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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDuffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group 2007THE TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY DUFFINS AND CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP MINUTES OF MEETING #1/07 AUTHORITY MEETING #7/07 SEPTEMBER 28, 2007 c. THE TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY MINUTES OF THE DUFFINS AND CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #1/07 February 21, 2007 Page JK1 The Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group meeting #1/07 was held at the Transport Canada Offices on Wednesday, February 21, 2007. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm. PRESENT Neil Burnett Member Scott Crawford Member Joe Dickson Member Doug Dodge Member Colleen Jordan Member Susan Self Member STAFF Gary Bowen Watershed Specialist, Duffins and Carruthers Joanna Parsons Administrative Assistant, Duffins and Carruthers Tim Rance Aquatic Management Coordinator GUEST Chris Robinson Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters RES. #JK1 /07- Moved by: Seconded by: MINUTES Neil Burnett Doug Dodge THAT the Minutes of Meeting #4/06, held on September 13, 2006, be received CARRIED JK2 DUFFINS AND CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #1/07 February 21, 2007 PRESENTATIONS (a) Update on Atlantic Salmon Reintroduction Tim Rance, Aquatic Management Coordinator at the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority provided an update on the Atlantic Salmon Reintroduction program. Chris Robinson provided an update from the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. RES. #JK2 /07 - ATLANTIC SALMON REINTRODUCTION - UPDATE Moved by: Seconded by: Doug Dodge Neil Burnett THAT the staff report on the update of the Atlantic salmon reintroduction program be received; THAT the presentation on the Atlantic salmon reintroduction be received; AND FURTHER THAT the Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group (DCWRG) continue to be involved in the Atlantic salmon reintroduction program. AMENDMENT RES. #JK3 /07 Moved by: Seconded by: Doug Dodge Neil Burnett THAT the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters be asked to provide a demonstration of a fish hatchery at Claremont Education Centre; AND FURTHER THAT a letter be written to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters requesting that a structural inspection of Newman's Dam be completed. THE AMENDMENT WAS CARRIED THE MAIN MOTION, AS AMENDED, WAS CARRIED BACKGROUND At meeting #4/06 of the DCWRG, a report outlining the next steps for the Atlantic salmon reintroduction program was presented. Furthermore, Resolution #JK37/06 stated, in part: THAT TRCA fisheries staff be invited to a future meeting of the DCWRG to provide a full update on reintroduction activities. February 21, 2007 DUFFINS AND CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #1/07 JK3 TRCA staff met with Ministry of Natural Resources Aurora District staff to discuss several Atlantic salmon - related items including hatchery production targets for the Duffins Creek Watershed, stocking, and future stream habitat improvement projects. RES. #JK4 /07 - Moved by: Seconded by: DURHAM REGION WATERSHED TRAILS PROGRESS REPORT Sustainable use and management of trails in Durham Region for 2006 and 2007 Colleen Jordan Joe Dickson THAT the staff report on the progress of the Durham Region watershed trails be received; AND FURTHER THAT the Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group endorse the 2007 Work Plan CARRIED BACKGROUND The planning and implementation of sustainable watershed trails provides regional users with the opportunity to interact with nature and lead a healthier, active life. The Durham Region is home to exceptional environmental features that provide ideal opportunities for nature hikes. Excellent trail experiences can be gained on any one of the trail networks including the Trans Canada Trail, Oak Ridges Moraine Trail, Seaton Hiking Trail and the Waterfront Trail. Our vision, as outlined in the Duffins Creek Headwaters Management Plan, is that "Durham properties will be carefully managed and monitored to ensure sustainability and adherence to conservation principles. Appropriate public use and environmental awareness will be promoted and managed with a balanced approach ". This vision-highlights the importance of providing a trail network that connects trails systems within the Duffins and Carruthers Creek watersheds as well as building connections with neighbouring watersheds and municipalities. Summary of Trail Work Completed in 2006 The list of trail work accomplished on Durham Region trails is extensive and has been extremely effective in providing a safe and enjoyable trail system for nature based public recreation. This work has resulted in an increase in public access to trail networks through the construction of three separate trailhead parking areas located at: • Secord Forest and Wildlife Area - South of Durham Road 21, off the 3`d Concession in the Township of Uxbridge. This parking area now provides access to the Oak Ridges Trail. • Transport Canada Greenspace Lands - South of Webb Road, off the 2 "d Concession in the Township of Uxbridge. This trailhead also provides public access to the Oak Ridges Trail, the TRCA owned Goodwood property and Transport Canada Lands that previously had no formalized public access. JK4 DUFFINS AND CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #1/07 February 21, 2007 • Glen Major Forest and Walker Woods — South of Durham 21 on the east side of Brock Road in the Township of Uxbridge. This trailhead offers public access to TRCA trails and the Trans Canada Trail to the east. The resolution of trail user conflicts through various stewardship initiatives, removing hazard trees along trails and introducing better directional signage in 2006 has further increased the enjoyment and safety of trail users. In addition, three new interpretive signs were installed at Glen Major Forest and Walker Woods. The purpose of the signs is to educate users about sustainable trails, natural heritage features and the importance of wetlands. The installation of trailhead signs at Paulynn Park, Rodar, Secord Forest and Wildlife Area, and Glen Major Forest Walker Woods have also provided additional educational resources and trail maps. Other detailed trail improvements included the installation of TRCA's first sustainable trail, which is approximately 2 km in length, and was accompanied by the installation of 50 feet of boardwalk in Glen Major Forest and Walker Woods. An additional 40 feet of boardwalk construction was completed in Altona Forest. Also, minor improvements took place at Goodwood Resource Management Tract, Secord Forest and Wildlife Area, and the Claremont Field Centre. All trail improvement work incorporated appropriate sustainable designs and practices. A long term goal was achieved when TRCA partnered with Trails For All Ontarians to design and install TRCA's first universally accessible trail at the Secord Forest and Wildlife Area. This new trail is approximately 1 km long and now provides universal access from the trailhead to the Secord pond. While these projects were led by TRCA staff, the high quality and volume of work could not have been completed without the help of volunteers, including over 700 hours provided by user groups in Glen Major Forest and Walker Woods and 150 hours provided by the community around Altona Forest. These projects were also made possible through the help of our partners and sponsors, including a generous $70,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation for work at Glen Major Forest and Walker Woods. Many of our projects this past year were made possible through partnerships with municipalities and community organizations. TRCA worked with the City of Pickering, Oak Ridges Trail Association, and the Ontario Realty Corporation to develop a trail management plan for the Seaton Hiking Trail. Existing partnerships with organizations such as the Oak Ridges Trail Association, the Glen Major Walker Woods Stewardship Committee, the Altona Forest Stewardship Committee, Durham Conservation Association, and the Trans Canada Trail Association are examples of successful stewardship work through collaboration. February 21, 2007 DUFFINS AND CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #1/07 JK5 DETAILS OF WORK TO BE DONE Proposed Trail Development and Management Work Plan 2007 1. Secord Forest TRCA will continue to build on the successes of 2006 by planning additional trail initiatives to maintain a high quality of safe and enjoyable trails. Over the coming years efforts, will be made by TRCA staff to decrease the environmental impacts of trails in the Secord Forest and Wildlife Area by relocating trails and removing portions of outdated boardwalks and bridges. Optional routing alignments will be planned and mapped in 2007. 