Environmental Overview Assessment for 297 View Royal Ave.

RE: Environmental Overview Assessment for the Natural Watercourse and Shoreline Areas Development Permit Area at 297 View Royal Ave, Town of View Royal

On February 27, 2020 (LM only) and August 18, 2021 Lehna Malmkvist, MSc, RPBio and Sara Stallard, BSc, AScT of Swell Environmental Consulting Ltd. (Swell) visited the site at 297 View Royal Ave, Town of View Royal, with the owner, Scott Currie, PEng, from Ryzuk Geotechnical, and Don Skinner, ISA Certified Arborist and RPBio, Concrete Jungle Forestry Ltd. to evaluate the existing condition of the property in reference to proposed shoreline stabilization, retaining walls, and lawn, stairs, path and native species plantings within the Town of View Royal’s Natural Watercourse and Shoreline Areas Development Permit Area (DPA) (Figures 1-6). As per View Royal’s Schedule Q of the Official Community Plan (2011) Bylaw No. 811, the site was assessed for sensitive ecosystems, red and blue listed species, wildlife trees, and all environmentally sensitive areas within the site. This Environmental Review summarizes our assessment of the environmental conditions in the DPA and potential impacts from the proposed work.

Natural Watercourse and Shoreline Areas Development Permit Area, Bylaw No. 811

According to the View Royal Official Community Plan (OCP 2011) Bylaw No. 811, the Natural Watercourse and Shoreline Areas DPA was developed for the purpose of protecting the natural environment, its ecosystems and biological diversity from development and includes all those upland and foreshore areas above and below and within 15 metres of the natural boundary of the sea.

Riparian areas and shorelines are important for their ecological value and contribution to the physical and cultural identity of View Royal. These areas support a rich diversity of flora and fauna and are integral elements of greater local and regional environmental systems. Unnecessarily disturbing these sensitive environments may harm their vitality and the ecological services they provide. This Development Permit Area has been established to ensure that the ecological values of sensitive watercourse and shoreline areas have been considered prior to development, and that measures will be taken to limit or avoid damage to these ecosystems. To the fullest extent possible all shorelines and riparian zones should be kept in a natural state and restored if they have been disturbed by development intrusions or public activity (View Royal OCP 2011).

The following Guidelines for the Natural Watercourse and Shoreline Areas DPA are applicable to the site:

General Guidelines

• 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.
• In the design of new developments or re-development, the use of soft engineered and innovative alternatives to stabilizing shorelines and preventing erosion, such as bioengineering rather than traditional hard engineered measures should be used. In general, the harder the construction measure, the greater the impact on shoreline process, including sediment transport, geomorphology and biological functions. Hard" measures refer to those with solid, hard surfaces, such as concrete bulkheads, while "soft" structural measures rely on less rigid materials, such as biotechnical vegetation measures or beach enhancement. There is a range of measures varying from soft to hard that include:
  • Vegetation enhancement.
  • Upland drainage control.
  • Biotechnical measures.
  • Beach enhancement.
  • Anchor trees.
  • Gravel placement.
  • Rock (rip rap) revetments.
  • Gabions.
  • Concrete groins.
  • Retaining walls or bulkheads.
• Where hard measures can conclusively be shown to be the only means of effectively preventing erosion, they should be designed in consultation with a registered professional biologist, qualified environmental professionals and professional engineers, as appropriate.
• The preservation and enhancement of native trees and shrub clusters that overhang the water’s edge is strongly encouraged as these provide shade, protection and feeding habitat for fish and wildlife.

Guidelines - Specific Ocean Shoreline Types

Beach Shores may consist of broad silty/sandy beaches or gravely/blocky rubble beaches or mixed rock with beach sediment, and may be classified as either a drift-sector or pocket beach. With this type of shoreline, the following guidelines apply:

i. Ensure that a minimum 15-metre setback for new buildings and structures, additions to existing buildings and structures, or the placement and removal of fill is maintained. ii. Where shore protection measures are necessary, make use of “beach nourishment” designs, which add appropriately sized material to the upper beach, creating a natural beach slope and beach armour. iii. Use of seawalls and rip rap embankments are generally not acceptable except when no alterative shore protection design is possible.

