Specific Standards and Best Practices:
Other Types of Instream Work

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Background

Several types of instream works less commonly undertaken are also permitted under the Notification process. If your work type is listed in the Introduction section of the document as being permitted under the Notification process but a specific type document is not provided, please apply the following standards and best practices to your document.

Objectives

The Ministry’s objective for the management of instream works is to prevent harmful impacts to water quality, riparian and aquatic habitats, and fish and wildlife species during instream activities.

Standards for Other Types of Instream Works

All instream works for which you are submitting instream works notifications or approvals must be compliant with the General Standards as listed in the Standards and Best Practices section of this document for:

• Compliance with Other Legislation;
• Land Ownership;
• Public safety;
• Completion of work;
• Protection of water quality;
• Protection of Species and Habitat;
• Protection of other water users.

Specific Standards associated with these types of work (Water Act Regulation Section 44(1)) authorize works completed as the following work types and under the following conditions:

Piers and Wharfs (Subsection 44(1)(d)):
the construction, maintenance or removal of a pier or wharf in a stream, provided that the ebb and flow of water and movement of material under the influence of waves or currents is not obstructed;

Flow Monitoring Devices (Subsection 44(1)(e)):
the construction, maintenance or removal of a flow or water level measuring device in a stream by the Crown in right of either Canada or British Columbia, or their agents;

Fish Screen Fences (Subsection 44(1)(f)):
the construction or removal of a fish fence, screen or fish or game guard across a stream by the Crown in right of either Canada or British Columbia, or their agents, provided that it is designed, constructed, maintained or used so as not to obstruct the flow of water in the stream;

Minor and Routine Maintenance of Public Utility Works (Subsection 44(1)(u)):
the maintenance of a minor and routine nature by a public utility of its works.

Best Practices

Design Best Practices for Piers, Wharves, and Related Structures

• construct docks so as to maintain a free flow of water currents beneath them to prevent erosion and sedimentation along the shore, where at all possible
• orient marina floats with currents or prevailing winds to prevent trapping surface debris and oily residue
• avoid placement of floats over significant areas of marine vegetation and orient floats so that they do not shade vegetation beds
• orient piers in a north-south direction if possible to minimize shading of bottom vegetation
• elevate piers well above the water to minimize shading of bottom vegetation
• reduce the width of approach trestles in shallow water to a minimum
• avoid placement of pile structures over significant vegetation beds
• provide an impermeable deck and spill containment, as well as a collection system for surface runoff, where piers or trestles support mechanical or refueling equipment
• use pre-cast concrete, steel or plastic construction material rather than treated wood, where possible, and especially in poorly flushed areas
• pre-order wood timbers cut to size first then treated, where this is possible
• construct as much of the structure as possible in an upland area rather than in place and over the water
• use wood treated with water-based preservatives
• avoid the use of creosote treated wood in fresh water
• time construction to periods when use of the site by aquatic species is minimal (instream window)
• locate floats so that they remain afloat even at the lowest tides

Operational Best Practices:

All individuals carrying out instream works should be made aware of and trained in the listed best practices. To comply with the Water Act Regulation’s Protection of Habitat (Section 42(1)) and Protection of Water Quality (Section 41) standards, you should follow these best practices:

Monitoring

• Construction activities should be monitored full-time during start-up and any instream works or sensitive activity, otherwise on a daily basis to the completion of the project. The environmental monitor(s) must be an appropriately qualified professional(s) and will be provided with written authority to modify and/or halt any construction activity if deemed necessary for the protection of fish and wildlife populations or their habitats. A sign should be posted listing the monitor’s company name and phone number at the entrance to or immediate vicinity of the job site.
• Forward a copy of this document listing standards and best practices for your works, and all appropriate plans, drawings and documents to the contractor/crew supervisor and keep it readily available at all times at the site while the work is proceeding.
• Hold a pre-construction meeting between the environmental monitor and the contractor undertaking the work on the site to ensure an understanding of the mitigative best practices for the project.
• Within 60 days of completion of this project the environmental monitor will complete and submit a minimum of one (1) copy of a monitoring report consistent with the recommended standard format to his/her client;

For more information see Appendix I: Monitoring.

