EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REPORT APPENDIX 12-I Natural Environments Existing Conditions Technical Report Appendix B4: Supplemental Information Tables - Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat Appendix B5: Supplemental Information Tables - Species at Risk Appendix C: Species List Appendix D: Woodland Caribou Report July 2017 Report No. 1536607/2000/2018 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT June 2015 Appendix B4: Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX B4 June 2015 Table B4: Summary of Wildlife Habitat LOCATION WILDLIFE HABITAT DEFINITION OF HABITAT HABITAT COMPOSITION: ATTRIBUTES, CONDITION AND FUNCTION LSA PSA MITIGATION WITHIN WITHIN REQUIREMENTS SEASONAL CONCENTRATION AREAS Moose Late Winter As snow accumulates, moose move to dense stands of coniferous trees that permit easier movement and provide The MNRF is responsible for the management of Moose in Ontario, and ü ü ü Cover: Ecoregion protection from cold winds and predators. Canopy closure within the conifer stand should be at least 60% and most trees conducts aerial surveys in the winter on a regular basis in Wildlife 4W/3W should be at least 6 m tall. The forest stand should consist of mainly older (> 40 years) conifer trees. Suitable habitat should Management Units that have Moose populations. Further, MNRF maps these be greater than 4 ha. locations on Crown Land. Dillon has assumed that appropriate Ecosites include: B036 - 038, B049-053, B065-068, B081-087, B098-102, B114-117. 3W: 42 habitats were identified by the MNRF. Five of these habitats have a habitat ranking of 3 (high potential) and are considered candidate significant wildlife habitat. All of these habitats are located on the eastern end of the first alternative section of the Preliminary Preferred Route. 4W: The MNRF did not identify any Moose Late Winter Cover in this Ecoregion. Moose Late Winter Late winter moose habitat is characterized by dense conifer cover with greater than 60% canopy closure and >6 m in height. The MNRF is responsible for the management of Moose in Ontario, and --- --- --- Cover: Ecoregion 3E Upland sites are preferred. Snow depth in excess of 70 cm restrict moose movement during winter, however late winter conducts aerial surveys in the winter on a regular basis in Wildlife thermal refuge is important in relieving heat stress. These habitats are extensively used by moose during late spring and Management Units that have Moose populations. Further, MNRF maps these summer due to the shade provided. More common on deeper soils with dense conifer cover and vegetation in the locations on Crown Land. understory for browse. The MNRF did not identify any Moose Late Winter Cover in this Ecoregion. Conifer stands >50 ha, dominated by tall trees >6 m, on gentle to moderately rugged sites with deep soils. Areas identified as rating 3 or 4 for late winter moose habitat are Candidate SWH. Ecosites: B036-038, B049-053, B065-068, B081-087, B098-102, B114-117. Moose Late Winter Late winter moose habitat is characterized by dense conifer cover consisting of tree species capable of intercepting snow, The MNRF is responsible for the management of Moose in Ontario, and --- --- --- Cover: Ecoregion 4E particularly cedar, white spruce, balsam fir, white pine and upland black spruce. Conifer stands with the following conducts aerial surveys in the winter on a regular basis in Wildlife characteristics may be considered candidate significant wildlife habitat (SWH): Management Units that have Moose populations. Further, MNRF maps these § Canopy closure greater than 60% and height > 10 m is preferred. locations on Crown Land. § Conifer stands greater than 10 ha preferred. § Upland sites are preferred. The MNRF did not identify any Moose Late Winter Cover in this Ecoregion. § Areas identified as rating 3 or 4 for late winter moose habitat are Candidate SWH. Snow depth in excess of 70 cm restrict moose movement during winter, however late winter thermal refuge is important in relieving heat stress. These habitats may also be used by moose during late spring and summer due to the shade provided. More common on deeper soils fresh to wet with dense conifer cover and vegetation in the understory for browse. Ecosites: G034-035, G036-038, G049, G051-053, G065-068, G081-087, G098-102, G114-117, G128, G129. P a g e |B4-1 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX B4 June 2015 LOCATION WILDLIFE HABITAT DEFINITION OF HABITAT HABITAT COMPOSITION: ATTRIBUTES, CONDITION AND FUNCTION LSA PSA MITIGATION WITHIN WITHIN REQUIREMENTS Bat Hibernacula 4W/3W: Many species of bats overwinter in caves or abandoned mines. These winter hibernacula must have interior air Abandoned mine sites are located throughout the PSA and LSA which may have ü ü ü temperatures slight above freezing, relative humidity levels above 90%, and sufficient space for roosting. Preferred the potential to support Bat Hibernacula. Consultation with the MNRF is