Westcoast Energy Inc. Environmental and Socio‐economic Assessment Fort Nelson North Processing Facility August 2009 / 6053

APPENDIX D

RARE SURVEY

Page D‐1

Prepared for: 2009 RARE PLANT SURVEY

Westcoast Energy Inc. FOR THE PROPOSED carrying on business as WESTCOAST ENERGY INC. FORT NELSON NORTH PROCESSING FACILITY

Spectra Energy Transmission (Westcoast) Calgary, Alberta

Prepared by:

TERA Environmental Consultants Suite 1100, 815 ‐ 8th Avenue S.W. Calgary, Alberta T2P 3P2 Ph: 403‐265‐2885

August 2009 6053

Westcoast Energy Inc. Rare Plant Survey Fort Nelson North Processing Facility August 2009 / 6053

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1.0 INTRODUCTION...... 1 1.1 Ecosystem Classification ...... 1 1.2 Study Area Boundaries ...... 1 1.3 Objectives ...... 1 2.0 METHODS ...... 2 2.1 Desktop Review...... 2 2.2 Rare Plant Surveys ...... 2 2.3 Non‐Native and Invasive Species...... 3 3.0 KNOWN SPECIES OF CONCERN...... 5

4.0 RESULTS ...... 6 4.1 Survey Limitations...... 6 4.2 Rare ...... 6 4.2.1 Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana) (S2S3) ...... 8 4.2.2 Western Jacobʹs‐ladder ( occidentale ssp. occidentale) (S2S3) ...... 8 4.2.3 Yellow Collar Moss (Splachnum luteum) (S2S3) and Red Collar Moss (Splachnum rubrum) (S1S3) ...... 9 4.3 Rare Ecological Communities ...... 10 4.4 Non‐Native and Invasive Species...... 10 5.0 DISCUSSION AND MITIGATION RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 11 5.1 Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana) (S2S3)...... 11 5.2 Western Jacobʹs‐ladder (Polemonium occidentale ssp. occidentale) (S2S3) ...... 11 5.3 Yellow Collar Moss (Splachnum luteum) (S2S3) and Red Collar Moss (Splachnum rubrum) (S1S3)...... 11 5.4 Non‐Native and Invasive Species...... 11 6.0 REFERENCES ...... 12 6.1 Literature Cited ...... 12

LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix 1 Photoplates...... 14 Appendix 2 Potential Rare Species in the BWBS BGC Zone in the Fort Nelson Forest District ...... 17 Appendix 3 Potential Rare Ecological Communities in the BWBS BGC Zone in the Fort Nelson Forest District ...... 20 Appendix 4 Observed Plant Species – by Type and Common Name ...... 21

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LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 Observed Rare Plant Locations within the Proposed Fort Nelson North Processing Facility...... 7

LIST OF TABLES Table 1 BC Ministry of Forests Weed Distribution Codes ...... 4 Table 2 Locations of Western Jacob’s‐Ladder Observed Within the Proposed Fort Nelson North Processing Facility and Access Road...... 9

LIST OF PLATE S Plate 1 Close‐up view of Jack pine cone (July 12, 2009)...... 15 Plate 2 View of western Jacobʹs‐ladder population (July 12, 2009)...... 15 Plate 3 Close‐up view of western Jacobʹs‐ladder flower (July 12, 2009)...... 16 Plate 4 View of yellow collar moss and red collar moss observed growing together on ungulate dung (July 13, 2009)...... 16

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Westcoast Energy Inc. Rare Plant Survey Fort Nelson North Processing Facility August 2009 / 6053

1.0 INTRODUCTION

TERA Environmental Consultants (TERA) was commissioned by Westcoast Energy Inc., carrying on business as Spectra Energy Transmission (Westcoast), to conduct a rare plant survey for their proposed Fort Nelson North Processing Facility (the Project). The Project will process natural gas from the Horn River Basin area of northeast British Columbia (BC).

The Project will be located entirely on Westcoast‐owned land and is adjacent to the existing Westcoast Cabin Lake Booster Station (BS‐19). The nearest community is Fort Nelson, located approximately 75 km southwest of the Project. The total land footprint required to construct the Project is approximately 50 ha (48.6 ha for the facility site and 1.6 ha for the access road). Pending regulatory approval, construction is scheduled to commence July 2010 with clearing occurring earlier in the first quarter of 2010.

1.1 Ecosystem Classification

In BC, the Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC) System identifies Biogeoclimatic (BGC) Zones and Subzones. The Project is within the Boreal White and Black Spruce (BWBS) BGC Zone in the Fort Nelson Forest District (FD) of BC (Meidinger and Pojar 1991).

1.2 Study Area Boundaries

The study area boundaries for this Project include the land area directly disturbed by construction and clean‐up activities, including the facility site and access road. When rare plant populations or communities are observed, the study area may be extended in order to assess the proportion of the population or community that occurs outside the Project footprint.

