Guidelines for Early Mineral Exploration in Manitoba

BMP 15 – Wildlife

Although most Early Mineral Exploration involves temporary, low disturbance, some activities have the potential to impact local wildlife.

In Manitoba, the Wildlife Branch within the Department of Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources is responsible for the administration of The Endangered Species and Ecosystems Act (ESEA). Plants and animals native to Manitoba can be designated under the ESEA. A full list of species designated under the ESEA can be found here. For more information, Manitoba has developed an ESEA FAQ’s document with further details found here.

The ESEA is provincial legislation, while the Species at Risk Act (SARA) is federal legislation. While there is no legal connection between the two acts, many of the species designated under the ESEA are also designated under Canada’s SARA. In most cases, SARA does not apply on private land. SARA prohibitions apply to all species on federal land (e.g.: National Parks), all aquatic species everywhere in Canada, and all migratory birds listed under the Migratory Bird Convention Act everywhere in Canada. In some cases, protection under SARA may apply on provincial Crown Land or on private land. For more information about SARA, please contact Environment Canada.

The following document provides some general BMP guidelines related to Early Mineral Exploration activities that can help reduce the impact on wildlife and wildlife habitat in Manitoba.

Planning Considerations

Before submitting a Work Permit Application, proponents are encouraged to:

In Manitoba, there are more wildlife species active in the summer compared to the winter, so seasonality and the timing of proposed work activities should be considered during early exploration program planning stages.

In order to reduce disturbance to wildlife, where possible, mineral exploration work sites, camps, and activities should plan to:

  • Minimize the disturbance footprint of the activity and its overall contribution to cumulative disturbance and loss of habitat within the range;
  • Minimize the cumulative disturbance of the activities by maximizing the use of existing roads and trails for access. See BMP 7 – Road and Trail Access;
  • Design roads, trails, and other linear corridors to minimize ground disturbance and meet the minimum operational need while safely delivering the project;
  • Design access routes as dead-ends – routes that create loops or circles through an area are not recommended;
  • Minimize the cumulative disturbance of the proposed activities by utilizing previously cleared areas or natural openings to limit the amount of new clearing. See BMP 6 – Timber Clearing Activities; 
  • Utilize frozen ground conditions to minimize ground disturbance and Rutting;
  • Minimize heavy machinery disturbance during the breeding season for specific bird species, with recommended setback distances. See recommendations developed by the Manitoba Conservation Data Centre for more information;
  • Where possible, minimize the effects of higher disturbance activities (e.g.: low flying aerial surveys and exploration activities that include explosives and/or Blasting where vegetation is removed, and equipment remains operational for any length of time) within known caribou calving areas and the caribou calving timing window (April 15 to July 31);
  • Where possible, minimize the effects of lower disturbance activities (e.g.: Prospecting and geophysical surveys where vegetation is not removed, and access is conducted by helicopter or ORV) or minimize moderate disturbance activities (e.g.: trail development, helicopter pad development, as well as construction and operation at drill sites) within caribou calving areas and caribou calving timing window (April 15 to June 30);
  • If caribou are observed near any workspace, then work will continue at other work sites for the day. If there are no other work areas, work activities should not continue until caribou are no longer within close range (e.g.: 500 metres) of the work area;
  • All caribou (location, date, count) sightings and signs (e.g.: tracks) should be reported to the Regional Wildlife Manager;
  • Where possible, schedule Blasting activities and minimize impacts from noise and flying debris during critical timing windows in caribou calving areas from April 15 to July 31 and for migratory bird nesting window from April 1 to August 31 (south of 53rd parallel) and from May 1 to August 15 (north of 53rd parallel). For more information see Guidelines to avoid harm to migratory birds and Nesting periods; and
  • Construct work site and camp elements (e.g.: heli-pads, trails, storage areas, etc.) as needed in locations that minimize vegetation removal.

NOTE: Review the Critical Habitat for Species at Risk National Dataset and Open Maps to check whether the proposed work area overlaps with a critical habitat area as defined under Canada’s Species at Risk Act.

Operating Considerations

In order to reduce disturbance to wildlife during operations, where possible, mineral exploration programs should:

  • Keep travel to and from the site and the number of off-road vehicle trails, including snowmobile trails, used to a minimum;
  • Conduct airborne activities with over-flight altitudes of at least 400 metres above ground level.

NOTE: helicopters long-lining equipment to and from site may fly at a height deemed safe by the pilot

  • Utilize noise abatement devices, including mufflers and shrouding, on equipment and machinery operated in areas with known Wildlife Sensitivities;
  • Not be conducted in a way that pollutes surface water or groundwater;
  • Be kept in a safe, neat, and sanitary condition with all waste disposed of at a licenced waste management facility; 
  • Collect and store solid waste (e.g.: garbage, litter, refuse) in covered, weatherproof, leak proof, fly/animal proof (e.g.: bear proof garbage can) containers until removed to an approved waste disposal facility; 
  • Secure all potential attractants so as to prevent access to them by wildlife; and
  • Provide safety training related to potential encounters with local wildlife and reporting protocols.

