In 1975 Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro (Hydro), a provincial crown corporation, announced plans to develop the hydroelectric potential of the Upper Salmon and Cat Arm areas to meet a forecast provincial energy deficit in i983. As part of Newfoundland's environmental assessment process baseline studies were carried out from 1975 to 1980 to evaluate the environmental acceptability of the proposed developments. The resulting Environmental Impact Statements for the respective developments were submitted by Hydro in 1980 to the Minister of Environment. Included in both impact statements was a commitment by Hydro to rehabilitate disturbed land areas.
Construction of both projects began in 1980 and was completed for the Upper Salmon and Cat Arm areas, ·n 1983 and 1984 respectively. Associated with the construction of these hydroelectric developments was a network of access roads, dams, dykes, borrow pits, rock quarries, spoil areas, waste disposal sites, campsites, marshalling areas and transmission lines. At both sites, rehabilitation is still ongoing by Hydro, in consultation with the Department of Environment.
The degree of disturbance and the problems associated with rehabilitation of these hydroelectric developments have been varied. The soils at Cat Arm are generally shallow, coarse-textured and nutrient-poor, reflecting the resistant nature of the bedrock underlying most of the area. These soils and the severe climate of the area impose restrictions on plant growth, and therefore on rehabilitation. The Upper Salmon area receives intensive use by caribou of the Grey River Herd (population 5000 animals). The area is used for calving and the post-calving aggregation and is a major migration route used during both spring and fall. This fact has influenced rehabilitation strategies.
Where reclamation has been undertaken the desired result has been prevention of erosion so that topsoil remains in place to promote a return of native species. Work has involved respreading of salvaged overburden and topsoil, grass-seeding and planting of native tree species.
At present the Environmental Assessment process plays an important role 1n land reclamation. existing rehabilitation legislation is inadequate and 9overn~en~ 1s in the process of drafting regulations to deal with this issue.