1.3 Objectives

The main objectives of the survey were to:

• identify rare vascular plant species and rare ecological communities within the Project footprint as defined by the Canadian Species at Risk Act (SARA), the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), or the BC Conservation Data Centre (CDC);

• identify unique sites or habitat features on the Project with high potential to support rare plant species;

• record the abundance and distribution of non‐native, invasive species; and

• provide mitigation recommendations in the event that rare plants, rare ecological communities or invasive species infestations are observed.

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Westcoast Energy Inc. Rare Plant Survey Fort Nelson North Processing Facility August 2009 / 6053

2.0 METHODS

2.1 Desktop Review

Prior to the field survey, a literature review is conducted to identify rare vascular plant species and rare ecological communities with potential to occur in the Project area. Satellite images are reviewed in order to identify areas with high potential to support rare plant species (e.g., seepage areas, riparian areas, under‐represented ecosystems). Using data available from BC CDC, COSEWIC and Environment Canada, tables of potential rare vascular plant species (Appendix 2) and rare ecological communities (Appendix 3) are compiled (COSEWIC 2009, Government of Canada 2008). Definitions of rarity ranks and classes are included in the footnotes of the Appendices.

The BC CDC provides rare vascular plant data (BC CDC 2007) by BGC Zone and FD. All Red and Blue‐listed vascular plants in the BGC Zone and FD of the Project are included. Habitats are added using Douglas et al. (2002) and Douglas et al. (1998‐2002).

BC CDC rare ecological community data is provided by BGC subzone and FD (BC CDC 2007). All Red and Blue‐listed communities in the subzone and FD of the Project are included.

Information regarding records of known rare plant or rare ecological community occurrences within the local Project area is requested from BC CDC (BC CDC 2007). These results are included in Section 3.0. None of the potential rare plant species or rare ecological communities in the Project area have a designation under COSEWIC or SARA.

2.2 Rare Plant Surveys

Rare plant survey methods were based on survey guidelines as developed by the Alberta Native Plant Council (ANPC) (2000) and Penny and Klinkenberg (2007). Rare plant specialists traversed each selected portion of the Project, noted the dominant plant communities, recorded all identifiable species and searched for rare plants and unique habitat. The entire access road footprint was surveyed using a purposeful meander technique. Due to the large area of the proposed facility site, the rare plant survey for this Project was conducted via a series of transects, with greatest survey effort focused on areas of high‐potential rare plant habitat such as transitional zones between cover types. At locations where potentially significant microsites were observed, more detailed searches were performed. A list of all species observed during the survey is provided as Appendix 4. Species nomenclature is according to the BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer (BC CDC 2007) with more current taxonomic information drawn from NatureServe (2009a) when necessary.

In accordance with established rare plant survey guidelines, TERA generally conducts both an early summer and a late summer survey (ANPC 2000), between June 1 and August 31. Due to

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Westcoast Energy Inc. Rare Plant Survey Fort Nelson North Processing Facility August 2009 / 6053 the brief growing season experienced in the Project area, a single rare plant survey was conducted for this Project from July 12 to 13, 2009.

Thorough ground searches were conducted to determine the extent of the rare plant populations observed. Populations were mapped and photographed, their UTM coordinates recorded and detailed reporting forms were completed. Results from the survey will be submitted to the BC CDC. Voucher specimens of observed rare plant species were collected when feasible, and will be submitted to an appropriate herbarium.

This survey did not address all rare nonvascular species (mosses, liverworts, lichens). However, when identifiable rare nonvascular species were observed, the populations were assessed and reported in the same manner as vascular species.

2.3 Non‐Native and Invasive Species

Weed control is of concern to land users and local government agencies. Provincial noxious weeds are those that must be controlled in all regions and regional noxious weeds are those that must be controlled in the region(s) for which they are listed. Nuisance weeds in BC are identified (Cranston et al. 2002) but are not regulated by the BC Weed Control Act.

Weeds and additional species commonly considered to be invasive or weedy (whether they are agronomics, native species or introduced species) are recorded for the proposed development. Density distributions for each weed species observed is assigned according to the British Columbia Ministry of Forests codes (Luttmerding et al. 1990) presented in Table 1.

