Okanagan Region

Timing Windows

• Stream Work Windows (PDF 21KB)
• Lake Work Windows (PDF 20KB)
  
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These work windows are general guidelines for the least risk of impact to a species or group of species as they pertain to your works. Refer to the appropriate Best Management Practice (BMP) for guidance on the works you would like to undertake.

Work windows have been given for Wildlife and Fish (lake and stream).

Wildlife

Most species of wildlife are at their highest risk for disturbance during the period where they raise their young. Some may be at risk during their dormant or hibernating period. Wildlife observation records can be obtained through the Conservation Data Centre, although the absence of an observation record does not confirm that a species is not present.

Nesting birds and some nests are protected by the provincial Wildlife Act Sec.34. Nesting periods can be identified by a qualified professional. General least risk windows for bird species are designed to avoid the nesting period. If nests are present at this site or adjacent to it and will be impacted by the works, the following work windows apply:

Amphibians and turtles can be vulnerable to works in and about a stream¹ especially in temporary and permanent ponds/wetlands. In this region many of these features occur in grassland areas. The general least risk period for these species varies according to species and geographic location. If amphibians or turtles are known to use the area, operations are not to occur if species are hibernating, breeding or migrating.

Species listed by the Conservation Data Centre (red and blue) and/or by COSEWIC (endangered, threatened, and special concern) generally have no windows of least risk as all periods of their life cycle are of high concern. This region supports many species that are vulnerable, threatened or endangered, some of which are listed under the Species at Risk Act. Presence of these listed species or other wildlife may be determined by referring to the Conservation Data Centre, although no observation record may be noted this does not confirm that no species are present.

Qualified professionals should be engaged where the works pose a risk where species listed by the Conservation Data Centre and/or by COSEWIC have been confirmed or could be expected.

Beaver dam removal must consider the least risk work window for the beaver (April 15 to September 14) as well as the applicable fisheries work window as described above. If the works are occurring at a time consistent with both the beaver and the fisheries work window you have met the timing of works component of this terms and conditions document. If the works are proposed to occur at a time inconsistent with one or both of the work windows (beaver and/or fish) on the given stream the proponent should engage a qualified professional to assess the impacts to both the beaver and the fish species and their associated habitats. A qualified professional should determine if a site specific plan can be developed to ensure compliance with all applicable legislation (ex. Wildlife Act and Fisheries Act). The recommendations and technical rational for the plan must be developed, signed and sealed by an appropriately qualified professional(s). The report must be maintained by the proponent in the event that the works are monitored or a compliance inspection is conducted. In addition, the removal of a beaver dam must be approved under the Wildlife Act.

Fisheries

Windows of least risk are designed to protect all fish species known to occur in a stream. One way fish presence can be confirmed is through a fish inventory database. Please note if using this database that the lack of fish records for a particular area is not necessarily equivalent to fish absence. All streams are assumed to have both spring and fall spawners, until determined otherwise. Windows of least risk for most streams and lakes in Okanagan Region can be determined by selecting a link below. In situations where works are occurring on a stream not listed in the stream or lake work window document the proponent must adhere to the general work windows outlined below.

Stream Work Windows
Lake Work Windows

If your works are occurring in Christina Lake, Kalamalka Lake, Wood Lake, or Okanagan Lake proximity to kokanee shore spawner habitat and proximity to the mouth of a spawning stream need to be considered. Shore spawning areas must be identified as one component in determining an appropriate work window (see below). Once you have determine whether you are in a shore spawning area or not refer to the fish inventory database to determine if you are within 500m of a spawning creek. Once you have those two pieces of information refer back to Lake Work Window document to determine the appropriate work window.

Christina Lake

Shore spawning information for Christina Lake can be acquired by putting in a detailed request to an Okanagan Region MoE Ecosystem Biologist (250-490-8200).

Okanagan Lake, Kalamalka Lake, and Wood Lake

Shore Spawning information for Okanagan Lake, Kalamalka Lake, and Wood Lake can be found here.

Note: This link indicates areas of potential kokanee shore spawning. The red line on this map indicates potential kokanee shore spawner habitat. The presence or absence of a red line is one component used to determine the work window for the area. If works are proposed in red areas it is assumed to be kokanee shore spawning habitat until determined otherwise. To determine otherwise, a proponent could have a site specific evaluation by a qualified professional to determine if works will impact actual shore spawning areas.

As a best management practice, proponents should maintain a 500m buffer on either side of shore spawning areas (as determined by a Qualified Professional) to ensure habitat features (e.g. fetch, wave action, sediment etc.) are not compromised.

Notwithstanding the above, the fisheries timing window is not applicable if the stream channel is naturally dry (no flow), or frozen to the bottom, at the worksite and the instream activity will not adversely impact fish habitat (e.g. result in the introduction of sediment into fish habitat or damage to fish habitat).

It is the proponent's responsibility to ensure their activities are in compliance with all applicable legislation, including the Fisheries Act.

¹ A “stream” is defined in the Water Act as “a natural watercourse or source of water supply, whether usually containing water or not, ground water, and a lake, river, creek, spring, ravine, swamp and gulch”. For the purposes of this document, the definition of “stream” includes all those watercourses that are considered to be fish habitat, including channelized streams, and ditches that are fish habitat.