Section 7

SECTION 7
TERRESTRIAL BIOPHYSICAL ASSESSMENT
Environmental Assessment Certificate Application for the RichmondAirportVancouver Rapid Transit Project
7
7.1
Terrestrial Biophysical Assessment

Executive Summary
Background
7.1.1
This section of the EAC Application summarizes the results of the terrestrial biophysical assessment of the RAV Project, undertaken by SEACOR Environmental Inc. Studies included collection and review of existing information, field inventory, habitat assessment, impact assessment, evaluation of mitigation and habitat compensation measures, assessment of residual impacts, and project implications for cumulative impacts.
7.1.2
Study Area
The study area consists of the RAV corridor from downtown Vancouver to Richmond, and to the Vancouver International Airport (see RAV Project Ecosystem Mapping in Appendix 7-A: Figures 7-A1 to 7-A10). Considering the highly disturbed nature of the study area, the terrestrial biophysical assessment focused on those locations that supported remnants of natural habitat; this was limited to the shoreline of the North Arm and Middle Arm of the Fraser River and land on Sea Island approaching the airport terminals (mostly highly modified habitat).
7.1.3
7.1.3.1
Study Results
Vegetation
The RAV Project falls within two biogeoclimatic units: the Very Dry Maritime subzone of the Coastal Western Hemlock zone (CWHxm1) and the Moist Maritime subzone of the Coastal Douglas-fir zone (CDFmm). Vegetation surveys to characterize plant communities and to assess the potential for rare plants or rare plant communities were carried out at naturally vegetated sites along the RAV line, all of which occurred on Lulu Island or Sea Island. Those few natural plant communities that remain in the area consist of upland riparian habitat or foreshore marsh habitat. Sites dominated by anthropogenic vegetation (i.e., managed parks, Cambie
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Heritage Boulevard, and sites where vegetation is planted and managed) were excluded from sampling. In general, surveyed upland plant communities occur on anthropogenic landforms. They are composed of a high proportion of non-native species, reflecting past and current anthropogenic disturbances such as clearing, mowing, seeding, and dumping of garden waste. The marsh plant communities occur on natural riparian landforms that have been altered by flood control measures such as dyking, and are dominated by native species that are adapted to periodic flooding with brackish water. Information on rare plants and rare plant communities was obtained from several sources, including the BC Conservation Data Centre (CDC), the City of Richmond, and various reference sources. Field surveys conducted at the sample locations did not find any rare plants or rare plant communities. The non-marsh plant communities were small, and in a non-natural condition: highly disturbed and supporting a high number of non-native species. The marsh plant communities were in a more natural condition but they did not correspond with any plant communities that occur on the CDC tracking list.
7.1.3.2
Wildlife
A significant amount of information on wildlife was available for the area of primary interest, namely Sea Island, comprising lands under the control of the Vancouver International Airport Authority. These sources provided the bulk of useful information, which was supplemented by a field reconnaissance survey. The sources described bird use by habitat type and seasonal and annual trends, and provided an account of those species that occur on Sea Island. There is no natural wildlife habitat remaining in the proposed RAV corridor from downtown Vancouver, up to and including the north shore of the Fraser River. Remaining habitats along the corridor occur at the North Arm of the Fraser River (south shore), the Middle Arm (both shores), the eastern end of Sea Island, and east central Sea Island along Grant McConachie Way. Although even those habitats have been affected by land and water uses, they still retain some value as wildlife habitat, mostly for birds.
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Bird use at Sea Island has been well documented by LGL Environmental Consultants Ltd. (LGL) under contract for VIAA and by studies for preparation of the Sea Island Conservation Area (SICA) Management Plan. Other than the small riparian habitats and several foreshore marshes, much of the Sea Island area is actively managed by VIAA to reduce use by birds, so as to minimize the risk of bird-aircraft strikes. Some of the main bird species recorded in managed fields include great blue heron, red-tailed hawk, roughlegged hawk, northern harrier, barn owl, short-eared owl, and savannah sparrow. Overall, bird use of the Sea Island area along the RAV corridor is very low. In keeping with the recently enacted federal Species at Risk Act (SARA), a review of potentially occurring amphibious and terrestrial vertebrate wildlife that have been listed by the CDC was completed, to assess the likelihood of these listed species occurring in the RAV corridor. Blue- and red-listed vertebrate wildlife species for the Chilliwack Forest District were reviewed, on the basis of known distribution and habitat associations. From this review, it was concluded that 17 provincially red-listed and blue-listed vertebrate wildlife species potentially occur in the study area, although several are unlikely to occur or would occur only infrequently. The total includes one reptile, 14 birds, and two mammals. Schedule 1 of SARA was also consulted, to identify those amphibious and vertebrate wildlife species that have been listed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), as either endangered, threatened or of special concern. Several species of listed birds are known or expected to occur along the Fraser River channels, on Lulu Island, or on Sea Island in the vicinity of the RAV corridor. These include western grebe and double-crested cormorant (river channel habitat only); American bittern, great blue heron, and green heron (riparian habitats and marsh habitat at Sea Island and Lulu Island); peregrine falcon and Caspian tern (river shoreline); barn owl, western screech-owl, and short-eared owl (old-field and marsh habitat at Sea Island); purple martin (shoreline and marsh habitat at Sea Island); and horned lark and western meadowlark (fields and short-grass habitat on Sea Island). A review of terrestrial invertebrate species that are listed on Schedule 1 under SARA was also carried out, and two species were identified as having some potential to occur along the Lulu Island or Sea Island shoreline. Dun
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Skipper and Monarch Butterfly may occur in the area, however, the likelihood of impacts on habitat elements important for either species is considered low. Areas of special conservation concern from a wildlife perspective include the same foreshore marshes that have been red-coded by the FREMP (see SECTION 3.6.1). All other habitats along the RAV corridor have been highly modified, and often intensively managed. There are no ecological reserves along the RAV corridor.
7.1.4
Valued Ecosystem Components
Valued ecosystem components (VECs) include the foreshore marshes of the North Arm and Middle Arm and the listed wildlife species that use the study area. Except for the foreshore marshes, the habitats in the study area have very low value for listed wildlife species, with great blue heron in very low numbers being the species most likely to occur regularly in the ditches and long grass fields on Sea Island. No rare plant species or plant communities were identified during the study along the RAV corridor.
7.1.5
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
Potential impacts to terrestrial/biophysical resources associated with construction and operation of the proposed RAV Project were assessed with reference to a corridor, approximately 100 m in width. Although it is recognized that technological design elements of the project will not be finalized until a Concessionaire has been selected, it is anticipated that the RAV alignment and therefore all construction-related impacts, will be contained within this corridor. Criteria for the assessment of potential impacts revolved around VECs which, in turn; were evaluated with respect either to their documented occurrence along the RAV corridor, or to the high likelihood that may be found along the corridor, based on the nature of available habitats and species or community preferences. Note that, since all proposed stations are located within developed land, none of these will involve any VECs. The impact management strategy for terrestrial/biophysical attributes in the study area identified the need to give highest priority for impact avoidance
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and mitigation to estuarine marsh plant communities. Unlike the few upland plant communities that still exist (and which are highly disturbed and dominated by non-native species), the marsh plant communities along the RAV corridor are dominated by native species and are being maintained by natural riparian processes. Mitigation measures and design considerations can avoid or greatly minimize impacts to these communities. Narrow riparian zone habitats along the lower Fraser River have value to wildlife but have been significantly affected by past land use and activities. Although impacts on these habitats may occur during project construction at the RAV bridge crossing sites, these areas can be readily restored to a better level of function than presently exists. On Sea Island, the managed long- and short grass habitats that may be affected by the project have minimal wildlife values and are being purposely managed by VIAA to reduce wildlife use. Direct impacts to wildlife are not anticipated as a result of construction or operation of the RAV Project. As the RAV line will be located over mostly developed land that is already alienated for wildlife use, habitat displacement effects are considered to be negligible. Some disturbance of local or migrating bird populations may occur at the bridge crossing sites (i.e., foreshore marshes, riparian zone). Any such impacts, however, are expected to be short-term and and would affect generally common wildlife species. Overall, there is no indication that any particularly sensitive or listed species would be significantly affected by the RAV Project in the mid- or long term.
7.1.6
Residual Impacts and Cumulative Effects
Residual impacts are those that remain after implementation of mitigation and planned compensation measures. Assessment of the RAV Project suggests that residual impacts on vegetation, wildlife and wildlife habitat will be minimal, if any. Impacts to VECs are expected to be short-term during the construction period, and to possibly affect only the riparian zone at the crossings of the North Arm (south shore) and Middle Arm (east and west shores). In any case, construction planning can be used to avoid or minimize the potential for impacts. Residual impacts to the foreshore marsh areas along the Middle Arm are not expected.
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Given the location of the RAV corridor and the state of existing habitat conditions, cumulative impacts from development of the RAV Project are not expected.
7.2
Introduction
Objective and Scope
7.2.1
The terrestrial biophysical assessment of the RAV Project had the following objectives: to describe vegetation and wildlife resources along the RAV corridor; to assess potential impacts on vegetation and vertebrate wildlife due to construction or operation of the project; to assess any plant species or vertebrate wildlife species that may be at risk in the area along the corridor or that could be affected by the project; to investigate opportunities for mitigating and compensating for impacts from construction, operation and maintenance of the project; to recommend construction monitoring and mitigation measures, including compensatory habitat maintenance and monitoring, that are appropriate for the location and scale of the project; and, to assist RAVCo in stakeholder liaison and public consultation, as required.
7.2.2
Study Area
The study area for the terrestrial biophysical assessment includes the corridor for the RAV line from downtown Vancouver to Richmond, and to the Vancouver International Airport, as shown in Figure 2.1. For the purposes of the impact assessment and field survey, the study area included the immediate route identified by RAVCo and approximately 100 to 200 m on either side of the route. Considering the highly disturbed nature of the study area, the focus of the terrestrial biophysical assessment was on those locations that had some remnants of natural habitat; this was limited to the shoreline of the North Arm and South Arm of the Fraser River and, on Sea Island, along the approach to the airport terminals (mostly highly modified habitat).
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7.3
Baseline Descriptions
This section summarizes information obtained from various sources and the field survey data collected in June and July 2003. Information on vegetation/wildlife habitat is presented first, followed by subsections on wildlife. Relevant data are summarized in tables while more extensive data and background information are provided in appendices.
7.3.1
7.3.1.1
Vegetation/Wildlife Habitat
Background
As part of an environmental assessment of the RAV Project, several sites in Richmond were surveyed for plant communities and rare vascular plants. In BC, surveying for plant communities occurs within the context of the Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC) system (Meidinger and Pojar 1991). The BEC system is a hierarchical system that uses climate, soil, and vegetation to group ecosystems at regional and local levels. Surveying for rare (i.e., designated as listed) vascular plants and plant communities occurs within the context of national and provincial ranking systems. Over the past 25 years, the international organization NatureServe (formerly the Nature Conservancy and the Association for Biodiversity Information) has developed methods to rank the conservation status of species and plant communities. These methods have been adopted at the national level in Canada by COSEWIC and at the provincial level by the CDC. At the national level, SARA was recently enacted to prevent Canadian indigenous species, subspecies and distinct populations of wildlife from becoming extirpated or extinct, to provide for the recovery of endangered or threatened species, to encourage the management of other species to prevent them from becoming at risk (House of Commons Canada 2002). The Act establishes COSEWIC as an independent body of experts responsible for assessing and identifying Species at Risk. The legislation does not address rare plant communities.
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At the provincial level, the CDC systematically collects and disseminates information on rare and endangered plants, animals and plant communities of BC. This information is compiled and maintained in a computerized database which provides a centralized and scientific source of information on the status, locations and level of protection of rare organisms and plant communities. The CDC tracks rare species on Red, Blue, and Yellow lists, and the term listed as used throughout the present report refers to the redand blue-listed plant and vertebrate species and plant communities identified by the CDC. The lists are defined as follows: The Red list includes species that have been legally designated as Endangered or Threatened under the Wildlife Act [], are extirpated, or are candidates for such designation. The Blue List includes species not immediately threatened, but of concern because of characteristics that make them particularly sensitive to human activities or natural events. The Yellow List includes uncommon, common, declining and increasing species all species not included on the Red or Blue Lists (Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management (MSRM) 2002). The objective of the present survey is to identify and locate: plant communities; and, red- and blue-listed vascular plant species
that occur within selected field sites that may be affected by the RAV Project.
7.3.1.2
Survey Locations
Vegetation surveys were completed at naturally vegetated sites along the RAV corridor. Sites dominated by anthropogenic vegetation (e.g., managed parks, Cambie Heritage Boulevard, and sites where vegetation is planted and managed) were excluded from sampling. All of the sites surveyed for the RAV Project were located in Richmond, with Sites C and D on Sea Island (presumably on federal land): Site A: Lulu Island shoreline vegetation at crossing of North Arm, east of Fraser River Terminal building on River Road;
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Site B: Site C: Site D:
Lulu Island shoreline vegetation at crossing of the Middle Arm, west of Lehigh Northwest Materials Duck Island Depot; Sea Island shoreline vegetation at crossing of the Middle Arm, east of Grauer Road; and Sea Island grassy fields between Vancouver International Airport and Grauer Road.
7.3.1.3
Climate and Landforms
The Ecoregional Classification system is used to stratify BCs ecosystems into geographical units in a five-level hierarchy. The three lowest levels, Ecoprovinces, Ecoregions and Ecosections, are progressively more detailed and relate segments of the province to one another. They describe areas of similar climate, physiography, oceanography, hydrology, vegetation, and wildlife potential (Demarchi 1996). The RAV study area occurs in the Georgian Depression Ecoprovince, an area with clearer and drier conditions than in coastal areas adjacent to the Pacific Ocean. The southern parts of this Ecoprovince have the greatest annual amounts of sunshine in BC. Temperatures throughout the area are modified by the ocean and the Strait of Georgia. The study area is located in the Lower Mainland Ecoregion, an area of reduced rainfall with a distinct rain shadow on the lowlands and the Fraser River delta. Finally, the study area is within the Fraser Lowland Ecosection, which consists of the Fraser delta, estuary, lowlands, and associated uplands (Demarchi 1996). The RAV corridor occurs within the Fraser Lowland, a low-lying area of depositional origin. Upland areas (Vancouver) are composed of various landforms: hummocky till and glacio-marine deposits; glacial outwash terraces; thin mantles of glacial and glacio-marine deposits; and raised marine deltas. The delta of the Fraser River (Richmond) has had a complex history, involving marine and non-marine, glacial and non-glacial deposition. In recent geological history, deltaic, channel, and floodplain deposits have been accumulating at the delta front at a rate of approximately 8.5 m/year (Holland 1964).
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7.3.1.4
Ecosystem Classification
The provincial BEC land classification system provides for a grouping of ecosystems with similar climate, soils, and vegetation (Pojar et al. 1987). At the regional level, vegetation, soils, and topography are used to infer the regional climate and to identify biogeoclimatic units that have relatively uniform climate. Biogeoclimatic units are further divided into site series, which are sites capable of producing the same mature or climax plant communities. Site series for Vancouver Forest Region biogeoclimatic units are described in Green and Klinka (1994). In addition, other ecosystem units (typically non-forested) are listed for each biogeoclimatic unit (MSRM 2001). The RAV corridor falls within two biogeoclimatic units: the Very Dry Maritime subzone of the Coastal Western Hemlock zone (CWHxm1) and the Moist Maritime subzone of the Coastal Douglas-fir zone (CDFmm) (MoF 2003). The Vancovuer portion of the RAV corridor is located in the CWHxm1 which is characterized by warm, dry summers and moist, mild winters with relatively little snowfall. Water deficits may occur on typical sites during the long growing season. Forests typical of the area would have had a canopy of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), and minor western redcedar (Thuja plicata). Major understorey species would have included salal (Gaultheria shallon), dull Oregon-grape (Mahonia nervosa), red huckleberry (Vaccinium parvifolium), step moss (Hylocomium splendens), and Oregon beaked-moss (Eurhynchium oreganum) (Green and Klinka 1994). The Richmond portion of the RAV corridor falls within the CDFmm which lies in the rainshadow of the Vancouver Island and Olympic mountains, resulting in warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Pronounced water deficits occur on typical sites during the very long growing season. The CDFmm represents the mildest climate in Canada. Forests typical of the area would have had a canopy of Douglas-fir, grand fir (Abies grandis), and western redcedar. Major understorey species would have included salal, dull Oregongrape, oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor), and Oregon beaked-moss (Eurhynchium oreganum) (Green and Klinka 1994).
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History The present City of Richmond forms part of the Fraser delta, an evolving landform created by sediments from the Fraser River at its outlet into the Straight of Georgia. In geological history, the area occupied by the delta was covered in ice sheets. About 10,000 years ago, the delta started to form after the last minor ice sheet in the Fraser Valley melted. The delta accumulates from Fraser River sediments, with particles being deposited at a given point according to their size and the rivers energy. The present deltaic islands, including Lulu and Sea islands, have soils of variable texture depending on how the sediments were deposited (North 2003). Lulu and Sea islands have changed significantly in recent history, through the process of European settlement and development. Where natural vegetation once covered the islands, the landscape is now largely urban. Vegetation tends to be remnant or highly managed. We have access to an interesting record of the pre-settlement vegetation of the area thanks to careful research and mapping done based on the Dominion Land Surveyors notebooks from the late 19th century (North 2003). The surveyors walked across the delta, with the tasks of marking the legal boundaries of land for future purchase and recording the presence of water and types of soil and vegetation. On Lulu Island, most of the late 19th century landscape was treeless. Original intertidal areas along the river supported tidal marshes dominated by bulrushes (Schoenoplectus spp.) and cattails (Typha latifolia). In areas elevated above the tidal influence, there was a predominance of grassy meadows that were sustained by annual floods. Areas with less frequent flooding supported grass or grass/shrub plant communities. Shrubs included hardhack (Spiraea douglasii), willows (Salix spp.), Pacific crab apple (Malus fusca) and rose (Rosa spp.). Abandoned river channels were dominated by dense stands of willow. Drier riverbanks on the eastern side of the island were dominated by shrubs or black cottonwoods (Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa). Bogs with shore pine (Pinus contorta var. contorta), bog cranberry (Oxycoccus oxycoccos), and moss were also present. At the time of the surveys, some plant communities showed evidence of fire management by First Nations. Historically, bogs were burned to promote the growth of berry-producing plants such as bog cranberry and blueberries
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(Vaccinium spp.). These fires likely spread beyond the bogs to upland plant communities, resulting in extensive grasslands where shrubs and trees might be expected to occur (North 2003). Much of Sea Island was covered with a combination of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) and willow. Extensive grass and grass/shrub plant communities were also present (North 2003). Settlement resulted in a great reduction in vegetation cover. Remnant areas of vegetation were typically altered through human disturbance, and natural plant communities were often replaced by plants of greater economic or aesthetic value. Dyking for flood control of the Fraser River has also had a significant influence on plant communities. Riparian marshlands have been severely reduced by flood control because dykes create firm boundaries between the river and the islands (Klinkenberg and Klinkenberg 2001; North 2003). Existing Habitat Mapping The City of Richmond has completed Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping of environmentally sensitive areas (City of Richmond 2003). The mapping indicates areas that are considered environmentally sensitive, but there is no additional classification of the areas. Shoreline habitat mapping was completed by FREMP in 1996 (FREMP 1996a; 1996b) and recently updated (2004). The shoreline mapping includes intertidal and near-shore riparian areas with habitats classified according to habitat types and colour codes. Examples of habitat types include mudflat, marsh and bottomland forest. Colour codes for shoreline habitats are defined in Section 3, Table 3.2. The codes are intended to guide development activities that would potentially affect shoreline habitats.
7.3.1.5
Methods
Assessment of Potential Listed Vascular Plants According to the CDC, only one listed vascular plant species has so far been recorded in the vicinity of the RAV corridor (Appendix 7-B). This observation, made in 1998, was of 10 to 20 plants of Henderson's checker-
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mallow (Sidalcea hendersonii) (Provincially blue-listed) found along a manmade marsh channel of the North Arm, located approx. 2.6 km west of the proposed RAV crossing of the Fraser River (Element Occurrence Record 14471; CDC 2003c). Three species that are listed on the SARA Public Registry and four species that have been designated At Risk by COSEWIC have ranges that overlap with or that occur in the vicinity of the RAV corridor: phantom orchid (Cephalanthera austiniae) COSEWIC/SARA Threatened Status (Schedule 1) streambank lupine (Lupinus rivularis) COSEWIC Endangered Status tall bugbane (Cimicifuga elata) COSEWIC/SARA Endangered Status (Schedule 1) Vancouver Island beggarticks (Bidens amplissima) COSEWIC/SARA Special Concern (Schedule 1)
Searches were carried out for streambank lupine and Vancouver Island beggarticks during the rare vascular plant survey. Phantom orchid and tall bugbane were not searched for during the survey because they are forest species and do not occur in the present natural RAV corridor habitats. The study area occurs within the Chilliwack Forest District, for which available data on listed plants was reviewed for applicability to the RAV study area. A total of 110 red- and blue-listed vascular plant species are listed for the Chilliwack Forest District (Appendix 7-C). Each species on the list was assessed to determine its potential habitat and whether it would be likely to occur along the RAV corridor (see Appendix 7-D). Some species were determined to be unlikely to occur due to unsuitable climate. From the initial list of 110 plant species, a total of 21 red-listed and 54 blue-listed species were assessed as having a potential to occur within the study area (see Appendix 7-E). Rare vascular plant occurrences have also been tracked within the City of Richmond. Sixteen species of rare vascular plants have been documented in Richmond (primarily by Frank Lomer, a local botanist); the 15 blue-listed species and one red-listed species are detailed in Table 7.1 (based on Klinkenberg and Klinkenberg 2003). These species do not necessarily occur
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within the RAV corridor on Lulu Island or Sea Island but they were searched for as part of the rare vascular plant survey within appropriate habitats. Table 7.1 Rare Vascular Plants of Richmond Common Name
Vancouver Island beggarticks Caltha palustris var. palustris Carex interrupta Elatine rubella Eleocharis parvula Elodea nutallii Epilobium ciliatum ssp. watsonii Galium trifidum ssp. trifidum Juncus oxymeris Leersia oryzoides Lilaea scilloides Lindernia dubia var. anagallidea Myriophyllum ussuriense Platanthera dilatata var. albiflora Polygonum hydropiperoides Salix sessilifolia yellow marsh-marigold green-fruited sedge three-flowered waterwort small spike-rush Nuttall's waterweed purple-leaved willowherb small bedstraw pointed rush rice cutgrass flowering quillwort false-pimpernel Ussurian water-milfoil fragrant white rein orchid water-pepper soft-leaved willow Blue Red Blue Blue Blue Blue Blue Blue Blue Blue Blue Blue Blue Blue Blue
Scientific Name
Bidens amplissima
Provincial Tracking List

