KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT APPENDICES

APPENDIX 6.10-A Vegetation Baseline Report

VE51988 – Appendices

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... I

ACRONYMS, ABBREVIATIONS AND DEFINITIONS ...... I

GLOSSARY ...... II

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... III

1.0 VEGETATION ...... 1 1.1 Introduction ...... 1 1.1.1 Objectives ...... 1 1.1.2 Study Area ...... 1 1.2 Information Sources and Methods ...... 3 1.2.1 Data Review and Compilation ...... 3 1.2.2 Regulatory Setting or Administrative Boundaries for Vegetation ...... 3 1.2.3 Field Surveys and Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping ...... 4 1.3 Baseline Conditions ...... 4 1.3.1 Ecological Setting ...... 4 1.3.1.1 Ecoregion ...... 4 1.3.1.2 Meziadin Mountains Ecosection ...... 4 1.3.1.3 Coastal Western Hemlock Wet Submaritime Submontane Variant (CWHws1) ...... 5 1.3.1.4 Coastal Western Hemlock Wet Submaritime Montane Variant (CWHws2) ...... 5 1.3.1.5 Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Windward Variant (MHmm1) ...... 5 1.3.1.6 Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Leeward Variant (MHmm2) ...... 5 1.3.1.7 Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Parkland Subzone (MHmmp) ...... 6 1.3.1.8 Coastal Mountain-heather Alpine Zone Undifferentiated (CMAun) ...... 6 1.4 Biogeoclimatic Unit and Ecosystem Composition ...... 6 1.4.1 Biogeoclimatic Units ...... 6 1.4.2 Ecosystem Composition ...... 9 1.4.3 Uncommon Ecosystems ...... 19 1.4.4 Invasive Plants ...... 19 1.5 Species at Risk ...... 21 1.6 Ecological Communities at Risk ...... 21 1.7 Sensitive Ecosystems ...... 24 1.7.1 Old Forests ...... 24 1.7.2 Wetland Ecosystems ...... 27 1.7.3 Uncommon Wetland Ecosystems ...... 30 1.7.4 Sparsely Vegetated ...... 30 1.8 Summary ...... 33

REFERENCES ...... 34

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 TOC i

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE

List of Tables

Table 1: Study Area Biogeoclimatic Units ...... iii Table 1.2-1 Information Sources for Vegetation Component ...... 3 Table 1.4-1: Baseline Distribution of Biogeoclimatic Units ...... 7 Table 1.4-2: Baseline Distribution of Ecosystems in the Proposed Project ...... 10 Table 1.4-3: Uncommon Ecosystems in the Local Study Area and Regional Study Area ...... 19 Table 1.4-4: Government of Jurisdiction for Invasive Species ...... 20 Table 1.4-5: Total of Invasive Plants by Legislation ...... 20 Table 1.4-6: Potential invasive Plants in the Vicinity of the Study Area ...... 21 Table 1.6-1: Baseline Ecological Communities at Risk ...... 22 Table 1.7-1: Baseline Old Forests in the Local Study Area and Regional Study Area ...... 24 Table 1.7-2: Baseline Wetland Ecosystems in the Local Study Area and Regional Study Area ...... 27 Table 1.7-3: Uncommon Wetland Ecosystems in the Local Study Area and Regional Study Area ...... 30 Table 1.7-4: Baseline Sparsely Vegetated Ecosystems in the Local Study Area and Regional Study Area ...... 31

List of Figures

Figure 1.1-1: Terrestrial Local and Regional Study Areas ...... 2 Figure 1.4-1: Biogeoclimatic Units and Plot Locations Baseline Case ...... 8 Figure 1.4-2: Index Map for Distribution of Ecosystems Baseline Case ...... 14 Figure 1.4-3: Distribution of Ecosystems Baseline Case – Map 1 of 4 ...... 15 Figure 1.4-4: Distribution of Ecosystems Baseline Case – Map 2 of 4 ...... 16 Figure 1.4-5: Distribution of Ecosystems Baseline Case – Map 3 of 4 ...... 17 Figure 1.4-6: Distribution of Ecosystems Baseline Case – Map 4 of 4 ...... 18 Figure 1.6-1: Distribution of Ecological Communities at Risk for the Baseline Case ...... 23 Figure 1.7-1: Distribution of Old Forests for the Baseline Case ...... 26 Figure 1.7-2: Distribution of Wetland Ecosystems for the Baseline Case ...... 29 Figure 1.7-3: Distribution of Sparsely Vegetated Ecosystems for the Baseline Case ...... 32

List of Appendices

Appendix 1: Baseline Methods Appendix 2: Kitsault Ecosystem Descriptions Appendix 3: Vegetation Assessment Methods

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 TOC ii

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE

ACRONYMS, ABBREVIATIONS AND DEFINITIONS

Abbreviation Definition AMEC AMEC Earth and Environmental BC British Columbia BC CDC British Columbia Conservation Data Centre BC MOFR British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Range BEC Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification BGC Biogeoclimatic CF Conservation Framework CMAun Coastal Mountain-heather Alpine Zone Undifferentiated COSEWIC Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada CWHws1 Coastal Western Hemlock Wet Submaritime Submontane Variant CWHws2 Coastal Western Hemlock Wet Submaritime Montane Variant ha hectare Hwy Highway km kilometre LSA Local Study Area m metre MEM Meziadin Mountains Ecosection MHmm1 Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Windward Variant MHmm2 Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Leeward Variant MHmmp Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Parkland Subzone MFLNRO Ministry of Forests, Land and Natural Resource Operations NRA Nass Ranges Ecoregion NWWG National Wetlands Working Group proposed Project Kitsault Mine Project (the) Rescan Rescan Environmental Services Ltd. RSA Regional Study Area SARA Species at Risk Act TEM terrestrial ecosystem mapping TMF Tailings Management Facility TRIM Terrain Resource Information Management VRI Vegetation Resource Inventory < less than ≤ less than or equal to % percent

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 Page i

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE

GLOSSARY

Committee on the Species listed in Schedule 3 are designated as special concern, and have Status of Endangered yet to be re-assessed by COSEWIC using revised criteria. Once these Wildlife in Canada species have been re-assessed, they may be considered for inclusion in (Schedule 3) Schedule 1 (Bill C-5: The SARA, 2002). Special concern suggests a species may become either threatened or endangered because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats. Ecoregion A lower level of classification within the Ecoregion Classification system. Ecoregion represents an area with major physiographic and minor macroclimatic or oceanographic variation, defined at the regional level. Ecosection A lower level of classification within the Ecoregion Classification system. Ecosection represents an area with minor physiographic and macroclimatic or oceanographic variation, defined at the sub-regional level. Invasive Species Species not native to North America. Noxious Species A weed designated by regulation to be a noxious weed, and includes the seeds of the noxious weed. Old Forest Old structurally complex stands composed mainly of shade-tolerant and regenerating tree species. Time since disturbance is greater than 250 years. Rare Plant Indigenous species and subspecies that is extirpated, endangered, threatened or of special concern in British Columbia. Site Association Site associations represent sites capable of producing the same near- climax vegetation, regardless of biogeoclimatic unit. Site Series Site series refers to sites capable of producing the same mature or climax plant communities within a biogeoclimatic subzone or variant. Species At Risk Indigenous species and subspecies that is extirpated, endangered, threatened or of special concern in British Columbia. Subzone Biogeoclimatic zones are subdivided into subzones. Subzones have characteristic plant communities occurring on zonal sites. Variant Biogeoclimatic subzones are subdivided into variants based on climatic variation such as slightly drier, wetter, snowier, warmer than other areas within a subzone. Zone Biogeoclimatic zones are generalised units representing extensive areas of broad homogeneous macroclimates.

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 Page ii

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The baseline report describes the existing vegetation ecosystems within the Local Study Area (LSA) and Regional Study Area (RSA) of the Kitsault Mine Project (proposed Project). Previously, baseline studies were completed on a smaller LSA by Rescan Environmental Services Ltd. (Rescan), “Kitsault Project: Vegetation and Ecosystem Mapping Baseline Report” (Rescan 2010a), and “Kitsault Project: 2009 Wetland Baseline Report” (Rescan 2010b). Due to a change in the location of the tailings management facility, Rescan’s LSA was buffered by 500 metres (m), and then buffered by 1 kilometre (km) to form the RSA.

Initially, all information and regulatory sources were reviewed. In August 2010, additional fieldwork occurred in the LSA and RSA, specifically in the area south of Patsy Lake and the newly expanded LSA, which occurs in the Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Leeward Variant (MHmm2). The fieldwork consisted of one rare plant survey in midsummer (July) and one vegetation / soil / terrain survey in support of terrestrial ecosystem mapping (TEM). Due to the northerly location of the study area, only one rare plant survey was recommended.

TEM (RIC 1998) utilises two classifications: Ecoregions of BC (Demarchi 1996); and the Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC) (Banner et al. 1993). The study area falls within one ecosection (Meziadin Mountains Ecosection (MEM) and six biogeoclimatic units (BGC) (Table 1).

Table 1: Study Area Biogeoclimatic Units

BGC Unit Biogeoclimatic Unit

CWHws1 Coastal Western Hemlock Wet Submaritime Submontane Variant CWHws2 Coastal Western Hemlock Wet Submaritime Montane Variant MHmm1 Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Windward Variant MHmm2 Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Leeward Variant MHmmp Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Parkland Subzone CMAun Coastal Mountain-heather Alpine Zone Undifferentiated Note: BGC - Biogeoclimatic

The baseline analysis consisted of ecosystem distribution by biogeoclimatic unit, distribution of invasive plant species, rare plant species, rare ecological communities and sensitive ecosystems (old growth, wetlands and sparsely vegetated).

Ecosystems within the BEC system are comprised of site series and site associations. TEM includes these ecosystems plus non-vegetated, sparsely vegetated and anthropogenic units. In total, 46 site series, nine site association and 12 non-vegetated, sparsely vegetated and anthropogenic units were mapped.

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 Page iii

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE

Following the baseline analysis, the MHmm2 BGC unit comprised the largest area in both the LSA and RSA. The most common upland site series is /01, in CWH and MH zones; the most common non-forested wetland in all BGC units is wetland fens (Wf, Wf50, Wf51). The MHmm1 and the CMAun BGC units only occur in the RSA. Upland ecosystems cover 1,743 hectares (ha) (69 percent (%)) of the LSA and 3790 ha (73%) of the RSA; wetland ecosystems cover 510 ha (20%) of the LSA and 969 ha (19%) of the RSA. Non-vegetated, sparsely vegetated and anthropogenic units cover 10% and 8% of the LSA and RSA, respectively.

No invasive species or species at risk were recorded during field surveys within the study area.

Six ecological communities at risk occur in three BGC units: CWHws1; CWHws2; and MHmm1. One rare ecological community, Sitka sedge / peat-moss (Wf51), is red-listed and has a conservation framework rating of one (CDC 2010). The CWHws1 has the highest area for ecological communities at risk in the LSA and RSA. In total, ecological communities at risk cover 203 ha (8%) of the LSA and 494 ha (10%) of the RSA.

Old forests (structural stage >250 years) were mapped in all BGC units except the CMAun. The highest area coverage for old forests occurred in the MHmm2. However, this may be attributable to the difference in mapping methods. In total, old-growth covers 326 ha (13%) of the LSA and 811 ha (16%) of the RSA.

The predominant wetland in the study area is fens occupying 390 ha (16%) of the LSA and 728 ha (14%) of the RSA. The estuarine community (EM05) only occurs in CWHws1. Other wetlands are treed swamps, marshes and aquatic communities occurring in shallow open water.

