The Corporation of Delta F.10 COUNCIL REPORT Regular Meeting l " To: Mayor and Council
From: Human Resources and Corporate Planning Department Date: November 02,2015
Port Metro Vancouver Tsawwassen Eelgrass Restoration Project The following report has been reviewed and endorsed by the Chief Administrative Officer.
• RECOMMENDATIONS:
A. THAT a letter from Mayor Lois E. Jackson be sent to the BC Environmental Assessment Office conveying Delta's comments relating to the exemption request for the proposed Tsawwassen Eelgrass Restoration Project including: a. A request that the BC Environmental Assessment Office ensure there is a thorough public and stakeholder consultation process, as outlined in Port Metro Vancouver's project proposal; and b. A request that the environmental reports related to the construction and monitoring of the Tsawwassen Eelgrass Project be provided to the Corporation of Delta for review and information. B. THAT this report be sent to Scott Hamilton, Member of the Legislative Assembly - Delta North and Vicki Huntington, Member of the Legislative Assembly - Delta South. C. THAT th,is report be provided to the Environment Advisory Committee.
• PURPOSE:
The purpose of this report is to provide an update on Port Metro Vancouver's Habitat Enhancement Program and information about the Tsawwassen Eelgrass Habitat Restoration Project which is part of the Habitat Enhancement Program.
• BACKGROUND:
I ! "I Port Metro Vancouver's Habitat Enhancement Program creates and enhances fish and wildlife habitat throughout the lower mainland. These restoration projects are completed in order to improve the organization's ability to offset the potential impacts of port development. The program started in 1991, was formalized in 2012 through a working agreement with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and takes place independently of any specific port related resource/infrastructure development projects. Page 2 of 4
Port Metro Vancouver Tsawwassen Eelgrass Restoration Project November 02, 2015
Two Port Metro Vancouver restoration projects have taken place in Delta, the Boundary Bay/Roberts Bank salt marsh restoration project (2013-2014) and the Glenrose Tidal Marsh restoration project (2014). A third Delta based restoration project, the Westham Island Canoe Pass Tidal Marsh restoration project, has been proposed by Port Metro Vancouver and is being reviewed by stakeholders and permitting agencies. Information about this project was communicated to Council June 11,2014 and October 1,2014. Recently, Port Metro Vancouver proposed four new projects as part of the Habitat Enhancement Program (Attachment A). One of the projects occurs partly within Delta's municipal boundary and is located along the southeast side of the BC Ferries terminal, adjacent to (and outside) the Roberts Bank Wildlife Management Area. The project, the Tsawwassen Eelgrass Project (Attachment B), aims to create 4.8 ha of subtidal eelgrass habitat over three distinct sites.
II DISCUSSION:
The Tsawwassen Eelgrass Project will create three new eelgrass sites by filling in old· Tsawwassen Ferry terminal dredge sites to an elevation that supports native eelgrass for the benefit of salmon ids and invertebrates. The project's design is based on consultation with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, marine biologists and other experts. The Tsawwassen project will duplicate restoration techniques used as part of a 2008 eelgrass compensation project which was completed southeast of the BC Ferry terminal as part of the Vancouver Island Transmission Reinforcement project. The 2008 eelgrass project was monitored in 2009, 2010 and 2011. In 2011 monitoring efforts concluded that eelgrass shoots had proliferated three times the number that had been planted meeting the success criteria as set by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Native eelgrass will be collected from nearby sites based on Fisheries and Oceans Canada recommendations and planted onto the new sites over two years after the new fill has settled. Both the eelgrass borrow sites and new sites will be monitored post construction. All sites occur in Southern Resident Killer Whale critical habitat. Construction is planned to occur within the least risk work window for Southern Resident Killer Whale and best management practices will be utilized to prevent impacts to the environment and/or other wildlife. Historically, as of 1959, eelgrass coverage in Roberts Bank was 386.2 ha. Today, it is estimated that eelgrass habitat has shrunk by 18%. The new 4.8 ha of eelgrass habitat will represent less than a 1% gain in total habitat coverage.
The new eelgrass sites will occur on Crown land 1,600 m from the nearest residential home and adjacent to the navigable channel that occurs along the east side of the BC Ferries Terminal. Construction is slated to begin in mid 2016 by barge and conclude in January 2017. The proposed project works do not involve dredging, pile driving or other loud underwater activities. Clean rip rap will be used to construct containment walls and native sand will be used to fill the old dredge sites. One of the sites occurs adjacent to a 2008 eelgrass compensation project that was completed as part of compensation works associated with the Vancouver Island Transmission Reinforcement project. Page 3 of 4
Port Metro Vancouver Tsawwassen Eelgrass Restoration Project November 02,2015
Consultation with First Nation stakeholders, committees like the Port Community Liaison Committee and other agencies about the project has been initiated. The project is not subject to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act as the project does not fall under the Act's definition of a "designated project". The BC Environmental Assessment Office has confirmed that the Tsawwassen Eelgrass Project and the three other projects are reviewable under the BC Environmental Assessment Act since the project involves the disturbance of greater than 2 hectares of submerged land which is the threshold for requiring review under the Act.
Port Metro Vancouver has requested that the BC Environmental Assessment Office exempt the four proposed projects under Section 10(1 )(b) of the Be Environmental Assessment Act. The rationale for the exemption request is that the projects develop and improve fish and wildlife habitat in such a way that they will not likely result in "significant adverse environmental, social, economic, health or heritage effects". A similar request was made by Port Metro Vancouver regarding the Westham Island Canoe Pass Tidal Marsh restoration project in 2014 and an exemption was granted to Port Metro Vancouver by the BC Environmental Assessment Office.
Staff support the Tsawwassen Eelgrass project as proposed as it aims to improve impacted non-functioning subtidal habitat and replicates a successful design, e.g. as demonstrated by the 2008 Vancouver Island Transmission Reinforcement eelgrass restoration project. Since Port Metro Vancouver has selected to make an application for exemption under the Act the BC Environmental Assessment Office must still undertake public consultation and coordinate meetings with local governments, agencies, First Nations, and the Proponent to discuss mechanisms to address issues raised by stakeholders before issuing the exemption and accordingly is seeking comments from Delta.
Staff suggest that the BC Environmental Assessment Office requested to ensure there is a thorough public and stakeholder consultation process, as outlined in the proponent's project proposal (Attachment B, page 29), related to the proposed project if an exemption from the requirement to conduct a formal environmental assessment is granted. The environmental reports related to the construction and monitoring of the Tsawwassen Eelgrass Project should also be forwarded onto the Corporation of Delta for review and information. It is recommended that a letter be provided from Mayor Lois E. Jackson to the BC Environmental Assessment Office conveying the above comments on Port Metro Vancouver's exemption request.
Implications: Financial Implications - There are no financial implications associated with this report. Page 4 of 4
Port Metro Vancouver Tsawwassen Eelgra ss Restoration Project November 02,2015
CONCLUSION:
The Tsawwassen Eelgrass Project's purpose is to improve th e natural environment without causing significant adverse. effects. Th erefore an exemption from the requirement to complete a form al environmental assessment is being sought by Port Metro Vancouver. Staff recommend th at th e BC Environmental Assessment Office be r ~ qu es t e d to ensure there is a thorough publiq and stakeholder con sultation process related to the proposed project if an exemption is provided. ~ ill Director of Human Resources and Corporate Planning
Departm ent submission prepared by: Angela Danyluk MSc., RPBio., Senior Environmental Officer and Mike Brotherston, Manager of Climate Action .and Environment
This report has been prepared in consultation with the following li sted departm ents.
Concurring Departm ents Departm ent Name Signature Office of Climate Action and Mike Broth erston Environment ~
• ATTACHMENTS:
A. Letter from Port Metro Vancouver to the BC Environmental Assessment Office B. Tsawwassen Eelgrass Project report Attachment A Page 1 of 2
July 31, 2015
BC Environmental Assessment Office 2nd Floor 836 Yates Street PO Box 9426 Stn Prov Govt Victoria, BC V8W 9V1
Attn: Chris Hamilton, Executive Project Director
Re: Exemption Requests for Four Proposed Habitat Enhancement Program Proiects: Point Grey Tidal Marsh Proiect; South Arm Jetty Tidal Marsh Project; Steveston Tidal Marsh Project; and Tsawwassen Eelqrass Project
Dear Chris,
As follow up to our meeting in January 2015, you will recall that the Habitat Enhancement Program (HEP) is a Port Metro Vancouver (PMV) initiative focused on creating and enhancing fish and wildlife habitat. The HEP program is being undertaken independently from any specific resource/infrastructure development project; its goal is to proactively enhance habitat values in a number of areas to provide a balance between a healthy environment and a range of future potential development projects that may be required for port operations.
