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HomeMy WebLinkAboutR.D.H.P. Advisory Board 1976 ~ I-l , the metropolitan toronto and region conservation authority minutes ----------=~. - - ---- R.D.H.P. ADVISORY BOARD THURSDAY-MAY-6-l976 #1/76 TIle R.D.H.P. Advisory Board met at the Borough of Scarborough (Meeting Hall), Scarborough Civic Centre, l50 Borough Drive on Thursday, May 6, 1976, co~nencing at 10:00 a.m. PRESENT WERE Chairman J.S. Scott Vice Chairman G. Ashe Members J.E. Anderson B.G. Harrison H.C. Lawrie C.A. Mackie Mrs. S. Martin J.G.C. Weir Authority Vice Chairman Mrs. F. Gell Secretary-Treasurer K.G. Higgs Adm. - Water Resource Div. M.R. Garrett Project Planner T.E. Farrell Development Coordinator J.W. Maletich Adm. - CLM Division P.B. Flood 'Save The Rouge' Corrunittee Mrs. Carole Rivett Mrs. Donelda Warren Mrs. Lois James Mrs. Helen Craig John Boyd . ABSENT WERE " , Members Wm. G. Ballinger ,', G. Ratcli ff Mrs. M.A. Reid Mrs. J. Trirruner R.W. White MINUTES The Minutes of Meeting #2/75 were presented and read. Res. #l Moved by: J.G.C. Weir Seconded by: H.C. Lawrie RESOLVED THAT: The Minutes of Meeting #2/75 be adopted as read. CARRIED; STATUS' OF NORTH PICKERING PROJECT Members of the Board requested to be advised of the status of the North Pickering Project. Mr. Higgs advised that the Authority had had no further conununication with the North Pickering Development Corporation and that there had been no meetings of the Joint Environmental Coordinating Committee; the Authority was cooperating with the Ministry of Housing regarding the continuance of the development of the Duffin Creek Trail and that l2 Experience .76 students had been hired and are being paid by the Ministry of Housing for this purpose. I-2 -2- STAFF PROGRESS REPORT Mr. Higgs outlined the sta~s'of Authority p~ojects in the R.D.H.P. watershed~ He advised that due, to budget constrain:ts; conservation programmes in the area un~ar tb6 jurisdi?tion of the Authority were curtailed considerably. He dealt with ab~ivities in the headwaters; in the Conservation' Are~~ i'n' 'the' R'. Oj1. p~ 'ar'ea; the status of the Flood Control programme; and the work to be completed, by the Inform- ation and Education Division at the Claremont Conservation Field Centre. Mr. Garrett presented a report OR, the Wat-e..rfront Project wi thin the ar<ia of jurisdicti'on of the R.D.H.P. and advised the status of Blu ffer 's Park, the work completed in tihe Pickering/Ajax Sector of t the Waterfront Project and outlined the PXesent status of the Waterfront Project 1977-l98l. Mr. Flood presented a review of Conservation Services programmes being undertaken in the R.D.H.P. watershed area. DELEGATION - 'SAVE 'IHE ROUGE VALLEY' Mr. J. Boyd of 'Save The Rouge Valley' Committee, presented a number of suggestions for consideration of the Board and asked a number of questions regarding th~ status of vario~$ aspects of the work of the Authority within the R.D.H.P. watershed. Mrs. Lois James spoke of 'Save The Rouge. Committee and thanked the Authority for a number of activities that we~ being' undertaken in the R.D.H.iP.. Mrs~ H. Craig outlined the activities of the 'Save The Rouge I Committee. PETTICOAT CREEK CONSERVATION AREA GO Transit Stop'Dial-A~Bu5, Proposal Mr. Farrell submitted a report and recommendation on the Petticoat Creek GO Transit Stop/Dial~A-Bus proposal. considerable discussion took place on the Report and Recommendation. Res. ff:2 Moved by: B.G. Harrison Seconded by: J.G.C.. Weir THE BOARD ~ECOMMENDS THAT: ~e Sub-Committee appointed by the Authority to establish a 'GO" transit stop to serve the Petticoat Creek Conservation Area in an endeavour to expedite the establishment of such a stop, be directed to seek a furthe'r~ meeting to review alternative methods of providing 'GO' transit services to the Petticoat Creek Conservation Area.' (The Committee consists of Messrs. R~G. Henderson, M-'. J. ',\ ; J. S . 'Scott, Harrison and Breen, B.G. K.G. Higgs) . CARRIED; REPORT RE 'SAVE THE ROUGE VALLEY SYSTEM' A report dated May-197.5 summarizing some lines of action for the Rouge Valley System was presented. Res. #=3 Moved by: J.G.C. Weir Seconded by: B~G. Harrison 'THE BOARD RecOMMENDS THAT: The,$ta'ff be directed to review the recom- me.ndations of the ',Save The.