2 Study Area

Home , Machias Seal Island, Point Lepreau, Roque Bluffs State Park

CA PDF Page 49 of 1038

Energy East Project Part B: Deterministic Modelling of the Ecological and Volume 24: Ecological and Human Health Risk Human Health Consequences of Marine Oil Spills Assessment for Oil Spills in the Marine Environment Section 2: Study Area

2 STUDY AREA

The study area for the analysis of hypothetical crude oil spills for the proposed marine terminal is described in detail in Part A, Section 2 of the EHHRA. This section provides an overview.

2.1 Overview of Canaport Energy East Marine Terminal Operations and Expanded Shipping Operations

The proposed marine terminal will be located on the western shore of the Bay of Fundy, southeast of the City of Saint John and southwest of Mispec Point, New Brunswick. The marine terminal is proposed to be located adjacent to the two existing Canaport marine facilities: a single buoy mooring (SBM or mono- buoy) for offloading crude oil to the Irving Canaport facility, and the Canaport LNG terminal for import and now recently licensed for export of liquefied natural gas (Figure 1-1).

The marine terminal will include pile-supported trestles and breasting/mooring dolphins for two berths that can accommodate Aframax and Suezmax tankers (Berth 2), as well as VLCC tanker types (Berth 1), with capacities of 113,300 to 348,000 m3 (710,000 to 2.2 million barrels). The two berths will be constructed simultaneously. Oil will be pumped from shore via a trestle approximately 645 m long. Berths 1 and 2 will be interconnected by a trestle approximately 380 m long.

The marine terminal is expected to receive approximately 281 tanker calls per year for shipping of crude oil products originating from western Canada. The assumed tanker distribution is 70 Aframax, 175 Suezmax and 36 VLCC tankers per year. Only double-hulled tankers will be allowed to call at the marine terminal.

Transport Canada chairs the Technical Review Process of Marine Terminal Systems and Transshipment Sites (TERMPOL), a federal government initiative that assesses the safety and risks associated with vessel movements to, from and around Canada’s marine terminals. TERMPOL is a voluntary, extensive technical review process led by Transport Canada that can be requested by proponents involved in building and operating a marine terminal system for bulk handling of oil, chemicals and liquefied gases. Energy East has initiated a TERMPOL review process for the marine terminal.

An Oil Pollution Emergency Plan will be developed before commissioning of the marine terminal, as required by Oil Handling Facility regulations under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001. Saint John Harbour has established spill incident response plans and procedures and the spill response and containment procedures for the marine terminal will refer and relate to these existing plans.

The marine terminal operator will have an agreement in place with Atlantic Emergency Response Team (ALERT), the certified response organization for the Bay of Fundy. A spill response vessel and equipment will be located on the access trestle between the two berths. The marine terminal will have a response capability for the first 50 tonnes of spilled oil, as required by Canada Shipping Act, 2001. In the event of a larger spill the ALERT response would be activated.

Energy East Pipeline Ltd. May 2016 2-1

CA PDF Page 50 of 1038

Part B: Deterministic Modelling of the Ecological and Energy East Project Human Health Consequences of Marine Oil Spills Volume 24: Ecological and Human Health Risk Section 2: Study Area Assessment for Oil Spills in the Marine Environment

Energy East will not own or operate tankers. Tanker owners/operators will be solely responsible and accountable for emergency response situations associated with their respective vessels, as required by Canada Shipping Act, 2001. Emergency response for potential vessel-based incidents would be undertaken by the appropriate certified response organization that has jurisdiction at the incident location.

2.1.1 Vessel Navigation within the Harbour Limits

The Port of Saint John Harbour limits extend into the Bay of Fundy, from Partridge Island west to Musquash Harbour and south to Cape Spencer. The designated anchorages and pilot boarding areas of the Port of Saint John are also contained within the limits of the outer harbour (Saint John Port Authority 2015), as indicated in Figure 1-1. Although there are three anchorage areas near the marine terminal (Anchorage Areas A, B and D), tankers calling at the marine terminal will use only Anchorage Areas B and D.

Pursuant to the Pilotage Act, the Port of Saint John is a compulsory pilotage area managed by the Atlantic Pilotage Authority. Pilotage is the process of directing and controlling the movement of a vessel through nearshore and inshore waters unfamiliar to the ship’s master.

Tankers within the design size range for the marine terminal typically require two to four tugs to assist with turning and berthing a ballasted tanker and for departure operations of a loaded tanker. Tug requirements for the marine terminal will be examined through the TERMPOL review process.

2.1.2 Vessel Navigation within the Bay of Fundy

Vessel traffic in the Bay of Fundy is monitored by the Canadian Coast Guard’s Marine Communications and Traffic Service. Within the Bay of Fundy, there are two established shipping lanes (Figure 1-1). Inbound vessels are required to use the southeast channel, whereas outbound vessels use the northwest channel in accordance with the traffic-separation scheme. Water depth through the traffic-separation scheme area is consistently deep until the coastal area east of Saint John. The 30 m contour at chart datum is approximately 1 km offshore in the vicinity of the marine terminal. Due to the relatively deep water and wide navigation corridor of the Bay of Fundy combined with the traffic-separation scheme and pilot services for all international vessels and Canadian vessels larger than 1,500 dead weight tonnes, bathymetric hazards to navigation are minimal (DNV GL 2015a). The Bay of Fundy does not freeze, so sea ice is not a factor to consider.

Vessels calling at the marine terminal will be required to follow the established network of aids to navigation in the Bay of Fundy, as marked on navigation/nautical charts, Lists of Lights, Buoys and Fog Signals – Atlantic Coast (Canadian Coast Guard 2015a) and Radio Aids to Marine Navigation Handbook (Canadian Coast Guard 2015b).

2-2 May 2016 Energy East Pipeline Ltd.

CA PDF Page 51 of 1038

2.2 Spatial Boundaries

The spatial boundaries for the EHHRA deterministic assessment of marine oil spills (i.e., the SAMAM) include the shoreline and waters of the Bay of Fundy from the higher high tide level to the limits of Canadian territorial waters. The SAMAM includes Chignecto Bay and the Minas Basin, all of the New Brunswick and Nova Scotia coastlines of the Bay of Fundy, Saint John Harbour to the Reversing Falls, and a portion of the lower Saint John River. In addition, the United States (Maine) coastline from the Canadian border to Mount Desert Island, as well as some of the waters of the Gulf of Maine (Figure 1-1) are considered, although they are beyond the limits of Canadian territorial waters.

2.3 Human Occupancy

2.3.1 Land Use

The SAMAM is bordered by New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and the state of Maine, which have a combined population of approximately 3 million people. However, far fewer people live in the vicinity of the Bay of Fundy. Only Saint John with a population of 70,063 (StatCan 2011) and a number of smaller towns, villages, smaller coastal developments, year-round and seasonal rural residences and cottages border the SAMAM. However, few of these have a permanent resident population greater than 1,000. Figure 2-1 provides information on the size and locations of population centres around the Bay of Fundy.

Saint John is an important hub for the Canadian petroleum trade and is home to the Irving Oil refinery. Irving Oil has an existing oil terminal (Irving Canaport SBM) located at Canaport and is adjacent to Mispec Point, the site of the proposed Canaport Energy East marine terminal. The Canaport LNG terminal is east of the proposed Canaport Energy East marine terminal. A variety of other commodities, including refined petroleum products (from the Irving Oil Refinery loading facility in the inner harbour), potash, salt, recyclable metal and bulk cargo, are regularly handled through the Port of Saint John (Saint John Port Authority 2011).

North of Mispec Point lie Black Point and Red Head, including the communities known as Anthony’s Cove and Harbourview. The Irving Oil Refinery, the south end of Saint John and the west end of Saint John are about 8 km north or northwest of the proposed Canaport Energy East marine terminal location. Some islands within the Bay of Fundy are inhabited, including Grand Manan Island, Campobello Island and Deer Island in New Brunswick, and Long Island and Brier Island off Digby Neck in Nova Scotia. There are also numerous lesser islands in Canada, and islands along the coast of Maine.

The Bay of Fundy is a popular tourist destination because of its exceptionally high tides, coastal communities and marine fish and wildlife. The cruise ship business operates alongside the shipping of commodities, resulting in the annual passage of more than 200,000 cruise ship passengers through the Port of Saint John (Saint John Port Authority 2011).

Energy East Pipeline Ltd. May 2016 2-3

CA PDF Page 52 of 1038

2.3.2 Traditional Land and Resource Use

Energy East has undertaken traditional knowledge (TK) studies for the Project. The information gathered through these studies will be compared to the findings of the ESA and, where appropriate, additional mitigation will be incorporated into Energy East environmental plans to address issues raised through the TK studies.

The types of traditional land and resource use (TLRU) activities and sites that have commonly been identified in other TK studies have been classified under four broad categories:

• harvesting (hunting, trapping, fishing, plant gathering, and associated locales and species) • travel (including trails, routes, waterways and landmarks) • habitation (including cabins, campsites, meeting areas, gathering places) • cultural/spiritual (including burial sites, sacred sites, and archaeological sites)

During Project engagement activities in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, a number of issues were raised by First Nations, communities and organizations, in relation to Project potential effects on TLRU (including those from oil or gas contamination). These included potential environmental effects on:

• Aboriginal and commercial fisheries within the Bay of Fundy • traditional harvesting • commercial enterprise and cultural activities due to the marine terminal • food, social and ceremonial fisheries • fish and fish habitat • species at risk, invasive species, marine mammals and birds

Traditional knowledge studies are ongoing. As such, TLRU issues of potential importance to First Nations communities and organizations are based on existing literature and past experience within the SAMAM. Table 2-1 lists species of importance to First Nations communities and organizations in the SAMAM.

2-4 May 2016 Energy East Pipeline Ltd.

