CITY OF PARKSVILLE ENVIRONMENTAL OVERVIEW ASSESSMENT

CITY OF PARKSVILLE

ENVIRONMENTAL OVERVIEW

ASSESSMENT

DESPARD SITE, PARKSVILLE, BC

FEBRUARY 01, 2021

WSP CANADA INC. 760 ENTERPRISE CRESCENT VICTORIA, BC CANADA V8Z 6R4

T: +1 250 475-1000 F: +1 250 475-2211 WSP.COM

760 ENTERPRISE CRESCENT VICTORIA, BC CANADA V8Z 6R4

T: +1 250 475-1000 F: +1 250 475-2211 wsp.com

February 1, 2021

WSP File No.: 201-12373-00

City of Parksville

100 Jensen Ave W.

Parksville, BC

V9P 2H3

Attention: Mr. Blaine Russell, Director of Community Planning, and Building

Subject: ENVIRONMENTAL OVERVIEW ASSESSMENT – DESPARD SITE, PARKSVILLE, BC

Dear Sir:

WSP Canada Inc. is pleased to submit a PDF copy of the Environmental Overview

Assessment report for the above-referenced property.

We trust that the enclosed report meets your current requirements. If you have

any questions regarding this project, the enclosed reports, or our services, please

do not hesitate to call the undersigned at (250) 475-1000.

Thank you for utilizing our professional services. We look forward to serving your

future environmental and engineering needs.

Sincerely,

Christie Lucas, B.Sc., EP

Encl. Environmental Overview Assessment – Despard Site

WSP ref.: 201-12373-00

"Original Signed"

ENVIRONMENTAL OVERVIEW ASSESSMENT Despard site, Parksville, BC Project No. 201-12373-00 City of Parksville

WSPFebruary 2021

Page iii

S I G N A T U R E S

PREPARED BY

Karen Truman, B.Sc., R.P.Bio Senior Biologist

REVIEWED BY

Susan Blundell, M.Sc., R.P.Bio Senior Biologist

No environmental site assessment or investigation can wholly eliminate uncertainty regarding the

potential for recognized environmental conditions in connection with a site. Performance of a

standardized environmental site assessment protocol is intended to reduce, but not eliminate,

uncertainty regarding the potential for recognized environmental conditions in connection with the

Site, given reasonable limits of time and cost.

This report was prepared by WSP Canada Inc. (WSP) for the City of Parksville in accordance with the

professional services agreement. The disclosure of any information contained in this report is the sole

responsibility of the intended recipient. The material in it reflects WSP’s best judgement in light of the

information available to it at the time of preparation. Any use which a third party makes of this report,

or any reliance on or decisions to be made based on it, are the responsibility of such third parties. WSP

accepts no responsibility for damages, if any, suffered by any third party as a result of decisions made or

actions based on this report. This limitations statement is considered part of this report.

The original of the technology-based document sent herewith has been authenticated and will be

retained by WSP for a minimum of ten years. Since the file transmitted is now out of WSP’s control and

its integrity can no longer be ensured, no guarantee may be given with regards to any modifications

made to this document.

"Original Signed"

"Original Signed"


WSPFebruary 2021

Page iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................. 6

1.1 Project Objective ............................................................................................. 6

1.2 City of Parksville Objectives ...................................................................... 6

1.3 development permit area ........................................................................... 6

2 QUALIFICATIONS OF QEPS ........................................... 7

3 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING.......................................... 7

3.1 Project Area ........................................................................................................ 7

3.2 Previous Studies ............................................................................................. 17

4 TERRESTRIAL RESOURCES ......................................... 17

4.1 General ................................................................................................................ 17

5 VEGETATION ...................................................................... 18

5.1 Methods.............................................................................................................. 18

5.1.1 Destop Study ...................................................................................................................................... 18

5.1.2 Species of Conservation Concern ........................................................................................ 18

5.1.3 Field Survey ......................................................................................................................................... 19

5.2 Results................................................................................................................. 19

5.2.1 Vegetation Communities of conservation concern ............................................... 20

5.2.2 Sensitive ecosystems ................................................................................................................... 23

5.2.3 Vasucular Plant species of conservation concern ................................................... 23

5.2.4 Significant trees .............................................................................................................................. 24

6 AQUATICS ............................................................................ 24

6.1 Methods............................................................................................................. 24

6.1.1 Office Study ........................................................................................................................................ 24

6.1.2 Field Study .......................................................................................................................................... 24

6.2 Results................................................................................................................ 25

6.2.1 Watercourse Alignment ............................................................................................................ 25

6.2.2 Fish Habitat Assessment ........................................................................................................... 26

7 WILDLIFE ............................................................................. 28

7.1 Methods............................................................................................................. 28

7.1.1 Office Study ........................................................................................................................................ 28

7.1.2 Field Study .......................................................................................................................................... 29

7.2 Results................................................................................................................ 29


WSPFebruary 2021

Page v

7.2.1 Incidental detections .................................................................................................................. 29

7.2.2 Wildlife Habitat ............................................................................................................................... 30

7.2.3 Wildlife Tree and Nest Survey ............................................................................................... 32

7.2.4 potential species of conservation concern .................................................................. 33

8 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS AND NEXT

STEPS ..................................................................................... 34

9 REGULATORY PERMITS AND TIMELINES ........... 35

10 TIMING WINDOWS ......................................................... 35

11 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ......... 36

REFERENCES ..................................................................................... 1

TABLES

TABLE 3-1: HISTORICAL AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS OF DESPARD SITE AND SURROUNDING AREA .......................... 8

TABLE 5-1 VEGETATION SPECIES LIST FOR CDFMM .............................. 19

TABLE 7-1 SUMMARY OF WILDLIFE OBSERVATIONS ON THE SITE ................................................................................................................ 29

TABLE 7-2 SPECIES OF CONSERVATION CONCERN POTENTIALLY PRESENT AT SITE. ................................................ 33

FIGURES

Figure 1 Site Overview

Figure 2 Watershed Map

Figure 3 Stormwater Collection City of Parksville

Figure 4 Environmental Constraints Map

Figure 5 Aquatic Resources with Photos

APPENDICES

A WATER LICENSE

B STREAM REPORTS

C SOIL TYPES

D STANDARD LIMITATIONS

City of Parksville WSP File No.: 201-12373-00 Environmental Overview Assessment February 2021 Despard Site

1 INTRODUCTION The City of Parksville (herein referred to as “the Client”) retained WSP to complete an

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for a Site located west of Despard Avenue in the

City of Parksville, BC (herein referred to as “the Site”) (Figure 1). As the proposed development

for the Site is still in the feasibility stage, WSP has changed this report to an Environmental

Overview Assessment (EOA) as discussed with the City on January 21, 2021.

1.1 PROJECT OBJECTIVE

The objective of the Environmental Overview Assessment (EOA) was to complete a bio

inventory of current conditions of both the instream and riparian components of the

freshwater ecosystem, and the terrestrial ecosystems at the Site. This was completed to

identify environmental resources at the Site and determine potential project interactions

associated with future development and the identification of mitigation strategies and best

management practices that would minimize potential impacts. The bio inventory included

an assessment of other natural environment considerations including sensitive wildlife

habitat features, rare plant communities, and invasive species presence

1.2 CITY OF PARKSVILLE OBJECTIVES

The objective of the project for the City of Parksville is to determine the status, location and

categories of watercourses in the proposed project area or other significant environmental

feature that might impact the feasibly of future development. The information is to assist

with some of the design constraints in terms of setbacks from environmental and

riparian/aquatic features and required mitigation or enhancement actions.

