APPENDIX 6.10 Vegetation Baseline Report · BGC Biogeoclimatic CF Conservation Framework CMAun...

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

APPENDICES

VE51988 – Appendices

APPENDIX 6.10-A Vegetation Baseline Report

KITSAULT MINE PROJECT

ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUNDVEGETATION BASELINE

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................................................... I

ACRONYMS, ABBREVIATIONS AND DEFINITIONS ........................................................................... I

GLOSSARY ............................................................................................................................................ II

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................................... III

1.0 VEGETATION ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1

1.1.1 Objectives ........................................................................................................ 1 1.1.2 Study Area ....................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Information Sources and Methods ............................................................................... 3 1.2.1 Data Review and Compilation ......................................................................... 3 1.2.2 Regulatory Setting or Administrative Boundaries for Vegetation .................... 3 1.2.3 Field Surveys and Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping ......................................... 4

1.3 Baseline Conditions ...................................................................................................... 4 1.3.1 Ecological Setting ............................................................................................ 4

1.3.1.1 Nass Ranges Ecoregion ..................................................................... 4 1.3.1.2 Meziadin Mountains Ecosection ......................................................... 4 1.3.1.3 Coastal Western Hemlock Wet Submaritime Submontane

Variant (CWHws1) .............................................................................. 5 1.3.1.4 Coastal Western Hemlock Wet Submaritime Montane Variant

(CWHws2) .......................................................................................... 5 1.3.1.5 Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Windward Variant

(MHmm1) ............................................................................................ 5 1.3.1.6 Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Leeward Variant

(MHmm2) ............................................................................................ 5 1.3.1.7 Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Parkland Subzone

(MHmmp) ............................................................................................ 6 1.3.1.8 Coastal Mountain-heather Alpine Zone Undifferentiated

(CMAun) ............................................................................................. 6 1.4 Biogeoclimatic Unit and Ecosystem Composition ........................................................ 6

1.4.1 Biogeoclimatic Units ........................................................................................ 6 1.4.2 Ecosystem Composition .................................................................................. 9 1.4.3 Uncommon Ecosystems ................................................................................ 19 1.4.4 Invasive Plants .............................................................................................. 19

1.5 Species at Risk ........................................................................................................... 21 1.6 Ecological Communities at Risk ................................................................................. 21 1.7 Sensitive Ecosystems ................................................................................................. 24

1.7.1 Old Forests .................................................................................................... 24 1.7.2 Wetland Ecosystems ..................................................................................... 27 1.7.3 Uncommon Wetland Ecosystems ................................................................. 30 1.7.4 Sparsely Vegetated ....................................................................................... 30

1.8 Summary .................................................................................................................... 33

REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................................... 34



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List of Tables

Table 1: Study Area Biogeoclimatic Units .................................................................................. iii Table 1.2-1 Information Sources for Vegetation Component ........................................................... 3 Table 1.4-1: Baseline Distribution of Biogeoclimatic Units ................................................................ 7 Table 1.4-2: Baseline Distribution of Ecosystems in the Proposed Project .................................... 10 Table 1.4-3: Uncommon Ecosystems in the Local Study Area and Regional Study Area .............. 19 Table 1.4-4: Government of British Columbia Jurisdiction for Invasive Species ............................ 20 Table 1.4-5: Total of Invasive Plants by Legislation ........................................................................ 20 Table 1.4-6: Potential invasive Plants in the Vicinity of the Study Area .......................................... 21 Table 1.6-1: Baseline Ecological Communities at Risk ................................................................... 22 Table 1.7-1: Baseline Old Forests in the Local Study Area and Regional Study Area ................... 24 Table 1.7-2: Baseline Wetland Ecosystems in the Local Study Area and Regional Study

Area ............................................................................................................................. 27 Table 1.7-3: Uncommon Wetland Ecosystems in the Local Study Area and Regional

Study Area .................................................................................................................. 30 Table 1.7-4: Baseline Sparsely Vegetated Ecosystems in the Local Study Area and

Regional Study Area ................................................................................................... 31

List of Figures

Figure 1.1-1: Terrestrial Local and Regional Study Areas ................................................................. 2 Figure 1.4-1: Biogeoclimatic Units and Plot Locations Baseline Case ............................................... 8 Figure 1.4-2: Index Map for Distribution of Ecosystems Baseline Case .......................................... 14 Figure 1.4-3: Distribution of Ecosystems Baseline Case – Map 1 of 4 ............................................ 15 Figure 1.4-4: Distribution of Ecosystems Baseline Case – Map 2 of 4 ............................................ 16 Figure 1.4-5: Distribution of Ecosystems Baseline Case – Map 3 of 4 ............................................ 17 Figure 1.4-6: Distribution of Ecosystems Baseline Case – Map 4 of 4 ............................................ 18 Figure 1.6-1: Distribution of Ecological Communities at Risk for the Baseline Case ....................... 23 Figure 1.7-1: Distribution of Old Forests for the Baseline Case ....................................................... 26 Figure 1.7-2: Distribution of Wetland Ecosystems for the Baseline Case ........................................ 29 Figure 1.7-3: Distribution of Sparsely Vegetated Ecosystems for the Baseline Case ..................... 32

List of Appendices

Appendix 1: Baseline Methods Appendix 2: Kitsault Ecosystem Descriptions Appendix 3: Vegetation Assessment Methods



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ACRONYMS, ABBREVIATIONS AND DEFINITIONS

Abbreviation Definition

AMEC AMEC Earth and Environmental BC British Columbia BC CDC British Columbia Conservation Data Centre BC MOFR British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Range BEC Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification BGC Biogeoclimatic CF Conservation Framework CMAun Coastal Mountain-heather Alpine Zone Undifferentiated COSEWIC Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada CWHws1 Coastal Western Hemlock Wet Submaritime Submontane Variant CWHws2 Coastal Western Hemlock Wet Submaritime Montane Variant ha hectare Hwy Highway km kilometre LSA Local Study Area m metre MEM Meziadin Mountains Ecosection MHmm1 Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Windward Variant MHmm2 Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Leeward Variant MHmmp Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Parkland Subzone MFLNRO Ministry of Forests, Land and Natural Resource Operations NRA Nass Ranges Ecoregion NWWG National Wetlands Working Group proposed Project (the)

Kitsault Mine Project

Rescan Rescan Environmental Services Ltd. RSA Regional Study Area SARA Species at Risk Act TEM terrestrial ecosystem mapping TMF Tailings Management Facility TRIM Terrain Resource Information Management VRI Vegetation Resource Inventory < less than ≤ less than or equal to % percent



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GLOSSARY

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (Schedule 3)

Species listed in Schedule 3 are designated as special concern, and have yet to be re-assessed by COSEWIC using revised criteria. Once these species have been re-assessed, they may be considered for inclusion in Schedule 1 (Bill C-5: The SARA, 2002). Special concern suggests a species may become either threatened or endangered because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats.

Ecoregion A lower level of classification within the Ecoregion Classification system. Ecoregion represents an area with major physiographic and minor macroclimatic or oceanographic variation, defined at the regional level.

Ecosection A lower level of classification within the Ecoregion Classification system. Ecosection represents an area with minor physiographic and macroclimatic or oceanographic variation, defined at the sub-regional level.

Invasive Species Species not native to North America.

Noxious Species A weed designated by regulation to be a noxious weed, and includes the seeds of the noxious weed.

Old Forest Old structurally complex stands composed mainly of shade-tolerant and regenerating tree species. Time since disturbance is greater than 250 years.

Rare Plant Indigenous species and subspecies that is extirpated, endangered, threatened or of special concern in British Columbia.

Site Association Site associations represent sites capable of producing the same near-climax vegetation, regardless of biogeoclimatic unit.

Site Series Site series refers to sites capable of producing the same mature or climax plant communities within a biogeoclimatic subzone or variant.

Species At Risk Indigenous species and subspecies that is extirpated, endangered, threatened or of special concern in British Columbia.

Subzone Biogeoclimatic zones are subdivided into subzones. Subzones have characteristic plant communities occurring on zonal sites.

Variant Biogeoclimatic subzones are subdivided into variants based on climatic variation such as slightly drier, wetter, snowier, warmer than other areas within a subzone.

Zone Biogeoclimatic zones are generalised units representing extensive areas of broad homogeneous macroclimates.



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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The baseline report describes the existing vegetation ecosystems within the Local Study Area (LSA) and Regional Study Area (RSA) of the Kitsault Mine Project (proposed Project). Previously, baseline studies were completed on a smaller LSA by Rescan Environmental Services Ltd. (Rescan), “Kitsault Project: Vegetation and Ecosystem Mapping Baseline Report” (Rescan 2010a), and “Kitsault Project: 2009 Wetland Baseline Report” (Rescan 2010b). Due to a change in the location of the tailings management facility, Rescan’s LSA was buffered by 500 metres (m), and then buffered by 1 kilometre (km) to form the RSA.

Initially, all information and regulatory sources were reviewed. In August 2010, additional fieldwork occurred in the LSA and RSA, specifically in the area south of Patsy Lake and the newly expanded LSA, which occurs in the Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Leeward Variant (MHmm2). The fieldwork consisted of one rare plant survey in midsummer (July) and one vegetation / soil / terrain survey in support of terrestrial ecosystem mapping (TEM). Due to the northerly location of the study area, only one rare plant survey was recommended.