~ Roug~" Valley System', under date of May-1975 an~ prepa~e a repOFt with comm~ntson the~~ r~commepdations and report bflCk to the' next"" regular meeti.'ng of the~,'Board.' " ' , . , . I CAHRIED; , I I : ' . . .. -3- I-3 DIEECTION TO STAFF - RE RES. #=7/75 Resolution ~7/75 of the Board adopted at Meeting #2/75 held Friday, October 10, 1975, which reads: 'THAT the staff be directed to carry out the direction of every resolution of the Authority and, where action is required, the staff be directed to report that action at the following meeting; and '!HAT they also be directed to submit a written report of that action to the Chairman of the appropriate Committee, with a copy to the original mover of the motion, I - was considered by the Executive Committee at Meeting #16/75 held Wednesday, October 22, 1975 and, by Resolution #325, was referred back to the Board for clarification. IT WAS AGREED THAT the matter be deferred to the next meeting of the Board. NEW BUSINESS PEDESTRIAN FOOTBRIDGE - LOWER ROUGE VALLEY A discussion took place regarding the proposed pedestrian footpridge in the Lower Rouge Valley. Res. #4 Moved by: B.G. Harrison Seconded by: J.G.C. Weir THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The Authority support the construction of a pedestrian bridge across the Lower Rouge River; and THAT The Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto, the Borough'of Scarborough, the Regional Municipality of Durham and The Town of ,Pickering'be so advised. ," . ~J ;"" . CARRIED; ADJOURNMENT On Motion, the Meeting adjourned at l2:30 p.m., May 6 for a tour of inspection 'of Bruce's Mill, Lake St. George and the Milne Areas. J.S. Scott K.G. Hiqqs Chairman Secretary-Treasurer . ~ 1-4 , . ," . .; the metropolitan toronto and region conservation authority minutes ~ - R.D.H.P. ADVISORY BOARD FRIDAY-OCTOBER-15-1976 ~2/76 -- The R.D.H.P. Advisory Board met in Room M21 - Mayor's Conference Room, The Borough of Scarborough, Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Dr" on Friday, October 15, 1976, commencing at lO:OO a.m., wi th a tour of the Highland Creek area to observe the flood damage caused by the storms of August 27 and 28, 1976. The following participated in the tou r : Chairman J.S. Scott Vice Chairman G. Ashe Members J.E. Anderson H.C. Lawrie Mrs. S. Martin R.W. White Chairman of the Authority R.G. Henderson Vice Chairman of the Authority Mrs. F. Gell Corresponding Secretary - Save the Rouge Valley System Mrs. L. James Adm. - Water Resource Division M.R. Garrett Head', Flood Control Section W/F J.C. Mather The Meeting resumed at 1:30 p.m., October 15. PRESENT WERE Chairman J.S. Scott Vice Chairman G. Ashe Members J.E. Anderson B.G. Harrison H.C. Lawrie \ C.A. Mackie Mrs. S. Martin Mrs. J. Trinuner R.W. White Chair~an of the Authority R.G. Henderson Vice Chairman of the Authority Mrs. F. Gell .Save the Rouge System' (representatives) Secretary-Treasurer K.G. Higgs Adm. - Water Resource Division M.R. Garrett Head, Flood Control Section W/F J.C. Mather Research Assistant Mrs. A. Deans ABSENT WERE Members Wm. G. Ballinger G. Ratcliff Mrs. M.A. Reid J.G.C. Weir MINUTES The Minutes of Meeting #l/76 were presented. ~es. #5 Moved by: J.E. Anderson Seconded by: G. Ashe 1-5 -2- RESOLVED THAT: The Minutes of Meeting #:1/76 be adopted as presented. CARRIED; DIRECTION TO STAFF - RE RES., ~7/?5 Res, #7/75 of the Board adopted at Meeting #2/75 held Friday, October 10, 1975, was referred back to the Board by the Executive Committee for clarification. A discussion took place with respect to this Resolution, The Members of the Board were satisfied that the intent of the Resolution was being carried out by the staff. PETTICOAT CREEK CONSERVATION AREA GO Transit Stop/Dial-A-Bus Proposal The staff submitted a report on GO Transit Stop, Petticoat Creek Con- servation Area, Town of Pickering, as the result of a meeting held September I, 1976 with members of the Petticoat Creek GO Transit Stop Committee and senior staff of the Toronto Area Transit Operating Authority. Res. J:l:6 Moved by: R.W. 