Blue
Assessment of Potential Listed Plant Communities Seventy-one red- and blue-listed plant communities are expected to occur within the Chilliwack Forest District (Appendix 7-F). Element occurrence is an important concept in determining whether a specific plant community is rare. An element occurrence is defined as a location representing a habitat which sustains or otherwise contributes to the survival of a population [or plant community] (CDC 2003b). A rare element occurrence is identified based on whether a plant community appears on the tracking list. In addition, the plant communitys successional status, condition, and landscape context are taken into account when determining whether a plant community constitutes a rare element occurrence (CDC 2003c). Plant communities are not listed by COSEWIC or by SARA.
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Based on an assessment conducted for each plant community on the list, it was determined that 39 plant communities could potentially occur within the biogeoclimatic units of the study area (i.e., CDFmm and CWHxm1) (see Appendix 7-G). However, according to the CDC, no listed plant communities have been recorded in the RAV study area. Field Survey Because of the small size of the survey sites, a detailed sampling strategy for listed plants was not necessary. An aerial photograph was used to determine areas of uniform vegetation and anthropogenic habitats. During the field survey on June 27, 2003, each survey site was thoroughly examined by walking along a route that traversed the length of the mostly linear habitats, several times. Survey sites were searched for listed vascular plants according to habitat, with reference to the potential listed vascular plants for the study area (see Appendix 7-C). The searches continued until, in the judgment of the surveyor, no new species were likely to be seen. Plant communities were mapped in the field by means of notes and diagrams. Field notes and photographs were taken to record general site characteristics. Vegetation of each plant community was characterized by a detailed plant species list. Formal plots (under the Resource Inventory and Standards Committee (RISC) standard) were not established due to the narrow width and variability of the habitats. Plant Identification Vascular plant species that could not be identified in the field were collected and identified using the Illustrated Flora of British Columbia (Douglas, Meidinger and Pojar 1999a, 1999b, 2000, 2001a, 2001b and 2002; Douglas, Straley, Meidinger and Pojar 1998a, 1998b).
7.3.1.6
Vegetation Survey Results
Listed Vascular Plants No listed vascular plant species were found at the surveyed sites. Listed species include red- and blue-listed species listed by the CDC, At Risk species listed by COSEWIC, and Schedule 1 species listed by SARA.
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Listed Plant Communities No red- or blue-listed plant communities were found at the surveyed sites. The non-marsh plant communities were small, and in a non-natural condition: highly disturbed and supporting a high number of non-native species. The marsh plant communities were in a more natural condition, but they did not correspond with any plant communities that occur on the CDC tracking list. 7.3.1.7 Description of Plant Communities
In general, upland plant communities surveyed occur on anthropogenic or highly modified landforms, and are composed of a high proportion of nonnative species, reflecting past and current anthropogenic disturbances such as clearing, mowing, seeding, and dumping of garden waste. The marsh plant communities occur on natural riverine or riparian landforms that have been altered by flood control measures such as dyking. The marsh plant communities are dominated by native species that are adapted to periodic flooding with brackish water. Another wetland plant community was created by ditching, but it is mostly composed of native species. Site A This site on Lulu Island occurs within an area mapped as environmentally sensitive (City of Richmond 2003). The shoreline at Site A is also red-coded by FREMP, indicating that habitats include productive and diverse features that support critical fish and wildlife functions. The FREMP habitat mapping indicates a band of intertidal mudflat habitat adjacent to the river, with a narrow band of estuarine marsh between the mudflat and the dyke (FREMP 1996a; 2003; 2004). Vegetated areas of the site investigated are bounded on the west side by the Fraser River Terminal building and on the south side by a fenced parking lot, and consist of two linear plant communities. The Sedge Western lilaeopsis Estuarine Marsh plant community occurs adjacent to and slightly elevated from the river surface. The upland grass/broadleaf shrub plant community occurs directly upslope, on both sides of a track. Site A is representative of the red-coded shoreline in this area, with ecosystems typical of this part of Lulu Island (where a natural shoreline still remains).
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Sedge Western Lilaeopsis Estuarine Marsh This plant community is described in MSRM (2001) as occurring on level sites, estuarine marsh above high tide, deep, medium-textured soils (Photo 7.1). At Site A, this plant community occurs as a band along the edge of the Fraser River. Plants are rooted in fine fluvial sediments on a welldefined terrace. Most species of this plant community are native to BC. Graminoid species dominate: Lyngby's sedge (Carex lyngbyei ssp. cryptocarpa), soft-stemmed bulrush (Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani), Baltic rush (Juncus balticus), and common spike-rush (Eleocharis palustris). Some clumps of lesser cattail (Typha angustifolia) occur. Various herbs are scattered throughout: common silverweed (Potentilla anserina), Pacific water-parsley (Oenanthe sarmentosa), hemlock water-parsnip (Sium suave), seacoast angelica (Angelica lucida), purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), American waterplantain (Alisma triviale), arum-leaved arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata), swamp horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile), European horehound (Lycopus europaeus), clustered dock (Rumex conglomeratus), fragrant white rein orchid (Platanthera dilatata var. dilatata), lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina), yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus), and western lilaeopsis (Lilaeopsis occidentalis). Pond water-starwort (Callitriche stagnalis) forms mats on the edge of the vegetation. A detailed list of species for this plant community is provided in Appendix 7-H (Table 7-H1). Upland Grass/Broadleaf Shrub This upland plant community occurs as a band between a fenced parking lot and the Sedge-Western liliaeopsis plant community (Photo 7.2). This anthropogenically modified plant community has not been described in the BEC reference materials (Green and Klinka 1994; MSRM 2001). The plant community follows a dyke with rip rap on the river side and a walking path along the top. The area has been cleared in the past, and vegetation is periodically disturbed by human activities. During the survey, the grassdominated vegetation along either side of the path was reduced to stubble due to recent mowing. A band of broadleaf low shrub-dominated vegetation grows along the rip rap on the river side of the dyke. A band of broadleaf tall shrub-dominated vegetation grows on the other side of the dyke.
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This plant community is composed of a mix of native and non-native species. The broadleaf tall shrub zone is densely vegetated with shrub species, including Himalayan blackberry (Rubus discolor), red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa), thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus), and salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis). A single young trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) tree occurs in the shrubby area. The broadleaf low shrub zone occurs along the rip rap and is mostly composed of shrub and herbs. Shrubs include salmonberry, hardhack (Spiraea douglasii ssp. douglasii), common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), and Nootka rose (Rosa nutkana). Various forbs, many weedy, are mixed in with the shrubs. Grasses such as blue wildrye (Elymus glaucus ssp. virescens), common velvet-grass (Holcus lanatus), and fowl bluegrass (Poa palustris) are scattered throughout. The vegetation zone on either side of the path consists of coarse grasses and herbs, maintained by periodic mowing. A detailed list of species for this plant community is provided in Appendix 7-H (Table 7-H2). Site B This site occurs within an area mapped as environmentally sensitive (City of Richmond 2003). The shoreline along this area of Lulu Island is also mapped as red-coded by FREMP, indicating that habitats include productive and diverse features that support critical fish and wildlife functions. The FREMP habitat mapping indicates a band of intertidal mudflat habitat adjacent to the river, with a band of estuarine marsh between the mudflat and the track (FREMP 1996a; 2003; 2004). Vegetation consists of two linear plant communities. The Sedge Western Lilaeopsis Estuarine Marsh plant community occurs adjacent to and slightly elevated from the river surface. The upland grass/broadleaf tall shrub plant community occurs in a band above, adjacent to an elevated track beside an aggregate depot. Sedge Western Lilaeopsis Estuarine Marsh This plant community is described in MSRM (2001) as occurring on level sites, Estuarine Marsh above high tide, deep, medium-textured soils (Photo 7.3). At Site B, this plant community occurs as a band along the edge of the Fraser River. The plants are rooted in fine fluvial sediments on a welldefined terrace.
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Most of the species of this plant community are native to BC. Graminoid species form a tall canopy: Lyngby's sedge, soft-stemmed bulrush, common spike-rush, and rush (Juncus sp.). Common cattail (Typha latifolia) is mixed in with the tall vegetation. Various herbs are sparsely scattered throughout: common silverweed, purple loosestrife, American water-plantain, arumleaved arrowhead, swamp horsetail, western lilaeopsis, and yellow iris. Pond water-starwort forms mats on the edge of the vegetation. A detailed list of species for this plant community is provided in Appendix 7-H (Table 7-H3). Upland Herb/Broadleaf Shrub This upland plant community occurs as a band between an aggregate depot and the Sedge - Western liliaeopsis plant community (see background of Photo 7.3). This anthropogenically modified plant community has not been described in the BEC reference materials (Green and Klinka 1994; MSRM 2001). The plant community follows either side of a track that has been elevated by soil and aggregate materials deposited by human activity. A partially vegetated gravel pile is located east of the track. The area has been cleared in the past, and vegetation is periodically disturbed by human activities. The plant community is highly variable, but it is mostly herbdominated with scattered shrubs. Most species of this plant community are not native to BC and some are weeds. Shrubs occur scattered throughout and include Himalayan blackberry, Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), salmonberry, and Hookers willow (Salix hookeriana). Trees such as shore pine and Sitka willow (Salix sitchensis) occasionally occur in tall shrub form. The herb layer is fairly diverse. Grasses such as reed canary grass, orchard-grass (Dactylis glomerata), barren brome (Bromus sterilis), and spike bentgrass (Agrostis exarata) are prominent. Forb species, mostly weeds, form a moderate cover. The moss and lichen layer is very sparse. A detailed list of species for this plant community is provided in Appendix 7-H (Table 7-H4). Site C This site also occurs within an area mapped as environmentally sensitive (City of Richmond 2003). The shoreline along this area is also mapped as red-coded by FREMP, indicating that habitats include productive and diverse features that support critical fish and wildlife functions. The FREMP habitat mapping indicates a very narrow band of intertidal mudflat habitat adjacent to
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the river, with a band of estuarine marsh above and to the west. A small polygon of riparian trees is located to the west of the estuarine marsh habitat (FREMP 1996a; 2003; 2004). Vegetation consists of two linear plant communities (see Photo 7.4). The Sedge Western Lilaeopsis Estuarine Marsh plant community occurs adjacent to and slightly elevated from the river surface. The upland grass/broadleaf tall shrub plant community occurs directly upslope, adjacent to Grauer Road. Sedge Western Lilaeopsis Estuarine Marsh This plant community is described in MSRM (2001) as occurring on level sites, Estuarine Marsh above high tide, deep, medium-textured soils (Photo 7.5). At Site C, this plant community occurs as a narrow, discontinuous fringe along the edge of the Fraser River. The plants are rooted in fine fluvial sediments in the interstices of anthropogenic rip rap and detritus. Most species of this plant community are native to BC. Graminoid species dominate: Lyngby's sedge, reed canarygrass, jointed rush (Juncus articulatus), Baltic rush and tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum). Various herbs occur scattered throughout: common silverweed, American water-plantain, marsh horsetail (Equisetum palustre), western lilaeopsis, fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium), seacoast angelica, Douglas' water-hemlock (Cicuta douglasii), European horehound, and western dock (Rumex aquaticus var. fenestratus). A detailed list of species for this plant community is provided in Appendix 7H (Table 7-H5). Upland Grass/Broadleaf Tall Shrub This upland plant community occurs as a narrow band between Grauer Road and the Sedge - Western liliaeopsis plant community (Photo 7.6). This anthropogenically modified plant community has not been described in the BEC reference materials (Green and Klinka 1994; MSRM 2001). This roadside area has been cleared in the past, and vegetation is likely periodically disturbed by human activities. Portions of the plant community are in the graminoid structural stage, with areas of tall broadleaf shrub structural stage dominated by shrub and tree species. Plants are rooted in soil that is likely of anthropogenic origin, as portions of the ground surface are covered in asphalt (probably used to stabilize the riverbank).
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Most species of this plant community are not native to BC and some are weeds and garden escapees. Young trees occur in patchy distribution, including red alder (Alnus rubra), black cottonwood (Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa), western redcedar (Thuja plicata), and a horticultural cedar species (Thuja sp.). Shrubs occur in clumps with the trees, and scattered throughout the grassy areas. Species include Himalayan blackberry, Pacific ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus), common snowberry, Scotch broom, salmonberry, cherry-laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), and English ivy (Hedera helix). Herb-dominated areas are composed of many species, mostly nonnative and weedy. Several grass species are prominent and forb species are very diverse and scattered throughout. Rushes (Juncus spp.) also occur in clumps. The moss and lichen layer is very sparse. A detailed list of species for this plant community is provided in Appendix 7-H (Table 7-H6). Site D The City of Richmond (2003) does not consider this site to be environmentally sensitive and, because it does not occur along a shoreline, it has not been mapped under the FREMP shoreline mapping system. The site consists of two plant communities. The majority of the site is dominated by a grassy field plant community. The ditch wetland plant community is located directly east of Templeton Street. Grassy Field This is an upland grassy field plant community (Photo 7.7) that has been anthropogenically modified; it has not been described in the BEC reference materials (Green and Klinka 1994; MSRM 2001). Before the development of the Vancouver International Airport, this site was probably tree- or shrubdominated. Currently, it is managed by VIAA to reduce bird use of the area (for bird control to reduce hazard of bird strikes). The area is regularly seeded with reed canary grass. Some portions of the site are mowed regularly and maintained in a low grass height condition. Other portions are mowed yearly and maintained in a tall grass height condition. The plant community is dominated by reed canary grass, other grasses, and weedy herb species. Detailed species identifications were not carried out as the grass had been recently mown and most plants were not in an identifiable form. A high proportion of non-native plant species is likely present.
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Ditch Wetland This is a linear wetland plant community that occurs along an anthropogenic ditch running parallel to and east of Templeton Street (Photo 7.8). This anthropogenically modified plant community has not been described in the BEC reference materials (Green and Klinka 1994; MSRM 2001). Although the ditch occurs within the area managed by VIAA, the ditch margins do not seem to be mowed regularly. The plant community is dominated by graminoid species associated with moist areas and wetlands: common cattail, reed canary grass, Baltic rush, common rush (J. effusus), beaked ditch-grass (Ruppia maritima), and common spike-rush. Common silverweed and marsh horsetail are scattered along the edges of the ditch. Diverse-leaved water-starwort (Callitriche heterophylla ssp. bolanderi) also grows in the water, partially submerged. A detailed list of species for this plant community is provided in Appendix 7-H (Table 7-H7).
7.3.2
7.3.2.1
Wildlife and Habitat Use

Information Sources
A significant amount of information is available for the primary area of interest from a wildlife perspective, namely the Sea Island area, comprising lands under the control of the VIAA. Background information on wildlife use of Sea Island was obtained from the Sea Island Conservation Area Management Plan (Quadra Planning Consultants Ltd. and KS Biological Services, hereafter referred to as SICA Management Plan 1994) and several LGL reports that this study referenced. These existing sources describe bird use by habitat type and seasonal and annual trends, and provide an account of those species that occur on Sea Island. Additional information on wildlife use and habitat values for Sea Island was obtained from recent inventory work being compiled for VIAA by LGL (made available by Simon Robinson, VIAA, Environmental Biologist, and Dave Ball, VIAA Supervisor, Wildlife Programs; and viewed in the VIAA Wildlife Programs Office). This office also provided verbal information on habitat and wildlife management objectives and recent habitat management activities and wildlife use on Sea Island (S. Robinson and D. Ball, pers. com. 2003).
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Information on the Fraser River was obtained from the FREMP office, in files related to the Airport Connector, the most recent Fraser River crossing to Sea Island (Triton 1999) and the proposed Columbia Bitulithic barge offloading facility (DFO correspondence 2001), both of which are located on the Middle Arm just south of the proposed RAV crossing, and an unapproved proposed barge loading-offloading facility near McDonald Beach, on the North Arm of the Fraser River (Gebauer 1997). CDC staff made a search of their files for areas incorporating the Fraser River crossings and Sea Island; the CDC had no wildlife records for this area (Appendix 7-B). A field visit to view Sea Island and the proposed river crossing sites was made on June 6, 2003. It should be noted that the biologist undertaking the site visit had extensive previous experience on Sea Island and was a former residence of the island.
7.3.2.2
Wildlife Occurrence
Background There is no natural wildlife habitat remaining along the RAV Project corridor up to and including the north shore of the Fraser River. Remaining habitats along the corridor occur at the North Arm of the Fraser River (south shore), the Middle Arm, the eastern end of Sea Island, and east central Sea Island along Grant McConachie Way. The following wildlife habitats occur in these areas: North Arm Cambie Street Crossing Industrial land use on the north shore. On the south shore, the conceptual alignment crosses an intertidal Sedge Western Lilaeopsis Estuarine Marsh plant community and upland grass-shrub community. Middle Arm Crossing Wide Sedge Western Lilaeopsis Estuarine Marsh plant community on the east (Lulu Island) shore. Narrow, discontinuous Sedge Western Lilaeopsis Estuarine Marsh plant community on the west (Sea Island) shore (Photo 7.9).
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Upland grass-shrub communities on the upland side of the marsh communities. Eastern Sea Island Managed long reed canary grass (mowed annually in June), with some mowed grass areas (Photo 7.9). Drainage ditches between the mowed-unmowed grass areas and along the east side of Templeton Street Grant McConachie Way Parking lot, boulevard, landscaped boulevard and industrial land use. Wildlife Occurrence on the Fraser River The open water of the Fraser River is used by fish-eating birds including species such as red-throated loon, western grebe, double-crested cormorant and common merganser. At times, dabbling ducks and some diving duck species may occur in the open water, while gulls (such as glaucous-winged and Thayers) use the river as a flyway, and sometimes use the river itself. Shorelines and marshes are used by a variety of duck species, particularly mallard, gadwall, American wigeon, green-winged teal, northern shoveler, bufflehead, and lesser scaup (Gebauer 1997). Fish-eating and scavenging birds are also common, including pied-billed grebe, double-crested cormorants, great blue heron, a number of gull species, and Northwestern crows. Breeding birds expected along the shorelines include common yellowthroat, song sparrow, marsh wren, redwinged blackbird, and yellow warbler. A brood of spotted sandpipers was observed on the Lulu Island side of the Middle Arm during the vegetation survey. Other shorebirds that may occur in small numbers at low tide during migration include greater yellowlegs, long-billed dowitcher (Gebauer 1997), and Calidris sandpipers. An LGL observation point on the dyke at the east end of Grauer Road (on the North Arm of the Fraser River just downstream from its junction with the Middle Arm) recorded monthly averages from 1994 to 2002 of between 0 birds during summer months to more than 50 birds during mid winter (Table 7.2).
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Table 7.2
Long-Term (1994-2002) Average Number of Birds Observed per Survey at LGL Environmental Consultants Ltd. Survey Points on Sea Island East End GrauerDyke
52 4 2 1 0 1 0 2 0 6 54 57 gulls, herons dabbling ducks, gulls, Canada geese, herons dabbling ducks, gulls, Canada geese, herons gulls gulls
Month
January February March April May June July August September October November December
Species
gulls, herons, (hawks) herons, Canada geese, bald eagles Canada geese, gulls Canada geese
Grauer & Templeton