TEM (RIC 1998) utilises two classifications: Ecoregions of BC (Demarchi 1996); and the Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC) (Banner et al. 1993). The study area falls within one ecosection (Meziadin Mountains Ecosection (MEM) and six biogeoclimatic units (BGC) (Table 1).

Table 1: Study Area Biogeoclimatic Units

BGC Unit Biogeoclimatic Unit

CWHws1 Coastal Western Hemlock Wet Submaritime Submontane Variant

CWHws2 Coastal Western Hemlock Wet Submaritime Montane Variant

MHmm1 Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Windward Variant

MHmm2 Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Leeward Variant

MHmmp Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Parkland Subzone

CMAun Coastal Mountain-heather Alpine Zone Undifferentiated

Note: BGC - Biogeoclimatic

The baseline analysis consisted of ecosystem distribution by biogeoclimatic unit, distribution of invasive plant species, rare plant species, rare ecological communities and sensitive ecosystems (old growth, wetlands and sparsely vegetated).

Ecosystems within the BEC system are comprised of site series and site associations. TEM includes these ecosystems plus non-vegetated, sparsely vegetated and anthropogenic units. In total, 46 site series, nine site association and 12 non-vegetated, sparsely vegetated and anthropogenic units were mapped.



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Following the baseline analysis, the MHmm2 BGC unit comprised the largest area in both the LSA and RSA. The most common upland site series is /01, in CWH and MH zones; the most common non-forested wetland in all BGC units is wetland fens (Wf, Wf50, Wf51). The MHmm1 and the CMAun BGC units only occur in the RSA. Upland ecosystems cover 1,743 hectares (ha) (69 percent (%)) of the LSA and 3790 ha (73%) of the RSA; wetland ecosystems cover 510 ha (20%) of the LSA and 969 ha (19%) of the RSA. Non-vegetated, sparsely vegetated and anthropogenic units cover 10% and 8% of the LSA and RSA, respectively.

No invasive species or species at risk were recorded during field surveys within the study area.

Six ecological communities at risk occur in three BGC units: CWHws1; CWHws2; and MHmm1. One rare ecological community, Sitka sedge / peat-moss (Wf51), is red-listed and has a conservation framework rating of one (CDC 2010). The CWHws1 has the highest area for ecological communities at risk in the LSA and RSA. In total, ecological communities at risk cover 203 ha (8%) of the LSA and 494 ha (10%) of the RSA.

Old forests (structural stage >250 years) were mapped in all BGC units except the CMAun. The highest area coverage for old forests occurred in the MHmm2. However, this may be attributable to the difference in mapping methods. In total, old-growth covers 326 ha (13%) of the LSA and 811 ha (16%) of the RSA.

The predominant wetland in the study area is fens occupying 390 ha (16%) of the LSA and 728 ha (14%) of the RSA. The estuarine community (EM05) only occurs in CWHws1. Other wetlands are treed swamps, marshes and aquatic communities occurring in shallow open water.

Sparsely vegetated areas occur in all BGC units except CMAun. This sensitive ecosystem occupies the smallest area in comparison to all the other sensitive ecosystems. In total, these ecosystems cover 65 ha (3%) of the LSA and 94 ha (2%) of the RSA.



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1.0 VEGETATION

1.1 Introduction

Vegetation and sensitive ecosystems, species at risk and ecological communities at risk are described within two study areas: the Local Study Area (LSA); and the Regional Study Area (RSA).

This report draws from previous baseline studies completed by Rescan Environmental Services Ltd. (Rescan) and includes two reports: “Kitsault Project: Vegetation and Ecosystem Mapping Baseline Report” (Rescan 2010a), “Kitsault Project: 2009 Wetland Baseline Report” (Rescan 2010b), and field studies conducted by AMEC Earth and Environmental (AMEC) in 2010.

1.1.1 Objectives

The baseline assessment had three objectives:

1. To map vegetation resources and wetlands in the LSA and RSA.

2. To assess the existing (baseline) distribution, abundance and composition of vegetation ecosystems and the distribution and abundance of species at risk and ecological communities at risk in the vicinity of the Kitsault Mine Project (proposed Project).

3. To assess sensitive ecosystems such as old forests, wetlands, and sparsely vegetated ecosystems.

These sensitive ecosystems are of particular importance for wildlife, species at risk, and maintenance of biological diversity and ecosystem processes.

1.1.2 Study Area

The proposed Project area consists of: the LSA, in which the vegetation components may be directly affected by the proposed Project activities and the RSA, in which vegetation components may be indirectly affected by the proposed Project (Figure 1.1-1). The LSA includes the proposed Project footprint and a buffer area of approximately 500 metres (m) around the proposed Project infrastructure. The LSA was buffered to include the Lime Creek / Patsy Lake watershed. The RSA area took into consideration the lack of other approved or announced projects in the vicinity of the mine.

The LSA and RSA are an expansion from the original proposed Project area described by Rescan (Rescan 2010a, 2010b). The area was originally expanded to include a new location for the Tailings Management Facility (TMF), plus a 500 m buffer was applied to the footprint and a one kilometre (km) buffer for the RSA.

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1.2 Information Sources and Methods

1.2.1 Data Review and Compilation

Recent and historical reports summarising detailed vegetation and rare plant surveys conducted in the LSA and RSA were reviewed and compiled in order to prepare this baseline report. Table 1.2-1 summarises the data from each report incorporated into the baseline report.

Table 1.2-1 Information Sources for Vegetation Component

Author Description of Data Date of Surveys

Report Reference

AMEC Earth and Environmental

Site data and species list from 26 species at risk survey locations.

July to August 2010

Information included in this report Site, soil, terrain, species list and percent cover

estimates from 46 ecosystem plots.

Ecosystem summary from 17 visual inspections.

Rescan Environmental Services Ltd.

Kitsault Project: Vegetation and Ecosystem Mapping Baseline Report

July to August 2009

Rescan 2010a

Rescan Environmental Services Ltd.

Kitsault Project: 2009 Wetland Baseline Report

July to August 2009

Rescan 2010b

In addition to previous reports, spatial data sources were reviewed. These were:

Vegetation Resource Inventory (VRI);

Digital Terrain Resource Information Management (TRIM); and

Biogeoclimatic (BGC) line work.

1.2.2 Regulatory Setting or Administrative Boundaries for Vegetation

National regulations or administrative boundaries pertaining to vegetation are provided by the National Wetlands Working Group (NWWG) in 1988, Species at Risk Act (SARA) Schedule 1 (Environment Canada 2009) the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) (Government of Canada 2009), and in the:

British Columbia Conservation Data Centre (BC CDC);

British Columbia Weed Control Act and regulations;

BC Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA); Invasive Plants Regulation ; and

BC Community Charter, Environment and Wildlife Regulation.



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1.2.3 Field Surveys and Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping

The 2010 species at risk inspections and terrestrial ecosystem mapping (TEM) field work surveyed the area within the current LSA, which was not part of previous studies. The majority of this new area occurs in the Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Leeward Variant (MHmm2) and, to a lesser extent, the Coastal Western Hemlock Wet Submaritime Montane Variant (CWHws2). The TEM field work also surveyed the area within the expanded RSA. The detailed methods used for the species at risk inspections and the TEM survey and mapping are summarised in Appendix 1.

1.3 Baseline Conditions

This Section describes the vegetation ecosystems present in the LSA and RSA for the baseline case. In TEM mapping, ecosystem map units are either simple (containing one ecosystem unit) or compound, containing up to three ecosystem units. An ecosystem unit is composed of site series (or site association, or non-vegetated, sparsely vegetated or anthropogenic) site modifiers and structural stage. Due to map scale, the figures in this report show the second and third ecosystem unit as number 2 or 3.

1.3.1 Ecological Setting

Regional ecological characteristics of the area encompassing the LSA and RSA have been mapped and described for two classification systems: Ecoregions of BC (Demarchi 1996) and the Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC) (Banner et al 1993). A summary of the information is presented to describe the environmental setting for the proposed Project. The LSA and RSA are located in the Nass Ranges Ecoregion (NRA) and the Meziadin Mountains Ecosection (MEM) of BC. Six biogeoclimatic units occur in the proposed Project area. A short description of each ecoregion, ecosection and the BGC Units are provided.

1.3.1.1 Nass Ranges Ecoregion

The NRA is a transitional coastal-interior area lying east of the Kitimat Ranges physiographic unit. It has rugged mountains and ridges on the western windward slopes, and more subdued, smooth rounded mountains with a strong rain shadow effect on the eastern slopes and basins. The mountains in the east are underlain by volcanic and sedimentary rock (and small granitic batholiths), while the mountains to the west are comprised mainly of the coast granitic rocks. Vegetation consists of western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) and mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana) on the windward slopes and western redcedar (Thuja plicata) – hemlock (Tsuga spp.) and Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) – subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) on the leeward slopes. The NRA consists of four ecosections. The only ecosection occurring within the LSA and RSA is the MEM.

1.3.1.2 Meziadin Mountains Ecosection

The MEM is a rugged, granitic mountainous area. It lies on the leeward side of the Boundary Ranges physiographic unit and west of the low Nass Basin. It extends from the lower Nass River and estuary north to mounts Knipple and Anderson on the north side of Bowser Lake and the upper Bowser River. There is a strong rain shadow, as the western



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summits protect this area from some Pacific air, although some air passes into this area via the wide Nass River valley. Cold Arctic air builds up on the east side, providing some drying, although the interaction of cold and warm air can lead to heavy snowfalls. The mountain summits have small ice fields or glaciers. The western portion of two large lakes, Bowser and Meziadin, occur in the MEM Ecosection. It is drained by the upper Bowser River and many small streams that empty into the Nass River. The Stewart Highway (Hwy 37A) connects Stewart (and Hyder, Alaska) a former port community, with the Kitimat-Cassiar (Hwy 37) at Meziadin Junction on the eastern boundary of this Ecosection.

