FISH, FISH HABITAT, AND SPECIES AT RISK ASSESSMENT€¦ · In February 2015, AquaTerra was retained...

Prepared for: GILIC DEVELOPMENTS INC.

600 – 1455 WEST GEORGIA STREET VANCOUVER BC

V6G 2T3

Prepared by:

AquaTerra Project No. 2015338

June 2015

February 2019 (UPDATED)

FISH, FISH HABITAT, AND SPECIES AT RISK ASSESSMENT

IOCO LANDS – 1600 AND 1700 SUNNYSIDE ROAD ANMORE, BC

Ioco Lands Fish, Fish Habitat and 1600 and 1700 Species‐at‐Risk Assessment Sunnyside Road Anmore, BC

ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 PROJECT BACKGROUND ........................................................................................... 1

2 OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................. 2

3 SITE OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................... 2

4 FIELD ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY ...................................................................... 2

4.1 Watercourse Mapping and Watercourse Classifications ..................................... 3

4.2 Fish Presence Surveys ........................................................................................ 3

4.3 Wildlife and Species-at-Risk ................................................................................ 3

5 FIELD ASSESSMENT RESULTS .................................................................................. 4

5.1 Watercourse Mapping Results ............................................................................. 4

5.2 Fish Presence Survey Results ............................................................................. 4

5.3 Watercourse Classification Results ..................................................................... 7

5.3.1 Invasive Species .................................................................................................. 8

5.3.2 Amphibians and Reptiles ..................................................................................... 8

5.3.3 Species-at-Risk .................................................................................................... 9

5.3.4 Timing Windows .................................................................................................. 9

6 CLOSURE .................................................................................................................... 12

7 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................. 13


iii

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 – Site Area Figure

Figure 2 – Watercourse – Fish Classification Mapping and Fish Capture Results

Figure 3 – Species-at-Risk Observations

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1 – 2014 and 2015 Fish Presence Survey Results

Table 2 – Updated Anticipated Watercourse Setbacks within the Site Area

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix I – Watercourse Details


1

1 PROJECT BACKGROUND

In February 2015, AquaTerra was retained by GILIC Developments Inc. (‘GILIC’) to conduct a

fish, fish habitat, and species-at-risk assessment for the site, inclusive of 1600 and 1700

Sunnyside Road in the Village of Anmore BC (the ‘site’; Figure 1). In February 2019, this report

was reviewed and updated as part of a preliminary application to the Village of Anmore.

FIGURE 1: Assessment Area – Lots 1, 2 and 3 – corresponding to 1600 and 1700 Sunnyside

Road (the ‘site’).


2

2 OBJECTIVES

The primary objectives of this Fish, Fish Habitat and Species-at-Risk Assessment were to:

1. Undertake aquatic and riparian habitat assessments within the site to identify and

evaluate potential development constraints;

2. Classify the on-site watercourses based on fish trapping results, barriers, flow

characteristics, and topography;

3. Document watercourses and fish capture results within the site area;

4. Develop a series of detailed figures and tables summarizing assessment findings;

5. Conducting supplementary Species-at-Risk Presence / Not-Detected (PN) surveys

during an appropriate time of year; and

6. Provide recommendations and guidance for next steps.

3 SITE OVERVIEW

Based on the available project area information, the estimated lot areas coinciding with 1600

and 1700 Sunnyside Road are as follows:

- Lot 1: 20.1 hectares [ha]);

- Lot 2: 18.8 ha; and

- Lot 3: 19.9 ha.

4 FIELD ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY

Between 04 April and 05 May 2015 and 04-05 February 2019 (to evaluate for any changes in

habitat function or lateral channel migration), AquaTerra personnel conducted field assessments

within the site area consisting of:

1. Minnow-trapping to assess for fish presence within additional reaches of watercourses to

supplement the Preliminary Development Feasibility Study, including upper reaches of

Schoolhouse Creek, and upper reaches of Doctor’s Creek;

2. Evaluating the presence and existing habitat value of aquatic and riparian habitats;

3. Documenting invasives species presence;

4. Flagging the High Water Mark (HWM) and Top-of-Bank (TOB) for survey crews; and

5. Presence/Not-Detected Surveys for Amphibians and Sensitive Gastropods.

Field survey results are discussed in detail in the following sections. Select photographs taken

during the field survey are provided in Appendix A.


3

4.1 Watercourse Mapping and Watercourse Classifications

Field crews (2) used a high accuracy (i.e., sub-metre accuracy during ideal conditions) Trimble

GeoXH GPS unit with GeoBeacon received as well as handheld Garmin GPS units to collect

watercourse and riparian habitat data in the field, including the location of culverts, the

orientation of watercourses, watercourse substrate details, riparian vegetation plots, and other

significant observations. Watercourse High Water Mark (HWM) was also flagged with pink

‘creek’ flagging tape and Top-of-Bank (TOB) was defined with orange pin-flags coupled with

orange flagging tape for each watercourse.

4.2 Fish Presence Surveys

AquaTerra personnel placed twenty-six (26)

baited gee (minnow) traps within the upper

reaches Schoolhouse Creek, the

Schoolhouse Creek tributaries, and Doctor’s

Creek (upper and lower reaches), during the

collection of watercourse location information.

These traps served to supplement the fish

presence assessment conducted as part of

the Preliminary Development Feasibility

Study. Traps were baited with salmon roe and

left for 24 hours.

4.3 Wildlife and Species-at-Risk

Focused wildlife and species-at-risk surveys were completed during the assessment, which

included Presence/Not-Detected (PN) surveys for amphibians and listed gastropod species

using the following methodologies:

Amphibians

Presence/Not-Detected Surveys – Hand Collection Method (Time Constrained Searches [TCS])

– 15 minute searches with 2 people per site (total of 10 sites) as described in:

- Resources Information Standards Committee (RISC) Inventory Method for Pond-

breeding Amphibians and Painted Turtle. V.2.0; No. 37 (1998); and

- Inventory Methods for Tailed Frog and Pacific Giant Salamander. V.2.0. No. 39 (2000).

Photo: Minnow trap to evaluate fish presence.


4

Gastropods

Opportunistic Point Searches (5 m radius) / TCS (15 minute searches with 2 people per site

(total of 10 sites) as described in the Draft Gastropod Best Management Practices Guidebook

(2007).

5 FIELD ASSESSMENT RESULTS

5.1 Watercourse Mapping Results

The GPS watercourse location data and observed culverts, including approximate sub-surface

connectivity to other daylighted reaches) are illustrated in Appendix I.

5.2 Fish Presence Survey Results

The April and May 2015 fish presence surveys resulted in a number of fish captures, being

limited to resident Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii), which is a provincially blue-

listed (Special Concern) species. The fish capture results are summarized in Table 1 and

illustrated on Figure 2. Additionally, the watercourse setback table and fish-bearing status

provided in the Preliminary Development Feasibility Study has been updated to reflect the most

recent fish presence survey results (Table 2). Additional field studies will be conducted in early

2019 to verify setback requirements for each watercourse within the 1600 and 1700 Sunnyside

Road site area boundaries using the provincial Detailed Riparian Areas Regulation (RAR)

methodology to comply with the Village of Anmore Official Community Plan and development

requirements.

Table 1: 2014 and 2015 Fish Presence Survey Results Watercourse ID Municipality Fish Capture Results Comments

Doctor’s Creek main stem

Anmore 5 Cutthroat Trout

Doctor’s Creek Tributary 1

Anmore No Captures Gradient barrier near

Sunnyside Rd; otherwise, no other barriers observed


Anmore No Trapping Conducted Insufficient Water



Doctor’s Creek Wetland


Schoolhouse Creek North main stem


Schoolhouse Creek Tributary 3



Anmore 2 Coho (adult spawning

pair)

Schoolhouse Creek Tributary 5-1



5

Table 1: Con’t.






Anmore No Captures Perched culvert and potential gradient barrier at Sunnyside

Road Schoolhouse Creek

Tributary 6 Anmore No Trapping Conducted Insufficient Water







SchoolhouseCreek North

S-Trib-5-2

S-Trib-4

S-Trib-5-3

Scho

olho

use

Cree

k No

rthS-Trib-6

Mossom Cree

k

S-Trib-7

S-Trib-2

Doct

or's

Cre

ek

S-Trib-3

S-Trib-3-1and 3-2

S-Tr

ib-5 S-Trib-5-1

S-Trib-8

S-Trib-9

S-Trib-1

D-W

etla

nd

D-Trib-2

D-Trib-3

D-T

rib-1

N

40 0 40 80 120 160 m

Date: 19-July-2015. Revision: 1. Drawn by: CL. Checked by: BK

S-Trib-5-4

Villa

ge C

reek

Unna

med

Cre

ek

Watercourses

Port Moody Contours 2012_line

Class C (Green)

Class B (Yellow)

Class A (Red)

Minnow Traps (2014)

Minnow Traps

Legend

FIGURE 2: Ioco Lands - WatercourseClassifications and Fish Sampling Results

4 CT

Fish ID CodesCT: Cutthroat TroutCO: Coho SalmonCH: Chum Salmon

3 CT

4 CT

No Captures

3 CT

2 CT

No Captures

3 CT

No Captures

1 CT

No Captures

2 CO (spawning pair)

2 CO

No Captures

1 CTNo Captures

No Captures

No Captures

No Captures

No Captures

No Captures

No Captures

2 CO1 CT

CO an

d CH ad

ults

1 CT

1 CT

No Captures

No Captures

1 CT

No Captures1 CO

1 CT

Fish Ladder

Class A/A(O) Watercourse - salmonids present year-round (A) or seasonally (A(O)).Class B Watercourse - no fish present, but significantfood and nutrient contribution to downstream habitats.Class C Watercourse - insignificant food and nutrients.

D-Trib-4


7

Table 2: Anticipated Preliminary Watercourse Setbacks within the Site Area.

Watercourse ID Fish-bearing (Y)es, (N)o, (U)known

Municipality Anticipated Setback

Doctor’s Creek main stem Y (south of

Sunnyside Rd.) Anmore

10-15 m from High Water Mark1

Doctor’s Creek Tributary 1 Y (south of

Sunnyside Rd.) Anmore 10 m from High Water Mark

Doctor’s Creek Tributary 2 N Anmore 10 m from High Water Mark

Doctor’s Creek Tributary 3 N Anmore 10 m from High Water Mark

Doctor’s Creek Wetland N Anmore 15 m from High Water Mark Schoolhouse Creek North

main stem Y Anmore

10-15 m from High Water Mark1


Y Anmore 10 m from High Water Mark1


Y Anmore 10-15 m from High Water

Mark1 Schoolhouse Creek

Tributary 5-1 N Anmore 10 m from High Water Mark


N Anmore 10 m from High Water Mark












N Anmore 10 m from High Water Mark 1 – watercourse width varied significantly along the creek. Under RAR, the setback is based on average watercourse

widths in 100 m intervals.

5.3 Watercourse Classification Results

Based on the fish capture results (Section 6.2), the watercourses within the project area were

classified as either:

1) fish-bearing (red-coded);

2) non fish-bearing, but providing food and nutrient value to downstream fish populations

(yellow-coded); or

3) non fish-bearing and insignificant food and nutrient value (green coded).


8

Figure 2 illustrates the fish capture results and the resulting colour-coded watercourse

classifications, which were reaffirmed in 2019 based on hydraulic conditions, flow and fish

observations.

5.3.1 Invasive Species

Due to the spring timing of the 2015 surveys, invasive species presence was readily observable

within assessed areas. Japanese Knotweed was also observed along Ioco Road south of the

Town Site and east of First Avenue near the Sunnyside Road turn-off. Observed invasive

species included Himalayan Blackberry (Rubus armeniacus) and Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia

japonica), English Ivy (Hedera helix), and Lamium (Lamium sp.). These degraded habitat areas

provide significant habitat restoration opportunities that can be undertaken as a component of

development of the Ioco Lands.

5.3.2 Amphibians and Reptiles

AquaTerra personnel identified a number of

Northern Red-legged Frogs (Rana aurora)

within the Schoolhouse Creek, and Doctor’s

Creek riparian corridors during the field

surveys. Additionally, AquaTerra personnel

have historically identified Northern Red-

legged Frog within the Mossom Creek

corridor. Northern Red-legged Frogs are

provincially blue-listed (Special Concern)

and are designated as a species of ‘Special

Concern’ federally.

Reptile observations were limited to

Northern Alligator Lizards (Elgaria

coerulea), observed adjacent and north of

Sunnyside Road near the eastern end of

the project area. Distribution of Northern

Alligator Lizards are predominantly within

the southern third of the province and

occupy areas consisting of rocky areas,

particularly near forested areas or

clearings. The Northern Alligator Lizard is a

provincially yellow-listed (Not-at-Risk)

species.

Photo: Northern Red‐legged Frog

Photo: Northern Alligator Lizard

Photo: Northern Red‐legged Frog


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5.3.3 Species-at-Risk

In addition to the resident Cutthroat Trout (Section 6.2) and Northern Red-legged Frog (Section

6.3.2), two (2) other species-at-risk were observed or have been historically reported on-site,

consisting of:

1. Pacific Water Shrew (Sorex bendirii) – historical record - a provincially red-listed

(endangered) and federally ‘Endangered’ species, which was observed within the Mossom

Creek corridor; and

2. Coastal/Pacific Tailed Frog (Aschaphus truei) – historical record – a provincially blue-listed

and federally ranked ‘Special Concern’ species observed within the Schoolhouse Creek

North watershed in the vicinity of the former gun range.

