Arden Creek Headwaters Mapping and Inventory Project Sensitive Habitat Inventory and Mapping (SHIM) Survey Report Prepared by:

Comox Valley Project Watershed Society Box 3007 Courtenay, BC V9N 5N3

February 2004

Arden Creek Headwaters SHIM Survey February 2004

Executive Summary During 2004 Comox Valley Project Watershed Society conducted a Sensitive Habitat & Inventory Mapping (SHIM) survey on Arden Creek. The SHIM method utilizes Trimble Pro XR GPS with stream inventory data collection, resulting in geo-referenced lines and point data for viewing in ArcView GIS. This report is the outcome of the survey and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying maps of Arden Creek. This project was sponsored by the Real Estate Foundation of BC and the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund. Arden Creek is located in the Comox Valley and flows through the Regional District of Comox Strathcona and the City of Courtenay. Extending for 3.8 km Arden Creek is a tributary of Morrison Creek, which in turn, is a tributary of the Puntledge River. The headwaters of Arden Creek are located in the vicinity of Marsden Road just outside of Courtenay City limits. Arden Creek flows through the jurisdiction of the Regional District of Comox Strathcona and the City of Courtenay. Ditching throughout the headwaters and clearing of wetted areas has created seasonal flow variance throughout Arden Creek. Throughout the upper and lower reaches, Arden Creek has been impacted by urban development and channel morphology has been altered primarily through extensive ditching. In recent years, fish enhancement projects and flow augmentation from Morrison Creek have improved fish habitat quality in Arden Creek. Upstream from the flow diversion, Arden Creek is ephemeral. In recent years, a cooperative effort by the Courtenay Fish & Game Protective Association and local residents has resulted in fry salvage activities. Though spawning habitat is limited, migratory fish continue to utilize Arden Creek.

Survey Summary Stream Gazette Name: Arden Creek Alias: Arden Creek Watershed Code: – 920-55320-04800-0210-0000-000 Map locations: –92F065 Start Date of Survey: February 1st, 2004 End Date of Survey: February 12th, 2004 Arden Creek Mainstem: 1.3 km Stream Length Surveyed:

Total Length with Tributaries: 2.4 km

List of Accompanying Documents: Appendix Appendix Appendix Appendix

1: 2: 3: 4:

Arden Arden Arden Arden

Creek: Impervious Surface Analysis Results Map (1:11,000 11 x 17) Creek: Culvert Location Map & Culvert Measurements. Creek Headwaters Features Map (1:5,000 11 X 17) Creek Headwaters Overview Map (1:11,000 11 X 17)

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Arden Creek Headwaters SHIM Survey February 2004

Appendix Appendix Appendix Appendix

5: 6: 7: 8:

Arden Creek Headwaters Boundary Map (1:5,000 11 X 17) Arden Creek Headwaters Changes in Land Use 1995-2002 Map (1:5,000 11 X 17) Arden Creek Headwaters Wetlands Location Map (1:5,000 11 X 17) Marsden/Arden area soil map from the RDCS Marsden/Arden Liquid Waste Management Plan. Appendix 9: Arden Creek Headwaters photo-documentation and map of photo locations. Purpose of Survey The streams inventoried were chosen because of a need to collect information for the following purposes: • Updates to the Regional District of Comox Strathcona’s Sensitive Habitats Atlas • Initiation of, or additions to, a set of “Streamkeepers Data” for the watershed • Determining rehabilitation, restoration or protection opportunities for the watershed. • Conducting an inventory of fish habitat characteristics • Documenting the catchment boundary of the watershed • Creation of accurate stream lines and wetland boundaries • Collection of culvert measurements for the City of Courtenay.