1.3.1.3 Coastal Western Hemlock Wet Submaritime Submontane Variant (CWHws1)

The CWHws1 occurs along the eastern slopes of Coast Mountains, Kitimat Ranges, and the western slopes of Hazelton Mountains. It is common in the valley bottoms and sidehills at elevations ranging from 10 to 600 m. The climate is submaritime or coastal-transitional with warm, moist summers and cold winters. Zonal sites are dominated by western hemlock and amabilis fir (Abies amabilis) with minor amounts of western redcedar. The understorey is dominated by Alaskan blueberry (Vaccinium alaskanse), with minor amounts of false azalea (Menziesia ferruginea), five-leaved bramble (Rubus pedatus), bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), queen’s cup (Clintonia uniflora) and a dense moss layer of step moss (Hylocomium splendens), lanky moss (Rhytidiadelphus loreus), and sometimes pipecleaner moss (Rhytidiopsis robusta).

1.3.1.4 Coastal Western Hemlock Wet Submaritime Montane Variant (CWHws2)

The CWHws2 occurs above the CWHws1 from 600 to 1000 m. It is wetter with a cooler shorter growing season and heavier snowpacks than the CWHws1. The dominant tree species on zonal sites are western hemlock and amabilis fir with lesser amounts of western redcedar and mountain hemlock. The open understorey is composed of Alaskan blueberry, oval-leaved blueberry (Vaccinium ovalifolium), with a few minor herbs (bunchberry and five-leaved bramble) and dense moss cover of pipecleaner moss, step moss and lanky moss.

1.3.1.5 Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Windward Variant (MHmm1)

The MHmm1 is found on the western slopes of the Kitimat Ranges, the southwest Boundary Ranges and the Coast Mountains. It has a Maritime climate, which is cool and very wet year round with deep wet snow (snowpack up to 3 m). The lower elevation limit is 800 m and the upper limit is 1200 m. Forests on zonal sites are dominated by mountain hemlock, amabilis fir and with western hemlock at lower elevations. Alaskan blueberry, oval-leaved blueberry, with lesser amounts of black huckleberry (Vacccinium membranaceum) and five-leaved bramble are common in the understorey. Pipecleaner moss and heron’s-bill mosses (Dicranum spp.) dominate the moss layer.

1.3.1.6 Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Leeward Variant (MHmm2)

The MHmm2 is found on central and eastern slopes of mountains. It is colder and drier than the MHmm1. The lower elevation limit is 900 m and the upper limit is 1600 m. The MHmm2 has a climate transitional between the coast and interior, characterised by long, moist, cold



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winters and short, cool, moist summers. Forests on zonal sites are dominated by amabilis fir and mountain hemlock with western hemlock (lower elevations) and subalpine fir occurring less commonly. Alaskan blueberry, black huckleberry, oval-leaved blueberry, five-leaved bramble, pipecleaner moss and red-stemmed feathermoss (Pleurozium schreberi) are common in the understorey.

1.3.1.7 Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Parkland Subzone (MHmmp)

At higher elevations, forests thin out to a mosaic of subalpine parkland, heath and meadow ecosystems. Mountain hemlock, subalpine fir and yellow-cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) are common tree species. These tree species form irregular patches of forest amid an increasing amount of heath and meadow. Trees are sparse and stunted, and dwarf evergreen shrubs are the dominant plants. A few lush wetland and herb meadow ecosystems occur along streams and in parkland areas with abundant seepage.

1.3.1.8 Coastal Mountain-heather Alpine Zone Undifferentiated (CMAun)

CMAun occurs along the windward side of the Coast Mountains where the snow pack is deep and summers are moderated by maritime influences. The CMAun occurs above the MHmmp and begins at approximately 1400 m, lower on north facing slopes and higher on south facing slopes. Though this zone is extensively vegetated ecosystems are less common and most of the land area is occupied by glaciers or recently exposed bare rock, boulder fields and moraine. Vegetation is dominated by ericaceous shrubs such as mountain heathers (Phyllodoce spp. and Cassiope spp.).

1.4 Biogeoclimatic Unit and Ecosystem Composition

1.4.1 Biogeoclimatic Units

Table 1.4-1 summarises the area within the LSA and RSA by BGC unit. The MHmm2 covers the largest area (1,522 ha) in both the LSA and the RSA (2,424 ha). The CMAun and MHmm1 only occur in the RSA. The BGC units with the proposed Project and the plot locations (TEM and species at risk) are shown on Figure 1.4-1.



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Table 1.4-1: Baseline Distribution of Biogeoclimatic Units

BGC Unit

Biogeoclimatic Unit LSA RSA

ha % ha %

CWHws1 Coastal Western Hemlock Wet Submaritime Submontane Variant

328 13 690 13

CWHws2 Coastal Western Hemlock Wet Submaritime Montane Variant

629 24 1,317 26

MHmm1 Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Windward Variant 0 0 134 3

MHmm2 Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Leeward Variant 1,522 59 2,424 47

MHmmp Mountain Hemlock Moist Maritime Parkland Subzone 93 4 578 11

CMAun Coastal Mountain-heather Alpine Zone Undifferentiated 0 0 18 <1

Total Area 2,572 100 5,161 100

Note: BGC – Biogeoclimatic; Source: Banner et al. 1993

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1.4.2 Ecosystem Composition

Table 1.4-2 summarises the area within the LSA and RSA by ecosystem within each BGC unit.

In the CWHws1 the dominant ecosystem is site series 01 Western hemlock - Amabilis fir – Bramble. Site series 04 Amabilis fir - Western redcedar - Oak fern (Gymnocarpium dryopteris) and site series 06 Amabilis fir - Western redcedar - Devil’s club (Oplopanax horridus) are also prevalent in the CWHws1. Non-vegetated, sparsely vegetated and anthropogenic units cover 52 ha (16 percent (%)) of the LSA and 62 ha (9%) of the RSA (Table 1.4-2).

In the CWHws2, site series 01 (Western hemlock - Amabilis fir - Bramble) is the dominant site series, with lesser amounts of site series 05 Western Hemlock - Amabilis fir - Queen’s cup. Wetlands occupy 74 ha (12%) of the LSA and 189 ha (14%) of the RSA and are dominated by site series 10. Rubbly mine spoils covers 61 ha, in the LSA and RSA, which represents 10% and 5% respectively. Non-vegetated, sparsely vegetated and anthropogenic units cover 117 ha (19%) of the LSA and 126 ha (10%) of the RSA (Table 1.4-2).

The smaller Mountain hemlock BGC unit, MHmm1, only occurs in the RSA. Site series 01 Mountain hemlock - Amabilis fir - Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) is dominant (78 ha). Fen wetlands are common and non-vegetated, sparsely vegetated and anthropogenic units are minimal (2 ha) (Table 1.4-2).

In the MHmm2 BGC unit, the prevalent site series is 01 Mountain hemlock – Amabilis fir - Blueberry. The wetland fen, Narrow-leaved cotton-grass – Peat-moss (Eriophorum angustifolium – Sphagnum spp.), (223 ha) is also dominant. Rubbly mine spoils only cover 3 % and 2% of the LSA and RSA, respectively. Non-vegetated, sparsely vegetated and anthropogenic units cover 147 ha (10%) of the LSA and 200 ha (8%) of the RSA (Table 1.4-2).

The two dominant ecosystems in MHmmp are /00 Mountain hemlock – Mountain heather Parkland and /00 Mesic Open Parkland. Wetland fens are the only wetland ecosystem present. Non-vegetated, sparsely vegetated and anthropogenic units cover 3% and 2% of the LSA and RSA, respectively (Table 1.4-2).

Coastal Mountain-heather – Alpine Zone only occurs in the RSA. Its dominant ecosystem is Parkland forest / Krummholtz covering 16 ha, which represents 88% of the RSA. Wetlands are sparse and non-vegetated, sparsely vegetated and anthropogenic units are not present (Table 1.4-2).

Upland and wetland ecosystems cover 2,253 ha (88%) of the LSA and 4,759 ha (92%) of the RSA. Non-vegetated, sparsely vegetated and anthropogenic units cover 12% and 8% of the LSA and RSA, respectively (Table 1.4-2). Figures 1.4-2 through 1.4-6 show the ecosystem mapping (decile, map code and structural stage) for the first ecosystem unit of



Version 1.0


the TEM mapping. Decile represents the proportion of the polygon. Although a single number is used, it stands for a percentage (e.g. 5 = 50%; 10 = 100%).

