M-OVDA-ST-Stone's sheep
Stone's sheep
The Stone's sheep (Ovis dalli stonei) or stone sheep is the more southern subspecies of thinhorn sheep, Ovis dalli.
General Information
Key Habitat Features
Escape terrain, including steep slopes, cliffs and windswept alpine ridges.
Winter ranges on south-facing, windswept slopes that provide access to forage.
Lambing areas (often associated with escape terrain).
Objectives
Minimize disturbance and ensure that activities do not disrupt behaviour of adult females and young during the lambing season.
Maintain integrity of mineral licks and continued use by sheep.
Maintain escape terrain.
Maintain suitable winter foraging habitat.
Planning and Operational 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.
Avoid planning activities in and around rocky outcrops, cliffs and windswept ridges within occupied Stone’s Sheep habitat.
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:
When working within identified habitat, avoid disturbance and/or clearing activities within know birthing areas during the critical timing window from May 15 to July 15.
Where an application area is within a NEBC UWR for Stone’s Sheep, please refer to the EIMS summary for that Order. Proponents are required to adhere to the guidance provided in that summary, including any relevant timing considerations.
Linear Features
Avoid creation of linear features within known birthing areas.
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.