
Bob Creek
Wildland
Provincial Park
NORTH FORK
PASS
Black Creek
Heritage
Rangeland
V
U
43
Ä
Ã
Top of
the World
Provincial Park
Mt. Livingstone
Natural Area
Beehive
Natural Area
G
R
DIN
!
Don Getty Wildland
Provincial Park
R
FO
BOIVIN CREEK
RECREATIONAL SITE
Chain Lakes
Provincial Park
Plateau Mountain
Ecological Reserve
Fording River
Operations
R
RIV E
EL K
5550000
FORDING
PASS
Greenhills
Operations
22
2
Don Getty Wildland
Provincial Park
Height of the Rockies
Provincial Park
ER
Ä
Ã
5600000
40
WEARY CREEK
RECREATIONAL SITE
Whiteswan Lake
Provincial Park
!
Ä
Ã
Elk Lakes
Provincial Park
W HI T E R IV
³
Longview
Elbow-Sheep Wildland
Provincial Park
5550000
CR
OS
610000
Ä
Ã
S RIV
E
R
22
_Elkview
^
Ä
Ã
Ä
Ã
5500000
Elk Valley
Provincial Park
3
VE
R
!
LEGEND
PROJECT LOCATION
RECREATIONAL SITE
GREAT DIVIDE TRAIL
PRIMARY HIGHWAY
SECONDARY HIGHWAY
WATERCOURSE
REFERENCE
C
R EEK
Coal Mountain
Operations
Pincher
Creek
Beaver !
Mines
Mount Fernie
Provincial Park
Beauvais Lake
Provincial Park
!
610000
_
^
Ä
Ã
RI
!
L
HE
Y
NA
Wardner
!
IC
TE
Cranbrook
!
Oldman Dam
Provincial
Recreation Area
Blairmore
!
M
O
KO
3
Fernie
Coleman
!
Municipality of
Crowsnest Pass
Hosmer !
I:\CLIENTS\TECK_COAL\12-1349-0013\Mapping\MXD\LandResourceUse\B-LRUT-009-GIS_Parks.mxd
Crowsnest
Provincial Park
Operations
5500000
!
Elko
660000
LOCAL STUDY AREA
PROJECT
MUNICIPAL BOUNDARY
REGIONAL STUDY AREA
WATERBODY
0
SCALE
TITLE
6
710000
25
!
Ä
Ã
Sparwood
95A
25
KILOMETRES
1:750,000
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
PARKS AND PROTECTED AREAS
IN THE REGIONAL STUDY AREA
PROJECT
DESIGN
GIS
CHECK
REVIEW
BB
12-1349-0013
19 Jul. 2013
SS
24 Oct. 2015
SDL
24 Oct. 2015
MH
06 Oct. 2015
FILE No.
SCALE AS SHOWN
REV.
FIGURE N4.2-2
0
BASELINE REPORT
Table N4.2-1
Park
Provincial Park Visitors
Day Use Visitors per Year
Camping Visitors per Year
09/10
10/11
11/12
12/13
09/10
Elk Lakes
Provincial Park
1,197
1,582
1,910
4,552
662
Mount Fernie
Provincial Park
-
5,418
14,840
19,128
-
Total Visitors per Year
10/11
11/12
12/13
09/10
10/11
11/12
12/13
995
1,049
2,627
1,859
2,577
2,959
7,179
11,962
11,987
12,240
-
17,380
26,827
31,368
Source: BC Parks 2011, 2012, 2013d.
Note: Some numbers are rounded for presentation purposes. Therefore, it may appear that the totals do not equal the sum of the individual
values.
- = Data not included due to methods change.
In addition to provincial parks, the RDEK’s Elk Valley Regional Park is located between Elkford and Sparwood.
This park is for day-use only, and camping is not permitted. Amenities include picnic areas, barbeque pits,
baseball diamonds, and horseshoe and bocce ball pits. Elk Valley Regional Park covers approximately 25 ha
and can accommodate approximately 200 people (RDEK 2014).
N4.2.2.2
Local Study Area
No provincial parks or protected areas are located in the LSA (Figure N4.2-2). Municipal parks are located within
the District of Sparwood boundaries.
N4.2.3 Agriculture
The BC Ministry of Agriculture estimated that 9% of the ALR land in the Elk Valley was actively farmed in 2011,
while 73% was natural pasture/rangeland or forested land. In 2011, there were 23 privately owned farm areas
greater than 32 ha in the Elk Valley, with a combined potential agricultural area of 2,373 ha. Eight of these farm
areas (569 ha) were owned by wildlife conservation groups (BC Ministry of Agriculture 2011).
Livestock and forage production characterizes agriculture in the RDEK and Elk Valley. In 2011, approximately
99% of all cultivated land in the Elk Valley was dedicated to forage production and pasture. There were
572 head of beef cattle and 130 horses in the Elk Valley in 2011. The beef herd size is limited in the Elk Valley
due to constrained local forage production capabilities; typically, winter feed cannot be supplied on farm to
support large herds. Most local beef cattle are shipped to Alberta for finishing and processing (BC Ministry of
Agriculture 2011).
Gross farm-receipts in the RDEK rose by 46% since 1986 to a high of $15,570,846 in 2006, but dropped to
$14,504,239 in 2011. The number of farms in the RDEK increased by 2% from 1986 through 2011 and the
distribution of farm sizes remained constant, with:

15% of the farms under 4 ha;

36% between 4 and 52 ha;

24% between 52 and 161 ha; and

25% greater than 161 ha (BC Ministry of Agriculture 2011).
October 2015
Report No. 1213490003/R31
22
BASELINE REPORT
The number of RDEK cattle ranching operations declined by approximately 50% between 2001 and 2011.
This decrease was due to three factors: the effect of the 2003 Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) crisis
on cattle prices; changes to the red meat inspection system; and economic instability in the beef cattle industry
(VAST Resource Solutions Inc. 2013).
Many East Kootenay farms and ranches are struggling financially and are relying on off-farm income to sustain
their operations (VAST Resource Solutions Inc. 2013). Impediments to the agricultural industry in the RDEK
include a short growing season, lack of water for irrigation, poor soils, long distance to major markets and
suppliers, small local permanent population, and wage competition from the mining sector (RDEK 2012). Other
challenges include elk, deer and predator damage to crops and livestock and demand for recreational and
second homes raising the value of rural land (BC Ministry of Agriculture 2011).
N4.2.3.2
Local Study Area
Agricultural activity is limited within the LSA. The LSA overlaps 1,124 ha of ALR concentrated near
Highway #43. A range tenure overlaps the eastern edge of the LSA by 646 ha, while another is located directly
to the west of the LSA (Figure N4.1-3).
N4.2.4 Coal and Mineral Exploration and Mining
Coal mining and processing in the Elk Valley has been the primary economic driver for several generations of
residents. As far back as the late 1880s, coal mines were operating in and near the Elk Valley, from the
headwaters of the Fording River in the north to the Flathead River drainage in the south (Allen 2000).
A description of coal’s current economic and social importance to the Elk Valley can be found in Section B5.1 of
the EAC Application.
N4.2.4.1.1
Teck’s Coal Activities
Teck’s coal mining and processing operations in the Elk Valley directly employ almost 4,000 workers who reside
in Sparwood, Crowsnest Pass, Elkford, Fernie as well as in other communities such as Cranbrook, Lethbridge
and Calgary (Teck 2014c, pers. comm.; c, pers. comm.). In 2013, Teck’s Elk Valley mining operations produced
approximately 70% of Canada’s total annual coal exports (BC MEM 2014). An overview of Teck’s Elk Valley
operations is provided in Table N4.2-2. Teck’s coal mining operations in the Elk Valley include (Figure N4.2-3):

Coal Mountain Operations (CMO): 30 km southeast of Sparwood (Teck 2014c);

EVO: 3 km east of Sparwood (Teck 2014d);

Line Creek Operations (LCO): 25 km north of Sparwood (Teck 2014e);

Greenhills Operations (GHO): 8 km northeast of Elkford (Teck 2014f); and

Fording River Operations (FRO): 29 km northeast of Elkford (Teck 2014g).
Teck employs a number of people at a corporate office and shared services group located in Sparwood.
October 2015
Report No. 1213490003/R31
23
BALDY RIDGE EXTENSION - LAND USE AND TENURE BASELINE REPORT
Table N4.2-2
Teck Mines in the Regional Study Area
Operation
Coal Mountain
Operations
Elkview Operations
Fording River
Operations
Sparwood Office
Area
[ha]
Production (Mine and Preparation Plant)
3,000
The current annual production capacities of the mine and preparation
plant are, respectively, approximately 2.7 and 3.5 million metric tonnes
of clean coal (Mmtcc).
27,100
plant (on a 100% basis) are approximately 6.5 and 6.8 million tonnes of
clean coal, respectively.
8,200
plant are approximately 3.5 and 3.5 million tonnes of clean coal,
respectively.
11,800
Coal mined at Greenhills is used to produce steel. The current annual
production capacities of the mine and preparation plant (on a 100%
basis) are 5.2 and 5.2 million tonnes of clean coal, respectively.
23,000
The mine produces steelmaking coal. The current annual production
capacities of the mine and preparation plant are approximately 9.0 and
9.5 million tonnes of clean coal, respectively.
n/a
n/a
Does not include proposed extensions to CMO, EVO and FRO.
ha = hectares; n/a = not applicable; % = percent; Mmtcc = million metric tonnes of clean coal.
October 2015
Report No. 1213490003/R31
3
29
19
14
70
n/a
Source: Teck 2014,c,d,e,f,g,h, Teck 2014c, pers. comm.; c, pers. comm.
(a)
Reserve Life
(a)
[years]
24
Number of Employees
as of December 2013
Employees’ Communities
of Residence
321
Sparwood - 26.5%;
Crowsnest Pass - 34.0%;
Elkford - 2.8%;
Fernie - 16.8%; and
Other - 19.9%.
1,078
Sparwood - 24.2%
Elkford - 3.1%;
Fernie - 21.8%; and
Other - 32.5%.
504
Sparwood - 22.0%;
Elkford - 7.5%;
Fernie - 24.8%; and
Other - 30.4%.
600
Sparwood - 23.3%;
Elkford - 30.3%;
Fernie - 14.5%; and
Other - 25.3%.
1,196
Sparwood - 12.8%;
Elkford - 39.4%;
Fernie - 8.9%; and
Other - 34.0%.
143
Sparwood – 32.2%;
Crowsnest Pass – 10.5%;
Elkford - 9.1%;
Fernie – 42.7%; and
Other – 5.6%.
650000
660000
670000
327810
³
327811
1025617
G
1024276
EK
573413
538381
573412
625543
418150 418152
M
IL
418153
CR
EE
CRE
E
ME R
X
RE
HAR
SI
K
418430
418151
C
R
EE
K
CREEK
EK
CUMMINGS
5520000
C
VE
RA
5520000
DALZELL CREE K
327719 625523
V
U
D
RY
43
EV
O
503936
418154
ALEXANDER CREEK
M
5510000
!
H
IC
EL
CR
Ä
Ã
3
K
EE
ERICKSON
LLADNAR CREEK
5510000
Sparwood
ALB ER TA
K
EE
M
CC
O
418203
L
O
CR
1023062
5500000
K
EE
513344
1023064
!
VE
R
Crowsnest
K
RI
418314
1029979
EL
I:\CLIENTS\TECK_COAL\12-1349-0013\Mapping\MXD\LandResourceUse\B-LRUT-004-GIS-Tenures.mxd
1023066
418319
5500000
CR
FIR
RO
BE
RT
CR
EE
K
CREE K
418313
!
Hosmer
LEGEND
!
PRIMARY HIGHWAY
SECONDARY HIGHWAY
WATERCOURSE
COAL LEASES AND LICENCES
327799
1025533
327800
327798 327801
650000
660000
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
C-2 PERMIT BOUNDARY
LOCAL STUDY AREA
PRIVATE OWNERSHIP
PROVINCIAL PARK /
PROTECTED AREA
WATERBODY
MINERAL CLAIM TENURE
GeoGratis. Alberta hydrography obtained from NTDB. MF27 boundary data obtained from
Tembec Inc. Ownership dataset put together by Golder in consultation with Teck Coal Limited.
All other data provided by Teck Coal Limited. DATUM: NAD 83 PROJECTION: UTM ZONE 11
418315
670000
0
SCALE 1:175,000
PROJECT
!
418316
5
COAL LICENCE APPLICATION
REFERENCE
1024365
Hazell
5
KILOMETRES
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
TITLE
LAND OWNERSHIP, MINERAL CLAIMS AND
COAL TENURES IN THE LOCAL STUDY AREA
PROJECT
DESIGN
GIS
CHECK
REVIEW
BB
12-1349-0013
19 Jul. 2013
SS
24 Oct. 2015
SDL
24 Oct. 2015
MH
06 Oct. 2015
FILE No.
SCALE AS SHOWN
REV.
FIGURE N4.2-3
0
BASELINE REPORT
In addition to its ongoing Elk Valley operations, Teck has proposed mine extensions and developments in the
region:

The Swift Project is an extension of current operations at FRO, and is estimated to provide an aggregate
total of approximately 170 million metric tonnes of clean coal for the next 25 years. The Environmental
Assessment Certificate Application for the Swift Project was submitted in January 2015.

The Castle Mountain project is also an extension of FRO in the Kilmarnock Creek watershed, and is
currently scheduled for development in 2025.

The Baldy Ridge Extension (BRE Project) is an extension of EVO in the Bodie, Goddard and Dry Creek
watersheds, with planned extraction of 130 Mmtcc. Teck anticipates submission of an Environmental
Assessment Certificate Application in 2015.

