In 2005, Hydro conducted an assessment of rare plants associated with sections
of distribution lines to Boat Harbour and Cape Norman, on the province’s Great
Northern Peninsula. Work involved the installation of a number of mid-span
poles and the replacement of older creosote poles that had deteriorated on
these lines. All work was near the main road, but also traversed very sensitive
limestone barrens habitat known to support species identified as rare or
endangered for the province and under the provincial Species at Risk Act. Of
particular concern was the presence of Fernald’s Braya (S2 Threatened) and
Barrens Willow (S1 Endangered) along the line route, near some structures, and
along the main road. Also of concern was the presence of a Fernald’s Braya
Study Plot established by Memorial University closer to the line to Cape
Norman.
As part of the assessment, the best possible location for the new poles was
chosen in relation to the plant species. All trails, travel routes and work
locations were identified and appropriately marked with a particular color. The
location of rare plants were also marked, but with a different color. This
allowed the line crew to easily distinguish the approved travel route and the
location of sensitive plant species. Once all trails and routes were marked,
they were then assessed for rare plant species. A local plant expert was hired
to complete the assessment and to report the results of the assessment to
Hydro.
In 2006, Hydro will be compiling a single report on rare plants associated with
power lines in the Great Northern Peninsula. This report will incorporate five
years of survey data collected on distribution lines at Trout River, Point
Riche and Barbace Point at Port Aux Choix National Historic Site, Cooks Harbour
to the Big Brook Junction, Cooks Harbour to Wild Bight and Boat Harbour, and
Wild Bight to Cape Norman. This information will then be incorporated into an
Environmental Protection Plan for use by our Northern Region line crews.
The Granite Canal hydroelectric development is located in south-central
Newfoundland within Hydro’s existing Bay D’Espoir System. Granite Canal began
production in July 2003 and has a capacity of 40 MW.
The Granite Canal project brought together a team of engineers, ecologists,
hydrologists, biologists and managers to develop an innovative design that
would meet the requirements of the local fish populations and satisfy federal
and provincial regulations. In addition, the team considered how the variable
conditions naturally found within fish habitat could be integrated into the
project’s engineering and construction requirements. The result was the Fish
Habitat Compensation Facility (FHCF) that provided 45,000m2
of spawning and rearing habitat for tens of thousands of ouananiche
(land-locked Atlantic Salmon) and brook trout that were displaced from the
existing waterway below the Granite Canal discharge when the water in Granite
Canal was diverted.
Initial results from FHCF monitoring programs and research activities indicate
the design has been successful, with the facility being used by large numbers
of fish. In 2005, the FHCF remained at a very high level of production for both
ouananiche and brook trout. Stock values for ouananiche have been estimated at
117 grams/100m2 and 3.7 grams/100m2 for brook
trout. In addition, spawning surveys recorded approximately 850 redds. As part
of an agreement with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Hydro has
committed to monitoring production in the FHCF until 2010.
In 2005, as part of the Rencontre East interconnection project, Hydro conducted
in situ wildlife surveys. One of the results was the discovery of a breeding
pair of Harlequin Ducks on the Bay Du Nord River. The Harlequin Duck was
designated as vulnerable in 2002 under the provincial Species at Risk Act. This
is the first confirmed sighting of this species on the Bay Du Nord River
system. A summary report of these findings was provided to the provincial DOEC.
In 2005, Hydro, as part of long-term agreements with them Department of
Fisheries and Oceans, released approximately 155 MCM (million cubic metres) of
water at its fisheries compensation facilities. The water releases at White
Bear River, Grey River, Granite Canal, Upper Salmon and Hind’s Lake were
performed at critical times through the year for habitat protection and fish
migration. In comparison, the amount of thermal production required to offset
the amount of water released was 45.5 GWh. When the thermal conversion rate and
average cost of fuel are considered, the equivalent value of the water released
at all fisheries compensation facilities totaled approximately $2.7 million.
CF(L)Co has existing transmission, generation and control facilities within the
range of both the Lac Joseph and Red Wine Mountains caribou herds. The proposed
Lower Churchill River Hydroelectric Development also falls within the range of
these sedentary woodland caribou herds which were designated as threatened in
2001. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada designated
the herds as threatened under the federal Species at Risk Act. DOECm also
designated these herds as threatened under the provincial Species at Risk Act
in July 2002.
To demonstrate our commitment to addressing species at risk issues, Hydro has a
representative participating on the Labrador Woodland Recovery Team. In 2005,
the recovery team continued with the development of a Recovery Strategy, which
is a document that identifies recovery strategies deemed necessary to protect
and recover sedentary woodland caribou in Labrador. The Recovery Team will be
implementing various aspects of the plan as departmental budgets allow.
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