Wildlife Mitigation Plan

€:J'erraX ______

TerraX Minerals Inc.

YELLOWKNIFE CITY GOLD PROJECT, NT

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AND MITIGATION PLAN

NTS 085J / 07, 08, 09 and 16

Latitudes 62O 20’ 00”N and 62O 58’ 00”N Longitudes 114O 05’ 00”W and 114O 32’ 00”W

Original: November 30, 2016

TerraX Minerals Inc. –Yellowknife City Gold Project – Wildlife Management & Mitigation Plan €:J'erraX ______

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page No.

1.0 INTRODUCTION 3

2.0 INTERNAL POLICIES 4

3.0 PREDICTED IMPACTS TO WILDLIFE 7

4.0 SPECIES-SPECIFIC MITIGATION MEASURES 7 Caribou 7 Bears and Other Carnivores 8

TABLES Table 1 Contact Phone Numbers for Bear Interactions 6

APPENDICES Appendix 1 Safety in Grizzly and Black Bear Country (GNWT) Appendix 2 Assessed Species That May Be Encountered in the Project Area Appendix 3 Wildlife Log Appendix 4 Freshwater Fish Screen Guideline (DFO) Appendix 5 Protocol for Winter Water Withdrawal from Ice-Covered Waterbodies in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut (DFO)

TerraX Minerals Inc. –Yellowknife City Gold Project – Wildlife Management & Mitigation Plan €:J'erraX ______

1.0 INTRODUCTION TerraX Minerals Inc. (“TerraX”) is a Canadian exploration company with a head office based in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

The Yellowknife City Gold Project (YCGP) is located in the south-central Northwest Territories. The YCGP is located immediately east, south and north of the City of Yellowknife and covers 782.23 square kilometers (78,222.50 hectares). It is comprised of 164 mineral claims totaling 715 square kilometers (71,513 hectares) and 134 minerals leases totaling 67.10 square kilometers (6,709.5 hectares). TerraX is the registered holder with 100% interest in all the mineral claims and mineral leases.

The annual diamond drill programs are expected to drill 40 to 80 drill holes and between 10,000–20,000 metres with anticipated drill hole depths of 50 to 650 metres. Coring will be completed at NQ size (47 mm diameter). Historical trail roads and trails will be used for access. As well TerraX will utilize the established ice roads along various lakes to transport drill equipment to the target areas. Well established historical drill trails occur overland in the areas surrounding most lakes on the YCGP.

Proposed holes would be drilled at least 100 metres from lake shores, unless otherwise authorized in writing by an Inspector. It is expected the winter portion of the drilling programs will take 3 months. These programs are planned to start in January with drilling continuing to the spring break-up in mid-April. This will maximize the utilization of lake access and also minimize environmental damage along access roads by using frozen ground and snow-covered trails.

Continued drilling on the YCGP will be contingent on drilling success, and the success of other ongoing below threshold exploration surveys, such as, mapping, prospecting, geophysics and geochemistry sampling. Based on historical results available to TerraX it is deemed highly probable that continuing drill programs will be needed to develop a possible economic deposit. In addition, it must be recognized that with continued below threshold exploration there is also a possibility of newly discovered areas of mineralization on all areas of the YCGP and that these may require drilling.

All employees and contractors of the company will be trained in the internal policies and procedures. Additionally, employees and contractors will be made familiar with the Terms and Conditions of the project’s licences and permits and with the legislation as it applies to the project. Training will include, but not be limited to: • Emergency Response; • Bear Safety; • Worker Safety; • Environmental Policies; • Wildlife Mitigation Measures; and • Caribou Protection Measures.

TerraX Minerals Inc. –Yellowknife City Gold Project – Wildlife Management & Mitigation Plan €:J'erraX ______

TerraX has reviewed the draft Bathurst Caribou range plan and used the information contained within this draft plan while developing this Wildlife Mitigation Plan. This project is not located near any caribou calving grounds and is several hundred kilometers away from the active range of the Bathurst Caribou herd. However, this area does support a variety of wildlife. This document describes the efforts that the company will undergo to provide best management practices toward the protection and mitigations against disturbances to wildlife and sensitive areas.

2.0 INTERNAL POLICIES Approaching and feeding wildlife is prohibited. There are absolutely no exceptions to this rule. If wildlife is present in the area, all employees and contractors are to avoid any contact with wildlife. These policies/regulations will be strictly enforced. Any employee or contractor who is found to be violating ay of these rules will find their employment terminated and removed from site immediately.

Harassment and disturbance of wildlife is prohibited. If any employees and contractors are approaching a work site and wildlife are in the area, this work site will be avoided until the animals have moved on a distance of 500 metres from the site. If den sites or nests are discovered during exploration activities, these locations will be recorded and avoided until they are no longer in use. The locations are to be provided to the GNWT. Nests and/or eggs are not to be moved or disturbed.

Hunting of wildlife is prohibited. While conducting business on behalf of TerraX, hunting is strictly forbidden. There will be no exceptions to this rule.

Low-level aircraft and helicopter flights will be kept to a minimum. Helicopter and fixed wing aircraft will be used for the drilling and all below threshold exploration surveys. In addition, there will be airborne geophysical surveys.

Airborne Geophysical Surveys - Prior to conducting any low-level airborne geophysical surveys the GNWT and MVLWB will be contacted and the following information will be provided: dates of surveys, location of surveys, how long the surveys will take to complete. If caribou, muskox or other game are seen in the area, the geophysical survey will not be flown until the animals have moved a safe distance (at least 1 km) from the area to be surveyed. The anticipated altitude of the surveys would be 100m to 300m.

Caribou Protection Measures are to be strictly followed. Special caribou protection measures are required for areas of the Northwest Territories so as to avoid disturbance of migrating and calving herds. The draft Bathurst Caribou range plan will be followed and weekly checks of the Bathurst caribou mobile protection zone on the ENR website to remain informed as to the location of the herd in relation to the YCGP.

Bear Safety Training will be provided. All employees and contractors will receive Bear Safety Training. Bear safety information and material will be kept in a binder on site. All human-bear interactions are to be reported immediately to the GNWT, Environment Canada, and HTO’s. The Government of the Northwest Territories

TerraX Minerals Inc. –Yellowknife City Gold Project – Wildlife Management & Mitigation Plan €:J'erraX ______

published the “Safety in Grizzly and Black Bear Country” brochure. This document will be referred to in the safety orientation that all personnel, contractors and consultants receive when they arrive at site. A copy of the brochure is included as Appendix 1.

Den sites will be avoided. All den sites are to be avoided. If a den site is discovered, the GPS coordinates will be recorded so that the site can be avoided. These coordinates will be provided to the appropriate regulatory authorities. No dens are to be disturbed. Any exploration activities will cease immediately.