Cougar Pit Extension is a proposed extension of GHO in the Swift Creek watershed.
N4.2.4.1.2
Teck Land Reclamation
Environmental considerations at Teck’s mine operations are based on the premise that mining is a temporary
use of the land and that all mine land will be reclaimed to be fully productive post-closure landscapes. Teck
conducts annual reclamation research at its five Elk Valley operations to develop new reclamation techniques
and monitor success of previous reclamation efforts (Teck 2014h). Elkview Operations strives to reclaim surface
disturbances in a timely manner and to re-establish a sustainable, diverse, and functional landscape that, on a
property average basis, is greater than or equal to the capability/productivity which existed before mining. The
projected five year reclamation plan will concentrate on completing reclamation activities in the Harmer West
and East areas, South Pit, Lagoon D and coarse coal refuse pile. Planned activities include ungulate fencing for
seedling protection, re-contouring, site preparation, aerial seeding and fertilizing, and tree and shrub planting.
The Invasive Plant Management Program is expected to continue in the lower Elk and Michel valleys and at
priority areas identified during the 2013 program and subsequent surveys (Teck 2014a). An overview of areas
disturbed and reclaimed by Teck in the Elk Valley is provided in Table N4.2-3.
Table N4.2-3
Summary of Areas Disturbed and Reclaimed Before December 31, 2013
Mining
Operation
Area
Disturbed
Area Re-contoured
and Re-sloped
Area
Seeded/Planted
Area
Fertilized
Area
(a)
Revegetated
Land Use
Objective
Coal Mountain
Operations
1,033
48
254
181
224
Wildlife Habitat
Elkview Operations
4,129
977
2,077
1,744
1,788
Wildlife Habitat
2,388
461
1,004
356
784
Wildlife Habitat
2,673
177
788
602
602
Fording River
Operations
4,778
844
1,296
0
1,106
15,000
2,507
5,419
2,884
4,504
Elk Valley Total
Forestry & Wildlife
Habitat
-
Source: Teck 2014a,c,d,e,f,g.
(a)
(b)
Totals are cumulative even though some areas may be treated more than once. Numbers were automatically generated from
Geographic Information Systems datasets. Ongoing field surveys and data quality assurance/quality control continue to reconcile this
information, which may result in slight variations between years.
For an area to be recorded as “re-vegetated” it must have supported vegetation that will lead to the designated land use objective for at
least one year.
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BASELINE REPORT
N4.2.4.1.3
Teck Community and Land Stewardship
In October 2013, as part of its commitment to biodiversity, Teck announced the purchase of three blocks of land
from Tembec in BC, totaling approximately 7,150 ha. The intended use of these lands is the protection of key
wildlife and fish habitat in the Elk Valley and Flathead River Valley. Teck will be working with communities of
interest in the near future to determine potential management and stewardship approaches for the land
(Teck 2013). Two blocks are located within or overlap the RSA and include:

Alexander Creek: Approximately 10 km east of Sparwood, along the BC - Alberta border (3,098 ha; within
the RSA); and

Grave Prairie: Approximately 7.5 km northeast of Sparwood (3,059 ha; within the RSA).
Teck is building relationships with regulators, First Nations, community leaders, and the public through
partnerships, including the Elk Valley Bighorn Sheep Committee, the Regional Fish & Fish Habitat Committee
and the Elk Valley Integrated Resource Task Force, to improve opportunities for consultation and collaboration
on land and resource use management (Teck 2014h).
In 2009, the inter-departmental Dust Management Task Force was formed to provide clearer direction and
communication with a goal of minimizing fugitive dust emissions at EVO. Similar to other Teck operations, EVO
relies on environmental awareness and good communication among all personnel to report dusting concerns so
steps can be implemented quickly to prevent significant dusting events (Teck 2014a).
N4.2.4.1.4
Other Mining Activities
In addition to Teck operations, there are a number of coal exploration or development projects underway within
the RSA. In 2013, Crowsnest Pass Coal Mining Ltd. carried out geological modelling, resource and pre-feasibility
work at its Coal Creek property, south of Teck’s proposed Coal Mountain Phase 2 Project. Coal seams at Coal
Creek are on the western limb of the Hosmer Ridge syncline in the Crowsnest Coalfield. Environmental baseline
studies, including a water quality survey, are ongoing (BC MEM 2014).
Centermount Coal’s proposed Bingay Creek coal project, located to the west of FRO, entered the environmental
assessment process in 2012. It was anticipated that the mine would start production of clean coal in 2016 at one
million tonnes and two million tonnes every year thereafter but in 2013 the Board of Directors of Centermount
Coal Ltd. announced a suspension of the exploration and development program as the demand for steelmaking
coal had fallen with the slippage in global iron ore production. The board decided that raising the major
investment funds to complete a final economic feasibility study should await a market recovery in the prices for
steel-making coal (Bingay Coal n.d.).
In Alberta, two new coal mine projects in the Crowsnest Pass are in early exploration phases. Riversdale
Resources has obtained a lease from Devon Energy, for an area northwest of Grassy Mountain (MacFarlane
2013). The company estimates potential production of at least two million tonnes per year, along with 100 new
jobs and 700 spin-off jobs (Municipality of Crowsnest Pass 2013, pers. comm.). Altitude Resources Inc.
(Altitude) has signed an exploration and option agreement with Elan Coal Ltd. (Elan), a privately owned
Canadian coal exploration and development company. The agreement gives Altitude the option to acquire up to
a 51% interest in Elan’s 22,000 ha of coal leases near Crowsnest Pass, as well as the right to conduct
exploration activities on the leases (Stephenson 2013). Elan’s leases are adjacent to the Riversdale Resources
property (Municipality of Crowsnest Pass 2013, pers. comm.).
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BASELINE REPORT
Mineral claims also exist across the RSA, including phosphate, lime, and stone. To the west of the LSA are
several mineral claims held by High Brix Manufacturing Inc., Graymont Ltd., Fertoz Ltd. and Mr. Norman Lloyd
Tribe. Fertoz Ltd. has three separate project footprints associated with its mineral claims (Barnes Lake, Marten
and Crows Nest) referred to as the ‘Fernie Group’, which together cover 4,466 ha (Fertoz Ltd n.d.a, n.d.b).
To the north of the LSA, Summit Natural Rock Inc. and American Manganese Inc. also have claims. American
Manganese Inc. staked two claim blocks totaling 1,581 ha in 2014, historically known as “Line Creek/Mount
Lyne” and “Fording River” (American Manganese Inc. 2014).
N4.2.4.2
Local Study Area
The Project footprint is located on fee simple land owned by Teck. Development of the Project will result in an
estimated footprint area of approximately 2,665 ha. The total proposed disturbance area outside the existing C-2
permit boundary is approximately 898 ha.
In addition to Teck’s activity, there is one coal licence and a further two coal licence applications held by CanAus
Coal Ltd. (subsidiary of CoalMont Pty Ltd.) overlapping with the southeast corner of the LSA for the Michel
Creek Hard Coking Coal Project. The Michel Creek Hard Coking Coal Project is located south of Highway #3
and east of Corbin Road (Figure N4.2-3). Recent exploration activity will contribute to a Preliminary Economic
Assessment expected in 2014 to be followed by environmental baseline studies. The proponent is in the process
of preparing a pre-feasibility study for this project. The total project footprint covers 6,144 ha (CoalMont Pty Ltd.,
2015).
Overlapping the northeast edge of the LSA is a coal licence application held by NWP Coal Canada Ltd.
(subsidiary of Jameson Resources Ltd.) in support of the Crown Mountain Project. The Crown Mountain Project
is located in the Elk Valley approximately 8 km northeast of EVO. A Preliminary Economic Assessment has
confirmed potential robust economics for a low cost steelmaking coal mining operation (Jameson n.d.).
Data required to initiate an environmental assessment process is being collected (Jameson 2014).
In addition, one of American Manganese Inc.’s mineral claims overlaps the northern end while two claims held
by Fertoz Ltd. associated with the Crows Nest and Marten projects overlap the southern end of the LSA.
Site works on the Marten Project started in October 2014, and Fertoz Ltd. has approval for the collection of up to
10,000 tonnes bulk sample (Fertoz Ltd. n.d.a).
The Dominion Coal Blocks are known to contain reserves of steelmaking coal (Standing Senate Committee on
Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources, the Environment and Natural Resource Evidence 2013). The
Dominion Coal Blocks comprise two parcels of Government of Canada fee simple owned land known as
Parcel 73 (overlapping the LSA) and Parcel 82 (outside the LSA). Parcel 73 covers an area of approximately
2,000 ha and is located approximately 6.5 km south of the Project. These lands (and the sub-surface rights to
the coal resources) were originally acquired by the Government of Canada in 1905 in exchange for a subsidy
used for the construction of the Crowsnest Pass railway line linking BC and Alberta (Government of Canada
2014). The Government of Canada acquired these lands and the coal sub-surface rights under the terms of the
Crow’s Nest Pass Agreement. The Dominion Coal Blocks have not been utilized for coal mining and processing
purposes, mainly due to restrictions placed on the sale of coal from these lands under the Crow’s Nest Pass
Agreement, which was assented to in 1897 (Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and
Natural Resources, the Environment and Natural Resource Evidence 2013). In 2009, the federal government
announced a Corporate Asset Management Review to examine opportunities for transferring assets to the
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BASELINE REPORT
private sector, including the Dominion Coal Blocks, with the objective of stimulating additional economic activity
(Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources, the Environment and Natural
Resource Evidence 2013). The federal government brought forth a bill (C-4) to implement certain provisions of
the March 2013 federal government budget, including provisions to facilitate the sale of the Dominion Coal
Blocks. This legislation was given royal assent in 2013 and eliminates the liabilities for the Government of
Canada under the Crow’s Nest Pass Agreement that have been the primary block to the development of these
lands for coal mining purposes. The 2013 Economic Action Plan of the federal government noted that the
government is continuing its preparations for the divestitures of the Dominion Coal Blocks, and that a sale will be
conducted in a manner that maximizes benefits for taxpayers and in consultation with appropriate key
stakeholders, including First Nations (Government of Canada 2014). The federal government, however, has
committed to not sell the area of Parcel 82 that overlaps with the Flathead River Watershed.
N4.2.5 Forestry
Forestry in the RSA takes place on Crown land, on private managed forest land and on private agricultural lands
(e.g., ranches). The BC FLNRO is the main agency responsible for protecting the public’s interest and providing
leadership in the protection, management and use of BC’s forest and rangelands. High-level regulatory
requirements for forestry on Crown land are compared to forestry on private managed forest land in
Table N4.2-4.
Table N4.2-4
Forestry Requirements on Crown and Private Land in British Columbia
Forestry on Crown Land
Forestry on Private Managed Forest Land
Required to submit a forest management plan for approval by
government.
Not required to submit a plan for approval by government.
Forest management plans must be consistent with objectives set by
government.
Must file a commitment to use the property for production and
harvesting of timber and associated forest management activities.
Forest management includes comprehensive array of timber and
non-timber objectives and practices requirements.
Protection limited to four key public values.
Government issues permits for harvesting and road construction.
Standard of practice for harvesting and road construction and
maintenance similar to Crown land forestry.
Sustainable harvest levels established by the Ministry of Forests
Chief Forester.
Land owner not constrained on level of harvest.
Source: PMFLC 2007.
The RSA overlaps with the Cranbrook timber supply area (TSA) which is administrative unit of Crown land
managed for timber production amongst other objectives. The Cranbrook TSA has an annual allowable cut
(AAC) of 904,000 m3. The area of operable forest on BC Crown land (i.e., Timber Harvest Land Base or THLB)
in the RSA is 25,497 ha or 6.9% of the RSA. The area of Non-Timber Harvest Land Base (i.e., productive but
inoperable forest) is 62,986 ha or 17.0% of the RSA. Taken together, these areas represent the total Crown
Forest Land Base (88,483 ha or 23.9% of the RSA) (Figure N4.2-4). Within the Cranbrook TSA, Canfor
purchased Tembec’s Crown rights to Forest Licence A19040, which provides an AAC of 477,652 m3 (FLNRO
2014b). Under A19040, harvesting has occurred to the east of the LSA in the Alexander Creek area. Also to the
east, NWP Coal Canada Ltd. has received approval to harvest timber from its tenure area.
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660000
710000
³
! Longview
5600000
!
Invermere
5600000
610000
R
RIV E
EL K
Fording River
Operations
W HI T E RIV E R
A LB E R TA
Elkford !
IE
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43
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!
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!
PROJECT LOCATION
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!
PRIVATE OWNERSHIP
WATERCOURSE
DOMINION COAL BLOCK
REGIONAL STUDY AREA
WATERBODY
CROWN FOREST LAND BASE
NON-HARVEST LAND BASE
TIMBER HARVEST LAND BASE
Railroad and First Nations data obtained from GeoGratis. Crown Forest Land Base data
obtained from Tembec Inc. Ownership dataset put together by Golder in consultation with
Teck Coal Limited. Other data obtained from Teck Coal Limited.
710000
25
MUNICIPAL BOUNDARY
PRIMARY HIGHWAY
Pincher
Creek
Beaver !
Mines
660000
LOCAL STUDY AREA
PROVINCIAL PARK /
PROTECTED AREA
SECONDARY HIGHWAY
OLDMAN
RESERVOIR
Elko
610000
REFERENCE
C
Coal Mountain
Operations
Ä
Ã
_
^
Blairmore
R
LAKE
KOOCANUSA
!
!
3
Wardner !
LEGEND
L
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Cranbrook
!
Municipality of
Crowsnest Pass
M
!
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Coleman
3
5500000
R
BULL RIVE R
E
R RIV
Line Creek
Operations
Sparwood
!
5550000
Ä
Ã
5550000
Greenhills
Operations
0
SCALE
PROJECT
TITLE
25
KILOMETRES
1:750,000
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
PROJECT
DESIGN
GIS
CHECK
REVIEW
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BASELINE REPORT
Canfor Corporation (Canfor) is the main forestry company operating in the Elk Valley. Canfor sources timber in
the Elk Valley area from Crown lands via a Cranbrook TSA forest licence from Tembec’s Managed Forest 27 via
a private forest land agreement with Tembec, and from Teck’s Managed Forest 471 2. In 2012, Canfor purchased
the Elko sawmill (approximately 30 km south of Fernie) and Canal Flats sawmill (approximately 80 km north of
Cranbrook) and certain timber harvesting rights to approximately 1.1 m3 of combined Crown, private land and
contract AAC from Tembec (Tembec Inc. 2012). Canfor purchased the timber rights on Tembec owned private
managed forest lands for a 10-year term, although Tembec retains the surface rights on these lands.
Managed Forest 471 comprises most of the freehold surface tenure that Teck holds in the Elk Valley. There are
two different agreements between Teck and Canfor for Managed Forest 471 lands:

A Harvesting Rights Agreement gives Canfor the exclusive right to harvest, remove, sell, process or
dispose of all timber including silviculture practices. Teck became the successor in title to Shell and Canfor
has purchased timber rights from Tembec, which acquired Crestbrook Forest Industries Ltd. in 1999.
Canfor’s rights are subject to Teck’s dominant user rights to explore for minerals and conduct mining and
drilling operations, and to use or remove certain lands from Managed Forest 471 for mining-related
purposes (Shell Canada Limited and Crestbrook Forest Industries Ltd. 1983).

