HomeMy WebLinkAboutP-49-78 CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
TELEPHONE 263-2231 -- HAMPTON, ONTARIO, LOB IJO
TO: V.11.0, 0,f -%110,
Development Committee 1',I7 ),
XUATICY: Repovt on Progomration Act
WAY06"Ki
On ill 29, 1978, the Plonning W Development Convittee, Dr,nno(7,,
the followinT resolution QPD-261-78,
"That the verbal report be received, Pt10 the
further P. by-1 the Tognoil Prenorvntioi lc-'
� "n(l
flr ")lc' by-laws from othev PIRcon for R review by the
021 lia' 2"', 1979, the Ministry of Aarjoylti.ron arJ lloo,�
IGO the TOXn Of 70=S e attached corrosponklonce.. VIii-.i ..nc__`, on.tei
t",-,t tPe Jlli,nistry do not have a noUl by-law 1Ln6er the AV nrR am(,'
not Male Of 02?-- 1-lunicip alit y which has Dasse? a by-law un&r thr,
""('t. Yhe ToWn of Newcastle would rnmvxentl,, be tho
�.n On-,;a;'io -to nasn a, b-i.r_j,3:,e! uLn I oi) _�oe '0
dnr C..Ie Twx. Ac
3- jpcal lituntion
Staff of We 71anning Nepar• ment havo conn"Ited wAth th, local.
i('
:?npresentative and have been ROW nod PH An Aq not
of an-'- --r)-roblemn preaently annociated with the 7n-ovrj of W_
poll in the Vim Of Nowmitlo. cultural RennonartAtAve
w _en nej a Wilin-mesn to helo with tho "7e7)2ration of R b7-lau7
bl't not fxdliar with the Ontolls 01 the >7002ion.
Tf Vle, Tm:n of 'Towcastle -IT-onenmn to OTaft a W-Iry aloe, Ov
�OImoil Act, it will b 1 rha:-, "i7 _71C1
Wq' NO all of the other '.TmrliciT)al'itiop in War in, 7e bKOVC:
thorefone, thi--v"; if t1le To-vrfi of Newcastle pronnedn to Monem.,
larABlation in this fiela, it shout hava the boreVA V W40
mymt advAnn. In this easel it is mcconmended that the 11PPOny,
e
be authorized to obtain the servic'e-i of -, -
MANY, or other coi-mel, if the Town Aolinitnn ''..ac in-
sufficient Ove to deal with tbin natter at prenent,P& Ono the
,c-n,.--c(,:7 o:' a, consultant aCTonomint.
/ IV711
*
Creorcr-
Tolm
I V E D
Ontario JUN 2 1978
Ministry of T0\.k,fN" 01" IJ,,WII/-,I,\STL4-lJI965-9433 Legislative Buildings
Agriculture Queen's Park
and Food Toronto Ontario
May 25, 1978
Mr. George Howden
Planning Department
Town of Newcastle
HAMPTON, Ontario
Dear Mr. Howden:
I have enclosed, for your information, a copy of an article
entitled "Topsoil Removal - Mineral Soils: Effects and Re-
comaw-ndations". You may find this information of use to
you in terms of possible effects of topsoil stripping and
rehabilitation techniques.
Mr. Spencer may have mentioned that we have not drafted a
model by-law. Such a by-law cannot take into account local
problems to be dealt with. I am not aware of any munici-
pality that has to date passed a by-law under the Act.
Yours very truly,
Don W. Gallagher
Manager
Land Management & Project Review
Food Land Development Branch
Ilg
Encl.
i
TOPSOIL REMOVAL-MINERAL SOILS: EFFECTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Food Land Development Branch
INTRODUCTION:
Soils of Ontario are extremely variable in nature. This
variability is reflected in the diversified land-use, soil
management and productivity found throughout the province. For
all their dissimilarities, these soils have a common characteristic.
The surface layer, or topsoil , is the most vital part of each soil
profile. This upper layer of soil is the principal feeding zone
of the plants which provide food for human or livestock consumption,
fiber for clothing and timber for shelter.
300 to 1000 years are required under favourable conditions
to build a single inch of topsoil by natural processes. Although
this formation can be speeded up by the actions of man, it will be
time consuming and difficult at best to restore the soil to full
productivity after topsoil is removed. Before any site is stripped
of topsoil the repercussions must be carefully considered and a plan
of action determined to rehabilitate the soil for the growth of
plants.
i
I
2
This report is presented in 3 sections:
Section A. Soil Problems Associated with Removal of Topsoil
This section outlines the types of problems that may
occur when the productive topsoil layer is removed.
Section B. Topsoil Removal Methods & Site Selection
This section outlines methods of topsoil removal as
we'll as the selection of sites which will result in the fewest
environmental and rehabilitation problems .
Section C. Rehabilitation Procedures
This section indicates rehabilitation techniques that
should be used to restore productivity to the site and help to
control erosion.
A. SOIL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH REMOVAL OF TOPSOIL
When topsoil is removed from land the subsoil becomes the
surface layer of the soil . A number of problems may occur as a
result of removing the productive topsoil layer.
1 . Erosion
The most immediate concern subsequent to topsoil
removal is erosion of the subsoil by water and/or wind.
Topsoil is not as subject to erosion as subsoil
for a variety of reasons.
a) organic matter in the topsoil layer improves
the soil structure by increasing the amount
of pore space and permeability of the soil .
