REPORT. Vegetation Management Strategy MARMOT BASIN. January Submitted to: Marmot Basin P.O. Box 1300 Jasper, Alberta T0E 1E0

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1 January 214 MARMOT BASIN Vegetation Management Strategy Submitted to: Marmot Basin P.O. Box 13 Jasper, Alberta TE 1E REPORT Report Number:

2 Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION Marmot Basin Ski Area Vegetation Management Strategy Framework Information Sources Objectives Valued Components Ecological Management Parameters SITE CHARACTERISTICS AND GENERAL PRACTICES Overview Vegetation Community Type Composition and Structural Characteristics Methods Land Cover Types and Structural Characteristics Rare and Sensitive Communities Cleared Areas below Eagle and Paradise Chalets Vegetation Community Types - Mitigations Vegetation Community Types - Monitoring Rare Plant Species Rare Plant Occurrences Rare Species - Mitigation Measures Rare Plant Species - Monitoring Non-Native Invasive Plants Non-Native Invasive Plant Species Occurrences Non-Native Invasive Plant Species - Mitigation Measures Non-Native Invasive Plant Species - Monitoring Erosion Control, Re-vegetation and Restoration Activities Erosion Control, Revegetation and Restoration Mitigation Measures Erosion Control, Revegetation and Restoration Monitoring Sensitive Wildlife Species January 214 Report No i

3 2.6.1 Sensitive Wildlife Species- Existing Conditions Sensitive Wildlife Species - Mitigation Measures Sensitive Wildlife Species - Monitoring Fire PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT Expanded Snowmaking Existing Conditions Proposed Development Management Prescriptions Monitoring Parking Lot Expansion and Road Widening Existing Conditions Proposed Development Management Prescriptions Monitoring Reglading in the Mid-Mountain Area Existing Conditions Proposed Development Management Prescriptions Monitoring Caribou Chalet Infrastructure Upgrading Existing Conditions Desired State Management Prescriptions Monitoring REFERENCES Literature Personal Communications January 214 Report No ii

4 TABLES Table 1: Approach to Marmot Basin Vegetation Management Strategy... 4 Table 2: Area Summaries by Land Cover Type Table 3: Vegetation Clearing in Existing Developed Area Below 198 m Table 4: Terms Used by Agencies to Describe Plant Species Status Table 5: Listed Vascular Plant Occurrences at Marmot Basin Table 6: Listed Lichen Occurrences at Marmot Basin Table 7: Tracked Lichens Identified Along Home Run Table 8: Proposed Reglading Areas FIGURES Figure 1: Marmot Basin Ski Area Location... 2 Figure 2: Marmot Basin Ski Area... 3 Figure 3: Distribution of Land Cover Types at Marmot Basin... 1 Figure 4: Disturbed vs. Undisturbed Vegetation Within the Existing Developed Area at Marmot Basin Figure 5: Rare Plant Locations at Marmot Basin Figure 6: Non- Native Invasive Plant Species Locations at Marmot Basin Ski Area Figure 7: Locations of Past and Present Restoration Activities APPENDICES APPENDIX A Vegetation Community Types APPENDIX B Lichen Information APPENDIX C Parks Canada Agency s 212 Priority Non-Native Invasive Vegetation List for Jasper National Park (Parks Canada Resource Conservation Section) January 214 Report No iii

5 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Marmot Basin Ski Area The Marmot Basin Ski Area (Marmot Basin), operated by Rocky Mountain Skiing Inc. (Ski Marmot Basin), is located in Jasper National Park about 21 km south of the community of Jasper, Alberta (Figure 1). Marmot Basin is located on the northeast section of Marmot Mountain, which is part of the Trident Range of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The ski area occupies 678 ha of land leased from the federal government. It was established in the late 196 s and plays an important role in tourism for the national park. Marmot Basin currently has a peak visitor capacity of about 4,5 skiers per day and averages more than 2, skier visits per season. Marmot Basin s operations consist primarily of the following facilities, as shown on Figure 2: the Caribou Chalet, located at the base of the ski area (1,698 meters above sea level [masl]) features a cafeteria, dining lounge, washrooms, retail and ski rental/repair shop, guest services and the mountain operations centre; the Paradise and Eagle chalets, located mid-mountain (1,98 masl), feature a cafeteria, dining lounge and washrooms; seven lifts and 86 named ski trails with a peak elevation of 2,612 masl; parking; and utilities and other infrastructure. Ski Marmot Basin is committed to a Long Range Plan and associated environmental assessments for Marmot Basin. The Long Range Plan outlines the planned development and operation of the ski area for a period of up to 15 years. Ski Marmot Basin has adopted a phased approach to long range planning. Preparation of this Vegetation Management Strategy is a required part of the ski areas first long range plan submission. The first Long Range Plan consists of four project components: expanded snowmaking in the mid-mountain skiing; enhanced parking and transportation access; upgrading the Caribou Chalet infrastructure; and limited reglading. January 214 Report No

6 MARMOT BASIN SKI AREA L:\211\1332\ \4\Fig1_ A1_SkiAreaLocation.dwg Layout: Layout Modified: VIgosheva 6/14/213 4:35 PM Plotted: BWheeler 5/28/214 ALBERTA Edmonton Jasper SITE Calgary Lethbridge INSET MAP - NOT TO SCALE 1, 3, 2, SCALE METRES PROJECT MARMOT BASIN VEGETATION MANAGEMENT STRATEGY TITLE MARMOT BASIN SKI AREA LOCATION REFERENCE PROJECT No. THE QUEEN IN RIGHT OF CANADA. DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES. DATUM : NAD83 PROJECTION : UTM ZONE DESIGN CM CADD VI CHECK MP REVIEW CM FILE No. SCALE A1 AS SHOWN FIGURE:1

