Source Water Assessment and Groundwater Protection Plan Final ...

SourceWaterAssessmentandGroundwaterProtectionPlan

FinalReportSilverStarWaterUtility

RegionalDistrictofNorthOkanagan

August312011

ProjectNo.464091

201-591 Bernard Ave | Kelowna BC | V1Y 6N9 | www.true.bc.ca | tel 250.861.8783 | fax 250.861.8773

SOURCEWATERASSESSMENTANDGROUNDWATERPROTECTIONPLAN 2SILVERSTARWATERUTILITYRDNOAUGUST2011

TableofContents1.0 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 1

1.1 PurposeofStudy........................................................................................................................................ 1

1.2 ComprehensiveDrinkingWaterSourcetoTapAssessmentGuideline..................................................... 2

1.3 DataSources .............................................................................................................................................. 3

1.4 PreviousGroundwaterProtectionWorks ................................................................................................. 3

2.0Methodology ............................................................................................................................................. 4

2.1 TechnicalAdvisoryCommittee .................................................................................................................. 4

2.2 PublicConsultation.................................................................................................................................... 5

3.0Module#1Delineation&CharacterizationofDrinkingWaterSources ...........................................................5

3.1 BackgroundSilverStarMountain ........................................................................................................... 5

3.1.1Location/Setting.................................................................................................................................... 5

3.1.2History .................................................................................................................................................... 6

3.1.3LandUse ................................................................................................................................................. 6

3.1.4FutureGrowth........................................................................................................................................ 6

3.2 SilverStarWaterSystem ........................................................................................................................... 7

3.2.1History .................................................................................................................................................... 7

3.2.2WaterSystemArrangement .................................................................................................................. 7

3.3 WaterSources ........................................................................................................................................... 9

3.3.1SurfaceWaterSource ............................................................................................................................ 9

3.3.1.1Watershed/CatchmentAreas ..................................................................................................... 10

3.3.1.2SurfaceWaterAssessmentArea................................................................................................. 10

3.3.1.3Climate ........................................................................................................................................ 11

3.3.1.4BiogeoclimateZones................................................................................................................... 11

3.3.1.5Bedrock&SurficialGeology........................................................................................................ 11

3.3.1.6Terrain......................................................................................................................................... 12

3.3.1.7VanceCreek ................................................................................................................................ 13

3.3.1.8SurfaceWaterCaptureUse ........................................................................................................ 14

3.3.1.9ResidenceTimes.......................................................................................................................... 15

3.3.1.10RawWaterIntakes..................................................................................................................... 15

3.3.1.11GroundwaterContributionstoParadiseLake ............................................................................ 16


3.3.1.12Groundwater/SurfaceWaterSourceSupply ........................................................................... 17

3.3.1.13IndividualGroundwaterWellSupplies ..................................................................................... 18

3.3.1.14SurfaceWaterQuality............................................................................................................... 18

3.3.2GroundwaterSources.............................................................................................................................. 24

3.3.2.1Background ................................................................................................................................ 24

3.3.2.2BriefOverviewofSilverStarGoundwaterSupplies................................................................... 25

3.3.2.3GeneralGroundwaterConditionsandImplicationsforWellProtection .................................. 27

3.3.2.4GoundwaterSourceWaterQuality............................................................................................ 28

3.3.2.5GroundwaterAssessment&ProtectionAreas ......................................................................... 30

4.0Module#2ContaminantSourceInventory ............................................................................................ 34

4.1 BeetleInfestation .................................................................................................................................... 39

4.2 RangeLandActivities............................................................................................................................... 41

4.3 ResortMountainBikingActivities ........................................................................................................... 43

4.4 ResortMaintenanceActivities................................................................................................................. 44

4.5 RDNOMaintenanceActivities ................................................................................................................. 45

4.6 Roadways................................................................................................................................................. 45

4.7 ForestFires .............................................................................................................................................. 46

4.8 MotorizedRecreationalVehicles............................................................................................................. 47

4.9 Wildlife..................................................................................................................................................... 47

4.10 ExistingAlpineSkiActivities .................................................................................................................... 47

4.11 ExistingAlpineSkiLifts............................................................................................................................ 47

4.12 PotentialFutureAlpineSkiActivities....................................................................................................... 48

4.13 PotentialFutureAlpineSkiLifts............................................................................................................... 48

4.14 WasteTransferStation&MaintenanceFacility...................................................................................... 48

4.15 EquestrianActivities ................................................................................................................................ 48

5.0Module#7CharacterizeRisksfromSourcetoTap.................................................................................. 49

5.1 RiskCharacterizationMethodology ........................................................................................................ 49

5.2 RiskCharacterization ............................................................................................................................... 50

5.3 SourceWaterProtectionBarrierEvaluation ........................................................................................... 53

5.4 SystemStrengths,Weaknesses,OpportunitiesandThreats................................................................... 54

6.0Module#8RecommendedActionstoImproveDrinkingWaterProtection............................................. 55

References..................................................................................................................................................... 62


LISTOFTABLES

1.0 ReservoirCatchmentAreaStatistics

2.0 CatchmentAreaSlopeAnalysisStatistics

3.0 WellWater/SurfaceWaterContributionstoParadiseLakeReservoir

4.0 AnnualWaterSupplyandGroundwater/SurfaceWaterPercentages

5.0 AnnualGroundwaterSupplyandIndividualWellContributions

6.0 ParadiseLakeReservoirRawWaterQualityData

7.0 ParadiseLakeReservoirE.Coli.AndTotalColiformData

8.0 ParadiseLakeReservoir2010TurbiditySamplingStatistics

9.0 SilverStarRDNOWaterUtilityGroundwaterWellSummary

10.0 SummaryofAnnualComprehensiveWaterQualitytestingSilverStarUtilityWells(20082010)

11.0 ContaminantSourceInventory

11.1 HazardIdentificationTable

12.0 QualitativeMeasuresofLikelihood

13.0 QualitativeMeasuresofConsequence

14.0 QualitativeRiskAnalysisMatrix

14.1 SourceWaterProtectionBarrierEvaluation

15.0 RiskCharacterization

16.0 TimeCategoriesforRiskManagementActions

17.0 RecommendedActions

LISTOFFIGURES

1.0 SiteLocationContextPlan

1.1 ControlledRecreationArea

1.2 WaterSystemArrangement

1.3 WaterSystemSchematic

2.0 GenericSurfaceWaterSource

3.0 GenericGroundwaterSource

4.0 SurfaceWaterCatchments

6.0 SurfaceCatchmentsSlopeAnalysis

7.0 MountainPineBeetle,Forestry&RangeAreas

8.0 WildfireRiskSurfaceCatchmentAreas


LISTOFFIGURES(CONTINUED)

9.0 ParadiseLakeReservoirRechargeandSupply

9.1 2010DailyRawWaterSourceMix

10.0 ParadiseLakeReservoirRecharge,SupplyandCattleDrift

11.0 ParadiseLakeReservoirRecharge,SupplyandMountainBikingActivities

12.0 ParadiseLakeReservoirTurbidityReadings:January1stJune30th,2010

13.0 ParadiseLakeReservoirTurbidityReadings:July1stDecember31st,2010

LISTOFAPPENDICES

A IHAOperatingPermitletterdatedSeptember10,2009

B TechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeMeetingMinutes

C PublicNotificationMailOut,Feedback&OpenHouseAdvertisement

D PublicOpenHousePresentationMaterials

E OpenHouseFeedbackQuestionnairesandCommentSheets

F GuidelinesforCanadianDrinkingWaterQuality,December2010

G InteriorHealthAuthority43210DrinkingWaterObjectives

H SiteReconnaissancePhotographs

I MinistryofForestsBiogeoclimateMapping

J VanceCreekStreamReportFreshwaterFisheriesSocietyofB.C.

K SurfaceandgroundwaterSourcePlan(drawingSW1)

L WaterInfrastructurePlan(drawingW1)

M ParadiseLakeRawWaterQualityDataSummary

N Figure#4GolderAssociates,2008

O GroundwaterWellWaterQualityData

P SilverStarWaterUtilityAnnualReport2008


TERMS&ACRONYMS

APEC AreaofPotentialEnvironmentalConcern

BMP BestManagementPractice

cms cubicmetrespersecond(m3/s)

CRA ControlledRecreationArea

DFO DepartmentofFisheriesandOceans

FISS FisheriesInformationSummarySystem

FRPA ForestandRangePracticesAct

GPS GlobalPositioningSystem

GCDWQ GuidelinesforCanadianDrinkingWaterQuality

Ha Hectare(=10,000m2)

IHA InteriorHealthAuthority

km2 Squarekilometre(=100Ha)

MAC MaximumAcceptableConcentration

ML MegaLitre

MFML MinistryofForests,MinesandLands

MFLNRO MinistryofForests,LandsandNaturalResourceOperations(includesRange)

MOE MinistryofEnvironment

MOFR MinistryofForestandRange

MOTCA MinistryofTourism,Culture&Arts

MTTI MinistryofTourism,Trade&Investment

NTU NephelometricTurbidityUnits

OBWB OkanaganBasinWaterBoard

RDNO RegionalDistrictofNorthOkanagan

SCADA SupervisoryControlandDataAcquisition

S2TAG ComprehensiveDrinkingWaterSourcetoTapAssessmentGuidelines

TAC TechnicalAdvisoryCommittee

TDS TotalDissolvedSolids

TSS TotalSuspendedSolids


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The primary authors of this report areMr.Dave Pritchard, P.Eng. of TRUE Consulting andMr.DougGeller,P.Geo.ofWesternWaterAssociatesLtd. Mr.Gellercompletedmostoftheassessmentanddraftreporting inlate2010/early2011whilewithSummitEnvironmentalConsultantsInc.

The authorswish to thank the following people for their significant contributions of time and effort to thisreport:

Mr.BradBakerOperationsManager,SilverStarSkiResort

Mr.BrynLord,B.Sc.,B.Tech,DrinkingWaterOfficerInteriorHealthAuthority

Mr.KevinWilsonAreaSupervisor,BCParks

Mr.LarryGardiner,A.Sc.T.EngineeringTechnologist,RDNO

Ms.PsycheBrownManager,MajorProjects,MFLNROResortDevelopmentBranch

Mr.RandySchellenbergCitizensCoalitiontoSaveSilverStarPark

Mr.RegNolanderLand&TimberOfficer,MFLNROResortDevelopmentBranch

Mr.RobDinwoodie,P.Ag.RangeOfficer,MinistryofForests

Mr.RodPleasance,P.Eng.ProjectEngineer,RDNO

Ms.SandyCook,P.Eng.SilverStarPropertyOwnersAssociation

Ms.SolvejPatschke,M.Sc.P.AgMinistryofEnvironment

Mr.TedPleavinSilverStarPropertyOwnersAssociation

Mr.WarrenMcKimAberdeenElectric

Ms.ZeeMarcolin,P.Eng.UtilitiesEngineer,RDNO


1.0 Introduction

A consulting team led by TRUE Consultingwas retained by the RegionalDistrict ofNorthOkanagan(RDNO) to prepare a SourceWaterAssessment andGroundwater Protection Plan for the Silver StarWaterUtility.

