RAMP Technical Design and Rationale - Regional Aquatics

348 Pages·2009·8.75 MB·English

by  Hatfield Consultants

Climate and Water Sediment Benthic Fish Acid-Sensitive
Hydrology Quality Quality Invertebrates Populations Lakes
Technical Design and Rationale
December 2009
RAMP: TECHNICAL DESIGN AND RATIONALE

Prepared for:
RAMP STEERING COMMITTEE

Prepared by:
HATFIELD CONSULTANTS
In association with
KILGOUR & ASSOCIATES LTD.,
KLOHN CRIPPEN BERGER LTD.
and WESTERN RESOURCE SOLUTIONS

DECEMBER 2009
RAMP1467.1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................... iii
LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................... vii
LIST OF APPENDICES .............................................................................. viii
LIST OF ACRONYMS ................................................................................... ix
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................... xiii
1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................... 1-1
1.1 STUDY BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES ....................................................... 1-1
1.1.1 RAMP Terms of Reference and Objectives ..................................................... 1-1
1.1.2 RAMP Components ......................................................................................... 1-2
1.1.3 Regional Sustainable Development Strategy .................................................. 1-3
1.1.4 RAMP Technical Design and Review Process ................................................ 1-3
1.1.5 2003 Scientific Peer Review and RAMP Design Documentation .................... 1-6
1.2 STUDY METHODOLOGY ..................................................................................... 1-6
1.2.1 Review of Athabasca Oil Sands EIAs .............................................................. 1-6
1.2.2 Documentation of Technical Design of RAMP Components ............................ 1-8
1.3 BACKGROUND INFORMATION ........................................................................ 1-10
1.3.1 RAMP Study Area .......................................................................................... 1-10
1.3.2 Oil Sands Projects and Other Developments ................................................ 1-10
1.3.3 Aquatic Setting .............................................................................................. 1-10
1.3.4 Designation of Baseline and Test Areas ........................................................ 1-19
1.4 OUTLINE OF REPORT ....................................................................................... 1-20
2.0 RESULTS OF ATHABASCA OIL SANDS EIA REVIEW .................. 2-1
2.1 SUMMARY BY RAMP COMPONENT .................................................................. 2-1
2.2 SUMMARY BY IMPACT PATHWAY ...................................................................... 2-1
2.3 SUMMARY OF KEY INDICATOR RESOURCES CONSIDERED ...................... 2-14
2.4 SUMMARY OF WATERBODIES AND WATERCOURSES CONSIDERED ........ 2-15
2.5 RESIDUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS AND PROJECT PHASES ..................... 2-16
2.6 RESIDUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS AND IMPACT SCALE ........................... 2-17
2.7 MEASUREMENT ENDPOINTS .......................................................................... 2-18
2.8 CRITERIA FOR ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT ..................................................... 2-23
3.0 RAMP DESIGN AND RATIONALE ................................................... 3-1
3.1 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS ............................................................................... 3-1
3.2 OVERALL RAMP MONITORING APPROACH .................................................... 3-2
3.2.1 Overall Analytical Approach ............................................................................. 3-3
3.2.2 Harmonization of Monitoring Locations ........................................................... 3-5
3.3 LAND CHANGE ANALYSIS ................................................................................. 3-5
3.3.1 Methodology .................................................................................................... 3-6
3.3.2 Atmospheric Correction ................................................................................... 3-6
3.3.3 Classification of Land Change ......................................................................... 3-6
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3.4 CLIMATE AND HYDROLOGY COMPONENT ...................................................... 3-9
3.4.1 Component History .......................................................................................... 3-9
3.4.2 Key Indicator Resources ............................................................................... 3-17
3.4.3 Hypotheses and Questions ........................................................................... 3-17
3.4.4 Measurement Endpoints and Criteria for Determining Change ..................... 3-19
3.4.5 Monitoring Station Selection and Monitoring Design ..................................... 3-20
3.4.6 Analytical Approach ....................................................................................... 3-27
3.5 WATER QUALITY COMPONENT ....................................................................... 3-30
3.5.1 Component History ........................................................................................ 3-30
3.5.2 Key Indicator Resources ............................................................................... 3-32
3.5.3 Hypotheses and Questions ........................................................................... 3-40
3.5.4 Measurement Endpoints and Criteria for Determining Change ..................... 3-42
3.5.5 Monitoring Station Selection and Monitoring Design ..................................... 3-45
3.5.6 Analytical Approach ....................................................................................... 3-57
3.5.7 Analytical Methods ........................................................................................ 3-61
3.6 BENTHOS AND SEDIMENT COMPONENT: BENTHIC INVERTEBRATE
COMMUNITY ...................................................................................................... 3-69
3.6.1 Sub-Component History ................................................................................ 3-69
3.6.2 Key Indicator Resources ............................................................................... 3-70
3.6.3 Hypotheses and Questions ........................................................................... 3-75
3.6.4 Measurement Endpoints and Criteria for Determining Change ..................... 3-76
3.6.5 Monitoring Station Selection and Monitoring Design ..................................... 3-78
3.6.6 Analytical Approach ....................................................................................... 3-84
3.7 BENTHOS AND SEDIMENT COMPONENT: SEDIMENT QUALITY ................. 3-87
3.7.1 Component History ........................................................................................ 3-87
3.7.2 Key Indicator Resources ............................................................................... 3-89
3.7.3 Hypotheses and Questions ........................................................................... 3-93
3.7.4 Measurement Endpoints and Criteria for Determining Change ..................... 3-95
3.7.5 Monitoring Station Selection and Monitoring Design ..................................... 3-98
3.7.6 Analytical Approach ..................................................................................... 3-104
3.8 FISH POPULATIONS COMPONENT ............................................................... 3-106
3.8.1 Component History ...................................................................................... 3-106
3.8.2 Key Indicator Resources ............................................................................. 3-112
3.8.3 Hypotheses and Questions ......................................................................... 3-113
3.8.4 Measurement Endpoints and Criteria for Determining Change ................... 3-116
3.8.5 Monitoring Station Selection and Monitoring Design ................................... 3-121
3.8.6 Analytical Approach ..................................................................................... 3-133
3.9 ACID-SENSITIVE LAKES COMPONENT ........................................................ 3-138
3.9.1 Component History ...................................................................................... 3-138
3.9.2 Key Indicator Resources ............................................................................. 3-144
3.9.3 Hypotheses and Questions ......................................................................... 3-144
3.9.4 Measurement Endpoints and Criteria for Determining Change ................... 3-146
3.9.5 Lake Selection and Monitoring Design ........................................................ 3-147
3.9.6 Analytical Approach ..................................................................................... 3-148
4.0 REFERENCES .................................................................................. 4-1
5.0 CLOSURE ......................................................................................... 5-1