Under a Private Forest Lands Agreement, Teck is owner of the surface and timber rights, with Canfor
granted rights to timber (Teck 2015c, pers. comm.).
Tembec sold approximately 49,000 ha of lands covered by Managed Forest 27 to Jemi Fibre Corp in 2014.
These lands now make up Managed Forest 482, which overlap parts of the RSA, and represent approximately
6.2 million m3 of mature timber. Jemi Fibre Corp has announced plans to cut between 300,000 to 400,000 m3 of
timber per year for the next five to 10 years before reverting to a sustainable cut of 125,000 cubic metres per
year following that period (The Free Press 2015). Managed Forest 27 now has approximately 850 ha of lands
located near Sparwood, Fernie, St. Mary’s Lake, and Morrissey (Tembec Inc. 2015).
The Ktunaxa Nation Community Forest covers approximately 20,000 ha over two parcels (Parcels 73 and 82) of
Government of Canada owned land in the East Kootenay collectively known as the Dominion Coal Blocks
(Ktunaxa Nation 2013). The Ktunaxa Nation has operated a community forest since 2004 under a pilot project
agreement with the Government of BC. In 2009 the Ktunaxa Nation signed a 25-year community forest
agreement with the Province, which features annual harvesting rights for 5,790 m3 of timber on the Dominion
Coal Blocks (BC Ministry of Forests and Range 2009). This community forest arrangement falls under a
memorandum of understanding between the Ktunaxa Nation, Government of Canada and Government of BC
(Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources, the Environment and Natural
Resource Evidence 2013).
2
Managed Forest’ is a property tax classification, which includes certain forestry practice obligations that a landowner must comply to
maintain the Managed Forest designation. Teck owns the land within the boundaries of Managed Forest 471 and therefore is responsible for
payment of property taxes on the lands within Managed Forest 471 and for managing compliance on Managed Forest 471 lands with
Managed Forest obligations.
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BASELINE REPORT
N4.2.5.2
Local Study Area
The majority of the LSA is privately owned (94%) and covered by managed forests, including 13,151 ha of
Managed Forest 471 and 1,089 ha of Managed Forest 482 and Managed Forest 27. The Project is surrounded
by Managed Forest 471, while Managed Forest 482 is located in the northern and southern ends of the LSA and
Managed Forest 27 is located near Sparwood.
Under an agreement with Teck, Canfor has the exclusive right (in perpetuity) to harvest, sell, process, or dispose
of all timber on Managed Forest 471 land. Teck owns the land within the boundaries of Managed Forest 471.
Canfor’s rights are subject to Teck’s dominant user rights to explore for minerals, to conduct mining and drilling
operations, and to use or remove minor amounts of certain areas from Managed Forest 471 land. Under the
Harvesting Rights Agreement, Teck is obligated to compensate Canfor for costs incurred by Canfor from Teck’s
exploration, mining, drilling and other related activities. Canfor reimburses Teck for all property taxes on
Managed Forest 471 land. Teck must maintain the status of Managed Forest 471 as Managed Forest Land.
There is no operable forest on Crown land (i.e., Timber Harvesting Land Base) in the LSA. The area of nonharvest land base (i.e., productive but inoperable forest) on Crown land in the LSA is 39 ha (Figure N4.2-5).
There are 321 ha of available, permitted and proposed Canfor harvest areas in the LSA (Figure N4.2-6). Canfor
has the exclusive right to harvest, sell, process, or dispose of all timber under the Managed Forest 27 Harvesting
Rights Agreement (Shell Canada Limited and Crestbrook Forest Industries Ltd. 1983). Canfor’s rights are
subject to Teck dominant user rights to explore for minerals, conduct mining and drilling operations, and to use
or remove certain lands from Managed Forest 471 lands.
Timber harvesting occurs in the Ktunaxa Nation Community Forest on Parcel 73 of the Dominion Coal Blocks
which overlaps the southern edge of the LSA. The Ktunaxa Nation Community Forest is managed by Ktunaxa
Nation-owned Nupqu Development Corporation (Nupqu). As of 2010, Nupqu had revenues of over $4 million per
annum and 60 employees (70% are Ktunaxa Nation members) during the peak of its operating season (Section
C of the EAC Application).
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660000
GR
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AV
CR
670000
EE
K
³
M
E
C
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ME R
K
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SI
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43
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K
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!
Crowsnest
5500000
5500000
K
Hazell
RI
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!
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I:\CLIENTS\TECK_COAL\12-1349-0013\Mapping\MXD\LandResourceUse\B-LRUT-003-GIS-Forestry.mxd
RO
BE
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CREE K
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5510000
ALEXA NDER CREE K
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5510000
!
LEGEND
!
650000
660000
LOCAL STUDY AREA
PRIMARY HIGHWAY
PROVINCIAL PARK /
PROTECTED AREA
SECONDARY HIGHWAY
WATERCOURSE
DOMINION COAL BLOCK
PARCEL 73
PRIVATE OWNERSHIP
WATERBODY
TIMBER HARVEST LAND BASE
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
C-2 PERMIT BOUNDARY
REFERENCE
Limited. Crown Forest Land Base data obtained from Tembec Inc. Ownership dataset put
together by Golder in consultation with Teck Coal Limited.
0
SCALE 1:140,000
PROJECT
NON-HARVEST LAND BASE
670000
4
TITLE
4
KILOMETRES
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
PROJECT
DESIGN
GIS
CHECK
REVIEW
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0
660000
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670000
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M
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5520000
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5520000
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V
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IC
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CR
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5500000
5500000
K
!
Crowsnest
RI
VE
R
Hazell
LEGEND
!
650000
PRIMARY HIGHWAY
SECONDARY HIGHWAY
WATERCOURSE
DOMINION COAL
BLOCK PARCEL 73
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
C-2 PERMIT BOUNDARY
LOCAL STUDY AREA
REFERENCE
!
A LB E R TA
EL
K
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K
CREE K
LLADNAR CREEK
5510000
!
M
5510000
Sparwood
660000
MANAGED FOREST 471 BOUNDARY
(HARVEST RIGHTS AGREEMENT)
(PRIVATE LANDS AGREEMENT)
PRIVATE OWNERSHIP
WATERBODY
AVAILABLE BLOCK
HARVESTED BLOCK
PERMITTED BLOCK
PROPOSED BLOCK
GeoGratis. Alberta hydrography obtained from NTDB. Forestry data obtained from Tembec Inc.
Ownership dataset put together by Golder in consultation with Teck Coal Limited All other data
0
SCALE 1:140,000
PROJECT
HARVEST AREA BOUNDARIES
670000
4
TITLE
4
KILOMETRES
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
CANFOR HARVESTS
PROJECT
DESIGN
GIS
CHECK
REVIEW
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FIGURE N4.2-6
0
BASELINE REPORT
N4.2.6 Oil and Gas Development
The RSA overlaps with the East Kootenay Basin (EKB), which extends from approximately 60 km
north-northwest of Elkford to nearly 35 km south of Fernie and encompasses the community of Sparwood.
The EKB is bounded to the east by the BC - Alberta border and its western boundary follows the west edge of
the Elk Valley’s western edge. In 2011, BC Oil and Gas Commission estimated that 15% of coal bed methane
(a type of natural gas) in BC is located within the EKB (BC Oil and Gas Commission 2011).
Petroleum and Natural Gas tenure rights, issued by the Ministry of Energy and Mine’s Titles Division, cover
29,354 ha of the RSA and are centred around EVO and FRO. However, no active wells are located within the
RSA (Figure N4.2-7).
N4.2.6.2
Local Study Area
There are no oil and gas wells overlapping EVO or the Project footprint, but four non-active gas well sites are
located south of EVO within the LSA (Figure N4.2-8). A petroleum title belonging to Apache Canada Ltd.
(Apache) lies within the LSA and covers the southern end of EVO and parts of the Project footprint. The original
lease expired in 2010 but Apache has maintained the lease through a special extension. Apache acquired this
lease upon purchasing British Petroleum’s Canadian assets in 2010. The petroleum project is called the Mist
Mountain Project. Apache has not undertaken development activities recently on the Mist Mountain Project and
development is not anticipated in the near future.
Teck and Apache have the Elk Valley Petroleum and Natural Gas Appraisal and Development Agreement in
place. Under the terms of this agreement, Teck and Apache have annual Joint Development Committee
meetings to determine best land use and resource extraction practices (BP Canada Energy Company and
Elk Valley Coal Partnership 2006a,b).
October 2015
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660000
710000
!
³
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Invermere
5600000
5600000
610000
EL K
RIVE
R
Fording River
Operations
IV E
5550000
GR
R
5550000
DIN
Greenhills
Operations
R
FO
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Elkford !
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43
Sparwood
Ä
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Elkview
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!
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Coleman
5500000
3
!
!
Blairmore
OLDMAN
RESERVOIR
IC
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M
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R
AY
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Fernie
R
!
Cranbrook
!
Municipality of
Crowsnest Pass
Hosmer
KO
CANCELLED
!
CASED
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Coal Mountain
Operations
!
WELL LOCATION
ABANDONED
C
K
Pincher
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!
Beaver !
Mines
Ä
Ã
I:\CLIENTS\TECK_COAL\12-1349-0013\Mapping\MXD\LandResourceUse\B-LRUT-021-GIS_RSAWells.mxd
ALB ER TA
_
^
5500000
IE R R
Line Creek
Operations
3
Wardner
COMPLETED
GAS TESTING
SUSPENDED
WELL AUTHORIZATION
GRANTED
LEGEND
!
_
^
!
Elko
610000
PROJECT LOCATION
PRIMARY HIGHWAY
SECONDARY HIGHWAY
WATERCOURSE
LAKE
KOOCANUSA
660000
LOCAL STUDY AREA
WATERBODY
REFERENCE
PROJECT
REGIONAL STUDY AREA
Areas, Railroad and First Nations data obtained from GeoGratis. Wells obtained from the
BC Oil & Gas Commission and are for representation purposes only. The Oil & Gas Commission
assumes neither responsibility for inconsistencies or inaccuracies in the data nor liability for any
damages of any type arising from errors or omissions. Other data obtained from Teck Coal
0
SCALE
MUNICIPAL BOUNDARY
PETROLEUM ACTIVE TITLE
710000
25
TITLE
25
KILOMETRES
1:750,000
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
GAS WELLS IN THE
REGIONAL STUDY AREA
PROJECT
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FIGURE N4.2-7
0
660000
GR
E
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670000
EE
K
³
X
M
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CR
EE
K
ME R
EE
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IL
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5520000
DALZELL CREE K
SI
5520000
650000
V
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43
ALEXANDER CREEK
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M
CC
WELL LOCATION
O
CR
K
EE
L
O
ABANDONED
CR
K
R
VE
RI
5500000
CASED
K
PETROLEUM ACTIVE TITLE
EL
!
NO UNAUTHORIZED
ENTRY AREA
ALB ER TA
SPARWOOD RIDGE
RESTRICTED AREA
!
650000
PIPELINE
PRIMARY HIGHWAY
SECONDARY HIGHWAY
WATERCOURSE
PROJECT FOOTPRINT
PROJECT FOOTPRINT OUTSIDE THE
REFERENCE
Hazell
!
LEGEND
Crowsnest
5500000
CANCELLED
EE
I:\CLIENTS\TECK_COAL\12-1349-0013\Mapping\MXD\LandResourceUse\B-LRUT-017-GIS_LSAWells.mxd
BE
RT
CR
EE
K
CREE K
LLADNAR CREEK
5510000
!
M
5510000
Sparwood
660000
DOMINION COAL BLOCK
PARCEL 73
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
C-2 PERMIT BOUNDARY
LOCAL STUDY AREA
PERMITTED COARSE
COAL REFUSE PILE
TAILINGS FACILITY
PROVINCIAL PARK /
PROTECTED AREA
WATERBODY
Populated places and provincial boundary obtained from The Atlas of Canada, Natural Resources
Canada. Roads obtained from Geobase. Parks/Protected Areas obtained from GeoGratis. Alberta
hydrography obtained from NTDB. Wells obtained from the BC Oil & Gas Commission and are for
representation purposes only. The Oil & Gas Commission assumes neither responsibility for
inconsistencies or inaccuracies in the data nor liability for any damages of any type arising from errors or
omissions. Pipelines obtained from IHS Energy Inc. All other data provided by Teck Coal Limited.
670000
4
0
SCALE 1:140,000
PROJECT
TITLE
4
KILOMETRES
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
GAS WELLS IN THE
LOCAL STUDY AREA
PROJECT
DESIGN
GIS
CHECK
REVIEW
SR
12-1349-0013
19 Jul. 2013
SS
06 Oct. 2015
SDL
06 Oct. 2015
MH
06 Oct. 2015
FILE No.
SCALE AS SHOWN
REV.
FIGURE N4.2-8
0
BASELINE REPORT
N4.2.7
Non-Timber Forest Products
Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) 3 include wild edibles, floral greenery, medicinals and nutraceuticals,
landscaping and restoration products, crafts and art, miscellaneous products, and forest-based cultural tourism
or ecotourism. NTFPs are harvested for traditional, recreational, and commercial purposes. While recreational
harvesting of NTFPs is relatively steady on an annual basis, commercial harvesting levels vary in response to
weather and timber harvesting that affect growing conditions for NTFPs, the market price for NTFPs, and
general economic conditions (NTFP Harvesting Representative 2015, pers. comm.). Traditional (cultural) and
commercial harvesting of NTFPs by the Ktunaxa Nation is considered in Section C.
N4.2.7.1
Regional Study Area
Key NTFP species in the Elk Valley include huckleberries and morel mushrooms (Mitchell, Sinclair, Brigham,
Cocksedge, & Hobby 2010; NTFP Harvesting Representative 2015, pers. comm.; BC MOE 2015, pers. comm.).
The Elk Valley has been anecdotally identified as a prime area for harvesting huckleberries in the East
Kootenay, but the most productive contemporary huckleberry sites have generally been logged and broadcast
burnt because huckleberry bushes re-establish faster than other bushes (Hobby and Keefer 2010; NTFP
Harvesting Representative 2015, pers. comm.).
Huckleberry harvesting in the Elk Valley generally starts the third week of July and ends by October, as some
harvesters prefer to wait until after first frost to harvest huckleberries (BC MOE 2015, pers. comm.).
Due to ease of accessibility, the most popular huckleberry sites in the RSA are located near communities and
main roads, including sites near Hosmer, Ridgemont, Corbin town site, Fernie, and Morrissey. South of the LSA,
old burn and recent logging sites around the headwaters of Wheeler, Marten, and Coal Creeks, located adjacent
to 4x4 accessible roads, have also been identified as popular huckleberry harvesting locations, though they are
not as heavily used as more accessible sites. The area around Wheeler, Marten, and Coal Creeks was
particularly productive in 2014, but due to dry conditions the harvest in 2015 in these areas was low (BC MOE
2015, pers. comm.). Other identified huckleberry harvesting sites include Fir Roberts Road, Alexander Creek,
Corbin Creek, Fernie Alpine Resort, Lizard Creek near Fernie, west of Morrissey, and the Flathead Valley (NTFP
Harvesting Representative 2015, pers. comm.; BC MOE 2015, pers. comm.).
In the Elk Valley, almost all huckleberry harvesters are recreationists (NTFP Harvesting Representative 2015,
pers. comm.; BC MOE 2015, pers. comm.). In 2005 and 2006, a survey of some recreational huckleberry
harvesters in the Kootenay region reported an average harvest of 11.34 kg of huckleberries per person per year,
with an average of 8 days of harvesting per season (Hobby and Keefer 2010). By comparison, commercial
harvesters reported harvesting between 9 kg and 544 kg per year, and harvesting between 10 and 40 days
annually. The overall range of net income from commercially harvested huckleberries in the Kootenay region is
estimated to average $1,000 in a low production year and $2,000 in a high production year (Hobby and Keefer
2010).
3
Sometimes referred to as wildcrafters.
October 2015
Report No. 1213490003/R31
38
BASELINE REPORT
Harvesting of morels and other mushrooms in the Elk Valley generally begins in September and continues into
October, with harvesting occurring after rainfalls (BC MOE 2015, pers. comm.). Morels are known for fruiting
following major wildfire events, but otherwise their location is difficult to predict (Keefer et al. 2010; NTFP
Harvesting Representative 2015, pers. comm.; BC MOE 2015, pers. comm.). Morel mushrooms are typically
harvested recreationally on an incidental basis in conjunction with other activities such as hunting, fishing, or
ATVing, while commercial harvesters focus on areas that have experienced wildfires (CBC News 2015; NTFP
Harvesting Representative 2015, pers. comm.; BC MOE 2015, pers. comm.). As a result, recreationists
undertake most morel harvesting in the Elk Valley (Keefer et al. 2010; BC MOE 2015, pers. comm.). In 2005 and
2006, a survey reported the average daily earnings for commercial harvesters in the East Kootenay region as
$91.30, with the majority of commercial harvesters earning less than 10% of their total annual income from
harvesting morels (Keefer et al. 2010).
Other NTFP species harvested in the Elk Valley include Saskatoon berries, grouse berries, bilberries,
elderberries, choke cherries, lomatium root, king bolete mushrooms, porcini mushrooms, hedgehog mushrooms,
chanterelles mushrooms, and shaggy mane mushrooms (Hobby and Keefer 2010; NTFP Harvesting
Representative 2015, pers. comm.; BC MOE 2015, pers. comm.). Saskatoon berry harvesting sites were
identified along the bottom of the Elk Valley and near the communities of Sparwood and Fernie. King bolete
mushrooms are reported to occur more often in areas with cattle, while shaggy mane mushrooms are reportedly
more common around logging roads (BC MOE 2015, pers. comm.). These species are harvested on a
recreational basis in the Elk Valley as they do not occur in large quantities and are not in commercial demand.
Commercial harvesting of native plant seeds occurs in the Elk Valley in response to demand from Teck in
support of mine reclamation (NTFP Harvesting Representative 2015, pers. comm.).
N4.2.7.2
Local Study Area
Huckleberry harvesting was not identified near EVO because the area is generally too dry and cold for growth of
huckleberry bushes, but huckleberries are harvested on naturally re-vegetated slopes around Sparwood and
between Sparwood and Hosmer to the east of Highway #3 (NTFP Harvesting Representative 2015, pers.
comm.; BC MOE 2015, pers. comm.). Harvesting of saskatoon berries was also identified as occurring around
Sparwood (BC MOE 2015, pers. comm.). Morel mushroom harvesting was not identified near EVO, but as
previously cited the presence of morels is tied to wildfire events and predicting their location is difficult.
N4.2.8
Wildlife and Fish Harvesting
Wildlife and fish harvesting occurs throughout the RSA and is done by local residents who hunt and fish for sport
and food, as well as trappers who hunt furbearing animals for commercial purposes. Hunting and fishing guides
operate in the RSA. Traditional hunting and fishing by First Nations also occurs in the RSA for food, social and
cultural purposes. Information on traditional land and resource use can be found in Section C of the EAC
Application.
October 2015
Report No. 1213490003/R31
39
BASELINE REPORT
For the purposes of administering the BC Wildlife Act (1996; amended in 2004) and BC hunting regulations, the
province is divided into wildlife management units (WMU). The RSA is located within Resource Management
Region 4 (Kootenay Region) and largely overlaps WMU 4-23. For BC residents, a BC Resident Hunter Number
Card is required to purchase hunting and species licences. In addition to the hunting licences, species licences
are required for most large mammals. Hunters may apply for a licence to hunt in special limited entry hunt areas,
which are allocated by lottery (Figure N4.2-9). The limited entry management tool is used to achieve wildlife
management objectives without resorting to measures such as shortening seasons or completely closing areas.
Five authorizations were issued for the 2014 spring grizzly bear hunt in WMU 4-23 (FLNRO n.d.[b]).
In BC, non-resident hunters must be accompanied by either a licenced guide or a resident holding a Permit to
Accompany. The hunting season for deer occurs primarily between September and November, while the elk
season is concentrated in September and October. Regular hunting for moose occurs in the latter half of
October. Black bear hunting season is open in the fall (between September and November) and again in the
spring (between April and June). Information on hunting season by species for WMU 4-23 is provided in
Appendix N.II.
In Region 4, daily catch quotas apply to trout, char, burbot, crayfish, kokanee and whitefish. All fishing is closed
for northern pike, bass, walleye, white sturgeon and yellow perch. No fishing is allowed in any stream in
Region 4 from April 1 to June 14. Trout/char catch and release occurs between June 15 and October 31 within
the Elk River, from the Line Creek Bridge to the Canadian Pacific rail bridge at Sparwood and from the
Highway #3 bridge at Hosmer to the northern Highway #3 bridge at Fernie (BC MOE 2013).
One-day, eight-day and annual angling licences are available to residents and non-residents of BC, although
non-residents must pay more for their licence. In addition to the basic angling licence, a Classified Waters
Licence is required before fishing on streams designated as such. Many East Kootenay rivers and their
tributaries are classified waters, including the Elk River and its tributaries (FLNRO n.d.[d]).
Classified waters in BC are specially designated trout streams, and the designation is intended to maintain their
fishing opportunities, which contribute significantly to the province's reputation as a world class fishing
destination. A Classified Waters Licence allows BC residents to fish on any classified water during the licensing
year (from April 1 to March 31). For Non-Residents, the Classified Waters Licence is sold on a per diem basis
and is date- and water-specific. Although anglers may purchase as many Classified Waters Licences as they
wish, each licence may not exceed eight consecutive days (FLNRO n.d.[c]).
In 2015, it was announced that Michel Creek would be established as its own classified water, while
simultaneously removing it from the larger Elk River Classified Water designation. As part of this change, a new
booking system was also announced for non-resident anglers along Michel Creek, which has seen non-resident,
non-guided angler use exceed targets, resulting in overcrowding and pressure on fish populations. Under the
new system, a set amount of non-resident, non-guided angler days will be made available through the existing
online angling licensing system. Selections will be made on a first-come, first-serve system, ensuring all
non-resident anglers have an equal opportunity. Once these days are sold, non-resident anglers will have to
book through a licenced angling guide to fish on Michel Creek (FLNRO 2015a).
October 2015
Report No. 1213490003/R31
40
660000
710000
³
5600000
! Longview
Invermere
R
RIV E
EL K
IVE
R
A LB E R TA
Elkford !
IE
LUS S
43
Ä
Ã
95A
22
Elkview
_Operations
^
Sparwood
Fish & Wildlife Association
Gun Range
!
Ä
Ã
5500000
3
L
C
E
TE
Y
NA
!
RI
VE
Fernie
R
Ä
Ã
I:\CLIENTS\TECK_COAL\12-1349-0013\Mapping\MXD\LandResourceUse\B-LRUT-007-GIS-RSAHunting.mxd
Hosmer
H
IC
O
KO
Cranbrook
!
Municipality of
Crowsnest Pass
3
Wardner !
Blairmore
OLDMAN
RESERVOIR
!
M
!
Coleman
5500000
BULL RIVE R
R
V
U
Ä
Ã
E
R RIV
Line Creek
Operations
Sparwood
!
5550000
GR
5550000
Fording River
Operations
DIN
Greenhills
Operations
R
FO
W HI T E RIV E R
!
5600000
610000
RE E
Coal Mountain
Operations
K
Pincher !
Creek
Beaver
Mines !
Fernie
Rod & Gun
Club Range
LIMITED ENTRY
HUNTING ZONE
ELK
GOAT
LAKE
KOOCANUSA
LEGEND
!
_
^
GRIZZLY
!
610000
PROJECT LOCATION
PRIMARY HIGHWAY
SECONDARY HIGHWAY
WATERCOURSE
660000
GUIDE TENURE AREA
PROVINCIAL PARK /
PROTECTED AREA
PROJECT
REGIONAL STUDY AREA
WATERBODY
Areas, Railroad and First Nations data obtained from GeoGratis. Limited entry hunting zone
& guide outfitter areas obtained from the LRDW. Other data obtained from Teck Coal Limited.
0
SCALE
LOCAL STUDY AREA
MUNICIPAL BOUNDARY
710000
25
EXISTING NO SHOOTING /
NO UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY
REFERENCE
MOOSE
Elko
25
KILOMETRES
1:750,000
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
TITLE
GUIDE TENURES AND LIMITED ENTRY
HUNTING IN THE REGIONAL STUDY AREA
PROJECT
DESIGN
GIS
CHECK
REVIEW
BB
12-1349-0013
19 Jul. 2013
SS
24 Oct. 2015
SDL
24 Oct. 2015
MH
06 Oct. 2015
FILE No.
SCALE AS SHOWN
REV.
FIGURE N4.2-9
0
BASELINE REPORT
In BC, approximately 3,500 trappers actively harvest 17 furbearing animal species, following standards,
legislation and regulations developed by the Ministry of Environment. An estimated half of the province’s
trappers are Aboriginal persons. In general, trapping seasons have been developed by considering a variety of
criteria including pelt condition, relative vulnerability of age and sex classes to harvesting, abundance and
capture technology. The registered trapline system is the primary system for setting harvest guidelines and
managing furbearing animals. Harvest levels are guided by species management strategies, with furbearers
divided into the following three classes.

