Dufferin Wind Power Project Natural Heritage Assessment Evaluation of Significance Report May 2012 Dillon Consulting Limited Page 37 Dufferin Wind Power Inc. 6. EVALUATION OF SIGNIFICANCE METHODOLOGY The following sections provide evaluation criteria and procedures used to evaluate the natural features determined to be in the project location or within 120 metres during the records review and/or site investigation. Criteria and procedures reported are those that are currently accepted by the MNR. Additional evaluation criteria and procedures required to confirm the status of candidate significant wildlife habitat through pre‐construction survey commitments will be provided in the EIS. These habitats have been treated as significant in this report. 6.1 Access to Adjacent Lands As outlined in Ontario Regulation 359/09, all lands within 120 metres of a project component must be assessed for natural features and resources (see Appendix A for property access maps). In the case of the Dufferin Wind Power Project area, adjacent landowners were verbally contacted requesting participation in the project. If a landowner indicated themselves as being non‐participatory then their property was not access for the purpose of assessing natural features and resources. Natural features located on adjacent lands were assessed from property lines, road rights‐of‐way and rail rights‐of‐way, where applicable. This alternative site investigation methodology is permissible and was conducted in accordance with the amendments made to Ontario Regulation 359/09 on January 1, 2011. Evaluation of candidate significant natural features that could not be evaluated due to property access limitations were treated as significant in this report and will be carried forward to the Environmental Impact Study. 6.2 Ecological Land Classification During field investigations during the Site Investigation, vegetation was characterized using the Ecological Land Classification System for Southern Ontario (Lee et al. 1998). Where present, vegetation community boundaries were determined through the review of aerial photography, and then further refined through on‐site soil and vegetation studies. Vegetation studies involved identifying the dominant species in each vegetation cover type based on visual estimates of species abundances and biomass, or, in the case of accessible forest stands, by quantitative sampling using a factor 2‐wedge prism. Vegetation studies in natural features within 120 metres of the project location were also completed in order to identify the presence and relative abundance of flora species of conservation concern. Vegetation communities were mapped on aerial photography according to ELC nomenclature to graphically represent the specific spatial pattern in the vegetation cover according to species composition, physiognomy, and physical site characteristics (Figure 5a‐d, and Appendix E).
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Dufferin Wind Power ProjectNatural Heritage Assessment Evaluation of Significance Report
May 2012
Dillon Consulting Limited Page 37
Dufferin Wind Power Inc.
6. EVALUATION OF SIGNIFICANCE METHODOLOGY
The following sections provide evaluation criteria and procedures used to evaluate the natural features
determined to be in the project location or within 120 metres during the records review and/or site
investigation. Criteria and procedures reported are those that are currently accepted by the MNR.
Additional evaluation criteria and procedures required to confirm the status of candidate significant
wildlife habitat through pre‐construction survey commitments will be provided in the EIS. These
habitats have been treated as significant in this report.
6.1 Access to Adjacent Lands
As outlined in Ontario Regulation 359/09, all lands within 120 metres of a project component must be
assessed for natural features and resources (see Appendix A for property access maps). In the case of
the Dufferin Wind Power Project area, adjacent landowners were verbally contacted requesting
participation in the project. If a landowner indicated themselves as being non‐participatory then their
property was not access for the purpose of assessing natural features and resources. Natural features
located on adjacent lands were assessed from property lines, road rights‐of‐way and rail rights‐of‐way,
where applicable. This alternative site investigation methodology is permissible and was conducted in
accordance with the amendments made to Ontario Regulation 359/09 on January 1, 2011. Evaluation of
candidate significant natural features that could not be evaluated due to property access limitations
were treated as significant in this report and will be carried forward to the Environmental Impact Study.
6.2 Ecological Land Classification
During field investigations during the Site Investigation, vegetation was characterized using the
Ecological Land Classification System for Southern Ontario (Lee et al. 1998). Where present, vegetation
community boundaries were determined through the review of aerial photography, and then further
refined through on‐site soil and vegetation studies. Vegetation studies involved identifying the
dominant species in each vegetation cover type based on visual estimates of species abundances and
biomass, or, in the case of accessible forest stands, by quantitative sampling using a factor 2‐wedge
prism. Vegetation studies in natural features within 120 metres of the project location were also
completed in order to identify the presence and relative abundance of flora species of conservation
concern. Vegetation communities were mapped on aerial photography according to ELC nomenclature
to graphically represent the specific spatial pattern in the vegetation cover according to species
composition, physiognomy, and physical site characteristics (Figure 5a‐d, and Appendix E).
