columbia valley transmission project construction ... · aecom british columbia hydro columbia...

Prepared by:

AECOM Fourth Floor, 3292 Production Way 604 444 6400 tel Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 4R4 604 294 8597 fax www.aecom.com Project Number:

60158773 Date:

March 2011

Environment

British Columbia Hydro

Columbia Valley Transmission Project Construction Environmental Management Plan (EMP) – Rev. 1

AECOM British Columbia Hydro Columbia Valley Transmission Project Construction Environmental Management Plan (EMP) – Rev. 1

60158773_FN_RPT_2011Mar7_Mm_Construction.Docx

Statement of Qualifications and Limitations The attached Report (the “Report”) has been prepared by AECOM Canada Ltd. (“Consultant”) for the benefit of the client (“Client”) in accordance with the agreement between Consultant and Client, including the scope of work detailed therein (the “Agreement”). The information, data, recommendations and conclusions contained in the Report (collectively, the “Information”):

is subject to the scope, schedule, and other constraints and limitations in the Agreement and the qualifications contained in the Report (the “Limitations”)

represents Consultant’s professional judgement in light of the Limitations and industry standards for the preparation of similar reports

may be based on information provided to Consultant which has not been independently verified has not been updated since the date of issuance of the Report and its accuracy is limited to the time

period and circumstances in which it was collected, processed, made or issued must be read as a whole and sections thereof should not be read out of such context was prepared for the specific purposes described in the Report and the Agreement in the case of subsurface, environmental or geotechnical conditions, may be based on limited testing and

on the assumption that such conditions are uniform and not variable either geographically or over time Consultant shall be entitled to rely upon the accuracy and completeness of information that was provided to it and has no obligation to update such information. Consultant accepts no responsibility for any events or circumstances that may have occurred since the date on which the Report was prepared and, in the case of subsurface, environmental or geotechnical conditions, is not responsible for any variability in such conditions, geographically or over time. Consultant agrees that the Report represents its professional judgement as described above and that the Information has been prepared for the specific purpose and use described in the Report and the Agreement, but Consultant makes no other representations, or any guarantees or warranties whatsoever, whether express or implied, with respect to the Report, the Information or any part thereof. The Report is to be treated as confidential and may not be used or relied upon by third parties, except:

as agreed in writing by Consultant and Client as required by law for use by governmental reviewing agencies

Consultant accepts no responsibility, and denies any liability whatsoever, to parties other than Client who may obtain access to the Report or the Information for any injury, loss or damage suffered by such parties arising from their use of, reliance upon, or decisions or actions based on the Report or any of the Information (“improper use of the Report”), except to the extent those parties have obtained the prior written consent of Consultant to use and rely upon the Report and the Information. Any damages arising from improper use of the Report or parts thereof shall be borne by the party making such use. This Statement of Qualifications and Limitations is attached to and forms part of the Report and any use of the Report is subject to the terms hereof.

AECOM

Fourth Floor, 3292 Production Way 604 444 6400 tel

Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 4R4 604 294 8597 fax

www.aecom.com


March 7, 2011 Deepak Anand Project Manager, Columbia Valley Transmission Project BC Hydro 1055 Dunsmuir Street PO Box 49260 Vancouver, BC Dear Mr. Anand: Project No: 60158773

Regarding: Columbia Valley Transmission Project Construction Environmental Management Plan (EMP) – Rev. 1

Presented here is Revision 1 of the construction Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the Columbia Valley Transmission Project. We have incorporated changes based on comments raised during the review process including the comments from KNC and Pandion Ecological Research. We would be happy to discuss the report with you at your convenience. As always it’s a great pleasure to work with your team. Sincerely, AECOM

Brad J Parker Practice Lead, Impact Analysis and Approvals Environment [email protected]

BJP:gc



AECOM Signatures

Report Prepared By:

Mike Morellato, Environmental Planner

Report Prepared By:

Katie Tableman, Environmental Planner

Report Reviewed By:

Brad Parker, Practice Lead, Impact Analysis

and Approvals



Authors

Report Prepared By AECOM:

Brad Parker, B.Sc. Project Manager, Senior Review, Report Writing

Katie Tableman, B.Sc. Project Coordination , Report Writing, Field Work

Mike Morellato, B.A., M.Sc. Report Writing , Field Work

Allison Hebert, Dipl.T., B.Sc. Report Writing, Field Work

Bruce S. Ford, MRM, R.P.Bio Senior Review

AECOM Field Team:

Scott Wilson, P. Biol, Fisheries Lead, Environmental Officer

Sandra Babiuk, B.Sc. Terrestrial Vegetation Team Lead

Kathleen Townsend, M.Sc. Terrestrial Wildlife Team Lead

Carrie Bentley, M.Sc. Terrestrial Support

Jeff Short, B.Sc. Terrestrial Support

Katie Tableman, B.Sc. Terrestrial Support

Mike Morellato, B.A., M.Sc. Fisheries Support, Geospatial Support

Allison Hebert, Dipl.T., B.Sc. Fisheries Support

Archaeological (Section 7) Prepared By BC Hydro/Eagle Vision:

Deepak Anand Project Manager, CVT Project

Melissa Knight CVT Project Archaeological Officer



List of Acronyms

AIA Archaeological Impact Assessment IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature

BMP Best Management Practice MBCA Migratory Birds Convention Act

CBK Cranbrook Substation MBR Migratory Birds Regulations

CMT Culturally Modified Tree MOE Ministry of Environment

COSEWIC Committee on the Status of

Endangered Wildlife in Canada

MOF Ministry of Forests (former ministry)

CPCN Certificate of Public Convenience

and Necessity

MOFR Ministry of Forests and Range (former ministry)

(now the Ministry of Forests, Mines and Lands)

CSA Canadian Standards Association MWLAP Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection (now the Ministry of

Environment)

CVT Columbia Valley Transmission NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Units

DFO Fisheries and Oceans Canada PCB Polychlorinated Biphenyls

EIR Environmental Incident Reporting PEP Provincial Emergency Program

EM Environmental Monitor RCMP Royal Canadian Mounted Police

EMP Environmental Management Plan RISC Resources Information Standards Committee

EO Environmental Officer ROW Right-of-Way

EPP Environmental Protection Plan SARA Species at Risk Act

ERP Environmental Response Plan SF6 Sulphur Hexafluoride

ESA Environmentally Sensitive Area TSS Total Suspended Solids

GDN Golden Substation UV Ultraviolet

HADD Harmful Alteration, Disruption or

Destruction

WHA Wildlife Habitat Area

INV Invermere Substation



Table of Contents Statement of Qualifications and Limitations Letter of Transmittal Distribution List Authors List of Acronyms

page

1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 BC Hydro Environmental Responsibility Policy ................................................................................... 1 1.2 Applicable Legislation and Guidelines ................................................................................................. 2 1.3 Construction EMP Purpose ................................................................................................................. 3

1.3.1 EMP vs. EPPs ........................................................................................................................ 3 1.4 EMP Quick Reference ......................................................................................................................... 3 1.5 Goals of the EMP ................................................................................................................................. 4 1.6 Living Document and Continuous Improvement ................................................................................. 5

2. Roles and Responsibilities ............................................................................................................ 7

2.1 Project Manager ................................................................................................................................ 10 2.2 Aboriginal Relations and Negotiations Representative ..................................................................... 10 2.3 Construction Manager ....................................................................................................................... 10

2.3.1 Work Practices ...................................................................................................................... 10 2.3.2 Communication and Reporting ............................................................................................. 10

2.4 Environmental Services Manager ...................................................................................................... 11 2.4.1 Work Practices ...................................................................................................................... 11 2.4.2 Communication and Reporting ............................................................................................. 11

2.5 Environmental Officer ........................................................................................................................ 11 2.5.1 Work Practices ...................................................................................................................... 12 2.5.2 Communication and Reporting ............................................................................................. 12 2.5.3 Auditing Responsibilities ....................................................................................................... 12

2.6 Construction Contractor ..................................................................................................................... 13 2.6.1 Work Practices ...................................................................................................................... 13 2.6.2 Communication and Reporting ............................................................................................. 13

2.7 Environmental Monitors (EMs) .......................................................................................................... 14 2.7.1 Work Practices ...................................................................................................................... 14 2.7.2 Communication and Reporting ............................................................................................. 14

2.8 Archaeological Officer ........................................................................................................................ 15 2.8.1 Work Practices ...................................................................................................................... 15 2.8.2 Communication and Reporting ............................................................................................. 16

2.9 Required Meetings ............................................................................................................................. 16 2.9.1 Kick-off Meetings .................................................................................................................. 16 2.9.2 Pre-Work Orientation Meetings ............................................................................................ 16 2.9.3 Tailgate Meetings ................................................................................................................. 17 2.9.4 Related Training (EMP and EPPs) ....................................................................................... 17

3. Environmental Reporting Procedures ........................................................................................ 18

3.1 Essential Contacts List ...................................................................................................................... 18 3.2 Environmental Incidents and Notification .......................................................................................... 19

3.2.1 Incident Reporting Requirements ......................................................................................... 19 3.2.2 Environmental Incident Definition ......................................................................................... 19



3.2.3 Procedure ............................................................................................................................. 20 3.2.3.1 Environmental Incident Reports ......................................................................... 20 3.2.3.2 EIR Updates ....................................................................................................... 21 3.2.3.3 EIR Closure ........................................................................................................ 21

3.2.4 Incident Report Forms .......................................................................................................... 22

4. Environmental Protection Plans (EPPs) and Other Resources ................................................ 23

5. Environmental Evaluations and Post-Construction Monitoring .............................................. 24

5.1 Site Specific Environmental Evaluations ........................................................................................... 24 5.2 Final Environmental Inspections ........................................................................................................ 24

6. Environmental Requirements ...................................................................................................... 25

6.1 Erosion and Sediment Control ........................................................................................................... 25 6.1.1 Environmental Protection Plans (EPPs) ............................................................................... 25 6.1.2 General Requirements ......................................................................................................... 25

6.2 Water Quality ..................................................................................................................................... 27 6.2.1 Environmental Protection Plans (EPPs) ............................................................................... 27 6.2.2 General Requirements ......................................................................................................... 27 6.2.3 Acid Generating Rock ........................................................................................................... 28

6.3 Waste Management, Handling, and Storage .................................................................................... 29 6.3.1 Environmental Protection Plans (EPPs) ............................................................................... 29 6.3.2 General Requirements ......................................................................................................... 29

6.3.2.1 Construction Wastes .......................................................................................... 29 6.3.2.2 Hazardous Waste ............................................................................................... 29 6.3.2.3 Food Wastes ...................................................................................................... 30 6.3.2.4 Hydrocarbon Products ........................................................................................ 30 6.3.2.5 Concrete and Concrete Products ....................................................................... 31 6.3.2.6 Transportation and Disposal .............................................................................. 31 6.3.2.7 Sulfur Hexaflouride (SF6).................................................................................... 32

6.4 Contaminated Materials, Soil and Groundwater Management.......................................................... 32 6.4.1 Environmental Protection Plans (EPPs) ............................................................................... 32 6.4.2 General Requirements ......................................................................................................... 32

6.5 Fish and Fish Habitat Protection ....................................................................................................... 33 6.5.1 Environmental Protection Plans (EPPs) ............................................................................... 33 6.5.2 General Requirements ......................................................................................................... 33 6.5.3 Timing Windows ................................................................................................................... 34

6.6 Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat Protection .............................................................................................. 36 6.6.1 Environmental Protection Plans (EPPs) ............................................................................... 36 6.6.2 General Requirements ......................................................................................................... 36 6.6.3 Birds ...................................................................................................................................... 38 6.6.4 Herptiles ................................................................................................................................ 39 6.6.5 Badgers (Taxidea taxus jeffersonii) ...................................................................................... 40 6.6.6 Mountain Goats (Oreamnos americanus) ............................................................................ 41 6.6.7 Timing Windows ................................................................................................................... 42

6.7 Vegetation Management.................................................................................................................... 43 6.7.1 Environmental Protection Plans (EPPs) ............................................................................... 43 6.7.2 General Requirements ......................................................................................................... 43 6.7.3 Erosion Protection ................................................................................................................ 44 6.7.4 Debris and Fire Risk Management ....................................................................................... 44 6.7.5 Invasive Plant and Noxious Weed Control ........................................................................... 45 6.7.6 Ethnobotanical Plants ........................................................................................................... 45

6.8 Air Quality and Dust Control .............................................................................................................. 45



6.8.1 EPP’s .................................................................................................................................... 45 6.8.2 General Requirements ......................................................................................................... 45 6.8.3 Slash Burning ....................................................................................................................... 46 6.8.4 Fugitive Dust ......................................................................................................................... 46 6.8.5 Greenhouse Gases............................................................................................................... 46

6.9 Access and Traffic Management ....................................................................................................... 46 6.9.1 EPP’s .................................................................................................................................... 46 6.9.2 General Requirements ......................................................................................................... 46

6.10 Noise Management ............................................................................................................................ 47 6.10.1 EPP’s .................................................................................................................................... 47 6.10.2 General Requirements ......................................................................................................... 47

6.11 Site Restoration ................................................................................................................................. 48 6.11.1 EPP’s .................................................................................................................................... 48 6.11.2 General Requirements ......................................................................................................... 48

6.12 Emergency Response, Fire Prevention and Spill Prevention............................................................ 49 6.12.1 EPP’s .................................................................................................................................... 49 6.12.2 General Requirements ......................................................................................................... 49 6.12.3 Spill Prevention ..................................................................................................................... 49 6.12.4 Spill Response Equipment ................................................................................................... 49 6.12.5 Spill Response Guidelines .................................................................................................... 50 6.12.6 BC Hydro Spill Response Plan ............................................................................................. 50 6.12.7 Spill Containment and Clean-Up Supplies ........................................................................... 53 6.12.8 Fire Prevention ..................................................................................................................... 54

7. Archaeological Resource Stewardship ...................................................................................... 55

7.1.1 Identified Archaeological Sites ............................................................................................. 55 7.1.2 Reporting Procedure............................................................................................................. 55 7.1.3 Acceptable Procedures for Working in AIA Polygons .......................................................... 56

8. References ..................................................................................................................................... 57

List of Figures

Figure 1-1. Forms, Tables and Guidelines Quick Reference ....................................................................................... 4

Figure 1-2. Overview Map ............................................................................................................................................ 6

Figure 2-1. CVT Project Team ...................................................................................................................................... 7

Figure 2-2. CVT Environmental Services, Monitoring and Construction Staff Organization ........................................ 8

List of Tables

Table 3-1. Essential Contact List ............................................................................................................................... 18

Table 3-2. Spill Reporting Matrix ............................................................................................................................... 21

Table 6-1. CVT Water Quality Guidelines - Extracted from British Columbia Approved Water Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Freshwater Aquatic Life Pursuant to Section 5(e) of the Environmental Management Act .............................................................................................................. 28

Table 6-2. Fish and Fish Habitat Management and Mitigation .................................................................................. 33

Table 6-3. Instream Fish and Fish Habitat Management/Mitigation.......................................................................... 34

Table 6-4. Fish Species Present in the Study Area .................................................................................................. 35

Table 6-5. Kootenay Region Periods of Least Risk for Instream Works by Fish Species ........................................ 36



Table 6-6. Mitigation Measures Applicable to the Protection of Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat ................................... 36

Table 6-7. Summary of Target Buffer Distances for Sensitive Wildlife Habitat Features ......................................... 38

Table 6-8. Mitigation Measures Applicable to the Protection of Amphibian and Reptile Habitat .............................. 39

Table 6-9. Mitigation Measures Applicable to the Protection of Badgers and Badger Habitat ................................. 41

Table 6-10. Mitigation Measures Applicable to the Protection of Mountain Goats (Oreamnos americanus) ............. 42

Table 6-11. Periods of Least Risk for Wildlife Resources by Species Category ......................................................... 43

Appendices

Appendix A. Map Book Appendix B. Environmental Monitoring Reporting – Issues Tracking Appendix C. Contractor Environmental Pre-Work Orientation Record Appendix D. Hazardous Construction Waste Materials Disposal Log Appendix E. Environmental Guidelines for Shipping, Handling, and Installation of Equipment Containing SF6 Gas Appendix F. Conservation Data Centre (CDC) Species Lists and Additional Terrestrial Information Appendix G. Incident Report Forms Appendix H. BC Hydro Clearing Standards for New Construction Appendix I. BC Hydro Statements of Strategic Intent (SSI)


60158773_FN_RPT_2011Mar7_Mm_Construction.Docx 1

1. Introduction

The construction Environmental Management Plan’s (EMP’s) primary objective is to provide Construction Contractors and their Field Crews with specifications designed to minimize, and where possible, avoid potential adverse effects to the environment during the construction phase of the Columbia Valley Transmission (CVT) Project. The development of this EMP was initiated by the interests of due diligence, and its implementation is intended to demonstrate BC Hydro’s commitment to protecting and enhancing environmental values along the CVT Project corridor, including roads, ancillary facilities and laydown areas. The CVT project (herein referred to as “the Project”) is comprised of the following construction and modification activities within and around the Project corridor: Construction of an approximately 112 km long, 230 kV wood-pole, H-frame transmission line from the Invermere

Substation (INV) to a new 230/69 kV substation called Kicking Horse Substation (KHS); Construction of a new 230/69 kV KHS substation; Construction of an approximately 3 km long, 69 kV transmission line from KHS to existing Golden Substation

(GDN); and Expansion of the existing GDN and modifications inside the Invermere (INV) and Cranbrook (CBK) Substations. The project corridor for the construction EMP has been defined as: 50 metres on either side of the proposed centerline for the entire length of the 230kV transmission line; 15 metres on either side of the proposed centerline for the entire length of the 69kV transmission line; 100 metre perimeter around the land requirements for the identified KHS site; and New, existing and upgraded access roads in and around the transmission line corridor(s). The project corridor buffers listed here were applied during field investigations for vegetation and wildlife (terrestrial and aquatic) and are shown in the EMP Map Book in Appendix A. While the project corridor was a focus, there are other elements that are discussed in a larger context (e.g., Areas potentially affected by construction noise). BC Hydro will require its Contractors to adhere to applicable legislation and Best Management Practices (BMPs) during all phases of construction of the CVT Project.

1.1 BC Hydro Environmental Responsibility Policy

The CVT Project will be constructed and operated in accordance with BC Hydro’s Environmental Responsibility Policy which states:

"BC Hydro is committed to producing, acquiring, delivering and consuming electricity in an environmentally, socially and financially responsible manner. BC Hydro’s environmental priority is to achieve the long-term goal of no net incremental environmental impact. We recognize that our energy system causes both positive and negative impacts on the environment and on those with whom we share public resources. Where negative impacts cannot be avoided, we will work to mitigate or offset them, enhance affected habitat, and sustain resources over the long term."



The specific goals of BC Hydro’s Environmental Responsibility Policy states that it will: Meet environmental requirements defined by legislation, regulation, government directives and other

environmental requirements to which BC Hydro subscribes; Perform beyond environmental requirements where it makes sound business sense; Work to reduce historic impacts by habitat development and/or improvement; Better understand the effects of its business as a means to meet long-term environmental goal and continually

improve its environmental performance; Develop and foster an electrical energy conservation culture in BC that leads customers to make a dramatic and

permanent reductions in electricity consumption; Work cooperatively with stakeholders and First Nations on resource use, management and conservation to

increase public benefits from affected resources; and Publicly report on its environmental performance. BC Hydro’s annual reports include a triple bottom line approach, with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G3 Guidelines incorporated into the reports. This is a widely accepted sustainability reporting framework, with guidelines that BC Hydro has used since 2003. BC Hydro carries out its Environmental Responsibility Policy through the implementation of an ISO 14001-consistent Environmental Management System (EMS). BC Hydro’s EMS is designed to meet the Corporation’s environmental objectives defined in its Environmental Responsibility Policy. BC Hydro is committed to constructing the CVT Project in a manner that protects environmental, social, economic, heritage, and health resources and values. To meet this objective, BC Hydro requires its Contractors to:

Comply with applicable legislation and regulations;

Minimize environmental disturbances;

Complete relevant EPPs for project specific sites;

Implement mitigation techniques based on BMPs; and

Create and carryout a restoration plan that initiates the recovery of environmental components negatively impacted by the project. Avoidance of effects and natural regeneration will be key elements of the restoration

plan. Based on this EMP and other environmental protection documents, BC Hydro and its Contractor(s) will implement avoidance, mitigation and management measures to minimize potential adverse effects to environmental, social, cultural, and First Nations resources associated with the Project.

1.2 Applicable Legislation and Guidelines

The legislation and regulations referenced within this EMP include: Federal Canadian Environmental Protection Act (1999, c. 33); Fisheries Act (R.S., 1985, c. F-14) Migratory Birds Convention Act (1994, c. 22); National Fire Code of Canada (2005); and Species at Risk Act (2002, c. 29).



Provincial Environmental Management Act [SBC 2003] Chapter 53; Forest and Range Practices Act [SBC 2002] Chapter 69; Hazardous Waste Regulation (63/88); Heritage Conservation Act [RSBC 1996] Chapter 187; Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (B.C. Reg. 296/97); Spill Reporting Regulation (263/90); Transport of Dangerous Goods Act [RSBC 1996] Chapter 458; Water Act Regulation (204/88); Water Act [RSBC 1996] Chapter 483; Wildfire Act [SBC 2004] Chapter 31; and Workers Compensation Act [RSBC 1996] Chapter 492. The Best Management Practice guidelines, industry standards documents and other documents referenced within this EMP include, but are not limited to: Best Management Practices for Raptor Conservation during Urban and Rural Land Development in British

Columbia; Best Management Practices for Amphibians and Reptiles in Urban and Rural Environments in British Columbia; Develop with Care: Environmental Guidelines for Urban and Rural Land Development in British Columbia; Best Management Practices for the Reduction of Air Emissions from Construction and Demolition

Activities, 2005; and Standards and Best Practices for Instream Works, Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, 2004.

1.3 Construction EMP Purpose

The overall purpose of the construction EMP is to provide mitigation measures, BMP’s, established protocols and measurable environmental requirements to the CVT Project Construction Contractors to assist in meeting all environmental management goals. Construction Contractors involved in the Project must also work in accordance with regulatory approvals, engineering specifications and site-specific plans such as Environmental Protection Plans (EPPs).

1.3.1 EMP vs. EPPs

The construction Environmental Management Program for the Project will consist of this construction EMP and several site or activity-specific EPPs. The EMP for the Project provides performance-based environmental requirements to be met by Contractor(s) in conducting work in accordance with regulatory approvals, BMPs, and engineering specifications. The EMP also provides the basis for the development of the EPPs to be prepared prior to the commencement of construction activities. The EPPs will provide prescriptive details for how specific construction activities would be undertaken to comply with the EMP, regulatory approvals, and BMPs. Examples of EPP requirements for the construction phase of the Project are provided in Section 4. Specific EPP directives are given in relevant sections throughout the EMP.

1.4 EMP Quick Reference

There are many interrelated components within this construction Environmental Management Plan. Forms, tables and guidelines make up important reference elements, and these can be located as shown below in Figure 1-1.



Figure 1-1. Forms, Tables and Guidelines Quick Reference

1.5 Goals of the EMP

This EMP provides BC Hydro’s Contractor(s) with performance-based environmental specifications for the protection of important biophysical, cultural, archaeological and socioeconomic values within the Project area. The EMP will assist BC Hydro’s Contractors in constructing the Project in accordance with the mitigation measures described in the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) Application, BC Hydro’s Environmental Responsibility Policy, federal and provincial regulatory requirements, BMPs and protocols. The EMP also describes how environmental risks are to be managed during construction and, in the event of an environmental incident, how emergency response procedures, mitigation measures, and reporting protocols are to be implemented. In general, the EMP: describes the environmental management responsibilities for the work; describes the necessary organizational lines of reporting and communication; outlines applicable legislation; provides environmental mapping of the Project corridor; describes the requirements for additional pre-construction environmental surveys; and provides precautions, mitigation measures, and other applicable requirements along the Project alignment.