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TABLE 1

BC MINISTRY OF FORESTS WEED DISTRIBUTION CODES

Guidelines for Field Assessment* No. of plants in 20 x No. of plants/ha 100 x Approximate 20 m area (low shrubs, 100 m area (tall % Cover Code Description herbs and mosses) shrubs and trees) Diagram Range 1 rare individual, a 1 <5 single occurrence 1-5

2 a few sporadically 2-5 5-50 occurring individuals 1-5

3 a single patch or 1 patch (occupying an variable (3 patches) clump of species area smaller than on quadrant of the plot) 1-10

4 several sporadically ≥6 >50 occurring individuals 5-10

5 a few patches or 2-5 patches (each variable (3-10 patches) clumps of species occupying an area smaller than one 10-30 quadrant of the plot) 6 several well-spaced ≥6 patches (each variable (10-many patches or clumps occupying less than one disjunct patches) quadrant of the plot) 10-30

7 continuous uniform many many occurrence off well- spaced individuals 10-30

8 continuous many many (continuous occurrence of a matrix formed by species with a few species crowns with 30-60 gaps in the some openings) distribution 9 continuous dense many many occurrence of a species > 60

Sources: Luttmerding et al. 1990. Note: * The distribution code is determined over a sufficiently large area to account for normal variation in distribution pattern.

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3.0 KNOWN SPECIES OF CONCERN

There are no potential species listed for the BWBS BGC Zone in the Fort Nelson FD of BC that have a SARA or COSEWIC designation (BC CDC 2007).

The BC CDC had no records of rare plant or rare ecological community occurrences within the local Project area (BC CDC 2007).

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4.0 RESULTS

The central area of the proposed facility (where the majority of clearing will occur) consists of trembling aspen‐dominated forest with a tall shrub layer of green alder and a ground cover of leaf litter with occasional patches of bunchberry and/or twinflower and feather mosses. Marshes and drainages with surface water occur occasionally within the trembling aspen forest, where localized hydrology permits. In these areas, the shrub layer is dominated by willow species and the ground cover includes bluejoint reed grass and horsetail.

Black spruce‐dominated bogs occur along the north, south and east boundaries of the proposed facility site. The understory in these bogs is dominated by Labrador tea and a ground cover of either cloudberry or red bearberry growing from peat hummocks. Drier ridges within the bogs are dominated by lodgepole pine with varied shrub and herb layers.

The transition zones between forested and boggy areas feature higher species diversity and surface water. These transition areas feature a mixture of black spruce, balsam poplar and trembling aspen with a shrub layer dominated by various willow species, low birch and mountain alder and a ground cover of sedges, common and wood horsetail, feather mosses and peat mosses.

A list of all species observed at the time of survey is provided in Appendix 4. Weed species encountered during this survey are also included in Appendix 4, while specific locations and abundances of weeds are reported in more detail in Section 4.4 of this report. Species nomenclature is according to the BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer (BC CDC 2007) with more current taxonomic information drawn from NatureServe (2009a) when necessary.

4.1 Survey Limitations

Although rare plant surveys can confirm the presence of rare plants, they cannot definitively state that rare plant species are not present on a site.

4.2 Rare Plants

During the rare plant survey of the Project and access road, four BC CDC listed rare plant species were observed. The rare plants observed were:

• jack pine (Pinus banksiana) (S2S3); • western Jacobʹs‐ladder (Polemonium occidentale ssp. occidentale) (S2S3); • yellow collar moss (Splachnum luteum) (S2S3); • red collar moss (Splachnum rubrum) (S1S3).

The locations of these rare plant observations are mapped on Figure 1.

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OBSERVED RARE PLANT PLANT RARE OBSERVED

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A species of willow that was initially believed to be the S2S3 ranked autumn willow (Salix serissima) was subsequently confirmed to be a more common species via comparison with specimens at the University of Calgary herbarium, and will no longer considered a candidate for mitigation actions.

No BC CDC listed rare ecological communities were observed during the survey. No COSEWIC or SARA‐listed species or species designated under the BC Identified Wildlife Program were found during the survey.

4.2.1 Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana) (S2S3)

Jack pine is an evergreen tree. Its form varies from small and shrubby to straight and tall, up to 20 m in height. The cones of pines are woody and conspicuous, often persisting on the tree. In jack pine these seed cones point towards the end of the branch (Plate 1), as opposed to the more common lodgepole pine whose seed cones are at right angles to the branch or point back towards the trunk (Moss 1983). Jack pine is ranked S2S3 and is on the Blue list in BC ; globally it is ranked G5 (BC CDC 2007).

In c‐46‐I/94‐P‐4 and a‐37‐I/94‐P‐4 each, a single dead jack pine was observed. The first dead tree (UTM Zone 10V, NAD 83, 581317E 6563446N) was observed in a mixed‐wood stand dominated by white spruce that had sparse shrub cover of green alder and prickly rose and a ground cover dominated by feather mosses, twinflower and bunchberry. The second dead tree (581114E 6563035N) was observed in a mixed‐wood stand dominated by lodgepole pine with a diverse shrub cover that included soopolallie, prickly rose, green alder and highbush‐cranberry and a ground cover of twinflower, bunchberry, lingonberry and fireweed. The potential exists for live jack pine to occur in the area, yet all live pine observed were lodgepole pine. The cones do display more armouring than expected for jack pine and therefore these two observed dead trees may be hybrids between jack pine and lodgepole pine.