More water from rainfall therefore enters
the soil and run-off is reduced.
b) vegetation growing in topsoil reduces erosion
by helping to form water stable aggregates and
by acting as an anchor for the soil .
Due to the lack of water stable aggregates and
low permeability of subsoil , runoff is accelerated and
therefore soil erosion. This problem is generally worse
with clay soils. As sandier soils are generally more
permeable with less structural change at depth than clay
soils, more water enters sandy soils and runoff is reduced.
Sandy soils are, however, more susceptible to wind erosion
than clay soils.
2. Reduced Soil Fertility
Topsoil is largely responsible for producing most
crops. Removal of topsoil often exposes dense subsoils
which are infertile and poorly suited physically for growing
crops. The causes of reduced fertility in land stripped of
topsoil are:
a) loss of organic matter with its beneficial
effect on the soil .
b) impaired structural efficiency
c) reduced availability of moisture
d) lack of essential plant nutrients
In addition microflora and fauna are lost with the
topsoil . These microbiological organisms enhance soil
conditioning, aid in the supply and cycling of nutrients
and add organic matter.
Soil productivity may drop in excess of 80% when
topsoil is removed. Yields on fertilized subsoil may be
40 to 50% lower than on unfertilized topsoil indicating
that reduction in fertility is not the sole factor involved
in productivity decline and fertilization alone will not
restore productivity to its former levels.
. . ./4
- 4 -
3. Soil Compaction
When subsoil is subjected to the weight of heavy
earth moving equipment, soil compaction can occur. Compaction
of the soil reduces the amount of air and water in the soil .
In addition, compacted subsoils frequently develop a hard
surface layer upon drying. These factors result in reduction
of plant growth due to:
a) lack of moisture in the soil
b) gemination of seed may be reduced
c) emergence of seedlings is reduced
d) root elongation is reduced
e) due to increased surface runoff erosion
increases
Soils are most easily compacted in a wet state.
In general , soils that are uniform in particle size are
more susceptible to compaction with clay soils being the
most susceptible.
B. TOPSOIL REMOVAL METHODS & SITE SELECTION
1 . The detrimental effects of removing topsoil can be reduced
if only a portion of the topsoil is removed. In this way
many of the beneficial aspects of topsoil will be present
and rehabilitation will be faster and more complete.
2. Erosion and soil compaction can be reduced if sites are
carefully selected. Practices that will help reduce these
factors are:
a) select sites which are on relatively level land
- 5 -
b) medium textured soils are less susceptible to
damage as water normally enters these soils rapidly
and in addition they resist compaction, puddling
and slaking.
c) Topsoil should only be removed during dry periods of
the year. Subsoils compact more readily when wet and
high rainfall increases erosion.
d) the use of heavy equipment should be avoided wherever
possible. Light equipment or floatation equipment
should be used in order to reduce soil compaction.
C. REHABILITATION PROCEDURES
1 . If only a portion of the topsoil has been removed or if
some topsoil is returned to the land rehabilitation will
be accomplished in less time and with lower inputs of
fertility, organic matter and tillage.
2. Cover the exposed subsoil as quickly as possible to
reduce erosion. Any method that reduces the velocity
or amount of flow of wind and water over the soil will
reduce erosion. Straw mulches, artificial mulches or
brush cover will help to reduce erosion until vegetation
is re-established.
3. Establish a cover of vegetation, Grasses and legumes
can be established on subsoils and provide adequate
control of wind and water erosion. This minimum treatment
will not however result in agriculturally satisfactory
yields. Any attempt to apply intensive cropping practices
i
6 -
would likely result in a reduction in plant stand and
therefore wind and water erosion control . Productivity
will be restored in less time and to higher levels if
the site is properly prepared before planting takes place.
a) Reduce soil compaction. Where compaction has occurred ,
it may be necessary to alleviate this condition before
vegetation can be established. Subsoiling, ripping
and/or chisel ploughing are effective methods of
reducing compaction. These procedures break up
impermeable layers, improve structure and drainage
but must be performed only when the soil is dry.
b} Plant grass or forage legumes, These species are
preferred as they control erosion, improve soil
structure and permeability, and supply nutrients.
Legume species such as alfalfa, birds-foot trefoil ,
or clovers are preferable as they supply nitrogen to
the soil and improve structure. Legumes may however,
be more difficult to establish than grass.
c} Re-establish soil fertility. The soil should be
analyzed to determine its fertility requirements*
and fertilized according to recommended levels. If
possible organic fertilizers such as livestock or
poultry manure should be spread on the soil and worked
in. These materials supply organic matter, improve soil
structure , and reintroduce soil bacteria and nutrients.
*Information on soil sampling procedures as well as sample bags are
available from county offices of the Ministry of Agriculture & Food.
- 7 -
A soil test will also indicate if there is a
requirement for lime to increase the pH of the
soil .
Information on planting and tillage procedures, fertilization
methods and suitability of various crop species and varieties is
available from the local county office of the Ontario Ministry of
Agriculture and Food.
SUMMARY:
Sites must be carefully selected to reduce soil erosion
and hasten rehabilitation prior to the removal of topsoil .
Relatively flats sites of medium-textured soil are preferable.
Vegetation must be established as quickly as possible in
order to control erosion and return the site to some measure of
productivity. Soil compaction may need to be alleviated and the
site fertilized preferably with organic materials according to
soil test recommendations.
I
i
i