Completing an environmental overview report is a critical component of the land use

planning phase for any development. The City requires a description of potential wildlife

(including species-at-risk) that may be present and identify any legislation compliance

required. The assessment is required to include identification of rare or unique vegetation,

wildlife and wildlife habitat, potential effects and mitigation, including potential

enhancement/protection opportunities. With the implementation of appropriate

mitigation measures potential effects can be removed or reduced ensuring the City’s natural

areas are protected. It is an objective of Parksville’s Official Community Plan (OCP) (Parksville

Consolidated OCP 2013 No. 1492) to protect the natural environment, its ecosystems and

biological diversity, and this is enacted through the designation of Development Permit

Areas (DPAs).

1.3 DEVELOPMENT PERMIT AREA

The Site is located within a DPA for Watercourse Protection (DPA 13) and Douglas-fir and

Terrestrial (DPA 15). As per Parksville’s OCP, a development project that is not associated

with or resulting from residential, commercial or industrial activities thereto, is exempt for


the DPA 13 application process. Any development at the Site is not exempt from a DPA 15

application.

2 QUALIFICATIONS OF QEPS The EIA was completed by two of WSPs biologist, Karen Truman B.Sc., and Susan Blundell,

M.Sc. Karen has been a practicing biologist throughout BC including Vancouver Island for

20 years with a specialty in wildlife biology and many years of experience in aquatic biology.

Susan is a fisheries biologist with over 28 years of experience, including conducting fish and

aquatic habitat inventory and assessments, fish habitat compensation planning, impact

assessments, terrestrial ecosystem mapping, and environmental permitting. Together

Susan and Karen comprise a Vancouver Island-based team with extensive knowledge of the

environmental resources found on Vancouver Island and have completed many

development projects that have required regulatory approvals at the municipal, provincial

and federal levels. Both Susan and Karen enjoy working on municipal projects and the

opportunity to employ new and innovative measures such as those prescribed in scientific

journals. Both Karen and Susan have completed the updated Riparian Areas Protection

Regulation (RAPR) training (November 2019) and are both Registered Professional Biologists

(R.P.Bio) and Qualified Environmental Professionals (QEPs) in good standing with the

College of Applied Biology.

3 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING

3.1 PROJECT AREA

The Site is located within the City of Parksville, just north of the jurisdictional line between

the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) and the City (Figure 1). The railway and acreages are

located to the south of the Site, subdivisions are located to the north and northeast, and the

Springwood Water Facility and off leash dog park are located to the east. The area to the

northwest is an undeveloped green space zoned as agricultural. Access to the Site is via the

end of Despard Ave. and an interconnected series of trails. Base on historical aerial

photograph review (Table 3-1), it is inferred that the Site has previously been logged. Aerial

photos show the area around the Site was logged in the 1940s and by the 1950s the north

end of the Site appeared to have ben partially cleared. A water license application from 1946

was located for the diversion of water from Parksville Springs 1 and 2 and the removal of the

timber at Site. A copy of the Water Licence is presented in Appendix A. From the 1960’s

onward the forest on Site regenerated until the late 1990s when the northern portion of the

Site was logged again. Previous logging has resulted in a range of forest ages and structural

stages occurring on Site.


Table 3-1: Historical Aerial Photographs of Despard Site and Surrounding Area

YEAR / SOURCE IMAGERY

2004 – City of Parksville iVault

1998 –Aerial Photograph



1984 – Aerial Photograph



Figure 1 - Site Overview


Romney Creek is described as being located within the Morningstar Creek watershed which

lies between the Englishman River and the French Creek Watersheds (Community Mapping

Network 2021a; MFLNRORD, 2021). The RDN includes Romney Creek within their Watershed

#3: French Creek, Qualicum Beach, and Parksville Uplands (Figure 2). Romney Creek has

been included as one of French Creek Significant Drainage Areas during past water

allocation plans (Bryden et al., 1994). Some mapping indicates that Romney Creek joined

Carey Creek and flowed into the Strait of Georgia however the Creeks no longer confluence

above ground. The eastern flows associated with the Romney Creek watercourse enter the

stormwater system near the intersection of Despard Avenue and Chestnut Street and are

piped until the confluence with the ocean into Parksville Bay where flows from Romney and

Carey Creek both outfall at the Bayside Inn outfall (Figure 3) (Koers & Associates Engineering

Ltd., 2016). WSP understands that the unconfined overland flows that leave the Site to the

north are captured in a bioswale and enter the stormwater system south of Lodgepole Drive.

Figure 1 shows the project area overview, site location and mapped alignment of Romney

Creek as per the BC Freshwater Atlas (Government of BC, 2021).

Figure 2 - Romney Creek Watershed

* Source: RDNMap, 2021


Figure 3 - City of Parksville Storm Water Collection System

* Source: (Koers & Associates Engineering Ltd., 2016)


The mapped alignment of Romney Creek from its headwaters to its confluence with the

ocean differs between what is mapped on the BC Freshwater Atlas, the City of Parksville web

map (iVault) and the RDN’s Public Map Viewer (RDNMap, 2021). Fifty five percent (55%) (400

ha) of the Romney Creek 720 ha catchment area originates outside of the City’s boundaries

within the RDN where flows occur through roadside ditches and driveway areas in a rural

area (Koers & Associates Engineering Ltd., 2016). The main stem is approximately 3.5 km

long with an average slope of 3% and a median elevation of 90 m (Bryden et al., 1994). The

maximum elevation of 250 m occurs at its headwaters on Little Mountain. Increasing flows

in Romney Creek due to development and climate change have been noted to have the

greatest impact on the City’s infrastructure. The majority of the Creek has been enclosed

within the City limits however some sections are now in the process of being daylighted.

The City of Parksville’s stormwater management plan has identified two culverts that are

acting as choke points on Romney Creek including the 600 mm diameter culvert under the

E&N Victoria Railway Line just south of the Site (Figure 1) (Koers & Associates Engineering

Ltd., 2016).

City of Parksville WSP File No.: 201-12373-00

Environmental Overview Assessment February 2021

Despard Site

Figure 4 - Environmental Constraints Map


3.2 PREVIOUS STUDIES

Previous baseline environmental assessments have been completed in the area focusing on

the wetland habitats in Parksville which were identified as part of the Englishman River

Watershed (Stephens, 2015). The baseline report was part of an assessment to understand

the aquatic features in and around Parksville specifically the Lower Englishman River

Watershed. A baseline study was completed that summarized the current conditions of the

City’s stormwater water system including the basic hydrology of Romney Creek as part of

the City of Parksville’s Stormwater Management Plan (Koers & Associates Engineering Ltd.,

2016).

Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory mapping was completed for the eastern portion of Vancouver

Island and the Southern Gulf Island (Ward et al, 1998). The result was the identification and

classification of sensitive ecosystems which include the City of Parksville. A summary of the

mapping is included in Section 5.2.2.

4 TERRESTRIAL RESOURCES

4.1 GENERAL

The Site is located in the Eastern Vancouver Island Ecoregion within the Nanaimo Lowlands

Ecosection. This Site lies within the Coastal Douglas-fir Moist Maritime (CDFmm)

Biogeoclimatic Subzone. Douglas-fir as well as grand fir and western redcedar dominate

forests on zonal sites within the CDFmm. Salal, Oregon-grape, oceanspray and Oregon-

beaked moss dominate the understory. Less prominent species include baldhip rose,

snowberry, western trumpet honeysuckle, vanilla leaf and electrified cattail moss. The

presence of Garry oak, Arbutus and numerous members of the lily family characterize these

drier sites. Conservation of vegetation communities and habitats found in CDFmm are

addressed by the City of Parksville within the Douglas-fir and Terrestrial DPA (DPA 15). The

mild, moist winters and warm and dry summers and island biogeography influence the

biodiversity of species in the CDFmm however there is lower biodiversity than found on the

mainland.

