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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD-49-96DN:SMW.GPA THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON REPORT Meeting: General Purpose and Administration Committee File #=�? Date: Monday, April 1, 1996 Res. Report #: PD -49 -96 File #: PLN 17.11.12 By -law # Subject: SECOND MARSH WATERSHED STEWARDSHIP STRATEGY FILE: PLN 17.11.12 Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report PD -49 -96 be received for information. 1.1 The purpose of this report is to advise Committee and Council of the Stewardship Strategy for the Harmony Creek and the Farewell Creek watersheds recently initiated by the Friends of the Second Marsh (FSM). 2. BACKGROUND 2.1 To date, efforts to protect and rehabilitate the Oshawa Second Marsh by such groups as FSM and Environment Canada, have focused on the Marsh itself. However, it is also recognized that the health of the Marsh cannot be successfully restored in isolation from its upstream watersheds - Harmony Creek and Farewell Creek (including Black Creek). 2.2 FSM, assisted by funding from Environment Canada, recently retained a consultant to develop a Stewardship Strategy for the Second Marsh Watersheds. In March 1996, the consultant released a report outlining a draft Stewardship Strategy for Harmony and Farewell Creek watersheds; a copy of the report is 533 REPORT NO.: PD-49-96 PAGE 2 available for review in the Planning Department. A summary of the Strategy report, with specific attention to the Farewell Creek watershed, is provided in Section 3 of this staff report. 3.1 Overview 3.1.1 Two specific issues of concern are identified by the report as needing to be addressed through a Watershed Strategy. Firstly, excessive sediment being carried into the Marsh by Harmony and Farewell Creeks is identified as the most serious threat to the Marsh. Major sources of sediment include erosion from agricultural fields, construction sites within urban growth areas, and actively eroding stream bank sites. The report notes that more sediment is contributed to the Marsh from the Harmony Creek watershed, largely because of its urbanized nature. 3.1.2 The second major concern is the loss of habitat connections between the Second Marsh and upstream wetlands and other environmentally sensitive areas. In particular, the report notes the importance of riparian (riverbank) connections for terrestrial species, and high - quality coldwater stretches in Farewell Creek needed to support coldwater fish species and other aquatic species. 3.1.3 The report indicates that a Stewardship Strategy should be oriented towards: • increasing the continuity of riparian cover to at least 50 %, especially in the valley sections which link the Marsh to other wetlands or environmentally sensitive areas, and in sections which maintain or could extend permanent coldwater stream habitats; • reducing the amount of sediment entering the watercourse system from a range of agricultural, urban development, and streambank sources; REPORT NO.: PD-49-96 PAGE 3 contributing toward the reduction of stream flow fluctuations in Farewell and Harmony Creeks, as a way of reducing sediment transport; raising awareness by all watershed residents of connections between their activities and the health of Second Marsh and its watersheds, and encouraging participation in remedial projects. 3.1.4 Stewardship involves the voluntary actions of landowners, working individually or collectively, to help achieve these goals. The report notes however that, although stewardship can be a powerful conservation technique, it is not a substitute for municipal land use regulation, sub - watershed planning, or remedial measures carried out by government agencies. Stewardship is intended to complement these measures. 3.2 Priority Areas for Stewardship in Clarington 3.2.1 The report identifies three major tiers of land use within the Second Marsh watersheds - existing urban areas, urban growth areas and rural areas. Within each tier, the report further identifies priority areas for stewardship and key target audiences for stewardship activities. Existing Urban Area 3.2.2 The report states that naturalization within urban valleys should strive to create a multi - layered vegetative canopy at least 30 metres wide along the watercourse. Within the existing urbanized area of Clarington, priority areas for the naturalization of the riparian zone are identified along portions of Black Creek. No priority streambank erosion sites are identified in the urbanized area of Clarington. 3.2.3 The report identifies four target audiences, including the Municipality of Clarington, for possible stewardship activities within the urbanized tier, as indicated by Attachment No. 1. The report suggests the Municipality should be encouraged to adopt a naturalization policy for its valley parks, and to increase riparian (riverbank) habitat by providing the 535 REPORT PD-49-96 PAGE 4 design and materials required and by encouraging community involvement in specific projects. Urban Growth Areas 3.2.4 The report notes that valley corridors are particularly vulnerable to disturbance during urban development due to sediment production and the loss of forest cover and other natural vegetation. Developers and new neighbourhoods are identified as target audiences for stewardship activities (see Attachment No. 2). Rural Areas 3.2.5 The report notes that rural areas still encompass the majority of area in the Second Marsh watersheds, in particular the Farewell Creek watershed. Priority areas for stewardship activities are identified in the rural areas of Clarington along both Farewell Creek and Black Creek. As noted by Attachment No. 2, farmers and rural non -farm landowners are identified as the key target audiences for stewardship activities. 