P roj ec t4 W i ld f T hn a R p - Province of...
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Transcript of P roj ec t4 W i ld f T hn a R p - Province of...
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Pauingassi FN
Poplar River FN
Berens River FN
Little GrandRapids FN
Bloodvein FN
Kinonjeoshtegon FN
Peguis FN
Princess Harbour
Matheson Island
Little Bullhead
Loon Straits
Seymourville
Manigotagan
PineDock
Aghaming
Bissett
Lake
Winnipeg
FishingLake
FisherBay
WashowBay
Hollow Water FN
Fisher River FN
Coordinate System: UTM Zone 14N NAD83Data Source: MESRA, Joro, MCWSDate Created: April 15,2016
0 5 10 Miles
0 5 10 Kilometres ±1:600,000
Southern ASR Project Study AreaProject 4 Wildlife Technical Report
Project 4 WTR
Base DataProvincial HighwayLocal RoadWinter Road
! ! Transmission LineFirst Nation
Proposed Road AlignmentsProject 4: Berens River FN to Poplar River FNProject 7: To Pauingassi FN and Little Grand RapidsFNProject 7: To Pauingassi FN and Little Grand RapidsFN Alternate RouteProject 7a: Between Pauingassi FN and Little GrandRapids FNSouthern ASR Project Study Area
AlignmentsProject 1: PR304 to Berens River FN
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Lake
Winnipeg
Poplar River FN
Berens River FN
Coordinate System: UTM Zone 14N NAD83Data Source: MESRA, Joro, MCWSDate Created: April 15,2016
0 2 4 Miles
0 2 4 Kilometres ±1:225,000
Base DataLocal RoadWinter RoadFirst Nation
Transmission Line Sections! ! Sub-Transmission Line
Proposed Road AlignmentsProject 4: Berens River FN to Poplar River FNProject 4 Study Area
Hydro Transmission Development in the Project 4 Study AreaProject 4 Wildlife Technical Report
Project 1: PR304 to Berens River FN
Project 4 WTR
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Lake
Winnipeg
Poplar River FN
Berens River FN
Coordinate System: UTM Zone 14N NAD83Data Source: MESRA, Joro, MCWSDate Created: April 15,2016
0 2 4 Miles
0 2 4 Kilometres ±1:225,000
Base DataLocal RoadWinter Road
! ! Transmission LineFirst Nation
Quarry ActivityCasual Quarry Permit
Proposed Road AlignmentsProject 4: Berens River FN to Poplar River FNProject 4 Study Area
Data Source:Mining Data: Manitoba Mineral Resources, 2015
Project 1: PR304 to Berens River FN
Project 4 WTR
Quarry Activity in the Project 4 Study AreaProject 4 Wildlife Technical Report
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Pauingassi FN
Poplar River FN
Berens River FN
Little GrandRapids FN
Bloodvein FN
Kinonjeoshtegon FN
Peguis FN
Princess Harbour
Matheson Island
Little Bullhead
Loon Straits
Seymourville
Manigotagan
PineDock
Aghaming
Bissett
Lake
Winnipeg
FishingLake
FisherBay
WashowBay
Hollow Water FN
Fisher River FNDallas
Coordinate System: UTM Zone 14N NAD83Data Source: MESRA, Joro, MCWSDate Created: April 15,2016
0 5 10 Miles
0 5 10 Kilometres ±1:600,000
Manitoba Lodges and Outfitter Association Lodges andOutfitters in the Southern Regional Project Study Area
Project 4 Wildlife Technical Report
Project 4 WTR
Data Source:Outfitters: Manitoba East SideRoad Authority, 2014
Base DataProvincial HighwayLocal RoadWinter Road
! ! Transmission LineFirst Nation
Proposed Road AlignmentsProject 4: Berens River FN to Poplar River FNProject 7: To Pauingassi FN and Little Grand RapidsFNProject 7: To Pauingassi FN and Little Grand RapidsFN Alternate RouteProject 7a: Between Pauingassi FN and Little GrandRapids FNSouthern ASR Project Study
Outfitter Locations!7 Boat Fuel Cache
Lodge!9 Outcamp
Area
Project 1: PR304 to Berens River FN
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Lake
Winnipeg
Poplar River FN
Berens River FN
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Coordinate System: UTM Zone 14N NAD83Data Source: MESRA, Joro, MCWSDate Created: April 15,2016
0 2 4 Miles
0 2 4 Kilometres ±1:225,000
Base DataLocal RoadWinter Road
! ! Transmission LineFirst Nation
Registered Trapline BoundariesBerens River SectionPoplar River Section
Proposed Road AlignmentsProject 4: Berens River FN to Poplar River FNProject 4 Study Area
Registered Traplines in the Project 4 Study AreaProject 4 Wildlife Technical Report
Project 1: PR304 to Berens River FN
Project 4 WTR
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Lake
Winnipeg
Poplar River FN
Berens River FN
Coordinate System: UTM Zone 14N NAD83Data Source: MESRA, Joro, MCWSDate Created: April 15,2016
0 2 4 Miles
0 2 4 Kilometres ±1:225,000
Base DataLocal RoadWinter Road
! ! Transmission LineFirst Nation
Former Forestry Access RoadsUnclassified Access RoadClass 3A: Summer Access High GroundRoadClass 4: Winter Access Low Ground RoadClass 4M: Winter Access Low Ground Roadwith MaintenanceClass T: Miscellaneous
Proposed Road AlignmentsProject 4: Berens River FN to Poplar River FNProject 4 Study Area
Former Forestry Access Roads in the Project 4 Study AreaProject 4 Wildlife Technical Report
Data Source:Access Roads: Manitoba EastSide Road Authority, 2013
Project 1: PR304 to Berens River FN
Project 4 WTR
Project 4: Wildlife Technical Report December 2015
1
APPENDIX F: CALVING HABITAT MODEL
Project 4: Wildlife Technical Report December 2015
2
CALVING MODEL
To develop a model capable of predicting potential calving locations from those that are known, we used linear discriminant analysis (LDA, also referred to as Canonical Variates Analysis; see Legendre and Legendre, 1998 for a complete description of the method). In brief, LDA is a multivariate extension of ANOVA that allows for the simultaneous analysis of multiple descriptor variables (p > 1) in determining the significance between groups (rather than a single variable as in ANOVA, p = 1). This method constructs an axis in p-dimensional space that best separates the groups while simultaneously identifying the variables assisting in the separation and the influence that they contribute to that discrimination. Once constructed, this axis can also be used to derive a canonical discriminant function classifier that can take an observation of unknown group affinity and place (classify) it into a group. In a classification model assignment, the observations are classified into discrete classes based on a likelihood probability for group membership (Legendre and Legendre, 1998). In the calf model the groups were defined as Use and Disuse (or use and available) and the hexagons were the sample units (observations) measured on 27 variables. This dataset is considered a 'training set', a set of observations that is used to develop a model that once completed can predict the calving potential of any hexagon in the Project 4 Study Area. For this modelling exercise LDA was performed in CRAN R (R Core Team, 2014) using the function LDA and the classifier was developed in LDA predict. The analysis was significant (manova P << .0001), and the model has a user accuracy of 83% and a global accuracy of 77% in discrete group classification. However, there is no need to provide discrete classification as the likelihood (on which classification is based) as it can be directly examined and mapped. For this project, once the linear discriminant classifier was developed, the hexagons for the entire Project 4 Study Area were processed to determine likelihood of belonging to the calving class. Doing so, creates a mappable surface that can be directly interpreted as a calving likelihood or calving high quality habitat for the entire region. This map is presented in the report.
Project 4: Wildlife Technical Report December 2015
1
APPENDIX G: BREEDING BIRD ATLAS
Project 4: Wildlife Technical Report December 2015
1
Table 1G Results of the Manitoba Breeding Bird Atlas Survey, 2014
Block Species Observation Total Count Conservation Listing
14PD24 Alder Flycatcher 25
14PD24 - American Bittern 1
14PD52 - American Kestrel 1
14PD24 - American Redstart 1
14PD53 Bay-breasted Warbler 1
14PD52 - Black-and-white Warbler 7
14PD52 - Black-capped Chickadee 1
14PD24 Blue-headed Vireo 10
14PD24 Boreal Chickadee 2
14PD52 - Broad-winged Hawk 1
14PD53 Canada Goose 432
14PD52 - Cape May Warbler 1
14PD52 - Cedar Waxwing 1
14PD24 Chipping Sparrow 25
14PD52 - Common Goldeneye 2
14PD52 - Common Nighthawk 8 Threatened - Schedule 1 – S1
14PD52 - Common Raven 1
14PD34 - Common Yellowthroat 16
14PD24 Connecticut Warbler 15
14PD52 - Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
14PD24 Gray Jay 4
14PD24 Greater Yellowlegs 3
14PD53 Hairy Woodpecker 1
14PD24 Hermit Thrush 22
14PD24 Le Conte's Sparrow 14
14PD52 - Least Flycatcher 2
14PD24 Lincoln's Sparrow 16
14PD24 Magnolia Warbler 17
14PD53 Mallard 1
14PD24 Nashville Warbler 34
Project 4: Wildlife Technical Report December 2015
2
Block Species Observation Total Count Conservation Listing
14PD24 Northern Flicker 2
14PD52 - Northern Parula 1
14PD53 Northern Waterthrush 3
14PD34 - Olive-sided Flycatcher 8 Threatened - Schedule 1 - S1
14PD52 - Orange-crowned Warbler 1
14PD53 Ovenbird 7
14PD24 Palm Warbler 8
14PD52 - Pileated Woodpecker 1
14PD52 - Pine Siskin 3
14PD53 Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
14PD52 - Red-winged Blackbird 1
14PD24 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 23
14PD34 - Ruffed Grouse 1
14PD24 Sandhill Crane 6
14PD24 Savannah Sparrow 1
14PD24 - Sedge Wren 12
14PD52 - Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
14PD24 - Short-billed Dowitcher 1
14PD52 - Solitary Sandpiper 2
14PD52 - Spotted Sandpiper 2
14PD34 - Spruce Grouse 2
14PD24 Swainson's Thrush 16
14PD34 - Swamp Sparrow 8
14PD53 Tennessee Warbler 15
14PD52 - Tree Swallow 2
14PD52 - Turkey Vulture 1
14PD24 White-throated Sparrow 30
14PD52 - White-winged Crossbill 4
14PD24 Wilson's Snipe 3
14PD52 - Wilson's Warbler 1
14PD52 - Yellow Warbler 1
Project 4: Wildlife Technical Report December 2015
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Block Species Observation Total Count Conservation Listing
14PD52 - Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 1
14PD53 Yellow-rumped Warbler 7
PROJECT 4 – ALL-SEASON ROAD ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
Appendix 9-2
Vegetation Characterization and
Effects Assessment Report
VEGETATION CHARACTERIZATION AND EFFECTS ASSESSMENT OF THE PROPOSED BERENS RIVER TO POPLAR RIVER FIRST NATION ALL-SEASON ROAD PROJECT 4
INTERIM REPORT
Prepared for:
Manitoba East Side Road Authority
Prepared by:
Szwaluk Environmental Consulting Ltd.
Karin Newman
and
Calyx Consulting
November 2015
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SUMMARY
This report provides a characterization of vegetation and an assessment of effects for the proposed P4 Berens River to Poplar River First Nation All-Season Road Project. The characterization of vegetation included a description of ecological land classification, physical environment, landscape level vegetation, local flora, and Aboriginal traditional knowledge. The proposed project is located in the Lac Seul Upland Ecoregion, and Berens River and Wrong Lake Ecodistricts. The landscape consists of coniferous, deciduous and mixedwood forests with wetlands interspersed. Fifty-six species of conservation concern are expected to range in the ecoregion, and 40 of these may potentially occur within the regional assessment area of the Project. Several plant species are identified as being important for sustenance and cultural practices, and blueberry picking is important to the people in the region.
Valued Components for the study included species of special interest, and botanical resource areas and culturally important plants. Consideration was given to potential environmental effects of the proposed project on vegetation and soils:
• Disturbance to or removal of native vegetation. • Disturbance to or removal of bog/fen species. • Disturbance to or removal of medicinally and culturally important species. • Fragmentation of the local and regional vegetation communities. • Modification of vegetation composition and structure adjacent to the disturbance
zone. • Loss of species of special interest. • Introduction and spread of invasive and non-native species. • Loss/impairment of vegetation from accidental releases of fuels or hazardous
substances. • Loss/impairment of desirable plant species from herbicide application. • Impairment of vegetation in the project assessment area from dust. • Increased risk of forest fire from clearing and construction. • Loss of soils stripped during construction. • Compaction of soils during construction. • Loss of soil through erosion. • Impaired soil quality from accidental releases of hydrocarbon and hazardous
substances, and herbicides. Measures to address potential effects are discussed. The assessment found no likely significant effects to valued vegetation components in this study.
A native vegetation survey will be conducted in the spring of 2015, to gather additional data and record baseline information on the vegetation and soils in the assessment area.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page. No. 1.0 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Background ....................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Project Overview ............................................................................................................................ 1
2.0 STUDY AREA.................................................................................................................................. 3
2.1 Spatial Boundaries ......................................................................................................................... 3
3.0 METHODS ....................................................................................................................................... 4
3.1 Desktop Methods ............................................................................................................................ 4
4.0 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT ......................................................................................................... 6
4.1 Ecological Land Classification .................................................................................................... 6
4.2 Physical Environment ................................................................................................................... 6
4.2.1 Geology and Surficial Geology .................................................................................. 6
4.2.2 Soils ..................................................................................................................................... 7
4.2.3 Topography and Drainage .......................................................................................... 7
4.2.4 Climate ............................................................................................................................... 8
4.2.5 Fire and the Boreal Forest .......................................................................................... 8
4.2.6 Fire History ...................................................................................................................... 9
4.3 Landscape Level Vegetation .................................................................................................... 10
4.3.1 Land Cover Classification ........................................................................................ 10
4.3.2 Quarry and Borrow Areas ....................................................................................... 12
4.3.4 Wetlands ........................................................................................................................ 14
4.3.5 Vegetation Communities.......................................................................................... 14
4.4 Local Flora ...................................................................................................................................... 18
4.4.1 Native Species .............................................................................................................. 18
4.4.2 Introduced Species ..................................................................................................... 18
4.4.3 Species of Conservation Concern ......................................................................... 20
4.5 Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge ....................................................................................... 21
4.5.1 Pimachiowin Aki ......................................................................................................... 22
4.5.2 Poplar River First Nation ......................................................................................... 23
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4.5.3 Berens River First Nation ........................................................................................ 24
4.5.4 Plants of Cultural Importance ................................................................................ 25
5.0 EFFECTS ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................. 27
5.1 Environmental Issues ................................................................................................................ 30
5.2 Valued Components .................................................................................................................... 30
5.3 Effects Analysis ............................................................................................................................. 31
5.3.1 Vegetation ...................................................................................................................... 31
5.3.2 Soils .................................................................................................................................. 37
6.0 CUMMULATIVE EFFECTS ........................................................................................................ 41
6.1 Scoping............................................................................................................................................. 41
6.2 Effects Analysis ............................................................................................................................. 43
6.3 Identification of Mitigation ...................................................................................................... 44
6.4 Evaluation of Significance ........................................................................................................ 44
6.5 Follow-up ........................................................................................................................................ 44
7.0 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION .......................................................................................... 45
7.1 Environmental Protection Measures ................................................................................... 45
7.2 Follow-up and Monitoring ....................................................................................................... 46
8.0 REFERENCES .................................................................................................................................. 47
APPENDIX I. Definitions of Selected Technical Terms. APPENDIX II. Preliminary Species List. APPENDIX III. Report Figures. TABLES Table 4.1. Area and proportion within ecodistricts among assessment areas. Table 4.2.2. Area and proportion of soil classes among assessment areas. Table 4.2.3. Water crossings in the project assessment area. Table 4.2.6. Area and percent of fires among assessment areas. Table 4.3.1a. Area and proportion of vegetation cover classes among assessment areas. Table 4.3.1b. Percent (%) of vegetation removal from local and regional assessment areas,
by clearing on the RoW. Table 4.3.2a. Area and proportion of land cover classes for potential quarry sites, within all
assessment areas. Table 4.3.2b. Percent (%) of vegetation removal from local and regional assessment areas
for potential quarries.
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Table 4.3.2c. Area and proportion of land cover classes for potential access roads, and percent vegetation removed over project and local assessment areas.
Table 4.3.2d. Percent (%) of vegetation removal from local and regional assessment areas for potential access roads.
Table 4.3.3. Area and proportion of wetland types among assessment areas. Table 4.3.4. Forest ecosystem site type description of vegetation communities within
ecodistricts of the P4 study area. Table 4.4.2. Potential introduced species, Lac Seul Upland Ecoregion. Table 4.4.3. Potential species of conservation concern, Lac Seul Upland Ecoregion. Table 4.5.2. Area (ha) concerning vegetation and Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge of
Poplar River First Nation, among assessment areas. Table 4.5.4. Plants of cultural importance listed by habitat, with Anishanaabe, scientific
and common names. Table 5.0. Description of significance criteria used for the residual effects assessment. Table 5.3.1a. Vegetation effects analysis. Table 5.3.1b. VC environmental indicators and measurable parameters. Table 5.3.2. Soils effects analysis. Table 6.1. Potential cumulative effects identification. Table 6.2. Potential cumulative environmental effects analysis. MAPS Map 1. Spatial Boundaries of Assessment Areas in the Project 4 Study Area. Map 2. Ecological Land Classification in the Project 4 Study Area. Map 3. Soil Classification in the Project 4 Study Area. Map 4. River and Stream Crossings in the Project 4 Study Area. Map 5. Fire History in the Project 4 Study Area. Map 6. Land Cover Classification in the Project 4 Study Area. Map 7. Wetland Classification in the Project 4 Study Area. Map 8. Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge in the Project 4 Study Area.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors would like to thank Manitoba East Side Road Authority for providing all background information required to conduct this study, Joro Consultants Inc. for generating the GIS analysis and developing the map products, and the Manitoba Museum for use of their herbarium.
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
On the east side of Lake Winnipeg, Berens River First Nation and Northern Affairs Community, and Poplar River First Nation have relied primarily on winter road and air travel to transport people and goods. In 2008, the Government of Manitoba announced a strategic initiative to provide improved, safer and more reliable transportation services to connect the remote communities on the east side of Lake Winnipeg with the rest of Manitoba. Manitoba East Side Road Authority (ESRA), formerly Manitoba Floodway and East Side Road Authority (MFESRA), was established as a provincial Crown Agency to manage the East Side Transportation Initiative with the intent of increasing transportation opportunities for communities on the east side of Lake Winnipeg.
As part of the East Side Transportation Initiative, ESRA is proposing the construction of an all-season road along the east side of Lake Winnipeg from Berens River to Poplar River First Nation, Project 4 (P4). The proposed P4 All-Season Road will extend north from the first segment of the Transportation Initiative network; an all-season road from Provincial Road 304 (near Hollow Water First Nation) to Berens River First Nation and Northern Affairs Community along the east side of Lake Winnipeg (Project 1), already under construction.
1.2 Project Overview
The proposed All-Season Road will consist of 94.1 km of two-lane gravel highway on new Right-of-Way (RoW) on provincial Crown land, from the English Rapids Road south of the Berens River to the southern boundary of Poplar River First Nation (Map 1), where it will connect with a 410 m community access road on the reserve.
The All-Season Road will be a gravel-surface public highway, with a design width of 10 m. The All-Season Road will intersect four major water crossing and require bridges over the Berens, Etomami, North Etomami, and Leaf Rivers.
The components of the Project include the following:
• All-season road on new RoW • Four bridges at river crossings • Culverts for stream crossings and drainage • Rock quarries and granular borrow areas
• Temporary access trails, staging areas and camps
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The portion of the project located on Provincial Crown Land requires an Environmental Impact Assessment under the Manitoba Environment Act as a Class II development and under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. Additionally, the proposed project requires a separate federal environmental assessment for the portion of the project located on federal land (Poplar River community access road).
The specific objectives established for this study (based on the Request for Proposal, Reference # P4-EL-61) were as follows: i) provide an understanding of the baseline vegetation conditions in the Project assessment area; ii) provide an understanding of the potential environmental effects of road development on vegetation species and communities; and iii) contribute to the identification and implementation of environmental protection measures to avoid or minimize effects to vegetation, particularly protected species and plant species of interest.
3
2.0 STUDY AREA The proposed All-Season Road Project is located on the east side of Lake Winnipeg, near Berens River First Nation, approximately 270 km north of Winnipeg (by air). The P4 All-Season Road begins approximately 500 m east of the boundary of the Berens River First Nation reserve, and extends north approximately 94.1 km from English Rapids Road on the south side of the Berens River to the Poplar River First Nation reserve boundary, approximately 400 km north of Winnipeg (by air).
2.1 Spatial Boundaries
The spatial boundaries for the assessment consist of project, local and regional assessment areas are described below, and illustrated in Map 1.
Project Assessment Area (PAA) – Footprint of the proposed All-Season Road Project, including rock quarries, borrow areas and access roads. The proposed All-Season Road will be centered on a 100 m RoW with a typical clearing width of 60 m and additional clearing as required at horizontal curves to maintain sight distances.
Local Assessment Area (LAA) – One km on either side of the proposed All-Season Road Project, including rock quarries, borrow areas and access roads.
Regional Assessment Area (RAA) – Five km on either side of the proposed All-Season Road Project.
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3.0 METHODS
3.1 Desktop Methods
Existing biophysical information (e.g. Geology of Manitoba 2015; Matile and Keller 2004; Smith et al. 1998) was used to describe the environment, regionally and across all areas of assessment for the P4 All-Season Road, including available information provided by ESRA (e.g., project imagery and shapefiles). Literature searches for relevant studies in the vicinity of the Project (e.g., Asatiwisipe Aki Management Plan 2011) and environmental assessments (e.g., MFESRA 2010 and 2011) were also completed.
Data Sources
Within the P4 assessment areas (project, local, regional), the Land Cover Classification (LCC) was used to determine vegetation cover classes (Natural Resources Canada 2000). The LCC is a national vector database mapping layer that has been harmonized across the major federal departments involved in land management or land change detection (Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada, Canadian Forest Service, and Canadian Centre for Remote Sensing). The LCC consists of remotely sensed imagery (Landsat data) as part of the Earth Observation for Sustainable Development of Forests Program.
An enhanced LCC includes a further harmonization/integration of the ecological stratification of Manitoba’s landscapes (Smith et al. 1998) and the addition of wetland features, fire history (Manitoba Conservation 2013), soils (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada 2013), water crossings (Natural Resources Canada 1999 to 2008) and Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge (ESRA 2015).
The available datasets were clipped to the three assessment areas, and for each resulting shapefile, the area of polygons was calculated. Intersecting stream and river crossings were buffered at 10 m.
Species of Conservation Concern
Plant species of conservation concern include species that are rare, disjunct, or at risk throughout their range or in Manitoba. Species of conservation concern encompasses plants ranked very rare to uncommon by the Manitoba Conservation Data Centre (MBCDC), and those listed under the Manitoba Endangered Species and Ecosystems Act (ESEA), the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA) and the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). A database search of the MBCDC provincial records for known locations of species of conservation concern in the vicinity of the Project was requested in March 2015.
5
Plant species of special interest, according to ESRA, include those species listed under Schedule 1 of SARA, species listed under ESEA, and species ranked very rare to rare by the MBCDC.
The global (G) and sub-national (S) rarity ranking of species used by the MBCDC, according to a standardized procedure used by all Conservation Data Centres and Natural Heritage Programs is as follows:
1: Very rare throughout its range or in the province (5 or fewer occurrences, or very few remaining individuals). May be especially vulnerable to extirpation.
2: Rare throughout its range or in the province (6 to 20 occurrences). May be vulnerable to extirpation.
3: Uncommon throughout its range or in the province (21 to 100 occurrences). 4: Widespread, abundant, and apparently secure throughout its range or in the province,
with many occurrences, but the element is of long-term concern (> 100 occurrences). 5: Demonstrably widespread, abundant, and secure throughout its range or in the province,
and essentially impossible to eradicate under present conditions.
The conservation status categories for ESEA, SARA and COSEWIC are as follows:
Special Concern: A species that may become threatened or endangered because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats.
Threatened: A species likely to become endangered if nothing is done to reverse the factors leading to its extirpation or extinction.
Endangered: A species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.
Extirpated: A species no longer existing in the wild in Canada but exists elsewhere.
Extinct: A species that no longer exists.
Culturally Important Species
Other plant species of importance, such as those traditionally used for medicine, subsistence and cultural purposes were discussed based on available information from ESRA and literature searches.
Plant nomenclature for species discussed in this report will follow the MBCDC provincial species list.