Background Information

Prior to conducting the field assessment for the site, the current environmental data and information available for the area was reviewed. The CRD Natural Areas Atlas and Harbours Atlas, BC Conservation Data Centre (CDC) database, Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory (SEI) of East Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands (map sheet 92B-043), BC Fisheries Inventory Data Queries (FIDQ) and the Wildlife Tree Stewardship Program (WiTS) were reviewed for listings of environmentally sensitive ecosystems, sensitive habitat inventory mapping, rare species, red or blue-listed flora and fauna, wildlife trees, or any other pertinent environmental features.

There were no environmental data points listed as occurring within 500m of this property and no red or blue listed species or ecosystems were observed on the site, and are not expected due to the historic disturbance on the site.

The Capital Regional District (CRD) Harbours Atlas, with data from 2020, was reviewed for intertidal and subtidal background information, supplemented with data from the previous survey report (Archipelago Marine Resources 2004). The subject site lies at the head of Limekiln Cove on the northeast shoreline of Esquimalt Harbour (Figure 6). The primary bioband for the upper intertidal consists of black lichen within an intertidal flat composed of mud, fines, sand, silt, pebble, cobble and scattered bedrock, with trace-5% organic cover and 5-30% shell cover. Approximately ½ of the cove consists of an exposed mudflat at the lowest low tide. The video tracklines are conducted at low tide, therefor thy extend into the cove only as far as the subtidal extent.

Marine sub- and intertidal flora and fauna are listed as continuous infaunal burrows, few crabs (Cancer magister, C. gracilis), Burrowing Sea Cucumbers (Cucumaria miniata), few Bryozoan Complex (bryozoans, sponges, ascidians), few Painted Anemones (Tealia sp.), Plumose Anemones (Metridium sp.), Foliose Red Algae (Gigartina, Iridaea), Japanese wireweed (Sargassum muticum), Filamentous Red Algae (Gastroctonium, Prionitis sp.), and sparse to low Bladed Kelps. The sparse to low Eelgrass distribution in the cove is located sub-tidally at the middle of the cove and is reduced from the previous (2004) survey. Total vegetation cover ranges from trace to 100% in the intertidal zone. Video observations include significant man-made debris including bottles, cable, pipe, tires, logs and general metal objects. The Overall Ecological Rating for the intertidal zone is Moderate to High.

The evidence of significant stormwater flows at the head of the cove is indicated by runoff channels in the mud flats. This runoff is fed by four municipal stormdrains at the base of Helmcken Road (CRD#873, 873A, B & C).

Site Conditions

The approximately 635m² waterfront property is a historically developed lot with an existing house, landscaping, retaining walls, shoreline access path and stairs (Photos 1-24). The site slopes to the southwest from the house site to the shoreline. Scott Currie, PEng, Ryzuk Geotechnical, conducted a geotechnical assessment (Appendix 1), and Don Skinner, ISA Certified Arborist and RPBio, Concrete Jungle Forestry Ltd. conducted a tree assessment (Appendix 2).

The 15m DPA upland from the shoreline is a historically cleared/disturbed area consisting of a patio (5m x 2.5m = 12.5m²), gravel pad (6.5m x 2m = 13m²), pathway, stairs, and retaining walls of wood (failing) and concrete blocks, with a mix of native trees along the property lines (primarily on adjacent properties), dominated by extensive invasive species established in the understory with occasional native and ornamental species (Figure 3, Photos 1-14). The steep slope ends in a vertical undercut bank (approximately 0.5-1 m high) on an eroding shoreline, framed by two existing concrete seawalls on the adjacent properties that extend 1.5-2.3 m farther out from the un-armoured shoreline of the subject site. A drain-pipe extends to the shoreline at the south property line (Photos 3-4). The intertidal area is a mix of cobble, gravel, bedrock outcroppings and mudflats.