7 L:\211\1332\ \4\Fig2_ A2MarmotBasinSkiArea.dwg Layout: Layout Modified: VIgosheva 6/14/213 4:35 PM Plotted: BWheeler 5/28/214 LEGEND 1. Home Run 2. School House 3. Slow Poke 4. Upper Access 5. Rock Gardens 6. Slash 7. Spillway 8. Lift Line 9. Dromedary 1. Tranquilizer 11. Sleepy Hollow 12. Old Road 13. Triple Access 14. Bunny Hop 15. Power Line 16. Highway Wallow Traverse 18. Wolverine Wallow 19. Willi's Way 2. Exhibition 21. Porteous Way 22. Caribou Knoll 23. Kiefer's Dream 24. Geikie Street 25. Show Off Cat Track 26. Showoff 27. Milk Run 28. Punch Bowl 29. Paradise 3. Marmot Run 31. S-Turns 32. Gun Sight 33. Basin Run 34. Party Slope 35. Knob Bowl 36. Knob Hill 37. Dupres Bowl 38. Dupres Chutes 39. Knob Traverse 4. Upper Basin 41. Peak Run 42. McCready's Choice 43. Suzie s 44. Surfer's 45. Thunder Bowl 46. Upper Eagle Flight 47. High Trail 48. Chalet Express 49. Eagle Flight 5. Charlie's Bowl 51. Expressway 52. Morning Glory 53. Wendy's Choice 54. Poacher's 55. Easter Alley 56. Outback 57. Class Is In 58. Drop Zone 59. Terminator 6. Face Shot 61. South Glades 62. Izzie's Everglades 63. Hour Glass 64. Grizzly Glades 65. Jasper Avenue 66. Diamond Glades 67. Sunset Boulevard 68. Fresh Tracks 69. Easy Street 7. Hobbit's Hollow 71. Roll Out 72. Solace 73. Phone Home Gully 74. T-Bar Ridge 75. Whyte Avenue 76. Elevator Chutes 77. Little Chicago 78. Birthday Bowl 79. Sugar Bowl 8. The Dell 81. Handlon's Hollow 82. No Show 83. Cornice 84. Outer Limits 85. Wipeout 86. Escalator PROJECT MARMOT BASIN VEGETATION MANAGEMENT STRATEGY TITLE MARMOT BASIN SKI AREA REFERENCE BASE MAP FROM MARMOT BASIN SKI AREA, ROCKY MOUNTAIN SKIING LTD. PROJECT No. DESIGN CADD CHECK REVIEW FILE No A2 CM SCALE AS SHOWN VI MP CM FIGURE:2

8 1.2 Vegetation Management Strategy Framework This Vegetation Management Strategy (the Strategy) is a component of Marmot Basin s Long-Range Plan submission. The Strategy has been developed in accordance with the requirements and expectations of the Marmot Basin Ski Area Site Guidelines for Development and Use (Parks Canada 28a), the Marmot Basin Ski Area Site Guide Guidelines and Strategic Environmental Assessment (Parks Canada 28b), personal communications to D. Gibson (Fenton 211, pers. comm.) and the Run Improvements and Vegetation Management Strategies - Expectations for Ski Area Long Range Plan - Draft (Parks Canada 211). This strategy is based on an ultimate design capacity of 6,5 skiers per day that was negotiated as part of the Marmot Basin Site Guidelines. Topics to be considered in each Long Range Plan are listed in Table 1. Table 1: Approach to Marmot Basin Vegetation Management Strategy Plan 1 Plan 2 Vegetation Strategy Requirement X X the ecological parameters X X reglading and new run proposals X X consideration of impacts on sensitive species such as caribou X X identification and control of known invasive plant species X a spatial analysis of diverse, fragmented, naturally occurring areas such as those subject to frequent avalanche disturbance; vegetation management strategies and new ski terrain design should reflect these natural conditions X X identification, mapping, and management of known rare/sensitive species so that potential impacts can be avoided and monitored X public safety and avalanche control approaches for new runs and gladed areas where necessary X wildfire facility protection while maintaining a mosaic of forest class structure reflective of the historic fire regime; apply FireSmart principles X X stabilization of current erosion sites X maintaining wildlife food sources for valued ecosystem species Fenton 211, pers. comm. 1.3 Information Sources Information about the project was derived from the following sources: description of the existing and proposed developments provided by Ski Marmot Basin; rare plant and vegetation surveys at Marmot Basin conducted by Golder Associates staff in: June 26; July 28; August 21; August 211; July 212; and August 212. January 214 Report No

9 The following available documents: Marmot Basin Ski Area Site Guidelines for Development and Use (Parks Canada 28a). Marmot Basin Ski Area Site Guide Guidelines and Strategic Environmental Assessment (Parks Canada 28b). Best Management Practices for Development at Ski Areas in Banff and Jasper National Parks of Canada (Parks Canada 28c). Run Improvements and Vegetation Management Strategies- Expectations for Ski Area Long Range Plan- Draft (Parks Canada 211). Environmental Screening of Interim Snowmaking System at Marmot Basin Ski Area (Golder 24). Marmot Basin Ski Area Rare Plant Survey of Proposed Interim Snowmaking System (Golder 26a). Marmot Basin Ski Area Rare Plant Survey of Proposed and Existing Chairlifts (Golder 28). Environmental Screening of Paradise Chairlift and School House T-bar replacement at Marmot Basin Ski Area (Golder 21). Long Range Plan: Vegetation and Flora Component Marmot Basin Ski Area Jasper National Park (IRIS 1998). A Proposal to Develop a Chairlift and Ski runs on Eagle Ridge Marmot Basin Ski Area, Jasper National Park (IRIS 2). 1.4 Objectives Valued Components Ski leasehold areas may have ecological impacts on both local site and regional health of the national park. To ensure preservation of ecosystem function and sensitive areas are protected, the Marmot Basin Ski Area Site Guidelines (Parks Canada 28a) identified several valued components (VCs) of ecological integrity, based on known ecological issues related to ski area development and through consultation with resource specialists. Valued components related to vegetation at Marmot Basin are: native vegetation diversity; rare and sensitive species and communities; and historic fire regime. Vegetation communities which form habitat for several important species or species groups have also been identified as VCs. These species include: grizzly bear; woodland caribou; January 214 Report No