Mapping Methodology Streams The methodology used for the stream mapping/inventory portion of this project was “Sensitive Habitat Inventory Mapping” (Mason et al 2001). Stream GPS mapping was conducted using Trimble Pathfinder Pro XR equipment. SHIM Version 2002 data dictionary was utilized for data gathering. To view the latest revisions for the SHIM methodology, visit the CMN website www.shim.bc.ca/method2.html. Wetlands Due to the nature of wetlands, defined channels are not generally evident. In areas of beaver created ponds and large wetland complexes, the mapping of a consistent stream centerline was often impractical. From a field mapping perspective, the logistics of traversing wetlands to determine location and existence of channels through wetland areas requires time and resources beyond the scope of the survey. Furthermore assigning a “channel” to a wetland area is misleading and not truly descriptive of the hydrology of the watercourse. If a channel was evident within a wetland then it was mapped using SHIM methods. However, as was often the case, no channel was evident and standing water was dominant across an area. These areas were treated in one of two ways: • Delineated Wetlands. Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory (SEI) and TRIM2 Enhanced Wetlands: If SEI or TRIM2 wetlands were indicated on maps of the area, then technicians would walk the approximate boundary looking for sources of inflow. These would be followed to their source and if the channel was defined, it was mapped using SHIM methods. • Wetlands not Delineated or Inventoried: If the wetland was not identified by SEI methods, air photo interpretation using 3D viewing software (DiAP viewer) was used to delineate the boundary. Boundaries of these wetlands were walked when possible, using the GPS for assistance in geo-referencing. These wetlands were not fully inventoried using SEI methods due to limited time and budget available for this type of survey.

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Arden Creek Headwaters SHIM Survey February 2004

Impervious Surface Analysis Minds Eye Imaging was contracted to perform an Impervious Surface Analysis of Arden Creek. Appendix 1 contains a map documenting the results of this analysis. The following is a summary of the impervious analysis process: Spatial data is brought in from sources with resolutions of greater that 1.5 meters per pixel. The data is then analysed and spatially categorized into known impervious spatial groupings. The initial impervious surface selection is automatic and based on spatial groupings. This is refined through 3D viewing and manual corrections. Unknown and unreliable areas are selected, as are random point control areas. These are both verified in the field and the data is further refined and finished to produce an impervious layer in raster format. The data is then converted to vector line work and exported out as a geo-referenced layer. Culvert Measurements Culvert dimensions were collected at the request of the City of Courtenay. This data was collected using a Trimble Pro XR GPS and a specifically designed data dictionary that includes measurements for culvert location, type, condition, diameter, length, gradient, culvert orientation and potential for obstructing fish. The data was quality controlled/assured in Pathfinder Office and ArcView GIS and exported to Excel. Details on culvert locations and associated data are contained in Appendix 2. Limitations of Survey Due to time and budget limitations this SHIM survey was confined to the upper reaches of Arden Creek, from Lake Trail Road/Webb Road area to west of Marsden Road. Stream segments were defined according to the criteria established by SHIM for fish habitat inventories. However, due to time and budget limitations segment breaks were limited and confined to general characteristics. Dominate hydraulic type, predominate adjacent land use and gradient change > 5% were determinants for segment breaks. Detailed cross sections for each segment were not conducted due to budget limitations. The need for accurate stream location and habitat conditions was deemed a priority. This survey is not exhaustive in its presentation of information, but is intended as a base for further surveys and data collection. This report highlights basic features of interest within the upper Arden Creek Watershed and the accompanying maps depict accurate (+/-5m) streamlines and wetlands. The Arden Creek SHIM data will be available for viewing on the CMN website, www.shim.bc.ca/projectwatershed/main.htm.

Overview This section should be read in conjunction with the Features map in Appendix 3 and the Overview map in Appendix 4. Arden Creek is located in the Comox Valley and flows through the Regional District of Comox Strathcona and the City of Courtenay. Extending for 3.8 km Arden Creek is a tributary of Morrison Creek, which in turn, is a tributary of the Puntledge River. The headwaters of Arden Creek are located in the vicinity of Marsden Road.

