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Home My WebLink AboutReforestation & Land Use Advisory Board 1971The Metropolitan Toronto and Region Conservation Authority MIINUTI S E -1 Reforestation & Land Use Advisory Board Thursday- May -27 -1971 #1/71 The Reforestation & Land Use Advisory Board met at the Authority Office, 5 Shoreham Drive, Downsview on Thursday, May 27, 1971, com- mencing at 2 :00 p.m. PRESENT WERE Chairman J.A. Bryson Vice - Chairman R.L. Nesbitt Members H.I.Bell R.E.Bell G. Gardhouse R. Jennings E. Lemon G. Lowe A. Sale A.A. Wall Authority Chairman Dr. G. Ross Lord Authority Vice - Chairman R.G. Henderson Dept. Lands & Forests B. Thompson W. Gourlay I.B. Earl Secretary- Treasurer F.L. Lunn Technical Assistant - CLM J.D. Agnew ABSENT WERE Members MINUTES J. Griffiths J.P. Jongeneel F.R. Perkins F.M. Redelmeier A. Wainio The Minutes of Meeting #3/70 were presented. Res. #1 Moved by: Seconded by: A. Sale R. Jennings RESOLVED THAT: The Minutes of Meeting #3/70, as presented, be adopted. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY; STAFF PROGRESS REPORT A Staff Progress Report for the period January 1 to May 24, 1971, was presented. Res. #2 Moved by: R.G. Henderson Seconded by: G. Lowe RESOLVED THAT: The Staff Progress Report for the period January 1 to May 24, 1971, be received and filed. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY; E -2 -2- 1972 PRELIMINARY BUDGET ESTIMATES The Board had for review certain items submitted by the Staff for consideration in the 1972 Budget Estimates of the Authority. Res. #3 Moved by: G. Gardhouse Seconded by: R.L. Nesbitt RESOLVED THAT: The items submitted by the Staff for consideration in the 1972 Budget Estimates of the Authority be received; and further THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The following items be included in the 1972 Preliminary Budget Estimates of the Authority: Section 1 General Administration Expenditures 1972 1971 1971 Actual (6)Fish & Wildlife Est. Est. to May 21 (6)A -83 Bird Feeding 1,000. 1,000. 30. Section 13 Conservation Land Management Programs Expenditures 1972 1971 1971 Actual Est. Est. to May 21 L -1 Private Reforestation 7,000. 8,000. 2,072.36 L -2 Reforestation Subsidies 500. 500. L -3 Pond Services & Water Quality 8,000. 7,000. 722.54 L -4 Farm Tree & Shrub 1,000. 1,000. 3,080.90 L -5 Conservation Assistance 1,500. 1,500. L -6 Streambank Erosion 20,000. 15,000. 2,382.83 $38,000. $33,000. $8,258.63 CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY; REPORT - CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS The Staff presented a Report of Conservation Assistance Programs. Res. #4 Moved by: G. Gardhouse Seconded by: E. Lemon RESOLVED THAT: The Report on Conservation Assistance Programs of the Authority be received and appended as Schedule "A" of these Minutes; and further in this connection THAT the Staff be directed to continue the present experiment on "Conservation Plans ", with a view to developing a program which would permit the Authority to offer a service of comprehensive conservation planning for rural estates. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY; -3- E -3 NEW AUTHORITY FOREST AGREEMENT Messrs. B. Thompson, W. Gourlay and I.B. Earl of the Department of Lands & Forests presented a proposed new Agreement for the Management of the Authority Forests, which provides increased options to the Authority. Res. #5 Moved by: G. Gardhouse Seconded by: G. Lowe THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The new Forest Agreement, as revised, be approved; and THAT the appropriate Authority officials be authorized and directed to sign the same. APPOINTMENT OF MEMBER Res. #6 Moved by: Seconded by: R.L. Nesbitt E. Lemon THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: Mr. B. Thompson, and Dufferin Counties, be appointed a Member Land Use Advisory Board in 1971. ADJOURNMENT CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY; Zone Forester in Peel of the Reforestation and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY; On Motion, the Meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m., May 27. J.A. Bryson Chairman F.L. Lunn Secretary- Treasurer E -4 "SCHEDULE A" REPORT CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS Introduction The history of Private Land Assistance Programs dates back prior to the formation of the Metropolitan Toronto and Region Con- servation Authority. Before 1957 each of the four Authorities had some Assistance Programs including pond subsidies and reforestation assistance. Some other