PMV previously submitted a project description to the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) in support of a HEP project entitled "Westham Island/Canoe Pass Tidal Marsh Creation" (Westham) along with a letter, dated July 29, 2013, requesting an exemption for the project under Section 10(1)(b) of the BC Environmental Assessment Act (BCEAA). Following referral to First Nations and consideration of the technical information that PMV provided, the EAO provided a letter to PMV, dated October 24, 2013, indicating that the project would not require an Environmental Assessment Certificate.
This year, four additional projects have been proposed under HEP. Please find attached to this letter for your review, hard copies of project descriptions for the following projects:
.. Point Grey Tidal Marsh Project (Point Grey); .. South Arm Jetty Tidal Marsh Project (South Arm Jetty); .. Steveston Island Tidal Marsh Project (Steveston); and, .. Tsawwassen Eelgrass Project (Tsawwassen Eelgrass).
This information has also been provided to you electronically.
The EAO has confirmed that the four listed HEP projects are reviewable under the BCEAA. Although PMV's position is that the referenced works are a federal undertaking and that approval
The Pointe, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6C portmetrovancouver. com The Pointe, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, C.-B. Canada V6C Canada Attachment A Page 2 of 2 Mr. Chris Hamilton Page 2 of 2 July 31, 2015 or exemption under the BCEAA is not required, this application is being made for purposes of administrative coordination.
PMV requests that the EAO exempt the four proposed projects under Section 10(1)(b) of the BCEAA. The rationale for the exemption request is that, taking into account the fish and wildlife habitat development and improvement character of the projects, the projects are not likely to result in significant adverse environmental, social, economic, health or heritage effects. In addition, as described in the project descriptions, there are practical means of preventing or mitigating any potential adverse environmental, social, economic, health and heritage effects of the projects.
As with the Westham project, these additional four projects are proposed by PMV under an agreement between PMV and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Working Agreement Concerning Procedures for Development and Operation of the Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Bank" [2012]). Discussions about these projects with DFO began more than two years ago, with DFO representatives providing direct input towards the design and the proposed construction of the projects. For your information, our DFO contact for PMV's HEP is Holly Pulvermacher (Senior Biologist; Phone: 250-627-3422; Email: [email protected]).
Crown land tenures will also be required from the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (MFLRNO) for three of the four proposed projects (Point Grey, South Arm Jetty and Steveston). The fourth project (Tsawwassen Eelgrass) is located in the Strait of Georgia on land owned both by the BC Transportation Financial Authority CBCTFA) and Provincial Crown Land. The BCTFA portion is leased to British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. (BC Ferries) for the operation of the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, and the Provincial Crown portion is leased to Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN). PMV has been in discussions with BC Ferries and TFN about securing tenure or access as appropriate for the Tsawwassen Eelgrass project since 2013.
Please note that PMV's schedule involves construction potentially commencing in mid-2016 for these projects, pending conclusion of land tenure agreements. Any in-water works would be undertaken during the applicable instream work windows.
If required, please feel free to contact me by phone or email at your earliest convenience to discuss this submission.
Regards,
Charlotte Olson, P.Geo., PMP Environmental Project Management Specialist Port Metro Vancouver's Habitat Enhancement Program Email: [email protected] Tel: (604) 665-9590
Cc Jim Russell, EAO Gord Ruffo, PMV Attachment B Page 1 of 37 vancouverPORT METRO
HABITAT ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM: TSAWWASSEN EELGRASS PROJECT Project Description - Online Format
Submitted to: BC Environmental Assessment Office 2nd Floor 836 Yates St PO Box 9426 Stn Prov Govt Victoria, BC V8W 9Vl
Prepared by: Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement Program 100 The POinte, 999 Canada Place Vancouver, BC V6C 3T4
RevO - July 31, 2015 - Issued for BCEAO Review Rev1 - October 5, 2015 - Attachment 6 Revised Attachment B Page 2 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement Program Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description -i- July 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 4
2.0 PROPONENT INFORMATION ...... 5
3.0 RATIONALE ...... 6
3.1 HABITAT BANKING ...... 7
4.0 PROJECT LOCATION ...... 7
5.0 SITE HISTORY ...... 8
6.0 CURRENT SITE CONDITIONS ...... 9
6.1 LAND USE AND NAVIGATIONAL SETTING ...... 10
7.0 HABITAT VALUES ...... 11
7.1 FISH HABITAT ...... 11
7.2 VEGETATION ...... 11
7.3 WILDLIFE HABITAT ...... 12
7.4 liSTED SPECiES ...... 13 8.0 SOCIO-ECONOMIC SETTING ...... · ...... 14
9.0 HERITAGE SETTING ...... 15
9.1 ARCHAEOLOGy ...... 15
9.2 CURRENT USE OF PROJECT AREA FOR TRADITIONAL ACTiVITIES ...... 15 10.0 HEALTH SETTING ...... 15
11.0 PROPOSED WORKS ...... 15
11.1 CONSTRUCTION ACTiViTIES ...... 15
11.2 EELGRASS PLANTING ...... 16
11.3 EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS ...... 17
11.4 POST-CONSTRUCTION ...... 17
12.0 EFFECTS ASSESSMENT OVERViEW ...... 18
12.1 LEAST RISK WORK WiNDOWS ...... 26
12.2 MITIGATION DURING MATERIAL PLACEMENT ...... 26
13.0 REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS ...... 28
14.0 ABORIGINAL CONSUL T ATION ...... 28
15.0 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ...... 28
16.0 REFERENCES ...... 31 Attachment B Page 3 of 37 Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancemem r--rogram Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - ii - July 2015 list of Figures Figure 1 Tsawwassen Eelgrass Project - Regional setting ...... 8 list of Tables
Table 1 Common Wildlife Species of the CDFmm Zone within Estuaries, Shallow Bays, Intertidal and Subtidal Marine Ecosystems with the Potential to Use the Project ...... 13
Table 2 Summary of potential effects and mitigation measures ...... 19 list of Attachments
Attachment 1 Design Drawings (February 2015) Attachment 2 Regulatory Engagement Summary Attachment 3 Property Drawing Attachment 4 Cumulative Effects Assessment Relating to Physical Coastal Processes Attachment 5 Cumulative Biological Effects Assessment Attachment 6 Aboriginal Consultation Status Summary Attachment B Page 4 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement program Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - iii - July 2015
List of Acronyms BCEAA British Columbia Environmental Assessment Act BCTC British Columbia Transmission Corporation BCTFA BC Transportation Financing Authority CD Chart Datum CDC British Columbia Conservation Data Centre CEAA Canadian Environmental Assessment Act COSEWIC Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada CDF Costal Douglas Fir CDFmm Moist Maritime Coastal Douglas Fir CWS Canadian Wildlife Service DFO Fisheries and Oceans Canada EAO BC Environmental Assessment Office EPP Environmental Protection Plan FREMP Fraser River Estuary Management Program MFLNRO Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations MMO Marine Mammal Observer OB Officer of the Bridge PCLC Port Community Liaison Committee PCMP Post-Construction Monitoring Plan PMV Port Metro Vancouver SARA Species at Risk Act SCUBA Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus SRKW Southern Resident Killer Whale TFN Tsawwassen First Nation VEC Valued Ecosystem Component VITR Vancouver Island Transmission Reinforcement VSC Valued Social Component WMA Wildlife Management Area
List of Abbreviations BC Ferries British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. Hemmera Hemmera Envirochem Inc. The Project Tsawwassen Eelgrass Project The Sites Site 1, Site 2 and Site 3 Attachment B Page 5 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement Program Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 4- July 2015
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Habitat Enhancement Program is a Port Metro Vancouver (PMV) initiative focused on creating and enhancing fish and wildlife habitat. This program is a proactive measure intended to provide a balance between a healthy environment and future development projects that may be required for port operations.
The proposed Tsawwassen Eelgrass Project (the Project), located on the southeast side of the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal near Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) and the City of Delta, British Columbia, is being advanced as a potential project under PMV's Habitat Enhancement Program. This Project is being pursued in accordance with the 2012 working agreement between PMV and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) entitled "Working Agreement Concerning Procedures for Development and Operation of the Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Bank". This agreement acknowledges the mutual benefits of a habitat bank to both parties, while also providing guidelines for the establishment of habitat enhancement sites. These habitat enhancement sites are developed in agreement between both parties.
The Project would convert three subtidal depressions, formed by historic dredging activities, into more productive fish habitat via the creation of up to three high productivity eelgrass beds (collectively referred to as "the Sites"). The Sites would be created by constructing riprap perimeter berms, followed by placement of appropriate fill material over the existing substrate, resulting in the formation of three separate eelgrass beds of suitable elevation and substrate for the establishment and persistence of eelgrass. Eelgrass would be installed, most likely by divers utilizing self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA), following a period of substrate settlement. The Project would result in the creation of 2 2 2 approximately 4.8 ha (48,240 m , including: 26,290 m at Site 1; 17,340 m at Site 2 and 4,610 m 2 at Site 3) of eelgrass habitat for the benefit of juvenile salmonids and other fish and wildlife. The current design drawings have been included in Attachment 1. Construction of the Project is forecast to begin in late summer 2016 with an anticipated construction period of approximately four to five months. Planting of donor stock eelgrass is expected during the following two summers (i.e., 2017 and 2018).
