Draft Environmental Assessment Report for Cypress Mountain

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR CYPRESS MOUNTAIN

Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games PROJECT NO. BCV50473

PROJECT NO. BCV 50473

REPORT TO Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Suite 620 – 505 Burrard Street Vancouver, BC V7X 1M4

FOR Cypress Mountain

ON Environmental Assessment

December 5, 2005

Jacques Whitford Limited 4370 Dominion Street 5 th Floor Burnaby, British Columbia V5G 4L7

Phone: 604-436-3014 Fax: 604-436-3752

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) is proposing to upgrade and operate the Cypress Mountain ski area to be the site for the Snowboarding and Freestyle Skiing competitions for the 2010 Games. Established in 1976, Cypress Mountain is located is wholly contained within Cypress Provincial Park. With its existing ski facilities, spectacular city and ocean vista views, and location only 30 km from the future Olympic Village, Cypress Mountain is an excellent 2010 venue site. VANOC has developed plans to minimize the permanent change at Cypress Mountain. Major upgrades will not be required because of the existing infrastructure and excellent transportation access. Although much of the work will be temporary Olympic overlay to be removed after the Games, there will be some permanent upgrades at Cypress Mountain, including: • regrading of the parallel giant slalom snowboard course; • new in-ground snowboard half-pipe; • additional lighting for evening events; • snowmaking system including a water reservoir; • new freestyle site for aerial and moguls; and • relocation of the Baden Powell recreational trail. Cypress Bowl Recreations Ltd., the operator of Cypress Mountain ski area, and BC Parks, have committed to operating the remaining Olympic facilities after the Games. The construction is subject to an environmental assessment under Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and to a Level 2 review (Detailed Screen) under the BC Parks Impact Assessment Process. Both the federal and provincial responsible authorities (i.e., Canadian Heritage and BC Parks) have agreed to a cooperative environmental assessment review for this venue. This report has been prepared to meet this requirement and includes the assessment and recommendations for management plans to address project impacts. The BC Parks Impact Assessment process outlines a specific methodology and criteria to identify impacts on protected area values that may be associated with project activities. Following the process allows evaluation of the significance of those impacts, determination of mitigation measures and assists with making decisions on whether or not the project should proceed. This process has been adopted for this assessment and enhanced to ensure that the requirements of CEAA are also met. Important factors to consider during the decision making process include environmental and social values. For this project components of these values within the freshwater, terrestrial, socio-economic and cultural environments have been identified and selected for the assessment. A summary of

the major potential environmental effects on the major values is provided in the table below.

Environmental Potential Effects Generalized Rating Justification and Social Significance Rating Values * Negative and Positive Freshwater Habitat loss or alteration Low Effects to <1% of creek and riparian habitat; Environment restoration is planned Disruption of drainage Low Effects to <1% of freshwater values; design and planning changed to reduce effects Potential higher peak flows Low Effects to <1% of freshwater values Effect low-flow water volume High (Positive) May benefit by >10% due to more consistent flows as a result of snowmaking Decrease Cypress Creek Low Effect to <1% of freshwater values, no volume during uptake uptake in low-flow period is planned Bank instability Low Effects to <1% of freshwater values Sediment input High to Effect to >10% of freshwater values; Low with mitigation sediment and erosion control plan to mitigate Creek bed disturbance High to Effects to >10% of freshwater values; Low with mitigation mitigation to reduce turbidity Loss of riparian vegetation Currently unknown Detailed design is required to determine riparian impact Transportation of High to Effects to >10% of freshwater values; deleterious substances Low with mitigation mitigation to reduce spills Terrestrial Sensory Disturbance Low Effect to <1% of wildlife, recovery expected Environment within short term Habitat loss or alteration Low Effects to <1% of wildlife habitat, positive Moderate (Positive) habitat impacts after revegetation Disruption of drainage Low Effects to <1% terrestrial habitat; design and planning changed to reduce effects Increase risk of fire High (vegetation) Potentially >10% of habitat affected, but Low (wildlife) <1% of wildlife affected Mortality Low Effects to <1% of terrestrial environment Transportation of Low (vegetation) Effects to <1% of vegetation, spill deleterious substances Low with mitigation contingency plan to reduce effects Increase in inter- and intra- Low Effects to <1% of terrestrial, high level of specific competition adaptation expected Disruption of songbird Low Effects to <1% expected, operational migration pattern changes will be minimized Increased light pollution Low Effects to <1% of terrestrial environment effects currently occurring, operational changes will be minimized Socio-Economic Impedance to access Moderate There will be some concern for public Environment access Negative effect on natural Moderate There will be some concern for natural experience experience Increase use Moderate There will be some concern in a positive Low with mitigation and adverse direction, can be somewhat Moderate (Positive) mitigated

The majority of the potential effects were rated as Low to Moderate significance as per the BC Parks criteria. For those effects that have been rated as High

© 2005 PROJECT NO. BCV50473 December 5, 2005 ii DRAFT significance, the implementation of identified mitigation measures will assist in reducing the significance of these effects. A screening of potential cumulative effects was also conducted. Other activities considered in the cumulative effects screening included the installation and operation of the new Black Mountain chairlift, the construction and operation of the new day lodge and the expansion of the ski area on the east slope of Black Mountain. Potential cumulative effects are ranked as Moderate because the cumulative effects are restricted to the existing Cypress Provincial Park. Accidents, malfunctions and unplanned events, such as spills of hazardous materials and breach of the reservoir, were assessed. Also the effects of the environment on the project, such as seismic activity, slope instability and avalanches, were considered. These events can potentially result in significant environmental effects; however a detailed Environmental Management Plan for the project will be prepared that will reduce the significance of the effects from these potential activities. Overall the findings indicate the project will have limited to low impact if the management plans and mitigation measures are developed and implemented. The draft environmental assessment report has been prepared for review by federal and provincial regulators. The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) will be prepared upon finalization of the draft assessment report. VANOC will address High significance activities in each phase of the Project as part of the VANOC commitment to sustainability.

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... I 1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 Proponent Identification...... 1 2.0 REGULATORY CONTEXT...... 2 2.1 CEAA and BC Parks Cooperation ...... 2 2.2 Permits, Licenses and Authorizations – Current Regulatory Regime... 2 2.3 Existing Environmental Assessment and Review Process...... 2 3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT CONTACTS...... 5 4.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION...... 6 4.1 Project Background and Rationale ...... 6 4.1.1 Project History ...... 6 4.1.2 Alternative Means of Carrying out the Project...... 8 4.1.3 Sustainability Principles ...... 9 4.2 Project Location ...... 9 4.2.1 Project Facilities and Design...... 12 4.2.1.1 Snowboard Facilities...... 16 4.2.1.2 Freestyle Facilities ...... 16 4.2.1.3 Snow Making Facilities...... 22 4.2.1.4 Temporary Facilities...... 22 4.2.1.5 Baden-Powell Recreational Trail ...... 22 5.0 SCOPE OF PROJECT...... 30 5.1 Screening Trigger for the Project...... 30 5.2 Scope Determination...... 30 5.2.1 Scope of the Project ...... 30 5.2.2 Scope of Factors to be Assessed ...... 31 6.0 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY ...... 33 6.1 Overview and Approach ...... 33 6.2 Determination of Assessment Area/Boundaries ...... 33 6.2.1 Assessment Area...... 33 6.2.2 Temporal Boundaries ...... 33 6.3 Audit Record ...... 35 6.4 Impact Assessment Screening Matrix ...... 40 6.4.1 Identification of Project Phases...... 40 6.4.1.1 Construction...... 40 6.4.1.2 Operation...... 43 6.4.1.3 Decommissioning...... 43 6.4.2 Identification of Project Environmental and Social Values...... 44 6.4.2.1 Freshwater Environment...... 44 6.4.2.2 Terrestrial Environment...... 44 6.4.2.3 Socio-Economic Environment ...... 45 6.4.2.4 Cultural Environment ...... 45 6.4.3 Identification of Project Activities...... 45 6.4.4 Ranking Interactions...... 46

6.5 Significance Matrix ...... 46 6.5.1 Identifying Potential Effects...... 46 6.5.2 Ranking the Significance of Effects...... 46 6.5.3 Mitigation ...... 47 6.6 Cumulative Effects Screening Matrix...... 47 6.6.1 Identification of Other Actions ...... 47 6.6.2 Identification of Other Effects...... 47 6.6.3 Identification of Values...... 48 6.6.4 Ranking Interactions...... 48 7.0 PROJECT SETTING AND CHARACTERISTICS ...... 49 7.1 Regional Setting...... 49 7.2 Freshwater Environment ...... 53 7.2.1 Water Quality...... 53 7.2.2 Water Quantity...... 53 7.2.3 Fish and Fish Habitat...... 55 7.3 Terrestrial Environment...... 59 7.3.1 Vegetation Resources ...... 59 7.3.1.1 Rare Plants...... 60 7.3.2 Sensitive Sites ...... 63 7.3.3 Terrestrial Wildlife...... 67 7.3.4 Avifauna ...... 69 7.4 Socio-Economic Environment ...... 73 7.4.1 Recreational Access...... 73 7.4.2 Park Use by the Public ...... 74 7.5 Traditional Use...... 75 8.0 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ...... 76 8.1 Effects Assessment...... 76 8.1.1 Freshwater Environment...... 78 8.1.2 Terrestrial Environment ...... 79 8.1.3 Socio-Economic Environment...... 80 8.2 Cumulative Effects ...... 81 8.3 Accidents, Malfunctions and Unplanned Events ...... 82 8.4 Effects of the Environment on the Project...... 82 8.4.1 Climate Change...... 83 8.4.2 Seismic Activity...... 83 8.4.3 Slope Instability ...... 83 8.4.4 Avalanches...... 84 9.0 CONCLUSIONS AND NEXT STEPS...... 85 10.0 PRELIMINARY COMMITMENTS AND ASSURANCES ...... 87 11.0 REFERENCES ...... 92 Potential Components of the Environmental Management Plan ...... 98

List of Tables

Table 2-1 Comprehensive list of approvals, permits and licenses required for the Cypress Mountain Venue to proceed ...... 3 Table 6-1 Proposed Cypress Mountain Competition Schedule...... 34 Table 7-1 Average rainfall at Hollyburn Ridge from 1954 to 1990 ...... 54 Table 7-2 Average precipitation at Hollyburn Ridge from 1954 to 1990...... 54 Table 7-3 Daily maximum, daily minimum, daily mean, extreme maximum, and extreme minimum at Hollyburn Ridge. Information based on data collected from 1954 to 1990 (Degrees Celsius)...... 54 Table 7-4 Monthly Mean Runoff Pro-rated from MacKay Creek values ...... 55 Table 7-5 Fish species present in the Cypress Creek (900-073500) Watershed. .55 Table 7-6 Rare plants that may occur in the assessment area...... 61 Table 7-7 Mammals of conservation concern that may occur in the Assessment Area ...... 68 Table 7-8 Birds of conservation concern that may occur in the project area...... 71 Table 8-1 Summary of Potential Environmental Effects...... 77 Table 10-1 Summary of VANOC Commitments for Cypress Mountain...... 88

List of Figures

Figure 4-1 Project area...... 10 Figure 4-2 Proposed Cypress Mountain Venue...... 14 Figure 4-3 Proposed snowboard venue...... 18 Figure 4-4 Proposed freestyle venue...... 20 Figure 4-5 Proposed snowmaking facilities ...... 25 Figure 4-6 Proposed Change to Baden-Powell Trail...... 28 Figure 6-1 Project Assessment Area...... 36 Figure 6-2 Cumulative Effects Assessment Area ...... 38 Figure 6-3 Estimated Project Construction, Operation and Decommissioning/Legacy Timeline ...... 42 Figure 7-1 Biogeoclimatic Zones of the project area...... 51 Figure 7-2 Waterbodies and streams within the Assessment Area...... 57 Figure 7-3 Sensitive habitat locations...... 65

List of Appendices

Appendix BC Parks Impact Assessment Process: Screening Matrix,...... A Significance Matrix, Cumulative Effects Screening Matrix and Audit Record

Appendix Responses from the Cypress Provincial Park User Groups ...... B

Appendix Preliminary Environmental Management Plan...... C

1.0 INTRODUCTION

On July 2, 2003, Members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) selected Vancouver and Whistler as the host cities of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Consequently, British Columbia will host the 2010 Olympic Winter Games (the Games) in February and the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in March. The majority of the Olympic events and venues are proposed to take place in the Vancouver region, including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, nightly Medal Ceremonies, Main Press Centre, International Broadcast Centre, Ice Hockey, Figure Skating, Speed Skating, Short Track Speed Skating, Curling, Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding and the majority of the Arts and Cultural activities. Whistler will host Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Cross-Country Skiing, Nordic Combined, Ski Jumping, Bobsleigh, Skeleton, Luge, and medals ceremonies for the Olympics and also host all of the Paralympic events. The Cypress Mountain ski area, located in West Vancouver, has been identified as the location for the Olympic Snowboarding and Freestyle Skiing competitions. These competitions, which will occur on Black Mountain, will include mogul and aerial freestyle skiing events, and half-pipe, border cross and parallel giant slalom snowboard events. Cypress Mountain will not host any Paralympic events.

1.1 Proponent Identification The proponent of the project is the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). The Organizing Committee was incorporated under the Canada Corporations Act. The Committee's mandate is to "support and promote the development of sport in Canada by planning, organizing, financing and staging the XXI Olympic Winter Games and X Paralympic Games in 2010”. VANOC is comprised of representatives from the Canadian Olympic Committee, including Canadian members of the International Olympic Committee; the Government of Canada; the Province of British Columbia; the City of Vancouver; the Resort Municipality of Whistler; the Canadian Paralympic Committee; and a joint representative nominated by the Band Councils of the Lil'wat First Nation and the Squamish First Nation. The name, address and proponent contact for this Environmental Assessment Report are: Proponent: Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Proponent Contact: George McKay Address: Suite 400 – 1095 West Pender Street Vancouver, BC; V6E 2M6 Telephone: 778-227-2176 Fax: 778-328-2011

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2.0 REGULATORY CONTEXT

2.1 CEAA and BC Parks Cooperation This Environmental Assessment Report (EAR) reflects the Terms of Reference for a Screening Report under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA ). These Terms of Reference provide the Scope of Assessment as determined by Canadian Heritage pursuant to Sections 15 and 16 of CEAA . Canadian Heritage and the British Columbia Ministry of Environment have agreed to conduct a cooperative environmental assessment to generate the type and quality of information and conclusions on environmental effects required by CEAA and the BC Parks impact assessment process. This assessment is referred to as a “Level 2 Detailed Screen”

2.2 Permits, Licenses and Authorizations – Current Regulatory Regime Development of the Project (as it is presently conceived) will involve a number of distinct undertakings and activities, requiring authorizations from a variety of federal, provincial and municipal agencies. Table 2-1 provides a preliminary listing of permits, licenses, and authorizations that may be required to develop the Project. The specific permits, licenses, and authorizations that will be required will depend on the final configuration of the Project and all related activities, and may include others not listed here. Regulatory procedures that must be followed differ for each permitting, licensing, or authorizing agency.

