Prepared for: Millennium EMS Solutions Ltd. Prepared by: Pisces Environmental Consulting Services Ltd. Red Deer, AB

Transcription

1 TURBIDITY MONITORING AND FISH CAPTURE AND RELEASE OPERATIONS FOR THE DX CULVERT SOLIDS REMOVAL PROJECT ON APETOWUN CREEK LOCATED IN NE W5M, NORTHEAST OF HINTON, ALBERTA Prepared for: Prepared by: Pisces Environmental Consulting Services Ltd. Red Deer, AB

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Pisces Environmental Consulting Services Ltd. 1.0 INTRODUCTION METHODS AQUATIC ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING FISH CAPTURE AND RELEASE OPERATIONS TURBIDITY MONITORING PROGRAM ROUTINE WATER QUALITY SAMPLING RESULTS FISH CAPTURE AND RELEASE OPERATIONS TURBIDITY MONITORING PROGRAM ROUTINE WATER QUALITY SAMPLING SUMMARY CLOSURE REFERENCES... 8 Appendix A: Fish Capture Record Appendix B: Turbidity Monitoring Results and Construction Log Appendix C: Colour Plates LIST OF TABLES Table 2.1. Turbidity/TSS Monitoring Compliance Criteria Table 3.1. Summary of turbidity monitoring results during DX culvert solids removal on Apetowun Creek Table 3.2. Routine water quality results for August 2 to 5, LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Location of West Fraser DX haul road culvert solids removal site on Apetowun Creek, August 2-4, FC&R and Turbidity Monitoring DX Culvert Solids Removal

3 Pisces Environmental Consulting Services Ltd. 1.0 INTRODUCTION Pisces Environmental Consulting Services Ltd. (Pisces) was retained by Millennium EMS Solutions Ltd. (MEMS) to complete fish capture and release (FC&R) operations and conduct aquatic environmental monitoring during works to remove solids from the culvert crossing that carries the West Fraser DX haul road (DX road, Figure 1) across Apetowun Creek in NE W5M, adjacent to Obed Mountain Mine, near Hinton, Alberta. As part of the Revised Solids Recovery Plan (MEMS 2013) associated with the October 31, 2013 Obed Mountain Mine (OMM) release event, works were conducted from August 2-4, 2014 to remove solids from inside the culvert, as well as from the culvert s inlet and outlet. Two vacuum trucks and operator crews were used to complete the necessary works. Pisces Qualified Aquatic Environment Specialists (QAES) conducted aquatic environmental monitoring including turbidity monitoring and routine water quality monitoring as described in the Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Plan (FFHPP) prepared for the Solids Recovery Project (Pisces 2014). The following is a summary report including methods employed and results obtained during the fish capture and release and monitoring programs. FC&R and Turbidity Monitoring DX Culvert Solids Removal Project 1

4 Pisces Environmental Consulting Services Ltd. Figure 1: Location of West Fraser DX haul road culvert solids removal site on Apetowun Creek, August 2-4, FC&R and Turbidity Monitoring DX Culvert Solids Removal Project 2

5 Pisces Environmental Consulting Services Ltd. 2.0 METHODS 2.1 AQUATIC ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING Pisces QAES monitored instream construction activities and collaborated with project managers and construction personnel during the course of the solids removal works. Primary duties for onsite QAES included: FC&R operations; Turbidity monitoring at instream work sites; Routine water quality sampling at established sites within the Apetowun Creek drainage Fish Capture and Release Operations FC&R operations were conducted on August 1, 2014, prior to the start of construction, within the instream isolated area encompassing the culvert (from approximately 6 m downstream to 91 m upstream of the culvert). Fish access into the isolated area was restricted by fish blocking nets placed across the channel at the upstream and downstream ends of the isolated area and at both ends of the culvert. While in place, the fish blocking nets were monitored and maintained to ensure their continued effectiveness. Fish presence within the isolated area was determined using a LR-24 Smith-Root backpack electrofisher, a seine net, and a dip-net. Due to safety issues associated with electrofishing inside a metal culvert, prior to electrofishing, a seine net was pulled twice through the culvert into the inlet. To ensure all fish were captured, QAES were present with dip-nets during the dewatering of the isolation. All fish captured were identified, enumerated, and measured. After processing, all fish were released into Apetowun Creek, downstream of the isolation. Pisces will report the data collected during the fish salvage operation to Alberta Fish and Wildlife as required by the conditions of the Fish Research License ( ) Turbidity Monitoring Program The primary objective of the monitoring program was to minimize silt escapement into the watercourse during instream activities, using turbidity as a surrogate measure for total suspended solids (CPWCC 1999). If total suspended solids (TSS) levels increased during instream works activities were halted and mitigation procedures were implemented to decrease silt escapement. Turbidity monitoring methods followed the specifications outlined in Pisces FFHPP prepared FC&R and Turbidity Monitoring DX Culvert Solids Removal Project 3

