February 18, 2020 Regular Council Meeting Minutes
Minutes
Meeting Regular Council Date February 18, 2020 Time 7:00 PM Pjace Munici al Hall - Council Chambers
Present Mayor Martin Davis Councillor Bill Elder Councillor Sarah Fowler Councillor Lynda Llewellyn
Staff Mark Tatchell, Chief Administrative Officer JanetStDenis, Finance and Corporate ServicesManager
Public 5 members of the public
A. Call to Order Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 7:00 p. m. MayorDavis acknowledged and respected thatCouncil ismeeting upon Mowachaht/ Muchalaht territory
B. Introduction of late Items and A enda Chan es
None.
C. A rovaloftheA enda Llewellyn/Elder: VOT 081/2020 THATthe Agenda forthe February 18, 2020 RegularCouncil meeting be adopted as amended. CARRIED
D. Petitions and Dele ations None.
E. Public In utffl A member ofthe public inquired about the population estimate used in the Water Conservation Planto which Council andstaff responded.
F. Ado tion of the Minutes 1 Committee of the Whole February 3, 2020 llewellyn/Fowler:VOT 082/2020 THATthe Committee ofthe Whole meeting minutes of February3, 2020be adopted as presented. CARRIED
2 Minutes ofthe RegularCouncil Meeting heldon February4, 2020.
Fowler/Elder: VOT 083/2020 THAT the Regular Council meeting minutes of February 4, 2019 be adopted as presented. CARRIED
G. Rise and Re crt December18th, 2019 Council of Chiefs meeting AtCouncil's December 18th, 2019 meeting with the Mowachaht/Muchalaht Council of Chiefs the following topics were discussed:
Coast Guard Search and Rescue Station project update
, TimberSupply Review ofTFL 19 - Mowachaht/MuchalahtFirst Nation response and re-setting the process . MMFNCultural ResourceCentre - purposeand key activities
Community Unity Trail - project update
Economic development opportunities for the MMFN in Tahsis
, Tahsis Wastewater System Improvement Grant Application, letter of support from the MMFN
Mount Conuma as sacred mountain for the MMFN
H. Business Arisin McKelvie Creek Watershed Assessment: McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat. 1 McKelvie Creek Ecosystems and Vegetation Reports and McKelvie Creek Watershed Terrain Maps.
Llewellyn/Fowler:VOT 084/2020 THATthe McKelvie CreekWatershed Assessment reports andmaps prepared by EcologicConsultants Ltd. be received. CARRIED
J. Council Re arts Ma or Davis(written report) Sincethe last meeting, I attended a Climate Leadership Planning Committee meeting in Nanaimo, attended by other mayors, regional district representatives from Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast, and climate researchers from the University ofVictoria. This isthe third meeting and so far, we have drafted a terms of reference, protocol for working with First Nations in the region, and are working on a survey to go out to the all municipal reps to help determine our path forward in meeting carbon reduction targets as well as building resiliency for our communities in dealing with the effects of climate change.
I have also attended a Regional District board meeting as well as Hospital and Solid Waste Management meetings. Today, I toured the new Coast Guard facilities, which are getting closer to completion, with a startup date of lateJune to earlyJuly. Also, on February 6th I was interviewed by CBC Radio initially regarding the Western Forest Products strike, but it turned into a wide ranging interview regardingforestry policy on Vancouver Island and the future of Tahsis. The interview can be accessed from this location: htt s: www. cbc. ca news Canada british- Columbia ro rams all ointswest ma or-of-tahsis-sa s-relationshi - between-communities-and-forestr -indust -needs-to-chan e-1. 5456260
Councillor Elder No report.
Councillor Fowler (written reoort) Unfortunately AVICCdid not select my Run Win and Lead With Love Session for the April Forum in Nanaimo but in preparing I read a June 2018 report Pathways to a Woman Friendly Surrey, where one participant Brenda Locke noted that a career in public service "can feel like you end up missing important family moments" which I could of course relate to. Today I was able to take a tour with the mayor and some RCMP officers of the buildingsite coastguard searchand rescue station. Submitted respectfully, Councillor Fowler
Councillor Llewell n No report
Fowler/Elder: VOT085/2020 THAT the Council Reports be received. CARRIED
K. B laws None. L. Corres ondence Catherine Kennedy, Executive Director, BCCommunities in Bloom letter to Councillor Lynda Llewellyn Re: 2020Communities in Bloom Program
Fowler/Elder: VOT 086/2020 THAT this correspondence item be received. CARRIED
Llewellyn/Fowler: VOT087/2020 THAT correspondence item 1 be pulled for discussion. CARRIED
Councillor Llewellyn spoke to this correspondence item and about deferring participation in the Communities in Bloom program due to the cost. A LI discussion followed about the planter boxes located around the Village. Councillor Llewellyn made a motion to bring forward a resolution at the next Council meeting regarding a planter box adoption program.
M. New Business Selecting Council Delegate(s) forthe 2020AVICC Convention, April 17-19 in Nanaimo.
Llewellyn/Fowler: VOT 088/2020
THAT Council consider delegate selection for the 2020 AVICC Convention. CARRIED
Llewellyn/Fowler: VOT 089/2020 THATCouncil deferthe decision of delegate selection until the next Council meeting. CARRIED
2 Water Conservation Plan: Report to Council
Fowler/llewellyn: VOT090/2020 THAT the proposed resolution be received. CARRIED
Llewellyn/Elder: VOT091/2020 THATCouncil approvethe Villageof Tahsis Water Conservation Plan. CARRIED
Councillor Fowler Notice of Draft Motion Re: The GMF 20th Anniversary Visionary Award
Llewellyn/Fowler: VOT 092/2020 TO receive and consider Councillor Fowler's Motion regarding the GMF 20th Anniversary Visionary Award.
WHEREAS, every resident ofTahsis, year round or seasonal, recognizes our shared responsibility as global water guardians; and WHEREAS, weatherpatterns and climate trends urge usto contrasting ideasof carbon sink versus carbon source and bring these concerns about rain forest management to the provincial, federal and international level; THEREFORE be it resolved THAT, Council direct staff to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the incorporation of the VillageofTahsis with the establishment ofthe Gatewayto History; birthplace of B. C. Municipal and Regional Heritage Registry; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED TO; submit an application to the 20th Anniversary Visionary Award due March 31 to the FCM (Federation of Canadian Municipalities) Sustainable community GMF (Green Municipal Fund) Contact Yvonne Ritchie 613-907- 6382 Background: Ourvery geography is a history lesson andthe list ofsites to honourand protect in perpetuity. 1 McKelvieWatershed Asset Inventory 2 Pre-colonial Old Growth Fire Berm 3 Pete's Farm historical site 4 Hemlock Millsite 5 Leiner River Trail recreation site 6 Bouldering Trail 7 Ubedam Creek Trail 8 Bull of the Woods Trail 9 West Bay Beach and Lookout 10 Weymer Wildlife Habitat Area 11 Thanksgiving Ridge 12 Three Sisters Waterfall 13 Gateway to Yuquot (wharf) 14 Conuma Mountain 15 Upana Caves
Councillor Fowler spoke to her motion explaining the intent of her motion.
Fowler/Llewellyn: VOT093/2020 THATthe Motion regardingthe Green Municipal Fund20th Anniversary Visionary Award be withdrawn. CARRIED
Mayor Davis gave notice of a motion to be brought forward at the next regular Council meeting to direct staffto look into creating a heritage directory for the Village of Tahsis. N. Public In ut»2 A member ofthe public noted that the Village planter boxesare in need of repair and that some have already been adopted and looked after by local residents. Suggestionswere made forthe maintenanceof the planter boxes.
Public Exclusion Fowler/Elder: VOT 094/2020 THATthe meeting is closed to the public in accordance with section 90(1) (k) of the Community Charter- negotiations and related discussions respecting the proposed provision of a municipal service that are at their preliminary stages and that, in the view of the council, could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality if they were held in public. CARRIED
Recess Llewellyn/Elder: VOT 095/2020 THATthe RegularCouncil meeting recessto go intothe in camera meeting. CARRIED
Reconvene Llewellyn/Fowler: VOT 102/2020 THAT the Regular Council Meeting reconvene at 8:04 p. m. CARRIED
Rise and Re ort None.
Ad'ournment Llewellyn/Elder: VOT 103/2020 THAT the meeting be adjourned at 8:04 p. m. CARRIED
Certified Correct this 3rd D y of March 2020
Chief Administrative Officer Fl-
Minutes Village of Tahsis
Meeting Committee of the Whole Date Monday February 3, 2020 Time 5:00 p. m. Place Munici al Hall - Council Chambers
Present Mayor Martin Davis Councillor Bill Elder Councillor Sarah Fowler Councillor Lynda Llewellyn
Staff Mark Tatchell, Chief Administrative Officer
Public 5 members of the public
Call to Order Mayor Daviscalled the meetingto order at 5:05 p. m. Mayor Davis acknowledged and respected that Council is meeting upon Mowachaht/ Muchalaht territory
A rovalof the A enda
Fowler: COW 0010/2020 THAT the Agenda for the February 3, 2020 Committee of the Whole meeting be adopted as presented. CARRIED
Business Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Incorporation of the Village Arising of Tahsis
Discussions among council and the public about possible events. A community/ public group would take on organizing an event for June 17, 2020. There were also discussions regarding interest by some community members to improve Pete's Farm.
Llewellyn : COW 011/2020 THAT the 50th Anniversary of the incorporation of the Village of Tahsis be the theme for the 2020 Tahsis Days. CARRIED
Ad'ournment Fowler: COW 012/2020 THAT the meeting adjourn at 6:06 p. m. CARRIED
Certified correct this 18th Day of February, 2020
Corporate Officer fL
Minutes
Meetin Regular Council Date February 4, 2020 Time 7:00 PM Place Munici al Hall - Council Chambers
Present Mayor Martin Davis Councillor Bill Elder Councillor Sarah Fowler Councillor Lynda Llewellyn
Staff Mark Tatchell, Chief Administrative Officer Janet StDenis, Finance and Corporate Services Manager Stephane Dionne, Fire Chief
Public 7 members of the public
A. Call to Order Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 7:00 p. m. Mayor Davisacknowledged and respected that Council is meeting upon Mowachaht/ Muchalaht territory
B. Introduction of Late Items and A enda than es L4 under Correspondence - a letter to the Mayor and the CAO regarding the Provincial Police Service Agreement and M4 under New Business a Report to Council regardingthe Tahsis WastewaterTreatment Reconfigurationand Upgrade Project.
C. A rovalof the A enda Fowler/Llewellyn: VOT 050/2020 THATthe Agendafor the February4, 2020 RegularCouncil meeting be adopted as amended. CARRIED
D. Petitions and Dele ations None.
E. Public In utffl A member of the public noted that the North Island 1000 is an event that may will bring an influx of ATV and Quad Riders to Tahsis sometime between May 30th and June 4th, 2020. Amanda Knibbs, 2nd in command, Junior Canadian Rangers spoke to the JCR's Grant-in Aid Application. A member of the public commented on their correspondence item L2. A member of the public commented on the Village of Tahsis entrance sign.
F. Ado tion of the Minutes 1 Committee of the Whole January 21, 2020 (2020-2024 Budget)
Llewellyn/Fowler: VOT 051/2020
THAT the Committee of the Whole meeting minutes of January 21, 2020 (2020-2024 Budget) be adopted as presented. CARRIED
2 Committee of the Whole January 21, 2020
Llewellyn/Fowler: VOT052/2020 THAT the Committee of the Whole meeting minutes of January 21, 2020 be adopted as amended. CARRIED
3 Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held on January 21, 2020.
Fowler/Elder: VOT 053/2020 THAT the Regular Council meeting minutes of January 21, 2019 be adopted as presented. CARRIED
G. Rise and Re art At the January 7, 2020 Closed Council meeting Llewellyn/Fowler: VOT 036/2020
THAT staff instruct Counsel for the Village to prepare a resolution for Council and notice to the property owner in relation to carrying out repairs to the water service line at 265 N. Maquinna.
H. Business Arisin Report to Council Re: Recreation Centre 2019 Attendance and Revenue Report
Fowler/Elder: VOT 054/2020 THAT this Report to Council be received. CARRIED
2 Tahsis Fire Department Annual Statistical Report 2019 The Fire Chief spoke to his report highlighting key changes from 2018 to 2019 and 2019 activity and accomplishments.
Fowler/Llewellyn: VOT 055/2020 THAT this report to Council be received. CARRIED 3 Village ofTahsis Age Friendly Community Action Plan
Llewellyn/Elder: VOT 056/2020 THAT, WHEREASthe Village completed an Age-Friendly Community Action Plan in December 2019; AND WHEREASone recommendation from the Action Plan is to establish a Tahsis Age-Friendly Action Committee (TAAC) to be responsible for implementing the Age-Friendly Community Action Plan; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council strike the Tahsis Age-Friendly Action Committee (TAAC), as a Standing Committee of Council, which will meet at least monthly with the following membership: Chair: Councillor Fowler Vice-Chair: JackTaylor, Presidentof the Tahsis Seniors Society Members: Josephine Miladinovic, Community Paramedic TahsisSeniors Society representatives (3) Ex Officio: MarkTatchell, Chief Administrative Officer Sarah Jepson, Director of Recreation JanetSt. Denis,Finance and Corporate ServicesManager CARRIED
4 Junior Canadian Rangers Re: Grant-in Aid Application
Fowler/Elder: VOT 057/2020
THAT this Grant-in aid application be received CARRIED
Llewellyn/Elder 058/2020
THAT this Grant-in aid application be approved. CARRIED
^ Councillor Fowler's Notice of Motion from January 7, 2020 Regular Council meeting Re: $10 a Day Child Care Plan
Llewellyn/Elder: VOT 059/2020
THAT this Notice of Motion be received. CARRIED
Fowler/Elder: VOT060/2020 THATthe Village ofTahsis Council write to the Provincial Government and request they expedite the $10 a day Child Care Plan implementation universally andplay an active role in advocatingfor provincial level changes. CARRIED
J. Council Re arts Ma or Davis(written report)
10 It has been a busy month. I have had a few calls regarding the Community Unity Trail, including a conference call with ATVBC and other mayors who are interested in promoting ATV tourism and relieving some of the permitting and insurance constraints around this kind of travel. ATVBC is promoting a circle tour, provisionally named the North Island 1000, which would like to include our Tahsis to Zeballos ATV trail once it is completed. I was also in contact with a video company that hoping to produce a Honda commercial that would like to use our section of trail for filming.
I had a lengthy call with our MP, Rachel Blaney, which focused on potentials for economic development for Tahsis. The main takeaway for her was our interest in seeing the wharf repair issue resolved and she will do what she can at her political level to see some funds released toward that end.
At the regional district level, I recently asked to join the First Nations Liaison Committee and was promptly nominated and elected to serve as its chairman for 2020. Another learning curve!
Some of you may have seen a recent news item based on new figures from BC Stats. Apparently Tahsis has the highest population growth rate of any community on Vancouver Island, at 8. 6%, which CTV described as "explosive"! Munitions comparisons aside, this is good news for our community, while it literally translates into 24 new residents. But we need all the help we can get! Its especially good to see more kids in our community.
One more thing - not directly Tahsis related, but in our area. I have been working with government agencies and Western Forest Products to protect a unique landscape known for lengthy cave systems, rare species, bat hibernacula and some spectacular old growth karst ecosystems. I received word last month that a 512 hectare area of primarily old growth forest has been set aside as a Wildlife Habitat Area. This area can be partly seen from the Head Bay Road as the plateau directly above Malaspina Lake. This effort took ten years of research, lobbying and cultivating allies to make this happen. I would like to thank the following that helped to achieve this: BC Speleological Federation, Vancouver Island Cave Exploration Group, Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, Mowachaht-Muchalat First Nations, Western Forest Products, Wildlife Conservation Society Canada, BC Conservation Foundation and in particular, Trudy Chatwin, my primary government contact and former Endangered Species Specialist, whom I shared many research field trips and bureaucratic navigations with. The Globe and Mail will be doing a story on our work in the spring.
Councillor Elder No report.
11 Councillor Fowler (written report)
Reflecting a year since my Local Government Leadership Academy training, I have been re-reading some notes I made in Parksville. The Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium mentioned credit for riparian areas and Clean BC spoke to translink and electric vehicle charging network. Oddly enough at my other part time job I received a call from an electrician who used to live in Tahsis who is embarking on a north island tour evaluating public and private opportunities for transitions for green energy.
I mentioned at the last meeting Riparian Area Protection Regulation is something that is on the provincial radar. It is happening right here in our backyard. The Nootka Sound Watershed Society has commissioned Strategic from Campbell river to administer the wildlife prescription and prepare progress reports on the Sucuoa river. This is a year one test case of a multi year habitat restoration treatment program where members of the MMFN and our own local tree planter outfit, Nootka Reforestation are providing the boots on the ground.
I have also received a note from Louis Van Solkema regarding erosion and culvert replacement plans for our own river, north of Tahsis. For the time I have represented the Village at the NSWS round table, an ongoing action item that has not yet been addressed is the bridge at Pete's Pond. Until what time as we can collectively invest in this maintenance on our heritage property I have decided instead to focus on capacity building and volunteer help the NSWS President Kent O'Neil to interview candidates for the fisheries stewardship Coordinator contract opportunity. One candidate who divides time between Campbell river and North Vancouver included an idea on the cover letter that was very interesting to me. It plays to my upcoming heritage registry motion whereby our municipality can lead by formally recognizing Nootka Sound as a globally unique bio-regional designation.
Further, I have reached out to the below contact in preparation for participation in the AGE-FRIENDLYCOMMITTEE. Accessibility legislation judy. ridgeway@campbellriver. ca (email bounced, so I called and the below number to learn that Judy retired and that Deb Simpson is taking over accessibility legislation at recreation Campbell river.) 250-286-5307 Sincere respect, S. Fowler Addendum attached NSWSAgenda and Meeting minutes from the Jan 29 meeting & also paper copy of Mr. Van Solkema's letter.
Councillor Llewell n No report.
Fowler/Elder: VOT 061/2020 THAT the Council Reports be received. CARRIED
12 K. Bylaws None.
L. Corres ondence 1 Brenda Lenahan Re: Tahsis Age Friendly Action Plan Committee
2 Judy Burgess Re: Tahsis as "Birthplace of B. C."
3 Letter from Philippa De Cou Re: Ml under New Business
4 Letter from Sergeant J. Wiese Re; Provincial Police Services Agreement
Llewellyn/Fowler: VOT 062/2020 THAT these correspondence items be received. CARRIED
Fowler/Elder: VOT 063/2020 THAT correspondence items 1 and 4 be pulled for discussion. CARRIED
Councillor Fowler briefly spoke to this correspondence item noting the LI importance of accessibility for all ages.
A brief discussion on this item followed. The letter noted a possible L4 reduction in police presence in "community engagement" not in "criminal investigations".
M. New Business 1 Repairs to the Water Service Line at 265 North Maquinna Drive
Fowler/Llewellyn; VOT 064/2020 Whereas the Water Regulations and Rates Bylaw, No. 581, 2016 (the "Bylaw") provides in section 24 that all persons must maintain in good order and repair the service pipes, valves, meters, and meter boxes, plumbing and other fixtures located on the parcel; And Whereas the Bylaw provides in section 29 that if the pipes, connections, fixtures, taps, meters or other fixtures used in connection with the supply of water to premises are found to be defective or leaking, notice in writing shall be given to the persons owning or using the premises to remedy the defects; And Whereas section 17 of the Community Charter provides that the authority of Council to require that something be done includes the authority to direct that, if a person subject to the requirement fails to take the required action, the municipality may fulfill the requirement;
13 And Whereas the water service for the property at 265 North Maquinna Drive is leaking to the point where water is being wasted, and a nuisance is beingcreated for adjoiningproperties as a result offlooding; Now Therefore Council resolves and orders as follows:
1. The owner of the property at 265 North Maquinna Drive (the . Property") is herebyordered to take all necessaryaction, within48 hours of service of this Order, to repair the water service to the Property so that it does not leak and waste water; and
2. That if the owner fails to repair her water service within the time required by this Order, the ChiefAdministrative Officer is authorized to retain a contractor to perform the repairs at the cost of the Village, and the ChiefAdministrative Officer, the Village's contractor, and such other employees or officers of the Village whose assistance is required, are authorized in accordance with sections 16 and 17 ofthe Community Charter to enter onto the Property at all reasonable times to undertake such repairs. CARRIED
Councillor Llewellyn's Proposed Resolution for submission to the AVICC 2 Convention Re: Establishmentof a new public highwaydesignation for resource roads Mayor Davis spoke to this motion.
Fowler/Elder: VOT 065/2020 THAT the proposed resolution be received. CARRIED
Llewellyn/Fowler: VOT 066/2020 THAT WHEREAS many rural and remote communities throughout British Columbia rely on resource roadsfor food, fuel and medicalservices; ANDWHEREAS the lower maintenance standards for these roads compared with other provincial roads have contributed to motor vehicle injuries and fatalities; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Province establish a new public highway designation for resource roads that serve as the primary or secondary access roads for communities which would have clearly defined standards for construction, maintenance, enforcement and be funded/resourced similarly to the public highway system. CARRIED
Fowler/Elder: VOT 067/2020
THAT this motion be submitted to the AVICC 2020 convention in Nanaimo. CARRIED
Tahsis ESS Modernization and Training Project (Emergency Support Services2020 Program, Community Emergency PreparednessFund)
14 Village of Tahsis grant application for improved wireless network at the TahsisRecreation Centre to meet the provincial Emergency Support Services modernization project standardsand training for ESSvolunteers
Fowler/Elder: VOT 068/2020
THAT Tahsis Council supports the proposed activities in the grant application andis willing to provideoverall grant management. CARRIED ^ Investing in CanadaInfrastructure Program: Green Infrastructure - Environmental Quality Sub-Stream Tahsis Wastewater Treatment Reconfiguration and Upgrade Project application Report to Council
Llewellyn/Fowler: VOT069/2020 THAT this Report to Council be received. CARRIED
Fowler/Elder: VOT 070/2020 THATCouncil direct staffto apply to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, Environmental Quality Component for the Tahsis Wastewater Treatment Reconfiguration and Upgrade Project; AND THAT the Capital Works Reserve Fund (current balance - $546,844) be confirmed as'the funding source for the municipality's share; AND FINALLY THAT staff be directedto includethe project inthe 2020-2024Financial Plan. CARRIED
N. Public In ut #2 A member ofthe public inquired aboutthe possibility ofmaking "Pete's Farm" a heritage site to which Council responded. A questions wasraised as to whetheror not the south treatment plant capacity isexpandable. Staffconfirmed that future expansion is possible.
Public Exclusion Llewellyn/Fowler: VOT071/2020 THAT the meeting is closed to the public in accordance with section 90(1) (c) of the Community Charter- labour relations or other employee relations. CARRIED
Recess Llewellyn/Fowler: VOT072/2020 THATthe RegularCouncil meeting recessto go into the incamera meeting. CARRIED
Reconvene Llewellyn/Fowler: VOT079/2020
THATthe Regular Council Meeting reconvene at 9:06 p. m. CARRIED
15 Rise and Re art None.
Ad'ournment Fowler/Elder: VOT080/2020
THATthe meeting be adjourned at 9:06 p. m. CARRIED Certified Correct this 18th Dayof February2020
Chief Administrative Officer
16 1-11 w
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McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat
Prepared for: Village ofTahsis Project: 0056 Prepared by: EcoLogicConsultants Ltd. November 4, 2019 ECO LOG I envif-onmentai consuitin
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PRESENTEDTO: PRESENTED BY:
Village of Tahsis EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 977 Maquinna Drive PO Box 219 Unit 4-252 East 1" Street Tahsis, BC VOP 1X0 North Vancouver, BC V7L 1B3 Phone:604803-7146
Prepared by:
C la Houwers, Biologist, EcoLogic November 4, 2019
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/' November 4, 2019 lamie Fenneman, Biologist, EcoLogic
Village ofTahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd.
Table of Contents.
Glossary and Abbreviations
1. Introduction ,1 1. 1 Project understandmg...... ^_, ^^^^^^^^^ 1. 2 ObjecVves...... ^, ^^_^^_^ 1. 3 Field Studies ...... ^.... ^^^^^^^^^ 1. 4 Regulatory Frarriework...... ,,...... , ^ ^
2. Study Area 2. 1 proJectStudy Area...... ^ 2. 2 Overview of Land Designations...... 4
3. Methodology,
3. 1 Data Sources.
3. 2 Species of Management Concern. 3. 3 Habitat Model Development...... ,...... ^^ , ^^ 4. HabitatSuitability ModelKesuhs...... ^., ^^^, ^^^ 4. 1 Northern Red-legged Frog...... ,. ^^^^^^^^^ ^ 4. 1. 1 Selection Criteria and General Habitat Description...... 14 4. 1. 2 Northern Red-Legged Frog Habitat Suitability Modelling Results ...... 14 4. 2 Banct-tailed Pigeon --. --.... :...... ^,,,,,,,, ^^^^^^-^Q 4. 2. 1 Selection Criteria and General Habitat Description...... 16 4. 2. 2 Band-Tailed Pigeon Habitat Suitability Modelling Results...... 16 4. 3 Black Swift 4. 3. 1 Selection Criteria and General Habitat Description...... 18 4. 3. 2 Black Swift Habitat Suitability Modelling Results...... ig 4. 4 Northern Goshawk...... ^g 4. 4. 1 Selection Criteria and General Habitat Description...... 20 4.4. 2 Northern Goshawk Habitat Suitability Modelling Results...... 20 4. 5 Olive-sided Flycatcher...... ^^
November 2019 Table of Contents Ji Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd.
4. 5. 1 Selection Criteria and General Habitat Description...... 22
4. 5. 2 Olive-sided Flycatcher Habitat Suitability Modelling Results...... 22
4. 6 Western Screech-Owl...... 24
4. 6. 1 Selection Criteria and General Habitat Description...... 24
4. 6. 2 Western Screech-Owl Habitat Suitability Modelling Results...... 24 4. 7 Little Brown Myotis...... 26
4. 7. 1 Selection Criteria and General Habitat Description...... 26 4. 7. 2 Little Brown Myotis Habitat Suitability Modelling Results...... 26 4. 8 Grizzly Bear...... 28
4. 8. 1 Selection Criteria and General Habitat Description...... 28
4. 8. 2 Grizzly Bear Habitat Suitability Modelling Results...... 28
4. 8. 3 Compulsory Inspection Data ...... 29
4. 9 Roosevelt Elk...... 34
4. 9. 1 Selection Criteria and General Habitat Description...... 34
4. 9. 2 Roosevelt Elk Habitat Suitability Modelling Results...... 34
4. 10 Western Water Shrew, fcroofoii...... 3g
4. 10. 1 Western Water Shrew Habitat Suitability Modelling Results ...... 38
5. Habitat Preferences for Non-Modelled WildliFe Species of Concern...... 40
5. 1 Amphibians...... 40
5. 1. 1 Wandering Salamander...... 40
5. 1. 2 Western Toad...... 40
5. 2 Birds...... 41
5. 2. 1 Barn Swallow...... ,..,...... ". "...... 41
5. 2. 2 Common Nighthawk...... 41
5. 2. 3 Evening Grosbeak...... 42
5. 2. 4 Great Blue l-leron, /onniniSubspecies...... 42
5. 2. 5 Marbled Murrelet...... 43
5. 2. 6 Peregrine Falcon, pealei Subspecies ...... 44
5. 2. 7 Pine Grosbeak, cor/ottoeSubspecies...... 44
5. 2. 8 Northern Pygmy-owl, sM/orth;Subspecies ...... 45 5.3 Mammals...... 45
ii | Table of Contents November 2019 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogjc Consultants Ltd.
5. 3. 1 Ermine, onffui'noe Subspecies...... 45 5. 3. 2 Townsend's Big-eared Bat...... 45
6. Incidental Wildlife Observations...... 47
7. SummarY ...... - ...... ,...... ,,...... 48
References
. 51
List of Figures Figure 2. 1-1. McKelvie Creek Project Area ...... 6 Figure 2. 2-1. McKelvie Creek Land Designation...... 7 Figure 4. 1-1. Northern Red-legged Frog - Living Habitat in the McKelvie Creek Project Area...... 15 Figure4. 2-1. Band-tailed Pigeon- Reproducing- Eggs Habitatin the McKelvieCreek ProjectArea...... 17 Figure 4. 3-1. Black Swift - Reproducing - Eggs Habitat in the McKelvie Creek Project Area ...... 19 Figure 4. 4-1. Northern Goshawk- Reproducing- Eggs Habitatin the McKelvie Creek ProjectArea ...... 21 Figure 4. 5-1. Olive-sided Flycatcher - Reproducing - Eggs Habitat in the McKelvie Creek Project Area ... 23 Figure 4. 6-1. Western Screech-owl - Living Habitat in the McKelvie Creek Project Area...... 25 Figure4. 7-1. Little Brown Myotis-Living-GrowingHabitat in the McKelvieCreek Project Area...... 27 Figure 4. 8-1. Grizzly Bear - Feeding- Early Spring Habitat in the McKelvie Creek Project Area ...... 30 Figure 4. 8-2. Grizzly Bear - Feeding Late Spring Habitat in the McKelvie Creek Project Area...... 31 Figure 4. 8-3. Grizzly Bear- Feeding - Summer Habitat in the McKelvie Creek Project Area ...... 32 Figure 4. 8-4. Grizzly Bear-Feeding - Fall Habitat in the McKelvie Creek Project Area ...... 33 Figure 4. 9-1. Roosevelt Elk- Living - Winter Habitat in the McKelvie Creek Project Area...... 35 Figure 4. 9-2, Roosevelt Elk- Living - Growing Habitat in the McKelvie Creek Project Area ...... 36 Figure4. 10-1. Western WaterShrew in the McKelvie Creek Project Area ...... 39
List of Tables Table 1. 2-1. Regulatory Framework for Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat Table 2. 2-1. Land Use Designations in the McKelvie Creek Project Area ...... 4 Table 3. 2-1. Confirmed and Potentially Occurring Wildlife Species at Risk within the Project Area ...... 9 Table 3. 3-1. Proposed Target Species for Habitat Suitability Mapping...... 12 Table 4. 1-1 Northern Red-legged Frog Modelled Habitat in the McKelvie Creek ProjectArea...... 14
November 2019 Table of Contents | iii Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd.
Table 4. 3-1. Black Swift Habitat in the McKelvie Creek Project Area ...... 18 Table 4.4-1. Northern Goshawk Habitat in the McKelvie Creek Project Area...... 20 Table 4. 5-1. Olive-sided Flycatcher Habitat in the McKelvie Creek Project Area...... 22 Table 4. 6-1. Western Screech-Owl Habitat in the McKelvie Creek Project Area...... 24 Table4. 7-1. Little Brown Myotis Modelled Habitatin the McKelvie Creek Project Area...... 28 Table 4. 8-1. Grizzly Bear Habitat in the McKelvie Creek Project Area...... 29 Table 4. 9-1. Roosevelt Elk Habitat in the McKelvie Creek Project Area ...... 34 Table 4. 10-1. Western Water Shrew Habitat in the McKelvie Creek Project Area...... 38 Table 6-1. McKelvie Creek Incidental Wildlife Observations...... 47 Table 7-1. Wildlife Habitat Suitability Model Results in the Project Area ...... 48 Table 7-2: Habitat Preferences for Species of Management Concern for which Wildlife Suitability Models Were Not Developed ...... 49
List of Plates
Plate 4. 9-1. Roosevelt Elk Seat noted in the McKelvie Creek Project area. July 4, 2019...... 37
Plate 5. 9-1. Marbled Murrelet nesting habitat in the McKelvie Creek watershed (July 2019)...... 44
List of Appendices Appendix A. Northern Red-Legged Frog Species Account Appendix B. Band-tailed Pigeon Species Account
Appendix C. Black Swift Species Account
Appendix D. Northern Goshawk Species Account Appendix E. Olive-sided Flycatcher Species Account Appendix F. Western Screech-Owl Species Account Appendix G. Little Brown Myotis Species Account Appendix H. Grizzly Bear Species Account
Appendix I. Roosevelt Elk Species Account
Appendix J. Western Water Shrew Species Account
iv | Table of Contents November 2019 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd.
BCCDC BC Conservation Data Centre
CMAunp Coastal Mountain-heather Alpine Undifferentiated Parkland
COSEWIC Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada CWHvml Coastal Western Hemlock Submontane Very Wet Maritime Variant CWHvm2 Coastal Western Hemlock Montane Very Wet Maritime Variant ENV BC Ministry of Environment; former acronyms include BC MOE and BC ECCS MHmml Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Windward Variant
MBCA Migratory Bird Conventions Act TEM Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping UWR Ungulate Winter Range
WHA Wildlife Habitat Area
November 2019 Glossary and Abbreviations |v
Village of Tahsis - McKeluie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd,
1. 1 PROJECT UNDERSTANDING
The Village of Tahsis (hereafter, Village) has requested a Watershed Assessment within McKelvie Creek Community Watershed (the Project). One of the goals ofthe assessment isto spatially identify ecological, economic, and cultural values within the watershed using a risk assessment approach. As the watershed is a source of drinking water or other values, the Village seeks to develop and implement a Watershed Protection Plan, similar to watershed protection plans established by other local governments. The proposed watershed assessment is a key component ofthe Watershed Protection Plan asit will identify the risks of human-based activities such as timber harvesting.
1. 2 OBJECTIVES
The objective ofthis report isto spatially identify ecological values, specificallywildlife habitat, withinthe watershed. Specifically, this report aims to: * identify wildlife species that occupy or move through the watershed with emphasis on species of conservation concern, * develop habitat suitability models for wildlife species most likely to occur within the Project area and for which habitat suitability models are possible given the information and spatial data available, and * present the habitat requirements for species of concern where habitatsuitability models are not feasible.
1. 3 FIELD STUDIES
Field work was completed on July 3 and 4, 2019, and the survey team included a botanist, an ecologist, a soil scientist, and a hydrologist. Field surveys on July 3 were focused on the lower approximately 1 km of the watershed and were conducted on foot; surveys on July 4 were focused on upper reaches of the watershed (accessed by helicopter) and included about 1. 2 km of survey by foot. All team members were present throughout both survey days.
Duringthe two-dayfield survey, all incidental observations ofvertebrates were recorded to speciesand, for identified at-riskspecies, georeferenced. Important habitatfeatures (e. g., potential marbled murrelet habitat) were photo-documented and georeferenced when encountered.
1. 4 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
A variety offederal and provincial statutes and regulations pertain to the conservation of biodiversity and are intended to preserve the integrity of native wildlife and plant populations, particularly those that are
November 2019 WILDLIFE [ 1 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd.
most threatened under existing or anticipated conditions. At least six acts (Table 1.2-1) pertain to conservation of biodiversity within the McKelvie Creek Community Watershed.
Table 1. 2-1. Regulatory Framework for Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat
Description Species at Risk 2002 Federal Specie A) provides for the legal protection of plant Act and ildli nserve their biological diversity and prevent extirpat ECCC 2016). The Committee on the Status of Endange nada (COSEWIC)identifies and assesses plant and wildl dered at risk, which may then qualify for legal protection nder SARA. Once listed under SARA, species plans are Ie ts to secure the necessary actions for species recovery and t.
Migratory 1994 Federal The Migratory ention Act (MBCA) protects and conserves Birds migratory bird uals and populations), their eggs, and their Convention nests in Canada e implementation of the Migratory Birds Act Regulations and tory Birds Sanctuary Regulations (ECCC 2016). According MBCA, removal of migratory birds, their eggs or nests from a site is issible if the migratory birds are causing or may cause damage rty and equipment (subject to permitting). Deposit of harmful su to birds in areas or waters frequently visited by migratory b hibited. Canada 1985 Federal The Canada Wildlife Act otects and conserves wildlife through Wildlife Act the creation and manage ildlife areas (known as National Wildlife Areas) (ECCC 201 fe areas are intended to preserve critical habitats for migrate and other wildlife species, particularly those listed und he Wildlife Area Regulations prohibits activities that coul ful to wildlife and their habitats unless an activity is authorize permit. Water 2016 Provincial The Water Sustainability Act (WSA) updated and replaced the previous Sustainabittty Water Act and brought in changes related to surface and ground water. Act Oneof the seven keyareas of improvement focuson the protection of stream health and aquatic environments by, for example, the of
Forest and 2002 Provincial The Forestand Range PracticesAct (FRPA) outlines standards and Range requirements for how forest and range practices and natural resource Practices Act activities should be conducted on Crown land in BC in a manner that ensures protection of natural resources, including wildlife. Mechanisms underthe FRPAinclude UngulateWinter Ranges (UWRs) and Wildlife Habitat Areas (WHAs). An UWR is an area of habitat that is critical to meeting an ungulate species' winter habitat requirements (ENV 2017). A WHA is an area of habitat that is critical to meeting the habitat requirements of an Identified Wildlife Species (ENV2017). Identified Wildlifeincludes species legally designated as endangered, threatened or specialconcern underthe WildlifeAct (ENV 2017).The Project LSA
2 | WILDLIFE November 2019 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd.
escription overlapswith Mountain Goat UWRand the Project RSAoverlaps with Mountain Goat UWR and Moose UWR. Wildlife Act 1996 Provincial The Wildlife Act defines wildlife as all native (and some non-native) amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles that live in BC (MFLNRORD 2017). The Wildlife Act provides the protection, conservation, and management of wildlife populations and wildlife habitats within BC. Under Section 34 ofthe Act, it is an offence to possess, take, injure, or molest or destroya bird, its egg(s), or a nestthat is occupiedby a bird or its egg (s). The nests of select species are protected year-round. Wildlife species can be legally designated as endangered, threated or special concern under the Art, which enables penalties for killing or harming wildlife, or the establishment of Critical Wildlife Habitats in
November 2019 WILDLIFE | 3 Village ofTahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd.
