Appendix 3. 2016 Target and Non-Target Rare Plant Species Locations

EcoLogic Consultants

APPENDIX 3. 2016 TARGET AND NON-TARGET RARE PLANT SPECIES LOCATIONS

11 952000 953000 954000

Elymus lanceolatus ssp. Psammophilus

Avenula hookeri Silene drummondii var. drummondii Avenula hookeri Antennaria neglecta 0 0 0 0 0 0

4 Antennaria neglecta 4 7 Potentilla pulcherrima 7 2 2 6 6

Antennaria neglecta Silene drummondii var. drummondii Geum triflorum var. triflorum

Avenula hookeri

Halfway River Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community 0 250 500 750 Site C Project 1:10,000 m 2016 Target and Non-Target Rare Plant Species Locations Legend Figure 1 Rare Plant Species Date: 11/9/2017 Map Number: BCH-019a Target Rare Plant Species Coordinate System: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 9N Local Assessment Area Projection: Transverse Mercator Datum: North American 1983 Regional Assessment Area 1009000 1012000 A B 0 0 0 9 6 2 6 0 0 0 1 7 2 6

Symphyotrichum lanceolatum var. lanceolatum Artemisia herriotii

Artemisia herriotii 0 0 0 8 6 2 6

Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community 0 250 500 750 Site C Project 1:10,000 m 2016 Target and Non-Target Rare Plant Species Locations Legend A B Figure 2 Rare Plant Species Date: 11/9/2017 Map Number: BCH-019b Target Rare Plant Species Coordinate System: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 9N Local Assessment Area Projection: Transverse Mercator Datum: North American 1983 Regional Assessment Area 1015000 1016000 0 0 0 8 6 2 6

Symphyotrichum lanceolatum Penstemon gracilis

Geum triflorum var. triflorum

Silene drummondii var. drummondii 0 0 0 7 6 2 6

Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community 0 250 500 750 Site C Project 1:10,000 m 2016 Target and Non-Target Rare Plant Species Locations Legend Figure 3 Rare Plant Species Date: 11/9/2017 Map Number: BCH-019c Target Rare Plant Species Coordinate System: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 9N Local Assessment Area Projection: Transverse Mercator Datum: North American 1983 Regional Assessment Area 1025000 1026000 0 0 0 4 5 2 6

Geum triflorum var. triflorum

Penstemon gracilis Geum triflorum var. triflorum Calamagrostis montanensis Carex torreyi Geum triflorum var. triflorum Geum triflorum var. triflorum Calamagrostis montanensis Penstemon gracilis Calamagrostis montanensis Calamagrostis montanensis Carex xerantica Geum triflorum var. triflorum Avenula hookeri Avenula hookeri Calamagrostis montanensis Antennaria neglecta Antennaria neglecta Penstemon gracilis Geum triflorum var. triflorum Penstemon gracilis Penstemon gracilis Penstemon gracilis Penstemon gracilis Calamagrostis montanensis

Geum triflorum var. triflorum 0 0 0 3 5 2 6

Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community 0 250 500 750 Site C Project 1:10,000 m 2016 Target and Non-Target Rare Plant Species Locations Legend Figure 4 Rare Plant Species Date: 11/9/2017 Map Number: BCH-019d Target Rare Plant Species Coordinate System: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 9N Local Assessment Area Projection: Transverse Mercator Datum: North American 1983 Regional Assessment Area 1017000 1061000 A B

Peace River 0 0 0 8 2 2 6

Carex xerantica

Symphyotrichum lanceolatum var. lanceolatum 0 0 0

2 Artemisia herriotii 5 2 6 Symphyotrichum lanceolatum var. lanceolatum Artemisia herriotii Artemisia herriotii

Symphyotrichum lanceolatum var. lanceolatum 0 0 0

Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar 7 2

Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, 2 AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community 6 0 250 500 750 Site C Project 1:10,000 m 2016 Target and Non-Target Rare Plant Species Locations Legend Figure 5 Rare Plant Species A Date: 11/9/2017 B Map Number: BCH-019e Target Rare Plant Species Coordinate System: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 9N Local Assessment Area Projection: Transverse Mercator Datum: North American 1983 Regional Assessment Area