The EMP includes a set of annotated orthophotos of the Project alignment delineating environmentally sensitive areas, features and resources such as watercourse crossings, access routes, wildlife observations, unstable slopes, and wetlands. The route alignment orthophotos of the Project corridor are provided in Appendix A.



Environmental monitoring will be required throughout the construction period to inspect, evaluate, and report on the effectiveness of work practices and environmental mitigation procedures, and to recommend and oversee improvements as necessary. Environmental monitoring responsibilities are described in Section 2.4.4 of this EMP.

1.6 Living Document and Continuous Improvement

As an adaptive management strategy, this EMP is a “living” document that will be reviewed and updated prior to and during construction.

The EMP will be reviewed every 12 months during construction to verify that the Environmental Management System is conforming to regulatory approvals and legislative requirements. In addition, corrective or preventative actions may be raised indicating that amendments are required to the EMP. The EMP review and amendment process will be used to revise and improve the EMP and other EMP Component Plans in order to facilitate regulatory and permit compliance and continuous improvement.

If the text or body of the EMP is required to be updated at any stage of the Project, the revised sections will be made available for review by regulatory agencies, local governments, and interested and affected First Nations. If any attached appendices are required to be updated, a revised copy of the relevant appendix only will be posted. Mitigation and monitoring requirements will be re-evaluated during construction, with a view to addressing deficiencies and improving environmental management and protection. This iterative process will continue throughout the construction of the Project. An overview map of the CVT Project corridor is provided as Figure 1-2.

File Location: P:\60158773\000-CADD\050 GIS WIP\MXD\By08_Overview_CVT\60158773_By8_Fig1_CVT_Overview_10Oct06.mxd

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UTM Zone 11N, NAD 83

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CVT LineOverview Map

October 2010Project: 60158773

Columbia Valley Transmission LineLocation: Invermere to Golden, BC

Legend

Map Book Sheets(Appendix A)

Watercourse

�/ Town or Designated Place

Figure1

2This drawing has been prepared for the use of AECOM's client

and may not be used, reproduced or relied upon by third parties,except as agreed by AECOM and its client, as required by law or for use by governmental reviewing agencies. AECOM accepts no responsibility, and denies any liability whatsoever, to any partythat modifies this drawing without AECOM's express written consent.

Basemapping from CanVec 1:50K, Natural Resources Canada, 2009. CVT Line features, BC Hydro, 2010.All other data, AECOM, 2010.

0 5 10Kilometers

²

Date Revised: October 6, 2010 Prepared by: MM Project: 60158773

ALBERTA

MorellatoM

Text Box

Figure 1-2

MorellatoM

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This drawing has been prepared for the use of AECOM's client and may not be used, reproduced or relied upon by third parties, except as agreed by AECOM and its client, as required by law or for use by governmental reviewing agencies. AECOM accepts no responsibility, and denies any liability whatsoever, to any party that modifies this drawing without AECOM's express written consent.

MorellatoM

Text Box



2. Roles and Responsibilities

The construction EMP of the Project involves various stakeholders and staff that contribute to its successful implementation. Communication between the key members is essential for the success of the Project. Figure 2-1 shows a breakdown of the staff members involved and the related communication tiers. Figure 2-1. CVT Project Team

Judy DobrowolskiPublic and Media Relations

Bruce BarrettVP – T&D Major Project

Delivery

Deepak AnandSenior Project Manager

Chris HeardAboriginal Relations

Robin FowlerIBA Implementation

Ming Zou / Anthony HoSystem / Station

Planning

Tony LeeProperty & ROW

Pat BeavenProperty Representative

Nancy ZazubekProject Coordinator

Environmental ServicesAECOM Canada

Brad ParkerMike Morellato

Scott Wilson (EO)

Archaeological ServicesEagle Vision

Melissa Knight

Bernice KovacicProcurement & Contracts

Linda RoussyProcurement Coordinator

Geoff HigginsRegulatory Services

Alf HeffordLegal Services

TBDConstruction Manager

Jim DrakeConstruction Officer

(ROW and Transmission)

TBDConstruction Officer

Substation Civil

TBDConstruction OfficerSubstation Electrical

TBDConstruction Officer

Geotechnical

COLUMBIA VALLEY TRANSMISSION (CVT) PROJECT

PROJECT TEAM

Colin BeauchampVegetation Management

Field Ops. Managers

Stephen IngramStations / P&C

Ian KozickyTransmission

Transmission DesignElectrical Design

Civil DesignEquipment EOR

GeotechnicalEngineering Survey

Photogrammetry ServicesEquipment Commissioning

P&C DesignTelecom DesignP&C PlanningP&C SupportQA Support

Don CochraneEngineering Services

R2.207 January 2011Date : Rev :

Regulatory Agencies



An additional breakdown of the environmental and construction monitoring/management roles are provided in Figure 2-2. Figure 2-2. CVT Environmental Services, Monitoring and Construction Staff Organization

Project Manager

Construction ServicesEnvironmental and

Archaeological Services

Environmental Resource Sepcialists

Environmental Office(s)

RoW Clearing and Access Construction Contriator(s)

Substation General Construction Contractor

Transmission General Construction Contractor

Environmental Monitor(s)



Environmental Services Manager

Archaeological & Heritage Resources Officer(s)



Figure 2-3 below shows the various types of component plans and assessments required for the construction phase of the CVT Project, the relationship between them, and who is responsible for them. BC Hydro has retained an archaeological consultant to complete an Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA) and assist with heritage planning. Figure 2-3. CVT Environmental Management Plan and Component Plan Relationships

CVT Project Environmental Services

Construction Environmental Management Plan (EMP)

Responsibility of Contractor Pre-construction assessments

Site visit and assessment of environmental sensitivities and construction impact potential in the project area.

Site assessment will assist in guide the completion of Environmental Protection Plans (EPPs) Environmental Protection Plans

Sediment and Erosion Control Plan; Spill Prevention and Emergency

Response Plan; Material Storage, Handling and Waste

Management Plan; Soil and Groundwater Management Plan; Fish Habitat Protection and Mitigation Plan; Wildlife Resource and Habitat Protection

and Mitigation Plan; Vegetation Management Plan; Blast Management Plan; Air Quality and Dust Control Plan; Noise Management Plan; Water Quality Management Plan; Traffic Safety Management Plan; and Restoration Plan.

Responsibility of BC Hydro Access Management Plan Clearing Prescription Plan

Responsibility of Eagle Vision Archaeological Impact

Assessment (AIA) Heritage Management Plan



2.1 Project Manager

The Project Manager has overall responsibility for the implementation of the Project, which includes construction, compliance and execution of the Project contracts, and compliance of terms and conditions of regulatory permits, approvals, and authorizations. The Project Manager ensures BC Hydro’s Environmental Principles are followed while also delegating authority and communicating requirements as required on all aspects of the Project. The Project Manager ensures the construction EMP is revised as necessary and that environmental incidents, including non-conformances with the EMP are reported, and corrective actions are undertaken to meet appropriate requirements. Additional responsibilities of the Project Manager include assessment of the environmental record of Construction Contractors and their Environmental Monitors as a component of their bid submissions in response to various tender/RFPs.

2.2 Aboriginal Relations and Negotiations Representative

BC Hydro is dedicated to ongoing consultation and communications with local First Nations during the construction of the Project, and will continue to address any emerging issues as the Project progresses. An Aboriginal Relations Representative has been assigned for the duration of the Project. The key First Nation groups that BC Hydro is engaging on the Project are the four member Bands of the Ktunaxa Nation (?Akisq’nuk, Lower Kootenay, Tobacco Plains and St. Mary’s) collectively represented by the Ktunaxa Nation Council, and the Shuswap Indian Band (a member of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council).

2.3 Construction Manager

The Construction Manager acts as an on-site delegate of the Project Manager, with the responsibility for the administration of contracts including their environmental requirements.

2.3.1 Work Practices

The Construction Manager’s standard work practices include: Overseeing technical quality control, adherence to and performance of engineering requirements of contract

specifications, schedules, and costs; Responsibility for administration of contracts, including their environmental requirements; Coordination of construction inspections to evaluate compliance with engineering specifications and standards; Receiving, reviewing and processing equitable adjustments from the Contractors(s); The authority to shut down job activities for non-compliance with the EMP, contravention of regulatory permits

and approvals, and/or if environmental damage appears to be occurring; Has overall responsibility for field safety check-in and procedures;

2.3.2 Communication and Reporting

Reporting and communication responsibilities include: Completing and recording pre-job meetings with the Contractors; Ensuring that items of engineering and environmental non-conformance are corrected by issuing notice to the

Contractors; Facilitates effective communication links among the construction management team and Contractor(s);



Issuing Field Advice Memos which may include measures to implement environmental requirements (seeking input from the Environmental Officer);

2.4 Environmental Services Manager

BC Hydro has retained the services of AECOM as its Environmental Services Manager during construction of the CVT Project. As the leader of the retained Environmental Services group, the Environmental Services Manager oversees and contributes to various elements of the Project as described in this section.


The Environmental Services Manager’s standard work practices include: Production and methodology development of the construction EMP; EMP-related field programs and field techniques; Interpretation and application of environmental approvals, permits, authorizations, standards and guidelines. Quality control and senior review of environmental service deliverables;


Reporting and communication responsibilities include: Coordination of all staff involved in the Environmental Services group, including:

Resource Specialists (terrestrial vegetation, wildlife and aquatics); Environmental Officer(s) during construction; and Other support staff for EMP and field program;

Communication and liaison efforts between BC Hydro, the construction contractors, and provincial or federal regulators; and

Ensures that the need to properly implement project environmental requirements and the EMP are communicated to the Contractor.

The Environmental Services Manager will also provide senior review and quality control of Environmental Monitoring reports prepared by the Contractors’ Environmental Monitors for completeness, factual accuracy and for effectiveness of mitigation measures. This will ensure due diligence in accurate reporting to the Project Manager.

2.5 Environmental Officer

BC Hydro has retained the services of an Environmental Officer from AECOM to oversee the compliance of the construction EMP by the construction contractors involved. The Environmental Officer will also assist in inspecting and maintaining quality on the part of the contractors’ Environmental Monitors, with the monitors remaining on site during construction activities. The Environmental Officer will conduct regular audits during construction and will report directly to the Environmental Services Manager.




The Environmental Officer’s standard work practices include: Reviewing draft and final EPPs for compliance with the overall EMP, reviewing mitigation measures detailed in

the CPCN Application, and reviewing applicable permits and approvals; In consultation with the Project Manager and the Construction Manager, the EO has the authority to shut down

job activities for non-compliance with the EMP and the contractor’s EPPs. This authority is also present for contravention of regulatory permits and approvals, and/or if environmental damage is occurring or is likely to occur;

Works collaboratively with the Contractor’s Environmental Monitor to resolve differences of perspectives regarding compliance with the EMP, legal requirements, and other commitments.

Verifying that copies of applicable permits/approvals and spill response and emergency procedures are maintained at work site(s) at all times;

Coordinating with qualified environmental resource specialists to undertake pre-construction environmental surveys as specified in the EMP;

In consultation with the Project Manager and the Construction Manager, has authority to shut down job activities for non-compliance with EMP, contravention of regulatory permits and approval, and/or if environmental damage is occurring, or is likely to occur;

Scheduling site visits and auditing activities when work is occurring in environmentally-sensitive areas or when conditions (i.e., rainfall events) could potentially result in adverse environmental effects.

Participates in providing input into the revisions of the EMP as it relates to any changes to work in the field; Assists in emergency situations to minimize adverse environmental effects;


Reporting and communication responsibilities include: Providing monthly environmental reports to the Project Manager; Communicating EMP and EPP requirements to Contractor(s)’ staff; Reporting to BC Hydro’s Project Manager and the Construction Manager on the effectiveness of mitigation

measures being implemented, difficulties encountered, and how they are managed; Collaborating with the Environmental Services Manager and the Project Manager to liaise with regulatory

agencies and other stakeholders to discuss existing and emerging environmental issues or concerns. This will ensure that appropriate environmental planning and mitigation measures can be implemented;

Provides recommendations to Contractor(s) and Contractor(s)’ staff to achieve compliance with the EMP, the EPPs, and with regulatory approvals in consultation with the Project Manager and the Construction Manager;

Advises the Project Manager, Construction Manager and Contractor(s) on environmental incidents; Liaises with the Contractor’s Environmental Monitor to maintain awareness of planned activities and next steps;

2.5.3 Auditing Responsibilities

Audit-based tasks for the Environmental Officer include: Auditing environmental training and orientation sessions delivered to Contractor(s)’ staff by the Environmental

Monitor(s); Conducting environmental audits and site inspections of construction activities to evaluate compliance with

project environmental requirements, regulatory approvals, the EMP, the Contractor EPPs, and other environmental commitments. The Environmental Officer communicates to the BC Hydro Construction Manager and AECOM’s Environmental Services Manager on Contractor’s compliance with EMP;



Reviews Contractor prepared EPPs for compliance to the EMP and communicates findings to the Environmental Services Manager;

Reviews the weekly monitoring reports prepared by the Contractor’s Environmental Monitor for completeness and factual accuracy;

Audits manifests to be produced by Contractor(s) or the Contractor(s)’ Environmental Monitor. Audits and evaluates compliance of work practices, procedures and effectiveness of mitigation measures with

terms and conditions of regulatory approvals, with this EMP, and within applicable EPPs.

2.6 Construction Contractor

Each Contractor, prior to commencing work or in the course of completing work (as appropriate), will undertake the following:


The Construction Contractor’s standard work practices include: Implementing appropriate work procedures, instructions and controls to prevent and/or reduce adverse

environmental effects; Ensuring that the work and monitoring programs adhere to the EMP and regulatory requirements; Completing a pre-construction site visit to gather information relevant to environmentally sensitive features in

order to produce appropriate EPPs; Adhere to requirements established in this EMP and to terms and conditions of the CPCN and all other permits

and approvals; Appoint qualified personnel to develop site- and/or activity-specific EPPs consistent with the requirements

established in the EMP; Appoint qualified specialists to undertake pre-construction surveys as specified in the EMP; Appoint qualified Environmental Monitors to evaluate and report on compliance of the Contractor’s work

procedures and practices with the environmental requirements established by the CPCN, regulatory permits and approvals, and this EMP;

Sign off on and implement EPPs; Restore disturbed sites to a safe, clean, and environmentally acceptable condition as per Site Restoration Plans

and requirements specified by BC Hydro; and Undertake corrective and preventative measures in response to non-conformance with regulatory approvals, the

EMP and/or applicable EPPs.


Reporting and communication responsibilities include: Establish and maintain effective environmental reporting protocols; Verify that field crews and subcontractors are aware of the environmental requirements of the work and are

trained to implement them; Include weekly Environmental Monitoring reports from Environmental Monitor(s) with progress reports to

BC Hydro’s Construction Manager; Contact the Environmental Officer should the scope or schedule of work change. Identify the timing, limits of the

construction zone, and changes in conditions of the environment or construction practices; Distribute Environmental Incident reports. Respond to emergencies and incidents immediately; and Notify environmental agencies of spills of deleterious substances and other emergencies;



2.7 Environmental Monitors (EMs)

During construction, the Contractors’ Environmental Monitor(s) have the primary responsibility to confirm that environmental management measures, controls, and specifications are implemented in accordance with the EPPs to comply with the CPCN, and terms and conditions of regulatory permits and approvals for the Project. Roles and responsibilities of the Environmental Monitor(s) are discussed in this section. The primary role of the Environmental Monitor(s) is to ensure the construction activities are in compliance/conformance with environmental management requirements in: 1. Project approvals; 2. Regulations and guidelines; 3. Authorizations and permits; 4. Applicable legislation; 5. Contract documents and specifications (related to environmental services); 6. Construction Environmental Management Plan, Environmental Protection Plan and policies; and 7. Industry Best Management Practices.


The Environmental Monitor’s standard work practices include: Develop EPPs applicable to the work and/or conduct applicable pre-construction environmental surveys

(if qualified); Develop an understanding of all aspects of the CVT Project as they relate to regulatory permits and approvals

and Project environmental management documentation; Participate in construction meetings, as necessary; Ensure that appropriate levels of protection are in place to minimize or prevent impacts to environmental

resources; Prepare Erosion and Sediment Control Plans, Spill Control and Response Plans, or other site-specific

Environmental Protection Plans that are required; Monitor and provide advice on erosion and sediment control activities and site restoration best practices; Assist with fish habitat and wildlife habitat restoration and/or provide advice as to BMPs; Participate in project meetings, if required, to ensure that important environmental issues are brought to the

forefront of discussion with other stakeholders; Conduct wildlife salvages (with appropriate permits) targeting species at risk with limited dispersal capabilities; Issue stop work orders when there is a serious threat to environmental resources based on the potential actions

or direct impact of construction activities; and Assist in obtaining regulatory approvals and permits as required by the Construction Contractor.


Reporting and communication responsibilities include: Liaise with and report to the Environmental Officer(s) with respect to issues that may require communication with

regulatory agencies, First Nations and key stakeholders; Prepare and deliver environmental training and orientation sessions to work crews; Provide practical advice and technical assistance on environmental matters to the Construction Contractor’s staff

in a timely and proactive manner; Provide recommendations for modifying and/or improving environmental mitigation measures, as necessary;



Working cooperatively with other project parties to resolve immediate environmental issues; Provide useful and timely advice on recommended construction practices in and around environmentally

sensitive areas (ESAs); Maintain a daily Environmental Monitoring log of construction and mitigation activities, to be consolidated into a

weekly report and given to the Environmental Officer (Appendix B can be used as a template); Complete inspection checklists for each monitoring visit; Prepare weekly Environmental Monitoring reports to summarize activities and actions taken to minimize potential

effects; Observe, record and report the ongoing construction activities and their relation to environmental effects in an

factual and objective manner; Prepare an environmental completion report at the conclusion of construction activities; Document construction activities, mitigation measures, and environmental incidents by field notes and

photographs; and Report spills of hazardous materials and other environmental incidents to the Construction Contractor’s staff in a

timely and proactive manner.

The EM’s role is focused on providing assurance that the actions of other project parties conforms with environmental management commitments and requirements. Determining the method or timing of construction activities is not the role of the Environmental Monitor. More information on reporting requirements for Environmental Monitors can be found in Section 3 of this EMP.

2.8 Archaeological Officer

Archaeological Monitoring during construction may be required based on the results of the Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA) completed for the Project. Archaeological Monitoring would be conducted on an as-needed and as-required basis by the Archaeological Officer. For monitoring actions conducted within traditional territories, activities will comply with the requirements of the Archaeological Branch and the requirements of the AIA. Work shall be suspended in the event that a suspected archaeological site is uncovered during the construction of the CVT Project, and the Project Manager will be contacted. The Project Manager in consultation with BC Hydro’s Archaeological Officer (BC Hydro has retained Eagle Vision) shall contact the Archaeology Branch, the Ktunaxa Nation, and the Shuswap Indian Band. The Contractor(s) shall coordinate and communicate work activities and schedules around the archaeological site with the Construction Manager at all times, to allow sufficient lead time and planning. BC Hydro shall work with Eagle Vision, the Ktunaxa Nation and the Shuswap Indian Band to provide for the use of Archaeological Monitors during construction works that include subsurface disturbance in or around known archaeological sites or areas with high archaeological potential..


The Archaeological Officer’s standard work practices include: Delineation of sections of the right-of-way where an agreed upon archaeological monitor will monitor all ground-

disturbing activities; and Developing mitigation measures to protect archaeological sites identified in the AIA.




Reporting and communication responsibilities include: Reporting and implementing stop work procedures in the event of the identification of archaeological materials;

and Jointly determining appropriate mitigation/management steps with the Project team to be undertaken when

archaeological materials are identified during construction.

2.9 Required Meetings

2.9.1 Kick-off Meetings

Prior to the initiation of the construction work at site, kick-off meetings must take place between the Environmental Officer (AECOM), the Construction Contractors, the Environmental Monitors (as selected by Construction Contractor), the Project Manager and the Construction Manager. The core purpose of these initial meetings is to solidify commitment to the principles and practices of the EMP and confirm the established communication and reporting procedures. This meeting should cover at a minimum: A review of BC Hydro’s Environmental Policy and all environmental specifications of the Contract, including the

construction EMP; The potential consequences of non-compliance with Contract specifications as per provincial and/or federal

environmental legal requirements; Review of environmental incident reporting procedures and emergency response; Confirmation of procedures notifying and/or managing possible changes to the scope or specifications of the

work; and Knowledge transfer pertaining to other relevant information that pertains to the scope of work set out in the

Contract but has not yet been communicated to all parties.

2.9.2 Pre-Work Orientation Meetings

Prior to commencement of work at each new site within the CVT Project corridor, field staff must meet to ensure that they are up to date with the environmental and archaeological requirements of that particular location. The Environmental Monitor(s) on site are responsible for recording the necessary environmental information during the meeting. They shall make use of the Contractor Environmental Pre-Work Orientation Record found in Appendix C. Where new Contractor field staff arrives onto a site, the Contractor’s Supervisor shall inform the Environmental Monitor and subsequent orientation meetings shall be provided by the Environmental Monitor prior to that person undertaking any work. Contractors’ staff shall sign and date the Environmental Pre-Work Orientation Record confirming that they have received the indoctrination materials and presentation from the Environmental Monitor. Signed Environmental Pre-Work Orientation Records shall be submitted to BC Hydro with weekly Environmental Monitoring reports. The Contractor Environmental Pre-Work Orientation Record shall be signed and dated by all contracted staff to confirm that they have received the necessary materials and information from the EM.



2.9.3 Tailgate Meetings

In addition to the pre-work orientation meetings, tailgate meetings shall be held at regular intervals as required to review new and existing environmental requirements at that particular site. These meetings will provide a medium for staff to communicate any concerns or environmental precautions that are relevant to the particular site. Communication and questions should be encouraged during these meetings to ensure a solid understanding of environmental requirements. A summary of tailgate meeting minutes shall be documented by the EM on site, and provided to the Project Manager and/or the Environmental Officer within 5 days of such meeting.

2.9.4 Related Training (EMP and EPPs)

To fulfil the goals of the construction EMP and subsequent Environmental Protection Plans, staff shall be appropriately trained and competent in required areas. Contractors shall ensure that their staff and associated subcontractors have the training and materials to assist them on site. The following components / discipline areas are particularly relevant to Environmental Management on site and are discussed throughout the EMP. Sediment and Erosion Control (Section 6.1); Working within Environmental Sensitive Areas including near wetlands, in sensitive wildlife habitats, near

sensitive vegetation, in or near riparian areas, or at watercourse crossings; Working in or near: areas of high erosion potential, unstable slopes, ravines or gullies, potential landslide or rock

fall zones, areas of potential avalanche hazard; Spill response and incident reporting (Section 6.12); and Emergency response procedures (Section 6.12).



