Environmental Assessment of Highway 95 Corridor Safety Improvements
Prepared for:
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
Southern Interior Region
231-447 Columbia Street,
Kamloops, B.C. V2C 2T3
Prepared by:
Masse Environmental Consultants Ltd.
812 Vernon Street
Nelson, BC V1L 4G
January 24, 2020
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Environmental Assessment of Highway 95 Corridor Safety Improvements
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents................................................................................................................................. i
List of Figures ..................................................................................................................................... ii
List of Photos ...................................................................................................................................... ii
List of Tables ..................................................................................................................................... iii
List of Appendices .............................................................................................................................. iii
1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1
2 Project Site Locations and Objectives ....................................................................................... 1
3 Methods ................................................................................................................................. 2
Background Information Review .............................................................................................. 2 3.1
General Survey Procedures ...................................................................................................... 3 3.2
Species at Risk Review ............................................................................................................ 3 3.3
4 Results ................................................................................................................................... 4
Environmental Overview .......................................................................................................... 4 4.1
Harrogate ............................................................................................................................... 5 4.2
4.2.1 Site Description ................................................................................................................... 5
4.2.2 Vegetation .......................................................................................................................... 5
4.2.3 Wildlife ............................................................................................................................... 6
4.2.4 Aquatic Resources ............................................................................................................... 7
Spillmacheen .......................................................................................................................... 8 4.3
4.3.1 Site Description ................................................................................................................... 8
4.3.2 Vegetation .......................................................................................................................... 8
4.3.3 Wildlife ............................................................................................................................. 10
4.3.4 Aquatic Resources ............................................................................................................. 10
Columbia Road North ............................................................................................................ 11 4.4
4.4.1 Site Description ................................................................................................................. 11
4.4.2 Vegetation ........................................................................................................................ 11
4.4.3 Wildlife ............................................................................................................................. 12
Columbia Road South ............................................................................................................ 13 4.5
4.5.1 Site Description ................................................................................................................. 13
4.5.2 Vegetation ........................................................................................................................ 13
4.5.3 Wildlife ............................................................................................................................. 14
Species at Risk Review .......................................................................................................... 15 4.6
4.6.1 American Badger .............................................................................................................. 15
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4.6.2 Whitehouse’s fritillary ........................................................................................................ 16
4.6.3 Other species at risk.......................................................................................................... 18
5 Discussion and Recommendations .......................................................................................... 18
Vegetation ............................................................................................................................ 18 5.1
5.1.1 Recommendations............................................................................................................. 19
Invasive Plant Species ........................................................................................................... 19 5.2
5.2.1 Recommendations............................................................................................................. 20
Wildlife ................................................................................................................................. 20 5.3
5.3.1 Recommendations............................................................................................................. 21
Aquatic Resources ................................................................................................................. 23 5.4
5.4.1 Recommendations............................................................................................................. 23
6 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 24
7 References ........................................................................................................................... 25
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Area map showing locations of proposed upgrades. ................................................................ 2
Figure 2. Badger sign observation location. ........................................................................................... 6
Figure 3. American Badger distribution in British Columbia showing Western Population (shaded yellow)
and Eastern Population (shaded pink). Finalized CDC Element Occurrences are shown with hatching.
Black dots represent extralimital records of American Badgers and/or burrows (image adapted from
BCBRT, 2016). .......................................................................................................................... 16
Figure 4. Dorsal view (left) and ventral (right) views of Whitehouse’s fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite
whitehousei) male type specimen collected near Jaffray, BC in 1929. Images copyright 2011 James
C. Dunford. Specimen courtesy of the American Museum of Natural History. ................................ 17
Figure 5. Aphrodite fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite) larva (Butterfly Identification 2019). .......................... 17
LIST OF PHOTOS
Photo 1. Hayfield beyond fence with native shrubs along Highway 95 south of Ben Hynes Loop Road. ..... 7
Photo 2. Proposed CVSE pullout area with revegetated slopes and patch of rill erosion. .......................... 7
Photo 3. Mature Douglas fir forest within construction toe-line immediately north of currently cleared
pullout area. ............................................................................................................................... 7
Photo 4. Osprey nest at Highway 95 intersection with Ben Hynes Loop Road. Area where badger sign
observed highlight. ..................................................................................................................... 7
Photo 5. Burrow near Harrogate project site. Image provided by Eva Boehringer. ................................... 8
Photo 6. Burrow near Harrogate project site. Image provided by Eva Boehringer. ................................... 8
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Photo 7. Stream south of Ben Hynes Loop Road immediately before Highway 95 culvert. ........................ 8
Photo 8. Spring emerges below fir and birch, spreads under fence and pools among willows in
foreground. ................................................................................................................................ 8
Photo 9. Early seral forest within proposed rest area expansion footprint. ............................................ 10
Photo 10. Riparian forest margin along marsh near north end of proposed rest area expansion and
southbound deceleration lane. ................................................................................................... 10
Photo 11. Ditch between Highway 95 and CPR ROW west of proposed acceleration lane. Note giant reed
patch in foreground. ................................................................................................................. 11
Photo 12. Giant reed grass inflorescence. ........................................................................................... 11
Photo 13. Marsh west of Highway 95 near southbound deceleration lane. ............................................ 11
Photo 14. Pond east of Highway 95 near southbound deceleration lane................................................ 11
Photo 15. Pasture grasses and shrubs east of Columbia Road. ............................................................. 12
Photo 16. Broad view of proposed work area east of Columbia Road facing south. ................................ 12
Photo 17. Douglas fir and cottonwood near proposed construction footprint east of Columbia Road. ...... 12
Photo 18. Young Douglas fir forest west of Columbia Road. ................................................................. 12
Photo 19. Young Douglas fir forest east of Highway 95 south of Columbia Road intersection. ................ 14
Photo 20. Agronomic grass cover east of Highway 95 margin south of Columbia Road intersection. ....... 14
Photo 21. Clay cut-bank, east of Highway 95 margin south of Columbia Road intersection. ................... 14
Photo 22. Wildlife trail through ephemeral draw east of Highway 95 south of Columbia Road intersection.
................................................................................................................................................ 14
Photo 23. Open forest grassland with relatively high abundance and diversity of wildflowers east of
Highway 95 north of Columbia Road intersection. ....................................................................... 15
Photo 24. Open young Douglas fir forest west of Highway 95 south of Columbia Road intersection. ....... 15
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Project site objectives and specifications. ................................................................................ 1
Table 2. Summary of potential invasive plant species EKISC priority rankings (EKISK 2019). ................. 20
Table 3. Periods of least risk for wildlife............................................................................................. 23
LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix 1. Species at Risk Summary
Appendix 2. Badger Burrow ID
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1 INTRODUCTION
Masse Environmental Consultants Ltd. (MEC) was retained by the Ministry of Transportation and
Infrastructure (MoTI) to conduct an environmental assessment of proposed Highway 95 corridor safety
improvements. The objective of this assessment is to identify potential risks to valued ecosystem
components and provide recommendations to ensure potential environmental impacts have appropriate
and effective mitigation strategies to minimize negative project-environment interactions. This report
summarizes observed ecosystem and habitat values and identifies valued components that may be
impacted by the proposed development.
2 PROJECT SITE LOCATIONS AND OBJECTIVES
Improvements and modifications are proposed at 4 sites along Highway 95 between Golden, BC and
Radium, BC. Project descriptions and specifications for each site are summarized in Table 1 and the
locations of each site are depicted in Figure 1.
Table 1. Project site objectives and specifications.
Project Site Project Description MoTI Drawing(s)
1. Harrogate
Develop Commercial Vehicle
Safety and Enforcement (CVSE)
Pullout
• HIGHWAY 95 CORRIDOR SAFETY
IMPROVEMENTS HARROGATE CVSE PULLOUT
AND REST AREA 50% DETAILED DESIGN
2. Spillmacheen Expand Rest Area
• R2-25042-101_OPT-2 PB
• R2-25042-102_OPT-2 PB
• R2-25042-103_OPT-2 PB
3. Columbia Road North Lane Modifications and Signage • R2-25042-101N PB
4. Columbia Road South Intersection development • R2-25042-101S_OPT-1 PB
• R2-25042-102S_OPT-1 PB
Proposed works include expansion and modification of existing highway lanes and pull out areas. In some
areas, proposed expansion will encroach into currently vegetated areas along Highway 95. Works will
include vegetation clearing and grubbing, stripping of soils, cutting slopes and placing fill, grading final
slope grades, resurfacing the highway, lengthening or replacing culverts, relocating utilities, and
revegetation and revegetation.
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Figure 1. Area map showing locations of proposed upgrades.
3 METHODS
Background Information Review 3.1
Background information was collected on the study area prior to completing the field assessment. The
data was collected mostly from the municipal and government agencies, including:
• Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
• B.C. Conservation Data Centre (CDC)
• Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada
• iMap BC
• e-fauna BC and e-flora BC
• Fisheries Information Data Query
• Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC WEB)
• Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria
• BC Invasive Alien Plant Program (IAPP) database
• East Kootenay Invasive Species Council website and publications (EKISC)
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General Survey Procedures 3.2
Preliminary design drawings and aerial photos of the study area were examined in the office prior to the
completion of field studies.
A site visit was conducted by Iraleigh Anderson A.Ag. on October 29, 2019. The study area was traversed
on foot and general ecological conditions including vegetation cover, site disturbance, invasive weeds,
significant wildlife habitat features, nests, wildlife mortalities, potential red and blue-listed wildlife
concerns, and other significant ecological features were recorded. A list of plants observed on site is
provided in Appendix 1.
Due to the timing of the site assessment, vegetation was largely dormant, there were no flowering
plants, and most terrestrial wildlife species and birds were inactive or absent. There was negligible snow
on the ground during the site visit, so remnant vegetation and some habitat features remained visible.
Species at Risk Review 3.3
Species at risk are tracked provincially (Red- and Blue-listed) by the BC Conservation Data Centre (CDC),
and federally (designated as ‘Special Concern’, ‘Threatened’, ‘Endangered’, ‘Extirpated’ or ‘Extinct’) by the
Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). Legal protection for species and
their habitats in Canada is mandated through the Species at Risk Act (SARA) based on research and
recommendations from COSEWIC.
The BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer (BCSEE) was queried to generate a list of potentially occurring
at-risk taxa and ecological communities in the project area using the following criteria:
● BC Conservation Status: Red OR Blue, OR otherwise legally designated (i.e. FRPA, CITES, SARA,
MBCA)
● Biogeoclimatic Zone: IDF
● Regional District: East Kootenay OR Columbia Shushwap
The CDC iMap tool was used to further query the CDC data for element occurrence (EO) records within 5
km of Highway 95 throughout the project area. The following CDC datasets were queried using this
buffer:
● Species and Ecosystems at Risk – Publicly Available Occurrences – CDC
● Species and Ecosystems at Risk – (Masked Secured) Publicly Available Occurrences
● Species and Ecosystems at Risk – (Extirpated and Historical) Publicly Available Occurrences
The combined search yielded a list of at-risk taxa according to the search criteria. This list was evaluated
based on information gathered during the desktop review, local knowledge, and field observations during
the survey. Species associated with habitat types not found in the project area were removed. North
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Okanagan species at risk records returned from the extreme southeast corner of the Columbia Shushwap
Regional District were also discarded as the distributions of these species did not overlap the North
Columbia/Kootenay Trench Study Region. All listed species were ranked for their potential occurrence
within the project area according to the following categories:
● Confirmed - Species has been directly observed within the project area.
● Likely - Species is known to occur in the local area and in similar habitat.
● Possible - Species has been found in similar habitats and/or the local area, but not both.
● Unlikely - Project area has unsuitable habitat located a long distance from known populations.
● Unknown - Not enough is known of the species distribution and habitat requirements to
confidently assign likelihood of occurrence.
4 RESULTS
Environmental Overview 4.1
The Harrogate and Spillmacheen sites are within the Columbia Dry Cool Interior Douglas-fir variant
(IDFdk5) and the Columbia Road sites are within the Very Dry Cool Interior Douglas-fir variant (IDFxk)
biogeoclimatic subzones of the Rocky Mountain Forest District.
The IDFdk5 experiences cool winters and hot summers. Extreme temperature events during both
summer and winter affect plant community compositions within the IDFdk5. Snowpack tends to be
shallow in the IDFdk5. Soils are typically dry throughout all seasons, with seasonal moisture deficits
affecting dryer sites. The two main conifers are Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menzeisii var. glauca) and
lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta). Broadleaf trees including trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) and
paper birch (Betula papyrifera) may be locally abundant. Forest structure within the IDFdk5 was typically
kept open by a mixed severity fire regime, but ongoing anthropogenic fire suppression has caused a
region wide trend towards forest ingrowth (Mackillop et. al 2018).
The IDFxk also experiences cool winters and hot summers but is significantly drier than the adjacent
IDFdk5. Drought is common, and moisture deficits may even affect wet sites on some years. Snowpack is
shallow and intermittent. Tree diversity is low, with Douglas-fir predominating, and lodgepole pine often
lacking. Forest structure in the IDFxk was also historically maintained by fire, although significant
ingrowth has occurred due to fire suppression (Mackillop et. al 2018).
Suitable habitat within IDFdk5 and IDFxk forests host numerous wildlife species including large and small
mammals, ungulates, songbirds, reptiles, amphibians and raptors. These zones provide high-value winter
range for populations of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), elk (Cervus canadensis), and
mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). Forests and wetlands in the IDFdk5 also provide winter forage for
moose (Alces alces). Both the IDfdk5 and IDFxk support a diversity of rare and at risk plant species which
often occur in grassland and open forest habitats. Open habitats dominated by native wildflowers and
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grasses also support high diversities of pollinators including at-risk butterflies such as the monarch
(Danaus plexippus), and Whitehouse’s fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite whitehousei) (Mackillop et. al 2018).
The IDFdk5 and northern parts of the IDFxk contain an abundance of wetlands which have been
internationally recognized as important habitat for waterfowl and migratory birds including at risk species
such as American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) and Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias; Mackillop et. al
2018).
Habitat diversity is high in both the IDFdk5 and the IDFxk and supports many valued and at risk species
including, but not limited American badger (Taxidea taxus), Lewis woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis),
Townsend’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii), rubber boa (Charina bottae), grizzly bear (Ursus
arctos), sandhill crane (Grus canadensis), and western toad (Anaxyrus boreas; Mackillop et. al 2018).
Harrogate 4.2
4.2.1 Site Description
The Harrogate site is located at the intersection of Ben Hynes Loop Road and Highway 95, ~50 km south
of Golden, BC. An unsurfaced pullout is present on the east (northbound) side of Highway 95. Proposed
work includes developing a CVSE station, paving the pullout, constructing medians and a washroom,
painting lines, erecting signage, and adding acceleration/deceleration lanes to the north and south. The
addition of acceleration/deceleration lanes will involve widening the road prism. No works are proposed
west of Highway 95. The landscape is gently sloping around the project site with adjacent land cover
including agricultural fields, and mature Douglas-fir forest.
4.2.2 Vegetation
The land adjacent to the proposed deceleration lane is a hayfield separated from Highway 95 with a
fence (Photo 1). The ditch between the hayfield and highway is primarily covered in agronomic grasses
such as smooth brome (Bromus inermis) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) with occasional shrubs
such as Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnfolia), and black hawthorn (Crataegus douglassii). Canada thistle
(Cirsium arvense), a common exotic weed, is common in this area.
The current pullout area is largely unvegetated, mostly comprising compacted gravel with occasional
weeds such as mullein (Verbascum thapsus), oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), and knapweed
(Centaurea sp.). Additional potential invasive species from nearby BC Invasive Alien Plant Program (IAPP)
records include common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) and baby’s breath (Gypsophila paniculata). Slopes
above the pullout were revegetated with grasses including fescue (Festuca spp.), perennial wheatgrass
(Lolium perenne) and crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum). Grass cover is lacking on the slope in
one localized patch where surface erosion has begun to form rills (Photo 2).
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Beyond the pullout area the land adjacent to the proposed deceleration lane climbs to a bench 10-20 m
above the highway surface (Photo 3). The land cover above the proposed deceleration is a mature
Douglas-fir forest. Many trees in this stand are >30 cm diameter at breast height; however, no larger
veteran trees or significant snags or wildlife trees were observed. The understory is very open with
virtually no herbaceous layer, and only occasional low shrub cover from Oregon grape (Mahonia
aquifolium).
Toward the north end of the proposed acceleration lane a gravel road enters the highway from the east.
Adjacent land cover is pasture separated from the road by a fence. The immediate roadside ditch was
flooded at the time of survey from a spring which originates from the hillside immediately above the
fence. A row of willow (Salix sp.) has developed around the margins of the water indicating that this area
has received water on an annual basis for at least several years. Other hydrophytes in the ditch include
cattail (Typha latifolia) and small-fruited bulrush (Scirpus microcarpus). Canada thistle is established in
this area also.
4.2.3 Wildlife
An Osprey (Pandion haeliatus) nest was observed on a platform at the southeast margin of the pullout
area (Photo 4). Eva Boehringer RPBio (BC Hydro) visited the site in December 2019 to investigate
potential relocation sites for the Osprey platform. During this survey, Ms. Boehringer observed multiple
burrows ~15 m southeast of the proposed project footprint (Figure 2; Photo 5 and Photo 6). It is possible
that these burrows were made by an American Badger (Taxidea taxus). Potential American Badger
occurrence throughout the project area is discussed in detail in Section 4.6. The landowner at 5220
Salsbury Road reports that a badger den is present on her property, ~ 400 m north of the pullout.
Figure 2. Badger sign observation location.
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4.2.4 Aquatic Resources
A small stream crosses under Highway 95 on the south side of Ben Hynes Loop Road (Photo 8). The
stream runs along the Ben Hynes Loop Road above the highway and is bordered by a narrow riparian
buffer with trembling aspen, willow, snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) and prickly rose (Rosa acicularis).
It appears that this stream is Pratt Creek (300-941000) which may have been diverted to run along the
road rather than through the field. There are no records of fish presence in Pratt Creek (MOE 2019).
A natural spring runs from the property (5220 Salisbury Road; PID: 007-180-781) east of Highway 95
adjacent to the proposed acceleration lane (Photo 7). Spring water is collected in small basins and used
for livestock watering near the property boundary next to the Highway 95 ROW. Excess water from the
spring collects in the highway ditch. This water appears to drain under the highway, but no culvert could
be located because the water in the ditch was ~40 cm deep and partially ice-covered at the time of
survey. The landowner reports that salamanders and frogs are present in the spring.
Photo 1. Hayfield beyond fence with native shrubs along Highway 95 south of Ben Hynes Loop Road.
Photo 2. Proposed CVSE pullout area with revegetated slopes and patch of rill erosion.
Photo 3. Mature Douglas fir forest within construction toe-line immediately north of currently cleared pullout area.
Photo 4. Osprey nest at Highway 95 intersection with Ben Hynes Loop Road. Area where badger sign observed highlight.
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Photo 5. Burrow near Harrogate project site.
Image provided by Eva Boehringer.
Photo 6. Burrow near Harrogate project site. Image
provided by Eva Boehringer.
Photo 7. Stream south of Ben Hynes Loop Road
immediately before Highway 95 culvert.
Photo 8. Spring emerges below fir and birch,
spreads under fence and pools among willows in
foreground.
Spillmacheen 4.3
4.3.1 Site Description
The Spillmacheen site is located ~30 km north of Radium Hot Springs, BC on the west (southbound) side
of Highway 95. The proposed project site consists of a rest area with parking and washroom facilities.
Proposed work includes adding more parking capacity, painting lines, erecting signage, and adding
acceleration/deceleration lanes to the north and south. The addition of acceleration/deceleration lanes
will involve widening the road prism. Supporting work may include construction of retaining walls, and
relocation of utility poles and culverts. The landscape is relatively level with adjacent land cover including
young seral forest, mature forest, and marsh.
4.3.2 Vegetation
The land cover comprising the majority of the proposed rest area expansion footprint is early seral
sapling forest (Photo 9). Douglas fir saplings are growing patchily throughout this area with occasional
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shrubs including Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) and Saskatoon. Groundcover is primarily
bare ground with occasional clumps of fescue and patches of bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi). Mature
Douglas fir forest covers the land to the west of the proposed rest area expansion footprint. No
significant veteran trees or wildlife trees were observed in the margin of this mature forest located along
the proposed construction boundary.
The proposed deceleration lane area is bordered to the west by a marsh. Occasional trees and shrubs
along the riparian margin include spruce, trembling aspen, willow, red-osier dogwood and prickly rose
(Photo 10). The primary emergent plant along the eastern marsh margin is cattail. The middle of the
marsh is an extent of shallow open water, too deep for emergent vegetation.
Water is impounded between Highway 95 and the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) ROW west of the
proposed acceleration lane, south of the Spillmacheen rest area (Photo 11). Surface water available in
this ditch supports a marsh-like plant community, similar to the marsh west of the CPR ROW. Sporadic
cover along the edges from trees and shrubs including paper birch, water birch (Betula occidentalis),
hybrid spruce (Picea glauca x engelmanii), willow, cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa), and red osier
dogwood (Cornus stolonifera).
The southern extent of this ditch is covered in cattail, and the northern is dominated by giant reed grass
(Phragmites australis ssp. americanus; Photo 12; Lomer 2014), an uncommon native species which is
difficult to differentiate from a closely related invasive (P. australis ssp. australis). Giant reed grass was
also noted growing up the gravel highway embankment, which is an unusual micro-habitat for the
species. Regardless of provenance this grass may behave invasively in disturbed soils. The north end of
this artificially impounded marsh is marked by a gravel road running southwest from Highway 95 to
access the CPR ROW.
Agricultural (pasture) fields are located immediately to the east of Highway 95 opposite the Spillmacheen
rest area. Limited survey effort was spent in this area as no works are proposed on the east side of the
highway.
Canada thistle and wormwood (Artemeisia absinthum) were observed within and around Spillmacheen
project site. Additional potential invasive species from nearby IAPP records include common tansy,
meadow knapweed (Centaurea debauxii), Hound’s tongue (Cynoglossum officinale), yellow toadflax
(Linaria vulgaris), leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), scentless chamomile (Tripleurospermum inodorum), St.
John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum), and Baby’s breath.
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4.3.3 Wildlife
A beaver lodge is visible in the natural marsh adjacent to the proposed deceleration lane. The marsh is
likely used seasonally by breeding amphibians and visited throughout the year by waterfowl and
migratory songbirds. Potential amphibian species in the area include Columbia spotted frog (Rana
luteiventris), long toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum), and western toad (Anaxyrus boreas).
It is also possible that similar wildlife usage occurs in the ditch adjacent to the proposed southbound
acceleration lane; however, the limited extent, linear confines, and regular noise from adjacent ROW’s
likely decrease the suitability of the ditch for many species (Photo 13).
4.3.4 Aquatic Resources
Three mapped streams cross Highway 95 within the project footprint:
• A third order stream is mapped as crossing Highway 95 within the footprint of the existing rest
area. The immediate area above the highway is a large open pasture with no visible channel or
riparian area. There were no records of fish presence associated with this stream record (MOE
2019).
• Two mapped streams come together to form a pond east of Highway 95 above the proposed
deceleration lane (Photo 14). The pond drains below Highway 95 into the marsh. The culvert was
below water at the time of survey and could not be observed. There were no records of fish
presence associated with either stream record (MOE 2019).
• Water is impounded between Highway 95 and the CPR ROW west of the proposed acceleration
lane, south of the Spillmacheen rest area (Photo 11). Surface water available in this ditch
supports a marsh-like plant community, similar to the marsh west of the CPR ROW.
• The proposed deceleration lane area is bordered to the west by a marsh.
Photo 9. Early seral forest within proposed rest area expansion footprint.
Photo 10. Riparian forest margin along marsh near north end of proposed rest area expansion and southbound deceleration lane.
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Photo 11. Ditch between Highway 95 and CPR
ROW west of proposed acceleration lane. Note
giant reed patch in foreground.
Photo 12. Giant reed grass inflorescence.
Photo 13. Marsh west of Highway 95 near
southbound deceleration lane.
Photo 14. Pond east of Highway 95 near
southbound deceleration lane.
Columbia Road North 4.4
4.4.1 Site Description
The Columbia Road North project site is at the intersection of Columbia Road North and Highway 95
north of Edgewater, BC. Proposed work includes painting new lines, erecting new signage, and
construction of a small pullout. Adjacent land cover includes pasture and mature forest.
4.4.2 Vegetation
Land adjacent to the proposed Columbia Road North footprint is covered by a pasture (Photo 15 and
Photo 16). It appears that grazing here may be infrequent and snowberry is common in large patches in
the pasture. Grass species observed include smooth brome (Bromus inermis), and Canada thistle. Limited
young tree cover in the ditch between the pasture and the road includes Douglas-fir and cottonwood
(Photo 17). Open young Douglas fir forest borders the highway to the west (Photo 18), where the only
proposed work is the installation of a sign within the previously disturbed highway ROW.
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Potential invasive species from nearby IAPP records include wormwood, spotted knapweed (Centaurea
stoebe), diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa), and Canada thistle.
4.4.3 Wildlife
Saskatoon shrubs along the highway margin were heavily browsed, indicating that ungulates access this
area at times. At the time of survey, free-ranging chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) and ducks (Anas
platyrhynchos domesticus) were accessing the project footprint from private residential property to the
west. A small forested draw originates below Columbia Road North and runs to the Columbia River.
Photo 15. Pasture grasses and shrubs east of Columbia Road.
Photo 16. Broad view of proposed work area east of Columbia Road facing south.
Photo 17. Douglas fir and cottonwood near proposed construction footprint east of Columbia Road.
Photo 18. Young Douglas fir forest west of Columbia Road.
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Columbia Road South 4.5
4.5.1 Site Description
The Columbia Road South project site is at the intersection of Columbia Road South and Highway 95
south of Edgewater, BC. Proposed work includes adding southbound and northbound turning lanes from
Highway 95 onto Columbia Road, and addition of associated signage and road paint. Adjacent land cover
is primarily young Douglas fir forest.
4.5.2 Vegetation
Land cover adjacent to the Highway 95 corridor at the Columbia Road South site is primarily young
Douglas fir forest (Photo 19). Some of the forest appears to have been recently thinned to remove fuels
and/or improve silvicultural conditions. The stand age appears to be very even, and large diameter
veteran trees and snags were absent. Structural complexity is low, and the shrub and herbaceous layers
are sparse with occasional Oregon grape.
Highway margins along the young fir forest are dominated by introduced highway grasses including
fescues and perennial wild rye (Photo 20). Steep road cuts throughout this area expose bare clay soil
with no evidence of significant surface erosion (Photo 21). Canada thistle was observed in small patches
in herbaceous areas along the highway margins.
A draw dissects the young fir forest. The draw has no visible channel or evidence of surface flow. The
draw has a canopy of young trembling aspen with a shrubby understory including snowberry and prickly
rose (Photo 22).
The northern extent of young forest on the west highway margin is relatively more open with more cover
from native grasses and wildflowers including pasture sage (Artemisia frigida) and spike like goldenrod
(Solidago simplex). Higher wildflower abundance and diversity in this area may provide better pollinator
habitat than nearby young forest stands with lower understory diversity (Photo 23).