Table 1.4-2: Baseline Distribution of Ecosystems in the Proposed Project

BGC Unit

Site Series Name Site

Series Map Code

LSA RSA

ha % ha % CWHws1 Western hemlock - Amabilis fir - Bramble 01 AB 95 29 233 34

Western hemlock - Lodgepole pine - Kinnikinnick 03 HM 43 13 100 14

Amabilis fir - Western redcedar - Oak fern 04 AO 52 16 143 21 Western hemlock - Amabilis fir - Queens's cup 05 HQ 30 9 45 7

Amabilis fir - Western redcedar - Devil's club 06 AD 47 14 93 13 Black cottonwood - Red osier dogwood 08 CD 0 0 4 1 Black cottonwood - Willow 09 CW 8 2 8 1

Total Upland 276 84 626 91 Lyngbye's sedge 00 Em05 1 <1 2 <1

Total Wetland 1 <1 2 <1 Exposed soil 00 ES <1 <1 1 <1 Mudflat sediment 00 MU 8 2 11 2 River 00 RI 1 <1 5 1 Rock 00 RO <1 <1 <1 <1 Rural 00 RW 31 10 33 5 Road surface 00 RZ 7 2 7 1 Talus 00 TA 4 1 4 1

Total Non-vegetated, Sparsely Vegetated and Anthropogenic

52 16 62 9

Total 328 100 690 100 CWHws2 Western hemlock - Amabilis fir - Bramble 01 AB 263 42 610 46

Western hemlock - Lodgepole pine - Feathermoss 03 HM 16 3 33 3

Amabilis fir - Western redcedar - Oak fern 04 AO 44 7 95 7 Western hemlock - Amabilis fir - Queens's cup 05 HQ 92 15 197 15

Amabilis fir - Western redcedar - Devil's club 06 AD 22 3 66 5

Total Upland 437 70 1,001 76 Lodgepole pine - Sphagnum 10 LS 36 6 59 4

Western redcedar - Sitka spruce – Skunk cabbage

11 RC 25 4 63 5

Shallow open water 00 OW <1 <1 4 <1 Shore sedge - Buckbean - Peat-moss 00 Wb13 1 <1 1 <1 Wetland fen 00 Wf 8 1 11 1 Narrow-leaved cotton-grass - Peat-moss 00 Wf50 3 1 51 4 Sitka sedge - Peat-moss 00 Wf51 0 0 1 <1 Wetland marsh 00 Wm 1 <1 1 <1

Total Wetland 74 12 189 14 Cliff 00 CL 1 <1 1 <1



Version 1.0


BGC Unit


Series Map Code

LSA RSA

ha % ha % Rubbly mine spoils 00 MZ 61 10 61 5 Pond 00 PD <1 <1 <1 <1 River 00 RI 5 1 5 <1 Rock 00 RO 7 1 15 1 Reclaimed mine 00 RY 29 5 29 2 Road surface 00 RZ 14 2 14 1

Total Non--vegetated, Sparsely Vegetated and Anthropogenic 117 19 126 10

Total 629 100 1,317 100 MHmm1 Mountain hemlock - Amabilis fir - Blueberry 01 MB 0 0 78 58

Mountain hemlock - Amabilis fir - Mountain-heather 02 MM 0 0 7 5

Mountain hemlock - Amabilis fir - Bramble 04 AB 0 0 9 7 Yellow-cedar - Mountain hemlock - Hellebore 07 YH 0 0 1 <1

Total Upland 0 0 95 71 Yellow-cedar - Mountain hemlock - Skunk cabbage 09 YC 0 0 2 1

Narrow-leaved cotton-grass - Peat-moss 00 Wf50 0 0 10 8 Sitka sedge - Peat-moss 00 Wf51 0 0 25 18

Total Wetland 0 0 37 28 River 00 RI 0 0 1 <1 Rock 00 RO 0 0 2 1


Total 0 0 134 100 MHmm2 Herbaceous meadows 00 AM 8 1 9 <1

Crowberry - Bog blueberry - Alpine azalea 00 CA 27 2 49 2 Heather-Heath Parkland 00 HH 2 <1 5 <1 Mountain hemlock - Indian hellebore 00 MH 2 <1 2 <1 Wet seepage meadow 00 WM 2 <1 2 <1 Willow thickets 00 WT 1 <1 15 1 Mountain hemlock - Amabilis fir - Blueberry 01 MB 546 36 832 34 Mountain hemlock - Amabilis fir - Mountain-heather

02 MM 97 6 150 6

Amabilis fir - Mountain hemlock - Oak fern 03 MO 94 6 198 8 Mountain hemlock - Amabilis fir - Bramble 04 AB 39 3 51 2 Amabilis fir - Mountain hemlock - Twistedstalk 05 MT 31 2 56 2

Mountain hemlock - Yellow-cedar - Deer cabbage

06 MD 101 7 198 8

Yellow-cedar - Mountain hemlock - Hellebore 07 YH <1 <1 <1 <1

Total Upland 951 62 1,566 65 Shallow open water 00 OW 10 1 14 1 Mountain hemlock - Yellow-cedar - Sphagnum 08 YS 14 1 18 1

Yellow-cedar - Mountain hemlock - Skunk cabbage 09 YC 30 2 68 3

Buckbean 00 BB <1 <1 <1 <1 Barclay's willow - Arrow-leaved groundsel 00 Sc03 0 0 <1 <1



Version 1.0


BGC Unit


Series Map Code

LSA RSA

ha % ha % Wetland fen 00 Wf 102 7 143 6 Narrow-leaved cotton-grass - Peat-moss 00 Wf50 223 15 328 14 Sitka sedge - Peat-moss 00 Wf51 42 3 81 3 Wetland marsh 00 Wm 2 <1 5 <1 Yellow pond-lily 00 YL <1 <1 <1 <1

Total Wetland 424 28 658 27 Cliff 00 CL 5 <1 6 <1 Lake 00 LA 18 1 58 2 Rubbly mine spoils 00 MZ 51 3 51 2 Pond 00 PD 19 1 19 1 River 00 RI 1 <1 5 <1 Rock 00 RO 22 1 28 1 Reclaimed mine 00 RY 15 1 15 1 Road surface 00 RZ 1 <1 1 <1 Talus 00 TA 15 1 16 1


Total 1,522 100 2,424 100 MHmmp Herbaceous meadows 00 AM 3 3 65 11

Dry Closed Forest 00 DF 0 0 2 <1 Dry Open Parkland Forest 00 DP 8 8 59 10 Heath - Grass 00 HG 0 0 3 <1 Lichen - Mountain hemlock Parkland 00 LM 0 0 2 <1 Mountain hemlock - Mountain-heather Parkland 00 MH 32 34 180 31

Mesic Open Parkland 00 MP 32 34 134 23 Moist (subhygric) Closed Forest 00 SF 4 5 37 6 Moist (subhygric) Open Parkland Forest 00 SP 1 1 5 1

Total Upland 79 85 486 84 Shallow open water 00 OW 0 0 2 <1 Wetland fen 00 Wf 10 10 33 6 Narrow-leaved cotton-grass - Peat-moss 00 Wf50 1 2 45 8

Total Wetland 11 12 80 14

River 00 RI 0 0 1 <1

Rock 00 RO 3 3 9 2

Talus 00 TA 0 0 2 <1


Total 93 100 578 100 CMAun Herbaceous meadows 00 AM 0 0 4 23

Heath - Heather 00 MP 0 0 4 24 Parkland Forest/Krummholtz 00 PK 0 0 8 41

Total Upland 0 0 16 88 Shallow open water 00 OW 0 0 1 3 Wetland fen 00 Wf 0 0 2 9

Total Wetland 0 0 2 12 Total 0 0 18 100



Version 1.0


BGC Unit


Series Map Code

LSA RSA

ha % ha %

Total Upland Ecosystems 1,743 68 3,790 73

Total Wetlands 510 20 969 19

Total Upland and Wetland Ecosystems 2,253 88 4,759 92


Total Area 2,572 100 5,161 100

Note: BGC – Biogeoclimatic; Source: Banner et al 1993

The baseline distribution of the BGC units and ecosystems (site series, site associations), including water features are shown in Figure 1.4-2. Due to map scale, only the first ecosystem unit is shown. Six BGC units, 46 site series, 9 site associations and 12 non-vegetated, sparsely vegetated and anthropogenic units were mapped within the study area at baseline (refer to Appendix 2 for a description of each ecosystem).

LIME CREEK

AVANTI CREEK

LAKE#901

CLARYLAKE

ALICEARM1 2

3 4PATSY LAKE

LIME CREEK

CLARY CREEK

ILLIANCE RIVER

KSI GWINHAT'AL

ROUNDY CREEK

470000

470000

472500

472500

475000

475000

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Index Map for Distribution ofEcosystems Baseline Case

DATE:

1 0 1 20.5

Kilometres1:60,000

LegendRoad

Transmission Line

Stream

Index Frame

Terrestrial LSA

Terrestrial RSA

Figure


tracey.tanaka

Typewritten Text

1.4-2

AVANTI CREEK

1 2

3 4

ALICEARM

MEMCWHws2

MEMMHmm2

MEMCWHws2

MEMCWHws2

MEMCWHws1

5AB6

6HQ6

4AB6

8AB7

4AO6

6AB6

5AB5

6AD6

4HQ5

10RW

5AB6

6AB6

6AB7

4HM5

5HQ6

4AB55HM5

5AB6

6AB6

6HM5

6AB6

6AB5

6HQ6

5AB5

6HM5

10AO6

5AO6

4AB6

5AB6

5HQ65HQ5

5AB6

5AB6

6AB6

6AB6

6AB5

4HQ5

5AB6

4AB7

6HQ7

5AD6

8AD6

6AB6

4AB6

5AB5

7HQ5

5RI

7AB4

4MB6

5AB5

5AD6

6AB6

8AB7

6AB6

5AB6

5AO4

4HQ5

7AO5 7HQ6

4AB6

9MU1

6HQ5

5LS5

7AB6

4AB6

7AB6

5HQ5

5MB6

4HM5

6AB6

8HM5

5AB5

6AB55AD6

10AB6

5AB6

8HQ6

7AB67AB7

8AB5

7HM5

8AB6

8AB6

10AB6

10AD6

7AB6

5AB6

4AD6

7AB6

6MD54MB6

4HQ6

5AB6

7AB6

4AB6

5HQ6

4AO6

5AB5

6MD5

4HQ5

6HQ6

6AB6

6AB7

5AO6

10RW

4OW2c

10AO5

8HM5

6HM5

6AB6

5AO5

10AB6

8AB5

6MB6

6AB6

6HQ3b

4AB3b

4HM5

6AB6

10AB6

7AB6

5HM6

9HQ6

4MM5

8CW5

5HM5

4HQ56AB6

5RY3b

6AB4

5AO5

5AB6

9MU1

10AO6

10AB6

8AB6

5HQ6

8AB6

5AB6

8AO5

6AD6

6AB5

5MD5

5AB5

5AB6

10AO6

4HQ6

5AB5

8HM4

5AD6

10RW

5MD5

6AB6

4AB6

10AB6

7AB6

5Wf2b

5AO4

5AO6

10AO6

7AO4

10AO6

6Wf2b

8MB6

6RI

10LS5

6HM5

10HM5

10AB7

8LS5

10AD6

10HM5

10AB5

5AB6

10HQ6

10AO6

10AD6

10HM6

8HQ6

6HM5

10AB6

6Em052b

10AO510AB6

6LS3

5AB5

10HQ6

10RW

6RY4

10AO4

5AB6

5AO4

10AO4

10AB4

10AD6

7AB7

10AB6

5AD5

10AB6

10HM6

10AO6

10AB5

10HQ6

5Wf2b

6HM5

10AB6

6Wf502b

4AB6

7AB6

ILLIANCE RIVER

CLARY CREEK

ROUNDY CREEK

7AO3b6AB6

7HM4

6HQ3b6HQ4

10RY3b4MM5

10LS5

5RO16AB6

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06-50-003_ecosystem.pdf

Distribution of Ecosystems Baseline Case

DATE:

500 0 500 1,000250

Metres1:30,000

LegendRoad

Terrestrial RSA

Stream

Terrestrial LSA

Transmission Line

BGC Unit

EcosystemsCWHws1

01 AB

03 HM

04 AO

05 HQ

06 AD

09 CW

CWHws201 AB

03 HM

04 AO

05 HQ

06 AD

10 LS

11 RC

MHmm101 MB

09 YC

MHmm200 WT

01 MB

02 MM

03 MO

04 AB

05 MT

06 MD

08 YS

09 YC

MHmmp00 AM

00 DP

00 MH

00 MP

00 SF

00 SP

CMAun00 AM

00 PK

Wetland Site AssociationEm05

Wf, Wf50, Wf51

OW, BB

Sparsely Vegetated andAnthropogenic

00 LA, 00 PD, 00 RI

00 MU

00 MZ

00 RO

00 RW

00 RY

00 TA

Example Map Label:

Structural StageMap CodeDecile

5AB6

Example Ecosection/BGCLabel:

MEMCWHws1

Ecosection

BGC Unit

Example EcosystemLegend:

01 AB

Map UnitSite Series


FigureMap of 41

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Typewritten Text

1.4-3

CLARYLAKE

LAKE#901

2

4

MEMMHmm2

MEMCWHws2

MEMMHmm2

MEMMHmmp

6Wf502b

10LA

4MB6

4RO1

6Wf502b

8Wf502b

10LA

6MD5

5AB7

5MB7

5TA1

5Wf2b

4YS7

4RO1

5MB7

4AB7

4AB7

6MB6

6MB7

5YC7

6AB6

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5LS5

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5MB7

6Wf502b

6AB6

4MB6

6Wf502b

5AB7

4Wf2b

6AB6

4MB7

5Wf2b

6Wf502b

5MH3b

5YS7

7Wf502b

4Wf2b

5HQ6

7Wf502b

5MM5

5Wf502b

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5MD5

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6MB6

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10PD

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6MD5

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5Wf512b

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10PD

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6MB5

6MB5

5MB7

7YS7

5MB7

6AB6

6Wf512b

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6MB66MB6

6RC7

7MB7

6MZ1

5AB5

5AB7

5Wf2b

6MB7

8Wf502b

4AB6

6MB7

6AB7

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4AB610Wf502b

7PD

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7LS5

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8AB7

5Wf2b

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5LS5

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10MB75TA1

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5MB7

6HQ4

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8AB7

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5MM5

4LS3

7MB5

8AB65AB6

5MB6

4AB6

3Wf502b

5MD5

6MH5

7Wf512b

6Wf502b

6Wf502b

5MB7

6MB7

5AB7

8MH5

8MD5

5MB7

4MB7

4Wf2b

5AB4

4MB6

5MB7

4MB7

7AB7

4MB7

5HQ6

10MB3b

8AB3

5AB7

8OW

8MM5

5Wf502b

5MB7

10MB5

5MB7

5YC3

5PD

6Wf502b

10OW

6HQ3b

8AB3

7YC7

6MB7

6AB7

4LS5

10RY3b

8TA1

5RO1

9Wf502b

5Wf2b9OW2c

4YC7

5MB7

4Wf502a

5AB3

8Wf2b

10PD

10HQ4

6MB67MB7

7Wf512b

5MB7

5OW

8AD3

7OW2c

10LS5

8MB6 6Wf512b

10Wf502b

5BB2c

6AB7

5MD5

6AB6

8AB7

6HQ3b

6AB6

4MB6

PATSY LAKE

CLARY CREEK

ILLIANCE RIVER

4AB7

6HQ6

10HQ6

8RY3b

6AB7

6AB7

7MB7

473500

473500

475000

475000

476500

476500

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DATE:

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LegendRoad

Terrestrial RSA

Stream

Terrestrial LSA

Transmission Line

BGC Unit

EcosystemsCWHws1

01 AB

03 HM

04 AO

05 HQ

06 AD

09 CW

CWHws201 AB

03 HM

04 AO

05 HQ

06 AD

10 LS

11 RC

MHmm101 MB

09 YC

MHmm200 WT

01 MB

02 MM

03 MO

04 AB

05 MT

06 MD

08 YS

09 YC

MHmmp00 AM

00 DP

00 MH

00 MP

00 SF

00 SP

CMAun00 AM

00 PK


Wf, Wf50, Wf51

OW, BB


00 LA, 00 PD, 00 RI

00 MU

00 MZ

00 RO

00 RW

00 RY

00 TA

Example Map Label:


5AB6


MEMCWHws1

Ecosection

BGC Unit


01 AB

Map UnitSite Series


FigureMap of 42

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Typewritten Text

1.4-4

AVANTI CREEK

3 4

MEMCWHws2

MEMMHmm2

MEMMHmmp

MEMMHmmp

MEMCWHws2

6AB6

5AB5

4MB6

4AB6

10MZ1

6MD5

8MB6

8SF6

6MB5

5MB6

5AB5

6AB6

6AB6

6MH5

6AB6

4MB6

5AB6

5AB6

6MM5

6AB6

6MB6

6MH5

4MB6

6MO6

6MP6

5MM5

6MP6

5MO6

4MD5

6MM5

5MM5

5MH5

6MP6

6HQ5

5LS5

7AB6

5MB65MD5

8MH5

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5MB6

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6MM5

4MM5

4MB6

4MM56MB6

8AB6

7MB6

6RY4

4MB6

7AB6

6MD5

8MZ1

5MP5

4MB6

7SF6

5MP6

5MO6

5MO6

5MB6

5MP6

8SF6

6Wf2b

6MH5

4AB6

5MD5

4MP6

5MZ1

6MD5

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5AB6

4MB6

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6MO6

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4AM2a

5MD5

6MD5

10MP6

7MB6

6MD5

5MB6

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4MM5

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5RY3b

6AB6

6DP5

8MB6

6MD6

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4MB65MB6

10WT3b

5HQ7

5MB6

7MO6

6MP6

6MD5

6AB4

10MB6

6MD5

10WT3b

8MB6

5AB6

5RI

7MD5

5MD5

7MD5

5MD5

4AB3b

5MM5

10SF6

5AB6

5SF6

5AO6

10DP5

8AB6

5Wf2b

5MD5

4Wf2b

8RY3b

10MB6

10AO6

5MO6

5MH5

5AB6

10MO6

4HQ5

10TA1

6Wf2b

8MH5

10MO6

5MD5

5MB5

10WT3b

7MD5

5AD6

7MH5

8LS5

6DP5

5AO6

10MP6

6MH5

10AO6

8AB6

5Wf2b

10MB6

7MB6

10MB6

6MB6

10MH5

8MP5

10AM2a

10DP5

4AO6

5MO6

6MD5

5AB6

10MO6

7MB5

4HM54AB6

8MB6

10MB6

5MM5

10MB67MT6

4MM5

5MP6

10DP5

10MP6

7MB5

10MO6

10MB6

5Wf2b

10MO6

5AB6

10AB6

10LS5

5Wf2b

8RY3b

10MP6

4AB6

ROUNDY CREEK

LIME C

REEK

7AO3b6AB6

4HQ5 6AB6

10RY3b

10AO64HQ5

469000

469000

470500

470500

472000

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DATE:

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Metres1:30,000

LegendRoad

Terrestrial RSA

Stream

Terrestrial LSA

Transmission Line

BGC Unit

EcosystemsCWHws1

01 AB

03 HM

04 AO

05 HQ

06 AD

09 CW

CWHws201 AB

03 HM

04 AO

05 HQ

06 AD

10 LS

11 RC

MHmm101 MB

09 YC

MHmm200 WT

01 MB

02 MM

03 MO

04 AB

05 MT

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MEMCWHws1

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LegendRoad

Terrestrial RSA

Stream

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Transmission Line

BGC Unit

EcosystemsCWHws1

01 AB

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09 CW

CWHws201 AB

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OW, BB


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1.4.3 Uncommon Ecosystems

Uncommon ecosystems (upland and wetland) are defined as ecosystems with a total mapped area of less than or equal to (≤)1% of the LSA and / or <1% of the RSA at baseline. These ecosystems are considered more vulnerable to losing species diversity if disturbed, because a greater proportion of their area would be lost even with small disturbances. Seven ecosystems occupy ≤1% of the LSA at baseline and are therefore considered locally uncommon (Table 1.4-3). Thirteen ecosystems are considered uncommon in the RSA. Uncommon ecosystems cover 16 ha (1%) of the LSA and 55 ha (1%) of the RSA.

Table 1.4-3: Uncommon Ecosystems in the Local Study Area and Regional Study Area

BGC Unit


Series Map Code

LSA RSA

ha % ha %

CWHws1 Black cottonwood - Red osier dogwood 08 CD 0 0 4 1

Black cottonwood - Willow 09 CW 8 2 8 1

MHmm1 Yellow-cedar - Mountain hemlock - Hellebore 07 YH 0 0 1 <1

MHmm2

Herbaceous meadows 00 AM 8 1 9 <1

Heather-Heath Parkland 00 HH 2 <1 5 <1

Mountain hemlock - Indian hellebore 00 MH 2 <1 2 <1

Wet seepage meadow 00 WM 2 <1 2 <1

Willow thickets 00 WT 1 <1 15 1

Yellow-cedar - Mountain hemlock - Hellebore 07 YH <1 <1 <1 <1

MHmmp

Dry Closed Forest 00 DF 0 0 2 <1

Heath - Grass 00 HG 0 0 3 <1

Lichen - Mountain hemlock Parkland 00 LM 0 0 2 <1

Moist (subhygric) Open Parkland Forest 00 SP 1 1 5 1

Total 16 1 55 1

1.4.4 Invasive Plants

In BC, multiple levels of authority with jurisdiction over invasive plant management, including federal, provincial and local occur. The Government of Canada maintains jurisdiction over federally owned Crown land. Six ministries in BC maintain jurisdiction over provincially owned lands in BC. The key agencies involved in invasive plant management are shown in Table 1.4-4.



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Table 1.4-4: Government of British Columbia Jurisdiction for Invasive Species

BC Ministry Jurisdiction

Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) Weed Control Act

Ministry of Energy and Mines Hydro and Power Authority Act

Ministry of Forests, Land and Natural Resource Operations (MFLNRO)

Forest and Range Practices Act

Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development (MCSCD)

Community Charter

Ministry of Environment Integrated Pest Management Act

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Transportation Act

Source: Invasive Plant Council of BC, 2007

Three agencies (BC MOA, BC MFLNRO, BC MCSCD) produced a list of invasive plant species totalling 119 species (Appendix 3, Table C3-1). The total number of species covered by each agency is shown in Table 1.4-5.

Table 1.4-5: Total of Invasive Plants by Legislation

Legislation Number of Invasive Plants

Weed Control Act1 21 provincial noxious weed species

1 regional noxious weed species

Forests and Range Practices Act2 42 invasive plants

Community Charter3 55 alien invasive species

Source: 1. Government of BC 2010; 2. Government of BC 2004; 3. Government of BC 2008

No invasive plants were identified during field surveys, however a search of the BC MFLNRO Invasive Alien Plant Program, which records known locations of invasive species, resulted in six species within close proximity to the study area (Table 1.4-6). All of the species are listed under the FRPA, two species are listed under the Weed Control Act and four are listed by the Community Charter (Table 1.4-6).



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Table 1.4-6: Potential invasive Plants in the Vicinity of the Study Area

Common Name Latin Name Location1 FRPA2 Weed Act3

Community Charter 4

bull thistle Cirsium vulgare RSA invasive AIS

burdock species Arctium spp RSA invasive noxious AIS

common tansy Tanacetum vulgare Kitsault Access Road (Squish FSR)

invasive

Japanese knotweed

Fallopia japonica LSA (Townsite) invasive AIS

oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare

Kitsault Access Road (Squish FSR)

invasive

scentless chamomile

Matricaria perforata Nisga’a Hwy (Hwy113) invasive Noxious AIS

Note: AIS - Alien Invasive Species; FSR - Forest Service Road; Hwy - Highway; LSA - Local Study Area; RSA - Regional Study Area

Source: 1 BC MFLNRO 2010; 2. Government of BC 2004; 3. Government of BC 2010; 4. Government of BC 2008

1.5 Species at Risk

Species at risk are defined for the purposes of this report to include:

Vascular and non-vascular species listed by the BC CDC, which are typically ranked as red or blue-listed (BC CDC 2010); and

Vascular and non-vascular species listed as Special Concern, Threatened, or Endangered under the federal SARA (Government of Canada 2009) and COSEWIC (Government of Canada 2009).

Species at risk were not observed during field surveys in 2009 or in 2010. Potentially, there are nineteen vascular plant species, four are red-listed and 33 non-vascular plant species nine are red-listed and one is blue-listed. A complete list of species at risk potentially occurring in the Project area is provided in Appendix 3 (Table C4-1).

1.6 Ecological Communities at Risk

There are nine ecological communities at risk listed by BC CDC within the proposed Project. Three ecological communities have been ranked as a high priority for conservation, including the CWHws1/03, CWHws2/03, and the site association Wf51 in CWHws2 and MHmm1 (Table 1.6-1). Ecological communities at risk cover 203 ha (8%) of the LSA and 494 ha (10%) of the RSA. Figure 1.6-1 shows the ecological communities at risk present within the study area. Due to map scale the ecological communities are represented by a series of colours within each BGC unit. The ecological community at risk could be part of a compound unit (refer to Section 1.3), then a number 2 or 3 are shown within the polygon,



Version 1.0


meaning the community occurred as the second or third ecosystem unit in a compound map label.

Table 1.6-1: Baseline Ecological Communities at Risk

BGC Unit Site Series Name Site

SeriesMap Code

BC CDC

CF Priority

LSA RSA

ha % ha %

CWHws1 Western hemlock - Lodgepole pine / Red-stemmed feathermoss

03 HM Blue 1 43 13 100 14

Amabilis fir - Western redcedar / Oak fern

04 AO Blue 2 52 16 143 21

Amabilis fir - Western redcedar / Devil's club

06 AD Blue 2 47 14 93 13

Black cottonwood - Red alder / Salmonberry

08 CD Blue 2 0 0 4 1

Total 142 43 339 49 CWHws2 Western hemlock - Lodgepole pine

/ Red-stemmed feathermoss 03 HM Blue 1 16 3 33 3

Amabilis fir - Western redcedar / Oak fern

04 AO Blue 2 44 7 95 7

Shore sedge - Buckbean / Peat-mosses

00 Wb13 Blue 2 1 <1 1 <1

Sitka sedge / peat-mosses 00 Wf51 Red 1 0 0 1 <1

Total 61 10 130 10 MHmm1 Sitka sedge / peat-mosses 00 Wf51 Red 1 0 0 25 18

Total 0 0 25 18

Total Rare Ecological Communities 203 8 494 10

Total Non-Rare Ecological Communities 2369 92 4667 90

Total Area 2572 100 5161 100

Note: BC CDC - British Columbia Conservation Data Centre; CF - Conservation Framework; CWHws1 - Coastal Western Hemlock Wet Submaritime Submontane Variant; CWHws2 - Coastal Western Hemlock Wet Submaritime Montane Variant; ha - hectare; LSA - Local Study Area; RSA - Regional Study Area

Source: BC CDC 2009

LIME CREEK

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06-50-006_rare_eco_comm.pdf

Distribution of Rare Ecological Communities for the Baseline Case

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LegendTerrestrial RSA

Terrestrial LSA

BGC Unit

Road

Stream

Transmission Line

Rare Ecological CommunitiesDecile 1CWHws1

03 HM

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MHmm1Wf51

Decile 2CWHws1

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Example Ecosystem Legend:

Map UnitSite Series

03 HM

Note: Refer to report for decile explanation.


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1.7 Sensitive Ecosystems

Sensitive vegetation ecosystems are susceptible to ecological changes resulting from the proposed Project development. Stresses associated with direct disturbances from the proposed Project may indirectly affect vegetation resources. Such stresses may include air emissions and changes in surface and ground water quality and quantity. Bogs, fens marshes, swamps, aquatic communities, estuary and high elevation ecosystems represent the most sensitive vegetation ecosystems in the study areas. Sensitive ecosystems includes: old forests; wetlands; and sparsely vegetated ecosystems.

