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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSD-002-12 Leading the Way REPORT PLANNING SERVICES DEPARTMENT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Date: January 9, 2012 Resolution#: -1 By-law #: N/A Report #: PSD-002-12 File #: PLN 17.1.6 Subject: ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP 2011 PROGRAM UPDATE RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report PSD-002-12 be received for information; and 2. THAT any interested parties listed in Report PSD-002-12 be notified of Council's decision. Submitted by: �' _� - -� � ' Reviewed by,,.,,, v -J. Crome, MCIP, RPP Franklin Wu Director, Planning Services Chief Administrative Officer FL/df 20 December 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-002-12 PAGE 2 1. BACKGROUND 1.1 Since 2002, Council has been providing annual funding for an ongoing stewardship programme. The environmental stewardship programme was established to encourage private groups to carry out works that improve municipal lands, such as valleylands and other natural areas. 1.2 Initial uptake of stewardship funds were limited, it took time to build awareness that funding was available for stewardship projects on municipal properties. Staff direct private stewardship initiatives to the applicable conservation authority, Durham Land Stewardship Council (for Ministry of Natural Resources properties) and other programmes. 1.3 The purpose of this report is to inform Council of how the funds have been spent and the funds that are remaining in the Stewardship account (carried over from previous years). 2. GRANTS 2.1 General Guidelines When approving projects for funding, 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. 2.2 Prior Years Works Attachment 1 provides Council with the detail of what works have been carried out in prior years. 2.3 2011 Works Valleys 2000 undertook a tree/shrub planting project with a group of students in the Bowmanville Valley in December, the plant materials were funded by the environmental stewardship program. Council received a report on September 12, 2011 (PSD-074-11) that explained the Trees for Rural Road initiative (Attachment 2) being promoted jointly by the Municipality and CA's. It's purpose is to renew the road side plantings in the rural portions of Clarington. The program was announced in articles in the local newspapers, the E-update and website in the fall of 2011. There has been an overwhelming response to the program. Many applications have already been received (due date is April 15, 2012). It is anticipated that well over 500 whips (4' to 5' saplings) will be planted throughout Clarington as part of this program in April 2012. REPORT NO.: PSD-002-12 PAGE 3 3. CONCURRENCE — Not Applicable 4. CONCLUSION 4.1 There has been good response to the environmental stewardship program, to date over $38,000.00 has been spent; however, the value of the in-kind contributions is more than double that amount. In addition, the net gain for those involved has been an understanding and long-term commitment to the community and environmental stewardship. 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 Attachments: Attachment 1 — Stewardship Projects 2003-2010 Attachment 2 — Trees for Rural Roads Interested parties to be notified of Council's decision: Frank Lockhart Rev. Chisling SWNA Committee, c/o Peter Windolf Patricia Lowe, CLOCA Pam Lancaster, GRCA Attachment 1 To Report PSD-002-12 Previous Stewardship Projects 2003-2011 2010 Funding of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Rangers for one week was provided. The Ontario Stewardship Rangers work in teams of five (5) high school students (17 year olds) and a project captain. The MNR Rangers assisted the Valleys 2000 (Frank Lockhart) with the removal of log jams and brush at both Soper Creek and Bowmanville Creek. They worked with our Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Advisory Committee to build woodchip trails, in particular they re-built a wood chip trail on the east side leading to the lake, assisted in spreading woodchips around the kiosk and cleaned vegetation from around the interpretative signs. The Rangers also worked with Rev. Chisling at the Visual Arts Centre doing work on the garden beds including planting, weeding and pruning. 2009 Funding of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Rangers for one week. The Ontario Stewardship Rangers work in teams of five (5) high school students (17 year olds) and a project captain. The MNR Rangers assisted the Courtice Lions at the Millennium Trails by clearing the creek of debris and spreading woodchips on the trail. They worked with our Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Advisory Committee to build a new woodchip trail through the east woodlot. They assisted Valleys 2000 with mulching the butterfly garden and tree removal in the Bowmanville Valley. In addition they worked on the removal of Phramagites from wetland areas in the Black/Farewell Creek watershed. These projects were coordinated by the Operations and Engineering Services Departments. Two planting projects were done in Courtice this year. In the spring buffer plantings were undertaken between the Nantucket condos and the Rob Piontek Skate Park. It included native trees and shrubs with an emphasis on coniferous planting. In the late fall native trees and shrubs were planted in the Black Creek valley between the Nantucket condos and Hwy. 2 along the creek. The planting projects have been done by Courtice Secondary School students. The goal of all the planting projects is to increase/restore the diversity of native plants in the Black Creek area. 2008 Funding of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Rangers for a week of their time to assist with projects in Clarington. The Operations Department provided on site direction, for the pulling of Phramagites in the Black/Farewell Creek wetland areas for 2 days. The remaining days were under the direction of the Manager of Park Development and included one day at the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area creating woodchip walkways; one day with Rev. Frank Lockhart from Valleys 2000 in the Bowmanville Creek removing dead trees and path trimming/clean up, and one day with Courtice Lions working on stream clean-up and boardwalk construction in the Courtice Millennium trails. 2007 Funding of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Rangers for a week of their time to assist with projects in Clarington. The Operations Department provided on site direction, for the pulling of Phramagites in the Black/Farewell Creek wetland areas for 2 days. The remaining days were under the direction of the Manager of Park Development and included one day at the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area creating woodchip walkways; one day with Rev. Frank Lockhart from Valleys 2000 in the Bowmanville creating paths, and one day with Courtice Lions working on stream clean-up and boardwalk construction in the Courtice Millennium trails. Plantings at Wilmot Creek Nature Area in partnership with the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Committee, Engineering Services and the St. Stephen's Catholic High School students. Funding of the lumber for a continuation of the Boardwalk at Courtice Millennium Trail in partnership with Courtice Secondary School students. The students constructed the boardwalk in sections, in shop class, and then assembled it on site. This project was part of a much larger project that included the Courtice Lions Club and a Trillium Grant. 