CA PDF Page 53 of 1038

Eel River er UV Grand v er r UV ! UV i iv e R R v e i Lake c ac an ul R ag A s int John R n a

a i A P c UV S v i er UV iv r

o er R m r e r l n i v

e l a e i

r e p n v v i i i e p R v t a h

i R R t r e UV s R oked C N S e i c Y s R o r v o r e i h t a a

o e c i C k R s l c e v M a l h b p

e a o i e r l w o enn K a i g W m h u ± c S o c P r P t a

r n eam O

UV R i ver UV UV er r iv e UV

v R r i River Hébert UV

d r e

R Portapique River n e v

o B i v

m i e a r i R NOUVEAU-BRUNSWICK / Riv s l ay er e

m R w s

t v N f a u l i a R r

n h e H e R

H i o S NEW BRUNSWICK r v b s

e m e e i l r M o p a D S a is g Saint John River a g R i gu ! igan a B UV da iv e Ch v r ic R ! B i on v L n e e Kennebecasis River y r pr R N e i e ! v w a Wa e u lton r R

R R ive r i v v i e r 9 r S e 9 e t ") v r . r Croi i e x R iv r R n R e i u v v g ok i e a co m et R r UV r g nn ve Co e e Ri K i u erbe d MAINE ! a H rt R a e iv c er er Baie de Fundy / p a a s en UV G r b e u Bay of Fundy iv UV Sh R

N n i

c o t a v u A UV ! x

r S e R

iv h

R P

s e a

i v

o l r UV p r

a e b n a UV

n r r

o A d

o i

s k e e B R r i oo v k e r UV ! ! G UV ol d ! B NOUVELLE-ÉCOSSE / UV M R e a i a r ve r ti r Riv NOVA SCOTIA n ! er s ! Riv er L UV aH a v e M R Sissib ed iv iver w er ! oo R ay R i v S r er a e R ur ne i l v b i l v t Sh e er e R r s r B e r v e r l v o i i o S R r Me k ie rse p y R a k i o ve N o r S r East Broad River t B o n t s B C R e e r l y o Fi

y o W T a d B d s i v

Da e r d R e e n v R o iv R

i w o e e

i a s y i UV y v v k r R S e e rs

a i r v R R b

e J l i

UV B i e v v o e l r H e r o r r o d R a

a d n

m i y ve C k i R r

l o r t i e o o v r e

e n r

k B ! B s

r k a c n Golfe UV a c l

B du Maine / B a UV rr UV in Gulf of g t o Maine n 9 R i ") v

e r Océan Atlantique / Atlantic Ocean

ME NB PE NS Sources: Données sur le projet fournies par TransCanada Pipelines Limited. Zone d'étude régionale et zones écologiques selon Stantec. Données de base fournies par le gouvernement du Canada et du Nouveau-Brunswick. / Sources: Project data provided by TransCanada Pipelines Limited. Regional Assessment Area and Ecological Areas from Stantec. Base data provided by the Government of Canada and New Brunswick.

CA PDF Page 54 of 1038 CA PDF Page 55 of 1038

Table 2-1 Species of Importance to First Nations Communities and Organizations within the SAMAM

Species

Fish and Marine Biota Mammals and Birds Vegetation Source

American eel, striped bass, Atlantic cod, None identified None identified Fisheries and Oceans Atlantic salmon, Atlantic sturgeon Canada (DFO 2011) lobster, scallop, sea urchin, tuna, swordfish, None identified None identified Jacques Whitford Limited rock crab, Jonah crab, and assorted fin fish (2009) lobster, crab, scallop, groundfish, and other None identified None identified Fisheries and Ocean fisheries Canada (DFO 2007)

Atlantic herring, including juvenile herring sold None identified None identified Fisheries and Ocean as sardines, Atlantic salmon Canada (DFO 2007) lobster, mackerel, flounder and herring halibut, Muskrat, otter, porpoise, deer, Strawberry, blueberry, apple, dulse, Membertou Geomatics haddock, herring, perch, periwinkle, trout, cod, rabbit, partridge chokecherries, golden thread, ash, Consultants (2009) clam and mussel, bass, American eel, sweetgrass, spruce, and raspberry gaspereau, pollock, Atlantic salmon, scallop, shad, and smelt lobster, mackerel, haddock, clam, cod, Porpoise, deer, pheasant, partridge, None identified Membertou Geomatics quahog, scallop, bass, dogfish, American eel, seals, rabbit, “birds”, moose, bear, Consultants (2012) pollock, smelt, halibut, periwinkle, crab and beaver, caribou, coyote, duck, fox, sturgeon, bass (including striped), Atlantic mink, porcupine salmon, flounder, crab, mussel, shad, and shrimp

Atlantic salmon, shad, gaspereau, trout Osprey, hawks, butterflies, moose, Sugar maple, hemlock, yellow birch, Conservation Council of deer, bear, pheasants, pine marten, sweetgrass, black spruce, touch-me-nots, New Brunswick (2009) salamanders, ground woodpecker, Jack-in-the-pulpit, Indian cucumber, pin- fishers, porcupines cushion moss, ash, elms, maple, pines, spruce and cedar, butternut, elderberries, bloodroot, wild ginger, gold thread, flag root, wood sorrel, blue flag, highbush cranberry, hobblebush, alder, chokecherry, black ash, white pine, wild blueberry, pussy-willow, Indian pear, fiddlehead

Energy East Pipeline Ltd. May 2016 2-7

CA PDF Page 56 of 1038

2.4 Commercial Marine Resource Use

The commercial marine resource use in the SAMAM is predominantly through commercial fisheries, aquaculture and tourism.

2.4.1 Commercial Fisheries

Commercial fisheries in the SAMAM are well established, and many species of fin fish and shellfish are harvested, including:

• Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) • American lobster (Homarus americanus) • sea scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) • green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) • sea cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa) • clams (various species) • crabs (various species) • gaspereau (includes alewife [Alosa pseudoharengus] and blueback herring [Alosa aestivalis]) • Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) • American eel (Anguilla rostrata) • flatfishes (various flounders and plaice)

Numerous marine plants (e.g., rockweeds, Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus spp.; dulse, Palmaria palmata; Irish moss, Chondrus crispus and Mastocarpus stellatus) are also harvested commercially. In terms of monetary value, American lobster, Atlantic herring and sea scallop dominate the fishery (DFO 2015). However, other fin fish and invertebrates such as green sea urchin, soft-shell clam and sea cucumber, and marine plants contribute to the overall value of the commercial harvest in the SAMAM. Some First Nations are active participants in the commercial fisheries of the region. Further information on commercial fisheries in the SAMAM is provided in Volume 17, Part A, Section 10.

2.4.2 Aquaculture

There is a substantial aquaculture industry in the SAMAM, concentrated mainly in the Blacks Harbour/Passamaquoddy Bay/Grand Manan Island area, and in the coastal waters of Maine. The principal species farmed include Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) and American oyster (Crassostrea virginica), and there is some production of sea scallops and marine plants.

2-8 May 2016 Energy East Pipeline Ltd.

CA PDF Page 57 of 1038

2.4.3 Tourism

The SAMAM supports a popular tourism industry that is focused largely on the unique marine environment of the region. Common industry activities include guided tours to observe marine mammals and birds, guided recreational fishing, coastal sightseeing, camping and hiking, and boating and kayaking.

2.5 Physical Setting

The marine physical environment considered for the EHHRA extends from Chignecto Bay and the Minas Basin in the inner Bay of Fundy to the waters of the Gulf of Maine on the outer side of the Bay of Fundy. Guidance from the NEB (letter dated June 27, 2014; NEB 2014) noted that the Application must consider the potential effects of marine shipping in Canada’s internal waters, out to the 12 nautical mile territorial sea limit. These boundaries are shown in Figure 1-1.

2.5.1 Existing Water and Sediment Quality

Marine water and sediment quality can be influenced by oceanographic processes, freshwater inputs and anthropogenic activities. The oceanography of the SAMAM is interconnected with the greater Gulf of Maine, the Scotian Shelf and the northwestern Atlantic Ocean. It is characterized by a substantial semi-diurnal tidal regime with a minimum tidal range of approximately 6 m at the mouth and a maximum tidal range of approximately 16 m in the upper reaches of Chignecto Bay. The Bay of Fundy receives freshwater inputs from numerous rivers and streams, the largest of which is the Saint John River (Wells 2003). Contaminants that have the potential to degrade water and sediment quality range from suspended sediment and trace elements to nutrients, pesticides, hydrocarbons and persistent organic pollutants. These originate largely from anthropogenic activities that produce land-based, point and non-point source inputs.

There are no available water and sediment quality data for the SAMAM that would allow a systematic spatial or temporal trend analysis. The available data are geographically sporadic, dated and derived from various methodologies and focal parameters. However, information is available on the contaminant concentrations of water, sediments and indicator biota for some coastal areas of the Bay of Fundy (Loring et al. 1996, 1998; Chou et al. 2003, 2004; DFO 2005; Jacques Whitford 2008; CBCL Limited 2009). These studies tend to focus on coastal areas where existing anthropogenic effects might be expected, such as the industrialized Saint John Harbour (Jacques Whitford 2008). Beyond such localized effects, these data suggest that contaminant concentrations in Bay of Fundy waters and sediments are below thresholds expected to cause environmental harm.

2.5.2 Ecological Areas of the SAMAM

This section describes the physiographic, oceanographic and biological characteristics of major ecological areas of the SAMAM (Figure 2-1) as shown in Table 2-2.

Energy East Pipeline Ltd. May 2016 2-9

CA PDF Page 58 of 1038

Table 2-2 Characteristics of Major Ecological Areas – Bay of Fundy

Marine Ecological Areas Physiographic Characteristics Oceanographic Characteristics Biological Characteristics

Chignecto Bay Shallow inlet bordered predominantly Extreme diurnal tidal influence. Surface Estuarine with numerous intertidal mudflats by forested, rocky coastline to the circulation enters along the southeast coast and saltmarshes that provide habitat for northwest and forested lowlands to the and circles around the bay, exiting along large concentrations of benthic southeast. Receives Petitcodiac River the northwest coast. invertebrates and migrating shorebirds. drainage that includes Greater Chignecto Bay is designated as an Moncton. Important Bird Area (IBA).1

Minas Basin Shallow inlet bordered by forested Extreme diurnal tidal influence. Surface Estuarine with numerous sand flats, lowland coastline along the inner circulation enters along the southeast coast mudflats, and salt marshes that provide portion and forested rocky coastline and circles around the basin exiting along habitat for large concentrations of benthic along the outer portion. Narrow sea the northwest coast. Complex array of eddy invertebrates and migrating shorebirds. entry between the Minas Channel and formations due to narrow entry. Contains an isolated population of the mud- Minas Basin. High levels of suspended piddock clam (Barnea truncata; COSEWIC sediment. Agricultural land drainage – Threatened). Mudflats are an important predominantly from the Shubenacadie staging area for more than a million River and Cornwallis River. shorebirds in late July and early August.1 Particularly important for semipalmated sandpiper. Contains two designated IBAs.1

Fundy Main Deep trough bordered by a Major diurnal tidal influence. Surface Vast pelagic habitat. Includes the protected predominantly forested, rocky coastline. circulation enters along the southeast coast Musquash Estuary’s salt marsh waterfowl Receives Saint John River drainage and circles around the bay, exiting along habitat. Includes the horse mussel and contains Saint John Harbour. the northwest coast. Smaller gyres also (Modiolus sp.) reefs north of Digby, NS, circulate the length of the bay in a similar which have high biodiversity and are manner. important sites for benthic-pelagic energy flows.

Quoddy Region Shallow inlet bordered by forested Major diurnal tidal influence. Complex An area of high marine productivity for the lowland coastline along the northwest circulation patterns due to many islands Bay of Fundy. Contains various unique and forested rocky coastline along the and small embayments. Area of upwelling habitat features with high species diversity eastern bay and west islands/Wolves that helps to support high productivity. and aggregations of seabirds and marine Islands. Major aquaculture activity. mammals. This region contains three IBAs1. Several islands are important staging, feeding and wintering areas for various bird species.1

2-10 May 2016 Energy East Pipeline Ltd.