10 mountain goat; wolverine; lynx; and small mammals Ecological Management Parameters The Marmot Basin Ski Area Site Guidelines (Parks Canada 28a) and Forest Cover Ratio Considerations for Marmot Basin Long Range Planning (Parks Canada 213) identify ecological management parameters. All development proposals are required to demonstrate that these ecological management parameters are met for each of the identified VCs. The ecological parameters identified for vegetation are the following: 1) native species and communities dominate throughout the ski area; 2) plant communities reflect regional and local vegetation diversity; 3) glading and thinning simulate native vegetation succession and support role of fire; 4) native vegetation serves as an anchor against soil erosion; 5) rare and sensitive vegetation communities and terrain features persist; 6) habitat for rare and sensitive species is maintained; 7) the composition and structure of vegetation provide habitat for a range of native species; 8) vegetation management and facility design support the restoration of fire as a natural process; 9) construction and modification to vegetation and terrain do not alter natural flow rates or earth and rock flow features; and 1) construction, terrain modification and vegetation removal avoid saturated soils or surficial deposits where mitigation measures are unlikely to be successful. The ecological management parameters identified to address wildlife movement, habitat requirements and habituation include: the maximum run width is 5 m; the existing base area clearing is limited to the current 6 ha; additional clearings for specialized sites do not exceed 75 m in with or 3 ha in area; on either side of runs, a strip of contiguous forest at least as wide as the run remains; forested areas between runs are irregular in shape and cover a minimum of 8 ha; additional vegetation clearing below Eagle Chalet will ensure that a minimum of 65% of natural forest is retained; construction and modification of vegetation and terrain does not impair habitat important to small mammals; January 214 Report No

11 summer activities such as construction and maintenance do not displace or habituate grizzly bears; development preserves natural food sources for grizzly bears and does not create non-native sources of food that would attract them; off-piste and out-of-bounds skiing do not displace caribou from habitat important to the regional population; development does not increase access for predators or increase the density of prey in important caribou habitat in and near the leasehold; modifications to vegetation and terrain do not affect the availability of caribou lichen outside of the existing Developed Area; construction, modification to vegetation and terrain, visitor use and operational activities do not displaces goats from local habitat essential to the regional population of from travel routes essential to the regional population; and goat travel routes to the Whistlers Creek mineral lick are identified and protected. 2. SITE CHARACTERISTICS AND GENERAL PRACTICES 2.1 Overview Marmot Basin Ski Area covers 678 ha and is located on Marmot Mountain, which is on the west side of the Athabasca River valley. Portal, Basin and Whistlers creeks serve as the main drainages for Marmot Mountain and flow into the Athabasca River. Groundwater flows are provided by snowmelt and precipitation in the spring and early summer, and are observed as seeps, and depressions that act as water channels. Marmot Basin occupies a wide range of elevational and ecological gradients which results in a diversity of species, vegetation types, and plant communities across the leasehold (Holland and Coen 1982; Parks Canada 28b). The leasehold is characterized by lower subalpine, upper subalpine and alpine tundra vegetation communities: lower subalpine (1,35 m to 1,9 m) vegetation is dominated by closed coniferous forests; upper subalpine (1,9 m to 2,2 m) vegetation is dominated by open coniferous forest; and treeless alpine (above 2,2 m) is dominated by dwarf shrub, herb and lichen communities. In the lower subalpine, lodgepole pine is the dominant tree species, with a shrub understory consisting mainly of buffaloberry (IRIS 1998). The dominant tree species in the upper subalpine are Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir with smaller numbers of lodgepole pine and whitebark pine. The shrub understory consists of arctic willow, Barratt s willow, bog birch, Labrador tea and rock willow. Other understory species include heather, and moss species. Common species in the alpine include krummholz Engelmann spruce 1 and subalpine fir, yellow heather, western mountain-heather, woolly everlasting, arctic willow, mountain cinquefoil, white mountain avens, snow willow, 1 Scientific names for plant and animal species mentioned in the text are provided in Appendix A. January 214 Report No

12 moss campion, black alpine sedge and various species of saxicolous lichens. The upper subalpine is ecotonal to the alpine tundra zone by a band of stunted spruce and fir. Vegetation communities on the ski runs are modified from the surrounding forested areas. Forest clearing in the subalpine has resulted in long, parallel meadow-like strips which extend from the Caribou Chalet up to treeline. In the mid-mountain areas and above, the arctic willow-mountain cinquefoil community () is typical along the ski runs. Dominant species in this vegetation community are alpine bluegrass, arctic willow, and broad-leaved arnica. Other species are alpine gentian, alpine hair grass, alpine timothy, brook ragwort, heather species lichens, lousewort, mosses, mountain cinquefoil, partridge-foot, mountain sagewort, sedges, sibbaldia, spike trisetum and woolly everlasting (IRIS 2). Below the mid-mountain area the smooth willow-bog birch- shrubby cinquefoil (S1) community is common along the cleared ski runs. Dominant species in this vegetation community are grey-leaved willow, shrubby cinquefoil, bog birch, bearberry, hairy wildrye, yellow sweet-vetch, and wild strawberry. 2.2 Vegetation Community Type Composition and Structural Characteristics Marmot Basin vegetation communities were originally mapped as part of the 1982 Banff-Jasper Ecological Land Classification (ELC) and Biophysical Inventory (Holland and Coen 1982). These efforts were refined and verified as part of the Long Range Plan Vegetation and Flora Component: Marmot Basin Ski Area, Jasper National Park (IRIS 1998) Methods To prepare the maps used in this Strategy, the IRIS vegetation map was digitized, and laid over current airphoto imagery provided by Ecosign. Disturbance was digitized based on the airphoto imagery, or from data provided by Ecosign. The disturbance land cover type includes buildings, roads, and other project-related facilities. When necessary, polygons and disturbance were re-mapped at a 1:5, scale. Area summaries were based on this updated map. Before field programs were completed for this report, land cover maps were examined to identify any areas where land cover type classification was uncertain. Uncertainties included polygons classified as questionable by IRIS (1998) and areas on the map where polygons established by IRIS (1998) did not align with updated Ecosign air photo imagery. These polygons were either revisited during 212 field surveys to determine land cover type or were examined using airphoto imagery and classified as appropriate. Typically, vegetation types corresponded well with those delineated by Holland and Coen (1982). Disturbed, vegetated areas such as cleared ski runs, or gladed and brushed forests function as habitat for plants and animals. For the purposes of vegetation community assessment, these areas were classified according to the corresponding vegetation community type according to Holland and Coen (1982) Land Cover Types and Structural Characteristics Land cover types were classified, described and mapped for previous environmental assessments at Marmot Basin (IRIS 1998). Descriptions of these communities are provided in Appendix A. Twenty five vegetated land cover types were identified within the Marmot Basin lease area, which include 12 forested land cover types, five shrub land cover types, three low shrub-herb land cover types, and five herb-dwarf shrub land cover types that are present alone or in different complexes within the leasehold. Non-vegetated land cover classes include the January 214 Report No

