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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSD-074-11 1 • Leading the Way REPORT PLANNING Y I Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Date: September 12, 2011 Resolution #: -5 .116y-law #: N/A Report #: PSD-074-11 File #: PLN 17.1.6 Subject: ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP TREES FOR RURAL ROADS PROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report PSD-074-11 be received for information; and 2. THAT any interested parties listed in Report PSD-074-11 be notified of Council's decision. Submitted by: Reviewed by Dav . Crome, MCIP, RPP Franklin Wu Direc or, Planning Services Chief Administrative Officer FL/DJC/df 25 August 2011 CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T(905)623-3379 F (905)623-0830 REPORT NO.: PSD-074-11 PAGE 2 1. BACKGROUND 1.1 Since 2002, Council has been providing annual funding for an ongoing environmental stewardship program. The environmental stewardship program was established to encourage private groups to carry out works that improve municipal lands, such as valleylands and other natural areas. 1.2 To date, Staff have been careful to only fund projects that are on municipally owned properties, have in-kind contributions (labour and/or materials) and meet the overall concept plan for the area. Planning Services Staff work closely with Engineering and Operations staff to ensure that the project is in the best interests of the municipality. 1.3 From 2007 through 2010 the majority of the stewardship funds have gone to fund the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Rangers for one week of work with some of our partner environmental groups. The Ontario Stewardship Rangers work in teams of five (5) high school students (17 year olds)with a project captain. In 2011 MNR did not have a Rangers group in the Durham area so we were not able to take advantage of the program. 1.4 The Environment Stewardship Program was put in place to address green initiatives that affect Clarington residents. One of the most predominate features of the rural landscape is the century old trees that line the rural road rights of way. These trees were mostly planted after the 1870's when landowners were encouraged to transplant seedlings from their woodlots to along the road right of way. For a number of years the decline of these mature street trees has been a concern. 2. TREES FOR RURAL ROADS 2.1 Based on input from the Agricultural Advisory Committee and other rural land owners, Staff have met with the Conservation Authority's Staff to determine if and how a program to plant trees along our rural roads could be added to the suite of stewardship programs the CA's provide. Draft guidelines for the "Trees for Rural Roads" program are Attachment 1. 2.2 Funds from the Environmental Stewardship account will be used to subsidize the cost of the plants and cover the administrative costs. The land-owners contribution will be the planting and maintenance. CONCURRENCE: Not applicable REPORT NO.: PSD-074-11 PAGE 3 CONFORMITY WITH STRATEGIC PLAN The recommendations contained in this report conform to the general intent of the following priorities of the Strategic Plan: Promoting economic development Maintaining financial stability Connecting Clarington X Promoting green initiatives Investing in infrastructure Showcasing our community Not in conformity with Strategic Plan Staff Contact: Faye Langmaid, Manager of Special Projects Attachments: Attachment 1 - Draft Guidelines and Application Form Interested parties to be notified of Council's decision: Frank Lockhart Rev. Chisseling Libby Racansky SWNA Committee Attachment 1 To Report PSD-074-11 Guidelines for "Trees for Rural Roads" Program Purpose: Restore a cultural landscape feature in the Municipality of Clarington To under plant existing mature street trees on our rural roads with young native trees (whips, not caliper size) through a partnership with local Conservation Authorities, landowners, other funding partners and the environmental stewardship funds from the Municipality of Clarington's budget beginning in 2012. Background: An Historical Perspective on Rural Road Tree Planting In the middle and late 19th century, farmers planted native maples taken from their woodlots along their property edges and on their lane ways. In the 18 Os, the Ontario government provided incentives to farmers should they plant roadsides wit ees from their woodlots. The majority of trees they planted were maples. This gave rise = important element in the rural landscape-lines of stately maples alongside roads and s o - i armer's fields. The legacy of maple trees is embedding in many people's memories part o rural aesthetic. The Ontario Legislature passed an act in 1871 to urage the plants of trees on "highways". Municipalities were to pay