3. Environmental Reporting Procedures

BC Hydro and the Project Team are dedicated to maintaining a high level of integrity regarding environmental communications and reporting throughout the duration of the CVT Project. Key members of the Project team, including the Environmental Officer(s), have specific responsibilities for reporting to Project Manager and regulatory agencies on aspects of environmental performance and compliance. The Environmental Monitor shall immediately notify the Environmental Officer and the Construction Manager if there are any environmental incidents (non-compliance or non-conformances events) related to the EMP or EPPs. The Environmental Officer will work with the Construction Contractor and their Environmental Monitor to develop and implement corrective measures to achieve the overall environmental objectives of the project. The Environmental Officer(s) will have specific responsibilities for reporting to Project Manager, on all aspects of environmental performance and compliance. The Contractors’ Environmental Monitors will be responsible for providing weekly status reports to the Environmental Officer and Project Manager. A standard monitoring report form for environmental issues tracking can be found in Appendix B. In addition to the completed monitoring form, the weekly report should contain: Any incident reports completed during the reporting period; Copies of orientation records completed during the reporting period; Photos documenting construction activities, environmental issues and corresponding mitigation measures; and Results of water quality, turbidity, and other site-specific testing that was completed on site.

3.1 Essential Contacts List

Table 3-1 below provides a list of key CVT Project contacts. Key emergency contacts are also listed. Table 3-1. Essential Contact List

Contact Name Office # Alternate #

Project Manager Deepak Anand 604.699.7241 604.219.2725 (mobile)

Construction Manager Cam Duffy 604.313.0352 (mobile)

Public Affairs Judy Dobrowolski 604.623.3839 604.928.7640 (mobile)

Aboriginal Relations Chris Heard 604.528.1558 604.250.5844 (mobile)

Property Representative Pat Beaven 250.492.4579 250.488.2340 (mobile)

AECOM Environmental Services Project Lead Brad Parker 604.444.6513 604.345.6440 (mobile)

AECOM Environmental Officer Scott Wilson N/A 250.439.8249 (mobile)

Environment Canada Spill Report Line N/A 604.666.6100

Provincial Emergency Program (PEP) N/A 1.800.663.3456

Emergency Response Services (e.g., Fire, RCMP) N/A 9-1-1

Gas Emergencies (Terasen Gas, 24 hours) N/A 1.800.663.9911

Poison Control Centre N/A 1.800.567.8911

BC One Call (Call before you dig) N/A *6886 or 1.800.474.6886

Forest Fire Reporting N/A *5555 or 1.800.663.5555

Wildfire Information Line N/A 1.800.336.7378



3.2 Environmental Incidents and Notification

BC Hydro maintains a standard procedure for the recording and posting of environmental incidents as they occur. This procedure ensures timely communication and reporting to senior management and to appropriate technical individuals that may be impacted by the incident. Incident reporting benefits BC Hydro by: Alerting managers so they can manage contacts and actions (e.g., from employees, agencies, communities or

media) with timely and accurate information; Meeting specific obligations and legal standards of care; Providing a source of data that can be used to identify trends and to provide justification for actions to correct the

underlying problem and prevent future incidents; and This standard applies to all work, including work performed by Contractors, and all events which affect

BC Hydro.

3.2.1 Incident Reporting Requirements

This standard specifies internal BC Hydro Environmental Incident Reporting (EIR) requirements only. Additional legal obligations to report certain spills to regulatory agencies may be necessary. This would include spills of hazardous materials to soils which exceed the quantities and volumes specified in the Spill Reporting Regulation, and/or spills of hazardous materials of any quantity into water. Releases of gases that are sudden and uncontrolled are considered spills and must be reported internally. Controlled release of gases or release of gases through maintenance are not considered incidents and are thus not reportable in the EIR system. In the event of an emergency (e.g., flood, forest fire, extreme storm, earthquake, etc.) the reporting responsibilities governed by BC Hydro’s Emergency Preparedness Plans take precedence.

3.2.2 Environmental Incident Definition

An Environmental Incident is one that has caused, or has the potential for causing one or more of the following: Adverse impact on the quality of air, land or water, wildlife, aquatic species or species at risk; Exceedance of a permit or external reporting requirement; Notification of external agencies due to emergencies or situations beyond normal circumstances; Adverse publicity with respect to environment; Legal or regulatory action with respect to violation of statutes or environmental damage; and Alteration of, or damage to, heritage or archaeological resources. Examples of Environmental Incidents include, but are not limited to: Spills of oil, fuels, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) or chemicals; Sudden and uncontrolled emissions or discharge of air pollutants (e.g., NOx) or sudden and uncontrolled

gaseous releases (e.g., SF6, H2, propane, compressed CO2, natural gas); Discharge of deleterious substances (including silt, sediment or sediment-laden water) into fish-bearing waters; Landslides, erosion, or floods as they affect environmental quality; High or low flows, or flow changes, that adversely affect fish or fish habitat, wildlife or recreation; Adverse impacts on fish or wildlife species; Forest fires caused by BC Hydro; Any ground disturbance (i.e., setting a new pole) where an archaeological site is encountered;



Removal of a culturally modified tree (CMT); Work and/or removal of vegetation in or near water bodies without regulatory approval; Violation of pesticide use, storage or application regulations and approvals; and Violation of other environmental regulations, permits or approvals. All incidents require communication with the Environmental Officer and the Construction Manager. Discretion should be exercised and consultation undertaken with environment staff when in doubt, to ensure that all appropriate incidents are reported. This will ensure timely reporting and updating of incidents to appropriate personnel when required.

3.2.3 Procedure

3.2.3.1 Environmental Incident Reports

BC Hydro’s online Environmental Incident Reporting (EIR) System provides for timely and accurate internal notification of environmental incidents to BC Hydro and the Project team. At the site of an incident, the Environmental Monitor shall be responsible for compiling the information required for input into BC Hydro’s EIR system and notifying the appropriate personnel. This information will be passed on to the Construction Manager or delegate to enter into the EIR database on behalf of BC Hydro. The target deadline for BC Hydro reporting is within 24 hours following an incident. The incident report shall be distributed as per a list established by the Project Manager. The distribution list shall include, at a minimum: Project Manager; Environmental Officer; and Construction Manager In addition to formal EIR written reporting, the Project Manager and the Environmental Officer shall be notified as early as possible after any incident occurs via telephone/fax/email, as appropriate. It shall be the responsibility of the Environmental Monitor (or their designate) to undertake this notification. In addition to reporting internally to BC Hydro and the CVT Project Team, it will be necessary for the Environmental Monitor(s) or Environmental Officer(s) to notify regulatory agencies and for BC Hydro Aboriginal Relations & Negotiations (AR&N) to notify First Nations with respect to environmental incidents if thresholds specified in Table 3-2 are exceeded. All spills shall be reported in accordance with the Spill Reporting Regulation under the Environmental Management Act. Essential contacts are provided in Table 3-1 and shall be included in any Spill Prevention and Emergency Response documentation prepared for the Project.



Table 3-2. Spill Reporting Matrix

Substance Quantity External Reporting

Requirements Internal Reporting

Requirements

Any Spill Any amount in aquatic habitat PEP

DFO and MOE

Environmental

Incident Report (EIR)

Oil and Waste Oil

≥100 litres PEP EIR

Any amount off BC Hydro/BC Hydro property MOE and Local

Authority EIR

Oil with >50 ppm PCB ≥1 kilogram PEP EIR

Flammable or

Non-Flammable Gas ≥10 kilograms PEP EIR

Toxic or Corrosive Waste ≥5 litres or kilograms PEP EIR

Hazardous Waste ≥5 litres or kilograms PEP EIR

Pesticides and Herbicides ≥5 kg or litre PEP EIR

Explosives Any quantity that could pose a danger to the public or 50 kg PEP EIR

For each environmental incident, relevant information would be required to complete the online report. The Environmental Incident Report characterizes and documents the: Cause and nature of the incident; Approximate magnitude and duration of release and area or habitat affected; Aquatic, terrestrial and/or cultural resources affected; Actions taken to control or limit the activity causing the incident; Additional proposed remedial or corrective actions recommended; and Communications with regulatory agencies.

The Environmental Incident Report shall include appropriate photo documentation of the incident, mitigation measures take to control or limit the activity causing the incident, and any remedial or corrective actions undertaken.

3.2.3.2 EIR Updates

The responsible supervisor or manager at the site of the incident (with input from any subsequent operations or environmental staff that become involved) shall maintain a record of incident updates. This person is also responsible for exercising discretion and forwarding the significant updates on the incident to appropriate personnel. A designated project team distribution list of personnel, including managers, environmental specialists, legal, corporate communications and environmental staff is available within the EIR system.

3.2.3.3 EIR Closure

All EIRs will require closure by the Construction Manager or delegate. All fields of the EIR reports shall be completed. Before closure, the Environmental Officer shall verify that the environmental response is appropriate and complete (i.e., to review cleanup, waste disposal lessons learned, accuracy of report).



An EIR shall be closed only after completing all of the following actions: 1. Verification that physical aspects of the incident have been remediated, 2. Verification that all associated wastes have been disposed of legally, 3. Lessons learned (if any) have been captured and transmitted, 4. Root cause analysis and corrective action plan (if applicable) have been identified and initiated, and 5. Report has been reviewed for consistency and completeness (e.g., lab results, regulators notified). The closed EIR shall be forwarded to the designated project team distribution list (within the EIR) and the Project Manager, Construction Manager and Environmental Officer. Pending the nature of the incident and the involvement of other staff during its resolution; the notification of closure should also be communicated to other applicable staff. The latter is left to the discretion of the originator and the Construction Manager.

3.2.4 Incident Report Forms

The Incident Report forms are included in Appendix F. The purpose of these forms is to streamline the process of entering incident report information into the BC Hydro EIR database on the intranet, which is accessed internally by the Construction Manager or delegate. There are two main types of incident report forms: Spill / Pollution Incident Report

Details the type of spill including oil or other substances released into the environment (air, land or water) and the impact involved.

Fish / Water Quality Incident Report Details the type of spill including oil or other substances released into the environment and the impact to aquatic environments and water quality.



4. Environmental Protection Plans (EPPs) and Other Resources

In preparation for the planned construction activities, Construction Contractors are required to prepare site-specific (or activity-specific) EPPs relevant to the work to be undertaken for the CVT Project. These plans detail work procedures and environmental mitigation measures to be implemented during the construction in order to achieve compliance with the EMP, regulatory approvals and BMP requirements for the Project. The EPP must take into account environmental sensitivities and risk associated with the work and the specific location that the work will take place. The Environmental Officer will provide technical review and comment on the draft EPPs before final acceptance by the Project Manager, as required. The site-specific or activity-specific EPPs for the CVT Project will include (but are not limited to) the following: Sediment and Erosion Control Plan; Access Management Plan; Spill Prevention and Emergency Response Plan; Material Storage, Handling and Waste Management Plan; Soil and Groundwater Management Plan; Fish Habitat Protection and Mitigation Plan; Wildlife Resource and Habitat Protection and Mitigation Plan; Vegetation Management Plan; Blast Management Plan; Air Quality and Dust Control Plan; Noise Management Plan; Water Quality Management Plan; Traffic Safety Management Plan; and Restoration Plan.

BC Hydro will forward final approved copies of the EPPs to local First Nations and where appropriate, EPPs will be amended based on comments.



5. Environmental Evaluations and Post-Construction Monitoring

5.1 Site Specific Environmental Evaluations

In addition to the reconnaissance level surveys that have been conducted by AECOM prior to clearing (with findings included in Appendix A: Map Book), site-specific evaluations are to be initiated by Construction Contractor following the award of the construction contract. The site-specific evaluations shall be conducted by an Environmental Monitor and are essential in confirming the necessary EPPs to be prepared by the Construction Contractors. These surveys will also serve the purpose of supplementing the site-specific information included in the EMP Map Book (Appendix A). Review of the site-specific surveys and EPPs will be completed by the Environmental Officer as required.

5.2 Final Environmental Inspections

Final inspections of work sites shall be initiated by BC Hydro upon completion of construction activities in site-specific areas along the Project corridor. The Environmental Officer shall, with the assistance of other appropriate professionals, evaluate the effectiveness of site clean-up and restoration activities that took place during construction and would confirm that the required commitments and terms of permits and approvals were met. The Environmental Officer shall, at a minimum, evaluate: Confirmation of material clean up (e.g., fences, barriers); Residual stockpile / material management; Transport surfaces and lay down areas cleared, checked for contamination rehabilitation; Success of erosion control practices implemented along the project corridor; Success of revegetation and seeding; Success of stream crossing and riparian protection measures; Success of any areas enhanced for wildlife habitat; and Success of any wildlife habitat restoration measures (e.g., artificial raptor nesting platforms).

Photo documentation and a brief letter report describing overall status, stability and re-vegetation success within the project corridor shall be submitted to BC Hydro, regulatory agencies, and First Nations following the final inspections. Where restoration planting is deemed not to be successful, the physical and biological conditions would be assessed and remedial works would be designed and initiated. The form of remedial works would depend on the reason for the failure and the physical condition of the planted areas.



6. Environmental Requirements

6.1 Erosion and Sediment Control

6.1.1 Environmental Protection Plans (EPPs)

An EPP of site-specific erosion and sediment control plans detailing construction schedules, activities, methods, and erosion and sediment control prescriptions for specific time periods/locations/activities shall be created by a qualified professional prior to construction work. Due to the dynamic nature of these plans, it is expected that measures will require additional adjustments and actions once construction work commences. Additional erosion and sediment control measures will be incorporated as required based on observations during Environmental Monitoring.

6.1.2 General Requirements

The Contractor(s) shall prepare a Sediment and Erosion Control Plan which addresses, at a minimum, the following requirements:

Identifying groundwater seeps and prescribing measures to minimize flow into the construction footprint; Identifying sites that may require dewatering; Identifying areas of vegetation for discharge of turbid water, if required; Installing silt fencing at strategic locations:

In dry areas, fencing will be installed in an excavated trench and secured with backfilled material; and In wet areas, the ground that will be sliced with a shovel to the appropriate depth, the fencing will be

pushed into the cut and then packed down on the construction side – no trench shovelling is to occur in wet areas;

covering surfaces of exposed soil; minimizing grubbing and soil removal; and prescribing additional measures, such as straw bales, check dams, settling ponds, water diversions,

turbid water collection sumps, etc.; Environmental Monitors on site that shall implement regular monitoring of erosion and sediment control

measures during construction work; Maintain and repair erosion and sediment controls, as required, in a timely manner; Leave erosion and sediment controls in place until local construction works are complete and the Environmental

Monitor determines they are no longer required; Keep existing native vegetation intact as much as possible (see Section 6.7); Adhere to water quality guidelines and water quality monitoring plans (see Section 6.2); Adhere to material management, handling, and storage guidelines (see Section 6.3); Operate machines from beyond top-of-bank, the high water mark, or outside the active flood plain, and not

directly within the channel to minimize bank disturbance during works in or about a stream; Avoid operating heavy equipment on unstable terrain; conduct slope stability field assessments and develop

mitigation plans where works on steep slopes or unstable terrain cannot be avoided; Use grading, cross-ditching, and other erosion control measures when deactivating temporary access roads or

trails, if required; Re-contour disturbed areas to their original condition, or at an appropriate resting angle where disturbance

occurred on a steep or unstable slope; Ensure stripped topsoil is stored separately at an appropriate location so it can be re-applied during site

restoration works following contouring (not trucked offsite as a waste material or burying it under subsoil): Place stockpiled or excavated materials in stable areas 15 m beyond top-of-bank, the high water mark, or active

flood plain;



Protect stockpiled or excavated materials by installing silt fence around the base, and seeding, or covering with erosion control fabric or polyethylene sheeting;

Direct surface runoff away from stockpile locations; Roughen disturbed subsoil prior to replacing topsoil, so it is not compacted; topsoil should also be rough and

firm, but not compact; Assess merit of replacing topsoil on steep slopes; Immediately seed disturbed areas with a native grass seed mixture; live willow stakes/waddles or other plantings

may be used in conjunction with grass seeding: An alternative is degradable erosion control fabric; erosions control fabric will provide erosion and weed

protection for approximately one to five years (depending on site conditions; e.g., UV exposure, microorganism related decay, abrasion etc.) until vegetation can sufficiently re-establish to stabilize soils;

Follow all applicable spill procedures and reporting requirements, if an erosion or sedimentation event occurs (see Section 3.2);

Maintain contingency supplies; and Controlling erosion involves protection of disturbed soil areas and minimizing ground disturbance from rain and

running water. Some examples and definitions of erosion and sediment control methods and tools are listed below:

Erosion Control Sediment Control

Cat tracking

Erosion control mats

Loose straw

Tarps and covering

Grass seed

Bioengineering

Rock armour

Temporary diversion of water from work site

Work site isolation

Pumping and diverting

Silt fencing

Catchment basin

Straw bales

Non-woven geotextiles

Erosion Control Definitions:

Cat tracking: Groove the slope using tracked equipment to create a series of ridges and depressions that run across the slope and along the contour (drive up and down the fall line).

Erosion mats: Protective mulch blankets or turf reinforcement mats used to temporarily stabilize and protect disturbed soils. Install to manufacturer instructions and recommendations.

Loose straw: Used to temporarily protect exposed soils until vegetation is established. Break straw bales into flakes, pull apart flakes and scatter over exposed soils. Applying loose straw is a more cost effective alternative to erosion mats but does not stabilize the slope surface.

Tarps and coverings: Temporary cover to protect exposed soils. All coverings should be removed, reused or recycled after use.

Grass seed: Grass seeding of exposed soils is required during all maintenance and construction activities to provide short and long term erosion and sediment control.

Bioengineering: Provides additional stability and soil retention to maintained roads, deactivated roads, landslide scars, stream banks or riparian zones with live hardwood cuttings. Consider using where grass seed will not adhere to steeper slopes or raveling occurs.



Rock armour: Angular rock placed to form a barrier between flowing water and erodible soils. Rock should be large enough to resist movement under anticipated flows.

Temporary diversion of water: Diversions are used where it is possible to redirect water flow around an area where work is being conducted. This will assist in lessening the impact of erosion from flowing water near the work site – with the diversion being constructed from non-erodible materials.

Sediment Control Definitions

Work site isolation: Similar to the goal of diverting water for erosion protection, work site isolation diverts watercourse flow around the work site to minimize the introduction of any deleterious substances into the water and any potential effects to fish and fish habitat. Pumping and diverting: A pumped diversion is suitable for intermittent and low flow streams that can be pumped. Pump capacity must be sufficient to handle the flow in the ditch. Temporary dams are constructed upstream and downstream of the work area. Silt fencing: A silt fence is a temporary barrier designed to retain sediment on the construction site. It consists of a geotextile attached to supporting post that is trenched into the ground. The fence retains sediment primarily by halting the flow and promoting deposition on the uphill side of the fence. Runoff is also filtered as it passes though the geotextile. Catchment basin: An area characterized by all runoff being conveyed to the same outlet to allow coarser particles to settle out. Straw bales: A straw bale is a bundle of straw, tightly bound with twine or wire and used as a barrier that is placed on a level contour to intercept sheet flows. Straw bales pond sheet-flow runoff, allowing sediment to settle out. Non-woven geotextiles: Non-woven geotextiles are resistant to tears, soil chemicals, puncture, ultra violet light exposure, and are virtually unaffected by hydrocarbons, mildew, rot and freeze-thaw. The non-woven geotextiles provide tensile reinforcement, filtration, separation and stabilization in road construction; and prevention of soil movement.

6.2 Water Quality


The Contractor(s) shall prepare a Water Quality Management Plan which specifies water quality sampling points to be monitored upstream and downstream of work areas, where there is a risk that work activities can adversely affect water quality – e.g., ground disturbing or concrete work close to water-bodies. The water quality monitoring plan shall also specify water sampling parameters, frequencies, and criteria threshold limits consistent with provincial water quality guidelines identified in Table 6-1.


Provide consistent, defensible water quality information to regulatory agencies the Water Quality Management Plan shall at a minimum address: Flagging and identification of all stations in the field. Monitoring for turbidity plumes (visual and with a turbidity metre), hydrocarbon sheens from oil and grease

(visual), and iron bacteria (visual) during all works within 100 metres of any watercourse or wetland.



Monitoring of pH during concrete work within 30 metres of any watercourse or wetland (also see Section 6.3.5). Monitoring of specific parameters relevant to other activities such as blasting in areas with potential for acid

generating rock. Water quality parameters shall be monitored at designated stations both upstream and downstream of the work

area: Upstream stations shall be located 10-50 meters upstream of the work area, but downstream of other features, such as tributary streams, that may influence water quality parameters; vice versa for downstream stations.

Samples shall be obtained as close to the centre of instream flow as possible are adequate in shallow watercourses (i.e., less than 0.5 m); and at one or more depths in deeper waters.

Results of the water quality monitoring shall be documented by the Contractor’s Environmental Monitor and reported in the weekly environmental monitoring reports.

Table 6-1. CVT Water Quality Guidelines - Extracted from British Columbia Approved Water Quality

Guidelines for the Protection of Freshwater Aquatic Life Pursuant to Section 5(e) of the Environmental Management Act

Parameter Guidelines

Turbidity Monitor turbidity using a turbidity meter giving Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) and referring to the guidelines below. Change from background of 8 NTU at any one time for a duration of 24 h in all waters during clear flows or in clear waters Change from background of 2 NTU at any one time for a duration of 30 d in all waters during clear flows or in clear waters Change from background of 5 NTU at any time when background is 8 - 50 NTU during high flows or in turbid waters Change from background of 10% when background is >50 NTU at any time during high flows or in turbid waters

Total Suspended Solids (TSS)

Monitor TSS using appropriate methods such as a manual bottle collection, sampling pump or sediment traps. Change from background of 25 mg/L at any one time for a duration of 24 h in all waters during clear flows or in clear

waters Change from background of 5 mg/L at any one time for a duration of 30 d in all waters during clear flows or in clear waters Change from background of 10 mg/L at any time when background is 25 - 100 mg/L during high flows or in turbid waters Change from background of 10% when background is >100 mg/L at any time during high flows or in turbid waters

pH Applicable where concrete, cement, mortars, grouts, Portland cement, or lime-containing construction materials are to be used. Where concrete materials remain inside formed structures, all forms shall be examined by the Environmental Monitors. Where works occur within 30 metres of any watercourse or wetland, monitor pH levels, immediately downstream of the isolated work site until work completion. 6.5 to 9.0 – Unrestricted change permitted within this range. This component of the freshwater guidelines should be

used cautiously if the pH change causes the carbon dioxide concentration to decrease below a 10 µmol/L minimum or exceed a 1,360 µmol/L maximum, as these concentrations may be toxic to fish.

Less than 6.5 – No statistically significant decrease in pH from background. No restriction on the increase in pH except in boggy areas that have a unique fauna and flora. Site-specific ambient water quality objectives to restrict the pH increase in areas with a unique fauna and flora are recommended.

Greater than 9.0 – No statistically significant increase in pH from background. Decreases in pH are permitted as long as carbon dioxide concentrations are not elevated above 1,360 µmol/L.

Oil and Grease Not detectable by sight or smell

Reference: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wat/wq/BCguidelines/turbidity/turbidity.html

6.2.3 Acid Generating Rock

Assessments of acid rock drainage and metal leaching shall be performed in areas with potential for acid generating rock types and where construction work will involve rock cuts or blasting in such areas. Mitigation measures shall be designed and implemented in accordance with appropriate BMPs and regulations if acid rock drainage or metal leaching is discovered during assessments. Minimum requirements include: Avoiding or minimizing disturbance in rocky areas, wherever possible, particularly areas with potential for acid

generating rock and leaching; Covering exposed rock surfaces in areas with potential for acid generating rock and leaching;



Sealing exposed rock surfaces for pole foundations with an approved product where necessary; and Adhering to water quality guidelines and site water quality monitoring plans (see Section 6.2).

