Category Archives: Ecology

Species List for the West Side of the Race Rocks Jetty , 2005

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This list was compiled by Pam Thuringer of Archipelago Marine on May12, 2005. She examined the west side of the docks exposed at a 0.35m tide as part of the Environmental Impact assessment for the Tidal Current Project.

Invertebrates Balanus glandula many
Semibalanus cariosus many
Hemigrapsus nudis few
Mytilus californianus few
Sponge ( orange encrusting species) few
Katharina tunicata few
Littorina scutulata many
Tectura persona few
Lottia pelta few
Anthopleura elegantissima few
Lirubuccinum dirum few
General Group Species Occurence
Brn. Algae Nereocystis luetkeana sparse
Fucus sp. sparse
Leathesia difformis sparse
Hedophyllum sessile abundant
Alaria marginata abundant
Costaria costata few
Red Algae Mazzaella splendans few
Mastocarpus pappilatus sparse
Halosaccion glandiforme few
Lithothamnion sp. few
Odonthalia floccosa sparse
Polysiphonia sp. sparse
Coralline algae. several species sparse
Porphyra perforata sparse
Endocladia muricata sparse
Green Algae Ulva sp. sparse
Acrosiphonia sp. few

BC Parks Preliminary EIA for Dock Species.

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This list was compiled by Pam Thuringer of Archipelago Marine on May12, 2005. She examined the west side of the docks exposed at a 0.35m tide. This is the area that will be impacted by the construction of the conduit to carry electrical cables from the Tidal Current generator up to the island,

General Group Species Occurence
Brn. Algae Nereocystis luetkeana sparse
Fucus sp. sparse
Leathesia difformis sparse
Hedophyllum sessile abundant
Alaria marginata abundant
Costaria costata few
Red Algae Mazzaella splendans few
Mastocarpus pappilatus sparse
Halosaccion glandiforme few
Lithothamnion sp. few
Odonthalia floccosa sparse
Polysiphonia sp. sparse
Coralline algae. several species sparse
Porphyra perforata sparse
Endocladia muricata sparse
Green Algae Ulva sp. sparse
Acrosiphonia sp. few
Invertebrates Balanus glandula many
Semibalanus cariosus many
Hemigrapsus nudis few
Mytilus californianus few
Sponge ( orange encrusting species) few
Katharina tunicata few
Littorina scutulata many
Tectura persona few
Lottia pelta few
Anthopleura elegantissima few
Lirubuccinum dirum few

The Traditional Power Generation System at Race Rocks

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Being an isolated Light Station, Race Rocks relied fully on power generated on site up to October of 2006. Electricity was supplied after the start of the light tower in 1860 by a series of diesel run electrical generators.So far we have no information on the kind of generators used in these early years. This page provides a profile of the diesel electrical generating system which now forms part of a back-up for our integrated energy system.
The Engine Room and Oil storage Tanks(2002)
The delivery of a new generator, November, 2000.This generator had a lower output rating, but would be less expensive to run since there were no longer two families living on the island since automation.

 

The original engine room (ca 1860) concrete pad with the newer Solar panel, batteries and the foghorn which the Coastguard had installed to allow automation to take place.

 

 

This file describes the site remediation and restoration project for the old diesel oil tank farm which was removed in 2000

 

 

Environmental Impact of the existing Diesel Oil Energy System.

 

 

The hoses for transporting diesel oil to the island are wound on a central drum on the island. These reach from the dock where fuel is brought by boat, over to the oil storage tanks at the engine room.

Alex Chan beside the diesel fuel storage tank. 2005 Link to the CARBON CYCLE 

Preliminary Screening: BC Parks Impact Assessment

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                                                                                                               File No:   85700-35/0210206

BC Parks Impact Assessment Process

Level 1, Preliminary Screen Report

(See Users Guide, pp. 9 to 12)

Name of Action:       Expand generator shed for battery storage for Current Turbine Project  

Proponent:               Lester B Pearson College

Review Date(s):         March 17,05                                                                Page:  1of 3

A. Issues and Environmental Components

  1. List any issues of concern that have been or may be raised by BC Parks, other government agencies, First Nations, or the public.

Impacts of expanding sidewalk footprint. Impact on nesting birds.

ie: Construction should take place when birds aren’t nesting.

