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THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARlNGTON
REPORT
Meeting:
General Purpose and Administration Committee File # M ~
Monday, September 18, 2000 Res. # G;ffl-Ljo/-oO
Date:
Report #:
PD-090-00
File #: PLN 17.11.5
By-law #
Subject:
BLACK FAREWELL WETLAND COMPLEX
FILE: PLN 17.11.5
Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT Report PD-090-00 be received;
2. THAT Staff be authorized to proceed with the amendments to the Clarington Official Plan
as set out in Section 2.2 of Report PD-090-00 to incorporate the revised boundaries for the
Black Farewell Wetland Complex as established by 1999 Wetland Evaluation undertaken
by the Ministry of Natural Resources;
3. THAT the Ministry of Transportation be requested to review the alignment for the
Highways 401-407 Courtice Freeway Link to incorporate the 1999 Wetland Evaluation
for the Black Farewell Wetland Complex;
4. THAT the Region of Durham Planning Department be requested to review the long term
need for the Adelaide Avenue extension between Trolls Road and Courtice Road;
5. THAT Staff be authorized to initiate and/or find appropriate partners to initiate a program
of environmental stewardship for the wetland areas in the Black Farewell Wetland
Complex;
6. THAT a copy of Report PD-090-00 and Council's resolution be forwarded to the
Honourable David Turnbull, Minister of Transportation,. Mr. John O'Toole, M.P.P., the
Region of Durham, Central Lake Ontario Conservation, all delegations and the interested
parties indicated at the end ofthis report.
1. BLACK FAREWELL WETLAND COMPLEX
1.1 The Black Farewell Wetland Complex was originally evaluated by the Ministry of Natural
Resources in 1987: That evaluation determined the Wetland Complex to be provincially
significant. In 1997, MNR, in co-operation with Central Lake Ontario Conservation
(CLOC), initiated are-evaluation of the Wetland Complex. This exercise culminated in
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August1999 with MNR's release of the finalized wetland evaluation and mapping for the
Wetland Complex.
1.2 The 1999 evaluation identified the Black Farewell as the largest wetland complex and
swamp on the Iroquois Plain within the Greater Toronto Area. The hydrological functions
provided by the extensive Black Farewell wetlands, such as flood attenuation, maintenance
of water quality, and groundwater discharge and recharge, are identified as being critical to
the health of Farewell Creek, Black Creek and the provincially significant Second Marsh.
The evaluation noted the large number of significant plants and animals and the coldwater
fisheries in the Black Farewell Wetland Complex and confirmed the Complex's
provincially significant status.
1.3 The 1999 evaluation incorporates a number of wetlands in the Wetland Complex that were
not examined in the 1987 evaluation, but also excludes some lands identified by the 1987
evaluation. The revised Wetland Complex includes 33 individual wetlands and covers a
total of 556 ha.
1.4 On January 10, 2000 Mrs. Libby Racansky appeared as a delegation to Council with
respect to the Official Plan and the recognition of the Black Farewell Wetland Complex.
She also appeared on June 26, 2000 with respect to the Highway 401-407 Freeway Link.
This report addresses many of the concerns raised by Mrs. Racansky.
2. CLARlNGTON OFFICIAL PLAN
2.1 The Clarington Official Plan places a high priority on the protection of the most significant
natural features of the Municipality's natural environment, including all wetlands and
wetland complexes. The Black Farewell Wetland Complex is currently designated
'Environmental Protection Area' on Map A (Land Use) and is also identified on Map C
(Natural Features), The boundaries ofthe Wetland Complex indicated on Maps A and C
reflect the boundaries established by the 1987 evaluation.
2.2 Staff is seeking authorization to proceed with the following amendments to the Clarington
Official Plan to incorporate the revised boundaries of the Black Farewell Wetland
Complex:
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. Amendment to Map Al (Darlington): The proposed Amendment would redesignate
the lands newly identified as being part of the Wetland Complex from 'Prime
Agricultural Area', 'General Agricultural Area', and 'Green Space' to 'Environmental
Protection Area'. Lands previously identified as being part of the Wetland Complex
but which are now excluded would be redesignated from 'Environmental Protection
Area' to 'Prime Agricultural Area', 'General Agricultural Area' and 'Green Space' as
appropriate;
. Amendment to Map A2: The proposed Amendment would redesignate some lands
in the Courtice Urban Area from 'Urban Residential' to 'Environmental Protection
Area';
. Amendment to Map Cl: The proposed Amendment would delineate the revised
boundaries of the Wetland Complex;
. Amendment to proposed Map G (as created by proposed Modification No. 173):
The boundaries of the 'Potential Aggregate Resource Area' would be amended to
reflect the revised boundaries of the Wetland Complex.
3. HANCOCK NEIGHBOURHOOD DESIGN PLAN
3.1 The Hancock Neighbourhood Design Plan, as approved by the Municipality on September
10, 1998, provided for the development of several small wetland areas. At the time, these
wetlands were not identified as part of the provincially significant Black Farewell Wetland
Complex. Certain portions were not considered to be as significant either because they
were isolated from other natural features or were transitional in nature (e.g. wet meadow
areas). However, the 1999 wetland evaluation included these wetlands as part of the
provincially significant Wetland Complex due to the process for "complexing" wetlands.
The approximate location of the areas involved are identified on Attachment No. I.