The following buffers are provided by the Government of the Northwest Territories for active dens between the den and all exploration activities:

Wolves 800m buffer between May 1st and September 15th Grizzly/Black Bear 1km buffer between September 30th and March 30th Wolverine 800m buffer between February 1st and July 15th Fox 150m buffer between May 1st and July 15th

Breeding Birds are not to be disturbed. No eggs or nests are to be disturbed by any activities. If any employee or contractor comes across any active nests, they are to cease all activities immediately to ensure that the nest is not disturbed. Coordinates are to be recorded on the wildlife sighting sheets and these coordinates are to be reported to Environment Canada. Moving or disturbing the nest of a migratory bird is in contravention of the Migratory Birds Convention Act. Cutting of vegetation will be done outside of the nesting season. When cutting of vegetation is required in nesting season a survey of the area(s) to be cut for nesting birds will be completed.

In the boreal region of the Northwest Territories, migratory birds may be found incubating eggs from May 7th until July 21st, and young birds can be present in the nest until August. Crossbills (medium-sized finch-like birds) may nest at any time of year if there are sufficient numbers of seeds from conifer cones for food. If nests containing eggs or young of migratory birds are located or discovered, all disruptive activities in the nesting area will be halted until nesting is completed.

The peregrine falcon has been identified as species of Special Concern by COSEWIC. If any nests are found, a buffer must be maintained. A 1.5 km buffer is recommended specifically for the peregrine falcon. Any nests discovered will be recorded and the GPS coordinates provided to the applicable regulatory authorities.

TerraX will initiate migratory bird studies for the project area as part of its baseline environmental work.

Appendix 2 lists some terrestrial species that may be encountered in the project area that have been assessed by COSEWIC, NWT SARC, federal SARA and NWT SARA.

TerraX Minerals Inc. –Yellowknife City Gold Project – Wildlife Management & Mitigation Plan €:J'erraX ______

Aquatic Life will be protected. Working in and around water bodies must be done in such a way that prevents disturbance to aquatic life and habitat. TerraX will use the DFO Proponent Self Assessment Guidance form as art of its drill procedures.

Waterlines must be properly placed and screened in accordance with the “Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Screen Guideline” (DFO). No wastes are to enter any water-bodies. This includes any discharge from any exploration camp. A copy of the “Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Screen Guideline” is included in Appendix 4.

All sumps and fuel caches must be located a minimum of 100 metres from the high water mark of any water body and such that there is no damage to shorelines or alteration to water quality and flow.

Winter drilling activities on lakes will follow the “Protocol for Winter Water Withdrawal from Ice-Covered Waterbodies in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut” (DFO), which is included in Appendix 5.

Sightings of wildlife will be recorded. Sightings of wildlife will be recorded by all employees and contractors on the wildlife sightings sheets (Appendix 3) provided by the company. This information will comprise part of the annual reports provided to various regulatory agencies.

Waste will be managed properly. Proper food storage and handling of cooking wastes will prevent problems with attracting wildlife. Bag lunches will be stored such that they will not be accessible to wildlife and all waste will be removed from the property to the waste handling facilities at Yellowknife Waste Management facility on a daily basis. Nuisance wildlife will be reported immediately. Non-food waste will be removed on a regular basis with all work sites to be clean immediately upon the completion of work at each site.

Firearms will only be carried for safety reasons. Firearms may be carried for safety reasons, but only if such firearms are properly registered and stored in accordance with applicable legislation. All firearm discharges must be reported to the Project Manager and recorded.

Table 1: Contact Phone Numbers for Bear Interactions

All incidents and/or bear interactions will be reported immediately.

Report bear sightings/incidents and large herd sightings to: Fort Smith, Wildlife Emergency Line 867-872-0400 Yellowknife, Wildlife Emergency Line 867-873-7181 Alan Sexton, Project Manager, TerraX Minerals Inc. 613-843-8109

TerraX Minerals Inc. –Yellowknife City Gold Project – Wildlife Management & Mitigation Plan €:J'erraX ______

3.0 PREDICTED IMPACTS TO WILDLIFE Exploration programs are generally small in nature and operated seasonally in the northern regions due to weather limitations. In developing mitigation measures toward the protection of wildlife, TerraX has identified four areas of potential impact to wildlife due to the presence of this project. These are:

• Attracting wildlife; • Habitat disturbance; • Sensory disturbance; and • Unintentional interactions and disturbances.

Attracting Wildlife Every effort will be made to ensure that wildlife are not attracted or encouraged to linger at the project. These efforts will include: • Strict rules regarding feeding wildlife – Any personnel, contractor or consultant found to be feeding wildlife will be terminated immediately. • Keeping lunches out of reach – Field crews and drill crews will store their lunches so that they are not accessible to wildlife. All food wastes, wrappers, drink containers are to be brought back to the Yellowknife Waste Management facility for disposal, recycling and/or cleaning. • Keeping work areas clean and tidy – Field crews and drill crews will keep the work areas free of litter and garbage. No food or beverage will be dumped out or left behind, this includes thermoses.

Habitat Disturbance Habitat disturbance at exploration programs is temporary and is the result from drilling and infrastructure. Progressive reclamation is to be practiced at site, meaning that before an area is left, every effort will be made to reclaim and restore the area.

Unintentional Interactions and Disturbances The potential exists for unintentional wildlife interactions and disturbances despite best efforts to avoid them. These interactions and disturbances will be documented and reported immediately to the GNWT.

4.0 SPECIES-SPECIFIC MITIGATION MEASURES

Caribou The YCGP lies on the extreme southern range of the Bathurst Caribou Herd in an area determined as “less frequent” for winter range. Summer range is 200 km north-northeast of the YCGP. TerraX has identified caribou as a possible species on the property and will monitor and report any activity. The draft Bathurst Caribou range plan will be followed and weekly checks of the Bathurst caribou mobile protection zone on the ENR website to remain informed as to the location of the herd in relation to the YCGP.

TerraX Minerals Inc. –Yellowknife City Gold Project – Wildlife Management & Mitigation Plan €:J'erraX ______

A 500 metre buffer will be used as a measure of a safe distance for working in areas where caribou are present. If caribou come within the buffer of any work site, work activities will cease until the caribou have moved safely beyond (500 metres) the area.

Helicopter flights will maintain a 300m altitude whenever possible. In areas where wildlife are observed the helicopter will maintain a minimum of 610m altitude. Absolutely no landings will be allowed in areas where caribou are present. Crossings – Between May 15 and September 1, no fuel cache will be established, and no blasting is to occur within 10km of a “designated caribou crossing”. As well, no drilling is to be conducted within 5km. Absolutely no activities will act as a block or in any way cause a diversion to migration of caribou.

Airborne Geophysical Surveys – Prior to conducting any low-level airborne geophysical surveys, the MVLWB and GNWT will be contacted and the following information will be provided; dates of surveys, location of surveys, how long the surveys will take to complete. As well, the locally hired wildlife monitors will be required to conduct a survey of the area to ensure that there are no wildlife present and will monitor for wildlife during the survey. If caribou and/or muskox are seen in the area, the geophysical survey will not be flown until they have moved a safe distance (at least 1 km) from the area to be surveyed.

Bears and Other Carnivores Known dens will be avoided. Any new dens discovered will be reported to the GNWT and avoided.