Sparsely vegetated areas occur in all BGC units except CMAun. This sensitive ecosystem occupies the smallest area in comparison to all the other sensitive ecosystems. In total, these ecosystems cover 65 ha (3%) of the LSA and 94 ha (2%) of the RSA.

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 Page iv

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE

1.0 VEGETATION 1.1 Introduction Vegetation and sensitive ecosystems, species at risk and ecological communities at risk are described within two study areas: the Local Study Area (LSA); and the Regional Study Area (RSA).

This report draws from previous baseline studies completed by Rescan Environmental Services Ltd. (Rescan) and includes two reports: “Kitsault Project: Vegetation and Ecosystem Mapping Baseline Report” (Rescan 2010a), “Kitsault Project: 2009 Wetland Baseline Report” (Rescan 2010b), and field studies conducted by AMEC Earth and Environmental (AMEC) in 2010.

1.1.1 Objectives The baseline assessment had three objectives:

1. To map vegetation resources and wetlands in the LSA and RSA. 2. To assess the existing (baseline) distribution, abundance and composition of vegetation ecosystems and the distribution and abundance of species at risk and ecological communities at risk in the vicinity of the Kitsault Mine Project (proposed Project). 3. To assess sensitive ecosystems such as old forests, wetlands, and sparsely vegetated ecosystems.

These sensitive ecosystems are of particular importance for wildlife, species at risk, and maintenance of biological diversity and ecosystem processes.

1.1.2 Study Area The proposed Project area consists of: the LSA, in which the vegetation components may be directly affected by the proposed Project activities and the RSA, in which vegetation components may be indirectly affected by the proposed Project (Figure 1.1-1). The LSA includes the proposed Project footprint and a buffer area of approximately 500 metres (m) around the proposed Project infrastructure. The LSA was buffered to include the Lime Creek / Patsy Lake watershed. The RSA area took into consideration the lack of other approved or announced projects in the vicinity of the mine.

The LSA and RSA are an expansion from the original proposed Project area described by Rescan (Rescan 2010a, 2010b). The area was originally expanded to include a new location for the Tailings Management Facility (TMF), plus a 500 m buffer was applied to the footprint and a one kilometre (km) buffer for the RSA.

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 Page 1

470000 472500 475000 477500

ILLIANCE RIVER

ALICE 6147500 ARM 6147500

CLARY CREEK

L CLARY IM E LAKE C RE EK 6145000 6145000

LAKE #901

AV ANT I CR EEK

PATSY LAKE 6142500 6142500

ROUNDY CREEK

LIME CREEK 6140000 6140000

KSI GWINHAT'AL

470000 472500 475000 477500 1 0.5 0 1 2

Kilometres 1:60,000

Legend Road Avanti Kitsault Mine Ltd. Transmission Line Stream Terrestrial LSA Terrestrial RSA Terrestrial Local and Regional Study Areas

DATE: March 2011 Figure PROJECT: VE51988 06-50-010_Study_Area.pdf

ANALYST: QA/QC: MY CT

PROJECTION/DATUM: UTM Zone 09/NAD 83 Y:\GIS\Projects\VE\VE51988_Kitsault\Mapping\06_vegetation\Baseline\06-50-010.mxd

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE

1.2 Information Sources and Methods 1.2.1 Data Review and Compilation Recent and historical reports summarising detailed vegetation and rare plant surveys conducted in the LSA and RSA were reviewed and compiled in order to prepare this baseline report. Table 1.2-1 summarises the data from each report incorporated into the baseline report.

Table 1.2-1 Information Sources for Vegetation Component

Date of Report Author Description of Data Surveys Reference AMEC Earth and Site data and species list from 26 species at July to Information Environmental risk survey locations. August 2010 included in Site, soil, terrain, species list and percent cover this report estimates from 46 ecosystem plots. Ecosystem summary from 17 visual inspections. Rescan Rescan Kitsault Project: Vegetation and Ecosystem July to Environmental 2010a Mapping Baseline Report August 2009 Services Ltd. Rescan Kitsault Project: 2009 Wetland Baseline July to Rescan Environmental Report August 2009 2010b Services Ltd.

In addition to previous reports, spatial data sources were reviewed. These were:

 Vegetation Resource Inventory (VRI);  Digital Terrain Resource Information Management (TRIM); and  Biogeoclimatic (BGC) line work.

1.2.2 Regulatory Setting or Administrative Boundaries for Vegetation National regulations or administrative boundaries pertaining to vegetation are provided by the National Wetlands Working Group (NWWG) in 1988, Species at Risk Act (SARA) Schedule 1 (Environment Canada 2009) the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) (Government of Canada 2009), and in the:

 British Columbia Conservation Data Centre (BC CDC);  British Columbia Weed Control Act and regulations;  BC Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA); Invasive Plants Regulation ; and  BC Community Charter, Environment and Wildlife Regulation.

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 Page 3

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE

1.2.3 Field Surveys and Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping The 2010 species at risk inspections and terrestrial ecosystem mapping (TEM) field work surveyed the area within the current LSA, which was not part of previous studies. The majority of this new area occurs in the Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Leeward Variant (MHmm2) and, to a lesser extent, the Coastal Western Hemlock Wet Submaritime Montane Variant (CWHws2). The TEM field work also surveyed the area within the expanded RSA. The detailed methods used for the species at risk inspections and the TEM survey and mapping are summarised in Appendix 1.

1.3 Baseline Conditions This Section describes the vegetation ecosystems present in the LSA and RSA for the baseline case. In TEM mapping, ecosystem map units are either simple (containing one ecosystem unit) or compound, containing up to three ecosystem units. An ecosystem unit is composed of site series (or site association, or non-vegetated, sparsely vegetated or anthropogenic) site modifiers and structural stage. Due to map scale, the figures in this report show the second and third ecosystem unit as number 2 or 3.

1.3.1 Ecological Setting Regional ecological characteristics of the area encompassing the LSA and RSA have been mapped and described for two classification systems: Ecoregions of BC (Demarchi 1996) and the Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC) (Banner et al 1993). A summary of the information is presented to describe the environmental setting for the proposed Project. The LSA and RSA are located in the Nass Ranges Ecoregion (NRA) and the Meziadin Mountains Ecosection (MEM) of BC. Six biogeoclimatic units occur in the proposed Project area. A short description of each ecoregion, ecosection and the BGC Units are provided.

1.3.1.1 Nass Ranges Ecoregion The NRA is a transitional coastal-interior area lying east of the Ranges physiographic unit. It has rugged mountains and ridges on the western windward slopes, and more subdued, smooth rounded mountains with a strong rain shadow effect on the eastern slopes and basins. The mountains in the east are underlain by volcanic and sedimentary rock (and small granitic batholiths), while the mountains to the west are comprised mainly of the coast granitic rocks. Vegetation consists of western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) and mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana) on the windward slopes and western redcedar (Thuja plicata) – hemlock (Tsuga spp.) and Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) – subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) on the leeward slopes. The NRA consists of four ecosections. The only ecosection occurring within the LSA and RSA is the MEM.

1.3.1.2 Meziadin Mountains Ecosection The MEM is a rugged, granitic mountainous area. It lies on the leeward side of the physiographic unit and west of the low Nass Basin. It extends from the lower and estuary north to mounts Knipple and Anderson on the north side of Bowser Lake and the upper Bowser River. There is a strong rain shadow, as the western

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 Page 4

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE summits protect this area from some Pacific air, although some air passes into this area via the wide Nass River valley. Cold Arctic air builds up on the east side, providing some drying, although the interaction of cold and warm air can lead to heavy snowfalls. The mountain summits have small ice fields or glaciers. The western portion of two large lakes, Bowser and Meziadin, occur in the MEM Ecosection. It is drained by the upper Bowser River and many small streams that empty into the Nass River. The Stewart Highway (Hwy 37A) connects Stewart (and Hyder, Alaska) a former port community, with the Kitimat- Cassiar (Hwy 37) at Meziadin Junction on the eastern boundary of this Ecosection.

1.3.1.3 Coastal Western Hemlock Wet Submaritime Submontane Variant (CWHws1) The CWHws1 occurs along the eastern slopes of , , and the western slopes of . It is common in the valley bottoms and sidehills at elevations ranging from 10 to 600 m. The climate is submaritime or coastal-transitional with warm, moist summers and cold winters. Zonal sites are dominated by western hemlock and amabilis fir (Abies amabilis) with minor amounts of western redcedar. The understorey is dominated by Alaskan blueberry (Vaccinium alaskanse), with minor amounts of false azalea (Menziesia ferruginea), five-leaved bramble (Rubus pedatus), bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), queen’s cup (Clintonia uniflora) and a dense moss layer of step moss (Hylocomium splendens), lanky moss (Rhytidiadelphus loreus), and sometimes pipecleaner moss (Rhytidiopsis robusta).

1.3.1.4 Coastal Western Hemlock Wet Submaritime Montane Variant (CWHws2) The CWHws2 occurs above the CWHws1 from 600 to 1000 m. It is wetter with a cooler shorter growing season and heavier snowpacks than the CWHws1. The dominant tree species on zonal sites are western hemlock and amabilis fir with lesser amounts of western redcedar and mountain hemlock. The open understorey is composed of Alaskan blueberry, oval-leaved blueberry (Vaccinium ovalifolium), with a few minor herbs (bunchberry and five- leaved bramble) and dense moss cover of pipecleaner moss, step moss and lanky moss.

1.3.1.5 Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Windward Variant (MHmm1) The MHmm1 is found on the western slopes of the Kitimat Ranges, the southwest Boundary Ranges and the Coast Mountains. It has a Maritime climate, which is cool and very wet year round with deep wet snow (snowpack up to 3 m). The lower elevation limit is 800 m and the upper limit is 1200 m. Forests on zonal sites are dominated by mountain hemlock, amabilis fir and with western hemlock at lower elevations. Alaskan blueberry, oval-leaved blueberry, with lesser amounts of black huckleberry (Vacccinium membranaceum) and five-leaved bramble are common in the understorey. Pipecleaner moss and heron’s-bill mosses (Dicranum spp.) dominate the moss layer.

1.3.1.6 Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Leeward Variant (MHmm2) The MHmm2 is found on central and eastern slopes of mountains. It is colder and drier than the MHmm1. The lower elevation limit is 900 m and the upper limit is 1600 m. The MHmm2 has a climate transitional between the coast and interior, characterised by long, moist, cold

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 Page 5

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE winters and short, cool, moist summers. Forests on zonal sites are dominated by amabilis fir and mountain hemlock with western hemlock (lower elevations) and subalpine fir occurring less commonly. Alaskan blueberry, black huckleberry, oval-leaved blueberry, five- leaved bramble, pipecleaner moss and red-stemmed feathermoss (Pleurozium schreberi) are common in the understorey.

1.3.1.7 Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Parkland Subzone (MHmmp) At higher elevations, forests thin out to a mosaic of subalpine parkland, heath and meadow ecosystems. Mountain hemlock, subalpine fir and yellow-cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) are common tree species. These tree species form irregular patches of forest amid an increasing amount of heath and meadow. Trees are sparse and stunted, and dwarf evergreen shrubs are the dominant plants. A few lush wetland and herb meadow ecosystems occur along streams and in parkland areas with abundant seepage.