6 Pisces Environmental Consulting Services Ltd. for the Solids Recovery Project (Pisces 2014). The relationship between turbidity (NTU) and TSS (mg/l) was determined to be: TSS = *(NTU) R 2 = , n= 12 The monitoring program definition of an exceedance was based on the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Canadian Water Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life (CCME 2002) summarized in Table 2.1. Table 2.1. Turbidity/TSS Monitoring Compliance Criteria. Compliance Criteria For Short Term (<24 hr) Effect When background levels are less than or below 250 mg/l: A maximum increase of 25 mg/l is allowed. When background levels are above 250 mg/l: TSS may be increased by 10% above background levels. In accordance with the FFHPP, compliance points were established at one stream width downstream of works, two stream widths downstream of works, and three stream widths downstream of the solids removal work area. Background samples were taken approximately 5 m upstream of the works. Throughout the monitoring program, individual water samples were tested in the field for turbidity in NTU with a LaMotte 2020 turbidity meter. In general, sampling was conducted on an hourly basis; however monitoring frequency fluctuated with construction activities. In total, Pisces conducted monitoring on four consecutive days from August 2, 2014 to August 5, Routine Water Quality Sampling During the course of the solids removal activities, the on-site QAES implemented a water quality sampling program at established sites within the Apetowun Creek drainage. Sampling locations and procedures followed the specifications outlined in the FFHPP prepared for the Solids Recovery Project (Pisces 2014). FC&R and Turbidity Monitoring DX Culvert Solids Removal Project 4

7 Pisces Environmental Consulting Services Ltd. 3.0 RESULTS 3.1 FISH CAPTURE AND RELEASE OPERATIONS During the FC&R operations, a total of five Burbot (Lota lota) and five Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) were captured. Prior to electrofishing, a seine net was passed twice through the approximately 50 m long x 2.5 m wide culvert. Three electrofishing passes were then conducted over the 91 m long x 1 m wide x 0.2 m deep isolated section of creek upstream of the culvert (1 st pass-812 seconds, 2 nd pass-1,208 seconds, 3 rd pass-1,186 seconds) for a total of 3,206 seconds on-time. In the 6 m long x 1 m wide x 0.2 m deep isolated section of creek downstream of the culvert, three electrofishing passes were also conducted (1 st pass-120 seconds, 2 nd pass-112 seconds, 3 rd pass-97 seconds) for a total of 329 seconds on-time. Four Burbot and three Brook Trout were captured by electrofishing. No fish were captured or observed during seining, however one Burbot and two Brook Trout were removed by dip-net from the culvert during dewatering. A complete record of sampling effort and results is provided in Appendix A. 3.2 TURBIDITY MONITORING PROGRAM During solids removal works, TSS levels were generally maintained similar to background levels. However, one exceedance in TSS was recorded on August 3 when ground water was pumped out of the isolation and onto an adjacent low-lying vegetated area. The ground became saturated and the slope of land allowed the water to flow overland and into the creek. This change in TSS was short-lived and returned to acceptable levels within one hour of occurrence following implementation of mitigation procedures. Solids removal works within the isolation area were completed on August 4. Over the 3 days of activity the water levels dropped in the sediment trap located at the downstream end of the isolation. In order to maintain continuous flow in the creek downstream of the sediment trap, two pumps had to pump water out of the sediment trap and into the creek while the stream flow was allowed to flow into the sediment trap for the remainder of August 4 and 5. The pumping rates were set to approximately 75 percent of the upstream flow to allow for a gradual rise in the water level within the sediment trap while maintaining a continuous moderate flow downstream of the trap. On August 6, once water levels in the sediment trap had risen enough for stream flow through the sediment trap and into the downstream stream channel to occur the pumps were removed. FC&R and Turbidity Monitoring DX Culvert Solids Removal Project 5