If bears are present in the area, work will cease until the bears have moved safely out of the area.

All human-bear interactions will be reported immediately.

A copy of the GNWT’s brochure “Safety in Grizzly and Black Bear Country” is included within Appendix 1.

TerraX Minerals Inc. –Yellowknife City Gold Project – Wildlife Management & Mitigation Plan €:J'erraX ______

APPENDIX 1 SAFETY IN GRIZZLY AND BLACK BEAR COUNTRY (GNWT)

TerraX Minerals Inc. –Yellowknife City Gold Project – Wildlife Management & Mitigation Plan 01 February 2014 • If you have a firearm and contact appears unavoidable, shoot to kill. • Play dead only during a grizzly bear attack (lie on • Remember the 3 S's.. . Stop, Stand still, Stay calm. your side, curl into a ball with your legs tight to • Ensure others know that a bear is in the vicinity. your chest, hands clasped behind your neck). • Do not run. If you must shoot a bear in self-defense, report • Leave the bear an open avenue of escape. the kill to a Renewable Resource Officer as soon as ...at a DISTANCE possible. If an Officer is not immediately available, • Alert the bear to your presence - speak in low skin the bear and preserve the hide. The hide must tones, slowly wave your arms. be turned in to an Officer. You may not keep any • Quietly wa lk back the way you came or make a part of a bear killed in self-defense. wide detour. • Keep an eye on the bear. • Stay downwind. • Consider using warning shots, noisemakers. For further information, contact any Environment ... that is NEARBY and Natural Resources Office: • Do not shout or make sudden movements. Area Code (867) Avoid direct eye contact. Aklavik ...... 978-2248 • Back away slowly. Deline ...... 589-3421 Climb at least four metres up a tree to escape a Fort Good Hope ...... 598-2271 grizzly. (Ineffective against black bears). Fort Liard...... 770-431 1 Fort McPherson ...... 952-2200 .,. -· - - ·-- ~~-----==- _-. ~ ~•~:t -.~ Fort Providence ...... 669-3002 t ~cll:r;r~n.~i:.1 _ .tJt,/'\~\ - . - - - - - _, -- - - . ~ ~- .:<, Fort Resolution ...... 394-4596 Fort Sim pson ...... 695-7433 • Include ... 12 gauge cracker shells, air horns, flares, Fort Smith ...... 872-6400 and chemical repellents such as pepper spray. Hay River ...... 875-5554 • Are not completely effective against every bear in lnuvik...... 678-6670 every situation. Luise! K'e ...... 370-3141 ...... Should not make you less careful to avoid bear Norman Wells ...... 587-3500 iJii Behchok9 ...... 392-6511 . . conflicts. ~--·', ~ I • Are potentially dangerous - use with extreme Tsiigehtchic ...... 953-3605 ~ caution. Tulita ...... 588-3441 K : ~~ Tuktoyaktuk ...... 977-2350 Ulukhaktok ...... 396-4505 >\ .. \:: ~-<.. Yellowknife ...... 873 -7181 ·, ' .J.,~.:- . Many charge are bluffs - the bear will often veer r • . .. _ ~------~" .- to the side at the last minute. I~ • . - • ,"f:Y!a_ _,J_ Northwest0 - .., • Use a chemical repellent only at close range. Territories Environment and Na tural Resource: . Black Bear May 2005 :· ;•'·~\)~·l-- While You·are Travelling .. ;, {- .~~;?- · •i::\IWUIMi'i:iiP . ,!,=-- '~.) Grizzly and black bears can be • Always be alert. found throughout the Northwest Travel in groups. Territories. They are an important Travel only during daylight part of the northern ecosystem. • Avoid carrying strong smelling foods. Northerners are committed to maintaining Make noise where visibility is limited. healthy populations of all wildlife, including grizzly Avoid bear feeding areas such as flood plains, and black bears. Treat them with respect. Remember berry patches and areas rich in horsetails and that you are in a bear's territory. other grasses. • Avoid bear travel areas like shorelines, trails along the water or near berry patches. What's the Difference Between... ? • Watch for fresh bear droppings and tracks. • Carry bear deterrents. Grizzly Bear! l...... _ ,,.l-:J;:... ~-, I . IfYou are Ca_mping... ~~~,,~. -~-.,.. .. ~ l--'· 11" You are 'fishing,.. ,_ .&jf· "i i: ~ • Avoid camping in areas frequented by bears. ~ 1 ... • Always sleep inside a shelter (tent, cabin, etc.). • Be cautious near streams or lakes - bears J ~1 • Don't keep food in tents or areas of camp other frequent these areas. than the cook tent. • Clean fish away from camp and store them • Keep a clean camp - wash all dishes and utensils underwater. :; ~e 6E:I' ... - after every meal. • Burn fish guts away from camp. ,::c • Avoid cooking greasy foods. Store fish-cleaning knifes away from camp. Burn all garbage every day or take it to a • Don't wear clothes that smell like fish to bed.

bearproof disposal site. Burying garbage does ~ not eliminate odors. If you're going to leave the campsite: - bearproof your camp - store food and other Avoid hunting late in the day and returning to i attractants (dish detergent, toothpaste, etc.) in camp in the dark. J :{/11 ~ an inaccessible place. Stay alert when dressing game or handling meat - let someone know where you are going. and only do so away from camp. - take a partner and bear deterrents with you. -e • • Avoid shooting more than your party can pack C ~ • ff."' &"'g out in a single load. f • If you must leave meat in the field, leave it near a C) visible landmark with a clear approach route and cover it with a tarp to discourage scavengers. • Don't keep bloodied clothes in your tent. €:J'erraX ______

APPENDIX 2 ASSESSED SPECIES THAT MAY BE ENCOUNTERED IN THE PROJECT AREA

TerraX Minerals Inc. –Yellowknife City Gold Project – Wildlife Management & Mitigation Plan 01 February 2014 €:J'erraX ______

Terrestrial Species at risk in the Northwest Territories that may be encountered in the Project area.

Terrestrial Species at COSEWIC SARA Status Government Recovery Strategy, Risk1 Designation Organization Action Plan or with Primary Management Plan Management posted on the Species at Responsibility2 Risk Public Registry Common Nighthawk Threatened Schedule 1, EC Recovery Strategy - Threatened Final Olive-sided Flycatcher Threatened Schedule 1, EC Recovery Strategy - Threatened Final Yellow Rail Special Schedule 1, EC Management Plan - Concern Special Final Concern Rusty Blackbird Special Schedule 1, GNWT Management Plan - Concern Special Final Concern Short-eared Owl Special Schedule 1, GNWT Management Plan - Concern Special Proposed Concern Little Brown Myotis Endangered Schedule 1, GNWT Recovery Strategy - Endangered Proposed Bank Swallow Threatened No Status EC Barn Swallow Threatened No Status EC

Horned Grebe Special No Status EC (Western population) Concern Red-necked Phalarope Special No Status EC Concern Wolverine Special No Status GNWT Concern Notes: 1 Fisheries and Oceans Canada has responsibility for aquatic species. 2Environment Canada (EC) has a national role to play in the conservation and recovery of Species at Risk in Canada, as well as responsibility for management of birds described in the Migratory Birds Convention Act (MCBA). Day-to-day management of terrestrial species not covered by the MBCA is the responsibility of the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT). Populations that exist in National Parks are managed under the authority of the Parks Canada Agency.

TerraX Minerals Inc. –Yellowknife City Gold Project – Wildlife Management & Mitigation Plan 01 February 2014 €:J'erraX ______

APPENDIX 3 WILDLIFE LOG

TerraX Minerals Inc. –Yellowknife City Gold Project – Wildlife Management & Mitigation Plan 01 February 2014 WILDLIFE LOG

WILDLIFE LOG Yellowknife City Gold Project, NT TerraX Minerals Inc. YEAR DATE TIME SPECIES / TRACK UNITS / SEX Easting (NAD83) Northing (NAD83) ACTIVITY / COMMENTS

Page 1 €:J'erraX ______

APPENDIX 4 FRESHWATER INTAKE END-OF-PIPE SCREEN GUIDELINE (DFO)

TerraX Minerals Inc. –Yellowknife City Gold Project – Wildlife Management & Mitigation Plan 01 February 2014 Department of Fisheries and Oceans Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline

Fisheries Pêches l ♦ I and Oceans et Océans Canada Department of Fisheries and Oceans Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline

Fisheries Pêches l ♦ I and Oceans et Océans Canada Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline

Published by:

Communications Directorate Department of Fisheries and Oceans Ottawa, Ontario K1A OE6

DFO / 5080 © Minister of Supply and Services Canada 1995

ISBN 0-662-23168-6

Catalogue No. Fs 23-270 / 1995E

Printed on recycled paper Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline

Table of 1.0 Introduction 1 Contents 2.0 Guideline Objective 1 3.0 Information Requirements for Evaluation of Intake Screens 3 4.0 Design, Installation, and Maintenance of Freshwater intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screens 3

4.1 Fish Screen Criteria 4

4.2 Design of Fixed End-of-Pipe Fish Screens 6

4.3 Installation 8

4.4 Cleaning and Maintenance 15

References 17

Glossary 19

Appendix A: Information Requirements 21

Appendix B: Sample Calculation 23

Appendix C: Units of Conversion 25

Appendix D: DFO Regional Contacts 27

March 1995 Page i Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline

List of Figure 1 - Open Screen Areas for End-of-Pipe Water Figures Intake Flows 9 Figure 2 - Common Screen Shapes and Area Formulae 10

Figure 3 - Typical Applications and Features of End-of-Pipe Screens 11

Figure 4 - Examples of Typical Screen and Material Types 12

Figure 5 - Examples of Typical Installations of End-of-Pipe Screens 13

Table 1 - Summary of Common Fish Species and List of Swimming Modes 5

Tables Table 2 - Open Screen Area Required for End-of-Pipe Water Intakes 7

Table 3 - Examples of Screen Material 7

March 1995 Page iii Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has prepared the Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline to 1.0 assist proponents in the design and installation of fish screens |for the protection of anadromous and resident fish where freshwater is extracted from fish-bearing waters. This guideline Introduction will also assist regulatory agencies in the review of fish screen proposals.

A requirement for fish screening is stated under Section 30 of the Fisheries Act, where every water intake, ditch, channel, or canal in Canada constructed or adapted for conducting water from any Canadian fisheries waters must provide for a fish guard or a screen, covering, or netting over the entrance or intake so as to prevent the passage of fish into such water intake, ditch, channel or canal. Other sections of the Fisheries Act, or other Federal, Provincial, or Municipal Legislation and Policy may also apply to associated water extraction activities. Proponents are advised to contact the appropriate regulatory agencies regarding approvals or permits.

The objective of the guideline is to provide a National standard-of-practice and guidance for end-of-pipe fish screens at 2.0 freshwater intakes to prevent potential losses of fish due to entrainment or impingement. Entrainment occurs when a fish is drawn into a water intake and cannot escape. Impingement Guideline occurs when an entrapped fish is held in contact with the intake screen and is unable to free itself. The severity of the impact on Objective the fisheries resource and habitat depends on the abundance, distribution, size, swimming ability, and behaviour of the organisms in the vicinity of the intake, as well as, water velocity, flow and depth, intake design, screen mesh size, installation and construction procedures and other physical factors.

The Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline deals exclusively with the sizing and design of fixed screens that are often placed at the end of a pipe used to extract water up to

0.125 m3/s, or 125 litres per second (L/s) (i.e., 2000 US gallons per minute (US gpm)). The guideline is intended for use in addressing fish screens for small permanent and temporary withdrawals for irrigation, construction, small municipal and

March 1995 Page 1 Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline private water supplies, etc. It is not intended for application to hydroelectric or canal screen designs; however, such proposals can be considered by regulatory agencies on a site-specific basis. The guideline focuses on the technical aspects of intake screens and the protection of fish rather than on policy, legislation, or environmental assessment processes and their application. This guideline has been developed to provide protection of freshwater fish with a minimum fork length of 25 mm (approximately 1 inch) since most eggs and fish larvae remain in bottom substrates until they reach the fry stage (i.e., 25 mm fork length). Other designs, in addition to intake screens, may be appropiate to address fish and fish habitat protection associated with water withdrawals. Such proposed designs should be addressed with the appropriate regulatory agencies on a site-specific basis.

Page 2 March 1995 Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline

Information that should be provided to facilitate evaluation of an end-of-pipe intake screen design intended for fish protection 3.0 during a freshwater withdrawal is highlighted below. Types of information requirements that may also be applicable to the water intake project as a whole are identified in Appendix A. Information • fish presence, species, and possible fish size or fish habitat Requirements conditions at the project site for Evaluation • rate or ranges of rates of withdrawal from the watercourse of Intake screen open and effective areas Screens • • physical screen open parameters with respect to the intake and the watercourse

• screen material, method of installation and supporting structures

• screen maintenance, cleaning, or other special requirements

The appropriate design of a fish screen is largely dependent upon the species and the size of fish requiring protection. 4.0 Appropriate installation and maintenance/cleaning of the screen are also important in keeping approach velocities low and ensuring satisfactory operation of the screen. For the purposes Design, of this guideline, emphasis is placed on the protection of freshwater fish with a minimum fork length of 25 mm from Installation, entrainment and impingement due to water extraction activities. & Maintenance Depending upon site-specific circumstances, a case may be made whereby the minimum fork length size of fish to be of Freshwater protected is greater than 25 mm. In this instance, the fish screen criteria for open screen area (Table 2 and Figure 1) and Intake End-of- screen mesh size (2.54 mm) presented here do not apply. Fish Pipe Fish screen criteria and guidance for the protection of fish larger than Sereens 25 mm is provided by Katopodis (1992). The following sections address the appropriate design of fixed freshwater intake end-of-pipe fish screens for the protection of fish with a minimum fork length of 25 mm. Guidance on

March 1995 Page 3 Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline installation, cleaning, and maintenance is provided. Common types of intake screens and associated intakes are also presented. Appendix B presents a sample calculation utilizing the guideline to determine the appropriate end-of-pipe intake screen size for the protection of freshwater fish.

4. 1 Fish Screen Criteria

To protect fish from impingement or entrainment, the approach velocity (i.e., the water velocity into, or perpendicular to, the face of an intake screen) should not exceed certain values based on the swimming mode (i.e., subcarangiform or anguilliform) of the fish present in the watercourse. The subcarangiform group includes fish that swim like a trout or salmon, and move through the water by undulating the posterior third to half of their bodies. The anguilliform group includes fish that swim like an eel, and move through the water by undulating most or all of their body. Table 1 presents the swimming modes of most common fish species in Canada. Contact DFO or provincial fisheries agencies regarding fish species that are not included in Table 1.

Envelope curves for approach velocities were developed for each swimming mode corresponding to a minimum fork length of 25 mm and a maximum endurance time of 10 minutes (the time the fish is in front of the face of the screen before it can elude it). To satisfy approach velocities of approximately 0.11 m/s and 0.038 m/s for the subcarangiform and anguilliform groups respectively, curves indicating the required open screen areas, based on fish swimming performance data, including fish species and size (Katopodis, 1990) and related to flows/extractions, were developed. Table 2 presents the required open screen area, in both metric and non-metric units, for end-of-pipe intake screens with a capacity up to 125 L/s (2000 US gpm). The open screen area is the area of all open spaces on the screen available for the free flow of water. The same information is presented graphically in Figure 1.

Page 4 March 1995 Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline

SUBCARANGIFORM SWIMMING MODE Table 1 Common Name Scientific Name Summary of Alewife (Gaspereau) Alosa pseudoharengus Common Fish Arctic Char Salvelinus alpinus Species and Arctic Grayling Thymallus arcticus Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar Swimming Modes Broad Whitefish Coregonus nasus Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis Brown Trout Salmo trutta Carp Cyprinus carpio Channel Catfish lctalurus punctatus Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Chum Salmon Oncorhynchus keta Cisco Coregonus artedii Coho Salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarki clarki Dolly Varden Salvelinus malma Goldeye Hiodon alosoides Green Sturgeon Acipenser medirostris Inconnu Stenodus leucichthys Kokanee Oncorhynchus nerka Lake Sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush Lake Whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides Longnose Sucker Catostomus catostomus Mooneye Hiodon tergisus Mountain Whitefish Prosopium williamsoni Ouananiche Salmo salar ouananiche Pink Salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Rainbow Smelt Osmerus mordax Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss Sauger Stizostedion canadense Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieui Sockeye Salmon Oncorhynchus nerka Walleye Stizostedio vitreum White Bass Morone chrysops White Perch Morone americana White Sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus White Sucker Catostomus commersoni Yellow Perch Perca flavescens

ANGUILLIFORM SWIMMING MODE

Note: The few data points Common Name Scientific Name available for Northern Pike (Esox lucius) are close to the American Eel Anguilla rostrata anguilliform group. Burbot Lota lota Sea Lamprey Petromyzon marinus

March 1995 Page 5 Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline

4.2 Design of Fixed End-of-Pipe Fish Screens

Once the required open area has been found from Table 2 or Figure 1, the effective screen area must be calculated. It is the area occupied by the open spaces (i.e., open screen area) and the screen material available for the free flow of water. The effective screen area should be provided at the intake location and is determined as follows:

Effective Screen Open Screen Area (Table 2) = Area (m2 or ft2) ( % Open Area (Table 3) ) 100

It should be noted that if the percent (%) open screen area is maximized, then the effective screen area required for a given flow is minimized. The narrowest dimension of any opening on the screen is referred to as the design opening, regardless of opening shape. The maximum design opening for a fish of 25 mm fork length is estimated at 2.54 mm (0.10 inches). Guidance on screen openings and materials is presented below.

• The screen openings may be round, square, rectangular, or any combination thereof, but should not have any protrusions that could injure fish.

• Screen materials may include brass, bronze, aluminum, monel metal, galvanized or stainless steel, and plastics. The screen material should be resistant to corrosion and UV light.

• Note: clogging due to corrosion is minimized with the use of stainless steel.

• Welded wedge wire screens offer reduced debris clogging and increased open area and screen stiffness, in comparison to round wire mesh and punch plate.

Table 3 presents several common types of screening material that meet the requirements of wire diameter, clear opening width and percent open area,

The dimensions of the fish screen can be calculated after the correct shape, configuration, location, and method of installation have been determined. This will usually be determined after a site investigation and a review of these guidelines. Included in Figure 2 are common screen shapes and the associated

Page 6 March 1995 Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline

Metric Units Non-Metric Units

Table 2 Flow Subcarangiform Anguilliform Flow Subcarangiform Anguilliform (L/s) (m2) (m2) (US gpm) (ft2) (ft2) Open Screen Area I Required for End- 1 0.01 0.03 10 0.1 0.2 5 0.05 0.13 50 0.3 0.9 of-Pipe Water 6 0.06 0.16 100 0.6 1.8 8 0.07 0.21 150 0.9 2.7 Intakes 10 0.09 0.26 200 1.3 3.6 12 0.11 0.31 250 1.6 4.5 14 0.13 0.37 300 1.9 5.4 15 0.14 0.39 350 2.2 6.2 16 0.15 0.42 400 2.5 7.1 18 0.17 0.47 450 2.8 8.0 20 0.18 0.52 500 3.2 8.9 22 0.20 0.58 550 3.5 9.8 24 0.22 0.63 600 3.8 10.7 25 0.23 0.65 650 4.1 11.6 26 0.24 0.68 700 4.4 12.5 28 0.26 0.73 750 4.7 13.4 30 0.28 0.79 800 5.0 14.3 32 0.30 0.84 850 5.4 15.2 34 0.31 0.89 900 5.7 16.0 35 0.32 0.92 950 6.0 16.9 36 0.33 0.94 1000 6.3 17.8 38 0.35 0.99 1050 6.6 18.7 40 0.37 1.05 1100 6.9 19.6 45 0.42 1.18 1150 7.2 20.5 50 0.46 1.31 1200 7.6 21.4 55 0.51 1.44 1250 7.9 22.3 60 0.55 1.57 1300 8.2 23.2 65 0.60 1.70 1350 8.5 24.1 70 0.65 1.83 1400 8.8 25.0 75 0.69 1.96 1450 9.1 25.8 80 0.74 2.09 1500 9.4 26.7 85 0.78 2.23 1550 9.8 27.6 90 0.83 2.36 1600 10.1 28.5 95 0.88 2.49 1650 10.4 29.4 100 0.92 2.62 1700 10.7 30.3 110 1.02 2.88 1750 11.0 31.2 120 1.11 3.14 1800 11.3 32.1 125 1.16 3.30 1850 11.6 33.0 1900 12.0 33.9 1950 12.3 34.8 2000 12.6 35.7

Material Wire Thickness Opening Width % Open Table 3 Area

Examples of Sereen 8x 8 Stainless Steel Alloy Mesh 0.711 mm (0.028”) 2.44 mm (0.096”) 60 Material #7 Mesh Wire Cloth 1.025mm (0.041”) 2.54 mm (0.100”) 51 #8 Mesh Wire Cloth 0.875 mm (0.035”) 2.25 mm (0.089”) 52 #8 Mesh Wire Cloth 0.700mm (0.028”) 2.54 mm (0.100”) 62 #60 Wedge Wire Screen 1.50mm (0.059”) 2.54 mm (0.100”) 63 #45Wedge Wire Screen 1.10mm (0.080”) 2.54 mm (0.100”) 69

March 1995 Page 7 Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline dimensions and area formulae. These are just examples of the many shapes and sizes in which fish screens can be fabricated. Screens are instream structures and, as such, should have sufficient strength and durability, and be capable of withstanding any potential large forces and impacts. Figure 3, 4, and 5 illustrate some of the various configurations, applications, and screen material types of end-of-pipe fish screens.

4.3 Installation

• Screens should be located in areas and depths of water with low concentrations of fish throughout the year.

• Screens should be located away from natural or man-made structures that may attract fish that are migrating, spawning, or in rearing habitat.

• The screen face should be oriented in the same direction as the flow.

• Ensure openings in the guides and seals are less than the opening criteria to make “fish tight”.

• Screens should be located a minimum of 300 mm (12 in.) above the bottom of the watercourse to prevent entrainment of sediment and aquatic organisms associated with the bottom area.

• Structural support should be provided to the screen panels to prevent sagging and collapse of the screen.

• Large cylindrical and box-type screens should have a manifold installed in them to ensure even water velocity distribution across the screen surface. The ends of the structure should be made out of solid materials and the end of the manifold capped.

• Heavier cages or trash racks can be fabricated out of bar or grating to protect the finer fish screen, especially where there is debris loading (woody material, leaves, algae mats, etc.). A 150 mm (6 in.) spacing between bars is typical.

Page 8 March 1995 Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline

Figure 1 METRIC UNITS Open Screen Area for End-of-Pipe 3.0 Water Intake Flow

~ 2.0------.-...,f',,,-.------t---4 cc ct z w Q. 0 1 .0 -+--+--+,--,--.+-...... _+-+~ --+-..__._-+---+--+----,l-----+- --w--=----1

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 11 0 120 FLOW (Us)

NON-METRIC UNITS 35

25 N-= -ct w 20 cc ct z 15 w Q. 0 10

0 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600 1,800 2,000 FLOW (US gpm)

March 1995 Page 9 Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline

Figure 2 Common Screen CIRCULAR SCREEN Shapes and Area Formulae

SQUARE SCREEN Area = ~ D2 4 W1

0 0 / CYLINDRICAL SCREEN

0 0

V 0

Area = W1 x W2

BOX SCREEN Area = nDL

-~ '

W2 Area = 2L(W1 + W2)

Page 10 March 1995 Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline

Figure 3 Typical Applications and Features of End-of-Pipe Screens

PERFORATED PLATE CIRCULAR MESH (PUNCHED) SCREEN

0 0 0 0 /

0 0 0 0

0 0 0

,, 0 '\ I/ ' 0

SQUARE MESH SQUARE WEDGE WIRE SCREEN SCREEN

DRUM OR CYLINDER BOX-TYPE WITH WITH PERFORATED PIPE MESH SCREEN

March 1995 Page 11 Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline

0 Figure 4 0 0 Examples of Typical Screen and Material Types le 0

SQUARE WEDGE WIRE SCREEN

LONG NARROW ------■ FLOW /SLOTS CLEAR OPENING

INCREASING t OPENING SIZE REDUCES CLOGGING

WEDGE WIRE PROFILE

CIRCULAR MESH SCREEN

SQUARE OPENINGS FLOW

CLEAR OPENING

WOVEN WIRE MESH PROFILE

Page 12 March 1995 Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline

Figure 5 Examples of Typical Installations of End- of-Pipe Screen

March 1995 Page 13 Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline

Page 14 March 1995 Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline

4.4 Cleaning and Maintenance

• Provision should be made for the removal, inspection, and cleaning of screens.

• Ensure regular maintenance and repair of cleaning apparatus, seals, and screens is carried out to prevent debris-fouling and impingement of fish.

• Pumps should be shut down when fish screens are removed for inspection and cleaning.

• Screens may be cleaned by methods such as air or water, backwashing, removal and pressure washing or scrubbing.

• Under certain site-specific winter conditions, it may be appropriate to remove screens to prevent screen damage.

• Flexible suction pipe may be used instead of solid, fixed piping for ease of screen removal and cleaning.

• Pump suction pressure can be measured to assess the need for screen cleaning.

To facilitate intake screen cleaning/maintenance, design and installation features such as orientation of the screen (e.g., in a cove) or variation in mesh shape (i.e., square wire/bars versus round wire/bars), etc. may be considered for regularly cleaned screens. For screens that will not be cleaned regularly, provision of considerably more open screen area (e.g., four times more) than determined from Table 2/Figure 1 may be considered. Such design/installation features should be addressed with the appropriate regulatory agencies on a site-specific basis.

Appendix C presents a list of units of conversion.

For more information on the appropriate design of freshwater intake end-of-pipe fish screens, contact the nearest DFO office. In addition, a list of DFO Regional contacts is presented in Appendix D. Other appropriate regulatory agencies should also be contacted.

March 1995 Page 15 Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline

Fish Screening Directive. 1990. Department of Fisheries and References Oceans, Ottawa, Ontario, Katopodis, C. 1990. Advancing the art of engineering fishways for upstream migrants. Proceedings of International Symposium on Fishways ‘90, Oct. 8-10, 1990, Gifu, Japan, p. 19-28.

Katopodis, C. 1992. Fish screening guide for water intakes. Working Document, Freshwater Institute, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Katopodis, C, 1994. Analysis of ichthyomechanical data for fish passage or exclusion system design. Proc. International Fish Physiology Symposium, July 16-21, 1994, Vancouver, B.C. American Fisheries Society and Fish Physiology Association.

Katopodis, C. and R. Gervais, 1991. Icthyomechanics, Working Document, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Freshwater Institute, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

March 1995 Page 17 Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline

Anadromous: Fish species that migrate from the Glossary sea to freshwater systems in order to spawn.

Anguilliform: The type of swimming mode for fish that swim like an eel, and move through the water by undulating most or all of their body.

Effective Screen Area: The area occupied by the open spaces (i.e., open screen area) and screen material available for the free flow of water.

Entrainment: Occurs when a fish is drawn into a water intake and cannot escape.

Fork Length: The straight line distance measured from the tip of the nose to the fork of the tail of a fish.

Impingement: Occurs when an entrapped fish is held in contact with the intake screen and is unable to free itself.

Open Screen Area: The area of all open spaces on the screen available for the free flow of water.