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LIST OF TABLES
Table 1.1 Summary of RSDS needs that are addresses by RAMP activities. ........... 1-4
Table 1.2 Description of information extracted from selected Athabasca oil
sands EIAs. ................................................................................................ 1-8
Table 1.3 Status and activities of developments (oil sands, aggregate
operations) within RAMP Focus Study Area as of 2008. ......................... 1-17
Table 1.4 Watershed designations (baseline vs. test) as of 2008. .......................... 1-19
Table 2.1 Summary of overall residual impact assessments by RAMP
component and impact level. ..................................................................... 2-3
Table 2.2 Synoptic summary of Athabasca oil sands EIA predictions: surface
mine projects. ............................................................................................ 2-6
Table 2.3 Synoptic summary of Athabasca oil sands EIA predictions: in situ
projects. ................................................................................................... 2-10
Table 2.4 Frequency of occurrence of impact pathways in EIAs that were
reviewed. ................................................................................................. 2-13
Table 2.5 KIRs considered in EIAs relevant to RAMP components. ....................... 2-14
Table 2.6 Summary of waterbodies and watercourses considered in the
residual impact assessments, by project and RAMP component. ........... 2-15
Table 2.7 Summary of residual impact assessments by project phase and
impact level. ............................................................................................. 2-17
Table 2.8 Summary of residual impact assessments by project phase and
RAMP component. ................................................................................... 2-17
Table 2.9 Summary of residual impact assessments by impact scale and
impact level. ............................................................................................. 2-18
Table 2.10 Summary of residual impact assessments by impact scale and
RAMP component. ................................................................................... 2-18
Table 2.11 Measurement endpoints used in Athabasca oil sands projects. .............. 2-19
Table 2.12 Criteria for assessment of impact used in Athabasca oil sands
projects. ................................................................................................... 2-23
Table 3.1 Harmonization of station locations for each RAMP monitoring
component, as of 2008 .............................................................................. 3-7
Table 3.2 Summary of RAMP data available for the Climate and Hydrology
component, 1997 to 2008. ....................................................................... 3-11
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Table 3.3 Athabasca oil sands activities with potential effects on hydrological
conditions. ................................................................................................ 3-17
Table 3.4 Summary of all RAMP climate and hydrology stations, 1971 to
2008. ........................................................................................................ 3-21
Table 3.5 Summary of RAMP data available for the Water Quality
component, 1997 to 2008. ....................................................................... 3-33
Table 3.6 Water quality variables measured by RAMP, including variables
added or removed from the program since 1997. .................................... 3-39
Table 3.7 Athabasca oil sands activities with potential effects on water
quality. ..................................................................................................... 3-41
Table 3.8 Water quality variables of interest to RAMP, from oil sands EIA
predictions, CEMA assessments and other sources. .............................. 3-46
Table 3.9 Rationale for RAMP water quality sampling locations in the
Athabasca River and delta, 1997 to 2008. ............................................... 3-49
Table 3.10 Rationale for RAMP water quality sampling locations in the
Muskeg River watershed, 1997 to 2008. ................................................. 3-51
Table 3.11 Rationale for RAMP water quality sampling locations in various
watersheds downstream of Fort McMurray, 1997 to 2008. ..................... 3-52
Table 3.12 Rationale for RAMP water quality sampling locations in
watersheds upstream of Fort McMurray, 1997 to 2008. .......................... 3-54
Table 3.13 Rationale for RAMP water quality sampling in various regional