2.3 Existing Environmental Assessment and Review Process The Project is subject to an environmental assessment under CEAA and to a Level 2 review (Detailed Screen) under the BC Parks Impact Assessment Process. Both the federal and provincial responsible authorities (i.e., Canadian Heritage and BC Parks) have agreed to a cooperative environmental assessment review. As a result, the environmental assessment requirements of both federal and provincial legislation will be met through a single environmental assessment document. However, both the federal and provincial governments are required to make separate decisions. Canadian Heritage will provide a screening report with its decision and BC Parks must issue a Decision Statement regarding the final approval of the Project. For a screening conducted under CEAA and within the BC Parks Impact Assessment Process there are no legislated timelines for the assessment review process. Although, under CEAA , Canadian Heritage, as the responsible authority (RA), is designated as the Federal Environmental Assessment Coordinator and is the point of contact for all federal authorities during the assessment process. They

DRAFT can also coordinate actions of federal authorities with those of provincial governments and other bodies ( e.g ., First Nations).

Table 2-1 Comprehensive list of approvals, permits and licenses required for the Cypress Mountain Venue to proceed Approval/Permit Legislation Agency Project Component License FEDERAL Fisheries Act Section Fisheries Act Fisheries and Potential HADD from proposed 35(2) Authorization Sec. 35(2) Oceans Canada impoundment structure to supply water for snow making. PROVINCIAL Approval /Notification Water Act Ministry of Construction of impoundment for changes in and section 9 & Environment structure for snowmaking. about a stream Water Regulation Part 7 Water License Water Act Ministry of Impoundment of water and Section 2(1) Environment subsequent withdrawal for snowmaking Land Use/Occupancy Park Act BC Parks For construction approval and Park Use Permit section 16 development in areas not already covered in the Cypress Mountain Master Plan Dam Safety Review Water Act - BC Ministry of Snow making reservoir Dam Safety Environment Regulations Tree removal approval Cypress Master BC Parks Removal of trees at the proposed Plan freestyle skiing area Amendment 2004 OTHER Approval for Cypress Mountain construction Ski Area Notification District of West Tree removal Vancouver

An agency working group (AWG) was selected that is comprised of technical specialists from various federal, provincial and municipal agencies and members of the First Nations. The AWG includes representation from the following organizations: • British Columbia Ministry of Environment • Canadian Heritage • Fisheries and Oceans Canada • Environment Canada • Health Canada

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• District of West Vancouver • Tsleil Waututh Nation • Musqueam Nation • Squamish Nation • Sto:lo Nation

This document is provided as a draft environmental assessment report for review by the AWG. Upon finalization of this report an Environmental Management Plan for the project will be completed.

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3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT CONTACTS

Responsible Authority Contact: CEAA Contact:

Geoff Karcher Dave Carter Environmental Assessment Coordinator Senior Program Officer Canadian Heritage Canadian Environmental Assessment Western Region Agency 300 West Georgia Street, 4 th Floor 320 – 757 West Hastings Street Sinclair Centre Vancouver, BC Vancouver, BC V6C 1A1 V6B 6C6 Phone: (604) 666-2442 T: 604-666-9197 F: 604-666-3508 Proponent Contact: Ministry of Environment – BC Parks:

George McKay Vicki Haberl Vancouver Organizing Committee for the Olympics Planning Officer 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games PO Box 220 Suite 400 – 1095 West Pender Street Brackendale, BC Vancouver, British Columbia V3R 0Y3 V6E 2M6 T: 604-898-3678, ext. 227 T: 778-227-2176 F: 604-898-4171 F: 778-328-2011 Environmental Consultant Contact:

Marc d’Entremont Jacques Whitford 4370 Dominion Street Burnaby, BC, V5G 4L7 T: 604-436-3014 F: 604-436-3752 E : [email protected]

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4.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Cypress Mountain is an existing long-established operating ski area northwest of Vancouver in the District of West Vancouver (Figure 1) and wholly contained within Cypress Provincial Park. The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games will use the existing terrain of the Cypress ski area ( i.e. , Black Mountain and base area) to host the freestyle skiing and snowboard events. There will be limited permanent change at Cypress as a result of the proposed venue plans. The Olympic facilities will overlay and largely be temporary as much of the installation will be removed after the Games. The current ski facilities and established road access assures that major infrastructure upgrading is not required. However, given the park location, the facility development, the Games operations and post-Game legacy will all be required to comply with both the Master Plan for Cypress Provincial Park (Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks 1997) and the approved Cypress Bowl Master Plan (CBRL 1995). To ensure long-term viability, Cypress Bowl Recreations Ltd. (CBRL) the operator of Cypress Mountain ski area, and BC Parks have committed to operating the remaining Olympic facilities after the Games. The Games venue planning process selected this site on the basis of the established access, proximity to the proposed Vancouver Olympic Village, ski area characteristics ( e.g. , snowfall/quality, weather, aspect and elevation), and the site merits. The predicted venue capacity of approximately 12,000 people is similar to that which currently exists on a typical day at Cypress. The proposed operational plans are to close the ski operation to the general public during the Games period and to take over the ski operation for the Games activities. Some permanent infrastructure will be required for the Games and to support the long-term operation of the facility, including: • regrading of the parallel giant slalom snowboard course; • new in-ground snowboard half-pipe; • additional lighting for evening events; • snowmaking system including a water reservoir; • new freestyle site for aerial and moguls; and • relocation of the Baden Powell recreational trail.

4.1 Project Background and Rationale

4.1.1 Project History In 1998, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) initiated a national search for a city to represent Canada in the global competition for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Vancouver-Whistler 2010 Bid Society was formed by local business leaders and supported by community, corporate and government partners

DRAFT to respond to the COC search. The Bid Society put together a strong proposal and in November 1998 the COC selected Vancouver-Whistler as the winning national bid over Calgary and Québec City for 2010 Games. In November, 1998, the COC selected Vancouver-Whistler as the Canadian candidate city to bid for the 2010 Winter Games. The Vancouver-Whistler 2010 Bid Society was then formed to help bring the Games to Canada. The Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation (the Bid Corporation) was established in June 1999 to prepare the international bid. The Bid Corporation began to investigate potential venues for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the Greater Vancouver Region and the Resort Municipality of Whistler. It was clear that all proposed venues needed to meet and exceed guidelines established by the International Sports Federation and address issues such as environmental and community sustainability and Olympic capacities. The Bid Corporation identified the Cypress Mountain ski area as a potential site for freestyle skiing and snowboarding events. The Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation then developed the freestyle and snowboard proposal for the Cypress venue to determine its overall suitability as the sports facility. The Bid Corporation undertook a public process to study the venue development issues in the park and the venue plan was also assessed under a separate biophysical impact assessment completed by the Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation for all venue locations.

In addition to the venue plans, and a review of both the BC Parks management plan and the ski area master plan, the Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation undertook the following specific studies at Cypress Provincial Park to meet the requirements of a Level 1 Screening under the BC Parks Impact Assessment: a hydrological and geotechnical assessment, a preliminary environmental impact assessment, Cypress Creek fisheries surveys and a transportation review. Since then there have been a number of venue design changes resulting from this work and consultation with BC Parks and CBRL. These changes include: 1. Initial plans had some events occurring on Mount Strachan, whereas all events will now be occurring on Black Mountain. 2. Changing the snow making reservoir from an in stream weir to an in ground reservoir. 3. The need for constructing a new chairlift for the freestyle events has been eliminated. The event will utilize the new Black Mountain chairlift that will be constructed by CBRL. 4. The half pipe has been moved to an area that will require less earth work than previously planned. 5. The original length of the parallel giant slalom course has been shorted, which will reduce impacts to old growth forest at the top of the run. 6. No new parking will be created as originally planned and present parking will be maximized to accommodate the same number of vehicles.

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7. Cooperation among VANOC, BC Parks and CBRL is ongoing to ensure that the relocation of the Baden Powell trail will occur in a timely manner to reduce impact to recreationalists. These design changes will not only reduce financial costs to the project but will also reduce the environmental effects associated with the venue development.

4.1.2 Alternative Means of Carrying out the Project Prior to selecting Cypress as the venue for freestyle skiing and snowboarding, the 2010 Olympic Bid Corporation evaluated Whistler-Blackcomb, Grouse Mountain, Seymour Mountain and Cypress Mountain as potential venue locations. Developing a new ski area and venue location for this venue was not considered a viable alternative. The criteria used in the site selection decision-making process were: 1. Availability of the site during February 2010, and the preceding two to three years for training and hosting of international freestyle skiing and snowboarding events; 2. Access to the site via an all-season, two to three land paved road; 3. Suitable northeast facing terrain for freestyle skiing and snowboarding events; 4. Existing or partial infrastructure to host Olympic events ( e.g. , base facilities, spectator seating, parking area, ski lifts and runs, power supply, solid waste facilities, and potable water) in order to minimize environmental impacts; 5. Proximity to Vancouver and the Resort Municipality of Whistler; 6. Snowmaking capabilities; and 7. A provision of an Olympic Legacy by leaving portions of the facility for future community use. Whistler-Blackcomb resort management indicated that there would be no available terrain to host the freestyle and snowboarding events given their commitment to other Olympic events (VANOC 2005). Grouse Mountain was eliminated due to its unique access, while Seymour Mountain sufficient suitable terrain (Ogilvie 2005). The Cypress Mountain ski area fulfilled the requirements; however CBRL had to demonstrate that they had the ability for snowmaking. Locating this venue at Cypress Mountain also reduced the transportation needs and issues associated with locating these events at Whistler. The proposed freestyle and snowboard sites at Cypress will enhance the area by creating more terrain suited to skiing and providing CBRL with a permanent snowmaking facility, while minimizing new impacts to the environmental setting. Cypress Bowl Recreation Ltd. will retain ownership of the facility after the Games. The mogul course will become one of Cypress’s premier mogul runs in addition to being available for the Freestyle Ski Club training and competition venue. The aerial jump site will become a training venue for the Freestyle Ski Club and can be used for new forms of freestyle skiing and snowboarding such as ‘Big Air’

DRAFT competitions. Both sites will be able to host Canadian Series, NorAms and World Cup Freestyle competitions.

4.1.3 Sustainability Principles VANOC has emphasized its commitment to incorporating sustainable and inclusive principles into all 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games plans and actions (VANOC 2005). This includes a commitment to minimize impacts and maximize benefits for social, economic, and environmental outcomes in all aspects of the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Conventional sustainability is usually only associated with environmental stewardship; however, VANOC is broadening and strengthening this focus to include social responsibility, economic opportunity, sport development and health promotion (VANOC 2005a). The approach toward sustainability will help support balanced decision making, a long-term view, inclusiveness, equity and healthy communities. This will be accomplished by VANOC through a Sustainability Management System comprised of policy and commitment, education and awareness, monitoring and reporting, and environmental, social and economic actions.

4.2 Project Location Cypress Mountain ski area is located in Cypress Provincial Park in West Vancouver, 12 km off the Trans-Canada Highway (Figure 4-1). It is made up of two mountains: Mount Strachan with an elevation of 1432 m and Black Mountain with an elevation of 1193 m. Cypress Mountain is bordered by the Capilano Lake Municipal Watershed to the east and northeast and Highway 99 and Howe Sound to the west and northwest. The Municipal District of West Vancouver borders the Cypress Provincial Park to the south. The Cypress Mountain ski area within the provincial park are accessed by a 16 km long three lane, paved road, the Cypress Bowl Road, which connects to Highway 99 and provides access to Whistler and Vancouver. Skiing on the North Shore mountains dates back to the 1920s, when ski enthusiasts used the historic Hollyburn Lodge as a restaurant and equipment storage. In the mid-1970s, the British Columbia Provincial Government designated the area surrounding Black Mountain, Mount Strachan and Hollyburn Mountain as Cypress Provincial Park.

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Figure 4-1 Project area

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The B.C. Provincial Parks Branch of the Ministry of Environment operated the cross- country and downhill ski areas for several years but in 1984 the facilities were offered for sale by tender, and CBRL began operating the ski facilities in November 1984 after purchasing the business venture and acquiring a 50-year renewable park use permit from BC Parks. The permit encouraged development and improvement of the alpine and Nordic ski area. By 1997, Cypress Mountain, BC Parks and other stakeholders completed Cypress Bowl Master Plan for the park, which was approved by the provincial government in June of that year. Following the development of the Cypress Bowl Master Plan, BC Parks produced a Master Plan for Cypress Provincial Park in June 1997 (MELP 1997), which incorporated the concepts for the Cypress Bowl into a comprehensive park development strategy. This Master Plan was amended in 2002 to allow for new base facilities, the installation of a new high speed chairlift on Black Mountain and the addition of new parking and site infrastructure. In the summer of 1998, an access road along the existing T-33 ski trail was completed. Further implementation of the Master Plan included the installation of a fixed sewer connection in summer 1999, and further infrastructure upgrades including water service, communications lines and parking facilities in the summer of 2000. In addition to providing winter recreation opportunities, many summer visitors are now enjoying the new chair lift-assisted mountain bike park and the existing network of public hiking and biking trails.

4.2.1 Project Facilities and Design The proposed project is expected to occupy up to 4.9 ha of land in the Cypress Mountain alpine ski area. The venue will utilize existing facilities as much as possible however there will be the construction of new facilities. In addition, the venue will utilize temporary facilities ( e.g. , service area, spectator seating, broadcast compounds, and weather protection) that will be erected specifically for the Games period. Major permanent facilities include the development of the snowboard and freestyle venues and construction of a snow making system. The planned facilities are illustrated in Figure 4-2 and described below:

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Figure 4-2 Proposed Cypress Mountain Venue

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4.2.1.1 Snowboard Facilities The snowboard events are comprised of parallel giant slalom, snowboard cross and half pipe (Figure 4-3). The Olympic competition site for these events will use existing terrain with minor modifications. The parallel giant slalom, half pipe and snowboard cross events will be situated on existing runs on Black Mountain and utilize the Eagle Express chairlift. The parallel giant slalom course will be situated on the Trumpeter, Gully and Fork runs. The total length of the course will be 550 m at an average slope of 18 degrees. The half pipe will be built on the Panorama run adjacent to an area of old growth forest. The half pipe course will be designed to Federation Internationale de Ski (FIS) course requirements and be 4.5 - 4.7 m high, 195 m long and 31 m wide, with a slope of 16 - 17 degrees. It will be an in-ground pipe and will have lighting for night events. A transportable judges’ hut (approximately 3 m by 9 m) will be constructed for the half pipe competitions. This hut will be moveable but will remain on-site after the Games. Utilization of the Panorama run will impact the current ski connection to the Windjammer run. Therefore a new trail on the right hand side of the half pipe will need to be cleared in order to connect the two runs. The snowboard cross course will be built along the existing Fork run.

4.2.1.2 Freestyle Facilities The freestyle events include moguls and aerials. The proposed moguls and aerials courses will be situated in an area of second growth forest adjacent to the existing parking area and in close proximity to the snowboard facilities (Figure 4-4). The course construction will include permanent judges’ stands for aerials and moguls and a permanent start hut for moguls. The mogul judges and start huts will be approximately 3 m by 9 m. The aerial judges’ stand will be approximately 3 m by 12 m. The mogul course will be 250 m long and 40 m wide with a 27% average slope and will be constructed so as to also run dual moguls for World Cup events before and after the Games. For the freestyle events, the aerial jump hill will be built to FIS specifications for in-run, table, landing and corral lengths and angles. Lift access will be by the new high speed chair that will be constructed by CBRL under the Cypress Master Plan.

