Thunder Bay Habitat NORTH SHORE OF LAKE SUPERIOR REMEDIAL ACTION PLANS Why Was Habitat Listed as an Impairment? Degradation by industrial and other development along the waterfront Delisting Criteria – Wildlife Habitat •  This beneficial use will no longer be impaired when riparian, wetland, and coastal habitat within the Thunder Bay AOC is in compliance with the guidelines set out through Environment Canada’s How Much Habitat is Enough? (2004). •  In addition, remaining and created wetlands must be protected from further degradation through existing environmental legislation. Provincial standards should be used to inventory and classify wetlands within the Thunder Bay AOC. 2012 RAP Update: Actions to be Completed Substrate Mapping: • Fish habitat classification currently being completed 2012 RAP Update: Actions to be Completed Northern Wood Fish Community Comparison (2004 & 2006) • completed 2012 RAP Update: Actions to be Completed Wildlife Habitat Change Detection -completed Habitat Guidelines - Further work necessary Research Suggests: Wildlife Habitat • Greener • presentation to PAC in May, 2015 • AOC and non-AOC reference sites • Thunder Bay meets ECCC guidelines -data utilizes one species only under a formula focused on the lower lakes • Further data collection referencing multiple species, parameters and locations required to make strong conclusions about habitat status -water quality, amphibians, macroinvertebrates,birds, other animals, etc. How Much Habitat is Enough? Third Edition WETLAND HABITAT GUIDELINES Wetland Restoration •  refer to historic wetland locations and conditions •  prioritize headwater areas, floodplains and coastal wetlands Percent Wetlands •  endeavour to achieve 40% of the historic watershed wetland coverage •  focus on maintaining and restoring wetland functions Wetland Location •  Focus on restoring wetlands in key locations, such as headwater areas (for groundwater discharge and recharge), floodplains and coastal wetlands. Amount of Adjacent Natural Vegetation •  identify stressors and protect wetland attributes from these factors •  a protective vegetation zone is of critical importance •  consider sensitivities and local environmental conditions (slopes, soils, drainage) Wetland Proximity - wetlands in close proximity to each other should be given higher priority Wetland Area, Shape and Diversity •  Capture a range of wetland types, “hydroperiods” •  Swamps with minimum edge and maximum interior can better support sensitive species RIPARIAN HABITAT Width of Adjacent Natural Vegetation •  minimum 30m wide naturally vegetated riparian area to provide and protect aquatic habitat Percent Impervious Surface •  Urban watersheds should maintain less than 10% impervious land cover in order to preserve abundance and biodiversity of aquatic species. •  Significant impairment in stream water quality and quantity is highly likely above 10% Percent Stream Length Naturally Vegetated - 75% of stream length should be naturally vegetated 05:? 1 3? HL ?0?50 I i I ~51! Water Quality •  total suspended solids, pH, oxygen •  concentrations of nutrients, metals and other contaminants are important influences on the health of waterways and aquatic habitat. •  Consider point source and non-point source inputs •  provincial water quality objectives (PWQOs) provide standard guidelines for physical and chemical water quality parameters for the protection of aquatic life