• Do the functions of this wetland have a significant role in the ecosystem? What level of protection or mitigation is appropriate?
• Will on-site development and conversion of part of the wetland adversely affect the ecological integrity 10 or functions of the site? To what degree? Is this effect significant?
• How should the uncertainties in the predictions of adverse effects on groundwater levels, and the effect of groundwater level changes on species composition, affect the determination of significance?

10 - Ecological integrity requires that all indigenous species be present in the area, that all species' numbers approximate historic levels, and that the ecosystem be shaped by natural processes. (Woodley 1993)

Case Study No. 2

The Project and Environment

• Private corporation has proposed the expansion of its existing dock facility on the Great Lakes shoreline; is seeking a permit under the Fisheries Act
• Expansion to handle two seaway bulk carriers and facilitate cargo storage
• The total lakebed area for dock expansion is estimated at about 30 hectares
• Rock, stone and overburden from nearby quarry, operated by the corporation, will be used to construct the dock
• Public raised concerns over impacts of the dock expansion and the quarrying operations on nearby wetlands
• Proposed dock located adjacent to a 45-hectare delta marsh classified as a provincially significant wetland; marsh hosts two species of national interest, the least bittern and black tern (wetland #1); and to the south of another coastal wetland (wetland #2), both wetlands provide stopover and nesting functions for migratory birds

Potential Effects

• Effects of dock expansion on wave action and littoral transport accretion/erosion related to wetland #1
• Changes to water level fluctuations and attendant threats to species at risk, migratory birds, biodiversity, other functions for which the wetland is rated "provincially significant"
• Groundwater seepage into quarry site, with subsequent effects on water balance of wetland #2; consequences to plants and animals in the wetland

Recommended Mitigation

• 30-metre shoreline buffer between dock and wetland #1
• Monitoring of wetlands #1 and #2 before, during and after construction to confirm that a decrease in wetland functions is not occurring; and specifically, general water quality parameters, vegetation and animal communities, and hydraulic changes
• Monitoring programs for the two wetlands should encompass an ecosystem approach and include surveys of vascular plants and vegetative communities, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish
• Monitoring general water-quality parameters, such as pH, turbidity (suspended sediment), conductivity, dissolved oxygen and temperature, may indicate an impact before changes to the flora and fauna occur
• Shoreline monitoring following construction of the dock supplemented by wave refraction analyses

Significance Issues

• How important are the wetlands to migratory birds? Other wildlife? Other functions? What level of protection or mitigation is appropriate?
• Will development on the adjacent shoreline or off-site in the quarry adversely affect these functions? To what degree? Is it significant?

Case Study No. 3

The Project and Environment

• A pipeline management company has filed an application with the National Energy Board for approval to construct a lateral pipeline from a main transmission pipeline to a generating station
• Project is comprised of approximately 124 km of 300 mm diameter natural gas transmission pipeline, associated regulating, metering, and control facilities, temporary work space and access roads
• Project will be operated within a 20 m wide right of way (RoW).
• Preferred 20-m wide RoW study has identified eleven VECs, one of which is "wetlands"
• Initial surveys have identified:
  • 16 wetlands located within 30 m of the RoW ("proximal wetlands")
  • one wetland is crossed by the preferred RoW route; pipeline to cross wetland at its narrowest point (approximately 60 m wide) ("crossed wetland")
• Preferred route crosses wetland because of the presence of extensive gypsum deposits and associated sinkholes to the north, and a combination of gypsum and acid generating slates to the south
• Crossed wetland consists of six wetland types including shallow-water wetland, shore marsh, stream marsh, shore fen, stream fen, and shore swamp
• Crossed wetland highly productive and valuable for wildlife habitat - as indicated by the high wetland evaluation (Golet) score and through consultation with provincial departments - including habitat for a variety of rare and endangered flora and fauna
• Associated lake also supports a variety of fish species
• Wetlands and associated lake are considered to be one of the richest freshwater plant and animal sites in the province and the area has been recommended as a candidate site of ecological significance

Potential Effects

• Change in hydrologic flows to wetlands within 30 m of the RoW, potential changes in species composition, stress on rare plant species
• Increased siltation in proximal and crossed wetlands due to clearing, grading and excavation activities
• Introduction of invasive species
• Interruption of wildlife movements (especially large mammals) by safety barricades, fences, etc.
• Contamination by hazardous materials (e.g. chemical spraying for vegetation management)
• Fragmentation of natural habitats
• Increased access to the area leading to secondary mortality from hunting and poaching

Significance Issues

• Do the functions of the crossed wetland have a significant role in the ecosystem? What level of protection or mitigation is appropriate?
• Will the pipeline crossing adversely affect the ecological integrity ¹¹ or functions of the site? To what degree? Is this effect significant?
• Will the pipeline adversely affect the wetlands within 30 m of the RoW? To what degree? Is it significant?
• How much change can occur in physical, chemical and biological attributes before the functions of the wetlands become impaired (indicated by declines in populations, biological diversity, water quality, increase in flooding)? At what point is this impairment "significant"?
• Considering the cumulative effects of other disturbances in the region: How much more change can occur in this natural area before effects become "significant", for example before the region becomes a "mortality sink" for birds, mammals, etc. (an area of population decline where survival is at risk)? What are the physical, biological and chemical thresholds beyond which ecosystems cannot perform functions such as provision of habitat, regulation of hydrology, purification of water?

11 - Ecological integrity requires that all indigenous species be present in the area, that all species' numbers approximate historic levels, and that the ecosystem be shaped by natural processes. (Woodley 1993)