This Project Description has been prepared for submission to the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO), in support of an exemption for the Project under Section 10(1)(b) of the BC Environmental Assessment Act (BCEAA, 2002). The Project may be subject to Part 5 of the Reviewable Projects Regulation (B.C. Reg. 370/2002) as the Project entails the filling or physical disturbance of "greater than or equal to 2 ha of foreshore or submerged land, or a combination of foreshore and submerged land, below the natural boundary of a stream, marine coastline or estuary" (B.C. Reg. 370/2002 Table 9, Water Management Projects).
Federal review of the Project under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA, 2012) is not anticipated as the proposed works do not fall under the CEAA definition of a "designated project" described in the associated Regulations Designating Physical Activities Attachment B Page 6 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver . Habitat EnhancementProgram Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 5- July 2015
(SOR.2012- 147). A summary of the Project-related regulatory engagement that has been conducted to-date is included in Attachment 2 .
2.0 PROPONENT INFORMATION
The full legal name of the Proponent is Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, doing business as PMV. It is a non-shareholder, financially self-sufficient corporation, established by the Government of Canada in January 2008, pursuant to the Canada Marine Act, and is accountable to the federal Minister of Transport. It is responsible for the operation and development of the assets and jurisdictions of the combined Fraser River Port Authority, North Fraser Port Authority and Vancouver Port Authority.
PMV has teamed with Hemmera Envirochem Inc. (Hemmera) to manage and undertake the environmental activities associated with the identification, design, permitting, construction, and monitoring of the.Project. Proponent contact information is provided below.
PMV Corporate Contact Information:
100 The Pointe, 999 Canada Place Vancouver, BC V6C 3T4 Phone: 604.665.9000 Email: [email protected] Website: www.portmetrovancouver.com
Key Contacts for PMV's Habitat Enhancement Program:
Gord Ruffo, P.Eng. Program Manager Phone: 604.665.9018 Email: [email protected]
Charlotte Olson, P:Geo., PMP Environmental Project Management Specialist Phone: 604-665-9590 Email: [email protected]
Jim Roberts, R.P.Bio. Permitting Manager Phone: 604-669-0424 (ext. 229) Email: [email protected] Attachment B Page 7 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement Program Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 6- July 2015
3.0 RATIONALE
As part of the Habitat Enhancement Program, the three sites (Sites) chosen for this Project are among a number of different locations that PMV has identified within the broader Geographic Service Area (Fraser River Estuary, Boundary Bay, and Burrard Inlet) where eXisting habitat can be enhanced to increase its productive capacity or where degraded areas can be restored to benefit fish and wildlife species. The Fraser River Estuary is an important migratory, rearing and spawning area for fish, including ecologically and I economically important salmonids. This estuary is also globally recognized as a key migratory stop-over and wintering area for millions of waterfowl and shorebirds and a habitat for countless resident bird species.
Construction of eelgrass beds is proposed in this area as eelgrass provides habitat for many commercially and ecologically important invertebrate and vertebrate species (Levings et al. 1983, Hemminga and Duarte 2000, Wyllie-Echeverria and Ackerman 2003). Eelgrass also provides many important abiotic ecosystem services, including filtering water, trapping and binding sediments, baffling wave and current energy, removing contaminants, producing oxygen, sequestering carbon, accelerating nutrient regeneration, and regulating nutrient cycles (Moore and Short 2006).
Eelgrass grows within shallow estuarine and marine waters with muddy or sandy substrates. Within the outer Fraser River Estuary, including Roberts Bank, eelgrass beds occur in calmer waters where soft and stable substrates are present and enough light is available. The Roberts Bank area is noted for its extensive beds of eelgrass, recognized as a valuable fisheries habitat resource (Triton Environmental 1996). Both the perennial native common eelgrass (Zostera marina) and the annual non-native eelgrass (z. japonica) occur within the Fraser River Estuary, with common eelgrass typically occurring at lower elevations in the tidal range and in shallow subtidal areas. The Proj~ct considers and builds upon existing eelgrass habitats and would result in the increase of this valuable, productive habitat. Without this intervention, these areas would likely not develop into eelgrass habitat due to the excessive depths of the existing dredge depressions.
The Sites are located in close proximity to two eelgrass beds, totalling 2.09 ha, that were successfully created in 2008 by the British Columbia Transmission Corporation (BCTC) as a compensatory measure for the Vancouver Island Transmission Reinforcement (VITR) project. Using knowledge gained from that eelgrass creation project and others, the design team for this Project, which includes appropriately qualified engineers, coastal geomorphologists, professional biologists and an eelgrass specialist, anticipate that these works would provide long-term benefits to ecosystem productivity at this location. Attachment B Page 8 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement Program Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description -'7 - July 2015
3.1 HABITAT BANKING
The Sites for this Project has been targeted for inclusion in the PMV Habitat Bank as projects can provide a significant benefit to fish and wildlife in advance of potential impacts from future developmel)t. A prime benefit will be reduction or elimination of the uncertainties typically associated with habitat compensation projects proposed as conceptual plans during the environmental assessment or permitting of infrastructure/development projects. This approach will help regulators be more confident in the habitat values and the sustainability of the habitat proposed for the offsetting of potential future development proposals, as opposed to values that are estimates based on conceptual habitat offsetting plans.
4.0 PROJECT LOCATION
The Project is located in close proximity to the Canada-United States border, southeast of the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal within the southern limits of Roberts Bank, adjacent to a 60 m wide recreational boating channel (Figure 1 and Attachment 3). The Project falls within the boundaries of. a waterlot Portion Block F, District Lot 797, Group 2, New Westminster District Plan BCP5645, PID 025-701-118. A long term lease to British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. (BC Ferries) is registered on title for the operation of the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal within this waterlot. A portion of the Project also falls within District Lot 955 - Provincial Land leased to TFN, which fronts the Municipality of Delta. TFN also holds lands to the northeast of the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal causeway.
The Roberts Bank Wildlife Management Area (WMA) borders the opposite side of District Lot 955. The Roberts Bank WMA consists of four parcels of land administered by the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (MFLNRO); the two nearest to the Sites are southeast of the parcel leased to TFN and northwest of the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal in the inter-causeway area. A property drawing has been included in Attachment 3. Attachment B Page 9 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancementt-'rogram Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 8 - July 2015
1: 200,000 o 1 2 3 KHon! etms NAD 83 UTlv1 Zo ne 10 "'.fJ(I(Y $ouroe: cSRI Worl:llM sgery
Figure 1 Tsawwassen Eelgrass Project - Regional setting
5.0 SITE HISTORY
A review of relevant reports, databases and historical data, including aerial photographs, was carried out to gain knowledge on the history of the Sites and surrounding areas.
The area southeast of the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal causeway, in which the Sites are located, was originally part of the larger Roberts Bank sandy tidal flat. Historical aerial photography available from 1950 onwards allows for the approximation of la rge-scale changes over time within the local setting; however there are numerous factors (e.g., image resolution, varying tide heights, etc.) which limit the precision of this type of information. Aerial photography from 1950 and 1959 provides a baseline of the eelgrass presence at the Project location; the eelgrass bed is noted to be patchy, possibly due to high flow velocities and high turbidity. During this time period, eelgrass habitat in Roberts Bank was estimated to cover approximately 386.2 ha.
Flow and drainage patterns in the area were altered in the 1960s with the construction of the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal causeway and Roberts Bank causeway (Triton Environmental 1996). A dredge channel located south of the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal causeway, adjacent to the Sites, was also created during the construction of the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal in 1960 (Precision Identification 2006). The channel is currently used by recreational boaters and remains open due to human activity and other physical Attachment B Page 10 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement t-'rogram Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 9- July 2015 conditions such as scouring from tidal currents (BCTC 2007). Two dendritic channels, flowing east from the inshore section of the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal causeway, were also formed due to localized changes in the drainage regime (Triton Environmental 1996).
The physical changes to the flow and drainage patterns in the 1960s, such as the deflection of the Fraser River plume (resulting in improved water clarity) and the increase in sedimentation due to reduced flow regimes (resulting in elevation of the substrate), produced favourable conditions for colonization by eelgrass. Between 1960 and the early 2000s, the eelgrass beds southeast of the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal causeway expanded seaward and landward and have increased in density, changing from a patchy to continuous distribution (Triton Environmental 1996, Precision Identification 2006).