EcoLogic Consultants

APPENDIX 4. 2017 TARGET AND NON-TARGET RARE PLANT SPECIES LOCATIONS

12 970000 971000 972000 973000

Antennaria neglecta 0 0 0 0

0 Antennaria neglecta 0 8 8 6 6

2 Potentilla pulcherrima 2 6 6 Antennaria neglecta Potentilla pulcherrima Avenula hookeri Ranunculus rhomboideus Lomatium foeniculaceum Carex torreyi Antennaria neglecta Avenula hookeri Antennaria neglecta Avenula hookeri Potentilla pulcherrima Avenula hookeri Potentilla pulcherrima Avenula hookeri Potentilla pulcherrima 0 0

0 Penstemon gracilis 0 0 0 7 7 6 6 2 2 6 6

Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community

0 250 500 750

m Site C Project Legend 1:15,000 2017 Target and Non-Target Rare Plant Species Locations Rare Plant Species Figure 1 Date: 11/9/2017 Target Rare Plant Species Map Number: BCH-016a Tracks Coordinate System: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 9N Projection: Transverse Mercator Local Assessment Area Datum: North American 1983 Regional Assessment Area 0

0 929000 930000 968000 969000 0 6 2 2 6 A B 0 0 0

Polypodium sibericum 7 5 2 6 Polypodium sibericum

Artemisia herriotii 0 0 0 5 2 2 6

Artemisia herriotii Oxytropis campestris var. davisii 0 0 0 6 5 2 6

v 29 i R

w f 0 l

0 a 0 H 4 2 2 6

0 250 500 750

1:15,000 m Site C Project Legend 2017 Target and Non-Target Rare Plant Species Locations Rare Plant Species Figure 2 B Date: 11/9/2017 Target Rare Plant Species A Map Number: BCH-016b Tracks Coordinate System: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 9N Projection: Transverse Mercator Local Assessment Area Datum: North American 1983 Regional Assessment Area 955000 956000 957000 958000

Oxytropis campestris var. davisii Artemisia herriotii Artemisia herriotii

Artemisia herriotii

0 r Artemisia herriotii 0 0 ve 0 0 Ri 0 0 ay Artemisia herriotii 0 6 w 6 2 alf 2 6 H 6

Artemisia herriotii

Artemisia herriotii 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 9 5 5 2 2 6 6

Artemisia herriotii

Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community

0 250 500 750

1:15,000 m Site C Project Legend 2017 Target and Non-Target Rare Plant Species Locations Rare Plant Species Figure 3 Date: 11/9/2017 Target Rare Plant Species Map Number: BCH-016c Tracks Coordinate System: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 9N Projection: Transverse Mercator Local Assessment Area Datum: North American 1983 Regional Assessment Area 957000 958000 959000 960000 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 8 5 5 2 2 6 6

Artemisia herriotii 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 7 5 5 2 2 6 6 Artemisia herriotii Artemisia herriotii

Artemisia herriotii

Artemisia herriotii Halfway River 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 6 5 5 2 2 6 Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, 6 AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community

0 250 500 750

1:15,000 m Site C Project Legend 2017 Target and Non-Target Rare Plant Species Locations Rare Plant Species Figure 4 Date: 11/9/2017 Target Rare Plant Species Map Number: BCH-016d Tracks Coordinate System: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 9N Projection: Transverse Mercator Local Assessment Area Datum: North American 1983 Regional Assessment Area 959000 960000 961000 962000 0 0 0 0 6 2 6 0 0 0 0 0 5

Artemisia herriotii 0 2 0 6

Cirsium drummondii 9 5 2 6

w r e a iv y

R R

e i c v 0 a e

0 e r

0 P 9 0 4 0 2 0 6 8 5 2 6 Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community

0 250 500 750

1:15,000 m Site C Project Legend 2017 Target and Non-Target Rare Plant Species Locations Rare Plant Species B Figure 5 A Date: 11/9/2017 Target Rare Plant Species Map Number: BCH-016e Tracks Coordinate System: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 9N Projection: Transverse Mercator Local Assessment Area Datum: North American 1983 Regional Assessment Area 978000 979000

Epilobium halleanum

r e iv R ce Epilobium halleanum a e Ranunculus rhomboideus P Ranunculus rhomboideus Cirsium drummondii Ranunculus rhomboideus Ranunculus rhomboideus Cirsium drummondii 0 0 0 0

0 Cirsium drummondii 0 1 1

6 Cirsium drummondii 6 2 2 6 Ranunculus rhomboideus 6 Cirsium drummondii Cirsium drummondii Oxytropis campestris var. davisii Cirsium drummondii Cirsium drummondii

