Environmental Information Management System

Planning and Operational measures for the oil and gas sector

Species | M-URAR - Grizzly Bear

General Information

Name: Grizzly Bear

Phylum: Craniata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family: Ursidae

Scientific: Ursus arctos

Key Habitat Features

  • Closed forest sites near higher quality forage areas, used for security habitat (females and cubs) and day bedding.
  • Avalanche chutes, subalpine meadows, marsh and swamps are important for forage.
  • High elevation areas with sloped, dry and stable soil conditions which remain frozen in the winter are used for denning sites in the interior of BC. Commonly north facing slopes.
  • Dens not often reused but bears come to the same area to dig a new den.
  • Coastal bears den under large old trees or within large tree cavities.

Objectives

  • Minimize disturbance and maintain habitat so dens continue to be readily used.
  • Maintain physical integrity of dens and potential denning habitat for future use by bears.
  • Maintain desired plant communities and key habitat features.

UWRs
WHAs

Planning and Operational Measures

Planning Measures

All Activities

  • Identify key habitat features using appropriate measures (i.e. QP direction, desktop review, field confirmation, etc) and plan activities within the operating area accordingly.
  • Time works such that they occur outside of the critical timing window.
  • Apply the appropriate survey and setback requirements for WHFs within identified habitat. (Refer to section 1.9 of the EPMG for additional guidance on WHFs).

Operational Measures

All Activities

  • Undertake construction and operation of oil and gas activities in a manner that minimizes impacts to desired plant communities and key habitat features.

 

Timing considerations when working within identified habitat:

 

  • Avoid disturbance and/or clearing activities during the critical timing window from November 1 to April 15.

 

Linear Features

All

  • Upon completion of the activity, undertake the following measures to encourage re-establishment of the pre-disturbance ecological trajectory:
  • deactivate unnecessary access corridors,
  • undertake measures to control access,
  • promote natural or assisted regeneration.