1.7.1 Old Forests

Forested stands in the CWH and MH zones are classified as old forests when the structural stage is greater than 250 years. Baseline analysis shows old forests are present in all BGC units, except the CMAun. By definition trees do not occur within the alpine. A total of 326 ha (13%) of the LSA and 811 ha (16%) of the RSA are represented by old forests (Table 1.7-1). According to the VRI, a total of 1,995 ha (78%) of the LSA and 4,186 ha (81%) of the RSA are mapped as old forests. Figure 1.7-1 depicts old forests present in the study area. Due to map scale, old forests are represented by a series of colours within each BGC unit. If old forests is part of a compound unit (refer to Section 1.3) then a number 2 or 3 are shown in the polygon, meaning the ecosystem occurred as the second or third ecosystem unit in a compound map label.

Table 1.7-1: Baseline Old Forests in the Local Study Area and Regional Study Area

BGC Unit


Series Map Code

LSA RSA ha % ha %

CWHws1 Western hemlock - Amabilis fir - Bramble

01 AB 0 0 8 1

Amabilis fir - Western redcedar - Oak fern

04 AO 0 0 2 <1

Amabilis fir - Western redcedar - Devil's club

06 AD 0 0 1 <1

Total 0 0 12 2

CWHws2 Western hemlock - Amabilis fir - Bramble

01 AB 49 8 196 15

Western hemlock - Lodgepole pine - Feathermoss

03 HM 7 1 7 1

Western hemlock - Amabilis fir - Queens's cup

05 HQ 9 1 44 3

Amabilis fir - Western redcedar - Devil's club

06 AD 1 <1 9 1

Western redcedar - Sitka spruce - Skunk cabbage

11 RC 0 0 21 2

Total 67 11 277 21



Version 1.0


BGC Unit


Series Map Code

LSA RSA ha % ha %

MHmm1 Mountain hemlock - Amabilis fir - Blueberry

01 MB 0 0 77 58

Mountain hemlock - Mountain-heather

02 MM 0 0 7 5

Mountain hemlock - Amabilis fir - Bramble

04 AB 0 0 9 7

Yellow-cedar - Mountain hemlock - Hellebore

07 YH 0 0 1 <1

Yellow-cedar - Mountain hemlock - Skunk cabbage

09 YC 0 0 2 1

Total 0 0 96 71

MHmm2 Mountain hemlock - Amabilis fir - Blueberry

01 MB 173 11 249 10

Mountain hemlock - Amabilis fir - Mountain-heather

02 MM 4 <1 15 1

Amabilis fir - Mountain hemlock - Oak fern

03 MO 13 1 14 1

Mountain hemlock - Amabilis fir - Bramble

04 AB 20 1 29 1

Amabilis fir - Mountain hemlock - Twistedstalk

05 MT 21 1 38 2

Mountain hemlock - Yellow-cedar - Deer cabbage

06 MD 2 <1 2 <1

Mountain hemlock - Yellow-cedar - Sphagnum

08 YS 14 1 17 1


09 YC 10 1 33 1

Total 257 17 396 16

MHmmp Dry Open Parkland Forest 00 DP 2 2 24 4

Mountain hemlock - Mountain- heather Parkland

00 MH 0 0 1 <1

Mesic Open Parkland 00 MP 0 0 3 <1

Moist (subhygric) Open Parkland Forest

00 SP 1 1 3 1

Total 3 3 31 5

Subtotal Old Growth Area 326 13 811 16

Subtotal Non-old Growth Area 2,245 87 4,349 84

Total Area 2,572 100 5,161 100


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06-50-004_old_growth.pdf

Distribution of Old Growth Forests for the Baseline Case

DATE:

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LegendRoad

Stream

Transmission Line

Terrestrial RSA

Terrestrial LSA

BGC Unit

Old Growth Forest (Structural Stage 7)Decile 1CWHws1

01 AB

CWHws201 AB

05 HQ

06 AD

11 RC

MHmm101 MB

09 YC

MHmm201 MB

04 AB

05 MT

08 YS

09 YC

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00 MP

Decile 2CWHws2

01 AB

03 HM

05 HQ

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MHmm101 MB

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MHmmp00 DP

Decile 3CWHws1

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MHmm101 MB

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01 AB

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1.7.2 Wetland Ecosystems

Five wetland site series and nine wetland site associations occur within the study area (Table 1.7-2). Treed bogs cover 50 ha (2%) of the LSA and 78 ha (2%) of the RSA. An herb dominated bog (Wb13) covers 1 ha (<1%) of the LSA and 1 ha (<1%) of the RSA. Bogs are nutrient poor and acidic with low pH values (MacKenzie and Moran 2004). Bogs are also characterised by stagnant (precipitation fed) waters with high water tables. Plant species in bogs are uniquely adapted to these conditions. Alterations to the water table, including drawdown and / or impoundment, can result in changes in water chemistry and plant communities.

Fens (Wf, Wf50, Wf51) occupy 390 ha (15%) of the LSA and 728 ha (14%) of the RSA. Fens receive inputs from surface and groundwater flows. Marshes (Wm), aquatic communities (YL and BB), and estuarine communities (Em05) occupy 4 ha (<1%) of the LSA and 8 ha (<1%) of the RSA. The estuary community only occurs in the CWHws1 along Alice Arm. The aquatic communities occur in the shallow open water. Treed swamp forests cover 55 ha (2%) of the LSA and 133 ha (3%) of the RSA. Changes to incoming water quantity or quality can influence species composition and growth characteristics of these wetlands. In total, wetland ecosystems cover 510 ha (20%) of the LSA and 969 ha (19%) of the RSA. Figure 1.7-2 depicts the wetland ecosystems present within the study area. Due to map scale, wetlands are represented by a series of colours within each BGC unit. If wetlands are part of a compound unit (refer to Section 1.3) then a number 2 or 3 are shown in the polygon, meaning the ecosystem occurred as the second or third ecosystem unit in a compound map label.

Table 1.7-2: Baseline Wetland Ecosystems in the Local Study Area and Regional Study Area

BGC Unit


Series Map Code

LSA RSA

ha % ha %

CWHws1 Lyngbye's sedge 00 Em05 1 <1 2 <1

Total 1 <1 2 <1

CWHws2 Lodgepole pine - Sphagnum 10 LS 36 6 59 4

Western hemlock - Sitka spruce 11 RC 25 4 63 5

Shallow Open Water 00 OW <1 <1 4 <1

Shore sedge - Buckbean - Peat-moss 00 Wb13 1 <1 1 <1

Wetland fen 00 Wf 8 1 11 1

Narrow-leaved cotton-grass - Peat-moss 00 Wf50 3 1 51 4

Sitka sedge - Peat-moss 00 Wf51 0 0 1 <1

Wetland marsh 00 Wm 1 <1 1 <1

Total 74 12 189 14

MHmm1 Yellow-cedar - Mountain hemlock - Skunk cabbage

09 YC 0 0 2 1




Version 1.0


BGC Unit


Series Map Code

LSA RSA

ha % ha %

Sitka sedge - Peat-moss 00 Wf51 0 0 25 18

Total 0 0 37 28

MHmm2 Shallow Open Water 00 OW 10 1 14 1


08 YS 14 1 18 1


09 YC 30 2 68 3

Buckbean 00 BB <1 <1 <1 <1

Barclay's willow - Arrow-leaved groundsel

00 Sc03 0 0 <1 <1



Sitka sedge - Peat-moss 00 Wf51 42 3 81 3


Yellow pond-lily 00 YL <1 <1 <1 <1

Total 424 28 658 27

MHmmp Shallow Open Water 00 OW 0 0 2 <1



Total 11 12 80 14

CMAun Shallow Open Water 00 OW 0 0 1 3


Total 0 0 2 12

Subtotal Wetlands Area 510 20 969 19

Subtotal Non-wetlands Area 2062 80 4191 81

Total Area 2572 100 5161 100

Note: BGC – Biogeoclimatic

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CLARY CREEK

ILLIANCE RIVER

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ROUNDY CREEK

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06-50-009_wetland.pdf

Distribution of Wetland Ecosystems for the Baseline Case

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Kilometres1:60,000

LegendRoad

Terrestrial RSA

Stream

Terrestrial LSA

Transmission Line

BGC UnitWetlandsDecile1CWHws2

10 LS

11 RC

MHmm109 YC

MHmm208 YS

09 YC


Wf

Wf50

Wf51

OW

BB

Decile 2CWHws2

10 LS

11 RC

MHmm208 YS

09 YC


Wf

Wf50

Wf51

Wm

OW

Decile 3CWHws2

10 LS

11 RC

MHmm209 YC

Wetland Site AssociationWf

Wf50

Wf51

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

23

3

3

3

3

3


Map UnitSite Series

10 LS


Figure


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1.7.3 Uncommon Wetland Ecosystems

Uncommon wetland ecosystems are defined as ecosystems with a total mapped area of ≤1% of the LSA and / or <1% of the RSA at baseline. These ecosystems are considered more vulnerable to losing species diversity if disturbed, because a greater proportion of their area would be lost even with small disturbances. Eleven wetland ecosystems occupy ≤1% each of the LSA at baseline and are therefore considered locally uncommon (Table 1.7-3). Fourteen wetland ecosystems are considered uncommon in the RSA. Uncommon ecosystems cover 41 ha (2%) of the LSA and 112 ha (4%) of the RSA.