Vegetation

Within the DPA is a Douglas-fir (Pseudostuga menziesii) at the upper slope and on adjacent properties there are Douglas-firs (one very large root comes onto the property), White or English oak (Quercus sp.), and bigleaf maple (Acer marcophyllum). The understory is dominated by non-native invasive species, primarily: agricultural grasses, English ivy (Hedra helix), spurge laurel (Daphne laureola), Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus), morning glory (Convolvulus sp.), buttercup (Ranunculus sp.) and other ornamental and weedy species.

Along the shoreline there are sporadic occurrences of native plants interspersed with English ivy, including willow (likely Scouler’s, Salix scouleriana), snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), red-osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera), Nootka rose (Rosa nutkana) and horsetail (Equisetum arvense).

Marine

An intertidal survey for marine flora and fauna adjacent to the proposed gabion wall was conducted to determine the potential impact of the proposed construction. The head of Limekiln Cove has steep eroding slopes while the remainder is characterised by steep bedrock shores towards Esquimalt Harbour. The site shoreline is bracketed by concrete seawalls that extend into the beach on both sides (1.5-2.3 m) (Photos 15-24). The upper beach is devoid of vegetation, as is most of this shoreline, with the exception of a fringe of Lyngby’s sedge (Carex lyngbyei) among the old pilings situated to the northwest below the Town of View Royal ROW at the head of the cove (Photo 22). The upper beach substrate is composed of mixed shell hash/sand/pebble/cobble and extends out to an extensive shallow mudflat at the head of this narrow cove. The beach height drops adjacent to the concrete seawall immediately to the west and is composed of a consistent mix of sand and silt. This beach substrate is internally cohesive and soft enough to form a ribbon of material when molded by hand and it also forms the base of the gravelly mix at the subject site (Photo 20). The mid-lower mudflat becomes increasingly softer toward the waterline with scattered rocky outcrops.

The accessible beach, visual estimates of the remaining intertidal zone (at low tide) and the data from the Harbours Survey were used to reasonably extrapolate the composition of the remaining marine flora/fauna and the findings supported the data listed in the Harbours Survey. The neighbouring docks to the southeast within the cove rest on the marine bottom at low tide. Assorted debris on the shore indicates a history of residential use in the area (Photo 4).

Two intertidal marine zones were observed: A: Upper Sand/Pebble/Cobble/Bedrock Intertidal with shell fragments, invertebrates, hosting sparse algae attached to protruding bedrock, small bits of wood, rock and manmade debris. B: Lower Mud/Sand Intertidal of thick, fine muddy sand with shell fragments and numerous siphon holes and raised infaunal burrows.

Attached and detached algae throughout these two zones included: bladder rockweed (Fucus), sea lettuce (Ulva), Japanese wireweed (Sargassum muiticum), and green algae (Enteromorpha sp.). Eelgrass (Zostera marina) was only encountered as sparse drift algae in the cove. Other than acorn barnacles (Balanus glandula), mussels (Mytilus sp.), and shore crabs (Hemigrapsus sp.), no live marine fauna was observed at the immediate shoreline edge. Shells of Dungeness or red rock crabs (Cancer sp.), snails (Littorina sp.), bentnose macoma clams (Macoma nasuta), littleneck clams (native-Protothaca staminea or manila-Tapes philippinarum), butter clams (Saxidomus giganteus), varnish clams (Nuttallia obscurata), heart cockles (Clinocardium nuttalli), and Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) were observed, and it is expected that the shellfish are numerous in the extensive Limekiln Cove mudflats. In particular, the high silt content of the nearshore beach makes this shoreline entirely unsuitable for spawning habitat of forage fish, such as Sand Lance and Surf Smelt, which require the interstitial spaces between sands and gravels for egg development.

Fauna

No detailed wildlife surveys were conducted; however, incidental wildlife observations on site included numerous waterfowl and Raccoon (Procyon lotor) prints in the mudflats (Photo 24). Common species such as River Otter (Lontra canadensis) and Columbia Black Tailed Deer (Odecoileous hemionus columbianus) would be expected in this area, among others. No bird nesting activity was observed.

Surrounding Area

The property is surrounded by single-family residences. The adjacent lots to the north and south are developed residential lots with similar slopes down to the marine environment, with concrete seawalls along the shoreline (Photos 1-2, 15-18).