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Between April 2002 and November 2002 the City of Courtenay annexed approximately 860 ha of land from the RDCS. The boundary extensions included parts of Arden Creek headwaters. Arden Creek supports fish populations and urban developments have been proposed for these areas. As a result of the new boundary extensions, portions of Arden Creek run along or immediately adjacent to the boundary between the RDCS and the City of Courtenay. To provide up-to-date stream and wetland location and accompanying data on upper Arden Creek, Project Watershed conducted a SHIM mapping survey and provided this data to the RDCS and the City of Courtenay. In recently annexed rural areas, the City of Courtenay is committed to abide by the previous rural planning guidelines, (such as zoning and sensitive habitat protection) and to implement the Environmentally Sensitive Area Development Permit (ESA DP) process, as established by the Regional District of Comox Strathcona (RDCS). (Pers. Comm., Dave Slobodan). The Webb Road, Salsbury Road area, recently annexed by the City of Courtenay, faces a multitude of issues related to watercourses and boundaries. These issues, listed below, are common to areas of shared boundaries. • • • •

Watercourses straddling RDCS/City of Courtenay boundaries. Water management impacts being transferred from one jurisdiction to another. Fish habitat considerations. Flooding problems in low areas due to upstream activities.

Appendix 5 a boundary and cadastral map of upper Arden provides a graphic illustration. In 1999 Comox Valley Project Watershed Society conducted a SHIM survey of Arden Creek from its mouth to the culvert on Lake Trail Road just downstream of Webb Road. Details of this survey can be found at http://www.shim.bc.ca/projectwatershed/main.htm. One of the outcomes of this survey was the recommendation that the ditches behind and beyond Webb Road be ground-truthed. Following this recommendation, Project Watershed SHIM surveyed from the Lake Trail Road culvert to above Marsden Road. Upper Arden Creek Arden Creek originates from drainage west of Marsden Road and northwest along the Comox Logging Road (Duncan Bay Main). This drainage accumulates in ditching on the southeast side of the Comox Logging Road and is channeled through a culvert, beneath the Comox Logging Road to the Hydro right of way (ROW). There is no defined channel on the Hydro ROW, upon discharging onto the Hydro (ROW), the water travels both overland and subsurface, the majority of the flow travels northeast across the ROW with some traveling southeast into Lake Trail Road ditches. The majority of flow traveling northeast is discharged through a culvert and enters a defined channel that continues across Salsbury Road becoming less defined as it runs down Turnstall Road. A small wetland (wetland 2),at the base of Turnstall Road, between Salsbury Road and Webb Road, is what remains of the main catchment area for this drainage. The channel is non-defined in this area and standing water predominates. The flow becomes channelized again immediately behind Webb Road residences. From here upper Arden Creek travels through ditches, crossing Lake Trail Road before becoming a more natural watercourse. Arden Creek confluences with Morrison Creek on the Puntledge Park Elementary School grounds, adjacent to the main school buildings.