Table 1.7-3: Uncommon Wetland Ecosystems in the Local Study Area and Regional Study Area

BGC Unit Site Series Name Site

SeriesMap Code

LSA RSA

ha % ha %

CWHws1 Lyngbye's sedge 00 Em05 1 <1 2 <1

CWHws2 Shallow Open Water 00 OW <1 <1 4 <1

Shore sedge - Buckbean - Peat-moss 00 Wb13 1 <1 1 <1



Sitka sedge - Peat-moss 00 Wf51 0 0 1 <1


MHmm1 Yellow-cedar - Mountain hemlock - Skunk cabbage

09 YC 0 0 2 1

MHmm2 Shallow Open Water 00 OW 10 1 14 1


08 YS 14 1 18 1

Buckbean 00 BB <1 <1 <1 <1

Barclay's willow - Arrow-leaved groundsel 00 Sc03 0 0 <1 <1


Yellow pond-lily 00 YL <1 <1 <1 <1

MHmmp Shallow Open Water 00 OW 0 0 2 <1

Total 40 2 110 4

1.7.4 Sparsely Vegetated

Sparsely vegetated ecosystems occur in all BGC units, except the CMAun. These ecosystems are more prevalent in the MHmm2. In total the sparsely vegetated ecosystems cover 65 ha (3%) of the LSA and 94 ha (2%) of the RSA (Table 1.7-4). Figure 1.7-3 depicts sparsely vegetated ecosystems mapped in the first decile component of the TEM mapping. Due to map scale, sparsely vegetated ecosystems are represented by a series of colours



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within each BGC unit. If sparsely vegetated ecosystems are part of a compound unit (refer to Section 1.3), then a number 2 or 3 is shown in the polygon, meaning the ecosystem occurred as the second or third ecosystem unit in a compound map label.

Table 1.7-4: Baseline Sparsely Vegetated Ecosystems in the Local Study Area and Regional Study Area

BGC Unit Sparsely Vegetated Name Site

SeriesMap Code

LSA RSA

ha % ha %

CWHws1 Rock 00 RO <1 <1 <1 <1

Talus 00 TA 4 1 4 1

Mudflat sediment 00 MU 8 2 11 2

Total 12 4 15 2

CWHws2 Cliff 00 CL 1 <1 1 <1

Rock 00 RO 7 1 15 1

Total 8 1 16 1

MHmm1 Rock 00 RO 0 0 2 1

Total 0 0 2 1

MHmm2 Cliff 00 CL 5 <1 6 <1

Rock 00 RO 22 1 28 1

Talus 00 TA 15 1 16 1

Total 42 3 50 2

MHmmp Rock 00 RO 3 3 9 2

Talus 00 TA 0 0 2 <1

Total 3 3 11 2

Subtotal Non-Vegetated, Sparsely Vegetated and Anthropogenic 65 3 94 2

Subtotal Upland and Wetland Ecosystems 2507 97 5067 98

Total Area 2572 100 5161 100


CLARYLAKE

AVANTI CREEK

LIME CREEK

LAKE#901

ALICEARM

CWHws2

MHmmp

MHmm2

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MHmmp

MHmm1

MHmmp

CMAun

2

2

2

2

2

2

3

33

3

3

3

33

3

PATSY LAKE

LIME CREEK

CLARY CREEK

ILLIANCE RIVER

KSI GWINHAT'AL

ROUNDY CREEK

2

2

2

2

2

2

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

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06-50-008_sparsely_vegetated.pdf

Distribution of Sparsely Vegetated Ecosystems for the Baseline Case

DATE:

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Kilometres1:60,000

LegendTerrestrial RSA

Terrestrial LSA

BGC Unit

Road

Stream

Transmission Line

Sparsely VegetatedDecile 1CWHws1

00 MU (Mudflat Sediment)

All BGC Units00 RO (Rock Outcrop)

00 TA (Talus)

Decile 2CWHws1

00 MU (Mudflat Sediment)

All BGC Units00 CL (Cliff)

00 RO (Rock Outcrop)

Decile 3All BGC Units

00 CL (Cliff)

00 RO (Rock Outcrop)

00 TA (Talus)

2

22

3

3

3


Map UnitSite Series

00 MU



Figure

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1.8 Summary

The study area occurs in one ecosection, the MEM and six BGC units, CWHws1, CWHws2, MHmm1, MHmm2, MHmmp and CMAun. In total, 46 site series, 9 site associations, and 12 non-vegetated, sparsely vegetated and anthropogenic units occur. The MHmm1 and the CMAun BGC units only occur in the RSA. The MHmm2 BGC unit comprises the largest area in both the LSA and RSA. The most common upland site series is 01, in CWH and MH zones; the most common non-forested wetland in all BGC units is wetland fens (Wf, Wf50, Wf51). Upland ecosystems cover 1743 ha (69%) of the LSA and 3790 ha (73%) of the RSA; wetland ecosystems cover 510 ha (20%) of the LSA and 969 ha (19%) of the RSA. Non-vegetated, sparsely vegetated and anthropogenic units cover 319 ha (10%) and 401 ha (8%) of the LSA and RSA, respectively.

No invasive species or species at risk were recorded during field surveys within the study area.

Six ecological communities at risk occur in three BGC units: CWHws1; CWHws2; and MHmm1. One ecological community at risk, Sitka sedge / peat-moss (Wf51), is red-listed and has a conservation framework rating of one. The CWHws1 has the highest area for rare ecological communities in the LSA and RSA. In total, ecological communities at risk cover 203 ha (8%) of the LSA and 494 ha (10%) of the RSA.

Old forests, wetlands, and sparsely vegetated areas were classified as sensitive ecosystems. Old forests were mapped in all BGC units except the CMAun. The highest area coverage for old forests occurred in the MHmm2. However, this may be attributable to the difference in mapping methods. In total, old forests cover 326 ha (13%) of the LSA and 811 ha (16%) of the RSA.

Fens are the predominant wetland in the study area occupying 390 ha (15%) of the LSA and 728 ha (14%) of the RSA. The estuarine community (EM05) only occurs in CWHws1. Other wetlands are treed swamps, marshes and aquatic communities of buckbean and yellow pond-lily, which occur in the shallow open water.

The last sensitive ecosystem class occurs on sparsely vegetated areas, such as rocks, talus, cliffs, and mudflats, which occurred in all BGC units except CMAun. Sparsely vegetated areas occupy the smallest area in comparison to all the other sensitive ecosystems. In total these ecosystems cover 65 ha (3%) of the LSA and 94 ha (2%) of the RSA.



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REFERENCES

Banner, A., W. MacKenzie, S. Haeussler, S. Thompson, J. Pojar, and R. Trowbridge. 1993. A Field Guide to the Site Identification and Interpretation for the Prince Rupert Forest Region. Land Management Handbook No. 26. BC MOFR, Research Branch Victoria.

British Columbia Conservation Data Centre (BC CDC). 2010. BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer. B.C. Ministry. of Environment. Victoria, B.C. Available: http://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/. Accessed: July 2010.

Demarchi, D.A. 1996. An Introduction to the Ecoregions of British Columbia. MEL&P, Wildlife Branch, Victoria, BC

Government of British Columbia (BC). 2004. Forest and Range Practices Act, Invasive Plants Regulation, B.C Reg. 18/2004. Available at: http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/18_18_2004. Accessed February 2010.

Government of BC. 2008. Community Charter Spheres of Concurrent Jurisdiction - Environment and Wildlife Regulation, BC Reg. 144/2004 (includes amendments up to BC Reg. 235/2008, August 7, 2008). Available at: http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/03026_00. Accessed February 2010.

Government of BC. 2010. British Columbia Weed Control Act (1996); Weed Control Regulation, BC Reg. 66/85 (includes amendments up to B.C. Reg. 4/2010, January 14, 2010). Available at: http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/10_66_85. Accessed February 2010.

Government of Canada. 2009. Species at Risk Act (SARA). S.C. 2002.c29. Available at: www.sararegistry.gc.ca/gen_info/default_e.cfm

Government of Canada. 2009. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). Available at: http://www.cosewic.gc.ca/eng/sct6/index_e.cfm

Invasive Plant Council of BC. 2007. A Legislative Guidebook to Invasive Plant Management in BC. Non-published.

MacKenzie, W.H. and J.R. Moran. 2004. Wetlands of British Columbia. A Guide to Identification. Land Management Handbook No. 52. Res. Br., B.C. Ministry of Forests, Victoria, B.C.

Ministry of Forests and Lands, Natural Resource Operations (MFLNRO). 2010. Ministry of Forests and Range. Invasive Alien Plant Program. Available at: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hra/plants/application.htm. Accessed December 2010.

National Wetlands Working Group. 1997. The Canadian Wetland Classification System, Second Edition. Ed Warner, B.G. and CDA Rabec. Wetland Research Centre, U. of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ont.



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Rescan (2010a). Kitsault Project: Vegetation and Ecosystem Mapping Baseline Report. Vancouver BC. Prepared for Avanti Mining Inc. by Rescan Environmental Services Ltd.

Rescan (2010b). Kitsault Project: 2009 Wetland Baseline Report. Vancouver BC. Prepared for Avanti Mining Inc. by Rescan Environmental Services Ltd.

Resource Inventory Committee (RIC). 1998. Standards for Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping in British Columbia. Prepared by Ecosystems Working Group, Terrestrial Ecosystems Task Force and Resource Inventory Committee. RIC, Victoria, BC.

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