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Figure 4-3 Proposed snowboard venue

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Figure 4-4 Proposed freestyle venue

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4.2.1.3 Snow Making Facilities In order to ensure an adequate snow cover for the event, snowmaking capability is required for the freestyle and snowboard venues. Snowmaking facilities will be installed to ensure the highest quality snow surface to meet the needs of Olympic athletes and local skiers and snowboarders. The snow making facilities will involve the construction of an impoundment/reservoir area, underground piping and the distribution/application of man-made snow (Figure 4-5). The snow making reservoir is to be located in an old gravel quarry north of the Montizambert Creek domestic pump house. The reservoir volume will be a minimum of 20,000 m 3 and the impoundment will be approximately 50 m by 130 m and six meters deep. Water will be pumped from Cypress Creek to maintain the water levels in the new snow making reservoir. A creek pump house will be positioned in the Cypress Creek streambed adjacent to the current day lodge, where Cypress Creek runs through a large multi-plate culvert. A reservoir pump house will be required at the snow making reservoir to pump water to the main pump house that is to be constructed at the base of the Eagle Express chairlift. The main pump house will pump water to the snow making stations distributed throughout the mountain. A piping system will be installed that is comprised of low pressure and high pressure lines. Low pressure lines will connect the Cypress Creek pump house to the main pump house and the reservoir pump house; and the reservoir pump house to the Main Pump House. High pressure lines will supply water from the main pump house to the snow making stations. A primary and secondary electrical system will be installed that will distribute power to the snow making stations.

4.2.1.4 Temporary Facilities Temporary facilities will be constructed for spectator viewing consisting of temporary seating for 6,000 to 8,000 people at each event plus standing room. Additional temporary facilities will include tents for volunteers, athletes, broadcast and media compounds, broadcast support facilities, spectator services, parking spaces for Games officials and the Olympic family. Construction of the temporary facilities is scheduled to commence in the summer of 2009 and be completed in January 2010, with removal during the following summer and fall. Services, utilities and plumbing will need to be installed, along with auxiliary facilities such as start and finish structures, weather protection, guest services building and warm-up areas for the athletes. All temporary facilities will be constructed in open areas so no additional clearing is required.

4.2.1.5 Baden-Powell Recreational Trail The construction of the freestyle facilities will impair the current access to the Baden Powell recreational trail. As a result, the Baden Powell trail is being re-routed to the north side of the Black Mountain ski area (Figure 4-6). CBRL initiated the construction of the lower 1000 m of the new trail in the summer of 2005.

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The upper portion of the new trail for the most part follows an old hiking trail, which is currently not maintained, and is scheduled to be upgraded in the spring of 2006.

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Figure 4-5 Proposed snowmaking facilities

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Figure 4-6 Proposed Change to Baden-Powell Trail

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5.0 SCOPE OF PROJECT

5.1 Screening Trigger for the Project The physical work involved in construction of the activities at Cypress Mountain meets the definition of a project under CEAA . The proponent is VANOC. Canadian Heritage is providing federal funding for the project and will be the Responsible Authority (RA) pursuant to Section 5 of CEAA. The project is not on the Exclusion List Regulations, nor is it on the Comprehensive Study List Regulations. There are no Law List Regulations associated with the project. The project has not been referred directly to a mediation or panel review, therefore, a screening-level environmental assessment (EA) and screening report are required under CEAA . The project is located in a provincial park within British Columbia and must therefore fulfill the requirements of the BC Parks Impact Assessment Process. BC Parks and the Ministry of Environment have confirmed that the project activities at Cypress Mountain for the Games will need to undergo a Level 2 review (i.e., Detailed Screen) of the BC Parks Impact Assessment Process for approval.

5.2 Scope Determination The determination of the scope of project for the Level 2 Detailed Screen was an iterative process, determined by Canadian Heritage pursuant to its authority under Section 16(3) of CEAA , and based upon consultations with the public, regulatory authorities, the professional judgment of the study team, and the results of field studies conducted to date. As such, the information presented below provides some direction for which decisions can be based upon.

5.2.1 Scope of the Project Pursuant to its authority under Section 15(1) of CEAA , Canadian Heritage has determined that the scope of the project to be assessed shall include: • construction of the new venues at Cypress Provincial Park (freestyle and snowboarding), the snowmaking system with associated reservoir, and the temporary facilities, and the upper portion of the Baden Powell Trail re-route; • operation and maintenance of the new permanent facilities; and • the decommissioning of temporary facilities associated with the construction of the project. The scope of the project shall not include consideration of the following: • the source of aggregates, asphalt-concrete, lumber and other materials required outside of the proposed project site ( i.e. , within the limits of the ski area within Cypress Provincial Park) for the construction of project facilities; • the transportation of workers and materials to and from the project limits for all phases; and

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• assessment of the disposal sites for any waste materials outside the limits of Cypress Provincial Park during decommissioning except any facilities that are to be used that are not currently licensed. Cumulative environmental effects have been considered pursuant to Section 16.1(a) of CEAA for likely future projects. No additional factors have been prescribed under Section 16.1(e) by Canadian Heritage for inclusion in the potential cumulative environmental effects assessment analysis. There are currently no plans for decommissioning the permanent facilities ( e.g ., freestyle venue, half pipe) as they will remain part of the Games legacy whose operation will be taken over by CBRL. Any decommissioning/abandonment activities of the permanent facilities would be subject to future examination under CEAA , as appropriate. The existing conditions of the project area environment (described in Section 7), with respect to the identified valued components, are characterized in this report. Potential interactions of specific project activities (included by the above scope of the project) with the environment are identified and the environmental effects (described in Section 8) are evaluated in consideration of appropriate mitigation measures.

5.2.2 Scope of Factors to be Assessed Under Section 16(1) of CEAA, the following factors must be assessed: a) the environmental effects of the project, including the environmental effects of malfunctions or accidents that may occur in connection with the project and any cumulative environmental effects that are likely to result from the project in combination with other projects or activities that have been or will be carried out; b) the significance of the effects referred to in paragraph (a); c) comments from the public that are received in accordance with this Act and the regulations; d) measures that are technically and economically feasible and that would mitigate any significant adverse environmental effects of the project; and e) any other matter relevant to the screening, comprehensive study, mediation or assessment by a review panel, such as the need for the project and alternatives to the project, that the responsible authority or, except in the case of a screening, the Minister after consulting with the responsible authority, may require to be considered. The environmental assessment will focus on the following Valued Components (VCs) and analyses of the freshwater, terrestrial socio-economic and cultural environments:

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Freshwater Environment • Water Quality – the potential interactions between the project and the water quality of Cypress Creek. • Water Quantity – the potential interactions between the project and the potential for reduced water quantity within Cypress Creek. • Fisheries Resources – the potential interactions between the project and fish and fish habitat within Cypress Creek.

Terrestrial Environment • Terrestrial Wildlife – the potential interactions between the project and wildlife and wildlife habitat and any vulnerable, threatened, or endangered wildlife species within the zone of influence of the project. • Avifauna – the potential interactions between the project and avifauna and avifauna habitat and any vulnerable, threatened, or endangered species within the zone of influence of the project. • Vegetation – the potential interactions between the project and rare vascular plants (those classified as Red or Blue-listed in British Columbia and listed under Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act ).

Socio-Economic Environment • Recreational Access – the potential interactions between the project and recreational access during all phases of the project. • Park Use by the Public – the potential interactions between the project and park use by the public during all phases of the project. Cultural Environment • Archaeology – the potential interactions between the project and archeological resources during all phases of the project.

The EA will also include consideration of the effects of the environment on the project, including extreme weather events ( e.g ., precipitation, fog, snow drift, wind, lightning, floods, climate change), geological processes (e.g ., erosion, seismic activity, land and rock slides, unstable soils), and natural forest fires as they may substantially affect the project.

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6.0 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY

6.1 Overview and Approach The BC Parks Impact Assessment process has been used to identify impacts on protected area values that may be associated with project activities, evaluate the significance of those impacts, determine mitigation measures and assist with making decisions on whether or not the project should proceed. This process has been enhanced to ensure that the environmental assessment of the projects meets the requirements of CEAA as well. The Detailed Screen is comprised of four parts: 1. Screening for location action specific effects (completed by the proponent); 2. Screening for cumulative effects (completed by the proponent); 3. Audit record (completed by the proponent); and 4. Decision (completed by the BC Parks assessor). Each of these steps is described in further detail below.

6.2 Determination of Assessment Area/Boundaries

6.2.1 Assessment Area The spatial and administrative boundaries defined for the EA ( i.e. , the Project Assessment Area) will include the development area, and lands immediately adjacent, that may be affected by the project. Watercourses and surface water bodies within 200 m of the project activities will be considered within the spatial boundaries (Figure 6-1). Consideration of environmental effects will not include urban residential development and infrastructure development on private land. The Assessment Area for the cumulative environmental effects will include the catchment areas for Cypress Creek and Montizambert Creek (Figure 6-2).

6.2.2 Temporal Boundaries The temporal boundaries of the project include the construction (9 months), operation (2 months) and decommissioning (3 months). The construction phase will occur during the summer seasons of 2006 and 2007 for the permanent facilities and in the summer season of 2009 for the temporary facilities. The operation phase will commence in January of 2010 with the final preparations before the Games period. The Games period will be from February 12 – 28, 2010. The decommissioning of the temporary facilities will occur in the summer season of 2010. The proposed schedule for the competitions is provided in Table 6-1.

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Table 6-1 Proposed Cypress Mountain Competition Schedule.

Event Day Date Time Freestyle Snowboard

Day 1 Fri, Feb 12

09:00-10:00 Moguls – Women Qual. Day 2 Sat, Feb 13 12:00-13:00 Moguls – Women Final

10:00-11:30 SBX – Men Qual. Day 3 Sun, Feb 14 12:00-14:30 SBX – Men Final

09:00-10:00 Moguls – Men Qual. Day 4 Mon, Feb 15 12:00-13:00 Moguls – Men Final

10:00-13:00 SBX – Women Qual. Day 5 Tue, Feb 16 13:00-14:30 SBX – Women Final

Day 6 Wed, Feb 17

15:30-17:30 Half Pipe – Women Qual. Day 7 Thu, Feb 18 18:30-19:30 Half Pipe – Women Final

15:30-17:30 Half Pipe – Men Qual. Day 8 Fri, Feb 19 18:30-19:30 Half Pipe – Men Final

10:00-11:00 PGS – Women Qual. Day 9 Sat, Feb 20 13:00-14:30 PGS – Women Final

10:00-11:00 PGS – Men Qual. Day 10 Sun, Feb 21 13:00-14:00 PGS – Men Final

Day 11 Mon, Feb 22

Day 12 Tue, Feb 23 18:00-19:00 Aerials – Women Qual.

Day 13 Wed, Feb 24 18:00-19:00 Aerials – Women Final

Day 14 Thu, Feb 25 18:00-19:00 Aerials – Men Qual.

Day 15 Fri, Feb 26 18:00-19:00 Aerials – Men Final

Day 16 Sat, Feb 27

Day 17 Sun, Feb 28

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6.3 Audit Record A requirement of the BC Parks Impact Assessment Process is the inclusion of an “Audit Record”. The Audit Record provides a permanent record for all decisions made throughout the screening and assessment process. The record permits review and scrutiny of the assessment by BC Parks, other agencies, technical experts, First Nations and the public. According to BC Parks (MELP 1999), the Audit Record should include the following: • the rationale used in selecting each value or VC; • any justification, data, calculations or assumptions used in the ranking of interactions ( e.g., low, moderate, high) and the significance of local and cumulative effects; • identification of any action components, mitigation, or design features that will influence the extent of significance of the effects; • any additional measures required to mitigate effects that are determined to be significant; • references and personal communications; and • an assessment of the reliability of the data, while considering the source, date, confirmation of data, applicability of data and the sample size use.

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Figure 6-1 Project Assessment Area

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Figure 6-2 Cumulative Effects Assessment Area

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6.4 Impact Assessment Screening Matrix The BC Parks screening matrix is used to identify components of the action that result in interactions with the values ( i.e. , VCs) identified during the pre-screening process. The screening matrix involves four steps: 1. identification of project phases; 2. identification of environmental and social values or features; 3. identification of project activities; and 4. a ranking of interactions. Sections 6.4.1, 6.4.2, 6.4.3, and 6.4.4 respectively outline each of the steps of the screening matrix.

6.4.1 Identification of Project Phases The identification of project phases, each of which may result in varying impacts, may include the construction phase, operation phase, and the decommissioning and legacy phase, as illustrated in Figure 6-3.

6.4.1.1 Construction Some permanent infrastructure will be required for the Games and to support the long-term operation of the facility. Construction of infrastructure will require the delivery and temporary storage of heavy equipment. Snowboarding Facility: There will be limited vegetation clearing, primarily shrub and brush, required for the snowboard facilities. Course regrading and half pipe construction will employ conventional excavation machinery ( e.g. , cat 300 or equal excavator). Freestyle Ski Facility: Development of this venue will require the clearing of approximately two hectares of second growth forest, and potentially some limited clearing of a section of old growth forest ( i.e. , six trees). Grubbing of the area will be required to reduce impacts on design and operation of the runs. Some blasting of the cliff adjacent the parking lot will be required in order to grade the course to meet FIS specifications. Snowmaking and Associated Water Reservoir and Piping : Construction of the water reservoir will require some clearing of second growth forest. A portion of the area has been previously cleared because of the gravel quarry. The overall footprint for the reservoir will be less than two hectares. Materials excavated from the site will be used to construct the reservoir berm. Conventional excavation methods ( e.g. , cat 330 or similar equipment) will be used for the construction of the reservoir. The installation of snowmaking infrastructure will require trenching along existing roads and trails, the laying of pipe and some land preparation for the construction of the Creek, Main and Reservoir Pump Houses. The excavation and trenching for the low pressure water lines will occur on existing service roads and trails along the base of the mountain. The high pressure water lines will be installed on the edge of the ski runs.

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Outdoor Lighting: Some site preparation will be required for the installation of outdoor lighting towers and their associated power right-of-way. Construction of the permanent facilities is expected to commence in the spring of 2006 and conclude in the fall of 2007. Temporary Facilities: Construction of the temporary facilities will occur in the spring, summer and fall of 2009. This will involve transporting the equipment to site, establishing temporary storage areas for the equipment and construction the infrastructure. All temporary facilities will be constructed in areas that have been previously cleared or disturbed. Consequently, no additional clearing of vegetation or forest will be required. These facilities will be decommissioned in the summer of 2010.

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Figure 6-3 Estimated Project Construction, Operation and Decommissioning/Legacy Timeline

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Winter Spring Winter Spring Winter Spring Winter Spring Winter Spring Summer Summer Summer Summer Summer

Construction of Permanent Facilities Construction of Temporary Facilities Test Competitions Recreation use 2010 Olympic Games Decommissioning activities

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6.4.1.2 Operation The proposed Olympic venue will use of up to approximately 4.9 ha for the events, permitted parking areas, drop-off areas, and general spectator seating areas. This area will be closed to the general public for skiing during the Games period ( i.e. , 12 days) and the ski operations will be taken over by VANOC. Most competition events will take place during a 2-3 hour period in the late afternoon and early evening. Practice events will run throughout the day when competitions are not being conducted. Events will not be held at this venue during the Paralympic Games. Events will be held during the winters of 2008 and 2009 to test all aspects of the Games infrastructure ( e.g ., course runs, ticketing, safety). It is anticipated that Black Mountain will be closed to the public during these test events; however other sections of the ski area (alpine and Nordic) would remain open. During the Games, Cypress Mountain will operate six days of freestyle skiing events and six days of snowboard events. The venue capacity is approximately 12,000 people, including, athletes, judges, volunteers and spectators, each day. Transportation of spectators to the events will comply with the Games Transportation Plan. This will involve employing shuttle buses to transport spectators to the venue from various pick up points within the Greater Vancouver area. A check point will be established along Cypress Road so that only vehicles permitted by VANOC will be allowed up to the venue. During the Games, bottled water will be available on site as a source of potable water for Games personnel, athletes and spectators. Additional water for use in facilities such as concessions and washrooms will be brought on site by water trucks. Temporary washroom facilities will be installed to accommodate spectators. Black and grey water will be removed daily by vacuum truck and transported off site to an approved waste disposal facility. Other solid waste ( i.e. , from trash receptacles) will be removed from the site daily and transported to an approved waste disposal facility. The amount of water used for snowmaking will depend on the climatic conditions at the time of the Games. The snowmaking facilities will ensure adequate snow depth in excess of 1.0 m over the entire venue area. The snow making reservoir will be filled during periods of high water flows through Cypress Creek. The course runs at each venue will be prepared well in advance of the Games period.