No habitat loss should take place.

Impacts that could potentially be damaging to other wildlife and plant communities as a result of  demolition/construction activities.

  1. Identify any geographic “hotspots” at or close to the proposed action (e.g., areas of high use, concentrations of facilities, wilderness conservation zones, unique landscape features).

The proposed footprint of the engine room expansion is represented below. Note the sidewalk extension is made more clear in following diagrams.

This would accommodate the floor plan represented following:
The outside wall with the double door in the technical diagram is the part that would occupy the small white square above.

This would accommodate the floor plan represented following:
The outside wall with the double door in the technicall diagram is the part that
would occupy the small white square above.

  1. Identify any important environmental, recreational, social or economic values in the area of the proposed action and/or the area surrounding the proposed action (e.g., rare or endangered species, hiking experience, midden site). Include a rationale as to why the value is considered important.

Ensure no endangered or rare plant species or other habitat is lost as a result of expansion of sidewalk. Reduce size to minimum needs.

This area has been surveyed on April 6 /05 by Pam Thuringer of Archipelago Marine and she has indicated there are no endangered plant species therein. Most of the grasses are introduced species, with a few invasive species. None of the rock outcrop up the slope is impacted by this extension.

“I have recommended that the sod that is lifted, should be transplanted to another area of the island, for instance to a corner of the top of the concrete covered cistern, which could support a grass community if  adequate soil depth was restored, or other areas which currently have concrete which could be moved such as the “sidewalk to nowhere!” below, located by the boat shed.   I think that restoration of this 17 by 4 foot area would be a suitable mitigation for the impacted area by the engine room, as it adds habitat in an area more suitable for nesting. ”
(Garry Fletcher)

Preliminary Screen Checklist Page:  2of 3

Complete the following based on information available and/or the experience of BC Parks staff at the time of the review.

  1. BC Parks has a responsibility to comply with the following Acts and regulations. Indicate that the proposed action complies with the following: Done ( or N/A)
    Park Act, Park Amendment Acts Yes
    Ecological Reserve Act Yes
    An order issued under the Environmental Land Use Act n/a
    BC Environmental Assessment Act n/a
    Waste Management Act n/aHeritage Conservation Act (i.e., Archaeological Impact Assessment Guidelines) n/a
    Federal Fisheries Act (Department of Fisheries and Oceans) n/a
    Other (specify):
    Comments:
    BC Parks should ensure that all actions comply with BC Parks policies. Indicate that the proposed action complies with the following: Done
    Approved management plan or management direction statement (MDS)Yes
    BC Protected Areas Strategy: Resource and Recreation Use Guidelines for Protected AreasYes BC Parks Policy including conservation and recreation goals (Striking the Balance) Yes
    BC Parks Policies (specify):Eco reserves set aside for protection and research Yes
    BC Parks ConservationProgramPolicies yes
    BCParksAnnualManagementPlan (i.e.,valuesandtargets)n/a
    Other (specify):
    Comments:
    Page:3 of 3 3.
    Document which agencies /stakeholders that have been or should be notified and/or contacted: yes” Done ( or N/A)
    Conservation Data Centre n/a Ministry of SRM (specify branch):
    Ministry of Forests (i.e., Range Act) n/a

Ministry of Energy and Mines (Mineral Tenure Act) n/a
Ministry of Health Services n/a>
First Nations Yes
Agencies responsible for broader level plans (i.e., Regional District, LRMP) n/a
Other (specify):
Comments (include name and title of contact):
The proposed action is likely to result in the following impacts (check all that apply) Done
(U or N/A)

Adverse and permanent effects on the important conservation, recreation and/or cultural heritage values n/a

Adverse and permanent effects on the character and aesthetics of the protected area n/a

Adverse effects to endangered, threatened or vulnerable or regionally significant species, populations and  habitats (i.e., red/blue-listed species/habitats, biogeoclimatic representation) U

Adverse effects to critical or geographically unique characteristics U

Adverse effects to public health and safety n/a

Adverse effects to traditional use of the area by First Nations n/a

Adverse effects to local communities n/a

Adverse effects to the recreational use or enjoyment of the park (regardless of the intended benefits of the proposed action) n/a

Economic implications, such as operating costs, that cannot be maintained over time n/a

 A high level of controversy or public concern regarding the action n/a

Effects of the action, which when combined with the effects of other actions in the region, may result in cumulative impacts n/a

Implications which may be precedent-setting and should therefore be considered in the context of similar future actions n/a

Comments (use corresponding letters to refer to specific impacts listed above):

  1. Level 1 report should recommend appropriate times and methods for construction to ensure birds /wildlife impacts are kept to a minimum.

