BC Hydro
Vegetation Clearing Plan For The Site C Clean Energy Project
We were retained by BC Hydro for the development of a vegetation clearing and debris management plan for the Site C Clean Energy Project. The work culminated in a submission by BC Hydro to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and our report was included as Appendix A to BC Hydro’s Site C Clean Energy – Environmental Impact Statement (see http://www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/document-eng.cfm?document=85328).
The clearing plan report was completed after extensive field reconnaissance of the proposed dam construction site and reservoir. A multidisciplinary team that included registered professional foresters, forest technicians, logging contractors, forest engineers, river debris management engineers and contractors provided support in the development of the vegetation clearing and debris management plan.
Our scope of work included:
- Extensive update to the vegetation resource inventory database for the project activity zones.
- Development of estimates of the amount of non-merchantable woody biomass.
- Development of a clearing strategy that considered, amongst other information, input received from Aboriginal groups, mercury methylation, water quality, boater safety, utilization of forest resources, fish and fish habitat and wildlife habitat.
- Production of clearing treatments that considered access, ground stability and vegetation merchantability.
- Creation of a GIS database of the project activity zones.
After the success of this project, we were retained by BC Hydro to assist with permitting support in subsequent submissions to the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations for Occupant Licenses to Cut (OLTC) and Works Permits.
