Operational Statement
Bridge Maintenance

Version 3.0 (PDF)

Bridge maintenance is undertaken to extend the life of the structure and to ensure that it functions as designed, thus ensuring public safety. This Operational Statement applies only to: deck sweeping and washing to remove traction material (e.g., sand and salt residue), cleaning of all bridge components (substructure, superstructure and deck), the removal and application of protective coatings, deck wearing surface replacement, the removal of debris to protect piers and abutments, and structural repairs involving no instream work. Note any instream work involving rock armouring of the bridge structure or channel should be referred to the local DFO office for advice on appropriate mitigations to avoid potential negative impacts to fish and fish habitat.

Bridge maintenance activities have the potential to negatively impact fish and fish habitat by introducing sand, sediments, deck surface materials such as concrete and asphalt, and other deleterious substances (e.g., salt, paint, solvents, oil and grease) into watercourses. Removal of woody debris and riparian vegetation may alter natural habitat features and flows that exist in the watercourse. Operation of machinery may impact habitat on the banks and bed, and result in erosion and sedimentation. Placement of rock to stabilize structures may alter natural habitat and flows, and block fish passage.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is responsible for protecting fish and fish habitat across Canada. Under the Fisheries Act no one may carry out a work or undertaking that will cause the harmful alteration, disruption or destruction (HADD) of fish habitat unless it has been authorized by DFO. By following the conditions and measures set out below you will be in compliance with subsection 35(1) of the Fisheries Act.

The purpose of this Operational Statement is to describe the conditions under which it is applicable to your project and the measures to incorporate into your project in order to avoid negative impacts to fish habitat. You may proceed with your bridge maintenance project without a DFO review when you meet the following conditions:

• the work does not include realigning the watercourse or replacing the existing bridge,
• the work does not involve instream works, dredging, placing fill (e.g., filling scour pools) or excavating the bed or bank of the watercourse,
• explosives are not used to remove debris,
• the withdrawal of any water will not result in reduction in the wetted width of a stream, and will not exceed 10% of the instantaneous flow, in order to maintain existing fish habitat, and
• you incorporate the "Measures to Protect Fish and Fish Habitat when Maintaining a Bridge" listed below in this Operational Statement.

If you cannot meet all of the conditions listed above and cannot incorporate all of the measures listed below then your project may result in a violation of subsection 35(1) of the Fisheries Act and you could be subject to enforcement action. In this case, you should contact the DFO office in your area if you wish to obtain DFO’s opinion on the possible options you should consider to avoid contravention of the Fisheries Act.

You are required to comply with all municipal, provincial, territorial and/or federal legislation that applies to the work being carried out in relation to this Operational Statement. In British Columbia, please contact the Water Stewardship Division, Ministry of Environment for information on the Provincial Water Regulation notification requirements when planning to conduct public beach maintenance in or around BC waters.

The activities undertaken in this Operational Statement must also comply with the Species at Risk Act. For general information on aquatic SARA species visit the following web site: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/regions/Pac/pacific-index-eng.htm and/or contact DFO by email at: SARA@pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

If you have questions regarding this Operational Statement, please refer to the list of Frequently Asked Questions or contact DFO Regional Headquarters at 1-866-845-6776.

Please notify DFO 10 working days before starting your work by filling out and sending the Pacific Region Operational Statement notification form directly to DFO Regional Headquarters. This information is requested in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the work carried out in relation to this Operational Statement. It is recommended that you keep a copy of the Operational Statement at the work site to demonstrate to Habitat and Fishery Officer staff that the conditions and measures, as outlined in the OS, are being followed.

 Area of Application

This Operational Statement applies to the province of British Columbia and Yukon Territory freshwater systems only.

Measures to Protect Fish and Fish Habitat when Maintaining a Bridge

1. Deck Sweeping
   
   1.1. Adequately seal drains and open joints before sweeping to prevent material from falling into the watercourse.
   
   1.2. Clean and remove debris and sediment from drainage devices and dispose of the material in a way that will prevent it from entering the watercourse.
2. Deck Washing
   
   2.1. Sweep decks, including curbs, sidewalks, medians and drainage devices to remove as much material as practical before washing.
   
   2.2. Adequately seal drains and open joints before washing to prevent sediment-laden wash-water from entering the watercourse.
   