2. STUDY AREA
2. 1 PROJECT STUDY AREA
The Project area isdefined asthe extent ofthe McKelvie Creek Community Watershed (Figure 2. 1-1) and includes CWHvml, CWHvm2, MHmml and CMAunp biogeoclimatic (BGC) variants. The lower elevation biogeoclimatic variants (CWHvml and CWHvm2) are characterized bydense conifer forests, typically less snow, and longer growing seasons. The higher elevation variants (MHmml) forests are not quite asdense, and snow depth and duration increase. High elevation subalpine areas (CMAunp) are characterized by a diminishing tree cover and an increase of open meadows, tree islands, krummholz trees, rock outcrops, and talus slopes.
2. 2 OVERVIEW OF LAND DESIGNATIONS
An overview of land designations is proved in Table 2. 2-1. Most notably marbled murrelet and little brown myotis critical habitat and marbled murrelet wildlife management areas occur within the Project area (Figure 2. 2-1).
Table 2. 2-1. Land Use Designations in the McKelvie Creek Project Area
Land Use Designation Description Tahsis Landscape Unit The Projectarea isentirely located withinthe Tahsis Landscape Unit (LU). The Tahsis LU encompasses the Leiner, Little Zeballos, Perry, and Tahsis River drainages and is designated a Lower Biodiversity Emphasis Option (MFLNRORD 2019a). Strategic Land and Resource Plans The Project area is entirely located within the Vancouver Island Land Use Plan (MFLNRORD2019b) Wildlife Management Unit The Projectarea isentirely located within wildlife managementunit (WMU) 1-12. Managementunits are usedto set regulationsfor hunting and fishing (MFLNRORD2019c) Guide Outfitter Areas The Project area is entirely located within Eric Mikkelson's guide outfitter area (MFLNRORD 2019d| Traplines of BC The entire Project area is entirely located within trapline TR TR0616T012(MFLNRORD 2019e). Old Growth Management Areas There are no Old Growth Management Areas (OGMA), either legal or non-legal,that occurin the Projectarea (MFLNRORD2019f, g). BC Parks, Ecological Reserves and The are no Parks, Ecological Reserves or Protected areas within the Protected Areas Project area.Woss Lake Provincial Park is to the north andWeymer Creek ProvincialPark is to the south (ENV2019a, Figure 2. 2-1) Tree Farm Licence The Project area is entirelywithin Tree FarmLicence 19 (MFLRORD 2019h, Figure 2. 2-1)
4 | WILDLIFE November 2019 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd.
Ungulate Winter Range Ungulate winter range, either approved or proposed, is not present within the Project area (MFLNRORD 2019i, j). Critical Habitat The Project area overlaps with 522 hectares (24%) of marbled murrelet critical habitat and entirely with Little Brown Myotis critical habitat (Environment Canada 2019, Figure 2. 2-1) Wildlife Habitat Areas There are two approved wildlife habitat areas that occur in the Project area, both for marbled murrelets and no proposed (MFLNRORD 2019k, !, Figure 2. 2-1)
Species and Ecosystems at Risk There are no public occurrences of species at risk but there is a masked occurrence that overlaps with the southern portion of the Project area (ENV 2019b, c)
November 2019 WILDLIFE | 5 1:43, .^f'r\:- McKelvie Creek Watershed Kelvie Creek Project Area Legend [^] ProjectArea 1-igure 2. 1-1 Existing Road Contour (20 m) Date: 10/25/2019 Contour (100m) Map Numbei; MKW-Olfi Stream 0 £ tOt Ob, ,( CaordJnateSyste : NAD 1983 LITM Zone 9N t Waterbody Oalum: North Ar 1983 i1Wetland . ^'7 %^<% '^ '^'^7^&^/- IAKE PARK .j?. ".' ..*; ,, t' °%3 .y^. .^ .'. %>. l,. I,., ' eCV% A '6 iirtW^i -^ . ''**H^^ Cil .yu ^/^uu^ ruii, i-\oua3i. si^i^i. ^ui;un japam^MET^Bsri qtlina (Hong Kong), s&lsstlSp '' QBenStreetMa'p" contrbu' sTSah t^GIS User Coromanjty, Sour. e. 0 1 3 McKelvie Creek Watershed Existing Road 1-100. 000 km Contour (20 m) . Kelvie Creek Land Designations Contour (100 m) Figure 2. 2-1 Stream Waterbody IProject Area Date:11/1/2019 N Map Number MKW-019 Parks and Prolected Areas £ L 0 I 0 C. I f Coordinate Syitem: MAD 1933 UTM Zone 9N Critical HabitatArea - Marbled Murrelet 0 Projeclion: Transverse Mercator Datum. Ncrth American ISES Wildlife Habitat Area - Marbled Murrelet Village ofTahsis - McKelvle Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogicConsultants Ltd. 3. METHODOLOGY 3. 1 DATA SOURCES A desktop reviewwas conducted to compile existinginformation. Datasources included: * BCSpecies and Ecosystem Explorer (BC CDC2019); * BC Breeding Bird Atlas (Davidson et al. 2015); . eBird (www.ebird. org) * Critical Habitat for federally-listed species at risk - Marbled Murrelet (Environment Canada. 2019); ' - ' -..-, * Species and Ecosystems at Risk- Masked Secured (ENV2018a); * Species and Ecosystems at Risk- Publicly Available (ENV2018b); * Ungulate Winter Range (UWR) approved (MFLNRORD 2019a); » Ungulate Winter Range (UWR) proposed (MFLNRORD 2019b); * Wildlife Habitat Areas (WHAs)-Approved (MFLNRORD2019c); « Wildlife Habitat Areas (WHAs) - Proposed (MFLNRORD 2019d); and » WildlifeSpecies Inventory Incidental (SPI)Observations NotSecured (ENV2019) 3. 2 SPECIES OF MANAGEMENT CONCERN Theresults of an online search of the BC Conservation DataCenter (BC CDC) returned a totalof 39 records ofpotentially occurring speciesof management concern. Thesearch criteria usedincluded animals m'the Campbell River Forest District in the CWH, MH, and CMA BGC zones. By comparing the list to the geographic location andhabitat type of the Project area the list was shortened to 25species/subspecies^ Ofthese 25 species or subspecies, 18are SARA-listed andall arelisted provincially (2 Red-listed, 19Blue- listed,and 4 Yellow-listed;Table 3. 2-1).Of the 25 species and subspecies, 2 areconfirmed to be present, 12are likely to bepresent, 8 maybe present, and 3 arenot likely to bepresent in the Projectarea. Five subspecies are endemic to Vancouver Island and 10 are listed under FRPA. 8 | WILDLIFE November 2019 Villageof Tahsls- McKelvieCreek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. Table3.2-1. Confirmed andPotentially Occurring Wildlife Species atRisk within the Project Area Provincial COSEWIC BC List FRPA 1C iry Amphibians northern red- Ranaaurora SC (May Blue Y (May 1-SC 3 - legged frog 2015) Likely 2004) (Jan2005) Sensitive (2005) Amphibians wandering Aneides SC(May Blue 1-SC(Feb 4- salamander vagrans 2014) Likely 2018) Secure (2005) Amphibians westerntoad Anaxyrus SC(Nov Yellow 1-SC(J un 3- boreas Likely 2012) 2018) Sensitive (2005) Birds band-tailed Patagioenas SC (Nov Blue 1-SC(Feb pigeon fasciata 3- Y Likely 2008) 2011) Sensitive (2005) Birds barn swallow Hirundo rustica T (May Blue l-T(Nov 2011) 4- Y Likely 2017) Secure (2005) Birds black swift Cypseloides E (May Blue l-E(May 4- Y niger 2015) Likely 2019) Secure (2005) Birds common Chordeiies Yellow SC(May l-T (Feb nighthawk minor 2018) 4- Y Likely 2010) Secure (2005) Birds evening Coccothraustes SC (Nov Yellow 1-SC(May grosbeak vespertinus 2016) 4- Y Likely 2019) Secure (ZOOS) Birds great blue Ardea herodias SC(Mar Blue Y (May 1-SC(Feb heron./onnini fannini 2008) Possible 2004) 2010) subspecies November 2019 WILDLIFE I 9 Village of Tahsls- McKclvieCreek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. Scientific English Name Name COSEWIC BC List Presei Categi Birds marbled Brachyramphus T (May Blue Y (May 1-T (Jun 1-At murrelet marmoratus 2012) Likely 2004) 2003) Risk (2005) Birds northern Accipiter T (Apr Red Y (May l-T(Jun goshawk, gentilis laingi 2013) N Possible 2004) 2003) taingi subspecies Birds northern Glaucidium Blue Y(Jun pygmy-owl, Likely gnomo swarthi 2006) swarthi subspecies Birds olive-sided Contopus SC(May Blue 1-T(Feb flycatcher cooper/ 2018) 4- Y Likely 2010) Secure (2005) Birds peregrine fofco SC(Dec Blue 1-SC(Jun Y falcon, pealei peregrinus 2017) N Possible 2003) subspecies pealei Birds pine Pinicola Blue grosbeak, enucleator N Confirmed carlottae carlottae subspecies Birds short-eared Asiofiammeus SC (Mar Blue Y (May 1-SC(Jul 3- owl 2008) N Not likely 2004) 2012) Sensitive (2005) Birds western Megascops T (May Blue 1-T screech-owl, kennicottii 2012) N Possible kennicottii kennicottii subspecies 10 I WILDLIFE November 2019 Village of Tahsjs - McKeluie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. Provincial Presence FRPA Category Birds white-tailed Lagopus Blue Y(Jun Y Not likely ptarmigan, leucura 2006) saxa tilis saxa ti'tis subspecies Mammals little brown Myotis E (Nov Yellow 1-E(Dec 4 myotis lucifugus N Likely 2013) 2014) Secure (2005) Mammals Townsend's Corynorhinus Blue 2-May big-eared bat townsendii N Possible be at risk (2005) Mammals ermfne, Mustela Blue angumae erminea Y Possible subspecies angumae Mammals grizzlybear Ursusarctos SC(May Blue Y (May 1-SC(Jun 3- N Possible 2002) 2004) 2018) Sensitive (2005) Mammals Roosevelt elk Cervus elaphus Blue roosevelti N Confirmed Mammals western Sorex Blue YfJun Y Possible water shrew, navigator 2006) brooks! brooks! subspecies Mammals SC Red wolverine, Sulogulo (May Y (May 1-SC(Jun Y Not likely vancouverens vancouverensis 2014) 2004) 2018) /.ssubspecies Source: BCCDC 2019 committeeon the »OtUS 10te..M^M!gmto1B MS^m^t'o"Act:COSEWCS of Endangered Wildlife in Canada: SARA - Species at Risk Act Note:Search criteria u-.edfor the CDC search ind^d anMs in the Carr, pbdlRiwr Forest 'Strict in ^^WHMH^aMB^^' November 2019 WILDLIFE I 11 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 3. 3 HABITAT MODEL DEVELOPMENT In accordance with British Columbia Wildlife Habitat Rating Standards (RIC 1999), EcoLogic developed habitat suitability models for 10 species that were selected after consideration ofthe matrix of potential occurrence (Table3. 3-1),conservation status, presumed importanceto Aboriginalgroups, andavailability of data and knowledge about species habitat requirements thatwould allowfor development ofa reliable model. Forexample, a habitat suitability model forwestern toads would be desirable forthe Project area, but there are insufficient local data to train the models to identify habitat requirements forthis species at the scale of the Project area. Table 3. 3-1. Proposed Target Species for Habitat Suitability Mapping Species Life Requisite Rating Scheme Living All 4 Class Living Growing 4 Class Reproducing-Eggs Growing 4 class Reproducing- Eggs Growing 4 Class Northern goshawk Reproducing - Eggs Growing 4 Class Olive-sided flycatcher Reproducing-Eggs Growing 4 Class Western screech-owl Living all 4 Class Grizzly bear Feeding Early & Late Spring 6 Class Grizzly bear Feeding Summer 6 Class Grizzly bear Feeding Fall 6 Class Roosevelt elk Living Winter 6 Class Roosevelt elk Living Growing 6 Class Western water shrew Living All 2 Class Wildlife habitat ratings rank the suitability of a habitat for each wildlife species and were based upon Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping (TEM) completed for the Project area. The TEM product identifies ecosystem units, site modifiers, structural stage and canopy closure. Wildlife habitat ratings were then assigned to each unique combination of ecosystem unit, site modifier and structural stage for a particular life requisite and season (RIC 1999). Habitats were rated asa comparison to the province's best-known habitat (provincial benchmark or benchmark for that geographic area) for that species. When benchmarks were not available, the habitat characteristics deemed important based on the availableliterature identifiedin the speciesaccounts were usedto inform the ratings. Wildlife habitat ratings for species were based on a combination of features: landscape position (e. g, slope, aspect, site position); moisture regimes (e. g., xeric, mesic, hygric); ecosystem unit; special features (e. g., wetlands or avalanche tracks); structural stage (sparsely vegetated, herb, shrub, young forest, old 12 I WILDLIFE November 2019 Village of Tahsis - McKeli/ie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. forest, and old-growth forest); canopy cover; and canopy height. The specific criteria for each wildlife species are described in detail in the species accounts appended to this report. Depending on the level of knowledge per species, wildlife habitat ratings were basedon either a 6-class, 4-class, or 2-class system (RIC 1999). Finally, ratings were adjusted based on habitat attributes that were not included inthe ratings table but were nonetheless important forthe species (e. g., proximity to roadsand human disturbance). November 2019 WILDLIFE | 13 Villageof Tahsis - McKelvle CreekWildlife Habitat EcoLogicConsultants Ltd. 4. HABITAT SUITABILITY MODEL RESULTS 4. 1 NORTHERN RED-LEGGED FROG 4. 1. 1 Selection Criteria and General Habitat Description The northern red-legged frog was selected because of its federal status as Special Concern under SARA. its blue-listed status bythe BCCDC, and its potential to occurwithin the Project area.The northern red- legged frog inhabits moist, lower-elevation forest and requires both aquatic breeding habitats and terrestrial foraging habitats (COSEWIC 2004). The species has been recorded from sea level to elevations upto 710 m with a preference for lower elevations below500 m andmost likely aslow as 180 m (COSEWIC 2004). 4. 1.2 Northern Red-Legged Frog Habitat Suitability Modelling Results Thenorthern red-leggedfrog habitat models (Appendix A-Northern Red-leggedFrog Species Account) identified398 ha (about 18%of Project area) of highto moderate suitable northern red-leggedfrog habitatlocated generally within moist foreststands below710 m elevation (Table4. 1-1,Figure 4. 1-1). Table4. 1-1 Northern Red-legged FrogModelled Habitatin the McKelvie Creek ProjectArea Habitat Suitability Project Area LifeRequ site Rating Area(ha) Area (%) Living-G rowing High 97.1 4.5 Moderate 300.4 13.9 Low 695.8 32.1 Nil 1,074.1 49.6 14 | WILDLIFE November 2019 >^- '\ ^fv 2£fa- vt;:'- '.- -is '''Si.^ w'isSh,L*'<*^^: f / f''--'V' ; w ^'3i?'. ^I%^.,, ..'1 ;''--s?^''%'. y^ . -., ':^ ". Si^ . "i . ^'S-s ^"^: ^. :.^- . /f. 'y*A ...... :".?- '^...^. *-... U^»;^ . '"'. I'..^.. ' . .?. ''. ?'?"' .^. X" '^^ 'aX?" - "- ^sS "a"' <. ^"'l '. .' ~S!..''»ri" . %, % y'~ ^.¥"':;'.i;?"'', :i ¥r'ATI ti ?'' N*T., ^^ w^i'--r )', ';^, Sa i' '^~f ... i 'r. ' '! "wsl:l^ii"f'/t{" S;^. , . "):- :. . .' v-f . ' 'l:s.^^'''- ra P 0 ";'i:N CJ ^ ^ ~- . < ^ ^" ''m ^ ^ ? 3 '-la'.. ai S S j ;y. :;.'F'';. t s i jff* ;i 0. U U * "i., D "': "~TOXj ^15 ^ >1 ^ TO 3 C/1 ""TK- ".'yw.... OT ' ~ .. -'St1,.:^ '.^.^.i A".:.V," "-', /"? 1 .s f i aj_ n -^ u m ro ^?%iSy'^ . ;:':::l 2 ± & ^?fc-~"i>"". -"". ^l. .,, ?.« : :r. '-.. ;''". "'x -. '..^-'^"v. t/1 k_ ro . -iL^-ii^'fe-;'^'~^'? . 4"l ..H y~-& (U GO ru o aj 1- I- LL < w -Of" cVI I" CD no 'o' ^ Q- £ U -a '..^ -~'^^> ^--~*- ^ w :^/^^r^., ' -. 0 Village of Tahsis - McKeluie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 4. 2 BAND-TAILED PIGEON 4. 2.1 Selection Criteria and General Habitat Description ^Band-tailed pigeon was_selected becauseof its federal statusas Special Concern underSARA, its Blue- listedstatus by the BCCDC, and its potential tooccur within the Project area. "'" """' ^""' breeding the band-tailed uses a pigeon varietyof ha^ ." the ,Duln gth!. 5eason. temperate conifer rain fo,re.stfrom-seale*'elup to 30°m elevation (l Project Area Life Requisite Habitat Suitability Rating Area (ha) Area (%) High 171.3 7.9 Moderate 143.2 6.6 Low 798.9 36.9 Nil 1, 054. 0 48.6 16 | WILDLIFE November 2019 / t r . ».' ,©?::/-' '',,. ''?:' . "- ? '. \ l-ff^- z- ..:f .-. . /'l^'s'WS 'Jr& \ "r" ^. r. ^' ^.^''^.y~ssy %r; . ^^'y^y \ \ ... '. - .'.:^£1 ).V'i .:. '..'"'" "... :. .. ^;'":):J.... J<.T . S... - > :-3?"' '.^ . / ;"^&,y:;"#i \w- "^. '.!'&'^. .^'''^. ''^^.... '. ^.f.^ . . . '^ "^"l^. "'"., ;" : ^'1 ) y~l^'^s-^f:~ . ^'.. --. i; -; ~ ..<. "S^g &/. / '.-'i '"' ~ "-^.^ ^M'^'V'; '. s s?' , ". ^^,.. ! ., ~^y.. '''; :.' . . -^ '^ . T . ~1'^^ . -^ 's'^'-.. _ J^ y' , - . '; i ' ' , ^;. ^ .^"^-.-..... "^-^^ '. ^s1'^.-^^-1.., )* .,'^""A^^. ""''- ^-^^^. ^'.. -r. \ '., . <^ .-&-', ~-:tl . *s-f Tahsis :'-£i:i--!'w, ' o o.s ^:/ ', 1 37. 000 McKelvie Creek Watershed Legend nd-tailed Pigeon - Reproducing - Habitat Suitability [__JProject Area Eggs Habitat in the Project Area Rating Contour (20 m) Figure 4. 2-1 High Contour (100 m) Date: 10/31/2019 Moderate N Map Numbsr; MKW.022 £ C C l 0 ^ . r Coordinate Syitem. NAO 1983 UTM Zone 9N Low 0 Projection: Iransueise Me real or Dat LIm North Amenon 1983 Nil Village of Tahsis - McKeluie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 4. 3 BLACK SWIFT 4. 3.1 Selection Criteria and General Habitat Description of its federal status as special concern under ^ts ^ft^"e;ectedbe"use SARA, its Blue-listed status . BCCDC and its potential to occur within the Project area. mountaino- of T,h»eJMSWift^eed;_throughoutthe -gions Vancouver Island. It is of particular z:f;z"^;^km'bla-, asthe. provincesupports over80% of ^ North'Amencan^^ is ^o:.(COSEWI"°Tt known for having rather extraordinarY "esting^remen^h:^ Z^^, :::^waterfa"s;Lmortar area;forl>reedin6wh:r:it^:;::':"^^ l"ledge5beh"1d theflowing water(COSEWIC 2015)- lt ran6es^fr°- its'nesTwhenforagTnsdu^ ^^i^^^:^e^:rr v^hstefide^tonestinglocations;andt^H^r': year after yearto the same site (or even the same nest; COSEWIC2015). 4. 3.2 Black Swift Habitat Suitability Modelling Results c-Black (^^^r^Sl£e^):, b!a^wlft^Appendix, swift species Account> identified 76° ha (a.boul^1 ^pr?ect;rea)^sultable (Hi6h ancf Moderate) ^P-du. ng^gshab^t'fo^Zg^;,^ seasonfrom Marchto August (Table 4. 3-1, Figure4. 3-1). Table4. 3-1. BlackSwift Habitat in the McKelvie Creek Project Area Project Area Life Requisite Habitat Suitability Rating Area (ha) Area (%) Reproducing -Eggs - Growing High 591. 0 27.3 Moderate 169. 0 7.8 Low 27. 9 1.3 Nil 1, 379. 4 63.6 18 | WILDLIFE November 2019 Tahsis 0 05 1 5 1 37, 000 : m ck Swift - Reproducing - Eggs Legend Habitat Suitability Project Area Habitat in the Project Area Rating Contour (20 m) Figure 4. 3-1 High Contour (100 m) Date: 10/31/2019 Moderate Map Number: MKW-023 0 0 i D <; i t Confdinate System: MAD 19S3 UTM Zone 9N Low Oatum-North Ai 1933 Nil Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 4. 4 NORTHERN GOSHAWK 4. 4.1 Selection Criteria and Genera] Habitat Description N^hem. goshawkwa"electedfor habitat mode"ing because of its fe^al status as Threatened under SZ^N^^0^ !nthe area'Northerngoshawks have ^large'territor. :d:^ l^"'IY!owdens!!vcrfprey species (primari^other birds and sma" man^a^ an^the'relat^^ ^nergrtlc/equireme"ts of a large' forest-d^'""g raptor (Northern Goshawk'Recovery^am'; s:^. inorder of decreasing spatial area-a ^-f^M'^^^ thought to select habitat ba5ed on stand structu- -ther than NolhlrLgosha.wks-are. stand age or ^;t!on^houBh^'atterare important- Key stru^"-l^"^^e c^ cl^^Zi^li; ofhunting perches, and open mid- and understoreys topermit huntingactivity" "'" """'" ' 4. 4.2 Northern Goshawk Habitat Suitability Modelling Results northern goshawk reflects tvpica"y Prefe-"-s in stand structure ,N"lrLghat>!at;etectionby and '^^^sw ^canomdo^^'a^^^^^^^^ ntmgflyways'Therefore-suitable habitat in hu. the model was ^fi"edasoldandm^r'euh^tocTfo're^ ^^r^^^^m:he. fo"st^e:_Thehabitat. modelsdevek)pedfo-rthem^^ S^^t^:^ Account)identified292 ^-(^"%°f'Pr°Ject^^ s':.^i::^ate)Reproducine-Eggshabita:fo;;e;owi:B:::o:::=^^ Table4. 4-1. Northern Goshawk Habitat inthe McKelvie CreekProject Area Habitat Suitability Project Area Life Requisite Rating Area (ha) Area (%) Reproducing - Eggs High 221.9 10.2 Moderate 69.5 3.2 Low 131.8 6.1 Nil 1, 744.1 80.5 20 | WILDLIFE November 2019 <''/' ' f:-.f -J .s .^ h'? y. .::"f. . \ \ -., \ . ; '""" ~'i^ i"> fei . ?3S^^ . ->. ' '->. '""^'^^.. '.. /^. f'-. .. .^^'} .. '. : -. . :'. . '". -.. -- . " . ' /:':/^," -"-^ '^..-*^* \~. } '".- ^s;'-.. :1: -. ^. : .. %'. ''. .- / ; . .- ^£^-SS?. '". . . -. ^.'^."^ :... . ' 1^7 ;.. . -^-. -. i1 . ^., ^^ ... '-.. i,.. i£i . "--<"' . \^K. ^'^.." ^'^^"Mr-^ .. '.:'. ' ^ ^> ' ''^". "-. "-^ Vi \. ^^- ; - '. y^Q^ 1:, ; ...,3. ^1-'. <'";.-. ;.,.^p|'f .- . '.' \ \ ". . ~'" "" -'^J'^;I^^: ' . ' ' -'.. »'£ .;. '"-'-a.'!" , ' -"'/.'. ; f ....*.. . -. -. tr .,..,!''":'".'"':Vr .1 Tahsis /rK^"':';!'"~"" ':'/'^'; / ^''>''. y^ .:' .. /..'.^ : 0 0.5 1 5 . /' :M' 1 37,000 .. m McKelvie Creek Watershed rthern Goshawk - Reproducing - Legend Habitat Suitability Project Area Eggs Habitat in the Project Area Rating Contour (20 m) Figure 4. 4-1 .K. High Contour (100 m) Date; 10/31/2019 Moderate N Map Number MKUU-024 ECQlOG, ( CaordinatESystem: MAD 1983 UTMlone BN Low 0 Proji Oat urn North Amencsn 19S3 Nil Village of Tahsis - McKeMe Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 4. 5 OLIVE-SIDEDFLYCATCHER 4. 5.1 Selection Criteria and General Habitat Descript ion ^d^f^l^selected becauseof its federal status as SPecial c- -derSARA and its to occur in the Project area. ^^'^d^he^s throughoutBrit'h columbia-includin^ °" vancouver'-'-d. Generally ^^:ll^^:Io r"ts^:rcthereareforestedges(especi^thoseassocia^^;:^ ^,^da^ll arg"na6sforforaging'Altman and sa"abanks (2012)note«;atthis^^c;e^^ ^t^roS^S:;'T:;t!lh ^rrtrasted6"between'hab;ta^a^:t^^^ ^^meelb um^tearcuts:/hru^ fields- bogs- me^°ws;-and^eT'^^s"^Z^ ^^^^Tl^^r^oust^i!^t^=ti^^:'m^:^S't's most abundantas a bre^er in lslsJCOSEWIC.2007)', British Columbraibetweenjl,000^nd'2°00°0 ^ ^^o^h;!a'ooca'sattoweri den'tre;down^::ie ::'^^^^S2 s0^^ s^^f=^adtreetopsorl"esna8sfo;fora;=a;^^=^ 4. 5.2 Olive-sided Flycatcher Habitat Suitability Modelling Results rM flycatcher Ihenlb itl. derd °, ped,foro"ve;sided 'APPendix E-Olive-sided Flycatcher Species ^^^^^68%^^^. ^:w=e^^ Eggshabitat for the growing season from March to August (Table 4. 5-1,Hgure 4. 5"^ Table4. 5-1. Olive-sidedFlycatcher Habitat In the McKelvie Creek Project Area Project Area Life Requis te Habitat Suitability Rating Ar''a lha) Area (%) Reproducing - Eggs High 717.0 33.1 Moderate 753.6 34.8 Low 44.4 2.0 Nil 652.4 30.1 22 | WILDLIFE November 2019 J l/f-./-^/' J" r. -" / ^^ ."^'^"l' ..'' '. '."-. t'11. . ". ""\ I '1 '.: . .f-- --.A)' u. A- . V_..X-- i . y^ ^' . ^w&- //" l;Nt;"*1":, ' ^'^f . ^'.''v. -stf-^-'' - .-»-. ;a::s«lly$x ' '^"i.tB"" K'y'. JS, ^^ y '%j}^ , '3»-- . !-::-i ; .. '. ^ . '-r' *''''..'. , /^'eSs ,., sy~i-;:'.^^^^. "'r ' 11-11. W..' , ' '.--?-? ^.... Tv-.'. "-?-.",A. St?'.;^K~'^ ^^'' ,, 'VS^V '.i'-.t^aS ':.-'&. \' -k., ^i''>." ^'K'S--^, ';.. ~-.3?c-'" . ^^'SS-''"^- '-:s'''%&,' A .. - ^s£^. ^ .. ';^ . &v' 0 0.5 1 S y-'i .. '. 1 37,000 m McKelvie Creek Watershed - Flycatcher - Reproducing ^eb"tdat ap^ea ^ ve:slded . Suitability Eggs Habitat in the Project Area Rating coniouroom) Figure 4. 5-1 NL High Conlour(IOOm) Date: 10/31/2019 Moderate N Map Number- MKW.OZS Low 0 t. C 0 I 0 i; i t Coordinate System: NAD 1983 UTM Zone SN Datum: North American 19S3 Nil Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 4. 6 WESTERN SCREECH-OWL 4. 6.1 Selection Criteria and General Habitat Description Westernscreech-owl wasselected for habitat modelling because of its federal status as Threatened under SARAand its potential to occurwithin the Projectarea year-round. Western^creech-owls along the BCcoast are found in almost every type of low-etevation forest and wood'and:_andsuburba" 8ardens if suitable roosting cover and nest sites are available (COSEWIC 2012a')" but generally prefer mixed deciduous-coniferous forests near streams (COSEWIC'2012a). 'Western' screech-owlis a secondarycavity-nester that prefers to nest in large-diameter deciduousTrees,; coniferous treeswill also be used. The presence of standing dead trees and snags plays an important"^ ln.spec'es conservation, (COSEWIC2012)- stingtr£es are tVPica"Y located al°"g streambanks (COSEWIC 20";ENV2013> andnear bod'es of standlng waterincludingmarshes. bogs, andlakes(Campbell'et'al' 1990).They will readily use nest boxes if there are no suitable tree cavit'ies in an otherwise'suitable territory (Canningsand Angell 2001 in COSEWIC2012a). 4. 6.2 Western Screech-Owl Habitat Suitability Modelling Results NestmfLhabi!atse'ection by western screech-owl refle^s preferences instanding dead trees and snags ne-aLbodiesofwater (Appencli>< F-western Screech-Owl Species Account). The habitat'suitabiHtymod^i entified small amounts (30 ha; about 1% of id Project area) of suitable (High) Living habitat forall^ons (Table 4. 6-1; Figure 4. 6-1). Table4. 6-1. WesternScreech-Owl Habitat in the McKelvieCreek Project Area Project Area Life Requisite Habitat Suitability Rating Area (ha) Area (%) Living - All High 30.4 1.4 Moderate 0 0 Low 1, 056. 2 48.7 Nil 1, 080. 9 49.9 24 | WILDLIFE November 2019 -:,.. i!f ;";:iA'!; ^:i'^i3ww&i:! .. . V^'WS'ii';!: ...... S:fiMk"s:Kv. ::! y ''iSXS:'! '' ^asy' 1. -":.^' ^fti" X^J.', '^'^, '''' i^'SSi '. ^ ^;-1- ". 18M; -SSV »tp;: ^/k :s^' W£^ Wl ^1 " '/y^ I w*y ll i V. ^^s? . -w'\ '^ W'fy^ f' .. ;s^%? SB tr''S. . %.&» '%^.. J- w 'A.V"?i.", '-a-'^ ...'"'»??'....--S , Ss&^' /^7%y ... '"' 3-^§^'^%s'. yw; !-'. , ,.-.. 'V i l . J-^'. ';BT^^'^/^'' l^.- '?fl . - .... ^^r'. :... ^®^,.,"?^i' y .w^/' <:y- .'. ?w i'! -''. ^ :9- '^sSs-'Sssy . . .' -fJ K^y. ^. '..-^iifc-'- '':-///y-. -^ ' '<-^'^^: -.^y^^.. .. =^> '^^."'.. ^.. -'^^i- ... :. ^'^^- " >v ^:;~- . '., ', fj:. '' ; " " .^-&?'%ri"-W'. '. " '.'"^V'1 '.'' :..^-^^£^ '. ^s'rv "i ".'.V:'"3K'::! . ^^Wf^. :., .^. /.. sm <1. ^5:18fr ^. "'.^S^^-^y 1^':^'^'~^. '' . '^P''" !- --;.. /'' '?'. ^^&/s»!i '''. u.-riS?-'', ' . -. f:li't':. _ "' l'--). "''ii. w; . ^ &S:^-("-". ''^.. n .?-' "9^ ". ./. ^- (. ^»/%®9ftf~?-' '\-'il:,,, :'-^. T^"--C-fT-^-:.> i ; "^li1 ".. -, ;. A , -^V .r. '/ ..'' /- ' -i''(^. '. .-'/ -e. ^yM&& ^fl- ^^MiSSSj^ ^ s ^ < Tahsis : ' -sss'^', ji ? 7' . . "'.'.:. '/. '"&:. ' /... 1 0 0.8 ^y. ^'; 1 37, OQO McKelvie Creek Watershed stern Screech Owl - Living Habitat in the Project Area Habitat Suitability Project Rating Contour (20 m) Figure 4. 6-1 High Contour (100 m) N Date:11/5/2019 Moderate Map Number- MKW-026 E- C 0 I 0 G I ( E System: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 9N Low 0 Pr eject ion: Tr datum: NorthAi Nil Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 4. 7 LITTLE BROWN MYOTIS 4. 7.1 Selection Criteria and General Habitat Description ^itt'ebrown myotiswasselected as a SPeciesf°^h'ch habitatis modelled because it is likely to be in the Projec^Area,critical habitat is mapped by Environment Canada in the Project area, and itsfede^statu^ l!nda. ngercd. underSARA:The critical habitatmapPed for "ttle brownmyotis isvery'broad7hen»"a model was developed for this species. '" ~ ~ '"' "'"""' ^ little^brown myotis isa habitatgeneralist, evidenced byits wide range throughout BCand North AmLfrom drv°penforests to humid^1 forests. Theyhave also adapted-well~to'urban" a'real' usinghuman-made structures for resting and maternity sites (Holroydetal. 2016). '"" " ""'"""'^' The^littlebrown myotis requires warm, dark, poorly ventilated areas with several small access holes for oost nder loose bark and cavities of dead nl5erlr slt e!.T_h_asu. standine or oid tr"s, naturally occu7ring ^ockcrevices, sandstonecliffs, and outcroppings (Crampton andBarclay 1998; Holroyd ^. W^BCa^. Ml^rsen"dBrigham 2017)-Attlcsor other (huma"-ade) spaces associated with buHdings^ alsofu'f"these requirements 4. 7.2 Little Brown Myotis Habitat Suitability Modelling Results f°rthe pro^ct'APPendix S-"«le ^LJtt'eBoroown. MYOt'smode! Brown Myotis Species Account) identified and l:Th a(87%°LproJectarea)of High 37 ha (about 2% of project a^ °f Moderate'living habitat (Table th!projectarea 4-7:l;Reure4. 7-1). Suitable habitat consists forested unit^wetia n^i^e^^ ^, ^ar'anfloodpbins'c"ffs:. rockyoutcrops; talus slopes were also considered'tobe'usabic ^'th^ provide nursery roost siteswithin rockcrevices and outcrops. 26 | WILDLIFE November 2019 / Tahsis 0 0,5 1 .5 1 37WO , . km McKelvie Creek Watershed ^rr-uui"E"'"""" s-°;=. Figure 4. 7-1 -High Contour (100m) Date: iD/31/2019 Moderate N Map Number MKW. OZ1 ECO 1 o CoBfdJnate System. HAD ISB3 UTM Zone SN Low 0 Frojeclion; Transuerse Mercator Datum. North American IWi Nil Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. Table4. 7-1. Little Brown Myotis Modelled Habitat inthe McKeh/ie Creek Project Area Project Area Life Requisite abitatSuitability Rating rea (ha) Area f%) Living-Growing High 1, 884. 6 87.0 Moderate 37 1.7 Low 7. 9 0.4 Nil 237. 9 11.0 4. 8 GRIZZLY BEAR 4. 8.1 Selection Criteria and General Habitat Description Grizzly bearwas selected because of its conservation status both federally (listed asSpecial Concern on SARA)and provincially (Identified Wildlife) andits recent occupation ofnorthern Vancouver Island. Grizzlybears utilize different habitats throughout the year to exploit seasonal changes in the availability offoods ranging from low elevation to alpine.Habitat selection reflects timing of local plant phenology, timing ofspring ungulate calving, and migratory salmon runs. Assuch grizzly bears can have dailyand seasonal movement patterns. Grizzly bear feeding habitat is considered to be the most important life requisite given that habitat selection inthe growing season (spring, summer, andfall) isrelated to foodavailability Foodvalue isthe primary driver in habitat selection (Gyug 2004). As such, the life requisites that have been rated for the grizzly bear model are feeding in spring, summer and fall. 4. 8.2 Grizzly Bear Habitat Suitability Modelling Results Themodels developed for grizzly bear (Appendix H-Grizzly Bear Species Account) identified suitable (high, moderate!^high, and moderate) feeding habitat during the early spring (Figure 4. 8-1), late spring (Figure4. 8-2), summer (Figure4. 8-3)and fall (Figure4. 8-4)seasons (Table4. 8-1). Suitable (High-Moderate) early spring habitat is limited to the lower elevation shrub and early seral forests,wetlands, floodplain, riparian areas, roadside and avalanche tracks that make up a totalof 86 ha (about4% of Project area). As spring progresses, bearsmove upin elevation, foragingon early green-up vegetation in moist and wet forests and opportunistic hoary marmot prey in talus slopes. The model entifies a total of 124 ha (about 6% of Project area) of late habitat id spring that is rated as suitable (High- Moderate)^By summer, subalpineand alpine ecosystem arefrequented bygrizzly bears as are berry- producingforests andstreams withearly salmon runs. The model estimates a total of 1, 246 ha (about 58%of Project area) of suitable (High-Moderate) summer habitat. Salmon-spawning streams are rated highvalue habitatfor fall. Salmon spawnonly part-way upMcKelvje Creek (deVissern. d. ). Moistforested units, subalpine and alpine habitats, avalanche tracks and talus slopes all provide important feeding 28 [ WILDLIFE November 2019 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. habitat for grizzly feeding^:S:21ybearforatotalofl-194ha(about55%ofpr^ctarea'^-^(H^Mode. habitat. te)^l Table4. 8-1. GrizzlyBear Habitat in the McKelvje Creek Project Area Habitat Suitability eject Area -ife Requisite ating Are (ha) ea(%) Feeding-early spring High 1.3 0.1 Moderately High 83.3 3.8 Moderate 1.0 0.0 Low 2.4 0.1 Very Low 625.5 28.9 Nil 1,453.9 67.1 Feeding-late spring High 13.8 0.6 Moderately High 90.1 4.2 Moderate 20.0 0.9 Low 2.4 0.1 Very Low 1, 211.5 55.9 Nil 829.7 39.3 Feeding Summer High 1, 078.2 49.7 Moderately High 110.1 5.1 Moderate 57.9 2.7 Low 404.6 18.7 Very Low 2.2 0.1 Nil 514.3 23.7 Feeding - Fall High 4.8 0.2 Moderately High 1, 186.3 54.7 Moderate 3.5 0.2 Low 459.0 21.2 Very Low 2.2 0.1 Nil 511.5 23.6 4. 8. 3 Compulsory Inspection Data S^'^:^:^^^Data(M:LNROD2018)doesnotindudethe^z^earpopulat, on ^u^lT he^se"eofgri221ybears inMU 1-12 has been ^^^^^^^^ is ^rLcor;AF !n,neman>'!t . suspected that some gri"ly ^ars swamacTosTt he1 Geo'^a'Tt r^^ ^Sto^^^o^h!n'b"!meestabii ;:dl':;:n::e::::^^^^i^^ ^g, g^'yl3e:rhabitat'although sightingsof lone bea-6'across^Z'^Z^^ ^^n^^appear, tobeb"omhg'm:)refreque;°ln'e:lz^^^a ^^^^ natural range expansion (Comox ValleyRecord 2018). November 2019 WILDLIFE | 29 / ! Tahsis 0 05 1 37.000 McKelvie Creek Watershed ;zly Bear- Feeding- Early Spring Legend Habitat Suitability Very Low Habitat in the Project Area Rating Figure 4.8-1 I High [Project Area Date:10/31/2019 Moderately High Contour (20 m) Map Mum her. MKW-027 EC 0 i 0 L- i < System; MAC 19B3 UTMZgneSN Moderate Contour (100 m) 0 Projection: Transverse Merca for Datum; h'orth American 1933 Low 0-1 ESGT u?3U3UV 4UOW . uiniea (UJOOL) Jnojuoo 9^ejapoy\| N6 auo; iniin E86T QVN :ujs)i^ 3, euipj co3 r) 0 1 033 0 STO-MNW 'JaquinN deiflj (LU oz) Jnoiuoo I '^' V'' "" /^'. - '/ \ ^ /f}^.^ '\ {- /. ') t j " . ''.I "SJ:i /?' \. tyW ... -% -/i^ . ..!:i "{. /'.I I. ',,. ^ /M / : / Ji A % \;r Tahsis 0 B.5 1 37.000 McKelvie Creek Watershed zzly Bear- Feeding - Summer Legend Habitat Suitability Very Low Habitat in the Project Area Ratin9 fefe"^.SiB.1*' Nil Figure 4. 8-3 MHigh II ProjectArea Date: 10/31/2Q19 Moderately High Contour (20 m) Map Number: MKW-029 Moderate Contour (100 m) 0 it. 01 D t, . C ; NAO 19B3 UTM 2one 9N . North Ar 1963 Low I .; '/.' . .^ ".) il ;/ ^y <"!''/. .. \^ .^ ^' .y .. J. ': ^a-'" , -yeW ~ . -/»«'":. .. ^{. "" .s'y, - 1'" ^'Ki, ; fe1 's^^S^" . ''' "ssy \^i ^ -1-<<«P%3?;,, ^ ^ ~ ) -l-^l'''. »,r ' -ii . ^i. ^~f- '. -I' >.-- ;'"'^*^-''y w: ...-,.,- > .,^S^"'?^. '/'-3asE ^-i^SSSe. :i}^.. \ ' ^y M:y'' jsBy ::h'. -sfc si^ '""'^\iiy'" . ^ "":!- : 1";;'S' ^S^^KEs. "!'3!7'?''. ;... '' . !!,i':>S%;'>-' 'i?:*;" U ^', »; ; ''\ ' .. !%:i.. ife"&/-^K- ^il. si^ifewc~-.. ^ '^'~ ., ' -^ .i5.. <.'. 's3 '^;.! . ' .\ . :. :.^;:. £::':'^ '"";.^"/' ''-' . " "l-'sw--"'-.' '''.'\J- .... ^' . : .^^^''".'Z'-^. ^: . r, ,' ... . \ ^ ^,.. T""'. -' ' / > ;' .. -1-. \, . '" "" '"~"'<-<^y' ''.. (>:'.. ' \"- . 'y: ^.. 1, . :. '' .. ' f \^-- ^^^. -_^ . ^Jh^ } ^'"~'^ . :.-. '' I ;-. . ' '. \ '" . »":^^.. 'k,. ..'-f/y '" Tahsis i ..^wf. ' M^H I" '. } 0 0.5 1 S '"7^y-.'^.... ^'.^ . /;'. '. 1 37.000 m McKelvie Creek Watershed zzly Bear-Feeding-Fall Legend Habitat in the Project Area Habitat Suitability Very Low Rating Nil Figure 4. 8-4 High [Project Area Date: 10/31/2019 Moderately High Contour (20 m) N Map Mum her MKW. 030 0 E C 0 i 0 G . r Coordinate System: HAO 1983 UTM Zone 9N Moderate Contour (100 m) Datum- Nonh Afnerican 19S3 Low Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 4. 9 ROOSEVELTELK 4. 9. 1 Selection Criteria and General Habitat Description Roosevelt elkwas selected because it isprovincially Blue-listed (BCCDC 2019) andhas been confirmed as present in the McKelvie Creek Project area (Plate 4. 9-1). Roosevelt elk that inhabitthe southern coastal rainforests are usually found in valley bottoms in most seasons, even in summer in some areas (Shackleton 1999). Seasonal movements can be highly individualistic withsome animals making altitudinal migrationswhile other move mainly horizontallyand some remain year-round in the same general area (Shackleton 1999). In general, Roosevelt elk are more often observed in low elevation valley bottoms. Stayingalive largely centers around finding enough to eatand avoiding predators (Van Tighem 2001). At anygiven time, elk need an appropriate combination ofshelter andsecurity cover, foragingareas, travel corridors, and water (Van Tighem 2001). Habitat selection is driven by the need to meet nutritional requirements withenough forage andcover, andto minimize riskof mortality. Asa result, the Livinglife requisite includes feeding, thermal and security habitat. 4. 9. 2 Roosevelt Elk Habitat Suitability Modelling Results The models developed for Roosevelt elk (Appendix 1-Roosevelt ElkSpecies Account) identified suitable ^Hjgh-Moderate) livinghabitat during the winter (Table4. 9-1; Figure4. 9-1)and growing (Table 4. 9-1; Figure4. 9-2)seasons. The model predicts 1, 251ha (about 58% of Project area) of suitable Living-Growing habitat and 688 ha (about 32% of Project area) ofsuitable Living-Winter season habitat. Table4. 9-1. Roosevelt ElkHabitat in the McKelvieCreek ProjectArea Habitat Suitability Project Area Life Requisite Area (ha) Area (%) Living - Winter High 448.2 20.7 Moderately High 210.9 9.7 Moderate 29.4 1.4 Low 107.2 4.9 Very Low 6.8 0.3 Nil 1,365.0 63.0 Living - Growing High 129.2 6.0 Moderately High 980.7 45.2 Moderate 141.0 6.5 Low 402.1 18.6 Very Low 8.9 0.4 Nil 505.6 23.3 34 | WILDLIFE November 2019 / t'i . / ./. . t'. l. -" :"x,' .z . ... i; . '. A,. !' fell ?'. .' I ;. ' I* ' :y. !fi'. . r--"r ... -..?. ,*-^- ^.^ s-r '.. /fe <-\)~ I ' .: -i >.»y.i '^ ':":1 ' ^ ^ '^, . -.. B. ;';.'-' .S^ '. ^s'^^: :i?/ .^ . '^^^^:,- ' 'A' "'^f.^"-^" "' ^s^} '.."Sw"' ^iK^-'V:,, .. ^ffg. '^ .. -..-,- ' \\^ ^SSf-' :^^A^3r "? '~T'ys' ^'1 ."'""... .^...: ... : \ t * -9"' l'-(4^'. :'':3^^'"'. '^ 'J 'l.:.... '" I.X ;?- ,'^Bg' S'N*- ^^. L:^-"-'-"":£ ? ' / /../ . /'-. f ^"A^A.: i. '! "r ^ .. / .. '^. ^ \^:;^ --' . -'' --..-". "' \ ^A.. -/. r^ ^' *'<. .^^.. ^ . i' !. , '^Ute?-- . ^.^ ". ^ fS^^-:^ < ' . fc' - ~i'S3.i"ii ~. ~. Y 't ' 11 ^ * al - '-w^-^m^^'^ a " '. ~ ' -~ '". " ..' ~ Tahsis %t^. te f&^f^'n . SS'-y, !'^ ^'""r'w3- ', f., ff 0. 3 ' ' 1 . 1 6 ^ 1 37, 000 m McKelvie Creek Watershed :- .osevelt. Elk~Living - winterHabitat ^"datSuitability Very Low in the Project Area Rating Figure 4. 9-1 Nh High r~~]ProlectArea Date: 10/31/2019 Moderately High Contour (20 m) N Map Number, MKW. 031 £ C 0 ( 0 G ; t Conrdinate System: NAD 19B3 UTM Zone 9N Moderate Contour (100 m) 0 itor Datum North American 1983 Low f '^l .&. . ^-" --' 1-^. J ^ ^ \ ' Tahsis 0 03 1 1 »» 1 37,000 McKelvie Creek Watershed isevelt Elk - Growing Habitat Legend in the Project Area Habitat Suitability Very Low Ratin9 SS. Nil Figure 4. 9-2 High I I ProjectArea Date-11/4/2019 Moderately High Contour (20 m) MapMumber:MKW-C35 6 10 L 0 i, i ( Coordinate S^tem: KAO 1983 UTM Zone 9N Moderate Contour (100 m) 0 Projection: Transue^se Mercator Datum: North American 19S3 Low Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. Plate 4. 