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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD-019-01 , , .. ~ DN: PD019-o1 THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON REPORT Meeting: General Purpose and Administration Committee File # Et2 S Res. #r5! 11- / ;) S:-ol Date: Monday, February 19,2001 Report #: PD-019-01 File #: PLN 17.2.8 By-law # Subject: WESTSIDEIBOWMANVILLE MARSH WETLAND COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN STUDY FILE No.: PLN 17.2.8 Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report PD-019-01 be received: 2. THAT the Terms of Reference for the Westside/Bowmanville Marsh Wetland Complex Environmental Management Plan Study, be approved; 3. THAT Staff be authorized to draw on the funds contained in Reserve Account 5001-12-X (Westside Marsh Environmental Management Plan Study) upon receipt of invoices pertaining to the Study and its implementation from the Central Lake Ontario Conservation; and 3. THAT Central Lake Ontario Conservation, Blue Circle Canada Inc, and Port Darlington Community Association be forwarded a copy of this report and a copy of Council's decision. 1. BACKGROUND 1.1 On November 7",1997 Council endorsed the recommendations contained in ADMIN-47- 97 and the Principles of Understanding between the Municipality of Clarington and Blue Circle Canada Inc. (Blue Circle) to implement the recommendations from the Waterfront Regeneration Trust on the Westside Marsh. The Principles of Understanding is a multi- faceted agreement which among other things, requires Blue Circle to convey various lands to the Central Lake Ontario Conservation, in particular the reconfigured Westside Marsh, the tableland area between the Westside Marsh and Bowmanville Marsh and some valleyland areas. (see Attachment #1). These lands would provide opportunity to compensate for the loss of important habitat which would be quarried at the north end of the marsh. , , IU;PORT NO.: PD-019-01 PAGE 2 1.2 The Principles of Understanding also makes recommendations pertaining to the future protection and enhancement of these lands. These include; i) The preparation of an agreement between the Municipality and the Central Lake Ontario Conservation respecting the management of the reconfigured Westside Marsh and the Bowmanville Marsh and associated lands on the Lake Ontario waterfront, known collectively as the WestsideIBowmanville Marsh Wetland Complex. ii) An Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the wetland complex shall be prepared and form part of the above-noted management agreement. iii) That, once the lands are transferred from Blue Circle to CLOC, Blue Circle will contribute $94,000.00 to the CLOC Foundation for the EMP and seed money for the initial improvements. The Municipality would contribute $100,000.00 towards the cost of preparing the Plan and an initial seed funding for improvements to wildlife habitat and interpretative features. The lands and funds were transferred late in 2000. 1.3 The purpose of this report is to: . briefly describe the Terms of Reference for the Environmental Management Plan study, and seek Council's approval for the same; and, . seek Council's authorization to draw from Reserve Account 5001-12-X (Westside Marsh Environmental Management Plan) upon receipt of invoices from the CLOC for the study and its implementation. 2. OVERVIEW OF THE TERMS OF REFERENCE The Terms of Reference for the WestsideIBowmanville Marsh Wetland Complex Environmental Management Plan Study form Attachment #2 to this report. 2.1 Study Purpose The purpose of the study is to develop an Environmental Management Plan that will provide for the long term management and enhancement of the WestsideIBowmanville Marsh Wetland Complex. The EMP for the wetland complex, among other things, shall: a) ensure, to a reasonable extend, that there will be no net loss in wildlife habitat and vegetation through the implementation of measures that will be designed to replace the ecological functions of the present Westside Marsh; 644 REPORT NO.: PD-019-01 PAGE 3 b) ensure that the ecological functions of the Complex are improved through the implementation of designed measures; c) provide for appropriate access to the lands by members of the public, including measures to ensure public safety and minimize damage to ecological functions; d) address all constraints including the Blue Circle quarry operations, Ontario Power Services Corporation operations, existing residential uses and the C.N. Railway; e) provide interpretation opportunities for members of the public; and f) identify and prioritize implementation actions required to be taken by CLOC, other public authorities and the private sector. 2.2 Study Process The Study will be co-ordinated by the Municipality of Clarington Planning and Development Department and the Central Lake Ontario Conservation. The Municipality and the CLOC will be responsible for gathering all existing information related to natural heritage and natural hazard conditions as well as cultural and recreational uses, analyzing the baseline conditions; preparing a summary of the opportunities and constraints; identifYing the goals and objectives and preparing an implementation strategy. The assistance of a professional consulting firm will be required to assist in gathering missing information and in articulating a vision for the wetland complex. 