The locations of observed and historically identified species-at-risk within and adjacent to the

project area are provided in Figure 3. Of note, Pacific Sideband Snail (Monadenia fidelis), has

also been observed on-site. This species was historically a provincially blue-listed species, but

has been downgraded to yellow-listed (not at risk).

5.3.4 Timing Windows

A number of timing windows are applicable to the project area during the early stages of

development, which includes the bird nesting window, the reduced risk instream works window,

and amphibian breeding window. Additional details are provided in the following section.

5.3.4.1 Bird Nesting Window

The project area is regularly utilized by birds for nesting. Both

inactive and active bird nests were readily observed during the field

surveys between 2014 and 2019. The peak nesting window for birds

per the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) is March 1/15 – July 31,

but can vary from year-to-year contingent on weather conditions and

average temperature.

SchoolhouseCreek North

S-Trib-5-2

S-Trib-4

S-Trib-5-3

Scho

olho

use

Cree

k No

rthS-Trib-6

Mossom Cree

k

S-Trib-7

S-Trib-2

Doct

or's

Cre

ek

S-Trib-3

S-Trib-3-1and 3-2

S-Tr

ib-5 S-Trib-5-1

S-Trib-8

S-Trib-9

S-Trib-1

D-W

etla

nd

D-Trib-2

D-Trib-3

D-T

rib-1

N

40 0 40 80 120 160 m

Date: 19-July-2015. Revision: 1. Drawn by: CL. Checked by: BK

S-Trib-5-4

Villa

ge C

reek

Unna

med

Cre

ek

Watercourses

Port Moody Contours 2012_line

Amphibian(s)

Species-at-Risk

Legend

FIGURE 3: Ioco Lands - Amphibians and Species-at-Risk Observations

Red-leggedFrog

Long-toedSalamanders

(2)

Red-leggedFrogs (3)

Red-leggedFrog

Pacific SidebandSnail

Red-leggedFrog

Coastal Tailed Frog(historical record)

Red-legged Frogand Pacific WaterShrew (historical

records)

D-Trib-4


11

5.3.4.2 Reduced Risk Window – Fish

The reduced risk instream work window for the Lower Mainland region are as follows:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov DecRainbow, Steelhead,

Cutthroat Trout

Dolly Varden and Bull Trout

Kokanee

Pacific Salmon

Applicable to the site are the windows for Pacific Salmon and Cutthroat Trout. The original

document can be found on-line here:

www.env.gov.bc.ca/wsd/regions/sry/wateract/work_windows_sry.pdf

5.3.4.3 Amphibian Breeding Window

Although no formal window exists for amphibians in BC, Northern Red-legged Frog breeding

typically starts in February and extends until April. Hatching typically occurs during the first half

of May with the duration of the larval (tadpole) period typically lasting 11-14 weeks. Most

tadpoles have metaphorphosed into adults by early July to early August. Predation and

desiccation (drying of ponds containing tadpoles) are the primary causes or early mortality,

although water quality and contaminants can also be important factors influencing survival

(COSEWIC 2004). Important times of the year when increased numbers of adult frogs may be

observed along streambanks and adjacent upland areas are during the breeding season

(February – April) and during dispersal of newly metaphorphosed adults (July – August), the

latter of which coincides with the reduced risk window for fish (6.3.4.2).


12

6 CLOSURE

We trust that this supplementary assessment report provides the information you currently

require. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the undersigned.

Chris Lee, M.Sc., R.P Bio., QEP, BC-CESCL AquaTerra Environmental Ltd. Principal / Senior Biologist


7 REFERENCES

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). 2004. Assessment

and Update Status Report on the Red-legged Frog (Rana aurora) in Canada.

Draft Gastropod Best Management Practices Guidebook (2007). Draft Ministry of Environment

(MoE) Best Management Practices (BMPs) Series. Available on-line.

Resources Information Standards Committee (RISC).1998. Inventory Method for Pond-breeding

Amphibians and Painted Turtle. V.2.0; No. 37.

RISC. 2000. Inventory Methods for Tailed Frog and Pacific Giant Salamander. V.2.0. No. 39.

FISH, FISH HABITAT, AND SPECIES AT RISK ASSESSMENT€¦ · In February 2015, AquaTerra was retained...

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