HomeMy WebLinkAboutEGD-018-18Clarington
If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Accessibility
Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131.
Report To: General Government Committee
Date of Meeting: September 4, 2018
Report Number: ENG -018-18 Resolution:
File Number: By-law Number:
Report Subject: Clarington Urban Forest Strategy
Recommendations:
1. That Report ENG -018-18 be received; and
GG -390-18, GG -391-18
2. That Council endorse the Clarington Urban Forest Strategy attached to Report ENG -
018 -18.
Municipality of Clarington
EG '-018-18
Report Overview
Page 2
The purpose of this report is to provide Council with an Urban Forest Strategy that provides
broad direction for urban forest planning and makes forest sustainability the primary
objective of forest management. This report seeks endorsement from Council for the
strategic objectives recommended in the Urban Forest Strategy.
1. Background
1.1. At the January 15, 2018 Council Meeting, Council passed Resolution #GG -028-18,
directing an inter -departmental team including Operations, Planning and Engineering to
develop an Urban Forest Strategy using existing staff.
1.2. Earlier reports on Clarington's existing policies regarding tree preservation were
submitted by the Operations Department (OPD -011-17), the Clerk's Department (CLD -
013 -2016), and also the Planning Services Department (PSD -055-16). Those reports
outlined how tree protection is currently addressed by the applicable legislation and
regulations for the rural and urban areas of Clarington.
2. Discussion
2.1 Given the direction of Council, staff have prepared the attached Urban Forest Strategy
including Strategic Objectives to move the urban forest towards a long-term, sustainable
model of management. The Strategic Objectives are categorized under the following six
groups:
x Tree Inventory and Assessment;
x Management of Municipal Forests;
x Level of Service;
x Customer Service / Service Delivery;
x Tree Protection and Management; and
x Forest Health and Pest Management.
2.2 The value of trees in urban settings is well-documented, and includes important
environmental, economic and community benefits. Trees and shrubs have the capacity
to clean the air and water, moderate the local climate, reduce energy consumption in
homes and buildings, sequester and store atmospheric carbon, provide shade and
screening, help control storm water runoff, and provide habitat for wildlife. Trees also
provide community and economic benefits. These include contributing to mental and
physical health, and increasing property values.
2.3 An Urban Forest Strategy is a framework that sets broad direction for urban forest
planning and makes forest sustainability the primary objective of forest management. It
provides the strategic direction for the long-term management of the Urban Forest and is
an integral part of addressing climate change.
Municipality of Clarington
EG '-018-18
Page 3
2.4 Achieving long-term forest sustainability can be far more complex in urban areas than in
the natural environment due to variations in land use, ownership, growing conditions, and
competing social and economic interests.
2.5 The Urban Forest Strategy can be used to direct the creation of an Urban Forest
Management Plan that would:
i. Set goals and objectives for the long term sustainability of the urban forest;
ii. Set measurable targets for success; and
iii. Project resource requirements to meet goals.
2.6 When the provisions of Bill 68 Modernizing Ontario's Municipal Legislation Act, 2017,
come into force on March 1, 2019, the Municipality is required to establish a policy on
"the manner in which the Municipality will protect and enhance the tree canopy and
natural vegetation in the municipality". If approved, we assume the Urban Forest
Strategy will satisfy the legislative requirement as no guidance or direction has been
provided by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
2.7 Staff will work towards the creation of an Urban Forest Management Plan as additional
information and resources become available. At a minimum, Operations Department will
budget for an update to the street tree inventory. The Urban Forest Strategy should be
reviewed on a 5 year basis.
3. Concurrence
3.1. This report was reviewed by the Municipal Clerk, Director of Planning Services and
Director of Operations who concur with the recommendations.
4. Conclusion
4.1. In accordance with Council's direction, staff have developed the Clarington Urban Forest
Strategy, a framework that sets broad direction for urban forest planning and makes
forest sustainability the primary objective of forest management. The Urban Forest
Strategy identifies what we aim to achieve and recommends actions to achieve those
objectives. Some objectives can be achieved with existing staff resources, others would
require specific professional expertise to determine the staff and financial resources
needed to implement the objectives.
5. Strategic Plan Application
5.1. The recommendations contained in this report conform to Priority 6 of the 2015 - 2018
Strategic Plan initiative to "Enhance Access to Our Unique Natural Environment".
Municipality of Clarington
EG '-018-18
Submitted by;
Anthony Cannella,
Director of Engineering Services
Page 4
Reviewed by:
Andrew C. Allison, B. Comm, LLB
CAO
Staff Contact: Peter Windolf, Manager of Park Development, pwindolf@clarington.net
Attachment 1 — Urban Forest Strategy
There are no interested parties to be notified of Council's decision.
