April 11, 2012 Port Metro Vancouver 100 The Pointe, 999 Canada Place Vancouver, BC V6C 3T4 Attention: RE: Carolina Eliasson, Environmental Specialist LOW LEVEL ROAD RE-ALIGNMENT PACIFIC YEW TREE ASSESSMENT ENKON File No. 1590-001 ENKON Environmental Limited (ENKON) was contracted by Port Metro Vancouver to identify Pacific Yew (Taxus brevifolia) trees and potential development limitations associated with the proposed Low Level Road Re-alignment Project in the City of North Vancouver. Background Yew trees are small (2 15m) evergreen trees with reddish, scaly bark; the flat needles are approximately 2 3 cm long and branches are arranged irregularly; male/female cones are found on separate trees (Pojar and MacKinnon, 1994). ENKON conducted a site investigation on February 21, 2012 to locate and GPS Pacific yew trees, obtain photo-documentation, and evaluate tree health. For this assessment, the above ground portions of trees were examined in accordance with the protocol and methodology contained in the Evaluation of Hazard Trees in Urban Areas (Matheny, 1994). No inspection of below-ground portions of the trees was performed. While on-site, ENKON also conducted a reconnaissance for active bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nests. Background wildlife information was obtained from the Wildlife Habitat Assessment report prepared by ENKON in May 2011. Project Setting The project area is located in the southwest portion of the City of North Vancouver, historically known as Moodyville, and includes approximately 2 km of land extending along the Low Level Road (Figure 1) aligned between Brooksbank Avenue and St. Patricks Avenue. Land use on the south side of Low Level Road is primarily industrial including the north shore port terminals
with associated rail access and work yards. The north side of Low Level Road includes urban commercial and residential lands interspersed with managed greenspace (Moodyville Park). The Spirit Trail and subsidiary trails meander through Moodyville Park providing non-motorized access along an east/west orientation. Site Description The site has a generally south-facing aspect ranging from approximately 0 60 m in elevation. The terrain is moderately steep in vegetated areas and relatively flat where industrial operations occur. A ridgeline traverses the site in the vicinity of Moodyville Park and drops sharply to the south where visible surface failures are visible. Two watercourses are present within the boundaries of the project area including Tributary 1 and Tributary 2. Forested areas consist of mixed deciduous and coniferous tree species of various age and canopy height. Understory shrub composition is diverse and non-uniform across the landscape. There is also extensive cover of introduced invasive English Ivy (Hedera helix). Urban, commercial and industrial land use within the study boundary areas exhibit sparse vegetation with a range of native and non-native species or barren impervious surface. Resident backyards interfacing with the project boundary contain a wide range of landscaping plants. Yew Tree Assessment Twelve Pacific yew trees were located within or immediately adjacent to the project boundaries (Table 1: Figure 1: Photographs 1-10). Yew trees were scattered primarily along the bluff that extends through Moodyville Park. The majority of yew trees located during the field study were live/stressed; however, ivy that is growing on the trees can contribute to rot, blowdown, and divert nutrients causing nutrient deficiencies. The Neptune/Cargill Overpass and Low Level Road Projects Concept Development Report: Volume 1 Report (Draft), November 1, 2010 prepared by MMM Group discusses the realignment project and conceptual designs. Based on the designs presented, this project is not expected to affect yew trees in the study area. If geotechnical considerations, such as grading to reinforce the bluff slope are implemented, yew trees may potentially be impacted. Tree # Tree Height (m) DBH* (cm) Table 1 UTM Easting Pacific Yew Tree Data UTM Northing Comments Yew 1* 6 30 495687 5461679 stressed with epicormic shoots Yew 2 5.25 20 495976 5461728 live Yew 3 - - 495641 5461633 sapling with two shoots off mainstem Yew 4 7 25 495723 5461580 live with ivy Page 2 of 8
Tree # Tree Height (m) DBH* (cm) UTM Easting UTM Northing Comments Yew 5 5 15 495735 5461584 stressed with ivy Yew 6 8 25 495815 5461618 live with ivy Yew 7 7 25 495879 5461605 live with bowed base Yew 8 5.5-495882 5461654 live with ivy Yew 9 8 15 495914 5461635 stressed with ivy Yew 10 4 10 offset 8 m west of Yew 11 Yew 11 - - 496013 5461682 live with bowed base Yew 12 7 30 495637 5461637 live with ivy * Diameter at Breast Height (1.3m from ground surface) ** Yew 1 is located outside the study area. Applicable Legislation dead with partial crown foliage (uprooted) Pacific yew trees are not listed (i.e. not protected) by the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA) and is provincially yellow-listed (not at risk). A review of the City of North Vancouver s Tree Policy for the Management of Trees on City Property does not indicate that yew trees are specially protected. Tree retention and removal is subject to the applicable City tree standards and permitting process. Eagle Nest Assessment An active eagle nest was identified on the east side of Tributary 2 by ENKON in 2011. During this February 2012 site investigation the eagle pair was observed bringing in new nest material, perching, and one adult was feeding. Feathers from eagle avian prey kills were abundant on the forest floor in the vicinity of the nest. These observations are consistent with ENKON s 2011 wildlife report. Summary Twelve Yew trees were identified and documented in the study area. This species is not protected by the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA) and is provincially yellow-listed (not at risk). A review of the City of North Vancouver s Tree Policy for the Management of Trees on City Property does not indicate that yew trees are specially protected. Applicable regulatory context is provided by the City of North Vancouver s tree standards and permitting process. An active eagle nest was identified on the east side of Tributary 2 by ENKON in 2011. During this Page 3 of 8
February 2012 site investigation the eagle pair was observed bringing in new nest material, perching, and one adult was feeding. Please contact us if you have any further comments or questions. Respectfully, Carolyn Prentice, B.Sc., P-BD Env. Sci., ISA Certified Arborist (PN-6576A) References Matheny, Nelda P. and James R. Clark. 1994. A Photographic Guide to the Evaluation of Hazard Trees in Urban Areas, 2nd Edition. International Society of Arboriculture. Champaign, IL. Pojar, J. and A. MacKinnon. 1994. Plants of Coastal British Columbia including Washington, Oregon & Alaska. Ministry of Forests and Lone Pine Publishing, Vancouver BC. Page 4 of 8
Moody Avenue 3rd Street 2 3 12 1 Moodyville Park 6 4 5 8 7 9 1011 Tributary 2 Tributary 1 Yew Tree/Eagle Nest Locations Figure 1 ENKON Job #: 1590-001 Project Boundary Yew Trees Bald Eagle Nest Bald Eagle Plucking Station Watercourses 0 50 100 200 Meters Scale 1:4,000 E Client: Port Metro Vancouver Date: February 24, 2012 Prepared by: ENKON Environmental Ltd.
Photographs Photograph 1 yew tree #1 Photograph 2 yew tree #2 Sapling shoots Photograph 3 yew tree #3 Photograph 4 yew trees #4 and #5 Page 6 of 8
Photograph 5 yew tree #6 Photograph 6 yew tree #7 Photograph 7 yew tree #8 Photograph 8 yew tree #9 Page 7 of 8
Photograph 9 yew tree #10 Photograph 10 yew tree #12 Page 8 of 8