The northwest section of Chaplin Lake, which is the present site of the solution mining operations, is the prime feeding area for shorebirds. Future expansion could benefit shorebirds with an increase in shallow water areas and a resultant increase in available feeding habitat. The dikes may provide additional nesting area for resident shorebirds. Any developments must and will be screened to ensure that these activities do not harm or interfere with shorebirds. Access to the majority of the shorebird areas will be restricted by the mine operators because of liability concerns.
Climate plays a major role in the stability of Canada s prairie wetlands.
Continuous drought conditions threatens the viability of the site over the long term. The lower water levels could change the shoreline regime due to the invasion of various plant species. The water management on Chaplin Lake, for the sodium sulphate extraction process, had provided a stable source of water for shorebirds in the drought period of the 1980 s, whereas Old Wives Lake was nearly dry and Reed Lake had completely dried up. Botulism outbreaks occur at Old Wives Lake and may have an affect on shorebirds during the late summer and early fall staging and migration. Cattle trample some shoreline areas on the lakes where the Piping Plovers nest, but this is considered only a minor problem.