@article {24859,
	title = {Summer field reconnaissance to determine the general composition of floral and faunal groups present in the former Alsands lease and their relation to traditional resources used by members of the community of Fort McKay},
	year = {1997},
	note = {First Nations Consultant commissioned by Shell Canada Limited},
	abstract = {The purpose of this study was to document changes in Alsands lease area from the time of its abandonment in 1982 up to the time of publication{\textemdash}specifically, which species had reappeared, their relative abundance, and what part they play in the daily diet of the people of Fort McKay. It was hoped that study process would identify, and allow for the use of, the mechanisms that produced the positive changes so that they could be incorporated into the reclamation of future mining operations in the area. The methodology for the study included vegetation sampling for trace metals, heavy metals, and PAHs; eight browse and vegetation transects; a waterfowl survey; small mammal trap transects; and an electro-fishing survey. A series of wildlife surveys was to be done after the release of this report. In order to establish the state of the original Alsands lease, the environmental impact assessment for the project, completed in 1978 by Hardy Associates Ltd., was consulted. After a discussion of the methodology, the report describes the condition of flora on the Alsands lease as it was recorded in the 1978 environmental impact assessment, as well as current conditions. There is a similar section on fauna. The results of the fish, small mammal trapping, browse, and metal analyses follow. The six appendices include an area map of the lease area, the working protocols used in the study, the detailed results of the waterfowl survey, photographs of the study area, data sheets for the browse survey, and the metal lab analysis. The study found that in terms of animal populations frequently sought as a traditional food source, the lease area is as productive as it was prior to impact. However, it will be some time before sufficient ground cover is able to produce high-grade berry crops, and the removal and burning of duff and peat appears to have had a serious influence on the level of nutrient availability and water retention in the soil.},
	keywords = {reclamation, traditional resource use}
}
