EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REPORT

APPENDIX 12-I Natural Environments Existing Conditions Technical Report

Appendix B4: Supplemental Information Tables - Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat Appendix B5: Supplemental Information Tables - Species at Risk Appendix C: Species List Appendix D: Woodland Caribou Report

July 2017 Report No. 1536607/2000/2018

EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT June 2015

Appendix B4: Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX B4 June 2015

Table B4: Summary of Wildlife Habitat

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WILDLIFE HABITAT DEFINITION OF HABITAT HABITAT COMPOSITION: ATTRIBUTES, CONDITION AND FUNCTION LSA PSA MITIGATION WITHIN WITHIN REQUIREMENTS

SEASONAL CONCENTRATION AREAS Moose Late Winter As snow accumulates, moose move to dense stands of coniferous trees that permit easier movement and provide The MNRF is responsible for the management of Moose in Ontario, and ü ü ü Cover: Ecoregion protection from cold winds and predators. Canopy closure within the conifer stand should be at least 60% and most trees conducts aerial surveys in the winter on a regular basis in Wildlife 4W/3W should be at least 6 m tall. The forest stand should consist of mainly older (> 40 years) conifer trees. Suitable habitat should Management Units that have Moose populations. Further, MNRF maps these be greater than 4 ha. locations on Crown Land.

Dillon has assumed that appropriate Ecosites include: B036 - 038, B049-053, B065-068, B081-087, B098-102, B114-117. 3W: 42 habitats were identified by the MNRF. Five of these habitats have a habitat ranking of 3 (high potential) and are considered candidate significant wildlife habitat. All of these habitats are located on the eastern end of the first alternative section of the Preliminary Preferred Route.

4W: The MNRF did not identify any Moose Late Winter Cover in this Ecoregion.

Moose Late Winter Late winter moose habitat is characterized by dense conifer cover with greater than 60% canopy closure and >6 m in height. The MNRF is responsible for the management of Moose in Ontario, and ------Cover: Ecoregion 3E Upland sites are preferred. Snow depth in excess of 70 cm restrict moose movement during winter, however late winter conducts aerial surveys in the winter on a regular basis in Wildlife thermal refuge is important in relieving heat stress. These habitats are extensively used by moose during late spring and Management Units that have Moose populations. Further, MNRF maps these summer due to the shade provided. More common on deeper soils with dense conifer cover and vegetation in the locations on Crown Land. understory for browse. The MNRF did not identify any Moose Late Winter Cover in this Ecoregion. Conifer stands >50 ha, dominated by tall trees >6 m, on gentle to moderately rugged sites with deep soils. Areas identified as rating 3 or 4 for late winter moose habitat are Candidate SWH.

Ecosites: B036-038, B049-053, B065-068, B081-087, B098-102, B114-117.

Moose Late Winter Late winter moose habitat is characterized by dense conifer cover consisting of tree species capable of intercepting snow, The MNRF is responsible for the management of Moose in Ontario, and ------Cover: Ecoregion 4E particularly cedar, white spruce, balsam fir, white pine and upland black spruce. Conifer stands with the following conducts aerial surveys in the winter on a regular basis in Wildlife characteristics may be considered candidate significant wildlife habitat (SWH): Management Units that have Moose populations. Further, MNRF maps these § Canopy closure greater than 60% and height > 10 m is preferred. locations on Crown Land. § Conifer stands greater than 10 ha preferred. § Upland sites are preferred. The MNRF did not identify any Moose Late Winter Cover in this Ecoregion. § Areas identified as rating 3 or 4 for late winter moose habitat are Candidate SWH.

Snow depth in excess of 70 cm restrict moose movement during winter, however late winter thermal refuge is important in relieving heat stress. These habitats may also be used by moose during late spring and summer due to the shade provided. More common on deeper soils fresh to wet with dense conifer cover and vegetation in the understory for browse. Ecosites: G034-035, G036-038, G049, G051-053, G065-068, G081-087, G098-102, G114-117, G128, G129.

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WILDLIFE HABITAT DEFINITION OF HABITAT HABITAT COMPOSITION: ATTRIBUTES, CONDITION AND FUNCTION LSA PSA MITIGATION WITHIN WITHIN REQUIREMENTS

Bat Hibernacula 4W/3W: Many species of bats overwinter in caves or abandoned mines. These winter hibernacula must have interior air Abandoned mine sites are located throughout the PSA and LSA which may have ü ü ü temperatures slight above freezing, relative humidity levels above 90%, and sufficient space for roosting. Preferred the potential to support Bat Hibernacula. Consultation with the MNRF is hibernacula are usually deep caves, abandoned mines, with remote and restricted openings with sufficient space for entry required. by flight. Flowing water helps moderate temperature and maintain sufficient humidity inside the cave. Largely because of their intolerance of disturbance, large, open caves and crevices are rarely used by bats in winter. Large caves are usually 3W: The MNRF has identified 4 Bat Hibernacula in the PSA and LSA. All four sites found in limestone areas where underground water dissolves the rock and produces chambers (karst topography). are unverified with a high probability of use and are associated with abandoned Geological maps indicate the presence of limestone formations and the potential for caves. mines between the towns of Schreiber and Neys.

3E/4E: Hibernacula may be found in caves, abandoned mine shafts, underground foundations and karsts. The locations and 4W/3E/4E: No potential Bat Hibernacula were identified by the MNRF in the site characteristics of bat hibernacula are relatively poorly known. The primary criterion is the identification of known background review or during 2014 field investigations in these Ecoregions. features. Buildings are not considered to be SWH. Caves and mine shafts are the important features. Commonly associated as components of either Cliff or Rock Barren ecosites. Note that this information is considered to be sensitive and has therefore not Once the feature is identified the substrate classification can be used to identify characteristics and potential/suitability of been displayed on mapping. identified or suspected hibernacula.

Hibernacula may be found in caves, abandoned mine shafts, underground foundations (Karsts) and these ecosites: 3E: B158-159, B164-165, B174-175, B180-181. 4E: G158-159, G164-165, G174-175, G180-181.

Bat Maternity Maternity colonies can be found in tree cavities, vegetation and often in buildings (buildings are not considered to be SWH). 4W/3W/3E/4E: A large portion of the PSA and LSA contain deciduous and mixed ü ü ü Colonies Maternity roosts are not found in caves and mines in Ontario. Maternity colonies located in mature (dominant trees > 80yrs forest stands; however specific information on the density of large diameter old) deciduous or mixed forest stands with >10 /ha large diameter (>25cm dbh) wildlife trees. Female Bats prefer wildlife snag/cavity trees was not collected. As a result this potential habitat has not trees of decay class 1 or 2 or class 2-4, can be living or with bark mostly intact. Silver-haired Bats prefer older mixed or been mapped. deciduous forest and form maternity colonies in tree cavities and small hollows. Older forest areas with at least 21 snags/ha are preferred.

Ecosites: 4W/3W/3E: B015-019, B023-028, B039-043, B054-059, B069-076, B087-092, B103-108, B118-125. 4E: G015-019, G023-028, G039-043, G054-059, G069-076, G087-092, G103-108, G118-125. Turtle Wintering For most turtles, wintering areas are in the same general area as their core habitat. Water has to be deep enough not to 4W: 34 areas were identified as having suitable habitat for turtle wintering areas ü ü ü Areas freeze and have soft mud substrates. Over-wintering sites are permanent water bodies, large wetlands, and bogs or fens in the PSA and/or LSA. During field investigations, suitable water depth and with adequate dissolved oxygen. Year-round persistence of standing or flowing water to depth, or presence of springs to substrates were identified at 2 of these areas. prevent freezing is key. 3W: 319 areas were identified as having suitable habitat for turtle wintering Ecosites: areas in the PSA and/or LSA. During field investigations, suitable water depth and 4W/3W/3E: B128-142, B145-152. substrates were identified at 1 of these areas. 4E: G128-142, G145-152, G223-224. 3E: 373 areas were identified as having suitable habitat for turtle wintering areas Species of Conservation Concern: in the PSA and/or LSA. During field investigations, suitable water depth and Snapping Turtle substrates were identified at 3 of these areas.

4E: 6 areas were identified as having suitable habitat for turtle wintering areas in the PSA and/or LSA.

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WILDLIFE HABITAT DEFINITION OF HABITAT HABITAT COMPOSITION: ATTRIBUTES, CONDITION AND FUNCTION LSA PSA MITIGATION WITHIN WITHIN REQUIREMENTS

Reptile Hibernacula 4W/3W: Hibernacula are often in animal burrows, rock crevices, and other areas that enable animals to hibernate below the No Reptile Hibernacula/Snake Hibernacula was identified during the background ü ü ü (4W/3W/3E) frost line and often in association with water to prevent desiccation. Frequently hibernacula are found among broken rocks review or 2014 field investigations in the Project area. at the base of cliffs or in karst areas because these landforms provide an abundance of subterranean crevices. Snake Hibernacula 4W/3W/3E/4E: A large portion of the PSA and LSA contain ecosites which may (4E) 3E/4E: For snakes, hibernation takes place in sites located below frost lines in burrows, rock crevices and other natural contain Reptile/Snake Hibernacula; however specific information on areas with locations. Areas of broken and fissured rock are particularly valuable since they provide access to subterranean sites below subterranean crevices that extend below the frost line has not been collected. As the frost line. Wetlands can also be important over-wintering habitat in conifer or shrub swamps and swales, poor fens, or a result this potential habitat has not been mapped. depressions in bedrock terrain with sparse trees or shrubs with sphagnum moss or sedge hummock ground cover. Observation of congregating snakes on sunny warm days in the spring or fall is a good indicator. The existence of rock piles or slopes, stone fences, and crumbling foundations. For all snakes, habitat may be found in any forested ecosite in northern Ontario. Talus, rock barren, crevice and caves are more typically related to these habitats. Many suitable conditions also observed in the very shallow ecosites particularly on fractured bedrock and lower vegetation cover Open and Sparse Tall/Low Treed or Shrub Systems.

Ecosites: 3E: B008-028, B128-139, B158-159, B164-165, B167-172, B174-175, B180-181, B183-188. 4E: G008-028, G128-139, G158-159, G164-165, G167-172, G174-175, G180-181, G183-188.

Species of Conservation Concern: Milksnake

Colonially Nesting Any site or areas with exposed soil banks, undisturbed or naturally eroding that is not a licensed/permitted aggregate area. 4W: No suitable colonially nesting bird breeding habitats (cliff) were identified in ü ü ü Bird Breeding Does not include man-made structures (bridges or buildings) or recently (2 years) disturbed soil areas, such as berms, the background review or during 2014 field investigations in this Ecoregion. Habitat (Bank and embankments, and soil or aggregate stockpiles. Does not include a licensed/permitted Mineral Aggregate Operation. Cliff) Eroding banks, sandy hills, borrow pits, steep slopes, and sand piles. Cliff faces, bridge abutments, silos, barns (Cliff 3W: 8 cliff habitats were identified during 2014 field investigations in the PSA and Swallows). LSA that have the potential to provide colonially nesting bird breeding habitat (cliff). Ecosites: 4W/3W/3E: B001-004, B157-159, B173-175. 3E: No suitable colonially nesting bird breeding habitats (cliff) were identified in 4E: G001-004, G157-159, G173-175. the background review or during 2014 field investigations in this Ecoregion.

4E: No suitable colonially nesting bird breeding habitats (cliff) were identified in the background review or during 2014 field investigations in this Ecoregion.

Bank habitat will be discussed with Species at Risk in Appendix B5.

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WILDLIFE HABITAT DEFINITION OF HABITAT HABITAT COMPOSITION: ATTRIBUTES, CONDITION AND FUNCTION LSA PSA MITIGATION WITHIN WITHIN REQUIREMENTS

Colonially Nesting Great Blue Herons nest in live or dead standing trees in wetlands, lakeshores, islands, and peninsulas. Shrubs and Multiple great blue heron nesting sites were identified by the MNRF on the ü ü ü Bird Breeding occasionally emergent vegetation may also be used. Most nests in trees are 11 to 15 m from ground, near the top of the northern shoreline of Lake Superior. All nesting sites identified by MNRF are Habitat tree. Bonaparte’s Gulls nest in coniferous trees (preferably spruce-fir) near fens, bogs, swamps, ponds or lakes. Double- located outside of the PSA and LSA. No colonially nesting bird breeding habitat (Tree/Shrubs) crested Cormorants prefer to nest in trees but will nest on the ground as well where trees are limited or have died and (trees/shrubs) were observed during 2014 field investigations. fallen. May include a wide variety of tall treed ecosites. Habitat selection based on close proximity to water body or on an island. 4W: 11 habitats that have the potential to support colonially nesting bird breeding (tree/shrubs) were identified in the PSA and/or LSA. Ecosites: 4W/3W/3E: B045-059, B064-076, B081-092, B097-108, B113-137, B161-162, B177-178. 3W: 186 habitats that have the potential to support colonially nesting bird 4E: G045-059, G064-076, G081-092, G097-108, G113-137, G161-162, G177-178, G171-172, G187-188. breeding (tree/shrubs) were identified in the PSA and/or LSA.

3E: 167 habitats that have the potential to support colonially nesting bird breeding (tree/shrubs) were identified in the PSA and/or LSA.

4E: 7 habitats that have the potential to support colonially nesting bird breeding (tree/shrubs) were identified in the PSA and/or LSA.

Colonially Nesting Nesting colonies of gulls and terns are on islands or peninsulas (natural or artificial) associated with open water or in marshy The islands along the northern Lake Superior shoreline contain high quality ü ü ü Bird Breeding areas, lakes or large rivers (two-lined on a 1:50,000 NTS map). Brewers Blackbird colonies are found loosely on the ground habitat for colonially nesting bird breeding habitat (ground). These areas are Habitat (Ground) or in low bushes in close proximity to streams and irrigation ditches within farmlands. Double-crested Cormorants prefer to located outside of the PSA and LSA. No colonially nesting bird breeding nest in trees but will nest on the ground as well where trees are limited or have died and fallen. Any rocky island or habitats (ground) were identified during 2014 field investigations. peninsula (natural or artificial) within a lake or large river (two-lined on a 1; 50,000 NTS map). 4W: No suitable habitat that has the potential to support colonially nesting bird Ecosites: breeding habitat (ground) was identified in this Ecoregion. 4W/3W/3E: B008, B020-021, B030-031, B045-046, B061-062, B078-079, B094-095, B110-111, B142-144. 4E: G160-165, G169-172, G176-181, G185-188. 3W: 7 areas of suitable colonially nesting bird breeding habitat (ground) were Close proximity to watercourses in open fields or pastures with scattered trees or shrubs (Brewer’s Blackbird). identified in this Ecoregion.

Ecosites: 3E: 6 areas of suitable colonially nesting bird breeding habitat (ground) were 4W/3W/3E: B008, B020-021, B030-031, B045-046, B061-062, B078-079, B094-095, B110-111, B142-144. identified in this Ecoregion. 4E: G008, G020-021, G030-031, G045-046, G061-062, G078-079, G094-095, G110-111, G142-144. 4E: No suitable habitat that has the potential to support colonially nesting bird Species of Conservation Concern: breeding habitat (ground) was identified in this Ecoregion. Black Tern

RARE VEGETATION COMMUNITIES

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WILDLIFE HABITAT DEFINITION OF HABITAT HABITAT COMPOSITION: ATTRIBUTES, CONDITION AND FUNCTION LSA PSA MITIGATION WITHIN WITHIN REQUIREMENTS

Cliffs and Talus Cliffs: 4W: No cliff or talus slope communities were identified during the ü ü ü Slopes Vertical consolidate bedrock communities with a minimum height of 3 m and a slope of > 60° or 173%. They have limited background review or 2014 field investigations. plant growth and species diversification. Ground cover dominated by lichen and bryophytes. Plant communities are tolerant of environmental extremes, well adapted to desiccation, rapid fluctuations in temperature, and low availability of nutrients. 3W: 8 cliff communities were identified during field investigations in the PSA and LSA. In addition, 1 talus slope community was identified in the PSA and Ecosites: LSA 4W/3W/3E: B157-159, B173-175, B201-203. 4E: G157-159, G173-175. 3E: No cliff or talus slope communities were identified during the background review or 2014 field investigations. Talus: Rock accumulations at the base of cliffs, or former cobble beaches left behind after lake levels drop. These have a skeletal 4E: No cliff or talus slope communities were identified during the background soil structure, and can have organic accumulations between the rocks. Lichen cover usually extensive. Trees and shrubs are review or 2014 field investigations. stunted. Herbs and graminoids limited to patches of organic or mineral soil accumulations. Purple blue joint (Calamagrostis purpurascens) and Peregrine Falcon were Ecosites: observed during 2014 field investigations. In addition, nesting sites for Peregrine 4W/3W/3E: B166-168, B182-184. Falcon were identified through a review of background information. Note that 4E: G166-168, G182-184. this information is considered to be sensitive and has therefore not been displayed on mapping. Species of Conservation Concern: Antennaria rosea, Calamagrostis purpurascens, Carex atratiformis, Carex rossii, Carex xerantica, Cystopteris laurentiana, Dryas drummondii, Elymus glaucus, Gymnocarpium robertianum, Moehringia macrophylla, Oxytropis splendens, Poa secunda, Potentilla bimundorum, Senecio eremophila, Woodsia alpine, Amphidium mougeottii, Arnellia fenica, Aulacomnium acuminatum, Grimmia teretinervis, Carex supina, Gymnocarpium jessoense, Senecio eremophilus, Woodsia alpine, Woodsia scopulina, Anastrophyllum saxicola, Peregrine Falcon, Amphidium mougeotii, Vertigo Snail, Vasey’s Rush (Juncus vaseyi).

Rare Treed Type: Red and White Pine stands attain their northern limit near the northern margin of the Clay Belt. They occur as sporadic, 4W: Red and White Pine stands were not observed during the background ü ü ü Red and White Pine small stands and are generally found on dry, often exposed, and rocky sites. However, these conditions can vary. Stands review or 2014 field investigations. Stands should have >10% absolute cover or >35% relative cover of white and/or red pine. These species are uncommon to rare in central and northern areas of Ecoregion 3E – they amount to less than 1% of the total forest. 3W: Red Pine was observed as an abundant species in a B043: Dry, Sandy Mixedwood ecosite in the PSA and/or LSA. Eastern White Pine was a rare Ecosites: species observed in two ecosites but these do not meet the minimum cover 4W/3W/3E: B011, B015, B023, B027, B033, B039, B048, B054, B064, B069, B081, B087, B097, B103, B113, B118. requirements for this habitat.

3E: Eastern White Pine was observed as an occasional species in a B034: Dry, Sandy: Jack Pine-Black Spruce Dominated ecosite in the PSA and/or LSA.

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WILDLIFE HABITAT DEFINITION OF HABITAT HABITAT COMPOSITION: ATTRIBUTES, CONDITION AND FUNCTION LSA PSA MITIGATION WITHIN WITHIN REQUIREMENTS

Rare Treed Type: Black Ash stands are found within low lying, predominantly alluvial material throughout the Clay Belt. Stands should have 4W: Black Ash was not observed during the background review or 2014 field ü --- ü Black Ash >10% absolute cover or >35% relative cover of Black Ash. Black Ash is uncommon to rare in central and northern areas of investigations in this Ecoregion. Ecoregion 3E. 3W: Black Ash was observed as an occasional species during 2014 field Ecosites: investigations in four areas consisting of B130: Intolerant Hardwood Swamp 4W/3W/3E: B019, B028, B056, B059, B071, B076, B089, B092, B105, B108, B120, B125. and B134: Mineral Thicket Swamp and B130: Intolerant Hardwood Swamp in the PSA and/or LSA.

3E: Black Ash was identified as a rare species in two ecosites which does not meet the cover requirements of this habitat. Rare Treed Type: 4W/3W/3E: Elm stands are found within low lying, predominantly alluvial material throughout the Clay Belt. Stands should Elm was not identified in the Project area during the background review or ------Elm have >10% absolute cover or >35% relative cover of Elm. Elm is uncommon to rare in central and northern areas of during 2014 field investigations. Ecoregion 3E.

Ecosites: B019, B043, B056, B059, B071, B076, B089, B092, B105, B108, B120, B125.

4E: Elm stands are found within low lying, predominantly alluvial material throughout 4E. Stands should have at least a 10% component of elm.

Ecosites: G056, G071, G081, G089, G105, G120, G124, G130-133.

Rare Treed Type: 4W/3W/3E: Hardwood canopy within lower topographic positions. Fresh to moist moisture regimes with variable substrate Oak was not identified during the background review or during 2014 field ------Oak textures. Stands should have >10% absolute cover or >35% relative cover of Oak. Oak is only found in southern portions of investigations throughout the Project area. Ecoregion 3E. Ecosites: B017, B019, B028, B041, B043, B057, B059, B072, B076, B090, B092, B106, B108, B121, B125.

4E: Hardwood canopy within “upper slope/warmer/drier”, dry to fresh moisture regimes with variable substrate textures. Stands should have at least a 10% component of oak. Red and bur oak are limited/uncommon in 4E.

Ecosites: G015, G017-019, G027-028, G039, G041-042, G043, G054, G057-059, G072, G076, G087, G090-092, G103, G106- 107, G108. Rare Treed Type: Hardwood canopy containing red and/or sugar maple. Generally on warmer-than-normal sites with a higher nutrient regime. Red Maple was identified in a mixedwood ecosite as a rare understory species ------Red and Sugar Stands should have >10% absolute cover or >35% relative cover of red and/or sugar maple. These species are uncommon to which does not meet the cover requirements of this habitat. Maple rare in central and northern areas of Ecoregion 3E.

Ecosites: 3E: B018, B019, B028, B042, B043, B058, B059, B073(Mh), B074(Mr), B075, B076, B091, B092, B107, B108, B122(Mh), B123(Mr), B124, B125.

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WILDLIFE HABITAT DEFINITION OF HABITAT HABITAT COMPOSITION: ATTRIBUTES, CONDITION AND FUNCTION LSA PSA MITIGATION WITHIN WITHIN REQUIREMENTS

Rare Treed Type: 3E: Hardwood canopy consisting mostly of yellow birch. Generally on warmer-than-normal sites with a higher nutrient Yellow Birch was not identified during the background review or during 2014 ------Yellow Birch regime. Stands should have >10% absolute cover or >35% relative cover of yellow birch. This species is uncommon to rare in field investigations throughout the Project area. central and northern areas of Ecoregion 3E.

Ecosites: B019, B028, B040, B043, B055, B059, B070, B076, B088, B092, B104, B108, B119, B125.

4E: Hardwood canopy consisting mostly of yellow birch. Generally on warmer-than-normal sites with a higher nutrient regime. Generally fresh to moist sandy, coarse loamy to fine loamy materials. Stands should have >10% absolute cover or >35% relative cover of yellow birch. This species is uncommon to limited in 4E.

Ecosites: G014, G016, G025, G028, G051, G052, G055, G058, G066, G067, G070, G074, G084, G085, G088, G091, G100, G101, G104, G107, G115, G116, G119, G123, G129, G130-133, G224.

Rare Treed Type: On very edge of northern range in 4E. Possible on spruce-fir or mixedwood sites. Typically on fresh to moist coarser textured Black Cherry was not identified during the background review or during 2014 ------Black Cherry soils. Stands should have at least a 10% component of black cherry. field investigations throughout the Project area.

Ecosites: 4E: G037, G067, G123, G125.

Rare Treed Type: Typically cool fresh to moist sites, associated with yellow birch, white pine and red maple. Stands should have at least a 10% Eastern Hemlock was not identified during the background review or during ------Eastern Hemlock component of eastern hemlock. 2014 field investigations throughout the Project area.

Ecosites: 4E: G011, G013, G025, G028, G036, G042, G051, G058, G066, G073-074, G076, G084, G090, G100, G106, G115, G121-123, G129, G158, G159, G224.

Rock Barren Exposed bedrock areas (mostly exposed rock with <5 cm mineral or <10 cm organic material) and <25% vascular vegetation. 4W: 2 rock barren communities were identified in the PSA and/or LSA. ü ü ü

Ecosites for Calcareous Rock Barren: 3W: 6 rock barren communities were identified in the PSA and/or LSA. 4W/3W/3E: B179, B180, B181. 4E: G179, G180, G181. 3E: 2 rock barren community were identified in the PSA and/or LSA

Ecosites for Precambrian Rock Barren: 4E: No rock barrens were identified in the PSA or LSA during the background 4W/3W/3E: B163, B164, B165 review or during 2014 field investigations in this Ecoregion. 4E: G163, G164, G165.

Species of Conservation Concern: Antennaria rosea, Arnica lonchophylla, Carex atratiformis, Cystopteris laurentiana, Dryas drummondii, Gymnocarpium robertianum, Huperzia appressa, Moehringia macrophylla, Potentilla bimundorum, Senecio remophilus, Solidago missouriensis, Trichophorum clintonii, Zizia aptera, Aulacomnium turgidum, Diplophyllum taxifolium var. taxifolium, Mannia pilosa, Myurella tenerrima, Pogonatum dentatum, Scapania degenii, Scapania gymnostomophila, Umbilicaria arctica, Woodsia scopulina, Stereocaulon subcoralloides, Vasey’s Rush (Juncus vaseyi).

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WILDLIFE HABITAT DEFINITION OF HABITAT HABITAT COMPOSITION: ATTRIBUTES, CONDITION AND FUNCTION LSA PSA MITIGATION WITHIN WITHIN REQUIREMENTS

Bog 3E: This habitat was not defined in the Wildlife Habitat Criterion Schedule. We have assumed that suitable ecosites include No bog communities were identified during the background review or 2014 ------B137 and B138. field investigations in this Ecoregion.

Species of Conservation Concern Hammarbya paludosa Tallgrass Prairie 3E: This habitat was not defined in the Wildlife Habitat Criterion Schedule. No tallgrass prairies were identified during the background review or 2014 ------field investigations in this Ecoregion. Species of Conservation Concern Vasey’s Rush (Juncus vaseyi)

Sand Dunes 4W/3W: Great Lakes Dunes are described as open vegetation communities occurring on sand dunes along the shores of the 4W: No suitable habitats were identified during the background review or ü ü ü (American Dune Great Lakes. Soils are severely-drained calcareous sands. Further back from more active shoreline areas, the more 2014 field investigations in this Ecoregion. Grass Type) stabilised sand has greater cover of trees and shrubs. Dominant tree species include eastern cottonwood, red cedar, white pine, red pine, black oak, red oak, and white oak. Characteristic grasses include beach grass, Canada wild rye, switch grass, 3W: 1 suitable habitat that may support sand dunes was identified in the PSA and little bluestem; characteristic plants include tall wormwood, rock sandwort and starry false Solomon’s-seal. The beach and/or LSA. communities consist mainly of sea rocket, seaside spurge, Russian thistle, and horsetail, among other species. 3E: 2 suitable habitats that may support sand dunes were identified in the PSA 3E/4E: Exposed mineral material community often associated with shorelines of lakes or exposed inland mineral material and/or LSA. that has been shaped by eolian (wind) processes. 4E: No suitable habitats were identified during the background review or 2014 American Dune Grass Type field investigations in this Ecoregion. Open grassy sand dunes with indicator species: American dune grass, beach pea, and sand cherry. Scattered white spruce forest islands may also occur.

Ecosites: 3E: B005, B006, B142 4E: G005, G006, G030-032.

Species of Conservation Concern: Botrychium acuminatum, Botrychium pseudopinnatum, Botrychium spathulatum, Senecio eremophilus, Oxytropis splendens, Phacelia franklinii, Hudsonia tomentosa. Great Lakes Arctic- Found on the shoreline of Lake Superior on open basic bedrock. Vegetation consists mostly of arctic-alpine species. Great Lakes Arctic-Alpine Shoreline Type was not identified in Ecoregion 3E or ü ü ü Alpine Shoreline 4E during the background review or 2014 field investigations. The Significant Type Ecosites: Wildlife Habitat Technical Guide does not discuss this vegetation community 3E: B161, B162 however this community was identified in 6 areas in Ecoregion 3W during the 4E: G164-165, G158-159. background review and is considered a rare vegetation community within the Project area. Species of Conservation Concern: Carex atratiformis, Dryas drummondii, Elymus glaucus, Huperzia appressa, Oxytropis splendens, Packera obovata, Potentilla hippiana, Sagittaria cristata, Solidago simplex var. ontarioensis, Mannia pilosa, Myurella tenerrima, Scapania degenii, Anaptychia setifera, Umbilicaria arctica, Oxytropis borealis var. viscida, Silene acaulis.