CA PDF Page 59 of 1038

Energy East Project Part B: Deterministic Modelling of the Ecological and Volume 24: Ecological and Human Health Risk Assessment Human Health Consequences of Marine Oil Spills for Oil Spills in the Marine Environment Section 2: Study Area

Table 2-2 Characteristics of Major Ecological Areas – Bay of Fundy

Marine Ecological Areas Physiographic Characteristics Oceanographic Characteristics Biological Characteristics

Grand Manan Island and Generally rocky forested coastline Major diurnal tidal influence. Complex Contains aggregations of marine mammals, archipelago along the islands. Significant circulation patterns due to the islands and seabirds (nesting, migrating and aquaculture activity. tidal currents. Areas of upwelling that help overwintering) due to abundant marine to support high productivity. resources. Includes several species of management concern, including critical habitat for the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis; SARA - Endangered). The Grand Manan archipelago is very important bird habitat during all seasons, and is designated as an IBA.1

Brier Island and Digby Predominantly forested, rocky Strong inward tidal currents bring cold Contains a high concentration and species Neck coastline. water and nutrients to surface via diversity of copepods which support marine upwelling. Shallow waters within St. Mary’s birds. Brier Island is an important feeding Bay. area for shearwaters during migration, as well as many other species year-round. This region is designated as an IBA.1

Southeast Nova Scotia Predominantly forested, rocky Predominantly under the influence of the Important destination for migratory birds. coastline; many small islands. Labrador Current wrapping around the This is an important stopover area for coast from the northeast. Tidal influence migrating phalaropes in fall. reduced relative to other areas of the Bay of Fundy.

North Coast of Maine Predominantly forested, lowland Major diurnal tidal influence. Abundant Similar habitats to Fundy Main and Quoddy coastline. coastal islands and small embayments Region, although not as productive as contribute to complex circulation patterns. Quoddy Region Coastal current influenced by the gyre surrounding the Jordan Basin.

Energy East Pipeline Ltd. May 2016 2-11

CA PDF Page 60 of 1038

Table 2-2 Characteristics of Major Ecological Areas – Bay of Fundy

Marine Ecological Areas Physiographic Characteristics Oceanographic Characteristics Biological Characteristics

Gulf of Maine Open ocean habitat with a few rocky, Influenced by the Labrador Current Pelagic marine habitat exposed small islands. wrapping around the coast from the northeast and the gyres associated with the Jordan Basin, Georges Basin and Georges Bank.

SOURCES: Buzeta et al. 2003 Buzeta 2014 1 IBA Canada 2015

2-12 May 2016 Energy East Pipeline Ltd.

CA PDF Page 61 of 1038

2.5.2.1 Shoreline and Nearshore Habitats

The Maine/New Brunswick side of the SAMAM is characterized by a rocky coastline with many cliffs and scattered islands. This is particularly the case in the western portion of the Maine coastline, and includes Mount Desert Island, much of which is protected as Acadia National Park. The rocky and incised Maine shoreline enters the Quoddy Region near Lubec. The Quoddy Region includes Passamaquoddy Bay and many of the Fundy Isles, with similar coastal characteristics of rocky inlets and islands extending as far as Point Lepreau. Between Point Lepreau and Saint John, there are fewer islands, but many inlets, with predominantly rocky shorelines. One of these, Musquash Harbour, contains a large area of salt marsh that is a federally-designated marine protected area. East of Saint John, Cape Spencer marks the beginning of the Inner Bay of Fundy, and a long and generally straight shoreline that extends all the way to Cape Enrage. This shoreline has many cliffs or steep sections, and includes a largely undeveloped area that extends from St. Martins to Alma, including Fundy National Park. Cape Enrage marks the entrance to the inner part of Chignecto Bay, which further separates into Shepody Bay and the Cumberland Basin. Here, the shorelines tend to be lower lying, and there are both extensive mudflats and increasing concentrations of suspended sediments in the water.

The Nova Scotia shoreline begins in the Cumberland Basin and extends southwest to Cape Chignecto, an exposed point and headland at the head of the Fundy Main part of the bay. From Cape Chignecto, the predominantly steep and rocky coastline runs east into the Minas Basin, where mudflats again become widespread and suspended sediment concentrations in the water increase. Leaving the Minas Basin via Cape Split, the shoreline extends southwest along the North Mountain of the Annapolis Valley, which has rocky and steeply rising shorelines. A small gap at Digby allows entry to the sheltered Annapolis Basin. Southwest from Digby, the Digby Neck terminates with Long Island and Brier Island, which provide shelter to St. Mary’s Bay. From the head of St. Mary’s Bay around to Yarmouth, shorelines are rocky but tend to be less steeply rising than along the Digby Neck and North Mountain. South and east of Yarmouth, the shoreline remains generally low but becomes highly incised, with many small, low islands. The shoreline of the SAMAM terminates at Cape Sable Island, a low lying and highly exposed cape at the southern tip of Nova Scotia.

Southwest of the Quoddy Region lie Grand Manan Island, an archipelago of lesser islands and the Wolves, a group of islands between Grand Manan and Blacks Harbour. Although many of the islands surrounding Grand Manan are low lying, Grand Manan generally tilts from west to east, so that the western side of Grand Manan is characterized by steep cliffs, whereas the eastern side of the island is more protected and lower lying. Several rocks and ledges occur south and west of Grand Manan, the most notable of which is Machias Seal Island. Although low-lying and the subject of an unresolved boundary dispute between Canada and the United States, Machias Seal Island is the site of a Canadian lighthouse, and is an important sanctuary and nesting site for marine birds.

The intertidal zone is defined as the area between the highest high water mark and mean lower low water mark for spring tides (Williams 1993). The total intertidal area of the Bay of Fundy is approximately 1,437 km2 (Wildish and Fader 1998). This zone includes a variety of habitats, including estuaries, salt marshes, mudflats, sand bars, tide pools, brackish ponds, ledges, artificial habitats, and rocky, muddy or sandy beaches (Buzeta et al. 2003). Intertidal habitat is strongly influenced by a range of physical and biological factors, including substrate type, slope, wave exposure, tidal range, salinity, light, temperature

Energy East Pipeline Ltd. May 2016 2-13

CA PDF Page 62 of 1038

and species assemblages (Levings et al. 1983; Williams 1993; Howes et al. 1997; Burd et al. 2008). Areas of high exposure experience stress due to the physical motion of water and wave action. The upper intertidal zone has longer periods of exposure to air and desiccation than the lower intertidal zone. The biological attributes of the intertidal zone can also be important contributors to the overall habitat. As an example, the presence of seaweeds such as Fucus spp. can help other species thrive by providing a source of food, shade, concealment from predators, and reduced exposure to desiccation.

Rocky intertidal habitats are prominent throughout much of the shoreline of the SAMAM, and are characterized by a strong vertical zonation from the highest tide level down to the subtidal zone (Thomas 1983). Upper portions of the intertidal rocky habitat, which are usually exposed, are typically dominated by lichens such as Verrucaria maura, Verrucaria ceuthocarpa, Xanthoria parietina, Caloplaca marina, Parmelia saxatilis and Parmelia sulcate (Thomas 1994). The high water line is often marked by a narrow band of Fucus spiralis (Thomas 1994). The mid to lower rocky intertidal zone is recognized for its mats of Ascophyllum nodosum, and to a lesser extent Fucus vesiculosus, brown algae (Phaeophyceae) collectively referred to as rockweed (Thomas 1994). Only the most extreme, unsheltered rocky environments are devoid of fucoid algae.

The intertidal zone is also home to many sessile and semi-motile invertebrates, such as limpets (e.g., Acmaea testudinalis), barnacles (Semibalanus balanoides, Balanus crenatus), periwinkles (e.g., Littorina saxatilis) and blue mussel, as well as echinoderms, particularly the green sea urchin (Thomas 1994). Fucoids (rockweeds) in this zone are almost always host to hydrozoans and bryozoans (e.g., Sertularia pumila, Flustrellidra hispida) (Thomas 1983). The lowest portion of intertidal rocky habitat, which is submerged for all but a few hours or less per day, is typically dominated by one or more species of green (Chlorophyta) or red algae (Rhodophyta), including Acrosiphonia arcta, Mastocarpus stellatus, Chondrus crispus and Palmaria palmata.

Tide pools are depressions in rocky intertidal habitat that contain seawater (Thomas 1983). Tide pools provide biologically diverse microhabitats with distinct physicochemical properties that vary depending on their position on the shore. Tide pools may be permanent or ephemeral, and can be saline, brackish or predominantly freshwater. Tide pools on rocky shores of the Bay of Fundy typically support assemblages of green algae, rockweed, lichens (e.g., Verrucaria spp.), ostracods, copepods, turbellarians, polychaetes, various molluscs and crustaceans, echinoderms (e.g., sea stars) and small vertebrate fishes (e.g., rock gunnel, Pholis gunnellus).

Beach habitats in the SAMAM are highly variable, depending on factors such as wave exposure, slope, and underlying geology (Steele 1983). Sheltered beaches are often composed of poorly sorted sediments, whereas particles on beaches exposed to constant wave action are typically rounded and very well sorted. Sedimentary beach habitat generally contains only small tufts of the macroalgae that dominate rocky shores due to the impermanence of sand and gravel substrates (Steele 1983). Instead, diatoms and finer algae, like Pylaiella littoralis and Dictyosiphon foeniculaceus, dominate algal assemblages. Larger rocks or boulders on beaches may host epifauna like barnacles and mussels, and may support moist or shaded habitat underneath, where a variety of organisms, including hydroids, sponges, anemones, flatworms, amphipods and isopods, as well as rock gunnel, crabs, periwinkles and dogwhelk (Thais lapillus) may be found (Steele 1983). Fine-textured beaches are mostly devoid of vegetation, and are populated mainly by burrowing organisms like sand shrimp (Crangon septemspinosus) and clams, as well as sand dollars, snails and urchins (Steele 1983).

2-14 May 2016 Energy East Pipeline Ltd.

CA PDF Page 63 of 1038

Mudflats provide habitat for soft-shell clams (Mya arenaria) and “baitworms” (e.g., Glycera dibranchiata), which are harvested recreationally and commercially throughout the bay (DFO 1997; Shepherd and Boates 1999). Mudflats occur frequently along the New Brunswick side of the Bay of Fundy, around the periphery of Chignecto Bay and Minas Basin, and in the upper Annapolis Basin (Buzeta et al. 2003). In contrast, the shorelines of southwestern New Brunswick and Maine are predominantly rocky, and the overall tidal range is smaller, so that areas of mudflat tend to be smaller and located within coves and bays. The coastline of the Digby Neck and Annapolis areas is predominantly rocky with bedrock exposures, with small coves and beaches (ranging from cobble to sand) becoming more common as wave exposure decreases to the northeast.

