Prepared For

Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY With the TMX - Anchor Loop Project (the “Project”) Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. (“Terasen Pipelines”) proposes to loop a portion of its existing National Energy Board (“NEB”) regulated oil pipeline system (the “Trans Mountain pipeline” or “Trans Mountain”) to increase the capacity of the Trans Mountain pipeline to meet growing shipper demand. The Project involves the construction of 158 km of 812 mm or 914 mm (32-inch or 36-inch) diameter pipe between a location west of Hinton, Alberta at Kilometre Post/Kilometre Loop (“KP/KL") 310.1 and a location near Rearguard, British Columbia (BC) (KP/KL 468.0). The Project also includes the installation of two new pump stations at locations along the Trans Mountain pipeline, one in Alberta at Wolf (KP 188.0) and one in BC, at Chappel (KP 555.5), and the installation of associated aboveground facilities including block valves at several locations and a receiving trap for pipeline cleaning and inspection tools at a location near Rearguard, BC (KP/KL 468.0). Construction of the Project will require temporary construction camps and other temporary work yards. The Project will traverse federal, provincial and private lands, including Jasper National Park (JNP) in Alberta and Mount Robson Provincial Park (MRPP) in BC.

Two pipeline route options were assessed in detail for the TMX - Anchor Loop Project, namely the Proposed Route and the Existing Route (i.e., the Trans Mountain pipeline). Both route options are evaluated within this report.

Wetland resources and function have been identified as a Valued Ecosystem Component (VEC) for the environmental assessment of the Project. The description and evaluation of wetland function incorporates information from several disciplines, including hydrology, wildlife, vegetation, soils and fish. The integration of data from these disciplines allows a wetland specialist to generally describe the function of a wetland system and predict the magnitude and significance of effects that the project may have on wetland function.

Specifically, the purpose of this technical wetland report is to: • provide a definition of wetlands and a discussion on wetland classification;

• identify and classify wetlands along the Proposed and Existing routes;

• describe the functional role of wetlands;

• describe the functions of the wetlands along the Proposed and Existing routes;

• summarize and present data from the 2004 and 2005 field programs relevant to the wetland function description;

• evaluate historic perturbations relevant to wetland function; and

• identify any outstanding issues that may require additional work. During the 2004 and 2005 Ecological Land Classification (ELC) fieldwork program (i.e. wetlands, wildlife, species at risk, vegetation and soil studies), 105 individual wetlands along the Proposed and Existing routes were identified. This report grouped the individual wetlands into complexes according to location and class. In total, 47 wetland complexes are encountered by the Project; 22 of these wetlands are located along the common Existing and Proposed routes alignment.

The Proposed Route traverses 30 wetland complexes for approximately 11.2 km of its length. In total, wetland habitat comprises 7% of the Proposed Route. The total wetland area directly affected by the construction footprint is 29.1 ha. Along the Proposed Route, ten wetlands were classified as predominantly shallow open water, eleven were classed as marshes, and nine wetlands were classified as fens.

The Existing Route crosses 41 wetland complexes for approximately 19.0 km. In total, wetland habitat comprises 12% of the Existing Route. The total wetland area directly affected by the Project Footprint is 43.27 ha. Along the Existing Route, 10 wetlands were classified as predominantly shallow open water, 16 were classed as marshes, and 15 wetlands were classified as fens.

Based on the results from the wetland studies, the Proposed Route is the preferred route for the Project.

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... I 1.0 INTRODUCTION...... 1 1.1 Route Options ...... 1 1.1.1 Proposed Route ...... 1 1.1.2 Existing Route...... 3 1.2 Regulatory Standards ...... 3 1.3 Goals of the Report...... 4 1.4 Study Area Boundaries ...... 5 1.4.1 Project Footprint...... 5 1.4.2 Local Study Area...... 5 1.4.3 Regional Study Area ...... 6 1.4.4 Supra-Regional Study Area ...... 6 1.4.5 Continental Study Area ...... 6 2.0 METHODOLOGY...... 6 2.1 Literature Review ...... 6 2.2 Data Collection...... 6 2.2.1 Pre-field Work ...... 6 2.2.2 Field Work ...... 6 2.3 Data Collaboration ...... 7 3.0 SETTING...... 7 4.0 WETLAND CLASSIFICATION AND FUNCTION ...... 8 4.1 Wetland Definition...... 8 4.2 Wetland Classification...... 8 4.2.1 Shallow Water...... 8 4.2.2 Marsh ...... 8 4.2.3 Fen ...... 9 4.3 Wetland Ecological Functions...... 9 4.3.1 Hydrologic Functions ...... 9 4.3.2 Water Quality Functions...... 9 4.3.3 Habitat Functions ...... 10 4.4 Historic Perturbations to Wetland Functions...... 10 4.5 Cultural Value of Wetlands ...... 10 5.0 RESULTS...... 10 5.1 Proposed Route ...... 11 5.1.1 Overall Proposed Route...... 11 5.1.2 Alberta / Jasper National Park (KP/KL 310.1 to KP/KL 405.9) ...... 20 5.1.3 Mount Robson Provincial Park / British Columbia (KP/KL 405.9 to KP/KL 468)...... 22 5.2 Existing Route...... 24 5.2.1 Overall Route ...... 24 5.2.2 Alberta / Jasper National Park (KP/KL 310.1 to KP/KL 405.9) ...... 36 5.2.3 Mount Robson Provincial Park / British Columbia (KP/KL 405.9 to KP/KL 468)...... 38 6.0 ROUTE COMPARISON AND EVALUATION ...... 40 7.0 SUPPLEMENTARY STUDIES...... 41

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

8.0 CONCLUSIONS...... 41 9.0 REFERENCES...... 42 9.1 Personal Communications ...... 42 9.2 Literature Cited...... 42

LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix A Photoplates for Wetlands of the TMX - Anchor Loop Project ...... A1 Appendix B Water Quality Results for Wetlands of the TMX - Anchor Loop Project ...... B1 Appendix C Proposed Route Site-Specific Descriptions Alberta / Jasper National Park (KP/KL 310.1 to KP/KL 405.9) ...... C1 Appendix D Proposed Route Site-Specific Descriptions Mount Robson Provincial Park / British Columbia (KP/KL 405.9 to KP/KL 468)...... D1 Appendix E Existing Route Site-Specific Descriptions Alberta / Jasper National Park (KP/KL 310.1 to KP/KL 405.9) ...... E1 Appendix F Existing Route Site-Specific Descriptions Mount Robson Provincial Park / British Columbia (KP/KL 405.9 to KP/KL 468)...... F1 Appendix G Environmental Resource Maps (1:20,000) Wetlands ...... G1

LIST OF TABLES Table 1 Spatial Boundaries of the TMX - Anchor Loop Project Wetland Study...... 5 Table 2 Summary of Wetlands Found Along the Proposed Route...... 11 Table 3 Wetland Classifications and Distribution Along the Proposed Route ...... 11 Table 4 Wetlands Encountered Along the Overall Proposed Route...... 12 Table 5 Summary of Fish and Fish Habitat Survey for Wetlands And Waterbodies in Close Proximity to Wetlands Along the Proposed Route...... 18 Table 6 Summary of Wetlands Found Along the Alberta/Jasper National Park Segment of the Proposed Pipeline Route...... 20 Table 7 Wetland Classifications and Distribution Along the Alberta/Jasper National Park Segment of the Proposed Route ...... 21 Table 8 Wetlands Encountered Along the Alberta/Jasper National Park Segment of the Proposed Pipeline Route ...... 21 Table 9 Summary of Wetlands Found Along the Mount Robson Provincial Park/British Columbia Segment of the Proposed Pipeline Route...... 22 Table 10 Wetland Classifications and Distribution Along the Mount Robson Provincial Park/British Columbia Segment of the Proposed Pipeline Route...... 23 Table 11 Wetlands Encountered Along the Mount Robson Provincial Park/British Columbia Segment of the Proposed Route ...... 23 Table 12 Summary of Wetlands Found Along the Existing Route...... 24 Table 13 Wetland Classifications and Distribution Along the Existing Route ...... 24 Table 14 Wetlands Encountered Along the Overall Existing Route...... 24 Table 15 Summary of Fish and Fish Habitat Survey for Wetlands and Waterbodies in Close Proximity to Wetlands Along the Existing Route ...... 33 Table 16 Summary Of Wetlands Found Along the Alberta/Jasper National Park Segment of the Existing Route ...... 36 Table 17 Wetland Classifications and Distribution Along the Alberta/Jasper National Park Segment of the Existing Route...... 36 Table 18 Wetlands Encountered Along the Alberta/Jasper National Park Segment of the Existing Route...... 37 Table 19 Summary of Wetlands Found Along the Mount Robson Provincial Park/British Columbia Segment of the Existing Route...... 38 Table 20 Wetland Classifications And Distribution Along the Mount Robson Provincial Park/British Columbia Segment of the Existing Route...... 39 Table 21 Wetlands Encountered Along the Mount Robson Provincial Park/British Columbia Segment of the Existing Route ...... 39

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

Table 22 Comparison of Proposed Route and Existing Route ...... 41

LIST OF PLATES IN APPENDIX A Plate A1 Shallow Open Water wetland located along the Proposed Route at KP/KL 317.6 (W006)...... A2 Plate A2 Shallow Open Water wetland located along the Existing Route at KP 331.7 (W010) ...... A2 Plate A3 Shallow Open Water wetland located along the Proposed Route at KP/KL 352.1 (W016)...... A2 Plate A4 Marsh wetland located along the Existing Route at KP 334.1 (W013)...... A2 Plate A5 Marsh wetland located along the Proposed Route at KP/KL 371.6 (W020)...... A3 Plate A6 Marsh wetland located along the Existing Route at KP 325.9 (W007). This marsh has channelized surface water flow...... A3 Plate A7 Fen wetland located along the Proposed Route at KP/KL 386.7 (W023)...... A3 Plate A8 Fen wetland located along the Existing Route at KP 424.0 (Wc041)...... A3 Plate A9 Fen wetland located along the Existing Route at KP 423.3 (W040)...... A4 Plate A10 Upland depression basin located along the Existing Route at KP/KL 315.5 (W003). An alteration to surface slope has created a depression to collect overland flow...... A4 Plate A11 Upland depression basin located along the Existing Route at KP/KL 315.7 (W004). An alteration to surface slope has created a depression to collect overland flow...... A4 Plate A12 Lacustrine wetland adjacent to a lake at KP/KL 354.1 (W017) along the Proposed Route...... A4 Plate A13 Riparian wetland adjacent to the Miette River near KP/KL 387.2 (W024)...... A5 Plate A14 Riparian wetland located on the active Athabasca River floodplain at KP/KL 361.8 (Wc019)...... A5 Plate A15 An old railbed dissects this wetland, located along the Existing Route, altering the natural hydraulic connection to the Athabasca River (KP 328.0, W008)...... A5 Plate A16 An old railbed dissects this fen, located along the Proposed and Existing Route, altering the natural hydrology of the area (KP/KL 395.9, Wc027)...... A5 Plate A17 A road near the CN Railway traverses this riparian wetland located at KL 407.8 along the Proposed Route (W032)...... A6 Plate A18 This wetland's natural drainage is altered by an old railbed. The disturbance has created a back-ponding of water into the adjacent forest, drowning trees. Snags are visible in the distance (KP 328.0, W008)...... A6 Plate A19 This wetland's natural drainage is altered by an old railbed. The disturbance has created a back-ponding of water into the adjacent forest, drowning trees (KP 328.0, W008)...... A6 Plate A20 Historic material remains in place from the old railbed (KP 328.0, W008)...... A6 Plate A21 Riprap that remains in place for use along the Existing Route continues to alter the natural drainage (KP/KL 337.9, W015)...... A7 Plate A22 Highway 16 impounds drainage from upland areas that under natural conditions, would be hydraulically connected to the active Athabasca River floodplain (KP 334.1, W013)...... A7 Plate A23 Driftwood accumulation at riprap berm where the Existing Route crosses a paleochannel of the Athabasca River (KP 336.7, W014)...... A7 Plate A24 Driftwood accumulation at riprap berm where the Existing Route crosses a paleochannel of the Athabasca River (KL 336.7, W014)...... A7 Plate A25 Example of impounded drainage. Here, this fen is bordered on one side by the railway and by the highway on the other. Under natural hydraulic conditions, this wetland would be directly connected to the Fraser River system (KP 434.0, W046)...... A8 Plate A26 Marsh - Fen complex on south side of Highway 16 (KP 332.0, W010)...... A8 Plate A27 Looking west along causeway (KP 328.0, Wc008)...... A8 Plate A28 North side of causeway at culvert crossing (KP 328.0, Wc008)...... A8

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

Plate A29 Tree stumps in Shallow Open Water Wetland on south side of causeway indicating dead flooded forest (KP 328.0, Wc008)...... A9 Plate A30 Shallow Water and Marsh on northeast side of causeway (KP 328.0, Wc008)...... A9 Plate A31 Marsh – Fen complex on north side of Highway 16 (KP 332, W011)...... A9 Plate A32 Exposed bench along south side of Highway where the Proposed Route is to be built (KL 332, W011)...... A9 Plate A33 "Pocahontas Ponds" marsh and riparian shrubs on north side of highway looking east (KL 333.6, Wc012)...... A10 Plate A34 "Pocahontas Ponds" marsh and riparian shrubs on north side of highway looking west (KL 333.6, Wc012)...... A10 Plate A35 "Pocahontas Ponds" marsh and riparian shrubs on north side of highway (KL 333.6, Wc012)...... A10 Plate A36 Riparian vegetation on north side of Highway 16 (KL 333.6, Wc012)...... A10 Plate A37 Active side channel supporting riparian shrub and marsh vegetation (KP/KL 336.5, W014)...... A11 Plate A38 Fen community in paleochannel with groundwater water source(KP/KL 336.5, W014)...... A11 Plate A39 Active side channel with fen and riparian habitat (KP/KL 336.5, W014)...... A11 Plate A40 Riprap berm where Existing Route crosses paleochannel (KP/KL 336.5, W014)...... A11 Plate A41 Sedge fen growing in paleochannel (KP/KL 336.5, W014)...... A12 Plate A42 Shallow Open Water - Fen complex on west side of Snaring River access road (KP/KL 362, Wc019)...... A12 Plate A43 Shallow Open Water - Fen complex on west side of Snaring River access road (KP/KL 362, Wc019)...... A12 Plate A44 Hanging culvert outlet on east side of access road (KP/KL 362, Wc019)...... A12 Plate A45 Overview of Shallow Open Water - Fen complex (KP/KL 362, Wc019)...... A13 Plate A46 Spring emerging from toe of rock slope. Flows enter Sucker Creek on the other side of Highway (KP/KL 371.6, W020)...... A13 Plate A47 Sucker Creek marsh on north side of Highway (KP/KL 371.6, W020)...... A13 Plate A48 View of Equisetum marsh looking north (KP/KL 384.1, W022)...... A13 Plate A49 Shrubs and terrestrial grasses on Existing Route (KP/KL 384.1, W022)...... A14 Plate A50 View of marsh looking west (KP/KL 384.1, W022)...... A14 Plate A51 Existing Route looking east (KP/KL 384.1, W022)...... A14 Plate A52 North side of highway at sharp bend in Miette River (KP/KL 387.2, W025)...... A14 Plate A53 Marsh on south side of highway (KP/KL 387.2, W025)...... A15 Plate A54 Visible sedge path in fen vegetation is due to recent maintenance access along Existing Route (KP/KL 391.5, Wc026)...... A15 Plate A55 Sample of deep sedge peat in fen (KP/KL 391.5, Wc026)...... A15 Plate A56 Fen approx. 80 m south of Existing Route (KP/KL 391.5, Wc026)...... A15 Plate A57 Shrub dominated area of fen (KP/KL 391.5, Wc026)...... A16 Plate A58 Fen immediately north of existing pipeline (KP/KL 391.5, Wc026)...... A16 Plate A59 Existing Route looking west (KP/KL 391.5, Wc026)...... A16 Plate A60 Sedge path of Existing Route looking east (KP/KL 391.5, Wc026)...... A16 Plate A61 Existing Route looking west (KP/KL 391.5, Wc026)...... A17 Plate A62 Fen on north side of access road (KP 407.8, Wc032)...... A17 Plate A63 Fen on south side of access road (KP 407.8, Wc032)...... A17 Plate A64 Sedge path along Existing Route looking east (KP 407.8, Wc032)...... A17 Plate A65 Sedge path along Existing Route looking west (KP 407.8, Wc032)...... A18 Plate A66 Looking south along Existing Route that crosses fen located in a paleochannel (KP 380.2, W021)...... A18 Plate A67 Sedge fen on west side of Existing Route (KP 380.2, W021)...... A18 Plate A68 Riprap berm associated with existing Trans Mountain pipeline (KP 380.2, W021)...... A18

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

LIST OF PLATES IN APPENDIX B Plate B1 pH values for sampled wetlands in the LSA (June 3-5, 2005)...... B2 Plate B2 Electrical Conductivity values for sampled wetlands in the LSA (June 3-5, 2005)...... B2 Plate B3 Calcium concentrations for sampled wetlands in the LSA (June 3-5, 2005)...... B3 Plate B4 Magnesium concentrations for sampled wetlands in the LSA (June 3-5, 2005)...... B3 Plate B5 Sodium concentrations for sampled wetlands in the LSA (June 3-5, 2005)...... B4 Plate B6 Potassium concentrations for sampled wetlands in the LSA (June 3-5, 2005)...... B4 Plate B7 Chloride concentrations for sampled wetlands in the LSA (June 3-5, 2005)...... B5 Plate B8 Sulfate concentrations for sampled wetlands in the LSA (June 3-5, 2005)...... B5 Plate B9 Total Dissolved Solids values for sampled wetlands in the LSA (June 3-5, 2005)...... B6 Plate B10 Turbidity values for sampled wetlands in the LSA (June 3-5, 2005)...... B6

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

AB Alberta ANHIC Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre AWN Aseriwuche Winewak Nation BC British Columbia CEA Agency Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency CMT culturally modified tree CN Railway Canadian National Railway CNA Railway Canadian Northern Alberta Railway – an abandoned railway grade in Jasper National Park and Mount Robson Provincial Park CWCS Canadian Wetland Classification System ELC Ecological Land Classification GIS Geographic Information System ha Hectare JNP Jasper National Park KP Kilometre Post KL Kilometre Loop LSA Local Study Area MRPP Mount Robson Provincial Park NEB National Energy Board NWWG National Wetland Working Group RSA Regional Study Area SBS Sub-Boreal Spruce SU Status Unknown TDS Total Dissolved Solids TLRU Traditional Land and Resource Use TERA/Westland A combined project team of staff and subcontractors of TERA Environmental Consultants Ltd., Calgary, Alberta and Westland Resource Group Inc. of Victoria, British Columbia TMX Trans Mountain Expansion TOR Scope and Requirements of the Environmental Assessment for the Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. TMX - Anchor Loop Project Y2Y Yellowstone to Yukon

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

1.0 INTRODUCTION With the TMX - Anchor Loop Project (the “Project”) Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. (“Terasen Pipelines”) proposes to loop a portion of its existing National Energy Board (“NEB”) regulated oil pipeline system (the “Trans Mountain pipeline” or “Trans Mountain”) to increase the capacity of the Trans Mountain pipeline to meet growing shipper demand. The Project involves the construction of 158 km of 812 mm or 914 mm (32-inch or 36-inch) diameter pipe between a location west of Hinton, Alberta at Kilometre Post/Kilometre Loop (“KP/KL") 310.1 and a location near Rearguard, British Columbia (BC) (KP/KL 468.0). The Project also includes the installation of two new pump stations at locations along the Trans Mountain pipeline, one in Alberta at Wolf (KP 188.0) and one in BC, at Chappel (KP 555.5), and the installation of associated aboveground facilities including block valves at several locations and a receiving trap for pipeline cleaning and inspection tools at a location near Rearguard, BC (KP/KL 468.0). Construction of the Project will require temporary construction camps and other temporary work yards. The Project will traverse federal, provincial and private lands, including Jasper National Park (JNP) in Alberta and Mount Robson Provincial Park (MRPP) in BC.