4.2.2 Western Jacobʹs‐ladder (Polemonium occidentale ssp. occidentale) (S2S3)

Western Jacob's-ladder is an erect, rhizomatous, perennial herb (20-100 cm tall) that has clusters of blue, bell-shaped flowers (Plate 2). The stamens are included in the corollas, which are markedly surpassed by the styles (Plate 3). The leaves are compound with 11 to 27 opposite leaflets (Douglas et al. 1998-2002). Western Jacob's‐ladder is ranked S2S3 and is on the Blue-list in BC; globally it is ranked G5?T5? (NatureServe 2009b).

Western Jacobʹs‐ladder was observed in eight locations, summarized in Table 2, within the Project area. This species was associated either with existing disturbance (pipelines, seismic lines, gravel road edges) or in undisturbed areas within transition areas between trembling aspen forests and black spruce bogs.

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TABLE 2

LOCATIONS OF WESTERN JACOB’S‐LADDER OBSERVED WITHIN THE PROPOSED FORT NELSON NORTH PROCESSING FACILITY AND ACCESS ROAD

Legal Location UTM Coordinates (94-P-04) (Zone 10V NAD 83) Habitat Description b-48-I 580512 6563383 On west side of proposed facility. Observed on seismic line. c-47-I 580863 6563443 Near centre of proposed facility. Observed on seismic line. a-37-I 581187 6563171 In southeast corner of proposed facility. Observed in transition between trembling aspen forest and black spruce bog. c-46-I 581345 6563241 In southeast corner of proposed facility. Observed in transition between trembling aspen forest and black spruce bog. d-46-I 581359 6563578 In northeast corner of proposed facility. Observed in transition between trembling aspen forest and black spruce bog. b-49-I 579856 6563404 On proposed access road. Observed on previously cleared area. b-49-I 579791 6563356 On proposed access road. Observed on previously cleared area adjacent to the existing gravel road. c-47-I 580749 6563266 On west side of proposed facility. Observed pipeline.

4.2.3 Yellow Collar Moss (Splachnum luteum) (S2S3) and Red Collar Moss (Splachnum rubrum) (S1S3)

Yellow collar moss is a small, conspicuous moss frequently found on decomposing, ungulate dung throughout the boreal forest. It is characterized by distinctive, yellow, umbrella‐like sporophytes elevated approximately 5‐10 cm above its substrate (Plate 4). Gametophytes, the leafy component of the plant from which sporophytes are borne, are much less conspicuous and are easily overlooked (Vitt et al. 1988). Yellow collar moss is ranked S2S3 and is on the Blue List in BC; globally, it is ranked G3 (BC CDC 2007).

Red collar moss (Splachnum rubrum) is similar to yellow collar moss however its mature sporophytes are deep red to purple in colour and may grow up to 15 cm tall (Plate 4) (Vitt et al. 1988). Red collar moss is ranked S1S3 and is on the Red List in BC; globally, it is ranked G3 (BC CDC 2007).

In a‐37‐I/94‐P‐4 and d‐37‐I/94‐P‐4 on the south side of the Project area, yellow and red collar moss were observed together in two locations. The first observation (UTM Zone 10V, NAD 83, 580990E 6563032N) was located within a black spruce forest ‐ black spruce bog transition zone. The shrub layer was dominated by Labrador tea and ground cover was composed of red fruit bearberry, common horsetail and feather mosses. The patch was growing from ungulate feces on a wildlife trail. The second observation (580941E 6563073N) was located along a drainage within a trembling aspen forest ‐ black spruce bog transition zone. The understory was comprised of a shrub layer of prickly rose and ground cover of leaf litter. The patch was growing from moose feces on a wildlife trail.

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4.3 Rare Ecological Communities

No rare ecological communities were observed along the route.

4.4 Non‐Native and Invasive Species

No noxious weeds were observed on the Project. Two non‐native invasive species, horned dandelion and Kentucky blue grass, were observed during the rare plant survey.

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5.0 DISCUSSION AND MITIGATION RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana) (S2S3)

Both Jack pine trees observed at the time of survey were dead. However, their presence indicates the area has the potential to support the species. The area to be cleared avoids both observed Jack pine trees, and largely avoids the habitat within the Project footprint with the greatest potential to support Jack pine (Figure 1). As such, there is little potential for construction of the Project to exert adverse impacts on this rare species, and no further mitigation is recommended.

5.2 Western Jacobʹs‐ladder (Polemonium occidentale ssp. occidentale) (S2S3)

Western Jacobʹs‐ladder was observed in numerous locations throughout the Project footprint, in a variety of disturbance‐induced and undisturbed habitat types, both on and off the area to be cleared for construction (Figure 1). Based on these observations, the species is believed to be locally abundant and resilient to some degree of human‐induced disturbance.