'White Seconded by: G. Ashe RESOLVED THAT: The concept of a GO Transit Stop at Petticoat Creek is feasible but that no further action be taken on this matter until the level of use of the Petticoat Creek Conservation Area is more established and the need for a GO Transit Stop is more evident. CARRIED; STAFF PROGRESS REPORT I Messrs. Higgs and Garrett presented a detailed Progress Report of the I activities of the Authority in the R.D.H.P. watershed. The Progress Report included the activities of Conservation Land Management Division, Information and Education Division and Water Resource Division, including the Waterfront Section and the Flood Control Section. Mr. Higgs outlined the development undertaken by Experience I '76 students on the development of the Duffin Creek Hiking Trail on I lands owned by the North Pickering Community. MILNE CONSERVATION AREA LEASE OF LANDS FOR RECREATION Mr. Lawrie requested that the Authority give consideration to the leasing of additional lands at the Milne Conservation Area to The Town of Markham for development for local parks and recreation purposes. Res. J:l:7 Moved by: H.C. Lawrie Seconded by: Mrs. F. Gell THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The Authority lease additional landS at the Milne Conservation Area to The Town of Markham for development for local parks and recreation purposes. CARRIED; MILNE CONSERVATION AREA FOOT BRIDGE Mr, Lawrie discussed the requirement "for a foot bridge below the Milne Dam to facilitate access to the Milne Conservation Area. Res. tf8 Moved by: Mrs. F. Ge11 Seconded by:, J.E. Anderson , I ; , I -3- 1-6 RESOLVED THAT: The staff be directed to investigate the establishment of a foot bridge across the Rouge River below the Milne Dam, to facilitate access to the Milne Conservation Area. CARRIED; BLUFFERS PARI< STOP SIGNS - BRIMLEY ROAD ACCESS Mrs. Martin advised the Members of the Board of the dangerous traffic situation at the Brimley Road entrance to Bluffers Park. She suggested that a stop sign on Barkdene Hills and a stop sign on Brimley Road North at Barkdene Hills would improve the traffic hazard. Res, #9 Moved by: Mrs. S. Martin Seconded by: Mrs. J. Trirmner THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The Authority request the Borough of Scarborough to consider the establishment of a stop sign on Barkdene Hills at the intersection of Brimley Road and on the north lane of Brimley Road at Barkdene Hills. CARRIED; HIGHLAND CREEK FLOOD Auqust 27-28 - 1976' Mr. Garrett presented a detailed report on the floods of the Highland Creek caused by the storms of August 27 and 28, 1976. He reviewed briefly the extent of damages suffered by the Borough of ' Scarborough, The Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto, the Authority and private property owners and outlined the following steps that had been under- taken by the staff fOllowing the flood: (a) The establishment of high water marks; (b) The engaging of Consultants to study the storm and the subsequent flood flows; (c) Meetings with Scarborough, Metropolitan Toronto and The Province of Ontario to coordinate the preparation and completion of a report on the flood damage; (d) Pictures were taken of the flood damage by helicopter. Mr. Garrett advised that a comprehensive report on the flood of the Highland Creek would be completed by the end of October, 1976. Res. #lO Moved by: H.C. Lawrie Seconded by: J.E. Anderson RESOLVED THAT: The Staff Progress Report on the Highland Creek flood of August 27 and 28, 1976 be received. CARRIED: Res. #ll Moved by: H.C. Lawrie Seconded by: Mrs. J. Trimmer RESOLVED THAT: The staff be directed to show slides'of the Highland Creek flood at the next meeting of the Authority, scheduled for Friday, November 26, 1976. CARRIED: . I-7 -4- FLOOD CONTROL PLAN REVIEW Mr. Garrett outlined the Flood Control Plan Review being undertaken by Authority staff. The review will include: (a) An attempt to quantify flood vulnerable areas to enable an evaluation of the degree of flood direction required; (b) A study of the alte~natives available, both separately and in combination, ~ achieve the most suitable system; ( c) A study of the environmental, social and financial implications of the alternatives, to ensure an acceptable means of providing the necessary level of flood direction. The Flood Control Plan Review will encompass all of the area under -I the juri,sdiction of the Authori ~y, including the watersheds of the Rouge, Duffin, Highland and Petticoat Creeks. ~es. lfll Moved by: G. Ashe Seconded by: J.E. Anderson RESOLVED THAT: The Staff Report on the Flood Control Plan Review be received. ~ C]l~RIED; . REPORT RE 1 SAVE THE ROUGE VALLEY SYSTEM' Mrs. Deans submitted a comprehensive report on the recommendations of 'Save The Rouge Valley System1. Res. #13 Moved by: G. Ashe Seconded by~ J.E. Anderson f ' ,RESOLVED THAT: The Report on lSave The Rouge Valley System' be received and appended as Schedule llAH of these Minutes; and THAT copies of the Report be forwarded to 'Save The Rouge Valley System' commi