3.2 Two plans of subdivision, proposed by Courtice Heights Development for Hancock
Neighbourhood, were approved by the Ontario Municipal Board prior to the release ofthe
final 1999 Wetland Evaluation. The implementation of the revised mapping for the
Wetland Complex will affect the development of Hancock Neighbourhood Design Plan
and approved engineering plans for the servicing of the Courtice Heights subdivisions. In
this regard, a further study to re-evaluate the Hancock Neighbourhood Design Plan and
servicing arrangements for the Courtice Heights subdivisions is required. Staff are
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consulting further with respect to legal implications and to determine the scope and cost of
such work and will report back to Committee at a later date.
4. HIGHWAYS 401- 407 COURTICE FREEWAY LINK
4.1 Council, at its meeting of June 26,2000, received a letter from Mrs. Libby Racansky in
which she expressed concern regarding the impact of the Highways 401- 407 Courtice
Freeway Link on the Black Farewell Wetland Complex. Council resolved to refer the
letter to the Planning and Development Department for a response.
4.2 The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) announced the Technically Preferred Route for the
Freeway Link in early 1992. Reports prepared by MTO indicated that the preferred route
was selected over a number of alternatives because it would minimize overall impacts on
the natural, social, cultural, economic, and agricultural environments as defined by
evaluation criteria. The 1987 evaluation of the Black Farewell Wetland Complex was
considered by MTO during the review of the alternative routes. The Technically Preferred
Route for the Freeway Link would run through the Black Farewell Wetland Complex as
defined by both the 1987 and the 1999 evaluations.
4.3 Discussions with MTO have indicated that the Environmental Assessment for the Courtice
Freeway Link has not yet been initiated. At such time as work on the Environmental
Assessment begins, new field work will be undertaken and various agencies will be
contacted to obtain updated information. Any new information, including the 1999
evaluation of the Black Farewell Wetland Complex will be assessed by MTO to determine
the implications for the Technically Preferred Route. As a result of this assessment, the
alignment of the technically preferred route may be altered or may be confirmed by MTO.
5. PROPOSED ADELAIDE AVENUE EXTENSION
5,1 The 1999 Wetland Evaluation for the Black Farewell Wetland Complex identified a
number of wetlands within GJenview Neighbourhood as being part of the Wetland
Complex. These wetlands pose a serious constraint to the future extension of Adelaide
Avenue through to Courtice Road as indicated in both the 1991 Durham Region Official
Plan and the 1996 Clarington Official Plan.
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5.2 An environmental review of the northern portion of the Courtice Urban Area prepared by
the Ecological Services Group for the Region of Durham in 1994 noted that, from an
environmental perspective, there are few alignment options for Adelaide Avenue. The
report recommended that "a comprehensive route selection process which should balance
environmental, planning, engineering and economic concerns be conducted before the
alignment is finalized."
5.3 The Region of Durham is initiating a review of their Official Plan and developing a
transportation plan for the Region through the Durham Mobility Study. It would be
appropriate for the Regional Official Plan Review to address the need for the Adelaide
Avenue extension to Courtice Road given the identification of wetlands in the Glenview
Neighbourhood as being part of the provincially significant Black Farewell Wetland
Complex.
6. LAND ACQUISITION AND STEWARDSHIP
6.1 In light of the provincially significant nature of the Black Farewell Wetland Complex, it is
imperative that these lands be protected and managed in a responsible manner, in particular
those lands located within the Courtice Urban Area. Two possible avenues are municipal
acquisition of the wetlands areas and private land stewardship.
6.2 The Municipality's Land Acquisition Strategy provides for the acquisition of
environmentally sensitive lands. It was anticipated that some lands would be dedicated
through the development process but that it should not be incumbent on the Municipality
to assume the full costs of acquiring such lands. Staff recently discussed the possibility of
financial assistance for land acquisition with the Ministry of Natural Resources. However,
the MNR advised that it does not provide funds for land acquisition. Other organization
such as the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Foundation and the National Heritage Trust
could also be approached for funding assistance.
6.3 Private land stewardship is also a promising opportunity for protecting and enhancing the
wetland areas. The Friends of Second Marsh currently administer a stewardship program
for the Farewell Creek watershed. This organization should be approached to explore
potential opportunities for encouraging the owners of the wetlands and adj acent areas to
adopt and implement appropriate stewardship strategies.
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7. CONCLUSIONS
7.1 The proposed changes to the Official Plan reflect Council's position and the Provincial
Policy Statement that Provincially Significant Wetlands should be protected from the
adverse effects of development.
It is anticipated that the Public Meeting for the proposed amendment and modification
will be held in January 2001.
Respectfully submitted,
Reviewed by,
d~~
D i J. rome, M.C.LP., RP.P.
Dire r of Planning and Development
*JASIBN *sn
* Attach
12 September 2000
Franklin Wu, M.C.LP., R.P.P.
Chief Administrative Officer
Attachment No. 1
Hancock Neighbourhood Design Plan
Interested parties to be notified of Council and Committee's decision:
Mrs. Libby Racansky
3200 Hancock Road
Courtice, Ontario
LIE 2Ml
Ms. Barb Brownlee
Head, Environrriental Services
Ministry of Transportation
3rd Floor, Building D
1201 Wilson Avenue
Downsview, Ontario
M3M U8
Mrs. Linda Gasser
Box 399
Orono, Ontario .
LOB lMO
Mr. Norm Monaghan
15 Westmore Street
Courtice, Ontario '
LIE 2H8
Mrs. Kerry Meydam
3828 Trolls Road
Courtice, Ontario
LIE 2L3
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