Summary of Observations

The site inspection did not reveal any listed environmentally sensitive ecosystems, red or blue-listed species, or significant environmental features of this type, beyond the typical sensitivity of shoreline habitats. The historically heavily impacted nature of the site, along with previous excavations and retaining structures, makes the presence of rare and uncommon species unlikely. Non-native vegetation dominates the majority of the 15-m DPA, with sporadic native species interspersed in English ivy along the shoreline fringe.

Proposed Project

The proposed works are shown in the 15m DPA (approx. 185m²) on Figures 4 and 5 (full set of landscape plans in Appendix 3) by Imagine Garden Design and Figure 6 by Ryzuk Geotechincal (Appendix 1). The owner is proposing to retain the top section of the DPA (approx. 5m) as is (lawn, stairs, ornamental plantings) above the existing stacked rock wall and redesign the lower approximately 10m of the DPA (~131m²). The proposed works are:

• Remove existing retaining walls
• Remove invasive species
• Install vegetated gabions along the shoreline, designed by Ryzuk Geotechnical, landward of the Present Natural Boundary (Figures 4, 5 and 6), drainage pipe from adjacent property will be addressed during installation.
• Install retaining walls on the DPA slope, consisting of:
  • vegetated gabions (11.05m²),
  • Flex MSE vegetated retaining walls (3.83m²), and
  • Retaining walls with stone veneer (9.8m²), designed by Imagine Garden Design on the slope in the DPA (Figures 4, 5 and 6)
• Fine gravel and stone stairs to replace existing patio, path, and stairs (33% = 43.35m²)
• Native Planting, with shrubs, grasses, and ground covers including gabions and Flex MSE wall (67% = 87.44m²)
• Native plantings consist of 67% of the area of the proposed work area in the DPA; and 47% of the total DPA.

The gabion installation, retaining walls, and regrading of the DPA will be conducted landward (upslope) of the Present Natural Boundary, using a small excavator, bobcat, and by hand, and they will follow the environmental protection measures outlined later in this report. No permanent work is proposed beyond the Present Natural Boundary.

The work will be constructed during the summer Reduced Risk Fisheries Window for marine shorelines (July 1 to October 1).

The work will be conducted is such a way to minimize the impact to the shoreline and no permanent structures or land alteration are proposed below/past the PNB.

• All construction will be conducted from the landward edge of the shoreline with no equipment accessing the intertidal area. A mini excavator will be used to pull back the existing slope and key in the first gabion to a depth of 0.5 m on the landward side of the PNB and material transport will be done with a tracked Bobcat.
• All material will be side-cast on the landward side of the PNB and no materials will be deposited into the intertidal area.
• An ISA certified arborist will work with the contractor to ensure all of the tree protection measures within the report by Concrete Jungle Forestry are implemented during construction (Appendix 2).
• Additionally, if occurring during the breeding season, the removal of invasive vegetation will be preceded by a pre-clearing nesting bird survey conducted by a qualified professional, as per Section 34 of the BC Wildlife Act (see Environmental Protection Measures).

There will be temporary disturbance of the upper shoreline to install the gabions, therefore a Project Review will be submitted to Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and to Department of National Defence.

The project has been designed to meet the View Royal Development Permit Guidelines.

Potential Impacts of Proposed Work on Existing Environmental Conditions

The project has been designed with extensive ecological considerations for the terrestrial and marine environment. The wide range of stabilization options from soft to hard engineering solutions were reviewed by Ryzuk Geotechnical, Swell Environmental, Imagine Designs, and the owner and the described design and restoration planting plan is the most ecologically sensitive solution to the existing failing slope, with the added benefit of re-establishing a band of native shoreline vegetation along this impacted shoreline.