6.3 Waste Management, Handling, and Storage


The Contractor shall prepare a Material Storage, Handling and Waste Management Plan and a Soil and Groundwater Management Plan considering the requirements listed in the EMP. The EPP should identify any hazardous materials expected to be used by the contractor during the CVT Project.


6.3.2.1 Construction Wastes

This section describes Best Management Practices for the efficient management of various types of construction wastes pertaining to the CVT Project. The Contractor shall not dump, burn, or allow others under its control to dump or burn garbage, or other

non-organic construction wastes associated with the work. Should construction wastes related to the work be dumped, the Contractor shall immediately act to clean up and remove the waste material to an approved location;

The Contractor shall implement a mixed strategy for the burning and disposal of wood waste to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and air quality impact;

The Contractor shall not dispose of garbage such as food wrappings, bottles and cans, and sanitary wastes onsite or into any waterbody;

The Contractor shall arrange for disposal of construction-related wastes in a manner acceptable to local governments having jurisdiction;

All food wastes or potential wildlife attractants shall be stored and disposed of in a manner that does not attract nuisance animals and removed from site on a regular basis;

The Contractor shall establish regular clean up and disposal programs so as to prevent the unnecessary accumulation of construction wastes;

The Contractor's work area shall have a recycling and waste management program in place. Clearly labeled garbage bins with lids and recycling containers must be made available for food waste and recyclable office waste. Details on how different types of construction wastes will be handled (i.e., recycled, reused, disposed of in landfill, etc.) shall be provided in an EPP;

The Contractor shall contain all garbage and construction wastes related to the work and dispose of it at an approved disposal facility, in compliance with applicable legislation and regulations of all authorities having jurisdiction;

Sanitary facilities in the form of portable toilets shall be provided for the use of workers. Sanitary facilities shall be secured to ensure they do not fall over, and shall be located at least 15 m from top of bank of any waterbody; and

No construction wastes shall be stockpiled within 15 m of the top of bank of any watercourse or waterbody.

6.3.2.2 Hazardous Waste

The construction contractor is responsible for ensuring that all relevant personnel are adequately trained for the handling and transport of dangerous goods and controlled products. Disposal of hazardous waste generated on site must be disposed of in compliance with the British Columbia Hazardous Waste Regulation as a component of the Environmental Management Act. Examples of hazardous materials include:



Fuel and Lubricants Used spill cleanup materials

Oils Solvents Paints

Greases Batteries

Hazardous materials including “Dangerous Goods” (as defined under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act) and “Controlled Products” (as defined under the Occupational Health & Safety Regulation [BC Regulation 296/97] pursuant to the Workers Compensation Act) used during construction shall be stored and handled to avoid loss and to allow containment and recovery in the event of a spill. This shall be completed in accordance with all applicable legislation, including the British Columbia Fire Code, the National Fire Code of Canada, the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, and other applicable legislation and regulations. These include, but are not limited to, fuels and oils required for equipment and machinery. As a component of best practices in hazardous waste disposal, the construction contractor(s) shall maintain an up-to -date log by utilizing the log table in Appendix D, which includes material, carrier, manifest information and other essential information.

6.3.2.3 Food Wastes

All Contractor food waste and domestic garbage from all work and access areas shall be collected and placed in an appropriate receptacle daily, and be disposed of in an appropriate and safe manner. All food wastes shall be stored and disposed of in a manner that does not attract nuisance animals.

6.3.2.4 Hydrocarbon Products

Fuel storage and handling facilities shall be compatible with A Field Guide to Fuel Handling, Transportation and Storage (MWLAP, 2002);

Locate storage, handling, fuelling and equipment maintenance and repair sites on flat, stable ground, away from environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands and riparian areas;

Store all tanks, barrels, and containers greater than 23 L (five gallons) containing hydrocarbon products within impermeable containment areas designed to contain 110% of the volume of the largest container;

Operate storage areas so that containment systems remain effective during wet weather and winter conditions; Hydrocarbon storage sites shall have a written Spill Contingency Plan with required actions specified and will

include the names of those to be contacted. See Section 6.12: Emergency Response, Fire Prevention and Spill Prevention;

Plastic containers used to carry petroleum products shall be designed for that purpose, and cannot be more than five years old. Containers shall not leak, and shall be sealed with a proper fitting cap or lid;

Containers shall be labeled according to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act regulations; Containers that are 23 L (five gallons) or less shall be stored and transported in an equipment box of a vehicle

that is capable of containing the total quantity of fuel in the containers should it leak or spill; Containers greater than 23 L (five gallons), including 205 L (45 gallon) drums, must be transported upright and

secured to prevent shifting and toppling; Transportation of all hydrocarbons to and within project areas shall conform with the requirements of the

Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act. Refer to 6.3.7 for transportation and disposal protocol which includes the presence of spill kits for transporting hydrocarbons (i.e., Petroleum products);

Refuelling of equipment and refilling of small field containers shall be carried out a minimum of 30 m from waterbodies or wetlands;

Vehicles and equipment, including their hydraulic fittings, shall be inspected daily to ensure that they are in good condition and free of leaks; and

Absorbent pads should be included in the toolkits for sites requiring fuel containing equipment.



6.3.2.5 Concrete and Concrete Products

Concrete, cement, mortars, grouts and other Portland cement or lime-containing materials are basic or alkaline and are highly toxic to fish (MWLAP, 2004). Complete isolation of work areas is needed to ensure that the pH value in any surrounding waterbodies does not become more alkaline during construction (MWLAP. 2004).

During concrete work within 30 m of any watercourse, pH shall be monitored in surrounding watercourses and construction-related best practices shall be implemented (MWLAP. 2004).Refer to Section 6.2 on Water Quality.

The following Best Management Practices shall be implemented during construction activities to meet the requirements of applicable legislation: Use pre-cast concrete structures where feasible. Avoid directly or indirectly exposing concrete, cement, mortars

and other Portland cement or lime containing materials into any watercourse. All forms shall be examined by the Environmental Monitor prior to concrete pours to ensure they are tight;

Keep a carbon dioxide (CO2) tank with regulator, hose and gas diffuser readily available during concrete work within 30 m of any watercourse. The tank shall be used to release carbon dioxide gas into an affected area to neutralize pH levels should a spill occur. Workers shall be trained in the use of the tank;

Provide containment facilities for the wash-down water from concrete delivery trucks, concrete pumping equipment, and other tools and equipment;

Follow incident reporting procedures as defined in Section 3. If possible, the materials should immediately be removed from the water and emergency mitigation and clean-up measures should be implemented;

Where works occur within 30 m of any watercourse or wetland, frequently monitor the pH immediately downstream of the isolated work site until completion of the concrete work. Emergency measures shall be implemented if downstream pH has changed more than 1.0 pH unit, measured to an accuracy of +/-0.2 pH units from the background level, or is recorded to be below 6.5 or above 9.0 pH units;

Prevent any water that contacts uncured or partly cured concrete during activities like exposed aggregate wash-off, wet curing, or equipment washing from directly or indirectly entering any watercourse or waterbodies;

Maintain complete isolation of cast-in-place concrete and grouting from fish bearing waters for a minimum of 48 hours if the ambient air temperature is above 0°C (for the entire period) and for a minimum of 72 hours if ambient air temperature is below 0°C; and

Isolate and hold any water that contacts uncured or partly cured concrete until the pH is between 6.5 and 9.0 pH units, and the turbidity is less than 25 NTU measured to an accuracy of +/-2 NTU.

6.3.2.6 Transportation and Disposal

Contractors shall inspect all equipment prior to transportation to ensure equipment is free and clean of oil and grease. Equipment is required to be clean and in good working order, meeting manufacture standards. They shall provide fully stocked spill kits adequate to deal with emergencies on the road, including provision of spill kits within vehicles onsite used for the transport of equipment, waste and hazardous materials. A licensed waste contractor shall transport hazardous wastes such as waste oil. Both the shipper (consignor) and the carrier (driver) of dangerous goods and hazardous wastes require Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act certification. All requirements of the Environmental Management Act and the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act for disposal of waste materials shall be followed. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to manage all used insulating oil appropriately. If generated, it shall be sent to an appropriate facility to be recycled or disposed. Oil destined for recycling and/or waste oil is considered Hazardous Waste, and will require a Hazardous Waste Manifest and labelling. New insulating oil is not a regulated product and does not require a Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act shipping document or a waste manifest. The Contractor shall ensure that materials being transported for offsite disposal are properly contained, labelled, and secured for transport.



6.3.2.7 Sulfur Hexaflouride (SF6)

BC Hydro is committed to managing SF6 in an environmentally sound and responsible manner. SF6 can be an environmental hazard if released accidentally. Handling, storage and transportation of SF6 requires use of special procedures to address toxic decomposition products hazardous to human health. Environmental guidelines for the shipping, handling, and installation of equipment containing SF6 gas are provided in Appendix D. The Contractor shall implement the following measures for minimizing risks to human health and the environment associated with the handling of SF6 gas. SF6 shall be used and handled to minimize risks to human health and the environment; Contractors shall be familiar with all procedures related to the way SF6 is handled in the course of their duties; Intentional venting of SF6 shall be minimized, except for small amounts needed for gas sampling or to protect

human life in an emergency; SF6 shall be handled and used to minimize contamination with air, moisture, oil, or other unwanted substances; When equipment is maintained or decommissioned, as much SF6 as possible shall be recovered for reuse or

reclaiming; Contaminated SF6 shall be stored until there is a way to separate the SF6 from the contaminants and brought to

the attention of the Environmental Officer; and SF6 that cannot be separated from contaminants shall be treated in a way that destroys the SF6 and removes

environmental concerns associated with it.

Appendix D contains the Environmental Guidelines for Shipping, Handling, and Installation of Equipment Containing SF6 Gas.

6.4 Contaminated Materials, Soil and Groundwater Management


Contractors shall prepare a Soil and Groundwater Management Plan to be implemented at locations along the construction corridor or construction area applicable to the Contractor. The objective of this plan is to outline the general procedures for handling, remediation, stockpiling and appropriate disposal of soil and groundwater to meet applicable legislation during construction works. Of particular importance are those that would be followed if suspected contaminated materials are encountered based on observation of visual staining or odours. The plan shall include instructions and requirements for the following: Contractor and consultant roles and responsibilities; Regulatory requirements; Health and safety; Groundwater handling and sampling protocols; Soil handling, remediation and stockpiling; and Documentation requirements.


If suspect contaminated soils are identified based on visual evidence of hydrocarbon-like staining or hydrocarbon-like odour /vapours in excavated soils, the Contractor shall stop excavating and notify the Project Manager and BC Hydro’s Environmental Officer. Suspect contaminated soils shall be segregated by the Contractor and stockpiled for testing and proper disposal.



Presence of hydrocarbon and metals contamination has been confirmed at the substation expansion site at 1210 11th Avenue South in the Town of Golden. SNC Lavalin has conducted Phase I and II site assessments and have concluded that soil and groundwater on adjacent properties to the west, south and east may be affected. Further investigation was recommended in the Phase II report and BC Hydro is now planning further analysis at the site. Additional site-specific guidance for Contractors will be included in this EMP when further investigation has taken place.

6.5 Fish and Fish Habitat Protection


The Contractor shall prepare a site specific Fish Habitat Protection and Mitigation Plan considering the general requirements listed in Section 6.5.2.


Table 6-2 and Table 6-3 contain general mitigation measures to protect fish and fish habitat, to be applied along the project corridor as defined in Section 1. Table 6-2. Fish and Fish Habitat Management and Mitigation

Fish Habitat Management Goal Mitigation Measure(s)

Avoid instream works wherever possible.

Adhere to fisheries timing windows (see Section 6.5.3) if working in or about a stream. Position the project footprint perpendicular to streams wherever possible to minimize impacts to riparian zones.

Use existing infrastructure, wherever possible; for example, existing access to the project corridor.

Adjust the project infrastructure (e.g., transmission poles, access roads) to avoid sensitive watercourses, such as streams and wetlands. Clearly define sensitive feature boundaries, such as riparian zones, on site plans and in the field (e.g., High visibility “Environmentally Sensitive Area” flagging) to reduce the potential for unnecessary impacts.

Maximize project works during favourable weather conditions.

Avoid, if possible, periods of heavy and/or persistent precipitation and undertake construction works during low water table conditions.

Avoid clearing non-danger trees and vegetation within the RVMA or outside the corridor boundaries.

Where the project footprint intersects watercourses, avoid vegetation clearing within the Riparian Vegetation Management Area (15 m from the top of bank) where practical; if clearing must occur, it should be completed by hand or another approved low impact method; low shrub, forb and moss vegetation shall be left intact.

Avoid building stream crossings unless no other practicable option is available.

Where crossings are necessary, use open-bottomed structures and clear span bridges where practical (i.e., on larger fish-bearing watercourses). Ensure the required Water Act Section 9 approvals are in place prior to the start of construction. Exemption is possible if certain conditions are met – Section 44(2) of the BC Water Regulation.

Ensure sediment and erosion control measures are in place during project works.

See Section 6.1 of this EMP.

Avoid the use of chemical applications (e.g., dust-palliative polymer stabilizers, soil binders, pesticides)

Do not use.

Prevent the release of deleterious substances from vehicles that could affect fish and fish habitat.

Machinery shall only be serviced and refuelled in designated areas, located at a minimum 30 m from any high water mark of a watercourse and/or wetland.

Prevent the deposition of deleterious substances into waters frequented by fish (Section 36) and the harmful alteration, disruption, and destruction (HADD) of fish habitat (Section 35) of the federal Fisheries Act.




If works in or about a stream are necessary, the following procedures shall apply (includes all natural watercourses): Table 6-3. Instream Fish and Fish Habitat Management/Mitigation

Management Goal Mitigation Measure(s)

Obtain all necessary permits.

Applicable permits include Section 9 (works in and about a stream) under the Water Act. Exemption is possible if certain conditions are met under Section 44(2) of the BC Water Regulation.

Conduct instream works only during the appropriate fisheries window.

See Table 6-6 of this EMP.

Adhere to all applicable sediment and erosion control procedures.


Isolation of flows and dewatering

Fish and amphibian salvages may be required; it will be at the discretion of the Environmental Officer whether salvages are necessary and will depend on stream conditions at the time of the proposed works.

Fish salvage methods (e.g., minnow trapping, dip netting, electrofishing) shall be conducted by a qualified biologist.

Following initial salvages and prior to any construction works, isolate the proposed work area immediately upstream and downstream from all instream flow using an approved method.

To ensure flow is not cut-off to downstream reaches, temporally divert flow around the work area (e.g., via a screened submersible pump) discharging it immediately downstream at a location and rate that does not cause erosion.

Once the site is inspected by the Environmental Monitor, de-water the work area and conduct a final salvage regardless of whether any previous salvages have taken place.

Instream works to occur only after the de-watering and final salvage of the work area.

Where practical, remove seepage water entering the active work area via a screened submersible pump discharged onto relatively flat, undisturbed vegetation away from the watercourse to filter out sediments; or another approved method.

Once instream works are complete, place a submersible pump at the downstream end of the work area and partially remove the upstream barrier to allow flow to slowly infiltrate the work area; discharge the pumped water onto undisturbed vegetation until sedimentation within the work area has cleared.

Completely remove the upstream barrier once sedimentation has cleared, and follow with the immediate removal of the downstream barrier.

A protocol will be established and followed to not return exotics species back into the water will be included in an EPP.

6.5.3 Timing Windows

Works in and about a fish bearing stream shall be undertaken during the period of least risk, as defined by MOE Habitat Officers and DFO. The lowest period of risk for fish occurs where there are no occurrences of spawning, no eggs or alevin within stream substrate, no newly hatched fry, and no over-wintering juveniles. In conjunction with least risk windows for fish, consideration shall also be given to other aquatic species (e.g., eggs and larvae of amphibians) and species at risk that may use similar habitat when determining appropriate works windows. The fish species that are known to be found in watercourses along the CVT Project corridor are provided in Table 6-4 below, and can be used to more accurately utilize timing windows where possible. For the CVT Project region, the green shaded areas in Table 6-5 represent the timing windows that would result in the least risk to fisheries resources. Delayed instream work windows for rainbow and cutthroat trout are not applicable for all areas of the Project below an elevation of 1,100 m. If exact fish species presence is unknown, the appropriate timing window shall be defaulted to July 15 to August 31 to encompass all fish species outlined in Table 6-4. Project approvals and permits may reflect refined and altered timing windows as determined by DFO and MOE.



For stream crossings that have conflicting work windows or where it is not feasible for Project construction to work within the recommended reduced work windows, an approval for variance shall be obtained from a provincial Habitat Officer. Table 6-4. Fish Species Present in the Study Area

Common Name Scientific Name BC Status SARA Status Watercourses

Bridgelip Sucker Catastomus columbianus yellow - Columbia River

Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis exotic - Columbia River, Kicking Horse River, Spillimacheen River, Bugaboo Creek, Templeton Creek, Dunbar Creek, Frances Creek, Forster Creek

Brown Trout Salmo trutta exotic - Columbia River

Bull Trout Salvelinus confluentus blue - Columbia River, Kicking Horse River, Canyon Creek, Spillimacheen River, Bugaboo Creek, Frances Creek, Forster Creek, Horsethief Creek, Toby Creek

Burbot Lota lota yellow - Columbia River, Spillimacheen, Toby Creek

Carp Cyprinus carpio exotic - Columbia River

Chiselmouth Acrocheilus alutaceus blue - Columbia River

Kokannee Oncorhynchus nerka yellow - Columbia River, Kicking Horse River, Canyon Creek, Spillimacheen River, Dunbar Creek, France Creek, Forster Creek, Horsethief Creek, Toby Creek

Lake Chub Couesius plumbeus yellow - Columbia River

Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush yellow - Columbia River

Lake Whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis yellow - Columbia River

Largescale Sucker Catostomus macrocheilus yellow - Columbia River, Spillimacheen River

Leopard Dace Rhynichthys falcatus yellow - Columbia River

Longnose Dace Rhynichthys cataractae yellow - Columbia River, Bugaboo Creek, Horsethief Creek,

Longnose Sucker Catostomus catostomus yellow - Columbia River, Canyon Creek

Mountain Whitefish Prosopium williamsoni yellow - Columbia River, Kicking Horse River, Canyon Creek, Spillimacheen River, Bugaboo Creek, Horsethief Creek, Toby Creek

Mottle Sculpin Cottus bairdi blue - Columbia River

Common Name Scientific Name BC Status SARA Status Watercourses

Northern Mountain sucker

Catostomus platyhyncus blue - Columbia River

Northern Pikeminnow

Ptychocheilus oregonensis

yellow - Columbia River

Peamouth Chub Mylocheilus caurinus yellow - Columbia River

Prickly Sculpin Cottus asper yellow - Columbia River

Pygmy whitefish Prosopium coulteri yellow - Columbia River, Kicking Horse River, Spillimacheen River

Rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss yellow - Columbia River, Kicking Horse River, Canyon Creek, Spillimacheen River, Bugaboo Creek, Templeton Creek, Dunbar Creek, Frances Creek, Forster Creek, Horsethief Creek, Toby Creek

Redside Shiner Richardsonius balteatus yellow - Columbia River, Spillimacheen River

Shorthead Sculpin Cottus confuses blue Threatened Columbia River

Slimy Sculpin Cottus cognatus yellow - Columbia River, Kicking Horse River, Canyon Creek, Bugaboo Creek, Toby Creek

Torrent Sculpin Cottus rhotheus yellow - Columbia River, Kicking Horse River

Walleye Stizostedion vitreum yellow - Columbia River

Westslope (Yellowstone) Cutthroat Trout

Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi

blue - Columbia River, Canyon Creek, Spillimacheen River, Bugaboo Creek, Templeton Creek, Dunbar Creek, France Creek, Forster Creek, Horsethief Creek, Toby Creek

White Sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus red Endangered Columbia River – mainstem

Yellow Perch Perca flavescens yellow - Columbia River

Source: BC Ministry of Environment (2009a).



Note:

Red-listed species include any ecological community, and indigenous species and subspecies that is extirpated, endangered, or threatened in British Columbia.

Blue-listed species include any ecological community, and indigenous species and subspecies considered to be of special concern (formerly vulnerable) in British Columbia (BC Ministry of Environment).

Yellow-listed species include uncommon, common, declining and increasing species

Exotic – a species introduced by man to the province.

Table 6-5. Kootenay Region Periods of Least Risk for Instream Works by Fish Species

Date

Species Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Bull Trout, Dolly Varden

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow Trout* 20th

Cutthroat Trout

Cutthroat Trout* 20th

Kokanee

Mountain Whitefish

Burbot

Brook Trout

* Applicable instream work window starts August 20th where these species occur within the “Delayed Instream Work Window Zone,” generally in streams at greater than 1100 metres above sea level, see http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wsd/regions/kor/wateract/kootenay_work_window_zones_detailed.pdf

6.6 Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat Protection


The Contractor(s) shall prepare a site specific Wildlife Resource and Habitat Protection and Mitigation Plan also considering the general requirements listed in the EMP. Wildlife and wildlife habitat EPPs with a focus on species at risk (e.g., American Badger) shall be developed with details on potential impacts of the construction, as well as measures to avoid, mitigate, and/ or compensate for these impacts.


General mitigation measures are included in Table 6-6. Table 6-6. Mitigation Measures Applicable to the Protection of Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat


Avoiding unnecessary habitat loss during construction

Prior to site preparation or construction works footprint boundaries and known sensitive features (e.g., raptor or heron nests) shall be clearly defined on site plans and in the field (e.g., High visibility “Environmentally Sensitive Area” flagging) to reduce potential for unnecessary impacts such as habitat loss.

Avoid impacts to breeding birds and bird populations

Target to clear vegetation / trees outside the breeding bird window which is generally March 15th to August 15th (see Section 5.7.1). If clearing must occur within the breeding bird window, breeding bird nest surveys shall be conducted by qualified environmental professionals to identify nests and determine their status within and around the construction footprint prior to construction works. Locations of nests found in preliminary field surveys are provided in Appendix A.

Minimize direct impact to vulnerable wildlife populations

Consider critical life history stages of local wildlife populations, particularly species at risk, when planning and conducting project works.




Avoid impact to breeding amphibians (threatened species) and threatened amphibian populations

Avoid project construction works within the amphibian breeding period (March to July) at specific locations shown on the EMP MapBook in Appendix A. There is one location marked as Red Listed Herptile Habitat (Figure 23) as well as “Sensitive Habitat” for amphibians on Figures 24-25, 28, 30-31, 34 and 35. If construction is to occur during this period, the Environmental Monitor shall ensure that a 150 m buffer is maintained around each of the identified sensitive habitats.

Minimize impact to wildlife species at risk with limited dispersal capabilities

Conduct wildlife salvages (with appropriate permits) targeting species at risk with limited dispersal capabilities (e.g., amphibians, reptiles) using applicable RISC standards and BMPs in appropriate habitat prior to site preparation and construction activities to minimize potential mortalities.

Avoid clearing trees and vegetation outside project boundaries

All clearing activities shall be constrained to within the project footprint boundary, except where hazard tree removal is required.

Review construction boundaries in the field along the project corridor to ensure accuracy and visibility.

Minimize impact to existing wildlife trees identified in Appendix A within the project footprint

Retain wildlife trees* shown in the EMP Map Book within the project corridor where safely possible and where is does not interfere with the safe and reliable operation of the transmission line. Consider topping and girdling existing large trees near the edge of the ROW to act as a future source of wildlife trees. (*Wildlife trees are defined as: standing live or dead trees with special characteristics that provide valuable habitat for conservation or enhancement of wildlife. A nest may or may not be present within a wildlife tree.)

