Interim code of practice: bridge repair and maintenance

On this page

• About this code of practice
• Conditions
• Measures to protect fish and fish habitat
• Glossary

1.0 About this code of practice

This code of practice outlines Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) national best practices for the repair and maintenance of bridges. Bridge repair and maintenance is generally undertaken to extend the life of the structure and to ensure that it functions as designed, thus ensuring public safety. This code of practice applies to structural bridge repairs and maintenance including:

• structural repair and maintenance of all bridge components (substructure, superstructure and deck)
• cleaning, sweeping and washing of all bridge components, including the removal and application of protective coatings
• removal of debris to protect piers and abutments

You can protect fish and fish habitat when proceeding with the repair and maintenance of bridges by following the measures listed below. When implemented correctly, these measures can mitigate risks to fish and fish habitat associated with the repair and maintenance work, which can include:

• disturbance of water body bed and banks
• release of sediments or other deleterious substances
• changes to aquatic habitat

DFO is responsible for the conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat across Canada. Under the Fisheries Act, no one may carry out works, undertakings and activities in or near water that result in the harmful alteration, disruption or destruction (HADD) of fish habitat, or the death of fish, unless it has been authorized by DFO. Prohibitions in the Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations must also be followed unless authorized under federal or provincial law. DFO’s approval under the Species at Risk Act is also required if an activity affects an aquatic species at risk, any part of its critical habitat or the residences of its individuals.

The purpose of this code of practice is to describe the conditions under which it can be applied to your project and the measures to implement in order to avoid harmful impacts to fish and fish habitat and comply with the Fisheries Act and the Species at Risk Act. If you cannot meet all of the conditions and implement all of the applicable measures listed below, your project may result in a violation of the Fisheries Act and the Species at Risk Act and you could be subject to enforcement action.

If you are uncertain about whether this code of practice is applicable to your project, it is recommended that you consult our website or a qualified environmental professional to determine if other codes of practice should also be implemented, or if further review by DFO may be necessary. For any remaining questions, please contact the Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program office located in your area. It remains your responsibility to comply with the Fisheries Act and the Species at Risk Act.

It is your Duty to Notify DFO if you have caused, or are about to cause, the unauthorized death of fish by means other than fishing or the harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat. Such notifications should be directed to the Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program office located in your area.

This code of practice does not remove nor replace the obligation to comply with the requirements of any other federal, territorial, provincial or municipal regulatory agency including guidance regarding species and habitats managed by these jurisdictions.

A project review by DFO is not required when the project activities meet the description in section 1 and the conditions in section 2 and when the measures to protect fish and fish habitat set out in section 3 of this code of practice are applied. Request a project review if your project does not meet all of these requirements.

2.0 Conditions

The following conditions describe when this code of practice can be applied:

• determine if there are aquatic species at risk within the affected area by consulting our aquatic species at risk map and confirm that the work will not take place within:
• the distribution area of molluscs listed under schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act
• the critical habitat or residences of any other aquatic species at risk
• this work does not include:
• realigning the watercourse or replacing the existing bridge
• placing fill, excavating or grading the bed or bank of the water body, or new dredging (for maintenance dredging, please see code of practice for Routine Maintenance Dredging for Navigation)
• use of explosives
• water withdrawal that exceeds 10% of the actual (instantaneous) flow
• ensure that there is no temporary or permanent increase in the existing footprint below the ordinary high water mark
• implement the measures in section 3 to protect fish and fish habitat when carrying out the works, undertakings and activities

3.0 Measures to protect fish and fish habitat

3.1 Protection of fish

• carry out the project in accordance with timing windows
• limit the duration of in-water works, undertakings and activities
• screen intake pipes during all phases of the project
• use interim code of practice: End-of-pipe fish protection screens for small water intakes in freshwater

3.2 Protection of fish passage

• maintain fish passage during all phases of the project
• ensure that reinforcement rock placed at the base of abutments, piers and wing walls does not interfere with fish passage or constrict the channel width

3.3 Protection of the riparian zone

• limit vegetation removal, pruning and grubbing to the area required for accessing the project site
• use existing trails, roads, access points or cut lines
• use methods to reduce soil compaction (e.g., swamp mats, pads)
• reinstate stream banks and slopes of the affected riparian zone
• re-vegetate the affected riparian zone with native species suitable for the project site

3.4 Protection of aquatic habitat

• limit operation of vehicles and machinery to the area required to carry out the project
• ensure equipment and machinery are clean and free of aquatic invasive species once on the project site
• operate machinery on land, from barges or on ice during all phases of the project

