Appendix VIII: Vegetation Management

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Background

Vegetation management refers to best practices regarding the maintenance and protection of riparian vegetation during works in and about a watercourse. This included replacement criteria for impacted vegetation and hazard tree removal best practices.

Objectives

The vegetation set of best practices is intended to meet the standards requiring that no-net-loss or a gain in habitat be realized as a result of the works. In addition to this goal, vegetation management best practices will ensure activities like hazard tree removal may be completed with minimized impacts to surrounding riparian vegetation.

Operational Best Practices

Large-scale modification and removal of riparian vegetation is not considered a best management practice for the proper functioning of streams. However, especially in urban settings, where development has occurred in and around riparian areas, conflicts between riparian vegetation and safety of property and human life may occur. Considerations should be given to finding a long-term solution to address safety issues while maintaining proper riparian function.

To ensure your works meet the requirements of applicable legislation:

• 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.
   
• Monitor danger trees/limbs and schedule works within the instream and vegetation clearing timing windows.

Appendix VII: Sediment Control | Appendix IX: Restoration of the Site

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