Hay-Zama Lakes Complex Fisheries and Wildlife Monitoring, 1997/98

Author(s)

Ken D. Wright

Summary

Results of the 1997 / 98 Hay-Zama Lakes Complex Fisheries and Wildlife
Monitoring Project are presented in this manuscript. The project is a cooperative
venture implemented by the Hay-Zama Committee (a joint industry / government
/ public committee designed to advise on operations within the complex).
Monitoring of wildlife populations on the complex during critical waterfowl
migration periods allows oil and gas production to continue until threshold levels
in numbers of waterfowl are reached. The alternative, as defined by Alberta
Energy and Utilities Board, is a general shut in of production for this same time
period. The monitoring program was initiated in 1995 / 96 and is proposed to
continue until 1999 / 2000. In addition to waterfowl monitoring, studies of
migrating neotropical birds, nesting raptors and young-of-year northern pike were
completed.


This report summarizes activities for the third year of the proposed fiveyear
program and will be distributed to all Hay-Zama Committee members.
Information collected for this project will be used to direct further biological
studies on the complex and to aid in the development and planning of industrial
activity compatible with the needs of fisheries and wildlife. Migrating waterfowl
populations during this study period were stable and well dispersed throughout
the complex. Oil and gas wells were able to stay in production throughout the
1997 migration periods.

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