Environmental Information Management System

• 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.

• 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.

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).

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.