User's Manual and Map Sheets
Contents
1. or as part of a broader continuum Intermediate intermediate biological Development must demonstrate productivity associated wilh a relatively impact miligation 10 Ihe greatest imcila ami important habitat functions are adl i onsi Low low productivity is associaled with a modified biophysical environment BELOW LOW WATER MARTAT 7 FORESHORE HABITAT CLASSI ZONE CLASSIFICATION i HABITAT ZONE ly KA HIGH WATER MARCH 2000 SCALE 1 2500 Fisheries ii and Oceans et Oceans YELLOW CODED BELOW VN LOW WATER HABITAT M LIMITED TO MARINA BASIN A dw UN 3 NT i i E P un LEV WU WS wal T i tx ree mil aie _ QJ a LM Tir ip er T Mu zw OURTENAY RIVER Estuary Management Plan e oss HABITAT AND DEVELOPMENT CLASSIFICATION E 2 s CLASSIFICATION HABITAT VALUE ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA a FOR DEVELOPMENT pier ARREN VENUE P impact mitigation sufficient to BELOW LOW WATER HABITAT FORESHORE HABITAT FONE CLASSIFICATION Cree k a e B BELOW LOW WATER HABITAT ZONE L __ p LL Sod M WATER LOW WATER SHORELINES 10 METRES BELOW LOW WATER we MARCH2. HABITAT AND DEVELOPMENT CLASSIFICATION CLASSIFICATION HABITAT VALUE ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA in FOR DEVELOPMENT 2 S a 5 Red ee High high biological productivity Development must demonstrate e associated with a relatively impact mitigation sufficient to A YELLOW CODED BELOW biophysical environment ensure that existing habitats LOW WATER HABITAT critical habitat functions are sustained not harmfully impacted d d LIMITED TO LEASE onsite or as part of a broader E continuum 5 Yellow Intermediate intermediate biological Development must demonstrate productivity associated with relatively Impact mitigation to the greatest simple biophysical environment extent practical residual harmful k important habitat functions are impacts to existing habitats to be sustained onsite compensated for through creation of replacement habitats Greene Low low p ity is associated Development must demonstrate with a modified blophysical environment impact mitigation and sound to such an extent that biological environmental design construction and operation productivity is not significant from a hahitat resource perspective BELOW LOW WATER HABITAT ZONE CLASSIFICATION HIGH WATER MARCH 2000 SCALE 1 2500 Fisheries and Oceons el Oceons Trent River delta COURTENAY RIVER Estuary Management Plan HABITAT AND DEVELOPMENT CLASSIFICATI
3. Habitat Classification Map Sheets OURTENAY RIVER Estuary Management Plan CLASSIFICATION HABITAT VALUE ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA FOR DEVELOPMENT High high biological productivity Development must demonstrate associated with a relatively impact mitigation sufficient to complex blophysical environment ensure that existing habitats critical habitat functions are sustained not harmfully impacted onsite or as part of a broader continuum Intermediate intermediate biological Development must demonstrate productivity associated with a relatively Impact mitigation to tha greatest simple biophysical errvironmoant extent practical residual harmful important habitat functions ana impacts to existing habitats to be sustained onsite compensated for through creation of replacement habitats Low low productivity is associated Development must demonstrate with a modified blophysical environment impact mitigation and sound to such an extent that biological environmental design productivity is not significant from construction and operation habitat resource perspective j BELOW LOW WATER HABITAT FORESHORE HABITAT ZONE CLASSIFICATION ZONE CLASSIFICATION RIPARIAN HABITAT ZONE Sg a FORESHORE HABITAT ZONE y LEW WATER 0 SHCHLUEL IME 10 METRES BELOW LOW WATER y y I Aem A en eee MARCH 2000 SCALE 1 2500 1 Fisheries ches envirowest Oceans sedans ENVIBONBAENTAL CONSLILIANTS
4. ROM Estuary Management Plan HABITAT AND DEVELOPMENT CLASSIFICATION y k Fi Cy CLASSIFICATION HABITAT VALUE ENVIRONMENT AL CRITERIA FOR DEVELOPMENT N A h xm PX ENCLOSED WITHIN EA 9 High high biological productivity Development must demonstrate CULVERT a A C associated with a relatively Impact mitigation sufficient to i il V X complex biophysical environment ensure that existing habitats amp tes critical habitat functions are sustained net impacted E onsite or as part of a broader F E et continuum F 1 O b Yellow Intermediate intermediate biological Development must demonstrate 1 WATERCOURSE productivity associated with a relatively impact mitigation to the greatest 7 1 ENCLOSED WITHIN simple biophysical environment exten practical residual harmful GULVERT NS Important habitat functions ane impacts to existing habitats to be sustained onsite compensated for through creation i McDONALD ROAD of replacement habitats i kc Greene Low low productivity is associated Development must demonstrate with modified blophysical environment Impact mitigation and sound X 1 to such an extent that biological environmental design productivity i amp not significant from a construction and operation YELLOWCODED BELOW habit