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Prior to 1996, the catchment for drainage west of Webb Road was a low-lying area between Webb Road & Salsbury Road and bordered by Lake Trail Road. This was originally the headwaters of Arden Creek: An approximately 2-acre alder swamp, located on a small plateau and a natural drainage collection area for water draining from the uplands in the west. In 1996 the majority of the alder swamp was cleared, filled and the property level raised to greater than 1.0 m above the original land level. What remains of this is an area, less than one acre, (wetland 2). (Appendix 6 shows land use changes in the area in question from 1995 to 2002). Landowners in the vicinity of this property report an increase in flooding after the infilling of the wetland. (Appendix 7 depict wetland locations.) Fish Presence Coho Salmon are fish species present in Upper Arden Creek. At the time of this survey, utilizing minnow traps baited with salmon roe, 6 juvenile coho at 3 separate locations were trapped. (See Appendix 3, features map for locations). In the lower & mid- reaches chum salmon, pink salmon, coho salmon and cutthroat trout utilize Arden Creek. http://pisces.env.gov.bc.ca/ Anthropogenic Alterations/Impacts Ditching in the upper watershed, clearing of wetland areas in the headwaters, road construction and lack of riparian vegetation have contributed to deleterious impacts on Arden Creek. Much of the lower reaches of Arden Creek have been ditched to accommodate school playing fields and a railway grade. However, flow augmentation and in stream complexing work in the Roy Morrison Park area, has created quality fish habitat. The primary land use within the Arden Creek watershed is residential. (Bainbridge et al, 1999) Soils Between Salsbury Road and Powerhouse Road, the water table is high due to an impervious clay layer close to the surface. Drainage in this area is poor and the land has minimal gradient. It is, therefore, susceptible to flooding if upstream land use activities result in increased water volume being discharged to this area. A detailed description of geology and soils of upper Arden Creek is beyond the scope of this report. However, it is of note that in upper Arden Creek the low lying area, immediately below Salsbury Road (what was previously the Alder swamp) and extending to Powerhouse Road, is composed of an imperfectly drained soil type, Bowser Soils. Above this low lying imperfectly drained soil type is a raised area (immediately below Salsbury Road to the Hydro ROW) consisting of a rapidly drained soil type, Quennel soils. (Jungen, 34 and RDCS, 10). It is probable to conclude from this that sub-surface water movement is contributing to water loading in the Webb Road area. (Appendix 8 shows a soil map of the Marsden/Arden area) Landowners and Special Interest Groups Arden Creek flows through the jurisdiction of the Regional District of Comox Strathcona and the City of Courtenay. In the upper reaches it passes along and beneath Timber West maintained roads and culverts and privately owned properties along BC Hydro’s ROW. The primary land use through the mid and upper reaches of Arden Creek is rural residential. The lower portions run through Roy Morrison Park, owned by the City of Courtenay.

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Arden Creek Headwaters SHIM Survey February 2004

Arden creek has been the focus of fish habitat restoration work (in-stream complexing) by the Courtenay Fish and Game Protective Association. The central and lower reaches have been given augmented flow by a diversion from Morrison creek, and several sections have been complexed with logs. The creek, upstream of the diversion input, tends to be ephemeral. Over the years several landowners have initiated summer coho salvage operations in co-operation with the fish and game club, in diminishing pools of the upper watershed. A report by Barry Baldwin, 1993 " Arden Creek Fisheries Habitat Restoration Project" was funded by B.C. Habitat Conservation Foundation and prepared for the then Ministry of Environment, Lands & Parks in Nanaimo. In 1999 Comox Valley Project Watershed Society conducted an inventory and mapping survey on Arden Creek. This survey extended from the Morrison\Arden Creek confluence to the culvert at Lake Trail Road opposite Arden Elementary School. In response to problems with septic systems, Marsden/Arden community groups, the Marsden/Arden Area Resident Ratepayers Association (AARA) and Critical MASS (Marsden Arden Sewage Solutions) have been active in working toward liquid waste management plan solutions for the area. Stage 1, of the Marsden/Arden Liquid Waste Management Plan has now been completed by the Regional District of Comox Strathcona’s (RDCS). For further information on this contact the RDCS http://www.rdcs.bc.ca/CVWPCC/CVWPCCMain.html. Properties beneath the Hydro ROW in the upper Arden Creek area are privately owned. BC Transmission Corporation has the right of way and is concerned with vegetation management, namely, keeping vegetation from touching the transmission lines. To accomplish this they maintain a relationship with the landowner. While the recent raking beneath the Hydro ROW was initiated and undertaken by a contractor on behalf of BC Hydro, the landowner is in agreement with the process. BC Hydro has no influence over water considerations if they are not designated fish habitat.