Cirsium drummondii Oxytropis campestris var. davisii

Oxytropis campestris var. davisii

Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community

0 150 300 450

1:10,000 m Site C Project Legend 2017 Target and Non-Target Rare Plant Species Locations Rare Plant Species Figure 6 Date: 11/9/2017 Target Rare Plant Species Map Number: BCH-016f Tracks Coordinate System: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 9N Projection: Transverse Mercator Local Assessment Area Datum: North American 1983 Regional Assessment Area 982000 982500 991000 A B 0 0 0 3 6 2 6

0 Carex xerantica 0 0 4 6

2 Penstemon gracilis 6 Carex torreyi Carex xerantica Carex torreyi Carex xerantica Artemisia herriotii Carex xerantica Carex sprengelii Artemisia herriotii Carex backii Carex xerantica 0 0

5 Carex xerantica 3 6 2 6

Peace Ri 0 ver 0 0 2 6 2 6 0

0 Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar 0

3 Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, 6

2 AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community 6 0 150 300 450

1:10,000 m Site C Project Legend 2017 Target and Non-Target Rare Plant Species Locations Rare Plant Species A Figure 7 B Date: 11/10/2017 Target Rare Plant Species Map Number: BCH-016g Tracks Coordinate System: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 9N Projection: Transverse Mercator Local Assessment Area Datum: North American 1983 Regional Assessment Area 994500 995000 995500 1004500 1005000 1005500 A B 0 0 5 1

er 7 iv 2 0 R 6 0 ce 5 a 0 Pe 6 2 6 Geum triflorum Ranunculus rhomboideus Oxytropis campestris var. davisii Potentilla pulcherrima Oxytropis campestris var. davisii Geum triflorum Potentilla pulcherrima 0

Oxytropis campestris var. davisii Artemisia herriotii 0 Ranunculus rhomboideus 0 1 7

Ranunculus cardiophyllus Lomatium foeniculaceum 2 0 6

0 Oxytropis campestris var. davisii

0 Lomatium foeniculaceum 0 6

2 Geum triflorum

6 Lomatium foeniculaceum Oxytropis campestris var. davisii Potentilla pulcherrima Lomatium foeniculaceum Lomatium foeniculaceum Potentilla pulcherrima Antennaria neglecta 0

Antennaria neglecta 0 5 0 7 2 0 6 0 5 9 5 2 6

0 150 300 450

1:10,000 m Site C Project Legend 2017 Target and Non-Target Rare Plant Species Locations B Rare Plant Species A Figure 8 Date: 11/10/2017 Target Rare Plant Species Map Number: BCH-016h Tracks Coordinate System: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 9N Projection: Transverse Mercator Local Assessment Area Datum: North American 1983 Regional Assessment Area 1008000 1010000 1010500 1011000 1011500

A 0

B 0 0 0 0 4 5 5 3 2 5 6 2 6

Calamagrostis montanensis

P ea Silene drummondii ce R iv er Carex xerantica Carex xerantica 0 0 0 5 0 3

0 Potentilla pulcherrima Carex xerantica 5 3 Carex xerantica 2 5 6 2 6 Artemisia herriotii Potentilla pulcherrima Carex xerantica Carex xerantica Carex xerantica Carex xerantica Carex xerantica Carex xerantica Silene drummondii Carex xerantica Carex xerantica Avenula hookeri

Carex xerantica 0 0 0 0 0 3 5 5 2 Avenula hookeri 2 5 6 2 6

Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User User Community Community

0 150 300 450

1:10,000 m Site C Project Legend 2017 Target and Non-Target Rare Plant Species Locations Rare Plant Species Figure 9 AB Date: 11/9/2017 Target Rare Plant Species Map Number: BCH-016i Tracks Coordinate System: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 9N Projection: Transverse Mercator Local Assessment Area Datum: North American 1983 Regional Assessment Area 1030000 1030500 1031000 1031500 1032000 0 0 0 7 5 2 6 Calamagrostis montanensis Lomatium foeniculaceum Calamagrostis montanensis Lomatium foeniculaceum Antennaria neglecta Calamagrostis montanensis Lomatium foeniculaceum