�;1�
$VWDFKPHUWR5HSRUW(-
rington
Urban Forest Strategy
Woodland at Bons Park-Bowmanville
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................ 1
2. CURRENT FOREST CONDITION.............................................................................. 4
2.1 Forested Areas.................................................................................................... 4
2.2 Individual Trees................................................................................................... 5
2.3 Street Tree Inventory (Courtice, Bowmanville, Newcastle, Orono) ...................... 5
2.4 Tree Planting Programs....................................................................................... 7
2.5 Tree Maintenance Program................................................................................. 8
2.6 Benefits of Trees................................................................................................. 9
2.7 Current Forest and Tree Protection processes in Clarington ............................. 10
2.7.1 Municipal Tree By-laws.................................................................................. 10
2.7.2 Durham Region Tree By-law.......................................................................... 11
2.7.3 Clarington Tree By-law................................................................................... 11
3. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES...................................................................................... 13
3.1 Tree Inventory and Assessment (Streets, Parks and Open Space Areas) ........ 13
3.2 Management of Municipal Forests..................................................................... 14
3.3 Level of Service................................................................................................. 15
3.4 Customer Service / Service Delivery................................................................. 16
3.5 Tree Protection and Management..................................................................... 16
3.6 Forest Health and Pest Management................................................................ 18
4. IMPLEMENTATION................................................................................................... 19
5. CONCLUSION........................................................................................................... 19
List of Appendices
A. Overview of Current Natural Heritage Conditions in Clarington
1. INTRODUCTION
The Urban Forest has generally been defined as trees, forests, greenspace and related
cultural components in cities and communities. The Urban Forest is defined in the
2 IILFID OCO/CP FDCLQJ[�Dsystem of plant and animal communities, or as the woody
and associated vegetation in and around human settlement areas. It includes street
trees, residential trees, park trees and greenbelt and ravine plant and animal
communities, and provides habitat for
a diversity of urban wildlifeEJ Urban
Forestry is generally defined as the art,
science and technology of managing
trees and forest resources in and
around urban community ecosystems
for the physiological, sociological,
economic and aesthetic benefits trees
provide society.
An Urban Forest Strategy is a
framework that sets broad direction for
urban forest planning and makes forest
sustainability the primary objective of
forest management. It provides the
strategic direction for the long-term
management of the Urban Forest and
is an integral part of addressing
climate change. Achieving long-term
forest sustainability can be far more
complex in urban areas than in the
natural environment due to variations
in land use, ownership, growing
conditions, and competing social and
economic interests.
❑ K111EVMWD5G:DE118 LED❑ J RUVW' _1
( LUN -I RU HvHQ __I_I DCDGDVAIJMXLEDQ I RU+ANLL
C A EFIG NA MD❑❑❑[�❑ A/SHFMHG❑
branch of forestry that has as its objectives
the cultivation and management of trees for
their present and potential contribution to the
physiological, sociological and economic well-
being of urban society. These contributions
include the over-all ameliorating effect of
trees on their environment, as well as their
LP-FI.U-Dk5RC0C DQG1J HC FLDC DP F YDOHIE]
It is understood that trees in urban areas
(particularly those outside of natural areas) do
not provide the same range of ecological
functions as large tracts of natural forests, or
the same economic functions as actively
managed plantations. However, trees in
urban areas do provide a broad range of
functions and are most effectively considered,
and managed, as a whole. Therefore, the
\UP [ X, EDW DUKHE
trees within a given urban area.
The Strategy can be used to direct the creation of an Urban Forest Management Plan
that would:
i. Provide specific implementation direction on all aspects of the urban forest
strategy;
ii. Set goals and objectives for the long term sustainability of the urban forest;
iii. Set measurable targets for success.
iv. Project resource requirements to meet goals.
The Urban Forest provides a variety of social, environmental and economic benefits to
the citizens of Clarington. These benefits are well researched and relate to a variety of
measurable indicators of urban forest health. Incorporating a values based approach to
managing the Urban Forest is the basis for the Urban Forest Strategy.
DIJFK1H17M❑❑❑-AWISLRYb4RCMRI 11AR0 RG -LC HE2 QLURV❑
Municipal Legislation Act, 2017, will require the Municipality to HWEWIDISR(IFEIRCOWe
manner in which the Municipality will protect and enhance the tree canopy and natural
YHJH0ffZQ1Q0MPXCLFLSDa"mendment 107 to GLUDJVIQV2 IILFLDCCBGQ_updated the
policies regarding the natural heritage system and included enabling polices for the
development of an Urban Forest Management Plan.
Forest Management means the management of woodlands in a sustainable manner
which may include the construction and maintenance of forest access roads, production
of wood and wood products, and maple syrup production facilities; in addition forest
management includes the provision of recreation opportunities. The large forests within
the municipal boundaries, such as Ganaraska Forest, Long Sault Forest, Kendal and
Orono Crown Lands and Darlington Provincial Park have management plans prepared
by their respective owners/managers.
This Urban Forest Strategy provides some contextual information regarding the entire
Municipality, the strategic objectives are focused only on its urban areas as defined in
the Official Plan (Figure 1).