The window of work for the sidewalk construction will be in the next few weeks. It is scheduled to start on April 18, well before the onset of nesting in late May. We have given the end of April as a deadline for the sidewalk extension and any other on land work that may compromise the bird nesting habitat to be completed.

Concrete will be made on site from materials transported to the island.

  Garry Fletcher and /or Chris Blondeau will be on site to oversee the environmental concerns and Brian Emmett and Pam Thuringer and staff of Archipelago Marine have been contracted to do an ongoing environmental assessment for the duration of the construction phase of the project during the next year.

  1. An on ground review of proposed sidewalk location and reduced sidewalk footprint recommended.

See photos above.

Baseline Study and Monitoring of the tidal current energy project at Race Rocks

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March 04, 2005

Mr Garry Fletcher
Garry Fletcher Consulting:
4645 William Head Road
Victoria, BC.

Canada, V9C-3Y7

Re: Baseline Study and Monitoring of the tidal current energy project at Race Rocks

Dear Garry:

Our response to your request for baseline inventory and monitoring services for the Race Rocks tidal current project follows. Our response is slightly unorthodox in that I have taken each of your task requirements and provided comment on a proposed approach and, when possible, some idea of scope, effort and cost. We cannot provide an overall cost estimate for this project until we have further defined the monitoring requirements with yourself and the proponents, in particular the approach and degree of effort required for monitoring noise levels on land and in water. In addition there are partnering opportunities with Pearson College which could reduce costs. However, given the scope provided, I think that the overall project budget will be in the $40,000 to $70,000 range, with about 30-40% of costs attributable to noise monitoring.

We are very interested in working with the Person College-EnCana-Clean Current group on this project, both because of our long term appreciation of Race Rocks as a valued and sensitive marine ecological area, as well as our support for innovative and sustainable energy generation. If you have any questions with respect to this response please contact me early next week.

Sincerely

Brian Emmett, M.Sc.

Director, Marine Environmental Services Division

Energy Diagrams based on the work of Odum

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 Energy Diagrams

1. Introduction   Ecologist Howard T. Odum of the University of Florida created a set of symbols for the visual modeling of environmental systems.  He called them energy diagrams. His symbols are very suggestive of biological processes. The first stage of our modeling consists of drawing an Odum diagram of the process, or system.

2. The Basic Diagrams  The six energy symbols below suffice for most systems modeling. A complete set of the Odum symbols can be found in Odum’s publication.

These diagrams allow us to do qualitative modeling. Later, they maybe able to assist you in quantitative modeling. The lines denote energy pathways.

3. External Energy Source  When the circle represents a renewable source such as sunlight, tidal flow, or a stream, it appears on the left. As the this energy flows by some of it is absorbed or pumped in by the system — the rest flows on by. When the circle represents human goods or services or products, it appears on the right.

4. The Heat Sink  The term “heat sink ” comes from thermodynamics.  In engineering, energy loss is usually thermal in nature.  However, we recognize many other kinds of losses such as disease, noise and pilfering.
The heat sink symbol – without the arrow – comes from electrical engineering and denotes a ground. Electricity can flow in and out of a ground, but energy losses do not flow in and out of a heat sink. Once degraded energy goes into the sink, it does not return. The heat generated by your body when you exercise does not flow back into your body after it has left it and water in a bathtub that has cooled does not re-heat itself. The arrow suggests a one-way trip.
All real systems leak. Therefore, every system will have a heat sink attached, as in Figure 1. The paths to the sink will carry energy from various system processes or sources, so the heat sink represents generic energy loss.

5. Tanks  As for systems, so for tanks within the system — they all leak. Tanks can have many energy pathways but one outgoing path will always go to the sink. Energy flow to the sink (and through all passive outgoing paths) is proportional to the quantity of energy stored. The box displays three specific examples of stored energy and how it can be lost.