13 rock and disturbance land cover classes. Distribution of land cover types at Marmot Basin is shown in Figure 3 with area summaries presented in Table 2. Open and closed canopy forests, including gladed, brushed and unmanaged stands, account for 31% (211 ha) of Marmot Basin. Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/ rock willow/ white mountain-heather/ Engelmann sprucesubalpine fir/ valerian-fleabane (/O9) complexes are the most common forested land cover types and account for 6% (approximately 42 ha) of Marmot Basin. These are found at lower elevations across within the lease area. The Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/ heather () vegetation type is also common and covers 5% or approximately 37 ha of the lease area. Shrub land cover types account for 19% (13 ha) of the lease area. The subalpine fir-willow () is the most common shrub land cover type, and accounts for 5% (36 ha) of the lease area. The low shrub-herb vegetation type accounts for 16% (18 ha) of the lease area, with the arctic willow-mountain cinquefoil () type as the most frequently encountered of this type with 5% (31 ha) coverage of the lease area. The herb-dwarf shrub land cover type is the least common type and found at higher elevations above the tree line. This land cover type covers 4% (3 ha) of the lease. The most common herb-dwarf shrub vegetation type is the saxicolous lichen/ mountain avens-snow willow-moss campion complex a (H12/H1), which covers 1% (1 ha) of the lease area. Non-vegetated cover types include rock, which covers 27% (182 ha) of Marmot Basin, and disturbed areas (e.g., buildings, roads, other facilities) which cover 3% (17 ha) of Marmot Basin. January 214 Report No

14 ³ ³ METRES SCALE 1:7, PROJECT L4 S1 C1 3 S1 O 1 S1 C1 3 S1 S1 C 24 LOW SHRUB-HERB VEGETATION C2 1 S1 427 HERB-DWARF SHRUB VEGETATION C2 1 GIS GI 14 Apr. 213 CHECK MP 27 May 214 REVIEW CM 27 May 214 FIGURE: 3a REV. 1 Sep. 212 SCALE AS SHOWN MP I:\211\ \ \Mapping\MXD\Vegetation\VMS\Fig3_MarmotBasin_Ecosites_213614_FINAL.mxd DISTURBED ROAD AND FACILITY S1 VEGETATION TYPE O9 C32 FOREST TYPES LOW SHRUB-HERB VEGETATION TYPES L4: WHITE MOUNTAIN HEATHER-WHITE MOUNTAIN AVENS-SNOW WILLOW : YELLOW HEATHER-WESTERN MOUNTAIN HEATHER-WOOLLY EVERLASTING : ARTIC WILLOW-MOUNTAIN CINQUEFOIL S1 S1 L4 C21 C32 S1 HERB-DWARF SHRUB VEGETATION TYPES H1: WHITE MOUNTAIN AVENS-SNOW WILLOW-MOSS CAMPION H2: BLACK ALPINE SEDGE-WOOLLY EVERLASTING H9: MOUNTAIN MARSH MARIGOLD-GLOBEFLOWER H12: SAXICOLOUS LICHEN H16: WANDERING DAISY-SITKA VALERIAN COLLUVIAL RUBBLE; ROCK GLACIER; ROCKLAND; TALUS S1 L4 C21 FIR/STAIR-STEP MOSS FIR/GROUSEBERRY FIR/TALL BILBERRY/LIVERWORT FIR/ROCK WILLOW/WHITE MOUNTAIN HEATHER FIR/LABRADOR TEA/CROWBERRY FIR/COMMON HORSETAIL/STAIR-STEP MOSS FIR/YELLOW HEATHER/STAIR-STEP MOSS BUILDING C21 H16 S1 S1 SHRUB VEGETATION TYPES : SUBALPINE FIR-WILLOW/SITKA VALERIAN S3: BOG BIRCH-SHRUBBY CINQUEFOIL/TUFTED BULRUSH/BROWN MOSS : WILLOW/COMMON HORSETAIL : BARRATT'S WILLOW/MOUNTAIN CINQUEFOIL S1: SMOOTH WILLOW-BOG BIRCH-SHRUBBY CINQUEFOIL TRAIL C C34 DESIGN FILE No PROJECT 2 2 PROJECT BOUNDARY CLOSED FOREST TYPES : ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE : ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE C21: ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE : ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE C3: ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE C32: ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE C34: ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE SHRUB VEGETATION ORIGINAL ECOSITE DATA OBTAINED FROM MARMOT BASIN SKI AREA FIGURE, MAPPED BY J. WILLIAMS AND DRAWN BY D. MCKOWN AND J. BUCKINGHAM, MAY ECOSITES FIELD VERIFIED AND UPDATED BY GOLDER, 212. PROJECT DATA AND IMAGE OBTAINED FROM CLIENT. DATUM: NAD83 PROJECTION: UTM ZONE 11N MARMOT BASIN VEGETATION MANAGEMENT STRATEGY c DISTRIBUTION OF LAND COVER TYPES AT MARMOT BASIN a TITLE b S1 C21 O LEGEND OPEN FOREST TYPES : ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE FIR-WHITEBARK PINE-LODGEPOLE PINE O9: ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE FIR/SITKA VALERIAN-WANDERING DAISY : ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE FIR/YELLOW HEATHERWESTERN MOUNTAIN-HEATHER 2: ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE FIR/ROCK WILLOW/ALPINE BEARBERRY 9: ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE FIR/WHITE MOUNTAIN AVENS REFERENCE