Elevations range from sea level to 100 metres. The water table is highly perched (often at

the surface) during the wet season. Dense, compact subsoil layers are fairly impervious. The

Site consists of Parksville soils (Jungen et al., 1989) (Appendix C). These soil types are found

on level to depressional sites on marine landscapes in association with Cowichan and

Fairbridge soils. They are poorly drained with seasonal perched water tables at 15 to 100 cm

in depth. They have deve1oped in non-stony, sandy fluvial or sandy marine veneers that are

underlain by fine marine material. Characteristically they have a dark brown or black organic

matter-enriched surface horizon which grades into a light brown to grey, prominently

mottled silty loam to silty clay at depths below 40 cm. These soils are classified as Orthic

Humic Gleysols, with minor occurrences of Orthic Gleysols.


The southeast corner of the Site consists of Qualicum soils. Qualicum soils have developed

on deep coarse-textured fluvial and fluvioglacial deposits associated with all major streams

and rivers. They occur in deep coarse-textured marine deposits. They are rapidly drained

and rapidly permeable. Qualicum soils have very gravelly loamy sand textures with

discontinuous weakly cemented horizons. They are classified as Orthic Dystric Brunisols.

5 VEGETATION

5.1 METHODS

5.1.1 DESTOP STUDY

Prior to the field program a desktop study was completed to review available secondary

information. The following were examined:

— 1:20,000 colour orthophotos (2017)

— TRIM mapping (1:20,000 scale)

— SEI mapping (1:20,000 scale).

In addition, the following websites were visited to collect data on sensitive ecosystems,

record trees and rare vegetation species occurrence:

— RDN GIS Maps https://webmap.rdn.bc.ca/Html5Viewer/?viewer=Public

— City of Parksville iVault http://map.parksville.ca/Map/Default.aspx

— Ministry of Environment’s Species and Ecosystems Explorer

https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/

— CDC iMap http://maps.gov.bc.ca/ess/hm/cdc/

— Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/sei/van_gulf/index.html

— University of BC’s Big Tree Registry https://bigtrees.forestry.ubc.ca/bc-bigtree-registry/

— Wildlife Tree Stewardship Atlas

— British Columbia Soil Information Finder Tool

https://governmentofbc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=cc25e43525c5471ca7b13d639bbcd7aa

— Published and Unpublished Reports

5.1.2 SPECIES OF CONSERVATION CONCERN

Species identified in the review either have/are:

(1) COSEWIC status of Endangered, Threatened, or Special Concern or BC List status of Red

(endangered or threatened) or Blue (special concern) (updated status as per BC CDC, 2018);

(2) Endangered, Threatened, or Special Concern under the Species at Risk Act (SARA

Schedule 1) (Government of Canada, 2016) and Committee on the Status of Endangered

Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).


5.1.3 FIELD SURVEY

The focus of the field survey was to determine the potential presence of rare and

endangered plant communities, and to confirm the location of environmentally sensitive

areas. Based on the timing of the Site visit, a comprehensive plant inventory and rare plant

survey was not possible. A reconnaissance level assessment of invasive plant species was

conducted.

Following a review of mapping and aerial photographs, a field survey was completed to

determine vegetation composition. WSP visited the Site on January 12, 2021 and recorded

the following information:

— Dominant tree species (primary and secondary canopy)

— Dominant tall and low shrub species

— Dominant herbs

— Aspect and gradient

5.2 RESULTS

A general vegetation species list for the CDFmm subzone is presented in the following table

(Table 5-1).

Table 5-1 Vegetation Species List for CDFmm

Common Name Scientific Name Arbutus Arbutus menziesii

Bigleaf maple Acer macrophyllum

Douglas-fir Pseudotsuga menziesii ssp. menziesii

Garry oak Quercus garryana

Grand fir Abies grandis

Shore/lodgepole pine Pinus contorta

Western redcedar Thuja plicata

Baldhip rose Rosa gymnocarpa

Dull Oregon-grape Mahonia nervosa

Falsebox Paxistima myrsinites

Hairy honeysuckle Lonicera hispidula

Indian plum Oemleria cerasiformis

Labrador tea Ledum groenlandicum

Oceanspray Holodiscus discolor

Red elderberry Sambucus racemosa

Salal Gaultheria shallon

Salmonberry Rubus spectabilis

Snowberry Symphoricarpos spp.

Western trumpet honeysuckle Lonicera ciliosa

Alaska oniongrass Melica subulata

Big-leaved sandwort Moehringia macrophylla

Bracken fern Pteridium aquilinum

Broad-leaved shootingstar Dodecatheon hendersonii

False lily-of-the-valley Maianthemum dilatatum

Lady fern Athyrium filix-femina

Nodding trisetem Trisetum cernum


Common Name Scientific Name Pacific sanicle Sanicula crassicaulis

Purple peavine Lathyrus nevadensis

Skunk cabbage Lysichiton americanum

Sword fern Polystichum munitum

Three-leaved foamflower Tiarella trifoliata

Vanilla leaf Achlys triphylla

Coastal leafy moss Plagiomnium insigne

Electrified cat’s tail moss Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus

Juniper haircap moss Polytrichum juniperinum

Lanky moss Rhytidiadelphus loreus

Oregon-beaked moss Kinbergia oregana

Palm tree moss Leucolepis menziesii

Red-stemmed feathermoss Pleurozium schreberi

Reindeer lichen Cladina spp.

Sphagnum moss Sphagnum spp.

Step moss Hylocomium splendens

* Source : (Madrone Environmental Services Ltd, 2008)

5.2.1 VEGETATION COMMUNITIES OF CONSERVATION CONCERN

The CDF ecosystems are considered rare globally and only occur in low elevations ranging

from sea level to 150 m along the southeast coast of Vancouver Island from Bowser south to

Victoria (including Parksville) (Parksville Consolidated OCP 2013 No. 1492).

Vegetation on Site occurs in three different structural stages due to past logging within the

last 90 years. The majority of the Site consists of pole sapling (structural stage 4) woodland,

while the vegetation located further south in the vicinity of Romney Creek is slightly older

and can be classified as young forest (structural stage 5) (See orange polygons on Figure 4).

Further south is a small sliver of mature forest (structural stage 6) is present.

The vegetation community on Site consists of the Black cottonwood – Red-osier dogwood

(CD, CDFmm-08) site association. The CDC does not have any records of rare plant

communities in the vicinity of the Site, however the CD plant community is provincially Blue-

listed. The Site was all one plant community; however, the species present were different

due to the different structural stages (Madrone Environmental Services Ltd., 2008).

The pole sapling area (CD-4) has a tree layer of red alder, black cottonwood, trembling aspen

and bigleaf maple. The shrub layer is extremely limited and patchy and consists of

salmonberry and red-osier dogwood. Due to the timing of the survey it was not possible to

complete a comprehensive inventory of the herb layer. At the time of the survey species

observed in the herb layer included large-leaved avens, creeping buttercup, trailing

blackberry, piggy-back plant, common horsetail, sedges and Pacific water-parsley. The moss

layer is very sparse and consists of patches of coastal leafy moss and palm tree moss.

The young forest (CD-5) has a tree layer of red alder, trembling aspen, bigleaf maple, western

redcedar, grand fir and Douglas-fir. The shrub layer is more developed and consists of

salmonberry, red-osier dogwood, juvenile western hemlock, salmonberry, Nootka rose and

common snowberry. The herb layer is also more developed but remains low in diversity,


with mostly sword fern, sedges and creeping buttercup present. The moss layer consists

mostly of coastal leafy moss and palm tree moss.

The mature forest (CD-6) has a tree layer of western redcedar, grand fir, Douglas-fir, red alder

and bigleaf maple. The shrub layer consists of salal, dull Oregon-grape, salmonberry,

common snowberry and red-osier dogwood. The herb layer is mostly sword fern, with lesser

amounts of creeping buttercup and sedges. The moss layer is similar to young forest with

the addition of Menzie’s tree moss and slender beaked moss.