PA
I
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AREA
WATERFRONT GREENWAY
-
(
(TAUNTON ROAD)
COMMUNITY PARK
REGKINAL ROAO4
l /
❑
Q
0
(TAUNTON ROAD)
C
NCFS
ION
STREET
¢
m
_CONCE5310N
/
�
a
s
I
a
PEBRLEFaTONE
ROAD
�
w
CONCFS ION ROAD
CONCESSION ROAD
II
r
............ — --------
SE INI ROAD
j
- m
g
jm
�[
HlGHWAY2
BROWVIEW / I
OAD
H IGHuYAY
ORONO
[,
I,
`�I.��
C �
� •�,
CONCESSION ROADS
!f
�I
w
x
-7-
n
I i
\ \
COURTIGE--Al
URBAN AREA
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AREA
WATERFRONT GREENWAY
-
GREEN SPACE
COMMUNITY PARK
BLEWETT
1 z ROAD
O tt
p ❑ O 4 Z h
j O >
NASN ROAD � D � ! CONCE551 N ROAD
- V
CESSION ROAD 4 z = tr
U
S
NSG o j o �
lu
o ❑ I. w � m z � ` I `� � � � G.
a w z ❑ � x
BOWMANVILLE
Lake Ontario NEWCASTLE VILLAGE
Figure 1 - Urban Areas
Figure 1 Map showing Urban Areas in Clarington
3
0
C
NCFS
ION
STREET
J
m
_CONCE5310N
/
�
a
s
��,
a
I
�
w
I
(•
�
�
it
............ — --------
SE INI ROAD
j
- m
g
jm
�[
HlGHWAY2
BROWVIEW / I
OAD
H IGHuYAY
401
�`
`�I.��
C �
� •�,
BOWMANVILLE
Lake Ontario NEWCASTLE VILLAGE
Figure 1 - Urban Areas
Figure 1 Map showing Urban Areas in Clarington
3
2. CURRENT FOREST CONDITION
The current forest condition or status of forest resources (including street trees, parks
and open space trees, public woodlands in parks and environmental protection areas as
well as all trees on private land within our urban areas is the basis for all short and long
term decision making for Clarington V -X EDO7RUMNVI7KHFmost recent base information
on forested areas (both private and public) was compiled for the Official Plan Natural
Heritage Discussion Paper in 2013. Generally the makeup of the forest communities is
discerned using the Ecological Land Classification (ELC) protocol which classifies
vegetation communities through air photography interpretation; little detailed information
exists on species composition, age class or condition. More in depth ground surveys
have been carried out on the large forest tracks by their managers (e.g. the
Conservation Authorities and Ministry of Natural Resources). The only detailed on -the -
ground inventory for urban areas has been the street tree inventory completed in 2012.
This section describes the general information on the current forest inventory.
2.1 Forested Areas
The Municipality of Clarington covers 61,350 hectares. The total mapped forested areas
on both private and public land is 17,975 hectares, or 29.3% of the total land area when
Forest and Forest Swamp areas are combined (Figure 2).
Major Habitat Types and Land Uses In Clarington
Wetlan
1.83
Forest/Swamp
4.74%
Forest
24.55%
Meadow
Beach/Bluff 9.61%
Water
.29%
Urban
13.64
Figure 2 Percent cover of Clarington major habitat types and land uses
Agricultural
45.20%
!!
The Natural Heritage System Discussion Paper overview of natural heritage conditions
from April 2013 (Appendix A) describes the 29.3% cover figure as very slightly below
the 30 percent forest cover guideline recommended as a minimum by Environment
Canada. The forest cover figure for Clarington suggests that to even meet what
biologists have considered as a very conservative minimum all remaining forest should
be maintained and there should be an increase in cover to improve ecological health
and function in the landscape.
Although there are some very large forest patches in the Oak Ridges Moraine many of
the remaining woodlands in Clarington are small and isolated, especially those in urban
areas. Furthermore, given that many are found in valleys and stream corridors, the
shape of patches is often linear or convoluted, reducing the amount of forest interior.
The distribution of forest cover in Clarington is skewed towards the more rural north end
of the Municipality on the Oak Ridges Moraine. Although this has the benefit of helping
water retention and maintaining the health of stream headwaters, the lower amount of
cover in the southern portion of the Municipality results in poor connectivity and lower
capacity to support wildlife populations. Furthermore urban impacts contribute to higher
negative impacts on the remaining woodlands, which are already compromised due to
their size and shape.
The Municipality does not have detailed forest inventory data for the majority of our
forested areas.
2.2 Individual Trees
The Municipality does not have comprehensive data on the number of individual trees
that exist in the urban areas on either public or private land. We know that there are
approximately 21,000 street trees as of 2018 but no data has been collected on the
number of individual trees in our parks, cemeteries and open space areas.
2.3 Street Tree Inventory (Courtice, Bowmanville, Newcastle, Orono)
The most recent street tree inventory was completed in 2012. Since then the inventory
has grown from approximately 18,000 trees to over 21,000 trees as a result of new
subdivision development. Due to the new subdivision growth over a relatively short
period of time, the inventory of street trees is unbalanced, with most of our street trees
being relatively young in age.
Maple is the predominant street tree (44%), with Lindens (14%) being the next most
common genus of street tree (Figure 2). In 2012 Ash represented 13.5% of Clarington
street trees but the effects of Emerald Ash Borer have drastically reduced their numbers
and ash are no longer planted on Clarington streets.
5
Over the last decade several over -planted species have been reduced in proportions
through the increased planting of other varieties, and designing streetscape plans for
new subdivisions with a greater mix of species. Invasive trees like Norway Maple are
no longer planted as street trees in new subdivisions.