Authorization to proceedwith theworkwas received fromMr. Rod Pleasance, P.Eng. of RDNO onSeptember3,2010 inkeepingwithTRUEConsultingsengineering servicesproposaldatedNovember16,2009.

1.1 PurposeofStudyThekeytoensuringaclean,safeandreliabledrinkingwatersupplyistounderstandthesystemfromitssourcetotheconsumerstap.

ThewatershedsoftheBCSouthernInteriorarewherewelive,work,andplay.Theyarealsothesourceofthewaterwedrink.Inordertoprotectpublichealth,thethreatsposedbyactivitiesinourwatershedsneedtobeidentifiedandmanaged.

Sourcewaterandgroundwaterprotectionplansaddress landuse, theenvironment,habitat, fisheriesandthecompletehydrologiccyclewithaviewtosafeguardingpublichealth,andensuringsafepotablewatersuppliesforthelongterm.Sourcewaterprotectionisthefirststepandakeycomponentofthemultibarrierapproach toprotectingdrinkingwaterasadoptedbyHealthCanada, the InteriorHealthAuthorityandtheprovincialMinistryofHealth.

Theproperprotectionandmanagementof sourcewater is thereforevital toensuring the long termsustainabilityofcommunitieswithintheOkanaganValley.

The IHA administers the provincial Drinking Water Protection Acts provisions for source waterprotection,andtheSilverStarwatersystemfallsundertheIHAsjurisdictionaccordingly.

AsaconditionoftheSilverStarwatersystems2009PermittoOperate,IHAhasmadeitarequirementthattheRDNOprepareaSourceWaterProtectionPlan,therebyprovidingtheimpetusforthisstudy.AcopyoftheIHAsPermitToOperateletterdatedSeptember10,2009isenclosedasAppendixA.


1.2 ComprehensiveDrinkingWaterSourcetoTapAssessmentGuideline

AsstipulatedbyIHAs2010OperatingPermitconditions,thisstudyhasbeenprepared inkeepingwiththeComprehensiveDrinkingWaterSourcetoTapAssessmentGuidelineaspublishedbytheProvincialMinistryofHealthyLivingandSport,2010edition.

The Source to Tap AssessmentGuideline (S2TAG) provides a structured and consistent approach toevaluating risks to drinking water and serves as a tool for water systems to develop a morecomprehensiveunderstandingoftheriskstodrinkingwatersafetyandavailability,howtooperatemoreeffectively,andhowtoproducethebestpossiblewaterquality.

TheS2TAGiscomprisedofeightmodules,listedasfollows:

Module#1 Delineateandcharacterizedrinkingwatersources

Module#2 Conductcontaminantsourceinventory

Module#3 Assesswatersupplyelements

Module#4 Evaluatewatersystemmanagement,operationandmaintenancepractices

Module#5 Auditwaterqualityandavailability

Module#6 Reviewfinancialcapacityandgovernanceofwatersystem

Module#7 Characterizerisksfromsourcetotap

Module#8 Recommendactionstoimprovedrinkingwaterprotection

ThescopeofworkincludedandaddressedbythisstudyincludesModules#1,2,7&8.TheRDNOhaspreviouslycompleted studiesaddressingModules#3&4,and,bydefinition,Modules#5&6willbecompletedinfuture.

During20072008,groundwaterprotectionplanningwas initiatedbyRDNOatSilverStarusingthesixstepapproachoftheWellProtectionToolkitaspublishedbyMOE,whichissimilartotheS2TAGinsomerespects.ThatpreviousworkisbeingincorporatedintothecurrentassessmentundertheS2TAG.


1.3 DataSourcesForthepurposesofthisstudy,theRDNOprovidedthefollowingwatersystemdata:

MeteredbulkflowreadingsasrecordedbythesystemoperatorsfortheperiodJanuary1,2003toDecember31,2010inrawspreadsheetform;

WaterqualitydatacontainedwithintheregionaldistrictsWaterTraxdatabase;

SCADAbulkflowmeterdatafortheperiodApril23,2008toNovember25,2010inrawspreadsheetform;and

Customerwatermeterbilling records for theperiodApril2004 toDecember2010 inspreadsheetform.

The flowdata received required careful scrutiny combinedwith interviewswithRDNO staff and thewatersystemoperatorsinordertodevelopanaccurateflowdatabase.Somemanipulationofthedatawasrequiredinordertoaddressgapsinthedatarecord.

1.4 PreviousGroundwaterProtectionWorksTheRDNOhaspreviouslycompletedcertaingroundwaterprotectionplanningworksatSilverStarwiththecompletionofareporttitledInitialPhases intheDevelopmentofaGroundwaterProtectionPlanforSilverStarResortArea(GolderAssociates,2008).TheGolderstudycompletedSteps#1,2and3ofthe Well Protection Toolkit as published by the MOE. Steps #13 comprise forming a communityplanningteam,delineatingsourcesandcapturezones,andcompletingacontaminantsourceinventoryandareanalogoustoModules#1and2oftheS2TAG.

From a groundwater perspective, the purpose of this study is to complete that remainingwork toestablishtheprotectionframeworkfortheSilverStarWaterUtilitygroundwaterwellsources,andtheaquiferwhichprovideswater to thesewells,and to coordinate thisprotectionprogramwithRDNOsprotectionprogramforthesurfacewatersources.


2.0 Methodology

ThisSourceWaterAssessmentandGroundwaterProtectionPlanhasbeenpreparedinkeepingwiththeS2TAGusingthegeneralmethodologypresentedasfollows:

i) Collectionandreviewofavailabledataincludingpreviousreports,mapping,flowrecords,etc;

ii) Conductsitereconnaissanceandreviewoftheexistingwatersystemwithlicensedsystemoperator;

iii) CoordinationofprojectmeetingswiththeRDNO,IHAandtheTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee;

iv) PublicConsultation;and

v) CompletionoftheStudy.

2.1 TechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeInpartnershipwiththeRDNO,TRUEandtheprojectteamfacilitatedthecreationofaTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee(hereafterTAC)fortheprojectincludingrepresentativesfromthefollowingorganizations:

RegionalDistrictofNorthOkanagan(RDNO)

InteriorHealthAuthority(IHA)

MinistryofNaturalResourceOperations(MFLNRO),ResortDevelopmentBranch

MinistryofEnvironment(MOE)Water(nowpartofMFLNRO)

MinistryofForests,MinesandLands(MFOR)

B.C.Parks

SilverStarMountainResort

SilverStarPropertyOwnersAssociation

CitizensCoalitiontoSaveSilverStarPark

CopiesofTACmeetingminutesareenclosedasAppendixB.

2.2 PublicConsultationThepublicconsultationcomponentoftheSourceWaterAssessmentandGroundwaterProtectionPlanhasbeencomprisedofthefollowing:

i) Attheprojectoutset,anotificationwaspostedintheSilverStarVillageandmailedtoallregisteredpropertyownersadvisingof theprojectand inviting feedback re: issuesofconcern.AcopyofthenotificationandsubsequentfeedbackisenclosedasAppendixC.

ii) Apublicopenhousewasadvertised (copyofnoticeenclosedasAppendixC)andheldonThursdayJuly21,2011from47pm inordertopresentthestudysfindings,andtosolicitfurtherpublic inputandfeedbackpriortofinalizingsame. Questionnairesandcomment sheets were distributed at the Open House, and a summary of feedbackreceivedfromthepublicattheopenhouseisenclosedasAppendixE.

iii) TheRDNOswebsitewasalsoutilized,withadraftreportpostedforthepublicsreviewinadvanceoftheopenhousemeeting.

3.0 Module#1DelineationandCharacterizationofDrinkingWaterSources

3.1 BackgroundSilverStarMountain3.1.1 Location/Setting

Silver StarMountain is located in the North Okanagan,approximately22kmnortheastoftheCityofVernon.Themountainisaccessedvia48AvenueandSilverStarRoad.

Themountainitselfrisessome1,500mfromtheOkanaganValleyfloor,andformspartoftheShuswapHighlandsoftheMonasheeMountainrange.

Figure#1illustratesthesitelocationcontext.


3.1.2 History

Blessedwithover7mofaverage snowfall, Silver StarMountainhasbeenused foralpineandnordicskiingdatingbacktothe1930s.FastforwardtothepresentandSilverStarMountainResortcomprises115downhillrunsand50kmofnordictrailsonover1,200hectaresofskiableterrain.

Located at abase elevationof ~1,550m geodetic, themountain resort village itselfhas grown to anexisting4,200bedbase,withover10hotelsand100vacationhomesaswellasstaffaccommodation.Inaddition, there is a restaurant located near the top of the mountain and a variety of otherinfrastructuresspreadthroughoutthesite.

Duringthesummermonths,SilverStarResortoffersmountainbikingonthehill,withthetrailnetworkaccessedbytheCometExpresslift.ThebikeparktypicallyoperatessevendaysaweekfromlateJunetomidSeptember.

3.1.3 Landuse

Silver Star is a local unincorporated community locatedwithin Electoral Area C of the RDNO. TheOfficialCommunityPlanandZoningBylawsforSilverStarwerelastupdatedin2004/2005.SilverStarMountainResortoperatesonprovincial Crown land under aControlled Recreation Area (CRA) leasearrangementwith the Provincial ResortDevelopmentBranchof theMinistryofForests, Lands and Natural ResourceOperations(MFLNRO).ThelimitsoftheCRAarepresentedinFigure#1.1Silver StarMountain Resort falls undertheLandActjurisdictionoftheMFLNRO,and operates under its approved BaseArea Master Plan authored by S.E.CanadadatedFebruary1995.

3.1.4 FutureGrowth

Throughdiscussionswith theRDNOandMFLNRO, it isunderstood thatSilverStarMountainResort iscurrentlyplanningaresortexpansionbuthasyettomakeaformalapplicationtotheProvinceasafirststepintheassociatedregulatoryapprovalsprocess.


Onceanexpansionplanissubmittedtotheprovince,theMFLNROregulatoryapprovalsprocesswouldincludeaninteragencyreviewteam(Provincial,Federal,LocalandFirstNationsgovernmentagencies),aswellaspublicreviewandconsultationprocesses.In addition to provincial approvals, a resort expansion would require RDNO planning approvals,includinganupdatetotheOfficialCommunityPlan.Apreliminaryandunofficialversionoftheresortsfutureexpansionplanhasenteredthepublicdomain(www.brentharley.com/silverstar.html);thisunofficialplancontemplatestheadditionofan18holegolfcourseandapillowunitcountof26,550atfullbuildout.