Dealing with Wildlife on Site 

Wildlife can be attracted to work sites and camps by food and chemical smells associated with cooking, industrial activity, and waste storage. Wildlife may also be attracted by an abundance of prey, and by a suitable denning or nesting habitat. Wildlife may become habituated to humans occupying their territories. Conflict between humans and habituated wildlife may arise when sensitive habitats, food sources, or when humans or wildlife are threatened, injured, or destroyed. Every attempt should be made to prevent wildlife from becoming habituated to humans on site. 

Food Storage / Waste Disposal 

All waste disposal containers at work sites and camps should be wildlife proof, with the ability to keep out bears, wolves, ravens, and other wildlife common to the work area.

Food waste should be removed to an acceptable waste disposal facility as quickly as possible. Lingering food sources on site will increase the chance of some kinds of wildlife breaching containers, reinforcing the habituation process. 

In addition, all potential wildlife attractants should be secured to prevent access to them by wildlife. Attractants include but are not limited to human food and drink; garbage; food compost; cooking oil; greywater; domestic animals and their food; bait; toilets; and organic compounds/chemicals.

Interacting with Wildlife 

Feeding wild animals is unlawful and prohibited. All species quickly learn to associate people with food. Wildlife that approach or chase people at any time and approach or enter vehicles and buildings should be reported to the local conservation officer for deterrent recommendations. 

Animals such as bears, wolves and coyotes that threaten and are capable of harming people and other wildlife exhibiting symptoms of a contagious disease (e.g.: rabies, West Nile virus, etc.) may need to be dispatched by a Conservation Officer. If an emergency arises that requires the immediate dispatch of wildlife, a Conservation Officer must be notified of the circumstances immediately after the occurrence by visiting the local district office or by calling the TIP line at 1-800-782-0076. 

People must not attract, chase, harass or otherwise harm wildlife. Interaction between people and wildlife at a work site or camp should be avoided. Consideration must be given when bringing domestic animals into camp.

NOTE: Dogs may attract wolves into a work site or camp. 

Wildlife Deterrents 

If necessary, wild animal deterrents are used to alert animals to the presence of people (prevent surprise encounters), to move/keep wild animals out of an area, or to discourage undesirable behaviour or activity by a wild animal. Deterrents can be active: operated by a person while in the presence of wildlife; or passive: function without requiring a person to be present.

Examples of various deterrents, along with descriptions, method of use, and the species for which they may be applicable can be found here.

The deterrent(s) chosen should be appropriate for the level of risk to human safety and/or risk of property damage for your particular situation. Some deterrents have the potential to cause injury or discomfort to animals and should only be used in extreme situations. If in doubt, contact a Conservation Officer at your local district office for clarification.

Risk Assessment/Training 

People visiting, working, or residing at a work site or camp should be given training and education about local wildlife that may be on and adjacent to a work site or camp. It is important to become aware of what wildlife species might be encountered, what kind of behavior to expect from each, the level of risk to people, and what steps are taken at the site to reduce or eliminate conflict between people and wildlife.

Monitoring & Reporting 

Manitobans and visitors to the province are encouraged to be Wildlife Smart. Management at a work site or camp are encouraged to work collaboratively with a conservation officer at the local district office to establish a reporting protocol, including a process for determining when, and under what circumstances wildlife problems would be reported to the Department of Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources and Northern Development. For further information, see available fact sheets with helpful information related to bears, cougars, wolves and other wildlife. 

Decommissioning Considerations

Where possible, a work site or camp should be decommissioned in ways that manage access into wildlife habitat and facilitate habitat suitability similar to pre-disturbance conditions. See BMP 16 – Decommissioning for further details.

When a work site or camp is being decommissioned:

  • If applicable, all structures/improvements must be removed from the site;
  • If applicable, a greywater pit must be covered over with earth;  
  • If applicable, outhouses and pit privies must be filled in and covered over with earth;  
  • The area affected by the operation shall be cleaned, with all waste removed and disposed of at a licenced waste management facility; and
  • The area affected by the operation should be left in a safe condition for both the public and wildlife.

Contacts 

Department of Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources 

Wildlife Branch
204-945-7465
Toll free 1-866-626-4862
wildlife@gov.mb.ca

Related Acts and Regulations   

W130 – The Wildlife Act 
E111 – The Endangered Species and Ecosystems Act

Canada

Species at Risk Act
Migratory Birds Convention Act