The municipal street tree inventory requires continual updates and maintenance, as well
as inspection of trees that have not had work completed on within the last 7 years.
Clarington Tree Inventory 2012
50%
S 10%
N
Q:
Q 0%
1\ac
O \C
IC a�� Pr Oaf `�y� �
�>t` C7�•�
0
C �o� \,otJ awe
U Ott
QJ
Tree Species
M M �
Figure 3. Percentage of Tree Species in street tree inventory
;-1
Ore`
Ilee
tea\
o�
�o
Figure 3. Percentage of Tree Species in street tree inventory
;-1
Species Size Class of Street Trees
8.7%
Small
70.8%
La rge
20.5%
Medium
Figure 4. Species size classes of street trees categorized by maximum biological size
2.4 Tree Planting Programs
Clarington Operations Department has an annual street tree replacement program that
is contracted out. The intent of the program is to remove and replace dead street trees
in assumed subdivisions. Funding for this program has increased slightly in-line with
increases in contractor costs.
The effects of Emerald Ash Borer have resulted in the removal of 1544 street trees over
the past 5 years from municipal boulevards with another 800 ash trees scheduled to be
removed and replaced over the next 2 years. Staff currently do not have an inventory of
the number or size of ash trees that are located within municipal woodlands, parks or
rural raodways that still need to be addresssed.
Over the past 5 years approximately 4500 trees have been planted on municipal
properties as part of community planting programs implemented with funding from
RXMC]IAVRXIFM/A/XFKLD\/ UIQ D -LI -- RR\/ 7 UEX\N-3 LRJ LDP LL( YI U LH- -The Carbon
Farmer, OPG/Scouts Canada, and others. These planting programs have resulted in a
significant increase in tree planting over the last decade on streets and in parks, which
will result in many long term benefits.
From 2012-2018 the Trees for Rural Roads program has resulted in the planting of
5,000 trees along rural roads. A 2018 Study conducted by the EcoBusiness Network
determined that approximately 165 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents have been
diverted by the Trees for Rural Roads program for the 5 years (2012 to 2017).
Mass Of CO2e Diverted Per Species Since 2012
Total CO2e Diverted: 165 tonnes
Silver Maple
3.0%
White Spruce
11.9%
Red Maple
32.6%
White Pine
2.2%
4.9
L
Hard Maple
23.5%
Figure 5. Mass of CO2 Diverted Per Species Since 2012
2.5 Tree Maintenance Program
Forestry staff in the Operations Department are responsible for the maintenance of trees
on streets, parks and open space areas. The Operations Department is currently
staffed with three full-time employees that are responsible for forestry duties. These
staff consist of a certified arborist/lead hand and two light equipment operators. During
the winter months these staff are also fully engaged with winter control activities. For
the summer months the forestry crew is typically supplemented by three students.
Common maintenance issues include, removal of dead trees, tree pruning, and stump
removal. The number of forestry work orders from 2015-2018 are as follows;
❑ 2015-935 work orders
❑ 2016-1047 work orders
❑ 2017-1175 work orders
❑ 2018 (to date) -942 work orders
E-3
The number of work orders will continue to increase as existing trees age and additional
subdivisions are developed adding to the tree inventory on streets, parks and open
space areas.
The International Society of Arboriculture Ontario (ISAO) recommends minimum and
30/& MM DM W HW LURff 1Q/SlF�QQP DLWdCCCFHLSLXQQJ IRL
street trees. The Best Management Practices (BMP) recommends a tree be inspected
on a timeline based on its current age and condition (ranging from once every 1 (over
mature trees) to every 7 years (tree in the middle of its lifespan). ISAO also
recommends a 7 year (BMP) to 10 year (minimum) pruning cycle (prune the tree every
7 to 10 years) for street trees. This pruning cycle will result in healthier, more
structurally sound and longer lived street trees. If the average lifespan of a street tree
can be increased by even 10 years, it would reduce the annual tree planting program
costs by approximately 20% and ongoing maintenance significantly reduces the number
of service requests made each year. In addition, a more structurally sound tree is less
likely to be damaged in a storm, or cause damage to municipal and private property
(decreasing Municipal liability).
2.6 Benefits of Trees
Trees are a vital component of the urban landscape. They provide many important roles
within the Municipality of Clarington, including:
❑ Water conservation;
❑ Energy conservation;
o Reducing summer air temperature by providing
shade
o Reducing cold winter winds by acting as a wind
break
F Economic benefits;
o Increasing tourism values
o Increasing property values
o Increasing community profile
❑ Improving community health;
o Reducing air pollution
o Reducing harmful ultra -violet light exposure
o Reducing greenhouse gases
o Reducing soil erosion;
❑ Providing wildlife habitat; and
❑ Increasing the beauty of the urban landscape.
91
Reinforces sense
of place and city
Identity
Improves
community
cohesion
Reducessun
exposure
Reduces flows
& nutrients
In stormwater
Reduces air
pollution
Provides shade
and cooling
Provides hablkat
and greater
biodiversity
Reconnects
children with
nature
Reclu€es heat
related Illnesses
Encourages
outdoor activity
'r^^moves mental
ellbeing
Enables energy
savings
Increases
property values
Enables health
savings
Avoids costs of
Infrastructure
damage
Assists In carbon
trading
Figure 6. Overview of the benefits provided by urban forests.