Features of Interest, Enhancement, Restoration and Protection. This section should be read in conjunction with the Features map in Appendix 3. Feature 1. This 2.6-acre wetland area is an essential catchment for Arden Creek overflow. Part of a larger forested wetland; this riparian area is often flooded. Feature 2. Arden Creek travels through a 0.6 diameter, 11.0-meter long circular steel culvert, across Lake Trail road. The presence of fish upstream from this culvert indicates that fish passage is possible. Feature 3. In 1995 –1996 this approximately 2.0 acre Alder swamp was cleared, filled and raised over 1.0 meter above the surrounding properties. Adjacent to this property Arden Creek is a low gradient, slow moving ditch. Feature 4. This Alder swamp wetland, approximately 0.9 of an acre is the remains of the cleared Alder swamp mentioned in feature 3. This area is a catchment basin for upper Arden Creek. Within the wetland channels exist through are mostly poorly defined. Standing water is present throughout. During times of peak flow, this area floods spilling overland onto adjoining

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properties. There is potential for coho juvenile over wintering habitat in the more defined channels within this wetland. Beyond this wetland the stream gradient increases. Feature 5. An abandoned truck box/camper straddles the channel at this location. Channel definition between here and upstream to Salsbury Road is improved but the channel is shallow. There is little potential for fish habitat here, as the channel has no depth or cover. The gradient and linear nature of this portion of the channel allows for rapid movement of water from the Hydro ROW into the wetland described in feature 4. In this reach, fish were found in the only potential refuge spot, a scour pool at the downstream end of the culvert on Salsbury Road. Feature 6. A 0.6 m diameter 11.0 m long culvert crosses Salsbury Road. Two juvenile coho were found at the downstream end of the culvert. Fish that travel beyond this point may end up trapped either on or beyond the Hydro ROW. Feature 7. The stream channel is clearly defined through this reach (Salsbury Road to the Hydro ROW). The gradient here is increasing and the liner nature of the channel and signs of scouring suggest that water volume and velocity at peak flows do not commonly allow for fish habitation. Despite this the landowners adjacent to this portion of the creek indicate that at in prior years, during high flows, adult salmon have reached the ditches upstream of Salsbury Road. They also reporting salvaging fry from roadside ditches during dry periods. Feature 8. A culvert located at this point directs the Hydro ROW drainage into a channel. Upstream from this point the channel is non-defined and consists of overland flow. The landowner of this property intends to fill and raise his land immediately beneath the Hydro ROW. Technicians were denied to access this property. Feature 9. Non-defined channel, diffused overland flow discharges from Comox Logging Road culvert across Hydro ROW and through privately owned culvert, (feature 7) to be rapidly transported by linear channels into the wetland below Salsbury Road (feature 4). Hydro has cleared and “raked” throughout this area. All vegetation has been removed, including low growing wetland species leaving exposed soil. Feature 10. Extensive pooling of water in this area as Comox Logging Road culvert discharges onto Hydro ROW. Prior to Hydro clearing and raking the ROW, a small shrub wetland provided some flow resistance, increased water retention capacity and provided habitat for ducks and other bird species. Currently the water is pooling on exposed soil. Feature 11. A circular steel culvert, 0.6 m in diameter and approximately 11.0 meters long runs beneath the Comox Logging Road. Owned by Timber West, this culvert was lowered and enlarged to prevent water backing up and flooding privately owned fields on the southwest side of the Comox Logging Road. (Pers. Comm. Ray Read & Gary Lawson). At the time of this survey the individual with details regarding this work couldn’t be reached. Flow through this culvert, despite low precipitation recently, was moderately intense and consistent. Feature 12. This wetland area is consistently full of standing water despite moderate precipitation. Currently this area is serving as a catchment basin for drainage, both ditched and subsurface between Lake Trail Road and the Comox Logging Road.

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Feature 13. drainage.

This culvert runs southeast below Lake Trail road and connects to Piercy Creek

Feature 14. This is the drainage divide between Piercy Creek and Arden Creek. Feature 15. A series of non-defined channels drain this undeveloped, property bordered by Lake Trail Road and Marsden Road. Clearing and draining of this property could potentially have impacts on the Arden Creek flow patterns, further increasing seasonal flow fluctuations and contributing to downstream flooding.