6.4.1.3 Decommissioning Permanent facilities will remain in place and the responsibility for their operation will be taken over by CBRL and BC Parks after the Games are complete. Removal of the temporary facilities will commence in the spring of 2010. Materials will be salvaged and reused off site where appropriate. Materials that cannot be salvaged or reused will be transported off site to an approved waste disposal facility.

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6.4.2 Identification of Project Environmental and Social Values The second step to the screening matrix involves the identification of environmental and social values or features ( i.e. , VCs or Valued Components) from the pre- screening process, and any new VCs that were recognized during scoping consultation, the analysis of field study results, and through professional judgment. If these values or features are important factors to consider during the decision- making process they are incorporated into the screening matrix. Documentation for VC justification should be provided in the Audit Record. From the pre-screening and scoping process the freshwater, terrestrial, socio- economic and cultural environments were identified as important environmental and social values/features.

6.4.2.1 Freshwater Environment A fish and fish habitat survey was conducted in 2002 (ENKON 2002) and a hydrological and water quality study was conducted in 2004 (Kerr Wood Leidal 2004). No additional baseline surveys were proposed for the freshwater environment. Using existing data, the following objectives have been identified for the freshwater component: • determine if species at risk identified on Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA ) or red and blue listed species in British Columbia are vulnerable to project environmental effects and assess their use of habitat within the Assessment Area; • identify basic water quality and quantity values for potentially affected streams; • determine potential environmental and cumulative effects on fish species, hydrology and water quality within the assessment area; and • propose strategies to minimize and mitigate potential environmental effects on fish and fish habitat, hydrology and water quality and quantity.

6.4.2.2 Terrestrial Environment The terrestrial environment will focus on terrestrial wildlife, avifauna, vegetation and species at risk identified on Schedule 1 of the SARA or red and blue-listed species in British Columbia. Baseline terrestrial studies that have previously been conducted include: • a bird survey (Robertson and Toochin 2001); • two spotted owl surveys (Hilton et al. 2001 and ENKON 2004); • Environmental Assessment of Proposed New Ski Trails – Cypress Provincial Park (ENKON 2002); and • Preliminary Environmental Assessment of the Proposed 2010 Olympic Venues: Cypress Provincial Park (ENKON 2002). Baseline surveys were also completed in 2005 to assist in the assessment of potential effects. These surveys included:

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• a raptor nest survey; • rare plant and community survey; and • vegetation mapping. The results of these surveys have been included in the assessment of potential effects. The following objectives have been identified for the terrestrial environment component: • determine if species at risk identified on Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) or red and blue listed species in British Columbia may be vulnerable to project effects and assess their relative abundance, distribution and habitat use within the Assessment Area; • identify important as well as critical habitats for Schedule 1 or red or blue listed species including local and regional habitat, and if possible, seasonal use and movement corridors; • determine potential environmental and cumulative effects on Schedule 1 or red or blue listed species within the Assessment Area; and • propose strategies to minimize and/or mitigate potential environmental effects on affected species and their habitats identified above.

6.4.2.3 Socio-Economic Environment As part of the EA, socio-economic effects will focus on the issues of recreation access and park use by the public. A brief socio-economic profile will be provided that relates to these effects. The following objectives have been identified for the socio-economic environment component: • determine the number of recreational users by individual and user group; • identify key periods (i.e., days of the week, time of day, season) of recreational use of the park; and • document the pros and cons of the user groups with respect to the Olympic venue being built at Cypress Mountain.

6.4.2.4 Cultural Environment An archaeological overview assessment (AOA) will be conducted for the venue areas. First Nations and BC Parks will be consulted to identify traditional use and other issues and concerns at the proposed venue sites. This AOA is being conducted as a stand alone document. The results of the AOA are not presented in this draft report but may be included after review.

6.4.3 Identification of Project Activities All activities or disturbances that may be associated with the project phases must be reviewed. Listed in column one of the screening matrix, the activities or disturbances are as specific as possible and are inventoried for each of the project phases ( e.g. , construction phase – clearing of second-growth forest).

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6.4.4 Ranking Interactions The ranking of interactions determines the degree of possible interaction between each activity or disturbance and each of the identified values ( i.e., VCs). The screening matrix has been completed, according to MELP (1999), by entering a ranking of Low (L), Moderate (M) or High (H) into each cell on the matrix. Where an interaction is considered positive a positive notation has been used ( e.g ., M+). According to MELP (1999), all interactions ranked as Moderate or High, require a rationale for the decision documented in the Audit Record. A value that does not contain at least one ranking of Moderate or High has been eliminated from further consideration and adequate justification for the Low ranking is given in the Audit Record. A cumulative effect screening matrix is completed for all interactions ranked as Low. All other interactions ranked as Moderate or High have been further assessed at the next stage, the Significance Matrix.

6.5 Significance Matrix The significance matrix is a three step process used to identify and rank potential effects. Sections 6.5.1, 6.5.2 and 6.5.3 outline each of the steps involved in the significance matrix.

6.5.1 Identifying Potential Effects The initial step in the significant matrix requires identifying individual effects that may result from each interaction ranked as Moderate or High on the completed screening matrix. For each phase’s activity or disturbance carried forward from the screening matrix, all of the specific effects that may arise have been listed. Each activity or disturbance could potentially cause a number of adverse and/or beneficial effects. The Audit Record explicitly states the rationale for all conclusions.

6.5.2 Ranking the Significance of Effects The BC Parks Impact Assessment User Guide (MELP 1999) has been used to rank the significance of each effect. By asking a series of pre-determined questions, these effects have been evaluated and ranked as Low, Moderate, High or Unknown and categorized according to whether they apply to Biological Species, Physical- Chemical or Socio-Economic Values. Justification has been provided in the Audit Record for the rationale used during the ranking. The Audit Record also includes notations when the significant of the effect is Unknown, and there is a need for specific additional information.

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6.5.3 Mitigation The last step in the significance matrix is documenting where there are opportunities for the mitigation of significant effects. The type of recommended mitigation has been justified in the Audit Record. Any residual impact, i.e. , impacts that are likely to remain a factor after mitigation, are addressed in the cumulative effects screening matrix.

6.6 Cumulative Effects Screening Matrix According to MELP (1999), cumulative effects occur when two or more actions combine to result in an incremental effect that is greater than the effects from any single action. The assessment of cumulative effects is done to ensure that incremental effects resulting from the combined influence of various actions are considered. The combined cumulative effects may be evaluated as significant despite the fact that the individual effects taken singly may have been assessed as insignificant. The following sections outline the process for screening cumulative effects.

6.6.1 Identification of Other Actions Other actions that have been identified during scoping that may potentially interact with the action under review have been listed within the cumulative effects screening matrix. This includes past and existing actions nearest to the action under review; actions that have a reasonable likelihood of interacting with the action under review, usually as a result of similar activities or spatial or temporal overlap; and actions that have yet to occur but are known to be imminent in the area under review. Actions that are likely to occur that may act cumulatively with the project include: • Historic development of the Cypress ski area on Black Mountain and Mount Strachan as per the Cypress Master Plan; • Construction of the new high speed chairlift on Black Mountain; • Construction of the new day lodge; • Development of new ski runs on the southern portion of Black Mountain; and • Development of new mountain bike trails on Black Mountain. •

6.6.2 Identification of Other Effects The BC Parks Impact Assessment process has identified five ways in which cumulative effects may occur. These include: 1. Sensory disturbance – noise, light or smells from one action may combine with similar disturbances from other nearby actions.

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2. Contaminant transport – contaminants are emitted from one action and travel through air or water to interact or combine with contaminants from other actions. 3. Habitat loss and fragmentation – habitat is destroyed and patches of remaining habitat become smaller and more distantly separated. 4. Viewshed degradation – the scenic or visual quality of the protected area is degraded by the combined visual impacts of two or more actions. 5. Experiential degradation – enjoyment of the park by visitors may diminish due to the perceived collective disturbances from many actions. This step has been utilized to identify other types of cumulative effects that are known or suspected to occur in the area under review.

6.6.3 Identification of Values The values identified in the significance matrix, that are expected to be affected by a disturbance or activity of the project, are listed with the cumulative effects screening matrix.

6.6.4 Ranking Interactions For the cumulative effects ranking of identified values noted above, the degree of interaction between the effects attributable to the action under review and the effects known or expected to result from each of the other actions have been determined. The rankings system, base upon MELP (1999), is as follows: Low (L): It is unlikely that the cumulative effects should result in an incremental detrimental effect. Moderate (M): It is likely that a cumulative effect will occur; however, the effect is expected to be only slightly detrimental and is mitigable over a few years. High (H): A cumulative effect is likely and will probably be detrimental. The effect may or may not be mitigable over a few years. The decision-making process has been documented in the Audit Record with a statement outlining the rationale behind the cumulative effects ranking.

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7.0 PROJECT SETTING AND CHARACTERISTICS

This section describes the existing environmental conditions of the project area. Information on the existing environment was compiled based on available data, scientific publications, aerial photograph interpretation and field investigations.

7.1 Regional Setting Cypress Provincial Park is one of a number of protected areas in the Howe Sound and Lower Mainland area that provides recreation opportunities, while protecting the natural environment. It is bounded on the west by Howe Sound, on the north and east by the ridge tops of Mount Hanover, Mount Strachan and Hollyburn Mountain and to the south by the municipality of the District West Vancouver. The project area occurs within two biogeoclimatic zones (Figure 7-1). The lower elevations (i.e., with the Cypress Bowl) are within the Coastal Western Hemlock Very Wet Maritime-Montane (CWHvm2) subzone. The upper elevations are with the Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime (MHmm1) subzone. The CWH zones typically have mild winters, however has the highest average rainfall of any zone. Summers are usually cool. The vm2 subzone designations indicate that this particular part of CWH occurs inland from the hypermaritime, which is most influenced by the marine environment (MFRP 1995). The Mountain Hemlock biogeoclimatic zone is a subalpine zone that occurs between the Coastal Western Hemlock and the Alpine Tundra zone. This zone is characterized by short, cool summers and long, wet winters with deep, persistant snow (MFRP 1995). The mm designation indicates that the study area occurs within a windward aspect.

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Figure 7-1 Biogeoclimatic Zones of the project area

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7.2 Freshwater Environment There are several important creeks within Cypress Provincial Park. The two main creeks that may potentially be affected by the project are Cypress Creek and Montizambert Creek.

7.2.1 Water Quality Within the Cypress Creek watershed, natural settling of suspended solids occurs in the Yew Lake wetland complex. The vegetation and organic soils of the wetland provide natural filtration and absorption capability for solid and dissolved compounds (ENKON 2002a). Low levels of suspended solids however, have been observed in overland runoff flows within Cypress Bowl. Reddish staining (i.e., iron oxide) occurs on substrate of at least one minor drainage flowing into Cypress Creek, upstream of the main road culvert in the Cypress base vicinity (ENKON 2002a and b). Water quality tested in three locations in the upper watershed and one location above Highway 1 in the District of West Vancouver indicate that surface water in the upper watershed contains elevated iron concentrations and pH levels below the range recommended for aquatic life (Ministry of Land and Parks 1995). Cadmium and copper concentrations were elevated slightly in the lower creek (ENKON 2002b). Additionally, analysis has indicated that total suspended solids (TSS) and turbidity levels were low (ENKON 2002b). Overall the water quality within the Assessment Area appears to be high. Water quality analysis of Marr, Montizambert and Rodgers Creeks indicate that several water quality parameters are naturally outside recommended ranges for drinking water (McElhanney 2002) and aquatic life. These included low pH, elevated total chromium and elevated levels of dissolved aluminum.

7.2.2 Water Quantity For the purpose of this report, water quantity will be characterized by climate, precipitation, mean annual run-off, low flow assessment, and historical flooding. The water quantity (i.e., hydrological regime) of the Assessment Area is dominated by snowpack accumulation between November and April. Between May and October, and occasionally in winter months, there is potential for high runoff rates largely due to the high rainfall intensities on steep slopes, shallow soil cover and, in the Fall, snow cover.

Climate and Precipitation Because snowmelt rates are much less than potential rainfall rates, snowmelt floods without rainfall are less critical than floods with rainfall, especially floods caused by rainfall on snow in these small catchments. The total average yearly rainfall from 1954 to 1990 for Hollyburn Ridge is 2115.4 mm (Table 7-1). Historically, the highest rainfall events occur in October, November and December and the lowest rainfall event are in April, July, and August (McElhanney 2002).

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Table 7-1 Average rainfall at Hollyburn Ridge from 1954 to 1990 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

169.2 166.2 128 108.2 150 128.8 114 109.3 174.5 342.6 296.5 228.1

Historically the greatest amount of precipitation falls during October, November and December (Table 7-2). August produces the least amount of precipitation per year (McElhanney 2002).

Table 7-2 Average precipitation at Hollyburn Ridge from 1954 to 1990 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

331.4 305.3 255 180.9 161.6 128.9 114 109.3 174.6 359.3 392.8 402.9

Climate and precipitation was recorded at the Hollyburn Ridge Climatological Station (No. 1103510, Elevation 930 m, 49 degrees 23’ N 123 degrees 11’W). Table 7-3 summarizes climate within the Assessment Area. The highest daily maximum temperature occurs in July and August. The coldest of the daily minimum temperatures occurs in December and January. Extreme maximum temperature occurs in July and the extreme minimum day occurs in December (McElhanney 2002). The climate and temperature influence the rate of snow melt

Table 7-3 Daily maximum, daily minimum, daily mean, extreme maximum, and extreme minimum at Hollyburn Ridge. Information based on data collected from 1954 to 1990 (Degrees Celsius) Temp. Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec (°C) Daily Max. 1 2.6 3.6 6.3 10.3. 14 17.9 17.9 15.2 9.3 3.3 0.7 Daily Min. -4.5 -3.2 -2.7 -8 -1.7 4.9 7.8 8.1 5.7 2.1 -1.7 -4.1 Daily Mean -1.7 -0.2 0.5 2.7 6.1 9.5 12.8 13 10.5 5.7 0.8 -1.6 Extreme 17.8 16.7 15.6 22.5 30.5 31.7 33.3 32 30.5 26.7 22.2 12.8 Max. Extreme -22 -20 -15 -8.3 -4.4 -2.2 0 0.6 -3.9 -14 -20 -27 Min.

Mean Annual Run-Off A regional analysis of streamflow data was used to estimate mean annual discharge of the creeks within Cypress Bowl. Runoff patterns for Cypress Creek were based on patterns developed on MacKay Creek (Station 08GA061), due availability of hydrologic data and the proximity of MacKay Creek to the study area and the long period of record (McElhanney 2002). Estimated monthly mean runoffs are

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Table 7-4 Monthly Mean Runoff Pro-rated from MacKay Creek values Station Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Mean Name Cypress Bowl - 119.7 128.1 90.4 80.0 61.2 37.0 22.2 17.1 22.9 65.2 161.0 144.2 79.3 I/S/km 2 Cypress Bowl - 320.5 312.6 242.2 207.3 163.8 95.8 59.4 46.0 59.2 174.6 417.3 386.2 207.1 mm.

