Stalwart National Wildlife Area Water Control Structure Re-naturalization Project

The Canadian Wildlife Service must determine whether the proposed removal of water control structures, located within the boundaries of Stalwart National Wildlife Area, Saskatchewan, is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this determination, the Canadian Wildlife Service is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination. All comments received will be considered public [and may be posted online]. For more information, individuals should consult the Privacy Notice https://iaacaeic.gc.ca/050/evaluations/protection on the Registry website. Written comments must be submitted by 22 July, 2022 to:

Kerry Hecker, Protected Areas Manager

Box 280, Simpson, Saskatchewan, S0G 4M0

306.836.2022

kerry.hecker@ec.gc.ca

 

 

The Proposed Project

 

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is proposing to remove water control structures and re-naturalize wetland basins and creeks within the Stalwart National Wildlife Area (NWA).  The Stalwart NWA lands contain the DUC projects named Stalwart Marsh and Stalwart Flats.  These projects currently affect wetland and upland management with two (2) water control structures controlling water levels and conveyance throughout the complex.

 

The Stalwart National Wildlife Area is administered under the Wildlife Area Regulations of the Canada Wildlife Act.  The 1,250 hectare National Wildlife Area contains approximately 598 hectares of controlled water level freshwater wetlands, which were built by Ducks Unlimited Canada beginning in 1938.  Due to their age, the earthen dams, and water control structures have deteriorated and soon will not be able to maintain water levels within these wetlands.  These water control structures also block fish passage up the main stem of Stalwart Creek. 

 

The scope of this project includes:

  • Removal of two (2) concrete stop-log control structures and their associated side walls, to be disposed of off-site.
  • Reclamation of riprap from existing dykes, to be cleaned, and re-used in this project to create a rock chute.
  • Removal of approximately 1585 meters of earthen dykes.  This fill will be used primarily to fill the associated ditches.

This work will disturb the current vegetation. 

The former control structures, dyke/ditch structures and berms will be contoured to match natural topography.  In the Stalwart Marsh project, a new fixed-crest rock chute will be constructed to match historic creek levels, and a sheet-pile weir (with weir cap) will be installed to provide a positive cutoff, set at the natural spill levels designed to accommodate fish passage.

The proposed work will be completed in late fall in the driest possible conditions ground conditions exist, using contractors skilled in working in sensitive ecological areas.  Any disturbance to migratory birds and other wildlife will be minimal.  An approved erosion and siltation control plan will be in place. All exposed soil surfaces will be seeded with suitable grass species and other riparian species in the fall 2022 and spring 2023.

 

 

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Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

 
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Latest update

[Sept 13, 2022] Environment and Climate Change Canada's Canadian Wildlife Service has determined that the proposed Stalwart National Wildlife Area Water Control Structure Re-Naturalization Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

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Key documents

Key documents
Document Number Document Title File Date
1 Notice of Determination - September 13, 2022

Contacts

Protected Areas Unit
Environment and Climate Change Canada/Canadian Wildlife Service
Kerry Hecker, Wildlife Area Manager
P.O. Box 280
Simpson, Saskatchewan S0G 4M0
Telephone: 306-836-2022
Fax: 306-836-2010
Email: kerry.hecker@ec.gc.ca


  • Location

    • Stalwart National Wildlife Area (Saskatchewan)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Dams and reservoirs
    • Remediation and conservation

  • Assessment Status

    Completed

  • Start Date

    2022-06-20

  • Proponent

    Ducks Unlimited Canada

  • Authorities

    • Environment and Climate Change Canada
    • Fisheries and Oceans Canada

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    83726

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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