15 GIS GI 14 Apr. 213 CHECK MP 27 May 214 REVIEW CM 27 May 214 FIGURE: 3b REV. 1 Sep. 212 FILE No PROJECT S I:\211\ \ \Mapping\MXD\Vegetation\VMS\Fig3_MarmotBasin_Ecosites_213614_FINAL.mxd 425 H9 426 SCALE AS SHOWN MP C1 3 PROJECT O 1 ³ METRES SCALE 1:7, S S1 C1 3 S1 H1 H9 DESIGN REFERENCE C 24 FOREST TYPES O9 H ³ LOW SHRUB-HERB VEGETATION HERB-DWARF SHRUB VEGETATION 9 FROM ORIGINAL ECOSITE DATA OBTAINED FROM MARMOT BASIN SKI AREA FIGURE, MAPPED BY J. WILLIAMS AND DRAWN BY D. MCKOWN MAY ECOSITES FIELD VERIFIED AND UPDATED BY GOLDER, 212. PROJECT DATA AND IMAGE OBTAINED CLIENT. AND J. BUCKINGHAM, DATUM: NAD83 PROJECTION: UTM ZONE 11N DISTRIBUTION OF LAND COVER TYPES AT MARMOT BASIN H DISTURBED ROAD AND FACILITY a TITLE BUILDING HERB-DWARF SHRUB VEGETATION TYPES H1: WHITE MOUNTAIN AVENS-SNOW WILLOW-MOSS CAMPION H2: BLACK ALPINE SEDGE-WOOLLY EVERLASTING S1 S1MARSH MARIGOLD-GLOBEFLOWER H9: MOUNTAIN H12: SAXICOLOUS LICHEN H16: WANDERING DAISY-SITKA VALERIAN S1 b MARMOT BASIN VEGETATION MANAGEMENT STRATEGY LOW SHRUB-HERB VEGETATION TYPES L4: WHITE MOUNTAIN HEATHER-WHITE MOUNTAIN AVENS-SNOW WILLOW C21 : YELLOW HEATHER-WESTERN S1 MOUNTAIN HEATHER-WOOLLY EVERLASTING : ARTIC WILLOW-MOUNTAIN CINQUEFOIL c COLLUVIAL RUBBLE; ROCK GLACIER; ROCKLAND; TALUS SHRUB VEGETATION 2 VEGETATION TYPE O9 C34 C34 4 O C2 4 5 C1 1 O 9 H9 C34 O9 H1 H16 H1 H9 H9 H16 O9 O 1 H9 H1 O9 SHRUB VEGETATION TYPES : SUBALPINE FIR-WILLOW/SITKA VALERIAN S3: BOG BIRCH-SHRUBBY CINQUEFOIL/TUFTED BULRUSH/BROWN MOSS : WILLOW/COMMON HORSETAIL : BARRATT'S WILLOW/MOUNTAIN CINQUEFOIL S1: SMOOTH WILLOW-BOG BIRCH-SHRUBBY CINQUEFOIL TRAIL CLOSED FOREST TYPES : ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE FIR/STAIR-STEP MOSS : ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE FIR/GROUSEBERRY C21: ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE FIR/TALL BILBERRY/LIVERWORT : ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE FIR/ROCK WILLOW/WHITE MOUNTAIN HEATHER C3: ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE FIR/LABRADOR TEA/CROWBERRY C32: ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE FIR/COMMON HORSETAIL/STAIR-STEP MOSS C34: ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE FIR/YELLOW HEATHER/STAIR-STEP MOSS O9 O9 O9 H1 O9 O9 O9 2 PROJECT BOUNDARY H9 O9 H12 H1 O9 H9 L4 O9 H12 O9 H2 H9 H12 H2 H LEGEND H1 H2 H16 OPEN FOREST TYPES : ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE FIR-WHITEBARK PINE-LODGEPOLE PINE O9: ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE FIR/SITKA VALERIAN-WANDERING DAISY C21 : ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE FIR/YELLOW HEATHERWESTERN MOUNTAIN-HEATHER 2: ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE FIR/ROCK WILLOW/ALPINE BEARBERRY 9: ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE FIR/WHITE MOUNTAIN AVENS H12 H16 H16 L H16 9 L H16 L4 H2