Timing of Works (Subsection 42(1)(a))

• If works are scheduled for fish-bearing streams or if fish presence in the watercourse in not known, complete in-channel or bank work during the instream reduced risk work window approved for your region. To find out what the timing window requirements are for your area, contact your regional MOE office.
• Be advised that for certain fish and amphibian species at risk, there may be no window of least risk. Please contact your local WLAP office for more information.
• Only clear vegetation for worksite access and stream crossing right-of-way within the vegetation clearing timing window.
• Only undertake works during favourable weather and low water conditions.
• Complete the works as quickly as possible once started

For more information see Appendix II: Timing of Works.

Deleterious Substance Control/Spill Management (Subsections 41(a)(b) & 42(1)(d))

• Prevent the release of silt, sediment or sediment-laden water, raw concrete or concrete leachate, or any other deleterious substances into any ditch, watercourse, and ravine or storm sewer system. The recommendations for sediment and erosion control outlined in the Land Development Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Habitat (Chilibeck et al, 1992) can also be used for reference.
• Ensure equipment and machinery is in good operating condition (power washed), free of leaks or excess oil and grease. No equipment refueling or servicing should be undertaken within thirty (30.0) metres of any watercourse or surface water drainage
• Ensure all hydraulic machinery to be used instream uses environmentally sensitive hydraulic fluids which are non-toxic to aquatic life, and which are readily or inherently bio-degradable
• Keep a spill containment kit readily accessible on-site in the event of a release of a deleterious substance to the environment. Train on-site staff in its use. Immediately report any spill of a substance toxic to aquatic life of reportable quantities to the Provincial Emergency Program 24 hour phone line at 1-800-663-3456
• Do not use treated wood products in any construction below the high water mark of the stream channel to prevent the release of preservatives toxic to fish.

For more information see Appendix III: Deleterious Substance Control/Spill Management.

Concrete Works (Subsections 41(e) & 42(d))

• As concrete leachate is alkaline and highly toxic to fish and other aquatic life, ensure that all works involving the use of concrete, cement, mortars, and other Portland cement or lime-containing construction materials (concrete) will not deposit, directly or indirectly, sediments, debris, concrete, concrete fines, wash or contact water into or about any watercourse. Concrete materials cast in place must remain inside formed structures.
• A CO₂ tank with regulator, hose and gas diffuser must be readily available during concrete work to neutralize pH levels should a spill occur. Train staff in its use.
• Provide containment facilities for the wash-down water from concrete delivery trucks, concrete pumping equipment, and other tools and equipment.
• Report immediately any spills of sediments, debris, concrete fines, wash or contact water to 1-800-663-3456. Implement emergency mitigation and clean-up measures, like use of CO₂ and removal of the material immediately.
• Completely isolate all concrete work from any water within or entering into any watercourse or stormwater system.
• Monitor the pH frequently in the watercourse immediately downstream of the isolated worksite until completion of the works. Emergency measures will be implemented if downstream pH has changed more than 1.0 pH unit, measured to an accuracy of +/- 0.2 pH units from the background level, or is recorded to be below 6.0 or above 9.0 pH units.
• Prevent any water that contacts uncured or partly cured concrete during activities like exposed aggregate wash-off, wet curing, or equipment washing from directly or indirectly entering any watercourse or stormwater system.
• Isolate and hold any water that contacts uncured or partly cured concrete until the pH is between 6.5 and 8.0 pH units, and the turbidity is less than 25 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU), measured to an accuracy of +/- 2 NTU;

For more information see Appendix IV: Concrete Works.

Isolation of the Work Area (Subsections 42(b) & 44(x))

• Isolate your work area from all flowing water, but do not cut off flow to downstream portions of the stream at any time during construction.
• Temporarily divert, enclose or pump the water around the work site. Ensure the point of discharge to the creek is located immediately downstream of the work site to minimize disturbance to downstream populations and habitats;

For more information see Appendix V: Isolation of the Work Area.

Salvage of Fish and/or Wildilfe (Subsection 42(1)(e)

• Complete a fish and amphibian salvage for works prior to the start of works if any portion of the wetted channel will be isolated and/or dewatered. An appropriately qualified professional(s) must complete the salvage. It is the responsibility of the salvage crew to obtain the necessary permits required by the British Columbia Fisheries Regulations or Canada Fisheries Act prior to conducting the salvage activities;

For more information see Appendix VI: Salvage of Fish and/or Wildlife.