Conclusions Arden Creek is representative of the water management and regulation implementation intricacies that watercourses require, if their value as fish habitat, contribution to wildlife habitat and intrinsic value is to be preserved. As streams and wetlands cross boundaries and jurisdictions, watercourse issues or impacts resulting from land use activities, may arrive in a jurisdictional area outside of the original activity. Water management in upper Arden Creek is further complicated by the presence of fish, hence solutions such as storm draining or diversion of water may impact downstream fish habitat. To address these issues, governments and other stakeholders need to communicate and co-operate to ensure that watercourses (including wetlands & ditch drainage) are being jointly managed and preserved. In areas of significant water movement, management difficulties are compounded when watercourses, whether drainage, active fish habitat or wetlands are inadequately mapped. If we wish to preserve our creeks and streams, we should undertake to accurately document their location and determine the source of their water supply. Implementing restoration or enhancement projects in stream channels is of little value if the headwater wetlands are cleared and the water retention capacity of the land is diminished or extinguished. The results of an Impervious Surface Analysis (See Appendix 1 for a map) indicate that the upper Arden Creek catchment area is currently at 9.7% imperviousness. This 9.7% is comprised of roads, paved driveways and structures. Studies conducted in Pacific north-western States and other regions with similar climate and precipitation, have demonstrated that approximately 10% effective impervious area in a watershed sufficiently alters the hydrological regime, creating noticeable and sometimes irreversible degradation to fish habitat. The primary, though not by any stretch only, cause of fish habitat degradation in streams due to land use changes, is alteration to water regimes, vegetation loss and increased sediment loads. The combination of these factors causes increased intensity and duration of peak discharge, changes to riparian areas and ultimately affects channel morphology. (Booth, 2002). It would seem that upper Arden Creek is approaching this threshold. This impervious surface analysis did not account for medium or low impervious areas such as gravel roads, driveways or cleared nonforested areas. As discussed above, land use activities that, particularly in the headwaters of a stream, diminish the capacity of the ground to absorb and slowly release water, affect seasonal flow patterns. Available water is increased and rapidly discharged during precipitation events, potentially impacting fish habitat and possibly flooding downstream areas. The natural geomorphology and topography of the area between Powerhouse Road and the Comox Logging Road may

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compound this process in the Webb Road area. Subsurface drainage traveling through the porous soils on the Hydro ROW is likely collecting on the imperfectly drained soil immediately down gradient of Salsbury Road. Appendix 8 is a soil map of the Marsden/Arden area. In upper Arden Creek there is no single event or land use activity that can be said to be responsible for alterations to the water discharge from the upper watershed. Rather, it is likely a series of activities, (itemized below). (Ortho photos in Appendix 6 depicts changes in landuse from 1995 to 2002.) Some of the activities in upper Arden Creek that have occurred over the last 9 years, from 1995 to 2004 include: •

1995-1996 Clearing, infilling and raising of approximately 2.0 acres of alder swamp. This wetland, located on a low gradient poorly drained plateau, at the base of a steadily rising hillside, provided catchment for runoff from the rapidly drained rise adjacent to the wetland. This was essentially the “headwaters” of Arden Creek. Removal of vegetation and infilling of land displaced water that then travelled to adjacent low properties, contributing to flooding.

•

Rural residential activities: Building & land clearing southwest of Salsbury Road and between Hydro ROW: Increased impervious surface and less infiltration capacity of land.

•

Residential development northeast of Salsbury Road: In addition to increased impervious surface and less infiltration capacity of the land, these newly developed properties drain their land into the remains of the alder sedge swamp and onto low lying downstream properties. During intense precipitation events of sustained duration, the remains of the wetland flood, bringing Webb Road area ditches to maximum capacity, flooding property and sometimes houses.