The Project loops only a small portion of the Trans Mountain pipeline’s 1,146 km length (Figure 1). A pipeline “loop” is a common and widely-used term describing an additional segment of pipeline parallel to and interconnected with an existing pipeline system. The construction of a loop is a method of adding capacity and operational flexibility to an existing pipeline system. The Trans Mountain pipeline system was constructed in 1952-1953. Two loops were added to the system in 1957, bringing the configuration of the pipeline system (other than pump stations) to its present state.

Construction of the Project is scheduled to commence in mid-2007 and extend until the third quarter of 2008.

1.1 Route Options Two pipeline route options were assessed in detail for the TMX - Anchor Loop Project, namely the Proposed Route and the Existing Route (i.e., the Trans Mountain pipeline). Both route options are evaluated within this report.

Known reference points along the existing pipeline system are commonly referred to as a Kilometre Post or "KP". KP 0.0 is located at the Edmonton Terminal where the existing Trans Mountain system originates. KPs are approximately 1 km apart and are primarily used to describe features along the pipeline for operations and maintenance purposes. To delineate features along the Proposed Route, the symbol "KL" or Kilometre Loop has been applied throughout this report. In locations where the Existing Route and the Proposed Route parallel one another, the symbol "KP/KL" has been used to clearly indicate to the reader that the two route alignments abut one another. Where the Proposed Route diverges away from the Existing Route, the KL symbol is used on its own.

1.1.1 Proposed Route The Proposed Route originates in Alberta, approximately 8 km west of the Town of Hinton at KP/KL 310.1 and follows the Existing Route through forested provincial Crown land in Alberta (KP/KL 310.1 to KL 325.7). At KP/KL 324.3, the route diverges from the Existing Route and parallels Yellowhead Highway (Highway 16) into JNP.

The JNP portion of the Proposed Route (KL 325.7 to KP/KL 405.9) traverses federal Crown land. The Proposed Route and the Existing Route are generally coincident within JNP, with the exception of the following segments:

• KL 325.7 to KL 336.3 where the route parallels Highway 16;

• KL 336.3 to KL 337.5 where the route crosses the Athabasca River at a new location;

• KL 349.6 to KL 349.9 where the route traverses Windy Point;

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264600 314600 364600 414600 464600 514600 564600 614600

R 10 R 9 R 8 R 7 R 6 R 5 R 4 R 3 R 2 R 1 R 27 R 26 R 25 R 24 R 23 R 22 R 21 R 20 R 19 R 18 R 17 R 16 R 15 R 14 R 13 R 12 R 11 R 10 R 9 R 8 R 7 R 6 N N A A

I T 58 I

BRITISH D D I

ALBERTA I R

COLUMBIA R 0 Fort McMurray 0 E

0 T 57 0 E 9 9 3 3 M M

7 7

9 9

Dawson Creek H H 5 5 T

Grande Prairie T T 56 X F I I

MAP EXTENT S F Prince George T 55 Edmonton Hinton Stony Plain Willmore Valemount Jasper Wilderness Williams Lake Red Deer Area Obed Lake Niton Chip T 54 Provincial Park KP 173.4 Banff KP 147.1 Calgary Kamloops T 53 Whistler Merritt Wolf Vancouver Surrey Kelowna Nanaimo CANADA Edson 0 KP 188 T 52 0 Abbotsford 0 0

9 Victoria KP 228.7 9

3 US A Rock Lake - 3 2 2

9 Solomon Creek 9 5 T 51 5 Wildland Park

Hinton T 50 KP 317.7 T 49 Jasper KP 310.1 National Park KP 468.0 T 48 Mount Robson 9 Provincial T 47 0 3H 83E 0 0 0

9 Park 9 3 9 3 7 3A 83D Rearguard Wildhorse 7 8 Cariboo T 46 8 5 5 Mountains KP 476.8 Wildland Provincial Jasper Park Park KP 369.5 T 45

Mount Robson T 44 Provincial Jasper Park National Park T 43 Albreda A L B E R T A KP 519.1 T 42 0 0 0 0 9 9 3 3 2 T 41 2 8 8 5 Wells Gray 5 Provincial Park Chappel KP 555.5 TMX - ANCHOR LOOP PROJECT

White Goat LEGEND Wilderness Area Proposed TMX - Anchor Loop Hydrology

0 Existing Trans Mountain 0 0 Park and Protected Areas 0 9 Pipeline (TMPL) 9 3 3 7 7

7 New Pump Station Provincial Boundary 7 5 5 9 3A 83D Banff Existing Pump Station 83D 83C 92P 82M National Park Projection: Zone 11 - Datum: NAD83 82M 82N Hillshade: Ministry of Natural Resources Canada 2005. Finn Hydrology/Provincial Boundary: Ensight Information Services Ltd. 2005; Siffleur Government of Canada 2003, Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, The Atlas of Canada. KP 612.5 Wilderness Park and Protected Areas: Government of Alberta 2004; BC Parks Victoria 2004. Area Although there is no reason to believe that there are any errors associated with the data used to generate this product or in B R I T I S H the product itself, users of these data are advised that errors in the data may be present.

SCALE: 1:1,500,000 C O L U M B I A km 0 12.5 25 50

0 (All Locations Approximate) 0 0 0 9 9

3 Blackpool 3 2 McMurphy November 2005 FIGURE 1 2 7 3739 7

5 KP 709.9 5 KP 645

264600 314600 364600 414600 464600 514600 564600 614600

00_3739_TechRep_Fig_1.mxd Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

• KL 380.2 to KL 382.9 where the route parallels an existing access road (Wynd Road);

• KL 388.1 to KL 391.0 where the route follows Highway 16; and

• KL 396.3 to KP/KL 405.9 where the route follows the abandoned Canadian Northern Alberta (CNA) Railway grade before entering MRPP in BC.

Within MRPP (KP/KL 405.9 to KP/KL 466.3), the Proposed Route traverses provincial Crown land and diverges from the Existing Route for four segments:

• KL 407.4 to KL 409.7 where the route follows the abandoned CNA Railway grade;

• KL 416.0 to KL 435.3 where the route parallels the Canadian National (CN) Railway and the abandoned CNA Railway grade;

• KL 448.9 to KL 455.3 where the route follows the abandoned CNA Railway grade; and

• KL 457.6 to KL 461.6 where the route parallels the CN Railway on the south side of the Fraser River.

The final portion of the Proposed Route lies within BC (KP/KL 466.3 to KP/KL 468.0), and traverses both provincial Crown land and private lands near the west boundary of MRPP.

1.1.2 Existing Route The Existing Route parallels the existing Trans Mountain system for its entire length. The Existing Route originates in Alberta, approximately 8 km west of the Town of Hinton at KP 310.1, and follows the Trans Mountain system through Alberta (KP 310.1 to KP 325.7), JNP (KP 325.7 to KP/KL 405.9), MRPP (KP/KL 405.9 to KP 466.3) and BC (KP 466.3 to KP 468.0).

1.2 Regulatory Standards Wetland resources and function have been identified as a Valued Ecosystem Component (VEC) for the environmental assessment of the TMX - Anchor Loop Project. The description and evaluation of wetland function incorporates information from several disciplines, including geomorphology, hydrology, wildlife, vegetation, soils, fish, archaeology and traditional land use. The integration of data from these disciplines allows a wetland specialist to generally describe the function of a wetland system and predict the magnitude and significance of effects that the project may have on wetland function.

Legislation that includes measures for the protection and/or assessment of wetlands and is applicable in the Project area include: • Fisheries Act (Federal) • Migratory Birds Convention Act (Federal) • Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (Federal) • Water Act (British Columbia) • Wildlife Act (British Columbia) • Land Act (British Columbia) • Waste Management Act (British Columbia) • Forest Practices Code (British Columbia) • Park Act (British Columbia) • Water Act (Alberta) • Public Lands Act (Alberta) • Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (Alberta)

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

Regulatory guidance for wetland description and evaluation is provided by several documents, listed below: • Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation (Environment Canada 1991)

• Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation: Implementation Guide for Federal Land Managers (Environment Canada 1996)

• Wetlands Environmental Assessment Guideline (Milko 1998)

• Wetland Evaluation Guide (Bond et al. 1992)

• NEB Filing Manual (NEB 2004)

• Scope and Requirements of the Environmental Assessment for the Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. TMX - Anchor Loop Project (TOR) (Canadian Environmental Assessment (CEA) Agency et al. 2005).

Wetlands are complex ecological systems and, consequently, evaluation of wetlands for the purposes of environmental impact assessment tends to focus on wetland function. The Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation commits all federal departments to the goal of “no net loss” of wetland function on federal lands and waters (Environment Canada 1991, Lynch-Stewart 1992, Lynch-Stewart et al. 1996). In some locales where circumstances dictate, no further loss of any remaining wetland area on federal lands or waters is permitted.

The management of wetlands in National Parks should only support activities that are compatible with sustaining wetland functions (Environment Canada 1991). The federal policy states that the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act should be applied to protect such wetlands from impacts resulting from land or water quality changes both inside of, and external to, the park boundaries.

In BC, wetland assessment is guided by the Wetland Evaluation Guide (Bond et al. 1992).

Details regarding the various provincial and federal agency requirements for the Project as a whole and the scope of the assessment are presented in the TOR (CEA Agency et al. 2005). A list of federal and provincial acts, regulations and policies pertaining to the planning, construction and operation of the Project is also contained in the TOR (CEA Agency et al. 2005).

1.3 Goals of the Report Specifically, the purpose of this technical wetland report is to: • provide a definition of wetlands and a discussion on wetland classification;

• identify and classify wetlands along the Proposed and Existing routes;

• describe the functional role of wetlands;

• describe the functions of the wetlands along the Proposed and Existing routes;

• summarize and present data from the 2004 and 2005 field programs relevant to the wetland function description;

• evaluate historic perturbations relevant to wetland function; and

• identify any outstanding issues that may require additional work.

The following wetland specific issues will be addressed in the Environmental Assessment (EA) report for the TMX - Anchor Loop Project (TERA/Westland 2005a): • wetland function impact assessment on relevant segments of the Existing Route in JNP;

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

• recommend mitigation measures to address potential negative effects on wetland function;

• suggest restoration initiatives to be implemented where avoidance and mitigation may not eliminate all negative residual effects; and

• propose post-construction monitoring programs to evaluate the effectiveness of mitigative measures and the magnitude and nature of residual effects.

To assist in the successful completion of these goals and to help satisfy the TOR (CEA Agency et al. 2005)., TERA/Westland enlisted a wetland specialist to conduct a wetland function impact assessment in order to describe wetland ecological function and to determine what impacts the relevant segment of the existing Trans Mountain pipeline (i.e. KP 325.7 to KP 405.6) has had on wetland function.

1.4 Study Area Boundaries The project has identified 5 levels of spatial boundaries (Table 1). The wetland study is concerned with spatial boundaries ranging between Project Footprint and Regional Study Area (RSA).

TABLE 1

SPATIAL BOUNDARIES OF THE TMX - ANCHOR LOOP PROJECT WETLAND STUDY

Scale Study Area Project Footprint The land area to be disturbed by construction and clearing activities Local Study Area A 2 km wide area (1 km on each side of the Proposed Route located mainly in the Montane Ecoregion Regional Study 9,319 km2 covered by ten 1:50 000 scale NTS map sheets within the Greater Yellowhead Ecosystem Area Supra-regional The area extending beyond the RSA but including the provinces of Alberta and BC. Continental The area extending outside Canada. This includes the Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y) corridor which is important to wide ranging species such as grizzly bear and wolves.

1.4.1 Project Footprint The Project Footprint is defined as the land area along the pipeline route that is expected to be disturbed by pipeline construction and clean-up activities. The Project Footprint includes:

• permanent pipeline easement;

• temporary access routes;

• temporary construction workspace;

• temporary stockpile sites, staging areas, borrow pits and camps; and

• footprint of proposed permanent facilities (e.g., pump stations related to Project).

1.4.2 Local Study Area The Local Study Area (LSA) for this investigation is defined as a 2 km wide band of habitat along the pipeline route. The LSA contains the Project Footprint area and encompasses most direct and indirect Project-related wetland and wetland function impacts.

The LSA is generally located within the Montane Zone within JNP and the MRPP travel corridor.

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1.4.3 Regional Study Area The Regional Study Area (RSA) includes 9,319 km2 covered by ten 1:50,000 scale NTS map sheets. The Proposed and Existing routes are located roughly in the centre of this large area.

1.4.4 Supra-Regional Study Area The area extends beyond the RSA but includes the provinces of Alberta and BC.

1.4.5 Continental Study Area The Continental Area extends beyond the RSA and the Canadian border. This study area includes the Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y) corridor which has been used to assess long-distance movements of certain wildlife species and genetic connectivity within the Y2Y corridor.

2.0 METHODOLOGY

2.1 Literature Review This wetland study relies on the parameters of the Canadian Wetland Classification System (CWCS) (National Wetland Working Group (NWWG) 1997) for wetland classification, as well as the Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation (Environment Canada 1991). In addition to literature regarding the regulatory standards of wetlands, a review involving research of existing literature (including Parks Canada documents, research publications, etc.), government databases and consultation was completed.

2.2 Data Collection

2.2.1 Pre-field Work A preliminary desktop analysis was undertaken entailing a review of existing aerial photography and mapping interpretation to identify wetlands that the Project Footprint traverses or encroaches upon within the LSA by the Proposed and Existing Routes. Wetlands were then delineated on 1:10,000 scale Photomosaics showing both the Proposed and Existing routes. Each wetland was identified with a unique reference number.

The wetland study relies on Project information gathered over the past 2 years of various field programs and particularly information relating to the habitat identified for the Project. These characteristic components have been defined as environmental attributes or elements that are identified as having scientific, social, cultural, economic or aesthetic importance to wildlife and land managers, regulatory agency staff, Aboriginals and the Public. The Wetland, Shrub and Riparian Forest Habitat VEC is of fundamental interest to this study.

A JNP Research/Collection Permit (National Permit #468; JNP Permit Number 2005-035) and a Letter of Authorization to conduct research in MRPP were obtained prior to conducting fieldwork. In addition, a Special/Restricted Activity Permit from Parks Canada (Permit #2788) was issued in order to travel on restricted roads within JNP.

2.2.2 Field Work The purpose of these site investigations was to gather the data required for classifying wetlands and for addressing wetland function information requirements as outlined in federal wetland policy documents. The unique reference numbers for each wetland site were refined as the field reconnaissance (together with field studies by other disciplines) discovered wetlands not previously identified during the mapping exercise. These field investigations focused on the Project Footprint and the LSA of the Project.

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2.2.2.1 Wetland Identification and Classification Field Work Wetland surveys were conducted during April 16-19, 2005, June 2-5, 2005 and August 2-6, 2005. A total of 35 wetland sites were inspected along the Proposed and Existing routes between KP/KL 310.1 and KP/KL 468.0. At the time of fieldwork, not all wetland locations were accessible due to spring high-water (freshet) conditions. Of the sites visited, field investigations primarily focused on the identification of wetland sites and the hydrological description of each wetland located on or adjacent (within 30 m) to the Proposed and Existing routes for the extent of the Project (KP/KL 310.1 – KP/KL 468.0). In addition to the site identification and description, crews collected information regarding surface water extent, groundwater connectivity and samples for groundwater/surface water chemistry analyses. Photographs were taken to document the sites visited. Locations were geo-referenced using the known reference points (KP, KL, KP/KL) along the Proposed and the Existing routes. Wetlands were classified according to the CWCS (NWWG 1997).

2.2.2.2 Wetland Function Assessment Field Work The wetland function field study was completed during the first week of August 2005, by Ron Kistritz of R.U. Kistritz Consultants Ltd. with the assistance of Joanne Livingston of TERA. Onsite meetings were also undertaken with Terasen Pipelines personnel experienced in construction and maintenance aspects of the Proposed and Existing routes. The Terasen Pipelines representatives included Howard Heffler (Advisor, Regulatory and Environmental Planning), Larry McDonald (Routing and Construction Specialist) and Rick Atkinson (Supervisor, Pipeline Maintenance).

Ten wetland sites were inspected along the Proposed and Existing routes between the East and West Gates of JNP. The purpose of the field reconnaissance was to visit and examine representative wetlands associated with key issues and concerns related to the Existing Route and the Proposed Route. A visual examination of the wetlands was generally conducted and soil profiles were obtained at two of the wetland sites using a soil auger to determine the depth and nature of the organic surface layer of the wetlands. Photographs were taken to document the sites visited. Locations were geo-referenced using the known reference points (KP, KL, KP/KL). Wetlands were classified according to the CWCS (NWWG 1997).

2.3 Data Collaboration In addition to the field reconnaissance and data collection by the wetland program, supplementary information from various 2004 and 2005 field programs was synthesized for the wetland study. Specifically, the soils, vegetation, wildlife and fish disciplines provided wetland-related findings collected by their field crews. These data were used to determine the classification of each wetland according to the CWCS (NWWG 1997).

3.0 SETTING Both the Proposed and Existing routes exhibit favourable topographic and hydrogeomorphic conditions in areas where a sufficient, long-term source of water exists, thereby resulting in wetland habitat. Favourable topographic conditions include land-surface depressions in upland areas, along hillsides where there is a change in slope, along the floodplains of the Athabasca, Miette and Fraser rivers, and at the margins of lakes. Hyrdogeomorphic conditions that favour wetland development include areas that have fine-textured soils with low hydraulic conductivity and sufficient ability to store water. The hydrology of the LSA wetlands varies between being constantly saturated (in the low-lying riparian areas) to the semi-permanently saturated (in the upland isolated basins). Wetland sites in the LSA occur in the Montane Zone, on level to gentle slopes, and between elevations of 800 m and 1350 m above sea level (asl). The Montane Zone is valuable to plant and animal species, and possesses the highest biodiverisity of any ecoysystem in the Project’s RSA (Guimond 2001).