Low Flow Assessment There is insufficient streamflow data available within Cypress Bowl to complete statistical analysis of runoff conditions. The closest Water Survey of Canada streamflow station with a catchment area comparable to the study area catchment is MacKay Creek (Station 08GA061) located east of Cypress Creek in North Vancouver. Seasonal variation in low flow has not been analyzed, however based on historical data low flows are most likely to occur in the summer months including July, August and September (McElhanney 2002).

Historical Flooding Floods and debris torrents have been historically recorded in the watercourses of West Vancouver and along Howe Sound (McElhanney 2002), likely due to both seasonal and unseasonable climatic conditions discussed above (e.g ., precipitation events, run-off).

7.2.3 Fish and Fish Habitat Above Highway 99, Cypress Creek has a watershed area of 12.4 km 2. The presence of fish species has been previously recorded within the mainstem of Cypress Creek (Table 7-5). Table 7-5 Fish species present in the Cypress Creek (900-073500) Watershed.

Species Scientific Name Report Date

Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Fish Wizard, 2005

Coho Salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch Fish Wizard, 2005

Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarki Fish Wizard, 2005

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Species Scientific Name Report Date

Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss Fish Wizard, 2005

Sculpin Cottidae Fish Wizard, 2005

Steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss Fish Wizard, 2005

The British Columbia Conservation Data Centre (BCCDC) records for the Squamish Forest District indicate that the coastal cutthroat trout, clarki subspecies, (Oncorhynchus clarki clarki ) is the only blue-listed species expected to occur in the Cypress Creek watershed. No red listed species was recorded or expected to be in Cypress Park. Approximately 360 meters upstream of the Highway 8 crossing there is a barrier to fish migration at Cypress Falls (10 m in height) that prevents the upstream movement of fish species (ENKON 2002). Species have been observed below the falls (Talisman, 1992). There are two more sets of falls, one at 10 m and the other at 40 m in height. These falls are located just north of Highway 1. In addition there is a series of chutes, cascades and falls located just downstream from the current day lodge that are also barriers to upstream fish passage. Sampling was conducted at six locations between Yew Lake and Cypress Bowl in 1997. During this sampling, no fish were captured (Coast River 1997). Additional sampling was conducted in 2002 in seven reaches upstream of Cypress Fall. No fish were captured during this sampling as well (ENKON 2002). General site characteristics of Cypress Creek include an average channel width of 7.0 meters and an average gradient of 9.4 percent. The headwaters of the creek are at Yew Lake and the total length of the creek is approximately 9 km. The gradient does exceed 20 percent in several locations along the length of the creek. Suitable habitat for rearing and overwintering has been observed in reaches within the Assessment Area (ENKON 2002). During the fish surveys in 2002, several amphibians were observed or captured. A blue-listed Coastal-tailed frog ( Ascaphus truei ) was observed downstream of the large culvert located behind the current day lodge. Northwestern salamanders (Ambystoma gracile ) were captured around Yew Lake (ENKON 2002).

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Figure 7-2 Waterbodies and streams within the Assessment Area

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7.3 Terrestrial Environment Terrestrial habitat in the Assessment Area is somewhat fragmented by the existing ski runs, hiking trails, service roads, forest harvesting and historic gravel extraction. The vegetation communities in the Assessment Area show the environmental effects of recent forestry activities. Many of the tree and shrub species observed are typical of early seral and mid-seral stage successional forest assemblages.

7.3.1 Vegetation Resources Information on the Vegetation Resources of the Assessment Area, including the potential distribution of rare plants and plant communities, was compiled based on available data, scientific publications, aerial photograph interpretation and field studies. As previously mentioned, two biogeoclimatic zones/subzones are found in the assessment area, including Coastal Western Hemlock very wet maritime-montane (CWHvm2) and Mountain Hemlock moist maritime windward variant (MHmm1). The Mountain Hemlock Zone occupies mountain slopes and valleys above approximately 900 metres, while the CWH zone is found in transition with MH at or below 900 metres. The Mountain Hemlock-Twisted Stalk site association, common to the slopes of Hollyburn Mountain, provides the environment in which old growth stands over 1,000 years old are found (Master Plan 1997). Typical natural vegetation in the Assessment Area includes mountain hemlock, amabilis fir and western red cedar and yellow cedar with an understory of Vaccinium species and other ericaceous shrubs. The most common forest ecosystems belong to the Mountain Hemlock-Amabilis Fir-Vaccinium and Mountain Hemlock- Copperbush associations, which is transitional to the Mountain Hemlock parkland subzone. The old-growth forest ecosystem within the Assessment Area is estimated to be average 315 years of age (BC Ministry of Forests, August, 1985). The maximum ages for significant tree include ~600 years of mountain hemlock and ~1000 years for yellow cedar (Stoltmann, 1990). The area to be affected by construction of the freestyle venue consists of trees less than 40 years old with a dense understory of huckleberries and blueberries (Vaccinium spp .) which dominate the lower elevations of the study area near the existing ski venues. A patch of old-growth forest (>250 years) is located immediately southeast of the existing parking lot. This patch is dominated by mountain hemlock ( Tsuga mertensiana ), western red cedar ( Thuja plicata ) and amabilis fir ( Abies amabilis ). The understory in the center of the patch is dominated by many ferns, blueberry and huckleberry and with course woody debris on slopes exceeding 30% in many places. The upper elevation surrounding the ski lift and upper ski runs, where the snowboarding venue will be developed, contains the oldest trees within the Assessment Area. Amabilis fir and mountain hemlock are the dominant tree species. There is a limited understory, primarily composed of blueberry species.

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The forest contains large amounts of coarse woody debris. Vegetation along the existing ski runs is limited to shrubs and grasses that have become established in the cleared areas. The forest structure along the edges of the existing ski runs exhibit signs typical to forest that have been impacted by clearing. This edge-effect includes the presence of shrubs, large woody debris from blow downs and multi- aged trees resulting from regeneration resulting in an area that is very dense with vegetation. The diversity of vegetation species in the area around the old quarry, where the snow making reservoir is proposed, is relatively high. Certain species are found here that are not found in similar habitat and at similar elevation. The influence of water seepage from Montizambert Creek allows for the presence of wetland and terrestrial species of flora in the area. However, this area is within a successional stage and is presently being invaded by alders

7.3.1.1 Rare Plants According to the BCCDC database there are 15 rare plants that could potentially occur within the Assessment Area (Table 7-6). Of the 15 plants, two are listed as “Red” in the province. This includes the cliff paintbrush ( Castilleja rupicola ) and the snow bramble ( Rubus nivalis ). The remaining 13 plants of special concern are listed as “Blue” in British Columbia. The cliff paintbrush is also listed as Threatened under the federal Species at Risk Act Schedule 1. A search of the BCCDC database (2005) for the Assessment Area identified one record of a vascular plant – Nuttall’s quillwort ( Isoetes nuttalli ). This record is from the Yew Lake trail. Table 7-6 provides a list of potential rare plants and their likelihood of occurrence within the Assessment Area. Overall, the disturbed nature of the areas examined (gravel pit, existing ski runs, second growth forest) precluded the critical habitat required for most of the rare plants on the list. Growth on the ski runs was very stunted compared to other sections. The understory of the second growth forest is dominated by blueberry, consequently optimum conditions for rare plants that prefer a forested habitat do not exist. The old growth forest was very open, and forms a very small portion of the overall footprint. Most of the old growth forest’s understory was either very dense or had been cleared away for mountain bike paths built through the forest.

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Table 7-6 Rare plants that may occur in the assessment area. Scientific Name Provincial Federal Species at Habitat Requirements Likelihood of Species Common Name Status Risk Act Status Occurrence 1 Recorded within Schedule Assessment Area Anemone Blue Not Listed Mesic to dry meadows, rock outcrops and scree Low to moderate No drummondii var. slopes in the montane and alpine zones. Suitable habitat present drummondii – previously disturbed alpine anemone area Asplenium Blue Not Listed Dry to mesic talus slopes and walls of limestone Low No adulterinum fissures in the montane and subalpine zones. Suitable habitat is not present corrupt spleenwort Castilleja rupicola Red Threatened (2005) Dry to mesic cliffs and rocky slopes from the Low to moderate No Schedule 1 upper montane to alpine zones. Suitable habitat present cliff paintbrush – previously disturbed area Cheilanthes Blue Not Listed Dry rocks and rock crevices in the lowland and Low No gracillima montane zones. Suitable habitat is not present lace fern Douglasia laevigata Blue Not Listed Moist talus slopes to rocky ridges and ledges in Low to moderate No var. ciliolata the subalpine and alpine zones. Suitable habitat present – previously disturbed smooth douglasia area Epilobium Blue Not Listed Moist meadows and streambanks in the montane Low to moderate No leptocarpum and alpine zones. Suitable habitat present – previously disturbed small-fruited area willowherb Isoetes nuttalli Blue Not Listed Vernal pools and ephemeral winter seepages in Low to moderate No the lowland zone. Suitable habitat present Nuttall’s Quillwort – previously disturbed area

1 Based on BC Parks Impact Assessment Process criteria – Full assessment and Criteria contained in Appendix A.

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Scientific Name Provincial Federal Species at Habitat Requirements Likelihood of Species Common Name Status Risk Act Status Occurrence 1 Recorded within Schedule Assessment Area Mitella caulescens Blue Not Listed Wet to moist meadows and woodlands in the Low to moderate No lowland and montane zones. Suitable habitat present leafy mitrewort – previously disturbed area Pleuropogon Blue Not Listed Bogs, streambanks, lakeshores, wet meadows Low to moderate No refractus and forests in the lowland and montane zones. Suitable habitat present – previously disturbed nodding area semaphoregrass Pyrola elliptica Blue Not Listed Dry to moist forests in the montane zone. Low No Suitable habitat not white wintergreen present Rubus lasiococcus Blue Not Listed Mesic to moist thickets and open forest in the Low to moderate No montane and lower subalpine zones. Suitable habitat present dwarf bramble – previously disturbed area Rubus nivalis Red Not Listed Moist forests and glades in the montane zone. Low No Suitable habitat not snow bramble present Rupertia physodes Blue Not Listed Mesic open forests in the lowland zone. Low No Suitable habitat not California-tea present Sagina decumbens Blue Not Listed Margins of vernal pools, mesic forest openings Low to moderate No ssp. occidentalis and dry hillsides in the lowland zone. Suitable habitat present – previously disturbed western pearlwort area Sanguisorba Blue Not Listed Fens, bogs, marshes and wet meadows in the Low to moderate No menziesii lowland and montane zones. Suitable habitat present – previously disturbed Menzies’ burnet area

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7.3.2 Sensitive Sites The Yew Lake area occurs in a transition zone between the lower elevation CWH zone and the higher elevation MH zone. The area contains subalpine meadows, wetland and old growth forest. The area contains a range of flora that is associated with subalpine meadows in one of the few publicly accessible locations on the North Shore Mountains. Other subalpine wetlands are present within the Assessment Area. Small ponds, bogs and drainages occurring near the summit of Black Mountain support a variety of flora similar to that found around Yew Lake. Trees of significant size and age have been recorded within the old growth forests of Cypress Provincial Park. Species of yellow cedar, amabilis fir and mountain hemlock have identified as being among the largest recorded examples of their species (Stoltman 1990). Much of the unique old-growth forest in the Assessment Area has been thinned or completely removed for the development of the ski area (B.C. Parks 2003). As a result, subalpine old growth ecosystems are considered to have very high ecological values due to their complex structural diversity, and old growth dependant wildlife that they support. Suitable breeding habitat for the Black Petaltail dragonfly (Tanypteryx hageni) has been identified within the Assessment Area (Figure 7-3). The range of this particular species includes the mountains of western North America from the Sierra Nevada to California, north through the Cascades and Olympics to the coast range of southern British Columbia. (Vancouver Natural History Society 2005). The Black Petaltail is blue listed in British Columbia and only a few locations of breeding habitat have been identified in BC. A distinguishing feature of this dragonfly is that the larvae do not spend their life below water in marshy ponds or slow moving streams as other dragonflies do, but live in small tunnels dug into moss and decaying plant matter. Preferred locations are sub-alpine seepage areas that are constantly moist. The burrows or tunnels they excavate are 6 mm to 8 mm in diameter, only slightly wider than the larva itself . (Vancouver Natural History Society 2005). Preferred habitat for this species is sub-alpine seepage areas that are constantly moist (Vancouver Natural History Society, 2005). The Black Petaltail can be found in flats or hillsides, often associated with streams and not under forest canopies in wet mountain ranges (Natureserve 2005). Populations of this species are scattered and are sensitive to disturbance.

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Figure 7-3 Sensitive habitat locations

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7.3.3 Terrestrial Wildlife Information on the distribution of wildlife, including rare, endangered, threatened and species of special concern, and its habitat in the Cypress Provincial Park and potential distribution within the Assessment Area was compiled based on available data, scientific publications, aerial photograph interpretation, and field investigations. A total of 65 species of small mammals, 21 species of carnivores, and six species of ungulates are expected to occur in the CWHdm, CWHvm2, and MHmm1 biogeoclimatic subzones (Stevens 1995). The subalpine habitat of the Mountain Hemlock zone supports fewer species and individuals compared to the habitats that fall within the CWH zones. This is attributed to the harsh climate and slow growth rates among vegetation that grows at the higher elevations. Habitats present in the study area include: • several types of old-growth forest; • mixed second-growth forest; • sub-alpine wetlands; • rocky bluffs; • mountain-top plateaus and • old fire-scarred areas. To obtain an understanding of the wildlife habitat and use in the vicinity of the proposed project, field surveys were conducted in 2002, 2004 and 2005. This compilation of information provided a good indication of the presence of wildlife species and habitat usage in the study area for conducting the effects assessment. Key habitat features in the study area include areas of mature forest stands with multiple canopy layers, coarse woody debris and fragmented old growth stands. The large area of older stands within the park provide good nesting habitat for forest nesting birds, such as warblers, woodpeckers, hawks, owls, and Rufus Hummingbirds. In British Columbia, the assessment and protection of species at risk are considered important for recovery planning. These species are often considered indicator species and measures taken to reduce impacts on species at risk result in the protection of other wildlife resources as well. The British Columbia Conservation Data Centre (BCCDC 2003) identifies ten red-listed and eight blue-listed wildlife species which occur in the Cypress Provincial Park and may be found within the Assessment Area (Table 7-7).

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Table 7-7 Mammals of conservation concern that may occur in the Assessment Area Scientific Name Provincial Federal Species Habitat Requirements Likelihood of Species Status at Risk Status Occurrence 2 Recorded within Common Name Schedule * Assessment Area

Sorex bendirii Red Threatened (2000) Inhabits moist riparian areas that are by streams Moderate No Schedule 1 and marshes. Usually found in forests with thick Suitable habitat, Pacific water shrew canopy cover, thick shrubs, and good ground cover however elevations at of woody debris and litter. Generally found at lower study site too high. elevations (below 600 meters). Sorex trowbridgii Blue Open areas, woodlands, forests Low No Suitable undisturbed Trowbridge's shrew forest areas not present in the study area Lasiurus blossevillii Red Prefer riparian areas where they roost in tree Low to Moderate No foliage. Prefer low elevation. Low elevation habitat Western red bat not present within the study area Myotis keenii Red Special Concern Limestone caves and old growth forests. Low to Moderate No (2003) Schedule 3 Small pockets of Keen's long-eared mature forests present, myotis caves are absent from study area.