3.3 Administration of Stewardship Program 3.3.1 The report recommends that a two to three year watershed stewardship program be initiated with a single full -time staff person. The FSM is suggested as the logical lead organization for the program. The report indicates that the Municipality of Clarington and other agencies such as the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority, the City of Oshawa, Environment Canada, the Ministry of Natural Resources, and the Waterfront Regeneration Trust should be encouraged to participate in the stewardship program. 4. COMMENTS 4.1 Stewardship programs rely primarily on non - profit organizations and private citizens to accomplish their environmental goals. Through education, such programs can raise public awareness of environmental values, build on "grassroots" capabilities and foster community action in the stewardship of natural areas. Stewardship programs, if REPORT • : PD-49-96 PAGE 5 effectively coordinated and implemented, can achieve many worthwhile environmental objectives at minimal cost. 4.2 The draft Stewardship Strategy for the Second Marsh watersheds has suggested and encouraged the Municipality of Clarington to participate in the program; however, little specific information regarding the extent of municipal involvement is provided. This probably reflects the fact that the program is still in its early stages and no specific activities have yet been proposed. 4.3 Planning Department staff have attended two meetings regarding the draft Stewardship Strategy to learn more about the proposed strategy. It is anticipated that, once a Watershed Stewardship Strategy has been adopted, the Friends of the Second Marsh will formally approach Council regarding municipal involvement. Respectfully submitted, r) t C e Franklin Wu, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Director of Planning and Development JAD *FW *df 22 March 1996 Reviewed by, W.H. Stockwell Chief Administrative Officer Attachment #1 - Stewardship Targets Within Urban Areas (extract from Draft Stewardship Strategy) Attachment #2 - Stewardship Targets Within Urban Growth Areas and Rural Areas (extract from Draft Stewardship Strategy) ATTACHMENT #1 Second Marsh Watershed Stewardship DRAFT Table 1: Targeting Stewardship Within Urban Areas URBAN Key Messages Contact Technique Action or Commitment AREAS (by Friends) Required Municipalities Increase riparian Individual contact with Naturalization policies for habitat. key staff. valley parks. Implement sub - watershed Reduce eroding Encourage community study. stream banks. groups to participate. Partner with Friends, community groups. Community groups Undertake community Direct contact with Grow and/or plant shrubs and schools environmental projects. community groups, in riparian -areas. Adopt a Stream cleanup Increase awareness about Provide education days. . watershed connections. materials for distribution. Erosion sites restoration projects. Local walks and meetings. Enlist in specific Promote:rain barrels, projects. storm water diversion. Paint symbols on storm Stewardship Council. sewer entries. Valley residential lot Increase riparian habitat. ' Direct contact with. Qualify. for Award by ' owners ..individual landowners: leaving'unmown buffer,'. . Correct Areambahk planting shrubs along erosion sites. Enlist neighbourhood or streams, ratepayer groups. Encourage to work with Adopt small projects. neighbours on joint Provide brochures and projects. advice. Address specific erosion issues. Stewardship Awards. Other significant Increase riparian habitat. Promote corporate Develop high - profile valley landowners environmental restoration areas such as Correct streambank responsibility to Holiday Inn. erosion sites. managers. Promote ACSP certification for golf Develop partnerships courses. with public relations benefits. Stewardship Awards. - 12 - Im ATTACHMENT #2 Second Marsh Watershed Stewardship DRAFT Table 2: Targeting Stewardship Within Urban Growth Areas URBAN GROWTH Key Messages Contact Technique (by Friends) Action or Commitment Required Developers Improve silt containment. Individual contact at an Adherence to Best especially as buffers. early stage. Management Practices. Improve stormwater to introduce. Incorporate habitat management systems. Stewardship awards or features into storrnwater erosion. endorsements. management. . Enhance or restore valley Naturalize or replant habitats. valley lands. New Awareness of connections Information distributed at Adopt a Stream programs. neighbourhoods to Second Marsh and of point of sale. Undertake local projects. landowners Friends. . Organize neighbourhood wooded area. Local walks or meetings. groups. Participation in Similar potential activities neighbourhood groups and ' as listed in Table I for restoration projects. existing community groups and schools. Table 3: Targeting Stewardship Within Rural Areas RURAL AREAS Key Messages Contact Technique (by Friends) Action or Commitment Required 'Farmers Increase riparian habitat, Individual contact, with Create natural vegetation especially as buffers. respected intermediary buffers along water to introduce. courses. Reduce sheet and rill Fence livestock from erosion. Stewardship Awards. streams and valley sides. Use conservation tillage. Reduce input of nutrients Prepare Environmental or other pollutants. Farm Plan. Rural non -farm Increase riparian habitat Individual contact. Create or.strengthen landowners and general extent of forested valley corridors. wooded area. Stewardship Awards. Correct streambank erosion sites.