Cenovus Energy Inc. (Cenovus) retained AJM to conduct a bathymetric survey of five waterbodies located at the Foster Creek Thermal Project (FCTP). Cenovus operates the FCTP steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) scheme for the recovery of bitumen, consisting of well pads, pipelines, a central processing facility, and associated infrastructure. The project was completed to assist Cenovus with a revised thermal screening to meet the Directive for the Assessment of Thermally-Mobilized Constituents in Groundwater for the Assessment of Thermal In Situ Operations.

The scope of work included the following:  

• Site selection and methodology development; 

• Field data collection; and 

• Data analysis and reporting.  

AJM successfully proposed the development of a mobile fish habitat application for the Water Strategy Department at Teck Coal Ltd (Teck). The app is intended for Teck personnel and contractors collecting field data related to aquatic habitat and riparian vegetation. Key features of the app include GPS integration, photo capture, customizable forms, offline data collection, offline maps, collaboration and sharing, data export and reporting, and user management. The app is being developed by AJM’s programming team for iOS and Android for broad utilization. The app will integrate with ESRI’s ArcGIS Survey123 and Field Maps apps. The project's overriding objective is to provide Teck with a mobile app that enables efficient and accurate data collection in the field, alongside real-time monitoring and data visualization through a custom dashboard.

Farmboy Landscaping and Maintenance (Farmboy) retained AJM to provide ongoing wildlife and aquatic services for various road and bridge construction projects from 2021 to present. AJM’s support includes but is not limited to Environmental Construction Operations (ECO) Plan development, wildlife surveys and sweeps, migratory bird nest sweeps, water quality monitoring (total suspended solids testing), monitoring water diversion activities, QAES support, and fish salvages.

AJM was contracted by TC Energy to provide environmental consulting services for the construction of the Elko and Yahk sections of the Foothills West Path Delivery natural gas pipeline in southeastern British Columbia (BC). The Elko and Yahk sections are approximately 32km and 12.5km in length, respectively, and are located in the mountains adjacent to the towns from which they are named. The technical scope of the services provided by AJM on these projects included:

• Pre-construction wildlife sweeps (including migratory bird nest sweeps) on both the Elko and Yahk sections;

Trout Unlimited Canada hired AJM to assess the Upper Trout Creek watershed for reclamation planning of aquatic and riparian habitats. Recommendations by Qualified Aquatic Environmental Specialists (QAES) focused on bank reconstruction, vegetation, erosion control, and channel re-alignment to mitigate impacts on fish habitats from human activities (e.g., OHV trails, cattle grazing) and natural events (e.g., flooding, bank erosion).

As part of the Federal recovery strategy for Bull Trout, an at-risk species, AJM Fisheries Biologists collaborated with the Ontario and Prairies/Arctic Region of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to deliver on an innovative research project exploring the thermal tolerances of the threatened species. AJM was engaged by DFO’s Freshwater Institute to support project planning leading up to the collection of gametes (egg and milt) from a spawning population of Bull Trout in southern Alberta. AJM Biologists then led field crews (including DFO Biologists) in the safe and effective capture (and eventual release) of multiple adult fish from an adfluvial spawning population. Once captured, adult Bull Trout were processed by AJM Biologists for the collection and in-situ fertilization of eggs and milt. Post-collection and fertilization, gametes were prepared for immediate air transport to incubation and rearing facilities in Winnipeg. After hatching, juvenile Bull Trout will be reared by DFO Research Biologists and tested for temperature tolerances. Resulting information will be important to help understand the potential threat of rising water temperatures on Alberta’s Bull Trout populations.

Once constructed, this will be Alberta’s first pumped hydro energy storage project and will generate to 75 MW of electricity upon demand, placing power into the local grid during periods of high demand and reduced supply. Our work included providing aquatic assessment services specific to the project’s proposed disposition crossing of an unnamed tributary to Canyon Creek and to support planning of water withdrawal from the Athabasca River. We provided recommendations on project design and led environmental mitigation efforts to protect critical habitat and fish species at risk. We used eDNA techniques validate the potential presence/absence of fish within the aquatic habitat and piloted an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV or drone) to collect relevant aerial imagery of aquatic and riparian habitat. The aerial imagery was used to assessment and quantify the potential impacts to riparian habitat of the unnamed tributary.

AJM implemented biological and operational effectiveness monitoring timed to coincide with important life history periods of fish species in the Highwood River and varied flow conditions within the Little Bow Canal. Field data was complemented by desktop analysis, comparison of field-based observations with reference to the fish exclusion system’s design, and consultation with operations personnel. Biological effectiveness monitoring was based on capture and recapture events. Active (e.g., electrofishing) and passive (e.g., fyke net) capture methods were used by AJM to sample fish populations upstream and downstream from the exclusion structure. Operational effectiveness was tested by a combination of site inspections conducted during varied environmental conditions and operation constraints, evaluation of historical deficiencies, and interviews with operational staff. Based on our interpretations, several recommendations were proposed for the improved operational performance of the system.

Through projects with various First Nations on Alberta’s East Slopes and in the Oil Sands region AJM has field validated existing eDNA tests for native and non-native salmonids. These projects have been funded by both Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Results include more accurate maps of species distribution, evaluation of fish entrainment in irrigation infrastructure, identifying previously undocumented populations of listed species at risk, surveying overwintering habitat, and evaluating fish passage upstream of culverts to identify potential fish habitat restoration opportunities for clients.

AJM provided aquatic habitat reclamation planning support for over three dozen off-highway vehicle (OHV) crossings in the MacKenzie Creek watershed, near Cadomin, Alberta. Working with West Fraser Mills and Alberta Environment and Parks, with collaboration from Teck Coal Ltd., AJM staff visited several undesignated OHV crossings within important Bull Trout habitat to develop bio-engineering based reclamation plans. Reclamation plans included the use of locally available materials for the mitigation of sediment induced influences on pristine aquatic environments. Recommendations provided by AJM will be used to inform construction planning and to support provincial and federal regulatory requirements.

In support of AEP’s Integrate Resource Management Department, AJM provided field-based planning services for the design and installation of single span bridges and reclamation of unauthorized ford crossings in backcountry areas of southwestern Alberta. Qualified Aquatic Environmental Specialist (QAES) recommendations were provided to AEP to facilitate internal planning and provincial and federal regulatory application/ review under the Water Act, Fisheries Act and Canadian Navigable Waters Act. Sites included Racehorse Creek, Salt Creek and Allison Creek, watercourses which are known to provide important habitat for fish species of management concern (e.g., Bull Trout).

AJM worked on behalf of Teck Coal Ltd. to plan, coordinate and implement comprehensive fish salvage activities and permanent fish exclusion measures at multiple settling pond systems in the Elk Valley, BC. AJM professionals led comprehensive consultations with stakeholders in the Elk Valley, planning of effective and responsible large-scale fish salvage efforts, contractor procurement and coordination, regulatory permitting, and salvage and construction oversight.

AJM coordinated successful salvages, resulting in the complete removal and relocation of sensitive fish species (e.g., Westslope Cutthroat Trout) from mine infrastructure in support of mine operations and maintenance. AJM also worked with Teck Coal Ltd. to install a permanent fish exclusion device to preclude fish passage into the mine’s footprint. With staff based in the Elk Valley area, AJM looks forward to continuing to support the health of sensitive fish populations in the area watersheds.