White Sturgeon (Acipenser Transmontanus) Environmental Protection and Mitigation Plan for the Northern Gateway Project - Stuart and Endako River Crossings

Attachment JRP IR 10.4

White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) Environmental Protection and Mitigation Plan for the Northern Gateway Project - Stuart and Endako River Crossings

1.0 Introduction

The proposed Northern Gateway pipeline RoW will cross both the Stuart and Endako Rivers in the Nechako River watershed in central British Columbia. The Nechako River and its larger tributaries provide habitat to a local population of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus), which is protected under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). This document is a detailed environmental protection and mitigation plan that outlines specific mitigation measures that will be adhered to during construction of the Northern Gateway Project to minimize effects on the Stuart and Endako Rivers including white sturgeon and their habitat.

2.0 Project Description

Proposed methodology for watercourse crossings is described in Volume 3, Section 6.2 of the Section 52 application. Construction methods and timing are preliminary and will be finalized during detailed engineering. Currently, both the Stuart and Endako Rivers are proposed to be crossed using trenchless methods (Table 1). The proposed alternative crossing method for both systems will be an other trenchless method.

Table 1 – Watercourse crossing methods.

Watercourse Name Proposed Crossing Method Alternative Crossing Method (Construction Timing) Stuart River Horizontal Directional Drill Other Trenchless Endako River Bore Other Trenchless

3.0 Environmental Setting

3.1 Stuart River

The Stuart River is located in the Fraser River drainage basin and flows from Stuart Lake into the Nechako River. Channel width at the crossing is approximately 153 m. Habitat conditions at the crossing are considered to be excellent for fish spawning, overwintering, rearing, migration Attachment JRP IR 10.4

and staging. Salmon redds have been observed at the crossing and extending 75 m upstream. Additional spawning areas are located approximately 1 km and 11 km downstream. Abundant cover is available to fish for predator avoidance and resting. Water velocity through this area is slow and estimated to be 0.3 to 0.5 m/s.

The left bank of the Stuart River is considered shallow and is entirely composed of fine sediments. The right bank, however, is steep and consists of an even mix of fines and gravels. Both banks support mature mixed forest vegetation types.

In addition to white sturgeon, fish species in the Stuart River include chinook salmon, bull trout, rainbow trout, kokanee, sockeye salmon, burbot, and mountain whitefish. Due to the presence of anadromous salmon, sturgeon, and spring and fall spawners there is no least risk period for construction within the river. The Stuart River is an important river for recreational fishing, however sturgeon fishing has not been permitted since 2007.

3.2 Endako River

The Endako River, like the Stuart River, is part of the Fraser River drainage basin and is a tributary of the Nechako River. The Endako River flows into the Stellako River and Fraser Lake and through Nautley River to the Nechako. The channel width at the crossing is 49 m and flows through a slow moving deep wetland channel with organic substrates. No spawning substrates were observed at the crossing location. Excellent overwintering and rearing habitat is present at the crossing. Deep pools and instream vegetation provide cover and are located throughout the area. Both banks are steep, consist of wetland vegetation, and composed of deep organic soils.

Fish species present in the Endako River include chinook salmon, kokanee, sockeye, burbot, mountain whitefish and rainbow trout. Due to the presence of anadromous fish and spring and fall spawners, there is no least risk period for construction within the river.

3.3 Nechako White Sturgeon Life History

White sturgeon are the largest freshwater fish in Canada. In British Columbia they are found in the Fraser and Columbia River basins. The Nechako River population has been identified as distinct in relation to other populations in the Fraser River basin and interaction with other Fraser populations are at best very limited (Brown et al 1992, Anders and Powell 2002, Smith et al. 2002). Currently, the Nechako River white sturgeon population is in a critical state of decline (less than 500) with poor spawning and recruitment success (RL&L 2000).

Historical reports discussing the distribution of white sturgeon in the Nechako River and its tributaries have identified the mainstem of Nechako River between Isle Pierre and the Stuart River, the Sinkut area, and downstream of Vanderhoof as the primary habitat areas (Dixon 1986, RL&L 1996, 1997b, 1998, 1999, 2000, Triton 2000). Low to moderate use of the Nechako River has been observed near Leduc Creek to immediately downstream of Vanderhoof (RL&L 1997b, Attachment JRP IR 10.4

1998). The range of the Nechako population is shown to extend to the Stellako River by DFO (2008). However studies have not verified their presence in the adjacent Endako River. White sturgeon were not captured immediately downstream of the Endako River in Fraser Lake during intensive sampling programs (RL&L 2000). White sturgeon feeding migrations, during late July to August, have been observed directed upstream in the Nechako mainstem. It was speculated that these individuals were following sockeye salmon runs into the Stellako River system, via the Nautley River and Fraser Lake (RL&L 1997b, 1998, 1999). White sturgeon staging has been reported in the Nechako and Stuart Rivers, Stuart Lake, and overwintering downstream of Vanderhoof (RL&L 2000, Nechako White Sturgeon Recovery Team 2004 and 2008).

Spawning occurs during spring and early summer (May and June) in swift currents over rocky substrate. Sturgeon spawn several times throughout their life. However the interval between spawning ranges between every 4 years for young females and 9 to 10 years for older females. Female fecundity increases with body size as larger females can produce 3 to 4 million eggs. To date there has been no confirmation that white sturgeon spawn in the Nechako system. However, there are juveniles amongst the population that are believed to come from the Nechako River. Suitable spawning habitat is located at Isle Pierre, Whitemud, and Hulatt rapids, Stuart River (approximately 30 km upstream from the Stuart-Nechako River confluence) and the Nautley River (Fraser Lake outflow). These areas may be used for spawning, except near the Nautley-Nechako confluence or the Stuart River where there is no evidence of spawning (RL&L 2000, Nechako White Sturgeon Recovery Initiative 2004 and 2008).

Water temperature influences the timing of spring spawning as well as egg incubation and hatching success. Typically, white sturgeon populations spawn at temperatures between 14 to 18 °C. Spawning activity of other northern and upper Fraser basin populations have adjusted to later in the year and during a more confined period as a response to colder spring temperatures (Nechako White Sturgeon Recovery Team 2004). Temperatures below 14 °C result in longer egg incubation. Egg incubation may be only 5 to 10 days post spawning depending on temperature conditions (Wand et al. 1985). Lower hatch success and abnormalities may result in temperatures above this range (Wang 1985, Wang et al. 1985 and 1987, RL&L 1997). Water temperature within the Nechako River at Vanderhoof typically ranges between 0 °C during winter ice conditions to more than 20 °C in July and August (RL&L 2000).

Substrate, water velocity, and depth are amongst the key attributes that determines selection of preferred spawning habitat. Clean, large cobble and rock substrates in turbulent river habitats are utilized in order to broadcast the fertilized eggs (McCabe et al. 1989, Parsley et al. 1989, Parsley and Beckman 1993). Velocities between 0.5 to 2.5 m/s scour fine materials that can smother eggs, disperse potential predators, and disperse larvae. Populations in the U.S. have been determined to require at least 0.8 m/s water velocities for spawning success with optimal mean column velocities above 1.7 m/s (Parsley et al. 1993, Parsley and Beckman 1994). Spawning events in the Nechako system have been recorded with 0.96 m/s velocity (RL&L 2004 and Attachment JRP IR 10.4

2006). Sturgeon will spawn in water 2 m deep but depths above 4 m are optimal (Parsley and Beckman 1994).

Spawning habitat needs to be suitably located in or upstream of egg and larvae habitat for successful recruitment. Upon hatching, sturgeon enters a larval phase lasting 30 to 40 days, depending on water temperature and rate of development. Larvae then enter the water column for up to 6 days while being dispersed downstream into available rearing habitat where slower water velocities provide an opportunity for the larvae to settle out of the water column (Brannon et al. 1985, Conte et al. 1988). Larvae have not been collected in the Nechako River system but sections downstream of the Isle Pierre and White Mud Rapids would provide adequate opportunity for larval drift to settle out before being swept into the Fraser River (Nechako White Sturgeon Recovery Initiative 2004).

A hiding phase, lasting up to 25 days, occurs after larval dispersal where they avoid light and hide amongst the substrate. They emerge from hiding once the yolk is absorbed and spend the remaining first year closely associated amongst the rough substrates and feed on benthic invertebrates (Parsely et al. 2002).

Relatively little is known about the phase extending between the early juvenile and 1 year. The fish are thought to avoid the deeper mainstem of the river where high predation from other fish, including larger sturgeon, are likely to occur. Juveniles less than 1 year may use shallow muddy back channel habitats with slow moving water (Nechako White Sturgeon Recovery Initiative 2008).

Following their first one to two years, juvenile white sturgeon in the lower Columbia River migrate to the same low to moderate velocity habitats as the adults and sub-adults (Parsley et al. 1993). Lane and Rosenau (1995) observed juvenile white sturgeon migrating to sloughs and large backwater habitats adjacent to the Nechako mainstem for rearing. Recruitment survival through the juvenile stage has been positively correlated with high spring flow volumes in the lower Columbia River and the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Estuary (Kohlhorst et al. 1991, Anders and Beckman 1993). Factors affecting the Nechako population recruitment success remain unknown.

Deep water (5 to 15 m) sections in the river adjacent to the thalweg are known to be overwintering locations for adult sturgeon. However, it is not known if the Nechako sturgeon population relies on these deep pools in the Nechako River or if they over-winter in some of the lakes within the watershed (Nechako White Sturgeon Recovery Initiative 2008).

White sturgeons are bottom feeders and their diet consists primarily of benthic macroinvertebrates, fish eggs, and fish. Their diet becomes increasingly more piscivorous as sturgeon increase in body size (McCabe et al. 1993, Sprague et al. 1993, McAdam 1995). A key food source for the sturgeon is the annual salmonid migrations to the Nechako and Stuart rivers. Attachment JRP IR 10.4

This food source provides important energy required for over-wintering reserves, spawning frequency and fecundity (Hildebrand and Birch 1996, RL&L 2000).

Current population estimates indicate that the Nechako River white sturgeon population is in a critical state of decline with poor spawning and recruitment success; hence this population is comprised mainly of adults over 30 years old (RL&L 2000). The small representation of younger age classes amongst this population implies poor reproduction success or that there is a high mortality amongst younger sturgeon. French et al. (2004) attributed that the age gap is a result of increased predation on juveniles by visual predators due to reduced turbidity in the Nechako River as a result of hydro development, decline in food availability, changes in the magnitude and timing of seasonal flows, and changes in water temperature affecting spawning success. Furthermore, the decline in species abundance is attributed to historical over harvesting practices in addition to the degradation and disappearance of their habitat (RL&L 2000).

4.0 Potential Impacts

Pipeline construction, operation and decommissioning activities have the potential to interact directly and indirectly with fisheries resources and habitats, including sturgeon, near areas of Project activities and in the immediate surrounding regions. These activities include watercourse crossing installation (access roads and pipelines), access road construction and riparian vegetation clearing. See Volume 6A Section 11, Freshwater Fish and Fish Habitat ESA for a detailed discussion of potential impacts from the Project.

The greatest potential adverse effect on sturgeon populations is increased mortality risk from introducing excessive sediment or hazardous materials into watercourses. In addition, the risk to habitat productive capacity results from the loss or alteration of instream habitat and riparian vegetation.

Northern Gateway plans to utilize trenchless crossing methods at both the Stuart and Endako River crossings. These methods are intended to pass under the watercourse causing reduced or no disturbance to the channel, banks and riparian areas. Trenchless crossing methods are not expected to affect white sturgeon populations.

5.0 Mitigation Measures for Nechako White Sturgeon Protection

Potential adverse effects can be minimized through good planning and applying appropriate mitigation during site preparation and construction. The objectives of the protection and mitigation measures for these watercourse crossings are to:

• maintain terrain integrity, including natural hydrological regimes and slope stability Attachment JRP IR 10.4

• limit adverse environmental effect • comply with the habitat protection provisions of the Fisheries Act • comply with the principle of no net loss of productive habitat outlined for all fish in DFO’s Policy for the Management of Fish Habitat • comply with all provincial regulatory requirements including the applicable British Columbia procedures for RoW and vehicle crossings • comply with all regulatory, permit and approval conditions • maintain the ecosystem function and riparian areas. Standard mitigation measures to protect fish and fish habitat are appropriate for white sturgeon in both the Stuart and Endako Rivers. Key environmental protection measures are documented in the Construction Environmental Protection and Management Plan ( Volume 7A; Construction EPMP). 5.1 Detailed Habitat Assessment During detailed engineering, a habitat assessment for both the Stuart and Endako Rivers will be completed to identify local critical habitat units and local species presence, and also to verify species-specific least risk periods. This work will be used to guide detailed design for specific crossing methodology and planning. 5.2 Scheduling Both the Stuart and Endako Rivers have no least risk period for instream works. As there are no instream activities required for the Stuart and Endako River crossings utilizing the preferred crossing methods, the crossings can be constructed at any time. Consideration to fish species presence and activities during times of the year will be made during construction planning and scheduling. Work activities will be scheduled to reduce potential impacts of frac-outs should they occur. Species specific least risk periods will be verified for the crossing locations.

5.3 Construction Mitigation Measures The following describes mitigation measures for watercourse crossings, including both trenched and trenchless crossings. The preferred method for both the Stuart and Endako rivers is a trenchless crossing and thus instream works would not be required; however, all the measures below may be applicable to unnamed and ephemeral tributaries that may be crossed by the final route. Mitigation measures for potential effects on fish habitat include: • An erosion and sediment control plan will be implemented for pipeline, road and powerline watercourse crossings and works near fish habitats. Attachment JRP IR 10.4

• Where possible watercourse crossings will be located to limit the effects of sport fish spawning areas and sparsely occurring or unique habitat types. • Construction methods that limit fish habitat and riparian damage will be used to the extent practical • Stream crossings will be constructed in a manner that limits disturbance of fish habitat to the extent possible • Construction at watercourse crossings will occur in dry conditions or use isolation of flow techniques where technically feasible • Where the streambed substrates consist of gravels or cobbles, substrates will be salvaged before trenching, and replaced as part of the restoration (before reintroducing flows). • Instream cover features such as large woody debris (LWD) and boulders will be salvaged before trenching, and may be replaced as part of the restoration subject to hydrotechnical review. • Bank stabilization methods will consider the hydrotechnical characteristics of watercourses. Rip-rap or other hard bank stabilization methods may be used with appropriate installation methods. • A 30-m wide riparian management zone will be established on fish-bearing water courses. • A 16-m riparian buffer zone will be established on fish-bearing watercourses and a 10-m riparian buffer zone will be established on non-fish-bearing watercourses. • The edge of the riparian buffer zones will be flagged before any site disturbance activities occur. • Work within this area will be staged to manage the disturbances near fish habitat. • Extra temporary workspace will be established outside the 16-m buffer zone of all fish- bearing streams, or as directed by the environmental inspector. • For trenchless crossings, a setback from fish habitat will be established, where possible, to retain riparian vegetation and function. Trees and understory vegetation in the riparian management zone will be retained, to the extent possible, or removed based on safety and work zone considerations. Encroachment within the riparian area for trenchless crossings will be limited to the construction of vehicle crossings to provide access along the RoW and the installation of monitoring and inspection equipment. • Following completion of the pipeline construction, the riparian buffer zone (i.e., areas from high water mark to 16 m from the stream bank) will be allowed to regenerate. Replanting will occur where post-construction monitoring indicates that riparian Attachment JRP IR 10.4

vegetation is not rejuvenating naturally. Planted shrubs will be native to the local biogeoclimatic zone or ecozone. • Following completion of the pipeline construction, the upland portion of the riparian management zone will be reclaimed, stabilized and seeded to establish vegetated cover. Reclamation will be initiated as soon as possible to provide appropriate cover over exposed soils to limit erosion. Mitigation measures for potential effects on fish health and mortality risks include: • Where practicable, instream work on fish-bearing watercourses will take place during the established LRPs to avoid potential conflicts with spawning timing. • Where work must occur outside the established LRP, fish migration will not be impeded and the work area will not contain redds. • Industrial equipment that will be operating in or near fish-bearing streams will be in good working order and free of leaks. • Work will occur in isolation of flows where engineering, constructability and cost considerations allow. • For isolated crossings, fish will be salvaged from the isolated work area before dewatering or trenching starts. • For dam and pump crossing methods, the pump intake will be isolated in accordance with DFO Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline (DFO 1995). • For isolated crossings, flows will be reintroduced immediately downstream from the work are so that fish stranding does not occur. • The energy of the discharge water will be dissipated where flows are reintroduced to watercourses. • Contingency plans for drilled crossings will be developed to manage sediment inputs due to frac-out. • A no-fishing policy will be established for all construction workers. Northern Gateway will advise pipeline contractors and workers that fishing will not be permitted in the rivers and streams crossed by the RoW.

Attachment JRP IR 10.4

6.0 References Anders, P.J. and L.G. Beckman. 1993. Location and timing of white sturgeon spawning in three Columbia River impoundments. Report B. Pages 47-59 in: R.C. Beamesderfer and A.A. Nigro (eds.) Volume 1: Status and habitat requirements of the white sturgeon populations in the Columbia River downstream from McNary Dam. Final Report to Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, OR.

Anders, P.J., and M.S. Powell. 2002. Population structure and mitochondrial DNA diversity of North American white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus): An empirical expansive gene flow model. Pages 67-115 (Chapter 3) in Anders, P.J. 2002. Conservation Biology of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus). Ph. D. Dissertation, University of Idaho. 221 pp.

Brown, J.R., A.T. Beckenbach, and M.J. Smith. 1992. Influence of Pleistocene glaciations and human intervention upon mitochondrial DNA diversity in white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) populations. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. 49: 358-367.

Dixon, B.M. 1986. Ministry of Environment, Fisheries Branch. Age, growth and migration of white sturgeon in the Nechako and Upper Fraser rivers of British Columbia. Fisheries Technical Circular No. 70. Fish and Wildlife Branch, Prince George, BC. 27 p.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). 2008. Species At Risk: White Sturgeon. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region. Vancouver, BC. 4 pp.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). 1995. Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline. Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Ottawa, ON.

French, T., Cadden, D., and Kathi Zimmerman. 2004. Recovery of the endangered Nechako River white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontaanus) population. In: Streamline Watershed Management Bulletin Vol. 7/No. 4 Winter 2003/04.

Hildebrand, L., and G. Birch. 1996. Canadian Columbia River white sturgeon stock stabilization discussion document. Report to BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks.

Kohlhorst, D.W., L.W. Botsford, J.S. Brennan, and G.M. Cailliet. 1991. Aspects of the structure and dynamics of an exploited central California population of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus). Pages 277-293. In P. Williot [ed.]. Proceedings of the First International Symposium on the Sturgeon. October 3-6, 1989. CEMAGREF, Bordeaux, France.

Lane, E.D., and M. Rosenau. 1995. The conservation of sturgeon in the Lower Fraser River watershed. A baseline investigation of habitat, distribution, and age and population of juvenile white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) in the Lower Fraser River, downstream of Hope, B.C. Habitat Conservation Fund Project - Final Report, Surrey, B.C. 172 p.

McCabe, G.T. Jr., S.A. Hinton, and R.J. McConnel. 1989. Report D. Pages 167-207 In: A.A. Nigro (ed.). Status and habitat requirements of white sturgeon in the Columbia River Attachment JRP IR 10.4

downstream of McNary Dam. Annual Progress Report for Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, Oregon.

Nechako White Sturgeon Recovery Initiative. 2008. Nechako River White Sturgeon Recovery Initiative. Department of Fisheries and Oceans and BC Ministry of Environment.

Nechako White Sturgeon Recovery Initiative. 2004. Recovery Plan for Nechako White Sturgeon. Prepared by Golder Associates Ltd. 82 pp + app.

Parsley, M. J., P. J. Anders, A. I. Miller, L. G. Beckman, and G. T. McCabe Jr. 2002 (in press). Recovery of white sturgeon populations through natural production: Understanding the influence of abiotic and biotic factors on spawning and subsequent recruitment. In: W. VanWinkle, P. Anders, D. Dixon, and D. Secor, editors. Biology, Management and Protection of North American Sturgeons. American Fisheries Society Press.

Parsley, M.J. and L.G. Beckman. 1994. White sturgeon spawning and rearing habitat in the lower Columbia River. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 14:812-827.

Parsley, M.J., P.J. Anders, A.I. Miller, L.G. Beckman, and G.T. McCabe Jr. 1993. Factors affecting white sturgeon spawning and recruitment in the Columbia River downstream from McNary Dam. Report C. Pages 61-80. In R.C. Beamesderfer and A.A. Nigro [eds.]. Volume I, Status and habitat requirements of white sturgeon populations in the Columbia River downstream from McNary Dam. Final report to Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, Oregon.

Parsley, M.J., S.D. Duke, T.J. Underwood, and L.G. Beckman. 1989. Report C. Pages 101-166 In: A.A. Nigro (ed.). Status and habitat requirements of white sturgeon in the Columbia River downstream of McNary Dam. Annual Progress Report to Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, Oregon.

R.L. & L. Environmental Services Ltd. 2000. Fraser River White Sturgeon Monitoring Program – Comprehensive Report (1995 to 1999). Final Report Prepared for BC Fisheries. R.L. &L Report No. 815F: 92p + app.

RL&L Environmental Services Ltd. 1999. Fraser River White Sturgeon Monitoring Program. Region 7 (Omineca-Peace) – 1998 Data Report. Prepared for BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Fish and Wildlife Section, Prince George, BC. 646F: 26 p.

RL&L Environmental Services Ltd. 1998. Fraser River White Sturgeon Monitoring Program. Region 7 (Omineca-Peace) – 1997 Data Report. Prepared for BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Fish and Wildlife Section, Prince George, BC. 565F: 36 p.

Attachment JRP IR 10.4

R.L. & L. Environmental Services Ltd. 1997. Columbia River white sturgeon spawning studies. 1996 data report. Prepared for Cominco Ltd. Trail Operations. RL&L Report No. 522F: 20 p. + 2 app.

RL&L Environmental Services Ltd. 1997b. Fraser River White Sturgeon Monitoring Program. Region 7 (Omineca-Peace) – 1996 Investigations. Prepared for BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Fish and Wildlife Section, Prince George, BC. 520F: 78 p.

RL&L Environmental Services Ltd. 1996. Fraser River White Sturgeon Monitoring Program. 1995 Data Report. Prepared for BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Fisheries Branch, Victoria, BC. 465F: 54 p.

Smith, C.T., R.J. Nelson, S. Pollard, S.J. McKay, J. Rodzen, B. May and B. Koop. 2002. Population genetic analysis of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) in the Fraser River. J. Appl. Ichthyol. 18:307-312.

Wang, Y.L., F.P. Binkowski, and S.I. Doroshov. 1985. Effect of temperature on early development of white and lake sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus and A. fulvescens. Environmental Biology of Fishes. 14:43-50.

Wang, Y.L., R.K. Buddington, and S.I. Doroshov. 1987. Influence of temperature on yolk utilisation by the white sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus. Journal of Fish Biology 30:263-271.