Minimize sensory disturbance to wildlife in/near construction site

Ensure machines and equipment are well-maintained and equipped with the “best available technology” for noise control (e.g., mufflers); limiting lighting to essential areas only (i.e., avoid lighting at night and in areas where construction activities are not immediately occurring).

Refer to noise management guidelines established by WorkSafe BC and local governments, as applicable.

Where works exceed regulated noise levels or are scheduled outside of daytime hours, works shall be completed as quickly as possible.

Ensure minimal interaction between project personnel and local wildlife

Confirm all CVT personnel (including Construction Contractors) are aware of appropriate safety procedures and precautions for working in bear and other wildlife habitat.

Prohibit employees and contractors from hunting in the area during construction works.

Reduce and ensure proper storage of potential wildlife attractants, such as food, garbage, petroleum products, or other materials with strong odours (see Section 6.3).

Minimize wildlife-vehicle collisions Minimize vehicle traffic and the number of vehicles at a given work site. Implement an efficient Traffic Management Plan and adhere to necessary / posted speed limits with designated access routes. Create speed zones and signage in potential badger areas.

Monitor wildlife collisions that may occur during construction works to assess and learn from incidents and reduce the potential of future incidents; the date, time, location, weather conditions, species, age, sex, and number of individuals shall be recorded for each incident that may occur. Report all wildlife collection to the Project Manager and to the Environmental Officer.

Reduce potential for terrestrial wildlife exposure to deleterious substances

Ensure machines and equipment are regularly maintained and are free of leaks.

Ensure staging areas are kept to a minimum and are situated at the furthest from sensitive habitats.

Do not use chemical applications (e.g., dust-palliative polymer stabilizers, soil binders, pesticides); This will prevent the deposition of deleterious substances into terrestrial habitats.

Avoid impact to wildlife habitat near the construction area

Adhere to vegetation management procedures; Re-vegetate disturbed soils with a native grass seed mixture and other native plants (see Sections 6.7).

Environmental Monitoring is a priority for red- and blue-listed species in the construction corridor, to promote minimal impact in sensitive habitat. Areas of concern are provided in the EMP MapBook found in Appendix A. Follow BC Hydro’s Statement of Strategic Intent for Species at Risk attached in Appendix H.



Best practices for target buffer distances are seen in Table 6-7 below. Table 6-7. Summary of Target Buffer Distances for Sensitive Wildlife Habitat Features

Feature

Target Buffer Distances (m)

Buffer Measured From Undeveloped Rural Urban

Breeding Season “Disturbance Free”

Buffer

Bald Eagle Nests 200 100 1.5 tree lengths 100 Base of nesting structure (e.g., tree)

Cliff-Nesting Raptors 500 200 50 200 Base of cliff

All Other Raptors 500 200 1.5 tree lengths 200 Base of nesting structure (e.g., tree)

Great Blue Heron Nest Colony 300 200 60 200 Perimeter of outermost nest trees

Active Songbird Nest 30 30 30 30 Base of nesting structure (e.g., tree)

Amphibian Breeding Areas (Threatened Species)

150 100 30 N/A Outer perimeter of high water mark

Reptile Hibernaculum (see sensitive habitat features on EMP map)

150 100 30 N/A Outer perimeter of hibernaculum

Ministry of Environment. 2006. Develop with Care: Environmental Guidelines for Urban and Rural Land Development in British Columbia. The Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Environment. Victoria.

Demarchi, M.W., M.D. Bentley, and L. Sopuck. 2005. Best Management Practices for Raptor Conservation during Urban and Rural Land Development in British Columbia. The Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Environment. Victoria. 129 pp.

6.6.3 Birds

The federal Migratory Birds Convention Act [1994] (MBCA) and pursuant Migratory Birds Regulations [1994] (MBR) state it is an offense (except as provided by regulation) to: Disturb, destroy or take a nest, egg, nest shelter, eider duck shelter or duck box of a migratory bird; and Have in his possession a live migratory bird, or a carcass, skin, nest or egg of a migratory bird.

The destruction of any nest (or nest tree) requires authorization from the Province. Contractors must exercise due-diligence in attempting to identify nests and avoiding or mitigating potential negative impacts. Crown lands where industrial forestry and/or cattle grazing are prevalent are subject to the Forest and Range Practices Act. Under this act is the Identified Wildlife Management Strategy 2004, which provides additional protection for raptors and other wildlife on Crown lands. Management measures for the following raptors are included under the Identified Wildlife Management Strategy 2004: northern goshawk (laingi subspecies), prairie falcon, ferruginous hawk, “Interior” western screech-owl, flammulated owl, short-eared owl, saw-whet owl, northern pygmy owl, and burrowing owl. Nests not protected under the MBCA and MBR include those of the northwestern crow, Stellar’s jay, brown-headed cowbird, rock pigeon, European starling, and house sparrow. Within the project study area, March 15 to August 15 is considered the breeding bird window; avoidance is a top priority during this period. When vegetation clearing must occur within breeding bird window, comprehensive breeding bird nest surveys shall be conducted by qualified professionals to identify nests and determine their status within and around the construction activity footprint prior to construction works. In areas with abundant wildlife trees and cavities, owl call-playback surveys shall be conducted. All nest surveys, including owl call-playback surveys, shall be conducted according to RISC standards and applicable BMPs. When nests are detected, the following Best Management Practices shall apply, as applicable:



Preserve all trees used or suspected of being used by raptors as nesting sites, including presently unoccupied trees that have been used in the past;

For raptor nests, maintain a buffer of undisturbed natural vegetation of at least 50 m for cliff-nesting species or 1.5 tree lengths for tree-nesting species in urban environments, 200 m in rural environments (all raptor nests), and 500 m in undeveloped environments (all raptor nests); most of the CVT Project corridor would be considered rural or undeveloped;

Maintain a buffer of 100 m for eagles and 200 m for other raptors free of human disturbance (e.g., loud noises from chain saws, large vehicles etc.) during the nesting season; this extends from February – August for bald eagles and several owl species, April – August for ospreys, and May – August for most other raptors;

For active songbird nests, maintain a buffer of undisturbed natural vegetation of 30 m; and For active nests of species at risk, buffers larger than those above may be required and will be determined at the

discretion of the Environmental Officer in consultation with a qualified biologist. If an active nest cannot be avoided or work must be undertaken within the buffer this must be reported to the

Environmental Officer prior to any work taking place. The EO would then contact MoE or the Canadian Wildlife Service to determine if work can take place with an agreed upon nest monitoring plan in place.

6.6.4 Herptiles

Amphibians and reptiles are often grouped together as herptiles. Protection measures for the following amphibians are prescribed under the Identified Wildlife Management Strategy 2004: northern leopard frog, Rocky Mountain tailed frog, and Coeur d’Alene salamander. Managing right-of-way harvest areas to provide critical habitat for those species is a Best Management Practice. The breeding period for amphibians within the project region is from mid-March to July, which accounts for juvenile development and metamorphosing periods. The reptile hibernation period is from mid-October to mid-March for species in the project corridor. Table 6-8 summarizes required mitigation measures to protect local amphibian and reptile populations. Table 6-8. Mitigation Measures Applicable to the Protection of Amphibian and Reptile Habitat

Environmental Management Goal Mitigation Measure(s)

Reduce potential impact on amphibian populations

Adhere to fish and fish habitat protection guidelines in Section 6.5 to minimize impacts on streams, riparian zones, and other watercourses such as wetlands. These are useful guidelines for the protection of amphibians (in addition to fish and fish habitat).

Leave coarse woody debris intact where possible, and where it does not pose a wildfire risk.

Minimize impact to herptile breeding and breeding grounds in areas where rare or threatened herptile habitat has been identified.

Avoid construction works within the amphibian breeding period (March to July) at specific locations shown on the EMP MapBook in Appendix A as a BMP. There is one location marked as Red Listed Herptile Habitat (Figure 23) as well as “Sensitive Habitat” for amphibians on Figures 24-25, 28, 30-31, 34 and 35. The Environmental Monitor on site shall maintain a 150 m buffer at identified sites during this period.

Maintain a buffer of undisturbed natural vegetation of 30 m in urban environments, 100 m in rural environments, and 150 m in undeveloped environments around wetlands and other herptile breeding areas where these habitats cannot be avoided; if clearing must occur (e.g., presence of tall trees), it shall be undertaken by hand or another approved low impact method; felled trees and low shrub, forb and moss vegetation shall be left intact where they do not pose a wildfire risk.

Minimize impacts to and around identified small mammal burrows (even if inactive), which can act as reptile dens.



Environmental Management Goal Mitigation Measure(s)

Protection of prime amphibian habitat and reptile habitat

Minimize project impact in and around rock seepage areas, riparian splash zones, caves, and other moist rocky sites that may act as habitat for species of special concern.

If construction during appropriate timing windows cannot be met, Contractor(s)’ Environmental Monitor(s) and BC Hydro’s Environmental Officer will inspect work areas and construction activities for potential to disturb reptile habitat, and will recommend additional mitigation measures, as necessary. The EMP MapBook designates areas of concern - marked by red or blue symbols, or delineated as a sensitive site (frog symbol). Avoiding impact to these areas through appropriate measures such as fencing or species relocation should take place where practical.

Ensure the structure of existing rocky habitat remains intact in priority areas (as designated on the EMP MapBook, discussed above) by protecting it from blasting or removal where practical.

If a known reptile den site or hibernacula is discovered, provincial BMPs suggest an undisturbed buffer of 150 m; if this is not feasible, a modified mitigation strategy may be implemented in consultation with qualified biologists and the Ministry of Environment, particularly if the site is occupied by species at risk.

6.6.5 Badgers (Taxidea taxus jeffersonii)

Badgers in British Columbia are designated as red-listed (provincial rank), as well as Endangered in Schedule 1 of the federal Species at Risk Act. Road mortality and habitat loss/degradation from urban, rural, and highway development are considered the primary threats to local badger populations. General mitigation measures applicable to the American Badger are provided in Table 6-9. Additional background and conservation initiatives can be seen in Appendix E.



Table 6-9. Mitigation Measures Applicable to the Protection of Badgers and Badger Habitat


Protect critical habitat such as concentrations of burrow sites, especially maternal dens, and concentrations of prey species or friable soil habitat

Establish 50 m buffers around identified badger dens (see Appendix A – EMP MapBook)

Establish 30 m buffers around identified prey species colonies – i.e., Columbian ground squirrels (Spermophilus columbianus)

Avoid soil compaction, especially in areas with friable soil habitat, by minimizing heavy equipment use or where heavy equipment use is required minimizing its footprint

Minimize disturbance during the breeding season

No resource extraction (i.e., harvesting, log hauling) or road construction/deactivation is permitted during the maternal period from 15 April to 15 August in provincially designated badger WHAs

If active maternal dens are found outside WHA boundaries, restrict access to these areas by establishing 200 m buffers around active maternal dens for the duration of the maternal period from 15 April to 15 August

Prevent badger road mortality Deactivate all temporary roads after construction activities are complete

Implement measures to restrict off-road vehicle (e.g., ATVs) access in areas of badger use

Implement lower speed limits on roads

Report any near-misses or wildlife collisions to BC Hydro/Environmental Officer

Maintain important habitat features Maintain disturbed, early seral stage sites for badger habitat where appropriate conditions exist

Leave a selection of live and dead trees to maintain site ecology (target is 20 stems/ha)

Protect prey species by not using rodenticides

Do not use pesticides (including herbicides, except where necessary to control invasive plants)

The highest quality badger habitats occur in sites characterized by the following features: Habitat with frequent, stand-maintaining fires; Generally open grassland or sparsely treed areas; High densities of prey populations; and Brunisol and Chernozem soil types with a fine sandy loam structure (generally friable soils without large rocks).

As mentioned in Section 6.6.1 the Contractor(s) is required to include American Badger mitigation procedures within the Wildlife Resource and Habitat Protection and Mitigation Plan a qualified professional to be implemented prior to construction activities.

6.6.6 Mountain Goats (Oreamnos americanus)

Mountain Goats have been sighted in two locations along the transmission corridor, some 100 km apart. They are likely seasonal inhabitants. The two groups of goats identified, one at Canyon Creek and the other at Toby Creek are believed to be small and isolated. There are three possible sources of effects that could impact on the mountain goats in the Project corridor as a result of construction: Increased predator access in the area of the Toby Creek salt/mineral lick; Disturbance of goats and habitat during construction; and Disturbance of goats and habitat during operations (AECOM, 2010a).

BC Hydro has mitigated for potential impacts at Toby Creek by adjusting the transmission line alignment away from Toby Creek and the associated Mountain Goat habitat. Critical periods for the Mountain Goat are generally considered to be winter – November 1 to April 30 – and during kidding/early rearing – May 1 to July 15 (MOE, 2010). Mitigation measures applicable to the protection of Mountain Goats is seen Table 6-10.



Table 6-10. Mitigation Measures Applicable to the Protection of Mountain Goats (Oreamnos americanus)


Disturbance Management:

When developing EPPs for wildlife management, 2,000 m horizontal distance setback and 400 m vertical separation shall be considered for all mountain goat habitat (Foster and Rahs 1983; Côté 1996; Frid 1997; Wilson and Shackleton 2001; Festa-Bianchet and Côté 2008) and to be applied year round.

Where any form of helicopter disturbance to mountain goats is an issue and action plans are developed, proponents should include mitigation strategies to address: the timing of operations, intensity, type of helicopter, and duration of helicopter activity when operations may affect mountain goats (i.e., within 2,000 m). These action plans should consider using the framework developed by the IUCN for assessing threats to determine conservation actions (BC Ministry of Environment 2010).

If flights <2,000 m horizontal distance or <400 m vertical separation are necessary within mountain goat habitat, the following mitigation strategies to minimize disturbance should be considered: use of topographic barriers to separate helicopters from mountain goats; keep helicopters below mountain goats if possible; avoid flying directly towards, hovering near, or landing near mountain goats; and minimize the number of flights and time spent within disturbance space (Wilson and Shackleton 2001).

Although little empirical data are available about the effects of fixed-wing overflights on mountain goats, concerns exist about the amount of disturbance. Until better scientific data are available, as a precautionary approach the restrictions noted above for helicopters should apply equally to fixed-wing aircraft (2,000-m horizontal distance setback and 400 m vertical separation; adopt mitigation strategies where appropriate).

When developing EPPs for wildlife management: Maintain a 500-m buffer zone adjacent to important mountain goat habitat (winter range, kidding/early rearing, mineral lick use areas, and connecting trails) during winter and the kidding/early rearing and mineral lick use periods (1 Nov. – 30 Apr., and 1 May – 15 July, respectively), where no logging, wells, pipelines, road building, trail development or other industrial activity takes place (Fox et al. 1989; Haynes 1992; Lemke 1999).

Within canyon-dwelling populations, industrial developments and activities should occur >2,000 m from the canyon rim, or in low-use (marginal) habitats (Foster and Rahs 1985). Access corridors, noise and activity levels should be further controlled during critical winter (1 Nov. – 30 Apr.) and kidding/early rearing (1 May- 15 July) periods.

When industrial activity is required within 500 m of mountain goat habitat, all structures including roads should be temporary in design. Roads should be strategically located to facilitate effective removal wherever possible.

Within two years after completion of industrial development activities, all temporary roads or structures adjacent (<500 m) to mountain goat habitat should be permanently decommissioned (made unusable to off-road vehicles) to restrict vehicular traffic (Haynes 1992; Lemke 1999).

Where roads could remain in place for an extended period of time, access control measures should be considered.

Cut as few trees in the area of the salt/mineral licks as possible, some danger trees may be identified in the grove that would require management, but not necessarily complete removal.

Access Management: Reduce the amount and persistence of roads in and near mountain goat habitat.

MOE, May 2010. “Management Plan for the Mountain Goat (Oreamnos americanus) in British Columbia”

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/documents/recovery/management%20plans/MtGoat_MP_Final_28May2010.pdf

6.6.7 Timing Windows

For the Project region, the green shaded areas in Table 6-13 represent the timing windows that would result in the least risk to wildlife resources. Project approvals and permits may reflect refined and altered timing windows as determined by permitting agencies.



Table 6-11. Periods of Least Risk for Wildlife Resources by Species Category

Date

Species Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Birds (Breeding)

Songbirds

Raptors

Amphibians (Breeding)

Mountain Goat

(Breeding)

Badger (Breeding)

Reptile (hibernation)

Breeding bird windows apply to all areas where nesting may occur, including all vegetated areas. The amphibian breeding window applies when working in or about a stream or other watercourses such as wetlands or isolated depressions with standing water. The reptile hibernation period applies when working in or around rocky habitats such as fissured bedrock, talus, rocky outcrops etc. Activities that may impact the above habitats shall be avoided during the grey shaded areas in Table 6-11 unless mitigation measures are applied. As well, Project activities must meet regulatory and permit requirements. Where conflicting timing constraints exist in a particular area of the Project corridor, construction will be undertaken during a period which minimizes overall disturbance to the environment while allowing construction activities to proceed. Appropriate mitigation measures will be implemented where work is required to be conducted outside of safe work timing windows based on conflicting timing constraints. If necessary, MOE and the Canadian Wildlife Service will be contacted to determine appropriate mitigation measures to be implemented where work is required outside specific safe work timing windows.

6.7 Vegetation Management


The Contractor(s) shall prepare a site specific Wildlife Vegetation Management Plan considering the general requirements listed in the EMP. Vegetation EPPs) shall be developed with details on potential impacts of the construction, as well as measures to avoid, mitigate, and/ or compensate for these impacts.


Clearing strategies, contracts, and allocation of merchantable timber shall be undertaken in accordance with BC Hydro clearing and access specifications, as well as requirements related to tenured areas. Contractors shall comply with specifications explicitly. BC Hydro’s Clearing Standards for New Construction are designed to consider the following factors: 1. Public and worker safety; 2. Environmental concerns; 3. Terrain / topography;

4. Soil texture and moisture conditions; 5. Climatic conditions; 6. Vegetation species, size and health;

7. Access; 8. Government agency requirements and existing statutes;



9. Land tenure and property owner requirements; 10. Aesthetic and stakeholder concerns; and

11. Long term cost / benefit.

BC Hydro’s Clearing Standards for New Construction specify what conditions are encountered on the ground and what the strategy will be for each situation. Conditions include: clearing/logging, waste wood, conservation, expected area of use and physical conditions of use. The general Clearing Standards can be found in Appendix G. Note that this is an initial framework, with many of the more sensitive RVMAs to receive unique and much more complex prescriptions and treatments than those described in the framework document. Vegetation clearing shall be undertaken in a manner that minimizes the scarring and/or destruction of native vegetation outside of the project footprint, and minimizes the impact on native vegetation to be retained along the project corridor where safe to do so. Tall growing shrubs such as Douglas maple, Salix spp. (willows), Alnus spp. (alder), Sorbus spp. (ash), Rocky Mountain juniper, and Devil’s club may be selectively removed if they encroach on the limits of approach or conflict with right-of-way preparation prescriptions in range lands. Low growing native vegetation shall be retained as much as possible. The Vegetation Management Plan the Contractor(s) shall prepare will include, at a minimum, the following requirements:

6.7.3 Erosion Protection

Apply native grass seed mixtures and/or native plant species for re-vegetating disturbed areas; Apply grass-legume erosion protection mixes with mulch and tackifiers on areas deemed erodible, such as steep

gradients which are inaccessible for conventional seeding. These areas shall be seeded during the first available planting window (late spring to early June/July, or late fall to mid-September), taking care to avoid frost damage (e.g., planting and seeding only after several consecutive frost-free nights in the spring);

The seed mixes shall be weed-free, contain locally sourced seed, whenever practical, and be appropriate for the climate and site conditions. Native seedlings may also be used in heavily disturbed areas to accelerate the reclamation process; and

Cover and restrict the movement of stockpiled soil or surficial material.

6.7.4 Debris and Fire Risk Management

Manage debris according to BC Hydro and legislative requirements and remove any accumulations from recreational and historical trails, roads and other features, particularly where access is restricted or use is impaired;

Dispose of non-merchantable cleared vegetation, including invasive plants. Methods may include slash burning on-site or transport to an approved disposal location. Appropriate non-merchantable timber could also be considered for use as coarse woody debris in reclaimed areas to enhance wildlife habitat;

Minimize accumulation of dry fuel and the corresponding risk of fire along the Project Corridor; Provide details of the process by which a decision to burn vegetative material is arrived at; and Conduct any burning under the conditions provided in the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation and other

applicable legislation.



6.7.5 Invasive Plant and Noxious Weed Control

Measures to minimize the potential introduction and spread of noxious and invasive plants include: Clean heavy machinery and equipment, paying special attention to undercarriages, tracks, tires, and blades,

prior to arrival at the project site and prior to working around sensitive habitats (e.g., streams, wetlands); Washing vehicles shall occur unless ground snow cover is present or vehicle travel is restricted to established

paved roads; Inspect heavy machinery and equipment for soil (may contain seeds) and plant debris prior to entering the

project site; and clean them prior to entering the area if necessary; Cover and restrict the movement of any stockpiled soil or surficial material; Properly dispose of all non-merchantable vegetation, including invasive plants, that is cleared from the project

site in an appropriate manner; Use a native grass seed mixture or native plant species for re-vegetating disturbed areas and erosion control;

where native species are not immediately available use alternate stabilization and erosion control methods in the interim;

Monitor access and work sites to determine if there are any areas of invasive plant introduction;

6.7.6 Ethnobotanical Plants

The Shuswap Indian band and Ktunaxa Nation are conducting traditional use / traditional knowledge study of the CVT Project study area. A list of possible ethnobotanical species along the CVT Project corridor is provided in Appendix E. Most plants are common along the Project corridor and shall be used in the revegetation of the right-of-way and any other temporarily disturbed areas.

6.8 Air Quality and Dust Control

6.8.1 EPP’s

The Contractor(s) shall prepare an Air Quality and Dust Control Plan which outlines the methods to be used during construction to minimize air emissions and control dust. The EPPs shall be developed with details on potential impacts of the construction, as well as measures to avoid, mitigate, and/ or compensate for these impacts.


It is anticipated that the majority of air emissions generated during the construction of the CVT Project would be due to the operation of heavy equipment, generators, and slash burning. During construction, the primary air emissions are anticipated to be: Fugitive dust – traffic along gravel roads, construction activities; Particulates – Slash burning to clear the transmission line right-of-way, and access roads; Odours – Burning of fossil fuels, operation of diesel equipment; and Greenhouse gases – Operation of light duty and heavy duty diesel equipment, operation of helicopters.

The Air Quality and Dust Control Plan shall address, at a minimum, the following mitigation requirements related to slash burning, control of fugitive dust, and management of greenhouse gas emissions:



6.8.3 Slash Burning

Burning only organic matter such as tree stumps, roots, shrubs, and branches; Burning material more than 100 metres from neighbouring residences or businesses and more than 500 metres

from a hospital, continuing care facility, or schools; Controlling open burning so that it does not pose a visibility hazard to airports or highways; Ensuring that the Ventilation Index is “good” on the day that a burn begins and is forecast to be “good” or “fair”

on the following day; Ensuring satisfactory control and feeding of the fire minimising site disturbance; Details of the process to arrive at decisions related to the burning of organic matter; and Compliance with the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation under the Environmental Management Act, the

Wildfire Act and the Wildfire Regulation.