During the 2004 and 2005 Ecological Land Classification (ELC) fieldwork program (i.e. wetlands, wildlife, species at risk, vegetation and soil studies), 105 individual wetlands along the Proposed and Existing routes were identified. However, depending on the season, precipitation amounts and fluctuations of the water table, difficulties arose when pinpointing the number of individual wetlands. Therefore, many of the

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005 identifiable wetland sites were grouped together as “wetland complexes”, where a complex consists of more than one wetland, but are generally of the same class. In total, 47 wetland complexes are encountered by the Project.

4.0 WETLAND CLASSIFICATION AND FUNCTION

4.1 Wetland Definition The CWCS defines a wetland as lands where water collects on the land surface long enough to promote soil development and support the types of plant and animal communities adapted to saturated conditions. In these situations, the water table is at or near the surface or is covered by shallow water (<2m deep) for much of the growing season. The land is saturated long enough to promote wetland or aquatic processes as indicated by poorly-drained soils, hydrophytic (water-loving) vegetation and various kinds of biological activity that are adapted to a wet environment.

The development of wetlands is very dynamic, and different wetland types often occur together in various stages of transition from one type to the other. For example, mineral wetlands are found in areas, which for geomorphic, hydrologic and edaphic (factors related to soil) reasons produce little or no organic matter or peat. Gleysolic soils or peaty phases of these soils are characteristic of mineral wetlands. When floodwaters overtop riverbanks and spread across the floodplain, quantities of sediments are dropped on the levees and on the surrounding floodplain producing a Regosolic or Gleysolic soil. In the LSA, hydrologic and edaphic factors are primarily controlled by fluvial processes. With enough time, these mineral wetlands may develop into peatlands by growing in abandoned floodplain areas. Peatlands contain more than 40 cm of peat accumulation on which organic soils develop. This form of wetland development is typical of the LSA, as will be discussed throughout the remainder of this report.

4.2 Wetland Classification Although the focus of this study was function oriented, a classification of the LSA wetlands was necessary to provide a uniform framework for their identification and characterization. In addition, wetland inventories and mapping provide further insights into the natural heritage of JNP and the Project LSA. To that end, the CWCS served as a practical guide for wetland classification. As previously discussed, the LSA includes both mineral and organic wetlands. The wetlands encountered were generally classified as littogenous (shoreline) and part of the riparian regime, which can be either riverine or lacustrine. Wetlands found in the LSA are almost always associated with floodplains. Floodplain subforms are associated with alluvial terraces, swales, oxbows, meander scars and levee backslopes. The following three main wetland classes occur in the LSA: Shallow Water, Marsh and Fen.

4.2.1 Shallow Water If the surface area of a confined basin or saturated zone is occupied by more than 75% of shallow open water (inclusive of adjoining wetlands), then this area can be designated as shallow water wetland. The standing or flowing water must be less than 2 m deep in mid-summer. Beaver ponds and other natural open water impoundments are included in the shallow water wetland category (see Plates A1 to A3 in Appendix A).

4.2.2 Marsh The shallow water level in marshes usually fluctuates seasonally or annually due to flooding, groundwater recharge or seepage losses. In the LSA, marshes receive water mostly from flooding, stream inflow or groundwater discharges. The marshes are, therefore, minerotrophic and usually eutrophic (nutrient rich). Marsh soil is normally a mixture of unconsolidated organic and inorganic material. Those marshes that are exposed to high energy currents (i.e., river flooding), accumulate little organic matter, in contrast to hydrologically more stable and permanently saturated marshes located in less active areas of the floodplain. In the latter case, Humisols develop; this organic material can accumulate but seldom is more

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005 than 40 to 50 cm deep. In time and under persistent conditions of stable water, marshes may gradually transform into fens.

The LSA’s marsh vegetation is comprised of emergent aquatic macrophytes such as grasses, sedges, rushes, reeds and shrubs, along with nonvascular plants such as brown mosses. Vegetation is usually arranged in distinct zones of parallel concentric patterns of open pools with aquatic plants to emergent reeds, through sedges, low rushes, sedges and herb meadows, to tall shrubs and trees at the extreme edge of the marsh. This distinct vegetation pattern follows a moisture gradient (see Plates A4 to A6).

4.2.3 Fen The water table of fens may fluctuate a few centimetres above or below the surface. Water flows on the surface or through the subsurface and, in the LSA, usually originates from fluvial sources. The waters are rich in dissolved minerals. The dominant materials are moderately decomposed sedge and brown moss peats of variable thickness. The soils are mainly Mesisols and Humisols, typical of floodplains. The vegetation generally consists of graminoids, bryophytes, and scattered shrubs and trees. Wetter areas are dominated by sedges and mosses, and drier areas support shrubs and trees. Fens can also have a very hummocky surface and, in cases where the water table is high enough, the surface of the fen may float (see Plates A7 to A9).

4.3 Wetland Ecological Functions In the 1970s and 1980s, scientists, ecologists, and conservationists began to define the unique qualities and values of wetlands; this resulted in a list of wetland functions (Richardson 1981). Wetland functions are processes that take place within a wetland and can be generally categorized as hydrologic, water quality or habitat. However, these distinctions are too simplistic since one function is often tied closely to another. For example, if a wetland is ailing from poor water quality, then it is probable that wildlife will opt to find healthier wetlands as preferred habitat.

Many factors determine how well a wetland will perform these functions: climatic and topographic conditions, quantity and quality of water entering the wetland (i.e. effective as a sediment trap), and disturbances (i.e. roads/railways) or alteration within or nearby the wetland (i.e. clearing). When all ecological functions work well together as a healthy system, wetlands typically provide food and water to a high diversity of species. The following discussions focus on the overarching role of hydrogeomorphology, a multi-disciplinary approach that considers all the above factors, in the function of these fluvial wetlands (Smith et al. 1995).

4.3.1 Hydrologic Functions Wetland functions are an integral part of and largely driven by hydrological processes in the floodplain ecosystem. Hydrologic functions are those related to the quantity of water that enters, is stored in or leaves a wetland. These functions include such factors as the reduction in flow velocity, atmospheric processes and groundwater/surface water interactions (Novitzki et al. 1997). Although each wetland is unique, each performs a combination of functions; those with similar hydrologic settings generally perform similar functions (see Plates A10 to A14 for examples of upland and riparian wetlands).

4.3.2 Water Quality Functions Water-quality functions include sediment trapping and biochemical processes (nutrient uptake) that take place as water enters, is stored in or leaves a wetland (Environment Canada 1979). Wetlands are low- energy environments where sediment particles settle out of the water column and plants take up certain nutrients from the water. As a result, downstream waters are clearer than prior to entering the wetland environment. Counter effects of this function are that sediment storage may eventually fill in wetlands and nutrient storage will likely modify the vegetation over time.

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4.3.3 Habitat Functions Perhaps wetlands are best known for their habitat functions, which are the functions that benefit fish, wildlife, native plants and other aquatic life. Habitat is defined as the part of the physical environment in which plants and animals live (Lapedes 1976). Wetlands are reputed to be among the most productive habitats in the world (Tiner 1989). As previously discussed, functions are not independent of one another and wetland class, vegetation community, soil type and hydrologic regime are all critical functions in determining the ability of a wetland to provide wildlife habitat.

4.4 Historic Perturbations to Wetland Functions The vertical and horizontal water movements in wetlands are easily disrupted by any berm-like structure. For example, the impacts of roads are especially detrimental to wetland hydrology. Other impacts result when the hydraulic conductivity of the wetland’s substrate is affected by compaction or mixing of the soil structure. Wetland soils are typically unconsolidated, with large organic components, and consequently, any disturbance to the wetland surface must be carefully mitigated and restored.

Examples of typical disturbances to wetlands in the LSA are shown in Plates A15 to A25.

4.5 Cultural Value of Wetlands Although largely an unexplored, poorly-documented subject, wetlands often have historical importance and cultural value to a local and regional population. In the LSA, lands adjacent to wetlands were typically used for game hunting and trapping, medicinal plant collecting and berry-picking. The possibility exists that archaeological or palaeological resources may be located in or associated with a wetland. Consideration of historical and cultural uses and values enable a better understanding the wetland environment and are an indirect expression to wetland function.

5.0 RESULTS Results relevant to wetland ecological functions acquired by various collaborative Project field programs (i.e., hydrology, soils, vegetation and wildlife) are summarized in Section 5.1.

Section 5.2 provides the results of the wetland classification and quantification of wetland abundance and distribution along the Proposed Route; Section 5.3 provides similar results for wetland abundance and distribution along the Existing Route. In addition, site-specific details for wetlands encountered along both the Proposed and Existing routes are presented.

A photographic record of the wetland investigations is presented in Appendix A.

Appendix B provides graphical representation of the water quality analyses results.

Detailed site descriptions for wetlands encountered along the Alberta / Jasper National Park (KP/KL 310.1 to KP/KL 405.9) portion of the Proposed Route are provided in Appendix C.

Detailed site descriptions for wetlands encountered along the Mount Robson Provincial Park / British Columbia (KP/KL 405.9 to KP/KL 468) portion of the Proposed Route are provided in Appendix D.

Detailed site descriptions for wetlands encountered along the Alberta / Jasper National Park (KP/KL 310.1 to KP/KL 405.9) portion of the Existing Route are provided in Appendix E.

Detailed site descriptions for wetlands encountered along the Mount Robson Provincial Park / British Columbia (KP/KL 405.9 to KP/KL 468) portion of the Existing Route are provided in Appendix F.

For appendices C through F, the following categories are used to describe each site:

Wetland ID(s): The identifier used to distinguish individual wetlands and wetland complexes. These reference codes are also shown on the aerial photography field maps. Classification: Wetland class according to the CWCS.

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Hydrogeomorphology: A description of the hydrology and geomorphology of each site. Wetland Habitat and Comments related to findings of the water quality analyses, soils investigations, fish and fish Ecological Function: habitat survey, wildlife and wildlife habitat survey, and vegetation community compositions.

Environmental Resource Maps (1:20,000) indicating the locations of all wetlands traversed by the Proposed and Existing routes are provided in Appendix G.

5.1 Proposed Route

5.1.1 Overall Proposed Route Table 2 provides a summary of the number and lengths of wetland habitat traversed by the Proposed Route. The Proposed Route is 158.9 km long and traverses 30 wetland complexes for approximately 11.2 km of its length, of which, for 6.2 km the Proposed Route lies proximal to wetlands and only the wetland edge will be part of the Project Footprint. In total, wetland habitat comprises 7% of the Proposed Route. The total wetland area directly affected by the Project Footprint is 29.10 ha.

TABLE 2

SUMMARY OF WETLANDS FOUND ALONG THE PROPOSED ROUTE

Number of Wetland Length Percentage of Area of Proposed Route Complexes Encountered (km) Route Segment Direct Impact (ha) Overall Proposed Route 30 11.2 7.0% 29.10 AB/JNP 23 9.3 9.6% 25.50 MRPP/BC 7 1.85 2.7% 3.64

Three main wetland classes occur along the Proposed Route: Shallow Water, Marsh, and Fen. Fens are the only organic wetlands or peatlands in the LSA. Mineral wetlands that were observed include marshes and shallow water. Although each site has been identified as a unique class, all three wetland classes often occur together as a wetland complex in the same area and in various stages of development. These heterogeneous wetland complexes are a direct result of the varied and active fluvio-geomorphological processes that have influenced the floodplain ecosystem over long periods of time. Table 3 lists the classes of wetlands in the LSA and the number of each identified along the Proposed Route. Marsh wetlands dominate the eastern portion of the LSA and Fens are more commonly developing in the western portion of the LSA.

TABLE 3

WETLAND CLASSIFICATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION ALONG THE PROPOSED ROUTE

Dominant Wetland Class Number Crossed Shallow Open Water 10 Marsh 11 Fen 9 Total 30

Details, including wetland reference codes, locations, classifications, lengths of wetlands crossed and area of direct impact along the overall Proposed Route are provided in Table 4.

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TABLE 4

WETLANDS ENCOUNTERED ALONG THE OVERALL PROPOSED ROUTE

Length of Wetland Wetland Area of Wetland Primary Length Edge Direct Reference Location Wetland Wetland Ecological Hydrogeomorphic Crossed Traversed Impact ID 1, 2 Start Location End Class(es) Form(s) Function Description(s) (m) (m) (ha) W001 KP/KL 314.0 KP/KL 314.2 Marsh Basin Hydrologic Surface Depression 200 -- 0.27 W002 KP/KL 314.3 KP/KL 314.6 Marsh Basin Hydrologic Surface Water Slope 300 -- 0.55 W003 KP/KL 315.5 KP/KL 315.6 Marsh Basin Hydrologic Surface Depression 150 -- 0.56 W004 KP/KL 315.7 KP/KL 315.9 Marsh Basin Hydrologic Surface Water Slope 150 -- 0.41 W005 KP/KL 315.9 KP/KL 316.0 Marsh Basin Hydrologic Surface Water Slope 75 -- 0.10 W006 KP/KL 317.6 KP/KL 317.7 Marsh - Basin Hydrologic Surface Depression 100 -- 0.42 Shallow Open Water W009 KL 330.0 KL 330.2 Shallow Open Basin Habitat Surface Depression -- 200 0.35 Water - Marsh W011 KL 331.4 KL 332.3 Shallow Open Riparian/ Habitat Relic Floodplain/ -- 500 1.16 Water - Marsh - Basin Surface Depression Fen Wc012 KL 333.6 KL 335.0 Shallow Open Riparian Hydrologic/ Floodplain -- 1,400 3.54 Water - Marsh - Habitat Fen W014 KL 336.5 KL 336.6 Shallow Open Riparian Hydrologic Floodplain 100 -- 0.58 Water - Marsh W015 KP/KL 337.9 KP/KL 338.1 Shallow Open Riparian Hydrologic Floodplain/ Surface 200 -- 0.66 Water - Marsh Water Slope W016 KP/KL 352.0 KP/KL 352.1 Shallow Open Basin Habitat Surface Water Slope -- 100 0.0025 Water - Marsh - Fen W017 KP/KL 354.1 KP/KL 354.2 Marsh - Riparian Habitat Floodplain/ Surface -- 100 0.12 Shallow Open Water Slope Water W018 KP/KL 357.6 KP/KL 357.8 Marsh - Basin Habitat Surface Depression -- 150 0.39 Shallow Open Water Wc019 KP/KL 361.8 KP/KL 362.4 Shallow Open Basin/ Habitat Floodplain/ Surface -- 600 1.70 Water - Fen Riparian Water Slope W020 KP/KL 371.6 KP/KL 371.9 Shallow Open Basin Habitat Surface Water Slope -- 300 0.61 Water - Marsh W022 KP/KL 384.1 KP/KL 384.3 Marsh - Basin Habitat Surface Depression/ -- 200 0.18 Shallow Open Surface Water Slope Water W023 KP/KL 386.7 KP/KL 386.8 Fen Riparian Hydrologic Floodplain -- 100 0.22 W024 KP/KL 387.2 KP/KL 387.4 Shallow Open Basin Habitat Relic Floodplain/ -- 200 0.46 Water - Fen Surface Depression W025 KL 388.4 KL 388.6 Marsh Basin Habitat Surface Water Slope 200 -- 0.52 Wc026 KP/KL 391.5 KP/KL 394.4 Fen Riparian Hydrologic/ Floodplain 2,900 -- 9.32 Water Quality/ Habitat Wc027 KP/KL 395.9 KP/KL 399.4 Fen Riparian Hydrologic/ Floodplain -- 500 1.86 Water Quality/ Habitat W028 KL 401.4 KL 402.0 Fen Basin/ Hydrologic/ Surface Depression/ 600 -- 1.46 Riparian Water Quality/ Floodplain Habitat Wc032 KL 407.8 KL 408.5 Fen - Shallow Lacustrine Hydrologic/ Surface Water Slope Not Traversed 0 Open Water Fringe/ Water Quality/ Basin Habitat W033 KP/KL 413.3 KP/KL 413.9 Shallow Open Basin Hydrologic/ Lacustrine Not Traversed 0 Water - Marsh Water Quality/ Habitat W034 KP/KL 414.1 KP/KL 414.5 Fen Basin Habitat Surface Water Slope -- 400 0.66 W035 KP/KL 414.9 KP/KL 415.1 Fen Basin Habitat Surface Water Slope -- 150 0.11 W036 KP/KL 415.6 KP/KL 415.7 Fen Basin Habitat Surface Water Slope -- 100 0.02

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TABLE 4 Cont'd

5.1.1.1 Wetland Function Studies

Hydrologic Function

Hydrogeomorphology A wetland’s hydrogeomorphology relies on the influencing hydrologic regime and the local topographic setting. The Proposed Route’s wetland classification is essentially derived from assessing the hydrological processes resulting from water exchanges dictated by climate and topography. These factors control the nature and magnitude of water and solute fluxes (NWWG 1997). Wetland hydrologic systems may be either minerogenous (mineral) or ombrogenous (organic or peatlands), and refer to the origin of water and mineral nutrients that characterize a wetland hydrological system. The hydrological systems along the Proposed Route are 63% minerogenous and 37% ombrogenous. Mineral wetlands are the dominant hydrological systems along the Athabasca River floodplain portion of the Proposed Route; while peatlands become more prevalent in the Miette River and Fraser River systems.

The wetlands along the Athabasca and Fraser rivers are part of alluvial floodplains associated with vast moving deposits of gravel and cobble, a braided main channel and alluvial side channels. This type of floodplain commonly has a vertical dimension of groundwater-surface water interaction extending tens of metres into the alluvium, and a lateral dimension under the floodplain for hundreds of metres.

In the Miette River floodplain, wetlands are associated with a meandering lowland reach, and side channels that occupy a less active floodplain. Finer-grained alluvial materials have been laid down in the floodplain resulting in older and more stable deposits.

Seasonal flooding and the movement of groundwater are a critical process for the development of wetlands associated with the Athabasca, Miette and Fraser rivers. Wetlands in these river corridors are, therefore, placed in the context of a dynamic mosaic of riparian habitats that transition between various stages of saturation in both time and space, and act as interconnected patches on the floodplain surface as well as below ground.

Water Sources The most prevalent source of water recharge to wetlands along the Proposed Route is from periodic flooding caused by elevated water levels in nearby surface water bodies (i.e., Athabasca, Miette and Fraser rivers) and from groundwater inflow to the wetland area (i.e., throughflow as a result of an elevated water table). Few portions of the wetlands along the Proposed Route (upland basins) receive their source of water predominantly in the form of precipitation. In these cases, water accumulates in surface depressions either by falling directly on the wetland, as surface water runoff during rainfall or as snowmelt events within the catchment area surrounding the wetland. Typically, wetlands encountered along the Proposed Route are fed by a combination of any, or all, of these sources.