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4.0 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT
4.1 Ecological Land Classification
Ecological classification in Canada is a hierarchical designation describing ecologically distinct areas based on interrelationships of geology, landform, soil, water, vegetation, and human factors, with the Ecozone at the coarsest level. The Boreal Shield Ecozone, the largest in Canada, stretches from northern Saskatchewan to Newfoundland, and also covers much of Manitoba (Smith et al. 1998). Within this Ecozone, the Lac Seul Upland Ecoregion extends from the shoreline of Lake Winnipeg into western Ontario, and from the Winnipeg River north to Norway House. The traditional territories of the Anishinaabe communities of Poplar River, and Berens River are encompassed in the northern end of the Lac Seul Uplands (Asatiwisipe Aki Management Plan 2011). The proposed All-Season Road Project between the communities of Poplar River and Berens River, occurs entirely within both the Berens River Ecodistrict adjacent to the shoreline of Lake Winnipeg, and the Wrong Lake Ecodistrict, which lies to the east, see Map 2. In absence of specific and detailed vegetation and soil studies for the P4 study area, the Ecodistrict is used here as a detailed level of ecological reference, to describe the existing environment.
Among the assessment areas, there is generally an even division between the two Ecodistricts, identified in Table 4.1. The Wrong Lake Ecodistrict occupies a slightly greater area over the project and local assessment areas, except at the regional level.
Table 4.1. Area and proportion within ecodistricts among assessment areas. Project Local Regional Ecodistrict Area (ha) Proportion Area (ha) Proportion Area (ha) Proportion Berens River 438.0 0.46 8,920.0 0.47 49,844.0 0.53 Wrong Lake 507.0 0.54 9,987.0 0.53 44,264.0 0.47 Source: Joro Consultants Inc. from Ecological Stratification Working Group, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada 1991-1999.
4.2 Physical Environment
4.2.1 Geology and Surficial Geology
The geology of the area consists of Precambrian rock from the Archean era (Geology of Manitoba 2015). In the vicinity of Poplar River and Berens River, the lithotec consists of metamorphosed early intrusive rocks, gneiss and migmatites. The unit consist of tonalite, minor granodiorite, granite, related gneiss, and magmatic gneiss containing tonalite and amphibolites. Late intrusive rocks occur approximately midway between Poplar River and Berens River, which consist of granite, granodiorite and gneiss (Geology of Manitoba 2015).
The surficial geology of the area is characterized by both organic and glaciolacustrine deposits, interspersed with local Precambrian bedrock ridge and knoll outcrops (Smith et
7
al. 1998). Level to gently undulating organic deposits are from 1 – 5 m thick and accumulate in fen, bog, swamp and marsh settings. The glaciolacustrine sediments are very low relief, massive and laminated deposits of clay, silt and minor sand, deposited by glacial Lake Agassiz. Deposits were commonly scoured and homogenized by icebergs. The rock outcrops are generally unweathered intrusive, metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks with a glacially scoured irregular surface with high local relief (Matile and Keller 2004).
4.2.2 Soils
Soils are similar across both Ecodistricts, with wetter, lower lying soils closer to the shore of Lake Winnipeg. In the Berens River Ecodistrict, the dominant soils are poorly-drained, deep or shallow organic Mesisols developed from moderately decomposed peat, which overlie finer glaciolacustrine sediments. Well- to imperfectly-drained Gray Luvisols occur in localized areas, and are associated with calcareous glacial sediments glaciolacustrine loamy and clay textured soils. Poorly-drained peaty Gleysols occur to the north of the study area. To the east within the Wrong Lake Ecodistrict, imperfectly-drained Gray Luvisols are the dominant soils, while organic Mesisols are slightly less widespread (Smith et al. 1998). Acidic bedrock outcrops intersperse the extensively peat-covered lowland, increasingly more widespread to the east, with thin organic soils occurring in shallow depressions. Although permafrost is absent, thin, seasonal frost layers can last into late summer (Halsey et al. 1997). Relic permafrost that has historically degraded, is very sporadically distributed in the northern most peatlands of the Lac Seul Uplands Ecoregion (Smith et al. 1998).
The general distribution of the main soil classification types for the greater region of the P4 study area is shown in Map 3. The area (ha) and proportion of soil types within all assessment areas is shown in Table 4.2.2.
Table 4.2.2. Area and proportion of soil classes among assessment areas. Soil Classification
Project Local Regional Area (ha) Proportion Area (ha) Proportion Area (ha) Proportion
Acidic Bedrock 278.0 0.29 5,266.0 0.28 21,875.0 0.23 Luvisolic 217.0 0.23 4,311.0 0.23 18,562.0 0.20 Mesisolic 450.0 0.48 9,329.0 0.49 53,671.0 0.57 Source: Joro Consultants Inc. from National Soils Database, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada 2013.
4.2.3 Topography and Drainage
Topography of the area is generally level, or gently undulating peat-covered lowland, occasionally interspersed by rock outcrops, with thin mantles of finer glacial sediments. Elevation is between 222 metres above sea level (masl), near the shore of Lake Winnipeg, and 245 masl for the next contour to the east (Smith et al. 1998). The Lake Winnipeg Watershed drains from Ontario to the west into Lake Winnipeg, and then to the Nelson
8
River Watershed to the north. Drainage is generally poor, due to low relief and the widespread occurrence of many deep and shallow peatlands.
The major rivers of the area include the Berens, Etomami, North Etomami, Leaf, and Poplar Rivers. The Bloodvein and Pigeon Rivers lie to the south of the project area, while the Mukutawa River lies to the north. The P4 alignment is intersected at 18 locations by rivers and streams, and 13 times by other waterbodies (e.g. small lakes and ponds), shown in Map 4. The four major rivers crossed are the Berens, Etomami, North Etomami, and Leaf rivers. The thirty-one water crossings account for roughly 2.1% of the total project assessment area, of which rivers and stream crossings (buffered by 10 m) account for 7.1 ha, or 0.8%, while other waterbodies (e.g. small lakes) account for 12.0 ha, or 1.3%, shown in Table 4.2.3.
Table 4.2.3. Water crossings in the project assessment area. Category Crossings Area (ha) Proportion Rivers and streams 18 7.1 0.008 Waterbody 13 12.0 0.013 No water crossing activity - 923.8 0.980 Source: Joro Consultants Inc. from Natural Resources Canada 1999-2008.
4.2.4 Climate
This area falls within the Mid Boreal Ecoclimatic Region, which extends from NW Ontario to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains (Smith et al. 1998). Four distinct seasons occur, with a relatively short spring and fall, a warm, moderately wet summer, and long cold winters. Local climate normals recorded from Berens River (1981-2010) show a mean annual temperature of 0.6̊ C, with a July mean of 17.7˚C and a January mean of -18.9˚C. The average annual precipitation is 470 mm, one third of which falls as snow (Environment Canada 2015).
4.2.5 Fire and the Boreal Forest
In the boreal forest, fire is an important natural disturbance that drives vegetation dynamics at the landscape, stand and species levels. Forest diversity is a result of the variation of fires in frequency, intensity, severity, size shape and season of burn (Natural Resources Canada 2014). The area burned varies greatly, and fire activity is influenced by weather and climate, fuels, ignition agents, and humans (Brandt et al. 2013). High intensity fire rejuvenates boreal ecosystems, and is the major stand renewing agent, affecting stand life cycles, patchiness and regeneration (Stocks et al. 2003). Fires improve soil conditions for germination, by releasing nutrients and minerals into soils, removing live vegetation and litter matter, and increasing availability of sunlight at the forest floor (Brandt et al. 2013; Stocks et al. 2003). A mosaic of vegetation at different stages of succession from fire
9
in the ecosystem results in greater landscape diversity and provides an array of habitats for flora and fauna (Perry 1994).
Seasons play a role in fire frequency and intensity and can affect re-growth of the ecosystem, while temperature changes and soil moisture content also effect fire intensity (Weber and Flannigan 1997). The boreal forest fire season is April through October. Lightning fires occur generally in late spring/ summer, while human caused fires tend to occur in early spring and fall (Stocks et al. 2003). In the boreal forest, lightning strikes account for about 35% of fires, although are responsible for about 85% of the total area burned (Brandt et al. 2013).
4.2.6 Fire History
The boreal forest tends to burn at different intervals. The fire cycle for jack pine is approximately 15 to 35 years, while spruce stands cycle every 50 to 100 years (Natural Resources Canada 2014). Stand-destroying crown fires occur at approximately 50 to 200 year intervals, and can reach 500 years on very moist sites. Coniferous forests (e.g., pine and spruce) experience more frequent crown fires than deciduous dominated forests (Perry 1994).
The provincial fire history data available for the region dates back to 1920. Fire history is calculated by decade, for the area (ha) and percent of land within all levels of assessment, in Table 4.2.6.
Table 4.2.6. Area and percent of fires among assessment areas. Fires by Decade
Project Local Regional Area (ha) Proportion Area (ha) Proportion Area (ha) Proportion
1920-1929 718.0 0.76 14,140.0 0.75 66,687.0 0.71 1960-1969 39.0 0.04 837.0 0.04 1,844.0 0.02 1970-1979 0 0.00 0 0.00 247.0 0.003 1980-1989 0 0.00 1.0 0.0000 38.0 0.0004 1990-1999 0 0.00 23.0 0.001 1,642.0 0.02 2000-2009 0 0.00 2.0 0.0001 36.0 0.0004 2010-2013 0 0.00 142.0 0.01 198.0 0.002 No Fire Activity 188.0 0.20 3762.0 0.20 23,417.0 0.25 Source: Joro Consultants Inc. from Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship 2013.
The majority of fires occurred prior to 1930, with approximately three quarters of the regional assessment area having burned between 1920 and 1929. Over both the project and local assessment areas, 20% of the land has seen no fire activity from 1920 to the present, whereas the regional proportion of unburned land is slightly higher, at 25%. From 1970 to the present, there has been little to no fire activity documented over the project and local assessment areas. The distribution of fire history by decade is shown in Map 5.
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Limited fire suppression by Manitoba Conservation and local fire officials due to remoteness of the area and the absence of commercial forestry interests, have led to near natural landscape-level fire dynamics (Asatiwisipe Aki Management Plan 2011). Fires do not burn evenly over an area, but will favour vegetation on drier sites (e.g. jack pine dominated uplands). Treed wetlands with deep water tables may be partially burned, and wetter sites (e.g. black spruce/ tamarack bog) are generally skipped over by fire (Asatiwisipe Aki Management Plan 2011). This naturally occurring fire pattern results in large burned areas, broken by unburned patches of intact forest.
4.3. Landscape Level Vegetation
The vegetation across this region of Manitoba is primarily coniferous forest, with black spruce occurring widespread on imperfectly drained mineral and organic soils. Upland sites support black spruce, with willow and alder shrubs. The understory herb and shrub vegetation is sparse to absent, and ground cover is made up of feather mosses. Occasional mixed wood stands with balsam fir, white spruce, trembling aspen and balsam poplar form along warmer river valleys and south facing slopes, in the southern portion of the Ecoregion. Mixed wood stands have generally more diverse shrub and herbaceous vegetation layers. Areas of rocky outcrops may have patchy tree growth, often dominated by jack pine, with an understory of ericaceous shrubs, herbs and mosses and lichens (Smith et al. 1998).
4.3.1 Land Cover Classification
The Land Cover Classification, generated from Landsat satellite data, details twenty-one vegetation classes, as they occurred in 2000 (Natural Resources Canada 2000). Eleven vegetation classes occur within the project, local and regional assessment areas, including tall shrub, wetlands, and coniferous, broadleaf and mixedwood forests. The water class includes lakes and rivers, while the exposed land class occurs primarily around the Berens River community. Map 6 illustrates the distribution of the land cover classes for the region surrounding the P4 study area. The area (ha) and proportion of land cover classes among all assessment areas is shown in Table 4.3.1a.
The anticipated percent of vegetation removal from the local and regional assessment areas, through clearing in the RoW for each vegetation class, is shown in Table 4.3.1b.
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Table 4.3.1a. Area and proportion of vegetation cover classes among assessment areas. Land Cover Classification
Project Local Regional Area (ha)
Proportion Area (ha)
Proportion Area (ha)
Proportion
Water 8.0 0.01 425.0 0.02 4,054.0 0.04 Exposed Land 4.0 0.00 72.0 0.00 189.0 0.00 Shrub Tall 0 0.00 0 0.00 1,798.0 0.02 Wetland Treed* 18.0 0.02 351.0 0.02 1,490.0 0.02 Wetland Shrub* 273.0 0.29 7,468.0 0.40 35,984.0 0.38 Wetland Herb* 26.0 0.03 868.0 0.05 6,246.0 0.07 Coniferous Dense 341.0 0.36 5,346.0 0.28 22,346.0 0.24 Coniferous Open 27.0 0.03 401.0 0.02 1,886.0 0.02 Coniferous Sparse 30.0 0.03 603.0 0.03 2,196.0 0.02 Broadleaf Dense 30.0 0.03 560.0 0.03 4,814.0 0.05 Mixedwood Dense 187.0 0.20 2,813.0 0.15 13,107.0 0.14
Source: Joro Consultants Inc., from Natural Resources Canada, Earth and Sciences Sector 2000. *Dominantly bog and fen wetlands.
Table 4.3.1b. Percent (%) of vegetation removal from local and regional assessment areas, by clearing on the RoW. Land Cover Classification Local removal (%) Regional removal (%) Wetland Treed* 5.17 1.22 Wetland Shrub* 3.66 0.76 Wetland Herb* 2.94 0.41 Coniferous Forest Dense 6.39 1.53 Coniferous Forest Open 6.76 1.44 Coniferous Forest Sparse 5.02 1.38 Broadleaf Forest Dense 5.42 0.63 Mixedwood Forest Dense 6.63 1.42
*Dominantly bog and fen wetlands.
When only the local assessment area is considered, tree and shrub removal for RoW clearing will affect 8.8% of local treed and or shrubby wetlands, while 2.9% of the locally affected wetlands are herbaceous. Locally, 18.6% of the coniferous forests (dense, open and sparse cover), 5.4% of dense broadleaf forests, and 6.6% of dense mixedwood forests at the local scale, occur on the project RoW.
On the regional scale, 2.0% of regional wetlands that are treed and/or shrubby will have tree and shrub vegetation removed in the RoW. Regionally, 0.4% of the wetlands affected are herbaceous. Of the regional forest types, 4.3% of the coniferous forests (dense, open and sparse cover), 0.6% of dense broadleaf forests, and 1.4% of dense mixedwood forests on the regional scale will be affected by project clearing of the RoW. The tall shrub vegetation cover class is not found on the RoW, or at the local assessment area scale, although this vegetation type does occur regionally.
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4.3.2 Quarry and Borrow Areas
Due to the widespread presence of wetlands throughout the project area, extensive aggregate for construction of the road will be pulled from other sites, and thirty-five potential rock quarries have been identified along the alignment (ESRA 2015). Potential quarries identified range in size from 1.1 ha to 53.4 ha, with the majority (68.6%) of potential quarry sites less than 10 ha. The area and proportion of land cover classes that occur within the thirty-five potential quarries are shown for all levels of assessment, in Table 4.3.2a.
Table 4.3.2a. Area and proportion of land cover classes for potential quarry sites, within all assessment areas. Land Cover Classes
Project Local Regional Area (ha)
Proportion Area (ha)
Proportion Area (ha)
Proportion
Water 0.51 0.020 1.02 0.003 1.02 0.003
Wetland Treed* 0.00 0.000 6.18 0.019 6.19 0.017 Wetland Shrub* 0.97 0.039 30.48 0.093 34.49 0.096 Wetland Herb* 0.04 0.002 0.37 0.001 0.37 0.001 Coniferous Dense 9.93 0.400 98.45 0.300 111.14 0.309 Coniferous Open 4.10 0.165 41.45 0.126 46.84 0.130 Coniferous Sparse 8.62 0.348 120.57 0.368 130.21 0.362 Broadleaf Dense 0.00 0.000 0.20 0.001 0.20 0.001 Mixedwood Dense 0.64 0.026 29.25 0.089 29.25 0.081 Source: Joro Consultants Inc, from ESRA 2015. *Dominantly bog and fen wetlands.
The development of potential quarry sites will require the removal of vegetation. The anticipated percent of vegetation removal by land cover class for all potential quarries is shown in Table 4.3.2b, for local and regional assessment areas.
Table 4.3.2b. Percent (%) of vegetation removal from local and regional assessment areas for potential quarries. Land Cover Classification Local removal
(%) Regional removal
(%) Wetland Treed* 1.759 0.415 Wetland Shrub* 0.408 0.096 Wetland Herb* 0.043 0.006 Coniferous Forest Dense 1.842 0.497 Coniferous Forest Open 10.341 2.484 Coniferous Forest Sparse 19.994 5.931 Broadleaf Forest Dense 0.036 0.004 Mixedwood Forest Dense 1.040 0.223
*Dominantly bog and fen wetlands.
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Within the local assessment area, 2.21% of wetlands (primarily treed wetlands) occur within potential quarry sites. Of the local area forest types, 32.18% of the coniferous forests (dense, open and sparse cover), 0.04% of dense broadleaf forests, and 1.04% of dense mixedwood forests occur within potential quarry sites.
Within the regional assessment area, 0.52% of wetlands occur within potential quarry sites. Regionally, 8.91% of the coniferous forests (dense, open and sparse cover), 0.004% of dense broadleaf forests, and 0.22% of dense mixedwood forests occur within potential quarry areas.
The majority of potential quarries identified are proximally situated, either on the project RoW (37.1%), or within 100 m (25.7%). Access to approximately one third of potential quarries is between 130 and 400 m off the RoW, while access to two potential quarries identified occurs greater than 650 m from the alignment. For all potential quarries located off the alignment, access roads will be required. Straight line access was assumed for access roads, with a width of 30 m. As access to all potential quarries falls within one km of the RoW (e.g. within the local assessment area), figures are provided for the project and local assessment areas only. The area and proportion of land cover classes for potential access roads, is shown in Table 4.3.2c, by level of assessment.
Table 4.3.2c. Area and proportion of land cover classes for potential access roads, and percent vegetation removed over project and local assessment areas.
Project Local
Land Cover Classes Area (ha) Proportion Area (ha) Proportion Exposed Land 0.15 0.047 0.19 0.014 Wetland Treed* 0.15 0.047 0.73 0.053 Wetland Shrub* 0.56 0.177 4.36 0.318 Wetland Herb* 0.00 0.000 0.06 0.004 Coniferous Dense 1.48 0.465 6.02 0.440 Coniferous Open 0.00 0.001 0.07 0.005 Coniferous Sparse 0.06 0.020 0.24 0.017 Broadleaf Dense 0.53 0.168 1.10 0.080 Mixedwood Dense 0.24 0.075 0.92 0.067 Source: Joro Consultants Inc, from ESRA 2015. *Dominantly bog and fen wetlands.
While certain potential access road areas occur on exposed land, others will require the removal of vegetation. All potential access roads occur within the local assessment area. The anticipated percent of vegetation removal by land cover class and for all potential access roads, is shown in Table 4.3.2d, for local and regional assessment areas.
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Within the local assessment area, 0.272% of wetlands occur within potential access road areas. Of the local area forest types, 0.170% of the coniferous forests (dense, open and sparse cover), 0.196% of the dense broadleaf forests, and 0.033% of dense mixedwood forests occur within potential access road areas.
Over the regional assessment area, 0.062% of wetlands occur within potential access road areas. Of the regional area forest types, 0.042% of the coniferous forests (dense, open and sparse cover), 0.023% of the dense broadleaf forests, and 0.007% of dense mixedwood forests all fall within potential access road areas.
Table 4.3.2d. Percent (%) of vegetation removal from local and regional assessment areas for potential access roads. Land Cover Classification Local removal
(%) Regional removal
(%) Wetland Treed* 0.207 0.049 Wetland Shrub* 0.058 0.012 Wetland Herb* 0.007 0.001 Coniferous Forest Dense 0.113 0.027 Coniferous Forest Open 0.019 0.004 Coniferous Forest Sparse 0.039 0.011 Broadleaf Forest Dense 0.196 0.023 Mixedwood Forest Dense 0.033 0.007
*Dominantly bog and fen wetlands.
4.3.3 Wetlands
In Canada, approximately 85% of wetlands are located in the boreal forest (Ducks Unlimited Canada 2015). In Manitoba, Halsey et al. (1997) estimates that wetlands cover 233,340 km2 or 43% of the terrestrial landscape, with peatlands representing 90% of all wetlands. It is well documented that wetlands are ecologically important (Bond et al. 1992, Locky et al. 2005, Ducks Unlimited Canada 2015, Goldsborough 2015). Foster et al. (2004) noted the importance of calcareous wetlands (e.g. fens) and their potential to support species of conservation concern. Threats to wetlands include agricultural runoff, drainage, forestry activities, off-road vehicles, peat extraction, and right-of-way activities (Foster et al. 2004).
According to the Canadian Wetland Classification System, there are five wetland classes that include bog, fen, marsh, swamp and shallow water (National Wetlands Working Group 1997). Ducks Unlimited Canada (2015) further identifies nineteen minor wetland classes based on an enhanced wetland classification system of the five major wetland classes, which considers moisture, water movement and nutrients, as well as plant structure and
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cover (e.g. trees, shrubs, grasses, sedges, and mosses) to differentiate wetland sites using field-collected data.
The vegetation around the eastern shore of Lake Winnipeg reflects the nature of the dominant poorly-drained organic soils, and the distribution of wetlands in the P4 study area, see Map 7. Within the regional assessment area, wetland types present include bog and fen complexes, mineral wetlands, fens, and bogs. Marshes, and other wetland complexes (peat and non-peat forming) are also present over the greater area, although not generally found within the P4 regional assessment area.
The distribution of wetlands across the region (shown in Map 7 and Table 4.3.3.), is based on digitized data from a larger study on wetland types and their distribution in Manitoba (Halsey et al. 1997). Here, wetlands are distinguished by wetland class (bog, fen, marsh, swamp, shallow water), the presence/absence of a tree canopy (open, wooded, forested), and a landform modifier (e.g. patterned, non-patterned). For the sake of mapping at this scale, in many cases wetland complexes, rather than individual wetlands were identified.
This roughly corresponds to the wetland cover classes of the Land Cover Classification (LCC) described earlier in Section 4.3.1, which are differentiated solely on the basis of vegetation structure (height). ‘Treed wetlands’ encompass treed bog and fen complexes; ‘tall shrub wetlands’ include shrubby bogs and fens; and ‘herbaceous wetlands’ include open fens (both patterned and non-patterned). Because both data sets were originally compiled differently and at different scales, the area calculations of classes are not necessarily directly comparable.
Bogs are characterized by an accumulation of peat, with a surface that is raised or level with the surrounding terrain. Precipitation and snowmelt are primary water sources, resulting in acidic bog waters low in dissolved minerals, enhanced by the decomposition of acidic Sphagnum moss leaves. Vegetation largely consists of Sphagnum-dominated peat mosses, ericaceous shrubs (Labrador tea, leather leaf and bog cranberry) and where present, black spruce in sparse to closed stands (National Wetlands Working Group 1997).
Fens are defined as peatlands with a fluctuating water table, rich in dissolved minerals due to ground and surface water movement. The greater nutrient availability in fens supports unique vegetation, related to the depth of the water table. The vegetation of nutrient poor fens, with waters low in dissolved minerals, is characterized by Sphagnum mosses and ericaceous shrubs, black spruce are occasionally present. Moderately rich fens are dominated by graminoids (e.g. sedges) and brown mosses. Drier, rich fens support shrubs (birch, willow and tamarack), and trees (black spruce, tamarack) can be found on moss hummocks up to 20cm above the water table (National Wetlands Working Group 1997).
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The fens present in the P4 study area are classed as shrubby, or with an open (<10%) or treed (>10%) canopy. Fens are further distinguished based on the presence of landforms of linear hummocky ridges and hollow depressions, oriented perpendicular to surface-water-flow direction with a parallel or reticulated pattern. Treed bogs are wooded to forested, with a tree canopy of 10% to 70% cover (Halsey et al. 1997), Table 4.3.3.
Table 4.3.3. Area and proportion of wetland types among assessment areas. Project Local Regional Wetland Types Area
(ha) Prop-ortion
Area (ha)
Prop-ortion
Area (ha)
Prop-ortion
Bog and fen complex 569.0 0.67 10,617.0 0.56 49,621.0 0.60 Fen- non-patterned, shrubby, open 237.0 0.28 5,269.0 0.31 25,702.0 0.31 Fen- non-patterned, treed 24.0 0.03 597.0 0.04 3,057.0 0.04 Fen- patterned, open 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,742.0 0.02 Bog- treed 20.0 0.02 398.0 0.02 2,317.0 0.03
Source: Joro Consultants Inc., adapted from Halsey et al 1997. Note: In the regional assessment area, wetlands are dominantly bogs and fens.
The proportion of wetland types are similar across all assessment area scales. Within the project assessment area, 67% of the RoW is characterized as fen and bog wetland complex, while 28.0% is classed as open or shrubby fen with no surface peat ridge pattern. The remaining 5.0% of the project assessment area wetland is divided between treed non-patterned fens and treed bogs. There are no patterned open fens within the project or local assessment areas. Within the regional assessment area, 60% of the land area is characterized as fen and bog wetland complex, in which elements of both fen and bog are present in a mosaic of vegetation. Open or shrubby fens with no surface peat ridge patterning account for 31% of the regional area. The remaining 9.0% of regional wetlands is divided among non-patterned treed fens, open patterned fens and treed bogs.