5. Sheets 1 0 INTRODUCTION Fisheries and Oceans Canada FOC in collaboration with local provincial and other federal government departments and organizations commenced development of a comprehensive environmental management plan for the Courtenay River estuary in April 1998 The effective management of environmental resources is in large part dependent upon the identification and implementation of programs that pursue actions on specific issues of management concern Each action program aspires to address one to several objectives A program may also pursue one to several actions to achieve its objective s The use of action programs is a practical approach towards the effective management of environmental resources The Plant Fish and Wildlife Habitat Action Program is one of eight Action Programs identified by the Courtenay River Estuary Management Plan CREMP Several objectives are identified for this action program including to maintain and improve where possible the existing habitat base in the estuary to support viable and productive populations of plants fish and wildlife The Plant Fish and Wildlife Habitat Action Program is somewhat unique in that it considers the estuary as habitat not only for fish and wildlife but also for plants Consideration is afforded the management of endangered or threatened species as well as the management of non native invasive species that threaten the fidelity of the species membership of
6. plant communities with natural assemblages of native plants To facilitate achievement of the referenced objective the Plant Fish and Wildlife Action Program identifies as an action the development and implementation of a habitat and development classification system for the estuary This manual and accompanying map sheets is the product of this action Courtenay River Estuary Management Plan Page 1 Habitat and Development Classification System User s Manual and Map Sheets 2 0 BACKGROUND The classification of habitats and the identification of development constraints associated with each classification is an important component of the effective management of environmental resources within any geographical area The classification is according to the functional habitat values environments sustain for plants fish and wildlife The classification of habitats within the Fraser River estuary during the mid 1980 s was one of the first management initiatives of the newly fledged Fraser River Estuary Management Program FREMP The FREMP colour coded system classifies the overall habitat value of the estuarine shoreline and identifies development constraints associated with each classification The definition of habitat is limited to functional habitat values provided by estuarine environments for fish and wildlife Development constraints apply to all components of development including design construction and operation The design compone
7. 2000 SCALE 1 2500 Fisheries Peches envirowest and Oceans et Oceans ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS OURTENAY RIVER YELLOW CODED BELOW LOW WATER HABITAT LIMITED TOLEASE AREA CLASSIFICATION HABITAT VALUE High high biological productivity associated with a relatively complex blopihysical environment critical habitat functions are sustained onsite or part of a broader eoontinuum i n Yellow Intermediate Intermediate biological MA productivity associalid with a relatively simple biophysical environment LU important habitat functions are sustained onsite Low low productivity is associated FOR DEVELOPMENT Estuary Management Plan HABITAT AND DEVELOPMENT CLASSIFICATION ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA Development must demonstrate impact mitigation sufficient to ensure that existing habitats are harmfully impacted Development must demonstrate impact mitigation to the greatest extent practical residual harmful impacts to existing habitats to be compensated for through creation of replacement habitats Development must demonstrate with a modified blophysical environment impact mitigation and sound environmontal to such an extant that biological productivity not significant from a habitat resource perspective MARCH 2000 SCALE 1 2500 Fisneres and Oceans Peches el D ceans Oo o z COURTENAY RIVER Estuary Management Plan