2.7 Current Forest and Tree Protection processes in Clarington
There are many pieces of legislation and processes that govern forest and tree
preservation. There is Provincial legislation, Environmental Assessments, Planning Act
Applications, and Environmental Impact Studies in addition to the Durham Region Tree
By-law and ❑GLUQJVRCff7LI H1% law. To fully understand tree preservation, provincial
legislation must be considered collectively ZL\KLII®ll VRQVLDQCEXLKDP V7lIFHlo_law.
Below is a brief outline of the many regulations that affect protection or cutting of trees
and woodlands. A number of pieces of legislation have been introduced or amended
Vl_CFH1a1GLUQJ\RQV'7LFHF1/o -law was enacted in 1997.
2.7.1 Municipal Tree By-laws
The Municipal Act, 2001 grants the authority to upper and lower tier municipalities to
enact a by-law to prohibit or regulate the destruction or injuring of trees and requires the
municipality to have regard to good forestry practices as defined in the Forestry Act. An
XSSHlA&UP XCfFISDWPVCDXVaRL%AtJ R11-I"Z RRGD03/-DVSfI LC HG1QV'9 LForestry Act that
are one hectare or more in area. The Municipal Act, 2001 further provides that the local
10
municipality may not prohibit or regulate the destruction of trees in any woodlands
designated in the upper -tier by-law.
2.7.2 Durham Region Tree By-law
The Durham Region Trees By-law came into force on June 27, 2012, replacing an earlier
by-law. The Regional Tree By-/ DZ -1H OFWANH15 HJ LR NTFP P I]9 HC VW-SU;�L VWRUM�PoIG
areas and the natural environment. Through this by-law, Regional Council recognizes
that woodlands contribute to ecosystem health, human health, and our overall quality of
life.
The Regional Tree By-law applies to woodlands within the Region that are 1 hectare (2.5
acres) in size and greater. It does not apply to areas less than one hectare.
2.7.3 Clarington Tree By-law
❑( LUDJIRQVr7L H%d law 97-35 is twenty years old and applies to woodlands having an
area equal to 0.2 hectare or greater but less than 1 hectare south of Taunton Road. The
upper tier (Durham Region) Tree By-law applies to areas in excess of 1 hectare.
❑OLUDJ\RQVsize restriction was set in 1997 when the By-law was enacted. The
recommendation from staff had been 0.4 ha and Council reduced the size to 0.2 ha,
presumably at the request of delegations. The By -OZ VCSXISR\H-Z LRAFW
woodlands and not individual trees.
❑(mUOJIRQVr7L1 HiWAaw regulates woodlands between 0.2 ha and 1 ha in size; it does
not regulate individual trees. To reduce to an area under the 0.2 hectare or half an acre
size would render the By-law extremely cumbersome and require significant resources to
enforce.
2.7.4 Conservation Authority
There are some natural heritage features such as significant wetlands and significant
coastal wetlands where development and site alteration are not permitted. Typically
these policies are enforced by Conservation Authorities in concert with the local Ministry
of Natural Resources staff. In addition, the Conservation Authorities UP LC VAJ2 QUFXL1
Regulation of Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alteration to Shorelines and
Watercourses.
2.7.5 Environmental Assessments
Where a project has been approved by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change
under the Environmental Assessment Act, the project can proceed as set out in the
Environmental Study Report, subject to the conditions imposed by the approval.
Therefore, projects such as the construction of Highway 407 and Highway 418, widening
11
of Highway 401, and the Clarington Transformer Station, which have proceeded under
their Environmental Assessment Act approvals, are not subject to a municipal tree by-
law.
2.7.6 Planning Act
For projects proceeding under a Planning Act application there is a rigorous process for
the determination of natural heritage area protection and tree preservation. An applicant
attends a pre -consultation meeting where the need for various studies including
Environmental Impact Studies (EIS), are set out. A tree preservation plan is often a
requirement for a complete application; it is prepared in accordance with the EIS.
Environmental Impact Studies are a requirement used for all types of development
applications where the natural heritage system may be impacted. The natural heritage
system includes wetlands, woodlands, valley lands, and the Natural Core and Linkage
areas of the Oak Ridges Moraine (as set out in the Official Plan).
Clarington has good policies in our Official Plan to protect and enhance the natural
heritage system and its ecological integrity. The 1996 Official Plan established a new
standard for the protection of natural heritage features in Southern Ontario. The recently
amended 2 I I LFLDCB CD SRQ HJLFRQMCHAR-SLRAFWI ®IUQJ H_VI_\AhP ❑
from incompatible development. RZHYHU2 IILFLDCBCCSR YHCCRIILFUXURI=
teeth ❑that is there is no mechanism to enforce compliance without the other municipal
regulatory mechanisms being in place
2.7.8 Environmental Impact Studies
The Environmental Impact Studies that are prepared are reviewed by Conservation
Authority staff to determine the limits of protection which are then enforced through the
development agreement. Tree Preservation Plans are reviewed by Engineering
Services and approved by the Director. The Municipality also has the ability to require a
Peer Review of the Tree Preservation Plan where warranted.