Non-patterned open fens are characterized by the presence of a continuous sedge cover and sparse to no trees. Fens can be poor, or moderately to extremely rich in dissolved nutrients. Birch and willow shrubs may be present, the ground cover in wet poor fens is Sphagnum mosses. Non-patterned open fens can occur as collapse scars in association with peat plateaus, as laggs associated with bog islands, or as small isolated basins (Halsey et al. 1997).
Non-patterned treed fens have a variable range in tree cover (i.e. wooded >10% to forested <70%) in some combination of black spruce/ tamarack, with a common shrub understory of birch and willow, ground mosses are Sphagnum or brown mosses. These fens can be poor, or moderately to extremely rich in dissolved minerals.
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Patterned open fens have tree cover (<10%) in any combination of tamarack, black spruce, birch and willow, with potential ground cover of sphagnum or brown mosses.
Treed bogs are forested exclusively by black spruce and may be characterized by the presence of open wet Sphagnum/ sedge dominated associations. These internal lawns represent areas of permafrost that have historically degraded, and which may still contain relict permafrost. Treed bogs can occur as uniformly wooded islands within large complex fens or as peninsulas protruding into large fens. Bogs can also be found confined to small basins associated with hummocky terrain or in broad, poorly defined depressions as well as along drainage divides. Ground cover is dominated by lichens and Sphagnum mosses (Halsey et al. 1997).
4.3.4 Vegetation Communities
The management plan created for the traditional territories of Poplar River First Nation (Asatiwisipe Aki Management Plan 2011), is one outcome of a series of initiatives to study traditional knowledge and land use within Poplar River First Nations. This plan highlights the desire of Poplar River First Nation to secure protection for their traditional lands and resources, while recognizing interrelationships with neighbouring First Nations, and the need to cooperate in the protection and management in the wider territory of ancestral lands.
The management plan recognizes a diversity of vegetation and habitats that characterize these traditional lands, and further that the distinctive vegetation community associations reflect variation in soils, topography, water and drainage (Asatiwisipe Aki Management Plan 2011). Towards this end the digital Forest Resource Inventory (FRI) dataset was used to determine the vegetation communities that occur throughout Poplar River First Nation traditional territories. The FRI digital dataset was produced by the Manitoba Forest Resource Management Branch, for management of commercial forestry in the province, by digitizing 1:15,840 aerial photography taken during the mid-1980s, and classifying the resulting polygons based on vegetative characteristics (Manitoba Land Initiative 2015). As such, seven Forest Ecosystem Site Types (after Zoladeski et al. 1995) are identified by Ecodistrict, across the Poplar River First Nation traditional lands. Five of these vegetation community types occur in the Berens River and the Wrong Lake Ecodistricts, and fall within the northern portion of the P4 regional vegetation assessment area, Table 4.3.4.
The Poplar River/ Nanowin Park Reserve covers approximately 862,000 ha of the Poplar River traditional territory. It had received interim protection under the Manitoba Provincial Parks Act, since 1999 and through subsequent five-year extensions, while being considered for designation as a protected area. As of 2011, with the establishment of
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Asatiwisipe Aki, this traditional territory is currently one of the largest protected areas in the province (Asatiwisipe Aki Management Plan 2011).
Table 4.3.4. Forest ecosystem site type description of vegetation communities within ecodistricts of the P4 study area. Community Type
Soils Vegetation
Berens River Ecodistrict
Lowland Black Spruce
Wet, poorly drained organic soils.
Black spruce, with developed shrub layer, sparse herb layer, and a continuous ground layer of Sphagnum and feather mosses.
Aspen Hardwood Mixedwood
Deep moist fine textured upland mineral soils.
Aspen with birch, balsam poplar, jack pine, balsam fir, white and black spruce. Rich shrub and herb layer, sparse ground mosses.
Wrong Lake Ecodistrict
Black Spruce Mixedwood
Moist, fine-textured mineral soils.
Black spruce, with aspen, birch, jack pine and balsam poplar. Rich shrub and herb layer, and well developed feather moss ground cover.
Jack Pine Mixedwood
Upland, fresh to moist mineral soils.
Jack pine with black spruce, aspen and birch. Shrub and herb layer range from poor to rich, with well-developed feather moss ground layer.
White Spruce/ Balsam Fir Mixedwood
Moist well-drained mineral soil.
White spruce, with diverse canopy of balsam fir, black spruce, birch, aspen, balsam poplar and jack pine. Shrub and herb layer range from rich to poor, with a feather moss ground layer.
Source: Asatiwisipe Aki Management Plan 2011, after Zoladeski et al. 1995.
4.4 Local Flora 4.4.1 Native Species
A list of potential plant species expected to occur within the P4 study area and throughout the region was compiled from available data sources including provincial data (MB Conservation Data Center), herbarium records (The Manitoba Museum), regional flora (e.g. Ames et al. 2005; Cody 1989; Flora of North America 2015; Scoggan 1957), and existing literature (e.g. Asatiwisipe Aki Management Plan 2011; Davidson-Hunt et al. 2012; Wilson and Aykroyd 2004). This preliminary flora list contains all species with a potential to range in the P4 study area. This flora includes over 450 vascular and non-vascular species from over 80 families, occurring in terrestrial, wetland and aquatic habitats. A species list from the field component of this study (to occur in June 2015) is expected to include species identified in the preliminary species list, see Appendix II.
4.4.2 Introduced Species
A number of non-native and invasive species are expected to occur across the greater P4 study area. Generally not naturally found in undisturbed boreal forest habitats, many species are introduced along roads, rivers and streams, and generally follow human
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activities. Introduced species grow outside of their region of origin and generally thrive on disturbed sites, are often prolific seed producers, and can tolerate poor or disturbed soils (Langor et al. 2014). Where established, non-native and invasive plants can impact ecosystem diversity, structure, and function. Invasive species compete with native species, forming dense populations that may subsequently spread to other areas. Displacement of native species can change the floristic composition of an ecosystem, potentially endangering species of concern. Invasive species have been cited as risk factors for species of conservation concern (Canadian Food and Inspection Agency 2008).
Within the preliminary list of species expected to occur in the greater P4 study area are 26 introduced species, evenly divided between non-native and invasive species (Invasive Species Council of Manitoba 2015; MBCDC 2015), Table 4.4.2. The boreal shield has a relatively high number of invasive plants, compared to other ecozones in Canada (CFIA 2008). Non-native and invasive plants in the boreal are commonly perennial herbs and grasses, particularly from among the Asteraceae (composites), Fabaceae (legumes), and Poaceae (grasses) families, (Langor et al. 2014).
Table 4.4.2. Potential introduced species, Lac Seul Upland Ecoregion. Family Scientific Name Common Name S Rank Invasive Poaceae Agrostis stolonifera Creeping Bent Grass SNA Poaceae Bromus inermis Smooth Brome SNA Poaceae Elymus repens Quack-grass SNA Poaceae Phalaris arundinacea Reed Canary Grass S5 X Poaceae Phleum pratense Timothy SNA Typhaceae Typha angustifolia Narrow-leaved Cat-tail S4 X Polygonaceae Rumex crispus Curly Dock SNA Chenopodiaceae Chenopodium album Lamb's-quarters SNA Ranunculaceae Ranunculus acris Common Buttercup SNA X Fabaceae Medicago lupulina Black Medic SNA Fabaceae Medicago sativa Alfalfa SNA X Fabaceae Melilotus alba White Sweetclover SNA X Fabaceae Melilotus officinalis Yellow Sweetclover SNA X Fabaceae Trifolium hybridum Alsike Clover SNA Fabaceae Trifolium pratense Red Clover SNA Fabaceae Trifolium repens White Clover SNA Fabaceae Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch SNA X Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia esula Leafy Spurge SNA X Plantaginaceae Plantago major Common Plantain SNA Asteraceae Arctium sp. Burdock SNA X Asteraceae Artemisia absinthimum Wormwood SNA Asteraceae Cirsium arvense Canada Thistle SNA X Asteraceae Leucanthemum vulgare Ox-eye Daisy SNA X Asteraceae Sonchus arvensis Field Sow-thistle SNA X Asteraceae Tanacetum vulgare Common Tansy SNA X Asteraceae Taraxacum officinale Common Dandelion SNA
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With two exceptions, all introduced species are exotic, and currently ranked as SNA, e.g. a conservation status rank not is applicable (MBCDC 2015). Narrow-leaved cat-tail (Typha angustifolia), S4, is considered to be an invasive species due to its rapid spreading range, and tendency to form monospecific stands, which replace native plants. Typha angustifolia will hybridize with the native species Typha latifolia (Typha x glauca). Though thought to be sterile, the hybrid may also threaten biodiversity due to its invasive potential (Selbo and Snow 2004). Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinaceae, S5) is native to north eastern North America, its spread facilitated by introduction of Eurasian commercial cultivars for forage. While the native species and its introduced cultivars are indistinguishable in field conditions, Phalaris remains an aggressive invasive species in wetlands (ISCM 2015), which can outcompete and eliminate the native genotypes, and other native species (White et al. 1993).
4.4.3 Species of Conservation Concern and Special Interest
According to provincial sources, there are 56 species of conservation concern that can be expected to range within the Lac Seul Uplands Ecoregion (MBCDC 2015). There are currently no species at risk listed in the Lac Seul Uplands Ecoregion, with either the Manitoba Endangered Species and Ecosystems Act (ESEA), the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA), or the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). Based on records at the Manitoba Conservation Data Centre, collected specimens from Manitoba Museum herbarium, and literature data available, there are an estimated 40 species of conservation concern that may potentially occur within the P4 regional assessment area and surroundings, Table 4.4.3. Of these, four are ranked very rare (S1) and 15 are ranked rare (S2) by the MBCDC. No species are listed under Schedule 1 of SARA.
Table 4.4.3. Potential species of conservation concern, Lac Seul Upland Ecoregion. Family Scientific Name Common Name S
Rank G
Rank Lycopodiaceae Diphasiastrum tristachyum Ground-cedar S3 G5 Lycopodiaceae Huperzia lucidula Shining Club-moss S1 G5 Lycopodiaceae Huperzia selago Mountain Club-moss S2S3 G5 Lycopodiaceae Lycopodiella inundata Bog Club-moss S1 G5 Lycopodiaceae Lycopodium clavatum var.
clavatum Running-pine S2 G5TNR
Dryopteridaceae Dryopteris fragrans Fragrant Shield Fern S3S4 G5 Dryopteridaceae Gymnocarpium jessoense Northern Oak Fern S3S4 G5 Dryopteridaceae Onoclea sensibilis Sensitive Fern S3S4 G5 Taxaceae Taxus canadensis Canada Yew S3 G5 Potamogetonaceae Potamogeton amplifolius Large-leaved Pondweed S2? G5 Eriocaulaceae Eriocaulon aquaticum White-buttons S1 G5 Poaceae Glyceria pulchella Graceful Manna Grass S2 G5 Poaceae Torreyochloa pallida var.
fernaldii Pale Manna Grass S2 G5T4Q
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Table 4.4.3. Potential species of conservation concern, Lac Seul Upland Ecoregion. Family Scientific Name Common Name S
Rank G
Rank Cyperaceae Carex castanea Chestnut Sedge S3 G5 Cyperaceae Carex livida Livid Sedge S3 G5 Cyperaceae Carex projecta Necklace Sedge S2? G5 Cyperaceae Carex vesicaria Blister Sedge SU G5 Cyperaceae Dulichium arundinaceum Three-way Sedge S2 G5 Cyperaceae Rhynchospora alba White Beakrush S3? G5 Cyperaceae Schoenoplectus
subterminalis Water Bulrush SU G4G5
Juncaceae Juncus vaseyi Big-head Rush S4? G5? Alismataceae Sagittaria rigida Sessile-fruited Arrowhead S2 G5 Orchidaceae Arethusa bulbosa Arethusa S2 G4 Orchidaceae Cypripedium arietinum Ram's Head Lady's-slipper S2S3 G3 Orchidaceae Goodyera tesselata Tesselated Rattlesnake
Plantain S2 G5
Orchidaceae Platanthera hookeri Hooker's Orchid S2 G4 Orchidaceae Platanthera orbiculata Round-leaved Bog Orchid S3 G5 Aristolochiaceae Asarum canadense Wild Ginger S3S4 G5 Cistaceae Hudsonia tomentosa False Heather S3 G5 Nymphaeaceae Nymphaea odorata ssp.
odorata Fragrant Water-lily S2 G5T5
Violaceae Viola selkirkii Long-spurred Violet S2 G5? Haloragaceae Myriophyllum alterniflorum Water-milfoil S2? G5 Haloragaceae Myriophyllum farwellii Farwell's Water-milfoil S1 G5 Pyrolaceae Pyrola americana Round-leaved Pyrola S2 G5 Ericaceae Vaccinium caespitosum Dwarf Bilberry S3 G5 Gentianaceae Gentiana rubricaulis Closed Gentian S2S3 G4? Solanaceae Leucophysalis grandiflora Large White-flowered
Ground-cherry S3 G4?
Rubiaceae Galium aparine Cleavers SU G5 Campanulaceae Lobelia dortmanna Water Lobelia S2 G4G5 Asteraceae Megalodonta beckii Water-marigold S3 G4G5
Due to the lack of detailed botanical field studies in this area, only four species of conservation concern have been previously collected from the region, i.e. blister sedge (Carex vesicaria, SU), tessellated rattlesnake plantain (Goodyera tesselata, S3), big-head rush (Juncus vaseyi, S4?), and dwarf bilberry (Vaccinium caespitosum, S3), as listed with The Manitoba Museum and the MBCDC.
4.5 Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge
Aboriginal traditional knowledge can be considered a dynamic process of learning from elders and observing from nature, while adapting this knowledge to enhance the quality of life (Marles et al. 2000). Primarily preserved by oral traditions passed down through generations, the documentation of aboriginal traditional knowledge, particularly when led
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by individual Aboriginal communities, can help preserve local knowledge and culture for generations to come. A great deal of aboriginal traditional knowledge concerns plants and their use as food, medicines, for handicrafts, and technology. Aboriginal people have been sustainably gathering and harvesting plants from the boreal forest in Canada for thousands of years (Marles et al. 2000).
4.5.1 Pimachiowin Aki
Pimachiowin Aki (Ojibwe: the land that gives life) is a non-profit corporation seeking international recognition for an Anishinabe cultural landscape as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site (Province of Manitoba 2007). Straddling the boundary of Manitoba and Ontario and covering 33,400 km2, Pimachiowin Aki is made up of five isolated Anishinaabe settlements, including Poplar River First Nation. While Berens River First Nation is directly adjacent to Pimachiowin Aki lands, community-led documentation of its traditional knowledge is still in early stages.
A variety of vegetation including trees, shrubs, flowers, mosses and lichens have historically been both an important food source and medicinal source for the Pimachiowin Aki (Davidson-Hunt et al. 2012). Plant species identified as being important for sustenance and cultural practices include the following: balsam poplar, white spruce and birch trees, red-osier dogwood, Labrador tea, lichens, Sphagnum mosses, and cinder cork fungus. Common food plants among communities of Pimachiowin Aki include cloudberry, small cranberry, pin cherry, blueberry and water parsnip. Blueberry picking is important to the people and depended on for nutrition. Medicinal plants include poplar, sweet flag, dewberry, wild mint, and prickly and smooth rose (Davidson-Hunt et al. 2012).
Wild rice seeding, harvesting, processing and marketing of rice have long been part of the Anishinaabe culture. The importance of rice was noted by some of the earliest visitors, such as George Sutherland, a fur trade explorer of the Hudson Bay Company to the lands of Pimachiowin Aki in the an 18th century (Davidson-Hunt et al. 2012). Wild rice is still an integral component of feasts held today by Anishinaabe people.
Carrots and potatoes were commonly grown by the Anishinaabe people. The introduction of the potato is not well documented but could have occurred through contact with southern tribes, or from the Hudson Bay and the Northwest Companies, through their gardens established at posts (Davidson-Hunt et al. 2012).
Trees meet many needs of the Anishnaabe of Pimachiowin, providing building and craft materials, fuel supply, and a source of food and medicine. Jack pine is one of the favoured fire woods as a result of its high heat content, while black spruce is useful for medicines and their roots gathered for cordage. Poplar wood is used for smoking meat, fish and curing hides (Davidson-Hunt et al. 2012). Birch trees are useful for wood working, starting fires,
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supply sap in the spring, while birch bark is used for baskets and birch scrolls were once used to make maps (Davidson-Hunt et al. 2012).
The economic value of ecosystem services and benefits provided by the Pimachiowin Aki landscape were highlighted in a recent report published for Pimachiowin Aki by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (Voora and Barg 2008). Ecosystem services have direct relevance to local communities, and have value at regional and global scales. Many specific benefits concern plant species or vegetation communities, such as the ability to harvest berries and medicinal plants; carbon storage, flood and erosion control, air and water filtration by peatlands and forests; wildlife habitat refuges, soil formation and pollination (Voora and Barg 2008).
4.5.2 Poplar River First Nation
Recent efforts to document aboriginal traditional knowledge of the Poplar River First Nation are apparent through the creation of the Asatiwisipe Aki Management Plan (2011), and through the establishment of Pimachiowin Aki. During research for the East Side of Lake Winnipeg Large Area Transportation Network Study (LATNS; SNC-Lavalin Inc. 2010, Appendix 9) surveys and interviews were conducted with elders and trappers in a number of local communities, including Poplar River and Berens River. This work resulted in mapping of broad areas used for traditional purposes, such as berry picking, hunting, trapping and fishing activities, burial and spiritual areas, and special gathering places. For example within the P4 study area, areas where berry picking occurs are concentrated around the community of Poplar River, and extend along the Poplar River waterway, and around nearby Weaver Lake. Other isolated areas to the north of the P4 study area were also identified as important areas for berry picking for the community of Poplar River (SNC-Lavalin Inc. 2010, Appendix C: Map PR 9).
Areas used in Aboriginal traditional knowledge and traditional purposes within the Poplar River territory are shown in Map 8. Within Poplar River, certain areas are used for traditional purposes based on specific vegetation present, for example birch areas occur within the regional assessment area, and areas where berry picking occurs in all P4 levels of assessment. Areas included in traditional knowledge concerning vegetation among the Poplar River First Nation are shown in Table 4.5.2.
Table 4.5.2. Area (ha) concerning vegetation and Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge of Poplar River First Nation, among assessment areas. Vegetation Project Local Regional Birch area - - 372.0 Area where berry picking occurs 71.0 1,097.0 8,102.0
Source: Joro Consultants Inc. from ESRA 2015.
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4.5.3 Berens River First Nation
Community-led documentation of traditional knowledge related to the Berens River First Nation is on-going. In the course of research on traditional ecological knowledge (LATNS; SNC-Lavalin Inc. 2010, Appendix 9), maps were produced to provide details on broad areas used by the community of Berens River for traditional purposes. Initial documentation for areas where berry picking by Berens River First Nation occurs primarily along the Berens River (SNC-Lavalin Inc. 2010, Appendix C: Map BR 9), which passes through the southern tip of the P4 project assessment area.
A recent workshop on traditional knowledge held at Berens River (April 22, 2015) discussed specific plant species that have been and continue to be considered important by members of the community. Important berries cited for the Berens River community include blueberries, saskatoons, strawberries, raspberries, moss berries/cranberries and pin cherries, while other important local food sources in Berens River include hazelnuts (Neegan Burnside 2015). Wild rice, produced in the past, is still valued by the community and may once again become an important locally harvested wild food around Berens River. Gardening is also currently practiced in Berens River, as members of the community raise tomatoes, pumpkins, carrots, rhubarb and cucumbers (Neegan Burnside 2015).
Berens River community members identified certain plants as useful for medicinal purposes, such as wild ginger (Asarum canadense), sweet flag (Acorus americanus), and a yellow flowered water lily (possibly Nuphar sp.). Notably, dry creek beds are considered important places for the collection of medicinal plants (Neegan Burnside 2015). Berens River community members have in recent years observed certain invasive plant species that have not traditionally been a part of the local environment, such as purple loosestrife and common dandelion.
Within the Berens River area, jack pine wood is particularly prized for heating and fires, while birch wood is preferred for crafting (e.g. showshoe construction). Local forest tent caterpillar outbreaks have been observed over the last two seasons (Neegan Burnside 2015).
Through the course of these past studies and discussions (e.g. Asatiwisipe Aki Management Plan 2011; Davidson-Hunt et al. 2012; SNC-Lavalin Inc. 2010; Neegan Burnside 2015), it is clear that all local Aboriginal community members place a high value on the land, and on their relationship to the land. The concern for the protection of habitat quality is shared among all communities. There is a deep understanding that both traditional aboriginal knowledge along with proven management practices will help protect natural ecological processes of these lands, but also preserve community cultural values, and Aboriginal people’s place within the boreal ecosystem.
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4.5.4 Plants of Cultural Importance
As an outcome of a study on indigenous plants, the Poplar River Anishinabek Plant Guide (Bruce et al. compilers 2002: In Asatiwisipe Aki Management Plan 2011) was produced to describe Aboriginal values and uses for local plants. The plant guide lists fifty different trees, shrubs, herbs grasses, mosses and lichens that have been used for sustenance and in traditional cultural practices. An adapted excerpt from the plant guide (Asatiwisipe Aki Management Plan 2011) includes the Anishinabek names for the species mentioned, and is reproduced in Table 4.5.4, below.
Table 4.5.4. Plants of cultural importance listed by habitat, with Anishanaabe, scientific and common names. Form Anishinabek Name Scientific Name Common Name Poplar Woods Habitat- Azaadi Noopiming Tree Azaadi Populus tremuloides Trembling Aspen/Poplar Tree Maanazaadi Populus balsamifera Balsam Poplar Tree Mina’ig Picea glauca White Spruce Tree Nipigandag Abies balsamea Balsam Fir Shrub Ininiminan Vaccinium caespitosum Dwarf Blueberry Shrub Miishinchiiminag Ribes triste Swamp Red Currant
Shrub Miskopiimag, Omagaakiiminan Cornus seracea
Red-osier Dogwood, Red Willow
Shrub Moozominan Viburnum edule Mooseberry/Low-bush Cranberry
Shrub Pagaanag Corylus cornuta Beaked Hazelnut Vine Waapiizhishooatig Lonicera dioica Twining Honeysuckle Herb Ginebigominan Actaea rubra Baneberry Herb Nishkiinzhigominan Rubus pubescens Dewberry Herb Oteiminan, oteiminatigoon Fragaria virginiana Wild Strawberry Herb Ozhaashaagominan Cornus canadensis Bunchberry Herb Waaboozojiibik Sanicula marilandica Snakeroot Riverside Habitat - Chigoziibig Shrub Wiigopiin, wiisagopiimag Salix spp. Willows Herb Omikawingushk Mentha arvensis Wild Mint Herb Pozaagan, zhigaagomish Typha latifolia Cattail Herb Wiike, wiikens Acorus americanus Ratroot/Sweet Flag Herb Gichimashkosiin Phragmites australis Giant Reed grass Herb Mashkosiiminan Zizania palustris Wild Rice Muskeg Habitat - Mashkiig Tree Mashkiigoatig Larix laricina Tamarack/Larch Tree Zhigob Picea mariana Black Spruce Shrub Gaagigebag, Rhododendron Labrador Tea
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Table 4.5.4. Plants of cultural importance listed by habitat, with Anishanaabe, scientific and common names. Form Anishinabek Name Scientific Name Common Name
mashkiigobagoon groenlandicum
Shrub Mashkiigominan Vaccinium oxycoccus Bog Cranberry
Shrub Waapigoshiminan Gaultheria hispidula Creeping Snowberry/Wintergreen
Moss Aagi, mashkiig, miskokamig Sphagnum spp. Sphagnum/Peatmoss Rocky Highland Habitat - Pangodinang Tree Ogik Pinus banksiana Jack Pine Tree Wiigwas Betula papyrifera Paper Birch/White Birch Shrub Gaagaagiwanatig Juniperus communis Common Juniper Shrub Ininiminan/ Vaccinium myrtilloides Velvet-leaved blueberry Shrub Makominan/ Arctostapylos uva-ursi Bearberry Shrub Makominatig Sorbus decora Mountain Ash Shrub Miskominag Prunus pennsylvanica Pin Cherry Shrub Miskominan Rubus idaeus Wild Red Raspberry Shrub Mizaakotoominag Amelanchier spp. Saskatoon/Serviceberry Shrub Nikiminan Ribes oxyacanthoides Gooseberry Shrub Wiisagiminan Vaccinium vitis-idaea Cranberry
Herb Majimashkoos Toxicodendron rydbergii Poison Ivy
Herb Oshkiitebagoon Maianthemum canadense Wild lily-of-the-valley
Herb Pizhiigojiibik Heuchera richardsonii Alumroot Lichen Aasaakamig Cladina spp. Reindeer Lichen Fungus Asiniiwakwanag Umbilicaria spp. Brown Rock Tripe
Fungus Kabaashkaanasewa, Pozaaganag Lycoperdon spp Puffball
Roadside Habitat - Opimekanang Shrub Oginiik Rosa acicularis Prickly Rose Herb Choochooshaaboojiibik Taraxacum officinale Common Dandelion Herb Kawaapanakiig Heracleum lanatum Cow Parsnip Herb Ozagaanjiigesiiwag Arctium minus Burdock Herb Pizhikiwingushk Artemisia absinthium Sagewort/Wormwood Herb Mazaanowashkoon Hordeum jubatum Foxtail Barley
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5.0 POTENTIAL EFFECTS ASSESSMENT The identification of potential effects of the proposed P4 All-Season Road Project was carried out based on information provided by ESRA, information from the MBCDC, literature and internet searches. Environmental assessments conducted on other recent all-season road projects in Manitoba were also reviewed. Requirements of The Environment Act (Manitoba) and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (2012) and regulations and guidelines were considered in the preparation of the effects assessment for the Road Project. This assessment report conforms to Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship’s guideline for preparing an Environment Act Proposal Report (Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship 2015).