•

Alteration of the Comox Logging Road culvert may have increased flow onto the Hydro ROW. In response to landowner complaints about flooding of fields (southwest of Logging Road), Timber West lowered and enlarged a culvert crossing from the southwest of the logging road and onto the Hydro ROW. (Pers. Comm. Ray Read and Gary Lawson) This culvert channelled drainage from the area above Marsden Road and from along the Comox Logging Road. Prior to this alteration the drainage on the upstream end of the Logging Road culvert was probably entering Piercy Creek, with the overflow draining onto the Hydro ROW. Since the culvert was modified the main flow now drains onto the Hydro ROW.

•

At Arden Creek crossing BC Transmission Corporation cleared and “raked” the Hydro ROW, removing all vegetation and exposing the soil. A small wetland that had formed downstream of the culvert was also cleared in this process. Water exiting the Comox Logging Road culvert now pools on exposed soil on the ROW. Lack of vegetation equals decreased evapo-transpiration and soil retention capacity and likely contributes, during high water events to increased runoff. There is also potential for silting of downstream fish habitat.

Despite extensive modifications to the channel morphology, the upper reaches of Arden Creek, between Lake Trail Road and Salsbury Road, continue to support salmonids. Modifications, such as removal of wetlands, clearing of land for residential purposes and ditching in the upper reaches have diminished water retention areas in the upper watershed. This has likely contributed to seasonal flow fluctuations. (Booth). Due to the ephemeral nature of upper Arden Creek there is a lack of potential for summer rearing habitat. However, the presence of

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juvenile coho indicates that the slow moving ditches and scour pools are serving as overwintering habitat in the reaches upstream of Lake Trail Road. Beyond Lake Trail Road, Arden Creek has minimal fish rearing and refuge habitat in the form of tributaries or wetlands. Despite this, landowners on Salsbury Road report salvaging fry from Salsbury Road ditches. It is beyond the scope of this survey to offer definitive recommendations regarding alterations to flow or channel location. Solutions to flooding while maintaining and preserving existing fish habitat will require co-operation between landowners, governments and pertinent corporations. To truly ensure that habitat values of watercourses are preserved, development and growth strategies should be collaborative. While all stakeholders are now aware of the inherent problems associated with the upper Arden Creek area, solutions are not simplistic. Though no definitive solutions to the existing issues discussed in this report have been arrived at, preliminary attempts to assist in preventing further downstream impacts and to address interjurisdictional communication have been made: • BC Hydro has agreed to let the vegetation in wetland areas grow back naturally and would consider negotiating with the landowner to implement water retention areas, (small wetlands), planted with low-growing native vegetation. The decision to be involved with this type of activity is the landowners and it is not clear who would absorb the cost for this. (Pers. comm., Ray Read). • The City of Courtenay & RDCS have agreed to communicate at the staff level regarding the implementation of the ESA DP process. Currently though the ESA DP process covers only designated fish habitat, as beyond Salsbury Road is not confirmed fish habitat, activities adjacent to much of upper Arden Creek’s water sources do not require an ESA DP permit. • The City of Courtenay, RDCS and BC Hydro are aware of the fish habitat considerations and flooding issues in upper Arden Creek. • The upper Arden Creek catchment area has been defined and stream and ditch lines mapped. • An impervious surface analysis has been provided as a basis for future planning.

Recommendations Fish Habitat • Low flow surveys should be conducted on Arden Creek above the augmentation channel, to determine the extent and duration of dewatering in the mid and upper reaches. •

Consideration should be given to the creation of over-wintering habitat in wetlands 1 and 2, ensuring that this habitat is channel accessible to avoid fish entrapment. (Refer to Appendix 7 for location of wetlands).

•

Fish should be prevented from traveling beyond Salsbury Road to avoid seasonal entrapment and death of fry in dewatered ditches and non-channelized areas such as the Hydro ROW.