3.2 SilverStarWaterSystem3.2.1 History

Historically, thepotablewater supply systematSilverStarhasbeenprimarilydeveloped,maintainedandoperatedbytheskiresort.In1992,theRDNOassumedownershipofthewatersystempursuanttoBylawNo.1082SilverStarVillageLocalServiceAreaDistrict.

Atpresent,theRDNOownsandoperatesthewatersystem includingwatersupply,storage,treatmentanddistribution.

3.2.2 WaterSystemArrangement


The constituent components and general arrangementof the SilverStarwatersystemarepresentedonFigure#1.2anddrawingno.W1enclosedasAppendixL.

Thesystem:

utilizesboth surfacewaterandgroundwateras rawwatersources;

storesraw,untreatedwaterinopenairreservoirs;

providesprimarydisinfectionviachlorineinjection;

stores treated,potablewater inenclosed reservoirsinsufficientquantitytosatisfydomesticandfireflowdemands;and

http://www.brentharley.com/silverstar.html

deliverspotablewaterthroughouttheresortandvillageviaanundergroundwatermaindistributionnetwork.

The RDNO is currentlyworking on a separate capitalworks projectwhichwill see ultraviolet (UV)disinfectionaddedtothesystematthemidteewatertreatmentbuildinginordertoprovidesecondarydisinfectioninkeepingwiththeInteriorHealthAuthoritys43210DrinkingWaterObjectives.

AllwaterpurveyorswhousesurfacewaterorgroundwaterunderthedirectinfluenceofsurfacewatermustapplytoIHAforafiltrationdeferral.Toapplyforadeferral,thewaterpurveyormustfulfillcertaincriteria,suchascompletingawatershedassessmentanddemonstratingthattheirwatersupplymeetsthe43210 IHAobjectives.Thiswatershedassessment reportaswellassystem improvementsandotherrequiredstudiesarebeingcompletedbyRDNO tosupportanapplication for filtrationdeferral.Preliminarywaterqualityresultssupporttherequirementsofafiltrationdeferral.However,continualdemonstration of satisfyingwater quality objectives are required in order tomaintain the deferredstatus,andifwaterqualitydegradesanddoesnotmeet43210objectives,theSSWUwillberequiredatthattimetoimplementfiltration.Thisisanotherreasonthatsourceprotectionisimportantinprovidingamultibarrierapproachtoprovidingsafedrinkingwater.

AschematicdiagramoftheSilverStarwatersystemispresentedinFigure#1.3.


3.3 WaterSourcesTheSilverStarWater systemutilizesboth surfacewaterandgroundwateras rawwater sources.Forsurfacewater, the sourcearea isdefinedas thewatershedwhich is tributary to the lowestelevationintake;thisgenericconceptisillustratedonFigure#2.0.Forgroundwater,thesourceareaisdefinedasthecapturezone i.e.the landareasurroundingawellwhichprovideswatertothewell.Figure#3.0illustratesagenericgroundwatercapturezone.

3.3.1 SurfaceWaterSource

Untilrecently,theSilverStarWaterUtilityhascapturedsurfacewaters(primarilysnowmelt)andstoredthesewaters intheopenairParadiseLakereservoir locatednearthetopofthemountainasshown inFigure#1.2.Thisearthimpoundmentreservoirwasconstructedin1996withatopwaterlevel(TWL)=elevation1,720.00mgeodetic,andafullpoolstoragecapacityofapproximately64,300m3.

ThesurfacewatercaptureandstoragecomponentsoftheSilverStarwatersystemhaverecentlybeenexpandedwiththecompletionofconstructionofthenewVanceCreekreservoirin2010.Locatedtotheeast of Paradise Lake as shown in Figure #1.2, this new earth impoundment reservoir has a TWL =elevation1,661.60mgeodeticandprovidesasignificant fullpoolstoragecapacityofsome224,400m3(224.4ML).


3.3.1.1 Watershed/CatchmentAreas

LocatednearthetopofSilverStarMountain,boththeParadiseLakeandVanceCreekreservoirsutilizediversionditchestodeveloptheirrespectivecatchmentareasasshownonFigure#4.0.

AsummaryoftherelevantcatchmentareainformationispresentedinTable#1.0.

Table#1.0CatchmentAreaStatistics

LowestElevation HighestElevationLengthof

DiversionDitch Area(mgeodetic) (mgeodetic) (m) (Ha)

ParadiseLakeReservoirCatchment 1,705 1,830 536 44

VanceCreekReservoirCatchment 1,651 1,885 3,083 140

3.3.1.2 SurfaceWaterAssessmentArea

In keepingwith the S2TAG, the surfacewater protection assessment area has been defined as theParadise Lake and Vance Creek reservoir catchment areas aswell as 100m radius protection zonesaroundthereservoirintakesasshownonFigure#4.0.



3.3.1.3 Climate

The Meteorological Service of Canada operates and maintains an automated climate data station(ID#1128584)locatedintheSilverStarVillage.Thisstationislocatedatanelevationof1,572mgeodeticasshownondrawingSW1enclosedasAppendixK.

Fortheperiod19832004,thestationrecordedthefollowingaverageweatherdata:

DailyMeanTemperature(January) 6.4C

DailyMeanTemperature(August) 13.8C

AverageTotalAnnualPrecipitation 911mm

3.3.1.4 BiogeoclimaticZones

BoththesurfacewaterandgroundwatersourceareasoftheSilverStarsystemare locatedwithintheEngelmann Spruce Subalpine Fir (ESSF) biogeoclimatic zone, with only the lowermost well #12classified as beingwithin the Interior Cedar Hemlock (ICH) zone. A copy of theMinistry of ForestsbiogeoclimatemapisenclosedasAppendixI.

3.3.1.5 BedrockandSurficialGeology

Aspartof theVanceCreek reservoirproject,ageotechnical reportwaspreparedbyEBAEngineeringConsultants (report file no. 8800253 dated Dec. 6, 2006). The EBA report includes the followingoverviewoftheareasgeology:

TheSilverStar reservoirsite is located in theVanceCreekareaofSilverStarMountain. Basedon theStratigraphy and Structure ThompsonShuswapOkanaganMap, this area is underlain by the UpperTriassic age Slocan Group, Sicamous Formation, which consists of shale, argillite,massive siltstone,phyllite, tuffandcalcareouspelite. BasedonobservationsbyEBAat the reservoir site, thedominantlocal bedrock consists of dark grey shale,which is easily rippablewith an excavator, and greengraysiltstone,which requiresblasting for removal. According toGeologicalSurveyofCanadaMap1059A(Vernon),therocksinthevicinityofthereservoirhavestructuralfoliation(schistosityorslatycleavage)trending northwest and dipping moderately to the northeast. Two northwesttrending faults aremappedcrossingtheSilverStarMountainarea,butoccurnorthwestandsoutheastofthereservoirarea.

ThesurficialgeologyofthereservoirareafromGeologicalSurveyofCanadaMap1392Aisshownasrockoutcropornearsurfacerock. Streamlinedglacialfeatures(drumlinoidfeaturesorstriations)trend inanorthnortheastdirection,withicemovementdirectionuncertain.

3.3.1.6 Terrain

UtilizingtheRDNOscadastralcontourdata,aslopeanalysisofthesurfacewatercatchmentareaswaspreparedrefertoFigure#6.0.


AsummaryoftheslopeanalysisispresentedinTable#2.0.

Table#2.0CatchmentAreaSlopeAnalysisStatistics

SlopeInterval

ParadiseLakeReservoirCatchment Area

VanceCreekDiversionCatchment Area

VanceCreekReservoirCatchment Area

(m2) % % %

010% 159,752 36% 76,863 7% 73,179 46%`

1020% 193,053 43% 342,015 29% 61,311 38%

2030% 87,441 20% 376,676 32% 16,515 10%

3040% 4,352 1% 195,497 17% 5,709 4%

4050% 179 0% 105,581 9% 1,754 1%

50%+ 0 0% 65,534 6% 1,296 1%

Asshown,theParadiseLakereservoircatchmentareacomprisesfairlybenigntopography,with99%oftheareabelowamaximum30%[~3(H):1(V)]slope.

TheVanceCreek reservoir catchment is similar,with94%of thearea comprisedofamaximum30%slope.

TheVanceCreek reservoirdiversioncatchmentdoeshowever includesomesteeper topography,with32%of the landarea inexcessof30%slopes,15% inexcessof40%slopes,and6% inexcessof50%[2(H):1(V)]slopes.

3.3.1.7 VanceCreek

Both theParadise Lake reservoir andVanceCreek reservoir catchment areas are locatedwithin thegreaterVanceCreekwatershed.TheVanceCreekwatershedisapproximately75km2(7,500Ha)inarea,andistributaryinturntoBessetteCreekandtheShuswapRiversystem.

TheVanceCreeksystemexperiencesitsyearlypeakflowsfromApriltoJuneinconjunctionwithfreshet/snowmelt.

WhiletheMinistryofEnvironmentsFishWizarddatabaseidentifiesthepresenceofchinooksalmonandrainbowtroutwithinVanceCreek(copyofstreamreportenclosedasAppendixJ),thehighestupstream


observationof fish (rainbowtrout)wasrecordedattheconfluenceofDeafiesCreekandVanceCreeksome15kmdownstreamoftheVanceCreekreservoirandtheprojectstudyarea.(Source:Hayco,2007)

3.3.1.8 SurfaceWaterCaptureandUse

TheSilverStarWaterUtilityisauthorizedtocapturesurfacewatersforthepurposesofstoragewithinthe Paradise Lake and Vance Creek reservoirs underMOE water licence nos. 122250 and 122226respectively.BothwaterlicencesdefinethepermittedtimewindowforthecaptureofsurfacewatersasbeingfromApril1sttoJune15thannually.

Waters stored within the Paradise Lake reservoir are utilized to satisfy peak water demands only,typicallycommencinginmidDecemberandendinginMarch,coincidentwiththealpineskiseason.

BulkmeteredParadiseLake flowdata fortheperiodJanuary1,2003toDecember31,2010hasbeenanalyzedandispresentedgraphicallyinFigure#9.0.

FIGURE#9.0PARADISELAKERESERVOIRRECHARGEANDSUPPLY(20032010)

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8

Septem

ber1

,200

8

Janu

ary1,200

9

May1,200

9

Septem

ber1

,200

9

Janu

ary1,201

0

May1,201

0

Septem

ber1

,201

0

m3/DAY

HISTORICALPARADISELAKERESERVOIRSUPPLY(BULKMETEREDFLOWS)

PARADISELAKERESERVOIRSURFACEWATERRECHARGE;APRIL1JUNE15PERWATERLICENCE#122250

As illustratedby Figure#9.0, theParadise Lake reservoirhasnot typicallybeenutilized fordomesticwatersupply for theperiodApril1st tomidDecember,with the reservoirwaters therebyaffordedan



opportunitytofurtherclarifyfollowingfreshetandthroughthesummermonths.