landowners up to $0. er tr or trees p nted along the roads. The province was to cost-share with the municip ut a quarter century later, only ten percent of the money had been spent an he act w epealed. Although this would suggest failure of the program, trees from this e on aft ne many of our rural roads today. These century (and older) trees are now s u of e, exposure to wind, insects and disease. They are not being re ced an h a the rural/cultural landscape is now seriously degraded. The Municipality of Claringt as a r' histo tree planting in Ontario. The former Ontario Ministry of Natural Resource o ion provided between 5 to 7 million seedlings for planting througho ario g its yea s of operation. The Ganaraska Reforestation Program is also a a ur history. The Forest is the largest source of forestry products in the C gton. Program Gui es: The Trees for Rural Ro ram would target all rural residents, farm and non-farm. The trees provided through this ogram will be subsidized by the partners and purchased, planted and maintained by the landowner as an in-kind contribution. If additional trees were requested for laneway under plantings or other locations by landowners, our partner Conservation Authorities can facilitate this need through their existing private land tree and shrub programs. The CA's typically sell native bareroot trees and shrubs to landowners in the spring. Landowners pay for the cost of the plant material, and administration fee and must meet specific program criteria to participate. Siting of Proposed Roadside Trees: It is the preference of the Municipality for the trees to be planted outside their designated road right of ways (ROW's). Trees in the ROW's could be impacted by future road works like ditching and widening. It is recommended that trees be planted just inside the property line of the willing landowner and located so as not to interfere with existing power/utility lines. It is anticipated that this program will have minimal effect on the potential loss of cropland for farmers, however recommendations follow in the Additional Considerations section for addressing this concern in the future. Additional Considerations: 1) The Municipality will endeavour to remove dead, diseased and damaged trees from rural roadways as part of our hazard tree management practices. In other Municipalities, the crown is being removed, leaving trunk as nesting location for birds and wildlife. This is provided that the tree is not a carrier of disease or a hazard. 2) In principal, the Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington is in favour of the Trees for Rural Roads Program. There are potential impacts from planting a row of hardwood trees adjacent to active agricultural land, as they could shade crops and reduce agricultural yields when they establish a large canopy. The program will consider compensation for land retirement for tree planting in th ture, targeted specifically at the farm community. 3) There are altruistic reasons for planting of trees t is anticipated that our rural community members already active in various for of s rdship would participate in the Trees for Rural Roads Program as pa f their o ng efforts. In addition, windbreaks and shelterbelt plantings can re snow drifting, vide visual, sound and odour control. Complimentary Programs a Pote 1 Partnerships: Maple Leaves Forever Program: Canada's forests have played a al role ec is development over the centuries. They remain to this day, a hug ant a ent in our social, cultural and economic fabric. One of the most widely re ize ada's temperate forests is the maple. This species provides a crucial co in cosystems across Canada and is a part of the rural and city landsc el , an important tree in the forest's carbon balance, sustains the maple syrup i ry an d a range of valuable and wonderful wood products used in our houses. The Maple Leaves ver Pr am has goals (below), provides seed stock and has some funding. • To restore and replenish the maple tree as a living emblem of Canada's culture and history by supporting and promoting the planting of native maple trees • To re-introduce maples as a visual feature on the rural and urban landscape by planting in towns, cities, roadsides, along hedgerows, laneways and property lines in southern Ontario and ultimately, across Canada • To promote and support the development of maple seedlings and saplings which are to be grown from certified Canadian seed sources and which will become known as Maple Leaves Forever(MLF) Maples (Pineneedle in Pontypool is a certified grower) • To provide the public, emphasizing youth, with accessible information on the cultural and technical aspects of native maples as well as providing them with information on the acquisition and availability of maple seedlings, saplings and trees Ontario Heritage Tree Program: A way of