January 2017 Lake Manitoba Outlet Channels: Summary of the Existing Environment - Final Report Submitted to: Manitoba Infrastructure, Water Management and Structures 600 - 215 Garry Street, Winnipeg MB R3C 3P3 Prepared by: M. Forster Enterprises AAE Tech Services Inc. EcoLogic Environmental Inc. SG Environmental Services Inc. Northern Lights Heritage Services Inc. Lake Manitoba Outlet Channels January 2017 Summary of the Existing Environment – Final Report TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1 2 BACKGROUND .............................................................................................................. 2 3 ABORIGINAL TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE ................................................................ 2 4 PROJECT SCOPE .......................................................................................................... 4 4.1 Spatial Boundaries ............................................................................................... 4 4.1.1 Project Footprint ....................................................................................... 5 4.1.2 Local Study Area ...................................................................................... 6 4.1.3 Regional Study Area ................................................................................ 7 4.2 Temporal Boundaries ........................................................................................... 7 5 PROJECT DESCRIPTION .............................................................................................. 9 5.1 LMOC Route C .................................................................................................... 9 5.2 LMOC Route D .................................................................................................. 10 6 STUDY METHODS ....................................................................................................... 12 6.1 Desktop Methods ............................................................................................... 12 6.2 Field Studies ...................................................................................................... 16 7 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT .......................................................................................... 20 7.1 Biophysical Environment .................................................................................... 20 7.1.1 Climate ................................................................................................... 20 7.1.2 Climate Change ...................................................................................... 23 7.1.3 Greenhouse Gas Emissions ................................................................... 24 7.1.4 Air Quality ............................................................................................... 27 7.1.5 Noise and Vibration ................................................................................ 29 7.1.6 Terrain and Topography ......................................................................... 32 7.1.7 Geology and Soils .................................................................................. 33 7.1.8 Vegetation .............................................................................................. 36 7.1.8.1 Ecological Land Classification .......................................................... 36 7.1.8.2 Vegetation Cover Classification ....................................................... 37 7.1.8.3 Wetland Classification ...................................................................... 37 7.1.8.4 Plant Species of Conservation Concern........................................... 38 7.1.8.5 Plant Species of Significance to First Nations .................................. 39 7.1.8.6 Invasive Species ............................................................................... 39 7.1.8.7 Summary of 2016 Field Investigations ............................................. 40 7.1.8.8 Vegetation Study Summary .............................................................. 45 7.1.9 Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat .................................................................... 46 7.1.9.1 Mammals .......................................................................................... 46 i Lake Manitoba Outlet Channels January 2017 Summary of the Existing Environment – Final Report 7.1.9.2 Birds ................................................................................................. 48 7.1.9.3 Reptiles and Amphibians .................................................................. 50 7.1.9.4 Key Species For Analysis ................................................................. 50 7.1.9.5 Data Collection and Analysis ............................................................ 53 7.1.9.6 Wildlife Study Summary ................................................................... 58 7.1.10 Groundwater .......................................................................................... 65 7.1.10.1 Route C ............................................................................................ 66 7.1.10.2 Route D ............................................................................................ 68 7.1.11 Surface Water ........................................................................................ 71 7.1.11.1 Water Quantity .................................................................................. 71 7.1.11.2 Water Regulation .............................................................................. 75 7.1.11.3 Water Quality .................................................................................... 76 7.1.12 Fisheries and Aquatic Habitat ................................................................. 78 7.1.12.1 Introduction ....................................................................................... 79 7.1.12.2 Fairford Study Site – Lake Manitoba, Route C ................................. 79 7.1.12.3 Watchorn Bay Study Site – Lake Manitoba, Route D ...................... 80 7.1.12.4 Harrison Bay Study Site – Lake St. Martin, Route C ........................ 81 7.1.12.5 Birch Bay Study Site – Lake St. Martin, Route D ............................. 82 7.1.12.6 Fisheries and Aquatic Habitat Study Summary ................................ 83 7.1.12.7 Aquatic Invasive Species ................................................................. 84 7.1.13 Species at Risk....................................................................................... 85 7.1.13.1 Flora ................................................................................................. 86 7.1.13.2 Fauna ............................................................................................... 86 7.2 Socio-Economic Environment ............................................................................ 87 7.2.1 Regional Communities and Population ................................................... 87 7.2.2 Aboriginal Population.............................................................................. 89 7.2.2.1 Dauphin River First Nation ............................................................... 89 7.2.2.2 Lake St. Martin First Nation .............................................................. 89 7.2.2.3 Pinaymootang First Nation ............................................................... 89 7.2.2.4 Little Saskatchewan First Nation ...................................................... 91 7.2.2.5 Peguis First Nation ........................................................................... 91 7.2.2.6 Métis ................................................................................................. 91 7.2.3 Land Use ................................................................................................ 92 7.2.4 Infrastructure and Services ..................................................................... 92 7.2.4.1 Roads and Highways ....................................................................... 92 7.2.4.2 Railways ........................................................................................... 95 7.2.4.3 Airports ............................................................................................. 95 7.2.4.4 Hydroelectric Power Transmission ................................................... 95 7.2.4.5 Pipelines ........................................................................................... 95 7.2.4.6 Waste Disposal ................................................................................. 95 7.2.4.7 Wastewater Treatment Lagoons ...................................................... 95 7.2.5 Resource Use ........................................................................................ 96 ii Lake Manitoba Outlet Channels January 2017 Summary of the Existing Environment – Final Report 7.2.5.1 Agriculture ........................................................................................ 96 7.2.5.2 Forestry ............................................................................................ 96 7.2.5.3 Lodges and Outfitters ....................................................................... 96 7.2.5.4 Industry ............................................................................................. 96 7.2.5.5 Quarries and Mining ......................................................................... 97 7.2.5.6 Recreational Trails and Campgrounds ............................................