9-1. Roosevelt ElkSeat noted inthe McKelvieCreek Project area (July 4, 20191. November 2019 WILDLIFE | 37 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 4. 10 WESTERN WATER SHREW, BROOKSII was selected because jt is endemic to van"- Lh e, wele rn.water_5hrew 1-1-d and its potential to occur within the Project area. ^,w"^ate^hrewcapturedtodatewere found only in --elevation habitat ranging from sea ^el^558mlne'e'^on (craig2004)-lt is unknown whether the "'esternwate^^wi^it^igh^ e'evatlon. areasorwhether the surveys for this shrew have been ."3dequate'(Craig2004). "T"h"e'wZ'rcn ^^re^^ong!yassociated wlthwet habltats'and it seems to be '""Abundant near fast'ftow^ng where are -"V^and'small^e: ^^Sm ^^::^owl3:averdams,these habitats there. ! en"%):ln the western water shrew is rarely found mo^'th^a fe'w mZs 'fr'ocm ^ldge^e^m ^goreenl996) oreven within a few -""^resoftheedgeofthest^^^^ 2104Lolhlw et, 'a.nd. hat"tat'ncludes wet meadows and alder thickets borde°nng ponds'7n d'lakZ (Nagorsen 1996). However, wetlands have not been systematically surveyed onVanco^7lusia n°dlu ^Irtda!a^'ca. te^western watershrews are depenclent on the P- of high-quality intact np^^^ :.diverserange of stream habitats'from narrowto wide ^^ '^^'^ ^e^elv, 'Tflow!ngwaters' The substrate ofthestr.ambed is'us^ly1^ 'ow^7, 7n7Z ^r;s;. complexenvironmen^thi:s;r::=^=l^s^:: 4. 10. 1 Western Water Shrew Habitat Suitability Modelling Results T^m^dsnd:vetop-edforthewestern watershrew (Appendix J-western w^ Shrew Species Account) identified40 ha (about 2% of Project area) of useable living habitat (Figure ^10-l, ^e^ Table4. 10-1. WesternWater Shrew Habitat in the McKelvie Creek Project Area Habitat Suitability Project Area Life Requisite Rating Area (ha) Area (%) Living - All Useable 39.8 l.g Likely No Value 2, 127.6 98.2 38 | WILDLIFE November 2019 / J,i ^-. /-, 'i .^^.. ^- t 4i..) £:W^S/-^ tS^^'''i /' ? -;'(:i; ^'f- . / f .y ... -' ^.'^ ^A??' .-M. 'i 'j A ""SW^B-sy^ ^y"-/ r-fi :^ ..Ate' . ^- "s&sv- ^ ^"" " K?%n^ ^ --..^ ^~"' :JANMyi^sSf'. 3~ --'A. ^iw^''.~ . '.-ft-^ ^.iS-f'r.: .... ': \..., '-^-;^-L. , _<_ii^y'".t."y' . .<-. .^." fe'^^^' ; ^ ^?%i-}:>^ : "''-^ '... ^.". . ,:'@^8i. ^""-rl/'/' ;.. '. -^.. '.t"'V'SS^:^-'1.. .. ^S?h:"~-^: }\ >A:??.A&^V?:C :. ;i'--- ^s-iivii; -y-'.', ^-;'f%;/ ig'". -"'.''1'\a :>,. ", X: "^"'^: t . M^^S^-',. :^. ^. ^ '^:.J^ii ,. \ ';. W^^i^ .^-^^ ^ f~"~:'^^S8^ < ' n A!!''®l'ffl.^"^. > . ^ rT. T -"-r"' £. a'-^^^,:,'.. '.^ . T sS'«n;-:s*. 'iK-^f .. - '-.,. Tahsis '"^Ki'^'^^- .""' ...';'- "'"' . ^?%T:"" '>". M^SI ! ; '"y'w :. . . 0 0. 5 : .^..^" / ...<. A*y / ,. .. ;1 i-. 1 37, 000 m ncouver Island Water Shrew - Living - Habitat suitability Habitat in the McKelvie Project Area ~ Ra"n9 Figure 4. 10-1 Usable Likely No Value Date: 10/31/2019 N Map Number- MKW. 03; L^JProject Area 0 £ C 0 I 0 G . ( Coordinate System MAG 1S83 UTM !ore 9N Contour (20 m) Datum- North American 19B3 Cnntnur Onn ml Village of Tahsis- McKeli/ie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogjc Consultants Ltd. 5. HABITAT PREFERENCES FOR NON-MODELLEDWILDLIFE SPECIES OF CONCERN ,rhl"ect. ion, d', sc,ussess':'. eciesof c°ncern lil 5. 1 AMPHIBIANS 5. 1. 1 Wandering Salamander ls Blue-"sted (S3> bv the BC Lhlw ande.nngsa'amander. CDC, is listed as Special Concern by COSEWIC (.COSEW'"014);andisinduded °n schedule 1 ofSARA as a SPeciesof Special Concer'nf'BCCDC 2019')" WithinCanada, it isalmost entirely restricted to Vancouver Island.with onlya small number o7rec"or'ds from. a4ace"t. area. s °f the mainland c°a5t of British Columbia (Matsuda'et al. 2006). 'This~i'sa~fully terrestrialsalamander, and lacks an aquatic larval stage (COSEWIC 2014). It is also the most arborealofal'l ro'"n"lsalamanders'and regularly occurs ln the forest p. can°Py (COSEWIC 2014). It spends the maj ority ofits life within decaying wood and beneath bark of both living and dead trees (COSEWIC 2014). Thewandering salamander is primarily restricted to low elevation (below 600 m) forests of Douglas-fir a,ndweste, rnhemlock(Matsuda et al- 2°06)- lt inhabitsforests of a varietYof ages'(Matsudaet'al~°2006)^ althoughdensities may be lower in younger forest stands (Beauchesne & Cooper2006). Populations tend t,°-behighes!'nmesic stands (C. OSEW'C2014)- lt ismoderately tolerant of habitat disturbance, ~'andmay °"ur-alonEforestedBes-an^within dearings (e-g" rieht^°f-"ay- regenerating clearcuts, burned areas') adiacen"ofore5ts. (COSEWIC2014)'This species may be exPected within the Project area~througho"ut /-elevation forested habitats below 600 m elevation. 5. 1.2 Western Toad Thewester"_t°adis Ye"ow-listed IS4) by the BC CDC, but is recognized as a speciesof Special Concern I COSEWIC(COSEWIC 2002) and is included on Schedule 1 ofSARA as a speciesof Special Concern. 'Thi-^ species-'s found almost throuehout Brit'sh Columbia, including all ofVancouver Island (Matsuda et al- 2006).Jhehabitat requirements ofthis species vary depending on time ofyear. A variety'o7aquatic habitats are selected for breeding, including lakes, ponds, streams, river deltas, and rive-rbackwate7s "as well^human'made waterbodies "ke dltches'ponds' roadruts' andborrow Pits (COSEWIC"2002). "A commonfeature of high-qualitybreeding habitat is the presenceof shallow, sandy'or silty shorelines,' particularly in relatively warmwaters with high levels of dissolved oxygen(Browne'et al.2009)^ Within these habitats, adulttoads engage in breedingactivity from April to'July, whiledevelopmg'eggs'and 40 | WILDLIFE November 2019 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd, tadpoles remain in the wetland for 4 to 12 weeks before dispersing to upland habitats as metamorphs (COSEWIC2002). Metamorphs and non-breeding adults inhabit a variety of upland habitats such as riparian areas, forests, meadows, shrublands, and even subalpine and alpine meadows. Individual toads maytravel upto several kilometres from breeding sites. Adults hibernate below ground (below the frost line) in natural or artificial crevices, burrows, or tunnels, and show a preference for hibernating in forested habitats over open sites (COSEWIC 2002). Potential breeding sites exist near the lower reaches of McKelvie Creek and, given the habitats present and the known dispersal range, the species may be expected virtually throughout the Project area when not breeding. 5. 2 BIRDS 5. 2.1 Barn Swallow The barn swallow is Blue-listed (S3S4B) by the BC CDC, is recognized as Threatened by COSEWIC, and is includedon Schedule 1 ofSARA as Threatened (BC CDC 2019). It breedsthroughout all ofBritish Columbia (Hearne 2015), including Vancouver Island, and migrates to Mexico, Central America, and South America duringthe non-breeding season (Brown & Brown2019). This is an aerial insectivore thatdepends on flying inserts for food throughout the year (Brown & Brown 2019), and is thus most common in areas where such insects occur in abundance. Breeding birds require open foraging habitat (e. g., fields, meadows, wetlands, rivers) adjacentto suitablenesting sites such as barns, outbuildings, bridges,and other artificial structures (Brown & Brown 2019). When artificial structures are absent, the barn swallow will sometimes nest on natural sites such as cliffs, steep embankments, and even in cave entrances (Hearne 2015). In British Columbia, this species is most abundant at low elevations (below 250m), although it occasionally nests ashigh as 1, 500m ifsuitable nestingstructures andforaging habitat are present (Hearne2015). Although not yet detected in the Project, the presence of suitable nesting structures in the lower reaches of the watershed (associated with water intake infrastructure) suggests potential occurrence duringthe summer. 5. 2.2 Common Nighthawk The common nighthawk is Yellow-listed (S4B) by the BC CDC, but is recognized as a species of Special Concern by COSEWIC (COSEWIC 2018) and is included on Schedule 1 of SARA as Threatened (BC CDC 2019). It occurs throughout British Columbia during the short breeding season (June-September; Boyd 2015) but spends the remainder of the year at its wintering grounds in South America (Brigham et al. 2011). This species is an aerial insectivorethat isdependent on large populations offlying insects forfood. It is thus sensitive to programs such as the aerial spraying of forest pests, which can greatly reduce the abundanceof prey for this species at both its breedingand wintering grounds (Brigham et al. 2011). November 2019 WILDLIFE I 41 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. The common nighthawk nests on the ground in open, usually sparsely vegetated microsites such as rock outcrops, gravel bars, dearcuts, grasslands, disturbed sites (e.g., parking lots, gravel roofs), and open forests (Brigham et al. 2011). Although it occurs as high as 1, 250 m in elevation during the nesting period (Campbell et al. 1990), the majority of nesting common nighthawks in British Columbia occur below 1, 000m (Boyd 2015). Individualsmay travel several kilometres from the nesting siteto forageover both open and forested habitats during the morning and evening, and often congregate in feeding groups in response to swarming insects (Brigham et al. 2011). Suitable nesting habitat, such as exposed rock outcrops, is abundant throughout the McKelvie Creek Project, and thus the species is anticipated to occur regularly (albeit in small numbers) throughout the breeding season. 5. 2. 3 Evening Grosbeak The eveninggrosbeak is Yellow-listed (S4) bythe BCCDC, but is listed as a speciesof SpecialConcern by COSEWIC(COSEWIC 2016) and is included on Schedule 1 ofSARA as a speciesof Special Concern (BCCDC 2019). This species occurs throughout much of British Columbia, although it is a rather uncommon year- round resident on Vancouver Island (Martell 2015a). It is associated with a variety of forested habitats throughout its range, preferring coniferous or mixed forests for nesting (Martell 2015a). In coastal British Columbia, it prefers forests of Douglas-fjrand bigleafmaple (Acer macrophyllum), especially if there are abundant berry-producing shrubssuch asred-osier dogwood [Cornus sericea}in the understorey. It is most abundant in British Columbia at elevations between 750 m and 1, 500 m, although it also breeds regularly at lower (as low as 250 m, rarely to sea level) or higher (to 2, 000 m) elevations. It occurs throughout all forested elevations during migratory periods. Populations of evening grosbeak are closely associated with outbreaks offorest-defoliating insects such asspruce budworm (Choristoneura spp. ), and numbers often increasedramatically in areasthat are affected bythese insects(Martell 2015a, COSEWIC2016). This species could occurthroughout the Project area in anyyear or season. It is likely to be most frequent at lower elevations ofthe watershed (below 250 m) during spring andfall migration, particularly in mixed forests with Douglas-fir. 5. 2. 4 Great Blue Heron, fannini Subspecies The coastal fannini subspecies of the great blue heron is Blue-listed (S2S3B, S4N) by the BC CDC, is recognized as a speciesof Special Concern by COSEWIC(COSEWIC 2008), and is included on Schedule 1 of SARAas a speciesof Special Concern (BCCDC 2019). This subspecies of the widespreadgreat blue heron is found along the entire coast of British Columbia, including all of Vancouver Island, with the highest provincial densities occurring around the Georgia Depression (Butler & Vennesland 2015). It nests singly, in small groups, or in large colonies in forested habitats near productive foraging areas such as wetlands. lakes, marine coastlines, estuaries, rivers, creeks, and even anthropogenic habitats such as ditches and flooded fields. Itforages on a variety ofaquatic prey such asfish, amphibians, invertebrates, and reptiles, as well as small mammals and small birds (Vennesland & Butler 2011). The great blue heron is strongly 42 I WILDLIFE November 2019 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. associated with low elevations in coastal British Columbia, and rarely occurs above 250 m (Butler & Vennesland 2015). The fannini subspecies of the great blue heron likely occurs sporadically in the lowermost reaches of the McKelvie Creek Project area, at least occasionally, and may nest in areas of the watershed adjacent to the Village. 5. 2.5 Marbled Murrelet The marbled murrelet is Blue-listed (S3B, S3N) by the BC CDC, and is tracked as a Threatened species by COSEWIC(COSEWIC 2012b). It is unusual for a seabird in its dependence on old-growth (more than 200 years old) coniferous forests for nesting, regularly travelling as far as 30 km (rarely more than 50 km) daily between its marine foraging habitat and its upland nesting habitat (COSEWIC 2012b). Specific forest attributes that are associated with high-quality nesting habitat for the marbled murrelet include: (i) at least some trees 30 m in height or taller; (ii) an open forest canopy; and (iii) abundant large, horizontal branches with thick pads of mosses to support nesting platforms (COSEWIC2012b). Prime nesting habitat on Vancouver Island is typically below 900 m elevation, but some individuals may nest at elevations above 1500 m (COSEWIC 2012b). Examples of suitable nesting habitat that were encountered during the July 2019 field surveys are seen in Plate 5. 9-1. Marbled murrelet was not selected for habitat modelling because critical habitat has already been mapped by Environment Canada (2019). Mapped critical nesting habitat is extensive throughout low and moderate elevations within the McKelvie Creek watershed, being most widespread below 900 m elevation (Figure 2. 2-1). It is considered likely that this species breeds in the Project area, although no individuals were detected during the July 2019 field session. The detection of this species within its breeding habitat typically requires species-spedfic techniques and survey protocols (see Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks 2001), which were not employed during the 2019 site visit. November 2019 WILDLIFE I 43 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. Plate 5. 9-1. Marbled Murrelet nesting habitat in the McKelvie Creek watershed (July 2019). 5. 2. 6 Peregrine Falcon, pealei Subspecies The coastal subspecies of peregrine falcon is Blue-listed (S3S4) by the BC CDC, is recognized as a species of Special Concern by COSEWIC(COSEWIC 2017), and is included on Schedule 1 of SARAas a species of Special Concern (BC CDC2019). It breeds on Haida Gwaii and northern Vancouver Island (Chutter 2015), and is widespread along the entire coast of British Columbia during the non-breeding season. This coastal subspecies is generally associated with seabird colonies during the breeding season, but ranges more widely in a variety of coastal habitats (e. g., estuaries, agricultural areas, lagoons, beaches, islands) during migration and winter (Campbell et al. 1990). Important prey species for the peregrine falcon include shorebirds, waterfowl, pigeons, grouse, and starlings (White et al. 2002), and thus this species primarily occurs in areas with a high abundance of these species. The scarcity of suitable prey species detected during the 2019 site visits, along with the extensively forested habitats of the Project area, suggest that peregrine falcon is unlikely to occur regularly. It may occur in small numbers during migration, particularly along ridgelines and other high elevation areas, but much of the watershed is considered unlikely to provide sufficient resources to support the species on a regular basis based on considerations of the habitats present and the species that were documented during the July 2019 field surveys. 5. 2. 7 Pine Grosbeak, carlottae Subspecies The coastal carlottae subspecies of pine grosbeak is a scarce, low-density resident of Haida Gwaii and possibly adjacent areasof the northern and central coast of British Columbia (Campbell et al. 2001). It is rarely reported from northern VancouverIsland, although there areoccasional reports of breedingactivity 44 | WILDLIFE November 2019 Village ofTahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. from that region (Martell 201Sb). Two territorial male pine grosbeaks were recorded from high elevation Mountain Hemlock-Amabilis Fir forest in the upper portion of the McKelvie Creek watershed during the July 2019 field surveys, suggesting potential breeding (at least sporadically) within the watershed. This is a species of subarctic, boreal, and montane regions throughout its circumpolar range, although populations of the coastal subspecies carlottae regularly breed at lower elevations in coastal forests of western hemlock and Sitka spruce (Martell 2015b). It is able to tolerate moderate levels of logging activity, provided that patchesof mature coniferousforest remain available (Adkisson 1999). This species may be expected anywhere within the higher elevations (above 500 m) of the Project area, although it may only be an irregular, sporadic breeder/migrant and may not be present every year. 5. 2. 8 Northern Pygmy-owl, swarthi Subspecies The dark-coloured swarthi subspecies of the northern pygmy-owl is Blue-listed (S3S4) by the BC CDC, is not tracked by COSEWIC, and is not included on Schedule 1 of SARA (BC CDC 2019). It is endemic to VancouverIsland (Holt & Petersen 2000), and isfound at low densitiesthroughout all regionsof the island (Cannings 2015b).Although often cited as preferringopen forests (Holt & Petersen 2000), populations on Vancouver Island are often associated with rather dense second-growth coniferous forests of western hemlock, western red cedar, and Douglas-fir. Breedingoccurs from sea level to about 1,700 m elevation, but steep slopes in middle and upper elevation forests tend to be preferred for breeding (Campbell et al. 1990). This species irregularly moves to lower elevations from late autumn through winter, when it can be found in a wider variety of often open habitats (e. g., orchards, riparian habitats, and parks; Campbell et al. 1990). Abundant small mammal and songbird populations, in addition to suitable snagsfor breeding, are considered critical habitat features for the northern pygmy-owl. It is a species that is tolerant of loggingactivity throughout the year (Campbell et al. 1990), asthe open habitatand presence of elevated perches provide excellent hunting opportunities. Northern pygmy-owl could occur anywhere throughout the forested portions of the Project area, but is likely to occur at fairly low density. 5. 3 MAMMALS 5. 3. 1 Ermine, anguinae Subspecies The anguinae subspecies of ermine is Blue-listed (S3) by the BC CDC, but it is neither tracked by COSEWIC nor included on Schedule 1 of SARA (BC CDC2019). It is a relatively small subspecies, and is endemic to Vancouver Island and a few associated islands (i.e.. Salt Spring Island; Hatler et al. 2008). It is exceedingly rare throughout its range, and the scarcity of records over the past three decades relative to earlier periods (Hatler et al. 2008) suggests that it has declined substantially. The species inhabits a wide variety of tree- and shrub-dominated and forest-edge habitats, from valley-bottom forests, wetlands, and riparian areas to high elevation subalpine parkland and even alpine meadows (Hatler et al. 2008). It specializesin preying upon small mammalssuch as votes and mice, as well as small ground-nestingbirds, November 2019 WILDLIFE | 45 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. and thus the species' presence is dependent on there being an abundance of these prey items (Hatler et al. 2008). Although likely very rare, it may occur anywhere within the Project area, from the lowest reaches to the alpine ridges that surround the watershed. 5. 3. 2 Townsend's Big-eared Bat The Townsend's big-eared bat is Blue-listed (S3S4) by the BC CDC, is not tracked at the federal level by COSEWIC, and is not included on Schedule 1 of SARA (BC CDC 2019). It occurs locally throughout the southern portion of British Columbia, including all of Vancouver Island (especially the Georgia Depression), but is not found in any other Canadian provinces or territories (Gruver & Keinath 2006). The species uses a variety of low-elevation habitats for foraging throughout the summer period, such as mixed forests, grasslands, shrub thickets, and riparian areas, particularly where there is limited human disturbance (Zevit n.d. ). Highest-quality foraging habitat for the Townsend's big-eared bat includes a mosaic of different habitat types (Gruver & Keinath 2006). Most foraging activity takes place within 16 km of roosting/hibernation sites; however, movements of up to 24 km are known to occur (Zevit n. d. ). This species occurs from sea level to 1, 070 m in British Columbia, although most records are from lower elevations (Nagorsen & Brigham 1993). Populations of Townsend's big-eared bat are associated with areas that provide caves or cave analogues (e. g., old buildings, mines) throughout the year, as these are sites for breeding (i. e., maternal colonies), daytime roosting, and winter hibernation (Gruver & Keinath 2006). The presence of such sites is considered a critical habitat feature for this species throughout the breeding (April to August) and hibernation (Septemberto April) periods (Zevit n. d. ). This is one ofthe few batspecies known to regularly hibernate in British Columbia (Nagorsen & Brigham 1993). Ideal hibernation and roosting sites are relatively cool (below 10°C) with good air flow and ventilation, and are typically located relatively close to the entrance of the cave/structure (Zevit n. d. ). Although not yet reported from the McKelvie Creek Project area, the abundance of suitable caves in the region and known records of the species from the Tahsis area (Zevit n. d. ) suggest that the species is likely to occur, at least at lower elevations in the Project area. 46 I WILDLIFE November 2019 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 6. INCIDENTAL WILDLIFE OBSERVATIONS A total of 26 wildlife species were noted by the field team during the 2019 field survey and recorded as Incidental wildlife observations (Table 6-1). Table 6-1. McKelvie Creek Incidental Wildlife Observations common name Scientific Tilame BC Status J2019) CDC list Mammals American black bear Ursus americanus 55 Yellow Mammals red squirrel Tamiasciurus hudsonicus S5 Yellow Mammals Roosevelt elk Cervus elaphus roosevelti S3S4 Blue Birds American robin Turdus migratorius S5 Yellow Birds brown-headed cowbird Molothrus ater S5B Yellow Birds chestnut-backed chickadee Poecile rufescens 55 Yellow Birds common raven Corvus corax S5 Yellow Birds Eurasian collared-dove Streptopelia decaocto SNA Exotic Birds golden-crowned kinglet Regutus satrapa 55 Yellow Birds Hammond's flycatcher Empidonax hammoncfii 55 B Yellow Birds hermit thrush Catharus guttatus SSB Yellow Birds northern flicker Colaptes auratus 55 Yellow Birds northwestern crow Corvus caurinus 55 Yellow Birds orange-crowned warbler Oreothlypis cefata 55 B Yellow Birds Pacific wren Trogtodytes pacificus S5 Yellow Birds pine grosbeak, carlottae subsp. Pinicola enudeator carfottae S3 Blue Birds pine siskin Spinus pinus S5 Yellow Birds rufous hummingbird Setasphorus rufus S5B Yellow Birds song sparrow Melospiza melodia S5 Yellow Birds sooty grouse Dendragopus fuliginosus S4 Yellow Birds Swainson's thrush Catharus ustufatus S5B Yellow Birds Townsend's warbler Setophaga townsendi S5B Yellow Birds varied thrush Ixoreus naevius 55 Yellow Birds warbling vireo Vireo gilvus S5 Yellow Birds western tanager Piranga ludoviciana S5B Yellow Birds Wilson's warbler Cardeilina pusitla 55 B Yellow November 2019 WILDLIFE | 47 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 7. SUMMARY Twenty-five wildlife species and subspecies potentially occur in the Project area. Two are confirmed, 12 are likely to be present, 8 may be present, and 3 are not likely to be present. Five subspecies are endemic to Vancouver Island. Ten habitat suitability models were developed for species for which their habitat specifications are well known in the Project area, or species that have sufficiently distinctive habitat preferences such that habitat modelling is the best method to describe their potential distribution. Twelve habitat descriptions were provided for remaining species of concern for which a habitat suitability model was not developed. Table 7-1 presents a summary of results of the wildlife habitat suitability models. Table 7-1. Wildlife Habitat Suitability Model Results In the Project Area Suitable Habitat Suitable Habitat Wildlife Species Life Requisite / Season (ha) (% of Project Area) Northern red-legge g Living- Growing 398 18 Little brown myotis Living-All 1, 885 87 Reproducing - Eggs - Growing 314 15 Reproducing - Eggs - Growing 760 35 Northern goshawk Reproducing - Eggs - Growing 292 13 Olive-sided flycatcher Reproducing - Eggs - Growing 1, 470.6 68 Western screech-owl Living-All 30 1 Grizzly bear Feeding- Early Spring 86 4 Feeding-Late Spring 124 6 Feeding-Summer 1, 246 58 Feeding- Fall 1, 194 55 Roosevelt elk Living-Winter 1, 251 58 Living- Growing 688 32 Western water shrew Living-All 40 Habitat preferences for species of management concern for which habitat suitability models were not developed are presented in Table 7-2. 48 | WILDLIFE November 2019 Village of Tahsis - McKeli/ie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. Table 7-2: Habitat Preferences for Species of Management Concern for which Wildlife Suitability Models Were Not Developed Wandering salamander This species may be expected within the Project area throughout low-elevation forested habitats below 600 m elevation Western toad Potential breeding sites exist near the lower reaches of McKelvie Creek and, given the habitats present and the known dispersal range/ the species may be expected virtually throughout the watershed when not breeding Barn swallow Although not yet detected in the Project area, the presence of suitable nesting structures in the lower reaches of the watershed (associated with water intake infrastructure) suggests potential occurrence during the summer. Common nighthawk Suitable nesting habitat/ such as exposed rock outcrops, is frequent throughout the Project area, and thus the species is anticipated to occur regularly (albeit In small numbers) throughout the watershed during the breeding season Evening grosbeak Although undoubtedly sporadic in the Tahsis area, this species could occur virtually throughout the Project area. It is likely to be most frequent at lower elevations of the watershed (below 250 m) during spring and fall migration, particularly in mixed forests with Douglas-fir. Great blue heron, /ann;n/ The/onn/n/subspecies of the Great Blue Heron likely occurs sporadically in the subspecies lowermost reaches of the Project area, at least occasionally, and may even nest in areas of the watershed adjacent to the town ofTahsis. Marbled murrelet Mapped critical nesting habitat is extensive throughout low and moderate elevations within the Project area, being most widespread below 900 m elevation (Figure 5. 9-1). It is considered likely that this species breeds in the watershed, although no individuals were detected during the 2019 field surveys Northern pygmy owl Northern pygmy-owl could occur anywhere throughout the forested portions of the Project area, but is likely to occur at low density. Peregrine falcon, peaiei The limited abundance of suitable prey species and the extensive forested subspecies habitats of the Project area suggest that peregrine falcon is unlikely to occur regularly. It may occur in small numbers during migration, particularly along ridgelines and other high elevation areas, but much of watershed is considered unlikely to provide sufficient resources to support the species on a regular basis. Pine grosbeak, carlottae This species may be expected anywhere within the higher elevations (above 500 subspecies m) of the Project area, although it may only be an irregular, sporadic breeder/migrant and may not be present every year. Ermine, anguinae subspecies This species may occur anywhere within the Project area, from the lowest reaches to the alpine ridges that surround the watershed. Townsend's big-eared bat Although not yet reported from the Project area, the abundance of suitable caves in the region and known records of the species from the Tahsis area (Zevit n. d. ) suggest that the species is likely to occur, at least at lower elevations in the watershed. November 2019 WILDLIFE ] 49 Village ofTahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. REFERENCES Adams, S. B., D. A. Schmetterling, and M. K. Young. 2005. Instream movements by boreal toads(8u/o boreas boreas). Herpetological review, 36(1), 27-33. Adkisson, C. S. 1999. Pine Grosbeak [Pinicola enucleator). In The Birds of North America (A. F. Poole and F. B. Gill, Eds. ). Ithaca, NY: Cornell LabofOrnithology. Altman, B., and R. Sallabanks. 2012. Olive-sidect Flycatcher [Contopus cooperi). In A. Poole (ed. ). 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Herpetological Review, 28(3), 134-144. Long Z. L, Prepas E. E. 2012. Scale and landscape perception: The case of refuge use by Boreal Toads (Anaxyrus boreas boreas). Can J Zool., 90(8), 1015-1022. doi:10. 1139/z2012-069. Malt, J. M., and D. B. Lank. 2009. Marbled murrelet nest predation risk in managed forest landscapes: dynamic fragmentation effects at multiple scales. Ecological Applications 19:1274-1287. Manley, I.A., and S. K. Nelson. 1999. Habitat characteristics associated with nest success and predation at Marbled Murrelet tree nests. Pacific Seabirds 26:40. Martell, A. 2015a. Evening Grosbeak in Davidson, P.J.A., R. J. Cannings, A. R. Couturier, D. Lepage, and C. M. Di Corrado (eds. ). The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of British Columbia, 2008-2012. Bird Studies Canada. Delta, B. C. Martell, A. 2015b. Pine Grosbeak/'n Davidson, P.J.A., R.J. Cannings, A. R. Couturier, D. Lepage, and C. M. Di Corrado (eds. ). The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of British Columbia, 2008-2012. Bird Studies Canada. Delta, B. C. Matsuda, B. M. 2006. Amphibians and Reptiles of British Columbia. Royal British Columbia Museum Handbook, Victoria, BC. 266 pp. McDonald, S. 2010. Tahsis Landscape Unit Summary of Biodiversity Report with Proposed Legal Objectives. MFLNRORD. 2018. Compulsory Inspection Data for Management Units, 1900-2017. BC Ministry of Forest, Lands, Natural Resource Operations, and Rural Development https://catalogue. data . gov. bc. ca/dataset/compulsorv-inspection-data-for-management-units-1900-2017 MFLNRORD. 2018. Ungulate Winter Range Proposed. Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. Available at: https://catalogue. data. gov. bc. ca/dataset /e5c2a2e3-70fc-49e3-9840-87212853e8a2 (accessed June 2018). MFLNRORD 2019a. Landscape Units of BC. Published 2011. Last modified 2019. BC Ministry of Forest, Lands, Natural Resource Operations, and Rural Development. Available at: htt s: catalo ue . data. ov. bc.ca dataset landsca e-units-of-british-columbia-current MFLNRORD. 2019b. Strategic Land and Resource Plans. Published 2011. Last Modified 2019. BC Ministry of Forest, Lands, Natural Resource Operations, and Rural Development. Available at: htt s: catalo ue. data. ov. bc. ca dataset strate ic-land-and-resource- lans-current 56 J References November 2019 Village of Tahsis - McKeIvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. MFLNRORD. 2019c. Wildlife Management Unit. BC Ministry of Forest, Lands, Natural Resource Operations, and Rural Development. Published 2011. Last modified 2019. Available at: https://catalogue.data.gov. bc. ca/dataset/wildlife-management-units MFLNRORD. 2019d. Guide Outfitter Areas. Published 2011. BC Ministry of Forest, Lands, Natural Resource Operations, and Rural Development. Last modified 2019. Available at: https://catalogue. data.gov. bc. ca/dataset/guide-outfitter-areas MFLNRORD. 2019e. 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Standards for components of BC's Biodiversity No. 32. Version 2. 0. Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management and Terrestrial Ecosystems Task Force Resources Inventory Committee. 58 I References November 2019 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. Schmetterling D. A. and M. K. Young 2008. Summer Movements of Boreal Toads (Bufo Boreas Boreas) in Two Western Montana Basins. Journal of Herpetology, 42(1), 111-123. doi:10. 1670/07-125Rl. l. Shackleton D. 1999. Hoofed Mammals of British Columbia. Royal British Columbia Museum Handbook. Royal BC Museum Publishing. Victoria, British Columbia. 264pp Starzomski, B. 2015. Sooty Grouse in Davidson, P. J. A., R.J. Cannings, A. R. Couturier, D. Lepage, and C. M. Di Corrado (eds. ). The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of British Columbia, 2008-2012. Bird Studies Canada. Delta, B. C. http://www. birdatlas. bc. ca/accounts/speciesaccount. jsp?sp=SOGR&lang=en [21 Nov 2018] Slough, B. G. andR. L. Mennell. 2006. Diversity and range of amphibians of the Yukon Territory. Conod/on Field-Naturalist, 120(1), 87-92. Smith, M. A. and D. M. Green. 2006. Sex, isolation and fidelity: unbiased long-distance dispersal in a terrestrial amphibian. Ecography, 29(5), 649-658. doi:10. 1111/j. 2006. 0906-7590. 04584. x. Thompson, M. D. 2019. Amphibian wetland connectivity along the Williston Reservoir. DWB Consulting Services Ltd. (Final Report for 2018/2019 No. PEA-F18-W-2569 DCA) (p. 104). DWB Consulting Services Ltd. prepared for Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program. White, C. M., N.J. Clum, T.J. Cade, and W.G. Hunt. 2002. Peregrine Falcon (Fofco peregrinus). In The Birds of North America (A. F. Poole and F. B. Gill, Eds.). Ithaca, NY: Cornell Labof Ornithology. Van Tighem, K. 2001. . Elk and Deer Antlered Animals of the West. An Altitude SuperGuide Vennesland, R. G. and R. W. Butler. 2011. Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), version 2.0. In The Birds of North America (A. F. Poole, Ed.). 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November 2019 References | 59 Village ofTahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. November 2019 Northern Red-Legged Frog Species Account 0 EC0106 t r McKelvie Creek Project - Red-legged Frog Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents. 1. Introduction ...... l 2. Ecology and Key Habitat Requirements. 3. Habitat Use: Life Requisites...... 1 3. 1 Living-All...... 1 3. 1. 1 Aquatic Breeding Habitat...... 1 3. 1. 2 Terrestrial Foraging Habitat...... 1 3. 1. 3 Dispersal Habitats...... 2 4. Ratings...... 2 4. 1 Rating Assumptions...... 2 4. 2 Ratings Adjustments...... 2 5. Literature Cited...... 2 List of Tables Table 1. Life Requisites for Red-legged Frog...... 1 Table 2. Red-legged Frog Habitat Model for Living-All...... 2 October 2019 Table of Contents I i McKelvie Creek Project - Red-legged Frog Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 1. This species account is a description of red-legged frog (Rana aurora) life history, biology, and habitat requirements relevant to the McKelvie Creek Community Watershed (the Project area). Information compiled from a detailed literature review is the basis for the species account and focuses on what is known about the species' habitat requirements in the Project area. The Red-legged frog was selected because of its federal status as Special Concern under the Species at Risk Act, its Blue-listed status by the BC CDC and its potential to occur within the Project area. 2. ECOLOGY AND KEY HABITAT REQUIREMENTS The red-legged frog inhabits moist, lower elevation forest and requires both aquatic breeding habitats and terrestrial foraging habitats (COSEWIC 2004). The species has been recorded from sea-level to elevations up to 710 m with a preference for lower elevations below 500 m and most likely as low as 180 m (COSEWIC 2004). 3. HABITAT USE: LIFE REQUISITES Table 1. Life Requisites for Red-legged Frog at McKelvie Creek Project area. tife Requisite Rating Scheme Living Ati 4 class 3. 1 LIVING-ALL 3. 1. 1 Aquatic Breeding Habitat The red-legged frog breeds in a variety of permanent and temporary waterbodies, including potholes, ponds, ditches, springs, margins of large lakes, and slow-moving rivers (Blaustein et al 1995 in COSEWIC 2004). 3. 1. 2 Terrestrial Foraging Habitat The red-legged frog tends to be more abundant in older, moist stands but can be found in a variety of forest types and ages (COSEWIC 2004). At the stand level, as long as there is forest cover, the age of the forest does not appear to be important (K. A. Maxcy in BC MWLAP 2004). On Vancouver Island, distribution records and anecdotal observations suggest that the species is commonly found in second growth-forests, and occasionally occurs in suburban gardens, seasonal ponds in pasture, and agricultural areas adjacent to forests. Metamorphosed individuals spend a large proportion of their life in terrestrial habitats and are often encountered in the vicinity of wetlands or along forested stream banks (Blaustein et 1995 in COSEWIC 2004). Adults do not stray far from wet areas; however, distances of 200 to 300 m October 2019 Introduction I 1 McKelvie Creek Project - Red-legged Frog Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. away from water have been recorded on rainy nights (Nussbaum et al 1983 in COSEWIC 2004). According to one study on Vancouver Island, radio-tagged frogs remained within 36 m or closer to the edge of forest streams (Chan-McLeod 2003a in COSEWIC 2004). 