Terms of Reference

Long-term Monitoring Protocols for New and Upgraded Hydroelectric Projects in British Columbia and Yukon Territory

Pacific Regional Science Advisory Process

June 20-21, 2011
Vancouver, British Columbia

Chairperson: Bruce Clark

Context

Small hydro development proposals represent the largest number of referrals by sector to the Habitat Management Program in Pacific Region (British Columbia and Yukon Territory). Standardized monitoring methodologies are required for consistency and for comparing data across many projects. This is aligned with the National Habitat Management Program, whereby monitoring results are to be used to evaluate, modify and improve Program delivery. The adoption of standardized methods for both departmental monitoring and proponent monitoring will allow the development of more robust data sets that can be used to evaluate environmental effects and program success. The development of scientifically defensible monitoring methodologies will directly support the departmental priority of performance measurement and quality of service to Canadians.

The DFO Ecosystem Management Branch - Habitat Management Program, Pacific Region (DFO-HMP) has requested science advice in the form of peer review of the proposed standardized habitat monitoring protocols for new and upgraded Hydro-electric projects in British Columbia and Yukon Territory. The purpose of the monitoring protocols is to establish the parameters and types of monitoring necessary for the effective long-term monitoring of new hydroelectric projects, as well as those undergoing significant upgrades. They are intended to apply to small (<50 MW) and large (>50 MW) run-of-river hydroelectric projects involving streams or lakes, as well as projects that involve the creation of a storage reservoir. The monitoring protocols are to be used by proponents and/or Qualified Environmental Professionals (QEPs), both prior to submission of the development plan and Environmental Assessment (EA) application (to assist in the collection of the necessary baseline data) and during project operation, for the development of suitable effects monitoring programs. This protocol document is intended to serve as a companion piece to existing hydro project guidelines (Lewis et al, 2004; Hatfield et al, 2007); the emphasis of this document is on project operation, while the existing guidance documents emphasize baseline data collection in support of the project application.

Objectives

The following working paper prepared under contract to DFO will be reviewed:

Lewis, F.J.A., A.J. Harwood, and T. Hatfield. 2011 Long-Term Aquatic Monitoring Protocols for New and Upgraded Hydroelectric Projects. (CSAP Working Paper 2011-P37)

Specifically, this review will consider the following protocol elements and, using expert opinion and peer reviewed published literature as a basis for evaluation, provide advice as to their suitability for identifying and evaluating the environmental effects:

• baseline inventory requirements
• monitoring methodologies
• reporting requirements

Elements of this working paper pertaining to legislation, environmental assessment and regulatory permitting are provided for context and will not be considered in this review.

Expected publications

CSAS Science Advisory Report (1)
CSAS Research Document (1)
CSAS Proceedings

Participation

DFO Science Branch
DFO Ecosystem Management Branch – Habitat Management Program
Technical Representatives from the Hydroelectric industry
First Nations organizations
Non-government organizations
Academia
Province of BC

References Cited

Lewis, A., T. Hatfield, B. Chilibeck and C. Roberts. 2004. Assessment methods for aquatic habitat and instream flow characteristics in support of applications to dam, divert, or extract water from streams in British Columbia. Report prepared for the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection and the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management. Available online at:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/documents/bmp/assessment_methods_instreamflow_in_bc.pdf

Hatfield, T., A. Lewis, D. Ohlson, and M. Bradford. 2003. British Columbia Instream Flow Standards for Fish, Phase II: Development of instream flow thresholds as guidelines for reviewing proposed water uses. Developed for the BC Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management and the BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection. March 2003. http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/documents/bmp/guidelinesIFRv5_2.pdf

Hatfield, T., A.F. Lewis, and S. Babakaiff. 2007. Guidelines for the collection and analysis of fish and fish habitat data for the purpose of assessing impacts from small hydropower projects in British Columbia. Prepared by Solander Ecological Research Ltd. and Ecofish Research Ltd. for the BC Ministry of Environment, Surrey BC. http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/documents/bmp/guidelinesIFRv5_2.pdf