8 Pisces Environmental Consulting Services Ltd. A summary of the construction activities and subsequent changes in TSS levels for the culvert solids removal can be found in Table 3.1. A complete record of turbidity measurements and construction activities obtained during the monitoring is provided in Appendix B. Table 3.1. Summary of turbidity monitoring results during DX culvert solids removal on Apetowun Creek. Date Construction Activity Notable Changes in TSS 2-Aug-14 Pumps setup. Isolation pump-around established. Workers removing solids from culvert using one vacuum truck, beginning at the outlet. Two inch pump used to pump spring flow from culvert to low land vegetated area on LUB. No exceedances. Approximately 40% of culvert length completed. 3-Aug-14 Water level increased overnight due to spring flow. Started dewatering at 7:30, pumping into adjacent to low land vegetated area. Pumped water running overland into creek at 9:00, pumping into low area stopped and vacuum trucks used to remove excess water from isolation. Workers continue removing solids from culvert. Removed jute curtains from the sediment trap. 4-Aug-14 5-Aug-14 Ground water in the culvert is clean and settled so it is pumped into trap. Ground adjacent to trap is saturated and water is seeping into creek. Water being vacuumed out. Three inch pumps set up to supply flow from the sediment trap to the creek. Workers cycling water to wash remaining sediment out of culvert, inlet and outlet. solids removal works complete at 16:45. Solids removal completed. Creek flowing into sediment trap. Pumps providing flow from trap to creek downstream as trap slowly fills up. In exceedance at 9:00 due to pumped water running into creek from vegetated area. Pump shut off and ground water to be removed using vacuum truck. TSS within allowable limits within one hour. No exceedances. No exceedances. 3.3 ROUTINE WATER QUALITY SAMPLING Routine water quality sampling was carried out on each day that QAES staff were on site and construction activities were ongoing, for a total of four sampling days. Table 3.2 summarizes the water quality results that were obtained from August 2 to 5, Table 3.2. Routine water quality results for August 2 to 5, Date August 2, 2014 August 3, 2014 August 4, 2014 August 5, 2014 Site *Results obtained from Exova Labs Temperature ( o C) Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) ph Specific Conductivity (us) Turbidity* (NTU) TSS* (mg/l) Control 16.6@7: <1 Routine @13: Routine @18: <1 Control 13.9@7: Routine @13: Routine @17: <1 Control 15.9@8: Routine @11: Routine @7: Control 15.7@10: <1 Routine @8: Routine @17: <1 FC&R and Turbidity Monitoring DX Culvert Solids Removal Project 6

9 Pisces Environmental Consulting Services Ltd. 4.0 SUMMARY Fish capture and release operations were completed on August 1, 2014 within the area isolated for the solids removal work. A total of 10 fish (five Burbot and five Brook Trout) were captured. Pisces will report the data collected during fish salvage operations to Alberta Fish and Wildlife as required by the conditions of the Fish Research License ( ). From August 2 to 4, 2014, works were conducted to remove solids from the culvert that carries the West Fraser DX haul road across Apetowun Creek. On August 4 and 5, 2014, two pumps were used to maintain downstream creek flow while the sediment trap at the downstream end of the isolation area refilled with water. Pisces staff conducted turbidity monitoring for a total of four days (August 2 to 5, 2014) during solids removal works. One turbidity exceedance was recorded during the solids removal works when ground water that was pumped out of the isolation onto an adjacent low-lying vegetated area flowed overland and entered the creek. When the exceedance was recorded, works were halted, the source of the elevated turbidity was identified and mitigation strategies were applied. TSS levels returned to acceptable limits within one hour. Photographs of the work areas are provided in Appendix C. 5.0 CLOSURE If you have any questions regarding the foregoing, please contact our office at your convenience. Sincerely, Pisces Environmental Consulting Services Ltd. Qualified Aquatic Environment Specialists and Field Staff: Ageleky Bouzetos, BSc Junior Fisheries Biologist Author Scott Holroyd, P. Biol. Fisheries Biologist Review FC&R and Turbidity Monitoring DX Culvert Solids Removal Project 7