3. 1.3 Dispersal Habitats Dispersal habitats are required for frogs in order to move between their aquatic breeding habitat and terrestrial foraging habitat as well as between populations. Dispersal movements can occur all over; however, moist areas are more likely used for dispersal than drier areas (COSEWIC2004). 4. RATINGS 4. 1 RATING ASSUMPTIONS * Lower elevations are rated higher . Elevations above 710 m are rated nil * Moist forests are rated higher than drier forests « All structural stages except for stage 1 can be suitable habitat Table 2. Red-legged Frog Habitat Model for Living - All Low Mesic to dry forests in the CWHvml and CWHvm2 below 710 m. Nil All other habitats above 710 m and all those not listed above 4. 2 RATINGS ADJUSTMENTS No downgrades deemed necessary. 5. LITERATURE CITED COSEWIC. 2004. COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the Red-legged Frog Rana aurora in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa, vi + 46 pp. (www. sararegistry. gc. ca/status/status_e. cfm). October 2019 Ratings | 2 McKelvie Creek Project - Red-legged Frog Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection (BC MWLAP). 2004. Identified Wildlife Management Strategy. Accounts and Measures for Managing Identified Wildlife - Coast Forest Region. Version 2004. October 2019 Literature Cited [ 3 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. APPENDIX B. BAND-TA1LED PIGEON SPECIES ACCOUNT November 2019 Band-tailed Pigeon Species Account 0 E C 0 t 0 G I (. '.-'*. S~^i- -^S. McKelvie Creek Project - Band-tailed Pigeon Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents Introduction EcologyandKey Habitat Requirements...... 3 Habitat Use: Life Requisites ...... 3 3. 1 ReproducingEggs(RE)...... ,...... , " 3 4. ^atinSS""---"--"------"--"""-----"...... 4 4. 1 RatingsAssumptions...... 4 4. 2 RatingsAdjustments...... ,, ^4 5. Literature Cited List of Tables Table 1. Life Requisites for Band-tailed Pigeon at McKelvie Creek ...... 3 Table 2. Band-tailed Pigeon Habitat Model for Reproducing-Eggs-Growing...... ^ October 2019 Table of Contents I i McKelvie Creek Project - Band-tailed Pigeon Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. This species account is a description of band-tailed pigeon (Patogioenas fasdata) life history, biology and habitat requirements relevant to the McKelvie Creek Community Watershed (the Project area). Information compiled from a detailed literature review and species experts is the basis for the species account and focuses on what is known about the species' habitat requirements in the Project area. Banct-tailed pigeon was selected because of its federal status as Special Concern under the Species at Risk Act, its Blue-listed status by the BC CDC, and its potential to occur within the Project area. 2. ECOLOGY AND KEY HABITAT REQUIREMENTS The band-tailed pigeon breeds throughout much of coastal BC, but is most abundant on Vancouver Island and the southern mainland coast (Davidson et al. 2015). Nests are typically situated on a sturdy branch within a closed-canopy coniferous stand (Keppie & Braun 2000). This species is frugivorous throughout much of the year, and fruit (especially berries) becomes particularly important in the diet from mid-summer through fall (Keppie & Braun 2000). 3. HABITAT USE: LIFE REQUISITES The band-tailed pigeon is present within the Project area only during the breeding season and departs during the winter. As a result, only nesting habitat was modelled for the Project (Table 1). Table 1. life Requisites for Band-tailed Pigeon at McKelvie Creek Project area. life Requisite Rating Scheme Reproducing-Eggs Growing 4 class 3. 1 REPRODUCING EGGS (RE) Within British Columbia, the band-tailed pigeon breeds in low-elevation (mainly below 300 m) coniferous or mixed forests of the Coastal Western Hemlock (CWH) and Coastal Douglas-fir (CDF) biogeoclimatic zones (Keppie & Braun 2000, Davidson et al. 2015) but may breed up to 760 m (COSEWIC 2008). It breeds in a variety of coniferous and mixed woodland types, particularly those with Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii}, western redcedar [Thuja plicato), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), Sitka spruce (Piceo sitchensis), Lodgepole pine {Pinus contorta}, red alder (Alnus rubra), Pacific crab apple (Malusfusca], and paper birch {Betula papyrifera) (COSEWIC2008, Keppie & Braun 2000). Within these habitats, dense conifer forests are preferred for nesting sites, with foraging habitat extending into a wider variety of forest types. Breeding birds generally forage within 5 km of the nesting site (Keppie & Braun 2000). High-quality breeding habitat in coastal regions of the Pacific Northwest are forests located on mid-slope microsites and are composed of mid-seral conifer stands at a density of October 2019 Introduction I 3 McKelvie Creek Project - Band-taifed Pigeon Species Account EcoLogic Consultants . Ltd. 150-500 trees/ha, with trees being 16 to 32 cm diameter (Leonard 1998). Other studies have indicated that mature stands are preferred over old-growth and young stands, while a study in southern Oregon found the opposite-that mature and old-growth were preferred over young stands (COSEWIC 2008). Details are lacking specifically for British Columbia. Food availability affects the timing of breeding, and likely affects nesting success (ECCC 2016). A diverse understorey layer that includes berry-producing shrubs is considered an important feature of high- quality breeding habitat. Berry-producing shrubs such as cascara (Frangula purshiana), red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa), cherries (Prunus spp. ), raspberries (Rubus spp. ) and blueberries/huckleberries {Vaccinium spp. ) are all consumed by this species during the breeding season in British Columbia (Keppie & Braun 2000, ECCC 2016). 4. RATINGS 4. 1 RATINGS ASSUMPTIONS * Elevations below 300 m are most suitable. « Dense conifer stands are preferred for nesting. * Berry-producing sites are considered high quality habitat. Table 1. Band-tailed Pigeon Habitat Model for Reproducing-Eggs - Growing Habitat Suitability Life Requisites/ Season Class Code Specific TEIVI Attributes Reproducing 1 High CWHvml below 300 m with: Eggs - Growing . Dense conifer stands . Mesicberry-producingforests Moderate CWHvml below 300 m with: . Dense conifer forests . Dry or Moist berry-producing forests Low CWHvml and CWHvm2 between 300 m and 760m with: . Dense conifer forests . Berry-producing forests Nil All areas above 760 m Alt units not listed above 4. 2 RATINGS ADJUSTMENTS No additional ratings adjustments were deemed necessary. October 2019 Ratings | 4 McKelvie Creek Project - Band-tailed Pigeon Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 5. LITERATURE CITED COSEWIC. 2008. COSEWICassessment and status report on the Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa, vii + 42 pp. (www. sararegistry. gc. ca/status/status_e. cfm). Davidson, P.J.A., Cannings, R.J., Couturier, A. R., LePage, D., and Di Corrado C. M. (eds. ) 2015. The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of British Columbia, 2008-2012. Bird Studies Canada, Delta, BC. http://www. birdatlas. bc. ca/ ECCC. 2016. Management Plan for the Band-tailed Pigeon [Patagioenas fasdata} in Canada [Proposed]. Species at Risk Act Management Plan Series. Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa. ill + 14pp. Keppie, D. M. and C. E. Braun (2000). Band-tailed Pigeon (Patagioenas fasdata), version 2.0. In The Birds of North America (A. F. Poole and F. B. Gill, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi. org/10. 2173/bna. 530 Leonard, J. P. (1998). Nesting andforaging ecology of Band-tailed Pigeons in western Oregon. PhD. Thesis, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. March, G. L. and R. M. F. S. Sadleir. (1972). Studies on the Band-tailed Pigeon {Columba fasciata] in British Columbia. II. Food resource and mineral-gravelling activity. Syesis 5:279-284. October 2019 Literature Cited I 5 Village ofTahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. APPENDIX C. BLACK SWIFT SPECIES ACCOUNT November 2019 Black Swift Species Account 0 ECOlOG i C < Swift br" TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents. 1. Introduction 2. ECOLOGYAND KEYHABITAT REQUIREMENTS...... i 3. Habitat Use: Liferequisites...... ^, , ^ 3. 1 Reproducing Eggs (RE) -y 4. Ratin6S...... ; 4. 1 Rating Assumptions ^ 4. 2 Ratings Adjustments ^ 5. Literature Cited List of Tables Table 1. Life Requisites for BlackSwift at McKelvie Creek...... 1 Table 2. BlackSwift Habitat Model for Reproducing-Eggs- Growing...... 2 October 2019 Table of Contents McKeIvie Creek Project - Black Swift Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 1. INTRODUCTION This species account is a description of Black Swift (Cypseloides niger} life history, biology and habitat requirements relevant to the McKelvie Creek Community Watershed (the Project area). Information compiled from a detailed literature review and species experts is the basis for the species account and focuses on what is known about the species' habitat requirements in the Project area. Black Swift was selected because of its federal status as Endangered under the Species at Risk Act, the sensitivity of its breeding sites, and its potential to interact with the Project during the breeding season. 2. ECOLOGY AND KEY HABITAT REQUIREMENTS The Black Swift breeds throughout the mountainous regions of Vancouver Island. It is of particular significance in British Columbia, as the province supports over 80% of the North American breeding population (COSEWIC 2015). It is known for having rather extraordinary nesting requirements-the species requires remote, inaccessible waterfalls in montane areas for breeding, where it places it nests in a cave or on ledges behind the flowing water (COSEWIC 2015). It ranges far from its nest when foraging during the breeding season. This species exhibits very high site fidelity to nesting locations, and typically returns year after year to the same site (or even the same nest; COSEWIC 2015). 3. HABITAT USE: LIFE REQUISITES Black Swifts require highly specific habitat for nesting but occur widely over a variety of open and forested habitats while foraging. As a result, only the Reproducing-Eggs life requisite (as represented by nesting habitat) will be rated for the Growing season. Table 1. Life Requisites for Black Swift at McKelvie Creek Project area. Life Requisite Life Requisite Code Season Code Rating Scheme RE Growing G 4 class 3. 1 REPRODUCING EGGS (RE) Knorr (1961) identified the following five characteristics of high-quality nesting sites: * running water during the summer; « high relief (so that swifts can depart the nest at foraging altitude); « inaccessibility to terrestrial predators; » darkness (i. e., nest not exposed to the sun); and * an unobstructed flight path. October 2019 introduction I 1 McKelvie Creek Project - Black Swift Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. Nests are placed on rocky ledges, within rock crevices, or within caves behind waterfalls. The microsites selected for nesting typically have a lower temperature and higher humidity than adjacent terrestrial habitats (COSEWIC 2015). The association with montane, rather than valley-bottom, environments for nesting results in a higher rating for the CWHvm2 and MHmml subzones than the CWHvml subzone. 4. RATINGS 4. 1 RATING ASSUMPTIONS Table 2. Black SwiftHabitat Model for Reproducing-Eggs- Growing Life Requisites/ Habitat Suitability Season Class Code SpecificAttributes for Suitable Habitat Reproducing Eggs 1 High . CWHvm2, MHmml - Growing . Steep watercourses (> 80° slope) Moderate . CWHvml . Steep watercourses (> 80° slope) Low . CMAunp . Moderately steep watercourses (45-80" slope) Nil . Low-gradientwatercourses(< 45" slope) . All habitats not listed 4. 2 RATINGS ADJUSTMENTS Watercourses with known waterfalls would be adjusted upwards by 1 class. 5. LITERATURE CITED COSEWIC.2015. COSEWICassessment and status report on the Black Swift Cypseloides niger in Canada. Committee on the Status of EndangeredWildlife in Canada.Ottawa. x + 50 pp. Knorr, O.A. 1961.The geographicaland ecological distribution ofthe Black Swift in Colorado. Wilson Bulletin 73:155-170. October 2019 Ratings | 2 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. APPENDIX D. NORTHERN 60SHAWK SPECIES ACCOUNT November 2019 Northern Goshawk Species Account IECOIO GIC Norttmrn OoiS'liawlc aCI©S A. CCC' McKelvie Creek Project - Northern Goshawk Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents. 1. Introduction ...... 1 2. Ecology and Key Habitat Requirements...... 1 3. Habitat Use: Life Requisites ...... 1 3. 1 Reproducing Eggs (RE)...... 1 4. Ratings...... ^ 4. 1 Ratings Assumptions...... 2 4. 2 Ratings Adjustments...... 3 5. Literature Cited...... 3 List of Tables Table 1. Life Requisites for Northern Goshawk at McKelvie Creek ...... 1 Table 2. Northern Goshawk Habitat Model for Reproducing-Eggs-Growing...... 2 October 2019 Table of Contents I i McKelvie Creek Project - Northern Goshawk Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. This species account is a description of northern goshawk {Accipiter gentilis laingi) life history, biology and habitat requirements relevant to the McKelvie Creek Community Watershed (the Project area). Information compiled from a detailed literature review and species experts is the basis for the species account and focuses on what is known about the species' habitat requirements in the Project area. Northern goshawk was selected because of its federal status asThreatened under SARA and its potential to occur within the Project area. 2. ECOLOGY AND KEY HABITAT REQUIREMENTS Northern goshawks have very large territories due to the typically low density of prey species (primarily other birds and small mammals) and the relatively large energetic requirements of a large, forest- dwelling raptor (Northern Goshawk Recovery Team 2008). Territories include, in order of decreasing spatial area, a post-fledging (family area) and an actively defended nest area. Northern goshawks are thought to select habitat based on stand structure rather than stand age or composition, although the latter is important. Keystructural details include crown closure, availabilityof hunting perches, and open mid- and understoreys to permit hunting activity. 3. HABITAT USE: LIFE REQUISITES The generality of northern goshawk foraging habitat, coupled with extremely large foraging home ranges, limits the utility of modelling foraging habitat. As a result, only nesting habitat (Reproducing- Eggs)was modelled for the Project (Table 1). Table 1. Life Requisites for Northern Goshawkat McKelvie Creek Project area. Life Requisite Life Requisite Code Season Season Code Rating Scheme Reproducing-Eggs RE Growing G 4 class 3. 1 REPRODUCING EGGS (RE) Northern goshawk nest at elevations between 0 and 900 m, on moderate slopes (<50%) and typically withinthe mid-to lower slope position (McClaren 2003 and Doyle 2005 in NOGORecovery Team 2008). Suitable biogeoclimaticzones include the CoastalWestern Hemlock andCoastal Douglas Fir zones. Inthe VancouverIsland region forests may reachsuitable nestingconditions at 50- 60years ofage (McClaren 2003; Doyle 2006). Typically nests occurgreater than 200 m from forest edges in stand that are greater than 100 hectares (Ethier 1999, McClaren and Pendergast 2003 in NOGORecovery Team 2008). Habitat attributes typically associated with northern goshawk breeding (Squires and Reynolds 1997; Daw et al. 1998; McClaren 1998; Cooper and Stevens 2000; McGrath et al. 2003) include: October 2019 Introduction McKelvie Creek Project - Northern Goshawk Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. * mature or old growth stands, with large-diameter trees; * high canopy closure (> 60%); * open understory to provide unobstructed hunting flyways; * proximity to permanent water; * gentle to moderate slopes (< 50%); * Mid to lower slopes; * northeast to northwest aspects; and * close to perennial water source. 4. RATINGS 4. 1 RATINGS ASSUMPTIONS Several assumptions underlie the 4-class rating scheme applied for northern goshawk (Table 2); . Older age classes are rated higher than younger forest age classes. * Taller trees are rated higher than shorter trees. * Structural stage 7 was rated as Class 1 (High) except for structural stage 7 where vertical structure complexity reduces potential flyways. » Stand species composition stands with western hemlock or Sitka spruce leading were rated higher than stands with leading species of smaller sizes, such as mountain hemlock. . High crown-closure stands are rated higher than lower crown-dosure stands. * Habitat with a greater interior condition and farther from edges were rated higher. Table 2. Northern Goshawk Habitat Model for Reproducing-Eggs - Growing Habitat Suitability Life Requisites/ Season Class Code Specific TEM Attributes for Suitable Habitat Reproducing 1 High CWHvml or CWHvm2 with: Eggs - Growing . Structural stage 6 or 7 (80+ years) . Slope 0-35% (gentle slopes no aspect modifier) . Mid to lower slope . Western hemlock or Sitka spruce leading . Distance to edge > 200 m Moderate CWHvml or CWHvm2 with: . Structural stage 6 or 7 (80 + years) . Slope 36-50% (warm or cool aspects) October 2019 Ratings [ 2 McKelvie Creek Project - Northern Goshawk Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. bitatSuit bllitv las SpeclficTEM Attributes for Suitable Habitat . Western hemlock or Sitka spruce leading . Distance to edge > 200 m Low CWHvml or CWHvm2 with: . Structural stage 5 - 7 . Slope 0-50% . Western hemlock or Sitka spruce leading . Distance to edge > 50 m Nil . All other units not listed above 4. 2 RATINGS ADJUSTMENTS No additional ratings adjustments were deemed necessary. 5. LITERATURE CITED Cooper, J. M., and V. Stevens. 2000. A review of the ecology, management and conservation of the Northern Goshawkin British Columbia. BC Environment, Landsand Parks, Wildlife Branch, Victoria, BC. Wildlife Bulletin. No. B-101. 31pp. Daw, S. K., S. DeStefano, and R. J. Steidl. 1998. Does survey method bias the description of Northern Goshawk nest-site structure? Journal of Wildlife Management. 62(4):1379-1384. McClaren, E. 1998. "Queen Charlotte" Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis laingi). Population Inventory Summary for Vancouver Island, British Columbia (1997/1998). Unpublished Report for BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. Victoria, BC. McGrath, M.T., S. DeStefano, R. A. Riggs, L. L. Irwin, and G.J. Roloff. 2003. Spatiallyexplicit influences on Northern Goshawk nesting habitat in the interior Pacific Northwest. Wildlife Monographs. 154:1-63. Northern GoshawkAccipiter gentilis laingi RecoveryTeam. 2008. Recovery strategy for the Northern Goshawk, laingisubspecies (Accipiter gentilis laingi) in British Columbia. Preparedfor the B. C. Ministry of Environment, Victoria, BC. 56 pp. Squires,J. R., and R.T. Reynolds. 1997. Northern Goshawk(Accipiter gentilis) In A. Poole and F. Gill (eds. ). The Birds of North America, no. 298. The Acad. Nat. Sci., Philadelphia, PA, and the American Ornithologists Union. Washington, DC. 32pp. October 2019 Literature Cited J 3 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. APPENDIX E. OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER SPECIES ACCOUNT November 2019 Olive-sided Flycatcher Species Account /..w^ ^-?w?. ^ i^mes; D^^ "xl r°;'?t-^ ^? & I?*' t^?T - ." . ?Eiwg^ ^, .. -1^ 0^ ^: 0 vk S; sw^-f IW! -A. 3 $ S" 0 c~- McKelvie Creek Project - Olive-sided Flycatcher Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents 1. Introduction ...... 1 2. Ecology and Key Habitat Requirements...... 1 3. Habitat Use: Life Requisites ...... 1 3. 1 Reproducing Eggs (RE)...... 1 4. Ratings...... ^ 4. 1 Rating Assumptions...... 2 4. 2 Ratings Adjustments...... 2 5. Literature Cited ...... 2 List of Tables Table 1. Life Requisites for Olive-sided Flycatcher in the McKelvie Creek Watershed...... 1 Table 7. Olive-sided Flycatcher Habitat Model for Reproducing-Eggs - Growing...... 2 October 2019 Table of Contents I i McKeluie Creek Project - Olive-sided Flycatcher Species Account EcoLogjc Consultants Ltd. 1. This species account is a description of olive-sided flycatcher [Contopus cooperi) life history, biology and habitat requirements relevant to the McKelvie Creek Community Watershed (the Project area). Information compiled from a detailed literature review and species experts is the basis for the species account and focuses on what is known about the species' habitat requirements in the Project area. Olive-sided Flycatcher was selected because of its federal status as Special Concern under SARA and its potential to occur within the Project area. 2. ECOLOGY AND KEY HABITAT REQUIREMENTS The olive-sided flycatcher breeds throughout British Columbia, including on Vancouver Island. It generally is a species of coniferous forests where there are forest edges (especially those associated with wetlands) and an abundance of large snags for foraging. Altman and Sallabanks (2012) note that this species requires habitat heterogeneity associated with high-contrast edges between habitat types, most often occurring where forest meets burns, clearcuts, shrub fields, bogs, meadows, and other openings. The abundance of Olive-sided Flycatcher may be positively associated with insect outbreaks that create forest openings with dead snags (Weber 2015). Although sometimes found in mixed forests, coniferous trees are selected for nesting in the majority (> 80%) of cases (COSEWIC2007). Territory size for breeding pairs generally ranges from 10 to 20 ha (COSEWIC2007). It is most abundant as a breeder in British Columbia between 1000and 2000 m elevation, although it also occurs at lower densities down to sea level (Weber 2015). This species is more dependent on the presence of dead treetops or large snags for foraging than any other flycatcher species in British Columbia (Weber 2015). 3. HABITAT USE: LIFE REQUISITES Olive-sided flycatcher occurs in British Columbia only duringthe breeding season (May-September). As a result, only the Reproducing-Eggs life requisite (as represented by nesting habitat) will be rated for the Growing season. Table 1. Life Requisites for Olive-sided Flycatcher in the McKelvie Creek Project area. itating Scheme Reproducing - Eggs Growing 4 class 3. 1 REPRODUCING EGGS (RE) Key habitat characteristics for breeding Olive-sided Flycatcher include: » Coniferous or conifer-leading forested stands; * Presence of natural or man-madeforest openings (including wetlands); October 2019 Introduction I 1 McKelvie Creek Project - Olive-sided Flycatcher Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. * Mature or old-growth stands (i. e., structural stages 6-7) OR the presence of individual mature trees/snags in younger (i. e., structural stage 5) forest types; and * Elevation < 2000 m. 4. RATINGS 4. 1 RATING ASSUMPTIONS Table 7. Olive-sided Flycatcher Habitat Model for Reproducing-Eggs Growing Life Requisites/ Season Code Specific TEM Attributes for Suitable Habitat Reproducing Eggs High CWHvmZ, MHmml -Growing Mature and old-growth forests Structural stage 6-7 Moderate . CWHvml . Mature and old-grcwth forests . Structural stage 6-7 Low CWHvml, CWHvm2, MHmml Young forests Structural stage 4 or 5 Nil All habitats not listed 4. 2 RATINGS ADJUSTMENTS No ratings adjustments where deemed necessary. 5. LITERATURE CITED Altman, B., and R. Sallabanks. 2012. Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi). In A. Poole (ed. ). The Birds of North America Online, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. COSEWIC. 2007. COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa, xii + 52 pp. October 2019 Ratings | 2 McKelvie Creek Project - Olive-sided Flycatcher Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. Weber, W. C. 2015. Olive-sided Flycatcher In Davidson, P. J. A., R. J. Cannings, A. R. Couturier, D. Lepage, andC. M. Di Corrado (eds. ). The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of British Columbia, 2008-2012. Bird Studies Canada. Delta, B. C. October 2019 Literature Cited I 3 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. APPENDIX F. WESTERN SCREECH-OWL SPECIES ACCOUNT November 2019 Western Screech-Owl Species Account ECOLO G't Westerfi Screech-Owl ^ K ^' {,' ff^Sf'S-'S-y-&;' 4t3, < £?*6'?-- ^-s^--^?:% iJ'^ ^r" &f\^'-ii,. ^sit: A;''^ A/A";'- /.5-'E^ ^.'tf:/, VCfCfeiSGCf/JS^ KfffjniCOfIi t,;. .i/'ia' y~»^» TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents...... j 1. Introduction...... i 2. Ecology and Key Habitat Requirements...... l 3. Habitat Use: Life requisites...... i 3. 1 Living...... ".! 3. 1. 1 Reproducing...... i 3. 1. 2 Roosting...... ! 3. 1. 3 Foraging...... 2 4. Ratings...... 2 4. 1 Ratings Assumptions...... 2 4. 2 Ratings Adjustments...... 2 5. Literature Cited ...... 3 List of Tables Table 1. Life Requisites for McKelvie Creek...... l Table 2. Western Screech-Owl Habitat Model for Reproducing-Eggs-Growing ...... 2 October 2019 Table of Contents [ i McKelvie Creek Project - Western-Screech Owl Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. This species account is a description of western screech-owl (Megascops kennicottii kennicottii} life history, biology and habitat requirements relevant to the Project area. Information compiled from a detailed literature review and species experts is the basis for the species accountand focuseson what is known about the species' habitat requirements in the Project area. Western screech-owl was selected because of its federal status as Threatened under SARA and its potential to occur within the Project area. 2. ECOLOGY AND KEY HABITAT REQUIREMENTS Western screech-owls along the BC coast are found in almost every type of low elevation forest and woodland, and suburban gardens if suitable roosting cover and nest sites are available (COSEWIC2012), but generally prefer mixed deciduous-coniferous forests near streams (COSEWIC2012). 3. HABITAT USE: LIFE REQUISITES Western screech-owls are potentially year-round residents in the vicinity of the Project; therefore. Living life requisites is relevant (Table 1). Habitat ratings for Living all seasons has been rated. Table 1. Life Requisites for Western Screech-owl at McKelvie Creek Project area. LifeRequisite gating Scheme Living All 4 class 3. 1 LIVING 3. 1. 1 Reproducing Western screech-owl is a secondary cavity nester that prefers to nest in large-diameterdeciduous trees, although coniferous trees will also be used. The presence of standing dead trees and snags plays an important role in species conservation (COSEWIC 2012). Nesting trees are typically located along streambanks (COSEWIC2012; MOE 2013) and near bodies of standing water including marshes, bogs, and lakes (Campbell et al. 1990), They will readily use nest boxes if there are no suitable tree cavities in an otherwise suitable territory (Cannings and Angell 2001 in COSEWIC 2012). 3. 1. 2 Roosting Mature forests are preferred for roosting although use of younger forests has been documented (COSEWIC 2012). Roost sites in the lower mainland were often in mixed dedduous-coniferous wood stands older than 50 years old but birds were also found in 25-30-year-old Douglas-fir plantations (Robertson et al. 2000). Western screech-owls will use tree cavities excavated by others such as woodpeckers and utilize rotted-out branch cavities (COSEWIC2012). Open roost sites are also utilized and October 2019 Introduction I 1 McKelvie Creek Project - Westem-Screech Owl Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. may include species such as western redcedar (Thuja plicata), red alder (Alnus rubra), black cottonwood (Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa), and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga heterophylla}. 3. 1. 3 Foraging Foraging habitat has not been documented for the western screech-owl, kennicottii subspecies. For the M. k. macfarlanei subspecies foraging habitat consists of perches on habitat edges near a breeding range. These edges may occur near a riparian area, between forests and meadows, or in open-canopy forests (BCMOE2013). 4. RATINGS 4. 1 RATINGS ASSUMPTIONS The habitat model applies to all forested BGC zones in the Project area up to an elevation of 1, 200 m (as the species is unlikely to occur above that elevation; Table 2). Mixed forests or coniferous forests with open canopy were rated higher than other forests. Table 2. Western Screech-Owl Habitat Model for Reproducing-Eggs-Growing Life Requisites/ Habitat Suitability Season Specific TEIVI Attributes RE-G High Low to moderate elevation ecosystems (CWHvml and CWHvm2) with: . Old and mature mixed (> 25% deciduous] forests at structural stage 6 or 7 Moderate Low to moderate elevation ecosystems (CWHvml and CWHvm2)wlth: . Young mixed (> 25% deciduous) forests at structural stage 4 or 5 Low Low to high elevation ecosystems (CWHvml, CWHvm2, MHmml) with: . All coniferous forests except extremely dry forests Nil All forests >200 m from a waterbody All non-vegetated areas 4. 2 RATINGS ADJUSTMENTS Any forest polygon greater than 200 m from permanent water was downgraded by two classes. October 2019 Ratings | 2 IVtcKelvie Creek Project - Westem-Screech Owl Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 5^ LITERATURE CiTED BC Ministry of Environment. 2013. Recovery plan for the Western Screech-Owl, kennicottii subspecies (Megascops kennicottii kennicottii} in British Columbia. B. C. Ministry of Environment, Victoria, BC. 23pp. Campbell, R. W., N. K. Dawe, I. MacTaggart-Cowan, J. M. Cooper, G. W. Kaiser, and M. C. E. McNall. 1990. The Birds of British Columbia (Vol. 2: Nonpasserines). UBC Press, Vancouver BC. COSEWIC. 2012. COSEWICassessment and status report on the Western Screech-Owl kennicottii subspecies Megascops kennicottii kennicottii and the Western Screech-Owl macfarlanei subspecies Megascops kennicottii macfarlanei in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. xii + 30 pp. (www.registrelep-sararegistry. gc. ca /default_e. cfm). Robertson, 1., M. Gebauer, G. Ryder, and R. Toochin. 2000. Observations of Two Species at Risk in Mainland Southwestern British Columbia: Mutton's Vireo and Western Screech-Owl. October 2019 Literature Cited [ 3 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. APPENDIX G. LITTLE BROWN MYOTIS SPECIES ACCOUNT November 2019 Little Brown Myotis Species Account ECOlOGIt ilxia ^ rown Rflvotis f~ S ®' B ^ ti^ a-.. a !ae'f"L)? ii isz^i' ^s. s ^ ^'.'^ ^u^ ^.- § 'iS$' ^ i, iifss. !rs ^'^ ffi1'^ ^iu'it??^ McKelvie Creek Project - Little Brown Myotis Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents. Introduction Ecology and Key Habitat Requirements. Habitat Use: Life Requisites ...... l 3. 1 Living...... 2 3. 1. 1 Foraging...... 2 3. 1. 2 Summer Roosting and Breeding...... 2 4. Ratings...... 2 4. 1 Rating Assumptions...... 2 4. 2 Rating Adjustments...... 3 5. Literature Cited ...... 3 List of Tables Table 1. Life Requisites for Little Brown Myotis at McKelvie Creek...... 2 Table 2. Little Brown Myotis Habitat Model for Livjng-Growing...... 2 October 2019 Table of Contents I i McKelvje Creek Project - Little Brown Myotis Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 1. This species account is a description of little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus) life history, biology and habitat requirements relevant to the McKelvie Creek Community Watershed (the Project area). Information compiled from a detailed literature review and species experts is the basis for the species account and focuses on what is known about the species' habitat requirements in the Project area. Little brown myotis was selected as a species for which habitat is modelled because of its likely presence and mapped critical habitat in the Project Area and its federal status as Endangered under the Species at Risk Act. 2. ECOLOGY AND KEY HABITAT REQUIREMENTS The iittle brown myotis is a habitat generalist, evidenced by its wide range throughout BC and North America, from dry open forests to humid coastal forests. They have also adapted well to urban areas, using human-made structures for resting and maternity sites (Holroyd et al. 2016). The little brown myotis requires warm, dark, poorly ventilated areas with several small access holes for nursery roost sites such as under loose bark and cavities of dead standing or old trees, naturally occurring rock crevices, sandstone cliffs, and outcroppings (Crampton and Barclay 1998; Holroyd et al. 2016; BCCDC 2017; Nagorsen and Brigham 2017). Attics or other (human-made) spaces associated with buildings can also fulfil these requirements (Nagorsen and Brigham 2017). Maternity colonies commonly are in warm sites in buildings (e.g., attics) and other structures; they are also found (albeit less frequently) in hollow trees (BCCDC 2017). The little brown myotis will hibernate in caves and abandoned mines usually beginning in September or October; however, the distribution of winter populations in BC is poorly known (Holroyd et al. 2016; Nagorsen and Brigham 2017), Winter hibernation sites generally have a relatively stable temperature of about 2° to 12°C and high humidity (BC CDC 2017; Nagorsen and Brigham 2017). Although adult and immature little brown myotis winter habits are poorly known, individuals hibernate or exhibit much reduced activity during the colder months, at least in the northern part of the range (BC CDC 2017; Nagorsen and Brigham 2017). 3. HABITAT USE: LIFE REQUISITES The little brown myotis requires habitat for three important life requisites including summer reproducing and roosting, winter hibernation, and foraging. Hibernating habitat is difficult to model using TEM and, therefore, cannot be described for the Project area with any certainty. Therefore, only the Living life requisite for the Growing season will be rated for this habitat suitability model to capture important roosting, reproducing, and foraging habitat during the summer period. October 2019 Introduction I 1 McKelvie Creek Project - Little Brown Myotis Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. Table 1. Life Requisites for Little Brown Myotis at McKelvie Creek Project area. ife Requisite Season Rating Scheme Living Growing 4 class 3. 1 LIVING 3. 1. 1 Foraging In BC little brown myotis feed opportunistically in open, uncluttered habitats over land and low over the margins of streams or lakes (BC CDC 2017). 3. 1. 2 Summer Roosting and Breeding The little brown myotis requires warm, dark, poorly ventilated areas with several small access holes for nursery roost sites such as under loose bark and cavities of dead standing or old trees, naturally occurring rock crevices, sandstone cliffs, outcroppings, and attics. Little brown myotis is one of the few bat species that will use buildings and other man-made structures such as bat boxes, bridges and barns to roost (Environment Canada 2015). The literature suggests that trees in urban and suburban areas are suitable for roosting as well as man-made structures (Environment Canada 2015). In natural habitats, roost selection is a function of a variety of features at the landscape scale such as forest age and composition or the stand scale such as canopy gaps, number of available snags and proximity to water (Environment Canada 2015). 4. RATINGS 4. 1 RATING ASSUMPTIONS General decision rules based on species ecology were applied to the mapped polygons to arrive at the ratings for little brown myotis habitat suitability (Table 2). Table 2. Little Brown Myotis Habitat Model for Living - Growing Specific TEM Attributes Living - High Mature and Old-growth forests Growing Wetlands, lakes and rivers Riparian and floodplains ecosystems Cliff, rocky outcrop and talus slopes Moderate Young forests Urban and suburban areas October 2019 Ratings | 2 McKelvie Creek Project - Littfe Brown Myotis Species Account Ecof-ogic Consultants Ltd. Low Pole-Sapling forests Nil All other habitats 4. 2 RATING ADJUSTMENTS No rating adjustments were deemed necessary. 5. LITERATURE CITED BC CDC. 2017. Species Summary: Myotis ludfugus. BC Conservation Data Centre BC Ministry of Environment. Available: http://al00. gov. bc. ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed November 21, 2019). Crampton, L. H., and Barclay, R. M. 1998. Selection of roosting and foraging habitat by bats in different- aged aspen mixedwood stands. Conservation Biology, 12(6), 1347-1358. Environment Canada. 2015. Recovery Strategy for Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus). Northern Myotis (Myotis septentrionalis), and Tri-colored Bat {Perimyotis subflavus) in Canada (Proposed). Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Environmental Canada, Ottawa. Ix+llOpp. Holroyd, S. L, V. J. Craig, and P. Govindarajulu. 2016. Best Management Practices for Bats in British Columbia, Chapter 1: Introduction to the Bats of British Columbia. B. C. Ministry of Environment, Victoria, BC. Nagorsen, D. and Brigham, M. 2017. Myotis lucifugus. In Klinkenberg, Brian. (Editor) 2017. E-Fauna BC: Electronic Atlas of the Fauna of British Columbia [efauna. bc.ca]. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. (Accessed: November 21, 2018). RIC. 1999. British Columbia Wildlife Habitat Rating Standards. Version 2. 