3.5 Protection of fish and fish habitat from sediment

• manage sediment laden water flowing onto or through the site during all phases of the project
• install erosion and sediment control measures prior to beginning of project:
• develop and implement an erosion and sediment control plan for all phases of the project
• regularly observe the watercourse or water body for signs of sedimentation during all phases of the project and take corrective action where required
• inspect the erosion and sediment controls regularly during all phases of the projects
• repair the erosion and sediment controls during all phases of project
• operate machinery on land in stable dry areas
• use biodegradable materials for erosion and sediment controls whenever possible
• remove all erosion and sediment controls (unless biodegradable) once the site has been stabilized
• dispose of and stabilize all material on land in a designated area away from the ordinary high water mark of any water body
• Keep erosion and sediment controls in place until all disturbed ground has been stabilized and suspended sediments have settled

• if replacement rock reinforcement is required to stabilize eroding piers and abutments:
• place appropriately-sized, clean rocks into the eroding area
• install rock at a similar slope to maintain a uniform stream bank and natural stream alignment

3.6 Protection of fish and fish habitat from other deleterious substances

3.6.1 Develop a prevention plan

• develop a plan to prevent deleterious substances from entering a watercourse or water body:
  • maintain all machinery on the project site in a clean condition and free of fluid leaks
  • wash, refuel and service machinery in such a way as to prevent any deleterious substances from entering a watercourse or a water body
  • store fuel and other materials for the machinery in such a way as to prevent any deleterious substances from entering a watercourse or water body
  • dispose of all waste material on land in a designated area away from the ordinary high water mark of any watercourse or water body
  • ensure that acid generating rock is not used where it does not exist already

Deck sweeping and washing

• seal drains and open joints before sweeping and washing
• clean and remove debris and sediment from drainage devices
• sweep deck prior to washing
• direct wash-water to a vegetated area to remove suspended solids, dissipate velocity and prevent sediment and other deleterious substances from entering a watercourse or water body

Removal and application of protective coatings

• use measures such as barges or shrouding to trap and prevent sand blasting abrasives, protective coatings, rust and grease and cement from entering a watercourse or water body
• contain paint flakes, abrasives and other waste materials for safe disposal
• store, mix and transfer paints and solvents on land to prevent these materials from entering the watercourse or water body

Removal of debris (e.g., including woody debris, garbage, ice jams etc.)

• limit the removal of material to that which is necessary to protect piers and abutments
• remove debris with machinery operating from shore or a floating barge

Structural repairs and reinforcements

• use barges or shrouding to trap and prevent concrete and other bridge materials from entering a watercourse or water body

3.6.2 Implement a response plan

• implement a response plan immediately in the event of a spill of a deleterious substance (including sediment):
• stop all works, undertakings and activities
• report spill immediately, when a deleterious substance enters a watercourse or water body
• contain water with deleterious substances
• clean-up and dispose of water contaminated with deleterious substances
• use an emergency spill kit

4.0 Glossary

Affected area

The area within which all of the proposed project impacts are likely to occur either directly (i.e., project footprint) or indirectly (i.e., downstream or other surrounding areas).

Aquatic invasive species

Aquatic invasive species are fish, invertebrate or plant species that have been introduced into a new aquatic environment, outside of their natural range. See more information on Aquatic invasive species.

Aquatic species at risk

Any aquatic species listed under Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act as endangered, threatened, or extirpated.

Deleterious substance

Any substance that, if added to any water, would degrade, alter, or form part of a process of degradation/alteration to the quality of that water so that it is possibly rendered deleterious to fish, fish habitat, or to the human use of fish that frequent that water. For example: fuel, lubricants, paint, primers, rust, solvents, degreasers, antifreeze, uncured concrete, creosote, chlorinated water, herbicides, debris etc.

Harmful alteration, disruption or destruction (HADD)

Any temporary or permanent change to fish habitat that directly or indirectly impairs the habitat’s capacity to support 1 or more life processes of fish.

Ordinary high water mark

The usual or average level to which a body of water rises at its highest point and remains for sufficient time to change the characteristics of the land. In flowing waters (e.g., rivers, streams) this refers to the "active channel/bank-full level" which is often the 1:2 year flood flow return level. In inland lakes, wetlands or marine environments it refers to those parts of the water body, bed and banks that are frequently flooded by water so as to leave a mark on the land and where the natural vegetation changes from predominately aquatic vegetation to terrestrial vegetation (excepting water tolerant species). For reservoirs this refers to normal high operating levels (i.e. full supply level).

Riparian vegetation

Occurs adjacent to the water body and directly contributes to fish habitat by providing shade, cover and areas for spawning and food production.

Riparian zone

Area located between a water body’s ordinary high water mark and upland area. The width of the riparian zone may be further defined by provincial/territorial, municipal regulations or guidelines.

Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP)

A person who is experienced in identifying and assessing potential impacts to fish and fish habitat generated from various works, undertakings or activities conducted in or near water, and implementing management measures to avoid and mitigate them. QEPs possess a post-secondary degree or diploma in biological, geophysical or environmental sciences and are often referred to as:

• aquatic biologist
• fisheries biologist
• fluvial geomorphologist
• applied scientist
• fisheries technician
• environmental consultant
• natural resource consultant