1.3.1.8 Coastal Mountain-heather Alpine Zone Undifferentiated (CMAun) CMAun occurs along the windward side of the Coast Mountains where the snow pack is deep and summers are moderated by maritime influences. The CMAun occurs above the MHmmp and begins at approximately 1400 m, lower on north facing slopes and higher on south facing slopes. Though this zone is extensively vegetated ecosystems are less common and most of the land area is occupied by glaciers or recently exposed bare rock, boulder fields and moraine. Vegetation is dominated by ericaceous shrubs such as mountain heathers (Phyllodoce spp. and Cassiope spp.).

1.4 Biogeoclimatic Unit and Ecosystem Composition 1.4.1 Biogeoclimatic Units Table 1.4-1 summarises the area within the LSA and RSA by BGC unit. The MHmm2 covers the largest area (1,522 ha) in both the LSA and the RSA (2,424 ha). The CMAun and MHmm1 only occur in the RSA. The BGC units with the proposed Project and the plot locations (TEM and species at risk) are shown on Figure 1.4-1.

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 Page 6

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE

Table 1.4-1: Baseline Distribution of Biogeoclimatic Units

BGC LSA RSA Biogeoclimatic Unit Unit ha % ha % CWHws1 Coastal Western Hemlock Wet Submaritime Submontane 328 13 690 13 Variant CWHws2 Coastal Western Hemlock Wet Submaritime Montane 629 24 1,317 26 Variant MHmm1 Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Windward Variant 0 0 134 3 MHmm2 Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Leeward Variant 1,522 59 2,424 47 MHmmp Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Parkland Subzone 93 4 578 11 CMAun Coastal Mountain-heather Alpine Zone Undifferentiated 0 0 18 <1 Total Area 2,572 100 5,161 100 Note: BGC – Biogeoclimatic; Source: Banner et al. 1993

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 Page 7

470000 472500 475000 477500

ILLIANCE RIVER

ALICE

6147500 ARM 6147500

CLARY CREEK

CWHws2

CLARY L IM LAKE E C RE EK 6145000 6145000

CWHws1 LAKE #901

CWHws2 MHmm2 AV ANT I CR EEK

PATSY LAKE MHmmp

6142500 MHmm2 6142500

MHmmp

LIME CREEK

ROUNDY CREEK MHmm1

6140000 MHmmp 6140000

KSI GWINHAT'AL

CMAun

470000 472500 475000 477500 Legend 1 0.5 0 1 2 Road Stream Kilometres 1:60,000 Transmission Line Terrestrial RSA Terrestrial LSA BGC Unit Avanti Kitsault Mine Ltd. AMEC TEM Plot Location AMEC Rare Plant Plot Location Rescan TEM Plot Location Rescan Wetland Plot Location Rare Plant and TEM Plot Locations Baseline Case

DATE: March 2011 Figure PROJECT: VE51988 06-50-005_plot_location.pdf

ANALYST: QA/QC: MY CT

PRJOECTION/DATUM UTM Zone 09/NAD 83 Y:\GIS\Projects\VE\VE51988_Kitsault\Mapping\06_vegetation\Baseline\06-50-005.mxd

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE

1.4.2 Ecosystem Composition Table 1.4-2 summarises the area within the LSA and RSA by ecosystem within each BGC unit.

In the CWHws1 the dominant ecosystem is site series 01 Western hemlock - Amabilis fir – Bramble. Site series 04 Amabilis fir - Western redcedar - Oak fern (Gymnocarpium dryopteris) and site series 06 Amabilis fir - Western redcedar - Devil’s club (Oplopanax horridus) are also prevalent in the CWHws1. Non-vegetated, sparsely vegetated and anthropogenic units cover 52 ha (16 percent (%)) of the LSA and 62 ha (9%) of the RSA (Table 1.4-2).

In the CWHws2, site series 01 (Western hemlock - Amabilis fir - Bramble) is the dominant site series, with lesser amounts of site series 05 Western Hemlock - Amabilis fir - Queen’s cup. Wetlands occupy 74 ha (12%) of the LSA and 189 ha (14%) of the RSA and are dominated by site series 10. Rubbly mine spoils covers 61 ha, in the LSA and RSA, which represents 10% and 5% respectively. Non-vegetated, sparsely vegetated and anthropogenic units cover 117 ha (19%) of the LSA and 126 ha (10%) of the RSA (Table 1.4-2).

The smaller Mountain hemlock BGC unit, MHmm1, only occurs in the RSA. Site series 01 Mountain hemlock - Amabilis fir - Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) is dominant (78 ha). Fen wetlands are common and non-vegetated, sparsely vegetated and anthropogenic units are minimal (2 ha) (Table 1.4-2).

In the MHmm2 BGC unit, the prevalent site series is 01 Mountain hemlock – Amabilis fir - Blueberry. The wetland fen, Narrow-leaved cotton-grass – Peat-moss (Eriophorum angustifolium – Sphagnum spp.), (223 ha) is also dominant. Rubbly mine spoils only cover 3 % and 2% of the LSA and RSA, respectively. Non-vegetated, sparsely vegetated and anthropogenic units cover 147 ha (10%) of the LSA and 200 ha (8%) of the RSA (Table 1.4-2).

The two dominant ecosystems in MHmmp are /00 Mountain hemlock – Mountain heather Parkland and /00 Mesic Open Parkland. Wetland fens are the only wetland ecosystem present. Non-vegetated, sparsely vegetated and anthropogenic units cover 3% and 2% of the LSA and RSA, respectively (Table 1.4-2).

Coastal Mountain-heather – Alpine Zone only occurs in the RSA. Its dominant ecosystem is Parkland forest / Krummholtz covering 16 ha, which represents 88% of the RSA. Wetlands are sparse and non-vegetated, sparsely vegetated and anthropogenic units are not present (Table 1.4-2).

Upland and wetland ecosystems cover 2,253 ha (88%) of the LSA and 4,759 ha (92%) of the RSA. Non-vegetated, sparsely vegetated and anthropogenic units cover 12% and 8% of the LSA and RSA, respectively (Table 1.4-2). Figures 1.4-2 through 1.4-6 show the ecosystem mapping (decile, map code and structural stage) for the first ecosystem unit of

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 Page 9

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE the TEM mapping. Decile represents the proportion of the polygon. Although a single number is used, it stands for a percentage (e.g. 5 = 50%; 10 = 100%).

Table 1.4-2: Baseline Distribution of Ecosystems in the Proposed Project

BGC Site Map LSA RSA Site Series Name Unit Series Code ha % ha % CWHws1 Western hemlock - Amabilis fir - Bramble 01 AB 95 29 233 34 Western hemlock - Lodgepole pine - Kinnikinnick 03 HM 43 13 100 14 Amabilis fir - Western redcedar - Oak fern 04 AO 52 16 143 21 Western hemlock - Amabilis fir - Queens's cup 05 HQ 30 9 45 7 Amabilis fir - Western redcedar - Devil's club 06 AD 47 14 93 13 Black cottonwood - Red osier dogwood 08 CD 0 0 4 1 Black cottonwood - Willow 09 CW 8 2 8 1 Total Upland 276 84 626 91 Lyngbye's sedge 00 Em05 1 <1 2 <1 Total Wetland 1 <1 2 <1 Exposed soil 00 ES <1 <1 1 <1 Mudflat sediment 00 MU 8 2 11 2 River 00 RI 1 <1 5 1 Rock 00 RO <1 <1 <1 <1 Rural 00 RW 31 10 33 5 Road surface 00 RZ 7 2 7 1 Talus 00 TA 4 1 4 1 Total Non-vegetated, Sparsely Vegetated and 52 16 62 9 Anthropogenic Total 328 100 690 100 CWHws2 Western hemlock - Amabilis fir - Bramble 01 AB 263 42 610 46 Western hemlock - Lodgepole pine - Feathermoss 03 HM 16 3 33 3 Amabilis fir - Western redcedar - Oak fern 04 AO 44 7 95 7 Western hemlock - Amabilis fir - Queens's cup 05 HQ 92 15 197 15 Amabilis fir - Western redcedar - Devil's club 06 AD 22 3 66 5 Total Upland 437 70 1,001 76 Lodgepole pine - Sphagnum 10 LS 36 6 59 4 Western redcedar - Sitka spruce – Skunk 11 RC 25 4 63 5 cabbage Shallow open water 00 OW <1 <1 4 <1 Shore sedge - Buckbean - Peat-moss 00 Wb13 1 <1 1 <1 Wetland fen 00 Wf 8 1 11 1 Narrow-leaved cotton-grass - Peat-moss 00 Wf50 3 1 51 4 Sitka sedge - Peat-moss 00 Wf51 0 0 1 <1 Wetland marsh 00 Wm 1 <1 1 <1 Total Wetland 74 12 189 14 Cliff 00 CL 1 <1 1 <1

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 Page 10

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE

BGC Site Map LSA RSA Site Series Name Unit Series Code ha % ha % Rubbly mine spoils 00 MZ 61 10 61 5 Pond 00 PD <1 <1 <1 <1 River 00 RI 5 1 5 <1 Rock 00 RO 7 1 15 1 Reclaimed mine 00 RY 29 5 29 2 Road surface 00 RZ 14 2 14 1 Total Non--vegetated, Sparsely Vegetated and Anthropogenic 117 19 126 10 Total 629 100 1,317 100 MHmm1 Mountain hemlock - Amabilis fir - Blueberry 01 MB 0 0 78 58 Mountain hemlock - Amabilis fir - Mountain- heather 02 MM 0 0 7 5 Mountain hemlock - Amabilis fir - Bramble 04 AB 0 0 9 7 Yellow-cedar - Mountain hemlock - Hellebore 07 YH 0 0 1 <1 Total Upland 0 0 95 71 Yellow-cedar - Mountain hemlock - Skunk cabbage 09 YC 0 0 2 1 Narrow-leaved cotton-grass - Peat-moss 00 Wf50 0 0 10 8 Sitka sedge - Peat-moss 00 Wf51 0 0 25 18 Total Wetland 0 0 37 28 River 00 RI 0 0 1 <1 Rock 00 RO 0 0 2 1 Total Non--vegetated, Sparsely Vegetated and Anthropogenic 0 0 2 2 Total 0 0 134 100 MHmm2 Herbaceous meadows 00 AM 8 1 9 <1 Crowberry - Bog blueberry - Alpine azalea 00 CA 27 2 49 2 Heather-Heath Parkland 00 HH 2 <1 5 <1 Mountain hemlock - Indian hellebore 00 MH 2 <1 2 <1 Wet seepage meadow 00 WM 2 <1 2 <1 Willow thickets 00 WT 1 <1 15 1 Mountain hemlock - Amabilis fir - Blueberry 01 MB 546 36 832 34 Mountain hemlock - Amabilis fir - Mountain- 02 MM 97 6 150 6 heather Amabilis fir - Mountain hemlock - Oak fern 03 MO 94 6 198 8 Mountain hemlock - Amabilis fir - Bramble 04 AB 39 3 51 2 Amabilis fir - Mountain hemlock - Twistedstalk 05 MT 31 2 56 2 Mountain hemlock - Yellow-cedar - Deer 06 MD 101 7 198 8 cabbage Yellow-cedar - Mountain hemlock - Hellebore 07 YH <1 <1 <1 <1 Total Upland 951 62 1,566 65 Shallow open water 00 OW 10 1 14 1 Mountain hemlock - Yellow-cedar - Sphagnum 08 YS 14 1 18 1 Yellow-cedar - Mountain hemlock - Skunk cabbage 09 YC 30 2 68 3 Buckbean 00 BB <1 <1 <1 <1 Barclay's willow - Arrow-leaved groundsel 00 Sc03 0 0 <1 <1

