Habitat Offsetting for Wolfe Creek Realignment Project wins reclamation award at BC Mine Reclamation Symposium
Sep 22, 2022
Hatfield is proud to have supported Copper Mountain Mine’s Wolfe Creek Realignment Project with the design and implementation of habitat offsetting, work which was recognized with an award in Metal Mine Reclamation at the 45th Annual Mine Reclamation Symposium.
The BC Technical and Research Committee on Reclamation (TRCR) presents the Jake McDonald Annual Reclamation Award & Category Reclamation awards to recognize outstanding achievement in mine reclamation in British Columbia. Nominees are those who deserve special recognition for their excellence in environmental protection and mine reclamation. Hatfield’s Tim Poulton and Copper Mountain Mine’s Colleen Hughes received the award from the TRCR at the Mine Reclamation Symposium in Kimberley, BC.
Tim and Colleen presented a paper on the Wolfe Creek Realignment and Fish Habitat Offsetting Plans, outlining the challenges inherent in such an ambitious plan for such a complex watershed. The unique predicament presented by Wolfe Creek’s location and its history of downstream agricultural and ranching impacts called for an informed and creative approach to designing, restoration, and monitoring. Implementation of the fish habitat offsetting plan began in 2020 with the construction of over 7,000 m2 of new fish habitat features including meandering riffle pool channels, overwintering/summer rearing ponds, riparian vegetation, and removing barriers to fish passage. Early monitoring results have exceeded offsetting targets, and with monitoring set to continue into 2029 there’s ample opportunity for this plan to continue to impress.
This award sets a milestone for almost 12 years of great teamwork between Hatfield and Copper Mountain Mine, and we will continue to ensure that water quality, fish habitat, and fish populations continue to exceed offsetting targets and provide long-lasting ecological benefits to the Wolfe Creek watershed.
For more information on the Symposium and the awards, visit 2022 In-Person (Kimberley BC) and Virtual Mine Reclamation Symposium Details | TRCR
For more information on Copper Mountain Mine, visit Home | Copper Mountain Mining Corporation (cumtn.com)