Class 1 Species – can be managed on individual traplines. This class includes the beaver, fox, marten,
mink, muskrat, racoon, skunk, squirrel and weasel.

Class 2 Species – move between and among traplines and thus are not manageable on individual
traplines. Harvests will be regulated regionally, in consultation with local trappers. This class includes the
lynx, bobcat, wolverine, fisher and otter.

Class 3 Species – also move between and among traplines, but generally are not vulnerable to
over-trapping. This class includes the wolf and coyote. Trappers will be encouraged to trap these species
especially in areas of chronic animal damage control problems.
Trappers must register trapline cabins that are on Crown land. The trapping season starts in the fall, in October
and November. Trapping for bobcat, fox, lynx, marten, mink, weasel, skunk and wolverine ends in January or
February, while trapping for beaver, black bear, coyote, muskrat, racoon, otter, squirrel and wolf ends in the
spring between March and May. Trapping season information by species for WMU 4-23 is provided in
Appendix N.II.
N4.2.8.1
Regional Study Area
Hunting is carried out in forested areas throughout the RSA (Figure N4.2-9). Within WMU 4-23, an annual
average of 1,059 hunters targeted elk between 2002 and 2012. 4 This was followed by white tailed deer
(693 hunters per year), mule deer (630 hunters per year) and moose (173 hunters per year). Hunting activity
grew between 2002 and 2012 in WMU 4-23, with the total number of hunters increasing by over 1,000 across all
species (54% increase) and the number of hunting days increasing by close to 16,000 (61% increase). The total
number of kills declined by close to 500 animals over the same period, but most of this was driven by declines in
Spruce Grouse and Blue Grosbeak. While 2012 saw the highest number of hunters and hunter days at close to
4,000 and 41,500, respectively, the number of kills peaked in 2010 at approximately 2,000 animals.
Between 2002 and 2012, there was a significant increase in the number of moose hunters (over 800% increase)
and moose kills (close to 190% increase). Over the same period, the number of moose kills per hunter day and
per hunter declined. In 2002, the average moose hunter hunted for 3.8 days and harvested 0.5 moose on
average and in 2012 there was an average of 10.41 days and 0.16 kills per hunter (FLNRO 2013, pers. comm.).
Hunting data are presented in Appendix N.III.
4
Hunters targeting more than one species will be double-counted, i.e. a hunter targeting three different species will be counted as three
hunters. Therefore this is an overestimation of the number of hunters active within WMU 4-23.
October 2015
Report No. 1213490003/R31
42
BASELINE REPORT
The Elk River is popular for fishing for cutthroat trout, whitefish and bull trout. Fly fishers access the river by
using a boat or “walk and wade” into the river. Based on a 2002 survey, it was estimated that there were
2,500 angling days on the Elk River by residents (FLNRO 2014c, pers. comm.). Outside of the LSA,
Summit Lake (to the east) was identified as a popular fishing location. To the north of the LSA, Grave Lake is the
only large, accessible lake in the Elk Valley where a variety of lake-orientated recreational opportunities are
possible (RDEK 2014).
Crown lands in the RSA within BC are blanketed by trapline tenures (Figure N4.2-10).
As part of its Community Investment funds, Teck provided approximately $23,000 in support of local hunting and
fishing clubs based in the RSA in 2013. The following hunting and fishing clubs and organizations are active in
the RSA.

East Kootenay Wildlife Association: The East Kootenay Wildlife Association is a regional body of the
BC Wildlife Federation (BCWF), a province-wide voluntary federation of conservation organizations having
hunters, anglers and recreational shooters as members (BCWF 2010). The East Kootenay Wildlife
Association represents about 1,900 members across six clubs in Canal Flats, Sparwood, Elkford, Fernie,
Golden and Invermere. The East Kootenay Wildlife Association hosts events to promote outdoor activities
and education (e.g., hunter safety courses) and support wildlife conservation through fundraising and
volunteerism.

Fernie Rod and Gun Club: The Fernie Rod and Gun Club, formed in 1899, is the oldest hunting, fishing
and archery club in BC and has approximately 300 members. Membership has doubled in recent years,
which is attributed to the club’s engagement with the community and with youth. Members often volunteer
to conduct wildlife conservation work. Membership fees go to the BCWF, range costs (i.e., leasing land
from Tembec and insurance), events and equipment. The Fernie Rod and Gun Club has an archery range
and provides guns and youth bows for weekly youth shoots. Hunter members focus on large game
(e.g., deer, elk, moose, bear, sheep and goats) primarily for food, with some trophy hunting. Those who fish
in the Elk Valley, do so for cutthroat and rainbow trout in the Elk River.

Sparwood Fish and Wildlife Association: The Sparwood Fish and Wildlife Association’s membership
includes approximately 150 family and individual members. Facilities operated by the Sparwood Fish and
Wildlife Association include a campsite at Grave Lake on Teck owned land. Membership fees cover the use
of the group’s rifle range, membership in BCWF, insurance and lease fees paid to Teck. Hunters focus on
large game, with elk and deer the most commonly hunted animals. Members hunt for moose, mountain
goat, bighorn sheep and black bear. A few members hunt cougar on occasion. Most members are hunting
for food but there is some trophy hunting. Anglers fish for whitefish and cutthroat, rainbow, and bull trout in
the Elk Valley’s rivers and streams. The membership is represented by more hunters than anglers
(although many hunters also fish), and the club is working to encourage younger hunters and anglers to
join.
October 2015
Report No. 1213490003/R31
43
BASELINE REPORT

Elkford Rod and Gun Club: The Elkford Rod and Gun Club’s membership is about 240 families and
individuals and has been increasing every year for over a decade. Similar to the other groups, club fees
cover membership in BCWF and insurance. The club is engaged in wildlife conservation work including
annual wildlife counts (e.g., identifying elk wintering areas) and clearing dead fall to encourage grass
growth. Elk and mule deer are the species most commonly hunted by members. A limited number of
members (i.e., approximately 15%) hunt for bighorn sheep and mountain goat. Grouse hunting occurs,
but usually in conjunction with large game hunting. Hunting and wildlife management is emphasized more
than fishing, but those who hunt fish on occasion.