There are patches of salt marsh throughout the Bay of Fundy coastline. The most extensive salt marshes are in the upper reaches of Chignecto Bay (around Moncton, Sackville and Amherst), the Minas Basin (around Truro, Windsor and Wolfville), and to a lesser extent in the Annapolis Basin (Thomas 1983; Buzeta et al. 2003; Buzeta 2014). There are smaller areas of salt marsh from St. Martins to the St. Croix River. The Saint’s Rest Marsh near Saint John and the Musquash Estuary, west of Saint John, are notable examples of salt marsh in the outer Bay of Fundy. Salt marshes represent a highly productive transition zone between mudflats and the terrestrial environment, and are characterized by their dense vegetative community dominated by grasses (Spartina spp.). Common salt marsh fauna include snails (Hydrobia and Melampus), ribbed mussel (Modiolus demissus), worms (particularly Nereis), and small fishes like sticklebacks (Gasterosteus spp.) and killifish (Fundulus spp.).

Estuaries may also support high levels of biological productivity, and generally contain a variety of different types of coastal habitat, such as rocky shore, beach, salt marsh and mudflat. The Saint John River is the largest river that drains into the Bay of Fundy, contributing an estimated 70% of all freshwater input. However, it does not support the most notable estuary. The largest areas of estuarine habitat are in the upper portions of Chignecto Bay and the Minas Basin, where multiple rivers contribute to what could be considered large estuarine systems. Minor estuaries also exist at the mouths many smaller rivers throughout the Bay of Fundy (Metcalfe et al. 1976; Buzeta 2014). The Musquash estuary is a relatively undisturbed marine protected area surrounded by a large salt marsh (Singh and Buzeta 2007). The St. Croix River and the Annapolis River also support notable estuaries.

Eelgrass (Zostera marina) is a common, productive aquatic plant that can form extensive intertidal and subtidal beds in estuaries and coastal areas of Atlantic Canada (DFO 2009). It provides habitat structure in nearshore marine environments by providing cover from predation for various invertebrate and fish species, reducing local current regimes and supporting secondary production by adding to local habitat complexity and surface area. Eelgrass beds may also enhance the marine environment by stabilizing sediment, buffering shorelines and filtering water. The distribution of eelgrass in the SAMAM is not well understood (Hanson, pers. comm.). Eelgrass is generally not present in areas of high exposure, strong currents, high turbidity or rocky substrates. As a result, the distribution of eelgrass within the Bay of Fundy is believed to be restricted largely to the outer bay, particularly sheltered estuarine environments such as the Musquash Estuary (Hanson 2004).

Energy East Pipeline Ltd. May 2016 2-15

CA PDF Page 64 of 1038

2.5.2.2 Shallow Subtidal Habitat

Subtidal habitat is strongly influenced by physical characteristics of the seabed, including topography, roughness, sediment type and distribution, grain size and shape, patchiness, rock composition and sediment thickness (Levings et al. 1983; Fader et al. 1998; Todd and Kostylev 2010). Oceanographic factors such as oxygen saturation, salinity or water stratification, and light penetration also influence subtidal habitat in the Bay of Fundy. Shallow subtidal habitat in this region is defined as near-bottom habitat where light can penetrate such that photosynthetic activity can occur and marine plants can thrive. Note that this definition is limited by the occurrence of very high levels of suspended sediments in some parts of the Bay of Fundy, which can reduce light penetration and limit the growth of marine plants even in shallow water. Shallow subtidal sediments also tend to be close to shore with a high level of influence from tidal currents and wave action.

Shallow subtidal habitat tends to support greater biodiversity and productivity than deeper subtidal habitats in the SAMAM due mainly to light penetration. Rocky portions of the transition zone between intertidal and shallow subtidal habitat contain variable amounts of rockweed, red algae (e.g., Palmaria palmata, Mastocarpus stellatus) and kelp (e.g., Laminaria spp., Alaria esculenta) interspersed with patches of bare rock (urchin barrens) created by green sea urchin grazing. The fauna of this transition zone includes sea stars (Asterias vulgaris and A. forbesii), blue mussel and various snails (Thomas 1983).

Shallow rocky subtidal habitats are typically encrusted with coralline algae of the genus Lithothamnion, with brachiopods such as Terebratulina septentrionalis in crevices and the undersides of rocks (Noble et al. 1976; Thomas 1983). This type of habitat is common to the SAMAM but is characteristic of much of the Quoddy Region, Grand Manan and shores of Brier Island (Buzeta et al. 2003). Other abundant fauna include (Thomas 1983) chitons (Polyplacophora), hydroids and anemones (Coelenterata), bryozoans, gastropods (limpets), tunicates, annelids, decapods (lobsters, crabs and shrimps), bivalves (mussels, clams and scallops), echinoids (urchins and sand dollars), barnacles (Cirripedia) and sponges (Porifera). Macroalgae such as Laminaria and Palmaria are common in the shallowest areas but are generally absent at depths greater than 10 m. Blue mussels are also typically concentrated in shallow, often subtidal water (Thomas 1983).

Tables 4-1, 4-2 and Section 4.4.1 of Part A provide a description of the shoreline and nearshore habitats present in the SAMAM. Using the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) classification system of Petersen et al. (2002), the 20 individual shoreline types recognized within the SAMAM, as well as nearshore eelgrass habitat, were reduced to four groups (see Part A, Table 4-1 of the EHHRA) representing Biological Sensitivity Factor (BSF) rankings from 1 (least sensitive to oil exposure) to 4 (most sensitive to oil exposure). The BSF rankings represent shoreline types as follows:

• ESI classes 1 and 2 (representing exposed rocky and other generally non-permeable shorelines) are assigned to BSF = 1 • ESI classes 3, 4 and 5 (representing shorelines of fine sand to mixed sand and gravel) are assigned to BSF = 2

2-16 May 2016 Energy East Pipeline Ltd.

CA PDF Page 65 of 1038

• ESI classes 6, 7 and 8 (representing gravel, cobble and boulder beaches, exposed tidal flats, and many sheltered shoreline types, as well as eelgrass beds) are assigned to BSF = 3 • ESI classes 9, 10 (representing sheltered tidal flats, salt marsh, freshwater marsh, and other vegetated intertidal habitats) are assigned to BSF = 4

Figure 2-2 shows the distribution of shoreline types, by ESI and BSF class, within the SAMAM.

Sedimentary subtidal habitats may contain species assemblages that are similar to those of rocky/bedrock habitats, although organisms tend to cluster on and around large cobble and boulders (Steele 1983; Wildish 1983). Sand dollars and green sea urchins are widespread on sandy shallow subtidal areas (Steele 1983). Seagrass beds may extend from the lower intertidal zone into shallow subtidal areas where the clarity of the water allows, and where soft substrates exist. Oysters occur infrequently in the SAMAM, in shallow subtidal portions of sandy and rocky substrates (Kenchington 2014). Though horse mussel (Modiolus modiolus) reefs typically occur in deeper offshore environments, substantial reefs have been found at the mouth of the Annapolis Basin, near Digby (Buzeta 2014; Wildish and Fader 1998; Wildish et al. 2009).

Several algae species of the intertidal and subtidal zones are harvested recreationally and commercially in the SAMAM. Dulse is harvested as a food crop, especially within the Grand Manan archipelago and Digby Neck (Chopin and Ugarte 2006). Irish moss is harvested commercially for the extraction of carrageenan, which is used in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries (Chopin and Ugarte 2006). Ascophyllum nodosum, the dominant rockweed species in much of the rocky intertidal areas, is harvested commercially throughout the SAMAM for use in natural fertilizers and other products (Chopin and Ugarte 2006). Mixed species of kelp are also harvested commercially within the bay (Chopin and Ugarte 2006; Vandermeulen 2013).

2.5.2.3 Deep Subtidal Habitat

Deep subtidal habitat is characterized here as near-bottom habitat where less light can penetrate the water, which limits photosynthetic activity. The depth at which deep subtidal habitat will occur depends largely on water turbidity and the time of year. Deep subtidal habitat is generally farther offshore and less influenced by tidal currents and wave action than shallower subtidal areas. Typically, deep subtidal habitat has a greater proportion of finer sediments such as sand and silt, although hard substrates are also common.

The lower light levels of deep subtidal habitat limit the abundance of marine plants and algae. As described by Noble et al. (1976) and Thomas (1983), hard surfaces are often colonized by brachiopods such as Terebratulina septentrionalis, bryozoans and, where water conditions are not turbid, sponges. Soft substrates in deep subtidal habitat generally contain species assemblages similar to those in shallower areas (i.e., polychaetes, nematodes, crustaceans, molluscs and benthic fish).

Energy East Pipeline Ltd. May 2016 2-17

CA PDF Page 66 of 1038

2.5.2.4 Open Water Habitat

Open water habitat refers to pelagic ocean habitat that is not close to the shore or bottom substrate. It is influenced by several factors, including water depth, currents, light penetration and nutrient availability, which subsequently affect a host of other environmental factors. From a physical oceanographic perspective, the open water habitat of the SAMAM can be divided into three broad zones: the Gulf of Maine, the Outer Bay of Fundy and the Inner Bay of Fundy. The Outer Bay and the Inner Bay transition within the Fundy Main ecological area. Specifically, an oceanographic transition occurs between the waters of the Inner and Outer Bay of Fundy at a line that roughly corresponds to Point Lepreau in New Brunswick, and Digby in Nova Scotia. The Outer Bay, like the Gulf of Maine, is more oceanic with colder summer and warmer winter temperatures, higher salinity and lower current velocities than the Inner Bay. The Inner Bay experiences more extreme seasonal fluctuations in water temperature, lower salinity, higher current velocities and higher levels of suspended sediments than the Outer Bay. These characteristics are particularly pronounced in Chignecto Bay and the Minas Basin.

The gradient of oceanographic conditions within the Bay of Fundy gives rise to differences in the open water communities found in different areas. Many fish species that inhabit open water, such as tunas, sharks, herring, mackerel and various groundfish species are more abundant in the Outer Bay than in the Inner Bay.

In the Quoddy region off the southwestern coast of New Brunswick, the dominant oceanographic feature is the large semi-diurnal tide, which generates strong currents (Smith et al. 1984). Topographic resistance to these tidal flows results in small-scale local upwelling, and vigorous vertical mixing. The substantial upwellings around Grand Manan Island and archipelago, and around Brier Island at the end of the Digby Neck, support high levels of primary production across the mouth of the Bay of Fundy. This in turn supports high concentrations of zooplankton (e.g., krill and copepods) that attract an abundance of fish, marine birds and marine mammals to the open waters of the Outer Bay of Fundy (Buzeta et al. 2003; Smith et al. 1984).

2.6 Designated Areas and Ecological Reserves

Designated areas and ecological reserves are defined here as any government controlled coastal lands, islands and ocean habitat within the SAMAM that seek to preserve wildlife and wildlife habitat for the purposes of conservation. This includes national parks, provincial/state parks, marine protected areas and provincially, state or federally designated critical habitats, wildlife reserves/refuges and bird sanctuaries (Figure 2-3).

