CAVITY TREE ASSESSMENT, PORTION OF FORMER CANADIAN FORCES BASE (CFB) ROCKCLIFFE LANDS, OTTAWA, ONTARIO

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1 DATE February 29, 2016 PROJECT No TO Mr. Jean Lachance Canada Lands Company FROM Gwendolyn Weeks, H.B.Sc.(env) CAVITY TREE ASSESSMENT, PORTION OF FORMER CANADIAN FORCES BASE (CFB) ROCKCLIFFE LANDS, OTTAWA, ONTARIO Golder Associates (Golder) was retained by Canada Lands Company (CLC) to undertake a cavity tree assessment at the former Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Rockcliffe lands in Ottawa, Ontario (the Site). Specifically, a survey for cavity trees was undertaken along portions of the storm sewer alignment plus 25 m on either side, as provided by CLC on Jan 20, 2016 (Study Area; Attachment A). This was undertaken in accordance with Condition 79 of the City of Ottawa Draft Plan of Subdivision Approval for the project. On 22 February 2015, a qualified biologist surveyed the entire Study Area for trees and snags that may provide cavities for SAR such as bats and chimney swift (Chaetura pelagica). The Study Area included the former residential areas of the CFB, and a portion of the escarpment feature. Throughout the former residential portion of the Study Area there are a few patches of thickets and immature trees, dominated by pioneering species such as Manitoba maple (Acer negundo), and common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) (Attachment B: Photo 1). In the former streetscape areas, there were overgrown landscape shrubs such as common lilac (Syringa vulgaris), and individual landscape trees such as silver maple (Acer saccharinum) and white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) (Attachment B: Photo 2). Although the majority of trees in this portion of the Study Area were immature with a diameter at breast height (dbh) of less than 20 cm, there was the occasional larger tree. A single cavity tree was observed in this portion of the Study Area, consisting of a mature basswood (Tilia americana) with a dbh of ~80 cm (Attachment A; Attachment B: Photos 3 and 4). Although this tree is still alive, and primarily healthy, the upper portion of the crown is dead and cavities were visible. The tree is Decay Class 2 according to Watt and Caceres (1999) (Declining live tree, part of canopy lost). Where the Study Area overlaps the escarpment feature, there was a band of deciduous thicket at the top of the feature, dominated by staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina). On the escarpment itself a narrow band of immature trees including basswood, trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) and red oak (Quercus rubra) were observed (Attachment B: Photo 5). At the base of the escarpment feature was a mix of scattered immature trees and shrubs such as Manitoba maple and common buckthorn. No cavity trees were observed where the Study Area overlaps the escarpment feature. Although only one cavity tree was identified in the Study Area, several mature cavity trees are located in the vicinity (Attachment B: Photos 6 and 7). This includes several large trees in an area identified as Important Tree Grouping I in the Tree Conservation Report (Golder, 2015). As with many other natural areas on the Site, trees in Tree Grouping I will be retained and will continue to provide potential roosting habitat for wildlife. It is Golder s opinion that the removal of the single cavity tree identified in the Study Area will not significantly affect the ability of the Golder Associates Ltd Robertson Road, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K2H 5B7 Tel: +1 (613) Fax: +1 (613) Golder Associates: Operations in Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, North America and South America Golder, Golder Associates and the GA globe design are trademarks of Golder Associates Corporation.

2 Mr. Jean Lachance Canada Lands Company February 29, 2016 Site to support roosting bats or cavity nesting birds. However, if removal of this tree is required imminently, and given the possibility that the tree may support SAR during spring and summer, discussions should be had with the MNR to determine options for removal. If removal can be deferred until late spring (e.g. end of June), Golder can undertake surveys to determine presence/absence of SAR usage of the tree. If no usage is observed, removal can take place. If usage is confirmed, further discussions with the MNR would be required. Yours truly, GOLDER ASSOCIATES LTD. Gwendolyn Weeks, H.B.Sc.(env) Ecologist Sean Miller, M.Sc. Associate GW/SM/ca \\golder.gds\gal\ottawa\active\2014\ es&a\ canada lands cfb rockcliffe eis and tcr\scope change\cavity trees etc_22feb2016\cavity tree assessment\clc_cavity tree assessment_feb 2016_final.docx Attachments: Cavity Attachment A Cavity Attachment B 2/3

3 Mr. Jean Lachance Canada Lands Company February 29, 2016 References: Golder Associates Ltd. (Golder) Tree Conservation Report in Support of Draft Plan Approval of the Former CFB Rockcliffe Lands. Watt, R.W. and M.C. Caceres Managing for Snags in the Boreal Forests of Northeastern Ontario. OMNR. Northeast Science and Technology. Technical Note p. 3/3

4 LEGEND CAVITY TREE # STORM SEWER ALIGNMENT STUDY AREA :2,500 METRES Path: N:\Active\Spatial_IM\Canada_Lands_Company\CFB_Rockcliffe\99_PROJ\ _CLC_EIS\40_PROD\Phase6000\ A.mxd NOTE(S) 1. THIS FIGURE IS TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ACCOMPANYING GOLDER ASSOCIATES LTD. REPORT NO REFERENCE(S) 1. LAND INFORMATION ONTARIO (LIO) DATA PRODUCED BY GOLDER ASSOCIATES LTD. UNDER LICENCE FROM ONTARIO MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES, QUEENS PRINTER URBAN NATURAL AREA LOCATION INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE CITY OF OTTAWA, CORPORATE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SURVEYS AND MAPPING. CLIENT CANADA LANDS COMPANY CLC LIMITED PROJECT CAVITY TREE ASSESSMENT, PORTION OF FORMER CANADIAN FORCES BASE (CFB) ROCKCLIFFE LANDS, OTTAWA, ON TITLE SITE PLAN CONSULTANT YYYY-MM-DD DESIGNED PREPARED REVIEWED APPROVED PROJECT NO. PHASE REV. ATTACHMENT A FIN JEM FIN SM IF THIS MEASUREMENT DOES NOT MATCH WHAT IS SHOWN, THE SHEET SIZE HAS BEEN MODIFIED FROM: 25mm 0

5 ATTACHMENT B Photo 1: Sapling trees and shrubs Photo 2: Former Residential Area Trees and Shrubs February 2016 Project No /4

6 ATTACHMENT B Photo 3: Large Basswood With Cavities Photo 4: Large Basswood with Cavities February 2016 Project No /4

7 ATTACHMENT B Photo 5: Escarpment in area of Footprint Photo 6: Mature Trees Adjacent to Study Area February 2016 Project No /4

8 ATTACHMENT B Photo 7: Cavity Tree Adjacent to Study Area \\golder.gds\gal\ottawa\active\2014\ es&a\ canada lands cfb rockcliffe eis and tcr\scope change\22feb2016\site visit\attachment b.docx February 2016 Project No /4