Passerine, Shorebird, or Raptor Stopover Areas. Data will be based on field surveys, background data,
and correspondence with agencies where possible (OWES Section 4.2). The extensive field and
background data gathered for the Project, with respect to avian wildlife, was reviewed as part of the
assessment of significant features and habitats. Information on significant deeryards, obtained from LIO
mapping, was also reviewed.
Fish Habitat: OWES (guided by the Canada Fisheries Act) states that the presence of individual species
of fish is not scored. Instead, fish habitat values are based on presence spawning and nursery habitat,
and presence of staging and migration habitat. An indication of presence/absence was provided, as well
as its hydro‐period (i.e., permanent or intermittent). (OWES Section 4.2.6).
6.4 Woodlands
Woodlands within the project location and the 120 metre setback area (see Figure 4a‐d) were evaluated
for significance as outlined in the MNR’s Natural Heritage Assessment Guide for Renewable Energy
Projects (MNR 2011a). For woodlands to be significant, they must first meet minimum classification
standards for tree crown cover. If these minimum standards are met, it is then evaluated based on size,
ecological function and uncommon characteristics. Many of the criteria have minimum size thresholds
that are based on the percentage of woodland cover in the municipality where the project has been
proposed. Woodlands that meet the minimum standard for any one of the criteria are considered
significant.
Within the NVCA watershed the total woodland coverage in the municipality is 32.8% of the total land
area (NVCA 2007 Subwatershed Report Cards). Based on this criterion, woodlands greater than 50
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hectares are considered significant. Within the GRCA watershed the total woodland coverage in the
municipality is 19% (GRCA, 2004, A Watershed forest plan for the Grand River). Likewise, woodlands
greater than 20 hectares in the Grand River Conservation Authority are significant (GRCA 2004). Based
on guidelines from the MNR, these criteria are recommended for use during evaluation of significance
for woodlands within the project location.
All woodlands located within the NVCA are listed in Table 5a and all woodlands located within GRCA are
listed in Table 5b. The criteria applied to determine significance of woodlands is outlined in Table 2.
Table 2: Woodland evaluation of significance criteria
Evaluation Criteria Standards of Significance
Woodland Size Criteria
Woodland Cover
‐ If woodlands account 31‐60 % (NVCA = 32.8%) of the total land use, woodlands 50ha in size or greater are significant. ‐ If woodland account for 16‐30% (GRCA = 19%) of the total land use, woodlands 20ha in size or greater are significant ‐ The largest woodland in the planning area (or sub‐unit) should be considered significant.
Ecological Functions Criteria
Woodland Interior
‐ Within NVCA, woodlands with 8ha interior habitat when woodland cover is 31‐60% should be significant. ‐ Within GRCA, woodlands with 2ha interior habitat when woodland cover is 16‐30% should be considered significant ‐ Interior habitat can be initially identified by any forested habitat no closer than 100m from any woodland edge.