minor land use programs were also available. In the majority of cases the programs were not particularly successful. On the formation of the Metropolitan Toronto and Region Conservation Authority the two main programs were continued and others were added as the Reforestation & Land Use Advisory Board felt there was a need. Over the years these programs have pro- vided one of the major contacts with the private landowners. Past Programs Reforestation This program was a continuation of the program of the Humber Authority. Various amendments have been made to the regulations including an increase from 1,000 to 2,000 minimum in 1958. When the Woodlands Improvement Act came into being in 1966 some thought was given to discontinuing this program. After dis- cussion with the Dept. of Lands & Forests personnel, the Reforest- ation. & Land Use Advisory Board recommended that the program be continued as there appeared to be ample need for both types of programs. The 1968 sub - committee of this Board recommended that the Reforestation Assistance Program remain unchanged. Farm Pond As a result of the subsidies available and work done on pond construction prior to 1957,"a Farm Pond Assistance Program with regulations was established at meeting #1/58 of the Reforest- ation & Land Use Advisory Board. Design assistance was provided by the staff and subsidies were available for properly constructed ponds. In 1962 the regulations were amended to include wetland ponds for wildlife purposes in the types of ponds eligible for subsidy. In 1964 the Provincial Governr.ent altered its pond policy and Conservation Authorities were no longer permitted to offer pond subsidies. In view of these changes this Board recommended that the Authority continue to give advice on ponds when requested. A letter was forwarded to the Minister of the Department of Energy & Resources Management in 1969 requesting that Conser- vation Authorities again be permitted to pay subsidies for pond construction. No results of this request have been forthcoming to date. Tile Drainage & Grass Waterways A policy on Tile Drainage & Grass Waterways Assistance Programs was established at meeting #5/58 of the Reforestation & Land Use Advisory Board, and monies were included in the 1959 budget for the payment of subsidies under these programs. Prior assistance was provided for a grass waterway demonstration in Chinguacousy Township by resolution of this Board in 1957. Some minor revisions were made in these programs in 1963. These programs never achieved the success expected when they were instituted. A change in land use practices in the region resulted in very little demand for the subsidies offered and these programs were discontinued on recommendation of a sub- committee of this Advisory Board at the end of 1968. E -5 Farm Flan This program was initiated in 1963 and consisted of a sub- sidy payable to landowners who had implemented a Farm Plan as prepared by the Dept. of Agriculture. This program met with very poor response and was discontinued in 1965. Farm Tree Program This program was first recommended in 1959 as a method of replacing the elms being lost due to Dutch Elm Disease. Regulat- ions for this program were approved at meeting #1/60 of the Reforestation & Land Use Advisory Board, with the first planting being done in 1963. The only amendments to this program have dealt with price increase for the trees. As an experiment, wildlife shrubs were offered in 1960 and, as with the trees, met with considerable success. The sub- committee in its amendments to the Assistance Programs in 1968 recommended that the shrubs be added to the Farm Tree Program. Streambank Erosion The first mention of this program was made in 1958 when this Board directed the staff to undertake stream improvement studies. A proposed program presented to this Board in 1961 was adopted in principle and the employment of summer help was authorized in 1962 to conduct stream erosion surveys throughout the region in 1963. As a result of the surveys, experimental work done on Authority land and pilot projects on private land from 1964 -66 authorized by this Board, regulations for this program wore adopted at meeting ;2/66 of the Reforestation & Lancl Use Advisory Board. Present Prams The chart on the following page lists the programs and a summary of ;the regulations for each, currently offered by the Authority. With the exception of the Fish & Wildlife Program there is a very steady demand for the types of assistance pro- vided by the Authority. Future Programs It would appear from present