Note: Fortheperiod20032010inclusive,ParadiseLakeflowswererecordedasoverlappingwiththereservoirslicencedrechargeperiodinthefollowinginstances:

June5th10th,2003

April1st26th,2004

April1st2nd,2005

April1st28th,2006and

April1st15th,2008

These floweventswere reviewedwith thesystemoperatorwhoadvises thatwhile thewater licenceallows for the capture ofmeltwater commencing on April 1st, it is typical for the firstmeltwatersenteringthereservoirtobeexperiencedinMay,andassuch,whiletheoverlapbetweenrechargeandflowinAprilistheoreticallypossible,itistypicallynotphysicallypossible.NorecordswereabletobelocatedtoexplaintheanomalousflowsofJune5th10th,2003(Source:McKim,pers.comm,2011).

3.3.1.9 ResidenceTimes

Residencetimereferstotheaveragelengthoftimeawatermoleculeremainswithinareservoir.

ResidencetimewithintheParadiseLakereservoirhasbeenestimatedusingthesimplifiedconservationofmassequationasfollows:

ResidenceTime(years)=ReservoirVolume(m3)/AverageAnnualFlowRate(m3/year)

=64,300m3/21,493m3/year

=3years

Constructionof theVanceCreek reservoirwas completed in2010, and the reservoir is scheduled tocaptureitsfirstspringmeltin2011.ApreliminaryestimationofresidencetimewithintheVanceCreekreservoirmaybepreparedfollowingthelicencedwatercapturein2011,andshouldberefinedasdataonreservoiruseislogged.

3.3.1.10RawWaterIntakes

The locationsoftheParadiseLakeandVanceCreekreservoir intakesareasshownondrawing SW1,enclosedasAppendixK.

Both reservoirs are fully fenced, and the fenceswere found tobe in good repairduring TRUEs sitereconnaissancerefertophotos#14,26and27asincludedinAppendixG.

The Paradise Lake intake is comprised of a permanently submerged 400mm pipe completewithscreening connected to the Paradise Lake headworks building located approximately 10m into thereservoir,andwithanintakescreenelevation=1.714.9mgeodetic(3.7mbelowthefullpoolelevationof1,718.6m).AphotooftheParadiseLakeintakeisprovidedinphoto#15.

TheVanceCreekreservoirissimilarlycomprisedofapermanentlysubmerged300mmpipecompletewithscreeningconnectedtotheVanceCreekheadworksbuilding.Thisintakeislocatedapproximately30mintothereservoir,withanintakescreenelevationof1,649.4mgeodetic(12.2mbelowthefullpoolelevationof1,661.6m).Aphotooftheintakeisprovidedinphoto#4.

3.3.1.11GroundwaterContributionstoParadiseLake

Historically,wellwater sourceshavebeenused to augment surfacewaterswithin theParadise Lakereservoir.Thosewellcontributionstothereservoirhavetypicallyoccurredthroughthesummerandfallmonthsinanefforttotopupthereservoirpriortotheskiseasonandassociatedpeakwaterdemands.

Table#3.0summarizesgroundwatercontributionstotheParadiseLakereservoirfortheperiodJanuary1,2003toDecember31,2010.

FROMWELL#13

FROMMIDTEEOPENRESERVOIR

TOTALMETEREDPARADISE

LAKEFLOWS

ANNUALWELLWATERCONTRIBUTIONASA%OFTOTALPARADISELAKEVOLUMEOF

64,300m3

ANNUALWELLWATERCONTRIBUTIONASA%OFMETEREDPARADISE

LAKEFLOWS

(m3) (m3) (m3) (m3) *

2003 0 25,784 25,784 18,854 40% 137%

2004 0 16,147 16,147 19,612 25% 82%

2005 0 2,675 2,675 6,428 4% 42%

2006 0 2,183 2,183 24,370 3% 9%

2007 0 4,499 4,499 34,466 7% 13%

2008 0 2,155 2,155 27,232 3% 8%

2009 50 2,074 2,124 26,072 3% 8%

2010 3,019 0 3,019 13,054 5% 23%

*Note: Figuredoesnotrepresentsourcetracingofblendedwaterleavingthereservoir.

TABLE#3.0WELLWATER/SURFACEWATERCONTRIBUTIONSTOPARADISELAKEWELLWATERFLOWSTOPARADISELAKE


The numbers serve to illustrate that groundwater contributions to the Paradise Lake reservoir haveestablishedatypicalrangeofapproximately2,000m3to5,000m3annually,representing~3%to8%ofthe total reservoir volume. Based on these figures, the Paradise Lake reservoir can be definitivelycharacterizedaspredominantlyasurfacewatersourcetothewaterutility.

3.3.1.12Groundwater/SurfaceWaterSourceSupply

Table#4.0presentsthetotalbulkmeteredflowssuppliedtotheSilverStarwaterutilityfortheperiod20032010. The proportionate contributions of groundwater and surfacewater sources to the totalmeteredflowsarealsopresented.

TOTALBULKMETEREDWATERSUPPLY(m3)

TOTALBULKMETEREDGROUNDWATERSUPPLY

(m3)

TOTALBULKMETEREDSURFACEWATERSUPPLY(m3)

GROUNDWATER%OFTOTALWATERSUPPLY

SURFACEWATER%OFTOTALSUPPLY

2003 93,576 74,804 18,772 79.9% 20.1%

2004 117,465 97,956 19,509 83.4% 16.6%

2005 105,323 98,988 6,335 94.0% 6.0%

2006 109,811 83,910 25,901 76.4% 23.6%

2007 119,690 85,329 34,361 71.3% 28.7%

2008 118,888 91,761 27,127 77.2% 22.8%

2009 108,273 82,296 25,977 76.0% 24.0%

2010 101,893 88,929 12,964 87.3% 12.7%

AVERAGES 109,365 87,997 21,368 80.7% 19.3%

TABLE#4.0ANNUALWATERSUPPLYANDGROUNDWATER/SURFACEWATERPERCENTAGES

These numbers serve to illustrate that the Silver Star water utility has historically been suppliedprimarilybygroundwaterandsurfacewaterinapproximate80%/20%proportions.

Figure #9.1 presents the raw sourcewatermix (surface / groundwater) for the period January 1st December31st,2010.

FIGURE#9.12010DailyRawSourceWaterMix

0.0

200.0

400.0

600.0

800.0

1,000.0

1,200.0

January1,2010

February1,2010

March1,2010

April1,2010

May1,2010

June1,2010

July1,2010

August1,2010

September1,2010

October1,2010

November1,2010

December1,2010

DailyFlow(m

3/day)

SURFACEWATERSUPPLY(PARADISELAKERESERVOIR)

GROUNDWATERSUPPLY(TOTALOFWELLS#1,2,3,4,5,10,12,13)

TOTALRAWWATERSUPPLY(COMBINEDSURFACEANDGROUNDWATERSOURCES)


3.3.1.13IndividualGroundwaterWellSupplies

Table#5.0presentstheindividualwellcontributionstothetotalannualgroundwatersourcesupplytothewaterutility,illustratingtheleadproducingwells.Thisshowsthathistorically,Wells2,3and5havebeenthemainproducingwells,andmorerecently,Well12.

3.3.1.14SurfaceWaterQuality

TheInteriorHealthAuthoritys43210DrinkingWaterobjectiveshavebeendevelopedtoassistwatersuppliersininterpretingtheGCDWQwhichserveasthebasisforwaterqualitystandardsandobjectivesfortheSilverStarwaterutility.AcopyoftheGCDWQisenclosedasAppendixF,andaprimeronthe43210objectivesisenclosedasAppendixG.

AsaconditionofitsPermittoOperate,theSilverStarWaterUtilityswaterqualitymonitoringprogramincludesthefollowing:

i) Continuous online turbidity sampling of raw sourcewaterswithin the Paradise Lakereservoir (data loggedevery10minutes),withdata loggedusingSCADA,andstored/managedusingWaterTRAXdatabasesoftware;

ii) AnannualwatersamplingandlabanalysisofeachwatersourcetocomparethefullsetofwaterqualityparametersversustheGuidelinesforCanadianDrinkingWaterQuality(GCDWQ);and

iii) ReportingasprescribedbyIHA.


AcopyoftheSilverStarwaterutilitysannualreportfor2008isenclosedasAppendixP.Asincludedinthereport,asummaryofannualsurfacewaterqualitytestingattheParadiseLakereservoir includingtheanalysisofbacteriological,physical,nutrient,andmetalparametersfor2003,2006,2008and2009isprovidedinTables#6.0and7.0asfollows:

TABLE#6.0PARADISELAKERESERVOIRRAWWATERQUALITYDATA

INORGANIC

MaximumAcceptableConcentration(MAC)

AestheticObjective(AO)

YearTested 2003 2006 2008 2009

Aluminum(total) 0.13

TABLE#6.0PARADISELAKERESERVOIRRAWWATERQUALITYDATA(CONTINUED)Mercury(total)

E.coli(counts) Criteria Counts Criteria

02/20/200610:00

TABLE#12.0CONTINUOUSONLINETURBIDITYMONITORINGDATARAWWATERPARADISELAKE

RESERVOIR(JAN.1/10JUNE30/10)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

01/01/2010

01/06/2010

01/12/2010

1/18/2010

1/24/2010

1/30/2010

02/05/2010

02/11/2010

2/17/2010

2/23/2010

03/01/2010

03/07/2010

3/13/2010

3/19/2010

3/25/2010

3/31/2010

04/06/2010

04/11/2010

4/17/2010

4/23/2010

4/29/2010

05/05/2010

05/11/2010

5/17/2010

5/23/2010

5/29/2010

06/04/2010

06/10/2010

6/16/2010

6/22/2010

6/28/2010

NTU Turbidity

TABLE#13.0CONTINUOUSONLINETURBIDITYMONITORINGDATARAWWATERPARADISELAKE

RESERVOIR(JULY1/10DEC.31/10)


2

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

6/30/2010

07/07/2010

7/13/2010

7/19/2010

7/25/2010

7/31/2010

08/06/2010

08/12/2010

8/18/2010

8/24/2010

8/30/2010

09/05/2010

09/11/2010

9/17/2010

9/24/2010

9/30/2010

10/06/2010

10/12/2010

10/18/2010

10/24/2010

10/30/2010

11/05/2010

11/11/2010

11/17/2010

11/23/2010

11/29/2010

12/05/2010

12/12/2010

12/18/2010

12/24/2010

12/30/2010

NTU Turbidity

ParadiseLakereservoirturbiditydatafor2010hasbeenanalyzedforthefollowingtimeperiods:

i) January1December31,2010;

ii) April1June15,2010representingthelicencedreservoirrechargeperiod;

iii) Dayswhenthereservoirwassupplyingwatertothesystem(Jan.1Mar.31,Nov.30Dec.4,andDec.21Dec.31,2010);

iv) April7,2010(highestturbidityspikeinfirsthalfof2010);and

v) Nov.30,2010(highestturbidityspikeinsecondhalfof2010).

Table#8.0presentsananalysisofthe2010turbiditydata.