Avenula hookeri Calamagrostis montanensis 0 0

5 Calamagrostis montanensis Calamagrostis montanensis 6 5

2 Calamagrostis montanensis 6 Calamagrostis montanensis

Artemisia herriotii 0 0 0 6 5 2 6

Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community

0 150 300 450

1:10,000 m Site C Project Legend 2017 Target and Non-Target Rare Plant Species Locations Rare Plant Species Figure 10 Date: 11/9/2017 Target Rare Plant Species Map Number: BCH-016j Tracks Coordinate System: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 9N Projection: Transverse Mercator Local Assessment Area Datum: North American 1983 Regional Assessment Area 1003000 1003500 1025500 1026000 1026500 0 0 0 2 5 2

A B 6

r e v i

0 R

0 e 0 n

9 i P 4 2 6 Oxytropix campestris var. davisii 0 0 5 1 5 2 6 0

0 Artemisia herriotii 5 8 4 2 6

Peace River 0 0 0 1 5 2 6 0 0 0 8 4 2 6

0 150 300 450

1:10,000 m Site C Project Legend 2017 Target and Non-Target Rare Plant Species Locations Rare Plant Species Figure 11 A B Date: 11/9/2017 Target Rare Plant Species Map Number: BCH-016k Tracks Coordinate System: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 9N Projection: Transverse Mercator Local Assessment Area Datum: North American 1983 Regional Assessment Area 1048500 1049000 1049500 1050000 1050500 1051000 0 0 5 5 5 2 6 0 0 0 5 5

2 Calamagrostis montanensis 6 Calamagrostis montanensis Calamagrostis montanensis Calamagrostis montanensis Silene drummondii 0 0 5 4 5 2 6

Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community

0 150 300 450

1:10,000 m Site C Project Legend 2017 Target and Non-Target Rare Plant Species Locations Rare Plant Species Figure 12 Date: 11/9/2017 Target Rare Plant Species Map Number: BCH-016l Tracks Coordinate System: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 9N Projection: Transverse Mercator Local Assessment Area Datum: North American 1983 Regional Assessment Area

Appendix 11. Taxonomy of Ochroleucus bladderwort

Site C Clean Energy Project Suite 600, Four Bentall Centre 1055 Dunsmuir Street, P.O. Box 49260 Vancouver, BC. V7X 1V5

March 21, 2016

BC Environmental Assessment Office 2nd Floor, 836 Yates Street P.O. Box 9426 Stn Prov Govt. Victoria, BC V8W 9V1 Attention: Ms. Monica Perry

Dear Ms. Perry:

Re: Environmental Assessment Certificate #E14-02, Condition 10 of Schedule B Taxonomic Classification of Orchroleucus bladderwort

The Environmental Assessment Certificate (EAC) for the Site C Clean Energy Project (the Project) was issued to BC Hydro on October 14, 2014. Condition 10 (of Schedule B) of the EAC requires that BC Hydro “fund or undertake directly with the use of a Rare Plant Botanist … a study focused on clarifying the taxonomy of Ochroleucus bladderwort (Utricularia ochroleuca), including field, herbaria, and genetic work” in consultation with the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (FLNRO) and the Ministry of Environment (BC Conservation Data Centre). Condition 10 also requires that BC Hydro provide FLNRO and MOE (BC Conservation Data Centre) with the findings and analysis of results from the surveys and taxonomic study. The purpose of this letter is to advise the EAO that the above requirements have been met by both BC Hydro and other sources.

In accordance with the requirements of EAC Condition 10, BC Hydro’s program for completing the taxonomic classification of Ochroleucus bladderwort was described in the draft and first revision of the Vegetation and Wildlife Mitigation and Monitoring Plan, submitted to FLNRO and MOE for review and comment on October 17, 2015 and April 7, 2015, respectively. The final program for completing the taxonomic classification is described in Section 8.2.3 of the final Vegetation and Wildlife Mitigation and Monitoring Plan, submitted to FLNRO, MOE and the Environmental Assessment Office on June 5, 2015. This program identifies Ochroleucus bladderwort (Utricularia

ochroleuca) as a focus of the study, in addition to five other species: Cicuta sp. nov; Elymus sp. nov.; Erigeron pacalis ined.; Erigeron sp. nov. (aff cespitosus); and Platanthera aplectra ined.