P a g e |B4-8 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX B4 June 2015

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WILDLIFE HABITAT DEFINITION OF HABITAT HABITAT COMPOSITION: ATTRIBUTES, CONDITION AND FUNCTION LSA PSA MITIGATION WITHIN WITHIN REQUIREMENTS

Hardwood Swamps Dominant hardwood canopy that is located within lower topographic positions and subject to flooding. Nutrient regime is 4W: No hardwood or mixed swamps were identified during the background ü ü ü 3E rich and substrate is mostly moderately deep to deep with very moist to wet textures. review or 2014 field investigations in these Ecoregions.

Hardwood or Mixed Ecosites: 3W: 9 hardwood swamps were identified in the PSA and/or LSA. Swamps 4E 4W/3W/3E: B130, B131, B132, B133. 4E: G130, G131, G132, G133. 3E: 6 hardwood swamps were identified in the PSA and/or LSA.

Species of Conservation Concern: 4E: No hardwood or mixed swamps were identified during the background Neottia auriculata, Neottia borealis, Vaccinium ovalifolium, Viola epipsila, Splachnum luteum var. luteum, Splachnum review or 2014 field investigations in these Ecoregions. rubrum. Maritime Mountain This community was not defined in the Ecoregion Criterion Schedules. It was suggested by the MNRF that this species be Maritime mountain ash was not identified in the Project area during 2014 ------Ash considered. field investigations. SPECIALIZED HABITAT FOR WILDLIFE

Waterfowl Nesting 4W/3W: Marshes and swamps have greater value to nesting waterfowl than bogs and fens because they are more 4W: 10 habitats that may support waterfowl nesting were identified in the PSA ü ü ü Area productive and have more permanent open water. However, bogs and fens are important to certain waterfowl species, and and LSA. should not be ignored as potential significant waterfowl nesting habitat. Large wetlands and clusters of small wetlands located close to one another usually support greater waterfowl production than single small wetlands. 3W: 86 habitats that may support waterfowl nesting were identified in the PSA and LSA. 3E/4E: A waterfowl nesting area extends 120 m from a wetland (>0.5 ha) or a cluster of 3 or more small (<0.5 ha) wetlands within 120 m of each individual wetland where waterfowl nesting is known to occur. Upland areas should be at least 120 m 3E: 109 habitats that may support waterfowl nesting were identified in the PSA wide so that predators such as raccoons, skunks, and foxes have difficulty finding nests. Wood Ducks, Bufflehead, Common and LSA. Goldeneye and Hooded Mergansers utilize large diameter trees in woodlands for cavity nest sites. 4E: 25 habitats that may support waterfowl nesting were identified in the PSA All upland habitats located adjacent to Ecosites: and LSA. 3E: B129-135, B140-152, B224. 4E: G129-135, G140-152, G224. Redhead was observed during 2014 field investigations. Note that this information is considered to be sensitive and has therefore not been displayed Species of Conservation Concern: on mapping. Redhead, Black Tern, Yellow Rail, Great Black-backed Gull, Horned Grebe.

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WILDLIFE HABITAT DEFINITION OF HABITAT HABITAT COMPOSITION: ATTRIBUTES, CONDITION AND FUNCTION LSA PSA MITIGATION WITHIN WITHIN REQUIREMENTS

Bald Eagle and 4W/3W: Osprey nest along lake shorelines as well as in wetlands close to productive fishing waters. Shorelines of Note that information pertaining to the location of Bald Eagle nests is considered ü ü ü Osprey Nesting productive water bodies with numerous large confers and/or deciduous trees and with extensive areas of shallow water (<1 to be sensitive and has therefore not been displayed on mapping. Habitat m) for fishing are prime nesting habitat for ospreys. Trees used for perching and nesting are large and sturdy and provide birds with clear flight paths and good visibility. 4W: No Bald Eagle or Osprey nests were identified within or adjacent to the LSA during the background review or 2014 field investigations. 3E/4E: Nests are associated with lakes, ponds, rivers or wetlands along treed shorelines, islands, or on structures over water. Osprey nests are usually at the top of a tree whereas Bald Eagle nests are typically in super canopy trees in a fork 3W: 1 Osprey nest (unoccupied) was observed on a hydro tower and an (notch) within the tree’s canopy. Nests located on man-made objects such as telephone or hydro poles will not normally be additional active Osprey nest was observed on a tower with chicks during considered as SWH, however the MNR District retains discretion regarding significance of constructed nesting platforms. 2014 field investigations. Additionally, 1 Osprey nest was identified by the Treed communities directly adjacent to riparian areas – rivers, lakes, ponds and wetlands. MNRF in the LSA. The nest is located on a Balsam Poplar and was active as of 2009. This nest is not located near a large body of water and is approximately Species of Conservation Concern: 5 km from Nipigon Bay, Lake Superior. Bald Eagle 12 Bald Eagle nests and their surrounding 800 m radius were identified within the PSA and/or LSA.

3E: One Osprey nest was identified by MNRF on a dead tree outside of the LSA. The 300 m radius around the nest is considered significant wildlife habitat and extends into the LSA. In addition, an Osprey nest was observed on a hydro tower (unoccupied) during 2014 field investigations.

4 Bald Eagle nests and their surrounding 800 m radius were identified within the PSA and/or LSA.

4E: No Bald Eagle or Osprey nests were identified within or adjacent to the LSA during the background review or 2014 field investigations.

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WILDLIFE HABITAT DEFINITION OF HABITAT HABITAT COMPOSITION: ATTRIBUTES, CONDITION AND FUNCTION LSA PSA MITIGATION WITHIN WITHIN REQUIREMENTS

Woodland Raptor 4W/3W: Several raptors, including those nesting and hunting in forests, and several other woodland and grassland raptors 3E: The MNRF identified an unknown raptor nesting site in a Balsam Poplar ü ü ü Nesting Habitat require somewhat specialized nesting habitat for their long-term survival. Most woodland raptors require mature trees that within the LSA on the western shore of Gibson Lake. are large enough to support the nest, full canopy closure, and a minimum of trees and shrubs in the understory. Since these birds of prey hunt within the forest, an unimpeded flight zone under the canopy is required. 4W/3E/4E: No woodland raptor nests were identified during the background review or 2014 field investigations however all forested habitat has the 3E: All natural or conifer plantation woodland/forest stands. Stick nests found in a variety of intermediate-aged to mature potential to support this habitat type. As a result, this potential habitat has conifer, deciduous or mixed forests within tops or crotches of trees. Species such as Merlin or Coopers Hawk nest along not been mapped. forest edges sometimes on peninsulas or small off-shore islands. Some woodland raptors rely on cavity trees for nesting. They do not excavate their own cavities, but rely on natural cavities of sufficient size and those excavated by Pileated Woodpeckers. Larger diameter trees are used most frequently, with nest cavities most often found in trembling aspen. Nests may be used again, or a new nest may be in close proximity to old nest.

4E: All natural or conifer plantation woodland/forest stands. Stick nests found in a variety of intermediate-aged to mature conifer, deciduous or mixed forests within tops/crotches or below canopy of trees. Considerable variation in habitat preferences; may prefer to nest in forest interior (e.g., Northern Goshawk, along forest edges adjacent to large (e.g., Red- tailed Hawk) or small openings (e.g., Broad-winged Hawk) or along lakeshores (e.g., Merlin) or within open habitats (e.g., American Kestrel). Some woodland raptors rely on cavity trees for nesting. They do not excavate their own cavities, but rely on natural cavities of sufficient size and those excavated by Pileated Woodpeckers. Larger diameter trees are used most frequently, with nest cavities most often found in trembling aspen. Nests may be used again, or a new nest may be in close proximity to old nest.

May be found in all forested ELC Ecosites. Turtle Nesting Areas 4W/3W: In spring and early summer, turtles lay their eggs in areas that may be used year after year. Preferred nesting 4W: 2 potential turtle nesting habitats were identified during 2014 field ü ü ü habitats are usually on relatively soft substrates such as sand or find gravel that allow turtles to easily dig their nests, and investigations in the PSA and LSA. are located in open, sunny areas. In general the best nesting habitats are close to water and away from roads and sites less prone to loss of eggs by predation from skunks, raccoons, and other animals. 3W: Suitable habitat was identified for a potential turtle nesting habitat in the PSA and LSA. 3E/4E: Best nesting habitat for turtles are close to water and away from roads and sites less prone to loss of eggs by predation from skunks, raccoons or other animals. For an area to function as a turtle-nesting area, it must provide sand 3E: No suitable habitats to support turtle nesting areas were identified during and gravel that turtles are able to dig in and are located in open, sunny areas. Nesting areas on the sides of municipal or the background review and 2014 field investigations in this Ecoregion. provincial road embankments and shoulders are not SWH. Sand and gravel beaches adjacent to undisturbed shallow weedy areas of marshes, lakes, and rivers are most frequently used. 4E: No suitable habitats to support turtle nesting areas were identified during the background review and 2014 field investigations in this Ecoregion. Ecosites: 3E: B003, B006-007, B031, B171-172, B187-188. 4E: G003, G006-007, G031, G171-172, G187-188.

Species of Conservation Concern: Snapping Turtle

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WILDLIFE HABITAT DEFINITION OF HABITAT HABITAT COMPOSITION: ATTRIBUTES, CONDITION AND FUNCTION LSA PSA MITIGATION WITHIN WITHIN REQUIREMENTS

Seeps and Springs Any forested area (with < 25% meadow/field/pasture) within the headwaters of an ephemeral, intermittent or permanent 3W: Two seeps were identified in the PSA during 2014 field investigations. ü ü ü stream or river system. Seeps and springs are important feeding and drinking areas especially in the winter will typically support a variety of plant and animal species. Typically located near the base of slopes or hillsides adjacent to lakes, ponds, 4W/3W/3E/4E: Suitable habitat and headwater areas across the Project may rivers and streams. Seeps/springs/ ephemeral streams and other areas that are hydrologically connected to aquatic features contain seeps and springs throughout the PSA and LSA. are where ground water comes to the surface. These sites may be linked to or function as potential methylation “hotspots”. Often they are found within headwater areas within forested habitats.

4W/3W/3E/4E: Any forested ecosite within the headwater areas of a stream could have seeps/springs, but they are most likely found in ecosites that are moist to wet.

Species of Conservation Concern Quill Spike-rush (Eleocharis nitida)

Moose Aquatic 4W/3W: From June through July, moose move as far as 30 km to consume large quantities of aquatic plants, especially MNRF maps these locations on Crown Land and rates the sites on a scale of 1- ü ü ü Feeding Areas subagent species, to replenish their bodies with sufficient sodium. They feed several times a day at preferred aquatic 4. Feeding sites classed 3 or 4 are considered significant. feeding sites. Ideal sites provide abundant food, particularly pondweeds, water milfoil and yellow water lily, and have adjacent stands of lowland conifers to provide shade and hiding cover. Several moose may use prime sites. Other found 4W: The MNRF identified one aquatic feeding habitat with a ranking of 4 (very along bays, shorelines, river and creek systems, with aquatic vegetation. high potential) and is considered significant wildlife habitat.

3E/4E: MNR maps these locations on Crown land and rate the site on a scale of 1 – 4, with 4 having the greatest potential. 3W: The MNRF identified one aquatic feeding habitat with a ranking of 4 (very Feeding sites classed 3 or 4 are candidate significant areas. Identification of Moose Aquatic Feeding Areas should follow the high potential) in the LSA and 18 habitats with a ranking of 3 (high potential) method outlined in MNR’s Selected Wildlife and Habitat Features: Inventory Manual. which are considered significant wildlife habitat.

Wetlands and isolated embayments in rivers or lakes which provide an abundance of submerged aquatic vegetation such as 3E: The MNRF identified 8 areas of aquatic feeding habitat with a ranking of 3 pondweeds, water milfoil and yellow water lily are preferred sites. Adjacent stands of lowland conifer or mixed woods will (high potential) which are considered significant wildlife habitat. provide cover and shade. Habitat may be found in all forested ecosites adjacent to water. 4E: Aquatic feeding habitat was not identified in the PSA or LSA by the MNRF. 4E: Aquatic habitats may include floating leaved, emergent and submergent ecosites: G148-152 and less commonly G142, G145.

Species of Conservation Concern Alga Pondweed (Potamogeton confervoides) Mineral Licks 4W/3W: In spring, moose seek mineral licks to consume sodium that is found in upwelling groundwater and the soil of these No mineral licks were identified in the background review or during 2014 field ------seepage areas. Mineral licks surrounded by forest cover and free of human disturbance may be used by large investigations in the PSA or LSA. Further, the Project is primarily located in concentrations of moose for many years. These sites are rare, occurring most frequently in areas of sedimentary and areas where pre-existing disturbance has occurred. volcanic bedrock. They rarely occur on granitic bedrock, except where the site is overland by calcareous glacial till.

3E/4E: This habitat component is found in upwelling groundwater and the soil around these seepage areas. It typically occurs in areas of sedimentary and volcanic bedrock. In areas of granitic bedrock, the site is usually overlain with calcareous glacial till.

Habitat may be found in all treed ecosites.

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WILDLIFE HABITAT DEFINITION OF HABITAT HABITAT COMPOSITION: ATTRIBUTES, CONDITION AND FUNCTION LSA PSA MITIGATION WITHIN WITHIN REQUIREMENTS

Denning Sites Mink prefer shorelines dominated by coniferous or mixed forests with dens usually underground. Mink will often use old Suitable habitat that may support denning sites is abundant throughout the ü ü ü muskrat lodges. Mink may den in root masses along shorelines of water bodies. Otters prefer undisturbed shorelines along PSA and LSA; however, no denning sites were identified during the water bodies that support productive fish populations with abundant shrubby vegetation and downed woody debris for background review or 2014 field investigations in Ecoregion 4W or 4E. denning. They often use old beaver lodges or log jams and crevices in rock piles. Marten and fisher share the same general habitat, requiring large tracts of coniferous or mixed forests of mature or older age classes. Denning sites are often in 3W: A bear den was observed in the PSA along the proposed ROW during cavities in large trees or under large downed woody debris. Wolves prefer a more interior forest condition for locating their 2014 field investigations. den sites. Wolves often select sandy sites, sloped for excavation (esker areas should be examined as potentially key sites). Lynx den sites are most often associated with the presence of downed woody debris. Black bears, particularly sub-adults, 3E: A large animal burrow was observed in the sand during 2014 field may den in the base of hollow trees. Many pregnant female bears will construct dens within 50 m of a large diameter tree investigations. and use it as a sanctuary tree after emerging from the den. In 3E such trees are rare and primarily consist of large diameter cedar or sometimes large white spruce. In 4E such trees are rare and primarily consist of large diameter white or red pine, yellow birch, eastern hemlock, cedar or white spruce.

4W/3W: Relatively undisturbed shorelines, wetlands and closed-canopy forests with larger, older trees that might provide suitable structure.

3E/4E: Habitat may be found in all treed ecosites.

Species of Conservation Concern: Eastern Wolf

Rendezvous Sites Rendezvous sites may be found in a variety of habitats such as open bogs, burns, clearcuts, beaver meadows, and open No rendezvous sites were identified during the background review or during ------(Wolf) forest. Rendezvous sites are often used by wolf packs during multiple years. Areas used as rendezvous sites one year may be 2014 field investigations. The general Project area is located adjacent to used as den sites in a subsequent year. Wolves in remote areas, or where prone to harvest by humans, appear to have a low existing linear infrastructure and development and would therefore not likely tolerance for human activity near rendezvous sites. Isolated open areas including bogs, fens, meadows, clearcuts. provide high quality habitat for wolves.

Species of Conservation Concern: Eastern Wolf

Amphibian Breeding Wetlands and pools (including vernal pools) > 500 m2 (about 25 m diameter) supporting high species diversity are 4W: 98 habitats that have the potential to support amphibian breeding (wetland) ü ü ü Habitat (Wetland) significant; some small or ephemeral habitats may not be identified on MNRF mapping and could be important amphibian were identified in the PSA and/or LSA. breeding habitats. Wetlands and pools generally need to persist until mid-July. Presence of shrubs and logs increase significance of pond for some amphibian species because of available structure for calling, foraging, escape and 3W: 403 habitats that have the potential to support amphibian breeding concealment from predators. Rich swamps and thickets, vernal/seasonal pools, riparian and variety of wetland interiors and (wetland) were identified in the PSA and/or LSA. margins. 3E: 367 habitats that have the potential to support amphibian breeding Ecosites: (wetland) were identified in the PSA and/or LSA. 4W/3W/3E: B128-135, B141-152, B223-224. 4E: G128-135, G140-152, G223-224. 4E: 1 habitat that has the potential to support amphibian breeding (wetland) was identified in the PSA and/or LSA.

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WILDLIFE HABITAT DEFINITION OF HABITAT HABITAT COMPOSITION: ATTRIBUTES, CONDITION AND FUNCTION LSA PSA MITIGATION WITHIN WITHIN REQUIREMENTS

Amphibian Breeding Presence of a wetland, lake or pond of area > 500 m2 (about 25 m diameter) within or adjacent (within 120 m) to a 4W/3W/3E/4E: A large portion of the PSA and LSA contains potential woodland ü ü ü Habitat (Woodland) woodland (no minimum size). The wetland, lake or pond and surrounding forest would be the Candidate SWH. Some small amphibian breeding habitat. As a result this potential habitat has not been wetlands (vernal pools) may not be mapped and may be important breeding pools for amphibians. Pools generally need to mapped. be present until mid-July. Breeding pools within the woodland or the shortest distance from forest habitat are more significant because of reduced risk to migrating amphibians and more likely to be used. Woodlands with permanent ponds or those containing water in most years generally until mid-July are more likely to be used as breeding habitat. The wetland breeding ponds (including vernal pools) may be permanent, seasonal, ephemeral, large or small in size and could be located within or adjacent to the woodland.

All treed upland ecosites, however more likely on fine textured moist ecosites (e.g., 4W/3W/3E: B119-125; 4E: G119-125). Mast Producing Significant tree species include mountain ash and pin cherry. Significant shrub species include blueberries, raspberries, 4W: 12 habitats with abundant or dominant significant species were identified in ü ü ü Areas beaked hazel and choke cherry. Oak or other hard-mast producing species may be present and its significance should be the PSA and/or LSA. evaluated as encountered because of its importance as a food source for various wildlife species. Recently disturbed sites (fire or logging), large bedrock outcroppings, forest openings or utility corridors >1 ha provide excellent sites for mast 3W: 51 habitats with abundant or dominant significant species were identified in producing shrubs. Permanent open sites providing long-term food sources are more significant. the PSA and/or LSA.

All shrub and treed ecosites capable of producing mast. 3E: 37 with abundant or dominant significant species were identified in the PSA and/or LSA.

4E: 10 with abundant or dominant significant species were identified in the PSA and/or LSA. Sharp-tailed Grouse The lek or dancing ground consists of bare, grassy area as the core of the lekking area, and may contain some sparse 4W/3W: No suitable habitat to support Sharp-tailed Grouse leks were identified ü ü ü Leks shrubland. There is often a knoll or slightly elevated rise in topography associated with the site. This is a better drained site in these Ecoregions during the background review or 2014 field investigations. less likely to collect water. Leks are typically a grassy field/meadow separated by >15 ha from adjacent shrublands and > 30 ha from adjacent treed areas. Field/meadows are to be >15 ha when adjacent to shrubland and >30 ha when adjacent to 3E: One suitable habitat that has the potential to support Sharp-tailed Grouse deciduous stands. Field/meadows are to be as undisturbed as possible with low intensities of agriculture (light grazing or late leks were identified in the PSA and LSA. haying). Leks will be used annually if not destroyed by cultivation or invasion by woody plants or tree planting. Ecosites:

4W/3W/3E: B029-031, B044-046, B060-062, B077-079, B093-095, B109-111, B126, B136-141. HABITAT FOR SPECIES OF CONSERVATION CONCERN

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WILDLIFE HABITAT DEFINITION OF HABITAT HABITAT COMPOSITION: ATTRIBUTES, CONDITION AND FUNCTION LSA PSA MITIGATION WITHIN WITHIN REQUIREMENTS

Marsh Breeding Nesting occurs in wetlands. All wetland habitats are to be considered as long as there is shallow water with emergent 4W: 65 suitable habitats that have the potential to support marsh breeding birds ü ü ü Bird Habitat aquatic vegetation present. were identified in the PSA and/or LSA.

Ecosites: 3W: 160 suitable habitats that have the potential to support marsh breeding 4W/3W/3E: B134-B152. birds were identified in the PSA and/or LSA. 4E: G134-G152 3E: 60 suitable habitats that have the potential to support marsh breeding birds Species of Conservation Concern: were identified in the PSA and /or LSA. Redhead, Yellow Rail, Black Tern, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Yellow-headed Blackbird. 4E: No suitable habitats for marsh breeding birds were identified in the PSA or LSA during background review or 2014 field investigations.

Redhead and Red-necked Grebe were identified during 2014 field investigations. Note that this information is considered to be sensitive and has therefore not been displayed on mapping.

Open Country Bird 3W/4W: For area-sensitive grassland bird species, large grassland areas are required as they are more likely to be buffered 4W: 3 suitable habitats that have the potential to support open country bird ü ü ü Breeding Habitat from disturbances, more likely to increase the distance of nesting habitat to woody edges (thereby reducing nest predation breeding were identified in the PSA and/or LSA. and parasitism), and provide more opportunities for nesting. Grasslands should be at least 10 ha. Those with a variety of vegetation structure, density and composition tend to support a greater diversity of grassland nesting birds because 3W: 3 suitable habitats that have the potential to support open country bird different species required different nesting habitat. breeding were identified in the PSA and/or LSA.

3E/4E: Large field/meadow areas (includes natural and cultural fields and meadows) > 30 ha. Field/meadow not Class 1 or 3E: No suitable open country bird breeding habitat was identified in the PSA 2 agricultural lands, and not being actively used for farming (i.e., no row cropping or intensive hay or livestock pasturing in or LSA during background review or 2014 field investigations. the last 5 years). Field/meadow sites considered significant should have a history of longevity, either abandoned fields, mature hayfields and pasturelands that are at least 5 years or older. The indicator bird species are area sensitive requiring 4E: No suitable open country bird breeding habitat was identified in the PSA larger Field/meadow areas than the common Field/meadow species. or LSA during background review or 2014 field investigations.

Ecosites: Common nighthawk was observed during 2014 field investigations. Note that 3E: B08-09, B20-21, B29-31, B44-46, B60-62, B77-79, B93-95, B109-111. this information is considered to be sensitive and has therefore not been 4E: G08-09, G20-21, G29-31, G44-46, G60-62, G77-79, G93-95, G109-111, G142-144. displayed on mapping.

Species of Conservation Concern: Short-eared Owl, Black-billed Magpie, Western Meadowlark, Common Nighthawk, Vasey’s Rush (Juncus vaseyi).

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WILDLIFE HABITAT DEFINITION OF HABITAT HABITAT COMPOSITION: ATTRIBUTES, CONDITION AND FUNCTION LSA PSA MITIGATION WITHIN WITHIN REQUIREMENTS

Shrub/Early Large natural field areas succeeding to shrub and thicket habitats >30 ha in size. Shrub land or early successional fields, not 4W: 6 suitable habitats that have the potential to support shrub/early ü ü ü Successional Bird class 1 or 2 agricultural lands, not being actively used for farming (i.e., no row-cropping, haying or live-stock pasturing in the successional bird breeding were identified in the PSA and/or LSA. Breeding Habitat last 5 years). Larger shrub thicket habitats (>30 ha) are most likely to support and sustain a diversity of these species. Shrub and thicket habitat sites considered significant should have a history of longevity, either abandoned fields or pasturelands. 3W: 2 suitable habitats that have the potential to support shrub/early successional bird breeding were identified in the PSA and/or LSA. Ecosites: 4W/3W/3E: B09-10, B21-22, B31-32, B46-47, B62-63, B79-80, B95-96, B111-112, B134-135 3E: 3 suitable habitats that have the potential to support shrub/early 4E: G09-10, G21-22, G31-32, G46-47, G62-63, G79-80, G95-96, G111-112, G134-135. successional bird breeding were identified in the PSA and/or LSA.

Species of Conservation Concern: 4E: No suitable shrub/early successional bird breeding habitats were Black-billed Magpie, Western Meadowlark, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Golden-winged Warbler. identified in the PSA and LSA

Golden-winged Warbler was identified during 2014 field investigations. Note that this information is considered to be sensitive and has therefore not been displayed on mapping.

Rare Plant Species Open areas dominated by herbaceous vegetation, especially grasses, provide habitat for the following plant Species of None of these species were identified during 2014 field investigations. Fields ü ü ü Found within Conservation Concern: Antennaria parviflora, Botrychium hesperium, Botrychium pallidum, Botrychium pseudopinnatum, and open meadows through the Project area have the potential to support Prairies and Open Bromus inermis ssp. Pumpellianus, Cirsium drummondii, Leucophysalis grandiflora, Potentilla hippiana, Potentilla these species. Meadows pulcherrima, Solidago missouriensis, Solidago rigida ssp. Rigida, Trichophorum clintonii. Rare Western Plant Disjunct populations of the following plant Species of Conservation Concern (which are common in Western Canada), may The northern shoreline of Lake Superior is located within the PSA and/or LSA ü ü ü Species with be found on the north shore of Lake Superior: Antennaria parviflora, Arnica cordifolia, Arnica lonchophylla, Botrychium in 4 locations across the Project area. These areas near Ozone Creek, Jackfish Disjunct Populations hesperium, Bromus inermis spp. Pumpellianus, Cirsium drummondii, Cystopteris montana, Dryas drummondii, Elymus Lake, Ripple Lake and the west and east side of Red Sucker Point have the on the North Shore glaucus, Leucophysalis grandiflora, Oplopanax horridus, Phacelia franklinii, Poa secunda, Potentilla hippiana, Potentilla potential to support these rare plant species. of Lake Superior pulcherrima, Solidago missouriensis, Solidago rigida ssp. rigida, Vaccinium membranaceum.

Rare plants in Low Sandwort (Arenaria humifusa) - Wet, often mossy places along rivers and streams. No rare riparian plant species were identified during 2014 field investigations. ü ü ü riparian habitats Riparian habitat that may support these rare plants is located throughout the Long-styled Rush (Juncus longistylis) – Riparian habitat. Project area.

Slender Bulrush (Schoenoplectus heterochaetus) - Shorelines of lakes, streams and wetlands. Upswept Moonwort Different habitats including grassy riverside areas and open fields. Upswept Moonwort was not identified during 2014 field investigations ü ü ü however potential habitat is located throughout the Project area. Ryegrass Sedge Bogs, muskegs and black spruce forests. This species was not observed during 2014 field investigations. Abundant ü ü ü black spruce forests are located throughout the Project area and minimal bog habitat that has the potential to support Ryegrass Sedge. Ram’s-head Lady’s- Cedar woodland on limestone plains, wooded fens and sandy sites. This species was not observed during 2014 field investigations. Four wooded ü ü ü slipper fens and various sandy sites were identified in the Project area and have the potential to support Ram’s-head Lady Slipper. Braun’s Holly Fern Deciduous mixed woods on talus slopes, rocky ravines and streambeds. This species was not observed during 2014 field investigations. Deciduous ü ü ü (Polystichum mixed woods on rocky ravines and streambeds are located throughout the braunii) Project area and have the potential to support Braun’s Holly Fern.

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LOCATION

WILDLIFE HABITAT DEFINITION OF HABITAT HABITAT COMPOSITION: ATTRIBUTES, CONDITION AND FUNCTION LSA PSA MITIGATION WITHIN WITHIN REQUIREMENTS

Purple Mountain Tundra barrens, disturbed gravel habitats along roads and aircraft landing strips. This species was not observed during 2014 field investigations. Disturbed ------Saxifrage (Saxifraga gravel habitats are located throughout the Project area but are not oppositifolia) considered significant habitat. Northern Marsh Moist woods. This species was not observed during 2014 field investigations. Occurrence ------Violet (Viola records for Northern Marsh Violet are restricted to Ouimet Canyon which is epipsila) located outside of the PSA and LSA and is minimally disturbed habitat.

Flat-stem Oat Grass Flat-stem Oat Grass was observed during 2014 field investigations. Note that ü ü ü (Danthonia this information is considered to be sensitive and has therefore not been compressa) displayed on mapping.Suitable habitat to support this species is located throughout the project location.