Minimization of grubbing and grading in low‐lying wet areas and transitional zones between dry and wet soils will limit habitat losses for western Jacobʹs‐ladder within the Project footprint. No further mitigation is recommended.

5.3 Yellow Collar Moss (Splachnum luteum) (S2S3) and Red Collar Moss (Splachnum rubrum) (S1S3)

One population of yellow collar moss and red collar moss was located well away from the Project area to be cleared for construction. The second population and its substrate were removed from its closer proximity to the Project footprint and placed in the vicinity of the first population, in similar habitat (i.e., a wildlife trail). No further mitigation is recommended.

5.4 Non‐Native and Invasive Species

The abundance of weedy species within the Project footprint is currently low. Ensuring that equipment is clean and free of weeds or any soil, which may contain weed , prior to the start of construction will maintain low weed densities in this area following Project construction.

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6.0 REFERENCES

6.1 Literature Cited

Alberta Native Plant Council. 2000. ANPC Guidelines for Rare Plant Surveys in Alberta. Website: http://www.anpc.ab.ca/assets/rareplant.pdf.

Argus, G.W. and K.M. Pryer. 1990. Rare Vascular Plants in Canada. Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa.

British Columbia Conservation Data Centre. 2007. BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer. B.C. Ministry of Environment. Victoria, B.C. Available at: http://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/. Accessed: July 15, 2009.

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. 2009. Canadian species at risk. Website: http://www.cosewic.gc.ca/eng/sct5/index_e.cfm.

Cranston, R., D. Ralph and B. Wikeem. 2002. Field Guide to Noxious and Other Selected Weeds of British Columbia. Fourth Edition. British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Lands.

Douglas, G., (G.B. Straley), D. Meidinger and J. Pojar. 1998‐2002. Illustrated Flora of British Columbia. Volumes 1‐8. Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management and Ministry of Forests. Province of British Columbia.

Douglas, G.W., D. Meidinger and J.L. Penny. 2002. Rare Native Vascular Plants of British Columbia. 2nd Edition. Province of British Columbia.

Government of Canada. 2008. Species at Risk Public Registry. Website: http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/default_e.cfm.

Hitchcock, C.L. and A. Cronquist. 1973. Flora of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press. Seattle, Washington.

Luttmerding, H.A., D.A. Demarchi, E.C. Lea, D.V. Meidinger and T. Vold (editors). 1990. Describing Ecosystems in the Field. Second edition. B.C. Min. Env., Lands and Parks and B.C. Ministry of Forests. MOELP Manual 11. Victoria, B.C.

Meidinger D. and J. Pojar. 1991. Ecosystems of British Columbia. Special Report Series No. 6. Research Branch and Forest Sciences Section of the BC Ministry of Forests. Victoria, BC.

Moss, E.H. 1983. Flora of Alberta. Second Edition. Revised by J.G. Packer. University of Toronto Press. Toronto, Ontario. 687 pp.

NatureServe. 2009a. NatureServe Explorer ‐ An Online Encyclopedia of Life. Website: http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/index.htm.

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NatureServe. 2009b. Heritage Status: Global, National and Subnational Conservation Status Ranks. Website: http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/ranking.htm.

Penny, J. and R. Klinkenberg. 2007. Protocols for Rare Vascular Plant Surveys. Website: http://www.eflora.bc.ca/.

Vitt, D., J. Marsh and R. Bovey. 1988. Mosses, Lichens and Ferns of Northwest North America. Lone Pine Publishing. Edmonton, Alberta. 296 pp.

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APPENDIX 1

PHOTOPLATES

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Plate 1 Close‐up view of Jack pine cone (July 12, 2009).

Plate 2 View of western Jacobʹs‐ladder population (July 12, 2009).

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Plate 3 Close‐up view of western Jacobʹs‐ladder flower (July 12, 2009).

Plate 4 View of yellow collar moss and red collar moss observed growing together on ungulate dung (July 13, 2009).

