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Timing windows to conduct projects in or around water

Time work in or around water to respect the timing windows identified below to protect fish, including their eggs, juveniles, spawning adults and/or the organisms upon which they feed. Timing windows may vary by province, species or watercourse.

Timing windows are one of many measures used to protect fish and fish habitat when carrying out a project near water. It is recommended you follow the measures to avoid harm to reduce impacts to fish and fish habitat.

Timing Windows

Alberta

Time work to avoid the restricted activity timing windows in order to reduce the risk of harm to fish and fish habitat in Alberta:

British Columbia

Time work to occur during the appropriate timing window in order to reduce the risk of harm to fish and fish habitat in British Columbia:

Manitoba

Time work to avoid the restricted activity timing windows in order to reduce the risk of harm to fish and fish habitat in Manitoba:

New Brunswick

Time work to occur during the timing window in order to reduce the risk of harm to fish and fish habitat in New Brunswick:

  • The summer low flow period from June 1 to September 30.

For more specific information on sensitive periods and a listing of the spawning and migration time periods, please refer to Watercourse and wetland alteration technical guidelines, Timing of instream Work (p. 25-27) and Appendix A (p. 114-117) (Government of New Brunswick).

Newfoundland and Labrador

To avoid impacts on fish in Newfoundland & Labrador, do not carry out in-water work:

  • in estuaries and main stems of scheduled salmon rivers from May 1 to September 30 (migrating period)
  • in tributaries and headwaters of scheduled salmon rivers on the island of Newfoundland from October 1 to May 31 (spawning, incubating and hatching period)
  • in tributaries and headwaters of scheduled salmon rivers in Labrador from September 15 to June 15 (spawning, incubating and hatching period)
  • in estuaries and the main stems of brown trout rivers from October 1 to November 30 (migrating period)

Scheduled salmon rivers are listed in the NL Angler’s Guide or in the Newfoundland & Labrador Fishery Regulations.

Brown trout rivers are listed in the NL Angler’s Guide.

Northwest Territories

Time work to avoid the restricted activity timing windows in order to reduce the risk of harm to fish and fish habitat in the Northwest Territories:

Nova Scotia

Time work in freshwater to occur during the summer low flow period to avoid sensitive life stages (egg and fry immobility) for the main salmonid species. There are some species with sensitive time periods during the work window – so take caution to avoid impacts if these species occur near your project area (e.g. juvenile rainbow trout).

  • June 1 to September 30.

This timing window does not apply to estuarine/marine environments.

For further information, please contact the Dartmouth, Maritimes Region office.

Nunavut

Time work to avoid the restricted activity timing windows in order to reduce the risk of harm to fish and fish habitat in Nunavut:

Ontario

Time work to avoid the restricted activity timing windows in order to reduce the risk of harm to fish and fish habitat in Ontario:

Timing windows identified on Conservation Authority permits or Ministry of Natural Resources (Government of Ontario) work permits may differ and take precedence.

Prince Edward Island

Time work to occur during the timing window in order to reduce the risk of harm to fish and fish habitat in Prince Edward Island:

Quebec

Time work to occur during the timing windows in order to reduce the risk of harm to fish and fish habitat in Quebec:

Saskatchewan

Time work to avoid the restricted activity timing windows in order to reduce the risk of harm to fish and fish habitat in Saskatchewan:

Yukon

Time work to occur during the timing windows in order to reduce the risk of harm to fish and fish habitat in the Yukon:

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