Hillcrest Fish and Game Protective Association: Hillcrest Fish and Game Protective Association, which
is affiliated with the Alberta Fish and Game Association, was started in 1925. The mandate of the
association is to promote responsible use of fish, wildlife and habitat. Membership stands at between 160
and 200 members. Hillcrest Fish and Game Protective Association engages in river clean-up activities,
but these activities are limited to Alberta.
October 2015
Report No. 1213490003/R31
44
660000
710000
!
³
! Longview
Invermere
5600000
5600000
610000
EL K
RIVE
R
Fording River
Operations
R
FO
WHI T E RIVE R
DIN
R
Elkford !
LUS S
BUL L RIVER
43
Sparwood
Ä
Ã
IV ER
V
U
22
ALB ER TA
_
^
Elkview
Operations
!
Ä
Ã
Ä
Ã
Coleman
5500000
3
!
Hosmer
Blairmore
OLDMAN
RESERVOIR
IC
OT
HE
L
C
EN
RE E K
R
AY
IV
Coal Mountain
Operations
Fernie
!
!
M
KO
ER
Cranbrook
!
!
Municipality of
Crowsnest Pass
5500000
IE R R
Line Creek
Operations
95A
Pincher
Creek
Beaver !
Mines
Ä
Ã
I:\CLIENTS\TECK_COAL\12-1349-0013\Mapping\MXD\LandResourceUse\B-LRUT-011-GIS_RSATraplines.mxd
5550000
IV E
5550000
GR
Greenhills
Operations
!
3
Wardner
!
LAKE
KOOCANUSA
!
Elko
610000
LEGEND
!
_
^
PROJECT LOCATION
660000
MUNICIPAL BOUNDARY
PRIMARY HIGHWAY
WATERCOURSE
SECONDARY HIGHWAY
REGIONAL STUDY AREA
TRAPLINE TENURE
REFERENCE
WATERBODY
Areas, Railroad and First Nations data obtained from GeoGratis. Trapping area data obtained
from the LRDW. Other data obtained from Teck Coal Limited.
0
SCALE
LOCAL STUDY AREA
PROVINCIAL PARK /
PROTECTED AREA
710000
25
PROJECT
TITLE
25
KILOMETRES
1:750,000
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
TRAPLINE TENURES
PROJECT
DESIGN
GIS
CHECK
REVIEW
BB
12-1349-0013
19 Jul. 2013
SS
24 Oct. 2015
SDL
24 Oct. 2015
MH
06 Oct. 2015
FILE No.
SCALE AS SHOWN
REV.
0
FIGURE N4.2-10
BASELINE REPORT
N4.2.8.2
Local Study Area
Hunting for large game occurs in the LSA, primarily for black bear, elk, deer and moose. Hunting areas identified
include Harmer Creek (northeast of EVO), to the west of the Elk River, and south of Highway #3. The LSA is
easily accessible through a combination of trails and forestry roads. Teck allows public access to its private
property for hunting and fishing outside of the No Unauthorized Entry Area.
Based on interviews for preparation of this baseline, hunting appears to be particularly concentrated to the north
of the Project footprint, with an estimated 1,200 and 2,300 hunting days (or approximately 80% of the total
hunting within the LSA). Hunting areas corresponding to the seasonal calendars prepared in the mapping
sessions are shown in Figure N4.2-11.
Within the LSA, fishing activities were identified as occurring along the Elk River and Michel Creek. North of
Sparwood, it was estimated that between 15 and 20 fishers use the Elk River daily during summer and early fall.
Michel Creek, located to the southeast of the Project footprint, is popular for angling along its length with a high
level of general public and guided use. No other angling locations were identified in the LSA.
Sheep Mountain Outfitters, which has been operating in the Elk Valley for approximately 30 years, has a guiding
tenure that overlaps a small portion of the LSAs southwestern corner (565 ha), but is located on the other side of
Highway #3 from EVO (Figure N4.2-11). The total size of the tenure is 62,942 ha.
Ten trapline tenures overlap the LSA (Figure N4.2-12):

TR0423T004 (176.7 ha);

TR0423T005 (727.7 ha);

TR0423T006 (6.9 ha);

TR0423T007 (1,177.7 ha);

TR0423T008 (7.8 ha);

TR0423T009 (106.1 ha);

TR0423T010 (117.4 ha);

TR0423T021 (4,540.6 ha);

TR0423T022 (1,467.7 ha); and

TR0423T023 (15,331.0 ha).
October 2015
Report No. 1213490003/R31
46
660000
GR
DALZELL CREE K
CR
EE
K
³
Grave Prairie
AMA
SI
A
X
M
E
CR
EE
K
ME R
EK
CREEK
CRE
CUMMINGS
IL
HAR
5520000
E
AV
670000
5520000
650000
V
U
43
B
EV
O
Y
DR
CR
K
EE
Alexander
Creek AMA
Sparwood
EL
3
CR
ERICKSON
CR
FIR
RO
M
CC
O
L
O
CR
!
Crowsnest
TENURE #
400402
ELK
GOAT
!
650000
NO UNAUTHORIZED
ENTRY AREA
PRIMARY HIGHWAY
PROVINCIAL PARK /
PROTECTED AREA
SECONDARY HIGHWAY
WATERCOURSE
SPARWOOD RIDGE
RESTRICTED AREA
ACCESS MANAGEMENT AREA (AMA)
UNGULATE WINTER RANGE
- LEGAL BOUNDARY
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
C-2 PERMIT BOUNDARY
REFERENCE
WATERBODY
A-C
GROUP INTERVIEW
HUNTING AREA
GeoGratis. Alberta hydrography obtained from NTDB. Access Management Areas obtained from
the BC Ministry of Environment. ATV trail data obtained from the Elkford ATV Club. LEH Zones
and Ungulate winter range obtained from the LRDW. All other data provided by Teck Coal
670000
4
LOCAL STUDY AREA
TRAIL / ACCESS ROAD
!
660000
GUIDE TENURE AREA
NON-MOTORIZED TRAIL
Hazell
ALB ER TA
Corbin Creek
AMA
GRIZZLY
AND MOOSE
LEGEND
5500000
K
LIMITED ENTRY
HUNTING ZONE
EL
5500000
RI
VE
R
K
EE
I:\CLIENTS\TECK_COAL\12-1349-0013\Mapping\MXD\LandResourceUse\B-LRUT-005-GIS-LSAHunting.mxd
BE
RT
EE
K
CR
EE
K
CREE K
LLADNAR CREEK
K
EE
C
5510000
Ä
Ã
H
IC
TENURE #
400806
ALEXANDER CREEK
M
5510000
!
0
SCALE 1:140,000
PROJECT
4
KILOMETRES
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
TITLE
HUNTING IN THE LOCAL STUDY AREA
PROJECT
DESIGN
GIS
CHECK
REVIEW
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24 Oct. 2015
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FIGURE N4.2-11
660000
GR
CR
EE
K
³
DALZELL CREE K
TR0423T010
5520000
E
AV
670000
TR0423T022
SI
X
M
E
CR
TR0423T021
EE
K
HAR
CUMMINGS
IL
5520000
650000
ME R
43
EV
O
Y
DR
CR
K
EE
TR0423T006
EK
V
U
CRE
CREEK
TR0423T009
TR0423T007
TR0423T023
5510000
!
M
5510000
Sparwood
Ä
Ã
H
IC
EL
3
CR
K
EE
AN
DE
RC
RE
EK
CREE K
LLADNAR CREEK
ERICKSON
K
EE
CR
FIR
BE
RO
M
CC
O
O
TR0423T005
L
CR
5500000
5500000
K
EE
!
Crowsnest
RI
VE
R
TR0423T004
K
650000
LEGEND
!
LOCAL STUDY AREA
PRIMARY HIGHWAY
NO UNAUTHORIZED
ENTRY AREA
SECONDARY HIGHWAY
WATERCOURSE
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
C-2 PERMIT BOUNDARY
REFERENCE
!
660000
Hazell
ALB ER TA
EL
I:\CLIENTS\TECK_COAL\12-1349-0013\Mapping\MXD\LandResourceUse\B-LRUT-014-GIS_LSATraplines.mxd
RT
CR
EE
K
AL
EX
TR0423T008
PROJECT
PROVINCIAL PARK /
PROTECTED AREA
SPARWOOD RIDGE
RESTRICTED AREA
WATERBODY
GeoGratis. Alberta hydrography obtained from NTDB. Trapline Tenures obtained from LRDW.
Access Management Areas obtained from the BC Ministry of Environment. All other data
0
SCALE 1:140,000
TRAPLINE TENURE
670000
4
TITLE
4
KILOMETRES
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
TRAPLINE TENURES
PROJECT
DESIGN
GIS
CHECK
REVIEW
BB
12-1349-0013
19 Jul. 2013
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06 Oct. 2015
SDL
06 Oct. 2015
MH
06 Oct. 2015
FILE No.
SCALE AS SHOWN
REV.
0
FIGURE N4.2-12
BASELINE REPORT
In the LSA, the most active trapline was TR0423T008 with over 100 animals harvested between 2008 and 2012,
the majority of which were marten. The TR0423T009 trapline reported 74 harvested animals between 2008 and
2010, distributed between marten, squirrel and weasel. The TR0423T004 trapline reported 62 animals, primarily
focussing on marten between 2008 and 2012, while the TR0423T010 trapline reported 40 marten over the same
time period. Sporadic activity was recorded on the TR0423T005 and TR0423T006 traplines. Further trapping
activity information by species for the LSA is provided in Appendix N.IV.
Three registered traplines in the LSA, TR0423T021, TR0423T022, and TR0423T023, overlap EVO on Teck
private property. The TR0423T021 trapline reported consistent trapping activity before 2008, but no harvesting
between 2008 and 2012. The TR0423T022 trapline has no recorded harvesting activity since 1986 (FLNRO
2014d, pers. comm.). The TR0423T021 and TR0423T022 traplines are amalgamated and controlled by the
same trapper, and Teck has one trapping licence with the trapline holder for each of TR0423T021 and
TR0423T022 traplines that permit use of Teck’s privately owned lands. The trapping licence applicable for
TR0423T021 was originally signed in 2011 and is currently renewed annually, but Teck may terminate this
licence at any time upon giving 60 days’ notice (Agreement between Teck and holder of TR0423T021 2011).
Targeted species include wolves, coyotes, lynx, bobcats, marten, and occasionally beaver.
Trapping locations vary between years, but consistent trapping was identified along Harmer Creek, Grave
Creek, and the upper reaches of Grave Creek. Both access roads following Harmer Creek are used to access
trapping areas. Grave Lake may be used for trapping wolves or beaver, but typically is not heavily used for
trapping due to the amount of recreational activity that occurs near the lake.
Although part of EVO’s No Unauthorized Entry Area is included in the trapping licence for the TR0423T021
trapline, this was not identified as an area of use. Trapping in the TR0423T021 and TR0423T022 traplines
typically begins in mid-December and ends around April, with the summer months spent building sets and trails.
Trapping activity occurs each weekend between January and March, but the level of use is expected to increase
once the trapline holder retires (TR0423T021 2015, pers. comm.).
The TR0423T023 trapline recorded a harvest of five beaver, one coyote, and three marten pelts in 2010. Before
2010, 2002 was the last year with reported harvesting activity by the TR0423T023 trapline (FLNRO 2014d, pers.
comm.). Teck has no trapping licence with the holder of the TR0423T023 trapline allowing use of its lands.
N4.2.9
Outdoor Recreation and Tourism
There are numerous outdoor recreational opportunities available in the Elk Valley, including downhill and
cross-country skiing, ATV and snowmobile riding, mountain biking, camping, and hiking. In addition to
considerable front country opportunities, such as formal trails and parks located within and directly adjacent to
local communities, backcountry opportunities accessed via informal trails and forestry roads are dispersed
throughout the RSA. Outdoor recreation is highly valued by local residents, and it is considered an important
lifestyle attraction of the Elk Valley. Tourism in the Elk Valley is similarly focused on outdoor recreational
activities. Recreation access trails and sites in the RSA and LSA are shown in Figure N4.2-13 and
Figure N4.2-14, respectively.
October 2015
Report No. 1213490003/R31
49
660000
710000
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!
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=
!
=
!
=
!
F È
!
!!
=
Weary Creek
Recreation Site
!
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Aldridge Creek
Recreation Site
!
Upper Elk Valley Fording River C AMA
F
!
!
9
!
!
!
=
9
!
Upper Elk Valley Fording River B AMA
!
=
Upper Elk Valley Fording River A AMA
!
=
!
!
F
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=
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Pass
!
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CAMPING
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!
5
.
!
i
!
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!
TRAIL / ACCESS ROAD
LOCAL STUDY AREA
SECONDARY HIGHWAY
PROVINCIAL PARK /
PROTECTED AREA
NON-MOTORIZED
PICNIC AREA
SNOWMOBILE
STAGING AREA
ELKFORD ROD &
GUN CLUB
PRIMARY HIGHWAY
MUNICIPAL BOUNDARY
REGIONAL STUDY AREA
WATERBODY
Areas, Railroad and First Nations data obtained from GeoGratis. ATV Trails obtained from
Elkford ATV Club. Other data obtained from Teck Coal Limited.
0
SCALE
PROJECT
TITLE
Pincher !
Creek
710000
25
NON-MOTORIZED TRAIL
REFERENCE
ATV
660000
RECREATIONAL TRAIL
TRAPPER'S CABIN
F HIKING
!
Beaver
!
Mines
A LOOKOUT
!
East Flathead
AMA
Wigwam
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!
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Caves
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AMA
610000
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Barnes
Lake AMA
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LAKE
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I:\CLIENTS\TECK_COAL\12-1349-0013\Mapping\MXD\LandResourceUse\B-LRUT-008-GIS-RSARecreation.mxd
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!
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Ridge
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Ski Area
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5550000
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DIN
5550000
W H I T E RIV E R
R
FO
Mutton
Creek AMA
25
KILOMETRES
1:750,000
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
RECREATION TRAILS AND SITES
PROJECT
DESIGN
GIS
CHECK
REVIEW
BB
12-1349-0013
19 Jul. 2013
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24 Oct. 2015
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0
FIGURE N4.2-13
660000
Sparwood Fish & Wildlife
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RE
Association Lease AVE C
i
!
DALZELL CREE K
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AMA
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I:\CLIENTS\TECK_COAL\12-1349-0013\Mapping\MXD\LandResourceUse\B-LRUT-006-GIS-LSARecreation.mxd
CR
EE
K
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LLADNAR CREEK
Deadman's
Pass
ALEXANDER CREEK
Sparwood
5510000
(
5510000
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5520000
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5520000
650000
650000
NON-MOTORIZED TRAIL
TRAIL / ACCESS ROAD
PRIMARY HIGHWAY
SECONDARY HIGHWAY
WATERCOURSE
DOMINION COAL
BLOCK PARCEL 73
REFERENCE
660000
4
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
C-2 PERMIT BOUNDARY
SCALE 1:140,000
LOCAL STUDY AREA
NO UNAUTHORIZED
ENTRY AREA
PROJECT
PROVINCIAL PARK /
PROTECTED AREA
SPARWOOD RIDGE
RESTRICTED AREA
WATERBODY
GeoGratis. Alberta hydrography obtained from NTDB. ATV trail data obtained from the Elkford
ATV Club. Access Management Areas obtained from the BC Ministry of Environment. All other
data provided by Teck Coal Limited. DATUM: NAD 83 PROJECTION: UTM ZONE 11
0
TITLE
4
KILOMETRES
ELKVIEW OPERATIONS
RECREATION TRAILS AND SITES
PROJECT
DESIGN
GIS
CHECK
REVIEW
BB
12-1349-0013
19 Jul. 2013
SS
24 Oct. 2015
SDL
24 Oct. 2015
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06 Oct. 2015
FILE No.
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REV.
0
FIGURE N4.2-14
BASELINE REPORT
N4.2.9.1
Regional Study Area
N4.2.9.1.1
Outdoor Recreation
Recreational sites in the RSA are shown in Figure N4.2-13. All communities in the RSA have local recreational
trails for use by hikers, bikers, horseback riders, snowshoers and cross-country skiers. Elkford has 40 km of
marked interpretive hiking and biking trails, including Josephine Falls, Lily Lake Trail, Lost Lake Trail, and Boivin
Creek Peace Trail (United Riders of Crowsnest 2013). Around Fernie, popular local hikes include Mount Fernie,
Fairy Creek/Mount Proctor, Mount Hosmer, Castle Mountain, Mountain Lakes Trail, the Lizard Range/Cedar
Valley, and the Three Sisters Trail (BC Forest Service n.d., City of Fernie n.d.). Crowsnest Pass has
approximately 360 km of hiking and equestrian trail, as well as 30 km of mountain bicycling specific trail (IMBA
Canada Trail Solutions 2012). See Section N4.2.9.2.1.1 for information on trails in Sparwood. Other trails in the
RSA include:

Coal Discovery Trail, which runs between Fernie, Hosmer and Sparwood. In 2014, responsibility for the
Coal Discovery Trail was transferred from the RDEK to the District of Sparwood and Fernie Trails Alliance.
The majority of the trail through Hosmer follows a BC Hydro owned parcel and right of way with the small
sections entering private land. These sections of the trail may need to be relocated or agreements formed
with individual land holders. The exact location of the trail is unconfirmed as global positioning system
(GPS) mapping of the trail has not been completed (District of Sparwood 2014a).