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 Page 11

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE

BGC Site Map LSA RSA Site Series Name Unit Series Code ha % ha % Wetland fen 00 Wf 102 7 143 6 Narrow-leaved cotton-grass - Peat-moss 00 Wf50 223 15 328 14 Sitka sedge - Peat-moss 00 Wf51 42 3 81 3 Wetland marsh 00 Wm 2 <1 5 <1 Yellow pond-lily 00 YL <1 <1 <1 <1 Total Wetland 424 28 658 27 Cliff 00 CL 5 <1 6 <1 Lake 00 LA 18 1 58 2 Rubbly mine spoils 00 MZ 51 3 51 2 Pond 00 PD 19 1 19 1 River 00 RI 1 <1 5 <1 Rock 00 RO 22 1 28 1 Reclaimed mine 00 RY 15 1 15 1 Road surface 00 RZ 1 <1 1 <1 Talus 00 TA 15 1 16 1 Total Non--vegetated, Sparsely Vegetated and Anthropogenic 147 10 200 8 Total 1,522 100 2,424 100 MHmmp Herbaceous meadows 00 AM 3 3 65 11 Dry Closed Forest 00 DF 0 0 2 <1 Dry Open Parkland Forest 00 DP 8 8 59 10 Heath - Grass 00 HG 0 0 3 <1 Lichen - Mountain hemlock Parkland 00 LM 0 0 2 <1 Mountain hemlock - Mountain-heather Parkland 00 MH 32 34 180 31 Mesic Open Parkland 00 MP 32 34 134 23 Moist (subhygric) Closed Forest 00 SF 4 5 37 6 Moist (subhygric) Open Parkland Forest 00 SP 1 1 5 1 Total Upland 79 85 486 84 Shallow open water 00 OW 0 0 2 <1 Wetland fen 00 Wf 10 10 33 6 Narrow-leaved cotton-grass - Peat-moss 00 Wf50 1 2 45 8 Total Wetland 11 12 80 14 River 00 RI 0 0 1 <1 Rock 00 RO 3 3 9 2 Talus 00 TA 0 0 2 <1 Total Non--vegetated, Sparsely Vegetated and Anthropogenic 3 3 12 2 Total 93 100 578 100 CMAun Herbaceous meadows 00 AM 0 0 4 23 Heath - Heather 00 MP 0 0 4 24 Parkland Forest/Krummholtz 00 PK 0 0 8 41 Total Upland 0 0 16 88 Shallow open water 00 OW 0 0 1 3 Wetland fen 00 Wf 0 0 2 9 Total Wetland 0 0 2 12 Total 0 0 18 100

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 Page 12

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE

BGC Site Map LSA RSA Site Series Name Unit Series Code ha % ha % Total Upland Ecosystems 1,743 68 3,790 73 Total Wetlands 510 20 969 19 Total Upland and Wetland Ecosystems 2,253 88 4,759 92 Total Non--vegetated, Sparsely Vegetated and Anthropogenic 319 1012 401 8 Total Area 2,572 100 5,161 100 Note: BGC – Biogeoclimatic; Source: Banner et al 1993

The baseline distribution of the BGC units and ecosystems (site series, site associations), including water features are shown in Figure 1.4-2. Due to map scale, only the first ecosystem unit is shown. Six BGC units, 46 site series, 9 site associations and 12 non- vegetated, sparsely vegetated and anthropogenic units were mapped within the study area at baseline (refer to Appendix 2 for a description of each ecosystem).

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 Page 13

470000 472500 475000 477500

ILLIANCE RIVER

ALICE 6147500 1 ARM 2 6147500

CLARY CREEK

CLARY L IM E LAKE C RE EK 6145000 6145000

LAKE #901

AV ANT I CR EEK

PATSY LAKE 3 4 6142500 6142500

ROUNDY CREEK

LIME CREEK 6140000 6140000

KSI GWINHAT'AL

470000 472500 475000 477500 1 0.5 0 1 2

Kilometres 1:60,000

Legend Road Avanti Kitsault Mine Ltd. Transmission Line Stream Index Frame Terrestrial LSA Terrestrial RSA Index Map for Distribution of Ecosystems Baseline Case

DATE: March 2011 Figure PROJECT: VE51988 06-50-011_ecosystem_index.pdf

ANALYST: QA/QC: MY CT

PROJECTION/DATUM: UTM Zone 09/NAD 83 Y:\GIS\Projects\VE\VE51988_Kitsault\Mapping\06_vegetation\Baseline\06-50-011.mxd

469000 470500 472000 6148000 6148000 ILLIANCE RIVER

1 2

6Em052b

ALICE 8AO5 6AB6 ARM 7AB6 10AB7 6AD6 CLARY CREEK 7AB6 6AB7 10AD6 7AB7 7AB6 7AB4 6AB6 7AB6 10AB6 9MU1 4AB6 5AO6 10AO4 5AB6 6146500 6146500 10AB4 5AB6 5AB6 8HM5 10AO6 6AB6 8AB7 5HQ5 6LS3 10RW

4AB6 6HQ7 8AB7 6AB5 7AB7 7HQ5 5Wf2b 6AB7 5AB6 7HM5 10RW 6AB6 9MU1 5HQ6 5HQ5 5HQ6 4HQ6 4AB7 5AB5 8CW5 6HM5 10AB6 6Wf502b 5AB5 5HQ6 10RW 10RW 5AO4 10AO6 MEM 10HQ610LS5 6HQ6 6AB6 5Wf2b 10AB5 8AB5 9HQ6 CWHws2 6AB6 5AO4 5AB6 5AB5 8AB5 4HM5 5HM5 10HM6 5AB5 4OW2c 8AD6 10HM6 8HM4 4HQ6 5AO4 5AB6 10AB6 7HM4

6145000 5HM6 6145000 10AB6 6AD6 5AB5 7AO4 5AB5 5AB6 10AB6 4AB5 MEM 10AD6 5HM5 6HQ6 5AB6 10AO4 5AB5 10AD6 CWHws1 6HQ3b 10HM5 6HQ4 6AB6 4AB6 5RO1 7AO5 10AD6 7HQ6 6HQ6 6AB6 5AB6 6RI 5AD6 5AB6 10AO5 6HM5 10AB6 10AO6 6HQ3b 10AO5 10AB6 10AO6 6AB5 5AD6 6AB5 10AB6 10HQ6 8HM5 8HQ6 8HQ6 6AB6 5AO5 6HM5 5AB6 10AB6 6AB5 10AO6 5AB6 6AB6 4AB6 6HM5 4AO6 6AB6 5AO5 4AB6 6HM5 4HQ5 5AB6 4HQ5 5AD6 4HM5 6HM5 MEM 4AD6 4HQ5 5AO6 7AB6 6AB6 4HM5 CWHws2 5HQ6 8AB6 10HM5 5AB6 10AB5 4AB6 4HQ5 10HQ6 8AB6 4HQ5 5RI 5AD6 10AB6 8AB6 5AD5 6AB6 7AB6 AVA 10LS5 4AO6 NTI 4AB3b CR 8AB6 5AO6 EEK 4AB6 10AO6 6143500 5AB5 6143500 5AB6 6AB6 7AB6

ROUNDYCREEK 7AB6 8LS5 5AB5 5LS5 5AB6 7AO3b 6AB46AB6

4MB6 7AB6 6HQ5

5MD5 10AO6 6AB6 6MD5 6MD5 6AB6 6AB6 3 MEM 4MB6 4 6Wf2b 10AB6 MHmm2 5RY3b 4AB6 5MB6 4MM5 5MD5 8MB6 6RY4 6MB6 4MM5 10RY3b 469000 470500 472000 Legend 500 250 0 500 1,000 Road Stream Transmission Line MetresMEM Terrestrial RSA Terrestrial LSA BGC Unit 1:30,000CWHws2 Ecosystems Example Ecosystem Legend: CWHws1 MHmm1 MHmmp Wetland Site Association 01 AB 01 AB 01 MB 00 AM Em05 Map Unit Avanti Kitsault Mine Ltd. 03 HM 09 YC 00 DP Wf, Wf50, Wf51 Site Series 04 AO 00 MH OW, BB MHmm2 Example Map Label: 05 HQ 00 WT 00 MP Sparsely Vegetated and 5AB6 06 AD 00 SF Anthropogenic 01 MB Structural Stage Distribution of 09 CW 02 MM 00 SP 00 LA, 00 PD, 00 RI Map Code 00 MU Decile CWHws2 03 MO CMAun Ecosystems Baseline Case 01 AB 04 AB 00 AM 00 MZ Example Ecosection/BGC 00 RO Label: DATE: 03 HM 05 MT 00 PK March 2011 Map of 41 Figure 00 RW 04 AO 06 MD Ecosection PROJECT: MEM 05 HQ 08 YS 00 RY VE51988 06-50-003_ecosystem.pdf CWHws1 06 AD 09 YC 00 TA ANALYST: QA/QC: BGC Unit MY CT 10 LS PROJECTION/DATUM: 11 RC UTM Zone 09/NAD 83 Y:\GIS\Projects\VE\VE51988_Kitsault\Mapping\06_vegetation\Baseline\06-50-003.mxd

473500 475000 476500 478000 6148000 6148000 ILLIANCE RIVER

2 6146500 6146500

CLARY CREEK 6AD7 8AB7 8AD7 8AD3 8AB3 7AB7 6AB7 6AB7 7AB7 7Wf502b 5MB7 5AB7 6RC7 4AB7 6AB7 8AB7 7Wf502b 4AB7 7Wf502b 5AB7 8AB7 6Wf502b 8AB3 4AB7 8AB7 6AB6 5AB7 6Wf502b 5AB7 6AB7 5AB7 CLARY 5YC7 6AB6 6RC7 6AB7 6AB7 5MB7 10HQ6 5AB7 7MB7 LAKE 6AB75AB3 10LS5 5AB7 5MB7 4LS3 6MB7 10LA 5AB5 5RO1 MEM 5HQ6 4AB6 CWHws2 6MB7 5MB7 5HQ6 5MB7 4HQ6 5MB7 5AB4 7LS5 8Wf502b 8Wf502b 4MB7 4RO1 9MB7 10HQ4 8AB6 5MB7 5BB2c 5AB6 5RO1 4LS5 5AB6 6MB7 8MB7 4Wf502b