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Water Quality Function Water-quality functions include sediment trapping and biochemical processes (nutrient uptake) that take place as water enters, is stored in or leaves a wetland. Wetlands are low-energy environments where sediment particles settle out of the water column and plants take up certain nutrients from the water. As a result, downstream waters are clearer than prior to entering the wetland environment. Counter effects of this function are that sediment storage may eventually fill in wetlands and nutrient storage will likely modify the vegetation over time.

Along the Proposed Route, sites that have been inundated over time with sediment are being slowly removed from the active floodplains of the Athabasca, Miette and Fraser rivers. This transition is apparent as shifts from one wetland class to another (i.e., shallow open water to marsh or marsh to fen). Alterations in the vegetation community due to water quality issues are also evident along portions of the Proposed Route. For example, many wetlands have plants that are tolerant to the calcareous conditions created by the LSA parent material, while other plants find such high-calcium environments toxic.

Sampling for water chemistry analyses was conducted at 16 wetlands along the Proposed Route. A salinity analyses package (water) was completed by AGAT Laboratories in June 2005, which quantified the following parameters: pH, electrical conductivity, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, sulphate, TDS and turbidity.

The pH indicates the balance between the acids and bases in water, and is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration in solution. These pH values reflect the solvent power of water, thereby, indicating its possible chemical reactions on rocks, minerals, and soils (Environment Canada 1979). The pH results along the Proposed Route indicate that these wetlands are highly alkaline (ranging between 8.1 and 8.6). The source of alkalinity is possibly due to chemical reactions with the parent material and soils in the LSA.

The total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations and the relative abundance of major-ions in surface-water samples collected from wetlands along the Proposed Route provide some insight into potential sources of water and influences on water quality. Major-ion chemistries of water samples from all wetlands indicated elevated calcium concentrations. In particular, the following wetlands were calcium-dominated: W001, W002, W004 (upland basins between KP/KL 314.0 and KP/KL 316.0), W014, W015 (active floodplain wetlands located near both sides of the Athabasca River crossing at KL 336.5 and KP/KL 338.1) and W027 (at the western end of the Miette River floodplain wetland complex between KP/KL 395.9 and KL 399.4). Concentrations of potassium, sodium and magnesium showed patterns similar to calcium. These concentrations are related to the alkalinity of the wetland environments and indicate a direct influence from the local rocks and minerals, while the higher percentage of calcium and bicarbonate in these wetlands suggests a greater influence from groundwater seepage. The remaining wetlands sampled had variable TDS concentrations and mixed major-ion chemistries.

A wetland complex, between KP/KL 395.9 and KL 399.4 (Wc027), in the Miette River floodplain indicated high values for turbidity. Turbidity is a measure of the suspended particles such as silt, clay, organic matter, plankton and microscopic organisms in water (Environment Canada 1979). The amount of solid materials in these wetlands may be the result of natural erosion, runoff and/or algal blooms. High turbidity negatively affects the ability of aquatic and emergent vegetations to photosynthesize; which in turn may limit the capability to provide fish habitat.

Water Storage, Regulation and Filtration Floodplain/riparian wetlands along the Proposed Route serve as huge, natural water reservoirs and regulators for the Athabasca, Miette and Fraser rivers. The substantial root zones and peat deposits act as a natural sponge, and the deeper gravel and cobble deposits store vast volumes of groundwater. This stored water is slowly released, thereby, providing a steady and reliable supply of clean water to other floodplain habitats and downstream ecosystems. Wetland vegetation and its associated surface thatch and root mat substantially reduce the velocity of floodwaters, which has a stabilizing effect on the entire LSA. Reduced flood velocities result in the settling of suspended particulate matter in many locations, creating clearer water, which is favoured by juvenile fish and other aquatic species.

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Habitat Functions Perhaps wetlands are best known for their habitat functions, which are the functions that benefit fish, wildlife, native plants and other aquatic life. Habitat is defined as the part of the physical environment in which plants and animals live (Lapedes 1976). Wetlands are reputed to be among the most productive habitats in the world (Tiner 1989). As discussed previously, functions are not independent of one another and wetland class, vegetation community, soil type and hydrologic regime are all critical functions in determining the ability of a wetland to provide wildlife habitat.

Soils The soils found at wetland sites along the Proposed Route are typically referred to as hydric. Hydric soils develop under saturated conditions that have persisted long enough during the growing season to develop low oxygen content (anaerobic) conditions in the layer closest to the water (Spray and McGlothlin 2004).

The Proposed Route through Alberta/JNP avoids, as much as practical, areas of poorly-drained fluvial deposits on the floodplains of the Athabasca and Miette rivers. To avoid these wet areas, the Proposed Route is frequently aligned near the edges of valley walls along Highway 16 or along abandoned or active railway grades. The Proposed Route through MRPP avoids as much as practical areas of poorly-drained fluvial deposits on the floodplains of the Miette and Fraser rivers.

The predominant wetland soil classifications identified along the Proposed Route are Calcareous Rego Gleysols and Rego Gleysols (Erith, Vermilion Lakes 1, peaty Vermilion Lakes 1, Vermilion Lakes 2 and peaty Vermilion Lakes 2). These soils are fluvial in origin (i.e. fine overbank sediments) and range from loam to silt loam in texture. Soils located on alluvial fans are Hillsdale 1 and 2, and are described as Calcareous Orthic and Cumulic Regosols, sandy loam to gravely loam deposits of fluvial origin. Organic deposits (peat deposits greater than 50 cm thick) are practically nonexistent along the Proposed Route (TERA/Westland 2005b).

Another characteristic feature of the wetland soil types along the eastern portion of the Proposed Route is the presence of strongly calcareous soils due to the presence of local limestone parent material. Wetlands located in areas of calcium-rich bedrock are termed calcareous wetlands. These wetlands are characterized by cold inflowing groundwater (with basic [alkaline] pH) containing dissolved calcium and magnesium creating ecological conditions favourable to supporting certain calciphiles (calcium-tolerant plants).

Vegetation Community The Proposed Route traverses marsh vegetation comprised of emergent aquatic macrophytes such as grasses, sedges, rushes, reeds and shrubs, along with nonvascular plants such as brown mosses. Vegetation is usually arranged in distinct zones of parallel concentric patterns of open pools with aquatic plants to emergent reeds, through sedges, low rushes, sedges and herb meadows, to tall shrubs and trees at the extreme edge of the marsh. This distinct vegetation pattern follows a moisture gradient.

Fen vegetation encountered along the Proposed Route generally consists of graminoids, bryophytes, and scattered shrubs and trees. Sedges and mosses dominate wetter areas, and drier areas support shrubs and trees.

Shallow open water wetland vegetation within the Proposed Route’s LSA is often comprised of a combination of floating mats, emergents and hydrophytic trees or shrubs. The open water areas are often flanked by typical marsh or fen vegetation, and can include a variety of both marsh and fen vegetation species.

Wetlands are common in the Sub-Boreal Spruce (SBS) zone and occur frequently along the valley bottom in the LSA. Various types of wetland communities occur in poorly-drained post-glacial depressions and river oxbows including: sedge marshes; shrub fens of bog birch, swamp birch and willows; treed fens and swamps with black and hybrid spruce; and black spruce-Sphagnum bogs (fens) (Meidinger and Pojar 1991).

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

Surveys for rare vascular plant and nonvascular plant species, as well as rare, sensitive and unique plant communities, were conducted along the Proposed Route. Two distinct surveys were conducted along the Proposed Route in an attempt to capture early and late phenologies. The early survey was conducted from mid to late June 2005 and the second survey was conducted from late July through mid-August 2005 (for additional vegetation information see TERA/Westland 2005c).

Rare vascular plant species identified at wetland sites along the Proposed Route include:

• Crawe's sedge (Carex crawei), ranked as S2 in Alberta, is a perennial herb with stiff but slender stems 5-30 cm tall. The plant is found singly or in small clumps, and arises from rhizomes (Kershaw et al. 2001. The flower clusters are 2 to 5, widely spaced stalked spikes, with the uppermost spike containing only male flowers. Two populations of Crawe's sedge were found in calcareous fens or wetlands along the Proposed Route within JNP (approximately KP/KL 337.9 to KP/KL 338.0 and KP/KL 362.2).

• Green saxifrage (Chrysosplenium tetrandrum) is ranked as S3 and is on the Watch List in Alberta. It is a perennial herb less than 20 cm tall that grows on moist shady banks (Moss 1994). It has round to kidney-shaped leaves and branches near the top of the plants producing lobed green flowering bracts and sepals, with no petals. The capsule splits to reveal numerous light reddish-brown smooth seeds (Moss 1994). Three populations, each containing hundreds of plants, were found along the Proposed Route within JNP (one population at approximately KP/KL 383.7 and two populations at approximately KP/KL 383.8).

• Mamillate spikerush (Eleocharis mamillata) is unranked in Alberta, although the Albertan Natural Heritage Information Centre (ANHIC) has suggested an S1 rank be assigned this species. This is a mat-forming 10-50 cm tall perennial with a round, spongy, leafless stem. The solitary seed head occurs at the end of the stem, is 5-20 mm long and has 5-80 seeds that are yellow to dark brown. Each seed has bristles around it that are longer than the seed. This species occurs at fresh lakeshores, shallow ponds, streams, floating mats, bogs, fens, and ditches (Flora of North America Editorial Committee 2005). One population was found along the Proposed Route within JNP (approximately KP/KL 331.9).

• Mountain mare's-tail (Hippuris montana), ranked as S1, is an aquatic or amphibious perennial herb with delicate unbranched stems and slender rhizomes. Its pointed, linear leaves are 5-10 mm long, and grow in whorls of 5 to 8 (Kershaw et al. 2001). Mountain mare's-tail has been found in moist open sites along streams and on mossy banks. One population of mountain mare's-tail was observed growing within the intermittently-flooded shoreline of a fen, along the Proposed Route within JNP (approximately KL 331.9).

• Broad-lipped twayblade (Listera convallarioides) is ranked S2 in Alberta. This species is an 8-20 cm tall orchid with one pair of broadly oval, 3-5 cm long leaves, near the middle of the stem. The flowers are yellowish green, 4-5 mm long, with three lance-shaped bracts and 2 petals all bent backwards above one wedge-shaped, notched lower petal. This species blooms from July to September and occurs in boggy woods and meadows (Moss 1994, Kershaw et al. 2001). One population was found along the Proposed Route within JNP (approximately KL 352.3). Identifications of nonvascular plant specimens were also collected during the 2005 field survey. Rare nonvascular plant species (S1) identified at wetland sites along the Proposed Route include three bryophytes (Gymnocolea inflata at KP/KL 362.2, Didymodon vinealis at KP/KL 354.2 and Pellia neesiana at KP/KL 314.4) and two lichens (Solorinella asteriscus at KP/KL 354.2 and Collema coccophorum at KP/KL 371.9). A silverberry (Elaeagnus commutata) riparian shrubland community was observed at three locations on the Project Footprint in Alberta/JNP between KL 325.1, KL 337.0, and between KL 337.4 and KP/KL 337.6. This community type is identified by ANHIC as CEGL001098 and is ranked as Status Undetermined (SU) in Alberta due to some unresolved questions about the taxonomy (i.e., different silverberry community types are not clearly defined) and actual abundance of the community type globally as well as within Canada and Alberta (TERA/Westland 2005c). Silverberry riparian shrubland communities typically occur in moderately well to well-drained riparian areas, and were recorded within the Project Footprint at the Athabasca River and Drystone Creek. Silverberry riparian shrubland

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005 communities are often found on sites with additional moisture from seeps, groundwater or snow accumulation, however, they are intolerant of prolonged flood conditions or permanent high water tables (Allen 2005). Although silverberry is a species that seems to be strongly associated with disturbance, the silverberry riparian community type is known not to recover quickly after fire (Allen 2005). Silverberry strongly dominates the shrub layer in this community. Additional shrub species observed at the silverberry riparian communities on the Project Footprint include prickly rose, red osier dogwood, saskatoon, Canada, buffaloberry, common juniper and willows. Species recorded in the herbaceous layer include yellow dryad, prairie cinquefoil, prairie milk vetch, dwarf fireweed, common horsetail, golden sedge, water sedge, tufted hair grass, Scheuchzer cottongrass, common sagewort, early yellow loco-weed, reflexed loco-weed, Siberian aster, bluntleaf sandwort among others.

Fish and Fish Habitat Fish and fish habitat surveys were conducted at 29 wetlands along the Proposed Route. In total 40 sites were sampled and fish were observed at 16 of the sites. The following fish presence was recorded: brook stickleback, brook trout, bull trout, burbot, lake chub, longnose dace, longnose sucker, mountain whitefish, pearl dace and rainbow trout (TERA/Westland 2005d). In addition, each wetland was rated according to its fish habitat potential. Fish habitat was rated as high, moderate, or low according to its potential to provide spawning, rearing, wintering and migrating habitat for fish species. For specific results relating to each wetland, refer to Table 5.

Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat Several wildlife surveys conducted as part of the Project provide information useful in wetland description/classification and assessment of wetland function. Various wildlife and wildlife habitat studies were ongoing from the fall 2004 through the summer 2005 and include surveys for dragonflies, amphibians, migratory birds and mammals associated with wetlands. Surveys for rare species of dragonflies using wetlands in the LSAwere conducted between July 18 and July 22, 2005, by the TMX - Anchor Loop Wildlife Team (TERA/Westland 2005e for additional details). The focal species were Whitehouse’s emerald, a species of Special Status in Alberta and the Quebec emerald, a Blue-listed species in BC. These dragonflies occur in fens that contain shallow pools of water and are dominated by sedges. Wetlands along the Proposed Route were assessed for rare dragonfly presence and habitat suitability. Neither the Quebec emerald nor Whitehouse’s emerald was detected at any site. No additional at-risk dragonflies were detected in the Proposed Footprint. Most of the wetlands surveyed or inspected did not contain habitat suitable for the Quebec or Whitehouse’s emerald. Potentially suitable habitat was found at one wetland: W006 between KP/KL 317.6 and KP/KL 317.7.

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TABLE 5

SUMMARY OF FISH AND FISH HABITAT SURVEY FOR WETLANDS AND WATERBODIES IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO WETLANDS ALONG THE PROPOSED ROUTE

Location Location Fish Survey Spring Fall Wetland ID Start End AAR ID No. Location Species Present1 Spawning Spawning Rearing Wintering Migration Indirect Habitat W001 KP/KL 314.0 KP/KL 314.2 ------W002 KP/KL 314.3 KP/KL 314.6 E/Ee KP/KL 314.4 No fish captured or N N N N N NA observed W002 KP/KL 314.3 KP/KL 314.6 E.1 KP/KL 314.6 No fish observed or N N N N N NA captured W002 KP/KL 314.3 KP/KL 314.6 F KP/KL 314.6 No fish observed or N (BRST L) N N (BRST L) N (BRST N (BRST L) NA captured L) W003 KP/KL 315.5 KP/KL 315.6 G/Ge KP/KL 315.6 NA N N N N N NA W004 KP/KL 315.7 KP/KL 315.9 H/He KP/KL 315.8 NA N N N N N NA W005 KP/KL 315.9 KP/KL 316.0 DDD/DDDe KP/KL 316.0 NA N N N N N NA W006 KP/KL 317.6 KP/KL 317.7 I/Ie KP/KL 317.0 BRST, PRDC M (PRDC M M (PRDC & L (PRDC & M NA & BRST H) BRST H) BRST H) W009 KL 330.0 KL 330.2 R5 KL 330.1 LKCH LKCH-H BURB-H LKCH-H H N NA W011 KL 331.4 KL 332.3 JJJ KL 331.5 No fish observed or L L L L L NA captured Page 18 Page 18 W011 KL 331.4 KL 332.3 KKL KL 332.0 NA TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD Wc012 KL 333.6 KL 335.0 QQQ KL 335.1 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA W014 KL 336.5 KL 336.6 A5 KL 336.2 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA W015 KP/KL 337.9 KP/KL 338.1 9.0 KP/KL 338.0 BURB L L (winter M M M NA BURB H) W015 KP/KL 337.9 KP/KL 338.1 9.1 KP/KL 338.1 BURB L L (winter M M M ID 9 BURB H) (135 m downstream) W016 KP/KL 352.0 KP/KL 352.1 13.5 KP/KL 352.2 BKTR M H M H M NA W017 KP/KL 354.1 KP/KL 354.2 15.0 KP/KL 354.1 BKTR, MNWH, H H H H M Unnamed lake BLTR (75 m downstream) W018 KP/KL 357.6 KP/KL 357.8 20.0 KP/KL 357.0 No fish captured or L N N (RNTR L) N N (RNTR L) NA observed Wc019 KP/KL 361.8 KP/KL 362.4 21d KP/KL 361.6 No fish captured or M M/L L L M (MNWH L) NA observed W020 KP/KL 371.6 KP/KL 371.9 23.0 KP/KL 371.9 BKTR, MNWH, L (LNSC H) L- H H H Athabasca River BLTR, LNDC, LNSC salmonids (200 m downstream) W022 KP/KL 384.1 KP/KL 384.3 RRR KP/KL 384.2 NA N (BRST L) N N (BRST L) N (BRST N (BRST L) NA L) W023 KP/KL 386.7 KP/KL 386.8 29.0 KP/KL 386.8 RNTR, M M M H M Miette River Fish observed (100 m downstream) W024 KP/KL 387.2 KP/KL 387.4 29b KP/KL 387.0 BKTR L L M M L Miette River (250 m downstream) W025 KL 388.4 KL 388.6 A10 KL 388.2 No fish captured or L L L L L ID 30 observed (100 m downstream)

TABLE 5 Cont'd

Wetland Location Location Fish Survey Spring Fall ID Start End AAR ID No. Location Species Present1 Spawning Spawning Rearing Wintering Migration Indirect Habitat W025 KP/KL 388.4 KP/KL 388.6 A11 KL 388.5 No fish captured or L L L L L Miette River observed (60 m downstream) Wc026 KL 391.5 KL 394.4 A12 KL 390.3 BKTR, RNTR L L L M M Miette River captured, MNWH (78 m downstream) observed Wc026 KP/KL 391.5 KP/KL 394.4 A12 KP/KL 390.3 BKTR, RNTR L L L M M Miette River captured, MNWH (78 m downstream) observed Wc026 KP/KL 391.5 KP/KL 394.4 32.0 KP/KL 394.8 BKTR, RNTR M M H M H Miette River (280 m downstream) Wc027 KP/KL 395.9 KL 399.4 33.0 KP/KL 395.9 BKTR, LKCH, L L L (LKCH H) L (LKCH L (LKCH M) Miette River LNSC (LKCH M) M) (35 m downstream) Wc027 KP/KL 395.9 KL 399.4 34.0 KL 396.3 MNWH M M H H H NA Wc027 KL 395.9 KL 399.4 34 A KL 396.6 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Wc027 KL 395.9 KL 399.4 A14 KL 396.8 NA N N N N N NA W028 KL 401.4 KL 402.0 A17 KL 401.5 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Wc032 KL 407.8 KL 408.5 A23 KL 407.9 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Wc032 KL 407.8 KL 408.5 A24 KL 407.9 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

Page 19 Page 19 Wc032 KL 407.8 KL 408.5 A24.1 KL 408.1 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA W033 KP/KL 413.3 KP/KL 413.9 54.0 KP/KL 413.9 LKC M/L M/L H L M Witney Lake (130 m downstream) W034 KP/KL 414.1 KP/KL 414.5 55.0 KP/KL 414.4 RB M M H H M Yellowhead Lake (~500 m downstream) W035 KP/KL 414.9 KP/KL 415.1 56.0 KP/KL 414.9 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA W036 KP/KL 415.6 KP/KL 415.7 ------Wc045 KL 431.7 KL 432.7 A53 KL 431.6 No fish captured or L L L L L NA observed W047 KP/KL 466.2 KP/KL 466.4 171.0 KP/KL 466.4 No fish captured or L L L L L NA observed Notes: 1 Species Alberta British Columbia Species Alberta British Columbia Bull trout BLTR BT White sucker WHSC WSU Brook trout BKTR EB Lake chub LKCH LKC Rainbow trout RNTR RB Longnose dace LNDC LNC Mountain white fish MNWH MW Spoonhead sculpin SPSC CRI Northern pike NRPK NP Chinook salmon CH Burbot BURB BB Pearl dace PRDC PDC Longnose sucker LNSC LSU Brook stickleback BRST BSB Dolly Varden BT/DV Historically Dolly Varden were reported in BC but since the distinction of the species with Bull Trout it is suspected that the DV are most likely bull trout

Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

Amphibian surveys were conducted in wetland habitats along the Proposed Route from mid-April to mid- July, 2005 (TERA/Westland 2005e). Although surveys documented detections of all amphibian species within the LSA, the focal VECs were western (boreal) toad, boreal chorus frog and long-toed salamander, due to their special management status in the different jurisdictions (Parks Canada 2000) traversed by the Project. In total, the presence of amphibians was detected at 24 wetland complexes along the Proposed Route. In JNP, adult male boreal chorus frogs were heard calling at the Pocahontas Ponds wetlands (Wc012 between KL 333.6 and KL 335.0); one adult boreal chorus frog was subsequently found during visual surveys at the W011 wetland between KL 331.4 and KL 332.3.