Bryum blindii (Moss) Wet, gravelly silt at roadsides and in floodplains. Very rare, Thunder Bay. This species has been previously identified in the Thunder Bay area however it ü ü ü was not identified during 2014 field investigations. Floodplain areas are located within the Project area which has the potential to support this species.

Peltigera collina Grows on soil, mosses, humus over boulders and base of trees. Also grows on rotting logs. On mossy bark and rock; low This species was not observed during 2014 field investigations. Due to its ü ü ü (Lichen) elevations to subalpine, generally in moist habitats. broad habitat, the Project area contains abundant forest and rocky habitat that has the potential to support this species. Dicranella crispa Yellowish-green to green tufts or patches on soil on banks of streams and ditches in dune slacks. This species was not observed during 2014 field investigations. Numerous ü ü ü (Moss) watercourses are located throughout the Project area and have the potential to support this species.

Rare Lichen on Lobaria scrobiculata (Lichen) - Occurs on trunks of deciduous trees, on moss-covered rocks and occasionally on conifers, These species were not observed during 2014 field investigations. Abundant ü ü ü Base/Trunk of primarily in areas of high relative humidity. Generally occurs in semi-open habitats but protected from wind and direct sun. habitat that has the potential to support these species exists throughout the Trees, Soils and Project area. Rocks Pannaria conoplea (Lichen) – Grows at the base of trees in mature woods. Grows on soil and among mosses.

Stereocaulon glaucescens (Lichen) – Grows on rocks and soil. Bryum pallens Moist, usually bare soil by streams, flushes, pools, river banks, roadsides, in disused quarries, the spoil of mines, on waste This species was not observed during 2014 field investigations. Abundant ü ü ü (Moss) ground, in woodland rides and fields, dune slacks and on damp walls and rocks. habitat that has the potential to support these species exists throughout the Project area.

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LOCATION

WILDLIFE HABITAT DEFINITION OF HABITAT HABITAT COMPOSITION: ATTRIBUTES, CONDITION AND FUNCTION LSA PSA MITIGATION WITHIN WITHIN REQUIREMENTS

Red-headed Open, deciduous forest with little understory; fields or pasture lands with scattered large trees; wooded swamps; orchards, This species was not observed during 2014 field investigations. Due to its ü ü ü Woodpecker small woodlots or forest edges; groves of dead or dying trees; feeds on insects and stores nuts or acorns for winter; loss of general habitat requirements the Project area contains abundant areas that habitat is limiting factor; requires cavity trees with at least 40 cm dbh; require about 4 ha for a territory. have the potential to support this species. Canada Warbler An interior forest species; dense, mixed coniferous, deciduous forests with closed canopy, wet bottomlands of cedar or Canada Warbler was observed during 2014 field investigations. Note that this ü ü ü alder; shrubby undergrowth in cool moist mature woodlands; riparian habitat; usually requires at least 30 ha. information is considered to be sensitive and has therefore not been displayed on mapping. Large tracts of suitable forested habitat are located within the PSA and LSA and have the potential to support this species. Invertebrates Monarch - Open fields, meadows, and prairie remnants with abundance of Milkweed (Asclepias) species. These species were not observed during 2014 field investigations. Minimal ------associated with meadow and field habitat exists within the Project location. open fields, Red-disked Alpine - Moist prairie habitats and grassy areas on bog margins. The flight is very weak and close to the ground; meadows and they usually perch on grasses or on the ground. roadsides Purplish Copper - Common species of open fields, roadsides and wet meadows throughout its western range. Often associated with waste places and adults sometimes stray far from their larval foodplants.

Taiga Alpine Open Black Spruce – sphagnum bogs. Regularly lands on tree trunks and is often seen at mud puddles, rarely at flowers. This species was not observed during 2014 field investigations. Minimal bog ------habitat is located in the Project area.

Large Marble Sandy areas in open pine forests where it flies a relatively slow zigzagging pattern. This species was not observed during 2014 field investigation. Open pine ü ü ü forests are located in the Project area and have the potential to support this species. Macoun’s Arctic Associated with dry, sandy Jack Pine forests where it flies along trails and roadsides and in clearings. This species was not observed during 2014 field investigations. Five dry, sandy ü ü ü Jack Pine ecosites in the Project area have the potential to support this species.

Old World Found in a wide variety of habitats. Can most easily be found on exposed hilltops or at cliff tops. This species was not observed during 2014 field investigations. Due to its ü ü ü Swallowtail general habitat requirements the Project area contains abundant areas that have the potential to support this species. West Virginia White Restricted to rich, moist deciduous woods. This species was not observed during 2014 field investigations. Due to its ü ü ü general habitat requirements the Project area contains abundant areas that have the potential to support this species. Western White Broad range of open habitats including prairie coulees, mountain valleys and badlands. It is less often found around This species was not observed during 2014 field investigations. Suitable ------farmlands and other domesticated areas. Has a great tolerance for high-altitude regions and is found on open tundra. habitat for this species was not identified in the Project area. Males are often on hilltops looking for females. Sedge Darner Confined to standing, largely unshaded habitats in boreal, alpine and subalpine habitats. In boreal regions, the species is Has been known to breed in rock/splash pools along the rocky Lake Superior ü ü ü widespread over fens, sphagnum peat bogs, ponds, pools and lakes between sea level to alpine regions. shore. It’s commonly found in shore fens and sedge-fringed beach swales along the coast. This species has been identified at Ypres Point, Peninsula Harbour on Lake Superior which is over 3 km from the Project area. This species was not observed during 2014 field investigations. Bog, fen, pond, pools and lakes in the Project area have the potential to support this species.

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LOCATION

WILDLIFE HABITAT DEFINITION OF HABITAT HABITAT COMPOSITION: ATTRIBUTES, CONDITION AND FUNCTION LSA PSA MITIGATION WITHIN WITHIN REQUIREMENTS

Subarctic Darner This species occurs in fens, wet meadows and bogs with abundant sphagnum and other mosses. Larvae require submerged This species has been identified in the town of Marathon near Shack Lake. It ü ü ü vegetation for their clinging-type predation behavior. has also been observed near Dorion. This species was not observed during 2014 field investigations however this species may be supported by bog and meadow habitat in the Project area.

Extra-striped In general, larvae prefer clear, swift flowing rivers. Adults patrol these rivers and forage in adjacent wetlands, lowland This species was not identified during 2014 field investigations but suitable ü ü ü Snaketail forests, and mature upland forests with closed canopy and low understory. They tend to disappear from cleared or habitat is located throughout the Project area. cultivated regions due to the reduction of sheltered shoreline vegetation for adults, and changes in flow and siltation in the larval habitat. Ski-tailed Emerald Slow, shaded streams and outlets of beaver ponds. This species was not identified during 2014 field investigations but suitable ü ü ü habitat is located throughout the Project area.

Tapered Vertigo The species is found in open calcareous sites including fens, cobble beaches, moist alvar, and conifer swamps dominated by This species was not identified during 2014 field investigations but suitable ü ü ü Snail white-cedar or tamarack. The species is restricted to wetland habitats underlain by limestone. habitat is located throughout the Project area.

Upper Great Lakes This species lives in the clear, cold-water of the Great Lakes at depths ranging from 35 to 200 m and feeds on deep-water An occurrence record for this species was identified in Lake Superior near ------Kiyi crustaceans. It is rarely found in waters less than 100 m deep. Wawa which is outside of the PSA and LSA. Note that this information is considered to be sensitive and has therefore not been displayed on mapping.

Northern Brook This species inhabits clear, coolwater streams. Larval stages require soft substrates such as silt and sand for burrowing Multiple occurrences of this species were identified along the north shore and ü ü ü Lamprey which are often found in the slow-moving portions of a stream. Adults are found in areas associated with spawning tributaries of Lake Superior between Thunder Bay and Marathon. Note that including fast flowing riffles comprised of rock or gravel. this information is considered to be sensitive and has therefore not been displayed on mapping.

Silver Lamprey This species requires clear water so they can find hosts, relatively clean stream beds of sand and organic debris for larvae to No occurrence records were available. Potential to occur in Lake Superior and ü ü ü live in and unrestricted migration routes for spawning. its tributaries. American Brook Adults occur in gravel/sand riffles and runs of creeks and small to medium sized rivers with strong flow and clear waters. The range of this species includes the tributaries of Lake Superior which are ü ü ü Lamprey Larval stages in sandy or silty pools. located in the PSA and LSA. ANIMAL MOVEMENT CORRIDORS

Amphibian Movement corridors for amphibians are required for amphibians moving from their terrestrial habitat to breeding habitats. 4W/3W/3E/4E: A large portion of the PSA and LSA may contain amphibian ü ü ü Movement Corridor Movement corridors must be determined when Amphibian breeding habitat is confirmed as significant wildlife habitat, as movement corridors between potential amphibian breeding habitat. As a result described in this table. Corridors may be found in all ecosites associated with water, and should consist of native vegetation, this potential habitat has not been mapped. within roadless areas, in vegetated fields or meadows, and waterways. Corridors should be at least 200 m wide, with gaps < 20 m. If corridors exist following riparian areas, at least 15 m of vegetation should exist on both sides of the waterway. Shorter corridors are more significant than longer corridors. Cervid Movement Corridors are required to allow species to access seasonally important life-cycle habitats or to access new habitat for 4W/3W/3E/4E: A large portion of the PSA and LSA may contain cervid movement ü ü ü Corridors dispersing individuals by minimizing their vulnerability while travelling. Corridors typically follow riparian areas, woodlots, corridors. As a result this potential habitat has not been mapped. areas of physical geography (ravines, or ridges). Corridors will be multi-functional in that these will function for smaller mammal species as well. For Moose, these corridors are used for moose moving to mineral licks or aquatic feeding areas. Corridors may be found in all treed ecosites.

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LOCATION

WILDLIFE HABITAT DEFINITION OF HABITAT HABITAT COMPOSITION: ATTRIBUTES, CONDITION AND FUNCTION LSA PSA MITIGATION WITHIN WITHIN REQUIREMENTS

Furbearer Intact forest corridors are critical for movement within territories for hunting, breeding, and maintenance of populations. 4W/3W/3E/4E: A large portion of the PSA and LSA may contain furbearer ü ü ü Movement Mink and Otter den sites are typically found within a riparian area of a lake, river, stream or wetland. The den site will movement corridors. As a result this potential habitat has not been mapped. Corridors potentially have a movement corridor associated with it. Den sites of other furbearer species may be more associated with social, hunting, breeding or other behaviours. All treed Ecosites adjacent to or within shoreline habitats may function as a movement corridor.

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Appendix B5: Species at Risk EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX B5 June 2015

Table B5: Summary of Species at Risk OBSERVED POTENTIAL SPECIES STATUS STATUS IN 3 INFORMATION DURING 5 HABITAT IN SPECIES AND/OR HABITAT EFFECTS IN 2 S-RANK 4 HABITAT REQUIREMENTS RATIONALE COMMON 1 ONTARIO SOURCE FIELD LOCAL STUDY AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT ASSESSMENT SCIENTIFIC NAME CANADA NAME STUDIES AREA PLANTS

Cirsium pitcheri Pitcher’s Thistle THR THR S2 Great Lakes No Sandy areas on the Great Lakes coast. Often Yes Within the LSA, the American Dune No impacts to this species are No (Sch. 1) Conservation occurs alongside other dune grassland Grass Shoreline ecotype on the Lake anticipated. It is unlikely that Blueprint, MNRF species. Superior coast is the most likely additional populations of Consultation habitat for this species. Other Pitcher’s Thistle will be found, In 2013, a detailed recovery strategy for this typical associate species include since detailed surveys have species was released by the MNRF and American Dune Grass (Leymus been conducted by the MNRF Environment Canada. Detailed occurrence molis) and Bearberry and Parks Canada at most and population data for this species was (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi). suitable sites along Lake mapped as part of this strategy, which Superior (MNRF, 2013a). This indicates that the nearest known Five sections of the Lake Superior species was not observed populations to the Project are on the coast shoreline are located within the during field investigations. of Pukaskwa National Park between 25 and LSA, of which four are within the 40 km from the Local Study Area (LSA) Project Study Area (PSA); however, (MNRF, 2013a). there is unlikely to be suitable habitat for Pitcher’s Thistle at these locations since it is primarily rocky shoreline. LICHENS

Leptogium Flooded THR THR S3 Forest No Flooded Jellyskin is a lichen known to exist in Yes Detailed information provided by Although suitable habitat is Yes rivulare Jellyskin (Sch. 1) Management Plan, only a handful of sites worldwide. It is found the MNRF identifies one record of located in the PSA, Flooded MNRF Consultation growing at the base of deciduous trees that Flooded Jellyskin outside of the LSA Jellyskin was not identified are subjected to regular periodic flooding near Wawa. during field investigations. (i.e., vernal pools in mixed or deciduous Project components and forests, flood trees in floodplains of lakes Deciduous forest, hardwood construction activities will be and rivers). The species is very sensitive to swamps and deciduous trees along located outside of all wetlands changes in flooding regimes, and will be the shorelines of lakes and rivers and waterbodies, where found growing in between the high and low are all located in the PSA which may possible. Where construction water mark on trees. The primary host trees provide habitat for Flooded is required in or adjacent to are Red and Silver Maple, American Elm, Jellyskin. wetlands or waterbodies, pre- Black Ash, and, rarely, Balsam Poplar construction surveys may be (COSEWIC, 2004a; MNRF, 2012a). The conducted in suitable habitat species can also be found along rocky for this species. shorelines.

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OBSERVED POTENTIAL SPECIES STATUS STATUS IN 3 INFORMATION DURING 5 HABITAT IN SPECIES AND/OR HABITAT EFFECTS IN 2 S-RANK 4 HABITAT REQUIREMENTS RATIONALE COMMON 1 ONTARIO SOURCE FIELD LOCAL STUDY AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT ASSESSMENT SCIENTIFIC NAME CANADA NAME STUDIES AREA BIRDS

Aquila chrysaetos Golden Eagle --- END S2B NHIC, CBC, Forest No Exposed, treeless plateaus with wide vistas No The Project is located well outside This species was not observed No Management Plan, for the species to spot prey. Golden Eagles the breeding range of Golden Eagle. during field investigations. MNRF Consultation in eastern Canada are migratory, while Today, there are only about 20 Any observances would be Golden Eagles in the west are not breeding pairs known in Ontario, incidental observations of (Wyshynski and Pulfer, 2014). which are located in the Hudson Bay migrant Golden Eagles. No Lowlands, hundreds of kilometers to impacts to this species are the north of the Project. anticipated.

The draft recovery strategy for this species (Wyshynski and Pulfer, 2014) indicates that Golden Eagles may have historically bred as far south as the north shore of Lake Superior. However, the only evidence of Golden Eagles breeding south of the Hudson Bay Lowlands are unconfirmed reports made prior to 1954.

As the eastern population of the species is migratory, observations in the Lake Superior area are likely of migrants or non-breeding individuals. Calidris canutus Red Knot END END S1N MNRF Consultation No The breeding range for Red Knot falls is No The Project lies outside of this This species was not observed No rufa Rufa subspecies (Sch. 1) confined to the central and northeastern species’ breeding range and during field investigations. Any parts of the Canadian Arctic. important migratory stopover observances would be areas. In addition, coastal areas of incidental observations of During migration, large numbers of Red Lake Superior in the PSA and LSA migrant Red Knots. No Knots pass through the coast of Hudson Bay consist of rocky shorelines which impacts to this species are and James Bay and in Eastern Canada on the would not provide suitable anticipated. St. Lawrence River. Large concentrations are migratory habitat for Red Knot. occasionally found around Lake Ontario which likely represent weather-related dropouts from the main migration. They tend to favour coastal areas with extensive intertidal flats (usually sand) where birds feed on bivalves and other benthic invertebrates (COSEWIC, 2007).

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OBSERVED POTENTIAL SPECIES STATUS STATUS IN 3 INFORMATION DURING 5 HABITAT IN SPECIES AND/OR HABITAT EFFECTS IN 2 S-RANK 4 HABITAT REQUIREMENTS RATIONALE COMMON 1 ONTARIO SOURCE FIELD LOCAL STUDY AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT ASSESSMENT SCIENTIFIC NAME CANADA NAME STUDIES AREA Caprimulgus Eastern Whip- THR THR S4B MNRF Consultation No Whip-poor-will breeding habitat commonly Yes The OBBA indicates that possible Whip-poor-will were not Yes vociferus poor-will (Sch. 1) includes rock or sand barrens with scattered and probably breeding evidence has observed during field studies trees, savannahs, old burns or other been observed in the Thunder Bay however crepuscular surveys disturbed sites in early to mid-forest area however no breeding has been were not conducted. succession or open conifer plantations. They confirmed. Vegetation clearing will occur will often feed in nearby shrubby pastures, in the winter therefore no wetlands with pastures and power-line and MNRF mapping indicates Whip- direct impacts to this species roadway corridors (COSEWIC, 2009a). Whip- poor-will has been observed are anticipated. Direct poor-wills do not construct traditionally regularly in the Thunder Bay area, removal of habitat may occur. nests as eggs are laid directly on leaf litter. with one historical observation in Targeted surveys (based on Nests require tree cover, shade, sparse the White River area. These MNRF protocols) to confirm ground cover and proximity to open areas observations are all near the LSA the presence or absence of for foraging on flying insects (MNRF, 2013b) (MNRF, 2014a). this species and/or its habitat may be required for the purpose of permitting under the Endangered Species Act. Chaetura pelagica Chimney Swift THR THR S4B, S4N MNRF Consultation No Historically, the Chimney Swift nested in No There is unlikely to be suitable No No (Sch. 1) hollow trees and occasionally in caves. habitat in the LSA. The historical However, today it is almost exclusively wild range of the Chimney Swift found in developed areas where it nests in extended into the LSA to the north chimneys and other suitable structures. The of Thunder Bay; however, there are species also requires access to open water unlikely to be any individuals for feeding. Rural populations of Chimney remaining outside of developed Swifts are believed to be extirpated from areas. Chimney Swifts historically Canada since most natural habitat was occurred in the city of Thunder Bay destroyed by logging in the 19th and 20th but are no longer known to occur centuries. there. Today, the nearest known occurrence to the LSA is in Sudbury The MNRF continues to list hollow trees as where one breeding pair was possible breeding habitat for Chimney Swift. observed in 2007. The species prefers Sycamore, White Pine, Yellow Birch and Eastern White Cedar In 2012, there were only 244 known (Environment Canada, 2007; MNRF, 2013c). nesting sites in Ontario, 60% of which were in the Greater Toronto Area, and only one of which was north of Lake Huron (in Sudbury) (Environment Canada, 2007; MNRF, 2013c).

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OBSERVED POTENTIAL SPECIES STATUS STATUS IN 3 INFORMATION DURING 5 HABITAT IN SPECIES AND/OR HABITAT EFFECTS IN 2 S-RANK 4 HABITAT REQUIREMENTS RATIONALE COMMON 1 ONTARIO SOURCE FIELD LOCAL STUDY AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT ASSESSMENT SCIENTIFIC NAME CANADA NAME STUDIES AREA Dolichonyx Bobolink --- THR S4B MNRF Consultation No Large, grassy areas (larger than 5 ha). Yes This species typically breeds in Potential for habitat removal Yes oryzivorus Bobolink will breed in a variety of natural Ontario, south of the boreal forest, in the PSA and LSA in the grassland habitat types, including remnant however it may be found in the Dorion area. Vegetation prairies, savannahs and alvar grasslands. north where suitable habitat exists. clearing will occur in the With the loss of native grassland habitats, OBBA Records show confirmed winter so no direct impacts to Bobolink now nest in a variety of breeding in the Thunder Bay area this species are anticipated. anthropogenic grassland habitats such has outside of the LSA (McCracken et Targeted surveys to confirm hayfields and pastures (McCracken et al., al., 2013). Through consultation habitat suitability and 2013). with MNRF staff, the species is presence of Bobolink in the known to occur in the Dorion area. Dorion area may be required Preliminary mapping indicates that for the purpose of permitting open field areas are present in the under the Endangered Species Dorion area. Act.

Potential Bobolink habitat was identified during a flyover on May 18, 2014 in the Dorion area. Based on property access restrictions and resistance from the Township of Dorion, potential habitat was not ground truthed. Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow --- THR S4B MNRF No Historically, Barn Swallows nested in caves, Yes OBBA records show this species has This species was not identified Yes Consultation, OBBA hollow trees, and on cliffs. However, today been found breeding between during field investigations they almost exclusively use human Wawa and Thunder Bay close to however they have the structures, such as barns, abandoned Lake Superior. potential to occur on cliffs and buildings, culverts, and bridges. where man-made structures This species may breed on cliffs in exist in the PSA and LSA. Pre- Barn Swallows generally reuse nests from the PSA and may utilize man-made construction surveys will be year to year and will usually return to the structures such as bridges, culverts, conducted where these same nesting location. They are therefore and barns in the Thunder Bay area, features occur in the PSA to sensitive to the removal of nesting with the potential to occur along mitigate potential impacts to structures. the Trans-Canada Highway. this species and habitat.

Barn Swallows require open areas around their nesting sites where they feed on low- flying insects. They are generally non- territorial compared to other birds and rarely venture farther than 200 m from their nests, usually staying much closer (MNRF, 2013d).

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OBSERVED POTENTIAL SPECIES STATUS STATUS IN 3 INFORMATION DURING 5 HABITAT IN SPECIES AND/OR HABITAT EFFECTS IN 2 S-RANK 4 HABITAT REQUIREMENTS RATIONALE COMMON 1 ONTARIO SOURCE FIELD LOCAL STUDY AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT ASSESSMENT SCIENTIFIC NAME CANADA NAME STUDIES AREA Ixobrychus exilis Least Bittern THR THR S4B Forest No Least Bittern breeds in deep cattail (Typha No Based on habitat mapping within No No (Sch. 1) Management Plan, spp.) marshes interspersed with areas of the National Least Bittern Survey MNRF Consultation open water. Nests are built in dense tufts of Protocol (Environment Canada cattails, where they are perched above the 2011a), the Project is not located water (COSEWIC, 2009; MNRF, 2014b). The within the range of this species. species is highly sensitive to water-level MNRF Mapping identified one fluctuations and loss of marshes in wintering occurrence 30 km north of Nipigon, areas is the primary cause of population well outside of the Project LSA. decline. Lanius Loggerhead END END S2B,SZN Forest No Generally, Loggerhead Shrikes require open No The Loggerhead Shrike is primarily a No No ludovicianus Shrike Sch. 1 Management Plan areas (such as pastures) larger than 12.6 ha prairie bird. MNRF Mapping shows with short grasses and sporadic tall shrubs one occurrence just southwest of for breeding. Most breeding locations in Thunder Bay, about 50 km from the Ontario have shallow soil and exposed LSA. It is a very rare breeder bedrock. Loggerhead Shrike nest primarily throughout Ontario (MNRF, 2014c). in Hawthorns and Cedars. They will often return to the same nesting site every year There is little to no suitable habitat and are extremely territorial. Loggerhead for Loggerhead Shrike in the LSA, as Shrikes are highly selective about nesting there are no prairie remnants or sites and their habitat requirements are still permanently grazed areas. Open poorly understood. (COSEWIC, 2004b; spaces in the LSA do not support MNRF, 2013e; MNRF, 2014c). the vegetation types preferred by this species (short herbaceous vegetation and Hawthorn or Cedar shrubs).

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OBSERVED POTENTIAL SPECIES STATUS STATUS IN 3 INFORMATION DURING 5 HABITAT IN SPECIES AND/OR HABITAT EFFECTS IN 2 S-RANK 4 HABITAT REQUIREMENTS RATIONALE COMMON 1 ONTARIO SOURCE FIELD LOCAL STUDY AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT ASSESSMENT SCIENTIFIC NAME CANADA NAME STUDIES AREA Pelecanus American --- THR S2B Forest Yes American White Pelican is a colonially No There are currently two main This species was observed No erythrorhynchos White Pelican Management Plan, (incidental) nesting bird that breeds in exposed rocky primary breeding areas for (incidental) within the LSA Great Lakes areas. In Ontario, colonies are located on American White Pelican in Ontario, however nesting sites and Conservation remote rocky islands of Lake Nipigon, Lake Lake of the Woods and Lake stopover sites are likely Blueprint, Ruby of the Woods, and Lake Superior. American Nipigon (American Pelican Recovery restricted to islands on Lake Lake LSI, MNRF White Pelicans generally return to the same Team, 2011; Environment Canada, Superior, outside of the LSA. Consultation nesting site each year, but recent 2011b). Secondary breeding areas No impacts to this species or observations have shown that some include the north shore of Lake its stopover habitat are individuals will split off and form new Superior where the number of nests anticipated. colonies (American Pelican Recovery Team, is less than 25. Species occurrences 2011; MNRF, 2012b). have been identified by the MNRF south of the LSA, however no REGULATED HABITAT breeding has been confirmed American White Pelican habitat is regulated (MNRF, 2014d). under the Ontario Endangered Species Act (2007). Regulated habitat for this species American White Pelican is not includes an area within 300 m of any current known to nest on mainland sites in nesting site or any location that was used as Ontario, therefore it is unlikely that a nesting site in the past 10 years (O. Reg. breeding locations will be found 242/08 s. 24.0.1). This regulation applies within the LSA or PSA. where nesting sites occur in the territorial districts of Kenora, Rainy River and Thunder Bay. Riparia riparia Bank Swallow --- THR S4B OBBA No Bank Swallows nest in burrows in natural Yes OBBA records show this species has Bank swallow was not Yes and human-made settings where there are been found breeding in the Thunder observed during field vertical faces in silt and sand deposits. Many Bay area and near Wawa. investigations in suitable nests are on banks of rivers and lakes but habitat. One gravel pit may they are also found in sand and gravel pits This species may be found nesting in provide suitable nesting (active or abandoned). river banks or on cliffs/bluffs with habitat however Species at appropriate substrate in the PSA Risk concerns would be the near Thunder Bay and Wawa. responsibility of the gravel pit owner. Project components will be located outside of all major waterbodies and watercourses, where possible. In addition, due to construction feasibility, the line is expected to span over gravel pits, cliffs and talus slopes therefore no direct impacts to this species are anticipated. Potential indirect impacts, mitigation measures, and permitting requirements will be discussed with MNRF.

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OBSERVED POTENTIAL SPECIES STATUS STATUS IN 3 INFORMATION DURING 5 HABITAT IN SPECIES AND/OR HABITAT EFFECTS IN 2 S-RANK 4 HABITAT REQUIREMENTS RATIONALE COMMON 1 ONTARIO SOURCE FIELD LOCAL STUDY AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT ASSESSMENT SCIENTIFIC NAME CANADA NAME STUDIES AREA MAMMALS

Gulo gulo Wolverine --- THR S2S3 Forest No Wolverines occupy many habitat types in No The range of distribution for No No Management Plan, the far north of Ontario. Individuals can Wolverine is outside of the Project. Great Lakes have ranges of up to 1,500 km2 and dens are Historically, Wolverine ranged much Conservation built under logs and boulders, sometimes in farther south, but were pushed Blueprint, MNRF snow drifts (Ontario Wolverine Recovery northward during the 19th and 20th Consultation Team, 2013). centuries. The MNRF carried out extensive Wolverine surveys between 2003 and 2010 and the nearest observation to the LSA was approximately 150 km to the north (Ontario Wolverine Recovery Team, 2013). MNRF Species Occurrence Mapping indicates an occurrence of Wolverine east of Thunder Bay however no information regarding this occurrence was found during background review or provided through MNRF Consultation. Myotis leibii Eastern Small- --- END S2S3 Patterson et al. No This species roosts in caves, mine shafts, Yes Verified and unverified bat Tower placement will avoid all Yes footed Bat 2007 crevices or buildings that are in or near hibernacula have been mapped in abandoned mines and woodlands. Hibernation occurs in cold dry the general area of the Project. In potential hibernacula, where caves or mines. Maternity colonies can be addition, abandoned mines have possible. In addition, found in caves or buildings. This species been identified within the PSA and vegetation clearing will occur hunts in forests. LSA. Most of these mines are in the winter therefore no located around Wawa, Heron Bay, direct impacts to this species Marathon, Schreiber and Thunder are anticipated. This species Bay, Pays Plat, Melgund and the does not utilize natural Hemlop/Struthers area (MNDM habitats for roosting therefore 2014). These mines have the no habitat removal is potential to provide roosting anticipated. Potential indirect habitat and hibernacula for this impacts, mitigation measures, species. and permitting requirements will be discussed with MNRF. Potential forest habitat for feeding Targeted surveys to confirm and roosting is located throughout the presence or absence of the PSA and LSA. this species and/or its habitat may be required for the purpose of permitting under the Endangered Species Act.