2.6.1 Provincially Designated Areas (Canada)

For the purposes of this document, provincially designated areas include existing provincial parks, NB Protected Natural Areas (PNA), and NS Wilderness Areas and Nature Reserves.

2-18 May 2016 Energy East Pipeline Ltd.

CA PDF Page 67 of 1038

Eel River 8 r UV 10 Grand ve er r ! UV i iv e R R v 2 Lake ce ac i UV Fredericton n ul R aga A s int John R An a 6

a i P c UV S v 2 i er UV iv r

o er R m r e r l n i v

e l a e i

r e p n v v i i i e p R v t a h

i R R 2 t r e UV s R oked C N S e i c Y s R o r v o r e i h t a a

o e c i C k R s l c e v M a l h b p

e a o i e r l w o enn K a i g m u W S c h o c P P

r a t n ± r 3 eam O

UV P R

o i i

n ver 4 1 t UV UV W er o r iv lfe e R Riv v er i UV104 r d r R e n Portapique River iv o e River Hébert B

v r m i e a r

R i e Riv s l ay er e s

m R w v

c v N u lf a i i 7 R e n a

UV h NOUVEAU-BRUNSWICK / e p H R R o H i S

s r v

i t s

e m e r i l r e o NEW BRUNSWICK p M a b i S M s Saint John River e g D

R i ag 2 igan a B UV g iv u e Ch ad r a v i B c Kennebecasis River on L n R e y i pr R v N e e i e r ! v w a Wa e u lton r R

R R Saint ive r

i v v i e r r S e 9 e t John ") v . r r Croi i e x R iv r R n R e i u v

v g cook i a R e m et MAINE r UV1 r g nn ve Co e e Ri K i u erbe d a H rt R a e iv c er er UV1 p a Île s en G a r b Deer Baie de Fundy / e 14 u iv UV Sh R

Island N n i

Bay of Fundy c o t Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) grouped by Île a v 1 u A UV x

r S

Campobello e R

Biological Sensitivity Factor (BSF) Classes iv h

R P i

s e i a v 101

o l r UV Island p r

FSB / BSF = 1 a e b n a

n r r o A d UV14

o i

s k

! e ! e

Île B R !

! r i oo v Grand Manan k e 12

! r UV

! Island ! ! FSB / BSF = 2 ! G UV103 ol

NOUVELLE-ÉCOSSE / d

! Digby Halifax !

! ! ! B M R e

! a i

! a NOVA SCOTIA r ve t r r R 10 i

! iv UV n ! er 8 s

UV Riv

! e ! r Île ! L ! a

Machias Seal Ha ! v

! e FSB / BSF = 3* Island M R ! is e i ! S sib d v iver w er oo R ay

! R ! i v S r er ! e R a ! rne i l v bu v i l t She er e R r ! s ! Île 1 r UV B e r v e r l ! Brier v o i

! i o S R Island r k r Me

! ie rs ! e e p y R v a k i

i o ve N

! R o r ! S r n t B East Broad River o o t

! n s !

lm C R e e B l y r

a y o o

S W T F ! a FSB / BSF = 4 d B d

! s i i

Da e r d R v e n e

v R o i

101 i w o e v R

s i a y

UV y e i v

! k v R S e r er a

Golfe du Maine / i r s v R R

b ! J l

! e i

B i e v v o e l r o H e r r Gulf of Maine r d

! o R a

! d n

m i y ve

C i k ! R r

! o r t i e o o v r e

e n r

! ! k B ! B s

r 9 Yarmouth k

a ! ") c ! 103 n UV a c l

! B ! B a ! r 103 ! r UV in g

! t ! o n

R !

! i v

e Océan Atlantique /

! !

Atlantic Ocean ! !

!!!! !

! UV3 !

! !

0 10 20 30 40 50 !

! !

Kilomètres / Kilometres !

! !

QC !

! !

! ME NB PE Types de littoral et facteurs! de sensibilité biologique assignés aux habitats côtiers et sublittoraux /

! Secteur !

d'intérêt / ! NS Shoreline Types and Biological! Sensitivity Factors Assigned to Shoreline and Near-Shore Habitats Area of ! Interest ! Sources: Données sur le projet fournies par TransCanada Pipelines Limited. Frontière maritime tirée du Service hydrographique du Canada. Données de base fournies par le gouvernement du Canada et du Nouveau-Brunswick ainsi que par le gouvernement de l'État du Maine. /

Sources: Project data provided by TransCanada Pipelines Limited. Maritime boundary from Canadian Hydrographic Service. Base data provided by the Government of Canada and New Brunswick! and the Government of the State of Maine.

2-2

! ! !

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! CA PDF Page 68 of 1038

Eel River 8 er 2 UV 10 Grand v r UV UV i e R v i Lake ce r Fredericton n e R a v s g i Upper int John na a 6 a Ri A R c UV S ve 2 i r UV t Cumberland iv r r t e R m r e r e n i v e l a n e i l p v v Basin i i i p R

o a h R R 2 P r e UV oked C N S e o c Y r v o r i h t C e a o e R s l c k a l h p

o RNF de Shepody/ i a l w o Parc national du Canada i g m u W ± *# S Site ramsar de May's Point / h o P tr r Fundy / Fundy Baie de P 3 ea O Shepody NWA/ UV m National Park of Canada Shepody 1 Mary's Point Ramsar Site 7 r UV Bay West UV e r v e 104 i iv UV r *# 4

R R r

River Hébert UV e Cape s d e i v Portapique River n i v

o i p B

e R a r r m Enrage Riv s R ay er e

s e m n w f t v a l i o a R r NOUVEAU-BRUNSWICK / N H e R m H i l v b s

a e e i r NEW BRUNSWICK S D o g M Saint John River i a B igan ga UV2 g Marais et plage de *# u Ch ad Baie a Saint's Rest v i Quaco B c *# on L Marsh & Beach n Cobequid R e Kennebecasis River Bay y i pr R v N e e Bay i r e v w a Wa e u lton r R

R R Saint ive r

i v v i e r r S e 9 Southern Bight, e t John ") v . r r Croi i e x Île Manawagonish Island Minas Basin R iv r R Point Lepreau / n R e i u v 1 i v UV g cook e a MAINE m et R r baie Maces Bay r g nn Zone de protection marine ve Co e e Ri K i u erbe d a H rt R a de l'estuaire de la Musquash / e iv c Île Région de er er p a Deer Quoddy Musquash Estuary a s en Archipel UV1 G r b Baie de Fundy / e 14 u Island Region Marine Protected Area iv UV Sh The Wolves R

N n

Bay of Fundy o Région désignée de la Nouvelle-Écosse actuelle i Archipelago c t v Île a A 1 u UV

et future (2015) / Nova Scotia Pending and r S x

ive h R Campobello P

Recently (2015) Designated Area sR e r

i a 101 i

o l b UV p r 14

Island a v r n a UV

n o A d r

*# o

Habitat essentiel i

s k

! e e

! de la baleine noire Île B R

! i *# ! de l'Atlantique Nord # roo v Grand Manan * k e

Archipel r !

! dans le bassin # Grand Manan Island *

*# !

! Grand Manan /

Archipelago NOUVELLE-ÉCOSSE / UV103 ! Digby Halifax

Milbridge ! Grand Manan B 12 ! ! UV

e NOVA SCOTIA ! a

*# to Addison ! Basin North Atlantic r Ri 8 10

! ve UV UV

Machias ! Right Whale r !

Bay ! Critical Habitat Parc national et Lieu

! L Mount ! historique national a Ha

Desert ! v

! Île du Canada Kejimkujik / e R ! Machias Seal is i ! S sib v *# iver Kejimkujik National er Petit Island oo R

! Park and National

Manan Île M S r ed

! e Historic Site of Canada w a

! v l Brier i a t y e R r ! s ! Island 1 r R UV i B e r Lake ve v e r r l ! v o i

! i o S R Rossignol r k r Me

! ie rs ! e e p y R v a k i

Brier Island i o ve

N Duck ! R o r ! S r East Broad River and Offshore n t B Islands o o t

! n s ! B Waters lm C R e e r l y o Fi

a y o S W T a ! d B d

! s i v

Da e r d R e e n v R o iv R

101 i w o e e

i a s y i

UV y v v

! k r R S e e rs

a i r v R R b

! J l

! e i

B i e v v o e l r Golfe du o H er r r d

! o R a

! d n

m i y ve Maine / Gulf C k

i ! R r

! o r t i e o o v r e

e n r

of Maine ! ! k B B

r Yarmouth *# k

a !

! 103 n UV a c l

h ! B

! *# 3 103 ! UV UV

! The South Shore ! ! Brothers (Barrington

9 ! ") ! Bay Sector)

! Océan

! ! Bon Portage

! Atlantique /

Island !

! Eastern Atlantic !!!! ! Cape Sable ! *# Ocean

Island

! !

0 10 20 30 40 50 !

! !

Kilomètres / Kilometres

! !

QC !

! !

! ME NB PE !

Régions désignées, réserves écologiques et les! zones importantes pour la conservation d'oiseaux à l'intérieur de la baie de Fundy et le golfe du Maine /

! Secteur ! d'intérêt / NS Designated Areas, Ecological! Reserves and Important Bird Areas within the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine

! Area of ! Interest Source: Données sur le projet fournies par TransCanada Pipelines Limited. Frontière maritime tirée du Service hydrographique du Canada. Données de base fournies par le gouvernement du Canada, du Nouveau-Brunswick, de la Nouvelle-Écosse ainsi que par le gouvernement de l'État du Maine. / !

Sources: Project data provided by TransCanada Pipelines Limited. Maritime Boundary from Canadian Hydrographic Service. Base data provided by the Government of Canada, Provincial Government! of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and the Government of the State of Maine. 2-3

! ! !

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! CA PDF Page 69 of 1038

2.6.1.1 New Brunswick Provincial Parks

There are three provincial parks within the New Brunswick portion of the SAMAM: The Anchorage, Herring Cove and New River Beach (Tourism New Brunswick 2015). The Anchorage and Herring Cove Provincial Parks contain coastal habitats characteristic of islands in the Quoddy Region and Grand Manan. The Anchorage Provincial Park is along the southeast shore of Grand Manan Island and contains several kilometres of coastal habitat, including the Grand Manan Migratory Bird Sanctuary (Environment Canada 2014). Herring Cove Provincial Park is on the east side of Campobello Island and contains a variety of coastal habitats, including Lake Glensevern, a barrier beach pond. New River Beach Provincial Park along the south shore of New Brunswick, within the Fundy Main ecological area is used largely for recreational purposes, and has a large sandy beach that is popular with swimmers.

2.6.1.2 Nova Scotia Provincial Parks

The largest provincial parks within the Nova Scotia portion of the SAMAM are Cape Chignecto (4,233 ha) and Blomidon (2,123 ha) (Province of Nova Scotia 2013). There are also approximately ten smaller (0.5 to 100 ha) provincial parks within the SAMAM that consist mainly of lookout areas, picnic areas and waterfront access points.