recognizing trees but does not "designate them". Designation can happen as part of a heritage conservation district or as a cultural heritage feature under the Ontario Heritage Act but not very many trees have been recognized in this manner. This program is a listing based on: • A notable specimen because of its size, form, shape, beauty, age, colour, rarity, genetic constitution, or other distinctive features; • A living relic that displays evidence of cultural modification by Aboriginal or non- Aboriginal people, including strips of bark or knot-green wood removed, test hole cut to determine soundness, furrows cut to collect pitch or sap, or blazes to mark a trail; ➢ A prominent community landmark; ➢ A specimen associated with a historic person, place, event or period; ➢ A representative of a crop grown by ancestors and their successors that is at risk of disappearing from cultivation; ➢ A tree associated with local folklore, myths, legend traditions; This program could dovetail into the Trees for Rural Ro P m to create awareness for and create an interest in preserving heritage trees. T eritage c ervation district on Beech Avenue in Bowmanville does recognize two of the stately trees a street. Conservation Authority Tree Planting Pr Currently both Conservation Authorities wit in Clarin offer a tree planting program. If landowners wished to plant trees on their and n to the municipal right of way they could purchase trees at a cost from their re a nse 'on Authority. However, currently the focus of the Conservation Authorities pl 'ng are for large scale reforestation and stream bank plantings. Proposed Funding The Municipality has aI a onmental stewardship budget. Other sources of ing c inc the Trees Ontario Foundation, Green Street Canada, Tree Canada, G belt Foun on, aple Leaves Forever and Farm Credit Agri-spirit fund, OPG Corporate Ci Program nd Gas Tax Funds (that the Municipality receives and has to be directed towards s inabili rojects and goals). A cooperative payment p m where the landowner provides in-kind. labour for the planting and maintenance of the whips ensures the landowner is invested and has an ongoing desire to steward the trees over the long term. Delivery by local Conservation Authorities: Generally the Trees for Rural Roads Program fits with existing tree and shrub sales programs that target rural landowners with more than 2 acres of land. It is anticipated that the CA's would add this new program to their existing portfolio in partnership with the Municipality of Clarington. Like the tree and shrub programs, site visits are not necessary, thereby reducing the costs of coordinating the program. GIS mapping resources could be utilized to provide appropriate planting and spacing recommendations for the landowner as used in the attached sample application. TREES FOR RURAL ROADS APPLICATION FORM Please submit application in FULL by APRIL 15th, 2012 to: Applicable Conservation Authority Surname First Name Tax Roll No. 1 I 8 1 1 7 1 1 1 1 1 Tj I I 1 1. A Mailing Address Town Postal Code E-mail Daytime Phone No. ( ) Evening N ) Proposed Planting Location Road Name: C t rsection: Lot R Durham Concession r Township Side of Road North out I East I West Estimated Length of area to contai ti ft. Soil Conditions: • Native Hardwood Specs 1 be aforo:r($1 .00 per tree)and selection will be discussed with Conservation Authority staff. • Spacing and location will uf site for species requested,soil,utility locates,etc. • No site inspection will be pro ctions will be provided. • Eligibility for involvement in` ads"maybe limited by overhead or underground utilities,site lines,drainage,or suitability of planting site. Tree Species Site Description Tree Species Site Description Hard Maple -prefers well drained sites White Pine -prefers well drained sites White Birch -prefers moist to well drained sites Honey Locust -prefers well drained sites Red Oak -prefers dry well drained sites Red Maple -prefers moist sites White Oak -prefers well drained sites White Spruce -prefers well drained sites CONDITIONS PLANTING LOCATION Please indicate municipal address,roads,woodlots,buildings,etc. I hereby understand that payment in full must be made upon receipt of the invoice under the Trees for Rural Roads Program. It is understood that the NORTH survival of individual trees cannot be guaranteed. Every effort will be made to assist the landowner in how they can increase the chances of survival and tree growth. Replacement trees will be offered the following year,for subsequent years a tree will be replanted once for$10.00 per tree. The applicant agrees to plant the trees adjacent to the road right of way and away from hydro lines. The Trees for Rural Roads Program does not take any responsibility in the long-term care and maintenance of the trees planted and this program. Applicant Signature: Date: