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Contributing to reducing terrestrial cumulative effects : road rehabilitation

British Columbia Mine Reclamation Symposium; University of British Columbia. Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering

The Elk Valley has a long history of land use that has resulted in an extensive road network across the landscape. While roads serve a purpose at the time of development and various subsequent uses, a high concentration of roads can result in negative effects on adjacent ecosystems, wildlife, and habitats. In 2018, the Elk Valley Cumulative Effects Management Framework (EV-CEMF) identified road density as the dominant stressor impacting five regionally important ecosystems and species identified as valued components (VCs) in the Elk Valley (aquatic ecosystems, grizzly bear, bighorn sheep, and old growth and mature forest). In pursuit of sustainability, Teck has made maintaining biodiversity a core value. Guided by Teck’s aspirational vision to secure a Net Positive Impact on biodiversity, Teck is committed to reducing its potential contributions to cumulative effects in the regions in which they have influence. In alignment with recommendations from the EV-CEMF, Teck is working to assess and rehabilitate road networks on its privately-owned land and Crown coal tenure lands where road density is high, and where road rehabilitation is expected to mitigate potential adverse cumulative impacts on VCs. The goal of Teck’s Road Rehabilitation Program is to return linear features to conditions similar to that of adjacent undisturbed areas. By engaging with and incorporating feedback from Indigenous communities, the province, local communities, and various stakeholders prior to rehabilitation, Teck has developed a supported Program that has rehabilitated approximately 32 km of linear features since 2021. The Program implements native-species revegetation and an adaptive monitoring program following earthworks. Road Rehabilitation contributes to improved habitat quality, restoration of hydrological processes, reduction of chronic soil erosion and reduced spread of invasive vegetation. Through ongoing engagement, Teck will continue to seek additional opportunities to reduce the impacts of linear disturbance for regionally valued ecosystems and wildlife.

Conference Paper

eng

Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library

10.14288/1.0437492

Non UBC

Other

DSpace