Mactaquac aquatic ecosystem study: Environmental science in support of the Mactaquac Dam renewal project

该提案概述了将与 NB Power (NBP) 合作开展的圣约翰河生态系统研究，以支持即将到来的针对已达到使用寿命的老化 Mactaquac 大坝的环境影响评估 (EIA)。 所产生的科学知识将支持重建或拆除大坝的待决决定，这将是迄今为止最大的计划拆除大坝。 该综合研究计划将启动一项长期的麦克塔夸克水生生态系统研究（MAES），旨在探索对该河流及其水库的潜在影响。 该研究将描述河流生态系统的结构和功能，也称为其产品（例如动物和植物）和服务（例如水质）。 这些信息将用于探索拟议操作的潜在后果，即更换或拆除大坝的环境挑战和机遇是什么。 我们将建立基线环境条件，制定适当的环境监测指数，并预测控制河流未来栖息地的流量、沉积物和温度状况。 该研究还描述了大坝重建对濒危物种、鱼类通道以及流量管理以保护河流生态系统的商品和服务的影响。 对如此规模的生态系统的有计划的操纵构成了有史以来最大的淡水研究和实验之一。 MAES 是 NBP 对研发的一项投资，旨在在不断变化的绿色经济世界中维持其水电业务模式。 这种伙伴关系承认生态系统产品和服务的新兴经济意义，因此是加拿大的一个先例案例研究。 MAES 将创建一个方法和方法模板，以促进将水生生态系统科学纳入加拿大未来水电项目的明智决策和管理，并为河流恢复贡献重要的新知识。 MAES 所解决的挑战和得出的环境科学解决方案将成为加拿大和世界各地环境影响评估未来的里程碑式成就。

This proposal outlines research on the Saint John River ecosystem to be conducted in partnership with NB Power (NBP) in support of an upcoming environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the aging Mactaquac Dam which has reached the end of its service life. The scientific knowledge generated will support a pending decision to either rebuild or remove the dam, which would be the largest planned dam removal to date. This integrated research program will initiate a long-term Mactaquac Aquatic Ecosystem Study (MAES) designed to explore the potential consequences for the river and its reservoir. The study will describe the river ecosystem's structure and function also known as its goods, e.g., its animals and plants, and services, e.g., water quality. This information will be used to explore the potential consequences of the proposed manipulations, i.e., what are the environmental challenges and opportunities for either replacing or removing the dam. We will establish baseline environmental conditions, develop appropriate indices for environmental monitoring, and predict the flow, sediment, and temperature regimes which control future habitats in the river. The research also describes the consequences of dam rebuilding for species at risk, fish passage, and managing flows to protect the river ecosystem's goods and services. The planned manipulation of an ecosystem at this scale constitutes one of the largest freshwater studies and experiments ever attempted. The MAES is an investment by NBP in the research and development required to sustain its hydropower business model in a changing world of greening economies. This partnership acknowledges the emerging economic significance of ecosystem goods and services and is thus a precedent-setting case study for Canada. The MAES will create a template of approaches and methods that will facilitate the incorporation of aquatic ecosystem science into informed decision-making and management for future hydropower projects across Canada as well as contributing important new knowledge for river restoration. The challenges addressed and environmental sciences solutions derived from the MAES will be a landmark achievement for the future of EIAs in Canada and around the world.