Subcarangiform: The type of swimming mode for fish that swim like trout or salmon, and move through the water by undulating the posterior third to half of their body.

March 1995 Page 19 Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline

Appendix A Information Requirements

Appendix A Types of information requirements that may be applicable to a Information freshwater intake proposal are highlighted below. While this Requirements listing is not intended to be all inclusive, it indicates information that may be necessary to enable regulatory agencies to review a water intake and fish screen proposal. The information highlighted below considers Section 30 and other sections of the Fisheries Act .These information requirements may also address other Federal, Provincial, and Municipal legislation and policies.

General and Site Information

• gazette or common name of the watercourse

• location of the watercourse

• type of watercourse (e.g., pond or stream)

• type of water intake

• other activities associated with the development or construction of the intake/screen structure

Biophysical Information

• fish presence, species, and possible fish size or fish habitat conditions at the protect site

• physical description of the watercourse at the intake site, including channel width and depth, direction and velocity of water currents, variations in wafer levels, sediment transport processes, lateral or channel grade movement, debris loading, etc.

• location and position of the intake within the watercourse, including dimensions, alignment, depth in the water column, wetted area, etc.

• description of the site features and characteristics, including site access

Water Use Information

• purpose of water withdrawal

March 1995 Page 21 Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline

• average rate, or ranges of rates, of withdrawal from the watercourse

• duration and lime of withdrawal

• estimates of ranges of flow (i.e., daily, weekly, monthly) in the watercourse during times of withdrawal with dates and times of year (with particular consideration to periods of low flow)

• expected effects of withdrawal on existing watercourse (e.g., drawdown, downstream dewatering, etc)

• description of structures or activities associated with the development of the intake

• whether the application is for a new intake, or re-development or upgrading of an existing structure

Other Information

• site plans/sketches indicating intake site and location (detailed on 1:50,000 topographic map)

• photographs/video of the site are often useful Fish Screen Information

• screen open and effective areas

• physical screen parameters with respect to the intake and the watercourse

• screen material, method of installation and supporting structures

• screen maintenance, cleaning or other special requirements

Page 22 March 1995 Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline

A proponent wishes to withdraw water at a rate of 0.075 m3/s Appendix B from a nearby pond. The pond supports populations of brown trout, brook trout, and American eel. The intake is proposed to Sample be cylindrical with the ends solid and #60 wedge wire screen Calculation around the cylinder.

What size must the intake screen be to satisfy the guideline requirements?

There are 4 steps to finding the answer:

1. Determine the fish swimming mode.

2. Determine the open screen area.

3. Determine the effective screen area.

4. Determine the dimensions necessary to produce the effective screen area.

1. Fish Swimming Mode

The fish swimming mode is found from Table 1. Brook trout and brown trout are listed as subcarangiform swimmers, while the American eel is an anguilliform swimmer.

2. Open Screen Area

Table 2 lists the required open screen area for both subcarangiform and anguilliform swimmers under flows up to 125 L/s (2000 US gpm). To use the table, if is necessary first to convert the flow from cubic metres per second to litres per second.

m3 0.075 x 1000 L = 75 L s 1 m3 s

For a flow of 75 L/s, Table 2 indicates that the open screen area must be:

• 0.69 m2 for subcarangiform swimmers, and

• 1.96 m2 for anguilliform swimmers.

The higher number (1.96 m2) is the more stringent requirement, therefore, it is used in the calculation of effective screen area,

March 1995 Page 23 Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline

3. Effective Screen Area

The screen material in this case is # 60 Wedge Wire. A review of Table 3 indicates that the % Open Area for this material is 63%, With this value and the previously determined area from Step 2, the following formula is used to determine the Effective Screen Area.

Effective Screen Area = Open Screen Area % Open Area ( 100 ) 2 = 1.96 m 63 ( 100 ) = 3.111 m2

4. Dimensions of Intake Screen

Figure 2 lists several common screen shapes and their respective area formulae. For a cylindrical screen where the ends are solid and screening is around the cylinder, the following formula applies:

Area = πDL The unknown dimensions are diameter (D) and length (L). These dimensions are determined by choosing a value for one and solving the equation for the other.

If the diameter is 0.600 m, then the length follows as:

Area = πDL

3.111 m2 = (0.600 m)L

3.111 m2 = (1.885 m)L

L = 3.111 m2 1.885 m L = 1.65 m

A 0.600 m diameter, 1.65 m long cylindrical screen would meet the design requirements. It should be noted that the dimensions given are representative of the screening area only; they do not include any screen that may be blocked by framing, etc. By comparison, if the pond only supported trout (subcarangiform), a 0.600 m diameter, 0.58 m long cylindrical screen would meet the design requirements.

Page 24 March 1995 Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline

Appendix C To Convert Into Multiply By Units of cubic feet per second cubic metres per second 0.0283 Conversion cubic feet per second litres per second 28.3 cubic feet per second US gallons per minute 448.9 cubic metres per second cubic feet per second 35.3 cubic metres per second US gallons per minute 15850 litres per second cubic feet per second 0.0353 litres per second cubic feet per minute 2.12 litres per second cubic metres per second 0.001 litres per second US gallons per minute 15.85 square metre square foot 10.76 square metre square inch 1550 square foot square metre 0.0929 US gallons per minute litres per second 0.0631 US gallons per minute cubic feet per second 0.00223 US gallons per minute Imperial gallons per 0.833 minute

Imperial gallons per litres per second 0.0758 minute

March 1995 Page 25 Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline

Appendix D NEWFOUNDLAND Habitat Management Division REGION P.O. Box 5667 DFO Regional St. John’s NF A1C 5X1 Contacts Tel: 709-772-6157 Fax: 709-772-5562

GULF REGION Habitat Management Division P.O. Box 5030 Moncton NB E1C 9B6 Tel: 506-851-6252 Fax: 506-851-6579

SCOTIA-FUNDY Habitat Management Division REGION P.O. Box 550 Halifax NS B3J 2S7 Tel: 902-426-6027 Fax: 902-426-1489

QUEBEC REGION Fish Habitat Management P.O. Box 15550 Quebec QC G1K 7Y7 Tel: 418-648-4092 Fax: 418-648-7777

CENTRAL & ARCTIC Habitat Management REGION 501 University Crescent Winnipeg MB R3T 2N6 Tel: 204-983-5181 Fax: 204-984-2404

PACIFIC REGION Habitat Management 555 W. Hastings St. Vancouver BC V6B 5G3 Tel: 604-666-6566 Fax: 604-666-7907

Local DFO offices should be contacted. Other appropriate regulatory agencies should also be contacted.