0. Resources Inventory Committee British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Resources Inventory Branch, Terrestrial Ecosystems Task Force Resources Inventory Committee, Victoria, BC. October 2019 Literature Cited I 3 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. APPENDIX H. GRIZZLY BEAR SPECIES ACCOUNT November 2019 Grizzly Bear Species Account ECOt 0 & If. »'".>.. " "n ii £fc» . txrhl fc'ssA »*.. AG' McKelvie Creek Project - Grizzly Bear Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents...... ' 1. Introduction...... I 2. Ecologyand Key Habitat Requirements...... ----" 1 3. Habitat Use: Life Requisites...... --.-.... "-2 3. 1 FeedingHabitat (FD)...... 2 4. Ratings...... 3 4. 1 RatingsAssumptions ...... 3 4.2 RatingsAdjustments...... 7 5. Literature Cited...... -----"------8 List of Tables Table 1. Grizzly Bear Life Requisites for Premier Mine...... 2 Table 2. Grizzly Bear Habitat Model for Feeding...... 4 Table 3. MappingAdjustments to Habitat Ratingsfor Grizzly Bear...... 7 October 2019 Table of Contents I i McKelvie Creek Project - Grizzly Bear Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. This species account is a description of grizzly bear (L/rsus orrtos) life history, biology and habitat requirements relevant to the McKelvie Creek watershed (the Project). Information compiled from a detailed literature review and species experts will be the basis for the species account. The information focuses on what is known about the grizzly bear's habitat requirements in the Project area. The species account will include the following: species data, distribution, project area and map scale, ecology and habitat requirements, habitat use (life requisites and season), and habitat ratings. Grizzly bear was selected because of its federal status as Special Concern under SARA, its provincial status as an Identified Wildlife species and its potential to occur in the Project area during feeding activities. 2. ECOLOGY AND KEY HABITAT REQUIREMENTS Grizzly bears are mostly solitary omnivores that typically have large seasonal and annual home ranges. Femaleswith cubsand sibling groups are solitaryfor most ofthe yearaside from duringthe matingseason. Mothers and daughters tend to have overlapping home ranges, while male home ranges are large and overlap with several adult females (Gyug 2004). Home range size is largely determined by terrain, habitat availability, gender, social status and population levels (Mahon et al. 2004, Naughton 2012). In areas with abundant and reliable food sources such as annual salmon runs, home ranges tend to be smaller than in areas where this is not the case. Home ranges for female and sub-adult bears are smaller than those of adult grizzly bears (MacHutchon et al. 1993). In British Columbia, average home range size for female grizzly bears can be 25 to 200 km2 while adult males have ranges of 60 to 700 km2 or more (Blood 2002). In a study in the Babine River area, of five grizzly bears monitored, home range size varied from 150 km2 for a mature female to 8,500 km2 for a mature male (MacHutchon and Mahon 2003 in Mahon 2004). A notable aspect of bear physiology is their need to hibernate. It is not a true hibernation. however, but rather a dormancy period where metabolic activity is greatly reduced (COSEWIC 2012). Grizzly bears can wake up depending on weather conditions or disturbance, emerge from their den, forage and then re- enter the den to continue their hibernation. The duration of denning is related to sex, physical body condition, and latitude (COSEWIC2012). Pregnantfemales enter the den first in the fall and emerge last in the spring while male bears usually spend the shortest time in the den (COSEWIC 2012). Grizzly bears at higher latitudes tend to enter dens earlier and remain in their dens longer (Schwartz et al 2003a as cited in COSEWIC2012). Typically bears den from early November to mid-April (Blood 2002, Cowan and Guiguet 1978). Anthropogenic effects on grizzly bear populations include habitat loss, alienation, and fragmentation (McLellan et al. 2000). Direct mortality includes hunting, poaching, and control kills associated with improper garbage management or other types of human-bear encounter including the protection of livestock or perceived threat to human safety (IGBC 1987 as cited in Gyug 2004). Motorized access into grizzly bear habitat increases bear mortality given most bears are killed near roads, i. e., shot, not hit by vehicles (Procter et al. 2018). October 2019 Introduction I 1 McKelvie Creek Project - Grizzly Bear Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 3. HABITAT USE: LIFE REQUISITES Grizzly bear feeding habitat is considered to be the most important life requisite given that habitat selection in the growing season (spring, summer, and fall) is related to food availability. Food value is the primary driver in habitat selection (Gyug 2004). Winter is a critical period and, as such, hibernation is considered to be an important life requisite. As such, the life requisites that will be rated in this model for grizzlybear are Feedingand Hibernating. Feedingis divided into three categories:spring, summerand fall. Table 1. Grizzly Bear Life Requisites for Premier Mine Life Requisite Rating Scheme Duration Food Early Spring 6 Class March-April Food Late Spring 6 Class May-June Food Summer 6 Class July -August Food Fall 6 Class September - October 3. 1 FEEDING HABITAT (FD) Grizzly bears are generalists and opportunistic in their feeding habitats and will consume a wide variety of plants and animals (Hatler et al. 2008). They are omnivores with adaptations for digging and rooting, grazing and hunting (COSEWIC2012). Coastal bears feed heavily on spawning salmon (COSEWIC2012). Grizzly bears will eat animal protein whenever possible (Hatler et at. 2008)and take advantage of winter- killed or weakened ungulates such as mountain goats, deer, or moose (COSEWIC2012, Green et al. 1997). A grizzly will dig for ground squirrels and marmots as well as insects and mice (Eder and Pattie 2001). Whereaccessible and available,grizzly bearswill consume garbageand livestock (COSEWIC2012). Habitat selection reflects timing of local plant phenology, timing of spring ungulate calving, and migratory fish runs (Schwartz et. 2003a in COSEWIC 2012). As such, grizzly bears can have daily and seasonal migrations. Daily migrations may follow streambeds, trails, open edges, ridges, and roads. In mountainous regions, seasonal elevational movements are common (COSWEIC 2012). Seasonal movments may include moving from lower to higher elevations in spring to late summer, back to lower elevations in the summer, and returning to higher elevations for late-summer feeding and denning (Simpson 1990). Coastal grizzly bear habitat selection is reflective of food availability (Hamilton 1987). Different habitats are used throughout the year to exploit seasonal changes in the availability and nutritional quality of foods ranging from valley bottoms to alpine tundra (MacHutchon 2010). Coastal grizzly bear feeding habitat includes avalanche tracks, floodplains, riparian, forested, wetland and subalpine parkland, and alpine habitats. Non-forested and early successional habitats play an important role as suitable grizzly bear feeding habitat and provide quality foraging opportunities for grizzly bears by supporting high value plant species (NCGBRT 2004). These plant species can also be found in forested riparian areas and under the October 2019 Habitat Use: Life Requisites | 2 McKelvie Creek Project - Grizzly Bear Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. canopy of small openings in mature and old-growth forests. Coarse woody debris found in forested habitats support insects and small mammals that can also be valuable food sources for grizzly bears. Coastal grizzly bears depend on eariy-season green vegetation after den emergence in low-elevation riparian areas, wetlands, and south-facing avalanche tracks until late spring/early summer. By early summer, whenberries beginto ripen, habitatssuch as mid-elevation forests and high-elevationsubalpine parkland meadow are preferred along with north-facing slopes where late green-up forbs can be found, As the summer progresses and moves into fall, salmon spawning streams adjacent to berry-producing forests become core habitatareas (MacHutchon et al. 1993, Gyuget al 2004, Simpson 1990). By late fall, after salmon have stopped spawning, bears will switch back to berries, small mammals, and insects as a means to increase body fat prior to entering hibernation. In general, key coastal grizzly bear feeding habitat includes (Mahon et al. 2004): * low elevation south-facing slopes and avalanche tracks, riparian forests, floodplains, and wetlands for early green-up forbs and moose in spring; * mid-elevations and north slopes and avalanche tracks for vegetation and floodplains for early berries in summer; » high-elevation open subalpine and alpine areas for berries and low-elevation streams for salmon and riparian berries in late summer and fall; and * large rivers for salmon and associated riparian areas for roots and late berries, and alpine for marmots, roots, berries, and late forbs in late fall. 4. RATINGS 4. 1 RATINGS ASSUMPTIONS * Higher elevation BGC subzones have a shorter growing season due to cooler temperatures for longer duration than do lower elevation BGC subzones. Therefore, early spring habitat occurs primarily in the CWHvml while late spring habitat reaches up into the CWHvm2. . Aspect (warm, cool) affects herbaceous abundance during the spring season. Warm aspect habitat will generally have more abundant vegetation in the early spring than other sites because they are snow-free and warmer earlier than cool sites. . Talus slopes provide habitat for marmots and as such provide forage opportunities for grizzly bear. » Talus slopes with warm aspects rate higher in spring than those with cool aspects. * Roads, landings and pull-outs green up early in spring with lush forbs and graminoids and provide moderately high food availability in spring and summer, but are downgraded as grizzly bears tend to avoid roads. * Ecosystem units with high forage plant diversity and abundance in a lush herb layer with an abundance of grasses, sedges (Carex spp. ), horsetails (Equisetum spp. ), skunk cabbage, cow October 2019 Ratings | 3 McKelvie Creek Project - Grizzly Bear Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. parsnip, stinging nettle, hellebore, and dandelion represent class 1 grizzly bear spring-feeding habitat. Habitatwith lower plant diversity and abundancewill be rated poorerthan class 1. * Ecosystem units with berry producers (e. g., blueberries, huckleberries, soopolallie, thimbleberry, twinberry, devil's club, elderberry, high bush cranberry), will be rated class 1 grizzly bear summer feeding habitat. * High-elevation alpine areas are rated high for summer. * Salmon spawning streams will be rated class 1 grizzly bear fall feeding habitat along with riparian areas within 100 m of salmon-spawning streams. * Areas that produce an abundance of fall forage and berries such as open structural stage 2 and 3 areas are rated high for fall feeding habitat. Suitability is defined as the ability of a habitat in its current condition to provide the life requisites of a species (RIC 1999). Table 2 describes the grizzly bear model for feeding in spring, summer, and fall life requisites. Table 2. Grizzly Bear Habitat Model for Feeding Habitat Suitability Requisite/Season Class Code Specific TEM Attributes Feeding- Spring High Lowelevation CWHvml, level, gentle slopes or steeper slopes with (Early) warm aspects such as; . moist to wet forested units in structural stages 2 or 3; . avalanche tracks; . wetlands; . floodplain units in structural stage 2 or 3; . rights-of-way along roads (with roadside vegetation); . rural areas . rivers; . gravel bars. Moderately Low elevation CWHvml: H'6h . moist to wet forested in structural stages 4-7 that have skunk cabbage, and other important succulent forage; . talus slopes (TA) on warm aspects for potential marmots as a food source. Moderate Low elevation CWHvml moderately steep slopes with a cool aspect (285"-l35"): . Moist to wet forests structural stage 2-7; . Avalanche tracks with cool aspect (2850-135°). Low Low elevation CWHvml: . Talus slopes on cool aspects. Very Low Low elevation CWHvml: . Very Dry to mesic forested units in all structural stages (2-7). October 2019 Ratings i 4 McKelvie Creek Project - Grizzly Bear Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. H tSuitab tv Life Requisit /Season a SpecificTEM Attributes Nil Ail other habitats not listed above. All other habitats above the CWHvml. Feeding-Late High Low elevation CWHvml & CWHvmZ, level, gentle slopes or steeper Spring slopes with warm aspects such as: . moist to wet forested units in structural stages 2 or 3; . avalanche tracks; . wetlands; . floodplain units in structural stage 2 or 3; . rights-of-way along roads (with roadside vegetation); . rural areas; . rivers; . gravel bars. Moderately Low elevation CWHvml & CWHvm2: Hi6h . Moist to wet forested in structural stages 4-7 that have skunk cabbage and other important succulerrt forage; . Talus slopes (TA) on warm aspects for potential marmots as a food source. Moderate Low-elevation CWHvml & CWHvm2 moderately steep slopes with a cool aspect (285"- 35"): . Moist to wet forests structural stage 2-7; . Avalanche tracks with cool aspect (285°- 135°) Low Low elevation CWHvml & CWHvm2: . Taius slopes on cool aspects. Very Low Low elevation CWHvml &CWHvm2: . Very Dry to mesic forested units in all structural stages (2-7). Nil All other habitats not listed above. All other habitats above the CWHvm2. Feed ing - High Ecosystems in the subalpine (MHmml and CMAunp) and alpine Summer (CMAun) such as: . parkland; . krummholz; . wetlands; . alpine tundra; or . herbaceous meadows. Salmon spawning streams and any area adjacent to salmon spawning streams; Forested units with berry-producing shrubs.; Avalanche tracks at higher elevations; or Avalanche tracks at lower elevations on cool aspects. October 2019 Ratings McKelvie Creek Project - Grizzly Bear Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. I ure Requisite/Season Class Code Specific^ 2 Moderately Moist forested units in the CWHvml, CWHvm2, MHmml or High CMAunp with lush forage species such as skunk cabbage, cow parsnip etc., in structural stage 2, 3, 6, or 7; Talus slopes with potential marmots as a food source; Avalanche tracks at all lower elevations on warm aspects 5 in the CWHvml, 6, 7intheCWHvml, 5 Very Low Heath meadows (Ah) in the MHmml, CMAunp and CMAun; and Dryshrublands. 6 Nil All other habitats not listed above. Feeding-fall 1 High Salmon spawning streams and any area adjacent to salmon spawning streams. 2 Moderately Subalpine (MHmml) and alpine (CMAunp) areas including: H'Sh . Herbaceous meadows; . Alpine tundra; . Krummhotz; . Berry-producing mesic forests in structurat stage 2, 3/ 6 or 7; or . Avalanche tracks; Low elevation (CWHvml and CWHvm2); . Avalanche tracks; . Moist to wet forests in structural stage 2, 3, 6, or 7; or . Wetlands. Talus slopes with potential marmots as a food source (early fall before marmots hibernate). 3 Moderate Subalpine areas (MHmml) mesic forested units with berry- producing shrubs in structural stage 4 or 5. Low elevation (CWHvml and CWHvm2) moist to wet forests in structural stage 4 or 5. 4 Low Dry or very dry forested units in MHmml in structural stage 3 through 7. 5 Very Low Heath meadows CMAunp; or Dryshrublands. 6 Nil All other habitats not listed above. October 2019 Ratings j 6 McKelvie Creek Project - Grizzly Bear Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 4. 2 RATINGS ADJUSTMENTS Mapping adjustments to habitat ratings are suggested to reflect the extent of suitable habitat, proximity to cover from feeding areas, and the potential adverse impact of roads on habitat quality. Roads are assumed to limit the effectiveness of habitat quality because they increase potential of grizzly bear mortality and displacement (McLellan and Shackleton 1988, Proctor et al. 2018). Therefore, an inverse relationship between habitat quality and road density (i. e., habitat quality declines as road density increases) is assumed and ratings should be adjusted downward (Table 3). In a study by Proctor et al (2018) a minimum distance of 500 m is suggested as a road design criterion in grizzly bear habitat. Table 3, Mapping Adjustments to Habitat Ratings for Grizzly Bear Attribute Adjustment Downgrade by 2 Downgrade by 2 Presence of salmon stream polygon within 100 m No downward adjustment regardless of proximity to human activity or road. Existing transmission line No downgrade October 2019 Ratings McKelvie Creek Project - Grizzly Bear Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 5. LITERATURE CITED Banfield, A. W. F. 1987. The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press, Toronto, Canada. 438 pp. BC CDC.2005. SpeciesSummary Ursus arctos. British Columbia Conservation Data Centre. BCMinistry of Environment. Available at: http://al00. gov. bc. ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed November 2018) BC CDC.2018. BC Speciesand Ecosystem Explorer. British Columbia Conservation Data Centre. Available: https://www2. gov. bc. ca/gov/content/environment/plants-animals-ecosystems/con5ervation- data-centre/explore-cdc-data/species-and-ecosystems-explorer(accessed November2018) ENV. 1995. Conservation of grizzly bears in British Columbia: background report. Ministry of Environment, Lands, and Parks, Victoria, B. C. 70pp Conservation Data Centre. 1997. B. C. Conservation Data Centre: Rare vertebrate animal tracking list. Ministry of Environment, Lands, and Parks, Victoria, B. C. BC MFLNRO. 2012. British Columbia Grizzly Bear Population Estimate for 2012. British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. Blood, D. A. 2002. Grizzly Bears in British Columbia. Ecology, Conservation, and Management. British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land, and Air Protection. Ciarniello, L, M. Boyce, D. C. Heard and D. R. Seip. 2005. Denning Behavior and Den Site Selection of Grizzly Bears along the Parsnip River, British Columbia, Canada. Ursus 16 (I): 47-58 COSEWIC. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. 2012. COSEWICAssessment and Status Report on Grizzly Bear Ursus arctos. Western population. Ungava population in Canada. Cowan, 1. M. and C. G. Guiget. 1978. The Mammals of British Columbia. BC. Proc. Mus. Victoria, BC. Handbook No. 11. 7th printing. 414 pp. Eder, T. and D. Pattie. 2001. Mammals of British Columbia. Lone Pine Publishing. Green, G. l., DJ. Mattson and J. M. Peek. 1997. Spring Feeding on Ungulate Carcasses by Grizzly Bears in Yellowstone National Park. The Journal of Wildlife Management, Vol. 61. No. 4. Pp 1040-1055. Gyug, L.W, Hamilton, T. and M. Austin. 2004. Grizzly Bear Ursus arctos. IdentifiedWildlife Management Strategy Volume II Accounts 2004. Prepared for BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection. Hamilton, A. N. 1986. Coastal Grizzly Bear Research Project. BC Ministry of Environment and Parks. Victoria, BC. Wildlife Working Report No. WR-22. November 1986. Hamilton, A. N. 1987. Oassification of Coastal Grizzly Bear Habitat for Forestry Interpretations and the Role of Food in Habitat Use by Coastal Grizzly Bears. Thesis. UBC. December 1987 October 2019 Literature Cited | 8 McKelvie Creek Project - Grizzly Bear Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. Hamilton, A. N., and F. Bunnell. 1986. Foraging strategies of coastal grizzly bears in the Kimsquit River Valley, British Columbia. Int. Con/. Bear Res. and Manage. 7:187-197. Hatler, D. F., D.W. Nagorsen and A. M. Seal. 2008. Royal BC Museum Handbook Carnivores of British Columbia. Volume 5 The Mammals of BC. Himmer, S. and D. Power. 2003. A Guidebook for Grizzly Bear Wildlife Habitat Features Coastal British Columbia. The Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection. Hagensborg and Williams Lake BC. The Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management Williams Lake BC. Johnson, S. R., M.W. Demarchi and G. F. Searing. 1997. Grizzly Bear Inventory in the Nisga'a Wildlife Management Area. Final 1996 Annual Report. FRBC Skeena-Bulkley Region. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Skeena Region, Smithers, BC. MacHutchon, A. G. 2010. Coastal Grizzly Bear Habitat Mapping and Review Methods. Grizzly Bear Habitat Mapping and Technical Review Team. October 20, 2010. Final Version. MacHutchon, A. G., S. Himmer and C. A. Bryden. 1993. Khutzeymateen Volley Grizzly Bear Study. Final Report. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks and Ministry of Forests. Mahon, T., A. G. MacHutchon, D. Morgan, D. Reid, A. Edie, M. Marsland, D. Fillier, G. Recknall and L. Turney. 2004. Predictive Habitat Mapping with Grizzly Bear Habitat Suitability Ratings for the Kispiox and Cranberry Timber Supply Areas. BC Ministry of Forests, BCMinistryofSustainable Resource Management and BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection. McElhanney 2015. Grizzly Bear Habitat Assessment and Candidate WHA Submission Clore Watershed. Contract GS15SME013. Prepared for Ecosystem Officer. Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations. McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd. Terrace, BC. McLellan, B. N. and D. M. Shackleton. 1988. Grizzly Bears and Resource Extraction Industries: Effects of Roads and Behavior, Habitat Use and Demography. Journal of Applied Ecology {1988) 25, 451- 460. McLellan, G. N., F. W. Hovey and J.G. Woods. 2000. Rates and Causes of Grizzly Bear Mortality in the Interior Mountains of Western North America. Proceedings of a Conference on the Biology and Management of Specie and Habitats at Risk, Kamloops, B. C, 15-19 Feb. 1999. Nagy, J.A. andA. G. MacHutchon 1991a. Khutzeymoteen Valley Grizzly Bear Study Annual Progress Report Year 11989/90. Annual Working Plan Year 2 1990/91. British Columbia Ministry of Environment Wildlife Working Report No. WR-48 January 1991. Nagy, J. A. and A. G. MacHutchon 1991b. Khutzeymateen Valley Grizzly Bear Study Annual Progress Report Year 2 1990/91. Annual Working Plan Year 2 1991/92. British Columbia Ministry of Environment Wildlife Working Report No. WR-48 January 1991. October 2019 Literature Cited I 9 McKelvie Creek Project - Grizzly Bear Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. Naughton, D. 2012. The Natural History of Canadian Mammals. University of Toronto Press, Toronto: 784 pp. NCGBRT2004. Recovery Plan for Grizzly Bears in the North Cascades of British Columbia . North Cascades Grizzly Bear Recovery Team. Northlink Consultants LP. 2017. Baseline Technical Data Report: Wildlife Resources. Red Mountain Underground Gold Project. IDM Mining Ltd. Patterson, Y. and D. Eastman. 2014. Feeding Ecology of Grizzly Bears fUrsus arctos^ in the Southern Coastal Mountains of British Columbia (FWCP Project 11. W. BRG. 08). British Columbia Conservation Foundation. Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program. Proctor, M. F., B. N. McLellan, 6. B. Stenhouse, G. Mowat, C. T. Lamb, and M. Boyce. 2018. Resource Roads and Grizzly Bears in British Columbia, and Alberta. Canadian Grizzly Bear Management Series, Resource Road Management. Trans-border Grizzly Bear Project. Kaslo, BC. Canada http://transbordergrizzlybearproject. ca/research/publications. html. RIC. 1999. British Columbia Wildlife Habitat Ratings Standards. Resources Inventory Committee Version 2. 0. BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Victoria, BC 97 pp. Simpson, K. 1990. Seasonal Habitat Use by Grizzly Bears in the Babine River Drainage. Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Forests. Smithers, BC. Stevens, V. 1995. Wildlife Diversity in British Columbia: Distribution and Habitat Use ofAmphibians, Reptiles, Birds and Mammals in Biogeoclimatic Zones. Province of British Columbia. Ministry of Forests Research Program. Turney Land A. M. Roberts. 2004. Grizzly Bear Spring, Summer, and Fall-Habitat Suitability Models. Morice and Lakes Forest Districts IFPA. Prepared for Morice and Lakes IFPA. Prepared by Ardea Biological Consulting. Smithers, BC. Waller, J.S. and R. D. Mace 1997. Grizzly Bear Habitat Selection in the Swan Mountains, Montana. The Journal of Wildlife Management, Vol. 61. No. 4 (Oct 1997), pp. 1031-1039. October 2019 Literature Cited | 10 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. APPENDIX I. ROOSEVELT ELK SPECIES ACCOUNT November 2019 Roosevelt Elk Species Account ECO I OG 1C Fit (Cen It.C^'t. Tsi fFi s MI ^ Ifc*' ft ^ ^J S's'^. \, ^ ^' McKelvie Creek Project - Roosevelt Elk Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd, TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents. 1. Introduction ...... 1 2. Ecology and Key Habitat Requirements...... ! 3. Habitat Use: Life Requisites ...... 1 3. 1 Feeding (FD)...... 1 3. 2 Thermal/Security...... 2 4. Ratings...... ^ 4. 1 Ratings Assumptions ...... 2 4. 2 Ratings Adjustments...... ^ 5. Literature Cited ...... 6 List of Tables Table 1. Life Requisites for Premier Gold Mine ...... 1 Table 2. Roosevelt Elk Habitat Model for Living Winter and Growing ...... 3 October 2019 Table of Contents I i McKelvie Creek Project - Roosevelt Elk Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 1. INTRODUCTION This species account is a description of Roosevelt elk (Cervus elephus roosevelti} life history, biology and habitat requirements relevant to the McKelvie Creek Community Watershed (the Project area). Information compiled from a detailed literature review and species experts is the basis for the species account and focuses on what is known about the species' habitat requirements in the Project area. Roosevelt elk was selected because it is provincially Blue-listed (BC CDC 2019) and has been confirmed present in the McKelvie Creek Project area by a site visit in June 2019. 2. ECOLOGY AND KEY HABITAT REQUIREMENTS Roosevelt elk, inhabiting the southern coastal rainforests, are usually found in valley bottoms in most seasons, even in summer in some areas (Shackleton 1999). Staying alive largely centers around finding enough to eat and avoiding predators (Van Tighem 2001). At any given time, elk need an appropriate combination of shelter and security cover, foragingareas, travel corridors and water (VanTighem 2001). 3. HABITAT USE: LIFE REQUISITES Habitat selection is driven by the need to meet nutritional requirements with enough forage and cover, and to minimize risk of mortality. As a result, Roosevelt elk will be rated for living habitat for two seasons (growing and winter; Table 1). Table 1. Life Requisites for Premier Gold Mine Life Requisite Season Rating Scheme Living (Feeding/Thermal/Security) Growing 6 class November - March Living Winter 6-class April - October (Feeding/Security) 3. 1 FEEDING (FD) Although elk have their preferences, they will eat just about anything to survive including grasses, forbs, woody browse, and even bark. Elk are more generalist herbivores with a mixed browser-grazer diet (Shackleton 1999) relying on fresh green grasses, sedges, and forbs in the early spring, as well as green leaves. Into summer, grasses and forbs are an important part of their diet as are aquatic plants. Aquatic plants such as cattail stems are preferred (Furtman 1997). In winter, young twigs and the buds of deciduous trees and shrubs become important foods for survival (Van Tighem 2001). Herbs and stands of shrub seedlings, along with riparian areas, provide the main foraging areas for Roosevelt elk, while older forests supply security cover against predators (Shackleton 1999). They prefer bedding just inside the forest edge where they can remain hidden yet retain a clear view to watch for predators (Shackleton October 2019 Introduction ) 1 McKelvie Creek Project- Roosevelt Elk Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 1999; Furtman 1997). Roosevelt subspecies tends to inhabit areas of deciduous and mixed-wood rainforest, rather than open meadows (Ederand Pattie 2001). Important browse species for Roosevelt elk include red elderberry, various Voccinium and Rubus species, willows, dull Oregon-grape, Pacific ninebark, amabilis fir, and western hemlock. Roosevelt elk also eat various grasses and sedges, and many types of forbs such as skunk cabbage in spring and summer. Sword ferns and deer ferns are also important forage in most seasons except summer. Preferred forage grows in early successional stages following a fire, or in young harvested cutblocks following logging. Riparian areas are also important for foraging (Shackleton 1999). 3. 2 THERMAL/SECURITY Habitat that shelters them from cold wind and rain is critical for winter survival. Heavy coniferous timber is particularly valuable as shelter from the elements since it intercepts rain and snow and blocks wind. Roosevelt elk depend on old-growth cedar-hemlock forests in their deep snow winter ranges (Van Tighem 2001). Heavy timber also provides excellent security cover from predators, as do rivers and lakes. Water is an important feature of elk habitat for food and protection as moist riparian habitat provides an abundance of forage species and safety from predators and is especially important to lactating cows (Furtman 1997). In winter when snow depths exceed 30 cm, Roosevelt elk move into the mature and old-growth forests where snow is not as deep because of the dense tree canopy above. In cold, low-snow periods, they may move onto open south-facing slopes where the sun's warmth is strongest, and if necessary, use young, mature or old-growth stands that provide them with thermal cover. Seasonal movements can be highly individualistic, and there may be no general pattern even within a population (Shackleton 1999). Some individuals make seasonal altitudinal migrations as high as alpine grasslands in summer, while others move mainly horizontally, and some remain year-round in the same general area (Shackleton 1999). Seasonal use of space seems to be influenced by various factors including local vegetation, snow conditions, predators, and experience. 4. RATINGS 4. 1 RATINGS ASSUMPTIONS Winter: » Low elevations areas with less snowfall rate higher than higher elevation areas with greater snowfall. . Coniferous and conifer-dominated mixed wood stands with a dense canopy cover rate high for thermal protection. * Deciduous or mixed-wood habitat with high canopy cover rate high for forage. October 2019 Ratings j 2 McKefvie Creek Project - Roosevelt Elk Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. . Dense cover in low elevation forested stands rate high for security and thermal habitat. * Sites on warm aspects rate higher than those on cool aspects. Growing * South facing slopes in spring are the first to be snow-free and provide access to forage. « Riparian and wet areas provide high quality forage. * Valley bottoms and riparian areas rate high for calving habitat. * Open, early seral habitat with abundant grasses, forbs and sedges rate high for forage. » Low to high elevation coniferous, deciduous, and mixedwood forests. * Subalpine meadows. * Shrub-dominated (3), mature (6) or old-growth (7) coniferous forests rate higher for foraging than pole-sapling (4) or younger forests (5). * Preferred calving habitat includes closed canopy forests with dense shrubby understory or riparian forests and river islands. Table 2. Roosevelt Elk Habitat Model for Living Winter and Growing Habitat Suitability Life Requisites/ Season Class Code Specifi TEM Attributes for Suitable Habitat Living-Winter 1 High Low elevation (CWHvml) with: . Mature and Old-growth mesic to moist forests . Coniferous or conifer-leading stands . Warm aspects Riparian areas Floodplains Fresh cutbiocks within 200 m of forest edge South and southwest facing slopes Moderately Low elevation (CWHvml) with High . Mature and Old-growth mesic to moist forests . Coniferous or conifer-leading stands . Cool aspects Low elevation (CWmlHv) with . Young mesic to wet forests . Coniferous or conifer-leading stands . Warm aspects Fresh cutblocks greater than 200 m of forest edge Moderate Low elevation (CWHvml) with: . Structural Stage 4 and 5 October 2019 Ratings j 3 McKelvie Creek Project - Roosevelt Elk Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. equisites/ ason de Specific TEM Attributes for Suitable Habitat . Moist to Wet sites . Mixed-wood forests Low Low elevation (CWHvml) with: . Very dry forest in structural stage 2 -7 . Conifer or conifer-leading forests . Warm or Cool aspects Low elevation (CWHvml) with: . Pole-sapfingor young mesic to moist forests . Conifer or conifer-leading forests . Cool aspects Very Low Wetland fens Nil All other units not mentioned above Living - High Low to moderate elevation (CWHvml and CWHvm2) with: Growing . Rivers and valley bottoms . Floodplains . Wetlands . Shrubby, mature, orold-growth moist to wet forests . Avalanche tracks Moderately Low to moderate elevation (CWHvml and CWHvm2) with: High . Shrubby, mature or old-growth submesic to mesic forests . Roadwayswith shrubby borders Moderate Low to moderate elevation (CWHvml and CWHvm2) young forests; or Higher elevation (MHmml and CMAunp) with: . Alpine meadows, tundra and Krummholz . Mesic forests structural stage 3, G, or 7 Low Low to high elevation (CWHvml, CWHvm2, MHmml) with: . Very dry to dry forests Very Low . Alpine heath and dry scrublands Nil . All other units not listed above. 4. 2 RATINGS ADJUSTMENTS Elk show a decreased use of areas adjacent to roads for distances ranging from 0. 4 to 0. 8 km (Nietfeild et al. 1985). Downgrade by 1 for habitat within 400 m of a road. October 2019 Ratings | 4 McKelvie Creek Project - Roosevelt Elk Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 5. LITERATURE CITED BC CDC. 2019. Species Summary. Cervus elaphus roosevelti. BC Conservation Data Centre. BC Ministry of Environment, http://al00. gov. bc. ca/pub/eswp/ Eder, T. and Pattie, D. 2001. Mammals of British Columbia. Lone Pine Publishing. Furtman, M. 1997. Seasons of the Elk NorthWord Wildlife Series. Nietfeld, M., Wilk, J., Woolnough K., and Hoskjn, B. 1985. Wildlife habitat Requirement Summaries for Selected Wildlife Species in Alberta. Wildlife Resource Inventory Unit. Alberta Energy and Natural Resources. Fish and Wildlife Division. Skackleton, D. 1999. Hoofed Mammals of British Columbia. Royal British Columbia Museum Handbook. Van Tighem, K. 2001. Elk and Deer Antlered Animals of the West. An Altitude SuperGuide. October 2019 Literature Cited I 6 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Wildlife Habitat EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. APPENDIX J. WESTERN WATER SHREW SPECIES ACCOUNT November 2019 Western Water Shrew Species Account 0 ECOlOGIC Sh 6'ikr BS MCCOUITff"^ ^ ^-v, E iE Itl% McKelvie Creek Project - Western Water Shrew Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. Table of Contents. 1. Introduction ...... 3 2. Ecology and Key Habitat Requirements...... 3 3. Habitat Use: Life Requisites ...... 3 3. 1 Feeding....,...... ,...... ^ 4. Ratings...... ,...... ^ 4. 1 Rating Assumptions...... ,....,...... ^ 4. 2 Ratings Adjustments...... 5 5. Literature Cited ...... 5 List of Tables Table 1. Life Requisites of Western Water Shrew ...... 3 Table 2. Premier Study Area PhysiographicSetting...... 4 October 2019 Table of Contents j i McKelvie Creek Project - Western Water Shrew Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 1. This species account is a description of Western Water shrew [Sorex navigator brooksi) life history, biology and habitat requirements relevant to the McKelvie Creek Community Watershed (the Project area). Information compiled from a detailed literature review and species experts is the basis for the species account and focuses on what is known about the species' habitat requirements in the Project area. The Western water shrew was selected because it is endemic to Vancouver Island and its potential to occur within the Project area. 2. ECOLOGY AND KEY HABITAT REQUIREMENTS The Western water shrew captured to date were found only in low elevation habitat ranging from sea level to 558 m in elevation (Craig 2004). It is unknown whether the Western water shrew inhabits higher elevation areas or whether the surveys for this shrew have been inadequate (Craig 2004). The Western water shrew is strongly associated with wet habitats, and it seems to be most abundant near fast- flowing mountain streams and streams below beaver dams where there are many rapids and small riffles (Nagorsen 1996). In these habitats the Western water shrew is rarely found more than a few metres from the edge of the stream (Nagorsen 1996) or even within a few centimetres of the edge of the stream (Craig 2004). Other wetland habitat includes wet meadows and alder thickets bordering ponds and lakes (Nagorsen 1996). However, wetlands have not been systematically surveyed on Western. Current data indicates Western water shrews are dependent on the presence of high-quality intact riparian systems, from narrow to wide streams, from slow-moving to moderately fast-flowing waters. The substrate of the streambed is usually cobble or gravel, and the stream typically has a complex environment, with in-stream coarse woody debris and dense riparian vegetation (Craig 2004). 