ttee., CARRIED; NEW BUSINESS MRS. TRIMMER drew to the attention of the Members of the Board and 'staff the recommendations of the Borough of Scarborough Planning Board regarding the North Picl<ering Plan, the Durham Official Plan and the Alignment of Finch Avenue across the Rouge River. I MRS. TRIMMER also drew to the Eoard.s attention the recommendations of I the Executive Committee of Metropolitan Toronto regarding the management I of the Metro Zoo. ADJOURNMENT On Motion, the Meeting adjourned ~t 3:30 p.m., October l5. J.S~ Scott K.G. Hiqqs. Chai rtrIan Secretary-Treasurer I ! SCHEDULE "A" I-8 "SAVE THE ROUGE" RECOMMENDATIONS - DRAFT #2: 1. "An up-to-date survey of the Rouge Watershed, including erosion, stream flows, water quality, natural features such as vegetation and wildlife, and historic sites. This would mean updating the 1956 Study by the Provincial Government of the Rouge, Duffin, Highland and Petticoat Watersheds. " The Authority is currently engaged in an overall consolidation and review of its resource management policies. This study \vill identify any areas requiring changes in established policies. The Rouge, Duffin, Highland and Petticoat watersheds are included in this review. The result of the review will not be an updating of the earlier watershed reports, but rather an updating of the programmes and pOlicies that were developed based upon the reports. As part of the overall study, the Authority is engaged in a Flood Control Plan Review. The review will include: a) . an attempt to quantify flood-vulnerable areas to enable . an evaluation of the degree of flood protection required. b) . 'a study of the alternatives available, both separately and in combination, to achieve the most suitable system. c) . a study of the environmental, social and financial im- plications of the alternatives to ensure an acceptable means of providing the necessary level of flood protection. The Authority is also engaged in a valley land study for rivers within Metropolitan Toronto. This project is being undertaken jointly with The Metropolitan Toronto Parks and Metropolitan Toronto Planning Departments through the Technical Advisory Committee on Parks and Conservation. Through the · Experience · 76 · programme, the Authority engaged , . two students to study the Humber Valley between Highway #401 and Steeles Avenue as a prototype for the overall Valley Land Study. Their work included an inyentory of the physical and biological conditions within the river valley, as well as an identification of land use within and adjacent to the valley. A major component of the students. work was the development of a method of study which could be applie~ to all river valleys within Metropolitan Toronto. This work is continuing and it is anticipated that all valleys will be investigated and mapped by June, 1977. The information collected is of special interest to the Authority and should contribute considerably to the overall Flood Control Plan Review. 1-9 II SAVE THE ROUGE" RECOMME'NDAT1ONS P.2 2. "That you move as quickly as possible into more extensive action to: (a) stabilize stream flows by reforestation, the establishment of holding ponds, preservation of swamp areas, etc." The Authority operates, in conjunction with the Ministry of Natural Resources, a, continuing programme of reforestation. To date, approximately 8,000 acres of land have been reforested in the R.D.H.P. watersbeds~ The AuthorIty offers a number of conservation assistance programmes, including: . (i) Conservation Planning Assistance For land-owners with 25 or more acres, the Authority offers a conservation planning service. A rep- resentative of the Authority will visit the site and prepare a detailed report and maps outlining recommendations 'with respect to reforestation, farm trees, wildlife shrubs, wildlife food plots and any other conservation measures deemed appropriate to that property. (ii) Farm Tree 'Replacement and Wildlife Shrub Programmes On eligible properties, Authority staff will recommend the species to be planted and arrange for planting to be done. Trees are planted for essentially practical ! purposes such as windbreaks, fence rows, \va ter .' retention anQ erosion control. The wildlife shrub programme is operated in conjunction with the farm tree replacement programme. These shrubs are chosen for their suitability to erosion control and wildlife attraction, as well as their hardiness, rapid rate of growth and aggressiveness. (iii) Reforestation