Cape Chignecto Provincial Park encompasses much of the tip of Cape Chignecto, between Chignecto Bay and the Minas Channel. The park is a popular backcountry camping and hiking destination, and is known for its tall sea cliffs bordered by sandy/rocky beaches. Most of the park is heavily forested and includes more than 15 km of marine shoreline. Blomidon Provincial Park is situated at the east end of the Minas Channel, along Cape Blomidon. Like Cape Chignecto, Blomidon is known for its towering sea cliffs and extensive wilderness areas.

The smaller provincial parks along the Nova Scotia shoreline of the SAMAM include Five Islands Provincial Park, Anthony Provincial Park, Scots Bay Provincial Park, Annapolis Basin Lookoff Provincial Park, Cottage Cove Provincial Park, Central Grove Provincial Park, Savary Provincial Park, Smuggler’s Cove Provincial Park, Mavillette Beach Provincial Park and Port Maitland Beach Provincial Park. There are also several other areas along the Nova Scotia portion of the SAMAM that are under consideration for provincial park designation.

2.6.1.3 New Brunswick Protected Natural Areas

Fourteen nature reserves along the New Brunswick side of the Bay of Fundy are protected under the Protected Natural Areas Act (New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources [NBDNR] 2015a). The protected natural areas include several small (approximately 1 ha) islands associated with the Quoddy Region and Grand Manan archipelago (e.g., High Duck Island), coastal lands associated with important estuaries (e.g., Musquash) and other scattered islands and coastal properties.

Energy East Pipeline Ltd. May 2016 2-21

CA PDF Page 70 of 1038

2.6.1.4 Nova Scotia Protected Wilderness Areas

There currently are two areas within the Nova Scotia portion of the SAMAM that are protected under the Wilderness Areas Protection Act: Raven Head Wilderness Area and the Tiddville Nature Reserve. Raven Head Wilderness Area encompasses approximately 44 km of shoreline along Chignecto Bay, and includes expansive flats, salt marshes, coastal cliffs and forests (Province of Nova Scotia 2015). Tiddville Nature Reserve is a small (30 ha) coastal property on Digby Neck, which contains a wetland with several rare plant species. There are also several proposed wilderness areas and nature reserves under consideration for protection under the Act.

2.6.2 Federally Designated Areas (Canada)

2.6.2.1 Musquash Estuary

In Canada, marine protected areas are established by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) under the Oceans Act.

Musquash Estuary in the Bay of Fundy, approximately 20 km southwest of Saint John, has been designated a marine protected area. Musquash Estuary is more than 742 ha and supports high biological productivity with a variety of coastal habitats and a relatively undisturbed estuary and salt marsh complex (DFO 2008).

Other areas of interest are currently the subject of consultation and under consideration for future designation as marine protected areas under the Oceans Act.

2.6.2.2 Grand Manan Basin North Atlantic Right Whale Critical Habitat

The Grand Manan Basin North Atlantic Right Whale Critical Habitat is located in the outer Bay of Fundy, between Grand Manan Island and Digby Neck. The Grand Manan Basin was designated as North Atlantic right whale critical habitat, and protected under Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA) due to its importance to North Atlantic right whale aggregations. The upwelling and strong currents generated by the extreme tides enhance the productivity within this part of the Bay of Fundy, and concentrate large masses of copepods, which are the preferred prey of the whales (Brown et al. 2009). The Grand Manan Basin is also one of two nursery grounds for the North Atlantic right whale; nursing mother-calf pairs are present during the summer (Elvin and Taggart 2008).

2.6.2.3 Migratory Bird Sanctuaries

There are two migratory bird sanctuaries in the SAMAM, Grand Manan and Machias Seal Island, which are protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act (Environment Canada 2014). The Grand Manan Bird Sanctuary includes a variety of sand/gravel flats and rocky beaches, and two large freshwater barrier beach ponds that serve as an overwintering and migratory area for a variety of waterfowl. In contrast to Grand Manan, Machias Seal Island is a remote, treeless island with limited public access. The island is host to thousands of breeding seabirds, including Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica), razorbill (Alca torda), terns (Sternidae) and several other bird species. Machias Seal Island has been an important long-term focal point for seabird research.

2-22 May 2016 Energy East Pipeline Ltd.

CA PDF Page 71 of 1038

2.6.2.4 Fundy National Park

Fundy National Park is a large protected area that occupies the New Brunswick side of the inner Bay of Fundy and outer Chignecto Bay. The shoreline in this area consists mainly of high cliffs skirted by rocky and sandy beaches, with several small rivers, some of which form estuaries (e.g., Wolf River).

2.6.3 State Designated Areas (United States)

2.6.3.1 Maine State Parks/Public Reserved Lands

There are six state parks/public reserved lands with coastline off of the North Coast Maine ecological area of the SAMAM: Roque Bluffs State Park, Machias State Park, Cutler Coast Public Reserved Land, Quoddy Head State Park, Shackford Head State Park and Cobscook Bay State Park. The coastlines of these areas support marine wildlife and fish species that are typical of the SAMAM.

2.6.4 Federally Designated Areas (United States)

2.6.4.1 Northeast North Atlantic Right Whale Critical Habitat

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently proposed an expansion of the designated critical habitat for the North Atlantic right whale to include the coastal waters off of the North Coast Maine ecological area of the SAMAM. The North Atlantic right whale is designated as Endangered under the United States Endangered Species Act.

2.6.4.2 Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Reserve Complex

The Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Reserve Complex includes five refuges that span the coast of Maine and support diverse habitats, including coastal islands, forested headlands, estuaries and freshwater wetlands. Three of these—Cross Island, Petit Manan and Seal Island—are within the North Coast Maine ecological area of the SAMAM. The reserve complex is intended to restore and manage colonies of nesting seabirds. Refuge islands provide habitat for common tern, Arctic tern and roseate tern (an endangered species), Atlantic puffin, razorbill, black guillemot, Leach's storm-petrel, herring gull, greater black-backed gull and laughing gull, double-crested cormorant and great cormorant, and common eider.

2.6.4.3 Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is an American national park in the North Coast Maine ecological area of the SAMAM. The park includes much of the coastline of Mount Desert Island archipelago and a portion of the Schoodic Peninsula.

Energy East Pipeline Ltd. May 2016 2-23

CA PDF Page 72 of 1038

2.7 Marine Fish Community

The SAMAM is characterized by a wide variety of fish habitat types (Buzeta et al. 2003). More than 120 fish species occur in the region (Pohle et al. 2004). These include both resident species, which complete their entire life cycle in the Bay of Fundy, and species that enter the Bay of Fundy during spawning or feeding migrations. Migrating fish species are mainly from the Scotian Shelf and the Gulf of Maine, but some migrants are from as far away as Chesapeake Bay (e.g., striped bass, Morone saxatilis), the Sargasso Sea (American eel) and the coast of Labrador (Atlantic salmon). Additionally numerous diadromous and estuarine species, such as American shad (Alosa sapidissima), alewife, blueblack herring, Atlantic tomcod (Microgadus tomcod), shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) and Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus) inhabit the Bay of Fundy.

The SAMAM supports more than 1,430 invertebrate species, including sponges, cnidarians, comb jellies, flat worms, nematodes, molluscs, marine worms, arthropods, bryozoans and echinoderms (Pohle et al. 2004). Lobster and scallop are important commercial species; clams, sea urchins, mussels and other species are also harvested.

2.7.1 Commercial, Recreational and Aboriginal Fisheries

Commercial, recreational and Aboriginal fisheries are protected under federal legislation because of their ecological and socio-economic value. They are defined under the Fisheries Act as follows:

• Commercial: fish species harvested under licence for the purpose of sale, trade or barter • Recreational: fish species targeted by anglers for personal use or sport, as well coarse and forage fish species that support this fishery. Recreational marine fishing is a prominent inshore activity within the SAMAM. A wide variety of species are targeted, including striped bass, winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus), mackerel (Scomber scombrus), Atlantic herring, sea scallop and soft-shell clam. • Aboriginal: fish species caught by an Aboriginal organization or any of its members for food, social or ceremonial purposes, or any purpose set out in a land claims agreement. In the absence of supporting information, all fish species in this assessment are treated as also relevant to Aboriginal fisheries.

2.7.2 Species of Management Concern

There are 23 marine fish species of management concern (SOMC) within the SAMAM. Three of these species—Atlantic salmon (Inner Bay of Fundy population), great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) and Atlantic whitefish (Coregonus huntsmani)—are listed as Endangered on Schedule 1 of the SARA. The Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus) and shortnose sturgeon are listed under the SARA Schedule 1 as Special Concern. The Atlantic whitefish is also listed as Endangered under the Nova Scotia Endangered Species Act. Additional information regarding fish species of management concern can be found in Part A, Section 2 of the EHHRA.

2-24 May 2016 Energy East Pipeline Ltd.

CA PDF Page 73 of 1038

2.8 Marine Birds and Bird Habitat

Marine birds have social, cultural and aesthetic value, and contribute to local and global biodiversity. Often referred to as seabirds, marine birds are generally defined as birds that rely on the marine and marine coastal environment to complete their life cycle (e.g., marine coastal birds, pelagic birds and shorebirds). Additional information on marine birds is provided in the Volume 22, Technical Data Report for Marine Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat.

The Bay of Fundy acts as an essential migration route, situated within the Atlantic Flyway. Large numbers of coastal shorebirds and sea ducks migrate through the Bay of Fundy, often in transit between summering and breeding grounds in the north, and wintering grounds in the southern United States, Caribbean, and Central and South America. An estimated 360 species of birds migrate through the Bay of Fundy, some of which may comprise populations of tens of thousands of breeding, migrant or wintering birds (BayofFundy.com 2016). The area supports populations of birds that may summer and breed in the Bay of Fundy, as well as year-round residents. Most of the marine birds within the SAMAM fall into one of the following guilds:

• shearwaters and storm-petrels • geese, dabbling and diving ducks • loons, grebes and cormorants • alcids • gulls and terns • shorebirds

2.8.1 Species of Management Concern

Marine bird species of management concern that occur within the SAMAM are shown in Table 2-3.