6.8.4 Fugitive Dust

Watering roads and spraying water for dust control. Dust shall be controlled for the duration of the work using water or an alternate dust suppressant approved by DFO and MOE. Oil shall not be used as a dust suppressant;

Implementing speed limits to reduce generation of fugitive dust emissions; Covering fine grained material vehicle loads, especially on windy days, to minimize wind-blown dispersal; and Using blasting mats during blasting activities to reduce dust generation (in addition to reducing noise impacts).

6.8.5 Greenhouse Gases

Ensuring fleet vehicles and equipment are maintained according to manufacturers’ guidelines. Vehicles and equipment shall be inspected on a regular basis by the Contractor and maintained, as required. Environmental Monitors shall inspect equipment for presence of emission control measures;

Using modern machinery and commercially available low sulphur fuels; Minimizing engine idling; Implementing speed limits for mobile diesel equipment; Optimizing trucking loads to reduce the number of trips between the source and destination; and Minimizing the length and duration of helicopter flights, where practical.

6.9 Access and Traffic Management

6.9.1 EPP’s

The Contractor(s) shall prepare a detailed site-specific Access Management Plan and Traffic Safety Management Plan. Contractors shall prepare site access plans to minimize unnecessary traffic on adjacent forest service roads or other roads along the project corridor. The EPPs shall be developed with details on potential impacts of the construction, as well as measures to avoid, mitigate, and/ or compensate for these impacts.


Unrestricted access impacts can range from invasion of non-native plants to a reduction in wildlife habitat within the Project corridor. BC Hydro will disseminate the information to contractors from the consultation with affected First Nations and local stakeholders (e.g., private landowners) for their site access plans. In addition to site access plans, traffic management and safety plans shall also be prepared in accordance with the following guidelines:



Do not travel on any routes not designated in site access plans; Adhere to all posted speed limits on public roads and speed limits designated for the project on other roads

(e.g., slow speeds on unpaved roads for dust management); In discussion with BC Hydro, inform the public and appropriate agencies if any road closures are necessary;

contractors and BC Hydro shall commit to minimizing road closures and implementing appropriate road closure schedules;

Access to active project construction sites shall be restricted for work and public safety; and Increase vegetation buffers around access points to deter all-terrain vehicle activity around the project footprint.

6.10 Noise Management

6.10.1 EPP’s

The Contractor(s) shall prepare a Noise Management Plan and Blast Management Plan providing guidelines and procedures to be implemented to minimize noise generation during construction of the CVT Project, particularly when working near the Town of Golden, the Town of Invermere and other communities along the project transportation corridor. The EPPs shall be developed with details on potential impacts of the construction, as well as measures to avoid, mitigate, and/ or compensate for these impacts.


It is anticipated that the majority of noise generated during construction would be by heavy equipment, power tools, generators, and truck and helicopter traffic. Noise reduction techniques shall include: Prohibiting the use of engine brakes in residential areas; Maintaining equipment in good working order; Implementing standard construction practices and use of “Best Available Control Technologies” for noise; Control on construction equipment such as mufflers and silencers; Setting flight paths and schedules for fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters being used on the Project;

(taking into account populated areas and wildlife habitat sensitive to excessive noise); and Informing local residents and other stakeholders in advance of construction activities Contractors shall make reasonable efforts to comply with noise level regulations and guidelines established by regulatory agencies and local governments. Where a Contractor is required to exceed noise levels or schedule work outside approved hours of work specified in municipal bylaws, the work shall be completed as quickly as possible, potentially affected stakeholders shall be notified, and overall disturbance to local communities and First Nations shall be minimized. Local residents and First Nations shall be notified in a letter from BC Hydro’s Community Relations Coordinator prior to the start of work that an increase in noise levels may be experienced locally for a specified period of time. A call-in number shall be established by BC Hydro to allow the public to voice complaints and have them responded to.



6.11 Site Restoration

6.11.1 EPP’s

The Contractor(s) shall prepare a detailed site-specific Restoration Plan (by qualified professionals) containing prescriptions for restoring temporarily disturbed areas. This shall be accomplished in a manner that is environmentally sound, reduces erosion and transport of sediment-laden water, and is consistent with the safe and reliable operation of the electrical transmission infrastructure. The EPPs shall be developed with details on potential impacts of the construction, as well as measures to avoid, mitigate, and/ or compensate for these impacts.


The Restoration plans shall focus on establishing a stable ground cover of native shrubs, forbs, and grasses that will not interfere with transmission conductors over the long term. Site restoration plans shall also be integrated with fisheries habitat mitigation plans where appropriate. The need for restoration and its intensity can be minimized through appropriate construction and environmental management procedures. Site Restoration Plans objectives shall address, but not be limited to: Removal of surplus materials and wastes from the work site(s), and subsequent disposal in appropriately

authorized facilities; Procedures for backfilling excavations for structure footings starting with the subsoil and finishing with topsoil,

where practical; Procedures for soil salvage, soil storage, and reapplication of salvaged soil; Grading and re-contouring of sites to their original condition, wherever possible; Ripping or scarifying of soils in areas that have been compacted by heavy equipment use or vehicle use to

reduce surface compaction; Re-establishment of ground cover on disturbed areas as soon as possible using a rapidly establishing weed-free

mix of grasses and legumes suitable to the climate conditions, where available. Any planting conducted as part of restoration efforts shall be with native species appropriate to the area;

Training of equipment operators on how to identify and segregate surface soil from subsoil and how to handle sensitive soils;

Local storage of salvaged soils and protection (through seeding or physical cover, if necessary) for future use in restoration activities;

Locating and flagging stockpiled soils during periods of longer storage so they would not be disturbed until required for reclamation. Soils stockpiled for periods longer than three months during the growing season shall be seeded appropriately to the area or covered to prevent erosion (wood mulch or other). If stockpiling of soils is required during the winter for longer than three months, the stockpiles shall be covered and seeded in the spring;

Restoration of identified sensitive and listed ecosystem areas; De-commissioning of temporary access roads/trails including grading and cross-ditching to minimize erosion;

and Restoration of disturbed riparian areas shall be undertaken immediately following construction to minimize the

potential for invasive species to establish. Riparian prescriptions for site restoration shall be developed by qualified environmental professionals consistent with BC Hydro’s long term requirements for transmission line maintenance.

Additional details can be found in Sections 6: Erosion and Sediment Control, 6.5 - Fish and Fish Habitat Protection, 6.6 - Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat Protection, and 6.7 - Vegetation Management.



6.12 Emergency Response, Fire Prevention and Spill Prevention

6.12.1 EPP’s

The Contractor(s) shall prepare an Emergency Response, Fire Prevention, and Spill Prevention Plan specific to their work activities and methods and adhering to requirements of the Spill Reporting Regulation. The Plan shall also meet current BC Guidelines for Industry Emergency Response Plans and/or the CSA Z731-03-CAN/CSA Emergency Preparedness and Response standards. In addition and where applicable, the Contractors’ EPP shall address the storage of Environmental Emergency (E2)-listed chemicals, where such chemicals are stored above specified threshold quantities, as defined by the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Depending on the quantity at site(s), a specific Environmental Response Plan (ERP) or sections of an existing ERP may be required to address a particular chemical.


Emergency Response, Fire Prevention, and Spill Prevention Plan requirements shall be communicated to all field crews at the start of work (at the pre-work orientation meeting) and thereafter at regular intervals throughout the Contract, and will be strictly enforced. Contractor(s) will be instructed to post the Emergency Response, Fire Prevention, and Spill Prevention Plan in conspicuous locations at each site location. The Emergency Response, Fire Prevention, and Spill Prevention Plan shall address, at a minimum, the following requirements, incorporating site-specific details where appropriate:

6.12.3 Spill Prevention

Specific instructions on how to reduce the risk of spills; Storage, handling and labelling of fuels and other hazardous materials. Fuel storage and handling procedures

shall be consistent with A Field Guide to Fuel Handling, Transportation and Storage (MWLAP, 2002); Consideration of a risk assessment process for recognizing potential hazards and minimizing fuel spills

consistent with Section 7 of A Field Guide to Fuel Handling, Transportation and Storage (MWLAP, 2002). Equipment refuelling and servicing procedures. Machinery shall only be serviced, refuelled and washed in

designated areas, located at a minimum 30 metres from any watercourse or wetland; Incorporation of drip containment measures for fuel dispensing equipment to maximize fuel containment; and Monitoring of vehicles and equipment for leaks on a daily basis. If the operation of construction vehicles is

necessary within riparian areas, vehicles and equipment shall arrive on site in a clean condition and be maintained free of fluid leaks.

6.12.4 Spill Response Equipment

Details on the contents and size of spill containment kits for vehicles and fuel dispensing stations and how they will be deployed in the event of an environmental emergency or exercise. Spill kit contents shall be consistent with requirements outlined in Table 7 of A Field Guide to Fuel Handling, Transportation and Storage (MWLAP, 2002). Equipment containing ethylene glycol (antifreeze) or other water soluble chemical shall carry an appropriate number of water soluble chemical absorbent pads in addition to absorbent pads used for petroleum products;

Inspections to compare current contents of spill kits with required contents at Project start-up and whenever a new piece of equipment comes onto site;

Locations and nature of clean-up materials and equipment; and



Appropriate training of workers in the appropriate use of spill response equipment, including distinguishing between grey absorbent pads used for water soluble chemicals and white pads used for petroleum products.

Some local suppliers of spill response equipment include: Acklands-Grainger Inc. (Acklandsgrainger.com); Aquaguard (Aquaguard.com); EnviroGuard Ltd. (Enviroguard.net); Hazco Canada Inc. (Hazcoservices.ca); Hazmasters Environmental (Hazmasters.com); Infra-Tech Polymers Inc. (Infratech.com); Nilex Inc. (Nilex.com); Pigmalion Environmental (Pigmalion.ca); Rocky Mountain Environmental Ltd. (Spilldepot.com); StanChem Inc. (Stanchem-inc.com); Sumas Environmental Services Inc. (Sumas.net); and Versatech Products Inc. (Versatech.com)

6.12.5 Spill Response Guidelines

Spill reporting and notification procedures consistent with the Spill Response Plan outlined below. Spills and environmental incidents shall be reported according to the Environmental Incident Reporting

procedures and the spill reporting matrix included as Table 3-2; Containment, recovery and clean-up procedures and training; Contact information for persons and organizations to be notified in the event of spills, forest fires, or other

environmental emergencies (including contact information for the Provincial Emergency Program [PEP] and Environment Canada Emergencies); and

Spills reportable to regulatory agencies will also be reported to the Ktunaxa Nation and the Shuswap Indian Band.

Section 6.12.4 details the BC Hydro Spill Response Plan and the steps required in spill response.

6.12.6 BC Hydro Spill Response Plan

The following steps shall be taken in the event of a spill of fuels, oils, lubricants or other harmful substances:

1. ENSURE SAFETY 2. STOP THE FLOW (when possible) 3. SECURE THE AREA 4. CONTAIN THE SPILL 5. NOTIFICATION 6. CLEAN-UP 7. SPILL REPORT

1. ENSURE SAFETY Ensure Personal/Public, Electrical and Environmental Safety; Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); Never rush in, always determine the product spilled before taking action; Warn people in the immediate vicinity; and Ensure no ignition sources if spill is a flammable material.



2. STOP THE FLOW (when possible) Act quickly to reduce the risk of environmental impacts; Close valves, shut off pumps or plug holes/leaks; and Stop the flow or the spill at its source.

3. SECURE THE AREA

Limit access to the spill area; and Prevent unauthorised entry onto the site.

4. CONTAIN THE SPILL

Block off and protect drains and culverts; Prevent spilled material from entering drainage structures (ditches, culverts, drains); Use spill sorbent material to contain the spill; If necessary, use a dyke or any other method to prevent any discharge on site; and Make every effort to minimize contamination.

5. NOTIFICATION

Notify appropriate Field Manager or alternate of incident (provide spill details) within 24 hours; When necessary the first external call should be made to: Provincial Emergency Program (PEP) 1-800-663-3456 (24 Hour); Provide necessary spill details to other external agencies; and Complete a BC Hydro Environmental Incident Report (EIR).

6. CLEAN-UP

Determine cleanup options; Mobilize recovery equipment and cleanup crew and direct cleanup activities; Technical assistance is available from BC Hydro on clean-up procedures and residue sampling

and to ensure compliance with Ministry of Environment regulations; Dispose of all equipment and/or material used in clean up (e.g., used sorbent, oil containment

materials, etc.) in accordance with Ministry of Environment requirements; Accidental spills may produce hazardous wastes (e.g., material with > 3% oil by mass) and

contaminated soil. All waste disposal must comply with the Environmental Management Act and Regulations. The Environmental Monitor shall assist in complying with Ministry of Environment requirements;

Subject to prior approval from Ministry of Environment, waste sorbent material may be disposed of in a landfill;

Contaminated soil must be treated and dealt with as required on a site-specific; and Replenish spill response kits and equipment.



7. SPILL REPORT Provide the required information for input into BC Hydro’s EIR system. The spill report shall include the following information:

Name and phone number of person reporting the spill; Name and phone number of person involved with the spill; Location and time of the spill; Type and quantity of material spilled; Cause and effect of spill; Details of action taken or proposed to contain the spill and minimise its effect; Names of agencies on the scene; and Names or other persons or agencies advised.



6.12.7 Spill Containment and Clean-Up Supplies

Contractors shall have emergency spill response equipment in supply. Oil spill response kits, vehicle kits and aggressive liquids kits (acids and caustics) appropriate for the quantities and types of materials and receiving environment, shall be supplied by all Contractors. Contents to be included in vehicle emergency spill response kits include: VEHICLE EMERGENCY SPILL RESPONSE KIT CONTENTS No. Description Stock Numbers

Spill Response Kit (Complete kit) 154-0017 2 each 10' Oil Only Socks 154-0018 15 each Polypropylene Sorbent Pads (Oil Only) 18" x 18" x 3/8" 154-0019 1 each Neoprene Mat (Drain Cover) 48" x 48" x 1/8" 154-0804 1 each PCB Test Kit - (Not Required) 154-0016 1 each 250 ml Glass Sampling Jar with Lid and Eye Dropper 154-0816 1 each 25 ml Amber Bottle with Lid - (Not Required) 154-0829 2 each Sample Jar Labels and Chain of Custody Doc. Stores 1 2 each 10 Quart Cellulose Sorbent Material, Oil Only 154-0020 1 each Barrier Ribbon, Yellow "Caution Do Not Enter" 154-0805 1 each Poly Disposal Bags (45 gal. drum size, minimum 6 mil) 113-0015 1 each Blank Labels for Plastic Bags Stores 1 1 each Plastic Bag Tie 388-4072 1 each Epoxy Plug Compound (Hydrocarbon Compatible) 154-0021 1 each Spill Kit Container Marked "Spill Response Kit" 154-0835 1 each Spill Response Card Print Shop D98-19 1 each List of Kit Contents Print Shop D98-7

** IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT OF ANY CONTENTS USED IS ESSENTIAL **



6.12.8 Fire Prevention

The Contractor(s) shall prepare a Forest Fire Emergency Response Plan which adheres to the Wildfire Act and Wildfire Regulation as well as BC Hydro requirements. The Forest Fire Emergency Response Plan shall address, but not be limited to: Fire prevention and fire suppression requirements; Specific instructions for a low fire risk work site and rapid response to fires, including contact names and

telephone numbers; Work related fire ignition hazards such as sparks, catalytic converters, mufflers and cigarettes; Procedures during natural events such as lightning; Fuel management considering petroleum product transportation, transfer, storage and use, accumulations of

wood waste, and other flammable materials; Firefighting equipment (e.g., shovels, pulaski or mattocks, hand-tank pumps, and fire extinguishers) that is to be

kept at work sites. The location and content of required firefighting equipment is to be inspected and maintained on a regular basis;

Specific work management techniques for debris management, cutting, piling, chipping, hauling, and other vegetation clearing activities to minimize fire risk;

Standards and requirements for smoking, fuelling, fire tools, fire suppressions systems, fire watchers, and other restrictions for tree falling, mowing/brushing/slashing and helicopter use for each Fire Danger Class in accordance with Schedule 3 of the Wildfire Regulation;

Appropriate training of all workers with respect to fire emergency responsibilities; Regular fire suppression equipment inspections and maintenance; Periodic fire preparedness and response drills; and Fire emergency response protocols and notification procedures.

The Contractor(s)’ activities and procedures shall conform to regulatory requirements, including the provincial Wildfire Act. During fire season, the Contractor(s) shall contact the local MOFR office daily (more frequently during High Hazard periods) to determine the local area Hazard Rating. Wildfires are to be immediately reported to 1-800-663-5555, or *5555 on most mobile phone networks. It will be the responsibility of each Contractor to implement all activities and fire prevention measures in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements, including the provincial Wildfire Act.



7. Archaeological Resource Stewardship

The CVT Project study area is within the traditional territory of the Shuswap Indian Band and Ktunaxa Nation, which comprises of ?Akisq’nuk, Lower Kootenay, Tobacco Plains and St. Mary’s, collectively represented by the Ktunaxa Nation Council. BC Hydro had retained Eagle Vision Geomatics & Archaeology Ltd. to act as the Archaeological Officers for the Project and conduct detailed Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA) as per the requirements of the Heritage Conservation Act. The intent of the AIA is to identify any unknown archaeological sites within the study area that could potentially be impacted by the construction work and develop mitigation measures to eliminate or minimize the impact to these sites due to construction work. The areas where Eagle Vision will be conducting detailed AIA work are identified in the AIA polygons shown on the MapBook provided in Appendix A. It is expected that the AIA work will be initiated in Spring 2011.

7.1.1 Identified Archaeological Sites

There are a number of sites that have been identified within 2 km of the study area. Care should be exercised, that these sites are not impacted by the construction work. If it is identified that any of these sites will be impacted, the Project Manager will be informed and after discussions with Eagle Vision, appropriate mitigation measures will be applied.

7.1.2 Reporting Procedure

During the course of construction, if an archaeological site or archaeological artifacts are discovered, the following procedure will apply 1. Stop work and secure the site; 2. Call the Project Manager and Construction Manager; 3. Project Manager/Construction Manager will inform Eagle Vision and as Project Archaeological Officers, Eagle

Vision will confirm if the discovery is of archaeological importance; 4. If the site is of archaeological importance, Archaeological Branch, Shuswap Indian Band and Ktunaxa Nation will

be informed; 5. Mitigation measures will be identified jointly between Project Manager/Construction Manager, Archaeological

Officer, Shuswap Indian Band and Ktunaxa Nation, in line with the requirements of the Archaeological Branch; and

6. Implement the recommended mitigation measures.



Archaeological Contact List

Contact Name Office # Alternate #

Project Manager Deepak Anand 604.699.7241 604.219.2725 (mobile)

Construction Manager Cam Duffy 604.313.0352 (mobile)

Aboriginal Relations Chris Heard 604.528.1558 604.250.5844 (mobile)

Eagle Vision Geomatics & Archaeology Ltd Melissa Knight 250.420.2724

Shuswap Indian Band Dean Martin 250.341.3678

Ktunaxa Nation Ray Warden 250.417.4022

Archaeological Branch – Permitting and Assessment Ray Kenny 250.953.3348

7.1.3 Acceptable Procedures for Working in AIA Polygons

As highlighted above, the AIA work within the identified AIA polygons is expected to be initiated in spring 2011. Until such time the AIA work is completed, BC Hydro has committed to the following: 1. No ground impact during clearing and access construction work. Within the identified AIA Polygons BC Hydro

will prescribe “Hand-clearing” only with no machine work is allowed, which includes machines required to remove the fallen trees and waste material. Equipment such as excavators may work from outside of the restricted polygon to reach in and remove logs and waste material that can be removed without disturbance to the ground. All other clearing work such as tree falling, limbing topping and waste wood piling and disposal will be completed manually with hand tools and no heavy equipment; and

2. BC Hydro will not initiate construction of access through the identified AIA polygons till such time as the AIA is completed.



8. References

AECOM, 2009: A - Columbia Valley Transmission Project Desktop (Phase 1) Environmental Overview Assessment, Prepared for British Columbia Transmission Corporation by AECOM, Burnaby, BC, 2009. B - Columbia Valley Transmission Project Environmental Overview Assessment, Prepared for British Columbia Transmission Corporation by AECOM, Burnaby, BC, 2009. C - Columbia Valley Transmission Project Desktop Environmental Overview Assessment Report Addendum – Moonraker West Route, Prepared for British Columbia Transmission Corporation by AECOM, Burnaby, BC, 2009.

AECOM, 2010: A - Columbia Valley Transmission Project Addendum to Environmental Overview Assessment Report – Mountain Goats, Prepared for British Columbia Transmission Corporation by AECOM, Burnaby, BC, 2010. B - Columbia Valley Transmission Project Addendum to Environmental Overview Assessment Report – Toby Creek diversion, Prepared for British Columbia Transmission Corporation by AECOM, Burnaby, BC, 2010.

Cameron, M. and R. St. Clair, 2003: COSEWIC status report on the rubber boa Charina bottae in Canada, in COSEWIC assessment and status report on the rubber boa Charina bottae in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. 14 pp.

Cheminfo Services, Inc., 2005: Best Management Practices for the Reduction of Air Emissions from Construction and Demolition Activities. Prepared for Environment Canada, Transboundary Issues Branch.

Demarchi, M.W., M.D. Bentley and L. Sopuck, 2005: Best Management Practices for Raptor Conservation during Urban and Rural Land Development in British Columbia. The Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Environment. Victoria. 129 pp.

Ovaska, K.E. and C. Engelstoft, 2002: COSEWIC status report on the western skink Eumeces skiltonianus in Canada, in COSEWIC assessment and status report on the western skink Eumeces skiltonianus in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. 19 pp.

Ovaska, K., L. Sopuck, C.Engelstoft, L. Matthias. E. Wind and J. MacGarvie, 2004: Best Management Practices for Amphibians and Reptiles in Urban and Rural Environments in British Columbia. The Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Water, Land, and Air Protection. Victoria. 219 pp.

Ministry of Environment, 2006: Develop with Care: Environmental Guidelines for Urban and Rural Land Development in British Columbia. The Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Environment.

Ministry of Environment, 2000: Mountain Goat in British Columbia. The Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Environment. Victoria.

Ministry of Environment, Mountain Goat Management Team, 2010: Management Plan for the Mountain Goat (Oreamnos americanus) in British Columbia. The Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Environment, Victoria.



Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, 2002: A Field Guide to Fuel Handling, Transporation and Storage. 3rd Edition, February. The Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection.

Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, 2004: Standards and Best Practices for Instream Works, Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection. The Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection.

Resources Information Standards Committee (RISC). 2001. Reconnaissance (1:20,000) Fish and Fish Habitat Inventory Standards and Procedures version 2.0. [Online] <http://www.ilmb.gov.bc.ca/risc/pubs/aquatic/recon/index.htm >. Prepared by BC Fisheries Information Services Branch.

RISC, 1998: Inventory Methods for Snakes. The Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. Victoria. Available at http://www.ilmb.gov.bc.ca/risc/pubs/tebiodiv/snakes/assets/snake.pdf

Safford, Kirk R., 2004: Modelling critical winter habitat of four ungulate species in the Robson Valley, British Columbia. BC Journal of Ecosystems and Management, Volume 4, Number 2, 2004.

Best Management Practices for the Reduction of Air Emissions from Construction and Demolition Activities, 2005;

Standards and Best Practices for Instream Works, Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, 2004.


Appendix A

Map Book


Appendix B

Environmental Monitoring Reporting – Issues Tracking


60158773_FN_RPT_2011Mar7_Mm_Construction.Docx B-1

CVT Project Weekly Environmental Monitoring Report: Environmental Issues Tracking

Environmental Monitor:

Time Period for Report:

Overall Weather Conditions:

(Precip, approx temp, etc.)