6145000 10Wf502b 6145000 5MB7 4AB6 4YC7 6HQ66HQ3b 4AB6 9Wf502b 5MB7 5MB7 4Wf502a 4AB7 6MB7 6HQ4 4AB6 7LS5 7LS5 5MB7 5MB7 6MB7 5MB7 6Wf502b 6Wf502b 5Wf512b 6AB6 4AB6 6MB6 5MB7 5Wf502b 6MB7 5Wf2b MEM 6HQ3b 5MM5 5PD 5OW 10PD MHmm2 6Wf502b 6AB6 4MB5 5LS5 6Wf502b 10Wf502b 6AB5 LAKE 5Wf2b 8OW 5MB5 5MB6 #901 3Wf502b 5YC3 4Wf2b 5MM5 4MB7 10PD 7Wf512b 10OW 6AB6 4RO1 9Wf502b 5LS5 5MB6 8TA1 5Wf2b 4MM5 8Wf502b 5Wf512b 6Wf502b 8Wf502b 10MB5 5MB7 9Wf502b 5Wf2b 6Wf502b 5MB7 7YC7 8MM5 4Wf2b 6MB5 10MB6 7YS7 6AB6 5TA1 10MB7 8Wf502b 5MB6 7Wf502b 10MZ1 5MD5 6Wf512b 8MD5 4YS7 5MM5 4MB6 7OW2c 6Wf502b 5Wf2b 5Wf502b 6143500 5TA1 5MB6 5MB6 4Wf2b 6143500 10MB6 7Wf502b 8Wf2b 5Wf2b 9OW2c 6Wf512b 4MB6 6MB7 7Wf512b 5MD5 6MB6 6AB6 4MB6 10PD 4MB6 6MT7 8MH5 4MB7 6MH5 5MB6 5MB7 7AB6 7MH3b 6MB7 10LA 5Wf512b 10MB3b 6Wf502b 4MB7 6Wf502b 7PD PATSY LAKE MEM 10Wf502b 4MB7 6MD5 6MB7 4 7MB5 6MB6 MHmmp 6MB5 8MB6 4AB6 6MD5 5YS7 5MB7 5MB7 6MZ1 6MB6 4AB7 6MD5 6MB6 5MD5 7MB7 10RY3b 6MB6 5MH3b 6MB6 6MB6 8MB6 5MD5 7MB7 6Wf512b 4MB7 8RY3b 7MB7 473500 475000 476500 478000 Legend 500 250 0 500 1,000 MEM Road Stream Transmission Line MHmm2 Metres Terrestrial RSA Terrestrial LSA BGC Unit 1:30,000

Ecosystems Example Ecosystem Legend: CWHws1 MHmm1 MHmmp Wetland Site Association 01 AB 01 AB 01 MB 00 AM Em05 Map Unit Avanti Kitsault Mine Ltd. 03 HM 09 YC 00 DP Wf, Wf50, Wf51 Site Series 04 AO 00 MH OW, BB MHmm2 Example Map Label: 05 HQ 00 WT 00 MP Sparsely Vegetated and 5AB6 06 AD 00 SF Anthropogenic 01 MB Structural Stage Distribution of 09 CW 02 MM 00 SP 00 LA, 00 PD, 00 RI Map Code 00 MU Decile CWHws2 03 MO CMAun Ecosystems Baseline Case 01 AB 04 AB 00 AM 00 MZ Example Ecosection/BGC 00 RO Label: DATE: 03 HM 05 MT 00 PK March 2011 Map of 42 Figure 00 RW 04 AO 06 MD Ecosection PROJECT: MEM 05 HQ 08 YS 00 RY VE51988 06-50-003_ecosystem.pdf CWHws1 06 AD 09 YC 00 TA ANALYST: QA/QC: BGC Unit MY CT 10 LS PROJECTION/DATUM: 11 RC UTM Zone 09/NAD 83 Y:\GIS\Projects\VE\VE51988_Kitsault\Mapping\06_vegetation\Baseline\06-50-003.mxd

MEM CWHws2

469000 AVA 470500 472000 NTI 4HM5 CR 10LS5 4AB6 4HQ5 5AB64HQ5 4HQ5 4AO6 8AB610AO6 5AO6 EEK 8AB6 5AD6 6AB6 5AO6 5RI 4AB6 4AB6 4AB3b 6143500 10AO6 7AB6 6143500 5AB6 5AB5 6AB6 7AB6 8LS5 5AB5 5LS5 5AB6 7AO3b 6AB46AB6

4MB6 7AB6 6HQ5

6AB6 5MD5 10AO6 6MD5 6MD5 4MB6 4 3 MEM 6Wf2b LIME CREEK MHmm2 5MB6 5MD5 5RY3b 6MB6 4MM5 6AB6 4AB610RY3b 4MM5 10AB6 6AB6 8RY3b 7MD5 ROUNDY CREEK 8RY3b 5Wf2b 6MM5 8MB6 6RY4 5MM5 MEM 8MZ1

5Wf2b 6MM5 CWHws2

5HQ7 10MZ1 6142000 6142000 5MD5 5AB6

5MD5 8AB6 8MP5 4MB6 5MZ1 MEM 5MB5 6AB6 MHmmp 6MH5 5MM5 5MB6 6AB6 5AB6 6AB6 6AB6 10MO6 5AB6 5MM5 6MO6 10MB6 10WT3b 5AB6 8MB6 6MD5 10AB6 6MB6 5AB6 5AB6 6MD6 4MD5 4MM5 10WT3b 6MB6 6MB5 10MO6 5MD5 10MO6 5MO6 5MB6 8MB6 4MB6 10WT3b 7MB6 6MB6 4MM5 5MB6 10MO6 5MD5 4MB6 6MD5 6MM5 4MB6 5MO6 7MD5 5MB6 10MB6 7MD5 7MT6 10MB6 4Wf2b 6MD5 8MB6 8MB6 6MB6 5MB6 7MO6 5MD6 6MD5 8MB6 7MB5 5MO6 7MD5 6MB6 6140500 7MB6 10MO6 6140500 7MB5 6MD5 5MD5 6MO6 5MD5 5MM5 5MO6 10MB6 7MB6 5MB6 6MD5 5Wf2b 4MB6 7MB6 5Wf2b 4MB6 4MB6 7MB6 5MB6 5MB6 5MP6 5MD5 10MB6 10MB6 10MB6 10DP5 5MO6 10DP5 10MP6 10DP5 6MP6 10SF6 8MH5 5MB6 7SF6 6DP5 8SF6 8SF6 5SF6 6MP6 5MP5 6Wf2b MEM 10AM2a 8MH5 MHmmp 6MP6 6MH5 5MH5 6DP5 7MH5 5MP6 5MP6 6MH5 4MP6 6MH5 6MP6 5MH5 10TA1 10MP6 10MP6 10MP6 4AM2a 10MH5 6139000 6139000

469000 470500 472000 Legend 500 250 0 500 1,000 Road Stream Transmission Line Metres Terrestrial RSA Terrestrial LSA BGC Unit 1:30,000

Ecosystems Example Ecosystem Legend: CWHws1 MHmm1 MHmmp Wetland Site Association 01 AB 01 AB 01 MB 00 AM Em05 Map Unit Avanti Kitsault Mine Ltd. 03 HM 09 YC 00 DP Wf, Wf50, Wf51 Site Series 04 AO 00 MH OW, BB MHmm2 Example Map Label: 05 HQ 00 WT 00 MP Sparsely Vegetated and 5AB6 06 AD 00 SF Anthropogenic 01 MB Structural Stage Distribution of 09 CW 02 MM 00 SP 00 LA, 00 PD, 00 RI Map Code 00 MU Decile CWHws2 03 MO CMAun Ecosystems Baseline Case 01 AB 04 AB 00 AM 00 MZ Example Ecosection/BGC 00 RO Label: DATE: 03 HM 05 MT 00 PK March 2011 Map of 43 Figure 00 RW 04 AO 06 MD Ecosection PROJECT: MEM 05 HQ 08 YS 00 RY VE51988 06-50-003_ecosystem.pdf CWHws1 06 AD 09 YC 00 TA ANALYST: QA/QC: BGC Unit MY CT 10 LS PROJECTION/DATUM: 11 RC UTM Zone 09/NAD 83 Y:\GIS\Projects\VE\VE51988_Kitsault\Mapping\06_vegetation\Baseline\06-50-003.mxd

473500 475000 476500 478000 8MD5 10MB6 5MD5 6Wf512b 6Wf502b 10MB7 6AB6 5MB6 6Wf502b 5MB6 5Wf2b 4MB6 7OW2c 4YS7 8Wf502b 7Wf502b 5Wf502b 6143500 5MM5 5MB6 6143500 5TA1 5MB6 4Wf2b 6Wf502b 6Wf502b 10MZ1 10MB6 7Wf502b 5Wf2b 8Wf2b 5Wf2b 4MB6 9OW2c 6Wf512b 6MB6 6MB7 7Wf512b 6AB6 4MB6 5MD5 10PD 4MB6 8MH5 4MB7 7AB6 6MH5 7MH3b 5MB6 6MB7 5MB7 10LA 5Wf512b 6MT7 10MB3b 6Wf502b 4MB7 6Wf502b 7PD PATSY LAKE MEM 6MD5 10Wf502b 4MB7 4 6MB7 MHmmp 6MD5 7MB5 6MB5 4AB6 5MB7 5MB7 8MB6 5YS7 6MZ1 6MD5 4AB7 6MB6 7MB7 10RY3b 6MB6 5MH3b 5MD5 6MB6 7MB7 5MD5 6Wf512b 4MB7 8RY3b 8MB6 7MB7 5MB6 6MB6 6MB6 5MB6 10MB6 8TA1 10MB6 5Wf512b 8RY3b10AB5 6MB6 MEM 8RY3b 5MD6 4MB6 7MB7 6MB6 10MD5 MHmm2 7Wf502b 6Wf502b 4AB6 6MB6 5MB6 8MB6 4MB7 4MB6 6MB6 4MB6 8Wf512b 10AO4 7MB5 10MB5 6Wf502b

6142000 10RC2a 4MB6 6YC7 6142000 10MZ1 10MZ4 7MB6 4MB6 5AB5 5MZ1 4Wf502b 10MO6 4MB5 6MP7 8MB6 10MB6 4MB7 8Wf502b 8MD5 7MZ1 8MD5 8MP5 8Wf502b 7MD5 6SF6 5MZ1 10MP5 10MB6 5MP5 5MH5 6AB6 6DP7 8Wf502b 5MZ1 10MM3b 6MB6 6AB6 10MZ1 6Wf502b 5MB5 5MP5 8MD5 10MO6 6DP7 4MB7 8MH5 6DP5 6MD6 6SF5 6MP7 6MB7 6MB6 6MB6 8MB6 4YC5 5Wf502b 4Wf2b 4MM5 8Wf502b 8Wf512b 4MB6 4MM5 5SP5 8MB6 5MB6 4DP5 5MB7 4MB6 5MB6 5SF5 8Wf502b MEM 8MB6 6MB6 8MH5 5MB6 5MD5 6MB6 MHmm1 6Wf512b 6MB5 8MH5 4MB7 7MD5 5MB6 4MH5 6MB7 6MD5 8MB6

6140500 5OW2c 6140500 5MO6 4MD5 6MB6 4MP6 6MP5 9Wf512b 8MB5 10MP6 6MH5 6YC7 4MB6 5MM5 4MM5 7AM2a 10MB6 10MD6 4MP6 8MP5

10MP6 8AM2a 5MH5 10MP6 5MP6 MEM 6MP6 7MP6 6MP6 MHmmp 8DP5 7SF6 6DP5 KSI GWINHAT'AL 5MH5

5MH5 6MP6 7MH5

7MH5 6MH5 6MP6

5PK5 8OW2c 4AM2a 4AM2a 4PK5 5PK5 4AM2a

6139000 MEM 6139000 CMAun

473500 475000 476500 478000 Legend 500 250 0 500 1,000 Road Stream Transmission Line Metres Terrestrial RSA Terrestrial LSA BGC Unit 1:30,000

Ecosystems Example Ecosystem Legend: CWHws1 MHmm1 MHmmp Wetland Site Association 01 AB 01 AB 01 MB 00 AM Em05 Map Unit Avanti Kitsault Mine Ltd. 03 HM 09 YC 00 DP Wf, Wf50, Wf51 Site Series 04 AO 00 MH OW, BB MHmm2 Example Map Label: 05 HQ 00 WT 00 MP Sparsely Vegetated and 5AB6 06 AD 00 SF Anthropogenic 01 MB Structural Stage Distribution of 09 CW 02 MM 00 SP 00 LA, 00 PD, 00 RI Map Code 00 MU Decile CWHws2 03 MO CMAun Ecosystems Baseline Case 01 AB 04 AB 00 AM 00 MZ Example Ecosection/BGC 00 RO Label: DATE: 03 HM 05 MT 00 PK March 2011 Map of 44 Figure 00 RW 04 AO 06 MD Ecosection PROJECT: MEM 05 HQ 08 YS 00 RY VE51988 06-50-003_ecosystem.pdf CWHws1 06 AD 09 YC 00 TA ANALYST: QA/QC: BGC Unit MY CT 10 LS PROJECTION/DATUM: 11 RC UTM Zone 09/NAD 83 Y:\GIS\Projects\VE\VE51988_Kitsault\Mapping\06_vegetation\Baseline\06-50-003.mxd

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE

1.4.3 Uncommon Ecosystems Uncommon ecosystems (upland and wetland) are defined as ecosystems with a total mapped area of less than or equal to (≤)1% of the LSA and / or <1% of the RSA at baseline. These ecosystems are considered more vulnerable to losing species diversity if disturbed, because a greater proportion of their area would be lost even with small disturbances. Seven ecosystems occupy ≤1% of the LSA at baseline and are therefore considered locally uncommon (Table 1.4-3). Thirteen ecosystems are considered uncommon in the RSA. Uncommon ecosystems cover 16 ha (1%) of the LSA and 55 ha (1%) of the RSA.