•

Existing wetland and other water retention areas be maintained. No further clearing or infilling of existing wetland areas be permitted.

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Water Management •

Existing wetland and other water retention areas be maintained. No further clearing or infilling of existing wetland areas be permitted.

•

Creation of water retention areas on Hydro ROW. The construction of shallow vegetated wetlands, (similar to what existed prior to hydro scouring), on the Hydro ROW could provide some needed water retention and assist in regulating excess flows. Vegetation could be confined to low growing species such as Red Osier Dogwood and native Willow.

•

Future development, whether in the RDCS or the City of Courtenay consider the downstream impacts of and be accountable for, activities that may result in alterations to stream hydrology, increasing peak flow intensity and duration, hence degrading fish habitat and contributing to flooding of downstream areas.

Other • Owners of properties newly annexed by the City of Courtenay, should be educated and informed as to continuation of ESA DP process and the City of Courtenay’s commitment to continue implementing this process. •

Water sources and headwater areas of all Comox Valley streams should be identified and mapped for protection.

•

The City of Courtenay and the Regional District of Comox-Strathcona should collaborate on growth strategies, particularly on issues of water management and preservation of environmentally sensitive areas such as streams, wetlands and adjacent lands.

•

The above process should be enacted with other governments such as the Town of Comox and the Village of Cumberland.

•

BC Transmission Corporation should re-consider their policy of clearing & raking the Hydro ROW and maintain low growing native species.

•

Contractors hired by BC Transmission Corporation should be educated as to recognizing seasonally wetted areas and be encouraged to refrain from “raking” these areas, maintaining their value as both wildlife habitat and water retention zones.

References Bainbridge, Gord & Woodland, Jamie. Comox Valley Project Watershed Society. Arden Creek Sensitive Habitat Inventory & Mapping Report. Courtenay. 1999. Booth, Derek B. Ph.D., P.E. FOREST COVER, IMPERVIOUS-SURFACE AREA, AND THE MITIGATION OF URBANIZATION IMPACTS IN KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. University of Washington. Seattle, WA 98195-2700. September 2000. Prepared for: King County Water and Land Resources Division 201 South Jackson Street, Suite 600, Seattle, WA 98104-3855

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Jungen, J.R. BC Ministry of Environment Technical Report 17. Soils of Southern Vancouver Island. Report No. 44. British Columbia Soil Survey. Victoria, BC. August 1985. Mason, B., and R. Knight. 2001. Sensitive Habitat Inventory and Mapping. Community Mapping Network, Vancouver, British Columbia. 315pp + viii. M. Johannes, Editor. http://www.shim.bc.ca/SHIM_Methods.html Regional District Comox-Strathcona. Marsden/Arden Liquid Waste Management Plan. (DRAFT) Stage 1. Courtenay, BC. August 2003. Personal communications Ray Read. R.P. Bio Vegetation/Pest Biologist. British Columbia Transmission Corporation. Nanaimo, BC. Gary Lawson. Timberwest Corporation. Courtenay, BC

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Appendix 1 Arden Creek Impervious Surface Analysis Map (1:11,000 11 x 17)

Appendix 2 Arden Creek Culvert Location Map & Culvert Measurements.

Appendix 3 Arden Creek Headwaters Features Map (1:5,000 11 X 17)

Appendix 4 Arden Creek Headwaters Overview Map (1:11,000 11 X 17)

Appendix 5 Arden Creek Headwaters RDCS/City of Courtenay Boundary Map (1:5,000 11 X 17)

Appendix 6 Arden Creek Headwaters Changes in Land Use 1995-2002 Map (1:5,000 11 X 17)

Appendix 7 Arden Creek Headwaters Wetlands Location Map (1:5,000 11 X 17)

Appendix 8 Marsden/Arden Area Soil Map from the RDCS Marsden/Arden Liquid Waste Management Plan.

Appendix 9 Arden Creek Headwaters Photo Documentation & Map of Photo Locations