2.3 Public Participation The general public and all stakeholders will be invited to participate in the study process. The stakeholders will be invited to a one-on-one discussion with Staff to discuss their vision for the waterfront. Three workshops will be held throughout the process to present existing information, defme a vision and goals and objectives for the wetland complex and finally to review and select a preferred management option. In addition, newsletters will be published throughout the study process to keep the public informed. 2.4 Study Schedule The study will begin in winter 2001 and finalized in winter 2003 with the approval of the EMP by Clarington Council and the CLOC Board of Directors. 645 . ' . , REPORT NO.: PD-019-0l PAGE 4 2.5 The funding for the study has been defined in the Principles of Understanding as noted in Section 1.2 of this report. The funds are in a separate Reserve Account for the Study and will be drawn upon when invoices are received by CLOC for the cost of the study and for implementation. 3. STAFF COMMENTS 3.1 The Terms of Reference were prepared by staff of the Planning and Development Department and CLOC. A draft was circulated to the Port Darlington Community Association and Blue Circle for their information and comments. Comments were received from Port Darlington Community Association, which were incorporated in the Terms of Reference as appropriate. Blue Circle offered no comment. 3.2 The preparation of the Environmental Management Plan is another condition that is being fulfilled under the Principles of Understanding between the Municipality of Clarington and Blue Circle with respect of the Westside Marsh. The study will commence once the Terms of Reference are approved by Council. Respectfully submitted, Reviewed by, d~.xJ2-~ orne, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. of Planning and Development Franklin Wu, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Chief Administrative Officer CS*BN*DC*sh February 8, 2001 Attachment I Attachment 2 Key Map/Open Space Scheme Terms of Reference 646 REPORT NO.: PD-OI9-01 PAGE 5 Interested parties to be notified of Council and Committee's decision: Ms. Glenda Gies Port Darlington Community Association RR #2, Box 63 BOWMANVILLE, Ontario LIC 3K3 Ms. Lynn Davidson Blue Circle Canada Inc. 400 Waverly Road South BOWMANVILLE, Ontario LIC 3IG Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority 100 Whiting Avenue Oshawa, Ontario LlH 3T3 13471 ATTACHMENT 1 LOT 14 LOT 10 ~ '"" I Port DlilJ'llrlrion ...... ,~~ c....._ ~ ~I ~lJ- ,1'" c?, BLUE CIRCLE LANDS On tario , , ) , , I , OVERFLOW I CHANNEL I , , NEW OPEN SPACE SCHEME ,\ III o H)OIJ1(ItW. OP€N SPACE COtM'IED TO ~ llOWWNMl1E WAASH (OWNED gy Q.OC:A) 648 " . ATTACHMENT 2 WESTSIDE/BOWMANVILLE MARSH WETLAND COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN STUDY TERMS OF REFERENCE 1. INTRODUCTION Westside Marsh is a provincially significant wetland located on the shore of Lake Ontario south of Bowmanville. A majority of the marsh was slated to be quarried under a license held by Blue Circle Canada Inc. In 1993, the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, at the request of the Municipality of Clarington and Blue Circle, agreed to help resolve numerous issues related to Blue Circle's operation on the Lake Ontario waterfront, including their plans to quarry the Westside Marsh. A report issued by the Regeneration Trust in 1995 presented a concept for the preservation of the Westside Marsh. Under this concept, the southern portion of the Marsh would be retained and this remnant marsh would be enhanced and augmented with additional habitat on site or in the Bowmanville Marsh which lies to the east. As a result of this process, Blue Circle and the Municipality approved "Principles of Understanding" to implement the Waterfront Regeneration Trust concept. Under these Principles, the Municipality and the Central Lake Ontario Conservation (CLOC) are to enter into an agreement respecting the management of the reconfigured Westside Marsh, the Bowmanville Marsh and associated lands on the Lake Ontario waterfront, known collectively as the Westside/Bowmanville Marsh Wetland Complex. The Terms of Reference for the study to develop the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the wetland complex shall form part of the management agreement. The Environmental Management Plan for the Westside/Bowmanville Marsh Wetland Complex, once prepared, will be approved by Clarington Council and the CLOC Board of Directors. 