Since submission of the final taxonomic classification program, BC Hydro has continued to consult with the BC Conservation Data Center on the taxonomic classification of Ochroleucus bladderwort and the five species identified in the taxonomic classification program. Information received from Jennifer Penny, Program Botanist at the BC Conservation Data Center, between November 2014 and January 2016 indicates that taxonomic classification of the identified species is no longer required, as described below.

 Ochroleucus bladderwort - The Conservation Data Center has indicated that Ochroleucus bladderwort is an accepted name for this species on the Flora of North America Update (ITIS

bchydro.com

2011)1 and Annotated Checklist of the Pan Arctic Flora Vascular Plants.2 Jennifer Penny noted that the species “has consistent morphological characteristics allowing it to be distinguished from other taxa” (Consideration Tracking Table for Vegetation and Wildlife Mitigation and Monitoring Plan, comment from Jennifer Penny dated April 7, 2015).3

 Cicuta sp. nov. - The Conservation Data Center indicated that a site of Cicuta sp. nov. in the Peace River region was visited by a botanist in June 2014. The species has been revisited, but the species not relocated. No further taxonomic work is possible at this time because observation/collection of this species is required to allow for further taxonomic study (Consideration Tracking Table for Vegetation and Wildlife Mitigation and Monitoring Plan, comment from Jennifer Penny dated November 18, 2014).

 Elymus sp. nov. - A paper outlining the taxonomy of Elymus sp. nov. is pending publication. No further taxonomic work is required (Consideration Tracking Table for Vegetation and Wildlife Mitigation and Monitoring Plan, comment from Jennifer Penny dated April 7, 2015).

 Erigeron pacalis ined - The taxonomy on this species was published in 2013. Please see: Björk, C. 2013 Erigeron pacalis (Asteraceae) a new species from Western Canadian Boreal Grasslands. Novon 22(3):271-275.

 Erigeron sp. nov. (aff cespitosus) - A paper outlining the taxonomy of this species is pending publication. Additional taxonomic work is not required (email from Jennifer Penny dated February 9, 2016).

 Platanthera aplectra ined - A paper outlining the taxonomy of this species is pending publication. Additional taxonomic work is not required (email from Jennifer Penny, dated January 18, 2016).

In light of this information, please be advised that BC Hydro will no longer undertake taxonomic classification work for the above identified species.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or require additional information.

Sincerely,

Bettina Sander Regulatory Manager, Site C Clean Energy Project cc: Chris Parks, Senior Compliance and Enforcement Officer, EAO Jennifer Penny, Program Botanist, BC Conservation Data Centre Eric Lofroth, Manager BC Conservation Data Centre

1 http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=34459 2 http://nhm2.uio.no/paf/820203 3 The Consideration Tracking Table for the Vegetation and Wildlife Mitigation and Monitoring Plan was submitted to EAO on June 5, 2015, together with the final Vegetation and Wildlife Mitigation and Monitoring Plan.

Appendix 12. Cavity Nesting Mitigation and Monitoring Program 2017 Annual Report

MEMORANDUM

Date: November 30, 2017 To: Brock Simons, Terrestrial Biodiversity Specialist, BC Hydro From: Ashleigh Ballevona, R.P.Bio. and Charlie Palmer, P.Biol., R.P.Bio. Hemmera File: 398-173.08 Re: Cavity Nesting Mitigation and Monitoring Program – 2017 Field Memo

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The following memo summarizes the 2017 building and installation activities for the Cavity Nesting Mitigation and Monitoring Program.

2.0 BACKGROUND

BC Hydro assessed the potential effects of the Site C Clean Energy Project on Wildlife Resources in the Site C Environmental Impact Assessment using key species groups (BC Hydro 2013). Cavity nesting species were a sub-set of the wildlife resources addressed in the EIS and were assessed as part of the migratory bird (passerines [songbirds], woodpeckers, waterfowl) and raptors (hawks and owls) sections (BC Hydro 2016). In early 2017, a mitigation and monitoring plan for cavity nesting birds was developed with input from the Vegetation and Wildlife Technical Committee (VWTC), which is comprised of representatives of the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) and the BC ministries of Environment and Forests, Lands, and Natural Resources.

The purpose of the Cavity Nesting Mitigation and Monitoring Program is to provide a combination of mitigation strategies to benefit cavity nesting bird species. Mitigation is focussed on areas that currently have a lower distribution of suitable cavity nesting trees (structural stage 4 and/or 5 habitats) to enhance the suitability of these areas (i.e., attempting to turn low value habitat into moderate or high value habitat).