2006 In February of 2006 the Municipality hosted, in partnership with OPG, a workshop for a number of environmental groups with Evergreen. Evergreen is a not-for-profit environmental group that provides advice and funding for environmental projects. The workshop was attended by approximately 25 people representing a number of different groups. The information provided during this workshop was extremely helpful to a number of these groups. The networking opportunities for the groups were also an important aspect of the workshop. Plantings in Soper Creek valley along the pathway from the Visual Arts Centre north in partnership with the Planning Services Department World Town Planning Day event and Bowmanville High School students. Sponsorship of a workshop for municipal staff from throughout the Region of Durham regarding private wells and septic systems and their impact on the environment. The workshop was provided by Dr. Mary Jane Conboy of the Well Wise Centre which opened in Orono early in 2007. The intent of this workshop was to educate municipal staff (building and planning) to ensure consistent messages are provided across the Region to residents on wells and septic systems. Provided funding for the lumber for Boardwalk at Courtice Millennium Trail in partnership with Courtice Secondary School students. The students constructed the boardwalk in sections, in shop class, and then assembled it on site. 2005 Boardwalk behind Courtice Complex in partnership with Courtice Secondary School students. The funding provided the lumber necessary for the project, again the students constructed the boardwalk in sections, in shop class, and then assembled them on site. Plantings in Soper Creek valley along the pathway from the Visual Arts Centre north to Hobbs Avenue, in partnership with Valleys 2000 and Bowmanville High School students who provided the labour. 2004 Creek crossing in Bowmanville Valley in partnership with Valleys 2000 and Courtice Secondary School students. The funding provided the lumber necessary for the project, the students built and installed the crossing. 2003 Plantings in the Bowmanville Valley along the pathway from Spry Avenue north. In-kind labour provided by Planning Services Staff and Valleys 2000. Attachment 2 To Report PSD-002-12 i v � r z e s s �s Guidelines for "Trees for Rural Roads" Program n Out . ry x Y r � xs �r i 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 1870s, the Ontario Government provided incentives to farmers should they plant roadsides with trees from their woodlots. The majority of trees planted were maples. This gave rise to an important element in the rural landscape- lines of stately maples alongside roads and separating farmer's fields. The legacy of maple trees is embedded in many people's memories and part of the rural aesthetic. The Ontario Legislature passed an act in 1871 to encourage the planting of trees on "highways". Municipalities were to pay landowners up to $0.25 per tree for trees planted along the roads.The province was to cost-share with the municipalities, but a quarter century later, only ten percent of the money had been spent and the act was repealed. Although this would suggest failure of the program,trees from this era (or soon after) line many of our rural roads today. These century(and older)trees are now succumbing to old age, exposure to wind, insects and disease. They are not being replaced and that part of the rural/cultural landscape is now seriously degraded. The Municipality of Clarington has a rich history of tree planting in Ontario. The former Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Orono Forestry Station provided between 5 and 7 million seedlings annually for planting throughout Ontario during its years of operation. The Ganaraska Reforestation Program is also a prominent part of our history. The Forest is the largest source of forestry products in the Clarington. Program Guidelines: The Trees for Rural Roads program would target all rural residents, farm and non-farm.The trees provided through this program 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, an 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 removed, leaving the trunk as a 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 the future,targeted specifically at the farm community. 3.There are altruistic reasons for planting of trees and it is anticipated that our rural community members already active in various forms of stewardship would participate in the Trees for Rural Roads Program as part of their ongoing efforts. In addition,windbreaks and shelterbelt plantings can reduce snow drifting, provide visual, sound and odour control. Complimentary Programs and Potential Partnerships: Canada's forests have played a central role in our economic development over the centuries. They remain to this day, a hugely important element in our social, cultural and economic fabric. , ` � 1 One of the most widely recognized trees in Canada's temperate forests is the maple. This species provides a crucial component in forest ecosystems across Canada and is a part of the rural and city landscape. As well, it is an important tree in the forest's carbon balance, sustains the maple syrup industry and produces a range of valuable and wonderful wood products used in our houses. The Maple Leaves Forever Program 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 f 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, legends, or traditions This program could dovetail into the Trees for Rural Roads Program to create awareness for and create an interest in preserving heritage trees.The heritage conservation district on Beech Avenue in Bowmanville does recognize two of the older stately trees on the street. Currently both Conservation Authorities within Clarington offer a tree planting program. If landowners wished to plant trees on their property and next to the municipal right of way they could purchase trees at a cost from their respective Conservation Authority. However, currently the focus of the Conservation Authorities planting programs are for large scale reforestation and stream bank plantings. Proposed Funding: The Municipality has an annual environmental stewardship budget. Other sources of funding could include the Trees Ontario Foundation, Green Street Canada,Tree Canada, Greenbelt Foundation, Maple Leaves Forever and Farm Credit Agri-spirit fund, OPG Corporate Citizen Program and Gas Tax Funds (that the Municipality receives and has to be directed towards sustainability projects and goals). A cooperative payment program 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 fit 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 over the counter 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. gy s' •"' � � � S- �. � z.�, ��e'" *9 S*, �'"^' _ a eft`� !'``' ✓.'� ' - r S,,,.� ff