KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Section 6.7 Freshwater Aquatic Resources VE51988 KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FRESHWATER AQUATIC RESOURCES TABLE OF CONTENTS 6.7 Freshwater Aquatic Resources .............................................................................. 6.7-1 6.7.1 Valued Component Selection Rationale.................................................... 6.7-2 6.7.1.1 Valued Component / Issue Identification and Scoping ........... 6.7-3 6.7.1.2 Valued Component / Issues Confirmation ............................ 6.7-24 6.7.2 Dolly Varden ............................................................................................ 6.7-29 6.7.2.1 Introduction ............................................................................ 6.7-29 6.7.2.2 Relevant Legislation and Legal Framework .......................... 6.7-29 6.7.2.2.1 Federal ............................................................. 6.7-29 6.7.2.2.2 Provincial .......................................................... 6.7-30 6.7.2.2.3 Nisga’a Lisims Government ............................. 6.7-31 6.7.2.3 Spatial Boundaries ................................................................ 6.7-31 6.7.2.3.1 Local Study Area .............................................. 6.7-32 6.7.2.3.2 Regional Study Area ........................................ 6.7-34 6.7.2.3.3 Cumulative Effects Study Area......................... 6.7-34 6.7.2.4 Temporal Boundaries ............................................................ 6.7-38 6.7.2.5 Information Source and Methods .......................................... 6.7-38 6.7.2.5.1 Field Studies ..................................................... 6.7-38 6.7.2.5.2 Regional Baseline ............................................ 6.7-41 6.7.2.6 Detailed Baseline for Dolly Varden ....................................... 6.7-41 6.7.2.6.1 Genetics ........................................................... 6.7-41 6.7.2.6.2 Distribution and Catch-Per-Unit-Effort .............. 6.7-41 6.7.2.6.3 Length, Weight, and Condition ......................... 6.7-44 6.7.2.6.4 Age, Growth, and Maturity ................................ 6.7-46 6.7.2.6.5 Diet ................................................................... 6.7-50 6.7.2.6.6 Energy Storage and Energy Use ..................... 6.7-53 6.7.2.6.7 Life History........................................................ 6.7-56 6.7.2.6.8 Tissue Residual Metals .................................... 6.7-56 6.7.2.7 Cultural, Ecological or Community Knowledge ..................... 6.7-61 6.7.2.8 Past, Present or Future Projects / Activities .......................... 6.7-62 6.7.2.9 Potential Effects of the Proposed Project and Proposed Mitigation ............................................................................... 6.7-69 6.7.2.9.1 Identification and Analysis of Potential Project Effects ............................................................... 6.7-69 6.7.2.9.2 Mitigation Measures ......................................... 6.7-83 6.7.2.10 Potential Residual Effects and their Significance ................ 6.7-128 6.7.2.10.1 Potential Residual Effects after Mitigation ...... 6.7-128 6.7.2.10.2 Change in Stream Flows in Lime Creek ......... 6.7-160 6.7.2.10.3 Change in Water Temperatures in Lime Creek .............................................................. 6.7-172 6.7.2.10.4 Change in Benthic Macro-Invertebrate Community in Lime Creek .............................. 6.7-175 6.7.2.10.5 Summary of Potential Residual Effects after Mitigation ........................................................ 6.7-176 6.7.2.10.6 Significance of Potential Residual Effects ...... 6.7-176 6.7.2.11 Cumulative Effects Assessment .......................................... 6.7-179 6.7.2.11.1 Rationalisation for Carrying Forward Project Related Residual Effects Into the Cumulative Effects Assessment ........................................ 6.7-179 6.7.2.11.2 Interaction Between Dolly Varden and Other Past, Present or Future Projects / Activities ... 6.7-180 6.7.2.11.3 Mitigation Measures ....................................... 6.7-185 Version 1.0 VE51988 – Section 6.7 December 2011 TOC 6.7-i KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FRESHWATER AQUATIC RESOURCES 6.7.2.11.4 Potential Residual Cumulative Effects and Their Significance ........................................... 6.7-185 6.7.2.12 Limitations ........................................................................... 6.7-188 6.7.2.13 Conclusion ........................................................................... 6.7-189 6.7.3 Coho salmon ......................................................................................... 6.7-190 6.7.3.1 Introduction .......................................................................... 