Offsetting for cavity nesting birds will be achieved using different measures depending on the time period they are intended to mitigate (i.e., short-, medium-, or long-term). The short-term mitigation component of the plan was initiated in 2017 via the construction and installation of next boxes, and this memo provides a summary of the work conducted in 2017.

3.0 NEST BOX CONSTRUCTION

Cavity nesting birds differ in size, habitat requirements, and tendency to use nest boxes; as such, a combination of nest boxes were constructed to partially offset the loss of cavity nesting habitat associated with project construction. Thirteen different nest box plans were used during nest box construction to

1.877.669.0424 British Columbia | Alberta | Ontario | Yukon hemmera.com BC Hydro - Cavity Nesting Mitigation and Monitoring Program Hemmera 2017 Field Memo - 2 - November 2017 support 26 species of cavity nesting birds and at least 260 nest boxes were constructed in May 2017 (Table 1). The number of nest box plans does not directly correspondence to the number of nest box types built as some nest boxes types are of the same style or similar in size, but support different species depending on installation specifications (i.e., habitat, height of installation).

Table 1 Inventory of nest boxes constructed for by species group.

Number of nest boxes Species group Box type Species supported built black-capped chickadee boreal chickadee red-breasted nuthatch A / BC / B1 41 white-breasted nuthatch house wren Passerines brown creeper mountain bluebird A2 / B2 tree swallow 61 violet-green swallow

Woodpeckers (secondary C northern flicker / northern pygmy owl * excavators)

E1 bufflehead 9 Barrow's goldeneye Waterfowl F common goldeneye 49 hooded merganser D / G common merganser 18 B3 northern hawk-owl 20 C northern pygmy-owl / northern flicker 23 boreal owl Raptors and Owls E2 26 northern saw-whet owl E3 American kestrel 19 H barred owl 3 Total 269± Notes: * Box type C supports both northern flicker and northern pygmy-owl. To avoid double counting, the total number constructed of box type C is included in the raptor and owl species group. ± Nine nest boxes were constructed as extras.

The exterior of the boxes was painted with non-toxic, dark coloured, exterior grade water-based paint, while the interior was left untreated (Photo 2 and 3). Box type E3 (American kestrel) were not stained per the Cornell Nest Watch next box plan (Cornell Lab of Ornithology 2016). All nest boxes were given a unique identification number, painted on the front of the box (Photo 3), and large enough to be visible from the ground. As some species of cavity nesting birds excavate their own nests, non-toxic wood shavings were placed in the base of the some of the nest boxes to simulate more natural nesting conditions. BC Hydro - Cavity Nesting Mitigation and Monitoring Program Hemmera 2017 Field Memo - 3 - November 2017

Photo 1 Nest box construction, May 2017.

Photo 2 Constructed nest boxes before painting, May 2017.

Photo 3 Painted and labelled nest boxes, May 2017. BC Hydro - Cavity Nesting Mitigation and Monitoring Program Hemmera 2017 Field Memo - 4 - November 2017

4.0 NEST BOX INSTALLATION

In late-June and early-July 2017, a field crew composed of one biologist and up to two First Nation field technicians installed a total of 96 nest boxes on the north side of the Peace River (Figure 1; Table 2). Trees and structures on BC Hydro owned and managed lands, and private lands where permission was granted, were used to host nest boxes.

Figure 1. Nest box installation locations (2017).

Table 2 Summary of nest boxes installed in 2017 by species group and nest box type.

Species group Box type Number of boxes installed - 2017

A / BC / B1 16 Passerine A2 / B2 18 Woodpeckers (secondary C * excavators) E1 2 Waterfowl F 10 G 4 E2 10 Raptors and Owls E3 14 BC Hydro - Cavity Nesting Mitigation and Monitoring Program Hemmera 2017 Field Memo - 5 - November 2017

Species group Box type Number of boxes installed - 2017

C 9 B3 13 Total 96 Notes: Box type C support both northern flicker and northern pygmy-owl. To avoid double counting, the number installed is included in the raptor and owl species group.

Nest boxes were strategically placed in areas determined to be most beneficial to each species group, and considered availability of land and suitable access for installation and future effectiveness monitoring. Photos 4 – 6 below show examples of nest box installations for a subset of the nest box types.