   Tank Contents Energy Path Loss via the Heat Sink
   Food Bacteria or fungi Decay
   Soil nutrients Water Leaching
   Business assets Unnecessary regulation Money and time

     Notice the general use of the term energy, far beyond the force x distance definition. We go beyond physical energy and the “Goods & Services” of economics. We also include the goods and services provided by nature, the Ecosystem Services. This is a topic we can pursue in another part of the OceanQuest Project. Among such goods, or natural products are oil, water, and salt. Among the services are the cleansing of waste water, the oxygen provided by rain forests, and the “buffering” of carbon dioxide by the oceans. In addition, we include the energy “embodied” in structure and information.

     It is possible in more advanced studies to show a quantitative relation among money, time and energy , This is qualitatively apparent since money readily trades for energy in its various forms such as food, gasoline, and electricity. The relation is established by the truism “Time is money”

       Figure 2 shows an external tank feeding into a single tank that is exporting some of its energy.  The external tank might represent an water source or aquifer, the internal tank a pond, and the outflow path a stream.  Note that the sink is not explicitly shown on the external energy source

6. Primary Production  Chemosynthetic bacteria, Photosynthetic cyanobacteria bacteria, green plants and algae are the primary producers. They can transform chemical molecules such as carbon, hydrogen and oxygen into glucose and other biologically useful compounds. This basic process is known as chemosynthesis in thefirst group of bacteria and photosynthesis in green plants,algae and cyanobacteria. The production diagram will also be used for larger systems such as farms or ponds powered by the two primary producers.  It might occasionally be used in a metaphorical sense to represent manufacturing.  Production units will always have at least one back input and at least one top input.

7. Consumption Units  The remaining three biological kingdoms are the consumers – animals, fungi, and protochitsta, . The consumer diagram may also be used to represent cities, factories and bureaucracies. Consumers are classified by biologists as: Primary – bees, carp, mice Secondary – hornets, bass, weasels Tertiary – spiders, alligators, eagles. Below is a diagram with examples of all three types of consumers.

Figure 4  Consumer units — a food chain

8. Modeling  A farm and a town interact in several ways. The farm produces food, sends it to the town and receives money in return. The town supples goods, such as chemicals or tools, and services in the form of labor and receives money in return. The first model of this situation might be fairly concrete, a pictorial one, as in Fig. 5. Notice that the energy paths are denote by solid lines, and the money paths by dashed lines.

Figure 5  Pictorial model of farm-town interaction

 

The next step is to replace the picture elements with an Odum diagram:

 
                    Figure 6  Model of farm-town interaction

Now add the currency or money pathway. This path tracks the energy path but moves in a counter direction:

 
                 Figure 7   Model of farm-town interaction


Energy is a part of the natural world, while currency is a part of the design world – a human construct. Currency represents energy but it is just an IOU in a standard, convenient form. Most countries have no hard cash thing to back up their paper money. The potency of paper money resides in the faith that users have in the country that issues it. Energy, on the other hand, does not depend on the opinion of the user or the vote of politicians. The dashed currency line should remind us of this precarious nature of currency, as opposed to the solid flow of energy.

9. Energy Mixer or Workgate  This unit allows energies of different “qualities” to interact. The Farm-Town model provides a good example of how a work gate operates. The below diagram looks inside the production unit of the farm.  Higher quality energy goes

in the top of the work gate, lower quality in the back. “Higher quality” can be taken to mean more expensive, more concentrated, or less abundant. All losses should have paths leading to the system sink. Sometimes “local” sinks are drawn to avoid a spaghetti entanglement of paths. These are just visual shortcuts – the system has only one sink. Note the explicit feedback from the stored energy in buildings & roads to the work gate. This is a “reward” for the farm work that maintains these important facilities. A work gate or production unit that contributes to a storage or a consumer can expect a feedback reward.

Exercise 5.1   Use your template to re-draw the diagram in Fig. 8. Add a currency path to the system diagram. It will be an open loop, going in and out of the system.

Exercise 5.2   Draw a matching diagram for the town “half”. To keep it simple, assume that the town is mainly dependent on one industry such as a canning or food-packing plant.