2. Glen Major Forest and Walker Woods • An evaluation of all proposed trails will be conducted by TRCA to ensure that impacts are minimized while continually providing safe, passive recreational opportunities. Trail design - and implementation will consider all natural heritage, hydrologic, and archaeological features. TRCA staff will also develop tracery maps to be installed on existing post markers, providing trail users with a point of reference for the property. • The implementations of habitat and forest restoration, as well as trail improvements, are planned for the Timbers Gravel Pit. This area will become a prime example of successful restoration, informing users about the importance of restoring scarred lands to their natural ecosystem state. • Remaining project components of the Ontario Trillium Foundation grant will also be completed. The work will include the installation of five new trailhead signs and approximately 100 directional and trail use signs. Finally, 5000 trail guides will be produced and distributed to increase public awareness of the properties and user reference. • TRCA staff will be evaluating newly acquired lands in the Glen Major Forest and Walker Woods area for the installation of new trails and environmental education opportunities in the future. 3. Altona Forest Pond and Trail Connection Project In partnership with the Altona Forest Stewardship Committee, the Toronto Zoo, and Ontario Power Generation, the TRCA will be designing and constructing a wetland feature in Altona Forest. The pond complex is being installed to mitigate a lowering in water levels that has been observed over the past years. A short trail extension, accompanied by interpretive signage, will provide the trail user with scenic views, rest areas and information about local flora and fauna species. JK6 DUFFINS AND CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #1/07 February 21, 2007 4. Federal Greenspace Lands TRCA will be initiating discussions with Transport Canada to obtain management agreements for additional lands. Trails through these lands will help create vital links to existing trail networks in the Durham Region and provide a trail system that links Lake Ontario to the Oak Ridges Moraine. 5. Seaton Trail TRCA will continue to partner with the Oak Ridges Trail Association, Ontario Realty Corporation and the City of Pickering to develop a management plan for the Seaton Trail. This project is made possible thanks to a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The management plan will be led by a steering committee and will involve broad consultation with various stakeholder groups and members of the public. The trail management plan will help to build community support for the trail and is consistent with an integrated watershed management approach and watershed public use initiatives of the TRCA. 6. Other Partnering with local stewardship groups, TRCA will be establishing trail use monitoring initiatives to better understand current trail use trends and better design mitigation measures to combat an expected increase in trail use. Additional Funding Requests The design and implementation of these projects are goals being set out by the TRCA for 2007 and will be dependent on budget and allocations of funds. The Durham Conservation Association has been successful in obtaining $10,000 from TD Friends of the Environment Foundation to help with trail work in Glen Major. A grant application for the sum of $55,000 has also been submitted to the Trails for Life Program, under the Ministry of Health Promotion. If successful, these funds would be utilized to improve trails across the headwaters of the Duffins Creek watershed and Durham Region. RATIONALE The efforts put forward to develop sustainable regional watershed trails were directed by the vision, goals and objectives outlined in A Watershed Plan For Duffins and Carruthers Creek, Duffins Creek Headwaters Management Plan For TRCA Properties, the Altona Forest Environmental Management Plan and the Altona Forest Trail Plan. These documents have assisted in assuring that long term management goals are sustainable and have provided direction on targets and deliverables to be implemented throughout Durham Region and in the Duffins- Caruthers and Petticoat Creek Watersheds. Currently, all TRCA efforts are consistent with the objectives outlined in the Duffins Caruthers Creek Watershed Plan. TRCA staff has worked with the community and partner municipalities to successfully create a Trans Canada Trail link that connects the Lake Ontario waterfront to the Oak Ridges Moraine. Enhancements February 21, 2007 DUFFINS AND CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #1/07 JK7 to the Oak Ridges Trail have also taken place through initiatives to provide off road trail connections and the installation of additional loops trails. RES. #JK5 /07 - Moved by: Seconded by: 2007 MEETING SCHEDULE A schedule of meeting dates is proposed for the Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group. Neil Burnett Joe Dickson THAT the following meeting dates for the Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group scheduled at 7:00 pm on the following dates be approved; DATES #2/07 Wednesday, June 20, 2007 #3/07 Wednesday, September 5, 2007 #4/07 Wednesday, November 21, 2007 AND FURTHER THAT the members of the Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group be encouraged to host meetings in various locations throughout the watershed CARRIED BACKGROUND A schedule of meetings is prepared to assist the Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group. RES. #JK6 /07 - Moved by: Seconded by: WATER QUALITY TRENDS IN DUFFINS AND CARRUTHERS WATERSHEDS A background report on the water quality of the Rouge River, Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek. Doug Dodge Scott Crawford THAT the draft staff report on the water quality of the Rouge River, Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek be received for information; AND FURTHER THAT TRCA staff be invited to the June meeting of the Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group to make a presentation on the water quality of the Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek CARRIED JK8 DUFFINS AND CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #1/07 February 21, 2007 BACKGROUND The background report was written as a follow up to emerging water quality concerns for the major rivers and creeks that discharge into Lake Ontario along the Ajax waterfront. TRCA staff was requested to prepare this report in support of ongoing initiatives in Ajax to identify sources of nutrient and bacterial inputs to the waterfront. RES. #JK7 /07 - Moved by: Seconded by: SOURCE PROTECTION STUDIES WITHIN THE CREDIT VALLEY CONSERVATIO - TRCA - CENTRAL LAKE ONTARIO CONSERVATION AUTHORITY PROTECTION AREA ' Update on Source Water Protection Studies summarizing key aspects of legislation, reporting and potential future impacts of source water protection planning. Colleen Jordan Joe Dickson THAT the staff report on the Source Protection Studies within the Credit Valley Conservation - Toronto and Region Conservation Authority - Central Lake Ontario Authority Protection area be received for information CARRIED BACKGROUND The Clean Water Act was passed by the Ontario Legislature in October, 2006, and has received Royal Assent. However, it has not yet been promulgated. This next step is anticipated to occur in mid -2007 along with the release of the regulations. A discussion document for the development of a regulation on source protection committees was posted on the Environmental Bill of Rights on January 2, 2007 for a 30 day comment period ending on February 1, 2007. In the meantime, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) continues to work with its municipal partners, Conservation Ontario (CO), the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) and the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) to develop the background documentation required. The TRCA is the lead authority for the CTC Watershed Region (Credit Valley Conservation, TRCA, and Central Lake Ontario Conservation), and therefore coordinates communication with the province. The focus of efforts to date has been the protection of municipal drinking water supplies. For the TRCA, this means gathering data on the Lake Ontario intakes and the existing municipal groundwater wells. Key activities undertaken by TRCA in 2006 include the draft conceptual water budget module (issued for peer review in February) and the preliminary watershed characterization module (issued for peer evaluation in June). Although neither report is yet available to the public, TRCA is committed to releasing both documents, once the guidance documents have been finalized, and the draft reports are ready for public comment. This report summarizes key aspects of the legislation, reporting, and potential future impacts of February 21, 2007 DUFFINS AND CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #1107 JK9 source water protection planning. Legislation The Clean Water Act, 2006 defines the source protection area as the area over which a conservation authority has jurisdiction. Assessment reports and source protection plans will be prepared for this area. The Minister may also, by regulation, consolidate two or more source protection areas and designate a lead source protection authority for the region. The lead source protection authority and the other source protection authorities must then negotiate an agreement which will govern the relationship between the authorities. The CTC Watershed Region is currently operating under a three year interim agreement among