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Home My WebLink AboutPSD-043-10Clarin~gton Leading the Way REPORT PLANNING SERVICES Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Date: March 29, 2010 Resolution #: ~ ~R ~~~~ ~0 By-law #: NIA Report #: PSD-043-10 File #: PLN 17.13.10; PLN 17.13.11, PLN 17.13.12 and PLN 17.13.13 Subject: GANARASKA REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY WATERSHED PLANS FOR WILMOT CREEK, GRAHAM CREEK, GANARASKA RIVER, AND LOVEKIN, BOUCHETTE POINT, AND PORT GRANBY CREEKS RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report PSD-043-10 be received; 2. THAT the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority be thanked and commended for its work in preparing the Watershed Plans for Wilmot Creek, Graham Creek, the Ganaraska River, and Lovekin, Bouchette Point and Port Granby Creeks; 3. THAT the four Watershed Plans be received and referred to Staff for consideration during the Official Plan Review process; 4. THAT all interested parties listed in Report PSD-043-10 and any delegations be advised of Council's decision. Reviewed b ~ Submitted by: !i Y~ - ay Langmai FSCLA, MCIP A ing Director of Planning Services Franklin Wu, Chief Administrative Officer JAS*FL*sn*ah March 18, 2010 CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T (905)623-3379 F (905)623-0830 REPORT NO.: PSD-043-10 PAGE 2 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 In recent years, planners, decision makers and the public have developed a deeper understanding of the cumulative negative impact that ouruse of the land has on the natural environment that sustains us. This has required a fundamental shift from a focus on protecting individual natural features to protecting the entire natural heritage system and its vital ecological functions. In turn, this has resulted in an increased emphasis on incorporating consideration of the natural heritage system into all aspects of land use planning, from official plan policies through to zoning and site plan and subdivision approvals. 1.2 Watershed planning is currently recognized as one of the most effective mechanisms for the protection, management and enhancement of the natural environment. It uses a holistic approach to managing all aspects of a watershed's natural heritage system, including hydrological resources (groundwater and surface water), terrestrial resources (wildlife habitat and habitat connectivity), aquatic resources and habitat (e.g. fish, streams, wetlands), and the inter-relationships that exist between these resources. Watershed plans are also locally based and therefore reflect, and are responsive to, the unique conditions including human land use,that exist within each watershed. 1.3 Both the Durham Region and the Clarington Official Plans include policies that recognize the importance of watershed planning to the protection and wise management of natural heritage resources, and support the preparation of multi- stakeholderwatershed planning studies. The Regional Official Plan, as well as area municipal official plans, require the inclusion of appropriate policies to implement individual watershed plans. 1.4 In 2002, the provincial government, through the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, directed every upper-tier and single-tier municipality to prepare watershed plans for every watershed whose streams originate on the Moraine. In response to this legislative requirement, the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority (GRCA), in partnership with the Region of Durham, the Municipality of Clarington and other watershed municipalities, has coordinated the preparation of watershed plans for Wilmot Creek, Graham Creek, and the Ganaraska River. In order to provide complete watershed coverage in Clarington, GRCA also prepared a joint watershed plan for three smaller watersheds (Lovekin Creek, Bouchette Point Creek, and Port Granby Creek) that arise south of the Oak Ridges Moraine on the Lake Iroquois Plain (see Attachment 1). 2.0 WATERSHED PLANNING PROCESS 2.1 The process for preparing a watershed plan involves eight steps, as follows: Step 1: Scoping Step 2: Characterization of the watershed system Step 3: Setting goals, objectives and working targets Step 4: Developing management alternatives Step 5: Evaluating management alternatives REPORT NO.: PSD-043-10 PAGE 3 Step 6: Selecting preferred management alternatives Step 7: .Finalizing targets Step 8: Developing implementation and monitoring plans. 2.2 Step 1 (Scoping) involves choosing a study area, identifying issues of concern and information gaps, and creating a Terms of Reference for the study. Step 2 (Characterization of the Watershed) entails defining the historical and current conditions of the study area (i.e. the watershed). GRCA completed the Scoping exercise and the ABC (Abiotic, Biotic and Cultural) Background Reports for each of the four subject watersheds in 2009. These background reports contain the scientific information and local knowledge necessary for the preparation of the actual Watershed Plans (Steps 3 to 8 of the process). 