Environmental Impact Assessment for 327 Stewart Avenue

• Development of riparian and shoreline areas should be limited and not negatively impact the ecological health of the immediate area or impede public access.
• Retention of existing healthy riparian and shoreline vegetation should be maximized with any paths, structures or other constructed areas sited to minimize impact on trees and sensitive areas.
• Restoration of riparian and shoreline vegetation and habitat, including removal of invasive species, is encouraged for all properties within this Development Permit Area.
• Development should result in a net increase in native vegetation in almost all circumstances including trees, shrubs and grasses.
• For shoreline areas heavily impacted by previous development, target the restoration of ecologically appropriate vegetation for an average 15m wide (minimum 5 m) shoreline zone over 50% of the shore length.
• Riparian and shoreline area development should sensitively manage storm water, focusing on infiltration and release of storm water in ways and quantities that mimics natural patterns, avoids scouring and erosion and results in storm water free from pollutants.
• Shoreline protection measures should be limited to those necessary to prevent damage to existing structures or established uses on adjacent upland. [Additional guidelines applicable to shoreline stabilization are not included here, as this shoreline has been previously hardened and no additional works have been proposed – Swell.]
• The preservation and enhancement of native trees and shrub clusters that overhang the waters edge is strongly encouraged as these provide shade, protection and feeding habitat for fish and wildlife.

Guidelines for new and replacement of existing docks and boat launch facilities

• Docks and wharves should ensure that public access along the shore is maintained, and should serve multiple users as much as possible rather than one dock per property.
• Design, size and location of docks and wharves should not limit opportunities for water access for neighbouring private properties.
• Private docks and wharves should be designed to provide access to the water and seasonal boating opportunities, rather than sized to facilitate year round moorage of boats.
• Docks and wharves should be sited to avoid impacts on sensitive ecosystems such as eelgrass beds, fish habitat, and natural processes such as currents and littoral drift.
• Docks should be constructed in a manner that permits the free flow of water beneath. Supports should be located on hard substrate.
• Floating docks should not rest on the bottom at any time and a minimal, moveable ramp should be utilized to connect the dock with the shore rather than a fixed wharf or pier.
• Piers and pilings and floating docks are preferred over solid core piers.
• Docks should be constructed of stable materials that will not degrade over time. The use of unenclosed plastic foam or the use of creosote treated pilings is strongly discouraged.

Impact of Proposed Development on Natural Conditions

The eelgrass beds noted by the CRD Harbours Atlas as being present in the outer Limekiln Cove in 2004 were not observed in the current snorkel survey, either in the proposed dock location or in the surrounding area. Laminaria provides important habitat on the mud bottom of the cove, but is very shade tolerant, and unlikely to be affected by the presence of a new float dock. The observed fish and crabs cluster in these habitats and may also be drawn to docks and pilings. None of the flora and fauna observed are expected to be negatively impacted by the proposed float dock. Mud dwelling fauna may be minimally impacted by bottom-resting floats during very low summer tides, however, this is not likely a significant impact for this ecosystem.

The cove has existing bottom-resting docks at neighbouring properties and the cove itself is subject to concentrated stormwater inputs from municipal runoff. Cumulative impacts of docks were not examined for this report. The subject site is historically highly disturbed, both in the backshore and the foreshore, and efforts have been made to keep the proposed structures within the previous footprint. Provided that all Best Management Practices for works in the intertidal area are followed, no long-term negative effects would be expected from the proposed development on the current natural condition of the site.

Recommendations and Best Management Practices (BMPs)

The site at 327 Stewart Avenue is an impacted residential lot with a moderate natural riparian ecosystem, but with little upland native ecosystem. There were no observed rare or uncommon species (plant or wildlife), or sensitive upland habitats. The proposed dock replacement would have a minimal effect on the ecological conditions of the 15-m setback and associated foreshore. However, despite the impacted nature of the site, the 15-m backshore and foreshore still have ecological value which can be increased through additional native plantings and the continued removal of invasive species as are currently ongoing.