Data collected in 2005 by Precision Identification (2006), including intertidal and subtidal areas, indicates that eelgrass distribution had continued to increase since a 2002 analysis undertaken by the Fraser River Estuary Management Program (FREMP). A visual comparison with intertidal data from 1992 and 1993 collected by the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) suggests that the 2005 area of dense (>75%) eelgrass coverage south of the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal causeway had doubled since 1993, and increased between 2002 and 2005.
Eelgrass habitat has previously been created in close proximity to the Project location. In 2008, BCTC constructed two eelgrass beds totalling 20,900 m 2 (2.09 ha); a 1.09 ha shoreward bed and a 1.0 ha seaward bed, as compensation sites for the VITR project (Attachment 3). These eelgrass beds are located on water lots registered to BC Ferries and the Province of British Columbia (BCTC 2007). Fill was sourced from dredged Fraser River sand from PMV's maintenance dredging program, and eelgrass stock for transplanting was sourced from the existing eelgrass meadow adjacent to those compensation sites. Construction was completed in 2007, with eelgrass transplantation completed in 2008. Post construction monitoring in 2010 found the bed had proliferated to three times the original planting of eelgrass shoots (Golder Associates Ltd. 2011).
6.0 CURRENT SITE CONDITIONS
Information on current conditions at the Sites is summarized in the Ecological Conditions Report for the Project (Hemmera 2015). This report is based on a literature reView, a dive th assessment of Sites 1 and 2 conducted on April 12 , 2013 by Precision Identification th (Hemmera 2015) and a dive assessment of Site 3 conducted on January 7 ,. 2015 by Hemmera (Hemmera 2015).
The Sites consist of three existing unvegetated subtidal depressions on the edge of shallow subtidal flats to the southeast of the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal causeway. The Sites are bordered to the north by a 60 m wide channel; extensive, dense, and natural eelgrass meadows are located to the east and south of the Sites. One of the eelgrass beds created as compensation habitat in 2008 for the VITR project (Section 5.0) is located immediately east of Site 1. Attachment B Page 11 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement Program Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 10 - July 2015
Elevations of the depressions range between -5.0 m to -6.0 m Chart Datum (CD) at Sites 1 and 2, and between -4.0 m to -6.0 m CD at Site 3. Sediments at the Sites consist of relatively homogenous sandy silt, except at Site 3 where sand and silt substrate give way to predominantly silt mixed with decomposing organics in deeper portions of the site (Hemmera 2015).
The Sites were selected as suitable areas for eelgrass habitat creation given their relatively low existing fisheries habitat values (Hemmera 2015). Dive surveys conducted in 2007 in support of the VITR eelgrass compensation indicated that similar depressions were characterized by fine sand and clay substrates with occasional cobble and shell coverage, and suggests that colonization by eelgrass was limited by depth, slope and water velocities (BCTC 2007).
Eelgrass bed design has been developed to maximize the created habitat area, while also maintaining the minimum width of the existing boating channel. The Project provides for restoration of previous values by building upon existing adjacent eelgrass habitats through fill (invert) modifications to these historically-modified areas of seabed.
6.1 LAND USE AND NAVIGATIONAL SETTING
The Sites are adjacent to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal causeway, and border the southern edge of a 60 m wide channel currently used by recreational boaters to access a boat ramp located mid-way along the causeway. The channel was originally a dredge borrow channel for the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal causeway, but is currently maintained by human uses and natural scour processes. The environment at the head (shoreward end) of the channel is known to be dynamic, with developing dendritic channels; however the remainder of the channel appears to be relatively stable.
Surface waters at the Sites are readily accessible to members of the public via the public boat launch, however the eelgrass beds would only be accessible to members of the public with access to SCUBA equipment. Land uses in the Roberts Bank area are known to include recreational boating, fishing, hunting (e.g., waterfowl) and shellfish harvesting (particularly Dungeness crab, although crab harvesting is not permitted adjacent to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal). Attachment B Page 12 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement Program Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 11 - July 2015
1.0 HABITAT VALUES
The following section summarizes the fish and wildlife values within and surrounding the Sites. More detailed information on the existing fish and wildlife values can be found in the Ecological Conditions Report for the Project (Hemmera 2015).
7.1 fISH HABITAT
The Fraser River is an important fish migration route utilized by a number of culturally, commercially and ecologically important fish species, including Pacific salmon species, among them the commercially and ecologically important Harrison-run Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). Eelgrass beds of the Fraser River Estuary provide critical foraging and refuge habitat to out-migrating juvenile salmon ids. Eelgrass provides habitat for other important species as well such as Dungeness crab and is an important spawning habitat for Pacific herring (CJupea harengus) (BCTC 2006, Schweigert et al. 2007).
The Strait of Georgia, located between Vancouver Island and the British Columbia mainland, is a highly productive marine ecosystem supporting populations of over 3,000 plant and animal species, including 200 finfish and 1,500 invertebrates (BCTC 2006). While very few fish species were recorded during dive surveys at the Sites, a summary of fish species recorded near the Sites in the Fraser River Estuary and surrounding eelgrass communities (BCTC 2006, Hemmera 2015, Schweigert et al. 2007) is provided below (for a more detailed review of fish species likely occurring at the Sites, please see the Ecological Conditions report- Hemmera 2015):
.. Pacific salmon (i.e., coho salmon (0. kisutch), Chinook salmon, chum salmon (0. keta), pink salmon (0. gorbuscha), sockeye salmon (0. nerka)); .. forage fish (i.e., eulachon (ThaJeichthys pacificus), northern anchovy (EngrauJis mordax), Pacific herring and surf smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus)); .. perch (i.e., shiner perch (Cymatogaster aggregata)); .. stickleback (i.e., threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus acuJeatus)); .. sculpin (i.e., staghorn sculpin (Leptocottus armatus)); .. flatfish (i.e., starry flounder (PJatichthys stellatus), sand sole (Psettichthys meJanosticus), and butter sole (Isopsetta isoJepis); and, ., sturgeon (i.e., green (Acipenser medirostris) and white (A. transmontanus)).
Alteration of the Sites, to provide for the establishment of eelgrass beds, would significantly enhance the fisheries value through improvements to habitat complexity and overall productivity, allowing for rapid colonization by fish and invertebrate species from adjacent eelgrass beds.
7.2 VEGETATION
The three subtidal Sites are considered to be primarily unvegetated, although a mat of diatoms of unknown composition was noted on the bottom substrates during the April 2013 Attachment B Page 13 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement Program Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 12 - July 2015 dive survey at Site 1 and 2. Site 3 was characterized as being unvegetated during the January 2015 dive survey, with large accumulations of eelgrass detritus (Hemmera 2015).
7.3 WILDLIFE HABITAT
The Sites are located in a subtidal portion of the Fraser River Estuary, situated in the Coastal Douglas Fir moist maritime (CDFmm) biogeoclimatic zone. No wildlife species were observed using the Sites during surveys, but representative wildlife species known to occur in CDF estuaries, shallow bays, intertidal and sub-tidal marine habitats are listed in Table 1 (adapted from Table 11; Nuszdorfer et al. 1991). The subtidal nature of the Sites precludes use by terrestrial wildlife species.
Forty-one different bird species, which include many of those listed in Table 1, were identified by VITR (BCTC 2007) as being common in the Tsawwassen area (Hemmera 2015). Most marine birds identified at or likely to occur at the Sites are migratory and only present during part of the year. The improved fish habitat values and increased productivity that would result from the proposed construction of eelgrass beds at the Sites would likely have a positive effect on habitat values for many marine bird species, particularly eelgrass associated species such as brant geese (BCTC 2006).
Marine mammals have the potential to use the Sites. Harbour seals (Phoca vitu/ina) are the most abundant marine mammals in the Strait of Georgia and are resident year round, while California and Steller sea lions (Za/ophus californian us and Eumetopias jubatus) arrive in the fall and depart in the spring (Keple 2002). All three species may utilize the area (harbour seals have been observed along the Tsawwassen break-water, (BCTC 2006)). Harbour porpoises are present year-round in the Strait of Georgia, usually in shallower, inshore waters, and have been observed in the Fraser River and in shallower water «100m) near the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal (BCTC 2006). Other marine mammals known to occur in the Strait of Georgia include orcas, Dall's porpoises, pacific white-sided dolphins and baleen whales (BCTC 2006).