2.3 A successful watershed planning process is, by necessity, a cooperative process that involves a variety of governmental and non-governmental stakeholders. A Technical Review Committee was created to provide technical assistance to Conservation Authority staff in the preparation of the various watershed plans. Members on this Committee included Clarington Planning staff, Durham Region Planning staff, the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the provincial Ministries of the Environment and Agriculture, and Food and Rural Affairs among others. 2.4 Community Advisory Committees were also formed, with membership drawn from interested members of the local community. The role of these committees was to promote awareness of the watershed planning process, to solicit broader public input on issues within each watershed, and to comment on the recommended goals, objectives and management actions in the watershed plans. Opportunities for public and stakeholder input on the watershed studies occurred during 2009, including public open houses in Orono, Newcastle Village and Port Hope. 3.0 OVERVIEW OF THE WATERSHED PLANS 3.1 The Watershed Plans divide the watersheds into eight separate components to facilitate the presentation of information and the discussion of issues, as follows: • Groundwater quantity • Surface water quantity • Groundwater quality • Surface water quality • Aquatic habitat and species • Terrestrial natural heritage • Public health and well-being • Community heritage. REPORT NO.: PSD-043-10 PAGE 4 3.2 Issues/Opportunities. Goals. Obiectives and Management Actions 3.2.1 The discussion of each watershed component was, in turn, divided into a number of sub-categories, as discussed below. 3.2.2 Issues and Opportunities -These are current or future activities and conditions that currently or could negatively impact the watershed. For example, an issue identified with respect to Surface Water Quantity relates to the need to better understand natural flow variations in the various watercourses in the watersheds. 3.2.3 Goal.- A goal statement was created for each watershed component to identify a desired outcome to be achieved through the implementation of the watershed plan. For example, the goal for Surtace Water is "Maintain and improve the hydrologic function of the watershed". 3.2.4 Objectives -Objectives were created for each goal statement in order to facilitate and achieve the desired goal for the watershed component. All issues and opportunities identified in the Watershed Plan are addressed by the Objective statements. For example, one of the objectives for Surface Water Quantity is "Maintain and enhance the water balance and baseflow'". 3.2.5 Management Actions -Activities that need to occur were identified under each Objective in order to achieve the goal of each watershed component. Management actions are defined in four categories: Regulations and Planning, Stewardship, Education and Awareness, and Land Acquisition. Monitoring and Reporting are also listed as proposed management actions to assist in understanding how the implementation of the recommendations in the Watershed Plans is influencing the watersheds. The management actions most relevant to the Municipality are those listed under Regulations and Planning, which are primarily policies intended to be incorporated into municipal, Conservation Authority and .other agency planning and regulations documentation. To a lesser extent, some of the management actions listed under Stewardship are also applicable to the Municipality -for example, encouraging the adoption of urban land uses that increase groundwater recharge. As well, the Municipality is involved with and supports the Clean Water Healthy Land Financial Assistance Program, and GRCA's stewardship program. 3.2.6 For the most part, the same Goals, Objectives and Management Actions have been identified in each Watershed Plan. These are summarized on Attachment 2 to this report. REPORT NO.: PSD-043-10 4.0 CONCLUSION PAGE 5 4.1 The preparation of a Watershed Plan is only the first step in the ongoing process of managing and protecting the resources and ecological functions of a watershed. In order to be effective in achieving its stated goals and objectives, the management actions recommended by the Watershed Plans need to be implemented by the various stakeholders to the watershed planning process, including the Municipality of Clarington. As well as provincial legislation, the policies in the Durham Region Official Plan require the Municipality to incorporate appropriate policies into our Official Plan in order to implement watershed plans. 4.2 It is therefore appropriate that the Watershed Plans for Wilmot Creek, Graham Creek, Ganaraska River, and Lovekin, Bouchette Point and Port Granby Creeks be referred to Staff for detailed consideration through the ongoing Clarington Official Plan review process. Staff Contact: Janice Szwarz Attachments: Attachment 1 - Map of Ganaraska Watersheds in Clarington Attachment 2 - Overview of Watershed Goals, Objectives and Management Actions List of interested parties to be advised of Council's decision: Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority The Municipality of Port Hope The County of Northumberland Durham Region Planning Department Attachment 1 To Report PSD-043-10 w ~I ~ k ~- Z O ~ ~" ~ A.. S z x x. W ~ K ~~~~ NI~N ~~ ~~NµHi ~,. C ' ~ w O ~ ~` d~ ~ ff H aW, 2 o a~~ ~ Z W a R. ~ [.... W Y O ~ ?, 4~ ~ a V z CG ff ~C ~ / V Y h ~ o .. Z ~ Q 1' ~_/ li a ~ Z a Y m x Z u °~ ~~ Z ~IIW a W Q y ~}NN"I~`NfF~f~~ W S Z W i{~iflyiiH~ iv~ v O a u LL~Nii// ~~~~„Y~~y~' {~NM~°" ~ ~H a m ~~~jjN ~ . ~ ~ W W u Q w O o_ J Z i ~ ~' ~ Y ~' ~l C7 ~ z W W A. U ~ ~ ~ ~ U ~ 3 Y t ~ N Q CC 4 Z y (Q v ~AHiN ~" ~~ ~ Attachment2 To Report PSD-043-10 WILMOT CREEK, GRAHAM CREEK, GANARASKA RIVER, AND LOVEKIN, BOUCHETTE POINT AND PORT GRANBY CREEKS WATERSHED PLANS GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND MANAGEMENT ACTIONS GOAL 1.0 GROUNDWATER QUANTITY PROTECT AND ENHANCE GROUNDWATER QUANTITY FOR HUMAN USE AND ECOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS '.Objective,! Maintain,or enhance groundwater recharge and discharge for 1.1 human use and ecological functions Regulations Map groundwater features and Identify groundwater features not yet known Planning Restrict development within and in proximity to groundwater features Protect groundwater recharge rates Implement future policies recommended within the Source Protection Plan created under the Clean Water Act Set urban infiltration targets Support for current plan review mechanisms Stewardship Increase natural cover in and adjacent to groundwater features Use the natural heritage system as the primary means of protecting groundwater features Enhance and protect groundwater features through best management practices Encourage the adoption of urban land uses that increase groundwater recharge Objective Manage and avoid actions that negatively affect aquifers (artesian, `' 1,2 sha low and deep) and' changes in grouhdwater flow Regulations Minimize groundwater flow alteration and Planning Minimize and manage artesian and flowing wells Objective Ensure sustainable rates of groundwater use 1.3 Regulations Restrict development needing a Permit to Take Water in groundwater and features Planning Restrict development needing a Permit to Take Water in wellhead protection areas Restrict consumptive water takings GOAL 2.0 SURFACE WATER QUANTITY MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THE HYDROLOGIC FUNCTION OF THE WATERSHED Objective ?.1 Maintain antl'enhance-;the wateY balartce and basefltlw ~~ Regulations Map features contributing to natural flows in creeks and Planning Identify features not yet known that contribute to natural flows in creeks Restrict development within and in proximity to features contributing to natural stream flows Limit cumulative hard surfaces within the watershed Development setbacks from watercourses Restrict development needing a Permit to Take Water in features contributing to natural flows Restrict consumptive water takings. Require urban stormwater best management practices Limit online ponds and impoundment structures Limit site alterations Direct hydropower infrastructure Support for existing legislation, review mechanisms, and existing program implementation Stewardship Increase natural vegetation using the natural heritage system throughout the watershed, in groundwater recharge areas and to compensate for changes in imperviousness Increase riparian buffers to reduce variability of overland runoff Increase water infiltration, storage and use on individual lots Restore, enhance and protect wetlands Carry out an urban stewardship program to address altered flows caused from stormwater management Increase channel stability using bioengineering in urbanized areas to mitigate erosion caused from altered flows Objective Maintain and improvethe level of protection of residents; and 2.2 existing antl proposed development from flooding hazards Regulations Limit cumulative hard surfaces within the watershed and Limit online ponds and impoundment structures Planning stormwater quantity control Support for existing policies and programs Recommendation for a flood recovery program Stewardship Manage or decommission online ponds to ensure they do not pose a flood hazard risk Implement revegetation to attenuate flood flows (eg. riparian plantings, grass swales and waterways) GOAL 3.0 GROUNDWATER QUALITY PROTECT GROUNDWATER QUALITY TO ENSURE SAFE DRINKING WATER SUPPLIES AND TO PROTECT ECOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS Objective Protect and enhance`the quality df grouhdwater,by addressing . 