Return to the River: Baikie Island Backchannels Phase 2 Implementation Project # 05.Ca.03

Transcription

1 Return to the River: Baikie Island Backchannels Phase 2 Implementation Project # 05.Ca.03 Prepared by Greenways Land Trust P.O. Box 291 Campbell River, BC V9W 5B1 Prepared with financial support of: BC Hydro Bridge Coastal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program 6911 Southpoint Drive (E14) Burnaby, BC V3N 4X8 December 15,

2 Executive Summary Baikie Island is located in the Campbell River estuary, which is mid-way up the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, just north of the downtown core of the City of Campbell River. The Campbell River is a provincially designated Heritage River. Past industrial activities, including forestry related activities and hydroelectric development have negatively impacted the natural environment of the estuary over the past sixty years. The Baikie Island Reserve is now owned by the City of Campbell River, and is in the process of restoration, as per the Baikie Island Management Plan and a conservation covenant held by the Nature Conservancy of Canada. The Campbell River estuary is a vital rearing area for salmonids, with backchannel and marsh habitat both identified as being limiting factors to salmonid production. This project created a new backchannel and a new marsh bench in the Campbell River estuary and allows for progress in the restoration plan. Both the backchannel construction and the creation of a marsh bench are complete. The total project cost for creating the marsh and backchannel is $327, The excavation contract was granted to Wacor Holdings Ltd. and excavation began in July Excavation was complete on August 30, 2005 not including removal of the plug in January to open the backchannel to the estuary. The habitats created by this project cover an area of 17,807 m2, including 7,200 m2 of marsh, 1,817 m2 of riparian, and 1,480 m2 of sub-tidal habitat. In addition, 6,300 m2 will be planted with trees and other upland species. The volume of removed material is 50,000 m3 by excavation. Planting was begun in October 2005 and will continue in The Greenways Land Trust is grateful to the BC Hydro Bridge Coastal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program, Pacific Salmon Foundation, Nature Conservancy of Canada, BC Hydro Re-greening, and the City of Campbell River for providing funding for this project. 2

3 Table of Contents Executive Summary Introduction Goals and Objectives Study Area Methods Results Discussion Recommendations Acknowledgements References...18 List of Figures Figure 1. Arial view of Baikie Island as an industrial site...4 Figure 2. Former industrial site on Baikie Island... 5 Figure 3. Industrial activity at the site of the marsh... 5 Figure 4. Industrial activity at the site of the backchannel...6 Figure 5. Location of Study Area and Detail of Study Site (Van Tine 2004)... 7 Figure 6. Former barge loading facilities at the site of the marsh, July 5, Figure 7. Barren compacted area at the site of the backchannel...8 Figure 8. Excavator used by Wacor Holdings Ltd., August 2, Figure 9. Excavator used by Wacor Holdings Ltd., August 3, Figure 10. Aerial view of progress at the marsh construction site, August 15, Figure 11. Marsh site required removal of sheet wall, August 12, Figure 12. Excavation of marsh site continues after removal of steel sheet wall, August 23, Figure 13. Excavation, trucking, and pumping to create the backchannel, August 9, Figure 14. Aerial view of progress on backchannel, August 15, Figure 15. Woody debris and scraps of metal unearthed during excavation, August 17, Figure 16. Marsh under tidal influence after excavation, sloping, and preparation for planting, August 30, Figure 17. Excavated backchannel site ready for removal of plug to connect to Baikie Slough in January 2006, August 31, List of Tables Table 1. Habitat created in backchannel and marsh

4 1. Introduction Baikie Island in the Campbell River Estuary, in its natural state, would provide a range of healthy habitats, from riparian forest to intertidal marshes and mud flats. These habitats sustain wildlife including fish, waterfowl, and mammals. The Campbell River supports a multitude of fish including coho, chum, Chinook, sockeye, and pink salmon, plus steelhead and cutthroat trout, lamprey, and Dolly Varden char (Burt and Burns 1995 in Van Tine 2004). The estuary provides essential habitats for rearing, particularly for chum and Chinook salmon, as they reside in the estuary for 90 and 60 days respectively (Burt and Burns 1995 in Van Tine 2004). Essential rearing habitat provides food sources, shelter, refuge, and adaptation to saline water. While significant restoration projects upstream in the past ten years have improved the fresh water environment, it is possible that an exceeded carrying capacity or bottleneck occurs in the estuary where vital rearing habitat is in high demand but in low supply (Korman, Bravender & Levings 1997 in Van Tine 2004). Baikie Island was once the site of industrial activity as shown in Figures 1 through 4. From the 1940 s to the 1990 s, activities including wood processing, marine industries, and aircraft use occurred on site at various intervals (Witty Planning Consultants 1996 in Van Tine 2004). These activities left the island with compacted soils and areas devoid of vegetation or hosting mostly invasive plant species. The estuary has also been under the influence of hydroelectric damming since 1947 leading to losses of spawning, rearing, and over wintering fish habitat due to the dam footprint, flooding of the reservoir, and flow changes (Burt and Burns 1995 in Van Tine and Conlin, Lamont & MacFarlane 2000). Figure 1. Aerial View of Baikie Island as an industrial site. 4