Potential Temporary Environmental Impacts during construction include:

• Approximately 10 m² of low-growing shoreline vegetation (mix of native and non-native, invasive species) will be cleared within the DPA to accommodate the construction. The remainder of the DPA consists of ornamental and weedy non-native species.
• Potential for sediment-laden runoff from the site
• Potential for spills from equipment working on site

Potential Long-term Environmental Impacts include:

• No permanent work is proposed past the present natural boundary (PNB), therefore, provided the environmental protection measures described below are implemented, no large-scale negative impacts are expected to the marine environment. The intertidal habitat in the area of the site consists almost entirely of burrowing shellfish. None of the flora and fauna observed are expected to be negatively impacted by the proposed shoreline stabilisation. The loss of some natural sediment transport or beach nourishment along this sediment shoreline is not expected to impact the extensive intertidal mudflats and is expected to be partially mitigated by the design of the soil layers within the rock-filled gabions, which will be fully vegetated to reduce scour.
• The total area of native plantings will increase over the existing condition and the works will include invasive species removal. Approximately 87.44m² of native planting is proposed, roughly 67% of proposed work area in the DPA.
• The plantings on the shoreline will provide overhanging shoreline vegetation to provide leaf fall and insect drop for food and nutrients into the marine environment, and habitat for birds and small wildlife¹.
• There will be no change to the public access to and along the foreshore.

Environmental Protection Measures including erosion and sediment control and spill prevention and response will be implemented to minimize the potential for release of deleterious substances to the marine environment. Provided that Environmental Protection Measures for construction are followed (see Environmental Protection Measures), the project within the 15 m DPA would have no expected negative impacts and would have positive impacts on the existing ecological condition of the DPA backshore and foreshore.

The following actions and recommendations show compliance with the Town of View Royal’s Guidelines for the Natural Watercourse and Shoreline Areas DPA:

Natural Watercourse and Shoreline Areas Development Permit Area, Bylaw No. 811

According to the View Royal Official Community Plan (OCP 2011) Bylaw No. 811, the following Guidelines would apply to the Natural Watercourse and Shoreline Areas DPA in this location:

General Guidelines

• Development of riparian and shoreline areas should be limited and not negatively impact the ecological health of the immediate area or impede public access. Development planned in the 15-m DPA includes the proposed shoreline stabilisation and increase of native coastal vegetation. The proposed slope protection works are expected to have only limited temporary impact on the shoreline and current wildlife use, provided Environmental Protection Measures regarding building materials, construction practices, and extensive replanting are followed. The increase in native vegetation throughout the DPA will provide a significant improvement on the long-term condition of the shoreline for both aquatic and terrestrial species, including fish and songbirds and wildlife in general. Swell and the contractor will work together during the shore stabilisation works to ensure that native planting areas in the stabilisation works will be maximised. Public access to walk along the beach will remain unchanged.

• 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. The proposal will utilize the reduce the footprint of path and stairs by moving the shoreline access to the south to avoid damaging the large Douglas-fir root on the slope. Additionally, the existing patio will be removed (13m²) (Figures 4 and 5).

• Restoration of riparian and shoreline vegetation and habitat, including removal of invasive species, is encouraged for all properties within this Development Permit Area. Removal of invasive species is proposed throughout the DPA. The targeted invasive species include Himalayan blackberry, English ivy, morning glory, buttercup, spurge laurel, and other weedy species. The majority of the DPA impacted by the proposal consists of non-native and invasive groundcover. Coastal native vegetation removed during shore stabilisation will be salvaged where possible and cover will be increased with extensive coastal native plantings, including significant increases in shoreline shrubs (see below).

• 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. The preservation and enhancement of native trees and shrub clusters that overhang the water’s edge is strongly encouraged as these provide shade, protection and feeding habitat for fish and wildlife. The stabilisation of this slope has been designed, in part, to protect the existing mature trees on the adjacent properties. Tree protection measures will be implemented for all trees on site during construction (Appendix 2). Restoration within the DPA includes extensive native shrub and groundcover planting, a combination of 229 native shrubs and 819 ground covers and grasses will be added to the DPA. The lowest gabion includes plugs and seeds of salt-tolerant and marine estuarine native vegetation. Overall, of the 12m long shoreline, 11m (91.6%) will be vegetated with native species, and native plantings consist of 67% of the area of the proposed work area in the DPA; and 47% of the total DPA, particularly with native shrubs along the shoreline edge, significantly increasing the ecological value of the shoreline.