Photo 4 Box type A2 (mountain bluebird / swallow) installed on fence post in cultivated field, June 2017. BC Hydro - Cavity Nesting Mitigation and Monitoring Program Hemmera 2017 Field Memo - 6 - November 2017

Photo 5 Box type E2 (boreal / northern saw-whet owls) installed on a trembling aspen, June 2017.

Photo 6 Box type G (merganser) installed on a paper birch near wetland, June 2017

BC Hydro - Cavity Nesting Mitigation and Monitoring Program Hemmera 2017 Field Memo - 7 - November 2017

The following data were collected during the installation of each nest box:

• Identification number and nest box type • Location • Height, orientation • Host tree species and diameter at breast height (DBH) • Photo.

Field data were recorded on electronic data forms on iPads and uploaded to a server upon completion. Field data were later transferred to an Access database for future use in effectiveness monitoring. After installation, the data were provided to BC Hydro in Excel (.csv) format and include applicable comments and coordinates for each nest box.

5.0 FUTURE ACTIVITIES

Nest box effectiveness monitoring will occur two years after initial installation of nest boxes to give the target species groups time to adapt to their presence. However, all field crews will be instructed to record any incidental observations of nest box occupancy; these data will be recorded in the database and used for future effectiveness monitoring.

Additional nest box installation, as well as nest box maintenance and the implementation of medium term mitigation is planned for 2018.

5.1 NEST BOX INSTALLATION

Nest box installation will resume in early spring 2018 and continue through Project construction. The availability of land for installations requires considerations for permission, the proximity of suitable habitat, ease of access and absence of project-related effects.

Field data on all installations will be collected using the same methods as those employed in 2017. All field data will be added to the existing database and will be provided to BC Hydro upon completion of installation.

5.2 NEST BOX MAINTENANCE

With regular maintenance, nest boxes have a 10 to 15 year lifespan (University of the Sunshine Coast 2016), and up to five years without regular maintenance (McBurney 2016). Nest box maintenance for installed boxes will occur once every two years, between November and January (in the late fall/winter outside of the breeding season) and will start in November 2018. BC Hydro - Cavity Nesting Mitigation and Monitoring Program Hemmera 2017 Field Memo - 8 - November 2017

5.3 MEDIUM-TERM MITIGATION

The mitigation and monitoring plan has short, medium and long-term mitigation strategies. Nest box installation is a short-term strategy. Medium-term mitigation includes methods to enhance decay in select trees, speeding up the natural processes that are required for cavity nesting birds to establish nest sites. In 2017 one of these medium-term methods was investigated for application to the study area; inoculation of trees with fungal pathogens to speed decay. The benefits of this technique are now thought to be minimal, and not suitable for the study area. Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) is the predominant tree species in the study area that is likely to be used by cavity nesting bird species because it is common and prone to heart rot at young ages relative to other tree species in the region (especially relative to longer-lived coniferous softwood trees). This aspen begins to naturally decay at 30 cm dbh (T.Manning pers. comm. June 2017), ~50 years of age. Since heart-rot decay fungi are naturally present in aspen at a young age, fungal inoculation for this species is not considered cost-effective for providing benefits to cavity nesting birds. Instead, the mechanical (girdling) technique for stressing aspen to speed the spread of already present heart-rot fungus, as discussed in the mitigation and monitoring plan, will be advanced in 2018.

Hemmera Envirochem Inc. Hemmera Envirochem Inc. Ashleigh Ballevona, B.Sc., R.P.Bio. Charlie Palmer, M.Sc., P.Biol., R.P.Bio. Environmental Specialist Practice Leader 604.669.0424 604.669.0424 [email protected] [email protected]

BC Hydro - Cavity Nesting Mitigation and Monitoring Program Hemmera 2017 Field Memo - 9 - November 2017

6.0 REFERENCES

Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 2016. Nest Box and Nest Structure Plans by species. NestWatch. .

BC Hydro. 2013. Site C Clean Energy Project Environmental Impact Statement. Prepared for BC Hydro by Keystone Wildlife Research Ltd. .

BC Hydro. 2016. Site C Clean Energy Project Vegetation and Wildlife Mitigation and Monitoring Cavity Nesting Species Summary.

McBurney, L. 2016. Are nest boxes an effective management tool for Leadbeater’s Possum? longtermecology.com. .

University of the Sunshine Coast. 2016. Campus nesting boxes. Home sweet home. University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. .