3. HABITAT USE: LIFE REQUISITES The current definition of the required habitat of the Western water shrew is incomplete at this point in time and will be modified in time with additional data. As a result, living habitat was modelled using a two-class rating scheme for the Project (Table 1). Table 1. Life Requisites of Western Water Shrew Rating Scheme Living All 2 class October 2019 Introduction I 3 McKelvie Creek Project - Western Water Shrew Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 3. 1 FEEDING In general, the Western water shrew is an opportunistic hunter with a flexible diet. In the aquatic environment, the Western water shrew feeds primarily on aquatic insects (Nagorsen 1996). The major prey are the larvae of crane flies and caddisflies, and the nymphs of stoneflies and mayflies (Nagorsen 1996). Other invertebrates eaten are spiders, snails, slugs, and adult flies (Nagorsen 1996). On occasion they have been known to catch a Pacific giant salamander larva (Nagorsen 1996). There are reports of this species eating small fish such as sculpins, common shiners, and salmon parr (Nagorsen 1996). In the terrestrial environment, the Western water shrew feeds on carabid beetles, moth and butterfly larvae, and the pupae and larvae of sawflies (Nagorsen 1996). Western water shrews are strongly associated with riparian habitat given their dependence on aquatic food sources. It is likely that pesticide or herbicide use, or siltation associated with logging or erosion, would reduce stream nutrient content, change water flow regimes, or remove riparian habitat and, as such, would negatively affect the water shrew (Craig 2004). No studies have been done to date on Western; however, it is likely that Western water shrews would be adversely affected by increased urbanization, forestry, and industrial activities (Craig 2004). 4. RATINGS 4. 1 RATING ASSUMPTIONS * Low elevation (CWH) * Intact: * Watercourses * Riparian 4 Gravel Bar . Streams and Rivers » Wetlands Table 2. Premier Study Area Physiographic Setting Livinj Useable turbed water courses (rivers and streams), wat s (ponds and lakes), gravel bars, floodplains, wetl d alder thickets surrounding water bodies in Likely No All other ecosystems Value October 2019 Ratings | 4 McKelvie Creek Project - Western Water Shrew Species Account EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 4. 2 RATINGS ADJUSTMENTS No additional ratings adjustments were deemed necessary. 5. LITERATURE CITED Nagorsen, D. W. 1996. Opossums, Shrews and Moles of British Columbia. Royal British Columbia Museum Handbook Craig, V. J. 2004. The Status of the Western Water Shrew [Sorex palustris brooksi) in British Columbia. 8.C. Minist. Sustainable Resour. Manage., and Minist. Water, Land and Air Protection, Victoria, BC. Wildl. Bull. No. B. 114. October 2019 Literature Cited I 5 iBCTS PP04A 10PP02 BC Tlntbtr 9*1«* ProposedStruam Crossing 21m Span Dasign Turnplats Key Notas 4m tab. faad r?5n Road Design Spec[dead ona Desipn SytiBd- ZOiunftir Stab. Road Www. 4. 0m Minimum Roillus i>( Cuna: 20.0 Minimum Sight Stoppi ng Dig lance 65in Legend Plan L-lire Localon Plan Slope Stakes Plan Road Edgiis Ciesnng Limitt Construction Volumaa (Final cubic matrus) L-Sln Strip V. Lyr1 V, Cut Dp. Mass H. 0.0 0.0 a,a 0.0[ 205.0 54.6 -0.5 -117.8 0.0 16.9 55.1 -0.2 -130,8 0,01 8.0 ai.3 -1.1 0,0 1446 -238.2 102.8 0,7 -178.0 0.0 193.5 114.4 0.7 0.0 15.21 115,9 11.9 0.0 61.9 0.4 27.1 B 127,9 -0.1 73.1 0,0 0.0 8 148.9 -2.8 0.0 73.1 164.8 0.9 ! h. t-t um. Tot. 0.0 642,7 Design Commants Plan Scale 1.1600 UBSignUatt: , -->t5ignBy Plot Date: L-'n^kud Sf. PrepB fBd 8y Forale Consullanls Uri 101-1301Kali her Rd FORSITE Page 7 B[ 17 \ ( Pnnca Gewgv. BC VSL sse Tel: 2S0.59S-fl019 V4i- ^) McKelvie Creek Ecosystems and Vegetation Prepared for: Village ofTahsis Project: 0056 Prepared by: EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. January 14, 2020 E CO L 0 G I C environmental consulting V©aetetl©n PRESENTED TO: PRESENTEDBY: Village ofTahsis EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 977 Maquinna Drive Unit 4 - 252 East 1" Street PO Box 219 North Vancouver, BC V7L 1B3 Tahsis, BC VOP 1X0 Phone: 604 803-7146 Prepared by: u: -^^., /.. <. January 16, 2020 Famie Fenneman, Biologist, EcoLogic Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Ecosystems & Vegetation EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents. List of Figures List of Tables. List of Plates List of Appendices Glossary and Abbreviations ...... iii 1. Introduction...... l 1. 1 Project Understanding ...... 1 1. 2 Objectives...... I 1. 3 Regulatory Framework...... 1 2. Study Area...... 3 2. 1 Project Study Area...... 3 2. 2 Overview of Land Designations...... 3 3. Methods...... 5 3. 1 Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping...... 5 3. 2 Plant Diversity...... 6 4. Results...... ? 4. 1 Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping...... ,,,...... ? 4. 1. 1 Wetlands...... 7 4. 1. 2 Old-growth Forests...... ? 4. 1. 3 Ecological Communities at Risk...... 9 4. 2 Plant Diversity...... 10 4. 2. 1 Species at Risk...... 10 4. 2.2 Exotic and Invasive Plants ...... 15 5. Summary...... 17 References...... 18 January 2020 Table of Contents [i Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Ecosystems & Vegetation EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. List of Figures Figure 2. 1-1. Ecosystems and Biogeoclimatic (BGC) Variants within the Project Area...... 4 Figure 4. 1-1. Distribution of Old-growth Forests and Wetlands within the Project Area...... 8 Figure 4. 1-2. Distribution of Ecological Communities at Risk within the Project Area...... 11 List of Tables Table 1. 3-1. Applicable Legislation for the Conservation of Vegetation and Ecosystems within the Project Area...... 2 Table 2. 1-1. Applicable Land Use Designations in the Project Area ...... 3 Table 4. 1-1. Distribution of Old-growth Forests among the Four BGC Variants within the Project Area ... 7 Table 4. 1-2. Spatial Extent of Ecological Communities at Risk within the Project Area...... 9 Table 4. 2-1. Plant Species at Risk with the Potential to Occur within the Project Area...... 12 Table 4. 2-2. Exotic Plants detected in the Project Area during Field Surveys on July 3-4, 2019...... 16 List of Plates Plate 4. 1-1. Examples of old-growth forests in the McKelvie Creek watershed. Left: higher elevation Amabilis Fir-Western Hemlock stand; Right: lower elevation Western Redcedar-Western Hemlock stand. .9 Plate 4. 2-1. Smooth Douglasia (Douglasia laevigata) in upper McKelvie Creek Watershed (July 4, 2019). . 14 Plate 4. 2-2. Location of Smooth Douglasia population on rock walls of upper montane canyon...... 14 List of Appendices Appendix A. Comprehensive List ofVascular Plant Species detected in the Project Area, July 3-4, 2019 Appendix B. Comprehensive List of Bryophyte Species detected in the Project Area, July 3-4, 2019 ii I VEGETATION January 2020 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Ecosystems & Vegetation EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. B. C. CDC BC Conservation Data Centre CMAunp Coastal Mountain-heather Alpine Undifferentiated Parkland COSEWIC Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada CWHvml Coastal Western Hemlock Submontane Very Wet Maritime Variant CWHvmZ Coastal Western Hemlock Montane Very Wet Maritime Variant ENV BC Ministry of Environment; former acronyms include MOE and ECC5 MHmml Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime WindwardVariant MBCA Migratory Bird Conventions Act TEM Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping UWR Ungulate Winter Range WHA Wildlife Habitat Area January 2020 VEGETATION | lli Village ofTahsis - McKelvie Creek Ecosystems & Vegetation EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 1. INTRODUCTION 1. 1 PROJECT UNDERSTANDING The Village ofTahsis (hereafter, the Village) has requested a watershed assessment within McKelvie Creek Community Watershed (the Project). One of the goals of the assessment is to spatially identify ecological, economic, and cultural values within the watershed using a risk assessment approach. As the watershed is a source of drinking water or other values, the Village seeks to develop and implement a Watershed Protection Plan, similar to watershed protection plans established by other local governments. The watershed assessment is a key component of the Watershed Protection Plan as it will identify the risks of human-based activities such as timber harvesting. This watershed assessment will discuss aspects of the watershed's ecology (wildlife and wildlife habitat, vegetation and ecosystems, and species at risk) as well as the soils, terrain, and hydrology. The reporting presented herein will encompass the vegetation and ecosystem classification elements of the watershed assessment; other aspects will be covered in separate reporting. 1. 2 OBJECTIVES The objective of this report is to describe and spatially identify ecological values, specifically plant diversity and sensitive ecosystems, within the McKelvie Creek Watershed (the Project area). This report comprises a component of a larger Project scope that includes wildlife and wildlife habitat, soils and geomorphology, and hydrology of the Project area, and is intended to supplement the information provided in these other components of the Watershed Assessment. This particular report aims to: » identify sensitive ecosystems occurring within the Project area, * describe and map the spatial extent of sensitive ecosystems within the Project area, . identify known or potential rare and unusual plants within the Project area, * identify exotic/invasive plant species within the Project area, and * provide a comprehensive list of vascular plants and bryophytes documented within the Project area during the 2019 field surveys. 1. 3 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK Three pieces of legislation (two federal, one provincial) are identified as being relevant to the vegetation and ecosystems of the Project area (Table 1. 3-1). January 2020 Introduction I 1 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Ecosystems & Vegetation EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. Table 1. 3-1. Applicable Legislation for the Conservation of Vegetation and Ecosystems within the Project Area ation o ernment me Year evel Description Species at Risk Act 2002 Federal The Species at RiskAct (SARA) provides for the legal protection of plant and wildlife species to conserve their biological diversity and prevent extirpation or extinction. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC)identifies and assesses plant and wildlife species considered at risk, which may then qualify for legal protection and recovery under SARA. Once listed under SARA, species plans are legal requirements to secure the necessary actions for species recovery and management. Forest and Range 2002 Provincial The Forest and/tongeProcf/ce5/let (FRPA) outlines standards Practices Act and requirements for how forest and range practices and natural resource activities should be conducted on Crown land in BC in a manner that ensures protection of natural resources. Weed Control Act 2011 Provincial The British Columbia Weed Control Act requires all land occupiers to control the spread of provincial and/or regional noxious weeds on their land and premises, and specifies provisions for transportation, movement, and cleaning of machinery. The purpose of the Act is to protect the province's economy, natural resources, and society from the negative impacts of foreign weeds; the Act is administered by the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. 2 | Introduction January 2020 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Ecosystems & Vegetation EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 2. STUDY AREA 2. 1 PROJECT AREA The Project area is defined as the extent of the McKelvie Creek Community Watershed (Figure 2. 1-1), up to the height of land, and includes CWHvml, CWHvm2, MHmml, and CMAunp biogeoclimatic (BGC) variants. The lower elevation blogeoclimatic variants (CWHvml and CWHvm2) are characterized by dense conifer forests, typically less snow, and longer growing seasons. The higher elevation variant (MHmml) forests are not quite as dense, and snow depth and duration increase. High elevation subalpine areas (CMAunp) are characterized by a diminishing tree cover and an increase of open meadows, tree islands, krummholz trees, rock outcrops, and talus slopes. 2. 2 OVERVIEW OF LAND DESIGNATIONS Many land designations are applicable to vegetation and ecosystems within the Project area (Table 2. 1-1). Table 2. 1-1. Applicable Land Use Designations in the Project Area Land Use Designation Description Tahsis Landscape Unit The Project area is entirely located within the Tahsis Landscape Unit (LU). The Tahsis LU encompasses the Leiner, Little Zeballos, Perry, and Tahsis River drainages and is designated a Lower Biodiversity Emphasis Option (MFLNRORD2019a). Strategic Land and Resource Plans The Project area is entirely located within the Vancouver Island Land Use Plan (MFLNRORD 2019b). Old Growth Management Areas There are no Old Growth Management Areas, either legal or non- legal, that occur in the Project area (MFLNRORD 2019c, d). BC Parks, Ecological Reserves and There are no parks, ecological reserves or protected areas within the Protected Areas Project area. Woss Lake Provincial Park is to the north and Weymer Creek Provincial Park Is to the south (ENV 2019a). Tree Farm Licence The Project area is entirely within Tree Farm Licence 19 (MFLRORD 2019e). Species and Ecosystems at Risk There are no public occurrences of species at risk but there is a masked occurrence that overlaps with the southern portion of the Project area. January 2020 Study Area | 3 668000 6700BO 672000 674000 WH vm 2 GSAf. H.vm 2 ^ \ \ i > Tahsis 0 37, 000 Legend McKelvie Creek Watershed IIBGC Variant [.. -^Sparsely Vegetated Ecosystems and Biogeoclimatic (BGC) General Ecosystem L_j Wetland Type n _]Anthropogenic ariants in the Project Area r-mi01d Forest QWater 1 Permanent Snow Figure 2. 1-1 IMature Forest -J: N Date: 11/8/2019 [_j Forested 'and/or Glacier Map Numbtr: MKW-OS4 j _lAlpine IProjectArea & C U i U (.1 I t System:NAD 1983 UTMZone 9N 0 Projertton: Transverst Meiutor . Avalanche Contour (100 m) Datum:North Amerian1983 A Village ofTahsis - McKelvie Creek Ecosystems & Vegetation EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 3. METHODS 3. 1 TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEM MAPPING Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping (TEM) is a standardized method for ecological classification and mapping. TEM is used for project planning to assess and mitigate project impacts to rare and sensitive ecosystems and wildlife habitat. It uses the provincial Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC) system to describe the type and extent of ecosystems within a defined study area. Ecosystems are classified at a local level (site series) that represent specific localized ecosystem units based on vegetation composition and soil characteristics, notably soil moisture and soil nutrients. Multiple site series are described for each regional subzone reflecting the landscape level distribution of ecosystems based on regional climate, elevation, and physiography. Ecosystem classification is based on climax and zonal theories, where the vegetation observed in a young or disturbed site may not necessarily reflect the species composition of a mature or old site (RIC 1998). Bioterrain mapping is the first part of the TEM process, where mapped terrain polygons are used to identify areas of similar soils and topology. Bioterrain mapping describes terrain features based mainly on the type of surficial material (e. g., fluvial, glacial till, cofluvium) and suri^icial expression (e.g., blanket, veneer, plain, steep slope, fan, or terrace). Additional information describing subsurface material (e.g., glacial till over bedrock), geomorphic processes (mass movement, inundation, permafrost, etc. ), and soil drainage (e. g., well, imperfect, rapid) is also described for each polygon. The bioterrain mapping also delineates terrain units by vegetation features to separate areas of different productivity, water deficits, or those influenced by more saturated soils. Ecosystem mapping uses the bioterrain polygons (dividing them into smaller polygons as needed) to map and classify ecosystem types, along with additional descriptors that provide information on the current state and condition of each ecosystem. Bioterrain mapping and TEM were conducted by qualified professionals in accordance with provincial methodologies. Mapping was completed on BC government digital air photos using the 3D stereo PurVIEW softcopy software and attribute data were recorded in a database linked to the ArcGIS terrain and ecosystem shapefites. TEM was completed at a scale of 1: 5,000 for the Project area. This level of scale allows for site level planning, rather than landscape level planning associated with scales typically used for forest management planning (l. e., 1:20,000) Ecosystem polygons may be a single ecosystem type or contain a complex unit that describes up to three ecosystem types. Each TEM polygon is attributed with ecosystem descriptions or, if it contains multiple ecosystem types, split into smaller ecosystem polygons which are attributed uniquely. Attributes include: * ecosystem classification (i.e., site series) for up to three types per mapped polygon using deciles (10% increments describing the amount of a given ecosystem unit present in a polygon); » structural stage, canopy composition, and modifiers (to describe the vegetation in terms of sparse, shrub, young forest, or old forest, as well as stand composition features such as conifer or mixed forest); and January 2020 Methods I 5 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Ecosystems & Vegetation EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. * site modifiers (indicating conditions observed that differ from the expected for a given ecosystem unit). 3. 2 PLANT DIVERSITY Plant diversity within the Project area was documented through collections of vascular plants and bryophytes, as well as through incidental observations of both of these taxonomlc groups, made during field surveys on July 3-4, 2019. Although few vascular plants were collected (most species were common, easily identifiable, and did not require collections for verification), most species of bryophyte were documented through collection; only the most common and easily identifiable bryophyte species were not collected. These collections were processed following standard protocols for the collection of plants (see Brayshaw 1996), and all specimens will ultimately be submitted to the collections of the University of British Columbia herbarium in Vancouver. Some species were further documented through photographic voucher. 6 j Methods January 2020 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Ecosystems & Vegetation EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 4. RESULTS 4. 1 TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEM MAPPING Results in this section are confined to a discussion regarding sensitive ecosystems. Sensitive ecosystems identified within the Project area include wetlands, old-growth forests, and at-risk (provincially Red- or Blue-listed) ecological communities. 4. 1.1 Wetlands Wetlands occur over an extremely small portion (0.018%) of the Project area, and are restricted to the low-elevation CWHvml subzone (Figure 2. 1-1). Two wetland communities were documented within a singleTEM polygon, which included 0.2 ha of Wf (fen wetland, unspecified) and 0. 2 ha of Ws (swamp wetland, unspecified). Given their limited distribution and very small size, wetland ecosystems are not considered a major ecological component of the Project area, although the single site may provide local breeding opportunities for pond-breeding amphibians such as northwestern salamander (Ambystoma groo'te) and long-toed salamander (A. macrodactylum}. 4. 1. 2 Old-growth Forests Old-growthforests (structural stage7) occur widely throughout the Projectarea (Figure 4. 1-1,Plate 4. 1-1). Old-growthforests are considered an important component of the ecologyof the watershed, particularly in the BGC units present at lower elevations (i. e., 86. 3% of CWHvml, 70. 7% of CWHvm2; Table 4. 1-1). Higher-elevations supported a lower proportion ofold-growth habitats (i. e., 27.8%of MHmml) relative to lowerelevations, and no old-growth habitatswere mapped for the highestelevations (i. e., CMAun) as this BGC unit is largelytreeless. Table4. 1-1. Distribution of Old-growth Forests amongthe Four BGCVariants within the ProjectArea Old-growth Old-growth % Old-growth % BGC Unit (BGC unit) (Total Watershed) CWHvml 734 86.3 33.9 CWHvm2 515.2 70.7 23.8 MHmml 144.2 27.8 6.7 CMAun 0 0 0 TOTAL 1393.4 64.4 Results | 7 January 2020 668000 670000 67200B 674000 McKelvie Creek Watershed Distribution ofOld-growth Forests and /etlands within the Project Area Legend Old-Growth Forest (Leading Communily) Figure 4. 1-1 Old-Growth Forest (Secondary Community) N Date: 11/8/2019 Old-Growth Forest (Tertiary Community) Map Number: MKW-OS2 LJ ProjectArea 6 C 0 I 0 C> i ate Stitem: NAD 19S3 UTM Zone 9N 0 ProjertiBn;TransuerseMercatof + Wetland Datum: North Anwriun 13S3 A Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Ecosystems & Vegetation EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. Plate 4. 1-1. Examples of old-growth forests in the McKelvie Creek Watershed. Left: higher elevation Amabills Fir- Western Hemlock stand; Right: lower elevation Western Redcedar-Western Hemlock stand. 4. 1. 3 Ecological Communities at Risk Five ecological communities at risk were mapped as occurring within the Project area (Table 4. 1-2, Figure 4. 1-2), including one Red-listed ecosystem and four Blue-listed ecosystems. These at-risk plant communities are entirely confined to the two lower-elevation BGC variants (CWHvml, CWHvm2). The Western-Hemlock - Western Redcedar / Salal Very Wet Maritime community was found to be the most extensively distributed ecological community at risk within the watershed. It occurs in both the CWHvml and CWHvm2 variants, with a combined spatial extent of 333 ha within the watershed (which is 15. 4% of the total spatial extent of the watershed). Table 4. 1-2. Spatial Extent of Ecological Communities at Riskwithin the Project Area Site Map BC Area Ecosystem Name Series Code Rank BGCUnit (ha) Sit 09 SS Red CWHvml 0.7 We< . ern hemlock - Sword fern 04 RS Blue CWHuml 0.3 Western hemlock - Western redcedar - Salal 03 HS Blue CWHvml 137.0 CWHvm2 196.0 Amabilis fir- Sitka spruce - DeviFs-dub 08 AD Blue CWHvml 30.4 January 2020 Results I 9 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Ecosystems & Vegetation EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. bite Map c Area cosystem H a me Series ode Rank GC Unit (ha) Western hemlock - Amabilis fir - Deer fern 06 HD Blue CWHvm2 5.7 Total 370.1 4. 2 PLANT DIVERSITY A total of 172 species of vascular plants (Appendix A) and 64 species of bryophytes, including 16 species of liverworts and 48 species of mosses (Appendix B), were detected within the Project area during the July 2019 surveys. 4. 2. 1 Species at Risk Thirteen plant species at risk were identified during the pre-field desktop review as having the potential to occur within the Project area based on their known distributions and habitat preferences (Table 4. 2-1). None of these species were detected during the July 2019 surveys. However, only a small portion of the watershed was surveyed and it is considered likely that rare species (particularly bryophytes) occur within the Project area, especially in areas of limestone influence. 10 I Results January 2020 668000 670000 6720BO 674000 ^.: ^ v^ '<^f , s McKelvie Creek Watershed Distribution of Ecological Communities Legend I I ProjectArea CWHvm2 - HD t Risk in the Project Area Rare Ecosystem CWHvm2 - HD/HS Figure 4. 1-2 r CWHvml - SS CWHvml - HS/RS N Date: 11/8/2019 ^B CWH»m1 - RS Map Number; MKW-OS3 EC 0 t 0 (a ) Coordinatt System: NAD 19S3 UTM Zone 9N I ICWHvm1l2-HS Pro)ertk)n;Tr*nsvtrseMeiutor 0 Datum: North American t9S3 ] I CWH»m1 -AD A Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Ecosystems & Vegetation EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. Table 4. 2-1. Plant Species at Risk with the Potential to Occur within the Project Area Species BC COSEWIC roup Rank1 Status2 Andreaea schofieldiana Moss Red Dry, acidic (siliceous) rock outcrops and rock faces in (S2) the montane zone. Ditrichum schimperi Moss Blue Moist to wet mineral soil, humus, cliff bases, and (S2S3) disturbed sites in the lowland zone. Grimmia anomala Moss Blue Moist, acidic (siliceous) boulders, rock outcrops, (S3) ledges, crevices, and rock faces in the montane and subalpine zones. Hymenostylium Moss Blue Wet, seepy, calcareous (limestone) rock outcrops, recun/irostre var. (S2S3) ledges, crevices, and rock faces, especially around msigne mineral springs, in the lowland and montane zones. Imbribryum Moss Blue Moist to wet, calcareous (limestone) mineral soil, gemmiparum (S3) rock outcrops, ledges, crevices, and streambanks in the lowland, montane, and subalpine zones. Philonotis yezoana Moss Blue Moist to wet, shady, often seepy mineral soil, humus, (S2S3) rock outcrops, ledges, crevices, rock faces, and streambanks in the lowland and montane zones. Ptatyhypnidium Moss Blue Wet, often submerged, mineral soil, boulders, rock riparioides (S3?) outcrops, streambanks, waterfall spray zones, and seepage slopes in the lowland and montane zones. Ptychostomum Moss Blue Moist to wet, calcareous (limestone) mineral soil, schleicheri (S2S3) streambanks, seepage areas, snowbeds, and tundra in the upper montane, subalpine zones, and alpine zones. Schistidium trichodon Moss Blue Dry to moist, calcareous (limestone) boulders, rock (S3) outcrops, ledges, crevices, and rock faces, often along rivers and streams, in the lowland, montane, subalpine, and alpine zones. Seligeriaacutifotia Moss Red Moist, shady calcareous (limestone) rock faces (Sl) around waterfall spray zones in the lowland zone. Sphagnum Moss Blue Wet mineral soil, rock outcrops, humus, bogs, fens, quinquefarium (S3) wet depressions, streambanks, and seepage slopes, especially where forested, in the lowland and lower montane zones. Warnstorfia Moss Blue Mineral-poor, acidicwetlands (esp. poorfens, bogs), pseudostraminea (S3) wet logs, shorelines, seepage sites, wet depressions, and streambanks, often submerged or floating, in the upper montane, subalpine, and alpine zones. Ctaytonia Vascular Red Moist to dry rock outcrops, coastal bluffs, open washingtoniana Plant (52) forests, and disturbed areas in the lowland zone. ' 8C Rank: ranges from Sl {most endangered) to S5 (least endangered): Red-llsted = Sl, S1S2, 52; Blue-listed = S2S3, S3; Yellow-listed = S3S4, 54, S4S5, S5 2 COSEWIC Status: E = Endangered 12 | Results January 2020 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Ecosystems & Vegetation EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. Although no plant species at risk were documented during the July 2019 field surveys, several species were detected that are considered important given their infrequent occurrence in British Columbia and/or their rarity on Vancouver Island. These uncommon species were detected exclusively in higher-elevation portions of the watershed, near the interface between high montane and subalpine ecosystems of the CWHvm2 and MHmml BGC units, and are considered unusual components of the biodiversity of the watershed. All species listed here were documented by collection and, in one case, by photographic voucher as well. Vascular Plants Arnica gracllls (Tall Mountain Arnica) This member of the sunflower family (Asteraceae) is primarily a species of the southern portion of mainland British Columbia, from the Coast-Cascade Mountains east to the Rocky Mountains, and prior to this survey was known from only two sites on Vancouver Island (eFlora BC 2019). The species was found to be locally frequent in the high montane/subalpine habitats in upper portions of the watershed that were visited on July 4, 2019, where it grew on humus around boulders on a vegetated talus slope. The early-flowering phenology of the species meant that almost all individuals detected had completed their flowering and were producing seeds. Carexpreslii (Presl's Sedge) This species of sedge (family Cyperaceae) occurs widely throughout the mainland of British Columbia, particularly in southern portions of the province, but is uncommon on Vancouver Island (eFlora BC2019). It was collected from high montane/subalpine habitats in upper portions of the watershed that were visited on July 4, 2019, where it grew on humus around boulders on a vegetated talus slope. Phocelia sericea subsp. sericea (Silky Phacelia) This member of the waterleaf family (Hydrophyllaceae) is a common species across the southern mainland of British Columbia, occurring widely from the Coast-Cascade Mountains east to the Rocky Mountains. It is rare at high elevations of central Vancouver Island, where it has been collected asfar north on the island as Merry Widow Mountain near Port Alice (eFlora BC 2019). It was collected from a single location on a dried, rocky riverbed near the upper reaches of McKelvie Creek on July 4, 2019, where several non- flowering clumps were observed. Douglasia laevlgata (Smooth Douglasia) This member of the primrose family (Primulaceae) is uncommon throughout its Canadian range, which is restricted to central Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii (eFlora BC 2019). It was formerly ranked as Blue- listed by the BC Conservation Data Centre; it is now ranked as Yellow-listed (S3S4), but remains a scarce and infrequently observed species in the province. A single clump was detected on rocky outcrops in high montane/subalpine habitats in the upper portions of the watershed on July 4, 2019 (Plates 4. 2-1 and 4. 2-2). This individual had already flowered and was producing fruit. The species likely occurs more widely January 2020 Results | 13 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Ecosystems & Vegetation EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. at high elevations of the Project area, as the single location was at the lower elevation limits for the species. Plate 4. 2-1. Smooth Douglasia {Douglasia laevigata} Plate 4. 2-2. Location of Smooth Douglasia population in upper McKelvie Creek Watershed (July 4, 2019). on rock walls of upper montane canyon. Liverworts Anastrophyllum assimile This leafy liverwort occurs sporadically in coastal/ northern, and southeastern British Columbia, and is knownfrom Vancouver Island from only a handful of collections along the west coast of the island (Brooks Peninsula, Tofino; eFlora BC 2019). This species was collected growing on boulders on a high montane/subalpine talus slope in the upper portions of the Project area on July 4, 2019. Gymnomitrion brevissimum This species is known in British Columbia primarily from the southern Coast Mountains, Cascade Mountains, and Kootenay region; the only known collections from Vancouver Island are from the Schoen Lake/Mount Cain areas (eFlora BC 2019). It was collected growing on boulders on a high montane/subalpine talus slope in the upper portions of the Project area on July 4, 2019. 14 I Results January 2020 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Ecosystems & Vegetation EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. Mosses Dicranodontium denudatum This moss is infrequently reported along the south coast of British Columbia, but is considerably more common along the coast north of Vancouver Island (eFlora BC 2019). On Vancouver Island, it has been collected sporadically around Barkley Sound, as well as on the Brooks Peninsula. The species was collected on July4, 2019,from humus surrounding boulders on a high montane/subalpinetalusslope in the upper portions of the Project area. Isothecium cristatum This moss is occasional in the Georgia Depression of southwestern British Columbia, but is not known from elsewhere on Vancouver Island (eFlora BC 2019). It was found at several locations within the upper Projectarea on July 4, 2019,where it grew in mats on shady,moist boulders alongthesides of a dry, rocky creek in mature western hemlock-amabilis fir forests. Pseudoleskea stenophylla This moss occurs in British Columbia primarily in the southern Coast Mountains, Cascade Mountains, and Kootenay region; it is only occasionally encountered elsewhere in the province, including at two locations on Vancouver Island (eFlora BC2019). The species was collected on July 4, 2019, from humus surrounding boulders on a high montane/subalpine talus slope In the upper portions of the Project area. 4. 2. 2 Exotic and Invasive Plants The term 'exotic plants' refers to all non-native species, irrespective of their impact to either natural ecosystems or agricultural areas. Invasive species, however, are defined by the InvasiveSpecies Council of British Columbia {\SCBC} as "any non-native organism that cause economic or environmental harm and can spreadquickly to new areasofB. C. " Thesespecies can establish quicklyand easily on both disturbed and undisturbed sites, and cause widespread negative Impacts (ISCBC 2019). They are often referred to as 'noxious weeds.' Of the 172 species of vascular plants detected during the July 2019 field surveys, 29 species of exotic plants were detected (Table 4. 2-1). All but one of these species were restricted to disturbed habitats (mainly roadsides) in the lowermost reaches of the Project area, betweenthe community of Tahsis and the location of the water intake structure. The single introduced species that was found away from these habitats, wall lettuce {Mycelis muralis}, was found widely but sporadically throughout all areas of the Project area that were visited, including uppermost portions of the watershed that were far from anthropogenic disturbance. This species is not consideredto be invasive by the ISCBC.Two speciesthat are listed as provincially'noxious' weeds bythe ISCBC(2019), but remain unregulated, were documented fromthe Projectarea. These two species,creeping buttercup(Ronuncu/u5repens) and bullthistlefC/rs/um vulgare}, occurred along roadsides near the water intake structure but were not found to be impacting natural habitats of the watershed. January 2020 Results | 15 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Ecosystems & Vegetation EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. Table 4. 2-2. Exotic Plants detected in the Project Area during Field Surveys on July 3-4, 2019 ommonlMame Common Name Agrostis capillaris Colonial Bentgrass Leucanthemumvulgare Oxeye Daisy Agrostis gigantean Redtop Medicago lupulina Black Medic At'ra caryophyllea Silver Hairgrass Mycefis muralis Wall Lettuce Anthoxanthumodoratum Sweet Vernalgrass Ptantago lanceolata English Plantain Cerastium fontanum Mouse-ear Chickweed Plantago major Common Plantain Cirsium vutgare BullThistle Prunella vulgaris ssp. vulgans Self-heal Cotoneaster horizonta!is Rock Cotoneaster Ranuncufus repens Creeping Buttercup Crepis capitlaris Smooth Hawksbeard Rubus armeniacus Himalayan Blackberry Dianthus armeria Deptford Pink Sagina procumbens BircTs-eye Pearlwort Digitalis purpurea Purple Foxglove Sonchusasper PrickiySow-thistle Euphrasia nemorosa Eastern Eye bright Symphytum officmate Common Comfrey Holcus lanatus Common Velvetgrass Taraxacum officinale Common Dandelion Hypericum perforatum Common St. John's-wort Trifoltum dubium Small Hop-clover Hypochaeris radicata Hairy Cat's-ear Trifotium repens White Clover Lapsano communis Nipplewort 16 | Results January 2020 Village ofTahsis - McKelvie Creek Ecosystems & Vegetation EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. 5. SUMMARY A total of 236 species of plants, including 64 species of bryophytes and 172 species of vascular plants, were documented in the Project area during the field surveys on July 3-4, 2019. No at-risk species of plants were documented during these surveys, although a number of locally or regionally uncommon species were collected. Twenty-nine species of exotic plants were documented in the Project area, and only one of these species (Mycelis muralis} was found to occur within undisturbed ecosystems. Sensitive ecosystems identified within the Project area included wetlands, old-growth forests, and ecological communities at risk. Wetlands were not found to be a major component of the ecology of the Project area (comprising only 0. 4 ha). Old-growth forests were found to occupy 1, 393. 4 ha (64. 4%) of the watershed. Five ecological communities at risk were documented within the Project area, Including one Red-listed community and four Blue-listed communities. These ecological communities at risk occupy 370. 1 ha (17. 1%) of the Project area. In total, 1, 445. 4 ha (66. 