Terms of Reference
Monitoring protocol to assess primary productivity baseline conditions in the Romaine River marine and estuarine environment
Regional Science Special Response Process – Quebec Region
February 22, 2013
Mont-Joli, Quebec
Chairperson: Charley Cyr
Context
In compliance with its undertakings and the conditions set out in the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) authorization, Hydro-Québec developed an environmental monitoring program (January 2010) to assess the impact of hydroelectric facilities on the Romaine River. In 2013, the physical and biological oceanographic monitoring program includes a physical characterization of the area around the river mouth in relation to various biological components. These include conducting an assessment of the plankton production baseline conditions in the area around the mouth of the Rivière Romaine.
The Fish Habitat Management Branch (FHMB) conducted a detailed analysis of the proponent's proposed monitoring protocol for this component and on February 15, 2013, requested the collaboration of Regional Science Branch scientists to provide advice on the monitoring protocol for the Rivière Romaine's marine and estuarine environment on Quebec's North Shore.
Objectives
Provide scientific advice on the proponent's proposed monitoring protocol and, more specifically, provide a recommendation on the sample size and the methods used to meet the monitoring requirement under condition 5.1.18 of the Programme de suivi environnemental du Complexe de la Romaine [La Romaine complex environmental monitoring program]:
Plankton production in the Mingan Channel
- 5.1.18. The applicant (i.e. Hydro-Québec) must implement a monitoring mechanism subject to approval by DFO to validate the three-dimensional numerical model used to assess the impact on plankton production. More specifically, the applicant must:
- 5.1.18.1. Present the monitoring program to DFO no later than one year after the authorization has been issued.
- 5.1.18.2. Monitor the temperature, salinity, nutrient salts and chlorophyll in the area around the river mouth and the Mingan Channel one year before filling the Romaine-2 reservoir and subsequently over a minimum period of 5 years (1, 3 and 5 years after the Romaine-2 generating station has become operational).
- 5.1.18.3. Present to DFO a full written report, including the relevant data, photographs and documents. This report must be submitted no later than 6 months after each evaluation. Depending on the results, DFO may require that the monitoring program be modified.
- 5.1.18.1. Present the monitoring program to DFO no later than one year after the authorization has been issued.
Expected publications
- Science Response
Participants
- DFO Regional Science Branch
Notice
Participation to CSAS peer review meetings is by invitation only.
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