2.7.9 Woodlands in Clarington.
Currently, there are some 1200 wooded areas between 0.2 and 1 hectare in Clarington
to which the by-law could apply (if the Tree By-law were amended to cover all of
Clarington, rather than just south of Taunton Road). However, many of these are
hedgerows in agricultural areas. The removal of hedgerows can be part of Normal Farm
Practices, and would be exempt from the Clarington Tree By-law.
To obtain a more accurate count of affected woodlands, staff isolated lands zoned
agriculture (a total of 935), which reduced the number of woodlands to 265. The
woodlands in valleylands or wetlands that are regulated by the Conservation Authorities
12
were isolated from the count as well; leaving 94 woodlands between 0.2 and 1 ha that
the Municipality has jurisdiction over. Seven of these are in urban areas.
The 7 woodlands between 0.2 and 1 ha within urban areas, where the Municipality would
have jurisdiction, would also be subject to Planning Act application processes. Some
urban woodlands could be in jeopardy if an owner began to clear them, prior to an
application.
2.7.10 Compensation Plans
Clarington in concert with Durham Region and Conservation Authority staff require
compensation plans when woodlands have been cleared. The compensation plans are
funded by the land owner responsible for the destruction of the woodlands. Our policies
with regard to compensation plans should be better articulated in terms of what triggers
the need for compensation, how will it be measured and how will it be enforced.
3. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
The 0 XCgFLSDOMR 11110UIDJWQVmain objective is to manage the urban forest in a long-
term, sustainable manner. There are several areas of focus (strategic objectives) that
need to be addressed over the short-term to move the urban forest towards a long-term,
sustainable model of management. Each of the Strategic Objectives can be
categorized under one of the following six groups:
3.1 Tree Inventory and Assessment;
3.2 Management of Municipal Urban Forests;
3.3 Level of Service;
3.4 Customer Service / Service Delivery;
3.5 Tree Protection and Management; and
3.6 Urban Forest Health and Pest Management.
3.1 Tree Inventory and Assessment (Streets, Parks and Open Space Areas)
3.1 .1 Tree Inventory and Forest Canopy Assessment
The tree inventory is the basis of all long term planning and decision making for
urban forest management. Regular updates to the street tree inventory should
continue and resources should be directed to complete an inventory of the
individual trees in parks and open space areas.
Staff will investigate partnership opportunities with interest groups, schools,
conservation authorities, and private land owners to collect information on the
quantity and quality of trees and forests on private land through the use of
13
satellite imagery, volunteer data collection and other data acquisition
opportunities.
3.1.2 Street and Park Tree Diversity Objectives
Diversification of the tree species within parks and on boulevards provides a
healthier, more robust tree inventory that is less prone to serious pest issues
(i.e. insects and diseases). Staff has been diversifying the street tree inventory
over the last decade. The long-term goal is to have all street tree species
occupy less than 10% of the overall total tree inventory.
3.1.3 Age Class Distribution Objectives
A diverse age distribution of trees within parks and on boulevards reduces
issues of peak year declines due to natural mortality. Due to the large
proportion of young trees as a result of subdivision expansion, there will be a
future issue with natural mortality and decline as these trees become mature
within the same decade. An analysis and future projection of growth, planting
and management as part of an Urban Forest Management Plan is
recommended to identify strategies to develop a more diverse -aged tree
inventory over the long-term.
3.2 Management of Municipal Forests
3.2.1 Forest Succession Plans
An Urban Forest Management Plan would include objectives and individual
forest succession plans for municipal owned forest in parks and open space
areas. Specifically, many forested areas, such as valleylands require
management to ensure the long-term sustainability of these lands.
Private tree plantings also contribute to the urban forest. In new subdivisions,
developers are required to provide new home owners with vouchers for an
additional tree beyond the street trees that are planted as part of the public
realm.
3.2.2 Non-native invasive species management
Non-native species are becoming more common in natural areas within the
Municipality. Dog -strangling vine, garlic mustard, etc. are serious problems that
will impact long term sustainability of forested lands. Staff will continue to
investigate partnerships, provincial and federal funding opportunities to identify,
map and address the problem caused by non-native invasive species.
14
Staff have been working with Conservation Authority staff and volunteers on
invasive species projects including education and eradication. One example is
the work by the Courtice EcoProjects on phragmites eradication in the Black,
Harmony and Farewell Creek valleyland.
The Ontario Invasive Species Plant Council has a mapping tool on its website
that members of the public can use to report an invasive species sighting. In
addition they provide educational material and ongoing management
workshops, the Municipality has assisted by hosting the workshops jointly with
the Conservation Authorities.
3.2.3 Mapping of encroachments and education program for residents
Encroachments by adjacent landowners into municipal forests and valleylands
result in the destruction and/or degradation of natural areas. They also act as a
point source of non-native invasive species, and can have long-lasting impacts
to natural areas. Subdivision developers in Clarington are required to provide
education materials to new residents on the impacts of encroachments on the
natural environment.. Staff will investigate additional methods of providing
information to existing residents who live adjacent to natural areas.