During summer and fall, Southern Resident Killer Whales (Orcinus orca, SRKWs) are known to be present in the trans-boundary waters of Haro Strait, Boundary Pass, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and southern portions of the Strait of Georgia. Canadian waters overlapping with this area of SRKW use are deSignated as 'critical habitat', based on consistent and prolonged seasonal occupancy. Although the Sites overlap with deSignated critical habitat for SRKWs, potential use by SRKWs is considered to be limited. This limited potential for SRKW use is due to the Sites consisting of relatively shallow subtidal depressions, bordered by eelgrass meadows to the east and south and a dredge channel and busy ferry causeway to the west. Since the current productivity and fisheries habitat values of the Sites is low, and eelgrass habitat is expected to benefit forage fish and salmon species, the Project could be a benefit to SRKWs through increased prey availability. Attachment B Page 14 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement Program Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 13 - July 2015
Table 1 Comlllon Wildlife Species of the CDFmm Zone within Estuaries, Shallow Bays, Intertidal and Subtidal Marine Ecosystems with the Potential to Use the Project
Taxa Representative Wildlife Species Most Likely to Occur River Otter (Lontra canadensis), Steller Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus), Mammals Harbour Seal (Phoca vitulina), Harbour Porpoise (fhocoena phocoena), Killer Whales (Orcinus orca) Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura), Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellate), Yellow-billed Loon (Gavia adamsii), Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinators), Canada Goose (Branta canadensis), Brant (Branta bernicla), Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica), Black Scoter (Melanitta americana), Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata), White-winged Scoter (Melanitta deglandi), Birds Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Northern Shoveller (Anas clypeata), American Wigeon (Anas americana), Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis), Green- winged Teal (Anas carolinensis), Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus Columba), Glaucous-winged 'Gull (Larus glaucescens), California Gull (Larus californicus), Northwestern Crow (Corvus caurinus), Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
The Sites consist primarily of low productivity subtidal habitat. Although invertebrate species were observed at the Sites during surveys (Hemmera 2015), existing habitat does not appear to provide significant fisheries habitat value. Although commercially important species of invertebrates, including Dungeness crab, slender crab (Metacarcinus gracilis), Manila, littleneck and butter clams, and cockles (BCTC 2006, PMV 2013), are known to or are likely to occur at or around the Sites, the Sites are located within DFO Fisheries Management Area 29 -7 for which there exists a complete harvest ban on shellfish. A ban on crab fishing is in effect adjacent to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal (DFO 2015).
7.4 LISTED S PECIES
The subtidal location of the Sites precludes use by any listed terrestrial wildlife species or ecosystems that potentially occur in the CDFmm subzone. The common eelgrass herbaceous vegetation community in the Estuary Tidal Flat Ecosystem group is currently un - ranked and contains no listed wildlife species (CDC 2014a). No listed plant species were identified within the Sites during field assessments.
The Ecological Conditions Report for the Project (Table B and Table D, Hemmera 2015) summarizes listed species with the potential to occur at or near the Project, including four species of freshwater and marine fish species (green sturgeon, white sturgeon, the clarkia subspecies of coastal cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus c1arkii c1arkii) and coho salmon) . The Attachment B Page 15 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement I-'rogram Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 14 - July 2015
Project is, however, likely to have either no effects or only positive effects on any of these species (Hemmera 2015). Additionally 14 bird species, (five red-listed1 in BC, five listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA), and four listed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC)) and five species of marine mammals (all listed under SARA and COSEWIC, of which only SRKW is red-listed in BC) were identified. Of these listed species, none are dependent on the Sites or expected to be adversely affected by the Project. Furthermore, a net overall benefit is expected for some listed species, due to improved productivity and habitat at the Sites as a result of the Project.
Although the Sites occur within SRKW critical habitat (see Section 7.3 above), use of the Sites by SRKW is not expected to be adversely affected by the proposed Project and increased habitat productivity may benefit SRKW prey species (Hemmera 2015).
8.0 SOCIO-ECONOMIC SETTING
The main economic drivers in the local setting are the nearby Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, operated by BC Ferries, Westshore Terminals and the Deltaport container terminal to the northwest of the Sites, and TFN commercial and industrial lands to the northeast of the Sites. BC Ferries is one of the largest ferry operators in the world, providing service on 25 routes with a fleet of 35 vessels. Formerly a provincial crown corporation, BC Ferries became an independent commercial organization in 2003. The Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal is one of the two major terminals operated by BC Ferries serving the Vancouver to Vancouver Island routes (Swartz Bay near Victoria and Duke Point near Nanaimo), and additional routes to the Gulf Islands.
Westshore Terminals is a coal export terminal and Deltaport is PMV's largest container terminal with three berths. PMV is Canada's most diversified port, a financially independent corporation established by the Government of Canada. PMV's mandate is to facilitate Canada's trade objectives, ensuring goods are moved safely, with consideration of local communities and protection of the environment.
In 2009, TFN ratified the first urban treaty in British Columbia. The treaty provides TFN with municipal-like jurisdiction over a land base of 724 hectares. In 2010, a new industrial park was launche.d by TFN, the Tsawwassen Gateway Logistics Centre, near Deltaport. TFN members also voted in 2010 to approve a lease of up to 49 years on 100 acres of Mixed Use land for the development of a major commercial/retail shopping facility, Tsawwassen Mills. Construction of Tsawwassen Mills began in January 2014 with an expected opening in spring 2016.
1 Red-listed species: any species that is Extirpated, Endangered, or Threatened in British Columbia Attachment B Page 16 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement Program Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 15 - July 2015
The proposed Project would result in the transformation of unproductive, unvegetated subtidal areas into highly productive eelgrass beds, which have the potential to benefit fish and wildlife in the Roberts Bank area. The positive benefits to fish as a result of the Project would be favourable for commercial, recreational and Aboriginal fishing in the area.
9.0 HERITAGE SETTING
9.1 ARCHAEOLOGY
The Sites are located in a marine environment. Archaeological assessments are not typically undertaken for marine locations and no known archaeological values have been recognized at the Sites (Rob Commisso, RPCA, Stantec, pers. comm.).
9.2 CURRENT USE OF PROJECT AREA FOR TRADITIONAL ACTIVITIES
The Project falls within the Tsawwassen First Nation waterlot and per the Tsawwassen First Nation Final Agreement, within the area where resource harvesting may occur. In addition to resource harvesting, the TFN waterlot may be used for recreational and other community uses that are not carried out for a business or commercial purpose (PMV 2015). TFN has indicated that the TFN waterlot is used by their canoe club and has noted the importance of avoiding interfering with this and other uses.
The area surrounding the Project is also used by other Aboriginal groups for harvesting of marine and other resources. For detailed information on Aboriginal Use of the Roberts Bank area, please see Section 32 of the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Environmental Impact Statement.
10.0 HEALTH SETTING
The Sites are located in a marine setting southeast of the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal causeway, bordering a recreational boating channel. The Sites are a minimum of 1,600 m away from the nearest residential property. The nearby Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal results in high ferry traffic volume in the area. No known sewer outfalls are located in close proximity to the Project.
11.0 PROPOSED WORKS
11.1 CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES
The Project involves the conversion of existing subtidal areas with low biological value, associated with historic dredge depressions, into eelgrass beds which generally are associated with high biological value (DFO 2012) (see Attachment 1 for design drawings). The approach for the Project would be similar to that successfully used in the VITR project described previously. A hydrographic survey of the Sites, completed in January 2015, would Attachment B Page 17 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement Program Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 16 - July 2015 be used for reference during construction planning. As the Project proceeds, progress surveys would be undertaken to assess and guide the work.
Proposed activities include the construction of three separate perimeter berms adjacent to the southern edge of the recreational boating channel followed by the placement of suitable fill material. The perimeter berms would extend approximately 3 m above the existing seabed, with 4: 1 side slopes to be constructed of suitable quarry run rock (along the outside of the berm) and quarry screenings (along the inside of the berm). The outer layer would reduce erosion of the outer edges of the eelgrass beds while the inner layer would mitigate the seaward migration of sand from the eelgrass beds. A total of approximately 25,000 m 3 of quarried rock materials is expected to be required for the establishment of perimeter berms at the Sites.
The existing elevation of the depressions (approximately -4.0 m to -6.0 m CD) would be raised to an elevation of approximately -2.25 m CD to -1.0 m CD. Approximately 150,000 m 3 of fill is expected to be required for the Project. The sides of the resultant beds would be blended to match the adjacent eelgrass beds, with reasonably even and uniform substrate surfaces. A survey to confirm the proper establishment of the beds would be conducted after the final placement of sand fill to confirm that design elevations have been achieved.
Following the construction of soft substrate beds suitable for the establishment of eelgrass, planting of donor stock eelgrass would be undertaken at the Sites (see Section 11.2 below). Upon completion, the estimated area of eelgrass beds at the Sites is antiCipated to be 48,240 m 2 (26,290 m 2 at Site 1; 17,340 m 2 at Site 2 and 4,610 m 2 at Site 3).
Work would be undertaken using heavy equipment, with access for construction equipment and materials anticipated to be from the water by barge, via the existing boating channel. Construction of the Project is forecast to begin in late summer 2016 with an antiCipated construction period of approximately four to five months.