5 Figure 2. Former industrial site on Baikie Island. Figure 3. Industrial activity at the site of the marsh. 5

6 Figure 4. Industrial activity at the site of the backchannel. The 47 acre Baikie Island Reserve was purchased from Raven Industries in 2000 by the Nature Conservancy of Canada, with significant contributions from a variety of sources including the BC Hydro Bridge Coastal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program, District of Campbell River, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Salmon Foundation, and the community. The Baikie Island Reserve was transferred to the District of Campbell River in 2001, with a conservation covenant held by the Nature Conservancy of Canada. The Baikie Island Reserve Management Plan was developed to maximize protection and restoration of the site. The construction of two backchannels as options to enhance fish production are specifically identified in the Management Plan within Zone 3, Central Baikie Island Rehabilitation Zone, the area of highest industrial impact (Kirik 2002 in Van Tine 2004). Burt and Burns also identified the construction of backwater rearing habitat as a means to reduce limitations to fish production within the Campbell River (1995 in Van Tine 2004). In 2004, with the assistance of seed funding from BC Hydro Bridge Coastal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program and other partners, Greenways Land Trust completed a planning and feasibility study which outlined the creation of a backchannel and a marsh bench on Baikie Island as a feasible way to improve salmonid habitat (Van Tine 2004). This excavation project helps create restored habitats in the form of a marsh and backchannel and allows for further restoration through planting and maintenance. 2. Goals and Objectives This project follows through with recommendations of the 2004 Greenways Land Trust planning and feasibility study (Van Tine 2004). A marsh bench and a backchannel were excavated to create additional wildlife habitat and to continue the restoration of Baikie Island. 6

7 3. Study Area Restoration of the Baikie Island Reserve in the Campbell River estuary is under the guidance of a management plan and a conservation covenant held by the Nature Conservancy of Canada. Construction of a marsh bench and a backchannel at the sites shown in Figure 5 will further restoration plans for Baikie Island. Figures 6 and 7 show the status of the areas before excavation. Figure 5. Location of Study Area and Detail of Study Site (Van Tine 2004). 7

8 Figure 6. Former barge loading facilities at the site of the marsh, July 5, Figure 7. Barren compacted area at the site of the backchannel. 8

9 4. Methods Excavation occurred according to findings in the Greenways Land Trust Planning and Feasibility study (Van Tine 2004). The backchannel and marsh bench were excavated using standard equipment (Figures 8 and 9) and tandem trucks for removal to a spoil site. An environmental monitor was on-site throughout the excavation to ensure that all materials unearthed were properly managed. A surveyor was also on-site during the excavation to ensure elevation and contour plans were maintained. Figure 8. Excavator used by Wacor Holdings Ltd., August 2,

10 Figure 9. Excavator used by Wacor Holdings Ltd., August 3, The marsh bench was excavated, exposing clay on 75% of the site. It was over excavated and covered with 0.3 m of gravel as seen in Figure 10. An additional layer of 0.3 m of organic material was then added to promote plant growth. The steel sheet piling wall at the end of Baikie Island, as shown in Figure 11, was cut off and removed (Figure 12) along with various unearthed steel and wood pilings. 10

11 Figure 10. Aerial view of progress at the marsh construction site, August 15, Figure 11. Marsh site required removal of steel sheet piling wall, August 12,

12 Figure 12. Excavation of marsh site continues after removal of steel sheet piling wall, August 23, The backchannel was excavated leaving a plug between the backchannel and Baikie Slough as shown in Figures 13 and 14. This disconnect will be removed through further excavation in January, during the winter fisheries window. Backchannel excavation proceeded from the area just onshore from the plug working inland on Baikie Island. The backchannel site was gravelled but left without an organic layer to allow for final sloping during the connection of the backchannel to Baikie Slough. 12

13 Figure 13. Excavation, trucking, and pumping to create the backchannel, August 9, Figure 14. Aerial view of progress on backchannel, August 15,