TABLE#8.02010TURBIDITYSAMPLINGSTATISITCS

DescriptiveStatisticsParadiseReservoir

TurbidityMeasurements

Jan.1Dec.31,2010

Apr.1June10,2010

Jan.1Mar.31,Nov.30Dec.4,andDec.21Dec.31,2010

Apr.7,2010 Nov.30,2010

Mean 0.12 0.14 0.14 0.41 0.65StandardError 0.00064 0.00165 0.00127 0.04785 0.08705

Median 0.10 0.12 0.11 0.25 0.32Mode 0.09 0 0.07 0.15 0.26

StandardDeviation 0.144 0.163 0.156 0.574 1.045SampleVariance 0.021 0.026 0.024 0.330 1.091

Minimum 0 0 0 0.1 0.1Maximum 10 5.67 10 5.67 10Count 50,203 9,655 15,196 144 144

1

Asmaybeseen,therawsourcewaterisofhighquality,withaverageturbidityreadingsintherangeof

ConstructionoftheVanceCreekreservoirwascompleted in2010,andthereservoircaptured its firstsnowmeltin2011.TRUEconductedasiteinspectiononJune15th,2011,andthereservoirwasobservedtobeatfullpoolelevation(photosofreservoirinletandweiroutletbelow),representinga224,000m3captureinitsinauguralseason.AsthehydrologyoftheVanceCreekreservoirisnearidenticaltothatofParadise Lake,water quality indices are anticipated to be similar to that of Paradise Lake, and inletwaterswereobservedtoberunningclearonJune15th.

3.3.2 GroundwaterSources

3.3.2.1 Background

The design of the groundwater protection program at Silver Star was originally based on the B.C.Ministry of Environment Well Protection Toolkit (WPT), which provides six steps or phases indevelopmentofaprogram.In20072008,RDNOanditsconsultantGolderAssociatescompletedmostofthefirstthreeofsixstepsoutlinedintheWPT,whichare:



i) Formacommunityplanningteamtoguidetheprogram

ii) Define protection areas based uponwell capture zone analysis (analogous to S2TAGModule#1)

iii) Conductpotentialcontaminationsourceinventory(analogoustoS2TAGModule#2)

iv) Developmanagementstrategies(analogoustoS2TAGModule#8)

v) Developcontingencyplans

vi) Monitorresultsandongoingevaluationoftheprotectionplan

TheremainingtasksasoutlinedintheIHAoperatingpermitconditionsletterofAugust262010aretoreform the community planning team (Step 1), compilemanagement strategies (Step 4), developcontingencyplans(Step5)andplanimplementationandmonitoring(Step6),allofwhichwillbecloselycoordinatedwiththedevelopmentofthemanagementstrategyforthesurfacewatersourcesandtheoverallSilverStarResortoperationalandemergencyresponseplans.IndiscussionswiththeTACtherewasapreferenceforharmonizingthegroundwaterprotectionplanwiththeS2TAG,Modules1,2,7and8andtherefore,thegroundwaterinformationispresentedinthisformatforconsistency.Basedonthis,Step6willnotbecompletedasitfollowscompletionofModules1,2,7and8.

3.3.2.2 BriefOverviewofSilverStarGroundwaterSupplies

TheSilverStarWaterUtilityprovidesdomesticwatertotheresidentialandresortdevelopmentslocatedatSilverStarResort,includingthecommercialandresidentialbuildingsinanaroundtheresortvillage,theareasknownasTheKnoll,Creekside,TheRidge,andFirelightLodge. Historically,thewaterutilityhas stored surfacewater runoff collectedatParadise Lake,andaugmented the surfacewater sourcewithgroundwatersuppliedbyaseriesofwellsdrilledintoabedrockaquifersystem.

WatersourcedevelopmentinthelastfewyearshasaddedtwonewwellsandthenewVancereservoirfacility.Ofthe13numberedwellsthathavebeendrilledonthemountainforwatersupply,eighthavebeenhistoricallyusedforsupplyandareconnectedtothewaterutility.RDNOhastheabilitytooperateWells1,2,3,4,5,10,12,and13.ItisnotcertainwhetherWell13willbeusedforsupplyintheutility,butbecause it is connected to the systemvia theVance reservoir facility, thiswell is included in theprotectionprogram.WhileWell4istypicallynotusedandisnotpartoftheprotectionplan,itsfuturestatus is currently in review and it may either be decommissioned or possibly converted to anemergencybackupwell. Well6 isoperatedby the resort tosupplywater to theParadiseRestaurantlocatednearthetopofPowderCreek lift. This leavessevenwellstobe included inthissourcewaterassessment:1,2,3,5,10,12and13.SeeattachedphotosforexamplesoftypicalwellsitesettingsandpumphouseconfigurationsanddrawingSW1inAppendixKforwelllocations.


In2008,GolderAssociatesLtd.(Golder)compiledareporttitledInitialPhasesintheDevelopmentofaGroundwaterProtectionPlanforSilverStarResortArea,RegionalDistrictofNorthOkanagan,B.C.Thisdocumentisbeingrelieduponformuchofthebackgroundinformationsummarizedinthisreport.

SummaryinformationonthesevenwellsincludedinthisassessmentisprovidedbelowinTable#9.0.

Table#9.0. SilverStarRDNOWaterUtilityGroundwaterWellSummary1

Wellnumber

DrilledDepth(metres)

Mainproducingzone(aquifer)3

Previouslyreportedpumpingrate

(L/sec)2

Location/setting/comments

1 94.5 Deep(Pcsunit) 1.9 Onskihilldirectlyabove(northwestof)village,nearoldmid

Teereservoir

2 91.5 Deep(Pcsunit) 2.7 WestofVillage,aboveSilverStar

Road

3 152.4 Deep(Pcsunit) 0.9 LocatedinCreeksidedevelopment,belowSilverStarRoad

5 140 Deep(Pcsunit) 0.9 LocatedbelowSilverStarRoad,westof

village

10 67 Shallow(MSunit) 0.6 LocatedonthesummitofSilverStarMountain.Mayalsoproducepartlyfromthedeeperbedrock

aquifer.

12 180 Deep(Pcsunit) 2.3 LocatedinBXCreekcatchment,well

belowandsouthwestofvillage

13 `195 Deep(Pcsunit) 2.8 Newwell,locatedonnorthshoulderofmountain;most

remotesettingofthewells

Notes:1)Forinformationonall13wells,seeGolder(2008),Table3.2)PreviouslyreportedwellflowratebasedonGolder(2008)


3) See General Groundwater Conditions discussion below and Golder 2008 for furtherdescriptionofthebedrockaquifers.

4)CapacityofWell13mayrequiresomereassessment(notpartofthisstudy)As noted above, in generalWells 2, 3, 5 and 12 providemost of the groundwater supply althoughadditionalcapacityisavailablefromtheotherwellswhenneeded.Forthe20082009period,basedonmonthlyflowdataprovidedbyoperatorWarrenMcKim,theaverageflowrateofallthewellscombinedduring thepeakseasonofDecember2008 to January2009 ranged from3.23 to3.82L/sec (43 to51Imperial gpm). During themonthofMay2009,whichmightbe considered a lowdemand shoulderseasonmonth,theaveragecombinedflowratewas1.39L/sec(18.5Igpm),alittlemorethanonethirdthepeakflowrate.

3.3.2.3 GeneralGroundwaterConditionsandImplicationsforWellProtection

Indevelopinga conceptualmodel forgroundwateroccurrence and flowat Silver Star,Golder (2008)identifiedtwoprincipalwaterbearingzonesformedwithinbedrockformationspresentatSilverStar:

Arelativelyshallowfracturedbedrockaquiferthatisrechargedlocallybyinfiltrationofsnowmeltandsurfacewater,andcharacterizedbyrelatively largeannualgroundwaterlevel fluctuations. Golder identified twowells (6and10)asproducingprimarily fromthis system. Thegeologicunit thathosts thisaquifer ismappedas theMsunit,andconsistsofamixtureofmetamorphicrocksoftheSlocanGroup.

Arelativelydeepfracturedbedrockaquiferthat isrechargedonamoreregionalscaleathighelevations,especiallywherethemainwaterbearingrockunit isexposedatornear the surface, and characterized by highly confined groundwater conditions(sometimesflowingartesian)andamoreregionalflowpattern.Golderidentifiedwells1,2,3,5,10,12and13asproducingprimarilyfromthisdeepersystem,and10mayalsoproduce inpart from thedeeperaquifer. Thegeologicunit thathosts thisaquifer ismappedas thePcsunit (andpossibly the lowerpartof theMsunit),and consistsofcarbonaceouscalcareousmetasedimentaryrocksthatarebothfoldedandfractured intheSilverStararea.

The implication forprotectingwellsproducing fromthesetwodifferenthydrogeologicregimes isthatthedeeperwellsarelessvulnerabletosurfacecontaminationoccurringnearthewellsascomparedtothe shallowaquiferwells;and consequently, the identificationofprotectionareas for thedeepwellsneedstoconsidernotonlytheoreticaltimeoftravelcapturezones,butalsotheprobabledeepaquifergroundwater recharge zones aswell. Conversely, the shallowwells (in the caseof theRDNOwaterutility,probablyonlywell10andpossiblywell1) aremore vulnerable to surface activitiesoccurringwithin the capture zone areas, and the existence of any vertical pathways that could allow surfacecontaminationtomakesitwayintotheaquifer.


3.3.2.4 GroundwaterSourceWaterQuality

As part of the hydrogeological evaluation, some of the available groundwater quality data werereviewedaspartthebackgroundreviewinsupportofthesourcewaterassessmentforModule1.Weunderstand that in general, there have not been anywater quality issueswith thewells other thanpreviouslyreported issueswithhigh iron andmanganese atwell 4,which is currentlynotused.Wereviewed completion reports forWells 12 and 13 prepared byGolder (which includedwaterqualitysampling and analysis), and also obtainedwater quality reports from the RDNOwater utilitywaterquality data base (WaterTrax). For this assessment, themost recent samples for which data wereavailablewerecollectedinDecember2010.WeunderstandfromdiscussionswithRDNOstaffthattherehas never been any confirmed positive bacteriological counts on samples collected from the wellsources,and thatexceptasnotedbelow, thewellsourcesmeetmaximumacceptableconcentrations(MACs) orAestheticObjectives (AOs) as provided inGuidelines forCanadianDrinkingWaterQuality(GCDWQ;HealthCanada2010).

Golder(2003;2007)documentstheinitialgroundwaterqualitysamplingforwells12and13andfoundthatbothwellsmetorexceededGCDWQforallparameterstested.

Collectionofsamples fromeachwellpriortotreatmentorblending ispartoftheroutineoperationalwaterqualitymonitoringattheSilverStarwaterutility.Collectedannually,thesesamplesareanalyzedfor comprehensive potability analysis that includes bacteriological, physical, nutrient, and metalparameters. We obtained and reviewed a report from theWaterTrax database for the threeyearmonitoringperiodof20082010.Thefocusofthislimitedreviewwastonoteanyguidelineexceedancesandpossibletrendsinthedata.Table#10.0belowsummarizestheresultsofourreviewofthesedatareports.