• 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. No increase in impervious surfaces is proposed. The perimeter drain on the east property line will be re-aligned in a similar fashion.

• Shoreline protection measures should be limited to those necessary to prevent damage to existing structures or established uses on adjacent upland. The proposed shoreline protection measures have been designed to protect the existing slope, backyard, shoreline access, and mature trees and to restore the ecological function of the backshore.

• In the design of new developments or re-development, the use of soft engineered and innovative alternatives to stabilizing shorelines and preventing erosion, such as bioengineering rather than traditional hard engineered measures should be used. In general, the harder the construction measure, the greater the impact on shoreline process, including sediment transport, geomorphology and biological functions. Hard" measures refer to those with solid, hard surfaces, such as concrete bulkheads, while "soft" structural measures rely on less rigid materials, such as biotechnical vegetation measures or beach enhancement. There is a range of measures varying from soft to hard that include:

  • Vegetation enhancement.
  • Upland drainage control.
  • Biotechnical measures.
  • Beach enhancement.
  • Anchor trees.
  • Gravel placement.
  • Rock (rip rap) revetments.
  • Gabions.
  • Concrete groins.
  • Retaining walls or bulkheads. Where hard measures can conclusively be shown to be the only means of effectively preventing erosion, they should be designed in consultation with a registered professional biologist, qualified environmental professionals and professional engineers, as appropriate. The proposed shoreline protection measure has been designed by Ryzuk Geotechnical (PEng), with input from Swell, to address the current and continuing erosion, replacing the existing retaining walls. The proposed replacement retaining structures include site-fitted vegetated gabion walls, starting at the PNB, to be lined with soil media to allow planting of the top and beach-facing side with native vegetation. The terraces created from the gabions, Flex MSE and rock retaining walls will also be planted with a mix of native shrubs, grasses, and groundcover, with an emphasis on creating overhanging vegetation along the shoreline for improved aquatic habitat. The shoreline gabions will be field-fitted during installation to the shoreline shape, existing mature tree roots, and tied into the property boundaries in order to more closely mimic the natural shoreline and site contours. The combination of the vegetated surface and the undulating design is expected to dissipate wave energy and reduce the commonly seen scouring impacts of older-style concrete seawalls.

• 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. See above. The plantings will provide overhanging shoreline vegetation to provide leaf fall and insect drop for food and nutrients into the marine environment, and habitat for birds and small wildlife.

Guidelines - Specific Ocean Shoreline Types

Beach Shores may consist of broad silty/sandy beaches or gravely/blocky rubble beaches or mixed rock with beach sediment, and may be classified as either a drift-sector or pocket beach. With this type of shoreline, the following guidelines apply:

i. Ensure that a minimum 15-metre setback for new buildings and structures, additions to existing buildings and structures, or the placement and removal of fill is maintained. No new structures are proposed in the 15-m DPA, other than: replacement stairs and retaining walls, and the stabilisation of the slope and restoration of the native vegetation.

ii. Where shore protection measures are necessary, make use of “beach nourishment” designs, which add appropriately sized material to the upper beach, creating a natural beach slope and beach armour. See previous page, last 2 bullets.

iii. Use of seawalls and rip rap embankments are generally not acceptable except when no alterative shore protection design is possible. See above.

---

¹ Vegetated coastal habitats are important breeding habitats for songbirds and they are frequently used as wintering habitats by a number of sparrow species. Shoreline trees, Douglas-firs in particular, have the potential to mature and become suitable for additional wildlife such as eagles, herons, and ospreys for nesting and perching for feeding on ocean prey including fish and waterfowl. Thick vegetation overhanging the marine environment provides an important ecological function as wildlife habitat, shading and as a food source for fish. The supralittoral (marine backshore) is an important trophic link in supplying terrestrial carbon to nearshore food webs (Romanuk and Levings 2010). The shading and protection offered by the nearshore vegetation are utilised by juvenile fish and terrestrial invertebrates are a significant food source for rearing/juvenile salmonids. Terrestrial invertebrates can make up over 50% of the stomach contents in salmonid smolts.