The presence of introduced and invasive plant species is fairly limited although the Site is

bounded by urban development and is quite disturbed by recent logging. Of particular

concern is the presence of giant hogweed (Figure 4). Also present is Himalayan blackberry,

European holly, spurge laurel, herb-Robert and English ivy all of which have a high potential

for being invasive.


Figure 5 - Aquatic Resources with Photos


5.2.2 SENSITIVE ECOSYSTEMS

One sensitive ecosystem and one valuable ecosystem are present on Site according to the

Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory of Southern Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands (Ward et al.,

1998). Riparian (RI) sensitive ecosystems are classified according to their structural stage

therefore RI(4) and RI(5) are present and represent pole sapling and young forest riparian

communities, respectively.

RI sensitive ecosystems are found on the margins of rivers, streams, lakes and marshes as

well as the floodplains of large rivers and small streams and in gullies. The unconfined

overland flow and braided channels of the Romney Creek system have confounded the

delineation of the riparian ecosystem and therefore sensitive ecosystem. As a result, the

vegetation community develops based on the soil moisture and nutrient availability. The

extent of the RI sensitive ecosystem on Site is likely more complex and widespread than is

presented in the mapping due to the watercourses dendritic and numerous channels.

Although not mapped, the older second growth forest occurring in the southern extent of

the Site (CD-6) can be categorized as older second growth forest (Figure 4). This ecosystem

type is not categorized as a sensitive ecosystem but is considered a valuable ecosystem for

their contributions to biodiversity and importance to wildlife. These forests are 60-100 years

old with >15% deciduous component (SG:mx). Biologically forests that contain deciduous

and coniferous trees and are over 80 years old have been identified as the most valuable of

older second growth forest (Ward et al., 1998). These forests have been identified for their

importance of future older forest, landscape connectivity and buffers as similarly identified

for Parksville’s DPA 15.

5.2.3 VASUCULAR PLANT SPECIES OF CONSERVATION CONCERN

According to the Conservation Data Centre there are no rare plants documented to occur

on the Site. The closest occurrences of rare plants are the following:

— Rough-leaved aster (Eurybia radulina) Red-listed. A historic occurrence (1916) in riparian

forest adjacent to Englishman River. Rough-leaved aster typically occurs on dry rock

outcrops and open forests in the lowland zone which are not present on the Site.

— Macoun’s groundsel (Packera macounii), Yellow-listed. A historic occurrence (1961) in a

needleleaf forest to the east of Englishman River. Macoun’s groundsel usually occurs in

dry open forests, disturbed areas and rock outcrops or limestone quarries in the lowland

zone.

There is no suitable habitat for either species on Site. Anecdotal information from

Arrowsmith Naturalists found two species of conservation concern during a vegetation

assessment in the Parksville Wetlands in the summer of 2019. Banded cord-moss

(Entosthodon fasciacularis) and lesser spearwort (Ranunculus flammula) were observed.

Both plants were found to the northwest of the Site adjacent to the subdivision near the

Hirst Avenue and Renz Road intersection (Arrowsmith Naturalists, 2019). Banded-cord moss

is listed as Special Concern by SARA and COSEWIC and is provincially Blue-listed and usually

grows in small patches on thin soil over rock in open to semi-shaded habitats, usually in or

adjacent to seasonally moist sites. This type of habitat was not noted during the Site


assessment (British Columbia Bryophyte Recovery Team and Garry Oak Ecosystems

Recovery Team, 2010). Lesser spearwort has three varieties described by the province; the

var. flammula is Blue-listed and has been found near Coombs and Nanoose Bay (E-Flora,

2021). The 2019 detection and location near Coombs found this species on exposed mud.

The habitat is described as shorelines, wet meadows, marshes and ditches. This species

could be present on Site.

5.2.4 SIGNIFICANT TREES

No public records from the B.C. Register of Big Trees of “record” occur within the Project

Area, although there are some numerous large diameter coniferous trees located in the CD-

6 plant community in the southeast part of the Site.

6 AQUATICS

6.1 METHODS

6.1.1 OFFICE STUDY

The following information was reviewed:

— TRIM mapping (1:20,000 scale);

— Habitat Wizard https://maps.gov.bc.ca/ess/hm/habwiz/ ;

— Background Reports

This information was used to assist in aerial photograph interpretation and a historical

review of aquatic drainages located at the Site. A review of past reports or assessments was

conducted to research the alignment and fish bearing status of Romney Creek.

6.1.2 FIELD STUDY

The focus of the field survey was to locate and map the watercourse on the Site and to collect

baseline information. There was no data regarding fish distribution on the Site and the fish

bearing status could not be determined based on the project’s timeline. To determine the

fish bearing status of a watercourse the presence of obstructions to fish migration, and

seasonal habitat availability must be considered. Commonly two different fish survey

methods conducted during two different times of the year are required to identify fish

presence or absence. Ministry of Forestry, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural

Development (MFLNORD) notes that if sampling is not possible and potential habitat is

present, then the default classification is potentially fish bearing. The assessment of fish

presence for the environmental overview assessment therefore was limited to visual

observations during the field visit, an assessment of habitat suitability and the identification

of any obstructions to fish migration.


6.2 RESULTS

6.2.1 WATERCOURSE ALIGNMENT

Review of historical records indicate that Romney Creek and Carey Creek have been

modified due to logging activity as well as urban development. A 1994 report states that

both Romney and Carey Creek have been extensively channelized and culverted for

subdivision development and that Romney Creek had been diverted into Carey Creek just

downstream of Parksville Springs. Construction of the subdivisions to the north of the Site

initiated in the 1980s (Refer to Table 1). Each creek has its own unique watershed code:

Romney Creek (920-464700) and Carey Creek (920-464900), which indicates that they are

considered as separate creeks by the province. The provincial stream reports for both

Romney Creek and Carey Creek do not list any fish species as present (Appendix B).

Past modelling of instream fisheries flow requirements based on a provincially modified

version of the Tennant (Montana) Method assessed the minimum flow required to sustain

the fisheries resource for fair spawning and rearing habitat in the French Creek Water

Allocation Study (Bryden et al., 1994). In drainages where fish were or could be present, flows

were assessed as a percentage of the Mean Annual Discharge (MAD) to sustain the habitat.

The upper reach of Romney Creek was identified as having no value as fish habitat while the

lower reach was identified as potential fish habitat. The report noted that all flows in the

streams were naturally limiting to fish production and maintenance of fish habitat and that

subdivision development around Romney Creek and Carey Creek has destroyed or limited

any potential fish habitat in the creeks. The Bryden et al 1994 report describes a waterfall

barrier to fish present at the mouth of Carey Creek. The City of Parksville’s Stormwater

Management Plan identifies the stormwater outlet at the Bayside Inn as the main outlet for

Carey Creek and Romney Creek, if this waterfall barrier is still in place, it has the potential to

act as a potential fish barrier for both creeks (Koers & Associates Engineering Ltd., 2016).

Figures 4 and 5 present the results of the field assessment on January 12, 2021. Weather

conditions in the 24 hours previous to the Site visit had been temperatures between 7 and

8°C and a rainfall total of 14.1 mm (Government of Canada, 2021). Biologists used an Arrow

100 unit GPS and Avenza Maps® app to collect locational data of the watercourses present

on Site. The alignment of the Romney Creek sections not assessed used ortho imagery to

estimate the location.