Table 1.4-3: Uncommon Ecosystems in the Local Study Area and Regional Study Area

BGC Site Map LSA RSA Site Series Name Unit Series Code ha % ha % Black cottonwood - Red osier dogwood 08 CD 0 0 4 1 CWHws1 Black cottonwood - Willow 09 CW 8 2 8 1 MHmm1 Yellow-cedar - Mountain hemlock - Hellebore 07 YH 0 0 1 <1 Herbaceous meadows 00 AM 8 1 9 <1 Heather-Heath Parkland 00 HH 2 <1 5 <1 Mountain hemlock - Indian hellebore 00 MH 2 <1 2 <1 MHmm2 Wet seepage meadow 00 WM 2 <1 2 <1 Willow thickets 00 WT 1 <1 15 1 Yellow-cedar - Mountain hemlock - Hellebore 07 YH <1 <1 <1 <1 Dry Closed Forest 00 DF 0 0 2 <1 Heath - Grass 00 HG 0 0 3 <1 MHmmp Lichen - Mountain hemlock Parkland 00 LM 0 0 2 <1 Moist (subhygric) Open Parkland Forest 00 SP 1 1 5 1 Total 16 1 55 1

1.4.4 Invasive Plants In BC, multiple levels of authority with jurisdiction over invasive plant management, including federal, provincial and local occur. The Government of Canada maintains jurisdiction over federally owned Crown land. Six ministries in BC maintain jurisdiction over provincially owned lands in BC. The key agencies involved in invasive plant management are shown in Table 1.4-4.

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 Page 19

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE

Table 1.4-4: Government of British Columbia Jurisdiction for Invasive Species

BC Ministry Jurisdiction Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) Weed Control Act Ministry of Energy and Mines Hydro and Power Authority Act Ministry of Forests, Land and Natural Resource Forest and Range Practices Act Operations (MFLNRO) Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Community Charter (MCSCD) Ministry of Environment Integrated Pest Management Act Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Transportation Act Source: Invasive Plant Council of BC, 2007

Three agencies (BC MOA, BC MFLNRO, BC MCSCD) produced a list of invasive plant species totalling 119 species (Appendix 3, Table C3-1). The total number of species covered by each agency is shown in Table 1.4-5.

Table 1.4-5: Total of Invasive Plants by Legislation

Legislation Number of Invasive Plants Weed Control Act1 21 provincial noxious weed species 1 regional noxious weed species Forests and Range Practices Act2 42 invasive plants Community Charter3 55 alien invasive species Source: 1. Government of BC 2010; 2. Government of BC 2004; 3. Government of BC 2008

No invasive plants were identified during field surveys, however a search of the BC MFLNRO Invasive Alien Plant Program, which records known locations of invasive species, resulted in six species within close proximity to the study area (Table 1.4-6). All of the species are listed under the FRPA, two species are listed under the Weed Control Act and four are listed by the Community Charter (Table 1.4-6).

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 Page 20

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE

Table 1.4-6: Potential invasive Plants in the Vicinity of the Study Area

1 2 Weed Community Common Name Latin Name Location FRPA Act3 Charter 4

bull thistle Cirsium vulgare RSA invasive AIS burdock species Arctium spp RSA invasive noxious AIS

common tansy Tanacetum vulgare Kitsault Access Road invasive

(Squish FSR)

Japanese Fallopia japonica LSA (Townsite) invasive AIS knotweed

oxeye daisy Leucanthemum Kitsault Access Road invasive

vulgare (Squish FSR)

scentless Matricaria perforata Nisga’a Hwy (Hwy113) invasive Noxious AIS chamomile

Note: AIS - Alien Invasive Species; FSR - Forest Service Road; Hwy - Highway; LSA - Local Study Area; RSA - Regional Study Area Source: 1 BC MFLNRO 2010; 2. Government of BC 2004; 3. Government of BC 2010; 4. Government of BC 2008

1.5 Species at Risk Species at risk are defined for the purposes of this report to include:

 Vascular and non-vascular species listed by the BC CDC, which are typically ranked as red or blue-listed (BC CDC 2010); and  Vascular and non-vascular species listed as Special Concern, Threatened, or Endangered under the federal SARA (Government of Canada 2009) and COSEWIC (Government of Canada 2009).

Species at risk were not observed during field surveys in 2009 or in 2010. Potentially, there are nineteen vascular plant species, four are red-listed and 33 non-vascular plant species nine are red-listed and one is blue-listed. A complete list of species at risk potentially occurring in the Project area is provided in Appendix 3 (Table C4-1).

1.6 Ecological Communities at Risk There are nine ecological communities at risk listed by BC CDC within the proposed Project. Three ecological communities have been ranked as a high priority for conservation, including the CWHws1/03, CWHws2/03, and the site association Wf51 in CWHws2 and MHmm1 (Table 1.6-1). Ecological communities at risk cover 203 ha (8%) of the LSA and 494 ha (10%) of the RSA. Figure 1.6-1 shows the ecological communities at risk present within the study area. Due to map scale the ecological communities are represented by a series of colours within each BGC unit. The ecological community at risk could be part of a compound unit (refer to Section 1.3), then a number 2 or 3 are shown within the polygon,

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 Page 21

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE meaning the community occurred as the second or third ecosystem unit in a compound map label.

Table 1.6-1: Baseline Ecological Communities at Risk

Site Map BC CF LSA RSA BGC Unit Site Series Name Series Code CDC Priority ha % ha % CWHws1 Western hemlock - Lodgepole pine 03 HM Blue 1 43 13 100 14 / Red-stemmed feathermoss Amabilis fir - Western redcedar / 04 AO Blue 2 52 16 143 21 Oak fern Amabilis fir - Western redcedar / 06 AD Blue 2 47 14 93 13 Devil's club Black cottonwood - Red alder / 08 CD Blue 2 0 0 4 1 Salmonberry Total 142 43 339 49 CWHws2 Western hemlock - Lodgepole pine 03 HM Blue 1 16 3 33 3 / Red-stemmed feathermoss Amabilis fir - Western redcedar / 04 AO Blue 2 44 7 95 7 Oak fern Shore sedge - Buckbean / Peat- 00 Wb13 Blue 2 1 <1 1 <1 mosses Sitka sedge / peat-mosses 00 Wf51 Red 1 0 0 1 <1 Total 61 10 130 10 MHmm1 Sitka sedge / peat-mosses 00 Wf51 Red 1 0 0 25 18 Total 0 0 25 18 Total Rare Ecological Communities 203 8 494 10 Total Non-Rare Ecological Communities 2369 92 4667 90 Total Area 2572 100 5161 100 Note: BC CDC - British Columbia Conservation Data Centre; CF - Conservation Framework; CWHws1 - Coastal Western Hemlock Wet Submaritime Submontane Variant; CWHws2 - Coastal Western Hemlock Wet Submaritime Montane Variant; ha - hectare; LSA - Local Study Area; RSA - Regional Study Area Source: BC CDC 2009

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 Page 22

470000 472500 475000 477500

ILLIANCE RIVER

ALICE

6147500 ARM 6147500

2 2 3 2 2 2 2 CLARY CREEK 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 CWHws2 CLARY 2 3 2 2 2 LAKE 2 2 2 2 L IM 2 E

6145000 2 6145000 2 C 2 2 RE EK 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 CWHws1 LAKE 2 2 #901 2 2 2 2 2 MHmm2 2 2 2 2 2 2 CWHws2 3 2 AV 2 2 2 ANT I CR 2 EEK 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 PATSY LAKE MHmmp 6142500 6142500

MHmmp 2

ROUNDY CREEK MHmm1 LIME CREEK

2

MHmmp 6140000 6140000

KSI GWINHAT'AL CMAun

470000 472500 475000 477500 Legend 1 0.5 0 1 2 Terrestrial RSA Road Terrestrial LSA Stream Kilometres 1:60,000 BGC Unit Transmission Line

Rare Ecological Communities Example Ecosystem Legend: Decile 1 Decile 2 Decile 3 Avanti Kitsault Mine Ltd. CWHws1 CWHws1 CWHws1 03 HM

03 HM 2 03 HM 3 04 AO Map Unit Site Series 04 AO 2 04 AO CWHws2

06 AD 2 06 AD 3 03 HM Note: Refer to report for decile explanation. Distribution of Rare Ecological 2 08 CD 3 Wb13 CWHws2 Communities for the Baseline Case 03 HM CWHws2

2 04 AO 03 HM DATE: MHmm1 2 04 AO March 2011 Figure PROJECT: Wf51 2 Wf51 VE51988 06-50-006_rare_eco_comm.pdf

MHmm1 ANALYST: QA/QC: 2 Wf51 MY CT

PROJECTION/DATUM: UTM Zone 09/NAD 83 Y:\GIS\Projects\VE\VE51988_Kitsault\Mapping\06_vegetation\Baseline\06-50-006.mxd

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE

1.7 Sensitive Ecosystems Sensitive vegetation ecosystems are susceptible to ecological changes resulting from the proposed Project development. Stresses associated with direct disturbances from the proposed Project may indirectly affect vegetation resources. Such stresses may include air emissions and changes in surface and ground water quality and quantity. Bogs, fens marshes, swamps, aquatic communities, estuary and high elevation ecosystems represent the most sensitive vegetation ecosystems in the study areas. Sensitive ecosystems includes: old forests; wetlands; and sparsely vegetated ecosystems.

1.7.1 Old Forests Forested stands in the CWH and MH zones are classified as old forests when the structural stage is greater than 250 years. Baseline analysis shows old forests are present in all BGC units, except the CMAun. By definition trees do not occur within the alpine. A total of 326 ha (13%) of the LSA and 811 ha (16%) of the RSA are represented by old forests (Table 1.7-1). According to the VRI, a total of 1,995 ha (78%) of the LSA and 4,186 ha (81%) of the RSA are mapped as old forests. Figure 1.7-1 depicts old forests present in the study area. Due to map scale, old forests are represented by a series of colours within each BGC unit. If old forests is part of a compound unit (refer to Section 1.3) then a number 2 or 3 are shown in the polygon, meaning the ecosystem occurred as the second or third ecosystem unit in a compound map label.