8. COURTENAY RIVER Estuary Management Plan Habitat and Development Classification System User s Manual and Map Sheets March 2000 Prepared for FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA Habitat and Enhancement Branch South Coast Division 3225 Stephenson Point Road Nanaimo B C V9T 1K3 Prepared by ECL ENVIROWEST CONSULTANTS LIMITED 204 800 McBride Boulevard New Westminster BC V3L 2B8 Correct Document Citation Adams M A and K E Asp 2000 Habitat and Development Classification System User s Manual and Map Sheets Courtenay River Estuary Management Plan Prepared by ECL Envirowest Consultants Limited Prepared for Fisheries and Oceans Canada Nanaimo B C 8 p 14 map sheets TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 0 INTRODUCTION 1 2 0 BACKGROUND ono enun FEEDER NER RAD Un EP RE DU T FRAN RR RUE aD ED 2 3 0 HABITAT AND DEVELOPMENT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM 5 3 1 DII DIIS ioco uote ic iso cius PME REMAIN GI HIE 5 vos Mex eee Rare Ree ee 7 3 3 Habitat Classification Review sii te oap ain aad et od a ngu o 7 FIGURE 1 Habitat and Development Classification 6 APPENDIX A Habitat Classification Map Sheets Courtenay River Estuary Management Plan Page Habitat and Development Classification System User s Manual and Map
9. Development must demonstrate productivity associated with a relatively impact mitigation to the greatest simple blophysical environment extent practical residual harmful important habitat functions are impacts to existing habitats to be sustalned onsite compensated for through creation of replacement habitats Green Low low productivity is associated with a modified biophysical environment Impact mitigation and sound lo such an extent that biological anvirenmental design productivity i not significant from a construcbon and operation SCALE 1 2500 Fist artes Feches envirowest and Oceans el Oceans OURTENAY RIVER Estuary Management Plan ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA FOR DEVELOPMENT Development must damonstrate m BELGA LOVE WATER HABITAT LOW WATER SHORE INE 10 METRES BELOW LOW WATER E ACOURTENAY RIVER S e NY Estuary Management Plan 5 9 HABITAT AND DEVELOPMENT CLASSIFICATION b N Es CLASSIFICATION HABITAT VALUE ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA FOR DEVELOPMENT AEN High high biological productivity Development must demonstrate associated with a retatively impact mitigation sufficient to complex biophysical environment ensure thal existing habitats critical habitat functions are sustained not harmfully impacted onsite or as part of a broader X continuum si Intermediate in
10. MITED T MARINA critical habitat functions are sustained not harmfully impacted BASIN X onsite or as part of a broader Yellow intermediate intermediate biological Development must demonstrate productivity associated with a relatively impact mitigation to the greatest simple biophysical environment extent practical residual harmful important habitat functions are impacts lo existing habitats to be sustained onsite compensated for through creation of replacement hatiats Green Low low productivity is associated Development must demonstrate with a modified biophysical environment impact mitigation and sound to such an extent that environmental design M c d i YELLOW CODED BELOW LOW WATER HABITAT WITHIN ENTIRE LEASE AREA YELLOW CODED BELOW LOW WATER HABITAT WITHIN LEASE AREA LOW WATER SHORELINE 10 METRES BELOW LOW WATER MARCH 2000 SCALE 1 2500 Fisheries ond Qceons p YELLOW CODED FORESHORE HABITAT ASSOCIATED ONLY c WITH BREAKWATER AS DENOTED BY ADDITIONAL OURTENAY RIVER Estuary Management Plan HABITAT AND DEVELOPMENT CLASSIFICATION HABITAT VALUE ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA FOR DEVELOPMENT YELLOW CODED BELOW LOW WATER HABITAT X LIMITED TO MARINA Xx BASIN High high biological productivity associated with a relatively sical habite functipna are butt
11. ON CLASSIFICATION HABITAT VALUE p High high biological productivity associated with a relatively complex biophysical environment critical habitat functions are sustained onsite or as part of broader continuum Intermediate intermediate biolagical productivity associated with a relatively simple biophysical environment important habitat functions are sustained onsile Gren Low low productivity is associated ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA FOR DEVELOPMENT Development must demonstrate impact mitigation sufficient to ensure that existing habitats are not hanmfully impacted Development must demonstrata impact mitigation to the greatest impacts to existing habitats to of replacement habitats with a modified biophysical environment i lo such an extent that biological productivity i not significant from a FORESHORE HABITAT BELOW LOW WATER HABITAT CLASSIFICATION CLASSIFICATION RIPARIAN HABITAT ZONE FORESHORE HABITAT ZONE ial LL E LOW WATER SHORELINE MARCH 2000 SCALE 1 2500 Fisheries Peches and Oceans et Oceans HABITAT ZONE 10 METRES UG Via TER envirowest