March 1995 Page 27 €:J'erraX ______

APPENDIX 5 PROTOCOL for WINTER WATER WITHDRAWAL from ICE-COVERED WATERBODIES in the NORTHWEST TERRITORIES and NUNAVUT (DFO)

TerraX Minerals Inc. –Yellowknife City Gold Project – Wildlife Management & Mitigation Plan 01 February 2014 Fisheries Pêches l ♦ I and Oceans et Océans

DFO Protocol for Winter Water Withdrawal from Ice-covered Waterbodies in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut

Rationale In the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, winter activities such as access road construction, exploratory drilling and camp operations often require large amounts of water. Excessive amounts of water withdrawn from ice-covered waterbodies can impact fish through oxygen depletion, loss of over-wintering habitat and/or reductions in littoral habitat. The potential for such negative impacts to over-wintering fish and fish habitat has made winter water withdrawal a critical issue for Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. To mitigate impacts to fish from water withdrawal from ice-covered waterbodies, and to provide standardized guidance to water users, including volume limits for certain water source types, DFO has developed this protocol in conjunction with industry and other regulators.

For the purposes of this protocol, a waterbody is defined as any water-filled basin that is potential fish habitat. A waterbody is defined by the ordinary high water mark of the basin, and excludes connecting watercourses.

This protocol will not apply to the following:  Any waterbody that is exempted by DFO (e.g. Great Bear Lake, Great Slave Lake, Gordon Lake, and others as and when determined by DFO), and;  Any waterbody from which less than 100m3 is to be withdrawn over the course of one ice-covered period.

In order to establish a winter water withdrawal limit for a given waterbody, the following criteria must be adhered to:

1. In one ice-covered season, total water withdrawal from a single waterbody is not to exceed 10% of the available water volume calculated using the appropriate maximum expected ice thickness provided in Table 1. 2. In cases where there are multiple users withdrawing water from a single waterbody, the total combined withdrawal volume is not to exceed 10% of the available water volume calculated using the appropriate maximum expected ice thickness provided in Table 1. Therefore, consistent and coordinated water source identification is essential. 3. Only waterbodies with maximum depths that are ≥1.5m than their corresponding maximum expected ice thickness should be considered for water withdrawal (Table 1). Waterbodies with less than 1.5m of free water beneath the maximum ice are considered to be particularly vulnerable to the effects of water withdrawal. 4. Any waterbody with a maximum expected ice thickness that is greater than, or equal to, its maximum depth (as determined from a bathymetric survey) is exempt from the 10% maximum withdrawal limit (Table 1).

To further mitigate the impacts of water withdrawal, water is to be removed from deep areas of waterbodies (>2m below the ice surface) wherever feasible, to avoid the removal of oxygenated surface waters that are critical to over-wintering fish. The littoral zone should be avoided as a water withdrawal location. Water intakes should also be properly screened with fine mesh of 2.54 mm (1/10”) and have moderate intake velocities to prevent the entrainment of fish. Please refer to the Freshwater Intake End-of- Pipe Fish Screen Guideline (DFO, 1995) which is available upon request, or at the following internet address: www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/223669.pdf.

In order to determine the maximum water withdrawal volume from an ice-covered waterbody, and thereby conform to this protocol, the following information must be provided to DFO for review and concurrence prior to program commencement.

Water Source Identification 1. Proposed water sources, access routes, and crossing locations clearly identified on a map, with geographical coordinates (latitude/longitude and/or UTMs) included. 2. Any watercourse connectivity (permanently flowing and/or seasonal) between the proposed water source and any other waterbody or watercourse.

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DFO Protocol for Winter Water Withdrawal from Ice-covered Waterbodies in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut

3. Aerial photos or satellite imagery of the water sources. 4. Estimated total water withdrawal requirement for work or activity and estimated total water withdrawal per water source (in m3).

Bathymetric Survey Results 1. For all waterbodies: One longitudinal transect, connecting the two farthest shorelines, is to be conducted regardless of waterbody size. Note: a longitudinal transect may be straight or curved in order to accommodate the shape of a lake (see Figure 1). 2. For waterbodies equal to or less than 1 km in length: a minimum of one longitudinal transect and two perpendicular transects are to be conducted. Perpendicular transects should be evenly spaced on the longest longitudinal transect, dividing the lake into thirds (Figure 1). 3. For lakes greater than 1 km in length: a minimum of one longitudinal transect is to be conducted. Perpendicular transects (minimum of 2) should be evenly spaced on the longest longitudinal transect at maximum intervals of 500 m. 4. Additional transects should be run as required to include irregularities in waterbody shape such as fingers or bays (Figure 1). 5. All longitudinal and perpendicular transects are to be conducted using an accurate, continuous depth sounding methodology, such as open water echo sounding or ground penetrating radar (GPR), that provides a continuous depth recording from one shore to the farthest opposing shore (Figure 1). Any alternative technology should be reviewed by DFO prior to implementing for bathymetric surveys.

Longitudinal transect Perpendicular transect Irregular transect

··•·•·.•.. ...

Figure 1. Minimum transect layout for a lake that is less than 1 km in length, with an irregularity.

Volume Calculations 1. Document the methods used to calculate surface area. If aerial photos or satellite imagery were used, provide the date (day/month/year) taken, as surface area may change depending on the time of year. If maps were used, provide the year that they were surveyed. 2. Detail the methods used to determine the total volume of free water, incorporating the relevant bathymetric information. 3. Calculate the available water volume under the ice using the appropriate maximum expected ice thickness, i.e. Total Volume lake – Ice Volume max thickness = Available Water Volume (see Table 1 for maximum ice thickness). 4. For programs where ice-chipping is used, the total ice volume to be removed from the waterbody should be converted to total liquid volume and incorporated into the estimate of total water withdrawal requirement per water source.

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DFO Protocol for Winter Water Withdrawal from Ice-covered Waterbodies in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut

Table 1. Maximum expected ice thickness, and corresponding water depth requirements, for different regions in the Northwest Territories.

Maximum Expected Ice Minimum Waterbody depth Required for Area Thickness (m) 10% Water Withdrawal (m)

Above the Tree Line 2.0 ≥3.5

Below the Tree Line - 1.5 ≥3.0 North of Fort Simpson

Deh Cho –South of 1.0 ≥2.5 Fort Simpson

A brief project summary report documenting and confirming total water volume used per water source and corresponding dates should be submitted to DFO within 60 days of project completion. Information should be provided in the following format (this information would also be useful as part of the project description):

Lake ID number and/or name Coordinates latitude and longitude and/or UTM coordinates Surface area in ha Total Lake Volume in m3 Under Ice Volume in m3 (based on max ice thickness for region) Max expected ice thickness value used in m Calculated 10% Withdrawal volume in m3 Total required water volume extracted in m3 Aerial photographs of waterbody PDF format Bathymetric Map(s) of waterbody PDF format

Any requests deviating from the above must be submitted to DFO and will be addressed on a site-specific basis.

Beaver and Muskrat Many species of animals are highly sensitive to water fluctuations. In areas where beaver and muskrat may occur, the appropriate agencies or organizations should be consulted to determine if harmful effects will result from your activities, and whether these effects can be successfully mitigated through modifications to your plans including best management practices.

Please note that adherence to this protocol does not release the proponent of the responsibility for obtaining any permits, licenses or authorizations that may be required.

For more information contact DFO at (867) 669-4915.

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