Terms of Reference

Science review of standardized data collection methods in support of municipal drain classification sampling protocol

Regional Peer Review Meeting – Central and Arctic Region

July 11, 2013
Burlington, Ontario and via WebEx

Chairperson: Lynn Bouvier

Context

Agricultural drains in Ontario have been classified based on temperature, flow (permanent vs. intermittent), fish species present, and time since last drain clean out. Currently, maintenance works on three drain types require a site specific review by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) including: Types D and E drains which contain sensitive fish species and those watercourses that have Species at Risk present and/or mapped critical habitat, (includes fishes and/or mussels that are Threatened or Endangered). These three drain types are more sensitive to drain maintenance works, which typically involves dredging the bottom of the drain and removing excess sediment. Drain types D and E are classified based on temperature and fish data that has been collected in the field. Species at Risk and critical habitat presence is determined using the Species at Risk Maps.

The list of sensitive species included in the database to drive this criterion is being revised. DFO Science has been asked to review the methods used to create the sensitive fish species list to ensure that the approach is scientifically sound, and to review the resulting list of sensitive species to ensure that no sensitive species have been omitted and non-sensitive species are not included.

In addition, a draft sampling protocol outlining for municipal drain classification has been created, which outlines sampling methods that should be used to ensure that the fish assemblage is properly sampled to detect sensitive species and, ultimately, that drains are classified properly. DFO Science has also been asked to review this sampling protocol to ensure it is scientifically sound.

Objectives

The objectives of this meeting are to:

1. Review the proposed criteria that will be used to determine sensitive fish species.
2. Review the resulting list of sensitive species for any omission or inappropriate inclusions.
3. Review the draft document titled “Sampling Protocol for Municipal Drain Classification”.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings
• Research document

Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Science, Species at Risk, Fisheries Protection Program)
• Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
• Conservation Authorities
• Royal Ontario Museum
• Other invited experts