8%) of the Project area supports sensitive ecosystems. January 2020 Summary | 17 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Ecosystems & Vegetation EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. REFERENCES Brayshaw, T. C. 1996. Plant Collecting for the Amateur. Royal British Columbia Museum, Victoria, BC, 48 pp. ENV. 2019a. BC Parks, Ecological Reserves, and Protected Areas. Published 2011. Last Modified 2019. Available at: https://catalogue. data.gov. bc. ca/dataset/bc-parks-ecological-reserves-and-protected -areas ENV. 2019b. Species and Ecosystems at Risk Masked Secured. British Columbia Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. Published 2014. Last modified 2019. Available at: https://catalogue. data. gov . bc. ca/dataset/species-and-ecosystems-at-risk-masked-secured-publicly-available-occurrences- cdc ENV. 2019c. Species and Ecosystem at Risk Publicly Available Occurrences. British Columbia Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. Published 2011. Last modified 2019. Available at: https://catalogue. data.gov. bc. ca/dataset/species-and-ecosystems-at-risk-publicly-available- occurrences-cdc. eFlora BC. 2019. Electronic Atlas of the Flora of British Columbia. Available at: https://ibis. geog . ubc. ca/biodiversity/eflora/ MFLNRORD 2019a. Landscape Units of BC. Published 2011. Last modified 2019. BC Ministry of Forest, Lands, Natural Resource Operations, and Rural Development. Available at: https://catalogue . data.gov. bc. ca/dataset/landscape-units-of-british-columbia-current MFLNRORD. 2019b. Strategic Land and Resource Plans. Published 2011. Last Modified 2019. BC Ministry of Forest, Lands, Natural Resource Operations, and Rural Development. Available at: https://catalogue. data. gov. bc. ca/dataset/strategic-land-and-resource-plans-current MFLNRORD. 2019c. Old Growth Management Areas - Legal. BC Ministry of Forest, Lands, Natural Resource Operations, and Rural Development. Published 2011. Last modified 2019. Available at: https://catalogue. data.gov. bc. ca/dataset/old-growth-management-areas-legal-current MFLNRORD. 2019d. Old Growth Management Areas - Legal. BC Ministry of Forest, Lands, Natural Resource Operations, and Rural Development. Published 2011. Last modified 2019. Available at: https://catalogue. data. gov. bc. ca/dataset/old-growth-management-areas-non-legal-current MFLNRORD. 2019e. Tree Farm License Current View. Published 2018. BC Ministry of Forest, Lands, Natural Resource Operations, and Rural Development. Last Modified 2019. Available at: https://catalogue. data. gov. bc. ca/dataset/fadm-tree-farm-license-current-view-tfl- ISBC 2019. Invasive Species Council of British Columbia. Available at: https://bcinvasives. ca/ 18 | Summary January 2020 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Ecosystems & Vegetation EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. RIC. 1998. Standard for Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping in British Columbia. Victoria, BC: Terrestrial Ecosystems. January 2020 Vascular Plants Detected | 19 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Ecosystems & Vegetation EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. APPENDIX A. COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF VASCULAR PLANT SPECIES DETECTED IN THE PROJECT AREA, JULY 3-4, 2019 SCStatus: Sl, S2 = Red-listed (Endangered/Threatened); S2S3, S3 = Blue-listed (Special Concern); S3S4, S4. S4S5, S5 = Yellow-listed (Secure); SNA= Not Assessed; SNR= Not Ranked. BC Common Name Status BC Rank Abies amabilis Amabilis Fir Pinaceae 55 Yellow Acer glabrum var. douglasii Douglas Maple Sapindaceae S5 Yellow Achitfea borealis Woolly Yarrow Asteraceae S5 Yellow Adiantum aleuticum var. Western Maidenhair-fern Pteridaceae S4 Yellow ateuticum Agrostis capillaris Colonial Bentgrass Poaceae SNA Exotic Agrostis gigantea Redtop Poaceae SNA Exotic Agrostis scabra Hair Bentgrass Poaceae S5 Yellow Aira caryophyltea Silver Hairgrass Poaceae SNA Exotic Atnus rubra Red Alder Betulaceae S5 Yellow Alnus viridis subsp. sinuata Sitka Alder Betulaceae S5 Yellow Ametanchier alnifolia var. Saskatoon Rosaceae S4S5 Yellow semiintegrifoltci Anapholis margaritacea Pearly Everlasting Asteraceae 55 Yellow Anemone parviflora Northern Anemone Ranunculaceae S5 Yellow Anthoxanthumodoratum Sweet Vernalgrass Poaceae SNA Exotic Anticlea occidentatis Western Mountainbells Melanthiaceae S4S5 Yellow Aquilegi'a formosa var. formosa Sitka Columbine Ranunculaceae S5 Yellow Arnica gracilis Tail Mountain Arnica Asteraceae 55 Yellow Arnica lanceolata subsp. prima Streambank Arnica Asteraceae S5 Yellow Arnica latifolia Mountain Arnica Asteraceae S5 Yellow Aruncus dioicus var. acuminatus Goatsbeard Rosaceae S5 Yellow Athyriumfilix-feminavar. Lady Fern Athyriaceae S5 Yellow cyctosorum Boykinia occidentalis Coast Boykinia Saxifragaceae S5 Yellow Bromus vutgans Columbia Brome Poaceae S5 Yellow Calamagrostis canadensisvar. Bluejoint Reedgrass Poaceae S5 Yellow canadensis January 2020 Bryophyte Species Detected | 1 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Ecosystems & Vegetation EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. BC Common Name Status BC Rank Campanula rotundlfolia Common Harebell Campanulaceae S5 Yellow Carex bolanderi Bolander's Sedge Cyperaceae S5 Yellow Carex interior Inland Sedge Cyperaceae S5 Yellow Carex laeviculmis Smooth-stemmed Sedge Cyperaceae S5 Yellow Carex leptalea Bristle-stalkedSedge Cyperaceae S5 Yellow Carex mertensii Mertens' Sedge Cyperaceae S5 Yellow Carex prestii Presl'sSedge Cyperaceae S5 Yellow Carex spectabilis Showy Sedge Cyperaceae S5 Yellow Cassiope mertensiana subsp. White Mountain-heather Erica ceae S5 Yellow mertensiana Castilleja hispida var. hispida Harsh Paintbrush Orobanchaceae S5 Yellow Castilleja miniata var. miniata Scarlet Paintbrush Orobanchaceae S5 Yellow Cerastium fontanum subsp. Mouse-ear Chickweed Caryophyllaceae SNA Exotic vulgare Chamaenerion angustifolium Fireweed Onagraceae S5 Yellow Cirsium vutgare Bull Thistle Asteraceae SNA Yellow Claytonia sibinca Siberian Miner's-lettuce Montiaceae S5 Yellow Coptis aspleniifolia Fern-leaved Goldthread Ranunculaceae S5 Yellow Corattorhiza maculata var. Spotted CoraI root Orchidaceae SU Unknown occidentalis Cornus sericea Red-osier Dogwood Cornaceae 55 Yellow Cornus unafaschkensis Alaskan Bunchberry Cornaceae S5 Yellow Cotoneaster horizontalis Rock Cotoneaster Rosaceae SNA Exotic Crepis capillaris Smooth Hawksbeard Asteraceae SNA Exotic Cryptogramma acrostichoides Parsley Fern Pteridaceae S5 Yellow Danthonia spicata Poverty Oatgrass Poaceae S5 Yellow Deschampsiaetongata Slender Hairgrass Poaceae S5 Yellow Dianthusarmeria subsp. armeria Deptford Pink Caryophyllaceae SNA Exotic Digitalis purpurea Common Foxglove Plantaginaceae SNA Exotic Dougtasia taevigata Smooth Douglasia Primulaceae S3S4 Yellow Dryopteris expanse Spiny Wood Fern Dryopteridaceae S5 Yellow Ettiottia pyroliflora Copperbush Ericaceae S5 Yellow Elymus glaucus subsp. gtaucus BlueWildrye Poaceae S5 Yellow January 2020 Bryophyte Species Detected | 2 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Ecosystems & Vegetation EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. BC Common Name Status Elymus hirsutus Hairy Wildrye Poaceae S5 Yellow Epilobium anagallidifolium Alpine Willowherb Onagraceae S5 Yellow Epilobium ciliatum subsp. Purple-leaved Willowherb Onagraceae S5 Yellow ciliatum Epilobium hornemannii subsp. Hornemann's Willowherb Onagraceae S4 Yellow hornemannii Epilobium minutum Small-flowered Willowherb Onagraceae S5 Yellow Erigeron glacialisvar. glacialis Subalpine Daisy Asteraceae S5 Yellow Erigeron philadelphicusvar. Philadelphia Fleabane Asteraceae 54 Yellow philadelphicus Erythranthe guttata Yellow Monkey-flower Phrymaceae S5 Yellow Erythranthe lewisii Pink Monkey-flower Phrymaceae S5 Yellow Euphrasia nemorosa Common Eyebright Orobanchaceae su Unknown Festuca occidentali's Western Fescue Poaceae S5 Yellow Festuca subulata Bearded Fescue Poaceae S5 Yellow Galium triftorum Sweet-scented Bedstraw Rubiaceae S5 Yellow Gaulthena shalton Salal Ericaceae S5 Yellow Geum macrophyllum var. Large-leaved Avens Rosaceae S5 Yellow macrophyllum Gymnocarpium disjunctum Western Oak Fern Cystopteridaceae S5 Yellow Heracleum maximum Cow-parsnip Apiaceae S5 Yellow Heuchera glabra Smooth Alumroot Saxifragaceae S5 Yellow Heuchera micrantha var. Small-flowered Alumroot Saxifragaceae S5 Yellow diversifolia Hieracium albiflorum White Hawksbeard Asteraceae S5 Yellow Holcus lanatus Common Velvetgrass Poaceae SNA Exotic Holodiscus discotorvar, discotor Oceanspray Rosaceae 55 Yellow Hypericum perforatum subsp. Common St. John's-wort Hypericaceae SNA Exotic perforatum Hypochaeris radicata Hairy Cat's-ear Asteraceae SNA Exotic Juncus articulatus Jointed Rush Juncaceae 55 Yellow Juncus effusus subsp. pacificus Common Rush Juncaceae S5 Yellow Juncus ensifolius Dagger-leaved Rush Juncaceae S5 Yellow Kopsiopsis hooker! Vancouver Groundcone Orobanchaceae S4S5 Yellow January 2020 Bryophyte Species Detected ) 3 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Ecosystems & Vegetation EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. mmon Name Status BC Rank Lapsona communis Nipplewort Asteraceae SNA Exotic Leucanthemumvulgare Oxeye Daisy Asteraceae SNA Exotic Linnaea boreatis subsp. longiflora Twinflower Caprifoliaceae S5 Yellow Luetkea pectinata Partridge-foot Rosaceae S5 Yellow Luina hypoleuca Silverback Luina Asteraceae S5 Yellow Luzula piperi Piper's Wood-rush Juncaceae S5 Yellow Luzula subsessilis Short-stalked Wood-rush Juncaceae S5 Yellow Lycopodium clavatum Running Clubmoss Lycopodiaceae S5 Yellow Lysichiton americanus Skunk Cabbage Araceae S5 Yellow Maianthemum dilatatum False Lily-of-the-valley Asparagaceae S5 Yellow Medicago lupulina Black Medic Fabaceae SNA Exotic Melica subulata Alaska Oniongrass Poaceae S5 Yellow Menziesia ferruginea False-azalea Ericaceae S5 Yellow Micranthesferruginea Alaska Saxifrage Saxifragaceae 55 Yellow Micranthes netsoniana var. Dotted Saxif rage Saxifragaceae S5 Yellow cascadensis Montia parvifoiia Small-leaved Montia Montiaceae S5 Yellow Mycelis muralis Wall Lettuce Asteraceae SNA Exotic Neottia banksiana Northwestern Twayblade Orchidaceae S5 Yellow Oplopanax horridus Devil's-club Araliaceae S5 Yellow Orthitia secunda One-sided Wintergreen Ericaceae S5 Yellow Oxyria digyna Mountain Sorrel Polygonaceae 55 Yellow Parnassiafimbriata Fringed Grass-of-Parnassus Celastraceae S5 Yellow Penstemon davidsonii var. Davidson's Penstemon Plantaginaceae S4 Yellow menziesii Penstemon serrutatus Coast Penstemon Plantaginaceae S5 Yellow Persicaria lapathifolia Willow-weed Polygonaceae S5 Yellow Phacetia teptosepala Narrow-sepaled Phacelia Hydrophyllaceae S5? Yellow Phacelia sericea subsp. sericea Silky Phacelia Hydrophyllaceae S5 Yellow Phegopteris connectilis Narrow Beech Fern Thelypteridaceae S5 Yellow Phleum alpinum Alpine Timothy Poaceae S5 Yellow Physocarpuscapitatus Pacific Ninebark Rosaceae S5 Yellow January 2020 Bryophyte Species Detected | 4 Village ofTahsis - McKeivie Creek Ecosystems & Vegetation EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. ommon'Name tatus ~tC Rank Picea sitchensis Sitka Spruce Pinaceae S5 Yellow Pinus contorta var. contorta Shore Pine Pinaceae 55 Yellow Pinus monticola Western White Pine Pinaceae S4 Yellow Ptantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain Plantaginaceae SNA Exotic Plantago major Common Plantain Plantaginaceae SNA Exotic Platanthera stricta Slender Bog-orchid Orchidaceae 55 Yellow Poa palustris Fowl Bluegrass Poaceae S5 Yellow Poa stenantha var. stenantha Narrow-flowered Bluegrass Poaceae S5 Yellow Poiypodium glycyrrhiza Licorice Fern Polypodiaceae S5 Yellow Potystichum munitum Sword Fern Dryopteridaceae S5 Yellow Prenanthes alata Western Rattlesnake-root Asteraceae S5 Yellow Prosartes hookeri Hooker's Fairybells Liliaceae S5 Yellow Prunella vulgaris subsp. vulgaris Self-heal Lamiaceae SNA Exotic Prunus emarginata Bitter Cherry Rosaceae S5 Yellow Pseudotsuga menziesii var. Douglas-fir Pinaceae S5 Yellow menziesii Pteridium aquifinum var. Bracken Fern Dennstaedtiaceae S5 Yellow pubescens Ranuncutus repens Creeping Buttercup Ranunculaceae SNA Exotic Ranunculus uncmatus Little Buttercup Ranunculaceae S5 Yellow Ribes bracteosum Stink Currant Grossulariaceae S5 Yellow Ribes laxiflorum Trailing Black Currant Grossulariaceae S5 Yellow Rosa gymnocarpa var. Baldhip Rose Rosaceae S5 Yellow gymnocarpa Rubus armeniacus Himalayan Blackberry Rosaceae SNA Exotic Rubus parviftorus Thimbleberry Rosaceae S5 Yellow Rubus pedatus Five-leaved Bramble Rosaceae S5 Yellow Rubus spectabilis Salmonberry Rosaceae S5 Yellow Rubus ursinus Trailing Blackberry Rosaceae S5 Yellow Sagina procumbens Bird's-eye Pearlwort Caryophyllaceae SNA Exotic Salix sitchensis Sitka Sedge Salicaceae S5 Yellow Saxifragamertensiana Wood Saxifrage Saxifragaceae S5 Yellow Sceptridium multifidum Leathery Grape Fern Ophioglossaceae S5 Yellow January 2020 Bryophyte Species Detected | 5 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Ecosystems & Vegetation EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. Common IMame Status fiank Selaginella wallacei Wallace's Selaginella Selaginellaceae S5 Yellow Solidago multiradiata Northern Goldenrod Asteraceae S5 Yellow Sonchusasper PricklySow-thistle Asteraceae SNA Yellow Sorbus sitchensis var. sitchensis Sitka Mountain-ash Rosaceae 55 Yellow Stachys chamissonisvar. cooleyae Cooley's Hedge-nettle Lamiaceae ss Yellow Streptopus amplexifolius Clasping Twistedstalk Liliaceae S5 Yellow Streptopus lanceolatus var. RosyTwistedstalk Liliaceae S5 Yellow cun/ipes Struthiopteris spicant Deer Fern Blechnaceae S5 Yellow Symphytum officinale Common Comfrey Boraginaceae SNA Exotic Taraxacum officinale Common Dandelion Asteraceae SNA Exotic Taxus brevifotia Western Yew Taxaceae S5 Yellow Teltima grandiflora Fringecup Saxifragaceae S5 Yellow Thuja plicata Western Redcedar Cupressaceae S5 Yellow Tiarella trifoliata var. trifotiata Three-leaved Foamflower Saxifragaceae S5 Yellow Tolmiea menziesii Piggy-back Plant Saxifragaceae 55 Yellow Trautvetteria caroliniensis False Bugbane Ranunculaceae S5 Yellow Trifolium dubium Low Hop-clover Fabaceae SNA Exotic Trifotium repens White Clover Fabaceae SNA Exotic Tsuga heterophylla Western Hemlock Pinaceae S5 Yellow Tsugo mertensiana Mountain Hemlock Pinaceae 55 Yellow Vacci'niumalaskaense Alaskan Blueberry Erica ceae 55 Yellow Vaccinium ovatifolium Oval-leaved Blueberry Ericaceae S5 Yellow Vaccinium parvifotium Red Huckleberry Ericaceae S5 Yellow Valeriana sitchensis Sitka Valerian Capnfoliaceae S5 Yellow Veratrum viride var. Green False-hellebore Melanthiaceae S5 Yellow eschscholzianum Veronica nutans Alpine Speedwell Plantaginaceae 55 Yellow Veronicaserpyllifolia var. Thyme-leaved Speedwell Plantaginaceae S5 Yellow humif usa Viola glabella Stream Violet Violaceae S5 Yellow Viola sempervirens Trailing Yellow Violet Violaceae S5 Yellow Xanthocyparisnootkatensis Yellow-cedar Cupressaceae S4 Yellow January 2020 Bryophyte Species Detected | 6 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Ecosystems & Vegetation EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. APPENDIX B. COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF BRYOPHYTE SPECIES DETECTED IN THE PROJECT AREA, JULY 3-4, 2019 BCStotus: 51, S2 = Red-listed (Endangered/Threatened); S2S3, S3 = Blue-listed (Special Concern); S3S4, S4. S4S5, S5 = Yellow-listed (Secure); SNA= Not Assessed; SNR = Not Ranked. Taxonomic Croup BC Status Anastrophyllum assimile Liverwort S4 Yellow Blepharostoma trichophyllum Liverwort SNR N/A Dt'plophyllum albicans Liverwort SNR N/A Diptophyllum taxifolium var. taxifotium Liverwort S4 Yellow Frullania nisquallensis Liverwort S5 Yellow Gymnomitrion brevissimum Liverwort S3S4 Yellow Herbertus aduncus Liverwort S4S5 Yellow Lepidoziareptans Liverwort SNR N/A Marsupella emarginata Liverwort SNR N/A Metzgeria conjugata var. japonica Liverwort S4 Yellow Pellia neesiana Liverwort SNR N/A Porella navicularis Liverwort 55 Yellow Scopania americana Liverwort SNR N/A Scapaniabofanderi Liverwort S5 Yellow Scapaniaundulata var. undutata Liverwort SNR N/A Schistochitopsis incisa var. incisa Liverwort SNR N/A Andreaea blyttfi Moss S4 Yellow Antitrichia curtipendula Moss S5 Yellow Buckiella undulata Moss S4 Yellow Bucklandiella heterosticha Moss S4S5 Yellow Bucklandiella lawtoniae Moss S4? Yellow Claopodium botanderi Moss S4S5 Yellow Codriophorus aciculare Moss S4S5 Yellow Codriophorusfasciculare Moss S4S5 Yellow Codriophorusvarius Moss S4S5 Yellow Dicranella heteromalla Moss 54 Yellow Dicranodontium denudatum Moss S4 Yellow January 2020 Bryophyte Species Detected | 1 Village of Tahsis - McKelvie Creek Ecosystems & Vegetation EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. axonomic roup BC Status BC Bank Dicranumfuscescens var. fuscescens Moss S5 Yellow Dicranum scoparium Moss S5 Yellow Drepanocladus acfuncus Moss S5? Yellow Gn'mmia torquata Moss S4S5 Yellow Grimmia trichophylla Moss S4S5 Yellow Heterodacftum macounii Moss S4S5 Yellow Hylocomium splendens Moss S5 Yellow Hypnum circinale Moss S5 Yellow Hypnum cupressiforme var. cupressiforme Moss S4S5 Yellow Hypnum dieckei Moss S4S5 Yellow Isothecium cristatum Moss S4? Yellow Isothecium stoloniferum Moss S4S5 Yellow Kioeria starkei Moss S4S5 Yellow Kindbergia oregana Moss S5 Yellow Kindbergia praelonga Moss S5 Yellow Leucolepis acanthoneuron Moss S5? Yellow Neckera douglasii Moss S4S5 Yellow Niphotrichum elongatum Moss S4S5 Yellow Orthotrichum lyellii Moss S4S5 Yellow Pteurozium schreberi Moss S5 Yellow Pogonatum contortum Moss S4S5 Yellow Pogonatum urnigerum Moss S4S5 Yellow Potytrichastrum alpinum var. alpinum Moss S4S5 Yellow Polytrichum commune var. commune Moss S4S5 Yellow Pseudoleskea stenophylla MOSS S4 Yellow Pseudotaxiphyllum elegans Moss S4S5 Yellow Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum Moss S5 Yellow Rhizomnium glabrescens Moss S4S5 Yellow Rhytidiadelphus loreus Moss S5 Yellow Rhytictiadelphus triquetrus Moss S5 Yellow Rhytidiopsis robusta Moss S5 Yellow Scferopodium obtusifolium Moss S4S5 Yellow January 2020 Bryophyte Species Detected | 2 Village ofTahsis - McKelvie Creek Ecosystems & Vegetation EcoLogic Consultants Ltd. Taxonomic Croup Scteropodium touretiivar. touretii Moss S3S4 Yellow Scouleria aquatt'ca Moss S4S5 Yellow Sphagnum girghensonii Moss S4S5 Yellow Sphagnumpalustre Moss S4S5 Yellow Tortella tortuosa var. tortuosa Moss S4S5 Yellow January 2020 Bryophyte Species Detected I 3 ^\ ^ x -'/ ^ , -^' -"> "I, wt<:" " ' / V; I ^f,M '^vw:-. . ^ ^. ^ \- , 'A. '-^- ~'ff'!»'. :.y "-?" . ^ .) McKelvie Creek Watershed w-i Surficial Materials SurfldalNtttrui EKitfinB ROK] Antfiropooenic (A | 6Uearn [: .Cflluvium(C) Centaur (t 00m) FhjuiaKF) Contour (M m) Moraim (M) CNBSnSc (0) x .. I. I McKelvie Creek Watershed l*I«nd Geomorphic Processes L_|Mc«elT CreBltIWelifhBd -Eii«toij|Raail ^^LandBlidB Unat »- Slraan Gaomorphlc Proce** (D»ctla 1) Conuur 1100 m] NBAvalanchMfA) Cnntourpoml Failing (F) x :A McKelvie Creek Watershed Slope Stability t*t*nd SIOpB Stability Cl*»t -EKtouns naad laKl-Neglialble II. Vary Low Cnnk)ur(IDDtii) Ill-Low Contoui (20 m) x McKelvie Creek Watershed Surface Erosion Potential t**"ld Surfac* Erotion Potanilal IS Vtry Hlnh (VH) ^ High (H) Contour (I BD m) Mnderate (M) Contour (20 in) x r 'y\ '^ McKelvie Creek Watershed w L nM Geohazards cKaliiaCmkWatorriwl --"EaifiOng Road Gtoh^rd -Stiaam JUIxtd npta *nd atow matt mi CcntGiir(K)Dm) 3+ npU maa moveniftrl types Contour(20 m) 2+ low m«n movmnenl types Osbtu flow (Rd) C^^'N\OC ^^r &-^^-^ -^ Jan. 29. 2020. Ladies and gentlemen of the Nootka Sound Watershed Society; My creative side was recently prompted with an advertisement from Island Coastal Economic Trust [ICET] seeking local improvement project ideas from local non profit groups. The enticement is capped at $300,000.00 for an approved project. I immediately think of the Tahsis river and certain culvert replacement/installatlons required to allow natural flow through what is the rivers natural flow path. The present culvert configuration is holding back between 2 and 3 meters of high flow conditions leading to much erosion of the valley bottom with each significant rain event we get every season. Allowing natural flow though this very significant habitat will greatly help stabilize the area and allow a huge source of nutrients back into the river system, presently blocked off. If ICET. is willing to fund such a notion, it would seem to fall into the jurisdiction of the NSWS. All the evidence the M. C. Wright and company presented seems to end with all the footprints at the edge of the project, and no one taking ownership of it. Perhaps I dropped the ball! I'm glad that Sarah Fowler is willing to carry it forward. This is a project that needs to be done! sincerely Louis VanSolkema retired in Tahsis. S (:o>^e-r 17 Nootka Sound Watershed Society Draft Minutes Wednesday, November 27th, 2019 7pm, Western Forest Products Boardroom Gold River, BC 1. Welcome and attendance Kent O'Neill- President, NSWS Craig Blackie - Grieg Seafood Teresa O'Neill - Treasurer, NSWS Chris Erikson - Conuma Hatcheiy, DFO Laura Terry - Community Advisor, DFO Sarah Fowler - Village ofTahsis Frank Collins - President, TSES Joe Sinclair - Village of Gold River Doug Atkmson - Nuchatlaht First Nation Bruce Vinnedge - Western Forest Products Erick Michael - Nuchatlaht First Nation John Bruce - GR Resident SamanthaKa an-Secreta NSWS 2. Review and adopt of the Agenda - Motion to accept: Sarah 2nd: Joe 3. Review and adopt of the Minutes from October 30th, 2019 meeting-Motion to accept: Sarah 2nd: Teresa 4. Review of action items from October 301h2019: New Items Action -\. ' ,^i Follow up with Sam and Tawney Kent Ongoing - Sam to help about posting for new stewardship coordinator position Old Items Action Terms of Reference Kent/Sam/Kadin Ongoing Inquire to Village ofTahsis about Sarah Fowler Ongoing bridge at Pete's pond - any plans to fix? Assess pump house ramp for GR Kent/Roger/Kadin Ongoing egg take Draft letter for TFL 1 9 AAC review Roger/Sarah Ongoing iaput from NSWS 5. Old Business a. Stewardship Coordinator Report Sam is following up on a few things - passing off salmon in the classroom to Laura Terry, memberships, etc. 18 b. Fisheries Habitat Nothing to report c. Hatchery Update i. Conuma Chris: read out SEPreport. Conuma Hathcery fell short on chum and wild coho. ii. Tahsis Frank: Fecundity was estimated at 3500 prior to brood capture, actual number closer to 4500. Result is that total numbers on hand are 30 000 over tfae estimate - around 332 000 total between Leiner and Tahsis Rivers. This is causing food costs to be higher than expected. There is also an issue of space - TSES may have to release excess 30 000 early in nver. Kent: NSWS can likely help with food costs. Need the cost ofthe additional feed. Frank: government wharf in Tahsis has been condemned, and the village is using that space for storage. TSES is looking into buying or renting a storage bin (seacan) about 8 x 20V WFP has given TSES permission to store them at the old cedar mill site. Will cost about $4000 each. After shipping and tax etc. about $14000. Wilfmay be able to fund $3000 - $4000 of it, may apply to PSF for the remainder. Craig: worth revisiting Skretting for donations. Laura: can help with application. ACTION: Kent, Laura, Frank, Chris to email re: ordering additional TSES food. iii. Zeballos Sam: read out update from Stacey Larsen: Zeballos Hatchery has successfully caught and spawned Zeballos River chum brood. Total eggs will be determined this week, but looking at roughly 9 000 eggs. We are hoping for a meeting in the new year with all partners, and are hoping to invite a rep from NSWS, Grieg, etc. More information will be coming on this soon. Dave Miller has replaced Lyle Billy as Fisheries Manager with the Ehatisaht First Nation. Charles John will be hired on contract to run the hatchery. The Zeballos school continues to be a partner and provide support for operations. d. Fisheries Management/Area 25 Roundtable Updates No in person meeting yet. Nothing to report. e. Mass Marking Kent: Mike Austin encouraging the NSWSto submit another application to BC SRIF. Chris: only need 1 trailer for proposal ACTION: Kent to contact Roger about resubmitting a grant proposal 19 f. Coastal Restoration Fund Kent: met with Paul and Strategic Natural Resource Consultants (SNRC) last week and signed contract for professional and technical services. Strategic will manage the project. Do the hiring, book keeping, reporting, etc. Site visit happening 8:30am on Monday, meeting at GR gas station. Plan is to hire as many locals as possible 6. New Business a. Conuma Hatchery GR Chinook net pen Chris: now have 460 000 GR Chinook - exceeds pen capacities. Preference is to rear in the lake pen, and will need an additional pen. 80 x 80 (confirm with Chris?). ',2" to W netting. Worst case will work with current pens and offload fish as the density increases. Craig: Might have a 100 x 100 available ACTION: Craig and Chris to talk about net pen availability. b. Burman Clipping Chris: there are 5000 Burman Chinook to clip, would NSWS consider splitting the cost at $2500 each. Craig: are you concerned about clipping Robertson fish? Chris: no, genetic analysis came back great. MOTION to contribute 50% of funds required to cUp Burman Fish up to $3000: Sarah V: Craig c. Tahsis Christmas Bazaar Sarah: CMES searching for donations for Christmas Bazaar. Perhaps an honorary membership. Fundraising for a week of theatre at the school ($4000) 7. Correspondence nothing to report 8. Financial Report Teresa: read out financial report MOTION to accept: Craig 2"': Sarah 9. Next Meeting Wednesday January 29"' 2020, likely at GR Ridgeview Motel 10. Adjournment MOTION to adjourn: Sarah 2nd: John Bruce 20 Nootka Sound Watershed Society Draft Agenda Wednesday, January 29th, 2020 7pm, Ridgeview Motor Inn Hospitality Suite Gold River, BC 1. Welcome and attendance 2. Review and adopt of the Agenda - Motion to accept: 2nd: 3. Review and adopt of the Minutes from November 27th, 2019 meeting - Motion to accept: 2nd: 4. Review of action items from November 27th 2019: New Items Action ..,.. .::'. Email regarding additional food Kent/Frank/Chris/Laura costs at TSES Contact Roger about re-submitting Kent BC SRIF proposal for one single trailer Email re: net pen availability at Craig/Chris Grieg Old Items Action , Terms of Reference Kent/Sam/Kadin Inquire to Village ofTahsis about Sarah Fowler bridge at Pete's pond - any plans to fix? Assess pump house ramp for GR Kent/Roger/Kadin egg take Draft letter for TFL 19 AAC review Roger/Sarah input from NSWS Follow up with Sam and Tawney Kenl/Sam about posting for new stewardship coordinator position 21 5. Old Business a. Stewardship Coordinator Report b. Fisheries Habitat c. Hatchery Update i. Conuma ii. Tahsis iii. Zeballos d. Fisheries Management/Area 25 Rouadtable Updates e. Mass Marking f. Coastal Restoration Fund 6. New Business a. Directors Insurance Renewal b. Stewardship Coordinator Submissions 7. Correspondence 8. Financial Report 9. Next Meeting 10. Adjournment 22 LI y ED i-h 'oirirtitiRiiii'^ J Cullft'fivitf? is Bloom »!. en flpiiry Jan 30, 2020 Councillor Lynda Llewellyn BRITISH COLUMBIA Village ofTahsis Box 219, Tahsis, BC, VOP 1X0 Dear Lynda, It has been a few months since we talked at the UBCM 2019 Convention - Tools, Resources & Fundingfor Local Governments session. At that time, we chatted to you about the Communities in Bloom program and its value as a community engagementand enhancement tool. I am reachingout again to remind you that there are a number of waysto participate. Enclosed is the 2020 Provincial Registration Form, with an explanation of all our evaluated and non-evaluated options. Many communities start with the non-evaluated Novice category as a way to introduce the program to volunteers and supporters. Participating in the Communities in Bloom program helps your community showcase how essential your greenspaces and community engagements are to our society's health and happiness. We hope Tahsis will join the Communities in Bloom family this year! Kind, regardp, JLJ?'. ^^ol-lte% lUfcs. ~, CMherine Kerin dy, Executive Director c. kenn ©telus.net '^ % ^. yextsia^ 19951 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC V3A 4E2 | 604 576-6506 | www. bccib. ca UC Uommunities in Bloom is part of the GardensBC marketing network promoting destination gardens and areas throughout the province. 23 EARLYREGISTRATION CONTEST: Paid Registrations received before Feb. 28, 2020 are eligible to WIN a pair of Tickets to the CpffiiuitnltifS .^CuUcf. lh-iffo :ilt BIooir ^ MtflflRS PROVINCIALAWARDS DINNER BRfflSH COIUMBU FINALDEADLINE: March 31, 2020 MUNICIPALITY(PLEASE PRINT) TOTAL POPULATION MAYOR NAME OF MUNICIPAL CONTACT POSITION/TITLE ADDRESS CITY POSTAL CODE ( ) PHONE MUNICIPAL CONTACT EMAIL NAME OF COMMUNITf CONTACT OR LOCAL CIB CHAIR WEBSITE ADDRESS FOR COMMUNIPf ( ) PHONE COMMUNHY CONTACT/CHAJR E-MAIL REGISTRATIONFEE Based on PopulationSi;e D NOVICE WORKSHOP D FRIENDS NON-EVALUATED d up to 1000 -$500 D 10, 001 to 20, 000 -$925 Introduce CiB to your community with a holds your bloom rating one-year pair of trained BC CiB facilitators. (',2 Registration Fee) a 1001 to 2000 -$600 020, 0011050.000 -$1025 a PROVINCIALEDITION EVALUATED a 2001 to 5000 - $675 D 50, 001 to 100, 000 $1225 Community receives a Bloom RatingAward and 18-page report a 5001 to 10, 000 - $800 D 100, 000+ - $1525 ONLY CATEGORY ELIGIBLE TO WIN A CRITERIA AWARD Getting Started package of information sent upon registration. (Plus 5% GST) (Plus 5% GST) ''.cStnWtiNiTytitfceiagsj Create a local 'in Bloom' committee to build collaboration with Getting Started Package of Information; citizens, business, service clubs and a municipal rep Evaluation by a pair oftrained BCCiBfacilitators for 1-2 days; (Councillor, Public Works, Administrator, Parks/Recreation); Bloom Rating Certificate (1 to 5 blooms); Preparefor an Evaluation to take place in mid to late July; 18+ page Evaluation Report with Comments & Suggestions; Create a Community Profile Book (CPB) outlining the 5'Bloom Winners receive a specia) recognition Street Banner; community's achievements in the specific evaluation criteria; Profile on www. bcclb. ca and Gardens BC tourism website; Develop a simple budget to cover registration fee and to Information about National Competition in future years. create community wide CiB awareness projects, i.e. : parades, tidy up days. Consider planning some fundraising events too; Host 2- facilitators (judges) typically 3rd week of July. 2-njghts maximum in separate rooms (Hotel, B&B or Billeting if certain Involves People of all ages to be part of the Volunteer Effort conditions can be met); with meals during evaluation day. CiB Program Is a tool to encourage Tidlness & Beautification Budget for sending a couple of people to the BC CiB Provincial Promotes Excellence in Horticultural Best Practices Awards and Conference Event in the fall. Recognize your Provides Focus & Deadline for new & ongoing Projects volunteers by providingan opportunity to network with other participants and to learn how to maximize your CiB program. CPB and Evaluation Report showcases Community Assets Report Is a Cost-Effective Measurement of Success Cheque payable to: BCCommunities in Bloom NEWMAILING ADDRESS: 19951 Fraser Highway, Langley, BCV3A 4E2 AMOUNTENCLOSED $ Population Fee+ 5%GST-$ GST# 8446 03670 RT0001 PLEASE INVOICE US AT: a Above Address CANCELLATIONPOLICY: BeforeApril 30'"a $50.00fee maybe charged, after that, all registrationfees are non-refundable. Request more Information: D Membership D Sponsorship Catherine Kennedy(604) 576-6506 cjsennedv@telus. net 24 Fee dependent upon 1. NOVICE WORKSHOP-First Year Audit population size - see Get started growing your community with an introduction to the CiB program! Registration Form Front A pair of BC CiB Facilitators will meet with key stakeholders from your community to help create the framework for a future committee. Facilitators will present a (Email a request for Powerpoint and view 3 criteria of your choice: i.e. Floral Displays, Landscape and additional information) Tidiness Efforts offering comments and suggestions for future efforts. A recognition certificate and report will be presented at the fall Awards. There is no Evaluation Tour or Community Profile Book to organize but be prepared to host the BC CiB facilitators (meals with accommodation for 2-nights max.) and have 3 - 10 people ready to workshop. PROVINCIALEDITION EVALUATION - Awarding1 to 5-Blooms Fee dependent upon population size - see Develop an 'In Bloom' action committee to build collaboration with residents, Registration Form Front service groups, municipal staff and business owners. Organize an Evaluation Tour to view about 80% of your community to a pair of This is the BC CiB judges. (What is Communities in Bloom) ONLY CATEGORY Create a Community Profile Book to summarize your community's assets, this is eligible to win a also used to supplement information not shown during the evaluation tour. CRITERIA TROPHY Plan to host a pair of judges for meals with accommoctation for 2-nights max. Recognizing your community! Participants are awarded a Bloom Rating Certificate and receive a written report at the Provincial Awards & Conference in the fall. Evaluating six criteria, the report creates a benchmark score to celebrate successes and to help focus on future improvements. NON-EVALUATED 3. FRIENDS* Vs Fee dependent upon population size - see Forcommunities that want recognition for ongoingCiB initiatives butwant to take Registration Form time off from evaluation. Holds bloom rating one-year. *Bonus: this category is encouraged to provide a Showcase Project PLACES & SPACESSHOWCASE PROJECT* (non evaluated) Fee:$100 (go to www.bccib.ca Profile for a specific project or geographical segment within a community. to download form) Open to sen/ice groups, garden clubs, municipalities, electoral areas etc., submissions also accepted from National and International level CiB participants in British Columbia. Provide 100 words & 3 photos to be showcased in the provincial newsletter. All Participants will rceeive recognition on our Webslte, Map, Press Releases, Fall Awards, GardensBC 5. As per the 2020 Membership Form www. bccib. ca Fee dependent on population size. (* also includes a Showcase Project entry) BC Communities in Bloom - NEW ADDRESS 19951 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC V3A 4E2 I (604) 576-6506 25 ISiK^.w^-'''-:. -.y^BKi.^^®.' BC Communities in Bloom (BC CiB) is a province-wide recognition and award program that provides a framework for Municipal participants to reinvigorate and enhance their community's liveability. In annual surveys of our participants, Community involvement and ^ '.a V -ry Beautification are always listed as the Y^ ^.'.~ . -;? top benefits. Tidiness, Property Values ''->'?-. 1-^ 5>" and Green spaces, with Lifestyle, 'f. : Using the collaborative power of local :WA i^v;: government, business/institutions, 'w . <'fS: service clubs and residents, it is this '..p^, ^"^!^v/^ 'Growing Together' that stimulates civic A" "^ pride and encourages tidiness, '^ ^~ "f^. beautification and environmental ^' initiatives throughout their area. The program inspires a 'transformation' process that can have lasting social, environmental and economic benefits. BENEFITS OF EVALUATION sources such as municipal, fundraisers, sponsors BC CiB trained volunteers evaluate specific criteria and in-kind donations from local businesses for with a standardized scoring matrix. The purpose of specific projects in the community. the report is to provide feedback on the visual appeal It is important to note that evaluation components of of streetscapes, public green spaces, the program are adjusted according to the community's. neighbourhoods, and to recognize efforts to preserve population size and resources, while also appreciating heritage and cultural assets. The report can then be local geographical challenges. used to celebrate excellence and areas for improvement year over year. Whether a community's Evaluated Participants receive recognition through the objective is to enhance tourism experiences or BC CiB website, social media, newsletters, GardensBC, improve liveability for their residents, the Cis in addition to receiving a detailed Report with a Bloom program is a tool to achieve these goals. Rating Certificate at the fall Provincial Awards. Non- evaluated participants also receive recognition at the Each year many communities in British Columbia awards and through ongoing promotions. participate in the 'in Bloom' program that involves hundreds of volunteers; on average these CiB action groups contribute over $10, 000 worth of time and in- kind donations to many meaningful projects within British Columbia Communities in Bloom, their hometowns. 