12. Sc 4b RYAN ROAD LEWIS PARK RYAN ROAD LEWIS PARK OURTENAY RIVER Estuary Management Plan HABITAT AND DEVELOPMENT CLASSIFICATION 39V ld CLASSIFICATION HABITAT VALLE ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA FOR DEVELOPMENT High high biological productivity Development must demonstrate associated with a relatively impact mitigation sufficient to complex blophysical environment ensure that existing habitats critical habitat functions are sustained are not harmfully impacted onsite or as part a broader continuum Millennium Park lintertidal slough complex under construction Intermediate intermediate biological Development must demonstrate productivity associated with a relatively impact mitigation to the greatest simple biophysical environment extent practical residual harmful important habitat functions are impacts to existing habitats to be sustained onsite compensated for through creation I of replacement habitats Low low productivity is associated Development must demonstrate T i i with a modified biophysical environment impact mitigation and sound Mallard Stream to such an extent that biological environmental design productivity is not significant from a construction and operation habital resource perspective RIPARIAN HABITAT ZONE CLASSIFICATION BELOW LOW WATER HABITAT ZONE CLASSIFICATION SWVITIIM RIPARILAM HABITAT ZOME BELOW LOW WATER dS HABITAT Z
13. UNE LOW WATER SHORELINE 10 METRES BELOW LOW WATER MARCH 2000 SCALE 1 2500 de Fisheries Peches envirowest and Oceans et Ocesns PHVIBORNBAFNTAL CONI TANTS Plan Boundary CLIFF AVENUE 17 TH STREET WATERCOURSE ENCLOSED WITHIN 5 amp CULVERT 5 YELLOW CODED BELOW amp LOW WATER HABITAT WITHIN LEASE AREA a lt 1 X kd 19 TASTREET amp WATERCOURSE ENCLOSED WITHIN D S 19 TH STREET S E S amp a ul M 6 20THSTREET i _ 3 rm a 1 WATERCOURSE ENCLOSED WITHIN CULVERT 21 ST STREET WATERCOURSE qun WS jJ Ss Ls CULVERT SiS ER T WATERCOURSE ENCLOSED WITHIN FLOODBOX FACILITY 58 WATERCOURSE ENCLOSED WITHIN CULVERT YELLOW CODED BELOW LOW WATER HABITAT WITHIN LEASE AREA WATERCOURSE e ENCLOSED WITHIN lt lt CULVERT SOURTENAY RIVER Estuary Management Plan Sa HABITAT AND DEVELOPMENT CLASSIFICATION CLASSIFICATION HABITAT VALUE High high biological productivity associated with a relatively complex biophysical environment critical habitat functions are sustained onsite or as part of a broader continuum Yellow eee Intermediate intermediate biological productivity associated with a relatively simple blophysical environment important habit
14. acts to existing habitats to be sustained onsite compensated for through creation of replacement habitats Low low productivity 15 associated Development must demonstrate with a modified biophysical environment impact mitigation and sound i to such an extent that biological environmental design i productivity is not significant from a construction and operation n habitat resource perspective RIPARIAN HABITAT CLASSIFICATION BELOW LOW WATER HABITAT FORESHORE HABITAT ZONE CLASSIFICATION i ZONE CLASSIFICATION RIPARIAN HABITAT ZONE 4 FORESHORE HABITAT ZONE i BELOW LOW WATER HABITAT ZONE 1 HIGH WATER LOW WATER SHORELINE 10 METRES LOW WATER MARCH 2000 SCALE 1 2500 d Fisheries Peches envirowest Cceans ENVIBONMENTAL CONSULTANTS et Qceans YELLOW CODED BELOW LOW WATER HABITAT WITHIN LEASE AREA E avoy ovg CLASSIFICATION continuum MARCH 2000 de By X9 r HABITAT AND DEVELOPMENT CLASSIFICATION HABITAT VALUE Red High high biological productivity Development must demonstrate associated with a relatively impact mitigation sufficient to complex blophysical environment ensure that existing habitats critical habitat functions are sustained are not harmfylly impacted onsile or as part of a broader Yellow e intermediate intermediate blological
15. anagement Plan Page 3 Habitat and Development Classification System User s Manual and Map Sheets applications are required to include a detailed biophysical inventory of the project site The inventory often forms the basis for impact mitigation associated with the design construction and operation of a project For yellow coded shoreline environments the inventory is often utilized as the basis of habitats to be preserved and protected Recognizing ongoing activities within the FREMP planning area such as_ habitat enhancement restoration creation and shoreline developments colour codes are reviewed under the auspices of FREMP s Habitat Classification Review Process Specific shoreline codings are nominated for review are re evaluated based on current habitat values Courtenay River Estuary Management Plan Page 4 Habitat and Development Classification System User s Manual and Map Sheets 3 0 3 1 HABITAT AND DEVELOPMENT CLASSIFICTION SYSTEM Definitions The Habitat and Development Classification System includes both habitat and development terminology in recognition of the emphasis on both habitat valuation and environmental criteria for development The colour code based classifications and respective habitat valuations and associated environmental criteria for project design construction and operation are presented in Figure 1 Development is defined as any activity or facility associated with recreational agricultural resident