In addition to any requirements within the issued federal and provincial permits, the following Best Management Practices are recommended to ensure minimal risk to the DPA:

• Erosion & Sediment Control and Spill Prevention & Response measures must be implemented to protect the marine ecosystem from construction activities:
  • Schedule construction activities during dry weather;
  • Ensure concrete wastes are contained: wet concrete is not deposited into surrounding water, remove excess concrete, and do not allow water from equipment and tool cleaning to enter the environment;
  • Remove all wastes associated with float dock and ramp installation;
  • Construct float dock and ramp off-site or in the upland area;
  • Cover exposed soils (e.g. tarps, grass seed);
  • Install sediment barriers (e.g. sediment fences, compost-filled barriers such as Filtrexx Soxx), if needed;
  • Spill response kits will be on site when heavy machinery is working, and operators trained in their use;
  • Equipment refuelling at a designated location isolated from aquatic ecosystems and stormdrain catchbasins; and
  • Equipment will be inspected for leaks prior to beginning work.
• Marine construction activities are restricted to the following Reduced Risk Timing Windows in order to ensure that significant harm does not occur to fish or fish habitat, as per Fisheries and Oceans Canada under the federal Fisheries Act:
  • Summer Window: July 1 – August 1
  • Winter Window: December 1 – February 15
• Dock and pier construction in the marine environment have additional specific BMPs and should be reviewed by the marine contractor in the following documents: Operational Statement for Dock and Boathouse Construction, and Standards and Best Practices for Instream Works – Wharf, Pier, Dock, Boathouse & Mooring (Appendix 1). (See also http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pnw-ppe/pathways-sequences/index-eng.html.)
• A Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) should be on site for critical stages of the project, including a pre-construction meeting with the contractor, and periodically throughout the construction period to ensure BMPs are followed and no pollution (e.g. sediment laden water, concrete, spills) enters the marine environment.

In addition to the above BMPs, View Royal Bylaw No. 811 recommends restoration of shoreline ecosystems where possible. The 15-m DPA would benefit from the removal of invasive species and replanting of native species. The owner has indicated an enthusiasm for this on an ongoing basis.

Native species should be planted with the target guidelines from the OCP in mind. Table 1 contains a partial list of appropriate native species for this 15-m setback. The replanting activities with the highest positive impact will be those bordering the high water mark, including trees and shrubs that will eventually result in overhanging vegetation on the foreshore. Removal of English ivy on tree trunks is especially critical. Berry-producing native species have been included for the interest of the owner and include: coastal and woodland strawberry, salmonberry, thimbleberry, Saskatoon berry, black huckleberry, evergreen huckleberry and red huckleberry. Some of these plants have specialised requirements and habits. Additional information can be provided upon request.

A free local source of native plants is periodically available to the public through the District of Saanich Native Plant Salvage Program. The program requires registration and an orientation session, but is open to all members of the public. More information can be obtained through Darren Copley at the District of Saanich, or through the website at http://www.saanich.ca/living/natural/stewardship/npsp.html?ref=shortURL. Alternatively, native species can be purchased from local nurseries.

Provided the Best Management Practices above are followed, we do not expect the proposed construction activities to have any negative impacts to the current ecosystems of the 15-m DPA setback. If implemented, the suggested restoration activities would provide significant improvement over the current conditions for wildlife, aquatic life, and both the backshore and foreshore ecosystems.

In summary, the proposed work will not disturb any rare or endangered species or ecosystems and provided the measures described in this review are followed, the effects of the project on the marine environment and shoreline conditions are minimal.

Sincerely,

Sara Stallard BSc, ASCT (#22338), Dipl.Env.Tech.

Lehna Malmkvist, MSc, RPBio (#1613)

Table 1. Suggested Native Plant Species for 327 Stewart Avenue (not a complete list).