3.3 Level of Service
3.3.1 Inspection Program
A systematic tree inspection program following the International Society of
Arboriculture (ISA) standards is a best practice for all tree maintenance
programs. Identification of tree issues early with follow-up maintenance can
increase the lifespan of a tree, significantly reduce risk of damage caused by
tree structural failures, and reduce the long term costs of management of tree
inventories. A regular system of inspection and reporting would be developed
for municipal street and park trees as part of a comprehensive Urban Forest
Management Plan.
3.3.2 Maintenance (Pruning) Cycle
Regular pruning of trees increases their health, longevity and significantly
reduce risk of damage caused by tree structural failures. It also acts to reduce
the number of service requests made by residents to report tree problems that
would not exist if the tree had been pruned regularly.
15
Due to the Emerald Ash Borer infestation starting in 2014 municipal resources
have been concentrated on the removal of ash trees and staff are not able to
respond to less critical forestry tree requests. Only those forestry requests that
are considered an emergency will be performed on a priority basis.
Staff will review the pruning program towards the goal of achieving a regular
maintenance cycle of 7-10 years.
3.4 Customer Service / Service Delivery
3.4.1 Response Protocols
Staff will review the current process for receiving service requests through to
the completion of the tasks and tracking of work. This process will be reviewed
with the goal of reducing the timeline between receiving service requests and
final closing of the service request.
3.4.2 Public Education and Information Availability
Increase the opportunities for public education and outreach through
community partners, volunteer planting events, and involvement in
environmental community events and committees. Educating community
partners on the value of native species and the dangers of invasive species
could result in less long-term impact on natural areas.
A comprehensive review and update of the Urban Forestry information on the
website needs to be completed. GLIIQJVRQVZFEVMLand social media could
be a good avenue to provide information to the public.
Create public education opportunities on the benefits of protecting and
managing trees on private property. Trees on private properties provide
benefits to Clarington as a whole without any additional investment from the
municipality.
3.5 Tree Protection and Management
3.5.1 Private Tree By-law
In Clarington, as elsewhere in southern Ontario, much of the urban forest is
privately -owned. The condition and composition of the privately -owned
component of the urban forest is unknown, pest management, risk mitigation and
tree removal and planting decisions are outside the direct control of municipal
16
urban forest managers. Tree by-laws regulating injury to and destruction of trees
on private property is one tool that some municipalities in Ontario have
implemented to try and ensure that trees considered significant in a municipality
are not removed without good reason. However, such by-laws can evoke strong
sentiment among some members of the community who feel that their private
property rights are being infringed upon.
Private tree by-laws are also tools that require dedicated staff resources to
administer and enforce. Issues surrounding private tree protection are more
prevalent in municipalities that have a greater percentage of mature urban areas.
In Clarington, we have many older established neighbourhoods with significant
tree cover, some of which is now reaching an age where it is prone to disease,
storm damage and death. IIX\AN-ISP DPRWRI 1t110IIQJVRQVXIEDQLR /in newer
residential development areas that have not reached the age where large mature
and over mature trees on private properties have become a significant recurring
issue.
Staff do not recommended that Clarington introduce a Private Tree By-law at this
time. Future updates to the Urban Forest Strategy and Tree By -Laws will
reassess the need for a Private Tree By-law as our urban areas mature.
3.5.2 Review _10UDJVRQWLFH_By-law
Staff will plan regular reviews to the existing Tree By-law on a 5 -year cycle to
ensure that changes to legislation, organization and relevance are kept up-to-
date DQG-FRP S(OP I -II -I-5 HJLRQVII/cF-- law which applies to woodland areas
over 1.0 hectare.
3.5.3 Formalize the review process for capital projects with tree impacts.
Staff will review the process in place for capital projects and recommend any
changes necessary to ensure the protection of trees on Municipal construction
projects.
3.5.4 Increase Oversight
Correct implementation of Tree Protection measures is the best practice for
providing tree protection. Training and any other tools or resources that are
made available for inspectors will increase the successful implementation of
tree protection standards and practices.
17
Staff will research available training courses to provide the knowledge to
inspection staff that is critical in ensuring that tree protection is implemented on
construction sites.
3.6 Forest Health and Pest Management
3.6.1 Implementation of a Pest Preparedness Program
Staff will monitor current and future forest pests (insects and diseases) that may
have an impact on the urban forest. New pests, or changes to existing pests
will result in the need to develop a Pest Preparedness Program to ensure
Clarington stays ahead of impending issues.
3.6.2 Emerald Ash Borer Program
Staff will continue to address the impacts of emerald ash borer on our inventory
of ash trees. The program will be reviewed and adjusted to ensure the most
efficient and up-to-date information is used in decision making.
Figure 7. Emerald Ash Borer
3.6.3 Assessment of the Watering Program/Policy for newly planted trees
Staff will review and update the watering program for newly planted street trees
to ensure trees are properly cared for in the critical establishment phase of tree
planting. The majority of street trees in Clarington are planted by the
developers of subdivisions. Staff will investigate making Gator Bags, or similar
slow release watering systems, a requirement for new street tree planting
projects.