6.7-190 6.7.3.2 Relevant Legislation and Legal Framework ........................ 6.7-191 6.7.3.2.1 Federal ........................................................... 6.7-191 6.7.3.2.2 Provincial ........................................................ 6.7-193 6.7.3.2.3 Nisga’a Lisims Government ........................... 6.7-193 6.7.3.3 Spatial Boundaries .............................................................. 6.7-193 6.7.3.3.1 Local Study Area ............................................ 6.7-193 6.7.3.3.2 Regional Study Area ...................................... 6.7-194 6.7.3.3.3 Cumulative Effects Study Area....................... 6.7-194 6.7.3.4 Temporal Boundaries .......................................................... 6.7-195 6.7.3.5 Information Source and Methods ........................................ 6.7-195 6.7.3.5.1 Field Studies ................................................... 6.7-195 6.7.3.5.2 Regional Baseline .......................................... 6.7-196 6.7.3.6 Detailed Baseline for Coho Salmon .................................... 6.7-197 6.7.3.6.1 Distribution and Catch .................................... 6.7-197 6.7.3.6.2 Length, Weight, and Condition ....................... 6.7-197 6.7.3.6.3 Life History...................................................... 6.7-198 6.7.3.6.4 Diet ................................................................. 6.7-199 6.7.3.6.5 Habitat ............................................................ 6.7-199 6.7.3.7 Cultural Ecological or Community Knowledge .................... 6.7-199 6.7.3.7.1 Nisga’a Nation ................................................ 6.7-199 6.7.3.7.2 Aboriginal Groups ........................................... 6.7-200 6.7.3.8 Past, Present or Future Projects / Activities ........................ 6.7-201 6.7.3.9 Potential Effects of the Proposed Project and Proposed Mitigation ............................................................................. 6.7-207 6.7.3.9.1 Identification and Analysis of Potential Project Effects ................................................ 6.7-207 6.7.3.9.2 Mitigation Measures ....................................... 6.7-219 6.7.3.10 Potential Residual Effects and Their Significance .............. 6.7-231 6.7.3.10.1 Potential Residual Effects After Mitigation ..... 6.7-231 6.7.3.10.2 Significance of Potential Residual Effects ...... 6.7-237 6.7.3.11 Cumulative Effects Assessment .......................................... 6.7-240 6.7.3.11.1 Rationalisation for Carrying Forward Project Related Residual Effects Into the Cumulative Effects Assessment ..................... 6.7-240 6.7.3.11.2 Interaction Between Coho Salmon and Other Past, Present or Future Projects / Activities ......................................................... 6.7-240 6.7.3.11.3 Mitigation Measures ....................................... 6.7-244 6.7.3.11.4 Potential Residual Cumulative Effects and Their Significance ........................................... 6.7-245 6.7.3.12 Limitations ........................................................................... 6.7-245 6.7.3.13 Conclusion ........................................................................... 6.7-247 6.7.4 Rainbow Trout ....................................................................................... 6.7-247 6.7.4.1 Introduction .......................................................................... 6.7-247 6.7.4.2 Relevant Legislation and Legal Framework ........................ 6.7-248 6.7.4.2.1 Federal ........................................................... 6.7-248 6.7.4.2.2 Provincial ........................................................ 6.7-249 6.7.4.2.3 Nisga’a Lisims Government ........................... 6.7-250 Version 1.0 VE51988 – Section 6.7 December 2011 TOC 6.7-ii KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FRESHWATER AQUATIC RESOURCES 6.7.4.3 Spatial Boundaries .............................................................. 6.7-250 6.7.4.3.1 Local Study Area ............................................ 6.7-251 6.7.4.3.2 Regional Study Area ...................................... 6.7-253 6.7.4.3.3 Cumulative Effects Study Area....................... 6.7-253 6.7.4.4 Temporal Boundaries .......................................................... 6.7-253 6.7.4.5 Information Source and Methods ........................................ 6.7-254 6.7.4.5.1 2010 Field studies .......................................... 6.7-254 6.7.4.5.2 2011 Field Studies .......................................... 6.7-256 6.7.4.6 Detailed Baseline for Rainbow trout .................................... 6.7-259 6.7.4.6.1 Species Composition and Relative Abundance ....................................................