The environmental effects of the proposed P4 All-Season Road Project were identified from environmental assessment reports conducted on other all-season road proposals, east of Lake Winnipeg, and by using professional judgement. Community concerns were considered in the effects assessment. Environmental effects are a predicted change in the environment caused by the project, while mitigation are measures to avoid, prevent, and minimize adverse environmental effects. Residual effects are environmental effects predicted to remain after the application of mitigation measures.
The significance of the residual environmental effects for the proposed P4 All-Season Road Project was evaluated using criteria provided by the Manitoba East Side Road Authority (Table 5.0.).
Table 5.0. Description of significance criteria used for the residual effects assessment. Assessment
Criteria Range of Criteria Level of Effect and Definition
Direction of Change (type of effect)
Negative Net loss (adverse or undesirable change) to the environmental component.
Positive Net benefit (or desirable change) to the environmental component.
Ecological Context (degree of adverse influence on the ecosystem)
Low Level I – No meaningful adverse ecosystem effects; potential effects are within the range of natural variation and result in minimal disruption of ecological functions and relationships in the area affected.
Moderate Level II – Potential adverse effects are outside the range of natural variation and result in some disruption of non-critical ecological functions and relationships.
High Level III – Potential adverse effects are outside the range of natural variation and result in disruption of critical ecological functions and relationships.
Duration (period of time the effect occurs)
Short-Term Level I - The potential effect results from short-term events or activities such as the time required to complete discrete component (e.g., culvert installation), seasonal or annual construction, maintenance or rehabilitation activities (i.e., a timeframe of several months).
Medium-Term Level II - The potential effect is likely to persist until the completion of construction and rehabilitation activities (i.e., a timeframe of 8 to 10 years).
Long-Term Level III -The potential effect is likely to persist beyond the completion of construction and rehabilitation activities into the operations and maintenance phase of the Project (i.e., a timeframe of greater than 10 years).
Magnitude (degree or intensity of the change)
Low Level I - A change of low magnitude is not likely to have a definable, detectable or measurable potential effect above baseline (i.e., potential effect is within a normal range of variation) or is below established thresholds of acceptable change (e.g., water quality guideline).
Moderate Level II – A change of moderate magnitude will have a measurable potential effect that can be detected with a well-designed monitoring program; but is only marginally beyond standards/guidelines or established thresholds of acceptable change.
High Level III – A change of high magnitude will have potential effects that are easily observed, measured and described (i.e., readily detectable without a monitoring program) and are well beyond guidelines or established thresholds of acceptable change.
Extent (Spatial Project Level I - The physical space or directly affected area on which
Table 5.0. Description of significance criteria used for the residual effects assessment. Assessment
Criteria Range of Criteria Level of Effect and Definition
Boundary) Footprint Project components or activities are located and/or immediately adjacent area which is the defined limits of the P4 All-season road right-of-way (i.e., 100 m) and permanent and temporary facilities (e.g., temporary access roads and quarries) within which potential effects are likely to be measurable.
Local Assessment Area
Level II - Area within which potential project effects are measurable and extending beyond the Project Footprint to, but not beyond, the Local Assessment Area.
Regional Assessment Area
Level III - Area beyond the Local Assessment Area within which most potential indirect and cumulative effects would occur.
Frequency (how often the effect occurs)
Once Level I - The potential effect occurs once over the duration of the disturbance (e.g., initial clearing of the right-of-way).
Intermittent Level II - The potential effect occurs at sporadic or intermittent intervals during the Project phase in which they occur or life of the Project (e.g., blasting at quarries; site-specific construction equipment noise; potential wildlife-vehicle collisions).
Continuous Level III – Potential effect occurs at regular and frequent intervals during the Project phase in which they occur or during the life of the Project (e.g., construction traffic; operations traffic).
Reversibility (the degree of permanence)
Reversible (short-term)
Level I – Potential effect is readily reversible over a relatively short period of time (i.e., ≤ to the Project construction phase of approximately 8 years).
Reversible (long-term)
Level II - Potential effect is potentially reversible but over a long period of time (i.e., many years into the Project operations phase).
Irreversible Level III - Project-specific potential effects are permanent.
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5.1 Environmental Issues
Regional issues of concern for the assessment of the proposed P4 All-Season Road Project were determined from professional experience, literature and a traditional knowledge workshop held at Berens River (April 22, 2015) to include:
Spread of Invasive Plant Species
Invasive plant species are plants that out-compete native species when introduced outside of their natural setting. Invasive species may establish and proliferate as a result of the Project. These species are problematic because they are capable of growing under a wide range of climatic and soil conditions, produce abundant seeds, and often have vigorous growth.
5.2 Valued Components
Valued Components (VCs) refer to environmental biophysical or human features that may be impacted by a project. The value of a component not only relates to its role in the ecosystem, but also to the value people place on it. The value of a component may be determined on the basis of scientific, social, cultural, economic, historical, archaeological or aesthetic importance.
Information on environmental indicators and measurable parameters are provided on the VCs. Environmental indicators are aspects of VCs or the environment that are subject to change by a project activity, while measurable parameters are variables used to express changes in the environmental indicators. VCs that have the potential to be adversely affected by project activities receive special consideration in the assessment of cumulative environmental effects. VCs identified for the proposed P4 All-Season Road Project assessment include the following:
Species of Special Interest
Species of special interest are valued because these are plants that exist in low numbers, play a role in helping to preserve species diversity, their distribution is often restricted, and some species are protected. Protected species are listed by The Endangered Species and Ecosystems Act – Manitoba (ESEA) and the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA), under Schedule 1. Federal species designated as endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) are also included as are species listed by the Manitoba Conservation Data Centre (MBCDC) ranked very rare to rare.
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Botanical Resource Areas and Culturally Important Plants
Botanical resource areas are valued locations where Aboriginal people have gathered plants and collected berries for subsistence, and medicinal, cultural and spiritual uses. Plant species of cultural importance may include blueberry, cranberry, raspberry, strawberry, saskatoon, cloudberry and wild rice, and many other medicinal plants and herbs (Northern Lights Heritage Services 2000).
5.3 Effects Analysis
The following identifies the effects on vegetation and soils for the proposed P4 All-Season Road Project.
5.3.1 Vegetation
Effects of roads on vegetation and terrestrial ecosystems have been well documented (Angold 1997; Forman and Alexander 1998; Trombulak and Frissell 1999; Hui et al. 2003; Noss 2002; and Watkins et al. 2003). Effects include habitat loss, altering interior forest conditions, destroying natural vegetation along sides of the road, reduction in biomass, introduction of non-native plant species, increased erosion potential, and increased abundance of grass species near roads. Road dust affects vegetation by covering plant surfaces, affecting photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration, resulting in decreased productivity (Farmer, 1993).
Environmental effects of the proposed PR 304 to Berens River All-Season Road on the east side of Lake Winnipeg have been reported on in environmental assessments by the Manitoba Floodway and East Side Road Authority (2010, 2011) and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (2011). Environmental effects included the loss of forest and wetland vegetation through clearing (Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency 2011) and the spread of non-native and invasive plant species during construction activities (Manitoba Floodway and East Side Road Authority 2010).
Effects from other linear development projects in Manitoba’s boreal forest have been reported on by Calyx Consulting (2012) and Szwaluk Environmental Consulting et al. (2011) and include loss of native forest vegetation, introduction of invasive plant species, potential loss of habitat and plants used by Aboriginal people, disruption of riparian areas and wetlands, increased fragmentation, and increased risk of wildfire.
The proposed P4 All-Season Road Project was determined to affect vegetation and terrestrial ecosystems during construction, operation and maintenance stages. Potential environmental effects include the following:
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1. Disturbance to or removal of native vegetation in the project assessment area due to clearing during construction. The P4 All-Season Road Project will result in the disturbance of approximately 1,309.4 ha of native vegetation; 937 ha from road construction and 223.4 ha from quarries and access roads.
2. Disturbance to or removal of bog/fen species in the project assessment area due to clearing during construction. The Project will result in the loss of approximately 363.3 ha of wetlands; 317 ha from road construction and 27.8 ha from quarries and access roads. Wetlands in the boreal forest are highly connected systems that transport water and nutrients across the landscape. Road development has the potential to impede water flow resulting in long-term vegetation changes (Ducks Unlimited Canada et al. 2014).
3. Disturbance to or removal of medicinally and culturally important species in the project assessment area due to clearing during construction. The Project will result in removal of approximately 71 ha of vegetation that is locally valued. A potential beneficial effect from the P4 All-Season Road Project will be increased access to new botanical resource areas by local community members.
4. Fragmentation of the local and regional vegetation communities due to clearing during construction. The P4 All-Season road, quarries and access roads will result in discontinuity in the spatial distribution of native vegetation.
5. Modification of vegetation composition and structure adjacent to the disturbance zone due to clearing during construction. The removal of native vegetation and the creation of new forest edges along a disturbance zone may result in changes to the vegetation. Increased solar radiation exposure and a change in microclimate along these edges may cause changes in structure and species composition (Ecological Land Surveys Ltd. 1999). Along newly created forest edges, windfall may result due to extreme weather events (e.g. high winds).
6. Loss of species of special interest in the project assessment area due to clearing during construction. These plants include species listed by the MBCDC as very rare to rare. Protected vascular plant species listed by ESEA and SARA are not expected to occur as the study area is beyond the geographic range of the listed species.
7. Introduction and spread of invasive and non-native species in the local assessment area during construction, operation and maintenance. Construction equipment and granular material used for construction can be a source of non-native and invasive plant species which can become problematic for the native plant species in the area.
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8. Loss/impairment of vegetation in the project assessment area from accidental releases of fuels or hazardous substances during road construction and operation and maintenance. In a past study that examined the effects of oil spills and vegetation, non-vascular plants and most dicot plants showed no recovery after oil was spilled on selected plant communities (Walker et al. 1978).
9. Loss/impairment of desirable plant species in the project assessment area from herbicide application during road operation and maintenance. Unfortunately, herbicides not only inhibit the growth of undesirable species but can also negatively affect desirable species by causing undue stress and possible mortality of vegetation that may be considered important for wildlife, traditional uses, or botanical value.
10. Impairment of vegetation in the project assessment area from dust during road construction, operation and maintenance. Dust can have a potential negative effect on the environment causing stress to adjacent vegetation. A covering of dust on leaf surfaces increases solar heat absorption and decreases transpiration rates resulting in a reduction of carbon uptake (Succarieh 1992).
11. Increased risk of forest fire in the local and regional assessment area during construction and operation and maintenance. Wildfire has the potential to develop from the accumulation of slash during clearing and construction activities, and from human related causes as a result of new access during road operation.
Mitigation measures for vegetation effects have been reported by Forman and Alexander (1998), Daigle (2010), and Ducks Unlimited Canada et al. (2014). Best practices and environmental protection measures identified to mitigate adverse environmental effects on vegetation as a result of the proposed P4 All-Season Road Project include: limit clearing to designated area within the RoW, undertake construction activities during winter months to the extent possible, identify and flag plant species of interest prior to clearing, adjust the road alignment, where possible, to avoid loss of plant species of interest and important harvest areas; design road and construction practices to avoid adversely affecting the functionality of bogs and fens; implement design measures to maintain existing moisture conditions that support localized vegetative communities as per the Operational Guide to Forest Road Wetland Crossings (Ducks Unlimited Canada et al. 2014), wash construction equipment and vehicles prior to bringing them into the construction area, adhere to permit terms and conditions for herbicide use, undertake burning of slash piles during the winter months to the extent possible, and restore ground cover vegetation using natural means augmented with planting and seeding as required.
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The range of evaluation criteria for potential residual effects on vegetation were determined to be adverse in direction of change, low to moderate ecological context, medium to long-term duration, low to moderate magnitude, extent ranging from the project footprint to the regional assessment area, frequency of once to continuous, and long-term reversibility of effects.
Follow-up actions identified include inspections to ensure that mitigation is implemented and effective. The residual effects on VCs (i.e., species of special interest, and botanical resource areas and culturally important plants) were determined to have minimal risk of loss/mortality in the project assessment area. The environmental effects analysis for vegetation is summarized in Table 5.3.1a.
Table 5.3.1a. Vegetation effects analysis. Nature of Potential
Effects Mitigation Measures Residual Effects Evaluation
Disturbance to or removal of native vegetation in the project assessment area due to clearing during construction
• Limit clearing to designated areas within the RoW • Prohibit equipment and
vehicle use outside the designated cleared area • Restore ground cover
vegetation along road shoulders using natural means augmented with planting and seeding of native species as required
Removal of native vegetation confined to the RoW
Direction – negative; ecological context – low; duration – long-term; magnitude – moderate; extent – project footprint; frequency – once; reversibility – long-term
Disturbance to or removal of bog/fen species in the project assessment area due to clearing during construction
• Design road and construction practices to avoid adversely affecting the functionality of bogs and fens (i.e., equalization culverts to maintain wetland hydraulics) • Undertake construction
activities during winter months to extent possible • Implement design measures
to maintain existing moisture conditions that support localized vegetative communities as per the Operational Guide to Forest Road Wetland Crossings (Ducks Unlimited Canada et al. 2014)
Removal of bog/fen species confined to the RoW
Direction – negative; ecological context – low; duration – long-term; magnitude – moderate; extent – project footprint; frequency – once; reversibility – long-term
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Table 5.3.1a. Vegetation effects analysis. Nature of Potential
Effects Mitigation Measures Residual Effects Evaluation
Disturbance to or removal of medicinally and culturally important species in the project assessment area due to clearing during construction
• Identify areas of cultural importance prior to clearing • Identify important
medicinal and cultural plants and harvesting areas • Adjust road where possible
to avoid to the loss of important harvesting area • Limit clearing to designated
area within the RoW • Prohibit use of equipment
and vehicles outside the designated cleared area
Minimal loss of vegetation and loss confined to the RoW
Direction – negative; ecological context – low; duration – long-term; magnitude – low; extent – project footprint; frequency – once; reversibility – long-term
Fragmentation of the local and regional vegetation communities due to clearing during construction
• Undertake construction activities during winter months to extent possible • Limit clearing to designated
area within the RoW • Prohibit equipment and
vehicle use outside the designated cleared area
Fragmentation confined to the RoW
Direction – negative; ecological context – low; duration – long-term; magnitude – moderate; extent – project footprint; frequency – once; reversibility – long-term
Modification of vegetation composition and structure adjacent to the disturbance zone due to clearing during construction
• Undertake construction activities during winter months to extent possible • Limit clearing to designated
area within the RoW • Prohibit equipment and
vehicle use outside the designated cleared area
Minimal modification of vegetation adjacent to disturbance zone
Direction – negative; ecological context – low; duration – medium-term; magnitude – low; extent – project footprint; frequency – once; reversibility – long-term
Loss of species of special interest in the project assessment area due to clearing during construction
• Identify and flag plant species of interest prior to clearing • Adjust road alignment
where possible to avoid loss of plant species of interest and important harvesting areas • Prohibit equipment and
vehicle use outside the
Minimal risk of loss of plant species of interest
Direction – negative; ecological context – low; duration – long-term; magnitude – low; extent – project footprint; frequency – once; reversibility –
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Table 5.3.1a. Vegetation effects analysis. Nature of Potential
Effects Mitigation Measures Residual Effects Evaluation
designated cleared area long-term
Introduction and spread of invasive and non-native species in the local assessment area during construction, operation and maintenance
• Wash construction equipment and vehicles prior to bringing them into the construction site • Undertake construction
activities during winter months to the extent possible
Minimal risk of invasive and non-native species introduction
Direction – negative; ecological context – moderate; duration – long-term; magnitude – moderate; extent – project footprint; frequency – continuous; reversibility – long-term
Loss/impairment of vegetation in the project assessment area from accidental releases of fuels or hazardous substances during road construction and operation and maintenance
• Construction sites to have an approved emergency response plan that includes fuel spills
Minimal risk of vegetation mortality
Direction – negative; ecological context – moderate; duration – long-term; magnitude – moderate; extent – project footprint; frequency – intermittent; reversibility – long-term
Loss/impairment of desirable plant species in the project assessment area from herbicide application during road operation and maintenance
• Apply herbicides in accordance with manufacturers guidelines and adhere to permit terms and conditions • Avoid herbicide application
beyond road shoulder
Minimal risk of vegetation mortality
Direction – negative; ecological context – low; duration – long-term; magnitude – low; extent – project footprint; frequency – intermittent; reversibility – long-term
Impairment of vegetation in the project assessment area from dust during road construction,
• Undertake construction activities during winter months to extent possible • Use water or approved dust
suppression agents that will
Minimal risk of vegetation mortality
Direction – negative; ecological context – low; duration – long-term;
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Table 5.3.1a. Vegetation effects analysis. Nature of Potential
Effects Mitigation Measures Residual Effects Evaluation
operation and maintenance
not negatively affect plants magnitude – low; extent – project footprint; frequency – intermittent; reversibility – short-term
Increased risk of forest fire in the local and regional assessment area during construction and operation and maintenance
• Undertake construction and burning during the winter months to the extent possible • Prohibit burning of slash
piles during high forest fire conditions
Minimal risk of forest fires
Direction – negative; ecological context – moderate; duration – long-term; magnitude – moderate; extent – regional assessment area; frequency – intermittent; reversibility – long-term
Environmental indicators and measureable parameters for VCs are provided in Table 5.3.1b.
Table 5.3.1b. VC environmental indicators and measurable parameters. Valued Component
Environmental Indicator
Measurable Parameter
Residual Effect Comment
Species of special interest
Species occurrence
Presence and abundance
Minimal risk of loss
Effects primarily restricted to project assessment area
Botanical resource areas and culturally important plants
Area of resource use
Hectares Minimal loss of vegetation
Effects primarily restricted to project assessment area
5.3.2 Soils
The relationship between soils and vegetation growth has been researched by several authors (e.g., Twardy and Corns 1980; Strong and La Roi 1983; Klinka et al. 1994; Szwaluk and Strong 2003). Soils are important to vegetation for several reasons including the storing nutrients and providing a medium for growth. According to Hironaka et al. (1990), soils and vegetation are mutually associated with each other when reviewing basic concepts of development, both influenced by the same environmental variables.
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Effects of road construction on the soil environment has been well documented (Bilby 1989; Daigle 2010; Noss 2002; Senes Consultants Ltd. 2005; Swift 1988; and Trombulak and Frissell 1999). Effects of road construction on soils include erosion, compaction, contamination, and loss of productivity.
Environment effects of the proposed PR 304 to Berens River All-Season Road on the east side of Lake Winnipeg have been reported on in environmental assessments by the Manitoba Floodway and East Side Road Authority (2010) and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (2011). Environmental effects include contamination of soils from accidental spills and fuel releases, soil compaction, loss of soils, soil erosion and the modification of terrain and local drainage condition.
The proposed P4 All-Season Road Project was determined to affect soils during construction, operation and maintenance stages. Potential environmental effects include the following:
1. Loss of soils stripped in the project assessment area during construction. 2. Compaction of soils in the project assessment area during construction. 3. Loss of soil in the project assessment area through erosion during construction. 4. Impaired soil quality in the project assessment area from accidental releases of
hydrocarbon and hazardous substances during construction, operation and maintenance.
5. Impaired soil quality in the project assessment area from herbicide application during construction, operation and maintenance.
Measures identified to mitigate adverse environmental effects on soils include stockpiling soils that are stripped for use in re-vegetation, minimize the amount of soil stripped in construction sites, minimize compaction of soils by heavy equipment in construction areas, provide erosion protection and sediment control around soil stockpiles and construction areas, store fuels and other hydrocarbon containing substances in approved containers, use drip trays when fuelling construction equipment and vehicles, construction sites to have an approved emergency response plan that includes fuel spills, and adhere to herbicide permit terms and conditions.
The range of evaluation criteria for potential residual effects on soils were determined to be adverse in direction of change, with low to moderate ecological context. Other evaluation criteria include duration of medium to long-term, magnitude ranging from low to moderate, an extent restricted to the project footprint, frequency of once to intermittent, and short to long-term reversibility of effects. Follow-up actions identified include inspections to ensure that mitigation is implemented and effective. The environmental effects analysis for soils is summarized in Table 5.3.2.
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Table 5.3.2. Soils effects analysis. Nature of Potential
Effects Mitigation Measures Residual Effects Evaluation
Loss of soils stripped in the project assessment area during construction
• Stockpile soil stripped from the proposed road bed for re-vegetation purposes • Minimize amount of soil
stripped in construction sites
Loss of soils Direction – negative; ecological context – low; duration – long-term; magnitude – moderate; extent – project footprint; frequency – once; reversibility – long-term
Compaction of soils in the project assessment area during construction
• Minimize compaction of soils by heavy equipment in construction areas
Minimal compaction of soils
Direction – negative; ecological context – low; duration – medium-term; magnitude – low; extent – project footprint; frequency – once; reversibility – short-term
Loss of soil in the project assessment area through erosion during construction
• Provide erosion protection and sediment control around soil stockpiles as required
Minimal risk of soil erosion
Direction – negative; ecological context – low; duration – medium-term; magnitude – low; extent – project footprint; frequency – once; reversibility – short-term
Impaired soil quality in the project assessment area from accidental releases of hydrocarbon and hazardous substances during construction, operation and maintenance
• Store fuels and other hydrocarbon containing substances in approved containers • Use drip trays, pads or sheets
when fuelling construction equipment and vehicles • Construction sites to have an
approved emergency response plan that includes fuel spills
Minimal risk of impaired soil quality
Direction – negative; ecological context – moderate; duration – long-term; magnitude – moderate; extent – project footprint; frequency – intermittent; reversibility –
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Table 5.3.2. Soils effects analysis. Nature of Potential
Effects Mitigation Measures Residual Effects Evaluation
long-term Impaired soil quality in the project assessment area from herbicide application during construction, operation and maintenance
• Apply herbicide in accordance with manufacturers guidelines • Adhere to herbicide permit
terms and conditions
Minimal risk of impaired soil quality
Direction – negative; ecological context – low; duration – long-term; magnitude – low; extent – project footprint; frequency – intermittent; reversibility – long-term
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6.0 CUMULATIVE EFFECTS Cumulative effects are the environmental effects that are likely to result from a project in combination with the environmental effects of other past, existing and future projects or activities. The environmental assessment process for cumulative environmental effects includes: scoping, analysis of effects, identification of mitigation, evaluation of significance, and follow-up.
6.1 Scoping
Regional Issues: Regional vegetation issues of concern for the assessment of cumulative effects for the P4 Berens River to Poplar River First Nation All-Season Road Project were determined to include:
• Spread of invasive plant species
Regional issues are discussed in Section 5.1 of the vegetation report.
Regional Valued Components: Regional VCs relevant to the cumulative effects assessment for the P4 Berens River to Poplar River First Nation All-Season Road Project were determined to be:
• Species of special interest • Botanical resource areas and culturally important plants
VCs are discussed in Section 5.2 of the vegetation report.
Spatial and Temporal Boundaries: Spatial and temporal boundaries for a cumulative effects assessment generally occur over a wide area and extend before and after the project boundaries. The spatial boundary identified for the cumulative effects assessment includes the regional assessment area, while the temporal boundary was determined to be long-term (beyond 10 years of operation).
Other Actions: Other actions that may affect the VCs were determined to include:
Past: • Community Development • Resource Use
Existing: • Winter Roads • Transmission Maintenance
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• Resource Use
• Off-road Vehicles
Future: • Transmission Maintenance • Transmission Projects • Road Projects • Resource Use • Off-road Vehicles • Community Development • Mining
Potential Effects: The potential environmental effects on VCs due to the proposed P4 All-Season Road Project and other projects and activities in the cumulative effects assessment area for the foreseeable future are shown as interactions in Table 6.1.
Table 6.1. Potential cumulative effects identification.