lakes and wetlands, 1997 to 2008. .......................................................... 3-54
Table 3.14 RAMP water quality composite sample sub-groups. ............................... 3-55
Table 3.15 Analytical approaches taken by the RAMP water quality
component, 1997 to 2008. ....................................................................... 3-58
Table 3.16 Summary of RAMP data available for the Benthic Invertebrate
Community component, 1997 to 2008. .................................................... 3-71
Table 3.17 Athabasca oil sands activities with potential effects on benthic
invertebrate communities. ........................................................................ 3-75
Table 3.18 Rationale for RAMP benthic invertebrate community sampling
locations in the lower Athabasca River, tributaries of the lower
Athabasca River and the delta, 1997 to 2008. ......................................... 3-82
Table 3.19 Summary of RAMP data available for the Sediment Quality
component, 1997 to 2008. ....................................................................... 3-90
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Table 3.20 Sediment quality variables measured by RAMP, including
variables added or removed from the program since 1997. .................... 3-92
Table 3.21 Athabasca oil sands activities with potential effects on sediment
quality. ..................................................................................................... 3-94
Table 3.22 Sediment quality variables of interest to RAMP, from oil sands EIA
predictions and other sources. ................................................................. 3-97
Table 3.23 Rationale for RAMP sediment quality sampling locations in the
Athabasca River mainstem, 1997 to 2004.1 ........................................... 3-100
Table 3.24 Rationale for RAMP sediment quality sampling locations in the
Athabasca River delta, 1999 to 2008. .................................................... 3-101
Table 3.25 Rationale for RAMP sediment quality sampling locations in the
Muskeg River watershed, 1997 to 2005.1 .............................................. 3-101
Table 3.26 Rationale for RAMP sediment quality sampling locations in various
watersheds downstream of Fort McMurray, 1997 to 2005.1 .................. 3-102
Table 3.27 Rationale for RAMP sediment quality sampling locations in
watersheds upstream of Fort McMurray, 1997 to 2005.1 ....................... 3-103
Table 3.28 Rationale for RAMP sediment quality sampling in various regional
lakes and wetlands, 1997 to 2008. ........................................................ 3-103
Table 3.29 Summary of RAMP data available for the Fisheries Component,
1997 to 2008. ......................................................................................... 3-108
Table 3.30 Historical summary of key elements of the RAMP fisheries
populations component, 1997-2008. ..................................................... 3-113
Table 3.31 Summary of Key Indicator Resource (KIR) fish species used by
the RAMP fish monitoring program. ....................................................... 3-114
Table 3.32 Athabasca oil sands activities with potential effects on fish
populations and fish habitat. .................................................................. 3-114
Table 3.33 Summary of measurement endpoints for lethal and non-lethal
sentinel species monitoring (adapted from Environment Canada
[2005]). ................................................................................................... 3-118
Table 3.34 Current suite of total metals and tainting compounds measured in
composite fish tissue samples analyzed by RAMP. .............................. 3-119
Table 3.35 Criteria used by RAMP to evaluate fish tissue concentrations on
human health, tissue palatability and fish health. .................................. 3-120
Table 3.36 Rationale for RAMP fish sampling locations used during core
impact monitoring activities. ................................................................... 3-122
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Table 3.37 Target fork length classes for the selection of fish for the RAMP
fish tissue programs. .............................................................................. 3-131
Table 3.38 Summary of analytical approaches used to test each hypothesis
according to monitoring activity. ............................................................ 3-133
Table 3.39 Summary of RAMP data available for the ASL component, 1997
to 2008. .................................................................................................. 3-138
Table 3.40 Water quality variables measured for the ASL Component. .................. 3-143

