Glossary

For more definitions relevant to the Project Review Process, please refer to this page.

Within the context of the Pathways of Effects diagrams, activities represent the component parts, or building blocks of development proposals.

Includes parts of fish, shellfish, crustaceans, marine animals and any parts of shellfish, crustaceans or marine animals, and the eggs, sperm, larvae, spat and juvenile stages of fish, shellfish, crustaceans and marine animals.

"Spawning grounds and nursery, rearing, food supply and migration areas on which fish depend directly or indirectly in order to carry out their life processes." (Fisheries Act, sec. 34(l)).

For the purposes of the Review Process, defined as any detrimental change in fish and/or fish habitat.

Any change in fish habitat that reduces its capacity to support one or more life processes of fish.

The coastal zone measuring from the lowest to the highest tide mark; subject to alternating periods of flooding and drying.

Pertaining to the sea.

A working principle by which the department strives to balance unavoidable habitat losses with habitat replacement on a project-by-project basis so that further reductions to Canada's fisheries resources due to habitat loss or damage may be prevented.

An applied scientist or technologist specializing in a relevant applied science or technology who, through demonstrated suitable education, experience, accreditation and knowledge relevant to the particular matter, may be reasonably relied on to provide advice within their area of expertise, and who, in British Columbia is registered with their appropriate professional organization, and acting under that association's Code of Ethics and subject to disciplinary action by that association.

Vegetated areas adjacent to a watercourse or water body that directly contribute to fish habitat by providing shade, cover and food production areas. Riparian areas are important because they stabilize stream banks and shorelines. To minimize disturbance to fish habitat and prevent bank erosion, it is important to retain as much riparian vegetation as possible, especially the vegetation directly adjacent to the watercourse or water body.

An extirpated, endangered or threatened species or a species of special concern.

For the purposes of the Review Process, defined to include all permanently wetted areas such as oceans, rivers, streams and lakes, as well as intermittently wetted features such as intertidal areas, floodplains or seasonally wetted channels or wetlands.

For the purposes of the Project Review Process, for impacts to downstream water quality and quantity consider whether your proposed activity will alter surface or groundwater flows, or involve exposure of soils to erosion and sediment release to nearby streams (e.g. urban development and stormwater management)

For more definitions relevant to the Project Review Process, please refer to this page.