Terms of Reference

Scientific Review of Pathways of Effects Diagram: Flow Management

National Workshop

March 12 - 13, 2007
Holiday Inn South, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Chairperson: Jake Rice

Background

The Pathways of Effects (PoE) Diagrams, developed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ (DFO) Habitat Management staff, outline diagrammatically the “cause and effect relationships” of a land-based or in-water activity on the aquatic environment. A total of 21 PoEs have been developed to date. The Habitat Management Directorate’s intention is that DFO habitat biologists and proponents would use these PoEs to assess the potential effects that may result from any given project, which could include a combination of several activities (i.e. a culvert installation could include the placement of material in water, excavation, and riparian removal). A proponent could then develop mitigation plans using the PoE diagrams, designing their projects to avoid the negative effects of a given activity, where possible.

The PoEs were developed using expert knowledge. However, a detailed literature review has not been completed and is required to determine if the PoEs are scientifically sound and complete. Given the large number of PoEs, the reviews are taking place sequentially over a number of years. A review conducted in September 2005 looked at a group of four common end-points in the PoEs. The current review is aimed at the Flow Management Pathway.

The latest version of the Flow Management PoE diagram is attached. Reviewers are examining the scientific evidence for habitat alterations and impacts on fish resulting from modifications in flow (frequency, amplitude, duration, timing and rate of change). The review is being done collaboratively by scientists in Newfoundland (Scruton, Clarke), Sault Ste. Marie (Smokorowski, Pratt) and Burlington (Randall, Brousseau). Most endpoints identified in the flow chart are being evaluated, with the exception of ‘changes in contaminant concentrations’ and ‘change in salinity’ which will be the subject of a separate review.

Objectives

The objectives of the literature review are to:

• undertake primary literature searches to provide science support for all pathway linkages and endpoints,
• modify the PoE flow diagram if needed, based on the results of the literature search and
• assess the flow management pathway as a case study to evaluate the PoE approach, in terms of science support and utility for application.

The goal of the Workshop will be to:

• conduct a scientific peer review of the literature synopses and
• evaluate and reach consensus on a revised PoE diagram for flow management.

Output of the Meeting

The results of the workshop will be documented as a CSAS Proceedings, and the literature searches will be published as a Technical Report and possibly as primary literature, if warranted.

Participants

The participants will include scientists from DFO, academia, industry and Nongovernmental groups as well as representatives from DFO Science HQ and Habitat Management HQ. To the extent possible, the number of participants will not exceed 30.