649 II. PURPOSE OF STUDY The purpose of this study is to develop an Environmental Management Plan that will provide for the long term management and enhancement of the reconfigured Westside Marsh and the Bowmanville Marsh and the associated lands on the Lake Ontario waterfront, known collectively as the Westsidel Bowmanville Marsh Wetland Complex. The Environmental Management Plan for the Westside/Bowmanville Wetland Complex, among other things, shall: a) ensure, to the extent reasonably practicable, that there will be no net loss overall in wildlife habitat and vegetation through the implementation of measures that will be designed to appropriately replace the ecological functions ofthe present Westside Marsh; b) ensure that the ecological functions of the Complex are improved through the implementation of appropriately designed measures; c) provide for appropriate access to the lands by members of the public, including measures to ensure public safety and minimize damage to ecological functions; d) address all constraints including the Blue Circle quarry operations, Ontario Power Services Corporation operations, existing residential uses, and the C.N. Railway; e) provide interpretation opportunities for members of the public; f) identify and prioritize implementation actions required to be taken by CLOC, the Municipality, other public authorities and the private sector. III. SCOPE OF STUDY The study area is roughly bounded by Lake Ontario to the south, the C.N. rail line to the north, the Mearns Avenue road allowance east of the Bowmanville Water Pollution Control Plant to the east, and the former Waverly Road road allowance to the west. The study area includes the following features: . the reconfigured Westside Marsh south of the proposed berm . the Bowmanville Marsh . the upland counector between the two marshes, including the woodlot WestsidelBowmanville Marsh Wetland Complex EMP Study Terms of Reference 2650 - , . the diverted Westside Creek . the overflow channels from Westside Marsh into Lake Ontario . the Bowmanville Creek valleylands south of Highway 401 . the residential communities of Cedar Crest Beach, Cove Road, West Beach and East Beach . the Waterfront Trail . the Bowmanville Water Pollution Control Plant and Water Supply Plant property . Wiggers Custom Yachts . the Port Darlington Marina/Hotel . industrial uses including Dufferin Concrete. . Boat ramp and associated lands and uses immediately north ofthe Bowmanville Marsh. The study area overlaps in part with lands included in the Port Darlington Secondary Plan, the Recommended Land Use Strategy of the Clarington Waterfront Study, Bowmanville Waterfront Recreation Area and the Valleys 2000 Concept Plan. The recommendations of those documents should be considered during the development of the Environmental Management Plan. IV. ESTABLISH BASELINE CONDITIONS 1. PURPOSE It is important to establish the natural heritage and natural hazard conditions, as well as the cultural and recreational uses, which currently exist within the study area. This will allow the changes, which will occur due to large scale development, in particular the expansion of the Blue Circle quarry, to be monitored and appropriately managed. Information on conditions currently existing within the study area will be drawn from a number of sources, including the following: a) the Bowmanville/Soper Watershed Aquatic Resources Management Plan Background Report, March 1999; b) Westside Marsh Fisheries Habitat Compensation Report; M.M. Dillon Limited, October 1997; c) Habitat and Community Impact Working Groups - Waterfront Regeneration Trust Process, November 1995; WestsidelBowmanville Marsh Wetland Complex EMP Study Terms of Reference 3 651 d) Clarington Waterfront Study Background Report, Bird and Hale, August 1992; e) Port Darlington Planning Area Background Study, F.J. Reindeers and Associates Ltd, March 1992; f) Lake Ontario Shoreline Management Plan, Sandwell Swan Wooster, December 1990. g) Valleys 2000 Concept Plan, Schollen and Company, February 2000. h) Bowmanville Waterfront Recreational Area, Schollen and Company, December 2000. 2. NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 2.1 Natural Heritage Conditions Information regarding the existing natural heritage conditions within the study area will be collected on: a) fisheries; b) vegetation; c) wildlife and habitat usage; d) physiography (geology, soils and terrain); e) surface water; f) ground water; g) functional relationships. 2.2 Natural Hazards Information regarding the flooding and erosion hazards within the study area will be collected on: a) Westside Creek including the new diversion channel; b) Bowmanville Creek; c) Soper Creek; d) Westside Marsh including the overflow channel into Lake Ontario; e) Bowmanville Marsh; f) Lake Ontario shoreline. WestsidelBowmanville Marsh Wetland Complex EMF Study Terms of Reference 4 6j2 2.3 Identify Information Gaps The review of existing information sources will identify what additional information will need to be obtained in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the existing natural heritage and natural hazard conditions within the study area. Given the nature of the studies completed in the study area, it is anticipated that the largest information gaps will be related to wildlife, habitat usage, and functional relationships. 2.4 Field Work to Fill Information Gaps A four season program of field work will be designed and implemented to "fill in" the identified information gaps. Field work will commence in the 2001 summer season and be completed at the end ofthe spring 2002 season. 2.5 Historical Context Available information regarding historical natural environment conditions will be reviewed for the study area, and represented in a chronological summary. 