16 GI 14 Apr. 213 CHECK MP 27 May 214 REVIEW CM 27 May 214 H1 ORIGINAL ECOSITE DATA OBTAINED FROM MARMOT BASIN SKI AREA FIGURE, MAPPED BY J. WILLIAMS AND DRAWN BY D. MCKOWN AND J. BUCKINGHAM, MAY ECOSITES FIELD VERIFIED FROM CLIENT. AND UPDATED BY GOLDER, 212. PROJECT DATA AND IMAGE OBTAINED DATUM: NAD83 PROJECTION: UTM ZONE 11N H1 H9 GIS H1 6 H9 H16 O9 LOW SHRUB-HERB VEGETATION H9 1 Sep. 212 REFERENCE 9 H HERB-DWARF SHRUB VEGETATION FIGURE: 3c REV. MP SCALE AS SHOWN DESIGN FILE No PROJECT O9 a PROJECT DISTRIBUTION OF LAND COVER TYPES AT MARMOT BASIN FOREST TYPES DISTURBED ROAD AND FACILITY HERB-DWARF SHRUB VEGETATION TYPES H1: WHITE MOUNTAIN AVENS-SNOW WILLOW-MOSS CAMPION H2: BLACK ALPINE SEDGE-WOOLLY EVERLASTING H9: MOUNTAIN MARSH MARIGOLD-GLOBEFLOWER H12: SAXICOLOUS LICHEN H16: WANDERING DAISY-SITKA VALERIAN TITLE b OPEN FOREST TYPES : ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE FIR-WHITEBARK O9 PINE-LODGEPOLE PINE H12 H1 O9: ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE FIR/SITKA VALERIAN-WANDERING DAISY : ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE O9 FIR/YELLOW HEATHERO9 WESTERN MOUNTAIN-HEATHER O9 O9 2: ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE FIR/ROCK WILLOW/ALPINE BEARBERRY 9: ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE FIR/WHITE MOUNTAIN AVENS c COLLUVIAL RUBBLE; ROCK GLACIER; ROCKLAND; TALUS SHRUB VEGETATION MARMOT BASIN VEGETATION MANAGEMENT STRATEGY LOW SHRUB-HERB VEGETATION TYPES L4: WHITE MOUNTAIN HEATHER-WHITE MOUNTAIN AVENS-SNOW WILLOW : YELLOW HEATHER-WESTERN MOUNTAIN HEATHER-WOOLLY EVERLASTING : ARTIC WILLOW-MOUNTAIN CINQUEFOIL H12 BUILDING 2 H12 TRAIL 425 METRES SCALE 1:7, : SUBALPINE FIR-WILLOW/SITKA VALERIAN L4 S3: BOG BIRCH-SHRUBBY CINQUEFOIL/TUFTED BULRUSH/BROWN MOSS : WILLOW/COMMON HORSETAIL CINQUEFOIL WILLOW/MOUNTAIN : BARRATT'S S1: SMOOTH WILLOW-BOG BIRCH-SHRUBBY CINQUEFOIL CLOSED FOREST TYPES : ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE FIR/STAIR-STEP MOSS O9 : ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE FIR/GROUSEBERRY C21: ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE FIR/TALL BILBERRY/LIVERWORT : ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE H9 FIR/ROCK WILLOW/WHITE MOUNTAIN HEATHER C3: ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE FIR/LABRADOR H9TEA/CROWBERRY C32: ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE FIR/COMMON HORSETAIL/STAIR-STEP MOSS O9FIR/YELLOW C34: ENGELMANN SPRUCE-SUBALPINE HEATHER/STAIR-STEP MOSS 2 VEGETATION TYPE 5851 SHRUB TYPES VEGETATION PROJECT BOUNDARY O9 O H1 H1 I:\211\ \ \Mapping\MXD\Vegetation\VMS\Fig3_MarmotBasin_Ecosites_213614_FINAL.mxd H1 H1 425 L4 H1 H12 H1 H2 ³ H2 H LEGEND L4 ³ H1 H2 H16 H1 9 L4 2 2 H12 H2 H9 H16 H16 H16 9 H16 L4 H2 L4 H H12 H1 L4 H1 H1

17 Table 2: Area Summaries by Land Cover Type Land Cover Type Vegetation Types Forest Types Closed Forest Types Land Cover Type Description Engelmann spruce- whitebark pine/ false azalea 6 1 Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/ grouseberry 14 2 /C34 Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/ grouseberry/ Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/ heather / stairstep moss 22 <1 / Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/ grouseberry/ Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/ heather 2 <1 C21 Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/tall billberry/ liverwort <1 <1 C21/ Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/tall billberry/ liverwort/ Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir-whitebark pinelodgepole pine Area [ha] Marmot Basin [%] 21 3 Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/ rock willow/ white mountain-heather 16 2 / Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/ rock willow/ white mountain-heather/ Engelmann spruce- whitebark pine/ false azalea 1 <1 / Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/ rock willow/ white mountain-heather/ arctic willow-cinquefoil 7 1 /O9 Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/ rock willow/ white mountain-heather/engelmann spruce-sublapine fir/ valerian-fleabane 42 6 C32 Engelmann spruce/ horsetail/ feather moss <1 <1 C34 Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/ heather / stairstep moss <1 <1 Open Forest Types closed forest vegetation type subtotal Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/ heather 37 5 /2 Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/ heather/ Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/ rock willow / alpine bearberry 2 <1 / Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/ heather/ Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir-whitebark pine-lodgepole pine 4 <1 / Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/ heather/ subalpine fir-willow 1 <1 / Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/ heather/ willow/cinquefoil 1 <1 9 Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/ mountain avens <1 <1 9/ Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/ mountain avens/ Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/ heather 1 <1 Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir-whitebark pine-lodgepole pine 13 2 / /C21 / Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir-whitebark pine-lodgepole pine/ Engelmann spruce- whitebark pine/ false azalea Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir-whitebark pine-lodgepole pine/ Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/tall billberry/ liverwort Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir-whitebark pine-lodgepole pine/ Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/ rock willow/ white mountain-heather <1 <1 3 <1 4 <1 / Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir-whitebark pine-lodgepole pine/ Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/ heather 21 3 / Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir-whitebark pine-lodgepole pine/ subalpine fir-willow 3 <1 / Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir-whitebark pine-lodgepole pine/ willow/cinquefoil <1 <1 O9 Engelmann spruce-sublapine fir/ valerian-fleabane 1 <1 O9/C32 Engelmann spruce-sublapine fir/ valerian-fleabane/ Engelmann spruce/ horsetail/ feather moss <1 <1 O9/ Engelmann spruce-sublapine fir/ valerian-fleabane/ Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/ heather 7 1 open forest vegetation type subtotal 1 15 Forested Types Subtotal Shrub Vegetation Types subalpine fir-willow 36 5 / subalpine fir-willow/ heather-everlasting 2 <1 January 214 Report No