The Wetland, Shrub and Riparian Forest Habitat found along the Proposed Route was identified as habitat type for ungulates, especially moose and elk in winter; carnivores, especially weasels, river otters, wolf, coyote, cougar and lynx; beavers and muskrats and other small mammals including bats, meadow vole, red-backed vole, dusky shrew, masked shrew, western jumping mouse, deer mouse, red squirrel and snowshoe hare (Holroyd and Van Tighem 1983). In addition, this habitat has the greatest diversity of passerine species in the LSA, with approximately 75% of all birds identified and detected in surveys in 2005 (TERA/Westland 2005e).

Migratory bird use and species were documented at wetlands in the LSA during the fall migration period in 2004 and spring migration period in 2005. In total, migratory bird species were recorded at 20 wetlands and lakes along the Proposed Route and 16 wetlands were found to be important as waterfowl staging areas during spring and/or fall migration. Key migratory bird habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, passerines and other terrestrial nonpasserines include numerous wetlands associated with the Athabasca River and its tributaries, and the Miette River floodplain in JNP. In MRPP, the wetlands associated with Yellowhead Lake, Witney Lake and the Fraser River headwaters, including the Moose Lake wetlands, provide suitable migratory bird habitat (Blackwell et al. 2001). The most commonly detected passerine species in the wetlands of the Proposed Route LSA include yellow-rumped warbler, American robin, warbling vireo, ruby-crowned kinglet and dark-eyed junco. Species that were detected only in wetland habitats include song sparrow, swamp sparrow, white-crowned sparrow and willow flycatcher.

5.1.2 Alberta / Jasper National Park (KP/KL 310.1 to KP/KL 405.9)

5.1.2.1 Wetland Classification, Abundance and Distribution Table 6 provides a summary of the number and lengths of wetland habitat traversed by the Alberta/JNP segment of the Proposed Route. This segment traverses 23 wetland complexes for approximately 9.3 km. In total, the AB/JNP segment of the Proposed Route encounters wetland habitat for 9.6% of its length. The total wetland area directly affected by the construction footprint is 25.46 ha.

TABLE 6

SUMMARY OF WETLANDS FOUND ALONG THE ALBERTA/JASPER NATIONAL PARK SEGMENT OF THE PROPOSED PIPELINE ROUTE

Number of Wetland Length Percentage of Area of Pipeline Route Complexes Encountered (km) Route Segment Direct Impact (ha) Alberta/JNP 23 9.3 9.6% 25.46

Wetlands classified as shallow open water are evenly distributed throughout this portion of the Project; marshes are more commonly associated with the dynamic environment of the high-energy Athabasca River, while fens are typically developing in the low-energy Miette River system. In all, the Alberta/JNP segment of the Project encounters 23 wetlands, which are classified in Table 7.

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

TABLE 7

WETLAND CLASSIFICATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION ALONG THE ALBERTA/JASPER NATIONAL PARK SEGMENT OF THE PROPOSED ROUTE

Dominant Wetland Class Number Crossed Shallow Open Water 9 Marsh 10 Fen 4 Total 23

Details, including wetland reference codes, locations, classifications, lengths of wetland crossed and area of direct impact along the Alberta/JNP segment of the Proposed Route are provided in Table 8.

TABLE 8

WETLANDS ENCOUNTERED ALONG THE ALBERTA/JASPER NATIONAL PARK SEGMENT OF THE PROPOSED PIPELINE ROUTE

Length of Area Wetland Wetland of Wetland Primary Hydro- Length Edge Direct Reference Location Location Wetland Wetland Ecological geomorphic Crossed Traversed Impact ID 1, 2 Start End Class(es) Form(s) Function Description(s) (m) (m) (ha) W001 KP/KL 314.0 KP/KL 314.2 Marsh Basin Hydrologic Surface 200 -- 0.27 Depression W002 KP/KL 314.3 KP/KL 314.6 Marsh Basin Hydrologic Surface Water 300 -- 0.55 Slope W003 KP/KL 315.5 KP/KL 315.6 Marsh Basin Hydrologic Surface 150 -- 0.56 Depression W004 KP/KL 315.7 KP/KL 315.9 Marsh Basin Hydrologic Surface Water 150 -- 0.41 Slope W005 KP/KL 315.9 KP/KL 316.0 Marsh Basin Hydrologic Surface Water 75 -- 0.10 Slope W006 KP/KL 317.6 KP/KL 317.7 Marsh - Shallow Basin Hydrologic Surface 100 -- 0.42 Open Water Depression W009 KL 330.0 KL 330.2 Shallow Open Basin Habitat Surface -- 200 0.35 Water - Marsh Depression W011 KL 331.4 KL 332.3 Shallow Open Riparian/ Habitat Relic Floodplain/ -- 500 1.16 Water - Marsh - Basin Surface Fen Depression Wc012 KL 333.6 KL 335.0 Shallow Open Riparian Hydrologic/ Floodplain -- 1,400 3.54 Water - Marsh - Habitat Fen W014 KL 336.5 KL 336.6 Shallow Open Riparian Hydrologic Floodplain 100 -- 0.58 Water - Marsh W015 KP/KL 337.9 KP/KL 338.1 Shallow Open Riparian Hydrologic Floodplain/ 200 -- 0.66 Water - Marsh Surface Water Slope W016 KP/KL 352.0 KP/KL 352.1 Shallow Open Basin Habitat Surface Water -- 100 0.0025 Water - Marsh - Slope Fen W017 KP/KL 354.1 KP/KL 354.2 Marsh - Shallow Riparian Habitat Floodplain/ -- 100 0.12 Open Water Surface Water Slope W018 KP/KL 357.6 KP/KL 357.8 Marsh - Shallow Basin Habitat Surface -- 150 0.39 Open Water Depression Wc019 KP/KL 361.8 KP/KL 362.4 Shallow Open Basin/ Habitat Floodplain/ -- 600 1.71 Water - Fen Riparian Surface Water Slope

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

TABLE 8 Cont'd

Length of Area Wetland Wetland of Wetland Primary Hydro- Length Edge Direct Reference Location Location Wetland Wetland Ecological geomorphic Crossed Traversed Impact ID 1, 2 Start End Class(es) Form(s) Function Description(s) (m) (m) (ha) W020 KP/KL 371.6 KP/KL 371.9 Shallow Open Basin Habitat Surface Water -- 300 0.61 Water - Marsh Slope W022 KP/KL 384.1 KP/KL 384.3 Marsh - Shallow Basin Habitat Surface -- 200 0.18 Open Water Depression/ Surface Water Slope W023 KP/KL 386.7 KP/KL 386.8 Fen Riparian Hydrologic Floodplain -- 100 0.22 W024 KP/KL 387.2 KP/KL 387.4 Shallow Open Basin Habitat Relic Floodplain/ -- 200 0.46 Water - Fen Surface Depression W025 KL 388.4 KL 388.6 Marsh Basin Habitat Surface Water 200 -- 0.52 Slope Wc026 KP/KL 391.5 KP/KL 394.4 Fen Riparian Hydrologic/ Floodplain 2900 -- 9.32 Water Quality/ Habitat Wc027 KP/KL 395.9 KL 399.4 Fen Riparian Hydrologic/ Floodplain -- 500 1.86 Water Quality/ Habitat W028 KL 401.4 KL 402.0 Fen Basin/ Hydrologic/ Surface 600 -- 1.46 Riparian Water Quality/ Depression/ Habitat Floodplain Notes: 1. Wetland Reference ID refined with ground reconnaissance during field studies (September 2005). 2. "C" used to denote "complex" with more than one wetland of the same class and form in the immediate area. 3. TERA Wetland ID assigned during initial desktop aerial photography mapping exercise (May 2005).

5.1.2.2 Proposed Route Detailed Wetland Descriptions Detailed descriptions of wetlands encountered along the Alberta/JNP portion of the Proposed Route are provided in Appendix C.

5.1.3 Mount Robson Provincial Park / British Columbia (KP/KL 405.9 to KP/KL 468)

5.1.3.1 Wetland Abundance and Distribution Table 9 summarizes the length and number of wetlands encountered along the MRPP/BC segment of the Proposed Route. Wetlands are primarily found along the floodplains of the Miette and Fraser rivers, and low-lying valley bottom areas adjacent to lakes. This segment traverses seven wetland complexes for approximately 1.85 km. In total, the MRPP/BC segment of the Proposed Route encounters wetland habitat along 2.7% of its total length. The total wetland area directly affected by the construction footprint is 3.64 ha.

TABLE 9

SUMMARY OF WETLANDS FOUND ALONG THE MOUNT ROBSON PROVINCIAL PARK / BRITISH COLUMBIA SEGMENT OF THE PROPOSED PIPELINE ROUTE

Number of Wetland Length Percentage of Area of Pipeline Route Complexes Encountered (km) Route Segment Direct Impact (ha) MRPP/BC 7 1.85 2.7% 3.64

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

Wetlands classified as shallow open water and marshes are less common along this portion of the Proposed Route than segments to the east, and fens are the dominant wetland class in this low-energy fluvial system. The total number of the wetlands encountered by the MRPP/BC portion of the Proposed Route and their classifications are provided in Table 10.

TABLE 10

WETLAND CLASSIFICATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION ALONG THE MOUNT ROBSON PROVINCIAL PARK / BRITISH COLUMBIA SEGMENT OF THE PROPOSED PIPELINE ROUTE

Dominant Wetland Class Number Crossed Shallow Open Water 1 Marsh 1 Fen 5 Total 7

Details, including wetland reference codes, locations, classifications, lengths of wetlands crossed and area of direct impact along the MRPP/BC portion of the Proposed Route are provided in Table 11.

TABLE 11

WETLANDS ENCOUNTERED ALONG THE MOUNT ROBSON PROVINCIAL PARK/BC SEGMENT OF THE PROPOSED ROUTE

Wetland Area of Wetland Primary Hydro- Length Length of Direct Reference Location Location Wetland Wetland Ecological geomorphic Crossed Wetland Edge Impact ID 1, 2 Start End Class(es) Form(s) Function Description(s) (m) Traversed (m) (ha) Wc032 KL 407.8 KL 408.5 Fen - Lacustrine Hydrologic/ Surface Water Not Traversed 0 Shallow Fringe/ Water Quality Slope Open Water Basin Habitat W033 KP/KL 413.3 KP/KL 413.9 Shallow Basin Hydrologic/ Lacustrine Not Traversed 0 Open Water Water Quality - Marsh Habitat W034 KP/KL 414.1 KP/KL 414.5 Fen Basin Habitat Surface Water -- 400 0.66 Slope W035 KP/KL 414.9 KP/KL 415.1 Fen Basin Habitat Surface Water -- 150 0.11 Slope W036 KP/KL 415.6 KP/KL 415.7 Fen Basin Habitat Surface Water -- 100 0.02 Slope Wc045 KL 431.7 KL 432.7 Fen Riparian/ Habitat Floodplain/ -- 1000 2.32 Basin Surface Depression W047 KP/KL 466.2 KP/KL 466.4 Marsh Basin Hydrologic/ Surface Water -- 200 0.52 Water Quality Slope Habitat Notes: 1. Wetland Reference ID refined with ground reconnaissance during field studies (September 2005). 2. "C" used to denote "complex" with more than one wetland of the same class and form in the immediate area. 3. TERA Wetland ID assigned during initial desktop aerial photography mapping exercise (May 2005).

5.1.3.2 Proposed Route Detailed Wetland Descriptions Detailed descriptions of wetlands encountered along the MRPP/BC portion of the Proposed Route are provided in Appendix D.

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

5.2 Existing Route

5.2.1 Overall Route Table 12 provides a summary of the number and lengths of wetland habitat crossed by the Existing Route. The overall Existing Route crosses 41 wetland complexes for approximately 19.0 km. In total, wetland habitat comprises 12% of the TMX - Anchor Loop alignment along the Existing Route. The total wetland area directly affected by the construction footprint is 43.26 ha.

TABLE 12

SUMMARY OF WETLANDS FOUND ALONG THE EXISTING ROUTE

Number of Wetland Length Percentage of Area of Pipeline Route Complexes Encountered (km) Route Segment Direct Impact (ha) Overall Existing Pipeline Route 41 19.0 12.0% 43.26 Alberta/JNP 26 11.6 12.1% 26.65 MRPP/BC 15 7.4 11.9% 16.61

Three main wetland classes occur along the Existing Route: Shallow Water, Marsh, and Fen. Fens are the only organic wetlands or peatlands in the LSA. Mineral wetlands that were observed include marshes and shallow water. Although each site has been identified as a unique class, all three wetland classes often occur together as a wetland complex in the same area and in various stages of development. These heterogeneous wetland complexes are a direct result of the varied and active fluvio-geomorphological processes that have influenced the floodplain ecosystem over long periods of time. Table 13 lists the classes of wetlands in the LSA and the number of each identified along the Existing Route. Marsh wetlands dominate the eastern portion of the LSA and Fens are more commonly developing in the western portion of the LSA.

TABLE 13

WETLAND CLASSIFICATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION ALONG THE EXISTING ROUTE

Dominant Wetland Class Number Crossed Shallow Open Water 10 Marsh 16 Fen 15 Total 41

Details, including wetland reference codes, locations, classifications, lengths of wetland crossed and area of direct impact along the overall Existing Route are provided in Table 14.

TABLE 14

WETLANDS ENCOUNTERED ALONG THE OVERALL EXISTING ROUTE

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

TABLE 14 Cont'd

Length of Wetland Wetland Area of Wetland Primary Hydro- Length Edge Direct Reference Location Location Wetland Wetland Ecological geomorphic Crossed Traversed Impact ID 1, 2 Start End Class(es) Form(s) Function Description(s) (m) (m) (ha) W004 KP/KL 315.7 KP/KL 315.9 Marsh Basin Hydrologic Surface Water 150 -- 0.40 Slope W005 KP/KL 315.9 KP/KL 316.0 Marsh Basin Hydrologic Surface Water 75 -- 0.10 Slope W006 KP/KL 317.6 KP/KL 317.7 Marsh - Basin Hydrologic Surface 100 -- 0.42 Shallow Depression Open Water Wc007 KP 325.9 KP 326.9 Marsh - Riparian/ Hydrologic/ Floodplain/ 1,000 -- 2.45 Shallow Basin Water Quality/ Beaver Dam Open Water Habitat Impoundments Wc008 KP 328.0 KP 329.4 Shallow Riparian Hydrologic/ Floodplain 1,400 -- 2.20 Open Water Water Quality/ - Marsh Habitat W010 KP 331.7 KP 332.2 Marsh - Riparian Hydrologic Floodplain Not traversed 0 Shallow Open Water - Fen W013 KP 334.1 KP 334.5 Shallow Riparian/ Habitat Relic Not Traversed 0 Open Water Basin Floodplain/ - Marsh Surface Depression W014 KP 336.7 KP 336.8 Shallow Riparian Hydrologic Floodplain 100 -- 0.24 Open Water - Marsh W015 KP/KL 337.9 KP/KL 338.1 Shallow Riparian Hydrologic Floodplain/ 200 -- 0.66 Open Water Surface Water - Marsh Slope W016 KP/KL 352.0 KP/KL 352.1 Shallow Basin Habitat Surface Water -- 100 0.0047 Open Water Slope - Marsh - Fen W017 KP/KL 354.1 KP/KL 354.2 Marsh - Riparian Habitat Floodplain/ -- 100 0.13 Shallow Surface Water Open Water Slope W018 KP/KL 357.6 KP/KL 357.8 Marsh - Basin Habitat Surface -- 150 0.39 Shallow Depression Open Water Wc019 KP/KL 361.8 KP/KL 362.4 Shallow Basin/ Habitat Floodplain/ -- 600 1.71 Open Water Riparian Surface Water - Fen Slope W020 KP/KL 371.6 KP/KL 371.9 Shallow Basin Habitat Surface Water -- 300 0.61 Open Water Slope - Marsh W021 KP 380.2 KP 380.4 Fen Riparian Hydrologic Relic 200 -- 0.13 Floodplain W022 KP/KL 384.1 KP/KL 384.3 Marsh - Basin Habitat Surface -- 200 0.18 Shallow Depression/ Open Water Surface Water Slope W023 KP/KL 386.7 KP/KL 386.8 Fen Riparian Hydrologic Floodplain -- 100 0.22 W024 KP/KL 387.2 KP/KL 387.4 Shallow Basin Habitat Relic -- 200 0.46 Open Water Floodplain/ - Fen Surface Depression Wc026 KP/KL 391.5 KP/KL 394.4 Fen Riparian Hydrologic/ Floodplain 2,900 -- 9.44 Water Quality/ Habitat Wc027 KP/KL 395.9 KP/KL 399.4 Fen Riparian Hydrologic/ Floodplain -- 500 1.59 Water Quality/ Habitat