The Great Divide Trail, which runs along the BC-Alberta border, starting from the Canada-US border in the
south and ending at Kakwa Provincial Park, north of Jasper National Park. Despite spanning over
1,000 km, the trail is not officially recognized, although efforts are being made to make the trail official
(Calgary Herald 2014). The Great Divide Trail uses existing ATV trails in the RSA, including Deadman’s
Pass trail (Trails.com n.d.).
During the winter, the Elkford Nordic Ski Club grooms about 10 km of trails for cross-country skiing at Boivin
Creek Ski Recreation Area, which has two trail shelters. The Fernie Nordic Society sets and maintains tracks for
classic and groomed trails at the Fernie Golf and Country Club, as well as on the City of Fernie’s trail system.
The Fernie Nordic Society also maintains the Elk Valley Nordic Centre, located near the Mount Fernie Provincial
Park. Fernie Alpine Resort and Island Lake Lodge maintain trails in areas approximately 5 km from Fernie. The
Crowsnest Pass Cross Country Ski Association promotes cross-country skiing at the Allison-Chinook
cross-country ski area, located on the east side of Tecumseh Mountain in Alberta.
The largest ski hill in the RSA is Fernie Alpine Resort, located 5 km from the centre of Fernie. This ski hill offers
142 named runs, 5 alpine bowls and glade skiing. In addition to Fernie Alpine Resort, Elkford and Crowsnest
Pass have smaller ski hills that primarily serve their local communities. Wapiti Ski Hill is located on the west side
of Elkford and offers seven ski runs that include beginner and expert options. The hill is operated by the
volunteer Wapiti Ski Club (District of Elkford n.d.). The Pass Powderkeg Ski Resort is owned and operated by
the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass (Crowsnest Pass Powderkeg 2014).
October 2015
Report No. 1213490003/R31
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BASELINE REPORT
Motorized recreation (i.e., ATV and snowmobile) is also popular in the RSA. ATV and snowmobile activities
occur on designated trails, as well as along forestry, access roads, and rights-of-way (Figure N4.2-13). Due to
the increasing popularity of motorized recreation, access management areas (AMAs) have been developed to
restrict the use of motorized vehicles in specific areas for the purpose of wildlife management, including limiting
hunting or fishing. There are nine AMAs in the RSA including Corbin Creek AMA, Barnes Lake AMA, Alexander
Creek AMA, Grave Prairie AMA, Weigert Creek AMA, Chaucey Todhunter AMA, Upper Elk Valley – Fording
River A AMA, Upper Elk Valley – Fording River B AMA, and Upper Elk Valley – Fording River C AMA
(Figure N4.2-13). East of the LSA, the Alexander Creek Access Management Area is a high use area for ATV
riding and snowmobiling in the RSA and attracts ATV riders from Alberta who access the area using Deadman’s
Pass, North Fork Pass and Racehorse Pass. A snowmobile cabin is located in the northern end of the Alexander
Creek Access Management Area. Trails in the Alexander Creek Access Management Area connect with Grave
Creek in the north. Intersecting the northwestern portion of the LSA, Grave Prairie AMA is considered to be the
busiest AMA in the Elk Valley with open roads used by recreation groups year round (BC Conservation Officer
Service 2014a). Intersecting the southeastern portion of the LSA, Corbin Creek AMA is a popular location for
anglers to camp because access to Michel Creek. Anticipated logging activity in the Corbin Creek AMA is
expected to reduce activity levels (BC Conservation Officer Service 2014b).
Active ATV and snowmobile clubs within the RSA include:

Elk Valley Mountaineers: A snowmobile club based in Sparwood with approximately 30 members
(BC Snowmobile Federation n.d.).

Elkford ATV Club: The Elkford ATV Club has 384 members: 82 are in Elkford, 80 are in Sparwood, 50 are
in Fernie, 102 are in Cranbrook and others are based in Vancouver, Kamloops and Alberta. Two-thirds of
the membership work four-days-on and four-days-off shifts at the local mines and, consequently, trail use is
distributed throughout the week with higher activity levels on the weekends.

Elkford Snowmobile Association: All 50 members of the Elkford Snowmobile Association are based in
Elkford. While snowmobiling is popular in the area, ATV riding appears to be more appealing to families,
so the Elkford ATV Club is seeing a membership transition from snowmobiling to ATV riding because of
more usable months and better trail options.

Crowsnest Pass Quad Squad: The Crowsnest Pass Quad Squad has existed for approximately 15 years
and has a current membership of 300 to 325 (corporate members are counted as two and family members
as three). The organization is mandated to maintain and keep backcountry areas open to public access and
engages in trail maintenance in Alberta.