3.1 existing pathways and contaminant sources Regulations Ensure wells or boreholes are properly abandoned or maintained and Require private sewage system upgrades during redevelopment Planning Recommend a septic re-inspection program Implement future policies recommended within the Source Protection Plan Objective Manage the quality of groundwater through the'!implementatjon of 3.2 best management practices thrpughowt the watershed Regulations Map highly vulnerable aquifers and wellhead protection areas (where and applicable) Planning Identify areas not yet known that are vulnerable to groundwater contamination Restrict development in highly vulnerable aquifers Implement future policies recommended within the Source Protection Plan Support for existing legislation Stewardship Encourage best management practices within highly vulnerable aquifers and significant groundwater recharge areas GOAL 4.0 SURFACE WATER QUALITY PROTECT AND IMPROVE SURFACE WATER Objective Manage and: enhance rural water quality 4.1 Regulations Set development back from watercourses and "Enhanced" level stormwater quality controls Planning Retrofit existing stormwater control structures Implement municipal salt management plans Support for existing legislation and new and existing programs Stewardship Decrease and mitigate non-point pollution sources (eg. overland runoff) Enhance, restore and properly manage riparian areas to buffer overland runoff Promote and encourage best management practices to protect water quality Increase natural cover as recommended by the natural heritage system Ensure public space management practices do not negatively impact surface water quality Ensure all public spaces management practices have a set back distance from the stream edge (eg. a natural riparian area) Create and implement a rural stream restoration and stewardship program that will benefit surface water quality Objective Manage and enhance urban water quality 4.2 Regulations Set development back from watercourses and "Enhanced" level stormwater quality controls Planning Implement municipal salt management plans Support for existing legislation and new and existing programs Stewardship Ensure public space management practices do not negatively impact surface water quality Ensure all public spaces management practices have a set back distance from the stream edge (eg. a natural riparian area) Create and implement an urban stream restoration and stewardship program that will benefit surface water quality Objective Create a spills action~plan 4.3 Regulations plan creation: spills action plan and Planning GOAL 5.0 AQUATIC HABITAT AND SPECIES PROTECT AQUATIC HABITAT AND SPECIES Objecti~rei Prgtect and restore existing and native aquatic-spsciss and 5•t communities Regulations Recommended policy: adopt the Fisheries Management Plan for the and watershed Planning Support for existing review mechanisms and programs Stewardship Encourage the removal of instream barriers and online ponds Objective Protest and enhance the form and function of instream habitat and " 5.2 riparian areas Regulations Map aquatic habitats within the watershed and Planning Identify aquatic habitats within the watershed that are not yet known Restrict development within and in proximity to aquatic habitats Adopt the Fisheries Management Plan for the watershed Support for new programs and existing review mechanisms and policies Stewardship Encourage the creation of instream habitat Erosion control projects Increase natural vegetation in riparian areas GOAL 6.0 TERRESTRIAL NATURAL HERITAGE MAINTAIN THE NATIVE BIODIVERSITY AND ECOLOGICAL FUNCTION OF THE LANDSCAPE WITHIN THE WATERSHED Objective 6.~ Reduce habitat fragmentation'and promote connectivity;. , Regulations Map terrestrial features within the watershed and Planning Identify terrestrial features within the watershed that are not yet known Reduce the impact of development on the natural heritage system and significant features Net gains within the natural heritage system Support for new programs and existing review mechanisms and policies Create a regional Terrestrial Natural Heritage System and Strategy Stewardship Increase the diversity of natural cover using the natural heritage system Increase the amount of natural cover throughout the watershed Increase and encourage sustainable land uses 4~bjective Mairtain, enhance and restore the natutal diversity o~ ve~etatipn ~•~ eommunitieswithin,tklevsaters'hed ~` Regulations Policy to encourage net gains within the natural heritage system and Support for existing by-laws Planning Objective Maintain, enhance and restore fhe tliversity of species in'the 6.3 Hrate~nshed Regulations Policy to encourage net gains within the natural heritage system and Support for existing legislation Planning Qbjective Mitigate ,and reduce negative impacts of urban and rural'~and Use' 6.4 Regulations Policy to provide for net gains within the natural heritage system and Create a plan for an urban natural heritage system Plen nine GOAL 7.0 PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELL-BEING PROMOTE FIEALTHY COMMUNITIES IN RELATION TOTHE ENVIRONMENT Qbjective Manage and improve the envirogmental quantity, qualify anc~ T-~ social benefits. of existing and future. public spaces Regulations Increase public spaces and Support existing initiatives Planning Objective= Encourage sustainable cammuniries 7.~ Regulations Policy to support an increase in public transportation and policy to support sustainable development design Planning Support existing initiatives