The west margin of Highway 95 is also covered in young fir forest. Similar to the east side, no significant
large diameter veteran trees or snags were observed. Cover is somewhat variable ranging from open
forest north of Columbia Road South (Photo 24), and a riparian shrub thicket of snowberry and Canada
thistle where the ephemeral watercourse crosses Highway 95 at the south end of the project area.
Potential invasive species from nearby IAPP records include common tansy, leafy spurge, spotted
knapweed, and wormwood.
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4.5.3 Wildlife
A draw runs westward across Highway 95 south of Columbia Road South. Wildlife trails (Photo 22) were
observed running along the draw. Deer (Odocoileus spp.) scat and the remains of a deer were observed
along the draw. Red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) and American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
were also observed in this area.
American Badger observations have been recorded near the west of Highway 95 near the proposed
Columbia Road South project site (Kinley 2009). Potential American Badger occurrence throughout the
entire project area is discussed in detail in Section 4.6.
Photo 19. Young Douglas fir forest east of Highway 95 south of Columbia Road intersection.
Photo 20. Agronomic grass cover east of Highway 95 margin south of Columbia Road intersection.
Photo 21. Clay cut-bank, east of Highway 95 margin south of Columbia Road intersection.
Photo 22. Wildlife trail through ephemeral draw east of Highway 95 south of Columbia Road intersection.
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Photo 23. Open forest grassland with relatively
high abundance and diversity of wildflowers east of
Highway 95 north of Columbia Road intersection.
Photo 24. Open young Douglas fir forest west of
Highway 95 south of Columbia Road intersection.
Species at Risk Review 4.6
The species at risk search identified 121 recorded species at risk in the project region; however, 98
species are considered unlikely to occur within the project area (See background review summary and
complete species list in Appendix 1). Twenty-one of these species were rated as possible occurrences in
the project area, and occupancy of 2 species (American Badger and Whitehouse’s fritillary) has been
confirmed within the project area.
4.6.1 American Badger
The American badger is a wide ranging mammal that occurs throughout much of western and central
North America. Three subspecies of badgers occur in Canada, with all American badgers within B.C.
considered to be subspecies jeffersonii. Two distinct populations are recognized: a Western Population
and an Eastern Population (COSEWIC 2012; Figure 3). The majority of the Eastern Population occurs in
the Rocky Mountain Trench in the East Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia. The Eastern
Population is federally listed as Endangered and is protected under the Species at Risk Act (SARA, 2019).
In B.C., Badgers are ranked S2 (imperiled) and Red-listed (of special concern) by the B.C. Conservation
Data Centre (CDC, 2019).
Badgers require areas with friable soils and sufficient prey abundance (Columbia ground squirrel,
marmot), typically in areas with grasslands/fields or open-canopied forest (COSEWIC 2012). Badger
habitat includes grassland, steppe, and open forest and often occurs close to linear corridors, including
roads, fencerows, field edges, and hedgerows. The right-of-ways along roads and powerlines are
maintained in an early seral (i.e., grass) structural stage, that is suitable for many badger prey species,
which may in turn attract badgers (BCBRT, 2016). A consequence of this habitat selection strategy is
road mortality, considered the single greatest threat to American badgers in British Columbia (Kinley
2009).
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Figure 3. American Badger distribution in British Columbia showing Western Population (shaded yellow)
and Eastern Population (shaded pink). Finalized CDC Element Occurrences are shown with hatching.
Black dots represent extralimital records of American Badgers and/or burrows (image adapted from
BCBRT, 2016).
All project sites except Harrogate are within the mapped range of the American Badger Eastern
Population (CDC 2019). However, possible badger sign was also observed at the Harrogate site in
December 2019 and a badger den is reported within 100 m of the north end of the site. Badger
observations have also been recorded near the Columbia Road South project site west of Highway 95
(Kinley 2009), and a burrow has been recorded ~ 400 m to the southeast (BC MoE data on file.).
Burrows are used for birthing, resting, food storage, and protection from the elements, and are identified
as elliptical burrows 20-30 cm wide and 15-25 cm high, often with a mound of dirt at the entrance .
Badger burrows that are currently or habitually occupied are protected as wildlife habitat feature in the
Kootenay Boundary Region under the Forest and Range Practices Act, except where they are located in
constructed right of ways. Burrows used for maternal dens are typically larger than an average burrow,
with more excavated dirt at the entrance and signs of recent use (tracks, fresh digging).
4.6.2 Whitehouse’s fritillary
Whitehouse’s fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite whitehousei) has been observed at the Spillmacheen rest area
(Kondla 2019, Heron 2013). Whitehouse’s fritillary is a bright orange butterfly (Figure 4) that often
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inhabits xeric open habitats and uses violas (Viola spp.) for larval rearing (Heron 2013, Guppy and
Shepard 2001). Aphrodite fritillary species, including Whitehouse’s fritillary, occur in riparian forests, pine
and aspen woodlands, cut-lines, and road allowances (Bird et al. 1995). Whitehouse’s fritillary habitat
also includes early seral sapling forest habitats (Heron 2013), which may be similar to young forest cover
within the core Spillmacheen rest area footprint. Whitehouse’s fritillary is known to nectar on thistles
(Cirsium spp., potentially including the exotic Canada thistle), and may also use alfalfa (Medicago sativa),
and bergamot (Monarda sp.; Bird et al. 1995, Guppy and Shepard 2001). BC distribution of Whitehouse’s
fritillary is largely confined to the East Kootenays (Heron 2013). The Whitehouse fritillary flight period is
from mid-July until mid-September, likely peaking in late July (Bird et al. 1995) though it is possible that
larvae (Figure 5) may be observed during early spring when viola wildflowers are most detectable.
Whitehouse’s fritillary is of special concern in BC (Blue List) due to threats from development (Heron,
2013).
Figure 4. Dorsal view (left) and ventral (right) views of Whitehouse’s fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite
whitehousei) male type specimen collected near Jaffray, BC in 1929. Images copyright 2011 James C.
Dunford. Specimen courtesy of the American Museum of Natural History.
Figure 5. Aphrodite fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite) larva (Butterfly Identification 2019).
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4.6.3 Other species at risk
Other species at risk that have the potential to be present project area include seven mollusk species,
five bird species, four plant species and three insect species, and the western toad.
Possible at-risk mollusk, insect, and plant species occurrences were flagged due to potential occupancy
within the marsh and riparian forest near the proposed footprint of the Spillmacheen site. Possible at-risk
bird occurrences were flagged due to potential occupancy within the marsh and riparian forest near the
proposed footprint of the Spillmacheen rest stop and/or potential occupancy in the disturbed open
pasture and hayfield habitat types which surround multiple proposed project sites within the project area.
The Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) was flagged as a possible occurrence due to the
known tendency for this species to visit paved roads during the winter to eat salt. Bobolink (Dolichonix
oryzivorous) were also flagged as a possible occurrence within the project area due to a recorded
observation near the Edgewater project sites in 1982 (CDC 2019).
The Western toad was listed as a possible occurrence within the project area, with particular likelihood of
occupancy near the Spillmacheen rest area. Western toad may migrate several kilometers in a year
between aquatic breeding sites, summer ranges, and overwintering areas. The proximity of the marsh to
the Spillmacheen rest area means that amphibians such as the western toad are likely to occur.
The Edgewater sites are near a CDC polygon representing an historic long-leaved aster (Symphyotrichum
ascendens) occurrence. This long-leaved aster population was last observed in 1950, next to an irrigation
ditch (CDC 2019).
5 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Vegetation 5.1
The loss of upland vegetation will consist primarily of native and non-native grasses, herbs, shrubs and
small trees, typical of a disturbed highway corridor. There is potential for the loss of some riparian and
wetland vegetation, as well as mature conifers at the margins of the cleared right-of-way. This will
depend on the final design and may be expected to occur in areas where cut and/or fill is required.
No listed plant species were confirmed on site; however, surveys were conducted outside the ideal
identification period. Four listed plant species have the potential to occur within the Spillmacheen marsh
and adjacent riparian forest. Overall, the likelihood of at risk plant species occurrence is considered low,
particularly within the disturbed right-of-way of the project area.
Due to existing disturbance in the study area, further impacts to vegetation values are anticipated to be
low. Disturbance from the highway works will be restricted to a narrow band along the highway and will
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be mostly contained within the existing highly disturbed areas. The greatest concerns are disturbances to
the marsh and riparian forest at the northwest part of the Spillmacheen project site.
5.1.1 Recommendations
The following recommendations are provided to mitigate potential impacts to vegetation within and
surrounding the project areas:
• Minimize the project footprint to the smallest extent possible.
• Minimize tree, shrub, or plant removal wherever possible.
• Construction area boundaries should be clearly marked in the field prior to any construction work
commencing to prevent unnecessary disturbance, particularly to sensitive vegetation types that
are adjacent to the project.
• Minimize clearing and grubbing boundaries adjacent to wetland and ephemeral draws.