10. Pre-Columbus Culture  There were approximately 600 First Nations tribes in what is now Canada and the USA. The Odum diagram below models a typical First Nation people living self-sufficiently on renewable energy.

Figure 9   North American First Nations People living self-sufficiently

Note that no currency paths are needed for this system. Some First Nations People did have currency or wampum, beads made from mollusk shells, and a variety of tools, clothing and decorative items used as Potlatch or trading items.


Exercise 1   Suggest some items that flow through paths 1 and 2.

Exercise 2   How would the items that flow through along paths 1 and 3 differ? Can you name three items of great food and cultural importance that flowed through path 3?

Exercise 3  Explain feedback path 5.

Exercise 4  Explain feedback paths 6 and 7.

Exercise 5   Explain feedback path 4.

This reference is based on the work of:
http://web.math.fsu.edu/%7efusaro/DL/index.html#toc5

References for further study:

Energy, Ecology, & Economics. by Howard T. Odum http://www.mnforsustain.org/energy_ecology_economics_odum_ht_1973.htm

Emergy Evaluation by Howard T. Odum
http://www.mnforsustain.org/emergy_odum_howard_t_emergy_evaluation.htm

Attribute to Eugene P.Odum
http://www.researchmagazine.uga.edu/summer2002/odum.htm

Horizontal Structure in Ecosystems

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centrelargecompressedm
Introduction:In this file, we show the process and results of an investigation on some specific examples of horizontal structure of ecosystems
Objectives: After doing this lab, you will be able to:
a) Observe a species in its environment and determine its horizontal distribution.
b) Comment on the causes of horizontal distribution of vegetation at Race Rocks
c) Analyze how horizontal structure in your own ecosystem is determined by abiotic and biotic factors
d) Design your own protocol for analyzing the effects of horizontal structure on ecosystems.
e) Discuss the implications for Human built-up environments on Biodiversity of Ecosystems.
f) Quantify the amount of anthropogenic influence from human construction on the surface area of Race Rocks.

PROCEDURE:

1. Use the remote cameras at Race Rocks and scan around for one species: mammal, bird or plant. Probably there will be more than one of these animals or plants in view. Once you decide on the species, be sure you know its correct identification.

2. Go to this file for a dichotomous key to help in identification of birds and mammals.
3. Look for patterns in the distribution of that species, the sector of the island in which it is located, whether it is near vegetation or on a rock, whether it is exposed to wind or not, or how closely it is located to the shore. See if you can add any ideas about how the horizontal patterns of the species are determined. Then add your sighting record summarizing these observations on the GIS database. Next observe the island from the air in the image above. This is part of the image of the GIS projection on OceanQuest. You can see just by the color, where pockets of accumulated soil have determined the horizontal distribution of vegetation on the islands. You can also see from this bird’s-eye view, how the surge and wave action producing salt spray and erosion around the edge of the island might have has produced this zone free of vegetation.
4. One of the field techniques of studying the horizontal distribution of organisms is also a technique which allows the production of baseline information about organism distribution. Go to this file on Environmental gradients, (which are determined by biotic and abiotic factors). It shows how a belt transect can be used to document changes of organisms through a specified distance. Describe the procedure used and indicate how records produced in this way may be very useful in measuring the effect of humans on ecosystems through time.( hint:Oil or other chemical spills)
5.Organisms themselves often play the role of determining species distribution. Here in the artificial tidepool #13, limpets can be seen underwater grazing on an algal scum on the flat rock base of the tidepool. In this case, the limpet has determined the horizontal distribution of the algae, and vice versa, the remaining algal scum determines where the limpets will be distributed on the horizontal plane. Describe other examples of where organisms themselves determine distribution . Things to think of are: habitat and shelter, food sources, the presence of one species creating a “microniche” for another.
6. Biodiversity of Ecosystems often suffers as a result of human activities. One could say that humans are probably the most significant organism in the effect on biodiversity. Describe two ways in which humans have a negative effect on biodiversity and two ways in which humans have a positive effect on biodiversity. Go to this file for an exercise which allows you to determine the influence of human activity on the horizontal patterns of distribution of organisms on Race Rocks. In this exercise we take a critical look at the Race Rocks Ecosystem, and actually measure and calculate the Anthropogenic footprint. In it you might encounter some examples of bioremediation and restoration, some interesting history and some mysteries. Most certainly you will discover the history of how human activities can have a big impact on an island ecosystem.