10 6.0 REFERENCES Pisces Environmental Consulting Services Ltd. Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life: Total Particulate Matter. In: Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines, 1999, Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. Winnipeg, Manitoba. Canadian Pipeline Water Crossing Committee Watercourse Crossings 2nd Edition CVRI Obed Mountain Mine Revised Solids Recovery Plan. Prepared for Coal Valley Resources Inc. and Sherritt International Corporation. 23 pp + Appendices. Pisces Environmental Consulting Services Ltd Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Plan for Proposed Remedial Works on Apetowun Creek near Hinton, Alberta. Prepared for, Edmonton, Alberta. FC&R and Turbidity Monitoring DX Culvert Solids Removal Project 8

11 Pisces Environmental Consulting ServicesLtd. Appendix A Fish Capture Record FC&R and Turbidity Monitoring DX Culvert Solids Removal Project

12 Pisces Environmental Consulting ServicesLtd. Table A-1. Electrofishing record for DX Culvert Solids Removal Project site for August 1, Date: August 1, 2014 Stream Name: Apetowun Creek Project: Culvert Sediment Removal Section: (upstream of DX road culvert) UTM reference: E N Section length (m): 91 Duration (seconds): , ,186 = 3,206 Sample # Species Fork Length (mm) Weight (g) 1 BKTR BURB BKTR BKTR BURB Date: August 1, 2014 Stream Name: Apetowun Creek Project: Culvert Sediment Removal Section: (downstream of DX road culvert) UTM reference: E N Section length (m): 6 Duration (seconds): = 329 Sample # Species Fork Length (mm) Weight (g) 1 BURB BURB Table A-2. Seining record for DX Culvert Solids Removal Project site for August 1, Date: August 1, 2014 Stream Name: Apetowun Creek Project: Culvert Sediment Removal Section: (DX road culvert) UTM reference: E N Section length (m): 50 Sample # Species Fork Length (mm) Weight (g) No fish captured or observed Table A-3. Dip-netting record for DX Culvert Solids Removal Project site for August 1, Date: August 1, 2014 Stream Name: Apetowun Creek Project: Culvert Sediment Removal Section: (DX road culvert) UTM reference: E N Section length (m): 50 Sample # Species Fork Length (mm) Weight (g) 1 BURB BKTR BKTR FC&R and Turbidity Monitoring DX Culvert Solids Removal Project

13 Pisces Environmental Consulting ServicesLtd. Appendix B Turbidity Monitoring Results and Construction Log FC&R and Turbidity Monitoring DX Culvert Solids Removal Project