11.2 EELGRASS PLANTING
Following construction, stabilization, and final survey of the eelgrass beds at the Sites, eelgrass would be planted using transplant methods developed in the mid-1990s by Precision Identification. This methodology emphasizes the use of high quality donor stock, and high planting densities. Eelgrass donor material would be sourced from suitable adjacent beds using SCUBA divers. To ensure that the donor beds are not negatively affected by the removal of transplant stock, a precautionary harvesting approach would be used. More specifically, removal of parent stocks would be limited to one shoot per m2 Attachment B Page 18 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement Program Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 17 - July 2015
for moderately dense beds and two shoots per m 2 for dense beds. 2 Additionally, donor beds would be geo-referenced to ensure that future donor stocks are not collected from the same bed. Parent stock would be planted at densities of 8 to 10 shoots per m 2 between the months of April and September. Given the relatively large size of the proposed eelgrass beds, and the labour-intensive nature of subtidal plantings installed via this method, it is anticipated that the plantings may need to be undertaken in two separate but consecutive years (i.e., 2017 and 2018).
11.3 EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
The civil construction of the Project is anticipated to occur over several months providing employment opportunities. Further employment would be created during the subsequent planting of the Sites as well as through the follow-up monitoring program. The Project would result in permanent environmental enhancement features, therefore no decommissioning of the Sites is scheduled.
11.4 POST-CONSTRUCTION
During the post-construction phase, the Project would be subject to the terms and conditions of the working agreement between PMV and DFO as well as any applicable permits and approvals.
In order to assess the achievement of biological objectives at the Sites, a formal monitoring program would commence after transplanting, towards the end of the first growing season. Post-construction monitoring would be undertaken in accordance with the Post-Construction Monitoring Plan (PCMP) for PMV's Habitat Enhancement Program. The PCMP is a working document between PMV and DFO and was last updated in March 2015. It outlines protocols for assessing various habitat types, including eelgrass habitat. However, a more site-specific monitoring plan would be developed for the Project to account for the depth range, shape, sediment type and area of the created habitat.
The application of sound design criteria, proper oversight and supervision during both construction and post-construction monitoring are all expected to contribute towards Project success. In the unlikely event that the Project objectives are not achieved and the habitat enhancement sites are not functioning as intended, follow-up measures may be required. Remedial measures may, for instance, include additional eelgrass transplanting.
2 Moderately dense eelgrass beds are defined by eelgrass shoot densities of 20 to 70 shoots/m 2 while dense eelgrass beds are defined by eelgrass shoot densities of > 70 shoots/m 2 Attachment B Page 19 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement Program Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 18 - July 2015
Following completion of the monitoring program, PMV would ensure that future works or undertakings do not adversely disturb this habitat and that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure that the habitat is not disturbed by others. The eelgrass beds would also be afforded protection by DFO, in accordance with the appropriate provisions of the federal Fisheries Act.
12.0 EFFECTS ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW
Valued ecosystem components (VECs) or valued social components (VSCs) that could potentially be adversely affected by the proposed works include:
«I Soils and sediments; • Surface water and water bodies; • Aquatic species and habitat; • Vegetation; • Wildlife and habitat; • Invasive species; • Current land use; • Navigation and water use; • Noise; • Air Quality; and • Safety
Table 2 below summarizes proposed measures to mitigate adverse effects on each of these key VECsjVSCs. With these mitigation measures and application of appropriate best management practices, residual adverse effects are not likely to result from the proposed Project. An evaluation of cumulative effects of the Project relating to physical coastal processes and biological effects has been included in Attachment 4 and Attachment 5 respectively. Attachment B Page 20 of 37 Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement t-'rogram Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 19 - July 2015
Table 2 Summary of potential effects and mitigation measures
", Mitigation Measures and VEC/VSC Description and Potential Effects Residual Adverse Effects
Soils and • There is some potential for the • Construction would be sediments placement of fill material to result undertaken with appropriate in nearby sedimentation effects. mitigation and monitoring in place, to ensure that any potential construction-related effects are minimized.
• Sediments would be screened prior to placement to ensure they meet appropriate sediment quality guidelines and c! iteria.
• A Project-specific Environmental Protection Plan (EPP) would include mitigation measures to address sedimentation in surrounding waters.
• Any residual effects are likely to be negligible.
Surface • There is some potential for water • A Project-specific EPP will be water and quality impacts to occur during developed to address water bodies works (e.g., during fill placement). environmental concerns associated with the Project. • There is a potential for spills or Standard mitigation measures equipment leaks to occur during including working within the construction which could have an appropriate lea st risk work adverse effect on benthic"biota or window, implementing spill fish. prevention planning, etc. would I be included.
• Sediments would be screened prior to placement to ensure they meet appropriate sediment quality guidelines and criteria.
• Any residual effects are likely to be negligible. Attachment B Page 21 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement Program Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description . - 20 - July 2015
Mitigation Measures and VEC/VSC Description and Potential Effects Residual Adverse Effects
Aquatic • The Sites currently have existing • The Project wou Id replace species and aquatic and wildlife habitat values. existing (lower value) fish habitat habitat with higher value fish habitat. • There is a risk of either direct (e.g., injury or mortality) or • Work would be conducted during indirect (e.g., water quality) the appropriate least risk work impacts on aquatic species and window. fish during in -water construction. • A Project-specific EPP would be created which would address any aquatic species and fish habitat concerns associated with the Project.
• Residual adverse effects ar.e not likely to result from the Project.
Vegetation • The Sites are largely unvegetated • Upon completion of construction with cover limited to a diatom mat of the beds, eelgrass shoots and drift macroalgae. would be transplanted at the Sites.
• There would be an overall "net gain" in the vegetation values at the Sites.
• Residual adverse effects are not likely to result from the Project. Attachment B Page 22 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement Program Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 21 - July 2015
Mitigation Measures and VEC/VSC Description and Potential Effects Residual Adverse Effects
Wildlife and • The Sites currently have existing • The Project is expected to result habitat aquatic and wildlife habitat values. in a net benefit to wildlife by replacing lower value fish and • The Sites are located in critical aquatic habitat (subtidal habitat for SRKWs. depressions) with higher quality habitat (eelgrass), which would ultimately benefit a broader range of species.
• The Project would result in the creation of new eelgrass habitat beds that are expected to increase habitat availab)lity for out-migrating juvenile Chinook salmon, a key food source for SRKWs.
• The works are not expected to have a negative effect on SRKWs, given the Project location.
• All activities, works and undertakings would be designed ., and implemented in such a way that there is no sustained { underwater noise over 160 dB.
• See Section 1 2.2 below for more mitigation measures during material placement.
• Residual adverse effects are not likely to result from the Project. Attachment B Page 23 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement Program Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 22 - July 2015
Mitigation Measures and VEC/VSC Description and Potential Effects Residual Adverse Effects
Invasive • The spread of non-native species • Work would primarily occur in Species (e.g., Japanese eelgrass) could be previously disturbed areas. promoted by construction of new habitat suitable for colonization. • Construction would result in establishment of an elevation that is highly favorable for the native common eelgrass species, and less favorable for non -native eelgrass species.
• Following construction, native common eelgrass would be
planted at the Sites. -
• Post-construction monitoring would assess establishment and survival of planted eelgrass. Any identified deficiencies and/or invasive species concerns would be addressed through appropriate management measures.
• Residual adverse effects are not likely to result from the Project. Attachment B Page 24 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement t-'rogram Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 23 - July 2015
Mitigation Measures and VEC/VSC Description and Potential Effects Residual Adverse Effects
Current Land • Construction activities could • Efforts would be made to ensure Use temporarily affect fishing activities construction does not conflict both within and beyond the Sites. with commercial, recreational or aboriginal fisherie's (note that the • The presence of a submerged harvest of bivalve shellfish and riprap perimeter berm may crab fishing is prohibited at the represent a slightly' elevated risk Sites and surrounding areas). to traditional activities that involve use of the recreational boating • PMV has been in consultation channel. with Aboriginal groups regarding this Project (Attachment 6). • Interference with TFN waterlot. • Musqueam Indian Band_has expressed support for the Project. Semiahmoo First Nation has also expressed support for the project.
• PMV has been working closely with TFN regarding Project design and to ensure access to the TFN waterlot is maintained during construction.
• TFN has expressed an interest in eelgrass transplantation within the TFN waterlot. PMV and TFN have explored the opportunity to incorporate the TFN waterlot into the Project desig n. PMV will work collaboratively with TFN to further plan and deliver the Project.
• Any residual adverse effects are likely to be negligible. Attachment B Page 25 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement Program Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 24 - July 2015
Mitigation Measures and VEC/VSC Description and Potential Effects Residual Adverse Effects
Navigation • Construction activities, in • Consultation with BC Ferries will and water particular access by barge (for be ongoing to ensure that any use construction materials and concerns and/or operational equipment), could affect ferry requirements are properly operations. addressed .
• Construction activities, in • The public will be notified of particular physical works on the activities undertaken in regards edge of the boating channel, could to the Project. impact fishers and/or recreational boaters. • The Project will comply with the Navigation Protection Act and • During operations, the presence of minimize any impacts Of] boat a submerged riprap perimeter traffic during the construction berm may represent a slightly phase. elevated risk to fishers and/or other boaters using the boating • Proper communication and channel. signage would be applied during construction . • Interference with the exercise of TFN treaty rights. • Permanent navigation markers would be incorporated into the Project design to advise recreational users of potential underwater hazards.