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OBSERVED POTENTIAL SPECIES STATUS STATUS IN 3 INFORMATION DURING 5 HABITAT IN SPECIES AND/OR HABITAT EFFECTS IN 2 S-RANK 4 HABITAT REQUIREMENTS RATIONALE COMMON 1 ONTARIO SOURCE FIELD LOCAL STUDY AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT ASSESSMENT SCIENTIFIC NAME CANADA NAME STUDIES AREA Myotis lucifugus Little Brown --- END S4 Ontario Mammal No Little Brown Myotis use caves, quarries, Yes Verified and unverified bat Tower placement will avoid all Yes Myotis Atlas, MNRF tunnels, hollow trees or buildings for hibernacula have been mapped in abandoned mines and Consultation roosting and winters in humid caves. the general area of the Project. In potential hibernacula, where Maternity sites are located in dark warm addition, abandoned mines have possible. In addition, areas such as attics and barns. This species been identified within the PSA and vegetation clearing will occur feeds primarily in wetlands and forest edges. LSA. Most of these mines are in the winter therefore no located around Wawa, Heron Bay, direct impacts to this species Marathon, Schreiber and Thunder are anticipated. Direct Bay, Pays Plat, Melgund and the removal of habitat may occur. Hemlop/Struthers area (MNDM Potential impacts to roosting 2014). These mines (including at habitat, mitigation measures, least one quarry) have the potential and permitting requirements to provide roosting habitat and will be discussed with MNRF. hibernacula for this species. Targeted surveys to confirm the presence or absence of Potential wetland and forest habitat this species and/or its habitat for feeding is located throughout may be required for the the PSA and LSA. purpose of permitting under the Endangered Species Act. Myotis Northern --- END S3 Ontario Mammal No Northern Myotis hibernate during winter in Yes Verified and unverified bat Tower placement will avoid all Yes septentrionalis Myotis Atlas, MNRF mines or caves. During the summer males hibernacula have been mapped in abandoned mines and Consultation, NHIC roost alone and females form maternity the general area of the Project. In potential hibernacula, where colonies of up to 60 adults. Roosting may addition, abandoned mines have possible. In addition, occur in manmade structures, but the been identified within the PSA and vegetation clearing will occur species prefers hollow trees or under loose LSA. Most of these mines are in the winter therefore no bark. Northern Myotis hunt within forests, located around Wawa, Heron Bay, direct impacts to this species below the canopy. Marathon, Schreiber and Thunder are anticipated. Direct Bay, Pays Plat, Melgund and the removal of habitat may occur. Hemlop/Struthers area (MNDM Potential impacts to roosting 2014). These mines have the habitat, mitigation measures, potential to provide hibernacula for and permitting requirements this species. will be discussed with MNRF. Targeted surveys to confirm Potential habitat for feeding and the presence or absence of roosting is located throughout the this species and/or its habitat PSA and LSA. may be required for the purpose of permitting under Two occurrences for Northern the Endangered Species Act. Myotis were identified by the MNRF in the PSA and LSA.

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OBSERVED POTENTIAL SPECIES STATUS STATUS IN 3 INFORMATION DURING 5 HABITAT IN SPECIES AND/OR HABITAT EFFECTS IN 2 S-RANK 4 HABITAT REQUIREMENTS RATIONALE COMMON 1 ONTARIO SOURCE FIELD LOCAL STUDY AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT ASSESSMENT SCIENTIFIC NAME CANADA NAME STUDIES AREA Puma concolor Eastern Cougar --- END SU Forest No Historically, Eastern Cougar inhabited deep, Yes In recent years, evidence (e.g., scat, The PSA contains suitable Yes couguar Management Plan, undisturbed woods with minimal human hair, prints, DNA) has provided hardwood forests, however Black Sturgeon presence. Little is known about potential support for the notion that Eastern the Project is located near River LSI, MNRF Cougar habitat in Ontario because few wild Cougars have returned to their existing linear development Consultation cougars have been confirmed in the historical range in Ontario (Rosatte, and disturbance including province in decades. Suitable habitat would 2011; Mallory et al., 2012). Near the Highway 17 and the existing need to support adequate populations of Project, potential Cougar scat has hydro line, and therefore does White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) been found and a sighting by a not provide high quality, and other prey species. professional biologist was reported undisturbed habitat. (Rosatte, 2011). If Cougar still occur Disturbance to this species in Ontario, their range may overlap and its habitat are not with the Project. anticipated for this Project. Any potential impacts, mitigation measures and permitting requirements will be discussed with MNRF. Rangifer tarandus Woodland THR THR S4 Patterson et al. Yes Woodland Caribou occupy large expanses Yes MNRF mapping indicates that the Woodland Caribou have been Yes Caribou (Sch. 1) 2007, Ontario (at least 130-150 ha) of mature, lichen-rich, LSA passes through a considerable identified in the PSA and LSA Mammal Atlas, uniformly-aged coniferous forest area of occupied Caribou range on through surveys conducted by Forest (particularly 80-120 year old jack pine). It is the north shore of Lake Superior. A Northern Bioscience and Management Plan, also found in bogs and fens. In the winter, considerable length of the LSA also MNRF. Potential impacts, Great Lakes Caribou wander in small bands of three or passes through discontinuous mitigation and permitting Conservation four. The Lake Superior coastal population is Caribou range (i.e., the area requirements will be discussed Blueprint, Black disjunct from the main boreal population. connecting the boreal population to with MNRF. Sturgeon River LSI, the coastal population) (MNRF, Gravel River Area 2014e). Woodland Caribou have not Strategy, MNRF been known to occur in the Consultation, NHIC discontinuous range for over a century.

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OBSERVED POTENTIAL SPECIES STATUS STATUS IN 3 INFORMATION DURING 5 HABITAT IN SPECIES AND/OR HABITAT EFFECTS IN 2 S-RANK 4 HABITAT REQUIREMENTS RATIONALE COMMON 1 ONTARIO SOURCE FIELD LOCAL STUDY AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT ASSESSMENT SCIENTIFIC NAME CANADA NAME STUDIES AREA Urocyon Grey Fox THR THR S1 Ontario Mammal No Grey Fox are considered habitat generalists Yes Grey Fox have been extending their As Grey Fox are considered Yes cinereoargenteus (Sch. 1) Atlas, MNRF and can be found in many different types of range northward since the early 20th habitat generalists, potential Consultation habitat, including cities. Dens are typically century, likely due to climate habitat for this species occurs found in dense shrubby areas near change and the presence of food in the PSA and LSA near waterbodies. Their ranges can extend sources associated with human Thunder Bay (based on range relatively large distances from their dens settlements. map). This species was not (COSEWIC, 2002; MNRF, 2014f). observed during field A COSEWIC assessment report for investigations. No impacts to Grey Fox show two known this species are anticipated. occurrences in the vicinity of This species is a generalist Thunder Bay. The far western end of that is tolerant of human the LSA extends into the general disturbance. Project range of Grey Fox as mapped in the components and construction COSEWIC report (COSEWIC, 2002; activities will be at least 30 m MNRF, 2014f). from watercourses and waterbodies, where possible, which would mitigate potential disturbance to den sites. Potential impacts, mitigation measures, and permitting requirements will be discussed with MNRF.

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OBSERVED POTENTIAL SPECIES STATUS STATUS IN 3 INFORMATION DURING 5 HABITAT IN SPECIES AND/OR HABITAT EFFECTS IN 2 S-RANK 4 HABITAT REQUIREMENTS RATIONALE COMMON 1 ONTARIO SOURCE FIELD LOCAL STUDY AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT ASSESSMENT SCIENTIFIC NAME CANADA NAME STUDIES AREA HERPETOZOA

Glyptemys Wood turtle THR END S2 Forest No In general, Wood Turtles are confined to No Based on habitat mapping within No No insculpta Sch. 1 Management Plan, rivers and streams with moderate current, the Occurrence Survey Protocol for MNRF Consultation hard sand or sandy gravel substrate, nearby Wood Turtle in Ontario (MNRF nesting sites and diverse terrestrial habitats. 2013f), the Project is not located This species often makes long-distance within the range of this species. movements over land. Wood Turtles hibernate in aquatic habitat including rivers, creeks with flowing water that do not freeze to the bottom. Nesting sites have been described as having sandy soil and abundant light (Ontario Wood Turtle Recovery Team, 2010).

REGULATED HABITAT Wood Turtle habitat is regulated under the Ontario Endangered Species Act (2007). Regulated habitat in the District of Algoma includes: i. any part of a water body up to the high water mark that is used by a Wood Turtle, ii. any waterbody up to the high water mark that is within 6 km of regulated area i) that provides suitable habitat, iii. any area within 500 metres of regulated areas i) and ii), iv. any other area above the high water mark not described in iii) being used by a Wood Turtle as a nesting sites or that is within 300 m of that area (O. Reg. 242/08 s.31.2). Emydoidea Blanding’s THR THR S3 Forest No Nesting habitat for Blanding’s Turtle is Yes The Project is located well beyond This species was not observed No blandingii Turtle (Sch. 1) Management Plan, located in open sunny areas with a substrate the range for Blanding’s Turtle during field investigations and MNRF Consultation where eggs can be buried. Females will however a northern occurrence has occurrence records in often return to the same nesting site each been identified by the MNRF. This northern Ontario are very year. Wintering habitat is located in areas occurrence is 45 km north of the limited. Project components with (unfrozen) water throughout the Project. will be located outside of winter, including bogs, fens, marshes, wetlands, where possible, ponds, and even artificial waterbodies. therefore no impacts are Generally they will not hibernate in water anticipated to this species or deeper than 50 cm. Areas within 30 and 250 its habitat. m of nesting and winter habitats are considered movement corridors (MNR, 2013i).

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OBSERVED POTENTIAL SPECIES STATUS STATUS IN 3 INFORMATION DURING 5 HABITAT IN SPECIES AND/OR HABITAT EFFECTS IN 2 S-RANK 4 HABITAT REQUIREMENTS RATIONALE COMMON 1 ONTARIO SOURCE FIELD LOCAL STUDY AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT ASSESSMENT SCIENTIFIC NAME CANADA NAME STUDIES AREA HYMENOPTERA

Bombus affinis Rusty-patched END END S1 NHIC No This bumblebee has a complex life cycle No The project lies outside of the No No Bumblebee requiring a wide range of habitat known range of Rusty-patched characteristics. It has experienced a Bumblebee. According to NHIC dramatic decline in Ontario since the 1980s, records, a single specimen was likely due to the use of pesticides and more collected near White River in 1915. intensive agricultural practices leading to The project lies well to the north of loss of habitat. the historical range of Rusty- patched Bumblebee, and even REGULATED HABITAT farther from the only currently Rusty-patched Bumblebee has regulated known population in The Pinery habitat under the Ontario Endangered Provincial Park. Species Act (2007); however the habitat regulation for this species does not apply to this Project as the Project is located north of 45°30’0” north latitude. AQUATIC

Acipenser Lake Sturgeon --- THR S2 NHIC, Renewable No Lake sturgeon are found in cold, freshwater Yes There are NHIC occurrence records All Project components will be No fulvescens Energy Atlas, lakes and rivers. They spawn in fast flowing for Lake Sturgeon within the LSA. located outside of all major Forest areas below waterfalls and rapids. They are In addition, based on the species’ waterbodies. In addition, all Management highly sensitive to flow modification of recovery strategy, it is known to Project components and Plans, Black streams, such as the construction of dams, occur in a number of coldwater construction activities will be Sturgeon River LSI, locks, and levees. streams that cross the LSA, as well located 30 m from Grand River Area as in Lake Superior. Rivers in the watercourses where possible. Strategy, Gravel LSA known to support Lake No potential impacts to this River LSI, MNRF Sturgeon include the Michipicoten, species or its habitat are Consultation White, Pic, Gravel, Nipigon, and anticipated. Black Sturgeon (Golder Associates Ltd., 2011). Coregonus Shortjaw Cisco --- THR S2 NHIC, Forest No Shortjaw Cisco spends most of its life in Yes There are NHIC occurrence records All Project components will be No zenithicus Management Plan, deep water (deeper than 55 m) in Lake for this species in the LSA along the located outside of all major MNRF Superior and Lake Nipigon. It migrates to shoreline of Lake Superior near waterbodies. In addition, all Consultation shallower water (10 to 60 mm) to spawn. It Thunder Bay and the greater Wawa Project components and is the only Coregonus species known to area. This species was also observed construction activities will be occur within inland streams, however, it is in tributaries of Lake Nipigon. As at least 30 m from still primarily a deepwater species (MNRF, this species requires water deeper watercourses where possible. 2014g). than 10 m, there are only a few No potential impacts to this waterbodies in the LSA that meet species or its habitat are these requirements (MNRF, 2014g). expected from Project construction or operation. Waterbodies that are over 10 m deep and connected to Lake Superior and Lake Nipigon will be assumed to be potential habitat for Shortjaw Cisco.

P a g e |B5-12 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX B5 June 2015

OBSERVED POTENTIAL SPECIES STATUS STATUS IN 3 INFORMATION DURING 5 HABITAT IN SPECIES AND/OR HABITAT EFFECTS IN 2 S-RANK 4 HABITAT REQUIREMENTS RATIONALE COMMON 1 ONTARIO SOURCE FIELD LOCAL STUDY AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT ASSESSMENT SCIENTIFIC NAME CANADA NAME STUDIES AREA Through previous consultation with the MNRF, the following species/habitat likely do not exist in the area of the Project, as their ranges do not overlap with the Project and historical occurrence records for these species do not exist in the vicinity of the Project : American Badger, Redside Dace, Henslow’s Sparrow, King Rail, Shortnose Cisco. As a result these species were not assessed in this table. 1Federal Species at Risk Act; 2Provincial Endangered Species Act; 3Conservation Ranking; 4Various sources; 5MNRF Significant Wildlife Habitat Technical Guide Appendix G (MNRF, 2000);

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Appendix C: Species Lists EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

Table C1: Vascular Plant Species with the Potential to Occur and/or Observed During Field Studies BACKGROUND INFORMATION SOURCE THUNDER BAY PARK OBSERVED COEFFICIENT COEFFICIENT FOREST GREAT LAKES BLACK RUBY GRAVEL SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME SARA ESA 2007 SRANK NHIC FIELD MANAGEMENT RAINBOW IN THE CONSERVATION WETNESS MNR CONSULTATION MANAGEMENT CONSERVATION STURGEON LAKE RIVER DATABASE NATURALISTS PLANS & OTHER FALLS LSI FIELD PLANS BLUEPRINT RIVER LSI LSI LSI CONSULATION DOCUMENTS Potentilla multifida A Cinquefoil ------SNR ● Alnus sp Alder Species ------● Rhamnus alnifolia Alder-leaved Buckthorn ------S5 7 -5 ● Potamogeton confervoides Alga Pondweed ------S2 10 -5 ● Cerastium alpinum Alpine Chickweed ------S4 ● Trichophorum alpinum Alpine Leafless-bulrush S5 ● Astragalus alpinus Alpine Milkvetch ------S5 ● Juncus alpinoarticulatus Alpine Rush ------S5 5 -5 ● ● Hedysarum alpinum Alpine Sweetvetch ------S4S5 ● ● Woodsia alpina Alpine Woodsia ------S2 ● ● ● Trifolium hybridum ssp. elegans Alsike Clover ------SE5 0 1 ● ● ● Leymus mollis American Dune Grass ------S4 ● ● ● Glyceria grandis American Manna Grass ------S4S5 5 -5 ● ● ● Sorbus americana American Mountain-ash ------S5 8 -1 ● ● ● ● Epilobium ciliatum ssp. ciliatum American Willow-herb ------S5 3 3 ● ● Pyrola grandiflora Arctic Pyrola ------S4 ● Neottia auriculata Auricled Twayblade ------S3 10 -4 ● ● ● Salix serissima Autumn Willow ------S5 6 -5 ● ● ● Carex stipata Awl-fruited Sedge ------S5 3 -5 ● ● Carex backii Back's Sedge ------S4S5 8 5 ● Abies balsamea Balsam Fir ------S5 5 -3 ● ● ● ● ● ● Populus balsamifera ssp. balsamifera Balsam Poplar ------S5 4 -3 ● ● ● ● Senecio pauperculus Balsam Ragwort ------S5 7 -1 ● Salix pyrifolia Balsam Willow ------S5 10 -4 ● ● ● Amelanchier bartramiana Bartram's Serviceberry ------S5 ● ● Ammophila breviligulata Beach Grass ------S4 10 5 ● Lathyrus japonicus Beach Pea ------S4 9 4 ● ● ● Corylus cornuta Beaked Hazelnut ------S5 5 5 ● ● ● Carex utriculata Beaked Sedge ------S5 7 -5 ● ● ● ● ● Carex rostrata Beaked Sedge ------S4? ● ● Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Bearberry ------S5 8 5 ● ● ● ● ● Carex bebbii Bebb's Sedge ------S5 3 -5 ● ● ● Salix bebbiana Bebb's Willow ------S5 4 -4 ● ● ● Megalodonta beckii Beck's Water-marigold ------S5 8 -5 ● Potamogeton berchtoldii Berchtold's Pondweed ------S4S5 4 -5 ● Geranium bicknellii Bicknell's Geranium ------S4 5 5 ● ●

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION SOURCE THUNDER BAY PARK OBSERVED COEFFICIENT COEFFICIENT FOREST GREAT LAKES BLACK RUBY GRAVEL SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME SARA ESA 2007 SRANK NHIC FIELD MANAGEMENT RAINBOW IN THE CONSERVATION WETNESS MNR CONSULTATION MANAGEMENT CONSERVATION STURGEON LAKE RIVER DATABASE NATURALISTS PLANS & OTHER FALLS LSI FIELD PLANS BLUEPRINT RIVER LSI LSI LSI CONSULATION DOCUMENTS Erigeron acris Bitter Fleabane ------S5 ● Fraxinus nigra Black Ash ------S5 7 -4 ● ● Polygonum convolvulus Black Bindweed ------SE5 0 1 ● ● Empetrum nigrum Black Crowberry ------S5 ● ● Crataegus douglasii Black Hawthorn ------S4? 7 0 ● Picea mariana Black Spruce ------S5 8 -3 ● ● ● ● ● ● Silene latifolia Bladder Campion ------SE5 0 5 ● Carex intumescens Bladder Sedge ------S5 6 -4 ● ● ● Scutellaria lateriflora Blue Skullcap ------S5 5 -5 ● Elymus glaucus Blue Wild Rye ------S1 ● Clintonia borealis Bluebead Lily ------S5 7 -1 ● ● ● ● ● Osmorhiza depauperata Blunt Sweet-cicely ------S4 ● Platanthera obtusata Blunt-leaf Rein Orchid ------S5 9 -3 ● Hammarbya paludosa Bog Adder's-mouth ------S1 ● Kalmia polifolia Bog Laurel ------S5 10 -5 ● Andromeda polifolia ssp. glaucophylla Bog Rosemary ------S5 10 -5 ● ● Salix pedicellaris Bog Willow ------S5 9 -5 ● ● Polystichum braunii Braun's Holly Fern ------S3 9 5 ● Carex eburnea Bristle-leaved Sedge ------S5 6 4 ● Carex leptalea Bristle-stalked Sedge ------S5 8 -5 ● ● Lycopodium annotinum Bristly Clubmoss ------S5 7 0 ● ● ● ● ● Aralia hispida Bristly Sarsaparilla ------S5 8 5 ● ● ● Cystopteris fragilis Brittle Fern ------S5 7 3 ● ● Typha latifolia Broad-leaved Cattail ------S5 3 -5 ● ● ● ● ● Carex pellita Broad-leaved Woolly Sedge ------S5 4 -5 ● Juncus pelocarpus Brown-fruited Rush ------S5 8 -5 ● Carex brunnescens Brownish Sedge ------S5 7 -3 ● ● ● Fagopyrum esculentum Buckwheat ------SE3 0 5 ● Shepherdia canadensis Buffalo Berry ------S5 7 5 ● Cicuta bulbifera Bulb-bearing Water-hemlock ------S5 5 -5 ● ● ● Nuphar variegata Bulhead Pond-lily ------S5 4 -5 ● ● ● ● Cirsium vulgare Bull Thistle ------SE5 0 4 ● ● Cornus canadensis Bunchberry ------S5 7 0 ● ● ● ● ● Diervilla lonicera Bush Honeysuckle ------S5 5 5 ● ● ● ● ● Calypso bulbosa Calypso ------S4S5 10 -3 ● ● Anemone canadensis Canada Anemone ------S5 3 -3 ● ● ●

P a g e |C-2 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

BACKGROUND INFORMATION SOURCE THUNDER BAY PARK OBSERVED COEFFICIENT COEFFICIENT FOREST GREAT LAKES BLACK RUBY GRAVEL SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME SARA ESA 2007 SRANK NHIC FIELD MANAGEMENT RAINBOW IN THE CONSERVATION WETNESS MNR CONSULTATION MANAGEMENT CONSERVATION STURGEON LAKE RIVER DATABASE NATURALISTS PLANS & OTHER FALLS LSI FIELD PLANS BLUEPRINT RIVER LSI LSI LSI CONSULATION DOCUMENTS Calamagrostis canadensis Canada Blue-joint ------S5 4 -5 ● ● ● ● Solidago canadensis Canada Goldenrod ------S5 1 3 ● ● ● Ribes oxyacanthoides Canada Gooseberry ------S5 ● ● Hieracium canadense Canada Hawkweed ------S4S5 ● ● ● Maianthemum canadense Canada Mayflower ------S5 5 0 ● ● ● ● ● Astragalus canadensis Canada Milkvetch ------S4 8 -1 ● Juncus canadensis Canada Rush ------S5 6 -5 ● Cirsium arvense Canada Thistle ------SE5 0 3 ● Elodea canadensis Canada Waterweed ------S5 4 -5 ● Taxus canadensis Canada Yew ------S5 7 3 ● ● ● Hypericum canadense Canadian St. John's-wort ------S4? 8 -3 ● Silene vulgaris Catchfly ------SE5 0 5 ● Goodyera tesselata Checkered Rattlesnake Plantain ------S4S5 7 3 ● ● ● Carex castanea Chestnut-scaled Sedge ------S5 7 -4 ● Prunus virginiana ssp. virginiana Choke Cherry ------S5 2 1 ● ● ● Symphyotrichum ciliolatum Ciliolate Aster ------S5 6 4 ● ● ● Potamogeton perfoliatus Clasping-leaved Pondweed ------S4 7 -5 ● Trichophorum clintonii Clinton's Bulrush ------S2S3 10 4 ● Rubus chamaemorus Cloudberry S5 ● Carex exilis Coast Sedge ------S5 10 -5 ● ● Sagittaria latifolia Common Arrowhead ------S5 4 -5 ● ● ● ● ● Utricularia vulgaris Common Bladderwort ------S5 4 -5 ● ● Sisyrinchium montanum Common Blue-eyed Grass ------S5 4 -1 ● ● Menyanthes trifoliata Common Bogbean ------S5 9 -5 ● ● ● Pinguicula vulgaris Common Butterwort ------S5 10 -5 ● ● ● Lycopodium clavatum Common Clubmoss ------S5 6 0 ● ● ● ● ● Taraxacum officinale Common Dandelion ------SE5 0 3 ● ● ● ● Oenothera biennis Common Evening-primrose ------S5 0 3 ● ● ● Deschampsia flexuosa Common Hairgrass ------S5 8 5 ● ● Juniperus communis Common Juniper ------S5 4 3 ● ● ● ● ● Polygonum aviculare Common Knotweed ------SE5 0 1 ● Botrychium lunaria Common Moonwort ------S4S5 ● Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear Chickweed ------SE5 0 3 ● Gymnocarpium dryopteris Common Oak Fern ------S5 7 0 ● ● ● ● ● Lepidium densiflorum Common Pepper-grass ------SE5 0 0 ● Plantago major Common Plantain ------SE5 0 -1 ● ● ● ●

P a g e |C-3 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

BACKGROUND INFORMATION SOURCE THUNDER BAY PARK OBSERVED COEFFICIENT COEFFICIENT FOREST GREAT LAKES BLACK RUBY GRAVEL SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME SARA ESA 2007 SRANK NHIC FIELD MANAGEMENT RAINBOW IN THE CONSERVATION WETNESS MNR CONSULTATION MANAGEMENT CONSERVATION STURGEON LAKE RIVER DATABASE NATURALISTS PLANS & OTHER FALLS LSI FIELD PLANS BLUEPRINT RIVER LSI LSI LSI CONSULATION DOCUMENTS Hypericum perforatum Common St. John's-wort ------SE5 0 5 ● ● Fragaria virginiana ssp. virginiana Common Strawberry ------S5 2 1 ● ● ● ● ● Scirpus pungens Common Three-square ------S5 6 -5 ● Alisma plantago-aquatica Common Water-plantain ------S5 3 -5 ● ● Oxalis montana Common Wood-sorrell S5 ● Achillea millefolium ssp. millefolium Common Yarrow ------SE 0 3 ● ● ● ● Vicia cracca Cow Vetch ------SE5 0 5 ● ● Heracleum lanatum Cow-parsnip ------S5 3 -3 ● ● Melampyrum lineare Cow-wheat ------S4S5 6 1 ● ● ● ● Carex crawfordii Crawford's Sedge ------S5 7 -1 ● Juncus subtilis Creeping Rush ------S3 9 -5 ● Gaultheria hispidula Creeping Snowberry ------S5 8 -3 ● ● ● ● Ranunculus flammula var. reptans Creeping Spearwort ------S5 8 -5 ● Eleocharis palustris Creeping Spike-rush S5 ● Sagittaria cristata Crested Arrowhead ------S3 10 -5 ● Dryopteris cristata Crested Wood Fern ------S5 7 -5 ● ● ● ● Carex adusta Crowded Sedge ------S4S5 ● Poa secunda Curly Bluegrass ------S1 10 5 ● Rumex crispus Curly Dock ------SE5 0 -1 ● ● Anemone multifida Cut-leaved Anemone ------S5 10 5 ● Lycopus americanus Cut-leaved Water-horehound ------S5 4 -5 ● Carex tonsa var. rugosperma Dark-green Sedge ------S5 7 5 ● Carex buxbaumii Dark-scaled Sedge ------S5 10 -5 ● ● Senecio eremophilus Desert Ragwort ------S2 ● Oplopanax horridus Devil's Club ------S1 ● ● Carex deweyana Dewey's Sedge ------S5 6 4 ● Carex arctata Drooping Wood Sedge ------S5 5 5 ● ● Cinna latifolia Drooping Woodreed ------S5 7 -4 ● ● ● Cirsium drummondii Drummond's Thistle ------S1 ● Carex xerantica Dryland Sedge ------S2 ● Juncus dudleyi Dudley's Rush ------S5 1 0 ● ● Betula pumila Dwarf Birch ------S5 9 -5 ● Primula mistassinica Dwarf Canadian Primrose ------S4 10 -3 ● ● ● ●

Circaea alpina Dwarf Enchanter's Nightshade ------S5 6 -3 ● ● ● ●

Vaccinium caespitosum Dwarf Huckleberry S4? ● Rubus pubescens Dwarf Raspberry ------S5 4 -4 ● ● ● ● ●