• Areas temporarily disturbed by heavy equipment and other construction-phase related activities
(including lay-down sites, temporary work sites, and material stock pile sites) should be de-
compacted (roughen and loosen) and revegetated immediately following disturbance to minimize
colonization by invasive weeds and prevent erosion into the highway ditches that drain into the
wetland or adjacent watercourses. Native species should be used for revegetation whenever
possible.
• Proper soil handling and management is required to maximize the likelihood of successful
revegetation of disturbed areas post-construction. This includes salvaging and storing topsoil,
woody debris and plant material for future use in reclaiming disturbed areas, loosening
compacted areas prior to restoration, and maintaining temporary erosion control until a
vegetative cover is re-established.
Invasive Plant Species 5.2
Invasive plant species were observed within disturbed areas along Highway 95. Further IAPP records
have provided a list of other potential invasive species which have been observed near the project sites in
the past. Invasive plants have the potential to proliferate after construction ground disturbance, or if soils
from the project are relocated to another area. The invasive species encountered within the project area
are established regionally, are considered low priority for treatment, and are typically managed based on
site specific objectives (e.g. Canada thistle, knapweed, oxeye daisy; EKISC 2019). However, IAPP records
indicate that high priority species such as scentless chamomile and common tansy have also been
observed in the project area. Monitoring for priority species during revegetation is required to identify
and treat infestations so that high priority species do not become established locally (Table 2).
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Table 2. Summary of potential invasive plant species EKISC priority rankings (EKISK 2019).
Common Name Scientific Name EKISC IPMA 05 Priority Ranking
scentless chamomile Tripleurospermum inodorum Priority 1. Eradication
common tansy Tanacetum vulgare Priority 2. Annual Control
diffuse knapweed Centaurea diffusa Priority 3. Containment
leafy spurge Euphorbia esula Priority 3. Containment
baby’s breath Gypsophila paniculata Priority 3. Containment
wormwood Artemeisia absinthum Priority 4. Established
spotted knapweed Centaurea stoebe Priority 4. Established
Canada thistle Cirsium arvense Priority 4. Established
Hound’s tongue Cynoglossum officinale Priority 4. Established
oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare Priority 4. Established
yellow toadflax Linaria vulgaris Priority 4. Established
meadow knapweed Centaurea debauxii Unlisted
5.2.1 Recommendations
• All vehicles and equipment should be thoroughly power washed before entering the project site
to minimize the spread of invasive weed species through the transport of seeds, soil, or plant
parts.
• Topsoil (15 cm), woody debris and plant material should be stockpiled on site and retained for
site rehabilitation. All stockpiles of topsoil should be secured (i.e. with an annual cover) if stored
for longer than 2 weeks. This will prevent spread of invasive weeds, and provide a growing
medium with residual seedbank, microorganisms, nutrients, and organic matter required for
successful revegetation.
• Canada thistle is a widespread and well-established exotic wildflower across Canada which is
often managed with herbicides. Annual mowing after flower production (late July) would control
seed production and still preserve this potential nectar resource for pollinators including the
Whitehouse’s fritillary which has been observed at the Spillmacheen rest area.
Wildlife 5.3
Wildlife habitat values within the anticipated project area are generally low, as the majority of
disturbance will be within a previously disturbed highway right-of-way. Construction activities have the
potential to impact wildlife through sensory disturbance, habituation, and/or may alter movement
patterns and/or contribute to short term avoidance of the area. Timing of project activities may be
important to prevent impacts to amphibians that breed in wetlands, and to protect nesting birds.
American badger occurrence is likely at the Harrogate and Columbia Road South project sites, and
possible at the remaining two sites. The primary concern is disturbing/destruction of active burrows
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during civil works. Site specific mitigation may be required for civil work where recent badger activity is
observed.
Potential project impacts on the at risk Whitehouse’s fritillary which have been observed at the
Spillmacheen rest area, are undetermined but may include direct mortality, particularly of larva which
cannot flee the work area; and loss of floral habitat features including larval hosts (violas) and quality
nectar sources for adults.
The osprey nest, platform and pole at Harrogate will be relocated to outside of the project footprint. This
must be completed before osprey return for breeding, typically in early to mid-April. Construction has the
potential to disturb osprey nesting at Harrogate if the nest is active. While ospreys nesting at this location
are expected to have some tolerance to disturbance due to the proximity to the highway, concentrated
construction activity at this location may increase the level of disturbance.
5.3.1 Recommendations
The following mitigation measures are recommended to minimize potential impacts to wildlife within and
surrounding the project area:
• A key mitigation to avoid impacts to wildlife is to schedule work to avoid sensitive life stages. A
summary of the general least risk windows for wildlife groups in the area is provided in Table 3.
Work scheduled outside of these windows may require additional monitoring or mitigation if
identified wildlife are present on site.
• Active bird nests are protected by the Migratory Bird Convention Act and BC Wildlife Act.
Activities such as clearing and grubbing that occur during the breeding bird season between April
1 and August 15th may require confirmation that no active nests are present (Table 3). Riparian
shrub habitat in particular can be expected to be used for nesting habitat.
• Moving the osprey nest at Harrogate should be complete prior to the arrival of osprey requires a
permit under the BC Wildlife Act.
• In the event that the osprey nest is active, concentrated construction activity may require a
additional mitigation, such as establishing a buffer.
• Avoid/minimize disturbance to the marsh north of Spillmacheen and maintain as large of a buffer
as possible between the marsh and the highway alignment.
• Any vegetation removal and infilling of seasonally inundated areas adjacent to the marsh should
be delayed until sites can be isolated or are dry and any amphibians present can flee or be
removed from the affected areas.
• Site isolation fencing may be required to prevent wildlife (specifically amphibians) from entering
the Spillmacheen worksite. A qualified environmental professional (QEP) should conduct a sweep
to ensure no amphibians or reptiles are present within the work area prior to work beginning and
if seepage/pooling water is present within the work area during construction. An amphibian
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salvage permit is recommended in the event that amphibians need to be relocated from within
active areas of the work site.
• All food, garbage, and attractants should be stored in a secure location and garbage should be
removed from the site on a daily basis.
• All open excavations should be fenced or covered when work crews are off site to prevent wildlife
entrapment or injury.
The following mitigation measures are recommended to protect badgers during construction:
• Assess for recent badger activity prior to any civil work. A badger burrow identification guide
(Badgers in BC 2020) is attached in Appendix 2.
• Maintain a 20 m buffer where possible around identified badger burrows.
• Develop specific work plans and mitigation if civil work is required adjacent to potential badger
burrows. Potential mitigation includes minimizing the disturbance (i.e using a vacuum truck
instead of excavators for hydro poles), incrementally starting work to allow sufficient time for
badgers to move, and monitoring for badger activity during civil work.
• All site personal should be aware of potential badger signs and should immediately report
suspected badger presence to the environmental monitor.
• Badger occupation or usage areas near project sites will be avoided to limit alienation of badgers
from potential foraging habitat.
The following mitigation measures are recommended to minimize potential impacts to pollinators,
including at risk Whitehouse’s fritillaries.
• Preferred timing of work where Whitehouse’s fritillary may be present is during the peak flight
period (July), when larvae and eggs are absent, and adults can flee the work area (Table 3).
• Larval plants and nectar plants of use to Whitehouse’s fritillary should be used to revegetate
disturbed areas (e.g. Viola spp., Monarda fistulosa, Cirsium undulatum, native Asteraceae spp.,
etc.). Selected revegetation grass species should not outcompete selected pollinator plants (e.g.
high proportion of bunchgrasses and no aggressive turf grasses). Revegetation should result in
open low-growing habitat suitable for pollinators. Selected plant species should be low in stature
to limit maintenance requirements, as ongoing mowing and herbicide application may cause
direct mortality of butterfly larva and adults and/or loss of seasonal nectar sources.
• An MOTI Environmental Roadside Manager should be consulted regarding construction activities
near known at-risk pollinator habitat.
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Table 3. Periods of least risk for wildlife.
Species Least Risk Window
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Raptors and Herons
Breeding birds
Amphibians
American Badger
Whitehouse’s Fritillary
Aquatic Resources 5.4
Aquatic resources within the project area include the marsh at Spillmacheen, the small stream south of
Ben Hynes Road at Harrogate, and the spring at Harrogate. Construction near aquatic habitat has the
potential to alter local hydrology and obligate riparian species, affect water quality via increased
sedimentation, accidental spills and leaks, and the improper storage, application, or disposal of chemicals.
The placement of fill to allow for the proposed acceleration/deceleration lanes may result in a loss of
aquatic habitat in the adjacent marshes at Spillmacheen. This would be considered instream work and
would require an Approval under Section 11 of the BC Water Sustainability Act.
Expansion of the highway prism at the intersection of Ben Hynes Road and Highway 95 at Harrogate will
require extension of the culvert for the stream at this location. This would be considered instream work
and would require a notification under Section 11 of the BC Water Sustainability Act.
5.4.1 Recommendations
The following recommendations are provided to mitigate potential impacts to aquatic habitat within and
surrounding the project area:
• Minimize clearing and grubbing boundaries adjacent to all watercourses.
• Alignment design should avoid encroaching into the Spillmacheen marshes if possible.
• Disturbed areas along the Spillmacheen marshes should be re-planted with native shrubs to
create a buffer between the highway and sensitive aquatic habitat.
• Communicate with landowner at north end of Harrogate site regarding works near the springs.
• Site drainage patterns should be maintained whenever possible.
• Construction areas should be isolated from the aquatic habitats using erosion and sediment
control best management practices and site isolation methods (e.g. scheduling, maintaining
vegetated buffers, berms, use of covers, sediment fencing).
• Stripping and waste materials should be stockpiled in stable locations away from wetlands and
watercourses.
• Refueling and equipment maintenance should be conducted a minimum of 30 m away from
watercourses and wetlands.
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• All disturbed areas should be revegetated to stabilize the soil and limit erosion potential.
• An approval under the Water Sustainability Act will be required where infill or marsh/wetland
occurs (Spillmacheen).
• A notification under the Water Sustainability Act will be required for work at Pratt Creek at
Harrogate (culvert extension).
6 CONCLUSION
The project area generally consists of a right-of-way that has been heavily disturbed by anthropogenic
activities. As the overall project footprint is relatively small, and impacts of the proposed project are not
anticipated to be significant. The largest impacts are associated with areas where the highway road prism
will be widened, particularly where cut slopes are required into existing banks, or where fill is required
adjacent to wetlands.
Sensitive ecological features include wetlands adjacent to the Spillmacheen site and a seep and stream at
Harrogate. Species at risk present include American badger (red-listed), which are found throughout the
Columbia Valley and are known to occur in close proximity to the Harrogate and Columbia Road south
sites, and the blue-listed butterfly Whitehouse’s fritillary which has been observed at the Spillmacheen
rest area. As the timing of the field survey was not ideal for plant, butterfly, or amphibian identification, a
QEP should review these areas prior to construction to determine if at-risk species are present and
develop mitigative strategies if required.
A Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) should be prepared by a QEP and provided to
the contractor prior to construction to help ensure that impacts on the environment are minimized during
the project works. The CEMP will provide information to the contractor and project team on their
responsibilities with regards to environmental procedures and mitigation actions.
We trust this information meets your current requirements. If you have any questions, or require further
information, please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned.
Sincerely,
Iraleigh Anderson, B.Sc., A.Ag. Ico de Zwart, Ph.D., R.P.Bio.
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7 REFERENCES
Bird, C.D., Hilchie, G.J., Kondla, N.G., Pike, E.M., and Sperling, F.A.H. 1995. Alberta Butterflies. The
Provincial Museum of Alberta.
[BCBRT] British Columbia Badger Recovery Team. 2016. Recovery Plan for American Badger (Taxidea
taxus) in British Columbia. Prepared for the B.C. Ministry of Environment, Victoria, B.C. 36 pp.
[MOE] B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy Ecosystems Branch. 2019. Wildlife
Habitat Features Field Guide (Kootenay Boundary Region)
Butterfly Identification. 2019. Aphrodite Fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite). Accessed December 13, 2019.
https://www.butterflyidentification.com/aphrodite-fritillary.htm
[CDC] B.C. Conservation Data Centre: CDC iMap [web application]. 2019. Victoria, British Columbia,
Canada. Available: http://maps.gov.bc.ca/ess/sv/cdc/ (October 15, 2019).
[COSEWIC] Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. 2012. COSEWIC assessment and
status report on the American Badger Taxidea taxus in Canada. Committee on the Status of
Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. (www.registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/default_e.cfm).
[EKISC] East Kootenay Invasive Species Council. 2019. 2018 Invasive Plant Priority Lists by IPMA.
https://62ee5b80-b288-47ea-b347-
8a0e922c2a95.filesusr.com/ugd/0e63db_2be5d751e1934d0da9bcc8df36a52e4f.pdf
Heron, J. 2013. BC Conservation Data Centre: Conservation Status Report Speyeria aphrodite
whitehousei Aphrodite fritillary, whitehousei subspecies. Accessed on December 4, 2019.
http://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/esr.do?id=24267
Guppy, C.S. and J.H. Shepard. 2001. Butterflies of British Columbia. UBC Press and Royal British
Columbia Museum: Victoria, British Columbia.
iMapBC 2019. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/data/geographic-data-services/web-based-
mapping/imapbc
Kinley, T. 2009. Badger Roadkill Mitigation in the East Kootenay. Prepared for the Fish and Wildlife
Compensation Program - Columbia Basin.
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Kondla, N. 2019. Nobert Kondla Personal Communication December 12, 2019.
Lomer, F. 2014. Phragmites australis americanus UBC Herbarium Accession Number V242121
MacKillop, D.J., A.J. Ehman, K.E. Iverson, and E.B. McKenzie. 2018. A field guide to site classification
and identification for southeast British Columbia: the East Kootenay. Prov. B.C., Victoria, B.C. Land
Manag. Handb. 7
[MOE] BC Ministry of Environment. Fish Inventory Data Query.
Province of British Columbia. 1998. Field manual for describing terrestrial ecosystems in the field. BC
Ministry of Forests and BC Ministry of Environment, Lands, and Parks, Victoria, British Columbia,
Canada.
Rousseu, F. and B. Drolet. 2015. Prediction of the nesting phenology of birds in Canada. In: J. Hussell
and D. Lepage. 2015. Bird Nesting Calendar Query Tool. Project NestWatch. Bird Studies Canada /
Études d’Oiseaux Canada, Accessed: 02/01/2019.
https://www.birdscanada.org/volunteer/pnw/rnest/
SARA. 2018. Species at Risk Act. Statutes of Canada, 2002, chapters 14 to 29. Canada Gazette 25(3).
Accessed: 30/01/2019. https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/s-15.3/page-4.html#docCont
Appendix 1. Species at Risk Summary
Likelihood of occurrence of at-risk species within the Highway 95 upgrade project area.
Scientific Name English Name BC List1 SARA2 Occurrence Comments
Amphibians
Lithobates pipiens Northern Leopard Frog Red 1-E (Jun 2003) Possible
Relatively wide ranging, semi-aquatic amphibian
which uses separate wetland types for breeding and
overwintering and travels up to 8 km to access open
foraging habitats including pastures, grasslands,
ditches, riparian areas, and scrublands.
Anaxyrus boreas Western Toad Yellow 1-SC (Jun 2018) Possible Migrates seasonally between aquatic breeding and
terrestrial nonbreeding habitats.
Reptiles and Turtles
Charina bottae Northern Rubber Boa Yellow 1-SC (Jan 2005) Unlikely Habitat features include rotten stumps, logs, and
talus. Associated with riparian areas.
Chrysemys picta Painted Turtle No Status 1-E/SC (Dec
2007) Unlikely
A conspicuous species. Occurrences along highways
are not likely overlooked. Wetland and riparian
habitat requirements including open water.
Plestiodon skiltonianus Western Skink Blue 1-SC (Jan 2005) Unlikely
Species range includes south central BC and does not
extend into project region. Occurrence location within
project region is uncertain.
Birds
Botaurus lentiginosus American Bittern Blue Possible Strictly associated with wetlands with abundant
emergent vegetation such as reeds and cattails.
Dolichonyx oryzivorus Bobolink Blue 1-T (Nov 2017) Possible
Prefers open foraging areas. The Edgewater sites are
near a CDC polygon representing a historical Bobolink
observation (1982).
Chordeiles minor Common Nighthawk Yellow 1-T (Feb 2010) Possible Associated with open coniferous forests, savanna,
grasslands, fields and riparian shrub. Ground nester.
Coccothraustes
vespertinus Evening Grosbeak Yellow 1-SC (May 2019) Possible
Often nests at elevation higher than project areas.
Sometimes visit roads for salt during winter.
Falco mexicanus Prairie Falcon Red Possible Overgrazed grasslands at mid elevations
Bartramia longicauda Upland Sandpiper Red Possible
Associated with pasture/old field, cultivated fields and
grasslands. Requires extensive, open tracts of short
grassland habitat for nesting. Has been found along
highway rights-of-way and on airfields.
Recurvirostra
americana American Avocet Blue Unlikely
Rare in BC. Nest and forage in close association with
shallow alkaline ponds.
Scientific Name English Name BC List1 SARA2 Occurrence Comments
Tyto alba Barn Owl Red 1-T (Jun 2018) Unlikely
Prefers dry grasslands, shrublands, rocky slopes.
Often nests in open buildings. Occurrence in project
region is uncertain.
Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow Blue 1-T (Nov 2017) Unlikely
Associated with rural human-dominated areas,
requires sheltered structures such as buildings,
bridges, caves or cliff crevasses for nesting. No
suitable nesting habitat within project area.
Cypseloides niger Black Swift Blue 1-E (May 2019) Unlikely Steep rocky nesting habitat lacking from project area.
Buteo platypterus Broad-winged Hawk Blue Unlikely Associated with dense, undisturbed deciduous or
mixed-deciduous forests.
Larus californicus California Gull Blue Unlikely
Associated with lowland marshes, mudflats, ponds
and lakes. Nests on open flats or areas with scattered
tufts of grass. Reported in BC along larger lakes and
wetlands where nesting sites are typically located on
isolated promontories or islands.
Catherpes mexicanus Canyon Wren Blue Unlikely Requires rocky areas for breeding. Lack of breeding
evidence according to the BC Breeding Bird Atlas.
Podiceps nigricollis Eared Grebe Blue Unlikely
Nearest known breeding site is south of Invermere.
Breeds in marshes and lakes with abundant
invertebrates.
Psiloscops flammeolus Flammulated Owl Blue 1-SC (Jun 2003) Unlikely Cavity nester associated with older forests. Primarily
found in dry IDF forests.
Ardea herodias
herodias
Great Blue Heron, herodias
subspecies Blue Unlikely
Nests in colonies in stands of large trees near
significant water bodies; forages in wetlands.
Eremophila alpestris
merrilli
Horned Lark, merrilli
subspecies Blue Unlikely Occurs in high subalpine and alpine areas.
Chondestes
grammacus Lark Sparrow Blue Unlikely
Associated with open coniferous forests, savanna,
grasslands, fields and riparian shrub. Nests on the
ground on bare sites in open areas.
Melanerpes lewis Lewis's Woodpecker Blue 1-T (Jul 2012) Unlikely Associated with open, fire-maintained mature
ponderosa pine forests.
Numenius americanus Long-billed Curlew Blue 1-SC (Jan 2005) Unlikely Associated with extensive, undisturbed grasslands.
Accipiter gentilis
atricapillus
Northern Goshawk, atricapillus
subspecies Blue Unlikely Species is averse to developed areas
Contopus cooperi Olive-sided Flycatcher Blue 1-T (Feb 2010) Unlikely Habitat includes cool mesic conifer forests. Likely
occurs at higher elevations that project area.
Scientific Name English Name BC List1 SARA2 Occurrence Comments
Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon No Status 1-SC Unlikely Cliff Nesting habitat lacking from project area
Antigone canadensis Sandhill Crane Yellow Unlikely Habitat includes marshes and meadows along the
Kootenay River. Prefers undisturbed habitats.
Tympanuchus
phasianellus
columbianus
Sharp-tailed Grouse,
columbianus subspecies Blue Unlikely
Ephemerally open sites such as burns, meadows, and
swamps are preferred habitat. Low probability of
observation in the study area.
Asio flammeus Short-eared Owl Blue 1-SC (Jul 2012) Unlikely Grassland, ground-nesting species. Requires
extensive undisturbed grassland habitat.
Buteo swainsoni Swainson's Hawk Red Unlikely
limited evidence of breeding, and low probability of
observation in the region according to BC Breeding
Bird atlas.
Megascops kennicottii
macfarlanei
Western Screech-Owl,
macfarlanei subspecies Blue 1-T Unlikely
Secondary cavity nester; requires riparian habitat
dominated by large-diameter old trees, preferably
cottonwood and trembling aspen.
Aeronautes saxatalis White-throated Swift Blue Unlikely Nests in cliffs. Low probability of occurrence in the
region according to BC Breeding Bird Atlas.
Sphyrapicus thyroideus Williamson's Sapsucker Blue 1-E (Aug 2006) Unlikely Typically occurring in the montane zone in
association with mature stands of western larch.
Mammals
Taxidea taxus American Badger Red 1-E (Jun 2018) Confirmed
All project footprints are within a mapped CDC
polygon encompassing the Kootenay Trench were
there are over a thousand American Badger records.
Ovis canadensis Bighorn Sheep Blue Unlikely Rocky escape habitat lacking in project area.
Pekania pennanti Fisher Blue Unlikely
A very rare mammal likely to be found in mature
forest with abundant coarse woody debris, prey
animals (snowshoe hair and porcupine) and large
diameter snags for denning.
Myotis thysanodes Fringed Myotis Blue 3 (Mar 2005) Unlikely
Nearest observation of this species is Creston. Little
known about roosting behavior. Rocky hibernation
habitat lacking.
Ursus arctos Grizzly Bear Blue 1-SC (Jun 2018) Unlikely Species likely to avoid extended occupancy near
humans at low elevations.
Myotis lucifugus Little Brown Myotis Yellow 1-E (Dec 2014) Unlikely
Associated with human-made structures, cave and
hollow trees for resting, maternity and winter
hibernation sites.
Oreamnos americanus Mountain Goat Blue Unlikely Rocky escape habitat lacking in project area.
Scientific Name English Name BC List1 SARA2 Occurrence Comments
Euderma maculatum Spotted Bat Blue 1-SC (Jul 2005) Unlikely Highly associated with caves and cave-like roosts. No
suitable habitat within project area.
Corynorhinus
townsendii Townsend's Big-eared Bat Blue Unlikely
No potential roosting sites observed within project
area.
Gulo gulo Wolverine No Status 1-SC (Jun 2018) Unlikely Avoids humans. Occurs in large wilderness tracts,
may rarely pass through project sites.
Insects
Speyeria aphrodite
whitehousei Whitehouse’s fritillary Blue Confirmed Known to occur at the Spillmacheen rest area.
Aeshna constricta Lance-tipped Darner Blue Possible A rare species. Associated with small ponds and open
marshes.
Danaus plexippus Monarch Blue 1-SC (Jun 2003) Possible A migratory species which may pass through project
area.
Libellula pulchella Twelve-spotted Skimmer Blue Possible habitat includes exposed soils along rich marshes.
Boloria alberta Albert's Fritillary Blue Unlikely An alpine species often associated with Dryas
octopetala
Pyrgus communis Checkered Skipper Blue Unlikely Xeric habitats. Known to occur in habitat with suitable
malvaceous food plants, including garden hollyhocks.
Pholisora catullus Common Sootywing Blue Unlikely Highly associated with extensive steep, south-aspect,
rocky slopes.
Lycaena dione Dione Copper Red Unlikely Only known BC population is in Cranbrook. Extremely
rare in BC.
Cupido comyntas Eastern Tailed Blue Blue Unlikely
A rare species with limited distribution in BC.
Occurrence location within project region is
uncertain.
Argia emma Emma's Dancer Blue Unlikely Rivers, creeks and beaches.
Cicindela hirticollis Hairy-necked Tiger Beetle Blue Unlikely Open, un-stabilized sand habitat lacking in project
area.
Callophrys affinis Immaculate Green Hairstreak Blue Unlikely Found on dry slopes, mostly in association with
Eriogonum spp.
Oeneis jutta chermocki Jutta Arctic, chermocki
subspecies Blue Unlikely
Generally, associated with bog habitats. Complex life
history.
Lycaena nivalis Lilac-bordered Copper Blue Unlikely A species of xeric open sites.
Hesperia nevada Nevada Skipper Blue Unlikely Larval foodplant (Stipa occidentalis) is unlikely to
occur in abundance in project footprint.
Scientific Name English Name BC List1 SARA2 Occurrence Comments
Papilio machaon dodi Old World Swallowtail, dodi
subspecies Red Unlikely A species of grassland lakes and springs.
Phanogomphus
graslinellus Pronghorn Clubtail Blue Unlikely
Occurs on warm sandy lake margins with abundant
emergent vegetation litter. Nearest occurrence near
Canal Flats.
Epargyreus clarus Silver-spotted Skipper Blue Unlikely Larval food plants (specific Fabaceae species) are not
known to occur in project area.
Ophiogomphus
occidentis Sinuous Snaketail Blue Unlikely
Sandy aquatic breeding habitat lacking from project
area.
Polites themistocles
themistocles
Tawny-edged Skipper,
themistocles subspecies Blue Unlikely A species of grassland lakes and springs.
Argia vivida Vivid Dancer Blue 1-SC (Feb 2019) Unlikely Hot spring habitat.
Macromia magnifica Western River Cruiser Blue Unlikely Occurs predominately in subalpine and alpine habitat;
avoids human settlement and highly disturbed areas.
Mollusks
Anguispira kochi Banded Tigersnail Blue Possible A species of mixed riparian forests. Potential
occurrence in forest near Spillmacheen rest stop.
Cryptomastix mullani Coeur d'Alene Oregonian Blue Possible A species of mixed riparian forests. Potential
occurrence in forest near Spillmacheen rest stop.
Galba dalli Dusky Fossaria Blue Possible
Nearest recorded occurrence in the Flathead valley.
Poorly understood species distribution. Could occur in
marsh near Spillmacheen rest-stop.
Hemphillia camelus Pale Jumping-slug Blue Possible Habitat is low elevation mixed forest.
Galba bulimoides Prairie Fossaria Blue Possible
Nearest recorded occurrence in the Flathead valley.
Poorly understood species distribution. Could occur in
marsh near Spillmacheen rest-stop.
Gyraulus crista Star Gyro Blue Possible
Known to occur in project region. Habitat includes
ponds. Inventory limited. Could occur at marsh near
Spillmacheen rest stop.
Stagnicola traski Widelip Pondsnail Blue Possible
Project area is within species BC range. Inventory
lacking. Could occur at marsh near Spillmacheen rest
stop.
Valvata humeralis Glossy Valvata Red Unlikely Project area north of known species range. Nearest
occurrence in Flathead Valley in 2012.
Galba obrussa Golden Fossaria Blue Unlikely Known provincial distribution runs from Prince George
to Skaha Lake; however, inventory effort is lacking.
Scientific Name English Name BC List1 SARA2 Occurrence Comments
Gastrocopta holzingeri Lambda Snaggletooth Red Unlikely Only known population is in Columbia Lake.