• PMV is working closely with TFN to ensure the Project does not interfere with the exercise of TFN treaty rights.
• Any residual adverse effect's are likely to be negligible. Attachment B Page 26 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement Program Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 25- July 2015
Mitigation Measures and VEC/VSC Description and Potential Effects Residual Adverse Effects
Noise • There is some risk for atmospheric • The work would occur adjacent to noise from heavy equipment to be the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal heard by offsite users (e.g., at the and causeway where vehicle and Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal). boat traffic is generated. Large exceedances of this background noise is not anticipated.
• Noise mitigation measures, if appropriate, would be developed and implemented through the EPP.
• See Section 12.2 below for information on SRKW mitigation during material placement.
• Any adverse residual effects are likely to be negligible.
Air Quality • Construction activities are unlikely • As the majority of construction is to impact air quality. anticipated to be undertaken from the water. by barge using clean materials, dust generation is not anticipated to be an issue at these Sites.
• All unnecessary idling would be minimized.
• Th e Project would be pursued to completion as soon as feasible to reduce on -site operation of machinery.
• Residual adverse effects are not likely to result from the Project. Attachment B Page 27 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement Program Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 26 - July 2015
Mitigation Measures and VEC/VSC Description and Potential Effects Residual Adverse Effects
Safety • Construction activities with heavy • An Occupational Health and equipment represent some health Safety Plan would be developed, and safety risks, primarily to which would include measures construction workers. that comply with WorkSafe BC standards, to ensure safe work • Elevation of subtidal habitat could and avoid any impacts on represent a safety risk to fishers workers (or the public, in and/ or recreational boaters. particular boaters using the recreational boating channel).
, • If necessary, appropriate signage/ markers would be placed on site to notify the pUQlic of the works.
• Residual adverse effects are not likely to result from the Project.
12.1 LEAST RISK WORK WINDOWS
The following are the applicable least risk work windows for the Project area:
• To mitigate risk of impacts to juvenile salmonids, the recommended least risk work window for the Vancouver Area Inlet is August 16th to February 28th. • As the Sites are located in deSignated critical habitat for SRKWs, a least risk work window between November 1st and April 31st is also recommended to avoid impacting SRKWs as they feed on migrating salmon in the Strait of Georgia. • April 1st to October 14th is the least risk work window for place ment of fill in water at depths greater than -5.0 m CD in order to minimize risk of impacts to female Dungeness crabs.
12.2 MITIGATION DURING MATERIAL P LACE MENT
A key mitigation measure for the Project, to minimize the risk of direct or indirect effects on juvenile salmonids during construction, is to work during the applicable least risk work window for Roberts Bank (i.e., August 16 to February 28). This measure helps to address potential water quality impacts that might result from the placement of material by avoiding temporal overlap with the out-migration of juvenile salmonids.
The applicable least risk work window for SRKWs is between November pt and April 3Pt. Although it is recommended that works proceed during the SRKW least risk work window, construction can occur outside this window if an appropriately qualified Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) is present. If works are undertaken during the least risk work window, an Officer of the Bridge (OB) could carry out the duties of an MMO. The MMO or OB would be Attachment B Page 28 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement Program Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 27 - July 2015 tasked with searching for SRKWs (or other marine mammals) in the vicinity of the construction zone prior to and during material placement activities. A "Safety Zone" of 1,000 m from the construction zone would need to be established. In the event that a killer whale enters the "Safety Zone" during construction, works would need to be halted immediately and notification would need to be provided to the DFO Observe, Record and Report line at 1-800-465-4336. Works could be re-initiated only after killer whales have not been observed in the "Safety Zone" for 30 minutes. If placement of material occurs at night or at times of poor visibility, killer whale observations would need to be conducted using a hydrophone to monitor for whale sounds in surrounding waters.
The proposed Project works do not involve dredging, pile driving or other loud underwater activities within SRKW critical habitat. With appropriate mitigation measures in place, all activities, works and undertakings would be designed to avoid underwater noises that cause behavioural or physical disturbances to SRKWs (e.g., no sustained underwater noises over 160 dB (DFO 2008)).
Since depths in some areas at the Sites currently range in excess of -5.0 m CD, the Dungeness crab least risk work window is also applicable to mitigate potential impacts during fill placement. Avoiding placement of fill (including riprap) in water depths greater than 5 m at daily low water, during the period October 15 to March 31, would help to protect adult egg-bearing female Dungeness crabs. If in-water fill works at depths greater than 5 m cannot be avoided during this higher risk period, an underwater survey and (if required) salvage and relocation of adult Dungeness crabs may be pursued immediately in advance of fill placement. PMV will continue to engage with DFO to ensure the Project is constructed in consideration of the applicable least risk work windows for relevant fisheries.
Placement of material should occur at slack tide and/or low current flow during suitable weather conditions (e.g., calm days) with machinery operating from a barge. As the Project proceeds towards construction and a final construction plan is developed, further consideration will be given towards the mitigation of potential effects. This would culminate in the development of an EPP by the contractor, which would provide detailed mitigation measures to be applied during construction. The objectives of the EPP would be to provide details on site-specific values, potential environmental issues, necessary mitigation measures, and monitoring requirements. Prior to the finalization of this EPP, PMV will ensure that the EPP includes mitigation of potential effects during material placement. Attachment B Page 29 of 37 Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement t-'rogram Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 28- July 2015
13.0 REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS
The Project will meet all applicable regulatory requirements and PMV will obtain necessary permits and approvals prior to the initiation of these works. The key anticipated regulatory agencies that have been engaged are listed below.
Federal Agencies
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada • Transport Canada - Navigable Waters Protection Program " Environment Canada - Disposal at Sea Program
II Environment Canada - Canadian Wildlife Service " Port Metro Vancouver - Environmental Programs Department " Port Metro Vancouver - Marine Operations Department
Provincial Agencies
" British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office
A more detailed summary of the Project-related regulatory engagement that has been conducted to-date is included in Attachment 2.
14.0 ABORIGINAL CONSULTATION
An integral part of project development and implementation is the relationship between PMV and Aboriginal communities. Over the past several years, there has been an evolving awareness and recognition within PMV of the critical importance of appropriately and effectively consulting and engaging with the various Aboriginal communities within PMV's area of jurisdiction. At the policy level, this has resulted in the development and implementation of several important initiatives such as Aboriginal Consultation Principles and guidance materials for staff, an Aboriginal Engagement Strategy and Participation Funding Guidelines, as well as the development of working protocols with key Nations within PMV's area of jurisdiction. PMV recognizes and respects that local Aboriginal communities and their leadership want meaningful and ongoing input into the planning, operation, and expansion of port facilities and related transportation infrastructure. Accordingly, PMV is committed to continued and active engagement with Aboriginal groups who have interests that may potentially be impacted by the Project.
PMV's Aboriginal Consultation approach is based upon the Government of Canada's Aboriginal Consultation and Accommodation - Updated Guidelines for Federal Officials to Fulfill the Duty to Consult - March 2011. PMV's consultation and engagement for the Project aims to identify and address Project-related impacts, to design and implement appropriate mitigation measures, and to explore opportunities for Aboriginal involvement in the Project such as participation in field studies and/or employment, training and contracting. PMV may Attachment B Page 30 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement I-'rogram Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 29- July 2015 consider additional benefits and Project-related opportunities that may be extended to potentially impacted communities as a means of accommodating any unresolved impacts. Please see Attachment 6 for the Aboriginal Consultation Status Summary for the Project.
lS.0 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
PMV, in coordination with BC Ferries, will continue to provide information to key stakeholders throughout the various stages of proposed Project development. Information is available via PMV's website and the Port Community Liaison Committee (PCLC). The PCLC includes local community member residents, Corporation of Delta, and industry representatives.
Due to the proposed Project's subtidal nature, there are limited design options for the public to comment on. Public notification of activities associated with the proposed Project would occur prior to the start of \york. PMV and BC Ferries anticipate the following public notification activities:
III Email distribution to community members and stakeholders via the Habitat Enhancement Program's distribution list;
III Delivery of notification to nearby residents;
III Information posted online via PMV's website; and
III Potential inclusion of Project information in a BC Ferries summer engagement event at the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal.