3. CULTURAL 3.1 Land Use Information regarding existing land uses within the study area will be collected, including: a) the Port DarlingtonlMarina/Hotel; b) the Bowmanville Harbour Conservation Area; c) the Cedar Crest Beach Residential Community; d) the Cove Road Residential Community; e) the West Beach Residential Community; f) the East Beach Residential Community; g) the Bowmanville Water Pollution Control Plant and Water Supply Plant; h) Blue Circle Canada operations; i) Wiggers Custom Yachts; j) the Port Darlington Harbour Company lands; k) industrial uses including Dufferin Concrete; Westside/Bowmanville Marsh Wetland Complex EMF Study Terms of Reference 5 653 1) Municipal properties. 3.2 Recreation Information will be collected regarding recreational uses which currently take place within the study area, including: a) angling; b) boating; c) nature appreciation and bird watching; d) hiking/bicycling/Waterfront Trail. 3.3 Historical Information will be collected regarding the historical use of the study area: a) First Nations use of the area in pre-European times; b) early European settlement; c) activities associated with Port Darlington in the 19th and 20th centuries. v. ANALYSIS OF BASELINE CONDITIONS 1. NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 1.1 Analysis of Existing Conditions Information related to the existing natural heritage and natural hazard conditions within the study area will be analyzed to: a) characterize the health of the individual elements of the ecosystem, and their sensitivity to disturbance; b) gain an understanding of ecological relationships, including the significance of individual elements to maintaining the ecological integrity of the marsh complex; c) identify areas requiring restoration and/or preservation. 1.2 Identify and Analyze Impacts from Blue Circle Quarry Expansion and Fisheries Compensation Plan A considerable amount of information has been gathered with respect to the Westside Marsh. This information will serve as pre-reconfiguration baseline conditions. The WestsidelBowmanville Marsh Wetland Complex EMP Study Terms of Reference 6 654 expansIOn of Blue Circle's quarry operations and the vanous works related to the reconfiguration of Westside Marsh have not yet occurred. However, the new conditions that will result from these activities will need to be considered as post reconfiguration baseline conditions when determining the most appropriate approaches to the management of the Westsidel Bowmanville Marsh Complex. 2. CULTURAL 2.1 Analysis of Existing Conditions Information related to the existing cultural and built conditions within the study area will be analyzed to determine: a) the impact of these land uses on the health and ecological integrity of the natural environment; b) land uses located on hazardous sites; c) determine the wishes and requirements of the public for recreation, business, and living within the study area. 2.2 Identify and Analyze Impacts from Future Development The management of Westside/Bowmanville wetland complex must also recognize future development which may occur in the study area, including: a) the expansion of the Bowmanville Water Pollution Control Plant; b) Blue Circle quarry operations; c) residential build-out in the Cove Road residential community; d) development in the Port Darlington Secondary Plan area; e) activities associated with Wiggers, including boat building, maintenance and storage, the boat launch and dredging of the Bowmanville Creek channel; f) activities associated with the Port Darlington Marina, including dredging, marina operations and the restaurantlhotel; g) recreational uses such as angling, boating including commercial charter boats, nature appreciation including bird watching, skating and cross country skiing and the extension ofthe Waterfront Trail; h) the concept plan for Valleys 2000 adjacent to Bowmanville Creek. WestsidelBowmanville Marsh Wetland Complex EMP Study Terms of Reference 7 655 i) development of the Bowmanville Waterfront Recreational Area. 3. OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS The analysis of baseline conditions within the study area will identify the opportunities and constraints which must be addressed in the development and implementation of the Environmental Management Plan for the WestsidelBowmanville Marsh Complex. Examples of opportunities and constraints which may be identified through this analysis are provided below. 3.1 Natural Environment a) Existing trails; b) Publicly owned lands; c) Significant views; d) Contaminated sites; e) Preservation of environmentally sensitive and significant features; f) Enhancement of degraded environmental features; g) Existing and future hazardous sites. 3.2 Cultural a) Existing trails; b) Publicly owned lands; c) Privately owned lands; d) Significant views; e) Archaeologically and historically significant sites. VI. IDENTIFY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 1. VISION STATEMENT The articulation of a Vision Statement for the WestsidelBowmanville Marsh Complex will allow principles to be developed to guide the long term management of the area. The Vision Statement, as well as the goals, objectives and management options, will be WestsidelBowmanville Marsh Wetland Complex EMP Study Terms of Refereece 8 656 developed in consultation with the public and other parties which have an interest in the marsh complex. 