Coquitlam Dam Seismic Upgrade Project ... - BC Hydro

An ecosystem based assessment of all proposed working areas including borrow sites, quarries,
disposal sites and laydown areas will be completed once these construction zones are defined.
The assessment will form the basis of a site-specific restoration plan for all of the working areas.
The restoration plan will include short term erosion control features as well as a long term
successional plan to return these areas to productive habitats. Permits for cutting and removing
timber will be acquired through application to the Province and their referral to the GVWD,
where tree cutting involves GVWD Lease Lands.
2.4. WILDLIFE HABITAT
The Coastal Western Hemlock (CWH) Biogeoclimatic Zone supports a wide variety of common
wildlife as well as red and blue listed species. The species of concern (red and blue listed
species) that may inhabit the area adjacent to the Coquitlam Dam include the spotted owl,
marbled morale, Townsend’s Big-eared Bat, Keen’s long-eared myotis and the Pacific Water
Shrew.
Spotted owl are known to inhabit the entire reservoir portion of the Coquitlam Watershed and at
least two pairs of breeding spotted owl have been documented using this area (McIntosh and
Robertson, 2001). To protect this species, a Special Management Resource Zone has been
established. This zone has been divided into sections in which at least 67 % of the mature forest
area (i.e. > 100 years old) must be maintained (McIntosh and Robertson, 2001).
A detailed wildlife assessment will be completed by a qualified and experienced wildlife
biologist prior to the development of all working areas required for this project once these areas
have been clearly defined. The wildlife assessments will inventory the composition and quality
of all habitats in the proposed working areas as well as the surrounding areas. The wildlife
assessment will also provide the species composition of the animals observed in the area as well
as those likely to utilize the observed habitat types. An assessment for the potential for species
at risk to be present will also be included. The wildlife assessment will ensure that protected
species and their habitats are avoided during this project. This information will also be used to
determine environmental effects during all phases of the project and to develop mitigative and
compensatory measures as well as in the development of the restoration plan. Mitigation
measures will include incorporation of best management practices and requirements for land
developments, consideration of cumulative effects and prescriptions for replacement of impacted
or removed critical habitat.
Coquitlam Dam Seismic Rehabilitation Page 11
Environmental Management Plan – Version 4
June 15, 2004