ID | 1160 |
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Citation | Lewis, A, Hatfield, T, Chilibeck, B, Roberts, C. 2004. Assessment methods for aquatic habitat and instream flow characteristics in support of applications to dam, divert or extract water from streams in British Columbia. Prepared for BC Ministry of Environment. |
Organization | Ministry of Environment |
URL | http://www.ecofishresearch.com/about/documents/Lewisetal2004_000.pdf |
Abstract/Description or Keywords | The British Columbia Instream Flow Guidelines for Aquatic Habitat are made up of two components: Instream Flow Thresholds and Instream Flow Assessment Methods. The Instream Flow Thresholds are guidelines designed to protect aquatic habitat in British Columbia streams from excessive water withdrawal. The Assessment Methods are methodology guidelines designed to identify impacts from water withdrawal. This document defines the Assessment Methods for aquatic habitat: Flow Thresholds are defined in a companion document (Hatfield et al. 2003). Although these Assessment Methods were designed for small hydro water licence applications, the Assessment Methods are also appropriate for other applications, such as some large hydro projects and applications for consumptive water uses. Applications to dam, divert, or extract water from streams in British Columbia must be supported by high quality information on hydrology, biology, and habitat from the stream of interest. The Assessment Methods defined in this document are structured into two tiers: those applied at a preliminary ムcoarse' screening level and those applied at a detailed level. Applications for water use hoping to meet the Guidelines' Flow Thresholds must provide preliminary level data consisting of a project description, daily hydrological data estimated from regional stations or collected from the stream of interest, biological data including fish presence determined through existing records or direct sampling, and reconnaissance- level fish habitat information. Applications that move to the detailed level will have to provide information at both the screening and detailed levels. Detailed information needs must include: geomorphology, water quality, fish biology, fish habitat, lower trophic levels, ecological function, and cumulative effects. The two-step process is designed to identify projects that pose a low risk to fish and habitat. Projects that do not meet the ムGuidelines' Flow Thresholds represent a higher risk to the environment and will be subject to greater scrutiny through a requirement for detailed studies. The Assessment Methods identified here are intended to meet the requirements of the Fisheries Act. Specifically, information is required to assess a harmful alteration, disruption, or destruction of habitat (HADD) and to develop appropriate mitigation and compensation of project impacts. Although the methods identified here are detailed, proponents have ultimate responsibility in meeting the information requirements of DFO. Accordingly, all detailed studies should be carefully planned and documented to allow external review, should that be requested during or following the study. The Assessment Methods provide data collection and analysis procedures that should be followed when presenting relevant information to fisheries agency staff as part of an application for a water licence. It is important to note that these methods only address fish and fish habitat concerns. In some cases, additional detailed studies on other resources (e.g., wildlife, recreation) will be required, but these are not described here. Data must be collected and summarized using the methods described and referenced in this document. All studies should be certified by a qualified professional in the appropriate field (e.g., R. P. Bio., P. Geo., P. Eng., etc.) with demonstrated experience on instream flow issues. low flow, environmental flow needs, aquatic habitat, salmonids, fisheries |
Information Type | report |
Regional Watershed | All |
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Project status | complete |
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