Projects and Activities
Regional VCs Species of Special Interest
Botanical Resource Areas and Culturally Important Plants
Proposed Project Project construction X X Project operation X X Past Projects and Activities Community development projects X X Resource use X X Existing Projects and Activities Winter roads X X Transmission maintenance X X Resource use X X Off-road vehicles X X Future Projects and Activities Transmission projects X X Road projects X X Mining projects X X Community development projects X X
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6.2 Effects Analysis
Eleven different cover types were recognized in the regional assessment area. Wetland shrub is the dominant cover type and accounts for 35,984.0 ha. The second most abundant cover type in regional assessment area is dense coniferous forest (22,346.0 ha), followed by dense mixedwood forest (13,107.0 ha). The remaining cover types are divided among coniferous and broadleaf forests, shrub lands, wetlands and exposed land. Open water occupies an area of 4,054 ha.
In the regional assessment area, known areas where berry picking occurs represent 8,102.0 ha, and up to 56 species of conservation concern may occur, of which four are very rare (S1) and 15 are rare (S2), as ranked by the MBCDC.
The potential cumulative effects of the proposed P4 All-Season Road Project in combination with the effects of other Projects and activities in the assessment area are summarized below:
Species of Special Interest, and Botanical Resource Areas and Culturally Important Plants: The effects of construction and operation of the proposed P4 All-Season Road Project may act cumulatively with the effects of the existing winter roads, transmission maintenance, resource use, and off-road vehicles. Future activities such as transmission projects, road projects, mining projects, and community development may adversely affect the VCs identified. Past activities have included community development projects and resource use, but past effects on VC’s are anticipated to be small.
The potential cumulative effects of the proposed P4 All-Season Road Project in combination with the effects of other projects and activities in the assessment area are evaluated in Table 6.2. The range of evaluation criteria (see Table 5.0.) for the potential cumulative effect categories include an adverse direction of change, low ecological context, long-term duration, low magnitude, a project footprint extent or spatial boundary, frequency of once to intermittent, and reversible over the long-term. Any potential cumulative environmental effects for the Project would be very small.
44
Table 6.2. Potential cumulative environmental effects analysis. Potential Cumulative Effect Categories
Evaluation Criteria and Rating
Dir
ecti
on o
f Ch
ange
Ecol
ogic
al
Cont
ext
Dur
atio
n
Mag
nitu
de
Exte
nt
Freq
uenc
y
Reve
rsib
ility
Loss of Species of Special Interest Negative Low Long-term
Low Project Once Long-term
Loss of Botanical Resource Areas and Culturally Important Plants
Negative Low Long-term
Low Project Intermittent
Long-term
6.3 Identification of Mitigation
No additional mitigation measures are required for any potential cumulative environmental effects.
6.4 Evaluation of Significance
No significant cumulative environmental effects were identified for the proposed P4 Berens River to Poplar River First Nation All-Season Road Project, in combination with the environmental effects of other projects and activities in the assessment area currently, or for the reasonably foreseeable future.
6.5 Follow-up
No additional follow-up is required for any potential cumulative environmental effects.
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7.0 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
7.1 Environmental Protection Measures
Environmental protection measures identified in this assessment report include specific mitigation measures to avoid or minimize potential adverse effects on vegetation and soils arising from the Project. The environmental protection measures are based on best practices and guidance materials from other development projects, and are summarized from the Effects Assessment (Section 5.0).
Vegetation Mitigation Measures
• Limit clearing to designated areas within the RoW. • Prohibit equipment and vehicle use outside the designated cleared area. • Restore ground cover vegetation along road shoulders using natural means
augmented with planting and seeding of native species as required. • Design road and construction practices to avoid adversely affecting the functionality
of bogs and fens. • Implement design measures to maintain existing moisture conditions that support
localized vegetative communities as per the Operational Guide to Forest Road Wetland Crossings (Ducks Unlimited Canada et al. 2014).
• Undertake construction activities during winter months to extent possible. • Identify areas of cultural importance prior to clearing. • Identify important medicinal and cultural plants and harvesting areas. • Identify and flag plant species of interest prior to clearing. • Adjust road alignment where possible to avoid loss of plant species of interest and
important harvesting areas. • Wash construction equipment and vehicles prior to bringing them into the
construction site. • Construction sites to have an approved emergency response plan that includes fuel
spills. • Apply herbicides in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines and adhere to
permit terms and conditions. • Avoid herbicide application beyond road shoulder. • Use water or approved dust suppression agents that will not negatively affect plants. • Undertake construction and burning during the winter months to the extent
possible. • Prohibit burning of slash piles during high forest fire conditions.
46
Soil Mitigation Measures
• Stockpile soil stripped from the proposed road bed for revegetation purposes. • Minimize amount of soil stripped in construction sites. • Minimize compaction of soils by heavy equipment in construction areas. • Provide erosion protection and sediment control around soil stockpiles as required. • Store fuels and other hydrocarbon containing substances in approved containers. • Use drip trays, pads or sheets when fuelling construction equipment and vehicles. • Construction sites to have an approved emergency response plan that includes fuel
spills. • Apply herbicides in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines and adhere to
permit terms and conditions. • Avoid herbicide application beyond road shoulder.
7.2 Future Field Investigations
For this assessment, a native vegetation survey will be conducted in the spring of 2015 to ground truth desktop findings. The survey will be conducted to gather additional data and record baseline information on the vegetation and soils in the Project assessment area. Field studies will include investigations for species of conservation concern and species of special interest, species of that have botanical value to local communities and invasive plant species distribution.
47
8.0 REFERENCES
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APPENDIX I. Definitions of Selected Technical Terms1.
Bog – Ombrotrophic peatlands generally unaffected by nutrient-rich groundwater that are acidic and often dominated by heath shrubs and Sphagnum mosses and that may include open-growing, stunted trees.
Boreal – Pertaining to the north; a climatic and ecological zone that occurs south of the subarctic, but north of the temperate hardwood forests of eastern North America, the parkland of the Great Plains region, and the montane forests of the Canadian cordillera.
Canopy – The more or less continuous cover of branches and foliage formed by the crowns of trees.
Canopy Closure – The degree of canopy cover relative to openings.
Classification – The systematic grouping and organization of objects, usually in a hierarchical manner.
Community-Type – A group of vegetation stands that share common characteristics, an abstract plant community.
Coniferous – A cone-bearing plant belonging to the taxonomic group Gymnospermae.
Cover – The area of ground covered with plants of one or more species, usually expressed as a percentage.
Deciduous – Refers to perennial plants from which the leaves abscise and fall off at the end of the growing season.
Ecoregion – An area characterized by a distinctive regional climate as expressed by vegetation.
Family – Taxonomic grouping of plants that are related at a particular hierarchical level.
Fen – Wetland with a peat substrate, nutrient-rich waters, and primarily vegetated by shrubs and graminoids.
Flora – A list of the plant species present in an area.
Forest – A relatively large assemblage of tree-dominated stands.
Graminoid – A plant that is grass-like; the term refers to grasses and plant that look like grasses, i.e., only narrow-leaved herbs; in the strictest sense, it includes plants belonging only to the family Graminaceae.
Habitat – The place in which an animal or plant lives; the sum of environmental circumstances in the place inhabited by an organism, population or community.
Invasive – Invasive species are plants that are growing outside of their country or region of origin and are out-competing or even replacing native plants (Invasive Species Council of Manitoba).
Mitigation – Often the process or act of minimizing the negative effects of a proposed action.
Mixedwood – Forest stands composed of conifers and angiosperms each representing between 25 and 75% of the cover.
Riparian – Refers to terrain, vegetation or simply a position adjacent to or associated with a stream, flood plain, or standing body of water.
Shrub – A perennial plant usually with a woody stem, shorter than a tree, often with a multi-stemmed base.
Species – A group of organisms having a common ancestry that are able to reproduce only among themselves; a general definition that does not account for hybridization.
Stand – A collection of plants having a relatively uniform composition and structure, and age in the case of forests.
Terrestrial – Pertaining to land as opposed to water.
Understory – Vegetation growing beneath taller plants such as trees or tall shrubs.
Vascular – Having tissues that transport water, sap, nutrients; refers to plants that are not mosses, lichens and algae.
Vegetation – The general cover of plants growing on a landscape.
Vegetation Type – In phytosociology, the lowest possible level to be described.
Wetland – Land that is saturated with water long enough to promote hydric soils or aquatic processes as indicated by poorly drained soils, hydrophytic vegetation, and various kinds of biological activity that are adapted to wet environments.
1All references Cauboue et al. 1996, unless otherwise noted.
APPENDIX II. Preliminary Species List. The following is a list of the preliminary plant species with potential range in the P4 study area and vicinity, including 458 vascular and non-vascular species from 81 families, occurring in terrestrial, wetland and aquatic habitats. Data is compiled from provincial data (MB Conservation Data Center), herbarium records (The Manitoba Museum), regional flora (e.g. Ames et al. 2005; Cody 1989; Flora of North America 2015; Scoggan 1979), and existing literature (e.g. Asatiwisipe Aki Management Plan 2011; Davidson-Hunt et al. 2012; MFESRA 2014; Wilson and Aykroyd 2004). A rank of SNA in this list generally denotes an introduced species, while an asterisk (*) in the Rank column denotes an invasive species.
FAMILY/Species Common Name Rank Ferns and Allies EQUISETACEAE HORSETAIL FAMILY Equisetum arvense Common Horsetail S5 Equisetum fluviatile Swamp Horsetail S5 Equisetum hyemale Common Scouring-rush S5 Equisetum pratense Meadow Horsetail S4S5 Equisetum sylvaticum Wood Horsetail S5 Equisetum scirpoides Dwarf Scouring-rush S5 LYCOPODIACEAE CLUB-MOSS FAMILY Diphasium complanatum Trailing Club-moss S5 Lycopodium annotinum Stiff Club-moss S5 Lycopodium clavatum Running Pine S4 Lycopodium dendroideum Ground Pine S5 Lycopodium obscurum Ground-pine S5 OPHIOGLOSSACEAE ADDER’S TONGUE FAMILY Botrychium virginianum Common Grape-fern S5 Botrychium spp. Grape-fern POLYPODIACEAE POLYPODY FAMILY
Polypodium virginianum Rock Polypody S5 DRYOPTERIDACEAE WOOD FERN FAMILY Athyrium felix-femina Lady Fern S5 Dryopteris carthusiana Spinulose Wood Fern S5 Gymnocarpium dryopteris Common Oak Fern S5 Matteucia struthiopteris Ostrich Fern S5 Woodsia ilvensis Rusty Woodsia S5 Gymnosperms TAXACEAE YEW FAMILY
Taxus canadensis Canada Yew S3 PINACEAE PINE FAMILY Abies balsamea Balsam Fir S5 Larix laricina Tamarack S5 Picea glauca White Spruce S5 Picea mariana Black Spruce S5 Pinus banksiana Jack Pine S5 CUPRESSACEAE CYPRESS FAMILY Juniperus communis Common Juniper S5
Juniperus horizontalis Creeping Juniper S5 Monocots JUNCAGINACEAE ARROW-GRASS FAMILY Triglochin maritima Seaside Arrow-grass S5 POTAMOGETONACEAE PONDWEED FAMILY Potamogeton sp Pondweed ALISMATACEAE ARROWHEAD FAMILY Alisma triviale Common Water-plantain S5 Sagittaria cuneata Northern Arrowhead S5 POACEAE GRASS FAMILY Agropyron sp. Wheat-grass Agrostis scabra Tickle-grass S5 Agrostis sp. Bent Grass Agrostis stolonifera Creeping Bent Grass SNA Alopecurus aequalis Short-awned Foxtail S5 Andropogon gerardii Big Bluestem S5 Beckmannia syzigachne Slough Grass S5 Bromus ciliatus Fringed Brome S5 Bromus inermis Smooth Brome SNA Calamagrostis canadensis Marsh Reed Grass S5 Calamagrostis sp. Reed Grass Calamagrostis stricta Northern Reed Grass S5 Cinna latifolia Slender Woodreed S5 Dathonia spicata Poverty Oatgrass S5 Deschampsia cespitosa Tufted Hairgrass S5 Dichanthelium acuminatum var. fasciculatum
Soft Millet S4
Elymus canadensis Canada Wild Rye S5? Elymus repens Quack-grass SNA Elymus trachycaulus Slender Wheat Grass S5 Festuca rubra Red Fescue S5 Glyceria borealis Northern Manna Grass S5 Glyceria striata Fowl Manna Grass S5 Hesperostipa spartea Porcupine Grass S4 Hierochloe odorata Sweet Grass S5 Hordeum jubatum Foxtail Barley S5 Koeleria macrantha June Grass S5 Leymus innovatus Hairy Wild Rye S5 Oryzopsis asperifolia Rice Grass S5 Phalaris arundinacea Reed Canary Grass S5* Phleum pratense Timothy SNA Phragmites australis Common Reed S5 Piptatherum pungens Northern Rice Grass S5 Poa alpina Alpine Bluegrass S5 Poa palustris Fowl Blue Grass S5 Poa pratensis Kentucky Bluegrass S5 Poa sp. Bluegrass Puccinellia sp. Salt-meadow Grass Schizachne purpurascens False Melic S5
Spartina pectinata Prairie Cord Grass S5 Zizania palustris Wild Rice S4 CYPERACEAE SEDGE FAMILY Carex aurea Golden Sedge S5 Carex aquatilis Water Sedge S5 Carex atherodes Awned Sedge S5 Carex bebbii Bebb's Sedge S5 Carex canescens Hoary Sedge S5 Carex capillaris Hair-like Sedge S5 Carex chordorrhiza Prostrate Sedge S5 Carex concinna Beautiful Sedge S4S5 Carex deflexa Bent Sedge S5 Carex dewyana Dewey's Sedge S5 Carex disperma Two-seeded Sedge S5 Carex eburnea Bristle-leaved Sedge S4S5 Carex foenea Hay Sedge S5 Carex granularis Granular Sedge S4 Carex gynocrates Northern Bog Sedge S5 Carex inops Long-stolon Sedge SU Carex interior Inland Sedge S4? Carex lasiocarpa Hairy-fruited Sedge S5 Carex leptalea Bristle-stalked Sedge S5 Carex magellanica Bog Sedge S5 Carex rariflora Scant Sedge S3 Carex retrorsa Turned Sedge S5 Carex sartwellii Sartwell's sedge S4 Carex scirpoidea Rush-like Sedge S4 Carex sp. Sedge Carex stipata Awl-fruited Sedge S4 Carex trisperma Three-seeded Sedge Carex utriculata Beaked Sedge S5 Carex vaginata Sheathed Sedge S5 Carex vesicaria Blister Sedge SU Eleocharis quinqueflora Few-flowered Spikerush S4 Eriophorum angustifolium Tall Cotton-grass S5 Eriophorum sp. Cotton-grass Eriophorum vaginatum Sheathed Cotton-grass S5 Eriophorum viridi-carinatum Thin-leaved Cotton-grass S4 Rhynchospora alba White Beakrush S3? Schoenoplectus acutus Hard-stemmed Bulrush S4 Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani Soft-stem Bulrush S5 Scirpus cyperinus Wool-grass S5 Scirpus microcarpus Small-fruited Bulrush S5 Scirpus sp. Rush Trichophorum alpinum Alpine Cotton-grass S5 Trichophorum caespitosum Tufted Bulrush S4 ARACEAE ARUM FAMILY
Calla palustris Water-arum S5 TYPHACEAE CAT-TAIL FAMILY Typha angustifolia Narrow-leaved Cat-tail S4*
Typha latifolia Common Cat-tail S5 ACORACEAE SWEET-FLAG FAMILY Acorus americanus Sweet Flag S5 LEMNACEAE DUCKWEED FAMILY Lemna minor Lesser Duckweed SNA JUNCACEAE RUSH FAMILY Juncus arcticus Arctic Rush S5 Juncus arcticus var. balticus Baltic Rush S5 Juncus bufonius Toad Rush S5 Juncus sp. Rush Juncus vaseyi Big-head Rush S4? LILIACEAE LILY FAMILY Clintonia borealis Blue-bead Lily S4? Hypoxis hirsuta Yellow Star Grass S4 Lilium philadelphicum Wood Lily S4 Maianthemum canadense Canada May Flower S5 Maianthemum stellatum Star-flowered Solomon’s Seal S5 Maianthemum trifolium Three-leaved Solomon’s Seal S5 Prosartes trachycarpa Fairybells S4 Smilax lasioneura Carrion Vine S4 Streptopus amplexifolius White Mandarin S3? Tofieldia pusilla Bog Asphodel S4 Triantha glutinosa Sticky False Asphodel S5 Trillium cernuum Nodding Trillium S4 Zigadenus elegans Smooth Camas S5 ORCHIDACEAE ORCHID FAMILY Amerorchis rotundifolia Round-leaved Orchis S5 Cypripedium acaule Stemless Lady's-slipper S4 Cypripedium calceolus Yellow Lady's-slipper S4 Cypripedium reginae Showy Lady’s-slipper S4 Cypripedium passerinum Sparrow's-egg Lady’s-slipper S4 Goodyera repens Lesser Rattlesnake Plantain S5 Goodyera tesselata Tesselated Rattlesnake Plantain S3 Platanthera aquilonis Northern Green Bog Orchid S5 Platanthera hookeri Hooker's Orchid S2 Platanthera orbiculata Round-leaved Bog Orchid S3 Spiranthes lacera Northern Slender Ladies'-tresses S3S4 Spiranthes romanzoffiana Hooded Ladies’-tresses S5 Dicots SALICAEAE WILLOW FAMILY Populus balsamifera Balsam Poplar S5 Populus deltoides Cottonwood S4 Populus tremuloides Trembling Aspen S5 Salix amygdaloides Peach-leaved Willow S4 Salix arbusculoides Little-tree Willow S3 Salix bebbiana Bebb’s Willow S5 Salix candida Hoary Willow S5 Salix discolor Pussy Willow S5 Salix exigua Sandbar Willow S5
Salix glauca Smooth Willow S4? Salix humilis Gray Willow S4 Salix maccalliana Velvet-fruited Willow S4 Salix myrtillifolia Myrtle-leaved Willow S5 Salix pedicellaris Bog Willow S5 Salix pellita Satin Willow S4 Salix petiolaris Basket Willow S4 Salix planifolia Flat-leaved Willow S5 Salix scouleriana Scouler Willow S4 Salix vestita Rock Willow S3 Salix sp. Willow S5 BETULACEAE BIRCH FAMILY Alnus incana Speckled Alder S5 Alnus viridis Green Alder S5 Betula papyrifera White Birch S5 Betula pumila Dwarf Birch S5 Betula x winteri Birch (hybrid) Corylus americana American Hazelnut S4 Corylus cornuta Beaked Hazelnut S5 FAGACEAE BEECH FAMILY Quercus macrocarpa Bur Oak S5 ULMACEAE ELM FAMILY Ulmus americana American Elm S4 CANNABACEAE HEMP FAMILY Humulus lupulus Common Hop S4 URTICACEAE NETTLE FAMILY Urtica dioica Stinging Nettle S5 SANTALACEAE SANDALWOOD FAMILY Geocaulon lividum Northern Comandra S5 POLYGONACEAE SMARTWEED FAMILY Fallopia cilinodes Fringed Black Bindweed S5 Polygonum amphibium Water Smartweed S5 Polygonum sp. Smartweed Rumex crispus Curly Dock SNA Rumex triangulivalvis Narrow-leaved Dock S5 CHENOPODIACEAE GOOSEFOOT FAMILY Chenopodium album Lamb's-quarters SNA Corispermum americanum American Bugseed S2S3 Suaeda calceoliformis Horned Sea-blite S5 CARYOPHYLLACEAE PINK FAMILY Silene sp. Catchfly Stellaria longipes Long-leaved Starwort S5 RANUNCULACEAE CROWFOOT FAMILY Actaea rubra Baneberry S5 Anemone canadensis Canada Anemone S5 Anemone cylindrica Thimbleweed S5 Anemone multifida Cut-leaved Anemone S5 Anemone parviflora Small Wood Anemone S4 Anemone patens Prairie Crocus S4
Aquilegia brevistyla Small-flowered Columbine S4 Aquilegia canadensis Wild Columbine S5 Caltha palustris Marsh Marigold S5 Ranunculus abortivus Kidneyleaf Buttercup S5 Ranuculus cymbalaria Seaside Buttercup S5 Ranunculus acris Common Buttercup SNA* Ranunculus lapponicus Lapland Buttercup S5 Ranunculus pallasii Pallas Buttercup S2 Ranunculus sceleratus Celery-leaved Buttercup S5 Ranunculus sp. Buttercup Thalictrum dasycarpum Hairy Meadowrue S5 Thalictrum venulosum Veiny Meadowrue S5 PAPAVERACEAE POPPY FAMILY Sanguinaria canadensis Blood-root S2 FUMARIACEAE FUMITORY FAMILY Corydalis aurea Golden Corydalis S5 Corydalis sempervirens Pink Corydalis S5 BRASSICACEAE MUSTARD FAMILY Arabis drummondii Drummond's Rock Cress S5 Arabis lyrata Lyre-leaved Rock Cress S2? Rorippa palustris Marsh Yellow Cress S5 SARRACENIACEAE PITCHER PLANT FAMILY Sarracenia purpurea Pitcher Plant S5 DROSERACEAE SUNDEW FAMILY Drosera anglica Oblong-leaved Sundew S3 Drosera rotundifolia Round-leaved Sundew S5 GROSSULARIACEAE CURRANT FAMILY Ribes americanum Wild Black Currant S5 Ribes glandulosum Skunk Currant S5 Ribes hudsonianum Northern Black Currant S5 Ribes lacustre Swamp Gooseberry S4 Ribes oxyacanthoides Northern Gooseberry S5 Ribes triste Swamp Red Currant S5 SAXIFRAGACEAE SAXIFRAGE FAMILY Heuchera richardsonii Alumroot S5 Mitella nuda Mitrewort S5 Saxifraga tricuspidata Three-toothed Saxifrage S4 Sibbaldiopsis tridentata Three-toothed Cinquefoil S5 PARNASSIACEAE GRASS OF PARNASSUS FAMILY Parnassia palustris Northern Grass-of-Parnassus S4 ROSACEAE ROSE FAMILY Amelanchier alnifolia Saskatoon S5 Argentina anserina Silverweed S5 Comarum palustre Marsh Cinquefoil S5 Crataegus chrysocarpa Round-leaved Hawthorn S4 Dasiphora fruticosa Shrubby cinquefoil S5 Fragaria virginiana Smooth Wild Strawberry S5 Geum aleppicum Yellow Avens S5 Potentilla norvegica Rough Cinquefoil S5
Prunus pensylvanica Pin Cherry S5 Prunus pumila Ground Cherry S4 Prunus virginiana Chokecherry S5 Rosa acicularis Prickly Rose S5 Rosa arkansana Low Prairie Rose S4 Rosa sp. Rose Rosa woodsii Wood's Rose S4 Rubus arcticus Stemless Raspberry S5 Rubus chamaemorus Cloud Berry S5 Rubus idaeus Raspberry S5 Rubus pubescens Trailing Dewberry S5 Sorbus decora Mountain-ash S4 Spiraea alba Meadowsweet S5 FABACEAE PEA FAMILY Amphicarpaea bracteata Hog-peanut S4 Astragalus americanus American Milkvetch S3 Astragalus canadensis Canada Milkvetch S5 Desmodium canadense Beggar's-lice S2 Glycyrrhiza lepidota Wild Licorice S5 Lathyrus ochroleucus Cream-coloured Vetchling S4S5 Lathyrus venosus Wild Peavine S5 Lotus corniculatus Bird's-foot Trefoil SNA Medicago lupulina Black Medic SNA Medicago sativa Alfalfa SNA* Melilotus alba White Sweetclover SNA* Melilotus officinalis Yellow Sweetclover SNA* Trifolium hybridum Alsike Clover SNA Trifolium pratense Red Clover SNA Trifolium repens White Clover SNA Vicia americana American Vetch S5 Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch SNA* OXALIDACEAE WOOD-SORREL FAMILY Oxalis stricta Yellow Wood-sorrel S4S5 GERANIACEAE GERANIUM FAMILY Geranium bicknellii Bicknell's Geranium S5 POLYGALACEAE MILKWORT FAMILY Polygala senega Seneca Root S4 EUPHORBIACEAE SPURGE FAMILY Euphorbia esula Leafy Spurge SNA* ANACARDIACEAE SUMAC FAMILY Rhus glabra Smooth Sumac S4 Toxicodendron rydbergii Poison Ivy S5 ACERACEAE MAPLE FAMILY Acer negundo Manitoba Maple S5 Acer spicatum Mountain Maple S5 BALSAMINACEAE TOUCH-ME-NOT FAMILY Impatiens capensis Jewelweed S5 RHAMNACEAE BUCKTHORN FAMILY Rhamnus alnifolia Alder-leaved Buckthorn S5
VITACEAE GRAPE FAMILY Vitis riparia Riverbank Grape S3S4 TILIACEAE LINDEN FAMILY Tilia americana Basswood S4 IRIDACEAE IRIS FAMILY Iris versicolor Blue Flag S4 Sisyrinchium montanum Blue-eyed Grass S5 CISTACEAE ROCK ROSE FAMILY Hudsonia tomentosa False Heather S3 VIOLACEAE VIOLET FAMILY Viola adunca Early Blue Violet S5 Viola canadensis Canada Violet S5 Viola nephrophylla Bog Violet S5 Viola pubescens Downy Yellow Violet S4 Viola renifolia Kidney-leaved Violet S5 Viola sp. Violet ELAEAGNACEAE OLEASTER FAMILY Elaeagnus commutata Wolf-willow S4 Shepherdia canadensis Canada Buffaloberry S5 ONAGRACEAE EVENING PRIMROSE FAMILY Chamerion angustifolium Fireweed S5 Circaea alpina Small Enchanter’s-nightshade S5 Circaea lutetiana Large Enchanter’s Nightshade S2 Epilobium ciliatum ssp. glandulosum Northern Willowherb S5 Epilobium leptophyllum Willowherb S5 Epilobium palustre Marsh Willowherb S5 Oenothera biennis Evening Primrose S5 HALORAGACEAE WATER-MILFOIL FAMILY
Myriophyllum sibiricum Spiked Water-milfoil S5 ARALIACEAE GINSENG FAMILY Aralia hispida Bristly Sarsaparilla S5 Aralia nudicaulis Wild Sarsaparilla S5 APIACEAE CARROT FAMILY Cicuta maculata Spotted Water Hemlock S5 Heracleum maximum Cow parsnip S5 Osmorhiza claytonii Wooly or Hairy Sweet Cicely S2 Osmorhiza longistylis Sweet Cicely S5 Sanicula marilandica Seneca Snakeroot S5 Sium suave Water Parsnip S5 Zizia aptera Heart-leaved Alexander S5 Zizia aurea Golden Alexanders S5 CORNACEAE DOGWOOD FAMILY Cornus canadensis Bunchberry S5 Cornus sericea Red-osier Dogwood S5 PYROLACEAE WINTERGREEN FAMILY