16. at functions are sustained onsite Green e ow low productivity is associated ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA FOR DEVELOPMENT Development must demonstrate impact mitigation sufficient to ensure that existing habitats are not harmfully impacted Development must demonstrate impact mitigation to the greatest extent practical residual harmful impacts to existing nabitats to be compensated for through creation of replacemant habitats Development must demonstrate with a modified biophysical environment impact mitigation and sound to such an extent that biological productivity ls not significant from a habitat resource perspective VOM yovg F FORESHORE HABITAT environmental design construction and operation BELOW LOW WATER HABITAT ZONE CLASSIFICATION ZONE CLASSIFICATION FORESHORE HABITAT ZONE 1 DI Hsu WATER LOW WATER SHORELINE MARCH 2000 SCALE 1 2500 Fisheries Peches Ocegns at Ocegns DT da pa BELOW LOW WATER ZONE 10 METRES BELOW LOW WATER nvirowest PAVIA TINI TANTE b M amp A Y T V Estuary Management Plan X hs b zi mm 1 HABITAT AND DEVELOPMENT CLASSIFICATION seing CLASSIFICATION HABITAT VALUE ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA FOR DEVELOPMENT X a High high biological productivity Development must demonstrate 1 B associated with a relatively i
17. at resource perspective Y LOW WATER HABITAT X WITHIN LEASE AREA RIPARIAN HABITAT X X ZONE CLASSIFICATION i BELOW LOW WATER HABITAT V amp FORESHORE HABITAT ZONE CLASSIFICATION X f TORE CLASSIFICATION n k X X BELOW LOWY Ya TER 1 HABITAT ZONE i e i 4 j METRES amp LOW WATER x MARCH 2000 SCALE 1 2500 A Fisheries el wirowest and Oceans ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS LI k A 1 2 A 5 1 _ ee ee a r ee ge a a P di 5 X 1 LI SEACHWOOD ROAD MARRIOTT ROAF u5 z TE 5 2 E a amp amp amp E o a e o OURTENAY RIVER Estuary Management Plan HABITAT AND DEVELOPMENT CLASSIFICATION CLASSIFICATION HABITAT VALUE ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA A FOR DEVELOPMENT High high biological producthyity Development must demonstrate associated with a relatively impact mitigation sufficient to complex biophysical environment ensure that existing habitats critical habitat functions are sustained are not harmfully impacted onsite or as part of a broader continuum Yellow Intermediate intermediate blological Development must demonstrate productivity associated with a relatively impact mitigation to the greatest simple biophysical environment extent practical residual harmful important habitat functions are imp
18. he navigation channel of the Courtenay River Decommissioning of such uses may result in an upgrade in the classification of affected habitats A detailed bioinventory of the planning area as identified as an action by the Plant Fish and Wildlife Habitat Action Program will provide information that will allow further definition of classified habitat types The current classifications have been assigned based upon existing biophysical information and site assessments and valuations conducted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and their representatives A detailed bioinventory whereby detailed survey data are collected would facilitate the definition and mapping of habitat types e g intertidal marsh riparian woodland etc throughout the planning area The mapping would define the specific habitat types to which habitat classifications apply Courtenay River Estuary Management Plan Page 7 Habitat and Development Classification System User s Manual and Map Sheets The restoration enhancement and creation of habitat types will typically be applied to shoreline environments that sustain low green coded to moderate yellow coded habitat values These activities will result in the establishment of high habitat values Restored enhanced and created habitats accordingly are reclassified as red coded habitats Courtenay River Estuary Management Plan Page 8 Habitat and Development Classification System User s Manual and Map Sheets Appendix A