 

Tidepool # 12 at Race Rocks

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This pool is above the highest tidal level. It only gets replenished with sea water during a storm event with a high west wind and a relatively high tide.

Images Garry Fletcher

Some ideas to consider:
 Go to the Environmental Data page and using the data from the weather pages there, predict when such events may occur.

Tidepool # 7 at Race Rocks

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In May 2004, the biology class measures the abiotic factors in Pool 7.

Jen with the salinity probe.

 

The most striking feature about this tidepool is that since it is at such a high level on the intertidal, in the heat of summer, there is evaporation which concentrates the salinity into a saturated solution even beyond the range of measurement on the salinometer. Even in that high concentration as can be seen in the following picture, a green algae lives among the salt crystals

 

Salt Crystals with algal growth form in Pool7 in the summer

 

Some ideas to consider:

Tidepools 7and 8 are situated very close together, differing only in a few centimeters in elevation. The salinity and temperatures of the pools may vary however. It might be worthwhile to document these variations and propose some explanations for the variation.

 

Research and Education Park Use Permit for Tidal Energy Project

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The permit for the Tidal Current energy Project at Race Rocks for the time period 2004-2006  is included here:

Research and educational activities may only be undertaken in an ecological reserve, protected area or provincial park (referred to in this application as a “protected area”) when authorized by a valid permit issued by the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection (referred to here as “BC Parks”) under the Ecological Reserve Act, Environment and Land Use Act or Park Act.. Research and education activities must contribute to the scientific knowledge of the protected area(s). Only applications that are considered by BC Parks to be compatible with the conservation and recreation objectives identified for the protected area(s) involved in the proposal will be evaluated.

Please complete this application form and submit it with the detailed proposal description, for evaluation, to the Park Use Permits address on page 2 of this application. Supplying insufficient information will delay evaluation. No fee is required.

NOTE: 1. Allow 60 business days for evaluation of this proposal.

2. More information may be requested from the applicant during review of this application.

3. Submission of this application does not entitle the applicant to any rights or permission to proceed with any activity in any protected area.

4. This application is subject to review under the BC Parks Impact Assessment Process.

5. The final report of the research project must be submitted to BC Parks.

6. Any specimens whether biological, fossils, geological or other artifacts, are the property of the provincial government and their disposition will be specified by BC Parks.

7. BC Parks reserves the right to refuse any or all applications.

APPLICANT INFORMATION

COMPANY/SOCIETY/INDIVIDUAL NAME:

Pearson College and

Clean Current Power Systems Incorporated

INCORPORATION NUMBER, if applicable:

BC #630110

MAILING ADDRESS

650 Pearson College Drive

336 – 1275 West 6th Avenue

CITY / TOWN

Victoria

Vancouver

PROV / STATE:

B.C.

POSTAL / ZIP CODE:

V9C 4H7

V6H 1A6

BUS. PHONE NO. (Area Code):

(604) 739-xxxx

 

FAX NO. (Area Code):

(250) 391-xxxx

(604) 738-xxxx

NAME OF CONTACT:

name

Glen Darou

DATE OF BIRTH: (dd/mm/yy)

27/04/42

E-MAIL:

cleancurrent@telus.net

BUS. PHONE NO. (Area Code)

(250) 391-xxxx

(604) 739-xxxx

FAX NO. (Area Code):

(250) 391-xxxx

(604) 738-xxxx

CELLULAR PHONE NO. (Area Code):

(250) xxx-xxxx

(604) 916-xxxx

NAME OF PROTECTED AREA(S):

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

PERIOD OF USE (inclusive):

FROM: July 1, 2004 TO: July 1, 2016

List all activities to be undertaken:

Collection of Specimens Survey/Inventory ◙ Research
Monitoring Educational
Other(s) (specify):________________________________________________________

Please attach a detailed proposal that addresses the following (A-C):

A. Please describe the project and provide the following information:

1. purpose of research or educational activity;

2. geographic location(s) of the activity (provide maps to an appropriate scale);