Lepus washingtonii Red Found in open fields, fence rows, swamps, Low No riverside thickets, cedar bogs and coniferous Small pockets of Snowshoe hare lowlands suitable habitats exist subsp. washingtonii within the study area. Extirpated from study area Ursus arctos Blue Special concern Prefer open areas such as tundra, alpine Low to Moderate No (2002) No SARA meadows, and coastlines Pockets of suitable Grizzly bear rating habitat present in the study area

2 Based on BC Parks Impact Assessment Process criteria. – Full assessment and Criteria contained in Appendix A.

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Although the affected lands are not property of the Government of Canada, consideration of requirements of the Species at Risk Act was included in the assessment. This was achieved through a review of information provided by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). COSEWIC is a committee of experts that assesses and designates which wild species are in some danger of disappearing from Canada. Of those species identified as red- or blue-listed by the Province of British Columbia, COSEWIC identifies the mountain beaver and the grizzly bear, as a species of special concern. COSEWIC identifies the Pacific water shrew as threatened and the Townsend’s mole as endangered. A Species of Special Concern is one with habitat or biological characteristics that make it particularly sensitive to human activities or natural events (COSEWIC 2003). Those species ranked as Threatened are likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed (COSEWIC 2003). An Endangered species is a wildlife species facing imminent extirpation or extinction (COSEWIC 2003). Only one of the species listed above, the grizzly bear is considered a species of special concern both federally and provincially. The grizzly bear is on the provincial blue-list and is considered vulnerable, meaning they are particularly sensitive to human activities or natural events (BCCDC 2003). Grizzly bears are also classified as a species of special concern by COSEWIC (2003). The only recovery plan for grizzly bear in BC is for the northern Cascades, which covers the southwestern portion of the province (North Cascades Grizzly Bear Recovery Team 2001). Within the Cypress study area, the Grizzly bear can be expected to inhabit both the CWH vm and dm biogeoclimatic zones. The proximity of Cypress Provincial Park to a large urban population makes survival a greater challenge for the resident wildlife population. Some of the animal species that historically have inhabited this location ( e.g ., wolves) have moved to a different location (ENKON 2002).

7.3.4 Avifauna Information regarding potential for the occurrence of rare birds within the Assessment Area was obtained from the British Columbia Conservation Data Centre using their Internet Mapping Service, which lists all individual verified records of at-risk birds mapped by the BCCDC within the Assessment Area and existing habitat up to September 2005. The list of potentially occurring at-risk bird species is based on an assessment of the listings provided by the BCCDC, the SARA web site (Table 7-8). Four bird species have been assessed, according to their distribution and existing habitat in the vicinity of the Assessment Area. These species, described in detail below, have moderate potential for occurring and nesting within or adjacent to the Assessment Area boundaries.

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Western Screech-owl The most significant value of the Assessment Area is its potential to provide roosting habitat as well as nesting habitat for the blue-listed Western Screech-owl (Megascops kennicottii kennicottii ) (CDC 2005). This species has the potential to nest in the interior forest in the vicinity of the Assessment Area. Many of the trees within the venue area and surrounding areas are mature second-growth, with patches of old-growth, and thus provide good cavity roost sites for small raptors like the Western Screech-owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl and Northern Pygmy-owl. Due to the high level of human disturbance and the lack of contiguous old-growth forest the potential to support the Northern Spotted Owl is severely limited. However, due to Cypress Provincial Park’s potential or capability to support this endangered raptor it is designated as a Spotted Owl Special Resource Management Zone (Blackburn and Godwin 2004).

Northern Goshawk Northern Goshawk ( Accipiter gentiles ) is considered, by the B.C. Wildlife Watch, an accidental observation in autumn and a rare winter observation at Cypress Provincial Park (B.B.W.W. 2005). Two Northern Goshawk subspecies occur in British Columbia, A.g . atricapillus is yellow-listed (not at risk), while A.g . laingi is red- listed provincially, and listed as Threatened by COSEWIC, and included in Species at Risk Act Schedule 1. The ranges of the two subspecies have not been defined completely, and it is not clear which subspecies could occur in the Assessment Area (Cooper and Stevens 2000, MELP 1998). There is potential for the B.C. mainland coast to be within the range of the Threatened laingi subspecies (E. McLaren pers. comm.). Genetic testing is underway to define the subspecies’ ranges more accurately, but no genetic data is available for the Assessment Area. Due to the conservation status of the laingi subspecies and the uncertainty as to which subspecies occurs in the Assessment Area, this assessment has considered this species.

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Table 7-8 Birds of conservation concern that may occur in the project area Scientific Name Provincial Federal Species at Habitat Requirements Likelihood of Species Common Name Status Risk Act Status Occurrence in the Recorded Schedule Assessment within Area 3 Assessment Area Ardea herodias Blue Special Concern (1997) Nests colonially in tall, generally isolated Sitka spruce, Low No fannini Schedule 3 western red cedar, western hemlock, pine, red alder Suitable habitat not Great blue heron and black cottonwood. Foraging habitat includes present aquatic areas generally less than 0.5 m deep, within 5 km of the nest site. Butorides virescens Blue Not Listed Use a variety of aquatic habitats in B. C. Slow-moving Low No or shallow water for foraging and nearby dense trees or Suitable habitat Green heron tall shrubs for nesting is important. The birds seem to present be able to tolerate suburban, or even urban conditions. Brachyramphus Red Threatened (2000) Marbled murrelets are believed to nest along the entire Low to Moderate No marmoratus Schedule 1 B.C. coast in intact veteran forests, usually within 20 Suitable habitat is not km of saltwater, but possibly much further inland. present Marbled murrelet Patagioenas Blue Not Listed Generally found in temperate and mountain coniferous Moderate to high No fasciata and mixed forests and woodlands, also forage in Suitable habitat cultivated areas, suburban gardens and parks. present in portions of Band-tailed pigeon assessment area Melanerpes lewis Blue Special Concern (2001) Breeding habitat includes three primary habitat types: Low No Schedule 1 open ponderosa pine forest, open riparian woodland, Suitable habitat is not Lewis's woodpecker and logged or burned forest. present Accipiter gentilis Red Threatened (2000) Extensive forests with large stands of mature trees and Low to Moderate No laingi Schedule 1 dense canopies, but with an open understory. Large Suitable undisturbed trees are important in providing nesting and perching forest not present Northern goshawk platforms. Closely associated with mature and old- growth forests. Falco peregrinus Red Threatened (2000) Typically nests on inaccessible cliff ledges, often Low No anatum Schedule 1 overlooking areas that contain abundant prey. Suitable rock cliff habitat not present. Peregrine falcon

3 Based on BC Parks Impact Assessment Process criteria. – Full assessment and Criteria contained in Appendix A.

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Scientific Name Provincial Federal Species at Habitat Requirements Likelihood of Species Common Name Status Risk Act Status Occurrence in the Recorded Schedule Assessment within Area 3 Assessment Area Tyto alba Blue Special Concern (2001) Barn owls nest solitarily, usually in agricultural areas, Low No Schedule 1 sometimes along the edges of open woodlands. Most Suitable habitat not Barn owl nests occur in man-made structures such as wooden present barns and nest boxes. Strix occidentalis Red Endangered (2000) Requires large contiguous tracks of old growth forest, Low No Schedule 1 with sufficient prey available. Large tracts of old- Spotted owl growth forest are not present Asio flammeus Blue Special Concern (2001) Found in open spaces of many kinds, such as Low No Schedule 3 estuaries, grasslands, marshes, fields, tundra, alpine Suitable habitat not Short-eared owl meadows and forest clearings. Nests are built on the present ground. Megascops Blue Special Concern (2002) Along the coast it seems to be mostly found in either Moderate No kennicottii kennicottii Schedule 1 coniferous or mixed (deciduous or coniferous) forests. If patches of suitable habitat are sufficiently Western screech- large. owl

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Band-tailed Pigeon The other bird species listed by the BCCDC that potentially nests within the Assessment Area is the blue-listed Band-tailed Pigeon ( Patagioenas fasciata ). The BCCDC does not have any historical recordings of this species in the area. However, the Band-tailed Pigeon is found in the forests or coastal woodlands of Western British Colombia and North America. In British Columbia it has been found to breed in areas from sea level to 760 m elevation (Campbell et al . 1990). These pigeons perch, nest and feed in coniferous trees, such as pines, as well as in maples and alders.

Marbled Murrelet The nearest Marbled Murrelet records are from Furry Creek (MSRM 2003). Research indicates that most nests are within 30 km of the ocean shore, very few beyond 50 km inland and none beyond 80 km inland (Hamer and Nelson 1995). Available mapping from the Draft Sea-to-Sky Land and Resource Management Plan does not designate Cypress Provincial Park as having potential Marbled Murrelet habitat (MSRM 2002). While the study site is likely to have many migrants during the spring and fall migration seasons, relatively few birds breed in the area. Based on the elevation and vegetation structure of the Assessment Area, bird species likely to breed on-site or in the vicinity are listed in Appendix A.

7.4 Socio-Economic Environment

7.4.1 Recreational Access Cypress Provincial Park (CPP) contributes significantly to the recreation goal of BC Parks by providing residents and visitors with readily-accessible day use outdoor recreation activities. According to BC Parks information (MELP 1997), approximately 1,000,000 visitors use this park on an annual basis making it one of the most intensively visited alpine areas in the province. Additionally, CPP contributes to recreational goals by protecting a natural environment which lends itself to a wide variety of recreational opportunities for both winter and summer activities. Cypress Provincial Park has two BC Parks’ identified zones that are relevant to recreational use: the Wilderness Recreation Zone and the Intensive Recreation Zone. The objective of the Wilderness Recreation Zone is to protect a remote, relatively undisturbed natural landscape and to provide opportunities for backcountry recreation activities that are dependent on a more pristine environment. Compatible activities in this zone include hiking, backpacking, ski touring, fishing, nature appreciation and photography.

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The objective of the Intensive Recreation Zone is to provide for a variety of high- use, readily-accessible, facility oriented outdoor recreation opportunities. Both alpine and Nordic skiing, within the Controlled Recreation Area, are recognized uses within the Intensive Recreation Zone. This zone is comprised of the Cypress Parkway city viewpoints, the Parkway itself and the Cypress Mountain and Hollyburn ski areas. The alpine and Nordic ski areas, trails and viewpoints provide recreation experiences for the average park visitor. Vehicular access to Cypress Provincial Park is along the Cypress Parkway which leads off Highway 1 in West Vancouver and terminates in the Cypress Mountain parking area. This three lane highway has two viewing areas and is maintained by the Ministry of Transportation and Highways. In addition to private vehicle access, Cypress Bowl Recreation Ltd. (CBRL) has, in previous years, operated a winter season bus system from Park Royal Shopping Centre and Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. Hiking routes into CPP are from access points along a number of trails. From the north, on Highway 99, a trailhead is established two kilometres south of Porteau Cove Provincial Park. This section of the Howe Sound Crest trail is outside the park, yet it gives hikers access to the park via an old logging road. Deeks Lake is also connected to the Cypress Mountain and Hollyburn ski areas along the Howe Sound Crest trail. The Baden-Powell trail which transects the North Shore mountains from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove currently crosses the lower portion of Cypress Provincial Park and provides east-west hiker access. Other hiking routes lead from West Vancouver and connect with the Baden-Powell, Skyline and Brothers Creek trails. Air access into the park is only permitted under park use permit or when an emergency rescue is required. Motorized access is not allowed in the backcountry but snowmobiles are permitted on designated trails in the southern portion of the park.

7.4.2 Park Use by the Public Park use by the public generally involves the following activities:

Hiking and Mountaineering Hiking and walking are popular activities within the BC Park network, including Cypress Provincial Park. Prior to the establishment of Cypress Provincial Park, the Baden-Powell trail was constructed linking Horseshoe Bay with Deep Cove. This east-west hiking trail bisects Cypress Provincial Park and provides the public access through old growth forests. Cypress Provincial Park offers over 75 kilometres (MELP 1997) of hiking trails ranging from relatively easy to difficult. Major hiking destination areas include the Howe Sound Crest trail, the Lions, Deeks Lake, Black Mountain, Brunswick

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Mountain, Hollyburn Mountain, Yew Lake, Cabin Lake, Blue Gentian Lake, Brothers Canyon and the Baden-Powell trail.

Winter Recreation Cypress Provincial Park is a popular destination for winter recreationists. Due to CPP’s proximity to the Lower Mainland and paved road access it has the highest visitor attendance of all provincial parks. Along with alpine and Nordic skiing facilities, winter visitors can participate in snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, tobogganing, snowmobiling and nature appreciation. Within the controlled recreation area, CBRL provides alpine and Nordic skiing facilities to service one of the most intensively visited alpine ski areas in the province.

Nature Appreciation and Outdoor Education Cypress Provincial Park provides opportunities for nature appreciation, outdoor education and wildlife viewing. Yew Lake has a popular self-guiding, wheel-chair accessible summer interpretive trail. In addition a loop trail off the main trail has been developed which allows visitors to stroll through an old growth forest.

Wilderness Camping Wilderness camping opportunities, including shelters located along the Howe Sound Crest trail, Magnesia Meadows and Brunswick Lake.

Day Use and Viewpoints Cypress Provincial Park provides a number of picnic sites that are located beside scenic lakes or viewing areas. The park also offers views from a number of viewpoints throughout the park.

Mountain Biking Mountain biking has become a very popular recreational activity on the North Shore mountains. Currently, old logging roads and connecting trails through municipal lands are being used for mountain biking. Beginning in the summer of 2005, Cypress Mountain began offering a lift-aided, maintained mountain bike park.

7.5 Traditional Use The aboriginal overview assessment is being provided in a separate document.

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8.0 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

8.1 Effects Assessment The Cypress Mountain Venue is subject to an environmental assessment under Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and to a Level 2 review (Detailed Screen) under the BC Parks Impact Assessment Process. Both the federal and provincial responsible authorities (i.e., Canadian Heritage and BC Parks) have agreed to a cooperative environmental assessment review for this venue. This report has been prepared to meet this requirement and includes the assessment and recommendations for management plans to address project impacts. The BC Parks Impact Assessment process outlines a specific methodology and criteria to identify impacts on protected area values that may be associated with project activities. Following the process allows evaluation of the significance of those impacts, determination of mitigation measures and assists with making decisions on whether or not the project should proceed. This process has been adopted for this assessment and enhanced to ensure that the requirements of CEAA are also met. Important factors to consider during the decision making process include both environmental and social values. For this project components of these values within the freshwater, terrestrial, socio-economic and cultural environments have been identified and selected for the assessment. A summary of the major potential environmental effects on the major values is provided in the table below. A detailed screening of these potential environmental effects to the freshwater, terrestrial, socio-economic and cultural environments and the associated audit record is provided in Appendix A. The screening uses the Level 2 Screening Matrix, Significance Matrix and Cumulative Effects Screening Matrix as described in the BC Parks Impact Assessment Process – User Guide (1999). A summary of the potential environmental effects on these components is provided in Table 8.1 and described in the subsequent sections.