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

TABLE 14 Cont'd

Length of Wetland Wetland Area of Wetland Primary Hydro- Length Edge Direct Reference Location Location Wetland Wetland Ecological geomorphic Crossed Traversed Impact ID 1, 2 Start End Class(es) Form(s) Function Description(s) (m) (m) (ha) Wc028 KP 401.4 KP 403.2 Fen Riparian/ Hydrologic/ Floodplain/ 900 -- 1.94 Basin Water Quality/ Beaver Dam Habitat Impoundments Wc029 KP 403.3 KP 404.4 Fen Riparian Hydrologic/ Floodplain 1,100 -- 1.87 Water Quality/ Habitat Wc030 KP 404.9 KP 405.2 Fen Riparian Habitat Floodplain 300 -- 0.10 Wc031 KP 407.5 KP 408.9 Shallow Lacustrine Hydrologic/ Floodplain -- 1,400 3.02 Open Water Fringe Water Quality/ - Fen Habitat W033 KP/KL 413.3 KP/KL 413.9 Shallow Basin Hydrologic/ Lacustrine Not Traversed 0 Open Water Water Quality/ - Marsh Habitat W034 KP/KL 414.1 KP/KL 414.5 Fen Basin Habitat Surface Water -- 400 0.66 Slope W035 KP/KL 414.9 KP/KL 415.1 Fen Basin Habitat Surface Water -- 150 0.11 Slope W036 KP/KL 415.6 KP/KL 415.7 Fen Basin Habitat Surface Water -- 100 0.02 Slope W037 KP 418.6 KP 418.8 Marsh - Fen Basin Habitat Surface Water 150 -- 0.35 Slope W038 KP 418.9 KP 419.0 Marsh - Fen Basin Habitat Surface Water 50 -- 0.13 Slope W039 KP 422.5 KP 422.6 Fen Riparian Hydrologic/ Floodplain 150 -- 0.24 Water Quality/ Habitat Wc040 KP 423.3 KP 423.6 Marsh - Fen Riparian Hydrologic/ Floodplain 300 -- 0.75 Water Quality/ Habitat Wc041 KP 424.0 KP 425.2 Fen Riparian Hydrologic/ Floodplain -- 750 1.82 Water Quality/ Habitat Wc042 KP 426.2 KP 427.4 Fen Riparian Hydrologic/ Floodplain 1,200 -- 3.34 Water Quality/ Habitat Wc043 KP 427.9 KP 428.0 Marsh - Fen Riparian Hydrologic/ Floodplain 150 -- 0.27 Water Quality/ Habitat Wc045 KP 431.7 KP 432.8 Fen Riparian Hydrologic/ Floodplain 1,100 -- 2.74 Water Quality/ Habitat W046 KP 434.0 KP 435.3 Fen Lacustrine Hydrologic/ Floodplain -- 1,300 2.63 Fringe Water Quality/ Habitat W047 KP/KL 466.2 KP/KL 466.4 Marsh Basin Hydrologic/ Surface Water -- 200 0.52 Water Quality/ Slope Habitat Notes: 1. Wetland Reference ID refined with ground reconnaissance during field studies (September 2005). 2. "C" used to denote "complex" with more than one wetland of the same class and form in the immediate area. 3. TERA Wetland ID assigned during initial desktop aerial photography mapping exercise (May 2005).

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

5.2.1.1 Wetland Function Studies

Hydrologic Function

Hydrogeomorphology A wetland’s hydrogeomorphology relies on the influencing hydrologic regime and the local topographic setting. The Existing Route’s wetland classification is essentially derived from assessing the hydrological processes resulting from water exchanges dictated by climate and topography. These factors control the nature and magnitude of water and solute fluxes (NWWG 1997). The hydrological systems along the Existing Route are 56% minerogenous and 44% ombrogenous. Mineral wetlands are the more common hydrological systems along the Athabasca River floodplain portion of the Existing Route; while peatlands become more prevalent in the Miette River and Fraser River systems.

Seasonal flooding and the movement of groundwater are a critical process for the development of wetlands associated with the Athabasca, Miette and Fraser rivers. Existing Route wetlands in these river corridors are, therefore, placed in the context of a dynamic mosaic of riparian habitats that transition between various stages of saturation in both time and space, and act as interconnected patches on the floodplain surface and below ground.

Water Sources The most prevalent source of water recharge to wetlands along the Existing Route is from periodic flooding caused by elevated water levels in nearby surface water bodies (i.e., Athabasca, Miette and Fraser rivers) and from groundwater inflow to the wetland area. Although precipitation may contribute to the source of water for wetlands along the Existing Route, typically, wetlands encountered along the Existing Route are fed by a combination of any, or all, of these sources.

Along the Existing Route, sites that have been inundated over time with sediment are being slowly removed from the active floodplains of the Athabasca, Miette and Fraser rivers. This transition is apparent as shifts from one wetland class to another (i.e., shallow open water to marsh or marsh to fen). Alterations in the vegetation community due to water quality issues are also evident along portions of the Existing Route. Fore example, many wetlands have plants that are tolerant to the calcareous conditions created by the LSA parent material, while other plants find such high-calcium environments toxic.

Sampling for water chemistry analyses was conducted at 30 wetlands along the Existing Route. A salinity analyses package (water) was completed by AGAT Laboratories in June 2005 which quantified the following parameters: pH, electrical conductivity, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, sulphate, TDS and turbidity.

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

The pH indicates the balance between the acids and bases in water, and is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration in solution. pH values reflect the solvent power of water, thereby indicating its possible chemical reactions on rocks, minerals and soils (Environment Canada 1979). The pH results along the Existing Route indicate that these wetlands are highly alkaline (ranging between 8.0 and 8.6). The source of alkalinity is possibly due to chemical reactions with the parent material and soils in the LSA.

The TDS concentrations and the relative abundance of major-ions in surface-water samples collected from wetlands along the Existing Route provide some insight into potential sources of water and influences on water quality. Major-ion chemistries of water samples wetlands between KP 424.0 and KP 433.0 were sodium-chloride dominated, indicating a probable influence from rainwater and/or salt aerosol. Based on this locations’ proximity to the drainage divide between the Miette and Fraser rivers (and the influx from overland flow and snowmelt/rainfall fed headwater streams) and the existence of both the highway and railway (and their associated maintenance), these results are not unexpected. In addition, major-ion chemistries of water samples from all wetlands indicated elevated calcium concentrations. In particular, the wetlands between KP 422.0 and KP 438.0 (W039 to W046) are calcium- dominated. Concentrations of potassium, sodium and magnesium showed patterns similar to calcium. These concentrations are related to the alkalinity of the wetland environments and indicate a direct influence from the local rocks and minerals, while the higher percent calcium and bicarbonate in these wetlands suggests a strong influence from groundwater seepage. Thus, the wetlands along this segment of the Existing Route are possibly equally influence by groundwater and precipitation. The remaining wetlands sampled had variable TDS concentrations and mixed major-ion chemistries.

Several wetland riparian/floodplain sites in MRPP between KP 426.2 and KP 428.0 (Wc042 and Wc043) indicated high values for turbidity. Turbidity is a measure of the suspended particles such as silt, clay, organic matter, plankton and microscopic organisms in water (Environment Canada 1979). The amount of solid materials in these wetlands may be the result of natural erosion, runoff and/or algal blooms. High turbidity negatively affects aquatic and emergent vegetations ability to photosynthesize, which, in turn may suppress fish, fish habitat and other aquatic species. Values for total dissolved solid sampling compliment the turbidity results.

Water Storage, Regulation and Filtration Floodplain/riparian wetlands along the Existing Route serve as huge, natural water reservoirs and regulators for the Athabasca, Miette and Fraser rivers. The substantial root zones and peat deposits act as a natural sponge, and the deeper gravel and cobble deposits store vast volumes of groundwater. This stored water is slowly released, thereby, providing a steady and reliable supply of clean water to other floodplain habitats and downstream ecosystems. Wetland vegetation and its associated surface thatch and root mat substantially reduce the velocity of floodwaters, which has a stabilizing effect on the entire LSA. Reduced flood velocities result in the settling of suspended particulate matter in many locations, creating clearer water, which is favoured by juvenile fish and other aquatic species.

Habitat Functions

Soils The soils found at wetland sites along the Existing Route are typically referred to as hydric. Hydric soils develop under saturated conditions that have persisted long enough during the growing season to develop low oxygen content (anaerobic) conditions in the layer closest to the water (Spray and McGlothlin 2004).

The Existing Route through Alberta/JNP is aligned through areas of sensitive, poorly-drained fluvial deposits on the floodplains of the Athabasca and Miette rivers. The Existing Route through MRPP/BC is aligned through areas of poorly-drained fluvial deposits on the floodplains of the Miette and Fraser rivers. There is a much higher occurrence of poorly-drained fluvial and organic materials (i.e., wetland habitat) along the Existing Route through MRPP than any other alignment proposed by the Project.

The predominant wetland soil classifications identified along the Existing Route are Calcareous Rego Gleysols and Rego Gleysols (Erith, Vermilion Lakes 1, peaty Vermilion Lakes 1, Vermilion Lakes 2 and

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005 peaty Vermilion Lakes 2). These soils are fluvial in origin (i.e., fine overbank sediments) and range from loam to silt loam in texture. Soils located on alluvial fans are Hillsdale 1 and 2 and are described as Calcareous Orthic and Cumulic Regosols, sandy loam to gravely loam deposits of fluvial origin. Organic soils, mainly Typic and Fibric Mesisols (Ghita 1 and Ghita 2) are moss peat and moss peat veneer overlying fluvial material, are also very poorly drained. Organic deposits (peat deposits greater than 50 cm thick) occupy less than 1% of the Existing Route. Peat deposits greater than 1 m thick occur just east of Moose Lake along the Existing Route. The peat material is usually semi-decomposed (TERA/Westland 2005b).

Another characteristic feature of the wetland soil types along the eastern portion of the LSA is the presence of strongly calcareous soils due to the presence of local limestone parent material. Wetlands located in areas of calcium-rich bedrock are termed calcareous wetlands. These wetlands are characterized by cold inflowing groundwater (with basic [alkaline] pH) containing dissolved calcium and magnesium creating ecological conditions favourable to supporting certain calciphiles (calcium-tolerant plants).

Vegetation Community The Existing Route traverses marsh vegetation comprised of emergent aquatic macrophytes such as grasses, sedges, rushes reeds and shrubs, along with nonvascular plants such as brown mosses. Vegetation is usually arranged in distinct zones of parallel concentric patterns of open pools with aquatic plants to emergent reeds, through sedges, low rushes, sedges and herb meadows, to tall shrubs and trees at the extreme edge of the marsh. This distinct vegetation pattern follows a moisture gradient.

Fen vegetation encountered along the Existing Route generally consists of graminoids, bryophytes, and scattered shrubs and trees. Sedges and mosses dominate wetter areas, and drier areas support shrubs and trees.

Shallow open water wetland vegetation within the Existing Route’s LSA is often comprised of a combination of floating mats, emergents and hydrophytic trees or shrubs. The open water areas are often flanked by typical marsh or fen vegetation or can include a variety of both marsh and fen vegetation species.

Along the Existing Route, there are wetlands classified as fens that appear to be in transition to bogs. Bogs are ombrogenous peatlands that receive their surface water only from precipitation, have low water flow and are acidic environments. These transitioning wetlands are classified as fens in this report because according to the multi-disciplinary results acquired during the 2005-2005 surveys, these wetlands display characteristics that are more consistent with descriptions of fens than with bogs.

Wetlands are common in the Sub-Boreal Spruce (SBS) zone and occur frequently along valley bottoms of the LSA. Various types of wetland communities occur in poorly-drained post-glacial depressions and river oxbows including: sedge marshes; shrub fens of bog birch, swamp birch and willows; treed fens and swamps with black and hybrid spruce; and black spruce-Sphagnum bogs (fens) (Meidinger and Pojar 1991).

Surveys for rare vascular and non vascular plant species and rare, sensitive and unique plant communities were conducted along the Existing Route. Two distinct surveys were conducted along the pipeline route in an attempt to capture early and late phenologies. The early survey was conducted from mid to late June 2005 and the second survey was conducted from late July through mid August 2005 (for additional vegetation information see TERA/Westland 2005c).

Rare vascular plant species identified along wetland/fens/bogs portions of the Existing Route include:

• Ascending grape fern (Botrychium ascendens) is ranked S1 in AB and G2G3 globally. This species is 5-15 cm tall. It has a leafy blade with up to five pairs of well-separated leaf lobes with toothed margins. The fertile blade is equal to twice the height of the leafy blade. This species occurs in grassy fields, roadside clearings and wetland meadows from low elevation to the subalpine (Williston 2001). One population containing seven plants were found in a spruce/aspen mixedwood stand along the Existing Route within JNP at KP 398.9.

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

• Northwestern grape fern (Botrychium pinnatum) is ranked S1 in Alberta. It is an 8-15 cm tall fleshy perennial. The sterile blade is shiny bright green, stalkless, oblong, and up to 8 cm long and 5 cm wide. The fertile blade is twice-divided and 1-2 times as long as the sterile blade. This species occurs in open, moist to mesic sites in montane, subalpine and alpine zones (Kershaw et al. 2001). One population was found along the Existing Route within JNP at KP 403.7 contained only two plants in a 2 x 2 m area on the edge of a wetland.

• Crawe's sedge (Carex crawei), ranked as S2 in Alberta, is a perennial herb with stiff but slender stems 5 to 30 cm tall. The plant is found singly or in small clumps, and arises from rhizomes (Kershaw et al. 2001. The flower clusters are 2 to 5 widely spaced stalked spikes, with the uppermost spike containing only male flowers. Two populations of Crawe's sedge were found in calcareous fens or wetlands along the Existing Route within JNP at KP/KL 337.9 to KP/KL 338.0 and KP/KL 362.2.

• Seaside sedge (Carex incurviformis), ranked as S2 in Alberta, is a low perennial herb with solitary stems. The plant is found in gravely alpine areas, salt marshes and river flats, and arises from rhizomes and stolons (Kershaw et al. 2001). The flower spikes are stalkless, with male flowers at the tip. The lens-shaped seed-like fruits are about 1.5 mm long. One population containing 12 plants was found along the Existing Route within JNP at KP 337.6.

• Green saxifrage (Chrysosplenium tetrandrum) is ranked as S3 and is on the Watch List in Alberta. It is a perennial herb less than 20 cm tall that grows on moist shady banks (Moss 1994). It has round to kidney-shaped leaves and branches near the top of the plants producing lobed green flowering bracts and sepals, with no petals. The capsule splits to reveal numerous light reddish-brown smooth seeds (Moss 1994). Three populations, each containing hundreds of plants, were found along the Existing Route within JNP at KP/KL 383.7, KP/KL 383.8 and KP/KL 383.8.

• Slenderleaf sundew (Drosera linearis) is not ranked in BC, however, it is likely to be added to the Red list (TERA/Westland 2005c) and is speculated to have an S1 rank. This is a small insectivorous perennial herb with reddish, glandular-hairy leaves that are longer than broad (2-5 cm long) and linear (2 mm wide). One to four flowers occur on a leafless stem and have 4-8 white petals that are 6 mm long. This species occurs in bogs, and often in marly sites (Moss 1994, Kershaw et al. 2001). Two populations, each with approximately 50 plants, were noted along the Existing Route in MRPP at KP 424.8 and KP 426.4.

• Mamillate spikerush (Eleocharis mamillata) is unranked in Alberta, although ANHIC has suggested an S1 rank be assigned this species. This is a mat-forming 10-50 cm tall perennial with a round, spongy, leafless stem. The solitary seed head occurs at the end of the stem, is 5-20 mm long and has 5-80 seeds that are yellow to dark brown. Each seed has bristles around it that are longer than the seed. This species occurs at fresh lakeshores, shallow ponds, streams, floating mats, bogs, fens, and ditches (Flora of North America Editorial Committee 2005). One population was found along the Existing Route within JNP at KP/KL 331.9.

• Mountain mare's-tail (Hippuris montana), ranked as S1 in Alberta, is an aquatic or amphibious perennial herb with delicate unbranched stems and slender rhizomes. its pointed, linear leaves are 5 to 10 mm long, and grow in whorls of 5 to 8 (Kershaw et al. 2001). Mountain mare's-tail has been found in moist open sites along streams and on mossy banks. One population of mountain mare's-tail was observed growing within the intermittently-flooded shoreline of a fen, along the Existing Route within JNP at KP/KL 331.5.

• Thread rush (Juncus filiformis) is ranked S2S3 in Alberta. It is a 1-6 dm tall, slender, round-stemmed plant with basal leaves that are reduced to sheaths or short bristles. The seed spikelets appear mid- way up the stem, and are 5-10 flowered, open, and 1-3 cm high. The flower segments are 2.5-3.5 mm long and are green with translucent margins. This species flowers in June and July and occurs in bogs, fens and marshes (Moss 1994, Kershaw et al. 2001). Two populations were found along the Existing Route within JNP at KP 388.7and KP 388.8.

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

above one wedge-shaped, notched lower petal. This species blooms from July to September and occurs in boggy woods and meadows (Moss 1994, Kershaw et al. 2001). One population with more than 25 individuals was found along the Existing Route within JNP at KP/KL 352.3.

• Dwarf bulrush (Trichophorum pumilum), ranked as S2 in Alberta, is a perennial herb 5 to 20 cm tall with round, stiff, wiry stems and rhizomes. The flower clusters are single, egg-shaped spikelets, with scales that are chestnut brown with a green midvein (Kershaw et al. 2001). Dwarf club-rush grows in calcareous fens. Five populations were found along the existing route at KP/KL 314.6, KP/KL 314.6, KP/KL 336.7, KP/KL 346.4 and KP/KL 361.5.

Rare nonvascular plant species (S1) identified at wetland sites along the Existing Route include 7 bryophytes (Gymnocolea inflata at KP/KL 362.2 and Didymodon vinealis at KP/KL 354.2), and 5 occurrences of rare lichens (Solorinella asteriscus at KP 330.1, KP 333.8, KP 33.8 and KP/KL 354.2 and Collema coccophorum at KP/KL 371.9).

Two wetland and riparian communities were observed along the Existing Route; these include the silverberry riparian shrubland communities and a unique calcareous fen community.