3. scope and objectives of the research or educational activity;

4. proposed methodology;

5. detailed schedule for the project from start to completion with major benchmarks. Indicate how sensitive this schedule is to change (delays in approval, weather, etc.);

6. resources required to undertake and manage the project, including all costs, proposed funding sources and other resources (equipment, supplies etc.);

7. relevance of the proposal to the conservation and education mandate and objectives of the provincial protected area system and how BC Parks will benefit;

8. the reason for, type, number and intended use for each specimen collected;

9. effects on vegetation, wildlife, species and ecosystems at risk and other protected area values;

10. what actions will be undertaken to mitigate impacts on protected area values resulting from the proposed research or educational activity; and

11. what report type(s) (thesis, publication, etc.) are anticipated and when will they be produced.

B. Names of each researcher or educator involved with the project and their

1. academic qualifications;

2. duties with respect to the project; and

3. previous relevant projects and a list of published papers based on activities within protected areas.

C. From the following list, use a “v “ to select all potential adverse impacts of the proposed activity. Provide additional detail for all impacts selected, including proposed mitigation.

Adverse and permanent effects to:

conservation, recreation and/or cultural values

 

 

character and aesthetics of the protected area

 

Adverse effects to:

red/blue-listed species or ecosystems, species at risk, biogeoclimatic representation, etc

 

 

critical or geographically unique characteristics

 

 

public health and safety

 

 

traditional use of the area by First Nations

 

 

local communities

 

 

recreational use or enjoyment of the protected area (regardless of the intended benefits of the proposed action)

Fees: Fees are not charged for research and education activities.

As required under Section 21 of the Park Act, the applicant agrees to pay the Province the costs incurred by the Province in surveying, cruising, examining and inspecting the area affected by the application; and

THE APPLICANT HEREBY CERTIFIES THAT ALL THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS APPLICATION IS TRUE AND CORRECT. Date:___________________

Signature of Applicant or Authorized Signatory of Applicants:___________________________

___________________________

Send completed application and proposal description to:

Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection Park Use Permits PO Box 9371 Stn Prov Govt Victoria BC V8W 9M3

For more information please call:

Enquiry BC 387.6121 (Victoria), 604.660.2421 (Metro Vancouver) or 1.800.663.7867

Detailed Proposal

Tidal Turbine Generator Replacing Diesel Generators at Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

A.

Purpose of the project

To develop, install and test tidal turbine generator technology used in conjunction with an electricity storage system to replace existing twin 15 kW diesel generators

The turbine generator will be place in 12 metres of water between the main island of Great Race Rock and Middle Island. The location is called “Middle Passage”. The storage system will be located in the existing generator building on the main island of Great Race Rock.

Scope and objectives of research

Overall

•Produce sufficient energy to displace the existing diesel generation

•Create a 3+ metre design directly scalable to 1.0 MW commercial unit.

•Validate the design prior to the 1.0 MW program.

•Demonstrate the operability and reliability of the unit

Generator

•Demonstrate generator performance

•Develop a control system to maximize power output at a given flow condition

•Perform power conditioning based on site requirements

Turbine

•Validate blade and overall hydraulic performance

•Quantify starting performance and cut-in speed

•

Deployment

•Determine deployment configuration

•Demonstrate method of deployment

•Develop periodic maintenance techniques and schedule

•

Material

•Perform material testing in areas of biofouling and corrosion resistance

•Assess materials resistance to impact and erosion

Proposed methodology

See 5

Detailed Schedule

This schedule can be completed if permit approvals are obtained by September 1, 2004. Installation will be scheduled in September and October to avoid weather delays. Work will be done in advance whenever possible to avoid nesting seasons and other ecologically sensitive periods.

Clean Current Power Systems will provide funding for the project. Clean Current will obtain its funding from Sale of Common Shares. Costs excluding administrative overhead are as follows:

Cost Items

Cost (CDN$)

 

 

Turbine

Development

Design Engineer (1)

$345,000

Hydraulics/CFD Engineer (1)

$345,000

Computer (2)

$5,520

Software (CFD, Design, Analysis, Optimization)

$110,400

Prototype Testing (Diffuser, Bearings)

$41,400

Fabrication

$220,800

 

 

Generator

Development

Generator/Power Engineer (1)

$345,000

Electrical/Mechanical Technician (1)

$172,500

Computer (1)

$2,760

Software (FE, Misc.)

