Environmental Studies
Kwagis Power engaged specialized consultants to conduct environmental assessment studies in the Kokish River watershed. Additional studies will be undertaken as required for project planning and the harmonized federal/provincial environmental assessment and review process.
Watershed Atlas
The Treaty and Natural Resources Department of the ‘Namgis First Nation has prepared a series of Geographic Information System (GIS) – based maps depicting biophysical and cultural conditions in the Kokish River watershed. This collection of maps is a valuable reference for the environmental assessment studies and environmental review process.
Hydrology Studies
Kwagis Power is undertaking studies to characterize the flow regime of the lower Kokish River. This information will be used in project design and to determine how much water can be safely diverted for hydropower production without adversely affecting fish and fish habitat.
Fisheries Investigations
The Kokish River watershed supports runs of summer and winter steelhead and provides habitat for all five species of Pacific salmon. Since early 2004, in recognition of the river’s high fish values and ecological importance, Kwagis Power has undertaken:
Fisheries inventory and migration studies:
- swim surveys throughout the watershed
- tagging and radio telemetry studies involving summer steelhead, coho salmon and chinook salmon
Instream flow studies:
- detailed studies to determine how fish habitat and utilization change in response to varying flow conditions
- detailed fish behaviour and fish migration studies
Macroinvertebrate studies
Baseline water quality and temperature studies
Study methodologies are based on provincial and federal guidelines specifically developed for the collection and analysis of fish and fish habitat data during the assessment of small hydropower projects in B.C.
Terrestrial Investigations
The Kokish River watershed supports important winter and summer range for Roosevelt elk and black-tailed deer. In recognition of the watershed’s ecological importance for these and other species, Kwagis Power is undertaking terrestrial ecosystem mapping, and surveys of wildlife species and habitat, plant communities and soil types. All work is being completed in conformance with Resources Information Standards Committee (RISC) terrestrial ecosystem standards.
Archaeological Studies
An Archaeological Overview Assessment has been completed in the project area. Field studies were undertaken in October 2007 and January 2008, according to Provincial Archaeological Impact Assessment Guidelines. Archaeological studies will continue during the project planning phase with respect to those areas to be disturbed during project construction.
Archaeological monitoring involving First Nations participants was undertaken in conjunction with geotechnical investigations in 2008 and will continue during construction in areas located in proximity to known or potential archaeological sites.
Other studies that are underway or planned include:
- First Nation Traditional Ecological Knowledge
- Geotechnical
- Geomorphology
- Hydrogeology
- Socio-economic and socio-community
- Air quality
- Noise
- Visual quality
For more information on the Environmental Assessment requirements of this project, click here.