FromtheDecember2010samplingdata,ofthewellsincludedinthisassessmentthatweresamples(2and5),well2exhibitedatotalseleniumconcentrationof0.0144mg/LwhichisabovethehealthbasedMAC of 0.01mg/L, andwell 5 exhibited a totalmanganese concentration of 0.0505mg/L,which iseffectivelyattheAOforthatparameter


Table#10.0 SummaryofAnnualComprehensiveWaterQualityTestingSilverStarUtilityWells(20082010)

WellNumber NotesonGCDWQExceedances

Comments TDSasgeneralindicatorofwaterquality

1 Noexceedancesnoted TDSMACof0.01December2010(0.0144mg/L)

Totalcoliform2to5/100mLin2008(MAC=0)

Se.008in2008,

.0085in2009

TestSemorefrequentlyin2011?

TDSAO

FeAO0.3

MnAO0.05

MaxFe9.45Min0.15mg/L

MaxMn0.14Min0.01mg/L

Highturbiditylikelyassociatedwithhighironcontent

TDS299323

4 FeandMn>AO Wellnotcurrentlyinuse TDS230345

5 Fe>AOof0.3mg/L

Turbidity15NTU

MaxFe1.2Min0.2

TurblikelyrelatedtoFe

TDS317423

10 Noexceedancesnoted Nitrateslightlyelevated?(0.36to0.69mg/L)

TDSAOof0.01mg/LFeb2008

Fe>AOof0.3mg/L(1.49mg/L,2008)

No2010data TDS


13 Fe0.31mg/L2009(AOof0.3slightlyexceeded)

SamplefrompumphouseshowedFeexceedance;supplylinesampleFe

TheAE capture zonesappearasparabolic shapes (outlined in cyan) thatare larger in theupgradientdirection fromeachwell. Golderalsorecommendedanarbitrary50m fixedradiusareaaroundeachwellbedesignatedsurfacewatermanagementzones,mainlyasawaytocontrolspringrunoffsothatsurfacewaterwouldnotcollectorinfiltrateclosetothewellheads.

Aspartofourassessment,wereviewedapproximatelythelasttwoyearsofoperationalwellflowratedataasprovidedtousbyAberdeenElectric(WarrenMcKim)thewatersystemoperatorforRDNO.Thepurposeof this reviewwas todetermine if the flow ratesassumed in theGolder2008 capture zoneanalysiswerereasonableandnotinneedofupdating.

The data set included daily flow totals in imperial gallons for thewells for the period running fromNovember2008toOctober2010,orapproximatelytwofullpeakandoffseasonoperationalcycles.ThepeakdemandonthesystemtypicallyoccursinDecemberJanuaryandlowerdemandtypicallyoccursinthe shoulder season. Summerat the resort isa timeofmoderatevisitoractivityandas such,waterdemandsfallbetweenthewinterpeakandthelatespring/earlyfalllows.

Asnoted above, the conceptualmodel for thebedrock aquifer system at Silver Star asproposedbyGolderindicatesthattherearetwoprincipalwaterbearingunitsinthebedrock.Onesystemis



comprisedofrelativelyshallowfracturezoneswithintheMsgeologicunit(seeGolder2008)thatreceiverechargedirectlyfromthesurfacefollowingsnowmelt inrelativecloseproximitytothewells(Wells6and10). Well6 isnotapartof thisgroundwaterprotectionprogramandWell10 is locatedon thesummitofSilver StarMountainandhasnoupgradientareawithin itsCFR capture zone. Theactualsubsurfacecapturezoneofthiswellislikelyverysmall.

Theremainingwells(1,2,3,5,12,and13)arehypothesizedtoberechargedprimarilyintheareanearandwest of the Silver Star summit (see Golder 2008 Figure 4, copy enclosed as Appendix N) and arecompletedinthePcsgeologicunit(Golder2008).Theinferredbedrockaquiferrechargezoneoverlapswithpartofthe1yeartimeoftravelzonesforWells2and12andalsocrossesSilverStarRd.WestofBCMOEObservationWell#47the inferreddeepbedrockrechargezone lieswithintheadjoiningFortuneCreekwatershed (and also a sliverof theBXCreekwatershed). (The FortuneCreekwatershed alsounderwentasourcewaterassessmentandprotectionplanthatwasrecentlycompletedbytheCityofArmstrong.) Golder also hypothesized that a fold structure (anticline) in the bedrock that runsapproximatelyparallel toPutnamCreeknorthof thewellsalsoprovidesazoneofpossiblyenhanceddeep aquifer recharge. The axis of this fold (Golder 2008 Figure 4) is north of all current resortdevelopment,withonlyskiandrecreationaltrailsatthesurface.

AlthoughtheCFRandAEcapturezonesarerelativelyneartoeachofthefivewells,equallyimportant,ifnotmoreso, istheprotectionofthe inferredrechargearea forthedeepbedrocksystem. Except forSilverStarRdandthemaintenancefacilitynearWell2,thedeepaquiferrechargezonesappeartobelargelyundevelopedandsoremaininaprotectedstate.

Insummary,the60dayand1yearcapturezonesasdevelopedbyGolderseemreasonableinthatthedelineatedareasprovidea reasonablysizedbuffer zonewithinwhich it ispractical toa) raisepublicawarenessaboutgroundwaterprotectionandb)toenactmeasurestoprotectthegroundwatersourcesfrom landuseactivities thatmaypotentially threatengroundwaterqualityorbecomea threat ifbestmanagementpracticesarenot followed. Several technicalpointsof clarification shouldbemade inregardtothesecapturezones:

i) Thedelineated capture zonesdepict theoreticalgroundwater travel timeoccurring inthe subsurface under assumed hydraulic gradient and/or pumping conditions. Thevertical travel time between the surface and the relatively deep fracture systemsdevelopedinthesewellsislikelysignificantduetothenatureofthegeologicmaterialsand the prevailing vertical hydraulic gradient in the bedrock aquifer. This additionalverticaltraveltimecanbeconsideredanextra factorofsafety inprotectingtheSilverStarsourcewells.

ii) AlloftheSilverStarwellsexceptWell6andpossiblyWell10appeartoproducefromadeeper, subregional bedrock groundwater flow system. The conceptual modeldevelopedbyGolderforthissystemidentifiesthesummitarea


and the adjoining upper reaches of the BX Creek, Fortune Creek, and Putnam Creekcatchments as the main groundwater recharge area for this aquifer system.Topographicallydrivengroundwaterflow inthissystem isthusfromthesummitareasandtowardtheadjoiningcreekvalleybottomareas.

iii) Some of thewells including the two primarywells (2 and 12) occurwhere flowingartesianconditionsexistthroughsignificantpartsoftheyear(Golder2008).Thismeansthat the local hydraulic gradient near the wells has a significant upward verticalcomponent. This upward natural hydraulic gradient means that if any shallowgroundwater were to become contaminated, it would not tend to flow downwardthreateningthedeeperaquifersourcedbythewells.

iv) Well10islocatednearthesummitofSilverStarandthusislikelywithinarechargezonewherethenaturalverticalhydraulicgradientisdownward.Rechargeareasaregenerallymoresusceptibletosurfacecontaminationduetothisdownwardverticalgradient,butthiswellhasvirtuallynoupgradientrechargearea.

v) AsnotedbyGolder(2008),Wells12and13havesurfaceseals.Theolderwellsdonothave surface seals and so are marginally not as well protected from surfacecontamination fromawell construction standpoint. Otherwell sitemeasures canbeimplementedtoadequatelyprotectthesewellsifneeded(seeModule7).


4.0 Module#2ContaminantSourceInventory

AsdescribedwithintheS2TAG,Module#2comprisesacontaminantsource inventorywhich identifiesinherent risks towater quality aswell as describing land uses, human activities and other potentialcontaminantsourcesthatcouldaffectsourcewaterquality.Thetermcontaminantsource isdefinedwithin the S2TAG tomean both actual/existing and potential sources of contamination. In order todevelopthecontaminantsource inventory,thefollowingworkswereundertakenwithrespecttoboththesurfacewaterandgroundwatersources:

i) siteinspections;

ii) reviewofaerialphotos;

iii) reviewofOCPandzoningdocuments;

iv) technicaladvisorycommitteemeetings;

v) interviewswithRDNO, Silver StarResort,Aberdeen Electric (water system operator),etc.

PotentialSourcesofContaminationSurfaceWaterSources

ThemajorityofpotentialsourcesofsurfacewatercontaminationidentifiedinTable#11.0relatetolanduses,activities,orephemeraleventswithin thewatershed,asopposed to site specificcontaminationsources. These includebeetle infestations,cattledrift,mountainbikingactivities,resortmaintenanceactivities,RDNOmaintenanceactivities,accessroadways, forest fires,motorizedrecreationalvehicles,wildlife scat, and the potential for future resort development activitieswithin the catchmentwhichcannotbedefinedatpresent.

The existing diesel fuel storage tanks located at the top of the Comet Express ski lift within thecatchmentpresentariskforhydrocarbonspillcontamination.Twotanksarepresentinthislocation:adoublewalled tidy tankwhich sits on the lift foundation, and a second, singlewalled tank locatedupstairsinthetopterminal(source:Bakerpers.comm.,2011)

PotentialSourcesofContaminationGroundwaterSources

TherearenoknownprivatesewagedisposalsystemsattheresortotherthanthesepticfieldneartheParadiseRestaurant. Noneof theRDNOutilitywellsarenear thispotentialsourceofcontamination.Golder (2008) identified someotherpotential sourcesof contaminationand/orareasofconcernandthesearedepictedondrawing SW1enclosedasAppendixK. Twoof theseareasarenearWell4,whichiscurrentlynotinuse.Mostofthewellsareupgradientofthepotentialcontaminationsources.The sources nearest to operationalwells are the horse barnwith associated


manurestorage,nearwell5andthemaintenanceandtransferstationfacilitynearwell2.

Well3 is located topographicallybelowSilverStarRdandadjacent to theentrance to theCreeksideVillagedevelopmentandnoconcernswereidentified.However,theproximityofwell3tovehicletrafficmakesthiswellmoresusceptibletoaspillofautomotivefuelthatcouldoccurasaresultofanaccident.Theuseofroadsaltwas identified intheGolderreport. Infiltrationofsalinerunoffwaterfromroadscanleadtoincreasedchloridelevelsingroundwater,andincreasedTDS,butisnotconsideredahealthconcern.Keepingstockpilesofsaltedsandawayfromwells,however,isconsideredgoodpractice.