Silverberry riparian shrubland (CEGL001098) communities were observed at two locations on the footprint of the Existing Route along the Alberta/JNP segment (approximately KP/KL 336.9 to KP/KL 337.0 and KP/KL 337.5 to KP/KL 337.6). This community type is identified by ANHIC as CEGL001098 and is ranked SU in Alberta due to some unresolved questions about the taxonomy (i.e., different silverberry community types are not clearly defined) and actual abundance of the community type globally as well as within Canada and Alberta (TERA/Westland 2005c). Silverberry riparian shrubland communities typically occur in moderately well to well-drained riparian areas, and were recorded within the footprint of the Existing Route at the Athabasca River and Drystone Creek. Silverberry riparian shrubland communities are often found on sites with additional moisture from seeps, groundwater or snow accumulation, however, they are intolerant of prolonged flood conditions or permanent high water tables (Allen 2005). Although silverberry is a species that seems to be strongly associated with disturbance, the silverberry riparian community type is known not to recover quickly after fire (Allen 2005). Silverberry strongly dominates the shrub layer in this community. Additional shrub species observed at the silverberry riparian communities on the footprint include prickly rose, red osier dogwood, saskatoon, Canada buffaloberry, common juniper and willows. Species recorded in the herbaceous layer include yellow dryad, prairie cinquefoil, prairie milk vetch, dwarf fireweed, common horsetail, golden sedge, water sedge, tufted hair grass, Scheuchzer cottongrass, common sagewort, early yellow loco-weed, reflexed loco-weed, Siberian aster, bluntleaf sandwort among others.

A unique calcareous fen community was observed on the Existing Route in MRPP (approximately KP 424.8 [Wc041]). This wetland is similar to the SBSdh/Wf10 tufted clubrush/golden star-moss community described in Wetlands of British Columbia: A Guide to Identification (MacKenzie and Moran 2004), however, it is not a true fit to that community description. The SBSdh/Wf10 community type is ranked S2/Red in BC. Although the observed community cannot be considered the equivalent to the S2/Red listed SBSdh/Wf10, it is considered a unique and sensitive community (TERA/Westland 2005c). The observed calcareous fen community occurs in a poorly-drained depressional area with marl deposits. Dominant species include livid sedge, bog sedge, marsh horsetail and mosses. Shrub cover is sparse and includes bog birch and willows. The rare species slenderleaf sundew was observed in this wetland community.

Vegetation observations made during surveys of wetland sites along the Existing Route include: areas adjacent to natural wetlands generally did not appear to be altered in vegetation type from that of the surrounding wetlands; in some cases, vegetation diversity along the right-of-way appeared to increase; and any surface water flow restriction (i.e. ponding) and its influence on vegetation growth/type seems to have been reversed by nature.

Fish and Fish Habitat Fish and fish habitat surveys were conducted at 36 wetlands along the Existing Route. In total 59 sites were sampled and fish were observed at 26 of the sites. The following fish presence was recorded: brook

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005 stickleback, brook trout, bull trout, burbot, lake chub, longnose dace, longnose sucker, mountain whitefish, pearl dace and rainbow trout (TERA/Westland 2005d).

In addition, each wetland was rated according to its fish habitat potential. Fish habitat is rated as high, moderate, or low according to its potential to provide spawning, rearing, wintering and migrating habitat for fish species. For specific results relating to each wetland, refer to Table 15.

Surveys for rare species of dragonflies and incidental observations of other invertebrates of the Project area wetlands were conducted between July 18 and July 22, 2005, by the TMX - Anchor Loop Wildlife Team (TERA/Westland 2005e for additional details). The focal species were Whitehouse’s emerald, a species of Special Status in Alberta and the Quebec emerald, a Blue-listed species in BC. These dragonflies occur in fens that contain shallow pools of water and are dominated by sedges.

Wetlands along the Existing Route were assessed for rare dragonfly presence and habitat suitability. Neither the Quebec emerald nor Whitehouse’s emerald was detected at any site. No additional at-risk dragonflies were detected in the Project Footprint. Most of the wetlands surveyed or inspected did not contain habitat suitable for the Quebec or Whitehouse’s emerald. Potentially suitable habitat was found at three wetlands: W006 between KP/KL 317.6 and KP/KL 317.7, Wc028 between KP 401.4 and KP 403.2 and W046 between KP 434.0 and KP 435.3.

Amphibian surveys were conducted in wetland habitats along the Existing Route from mid-April to mid- July, 2005 (TERA/Wetland 2005e). Although surveys documented detections of all amphibian species LSA, the focal VECs were western (boreal) toad, boreal chorus frog and long-toed salamander, due to their special management status in the different jurisdictions traversed by the Project. In total, 87 wetland sites along the Existing Route were surveyed for presence of amphibians. In JNP in June 2005, adult male boreal chorus frogs were heard calling near the Pocahontas Ponds wetlands (W010 between KP 331.7 and KP 332.2.

The Wetland, Shrub and Riparian Forest Habitat found along the Existing Route was identified as habitat type for ungulates, especially moose and elk in winter; carnivores, especially weasels, river otters, wolf, coyote, cougar and lynx; beavers and muskrats and other small mammals including bats, meadow vole, red-backed vole, dusky shrew, masked shrew, western jumping mouse, deer mouse, red squirrel and snowshoe hare (Holroyd and Van Tighem 1983). In addition, this habitat has the greatest diversity of passerine species in the LSA, with approximately 75% of all birds detected in surveys in 2005 (TERA/Westland 2005e).

Migratory bird use and species were documented at wetlands in the LSA during the fall migration period in 2004 and spring migration period in 2005. In total, migratory bird species were recorded at 25 wetlands and lakes along the Existing Route and 19 were found to be important as waterfowl staging areas during spring and/or fall migration. Key migratory bird habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, passerines and other terrestrial nonpasserines include numerous wetlands associated with the Athabasca River and its tributaries, and the Miette River floodplain in JNP. In MRPP, the wetlands associated with Yellowhead Lake, Witney Lake and the Fraser River headwaters, including the Moose Lake wetlands, provide suitable migratory bird habitat. The most commonly detected passerine species in the wetlands of the LSA include yellow-rumped warbler, American robin, warbling vireo, ruby-crowned kinglet and dark-eyed junco. Species that were detected only in wetland habitats include song sparrow, swamp sparrow, white- crowned sparrow and willow flycatcher.

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TABLE 15

SUMMARY OF FISH AND FISH HABITAT SURVEY FOR WETLANDS AND WATERBODIES IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO WETLANDS ALONG THE EXISTING ROUTE

Location Location Fish Survey Wetland ID Start End AAR ID No Location Species Present1 Spring Spawning Fall Spawning Rearing Wintering Migration Indirect Habitat W001 KP/KL 314.0 KP/KL 314.2 ------W002 KP/KL 314.3 KP/KL 314.6 E/Ee KP/KL 314.4 No fish captured or observed N N N N N NA W002 KP 314.3 KP 314.6 Fe KP 314.6 No fish observed or captured N N N N) N NA W003 KP/KL 315.5 KP/KL 315.6 G/Ge KP/KL 315.6 NA N N N N N NA W004 KP/KL 315.7 KP/KL 315.9 H/He KP/KL 315.8 NA N N N N N NA W005 KP/KL 315.9 KP/KL 316.0 DDD/DDDe KP/KL 316.0 NA N N N N N NA W006 KP/KL 317.6 KP/KL 317.7 I/Ie KP/KL 317.0 BRST, PRDC M (PRDC & BRST M M (PRDC L (PRDC & M NA H) & BRST H) BRST H) Wc007 KP 325.9 KP 326.9 1.0 KP 325.9 No fish captured or observed L L M L L NA Wc007 KP 325.9 KP 326.9 2.3 KP 326.2 No fish captured or observed L L (BURB M) L (BURB L L ID 2 M) (200 m downstream) Wc007 KP 325.9 KP 326.9 2.2 KP 326.3 NA N N N N N NA

Page 33 Page 33 Wc007 KP 325.9 KP 326.9 2.1 KP 326.3 NA N N N N N NA Wc007 KP 325.9 KP 326.9 2.0 KP 326.3 BURB, BKTR M M (BLTR L) M (BLTR M (BLTR L) M (BLTR L) NA L) Wc007 KP 325.9 KP 326.9 X2 left fork KP 326.4 BKTR, BURB M M (BLTR L) M (BLTR M (BLTR L) M (BLTR L) ID 2 L) (200 m downstream) Wc007 KP 325.9 KP 326.9 X2 right KP 326.4 BKTR, BURB M M (BLTR L) M (BLTR M (BLTR L) M (BLTR L) ID 2 fork L) (200 m downstream) Wc007 KP 325.9 KP 326.9 X1.1 KP 326.6 NA L L L L L NA Wc007 KP 325.9 KP 326.9 X1.1 KP 326.4 BKTR, BURB M M (BLTR L) M (BLTR M (BLTR L) M BLTR L) ID 2 L) (114 m downstream) Wc007 KP 325.9 KP 326.9 3.0 KP 326.8 BURB, MNWH, BKTR, BLTR H H (BLTR, BURB H M M NA M) Wc008 KP 328.0 KP 329.4 X3 KP 328.2 No fish observed or captured L L H H L NA Wc008 KP 328.0 KP 329.4 X4 KP 328.8 WHSC, NRPK, BLTR, BKTR, NRPK-H M NRPK-H M L NA MNWH W010 KP 331.7 KP 332.2 LLL KP 331.7 NRPK L (NRPK H) L M M M NA W013 KP 334.1 KP 334.5 6.0 KP 335.2 Not sampled-dry N N N N N NA W014 KP 336.7 KP 336.8 8.0 KP 336.7 No fish observed or captured L L L L L NA (Athabasca River > 300 m downstream) W015 KP/KL 337.9 KP/KL 338.1 9.0 KP/KL 338.0 BURB L L (winter BURB- M M M NA H) W015 KP/KL 337.9 KP/KL 338.1 9.1 KP/KL 338.1 BURB L L (winter BURB- M M M ID 9 H) (135 m downstream) W016 KP/KL 352.0 KP/KL 352.1 13.5 KP/KL 352.2 BKTR M H M H M NA

TABLE 15 Cont'd

Location Location Fish Survey Wetland ID Start End AAR ID No Location Species Present1 Spring Spawning Fall Spawning Rearing Wintering Migration Indirect Habitat W017 KP/KL 354.1 KP/KL 354.2 15.0 KP/KL 354.1 BKTR, MNWH, BLTR, RNTR H H H H M Unnamed lake (75 m downstream) W018 KP/KL 357.6 KP/KL 357.8 20.0 KP/KL 357.0 No fish captured or observed L N N (RNTR N N (RNTR L) NA L) Wc019 KP/KL 361.8 KP/KL 362.4 21d KP/KL 361.6 No fish captured or observed M M/L L L M (MNWH L) NA W020 KP/KL 371.6 KP/KL 371.9 23.0 KP/KL 371.9 BKTR, BLTR, LNDC, LNSC, L(LNSC H) L H H H Athabasca River MNWH (200 m downstream) W021 KP 380.2 KP 380.4 25.0 KP 380.3 No fish captured or observed N BURB M BURB M BURB L BURB M Miette River (300 m downstream) W022 KP/KL 384.1 KP/KL 384.3 RRR KP/KL 384.2 NA BRST L N BRST L BRST L BRST L NA W023 KP/KL 386.7 KP/KL 386.8 29.0 KP/KL 386.8 RNTR, Fish observed M M M H M Miette River (100 m downstream) W024 KP/KL 387.2 KP/KL 387.4 29b KP/KL 387.0 BKTR L L M M L Miette River (250 m downstream) Wc026 KP 391.5 KP 394.4 UUU KP 390.1 NA N N N N N NA Wc026 KP/KL 391.5 KP/KL 394.4 32.0 KP/KL 394.8 BKTR, RNTR M M H M H Miette River (280 m downstream) Wc027 KP/KL 395.9 KP/KL 399.4 33.0 KP/KL 395.9 BKTR, LKCH, LNSC L (LKCH M) L L (LKCH L (LKCH M) L (LKCH M) Miette River

Page 34 Page 34 H) (35 m downstream) Wc027 KP/KL 395.9 KP/KL 399.4 34.0 KP/KL 396.3 MNWH M M H H H NA Wc027 KP 395.9 KP 399.4 A15 KP 399.2 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Wc028 KP 401.4 KP 403.2 38.0 KP 401.6 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Wc029 KP 403.3 KP 404.4 39.0 KP 403.9 TBD Not sampled - - - - - Wc029 KP 403.3 KP 404.4 40.0 KP 404.1 RNTR, BKTR, LKCH H H H H L Miette River (130 m downstream) Wc031 KP 407.5 KP 408.9 46; 47 KP 407.8 LNC L L H M M Wetland is headwaters of Yellowhead Creek Wc031 KP 407.5 KP 408.9 48 KP 408.3 LNC, WSU L L M L M Wetland is headwaters of Yellowhead Creek Wc031 KP 407.5 KP 408.9 49 KP 408.9 LNC L L M L H Yellowhead wetland (~200 m downstream) W033 KP/KL 413.3 KP/KL 413.9 54 KP/KL 413.9 LKC M/L M/L H L M Witney Lake (130 m downstream) W034 KP/KL 414.1 KP/KL 415.5 55 KP/KL 414.4 RB M M H H M Yellowhead Lake (~500 m downstream) W035 KP/KL 414.9 KP/KL 415.1 56 KP/KL 414.9 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA W037 KP 418.6 KP 418.8 59 KP 418.7 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA W038 KP 418.9 KP 419.0 60 KP 419.0 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA @039 KP 422.5 KP 422.6 67 KP 422.5 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Wc040 KP 423.3 KP 423.6 71 KP 423.4 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Wc040 KP 423.3 KP 423.6 72 KP 423.8 Not sampled - - - - - NA Wc041 KP 424.0 KP 425.2 73 KP 424.8 NA N N N N N NA Wc041 KP424.0 KP 425.2 74 KP 425.1 LKC L L M L L Fraser River (200 m downstream)

TABLE 15 Cont'd

Location Location Fish Survey Wetland ID Start End AAR ID No Location Species Present1 Spring Spawning Fall Spawning Rearing Wintering Migration Indirect Habitat Wc042 KP 426.2 KP 427.4 79 KP 426.2 No fish captured or observed N N N N N NA Wc042 KP 426.2 KP 427.4 80 KP 427.0 NA N N N N N NA Wc042 KP 426.2 KP 427.4 81 KP 427.4 LKC L L L L L NA Wc043 KP 427.9 KP 428.0 83 KP 427.8 Not sampled - - - - - NA Wc044 KP 431.7 KP 432.8 88 KP 431.8 No fish captured or observed H H H H H NA Wc044 KP 431.7 KP 432.8 89 KP 432.3 No fish captured or observed L L L L L NA W046 KP 434.0 KP 435.3 92 KP 433.8 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA W047 KP/KL 466.2 KP/KL 466.4 171 KP/KL 466.4 No fish captured or observed L L L L L NA Notes: 1 Species Alberta British Columbia Species Alberta British Columbia Bull trout BLTR BT White sucker WHSC WSU Brook trout BKTR EB Lake chub LKCH LKC Rainbow trout RNTR RB Longnose dace LNDC LNC Mountain white fish MNWH MW Spoonhead sculpin SPSC CRI Northern pike NRPK NP Chinook salmon CH Burbot BURB BB Pearl dace PRDC PDC Page 35 Page 35 Longnose sucker LNSC LSU Brook stickleback BRST BSB Dolly Varden BT/DV Historically Dolly Varden were reported in BC but since the distinction of the species with Bull Trout it is suspected that the DV are most likely bull trout

Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

The Existing Route crosses nine wetland sites and associated riparian zones between Yellowhead Lake and Moose Lake (KP 416.0 to KP 435.0). The extensive wetland complexes along this portion of the upper Fraser River is important habitat for a variety of wildlife species, including ungulates, waterfowl, amphibians, bears, wolves, small mammals and songbirds. No evidence of the existing Trans Mountain pipeline can be observed at many of these wetland complexes.

5.2.2 Alberta / Jasper National Park (KP/KL 310.1 to KP/KL 405.9)

5.2.2.1 Wetland Abundance and Distribution Table 16 summarizes the length and number of wetlands encountered in the Alberta/JNP jurisdiction along the Existing Route. Wetlands are primarily found along the floodplains of the Athabasca and Miette rivers, and low-lying valley bottom areas adjacent to lakes. This segment traverses 26 wetland complexes for approximately 11.6 km. In total, the AB/JNP portion of the Existing Route encounters wetland habitat along 12.1% of its length. The total wetland area directly affected by the construction footprint is 26.65 ha.

TABLE 16

SUMMARY OF WETLANDS FOUND ALONG THE ALBERTA/JASPER NATIONAL PARK SEGMENT OF THE EXISTING ROUTE

Length Area of Pipeline Route Number of Wetland Complexes Encountered (km) Percentage of Route Segment Direct Impact (ha) Alberta/JNP 26 11.6 12.1% 26.65

Wetlands classified as shallow open water are evenly distributed throughout the Alberta/JNP segment of the Existing Route; marshes are more commonly associated with the dynamic environment of the high- energy Athabasca River, while fens are typically developing in the low-energy Miette River system. In all, the Alberta/JNP segment of the Existing Route encounters 26 wetlands which are classified in Table 17.

TABLE 17

WETLAND CLASSIFICATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION ALONG THE ALBERTA/JASPER NATIONAL PARK SEGMENT OF THE EXISTING ROUTE

Dominant Wetland Class Number Crossed Shallow Open Water 8 Marsh 11 Fen 7 Total 26

Details, including wetland reference codes, locations, classifications, lengths of wetland crossed and area of direct impact along this AB/JNP segment of the Existing Route are provided in Table 18.