Description and Status of Construction Activities

Location (i.e., Coordinates and/or general description):

Construction Activities (e.g., Clearing, transporting material, grubbing, blasting):

Environmental Challenges on Site (e.g., Erosion risk, nest locations, traffic management issues):

Environmental mitigation measures/corrective action taken: (e.g., Erosion and sediment control, habitat compensation, fish salvage, culvert installation)



Environment-related Meetings Attended and Key Issues Discussed:

Communication with Environmental Agencies by Environmental Services team:

Anticipated Construction Activities for Upcoming Week:

Other Comments / Concerns:

End of Weekly Monitoring Report



CVT Project Environmental Non-Compliance / Non-Conformance Form

Non-Conformance Event? Yes ( ) No ( )

Non-Compliance Event? Yes ( ) No ( )

Non-conformance: the event is not in line with Best Management Practices or non-legally binding guidelines

Non-compliance: the event is in contradiction to a provincial and/or federal law with direct legal consequences

Construction Activity / Nature of Event (brief): Location in Study Area (Pole #, UTM or description):

Time of Event: Weather Condition at Time of Event:

Weather Conditions 24 hrs Prior to Event:

Detailed Description of Event: (Construction activities leading to event, subsequent effects, possibility for prevention)

Action Taken (e.g., Stabilized bank, additional fish salvage activity, notified Project Manager):

Follow Up Requirements (e.g., Procedure review, additional meetings, etc.)

Verbal Notification of Event - The following personnel were contacted…

Other Requirements:

Attach any relevant photographs depicting non-compliance / non-conformance event. Please complete and submit this form within 24 hours of the event.

PREPARED BY: ________________________________

DATE: ________________________________

60158773_FN_RPT_2011Mar7_Mm_Construction.Docx C-1

Appendix C

Contractor Environmental Pre-Work Orientation Record


Environmental Pre-Work Orientation Record

Date: File No.

1 Project Information

Project Title: Columbia Valley Transmission Project

Project Description: Construction of 112km (230kV) and 3km (69kV) transmission lines with associated infrastructure and access

Project Location: Invermere to Golden, BC

2 Contractor Information (if applicable)

Company Name:

Company Address:

Site Contact/Representative Name:

Phone # Cell # E-mail

3 Key Environmental Issues and Requirements Review the environmental issues and requirements of the work as specified in the Environmental Management Plan (EMP), Environmental Protection Plans (EPPs) and other environmental requirements (e.g., Contract clauses).

Is there an EMP, EPP, or other environmental requirement for the work? � Yes � NA Have the environmental requirements been reviewed with the contractor and the contractor’s staff? (Use the checklist below to guide discussion) � Yes � NA

Environmental Issues Environmental Protection

Requirements

Discussed

NA

Soil erosion / compaction � �

Vegetation disturbance or removal � �

Generation and disposal of hazardous substances � �

Generation and disposal of waste � �

Contaminated soil management � �

Spill of hazardous substances � �

Fuel and flammable storage � �

Dust generation / other air emissions � �

Water quality – erosion and siltation � �

Fish and Aquatic – Habitat alteration, disturbance or

loss

� �

Wildlife and Bird – Habitat Alteration, Disturbance

or Loss

� �

Disturbance to Heritage Resources / Archaeological

Sites

� �

Visual Impacts / Noise Concerns � �

Property Considerations � �

Disruption of Recreation Use � �

Public Safety Concerns � �

Do the tools and equipment meet the

requirements?

� �

5 Permits and Approvals Information: Ensure the necessary environmental permits and approvals relating to the work have been obtained prior to starting work.

Are environmental notifications, permits, licenses or approvals required? � Yes � NA

List applicable regulatory requirements and permit reference numbers:

Have the permits, licenses and approvals obtained and / or checked? � Yes � NA


6 Emergency Response Plan / Oil and Chemical Spill Response Plan

Has the Emergency Response Plan been discussed? � Yes � NA

Has the Spill Response Plan been discussed? � Yes � NA

Are there spill kits available on location? � Yes � NA

Where are the spill kits located?

7 Environmental Incident Reporting (Ensure Contractor is aware of BCH/BCTC EIR system.)

Environmental Incident Reporting Procedures discussed? � Yes � NA

8 Environmental Competency

Demonstrated applicable environment training for appropriate crew

members/supervisors � Yes � NA

Site Environmental Monitor to be on-site in lieu of training � Yes � NA

The undersigned has been briefed on the environmental requirements of the work as detailed above

Signed: Date:


Appendix D

Hazardous Construction Waste Materials Disposal Log


Hazardous Construction Waste Materials Disposal Log

HAZARDOUS CONSTRUCTION WASTE MATERIALS DISPOSAL LOG

DATE and

TIME

Carrier or

Shipper

Type of

Material

Weight and

Quantity

Final

Destination

Hazardous

Waste

Manifest

No.

Completed

Manifest

Received

Certificate

of Disposal

Received

Authorized

Initials


Appendix E

Environmental Guidelines for Shipping, Handling, and Installation of Equipment Containing SF6 Gas


Appendix F

Conservation Data Centre (CDC) Species Lists and Additional Terrestrial Information


60158773_FN_RPT_2011Mar7_Mm_Construction.Docx F-1

Appendix F Conservation Data Centre (CDC) Species Lists and Additional Terrestrial Information

Table F-1. Invertebrate Species at Risk that may be found in the Study Area

English Name Scientific Name BC CDC1 COSEWIC2 Identified Wildlife3

In Study Area4

Aquatic and Terrestrial Gastropods (various Orders)

Rotund Physa Physella columbiana Red - - Unlikely

Glossy Valvata Valvata humeralis Red - - Unlikely

Ashy Pebblesnail Fluminicola fuscus Red - - Unlikely

Banded Tigersnail Anguispira kochi Blue - - Unlikely

Black-footed Tightcoil Pristiloma chersinella Blue - - Unknown

Coeur d'Alene Oregonian Cryptomastix mullani Blue - - Unknown

Lambda Snaggletooth Gastrocopta holzingeri Blue - - Unknown

Magnum Mantleslug Magnipelta mycophaga Blue - - Unlikely

Pale Jumping-slug Hemphillia camelus Blue - - Likely

Pygmy Slug Kootenaia burkei Red - - Unlikely

Rocky Mountainsnail Oreohelix strigosa Blue - - Likely

Silky Vallonia Vallonia cyclophorella Blue - - Unknown

Subalpine Mountainsnail Oreohelix subrudis Blue - - Unlikely

Butterflies (Order Lepidoptera)

Albert's Fritillary Boloria alberta Blue - - Unlikely

Aphrodite Fritillary, manitoba subspecies Speyeria aphrodite manitoba Blue - - Unknown

Aphrodite Fritillary, whitehousei subspecies

Speyeria aphrodite whitehousei Blue - - Likely

Checkered Skipper Pyrgus communis Blue - - Unknown

Dione Copper Lycaena dione Red - - Unknown

Gillette's Checkerspot Euphydryas gillettii Red - Yes Unknown

Jutta Arctic, chermocki subspecies Oeneis jutta chermocki Blue - - Unknown

Mead's Sulphur Colias meadii Blue - - Unlikely

Monarch Danaus plexippus Blue Special Concern - Unknown

Mormon Fritillary, eurynome subspecies Speyeria mormonia eurynome Red - - Unknown

Nevada Skipper Hesperia nevada Blue - - Unlikely

Old World Swallowtail, dodi subspecies Papilio machaon dodi Red - - Likely

Pelidne Sulphur Colias pelidne Blue - - Likely

Rockslide Checkerspot Chlosyne whitneyi Blue - - Unlikely

Silver-spotted Skipper, clarus subspecies Epargyreus clarus clarus Blue - - Unknown

Tawny-edged Skipper, themistocles subspecies

Polites themistocles themistocles

Blue - - Unknown

Dragonflies and Damselflies (Order Odonata)

Forcipate Emerald Somatochlora forcipata Blue - - Unlikely

Pronghorn Clubtail Gomphus graslinellus Blue - - Unknown

Twelve-spotted Skimmer Libellula pulchella Blue - - Unknown

Vivid Dancer Argia vivida Red - - Likely 1 BC CDC Rankings: Red = Extirpated (no longer exist in area), Endangered (facing imminent extirpation/extinction) or Threatened (likely to become

endangered if not reversed); Blue = Special Concern (at risk, but not Red); Yellow = Not at Risk. 2 COSEWIC Rankings: Endangered = facing imminent extirpation or extinction; Threatened = likely to become endangered if no management occurs;

Special Concern = may become Threatened due to biological or other factors. 3 Identified Wildlife: Species has status under the Identified Wildlife Management Strategy and eligible for designation of General Wildlife Measures or

Wildlife Habitat Areas 4 In Study Area: Yes = evidence of recent use in reviewed report; Historic = evidence of historic use (< 20 years ago) in reviewed report; Likely = available

surveys indicate within RSA and suitable habitat available in study area; Unknown = no current evidence of use, but there is uncertainty due to lack of or intensity of available surveys; Unlikely = available surveys sufficiently rigid to indicate that species is not likely present or habitats not within study area.



Table F-2. Amphibian Species at Risk that may be found in the Study Area

English Name Scientific Name BC CDC1 COSEWIC2 Identified

Wildlife3

In Study Area4

Coeur d'Alene salamander Plethodon idahoensis Yellow Special Concern Yes Unknown

Northern Leopard frog Rana pipiens Red Endangered Yes Historic / Unknown

Rocky Mountain Tailed frog Ascaphus montanus Red Endangered Yes Unknown

Western Toad Bufo boreas Yellow Special Concern - Yes 1 BC CDC Rankings: Red = Extirpated (no longer exist in area), Endangered (facing imminent extirpation/extinction) or Threatened (likely to become





Table F-3. Potential Reptile Species at Risk within the Study Area


In Study Area4

Rubber Boa Charina bottae Yellow Special Concern - Unknown

Western Painted Turtle - Intermountain - Rocky Mountain Population

Chrysemys picta pop. 2 Blue Special Concern - Unknown

Western Skink Plestiodon skiltonianus Blue Special Concern - Unknown

1 BC CDC Rankings: Red = Extirpated (no longer exist in area), Endangered (facing imminent extirpation/extinction) or Threatened (likely to become endangered if not reversed); Blue = Special Concern (at risk, but not Red); Yellow = Not at Risk.

2 COSEWIC Rankings: Endangered = facing imminent extirpation or extinction; Threatened = likely to become endangered if no management occurs; Special Concern = may become Threatened due to biological or other factors.

3 Identified Wildlife: Species has status under the Identified Wildlife Management Strategy and eligible for designation of General Wildlife Measures or Wildlife Habitat Areas

4 In Study Area: Yes = evidence of recent use in reviewed report; Historic = evidence of historic use (< 20 years ago) in reviewed report; Likely = available surveys indicate within RSA and suitable habitat available in study area; Unknown = no current evidence of use, but there is uncertainty due to lack of or intensity of available surveys; Unlikely = available surveys sufficiently rigid to indicate that species is not likely present or habitats not within study area.



Table F-4. Potential Focal Bird Species within the Study Area


In Study Area4

Aquatic Birds

American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus Blue - - Yes

Black-crowned Night-heron Nycticorax nycticorax Red - - Unlikely

California Gull Larus californicus Blue - - Unknown

Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia Blue Not at Risk - Unlikely

Great Blue heron, herodias subspecies Ardea herodias herodias Blue - Yes Yes

Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus Blue Special Concern Yes Likely

Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis Blue Special Concern Yes Likely

Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus Red - - Likely

Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis Blue - - Yes*

Forest and Grassland Breeding Birds

Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata Blue Special Concern - Unlikely

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Blue - - Yes*

Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus Blue - - Unknown*

Brewer's Sparrow, breweri subspecies Spizella breweri breweri Red - Yes Unknown

Le Conte's Sparrow Ammodramus leconteii Blue - - Unlikely

Lewis' Woodpecker Melanerpes lewis Red Special Concern Yes Unknown*

Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi Blue Threatened - Yes

Sharp-tailed Grouse, columbianus

subspecies

Tympanuchus phasianellus

columbianus

Yellow Not at Risk Yes Unlikely

Williamson's Sapsucker, nataliae

subspecies

Sphyrapicus thyroideus nataliae Red Endangered Yes Unknown*

Raptors

Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus Blue - - Likely*

Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia Red Endangered Yes Unlikely

Flammulated Owl Otus flammeolus Blue Special Concern Yes Unknown

Peregrine Falcon, anatum subspecies Falco peregrinus anatum Blue Special Concern - Unknown*

Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus Blue Not at Risk - Unknown

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus Blue - Yes Unknown*

Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni Blue Special Concern - Likely*

Western Screech-Owl, macfarlanei

subspecies

Megascops kennicottii macfarlanei Red - - Unlikely

1 BC CDC Rankings: Red = Extirpated (no longer exist in area), Endangered (facing imminent extirpation/extinction) or Threatened (likely to become endangered if not reversed); Blue = Special Concern (at risk, but not Red); Yellow = Not at Risk.

2 COSEWIC Rankings: Endangered = facing imminent extirpation or extinction; Threatened = likely to become endangered if no management occurs; Special Concern = may become Threatened due to biological or other factors.

3 Identified Wildlife: Species has status under the Identified Wildlife Management Strategy and eligible for designation of General Wildlife Measures or Wildlife Habitat Areas

4 In Study Area: Yes = evidence of recent use in reviewed report; Historic = evidence of historic use (< 20 years ago) in reviewed report; Likely = available surveys indicate within RSA and suitable habitat available in study area; Unknown = no current evidence of use, but there is uncertainty due to lack of or intensity of available surveys; Unlikely = available surveys sufficiently rigid to indicate that species is not likely present or habitats not within study area.

* Less than 5 observations from 1974 to 2005 in study area (Ferguson 1999, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005; Cooper and Beauchesne 2003; Cooper 2005; Bachman and Christie 2007)



Table F-5. Potential Focal Mammal Species within the Study Area


In Study Area4

Small Mammals

Least Chipmunk, oreocetes subspecies Neotamias minimus oreocetes Blue - - Unlikely

Least Chipmunk, selkirki subspecies Neotamias minimus selkirki Red - - Unlikely

Red-tailed Chipmunk, ruficaudus subspecies

Neotamias ruficaudus ruficaudus

Red - - Unlikely

Southern Red-backed Vole, galei subspecies

Myodes gapperi galei Blue - - Unknown

Bats

Northern Myotis Myotis septentrionalis Blue - - Unknown

Townsend's Big-eared Bat Corynorhinus townsendii Blue - - Unknown

Medium Sized Carnivores

Badger Taxidea taxus Red Endangered Yes Yes

Fisher Martes pennanti Blue Yes Unlikely

Wolverine, luscus subspecies Gulo gulo luscus Blue Special Concern Yes Likely

Ungulates

Bighorn Sheep Ovis canadensis Blue Yes Unlikely

Caribou (southern population) Rangifer tarandus pop. 1 Red Threatened Yes Unlikely

Bears

Grizzly Bear Ursus arctos Blue Special Concern Yes Yes

Black Bear Ursus americanus Yellow - - Yes 1 BC CDC Rankings: Red = Extirpated (no longer exist in area), Endangered (facing imminent extirpation/extinction) or Threatened (likely to become





Table F-6. Known Occurrences of Rare Plants found near Radium and Invermere that may fall within the

Study Area Boundary

Scientific Name Common Name

Helianthus nuttallii var. nuttallii Nuttall’s sunflower

Megalodonta beckii var. beckii Water marigold

Townsendia hookeri Hooker’s townsendia

Potamogeton strictifolius Stiff-leaved pondweed

Bouteloua gracilis Blue grama

Source: BC Ministry of Environment - BC Species and Ecosystem Explorer, http://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/search.do



There are a number of ethnobotanical plants of significance likely found along the Project corridor. The following list of shrubs and herbs highlights some of the ethnobotanically-valued species recorded during the CVT reconnaissance survey work that is found in Appendix C-2a of the Environmental Overview Assessment (AECOM, 2009). Table F-7. Sample of Ethnobotanically Importtant Plants Know in the CVT Project Corridor


Shrubs Shrubs

Acer glabrum Douglas maple

Amelanchier alnifolia Saskatoon

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Common bearberry

Ceanothus veluntinus Snowbrush

Juniperus communis Common juniper

Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper

Rhododendron groenlandicum Labrador tea

Mahonia aquifolium Tall Oregon-grape

Ribes glandulosum Skunk currant

Ribes lacustre Black gooseberry

Rosa spp Wild rose

Rubus idaeus Red raspberry

Salix sp. Willow

Shepherdia canadensis Canadian buffalo-berry

Vaccinium caespitosum Dwarf blueberry

Vaccinium membranaceum Black huckleberry

Viburnum edule Squashberry

Herbs Herbs

Allium cernuum Nodding onion

Fragaria virginiana Wild strawberry

Goodyera oblongifolia Rattlesnake-plantain

Mentha arvensis Field mint

Osmorhiza berteroi Mountain sweet-cicely

Typha latifolia Broadleaf cattail



Table F-8. Red and Blue-listed Plant Species found only in subzone ESSFdk in the Overview Study Area

ESSFdk


Androsace chamaejasme ssp. lehmanniana Sweet-flowered fairy-candelabra

Arenaria longipedunculata Low sandwort

Astragalus bourgovii Bourgeau's milk-vetch

Botrychium pinnatum Northern moonwort

Botrychium crenulatum Dainty moonwort

Carex paysonis Payson's sedge

Draba densifolia Nuttall's draba

Eriogonum androsaceum Androsace buckwheat

Festuca minutiflora Little fescue

Gentiana calycosa Mountain bog gentian

Juncus arcticus ssp. alaskanus Arctic rush

Lupinus bingenensis var. subsaccatus Bingen lupine

Physaria didymocarpa var. didymocarpa Common twinpod

Polemonium elegans Elegant Jacob's-ladder

Potentilla ovina var. ovina Sheep cinquefoil

Senecio megacephalus Large-headed groundsel

Stellaria obtusa Blunt-sepaled starwort

Source: BC Ministry of Environment – Conservation Data Centre, http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/cdc/

Table F-9. Red and Blue-listed Plant Species potentially found in Wetter Habitat Types in the Study Area

Scientific Name English Name BC Status Habitat Type

Elodea nuttallii Nuttall's waterweed Blue Estuarine, lacustrine, palustrine

Potamogeton strictifolius Stiff-leaved pondweed Blue Lacustrine

Eleocharis elliptica Slender spike-rush Blue Lacustrine, palustrine

Glyceria pulchella Slender mannagrass Blue Lacustrine, palustrine

Carex lenticularis var. lenticularis Lakeshore sedge Red Lacustrine, palustrine

Isoetes howellii Howell's quillwort Red Lacustrine, palustrine

Megalodonta beckii var. beckii Water marigold Blue Lacustrine, palustrine, riverine

Veronica catenata Pink water speedwell Red Lacustrine, palustrine, riverine

Stuckenia vaginata Sheathing pondweed Blue Lacustrine, riverine

Carex rostrata Swollen beaked sedge Blue Palustrine

Source: BC Ministry of Environment – Conservation Data Centre, http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/cdc/



Table F-10. Sensitive Ecosystems in the CVT Study Area

Sensitive Ecosystems

Scientific Name Common Name Habitat BC Status

Endemic (Y or N)

ICHmw1/Wf05 Carex lasiocarpa / Drepanocladus aduncus

Slender sedge / Common hook-moss

Wetland Blue Y

ICHmw1/07 Thuja plicata - Tsuga heterophylla / Equisetum arvense

Western redcedar - Western hemlock / Common horsetail

Forest, Riparian Blue N

ICHmw1/Wf11 Trichophorum cespitosum / Campylium stellatum

Tufted clubrush / Golden star-moss

Wetland Blue Y

IDFdm2/Wf05 Carex alsiocarpa / Drepanocladus aduncus

Slender sedge / Common hookmoss

Wetland, Herbaceous Blue Y

IDFdm2/Gs04 Deschampsia cespitosa Community Tufted hairgrass Community

Herbaceous, Grassland, Wetland

Blue N

IDFdm2/Wm02 Equisetum fluviatile – Carex utriculata Swamp horsetail – Beaked sedge

Wetland, Herbaceous Blue N

IDFdm2/Gs03 Juncus balticus – Carex praegracilis Baltic rush – Field sedge Wetland, Herbaceous Blue N IDFdm2/01 Pseudotsuga menziesii / Calamagrostis

rubescens – Linnaea borealis Douglas-fir / Pinegrass – twinflower

Forest Blue N

IDFdm2/Wm05 Typha latifolia Marsh Common cattail Marsh Wetland, Herbaceous Blue N ICHmk1/05 Picea engelmannii x glauca / Ribes

lacustre / Aralia nudicaulis Hybrid white spruce / Black gooseberry / Wild sarsaparilla

Forest Blue N

ICHmk1/04 Pinus contorta / Alnus viridis ssp. Sinuata / Calamagrostis rubescens

Lodgepole pine / Sitka alder / pinegrass

Forest Blue N

ICHmk1/03 Pseudotsuga menziesii / Calamagrostis rubescens – Linnaea borealis

Douglas-fir / Pinegrass – twinflower

Forest Blue N

ICHmk1/02 Pseudotsuga menziesii / Penstemon fruticosus – Calamagrostis rubescens

Douglas-fir / Shrubby penstemon – Pinegrass

Woodland, Forest Blue N

ICHmk1/01 Thuja plicata / Paxistima myrsinites – Lonicera utahensis

Western redcedar / Falsebox – Utah honeysuckle

Forest Blue N

MSdk/Wf05 Carex lasiocarpa / Drepanocladus aduncus

Slender sedge / Common hook-moss

Wetland, Herbaceous Blue Y

MSdk/Gs04 Deschampsia cespitosa Community Tufted hairgrass Community Herbaceous, Grassland, Wetland

Blue N

MSdk/Fl05 Salix drummondiana / Calamagrostis canadensis

Drummond’s willow / Bluejoint reedgrass

- Blue N

IDFdm2/05 Picea engelmannii x glauca – Populus tremuloides / Aralia nudicaulis

Hybrid white spruce – Trembling aspen / Wild sarsaparilla

Forest Red N

IDFdm2/04 Pseudotsuga menziesii – Larix occidentalis / Calamagrostis rubescens

Douglas-fir – Western larch / Pinegrass

Forest Red N

IDFdm2/03 Pseudotsuga menziesii / Symphoricarpos albus / Balsamorhiza sagittata

Douglas-fir / Common snowberry / Arrowleaf balsamroot

Forest Red N

IDFdm2/Gs02 Puccinellia nuttalliana – Hordeum jubatum

Nuttall’s alkaligrass – Foxtail barley

Herbaceous, Wetland, Grassland

Red N

IDFdm2/02 Purshia tridentate / Pseudoroegneria spicata

Antelope-brush / Bluebunch wheatgrass

Shrub, Grassland, Herbaceous

Red N

MSdk/Gs02 Puccinellia nuttalliana - Hordeum jubatum

Nuttall's alkaligrass - Foxtail barley

Herbaceous, Wetland, Grassland

Red N

ESSFdk2;ESSFdkp Anemone occidentalis - Carex nigricans Western pasqueflower - Black alpine sedge

Alpine, Herbaceous Red N

ESSFdk2;ESSFdkp Eriophorum scheuchzeri Scheuchzer's cotton-grass Wetland, Herbaceous, Alpine

Red Y

Source: BC Ministry of Environment - BC Species and Ecosystem Explorer, http://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/search.do

Note: Dash indicates no data



Table F-11. Summary of Known Occurrences of Invasive Species within the Project Study Area

Scientific Name Common Name Associated Habitat

Cirsium vulgare Bull thistle Dry to moist habitats that include roadsides, cultivated fields, pastures, logged forestland, and disturbed sites

Cirsium arvense var. horridum Canada Thistle rich loam soil, ample precipitation, and is somewhat shade intolerant, but it has adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions

Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye Daisy Low- to mid-elevations in grasslands and dry to moist forests

Arctium minus Common burdock Low- to mid-elevations in grasslands and forests, along roadsides, ditches, stream banks, pastures, and disturbed habitats.