0.7 2.3 0.5 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 6 2.2
Species
herons, hawks herons, hawks herons Canada geese herons
Grant McConachie Way

36 16 3 7 5 0 1.2 1
Species
gulls, (herons) gulls, (herons) gulls gulls gulls gulls, hawks gulls gulls, hawks gulls gulls gulls, (herons)
hawks, (gull) hawks gulls, herons herons, hawks
11 15 20 50
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Values were estimated from mapped data where bird numbers were represented by circle sizes. Hawks consisted primarily of northern harriers. Wildlife Occurrence on Sea Island Since 1992, VIAA has contracted LGL to conduct wildlife inventories on Sea Island. The airport reserve lands were the initial focus before construction of the third runway. During those surveys, LGL identified 70 species of birds during the breeding season (Triton 1999). More than 200 bird species have been identified on the island (SICA Management Plan 1994), including up to 13 species of raptors. Surveys conducted since the third runway was constructed have been from fixed reference points throughout the island and have not been habitat specific. Five wildlife habitat types have been described on Sea Island (Sering and Coope 1992; Schieck and Searing 1993): Managed fields (grazed, hay, old-field) Hedgerows Treed Mixed vegetation and scrub areas Aquatic habitats (ditches, ponds).
Of these, the project area contains ditches and managed fields, managed either as tall, dense reed canary grass (cut annually in June), or short mowed fields (Photo 7.10). Some of the main bird species recorded in managed fields include great blue heron, red-tailed hawk, rough-legged hawk, northern harrier, barn owl, short-eared owl, and savannah sparrow (SICA Management Plan 1994). The highest concentration of voles and their predators (i.e., raptors and herons) occur in tall grasslands that were uncut for one or more years (Searing and Cooper 1992). The current management regime on eastern Sea Island beneath the proposed RAV line is tall, dense reed canary grass, which has been planted and managed to the exclusion of all other species. VIAA cuts and removes the reed canary grass each June to prevent the build up of litter from previous years dead grass, which would be ideal habitat for Townsends voles.
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Townsends voles are the chief prey of the islands predators, such as raptors, herons and coyotes. Leaving the long dense grass standing during the winter inhibits access by aerial-feeding raptors and herons which prefer openings and wet areas. This management regime has all but eliminated raptor and heron use of the area (D. Ball, VIAA, pers. comm. 2003). Savannah sparrows are the only bird species likely to make extensive use of these managed fields. Point surveys by LGL bear out the observations of low wildlife use made by VIAA staff. The Bird Monitoring Data Report for Vancouver International Airport gives graphical representation of the annual and long-term average numbers of birds observed from about 40 points around Sea and Iona Islands. For an observation point located at the junction of Grauer Road and Templeton Street (overlooking the long grass field through which the RAV line is proposed to pass), the 1994-2002 monthly averages are rarely more than one bird observed (Table 7.2). The mowed short grass area near the Arthur Laing Bridge access cloverleaf attracts Canada geese (Photo 7.10). VIAA allows golfers to practice in this area, providing some control, but geese were noted to be making extensive use of the area at other times. Short mowed grass areas between Templeton Street and Grant McConachie Way are similar in nature to the mowed boulevards occurring elsewhere (Photo 7.11). This habitat type, particularly in this active location, receives little wildlife use, with the exception of European starlings and American robins. An observation point further west on Grant McConachie Way had little use by recorded species except for gulls, for which five to 50 birds were regularly recorded (Table 7.2). Passerines were not recorded. Ditches running between the short and long grass fields near the cloverleaf and along Templeton Street provide suitable habitat for dabbling ducks (including the potential for occasional broods) and herons.
7.3.2.3
Listed Species Review
In accordance with the recently enacted Federal SARA, this assessment of wildlife and potential for impacts considered the known and potential occurrence of listed terrestrial and amphibious vertebrate wildlife species in
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the study area. Blue- and red-listed vertebrate wildlife species for the Chilliwack Forest District were reviewed to gain an understanding of which species of concern may potentially occur in or near the study area; the list is provided in Appendix 7-I. From this review, it was concluded that 17 provincially red- and blue-listed vertebrate wildlife species potentially occur in the study area (although several are unlikely or would occur infrequently). The list of 17 species includes one reptile, fourteen birds, and two mammals (Appendix 7-J). Schedule 1 of SARA was also consulted to identify those amphibious and vertebrate wildlife species that have been listed by the COSEWIC as either endangered, threatened or of special concern. A brief summary of the expected status of these species is provided in the following sections, with a rationale for why the species is or is not expected to occur in habitats along the RAV corridor. Key references used in the analysis include Campbell et al. (1990, 1997, 2001), Cowan and Guiguet (1965), Nagorsen and Brigham (1993), Nagorsen (1996), Green and Campbell (1984), Gregory and Campbell (1984), Cannings et al. (1999), and Fraser et al. (1999). Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) CDC: Blue-listed; COSEWIC: Not Addressed Painted turtles are found in lakes, ponds and slow-moving streams with basking sites and aquatic vegetation. They occur in many parts of the eastern and northern USA and southern Canada, including southern valleys in BC where wetlands and ponds are available. Such habitats are disappearing across the province, a cause for concern and the reason for their listing. Although painted turtles are not abundant in coastal areas, they may have been transplanted into local ditches on Lulu Island and Sea Island and as such may occur in proximity to the RAV line on Sea Island. Their present status in the remaining natural habitats of the study area is not clear. Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) CDC: Red-listed; COSEWIC: Not Addressed The breeding range of western grebes includes the southern portions of the western provinces, into the USA. Western grebes breed in the interior of BC and winter along the coast, where they are common from fall through early
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spring. They utilize river channels where slower moving water is available for feeding and resting, and are expected from fall to spring in the Middle Arm, at or near the proposed new RAV bridge crossing. Although large numbers have been known to winter along the southern coast of BC, because breeding populations of western grebes in the province are in decline, this species has been listed by the CDC. Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) CDC: Red-listed; COSEWIC: Not at Risk Double-crested cormorants breed in coastal waters of southern Alaska south to the Bahamas, as well as in large inland lakes. In BC, nesting colonies are found on rocky islands of the Strait of Georgia while winter habitats include bays, inlets and estuarine areas of the southern coast. Double-crested cormorants feed in deeper water and are expected in small numbers on the North and Middle arms of the Fraser River from fall through early spring, possibly at or near the proposed bridge crossings. Populations of doublecrested cormorants appear to have declined in the province, giving rise for concern and their red-listed status. Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) CDC: Blue-listed; COSEWIC: Special Concern The breeding range of the great blue heron occurs throughout southern Canada and into the USA. Breeding populations in BC include the southern interior valleys and the mid-coast. Great blue herons nest singly or in colonies in trees, generally within 8 km of areas with suitable foraging opportunities. The nearest breeding sites to the RAV corridor occur in Pacific Spirit Park (colony of >100 nests), north of Sea Island (Gebauer and Moul 2001). During the winter, great blue heron range more widely, using a variety of open wetland (e.g., foreshore, ditches, fresh and saltwater marshes, mudflats) and old-field habitats. Great blue herons are common in the Fraser River estuary and are regularly observed along the shorelines of Sea Island and Lulu Island, wherever mudflats and saltwater marsh habitat are available. Herons also feed along the ditches and in old-field habitat on Sea Island. Concern for the species is due to the reduction in suitable breeding sites, disturbance to nest sites and pollution effects - hence their blue-listed status.
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Green Heron (Butorides virescens) CDC: Blue-listed; COSEWIC: Not Addressed Green herons breed from southern Canada through parts of the USA and into Central America. In BC, their breeding distribution is limited to the Lower Mainland and southeastern Vancouver Island. They frequent small ponds, sloughs, lakes, slow-moving rivers, and marshy areas, typically sheltered by thickets of willow or alder. They nest in trees, as far as 1 km from water, but mostly within the riparian zone of streams and wetlands. Green herons are reported as a rare resident on Sea Island, with at least one known occurrence of breeding on the island (Plath 1996). They likely occur mostly as foraging birds along the islands shorelines. Historical reduction in riparian habitat is one reason that this species is listed, although at present, populations in the Lower Mainland are believed to be stable or increasing. American Bittern (Botaurus lentignisus) CDC: Blue-listed; COSEWIC: Not Addressed The breeding range of American bittern extends from northern Canada through much of the USA. Bitterns breed in valleys of the southern interior of BC, utilizing wet areas with dense growths of tall emergent vegetation or tall grasses adjacent to freshwater sloughs, marshes, swamps, and shallow, protected sections of lakes. They forage primarily in marshes, but also in other shallow water bodies such as lake edges where cover is available. Although bitterns are known from Sea Island, their breeding status on the island is not known (Plath 1996). Foraging habitat for bittern exists along the vegetated shoreline of Sea Island. Concern for their shrinking habitat in the Lower Mainland, as well as the apparent decline of North American populations, have resulted in the listing of this species by the CDC. Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum) CDC: Red-listed; COSEWIC: Threatened The breeding range of this subspecies of peregrine falcon formerly included much of the forests of North America and the southern coast of BC, south and into the USA. They formerly bred in the interior valleys of the province but present breeding range and known nest locations are far more restricted, mostly to the southern coast and islands.
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Peregrine falcons nest on cliffs overlooking shorelines and wetlands and subsist mainly by hunting birds. This subspecies is occasionally observed hunting for prey along the shoreline and fields of Sea Island and may utilize the shoreline of Lulu Island where suitable habitat remains. Historical decline due to pollution effects on nesting success is the primary reason for their listing. Suitable nesting habitat for peregrines is not available along the proposed RAV line corridor. Artificial habitats such as high-rise buildings and bridge structures may be used at times; as such, bridge structures for the RAV line over the Fraser River offer a potential for future nest sites (depending on design and construction materials used). Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia) - CDC: Blue-listed; COSEWIC: Not at Risk Caspian terns breed from across central and northern Canada and into the USA, and from Europe east to China, and south to parts of Africa and to Australia. In BC, breeding populations occur at two locations in the Fraser River delta and at two large lakes in the interior of the province. They usually nest in colonies on rocky or sandy islands and forage along beaches, tidal mudflats and bays. The breeding status of this species on Sea Island is not known, and it is not listed for the airport lands by Plath (1996). Most Caspian terns in the Fraser River delta are migrants or wintering birds. Foraging habitat occurs along the shorelines of Sea Island and Lulu Island and the species could occur there either as a migrant or wintering bird. The blue-listed status of Caspian tern is related to its restricted breeding locations in the province; however, populations in North America are regarded as increasing. Barn Owl (Tyto alba) CDC: Blue-listed; COSEWIC: Special Concern Barn owls exist on all continents except for Antarctica. They reach their northern limit in southern BC, with most of the provincial population in the Lower Mainland. They are generally limited to agricultural areas, where old barns provide nesting sites, but are also occasionally found at the edges of open woodlands. Typically, barn owls nest and roost in buildings and roost in coniferous thickets, especially of western redcedar. They may also nest in
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other types of structures and occasionally in a raptor stick nest. Foraging occurs at twilight and during the night over open farm fields, where their chief prey is the Townsends vole. Barn owls are known to nest on Sea Island, although many of the structures that were formerly potential nest sites have disappeared. Suitable foraging habitat still remains over old-field habitat and the species is regarded as a fairly common resident on the airport lands (Plath 1996). Barn owl listed status is due to their extant distribution at the northern periphery of their range, and to the reduction in suitable artificial nesting sites and agricultural foraging habitat as a result of increasing development in the Lower Mainland. Western Screech-owl (Ottus kennicottii kennicottii) CDC: Blue-listed; COSEWIC: Special Concern Western screech-owls breed from southeastern Alaska, southern Canada and into the southern USA and Mexico. This subspecies of Western screechowl was recently blue-listed in the Chilliwack Forest District and is limited to coastal forests of BC. Western screech-owls breed in open, mixed coniferous-deciduous forests or riparian zones; artificial cavities are also utilized. They forage over agricultural fields in winter, capturing small mammals. Old-field habitat on Sea Island provides suitable foraging terrain for this species, where it is regarded as an accidental winter resident on the airport lands (Plath 1996). Its recent listing is due to reduction in old-field type habitat with changing land use in the Lower Mainland. Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) CDC: Blue-listed; COSEWIC: Special Concern Short-eared owls occur across most of Canada south of the Arctic islands, into the USA and South America, as well as Europe and Asia. They nest in open terrain with tall grasses in shrubby grasslands and agricultural fields; such habitats are diminishing in the Lower Mainland, including Sea Island. This species listed status is due to concern regarding the reduction in agricultural lands and old-field type habitat with changing land use in the Fraser Valley, where most of the provincial wintering population occurs.
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Although the population trend indicates that the number of these birds is declining, short-eared owls may still nest on Sea Island (though not recorded according to Plath 1996). Suitable foraging habitat is available over old-field and saltwater marsh habitat. The Fraser River delta remains an important wintering area for this species. Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata) CDC: Red-listed; COSEWIC: Not Addressed Horned larks occur over much of northern Canada and Alaska, south to the Prairie provinces and BC, and into the USA and Mexico; they also occur from Eurasia south to northern Africa. The subspecies strigata breeds west of the Cascade Mountains from the Lower Mainland south to Oregon. The subspecies range has decreased from its former distribution in the southeastern part of the province and it is presently restricted to portions of the Lower Mainland. Horned larks nest in open terrain with sparse vegetation consisting of short grasses such as agricultural fields and hay meadows, in dry conditions. Suitable habitat occurs on Sea Island though current information suggests that a very limited population still exists there. It is regarded as a rare resident on the airport lands (Plath 1996). The listed status of the strigata subspecies is due to its peripheral distribution at the northern extent of its range; it has never been regarded as abundant in BC. Purple Martin (Progne subis) CDC: Red-listed; COSEWIC: Not Addressed The breeding range of purple martin includes the southern and central parts of Canada south to the southern USA and Mexico. Purple martin formerly nested in natural cavities of snags or woodpecker holes along the shoreline but have adapted to using old pilings along the marine or estuarine shoreline. Their breeding distribution has decreased in the southwestern part of the province and present nesting is almost exclusively in artificial nest boxes near tidal shorelines or mudflats. Suitable foraging habitat occurs along the shorelines of Sea Island and Lulu Island, where tidal flats are available. Purple martin is regarded as a casual summer resident on the Airport lands (Plath 1996).
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The listed status of purple martin is due to its small and localized breeding population with little sustainable nesting habitat; this species appears to be almost solely dependent on artificial nesting sites. Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana) CDC: Red-listed; COSEWIC: Not Addressed The breeding range of western bluebirds extends from southern BC through the western mountain ranges of the USA and Mexico. This species is dependent on cavities in snags and stumps in open woodlands, burned areas or along forest edges for breeding sites. Such habitat has significantly decreased in the study area and in the southeastern part of the province in general. Western bluebirds are an unlikely non-breeding visitor to Sea Island or Lulu Island. It is another species that has suffered dramatic declines in population in the region in recent decades, in part due to loss of habitat, resulting in placement of the Georgia Depression population (Fraser River delta included) on the CDCs red list. Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) CDC: Red-listed; COSEWIC: Not Addressed Western meadowlarks breeding range includes the southern parts of BC and the Prairie provinces east to parts of southern Ontario, and south to the southern USA and northern Mexico. This species has recently been redlisted for the Chilliwack Forest District on the basis of declining populations and habitat loss in its limited range in the province. Western meadowlarks nest in meadow and open field habitats with grassy cover; such open habitats are still available on Sea Island. Although it formerly nested on the island, this species is now regarded as a casual summer resident and uncommon winter resident on the Airport lands (Plath 1996). Townsends Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) CDC: Bluelisted; COSEWIC: Not Addressed The distribution of Townsends big-eared bat includes southern BC, the western USA and Mexico. It appears to be sparsely distributed in the province, with populations in developed regions. It is highly sensitive to
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disturbance of hibernacula, which are limited in occurrence; hence the reason for its listed status. This bat species may forage along the shorelines of Sea Island and Lulu Island. It sometimes utilizes old buildings as roost sites but more commonly uses large coniferous trees (e.g., crevices in thick scaly bark of mature Douglas-fir trees), which are not present along the RAV line corridor. Long-tailed Weasel (Mustela frenata altifrontalis) CDC: Red-listed; COSEWIC: Not Addressed Long-tailed weasels range throughout southern and central Canada to northern South America. The altifrontalis subspecies ranges southward from the Lower Fraser Valley (Lower Mainland) along the coast to Oregon. The species inhabits open forests, shrub habitats, edges of agricultural lands, and riparian zones; it has a preference for flying squirrels as a food source but also consumes a variety of small mammals and at times small birds. Longtailed weasels may still occur in remnants of suitable habitat in the Lower Mainland. The listed status of the subspecies altifrontalis is due to its restricted distribution at the northern extent of its range and the significant reduction in suitable habitat in the Lower Mainland in recent decades. Terrestrial Invertebrates In addition, species of terrestrial invertebrates listed on Schedule 1 of the SARA Public Registry were assessed in terms of their potential to occur in the project area. Information on terrestrial invertebrates was obtained from the SARA website (http://www.speciesatrisk.gc.ca/default_e.cfm) and Guppy and Shepard (2001) related to population distribution in the province, habitat requirements, threats to populations, and recovery efforts. From the information available, it appears that only two species of terrestrial invertebrates, both Lepidopterans, could occur in the RAV Project area, namely Dun Skipper (Euphyes vestris) and Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus). Both species occur in the province as winged adult forms only during the summer. The Dun Skipper is listed as Threatened on Schedule 1 under SARA. Records indicate that the Dun Skipper occurs sporadically in southwestern
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BC and on Vancouver Island, with historical sightings generally of lone individuals only. There are apparently two records of sightings in the Fraser Valley (Guppy and Shepard 2001). Dun Skipper appears to be associated with moist open habitats, including disturbed areas such as rights-of-way and railway beds. The preferred food source for the larval stage includes sedges, particularly Cyperus esculentus. Sedges are common in ditches and shorelines; as such, there is a possibility that the species may occur along the shorelines of Sea Island and Lulu Island, associated with shallow emergent marsh close to shoreline. The Monarch Butterfly is listed as a species of Special Concern on Schedule 1 under SARA. This species occurs across southern Canada, and is associated with open habitats where milkweed (used by the caterpillars) and various wildflowers (used by the adult growth form) grow along openings, roadsides and rights-of-way. As with other butterflies, the summer food source is key in supporting remaining populations. Habitat for Monarchs is under pressure from various forms of land development and change so that remaining habitats are becoming more essential that before. Monarchs have been recorded in the Fraser Valley (Guppy and Shepard 2001) and their range would include the RAV corridor. Monarchs may occur along the Fraser River dyke system, where some wildflowers grow; however, the remainder of the RAV corridor is either completely devoid of habitat for monarchs or has land management practices that do not favour growth of suitable habitat elements (e.g., VIAA lands that are mowed regularly).
7.3.2.4
Special Habitat Areas or Conservation Issues
The areas of special conservation concern include the same foreshore marshes that are FREMP red coded for fisheries management. All other habitats along the RAV corridor have been highly modified, and often intensively managed. There are no ecological reserves along the RAV corridor. The Sea Island Conservation Area is an actively managed area, and its objectives are well established. The City of Richmond has designated Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) as occurring along its shorelines, including the riparian zone of Sea
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and Lulu islands; these are the only City of Richmond designated ESAs along the RAV corridor.
7.3.2.5
Traditional Use of Wildlife
First Nations traditional use of wildlife and vegetation resources of the study area occurred prior to European settlement. The RAV Project is situated on a landscape that has changed significantly since the 19th Century, resulting in a largely hard surface land area with minimal remaining wildlife habitat or natural plant communities. Opportunities for traditional use of land and water resources by First Nations are presently very limited in the study area, likely to localized fishing in the Fraser River.
7.3.2.6
Valued Ecosystem Components
Valued ecosystem components for wildlife include the foreshore marshes of the North and Middle arms and the listed amphibious and terrestrial vertebrate wildlife species that use the study area. Except for the foreshore marshes, habitats in the study area have very low value for listed wildlife species, with great blue heron being the species most likely to regularly occur, although in low numbers, in the ditches and long grass fields on Sea Island.
7.4
Analysis of Potential Impacts