Chimaphila umbellata Prince's Pine S4S5 Orthilia secunda One-sided Wintergreen S5 Pyrola asarifolia Pink Wintergreen S5 Pyrola chlorantha Greenish-flowered Wintergreen S5
Pyrola elliptica White Wintergreen S5 Pyrola sp. Wintergreen MONOTROPACEAE INDIAN PIPE FAMILY Monotropa uniflora Indian-pipe S4 ERICACEAE HEATH FAMILY Andromeda polifolia Bog-rosemary S5 Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Bearberry S5 Arctous alpina Alpine Bearberry S5 Chamaedaphne calyculata Leatherleaf S5 Gaultheria hispidula Creeping Snowberry S5 Gaultheria procumbens Teaberry S3S4 Kalmia polifolia Pale Laurel S5 Rhododendron groenlandicum Labrador Tea S5 Rhododendron tomentosum Trapper’s Tea S4 Vaccinium angustifolium Low Sweet Blueberry S4 Vaccinium caespitosum Dwarf Bilberry S3 Vaccinium myrtilloides Velvetleaf Blueberry S5 Vaccinium oxycoccus Bog Cranberry S5 Vaccinium uliginosum Tall Sweet Blueberry S5 Vaccinium vitis-idaea Dry-ground Cranberry S5 MYRSINACEAE MYRSINE FAMILY Lysimachia ciliata Fringed Loosestrife S5 Trientalis borealis Northern Starflower S5 OLEACEAE OLIVE FAMILY Fraxinus nigra Black Ash S3 Fraxinus pennsylvanica Green Ash S5 GENTIANACEAE GENTIAN FAMILY Gentiana andrewsii Closed Gentian S4 Menyanthes trifoliata Bog Bean S5 APOCYNACEAE DOGBANE FAMILY Apocynum androsaemifolium Spreading Dogbane S5 Apocynum cannabinum Indian-hemp S4 Apocynum sp. Dogbane ASCLEPIADACEAE MILKWEED FAMILY Asclepias ovalifolia Dwarf Milkweed S4S5 CONVOLVULACEAE CONVOLVULUS FAMILY Calystegia sepium Hedge Bindweed S4 CUSCUTACEAE DODDER FAMILY
Cuscuta grenovii Common Dodder S4 BORAGINACEAE BORAGE FAMILY Hakelia deflexa var. americana American Stickseed S5 Lithospermum canescens Hoary Puccoon S5 Mertensia paniculata Tall Lungwort S5 Onosmodium molle Marble-seed S3S4 LAMIACEAE MINT FAMILY Agastache foeniculum Giant Hyssop S5 Dracocephalum parviflorum American Dragon-head S5 Lycopus americanus Water-horehound S5 Lycopus asper Western Water-horehound S4
Lycopus sp. Water-horehound Mentha arvensis Common Mint S5 Monarda fistulosa Wild Bergamot S4 Scutellaria galericulata Hooded Skullcap S5 Scutellaria lateriflora Mad-dog Skullcap S4 Stachys palustris Marsh Hedge-nettle S5 SOLANACEAE POTATO FAMILY
Hyoscamus niger Black Henbane SNA SCROPHULARIACEAE FIGWORT FAMILY Euphrasia frigida Northern Eyebright S4S5 Melampyrum lineare Cow-wheat S5 Pedicularis macrodonta Muskeg Lousewort S2 Veronica sp. Speedwell LENTIBULARIACEAE BLADDERWORT FAMILY Pinguicula villosa Small Butterwort S3S4 VERBENACEAE VERVAIN FAMILY Phryma leptostachya Lopseed S3 PLANTAGINACEAE PLANTAIN FAMILY Plantago major Common Plantain SNA RUBIACEAE MADDER FAMILY Galium boreale Northern Bedstraw S5 Galium labradoricum Northern Bog Bedstraw S5 Galium trifidum Three-petal Bedstraw S5 Galium triflorum Sweet-scented Bedstraw S5 Houstonia longifolia Long-leaved Bluets S4S5 CAPRIFOLIACEAE HONEYSUCKLE FAMILY Diervilla lonicera Bush-honeysuckle S5 Linnaea borealis Twinflower S5 Lonicera dioica Twining Honeysuckle S5 Lonicera involucrata Black Twinberry S4 Lonicera oblongifolia Swamp-fly-honeysuckle S4 Lonicera villosa Blue Fly Honeysuckle S5 Sambucus racemosa Elderberry S4 Symphoricarpos albus Snowberry S5 Symphoricarpos occidentalis Western Snowberry S5 Viburnum edule Low-bush Cranberry S5 Viburnum lentago Nannyberry S4 Viburnum opulus High-bush Cranberry S5 Viburnum rafinesquianum Downy Arrowwood S4 CAMPANULACEAE BELLFLOWER FAMILY Campanula aparinoides Marsh Bellflower S5 Campanula rotundifolia Bluebell S5 ASTERACEAE ASTER FAMILY Achillea millefolium Yarrow S5 Achillea sibirica Many-flowered Yarrow S5 Ambrosia psilostachya Perennial Ragweed S5 Antennaria sp. Pussytoes Arctium minus Common Burdock SNA Arctium sp. Burdock *
Artemisia absinthimum Wormwood SNA Artemisia campestris Field Sagewort S5 Bidens cernua Smooth Begarticks S5 Cirsium arvense Canada Thistle SNA* Cirsium muticum Swamp Thistle S4 Dendrathema arcticum Arctic Daisy S3 Doellingeria umbellata Flat-topped White Aster S5 Erigeron hyssopifolius Hyssop-leaved Fleabane S4 Erigeron philadelphicus Philadelphia Fleabane S5 Erigeron sp. Fleabane Eupatorium maculatum Spotted Joe-pye-weed S5 Euthamia graminifolia Flat-topped Goldenrod S5 Gaillardia aristata Great-flowered Gaillardia S4 Grindelia squarosa Curly-cup Gumweed S5 Helianthus sp. Sunflower Hieracium umbellatum Northern Hawkweed S5 Leucanthemum vulgare Ox-eye Daisy SNA* Liatris punctata Dotted Blazing Star S4 Packera paupercula Balsam Groundsel S5 Petasites frigidus var. palmatus Palmate-leaved Coltsfoot S5 Petasites frigidus var. sagittatus Arrow-leaved Coltsfoot S5 Petasites frigidus var. x vitifolius Vine-leaved Coltsfoot SNA Prenanthes alba White Rattlesnakeroot S4S5 Rudbeckia hirta Black-eyed Susan S5 Rudbeckia laciniata Tall Coneflower S4 Senecio sp. Groundsel Solidago canadensis Canada Goldenrod S5 Solidago gigantea Tall Goldenrod S5 Solidago hispida Hairy Goldenrod S5 Solidago mollis Velvety Goldenrod S5 Solidago multiradiata Alpine Goldenrod S5 Solidago rigida Stiff Goldenrod S5 Solidago simplex Decumbent Goldenrod SU Solidago sp. Goldenrod Sonchus arvensis Field Sow-thistle SNA* Symphyotrichum boreale Northern Bog Aster S5 Symphyotrichum ciliolatum Lindley’s Aster S5 Symphyotrichum ericoides Many-flowered Aster S4 Symphyotrichum laeve Smooth Aster S5 Symphyotrichum lanceolatum Panicled Aster S5 Symphyotrichum lateriflorum Calico Aster S4 Tanacetum vulgare Common Tansy SNA* Taraxacum officinale Common Dandelion SNA Bryophytes Brachythecium sp. Brachythecium Moss Climacium dendroides Tree Climacium Moss Dicranum undulatum Dicranum Moss Dicranum sp. Dicranum Moss Hylocomium splendens Splendid Feather Moss Mnium sp. Mnium Moss
Pleurozium schreberi Schreber’s Moss Polytrichum sp. Polytrichum Moss Ptilium crista-castrensis Knights Plume Moss Sphagnum spp. Peat Moss Lichens Cladina mitis Green Reindeer Lichen Cladina rangiferina Grey Reindeer Lichen Cladina stellaris Northern Reindeer Lichen Cladina sp. Reindeer Lichen Cladonia borealis Red Pixie-cup Lichen Cladonia sp. Cladonia Lichen Cladonia uncialis Prickle Cladonia Lichen Flavocetraria nivalis Flattened Snow Lichen Icmadophila ericetorum Spraypaint Lichen Peltigera sp. Pelt Lichen Stereocaulon tomentosum Woolly Coral Lichen Umbilicaria sp. Rocktripe Lichen Fungi Lycoperdon spp Puffball Fungus
APPENDIX III. Report Figures.
Map 08 Removed due to Sensitive
Traditional Knowledge Information
PROJECT 4 – ALL-SEASON ROAD ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
Appendix 9-3
Botanical and Vegetation Resource
Survey Field Report
BOTANICAL AND VEGETATION RESOURCE SURVEY OF THE PROPOSED
BERENS RIVER TO POPLAR RIVER FIRST NATION ALL-SEASON ROAD PROJECT 4
FIELD REPORT
Prepared for:
Manitoba East Side Road Authority
Prepared by:
Szwaluk Environmental Consulting Ltd.
Karin Newman
and
Calyx Consulting
September 2015
ERRATA
For:
Botanical and Vegetation Resource Survey of the Proposed
Berens River to Poplar River First Nation All-Season Road Project 4 Field Report
Prepared by:
Szwaluk Environmental Consulting Ltd., Karin Newman and Calyx Consulting
Page 21, 22, Map 08 and Appendix III: Identified rare species one-spike cotton-grass (Eriophorum scheuchzeri) to be removed.
Appendix III: Addition of sheathed cotton-grass (Eriophorum vaginatum) S5.
i
SUMMARY
Thirty-three forested and wetland sites were sampled between Berens River and Poplar
River along the proposed P4 alignment and quarry areas. Forested sites were classed into
10 vegetation community types, and wetland sites were classed into eight community
types.
A total of 186 plant taxa were observed in the local assessment area. Six documented rare
and uncommon species were recorded at or near survey sites. Two species of conservation
concern, ranked rare (S2), were observed along the proposed All-Season Road assessment
areas and included arethusa (Arethusa bulbosa) and one-spike cotton-grass (Eriophorum
scheuchzeri). Other species of note included chestnut sedge (Carex castanea), dwarf
bilberry (Vaccinium caespitosum), round-leaved bog orchid (Platanthera orbiculata) and
parsley fern (Cryptogramma acrostichoides), ranked uncommon (S3) or uncommon to
widespread (S3S4).
During the vegetation surveys, 36 cultural plant species were observed in the local
assessment area. The most frequent species observed in sampled plots was black spruce.
Other frequent species included willows, Labrador tea, bunchberry and velvet-leaved
blueberry.
Three environmentally sensitive sites were identified from field assessments along the
proposed All-Season Road. Sites included two locations for species of conservation
concern, and a stand of older growth jack pine mixed forest.
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pg. No. 1.0 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Background ....................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Project Overview ............................................................................................................................ 1
2.0 STUDY AREA.................................................................................................................................. 3
2.1 Spatial Boundaries ......................................................................................................................... 3
2.2 Existing Environment ................................................................................................................... 3
2.2.1 Ecological Land Classification .................................................................................... 3
2.2.2 Geology and Surficial Geology .................................................................................. 4
2.2.3 Soils ........................................................................................................................... 4
2.2.4 Topography and Drainage ......................................................................................... 4
2.2.5 Landscape Level Vegetation...................................................................................... 5
2.2.6 Wetlands ................................................................................................................... 5
2.2.7 Quarry and Borrow Areas ......................................................................................... 5
3.0 METHODS ....................................................................................................................................... 6
3.1 Sample Site Selection .................................................................................................................... 6
3.2 Native Vegetation and Soil Survey ........................................................................................... 6
3.2.1 Native Vegetation Survey ......................................................................................... 6
3.2.2 Soil Survey ................................................................................................................. 7
3.2.3 Field Classification and Site Information .................................................................. 7
3.3 Botanical Survey ............................................................................................................................. 7
3.3.1 Species of Conservation Concern.............................................................................. 7
3.3.2 Culturally Important Species ..................................................................................... 8
3.3.3 Collection Guidelines ................................................................................................ 9
4.0 VEGETATION AND BOTANICAL RESOURCES .................................................................... 10
4.1 Native Vegetation Resources .................................................................................................. 10
4.2.1 Plants and Distribution of Species .......................................................................... 20
4.2.2 Species of Conservation Concern and Other Species of Note ................................ 21
4.2.3 Invasive and Non-native Species............................................................................. 22
4.2.4 Culturally Important Species ................................................................................... 22
iii
4.3 Environmentally Sensitive Sites ............................................................................................ 26
5.0 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................... 27
APPENDIX I. Definitions of Selected Technical Terms.
APPENDIX II. Report Maps.
APPENDIX III. Flora of Project 4 Field Studies.
APPENDIX IV. Site information for forested and wetland sites.
APPENDIX V. Report Photographs.
LIST OF TABLES
Table 4.1.1. Forest community types sampled in P4 between Berens River and Poplar
River, 2015.
Table 4.1.2. Wetland community types sampled in P4 between Berens River and Poplar
River, 2015.
Table 4.2.2. Species of conservation concern and other species of note observed in or
incidental to P4 survey sites.
Table 4.2.4. Plants of cultural importance listed by name and plot location.
Table 4.3. Environmentally sensitive sites observed during field studies.
LIST OF MAPS
Map 01. Spatial Boundaries of Assessment Areas in the Project 4 Study Area.
Map 02. Ecological Land Classification in the Project 4 Study Area.
Map 03. Soil Classification in the Project 4 Study Area.
Map 04. River and Stream Crossings in the Project 4 Study Area.
Map 05. Land Cover Classification in the Project 4 Study Area.
Map 06. Wetland Classification in the Project 4 Study Area.
Map 07. Soil and Vegetation Survey Locations.
Map 08. Locations of Species of Conservation Concern.
iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors would like to thank Manitoba East Side Road Authority for providing all
background information required to conduct this study, Joro Consultants for generating the
GIS analysis and developing the map products, Custom Helicopters for flying our field crew,
the Manitoba Museum for use of their herbarium, and Berens River and Poplar River First
Nations for providing information, field support and welcoming us to their communities.
1
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
On the east side of Lake Winnipeg, Berens River First Nation and Northern Affairs
Community, and Poplar River First Nation have relied primarily on winter road and air
travel to transport people and goods. In 2008, the Government of Manitoba announced a
strategic initiative to provide improved, safer and more reliable transportation services to
connect the remote communities on the east side of Lake Winnipeg with the rest of
Manitoba. Manitoba East Side Road Authority (ESRA), formerly Manitoba Floodway and
East Side Road Authority (MFESRA), was established as a provincial Crown Agency to
manage the East Side Transportation Initiative with the intent of increasing transportation
opportunities for communities on the east side of Lake Winnipeg.
As part of the East Side Transportation Initiative, ESRA is proposing the construction of an
all-season road along the east side of Lake Winnipeg from Berens River to Poplar River
First Nation, Project 4 (P4). The proposed P4 all-season road will extend north from the
first segment of the Transportation Initiative network; an all-season road from Provincial
Road 304 (near Hollow Water First Nation) to Berens River First Nation and Northern
Affairs Community along the east side of Lake Winnipeg (Project 1), already under
construction.
1.2 Project Overview
The proposed All-Season Road will consist of 94.1 km of two-lane gravel highway on new
Right-of-Way (RoW) on provincial Crown land, from the English Rapids Road south of the
Berens River to the southern boundary of Poplar River First Nation (Appendix II, Map 1),
where it will connect with a 410 m community access road on the reserve.
The all-season road will be a gravel-surface public highway, with a design width of 10 m.
The all-season road will intersect four major water crossing and require bridges over the
Berens, Etomami, North Etomami, and Leaf Rivers.
The components of the Project include the following:
All-season road on new RoW
Four bridges at river crossings
Culverts for stream crossings and drainage
Rock quarries and granular borrow areas
Temporary access trails, staging areas and camps
2
The portion of the project located on Provincial Crown Land requires an Environmental
Impact Assessment under the Manitoba Environment Act as a Class II development and
under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. Additionally, the proposed project
requires a separate federal environmental assessment for the portion of the project located
on federal land (Poplar River community access road).
The specific objectives established for this study (based on the Request for Proposal,
Reference # P4-EL-61) were as follows: i) describe vegetation types and composition, all
overstory and understory species, and forest resource information; ii) verify the
presence/absence of protected species and plant species of interest such as those
traditionally used for medicine, subsistence and cultural purposes; and iii) conduct soil
surveys associated with vegetation sampling.
3
2.0 STUDY AREA
The proposed All-Season Road Project is located on the east side of Lake Winnipeg, near
Berens River First Nation, approximately 270 km north of Winnipeg (by air). The P4 All-
Season Road begins approximately 500 m east of the boundary of the Berens River First
Nation reserve, and extends north approximately 94.1 km from English Rapids Road on the
south side of the Berens River to the Poplar River First Nation reserve boundary,
approximately 400 km north of Winnipeg (by air). The proposed All-Season Road Project
occurs in the Berens River and Wrong Lake Ecodistricts, which are located in the Lac Seul
Upland Ecoregion and Boreal Shield Ecozone.
2.1 Spatial Boundaries
The spatial boundaries for the assessment consist of project, local and regional assessment
areas and are described below, and illustrated in Appendix II, Map 1.
Project Assessment Area (PAA) – Footprint of the proposed All-Season Road Project,
including rock quarries, borrow areas and access roads. The proposed All-Season Road will
be centered on a 100 m RoW with a typical clearing width of 60 m and additional clearing
as required at horizontal curves to maintain sight distances.
Local Assessment Area (LAA) – One km on either side of the proposed All-Season Road
Project, including rock quarries, borrow areas and access roads.
Regional Assessment Area (RAA) – Five km on either side of the proposed All-Season
Road Project.
2.2 Existing Environment
2.2.1 Ecological Land Classification
The proposed All-Season Road Project between the communities of Poplar River and
Berens River, occurs entirely within both the Berens River Ecodistrict adjacent to the
shoreline of Lake Winnipeg, and the Wrong Lake Ecodistrict, which lies to the east
(Appendix II, Map 2). These ecodistricts occur within the Lac Seul Upland Ecoregion which
extends from the shoreline of Lake Winnipeg into western Ontario, and from the Winnipeg
River north to Norway House, and the Boreal Shield Ecozone, which stretches from
northern Saskatchewan to Newfoundland (Smith et al. 1998).
4
2.2.2 Geology and Surficial Geology
The geology of the area consists of Precambrian rock from the Archean era (Geology of
Manitoba 2015). In the vicinity of Poplar River and Berens River, the lithotec consists of
metamorphosed early intrusive rocks, gneiss and migmatites. The unit consist of tonalite,
minor granodiorite, granite, related gneiss, and magmatic gneiss containing tonalite and
amphibolites. Late intrusive rocks occur approximately midway between Poplar River and
Berens River, which consist of granite, granodiorite and gneiss (Geology of Manitoba 2015).
The surficial geology of the area is characterized by both organic and glaciolacustrine
deposits, interspersed with local Precambrian bedrock ridge and knoll outcrops (Smith et
al. 1998). Level to gently undulating organic deposits are from 1 – 5 m thick and
accumulate in fen, bog, swamp and marsh settings. The glaciolacustrine sediments are very
low relief, massive and laminated deposits of clay, silt and minor sand, deposited by glacial
Lake Agassiz. Deposits were commonly scoured and homogenized by icebergs. The rock
outcrops are generally unweathered intrusive, metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks
with a glacially scoured irregular surface with high local relief (Matile and Keller 2004).
2.2.3 Soils
Soils are similar across both ecodistricts, with wetter, lower lying soils closer to the shore
of Lake Winnipeg. In the Berens River Ecodistrict, the dominant soils are poorly-drained,
deep or shallow organic Mesisols developed from moderately decomposed peat, which
overlie finer glaciolacustrine sediments. Well- to imperfectly-drained Gray Luvisols occur
in localized areas, and are associated with calcareous glacial sediments glaciolacustrine
loamy and clay textured soils. Poorly-drained peaty Gleysols occur to the north of the study
area. To the east within the Wrong Lake Ecodistrict, imperfectly-drained Gray Luvisols are
the dominant soils, while organic Mesisols are slightly less widespread (Smith et al. 1998).
Acidic bedrock outcrops intersperse the extensively peat-covered lowland, increasingly
more widespread to the east, with thin organic soils occurring in shallow depressions. Soils
of the assessment area are shown in Appendix II, Map 3.
2.2.4 Topography and Drainage
Topography of the area is generally level, or gently undulating peat-covered lowland,
occasionally interspersed by rock outcrops, with thin mantles of finer glacial sediments.
Elevation is between 222 metres above sea level (masl), near the shore of Lake Winnipeg,
and 245 masl for the next contour to the east (Smith et al. 1998).
5
The Lake Winnipeg Watershed drains from Ontario to the west into Lake Winnipeg, and
then to the Nelson River Watershed to the north. Drainage is generally poor, due to low
relief and the widespread occurrence of many deep and shallow peatlands.
The major rivers of the area include the Berens, Etomami, North Etomami, Leaf, and Poplar
Rivers. The P4 alignment is intersected at several locations by rivers and streams, and
other waterbodies (e.g. small lakes and ponds), shown in Appendix II, Map 4.
2.2.5 Landscape Level Vegetation
The vegetation across this region of Manitoba is primarily coniferous forest, with black
spruce occurring widespread on imperfectly drained mineral and organic soils. Upland
sites support black spruce, with willow and alder shrubs. The understory herb and shrub
vegetation is sparse to absent, and ground cover is made up of feather mosses. Occasional
mixed wood stands with balsam fir, white spruce, trembling aspen and balsam poplar form
along warmer river valleys and south facing slopes, in the southern portion of the
ecoregion. Mixed wood stands have generally more diverse shrub and herbaceous
vegetation layers. Areas of rocky outcrops may have patchy tree growth, often dominated
by jack pine, with an understory of ericaceous shrubs, herbs and mosses and lichens (Smith
et al. 1998). The land cover classification is shown in Appendix II, Map 5.
2.2.6 Wetlands
The vegetation around the eastern shore of Lake Winnipeg reflects the nature of the
dominant poorly-drained organic soils, and the distribution of wetlands in the P4 study
area, (Appendix II, Map 6). Within the regional assessment area, wetland types present
include bog and fen complexes, mineral wetlands, fens, and bogs (Halsey et al. 1997).
Marshes, and other wetland complexes (peat and non-peat forming) are also present over
the greater area, although not found within the P4 regional assessment area.
2.2.7 Quarry and Borrow Areas
Due to the widespread presence of wetlands throughout the project area, extensive
aggregate for construction of the road will be pulled from other sites, and thirty-five
potential rock quarries have been identified along the alignment (MFESRA 2015). Quarries
range in size from 1.1 ha to 53.4 ha, with the majority (68.6%) of potential quarry sites less
than 10 ha. For all quarries located off the alignment, access roads will be required.
6
3.0 METHODS
3.1 Sample Site Selection
Information provided by ESRA was used to select potential sites for vegetation sampling of
the proposed All-Season Road Project. Information included route alignment high
resolution imagery (30 cm), Project shapefiles such as the Land Cover Classification (LCC)
and Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge data, and Google Earth imagery.