18 Table 2: Area Summaries by Land Cover Type (continued) Land Cover Type Land Cover Type Description Area [ha] Marmot Basin [%] / subalpine fir-willow/ Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/ heather 43 6 /9 subalpine fir-willow/ Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir/ mountain avens 1 <1 / subalpine fir-willow/ Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir-whitebark pine-lodgepole pine 1 <1 / subalpine fir-willow/ willow/cinquefoil 2 <1 willow/horsetail 4 1 willow/cinquefoil 1 <1 /H9 willow/cinquefoil/ marsh marigold-globeflower 4 1 / willow/cinquefoil/ arctic willow-cinquefoil 3 <1 S1 willow-dwarf birch-shrubby cinquefoil 34 5 shrub vegetation type subtotal Low Shrub- Herb Vegetation Types L4 white mountain heather-mountain avens-snow willow 4 1 L4/ white mountain heather-mountain avens-snow willow/ heather-everlasting <1 <1 heather-everlasting 3 <1 /H1 heather-everlasting/ mountain avens-snow willow-moss campion 19 3 /H16 heather-everlasting/ fleabane-valerian 8 1 /L4 heather-everlasting/ white mountain heather-mountain avens-snow willow 3 <1 / heather-everlasting/ arctic willow-cinquefoil 28 4 arctic willow-cinquefoil 31 5 /S1 arctic willow-cinquefoil/ willow-dwarf birch-shrubby cinquefoil 6 1 / arctic willow-cinquefoil/ willow/cinquefoil 6 1 low shrub vegetation type subtotal Herb-Dwarf Shrub Vegetation Types H1 mountain avens-snow willow-moss campion 2 <1 H1/H16 mountain avens-snow willow-moss campion/ fleabane-valerian <1 <1 H1/H9 mountain avens-snow willow-moss campion/ marsh marigold-globeflower 3 <1 H1/ mountain avens-snow willow-moss campion/ heather-everlasting 1 <1 H12 saxicolous lichen 4 1 H12/H1 saxicolous lichen/ mountain avens-snow willow-moss campion 1 1 H16 fleabane-valerian 3 1 H16/ fleabane-valerian/ arctic willow-cinquefoil <1 <1 H2 black alpine sedge-everlasting 4 1 H2/H16 black alpine sedge-everlasting/ fleabane-valerian 1 <1 H2/H9 black alpine sedge-everlasting/ marsh marigold-globeflower 1 <1 herb-dwarf shrub vegetation type subtotal 3 4 Vegetation Types Subtotal Non-Vegetated Land Cover Types Rock Disturbances Buildings <1 <1 Disturbed Roads and Facilities 17 3 disturbance subtotal 18 3 TOTAL 68 1 Note: Some numbers are rounded for presentation purposes. Therefore, it may appear that the totals do not equal the sum of the individual values. January 214 Report No

19 Rare and Sensitive Communities Rare plant communities and sensitive plant communities may have regional or provincial significance (Parks Canada 28b). To ensure long term survival of particular species and communities, these require site protection. The Strategic Environmental Assessment (Parks Canada 28b) identified a number of particularly sensitive or rare vegetation types and species within Marmot Basin: high elevation dwarf shrub (L4, and ) and mountain avens (H1) plant communities; saxicolous lichen communities (H12); seepage and riparian communities (H16, H9 and H2); and the large sedge fen located outside the Marmot Basin leasehold to the north of the upper parking lots. High Elevation Dwarf Shrub, Mountain Avens and Saxicolous Lichen Communities Sensitive communities in the upper subalpine and alpine ecoregions include high elevation dwarf shrub (L4,, and ), mountain avens (H1), and saxicolous lichen (H12) communities (Holland and Coen 1982; Parks Canada 28a). Dwarf shrub communities are dominated by brittle, low-growing shrubs such as mountain heathers, arctic willow and herbaceous plants, and include mountain avens and saxicolous lichen communities (Holland and Coen 1983). Mountain avens communities are dominated by white mountain avens, snow willow and various herbs and grasses or sedges. Saxicolous lichen communities are dominated by low-growing herbs and lichens found generally on drier alpine areas with poorly developed soils or no soil (Parks Canada 28a). These land cover types occur on and stabilize mesic, erosion-prone soils on sloping moraine or fluvial land forms (Holland and Coen 1982; Parks Canada 28a). Dwarf-shrub communities provide important habitat for birds and small mammals, including prey species for grizzly bears. Mountain avens communities provide a key forage resource for mountain goats (Parks Canada 28b). High elevation dwarf shrub (L4, and ) communities, and complexes including these communities, account for 16% (11 ha) of Marmot Basin (Table 2). These communities are typically associated with cleared ski runs above the Eagle and Paradise chalets (e.g., Highway 16 or Milk Run), or as native communities around Knob Bowl or Knob Hill runs. The mountain avens community (H1), and complexes including this community, account for 5% (35 ha) of the leasehold. The saxicolous lichen community, and complexes including this community, account for 2% (14 ha) of the leasehold. Both the mountain avens and saxicolous lichen communities are typically located on rocky areas at high elevations within the leasehold. Riparian and Seepage Communities Riparian communities are found in transitional areas between uplands and wetlands and are influenced by fresh water. Riparian and seepage plant communities are an important component of the subalpine and alpine vegetation mosaic and are found along the channels of permanent or intermittent streams and seasonal or permanent seepages. The leasehold is typical of mountain landscapes with steep elevational gradients, varied bedrock type and groundwater chemistry across relatively short distances (Lemly and Cooper 211). In continental climate regions, deep winter snow cover accumulates at high elevation; during the spring and summer, snowmelt recharges groundwater aquifers and permanent and intermittent streams (Cooper 199; Winter et al. 1998). January 214 Report No