the three CAs, with TRCA as the lead agency. The Act requires that each source protection authority establish a multi - stakeholder source protection committee with a maximum of 16 members. The Chair of the committee will be appointed by the Minister of the Environment. This committee will carry out most planning activities and the source protection authority is required to provide its assistance and support. The CTC watershed region is currently preparing for the process, but has not yet begun actively searching for candidates for the SPC, including the Chair. The source protection committee is responsible for preparing terms of reference that address the preparation of the assessment report and the source protection plan, in accordance with regulations anticipated in early to mid 2007. These regulations may authorize the assignment of planning tasks to a municipality within the source protection area in relation to the preparation of an assessment report and a source protection plan. In parts of the province where the source protection area contains water that flows into the Great Lakes, such as the TRCA, the terms of reference for the area will require consideration of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the Great Lakes Charter and the Canada-Ontario Agreement. TRCA's assessment report will build on the background technical modules currently under preparation and include the following: Identify all watersheds in the source protection area; ' Characterize the quantity and quality of water in each watershed; Set out a water budget for each watershed; Identify vulnerable areas in watersheds, i.e. all groundwater recharge areas, all highly vulnerable aquifers and the surface water intake protection zones and wellhead protection areas that are related to existing /planned municipal drinking water systems and any other systems the municipality agreed to address; D Identify all existing and future drinking -water threats, after performing a risk assessment, including threats to drinking water quantity; and n Contain other information required by the forthcoming regulations. Based on the information in the assessment report, the Source Protection Committee will prepare a Source Water Protection Plan. Further information will be provided to the JK10 DUFFINS AND CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #1/07 February 21, 2007 Duffins /Carruthers Task Force, once the appropriate guidance documents have been finalized by the province. Reporting TRCA is currently preparing report modules to feed into the assessment report. These report modules are based on guidance documents issued by the MOE in draft. The latest versions were released in October, 2006 and include: Module 1: Watershed Characterization; Module 3: Groundwater Vulnerability Analysis Module 4: Surface Water Vulnerability Analysis Module 5: Issues Evaluation and Threats Inventory Module 6: Water Quality Risk Assessment Module 7: Water Budgets and Water Quantity Risk Assessment Module 1 was issued to our municipal partners for comment over the summer of 2006, and a workshop was held on September 20 and 21, 2006 to gather feedback. A revised version was released as an Interim Report to Conservation Ontario for Technical Peer Review on February 15, 2006. Module 7 was issued for external peer review in February, 2005 and provided to municipal partners for comment in December, 2006. A workshop was held on December 20 to gather feedback, and a revised draft will be issued to the province at the end of February, 2007. TRCA is now undertaking a Tier 1 stress analysis across all our watersheds to identify if there are any subwatersheds where water takings may be negatively affecting aquifer water levels and /or surface water flows. In addition, special projects are underway by TRCA's municipal partners which are directly funded by the MOE. The Region of York is conducting advanced groundwater modelling and geochemical analysis in wellhead protection areas and the Region of Peel is updating its modelled wellhead protection areas and contaminant inventory. A large collaborative project is also underway, called the Lake Ontario Collaborative, which includes representation from CAs and municipalities from Hamilton in the east to Prince Edward County in the west. This project is looking holistically at intakes, STP outfalls, and watershed contributions. A partnership has been established with the University of Guelph and the Canadian Centre for Inland Waters. The team is modelling contaminant loads to the lake using stream flows and an EMC (Event Mean Concentration) derived from land use mapping. The team is also looking at existing monitoring data, but recognizes that there are challenges with timing and consistency of sampling methodology. What is known is that one or two storms provide most of the annual loading and that these extreme events are generally not picked up in the current sampling programs. Gary Bowen is TRCA's technical representative for this project. February 21, 2007 DUFFINS AND CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #1/07 JK11 It is anticipated that Source Water Protection Planning will have a ripple effect in a number of areas including: Planning and Development Act, 1994; s- Condominium Act, 1998; Oak Ridges Moraine Plan; Greenbelt Plan; Growth Plan; » Municipal Official Plans and By -laws; Building Code Act, 1992; D Conservation Authorities Act; Consolidated Hearings Act; y Access to Justice Act, 2005; and Good Government Act, 2005. For example, decisions under the Planning and Development Act, 1994 or the Condominium Act, 1998 made by the Ontario Municipal Board, a municipal council, a planning board, other local boards, a conservation authority and other specified bodies must conform to the source protection plan that relates to the source protection area. In the case of a conflict between a source protection plan and an official plan or a zoning by -law, the source protection plan prevails. In addition, where there is conflict between provincial plans, such as the Greenbelt Plan, or a policy statement under section 3 of the Planning Act, the provision that provides the greatest protection to the quality and quantity of drinking water prevails. There is a provision in the Clean Water Act for annual monitoring for drinking water threats in the vulnerable areas identified in the source protection plan. The source protection authority will prepare and publish progress reports describing the results of the monitoring program and implementation of the source protection plan. The municipal councils that have authority to pass by -laws respecting water production, treatment and storage is responsible for enforcing this part of the Act and shall appoint permit officials and inspectors for this task. The municipality may delegate their enforcement authority to a board of health, planning board or source protection authority. The parties responsible for enforcement may pass by -laws, resolutions and regulations regarding permit applications, inspection programs and fees. Once the source protection plan is in effect, certain existing and future activities in surface water intake and wellhead protection areas will be prohibited unless they are carried out in accordance with a permit, or a risk assessment has determined that the activity would not be a significant drinking water threat. The permit authority will only grant a permit if it includes a risk management plan that ensures the activity no longer poses a significant drinking water threat. Once the plan is in effect, certain prescribed applications under the Planning Act may be restricted at locations identified by the plan that fall within surface water intake protection zones and wellhead protection areas. In these cases, future land uses designated in the source protection plan and construction of buildings in relation to those designated land uses will be JK12 DUFFINS AND CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #1107 February 21, 2007 prohibited unless a permit official issues a notice. A notice will only be granted if the land user has a permit, or the permit official is satisfied that the land use will not be a significant risk. RES. #JK8 /07 - Moved by: Seconded by: THE CONSERVATION AUTHORITIES MORAINE COALITION ACCOMPLISHMENTS - 2006 The Conservation Authorities Moraine Coalition accomplishments in 2006. Neil Burnett Scott Crawford THAT the staff report on the 2006 accomplishments of the Conservation Authorities Moraine Coalition be received; AND FURTHER THAT the Conservation Authorities Moraine Coalition brochure be received for information CARRIED RES. #JK9 /07- Moved by: Seconded by: EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL GUIDELINE FOR URBAN CONSTRUCTION - December, 2006 Approval of the Erosion and Sediment Control Guideline for Urban Construction prepared for the Greater Golden Horseshoe Conservation Authorities. Neil Burnett Joe Dickson THAT the staff report on the Erosion and Sediment Control Guideline for Urban Construction, dated December, 2006, be received CARRIED BACKGROUND At the Authority's Watershed Management Advisory Board meeting #6/06, held on February 9, 2007, the following resolution was approved: THE BOARD RECOMMENDS TO THE AUTHORITY THAT the report entitled Erosion and Sediment Control Guideline for Urban Construction (December 2006) prepared for the Greater Golden Horseshoe Conservation Authority (GGH Cas) be approved; February 21, 2007 DUFFINS AND CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #1/07 JK13 AND FURTHER THAT staff be directed to disseminate the report to municipal staff, the development industry and other agencies through technology transfer workshops and a posting on the Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program website. Each year thousands of tons of sediment are transported and deposited in rivers, lakes and wetlands, destroying fish habitat and impairing water quality. A major cause for this damage to the environment is poor sediment control at construction sites. To mitigate these impacts, sediment and erosion control measures have been required on construction sites for over a decade. To achieve effective erosion and sediment control during construction, various conservation authorities and municipalities developed guidelines (such as the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) Erosion and Sediment Control Guidelines for Construction, April 1994) that provided technical and procedural guidance for the planning and design of erosion and sediment controls. However, even on sites where recommended practices are applied, sediment continues to be discharged at concentrations above those required to protect aquatic life. RATIONALE In an effort to improve sediment and erosion control, TRCA, in collaboration with the GGH CAs, has updated the existing guidelines and developed a consistent approach to erosion and sediment control across the GGH. The GGH CAs include Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Conservation Halton, Credit Valley Conservation, Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, Grand River Conservation Authority, Hamilton Conservation Authority, and Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority. This new guideline titled "Erosion and Sediment Control Guideline for Urban Construction (December 2006)" includes best management practices from various erosion and sediment control guidelines currently applied within the GGH. It provides proponents and practitioners with: . a review of erosion and sedimentation processes; an overview of the current regulatory framework in which these undertakings are reviewed; the roles and responsibilities of those involved in the construction process; new best management practices and technologies; improved site plan guidance such as the importance of a multi barrier approach (e.g. erosion prevention measures followed by sediment controls); dynamic plans; and, improved inspection, monitoring and maintenance protocols. The Erosion and Sediment Control Guideline for Urban Construction (December 2006) document has been reviewed by the GGH CAs, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment JK14 DUFFINS AND CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #1/07 February 21, 2007 Canada, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, consulting engineers, the development industry and municipalities. It is intended to be applied within the GGH watersheds to protect and preserve the water quality, aquatic and terrestrial habitats, and form and function of their natural water resources. A compact disc (CD)copy of the Erosion and Sediment Control Guideline for Urban Construction (December 2006) is available. The document can also be found on the Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program website <http://www.sustainabletechnologies.ca/>. To ensure the success of this guideline, it is important that staff be directed to disseminate this document to municipal staff, the development industry as well as other agencies through technology transfer workshops, publications and the Internet. A workshop scheduled for Spring 2007 will introduce this guideline to municipal staff, consulting engineers, contractors and the development industry. FINANCIAL DETAILS Financial contributions to develop and produce the guideline were provided by the Government of Canada's Great Lakes Sustainability Fund, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada and the Ministry of Environment through the Toronto and Hamilton Remedial Action Plans (RAPs). Costs to deliver the training workshop will be provided by the financial contributions of the agencies listed above. RES. #JK10/07- Moved by: Seconded by: APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE DUFFINS AND CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP The formal appointment of watershed residents, regional and local municipalities and community council representatives, public agency representatives, representatives from community groups, businesses and business organizations, academic institutions and the Authority's member to the Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group (DCWRG). Neil Burnett Joe Dickson THAT the staff report on the Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group Appointment of Members be received CARRIED BACKGROUND At the Authority's Watershed Management Advisory Board meeting #6/06, held on February 9, 2007, the following resolution was approved: February 21, 2007 DUFFINS AND CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #1/07 JK15 THAT the appointments, as set out in the staff report, be approved, effective immediately, for the one year extension; AND FURTHER THAT Regional Councillor Colleen Jordan and Gary Bowen, Watershed Specialist for Duffins and Carruthers Watersheds, remain as TRCA appointed members to the DCWRG. Members of the DCWRG had requested that the term of their committee be extended in order to fulfill the mandate of the committee and to ensure that sufficient progress was made with respect to implementing the Watershed Plan for Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek. Approval for this extension was granted at Authority meeting #3106, held on April 28, 2006 (Resolution #A91/06). The term of the Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group was extended for one year and will end on December 31, 2007 In the interest of maintaining consistency and momentum through to the end of 2007, it is preferred that current members continue their commitment to the DCWRG for the duration of the extension. Consideration will also be given to new appointments of citizen and non - government organizations interested in working on implementation of the Watershed Plan, and it is requested that municipal partners suggest appropriate candidates. Due to municipal elections held in November, 2006, it is appropriate that watershed municipalities confirm their appointments Letters were sent to regional and local municipalities and community council representatives, requesting that they appoint delegates to the DCWRG. Letters were also sent out to former members (watershed residents, representatives from community groups, businesses and business organizations public agency representatives) to inquire whether they wished to continue. Both the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Transport Canada have confirmed their continued participation on DCWRG We expect to hear back from the Ministry of Natural Resources on their appointment and anticipate that the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ontario Ministry of Environment will no longer be participating. It is also recommended that the previous TRCA appointments of Regional Councillor Colleen Jordan and Gary Bowen, Watershed Specialist for the Duffins and Carruthers Watershed, continue to serve as the Authority's representatives The following table summarizes the DCWRG membership for 2007. TRCA APPOINTMENTS Member Representing To be Determined Chair of the Authority, ex- officio Gary Bowen Watershed Specialist Colleen Jordan Town of Ajax JK16 DUFFINS AND CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #1/07 REGIONAL AND LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES AND COMMUNITY COUNCILS Member Representing Joe Dickson Town of Ajax Scott Crawford (alternate) Town of Ajax Jack Heath Town of Markham Erin Shapero (alternate) Town of Markham David Pickles City of Pickering Rick Johnson (alternate) City of Pickering David Ryan Regional Municipality of Durham Alex Georgieff (alternate) Regional Municipality of Durham Jack Heath Regional Municipality of York Laura Atkins -Paul (alternate) Regional Municipality of York Susan Self Township of Uxbridge Wayne Emmerson Town of Whitchurch - Stouffville Clyde Smith (alternate) Town of Whitchurch - Stouffville February 21, 2007 WATERSHED RESIDENTS; Name Representing Dr Doug Dodge Town of Ajax Dr. Neil Burnett Town of Ajax Alan Wells Township of Uxbridge PUBLIC AGENCIES Name Representing Steve Woolfenden Fisheries and Oceans Canada Patricia Short -Gallo Transport Canada Peter Waring Ministry of Natural Resources February 21, 2007 February 21, 2007 DUFFINS AND CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #1107 JK17 BUSINESSES /BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS Name Representing Neil Acton Deer Creek Golf and Country Estates NEW BUSINESS Appointment of Chair and Vice Chair of the DCWRG MOTION- Moved by: Seconded by: Neil Burnett Colleen Jordan THAT Susan Self and Doug Dodge remain as Chair and Vice -Chair of the Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group. THE MOTION WAS NOT CARRIED RES. #JK11/07 Moved by: Seconded by: Neil Burnett Colleen Jordan THAT Susan Self and Doug Dodge be reappointed as Co- Chairs of the Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group CARRIED Stewardship Initiatives in the Duffins and Carruthers Watersheds Gary Bowen highlighted the various stewardship initiatives scheduled for 2007. These include the Healthy Yards program, and special workshops for equestrian owners and operators to be held in the watershed. JK18 DUFFINS AND CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #1/07 February 21, 2007 Carruthers Watershed Proposed Initiatives Doug Dodge and Gary Bowen led the discussion on proposed initiatives for the Carruthers Watershed. The lack of public land is a reason why the focus has remained off of Carruthers Creek. D. Dodge and G. Bowen suggested that a management plan for Carruthers Marsh should be undertaken which is now under the Town of Ajax ownership. RES. #JK12/07- "n .,r by Seconded by: Doug Dodge Scott Crawford THAT the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority undertake a management plan for the Carruthers Marsh in coordination with the Town of Ajax; AND FURTHER THAT a copy of the recommendation to undertake a management plan for Carruthers Marsh be sent to the Town of Ajax CARRIED Highway 7 Widening from Brock Road to Highway 12 A letter written to McCormick Rankin Corporation, the consultants on the Highway 7 widening project on behalf of the Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group, dated March 5, 2007, was presented to the committee for approval. The letter was approved with a suggestion for a few minor changes prior to submission. TERMINATION ON MOTION, the meeting terminated at 9:00 p.m., February 21, 2007. Adele Freeman Brian E. Denney Director, Watershed Management Secretary- Treasurer /Jp THE TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY DUFFINS AND CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP MINUTES OF MEETING #2/07 THE TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY MINUTES OF THE DUFFINS AND CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #2/07 June 27, 2007 Page JK20 The Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group meeting #2/07 was held at the Claremont Education Centre on Wednesday, June 27, 2007. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm. PRESENT Neil Acton Member Doug Dodge Member David Pickles Member Susan Self Member Patricia Short-Galls Member Clyde Smith Member Alan Wells Member Steven Woolfenden Member STAFF Gary Bowen Watershed Specialist, Duffins and Carruthers Andrea Dube Watershed Planner, Duffins and Carruthers Brian Dundas Coordinator, SMS Darryl Gray Manager, Field Centres Renee Jarrett Senior Manager, Education Joanna Parsons Administrative Assistant, Duffins and Carruthers Tim Rance Aquatic Management Coordinator GUEST Janeane Campbell Durham District School Board - Nonquon Education Centre Tom Fowle Uxbridge Watershed Advisory Committee Deanna Fry Durham District School Board- Durham Forest Cathy Goldberg Durham District School Board Cathy Mahler Ontario EcoSchools Warren May Ministry of Natural Resources Chris Robinson Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Jeanette Stewart Durham District School Board Frank Wick Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters JK21 DUFFINS & CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #2/07 June 27,2007 RES. #JK13/07- MINUTES Moved by: Seconded by: Neil Acton Alan Wells THAT the Minutes of Meeting #1/07, held on February 21, 2007, be received CARRIED CORRESPONDENCE Letter to Mr. Kevin Rodger of McCormick Ranking Corporation from Beth Williston, Manager, Environmental Assessments, TRCA, dated June 5, 2007, re: Highway 7 widening from Brock Road to Highway 12. RES. #JK14/07- Moved by: Seconded by: Alan Wells Patricia Short-Galle THAT the above correspondence be received CARRIED PRESENTATIONS (a) Claremont Field Centre Educational Programming Darryl Gray, Manager, Field Centres, provided a brief history of Claremont Field Centre and highlighted the different outdoor programs available. Cathy Mahler, Coordinator of Ontario EcoSchools, provided a history of Ontario EcoSchools and detailed what the program is and how schools and outdoor field centres can become certified. Ms. Mahler finished by presenting awards to Claremont and to Durham District School Board. (b) Atlantic Salmon Stocking Program - Spring 2007 Chris Robinson, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH), provided a brief history of the Atlantic Salmon in Ontario streams and provided background information on OFAH's reintroduction program of Atlantic Salmon June 27, 2007 DUFFINS & CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #2/07 JK22 RES. #JK15/07 - 2007 DURHAM WATERFRONT WATER QUALITY MONITORING - WORK PLAN Moved by: Seconded by: Alan Wells Neil Burnett THAT the 2007 Durham Waterfront Water Quality Monitoring Project Work Plan be received and endorsed ; THAT staff be requested to make a presentation on this project at a future meeting of the Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group (DCWRG); AND FURTHER THAT the DCWRG advise the Authority, Regions of York and Durham and the Town of Ajax that the committee supports this study as it will lead to improvements in water quality in the watersheds and waterfront and will assist in refining management actions CARRIED BACKGROUND Over the past few years increased interest and awareness of water quality conditions has lead to the development of a cooperative water quality monitoring study with the Regions of Durham and York and the Town of Ajax. The objective of this monitoring project is to determine which factors are affecting lake water quality along the waterfront and watersheds. Water entering Lake Ontario from the Duffins Creek, Carruthers Creek, and the Rouge River, as well as direct discharges from storm sewer outfalls near and on the waterfront will be considered. Ultimately, the goal is to identify practices or sources of pollutants which are impacting water quality of the lake, causing beach closures along the waterfront, and affecting the growth of Cladophora algae There are many sources from which pollutants may be entering into the lake. The possible sources include the Duffins, Carruthers and Rouge watersheds, storm sewer outfalls, waterfowl populations, and the Duffin Creek Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP). The Frenchman's Bay watershed is also another potential source; however it is the subject of a separate study being conducted by Marshall, Macklin, Monaghan (MMM). Loading estimates for these creeks have been previously prepared as part of the Lake Ontario Drinking Water Collaborative Study. Water sampling will occur during dry and wet weather events in order to determine sources of pollutants entering Lake Ontario. Water grab samples will be collected between the months of April and October of 2007, at three general sampling locations: Watershed /Creek Locations Storm Sewer Sites Offshore Lake Transects Coastal Marshes JK23 DUFFINS & CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #2/07 June 27,2007 Work Plan highlights . • Monitoring Studies conducted between April and October Sampling results will be posted on a website for the use of project partners Interim results will be presented in early September Final report highlighting key findings will be available in late fall 2007 (after sampling is completed) Outcomes from this study will be used to develop specific water quality improvement actions, establish implementation priorities and suggest funding options Information generated by this study will have utility for other Lake Ontario water quality initiatives Funding Funding for this project has been provided by the Regions of Durham and York. The Town of Ajax is providing staff to collect storm sewers and is covering the cost for some additional parameters they requested be added to the storm sewers sample laboratory analysis. RES. #JK16/07 - Moved by: Seconded by: WATERSHED STEWARDSHIP PROGRAMS UPDATE Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek Stewardship and Outreach Education activities update. Alan Wells Neil Burnett THAT the update on Stewardship and Outreach Education activities be received; THAT the Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group (DCWRG) be advised of up- coming events and be encouraged to attend in support of the stewardship activities within the Duffins and Carruthers Watersheds; AND FURTHER THAT the DCWRG continue to be involved in the identification of community leaders who can assist in the engagement of watershed residents and businesses in implementing the watershed plan CARRIED BACKGROUND At the DCWRG meeting #4106, held on September 13'h, 2006, the DCWRG was provided with two reports, "Ajax Community Greening Project - Update" and "Private Land Stewardship Activities on the Oak Ridges Moraine" detailing stewardship and outreach education activities in the Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek watersheds. The intent of TRCA's watershed stewardship programs is to provide community partners with June 27, 2007 DUFFINS & CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #2/07 JK24 the knowledge and tools required to support our watershed planning strategies. The goal is to influence people's attitudes and behaviours to create sustainable communities. Within the Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek watersheds, TRCA staff, in partnership with municipalities, schools, and community groups are involved in a variety of watershed stewardship programs and projects. The Stewardship and Outreach Education group carries out programs on both pubic and private land, and the Conservation Lands Planning Group carries out projects on TRCA owned properties. The Stewardship and Outreach Education group lead s programs such as the Healthy Yards program, the Rural Clean Water program, Caring for the Moraine Project, Watershed On Wheels program, and the Ajax Community Greening Project. The Conservation Land Planning Group works with partners such as the Glen Major Walker Woods Stewardship Committee. The following is a summary of stewardship and outreach education activities that have been delivered between September 2006 and June 2007. 1. Rural Clean Water Program Program Description The Rural Clean Water Program provides technical assistance to rural private landowners in Durham Region to implement,agricultural beneficial management practices to protect rural water quality. Deliverables TRCA was involved in an Agricultural Stewardship Seminar: "Increasing Your Farm's Productivity through Environmental Improvements" in March 2007 in partnership with the four Conservation Authorities in Durham Region. This event was hosted by the Durham Land Stewardship Council, Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee, Durham Environmental Advisory Committee, and Durham Region. The event was attended by over 100 farmers. 2. Caring for the Moraine Project Program Description The Caring for the Moraine Project is a partnership of 23 organizations who promote stewardship on the Moraine, coordinated by the Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation. The program works to increase landowner awareness about the Moraine, provide funding and technical assistance for private land restoration projects, and engage in direct landowner contact through site visits and workshops. Deliverables Projects funded in the Duffins Creek watershed in 2007 include, private land reforestation, installation of wood duck boxes, and riparian buffer planting. Two workshops were delivered as part of the program, in partnership with other agencies working in the Duffins Creek watershed, "An Evening of Stewardship on the Oak Ridges Moraine" in Goodwood in January JK25 DUFFINS & CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #2/07 June 27,2007 2007 and "Organic Lawn Care" in Stouffville on April 14'h, 2007. Future initiatives include an education program for Real Estate agents on the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and stewardship programs available to landowners on the Moraine. 3. Healthy Yards Program Program Description The Healthy Yards Program delivers workshops which provide information, tools, and support to encourage the adoption and maintenance of sustainable lawn and garden practices. Deliverables Workshops include the "Organic Law Care" in Stouffville on April 14, 2007, "Healthy Yard, Healthy Garden" Seminar in Claremont on May 16'h, 2007, and "Native Plant Sale and Workshop" in Ajax on June 20', 2007. 4. Watershed On Wheels Program Description The Watershed On Wheels program is a free, hands -on, in class conservation education program that is designed to meet the requirements of the Ontario Science and Technology Curriculum for elementary school students. The program includes the Aquatic Plants Program and the Yellow Fish Road Program. The Aquatic Plants Program teaches students about wetland restoration as they grow, care for, and plant aquatic species, and the Yellow Fish Road Program teaches students about stormwater management as they paint yellow fish beside storm drains. Deliverables Watershed On Wheels engaged 160 elementary students in the Duffins Creek Watershed. 125 students from the Duffins Creek Watershed helped to restore local wetlands by growing and planting approximately 465 native wetland plants while learning about the importance of wetlands through participating in the Aquatic Plants Program. 38 students participated in the Yellow Fish Road program in the spring of 2007 in the Duffins Creek Watershed. Events included a presentation on watershed stewardship to —30 school members of the Green Group Club at Lakeside Public School on March 27'h, 2007 and a presentation and the delivery of the Yellow Fish Road program to St. James Catholic School and Carruthers Creek Public School on April 22", 2007. 5. Ajax Community Greening Project Program Description The Ajax Community Greening Project is a two year EcoAction funded project which delivers stewardship activities to schools, community groups, residents, and businesses throughout Ajax. June 27, 2007 DUFFINS & CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #2/07 JK26 Deliverables A variety of stewardship activities were delivered in 2007 including: • • Display of native furs and skulls, and an interpretive hike at Winterfest at Greenwood CA on February 11", 2007 Ajax Green Neighbours workshop with -40 business owners on March 6", 2007. Ontario Centre For Environmental Technology Advancement (OCETA) gave a presentation on "Sustainability - Cost Saving Practices for Your Business" Public consultation and information night on environmental issues in Ajax area; focusing on creation and installation of native wildflower meadow on March 28th, 2007 Community planting activities as part of Ajax Environmental Affairs Week including, tree planting with Scouts on April 215`, 2007, tree planting with Green Group Club at Lakeside Public School on April 24'", 2007, and wildflower planting with Girl Guides on April 28", 2007. Ajax Youth Green Team Stream Monitoring Program event with grade 10 students at J. Clarke Richardson Elementary School on June 4" and 5'", 2007 Native Plant Gardening Workshop and Sale in Ajax on June 20', 2007 6. Stouffville Greenway Stewardship Project Program Description The Stouffville Greenway Stewardship Project involves engaging Stouffville residents in stewardship activities on the Stouffville Greenway - a green corridor connecting the Stouffville Reservoir to the north with south Stouffville. Deliverables Activities include, spring and fall plantings, bird box programs, guided hikes, habitat improvements and signage. A planting and bird box workshop with a local youth group from Stouffville District Secondary School took place on May 3rd and 4th 2007 on the west side of the trail south of Mallard St. and east of the York - Durham Heritage Railway line. 7. Glen Major Walker Woods Stewardship Committee Program Description The Glen Major Walker Woods Stewardship Committee assists TRCA in the implementation of the Duffins Creek Headwaters Management Plan by consulting on site uses and trail development, raising funds, and participating in restoration and trail maintenance activities in the Glen Major Walker Woods Complex. Deliverables Activities include trail closure (planting) along with members of Uxbridge Watershed Advisory Committee and TRCA staff on June 7", 2007, and trail re- routing and closure on June 9th, 2007. JK27 DUFFINS & CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #2/07 June 27,2007 DETAILS OF WORK TO BE DONE TRCA staff and partners will continue to implement the programs and projects outlined above through 2007. In addition, we will continue to secure new funding and partnerships to sustain existing programs and projects, and to explore new opportunities within the Duffins and Carruthers Creek watersheds. RES. #JK17/07 - Moved by: Seconded by: TRCA'S TERRESTRIAL NATURAL HERITAGE STUDY Progress report on the implementation of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority's Terrestrial Natural Heritage Study Alan Wells Neil Acton THAT the progress report on implementation of the Terrestrial Natural Heritage Strategy (TNHS) be received; THAT Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) staff be congratulated on their hard work developing the TNHS over the past seven years; THAT the approved TNHS be recognized for its important role in the preparation and implementation of the Watershed Plan and Fish Plan for Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek; AND FURTHER THAT the Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group support the use of the science and tools outlined in the Strategy to support local and regional municipalities in their efforts to develop local green space systems that contribute to proposed regional natural heritage system CARRIED BACKGROUND The science cornerstone of the 2003 watershed plan was the development and evaluation of a natural heritage system that not only addresses the biodiveristy needs of the Duffins and Carruthers watersheds but would also ensure that the critical watershed functions are enhanced. Further the watershed plan identified a conceptual NHS that would be further refined as the TRCA finalized the Regional Terrestrial Natural Heritage Strategy. On May 23, 2007 TRCA staff organized a workshop at Durham Regional Office to review the TNHS and to discuss opportunities to support local and regional municipalities in their efforts. This meeting was attending by municipal staff from Durham, Ajax, Pickering, Whitby and