P a g e |C-4 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

BACKGROUND INFORMATION SOURCE THUNDER BAY PARK OBSERVED COEFFICIENT COEFFICIENT FOREST GREAT LAKES BLACK RUBY GRAVEL SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME SARA ESA 2007 SRANK NHIC FIELD MANAGEMENT RAINBOW IN THE CONSERVATION WETNESS MNR CONSULTATION MANAGEMENT CONSERVATION STURGEON LAKE RIVER DATABASE NATURALISTS PLANS & OTHER FALLS LSI FIELD PLANS BLUEPRINT RIVER LSI LSI LSI CONSULATION DOCUMENTS Goodyera repens Dwarf Rattlesnake Plantain ------S5 8 3 ● ● ● ● Equisetum scirpoides Dwarf Scouring Rush ------S5 7 -1 ● ● ● Corallorhiza trifida Early Coralroot ------S5 7 -2 ● ● ● Carex umbellata Early Oak Sedge ------S5 7 5 ● Saxifraga virginiensis Early Saxifrage ------S5 6 1 ● ● Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum Eastern Bracken Fern ------S5 2 3 ● ● ● Thuja occidentalis Eastern White Cedar ------S5 4 -3 ● ● ● ● ● ● Pinus strobus Eastern White Pine ------S5 4 3 ● ● ● Dryas integrifolia Entire-leaved Mountain Avens ------S4 ● Euphrasia stricta European Eyebright ------SE4? 0 -3 ● ● Urtica dioica ssp. dioica European Stinging Nettle ------SE2 0 -1 ● Botrychium pseudopinnatum False Cut-leaved Moonwort ------S1 ● Carex garberi False Golden Sedge ------S4 10 -3 ● Schizachne purpurascens ssp. purpurascens False Melic ------S5 6 2 ● ● ● Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum False Solomon's Seal ------S5 4 3 ● ● ● Carex aenea Fernald's Hay Sedge ------S5 ● Collinsia parviflora var. parviflora Few-flowered Collinsia ------S4 10 4 ● Eleocharis pauciflora Few-flowered Spike-rush ------S5 10 -5 ● Carex leptonervia Few-nerved Wood Sedge ------S5 5 0 ● Carex oligosperma Few-seeded Sedge ------S4 10 -5 ● Hieracium caespitosum ssp. caespitosum Field Hawkweed ------SE5 0 5 ● Equisetum arvense Field Horsetail ------S5 0 0 ● ● ● Antennaria neglecta Field Pussytoes ------S5 3 5 ● Sonchus arvensis ssp. arvensis Field Sow-thistle ------SE5 0 1 ● Juncus filiformis Filiform Rush ------S4S5 8 -3 ● ● Epilobium angustifolium Fireweed ------S5 3 0 ● ● ● ● ● Utricularia intermedia Flat-leaved Bladderwort ------S5 8 -5 ● Danthonia compressa Flat-stem Oat Grass ------S3 8 5 ● Potamogeton zosteriformis Flat-stem Pondweed ------S5 5 -5 ● Doellingeria umbellata Flat-topped White Aster ------S5 6 -3 ● ● ● ● Erigeron sp Fleabane Species ------● Sparganium angustifolium Floating Bur-reed ------S4? 9 -5 ● ● Potamogeton natans Floating-leaf Pondweed ------S5 5 -5 ● ● Lonicera canadensis Fly Honeysuckle ------S5 6 3 ● ● ● Poa palustris Fowl Blue Grass ------S5 5 -4 ● ● Glyceria striata Fowl Manna Grass ------S5 3 -5 ● ● ● Carex vulpinoidea Fox Sedge ------S5 3 -5 ●

P a g e |C-5 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

BACKGROUND INFORMATION SOURCE THUNDER BAY PARK OBSERVED COEFFICIENT COEFFICIENT FOREST GREAT LAKES BLACK RUBY GRAVEL SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME SARA ESA 2007 SRANK NHIC FIELD MANAGEMENT RAINBOW IN THE CONSERVATION WETNESS MNR CONSULTATION MANAGEMENT CONSERVATION STURGEON LAKE RIVER DATABASE NATURALISTS PLANS & OTHER FALLS LSI FIELD PLANS BLUEPRINT RIVER LSI LSI LSI CONSULATION DOCUMENTS Galium triflorum Fragrant Bedstraw ------S5 4 2 ● ● ● ● Gnaphalium obtusifolium Fragrant Cudweed ------S5 4 5 ● Dryopteris fragrans Fragrant Wood Fern ------S4S5 ● ● ● Phacelia franklinii Franklin's Scorpionweed ------S2 ● ● Triadenum fraseri Fraser's St. John's-wort ------S5 7 -5 ● ● ● Polygonum cilinode Fringed Bindweed ------S5 2 5 ● ● ● Bromus ciliatus Fringed Brome ------S5 6 -3 ● ● Polygala paucifolia Fringed Polygala ------S5 6 3 ● Sparganium eurycarpum Giant Bur-reed ------S5 3 -5 ● ● Solidago gigantea Giant Goldenrod ------S5 4 -3 ● ● Poa glauca ssp. glauca Glaucous Blue Grass ------S4 10 5 ● ● Draba glabella Glaucous Dabra ------S4S5 10 5 ● Collomia linearis Glueseed ------S4? ● Ranunculus gmelinii Gmelin's Buttercup ------S6 ● Draba aurea Golden Draba ------S5 ● Packera aurea Golden Ragwort ------S5 7 -3 ● Carex aurea Golden-fruited Sedge ------S5 4 -4 ● Coptis trifolia ssp. groenlandica Goldthread ------S5 7 -3 ● ● ● ● ● Euthamia graminifolia Grass-leaved Goldenrod ------S5 2 -2 ● ● ● ● Potamogeton gramineus Grass-leaved Pondweed ------S5 4 -5 ● Rumex orbiculatus Great Water Dock ------S4S5 6 -5 ● Viola selkirkii Great-spurred Violet ------S5 8 5 ● Alnus viridis ssp. crispa Green Alder ------S5 ------● ● ● ● ● Pyrola chlorantha Green-flowered Pyrola ------S4S5 6 3 ● Carex viridula Greenish Sedge ------S5 5 -5 ● ● Agrimonia striata Grooved Agrimony ------S5 ● Glechoma hederacea Ground Ivy ------SE5 0 3 ● Diphasiastrum tristachyum Ground-cedar ------S5 8 5 ● Lycopodium obscurum Ground-pine ------S4 6 3 ● ● ● Poa alsodes Grove Blue Grass ------S4 7 -2 ● Carex capillaris ssp. capillaris Hair-like Sedge ------S5 10 -3 ● Solidago hispida var. hispida Hairy Goldenrod ------S5 7 5 ● ● ● Lonicera hirsuta Hairy Honeysuckle ------S5 7 0 ● ● Scirpus acutus Hardstem Bulrush ------S5 6 -5 ● ● Campanula rotundifolia Harebell ------S5 7 1 ● ● ● Carex siccata Hay Sedge ------S5 8 5 ● ● Zizia aptera Heart-leaved Alexanders ------S1 9 3 ●

P a g e |C-6 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

BACKGROUND INFORMATION SOURCE THUNDER BAY PARK OBSERVED COEFFICIENT COEFFICIENT FOREST GREAT LAKES BLACK RUBY GRAVEL SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME SARA ESA 2007 SRANK NHIC FIELD MANAGEMENT RAINBOW IN THE CONSERVATION WETNESS MNR CONSULTATION MANAGEMENT CONSERVATION STURGEON LAKE RIVER DATABASE NATURALISTS PLANS & OTHER FALLS LSI FIELD PLANS BLUEPRINT RIVER LSI LSI LSI CONSULATION DOCUMENTS Arnica cordifolia Heart-leaved Arnica ------S1 ● Neottia cordata Heart-leaved Twayblade ------S5? 8 -3 ● Viburnum trilobum Highbush Cranberry ------S5 5 -3 ● ● ● Potentilla hippiana Hipp's Cinquefoil ------S3 ● Draba cana Hoary Draba ------S4 10 5 ● Arabis holboellii var retrofracta Holboell's Rock-cress ------S4? 9 5 ● Spiranthes romanzoffiana Hooded Ladies' Tresses ------S5 9 -4 ● Scutellaria galericulata Hooded Skullcap ------S5 6 -5 ● ● ● ● ● Viola adunca Hooked-spur Violet ------S4S5 8 1 ● ● Taraxacum ceratophorum Horned Dandelion ------S5 ● Conyza canadensis Horseweed ------S5 0 1 ● ● Carex houghtoniana Houghton's Sedge ------S5 6 5 ● ● Scirpus hudsonianus Hudson Bay Bulrush ------S5 9 -5 ● ● ● Euphrasia hudsoniana Hudson Bay Eyebright ------S4 ● Erigeron hyssopifolius Hyssop-leaved Fleabane ------S5 10 -3 ● Monotropa uniflora Indian-pipe ------S5 6 3 ● ● ● Carex vesicaria Inflated Sedge ------S5 7 -5 ● ● Carex interior Inland Sedge ------S5 6 -5 ● ● ● Osmunda claytoniana Interrupted Fern ------S5 7 -1 ● ● ● ● Galeopsis tetrahit Ironwort ------SE5 0 5 ● ● Pinus banksiana Jack Pine ------S5 9 3 ● ● ● ● ● Helianthus tuberosus Jerusalem Artichoke ------SE5 0 0 ● Viola tricolor Johnny-jump-up ------SE2 0 5 ● Lobelia kalmii Kalm's Lobelia ------S5 9 -5 ● ● Poa pratensis ssp. pratensis Kentucky Blue Grass ------S5 0 1 ● ● Viola renifolia Kidney-leaf Violet ------S5 7 -3 ● ● ● Hieracium praealtum King Devil Hawkweed ------SNR ● Sagina nodosa Knotted Pearlwort ------S4 ● ● Juncus nodosus Knotted Rush ------S5 5 -5 ● ● Ledum groenlandicum Labrador Tea ------S5 9 -5 ● ● ● ● Athyrium filix-femina Lady Fern ------S5 ------● Carex lacustris Lakebank Sedge ------S5 5 -5 ● ● Chenopodium album var. album Lamb's Quarters ------SE5 0 1 ● Vaccinium macrocarpon Large Cranberry ------S4S5 10 -5 ● ● Leucophysalis grandiflora Large White Ground-cherry ------S3? 8 5 ● Carex echinata Large-fruited Star Sedge ------S5 7 -5 ● ● Eurybia macrophylla Large-leaved Aster ------S5 5 5 ● ● ● ●

P a g e |C-7 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

BACKGROUND INFORMATION SOURCE THUNDER BAY PARK OBSERVED COEFFICIENT COEFFICIENT FOREST GREAT LAKES BLACK RUBY GRAVEL SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME SARA ESA 2007 SRANK NHIC FIELD MANAGEMENT RAINBOW IN THE CONSERVATION WETNESS MNR CONSULTATION MANAGEMENT CONSERVATION STURGEON LAKE RIVER DATABASE NATURALISTS PLANS & OTHER FALLS LSI FIELD PLANS BLUEPRINT RIVER LSI LSI LSI CONSULATION DOCUMENTS Geum macrophyllum Large-leaved Avens ------S5 9 -4 ● ● Moehringia macrophylla Large-leaved Sandwort ------S2 ● ● Hypericum majus Larger Canadian St. John's-wort ------S5 5 -3 ● ● Cystopteris laurentiana Laurentian Bladder Fern ------S2S3 8 5 ● ● Potamogeton foliosus Leafy Pondweed ------S5 4 -5 ● Chamaedaphne calyculata Leatherleaf ------S5 9 -5 ● ● Botrychium multifidum Leathery Grape Fern ------S5 6 3 ● Carex lenticularis Lenticular Sedge ------S5 9 -5 ● Carex diandra Lesser Panicled Sedge ------S5 7 -5 ● Chaenorrhinum minus Lesser Toadflax ------SE5 0 5 ● Gymnocarpium robertianum Limestone Oak Fern ------S2 10 3 ● Carex livida Livid Sedge ------S5 10 -5 ● Liparis loeselii Loesel's Twayblade ------S4S5 5 -4 ● Brachyelytrum erectum Long-awned Wood Grass ------S4S5 7 5 ● Coeloglossum viride var. virescens Long-bracted Green Orchid ------S4 8 0 ● Carex pedunculata Long-stalked Sedge ------S5 5 5 ● Calystegia spithamaea ssp. spithamaea Low Bindweed ------S4S5 7 5 ● Arenaria humifusa Low Sandwort ------S2S3 ● Amelanchier spicata Low Serviceberry ------S5? 7 3 ● ● Vaccinium angustifolium Low-sweet Blueberry ------S5 6 3 ● ● ● ● Asplenium trichomanes ssp. trichomanes Maidenhair Spleenwort ------SU 8 5 ● Dryopteris filix-mas Male-fern ------S4 9 5 ● Hippuris vulgaris Mare's-tail ------S5 10 -5 ● ● Dryopteris marginalis Marginal Wood Fern ------S5 5 3 ● Galium palustre Marsh Bedstraw ------S5 5 -5 ● Campanula aparinoides Marsh Bellflower ------S5 7 -5 ● ● ● ● Potentilla palustris Marsh Cinquefoil ------S5 7 -5 ● ● ● ● ● Thelypteris palustris var. pubescens Marsh Fern ------S5 5 -4 ● Solidago uliginosa Marsh Goldenrod ------S5 9 -5 ● ● ● Parnassia palustris Marsh Grass-of-parnassus ------S5 ● ● ● ● Equisetum palustre Marsh Horsetail ------S5 10 -3 ● ● ● Caltha palustris Marsh Marigold ------S5 5 -5 ● ● ● ● Tephroseris palustris Marsh Ragwort ------S5 ● Festuca pratensis Meadow Fescue ------SE5 0 4 ● Tragopogon pratensis ssp. pratensis Meadow Goat's-beard ------SE5 0 5 ● Equisetum pratense Meadow Horsetail ------S5 8 -3 ● ● Goodyera oblongifolia Menzies Rattlesnake Plantain ------S4 7 5 ●

P a g e |C-8 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

BACKGROUND INFORMATION SOURCE THUNDER BAY PARK OBSERVED COEFFICIENT COEFFICIENT FOREST GREAT LAKES BLACK RUBY GRAVEL SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME SARA ESA 2007 SRANK NHIC FIELD MANAGEMENT RAINBOW IN THE CONSERVATION WETNESS MNR CONSULTATION MANAGEMENT CONSERVATION STURGEON LAKE RIVER DATABASE NATURALISTS PLANS & OTHER FALLS LSI FIELD PLANS BLUEPRINT RIVER LSI LSI LSI CONSULATION DOCUMENTS Carex merritt-fernaldii Merritt's Sedge ------S5 6 5 ● Carex michauxiana Michaux's Sedge ------S5 ● Solidago missouriensis Missouri Goldenrod ------S2 ● Viburnum edule Mooseberry ------S5 ● ● ● ● Silene acaulis Moss Campion ------S1 ● Cystopteris montana Mountain Bladder Fern ------S1 ● ● Vaccinium vitis-idaea Mountain Cranberry ------S5 ● ● ● Huperzia appressa Mountain Firmoss ------S3? ● Lonicera villosa Mountain Fly Honeysuckle ------S5 10 -3 ● ● ● Vaccinium membranaceum Mountain Huckleberry ------S1 ● ● Acer spicatum Mountain Maple ------S5 6 3 ● ● ● ● ● Osmorhiza berteroi Mountain Sweet-cicely ------S4 ● Salix myrtillifolia Myrtle-leaved Willow ------S5 ● ● Mitella nuda Naked Mitrewort ------S5 6 -3 ● ● ● ● ● Calamagrostis stricta ssp. inexpansa Narrow Reed Grass ------S5 8 -4 ● ● Sparganium emersum ssp. emersum Narrow-leaved Bur-reed ------S5 5 -5 ● Eriophorum angustifolium Narrow-leaved Cottongrass ------S5 ● Hieracium umbellatum Narrow-leaved Hawkweed ------SE 0 5 ● ● Spiraea alba Narrow-leaved Meadowsweet ------S5 3 -4 ● Epilobium leptophyllum Narrow-leaved Willow-herb ------S5 7 -5 ● Carex lasiocarpa Narrow-leaved Woolly Sedge ------S5 8 -5 ● ● ● Carex ormostachya Necklace-like Spiked Sedge ------S4 8 5 ● Eleocharis acicularis Needle Spike-rush ------S5 5 -5 ● ● Physocarpus opulifolius Ninebark ------S5 5 -2 ● ● ● ● Bidens cernua Nodding Beggar-ticks ------S5 2 -5 ● ● Trillium cernuum Nodding Trillium ------S5 8 0 ● ● Arnica lonchophylla Northern Arnica ------S1 ● Sagittaria cuneata Northern Arrowhead ------S4? 7 -5 ● ● Symphyotrichum boreale Northern Aster ------S5 10 -5 ● ● Phegopteris connectilis Northern Beech Fern ------S5 8 5 ● ● ● ● Iris versicolor Northern Blue-flag ------S5 5 -5 ● ● ● ● ● Carex arcta Northern Clustered Sedge ------S4S5 ● ● Geocaulon lividum Northern Commandra ------S5 9 -2 ● ● Pseudognaphalium macounii Northern Cudweed ------S5 4 5 ● Castilleja septentrionalis Northern Indian Paintbrush ------S5 ● ● Athyrium filix-femina var. angustum Northern Lady Fern ------S5 4 0 ● ● ● ● ● Glyceria borealis Northern Manna Grass ------S5 8 -5 ● ● ●

P a g e |C-9 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

BACKGROUND INFORMATION SOURCE THUNDER BAY PARK OBSERVED COEFFICIENT COEFFICIENT FOREST GREAT LAKES BLACK RUBY GRAVEL SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME SARA ESA 2007 SRANK NHIC FIELD MANAGEMENT RAINBOW IN THE CONSERVATION WETNESS MNR CONSULTATION MANAGEMENT CONSERVATION STURGEON LAKE RIVER DATABASE NATURALISTS PLANS & OTHER FALLS LSI FIELD PLANS BLUEPRINT RIVER LSI LSI LSI CONSULATION DOCUMENTS Viola epipsela Northern Marsh Violet ------S3 ● Diphasiastrum complanatum Northern Running-pine ------S5 8 2 ● ● Carex deflexa Northern Sedge ------S5 8 3 ● Selaginella selaginoides Northern Spikemoss ------S4 10 -4 ● Trientalis borealis Northern Starflower S5 ● Neottia borealis Northern Twayblade ------S1S2 ● ● Lycopus uniflorus Northern Water-horehound ------S5 5 -5 ● ● ● ● ● Zizania palustris Northern Wild Rice ------S4 9 -5 ● Chenopodium glaucum ssp. glaucum Oak-leaved Goosefoot ------SE5 0 -3 ● Lycopodium lagopus One-cone Clubmoss ------S4 6 0 ● Moneses uniflora One-flowered Pyrola ------S5 10 0 ● ● ● ● ● Symphyotrichum lateriflorum var. lateriflorum One-sided Aster ------S5 3 -2 ● Orthilia secunda One-sided Shinleaf ------S5 5 -1 ● ● ● Hieracium aurantiacum Orange Hawkweed ------SE5 0 5 ● ● Matteuccia struthiopteris var. pensylvanica Ostrich Fern ------S5 5 -3 ● ● Vaccinium ovalifolium Oval-leaved Blueberry ------S3 ● Leucanthemum vulgare Ox-eye Daisy ------SE5 0 5 ● ● ● ● Torreyochloa fernaldii Pale Manna Grass ------S4 8 -5 ● Botrychium pallidum Pale Moonwort ------S1 ● ● Polygonum lapathifolium Pale Smartweed ------S5 2 -4 ● ● Lathyrus ochroleucus Pale Vetchling ------S4 8 5 ● Myriophyllum sibiricum Pale Water-milfoil ------S5 6 -5 ● ● Symphyotrichum lanceolatum Panicled Aster ------S5 3 -3 ● ● ● Juncus tenuis Path Rush ------S5 0 0 ● Anaphalis margaritacea Pearly Everlasting ------S5 3 5 ● ● ● ● Erigeron philadelphicus ssp. philadelphicus Philadelphia Fleabane ------S5 1 -3 ● ● Prunus pensylvanica Pin Cherry ------S5 3 4 ● ● ● ● Matricaria discoidea Pineappleweed ------SE5 ● ● Corydalis sempervirens Pink Corydalis ------S5 7 5 ● ● ● Cypripedium acaule Pink Moccasin Flower ------S5 7 -3 ● ● ● Pyrola asarifolia Pink Pyrola ------S5 7 -3 ● ● ● Eriocaulon aquaticum Pipewort ------S5 9 -5 ● Chimaphila umbellata ssp. cisatlantica Pipsissewa ------S5 8 5 ● Sarracenia purpurea Pitcher-plant ------S5 10 -5 ● Cirsium pitcheri Pitcher's Thistle END END S2 10 5 ● ● Salix planifolia Plane-leaved Willow ------S5 ● ● Carex scoparia Pointed Broom Sedge ------S5 5 -3 ●

P a g e |C-10 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

BACKGROUND INFORMATION SOURCE THUNDER BAY PARK OBSERVED COEFFICIENT COEFFICIENT FOREST GREAT LAKES BLACK RUBY GRAVEL SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME SARA ESA 2007 SRANK NHIC FIELD MANAGEMENT RAINBOW IN THE CONSERVATION WETNESS MNR CONSULTATION MANAGEMENT CONSERVATION STURGEON LAKE RIVER DATABASE NATURALISTS PLANS & OTHER FALLS LSI FIELD PLANS BLUEPRINT RIVER LSI LSI LSI CONSULATION DOCUMENTS Botrychium acuminatum Pointed Moonwort ------S1 ● Danthonia spicata Poverty Oat Grass ------S5 5 5 ● Saxifraga tricuspidata Prickly Saxifrage ------S4 ● Lycopodium dendroideum Prickly Tree Clubmoss ------S5 7 0 ● ● ● ● ● Rosa acicularis ssp. sayi Prickly Wild Rose ------S5 7 3 ● ● ● ● ● Bromus inermis ssp pumpellianus Pumpell's Brome ------S1 10 5 ● Calamagrostis purpurascens Purple Bluejoint ------S2 ● ● Clematis occidentalis Purple Clematis ------S4S5 8 5 ● ● Lythrum salicaria Purple Loosestrife ------SE5 0 -5 ● Thalictrum dasycarpum Purple Meadow-rue ------S4? 8 -2 ● ● Saxifraga oppositifolia Purple Mountain Saxifrage ------S1 ● Arabis divaricarpa var. divaricarpa Purple Rock Cress ------S5 7 3 ● Vicia americana Purple Vetch ------S5 9 5 ● ● Symphyotrichum puniceum var. puniceum Purple-stem Aster ------S5 6 -5 ● ● Gentiana rubricaulis Purple-stem Gentian ------S4 9 -5 ● ● ● Salix discolor Pussy Willow ------S5 3 -3 ● ● ● Elymus repens Quack Grass ------SE5 0 3 ● ● Trifolium arvense Rabbit-foot Clover ------SE4 0 5 ● ● Cypripedium arietinum Ram's-head Lady's Slipper ------S3 10 -4 ● Solidago simplex var. ontarioensis Rand's Goldenrod ------S3 10 3 ● Botrychium virginianum Rattlesnake Fern ------S5 5 3 ● ● ● Glyceria canadensis Rattlesnake Manna Grass ------S4S5 7 -5 ● ● ● Actaea rubra Red Baneberry ------S5 5 5 ● ● ● ● ● Trifolium pratense Red Clover ------SE5 0 2 ● ● ● Festuca rubra Red Fescue ------S5 --- 1 ● Acer rubrum Red Maple ------S5 4 0 ● Pinus resinosa Red Pine ------S5 8 3 ● ● ● Potamogeton alpinus Red Pondweed ------S5 10 -5 ● ● Rubus idaeus ssp. idaeus Red Raspberry ------SE1 0 5 ● ● ● ● ● Sambucus racemosa ssp. pubens Red-berried Elderberry ------S5 5 2 ● ● ● ● ● Cornus sericea Red-osier Dogwood ------S5 2 -3 ● ● ● ● ● Eleocharis erythropoda Red-stemmed Spike-rush ------S5 4 -5 ● Agrostis gigantea Redtop Grass ------SE5 0 0 ● ● Phalaris arundinacea Reed Canary Grass ------S5 0 -4 ● ● Calamagrostis sp Reed Grass Species ------● Carex retrorsa Retrorse Sedge ------S5 5 -5 ● ● Potamogeton epihydrus Ribbon-leaf Pondweed ------S4S5 5 -5 ●

P a g e |C-11 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

BACKGROUND INFORMATION SOURCE THUNDER BAY PARK OBSERVED COEFFICIENT COEFFICIENT FOREST GREAT LAKES BLACK RUBY GRAVEL SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME SARA ESA 2007 SRANK NHIC FIELD MANAGEMENT RAINBOW IN THE CONSERVATION WETNESS MNR CONSULTATION MANAGEMENT CONSERVATION STURGEON LAKE RIVER DATABASE NATURALISTS PLANS & OTHER FALLS LSI FIELD PLANS BLUEPRINT RIVER LSI LSI LSI CONSULATION DOCUMENTS Potamogeton richardsonii Richardson's Pondweed ------S5 5 -5 ● ● Carex emoryi Riverbank Sedge ------S4 8 -5 ● Polypodium virginianum Rock Polypody ------S5 6 5 ● ● ● ● Streptopus roseus Rose Twisted Stalk ------S5 7 0 ● ● ● ● ● Carex rossii Ross' Sedge ------S3 ● Antennaria rosea Rosy Pussytoes ------S1S2 ● Galium asprellum Rough Bedstraw ------S5 6 -5 ● ● ● ● Potentilla norvegica ssp. monspeliensis Rough Cinquefoil ------S5 0 0 ● ● ● ● Agrostis scabra Rough Hair Grass ------S5 6 0 ● ● Oryzopsis asperifolia Rough-leaved Rice Grass ------S5 6 5 ● ● Cornus rugosa Round-leaved Dogwood ------S5 6 5 ● ● ● ● Pyrola americana Round-leaved Pyrola ------S4? 7 1 ● ● ● Packera obovata Round-leaved Ragwort ------S3 8 4 ● Amelanchier sanguinea Round-leaved Serviceberry ------S5? 7 5 ● Drosera rotundifolia Round-leaved Sundew ------S5 7 -5 ● ● Woodsia ilvensis Rusty Woodsia ------S5 8 5 ● ● ● Salix candida Sage-leaved Willow ------S5 10 -5 ● ● ● ● Artemisia campestris ssp. caudata Sagewort Wormwood ------S5 8 0 ● ● ● Salix exigua Sandbar Willow ------S5 3 -5 ● Amelanchier alnifolia Saskatoon Berry ------S4? 8 2 ● ● Salix pellita Satiny Willow S5 ● Carex atratiformis Scabrous Black Sedge ------S2 ● ● Carex norvegica Scandinavian Sedge ------S4S5 ● Carex scirpoidea Scirpus-like Sedge ------S5 10 3 ● Equisetum hyemale ssp. affine Scouring Rush ------S5 2 -2 ● ● ● Carex sp Sedge Species ------● Prunella vulgaris ssp. vulgaris Selfheal ------SE3 0 0 ● ● ● Onoclea sensibilis Sensitive Fern ------S5 4 -3 ● ● ● Carex vaginata Sheathed Sedge ------S5 10 -5 ● ● Rumex acetosella ssp. acetosella Sheep Sorrel ------SE5 0 0 ● ● Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd's Purse ------SE5 0 1 ● Huperzia lucidula Shining Clubmoss ------S5 7 -1 ● ● ● Salix lucida Shining Willow ------S5 5 -4 ● ● ● Pyrola elliptica Shinleaf ------S5 5 5 ● ● Alopecurus aequalis Short-awned Foxtail ------S4S5 7 -5 ● Oryzopsis pungens Short-horned Rice Grass ------S5 8 5 ● ● Juncus brevicaudatus Short-tailed Rush ------S5 6 -5 ● ● ●