Table 2-3 Marine Bird Species of Management Concern in the SAMAM

Conservation Status

Species SARA1 COSEWIC2 NB3 NS4

Harlequin duck (eastern population) Schedule 1, Special Concern *Endangered Endangered (Histrionicus histrionicus) Special Concern

Barrow’s goldeneye (eastern Schedule 1, Special Concern Special No status population) Special Concern Concern (Bucephala islandica)

Piping plover Schedule 1, Endangered *Endangered Endangered (Charadrius melodus melodus) Endangered

Red-necked phalarope No status Special Concern No status No status (Phalaropus lobatus)

Energy East Pipeline Ltd. May 2016 2-25

CA PDF Page 74 of 1038

Table 2-3 Marine Bird Species of Management Concern in the SAMAM

Conservation Status

Species SARA1 COSEWIC2 NB3 NS4

Red knot Schedule 1, Endangered Endangered Endangered (Calidris canutus rufa) Endangered

Roseate tern Schedule 1, Endangered Endangered Endangered (Sterna dougallii) Endangered

NOTE: * Species is protected under the NB SARA Prohibitions Regulation

SOURCE: 1 Environment Canada 2015 2 COSEWIC 2015b 3 NBDNR 2015c 4 Nova Scotia Natural Resources 2015

Harlequin duck is listed as Endangered provincially in both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and as special concern under SARA. The initial cause of decline for this species was primarily hunting, which has been banned in most areas of eastern Canada since 1990 (COSEWIC 2013a). Harlequin ducks occur on coastal, nearshore waters of the Bay of Fundy in winter, although they summer and breed in parts of Québec, Labrador, northern New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Nunavut. The diet of this small sea duck includes amphipods, snails, small crabs, barnacles and fish roe (Robertson and Goudie 1999). Harlequin ducks tend to return to preferred wintering areas (Breault and Savard 1999), and pair bonds are formed or renewed in these areas (Smith et al. 2000). Though relatively uncommon within the SAMAM, wintering harlequin ducks are found around the Wolves archipelago, Point Lepreau, Kent Island and Whitehead Island in New Brunswick, and Digby Neck, Cape Sable Island and Bald Tusket Island in Nova Scotia. Individuals have been recorded in the vicinity of Black Point and Mispec near the marine terminal. This species also occurs uncommonly as a migrant.

Barrow’s goldeneye is listed as Special Concern under SARA and in New Brunswick. They are very uncommon within the SAMAM. In eastern Canada, Barrow’s goldeneye breeds in small, high-elevation lakes in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and St. Lawrence estuary in Québec. A small number of Barrow’s goldeneye (approximately 400 birds) winter in the Bay of Fundy or Gulf of Maine (Environment Canada 2013). Within the SAMAM, Barrow’s goldeneye has been observed in the Saint John area, in the Quoddy region, off Grand Manan and at Brier Island.

Roseate tern is listed as Endangered under SARA, as well as provincially in both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. This species is limited by the number of predator-free islands available for nesting, and has been affected by human disturbance and industrial development (COSEWIC 2009a). Roseate terns feed almost exclusively on small marine fish, and rarely on crustaceans, insects or squid (Nisbet et al. 2014). They forage primarily by plunge-diving but also use contact-dipping or surface dipping. Roseate tern occurs in the Bay of Fundy during the spring and summer, and nest in colonies on small, nearshore islands under the cover of thick vegetation, strewn rocks, driftwood or artificial structures (COSEWIC 2009a) in association with common or Arctic terns. Clutch size is usually one or two eggs, which are

2-26 May 2016 Energy East Pipeline Ltd.

CA PDF Page 75 of 1038

incubated for approximately 23 days. Within the SAMAM, roseate terns nest on Brothers Islands in Nova Scotia, and Petit Manan Island in Maine.

Piping plovers are listed as Endangered under SARA, in both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. This species is threatened by predation, human disturbance and habitat loss (COSEWIC 2013b). The eastern subspecies of piping plover occupies strictly coastal habitat. They breed between Newfoundland and North Carolina, and winter from the Carolinas to Florida, as well as on the coasts of Mexico, the Bahamas and West Indies (Elliott-Smith and Haig 2004). In Atlantic Canada, piping plovers nest on wide, sandy beaches with a mix of substrates (i.e., pebbles, gravel) and little vegetation. During nesting, they are vulnerable to human activity. Piping plovers arrive on breeding grounds between mid-April and mid-May. Typically, four eggs are laid. Chicks hatch after approximately 28 days of incubation, and are able to fly 18 to 35 days later (COSEWIC 2015a). Southward migration occurs between late July and September (U.S. FWS 1996). In Nova Scotia, piping plovers have been observed at one location in Colchester County (i.e., near Truro and extending along the northern shore of the Minas Basin), as well as in several locations along the south shore of Nova Scotia, including Cape Sable Island (Elliott-Smith et al. 2015). In New Brunswick, piping plover nests on beaches along the Northumberland Strait and Acadian Peninsula. Historically, it was also known to nest along the Bay of Fundy and Grand Manan Island (NBDNR 2015b).

Although phalaropes are members of the shorebird family, their behaviour while in the Bay of Fundy is functionally more duck-like. Red-necked phalarope was listed as Special Concern by COSEWIC in 2014. Red-necked phalaropes forage mostly while swimming, and feed on insects, crustaceans and mollusks. They are known for their unusual behaviour of spinning in circles on shallow water, likely to stir it up and bring food to the surface (Elphick et al. 2001). This species breeds in the low Arctic or subarctic of Canada and Alaska, where they build nests near freshwater lakes, ponds or marshes. In the fall, red-neck phalaropes depart their breeding grounds and migrate southward to their tropical wintering grounds off the coast of South America (Rubega et al. 2000). Within the SAMAM, red-necked phalaropes occur as fall migrants (Diamond 2012). Brier Island waters are one of the most important areas for phalaropes in North America (IBA Canada 2015). Mixed flocks of thousands of red and red-necked phalaropes arrive in this area in August. This site serves as an important migratory stopover where birds can feed before continuing their flight south.

Red knot is listed as Endangered under SARA, as well as provincially in both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. This medium-sized sandpiper occurs in eastern North America. Although this shorebird migrates through the Bay of Fundy, it breeds on the Arctic tundra. In fall, the red knot undertakes a long migration from the Canadian Arctic to South America, where it winters in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina and Chile (COSEWIC 2007). While migrating through the SAMAM, they frequent coastal areas with intertidal flats where they feed on marine invertebrates, especially mussels (Baker et al. 2013). Within the SAMAM, Grand Manan Island in New Brunswick and Cape Sable Island in Nova Scotia provide important habitat for red knot during their southward migration in late summer (COSEWIC 2007).

Energy East Pipeline Ltd. May 2016 2-27

CA PDF Page 76 of 1038

2.8.2 Marine Birds and Bird Habitat

Marine birds and bird habitat represent a range of feeding guilds and sensitivity to crude oil exposure, as well as fundamental ecological values. Major life history traits of these species are presented in Table 2-4.

Table 2-4 Species of Management Concern and Selected Marine Birds – Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine

Seasonality in Breeds in Group Species BoF/GoM BoF/GoM Habitat Use in BoF/GoM

Auks Atlantic puffin Year-round Yes Cliffs or offshore islands during breeding; offshore in fall and winter

Razorbill Year-round Yes Coastal cliffs during breeding; offshore in fall and winter

Black guillemot Year-round Yes Coastal; breeds on rocky coasts of offshore islands

Shearwaters and Great shearwater May–October No Offshore storm-petrels Leach’s storm- Spring and summer Yes Coastal islands free of predatory petrels animals during breeding; offshore during the rest of the year

Shorebirds Red-necked Fall migrant No Offshore of tidal areas phalarope

Piping plover Mid-April– Yes Sandy, open beaches September

Red knot Fall migrant No Coastal, intertidal areas

Semipalmated Fall migrant No Coastal, intertidal areas sandpiper

Spotted sandpiper May–October Yes Coastal intertidal areas, and inland rivers and lakes

Herons Great blue heron March–November Yes Nests in colonies usually near salt water; wades on tidal flats or in estuaries and marshes to seize fish and crustaceans.

Terns Roseate tern Spring and summer Yes Small, nearshore islands

Cormorants Double-crested Spring, summer Yes Coastal areas with perching sites, cormorant and fall such as rocks, sandbars, pilings or trees. Breeding occurs on open coastlines, estuaries, ponds, lakes or artificial impounds.

Gulls Herring gull Year-round Yes Coastal; breeds predominantly on islands in rocky or sandy areas

2-28 May 2016 Energy East Pipeline Ltd.

CA PDF Page 77 of 1038

Table 2-4 Species of Management Concern and Selected Marine Birds – Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine

Seasonality in Breeds in Group Species BoF/GoM BoF/GoM Habitat Use in BoF/GoM

Raptors Bald eagle Year-round Yes Coastal and inland; breeds in tall trees, often near water; often feeds on fish or carrion

Ducks Harlequin duck Winter No Coastal, nearshore waters; rocky shorelines

Barrow’s Winter No Bays, harbours, or inlets, usually goldeneye with rocky shores and mussel beds

Common eider Year-round Yes Nests on small coastal islands; uses sheltered coves to rear young; winters on open water, particularly on marine shoals

American black Year-round Yes Tidal salt marshes during winter; duck breeds in freshwater wetlands, beaver ponds, bogs, shallow lakes or salt marshes

NOTES: BoF Bay of Fundy GoM Gulf of Maine

2.8.3 Important Bird Habitat

Many sites within the SAMAM have been identified as Important Bird Areas (IBA). Important Bird Areas are sites that support specific groups of birds, such as threatened birds, large groups of birds, or birds restricted by range or habitat. These sites are of international importance for the conservation of birds (IBA Canada 2015). A description of the IBAs, including important species and corresponding seasonality (as available), is provided in Part A, Section 2 of the EHHRA report. Locations of the IBAs are shown in Figure 2-3.

Hincklin and Smith (1984) provide an overview of the birds and bird habitats of the Bay of Fundy. The two extreme reaches of the Bay of Fundy are described as being of the greatest importance to marine birds. The mouth of the Bay of Fundy, roughly the area between Brier Island and Passamaquoddy Bay, is of greatest importance to pelagic species which rely upon rocky islands to breed, and clear water and fast currents to concentrate food for foraging. The head of the Bay of Fundy provides expansive mudflats and salt marshes occupied by shorebirds and waterfowl. The intervening region characterized by steep sandstone cliffs, rocky intertidal habitats and turbid water is less attractive to the congregations of birds observed elsewhere in the Bay of Fundy (Hicklin and Smith 1984).

The intertidal muds and associated fauna in the upper Bay of Fundy provide important feeding grounds for migrating sandpipers and plovers in the late summer and autumn. Chignecto Bay, Minas Basin and Cobequid Bay provide most of the mudflat habitat in the Bay of Fundy, and the mud-dwelling amphipod Corophium volutator as well as large polychaetes provide an important food resource for both migratory

Energy East Pipeline Ltd. May 2016 2-29

CA PDF Page 78 of 1038

birds and resident shorebirds (Hincklin and Smith 1984). The upper Bay of Fundy also provides most of the salt marsh in the bay, which supports shorebirds such as greater and lesser yellowlegs, and least sandpiper during migration. Salt marsh areas are also important to migrating Canada geese and dabbling ducks, including black duck, mallard, pintail, green-winged and blue-winged teal, and American wigeon (Hincklin and Smith 1984).

Passamaquoddy Bay and the Grand Manan archipelago have less extensive areas of mudflat and salt marsh, and shorebirds are less numerous. However, nearshore areas support large numbers of migrating brant and black ducks. The area also supports large numbers of breeding eider ducks. The lower Bay of Fundy hosts large numbers of pelagic shorebirds (e.g., migrating red and red-necked phalaropes), which congregate off Brier Island, NS and Deer Island, NB while migrating south in the autumn (Hincklin and Smith 1984).