As mentioned in the Project Area description (Section 3.1) of this Report, Romney Creek

passes under the E&N Railway through a 600 mm culvert. Downstream of the railway

culvert the watercourse flows in a northeast direction towards the trail. The flows pass

through a set of large double culverts (Culvert C1) under the trail. The stream’s alignment is

off center (east) of the culverts at the inlet therfore some of the flow moves north passively

through the culverts while some flows continue southeast alongside the trail to another set

of lower elevation double culverts (Culverts C2). Flows that pass through the most northern

culverts continue to flow northeast until the northern portion of the property where some


flows pass into an entrenched stream bed heading east (herein referred to as the Romney

Creek eastern channel) (Photo 1) but the majority of flows continue on to the north in a wider

and shallower channel (herein referred to as the Romney Creek northern channel) through

pole sapling forest (CD-4) (Figure 5). At the northern border of the Site these flows become

unconfined overland flow (Figure 5). Consultation with the City of Parksville noted that these

flows enter a northern bioswale and then flow into the City’s stormwater system. The

Romney Creek eastern channel flows east towards Despard Ave. and enters the stormwater

system near the Springwood Water Plant. The entrance into the stormwater system at this

site is fenced off after which flows pass over a 2 m drop spillway then through a debris grate

and into the pipe inlet (Figure 5).

Photo 1. Romney Creek eastern channel. Photo taken January 12,

2021.

Flows that pass under the trail in the lower elevation C2 culverts immediately formed three

braided channels that meandered through the forest (Figures 4 and 5). A small black plastic

culvert (C3) captures trail runoff from the southern border of the trail which then flows

northeast through the forest likely joining the previously mentioned braids joining up with

the Romney Creek eastern channel (Figures 4 and 5).

6.2.2 FISH HABITAT ASSESSMENT

The identification of fish presence or potential presence involves fish sampling and an

assessment of potential fish habitat in and around the Site. Fish sampling was not

conducted during the Site visit. In order for fish to be present in a stream there must be

water and suitable habitat present and the ability for fish to move to refuge habitat (e.g.,

lake, pond or shallow open water wetland) during low water flows. The Site is inaccessible

to anadromous fish from the east due to a barrier upstream of the stormwater pipe inlet

near Despard Ave. An approximately 2 m drop which would act as a vertical barrier due to


its height and laminar flow condition created by the presence of a concrete spillway. (Photos

2 and 3). WSP did not investigate the entrance to the stormwater system north of the Site

and therefore can not comment on fish accessibility via this route.

Photo 2. Fenced off entrance to

stormwater system near Springwood

Water Plant on Despard Ave. Photo taken

January 12, 2021 looking northeast.

Photo 3. Vertical barrier and laminar water

flow in fenced off entrance to stormwater

system near Springwood Water Plant on

Despard Ave. Photo taken January 12, 2021

looking east.

The multiple watercourse alignments and the unconfined overland flows on Site are likely a

result of effects of the previous logging in the 1990s (Table 1). Some of the channels were

shallow in depth with some scour however these areas of overland flow would be poor

quality of fish habitat and ephemeral in nature. These areas are shallow and there is no

suitable spawning habitat or cover habitat for rearing present. Overland flow pathways likely

only contain flows after heavy rain events. The most suitable fish habitat present on site is

in the Romney Creek eastern channel where the watercourse is contained in a deeper, more

well-defined channel, where the flow characteristics include deep pools. There are also

habitat features present such as large woody debris, undercut banks, and overhanging

vegetation which provide good cover habitat.

If present, it is likely that resident fish populations would not be able to use sections of the

Creek in summer months due to low flow conditions. Anecdotal evidence cited in a wetland

assessment in Romney Creek headwaters (Figure 1). A local streamkeeper who had worked

in the Romney Creek watershed indicated that it is likely to contain a resident trout

population but was not aware of any definitive proof (EDI Environmental Dynamics Inc.,


2013). The wetland was identified as an extensive, seasonally flooded, shallow, forested

wetland with the majority of the wetland drying up outside of the wettest periods of the

year with small areas of deeper pools. The wetland assessment noted that the wetland does

not connect to Romney Creek as shown on online maps such as the RDN map and instead

Romney Creek flows to the east along Ruffles Road and then north through ditches to

reconnect with the mapped alignment of the Creek just north of Fair Road. Several other

ponds and wetlands have been noted along the upper reaches that may provide year-round

habitat for resident trout (EDI Environmental Dynamics Inc., 2013). No publicly available

surveys to confirm fish presence were located during the desktop assessment for this

project.

7 WILDLIFE

7.1 METHODS

7.1.1 OFFICE STUDY

The following information was reviewed:

— TRIM mapping (1:20,000 scale);

— Target species (species to be studied with a particular focus on species at risk), including

habitat use, feeding behavior, and breeding behavior;

— Mapping for the Site and area (i.e. air photo, 1:15,000 scale and topographic mapping,

1:20,000 forest cover maps, 1:20,000 scale TRIM mapping) and aerial photographs to

identify potential habitat or target species.

This information was used to assist in aerial photograph interpretation of vegetation,

drainages, landform and any other prominent features located in the Site Maps and aerial

photographs reviewed included ortho-rectified aerials.

The following webpages were also visited to collect relevant wildlife data for the Site:

— BC CDC Species and Ecosystem Explorer (BC CDC, 2021) - Search Criteria: Search Type: Animal and (restricted to Red, Blue, and COSEWIC and SARA species); and CDF Biogeoclimatic zone – Habitat subtypes including: conifer forest mesic, conifer forest moist/wet, Mixed forest (deciduous/coniferous mix, riparian forest, roadside/ditch, stream, river, urban and suburban;

— iMapBC (DataBC, 2021);

— Conservation Data Centre (CDC) iMap http://maps.gov.bc.ca/ess/sv/cdc/ ;

— E-Fauna (E-Fauna BC, 2021);

— eBird (Audubon and Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2021);

— British Columbia Great Blue Herons Atlas (Great Blue Heron Management Team, 2021)

— Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory

— Wildlife Tree Stewardship Atlas http://cmnmaps.ca/wits/ ;

— B.C. Big Tree Registry http://bcbigtree.ca/ ; and

— Species-specific COSEWIC and SARA documents


The list of species of conservation concern identified by the BC CDC for the CDFmm was

reviewed assessing their potential presence based on the habitat present on Site and the

relative location of known detections.

7.1.2 FIELD STUDY

The Site visit was conducted on Januray 12, 2021 throughout all vegetation communities

within the Site boundaries with a focus on identifying any wildlife features and wildlife trees

on Site. The Site was traversed in order to record all incidental detections of wildlife trees,

wildlife sightings and a general assessment of wildlife habitat. Detections of wildlife trees

included those of high significance or nest trees that might be protected permanently under

Section 34 of the Wildlife Act.

Wildlife sightings included incidental detections of sign such as prey remains, regurgitated

pellets, whitewash, feathers, old and/or new open nests, cavity nests or roosts, foraging tree

cavities, dens, burrows, browse, tree scratches, scat, fecal droppings, tracks, and trails. The

habitat assessment considered environmental variables noted included the presence of

snags, coarse woody debris, surface complexity, forage potential, cover and travel corridor

potential. No detailed wildlife surveys were included within the Projects scope. Additionally,

the timing of the Site visit occurred before the identified survey window of most species’

groups potentially present at the Site.

7.2 RESULTS

7.2.1 INCIDENTAL DETECTIONS

Incidental detections of birds from the Site and nearby areas were recorded during the field

survey and are summarized in (Table 7-1):

Table 7-1 Summary of Wildlife Observations on the Site

SPECIES

OBSERVATION TYPE (2021)

Birds

Golden-crowned kinglet auditory

Dark-eyed junco auditory

Pine siskin auditory

Chestnut-backed chickadee

auditory

Varied thrush visual

Red-breasted nuthatch auditory

No detailed wildlife surveys were conducted following species-specific methodologies as

prescribed in the BC Resource Inventory Standards Committee (RISC) documents. RISC

methodologies identify the survey protocol that is recommended for each species or species


group including time of year. If future surveys are to be undertaken at Site, they should

adhere to the RISC methodologies (BC Government, 2021) or more recent survey methods

described in the scientific literature.