19951 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC V3A 4E2 Registration fees are kept reasonable so that funds www. bccib. ca can be used for local improvement projects. Catherine Kennedy, BC CiB Executive Director Participants wil! develop a budget from a blend of c. ken nedy@telus. net (604) 576-6506 26 As well, the CiB program contributes to the quality of life in a communityby encouraging the local CiB committee to work with and include; Service Groups (Rotary Clubs, Community Garden Groups, etc) Schools, Business, Residents and a Municipal representative; all coming together to improve the social and economic fabric of their community. Since 2005, BC Communities in Bloom (BC CiB) has delivered a province-wide enhancement program(tool) that hasbenefited the provinceand communities of all sizes. From tourist towns on the ""Ks, coast, rural interior and industrial towns in the , ^. v . ".Collectivitcs north, our organization has provided guidance through thejudges visits and evaluation reports to in Bloom enfleurs more than 100 volunteer groups. (Nationally CiB began in 1995.) Ourorganization operates on a modestbudget whileproviding a servicethat participantsvalue as BRITISH COLUMBIA a reasonable, cost efficient measurement of their success. Atthe heart of our organization is our team of dedicated volunteers who bring a wealth of experience to our society. They represent the PURPOSE province as board members, facilitator/judges and committee members in addition to representing BC Communities in Bloom (BC CiB) NFPSociety supports their geographical regions. Our volunteers are the our many Volunteers who give oftheir time as specialists reason the BC CiB program exists. in horticulture, parks and recreation, community manage- We are very proud of what the 'in Bloom' program ment and volunteer coordination and who are additionally accomplishes for the province of British Columbia! trained to deliver the CiB evaluation program to the benefit of all British Columbian communities. BC CiB volunteer facilitators (judges) are in the community viewing, evaluating, suggesting improvements to the local volunteer committees to help them: INFORMATIONDOCUMENTS UPON REQUEST . Enhance BC's environment through our . InspiringCivic & Citizen Involvement with Criteria Environmental Action criteria Explanation Flyer; « Recognize local heritage and culture through our . Novice Workshop - How to start a CiB program and Heritage Conservation criteria develop a committee; . Profiles quality of sustainable horticulture . GettingStarted InfoPackage - howto create a tour management in Landscaped Areas, Floral Displays, and profilebook (evaluated participantsonly); Urban Forestry . Registration Form and Participation Options; . Celebrates Tidiness Efforts of entire community; . Membership form. residential, municipal and business/institutions www.bccib. ca - Visit our website to see examples of CiB in action Major Sponsors: Urban Systems, Teck Supporters:Gardens British Columbia, BC Landscape & Nurserytesociatton, BCRecreation & ParksAssociation, Invasive Species Council of BC, BCAgriculture in the Classroom 27 /nx April 17- 19 WELCOME FROM AVICC PRESIDENT CARL JENSEN PROGRAM IN BRIEF This year the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities is excited to be back in Nanaimo-the Harbour City-for our 2020 AGM FRIDAY, APRIL 17 and Convention. The Regional District and the City are our joint hosts/ 8:30 am Tours - Community and as President of AVICC I would like to thank both organizations for Amenity; GNPCC all their support in welcoming our members to their community. 9:00 am Workshop on Public The Convention's business and social sessions will be held in the Engagement Vancouver Island Conference Centre (VICC) in downtown Nanaimo. 11:30 am Mayors & Chairs Caucus We appreciate the support of our host communities in making the and Lunch conference centre available to us. as well as the tours, sessions and 11:30 am Electoral Area Forum entertainment they have worked hard to set up for the delegates. and Lunch The AVICC Executive is excited about the range of sessions available at this year's Convention. 2:00 pm Official Opening I am very happy to announce our keynote speaker, Joe Roberts - Skid Row CEO. Some Keynote Address background on Joe is included below, and we look forward to having him share his fascinating 4:00 pm Provincial Address story with us at the Convention opening. Plenary 'tails on the pre-Convention Friday tours and sessions are also included in this brochure, 5:30 pm Welcome Reception are highlights of the business sessions that will be offered during the regular Convention. 7:30 pm COFI Reception We'll be sending out more information on the Convention sessions in the next few weeks, and updates to the program will be posted on the website at www. avicc. ca. KEYNOTE SPEAKER: JOE ROBERTS, SKID ROW CEO SATURDAY, APRIL 18 7:30 am Breakfast Presentation Joe Roberts aka The Skid Row CEO is an expert on 8:30 am AGM & Resolutions resiliency and change. Having experienced both UBCM President's catastrophic failure and extraordinary success Address Joe teaches how to overcome the roadblocks UBCM Resolutions that get In the way of high performance. He Process Review helps companies and individuals redefine what s Noon Delegates Lunch truly possible by confronting limiting mindsets. 1:00 pm MFABC Investment t Participants at Joe's events leave inspired and Session Before After moved to action. 1:30 pm 1st Concurrent Workshop Sessions In 1989 Joe was a homeless drug addict on the streets of Vancouver. With the help of family 3:00 pm 2nd Concurrent and community champions, Joe's life transformed. As you walk with Joe through the tough Workshop Sessions streets of East Vancouver in the 1980s, you will experience the depths and degradation of a 6:30 pm Pre-Banquet Reception former homeless drug addict, to the triumph of a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist. 7:30 pm Dinner & Band Joe's message is relatable, humorous, honest, raw and unforgettable. He tackles the stigma associated with mental health and addiction in a straight forward authentic way and shares the tools needed to build resiliency in any situation. SUNDAY, APRIL 19 Since 1989, Joe has acquired two college diplomas, became the CEO of one of Vancouver's 7:30 am Networking Breakfast leading multimedia companies, walked across Canada and achieved more success than he 8:30 am Resolutions & Late could ever have imagined. Joe is also the Executive Director and Co-Founder of The Push for Resolutions Change Foundation, a charity advocating for youth homelessness prevention. Joe walked Address by Opposition 1. 064 km across Canada from May 1, 2016 until September 29, 2017, pushing a shopping cart Installation of New raise money and awareness about youth homelessness. Executive joe has been recognized by Maclean's magazine as one of "10 Canadians who make a Grand Prize Award difference," won the BC Courage to Come Back Award, received The Ontario Premier's Noon Adjourn Award for Business, was given an Honorary Doctorate from Laurenfrian University and was recognized by the Senate of Canada with their Canada 150 Medal. Recently Joe was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) from The Governor General of Canada. PAGE 1 OF 8 28 -i-J^J- April 17-19 City of Nanaimo FRIDAY PRE-CONVENTION PROGRAM THANK YOU O'BSi^^L A^^^:^^_ Study Tour: 'Greater Nanaimo Pollution Control Centre Tour' to the City of Nanaimo & 8:30-11:30, Friday, April 17, 2020 Cost: $30, due to limited space, please register no more than 3 per government the Regional District of Nanaimo The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) has organized a tour through our state-of- The host communities for the 2020 AGM & the-art wastewater treatment facility that is slated for its grand opening in June. Convention are the Regional District of Located in the City of Nanaimo and operated by the RDN, the Greater Nanaimo Nanaimo and the City of Nanaimo. Mayor Pollution Control Centre (GNPCC) is the region's largest wastewater treatment Leonard Krog and Council, and Chair lan facility, providing chemically-enhanced primary treatment for 97, 000 people and Thorpe and the RDN Board are thanked for their generous hospitality. businesses. City and RDN staff have been involved in The facility is being upgraded to meet provincial and planning the 2020 Convention. Special federal requirements to provide secondary thanks to Lisa Moilanen and Donna Stennes treatment at all municipal wastewater treatment for their enthusiasm and assistance. facilities. Secondary treatment produces significantly All local contributors are thanked for their higher quality effluent than primary treatment which help in making the 2020 AGM & Convention improves conditions for the environment. a great experience for all. This is an $82 million project with funding coming from a combination of the Federal Gas Tax Fund/ C\TY OF NANAIMO reserves, DCCs, and borrowing. THE KAKBOUR CITY GNPCC overlooks the ocean and, nestled in a growing suburban community, is a neighbour to parks, a creek, an elementary school, community REGIONAL trails and a residential neighbourhood. DISTRICT Join us on this tour to see the innovation and OrNANAlMO partnerships packaged into this facility and its operations. For example, GNPCC: Recycled blast rock from the site into stone columns that will stabilize the soils in the event of an earthquake. Made improvements to the biofilter and odour management system. Generates electricity from biogas produced during treatment. Produces biosolids that are managed in a two-time award winning program, Has an agreement with Snuneymuxw First Nations to provide wastewater treatment. Operates under an ISO 14001 Environmental Management System. Follows an asset management program. PAGE 2 of 8 29 City of Nanaimo FRIDAY PRE-CONVENTION PROGRAM Study Tour: 'Nanaimo Community Amenity Tour' 8:30-11:30, Friday, April 17, 2020 Cost: $30, due to limited space, please register no more than 3 per local government The City of Nanaimo has put together a guided bus tour that will give delegates the opportunity to visit five sites t he City has developed recently to benefit the community. The tour will visit: Five Acre Farm A partnership with local non-profit Nanaimo Foodshare to continue providing community food and farming education programs at the last remaining, historic Five Acre Farm site in Harewood. Harewood Centennial Park An inner-city park revitalized to become a community gathering place for all ages through enhanced amenities, including a kids' water park, covered sports court, improved pathways, accessible playground and soon-to-be completed skateboard park. Te^tuxwtun A vision that integrates affordable housing, parks and culture, education, childcare and health services, Te'tuxwtun is the result of collaboration between the City of Nanaimo, Snuneymuxw First Nation, Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools and BC Housing. tarry McNabb Sports Zone Next door to Vancouver Island University and NDSS high school, this prime location for Nanaimo's key sports facilities include an aquatic centre/ ice rink, baseball stadium and playing fields, track and field complex, multi-use trails and a recently-added artificial turf soccer/football field. Steve Smith Bike Park Built in 2017 to honour the memory of beloved local mountain bike champion, Steve nith, the bike park is host to top international competitions and is enjoyed by bike enthusiasts of all ages and abilities in the community. PAGE 3 OF 8 30 'In 1,^0-:-'- April 17-19 City of Nanaimo FRIDAY PRE-CONVENTION PROGRAM CONT'D Connecting With Your Community Time 9 am to 11 am Cost $30 Join us for an interactive session to learn various ways to connect with your community including what public engagement is and is not, and why it is important. We will cover both the practical aspects of public engagement but also the legislative context including council meetings and public hearings. By sharing examples and lessons learned, you will take away ideas on how to best plan for transparent and open conversations with your community. This will be a joint presentation from Kathleen Higgins, Barrister and Solicitor at Young Anderson/ and regional district communications staff including Lisa Moilanen, Engagement Coordinator from the Regional District of Nanaimo and Kris lumacher/ Manager, Communications & Engagement/ Cowichan Valley Regional uistrict. Mayors & Chairs Forum and Lunch Time Noon to 1:30 pm Cost $40 A gathering of Mayors, RD Chairs, and First Nations Leaders to discuss successes and challenges of collaborations between the different governments and how thinking outside the box" can create some very strategic alliances and projects forthe betterment of the whole community. How can we collaborate and make communication between governments even better? This forum is open to Mayors, Regional District Chairs and First Nations leaders. Lunch will be provided from 11:30 am. Electoral Area Forum and Lunch Time Noon to 1:30 pm Cost $40 The EA Forum has been an annual fixture at the AVICC Convention since 2016, The Forum provides an excellent opportunity to discuss issues that are common to many electoral areas. As an EA Director we may often feel that we are unique in the challenges . 'e might have in our area, but by attending the Forum soon realize that there are many ared issues. What is most important from the Forum is that we can identify paths to advocate to senior governments to effect change and turn our collaboration into action. A louder voice is better heard. This forum is designed for EA Directors and RD staff. Lunch will be provided from 11:30 am. 31 -I.-IB.-.L- ^. ^. ^-^-J - April 17-19 CONVENTION PROGRAM RESOLUTIONS S'SS"^^^^'^^, !; The Program Format DEADLINE The 2020program will integratethe regularbusiness of the annualgeneral meeting, UBCM urges members to submit debate on resolutions and holding of elections with a variety of presentations and resolutions first to Area Associations for workshops on topical issues, addresses by key political speakers and opportunities consideration. Resolutions received prior for networking. to the February 6, 2020 deadline will be processed and included in the Annual Invitations have been extended to BC Premier, John Morgan; Municipal Affairs and Report and Resolutions book that will be Housing Minister, Selina Robinson; Leader of the Official Opposition, Andrew emailed to members in fate-March. Wilkinson; Interim Leader of the BC Green Party, Adam Olsen; and UBCM LATE RESOLUTIONS President, Mayor Maja Tait. Resolutions received after the deadline A draft of the detailed program is expectedto be available by late-Februaryon the are considered "fate" but will be accepted . VICCwebsite. In order to accommodate emergent issues, the program does not by the Secretary-Treasurer up until noon, Wednesday/ April 15, 2020, come final until just prior to the AGM & Convention. Members are reminded that, to be Highlights admitted for debate, a late resolution must be deemed to be of an urgent or Some program highlights that have been confirmed include; emergency nature and should address an issue that has arisen after the February Gth Engaging the Power of Youth deadline date. Towards Zero-Waste and the Circular economy: Solid Waste Solutions The Resolutions Committee will review Making it Happen - Tactical Urbanism Interventions in Nanaimo all late resolutions and prepare a report to the Convention including a . Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities-Climate Leadership Plan Update recommendation as to whether the with CleanBC resolution meets the criteria and should be admitted for debate. UBCM Resolutions Process Review Members can also propose a resolution . Toward Parity in Municipal Politics - Women in Leadership from the floor of the Convention on From Abandoned Boats to Tankers: how can you have access to compensation Sunday, April 19, 2020 and members will for oil pollution? then vote on whether to admit the resolution for debate. See the Convention . Smart Future: A path forward for B. C.'s forest products industry Rules around resolutions in the Annual Understanding the Municipal Reserve Investment Process: Risk vs Reward, Report and Resolutions Book which has guidelines for distributing printed Time Horizons, Environmental Factors and Socially Responsible Investing - materials to delegates for off the floor MFABC resolutions. There are other sessions under development that will be included when the program is announced. Reminder Late Resolutions Deadline April 15 Noon See www. avicc. ca for details 32 --l- - ..I.J-I-J- April 17 -19 NETWORKING & SOCIAL EVENTS E-a3EESi3~E'yS3y;i3- A key objective of the AVICCConvention is providing delegates with the opportunity to connect with colleagues and develop new relationships. Memberscan share experiences and learnings to takeback to theircommunities. Therewill beseveral opportunities to break bread with each other at the breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday morning, the morning and afternoon refreshment breaks,Saturday's Delegates Lunch, the Fridayevening receptions andthe Saturday evening reception andAnnual Banquet. 2020 Welcome Reception The Welcome Reception will be held from 5:30-7:30 pm Fridayevening in the Vancouver Island Conference Centrejust outside the main ballroom. The Trade Showwill be open for delegatesto peruse whileenjoying refreshments. Admissionfor delegatesis already included in the delegate registration fee. Additional tickets may be purchased for guests through the on-line registration form on Civiclnfo. The Council of Forest Industries is offering a reception for AVICCdelegates that starts at 7:30 pm immediately after the Welcome Reception. The COFI reception will be held on /el 2 of the Coast Bastion Hotel next door to the Conference Centre. Annual Banquet The Banquet will be held in the main ballroom of the Vancouver Island Conference Centre that will be transformed for the night. There will be entertainment from Time Well Wasted" that will get us up and dancing after the 3-course meal. "Time Well Wasted" is a 12-piece, horn-driven funk, soul, rock, rhythm & blues band from VancouverIsland. They are a high energy danceand party band, playingthe very best soul, rock, rhythm and blues ... with attitude!! With two powerhouse female vocalists, 5-horns, and a locomotive rhythm section.Time WellWasted performs allthe dance-crazy radio hits you love, includingMichael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Tori Kelly,Tower of Power, Earth, Wind & Fire,Bruno Mars, Doobie Brothers, Kooland the Gang, Bee Gees, Toto, Powder Blues, Chicago, Little Feat, Steely Dan, Santana, Aretha Franklin and many, many more. Island Good TheVancouver Island EconomicAlliance (VIEA) is a collaborative partnership spearheadingregional economic development for the Vancouver Island region. VIEAhas established the IslandGood brandwith its range of products sourced from local suppliers that is increasing sales and market share for Vancouver Island & Gulf Island products, y" Created byVIEA in 2018, Island Good achieved an astounding 16. 4% sales lift over 6 months in 45 grocery stores. In 2018, VIEA established that henceforth, all food & beverage served at its annual Economic Summit would be Island Good. And now AVICC is following this lead at our AGM and Convention in Nanaimo with food, beverage and even our speaker gifts. Trade Show in pastyears, AVICCwill host a Trade Showadjacent to the main meeting room. Manyof our sponsors will be staffing ormation booths - please thank them for supporting our Convention and allowing us to keep our fees the lowest of all the area associations. TheTrade Showwill beopen Fridayafternoon and duringthe Welcome Reception, andthen from breakfast on Saturdaythrough to a 3:00 pm close after the Saturday afternoon networking break. PAGE b OF 8 33 -'..'-1-1-J- City of Nanaimo 2020 AGM & Convention April 17-19 REGISTRATION ELECTIONS VSK''^ ^:i:f:f?:i'^ Online registration is available through Civiclnfo at: AVICC members elect directors during the AGM & https://www. civicinfo. bc. ca/event/2020/AVICC Convention to ensure the directions set by the general Fees membership are carried forward. The Executive also provides direction to AVICC between Conventions. Register early to take advantage of the early bird discounted rates. Please note the cancellation deadline of March 27th. The following positions are open for nomination: President Early Bird Late (by Mar 13) (after Mar 13) First Vice President Second Vice President Member $310 $360 Non-Member $375 $425 Director at Large (3 positions) Welcome Reception $ 40 $ 48 Electoral Area Representative 'nual Banquet $ 65 $ 75 The deadline for nominations to be included in the Report The Welcome Reception is included with delegate registration. on Nominations was February 6th. However, nominations Tickets are available for guests and must be purchased ahead are still accepted at Convention from the floor. of time to ensure availability. For further information on the elections process, please Cancellation Policy email avicc@ubcm. ca or visit avicc. ca Full Refund: cancellations by March 27 4:30 pm No Refunds: cancellations after March 27 4:30 pm TOURISM . -..'l-ij:^. Cancellations must be emailed to avicc@iubcm. ca. Tourism Nanaimo will have a booth on-site right next to the registration desk. The Tourism booth will be staffed by locals LOGISTICS who can make recommendationson placesto visit, shop and ^nEiBEaSQU ;S^; eat in the region. Convention Venue All business sessions will be held at the Vancouver Island There is also a great deal of information on their website at Conference Centre at 101 Gordon Street, Nanaimo. Tourism Nanaimo if you'd like to do some planning before you arrive. Take a look and you may decide to extend your Parking visit to Nanaimo to see all that the region has to offer. Parking is available for a fee at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. MORE INFORMATION Internet The Vancouver Island Conference Centre has complimentary The most current information will be posted on the AVICC WiFi for delegates. website. Please check back regularly for updates. For specific questions, please contact: . commodations Two hotel blocks were set up for Convention delegates that Liz Cookson, AVICC Secretary-Treasurer are full but taking waiting lists. More hotel options are listed avicc@ubcm. ca at Tourism Nanaimo. Visit avicc. ca for rates and booking Telephone: 250-356-5122 information. PAGt 7 Of 8 34 -1-i- ... I-[.-!-)- City of Nanaimo April 17-19 CODE OF CONDUCT s^fc^^-.^ In keeping with practice at the UBCM Convention, AVICCwill again have a Code of Conduct for this year's AVICCConvention. The online registration form is linked to a form outlining the Code. By registering, delegates are acknowledging that they are aware that they are expected to adhere to the 2020 Code of Conduct. ASSOCIATION OF VANCOUVER ISLAND AND COASTAL COMMUNITIES CONVENTION CODE OF CONDUCT 2020 Convention The AVICC Executive has implemented a code of conduct for convention participants based on the following principles. 1. The primary purpose of the annual AVICC Convention is to provide the membership with an opportunity to set the Association's policy direction for the year ahead. 2. The Convention also provides delegateswith an opportunity to learn, share and meet with other local, provincial and federal government officials in addition to other associations that are interested in engaging with local governments. 3. All delegates and convention participants have the right to a safe, fun and enjoyable experience. AVICC will not tolerate any communication or behaviour that demeans, threatens, or harasses anyone at its events. 4. All participantsat the Convention, regardless of their employer, their position, their perspectives or priorities will treat others, and be treated, in a respectful, understanding and cooperative manner and behave in a manner that is respectful to other participants and their guests, and will not do anything that threatens the health, safety, security, or dignity of other participants or their guests. 5. Only local elected officialswho are AVICCmembers are entitled to speakand vote on matters put forwardto the membership. However, the annual Convention is open to the public, and anyonemay attend the Convention so longas they register. 6. All AVICC members are viewed as equal regardless of their population, location, or their ability to attend the annual convention. 7. Participants are expected to adhere to this Code of Conduct at AVICC and other non-AVICC organizedevents associatedwith the Convention; and will be required to sign a confirmation that they have read, understood, and agree to this Code of Conduct at time of registration. 8. Breaches of the code of conduct will be addressed by the AVICC Executive. PAG[ Hn^ 8 35 nz. ; r^rt 5. I Tthr^' of TubsK (/i 77 .S'o^'A Ma'ju hi-tut hr'i f. '. II. ltux21V. 'Kllisis. I't: V'li' 1\11 WATER CONSERVATION IN TAHSIS YESTERDAY'S ACTIONS, TODAY'S RESULTS & A PLAN FOR TOMORROW FEBRUARY 2020 llage ofTahsis 977 South Maquinna Drive | 250-934-6344 | www.villageoftahsis. com [ reception@villageoftahsis. com 36 Introduction/Background The Village of Tahsis has been proactively managing their Municipal Assets, comprising of over 23 Million dollars in Road, Water, Storm Water, and Sewerinfrastructure. Despite havinga population of less than 1,000, the Village has recently undertaken a number on asset management projects intended to upgrade and extend the life of their assets, including the following recent year's initiatives: . 2016-2018: Asset Management - Wastewater System Condition Assessment and Optimization (Clean Water and Wastewater Fund); . 2017-2018: Community Water Conservation Project (Clean Water and Wastewater Fund); . 2018-2019: Road, Water, Storm, and Sewer Upgrade Project, South Maquinna, Alpine View Dr, Rugged Mountain (Federal Gas Tax Strategic Priorities Fund); . 2018-2019: Floodplain Protection Study (Community Emergency Preparedness Fund); . 2018-2019: Wellhead Protection Plan (Village of Tahsis) Based on this previous work, and in conjunction with the recent revision of the Village's OCP, the Village is considering moving forward with the following infrastructure initiatives: . Closure ofthe North Sewage Treatment Plant, with upgrading of the South Treatment Plant; . Completion of a Flood Protection Plan, and associated Bylaws; . Upgrading of the Villages dikes; . Ongoing asset management improvements; . Reduction in "system" water losses; . Continuation of the water metering program. The Village recognizes the need to repair and replace core assets such as the Village's water system, based on asset condition and the levels of service that the Village's tax base can afford. The Asset Management Study, completed in 2016 has provided the Village with up to date costs which inform the rolling 5 year capital plan, , and will continue to inform the Village of the need to manage the Villages assets in the most cost effective manner. As part of this work, the Village has recognized the value of water conservation in optimizing the Village's water and sewer assets. This work was initiated in the 2016 though the Village's Asset Management Project, and continued with the Water Conservation Project. Prior to undertakingthis work the average per capita water consumption in Tahsiswas about > 1, 800 liters per capita, compared to the BC average of around 600 liters/capita (at the time). The leak detection work determined that a large portion of the Village's water consumption was attributed to system losses, i. e., watermain leaks prior to delivery to the customer. A 2016 leak detection study identified 22 major water leaks within the distribution system. Approximately 80 lineal meters of watermains were replaced, along with a number of valves. Page 1 37 Figure One provides an update on the status of the watermain repairs that were identified in the leak detection study. All but 7 of the 22 repairs have been completed, some were undertaken as part of the road upgrade project (South Maquinna, Alpine View, and Rugged Mountain Rd) that was completed in the fall of 2019. Figure One - Current Status of Watermain Repairs from Leak Detection Program Current No. Location & Type (if known) Priority Status Infrastructure 1 N. Maquinna @ Stran e Rd. Main leak High Completed 200 mm Ductile Iron (Dl) 2 S. Ma uinna Bet. Nootka 81 Nicola e Main, Valves, Service lines... Hi h Corn leted 200 mm PVC 3 S. Maquinna @ Nootka St. H drantH-310 High Completed 200mm PVC & 150 mm PVC 4 S. Ma uinna @ Tootouch Nois Valves & Main...?? HI h Completed 200mm D] & 75 mm ST 5 MearesSt. H drant H-370 High 150 PVC7? 6 Alpine View@ N. endof RecCtr ( 332-334 ) Possible Service line Medium Completed 300mm Steel (ST) 7 BrabrantCr. (between 40-36} Possible Service line Medium 150 mm Asbestos Concrete AC) 8 Harbour View @ N. Maquinna Main Leak, Close to H drant. Medium Completed 150 mm PVC (PVC) & 200 mm Dl 9 Head Bay Rd. bet. Hell art & Cedar Mill Main Leak Medium Completed 300 mm ST 10 School Hill Rd. H drant H-225 Medium Completed 150 PVC 11 Ru ed Mtn Rd. Bet. A & D rd Nols Main Valves Medium Completed 100 mm Dl & 150 mmDI 12 Ru ed Mtn Rd. @ G rd Noisy Main Value Medium Corn leted 200 mm ST 13 Meares St. (1155 & 1167) Nois service line Medium 20mm-50 mm?? 14 S. Ma uinna @ Rugged Mtn Rd. Nois Main Valve Low 300 mm Dl & 200 mm PVC 15 Wolverton Bid @ Rugged Mtn Rd. Sen/ice line Low Completed 200 mm ST & 50 mm 16 Wolverton Bldg @ Ru ed Mtn Rd. Noisy Main Valve Low Corn leted 200 mm ST 17 Museum/lnfo Bid Service Line Low Completed 200 mm ST & 20 - 63. 5 mm ? 18 Ru edMtnRd. Bet. A&BrdNois Main Valve Low Corn leted 200mm ST 100 mm Dl 19 Rugged Mtn Rd. Bet. B & C rd Noisy Main Valve Low Completed 100 mm Dl 20 FredaRd HydrantH-275 Low 150 mm PVC 21 ISFredaRd Curb Stop Leakin Low 20 mm ( Cu? ) 22 Tjppera Park Main or service line Low 150 PVC& 20mm Cu7 Page 2 38 Water Consumption TheVillage has been recording water consumption fora numberof years. TheVillage drinking water wasdrawn from McKelvieCreek but in 2016, the water supply was switched over to a'community well located nearthe PublicWorks building in the north area ofthe Village. The Villageretains its water licencefor McKelvieCreek and maintainsits surfacewater infrastructure. McKelvieCreek serves'as theVillage's backupsource ofdrinking water. A Wellhead Protection Planwas completed in2019^ FigureTwo shows the total Village water consumption ona monthlybasis, starting in July of 2016 when the community well was brought into service. Figure Two - Chart of Water Consumption 2016-2019 Village ofTahsis Monthly Water Consumption 1, 800 1, 600 1, 400 / >- ^ ro /-' -D 1, 200 . 2017 1, 000 2016 c 800 0 2018 .l-l Q. 600 E 2019 3 w c 400 0 u 200 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jan Jul Aug Sep On Nov Dec Month The abovefigure shows a significantreduction in water consumption overthe past 3 years. On an annual basis,the Village's total, and percapita waterconsumption was,as follows, forthe pastthree years, basedon an average population of700 over the year (population variesfrom around 250in the winter to around 900 in the summer): Page3 39 Figure Three - Consumption Summary by Year Year Average Reduction Assumed Average Daily Monthly from Average Consumption Consumption previous Population per Capita (cu m/day) year (%) (Ipcd) 2017 1, 280 n/a 700 1, 800 2018 1, 028 20% 700 1, 460 2019 990 4% 700 1, 400 The 20% drop in consumption from 2017to 2018 is significant, likely a direct result ofthe initial repairs undertaken as detailed in Figure One. The reduction in 2019 (4%) is not as significant, but should be noted that the watermain replacements undertaken in 2019 did not come online until later in 2019, so we would expect to see another significant improvement in 2020 based on a full year of data for comparison. The latter two months of 2019 indicate an average consumption of around 700 cu meters/day, which translates to around 1, 000 liters/capita/day at 700 'average' population. The water consumption data clearly indicates the value of undertaking the most critical component of water conservation in Tahsis, namely leak detection and repair. Water Metering As part of the Village's Water Conservation strategy, approximately 14 water meters were installed to assess generally the amount of water consumption. Two ofthe meters were installed at the Recreation Center, and the remainder were installed in residential and commercial locations in the Village. The Village has meter data starting from July of 2019, and is summarized as follows: Page 4 40 FigureFour - Water Meter Consumption, 2019 (partial) Ave per Cap Consumption Residential Meter at 2. 2 pph Location Jul Aug* Sept* Oct Nov Dec Average 704.5 1, 754.7 Property 1 1, 662. 0 1, 239.0 1, 239.0 25.0 31. 0 31.0 4.0 10.0 Property 2 4.0 4.5 4.5 3.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 10.0 Property 3 7.0 4.5 4.5 4.0 4.0 0.0 11.0 27.4 Property 4 11.0 9.0 9.0 34.0 1.0 2.0 8.3 20.8 Property 5 5.0 22.5 22.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 9.3 23.2 Property 6 9.0 19.5 19.5 7.0 1.0 0.0 23.0 57.3 Property 7 33.0 21.5 21.5 15.0 13.0 34.0 23.5 58.5 Property 8 22.0 22.0 22.0 18.0 25.0 32.0 13.5 33.6 Property 9 23.0 19.5 19.5 8.0 11.0 0.0 6.5 16.2 Property 10 10.0 7.5 7.5 4.0 3.0 7.0 13.0 8.7 21.6 Property 11 10.0 6.5 6.5 7.0 9.0 27.5 68.5 Property 12 41.0 25.5 25.5 18.0 18.0 37.0 175.1 Average per mo. (cu m) 153.1 116.8 116.8 11.9 10.0 13.3 70.3 Ave Per Cap at 2. 2 pph 160.3 122.3 126.4 12.5 10.8 14.0 73.6 376.3 937.3 Recreation Center 384.0 315.5 315.5 313.0 752.0 178.0 * Aug and Sept are averaged Figure Four reinforces the Village's conclusion that most of the water consumption appears to be related to system leakage. However, there are a number of commercial properties that may have larger rates of consumption that have not been captured in the metering initiative. Consideration should be given to metering all non-residential properties for this reason. Next Steps It is recommended that in the short term (3-5 years), the Village continue to concentrate its efforts primarily around leak detection and repair, with a focus on those areasthat are known to be leaking, namely the remaining areas already identified in the 2016 LeakDetection Study , aswell asadditional areas that are known to public works stafffrom present day observations. Inaddition, the Village should repeat the Leakdetection survey nowthat a significant number ofinitial leaks have been repaired, particularly in those areas known to be suffering from settlement issues, followed by a program of main and service repair. Leaks onto private properties should also be identified were possible, and property owners notified ofthe need for repair. In cases where property owners are not undertakingthe necessary repairs, theVillage should consider installing a meterto the property. PageS 41 It is recommended that the Village allocate $30, 000 per year from the water utility budget, starting in 2020 to provide for a leak detection and repair program, and amend this budget as required based on the progress ofthe program over the next 3-5 years, subject to Council approval. It is also recommended that $5,000 be allocated per year from the water utility budget to fund incremental new water meter installations, and this program initially be targeted to any commercial zoned properties that arenot currently metered, with a viewto havingall commercial zoned properties on water meters and billed on a consumption basisover the next3-5 years, subjectto Council approval. As a good initial target for future water consumption, it is recommended that the Village target an average annual per capita water consumption of 600 liters/capita/day, to be reached in the next 5- year period. Thistarget will likely require continued upgrading of existingwater distribution system as it appears that most of the Village's consumption is through system leakage, not customer usage. The Village should continue its water conservation program as described, and be prepared to modify the program as new information becomes available. Page 6 42 m'^ Careers Contact us Sign in Fran^ais Search FEDERATION FEDERATION OFCANADIAN CANADIENNE DES FCM MUNICIPALITIES MUNICIPALIT^S 2020 Su . munities Award Category: CMF 20TH Anniversary The GMF 20th Anniversary Visionary Award will be granted to an initiative that demonstrates how sustainability and innovation can generate long-term community change. Eligible initiatives were 43 implemented anytime between January 1, 2000 and March 31, 2020. The winning initiative must demonstrate measurable environmental, social, and economic benefits and illustrate how it was a visionary initiative for your municipality. The successful applicant should provide evidence of long-term project benefits and impacts, including documenting what changes have occurred at the community-level since the project's implementation, or if a similar approach has been adopted in other municipalities. Where possible, applicants should demonstrate specific targets or metrics for tracking the changes within their own community. Plans, programs and projects from any sector are all eligible. Key elements include: . Significant, measurable environmental benefits . Evidence of long-term performance monitoring and reporting . Tracking of lessons learned and best practices . Documented and systematic change at the community-level or beyond This award is open to all municipalities and their partners across Canada and recognizes any initiatives that were started or completed within the last 20 years. Winners in each category are automatically eligible for FCM's Inspire Award. Check out the 2018 Inspire Award winner, a bus orientation program that significantly improved transit ridership in the City of Kingston, ON. We will honour the winners at our Sustainable Communities 44 Conference, Canada's leading municipal sustainability event, taking place on October 20-22, 2020, in St. John's, NL How to apply Complete and submit the application form. The deadline to submit an application for a 2020 Sustainable Communities Award is March 31, 2020. Contact us For more information on how to apply, contact us. FEDERATION FEDERATION OF CANADIAN CANADIENNE DES FCM MUNICIPALITIES MUNICIPALITES 24 Clarence Street Ottawa, Ontario K1N5P3 T. 613-241-5221 45 Kbl.5-^41-7440 Email: info@fcm. ca Follow Us Focus areas Programs Funding Resources Events Straining News & media About FCM JOIN FCM CAREERS 2020 Federation of Canadian Municipalities Site Map 46