The twonewestwells (12and13)are inwellprotected (capturezonesdonotextend intodevelopedareas),andwithnoidentifiedconcerns.Golder(2008)notedroadmaintenancevehicleandsaltedsandstoragenearWell3,however,acheckofthisareainJanuary2011confirmedthatonlyasmallamountofsandisstoredandiscontainedwithinacoveredQuonsetstylestructure.AnothervisittotheareainJune2011didnotshowanyevidenceof runoffoccurringbetween thestorageareaandWell3. Theresorts sewage treatment system and lagoons are located south of the Knoll area and are severalhundredmetres downgradient of the nearest operational well (Well 3) and in our opinion do notrepresentapotentialsourceofcontamination.Thisisbecausethedrawdowncreatedbypumpingtheresortswells isunlikelytoreversethehydraulicgradientsuchthatcontamination, if itweretooccur,couldnotflowtowardthewells.

Wellconstructionfactors,whilenotadirectsourceofcontamination,canleadtocontaminationofwellsifthe integrityofthewell iscompromised leadingtowellcontamination. Intermsofwell integrity, itcanbeaconcernifadrinkingwatersupplywelldoesnothaveasurfacesealaroundtheoutsideofthewellcasingtopreventsurfaceinfiltrationfromenteringthewell.TheSilverStarwellsareallrelativelydeepwellsandproduce from relativelydeepseatedbedrock fractures. Twoof thewells (12and13)reportedlyhavesurfacesealswhiletheotherwellsdonot. It ispossibletoretrofitwellswithsurfaceseals.Theimplicationsformaintainingwellswithoutsurfacesealswillbeevaluatedintheassessmentofrisk(Module7).

In summary, we have identified five areas of potential environmental concern (APECs) shown ondrawing SW1 (AppendixK),andsummarized intheHazard IdentificationTable#11.1. Sections4.6,4.11,4.14and4.15discussthesefurther.

Table#11.0presentsthecontaminantsourceinventorytable,withfurtherdiscussionprovidedbelow.

Table#11.0ContaminantSourceInventoryTable

HazardReference

No.

ContaminantSourceTypeandDescription

Owner/Jurisdiction

Location Distance/Directionto

Source

PossibleContaminantsof

Concern

ContaminantTransportMechanism

Comments

2S1Mountainpinebeetle&balsambarkbeetle

infestations

Province/SilverStarCRA

WithinParadiseLakeandVanceCreekreservoircatchments

Withinsurfacewatercatchments

Sediment,turbidity

Surfaceandsubsurfaceflow

Potentialsalvageloggingandhydrologicalimpacts

2S2 CattleDriftRanchers/MNRO/SilverStarResort

WithinCRAandwithinreservoircatchmentareas

Withinsurfacewatercatchments

Manure(pathogens)


Fencingdeficienciesandoverlappingjurisdictionsnoted.

2S3ResortMountainBiking

Activities

SilverStarResort/MNROResortDevelopment

Branch

Trailnetworkcurrentlynotmapped;confirmedasbeingpartiallywithinboththeParadiseLakeandVanceCreekreservoircatchmentareas

Varies

Sediment,turbidity

associatedwithground

disturbance

Surfaceflow

Bridgestructurespresentwheretrailscrossinterceptorditches.

Activitiestypicallyoccuroutsideoflicencedtimewindowforsurfacewatercapture(April1June15th).

2S4ResortMaintenance

Activities


Branch

MaintenanceaccessroadwayswithinandadjacenttoParadiseLake

andVanceCreekreservoircatchmentareas

Varies

Vehiclerelatedcontaminantshydrocarbons,

oils,etc.


SpillResponse/EmergencyResponsePlaninplace

2S5RDNOMaintenanceandInspectionActivities

RDNO



Varies


oils,etc.


SpillResponse/EmergencyResponsePlaninplace

2S6 Accessroadways


Branch



VariesSediment,

turbidity.Noroadsaltsused.

Surfaceflow

Limitedoverlapwithlicencedtimeframeforsurfacewatercapture

(April1June15th).ParadiseLakereservoirnotutilizedaspotablewatersourceuntilDecember,

allowing~6monthsforsedimenttofallfromsuspensionandwatersto

clarify.

2S7 ForestFires


Branch

ThroughoutSilverStarCRAandadjacentSilverStarProvincialPark

Throughoutcatchmentareas

Sediment,turbidity,

increasednutrientloads,increaseddissolveorganicmatter,increasedphosphorous&

nitrogen


FormalWildfireProtectionPlaninplace.

2S8MotorizedRecreationalVehiclesmotorbikesand

ATVs

SilverStarResort/MNROResortDevelopmentBranch/RCMP

WithinCRAandwithinreservoircatchmentareas

Throughoutcatchmentareas

Vehiclerelatedcontaminantshydrocarbons,oils,etc.,plussediment,turbidity

associatedwithground

disturbance


MotorizedrecreationalvehiclesnotallowedinCRA;noevidenceor

reportsofactivitiesinsurfacewatercatchmentareas.

2S9MotorizedRecreationalVehiclessnowmobiles

SilverStarResort/MNROResortDevelopmentBranch/RCMP

Atpresent,snowmobiletoursstartinparkinglot'E'andfromthere

headintoSilverStarProvincialPark

Lot'E'located900mdistantand

>75mdowngradientfromnearestlimitofVanceCreekcatchment


oils,etc.


Downgradientofsurfacewatercatchments

2S10 Wildlifescat ThroughoutSilverStarCRAand

adjacentSilverStarProvincialParkThroughout

catchmentareasPathogens,

viruses,protozoaSurfaceandsubsurfaceflow

Reservoirsfenced.


Table#11.0 ContaminantSourceInventoryTable(Continued)

HazardReference

No.

ContaminantSource TypeandDescription

Owner/Jurisdiction

Location Distance /Directionto

Source

PossibleContaminantsof

Concern

Contaminant TransportMechanism

Comments

2S11 ExistingSkiRuns


Branch

WithinParadiseLakeandVance Creekreservoir catchments

Varies SedimentSurfaceandsubsurfaceflow

Atpresent,existingskirunsarereestablishedwithmaturegrassesand

vegetation.

2S12 ExistingSkiLifts


Branch

TopofCometExpresslift,topofPowderGulchlift,topofSilverwoodslift,bottomof

Silverqueenlift,bottomofAlpineMeadowslift,andbottomofSummit

chair.

VariesFuelstorage/hydrocarbons


2S13Possible FutureSkiRunDevelopmentwithin

SurfaceCatchmentAreas


Branch

LowpotentialforfutureskirundevelopmentwithinParadiseLakecatchment;some potentialfor

futureskirundevelopment withinVanceCreekreservoircatchment;

specificsTBDinfuture.

TBD

Sediment,turbidityandhydrocarbonsassociatedwith

grounddisturbanceandconstructionactivities


MNRO ResortDevelopmentBranchregulatoryapprovalsprocess

applicable

2S14 PossibleFutureSkiLifts


Branch

WithinParadiseLakeandVance Creekreservoir catchments

Unknown/TBD

Fuelstorage/hydrocarbons,plussediment,

turbidityassociatedwithconstructionactivities


Lowpotentialforfuture skiliftswithinParadiseLake andVanceCreekreservoircatchments

2G1Apec#1transferstation/maintenancefacilitynear

Well2


Branch

Adjacentwell#2 approx.150mRefuse leachate or

spilledfuelsSurfaceandsubsurfaceflow

Refertodiscussionasincludedonpage19ofGolderStudy,2008

2G2Apec#2 HorseBarnnear

Well5


Branch

Adjacentwell#5 approx.20mNutrient loading

togroundSurfaceandsubsurfaceflow


2G3Apec#3saltstoragenear

Well3


Branch

Near well#3 approx.40mTDSincreasingduetosaline

runoff



2G4Apec#4auxiliaryfuelstoredatSummitnear

Well10


Branch

Nearwell#10 approx.44m

Petroleumhydrocarbons

seepintogroundfromspill


Fuelisreportedly(Golder2008)storednearthetopoftheCometlift,

>50mfromwell#10 andnot upgradient

2G5Apec#5 SilverStarRoadCorridornearWells2,3

and5

MinistryofTransportation

Nearwells#2,3 & 5

approx.160m(well#2),33m

(well#3),and38m(well#5)

Transportationrelatedspillof

hydrocarbonandother

fuels/chemicals



Table#11.1presentstheassociatedHazardIdentificationtable.

Table#11.1HazardIdentificationTable

HazardReference

No.

DrinkingWaterHazard PossibleEffects ExistingPreventativeMeasures AssociatedBarrier

2S1Mountainpinebeetle&balsambarkbeetle

infestations

Introductionofsanitationharvestingrelatedsediment,andpotential

hydrologicalimpacts

TreeharvestingrequiresMNROapprovals;ForestManagementBMPsincludingvarious

silviculturesystemspracticed.SourceProtection

2S2 CattleDriftPathogenssuchase.coliinwater

source

Timeoftravelforpathogenstoreachreservoirs,plussubsequentdisinfectionofwatersupplyattheMidTeetreatment

building.Additionofsecondary.ultravioletdisinfectioncurrentlyinprogress.

SourceProtectionandWaterTreatment

2S3ResortMountainBiking

ActivitiesIntroductionofsediment,increased

turbidity

Activitiestypicallyoccuroutsideoflicencedsurfacewatercapture.Valvingatinterceptor

ditchoutletstoreservoirs.VanceCreekinterceptorditchconstructedtoafrenchdrain

standard.CulvertcrossingsofbiketrailsinstalledbySilverStarResort.

SourceProtection

2S4ResortMaintenance

ActivitiesHydrocarboncontamination

FormalizedEmergencySpillResponsePlaninplace.

SourceProtection,OperatorTrainingandEmergencyResponsePlanning

2S5RDNOMaintenanceandInspectionActivities

HydrocarboncontaminationFormalizedEmergencySpillResponsePlanin

place.SourceProtection,OperatorTrainingandEmergencyResponsePlanning

2S6 AccessroadwaysIntroductionofsediment,increased

turbidity&hydrocarboncontamination

Limitedroaduseduringlicencedsurfacewatercapture.FormalizedEmergencySpillResponse

Planinplace.


2S7 ForestFiresThroughoutSilverStarCRAand

adjacentSilverStarProvincialPark

SilverStarmaintains24hour,7daysperweeksecurityonsitewhoregularlypatroltheCRA.SilverStarFireDepartmentwith4WDfiretruck

and~30volunteermemberstrainedandequippedforforestfirefighting.AllSilverStarresortvehiclescarryafirefightingpackand

maintenancestaffaretrained.

SourceProtectionandEmergencyResponsePlanning

2S8MotorizedRecreationalVehiclesmotorbikesand

ATVs

Introductionofsediment,increasedturbidity,andhydrocarbon

contamination

EnforcementastheseareillegalactivitieswithintheCRA.Fencing&resortownershipvigilancein'policing'with24hour,7daysper

weeksecurity.


2S9MotorizedRecreationalVehiclessnowmobiles

HydrocarboncontaminationResortOwnershipworkswithresponsibletouroperators;smallextentoftravelwithinCRA.