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APPENDIX 2

POTENTIAL RARE VASCULAR PLANT SPECIES IN THE BWBS BGC ZONE IN THE FORT NELSON FOREST DISTRICT

Provincial Federal/Global Scientific Name Common Name Habitat Designations Designations Aster puniceus var. purple-stemmed Moist meadows and streambanks. S2S31, --- puniceus aster Blue2 Astragalus tundra milk-vetch Wet to moist sites. S2S31, --- umbellatus Blue2 Botrychium dainty moonwort Dry to moist open areas or S2S31, G33 crenulatum riverbanks. Blue2 Carex bicolor two-coloured sedge Moist to wet meadows and S2S31, --- shorelines. Blue2 Carex heleonastes Hudson Bay sedge Wet sites, lowland to near S2S31, --- timberline. Blue2 Carex lapponica Lapland sedge Wet peat bogs and open bog S2S31, --- forests. Blue2 Carex fragile sedge Bogs, shorelines and wet S2S31, --- membranacea meadows. Blue2 Castilleja gracillima slender paintbrush Mountain meadows and slopes; S2S31, G3G4Q3 also on coastal bluffs. Blue2 Chamaerhodos American Dry hillsides. S2S31, --- erecta ssp. nuttallii chamaerhodos Blue2 Cicuta virosa European water- Wet sites. S2S31, --- hemlock Blue2 Draba cinerea gray-leaved draba Dry meadows and cliffs. S2S31, --- Blue2 Elymus calderi Calder's wildrye Benches and sandy alkaline soils. S2S31, G3G43 Blue2 Galium northern bog Marshy ground, moist woods, S2S31, --- labradoricum bedstraw bogs. Blue2 Glyceria pulchella slender manna grass Ponds and ditches. S2S31, --- Blue2 Gymnocarpium Nahanni oak fern Moist, cool, shale talus slopes. S31, --- jessoense ssp. Blue2 parvulum Impatiens aurella orange touch-me-not Moist sites. S2S31, --- Blue2 Juncus albescens whitish rush Wet, calcareous fens. S2S31, --- Blue2 Juncus arcticus Arctic rush Tidal flats and wet meadows. S2S31, --- ssp. alaskanus Blue2 Lesquerella arctica Arctic bladderpod Sandy slopes and ridges. S2S31, --- var. arctica Blue2 kuschei Yukon lupine Mesic, rocky, sandy or gravely S2S31, G33 sites. Blue2 Luzula nivalis Arctic wood-rush Imperfectly drained areas around S2S31, --- pond margins, marshes and Blue2 streams. Luzula rufescens rusty wood-rush Dry to mesic, open forests and S2S31, --- forest margins. Blue2 Malaxis white adder's-mouth Open wet meadows and wooded S2S31, --- brachypoda orchid swamps. Blue2

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APPENDIX 2 Contʹd

Provincial Federal/Global Scientific Name Common Name Habitat Designations Designations Muhlenbergia marsh muhly Wet to moist meadows, S31, --- glomerata streambanks, bogs, ditches, lake Blue2 margins, hot springs. Oxytropis Davis' locoweed S31, G5T33 campestris var. Blue2 davisii Oxytropis Jordal's locoweed S2S31, --- campestris var. Blue2 jordalii Oxytropis Maydell's locoweed Moist to mesic meadows. S2S31, --- maydelliana Blue2 Oxytropis Scamman's Mesic to dry slopes. S2S31, G3G43 scammaniana locoweed Blue2 Pinguicula villosa hairy butterwort Sphagnum bogs. S2S31, --- Blue2 Pinus banksiana jack pine Dry sites. S2S31, --- Blue2 Polemonium northern Jacob's- Mesic to dry meadows and rock S2S31, --- boreale ladder outcrops. Blue2 Polemonium western Jacob's- Wet to moist swamps, S2S31, --- occidentale ssp. ladder streambanks, meadows and Blue2 occidentale thickets. Potamogeton perfoliate pondweed Lakes. S2S31, --- perfoliatus Blue2 Rumex arcticus Arctic dock Moist to wet sites. S31, --- Blue2 Salix petiolaris meadow willow Wet thickets. S2S31, --- Blue2 Salix raupii Raup's willow Thickets in moist, open forests Red2 G23 and on gravel flood plains. Salix serissima autumn willow Wet thickets, slough margins, S2S31, --- meadows and fens. Blue2 Sarracenia common pitcher- Bogs and fens. S2S31, --- purpurea ssp. plant Blue2 gibbosa Senecio congestus marsh fleabane Marshes, ponds and ditches. S1S31, --- Red2 Senecio Mount Sheldon Wet to moist sites. S2S31, G33 sheldonensis butterweed Blue2 Silene repens pink campion Dry meadows and open forests. S1S31, --- Red2 Silene taimyrensis Taimyr campion Dry open, calcareous sites. S2S31, --- Blue2 Sphenopholis slender wedgegrass Moist stream and lake margins, S31, --- intermedia meadows and hot springs. Blue2 Tofieldia coccinea northern false Dry to mesic meadows and rocky S2S31, --- asphodel slopes. Blue2 Trichophorum dwarf clubrush Bogs, lakeshores and wet S2S31, --- pumilum meadows. Blue2 Utricularia ochroleucous Oligotrophic and dystrophic lakes. S2S31, --- ochroleuca bladderwort Blue2 Sources: Argus and Pryer 1990; BC CDC 2007; COSEWIC 2009; Douglas et al. 1998-2002, et al. 2002; Government of Canada 2008; Hitchcock and Cronquist 1973; NatureServe 2009a,b