19. ial commercial and industrial uses that have the potential to impact environmental resources The potential to impact habitat is assessed and determined by the Environmental Review Committee of the Courtenay River Estuary Management Plan A three tiered habitat classification approach is applied by CREMP three tiered system considers separate classifications for riparian foreshore and below low water habitat zones The riparian habitat zone commences at the high water elevation and continues landward Due to the diversity of land uses within upland environments of the planning area the landward extent of the riparian zone changes with location in the estuary In most instances a detailed biophysical inventory conducted as part of an application for works submitted to the CREMP Project Review Process will define the landward extent of the functional riparian zone for plants fish and wildlife The valuation afforded the riparian habitat zone by current classifications recognizes the obvious functional values of these habitats The foreshore habitat zone occupies that portion of the shoreline environment between the high water and low water elevations For the Courtenay River and those portions of the Puntledge Tsolum and Trent rivers and other watercourses that occur within the CREMP planning area high and low water elevations are either a sole function of seasonal flows or a combination of seasonal flows and tidal processes Water level
20. ification system failed to alert regulatory agency personnel of the real impacts associated with berth expansion The original classification of habitats was also compromised by the subjectivity of colour code assignments The original classification was conducted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada Ministry of Environment Lands and Parks Canadian Wildlife Service Environment Canada Fraser River Harbour Commission within Fraser Port and the North Fraser River Harbour Commission within North Fraser Port In essence classification was achieved through a consensus of opinion quantitative information was rarely utilized The approach often failed in the allocation of a colour code for habitats perceived as possessing values intermediate of yellow and red classifications A strong emphasis was placed on the presence and absence of vegetation As a result non vegetated habitats such as intertidal mudflats were often classified yellow despite their intrinsic habitat value and their functional linkage with proximal habitats such as intertidal marsh and riparian woodland Despite deficiencies in the original classification of habitats the FREMP classification system is an important component of the FREMP Project Review Process The colour coding of habitats provides for an initial assessment of the environmental feasibility of contemplated development for a particular segment of shoreline In most instances project Courtenay River Estuary M
21. ldlife habitats The habitat classifications are not a substitute for detailed valuations of environmental resources that typically accompany comprehensive environmental impact assessments conducted under the auspices of municipal provincial and federal legislation and policies Development proponents are advised to contact municipal provincial and federal authorities as to the application of the classifications in the environmental review process administered by the respective authority The classifications are utilized by the Environmental Review Committee of the Courtenay River Estuary Management Plan to assess the prospect of significant impacts to environmental resources Habitat Classification Review Habitat classifications are reviewed on an annual basis contingent upon a request for review submitted to the Environmental Review Committee by a member agency of the Courtenay River Estuary Management Plan The reviews will be based on new biophysical information or changes in site conditions as they relate to a particular shoreline segment The habitat classifications currently presented represent a critical assessment of biological productivity sustained by shoreline environments Typically existing uses did not affect the outcome of the assessment however in some instances existing uses had to be considered due to their limitation upon the biological productivity of affected habitats Common examples include dredge basins of marinas and t