IN
3.6.4 Identification and planning for future forest health issues and climate change
Trees have a significant lifespan and staff must make decisions today that will
affect future generations. For example, the choice of tree species and location
in a park or on a boulevard can have affects for several decades into the future.
Staff will monitor and stay current on research and information available related
to future forest health issues, including climate change.
4. IMPLEMENTATION
Several objectives in the Urban Forest Strategy can be implemented immediately,
however complete implementation all strategic objectives will take longer as part of a
more comprehensive Urban Forest Management Plan. Input from the public and
relevant agencies will also be important in the development of an Urban Forest
Management Plan.
The majority of the strategic objectives outlined in this document were developed to
create operational efficiencies and/or reduce the long-term cost to the municipality to
deliver services while enhancing the benefits provided by the urban forest.
5. CONCLUSION
The Urban Forest is a vital piece of green infrastructure within the Municipality of
Clarington. It is important to the residents who live here. Urban forests play an
important role in health and quality of life, plus they provide many economic and social
values. Planning communities that incorporate urban trees and forests that are
accessible, well maintained and safe provides significant public health benefits.
Exposure to nature can create safe and comfortable conditions for vibrant, socially
connected communities. The Urban Forest Strategy is intended to enhance those
benefits over time without significant associated costs.
An increase in Urban Forest cover cannot simply be achieved by planting more trees.
Effective Urban Forest management requires ongoing commitment to managing trees in
all phases of their life -cycle, as well as strategic planning to bolster the resilience of the
Urban Forest against the numerous stressors it may be subjected to. The primary
objective should not be to simply meet a canopy cover target, but should be to steadily
improve the FRQ2IlRQ_RLLGUI0JUR8 Urban Forest through the implementation of the
strategic objectives identified in this Urban Forest Strategy.
Partnerships with the community, interest groups and other agencies are an important
component of many of the strategies proposed. However, another critical aspect of
19
ensuring long-term forest sustainability is adaptive management. Consistent review and
adjustment of the Strategy will result in greater long-term forest health and
sustainability. This Urban Forest Strategy is intended to create the building blocks for
an Urban Forest Management Plan that will be adapted over time as new information,
issues, pests, etc. are discovered.
Perhaps the most contentious issue in Urban Forestry today is the protection of
individual trees on private property. Clarington has the option under the Municipal Act of
instituting a Private Tree By-law that would prohibit or regulate the destruction or injuring
of trees and require owners to obtain a permit to cut or injure any tree under municipal
jurisdiction.
Staff recommends not pursuing a Private Tree By-law at this time. A comprehensive
tree permit system would be expensive to administer and would be burdensome on
individual property owners. Also the Municipality currently does not have the staff
resources or adequate inventories of urban trees that would be protected through a
permit system. For woodlands larger than 0.2 hectare (half an acre) there are policies
and regulations in place to address tree clearing, enforcement is carried out in concert
with Durham Region and the Conservation Authorities.
The need for an individual tree permit system and the capability of staff to implement a
Private Tree By-law could change over time as our urban areas mature. Regular
reviews of our Tree By -Law will provide the opportunity to re -visit the issue in the future.
20
/_1aa4LIIQKI_1
OVERVIEW OF CURRENT NATURAL HERITAGE CONDITIONS IN CLARINGTON
Given that the municipality is located in a part of Ontario where the landscape is highly
fragmented, all of the threats to natural heritage outlined in the previous section are
relevant to Clarington, and can partially be addressed through defining a natural heritage
system. A more specific look at the status of natural habitat in relation to land cover is
provided below. The statistics in this section are based on an Ecological Land
Classification system (ELC) and land cover mapping by CLOCA and GRCA. The ELC
and land cover mapping is based on 2008 colour air photography.
Figure 7 shows a pie chart depicting the relative cover of major habitat and land cover
types. For this analysis, Community Series level ELC types were lumped into the
broader categories of forest, wetland, meadow, beach bluff and open water. Forest
swamp has been depicted as a separate category as this functions as both forest and
wetland, and can be added to the total cover of either one. Detailed land cover
categories used by the Conservation Authorities have been grouped into agriculture/rural
and urban land cover.
6.1 Forest
The Municipality of Clarington covers 61,350 hectares. Of this area 29.3 percent can be
considered forest based on ELC forest when forest swamps are included. This figure is
slightly below the 30 percent forest cover guideline recommended as a minimum
(Environment Canada 2004). Although these guidelines were designed to address Great
Lakes Areas of Concern, they have been widely used for other landscapes because they
are science
.@ Mo
_:-T7r#&jrj� 1t. w t� 111 •
6.2 Wetland
F 1/ CCF®(CLC1J DPS❑�tR11-IIJ�T-SIFHOM®GUIDJVR Dffl)[T'7KH11
Environment Canada guideline suggests that greater than 10 percent of a landscape
should be wetland. However, the amount of wetland in a given area is based to a large
degree on soil types and precipitation patterns, therefore some regions may naturally
support more or less than this recommended target. A recent study (Ducks Unlimited
2010) notes that for Durham Region the pre
A -i i
Most of the wetland in Clarington is composed of forest swamp as would have likely
been the case historically. As such many of the conservation concerns described for
forest