P a g e |C-12 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

BACKGROUND INFORMATION SOURCE THUNDER BAY PARK OBSERVED COEFFICIENT COEFFICIENT FOREST GREAT LAKES BLACK RUBY GRAVEL SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME SARA ESA 2007 SRANK NHIC FIELD MANAGEMENT RAINBOW IN THE CONSERVATION WETNESS MNR CONSULTATION MANAGEMENT CONSERVATION STURGEON LAKE RIVER DATABASE NATURALISTS PLANS & OTHER FALLS LSI FIELD PLANS BLUEPRINT RIVER LSI LSI LSI CONSULATION DOCUMENTS Cypripedium reginae Showy Lady's Slipper ------S4 7 -4 ● Oxytropis splendens Showy Locoweed ------S3 ● Sorbus decora Showy Mountain-ash ------S5 8 3 ● ● ● ● Potentilla fruticosa ssp. floribunda Shrubby Cinquefoil ------S5 9 -3 ● ● ● Potentilla anserina ssp. anserina Silverweed ------S5 5 -4 ● ● Carex canescens Silvery Sedge ------S5 7 -5 ● ● ● Ribes glandulosum Skunk Currant ------S5 6 -3 ● ● ● ● Schoenoplectus heterochaetus Slender Bulrush ------S3 ● Potentilla gracilis Slender Cinquefoil ------SNR ● Eriophorum gracile Slender Cottongrass ------S5 10 -5 ● Najas flexilis Slender Naiad ------S5 5 -5 ● Eleocharis tenuis Slender Spike-rush ------SNR ● Carex tenera Slender Straw Sedge ------S5 4 -1 ● Elymus trachycaulus ssp. trachycaulus Slender Wheat Grass ------S5 7 0 ● ● Salix petiolaris Slender Willow ------S5 3 -4 ● ● Dichanthelium linearifolium Slim-leaf Witchgrass S4S5 ● Galium trifidum ssp. trifidum Small Bedstraw ------S5 5 -4 ● ● Sparganium natans Small Bur-reed ------S5 8 -5 ● ● Vaccinium oxycoccos Small Cranberry ------S5 10 -5 ● ● Tofieldia pusilla Small False Asphodel ------S5 ● Platanthera orbiculata Small Round-leaf Orchid ------S4S5 9 0 ● Nymphaea odorata ssp. odorata Small White Water-lily ------SU 5 -5 ● ● Cypripedium parviflorum Small Yellow Lady's Slipper ------S5 7 -1 ● ● Carex cryptolepis Small Yellow Sedge ------S5 7 -5 ● ● Anemone parviflora Small-flowered Anemone ------S5 ● Cardamine parviflora Small-flowered Bitter Cress ------S5 7 0 ● Dracocephalum parviflorum Small-flowered Dragonhead ------S5 7 3 ● Scirpus microcarpus Small-fruited Bulrush ------S5 4 -5 ● ● Antennaria parviflora Small-leaved Pussytoes ------S1 ● Eleocharis smallii Small's Spike-rush ------S5 6 -5 ● ● Bromus inermis ssp. inermis Smooth Brome ------SE5 0 5 ● ● Ribes hirtellum Smooth Gooseberry ------S5 6 -3 ● ● ● Equisetum laevigatum Smooth Scouring Rush ------S4 7 -3 ● Amelanchier laevis Smooth Serviceberry ------S5 5 5 ● Viola macloskeyi ssp. pallens Smooth White Violet ------S5 6 -5 ● ● Rosa blanda Smooth Wild Rose ------S5 3 3 ● ● Woodsia glabella Smooth Woodsia ------S4 ● ●

P a g e |C-13 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

BACKGROUND INFORMATION SOURCE THUNDER BAY PARK OBSERVED COEFFICIENT COEFFICIENT FOREST GREAT LAKES BLACK RUBY GRAVEL SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME SARA ESA 2007 SRANK NHIC FIELD MANAGEMENT RAINBOW IN THE CONSERVATION WETNESS MNR CONSULTATION MANAGEMENT CONSERVATION STURGEON LAKE RIVER DATABASE NATURALISTS PLANS & OTHER FALLS LSI FIELD PLANS BLUEPRINT RIVER LSI LSI LSI CONSULATION DOCUMENTS Potentilla pulcherrima Soft Cinquefoil ------S2 ● Juncus effusus ssp. solutus Soft Rush ------S5 4 -5 ● ● Scirpus validus Softstem Bulrush ------S5 5 -5 ● Diphasiastrum digitatum Southern Running-pine ------S5 5 5 ● ● Cypripedium passerinum Sparrow's-egg Lady's-slipper ------S4 ● Carex tenuiflora Sparse-flowered Sedge ------S5 10 -5 ● Rubus parviflorus Sparse-flowered Thimbleberry ------S4 7 2 ● ● Alnus incana ssp. rugosa Speckled Alder ------S5 6 -5 ● ● ● ● ● Dryopteris carthusiana Spinulose Wood Fern ------S5 5 -2 ● ● ● ● Botrychium spathulatum Spoon-leaved Moonwort ------S2 ● Corallorhiza maculata Spotted Coralroot ------S5 7 4 ● ● Eutrochium maculatum Spotted Joe-pye-weed ------S5 3 -5 ● ● ● ● ● Impatiens capensis Spotted Touch-me-not ------S5 4 -3 ● ● ● ● Apocynum androsaemifolium ssp. androsaemifolium Spreading Dogbane ------S5 3 5 ● ● ● ● Mimulus ringens Square-stemmed Monkey-flower ------S5 6 -5 ● ● ● Hordeum jubatum ssp. jubatum Squirrel-tail Grass ------SE5 0 -1 ● Potentilla bimundorum Staghorn Cinquefoil ------S1 ● Trientalis borealis ssp. borealis Starflower ------S5 6 -1 ● ● ● ● ● Maianthemum stellatum Starry False Solomon's Seal ------S5 6 1 ● ● Oxytropis borealis var. viscida Sticky Locoweed ------S1S2 ● Solidago rigida ssp. rigida Stiff-leaved Goldenrod ------S3 9 4 ● Ribes lacustre Swamp Black Currant ------S5 7 -3 ● Lysimachia terrestris Swamp Candles ------S5 6 -5 ● ● ● ● Lonicera oblongifolia Swamp Fly Honeysuckle ------S5 8 -5 ● ● ● Ribes triste Swamp Red Currant ------S5 6 -5 ● ● ● Petasites frigidus Sweet Coltsfoot ------S5 8 -3 ● ● ● ● ● Myrica gale Sweet Gale ------S5 6 -5 ● ● ● ● Hierochloe odorata Sweet Grass ------S4 5 -3 ● ● Lactuca biennis Tall Blue Lettuce ------S5 6 0 ● ● ● Mertensia paniculata Tall Bluebells ------S5 ● ● ● ● Ranunculus acris Tall Buttercup ------SE5 0 -2 ● ● ● Lactuca canadensis Tall Lettuce ------S5 3 2 ● ● Thalictrum pubescens Tall Meadow-rue ------S5 5 -2 ● ● Platanthera hyperborea Tall Northern Green Orchid ------S5 5 -4 ● ● ● Platanthera dilatata Tall White Bog Orchid ------S5 10 -3 ● Larix laricina Tamarack ------S5 7 -3 ● ● ● ● ● ● Maianthemum trifolium Three-leaved Solomon's Seal ------S5 10 -5 ● ●

P a g e |C-14 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

BACKGROUND INFORMATION SOURCE THUNDER BAY PARK OBSERVED COEFFICIENT COEFFICIENT FOREST GREAT LAKES BLACK RUBY GRAVEL SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME SARA ESA 2007 SRANK NHIC FIELD MANAGEMENT RAINBOW IN THE CONSERVATION WETNESS MNR CONSULTATION MANAGEMENT CONSERVATION STURGEON LAKE RIVER DATABASE NATURALISTS PLANS & OTHER FALLS LSI FIELD PLANS BLUEPRINT RIVER LSI LSI LSI CONSULATION DOCUMENTS Carex trisperma Three-seeded Sedge ------S5 9 -5 ● Sibbaldiopsis tridentata Three-toothed Cinquefoil ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● Dulichium arundinaceum Three-way Sedge ------S5 7 -5 ● ● Phleum pratense Timothy ------SE5 0 3 ● Juncus bufonius Toad Rush ------S5 1 -4 ● Scirpus torreyi Torrey's Three-square ------S4 10 -5 ● Epigaea repens Trailing Arbutus ------S5 9 5 ● Populus tremuloides Trembling Aspen ------S5 2 0 ● ● ● ● ● ● Scirpus cespitosus Tufted Bulrush ------S5 10 -5 ● Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. cespitosa Tufted Hairgrass ------S4S5 9 -4 ● ● Lysimachia thyrsiflora Tufted Loosestrife ------S5 7 -5 ● ● ● ● Eriophorum vaginatum Tussock Cotton-grass S5 ● Carex stricta Tussock Sedge ------S5 4 -5 ● ● Linnaea borealis ssp. longiflora Twinflower ------S5 7 0 ● ● ● ● ● Poa saltuensis Two-rayed Blue Grass ------S4 7 5 ● Carex disperma Two-seeded Sedge ------S5 8 -5 ● ● Salix humilis Upland Willow ------S5 7 3 ● ● Equisetum variegatum ssp. variegatum Variegated Horsetail ------S5 5 -3 ● ● Vaccinium myrtilloides Velvetleaf Blueberry ------S5 7 -2 ● ● ● ● ● Viola sp Violet Species ------● Elymus virginicus var. virginicus Virginia Wild Rye ------S5 5 -2 ● Bistorta vivipara Viviparous Knotweed ------S5 ● Calla palustris Water Arum ------S5 8 -5 ● Sparganium fluctuans Water Bur-reed ------S4? 9 -5 ● ● ● ● Equisetum fluviatile Water Horsetail ------S5 7 -5 ● ● ● ● ● Carex aquatilis Water Sedge ------S5 7 -5 ● ● ● Polygonum amphibium Water Smartweed ------S5 5 -5 ● ● Sium suave Water-parsnip ------S5 4 -5 ● Carex supina Weak Arctic Sedge ------S1 ● Canadanthus modestus Western Bog Aster ------● ● Festuca occidentalis Western Fescue ------S4? 9 5 ● Botrychium hesperium Western Moonwort ------S1 ● ● Rhynchospora alba White Beak Rush ------S5 10 -5 ● Betula papyrifera White Birch ------S5 2 2 ● ● ● ● ● ● Trifolium repens White Clover ------SE5 0 2 ● ● Ulmus americana White Elm ------S5 3 -2 ● Prenanthes alba White Lettuce ------S5 6 3 ●

P a g e |C-15 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

BACKGROUND INFORMATION SOURCE THUNDER BAY PARK OBSERVED COEFFICIENT COEFFICIENT FOREST GREAT LAKES BLACK RUBY GRAVEL SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME SARA ESA 2007 SRANK NHIC FIELD MANAGEMENT RAINBOW IN THE CONSERVATION WETNESS MNR CONSULTATION MANAGEMENT CONSERVATION STURGEON LAKE RIVER DATABASE NATURALISTS PLANS & OTHER FALLS LSI FIELD PLANS BLUEPRINT RIVER LSI LSI LSI CONSULATION DOCUMENTS Saxifraga paniculata White Mountain Saxifrage ------S5 ● ● Picea glauca White Spruce ------S5 6 3 ● ● ● ● ● ● Melilotus albus White Sweet-clover ------SE5 0 3 ● ● ● Allium schoenoprasum var. sibiricum Wild Chives ------S4 9 3 ● ● Aquilegia canadensis Wild Columbine ------S5 5 1 ● ● Asarum canadense Wild Ginger ------S5 6 5 ● Mentha arvensis ssp. borealis Wild Mint ------S5 3 -3 ● ● ● ● ● Rubus idaeus ssp. melanolasius Wild Red Raspberry ------S5 0 -2 ● Aralia nudicaulis Wild Sarsaparilla ------S5 4 3 ● ● ● ● Salix sp Willow Species ------● Gaultheria procumbens Wintergreen ------S5 6 3 ● Juncus balticus Wire Rush ------S5 5 -5 ● ● Elaeagnus commutata Wolf-willow ------S5 ● Anemone quinquefolia Wood Anemone ------S5 7 0 ● ● Equisetum sylvaticum Woodland Horsetail ------S5 7 -3 ● ● ● ● ● Fragaria vesca ssp. americana Woodland Strawberry ------S5 4 4 ● ● Scirpus cyperinus Wool Grass ------S5 4 -5 ● ● ● ● Achillea millefolium ssp. lanulosa Woolly Yarrow ------S5 0 3 ● Salix eriocephala Woolly-headed Willow ------S5 4 -3 ● Geum aleppicum Yellow Avens ------S5 2 -1 ● ● Trifolium aureum Yellow Clover ------SE5 0 5 ● ● Dryas drummondii Yellow Mountain Avens ------S1 ● Rhinanthus minor Yellow Rattle ------SE5 ● Carex flava Yellow Sedge ------S5 5 -5 ● ● ●

SARA status according to Federal SARA Registry ESA status according to Provincial SARO list Sranks - S5 = secure; S4= apparently secure; S3 = vulnerable; S2 = imperiled; SNA(SE) = conservation status ranking not applicable (exotic), ? -status uncertain

P a g e |C-16 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

Table C2: Moss and Liverwort Species with the Potential to Occur and/or Observed During Field Studies Background Information Source

Scientific Name Common Name SARA ESA 2007 Srank Coefficient Conservation Coefficient Wetness Great Lakes Conservation Observed in the field NHIC Database MNR Consultation Rainbow Falls LSI Ruby Lake LSI Blueprint

Amphidium mougeotii Moss S1 ● ● Anastrophyllum saxicola Liverwort S1S2 ● Arnellia fennica Liverwort S1S3 ● Aulacomnium acuminatum Moss S2 ● Aulacomnium palustre Moss S5 ● Aulacomnium turgidum Moss S3 ● ● Bazzania trilobata var. trilobata Liverwort S5 ● Bryum blindii Moss S2 ● Bryum pallens Moss S1 ● Climacium dendroides Moss S5 ● Dicranella crispa Moss S1 ● Dicranum polysetum Moss S5 ● ● Diplophyllum taxifolium var. taxifolium Liverwort S1S2 ● Grimmia teretinervis Moss S2 ● Hylocomium splendens Moss S5 ● ● Mannia pilosa Liverwort S1 ● Myurella tenerrima Moss S1 ● Neckera pennata Moss S5 ● Pleurozium schreberi Moss S5 ● ● ● Pogonatum dentatum Moss S1 ● Polytrichum commune Moss S5 ● Polytrichum juniperinum Moss S5 ● Ptilium crista-castrensis Moss S5 ● ● ● Rhizomnium gracile Moss S1 ● Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus Moss S5 ● Sanionia uncinata Moss S5 ● Scapania degenii Liverwort S1 ● Scapania gymnostomophila Liverwort S3? ● Sphagnum capillifolium Moss S5 ● Sphagnum girgensohnii Moss S5 ● ● Sphagnum magellanicum Moss S5 ● Sphagnum sp Moss S5 ● Splachnum luteum var. luteum Moss S1 ● ● Splachnum rubrum Moss S2 ●

P a g e |C-17 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

Table C3: Lichen Species with the Potential to Occur and/or Observed During Field Studies Background Information Source Scientific Name Common Name SARA ESA 2007 Srank Observed in the field NHIC Database MNR Consultation Forest Management Plans Ruby Lake LSI Rainbow Falls LSI

Anaptychia setifera A Lichen ------S3 ●

Cladonia coccifera A Lichen ------S5 ●

Cladonia coniocraea A Lichen ------S5 ●

Cladonia mitis A Lichen ------S4 ● ●

Cladonia rangiferina A Lichen ------S5 ● ● ●

Cladonia stellaris A Lichen ------S5 ● ●

Leptogium rivulare Flooded Jellyskin THR THR S1 ● ●

Lobaria scrobiculata A Lichen ------S1S2 ●

Pannaria conoplia A Lichen ------S1S2 ●

Peltigera collina A Lichen ------S1 ●

Stereocaulon glaucescens A Foam Lichen ------S1 ●

Stereocaulon paschale A Lichen ------S5 ●

Umbilicaria arctica A Lichen ------S1S2 ●

Umbilicaria mammulata A Lichen ------S4S5 ●

Usnea lapponica A Lichen ------S4S5 ●

P a g e |C-19 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

Table C4: Bird Species with the Potential to Occur and/or Observed During Field Studies

Background Information Source Observed in Scientific Name Common Name SARA ESA 2007 Srank OBBA (All Forest Thunder Bay Great Lakes Black Ruby Ruby OBBA Rainbow Gravel Other MNR the field NHIC EWT CBC Management Field Naturalists Conservation Sturgeon Lake Lake Square # Falls LSI River LSI EA's Consultation Squares) Plans Consultation Blueprint River LSI PPMP LSI

Empidonax alnorum Alder Flycatcher ------S5B ● ● ● ● Botaurus lentiginosus American Bittern ------S4B ● Anas rubripes American Black Duck ------S4 ● ● ● Fulica americana American Coot ------S4B ● Corvus brachyrhynchos American Crow ------S5B ● ● ● ● ● ● Carduelis tristis American Goldfinch ------S5B ● ● ● ● Falco sparverius American Kestrel ------S4 ● ● ● ● ● Setophaga ruticilla American Redstart ------S5B ● ● ● ● ● Turdus migratorius American Robin ------S5B ● ● ● ● ● Picoides dorsalis American Three-toed Woodpecker ------S4 ● ● Spizella arborea American Tree Sparrow ------S4B ● ● ● Pelecanus erythrorhynchos American White Pelican THR S2B ● ● ● ● ● Anas americana American Wigeon ------S4 ● ● ● Scolopax minor American Woodcock ------S4B ● ● Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald Eagle* --- SC S4B, SZN ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Riparia riparia Bank Swallow ------S4B ● Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow --- THR S4B ● ● Strix varia Barred Owl ------S5 ● ● Dendroica castanea Bay-breasted Warbler ------S5B ● ● ● Ceryle alcyon Belted Kingfisher ------S4B ● ● ● ● ● Chlidonias niger Black Tern* --- SC S3B ● ● ● ● Mniotilta varia Black-and-white Warbler ------S5B ● ● ● ● Picoides arcticus Black-backed Woodpecker ------S4 ● ● ● ● ● Coccyzus erythropthalmus Black-billed Cuckoo ------S5B ● Pica hudsonia Black-billed Magpie ------S3? ● Dendroica fusca Blackburnian Warbler ------S5B ● ● ● ● Poecile atricapillus Black-capped Chickadee ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Podiceps nigricollis Black-necked Grebe ------SNA ● Dendroica caerulescens Black-throated Blue Warbler ------S5B ● ● ● ● Dendroica virens Black-throated Green Warbler ------S5B ● ● ● Cyanocitta cristata Blue Jay ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● ● Vireo solitarius Blue-headed Vireo ------S5B ● ● ● ● ● Anas discors Blue-winged Teal ------S4 ● ● Dolichonyx oryzivorus Bobolink --- THR S4B ● Bombycilla garrulus Bohemian Waxwing ------SNA ●

P a g e |C-20 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

Background Information Source Observed in Scientific Name Common Name SARA ESA 2007 Srank OBBA (All Forest Thunder Bay Great Lakes Black Ruby Ruby OBBA Rainbow Gravel Other MNR the field NHIC EWT CBC Management Field Naturalists Conservation Sturgeon Lake Lake Square # Falls LSI River LSI EA's Consultation Squares) Plans Consultation Blueprint River LSI PPMP LSI

Larus philadelphia Bonaparte’s Gull ------S4B, S4N ● Poecile hudsonicus Boreal Chickadee ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● Aegolius funereus Boreal Owl ------S4 ● ● Euphagus cyanocephalus Brewer’s Blackbird ------S4B ● Buteo platypterus Broad-winged Hawk ------S5B, SZN ● ● ● ● ● Certhia americana Brown Creeper ------S5B ● ● ● ● ● Toxostoma rufum Brown Thrasher ------S4B ● ● Molothrus ater Brown-headed Cowbird ------S4B ● ● ● Bucephala albeola Bufflehead ------S4 ● ● Branta hutchinsii Cackling Goose ------S4N ● Branta canadensis Canada Goose ------S5 ● ● ● Wilsonia canadensis Canada Warbler* THR SC S4B ● ● ● ● ● Dendroica tigrina Cape May Warbler ------S5B ● ● ● Thryothorus ludovicianus Carolina Wren ------S4 ● Bombycilla cedrorum Cedar Waxwing ------S5B ● ● ● ● ● Dendroica pensylvanica Chestnut-sided Warbler ------S5B ● ● ● ● Chaetura pelagica Chimney Swift THR THR S4B, S4N ● ● Spizella passerina Chipping Sparrow ------S5B ● ● ● ● ● Spizella pallida Clay-coloured Sparrow ------S4B ● Petrochelidon pyrrhonota Cliff Swallow ------S4B ● Bucephala clanula Common Goldeneye ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● Quiscalus quiscula Common Grackle ------S5B ● ● ● ● ● Gavia immer Common Loon ------S5B, S5N ● ● ● ● ● ● Mergus merganser Common Merganser ------S5B, S5N ● ● Chordeiles minor Common Nighthawk* THR SC S4B ● ● ● Corvus corax Common Raven ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Carduelis flammea Common Redpoll ------S4B ● Geothlypis trichas Common Yellowthroat ------S5B ● ● ● ● Oporornis agilis Connecticut Warbler ------S4B ● ● Accipiter cooperii Cooper’s Hawk ------S4B, SZN ● Junco hyemalis Dark-eyed Junco ------S5B ● ● ● ● ● ● Phalacrocorax auritus Double-crested Cormorant ------S5B ● ● Picoides pubescens Downy Woodpecker ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● ● Sialia sialis Eastern Bluebird ------S5B ● ● ● Tyrannus tyrannus Eastern Kingbird ------S4B ● ● ● Sayornis phoebe Eastern Phoebe ------S5B ● ● ●

P a g e |C-21 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

Background Information Source Observed in Scientific Name Common Name SARA ESA 2007 Srank OBBA (All Forest Thunder Bay Great Lakes Black Ruby Ruby OBBA Rainbow Gravel Other MNR the field NHIC EWT CBC Management Field Naturalists Conservation Sturgeon Lake Lake Square # Falls LSI River LSI EA's Consultation Squares) Plans Consultation Blueprint River LSI PPMP LSI

Pipilo erythrophthalmus Eastern Towhee ------S4B ● Contopus virens Eastern Wood-pewee ------S4B ● ● ● Carduelis carduelis European Goldfinch ------SNA ● Sturnus vulgaris European Starling ------SNA ● ● ● Coccothraustes vespertinus Evening Grosbeak ------S4B ● ● ● ● ● Passerella iliaca Fox Sparrow ------S4B ● Anas strepera Gadwall ------S4B ● Larus hyperboreus Glaucous Gull ------S4N ● Aquila chrysaetos Golden Eagle --- END S2B ● ● ● ● Regulus satrapa Golden-crowned Kinglet ------S5B ● ● ● ● ● Vermivora chrysoptera Golden-winged Warbler* THR SC S4B ● ● ● Dumetella carolinensis Gray Catbird ------S4B ● ● ● Perisoreus canadensis Gray Jay ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● ● Perdix perdix Gray Partridge ------SNA ● Larus marinus Great Black-backed Gull* ------S2B ● ● Ardea herodias Great Blue Heron ------S4 ● ● ● ● ● Strix nebulosa Great Gray Owl ------S4 ● ● ● ● Bubo virginianus Great Horned Owl ------S4 ● ● Aythya marila Greater Scaup ------S4 ● ● Tringa melanoleuca Greater Yellowlegs ------S4B, S4N ● Anas crecca Green-winged Teal ------S4 ● ● ● Falco rusticolis Gyrfalcon ------SNA ● Picoides villosus Hairy Woodpecker ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● Histrionicus histrionicus Harlequin Duck ------SNA ● Zonotrichia querula Harris' Sparrow ------SNA ● Ammodramus henslowii Henslow’s Sparrow END END SHB ● Catharus guttatus Hermit Thrush ------S5B ● ● ● ● ● Larus argentatus Herring Gull ------S5B, S5N ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Carduelis hornemanni Hoary Redpoll ------SNA ● Lophodytes cucullatus Hooded Merganser ------S5B, S5N ● ● ● Podiceps auritus Horned Grebe* --- SC S1B,S4N ● ● Eremophila alpestris Horned Lark ------S5B, SZN ● Carpodacus mexicanus House Finch ------SNA ● ● Passer domesticus House Sparrow ------SNA ● ● Troglodytes aedon House Wren ------S5B ● ● ● Anax platyrhynchos X Hybrid Mallard ------SNA ●

P a g e |C-22 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

Background Information Source Observed in Scientific Name Common Name SARA ESA 2007 Srank OBBA (All Forest Thunder Bay Great Lakes Black Ruby Ruby OBBA Rainbow Gravel Other MNR the field NHIC EWT CBC Management Field Naturalists Conservation Sturgeon Lake Lake Square # Falls LSI River LSI EA's Consultation Squares) Plans Consultation Blueprint River LSI PPMP LSI

Larus glaucoides Iceland Gull ------S4N ● Passerina cyanea Indigo Bunting ------S4B ● Charadrius vociferus Killdeer ------S5B, S5N ● ● ● ● Rallus elegans King Rail END END S2B ● Calcarius lapponicus Lapland Longspur ------S3B ● Ixobrychus exilis Least Bittern THR THR S4B ● ● Empidonax minimus Least Flycatcher ------S4B ● ● ● ● Aythya affinis Lesser Scaup ------S4 ● ● ● Melospiza lincolnii Lincoln’s Sparrow ------S5B ● ● ● Lanius ludovicianus Loggerhead Shrike END END S2B, SZN ● Asio otus Long-eared Owl ------S4 ● ● Clangula hyemalis Long-tailed Duck* ------S3B ● Dendroica magnolia Magnolia Warbler ------S5B ● ● ● ● Anas platyrhynchos Mallard ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● ● Falco columbarius Merlin ------S5B ● ● ● ● Sialia currucoides Mountain Bluebird ------SNA ● Zenaida macroura Mourning Dove ------S5 ● ● Oporornis philadelphia Mourning Warbler ------S4B ● ● ● ● Vermivora ruficapilla Nashville Warbler ------S5B ● ● ● ● Cardinalis cardinalis Northern Cardinal ------S5 ● ● Colaptes auratus Northern Flicker ------S4B ● ● ● ● ● Accipiter gentilis Northern Goshawk ------S4 ● ● Circus cyaneus Northern Harrier ------S4B ● ● ● ● Surnia ulula Northern Hawk Owl ------S4 ● Mimus polyglottos Northern Mockingbird ------S4 ● ● Parula americana Northern Parula ------S4B ● ● ● Anas acuta Northern Pintail ------S5 ● Aegolius acadicus Northern Saw-whet Owl ------S4 ● ● Anas clypeata Northern Shoveler ------S4 ● Lanius excubitor Northern Shrike ------SNA ● Seiurus noveboracensis Northern Waterthrush ------S5B ● ● ● Contopus cooperi Olive-sided Flycatcher ------S4B ● ● ● ● ● Oreothlypis celata Orange-crowned Warbler ------S4B ● Pandion haliaetus Osprey ------S5B ● ● ● ● Seiurus aurocapillus Ovenbird ------S4B ● ● ● ● Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon* THR SC S2S3B, ZN ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

P a g e |C-23 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

Background Information Source Observed in Scientific Name Common Name SARA ESA 2007 Srank OBBA (All Forest Thunder Bay Great Lakes Black Ruby Ruby OBBA Rainbow Gravel Other MNR the field NHIC EWT CBC Management Field Naturalists Conservation Sturgeon Lake Lake Square # Falls LSI River LSI EA's Consultation Squares) Plans Consultation Blueprint River LSI PPMP LSI

Vireo philadelphicus Philadelphia Vireo ------S5B ● ● Podilymbus podiceps Pied-billed Grebe ------S4B, S4N ● ● Dryocopus pileatus Pileated Woodpecker ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● Pinicola enucleator Pine Grosbeak ------S4B ● ● Carduelis pinus Pine Siskin ------S4B ● ● ● ● ● ● Dendroica pinus Pine Warbler ------S5B ● ● ● Carpodacus purpureus Purple Finch ------S4B ● ● ● Loxia curvirostra Red Crossbill ------S4B ● ● Calidris canutus Red Knot* ------S1N ● Melanerpes carolinus Red-bellied Woodpecker ------S4 ● Mergus serrator Red-breasted Merganser ------S4B, S5N ● ● ● Sitta canadensis Red-breasted Nuthatch ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● ● Vireo olivaceus Red-eyed Vireo ------S5B ● ● ● ● ● Aythya americana Redhead* ------S2B, S4N ● ● Melanerpes erythrocephalus Red-headed Woodpecker* THR SC S4B ● Podiceps grisegena Red-necked Grebe* ------S3B, S4N ● Buteo jamaicensis Red-tailed Hawk ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● Agelaius phoeniceus Red-winged Blackbird ------S4 ● ● ● ● ● Larus delawarensis Ring-billed Gull ------S5B, S4N ● ● ● ● ● Aythya collaris Ring-necked Duck ------S5 ● ● ● Phasianus colchicus Ring-necked Pheasant ------SNA ● Columba livia Rock Dove ------SNA ● ● Pheucticus ludovicianus Rose-breasted Grosbeak ------S4B ● ● ● Buteo lagopus Rough-legged Hawk* ------S1B, S4N ● Regulus calendula Ruby-crowned Kinglet ------S4B ● ● ● ● ● Archilochus colubris Ruby-throated Hummingbird ------S5B ● ● Oxyura jamaicensis Ruddy Duck ------S4B, S4N ● ● Arenaria interpres Ruddy Turnstone ------SNA ● Bonasa umbellus Ruffed Grouse ------S4 ● ● ● ● ● Euphagus carolinus Rusty Blackbird ------S4B ● ● ● ● Calidris alba Sanderling ------S5N ● Grus canadensis Sandhill Crane ------S5B ● ● Passerculus sandwichensis Savannah Sparrow ------S4B ● ● ● ● Piranga olivacea Scarlet Tanager ------S4B ● ● Accipiter striatus Sharp-shinned Hawk ------S5B, SZN ● ● ● Tympanuchus phasianellus Sharp-tailed Grouse ------S4 ●