22. mpact mitigation sufficiant 10 complex biophysical environment ensure that existing habitats i Nx critical habitat functions are sustained are not harmfully impacted onsite as part of a broader continuum Y Intermediate Intermediate thological Development must demonstrate X productivity associated with relatively impact mitigalion to tha greatest i simple biophysical environment extent practical residual harmful important habitat lunctions are impacts to existing habitats to bo sustained onsite compensated for through creation of replacement habitats X low productivity associated Development must demonstrate with modified biophysical environment impact mitigation and sound to such an extent that biological environmental design Productvity Is not significant from construction and operation 1 YELLOW CODED BELOW kabia resource perspective X LOW WATER HABITAT WITHIN LEASE AREA i x 1 BELOW LOW WATER e 5 IDRE CLASSIFICATION E 5 3 g s ef 3 MARGH 2000 SCALE 1 2500 Fisheries Peches Oceans et OGceons 1 L E A Z T C3 gt Q S V E amp 1 _ 1 X OURTENAY RIVER i X gon
23. ndeveloped uplands were not considered by the original classification Recent efforts by regulatory agencies to extend the habitat classification landward to include undeveloped upland features contiguous with the immediate shoreline environment have attempted to remedy this original oversight however in the interim several important habitats have been lost to development without adequate mitigation or compensation Secondly the classification did not address nearshore subtidal habitats The implication of this omission upon habitat management is most apparent at Roberts Bank at the delta front where expansive eelgrass beds occur between the Coal Port causeway and the Tsawwassen ferry terminal causeway Expansive eelgrass beds occur within the nearshore subtidal environment of the intercauseway area Although acknowledged by environmental regulatory agencies as sustaining critical habitat functions for fish and wildlife the lack of classification for this important habitat type has contributed to an ambiguity as to what is permitted in terms of port development and maintenance activities At least on one occasion an extensive meadow of eelgrass was dredged as part of berth expansion Proper consideration was not afforded the subtidal environment as the intertidal component of the causeway was coloured coded yellow without utilizing a detailed assessment of impacts including a biophysical inventory of prospectively impacted environments the class
24. nt of development consists of the physical configuration of the project Impacts attributable to design are typically associated with the footprint of structures or other changes in the physical environment such as shading and the alteration of flows and currents The construction component of development includes those elements separate from the design specific to the physical installation of works Typical elements of construction include access and working corridors for machinery storage of construction materials handling of hazardous wastes and installation of interim structures to facilitate construction The operation component of development is associated with use related activities such as refuelling within marinas handling and storage of materials in bulk loading facilities or vehicle use of parking lots All components of development can negatively impact environmental resources The FREMP habitat classification system is a three tiered colour coded system habitats are colour coded red yellow or green Red coded shorelines sustain highly productive fish and wildlife habitats Development is not permitted unless project design construction and operation can demonstrate that the functional capacity of habitats is not negatively impacted by development It is worthy to note that all constructed habitats whether part of habitat enhancement restoration creation initiatives by environmental agencies or created as part of a habitat compensa
25. onsite compensated for through creation of replacement habitats Development must demonstrate impact mitigation and sound environmental design construction and operation Low low productivity is associated with a modified biophysical environment to such an extent that biological productivity is not significant from a habitat resource perspective RIPARIAN HABITAT SHORELINE ZONE CLASSIFICATION BELOW LOW WATER HABITAT FORESHORE HABITAT ZONE CLASSIFICATION ZONE CLASSIFICATION RIPARIAN HABITAT ZONE FORESHORE HABITAT ZONE BELOW LOW WATER HABITAT ZONE HIGH WATER LOW WATER SHORELINE 10 METRES BELOW LOW WATER FIGURE 1 HABITAT AND DEVELOPMENT CLASSIFICATION DEFINITIONS 3 2 3 3 Application This manual including the attached map sheets is a component of the Courtenay River Estuary Management Plan Further it is a fish habitat management policy document of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans The habitat values delineated by the map sheets directly reflect fish habitat values Plant and wildlife habitat values are intricately linked or correspond to the values sustained by the shoreline as fish habitat As for the FREMP classification system colour code related constraints placed upon development are based upon the practical feasibility of mitigating impacts to plant fish and wildlife habitats and upon federal and provincial legislation and policies that empower resource agencies to protect plant fish and wi