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Table 8-1 Summary of Potential Environmental Effects Environmental Potential Effects Generalized Rating Justification and Social Significance Rating Values * Negative and Positive Freshwater Habitat loss or alteration Low Effects to <1% of creek and riparian habitat; Environment restoration is planned Disruption of drainage Low Effects to <1% of freshwater values; design and planning changed to reduce effects Potential higher peak flows Low Effects to <1% of freshwater values Effect low-flow water volume High (Positive) May benefit by >10% due to more consistent flows as a result of snowmaking Decrease Cypress Creek Low Effect to <1% of freshwater values, no volume during uptake uptake in low-flow period is planned Bank instability Low Effects to <1% of freshwater values Sediment input High to Effect to >10% of freshwater values; Low with mitigation sediment and erosion control plan to mitigate Creek bed disturbance High to Effects to >10% of freshwater values; Low with mitigation mitigation to reduce turbidity Loss of riparian vegetation Currently unknown Detailed design is required to determine riparian impact Transportation of High to Effects to >10% of freshwater values; deleterious substances Low with mitigation mitigation to reduce spills Terrestrial Sensory Disturbance Low Effect to <1% of wildlife, recovery expected Environment within short term Habitat loss or alteration Low Effects to <1% of wildlife habitat, positive Moderate (Positive) habitat impacts after revegetation Disruption of drainage Low Effects to <1% terrestrial habitat; design and planning changed to reduce effects Increase risk of fire High (vegetation) Potentially >10% of habitat affected, but Low (wildlife) <1% of wildlife affected Mortality Low Effects to <1% of terrestrial environment Transportation of Low (vegetation) Effects to <1% of vegetation, spill deleterious substances Low with mitigation contingency plan to reduce effects Increase in inter- and intra- Low Effects to <1% of terrestrial, high level of specific competition adaptation expected Disruption of songbird Low Effects to <1% expected, operational migration pattern changes will be minimized Increased light pollution Low Effects to <1% of terrestrial environment effects currently occurring, operational changes will be minimized Socio-Economic Impedance to access Moderate There will be some concern for public Environment access Negative effect on natural Moderate There will be some concern for natural experience experience Increase use Moderate There will be some concern in a positive Low with mitigation and adverse direction, can be somewhat Moderate (Positive) mitigated

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8.1.1 Freshwater Environment Vegetation clearing, re-grading of the sites and excavation for the venue construction may have a Moderate effect upon water quality and quantity and downstream fish resources due to the risk of sediment input into Cypress Creek. Effective sediment and erosion control will be implemented and water parameters would likely return to normal within one year after construction. Fish populations will not be affected because the nearest confirmed fish population is outside the Assessment Area, therefore the significance of this effect would be Low . Installation of the creek pump-house may have a Moderate effect on the freshwater environment due to the long-term nature of the feature and the risk of affecting aquatic resources, wetland habitat and the riparian location. Significant disturbance of the creek bed of Cypress Creek from the installation of the creek pump-house may have a High negative affect on water quality and downstream fish populations (and tailed frog), prior to mitigation, by increasing the sediment load and changing the natural bed load dynamics. However, with careful, low-impact design of the creek pump house and with the implementation of the sediment and erosion control plan the effect of the interaction between the pump house and the creek bed can be reduced. In addition, the pumps will only be operable during snowmaking times. During dormant snowmaking periods the creek pump house sump should be completely covered if possible so that water is not bypassed into the sump and is allowed to flow in a more natural pattern, this is especially important during the spring freshet. By implementing these mitigation techniques, the significance rating is predicted decrease from High to Low , but restoration to acceptable conditions may take a year or more after completion. Discharge of snowmelt/stormwater run-off has the potential to Moderately affect water parameters and fish populations due to the potential for higher than normal volume flows in the spring and the increased risk of sediment inputs into watercourses. However, this effect would mimic discharge and run-off during average to above-average snowfall years. If there were an increased snowbase from below average snowfall conditions this would likely increase water quantity during summer low flow period which would improve water quality by moderating water quality parameters such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, etc. The improved water quantity and quality conditions have been assigned a High+ rating because retaining water in the snowbase would benefit all creeks in the venue area. The improved water quality and quantity conditions would also benefit all downstream fish populations by improving downstream water quality parameters and preventing the death of fish fry during low flow by maintaining or increasing minimum summer flow. The snowmaking regime may create higher peak flows during the freshet of 2010 that may lead to erosion problems of Cypress Creek’s bank and sediment input into the creek. The water volume from the snowmelt is not expected to be higher than an average or slightly above average year because the required snowbase for the Games can be achieved with an average February snowbase at Cypress Mountain.

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Therefore, the snowmelt after the Games should not produce higher than average peak water flow, and cause erosion problems beyond the extent to which Cypress Creek is already subject, therefore the significance of this effect would be Low for water quality, quantity and fish resources. The potential effect of deleterious substances on water quality from construction and operation activities is rated as High due to the fact that any deleterious substances would also affect downstream water quality ( i.e., may affect >10% of the water resource in the Assessment Area). By implementing the Environmental Management Plan the risk of toxic substances entering watercourse can be reduced to almost Nil . Water quality would be restored to acceptable conditions in less than one year if a low-risk spill into watercourses were to occur. Redirection of Cypress Creek for snowmaking has the potential to Moderately affect water quality, water quantity and fish populations (and tailed-frog) due to the removal of water from Cypress Creek and the potential disturbance to the creek substrate. The decrease in winter water volumes due to snow making activities will obviously decrease the amount of water flowing in Cypress Creek during the winter season, but winter flows are not critical for fish populations. Summer low flow periods are generally a more important factor in fish survival. The mean annual discharge of Cypress Creek should remain relatively unchanged given that water from Cypress Creek is being used for snowmaking and meltwater will be directed back into Cypress Creek. By ensuring that minimum winter season flows are maintained the significance of this effect to water quantity is Low , with no effects to fish given that minimum winter flows are maintained and that Cypress Creek flow will be unobstructed during the summer, non-snowmaking months. Increased venue use post-Games could potentially have a Moderate effect on the freshwater environment from the potential increase sediment input into watercourses and ponds from trail use. It is likely that summer use would increase after the Games but would return to pre-Games conditions in less than 10 years. The increased use of hiking trails may affect water quality by eroding trails and causing sediment inputs into watercourses and wetlands that drain into watercourses, which may affect benthic invertebrate production. By implementing mitigation measures such as prohibiting access to interior forests, prohibiting dogs from using hiking trails, and erecting educational signs, the significance of this effect can be reduced to Low .

8.1.2 Terrestrial Environment Clearing for the re-routed Baden-Powell trail is rated as a potentially Moderate effect to sensitive sites, because it may take more than one year for the recovery of sensitive ponds adjacent to the proposed trail. The Baden-Powell trail should be directed away from sensitive sites as best as possible and sediment and erosion control measures should be in place prior to clearing. Clearing should occur prior to April 1 or after July 31, if possible. A nest survey should be conducted within the tree clearing boundary immediately prior to clearing to protect active nests. The

DRAFT significance of this effect is rated as Low because only a small portion (1%) of the Assessment Area may be affected. Furthermore, the majority of the preferred proposed Baden-Powell trail alignment is along an existing un-maintained trail. Clearing for the re-routed Baden-Powell trail is rated as a potentially Moderate effect to vegetation due to the permanence of the disturbance, despite the small scale of the clearing necessary for the proposed trail. Habitat loss from clearing will result in the loss of primarily second-growth forest that is used by birds and terrestrial wildlife. The significance of this effect is ranked as Low because only a small portion of forest will be cleared. Vegetation clearing for the venue would result in the loss of wildlife habitat. Due to the possibility of recovery requiring up to 10 years and the risk of physical harm to birds and disturbing terrestrial wildlife this activity is rated as having a Moderate effect. However, disturbance to birds and terrestrial wildlife from the construction and operation would be short term nature and the minimal amount of clearing necessary for the venues would occur. Sensory disturbance from construction and operation would be spatially limited, therefore only a small portion of the wildlife populations within the park would be affected. Local populations should recover in a relatively short time period and if birds and wildlife are displaced it would be temporary, therefore the significance of this effect is rated as Low . Vegetation clearing for the freestyle and snowboarding venues will result in the loss of mostly second growth forest and shrub and brush. There will be some old growth lost and recovery would be greater than 10 years, therefore this effect has been rated as Moderate . Through mitigation measures and design modifications it is possible that no old-growth trees would be lost at the freestyle venue. For the snowboarding venue the area of old-growth to be lost is of low value given the current impacts from being located next to an open area (i.e., edge effect), therefore the significance of this effect is considered Low . A Moderate effect rating for vegetation and sensitive sites has been assigned to land clearing and excavation for the water reservoir. This is primarily due permanent nature of the structure, the effect to breeding habitat for a blue-listed dragonfly species and the presence of a unique ecosystem that currently exists on the site and adjacent the site ( i.e., Yew Lake old-growth stand). Design adjustments will be made to avoid sensitive areas. Measures will be taken to reduce the cleared area to only the minimal that is required to ensure the survival of unique vegetation. Re-planting will occur around the reservoir to limit long term impacts to habitat. Sensitive sites will be marked off to avoid disturbance, therefore the significance of this effect is rated as Low .

8.1.3 Socio-Economic Environment Clearing for the re-routed Baden-Powell trail is rated as having a potentially High effect to recreational assess and park use. The trail’s re-routing will be permanent and although trail use will recover within one year of its re-opening, the natural

DRAFT experience by park users may be affected. There will likely be a safety-required closure of the trail and venue footprint during clearing activities. Venue designs have been updated to ensure that access to other trials with Cypress Provincial Park is not restricted. Other areas of the park will remain open to the public during construction and non-competition days during the Games. With the implementation of these mitigation measures the significance of this effect would be Moderate . There may be a Moderate effect to recreation use from vegetation clearing. Park access would not likely be impeded for more than one year after the end of the Games, but the public enjoyment of the natural environment at the freestyle venue would be negatively affected and due to the permanent nature of the disturbance. The removal of old-growth trees has been initially rated as High due to the fact that several user groups have voiced opposition to loss of old-growth trees. However, through venue design old-growth trees will be avoided, if the loss of isolate veteran trees cannot be avoided through design changes, the majority of the general public would likely find it acceptable ( i.e., Low significance) after mitigation measure, described above, are initiated. It can be expected that the park would be used more frequently and by more users after the Games. The increased venue legacy use has both a positive and negative effect in that the park is used more often, likely by more people, which can negatively affect the natural experience of users and affect the physical quality of the Park ( e.g., erosion on trails). Due to the long-term nature of the permanent venue facilities, this disturbance is evaluated as having a Moderate rating.

8.2 Cumulative Effects A screening of potential cumulative effects and the associated audit record is provided in Appendix A. The screening uses the Level 2 Cumulative Effects Screening Matrices as described in the BC Parks Impact Assessment Process – User Guide (1999). Other activities considered in the cumulative effects screening include the installation and operation of the new Black Mountain chairlift, the construction and operation of the new day lodge and the expansion of the ski area on the east slope of Black Mountain. Since these impacts are occurring within an existing ski facility that is located within a provincial park the potential cumulative effects have been rated as Moderate for: • sensory disturbance to birds and terrestrial wildlife; • contaminant transport for potentially effecting water quality; • habitat loss and fragmentation for wildlife and vegetation; • viewshed degradation for recreational use and access; and • experiential degradation for recreational use and access.

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8.3 Accidents, Malfunctions and Unplanned Events Accidents, equipment malfunctions and unplanned events that could possibly occur in the lifetime of the Project include: • fuel or other hazardous materials spills; • introduction of sediment and deleterious substances into watercourses; and • breach of the reservoir. Of primary concern are accidental discharge of sediments and hazardous material spills. Both of these issues can have a negative effect on terrestrial and aquatic habitat and the species they support. Major storm events during the construction or decommissioning phases of the Project may result in flooding of work areas. If the sediment control provisions fail, this could lead to a degradation of water quality and adversely alter physical habitat in Cypress Creek due to the deposit of sediments. Known hazardous materials that will be used during construction, operation and decommissioning phases of the Project include fuels, lubricants, and solvents. There is a possibility that these materials could be accidentally introduced into terrestrial and aquatic habitat by a spill. The accidental introduction of hazardous materials into a watercourse would temporarily degrade water quality and have subsequent environmental effects on aquatic organisms. Sublethal environmental effects could include avoidance behaviour and disruption of feeding and migration patterns. If the material is highly toxic or spilled in a sufficient volume, mortalities could potentially occur at all life stages of aquatic species within the affected area. Changes in water quality could also affect other trophic levels, resulting in drift or direct mortalities of benthic organisms. The reservoir is being designed with a spillway at the north end to direct any overflow away from the compacted berm. However, should the berm fail in other locations as much as 20,000m 3 of water could potentially drain/flood into Montizambert Creek and the Yew Lake area. This could affect downstream flooding and the locally sensitive stream and wetland ecosystems. VANOC is committed to having an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) in place in time for the project start-up that will address potential accidents and malfunctions associated with the construction and operation of the activities at Cypress Mountain. The EMP will include a Dam Safety Plan that involves regular inspection and reporting to ensure that failure of the reservoir does not occur.

8.4 Effects of the Environment on the Project The definition of an ‘environmental effect’ under CEAA includes any change to the Project that may be caused by the environment. There is a number of planning, design, and construction strategies intended to minimize the potential environmental effects of the environment on the Project so that the risk of serious damage or interruption of service can be reduced to acceptable levels. Mitigation measures

DRAFT include, among other things, designing structures to relevant codes, and scheduling of activities to allow for weather disruptions. The types of environmental activities that could have an effect on the Project include the following: • climate change; • seismic activity; • slope instability; and • avalanches

8.4.1 Climate Change Increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are believed to be causing global warming (IPCC 1990; IPCC 1995). Increased temperatures may contribute to an increase in ocean volume ( i.e ., sea level rise). Although estimates vary, global sea level rise is expected to be +0.5 m by 2100 (Wigley and Raper 1992; IPCC 1995; Forbes et al. 1997). Other atmospheric changes relating to climate change may include increased storm intensity (Emanual 1987) and other changes relevant to coastal stability such as surface winds, ocean waves storm surges and ice conditions (Forbes et al 1997). These actions will influence the climate within the Assessment Area. Climate change models project that there will be an increase in winter precipitation in western North America over the next 100 years. With the gradual increase in temperatures over this period most of this precipitation is expected to fall as rain. For the period leading up to and including the Games, precipitation will be influenced by shorter-term natural cycles so effects would be negligible.

8.4.2 Seismic Activity The Pacific Coast is the most earthquake-prone region of Canada. Earthquakes are occurring on a regular basis however, most are too small to be felt. Earthquakes of the magnitude that can cause damage of varying degrees occur in the region about once every 20 years. The largest earthquake (magnitude 7.3) occurred in 1946 and was centered beneath central Vancouver Island (Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup 2005). To ensure protection from seismic activity, the major elements of the permanent and temporary facilities will be designed and constructed in accordance with the current British Columbia and National Building Codes.

8.4.3 Slope Instability Slope instability resulting from weather events such as severe rain and/or thawing and freezing and/or avalanche could result in slide events during the construction of the project. However, since most of the construction will be occurring in a relatively

DRAFT small area, there will be limited risk to damage from slope failure. Furthermore, any above-ground facilities will be located in areas that are not prone to slope failure.

8.4.4 Avalanches The terrain and snow condition within the Assessment Area are not conducive to avalanches. However, the potential for a small avalanche or snow slide does exist along Hollyburn Ridge in the vicinity of the snow making reservoir. The forest along the slopes here is in successional stage and as it becomes more established the risk to snow slides will reduce.

