Grant: Engage Grants Program

The proposed research partnership with Cascade Environmental Resource Group (CERG) focusses on thedevelopment and technology transfer of reliable and cost-effective methods for assessing environmental impacton lakes in western Canada. Lakes are abundant in Canada, are ecologically and economically very important,and are subject to many pressures. In 2013 Canadian Environmental Assessment Act Guidelines werestreamlined. CERG has recognized that reliable, cost-effective and accessible methodologies are required ifimpact assessment, management and restoration of lakes is to be successful. The proposed project focusses onthe application of the paleolimnological approach to lake environmental impact assessment and will provideCERG with the necessary methodologies and tools for rapidly completing lake impact studies anddetermining vulnerability to watershed development. CERG will be the first company in Canada to have accessto this approach.This research builds on projects developed by I. Spooner focused on water quality variability in lakes inHalifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. This collaboration will refine techniques developed in easternCanada so that they can be applied to the high relief and alpine environments in western Canada. Summit(Alta) Lake near Whistler, B.C. is of particular interest as this lake is an excellent example of a relativelysmall, subalpine lake that is experiencing development pressure and is a significant ecological, recreational andeconomic component of the community. CERG is well positioned to benefit commercially from thispartnership as they offer a wide spectrum of environmental consulting services with specific interests in openwater and wetland environmental impact assessment. The knowledge and technology transfer accomplished inthis partnership will position CERG to expand their lake assessment and watershed management capabilitiesand enable strategic development of HQP within the company.