Uxbridge and as well staff from the conservation authorities within Durham. Copies of the Power Presentation that TRCA staff made at this workshop are attached. The centre piece of this workshop and these presentation was the pioneering work undertaken in the Duffins Creek watershed. Information was also presented on the Provincial Land Use Policy, the ORM Act, Green Belt and Places to Grow legislation. June 27, 2007 DUFFINS & CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #2/07 JK28 The TNHS workshop was well received and served to identify the strong municipal support for developing a Natural Heritage System It should be noted, that all Conservation Authorities in Durham Region have been working together to advance this work. While there are slight difference in approaches and in the progress achieved, the conservation authorities all share the vision of a establishing a green space system that achieves both biodiveristy and watershed functions. RES. #JK18/07 - CLAREMONT FIELD CENTRE - PRESENTATION Update on education activities at Claremont Field Centre. Moved by: Seconded by: Alan Wells Neil Acton THAT the presentation by Claremont Field Centre be received by the Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group (DCWRG); THAT the DCWRG supports the education programs being delivered at Claremont Field Centre as they assist with the implementation of the Watershed Plan through environmental action and applied learning, thereby ensuring students possess an understanding of their role in promoting healthy watersheds and sustainable living; THAT the current operating and capital budget deficits for Claremont Field Centre be taken into consideration during the budget processes at the Regions of Durham and York; THAT TRCA and Claremont Field Centre prepare appropriate budget documents for submission and consideration by the Regions; AND FURTHER THAT copies of this report be circulated to the Boards of Education in Durham Region. CARRIED BACKGROUND Opened in 1970, the Claremont Field Centre provides high - quality environmental and sustainability education programs to students from across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). A residential education centre, students visiting Claremont spend from 2.5 to 5 days living and learning on -site. Professional staff, attractive facilities, and a welcoming atmosphere combine with active outdoor studies to result in an intensive learning and community living experience. The program at Claremont revolves around outdoor and conservation education. Each program is planned in advance by the visiting teacher and the Field Centre staff and tailored to the season and the group's specific needs and interests. Activities make maximum use of the natural environment and encourage hands -on participation. Our classroom, is the 160 hectare Claremont Conservation Area, through which flows picturesque Duffins Creek, one JK29 DUFFINS & CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #2/07 June 27,2007 of the few remaining viable trout habitats in the GTA. All programs are tied to the new Ministry of Education curriculum guidelines. The Field Centre building is an 11,000 square foot Panabode facility, containing a classroom, lounge, dining room, kitchen, washrooms, staff offices and dormitory. Claremont can accommodate up to 60 students and 6 visiting staff. It is fully air conditioned and wheel chair accessible. Claremont Field Centre and Ontario EcoSchools EcoSchools is an environmental education program that builds student success in academics and in taking environmentally responsible action - making a positive contribution to their school community. Ontario EcoSchools builds success by engaging the whole school community in learning and action programs that lead to more environmentally sustainable practices at school. TRCA is partner in Ontario EcoSchools and Claremont Field Centre has been directly involved in a number of ways. The Claremont Field Centre was Gold Certified in 2006 and Gold recertified in 2007 Members of the Claremont Field Centre staff team participated in the Lighthouse Schools workshop which focussed on the value of the EcoSchools program with respect to climate change, energy conservation, waste management and human health. TRCA and Claremont Field Centre staff are working with Judy Gould and Deanna Fry from the Durham Board of Ed. to help promote EcoSchools with groups visiting Claremont. For many Durham schools our Zero Waste and EcoBuddies Awards are their first contact with EcoSchools initiatives. Claremont Field Centre staff made a presentation to Durham District School Board outdoor education staff introducing them to EcoSchools and reviewing with them what was necessary to be certified. Claremont Field Centre Attendance and Budget Overview Historical Attendance: Over 110,000 students since 1970 Average annual attendance: 3,000 students from 63 different schools in the GTA Annual operating budget (2007): 70% of schools from Durham District School Board 16% from Toronto Catholic School Board 9% from private schools 5% from Durham Catholic District Schools Boards $640,700 EXP $515,800 REV $124,900 Operating Deficit June 27, 2007 DUFFINS & CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #2/07 JK30 Annual Capital Budget: Annual Capital Budget Requirements: Current Annual Capital Deficit: Approx. $10,000 -- from City of Toronto. Region of York and Region of Peel Approx. $32,000 (5% of Operating) Approx. $22,000 Duffins Creek Environmental Education Centre The Duffins Creek Environmental Education Centre, a Durham District School Board (DDSB) outdoor education centre, is located at Claremont Conservation Area. The DDSB leases approximately 2.5 acres of land within the Claremont Conservation Area for the purposes of providing outdoor and environmental education. TRCA and DDSB share use of roads, trails and a pioneer cabin with TRCA providing services, in addition to the lease, to DDSB on a cost recovery basis. Average annual attendance at the Duffins Creek Centre is 4,500 students. Programming is delivered in a converted portable classroom and throughout the Claremont Conservation Area. RES. #JK19/07 - Moved by: Seconded by: UXBRIDGE WATERSHED ADVISORY COMMITTEE - CLIMATE CHANGE EVENT The Uxbridge Watershed Advisory Committee climate change evening program. Alan Wells Patricia Short-Galle THAT the staff report on the Climate For Change Evening held in the Town of Uxbridge be received for information. CARRIED BACKGROUND On June 20, 2007, the Uxbridge Watershed Advisory Committee presented a Climate For Change event at the Music Hall in the Town of Uxbridge. Local schools were invited to attend three showings of Al Gore's award winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth during the day. This program was warmly received as all three showings were filled to capacity. The event continued in the evening with showing of the same documentary followed by a brief talk by Dave Phillips, Senior Climatologist with Environment Canada, who provided a local perspective on how climate change could impact Uxbridge. JK31 DUFFINS & CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #2/07 June 27,2007 RES. #JK20 /07- LAKE ONTARIO COLLABORATIVE STUDY FOR LAKE ONTARIO BASED MUNICIPAL DRINKING WATER SUPPLIES Outcomes from the Phase 1 Study with Environment Canada estimating nutrient and suspended solids loads to Lake Ontario Moved by: Seconded by: Alan Wells Patricia Short-Galle THAT the staff report on the Collaborative Source Water Protection Study for Lake Ontario Based Municipal Drinking Water Supplies be received for information CARRIED BACKGROUND At the Authority's Watershed Management Advisory Board Meeting #2107, held on June 8, 2007, the following resolution was approved: THE BOARD RECOMMENDS TO THE AUTHORITY THAT the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), as the CTC (Credit Valley Conservation, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority) watershed region lead, continue to work with Environment Canada on pollutant loadings assessments for watersheds draining into Lake Ontario; AND FURTHER THAT staff be authorized and directed to take such actions as is necessary to participate in this study. Under the provincially funded Great Lakes Surface Water System Grant Program, a long term proactive and strategic approach for the protection of drinking water supplies for over 5 million residents is underway. A report on this program was presented at the Watershed Management Advisory Board meeting held on July 14, 2006. The Collaborative Lake Ontario Drinking Water Study is tasked with identifying and evaluating local and lake wide hazards to 33 municipal drinking water intakes around Lake Ontario. Under the first phase of the project, TRCA worked on a study with Environment Canada (EC) to calculate non -point source 'pollutant Toads entering Lake Ontario from the various watersheds between the Niagara Region and Prince Edward County. As directed by the 2006 -2007 CTC Source Protection work plan, TRCA staff is coordinating this work on behalf of all the participating conservation authorities along Lake Ontario. Pollutant loads provide an estimate of the total mass of a contaminant entering Lake Ontario. These estimates serve as useful means of tracking trends through time in pollution exports from watersheds and