Background and Methods
7.4.1
Potential impacts to terrestrial/biophysical resources associated with construction and operation of the proposed RAV Project were assessed with reference to a corridor, approximately 100 m in width. Although it is recognized that technological design elements of the project will not be finalized until a Concessionaire has been selected, it is anticipated that the RAV alignment and therefore all construction-related impacts, will be contained within this corridor. The assessment considers a number of criteria that have been put forward as representing the most significant features of vegetation, wildlife and wildlife
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habitat in the study area, defined as VECs. The assessment also takes into consideration spatial and temporal aspects of these criteria, as described in subsequent sections. In addition, mitigation measures are recommended that may be used to avoid or minimize negative impacts to vegetation, wildlife and wildlife habitat.
7.4.2
Project Footprint Defined
The RAV Project construction footprint is located within the proposed corridor, which has a width of approximately 100 m, including provision for station locations. Since all stations will be located on developed land, neither project construction nor operation are likely to affect any of the identified VECs. Similarly, any sites that may be required during construction for uses such as temporary material and equipment staging, construction management, and/or parking, will be located on developed land with no anticipated impacts to VECs. Reference-based bridge design concept drawings have been completed and indicate that footings will be located on the southern shore of the North Arm, as well as on the western tip of Mitchell Island, within the North Arm channel. Additional footings and/or supporting structures will be placed on the upland. Reference-based bridge design concepts have also been completed for the Middle Arm crossing. Final designs for both crossings will be determined upon selection of a Concessionaire.
7.4.3
Criteria
The analysis of potential impacts of construction and operation of the RAV Project considered a number of criteria with respect to VECs that occur within or adjacent to the corridor, including: Potential for red-listed plant community. This is limited to a consideration of older structural stages 6 or 7 for forested communities, or for herbdominated communities, structural stage 2. These are regarded as rare ecosystems in the region. Actual occurrence or potential for occurrence of red-listed plant species, which are of concern from a biodiversity perspective.
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Potential for red-listed vertebrate wildlife species based on confirmed presence in the project area, or a high likelihood of occurrence, based on habitat suitability. This pertains to species which are at risk due to habitat loss, a limited population, or historically restricted occurrence in the region or province. Natural wetland or foreshore habitats as these have been significantly reduced and/or affected in the region through various alienating land uses and continue to be under pressure. Natural wetlands and foreshore marshes are a vital component of natural biodiversity. Riparian habitat zones as these are integral to the function of stream and wetland ecosystems, which support plant communities and wildlife populations and in turn contribute toward biodiversity. Riparian corridors are under continued threat from development in the region. Significant wildlife trees which provide a food source and micro-habitat for a variety of wildlife, such as stick nest sites for raptors, cavities for nesting birds, and food for woodpeckers and other birds. Confirmed active raptor and great blue heron nesting sites as these are protected under the Wildlife Act during the breeding season, and for some species (e.g., bald eagle, great blue heron) on a year round basis.
These criteria are summarized in Table 7.3. The criteria focused on VECs as these represent important components in habitat requirements for wildlife populations and in particular contribute to biodiversity. VECs were evaluated with respect to their documented occurrence along the RAV corridor, as well as their potential presence in cases where there was a high likelihood that they could occur in that location, based on availability of suitable habitat and species or community preferences.
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Table 7.3
Impact Analysis Matrix Criteria - Terrestrial Biophysical Aspects
Criteria/VEC
Red-listed plant community
Indicator
Structural stage 6 or 7 present (i.e., older forests) or structural stage 2 present for wetland or meadow communities
Rationale
These are ecosystems that are under threat in the Lower Mainland. (Note: all structural stages of red-listed plant communities are considered under threat, though structural stages 6 and 7 are usually the least common.) Rare plant taxa are a concern from a biodiversity perspective, as suitable habitats are generally under threat.
Red-listed plant species (and blue-listed if listed on Schedule 1 under SARA) Red-listed wildlife species (and blue-listed if listed on Schedule 1 under SARA) Terrestrial invertebrates if listed on Schedule 1 under SARA Natural wetland and foreshore marsh habitats
Presence
Confirmed presence or high likelihood of presence, based on habitat suitability Presence
Species under threat due to habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, competition or mortality.
Limited suitable habitats remain in the Lower Mainland
Presence of natural wetland or foreshore marsh habitat
Wetlands and foreshore marshes are a vital component of biodiversity and are under threat in the Lower Mainland where they are being reduced due to alienating land and water uses and pollution.
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Criteria/VEC
Riparian habitat
Indicator
Presence of natural riparian habitat
Rationale
Riparian habitats are vital to maintaining aquatic ecosystem function and in contributing to biodiversity of both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and are under threat due to alienating land uses and degradation of habitat.
Significant wildlife trees
Individual large trees or stands of mature trees or snags
Value for a variety of wildlife as habitat and as contributing to biodiversity. Important to continuation of population and as component of biodiversity, especially of concern to listed raptor species.
Confirmed raptor nest sites and bald eagle or great blue heron nest sites
Presence, as confirmed through observation or documented by reliable sources
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7.4.4
7.4.4.1
Definition of Impacts
Spatial Considerations
In terms of spatial considerations, this assessment uses geographical context to provide perspective in terms of defining the scope of potential impacts. The following definitions are used: Local impacts: occurring within the immediate project area only, comprised of the project footprint and areas adjacent (e.g., within 500 m) Regional: having effects on a regional nature, but limited to the lower Fraser Valley (e.g., area of the Fraser River floodplain from Chilliwack downstream to the Fraser River delta) Provincial impacts: having effects with respect to BC.
Local impacts affect only those resources within the immediate project area and surroundings and do not manifest themselves as affecting plant communities or populations of wildlife that have a wider distribution. In other words, the effects are geographically localized and not expected to extend into the region, as defined above (e.g., nesting sites for common songbirds such as American robin). Regional impacts have wider implications in that plant communities, plant species, or populations of wildlife that occur in the lower Fraser Valley are directly or indirectly affected by the project. The impact may affect only a small segment of the regional population of a species but that effect has more widespread implications for the welfare of the population, or the project will affect a key habitat component that is used by a population that inhabits the broader geographic area of the lower Fraser Valley (e.g, a heron rookery that supports a population of great blue herons that forage over a broader geographic area). Provincial impacts are of significance to red-listed species that have limited distribution in BC and/or are particularly susceptible to impacts such as habitat loss (e.g., a red-listed wildlife species that has a very limited distribution in the province and/or whose habitat has been reduced due to land and/or water use).
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7.4.4.2
Temporal Considerations
In terms of temporal considerations, assessment of impacts generally address short-, mid- and long-term impacts, defined as: Short-term: construction period only (i.e., 2 to 3 years) Mid-term: into operation phase but recovery within 5 to 10 years Long-term: impacts lasting 10 years of longer.
These definitions are relative and do not necessarily reflect the requirements of various life stages of organisms in the area, given the variety of wildlife that still exists along at least part of the RAV corridor (e.g., Sea Island and Middle Arm). Short-term impacts are usually immediate, and are generally associated with the construction period. This can include the effects of noise, dust and human intrusion on adjacent habitats that are not directly affected by the project. It also includes occasional direct mortality and loss of habitat along the corridor, but where the population can recover relatively quickly, either through its own means or through rehabilitation of habitat. Re-colonization of disturbed sites is relatively quick (i.e., within a year or two of completion of restoration) and will meet the needs of the local population. Mid-term impacts include those resources that are affected immediately and those that are affected within a time period of up to 10 years. This includes those wildlife populations or plant communities where the recovery period is slower, due to either slower population recovery or replenishment, or to habitat restoration which takes longer to be effective. Long-term impacts are those where recovery is either not possible (i.e., permanent habitat alienation) or very slow, resulting from direct or indirect mortality of individuals, local wildlife populations or plant communities that take a long time to recover (e.g., replanting of coniferous trees and waiting for these to mature can take 70 plus years). In some instances, recolonization of remaining habitats may be necessary from adjoining or further removed habitats, and this can take a decade or more to occur.
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7.4.5
Impacts
Development of the RAV Project involves a number of activities that have the potential to affect vegetation and habitat, and consequently wildlife. These relate primarily to the construction period and occur at or near sensitive habitat areas or VECs. Impacts associated with the construction period include: site preparation and clearing (where necessary) for the alignment and temporary construction areas; construction of the guideway; locations of on-site lay-down and materials storage areas and other construction-related disturbance sites; construction of the North Arm and Middle Arm bridges; trucking of excavated tunnel borings to barge loading facilities or rail; disposal of excavated tunnel borings by ocean dumping or land fill location; drainage management facilities for construction (ditches, sediment control ponds, infiltration areas); and, restoration of disturbed habitat.
In the following sections, impacts are discussed on the basis of vegetation (including plant communities) and wildlife habitat, and wildlife species or species groups.
7.4.5.1
Vegetation Impacts
While both the surveyed upland and estuarine marsh plant communities have the potential to be affected by the RAV Project, the estuarine marsh plant communities should be given the highest priority for impact avoidance and mitigation. Unlike the few upland plant communities that still exist, and which are highly disturbed and dominated by non-native species, the marsh plant communities are dominated by native species and appear to be maintained by natural riparian processes. Through their role in nutrient regeneration and organic matter cycling, estuarine marsh and tidal mudflats provide a significant portion of the primary
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productivity upon which many major marine food webs are based. They also serve a number of other important functions including: providing water storage capacity to moderate tidal surges and upstream flood runoff; providing settling/filtering basins for silt, organic matter, and pollutants; and providing habitat for various wildlife species. Some potential impacts and suggested mitigation measures related to estuarine marshes along the Fraser River crossing alignments include: changes in extent of marsh habitat due to changes in hydrology downstream of crossings.
The extent (i.e., width and length) of estuarine marshes along the Fraser River has been shown to vary according to flood control measures that have been implemented. Flood control structures are designed to affect flooding regimes and they also affect sedimentation rates. Other structures, such as bridge pilings, can also have local effects on sedimentation and river hydrology that can eventually affect the extent of marshes along shorelines. These impacts can take some time to become evident, and gain or loss of marsh areas can be preceded by gradual changes in plant composition. Location of pilings for bridge structures should be assessed to avoid this potential impact. dredge or fill activities along the shoreline.
Dredging and filling activities could have direct or indirect impacts on estuarine marshes. Dredging would directly affect marshes through removal of vegetation and substratum. The direct effects of filling include covering and mortality of vegetation and alteration of the substratum. Dredging and filling activities nearby could also indirectly affect marshes through subsequent changes in sedimentation and flooding, which could result in increases or decreases in the extent of estuarine marshes. The potential for direct impacts can be avoided by careful design and planning so that the identified marsh habitats are protected from direct or indirect impacts. This requires thorough analysis of dredging/filling impacts on downstream sedimentation and flooding. Wherever dredging is necessary, activities should adhere to the Environmental Dredging Guidelines for the Lower Fraser (FREMP 2001).
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vegetation shading by crossing structure.
There has been concern over the effects of shading caused by river crossings over riparian vegetation, though little research has been carried out to quantify such effects. One study on the effects of shading on estuarine wetlands in North Carolina indicates that shading resulted in significant impacts on wetlands under low bridges (< 9m high) but not under high bridges (> 9 m high). Under low bridges, shading resulted in significant biomass reductions and changes in soil carbon and nitrogen levels in the wetlands (SanClements 2003). This suggests that building the RAV bridges over the marsh areas at a height of over 9m would avoid potential shading impacts. construction activities and access to construction sites.
Construction activities are not likely to affect the estuarine marshes identified in the RAV study area. Such damage could occur through compaction and direct damage to plants, however, this can be avoided through design of pilings to avoid these sensitive habitats. If equipment access in marsh areas is unavoidable, attempts should be made to protect vegetation from damage or to limit the extent of damage. All of the measures discussed above can be readily applied to the RAV Project and as such, impacts to vegetation can be avoided or minimized.
7.4.5.2
Wildlife Habitat Impacts
Wildlife habitat impacts are expected to be minimal, localized and of short term duration. The two bridges should avoid disturbance of foreshore marshes along the Fraser River, which are the most sensitive wildlife habitats identified in this study (see SECTION 7.4.5.1: VEGETATION IMPACTS). Impacts on the existing narrow riparian habitat at the bridge crossings can also be avoided or minimized through design and construction management. The managed long and short grass habitats affected on Sea Island presently have minimal wildlife values and are being purposely managed by VIAA to reduce actual wildlife use. There are a number of trees in the landscaped perimeter of the roadway along the access to the Airport terminals, and some
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of these will have to be temporarily moved for construction. Wildlife value of these trees is considered minimal (i.e., some use by songbirds during spring and summer and some over winter use) and replanting following construction can be used to replace the minimal amount of habitat involved. Construction of the guideway and station locations is not expected to result in loss of any valuable wildlife habitat or to directly affect any listed species of wildlife on Sea Island or Lulu Island.
7.4.5.3
Wildlife Impacts
Direct impacts to wildlife are not anticipated from construction or operation of the RAV Project. As the RAV line will be located over mostly developed land that is already alienated for wildlife use, habitat displacement effects are considered to be negligible. Some disturbance of local or migrating bird populations may occur at the bridge crossing sites (i.e., foreshore marshes and riparian zone); however, this is a short-term potential impact and would affect generally common wildlife species. Disturbance during construction would vary with the time of year, with the lowest impacts during the summer. No water birds were observed on the Fraser River during the June 6, 2003 visit, and LGL records for the station at the east end of Grauer Road show minimal bird use except during the November to January period. At that time most use is by dabbling ducks, gulls, and a small number of great blue herons (Table 7.2). Potential long-term impacts could occur due to disturbance or collision; however, most wildlife species adapt to transportation corridors. The barn owl is the species of concern most frequently affected by collision with vehicles; however, recent survey records show that few to no barn owls use the upland long and short grass habitats as currently managed on Sea Island. Therefore, collisions involving barn owls and construction-related traffic or transit railcars on Sea Island are not expected to be a significant issue. Overall, there is no indication that any particularly sensitive or listed species (COSEWIC or CDC red- or blue-listed species) would be significantly affected by the project in the mid or long term. Great blue herons (blue-listed) are common in the area but are not expected to be significantly affected through construction or operation of the project, given the limited amount of suitable
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habitat that is available on Sea Island within the airport lands and the management practices that discourage bird use there. The few great blue herons that forage on the VIAA lands along the RAV corridor should not be unduly disturbed by construction activities, except perhaps within the immediate vicinity of the work area (i.e., 50-100 m zone). The two species of Lepidopterans listed on Schedule 1 under SARA (i.e., Dun Skipper and Monarch Butterfly) should not be affected by the project. Shoreline habitat along the Fraser River at Lulu Island and Sea Island should experience minimal disturbance during the construction period and could be quickly restored if any undue damage to habitat elements of importance to either of these two species were to occur.
7.4.6
7.4.6.1
Impact Management Strategy