Proximity to Other Woodlands
‐ Woodlands that may provide ecological benefit to other nearby (within 30m) significant natural features or fish habitat may be considered significant, providing they meet the area threshold according to the woodland cover for the lower‐tier or single‐tier municipality. Within NVCA the area threshold for significance is 10ha Within GRCA the area threshold for significance is 4ha
Linkages
‐ Woodlands that provide linkage functions between other significant features within a specified distance (e.g., 120m) may be considered significant. Within NVCA the area threshold for significance is 10ha Within GRCA the area threshold for significance is 4ha
Water Protection ‐ Woodlands may be significant if they are within a sensitive
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May 2012
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watershed, or in close proximity to other hydrological features, including sensitive headwaters, fish habitat, and groundwater discharge. Within NVCA the area threshold for significance is 4ha Within GRCA the area threshold for significance is 2ha
Woodland Diversity
‐ A naturally occurring composition of native forest species that have shown significant decline south and east of the Canadian Shield may be significant. ‐ If high native diversity throughout forested features is noted, a woodland may be significant. Within NVCA the area threshold for significance is 10ha Within GRCA the area threshold for significance is 4ha
Uncommon Characteristics Criteria
Woodland Characteristics
‐ A woodland may be significant if it contains a unique species composition. ‐ A vegetation community with a provincial S‐Rank of S1, S2, or S3 may be considered significant. ‐ Woodlands containing habitat for a rare, uncommon, or restricted woodland plant species may be considered significant. ‐ Native woodlands showing characteristics of old woodlands or those with large tree stems may be considered significant. Within NVCA the area threshold for significance is 4ha Within GRCA the area threshold for significance is 2ha
6.5 Wildlife Habitat
The Significant Wildlife Habitat (SWH) Technical Guide (MNR 2000), supported by the SWH Ecoregion 6E
Criterion Schedule and the SWH Decision Support System, is the authoritative source for the
identification and evaluation of significant wildlife habitat. Information collected to evaluate wildlife
habitat as significant often requires specific studies targeted to the species, the habitat, or both. In
some instances, when evaluating candidate significant wildlife habitat, consideration was given to the
size of the individual habitat relative to the amount of habitat in the region (i.e., percentage of regional
composition for a given habitat community within 10 kilometres of the project location) and occurrence
of unique characteristics. The later approach was confirmed with the respective MNR District office.
Methodologies used to investigate the candidate wildlife habitat identified during the site investigation
(see Table 1 and subsequent figures within this report) are further outlined in Sections 6.5.1 to 6.5.6.
As per Appendix D of the Natural Heritage Assessment Guide, some wildlife habitats will be treated as
significant and a commitment to undertake studies prior to construction has been made for those
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candidate SWHs where studies have not yet been conducted. The methodology for evaluating the
significance of those wildlife habitats treated as significant will be outlined in the EIS.
6.5.1 Seasonal Concentration Areas
6.5.1.1 Colonial Bird Nesting Habitat (Herons)
Significance of Colonial Bird Nesting Habitat (Herons) (Figure 6a‐d) was evaluated using data collected
during breeding bird surveys within the project location and adjacent 120 metre setback areas. Both
diurnal and crepuscular avian surveys were undertaken.
Breeding bird surveys, which followed methods outlined in the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas Guide for
Participants (OBBA 2001), were conducted in late May, June and early July of 2008, 2010 and 2011 and
generally between dawn and 5 hours after sunrise. No surveys were conducted during inclement
weather (e.g., thick fog, wind speed > 3 of the Beaufort scale, storm events). An assessment of the
project location was undertaken to determine the abundance and species richness of the breeding bird
community within or directly adjacent to this area. The 2011 breeding bird assessment was conducted
in accordance with the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas protocol (Cadman et al, 2007). Breeding season
surveys were undertaken to determine which species displayed breeding behaviour in the project
location. Breeding behaviour generally includes, but is not limited to, males singing, nest building, egg
incubation, territorial defence, carrying food and feeding their young. Surveys were undertaken twice
over the course of each breeding season (Visit 1 – late May to mid‐June, Visit 2 – mid‐June to early July)
to ensure that both early and late breeders were detected.
The breeding bird surveys consisted of ten minute point counts. Point counts are used to establish
quantitative estimates of bird abundance in major habitat types of the study area. Breeding evidence
for each bird species was documented using Breeding Bird Atlas Evidence Codes. For all point count
locations, a GPS coordinate in NAD 83 was documented (Figure 6a‐d).
Area searches were also used to survey for breeding birds. Area search surveys involved noting all
individual bird species and their corresponding breeding evidence while traversing the project location
on foot. The breeding evidence, habitat and location of each bird observation were also noted. Area
search routes were concentrated between point count locations and an effort was made to distribute
them throughout the various vegetation communities in the study area.
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In order to capture occurrence data and habitat use by nocturnal species, crepuscular (nocturnal) bird
surveys were undertaken over two visits from mid May to early July. Surveys were completed during
appropriate weather conditions (i.e., normal wind speeds, no storm events) and overlapped periods
with at least 50% lunar illumination and low cloud cover. Survey protocol was adapted from the
Nightjar Monitoring Protocol provided by the MNR (2011b) and generally consisted of roadside point
counts, conducted concurrently with amphibian call surveys within 120 metres of the project location
where suitable habitats for target species occurred. If a crepuscular (nocturnal) bird data observation
occurred, it was recorded on amphibian call survey data sheets (Appendix B2).