The LCC is a national vector database mapping layer that has been harmonized across the
major federal departments involved in land management or land change detection
(Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada, Canadian Forest Service, and Canadian Centre for
Remote Sensing). The LCC consists of remotely sensed imagery (Landsat data) as part of
the Earth Observation for Sustainable Development of Forests Program. An enhanced LCC
includes a further harmonization/integration of the ecological stratification of Manitoba’s
landscapes (Smith et al., 1998) and the addition of wetland features, fire history (Manitoba
Conservation) and soil classes (National Soil Database, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada).
Potential sample sites for the proposed All-Season Road Project were based on
accessibility, vegetation cover type, disturbance, and areas with potential to support
species of conservation concern and species of interest.
3.2 Native Vegetation and Soil Survey
Vegetation and soil surveys were planned to occur within a 1 km radius of the proposed
All-Season Road Project, where most direct environmental effects are likely to occur.
Fieldwork was conducted to record information on the local flora, describe vegetation
types and forest conditions, search for species of conservation concern, document
culturally important species, and classify soils.
3.2.1 Native Vegetation Survey
A native vegetation survey was used to sample and characterize plant communities. The
survey consisted of establishing temporary sample plots on sites with relatively
homogeneous vegetation. These included both upland and wetland sites. The sampling of
vegetation composition was based on methods outlined in Redburn and Strong (2008). A
30 m transect was used with five 2.5 m by 2.5 m quadrats with a 1 m by 1 m nested quadrat
spaced at 5 m increments along the transect for shrubs 1-2.5 m tall and herbs and low
shrubs ≤1 m tall, respectively. The composition of tree cover >2.5 m tall was determined
using a 20 m by 30 m plot centered on each transect. Percent cover of species was not
7
determined as a result of the timing of surveys, which were required to be completed by
the end of June, 2015.
Within each plot, the tallest tree of each species was aged based on growth ring counts
from a single core extracted with an increment corer at breast height (1.3 m). Diameter at
breast height (DBH) was measured with a diameter tape. A clinometer was used to
measure tree height at a distance of 20 m.
3.2.2 Soil Survey
One soil pit was dug inside each upland plot for description. At each soil pit, the thickness
(cm) of the humus layer was measured. The thickness (cm) of soil horizons was measured
and soils were classified according to the Canadian System of Soil Classification (Soil
Classification Working Group 1998). In wetland sites, a hand held Dutch auger was used to
extract, measure and classify soils.
3.2.3 Field Classification and Site Information
Field vegetation type classification for upland sites sampled followed Zoladeski et al.
(1995) and Ducks Unlimited (2015) for wetlands.
Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) geographic coordinates were recorded in the field
for all temporary sample plots. Photographs were captured at each site visited.
3.3 Botanical Survey
Botanical surveys of the project area involved identification and tabulation of all observed
vascular plant species including trees, shrubs, forbs and graminoids, and mosses and
lichens.
3.3.1 Species of Conservation Concern
Searches for species of conservation concern concentrated on uncommon plant
communities, and unusual habitats and landscape features. A meander search pattern was
used when surveying for species of conservation concern.
Plant species of conservation concern include species that are rare, disjunct, or at risk
throughout their range or in Manitoba. Species of conservation concern encompasses
plants ranked very rare to rare by the Manitoba Conservation Data Centre (MBCDC), and
those listed under the Manitoba Endangered Species and Ecosystems Act (ESEA), the
federal Species at Risk Act (SARA) and the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife
in Canada (COSEWIC). A database search of the MBCDC provincial records for known
8
locations of species of conservation concern in the vicinity of the Project was requested in
March 2015.
Plant species of special interest, according to ESRA, include those species listed under
Schedule 1 of SARA, endangered species listed under COSEWIC, and species ranked very
rare to rare by the MBCDC.
The global (G) and sub-national (S) rarity ranking of species used by the MBCDC, according
to a standardized procedure used by all Conservation Data Centres and Natural Heritage
Programs is as follows:
1: Very rare throughout its range or in the province (5 or fewer occurrences, or very few
remaining individuals). May be especially vulnerable to extirpation.
2: Rare throughout its range or in the province (6 to 20 occurrences). May be vulnerable to
extirpation.
3: Uncommon throughout its range or in the province (21 to 100 occurrences).
4: Widespread, abundant, and apparently secure throughout its range or in the province,
with many occurrences, but the element is of long-term concern (> 100 occurrences).
5: Demonstrably widespread, abundant, and secure throughout its range or in the province,
and essentially impossible to eradicate under present conditions.
The conservation status categories for ESEA, SARA and COSEWIC are as follows:
Special Concern: A species that may become threatened or endangered because of a
combination of biological characteristics and identified threats.
Threatened: A species likely to become endangered if nothing is done to reverse the factors
leading to its extirpation or extinction.
Endangered: A species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.
Extirpated: A species no longer existing in the wild in Canada but exists elsewhere.
Extinct: A species that no longer exists.
3.3.2 Culturally Important Species
Other plant species of importance, such as those traditionally used for medicine,
subsistence and cultural purposes, were recorded in the field. Prior to field studies, a list of
culturally important species was compiled based on available information from ESRA and
literature searches.
9
3.3.3 Collection Guidelines
All vascular plants were recorded and those unidentifiable in the field were collected, as
voucher specimens, where the population size permits. Voucher specimens will be donated
to the Manitoba Museum natural history collection and credited as a donation from the
ESRA. Identification of vascular plants followed Flora of North America (1993+) and
Scoggan (1978), and verification with herbarium specimens located at the Manitoba
Museum. Plant nomenclature followed Flora of North America (1993+) and the Manitoba
Conservation Data Centre for those plants not listed by Flora of North America (1993+).
Fieldwork was conducted from June 12th to the 18th.
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4.0 VEGETATION AND BOTANICAL RESOURCES
4.1 Native Vegetation Resources
Thirty-three forested and wetland sites were sampled between Berens River and Poplar
River along the proposed P4 alignment and quarry areas. Appendix II, Map 7 shows the
distribution of sites within the assessment area.
To summarize and characterize the local vegetation, forested and wetland sites were
further classed into specific vegetation community types (Zoladeski et al. 1995; Ducks
Unlimited 2014). Classification was carried out in the field based on data collected at each
site, including vegetation composition, distribution and structure, and soil type and profile
information. Vegetation community descriptions are presented for forested and wetland
sites separately, for all vegetation strata present, i.e. trees, tall shrub canopy, and herb and
low shrub understory. Forested (and one wetland) community type descriptions includes
tree canopy composition, and age of tallest trees for species present. Tree species are
referred to by common names, all other species are referenced with common and scientific
names. For all species encountered in field surveys, see the flora list found in Appendix III.
Presence/absence data was recorded for all species in the tall shrub, and the herb and low
shrub strata over five quadrats at each site. The distribution of all species based on
frequency of occurrence within sites can be defined as widespread (species occurs in all 5
quadrats), frequent (occurs in 3-4 quadrats), occasional (occurs in 2 quadrats), or scattered
(occurs in 1 quadrat). Species observed adjacent to or in the vicinity of sites, but not within
the plots themselves, are included as incidental species.
4.1.1 Forest Community Site Types
Nineteen forested sites were sampled from areas of mainly broadleaf deciduous (4 sites),
mixedwood conifer (3 sites), and conifer (12 sites) tree canopies. Forested sites were
further classed into 10 forested vegetation community types, based on the vegetation
composition and structure, and soils present at each site, using the Forest Ecosystem
Classification for Manitoba (Zoladeski et al. 1995). Site locations, vegetation community
classification, soil type and site surface information, as well as tree information are
provided in Appendix IV, Table A. Community types are summarized in Table 4.1.1., with
brief descriptions of soils and vegetation following, below.
Three sampled plots in forest communities were located in potential quarry sites (P4-07,
P4-09 and P4-17), and two other sampled plots (P4-20 and P4-32) were located near
potential quarry sites (3.8 m and 49.5 m away, respectively).
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Table 4.1.1. Forest community types sampled in P4 between Berens River and Poplar
River, 2015.
Community Types Plot
Identification #
Soil Types Total Species
Mean Species
Mainly Deciduous Communities
V5 Aspen Hardwood P4-25, P4-31 2 Luvisol 49 36 V8 Trembling Aspen Mixedwood/ Tall Shrub
P4-09, P4-11 2 Gleysol, Brunisol
39 23.5
Mixedwood Coniferous Communities
V15 Jack Pine Mixedwood/ Shrub rich P4-23 1 Luvisol 19 -
V18 Black spruce Mixedwood/ Feathermoss P4-18, P4-27 2 Luvisol 26 15.5
Coniferous Communities
V25 Jack pine/ Feathermoss P4-01, P4-20 2 Brunisol 34 21 V26 Jack pine- Black spruce/ Lichen P4-06, P4-07,
P4-17, P4-21, P4-28
5 Folisol, Bedrock, Brunisol
23 9.5
V27 Black spruce/ Shrub- and herb- poor P4-29 1 Luvisol 8 -
V28 Jack pine- Black spruce/ Feathermoss P4-03 1 Luvisol 31 -
V29 Black spruce/ Feathermoss P4-02 1 Gleysol 20 - V30 Black spruce/ Labrador tea/ Sphagnum P4-12, P4-32 2 Organic,
Gleysol 31 19
4.1.1.1. Mainly Deciduous Forest Community Types
Aspen Hardwood (V5)
Two sites were classes as Aspen Hardwood, characterized as having deep moist upland
mineral soils, with generally flat to undulating terrain (Appendix V, Photograph 1). The
canopy is composed of trembling aspen, with no other tree species present. The tallest
trees of the canopy were aged between 63 and 79 years. Aspen saplings make up the
relatively open shrub canopy, with either Saskatoon or green alder present. The understory
is herb rich, with 42 species of herbs and low shrubs occurring. Widespread species include
Canada bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), smooth wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana),
pale vetchling (Lathyrus ochroleucus), twinflower (Linnaea borealis), fireweed (Chamerion
angustifolium), prickly rose (Rosa acicularis). Two uncommon species were recorded in
plots of this vegetation type: round-leaved bog orchid (Platanthera orbiculata, S3) and
dwarf bilberry (Vaccinium caespitosum, S3). Leaf litter accounts for the ground layer, and
unidentified mosses are scattered in occurrence.
Orthic Gray Brown Luvisols were classified at these sites. These soils had a humus form
thickness of 5 cm. Soil horizons consisted of a sandy clay Ah ranging in thickness from 2 to
4 cm, a silty clay to sand clay loam Bt horizon ranging from 27 to 66 cm, followed by a silty
clay loam to silty clay C horizon.
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Trembling Aspen Mixedwood/ Tall Shrub (V8)
Two sites were classed as Trembling Aspen Mixedwood/ Tall Shrub (Appendix V,
Photograph 2). Canopy species are trembling aspen with black spruce, with a presence of
balsam poplar. The tallest aspen were aged between 38 and 52 years, while black spruce
was aged between 18 and 22 years. Balsam poplar, present in one site was 30 years of age.
Bebb’s willow (Salix bebbiana), speckled and green alder (Alnus incana and A. viridis), and
saplings of black spruce and white birch were found in the well-developed shrub canopy. A
total of 31 herb and low shrub species were found in the understory, including bunchberry
(Cornus canadensis), twinflower (Linnaea borealis), and northern starflower (Trientalis
borealis), fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium), wood horsetail (Equisetum sylvaticum),
marsh reed grass (Calamagrostis canadensis), with seedlings of black spruce and speckled
alder. A mix of mosses including Schreber’s moss (Pleurozium schreberi), Polytrichum
mosses, splendid feather moss (Hylocomium splendens) and other unidentified mosses
were recorded. No species of conservation concern were recorded in this vegetation type.
Brunisolic and Gleysolic soils were classified at these mixedwood sites. The Brunisol was
characterized as having a humus form thickness of 7 cm followed by an Ae horizon 2 cm,
with a sandy loam Bm horizon of 15 cm over bedrock. The Orthic Humic Gleysol had an Ah
horizon of 10 cm, a silty clay loam Btg horizon 37 cm, followed by a silty clay loam C
horizon of 43+ cm. Seepage in the soil pit occurred in the B and C horizons. The humus
form thickness over this soil was 6 cm.
4.1.1.2. Mixedwood Coniferous Forest Community Types
Jack Pine Mixedwood/Shrub rich (V15)
A single site describes this upland vegetation type. The tallest trees of the canopy were
aged as jack pine 82 years, black spruce 55 years, and trembling aspen 64 years. The well-
developed shrub layer is composed of widespread green alder and frequent black spruce
saplings (Appendix V, Photograph 3). Herbs and low shrubs (17 species) include smooth
wild strawberry, twin flower, calypso (Calypso bulbosa), trailing club-moss (Diphasiastrum
complanatum), northern starflower (Trientalis borealis), velvet-leaved blueberry
(Vaccinium myrtilloides) and bog cranberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea). Round-leaved bog
orchid, (Platanthera orbiculata, S3), was recorded one plot. The most frequent ground
moss is Schreber’s feathermoss (Pleurozium schreberi).
The soil at this site was an Orthic Gray Brown Luvisol. Humus form thickness was 11 cm
and soil horizons included an Ae of 2 cm, a clay loam Bt of 23 cm, and a silty clay loam C
horizon 25+ cm.
Black spruce Mixedwood/ Feathermoss (V18)
Two sites were classed into this vegetation type. Black spruce and trembling aspen, with
tamarack make up the tree canopy, while the largest of these trees were aged between 51
13
and 60 years for black spruce, and 57 years for trembling aspen and tamarack (Appendix V,
Photograph 4). Typically, these sites have poorly developed shrub canopies, with
occasionally occurring black spruce saplings, and Bebb’s willow (Salix bebbiana). The herb
and low shrub layer is also relatively poorly developed, and includes 21 species. Most
frequently occurring are twinflower (Linnaea borealis), and bog cranberry (Vaccinium vitis-
idaea). Black spruce seedlings, one-sided wintergreen (Orthilia secunda), prickly rose (Rosa
acicularis), Bebb’s willow (Salix bebbiana), and velvet-leaved blueberry (Vaccinium
myrtilloides) have scattered occurrences. Both Schreber’s feathermoss (Pleurozium
schreberi) and splendid feather moss (Hylocomium splendens) are widespread in the
ground layer. No species of conservation concern were recorded.
Soils at these sites were classified as Orthic Gray Brown Luvisols. These soils have a humus
form thicknesses ranging from 3 to 12 cm followed by either an Ah (2 cm) or Ae (7 cm)
horizon. Under the A horizon, occurred a silty clay loam to loam Bt horizon that ranged in
thickness from 35 to 108 cm, followed by a loamy sand to sand clay loam C horizon.
Bedrock was encountered at a depth of 70 cm at one of the sites.
4.1.1.3. Coniferous Forest Community Types
Jack pine/ Feathermoss (V25)
Two sites are described as Jack pine/ Feathermoss, with a tree canopy made up of jack pine
(aged at 78-90 years), black spruce (29-72 years) with occasional immature trembling
aspen and white birch (Appendix V, Photograph 5). The tall shrub layer, is composed of
saplings of balsam fir (Abies balsamea), and black spruce, green alder (Alnus viridis), and
occasional Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia). The generally poorly developed herbs and
low shrub understory is composed of 26 herbs and low shrubs. Most frequently occurring
species is bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), with occasional running pine club-moss
(Lycopodium lagopus), velvet-leaved blueberry (Vaccinium myrtilloides), twinflower
(Linnaea borealis), and bog cranberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea). Schreber’s moss (Pleurozium
schreberi), reindeer lichens (Cladina mitis and Cladina rangiferina), and Dicranum mosses
provide a near continuous ground cover. No species of conservation concern were
recorded.
Soils at these sites were classified as Brunisols. One site included a shallow Orthic Brunisol
with a loamy sand Bm horizon (14 cm), over bedrock. An Eluviated Brunisol was also
classified with a silty loam Ae horizon (9 cm) followed by a loamy sand Bm (55 cm), a
sandy clay loam BC (16 cm) and a loamy sand C horizon. Humus form thickness ranged
from 2 to 8 cm, over these soils.
Jack pine- Black spruce/ Lichen (V26)
Jack pine- Black spruce/ Lichen types are generally open canopied, with poorly developed
tall shrubs and herbs understories (Appendix V, Photograph 6). In these five sites, the tree
14
canopy is composed of jack pine (mean age 70 years) and black spruce (mean age 52
years). The tall shrub layer is very poorly developed with only occasional black spruce and
white birch saplings. Nineteen species of herbs and low shrubs are sparsely scattered, most
frequently occurring is velvet-leaved blueberry (Vaccinium myrtilloides), and black spruce
seedlings. Other infrequent occurrences include Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia),
bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), Linnaea borealis, (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), smooth wild
strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) and northern comandra (Geocaulon lividum). The forest
floor is generally characterized by a cover of lichens, and ground cover is nearly
continuous, with very frequent cover by reindeer lichens (Cladina rangiferina, Cladina mitis
and Cladina stellaris), and frequent Schreber’s moss (Pleurozium schreberi) and
Polytrichum mosses. Parsley Fern (Cryptogramma acrostichoides, S3S4) was observed at
one site.
Three soils were classified for these sites and included a non-soil, Folisol and Brunisol. The
non-soil had a humus form thickness of 5 cm followed by bedrock. Folisols had a humus
form thickness ranging from 5 to 7 cm. The humus layer was underlain by either a thin Ah
horizon (2 cm) or sandy Bm horizon (4 cm), followed by bedrock. The Brunisolic soil had a
humus form thicknesses of 4 cm followed by a sandy Bm horizon (14 cm) over bedrock.
Black spruce/ Shrub- and herb-poor (V27)
The Black spruce/ Shrub- and herb-poor vegetation type is characterized by black spruce
stands, with absent or poorly developed tall shrub, floristically poor herb/ low shrub
understories, and continuous feathermosses (Appendix V, Photograph 7). In this single site,
the tallest black spruce (15 m) were aged at 54 years. The tall shrub canopy is generally
absent, with scattered black spruce saplings. Herbs and low shrubs are made up of six
species, all scattered in occurrence, including bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), smooth wild
strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) and two-leaved Solomom’s seal (Maianthemum
canadense). Incidental species wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis), tall lungwort
(Mertensia paniculata) and wild red current (Ribes triste) were recorded in the vicinity of
the plot. The well-developed ground layer is composed of widespread splendid feather
moss (Hylocomium splendens) and Schreber’s moss (Pleurozium schreberi). No species of
conservation concern were recorded.
An Orthic Gray Brown Luvisol was classified at this site. Humus form thickness was 14 cm
followed by a silty clay Ae horizon (20 cm), a loamy Bt horizon (18 cm), and a silty clay C
horizon (12+ cm).
Jack pine- Black spruce/ Feathermoss (V28)
In this single Jack pine- Black spruce/ Feathermoss site, jack pine (age 104 years) and black
spruce (age 83 years) are the canopy trees, with an occasional presence of balsam fir
(Appendix V, Photograph 8). Green alder and black spruce saplings provide a scattered tall
15
shrub canopy. The herb and low shrub understory (26 species) is composed of widespread
bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), two-leaved Solomom’s seal (Maianthemum canadense),
and frequently occurring bush-honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera) and white-grained
mountain rice grass (Oryzopsis asperifolia), while twinflower, (Linnaea borealis), northern
star-flower (Trientalis borealis), velvet-leaved blueberry (Vaccinium myrtilloides) are
occasionally present. All other herb and low shrubs have a very scattered occurrence.
Schreber’s moss (Pleurozium schreberi) is widespread in the ground layer, followed by
splendid feather moss (Hylocomium splendens). No species of conservation concern were
recorded.
The soil associated with this vegetation type was an Orthic Gray Brown Luvisols. The site
had a humus form thickness of 10 cm. The soil was characterized with a silty clay loam Ae
horizon of 15 cm, a silty clay loam Bt horizon of 43 cm, and a C horizon beginning at 58 cm
depth.
Black spruce/ Feathermoss (V29)
This single site is a relatively open black spruce stand, the tallest tree aged at 91 years
(Appendix V, Photograph 9). Tall shrubs are absent, but for scattered saplings of trembling
aspen and balsam poplar. The herb and low shrub understory has 17 species, with
widespread bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), common horsetail (Equisetum arvense), and
bog cranberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), with frequent creeping snowberry (Gaultheria
hispidula), twinflower (Linnaea borealis), and dewberry (Rubus pubescens). The nearly
continuous ground layer is made up of splendid feather moss (Hylocomium splendens) and
Schreber’s moss (Pleurozium schreberi). No species of conservation concern were recorded.
The soil classified at this site was a Rego Humic Gleysol with a humus form thickness of 17
cm. Soil horizons included a clay loam Ah horizon (18 cm) followed by a clay loam C
horizon (90+ cm). Mottling and seepage were observed in the C horizon.
Black spruce/ Labrador tea/ Feathermoss Sphagnum (V30)
These two lowland sites are black spruce stands (tallest average tree maximum age 44
years), with presence of jack pine (max age 42 years) in one site (Appendix V, Photograph
10). The tall shrub layer is moderately-well developed and composed of occasional black
spruce (Picea mariana) and white birch (Betula papyrifera) saplings, green alder (Alnus
viridis) and Bebb’s willow (Salix bebbiana). The understory of this vegetation type can be
characterized as poor to rich. Here, 23 herb and low shrub species make up the understory,
although only Labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum) and bog cranberry (Vaccinium vitis-
idaea) are frequently occurring. Other understory species are scattered in occurrence, such
as wood horsetail (Equisetum sylvaticum), rock polypody (Polypodium virginianum), sedges
(Carex foenea, Carex disperma, Carex leptalea), as are a number of ericaeous shrubs, and
seedlings of black spruce (Picea mariana), green alder (Alnus viridis), pin cherry (Prunus
16
pensylvanica), and willows (Salix bebbiana and Salix pseudomonticola). The ground layer is
composed of Sphagnum mosses with schreber’s moss (Pleurozium schreberi), and
occasional reindeer lichens (Cladina rangiferina and Cladonia spp). Chestnut Sedge (Carex
castanea, S3) was observed at one site.
Two different soils were classified for this vegetation type, an Ortho Humic Gleysol and a
Folisol. The Orthic Humic Gleysol had a humus form thickness of 18 cm that was underlain
by a sandy clay loam Ahe horizon (17 cm), followed by a silty clay loam Bg horizon (40 cm),
and a silty clay Cg horizon (13+ cm). Both mottling and water seepage was observed in the
B Horizon. The Folisol was characterized as having no humus form layer, but soil horizons
were identified as an Of (10 cm) followed by an Oh (31 cm), over bedrock.
4.1.2 Wetland Community Types
Fourteen sites sampled were considered wetlands, characterized by vegetation that is
adapted to flooded or saturated conditions, with water permanently or seasonally present,
at above or below the surface. Site locations, vegetation community classification, soil type
and site surface information, as well as tree information are provided in Appendix IV, Table
B.
Wetland sites were further classed in to eight wetland community types (Ducks Unlimited
2014), based on soil type, vegetation composition and height, and water regime,
summarized in Table 4.1.2. Wetland community types include bog, fen, marsh, swamp and
riparian communities. A description of the soils and vegetation of the community types
encountered follows.
Table 4.1.2. Wetland community types sampled in P4 between Berens River and Poplar River, 2015.
Community Types Plot Identification Plots
Sampled Soil
Types Total
Species Mean
Species Treed bog (V33) P4-05, P4-24, P4-26 3 Organic 32 16 Shrub bog P4-13 1 Organic 12 - Treed poor fen P4-19 1 Organic 18 - Shrub poor fen P4-16 1 Organic 10 - Graminoid fen P4-08, P4-15 2 Organic 23 14 Shrub swamp P4-30, P4-33 2 Gleysol 40 22 Riparian shrub P4-14 1 Gleysol 23 - Meadow marsh P4-04, P4-10, P4-22 3 Gleysol 26 4.5
Treed Bog (V33 Black spruce/ Sphagnum)
Three sites make up this vegetation type, the very open canopy is made up of black spruce,
with a presence of jack pine (Appendix V, Photograph 11). The shrub layer is composed of
mainly black spruce saplings, with green alder (Alnus viridis), bog birch (Betula pumila) and
saplings of tamarack and jack pine. The herb layer is generally floristically poor. There was
17
a total of 25 species recorded in this vegetation type, though many are scattered in
occurrence. All sites had widespread occurrence of leather leaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata),
Labrador tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum) and small cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos).
Other frequently occurring species included swamp horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile), three-
leaved Solomon’s seal (Maianthemum trifolium), dwarf birch (Betula pumila), and bog
willow (Salix pedicellaris). Two species of conservation concern were found, including one-
spike cotton-grass (Eriophorum scheuchzeri, S2?) in one plot, and the arethusa orchid
(Arethusa bulbosa, S2) an incidental species, at a single site. Ground cover is widespread
Sphagnum mosses, with occasional unknown mosses, Schreber’s moss (Pleurozium
schreberi), splendid feather moss (Hylocomium splendens), and gray reindeer lichen
(Cladina rangiferina).
The organic soils encountered in the treed bog wetlands included Typic Mesisol, Mesic
Humisols and and Typic Humisol. The Typic Mesisol was classified as having an Of horizon
of 56 cm, an Om of 64 cm, and an Oh horizon beginning at a depth of 120 cm. The Mesic
Humisol was characterized as having an Of of 10 cm, Om of 30 cm and an Oh of 80 cm. The
C horizon was reached at 120 cm. The Typic Humisol had an Of of 20 cm, Om of 10 cm and
an Oh of 90+ cm.