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9.0 CONCLUSIONS AND NEXT STEPS

This Environmental Assessment includes: 1. The Effects Assessment (Freshwater, Terrestrial & Socio-Economic Environments); 2. Cumulative Effects; 3. Accidents, Malfunctions and Unplanned Events; 4. And Effects of the Environment on the Project (Climate Change, Seismic Activity, Slope Instability and Avalanches) The Effects Assessment for Freshwater, Terrestrial & Socio-Economic Values in summary concludes the effects of the venue development plans can be reduced to low negative significance by applying the proposed mitigation measures. The majority of the potential effects to the area stemming from the proposed venue development were rated as Low to Moderate significance as per the BC Parks criteria. For those effects that have been rated as High significance, the implementation of identified mitigation measures will assist in reducing the significance of these effects. Overall the findings indicate the project will have limited to low impact if the management plans and mitigation measures are developed and implemented. VANOC will address high significance activities in each phase of the project as part of the VANOC commitment to sustainability, through mitigation and through the development and implementation of an Environmental Management Plan. Cumulative effects impacts were calculated to have Moderate significance and again through the implementation of the proposed Environmental Management Plan most of the significance can be monitored and managed. Accidents, malfunctions and unplanned events will be reduced to the lowest level possible through Erosion Control and Spill Management Plans and the development of the Dam Safety Plan. The effects of the environment and climate change are negligible. In terms of seismic activity it is concluded that adequate protection will be provided by British Columbia and National Building Codes. The situation of the facilities ensures that risk and damage due to Slope Instability is unlikely. Some potential does exist for Avalanche in an area close to the reservoir, however, since the forest area is in a successional stage this hazard will further diminish over time and this risk is considered to be limited. Next steps require review and finalization of this draft environmental assessment report prepared for review by federal and provincial agencies. After finalization of the EA Report the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) will be prepared.

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The EMP will be developed to address the issues identified in the EA review and related specifically to the assurances and commitments arising from the EA review process. A Preliminary EMP outline is provided in Appendix C. VANOC will also commit to, and provide assurances, for reducing the significance of each activity in each phase of the Project as part of the VANOC sustainability commitment for the Games. These next steps have been illustrated in the diagram below.

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FINAL EA Commitments & Assurances

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

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10.0 PRELIMINARY COMMITMENTS AND ASSURANCES

VANOC has identified and provided the following preliminary commitments and assurances, shown in Table 10-1, for each activity in each phase of the Project as part of the VANOC sustainability commitment for the Games. These commitments and assurances have been identified to address environmental effects that have been rated as moderate or high significance. Furthermore, these commitments and assurances will assist in developing the Environmental Management Plan. This preliminary list is provided in this report for review and discussion by the Agency Working Group and VANOC agreement is required before these points can be considered for finalization.

Table 10-1 is presented at this time only for discussion purposes.

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Table 10-1 Summary of VANOC Commitments for Cypress Mountain. Reference Environmental Project Phase VANOC Commitment Responsibility Approving Agency/Group Component 1a General All Phases • Adhere to the Environmental Management VANOC All Agencies Plan (to be developed) 1b Construction and • Employ a third party environmental monitor, VANOC and Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Decommissioning with authority to require modifications to construction Ministry of Environment – sediment/erosion control measures and contractors Environmental Protection Division; order temporary work stoppages Environment Canada – Pollution Prevention 2 Fish Resources Construction • Obtain appropriate approvals for VANOC and Department of Fisheries and construction under the Water Act construction Oceans; contractors Ministry of Environment 3 Water Quality Construction • Develop and implement the following VANOC and Ministry of Environment – - Sediment and Erosion Control Plan construction Environmental Protection - Waste Management Plan contractors Division; Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Environment Canada – Pollution Prevention and Assessment Division. 4 Water Quantity Operations • Ensure minimum base flows are maintained VANOC and Ministry of Environment – in Cypress Creek Contractors Fisheries and Oceans Canada 5 Vegetation Construction and • Review design plans to ensure that facilities VANOC and Ministry of Environment; Decommissioning are sited in previously disturbed areas to the Contractors Environment Canada – greatest extent possible Canadian Wildlife Service • In cooperation with Cypress Mountain ski area re-construct Baden Powell Trail along existing logging roads, skid trails and hiking trails wherever possible • Minimize the cutting of old growth trees wherever possible • Revegetate around the reservoir • Perform a dangerous tree survey after clearing • Prepare a Vegetation Debris Management Plan as part of the EMP • Conduct a pre-construction rare plant survey for the upper portion of the Baden Powell trail

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Table 10-1 Summary of VANOC Commitments for Cypress Mountain. Reference Environmental Project Phase VANOC Commitment Responsibility Approving Agency/Group Component 6a Avifauna Construction • Situate facilities in previously disturbed VANOC and Ministry of Environment; areas to greatest extent possible (the Contractors Environment Canada – CWS; activities at Cypress Mountain have been designed to take advantage of previously logged areas) • Avoid clearing vegetation during breeding bird period of April 1 to July 31. If critical construction schedules require clearing during the window, hire a biologist to conduct a nest survey; and protect any nests found with appropriate buffers until such time as the nests are not needed

7a Terrestrial Wildlife Construction • Review design plans to ensure that facilities VANOC and Ministry of Environment; Habitat are sited in previously disturbed areas to the Contractors Environment Canada – CWS; greatest extent possible Fisheries and Oceans Canada • Retain and protect riparian habitats along creeks and major wetlands 7b Operation - All • Comply with BC Parks waste management VANOC and plan to prevent wildlife from foraging on Contractors Ministry of Environment; garbage

8 Sensitive Sites Construction and • Mark off sensitive sites with no-disturbance VANOC and Ministry of Environment; Decommissioning ribbon to eliminate or minimize to the Construction greatest extent possible disturbance of Contractors sensitive sites • Direct reconstruction of the Baden-Powell trail away from sensitive sites to the greatest extent possible • Locate facilities to minimize, to the greatest extent possible, the impact to sensitive sites 9 Recreation Access All Phases • Avoid, where possible, long term impacts to VANOC and VANOC and Use recreational access. Contractors BC Parks

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Table 10-1 Summary of VANOC Commitments for Cypress Mountain. Reference Environmental Project Phase VANOC Commitment Responsibility Approving Agency/Group Component 10 Accidents, Construction and • Ensure all on-site fuel storage tanks and VANOC and Ministry of Environment – Malfunctions and Decommissioning dispensing facilities are installed and Contractors Environmental Protection Unplanned Events operated in accordance with the Canadian Division; Council of Ministers of the Environment Environment Canada; (CCME) Environmental Code of Practice for Fisheries and Oceans Canada fuel storage tank systems and other applicable Federal and Provincial Requirements • Ensure that all construction and operations equipment is inspected for leaks on a regular basis and maintained in good working order • Ensure that mobile equipment is refueled, lubricated and serviced only at designated and approved locations • Respond to spills immediately in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Hazardous Material Spill Contingency Plan • Ensure contractors take appropriate precautions when pouring concrete and sealing forms • Ensure runoff from curing concrete is monitored for acceptable pH levels and if the pH is outside the allowable limits, the runoff is contained and neutralized • Ensure all construction operations act in accordance with the Fire Contingency Plan • Ensure that all Cypress Mountain facilities are designed and constructed in compliance with the BC Fire Code, BC Building Code and local amendments to the Code

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Table 10-1 Summary of VANOC Commitments for Cypress Mountain. Reference Environmental Project Phase VANOC Commitment Responsibility Approving Agency/Group Component 11 Effects of the All Phases • Prepare contingency plan for possible VANOC and Ministry of Environment, Environment on the effects where appropriate, such as the Dam Contractors BC Parks Project Safety Management Plan and the Fire Suppression Plan.

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11.0 REFERENCES

Blackburn, I. and S. Godwin. 2004. Spotted owl ( Strix occidentalis ) in Accounts and Measures for Managing Identified Wildlife – Accounts V. 2004. B.B.W.W. 2005. British Columbia Wildlife Watch. Cypress Provincial Park Bird Checklist. http://www3.telus.net/driftwood/cyprbl.htm. Accessed September 22, 2005. Blackburn, I., Harestad, A., Smith, J., Godwin, S., Hentze, R. and C. Lenihan. 2002. Population Assessment of the Northern Spotted Owl in British Columbia 1992-2001 . 23 pp. Campbell, R.W., N.K. Dawe, I. McTaggart-Cowan, J.M. Cooper, G.W. Kaiser, and M.C.E. McNall. 1990. Birds of British Columbia. Volume 2, Nonpasserines: diurnal birds of prey through woodpeckers. Royal British Columbia Museum, Victoria, B.C. Campbell, R.W., N.K. Dawe, I. McTaggart-Cowan, J.M.Cooper, G.W. Kaiser, M.C.E. McNall, and G.E.J. Smith. 1997. Birds of British Columbia. Volume 3, Passerines: flycatchers through vireos. UBC Press, Vancouver, B.C. Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup. 2005. Earthquakes in British Columbia. URL: http://www.crew.org/region/bc.html. Accessed November 15, 2005. Chilibeck, B., G. Chislett and G. Norris. 1992. Land Development Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Habitat. Published by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. 128 pp. Cooper, J.M. and V. Stevens. 2000. A Review of the Ecology, Management and Conservation of the Northern Goshawk in British Columbia. Wildlife Bulletin No. B-101, BC Environment, Lands and Parks, Wildlife Branch, Victoria, BC. CBRL. 1995. Cypress Bowl Recreation Ltd. Cypress Bowl Master Plan – Revisions 1995. West Vancouver, BC. Emanuel, K.A. 1987. The Dependence of Hurricane Intensity on Climate. Nature 326:483-485. ENKON. 2004. Northern Spotted Owl Survey of the Vancouver 2010 Cypress Snowboard and Freestyle Venues, Cypress Mountain. ENKON Environmental Limited, Surrey, BC. 12 pp + Appendices. ENKON. 2002a. Preliminary Environmental Assessment of the Proposed 2010 Olympic Venues: Cypress Provincial Park. ENKON Environmental Limited, Surrey, BC. 50 pp + Appendices. ENKON. 2002b. Fish and fish habitat survey of Cypress Creek. ENKON Environmental Limited, Surrey, BC. 24 pp.

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Forbes, D.L., J. Shaw and R.B. Taylor. 1997. Climate change in the coastal zone of Atlantic Canada. In: R.W. Shaw (ed.). Climate Change and Climate variability in Atlantic Canada. Environment Canada-Atlantic Region. Occasional Report No. 9. Franklin, A. B., K. P. Burnham, G. C. White, R. G. Anthony, E. D. Forsman, C. Schwarz, J. D. Nichols, and J. Hines. 1999. Range-wide status and trend in northern Spotted Owl populations. Unpublished Report. Colorado State University and Oregon State University, Fort Collins, CO.

Hamer, T.E., and S.K. Nelson. 1995. Characteristics of marbled murrelet nest trees and nesting stands. In Ralph, C.J., G.L. Hunt, J. Piatt, and M. Raphael (eds.). Conservation Assessment for the Marbled Murrelet . U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Redwood Sciences Laboratory, Arcata, CA.

Hilton, S., A. Hilton and I. Robertson. 2001. Inventory of Northern Spotted Owls: Cypress Mountain. Panorama Wildlife Research and Robertson Environmental Services Ltd., British Columbia. 14 pp. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). 1990. Climate Change: the IPCC Scientific Assessment. Report prepared for IPCC by Working Group 1. J.T. Houghton, G.J. Jenkins and J.J. Ephraums (eds.). Cambridge University Press. 365 pp. IPCC. 1995. IPCC Second Assessment Synthesis of Scientific-Technical Information Relevant to Interpreting Article 2 of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. IPCC Secretariat, WMO, Geneva. 28 pp. McElhanney. 2002. Report for Preliminary Hydrological Assessment of the Proposed 2010 Olympic Venues, Cypress Provincial Park. McElhaney Consulting Services Ltd. Surrey, B.C. pp. 31-34. MELP. 1999. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. BC Parks Impact Assessment Process, Part 2 Users Guide. BC Parks & Ecological Reserves Planning Branch, Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Vancouver, BC. 79 pp.

MELP. 1998. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. British Columbia’s Wildlife at-Risk, Northern goshawk ( Accipiter gentiles ). Wildlife Branch. 2pp. MELP. 1997. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. Master plan for Cypress Provincial Park. BC Parks & Ecological Reserves Planning Branch, Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Vancouver, BC. 79 pp. MFRP. 1995. Ministry of Forest Research Program. Wildlife Diversity in British Columbia. Distribution of Habitat Use of Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds and Mammals in Biogeoclimatic Zones, British Columbia. 19pp. MSRM. 2003. Draft Sea-to-Sky LRMP Workbook : Wildlife. 2003.

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MSRM. 2002. Sea-to-Sky LRMP, Wildlife Species of Concern, Birds-Mature/Old- growth Forest (map). Accessed September 22, 2005. http://srmwww.gov.bc.ca/cr/resource_mgmt/lrmp/s2s/mapgallery.htm. MWLAP. 2002. Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection. Interim Wildlife Guidelines for Backcountry Recreation in British Columbia. Chapters 2, 3, and 4. Ogilvie, C. 2005. Bid Corporation studying Cypress to host snowboarding, freestyle [online]. Pique Newsmagazine . Available from: http://pique.bc.ca/pique/index.php?content=cypress+olympics+910 [November 7, 2005]. Robertson, I and R. Toochin. 2001. Cypress Mountain Bird Survey. Robertson Environmental Services Ltd., Langley, BC. 24 pp. Wigley, T.M.L and S.C.B Raper. 1992. Implications for climate and sea level of revised IPCC emission scenarios. Nature 357: 293-300. VANOC 2005. Vancouver 2010 Bid Book. Available from: http://www.vancouver2010.com. [accessed September 13, 2005]. VANOC 2005a. Focus on sustainability. Available from: http://www.vancouver2010.com. [accessed September 13, 2005].

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APPENDIX A BC Parks Impact Assessment Process: Screening Matrix, Significance Matrix, Cumulative Effects Screening Matrix and Audit Record

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APPENDIX B Responses from the Cypress Provincial Park User Groups

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APPENDIX C Preliminary Environmental Management Plan

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Preliminary Environmental Management Plan

The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to be developed forth Cypress Mountain Venue will describe the environmental management and mitigation measures to be implemented during the construction activities at Cypress Mountain (the Project). The Project and the EMP will be designed and constructed in accordance with VANOC’s sustainability principles. The measures provided will also adhere to relevant provincial and federal guidelines and regulations and be consistent with best management practices. Information contained in this EMP will: • outline environmental protection measures related to Project activities; • provide VANOC personnel and contractors (Project personnel) with instructions for carrying out construction activities to minimize environmental effects; • form part of the clearing and construction contract documents and provide the primary reference for specific environmental protection instructions contained in project contract documents; • be used as an educational tool, for the orientation and training of project personnel; and • provide the basis for environmental inspection and monitoring during construction to ensure compliance with Project specific commitments. Within this EMP, environmental management measures will be written under specific activity headings. They should be read in conjunction with the venue design drawings. The EMP will also provide a number of resource protection, management and contingency plans that apply throughout the project area and to all phases of construction. The EMP will be based on environmental assessment work conducted in the course of project regulatory review and permitting processes.

Potential Components of the Environmental Management Plan Components of the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to be discussed and developed could include: 1. Environmental Assessment Executive Summary 2. Certification and Decision Summaries 3. Commitments and Assurances 4. VANOC Cypress Mountain Management Plans: • General Measures • Site Specific Safety and Orientation • Archaeological Protection Measures

DRAFT

• Wildlife Protection - General Measures • Fisheries Protection – General Measures • Noise Abatement Measures • Sediment and Erosion Control Plan • Site Preparation Guidelines o Surveying and Clearing o Grubbing, Grading and Soil Handling • Vegetation and Debris Management Plan • Hazard Tree Assessment Measures • Weed Management Measures • Contingency Plans o Fire Preparedness and Suppression Plan o Hazardous Material Spill Contingency Plan 5. Environmental Monitoring Proceedures 6. The Construction Schedule 7. Venue Maps and Venue Layout Drawings