$13,800

Bench Testing

$16,560

Life Testing

$2,760

Fabrication

$100,740

Turbine/Generator Assembly

$13,800

 

 

Deployment Structure

Development (Consultant)

$207,000

Site selection and analysis

Tidal resource assessment

Installation

Fabrication

System Design

Development

Power Engineer or Consultant

$69,000

Electrical & mechanical brake, starter motor, power control system, power conditioning, data acquisition system)

$44,160

Assy and Installation

$20,700

Power Storage (Battery)

$483,000

 

 

Material Selection

Development (Consultant)

$41,400

Component Testing

Environmental Studies/Approvals

$20,700

 

 

Regulatory Approval

$20,700

 

 

Testing Program

Pontoon Boat

$48,300

Inspections/ Maintenance Plan

$20,700

Equipment Spares

$34,500

 

 

Transportation

$34,500

 

 

Sub Total

$2,780,700

Rough Order of Magnitude Factor (20%)

$556,140

 

 

Total Cost

$3,336,840

This proposal creates renewable energy to displace fossil fuels. The proposal conforms to Page 16 of the Race Rocks management plan for Facility Management

“Objectives:

•To showcase alternative, low impact technologies”

No specimens will be collected.

Existing buildings and conduits will be used wherever possible. One large hole will be drilled through bedrock to create a conduit for electrical cables (and system monitoring instrumentation) under water to about 3 feet above the high water mark. The purpose is to avoid shoreline turbulence and associated cable damage. Drilling one hole to place a post upon which the turbine generator will be mounted will disturb the bedrock in the middle of the passage.

Scheduling will be used to avoid disturbing birds during nesting season. Consultations with marine biologists will be used to assess impact before deployment of the unit. Underwater cameras will be used to monitor the impact of the turbine generator on fish and ocean mammals.

This will be the first free stream tidal turbine generator installed offshore in Canada and it will attract attention from commercial media. It is expected that Pearson College will publish studies of the ecological impact of this form of renewable energy.

Pearson College Input:

In keeping with our long term commitment to B.C. Parks the Marine Protected Area Initiative of DFO and the First nations to provide a level of stewardship for Xwayen, we would like to highly recommend this project.

The bottom line in our stewardship commitment is to keep the area ecologically sustainable and to ensure long term ecological integrity.

This proposal fills a serious need, the provision of low or no- impact technology for the generation of electricity to ensure our ability to operate in the reserve. We presently power the station and heat the residences with diesel fuel. The potential negative impact of this need on the ecology of the area could be enumerated as follows:

The fuel is supplied to the island on a bi-monthly basis by staff of the college using the boat “ Second Nature” Although we operate under the strictest standards for this transfer, the possibility always exists that a technical problem with the boat, failure

of transfer pumps and hoses, or human error could lead to a serious ecological impact if fuel oil escaped the transfer system.

The loud noise caused by the diesel generators is an irritant and has possibly discouraged some marine mammals from hauling out in the area. Harbour seals haul out for birthing in higher numbers a distance away from this otherwise ideal location.

The aesthetics on the otherwise pristine environment of the island of the generator noise is a legitimate concern.

Five species of Marine birds nest on the island. The constant noise from the generators could be impacting negatively on behaviour: predator response capability, foraging and mating/nesting behaviour.

Fuel storage on the island is by double-hulled 1000-gallon tanks which currently meet the required environmental standards but which do have a life span and therefore will eventually need replacement. Also since there are probably no other parallel examples of such diesel oil storage in ecologically sensitive areas, it is doubtful whether existing standards are adequate.

The fuel storage tanks on the island are vulnerable in the event of earthquakes.

The severe weather that the area experiences on many days of the year and the high tidal currents ( up to 7 Knots) mean that containment of spilled oil by booms would probably be impossible, resulting in severe species loss in the intertidal zones of the islands.

 

The marine reserve at Race Rocks, power the research and education facility at Race Rocks with a technology that allows for minimum disruption to the ecological integrity and the long term sustainability we see this proposal as a welcome innovation .