Crow Snow Riders Snowmobile Association: The Crow Snow Riders Snowmobile Association, started
in 1991, promotes responsible snowmobiling. Current membership is around 160 and the association has
two cabins and a building for housing its groomer in Alberta. Most of the association’s activities as a group
are within Alberta, including conservation, wildlife counts, clean-ups and trail maintenance.
From its Community Investment funds, Teck provided approximately $59,000 in support of local trails and
outdoor clubs (i.e., ATV, snowmobile or cross-country skiing) in the RSA in 2013.
October 2015
Report No. 1213490003/R31
53
BASELINE REPORT
N4.2.9.1.2
Tourism
The Elk Valley is located within the Kootenay Rockies region, which covers 58,000 km2 of southeastern BC.
Visitors to the Kootenay Rockies region are primarily drawn by outdoor recreational activities and experiencing
scenery and nature, including sightseeing, wildlife viewing and visiting parks (Tourism BC 2012). In 2010, the
Kootenay Rockies region received 1.6 million overnight person-visits and generated $522 million in related
spending. Over half of overnight visitation and spending in the Kootenay Rockies region came from Alberta
tourists. Domestic overnight travellers accounted for 82% of visitation and 78% of related spending, while
international travellers accounted for 18% and 22%, respectively (Destination BC 2013).
Tourism in the Elk Valley is primarily centred in Fernie, which is part of the provincial Resort Municipality
Initiative (RMI). The RMI is a provincial program that provides development, business promotion and financing
tools to enhance the resort sector in BC (City of Fernie 2013). The RMI funds for 2014 will be used toward
projects including the development of recreational trails, cultural and heritage tourism, the Fernie Nordic Centre
(i.e., cross-country skiing centre), a museum and information centre, signage and a winter shuttle service
(Obre 2014). In 2011, Fernie had over 11,000 visitors to its Visitor and Business Information Centre (City of
Fernie 2012). Due to the Elk Valley’s proximity to the BC – Alberta provincial boundary, Alberta residents
frequently travel to the Elk Valley for weekend trips and comprise the primary demand for seasonal residential
properties in the area.
Tourism in Fernie is primarily focused on downhill skiing, with its peak season occurring between December and
April (Tourism Fernie 2013, pers. comm.). Fernie Alpine Resort is known internationally as an excellent skiing
experience and is consistently highly ranked among the top ski destinations in North America and internationally
(Vaugeois et al. 2013; Fernie Alpine Resort n.d.). In addition to downhill skiing, this resort offers cross-country
ski and snowshoeing guided tours. Also to the west of Fernie, Island Lake Lodge offers cat skiing, cross-country
skiing and snowshoeing opportunities on 7,000 acres of privately owned terrain. Cat skiing opportunities are
available through Fernie Wilderness Adventures to the southeast of Fernie. Guided snowmobiling tours are
offered on the Island Lake Lodge property and along the backcountry trails around Fernie. Guided ice fishing is
available in the winter (Island Lake Lodge n.d.).
A concerted effort has been made by various parties in the Fernie tourism sector to grow the summer tourism
industry, which is the secondary tourism season in the Elk Valley. The summer tourism peak occurs between
July and August and is mainly centered on fishing, mountain biking, hiking, wildlife viewing, canoeing, rafting and
waterskiing (Vaugeois et al. 2013). Visitation associated with mountain biking and dry fly fishing is growing in
Fernie (Vaugeois et al. 2013; Tourism Fernie 2013, pers. comm.).
From June through September, Fernie holds numerous mountain biking events. Fernie Alpine Resort offers
cross-country, downhill, single track and dual slalom trails with and without chairlift access. Guided mountain
biking is available in the Fernie area. Tourism Fernie wants to construct a facility and trail system that meets the
criteria of Cross Country Canada by 2015, which would allow for the hosting of regional and provincial level
mountain bike races (City of Fernie 2012; Tourism Fernie 2015a,b).
Guided hiking services are provided by Fernie Alpine Resort, Island Lake Lodge and other operators (Tourism
Fernie 2015c), and there are other opportunities for self-directed hikes around local communities and throughout
the Elk Valley, as outlined in Section N4.2.9.1.1.
October 2015
Report No. 1213490003/R31
54
BASELINE REPORT
Two commercial recreational tenures along the Elk River between Fernie and Sparwood are held by Mountain
High Adventure (tenure #4404208) and Canyon Raft Company (tenure #4404196). Both operators are based in
Fernie and provide rafting tours along the Elk and Bull rivers.
Fishing guides operate throughout the RSA (and LSA), with the Elk River being a prime fly-fishing location.
Non-residents of BC can obtain angling licences and are not required to use a guide. For non-residents without
the services of a guide, the province targets 3,540 angler days per year on the Elk River, but in 2012/13 the
number of days (based on licence sales) was 5,720. The angler day quota for guided fishing on the Elk River is
2,950 days, which is currently divided between approximately seventeen different guides.
Guiding companies with a quota of over 100 days on the Elk River include the Elk River Guiding Company,
Dave Brown Outfitters, Fernie Wilderness Adventures, Kootenay Fly Shop and Guiding Company, Freestone Fly
Angler, St. Mary Angler Fly Fishing, Fly Fish the Elk, and Crowsnest Angler Fly Shop (FLNRO 2010, 2015b,
pers. comm.). Many fishing guides in the RSA visit Michel Creek, Fording River, Flathead River and Wigwam
River, and offer their services further afield on the Bull River, Columbia River, Kootenay River and Saint Mary
River, as well as rivers in Alberta (Dave Brown Outfitters 2014; Elk River Guiding Company n.d.; Freestone Fly
Angler 2010; Kootenay Fly Shop 2008).
The Ktunaxa Nation has also expressed interest in participating in the guiding economy in the Elk Valley,
including sports fishing based tourism and guide outfitting. In Cranbrook, outside of the RSA, the Ktunaxa Nation
operates the St. Eugene Mission Resort, which is the 10th largest private sector revenue generator in the RDEK
at $13.6 million per year, and has 250 employees, of whom 25% are First Nations members (Section C of the
EAC Application).
Both Sparwood and Elkford are interested in generating more tourism in their communities. Elkford has branded
itself as “Wild at Heart” to attract outdoor recreation-oriented visitors (District of Elkford 2009). Further
information on Sparwood’s tourism industry and attractions is provided in Section N4.2.9.2.1.2.
N4.2.9.2
N4.2.9.2.1.1
Local Study Area
Outdoor Recreation
Gravel roads along Grave and Harmer Creeks used by recreationists are located on private land owned by Teck
and provide access to the northern end of the LSA (Figure N4.2-14). There is no public road access into the
Erickson Valley from either Harmer Creek or from the southern end of EVO. A staging area for ATVing and
snowmobiling just south of Grave Lake (north of the LSA) was identified by users. There is a campsite on Teck
private land at the south west corner of Grave Lake. The campsite is leased to the Sparwood Fish and Wildlife
Association, which manages the area. The campsite has a boat launch, picnic area and outhouses. There are
24 cabin lots situated on the lake’s west side. The cabin owners lease their property from Teck.
Other recreational opportunities in the LSA are centred around Sparwood. This community has 14 trails,
including the two hour alpine trail Matevic Draw, as well as Elk River Trail, Mountain Shadows Trail, Ponderosa
Trail, View Trail, Deer Run Trail, Sparwood Ridge Trail, Cypress Park Loop, Pine Forest Trail and Michael Trail
(Cameron 2011, District of Sparwood 2014c, The Free Press 2014). In addition, the Sparwood Sunset Ridge
Cross Country Ski Society maintains 10 km of groomed trails and a day lodge to the west of Highway #43
(Cameron 2011). A 9-hole golf course is also located within the District of Sparwood, on the eastern side of
Highway #3.
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N4.2.9.2.1.2
Tourism
Sparwood, the closest community to the Project, offers visitor attractions and amenities. Visitor accommodation
in Sparwood includes the Causeway Bay Hotel, Vessel Motel, local bed and breakfasts, and Mountain Shadows
Campground (District of Sparwood 2014c, e). Key tourism attractions include the 1974 Terex Titan, formerly the
largest truck in the world, located adjacent to the visitor centre (District of Sparwood 2014f). The community of
Sparwood actively celebrates its mining history with interpretive signage and historical markers, community
events, and self-guided walking tours. The Sparwood Chamber of Commerce also conducts interpretive coal
mine tours in the months of July and August on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (District of Sparwood
2014g).
Whiskey Jack Resort completed its first phase of development in Sparwood, and includes the development of an
18-hole golf course and a maximum of 900 equivalent mixed use residential units (Sparwood Chamber of
Commerce 2013, pers. comm.; BC Ministry of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development 2013).
Other potential tourism opportunities in Sparwood include the development of commercial outdoor recreation
businesses such as fish guiding, guided rafting, hunting, and tourism related accommodation, beverage, and
entertainment businesses (District of Sparwood 2014h).
Sheep Mountain Outfitters holds a guiding tenure overlapping the southwestern corner of the LSA
(Figure N4.2-11). A Guiding Territory Certificate provides exclusive control over guiding privileges within a
guiding territory. Guided fishing also occurs on the Elk River and Michel Creek within the LSA by multiple
operators who have specific angling day allocations for this system (see Section N4.2.9.1.2 for information about
angling guides and activity levels).
N5.0 SUMMARY
The land use and tenure baseline study describes land use designations, tenures, and activities that are located
or occur in the Elk Valley area and regionally. The RSA includes the communities of Sparwood, Elkford, Fernie,
Crowsnest Pass and unincorporated settlements (e.g., Hosmer) and rural areas surrounding these communities.
The Project footprint is situated on Teck owned private lands, the majority of which lies within the boundaries of
the District of Sparwood. The Project lands in the District of Sparwood have been zoned as Extraction Industrial
by the municipal council, which allows for coal mining and processing. Crown land within the LSA footprint is
designated as Coal Enhanced Resource Development Zone, which provides for industrial uses that are
consistent with Teck’s operations. The coal mining and processing industry in the Elk Valley has been its primary
economic driver since the first coal mine was established at Fernie in 1897. Teck’s coal mining and processing
operations in the Elk Valley directly employ approximately 4,000 workers who reside in Sparwood, Crowsnest
Pass, Elkford, and Fernie as well as in other communities outside the RSA.
In addition to Teck operations, there are other coal exploration or development projects underway within the
LSA. One coal licence and two coal licence applications held by CanAus Coal Ltd. overlap with the southeast
corner of the LSA and one coal licence application held by NWP Coal Canada Ltd. overlaps with the northeast
edge of the LSA.
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Forestry in the RSA takes place within 88,483 ha of total Crown Forest Land Base, on private managed forest
land and on private agricultural lands (e.g., ranches). Private managed forest lands within the LSA include
Managed Forest 471 and a small portion of Managed Forests 482 and 27 (approximately 3,000 ha). Petroleum
and Natural Gas tenure rights cover 29,354 ha of the RSA and are centred around EVO and Fording River
Operations. Forestry and natural gas interests, held by Canfor and Apache respectively, directly overlap with
EVO and the Project footprint. Teck currently has agreements in place with both Canfor and Apache regarding
the use of the land.
There are many provincial and regional parks and protected areas located within the RSA, however, no parks or
protected areas are located in the LSA. Outdoor recreation is highly valued by local residents and is considered
an important lifestyle attraction of the Elk Valley. Numerous outdoor recreational opportunities are available in
the LSA, including downhill and cross-country skiing, ATV and snowmobile riding, mountain biking, camping,
hiking, fishing, and hunting. These activities take advantage of considerable front country opportunities including
formal trails, ski resorts and parks located within and near local communities, as well as backcountry
opportunities accessed by informal trails and forestry roads throughout the RSA. Motorized ATVing and
snowmobiling activities were identified as popular recreational uses with a number of related clubs located
locally and regionally. No Unauthorized Entry Areas were implemented by Teck to maintain public and worker
safety near the existing operations or exploration and permission is needed to enter a No Unauthorized Entry
Area. Wildlife and fish harvesting occurs throughout the RSA and BC Government registered angler guides
attract an international clientele to fish along the Elk River and Michel Creek. Three trapline tenures overlap with
EVO; the nearest guide outfitting tenure is located on the other side of Highway #3 from EVO.
Popular hunting areas include Harmer Creek northeast of EVO, to the west of the Elk River, and south of
Highway #3. These areas are largely accessible by ATV, although access limitations apply in specific areas of
the Access Management Area’s developed to restrict the use of motorized vehicles for the purpose of limiting
hunting or fishing for wildlife management.
In addition to guided hunting and fishing in the RSA and LSA, the community of Sparwood offers other visitor
attractions and amenities. Key tourism attractions include the 1974 Terex Titan, at one point the largest truck in
the world, located adjacent to the visitor centre. Sparwood actively celebrates its mining history with interpretive
signage and historical markers, community events, interpretive coal mine tours and self-guided walking tours. In
addition, the ongoing expansion of Whiskey Jack Resort at Sparwood will include the development of an 18-hole
golf course and mixed use residential units.
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N6.0 CLOSURE
We trust the above meets your present requirements. If you have any questions or require additional details,
please contact the undersigned.
GOLDER ASSOCIATES LTD.
ORIGINAL SIGNED
ORIGINAL SIGNED
Derek De Biasio, BA, MA, CMC
Senior socio-economist
Roxanne Scott, M.P.A., M.Ed.
Associate, Socio-economic Specialist
Golder, Golder Associates and the GA globe design are trademarks of Golder Associates Corporation.
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Teck. 2013. Teck Acquires East Kootenay Lands. Available at:
http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCgQFjAA&url=http
%3A%2F%2Fteck.com%2Fdocument%2FDocumentViewer.aspx%3Fportal%3Dtc%26path%3D_ces_po
rtal_meta%2Fdownloads%2FMedia%2F2013%2F13-31TR.pdf&ei=1zlhU_qcPMSuyASE34KIDg&usg=AFQjCNEwaZJU1KT7MNL5ShmWIwr_nbETw&bvm=bv.65636070,d.aWw. Accessed: May 2014.
Teck. 2014a. Elkview Operations Annual Reclamation Report for 2013. Report on file at Golder Associates Ltd.,
Vancouver, BC.
Teck. 2014b. Teck Coal Ltd. 2014 Life of Mine Plan Elkview Operations. July 1, 2014.
Teck. 2014c. Coal Mountain. Available at:
http://www.teck.com/Generic.aspx?PAGE=Teck+Site%2fDiversified+Mining+Pages%2fCoal+Pages%2f
Coal+Mountain&portalName=tc. Accessed: May 2014.
Teck. 2014d. Elkview. Available at:
Elkview&portalName=tc. Accessed: May 2014.
Teck. 2014e. Line Creek. Available at:
Line+Creek&portalName=tc. Accessed: May 2014.
Teck. 2014f. Greenhills. Available at:
Greenhills&portalName=tc. Accessed: May 2014.
Teck. 2014g. Fording River. Available at:
Fording+River&portalName=tc. Accessed: May 2014.
Teck. 2014j. Coal Mountain Phase 2 Project Description. Submitted to: British Columbia Environmental
Assessment Office, August, 2014.
Teck. 2014k. Fording River Operations Annual Reclamation Report for 2013. Report on file at Golder Associates
Ltd., Vancouver, BC.
Teck. 2014l. Coal Mountain Operations Annual Reclamation Report for 2013. Report on file at Golder Associates
Teck. 2014m. Line Creek Operations Annual Reclamation Report for 2013. Report on file at Golder Associates
Teck. 2014n. Greenhills Operations Annual Reclamation Report for 2013. Report on file at Golder Associates
Teck. 2014c. Staff/hourly stats all sites. Email correspondence from S. Strom (Teck Coal Limited) to D. DeBiasio
(Golder Associates Ltd.). Email on file at Golder Associates Ltd., Vancouver, BC.
October 2015
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BASELINE REPORT
Teck. 2014d. Sparwood Office Employee Data Request. Email correspondence from C. Hoogeveen (Teck Coal
Limited) to S. Rutherford (Golder Associates Ltd.). Email on file at Golder Associates Ltd., Vancouver,
BC.
Teck. 2015a. Elkview Operations Baldy Ridge Extension Project Valued Components for Environmental
Assessment. As approved by the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office in September
2015.
Teck. 2015b. Elkview Operations Baldy Ridge Extension Project Valued Components for Environmental
Assessment. As approved by the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office in September
2015.
Teck. 2015c. Personal communication with Murray Chitwood (Teck) and Sarah Rutherford (Golder Associates
Ltd.) January 27, 2015. Email on file at Golder Associates Ltd., Vancouver, BC.
Tembec Inc. 2012. Tembec announces closing of the sale of its British Columbia wood products assets.
Available at: http://tembec.com/en/Media/Press-Releases/tembec-announces-closing-sale-its-britishcolumbia-wood-products-assets?section=media. Accessed: March 2014.
The Free Press. 2014. Sparwood to form trail naming committee. Available at:
http://www.thefreepress.ca/news/252659901.html. Accessed: December 2014.
The Free Press. 2015. Concerns over Jemi Fibre Corp. logging. Available at:
http://www.thefreepress.ca/news/296736131.html. Accessed: March 2015.
Tourism
BC.
2012. 2012
In-Market
Research
Report
Kootenay
Rockies.
Available
http://www.destinationbc.ca/getattachment/Research/Research-by-Region/Kootenay-Rockies/InMarket_Regional_Report_KR_2012.pdf.aspx. Accessed December 2014.
at:
Tourism Fernie. 2013. Key Informant Meeting. Personal Communication with Sarah Rutherford, Golder
Associates Ltd. on November 13, 2013.
Tourism Fernie. 2015a. Mountain Biking. Available at: http://tourismfernie.com/activities/mountain-biking.
Accessed March 2015.
Tourism Fernie. 2015b. Fernie Bike Park - Lift Access. Available at: http://tourismfernie.com/activities/mountainbiking/fernie-bike-park. Accessed March 2015.
Tourism Fernie. 2015c. Guided Hiking. Available at: http://tourismfernie.com/activities/guided-hiking. Accessed
March 2015.
Trails.com. n.d. Great Divide Trail: Coleman to Alexander Creek Campground.
http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=XRM016-007. Accessed: May 2014.
Available
at:
TR0423T021. 2015, pers. comm. Personal communication with Sarah Rutherford (Golder Associates Ltd.) and
holder of TR0423T021. June 23, 2015.
United Riders of Crowsnest. 2013. Mountain Biking - Trails. Available at: http://www.uroc.ca/trails.php.
October 2015
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BASELINE REPORT
VAST
Resource Solutions Inc. 2013. RDEK Agricultural Plan Background Report. Available at:
ftp://ftp.rdek.bc.ca/pdf/agplan/rdek%20ag%20plan_background%20report%20final.pdf. Accessed: May
2014.
Vaugeois, Maher, Heeney, Rowsell, Bence, and McCartney, 2013. BC Resort Community Labour Market
Strategic Analysis Final Report. Available at: https://www.go2hr.ca/sites/default/files/legacy/reports/go2BC-Resort-Community-Labour-Market-Strategic-Analysis.pdf. Accessed: May 2014.
N7.1 Acts and Regulations
Note: S.B.C. = Statute of British Columbia; S.C. = Statute of Canada; R.S.C. = Revised Statute of Canada.
British Columbia Environmental Assessment Act. S.B.C. 2002. c.43. Available at: http://www.bclaws.ca.
Municipalities Enabling and Validating Act (No. 3). S.B.C. 2001, c. 44. Available at: http://www.bclaws.ca.
Private Managed Forest Land Act. S.B.C. 2003. c.80. Available at: http://www.bclaws.ca.
Species at Risk Act S.C. 2002 c. 29. Available at: http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/S-15.3/
Wildfire Act. S.B.C. 2004. c.31. Available at: http://www.bclaws.ca.
October 2015
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N8.0 GLOSSARY
Alluvial
Soil or earth material which has been deposited by running water, as in a riverbed,
floodplain, or delta.
Baseline
A surveyed or predicted condition that serves as a reference point to which later
surveys are coordinated or correlated.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variety of life included at the genetic, individual organism, species,
population, community, ecosystem and landscape levels of organization and all the
ecological and biological processes through which they are connected.
Biogeoclimatic Zone
A geographic area having similar patterns of energy flow, vegetation and soils as a
result of a broadly homogenous macroclimate.
Coal
Coal is a naturally occurring combustible rock containing 70% by volume
carbonaceous material including moisture.
Coal Bed Methane
A type of natural gas.
Continental Divide
A drainage divide on a continent (especially North America) such that the drainage
basin on one side of the divide feeds into one ocean and the basin on the other site
either feeds into a different ocean, or else is not connected to the open sea.
Crown Forest Licence A licence or land area where a licence is available to cut timber on Crown land.
Crown Land
All provincial and federal government lands. Provincial parks and public land are
examples of provincial Crown land.
Drainage Basin
A region of land that eventually contributes water to a river or lake.
Ecosystem
An integrated and stable association of living and non-living resources functioning
within a defined physical location. A community of organisms and its environment
functioning as an ecological unit. For the purposes of assessment, the ecosystem
must be defined according to a particular unit and scale.
Environmental
Assessment
A review of the effects that a proposed development will have on the local and
regional environment.
Fee Simple Land
A land estate in which the owner is entitled to the entire property with unconditional
power of disposition except as limited by the original grant or contained in any other
grant or disposition from the Crown.
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First Nation
A term that came into common usage in the 1970s to replace the word Indian, which
some people found offensive. Although the term First Nation is widely used, no legal
definition of it exists. The term has generally come to refer to Aboriginal groups that
have status under the Indian Act. Some Aboriginal groups have also adopted the term
First Nation to replace the word band in the name of their community.
Footprint
The proposed development area that directly affects the soil and vegetation
components of the landscape.
Footprint
The proposed development area that directly affects the soil and vegetation
components of the landscape.
Furbearers
Mammals that have traditionally been trapped or hunted for their fur.
Global Positioning
System
A system of satellites, computers and receivers that is able to determine the latitude
and longitude of a receiver on Earth by calculating the time difference for signals from
different satellites to reach the receiver.
Habitat
The area or environment where an organism or ecological community normally lives
or occurs.
Land Tenure
The right to exclusively occupy and use a specified area of land. Tenure may be
limited to certain resources such as timber but not to all resources in a given area.
Tenure may be held by individuals, communities, government, or corporations.
Landscape
A heterogeneous land area with interacting ecosystems that are repeated in similar
form throughout. From a wildlife perspective, a landscape is an area of land containing
a mosaic of habitat patches within which a particular “focal” or “target” habitat patch is
embedded.
Landscape unit
Spatially identified areas of land and/or water used for long-term planning of resource
management activities
Local Study Area
Defines the spatial extent directly or indirectly affected by the Project.
Managed Forest
Privately-owned forest land property for which an acceptable forest management
commitment has been made that is approved and complies with the Private Managed
Forest Land Act (2003).
Mitigation
Implementation of practices including design, construction, scheduling, restorative
efforts, to control, reduce or eliminate a potential adverse effect of an activity or
Project. Mitigation may address ecological, economic, or social effects.
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Old Growth Forest
An ecosystem distinguished by old trees and related structural attributes. Old growth
encompasses the later stages of stand development that typically differ from earlier
stages in a variety of characteristics which may include tree size, accumulations of
large dead woody material, number of canopy layers, species, composition and
ecosystem function. Old growth forests are those forested areas where the annual
growth equals annual losses, or where the mean annual increment of timber volume
equals zero. They can be defined as those stands that are self-regenerating
(i.e., having a specific structure that is maintained).
Periglacial
A periglacial lake is one formed where the natural drainage of the topography is
obstructed by an ice sheet, ice cap or glacier.
Permafrost
Permanently frozen ground (subsoil). Permafrost areas are divided into more northern
areas in which permafrost is continuous, and those more southern areas in which
patches of permafrost alternate with unfrozen ground.
Productive Forest
Forest land that is capable of producing a merchantable stand within a reasonable
length of time.
Regional Study Area
Defines the spatial extent related to the cumulative effects resulting from the Project
and other regional developments.
Residual Effects
Effects that remain after mitigation has been applied.
Riparian
Terrain, vegetation or a position next to or associated with a stream, floodplain or
standing waterbody.
Seral Type
Related to a community or stage of development found in ecological succession of an
ecosystem advancing towards its climax community.
Silviculture
The science and practice of controlling the establishment, composition and growth of
the vegetation in forest stands. It includes the control or production of stand structures
such as snags and down logs, in addition to live vegetation.
Viewscapes
A range of sight that provides an aesthetically pleasing view.
Waterbody
A general term that refers to rivers, streams, and lakes.
Watershed
The entire surface drainage area that contributes water to a lake or river.
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Wildlife
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Under the Species at Risk Act, wildlife is defined as a species, subspecies, variety or
geographically or genetically distinct population of animal, plant or other organism,
other than a bacterium or virus that is wild by nature and is native to Canada or has
extended its range into Canada without human intervention and has been present in
Canada for at least 50 years.
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APPENDIX N.I
October 2015
Report No. 1213490003/R31
APPENDIX N.I
Table N.I-1
Elkford ATV
Activity
Area
ATV
all areas
Location Notes
Estimated Number of Days per Month Group Members Engage in Activity
January
February
March
April
-
-
-
-
Existing Trails
May
June
July
August
September
October
daily usage by members
November December
-
-
- = no response provided; ATV = all-terrain vehicle.
Table N.I-2
Hillcrest Fish and Game Association
Location Notes
Activity
Area
Fishing
-
Elk River
Fishing
-
Summit Lake
-
-
-
-
20
20
20
20
-
-
-
-
Fishing
-
Michel Creek
-
-
-
-
10
10
10
10
-
-
-
-
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
-
-
-
-
-
15
15
15
-
-
November December
-
-
- = no response provided.
Table N.I-3
Activity
Area
BC Ministry of Environment
Location
Notes
January
February
A
Hunting
B
C
cougar 100 to 200 days
March
April
May
June
August
September
October
November December
-
-
black bears 200 to 300 hunter days
-
-
1,000 to 2,000 days for elk, white tailed deer,
mule deer and moose
-
-
black bears 50 hunter days
-
-
400 to 500 days for elk, white tailed deer, mule
deer and moose
-
-
black bears 50 hunter days
-
-
300 to 400 days for elk, white tailed deer, mule
deer and moose
October 2015
Report No. 1213490003/R31
July
N.I-1
APPENDIX N.I
Table N.I-4
Activity
Area
Elk River Guiding Company
Location notes
not much angling in area
A, but prime spawning
habitat and juvenile
development for fish on
Harmer Creek
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November December
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Angling
A
Angling
B
-
-
-
-
-
15 to 20 per day Along Elk River and Line Creek
-
-
Angling
C
-
-
-
-
-
To Sparwood
-
-
Note: No response was provided by the following groups: Freestone Fly Angler, Sparwood Fish and Wildlife, Elk Valley Mountaineers and Fernie Search and Rescue.
October 2015
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N.I-2
BASELINE REPORT
APPENDIX N.II
October 2015
Report No. 1213490003/R31
APPENDIX N.II
Table N.II-1
Hunting Seasons in Wildlife Management Unit 4-23
Species
Mule deer
White-tailed deer
Class
September 10 to November 10
1
bucks
September 1 to September 9
(a)
(bow only season and youth only season)
1
1
bucks
(a)
(bow only season and youth season)
1
antlerless
October 10 to October 31
2
November 1 to November 30 (youth only season)
2
December 1 to December 20 (bow only season)
2
6-point bulls
September 10 to October 20
1
bulls
September 1 to September 9 (bow only season)
1
(f)
spike bulls
antlerless
(f)
Moose
spike-fork bulls
Bighorn mountain sheep
full curl bighorn
rams
Black bear
Bag Limit
4 point bucks
either sex
Elk
Season Dates
not applicable
Wolf
1
(b)
1
1
September 1 to October 14 (bow only season)
1
September 10 to October 25
1
2
April 1 to June 30
2
2
August 1 to August 31 (private land only, with
permission)
2
September 10 to March 31
2
April 1 to June 15
2
Coyote
no bag limit
Wolverine
November 1 to January 31
1
Lynx
November 15 to December 31
Cougar
September 10 to January 31
not applicable
(c)
1
1
Bobcat
November 15 to February 15
Snowshoe hare
August 1 to April 30
Racoon
no bag limit
Columbian ground squirrel
No Closed Season (private land only, with
permission)
no bag limit
Skunk
August 1 to April 30
no bag limit
Grouse: blue, ruffed and spruce
Raven
not applicable
Ptarmigan
Pheasant
Turkey
Mourning doves
October 2015
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No Closed Season
cocks
bearded
October 15 - November 30
April 15 to May 15
1
10 (daily)
5
(15 possession limit)
5
10
3 (daily)
1
(d)
1
any turkey
1
not applicable
N.II-1
(d)
5
APPENDIX N.II
Table N.II-1
Hunting Seasons in Wildlife Management Unit 4-23 (continued)
Species
Class
Season Dates
Bag Limit
10
Coots, common snipe
8
(e)
Ducks
Geese: snow, ross’s and whitefronted
not applicable
September 10 to December 23
5
10
Geese: Canada and cackling
Source: MOE 2014a.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
Restricted to hunters under the age of 18.
Restricted to hunters under the age of 18 and those 65 years of age or older.
The cougar season closes 72 hours after the regional manager has published that the total number of female cougars killed in
WMUs 4-1 to 404, 4-21 to 4-26, 4-34 to 4-37 and 4-40 has reached 20.
The aggregate bag limit for turkey is 2, only one may be taken in the spring and one in the fall.
Restricted daily bag limits of 4 pintails, 4 canvasbacks, 2 goldeneye and 2 harlequins.
Restricted to only portions of 4-23 only.
Table N.II-2
Trapping Seasons for Wildlife Management Unit 4-23
Species
Beaver
Season
October 15 to April 30
Black bear
October 1 to May 31
Bobcat
Coyote
October 15 to March 31
Fox
October 15 to February 28
Lynx
Marten
Mink
Muskrat
Racoon
River otter
Skunk
October 15 to February 28
Squirrel
November 1 to March 15
Weasel
Wolverine
November 1 to January 31
Wolf
Source: BC MOE 2014b.
October 2015
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N.II-2
BASELINE REPORT
APPENDIX N.III
October 2015
Report No. 1213490003/R31
APPENDIX N.III
Table N.III-1
Measurement
hunters
hunter days
Elk
Moose
kills
2009
2010
2011
2012
1,090
1,180
1,163
1,191
1,236
Average per Year
1,059
8,822
7,109
5,202
8,549
9,260
9,109
12,011
12,486
12,417
13,615
12,802
11,138
95
209
171
174
155
247
251
186
249
203
9.54
10.78
10.02
11.02
10.58
10.68
11.43
10.36
1.05
kills per hunter
0.02
0.12
0.26
0.19
0.23
0.20
0.19
0.14
0.21
0.22
0.16
0.20
hunters
34
46
60
66
58
72
142
395
317
223
316
173
hunter days
129
196
296
291
285
278
1,324
3,105
2,785
3,026
3,289
1,500
kills
18
35
32
39
39
53
77
81
38
48
52
51
days per hunter
3.79
4.26
4.93
4.41
4.91
3.86
9.32
7.86
8.79
13.57
10.41
0.87
kills per hunter
0.53
0.76
0.53
0.59
0.67
0.74
0.54
0.21
0.12
0.22
0.16
0.03
kills
579
500
388
564
587
624
737
523
826
745
857
693
6,395
4,964
3,812
5,457
6,388
6,623
8,147
6,592
10,745
7,691
10,950
7,776
167
147
108
222
183
164
266
159
256
237
314
222
days per hunter
11.04
9.93
9.82
9.68
10.88
10.61
11.05
12.60
13.01
10.32
12.78
1.12
kills per hunter
0.29
0.29
0.28
0.39
0.31
0.26
0.36
0.30
0.31
0.32
0.37
0.03
kills
576
421
343
533
590
542
717
597
618
672
693
630
5,965
4,239
3,210
5,640
5,406
5,408
7,375
6,521
6,999
6,946
7,446
6,516
55
87
65
99
113
82
107
36
104
61
34
84
days per hunter
10.36
10.07
9.36
10.58
9.16
9.98
10.29
10.92
11.33
10.34
10.74
1.03
kills per hunter
0.10
0.21
0.19
0.19
0.19
0.15
0.15
0.06
0.17
0.09
0.05
0.01
hunters
83
76
24
80
62
98
79
68
119
119
101
91
hunter days
527
436
149
403
343
480
661
450
641
511
610
521
kills
21
24
2
20
19
32
24
12
45
40
18
26
days per hunter
6.35
5.74
6.21
5.04
5.53
4.90
8.37
6.62
5.39
4.29
6.04
0.57
kills per hunter
0.25
0.32
0.08
0.25
0.31
0.33
0.30
0.18
0.38
0.34
0.18
0.03
hunters
102
92
58
125
113
112
154
169
150
168
131
137
1,035
882
730
1,278
1,269
1,225
1,843
1,832
1,350
1,856
1,757
1,506
kills
6
3
9
15
15
6
8
2
6
12
16
10
days per hunter
10.15
9.59
12.59
10.22
11.23
10.94
11.97
10.84
9.00
11.05
13.41
1.10
kills per hunter
0.06
0.03
0.16
0.12
0.13
0.05
0.05
0.01
0.04
0.07
0.12
0.01
70
77
78
92
110
64
82
140
91
126
128
106
1,532
1,040
1,170
727
1,111
539
1,593
1,497
1,565
962
1,971
1,371
hunter days
kills
days per hunter
kills per hunter
hunters
hunter days
Grizzly bear
2008
909
10.18
hunters
Black bear
2007
859
196
hunter days
Wolf
2006
896
9.59
hunters
Sheep
2005
511
97
hunter days
Goat
2004
741
10.81
hunters
Mule deer
2003
816
days per hunter
hunter days
White tailed deer
2002
kills
-
6
-
8
8
9
-
-
-
-
13
4
21.89
13.51
15.00
7.90
10.10
8.42
19.43
10.69
17.20
7.63
15.40
1.30
0.00
-
0.08
-
0.09
0.07
0.14
-
-
-
-
0.10
124
129
64
147
135
130
142
216
169
179
139
157
1,064
1,112
685
1,512
1,431
1,549
1,188
2,316
2,291
2,019
2,134
1,730
35
19
7
12
18
10
12
22
9
6
14
16
days per hunter
8.58
8.62
10.70
10.29
10.60
11.92
8.37
10.72
13.56
11.28
15.35
1.10
kills per hunter
0.28
0.15
0.11
0.08
0.13
0.08
0.08
0.10
0.05
0.03
0.10
0.01
hunters
6
3
12
1
5
5
11
16
13
4
7
8
hunter days
86
39
228
25
93
117
257
297
221
40
126
153
kills
2
-
7
1
3
2
9
7
8
2
2
4
days per hunter
14.33
13.00
19.00
25.00
18.60
23.40
23.36
18.56
17.00
10.00
18.00
1.84
kills per hunter
0.33
-
0.58
1.00
0.60
0.40
0.82
0.44
0.62
0.50
0.29
0.05
October 2015
Report No. 1213490003/R31
N.III-1
APPENDIX N.III
Table N.III-1
Hunting Data for Wildlife Management Unit 4-23 (continued)
Measurement
hunters
hunter days
Ruffed grouse
kills
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Average per Year
54
62
145
76
52
93
193
135
157
113
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
497
398
70
147
445
336
238
124
785
417
340
380
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
7.10
4.47
1.30
2.37
3.07
4.42
4.58
1.33
4.07
3.09
2.17
0.34
77
89
69
47
120
75
73
94
165
125
105
104
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
555
420
186
93
447
272
258
152
427
345
222
338
days per hunter
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
kills per hunter
7.21
4.72
2.70
1.98
3.73
3.63
3.53
1.62
2.59
2.76
2.11
0.33
21
21
46
31
94
38
42
63
91
52
78
58
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
400
150
100
39
59
94
52
-
121
115
65
120
kills
hunters
hunter days
Cougar
2004
89
kills per hunter
hunters
Blue grosbeak
2003
70
days per hunter
hunter days
Spruce grouse
2002
kills
days per hunter
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
kills per hunter
19.05
7.14
2.17
1.26
0.63
2.47
1.24
-
1.33
2.21
0.83
0.21
hunters
17
20
12
23
27
10
25
34
19
31
33
25
hunter days
182
420
212
493
392
112
415
397
214
546
334
372
kills
3
-
2
10
7
2
5
8
3
-
15
6
days per hunter
10.71
21.00
17.67
21.43
14.52
11.20
16.60
11.68
11.26
17.61
10.12
1.48
kills per hunter
0.18
-
0.17
0.43
0.26
0.20
0.20
0.24
0.16
-
0.45
0.02
Source: FLNRO 2013 pers. comm.
- = Data not available.
October 2015
Report No. 1213490003/R31
N.III-2
BASELINE REPORT
APPENDIX N.IV
October 2015
Report No. 1213490003/R31
APPENDIX N.IV
Table N.IV-1
TR0423T023
TR0423T021
TR0423T022
TR0423T005
TR0423T004
TR0423T006
Trapping Activity for Wildlife Management Unit 4-23
TR0423T008
2006
2007
2008
2009
Total
beaver
-
-
-
-
-
-
0
-
-
-
-
-
-
0
lynx
-
-
-
-
-
-
0
wolf
-
-
-
-
-
-
0
coyote
7
6
10
3
-
-
26
lynx
1
-
-
1
-
-
2
marten
1
1
4
2
-
-
8
squirrel
-
-
-
-
-
-
0
wolf
-
1
-
-
-
-
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0
1
-
-
-
-
-
1
lynx
1
-
1
-
-
-
2
marten
6
-
6
-
-
-
12
1
-
-
-
-
-
1
beaver
-
19
3
10
-
7
39
lynx
-
1
1
-
-
-
2
marten
5
2
19
2
14
15
57
weasel
1
-
11
4
1
2
19
coyote
-
1
4
-
-
-
5
marten
6
-
-
-
-
-
6
beaver
-
8
-
-
-
-
8
coyote
-
1
-
-
-
-
1
lynx
-
-
2
1
-
1
4
beaver
TR0423T010
2005
coyote
wolverine
TR0423T009
2004
-
-
-
1
-
1
2
11
-
4
1
-
-
16
marten
2
-
3
8
8
5
26
squirrel
3
-
20
2
8
15
48
weasel
1
-
-
-
8
8
17
lynx
-
-
1
1
-
-
2
muskrat
-
-
-
-
-
1
1
marten
3
3
4
5
7
8
30
bobcat
-
-
-
-
1
-
1
lynx
-
-
-
-
1
-
1
50
43
93
41
48
63
338
Total
Source: FLNRO 2014d pers. comm.
- = Data not included.
October 2015
Report No. 1213490003/R31
N.IV-1
Golder Associates Ltd.
102, 2535 - 3rd Avenue S.E.
Calgary, Alberta, T2A 7W5
Canada
T: +1 (403) 299 5600

Annex N - Land Use and Tenure Baseline Report

Transcription

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