During the review of the mapped known occurrences of species at risk, the CDC iMap

database indicated that there were no publicly available occurrences or critical habitat that

overlapped the Site.

7.2.2 WILDLIFE HABITAT

Species specific wildlife surveys were not undertaken as part of the Projects scope therefore

an assessment of the habitats present and the suitability of those habitats for biodiversity

and species of conservation concern was considered instead. The riparian sensitive

ecosystem is considered important for wildlife because of their high biodiversity, aquatic

habitat protection and potential as wildlife corridors. The larger corridors in the region

include the Qualicum River and Englishman River systems however there is use even at the

smaller scale watercourses due to the legislative protection provided watercourses in BC.

Older second growth is also important for generating future older forests, connecting the

landscape and can buffer adjacent sensitive ecosystems when present.

Both ecosystems are important for amphibians and reptiles of the region (Ward et al., 1998).

Amphibian species detected in the riparian habitats around Parksville include: Northern

red-legged frog (Rana aurora) (Special Concern by SARA and COSEWIC, Blue-listed by

Province), Western toad (Anaxyrus boreas) Special Concern by SARA and COSEWIC), long-

toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum), roughskin newt (Taricha granulosa) and

Pacific tree frog (Pseudacris regilla) (Stephens, 2015; BC CDC, 2021). Habitat enhancement

projects for amphibians along Romney Creek have partnered with the Pacific Salmon

Foundation, City of Parksville and School District 69 have focused on a re-establishment of

the channel and wetlands within Romney Creek (MVIHES, 2021). Non-listed reptile species

potentially present at the Site include the three species of garter snakes: common,

northwestern and terrestrial.

Mature forests and some maturing forest (CD-6) can have an almost closed canopy with a

well-developed shrub understory in canopy openings. The shrub layer in mature stands is

well developed, and the herb layer is less diverse than other associations. The closed canopy

cover and the shrub later provide thermal cover, security and food for larger mammals. The

areas of young forest provide good cover for passerines (songbirds). The soil moisture and

nutrient regime and an abundance of legacy snags and large woody debris if present can

provide good cover habitat for herptiles, small mammals, mollusks, and foraging and

nesting habitat for woodpeckers. The mature tree layer is important to raptors for nesting

and roosting because it has the potential to have a high abundance of small mammals.

Bird diversity in an ecosystems and plant community can vary depending on the structural

stage and plants present. The older structural stages as found in the CD-6 on Site, can be

used for nesting by eagles and herons. The desktop review noted the closest great blue

heron (Ardea herodias fannini) colony reported on publicly available website is

approximately 2 km away in Errington (Colony ID 106-059) (Community Mapping Network,


2021b). There are no publicly known active bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nests

within 2 km of the Site (Wildlife Tree Stewardship Atlas, 2021). The larger tree size increases

the potential use of CD-6 for nesting by cavity nesting birds such as owls and roosting sites

for bats. Trees suitable for daytime bat roosting are commonly found in mature forest and

suitable trees were noted within the CD-6 (Photo 4). There is potential the little brown

myotis (Myotis lucifugus) (Endangered by SARA and COSEWIC) to use suitable trees in the

older areas of the Site where cavities and lose bark is present. No wildlife trees were detected

in the younger areas (CD-4 and CD-5) that would be suitable for owls or bats. The increased

potential for large coarse woody debris in the CD-6 increases its potential habitat suitability

for amphibian and small mammal species.

The pole sampling forest CD-4 on Site was too young to have wildlife tree recruitment or the

presence of large coarse woody debris, and the shrub layer was not well developed (Photo

5). This lack of thermal and security cover and diverse foraging sites reduces the suitability

of CD-4 for many species with the exception of nesting bird species that breed in younger

disturbed forest. The habitat within CD-5 had increased habitat potential for more species

that do not require mature forest as found in CD-6.

Photo 4. Lose bark on a potential wildlife tree; feature

useable by daytime roosting bats. Photo taken January

12, 2021.


Photo 5. Young CD-4 forest on Site. Photo taken January 12,

2021 looking northwest.

7.2.3 WILDLIFE TREE AND NEST SURVEY

No active bird nests were located during the visit to the Site due to the timing of the survey.

The largest coniferous and deciduous mature trees having DBHs (diameter at breast height)

of 50 cm or greater were found only in the southeastern corner of the Site within the CD-6

vegetation community (Photo 6) (Figure 4) where logging has likely not occurred since the

1950s (Table 1). A variety of large trees and snags were noted in this same area varying in

structure and stage of decay which is expected in a mature forest setting (Photo 7).

Photo 6. Larger trees in southeast portion of Site in CD-6.

Photo taken January 12, 2021 looking east.


Photo 7. Example of snag wildlife tree; pileated woodpecker

forage tree within Site in CD-6. Photo taken January 12, 2021.

7.2.4 POTENTIAL SPECIES OF CONSERVATION CONCERN

The following species listed in Table 7-2 were identified as potentially present based on the

desktop review, habitat noted during the Site Assessment and citizen science records.

Citizen science observations were reviewed including eBird (Audubon and Cornell Lab of

Ornithology, 2021), iMap (DataBC, 2021) and applicable birding checklists (Stephens, 2011).

Table 7-2 Species of Conservation Concern Potentially Present at Site.

English Name Scientific Name COSEWIC BC List SARA Detected

in Parksville

Western Toad Anaxyrus boreas SC Yellow C

Y

Northern Red-legged Frog Rana aurora SC Blue SC

N

Great Blue Heron, fannini subspecies

Ardea herodias

fannini SC Blue SC

Y

Evening Grosbeak Coccothraustes

vespertinus SC Yellow

Y

Pine Grosbeak, carlottae subspecies

Pinicola

enucleator

carlottae

- Blue - Y

Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus

cooperi SC Blue T

Y


English Name Scientific Name COSEWIC BC List SARA Detected

in Parksville

Northern Pygmy-owl, swarthi subspecies

Glaucidium

gnoma swarthi - Blue -

Y

Western Screech-Owl, kennicottii subspecies

Megascops

kennicottii

kennicottii

T Blue T Y

Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas

fasciata SC Blue SC

Y

Little Brown Myotis Myotis lucifugus E Yellow E N/A

Townsend's Big-eared Bat

Corynorhinus

townsendii - Blue -

N/A

Keen's Myotis Myotis keenii DD Blue N/A

Western Water Shrew, brooksi subspecies

Sorex navigator

brooksi - Blue -

N/A

Notes: Y = yes; N = no; N/A = not available; COSEWIC = Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada;

BC List = BC Conservation Data Centre Status; SARA = Species at Risk Act; E = Endangered; T = Threatened; SC =

Special Concern.

8 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS

AND NEXT STEPS WSP has identified further information requirements that would be required if the City of

Parksville anticipates submitting regulatory approvals applications to the province or federal

government for works in and around a steam.

— Additional field work is required to determine the fish bearing status of Romney Creek.

The recommendation to be compliant with MFLNRORDs conditions is to sample in the

spring and fall using two separate sampling methods; electroshocking and minnow

trapping during both seasons (provincial fish salvage permit required – 1-2 months);

— Detailed stream mapping is required including all areas where Romney Creek enters the

stormwater system. Arrow unit could be used or survey by BCLS to identify the alignment

and widths of all watercourse alignments through the Site;

— Hydraulic assessment of watercourse to ensure that the final design of a realigned

channel can handle current and future flows in the long term. The assessment should

consider the removal of all choke points upstream of Site as recommended in the

Stormwater Management Plan. The assessment could also identify the path of flows to

the north and investigate whether it would be beneficial to send some of the water over

to the wetlands in the west or enter the stormwater system.