demands that no thought should be given at this time to altering drastically the Authority ?s Assistance Programs. While the number of trees planted under the Reforestation Program have dropped considerably from the early sixties, it would seem that all the requests that can be handled comfortably with our present staff anc' equipment will be received annually for the next few years. The Farm Tree and Shrub Program is highly successful, with the demand continually exceeding the supply each year, despite increases in production. It is unlikely that this situation will change for some years. The Streambank Erosion Control Program was somewhat slow in catching on when first initiated. However, as more projects are completed, an increasing number of requests are received. It seems likely that this program will develop into a major program over the next few years. Requests for assistance with pond construction and manage- ment continue to increase. A major program could be developed, should the Authority ever receive approval to offer design and layout assistance and /or subsidies. To properly handle this situation additional staff would be required. E -6 The Fish Fr Wildlife, while not a major Program, does servo a purpose in that it makes landowners aware of the possibilities that can be developed through our other programs. One now area which could become a now Assistance Program is in providing - Conservation Plans-. The 1968 sub - committee which revicwecl the Authority's Assistance Program recommended: .The staff be directed to investigate and report on a conservat- ion assistance program which would involve the providing of a service of comprehonsive conservation planning for rural estates." The staff has tried this program on a limited trial basis to obtain information on costs, methods and difficulties encountered. To date two Plans have been prepared incorporating all the Pro- grams available through the Authority, suitable for the properties concerned. Requests for three other Plans aro on filo. From the reaction of these landowners, it would appear quite feasible to develop a major program of Conservation Planning. Conclusion While from time to time it will be necessary to review and update our existing Assistance Programs, perhaps dropping some and adding others, these Programs aro a very important part of the Authority's work. As well as providing a major moans of maintain- ing contact with the landowners of our region, they provide the landowner with a method of developing their properties at a very modest cost. The summary on the following page lists the progress of our Assistance Programs to the end of 1970. 27.5.71 P. E. Flood, Administrator, Conservation Land I,ianagoriont Division Assistance Program Summary 1957 - 1970 1957 -8 1959 -60 1961 -2 1963 -4 1965 -6 1967 -8 1969 -70 Totals Reforestation 413875 721125 1042300 470780 669810 458505 291222 4067617 - Subsidies - - 4 2 5 1 2 14 Farm Trees N/A N/A N/A 5095 6261 9522 16542 37420 - Shrubs N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2125* 15240 17365 Ponds Designed 155 315 204 52 N/A N/A N/A 726 - Subsidies 52 83 44 25 N/A N/A N/A 204 - Management Advice 62 200 83 246 96 65 121 873 - Ponds Stocked, Bass N/A 75 27 49 34 7 N/A 192 Trout N/A 25 4 3 N/A N/A N/A 32 Tile Drainage - 24 25 21 14 12 N/A 96 Grass Waterway 1 1 1 3 1 - N/A 7 Farm Plan N/A N/A - 1 1 - N/A 2 Streambank Erosion N/A N/A N/A 2 mi. 2 mi. 1 mi. 1.5 mi. 6.5 mi. Conservation Plan N/A N/A N/A 'N /A N/A N/A 1 1 * Available 1968 only The Metropoilitan Mt Toronto and Regio n Conservation. Authority MIINUTI S E -8 Reforestation & Land Use Advisory Board Wednesday - November -17/71 #2/71 The Reforestation and Land Use Advisory Board met at the Authority Office, 5 Shoreham Drive, Downsview on Wednesday, November 17, 1971, commencing at 2:00 p.m. The Meeting opened with a demonstration of the Authority Tree Spade. PRESENT WERE Chairman Vice - Chairman Members Authority Chairman Authority Vice - Chairman Secretary- Treasurer Director of Operations Adm. - CLM Division Technical Assistant - CLM ABSENT WERE Members MINUTES J.A. Bryson R.L. Nesbitt H.I. Bell R.E. Bell G. Gardhouse R. Jennings E. Lemon G. Lowe F.M. Redelmeier A. Sale A. Wainio Dr. G. Ross Lord R.G. Henderson F.L. Lunn K.G. Higgs P.B. Flood J.D. Agnew J. Griffiths J.P. Jongeneel F.R. Perkins B. Thompson A.A. Wall The Minutes of Meeting #1/71 were presented. Res. #7 Moved by: Seconded by: G. Lowe A. Sale RESOLVED THAT: The Minutes of Meeting #1/71, as presented, be adopted. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY; STAFF PROGRESS REPORT A Staff Progress Report for the period May 1 to November 15, 1971, was presented. Res. #8 Moved by: G. Gardhouse Seconded by: R. Jennings RESOLVED THAT: The Staff Progress Report for the period May 1 to November 15, 1971, be received and filed; and further, that the Conservation Assistance Programme Tour in 1972 at Palgrave be arranged in early June. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY; E -9 -2- PROPOSED CONSERVATION PLANNING ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME A Staff Report was presented having regard to Conservation Planning Assistance Programme. Res. #9 Moved by: E. Lemon Seconded by: F.M. Redelmeier RESOLVED THAT: The Staff Report on Conservation Planning Assistance Programme be received; and further THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The recommendations contained in the Staff Report on Conservation Planning Assistance Programme, as contained therein and set forth herein, be adopted: The Metropolitan Toronto and Region Conservation Authority offer a Conservation Planning Assistance Programme to private landowners, effective January 1, 1972, subject to the following Regulations: (a) Conservation Plans will be prepared on request for properties with 25 acres or more; (b) Conservation Plans will exclude an area of 200 feet from a house or proposed house; (c) All recommendations to be carried out under a Conservation Plan are subject to the regulations of the individual Assistance Programmes; (d) Charges for the preparation of a Conservation Plan are: 25 ac. - 40 ac. $ 80.00 41 ac. - 60 ac. 90.00 61 ac. -100 ac. 100.00 101 ac. or more $1 /ac. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY; PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO STREAMBANK EROSION CONTROL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME A-Staff Report- was presented having regard to Streambank Erosion Control Assistance Programme, which reviewed the past programme and recommended certain amendments to the Regulations. Res. #10 Moved by: G. Lowe Seconded by: R.L. Nesbitt RESOLVED THAT: The Staff Report on Streambank Erosion Control Assistance Programme be -received; and THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The recommendations contained in the Staff Report on Streambank Erosion Control Assistance Programme, as contained therein and set forth herein, be adopted: The Metropolitan Toronto and Region Conservation Authority continue to offer the Streambank Erosion Control Assistance Programme to private landowners under the following Regulations: (a) Priority will be given to those points of streambank erosion which are severe and are above reservoirs which have already been constructed or are soon to be constructed; -3- E -10 (b) Landowners participating in this Programme will contribute a minimum of $100.00 or 100 of the cost, whichever is the greater, towards the carrying out of a project; (c) The Authority will maintain the control works for a period of one year following the completion of a project. Thereafter the maintenance is the landowner's responsibility. The Authority will assist landowners in carrying out any required maintenance with the landowner bearing all costs involved; (d) The Authority is not responsible for damages to property arising out of the failure of a project; (e) The owner agrees to permit the Authority to enter on his lands to make repairs to the works for a period of one year after completion of the construction, and in subsequent years for the purpose of making inspections. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY; FARM TREE AND SHRUB ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME A Staff communication was presented having regard to Farm Tree Replacement and Wildlife Shrub Assistance Programme. PROPOSAL RE PHEASANTS AND OTHER BIRD- REARING The question of the Authority attempting a programme of pheasant and other wild bird rearing, as recommended for consideration by the Don Valley Advisory Board was discussed in great detail. Res. #11 Moved by: Dr. G. Ross Lord Seconded by: A. Wainio THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: In view of the difficulties involved, this Authority not undertake any programme of pheasant or other wild bird rearing; and further THAT any efforts in this regard be devoted to improving wildlife habitat. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY; ADJOURNMENT On Motion, the Meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m., November 17. J.A. Bryson F.L. Lunn Chairman Secretary- Treasurer