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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1.1 RAMP study areas and Athabasca oil sands areas under planning
and development as of 2008. .................................................................. 1-13
Figure 1.2 Hydrologic schematic of RAMP Focus Study Area. ................................. 1-15
Figure 2.1 Summary description of expected effects of surface mine oil sands
projects on aquatic resources covered in RAMP. ...................................... 2-4
Figure 2.2 Summary description of expected effects of in situ oil sands
projects on aquatic resources covered in RAMP. ...................................... 2-5
Figure 3.1 Overall analytical approach for the Regional Aquatics Monitoring
Program. .................................................................................................... 3-4
Figure 3.2 Climate monitoring locations for the RAMP Climate and Hydrology
component, 1997 to 2008. ....................................................................... 3-13
Figure 3.3 Hydrology monitoring locations for the RAMP Climate and
Hydrology component, 1997 to 2008. ...................................................... 3-15
Figure 3.4 2008 hydrograph for the Athabasca River below Fort McMurray
(07DA001) compared to historical values (from RAMP 2009). ................ 3-28
Figure 3.5 Sampling locations for the RAMP Water Quality component, 1997
to 2008. .................................................................................................... 3-37
Figure 3.6 Example of graphical presentation of total nitrogen relative to
baseline conditions, 1997 to 2008. .......................................................... 3-62
Figure 3.7 Example Piper diagram, illustrating relative ion concentrations in
waters from Isadore’s Lake and Shipyard Lake (1997 to 2008) .............. 3-64
Figure 3.8 Sampling locations for the RAMP Benthic Invertebrate Community
and Sediment Quality components, 1997 to 2008. .................................. 3-73
Figure 3.9 Biplot of benthic invertebrate community sample scores based on
a correspondence analysis of taxon abundances for erosional
baseline reaches (1998 to 2007). ............................................................ 3-85
Figure 3.10 Variations in indices of benthic invertebrate community
composition in the middle and upper reaches of the Muskeg River
system (Figure 5.2-9 in the 2007 Annual Report). ................................... 3-86
Figure 3.11 Sampling locations for the RAMP Fish Population component,
1997 to 2008. ......................................................................................... 3-109
Figure 3.12 Sampling locations for the RAMP Acid-Sensitive Lakes
component, 1997 to 2008. ..................................................................... 3-141
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LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix A1 RAMP Terms of Reference
Appendix A2 RAMP Design Documentation Terms of Reference
Appendix A3 Compilation of Residual Impact Assessments Extracted from Athabasca
Oil Sands EIAs
Appendix A4 RAMP Standard Operating Procedures

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