Sediment Control (Subsections 41(a)(b)(c) & 42 (1)(c)(d)(f))

• Ensure material, such as rock, riprap, or other materials placed on the banks or within the active channel or floodplain of the watercourse, is inert and free of silt, overburden, debris or other substances deleterious to aquatic life.
• Ensure machinery works from the bank of the stream and not in the stream channel to minimize impacts and to better enable mitigation of sedimentation.
• Minimize the disturbance to existing vegetation on and adjacent to the stream banks.
• Place sediment control measures before starting any works that may result in sediment mobilization.
• Construct any ditches, water bars or water diversions within the work area so they do not directly discharge sediment-laden surface flows to the stream. Divert such flows to a vegetated area where flows can slowly infiltrate.
• Remove excavated material and debris from the site or place it in a stable area above the high water mark or active floodplain of the stream, as far as possible from the channel.
• Protect this material from erosion and reintroduction to the watercourse by using mitigating measures including, but not limited to covering the material with erosion blankets or seeding/planting with native vegetation.
• When material is moved off-site, dispose of it in such a manner as to prevent its entry into any watercourse, floodplain, ravine, or storm sewer system;

For more information see Appendix VII: Sediment Control.

Vegetation Management (Subsections 41(c) & 42 (f)(g))

• Limit vegetation clearing for access and at your work area.
• Consider other options when contemplating the need to remove vegetation. It is very often not the best choice for fish and wildlife habitat and species.
• Wildlife trees are important for many wildlife, bird, and amphibian species. You should avoid vegetation activities that will impact trees used for nesting or roosting. Section 34(b) of the Wildlife Act prohibits the your interference with bird nests, young, or eggs. This means that a wildlife tree containing an active nest, or a nest of species listed under the Act (i.e., raptors or species at risk), even outside of the breeding season, may not be felled.
• If you are proposing to top or remove trees, have the trees within the riparian area assessed by an appropriately qualified profession who is also a Wildlife Danger Tree Assessor to determine the presence and nature of the hazard.
• Where the danger can be removed by topping or removal of the dead limb this should be undertaken in preference to removal of the entire tree.
• Where the entire tree must be removed then the tree replacement criteria should be applied.
• Also in consideration of the importance of large woody debris to the stream/fish habitat and the importance of large diameter trees to wildlife populations, the stub of the trees should be retained where it is deemed safe to do so.
• Fall or top all trees so that the branches do not enter the stream channel. If any branches do inadvertently end up in the channel they should be removed offsite to where they will not enter the channel during high flows. Removal of limbs from the channel must be completed in a manner that will not disturb aquatic organisms.
• Fall the tree across the stream when falling across the stream cannot be avoided because of safety reasons (faller safety, buildings etc) and all methods of tree removal have been considered but cannot be safely employed. Removal of the felled tree must be completed in a manner that does not damage the banks and the bed of the stream. If possible, leave and anchor the trunk as large woody debris to be left within the riparian zone.
• Fall the tree away from the channel unless there is an immediate threat to life and limb and remove the material within the instream work window.
• Equipment used for vegetation removal should comply with this document’s listed best practices for deleterious substance control.
• Danger trees/limbs prior to the instream window to allow works to be scheduled within the timing window;

For more information see Appendix VIII: Vegetation Management.

Restoration of the Site (Subsections 41(a)(c) & 42(1)(c)(f)(g))

• Grade disturbed areas to a stable angle of repose upon completion of the work. These areas should also be revegetated to prevent surface erosion and subsequent siltation of the watercourse.
• Protect disturbed soil areas on the banks and areas adjacent to the stream from surface erosion by hydroseeding with a heavy mulch, tackifier, seed mix; by installing erosion blankets; and/or by heavily revegetating;
• Plant native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants that are appropriate to the site conditions to revegetate and replace impacted riparian vegetation.
• Restore all in-channel or active floodplain habitats that have been disturbed during the completion of works to a condition that is enhanced from their original state. The restoration will be consistent with a no-net-loss of fish and wildlife habitat.
• Remove any remaining sediment and erosion control measures (i.e., silt fence). Ensure all equipment, supplies, and non-biodegradable materials have been removed from the site.
• Complete post-construction multiyear monitoring to ensure your revegetation meets full survival.

For more information see Appendix IX: Restoration of the Site.

Watercourse Channelization and Realignment | Emergency Works

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