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TABLE 18

WETLANDS ENCOUNTERED ALONG THE ALBERTA/JASPER NATIONAL PARK SEGMENT OF THE EXISTING ROUTE

Length of Wetland Wetland Area of Wetland Primary Hydro- Length Edge Direct Reference Location Location Wetland Wetland Ecological geomorphic Crossed Traversed Impact ID 1, 2 Start End Class(es) Form(s) Function Description(s) (m) (m) (ha) W001 KP/KL 314.0 KP/KL 314.2 Marsh Basin Hydrologic Surface 200 -- 0.27 Depression W002 KP/KL 314.3 KP/KL 314.6 Marsh Basin Hydrologic Surface 300 -- 0.55 Depression W003 KP/KL 315.5 KP/KL 315.6 Marsh Basin Hydrologic Surface 150 -- 0.56 Depression W004 KP/KL 315.7 KP/KL 315.9 Marsh Basin Hydrologic Surface Water 150 -- 0.41 Slope W005 KP/KL 315.9 KP/KL 316.0 Marsh Basin Hydrologic Surface Water 75 -- 0.10 Slope W006 KP/KL 317.6 KP/KL 317.7 Marsh - Basin Hydrologic Surface 100 -- 0.42 Shallow Depression Open Water Wc007 KP 325.9 KP 326.9 Marsh - Riparian/ Hydrologic/ Floodplain/ 1,000 -- 2.45 Shallow Basin Water Quality/ Beaver Dam Open Water Habitat Impoundments Wc008 KP 328.0 KP 329.4 Shallow Riparian Hydrologic/ Floodplain 1,400 -- 2.20 Open Water Water Quality/ - Marsh Habitat W010 KP 331.7 KP 332.2 Marsh - Riparian Hydrologic Floodplain Not Traversed 0 Shallow Open Water - Fen W013 KP 334.1 KP 334.5 Shallow Riparian/ Habitat Relic Floodplain/ Not Traversed 0 Open Water Basin Surface - Marsh Depression W014 KP 336.7 KP 336.8 Shallow Riparian Hydrologic Floodplain 100 -- 0.24 Open Water - Marsh W015 KP/KL 337.9 KP/KL 338.1 Shallow Riparian Hydrologic Floodplain/ 200 -- 0.66 Open Water Surface Water - Marsh Slope W016 KP/KL 352.0 KP/KL 352.1 Shallow Basin Habitat Surface Water -- 100 0.0047 Open Water Slope - Marsh - Fen W017 KP/KL 354.1 KP/KL 354.2 Marsh - Riparian Habitat Floodplain/ -- 100 0.13 Shallow Surface Water Open Water Slope W018 KP/KL 357.6 KP/KL 357.8 Marsh - Basin Habitat Surface -- 150 0.39 Shallow Depression Open Water Wc019 KP/KL 361.8 KP/KL 362.4 Shallow Basin/ Habitat Floodplain/ -- 600 1.71 Open Water Riparian Surface Water - Fen Slope W020 KP/KL 371.6 KP/KL 371.9 Shallow Basin Habitat Surface Water -- 300 0.61 Open Water Slope - Marsh W021 KP 380.2 KP 380.4 Fen Riparian Hydrologic Relic Floodplain 200 -- 0.13 W022 KP/KL 384.1 KP/KL 384.3 Marsh - Basin Habitat Surface -- 200 0.18 Shallow Depression/ Open Water Surface Water Slope

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

TABLE 18 Cont'd

5.2.2.2 Existing Route Detailed Wetland Descriptions Detailed descriptions of wetlands encountered along the Alberta/JNP portion of the Existing Route are provided in Appendix E.

5.2.3 Mount Robson Provincial Park / British Columbia (KP/KL 405.9 to KP/KL 468)

5.2.3.1 Wetland Abundance and Distribution Table 19 summarizes the length and number of wetlands encountered along the MRPP/BC segment of the Existing Route. Wetlands are primarily found along the floodplains of the Miette and Fraser rivers, and low-lying valley bottom areas adjacent to lakes. This segment traverses 15 wetland complexes for approximately 7.4 km. In total, the MRPP/BC segment of the Existing Route encounters habitat along 11.9% of its total length. The total wetland area directly affected by the construction footprint is 16.61 ha.

TABLE 19

SUMMARY OF WETLANDS FOUND ALONG THE MOUNT ROBSON PROVINCIAL PARK/BRITISH COLUMBIA SEGMENT OF THE EXISTING ROUTE

Length Area of Pipeline Route Number of Wetland Complexes Encountered (km) Percentage of Route Segement Direct Impact (ha) MRPP/BC 15 7.4 11.9% 16.61

Wetlands classified as shallow open water and marshes are less common along this portion of the Existing Route than route segments to the east, and fens are the dominant wetland class in this low- energy fluvial system. The total number of wetlands encountered by the MRPP/BC portion of the Existing Route and their classification are provided in Table 20.

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

Along the MRPP/BC portion of the Existing Route, there are wetlands classified as fens that appear to be in transition to bogs. Bogs are ombrogenous peatlands that receive their surface water only from precipitation, have low water flow and are acidic environments. These transitioning wetlands are classed here as fens since they display characteristics that are more consistent with descriptions of fens than with bogs.

TABLE 20

WETLAND CLASSIFICATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION ALONG THE MOUNT ROBSON PROVINCIAL PARK/BRITISH COLUMBIA SEGMENT OF THE EXISTING ROUTE

Dominant Wetland Class Number Crossed Shallow Open Water 2 Marsh 5 Fen 8 Total 15

Details, including wetland reference codes, locations, classifications, lengths of wetlands crossed and area of direct impact along the MRPP/BC portion of the Proposed Route are provided in Table 21.

TABLE 21

WETLANDS ENCOUNTERED ALONG THE MOUNT ROBSON PROVINCIAL PARK/BRITISH COLUMBIA SEGMENT OF THE EXISTING ROUTE

Length of Wetland Wetland Area of Wetland Primary Length Edge Direct Reference Location Location Wetland Wetland Ecological Hydro-geomorphic Crossed Traversed Impact ID 1, 2 Start End Class(es) Form(s) Function Description(s) (m) (m) (ha) Wc031 KP 407.5 KP 408.9 Shallow Lacustrine Hydrologic/ Floodplain -- 1,400 3.02 Open Fringe Water Water - Quality/ Fen Habitat W033 KP/KL 413.3 KP/KL 413.9 Shallow Basin Hydrologic/ Lacustrine Not Traversed 0 Open Water Water - Quality/ Marsh Habitat W034 KP/KL 414.1 KP/KL 414.5 Fen Basin Habitat Surface Water Slope -- 400 0.66 W035 KP/KL 414.9 KP/KL 415.1 Fen Basin Habitat Surface Water Slope -- 150 0.11 W036 KP/KL 415.6 KP/KL 415.7 Fen Basin Habitat Surface Water Slope -- 100 0.022 W037 KP 418.6 KP 418.8 Marsh - Basin Habitat Surface Water Slope 150 -- 0.35 Fen W038 KP 418.9 KP 419.0 Marsh - Basin Habitat Surface Water Slope 50 -- 0.13 Fen W039 KP 422.5 KP 422.6 Fen Riparian Hydrologic/ Floodplain 150 -- 0.24 Water Quality/ Habitat Wc040 KP 423.3 KP 423.6 Marsh - Riparian Hydrologic/ Floodplain 300 -- 0.75 Fen Water Quality/ Habitat Wc041 KP 424.0 KP 425.2 Fen Riparian Hydrologic/ Floodplain -- 750 1.82 Water Quality/ Habitat Wc042 KP 426.2 KP 427.4 Fen Riparian Hydrologic/ Floodplain 1,200 -- 3.33 Water Quality/ Habitat

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

TABLE 21 Cont'd

Length of Wetland Wetland Area of Wetland Primary Length Edge Direct Reference Location Location Wetland Wetland Ecological Hydro-geomorphic Crossed Traversed Impact ID 1, 2 Start End Class(es) Form(s) Function Description(s) (m) (m) (ha) Wc043 KP 427.9 KP 428.0 Marsh - Riparian Hydrologic/ Floodplain 150 -- 0.27 Fen Water Quality/ Habitat Wc044 KP 431.7 KP 432.8 Fen Riparian Hydrologic/ Floodplain 1,100 -- 2.74 Water Quality/ Habitat W046 KP 434.0 KP 435.3 Fen Lacustrine Hydrologic/ Floodplain -- 1,300 2.63 Fringe Water Quality/ Habitat W047 KP/KL 466.2 KP/KL 466.4 Marsh Basin Hydrologic/ Surface Water Slope -- 200 5.24 Water Quality/ Habitat Notes: 1. Wetland Reference ID refined with ground reconnaissance during field studies (September 2005). 2. "C" used to denote "complex" with more than one wetland of the same class and form in the immediate area. 3. TERA Wetland ID assigned during initial desktop aerial photography mapping exercise (May 2005).

5.2.3.2 Existing Route Detailed Wetland Descriptions Detailed descriptions of wetlands encountered along the MRPP/BC portion of the Existing Route are provided in Appendix F.

6.0 ROUTE COMPARISON AND EVALUATION Both the Proposed and Existing routes were considered during the wetland and collaborative Project surveys. A summary of the results for the wetlands encountered during these surveys is presented in Table 22.

Thirty (30) wetland environments were identified along the Proposed Route and 41 wetlands were identified along the Existing Route; twenty-two (22) of these wetland complexes are located along the shared Proposed and Existing Alignment. Along the Proposed Route, ten wetlands were classified as predominantly shallow open water, eleven were classed as marshes, and nine wetlands were classified as fens. along the Existing Route, 10 wetlands were classified as predominantly shallow open water, 16 were classed as marshes, and 15 wetlands were classified as fens.

The most striking difference between the two considered routes is the substantially higher content of sensitive poorly-drained fluvial and organic materials (i.e. wetland habitat) along the Existing Route than the Proposed Route. The Proposed Route substantially reduces the length and number of wetlands encountered from 19.0 km to 11.2 km, from 41 to 30 wetland complexes encountered and from 12% to 7% of the Existing and Proposed routes, respectively.

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

TABLE 22

COMPARISON OF PROPOSED ROUTE AND EXISTING ROUTE

Proposed Route 1 Existing Route 1 Factor Overall AB/JNP MRPP/BC Overall AB/JNP MRPP/BC Number of wetlands traversed 30 23 7 41 26 15 Number of shallow open waters traversed 10 9 1 10 8 2 Number of marshes traversed 11 10 1 16 11 5 Number of fens traversed 9 4 5 15 7 8 Percentage (%) of Project ROW 7.0 9.6 2.7 12.0 12.1 11.9 Length (km) of wetlands traversed 11.2 9.3 1.85 19.0 11.6 7.4 Length (km) of shallow open waters traversed 3.6 3.6 0.0 4.3 2.9 1.4 Length (km) of marshes traversed 1.8 1.6 0.2 3.6 2.7 0.9 Length (km) of fens traversed 5.7 4.1 1.6 11.1 6.0 5.1 Area (ha) of direct impact on wetlands 29.10 25.46 3.64 43.26 26.65 16.61 Area (ha) of direct impact on shallow open waters 9.07 9.07 0 8.90 5.88 3.02 Area (ha) of direct impact on marshes 4.05 3.53 0.52 7.49 5.47 2.02 Area (ha) of direct impact on fens 15.98 12.86 3.12 26.86 15.30 11.56 Number of mineral systems 19 17 2 23 17 5 Number of peatland systems 11 6 5 18 9 9 Wetlands with Amphibians 24 20 4 34 26 8 Migratory bird species 7 6 1 13 8 5 Wetland rare vascular plant occurrences 11 11 0 22 20 2 Wetland rare plant community occurrences 3 3 0 3 2 1 Wetland rare nonvascular plant occurrences 5 5 0 7 7 0 Wetlands with fish presence 12 10 2 17 12 5 Notes: 1. AB/JNP = KP/KL 310.1 to KP/KL 405.9; MRPP/BC = KP/KL 405.9 to KP/KL 468

7.0 SUPPLEMENTARY STUDIES Additional wetland investigations have been targeted for summer 2006 for Project areas that were not assessed during the 2005 field season and for areas that would benefit from having detailed baseline data from which to develop plans for the proposed post-construction monitoring. These locations include:

• the Proposed Route between KL 333.1 and KL 335.8 (Pocahontas Ponds);

• Miette Floodplain Wetland Complex (KP/KL 391.0 to KP/KL 396.4); and

• disturbed wetlands along the Existing Route that may benefit from reclamation work in order to restore the natural hydrology of the area.

8.0 CONCLUSIONS Two pipeline route options were assessed for the Project, namely the Proposed Route and the Existing Route (i.e., the Trans Mountain pipeline). Both route options are evaluated within this report.

Encountered wetlands were described based on class, hydrogeomorphology and components of ecological function, including water quality, wildlife, vegetation, soils and fish. Thirty (30) wetland environments were identified along the Proposed Route and 41 wetlands were identified along the Existing Route; twenty-two of these wetland complexes are located along the shared Proposed and Existing Alignment.

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Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. Wetlands TMX - Anchor Loop Project November 2005

The Proposed Route substantially reduces the length of wetlands encountered along the Project Footprint from 19.0 km to 11.2 km, the area of direct impact to wetland habitat from 43.26 ha to 29.09 ha, and the Proposed Route lessens the footprint from 12% to 7% of the overall Project.

Based on these results from the wetland studies, the Proposed Route is the preferred route for the Project.

Additional wetland investigations have been targeted for summer 2006 to enhance the 2005 wetland inventory and to acquire baseline data that will support the proposed post-construction monitoring.

9.0 REFERENCES

9.1 Personal Communications Mitchell, T. Park Warden, Parks Canada, Jasper National Park, Jasper, AB.

Hughson, W. Aquatic Specialist, Parks Canada, Jasper National Park, Jasper, AB.

9.2 Literature Cited Allen, L. 2005. Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre Preliminary Plant Community Tracking List. Edmonton, Alberta. Website: http://www.cd.gov.ab.ca/preserving/parks/anhic/docs/C_TL%202005_final.pdf.

Bayley, S., Guimond, J., Majewski, S., and W. Hughson. 1997. Restoration of riparian and floodplain wetlands affected by transportation systems in the Athabasca Valley: First Year Report. Report to Parks Canada, Jasper National Park.

Blackwell, B.A. and Associates Ltd, Keystone Wildlife Research, Laing and McCulloch Forest Management Services, Oikos Ecological Services Ltd, Phero Tech Inc. and Hugh Hamilton Ltd. 2001. MRPP Ecosystem Management Plan. Occasional Paper No. 6. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Parks Division. Victoria, BC.

Bond, W.K., K,W. Cox, T. Herberlein, E.W. Manning, D.R. Witty, and D.A. Young. 1992 Wetland Evaluation Guide: final report of the Wetlands are not Wastelands project. North American Wetlands Conservation Council (Canada), Ottawa. Sustaining Wetlands Issues Paper No. 1992 1.

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, Parks Canada Agency, National Energy Board, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Transport Canada, Environment Canada, Canadian Transportation Agency and the BC Ministry of Environment (BC Parks). 2005. Scope and Requirements of the Environmental Assessment for the Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. TMX - Anchor Loop Project.

Environment Canada. 1979. Water Quality Sourcebook: A Guide to Water Quality Parameters. Inland Waters Directorate, Water Quality Branch, Ottawa, Canada.

Environment Canada. 1991. The Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation. Available from the Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, Ottawa.

Environment Canada. 1996. The Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation. Implementation Guide for Federal Land Managers. Available from the Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, Ottawa.

Flora of North America Editorial Committee. 2005. Flora of North America Volume 23: Cyperaceae. Website: http://www.eflora.org/flora_page.aspx?flora_id=1.

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Guimond, J.K. 2001. The Effects of River Connectivity on Floodplain Wetland Ecology in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. M.Sc. Thesis. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta. Edmonton, Alberta. 101p.

Holyroyd, G. and K.J. Van Tighem. 1983. Ecological (Biophysical) Land Classification of Banff and JNPs Volume III: The Wildlife Inventory. Parks Canada Western Region. Calgary, AB. 444 pp.

Kershaw, L., J. Gould, D. Johnson and J. Lancaster. 2001. Rare Vascular Plants of Alberta. University of Alberta Press. Edmonton, Alberta. 484 pp.

Lapedes, D.N. 1976, McGraw-Hill dictionary of scientific and technical terms: New York, McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1634 p.

Lynch-Stewart, P. 1992. No Net Los: Implementing “No Net Loss” Goals to Conserve Wetlands in Canada. Sustaining Wetlands Issues Paper, No. 1992-2. North American Wetlands Conservation Council (Canada). Ottawa, Ontario.

Lynch-Stewart, P., P. Neice, C. Rubec, and I Kessel-Taylor (Environment Canada). 1996 Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation: Implementation Guide for Federal Land Managers. Available from the Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, Ottawa.

MacKenzie, W.H. and J.R. Moran. 2004. Wetlands of British Columbia: A Guide to Identification. British Columbia Ministry of Forests. Land Management Handbook 52.

Meidinger, D. and J. Pojar. 1991. Ecosystems of BC. BC Ministry of Forests, Victoria, BC.

McNeely, R.N., V.P. Neimanis, and L. Dywer. 1979, Water Quality Sourcebook. A Guide to Water Quality Parameters. Ottawa, Canada.

Milko, R. 1998. Environmental assessment guideline for wetlands. Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, Ottawa.

Moss, E.H. 1994. Flora of Alberta. Second Edition. Revised by J.G. Packer University of Toronto Press, Toronto, Ontario. 687 pp.

National Wetland Working Group. 1988. Wetlands of Canada. Ecological Land Classification Series, No. 24. Sustainable Development Branch, Environment Canada, Ottawa, Ontario and Polyscience Publications Inc., Montreal, Quebec. 452 p.

National Wetland Working Group 1997. The Canadian wetland classification system. Edited by B.G. Warner and C.D.A. Rubec. Wetlands Research Centre, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario.

National Energy Board 2004. NEB Filing Manual

Novitzki, R.P., Smith, R.D. and Fretwell, J.D. 1997. Restoration, Creation, and Recovery of Wetlands:Wetland Functions, Values, and Assessment. National Water Summary on Wetland Resources. United States Geological Survey Water Supply Paper 2425. Available at: http://water.usgs.gov/nwsum/WSP2425/functions.html.

Parks Canada. 2000. Jasper National Park of Canada Management Plan. May 2000.

Richardson, B. ed. 1981. Selected proceedings of the Midwest Conference on Wetland Values and Management: Navarre, Minn., Freshwater Society, 660 p.

Smith, R. D., A. Ammann, C. Bartoldus, and M. Brinson. 1995. An Approach for Assessing Wetland Functions Using Hydrogeomorphic Classification, Reference Wetlands, and Functional Indices. Prepared for the United States Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station. Wetlands Research Program Technical Report WRP-DE-9. Washington, D.C.

Spray, S.L. and K.L. McGlothlin. 2004. Wetlands: A Multidisciplinary Approach. Rowman and Littlefield Publishers Inc. Maryland, USA. 193p.

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TERA Westland. 2004. TMX - Anchor Loop Project Wildlife and Wetland Surveys Report. December 2004.

TERA/Westland. 2005a. Environmental Assessment Report for the Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc. TMX - Anchor Loop Project. Prepared by TERA Environmental Consultants and Westland Resource Group Inc., Calgary, AB.

TERA Westland. 2005b. TMX - Anchor Loop Project Soil Assessment - Technical Report. Prepared by: Mentiga Pedology Consultants Ltd. Prepared for Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc.

TERA Westland. 2005c. TMX - Anchor Loop Project Vegetation Technical Report. Prepared for Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc.

TERA Westland. 2005d. TMX - Anchor Loop Project: Fish and Fish Habitat Technical Report. Prepared for Terasen Pipelines (Trans Mountain) Inc.

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