P a g e |C-24 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

Background Information Source Observed in Scientific Name Common Name SARA ESA 2007 Srank OBBA (All Forest Thunder Bay Great Lakes Black Ruby Ruby OBBA Rainbow Gravel Other MNR the field NHIC EWT CBC Management Field Naturalists Conservation Sturgeon Lake Lake Square # Falls LSI River LSI EA's Consultation Squares) Plans Consultation Blueprint River LSI PPMP LSI

Asio flammeus Short-eared Owl* SC SC S2N, S4B ● ● ● Plectrophenax nivalis Snow Bunting ------SNA ● Chen caerulescens Snow Goose ------S5B ● Bubo scandiacus Snowy Owl ------SNA ● Tringa solitaria Solitary Sandpiper ------S4B ● ● Melospiza melodia Song Sparrow ------S5B ● ● ● ● ● ● Porzana carolina Sora ------S4B, SZN ● ● Actitis macularia Spotted Sandpiper ------S5 ● ● ● ● Pipilo maculatus Spotted Towhee ------SNA ● Falcipennis canadensis Spruce Grouse ------S5 ● ● ● ● Catharus ustulatus Swainson’s Thrush ------S4B ● ● ● ● Melospiza georgiana Swamp Sparrow ------S5B ● ● ● Vermivora peregrina Tennessee Warbler ------S5B ● ● ● Larus thayeri Thayer's Gull ------SNA ● Myadestes townsendi Townsend's Solitaire ------SNA ● Tachycineta bicolor Tree Swallow ------S4B ● ● ● Cygnus buccinator Trumpeter Swan ------S4 ● Cathartes aura Turkey Vulture ------S5B ● ● ● Ixoreus naevius Varied Thrush ------SNA ● Catharus fuscenscens Veery ------S4B ● ● ● ● Rallus limicola Virginia Rail ------S5B ● Vireo gilvus Warbling Vireo ------S5B ● Sturnella neglecta Western Meadowlark ------S3B ● Dendroica palmarum Western Palm Warbler ------S5B ● Caprimulgus vociferus Whip-poor-will --- THR S4B ● ● Sitta carolinensis White-breasted Nuthatch ------S5 ● ● Zonotrichia leucophrys White-crowned Sparrow ------S4B ● ● ● Zonotrichia albicollis White-throated Sparrow ------S5B ● ● ● ● ● Loxia leucoptera White-winged Crossbill ------S5B ● ● Gallinago gallinago Wilson’s Snipe ------S5B, SZN ● ● ● Wilsonia pusilla Wilson’s Warbler ------S4B ● ● ● Troglodytes troglodytes Winter Wren ------S5B ● ● ● ● ● Aix sponsa Wood Duck ------S5 ● ● Hylocichla mustelina Wood Thrush ------S4B ● Coturnicops noveboracensis Yellow Rail* SC SC S4B ● ● ● Dendroica petechia Yellow Warbler ------S5B ● ● ●

P a g e |C-25 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

Background Information Source Observed in Scientific Name Common Name SARA ESA 2007 Srank OBBA (All Forest Thunder Bay Great Lakes Black Ruby Ruby OBBA Rainbow Gravel Other MNR the field NHIC EWT CBC Management Field Naturalists Conservation Sturgeon Lake Lake Square # Falls LSI River LSI EA's Consultation Squares) Plans Consultation Blueprint River LSI PPMP LSI

Empidonax flaviventris Yellow-bellied Flycatcher ------S5B ● ● ● ● Sphyrapicus varius Yellow-bellied Sapsucker ------S5B ● ● ● ● ● Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus Yellow-headed Blackbird* ------S2B ● Dendroica coronata Yellow-rumped Warbler ------S5B ● ● ● ● ● ●

P a g e |C-26 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

Table C5: Mammal Species with the Potential to Occur and/or Observed During Field Studies Background Information Source

Ontario Great Lakes Black Gravel River Observed in Scientific Name Common Name SARA ESA 2007 Srank Patterson et Forest Management Park Management Rainbow Ruby Gravel NHIC Mammal MNR Consultation Conservation Sturgeon Area Field al. 2007 Plans Plans Falls LSI Lake LSI River LSI Atlas Blueprint River LSI Strategy

Taxidea taxus Badger END END S2 ● Castor canadensis Beaver ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Eptesicus fuscus Big Brown Bat ------S5 ● ● Ursus americanus Black Bear ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Sorex arcticus Black-backed Shrew ------S5 ● ● ● Lynx rufus Bobcat ------S4 ● ● Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● Rangifer tarandus Caribou THR THR S4 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Canis latrans Coyote ------S5 ● ● ● ● Peromyscus maniculatus Deer Mouse ------S5 ● ● ● ● Tamias striatus Eastern Chipmunk ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Puma concolor couguar Eastern Cougar --- END SU ● ● ● Myotis leibii Eastern Small-footed Bat* ------S2S3 ● Canis lupus lycaon Eastern Wolf* --- SC S4 ● Mustela erminea Ermine ------S5 ● ● ● ● Martes pennanti Fisher ------S5 ● ● ● Urocyon cinereoargenteus Gray Fox THR THR S1 ● Sciurus carolinensis Gray Squirrel ------S5 ● ● Canis lupus Gray Wolf ------S4 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Phenacomys ungava Heath Vole ------S4 ● ● ● Lasiurus cinereus Hoary Bat ------S4 ● ● Mus musculus House Mouse ------SNA ● Neotamias minimus Least Chipmunk ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● Mustela nivalis Least Weasel ------SU ● Myotis lucifugus Little Brown Myotis END END S4 ● ● Mustela frenata Long-tailed Weasel ------S4 ● ● Martes americana Marten ------S5 ● ● ● ● Sorex cinereus Masked Shrew ------S5 ● ● ● Zapus hudsonius Meadow Jumping Mouse ------S5 ● ● ● Microtus pennsylvanicus Meadow Vole ------S5 ● ● ● Mustela vison Mink ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● Alces americanus Moose ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Ondatra zibethicus Muskrat ------S5 ● ● ● Glaucomys sabrinus Northern Flying Squirrel ------S5 ● ● ● Myotis septentrionalis Northern Myotis END END S3 ● ● Blarina brevicauda Northern Short-tailed ------S5 ● ● ●

P a g e |C-27 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

Background Information Source

Ontario Great Lakes Black Gravel River Observed in Scientific Name Common Name SARA ESA 2007 Srank Patterson et Forest Management Park Management Rainbow Ruby Gravel NHIC Mammal MNR Consultation Conservation Sturgeon Area Field al. 2007 Plans Plans Falls LSI Lake LSI River LSI Atlas Blueprint River LSI Strategy

Shrew

Rattus norvegicus Norway Rat ------SNA ● Erethizon dorsatum Porcupine ------S5 ● ● ● Sorex hoyi Pygmy Shrew ------S4 ● ● ● Procyon lotor Raccoon ------S5 ● ● ● Vulpes vulpes Red Fox ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● Tamiasciurus hudsonicus Red Squirrel ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Lontra canadensis River Otter ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● Microtus chrotorrhinus Rock Vole ------S4 ● ● ● Lasionycteris noctivagans Silver Haired Bat ------S4 ● ● Sorex fumeus Smoky Shrew ------S5 ● ● ● Lepus americanus Snowshoe Hare ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Synaptomys cooperi Southern Bog Lemming ------S4 ● ● Glaucomys volans Southern Flying Squirrel ------S4 ● Clethrionomys gapperi Southern Red-backed Vole ------S5 ● ● ● ● Condylura cristata Star-nosed Mole ------S5 ● ● Mephitis mephitis Striped Skunk ------S5 ● ● ● ● Sorex palustris Water Shrew ------S5 ● ● Odocoileus virginianus White-tailed Deer ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● ● Gulo gulo Wolverine --- THR S2S3 ● ● ● Marmota monax Woodchuck ------S5 ● ● ● Napaeozapus insignis Woodland Jumping Mouse ------S5 ● ● ●

P a g e |C-28 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

Table C6: Herpetofauna Species with the Potential to Occur and/or Observed During Field Studies Background Information Source

Ontario Forest Black Observed in Scientific Name Common Name SARA ESA 2007 Srank Ontario Gravel River Rainbow Falls MNR NHIC Herpertofaunal Management Sturgeon Ruby Lake LSI Field Nature Atlas LSI LSI Consultation Atlas Plans River LSI

Bufo americanus American Toad ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● Emydoidea blandingii Blanding’s turtle THR THR S3 ● Ambystoma laterale Blue Spotted Salamander ------S4 ● Pseudacris maculata Boreal chorus frog ------S5 ● ● ● Notophthalmus viridescens louisianensis Central newt ------S4? ● Chelydra serpentina Common Snapping Turtle* SC SC S4 ● ● ● Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis Eastern Garter Snake ------S5 ● ● ● Lampropeltis triangulum Eastern Milksnake* SC SC S3 ● Eumeces fasciatus Five-Lined Skink* (Great Lakes St.Lawrence/Southern Shield Population) SC SC S3 ● Hyla versicolor Gray Treefrog ------S5 ● ● Rana clamitans Green Frog ------S5 ● ● ● ● Ambystoma jeffersonianum-laterale "complex Jefferson / Blue-spotted Salamander Complex ● Chrysemys picta marginata Midland Painted Turtle ------S5 ● Rana septentrionalis Mink Frog ------S5 ● ● ● ● Plethodon cinereus Northern (Eastern) Redback Salamander ------S5 ● Rana pipiens Northern Leopard Frog ------S5 ● ● ● Diadophis punctatus edwardsi Northern Ringneck Snake ------S4 ● Rana palustris Pickerel Frog ------S4 ● Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens Red-spotted Newt ------S5 ● ● Ambystoma maculatum Spotted Salamander ------S4 ● Pseudacris crucifer Spring Peeper ------S5 ● ● ● ● Chrysemys picta bellii Western painted turtle ------S4 ● ● Rana sylvatica Wood Frog ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● ● Glyptemys insculpta Wood turtle THR END S2 ● ●

P a g e |C-29 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

Table C7: Lepidoptera Species with the Potential to Occur and/or Observed During Field Studies Background Information Source

Family Scientific Name Common Name SARA ESA 2007 Srank NHIC6 MNR Consultation Ontario Butterfly Atlas (TEA) Forest Management Plans Black Sturgeon River LSI Gravel River LSI Observed in field

NYMPHALIDAE Erebia discoidalis Red-disked Alpine ------S3 ● ● NYMPHALIDAE Erebia mancinus Taiga Alpine ------S3 ● ● NYMPHALIDAE Oeneis macounii Macoun's Arctic ------S3 ● ● PIERIDAE Euchloe ausonides Large Marble ------S3 ● ● NYMPHALIDAE Danaus plexippus Monarch SC SC S2N,S4B ● ● ● NYMPHALIDAE Limenitis arthemis White Admiral ------S5 ● ● ● HESPERIIDAE Amblyscirtes vialis Common Roadside Skipper ------S4 ● ● LYCAENIDAE Cupido (Everes) amyntula Western Tailed Blue ------S4 ● ● NYMPHALIDAE Polygonia faunus Green Comma ------S4 ● ● PIERIDAE Pieris oleracea Mustard White ------S4 ● ● HESPERIIDAE Erynnis icelus Dreamy Duskywing ------S5 ● ● HESPERIIDAE Polites themistocles Tawny-edged Skipper ------S5 ● ● HESPERIIDAE Thorybes pylades Northern Cloudywing ------S5 ● ● LYCAENIDAE Glaucopsyche lygdamus Silvery Blue ------S5 ● ● NYMPHALIDAE Aglais milberti Milbert's Tortoiseshell ------S5 ● ● NYMPHALIDAE Boloria bellona Meadow Fritillary ------S5 ● ● NYMPHALIDAE Boloria selene Silver-bordered Fritillary ------S5 ● ● NYMPHALIDAE Chlosyne nycteis Silvery Checkerspot ------S5 ● ● NYMPHALIDAE Enodia anthedon Northern Pearly-Eye ------S5 ● ● NYMPHALIDAE Nymphalis antiopa Mourning Cloak ------S5 ● ● NYMPHALIDAE Nymphalis vaualbum Compton Tortoiseshell ------S5 ● ● NYMPHALIDAE Polygonia progne Grey Comma ------S5 ● ● NYMPHALIDAE Speyeria atlantis Atlantis Fritillary ------S5 ● ● NYMPHALIDAE Vanessa cardui Painted Lady ------S5 ● ● PIERIDAE Colias eurytheme Orange Sulphur ------S5 ● ● PIERIDAE Colias interior Pink-edged Sulphur ------S5 ● ● PIERIDAE Pieris rapae Cabbage White ------SNA ● ● PAPILIONIDAE Papilio machaon Old World Swallowtail ------S2S3 ● LYCAENIDAE Lycaena helloides Purplish Copper ------S3 ● PIERIDAE Pontia occidentalis Western White ------S3 ● HESPERIIDAE Amblyscirtes hegon Pepper and Salt Skipper ------S4 ● HESPERIIDAE Hesperia leonardus Leonard's Skipper ------S4 ● HESPERIIDAE Hesperia sassacus Indian Skipper ------S4 ● LYCAENIDAE Callophrys eryphon Western Pine Elfin ------S4 ● LYCAENIDAE Callophrys polios Hoary Elfin ------S4 ● LYCAENIDAE Feniseca tarquinius Harvester ------S4 ●

P a g e |C-30 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

Background Information Source

Family Scientific Name Common Name SARA ESA 2007 Srank NHIC6 MNR Consultation Ontario Butterfly Atlas (TEA) Forest Management Plans Black Sturgeon River LSI Gravel River LSI Observed in field

LYCAENIDAE Plebejus idas Northern Blue ------S4 ● LYCAENIDAE Plebejus saepiolus Greenish Blue ------S4 ● LYCAENIDAE Satyrium acadica Acadian Hairstreak ------S4 ● NYMPHALIDAE Boloria chariclea Arctic Fritillary ------S4 ● NYMPHALIDAE Boloria freija Freija Fritillary ------S4 ● NYMPHALIDAE Boloria frigga Frigga Fritillary ------S4 ● NYMPHALIDAE Oeneis jutta Jutta Arctic ------S4 ● NYMPHALIDAE Phyciodes batesii Tawny Crescent ------S4 ● NYMPHALIDAE Polygonia gracilis Hoary Comma ------S4 ● NYMPHALIDAE Polygonia satyrus Satyr Comma ------S4 ● HESPERIIDAE Hesperia comma Common Branded Skipper ------S4S5 ● HESPERIIDAE Ancyloxypha numitor Least Skipper ------S5 ● HESPERIIDAE Carterocephalus palaemon Arctic Skipper ------S5 ● HESPERIIDAE Erynnis juvenalis Juvenal's Duskywing ------S5 ● HESPERIIDAE Euphyes vestris Dun Skipper ------S5 ● HESPERIIDAE Poanes hobomok Hobomok Skipper ------S5 ● HESPERIIDAE Polites mystic Long Dash Skipper ------S5 ● HESPERIIDAE Polites peckius Peck's Skipper ------S5 ● HESPERIIDAE Wallengrenia egeremet Northern Broken-Dash ------S5 ● LYCAENIDAE Callophrys augustinus Brown Elfin ------S5 ● LYCAENIDAE Callophrys niphon Eastern Pine Elfin ------S5 ● LYCAENIDAE Celastrina ladon Spring Azure ------S5 ● LYCAENIDAE Celastrina neglecta Summer Azure ------S5 ● LYCAENIDAE Cupido (Everes) comyntas Eastern Tailed Blue ------S5 ● LYCAENIDAE Lycaena dorcas Dorcas Copper ------S5 ● LYCAENIDAE Lycaena hyllus Bronze Copper ------S5 ● LYCAENIDAE Lycaena phlaeas American Copper ------S5 ● LYCAENIDAE Satyrium liparops Striped Hairstreak ------S5 ● LYCAENIDAE Satyrium titus Coral Hairstreak ------S5 ● NYMPHALIDAE Boloria eunomia Bog Fritillary ------S5 ● NYMPHALIDAE Cercyonis pegala Common Wood-Nymph ------S5 ● NYMPHALIDAE Coenonympha tullia Common Ringlet ------S5 ● NYMPHALIDAE Oeneis chryxus Chryxus Arctic ------S5 ● NYMPHALIDAE Phyciodes cocyta Northern Crescent ------S5 ● NYMPHALIDAE Polygonia comma Eastern Comma ------S5 ● NYMPHALIDAE Polygonia interrogationis Question Mark ------S5 ● NYMPHALIDAE Speyeria aphrodite Aphrodite Fritillary ------S5 ●

P a g e |C-31 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

Background Information Source

Family Scientific Name Common Name SARA ESA 2007 Srank NHIC6 MNR Consultation Ontario Butterfly Atlas (TEA) Forest Management Plans Black Sturgeon River LSI Gravel River LSI Observed in field

NYMPHALIDAE Speyeria cybele Great Spangled Fritillary ------S5 ● NYMPHALIDAE Vanessa atalanta Red Admiral ------S5 ● NYMPHALIDAE Vanessa virginiensis American Lady ------S5 ● PAPILIONIDAE Papilio canadensis Canadian Tiger Swallowtail ------S5 ● PAPILIONIDAE Papilio polyxenes Black Swallowtail ------S5 ● PIERIDAE Colias philodice Clouded Sulphur ------S5 ● HESPERIIDAE Thymelicus lineola European Skipper ------SNA ● NYMPHALIDAE Euptoieta claudia Variegated Fritillary ------SNA ● NYMPHALIDAE Junonia coenia Common Buckeye ------SNA ● PIERIDAE Pontia protodice Checkered White ------SNA ● PIERIDAE Pieris virginiensis West Virginia White --- SC S3 ● GEOMETRIDAE Itame occiduaria ------S1? ● NYMPHALIDAE Phyciodes tharos Pearl Crescent ------S4 ● ARCTIIDAE Lophocampa maculata Spotted Tussock Moth ------S4 ● GEOMETRIDAE Hydria undulata Scallop Shell ------S4 ● GEOMETRIDAE Nepytia canosaria False Hemlock Looper Moth ------S4 ● GEOMETRIDAE Xanthotype urticaria False Crocus Geometer ------S4 ● HEPIALIDAE Sthenopsis purpurascens ------S4 ● ARCTIIDAE Arctia caja Great Tiger Moth ------S4? ● ARCTIIDAE Grammia parthenice Parthenice Tiger Moth ------S4? ● ARCTIIDAE Grammia virguncula Little Virgin Moth ------S4? ● ARCTIIDAE Haploa lecontei LeConte's Haploa ------S4? ● ARCTIIDAE Spilosoma congrua Agreeable Tiger Moth ------S4? ● DREPANIDAE Drepana bilineata Two-lined Hooktip ------S4? ● DREPANIDAE Oreta rosea Rose Hooktip ------S4? ● GEOMETRIDAE Biston betularia Pepper-and-Salt Geometer ------S4? ● GEOMETRIDAE Cyclophora pendulinaria Sweetfern Geometer ------S4? ● GEOMETRIDAE Anavitrinelia pampinaria Common Gray ------S4S5 ● HEPIALIDAE Sthenopsis quadriguttatus ------S4S5 ● ARCTIIDAE Ctenucha virginica Virginia Ctenucha ------S5 ● ARCTIIDAE Grammia virgo Virgin Tiger Moth ------S5 ● ARCTIIDAE Hypoprepia fucosa Painted Lichen Moth ------S5 ● ARCTIIDAE Spilosoma virginica Virginian Tiger Moth ------S5 ● DREPANIDAE Drepana arcuata Arched Hooktip ------S5 ● GEOMETRIDAE Campaea perlata Pale Beauty ------S5 ● GEOMETRIDAE Ectropis crepuscularia The Small Engrailed ------S5 ● GEOMETRIDAE Ennomos magnaria Maple Spanworm Moth ------S5 ●

P a g e |C-32 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

Background Information Source

Family Scientific Name Common Name SARA ESA 2007 Srank NHIC6 MNR Consultation Ontario Butterfly Atlas (TEA) Forest Management Plans Black Sturgeon River LSI Gravel River LSI Observed in field

GEOMETRIDAE Lambdina fiscellaria Hemlock Looper Moth ------S5 ● Large Maple Spanworm GEOMETRIDAE Prochoerodes transversata ------S5 ● Moth GEOMETRIDAE Xanthotype sospeta Crocus Geometer ------S5 ● Forest Tent Caterpillar LASIOCAMPIDAE Malacosoma disstria ------S5 ● Moth LASIOCAMPIDAE Phyllodesma americanum Lappet Moth ------S5 ● PAPILIONIDAE Papilio glaucus Eastern Tiger Swallowtail ------S5 ● ALUCITIDAE Alucita hexadactyla Six-plume Moth ------SNR ● ARCTIIDAE Cisseps fulvicollis Yellow-collared Scape Moth ------SNR ● ARCTIIDAE Clemensia albata Little White Lichen Moth ------SNR ● ARCTIIDAE Crambidia casta Pearly-winged Lichen Moth ------SNR ● ARCTIIDAE Crambidia pallida Pale Lichen Moth ------SNR ● ARCTIIDAE Grammia anna Anna Tiger Moth ------SNR ● ARCTIIDAE Grammia celia ------SNR ● ARCTIIDAE Grammia williamsii ------SNR ● ARCTIIDAE Holomelina ferruginosa Rusty Holomelina ------SNR ● ARCTIIDAE Holomelina laeta Joyful Holomelina ------SNR ● ARCTIIDAE Parasemia plantaginis ------SNR ● ARCTIIDAE Phragmatobia assimilans Large Ruby Tiger Moth ------SNR ● ARCTIIDAE Platarctia parthenos St. Lawrence Tiger Moth ------SNR ● ARCTIIDAE Spilosoma dubia Dubious Tiger Moth ------SNR ● BLASTOBASIDAE Gerdana caritella ------SNR ● BUCCULATRICIDAE Bucculatrix canadensisella ------SNR ● CHOREUTIDAE Choreutis diana ------SNR ● COCHYLIDAE Carolella vitellinana ------SNR ● COCHYLIDAE Hysterosia riscana ------SNR ● COSMOPTERIGIDA Limnaecia phragmitella Shy Cosmet ------SNR ● E COSSIDAE Acossus centerensis ------SNR ● COSSIDAE Acossus undosus ------SNR ● COSSIDAE Prionoxystus robiniae Carpenterworm Moth ------SNR ● EPIPLEMIDAE Callizzia amorata Gray Scoopwing ------SNR ● GELECHIIDAE Aroga trialbamaculella ------SNR ● GELECHIIDAE Brachmia fernaldella ------SNR ● GELECHIIDAE Bryotropha clandestina ------SNR ● GELECHIIDAE Chionodes continuella ------SNR ● GELECHIIDAE Chionodes lugubrella ------SNR ● GELECHIIDAE Chionodes mediofuscella ------SNR ●

P a g e |C-33 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

Background Information Source

Family Scientific Name Common Name SARA ESA 2007 Srank NHIC6 MNR Consultation Ontario Butterfly Atlas (TEA) Forest Management Plans Black Sturgeon River LSI Gravel River LSI Observed in field

GELECHIIDAE Coleotechnites atrupictella ------SNR ● GELECHIIDAE Coleotechnites piceaella ------SNR ● GELECHIIDAE Dichomeris georgiella ------SNR ● Gnorimoschema GELECHIIDAE ------SNR ● gallaeasterella Pseudotelphusa GELECHIIDAE ------SNR ● palliderosacella GELECHIIDAE Trichotaphe steosella ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Acasis viridata Olive-and-Black Carpet ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Aethalura intertexta Four-barred Gray ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Anacamptodes ephyraria Pale-winged Gray ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Anagoga occiduaria American Barred Umber ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Anticlea multiferata Many-lined Carpet ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Anticlea vasiliata ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Archiearis infans The Infant ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Besma quercivoraria Oak Besma ------SNR ● Pink-striped Willow GEOMETRIDAE Cabera variolaria ------SNR ● Spanworm Moth GEOMETRIDAE Caripeta divisata Gray Spruce Looper Moth ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Cladara atroliturata The Scribbler ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Cladara limitaria Mottled Gray Carpet ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Dysstroma citrata ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Dysstroma truncata Marbled Carpet ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Ecliptoptera silaceata The Small Phoenix ------SNR ● White-banded Toothed GEOMETRIDAE Epirrhoe alternata ------SNR ● Carpet GEOMETRIDAE Euchlaena madusaria ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Euchlaena marginaria ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Euchlaena obtusaria Obtuse Euchlaena ------SNR ● Lesser Grapevine Looper GEOMETRIDAE Eulithis diversilineata ------SNR ● Moth GEOMETRIDAE Eulithis explanata White Eulithis ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Eulithis molliculata Dimorphic Eulithis ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Eulithis testata Chevron Moth ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Eupithecia annulata ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Eupithecia anticaria ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Eupithecia coagulata ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Eupithecia coloradensis ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Eupithecia columbiata ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Eupithecia misturata ------SNR ●

P a g e |C-34 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

Background Information Source

Family Scientific Name Common Name SARA ESA 2007 Srank NHIC6 MNR Consultation Ontario Butterfly Atlas (TEA) Forest Management Plans Black Sturgeon River LSI Gravel River LSI Observed in field

GEOMETRIDAE Eupithecia mutata ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Eupithecia nimbicolor ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Eupithecia ravocostaliata ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Eupithecia russeliata ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Horisme intestinata Brown Bark Carpet ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Hydrelia inornata Unadorned Carpet ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Hydriomena furcata ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Hydriomena pluviata ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Hydriomena ruberata ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Iridopsis larvaria Bent-line Gray ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Itame bitactata ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Itame brunneata ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Lomographa glomeraria Gray Spring Moth ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Lomographa semiclarata Bluish Spring Moth ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Melanolophia signataria Signate Melanolophia ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Mesoleuca ruficillata White-ribboned Carpet ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Metanema determinata Dark Metanema ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Metanema inatomaria Pale Metanema ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Metarranthis duaria Ruddy Metarranthis ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Nematocampa limbata Horned Spanworm Moth ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Nemoria mimosaria ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Orthofidonia tinctaria ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Orthonama centrostrigaria Bent-line Carpet ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Orthonama obstipata The Gem ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Perizoma basaliata Square-patched Carpet ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Pero hubneraria Hubner's Pero ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Plagodis kuetzingi Purple Plagodis ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Plagodis phlogosaria Straight-lined Plagodis ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Plemyria georgii ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Probole amicaria Friendly Probole ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Rheumaptera hastata Spear-marked Black ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Rheumaptera subhastata White-banded Black ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Scopula ancellata ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Scopula junctaria Simple Wave ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Scopula limboundata Large Lace-border ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Selenia kentaria Kent's Selenia ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Semiothisa denticulata ------SNR ●

P a g e |C-35 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX C June 2015

Background Information Source

Family Scientific Name Common Name SARA ESA 2007 Srank NHIC6 MNR Consultation Ontario Butterfly Atlas (TEA) Forest Management Plans Black Sturgeon River LSI Gravel River LSI Observed in field