   2.3. Direct wash-water past the ends of the bridge deck to a vegetated area to remove suspended solids, dissipate velocity and prevent sediment and other deleterious substances from entering the watercourse. If this cannot be achieved, use silt fences or other sediment and erosion control measures to prevent wash-water from entering the watercourse.
   
   2.4. When extracting water from a watercourse, ensure the intakes of pumping hoses are equipped with an appropriate device to avoid entraining and impinging fish. Guidelines to determine the appropriate mesh size for intake screens may be obtained from DFO (Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guidelines (1995), available at www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/223669.pdf).
   
   2.5. Where possible, avoid using small streams as a source for water.
3. Removal and Application of Protective Coatings
   
   3.1. Remove paint or protective coatings in a manner that prevents any paints, paint flakes, primers, blasting abrasives, rust, solvents, degreasers or other waste material from entering the watercourse.
   
   3.2. Use measures such as barges or shrouding to trap and prevent blasting abrasives, protective coatings, rust and grease from entering the watercourse.
   
   3.3. Contain paint flakes, abrasives, and other waste materials for safe disposal.
   
   3.4. Store, mix and transfer paints and solvents on land and not on the bridge to prevent these materials from entering the watercourse in the event of a spill.
   
   3.5. Do not clean equipment in the watercourse or where the wash-water can enter the watercourse.
4. Removal of Debris (e.g., including woody debris, garbage, etc.)
   
   4.1. Unless the debris accumulation is an immediate threat to the integrity of the piers and abutments, time debris removal to avoid disruption to sensitive fish life stages by adhering to appropriate fisheries timing windows.
   
   4.2. Limit the removal of material to that which is necessary to protect piers and abutments.
   
   4.3. Remove debris by hand or with machinery operating from shore or a floating barge.
5. Structural Repairs and Reinforcements
   
   5.1. Use barges or shrouding to trap and prevent concrete and other bridge materials from entering the watercourse.
   
   5.2. If minor replacement rock reinforcement/armouring is required to stabilize eroding areas around the immediate area of existing bridge structures (e.g., abutments and/or wing walls), the following measures should be incorporated:
   
   5.2.1. Place appropriately-sized, clean rocks into the eroding area.
   
   5.2.2. Do not obtain rocks from below the high water mark (HWM) of any water body.
   
   5.2.3. Avoid the use of rock that is acid-generating. Also avoid the use of rock that fractures and breaks down quickly when exposed to the elements.
   
   5.2.4. Install rock at a similar slope to maintain a uniform stream bank and natural stream alignment.
   
   5.2.5. Ensure rock does not interfere with fish passage or constrict the channel width.
6. If working from land, install effective sediment and erosion control measures before starting work to prevent the entry of sediment into the watercourse. Inspect them regularly during the course of construction and make all necessary repairs if any damage occurs.
7. While this Operational Statement does not cover the clearing of riparian vegetation, the removal of select plants may be required. This removal should be kept to a minimum and limited to the right-of-way of the bridge.
8. Operate machinery on land (above the HWM) or on the water (i.e., from a barge or vessel) in a manner that minimizes disturbance to the banks or bed of the watercourse.
   
   8.1. Machinery is to arrive on site in a clean condition and is to be maintained free of fluid leaks, invasive species and noxious weeds.
   
   8.2. Wash, refuel and service machinery and store fuel and other materials for the machinery away from the water to prevent any deleterious substance from entering the water.
   
   8.3. Keep an emergency spill kit on site in case of fluid leaks or spills from machinery.
   
   8.4. Restore banks to original condition if any disturbance occurs.
9. Stabilize any waste materials removed from the work site to prevent them from entering the watercourse. This could include covering spoil piles with biodegradable mats or tarps or planting them with grass or shrubs.
10. Vegetate any disturbed areas by planting and seeding with native trees, shrubs or grasses and cover such areas with mulch to prevent erosion and to help seeds germinate. All seeding and/or planting trees should follow the DFO guidance on Riparian Revegetation. If there is insufficient time remaining in the growing season, the site should be stabilized (e.g., cover exposed areas with erosion control blankets to keep the soil in place and prevent erosion) and vegetated the following spring.
    
    10.1. Maintain effective sediment and erosion control measures until re-vegetation of disturbed areas is achieved.