Algar Restoration Pilot

As also described in Project LL0094, Silvacom was engaged by OSLI (now COSIA) to use the LEAP (Landscape Ecological Assessment and Planning) process to: (1) benchmark the area of interest on which OSLI operates and its surrounding areas (over 3.7 million ha of land); (2) use forest modeling and analytical expertise to identify expected changes in landbase forest composition over time based on management options; and (3) use this benchmark and modeling to navigate from a strategic environmental platform to tactical implementation by providing work plans to mitigate the impact of oil sands development in the Northern Boreal forest. The Algar area was the first area in the landbase to receive a restoration and reclamation work plan. Project LL0096 describes field monitoring and work plan implementation (site preparation, tree planting, and debris placement) to restore seismic lines in Areas 1 and 2 of the Algar area from 2011-2013, and includes an application for continuing the work in 2014.

Field monitoring crews captured GPS data, vegetation and coarse woody material information, as well as line of sight photos and 360° panoramic photos, before work commenced as well as 1 year later. In terms of implementing the work plans, during 2012/2013 winter restoration activities, the total volume of coarse woody material (CWM) applied throughout Area 1 was 774m3, with merchantable volume accounting for 192m3 of the total and non-merchantable volume making up 582m3 of the total CWM volume. A total of 43 hectares in Area 1 and 32 hectares in Area 2 received treatment. 45,300 trees were planted and/or seeded in Area 1, while 27,500 trees were planted and/or seeded in Area 2. Species distributed included Black Spruce, White Spruce and Jack Pine.