SourceProtection

2S10 WildlifescatIntroductionofpathogenssuchas

e.coliinwatersourceReservoirsareadequatelyfenced. SourceProtection

2S11 ExistingSkiRunsNonehydrology'normalized'and

vegetationreestablishedatpresent.n/a n/a


Table#11.1HazardIdentificationTable(Continued)

HazardReference

DrinkingWaterHazard PossibleEffects ExistingPreventativeMeasures AssociatedBarrier

2S12 ExistingSkiLiftsFuelStorage/hydrocarbon

contamination

BCSafetyAuthoritymandatesfuelstoragefor8hoursoperationofskilift;topofComet

Expressliftdoublewalledfueltanklocatedabovegroundonconcreteslab.


2S13PossibleFutureSkiRun

DevelopmentwithinSurfaceCatchmentAreas

Introductionofsediment,increasedturbidityandhydrocarbon

contaminationassociatedwithconstructionactivities.

MNROResortDevelopmentbranchregulatoryapprovalsprocesses.

SourceProtection

2S14 PossibleFutureSkiLiftsFuelStorage/hydrocarbon

contaminationSilverStarusesBMPsforallnewconstruction

acitivities.SourceProtection,OperatorTrainingandEmergencyResponsePlanning

2G1Liquidwastereleasedfrom

refuseorequipmentWaterorsoilcontamination,organic

andinorganicResortspillresponseplanandcontainmentof

refuseintransferstationSourceprotectionandspillresponse

2G2Horseturnoutarea,animal

wasteWaterorsoilcontaminationwith

nutrients,bacteriologicalSitedrainageatthehorseareaappearstobetowardthesouthwest(awayfromthewell)

Sourceproteciton

2G3 Saltedsandstorage increasedchloride/TDSinrunoff Containmentandcovering SourceProtection

2G4 Fuelstoragenearsummit fuel(hydrocarbons) Secondarycontainment,spillresponse SourceProtectionandspillrepsonse

2G5 Transportationcorridor fuel,oils,metalsSilverStarFireDepttrainedinemergencyspill

andhazmatresponse.Spillresponse,sourceprotection

4.1 BeetleInfestationsTheMinistryofForests,MinesandLands(MFML,formerlytheMinistryofForestsandRange(MOFR))hasestimatedthatasof2009,some16.3millionhectares(163,000km2)ofprovincialcrownforesthadbeenaffectedbytheMountainPineBeetle(MPB)epidemic.ItisfurtherprojectedthattheMPBinfestationcouldkillofffully80%ofBritishColumbiaspineforests.Figure#7.0presentstheoverlapofareasoflight,moderateandseverebeetleinfestationwithintheParadiseLakeandVanceCreekcatchmentareas.

ManagementtechniquesemployedbyMFMLtocombatbeetleinfestationsincludethefollowing:



Pheromonebaiting luringbeetles into trees thathavebeen baitedwithasynthetichormonethatmimicsthescentofafemalebeetle.Beetlescanthenbecontained inasinglearea,wheretheycanmoreeasilybedestroyed.

Sanitationharvesting removing single infested trees to control the spreadofbeetlepopulationstootherareas.

Snipandskidremovinggroupsofinfestedtreesthatarescatteredoveralargearea.

Controlled,ormosaic,burnsburninganareawhereinfestedtreesareconcentrated,toreducehighbeetleinfestationsintheareaortohelpreducethefirehazardinanarea.

Fallandburncutting(felling)andburningbeetleinfestedtreestopreventthespreadofbeetlepopulationstootherareas.Thisisusuallydoneinwinter,toreducetheriskofstartingforestfires.

Source:MinistryofMinistryofForests,LandsandNaturalresourceOperationswebsite

For those areas of beetle infestationwithin the CRA,MFLNRO has confirmed that both sanitationharvestingand snipandskidtechniquesareemployed includingtheburningof loggingdebris (slashpiles),butthatnoprescribedburnsarepermitted.

Thesalvageharvestingofbeetlekilltreeshasthepotentialtoadverselyaffectthewatershedviagrounddisturbance,drainageimpacts,etc.dependingontheharvestingpracticesutilized.

ThehydrologicimpactofbeetleinfestationswithinB.C.sforestshasbeenthesubjectofrecentresearchbytheMOEandotheraffectedstakeholders.Basedontheresearch,thepresenceofbeetleinfestationwithin both the Paradise Lake and Vance Creek reservoir catchment areas presents the risk of thefollowinghydrologicimpacts:

i) Increasedwaterreachingtheforestfloor;

ii) Increasedsoilmoisture;

iii) Increasedrunoff(bothincreasedpeaksurfaceflowsandannualwateryield);and

iv) Potentialforwaterqualityimpacts(increasedsedimentload&turbidity).

SilverStarresortadvisesthattherehavebeennobeetleinfestationswithinthesurfacewatercatchmentareasinthelastfouryears.(Source:Baker,pers.comm.,2011).InthecontextoftheSilverStarsurfacewatercatchmentsandhydrology,beetle impactsareconsidered topresentavery low risk tosurfacewaterquantityorquality.


4.2 RangeLandActivitiesRangelandactivitiesinB.C.areauthorizedundertheRangeActandregulatedviatheForestandRangePracticesAct(FRPA)enacted in2004,asadministeredbytheMFML. TheFRPAstipulatesthatgrazingleaseholdersmust prepare a GrazingManagement Plan or Range Use Plan including the intendedapproachwithregardtoprotectingwaterresources.

Livestock practices can impact surface and groundwater quality.Numerous studies have shown thatwaterqualityguidelineshavebeenexceededasadirectresultof livestockmanure includingchemicalcontaminants (ammonium, nitrates, nutrients) and microbial contaminants (pathogenic bacteria,protozoaandviruses).

Whiletheseasonalrangelandgrazingoflivestockrepresentsalowintensityagriculturaloperation,therisk of e.coliwithinmanure leaching into a drinkingwater source as a result of rainfall, snowmelt,stream flows,etc.presentsaserious risk tohumanhealth&safety. TheWalkerton,Ontario tragedyperhapsbestillustratesthemagnitudeofthisrisktopublichealth.

While there are no range land licenceswithin the Silver Star CRA itself, there are licences locatedimmediatelyadjacenttotheeastandsouth,andincloseproximitytothenorthrefertoFigure#7.0.Historically,SilverStarMountainResorthasnotedthepresenceofsomecattlewithintheCRAasaresultofcattle driftduring thesummerand fallmonths. Thesecattleareknown tograzewithinboth theParadiseLakeandVanceCreekreservoircatchmentareas.Asforthenumberofcattle,itisreportedbytheresortoperatorsasnotbeinguncommonforColdstreamRanchtoneedtodrive3040headofcattleoutoftheCRAanumberoftimeseachweek inthesummermonths. TheresorthasalsonotedtheirperceptionthatthecattlearearrivingintheCRAearlierinthesummerfollowingtheirannualturnoutinJune.(Source:Baker,pers.comm.,2011).

MFMLhasnotedthatbothunsanctioned,adhocrecreationalvehicletrails,aswellasloggingactivitieson landsadjacent the Silver StarCRAhave contributed to increased cattledriftbyopeningupareaspreviouslyimpassabletocattle(Source:TACmeetingminutes,AppendixA).

The timing of the cattle drift (summer months) serves to diminish the probability (but not themagnitude)oftheriskofcattlemanurecontactingtheSilverStarewatersupply,as:

Thewatersystem issuppliedbygroundwatersources(andnotsurfacesources)duringthesummermonthswhencattlearepresent,and

ThesurfacewatersupplyiscapturedeachspringintheperiodAprilJunebeforecattlearefoundonthehill.

Figure#10.0 illustrates thepointbypresenting theParadiseLake reservoirshistoricalmetered flows(potable supply shownblue)overlainwith the annual timewindows forboth

surfacewaterrecharge (April1sttoJune15thasprescribed inprovincialwater licence#122250shownred)andcattledriftinthearea(July1Oct31stshowngreen;source:Dinwoodie,pers.comm,2011).

FIGURE#10.0PARADISELAKERESERVOIRRECHARGE,SUPPLY,ANDCATTLEDRIFT(20032010)

0.0

100.0

200.0

300.0

400.0

500.0

600.0

700.0

800.0

Janu

ary1,2003

April1,2003

July1,2003

Octob

er1,2003

Janu

ary1,2004

April1,2004

July1,2004

Octob

er1,2004

Janu

ary1,2005

April1,2005

July1,2005

Octob

er1,2005

Janu

ary1,2006

April1,2006

July1,2006

Octob

er1,2006

Janu

ary1,2007

April1,2007

July1,2007

Octob

er1,2007

Janu

ary 1,2008

April1,2008

July1,2008

Octob

er1,2008

Janu

ary1,2009

April1,2009

July1,2009

Octob

er1,2009

Janu

ary1,2010

April1,2010

July1,2010

Octob

er1,2010

m3/DAY

HISTORICALPARADISELAKERESERVOIRSUPPLY(METEREDFLOWS)

PARADISELAKERESERVOIRSURFACEWATERRECHARGE;APRIL1JUNE15PERWATERLICENCE#122250

TYPICALCATTLEDRIFTWINDOW:JULY1OCT31

ThepathwayforthepotentialcontaminationoftheParadiseLakereservoirfromcattlemanuremaybeinferredfromFigure#10.0asfollows:

Depositionofmanureincatchmentarea:July1stOctober31st

Dormantperiod#1(undersnowpack):November1stMarch31st

Transportviaspringmeltwaterwithininterceptorditchtoreservoir:April1stJune15th

Dormant period #2 (within reservoir): April 1st December 15th, representing theaverage earliest date of Paradise Lake potable supply for the period 2003 2010inclusive.


The above represents a 13 month to 17 month time of travel for manure based microbialcontaminants to potentially enter the Silver Starwater utilitys rawwater intake, and subsequentlyreachthemidteetreatmentbuilding.

4.3 ResortMountainBikingActivitiesSilverStarMountainResortoffersanextensivemountainbikeprogram from JunetoSeptembereachsummer,includingtrails,askillsareaandjumppark.

Themountainbike trailnetwork traversesboth theParadiseLakeandVanceCreekcatchmentareas,andassuchpresentssomeriskofgrounddisturbanceandincreasedsedimentloadtothesurfacewatersupply.

WherethetrailnetworkcrossestheParadiseLakediversionditch,theresorthasconstructedwoodenbridges,orprovidedculvertcrossingsrefertophotos#5,13,18,19,&23,enclosedasAppendixG.

TheSilverStarMountainbiking trailnetwork includes trailswithinboth theParadiseLakeandVanceCreekreservoircatchmentareas,and inherentlygeneratesacertaindegreeoferosiononthetrailsasillustratedby thephotoofa typical trailsectionbelow. However,asmountainbikingactivitiesoccurduring the summermonthsandoutsideof the licencedwater captureperiodofApril1st June15th,there isnodirectpathway for the introductionofbike

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