Communication objectives for the Project include:
49 Providing clear information about the Project and Project-related activities;
49 Creating and enhancing awareness in the community of PMV's work towards habitat enhancement; and,
49 Communicating the potential benefits afforded to the local environment from the Project.
Community stakeholders for the Project include relevant:
.. Land Owners
III Adjacent Residents
III General Public
Stakeholders that have been informed of the Project include:
.. British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. (BC Ferries) Attachment B Page 31 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement Program Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 30- July 2015
• Port Community Liaison Committee (attended by PMV, Delta community residents, the Corporation of Delta, and industry representatives)
Information about PMV's Habitat Enhancement Program is shared with the public through PMV's website, program email updates, and through PMV's municipal engagement program, which includes updates to local government Councils and staff. Attachment B Page 32 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancemem t-'rogram Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 31 - July 2015
16.0 REFERENCES
[BCTC] British Columbia Transmission Corporation. 2006. Application for Environmental Assessment Certificate (BCEAA) and Environmental Screening (CEAA) Vancouver Island Transmission Reinforcement Project. Prepared by Jacques Whitford Ltd. on behalf of British Columbia Transmission Corporation and submitted to BC Environmental Assessment Office and Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. < http://transmission . bchydro.com/NR/rdonlyres/1ABDF5F5 -6484-4D63-8C5D C712E9E6CDE3/0/ExecSummaryCommitmentsTableToC.pdf>.
[BCTC] British Columbia Transmission Corporation. 2007. Fish Habitat Compensation: Plan Vancouver Island Transmission Reinforcement Project. Prepared by Jacques Whitford AXYS Ltd. on behalf of British Columbia Transmission Corporation.
Burger, A. E. 1997. Status of the Western Grebe in British Columbia. Wildlife working report / British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands & Parks; WR-87 ISSN 0831-4330, Ministry of Environment, Lands & Parks, Wildlife Branch, Victoria.
[CDC] British Columbia Conservation Data Centre. 2014a. BC Conservation Data Centre. BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer. Provincial Database created by BC Ministry of Environment.
[CDC] British Columbia Conservation Data Centre. 2014b. BC Conservation Data Center Species Summary - Canada Goose, Occidentalis Subspecies Branta canadensis occidental is. Ministry of Environment.
[CDC] British Columbia Conservation Data Centre. 2014c. BC Conservation Data Center Species Summary - Horned Puffin Fratercula corniculata. Ministry of Environment.
[CDC] British Columbia Conservation Data Centre. 2014d. BC Conservation Data Center Species Summary - Northern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis. Ministry of Environment.
[CDC] British Columbia Conservation Data Centre. 2014e. BC Conservation Data Center Species Summary - Brandt's Cormorant Phalacrocorax penicillatus. Ministry of Environment. < http://al00.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/speciesSummary .do?id = 14555 >. Accessed 10 Dec 2014. Attachment B Page 33 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement Program Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 32 - July 2015
[CDC] British Columbia Conservation Data Centre. 2014f. BC Conservation Data Center Species Summary - Common Murre Uria aalge. Ministry of Environment.
[COSEWIC] Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. 2003. COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, Ottawa, ON.
[COSEWIC] Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. 2005. COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. < http://www. registrelep- sararegistry .gc.ca/virtuaLsara/files/cosewic/sr_ancient_mu rrelet_e. pdf>. Accessed 15 Dec 2014.
[COSEWIC] Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. 2007. COSEWIC Assessment and Update Status Report on the Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus (pealei subspecies - Falco peregrinus and pea lei anaum/tundrius - Falco peregrinus anatum/tundrius) in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, Ottawa, ON.
[COSEWIC] Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. 2008. COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias fannini fannini subspecies in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, Ottawa, Canada. < http://www .sararegistry .gc.cajvirtual_sara/files/cosewic/sr_g reat_blue_heron_080 8_e.pdf>. Accessed 15 Dec 2014.
[COSEWIC] Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. 2012. COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Marbled Murrelet Brachyramphus marmoratus in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, Ottawa, Canada.
[DFO] Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 2009. Definitions of harmful alteration, disruption or destruction (HADD) of habitat provided by eelgrass (Zostera marina). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2011/058. Attachment B Page 34 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Ennancemem t"'fOgfClfll Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 33- July 2015
[DFO] Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 2009. Octopus; Invertebrate; Aquatic Species Research. Fisheries and Ocean Canada, Pacific Region.
[DFO] Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 2008. Recovery Strategy for the Northern and Southern Resident Killer Whales (Orcinus orca) in' Canada. < http://www.cbc.ca/bc/news/bc-081 009-killer-whale-recovery-strategy. pdf>. Accessed 25 May 2015.
[DFO] Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 2010. Sea Cucumber; Invertebrates; Aquatic Species Research. Fisheries and Ocean Canada, Pacific Region.
DFO. 2012. Definitions of harmful alteration, disruption or destruction (HADD) of habitat provided by eelgrass (Zostera marina). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2011/058.
[DFO] Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 2015. Shellfish - Species and Limits Table; BC Sport Fishing Guide Shellfish Harvesting Regulations. Fisheries and Ocean Canada, Pacific Region
Gaston, A. J., D. Brewer, A. W. Diamond, E. J. Woodsworth, and B. T. Collins. 2008. Seabirds, 1921-1995; Pelagic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pelagicus) 123.0. Canadian Atlas of Bird Banding. Volume 2. Environment Canada.
Golder Associates Ltd. 2011. Annual Summary Report No.4: Vancouver Island Transmission Reinforcement Project. Submitted to BC Environmental Assessment Office, Victoria, B.C.
Harper, W. L. 2004. Account and Measure for Managing Identified Wildlife - American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos). Accounts V, BC Ministry of Environment.
Hemmera. 2015. Existing Ecological Conditions; Proposed Tsawwassen Eelgrass Enhancement Project. prepared for Port Metro Vancouver.
Hemminga, M. A., and C. M. Duarte. 2000. Seagrass ecology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, U.K. Attachment B Page 35 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement Program Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 34- July 2015
Keple, A. R. 2002. Seasonal abundance and distribution of marine mammals in the southern Strait of. Georgia, British Columbia. M.Sc. Thesis, University of British Columbia, Department of Zoology, Vancouver, B.C.
Levings, C. D., R. E. Foreman, and V. J. Tunnicliffe. 1983. Review of the Benthos of the Strait of Georgia and Contiguous Fjords. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 40:1120-1141.
Moore, K., and F. Short. 2006. Biology of Zostera. A. W. Larkum, R. J. Orth, and C. M. Duarte, editors. Seagrasses: Biology, Ecology, and Conservation. Springer, The Netherlands.
Naito, B. 2004. Fish of Richmond, BC. The biodiversity of Richmond, British Columbia.
Nuszdorfer, F. c., K. Klinka, and D. A. Demarchi. 1991. Chapter 5: Coastal Douglas-fir Zone. Pages 81-93 in. Ecosystems of British Columbia. Special report series / British Columbia. Ministry of Forests; no. 6 ISSN 0843-6452, Ministry of Forests (MoF), Victoria, BC.
[PMV] Port Metro Vancouver. 2013. Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Banking Program; Assessment of Potential Eelgrass Transplant Sites - Tsawwassen and Maplewood. Prepared by Precision Identification Biological Consultants and Seacology for Port Metro Vancouver, Vancouver, B.C.
Precision Identification. 2006. Vancouver Island Transmission Reinforcement Project: Eelgrass Habitat Summary Report. Appendix L of Environmental Assessment Certificate Application, Prepared for British Columbia Transmission Corporation by Precision Identification Biological Consultants. < http://transmission . bchydro.com/nr/rdonlyres/d23d652e-9f70-41e4-9d4c- 5fl150c3a62d/Ojvitreacapplicationappendixleelgrasssu mmaryreport. pdf>.
[SARA] Species at Risk Act. 2014a. Species Profile -Green Sturgeon. Species at Risk Public Registry.
[SARA] Species at Risk Act . 2014b. Species Profile - Steller Sea Lion. Species at Risk Public Registry.
Schweigert, J., B. McCarter, T. Therriault, L. Flostrand, C. Andrew James, P. Winchell, and D. Johannessen. 2007. Appendix H: pelagic fishes. Page iv + 35 in B. G. Lucas, S. Verrin, and R. Brown, editors. Ecosystem overview: Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area (PNCIMA). Canadian Technical Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Attachment B Page 36 of 37
Port Metro Vancouver Habitat Enhancement Program Tsawwassen Eelgrass - Project Description - 35- July 2015
Sciences 2667.
Triton Environmental. 1996. A Review of the Recent Physical and Biological Development of the Southern Roberts Bank Seagrass System 1950 - 1994. Prepared by Michael Tarbotten and P.G. Harrison of Triton Consultants Ltd. for Roberts Bank Environmental Review Committee, Vancouver, B.C.
Wyllie-Echeverria, S., and J. D. Ackerman. 2003. World atlas of seagrasses. Pages 199-206 in E. P. Green and F. T. Short, editors. World Atlas of Seagrasses. University of California Press, Berkeley, USA. Attachment B Page 37 of 37
The attachments to the Port Metro Vancouver report are available on the Be EAO website at: http://al00.gov.bc.ca/appsdata/epic/html/deploy/epicprojecthome440.htm I