Shrub Bog
This single site was very wet, and full sampling was not possible, however the species in
the site area present are noted as follows. There is no tree canopy, with only speckled alder
(Alnus incana) present in the shrub canopy (Appendix V, Photograph 12). The herb and low
shrub species present are dwarf birch (Betula pumila), sedges (Carex spp), leather leaf
(Chamaedaphne calyculata), swamp horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile), and bog willow (Salix
pedicellaris). Other species present are very scattered, occurring only incidentally in the
vicinity of plots, including seedlings of white birch (Betula papyrifera) and tamarack (Larix
laricina), sedges (Carex aquatilis and Carex chordorrhiza), marsh five-finger (Comarum
palustre), and Labrador tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum). Water and Sphagnum mosses
make up the ground layer. No species of conservation concern were recorded.
The soil classified for this vegetation type was a Humic Mesisol, an organic soil, classified as
having an Om horizon of 50 cm followed by an Oh horizon 70 cm thick. Water was present
at the surface at this site.
Treed Poor Fen
This single site had an open canopy of black spruce and tamarack (Appendix V, Photograph
13). The tall shrub canopy included dwarf birch (Betula pumila) and saplings from the tree
canopy. Thirteen species were recorded in the understory, with widespread to frequent
18
occurrence of low shrubs including dwarf birch (Betula pumila), bog willow (Salix
pedicellaris), Labrador tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum), leather leaf (Chamaedaphne
calyculata), and small cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos), as well as sedges (Carex
chordorrhiza and Carex aquatilis), and swamp horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile). Sphagnum
mosses and litter are widespread throughout, with occasional water at ground level. No
species of conservation concern were recorded.
A Mesic Humisol was classified at this treed poor fen site. No humus form was observed
and horizons of this organic soil included an Om of 70 cm thickness followed by an Oh
horizon of 160+ cm. Water was observed near the surface.
Shrub Poor Fen
This single site has 10 species present in the herb and low shrub layer, with no other tree
or tall shrub canopy structure present (Appendix V, Photograph 14). Widespread low
shrubs present are bog rosemary (Andromeda polifolia), dwarf birch (Betula pumila), and
bog willow (Salix pedicellaris), while leather leaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata) is occasional,
and speckled alder (Alnus incana) is scattered in occurrence. Sedges are widespread (Carex
chordorrhiza and Carex lasiocarpa), with scattered water sedge (Carex aquatilis) and
swamp horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile), and occasionally occurring marsh five-finger
(Comarum palustre). Ground water and litter is widespread, with scattered occurrences of
Sphagnum and unidentified mosses. No species of conservation concern were recorded.
The organic soil classified at this site was a Mesic Humisol with an Om horizon of 45 cm
overlying an Oh horizon of 75+ cm. Water was observed at the surface of this soil.
Graminoid Fen
No trees are present in the two sites that make up this vegetation type (Appendix V,
Photograph15). The tall shrub canopy includes scattered tamarack saplings, dwarf birch
(Betula pumila) and speckled alder (Alnus incana). Twenty species were recorded in the
herb and low shrub understory, widespread to frequently occurring are leather leaf
(Chamaedaphne calyculata), bog willow (Salix pedicellaris), dwarf birch (Betula pumila) and
prostrate sedge (Carex chordorrhiza). The ground layer is made up of Sphagnum and
unidentified mosses, water and litter. The arethusa orchid (Arethusa bulbosa, S2) was
incidentally observed in the vicinity of both sites.
Soils were classified as Humic Mesisol and Fibric Humisol. The Humic Mesisol had no
humus layer and horizons were classified as an Of horizon (20 cm), followed by an Om (80
cm) and Oh (20 cm) horizons. Soils were saturated and water was present at the surface at
19
this site. The Fibric Humisol was saturated and horizons included an Of of 50 cm followed
by an Oh of 170 cm.
Shrub Swamp
Scattered black spruce and tamarack occur in one site (Appendix V, Photograph 16). The
tall shrub canopy (eight species) has frequently occurring tea-leaved willow (Salix
planifolia), and occasional sandbar willow (Salix exigua) and speckled alder (Alnus incana).
Saplings of black spruce and tamarack are also occasional. Other tall shrubs, including red
osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) and Bebb’s willow (Salix bebbiana), have very scattered
occurrence. Thirty herb and low shrub species make up the understory most frequent are
graminoids, including marsh reed grass (Calamagrostis canadensis), water sedge (Carex
aquatilis), and bristle-stalked sedge (Carex leptalea). Other species are very scattered in
occurrence. Sphagnum is widespread, while other mosses are scattered to make up the
ground cover. There were no species of conservation concern recorded.
Soils identified at these sites included a Rego Gleysol and Orthic Humic Gleysol. No humus
form was observed for the Rego Gleysol and horizons were classified as an Oh of 38 cm
followed by a clay Cg horizon (32+ cm). A humus layer of 7 cm was identified for the Orthic
Humic Gleysol soil. Soil horizons were characterized as a silty clay Ah (10 cm), sandy clay
Bg (50 cm) and a clay Cg (15+ cm). Mottling was observed in the Cg horizon.
Riparian Shrub
White spruce trees are present in the single site of this wetland vegetation community
(Appendix V, Photograph 17). The shrub canopy has frequently occurring meadowsweet
(Spirea alba), and scattered balsam poplar saplings and Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia).
Of the nineteen herb and low shrub species present, fringed brome (Bromus ciliatus) is
widespread, while prickly rose (Rosa acicularis) is frequently occurring. White birch
(Betula papyrifera) seedlings, alder-leaved buckthorn (Rhamnus alnifolia), bristly black
currant (Ribes lacustre), and wild red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) occur occasionally. The
remainder of species are scattered in occurrence. No mosses or lichens, and no species of
conservation concern were noted in these sites.
A Rego Gleysol was classified at this riparian site and was characterized as having a humus
form thickness of 3.5 cm followed by a thin Ah horizon (1 cm thick) and a silty clay Cg
horizon (60+ cm).
Meadow marsh
Trees and tall shrubs are absent from this wetland vegetation community (Appendix V,
Photograph 18). These three sites are open graminoid marshes with relatively low floristic
20
diversity (14 species), with widespread to frequent occurrence of marsh reed grass
(Calamagrostis canadensis) and sedges (such as Carex atherodes, Carex chordorrhiza, and
Carex lasiocarpa). The low shrub sand-bar willow (Salix exigua) is frequent to absent in
sites. One site in this vegetation community had slightly higher floristic diversity due to an
additional 12 species (forbs and one grass) with very scattered occurrence observed in the
vicinity of plots. Ground litter is widespread, and unidentified mosses are occasionally
present. No species of conservation concern were recorded.
Soils classified for this vegetation type included Rego Gleysol and Rego Humic Gleysol.
Rego Gleysols were observed at two sites and were characterized as having either an Of 10
cm or Oh 33 cm, followed by a clay Cg horizon ranging from 60 to 67+ cm. The Rego Humic
Gleysol was classified as an Om of 5 cm, overlying an Ah horizon 3 cm, followed by a clay Cg
horizon of 52+ cm.
4.2 Botanical Resources
4.2.1 Plants and Distribution of Species
Vegetation composition was recorded at 33 sites along the proposed All-Season Road and
quarry areas (see Appendix II, Map 7). A total of 186 plant taxa were observed in the local
assessment area (Appendix III). There were 177 plants identified to the species level while
nine taxa were identified to the genus level including three vascular (herbs) and six non-
vascular plants (mosses and lichens). Vascular plants identified only to the genus level
were a result of absent or non-mature floral or fruiting parts when observed during the
field assessment which are used for identification.
All plants were grouped by primitive vasculars (eg. ferns and horsetails), gymnosperms
(conifers), angiosperms (flowering plants) and non-vascular plants. Angiosperms were
divided into monocotyledons and dicotyledons with this group (angiosperms) of plants
representing the greatest number of species. There were 156 angiosperms (52
monocotyledons and 104 dicotyledons), 10 primitive vasculars, six gymnosperms, and 14
non-vascular plants.
Vascular plants were distributed among 50 families, with the angiosperms representing 43
of these. The sedge (Cyperaceae) family was the largest with 23 plant taxa, followed by the
grass (Poaceae) and rose (Rosaceae) families, with 13 species each. Greater than seven
species were observed in each of the crowfoot (Ranunculaceae), heath (Ericaeae), willow
(Salicaceae) and orchid (Orchidaceae) families. The primitive vasculars are distributed
among five families including the horsetail (Equisetaceae), club-moss (Lycopodiaceae),
maidenhair fern (Pteridaceae), polypody (Polypodiaceae) and wood fern (Dryopteraceae).
21
Species within the gymnosperms were members of the cypress (Cupressaceae) and pine
(Pinaceae) families.
4.2.2 Species of Conservation Concern and Other Species of Note
The forested and wetland communities in the project area support a wide range of species.
Six documented rare and uncommon species were recorded at or near survey sites
(Appendix II, Map 8). Preferred species habitat descriptions are taken from Flora of North
America (2015).
Two species of conservation concern, ranked rare (S2) throughout their range or in the
province, were observed along the proposed All-Season Road assessment areas (Table
4.2.2.). The orchid arethusa (Arethusa bulbosa) was observed in three graminoid fen sites
as an incidental species, in the vicinity of plots, one within the Project assessment area.
Arethusa is found generally on Sphagnum hummocks in coniferous bogs and fens.
One-spike cotton-grass (Eriophorum scheuchzeri) was observed at one location, and within
the Project assessment area. One-spike Cotton-grass is found on wet peat, marshy ground,
and peaty soils. It was recorded in a black spruce and sphagnum bog site, as an incidental
species.
Other species of note included chestnut sedge (Carex castanea), dwarf bilberry (Vaccinium
caespitosum), round-leaved bog orchid (Platanthera orbiculata) and parsley fern
(Cryptogramma acrostichoides). These species are all ranked uncommon (S3) in Manitoba
except for parsley fern which is intermediate between uncommon and apparently
widespread (S3S4).
Chestnut sedge is found in rich mesic deciduous or mixed conifer-hardwood forests, mixed
coniferous forests and margins, mesic meadows. It was observed in a single trembling
aspen mixedwood stand with tall shrubs. Dwarf bilberry is found in open, usually dry
habitats. It was observed in plots at a trembling aspen site. Round-leaved bog orchid is
found generally in moist coniferous and deciduous forests, and fen forests. Non-flowering
plants can be easily overlooked. It was observed in plots of two sites, a trembling aspen
site, and a jack pine mixedwood site. Parsley fern can be found on non-calcareous cliff
crevices, and rock outcrops, often in relatively dry habitats. It was recorded in a jack pine-
black spruce stand. Only dwarf bilberry and round-leaved bog orchid were observed within
the Project Assessment area (Table 4.2.2.).
No species listed by the Manitoba Endangered Species and Ecosystems Act, the federal
Species at Risk Act, or the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada were
observed during fieldwork. Vascular species at risk were not expected to occur as the
22
assessment area is beyond the range for these plants. Flooded jellyskin (Leptogium
rivulare) lichen is listed as threatened by the Species at Risk Act and the Committee on the
Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada but was not observed during field studies.
Table 4.2.2. Species of conservation concern and other species of note observed in or incidental to P4 survey sites. Family Scientific Name Common Name MBCDC
Rank Plot (P4-)
Project Location1
Species of Conservation Concern Orchidaceae Arethusa bulbosa Arethusa S2 08 LAA
Orchidaceae Arethusa bulbosa Arethusa S2 15 LAA Orchidaceae Arethusa bulbosa Arethusa S2 24 PAA
Cyperaceae Eriophorum scheuchzeri One-spike Cotton-grass S2? 05
PAA
Other Species of Note Cyperaceae Carex castanea Chestnut Sedge S3 11 LAA Ericaceae Vaccinium caespitosum Dwarf Bilberry S3 25 PAA
Orchidaceae Platanthera orbiculata Round-leaved Bog Orchid S3 23
LAA
Orchidaceae Platanthera orbiculata Round-leaved Bog Orchid S3 31
PAA
Pteridaceae Cryptogramma acrostichoides
Parsley Fern S3S4 28 LAA
1: PAA is Project Assessment Area and LAA is Local Assessment Area.
4.2.3 Invasive and Non-native Species
Five invasive and non-native species were observed during the surveys and as incidental
observations. Invasive plant species included common burdock (Arctium minus), caraway
(Carum carvi), reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), common dandelion (Taraxacum
officinale) and alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum). These species are members of four
families including aster (Asteraceae) with two species (common burdock and common
dandelion), pea (Fabaceae) with alsike clover, grass (Poaceae) with reed canary grass, and
the carrot family (Apiaceae) with caraway.
All species were observed in Berens River, near Lake Winnipeg. Only reed canary grass was
observed in the Project assessment area, at one site, in a meadow marsh wetland. These
plants are listed by the MBCDC as having a conservation status rank that is not applicable
to the element (SNA) or demonstrably widespread and abundant (S5).
4.2.4 Culturally Important Species
Other plant species, such as those traditionally used for medicine, subsistence and cultural
purposes is a component of the project that was assessed in order to understand the
23
importance of certain plant species in the local assessment area. Aboriginal communities
have long histories of living on the land as well as knowledge, experience and an
appreciation for the plants growing in their resource areas.
A traditional knowledge workshop was held in Poplar River First Nation on June 17, where
several species of trees, shrubs and herbs were identified as being important to
community. Species are listed using plant names provided by the community. Important
trees included black spruce, birch, balsam, poplar, white spruce, jack pine and diamond
willow, which are also medicines. Other species and medicines that may be present include
mountain ash (rare), bearberry, yellow pond lily, sweet flag, wild rose, mint, red willow,
moose berry, wild ginseng, tamarack, strawberry, raspberry, Saskatoon, Labrador tea,
sagewort, stinging nettle, yarrow, sweet gale, sweet grass, black poplar, scrub oak (rare),
and sarsaparilla. Wild rice is known to occur at creeks.
With development of the proposed all-season road, Poplar River First Nation recognized
that improved access will result for berry picking such as for blueberries, Saskatoon,
raspberries, strawberries, muskeg berries, chokecherries, and both high bush and low bush
cranberries.
Plant species identified as having cultural value to the local First Nation communities were
recorded in the field, along the proposed All-Season Road and quarry areas (Table 4.2.4.).
Culturally important species were identified from a study on indigenous plants that was
produced to describe Aboriginal values and uses for local plants (Asatiwisipe Aki
Management Plan 2011). The guide lists 50 different trees, shrubs, herbs, mosses and
lichens that have been used for sustenance and in traditional cultural practices. During the
vegetation surveys, 36 cultural plant species were observed in the local assessment area at
33 sampled sites. The most frequent species observed in sampled plots was black spruce,
which was recorded in 20 plots. Willow species were recorded in 17 plots followed by
Labrador tea, bunchberry and velvet-leaved blueberry which were recorded in 13 plots.
Other species with high occurrences in plots included reindeer lichen which was recorded
in 12 plots, and jack pine and Sphagnum which were recorded in 11 plots.
Other species of importance, identified by Poplar River First Nation, that were observed in
the field included choke cherry, stinging nettle and common yarrow.
24
Table 4.2.4. Plants of cultural importance listed by name and plot location. Form Anishinabek Name Scientific
Name Common Name Location
(Plot P4-) Tree Azaadi Populus
tremuloides Trembling Aspen/Poplar
01, 02, 07, 09, 11, 18, 23, 25, 27, 31
Tree Maanazaadi Populus balsamifera
Balsam Poplar 02, 11, 14
Tree Mina’ig Picea glauca White Spruce 14 Tree Nipigandag Abies balsamea Balsam Fir 03 Tree Mashkiigoatig Larix laricina Tamarack/Larch 13, 15, 18, 19, 24,
26, 30, 31 Tree Zhigob Picea mariana Black Spruce 01, 02, 03, 05, 07,
09, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32
Tree Ogik Pinus banksiana
Jack Pine 01, 03, 06, 07, 12, 17, 18, 20, 21, 23, 24, 28
Tree Wiigwas Betula papyrifera
Paper Birch/White Birch 01, 09, 12, 13, 14, 21
Shrub Ininiminan Vaccinium caespitosum
Dwarf Blueberry 25
Shrub Miishinchiiminag Ribes triste Swamp Red Currant 01, 02, 11, 14, 29 Shrub Miskopiimag,
Omagaakiiminan Cornus seracea Red-osier Dogwood, Red
Willow 14, 25, 30
Shrub Moozominan Viburnum edule
Mooseberry/Low-bush Cranberry
03, 27, 31
Shrub Pagaanag Corylus cornuta
Beaked Hazelnut 14
Shrub Wiigopiin, wiisagopiimag
Salix spp. Willows 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 22, 24, 25, 26, 30, 32, 33
Shrub Gaagigebag, mashkiigobagoon
Rhododendron groenlandicum
Labrador Tea 02, 05, 11, 12, 13, 15, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 30, 32
Shrub Mashkiigominan Vaccinium oxycoccus
Bog Cranberry 05, 12, 15, 19, 24, 26, 30, 32
Shrub Waapigoshiminan Gaultheria hispidula
Creeping Snowberry/Wintergreen
02, 20
Shrub Gaagaagiwanatig Juniperus communis
Common Juniper Not observed
Shrub Ininiminan/ Vaccinium myrtilloides
Velvet-leaved blueberry 03, 06, 07, 09, 12, 17, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 31, 32
Shrub Makominan/ Arctostapylos uva-ursi
Bearberry 01, 03, 18, 20, 21, 25, 31
Shrub Makominatig Sorbus decora Mountain Ash Not observed Shrub Miskominag Prunus Pin Cherry 01, 32
25
Table 4.2.4. Plants of cultural importance listed by name and plot location. Form Anishinabek Name Scientific
Name Common Name Location
(Plot P4-) pennsylvanica
Shrub Miskominan Rubus idaeus Wild Red Raspberry 14 Shrub Mizaakotoominag Amelanchier
spp. Saskatoon/Serviceberry 01, 02, 03, 06, 14,
21, 25, 31 Shrub Nikiminan Ribes
oxyacanthoides Gooseberry 14
Shrub Wiisagiminan Vaccinium vitis-idaea
Cranberry 02, 12, 18, 20, 23, 26, 30, 32
Shrub Oginiik Rosa acicularis Prickly Rose 02, 03, 14, 18, 20, 25, 27, 31
Vine Waapiizhishooatig Lonicera dioica Twining Honeysuckle 25, 31 Herb Ginebigominan Actaea rubra Baneberry 03 Herb Nishkiinzhigominan Rubus
pubescens Dewberry 02, 03, 11, 18, 23,
25, 30, 31 Herb Oteiminan,
oteiminatigoon Fragaria virginiana
Wild Strawberry 03, 11, 21, 23, 25, 29, 31
Herb Ozhaashaagominan Cornus canadensis
Bunchberry 01, 02, 03, 09, 11, 12, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31
Herb Waaboozojiibik Sanicula marilandica
Snakeroot 31
Herb Omikawingushk Mentha arvensis
Wild Mint Not observed
Herb Pozaagan, zhigaagomish
Typha latifolia Cattail 10
Herb Wiike, wiikens Acorus americanus
Ratroot/Sweet Flag Not observed
Herb Gichimashkosiin Phragmites australis
Giant Reed grass Not observed
Herb Mashkosiiminan Zizania palustris
Wild Rice Not observed
Herb Majimashkoos Toxicodendron rydbergii
Poison Ivy Not observed
Herb Oshkiitebagoon Maianthemum canadense
Wild lily-of-the-valley 01, 02, 03, 11, 25, 29, 31, 33
Herb Pizhiigojiibik Heuchera richardsonii
Alumroot Not observed
Herb Choochooshaaboojiibik Taraxacum officinale
Common Dandelion Not observed
Herb Kawaapanakiig Heracleum lanatum
Cow Parsnip Not observed
Herb Ozagaanjiigesiiwag Arctium minus Burdock Not observed Herb Pizhikiwingushk Artemisia
absinthium Sagewort/Wormwood Not observed
Herb Mazaanowashkoon Hordeum jubatum
Foxtail Barley Not observed
26
Table 4.2.4. Plants of cultural importance listed by name and plot location. Form Anishinabek Name Scientific
Name Common Name Location
(Plot P4-) Lichen Aasaakamig Cladina spp. Reindeer Lichen 01, 03, 06, 07, 12,
17, 18, 20, 21, 23, 26, 28
Moss Aagi, mashkiig, miskokamig
Sphagnum spp. Sphagnum/Peatmoss 05, 08, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 24, 26, 30, 32
Fungus Asiniiwakwanag Umbilicaria spp.
Brown Rock Tripe 32
Fungus Kabaashkaanasewa, Pozaaganag
Lycoperdon spp.
Puffball Not observed
4.3 Environmentally Sensitive Sites
Three environmentally sensitive sites were identified from field assessments along the
proposed All-Season Road. These sites included locations for two species of conservation
concern, arethusa and one-spike cotton-grass, ranked rare by the MBCDC and a stand of
older growth jack pine mixed forest, aged at 104 years (Table 4.3.). Many traditional plant
species of interest were recorded from the surveys, but these species were more commonly
distributed over the landscape.
Table 4.3. Environmentally sensitive sites observed during field studies. Site Location (Plot P4-)
Arethusa (Arethusa bullbosa) 24 One-spike cotton-grass (Eriophorum scheuchzeri) 05 Older growth Jack pine forest 03
27
5.0 REFERENCES
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. 2013. National Soil Database.
Asatiwisipe Aki Management Plan. 2011. Poplar River First Nation. URL:
https://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/lands_branch/pdf/pfrn_management_plan_18may2
011.pdf Accessed 2015.
Cauboue, M., Strong, W.L., Archambault, L. and Sims, R.A. 1996. Terminology of Ecological
Land Classification in Canada. Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service –
Quebec. Sainte-Foy, Quebec. Information Report LAU-X-114E.
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APPENDIX I. Definitions of Selected Technical Terms1.
Bog – Ombrotrophic peatlands generally unaffected by nutrient-rich groundwater that are
acidic and often dominated by heath shrubs and Sphagnum mosses and that may include
open-growing, stunted trees.
Boreal – Pertaining to the north; a climatic and ecological zone that occurs south of the
subarctic, but north of the temperate hardwood forests of eastern North America, the
parkland of the Great Plains region, and the montane forests of the Canadian cordillera.
Canopy – The more or less continuous cover of branches and foliage formed by the crowns
of trees.
Canopy Closure – The degree of canopy cover relative to openings.
Classification – The systematic grouping and organization of objects, usually in a
hierarchical manner.
Community-Type – A group of vegetation stands that share common characteristics, an
abstract plant community.
Coniferous – A cone-bearing plant belonging to the taxonomic group Gymnospermae.
Cover – The area of ground covered with plants of one or more species, usually expressed
as a percentage.
Deciduous – Refers to perennial plants from which the leaves abscise and fall off at the end
of the growing season.
Ecoregion – An area characterized by a distinctive regional climate as expressed by
vegetation.
Family – Taxonomic grouping of plants that are related at a particular hierarchical level.
Fen – Wetland with a peat substrate, nutrient-rich waters, and primarily vegetated by
shrubs and graminoids.
Flora – A list of the plant species present in an area.
Forest – A relatively large assemblage of tree-dominated stands.
Graminoid – A plant that is grass-like; the term refers to grasses and plant that look like
grasses, i.e., only narrow-leaved herbs; in the strictest sense, it includes plants belonging
only to the family Graminaceae.
Habitat – The place in which an animal or plant lives; the sum of environmental
circumstances in the place inhabited by an organism, population or community.
Invasive – Invasive species are plants that are growing outside of their country or region of
origin and are out-competing or even replacing native plants (Invasive Species Council of
Manitoba).
Mixedwood – Forest stands composed of conifers and angiosperms each representing
between 25 and 75% of the cover.
Riparian – Refers to terrain, vegetation or simply a position adjacent to or associated with a
stream, flood plain, or standing body of water.
Shrub – A perennial plant usually with a woody stem, shorter than a tree, often with a
multi-stemmed base.
Species – A group of organisms having a common ancestry that are able to reproduce only
among themselves; a general definition that does not account for hybridization.
Stand – A collection of plants having a relatively uniform composition and structure, and
age in the case of forests.
Terrestrial – Pertaining to land as opposed to water.
Understory – Vegetation growing beneath taller plants such as trees or tall shrubs.
Vascular – Having tissues that transport water, sap, nutrients; refers to plants that are not
mosses, lichens and algae.
Vegetation – The general cover of plants growing on a landscape.
Vegetation Type – In phytosociology, the lowest possible level to be described.
Wetland – Land that is saturated with water long enough to promote hydric soils or aquatic
processes as indicated by poorly drained soils, hydrophytic vegetation, and various kinds of
biological activity that are adapted to wet environments.
1All references Cauboue et al. 1996, unless otherwise noted.
APPENDIX II. Report Maps.