2. PRELIMINARY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The following preliminary goals and objectives for the WestsidelBowmanville Marsh Complex have been proposed to stimulate discussion. 2.1 Natural Environment a) To maintain and enhance the ecological integrity of the Westside/Bowmanville Marsh Complex; b) To restore an appropriate upland corridor to complement the ecosystems of the Bowmanville Marsh and the reconfigured Westside Marsh. 2.2 Recreation a) To provide for public access to the area for angling, boating, bird-watching, and hiking, skating and cross country skiing in a manner that is compatible with the natural heritage goals; b) To provide natural environment and cultural interpretation opportunities for the public. 2.3 Community a) Encourage opportunities for public and private land and water stewardship including partnerships with community groups, other agencies and industrial or commercial interests. VII. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY The involvement of all parties interested in the WestsidelBowmanville Marsh Complex is particularly critical during the development of the implementation strategy for the Environmental Management Strategy. Westside/Bowmanville Marsh Wetland Complex EMP Study Terms of Reference 9 657 1. MANAGEMENT OPTIONS 1.1 Develop And Review Management Options Various management options will be reviewed and evaluated to determine their ability to achieve the goals and management objectives for the Westside/Bowmanville Wetland Complex. Criteria to assist in the review of the various management options will be developed. 1.2 Identify Preferred Management Option(s) Based on the review, one or more preferred management options for the marsh complex will be identified. 2. MANAGEMENT ZONES 2.1 Define Management Zones A Management Zone is a specific area within the larger study area within which one or more specific management objectives can be achieved. Dividing the marsh complex into a number of smaller Management Zones facilitates the implementation of the preferred management option(s). 2.2 Define Preferred Management Options for Each Management Zone A more refined and detailed work plan will be prepared to assist with implementing natural environment and cultural measures. The refined plan should include a time schedule and cost estimates for various works. 2.3 Identify Implementation Mechanisms Measures to implement the preferred rnanagement options will be reviewed, including: a) Land acquisition; b) Land stewardship; c) Capital works d) Partnerships with community groups and other public agencies. WestsidelBowmanville Marsh Wetland Complex EMP Study T enns of Reference 10 658 VIII. STUDY PROCESS 1. STUDY CO-ORDINATION The Environmental Management Plan study will be co-ordinated by representatives from CLOC and the Municipality of Clarington. 2. STAKEHOLDERS Stakeholders in the Environmental Management Plan process are those parties, which have an interest in the health of the WestsideIBowmanville Marsh Complex. These include but are not limited to; a) the Municipality ofClarington; b) the Central Lake Ontario Conservation; c) the Region of Durham; d) Ontario Power Services Corporation; e) the Ministry of Natural Resources; 1) the Department of Fisheries and Oceans; g) the Waterfront Regeneration Trust; h) Blue Circle Canada; i) the Port Darlington Community Association; j) the Port Darlington Marina/Hotel; k) Wiggers Yachts; I) industrial uses including Dufferin Concrete; m) Valleys 2000 (Bowmanville) Inc.; n) Bowmanville Anglers; 0) Durham Field Naturalists: p) the general public. 3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION The public and stakeholders will be invited to participate in the study process. WestsidelBowrnanville Marsh Wetland Complex EMP Study Terms of Reference 11 659 3.1 Stakeholder Interviews CLOC and the Municipality of Clarington jointly will interview the stakeholders at the beginning of the study process to understand the interests of each group in developing the Plan. 3.2 Workshops/Public Information Centres Three workshops/Public Information Centres will be held as follows: a) Workshop/Public Information Centre # 1 . To present information regarding baseline conditions in the study area . To present the analysis of the background information . To begin the process to defme a Vision Statement and goals and objectives for the Wetland Complex.; b) Workshop/Public Information Centre # 2 . To fmalize the definition of a Vision Statement and goals and objectives for the Wetland Complex; c) Workshop/Public Information Centre # 3 . To review and select implementation options. IX. IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING OF EMP An appropriate framework must be defined within which the implementation of the EMP can be monitored. This framework must provide for a periodic review of the effectiveness of implementation measures, and a mechanism to amend the EMP to account for changing circumstances, such as available funding and community support. X. STUDY SCHEDULE The study will begin in winter -2001 and will finish in winter 2003 with the approval of the EMP by Clarington Council and the CLOC Board of Directors. The timing of significant milestones in the study process is illustrated on Attachment No.1. 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