Assistance Programme Eligible land-owners may apply for assistance in re- foresting sections of their property no longer used for agricultural purposes. This assists the Authority i in improving ground cover within its jurisdiction in order to decrease the incidence ,of rapid runoff result- ing in erosion and siltation. (iv) Streambank Erosion Control Assistance . The Authori,ty has developed a programme of stabilizing streambanks on Authority-owned lands, and offers assistance to private land-owners for streambank erosion control. This assistance includes designing improvements, supplying men and material to carry out I the improvements, and main~aining the work for one year. I ! I I I I I-IO "SAVE THE ROUGE" RECOMMENDATIONS P.3 (v) Farm Pond Assistance The Authority will provide general advice to land- owners on suitability of sites, pond types and specific maintenance problems. Further, the Authority will provide a list of contractors engaged in pond construction and instructions published by the Ministry of Natural Resources concerning dam and pond con- struction and water removal. Also available is information concerning government agencies offering services in this and related areas. In its review of the Flood Control Plan, the Authority will be identifying storm water management needs and developing specific policies to enable better 'management. As part of the Authority's Waterfront programme, a number of marshes have been identified for acquisition and preservation by the Authority. The marshes at the mouth of the Rouge River and at Duffin Creek have been acquired, and future plans include the acquisition of the marshes at Frenchman Bay and the mouth ~f Carruthers Creek. The Authority is studying the possibility of extending its regulatory powers to include environmentally sensitive areas, such as wetlands. This study will require the establishment of criteria to define and identify environmental sensitivity. Beyond this stage, it will be necessary to locate, verify and map s~ecific areas and, finally, to amend the Authority's regulation to include these lands. (b)"Upgrade water quality, particularly of storm sewer outfalls, minimally by means of settling ponds, optimally by more , complete filtration methods." The Authority is concerned with storm water management, particularly as it relates to the impact of increased storm water flow on the watercourse in terms of flood and erosion control. As part of the Flood Control Plan Review, recommendations will be made in order to reduce the problems associated with increased flow. Although the Authority is interested in water quality within its area of jurisdiction, the administration of regulations for pollution control fall within the responsibility of the Ministry of the Environment. (c)"Combat erosion directly by prot~ctive works where necessary." As indicated earlier, the Authority is involved in streambank erosion control as part of its conservation assistance programmes available in upstream areas. I-II "SAVE THE ROUGEII RECOMMENDATIONS P.4 I The Authority also is funded for works under Project W.C.-60, I a project for bank stabilization and erosion control within Metro- I I politan Toronto. Under. Project' w.e. -60, a priority system is . established for those works'required and individual site work is , completed on that basis. The watercourses on which the Authority has responsibility are defined within the project. (d) :'Designate' areas for park lands, nature trai ls, wildlife I preserves. II i ..- The Authority has acquired, through its various projects considerable acreage within its area of jurisdiction. I Within Metropolitan Toronto, lands acquired by the Authority I I , I in support of such programmes as Flood Control and Waterfront I development are maintained and managed by Metropolitan Toronto. The designation of use within these lands is established by Metro- politan Toronto with the approval of the Authority. Lands acquired by the Authority outside Metropolitan Toronto have been developed, by the Authority, to provide a variety of public open space and recreation opportunities. Areas are provided for camping and picnickin~~ nature trails have been established and certain areas have been set aside specifically for forest and wild- life management. The Authority iS'currently involved in an overall review of its resource management policies and programmes. Part of this review will include a study of lands designated