NOVA SCOTIA TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE RENEWAL Environmental Assessment Final – Highway 107 Burnside to Bedford Final Report June 2017 – 13-8348 Nova Scotia Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Environmental Assessment Final – Highway 107 Burnside to Bedford June 2017 Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Project Contacts and Proponent ...................................................................................... 1 1.2 Project History ................................................................................................................ 4 1.3 EA Registration Concordance......................................................................................... 4 2.0 Purpose and Need for the Project ........................................................................................ 6 3.0 Project Description.............................................................................................................. 8 3.1 Highway Location and Project Components .................................................................. 8 3.1.1 Interchanges and Grade Separation Structures ......................................................... 9 3.1.2 Watercourse Crossings............................................................................................ 11 3.1.3 Access Roads .......................................................................................................... 12 3.1.4 Active Transportation Trail..................................................................................... 12 3.1.5 Future Phases and Other Development in the Area ................................................ 12 3.2 Alternatives to the Project ............................................................................................. 13 3.3 Project Activities ........................................................................................................... 13 3.3.1 Preconstruction Activities ....................................................................................... 14 3.3.2 Construction Activities ........................................................................................... 14 3.3.3 Operation/Maintenance Activities .......................................................................... 18 3.3.4 Standards and Best Management Practices (BMPs) ............................................... 20 3.4 Possible Malfunctions or Accidents.............................................................................. 21 3.5 Project Schedule............................................................................................................ 21 3.6 Regulatory Environment ............................................................................................... 21 4.0 Description of Existing Environment ............................................................................... 23 4.1 Study Boundaries .......................................................................................................... 23 4.2 Biophysical Environment.............................................................................................. 23 4.2.1 Climate and Weather............................................................................................... 23 4.2.2 Air Quality .............................................................................................................. 25 4.2.2.1 Emissions ........................................................................................................ 26 4.2.3 Noise/Vibration ....................................................................................................... 27 4.2.4 Topography ............................................................................................................. 31 4.2.5 Bedrock Geology .................................................................................................... 31 4.2.6 Surficial Geology .................................................................................................... 32 4.2.7 Soils......................................................................................................................... 32 4.2.8 Groundwater Resources .......................................................................................... 34 4.2.9 Surface Water Resources Summary (Watercourses and Wetlands Overview) ...... 35 4.2.9.1 Surface Water Quality..................................................................................... 42 4.2.10 Generalized Habitat and Assessment ...................................................................... 42 4.2.10.1 General Habitats Present ................................................................................. 43 4.2.10.2 Invasive Plant Species..................................................................................... 49 4.2.10.3 Exotic Animal Species .................................................................................... 50 4.2.11 Fish and Fish Habitat .............................................................................................. 50 4.2.11.1 Description of Fish and Fish Habitat Methodology ........................................ 50 4.2.11.2 Summary of Fish and Fish Habitat ................................................................. 51 Page i Nova Scotia Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Environmental Assessment Final – Highway 107 Burnside to Bedford June 2017 4.2.11.3 Wrights Brook Sub-watershed Streams (WC-03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08 and Tributary to Wrights Brook/Outlet to Little Lake) ......................................... 56 4.2.11.4 Anderson Lake and Little Lake (and tributaries to) ........................................ 56 4.2.11.5 Unnamed Pond (Southwest of Anderson Lake) .............................................. 57 4.2.11.6 Lily Lake Tributaries/Parkers Brook (WC 17, 18 a,b and 19) ........................ 57 4.2.11.7 Rocky Lake Tributary - Pond (WC-20) .......................................................... 57 4.2.11.8 Rocky Lake Tributaries (WC-21 and WC-23)................................................ 58 4.2.11.9 Priority Fish Species Findings ........................................................................ 58 4.2.11.10 Additional Priority Fish Species with Potential Habitat in Project Area ........ 59 4.2.12 Wetlands ................................................................................................................. 60 4.2.12.1 Description of Wetland Assessment Methodology......................................... 60 4.2.12.2 Summary of Wetlands..................................................................................... 60 4.2.13 Priority Flora ........................................................................................................... 68 4.2.13.1 Description of Priority Flora Methodology .................................................... 68 4.2.13.2 Priority Plant Findings .................................................................................... 69 4.2.13.3 Conservation Concern Plants Observed within RoW ..................................... 69 4.2.13.4 Additional Priority Plant Species with Potential Habitat Identified in Project Area .................................................................................................... 74 4.2.13.5 Uncommon/Secure or Status Undetermined Plant Species Observed within RoW and Potential Habitat .................................................................. 74 4.2.13.6 Other Plant Species and Communities of Interest .......................................... 75 4.2.14 Migratory Birds, Priority Bird Species and Raptors ............................................... 79 4.2.14.1 Description of Bird Survey Methodology....................................................... 79 4.2.14.2 Summary of Birds ........................................................................................... 80 4.2.14.3 Priority Bird Species Findings ........................................................................ 80 4.2.14.4 Priority Birds Observed within the RoW ........................................................ 93 4.2.14.5 Additional Priority Bird Species with Potential Habitat in Vicinity of RoW ............................................................................................................ 93 4.2.15 Priority Terrestrial Wildlife (excluding Migratory Birds) ...................................... 94 4.2.15.1 Description of Priority Terrestrial Wildlife Methodology .............................. 94 4.2.15.2 Summary of Wildlife ...................................................................................... 95 4.2.15.3 Priority Terrestrial Wildlife (Excluding Birds) Findings................................ 96 4.2.15.4 Additional Priority Terrestrial Animal Species with Potential Habitat in Vicinity of RoW .............................................................................................. 98 4.2.15.5 Other Uncommon Animal Species ................................................................. 98 4.3 Socio-Economic Environment ...................................................................................... 99 4.3.1 Land Use ................................................................................................................. 99 4.3.1.1 Commercial and Industrial Land Use ............................................................