14 Pisces Environmental Consulting ServicesLtd. Table B-1. TSS results and construction log for DX Culvert Solids Removal Project, August 2, Calculated TSS (mg/l) Exceed Control Compliance Point 1 Compliance Point 2 Compliance Point 3 Time (Y/N) (+5 m) (-2 m) (-4 m) (-6 m) Construction Log, QC/QA and other comments 9: N Pump around started at 8:50. 10: N Removing solids, starting at culvert outlet using vacuum truck. 12: N Vacuuming solids. Spring flow entering the isolation, vacuum workers want to pump water out of culvert. Pisces advises that water be pumped into vegetated area in order to prevent dirty water from entering the sediment trap/creek. 14: N Vacuuming solids. Two-inch pump pumping water out of culvert inlet into low land area on LUB. 15: N Vacuuming solids. Pumping water out of culvert inlet into low land area on LUB. 16: N Approximately 40% of culvert length completed. Table B-2. TSS results and construction log for DX Culvert Solids Removal Project, August 3, Calculated TSS (mg/l) Exceed Time (Y/N) Control (+5 m) Compliance Point 1 (-2 m) Compliance Point 2 (-4 m) Compliance Point 3 (-6 m) 8: N 9: Y 10: N Construction Log, QC/QA and other comments Ground water has partially filled isolation overnight. Started dewatering isolation at 7:30, pumping water into low area adjacent to the sediment trap. Pumped water started running into the creek, generating sediment. In exceedance at 9:00. Pumps shut off. Ground water to be removed using vacuum truck. Back in compliance. Vacuuming solids. Jute curtains removed from the sediment trap. Water quality monitored in the sediment trap. All parameters are acceptable. 11: N Vacuuming solids. 12: N Vacuuming solids.. 13: N Vacuuming solids.. 15: N Vacuuming solids.. 16: N Approximately 90% of culvert length completed. Table B-3. TSS results and construction log for DX Culvert Solids Removal Project, August 4, Calculated TSS (mg/l) Exceed Time (Y/N) Control (+5 m) Compliance Point 1 (-2 m) Compliance Point 2 (-4 m) Compliance Point 3 (-6 m) 8: N 9: N 10: N Vacuuming solids. 12: N Vacuuming solids. 13: N Vacuuming solids. 15: N 16: N Construction Log, QC/QA and other comments Ground water has partially filled the isolation overnight again. Began pumping ground water into sediment trap at 8:00 because water is clean and settled. Activities started; dirtied ground water being pumped into vegetated area adjacent to the sediment trap. Pumped ground water has saturated area adjacent to the trap and is seeping into the creek. No exceedance. Stopped pumping water out of isolation, started using vacuum trucks to remove groundwater. Creek flows drop at 15:00 causing the main pump to lose prime. Three inch pump set up to supply flow from the trap to the creek while the main pump builds head volume. Solids removal complete at 16:45. Continue running three inch pump from trap to creek while allowing creek to run into trap. FC&R and Turbidity Monitoring DX Culvert Solids Removal Project

15 Pisces Environmental Consulting ServicesLtd. Table B-4. TSS results and construction log for DX Culvert Solids Removal Project, August 5, Calculated TSS (mg/l) Exceed Time (Y/N) Control (+5 m) Compliance Point 1 (-2 m) Compliance Point 2 (-4 m) Compliance Point 3 (-6 m) 7: N 10: N 11: N 12: N 13: N Construction Log, QC/QA and other comments Three inch pump still running from trap to creek. Trap has filled approximately 0.66 m overnight, but not flowing over into the creek yet. Installed a secondary pump from the trap as insurance measure. Flows are slightly turbid from installing second pump. Allowing creek to fill trap, pumping water from trap to maintain creek flow downstream. Allowing creek to fill trap, pumping water from trap to maintain creek flow downstream. Allowing creek to fill trap, pumping water from trap to maintain creek flow downstream. FC&R and Turbidity Monitoring DX Culvert Solids Removal Project

16 Pisces Environmental Consulting ServicesLtd. Appendix C Colour Plates FC&R and Turbidity Monitoring DX Culvert Solids Removal Project

17 Pisces Environmental Consulting ServicesLtd. Photo 1. Looking upstream from approximately 90 m upstream of DX culvert at upstream fish barrier. Photo 2. Looking upstream at downstream fish barrier and downstream culvert barrier. Photo 3. Looking upstream through DX culvert during solids removal works on August 2, Photo 4. Looking upstream at DX culvert inlet during solids removal works on August 3, Photo 5. Looking at inlet of DX culvert following the completion of solids removal works. Photo 6. Looking at sediment trap inlet and DX culvert outlet following completion of solids removal works. FC&R and Turbidity Monitoring DX Culvert Solids Removal Project