Avoidance
The riparian zone and foreshore marshes of the Fraser River represent some of the few remaining natural habitat areas along the RAV corridor. Where possible, crossing structures in the North and Middle arms will be designed so as to avoid or minimize direct impacts to these areas. Additional avoidance measures are not considered necessary, other than keeping construction vehicles and equipment access to the minimum required. Construction management will need to incorporate a strategy and plan for avoiding access to the foreshore marshes and for minimizing damage to the riparian zone, realizing that this zone is mostly highly disturbed at present.
7.4.6.2
Mitigation
The only direct mitigation that may be necessary in conjunction with the RAV Project is if some form of physical disturbance occurs to the riparian zone along the south shore of the North Arm or east and west shores of the Middle Arm at the bridge locations. This can be verified once final design and construction management plans have been completed. If any mitigation is necessary, then there are a number of opportunities for riparian or marsh habitat compensation and restoration. Many successful compensation and restoration projects have been carried out along the
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Fraser River, some close to the proposed RAV crossing sites. The North Fraser Port Authority and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans have developed the following criteria to guide identification and selection of sites for habitat compensation: need for habitat in specific areas; availability of sites for habitat development (yellow-coded sites preferred); upland sites preferred to intertidal sites; feasibility and cost of creating habitat at specific sites; possibility of achieving multiple uses; compatibility with existing uses and designations; and, ownership (i.e., private upland owners, water lot jurisdiction, etc.) (NFPA 2003).
Marshes are constructed by creating physical conditions in upland landscapes or by filling intertidal areas and building habitat. Typically, marsh species such as Lyngby's sedge, are transplanted from donor marshes into the created habitats. At least one study has shown that created and restored marshes in the Lower Fraser River can function as fish habitat to some extent, though important differences exist between created and restored marshes and their natural counterparts (Levings and Nishimura 1997). Marsh habitat can also be specifically designed to provide habitat for species or groups of wildlife. If the need for creation of marsh habitat or enhancement of existing marsh habitat areas becomes necessary, then this will require an Authorization under Section 35(2) of the Federal Fisheries Act. Any trees removed along the access road to the Airport terminals should be replanted with tree species that have value to wildlife such as songbirds through provision of nesting cover and food. There are a number of species of trees and shrubs that are suitable candidates for replanting and such efforts should involve both an arborist and a wildlife biologist to ensure functional habitat design. Considering the management practices of VIAA and the need to minimize the potential for bird strikes with aircraft, design of the guideway on Sea Island and the bridge crossing over the Middle Arm should discourage opportunities for roosting or nesting birds.
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7.4.7
Residual Impacts and Cumulative Impact Assessment
Residual impacts are those that remain after implementation of mitigation and planned compensation measures. Assessment of the RAV Project suggests that residual impacts on vegetation, wildlife and wildlife habitat will be minimal, if any. Impacts to VECs are expected to be short term during the construction period, and to possibly affect only the riparian zone at the crossings of the North Arm (south shore) and Middle Arm (east and west shores); construction planning for these crossings can avoid or minimize the potential for impacts in any case. Residual impacts to the foreshore marsh areas along the Middle Arm are not expected; if any impact to marsh habitat does occur through construction, then mitigation and/or compensation measures will be put into place to adequately counter any residual impact. In the absence of residual impacts, and given the location of the RAV corridor and the state of existing habitat conditions along that corridor, it is not anticipated that project development will result in cumulative terrestrial/biophysical impacts.
7.5
References
BC Conservation Data Centre. 2003a. Element Occurrence Rank Factors. BC Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management, Victoria, B.C. Available online at: http://srmwww.gov.bc.ca/cdc/ecology/eorankfactors.htm [Accessed July 25, 2003]. BC Conservation Data Centre. 2003b. Glossary of CDC Terms. BC Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management, Victoria, B.C. Available online at: http://srmwww.gov.bc.ca/cdc/glossary.htm#e [Accessed July 25, 2003]. BC Conservation Data Centre 2003c. Rare Element Occurrences, Highway 20 Study Area. June 20, 2003. Victoria, B.C.
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BC Ministry of Forests. 2003. Provincial Digital Biogeoclimatic Subzone/Variant Mapping. abec_bc Version 5.0 (2003/04/17). Vector Digital Data. Ministry of Forests Research Branch. Available online at: ftp://ftp.for.gov.bc.ca/hre/external/!publish/becmaps/abec_bc_ver5.e00.zi p [Accessed July 18, 2003]. BC Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management. 2003. BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer. Available online at: http://srmwww.gov.bc.ca/atrisk/toolintro.html [Accessed June 19, 2003]. BC Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management. 2002. Species Ranking in British Columbia. March 2002. Available online at: http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/wld/documents/ranking.pdf [Accessed May 15, 2003]. BC Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management. 2001. Provincial Site Series Mapping Codes and Typical Environmental Conditions. November 2001. Available online at: ftp://ftp.env.gov.bc.ca/dist/wis/tem/mapcodes_nov2001.xls [Accessed July 18, 2003]. City of Richmond. 2003. Geographic Information System Database: Environmentally Sensitive Areas. Richmond, B.C. Available online at: http://map.city.richmond.bc.ca [Accessed July 18, 2003]. Cooper, J.M. 1992. Breeding bird surveys in the airport reserve on Sea Island Richmond, British Columbia. LGL Environmental Consultants Ltd. for Vancouver International Airport Authority, Richmond, B.C. 35pp. Demarchi, D.A. 1996. An Introduction to the Ecoregions of British Columbia. January, 1996. Wildlife Branch, Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Victoria, B.C. Available online at: http://srmwww.gov.bc.ca/ecology/ecoregions/index.html [Accessed July 17, 2003]. Demarchi, M.W., G.F. Searing, M.K. McNicholl and T. Mochizuki. 2002. Bird monitoring Vancouver International Airport data report: 2001-2002. Prepared for Vancouver International Airport Authority, Richmond, B.C.
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Douglas, G.W., D. Meidinger, and J.L. Penny. 2002. Rare Native Vascular Plants of British Columbia. Second Edition. BC Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management and BC Ministry of Forests, Victoria, B.C. Douglas, G., D. Meidinger and J. Pojar. 2002. Illustrated Flora of British Columbia. Volume 8: General Summary, Maps and Keys. BC. Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management and BC Ministry of Forests, Victoria, B.C. Douglas, G.W., D. Meidinger and J. Pojar. 2001a. Illustrated Flora of British Columbia. Volume 6: Monocotyledons (Acoraceae through Najadaceae). BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks and BC Ministry of Forests, Victoria, B.C. Douglas, G.W., D. Meidinger and J. Pojar. 2001b. Illustrated Flora of British Columbia. Volume 7: Monocotyledons (Orchidaceae through Zosteraceae). BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks and BC Ministry of Forests, Victoria, B.C. Douglas, G.W., D. Meidinger and J. Pojar. 2000. Illustrated Flora of British Columbia. Volume 5: Dicotyledons (Salicaceae through Zygophyllaceae). BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks and BC Ministry of Forests, Victoria, B.C. Douglas, G.W., D. Meidinger and J. Pojar. 1999a. Illustrated Flora of British Columbia. Volume 3: Dicotyledons (Diapensiaceae through Onograceae). BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks and BC Ministry of Forests, Victoria, B.C. Douglas, G.W., D. Meidinger and J. Pojar. 1999b. Illustrated Flora of British Columbia. Volume 4: Dicotyledons (Orobanchaceae through Rubiaceae). BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks and BC Ministry of Forests, Victoria, B.C. Douglas, G.W., G.B. Straley, D. Meidinger and J. Pojar. 1998a. Illustrated Flora of British Columbia. Volume 1: Gymnosperms and Dicotyledons (Aceraceae through Asteraceae). BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks and BC Ministry of Forests, Victoria, B.C.
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Douglas, G.W., G.B. Straley, D. Meidinger and J. Pojar. 1998b. Illustrated Flora of British Columbia. Volume 2: Dicotyledons (Balsaminaceae through Cuscutaceae). BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks and BC Ministry of Forests, Victoria, B.C. Fraser River Estuary Management Program. 2003. Estuary Management Plan: Classification (Colour-coding). Burnaby, B.C. Available online at: http://www.bieapfremp.org/fremp/managementplan/colourcoding.html [Accessed July 22, 2003]. Fraser River Estuary Management Program. 2001. Dredge Management Guidelines. Burnaby, B.C. Available online at: http://www.bieapfremp.org/fremp/pdf_files/FREMPDredgeGuide.pdf [Accessed July 24, 2003]. Fraser River Estuary Management Program. 1996a. FREMP Habitat Inventory and Classification Map. GIS map at 1:2500/1:10000 scale. Original mapping completed 1984-1989, updated 1996. Burnaby, B.C. Fraser River Estuary Management Program. 1996b. Updating the FREMP Habitat Inventory and Classification Maps. Habitat Subcommittee of the Water and Land User Committee, Fraser River Estuary Management Program, Burnaby, B.C. Fraser River Estuary Management Program. 2004. FREMP Habitat Inventory and Classification Map. GIS map at variable scale. http://www.shim.bc.ca/FREMP/main.cfm. Burnaby, B.C. Gebauer, M.B. and I. E. Moul. 2001. Status of the Great Blue Heron in British Columbia. Wildlife Working Report No. WR-102. Ministry of Environmental and Parks, Wildlife Branch. Victoria, B.C. 66 pp. Green, R.N. and K. Klinka. 1994. A Field Guide to Site Identification and Interpretation for the Vancouver Forest Region. Land Management Handbook No. 28. BC Ministry of Forests Research Program, Victoria, B.C.
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Guppy, C.S. and J.H. Shepard. 2001. The Butterflies of British Columbia. Royal British Columbia Museum, University of British Columbia Press. Vancouver, B.C. Holland, S.S. 1964. Landforms of British Columbia: A Physiographic Outline. Bulletin No. 48. BC Department of Mines and Petroleum Resources, Victoria, B.C. House of Commons Canada. 2002. Reprint of Bill C-5. First Session of the Thirty-seventh Parliament. June 11, 2002. Available online at: http://www.parl.gc.ca/37/2/parlbus/chambus/house/bills/government/C-/C3/C-5_cover-E.html [Accessed May 15, 2003]. Klinkenberg, B. and R. Klinkenberg. 2001. The Environmental History of Richmond, British Columbia (Version June, 2001) In: The Natural History of Richmond, British Columbia. Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C. Available online at: http://www.geog.ubc.ca/richmond/city [Accessed July 16, 2003]. Klinkenberg, B. and R. Klinkenberg. 2003. The Rare Vascular Plants of Richmond, British Columbia (updated June 30, 2003) In: The Natural History of Richmond, British Columbia. Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C. Available online at: http://www.geog.ubc.ca/richmond/city/rareplants.htm [Accessed July 17, 2003]. Levings, C.D. and D.J.H. Nishimura. 1997. Created and Restored Marshes in the Lower Fraser River, British Columbia: Summary of their Functioning as Fish Habitat. Water Quality Research Journal of Canada 32(3):599-618. Meidinger, D., and J. Pojar (eds.). 1991. Ecosystems of British Columbia. BC Ministry of Forests, Victoria, B.C. Special Report Series No. 6.
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North, M.E.A. 2003. The Vegetation of the Fraser Delta before European Settlement: A Peep into the Past. In: The Natural History of Richmond, British Columbia. Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C. http://www.geog.ubc.ca/richmond/city/veg_history.html [Accessed July 16, 2003]. North Fraser Port Authority. 2003. Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Procedures for Operation of the North Fraser Harbour Habitat Compensation Bank. Richmond, B.C. Available online at: http://www.nfpa.ca/English/03fras/03habitat.html [Accessed July 24, 2003]. Plath, T. 1996. The Status, Distribution and Abundance of Birds on the Airport Reserve Lands, Sea Island, British Columbia. Unpublished Manuscript. Richmond, B.C. Pojar, J., K. Klinka, and D.V. Meidinger. 1987. Biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification in British Columbia. For. Ecol. Manage. 22:119-154. Quadra Planning Consultants Ltd., KS Biological Services. 1994. Sea Island Conservation Area Draft Management Plan. Prepared for Canadian Wildlife Service, Delta, B.C. 80pp. SanClements, M. 2003. Effects of Shading from Bridges on Estuarine Wetlands. Seminar. Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA. Available online at: http://www.soil.ncsu.edu/lockers/Broome_S/ssc012/workshop/seminar.pp t [Accessed July 22, 2003]. Schieck, J and G.F. Searing. 1993. Wintering raptors and Great Blue Herons on the Airport Reserve lands, Sea Island, British Columbia. LGL Environmental Consultants Ltd. for Vancouver International Airport Authority, Richmond, B.C. 64pp.
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Searing, G.F. 1993. Raptor Management Plan for the Sea Island Conservation Area: 1993 Implementation. LGL Environmental Consultants Ltd. for Vancouver International Airport Authority, Richmond, B.C. 41pp. + appendices. Searing, G.F. and D.A. Wiggins. 1993. Winter bird surveys of the Vancouver International Airport reserve, British Columbia, 1991-1992. LGL Environmental Consultants Ltd. for Vancouver International Airport Authority, Richmond, B.C. 29pp. Searing, G.F. and J.M. Cooper. 1992. Raptor/heron management plan for Airport Reserve lands on Sea Island, Richmond, British Columbia. LGL Environmental Consultants Ltd. for Vancouver International Airport Authority, Richmond, B.C. 73 pp. Triton Env. Cons. Ltd. 1999 Airport Connector Project Definition Report Volume III Environmental Screening Report. Prepared for Vancouver International Airport Authority, Richmond, B.C. Wilson, L. 1993. Literature review for raptor habitat management on the airport reserve lands, Sea Island, British Columbia. Canadian Wildlife Service, Delta, B.C. 108 pp.
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SECTION 7
Site Photos
PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD Client: RAV Rapid Transit Site Name: RAV Line Photographer: Ksenia Barton Job Number: 201.01021.001 Date: June 27, 2003
Photograph 7.1: Site A. Shoreline, showing the Sedge Western Lilaeopsis Estuarine Marsh plant community growing adjacent to the North Arm of the Fraser River (shown on right side between log boom and rip-rap riverbank).
Photograph 7.2: Site A. The upland grass/broadleaf shrub plant community on river dyke (facing east).
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Photograph 7.3: Site B. Shoreline, showing the Sedge Western Lilaeopsis Estuarine Marsh plant community growing adjacent to the Middle Arm of the Fraser River (in middle ground, partially vegetated gravel pile shown in background).
Photograph 7.4: Site C. Shoreline, showing the Sedge Western Lilaeopsis Estuarine Marsh plant community growing in a fringe below the upland grass/broadleaf tall shrub plant community (facing north).
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Photograph 7.5: Site C. Sedge Western Lilaeopsis Estuarine Marsh plant community.
Photograph 7.6: Site C. The upland grass/broadleaf tall shrub plant community (graminoid structural stage in foreground, broadleaf tall shrub structural stage in background).
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Photograph 7.7: Site D. Vancouver International Airport lands. Grassy field in background, ditch wetland in middle ground (facing east along alignment).
Photograph 7.8: Site D. Wetland along ditch, facing south.
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PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD Client: RAV Rapid Transit Site Name: RAV Line Photographer: Ken Summers Job Number: 201.01021.001 Date: June 6, 2003
Photograph 7.9: Middle Arm of Fraser River habitat off barge loading site on west side (Sea Island).
Photograph 7.10: Canada Geese feeding on short mowed field on east side of Sea Island.
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PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD Client: RAV Rapid Transit Site Name: RAV Line Photographer: Ken Summers Job Number: 201.01021.001 Date: June 6, 2003
Photograph 7.11: Short grass field near Grant McConachie Way along route of RAV transit line.
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APPENDIX 7-A
RAV Project Ecosystem Mapping
FIGURE 7-A1
7-A2 to 7-A9
FIGURE 7-A2 7.2
7.2 FIGURE 7-A3 FIGURE 7.3
7.2 7.4 FIGURE 7-A4
FIGURE 7-A5
FIGURE 7-A6
7.2 7.5 FIGURE 7-A7
FIGURE 7-A8
FIGURE 7-A9
APPENDIX 7-B
CDC Rare Element Occurrences
APPENDIX 7-C
Vascular Plant Tracking List of the Chilliwack Forest District
Richmond-Airport-Vancouver Rapid Transit Project Project No. 201.01021.001
SEACOR Environmental Inc.
APPENDIX 7-C Vascular Plant Tracking List of the Chilliwack Forest District
Scientific Name Alopecurus carolinianus Anemone drummondii var. drummondii Anemone virginiana var. cylindroidea Apocynum x floribundum Arabis lignifera Asplenium adulterinum Berula erecta Bidens amplissima Cacaliopsis nardosmia Callitriche heterophylla ssp. heterophylla Caltha palustris var. palustris Cardamine parviflora var. arenicola Carex amplifolia Carex comosa Carex interrupta Carex lenticularis var. lenticularis Carex scoparia Carex vulpinoidea Castilleja rupicola Centaurium muehlenbergii Cephalanthera austiniae Ceratophyllum echinatum Cheilanthes gracillima Cimicifuga elata Clarkia amoena var. caurina Claytonia rubra ssp. depressa Claytonia washingtoniana Coleanthus subtilis Crassula aquatica Crepis atribarba ssp. atribarba Crepis occidentalis ssp. pumila Cryptogramma cascadensis Cuscuta pentagona Delphinium glareosum Common Name Carolina meadow-foxtail alpine anemone riverbank anemone western dogbane woody-branched rockcress corrupt spleenwort cut-leaved water-parsnip Vancouver Island beggarticks silvercrown two-edged water-starwort yellow marsh-marigold small-flowered bitter-cress bigleaf sedge bearded sedge green-fruited sedge lakeshore sedge pointed broom sedge fox sedge cliff paintbrush Muhlenberg's centaury phantom orchid spring hornwort lace fern tall bugbane farewell-to-spring redstem springbeauty Washington springbeauty moss grass pigmyweed slender hawksbeard western hawksbeard Cascade parsley fern field dodder rockslide larkspur G Rank G5 G4T4 G5TNR G4G5 G5 G3? G4G5 G3 G4G5 G5T5 G5T5 G5T5 G4 G5 G3G4 G5T5 G5 G5 G2G3 G5? G4 G4? G4G5 G2 G5T5? G5TNR G2G4 GNR G5 G5T5 G5T5 G5 G5 G3G4 Provincial S2 S2S3 S1 S2S3 S2S3 S2S3 S1 S3 S1 S2S3 S2S3 S1 S2S3 S2S3 S1 S2 S2S3 S2S3 S2 S1 S2 S3 S2S3 S1 S3 S2 S2 S1 S3 S1 S1 S2S3 S2S3 S1 E (MAY 2001) T (MAY 2000) SC (NOV 2001) COSEWIC BC Status RED BLUE RED BLUE BLUE BLUE RED BLUE RED BLUE BLUE RED BLUE BLUE RED RED BLUE BLUE RED RED RED BLUE BLUE RED BLUE RED RED RED BLUE RED RED BLUE BLUE RED Identified Wildlife
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Scientific Name Dicentra uniflora Douglasia laevigata var. ciliolata Draba lonchocarpa var. thompsonii Elatine rubella Eleocharis parvula Eleocharis rostellata Elmera racemosa var. racemosa Elodea nuttallii Epilobium ciliatum ssp. watsonii Epilobium glaberrimum ssp. fastigiatum Epilobium halleanum Epilobium leptocarpum Epilobium mirabile Galium mexicanum ssp. asperulum Gayophytum humile Glyceria leptostachya Glyceria occidentalis Helenium autumnale var. grandiflorum Helianthus nuttallii var. nuttallii Heterocodon rariflorum Hydrophyllum tenuipes Hypericum majus Hypericum scouleri ssp. nortoniae Idahoa scapigera Isoetes nuttallii Juncus oxymeris Juncus regelii Leersia oryzoides Lewisia tweedyi Lilaea scilloides Lindernia dubia var. anagallidea Lomatium brandegeei Lupinus arbustus ssp. pseudoparviflorus Lupinus argenteus var. laxiflorus Lupinus rivularis Common Name steer's head smooth douglasia lance-fruited draba three-flowered waterwort small spike-rush beaked spike-rush elmera Nuttall's waterweed purple-leaved willowherb smooth willowherb Hall's willowherb small-fruited willowherb hairy-stemmed willowherb rough bedstraw dwarf groundsmoke slender-spiked mannagrass western mannagrass mountain sneezeweed Nuttall's sunflower heterocodon Pacific waterleaf large Canadian St. John'swort western St. John's-wort scalepod Nuttall's quillwort pointed rush Regel's rush rice cutgrass Tweedy's lewisia flowering quillwort false-pimpernel Brandegee's lomatium Montana lupine silvery lupine streambank lupine G Rank G4? G3T3 G4T3T4 G5 G5 G5 G4G5T 4 G5 G5TNR G5TNR G5 G5 G4Q G5TNR G5 G3 G5 G5TNR G5T5 G5 G4G5 G5 G5TNR G5 G4? G5 G4? G5 G2G3 G5? G5T4 G3? G5TNR G5TNR G4G5 Provincial S2S3 S2S3 S2S3 S2S3 S2S3 S2S3 S2S3 S2S3 S2S3 S2S3 S2S3 S2S3 S2S3 S1 S2S3 S2S3 S2S3 S2S3 S1 S3 S2S3 S2S3 S2S3 S2 S3 S2S3 S3 S2S3 S1 S2S3 S2S3 S2S3 S1 S1 S1 E (NOV COSEWIC BC Status BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE RED BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE RED BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE RED BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE RED BLUE BLUE BLUE RED RED RED Identified Wildlife
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Scientific Name Common Name G Rank Provincial COSEWIC 2002) Melica bulbosa var. bulbosa Melica smithii Mimulus breweri Mitella caulescens Muhlenbergia filiformis Myriophyllum hippuroides Myriophyllum pinnatum Myriophyllum ussuriense Navarretia intertexta Nothochelone nemorosa Platanthera dilatata var. albiflora Pleuropogon refractus Polemonium elegans Polygonum douglasii ssp. johnstonii Polygonum hydropiperoides Polygonum polygaloides ssp. kelloggii Polygonum punctatum Polystichum kruckebergii Potamogeton nodosus Potamogeton oakesianus Potamogeton strictifolius Pyrola elliptica Rubus lasiococcus Rubus nivalis Rupertia physodes Sagina decumbens ssp. occidentalis Salix sessilifolia Sanguisorba menziesii Scrophularia lanceolata Sidalcea hendersonii Smelowskia ovalis Sparganium fluctuans Spergularia macrotheca var. macrotheca Stellaria obtusa Stellaria umbellata Toxicodendron diversilobum oniongrass Smith's melic Brewer's monkey-flower leafy mitrewort slender muhly western water-milfoil green parrot's-feather Ussurian water-milfoil needle-leaved navarretia woodland penstemon fragrant white rein orchid nodding semaphoregrass elegant Jacob's-ladder Sawatch knotweed water-pepper Kellogg's knotweed dotted smartweed Kruckeberg's holly fern long-leaved pondweed Oakes' pondweed stiff-leaved pondweed white wintergreen dwarf bramble snow bramble California-tea western pearlwort soft-leaved willow Menzies' burnet lance-leaved figwort Henderson's checkermallow short-fruited smelowskia water bur-reed beach sand-spurry blunt-sepaled starwort umbellate starwort poison oak G5T5 G4 G5 G5 G5 G5 G5 G3 G5? G5 G5TNR G4 G4 G5TNR G5 G4G5T 3T5 G5 G4 G5 G4 G5 G5 G5 G4? G4 G5TNR G4 G3G4 G5 G3 G5 G5 G5TNR G5 G5 G5 S2 S2S3 S2S3 S2S3 S1 S3 S1 S3 S2 S2S3 S2S3 S3 S2S3 S1 S2S3 S2S3 S2S3 S2S3 S1 S2S3 S2S3 S2S3 S2S3 S2 S3 S3 S2S3 S2S3 S2S3 S3 S2S3 S2S3 S2S3 S2S3 S2S3 S2S3 RED BLUE BLUE BLUE RED BLUE RED BLUE RED BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE RED BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE RED BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE RED BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BC Status Identified Wildlife
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Scientific Name Verbena hastata var. scabra Veronica catenata Viola howellii Viola purpurea var. venosa Wolffia borealis Common Name blue vervain pink water speedwell Howell's violet purple-marked yellow violet northern water-meal G Rank G5TNR G5 G4 G5TNR G5 Provincial S2 S1 S2S3 S2S3 S2 COSEWIC BC Status RED RED BLUE BLUE RED Identified Wildlife
Lists the rare vascular plants that are expected to occur in the Chilliwack Forest District. The codes are defined in BCMSRM (2002).
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APPENDIX 7-D
Listed Plant Species of the Chilliwack Forest District Habitat Analysis
APPENDIX 7-D Listed Plant Species of the Chilliwack Forest District - Habitat Analysis(1)
streams and stream/river edges mesic to moist mossy or rocky
ponds, sloughs, and edges
brackish and salt marshes
ditches and wet places
mesic to moist forests
fields and meadows
dry sandy or rocky
marshes and fens
lakes and edges
open forests
vernal pools
shrublands
roadsides
swamps
bogs
Scientific Name Alopecurus carolinianus Anemone drummondii var. drummondii Anemone virginiana var. cylindroidea Apocynum x floribundum Arabis lignifera Asplenium adulterinum Berula erecta Bidens amplissima Cacaliopsis nardosmia Callitriche heterophylla ssp. heterophylla Caltha palustris var. palustris Cardamine parviflora var. arenicola Carex amplifolia Carex comosa Carex interrupta Carex lenticularis var. lenticularis Carex scoparia Carex vulpinoidea Castilleja rupicola Centaurium muehlenbergii Cephalanthera austiniae Ceratophyllum echinatum Cheilanthes gracillima Cimicifuga elata Clarkia amoena var. caurina Claytonia rubra ssp. depressa Claytonia washingtoniana Coleanthus subtilis Crassula aquatica Crepis atribarba ssp. atribarba Crepis occidentalis ssp. pumila Cryptogramma cascadensis Cuscuta pentagona Delphinium glareosum Dicentra uniflora Douglasia laevigata var. ciliolata Draba lonchocarpa var. thompsonii Elatine rubella Eleocharis parvula Eleocharis rostellata Elmera racemosa var. racemosa Elodea nuttallii Epilobium ciliatum ssp. watsonii
English Name Carolina meadow-foxtail alpine anemone riverbank anemone western dogbane woody-branched rockcress corrupt spleenwort cut-leaved water-parsnip Vancouver Island beggarticks silvercrown two-edged water-starwort yellow marsh-marigold small-flowered bitter-cress bigleaf sedge bearded sedge green-fruited sedge lakeshore sedge pointed broom sedge fox sedge cliff paintbrush Muhlenberg's centaury phantom orchid spring hornwort lace fern tall bugbane farewell-to-spring redstem springbeauty Washington springbeauty moss grass pigmyweed slender hawksbeard western hawksbeard Cascade parsley fern field dodder rockslide larkspur steer's head smooth douglasia lance-fruited draba three-flowered waterwort small spike-rush beaked spike-rush elmera Nuttall's waterweed purple-leaved willowherb
0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0
0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 1
0 0 0 0 1
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
1 0 1 1 0
1 0 0 1 0
1 1 0 1 0
0 0 0 0 0
1 0 0 0 1
0 0 0 0 0
0 1 1 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 1
BC Status RED BLUE RED BLUE BLUE BLUE RED BLUE RED BLUE BLUE RED BLUE BLUE RED RED BLUE BLUE RED RED RED BLUE BLUE RED BLUE RED RED RED BLUE RED RED BLUE BLUE RED BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE
Habitat Comments (from Douglas et al. 2002a) wet to moist vernal pools, roadsides and meadows unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements mesic to dry roadsides, fields, shrublands and open forests unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements wet to moist shorelines, streambanks, ditches and open areas moist to wet ditches, streambanks and pond edges unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements shallow ponds, slow-moving streams and shorelines bogs and shallow, brackish marshes dry sandy or rocky places moist meadows, swamps and bogs shorelines and wet meadows streamsides and wet places unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements moist to wet sites wet meadows, swamps, marshes, and streambanks unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements moist meadows moist to mesic forests (Douglas et al. 1998b) lakes and sloughs dry rocks and rock crevices moist forests dry grassy areas mesic to dry sand dunes, meadows, open forests and rock outcrops moist to mesic, mossy rock outcrops and forests damp, muddy lake margins wet vernal pools and mudflats unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements parasitic, especially on legumes unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements wet ditches, mudflats and shallow ponds and shorelines coastal salt marshes, mudflats and sandy shores salt marshes, hot springs and alkaline or saline pond edges unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements lakes, ponds and streams wet to mesic disturbed areas, roadsides, fields and ditches
Appendix 7-D.xls\Red & Blue Listed Plant Species
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fields and meadows
dry sandy or rocky
marshes and fens
lakes and edges
open forests
vernal pools
shrublands
roadsides
swamps
bogs
Scientific Name Epilobium glaberrimum ssp. fastigiatum Epilobium halleanum Epilobium leptocarpum Epilobium mirabile Galium mexicanum ssp. asperulum Gayophytum humile Glyceria leptostachya Glyceria occidentalis Helenium autumnale var. grandiflorum Helianthus nuttallii var. nuttallii Heterocodon rariflorum Hydrophyllum tenuipes Hypericum majus Hypericum scouleri ssp. nortoniae Idahoa scapigera Isoetes nuttallii Juncus oxymeris Juncus regelii Leersia oryzoides Lewisia tweedyi Lilaea scilloides Lindernia dubia var. anagallidea Lomatium brandegeei Lupinus arbustus ssp. pseudoparviflorus Lupinus argenteus var. laxiflorus Lupinus rivularis Melica bulbosa var. bulbosa Melica smithii Mimulus breweri Mitella caulescens Muhlenbergia filiformis Myriophyllum hippuroides Myriophyllum pinnatum Myriophyllum ussuriense Navarretia intertexta Nothochelone nemorosa Platanthera dilatata var. albiflora Pleuropogon refractus Polemonium elegans Polygonum douglasii ssp. johnstonii Polygonum hydropiperoides Polygonum polygaloides ssp. kelloggii Polygonum punctatum
English Name smooth willowherb Hall's willowherb small-fruited willowherb hairy-stemmed willowherb rough bedstraw dwarf groundsmoke slender-spiked mannagrass western mannagrass mountain sneezeweed Nuttall's sunflower heterocodon Pacific waterleaf large Canadian St. John's-wort western St. John's-wort scalepod Nuttall's quillwort pointed rush Regel's rush rice cutgrass Tweedy's lewisia flowering quillwort false-pimpernel Brandegee's lomatium Montana lupine silvery lupine streambank lupine oniongrass Smith's melic Brewer's monkey-flower leafy mitrewort slender muhly western water-milfoil green parrot's-feather Ussurian water-milfoil needle-leaved navarretia woodland penstemon fragrant white rein orchid nodding semaphoregrass elegant Jacob's-ladder Sawatch knotweed water-pepper Kellogg's knotweed dotted smartweed
0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 1
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1
1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1
0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 1
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
1 1
1 0
1 0
1 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
BC Status BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE RED BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE RED BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE RED BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE RED BLUE BLUE BLUE RED RED RED RED BLUE BLUE BLUE RED BLUE RED BLUE RED BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE RED BLUE BLUE BLUE
Habitat Comments (from Douglas et al. 2002a) unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements moist slopes and open forests moist meadows and streambanks unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements mesic forest margins unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements brackish tidal marshes, swamps, lakeshores, streamsides and wet meadows marshes, lakeshores and wet meadows and forests moist to mesic streambanks, meadows and forest openings wet to moist fields and meadows moist sites moist woodlands and streambanks moist to wet waste places, vernal pools, gravelly shorelines and tidal shores moist sites moist seepages to dry rocky slopes vernal pools and ephemeral winter seepages wet meadows and riverbanks wet streambanks and marshes swamps, lakeshores and wet ditches unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements mud flats, ponds and marshes wet, sandy or muddy banks and shores unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements wet to moist meadows and riverbanks unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements moist forests unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements wet to moist meadows and woodlands unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements lakes and sloughs ponds and slough bottoms lake margins and muddy river banks moist meadows and vernal pools moist forests and rocky slopes wet meadows, seepage slopes, bogs, stream and lake margins and open forests bogs, streambanks, lakeshores, wet meadows and forests unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements wet swampy sites, shorelines and shallow water unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements swamps and wet meadows
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fields and meadows
dry sandy or rocky
marshes and fens
lakes and edges
open forests
vernal pools
shrublands
roadsides
swamps
bogs
Scientific Name Polystichum kruckebergii Potamogeton nodosus Potamogeton oakesianus Potamogeton strictifolius Pyrola elliptica Rubus lasiococcus Rubus nivalis Rupertia physodes Sagina decumbens ssp. occidentalis Salix sessilifolia Sanguisorba menziesii Scrophularia lanceolata Sidalcea hendersonii Smelowskia ovalis Sparganium fluctuans Spergularia macrotheca var. macrotheca Stellaria obtusa Stellaria umbellata Toxicodendron diversilobum Verbena hastata var. scabra Veronica catenata Viola howellii Viola purpurea var. venosa Wolffia borealis
(1)
English Name Kruckeberg's holly fern long-leaved pondweed Oakes' pondweed stiff-leaved pondweed white wintergreen dwarf bramble snow bramble California-tea western pearlwort soft-leaved willow Menzies' burnet lance-leaved figwort Henderson's checker-mallow short-fruited smelowskia water bur-reed beach sand-spurry blunt-sepaled starwort umbellate starwort poison oak blue vervain pink water speedwell Howell's violet purple-marked yellow violet northern water-meal
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 1 1 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 1 0
0 0 0 1 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 1 0 1
0 0 1 0 1
0 0 1 0 1
0 0 0 0 0
0 1 1 0 0
0 1 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
1 0 0 0 0
1 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
BC Status BLUE RED BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE RED BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE RED RED BLUE BLUE RED
Habitat Comments (from Douglas et al. 2002a) unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements lakes and sloughs lakes and ponds unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements dry to moist forests mesic to moist thickets and open forests moist forest and glades mesic open forests margins of vernal pools, mesic forest openings and dry hillsides moist to mesic sandbars fens, bogs, marshes and wet meadows unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements wet meadows and tidal flats unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements ponds, lakeshores and slow-moving streams wet to moist salt marshes and sandy to rocky coastal beaches unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements dry to mesic rocky slopes moist to wet ditches, meadows and marshes wet meadows, ditches, shores, and shallow water along pond edges and slow-moving streams mesic to moist woodlands and forests unlikely to occur in study area due to climatic requirements ponds, lakes and slow-moving streams
Note: Likelihood of occuring in study area:

0 1
= unlikely = possible
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APPENDIX 7-E
Potential Listed Vascular Plants of the RAV Study Area
APPENDIX 7-E Potential Listed Vascular Plants of the RAV Study Area (1)
Scientific Name Alopecurus carolinianus Apocynum x floribundum Berula erecta Bidens amplissima Callitriche heterophylla ssp. heterophylla Caltha palustris var. palustris Cardamine parviflora var. arenicola Carex amplifolia Carex comosa Carex interrupta Carex scoparia Carex vulpinoidea Centaurium muehlenbergii Cephalanthera austiniae Ceratophyllum echinatum Cheilanthes gracillima Cimicifuga elata Clarkia amoena var. caurina Claytonia rubra ssp. depressa Claytonia washingtoniana Coleanthus subtilis Crassula aquatica Cuscuta pentagona Elatine rubella Eleocharis parvula Eleocharis rostellata Elodea nuttallii Epilobium ciliatum ssp. watsonii Epilobium halleanum Epilobium leptocarpum Galium mexicanum ssp. asperulum Glyceria leptostachya Glyceria occidentalis Helenium autumnale var. grandiflorum Helianthus nuttallii var. nuttallii Heterocodon rariflorum Hydrophyllum tenuipes Hypericum majus Hypericum scouleri ssp. nortoniae Idahoa scapigera Isoetes nuttallii English Name Carolina meadow-foxtail western dogbane cut-leaved water-parsnip Vancouver Island beggarticks two-edged water-starwort yellow marsh-marigold small-flowered bitter-cress bigleaf sedge bearded sedge green-fruited sedge pointed broom sedge fox sedge Muhlenberg's centaury phantom orchid spring hornwort lace fern tall bugbane farewell-to-spring redstem springbeauty Washington springbeauty moss grass pigmyweed field dodder three-flowered waterwort small spike-rush beaked spike-rush Nuttall's waterweed purple-leaved willowherb Hall's willowherb small-fruited willowherb rough bedstraw slender-spiked mannagrass western mannagrass mountain sneezeweed Nuttall's sunflower heterocodon Pacific waterleaf large Canadian St. John's-wort western St. John's-wort scalepod Nuttall's quillwort BC Status RED BLUE RED BLUE BLUE BLUE RED BLUE BLUE RED BLUE BLUE RED RED BLUE BLUE RED BLUE RED RED RED BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE RED BLUE BLUE BLUE RED BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE RED BLUE
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APPENDIX 7-E Potential Listed Vascular Plants of the RAV Study Area (1)
Scientific Name Juncus oxymeris Juncus regelii Leersia oryzoides Lilaea scilloides Lindernia dubia var. anagallidea Lupinus rivularis Melica smithii Mitella caulescens Myriophyllum hippuroides Myriophyllum pinnatum Myriophyllum ussuriense Navarretia intertexta Nothochelone nemorosa Platanthera dilatata var. albiflora Pleuropogon refractus Polygonum hydropiperoides Polygonum punctatum Potamogeton nodosus Potamogeton oakesianus Pyrola elliptica Rubus lasiococcus Rubus nivalis Rupertia physodes Sagina decumbens ssp. occidentalis Salix sessilifolia Sanguisorba menziesii Sidalcea hendersonii Sparganium fluctuans Spergularia macrotheca var. macrotheca Toxicodendron diversilobum Verbena hastata var. scabra Veronica catenata Viola howellii Wolffia borealis (1) Based on analysis per Appendix D. English Name pointed rush Regel's rush rice cutgrass flowering quillwort false-pimpernel streambank lupine Smith's melic leafy mitrewort western water-milfoil green parrot's-feather Ussurian water-milfoil needle-leaved navarretia woodland penstemon fragrant white rein orchid nodding semaphoregrass water-pepper dotted smartweed long-leaved pondweed Oakes' pondweed white wintergreen dwarf bramble snow bramble California-tea western pearlwort soft-leaved willow Menzies' burnet Henderson's checker-mallow water bur-reed beach sand-spurry poison oak blue vervain pink water speedwell Howell's violet northern water-meal BC Status BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE RED BLUE BLUE BLUE RED BLUE RED BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE RED BLUE BLUE BLUE RED BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE RED RED BLUE RED
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APPENDIX 7-F
Natural Plant Community Red and Blue List Chilliwack Forest District August 2002
APPENDIX 7-F Natural Plant Community Red and Blue List Chilliwack Forest District August 2002
Visit the CDC's Ecology web page or contact the CDC for more information (URL: http://srmwww.gov.bc.ca/cdc/ecology.htm, PHONE: (250) 356-0928, E-MAIL: cdcdata@victoria1.gov.bc.ca). Changes from the 2000 list include the results of the most recent ranking review of natural plant communities. Additions to the Red and Blue list include some natural plant communities previously considered secure and now recognized as vulnerable, as well as rare plant communities recently described from new inventory data. Successional and Structural stages for each plant community are currently under review and have been removed from the list until the next update. Biogeoclimatic Site Unit(s): This column indicates the BGC unit(s) in which each plant community is known to occur (future inventories may indicate range extensions). The two digit number following the slash (01 and up) indicates that the community is part of the B.C. Ministry of Forests (MOF) site series classification. Information on the site series classification can be found in the MOF Field Guides for Site Identification (http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/research/becweb). A two digit number of 00 indicates that the community is not part of the MOF site series classification but is a recognized community from other vegetation and site classifications, and ecosystem mapping projects). The original source information for these communities can be obtained by contacting the CDC directly (contact info above). 71 Plant Associations Listed
Biogeoclimatic Site Unit(s)
Provincial Rank
Scientific name Abies amabilis - Picea sitchensis / Oplopanax horridus Abies amabilis - Thuja plicata / Gymnocarpium dryopteris Abies amabilis - Thuja plicata / Oplopanax horridus Moist Submaritime Abies grandis / Mahonia nervosa Abies grandis / Tiarella trifoliata Alnus rubra / Carex obnupta [ Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa ]
English name Amabilis fir - Sitka spruce / devil's club Amabilis fir - western redcedar / oak fern Amabilis fir - western redcedar / devil's club Moist Submaritime Grand fir / dull Oregon-grape Grand fir / three-leaved foamflower Red alder / slough sedge [ black cottonwood ]
CWHvm1/08 CWHvm2/08 CWHms1/04 CWHms2/04 CWHws2/04 CWHms1/06 CWHms2/06 CDFmm/04 CDFmm/06 CDFmm/14
S3 S3 S3 S1 S1 S1
Blue Blue Blue Red Red Red
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Provincial List
Provincial Rank
Scientific name Alnus rubra / Lysichiton americanum Anaphalis margaritacea - Aster foliaceous Arbutus menziesii - Arctostaphylos columbiana Carex macrocephala Herbaceous Vegetation Deschampsia cespitosa - Sidalcea hendersonii Festuca idahoensis - Koelaria macrantha Myosurus minimus - Montia - Limnanthes macounii Phlox diffusa - Selaginella wallacei Picea sitchensis / Rubus spectabilis Dry Picea sitchensis / Rubus spectabilis Moist Submaritime Picea sitchensis / Rubus spectabilis Very Dry Maritime Picea sitchensis / Rubus spectabilis Very Wet Maritime Pinus contorta / Rhododendron macrophyllum Pinus contorta / Sphagnum CDFmm Pinus contorta / Sphagnum Very Dry Maritime Pinus contorta var. contorta - Juniperus communis Arctostaphylos columbiana
English name Red alder / skunk cabbage Anaphalis - aster Arbutus - hairy manzanita Large-headed sedge herbaceous vegetation Tufted hairgrass - Henderson's checker-mallow Idaho fescue - junegrass
Phlox - moss Sitka spruce / salmonberry Dry Sitka spruce / salmonberry Moist Submaritime Sitka spruce / salmonberry Very Dry Maritime Sitka spruce / salmonberry Very Wet Maritime
CDFmm/11 MHmm1/00 CWHxm1/00 CDFmm/00 CDFmm/00 CWHvh1/00 CWHxm1/00 CDFmm/00 CWHxm1/00 CDFmm/00 MHmm1/00 CWHdm/08 CWHds1/08 CWHms2/07 CWHms1/07 CWHxm2/08 CWHxm1/08 CWHvm1/09 CWHds1/00 CWHms1/00 IDFww/00 CDFmm/10 CWHxm1/11 CWHxm2/11 CWHxm1/00
S2S3 S2 S2 S1S2 S1S2 S1 S1 S2 S1S2 S1S2 S2 S2 S2 S1 S3 S1
Blue Red Red Red Red Red Red Red Red Red Red Red Red Red Blue Red
Lodgepole pine / Sphagnum CDFmm Lodgepole pine / Sphagnum Very Dry Maritime Shore pine - common juniper - hairy manzanita
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Provincial List
Provincial Rank
Scientific name Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa / Cornus stolonifera
English name Black cottonwood / red-osier dogwood
Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa / Salix Dry Submaritime Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa / Salix sitchensis Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa / Salix sitchensis - Rubus parviflorus Populus tremuloides - Malus fusca - Carex obnupta Pseudotsuga - Thuja plicata / Acer circinatum Pseudotsuga menziesii - Arbutus menziesii Pseudotsuga menziesii - Pinus contorta - Arbutus menziesii Pseudotsuga menziesii - Pinus contorta / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Dry Submaritime Pseudotsuga menziesii - Pinus contorta / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Moist Submaritime Pseudotsuga menziesii - Pinus contorta / Cladina Pseudotsuga menziesii - Pinus contorta / Holodiscus discolor / Cladina
Black cottonwood / willow Dry Submaritime Black cottonwood / willow Black cottonwood / willow - thimbleberry Trembling aspen - Pacific crabapple - slough sedge Western redcedar - Douglas-fir / vine maple Douglas-fir - arbutus Douglas-fir - lodgepole pine - arbutus Douglas-fir - lodgepole Submaritime Douglas-fir - lodgepole Submaritime Douglas-fir - lodgepole Douglas-fir - lodgepole pine / kinnikinnick Dry pine / kinnikinnick Moist pine / Cladina pine / oceanspray / Cladina
CWHdm/09 CWHvm1/10 CWHds1/09 CWHds2/09* CWHmm1/09* CWHms1/08* CWHms2/08* CWHws2/08* CWHxm1/09* CWHxm2/09* CWHds1/10 CWHds2/10 CWHdm/10 CWHxm2/10 CWHxm1/10 CWHms1/09 CWHms2/09 CDFmm/00 IDFww/05 CDFmm/00 CDFmm/02 CWHds1/02 CWHds2/02 CWHms1/02 CWHms2/02 CWHxm2/02 CWHdm/02
S3
Blue
S2S3 S2S3 S2 S1S2 S2 S2 S3 S2 S3 S2 S2
Blue Blue Red Red Red Red Blue Red Blue Red Red
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Provincial List
Provincial Rank
Scientific name Pseudotsuga menziesii - Pinus contorta / Rhacomitrium canescens Pseudotsuga menziesii - Quercus garryana / Melica subulata Pseudotsuga menziesii - Thuja plicata / Corylus cornuta Pseudotsuga menziesii - Tsuga heterophylla / Gaultheria shallon Dry Maritime Pseudotsuga menziesii - Tsuga heterophylla / Paxistima myrsinites Pseudotsuga menziesii / Acer glabrum / Prosartes hookeri Pseudotsuga menziesii / Mahonia nervosa Pseudotsuga menziesii / Polystichum munitum Quercus garryana - Acer macrophyllum - Prunus Quercus garryana - Arbutus menziesii Quercus garryana / Bromus carinatus Quercus garryana / Holodiscus discolor Rhododendron macrophyllum - Gaultheria ovatifolia / Cladonia Sidalcea hendersonii - Tidal Marsh Thuja plicata - Chamaecyparis nootkatensis / Lysichiton americanum
English name Douglas-fir - lodgepole pine / Rhacomitrium Douglas-fir - Garry oak / Alaska oniongrass Douglas-fir - western redcedar / beaked hazelnut Douglas-fir - western hemlock / salal Dry Maritime Douglas-fir - western hemlock / falsebox
CWHxm1/02 CDFmm/03 IDFww/01 CWHxm1/03 CWHxm2/03 CWHdm/03 CWHds1/03 CWHds2/03 CWHms1/03 CWHms2/03 IDFww/04 CWHds1/04 CWHds2/04 CDFmm/01 CWHxm1/04 CWHxm2/04 CWHdm/04 CWHds1/00 CDFmm/00 CDFmm/00 CDFmm/00 IDFww/00 CWHxm1/00 CWHvm2/11 CWHmm2/10
S2 S1 S2 S2S3 S3
Red Red Red Blue Blue
Douglas-fir / Douglas maple / Hooker's fairybells Douglas-fir / dull Oregon-grape Douglas-fir / sword fern Garry oak - big leaf maple - wild cherry Garry oak - arbutus Garry oak / California brome Garry oak / oceanspray Pacific rhododendron - western tea-berry / Cladonia Henderson's checker-mallow - Tidal Marsh Western redcedar - yellow cedar / skunk cabbage
S2 S2 S2 S1 S1 S1 S1 S1 S1 S3
Red Red Red Red Red Red Red Red Red Blue
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Provincial List
Provincial Rank
Scientific name Thuja plicata - Picea engelmannii / Lysichiton americanum Thuja plicata - Pseudotsuga menziesii / Kindbergia oregana Thuja plicata - Tsuga heterophylla / Polystichum munitum Thuja plicata / Achlys triphylla Thuja plicata / Carex obnupta Thuja plicata / Lonicera involucrata Thuja plicata / Oemleria cerasiformis Thuja plicata / Oplopanax horridus Thuja plicata / Polystichum munitum Dry Maritime Thuja plicata / Polystichum munitum Very Dry Maritime Thuja plicata / Rubus spectabilis Thuja plicata / Maianthemum racemosum Thuja plicata / Symphoricarpos albus Thuja plicata / Tiarella trifoliata Dry Maritime
English name Western redcedar - Engelmann spruce / skunk cabbage Western redcedar - Douglas-fir / Oregon beaked moss Western redcedar - western hemlock / sword fern
IDFww/00 CDFmm/05 CWHvm1/04 CWHvm2/04 CWHmm1/04 CWHmm2/04 CDFmm/12 CWHxm1/15 CWHxm2/15 CWHdm/15 CWHxm1/14 CWHxm2/14 CWHdm/14 CDFmm/13 CWHds1/07 CWHds2/07 CWHdm/05 CWHxm1/05 CWHxm2/05 CWHxm1/13 CWHxm2/13 CWHdm/13 CWHds1/05 CWHds2/05 CDFmm/07 CWHdm/07
S1 S1 S3?
Red Red Blue
Western redcedar / vanilla leaf Western redcedar / slough sedge Western redcedar / black twinberry Western redcedar / Indian-plum Western redcedar / devil's club Western redcedar / swordfern Dry Maritime Western redcedar / swordfern Very Dry Maritime Western redcedar / salmonberry Western redcedar / false Solomon's-seal Western redcedar / snowberry Western redcedar / three-leaved foamflower Dry Maritime
S1 S2S3 S2 S1 S1S2 S2S3 S2S3 S1S2 S1S2 S1 S2S3
Red Blue Red Red Red Blue Blue Red Red Red Blue
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Provincial List
Provincial Rank
Scientific name Thuja plicata / Tiarella trifoliata Very Dry Maritime Thuja plicata/Picea sitchensis - Lysichitum americanum
English name Western redcedar / three-leaved foamflower Very Dry Maritime Western redcedar/Sitka spruce - skunk cabbage
Tsuga heterophylla - Pseudotsuga / Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus Dry Submaritime 1 Tsuga heterophylla - Pseudotsuga menziesii / Kindbergia oregana Tsuga heterophylla - Thuja plicata / Blechnum spicant Tsuga heterophylla / Clintonia uniflora Tsuga heterophylla / Plagiothecium undulatum Tsuga mertensiana - Abies amabilis / Vaccinium alaskaense
Western hemlock - Douglas-fir / electrified cat's-tail moss Dry Submaritime 1 Western hemlock - Douglas-fir / Oregon beaked moss Western hemlock - western redcedar / deer fern Western hemlock / queen's cup Western hemlock / flat moss Mountain hemlock - amabilis fir / blueberry
CWHxm1/07 CWHxm2/07 CWHvh1/13 CWHvh2/13 CWHwh1/12 CWHwh2/06 CWHmm1/12 CWHdm/12 CWHxm1/12 CWHds1/12 CWHds2/12 CWHxm2/12 CWHms1/11 CWHms2/11 CWHvm1/14 CWHds1/01 CWHxm1/01 CWHxm2/01 CWHdm/06 CWHxm2/06 CWHxm1/06 CWHds1/06 CWHds2/06 CWHdm/01 MHmm1/01 MHmm2/01
S2 S3
Red Blue
S2 S2 S2 S2 S2S3 S3S4
Red Red Red Red Blue Yellow
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Provincial List
APPENDIX 7-G
Potential Listed Plant Communities of the Study Area
APPENDIX 7-G Potential Listed Plant Communities of the Study Area
Provincial Rank
Scientific name Abies grandis / Mahonia nervosa Abies grandis / Tiarella trifoliata Alnus rubra / Carex obnupta [ Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa ] Alnus rubra / Lysichiton americanum Arbutus menziesii - Arctostaphylos columbiana Carex macrocephala Herbaceous Vegetation Deschampsia cespitosa - Sidalcea hendersonii Festuca idahoensis - Koelaria macrantha Myosurus minimus - Montia - Limnanthes macounii Picea sitchensis / Rubus spectabilis Very Dry Maritime Pinus contorta / Sphagnum CDFmm Pinus contorta / Sphagnum Very Dry Maritime Pinus contorta var. contorta - Juniperus communis Arctostaphylos columbiana Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa / Cornus stolonifera
English name Grand fir / dull Oregon-grape Grand fir / three-leaved foamflower Red alder / slough sedge [ black cottonwood ] Red alder / skunk cabbage Arbutus - hairy manzanita Large-headed sedge herbaceous vegetation Tufted hairgrass - Henderson's checker-mallow Idaho fescue - junegrass
CDFmm/04 CDFmm/06 CDFmm/14 CDFmm/11 CWHxm1/00 CDFmm/00 CDFmm/00 CWHvh1/00 CWHxm1/00 CDFmm/00 CWHxm1/00 CDFmm/00 CWHxm2/08 CWHxm1/08 CDFmm/10 CWHxm1/11 CWHxm2/11 CWHxm1/00 CWHdm/09 CWHvm1/10 CWHds1/09 CWHds2/09* CWHmm1/09* CWHms1/08* CWHms2/08* CWHws2/08* CWHxm1/09* CWHxm2/09*
S1 S1 S1 S2S3 S2 S1S2 S1S2 S1 S1 S2 S1 S3 S1
Red Red Red Blue Red Red Red Red Red Red Red Blue Red
Sitka spruce / salmonberry Very Dry Maritime Lodgepole pine / Sphagnum CDFmm Lodgepole pine / Sphagnum Very Dry Maritime Shore pine - common juniper - hairy manzanita Black cottonwood / red-osier dogwood
S3
Blue
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Provincial List
Provincial Rank
Scientific name Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa / Salix sitchensis Populus tremuloides - Malus fusca - Carex obnupta Pseudotsuga menziesii - Arbutus menziesii Pseudotsuga menziesii - Pinus contorta - Arbutus menziesii Pseudotsuga menziesii - Pinus contorta / Rhacomitrium canescens Pseudotsuga menziesii - Quercus garryana / Melica subulata Pseudotsuga menziesii - Tsuga heterophylla / Gaultheria shallon Dry Maritime Pseudotsuga menziesii / Mahonia nervosa Pseudotsuga menziesii / Polystichum munitum Quercus garryana - Arbutus menziesii Quercus garryana / Bromus carinatus Quercus garryana / Holodiscus discolor Sidalcea hendersonii - Tidal Marsh Thuja plicata - Pseudotsuga menziesii / Kindbergia oregana Thuja plicata / Achlys triphylla Thuja plicata / Carex obnupta Thuja plicata / Lonicera involucrata
English name Black cottonwood / willow Trembling aspen - Pacific crabapple - slough sedge Douglas-fir - arbutus Douglas-fir - lodgepole pine - arbutus Douglas-fir - lodgepole pine / Rhacomitrium Douglas-fir - Garry oak / Alaska oniongrass Douglas-fir - western hemlock / salal Dry Maritime Douglas-fir / dull Oregon-grape Douglas-fir / sword fern Garry oak - arbutus Garry oak / California brome Garry oak / oceanspray Henderson's checker-mallow - Tidal Marsh Western redcedar - Douglas-fir / Oregon beaked moss Western redcedar / vanilla leaf Western redcedar / slough sedge Western redcedar / black twinberry
CWHdm/10 CWHxm2/10 CWHxm1/10 CDFmm/00 CDFmm/00 CDFmm/02 CWHxm1/02 CDFmm/03 CWHxm1/03 CWHxm2/03 CWHdm/03 CDFmm/01 CWHxm1/04 CWHxm2/04 CWHdm/04 CDFmm/00 CDFmm/00 CDFmm/00 CWHxm1/00 CDFmm/05 CDFmm/12 CWHxm1/15 CWHxm2/15 CWHdm/15 CWHxm1/14 CWHxm2/14 CWHdm/14
S2S3 S1S2 S2 S3 S2 S1 S2S3 S2 S2 S1 S1 S1 S1 S1 S1 S2S3
Blue Red Red Blue Red Red Blue Red Red Red Red Red Red Red Red Blue
S2
Red
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Provincial List
Provincial Rank
Scientific name Thuja plicata / Oemleria cerasiformis Thuja plicata / Polystichum munitum Very Dry Maritime Thuja plicata / Rubus spectabilis Thuja plicata / Symphoricarpos albus Thuja plicata / Tiarella trifoliata Very Dry Maritime Thuja plicata/Picea sitchensis - Lysichitum americanum
English name Western redcedar / Indian-plum Western redcedar / swordfern Very Dry Maritime Western redcedar / salmonberry Western redcedar / snowberry Western redcedar / three-leaved foamflower Very Dry Maritime Western redcedar/Sitka spruce - skunk cabbage
Tsuga heterophylla - Pseudotsuga menziesii / Kindbergia oregana Tsuga heterophylla - Thuja plicata / Blechnum spicant
Western hemlock - Douglas-fir / Oregon beaked moss Western hemlock - western redcedar / deer fern
CDFmm/13 CWHxm1/05 CWHxm2/05 CWHxm1/13 CWHxm2/13 CWHdm/13 CDFmm/07 CWHxm1/07 CWHxm2/07 CWHvh1/13 CWHvh2/13 CWHwh1/12 CWHwh2/06 CWHmm1/12 CWHdm/12 CWHxm1/12 CWHds1/12 CWHds2/12 CWHxm2/12 CWHms1/11 CWHms2/11 CWHvm1/14 CWHxm1/01 CWHxm2/01 CWHdm/06 CWHxm2/06 CWHxm1/06
S1 S2S3 S1S2 S1 S2
Red Blue Red Red Red
S3
Blue
S2 S2
Red Red
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Provincial List
APPENDIX 7-H
Detailed Plant Species List
APPENDIX 7-H Detailed Plant Species List Table -7-H1. Vascular Plants of Site A: Sedge Western Lilaeopsis Estuarine Marsh
Scientific Name Alisma triviale Angelica lucida Athyrium filix-femina Callitriche stagnalis* Carex lyngbyei ssp. cryptocarpa Eleocharis palustris Equisetum fluviatile Iris pseudacorus* Juncus balticus Lilaeopsis occidentalis Lycopus europaeus* Lythrum salicaria* Oenanthe sarmentosa Platanthera dilatata var. dilatata Potentilla anserina Rumex conglomeratus* Sagittaria cuneata Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani Sium suave Typha angustifolia* Common Name American water-plantain seacoast angelica lady fern pond water-starwort Lyngbye's sedge common spike-rush swamp horsetail yellow iris Baltic rush western lilaeopsis European horehound purple loosestrife Pacific water-parsley fragrant white rein orchid common silverweed clustered dock arum-leaved arrowhead soft-stemmed bulrush hemlock water-parsnip lesser cattail
Table 7-H2. Vascular Plants of Site A: Upland Grass/Broadleaf Shrub