Six species of Alcidae occur regularly in the Gulf of Maine during the colder months: thick-billed murre, dovekie, razorbill, black guillemot, Atlantic puffin and common murre. The thick-billed murre and dovekie are essentially winter species; the other four species are present year-round. The black guillemot is observed primarily in coastal areas, whereas the other species are more pelagic (Finch et al. 1978).

2.9 Marine Mammals and Marine Mammal Habitat

The following summary provides a qualitative description of the typical distribution of marine mammals within the SAMAM. Due to their wide range, specific occurrences within the SAMAM vary at any given time, and infrequent sightings of species may occur almost anywhere. Additional information on marine mammals is provided in Volume 22, Technical Data Report for Marine Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat, and in Part A, Section 2 of the EHHRA.

Approximately 14 species of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) and four species of pinnipeds (seals) are known to inhabit the marine waters of the SAMAM at least seasonally. Of these, six species of cetacean and one pinniped species are considered common year-round or seasonal residents (Table 2-5); the remaining species are considered occasional or infrequent visitors.

2-30 May 2016 Energy East Pipeline Ltd.

CA PDF Page 79 of 1038

Table 2-5 Common and Selected Marine Mammal Species – SAMAM

Conservation Status Presence, Distribution, Seasonal Timing 2 3 4 Species and Food Sources SARA1 NB NS COSEWIC

North Atlantic right whale The Bay of Fundy is used as feeding habitat from June Endangered Special Concern No status Endangered (Eubalaena glacialis) to October, and is also an important summer nursery (Schedule 1) habitat. Two thirds of the reproductive female right whales in the western North Atlantic use the Bay of Fundy as a nursery ground. Calves typically accompany their mothers during the spring migration and summer feeding. Within the Bay of Fundy, North Atlantic right whales are generally distributed over the Grand Manan Basin in the Outer Bay of Fundy. In Atlantic Canada, Roseway Basin off Nova Scotia, and the Grand Manan Basin in the Bay of Fundy have been designated under SARA as critical habitat for the North Atlantic right whale. The North Atlantic right whale is currently one of the most endangered species of cetaceans in the world. Lower and upper estimates for the number of photographed North Atlantic right whales are 295 and 682, respectively. Food sources in the Bay of Fundy include krill, specifically Calanus finmarchius, larval euphausiids and other copepods.

Energy East Pipeline Ltd. May 2016 2-31

CA PDF Page 80 of 1038

Table 2-5 Common and Selected Marine Mammal Species – SAMAM

Conservation Status Presence, Distribution, Seasonal Timing 2 3 4 Species and Food Sources SARA1 NB NS COSEWIC

Harbour porpoise Harbour porpoises are year-round residents of the Bay Threatened Endangered No status Special Concern (Phocoena phocoena) of Fundy, where they have large ranges. They occur (Schedule 2) most often near islands, headlands and restricted channels, although they have been sighted throughout the southern portion of the Bay of Fundy. There are an estimated 79,883 harbour porpoises in the region of the Gulf of Maine/Bay of Fundy. Primary food sources include herring, cod, and mackerel. Little is known about the diet during the winter and spring. Other food sources include other fish species, squid, and polychaetes.

Fin whale The winter grounds, calving and breeding locations of Special Concern Threatened No status Special Concern (Balaenoptera physalus) fin whales in the western North Atlantic are not well (Schedule 1) documented; however, there is some indication that animals from the northern Newfoundland stock move into the Bay of Fundy in the winter, resulting in a year- round presence of fin whales in the bay. Whales that migrate to the area occupy the Bay of Fundy between May and October. The results from an aerial survey conducted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada as part of the Trans North Atlantic Sightings Survey indicated that approximately 3,522 fin whales inhabited the western North Atlantic as of 2007. Whales are observed regularly in the western region of the Bay of Fundy. Fin whales spend most of their time feeding in the region east of Grand Manan Island, an area that contains high concentrations of prey, including herring and krill.

2-32 May 2016 Energy East Pipeline Ltd.

CA PDF Page 81 of 1038

Table 2-5 Common and Selected Marine Mammal Species – SAMAM

Conservation Status Presence, Distribution, Seasonal Timing 2 3 4 Species and Food Sources SARA1 NB NS COSEWIC

Humpback whale Present in the Bay of Fundy from spring through fall. Special Concern Threatened No status Not at Risk (Megaptera novaeangliae) Humpback whales migrate seasonally from high- (Schedule 3) latitude feeding areas in the summer to low-latitude breeding and calving areas in winter. These migrations result in large seasonal differences in population distribution, although some humpback whales remain in high-latitude areas well into the breeding season. The Gulf of Maine/Nova Scotia region, which includes the Bay of Fundy, is one of several summer feeding grounds used by humpback whales in Atlantic Canada. They are sighted primarily in the Outer Bay of Fundy, with some individuals observed in the Inner Bay of Fundy. In the winters, humpback whales in the western North Atlantic, inclusive of the Gulf of Maine stock, appear to use the West Indies as calving and breeding grounds. Limited information is available on the current population size of humpback whales in the North Atlantic Ocean. The minimum population estimate for the Gulf of Maine and Bay of Fundy was 823 individuals in 2008. Food sources include krill and small schooling fish.

Energy East Pipeline Ltd. May 2016 2-33

CA PDF Page 82 of 1038

Table 2-5 Common and Selected Marine Mammal Species – SAMAM

Conservation Status Presence, Distribution, Seasonal Timing 2 3 4 Species and Food Sources SARA1 NB NS COSEWIC

Common minke whale The common minke whale is widespread in the No status Special Concern No status Not at Risk (Balaenoptera acutorostrata northern hemisphere, and occurs from July to acutorostrata) September in the Bay of Fundy. Based on aerial survey data collected in 2007 in the area between northern Labrador and the Scotian Shelf, there are an estimated 20,741 minke whales in the North Atlantic Ocean, with at least 16,199 minke whales using the waters off Atlantic Canada. Minke whales use the Bay of Fundy as summer feeding grounds. Feeding minke whales are often observed near the northern tips of Grand Manan Island and Campobello Island in the Bay of Fundy, where areas of tidal wake produce nutrient-rich upwelling zones in the summer. Food sources include krill and small schooling fish.

Atlantic white-sided dolphin Atlantic white-sided dolphins occur year-round in the No status Special Concern No status Not at Risk (Lagenorhynchus acutus) Bay of Fundy and are observed primarily in the outer portion of the Bay. Atlantic white-sided dolphin densities in the Gulf of Maine and Bay of Fundy are higher in the summer and lower in the winter when the species move south down the northeastern seaboard of the United States.

2-34 May 2016 Energy East Pipeline Ltd.

CA PDF Page 83 of 1038

Table 2-5 Common and Selected Marine Mammal Species – SAMAM

Conservation Status Presence, Distribution, Seasonal Timing 2 3 4 Species and Food Sources SARA1 NB NS COSEWIC

Atlantic white-sided dolphin The Atlantic white-sided dolphin is a common species (Lagenorhynchus acutus) of dolphin throughout the North Atlantic Ocean. The (cont’d) current population is estimated at 48,819 white-sided dolphins in the western North Atlantic using survey data collected in 2011. An estimated 24,422 Atlantic white-sided dolphins occur in the waters off Atlantic Canada, based on aerial survey data collected in the region spanning northern Labrador to the Scotian Shelf in 2007. Food sources include hake and squid, and herring is the most common prey during the summer.

Harbour seal The pupping season for harbour seals in No status Special Concern No status Not at Risk (Phoca vitulina vitulina) Passamaquoddy Bay, in the Outer Bay of Fundy has been examined. The pupping season occurs in May and June, and the post-pupping season occurs in the summer. In the fall and winter, there is a general movement of harbour seals out of the Bay of Fundy toward the waters of southern New England; however, harbour seals are observed year-round in the Bay of Fundy. As a result, nearshore waters throughout the Bay of Fundy have been identified as year-round habitat for the harbour seal.

Energy East Pipeline Ltd. May 2016 2-35

CA PDF Page 84 of 1038

Table 2-5 Common and Selected Marine Mammal Species – SAMAM

Conservation Status Presence, Distribution, Seasonal Timing 2 3 4 Species and Food Sources SARA1 NB NS COSEWIC

Harbour seal Results of aerial surveys of the Bay of Fundy indicated (Phoca vitulina vitulina) that harbour seals were more common on the New (cont’d) Brunswick side of the Bay of Fundy compared with the Nova Scotian side, and that most sightings occurred in the waters offshore Grand Manan Island and southwest Nova Scotia. It was also noted that preferred haulout sights of harbour seals in the Bay of Fundy appeared to be areas away from the mainland coasts, including offshore islands an isolated shoals. The harbour seal is the most widely distributed seal in the North Atlantic, occurring in nearshore waters ranging from the eastern Canadian Arctic to southern New England and New Jersey. Counts of harbour seals along the coast of Maine conducted in 2012 suggest a total population size for the western North Atlantic harbour seal stock of 70,142 animals. Food sources are predominantly fish (groundfish, herring) but also include shrimp.

SOURCES: Marine Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat Technical Data Report (Volume 22) 1 Environment Canada 2015 2 COSEWIC 2015b 3 NBDNR 2015c 4 Nova Scotia Natural Resources 2015

2-36 May 2016 Energy East Pipeline Ltd.

CA PDF Page 85 of 1038

2.10 Sea Turtles

The following summary is based largely on information in Volume 22, Technical Data Report for Marine Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat. The Technical Data Report concentrates on the Bay of Fundy; however, the information is anticipated to be representative of the entire SAMAM. Additional information regarding sea turtles can be found in Part A, Section 2.

Four species of sea turtles may occur in the Bay of Fundy: leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) and green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas). Reported sightings of all four species are rare in the Bay of Fundy, but Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle and green sea turtle tend to have more tropical and temperate zone distributions, and so are particularly rare in the cold waters of the Bay of Fundy. Neither of these two species is listed by COSEWIC by virtue of their low frequency of sightings in Canadian waters. Therefore, consideration of sea turtles will focus on the leatherback and loggerhead sea turtles. The leatherback sea turtle is listed as Endangered under Schedule 1 of the SARA, whereas the loggerhead turtle is considered Endangered by COSEWIC (Table 2-6).

Table 2-6 Sea Turtle Species Likely to Occur in the SAMAM

Species SARA1 COSEWIC2 NB3

Leatherback sea turtle Endangered Non-active Endangered (Dermochelys coriacea) (Schedule 1)

Loggerhead sea turtle No status Endangered No status (Caretta caretta)

SOURCES: 1 Environment Canada 2015 2 COSEWIC 2015b 3 NBDNR 2015c 4 Nova Scotia Natural Resources 2015

Energy East Pipeline Ltd. May 2016 2-37

CA PDF Page 86 of 1038

2-38 May 2016 Energy East Pipeline Ltd.