for acquisition, as I well as those previously acquired but, as yet, undeveloped. This I i I will enable an identification of the requirements for these lands I and the development of a comprehensive programme for their use. I i 3. "That you establish a revietv procedure for all changes in the I I i watershed in terms of their environmental effects; and that I you produce guidelines for developers so as ~o forestall un- I necessary confrontations and waste of time and.resources. I I Current issues are the proposed Parkway Belt and local Official I Plan Reviews. MTRCA input could be valuable in defining Hazard I lands, etc. II The Authority has the opportunity to comment on all development proposals, both public and private, within its area of jurisdiction. The Authori~~ at its Meeting #5/76, adopted ,Report ~l3/76 of the Executive Committee which dealt, in part, with a series of recommendations to municipalities regarding Conservation Aspects of Official Plans. . Through the Planning Act, municipalities have a great opportunity to set conditions on develop~ent proposals respect- ing environmental issues. n1e recommendations of the Authority have . been circulated to all municipalities, within the Authority's jurisdiction. It is hoped that the inclusion of specific conservat- I ion policies within official plans will greatly assist in carrying I out the objects of the Authority. I 1-12 "SAVE THE ROUGE" RECOMMENDATIONS P.S 4. "That you undertake a more vigorous campaign of public education." The Information and Education Division provides a continuing public information function through both news releases and brochures. The programmes of the Authority, such as the Conservation Assistance Programme, are described and publicized in this manner. Films and slides are shown to interested groups, and speakers are made available, staff time permitting. The Authority is currently preparing a brochure to provide public information respecting Authority responsibilities for regulation of valley and waterfront lands. Included will be some identification of problems created by land users. This will provide owners with information to enable their better management of affected areas. 5. "That you enlist volunteer help where practicable, e. g. , ~n tree planting, minor erosion control projects, laying out nature trails, planting of food crops for wildlife. Some of this might be on private property with the co-operation of the owners. (We know some Scout troops, for example, are interested in conservation projects.)" The Authority does utilize volunteer assistance in many of its programmes. There are yearly tree planting days when youth groups and the general public may assist in reforestation projects. In addition to the yearly tree planting days, the Authority has had the benefit of the "Trees for Canada" programme by Scout organiz- ations. This programme concerns the planting of reforestation stock by Scout organizations on public and private lands. The conservation areas have benefited by this programme through the establishment of approximately 18,000 trees in 1975, 32,000 in 1976 and an estimated 80,000 in 1977. Planting of trees on private land often involves volunteer assistance from land-owners interested in bank stabilization and erosion control. .6. "That you develop guidelines for property owners to discourage detrimental action (we know some horrendous examples) and to show them ways of contributing to the enhancement of the Valley. " In the headwater areas, private landowners are assisted by the Authority for a variety of programmes, including reforestation. Through a nominal sum, a private landowner may have a Conservation Plan developed for his property which provides an ongoing programme of plantings, both reforestation and larger size deciduous stock, a variety of shrubs for developing wildlife habitat, as well as soil . I-13 "SAVE THE ROUGE" RECOMMENDATIONS P.6 stabilization, streambank stabilization, . either mechanical or by planting, or both. In addition to this, assistance is also provided for the construction of pondsr fish management and aquatic weed control. In developing a brochure describing its regulatory powers along river valleys and the Lake Ontario shoreline, the Authority . will be indicating the types of problems that can occur and their causes. In this way, property owners will become aware of the consequences of their activities along valley and waterfront lands. ',' I , I l\CD/KC.