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APPENDIX 2 Contʹd

Notes: 1. Provincial (S) ranks are assigned by the provincial and federal Conservation Data Centre(s); in cases of conflict or missing data, the provincial CDC will have preference. Ranks range from 1 (five or fewer occurrences) to 5 (demonstrably secure under present conditions); all definitions below are from NatureServe 2007. S1 = Critically Imperilled: because of extreme rarity or because of some factor(s) making it especially vulnerable to extirpation. Typically 5 or fewer occurrences or very few remaining individuals (<1,000). S2 = Imperilled: because of rarity or because of some factor(s) making it very vulnerable to extirpation. Typically 6-20 occurrences or few remaining individuals (1,000-3,000). S3 = Vulnerable: because rare and uncommon, or found in a restricted range (even if abundant at some locations), or because of other factors making it vulnerable to extirpation. Typically 21- 100 occurrences or between 3,000 and 10,000 individuals. S4 = Apparently Secure: uncommon but not rare, and usually widespread in the province. Possible cause of long-term concern. Usually more than 100 occurrences and more than 10,000 individuals. S5 = Secure: common, widespread, and abundant in the province. Essentially ineradicable under present conditions. Typically with considerably more than 100 occurrences and more than 10,000 individuals. S#S# = Range Rank: a numeric range rank (e.g., S2S3) is used to indicate the range of uncertainty about the exact status of the element. Q = Questionable : taxonomic status is questionable; numeric rank may change with taxonomy. T = Designates a rank associated with a subspecies. 2. BC Provincial List (BC CDC 2006). Only Red and Blue list designations are displayed. Red List: Includes species that have been legally designated as endangered or threatened under the Wildlife Act; are extirpated; or are candidates for such designation. Blue List: Includes species not immediately threatened but of concern because of characteristics that make them particularly sensitive to human activities or natural events. 3. Global (G) ranks are based on species status world-wide and follow a system parallel to that for Provincial Ranks (Note 1), ranging from 1 (5 or fewer occurrences) to 5 (demonstrably secure under present conditions). Only Global Ranks of concern (G1 to G3) or questionable ranks are displayed (NatureServe 2009b).

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APPENDIX 3

POTENTIAL RARE ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES IN THE BWBS BGC ZONE IN THE FORT NELSON FOREST DISTRICT

BC BC Biogeoclimatic Scientific Name Common Name Rank1 Status2 Zone 3 FOREST / WOODLAND Picea mariana / Arctostaphylos black spruce / kinnikinnick / S3 Blue BWBSmw2/00 uva-ursi / Cladina spp. reindeer lichens SHRUBLAND Salix exigua Shrubland narrow-leaf willow Shrubland S2 Red BGxh3/Fl06; BGxw1/Fl06; BWBSmw2/Fl06 Source: BC CDC 2007 Notes: 1. Provincial (S#) ratings range from 1 (critically imperilled, 5 or fewer occurrences) to 5 (demonstrably widespread, abundant, and secure). 2. Species are assigned to a list depending on their Subnational Conservation Status. RED - Plant communities in the wild of BC which either no longer exist, face imminent extirpation or extinction, or are likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed. BLUE - Includes indigenous plant communities of BC considered at risk, i.e., having characteristics making them sensitive or vulnerable to human activities or natural events. 3. Indicates the BGC unit(s) and subzones in which each plant community is known to occur. BG (Bunchgrass); BWBS Precipitation: x (very dry); m (moist) Climate: h (hot); w (warm) /nn Ministry of Forests site series classification (00 = not classified but recognized)

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APPENDIX 4

OBSERVED PLANT SPECIES – BY TYPE AND COMMON NAME

Common Name Scientific Name TREES aspen Populus tremuloides balsam poplar Populus balsamifera black spruce Picea mariana lodgepole pine Pinus contorta tamarack Larix laricina white birch Betula papyrifera white spruce Picea glauca SHRUBS autumn willow Salix serissima balsam willow Salix pyrifolia beaked willow Salix bebbiana bog birch Betula glandulosa Booth's willow Salix boothii bristly black currant Ribes lacustre Canada buffaloberry Shepherdia canadensis common Labrador tea Ledum groenlandicum common wild rose Rosa woodsii Drummond's willow Salix drummondiana dwarf birch Betula pumila false mountain willow Salix pseudomonticola flat-leaved willow Salix planifolia green alder Alnus viridis green alder Alnus viridis ssp crispa green alder Alnus viridis ssp sinuata leatherleaf Chamaedaphne calyculata low-bush cranberry Viburnum edule myrtle-leaved willow Salix myrtillifolia northern gooseberry Ribes oxyacanthoides northern Labrador tea Ledum palustre prickly rose Rosa acicularis river alder Alnus incana ssp tenuifolia Scouler's willow Salix scouleriana shrubby cinquefoil Potentilla fruticosa shrubby willow Salix arbusculoides Sitka willow Salix sitchensis skunk currant Ribes glandulosum smooth willow Salix glauca sweet gale Myrica gale water birch Betula occidentalis wild red raspberry Rubus idaeus willow species Salix sp FORBS, DWARF SHRUBS alpine bearberry Arctostaphylos rubra Arctic wintergreen Pyrola grandiflora arrow-leaved coltsfoot Petasites frigidus var sagittatus