20 At Marmot Basin, riparian habitat is typically evident by moisture-dependent shrub and tree species. Within the leasehold, streams are often braided in the upper reaches, flowing at and below ground surface. Many of these streams are ephemeral and present only during the spring. Seepage and riparian plant communities include the H2, H9 and H16 herb-dwarf shrub communities (Parks Canada 28b). These communities are specifically adapted to moist sites, stabilize erosion-prone soils and are dominated by herbaceous plants and bryoids (Holland and Coen 1982; Parks Canada 28b). These herb-dwarf shrub communities account for 2% (17 ha) of the leasehold and are located along drainages associated with Basin Creek. Several rare plants which have been identified within the leasehold are restricted to riparian or seepage areas and include saxifrage Parry s rush and Lapland reed grass. Fen Communities Several of the streams and drainages that cross the Marmot Basin leasehold drain into a large wetland complex to the north of the upper parking lots, outside the leasehold boundary. Most of this complex is a fen that has some development of patterning or strings. These strings were composed of graminoid and shrubby species, and depressions between strings or flarks were composed of graminoid species or open water. At the north side of the fen is a round body of open water, situated on a terrace. This wetland complex is identified as a sensitive community because it could be susceptible to upstream drainage changes from activities within the ski area. Peatlands are wetlands that have an accumulation of organic matter or peat that is at least 4 cm thick. The thick layer of peat characteristic of peatlands attenuates precipitation and flooding events. Water flow through peatlands is generally slower than in other wetland types (Clarke and Rieley 21). In the mountains, peatlands, including fens, form in valleys, in basins, or on slopes, and are typically supported by groundwater input (Lemly and Cooper 211). Because of the variation in chemical content and landform, the diversity of plants within Rocky Mountain peatlands is highly variable. These areas are of particular importance within the region, because they contribute substantially to regional biodiversity of both plants and animals (Chadde et al. 1998). Fens are a type of peatland which are characterized by mineral-rich groundwater or surface water. Fens function as regionally important refugia for rare plant and animal species that are otherwise limited to colder environments in boreal and arctic regions (Cooper 1996). This fen complex was surveyed during 211 surveys. The fen was dominated by graminoids; however, because of the late timing of the survey many species could not be determined. The dominant graminoid was cotton grass. Other graminoid species in the wetland included water sedge, bog sedge, narrow-leaf cotton grass and slender-stemmed rush. Dwarf birch was found in low density on the strings and along the edge of the fen. Aster species, including wandering daisy, and other forbs such as sticky false asphodel were observed across the fen. Hummock communities included Warnstorf s peat moss, rusty peat moss, small bog cranberry, glossy bog-laurel and mountain cranberry. Buckbean and graminoids were found in the open water, and tall white rein-orchid was found in surrounding areas. Rare or listed vascular plant species were not observed within this wetland complex. Three lichen species that are unranked by Alberta Conservation Information Management System (ACIMS 212a), Buellia chloroleuca, Rinodina degeliana, and Xylographa soralifera and one ACIMS tracked lichen Micarea prasina were collected in the fen area. January 214 Report No

21 Cleared Areas below Eagle and Paradise Chalets The Site Guidelines and Strategic Environmental Assessment recognize that vegetation composition and structure will change over time with ski area development and restoration initiatives. These two documents establish expectations for retention of forest cover as one of the ecological management parameters intended to ensure that native vegetation diversity persists within a range of variability and to mimic structural patterns found in undeveloped areas outside the leasehold. The application of these ecological management parameters will allow the areas within the leasehold to continue to function as habitat for plants and animals with a specific focus on small mammal habitat. Sections and detail specific ecological management parameters to ensure habitat for small mammals within the existing Developed Area. In addition to preserving small mammal habitat, these criteria meet ski industry guidelines for run and terrain design that are intended to account for visitor comfort, aesthetics, varied skier skill levels, safety and general environmental concerns such as windthrow (Parks Canada 213). The existing Developed Area is defined as the area modified for skiing or other uses within the leasehold through construction of physical works, or through clearing/removal of trees and other vegetation, landscaping, terrain modification or other activity associated with ski area operation. It includes ski runs, lift lines, parking areas, commercial buildings, operational buildings and forested areas between ski runs (Parks Canada 28a) (Figure 4). The percentage of vegetation clearing within the existing Developed Area was calculated as the proportion of disturbed (i.e., developed) areas including facilities, roads, and non-forested (cleared) ski runs to the existing Developed Area below the chalets (1,98 m) (Table 3). Cleared ski runs and project related disturbance accounts for 72 ha, or 54% of the areas below the chalets, and forested cover types account for 61 ha, or 46% of this area (Figure 4). Ski Marmot Basin and Parks Canada, recognise that achievement of a 65% forested / 35% unforested areas ratio in the existing Developed Area below 198 m is beyond the scope of the first long range plan, and may not be realistically achievable in the long term (Parks Canada 213). However, it was determined that Ski Marmot Basin should ensure that long term conditions within the existing Developed Area are not worse for natural forest/vegetation cover than 28 baseline conditions, and to further demonstrate a net improvement (Parks Canada 213). Furthermore, Parks Canada and Ski Marmot Basin will work together to establish realistic expectations for forest cover and related ecological management parameters for the expanded land base, particularly in respect to run width and clearing size parameters. The circumstances for the second Long-Range Plan include an expected increase in the Developed area and available ski terrain. Ratio calculations for natural forest cover will become more favourable with the addition of forested lands associated with the negotiated issuance of a 6 ha License of Occupation to accommodate Nordic skiing and a teaching area. The existing Developed Area within the leasehold would be enlarged, also, in association with those activities in the new License of Occupation. Parks Canada and Ski Marmot Basin will work together to establish realistic expectations for forest cover and related ecological management parameters for the expanded land base, particularly in respect to run width and clearing size parameters (see Section 1.4.2). January 214 Report No