14 5. Results The spoil site received 50,000 cubic metres of soils from the excavation in an average of 120 to 200 truckloads per day for 29 days. Dust and mud at the spoil site was mediated by watering, adding gravel to the access road, and sweeping. Excavation at the marsh bench site created increases to three types of habitat for a total area of habitat created of 6,737m2. Excavation at the backchannel site created 11,070 m2 of habitat types. The footprint of the excavation work was 17,807m2. Areas of newly created marsh, riparian, upland, sub-tidal, and gravel bench habitats are outlined in Table 1. Table 1. Habitat created in backchannel and marsh. Habitat Type Backchannel Area (m2) Marsh 4,330 Riparian Upland Sub-Tidal Gravel Bench Total 950 3,300 1,480 1,010 11,070 Marsh Bench Area (m2) 2, , ,737 Total Area (m2) 7,200 1,817 6,300 1,480 1,010 17,807 No toxic contaminants were found nor were there any spills from machinery. Contaminants found included waste wood, woody debris, and a small amount of used metal as seen in Figure 15. Woody debris unearthed during excavation was sorted and kept for future complexing for planting or disposed of. Excavated concrete slabs from buildings and concrete blocks from barge holdings were removed for recycling. 14

15 Figure 15. Woody debris and scraps of metal unearthed during excavation, August 17, Discussion The newly created marsh bench is a habitat suitable for many types of waterfowl, mammals, and many fish including the primary target species of Pacific Salmon. The area is under tidal influence as shown in Figure 16. The backchannel, as shown in Figure 17, will be connected to the Baikie Slough in January of 2006 during the fisheries window. After that time, the area will be available to salmon for juvenile rearing, refuge, nutrient and food sourcing. The findings of the Planning and Feasibility study (Van Tine 2004) were useful during the excavation phase of the project. 15

16 Figure 16. Marsh under tidal influence after excavation, sloping, and preparation for planting, August 30, Figure 17. Excavated backchannel site ready for removal of plug to connect to Baikie Slough in Jan. 2006, August 31,

17 Volunteer and community involvement in this project was encouraged, although during excavation Baikie Island was closed to the public using a locked gate for safety reasons. Community involvement included school tours, ground breaking ceremony, video documentary, invasive plant species and rubbish removal, and planting various native plant species. Over 330 community and volunteer hours were spent on the island not including the video documentaries that aired on local television (CRTV) repeatedly as part of regular programming. 7. Recommendations The plug disconnecting the backchannel from Baikie Slough should be removed in the fisheries window in the winter of Commencement of this excavation is planned for January 26, Sloping of the lowest elevations and addition of organic material to growing areas will also occur at this time. The estimated cost for this is $40,000. Baikie Island restoration will continue for years to come. Activities will include invasive plant species removal, native plantings and maintenance by volunteers and paid work crews. Trails will be created, marked and maintained, as will bird watching areas highlighting the project sites. Permanent kiosk signage noting all contributors will be added in Acknowledgements The Greenways Land Trust gratefully acknowledges the financial contributions of the BC Hydro Bridge Coastal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program and the Pacific Salmon Foundation for completion of the excavation phase of the Return to the River: Baikie Island restoration project. The Greenways Land Trust is also grateful to the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the City of Campbell River for their partnership in this project and for their significant financial involvement. We are also grateful for the hard work of the project contractor, Wacor Holdings Ltd., and their crews. Thanks also to the Vancouver Island Health Authority Mental Health work crew and to the many volunteers who helped with this project including Katimavik, Campbell River Air Cadets, the Campbell River Christian School, CRTV, the Courier-Islander and Campbell River Mirror newspapers and the general public. We are very grateful for the support of the many individuals who contributed their time, expertise, and equipment to complete this project. We particularly wish to acknowledge Jim Van Tine, of Van Tine & Associates, for his planning, management and supervisory role in this project, Irv Penner, RPF, for his advice regarding revegetation, Shannon Anderson and Rick Senger of Fisheries and Oceans Canada for their extensive knowledge around fish habitat requirements, and specialized knowledge of the Campbell River Estuary, Michael Roth, Susan Simson and Michele Sirrett, with the City of Campbell River, for supporting the project as representatives of the landowner, Pat Martin of Raven Industries for allowing access through lands owned by Raven Industries and exploring options for removal of excavated material, and Tim Ennis of the Nature Conservancy of Canada for his invaluable input throughout the project. 17

18 9. References Burt, D. & T. Burns Assessment of Salmonid Habitat in the Lower Campbell River. BC Hydro Environmental Affairs, Southpoint Drive, Burnaby, BC, Canada. Conlin, K., Lamont, C., & MacFarlane, S BC Hydro Bridge Coastal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program Strategic Plan Volume 2: Watershed Plans Chapter 2: Campbell River [online] Accessed on September 19, pp Kirik, M Management Plan for the Baikie Island Reserve Version 1. District of Campbell River and Nature Conservancy of Canada. Unpublished. [online] anagementplan.pdf. Accessed on September 18, Korman, J., B. Bravender, and C.D. Levings Utilization of the Campbell River estuary by juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2169: 45 p. Van Tine, J Backchannel Creation on Baikie Island: Phase 1 (Planning): BCRP Project # 04.Ca.02. Prepared for Greenways Land Trust. [online] 33p. Witty Planning Consultants Campbell River Estuary Management Plan. Client report for District of Campbell River Planning Department, Campbell River, BC, Canada. 18