hibernacula are usually deep caves, abandoned mines, with remote and restricted openings with sufficient space for entry required. by flight. Flowing water helps moderate temperature and maintain sufficient humidity inside the cave. Largely because of their intolerance of disturbance, large, open caves and crevices are rarely used by bats in winter. Large caves are usually 3W: The MNRF has identified 4 Bat Hibernacula in the PSA and LSA. All four sites found in limestone areas where underground water dissolves the rock and produces chambers (karst topography). are unverified with a high probability of use and are associated with abandoned Geological maps indicate the presence of limestone formations and the potential for caves. mines between the towns of Schreiber and Neys. 3E/4E: Hibernacula may be found in caves, abandoned mine shafts, underground foundations and karsts. The locations and 4W/3E/4E: No potential Bat Hibernacula were identified by the MNRF in the site characteristics of bat hibernacula are relatively poorly known. The primary criterion is the identification of known background review or during 2014 field investigations in these Ecoregions. features. Buildings are not considered to be SWH. Caves and mine shafts are the important features. Commonly associated as components of either Cliff or Rock Barren ecosites. Note that this information is considered to be sensitive and has therefore not Once the feature is identified the substrate classification can be used to identify characteristics and potential/suitability of been displayed on mapping. identified or suspected hibernacula. Hibernacula may be found in caves, abandoned mine shafts, underground foundations (Karsts) and these ecosites: 3E: B158-159, B164-165, B174-175, B180-181. 4E: G158-159, G164-165, G174-175, G180-181. Bat Maternity Maternity colonies can be found in tree cavities, vegetation and often in buildings (buildings are not considered to be SWH). 4W/3W/3E/4E: A large portion of the PSA and LSA contain deciduous and mixed ü ü ü Colonies Maternity roosts are not found in caves and mines in Ontario. Maternity colonies located in mature (dominant trees > 80yrs forest stands; however specific information on the density of large diameter old) deciduous or mixed forest stands with >10 /ha large diameter (>25cm dbh) wildlife trees. Female Bats prefer wildlife snag/cavity trees was not collected. As a result this potential habitat has not trees of decay class 1 or 2 or class 2-4, can be living or with bark mostly intact. Silver-haired Bats prefer older mixed or been mapped. deciduous forest and form maternity colonies in tree cavities and small hollows. Older forest areas with at least 21 snags/ha are preferred. Ecosites: 4W/3W/3E: B015-019, B023-028, B039-043, B054-059, B069-076, B087-092, B103-108, B118-125. 4E: G015-019, G023-028, G039-043, G054-059, G069-076, G087-092, G103-108, G118-125. Turtle Wintering For most turtles, wintering areas are in the same general area as their core habitat. Water has to be deep enough not to 4W: 34 areas were identified as having suitable habitat for turtle wintering areas ü ü ü Areas freeze and have soft mud substrates. Over-wintering sites are permanent water bodies, large wetlands, and bogs or fens in the PSA and/or LSA. During field investigations, suitable water depth and with adequate dissolved oxygen. Year-round persistence of standing or flowing water to depth, or presence of springs to substrates were identified at 2 of these areas. prevent freezing is key. 3W: 319 areas were identified as having suitable habitat for turtle wintering Ecosites: areas in the PSA and/or LSA. During field investigations, suitable water depth and 4W/3W/3E: B128-142, B145-152. substrates were identified at 1 of these areas. 4E: G128-142, G145-152, G223-224. 3E: 373 areas were identified as having suitable habitat for turtle wintering areas Species of Conservation Concern: in the PSA and/or LSA. During field investigations, suitable water depth and Snapping Turtle substrates were identified at 3 of these areas. 4E: 6 areas were identified as having suitable habitat for turtle wintering areas in the PSA and/or LSA. P a g e |B4-2 EAST-WEST TIE TRANSMISSION PROJECT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS TECHNICAL REPORT – APPENDIX B4 June 2015 LOCATION WILDLIFE HABITAT DEFINITION OF HABITAT HABITAT COMPOSITION: ATTRIBUTES, CONDITION AND FUNCTION LSA PSA MITIGATION WITHIN WITHIN REQUIREMENTS Reptile Hibernacula 4W/3W: Hibernacula are often in animal burrows, rock crevices, and other areas that enable animals to hibernate below the No Reptile Hibernacula/Snake Hibernacula was identified during the background ü ü ü (4W/3W/3E) frost line and often in association with water to prevent desiccation. Frequently hibernacula are found among broken rocks review or 2014 field investigations in the Project area. at the base of cliffs or in karst areas because these landforms provide an abundance of subterranean crevices.