— Consideration of the construction of a stormwater pond/wetland to the north of the Site.

— The Riparian Areas Protection Regulation (RAPR) does not apply to institutional

developments however it is recommended that the City of Parksville comply with the


terms and conditions of the RAPR in determining setbacks and other protection

measures from a newly created channel;

— A detailed field assessment during the spring/summer to complete a comprehensive

plant and wildlife inventory focusing on species of conservation concern (Table 7-2). The

recommended surveys should follow RISC standards for potential species of

conservation concern include:

— owls (nocturnal raptors) in the late winter/spring (no permit required)

— songbirds in the summer (no permit required)

— amphibians in the spring provincial (provincial wildlife sampling permit required)

— small mammals in the spring/summer (provincial wildlife sampling permit required)

— auditory (non handling) bat surveys in the summer (permit only required if catching

bats)

9 REGULATORY PERMITS AND

TIMELINES — Permitting will depend upon the results of the fish sampling and the final design of any

development. The following regulatory approvals will be required if fish are present:

o DFO Request for Review (RFR). This RFR will likely progress to an Authorization

Approval and will require habitat offsetting at a 2:1 compensation in area and a like

for like habitat form and function project(s). Approval and acceptance of offsetting

plan can take up between 5 months and a year.

o Section 11 Approval under the Water Sustainability Act for the realignment of a

Creek. Approval can take from 12-18 months.

— If the Creek is identified as fish bearing, whether by default or after further in-situ

investigation, detailed stream mapping of the Site to be altered and potential offsetting

sites will be required for a DFO Authorization and approval of an offsetting plan

— Sampling permits are required before surveying for amphibians and small mammals.

Approvals for each separate permit can take 30 days.

Timelines associated with both the provincial and federal regulatory permits and approvals

are only estimates and the approval process can be longer.

10 TIMING WINDOWS The general fisheries timing window for instream work on Vancouver Island is June 15th to

September 15th. If Romney Creek does contain Rainbow trout this window is reduced to

August 15th to September 15 (MFLRORD, 2011). If Romney Creek is identified as being fish

bearing, all instream works should occur within this timing window to ensure regulatory

approval.


11 CONCLUSION AND

RECOMMENDATIONS Due to past land disturbances in the area, Romney Creeks natural alignment and fisheries

habitat have been altered. The 2021 Site visit identified the environmental constraints on

Site including an assessment of Romney Creek and the vegetation community and habitat

present on Site. The southern part of the Site should be considered for conservation and

enhancement during the Site design. Any realignment of Romney Creek will also mean an

opportunity to create a channel to consolidate flows and create habitat for fish, benthic

invertebrates, and amphibians whilst also defining a riparian sensitive ecosystem that can

establish as a sensitive ecosystem in the long term. Caution must be taken to ensure that

the current flows that move through much of the Site are not stopped from entering any

important environmental features if a creek redesign and consolidation of flows is

considered. Retaining all of part of the CD-6 plant community will allow the older second

growth to mature into and old growth sensitive ecosystem. Realigning Romney Creek in

either the CD-5 or CD-6 will provide the Creek with important riparian features such as cover

and coarse woody debris. Consideration of green infrastructure features in a redesign

including green roof installations will help in habitat connectivity and compensation efforts

post construction.

Species specific surveys are recommended for the species groups identified in Section 8 as

it is the only way to confirm the presence non-detected status of species of conservation

concern. Consultation with biologists through the design process will ensure an expedient

and effective project. Completion of an environmental impact assessment at final design

will identity mitigation measures that will reduce the impacts of the development on the

surrounding ecosystems.

City of Parksville WSP File No.: 201-12373-00 Environmental Overview Assessment February 2021 Despard Site Page 1

REFERENCES

Arrowsmith Naturalists. 2019. Plants and Fungi observed in Parksville Wetlands (May, 2019). Available at:

http://arrowsmithnats.org/observations/ Accessed January, 2021.

Audubon and Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 2021. eBird. Available at: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

Accessed January, 2021.

BC Government. 2021. Terrestrial Ecosystems, Biodiversity; RISC Standards. Available at:

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/laws-policies-

standards-guidance/inventory-standards/terrestrial-ecosystems-biodiversity Accessed January 2021.

Bird Studies Canada. 2021. Nesting Query Calendar. Available at:

https://www.birdscanada.org/volunteer/pnw/rnest/warning.jsp?lang=en&lang=en Accessed January

2021.

British Columbia Bryophyte Recovery Team and Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team. 2010.

Management Plan for the Banded Cord-moss (Entosthodon fascicularis) in British Columbia. Prepared

for the BC Ministry of Environment, Victoria, BC.

Bryden, G. Welyk, T-J., and S. Gannon. 1994. French Creek Water Allocation Plan. Report prepared by the

Regional Water Management Vancouver Island Region, Nanaimo, BC.

Community Mapping Network. 2021a. Aquatic Information Partnership Atlas. Available at:

https://cmnmaps.ca/AIP/ Accessed January 2012.

Community Mapping Network, 2021b. British Columbia Great Blue Heron Atlas. Available at:

https://cmnmaps.ca/GBHE/ Accessed January 2021.

DataBC. 2021. iMapBC 2.0 - Public Application. Available at: http://maps.gov.bc.ca/ess/sv/imapbc/.

Accessed January, 2021.

EDI Environmental Dynamics Inc. 2013. Wetland Assessment on Lot 1, District Lot 139, Nanoose District,

Plan 18583

E-Fauna BC. 2021. Electronic Atlas of the Fauna of British Columbia. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis,

Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Accessed January 2021.

E-Flora BC. 2021. Rananculus flammula var. flammula Lesser Spearwort Ranunculaceae (Buttercup

family. Available at: http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Ranunculus+flammula var.

flammula Accessed January 2021.

Government of BC. 2021. Freshwater Atlas. Available at:

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/data/geographic-data-services/topographic-data/freshwater

Accessed January 2021. Accessed January 2021.


Government of Canada. 2021. Historical Weather Records Qualicum Beach Airport. Available at:

https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/hourly_data_e.html?hlyRange=2006-12-11%7C2021-01-

21&dlyRange=2006-11-01%7C2021-01-21&mlyRange=2006-11-01%7C2006-11-

01&StationID=45627&Prov=BC&urlExtension=_e.html&searchType=stnProx&optLimit=yearRange&StartY

ear=1840&EndYear=2021&selRowPerPage=25&Line=4&txtRadius=200&optProxType=decimal&selCity=4

8%7C25%7C123%7C22%7CVictoria&selPark=&txtCentralLatDeg=&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSe

c=0&txtCentralLongDeg=&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&txtLatDecDeg=49.3&txtLongDe

cDeg=-124.30&timeframe=1&time=LST&time=LST&Year=2021&Month=1&Day=11 Accessed January 2021.

Great Blue Heron Management Team. 2021. Available at: https://www.cmnbc.ca/atlasgallery/great-blue-

heron-gbhe-management-team/ Accessed January 2021.

Jungen, J., Christie, P., and J. Philp. 1989. Soils of Southeast Vancouver Island, Parksville, Qualicum Beach,

Courtenay, and Port Alberni Areas. BC Soil Survey Report No. 57, MOE Technical Report 30. Surveys and

Resource Mapping Branch, Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Madrone Environmental Services Ltd. 2008. Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping of the Coastal Douglas Fir

Biogeoclimatic Zone. June 2008.

MFLNRORD (Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development). 2011.

Terms and Conditions for Changes in and around a Stream Specified by Ministry of Forests, Lands and

Natural Resource Operations, Habitat Officer, West Coast Region (Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands.