GEOMETRIDAE Semiothisa granitata ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Semiothisa hebetata ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Semiothisa ulsterata ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Sicya macularia Sharp-lined Yellow ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Spargania luctuata ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Spargania magnoliata Double-banded Carpet ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Synchlora aerata Wavy-lined Emerald ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Tacparia detersata ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Tetracis cachexiata White Slant-line ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Triphosa haesitata Tissue Moth ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Venusia cambrica The Welsh Wave ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Venusia comptaria Brown-shaded Carpet ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Xanthorhoe ferrugata Red Twin-spot ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Xanthorhoe labradorensis Labrador Carpet ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Xanthorhoe lacustrata Toothed Brown Carpet ------SNR ● GEOMETRIDAE Xanthorhoe munitata ------SNR ● GRACILLARIIDAE Caloptilia alnivorella ------SNR ● GRACILLARIIDAE Caloptilia coroniella ------SNR ● GRACILLARIIDAE Caloptilia invariablis ------SNR ● GRACILLARIIDAE Parectopa pennsylvaniella ------SNR ● HEPIALIDAE Hepialus novigannus ------SNR ● LASIOCAMPIDAE Malacosoma californicum ------SNR ● LASIOCAMPIDAE Tolype laricis Larch Tolype ------SNR ● LIMACODIDAE Tortricidia testacea ------SNR ● MOMPHIDAE Mompha unifasciella ------SNR ● HESPERIIDAE Poanes hobomok Hobomok Skipper ------S5 ●

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Table C8: Odonate Species with the Potential to Occur in the Local Study Area Background Information Source

Family Scientific Name Common Name SARA ESA 2007 Srank Great Lakes Conservation Black Sturgeon Observed in field NHIC Odonata Atlas MNR Consultation Gravel River LSI Blueprint River LSI

CORDULIIDAE Somatochlora elongata Ski-tailed Emerald* ------S3? ● GOMPHIDAE Stylurus scudderi Zebra Clubtail ------S4 ● ● AESHNIDAE Aeshna umbrosa Shadow Darner ------S5 ● ● AESHNIDAE Boyeria vinosa Fawn Darner ------S5 ● ● LESTIDAE Lestes forcipatus Sweetflag Spreadwing ------S4 ● ● LIBELLULIDAE Sympetrum costiferum Saffron-bordered Meadowhawk ------S4 ● ● LIBELLULIDAE Sympetrum danae Black Meadowhawk ------S4 ● ● AESHNIDAE Aeshna canadensis Canada Darner ------S5 ● ● AESHNIDAE Aeshna eremita Lake Darner ------S5 ● ● LESTIDAE Lestes congener Spotted Spreadwing ------S5 ● ● LESTIDAE Lestes disjunctus Common Spreadwing ------S5 ● ● LESTIDAE Lestes dryas Emerald Spreadwing ------S5 ● ● LIBELLULIDAE Sympetrum obtrusum White-faced Meadowhawk ------S5 ● ● AESHNIDAE Aeshna subarctica Subarctic Darner* ------S2S3 ● AESHNIDAE Aeshna juncea Sedge Darner* ------S3? ● AESHNIDAE Boyeria grafiana Ocellated Darner ------S4 ● COENAGRIONIDAE Coenagrion interrogatum Subarctic Bluet ------S4 ● MACROMIIDAE Didymops transversa Stream Cruiser ------S4 ● COENAGRIONIDAE Enallagma annexum Northern Bluet ------S4 ● COENAGRIONIDAE Enallagma vernale Spring Northern Bluet ------S4 ● GOMPHIDAE Gomphus fraternus Midland Clubtail ------S4 ● LIBELLULIDAE Leucorrhinia glacialis Crimson-ringed Whiteface ------S4 ● GOMPHIDAE Ophiogomphus colubrinus Boreal Snaketail ------S4 ● CORDULIIDAE Somatochlora minor Ocellated Emerald ------S4 ● CORDULIIDAE Somatochlora albicincta Ringed Emerald ------S4? ● AESHNIDAE Aeshna interrupta Variable Darner ------S5 ● AESHNIDAE Basiaeschna janata Springtime Darner ------S5 ● COENAGRIONIDAE Coenagrion resolutum Taiga Bluet ------S5 ● CORDULIIDAE Cordulia shurtleffii American Emerald ------S5 ● CORDULIIDAE Dorocordulia libera Racket-tailed Emerald ------S5 ● COENAGRIONIDAE Enallagma boreale Boreal Bluet ------S5 ● COENAGRIONIDAE Enallagma ebrium Marsh Bluet ------S5 ● COENAGRIONIDAE Enallagma hageni Hagen's Bluet ------S5 ● CORDULIIDAE Epitheca canis Beaverpond Baskettail ------S5 ● CORDULIIDAE Epitheca spinigera Spiny Baskettail ------S5 ● GOMPHIDAE Gomphus exilis Lancet Clubtail ------S5 ●

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Background Information Source

Family Scientific Name Common Name SARA ESA 2007 Srank Great Lakes Conservation Black Sturgeon Observed in field NHIC Odonata Atlas MNR Consultation Gravel River LSI Blueprint River LSI

COENAGRIONIDAE Ischnura verticalis Eastern Forktail ------S5 ● LIBELLULIDAE Ladona julia Chalk-fronted Corporal ------S5 ● LIBELLULIDAE Leucorrhinia frigida Frosted Whiteface ------S5 ● LIBELLULIDAE Leucorrhinia hudsonica Hudsonian Whiteface ------S5 ● LIBELLULIDAE Leucorrhinia proxima Red-waisted Whiteface ------S5 ● LIBELLULIDAE Libellula quadrimaculata Four-spotted Skimmer ------S5 ● COENAGRIONIDAE Nehalennia irene Sedge Sprite ------S5 ● LIBELLULIDAE Sympetrum internum Cherry-faced Meadowhawk ------S5 ● GOMPHIDAE Ophiogomphus anomalus Extra-striped Snaketail* ------S3 ●

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Table C9: Mollusc Species with the Potential to Occur and/or Observed During Field Studies Background Information Source Family Scientific Name Common Name SARA ESA 2007 Srank NHIC MNR Consultation DFO Observed in field

VALVATIDAE Valvata sincera ontariensis Ontario Valve-snail ------SH ● VERTIGINIDAE Vertigo elatior Tapered Vertigo Snail ------S2S3 ● VERTIGINIDAE Vertigo paradoxa Vertigo Snail ------S2S3 ●

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Table C10: Fish Species with the Potential to Occur and/or Observed During Field Studies Background Information Source Forest Great Lakes Black Family Scientific Name Common Name SARA ESA 2007 Srank MNR Other Park Observed NHIC6 DFO Lakehead CA Aquatic SAR Map Renewable Energy Atlas Management Conservation Sturgeon Gravel River Area Strategy Gravel River LSI Consultation Documents in field Plans Blueprint River LSI CLUPEIDAE Alosa pseudoharengus Alewife ------SNA ● ● PETROMYZONTIDAE Lampetra appendix American Brook Lamprey* ------S3 ● CYPRINIDAE Notropis heterodon Blackchin Shiner ------S4 ● SALMONIDAE Coregonus nigripinnis Blackfin Cisco ------SU ● CYPRINIDAE Notropis heterolepis Blacknose Shiner ------S5 ● ● GASTEROSTEIDAE Culaea inconstans Brook Stickleback ------S5 ● ● ● ● SALMONIDAE Salvelinus fontinalis Brook Trout ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● ● SALMONIDAE “coaster” Brook Trout "Coaster" Population ------SNA ● ● ● SALMONIDAE Salmo trutta Brown Trout ------SNA ● GADIDAE Lota lota Burbot ------S5 ● ● ● SALMONIDAE Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Chinook Salmon ------SNA ● SALMONIDAE Coregonus artedi Cisco, Lake Herring ------S5 ● ● SALMONIDAE Oncorhynchus kisutch Coho Salmon ------SNA ● ● ● ● CYPRINIDAE Cyprinus carpio Common Carp ------SE ● ● ● CYPRINIDAE Luxilus cornutus Common Shiner ------S5 ● COTTIDAE Myoxocephalus thompsonii Deepwater Sculpin ------S4 ● CYPRINIDAE Notropis atherinoides Emerald Shiner ------S5 ● ● ● CYPRINIDAE Pimephales promelas Fathead Minnow ------S5 ● ● CYPRINIDAE Phoxinus neogaeus Finescale Dace ------S5 ● ● CLUPEIDAE Dorosoma cepedianum Gizzard Shad ------S4 ● PERCIDAE Etheostoma exile Iowa Darter ------S5 ● PERCIDAE Etheostoma nigrum Johnny darter ------S5 ● ● ● SALMONIDAE ssp. kiyi Kiyi Upper Great Lakes Kiyi* SC SC S3 ● SALMONIDAE Coregonus kiyi Kiyi* SC SC S3? ● CYPRINIDAE Couesius plumbeus Lake Chub ------S5 ● ● ACIPENSERIDAE Acipenser fulvescens Lake Sturgeon --- THR,SC S3 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● SALMONIDAE Salvelinus namaycush Lake Trout ------S5 ● ● ● ● SALMONIDAE Coregonus clupeaformis Lake Whitefish ------S5 ● ● ● ● PERCIDAE Etheostoma microperca Least Darter ------S4 ● PERCIDAE Percina caprodes Logperch ------S5 ● ● CYPRINIDAE Rhinichthys cataractae Longnose Dace ------S5 ● ● ● CATOSTOMIDAE Catostomus catostomus Longnose Sucker ------S5 ● ● ● COTTIDAE Cottus bairdii Mottled Sculpin ------S5 ● ● ● ● ESOCIDAE Esox masquinongy Muskellunge ------S4 ● ● GASTEROSTEIDAE Pungitius pungitius Ninespine Stickleback ------S5 ● ● ● PETROMYZONTIDAE Ichthyomyzon fossor Northern Brook Lamprey* SC SC S3 ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

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Background Information Source Forest Great Lakes Black Family Scientific Name Common Name SARA ESA 2007 Srank MNR Other Park Observed NHIC6 DFO Lakehead CA Aquatic SAR Map Renewable Energy Atlas Management Conservation Sturgeon Gravel River Area Strategy Gravel River LSI Consultation Documents in field Plans Blueprint River LSI ESOCIDAE Esox lucius Northern Pike ------S5 ● ● ● ● ● CYPRINIDAE Phoxinus eos Northern Redbelly Dace ------S5 ● ● ● SALMONIDAE Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Pink Salmon ------SNA ● ● ● OSMERIDAE Osmerus mordax Rainbow Smelt ------S5 ● SALMONIDAE Oncorhynchus mykiss Rainbow Trout, Steelhead ------SNA ● ● ● ● ● CYPRINIDAE Clinostomus elongatus Redside Dace --- END S3 ● SALMONIDAE Prosopium cylindraceum Round Whitefish ------S4 ● PETROMYZONTIDAE Petromyzon marinus Sea Lamprey ------SNA ● ● ● CATOSTOMIDAE Moxostoma macrolepidotum Shorthead Redhorse ------S5 ● SALMONIDAE Coregonus zenithicus Shortjaw Cisco --- THR S2 ● ● ● SALMONIDAE Coregonus reighardi Shortnose Cisco END END SH ● PETROMYZONTIDAE Ichthyomyzon unicuspis Silver Lamprey* --- SC S3 ● COTTIDAE Cottus cognatus Slimy Sculpin ------S5 ● ● CENTRARCHIDAE Micropterus dolomieu Smallmouth Bass ------S5 ● ● ● CYPRINIDAE Notropis hudsonius Spottail Shiner ------S5 ● ● ● Stickleback ● Suckers ● PERCOPSIDAE Percopsis omiscomaycus Trout-perch ------S5 ● ● ● ● PERCIDAE Sander vitreus Walleye ------S5 ● ● ● ● CATOSTOMIDAE Catostomus commersonii White Sucker ------S5 ● ● ● ● PERCIDAE Perca flavescens Yellow Perch ------S5 ● ● ●

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Appendix D: Woodland Caribou Report EEaasstt‐‐WWeesstt TTiiee TTrraannssmmiissssiioonn PPrroojjeecctt WWooooddllaanndd CCaarriibboouu AAeerriiaall SSuurrvveeyy FFiieelldd SSuummmmaarryy RReeppoorrtt 22001144

May 16, 2014

Prepared for: Dillon Consulting Limited

Prepared by: Dr. Robert F. Foster

East‐West Tie Transmission Project Woodland Caribou Aerial Survey Field Summary Report 2014

1 INTRODUCTION The East‐West Transmission Project (the Project) is one of the priority transmission projects identified in Ontario’s Long‐Term Energy Plan and will connect northwestern and northeastern Ontario (Figure 1). Forest‐dwelling woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus) are known to occur in the Project area along the north shore of Lake Superior. A broad desktop assessment will address potential Project impacts on woodland caribou and caribou habitat in the Lake Superior Coastal Range and the adjacent Lake Superior Uplands Linkage (Discontinuous Range), as identified in the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources' Caribou Conservation Plan (OMNR 2009). The intent of this Field Summary Report and aerial survey is to help address information gaps in the distribution and habitat use of woodland caribou where the Project crosses the Lake Superior Coastal Range. Of particular interest were any potential areas of high use caribou wintering habitat near the reference route.

Figure 1. East West Tie Transmission Project Route Overview in relation to Caribou Conservation Plan (OMNR 2009) caribou ranges and 2014 caribou aerial survey area.

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East‐West Tie Transmission Project Woodland Caribou Aerial Survey Field Summary Report 2014

2 METHODS 2.1 Survey Design The survey approach generally followed the OMNR’s Selected Wildlife and Habitat Features Inventory Manual (Ranta 1998) with some modifications discussed below to make the methodology more effective for the Lake Superior Coastal Range context. The OMNR reviewed and approved design used for the survey and it represents a repeatable approach that can be used for future comparison. The survey was conducted using a Bell Long Ranger helicopter and consisted of a series of parallel survey lines oriented perpendicular to the Project route to create a grid with 1 km spacing in priority areas in the Coastal Range that are in proximity to the Reference Route (Figure 2). Transects included the offshore islands within the Coastal Range, with the exception of the Slate Islands. This archipelago is approximately 12 km offshore and beyond the direct impacts of the Project.

Figure 2. March 2014 aerial survey tracks along the Project route within the Lake Superior Coastal Range.

A tighter spacing than the 2 km spacing recommended by Ranta (2012) is required to account

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East‐West Tie Transmission Project Woodland Caribou Aerial Survey Field Summary Report 2014

for the rugged topography and low population density of woodland caribou in the Coastal Range (R. Hartley, OMNR, pers. comm.). The survey transects covered the width of the Coastal Range from its western edge near Terrace Bay east to Pukaskwa National Park where the Reference Route and Alternative Route diverge from the Lake Superior Coast. Aerial surveys for caribou conducted by Pukaskwa National Park (Parks Canada) as part of their long term monitoring program have also been oriented perpendicular to the Lake Superior Shoreline and have typically focused on the area within 5‐10 km of the coast (Patterson et al. 2012). Transects were north‐south for the portion west of Marathon, which is roughly perpendicular to both the Reference Route and the Lake Superior shoreline, and roughly southwest‐northeast for the portion east of Marathon. Marathon (Wilderness Helicopters) was used as the survey base

2.2 Survey Team and Timing Surveys were undertaken using a three‐person team to maximize detection of wildlife and their tracks in a rugged landscape under deep snow conditions. All observers had extensive experience conducting helicopter surveys for ungulates (e.g., Foster and Harris 2013, 2013; Foster et al. 2009) and included Rob Foster, Brian Ratcliff, Ted Armstrong, and Therin Jade.

Surveys were conducted on March 5, 11, and 12 2014, which is within the recommended window from February 1 and March 15 (Ranta 1998), and were conducted between 09:00 and 16:15 to avoid longer shadows early and late in the day. There were very deep snow conditions in most of the survey area, with recent snowfall at least 2 days prior to the surveys. Although variable, weather conditions were generally good during the survey, ranging from sunny to mainly cloudy, and ‐22°C to 0°C. Surveys were initially planned for three consecutive days, but inclement weather on March 6 forced the postponement of the remainder of the survey until the following week. Approximately 1200 km of planned transects were surveyed (Table 1), with a total of 1592 km flown when circling and ferrying are included. Total flight time was 16.2 hours over the three calendar days.

Table 1. Summary of March 2014 aerial survey flights in the Lake Superior Coastal Range.

Total Start End Transect Date Observers General Location Weather Time Time Length (km) March 5 Foster, Armstrong, Jade 10:08 13:18 Terrace Bay ‐ Steel River sunny, ‐22°C 176 March 5 Foster, Armstrong, Jade 13:54 16:15 Steel River ‐ Prairie River sunny, ‐14°C 116 March 11 Foster, Ratcliff, Jade 09:40 12:42 Prairie River ‐ Neys partly cloudy, ‐3°C 254 March 11 Foster, Ratcliff, Jade 13:18 16:02 Neys ‐ Marathon mainly cloudy, 0°C 230 March 12 Foster, Ratcliff, Jade 09:01 11:50 Marathon ‐ Pic River sunny, ‐20°C 285 March 12 Foster, Ratcliff, Jade 13:09 15:00 Pic River ‐ White River sunny, ‐12°C 143

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East‐West Tie Transmission Project Woodland Caribou Aerial Survey Field Summary Report 2014

2.2.1 Survey Protocols and Data Management Surveys were conducted by flying along transects at 100 m to 200 m elevation and at a speed of 80‐100 km/hr. Prior to the survey, transects were uploaded to the helicopter's global positioning system (GPS) for navigation purposes. A GPS track was continuously recorded on a hand‐held Garmin GPS by the lead biologist during the survey to document the flight path. Digital topographic maps with transects and the Reference Route were also used during the survey. Field observations were marked directly on these maps with accompanying waypoints. Circling was used to confirm identification but typically did not exceed more than several hundred metres on either side of the transect flight line unless following fresh caribou sign or animals.

The main focus of the survey was woodland caribou, moose, white‐tailed deer, and gray wolf. These species were recorded, including the number of individuals, sex (male, female, unknown), and age (adult, yearling, calf), where possible. Signs of these species were recorded including tracks, cratering, slushing, and beds. If species determination for sign could not be positively identified, it was marked as unknown. Other taxa and their sign were noted opportunistically (e.g., American marten, river otter, fisher, Canada lynx, bald eagle nests, heronries). All observations were accompanied by a GPS waypoint and digital photographs were taken where appropriate (e.g., caribou sightings).

Tracks and waypoints were downloaded to a laptop computer at the end of each day, erased from the GPS unit, and the following day’s flight line (route) uploaded using MapSource and ArcGIS with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Garmin extension. Field observations were entered into an Excel spreadsheet and mapped in ArcGIS. All caribou observations will be provided to the OMNR for eventual inclusion in the OMNR caribou database.

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East‐West Tie Transmission Project Woodland Caribou Aerial Survey Field Summary Report 2014

3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 3.1 Woodland Caribou Woodland caribou or their sign was observed at seven locations in the Coastal Range near or west of Neys Provincial Park (Figure 7, Table 2). A single adult (sex unknown) was observed on Detention Island within Neys Provincial Park (Figure 3), with extensive tracks from the apparently lone individual on the western half of the island. This small island (55 ha) is approximately 675 ha from the mainland Coldwell Peninsula at its nearest point. It is predominately mixedwood with white spruce, black spruce, balsam fir, white birch, and mountain ash (Figure 4).

No caribou tracks were observed on Pic Island, a traditional high use area (Foster and Harris 2012; Ferguson 1983). The only tracks observed on Pic Island on March 11 were of a single snowshoe hare. No caribou or tracks were observed on Pic Island during a subsequent OMNR aerial survey on March 21, 2014 (Ray Tyhuis, pers. comm.). Tracks of white‐tailed deer and possible wolf tracks were observed on March 11 along the southern shore of the Coldwell Peninsula facing Pic Island on March 11. Moose tracks were observed farther inland along the stream valley in the middle of the peninsula. Possible caribou tracks and slushing were observed on Neys Lake, just outside the park (Figure 5).

Table 2. Summary of woodland caribou sign observed during March 2014 aerial surveys in the survey area within the Coastal Range.

Date Location Notes Easting Northing 11‐Mar‐14 Detention Island 1 antlerless adult 535151 5397703 pond east of definite caribou tracks on lake, 3‐4 05‐Mar‐14 511474 5402472 Little Jackfish Lake animals 05‐Mar‐14 Cape Victoria probable caribou tracks, bounding 498985 5402860 probable caribou tracks, 05‐Mar‐14 Moberley Lake 499497 5408431 slushing on lake 11‐Mar‐14 Neys Lake possible caribou tracks and slushing 532652 5401188 800 m north of possible caribou tracks 05‐Mar‐14 515027 5412196 Bonne Lake (old, 3? animals) between Bews and possible caribou tracks, bounding 05‐Mar‐14 496908 5412567 Margon lakes and possible slushing

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East‐West Tie Transmission Project Woodland Caribou Aerial Survey Field Summary Report 2014

Figure 3. Lone woodland caribou observed on Detention Island, March 11, 2014.

Figure 4. General habitat of Detention Island, March 2014.

Figure 5. Possible caribou sign on Neys Lake, March 10 2014.

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East‐West Tie Transmission Project Woodland Caribou Aerial Survey Field Summary Report 2014

Definite tracks of 3‐4 caribou walking and then running across a small pond (< 2 ha) were observed 450 m east of Little Jackfish Lake on March 5. The identity of the tracks was confirmed by setting down and conducting a ground inspection. Three adult caribou were observed by OMNR during surveys at the mouth of the Steel River approximately 3 km to the southwest approximately 2 weeks later on March 21. Tracks, including bounding, of what appeared to be a single caribou were observed on Victoria Point, where caribou sign was also observed by OMNR during their survey a couple of weeks later. Tracks of multiple caribou and apparent slushing were also observed on March 5 on Moberly Lake, approximately 1 km north of the Reference Route. Caribou tracks and/or slushing were observed at two other sites north of the Highway 17 on small unnamed lakes east of the Aguasabon River between Bews and Margon Lakes and approximately 800 m north of Bonne Lake. Both these sites are approximately 4 km north of the Reference Route.

Figure 6. Tracks of multiple caribou east of Little Steel Lake on March 5, 2014 (T. Armstrong photo).

3.2 Moose and White‐tailed Deer Wildlife sign was observed throughout much of the survey area, with generally fewer observations in the area surrounding the Town of Marathon (Figure 7). Moose were the most abundant large mammal, with a total of 14 animals at eight locations. All but one appeared to be adults, but circling was kept to a minimum (to avoid harassment given the deep snow conditions) so the age and sex were not definitely determined. Moose tracks were observed at over 160 locations, often along waterways, valleys, and mixedwoods with abundant browse (Figure 8) as well as along Highway 17. A total of three white‐tailed deer were observed at two locations (Figure 9) near the Lake Superior coast, and what appeared to be their tracks were noted at 11 locations, all but one south of Highway 17. The sightings were typically associated with exposed, wind‐swept rocky headlands (Figure 10), possibly due to lower snow depths than the interior, although were also seen near eastern white cedar along the railway at Peninsula Bay. At several locations deer had been cratering through the snow to reach what appeared to be dried grasses or forbs (Figure 11).

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East‐West Tie Transmission Project Woodland Caribou Aerial Survey Field Summary Report 2014

Figure 7. Location of wildlife and track sightings during the March 2014 aerial survey within the Lake Superior Coastal Range. Values refer to the number of individuals seen.

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East‐West Tie Transmission Project Woodland Caribou Aerial Survey Field Summary Report 2014

Figure 8. One of two moose observed along the Prairie River during March 2014 aerial surveys.

Ted Armstrong Figure 9. White‐tailed deer observed near the Lake Superior shoreline during the March 2014 aerial surveys.

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East‐West Tie Transmission Project Woodland Caribou Aerial Survey Field Summary Report 2014

Figure 10. Rock knob habitat near Lake Superior coast where white‐tailed deer was observed.

Figure 11. Cratering by white‐tailed deer, March 5, 2014.

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East‐West Tie Transmission Project Woodland Caribou Aerial Survey Field Summary Report 2014

3.3 Other Wildlife A lone wolf was observed approximately 1 km west of Geordie Lake (Figure 12) and tracks were noted at approximately 35 locations, often along linear corridors. Red fox tracks were recorded at over 110 locations in a variety of habitats. Although not consistently recorded, snowshoe hare tracks were even more abundant and local populations appear to be near the peak of their cycle. This may account for the abundance of Canada lynx tracks, which were noted at over 120 locations. Marten were less common, and only two possible occurrences of fisher tracks were observed. In contrast, the distinctive tracks of river otters were observed at 77 locations, typically (but not exclusively) along watercourses and lakes.

Figure 12. Grey wolf observed west of Geordie Lake, March 11, 2014.

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East‐West Tie Transmission Project Woodland Caribou Aerial Survey Field Summary Report 2014

3.4 Bald Eagle Nests Three bald eagle nests were observed during the survey (Table 3), but it was too early in the season to determine if they are active or not. The nest on McKellar Harbour is located on a south‐facing slope only about 100 m south of the Reference Route as well as the existing transmission line (Figure 13) and approximately 700 m from the railway. The nest is in the crown of a large‐diameter, mature trembling aspen at the edge of a ridge (Figure 14). The bald eagle nest near Jim's Harbour is over 3 km from the Reference Route. The nest near Jackfish Lake is located in a trembling aspen approximately 900 m north of the Reference Route, and closer to existing East‐West transmission line corridors and the railway (Figure 15, Figure 16). It is also within 1.3 km of Highway 17.

Table 3. Location of bald eagles nests observed during the March 2014 aerial surveys.

Date Location Easting Northing Tree Species 05/03/2014 550 m west of Jackfish Lake 502922 5407941 trembling aspen Island in Jim's Harbour, 1.7 km east of 11/03/2014 521072 5405764 white spruce Prairie River mouth 11/03/2014 McKellar Harbour 517724 5402821 trembling aspen

Figure 13. Bald eagle nest (red arrow) in relation to existing East‐West transmission line near McKellar Harbour.

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East‐West Tie Transmission Project Woodland Caribou Aerial Survey Field Summary Report 2014

Figure 14. Bald eagle nests near McKellar Harbour (left) and Jim Bay (right)

Figure 15. Location of bald eagle nest near Jackfish Lake. The white line is the Reference Route.

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East‐West Tie Transmission Project Woodland Caribou Aerial Survey Field Summary Report 2014

Figure 16. Bald eagle nest near Jackfish Lake.

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East‐West Tie Transmission Project Woodland Caribou Aerial Survey Field Summary Report 2014

4 CONCLUSIONS The aerial survey confirmed the continued presence of woodland caribou in the Coastal Range and identified areas of recent winter use. No high use wintering habitat for woodland caribou were identified on the mainland Coastal Range, with confirmed or probable caribou evidence scattered west of Marathon. White‐tailed deer use appeared to be concentrated in areas of lower snow depth along the coast, with moose and wolf sign more dispersed in the survey area. As such, there is the potential for the proposed Project to interact with woodland caribou, alternate prey, and their predators in much of the Coastal Range. The presence of bald eagle nests near existing east‐west transmission lines provides evidence that nesting behaviour may not be negatively impacted by the Project given appropriate mitigation.

5 LITERATURE CITED Ferguson, S.H. 1983. Why are caribou on Pic Island. University of Victoria, BC. Unpublished MSc. thesis. 171 p. Foster, R.F. and A.G. Harris. 2013. Little Jackfish Woodland Caribou Environmental Impact Analysis. Unpublished report for Ontario Power Generation by Northern Bioscience, Thunder Bay, ON. 169 pp. Foster, R.F. and A.G. Harris. 2012. Marathon Platinum Group Metals And Copper Mine Project Woodland Caribou Impact Assessment. Unpublished report prepared for Stillwater Canada Inc. by Northern Bioscience, Thunder Bay, ON. 95 pp. Available at http://www.acee‐ ceaa.gc.ca/050/documents_staticpost/54755/80504/Supporting_Document_26_‐ _Woodland_Caribou_Report.pdf Foster, R.R., B. Ratcliff, and C. Robinson. 2009. Winter aerial surveys in the taa shi key win Land Use Plan Area. Unpublished report for Mishkeegogamang and Eabametoong first nations and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Species at Risk Stewardship Fund (Project 36‐08‐ EMFM2). Northern Bioscience and Timberline Natural Resource Group, Thunder Bay, ON. 33 pp. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR). 2009. Ontario’s Woodland Caribou Conservation Plan. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Queen’s Printer for Ontario, Toronto. 21 p. Patterson, L.D., C.C. Drake, M.L. Allen, and L. Parent. 2012. Detecting a population decline of Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) from non‐standardized monitoring data in Pukaskwa National Park, Ontario. Wildlife Society Bulletin. submitted manuscript. Ranta, B. 1998. Selected Wildlife and Habitat Features: Inventory manual for use in Forest Management Planning. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 215 pp.

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