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APPENDIX 4 Contʹd

Common Name Scientific Name Bicknell's geranium Geranium bicknellii balsam groundsel Senecio pauperculus bishop's-cap Mitella nuda blunt-leaved bog orchid Platanthera obtusata bog bilberry Vaccinium uliginosum bog cranberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea bog rosemary Andromeda polifolia bunchberry Cornus canadensis chickweed species Stellaria sp. cloudberry Rubus chamaemorus common fireweed Epilobium angustifolium common horsetail Equisetum arvense common pink wintergreen Pyrola asarifolia common yarrow Achillea millefolium cream-colored vetchling Lathyrus ochroleucus crowberry Empetrum nigrum dewberry Rubus pubescens dwarf raspberry Rubus arcticus dwarf scouring-rush Equisetum scirpoides felwort Gentianella amarella golden corydalis Corydalis aurea heart-leaved twayblade Listera cordata kidney-leaved violet Viola renifolia Labrador lousewort Pedicularis labradorica Lapland buttercup Ranunculus lapponicus lesser rattlesnake plantain Goodyera repens Lindley's aster Aster ciliolatus long-stalked chickweed Stellaria longipes marsh butterweed Senecio foetidus marsh violet Viola palustris northern bastard toadflax Geocaulon lividum northern dandelion Taraxacum ceratophorum northern grass-of-parnassus Parnassia palustris northern green bog orchid Platanthera hyperborea northern starflower Trientalis borealis northern stitchwort Stellaria calycantha one-flowered wintergreen Moneses uniflora one-sided wintergreen Orthilia secunda paintbrush species Castilleja sp. palmate-leaved coltsfoot Petasites frigidus var palmatus pink corydalis Corydalis sempervirens purple paintbrush Castilleja raupii purple peavine Lathyrus venosus red and white baneberry Actaea rubra round-leaved bog orchid Platanthera orbiculata round-leaved orchid Amerorchis rotundifolia running club-moss Lycopodium clavatum small bog cranberry Oxycoccus microcarpus

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APPENDIX 4 Contʹd

Common Name Scientific Name smooth aster Aster laevis spotted coralroot Corallorhiza maculata spurred gentian deflexa stiff club-moss Lycopodium annotinum sweet coltsfoot Petasites frigidus var frigidus sweet-scented bedstraw Galium triflorum tall lungwort Mertensia paniculata three-leaved Solomon's-seal Smilacina trifolia twinflower Linnaea borealis Venus'-slipper Calypso bulbosa violet species Viola sp. western Canada violet Viola canadensis wild strawberry Fragaria virginiana willowherb species Epilobium sp woodland horsetail Equisetum sylvaticum woodland strawberry Fragaria vesca GRASSES, SEDGES, RUSHES beautiful sedge Carex concinna bluejoint Calamagrostis canadensis drooping wood-reed Cinna latifolia inland sedge Carex interior Kentucky bluegrass Poa pratensis mud sedge Carex limosa Norway sedge Carex norvegica ssp. inferalpina russett cotton grass Eriophorum chamissonis sedge Carex paupercula sheathed cotton grass Eriophorum vaginatum sheathed sedge Carex vaginata short sedge Carex canescens var. canescens small-flowered wood-rush Luzula parviflora two-seeded sedge Carex disperma water sedge Carex aquatilis WEEDS, AGRONOMICS common dandelion Taraxacum officinale common plantain Plantago major rough cinquefoil Potentilla norvegica white sweet-clover Melilotus alba yellow sweet-clover Melilotus officinalis MOSSES, LICHENS, LIVERWORTS dog lichen Peltigera canina freckle pelt Peltigera aphthosa golden moss Tomentypnum nitens juniper hair-cap Polytrichum juniperinum knight's plume moss Ptilium crista-castrensis lichen Cladonia sp. moss Plagiomnium sp. peat moss Sphagnum sp. red collar moss Splachnum rubrum

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APPENDIX 4 Contʹd

Common Name Scientific Name rusty peat moss Sphagnum fuscum Schreber's moss Pleurozium schreberi spraypaint lichen Icmadophila ericetorum squarrose peat moss Sphagnum squarrosum stair-step moss Hylocomium splendens star reindeer lichen Cladina stellaris tufted moss Aulacomnium palustre yellow collar moss Splachnum luteum yellow reindeer lichen Cladina mitis

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