Table 1.7-1: Baseline Old Forests in the Local Study Area and Regional Study Area

BGC Site Map LSA RSA Site Series Name Unit Series Code ha % ha % CWHws1 Western hemlock - Amabilis fir - 01 AB 0 0 8 1 Bramble Amabilis fir - Western redcedar - Oak 04 AO 0 0 2 <1 fern Amabilis fir - Western redcedar - 06 AD 0 0 1 <1 Devil's club Total 0 0 12 2 CWHws2 Western hemlock - Amabilis fir - 01 AB 49 8 196 15 Bramble Western hemlock - Lodgepole pine - 03 HM 7 1 7 1 Feathermoss Western hemlock - Amabilis fir - 05 HQ 9 1 44 3 Queens's cup Amabilis fir - Western redcedar - 06 AD 1 <1 9 1 Devil's club Western redcedar - Sitka spruce - 11 RC 0 0 21 2 Skunk cabbage Total 67 11 277 21

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 Page 24

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE

BGC Site Map LSA RSA Site Series Name Unit Series Code ha % ha % MHmm1 Mountain hemlock - Amabilis fir - 01 MB 0 0 77 58 Blueberry Mountain hemlock - Mountain- 02 MM 0 0 7 5 heather Mountain hemlock - Amabilis fir - 04 AB 0 0 9 7 Bramble Yellow-cedar - Mountain hemlock - 07 YH 0 0 1 <1 Hellebore Yellow-cedar - Mountain hemlock - 09 YC 0 0 2 1 Skunk cabbage Total 0 0 96 71 MHmm2 Mountain hemlock - Amabilis fir - 01 MB 173 11 249 10 Blueberry Mountain hemlock - Amabilis fir - 02 MM 4 <1 15 1 Mountain-heather Amabilis fir - Mountain hemlock - 03 MO 13 1 14 1 Oak fern Mountain hemlock - Amabilis fir - 04 AB 20 1 29 1 Bramble Amabilis fir - Mountain hemlock - 05 MT 21 1 38 2 Twistedstalk Mountain hemlock - Yellow-cedar - 06 MD 2 <1 2 <1 Deer cabbage Mountain hemlock - Yellow-cedar - 08 YS 14 1 17 1 Sphagnum Yellow-cedar - Mountain hemlock - 09 YC 10 1 33 1 Skunk cabbage Total 257 17 396 16 MHmmp Dry Open Parkland Forest 00 DP 2 2 24 4 Mountain hemlock - Mountain- 00 MH 0 0 1 <1 heather Parkland Mesic Open Parkland 00 MP 0 0 3 <1 Moist (subhygric) Open Parkland 00 SP 1 1 3 1 Forest Total 3 3 31 5 Subtotal Old Growth Area 326 13 811 16 Subtotal Non-old Growth Area 2,245 87 4,349 84 Total Area 2,572 100 5,161 100 Note: BGC - Biogeoclimatic

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 Page 25

470000 472500 475000 477500

ILLIANCE RIVER

ALICE

6147500 ARM 6147500

2 CLARY CREEK

2 2 2 2 2

CWHws2 2 CLARY L IM LAKE E C 2 RE 2 EK

6145000 3 2 2 6145000 2 3 3 CWHws1 2 2

2 LAKE 3 3 #901 3 2 2 3 CWHws2 AV 2 2 ANT 3 I CR 2 EEK 2 2 2

3 MHmmp PATSY LAKE 2

2 2 2

6142500 2 6142500 MHmm2 2 2 2 2 MHmmp 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 ROUNDY CREEK 2 2 MHmm1 LIME CREEK 2

MHmmp 6140000 6140000

KSI GWINHAT'AL CMAun

470000 472500 475000 477500 Legend Old Growth Forest (Structural Stage 7) 1 0.5 0 1 2 Road Decile 1 Decile 2 Decile 3 Stream CWHws1 CWHws2 CWHws1 Kilometres 1:60,000 01 AB 2 01 AB 3 06 AD Transmission Line CWHws2 2 03 HM CWHws2 Terrestrial RSA 01 AB 2 05 HQ 3 01 AB Terrestrial LSA 05 HQ 2 06 AD MHmm1 BGC Unit Avanti Kitsault Mine Ltd. 06 AD 2 11 RC 3 01 MB 11 RC MHmm1 MHmm2 MHmm1 2 01 MB 3 01 MB 01 MB MHmm2 3 05 MT 09 YC 2 01 MB 3 06 MD Distribution of Old Growth MHmm2 2 05 MT 3 09 YC Forests for the Baseline Case 01 MB 2 08 YS Example Ecosystem Legend: 2 04 AB 09 YC DATE: 05 MT MHmmp 01 AB March 2011 Figure 08 YS 2 00 DP Map Unit PROJECT: 06-50-004_old_growth.pdf 09 YC Site Series VE51988 MHmmp Note: Refer to report for decile ANALYST: QA/QC: MY CT 00 DP explanation. PROJECTION/DATUM: 00 MP UTM Zone 09/NAD 83 Y:\GIS\Projects\VE\VE51988_Kitsault\Mapping\06_vegetation\Baseline\06-50-004.mxd

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE

1.7.2 Wetland Ecosystems Five wetland site series and nine wetland site associations occur within the study area (Table 1.7-2). Treed bogs cover 50 ha (2%) of the LSA and 78 ha (2%) of the RSA. An herb dominated bog (Wb13) covers 1 ha (<1%) of the LSA and 1 ha (<1%) of the RSA. Bogs are nutrient poor and acidic with low pH values (MacKenzie and Moran 2004). Bogs are also characterised by stagnant (precipitation fed) waters with high water tables. Plant species in bogs are uniquely adapted to these conditions. Alterations to the water table, including drawdown and / or impoundment, can result in changes in water chemistry and plant communities.

Fens (Wf, Wf50, Wf51) occupy 390 ha (15%) of the LSA and 728 ha (14%) of the RSA. Fens receive inputs from surface and groundwater flows. Marshes (Wm), aquatic communities (YL and BB), and estuarine communities (Em05) occupy 4 ha (<1%) of the LSA and 8 ha (<1%) of the RSA. The estuary community only occurs in the CWHws1 along Alice Arm. The aquatic communities occur in the shallow open water. Treed swamp forests cover 55 ha (2%) of the LSA and 133 ha (3%) of the RSA. Changes to incoming water quantity or quality can influence species composition and growth characteristics of these wetlands. In total, wetland ecosystems cover 510 ha (20%) of the LSA and 969 ha (19%) of the RSA. Figure 1.7-2 depicts the wetland ecosystems present within the study area. Due to map scale, wetlands are represented by a series of colours within each BGC unit. If wetlands are part of a compound unit (refer to Section 1.3) then a number 2 or 3 are shown in the polygon, meaning the ecosystem occurred as the second or third ecosystem unit in a compound map label.

Table 1.7-2: Baseline Wetland Ecosystems in the Local Study Area and Regional Study Area

BGC Site Map LSA RSA Site Series Name Unit Series Code ha % ha % CWHws1 Lyngbye's sedge 00 Em05 1 <1 2 <1 Total 1 <1 2 <1 CWHws2 Lodgepole pine - Sphagnum 10 LS 36 6 59 4 Western hemlock - Sitka spruce 11 RC 25 4 63 5 Shallow Open Water 00 OW <1 <1 4 <1 Shore sedge - Buckbean - Peat-moss 00 Wb13 1 <1 1 <1 Wetland fen 00 Wf 8 1 11 1 Narrow-leaved cotton-grass - Peat-moss 00 Wf50 3 1 51 4 Sitka sedge - Peat-moss 00 Wf51 0 0 1 <1 Wetland marsh 00 Wm 1 <1 1 <1 Total 74 12 189 14 MHmm1 Yellow-cedar - Mountain hemlock - 09 YC 0 0 2 1 Skunk cabbage Narrow-leaved cotton-grass - Peat-moss 00 Wf50 0 0 10 8

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 Page 27

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE

BGC Site Map LSA RSA Site Series Name Unit Series Code ha % ha % Sitka sedge - Peat-moss 00 Wf51 0 0 25 18 Total 0 0 37 28 MHmm2 Shallow Open Water 00 OW 10 1 14 1 Mountain hemlock - Yellow-cedar - 08 YS 14 1 18 1 Sphagnum Yellow-cedar - Mountain hemlock - 09 YC 30 2 68 3 Skunk cabbage Buckbean 00 BB <1 <1 <1 <1 Barclay's willow - Arrow-leaved 00 Sc03 0 0 <1 <1 groundsel Wetland fen 00 Wf 102 7 143 6 Narrow-leaved cotton-grass - Peat-moss 00 Wf50 223 15 328 14 Sitka sedge - Peat-moss 00 Wf51 42 3 81 3 Wetland marsh 00 Wm 2 <1 5 <1 Yellow pond-lily 00 YL <1 <1 <1 <1 Total 424 28 658 27 MHmmp Shallow Open Water 00 OW 0 0 2 <1 Wetland fen 00 Wf 10 10 33 6 Narrow-leaved cotton-grass - Peat-moss 00 Wf50 1 2 45 8 Total 11 12 80 14 CMAun Shallow Open Water 00 OW 0 0 1 3 Wetland fen 00 Wf 0 0 2 9 Total 0 0 2 12 Subtotal Wetlands Area 510 20 969 19 Subtotal Non-wetlands Area 2062 80 4191 81 Total Area 2572 100 5161 100 Note: BGC – Biogeoclimatic

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 Page 28

ILLIANCE RIVER

ALICE ARM

2 CLARY CREEK

3 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 3 2 3 CLARY L 2 IM 2 E 3 LAKE C 2 3 R 3 3 EE 3 2 K 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 CWHws2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 LAKE 2 2 CWHws1 3 3 #901 2 3 3 3 CWHws2 2 A 2 VA 3 NTI 2 CRE 2 3 EK 3 3 3 2 3 2 2 2 3 2 PATSY 3 2 3 2 2 2 3 LAKE 3 3 2 2 MHmmp 3 2 2 3 2 3 2 3 3 3 3 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 MHmm2 2 3 2 2 3 3 3 2 2 MHmmp 2 2 3 2 3 2 2 3 2 2 3 3 3 LIME CREEK 2 2 ROUNDY CREEK 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 2 2 MHmm1 2 3 3 2 3 2 3 3 3 2 3 2 2 3 3 3 2 3 2 MHmmp 2 2 3 2 3 3 3 2 3 KSI GWINHAT'AL 3 3 3 2

CMAun

Legend 1 0.5 0 1 2 Road Stream Transmission Line Terrestrial RSA Terrestrial LSA BGC Unit Kilometres 1:60,000 Wetlands Decile1 Decile 2 Decile 3 CWHws2 CWHws2 CWHws2 10 LS 2 10 LS 3 10 LS Avanti Kitsault Mine Ltd. 11 RC 2 11 RC 3 11 RC MHmm1 MHmm2 MHmm2 09 YC 2 08 YS 3 09 YC MHmm2 2 09 YC Wetland Site Association Distribution of Wetland 08 YS Wetland Site Association 3 Wf 09 YC 2 Em05 3 Wf50 Ecosystems for the Baseline Case Wetland Site Association 2 Wf 3 Wf51 DATE: Em05 2 Wf50 March 2011 Example Ecosystem Legend: Figure Wf 2 Wf51 PROJECT: Wf50 2 Wm 10 LS VE51988 06-50-009_wetland.pdf

Wf51 2 OW Map Unit ANALYST: QA/QC: MY CT OW Site Series PROJECTION/DATUM: BB Note: Refer to report for decile explanation. UTM Zone 09/NAD 83 Y:\GIS\Projects\VE\VE51988_Kitsault\Mapping\06_vegetation\Baseline\06-50-009.mxd

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE

1.7.3 Uncommon Wetland Ecosystems Uncommon wetland ecosystems are defined as ecosystems with a total mapped area of ≤1% of the LSA and / or <1% of the RSA at baseline. These ecosystems are considered more vulnerable to losing species diversity if disturbed, because a greater proportion of their area would be lost even with small disturbances. Eleven wetland ecosystems occupy ≤1% each of the LSA at baseline and are therefore considered locally uncommon (Table 1.7-3). Fourteen wetland ecosystems are considered uncommon in the RSA. Uncommon ecosystems cover 41 ha (2%) of the LSA and 112 ha (4%) of the RSA.