Scientific Name Convolvulus sepium* Elymus glaucus ssp. virescens Epilobium angustifolium Equisetum telmateia ssp. braunii Holcus lanatus* Hypochaeris radicata* Lapsana communis* Linaria purpurea* Plantago lanceolata* Poa palustris Populus tremuloides Rosa nutkana Rubus discolor* Rubus parviflorus Rubus spectabilis Rumex sp. Sambucus racemosa Sonchus asper* Spiraea douglasii ssp. douglasii Symphoricarpos albus Taraxacum officinale*
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English Name hedge bindweed blue wildrye fireweed giant horsetail common velvet-grass hairy cat's-ear nipplewort purple toadflax ribwort plantain fowl bluegrass trembling aspen Nootka rose Himalayan blackberry thimbleberry salmonberry dock red elderberry prickly sow-thistle Hardhack common snowberry common dandelion
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APPENDIX 7-H Detailed Plant Species List Table 7-H3. Vascular Plants of Site B: Sedge Western Lilaeopsis Estuarine Marsh
Scientific Name Alisma triviale Callitriche stagnalis* Carex lyngbyei ssp. cryptocarpa Eleocharis palustris Equisetum fluviatile Iris pseudacorus* Juncus sp. Lilaeopsis occidentalis Lythrum salicaria* Potentilla anserina Sagittaria cuneata Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani Typha latifolia Common Name American water-plantain pond water-starwort Lyngbye's sedge common spike-rush swamp horsetail yellow iris Rush western lilaeopsis purple loosestrife common silverweed arum-leaved arrowhead soft-stemmed bulrush common cattail
Table 7-H4. Vascular Plants of Site B: Upland Herb/Broadleaf Shrub

Scientific Name Agrostis exarata Barbarea orthoceras Bromus sterilis* Cirsium arvense var. horridum* Convolvulus sepium* Cytisus scoparius* Dactylis glomerata* Equisetum arvense Lathyrus japonicus var. maritimus Leucanthemum vulgare* Lotus pedunculatus* Lycopus europaeus* Lythrum salicaria* Matricaria discoidea Medicago lupulina* Medicago sativa* Melilotus alba* Phalaris arundinacea Pinus contorta var. contorta Plantago lanceolata* Polygonum cuspidatum* Rubus discolor* Rubus spectabilis Salix hookeriana Salix sitchensis Tanacetum vulgare* Trifolium pratense* Common Name spike bentgrass American winter cress barren brome Canada thistle hedge bindweed Scotch broom orchard-grass common horsetail beach pea oxeye daisy stalked birds-foot trefoil European horehound purple loosestrife pineapple weed black medic Alfalfa white sweet-clover reed canarygrass shore pine ribwort plantain Japanese knotweed Himalayan blackberry Salmonberry Hooker's willow Sitka willow common tansy red clover
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APPENDIX 7-H Detailed Plant Species List
Table 7-H5. Vascular Plants of Site C: Sedge Western Lilaeopsis Estuarine Marsh
Scientific Name Alisma triviale Angelica lucida Carex lyngbyei ssp. cryptocarpa Cicuta douglasii Epilobium angustifolium Equisetum palustre Juncus articulatus Juncus balticus Lilaeopsis occidentalis Lolium arundinaceum* Lycopus europaeus* Phalaris arundinacea Potentilla anserina Rumex aquaticus var. fenestratus Common Name American water-plantain seacoast angelica Lyngbye's sedge Douglas' water-hemlock fireweed marsh horsetail jointed rush Baltic rush western lilaeopsis tall fescue European horehound reed canarygrass common silverweed western dock unknown sp.
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APPENDIX 7-H Detailed Plant Species List
Table 7-H6. Vascular Plants of Site C: Upland Grass/Broadleaf Tall Shrub

Scientific Name Achillea millefolium Aegopodium podagraria* Agrostis exarata Alnus rubra Anthemis cotula* Athyrium filix-femina Bromus vulgaris Cirsium arvense var. horridum* Convolvulus sepium* Cytisus scoparius* Elymus glaucus ssp. virescens Equisetum arvense Hedera helix* Holcus lanatus* Hypericum perforatum* Hypochaeris radicata* Iberis sp.* Juncus acuminatus Juncus effusus Lapsana communis* Lathyrus japonicus var. maritimus Lolium arundinaceum* Lolium perenne* Lythrum salicaria* Melilotus alba* Phalaris arundinacea Physocarpus capitatus Plantago lanceolata* Polygonum cuspidatum* Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa Prunus laurocerasus* Ranunculus repens* Rubus discolor* Rubus spectabilis Rumex acetosella* Rumex crispus* Sagina procumbens Sedum acre* Sonchus asper* Symphoricarpos albus Symphytum x uplandicum* Syringa vulgaris* Tanacetum vulgare*
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Common Name yarrow goutweed spike bentgrass red alder stinking chamomile lady fern Columbia brome Canada thistle hedge bindweed Scotch broom blue wildrye common horsetail English ivy common velvet-grass common St. John's-wort hairy cat's-ear candytuft tapered rush common rush nipplewort beach pea tall fescue perennial ryegrass purple loosestrife white sweet-clover reed canarygrass Pacific ninebark ribwort plantain Japanese knotweed black cottonwood cherry-laurel creeping buttercup Himalayan blackberry salmonberry sheep sorrel curled dock bird's-eye pearlwort goldmoss stonecrop prickly sow-thistle common snowberry hybrid comfrey common lilac common tansy
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APPENDIX 7-H Detailed Plant Species List Table 7-H6. Vascular Plants of Site C: Upland Grass/Broadleaf Tall Shrub
Scientific Name Taraxacum officinale* Thuja plicata Thuja sp.* Trifolium pratense* Trifolium repens* Vicia hirsuta* Vicia sativa* Vicia villosa ssp. villosa* Vulpia myuros* Common Name common dandelion western redcedar cedar red clover white clover tiny vetch common vetch hairy vetch rattail fescue unknown sp.* unknown sp.*
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APPENDIX 7-H Detailed Plant Species List Table 7-H7. Vascular Plants of Site D: Ditch Wetland
ScientificName Callitriche heterophylla ssp. bolanderi Eleocharis palustris Equisetum palustre Juncus balticus Juncus effusus Phalaris arundinacea Potentilla anserina Ruppia maritima Typha latifolia EnglishName diverse-leaved water-starwort common spike-rush marsh horsetail Baltic rush common rush reed canarygrass common silverweed beaked ditch-grass common cattail
This appendix contains a detailed species list for each plant community inspected during field surveys. Species indicated with an asterisk (*) are not native to British Columbia.
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APPENDIX 7-I
Listed Vertebrate Wildlife Species in the Chilliwack Forest District
Richmond-Airport-Vancouver Rapid Transit Project Terrestrial Biophysical Assessment
Appendix 7-I Listed Vertebrate Wildlife Species in the Chilliwack Forest District 1
Scientific Name English Name G Rank Provinicial COSEWIC BC Status Identified Wildlife
Aechmophorus occidentalis Aplodontia rufa rainieri Aplodontia rufa rufa Ardea herodias fannini Ascaphus truei Asio flammeus Botaurus lentiginosus Brachyramphus marmoratus Butorides virescens Cathartes aura Charina bottae Chrysemys picta Clemmys marmorata Clethrionomys gapperi occidentalis Coccyzus americanus Columba fasciata Corynorhinus townsendii Dicamptodon tenebrosus Eremophila alpestris strigata Falco peregrinus anatum Grus canadensis
Western Grebe Mountain Beaver, rainieri subspecies Mountain Beaver, rufa subspecies Great Blue Heron, fannini subspecies Coastal Tailed Frog Short-eared Owl American Bittern Marbled Murrelet Green Heron Turkey Vulture Rubber Boa Painted Turtle Western Pond Turtle Southern Red-backed Vole, occidentalis subspecies Yellow-billed cuckoo Band-tailed Pigeon Townsend's Big-eared Bat Coastal Giant Salamander Horned Lark, strigata subspecies Peregrine Falcon, anatum subspecies Sandhill Crane
G5 G5T4 G5T4? G5T4 G4 G5 G4 G3G4 G5 G5 G5 G5 G3G4 G5T5 G5 G4 G4 G5 G5T2 G4T3 G5
S1B,S3N S3 S1S2 S3B,S4N S3S4 S3B,S2N S3B,SZN S2B,S4N S3S4B,SZN S4 S4 S3S4 SX S1 SXB,SAN S3S4B,SZN S2S3 S2 SH S2B,SZN S3S4B,SZN T (MAY 2000) NAR (1979) G. CANADENSIS TABIDA ASSESSED T (NOV 2000) XT (MAY 2002) SC (MAY 2003) T (NOV 2000) SC (1999) SC (1999) SC (1997) SC (MAY 2000) SC (1994)
RED BLUE RED BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE RED BLUE YELLOW YELLOW BLUE RED RED RED BLUE BLUE RED RED RED BLUE
I (FEB 1999) I (FEB 1999) I (FEB 1999) I (FEB 1999) I (FEB 1999) I (FEB 1999) I (FEB 1999) I (FEB 1999)
I (FEB 1999)
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Grus canadensis pop. 1 Gulo gulo luscus Lasiurus blossevillii Melanerpes lewis pop. 1 Mustela frenata altifrontalis Myotis keenii Otus kennicottii kennicottii Phalacrocorax auritus Pituophis catenifer catenifer Progne subis Rana aurora Rana pretiosa Recurvirostra americana Scapanus townsendii Sialia mexicana pop. 1 Sorex bendirii Sorex trowbridgii Sphyrapicus thyroideus thyroideus
Sandhill Crane (Georgia Depression population) Wolverine, luscus subspecies Western Red Bat Lewis's Woodpecker (Georgia Depression population) Long-tailed weasel, altifrontalis subspecies Keen's Long-eared Myotis Western Screech-Owl, kennicotii subspecies Double-crested Cormorant Gopher Snake, catenifer subspecies Purple Martin Red-legged Frog Oregon Spotted Frog American Avocet Townsend's Mole Western Bluebird (Georgia Depression population) Pacific Water Shrew Trowbridge's Shrew Williamson's Sapsucker, thyroideus subspecies
G5T1Q G4T4 G5 G5T3T5 G5TNRQ G5TNR G2G3 G5TNR G5 G5T5 G5 G4 G2G3 G5 G5 G5TNRQ G4 G5 G5TU
S1 S3 S1 S1 SXB,SZN SX S2 S3 S2B,SZN SX S2B S3S4 S1 S2B,SZN S1 SHB,SZN S1S2 S3S4 S3B,SZN T (MAY 2000) E (2003) SC (MAY 2002) E (MAY 2000) SC (1988) SC (MAY 2002) NAR (1978) XT (MAY 2002) SC (2003) WESTERN POPULATION ONLY
RED BLUE RED RED RED RED RED BLUE RED RED RED BLUE RED RED RED RED RED BLUE BLUE
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Lepus americanus washingtonii Snowshoe Hare, washingtonii subspecies
I (FEB 1999)
I (FEB 1999)
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Sterna caspia Strix occidentalis Sturnella neglecta pop. 1 Tyto alba Ursus arctos
Caspian Tern Spotted Owl Western Meadowlark (Georgia Depression population) Barn Owl Grizzly Bear
G5 G3 G5TNRQ G5 G4
S3B,SZN S1 SXB,SZN S3 S3
NAR (1999) E (MAY 2000) CAURINA SUBSPECIES
BLUE RED RED
SC (NOV 2001) SC (MAY 2002)
BLUE BLUE I (FEB 1999)
Source: BC Conservation Data Centre, Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management Web Site (http://strmapps.gov.bc.ca/app/eswp/)
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APPENDIX 7-J
Listed Vertebrate Wildlife Species of the Chilliwack Forest District that Potentially Occur in the RAV Project Area
Appendix 7J Listed Vertebrate Wildlife Species of the Chilliwack Forest District that Potentially Occur In the RAV Project Area (1)
SPECIES
Tailed Frog (Ascaphus truei) coastal population
STATUS
Provincial Blue list COSEWIC: Special concern
HABITAT
Cool, permanent mountain streams with stable substrates, such as boulders and cobbles. All life stages have a narrow temperature tolerance. Tadpoles feed on diatoms and algae. Adults will wander several hundred metres from the edge of the water; they feed on terrestrial insects. Suitable 2 conditions may occur only in older forests. 2 Occurs only south of the Chilliwack area.
SEASON/DURATION IN AREA
EXPECTED USE OF SITE