Tanacetum vulgare Common tansy Low- to mid-elevations along roadsides, stream banks, in disturbed habitats, and pastures. It grows best in full sun and in fertile, well-drained soil.

Centaurea diffusa Diffuse knapweed Grasslands, shrub lands, and dry open forests at low- to mid-elevations

Cynoglossum officinale Common Hound’s tongue

Grasslands to mid-elevation forests. Dry sites on pastures, roadsides, and logged-over forestland.

Hieracium aurantiacum Orange hawkweed Well-drained, coarse-textured, soils. Can invade natural open areas and disturbed sites, including roadsides, pastures and clearings.

Euphorbia esula Leafy spurge Low- to mid-elevations on dry roadsides, fields, grasslands, open forests, and disturbed habitats.

Linaria vulgaris Butter and eggs Grasslands and open forests, and on disturbed sites such as roadsides, railroads, logged areas, cultivated fields, and gravel pits.

Centaurea stoebe Spotted knapweed Widespread at low- to mid-elevation grasslands and dry open forests.

Potentilla recta Sulphur cinquefoil Low- to mid-elevations along roadsides, stream banks, in disturbed habitats, and pastures. It grows best in full sun and in fertile, well-drained soil.

Linaria spp. Toadflax spp. Grasslands and open forests, and on disturbed sites such as roadsides, railroads, logged areas, cultivated fields, and gravel pits

Artemisia absinthium Wormwood Moist to mesic streambanks and disturbed areas

Source: BC Ministry of Forests and Range – Invasive Alien Plant Program, http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hra/Plants/application.htm, BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands – Weeds BC, http://www.weedsbc.ca/ , E-Flora BC, http://www.eflora.bc.ca/, and BC Invasive Species Council web site, http://www.invasiveplantcouncilbc.ca/



Table F-12. Invasive Species of Concern in the Kootenay Region

Scientific Name Common Name Associated Habitat

Echium vulgare Blueweed Dry roadsides, disturbed habitats, rocky pastures, and rangelands at low- to mid-elevations.

Anchusa officinalis Common Bugloss Favours dry, fertile, well-drained soils. It is found on roadsides, dry fields, pastures, and disturbed areas.

Tanacetum vulgare Common Tansy Low- to mid-elevations along roadsides, stream banks, in disturbed habitats, and pastures. It grows best in full sun and in fertile, well-drained soil.

Centaurea diffusa Diffuse Knapweed Grasslands, shrub lands, and dry open forests at low- to mid-elevations, but rarely on cultivated lands or irrigated pasture

Knautia arvense Field Scabious Roadsides, pastures, and fields at mid-elevations Cynoglossum officinale Hound's-tongue Grasslands to mid-elevation forests. Dry sites on pastures, roadsides, and logged-over

forestland. Euphorbia esula Leafy Spurge Low- to mid-elevations on dry roadsides, fields, grasslands, open forests, and disturbed

habitats. Hieracium aurantiacum Orange Hawkweed Low- to mid-elevations, usually in open areas such as pastures, meadows, clearings,

roadsides, and disturbed sites. Lepidium latifoilum Broadleaved

pepperweed Roadsides, fields, and disturbed habitats.

Carduus acanthoides Plumeless thistle Pastures, fields, disturbed habitats, logged-over areas, and along roadsides at mid-elevations.

Lythrum salicaria Purple loosestrife Wet areas at low to mid-elevation. Chondrilla juncea Rush skeletonweed Rangelands, roadsides, and disturbed habitats at mid-elevations in the dry grassland

zone. Tripleurospermum inodorum False-chamomile Low to mid-elevations on dry shorelines, roadsides, fencelines, disturbed areas, and

perennial forage crops. Centaurea stoebe Spotted Knapweed Widespread at low- to mid-elevation grasslands and dry open forests. Potentilla recta Sulphur cinquefoil Adapted to a wide range of soils and climates, but currently is mostly restricted to the

grasslands and dry forest zones.

Source: BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands – Weeds BC, http://www.weedsbc.ca/



American Badger (Taxidea taxus jeffersonii) Management In addition to the federal recovery strategy under SARA, the recovery of the badgers in BC has been supported by the establishment of Wildlife Habitat Areas (WHAs) and their provisions under the Identified Wildlife Management Strategy (Province of BC, 2004), which applies to Crown forest and range lands, or private lands subject to a tree farm or woodlot license. No WHAs overlap with the CVT Project corridor at the time of writing. Recovery techniques (e.g., habitat protection and restoration, development of road crossing structures, land acquisition programs, and conservation covenants) exist and are known to be effective. As of yet, however, critical habitat as defined under SARA has not been proposed. More work is required to identify specific locations or habitat features that are critical to the recovery of badgers in BC. See Table E-13 for the anticipated work required within British Columbia. Table F-13. Anticipated Work Required to Identify Critical Habitat for Badgers in BC as Outlined in

Recovery Strategy for the Badger (Taxidea taxus) in British Columbia (Jeffersonii Badger Recovery Team 2008)

Task Targeted Completion

Complete Conservation Assessment 2008

Complete description of critical habitat attributes 2008

Complete inventory of occupied range and habitats (regional priorities are Boundary, Nicola, West Kootenay, and

Similkameen) 2010

Identify suitable unoccupied habitat 2010

Determine amount of habitat required to meet population and distribution objectives 2011

Identify critical habitat in action plan(s) 2012

Thus far, research has shown that most badger activity in British Columbia is in dry, low elevation regions with native or non-native grasslands, open Douglas-fir or ponderosa pine forests, and disturbed sites such as roadsides and agricultural fields. One of the major requirements of badger use is an abundance of prey species; thus, badgers are typically found in or near colonies of Columbian ground squirrels or yellow-bellied marmots. Without these prey species, badgers tend to rely on more evenly dispersed microtine rodents (i.e., mice and voles). Badger dens function as sites for resting, food storage, parturition (giving birth), and as central nodes from which foraging is based. Maternal dens, however, differ from those used for diurnal resting in that they are more structurally complex with larger soil mounds at the entrance. Breeding occurs in late July and August and implantation is delayed until February with birth occurring between late March and May. Juveniles disperse in June through August, during which time they can move up to 110 km from their natal area. Juveniles are more erratic in their movements than yearlings and adults. For most of their lives, badgers are sedentary with mean home ranges in the East Kootenay of 35 km2 for females and 300-500 km2 for males, which are similar to those found in the Okanagan, but larger than those found in the US (2-44 km2) using the same methodology. Mitigation measures for the protection of badgers and badger habitats can be found in Table 6-12.


Appendix G

Incident Report Forms


G-1

BC Hydro EIR Spill/Pollution Incident Report

Spill / Pollution Incident Report Instructions:

1. All applicable fields must be filled. 2. Once the report has been completed in hardcopy, keep and submit information into the BC Hydro

Environmental Incident Reporting database (accessed on internal website).

Contact Information:

First Name: [ ]

Last Name: [ ]

Telephone: [ ] [ ] Fax:[ ]

General Incident Information:

Who owns the Assets involved: [ ]

Who was doing the work: [ ]

Who was the work being done for: [ ]

Area or Region: [ ]

Facility or Nearest Municipality/Town: [ ]

Location of Incident: [ ]

Date of Incident (yyyy/mm/dd): [ ] Time (hh:mm): [ ](24 hr.)

Type of Spill or Release:

Material Released:

Amount Released from Equipment:

[ ] (E.g., Ammonia)

Amount Released to Environment:

(e.g., outside of containment) [ ] (volume)

If material spilled is Oil:

Oil type: [ ]

PCB Concentration (ppm): [ ]

How PCB concentration was determined: [ ]

Cause of Incident: [ ] E.g., Equipment failure

Keywords describing events and causes (100 characters or less, roughly 15-20 words):

Detailed Description of Events and Causes:


G-2

Environmental Impact:

Affected Environment: [ ] Air [ ] Land [ ] Watercourse [ ] Drainage System [ ] None

Weather Conditions at Time of Incident:

Description of Impact:

External Notifications:

Provincial Emergency Program (PEP) Notified?

(1-800-663-3456) ( )Yes ( )No

What was the PEP Case number? [ ]

Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO)

Notified? (604-666-3500) ( )Yes ( )No

If so, who did you talk to? [ ]

Other Government Personnel Notified / On Site:

If so, who?

[ ]

Note: Deleterious substances into fish bearing waters must be reported to Department of Fisheries &

Oceans at the number listed above.

Ministry of Environment (MOE) Notified? ( )Yes ( )No 1-800-663-9453 Describe Action Taken:


G-3

Figure G-7-1. BC Hydro EIR Fish/Water Quality Incident Report

Fish/Water Quality Incident Report Instructions:

1. All applicable fields must be filled. 2. Once the report has been completed in hardcopy, keep and submit information into the BC Hydro

Environmental Incident Reporting database (accessed on internal website).

Contact Information:

First Name: [ ]

Last Name: [ ]

Telephone: [ ] [ ] Fax:[ ]

General Incident Information:

Who owns the Assets involved: [ ]

Who was doing the work: [ ]

Who was the work being done for: [ ]

Area or Region: [ ]

Facility or Nearest Municipality/Town: [ ]

Location of Incident: [ ]

Date of Incident (yyyy/mm/dd): [ ] Time (hh:mm): [ ](24 hr.)

Type of Incident:

Cause of Incident: [ ] E.g., Equipment failure

Detailed Description of Events and Causes:

Environmental Impact:

Affected Environment: [ ] Air [ ] Land [ ] Watercourse [ ] Drainage System [ ] None

Weather Conditions at Time of Incident:

Description of Impact:


G-4

External Notifications: Provincial Emergency Program (PEP) Notified? (1-800-663-3456) ( )Yes ( )No

What was the PEP Case number? [ ]

Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Notified? [ ]

If so, who did you talk to? [ ]

Note: Deleterious substances into fish bearing waters must be reported to Department of Fisheries & Oceans at the number listed above.

Ministry of Environment (MOE) Notified? ( ) Yes ( ) No 1-800-663-9453 Describe Action Taken:


Appendix H

BC Hydro Clearing Standards for New Construction

BC Hydro Clearing Standards for New Construction

Introduction

The following clearing standards represent the majority of techniques that would be used to log clear and prepare reservoirs, transmission lines, distribution lines and most new construction sites prior to civil works commencing. The standards have been designed to consider and respond to the following factors:

1 Public and worker safety2 Environmental concerns3 Terrain / topography4 Soil texture and moisture conditions5 Climatic conditions6 Vegetation species, size and health7 Access8 Government agency requirements & existing statutes9 Land tenure and property owner requirements

10 Aesthetic and stakeholder concerns, and11 Long term cost / benefit.

Clearing Standard Nomenclature

The first letter of the standard describes the method of cutting trees and brush. (H=Hand, M=Mechanical and O=other).

The second letter of the standard describes the method of handling waste wood with thesame coding as above.

The two letters are followed by a number that identifies the variations within a similar group of standards.

For example:MM-1 Is the first variation of the Mechanical cutting and Mechanical waste wood

handling standard.

Clearing Standard Refinement and Customization

These are the core general standards that would be refined and customized as projects advance from the definition to implementation phase.As more field work, biophysical study and stakeholder information is collected the standards typically evolve to incorporate numerous project-specific factors.Standards also evolve to accommodate changes in legislation.In addition to scientific studies, public and stakeholder input is an important factor in the refinement of the clearing standards.

CVT Clr Stndrds 22_May_10.xls Introduction May 22, 2010

MM Standards

General1. The MM group of clearing standards are designated in areas where machine felling and machine waste wood management activities would be used for the clearing work.2. Hand methods may also be used in most cases.

TABLE OF MM CLEARING STANDARDS

MM-1 MM-2 MM-3 MM-4 MM-5 MM-6

FELLING Heavy Mechanical Equipment Heavy Mechanical Equipment Heavy Mechanical Equipment

PILING

< 15cm DIA.

>= 15cm DIA.

Ultimate Hgt < 3m

Conifers < 2m

< 0.3m Long0.3m to 2.0m Long with

diameter <5cm 25 pcs/100m20.3m to 2.0m Long with diameter of 5 to 15cm 5 pc/100m2

> 2.0m Long

Stumps <60cm DIA.Stumps >=60cm DIA. May Remain Remove

Ground Surface Grubbed + Rough GradedTop Soil

Transmission Line Y Y Y Y Y YDistribution Line Y Y Y Y Y Y

Reservoir Y Y Y Y Y YConstruction Areas / Camps Y Y

Highway Relocations Y YBorrow Pits Y Y

A. Level to moderate slopes not exceeding 30% Y Y Y Y Y YB. Moderate slopes from 30% - 45% Y Y Y

C. Mod-Well drained soils resistant to erosion & rutting Y Y Y Y YD. Private / leased property & agricultural or grazing use Y YE. Regions with mechanical mowing veg mtce Y YF. Deciduous stands with high resprouting potential Y YG. Stumps cut flush with ground slope for aesthic or recreational reasons Possibly PossiblyH. Stumps undisturbed for soil stability protection Y Y YI. Stumps retained to protect integrity of adjacent standing timber Y Y YJ. Areas precluded from burning waste wood Y Y

K. Frozen ground operations to protect integrity of wet or sensitive soils. Y

(1) Grubbed is all woody material removed within 20cm of surface grade. This includes stumps, roots and limbs.

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS FOR USE

EXPECTED AREA OF USE

5 pc/100m2

Waste wood removed from site

FINAL GROUND CONDITIONS

25 pcs/100m2

Do Not Disturb beyond clearing

CONDITIONS

CLEARING / LOGGING

WASTE WOOD

TOLERANCES (Waste Wood < 15cm DIA.)

CONSERVATION None

Remove

Grubbed Plus Rough Graded (1)

75 pcs/100m2

Burn to ashes and cover with 15cm soilWaste wood removed from site

Do Not Disturb

Retained on site and seeded for erosion control

Not Permitted

Removed from site

5 pcs/100m2

Not Limited

Heavy Mechanical Equipment on Frozen Ground

Burn to ashes

CVT Clr Stndrds 22_May_10.xls MM May 22, 2010

HH Standards

General1. The HH group of clearing standards are designated in areas where hand felling and hand waste wood piling activities would be used for the clearing work.

TABLE OF HH CLEARING STANDARDS

HH-1 HH-2 HH-3

FELLING

PILING

< 15cm DIA.

>= 15cm DIA. Limb and lay flat on groundUltimate Hgt < 3m

Conifers < 2m

< 0.3m Long0.3m to 2.0m Long with

diameter <5cm

0.3m to 2.0m Long with diameter of 5 to 15cm

> 2.0m Long

Stumps <60cm DIA.

Stumps >=60cm DIA.

Ground Surface

Top Soil

Transmission Line Y Y YDistribution Line Y Y Y

Reservoir Y YConstruction Areas / Camps

Highway Relocations YBorrow Pits

A. Slopes exceeding 40% Y Y YB. Poorly drained to saturated soils susceptible to erosion & rutting Y Y YC. Riparian zones along watercourses or wetlands Y Y YD. Areas with no ground access Y Y YE. Stumps cut flush with ground slope for aesthic or recreational reasons YF. Stumps undisturbed for soil stability protection Y Y YG. Stumps retained to protect integrity of adjacent standing timber Y Y Y

CONDITIONS

CLEARING / LOGGING Hand Held Equipment Only


Not Limited

WASTE WOOD

CONSERVATION Leave Standing where feasible None

Burn to AshesBurn to Ashes / Not Permitted

Not Permitted

75 pcs/100m2

5 pcs/100m2




Retained On Site

Do Not Disturb

Do Not Disturb Cut flush with ground slope

CVT Clr Stndrds 22_May_10.xls HH May 22, 2010

MO Standards

General1. The MO group of clearing standards are designated in areas where mechanical felling or brushing activities would be used for the clearing work. 2. Piling of waste wood is not required or methods of waste wood disposal other than mechanical or hand piling and burning are used.

TABLE OF MO CLEARING STANDARDS

MO-1 MO-2 MO-3

FELLINGMech / Heavy Equipment on

Frozen Ground

PILING< 15cm DIA.

>= 15cm DIA.Ultimate Hgt < 3m

Conifers < 2m< 0.3m Long

0.3m to <2.0m Long2.0m to 4.0m Long

> 4.0m LongStumps <60cm DIA.

Stumps >=60cm DIA.Ground Surface

Top SoilTransmission Line Y Y YDistribution Line Y Y Y

Reservoir Y YConstruction Areas / Camps Y Y

Highway Relocations Y YBorrow Pits Y Y

A. Level to moderate slopes not exceeding 40% Y Y Y

B. Mod-Well drained soils resistant to erosion & rutting Y YC. Poorly drained / saturated soils prone to erosion & rutting YD. Stands without merchantable timber Y Y Y

E. Young forests/plantations Y Y YF. Brush areas impeding survey, constr or access Y Y YG. Stumps undisturbed for soil stability protection Y Y YH. Stumps retained to protect integrity of adjacent standing timber Y Y Y

Not Applicable

Do Not Disturb

Retained On Site





WASTE WOOD

CONSERVATION Leave Standing where feasible

Scatter to lay flat on the groundLimb and lay flat on the ground

None

CONDITIONS

CLEARING / LOGGINGMechanical / Heavy Equipment

Do Not Pile

CVT Clr Stndrds 22_May_10.xls MO May 22, 2010

HO Standards

General1. The HO group of clearing standards are designated in areas where hand felling or brushing activities would be used for the clearing work. 2. Piling of waste wood is not required or methods of waste wood disposal other than mechanical or hand piling and burning are used.3. Custom standards for cable or helicopter yarding of steep and or inaccessible zones.

TABLE OF HO CLEARING STANDARDS

Cable Yard of Steep Slopes - Custom

Helicopter Yard Inaccessible Zones -

Custom

HO-1 HO-2 HO-3 HO-4FELLINGPILING

< 15cm DIA.>= 15cm DIA.

Ultimate Hgt < 3mConifers < 2m< 0.3m Long

0.3m to <2.0m Long2.0m to 4.0m Long

> 4.0m LongStumps <60cm DIA.

Stumps >=60cm DIA.Ground Surface

Top Soil

Transmission Line Y YDistribution Line Y Y

Reservoir YConstruction Areas / Camps

Highway RelocationsBorrow Pits

A. Slopes exceeding 40% Y YB. Poorly drained to saturated soils susceptible to erosion & rutting Y YC. Riparian zones along watercourses or wetlands Y YD. Areas with no ground access Y Y

E. Young forests/plantations Y YF. Brush areas impeding survey, constr or access Y YG. Stumps undisturbed for soil stability protection Y YH. Stumps retained to protect integrity of adjacent standing timber Y Y

CONDITIONS

CLEARING / LOGGING

WASTE WOOD



CONSERVATION



Leave Standing where feasible

Hand Held Equipment OnlyPiling Not Permitted

Limb and lay flat on the ground

None

Not Applicable

Do Not Disturb

Retained On Site

Limb and scatter to lay flat on the ground

CVT Clr Stndrds 22_May_10.xls HO May 22, 2010


Appendix I

BC Hydro Statements of Strategic Intent (SSI)

Fisheries

Species at Risk

Contaminated Sites

BC Hydro Statement of Strategic Intent (SSI)

Fisheries BC Hydro is responsible for providing electricity, which is essential for the safety, security, and well being of people and communities in British Columbia. We understand that the business activities required to meet this critical social responsibility can result in conflicts with other fundamental public service objectives of federal and provincial fisheries agencies. The best solutions to such conflicts come from collaborative, respectful, and trust-based processes that build mutual understanding between ourselves and the regulatory agencies. This approach also benefits all parties by increasing public consent to operate. With respect to effects on fish, it is BC Hydro’s intent to ensure that the existing productive habitat is not reduced by our facilities or business activities where practicable. Where this is not practicable, BC Hydro will comply with the Fisheries Act and any other applicable fisheries related legislation, work with regulators to obtain the necessary authorizations and approvals, and enter into habitat compensation agreements where appropriate. In addition, where it is in the best public interest we intend to work with stakeholders and First Nations to increase and enhance fish habitat through facility or system-wide improvements. Activities involved may include: Working collaboratively with regulatory agencies to affirm current habitat capability; Working with stakeholders and First Nations to define issues and determine

objectives for maintaining or improving fish productive capacity; Continuing to develop methods, models and tools that improve all parties’

understanding of the impacts of our business on the aquatic environment; Engaging others in integrated resource management forums and processes as one

means of clarifying responsibilities related to fish and water issues; and Applying knowledge, reviewing and adjusting our strategies as needed.

Operating Principles 1) To develop a network of relationships at the national, provincial and regional levels

to broaden understanding, facilitate decision making and ensure continuous learning about BC Hydro fisheries aspects.

2) We will plan for continuity of resources to key fish protection and sustainability initiatives in order to achieve credible results.

3) We will support transparent decision-making based on science and other information sources, and will explore options and balance interests in a sustainability context.

4) We will maintain our commitment to Water Use Planning as a highly effective component of collaborative decision making.

5) We will communicate in an open, honest and professional manner. We commit to sharing relevant information in a timely manner.

6) We commit to using a Dispute Resolution Process involving the Fish Hydro Management Committee.

Definitions Collaboration – a commitment to engage in good faith in interest based discussions to generate creative solutions


Species at Risk BC Hydro supports avoidance of impacts, science-based decision making, and an ecosystem-based approach to species recovery and, further, recognises that action taken to prevent the need to list a species is a preferred means of ensuring preservation of species. BC Hydro is committed to avoiding and/or reducing impacts on provincially and federally listed species by undertaking stewardship initiatives and through participation in recovery planning processes. Where avoidance of impacts is not practicable, BC Hydro intends to acquire the necessary permits or enter agreements with the appropriate regulatory agencies, and work with those regulatory agencies and other stakeholders and First Nations to minimize impacts. The level of participation in recovery planning will be determined by the degree of known impact that BC Hydro activities have on species at risk. Also to be considered are: The listing status of the species; The listing status of other associated species; Public interest and concern; and Identification of specific species at risk as significant aspects in our environmental

management system.


Contaminated Sites BC Hydro is committed to meeting its responsibility for past and present site contamination. As owner and lessee of real property, BC Hydro will identify sites that are likely to be contaminated, due to past or current uses. If warranted by the nature and significance of the potential contamination at the site, BC Hydro will actively investigate the property to assess the level of contamination and determine whether an undue pollution risk exists. Where contamination is found, an assessment will be made of the potential for the contaminants to migrate off-site and cause adverse impact to receptors or other properties. Where the potential for off-site contamination exists, further investigations will be undertaken as required to confirm whether or not the plume has migrated beyond the property line and to delineate its extent, including impacted off-site areas. BC Hydro will manage its contaminated sites to prevent adverse effects to human health or the environment. Specific contaminated site management decisions will be made with consideration to the triple bottom line, which includes environmental, financial and social values. Management of contaminated sites will meet applicable environmental legislation, including notification of affected property owners or regulatory agencies. Where it is appropriate to do so, BC Hydro will include stakeholders and First Nations in reviewing remedial strategies.

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