Updated February, 2011.

MFLNRORD (Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development). 2021.

Community Watersheds – Current. Available at: https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/community-

watersheds-current Accessed January 2021.

MVIHES (Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society). 2021. Romney Creek. Available at:

https://www.mvihes.bc.ca/current-initiatives/36-general-current/55-romney-creek Accessed January

2021.

Koers & Associates Engineering Ltd. 2016. City of Parksville Storm Drainage Master Plan – Final Report.

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RDN (Regional District of Nanaimo). 2021. RDN Public Map Viewer. Available at:

https://webmap.rdn.bc.ca/Html5Viewer/?viewer=Public Accessed January 2021.

Stephens, C.2011. Parksville Wetlands and Adjacent Woodlands Bird Checklist (2011 Update). Researched

and compiled by Christopher Stephens. Available at: https://parksvillewetlands.weebly.com/ Accessed

January 2021.

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Maps, Site Descriptions and Conservation Assessment for Wetlands located in Selected Portions of the

Lower Englishman River Watershed. Research prepared for Mid Vancouver Island Habitat

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Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands, 1993-1997. Volume 1. Methodology, Ecological Descriptions and

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Available at: https://www.cmnbc.ca/atlasgallery/wildlife-tree-stewardship/ Accessed January, 2021.

APPENDIX

A WATER LICENSE

APPENDIX

B STREAM

REPORTS

HABITAT WIZARD STREAMS REPORT Jan. 22, 2021

Ministry of Environment

Name:

Alias:

CAREY CREEK

Primary Region:

Watershed Code:

Vancouver Island

Waterbody Identifier:

Stream Length (m):

Stream Order:

Stream Magnitude:

Primary Mapsheet:

UTM: 10 404025, 5464301

920-464900

00000PARK

2.26

1

1

092F08

WATERBODY INFORMATION

FISH SPECIES

SPECIES PRESENT

DATE SPECIES STOCK

STOCKING INFORMATION

RELEASED LIFE STAGE HATCHERY

Alias (2):

UTM Co-ordinate (Stream Mouth):

DESCRIPTION HEIGHT COMMENTS

OBSTRUCTIONS

LENGTH

REFERENCE URL

ONLINE WATER LEVELS

This water body has online water level information available from Environment Canada and the

Province of BC. Use the link(s) above to go directly to the station information on the BC River

Levels website.

WATER QUANTITY INFORMATION

DSAFGSADFG

LAST KNOWN OBSERVATION DATE

The most current water survey information is available from the following Water Survey of Canada web

http://scitech.pyr.ec.gc.ca/waterweb/selectProvincprovides access to real-time water station inf

http://www.wsc.ec.gc.ca/hydat/H2 provides access to archived water station information

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please see the Fisheries Information Data Queries (FIDQ) for additional and more detailed

queries of fish and fish habitat information:

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fish/fidq/index

Please check the Ecological Reports Catalogue (EcoCat) for reference material and data

that is available for online distribution:

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/ecocat/

STREAM SURVEY DATA

TRIBUTARY STREAMS

1:50,000 WATERSHED CODE GAZETTED NAME UTM EASTING NORTHING

REFERENCES

REFERENCE ID REFERENCE TITLE

http://www.wsc.ec.gc.ca/hydat/H2O/

http://scitech.pyr.ec.gc.ca/waterweb/selectProvince.asp


http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fish/fidq/index.html

HABITAT WIZARD STREAMS REPORT Jan. 22, 2021

Ministry of Environment

Name:

Alias:

ROMNEY CREEK

Primary Region:

Watershed Code:

Vancouver Island

Waterbody Identifier:

Stream Length (m):

Stream Order:

Stream Magnitude:

Primary Mapsheet:

UTM: 10 404220, 5464188

920-464700

00000PARK

1.7

1

1

092F08

WATERBODY INFORMATION

FISH SPECIES

SPECIES PRESENT

DATE SPECIES STOCK

STOCKING INFORMATION

RELEASED LIFE STAGE HATCHERY

Alias (2):

UTM Co-ordinate (Stream Mouth):

DESCRIPTION HEIGHT COMMENTS

OBSTRUCTIONS

LENGTH

REFERENCE URL

ONLINE WATER LEVELS

This water body has online water level information available from Environment Canada and the

Province of BC. Use the link(s) above to go directly to the station information on the BC River

Levels website.

WATER QUANTITY INFORMATION

DSAFGSADFG

LAST KNOWN OBSERVATION DATE

The most current water survey information is available from the following Water Survey of Canada web

http://scitech.pyr.ec.gc.ca/waterweb/selectProvincprovides access to real-time water station inf

http://www.wsc.ec.gc.ca/hydat/H2 provides access to archived water station information

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please see the Fisheries Information Data Queries (FIDQ) for additional and more detailed

queries of fish and fish habitat information:

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fish/fidq/index

Please check the Ecological Reports Catalogue (EcoCat) for reference material and data

that is available for online distribution:


STREAM SURVEY DATA

TRIBUTARY STREAMS

1:50,000 WATERSHED CODE GAZETTED NAME UTM EASTING NORTHING

REFERENCES

REFERENCE ID REFERENCE TITLE

http://www.wsc.ec.gc.ca/hydat/H2O/

http://scitech.pyr.ec.gc.ca/waterweb/selectProvince.asp


http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fish/fidq/index.html

APPENDIX

C SOIL TYPES

ParksvilleParksville

Qualicum

Anthropogenic

Site #1 Soils

susan.blundell

Rectangle

APPENDIX

D STANDARD

LIMITATIONS

STANDARD LIMITATIONS

WSP CANADA INC. CONDUCTED AN ENVIRONMENTAL OVERVIEW ASSESSMENT (THE “Project”) AT THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE DESPARD SITE, PARKSVILLE, BC (THE “Site”) AS REQUESTED BY THE CITY OF PARKSVILLE (THE “Client”) AND AGREED UPON IN THE PROPOSAL DATED DECEMBER 15, 2020 (THE “Proposal”). THE FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS ARE DOCUMENTED IN THIS REPORT (THE “Report”). SUCH USE AND RELIANCE BY Client IN THIS Report IS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS, CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS SET OUT IN WSP’S TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT FOR THE Project.

1. The findings and conclusions documented in this Report have been prepared for specific application

to this Project and have been developed in a manner consistent with that level of care normally

exercised by environmental professionals currently practicing under similar conditions in the area.

2. The findings of this Report are based solely on data collected on Site during this investigation and

pertain only to the locations that have been investigated and on the conditions of the Site during the

completion of the work and services. WSP Canada Inc. has relied on good faith on information

provided by individuals and sources noted in the Report. No other warranty, expressed or implied, is

made.

3. If new information is developed in future work that affects the conclusions of this Report, WSP

Canada Inc. should be contacted to re-evaluate the conclusions of this Report and provide

amendments as required.

4. The service provided by WSP Canada Inc. in completing this Report is intended to assist the Client in

a business decision. The liability of the Site is not transferred to WSP Canada Inc. as a result of such

work and services, and WSP Canada Inc. does not make recommendation regarding the purchase,

sale, or investment in the property.

5. This document is intended for the exclusive use of The City of Parksville for whom it has been

prepared. WSP does not accept responsibility to any third party for the use of information presented

in this Report, or decisions made or actions taken based on its content.

6. The information presented in this Report is based on, and limited by, the circumstances and

conditions acknowledged herein, and on information available at the time of its preparation. WSP

has exercised reasonable skill, care, and diligence to assess the information acquired during the

preparation of this Report, but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the

information. Information provided by others, whether represented or otherwise utilized, is believed

to be accurate but cannot be guaranteed.

CITY OF PARKSVILLE ENVIRONMENTAL OVERVIEW ASSESSMENT

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