26. s within the remaining portions of the planning area beyond the hydraulic channels and alluvial fans of watercourses are predominantly a function of tidal processes The below low water zone comprises that portion of the shoreline environment below low water to an elevation that is 10 metres below the low water elevation The entire beds of all watercourses that occur within the planning area are encompassed by this habitat zone The below low water habitat zone also encompasses all nearshore subtidal eelgrass beds that occur within the planning area Courtenay River Estuary Management Plan Page 5 Habitat and Development Classification System User s Manual and Map Sheets COURTENAY RIVER Estuary Management Plan HABITAT AND DEVELOPMENT CLASSIFICATION CLASSIFICATION HABITAT VALUE ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA FOR DEVELOPMENT High high biological productivity Development must demonstrate associated with a relatively impact mitigation sufficient to complex biophysical environment ensure that existing habitats critical habitat functions are sustained harmfully impacted onsite or as part of a broader continuum Yellow Intermediate intermediate biological Development must demonstrate productivity associated with a relatively impact mitigation to the greatest simple biophysical environment extent practical residual harmful important habitat functions are impacts to existing habitats to be sustained
27. termediate biological Development must demonstrate IT productivity associated with a relatively impact mitigation to the greatest simple biophysical environment extent practical residual harmful Important habitat functions are impacts to existing habitats to be sustained onsite compensated for through creation of replacement habitats THOMSON Low low productivity is associated Development must demonstrate with a modified biophysical environment impact mitigation and sound to such an extent that biological environmental design productivity is not significant from a construction and operation habitat resource perspective LOW WATER HABITAT YELLOW CODED BELOW LOW WATER HABITAT 7 WITHIN ENTIRE LEASE a AREA BELOW LOY WATER HABITAT ZONE HAAS ROAD BREAKWATER MARCH 2000 SCALE 1 2500 mu _ e Fisheries Pecnes or HILTON RORY and Oceans et Oceans E YELLOW CODED FORESHORE HABITAT ASSOCIATED ONLY a ORD WITH BREAKWATER AS e DENOTED B Y ADDITIONAL SN SHADING MARINE DRIVE kam vV COURTENAY RIVER Estuary Management Plan i 1 V Lo HABITAT AND DEVELOPMENT CLASSIFICATION CLASSIFICATION ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA FOR DEVELOPMENT YELLOW CODED BELOW associated with a relatively impact mitigation sufficient to LOW WATER HABITAT complex blophysical environment ensure thal existing habitats LI
28. tion program associated with development are automatically coded red Yellow coded shorelines sustain moderately productive habitats Development is permitted contingent upon the satisfactory mitigation of development associated impacts Unmitigable impacts must be compensated for through the construction of replacement habitats Green coded shorelines are characterized by habitats of low productivity Development is governed by environmentally sustainable design construction and operation Colour code related constraints placed upon development are based upon the practical feasibility of mitigating impacts to productive fish and wildlife habitats and upon federal Courtenay River Estuary Management Plan Page 2 Habitat and Development Classification System User s Manual and Map Sheets and provincial legislation and policies that empower resource agencies to protect plant fish and wildlife habitats The original classification of habitats within the FREMP jurisdictional area was deficient in its consideration of riparian and subtidal habitats Firstly with regard to riparian habitats the shoreline classification considered only that portion of the riparian environment that intercepted the normal high water mark The unit of currency for riparian habitat was linear rather than the areal currency utilized for intertidal habitats Habitats contiguous with the immediate riparian environment such as early to mid seral woodlands of adjacent u
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