Table 1.7-3: Uncommon Wetland Ecosystems in the Local Study Area and Regional Study Area

Site Map LSA RSA BGC Unit Site Series Name Series Code ha % ha % CWHws1 Lyngbye's sedge 00 Em05 1 <1 2 <1 CWHws2 Shallow Open Water 00 OW <1 <1 4 <1 Shore sedge - Buckbean - Peat-moss 00 Wb13 1 <1 1 <1 Wetland fen 00 Wf 8 1 11 1 Narrow-leaved cotton-grass - Peat-moss 00 Wf50 3 1 51 4 Sitka sedge - Peat-moss 00 Wf51 0 0 1 <1 Wetland marsh 00 Wm 1 <1 1 <1 MHmm1 Yellow-cedar - Mountain hemlock - Skunk 09 YC 0 0 2 1 cabbage MHmm2 Shallow Open Water 00 OW 10 1 14 1 Mountain hemlock - Yellow-cedar - 08 YS 14 1 18 1 Sphagnum Buckbean 00 BB <1 <1 <1 <1 Barclay's willow - Arrow-leaved groundsel 00 Sc03 0 0 <1 <1 Wetland marsh 00 Wm 2 <1 5 <1 Yellow pond-lily 00 YL <1 <1 <1 <1 MHmmp Shallow Open Water 00 OW 0 0 2 <1

Total 40 2 110 4

1.7.4 Sparsely Vegetated Sparsely vegetated ecosystems occur in all BGC units, except the CMAun. These ecosystems are more prevalent in the MHmm2. In total the sparsely vegetated ecosystems cover 65 ha (3%) of the LSA and 94 ha (2%) of the RSA (Table 1.7-4). Figure 1.7-3 depicts sparsely vegetated ecosystems mapped in the first decile component of the TEM mapping. Due to map scale, sparsely vegetated ecosystems are represented by a series of colours

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 Page 30

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE within each BGC unit. If sparsely vegetated ecosystems are part of a compound unit (refer to Section 1.3), then a number 2 or 3 is shown in the polygon, meaning the ecosystem occurred as the second or third ecosystem unit in a compound map label.

Table 1.7-4: Baseline Sparsely Vegetated Ecosystems in the Local Study Area and Regional Study Area

Site Map LSA RSA BGC Unit Sparsely Vegetated Name Series Code ha % ha % CWHws1 Rock 00 RO <1 <1 <1 <1 Talus 00 TA 4 1 4 1 Mudflat sediment 00 MU 8 2 11 2 Total 12 4 15 2 CWHws2 Cliff 00 CL 1 <1 1 <1 Rock 00 RO 7 1 15 1 Total 8 1 16 1 MHmm1 Rock 00 RO 0 0 2 1 Total 0 0 2 1 MHmm2 Cliff 00 CL 5 <1 6 <1 Rock 00 RO 22 1 28 1 Talus 00 TA 15 1 16 1 Total 42 3 50 2 MHmmp Rock 00 RO 3 3 9 2 Talus 00 TA 0 0 2 <1 Total 3 3 11 2 Subtotal Non-Vegetated, Sparsely Vegetated and Anthropogenic 65 3 94 2 Subtotal Upland and Wetland Ecosystems 2507 97 5067 98 Total Area 2572 100 5161 100 Note: BGC - Biogeoclimatic

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 Page 31

470000 472500 475000 477500

ILLIANCE RIVER

ALICE

6147500 ARM 6147500

2

CLARY CREEK

CWHws2 2 2

2 3 L CLARY IM E LAKE C RE 3 EK 3

6145000 3 3 3 6145000 3 3 3

LAKE CWHws1 #901 3 MHmm2 2 CWHws2 2 AV ANT I CR EEK 3

MHmmp PATSY LAKE 2

2 2 6142500 6142500

MHmmp 2

ROUNDY CREEK 3 3 MHmm1

2 3 LIME CREEK 3

3 MHmmp 6140000 2 6140000 3

KSI GWINHAT'AL CMAun

470000 472500 475000 477500 Legend 1 0.5 0 1 2 Terrestrial RSA Road Terrestrial LSA Stream Kilometres 1:60,000 BGC Unit Transmission Line

Sparsely Vegetated Decile 1 Decile 2 Decile 3 Avanti Kitsault Mine Ltd. CWHws1 CWHws1 All BGC Units 00 MU (Mudflat Sediment) 2 00 MU (Mudflat Sediment) 3 00 CL (Cliff) All BGC Units All BGC Units 3 00 RO (Rock Outcrop) 00 RO (Rock Outcrop) 2 00 CL (Cliff) 3 00 TA (Talus) Distribution of Sparsely Vegetated 00 TA (Talus) 2 00 RO (Rock Outcrop) Ecosystems for the Baseline Case

Example Ecosystem Legend: DATE: 00 MU March 2011 Figure Map Unit PROJECT: Site Series VE51988 06-50-008_sparsely_vegetated.pdf Note: Refer to report for decile ANALYST: QA/QC: explanation. MY CT

PROJECTION/DATUM: UTM Zone 09/NAD 83 Y:\GIS\Projects\VE\VE51988_Kitsault\Mapping\06_vegetation\Baseline\06-50-008.mxd

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE

1.8 Summary The study area occurs in one ecosection, the MEM and six BGC units, CWHws1, CWHws2, MHmm1, MHmm2, MHmmp and CMAun. In total, 46 site series, 9 site associations, and 12 non-vegetated, sparsely vegetated and anthropogenic units occur. The MHmm1 and the CMAun BGC units only occur in the RSA. The MHmm2 BGC unit comprises the largest area in both the LSA and RSA. The most common upland site series is 01, in CWH and MH zones; the most common non-forested wetland in all BGC units is wetland fens (Wf, Wf50, Wf51). Upland ecosystems cover 1743 ha (69%) of the LSA and 3790 ha (73%) of the RSA; wetland ecosystems cover 510 ha (20%) of the LSA and 969 ha (19%) of the RSA. Non-vegetated, sparsely vegetated and anthropogenic units cover 319 ha (10%) and 401 ha (8%) of the LSA and RSA, respectively.

No invasive species or species at risk were recorded during field surveys within the study area.

Six ecological communities at risk occur in three BGC units: CWHws1; CWHws2; and MHmm1. One ecological community at risk, Sitka sedge / peat-moss (Wf51), is red-listed and has a conservation framework rating of one. The CWHws1 has the highest area for rare ecological communities in the LSA and RSA. In total, ecological communities at risk cover 203 ha (8%) of the LSA and 494 ha (10%) of the RSA.

Old forests, wetlands, and sparsely vegetated areas were classified as sensitive ecosystems. Old forests were mapped in all BGC units except the CMAun. The highest area coverage for old forests occurred in the MHmm2. However, this may be attributable to the difference in mapping methods. In total, old forests cover 326 ha (13%) of the LSA and 811 ha (16%) of the RSA.

Fens are the predominant wetland in the study area occupying 390 ha (15%) of the LSA and 728 ha (14%) of the RSA. The estuarine community (EM05) only occurs in CWHws1. Other wetlands are treed swamps, marshes and aquatic communities of buckbean and yellow pond-lily, which occur in the shallow open water.

The last sensitive ecosystem class occurs on sparsely vegetated areas, such as rocks, talus, cliffs, and mudflats, which occurred in all BGC units except CMAun. Sparsely vegetated areas occupy the smallest area in comparison to all the other sensitive ecosystems. In total these ecosystems cover 65 ha (3%) of the LSA and 94 ha (2%) of the RSA.

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 Page 33

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE

REFERENCES Banner, A., W. MacKenzie, S. Haeussler, S. Thompson, J. Pojar, and R. Trowbridge. 1993. A Field Guide to the Site Identification and Interpretation for the Prince Rupert Forest Region. Land Management Handbook No. 26. BC MOFR, Research Branch Victoria. British Columbia Conservation Data Centre (BC CDC). 2010. BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer. B.C. Ministry. of Environment. Victoria, B.C. Available: http://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/. Accessed: July 2010. Demarchi, D.A. 1996. An Introduction to the Ecoregions of British Columbia. MEL&P, Wildlife Branch, Victoria, BC Government of British Columbia (BC). 2004. Forest and Range Practices Act, Invasive Plants Regulation, B.C Reg. 18/2004. Available at: http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/18_18_2004. Accessed February 2010. Government of BC. 2008. Community Charter Spheres of Concurrent Jurisdiction - Environment and Wildlife Regulation, BC Reg. 144/2004 (includes amendments up to BC Reg. 235/2008, August 7, 2008). Available at: http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/03026_00. Accessed February 2010. Government of BC. 2010. British Columbia Weed Control Act (1996); Weed Control Regulation, BC Reg. 66/85 (includes amendments up to B.C. Reg. 4/2010, January 14, 2010). Available at: http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/10_66_85. Accessed February 2010. Government of Canada. 2009. Species at Risk Act (SARA). S.C. 2002.c29. Available at: www.sararegistry.gc.ca/gen_info/default_e.cfm Government of Canada. 2009. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). Available at: http://www.cosewic.gc.ca/eng/sct6/index_e.cfm Invasive Plant Council of BC. 2007. A Legislative Guidebook to Invasive Plant Management in BC. Non-published. MacKenzie, W.H. and J.R. Moran. 2004. Wetlands of British Columbia. A Guide to Identification. Land Management Handbook No. 52. Res. Br., B.C. Ministry of Forests, Victoria, B.C. Ministry of Forests and Lands, Natural Resource Operations (MFLNRO). 2010. Ministry of Forests and Range. Invasive Alien Plant Program. Available at: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hra/plants/application.htm. Accessed December 2010. National Wetlands Working Group. 1997. The Canadian Wetland Classification System, Second Edition. Ed Warner, B.G. and CDA Rabec. Wetland Research Centre, U. of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ont.

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 Page 34

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND VEGETATION BASELINE

Rescan (2010a). Kitsault Project: Vegetation and Ecosystem Mapping Baseline Report. Vancouver BC. Prepared for Avanti Mining Inc. by Rescan Environmental Services Ltd. Rescan (2010b). Kitsault Project: 2009 Wetland Baseline Report. Vancouver BC. Prepared for Avanti Mining Inc. by Rescan Environmental Services Ltd. Resource Inventory Committee (RIC). 1998. Standards for Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping in British Columbia. Prepared by Ecosystems Working Group, Terrestrial Ecosystems Task Force and Resource Inventory Committee. RIC, Victoria, BC.

Version 1.0 VE51988 – Baseline Appendix 6.10-A November 2011 Page 35