Magnipelta mycophaga Magnum Mantleslug Blue 1-SC Unlikely A species of wet subalpine sites.
Zacoleus idahoensis Sheathed Slug Blue 1-SC (Feb 2019) Unlikely Occurs on wet sites with decaying logs.
Oreohelix subrudis Subalpine Mountainsnail Blue Unlikely Species occurs along streams and in swamps.
Valvata tricarinata Threeridge Valvata Red Unlikely A rare species with spotty distribution in SE BC.
Nearest occurrence is Wasa Lake.
Stagnicola caperata Wrinkled Marshsnail Blue Unlikely Nearest known occurrence is in Yoho NP. Possible
misidentification of southern BC specimens.
Plants
Acorus americanus American sweet-flag Blue Possible A marsh species often confused with cattail, with
which it sometimes co-occurs.
Azolla mexicana Mexican mosquito fern Blue 1-T (Jun 2003) Possible
Aquatic fern occurring in ponds and sloughs.
Potential habitat in marsh near Spillmacheen rest
stop, however, there no occurrence records could be
found for the project region.
Veronica catenata pink water speedwell Blue Possible Occurs along pond edges. Nearest occurrence is
Cranbrook.
Glycyrrhiza lepidota wild licorice Blue Possible Nearest occurrence is near Fort Steele. Disturbed
open forest habitats.
Potentilla glaucophylla
var. perdissecta diverse-leaved cinquefoil Blue Unlikely
A species of alpine tundra. Nearby occurrences are
sparse and typically on the E face of the Rockies.
Polemonium elegans elegant Jacob's-ladder Red Unlikely
Rocky slopes in the high country. Mostly W of
Cascades. Occurrence location within project region is
uncertain.
Cirsium scariosum var.
scariosum elk thistle Blue Unlikely
Rare species of dry open forest in extreme SE BC.
Nearest occurrence is in Crowsnest Pass.
Polygonum
engelmannii Engelmann's knotweed Red Unlikely
Nearest occurrence is in the flathead. Open dry
slopes.
Muhlenbergia andina foxtail muhly Red Unlikely A hot spring specialist.
Epipactis gigantea giant helleborine Yellow 3 Unlikely Calcareous wetlands and seep specialist.
Conspicuous.
Gayophytum
ramosissimum hairstem groundsmoke Blue Unlikely
Habitat includes dry grasslands, shrublands, rocky
slopes and forest openings in the steppe and
montane zones.
Scientific Name English Name BC List1 SARA2 Occurrence Comments
Marsilea vestita hairy water-clover Blue Unlikely a species of "inundated lake margins". Occurrence in
the project region is uncertain.
Scrophularia lanceolata lance-leaved figwort Blue Unlikely
Occurs in a variety of habitats, though occurrence in
BC is extremely limited. A tall conspicuous species
that would not be overlooked.
Symphyotrichum
ascendens long-leaved aster Blue Unlikely
The Edgewater sites are near a CDC polygon
representing an extirpated long-leaved aster
population. A very rare species.
Pinus flexilis limber pine Blue Unlikely Three CDC occurrence records along the west face of
the Rocky Mountains E of the project sites.
Delphinium bicolor ssp.
bicolor Montana larkspur Blue Unlikely
Dry rock outcrops, grasslands, shrublands and
forests. Nearest occurrence is Fairmont hot springs.
Scirpus pallidus pale bulrush Red Unlikely A wetland species, with multiple occurrences in the
Fairmont Hot Springs area.
Lathyrus lanszwertii
var. bijugatus pinewood peavine Red Unlikely
Occurs on dry slopes and forest openings in the
steppe and lower montane zones. Rare in
southeastern BC. Occurs near Grasmere.
Orobanche ludoviciana
var. ludoviciana prairie broomrape Red Unlikely
Only occurrence in BC is Bull River. Parasitic on
sagebrush.
Gentiana affinis prairie gentian Red Unlikely Saline meadows and open grassy slopes. Nearest
occurrence is Kimberley.
Thalictrum dasycarpum purple meadowrue Blue Unlikely A conspicuous riparian wildflower to 1.5 m tall.
Nearest occurrence is in the Flathead valley.
Eutrema salsugineum saltwater cress Blue Unlikely Occurs along dry saline lakes and meadows in the
montane zone.
Olsynium douglasii var.
inflatum satinflower Red Unlikely A species occurring in vernally moist rock outcrops
Oenothera
suffrutescens scarlet gaura Red Unlikely
Habitat include grasslands and sagebrush steppe.
Nearest occurrence is Marysville.
Adiantum capillus-
veneris southern maiden-hair Red 1-E (Jun 2003) Unlikely A hot spring specialist.
Potamogeton
strictifolius stiff-leaved pondweed Blue Unlikely A lake species known nearby from Lake Windemere.
Lupinus sulphureus sulphur lupine Blue Unlikely Dry sagebrush steppe and open forest. Nearest
occurrence is near Cranbrook.
Pinus albicaulis whitebark pine Blue 1-E (Jul 2012) Unlikely Conspicuous tree of the subalpine.
Scientific Name English Name BC List1 SARA2 Occurrence Comments
Liparis loeselii yellow widelip orchid Blue Unlikely A species of riparian meadows and fens. Nearest
occurrence is in Golden.
Mosses
Pterygoneurum kozlovii alkaline wing-nerved moss Blue 1-T (Aug 2006) Unlikely Occurs on open to grass margins of alkaline ponds.
Nearest occurrence is Canal Flats.
Bryum uliginosum Blue
Unlikely
Very few occurrences in BC. A species of shaded and
or moist forest soils, and rock ledges. Occurrence
location within project region is uncertain.
Encalypta spathulata Blue
Unlikely
Occurs on bare, moist disturbed forest soils with
other ruderal moss spp. Occurrence location within
project region is uncertain.
Hygrohypnum alpinum Blue
Unlikely A species most often recorded on rocky stream
margins at higher elevations.
Mnium arizonicum Blue
Unlikely
Occurs on mesic to moist shaded forest soils.
Occurrence location within project region is
uncertain.
Physcomitrella patens Red
Unlikely Found on mud in dried up pond bottoms. Nearest
occurrence is in Purcell wilderness
Tortula obtusifolia Blue
Unlikely
Documentation of occurrence within study region
unavailable. A lithophilic species. Limited rock in
project area.
Weissia brachycarpa Blue
Unlikely
Habitat is poorly documented. Few occurrences in
BC. Documentation of occurrence within study region
unavailable.
Lichens
Umbilicaria lyngei puckered rocktripe Blue
Unlikely
Grows on rock. Only known provincial occurrence in
Wells Gray Provincial Park. Documentation of
occurrence within study region unavailable. 1Red = Species that is at risk of being lost (extirpated, endangered or threatened) within British Columbia. Blue = Species considered to be of special concern within British Columbia. 2Most recent status as assessed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. E– Endangered; T – threatened; SC – special concern; NS – no status. 3Federal
legal designation under the Species at Risk Act. Number designates listing schedule in the Species at Risk Act. Date indicates the date this species received this designation. E–
Endangered; T – threatened; SC – special concern; NS – no status. Endangered = Facing imminent extirpation or extinction. Threatened = Likely to become endangered if nothing is
done to reverse the factors leading to its extirpation or extinction. Special concern = May become a threatened or an endangered species because of a combination of biological
characteristics and identified threats. Information sources: British Columbia Conservation Data Centre, BC Species and Ecosystem Explorer, and references therein.
Appendix 2. Badger Burrow ID
Occurrence• southerninteriorofBC• varietyofhabitats;grasslands
anddryopenforestsaremostcommon
• occurinloggedorburnedforests,oftenatdisturbedareassuchaslandings
• alsooccurinthealpine
Sign• moundofdirtattheentrance
toalargeellipticalhole• burrowpluggedwithsoft
“fluffy”dirtisgoodindicationthebadgeriscurrentlyintheburrow
• badgersregularlyre-useburrowsacrosstheirrange
Badger Burrow ID
BurrOw LOcatiOn• flattosteepterrainfromvalleybottomtoalpine• silty,loamy,clayeyandsandy;coarsefragments
rangefromlowtohigh
Diet• mainsource:Columbian
groundsquirrel• othersources:voles,marmots,
muskrats,birds,insectsandscavengedroadkill
PluggeD BaDger Burrow
Desktop Graphics 060105
BaDger BurrOwS• ellipticalshape;about20–30
cmwideand15–25cmhigh• clawmarksmaybeseenalong
sidesandtop,3–5cmapart
traDing PLaceS• foxes,coyotesandbearsoftenenlargeandusean
oldbadgerburrow• coyotedensaretallerandlessround• badgersandgroundsquirrelsregularly
“exchange”burrows• burrowsmostrecentlyoccupiedbyground
squirrelsoftennarrowdownto10cm• burrowsusedbybadgersmostrecentlyremainat
least19cmwide
grOunD SquirreL BurrOwS• fairlyround,withentrances
about10cmindiameter• amountofdirtattheentrance
ofbadgerorgroundsquirrelburrowshighlyvariableandnotagoodindicatorofwhichspeciesexcavatedtheburrow
Coyote Den
jeffersonii Badger Recovery Team
photo credits: tim Mcallister, richard klafki, and roger packham