Permitting Issues (for Engineers)

Kevin Henshaw, P. Eng.

May 23, 2008

Permitting Issues

• • • • Introduction Canadian Fisheries Act – Department of Fisheries and Oceans Navigable Waters Protection Act – Transport Canada Water Act – Alberta Environment

DFO

• Operational Statements – Version III released – Culvert Maintenance, Bridge Maintenance, Clear Span Bridges, Temporary Crossings – New restrictions • Read all measures and conditions!

DFO

• • Comments from DFO – Cannot approve “conceptual plans” – More information is better for faster review – Projects generally require greater than 1:1 compensation ratio – Passage depends on species General Observations – LOA / Authorizations

DFO

• Fish Passage Example – Common barrier to fish is steep downstream slope – Site visit can help – Class “C” – BF 71226 – BF 85148 – BF 8814

Transport Canada

• • • Use AT guidelines / Maps (Bridge Design Bulletin #1 currently under review) Determination Example – BF 71226 Application takes 8-12 months – Requires: • • • “N” Drawing Advertisement Env. Assessment

Transport Canada

• Navigability Flow – Ordinary High Water – “Q2” or 1:2 year flow – Highest 10 year mean monthly flow – Elevation of permanent vegetation – Close to bank full

Transport Canada

• Clearance – Smaller Crossings • 1.5 m Minimum for paddlers – Larger Crossings • 2.5 m – 3.0 m Minimum for Power Crafts – No Set Rules http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2007/10/24/SunPrincessBridge2_ wideweb__470x312,0.jpg

Transport Canada

• Future NWPA in Alberta – Faster Approvals • Act needs to be updated • Amendments planned (likely ineffective) • Contact Minister (Lawrence Cannon) – Standardized Act Across Canada • Alberta currently lagging in enforcement • Restrictions on construction details – i.e. berms for pier construction – Culvert Guidelines?

Alberta Environment

• • • Codes of Practice Authorization – Eg. more than 20 m channel disturbance Exemption – Only for Centerline Culverts http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/dpr-rmr/2006-2007/inst/dfo/dfo02-eng.asp

Alberta Environment

• From AE on Notifications – Email to Edmonton – Fill in all information – Cover letter helps – Provide clear map – Need specific Dates – Good for 1 year – Needed for Class “D” – Send letter for Revisions/Updates

Alberta Environment

• April Cormier (Northern Region) – [email protected]

• Tanya Berube (Central Region) – [email protected]

• Judy Tumm (Southern Region) – [email protected]