What have we learned and where to go from here?

Past studies

• Several studies were conducted to evaluate practices and impacts

• An idea of acceptable practices were determined

• All relevant or necessary information was not always collected

What do we know?

Construction and equipment

• Construction practices have evolved• Equipment and technology has improved• Willingness to innovate• Practices seem quite variable - sometimes bad

things happen

What do we know?

Regulation

• Desire to minimize environmental impacts• Desire to make informed management

decisions• Good local knowledge and experience exist• Conduct directed research

What do we know?

The environment

• The environment is variable from one area to the next

• The environment is changing over time

What do we know?

Ground temperature 100 cm depth, winter 2003/2004

M onth

-20

-16

-12

-8

-4

0

Gro

und

tem

pera

ture

(OC

)

O N D J F M A M

B)

Tundra uplandsRichards Island

Spruce forest,Inuvik

*

*

Latitudinal variation

Less than 35 cmHigh density

Greater than 75 cmLow density

Mean Temperature (°C), Oct. - Dec. 1971 - 2004

-24

-20

-16

-12

-8

Mea

n A

utu

mn

Tem

per

atu

re (C

)

-24

-20

-16

-12

-8

1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005

1971-1980 1995-2004 -18.1°C -16.4°C

Where do we go?

• Evaluate current practices• Develop guidance on construction practices• Test and evaluate new technologies • Develop an impact monitoring strategy• Consider environmental variability

How do we get there?

Set goals• Work together• Communication between stakeholders• Evaluate existing guidelines• Identify knowledge gaps related to

construction and environmental effects• Design research that addresses key gap

Information gaps

• Operational issues– What are the criteria for ensuring the land is ready

for activity?

• Environmental impacts– What is an acceptable level of impact?– If there is a lot of snow (below treeline), does the

active-layer need to be completely frozen?