No habitat.
Pacific Giant Salamander (Dicamptodon tenebrosus) Oregon Spotted Frog (Rana pretiosa) Red-legged frog (Rana aurora) Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta)
Provincial Red List COSEWIC: Threatened Provincial Red List COSEWIC: Not addressed Provincial Blue list COSEWIC: Special concern Provincial Blue List COSEWIC: Not addressed
Out of range.
Known to occur only south of the Fraser River.
No habitat
Near small streams and wetlands in forest setting; requires moist habitat conditions. Found in a variety of lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streams where basking sites and aquatic vegetation are present. Nesting occurs within 150 m of water. May move several hundred metres overland between summer and hibernating ponds. Turtles hibernate in the water in bottom 2 mud. Extirpated from their possible former range in the Fraser 2 Lowlands. Grassland Habitats. Near the Chilliwack Forest District, there is only one record from Sumas, Washington, near the 2 B.C. Border. Probably extirpated.
2
No habitat
Occurrence in area is possible. The time of emergence is water2 temperature-dependent . On the coast they may be active for more than 6 months.
Western Pond Turtle (Clemmys marmorata) Gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer catenifer)
Provincial Red List COWEWIC: Not addressed Provincial Red List COSEWIC: Not addressed
Lack of pond or larger wetland habitat. However, possible introduction to ditches on Sea Island or Lulu Island, but not known to occur. Out of range
Out of range.
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SPECIES
Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis)
STATUS
Provincial Red List COSEWIC: Not addressed
HABITAT
The coast is outside the normal breeding area. Winter habitats include sheltered bays, inlets, harbours, channels, lagoons, and estuaries along the coast. Small numbers winter in the interior in large lakes and sloughs, and slowmoving rivers. The diet comprises fish (80-100%), 3 crustaceans, worms, and insects. Forages primarily in marine habitats, but also visits coastal freshwater lakes on southern Vancouver Island and occasionally on the Fraser Lowlands. Cormorants feed 3 primarily on fish. Breeds in wet areas with dense growths of tall emergent vegetation or tall grasses adjacent to freshwater sloughs, marshes, swamps, and shallow, protected sections of lakes between sea level and 1300 m elevation. It forages primarily in marshes, but also in other shallow water bodies such as lake edges, where it feeds on insects, fish, 3 crustaceans, amphibians, snakes, and small mammals. Usually colonial; nest in trees < 8 km from foraging habitats (most < 3 km). Preferred foraging habitat during breeding season: tidal mud flats with large eelgrass meadows, 3 estuaries, slow-moving rivers, sloughs, marshy lakes. Small ponds, sloughs, lakes, slow-moving rivers, and marshy areas, typically sheltered by thickets of willow or alder, between sea level and 610 m elevation. Nests in 3 trees, as far as 1 km from water. Typically nests on inaccessible cliff ledges, often overlooking wetlands and other open areas; on the south coast, overlooking marine waters, large lakes, and rivers. Forage in areas where prey bird species congregate, such 3 as marshes and estuaries.
Fairly common resident in marine areas for 8 months/year, between mid September and mid May. Occurs in small numbers on the Fraser River during migration.. Non breeding birds may occur on river channels at any time of year.

Some use of Fraser River channels during spring migration or winter, such as the Middle Arm.
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus)
Provincial Red List COSEWIC: Not at risk
Provincial Blue List COSEWIC: Not addressed
Present for 5 or 6 months between April and September; rare in winter along the coast.
Occur regularly in sheltered areas along this portion of the Fraser River, particularly during fish runs Potential occurrence in sedge marsh habitat, especially during migration.
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
Provincial Blue list COSEWIC: coastal A. h. fannini Special concern Provincial Blue list COSEWIC: not addressed Provincial Red list COSEWIC: Threatened
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinis anatum)
Fairly common resident 12 months of year in Fraser Valley. Small number of herons forage in study area. Uncommon in area; may breed during 3-4 months in summer. Potentially present for 12 months of year but no suitable nesting sites in the study area.
Occurs along river shorelines, ditches, and occasionally in openings in tall grass fields. Possible transient along shrubby shorelines. Very occasionally, especially foraging over fields and shorelines.
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SPECIES
Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis tabida) American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana)
STATUS
Provincial Red List COSEWIC: Not at risk Provincial Red List COSEWIC: Not addressed
HABITAT
Breeds in isolated bogs, marshes, swamps, and meadows with heavy emergent growth. Nesting wetlands are >2 ha in size and are usually surrounded by a narrow strip of 3 meadow backed by coniferous forest. Normally nests on the shores and flats of sparsely vegetated alkaline lakes and sloughs in B.C.s interior. Coastal habitats used during migration include mudflats, estuaries, small ponds, spits, and sparsely vegetated muddy shorelines. Feeds mostly on aquatic invertebrates, but 3 terrestrial invertebrates, fish, and seeds are also eaten. Nests on sandy or rocky islands in lakes or along the coast. Forages along beaches, tidal mudflats, and sheltered bays. 3 In this area, occur only in coastal and agricultural habitats.
Occurs, where, present for about 6-7 months between March and 3 September . Could be present for up to 2 months per year during migration in May 3 and September . but has been recorded in Lower Mainland as a rare breeder Most occur in B.C. between late April and 6 the end of October. Two known breeding locations in the Fraser River delta. Unlikely to occur in study area.

No habitat.
Possible as rare migrant but out of breeding range.
Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia )
Provincial Blue List COSEWIC: Not at risk
Possible transient along Fraser River channels.
Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus)
Provincial Red list COSEWIC: Threatened
Band-tailed Pigeon (Columba fasciata)
Provincial Blue list COSEWIC: not addressed Provincial Red List COSEWIC Not addressed
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus)
Nest in trees in old-growth coniferous forests and sometimes in mature forests, particularly in moist stands with well-developed epiphytic mosses on tree branches. Forage in bays, inlets, fjords, and on the open ocean. Highest use in areas where prey are concentrated, such as up-welling areas, mouths of bays, underwater sills, tidal rips, narrow passages, shallow banks, and kelp beds. Occasionally feed in freshwater lakes during the breeding 3 season, especially where sockeye salmon are present. Requires maturing mixed or coniferous forest for breeding and openings, farmlands and shorelines for feeding. Feeds on berries and fruit in the fall. Uses taller trees and dead trees for perching. Extirpated in BC (most records between 1881 and 1927, 3 with 4 records between 1989 and 1999.
No suitable habitat.
Unlikely to occur in study area
No habitat along RAV route
Out of range.
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SPECIES
Barn Owl (Tyto alba)
STATUS
Provincial Blue List COSEWIC: special concern Provincial Blue List COSEWIC: special concern
HABITAT
In the Chilliwack Forest District, occurs only in the Fraser Lowlands, where it forages in agricultural lands, roosts in cedars and other coniferous thickets, and breeds in artificial 3 habitats, including ledges and barns. Occupies a variety of forested habitats with a preference for mixed coniferous/deciduous forest, usually near a water 5 source. Nest below 540 m.
May occur at any time of the year.

Nests and forages on Sea Island, but long grass along RAV line is poor habitat. Possible occasional foraging use of shrubby or riparian habitats.
Western Screechowl (Otus kennicottii kennicottii)
Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis)
Provincial Red list COSEWIC: Endangered
Occupy dense (85-90% canopy closure at nest site), older mixed coniferous forests with uneven-aged, multi-layered canopy that contains numerous large trees with broken tops, deformed limbs and large cavities, and numerous large snags and accumulations of logs and downed woody debris. Home ranges typically exceed 3300 ha and must contain >40% suitable habitat. Home ranges overlap from 1 to 47% 3, (n=16). Occurs in the Fraser Lowlands, where it forages in old-fields and marshes and roosts in similar habitats or adjacent open 3 brushy areas. It is most common in the farms and foreshore areas of the Fraser River delta. It formerly nested and potentially still nests in similar habitats in the lower mainland. 3 Occurs westward only as far as Harrison Lake.
Resident, non migratory species. Likely winters in the Sea Island Conservation Area. Could nest if cavities are available. Not expected to occur. It is a rare year-round resident throughout its range.
No suitable habitat.
Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)
Provincial Blue List COSEWIC: Special concern
Could occur at any time of year, but most likely to occur between October and March.
Potential to forage in long grass field or intertidal marsh
Williamsons Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus thyroideus) Lewis Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewisi)
Out of range.
Provincial Red List COSEWIC: Special concern
Inhabits open habitats with dead wood such as edges of cleared or burned forest, woodlots, and wooded riparian areas. Needs large dead or decaying limbs or trunks for nest sites. Suitable habitat has declined in the Fraser Valley.
Possible breeding bird, occurring between April and September, but may be extirpated from the Fraser Valley.
Unlikely occurrence at edges of older woodlots south of the Fraser River.
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SPECIES
Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata)
STATUS
HABITAT
Nests and forages in generally barren areas with sparse or short vegetation, such as farmlands, prairies, and mowed fields. Only a few individuals may occur in three locations in 3 the Fraser Valley.
Small numbers occur in the Fraser Valley between April and September (5-6 months).

Possibly occurs in short-grass & abandoned pavement. Some potential in open areas. Potential foraging along Fraser River during migration. Possible but infrequent breeding bird or migrant, though unlikely in study area. Possible as a migrant or wintering bird in short grass areas. No habitat.
Purple Martin (Progne subis)
Provincial Red List COSEWIC: Not addressed Provincial Red list COSEWIC: not addressed
Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana)
Nest in areas near water where snags and woodpecker holes provide nesting opportunities. In B.C., almost all nesting is in artificial nest boxes associated with estuarine 3 mud flats. Requires nesting cavities in dead snags or stumps in open woodlands, burned areas or edges. Populations have declined in the Fraser Valley due to loss of habitat.
In south coastal areas between April and September (6 months). Unlikely breeding bird May to September, likely common breeder in the past. May still breed in the area but mostly a migrant and winter resident. Resident where present and active year around.
Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) Pacific Water Shrew (Sorex bendirii )
Provincial Red list COSEWIC: not addressed Provincial Red List COSEWIC: Threatened
Trowbridges shrew (Sorex trowbridgii )
Townsends Mole (Scapanus townsendii)
Provincial Red List COSEWIC: Threatened
Nests in meadow and open field habitat with grassy cover. Breeding populations more common in the interior of the province than along the coast. Associated with low-elevation riparian habitats below 850 m. Typically found in forests with an extensive canopy and understorey of abundant shrubs and downed woody debris bordering streams, swamps, or marshes. They feed largely 2 on aquatic or riparian insects and other small invertebrates. Restricted to the Lower Mainland and Fraser River corridor; 2 considered rare north of the Fraser River. Prefers coniferous and mixed forest with rich soil and abundant decaying wood and litter. Will also use riparian habitats. Feeds on invertebrates and conifer seeds. In the Chilliwack Forest District, occurs only in the 2 Huntingdon/Abbotsford/Clayburn area of the Fraser Valley.
Resident where present and active year around.
No habitat
Out of range.
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SPECIES
Townsends Bigeared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) Western Red Bat (Lasiurus blossevillii) Keens Long-eared Myotis (Myotis keenii)
STATUS
Provincial Blue list COSEWIC: Not addressed
HABITAT
Occupies a wide variety of habitats; distribution strongly correlated with availability of caves or cave-like roosts, 2 including buildings.
If present, resident all year. Hibernate during winter; active from late May to mid Sept. (4 months).

Some foraging possible. Roosting opportunities are limited. Out of range.
Provincial Red List COSEWIC: Not addressed Provincial Red list COSEWIC: Special concern
In the Chilliwack Forest District there is just one record, from 2 the Skagit Valley. Appears to be a solitary species associated with coastal forest habitat, where tree cavities, rock crevices, and small 2 caves are suspected to be typical summer roosting sites. If present, residency period is unknown. Active period not reported for most of 6 coast (but appears to be mid May to mid Sept. on QCI). Resident, active year around.
No habitat.
Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus washingtonii) Cascade Goldenmantled ground Squirrel (Spermophilus saturatus) Southern Redbacked Vole (Clethrionomys gapperi occidentalis)
Provincial Red List COSEWIC: Not addressed Provincial Blue List COSEWIC: Not at risk
Restricted to the lower mountain slopes and valley bottoms of the Fraser valley, south of Burrard Inlet in the west. Snowshoe hares prefer the dense cover of coniferous and 2 mixed forests, with abundant understorey vegetation. In the Chilliwack Forest District, restricted to the extreme 2 southeastern areas.
This subspecies is thought to be extirpated from the study area. Out of range.
Potentially occurs in the Fraser River Lowlands. Prefer cool moist forests with lots of ground cover and coarse woody 2 debris.
Resident where it occurs and active year around.
Subspecies is unlikely to occur in study area, but recently rediscovered in Burns Bog, Delta.
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SPECIES
Mountain Beaver (Aplodontia rufa rufa)
STATUS
Provincial Red List COSEWIC: Special concern
HABITAT
Only known to occur south of the Fraser River. Prefers damp deciduous and mixed forests with early seral vegetation with and abundance of shrubs, forbs and young 2 trees.
Resident and active year around where they occur, westward to near Abbotsford/Aldergrove. Not likely to have occurred in or near the study area Extirpated from the study 2 area. Formerly inhabited much of the lower Fraser Valley, but presently restricted due to habitat changes. Only one recent unconfirmed report 2 . Naturally occur in low 2 densities in mountainous terrain in southern BC but unlikely to occur this close to habitation

Out of known range.
Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos) Long-tailed Weasel (Mustela frenata altifrontalis)
Provincial: Blue list COSEWIC: special concern Provincial Red list COSEWIC: Not addressed
In the Chilliwack Forest District, only occur in northerly 2 mountainous areas. Occupies a wide variety of habitats, including grasslands and river bottoms (riparian edges). Feeds primarily on small mammals.
Out of current range.
Low potential in the study area in low densities. Suitable habitat in shrub edges, riparian edges, and pastures/fields. Out of current range.
Wolverine (Gulo gulo luscus)
Provincial Blue list COSEWIC: Special concern
Occupies alpine and arctic tundra, boreal and mountain forest. Ranges widely and individuals have large home 2 range.
The above list contains species classified as follows: MELP Provincial list: blue (vulnerable) or red (threatened or endangered); or COESWIC: threatened or endangered. All species classified as threatened or endangered by COSEWIC were also classified as Red- or Blue-listed by MELP.
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METHODS
Species lists used included the Provincial Governments Rare Vertebrate Animal Tracking List for the Chilliwack Forest District, produced by the B.C. Conservation Data Centre (Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management, MSRM), and Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) list of rare or endangered vertebrates of British Columbia published on the internet. Information on the biology and distribution of the species was obtained from several published sources, including reports on rare vertebrate species of B.C. that were published jointly by MELP, WLAP and the Ministry of Forests.
NOTES
1. BC Conservation Data Centre: Rare vertebrate animal tracking list, Chilliwack Forest District. 2. Cannings, S.G., L.R. Ramsay, D.F. Fraser. 1999. Rare amphibians, reptiles, and mammals of British Columbia. Widl. Branch and Resour. Inv. Branch, B.C. Min. Environ., Lands and Parks, Victoria, B.C. 198pp. 3. D.F. Fraser, W.L. Harper, S.G. Cannings, J.M. Cooper. 1999. Rare birds of British Columbia. Wildl. Branch and Resour. Inv. Branch, B.C. Min. Environ., Lands and Parks, Victoria, BC. 244pp. 4. Dunbar, D. and Blackburn, I. 1994. Management options for the Northern Spotted Owl in British Columbia. Canadian Spotted Owl Recovery Team, Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Lower Mainland Region. 180 pp. 5. Campbell, R.W., N.K. Dawe, I. McT.-Cowan, J.M. Cooper, G.W. Kaiser, M.C.E. McNall, and G.E.J. Smith. 1990, 1997. The Birds of British Columbia: Volume II & III. Royal British Columbia Museum and Canadian Wildlife Service, Victoria. 6. Nagorsen, D.W. 1996. Opossums, shrews and moles of British Columbia. Royal B.C. Museum Handbook. U.B.C. Press, Vancouver. 7. Nagorsen, D.W. and R.M. Brigham. 1993. Bats of British Columbia: Volume I The Mammals of British Columbia. Royal B.C. Museum Handbook. UBC Press, Vancouver. 8. Burles, Doug. 2000. Personal Communication. Parks Canada, Queen Charlotte City.
9. Dunbar, Dave. 2000. Personal Communication. Ministry of Environment, Surrey.

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TERRESTRIAL BIOPHYSICAL ASSESSMENT

Terrestrial Biophysical Assessment

Valued Ecosystem Components

Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures

Residual Impacts and Cumulative Effects

Site B: Site C: Site D:

Climate and Landforms

Provincial Tracking List

Vegetation Survey Results

Wildlife and Habitat Use

Grauer & Templeton

Grant McConachie Way

hawks, (gull) hawks gulls, herons herons, hawks

Listed Species Review

Special Habitat Areas or Conservation Issues

Traditional Use of Wildlife

Valued Ecosystem Components

Analysis of Potential Impacts

Project Footprint Defined

Impact Analysis Matrix Criteria - Terrestrial Biophysical Aspects

Confirmed presence or high likelihood of presence, based on habitat suitability Presence

Limited suitable habitats remain in the Lower Mainland

Presence of natural wetland or foreshore marsh habitat

Significant wildlife trees

Individual large trees or stands of mature trees or snags

Presence, as confirmed through observation or documented by reliable sources

vegetation shading by crossing structure.

Wildlife Habitat Impacts

Impact Management Strategy

Residual Impacts and Cumulative Impact Assessment

Photograph 7.8: Site D. Wetland along ditch, facing south.

RAV Project Ecosystem Mapping

FIGURE 7-A2 7.2

7.2 FIGURE 7-A3 FIGURE 7.3

7.2 7.4 FIGURE 7-A4

7.2 7.5 FIGURE 7-A7

CDC Rare Element Occurrences

Vascular Plant Tracking List of the Chilliwack Forest District

Richmond-Airport-Vancouver Rapid Transit Project Project No. 201.01021.001

SEACOR Environmental Inc.

Richmond-Airport-Vancouver Rapid Transit Project Project No. 201.01021.001

SEACOR Environmental Inc.

Richmond-Airport-Vancouver Rapid Transit Project Project No. 201.01021.001

SEACOR Environmental Inc.

Richmond-Airport-Vancouver Rapid Transit Project Project No. 201.01021.001

SEACOR Environmental Inc.

Listed Plant Species of the Chilliwack Forest District Habitat Analysis

Richmond-Airport-Vancouver Rapid Transit Project Project No. 201.01021.001

SEACOR Environmental Inc.

ponds, sloughs, and edges

brackish and salt marshes

ditches and wet places

mesic to moist forests

fields and meadows

dry sandy or rocky

marshes and fens

lakes and edges

Appendix 7-D.xls\Red & Blue Listed Plant Species

Richmond-Airport-Vancouver Rapid Transit Project Project No. 201.01021.001

SEACOR Environmental Inc.

ponds, sloughs, and edges