serves to document the effectiveness of various water quality improvement actions developed through watershed planning and municipal - industrial abatement programs. The initial study focused on water quality parameters that might potentially interfere with the treatment of lake based drinking water supplies. Interference with the treatment process due to turbid water and high nutrients, can put drinking water supplies at risk if the integrity of the June 27, 2007 DUFFINS & CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #2/07 JK32 treatment process is compromised. In addition, knowledge of the amount and delivery mechanisms for pollutants can assist in the development of Intake Protection Zones as prescribed by the Ministry of Environment Guidance Manuals. Loading assessment techniques developed in Phase 1 of the study can be applied to estimate Toads for other more direct, health related water quality parameters (such as Polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs]). Furthermore, loadings estimates for these initial parameters have utility for broader Lake Ontario water quality studies such as Areas of Concern, Canada Ontario Agreement and the Canada -US Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Work Plan Accurate calculations of pollutant Toads requires daily measurements of stream flow and very frequent sampling of water quality. Current monitoring programs such as the TRCA Regional Watershed Monitoring Program sample water quality parameters on a monthly basis. This level of sampling is adequate for our watershed and report card studies, but is not frequent enough to quantify the mass of contaminants being discharged into Lake Ontario. Previous studies have shown that in excess of 70 samples, distributed throughout the year in proportion to stream flow volumes, are required for precise estimates. The intent of this study is to provide reasonable approximations of the loads for the watersheds in order to identify more precisely which watersheds require a more accurate estimate of loadings. For these priority watersheds, enhanced monitoring programs may be required. Environment Canada (EC), the University of Guelph and TRCA have all cooperated to provide preliminary loadings estimates. Watershed pollution loads will be used to identify, from a Lake Ontario drinking water perspective, the priority watersheds that potentially might influence lake based municipal drinking water supplies. Phase 1 loading calculations and analysis were undertaken using a variety of techniques, including: • determination of Event Mean Concentrations coupled with runoff volumes as a first approximation of watershed loads across the study area; • application of unit area loads from International Joint Commission water quality land use studies (Pollution from Land Use Activities Reference Group [PLUARG]) and other studies to estimate unit area loads (kg /ha) for nutrients on a watershed and sub - watershed basis; • event water quality model (Agricultural Non -Point Source [AGNPS]) to estimate peak loads for major storm events; • comparison of wet weather flow and other modelling studies with available concentrations and loads; • where opportunities exist, use measured flow and stream chemistry data (from Ministry of Environment and EC) to calculate observed loads and calibrate models; and compare results with previous published studies for the Great Lakes. Phase 2 of the Lake Ontario Collaborative drinking water study will require the refinement of loadings estimates for the priority watershed identified in Phase 1. The refined loads will be used as inputs into a Lake Ontario water quality model to define Intake Protection Zones (IPZs) as per ministry guidelines. Follow -up efforts are also required to keep the loading estimates JK33 DUFFINS & CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #2/07 June 27,2007 current and to answer any additional information requests from the project consultants and drinking water treatment utilities who operate the 33 intakes. In Tight of the identified deficit of stream flow and chemistry data and taking into consideration the cost and time required to establish new monitoring programs, the study team is recommending that a continuous water quality model be used to provided the required refinements in load estimates. Through these modelling runs a more comprehensive suite of water quality parameters could be studied. Estimates from the calibrated model will be of sufficient precision for IPZ study p.urposes and may negate the need for more detailed water quality monitoring beyond current programs. The application of a daily time -step model for the priority tributaries will provide input data to the lakewide water quality simulation model. Modelling runs would answer questions on when and where watershed based pollutants are impacting lake -based drinking water supplies. Based upon watershed modelling reviews by the study team, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model developed in the United States of America was selected as the preferred modelling tool. Previously as part of the Duffins Creek watershed studies, the SWAT has been set up using locally available climate and geographic information systems data sets. Outputs from the SWAT model can match the input time steps required for the lakewide water quality model and IPZ assessments. For phase 2, the SWAT model will be set up for the priority watersheds. This may involve between 3 -10 watersheds around the lake, which will be calibrated with available data and will be compared with Hydrological Simulation Program - FORTRAN (HSPF) runs for Toronto area watersheds and the Credit River. Loading analysis provided by Halton Region Conservation Authority for their Lake Ontario watersheds will be used to compare estimates. A technical report will be prepared to document all the work completed. Conservation authority and municipal staff will be trained on the use of the models and loadings estimation procedures including the phase 1 work. Results of the study will be posted on a data portal for access by conservation authorities and other interested parties. Gary Bowen, Duffins- Carruthers Watershed Specialist, will present the findings to date and answer questions at the June 8th Watershed Management Advisory Board meeting. FINANCIAL DETAILS Funding for this study was provided by the Ministry of the Environment through a grant to the Lake Ontario Collaborative Study and as well through grants to the CTC. The funds provided to the collaborative study will in turn be transferred to EC. CTC funding will be used to cover staff time and projects that directly related to conservation authority programs. Through these funding arrangements, effective partnerships are being developed and the technical expertise gained through the study is being transferred to capacity building to support this work on a long term basis. June 27, 2007 DUFFINS & CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #2/07 JK34 TERMINATION ON MOTION, the meeting terminated at 9:00 p.m., June 27, 2007. Adele Freeman Brian E. Denney Director, Watershed Management Secretary- Treasurer hip THE TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY DUFFINS AND CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP MINUTES OF MEETING #3/07 THE TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY MINUTES OF THE DUFFINS AND CARRUTHERS WATERSHED RESOURCE GROUP #3/07 September 12, 2007 Page JK34 The Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group meeting #3107 was held at the Lebovic Leisure Centre on Wednesday, September 12, 2007. The meeting was called to order at 7:20 pm. PRESENT Neil Acton Member Neil Burnett Member Colleen Jordan Member Susan Self Member Clyde Smith Member Peter Waring Member STAFF Gary Bowen Watershed Specialist, Duffins and Carruthers Andrea Dube Watershed Planner, Duffins and Carruthers Joanna Parsons Administrative Assistant, Duffins and Carruthers GUEST Rob Raycroft Town of Whitchurch - Stouffville Brian D. Wolf Regional Municipality of York RES. #JK21/07- Moved by: Seconded by: MINUTES Neil Acton Clyde Smith THAT the Minutes of Meeting #1/07, held on February 21, 2007, be received CARRIED JK35 DUFFINS CARRUTHERS RESOURCE GROUP #3/07 September 12, 2007 CORRESPONDENCE (A) Letter to Mr. Kevin Rodger of McCormick Rankin Corporation from Beth Williston, Manager, Environmental Assessments, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, dated June 5, 2007, re: Highway 7 widening from Brock Road to Highway 12. RES. #JK22/07- Moved by: Seconded by: Colleen Jordan Peter Waring THAT the above correspondence be received CARRIED PRESENTATIONS (a) Memorial Park and Bethesda Park Master Plans Rob Raycroft presented the master plans for Memorial Park and Bethesda Park. Town of Whitchurch - Stouffville would like to use the Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group as a focus group for input into types of plants around the creek in Memorial Park. TRCA will also be involved with the plantings during the design stages of Bethesda Park. (b) Stouffville Water Pollution Control Plant Decommissioning Brian D. Wolf of the Regional Municipality of York provided background information on the decommissioning of the plant. Since 2006, there has been a significant improvement in the health of the local watercourse. RES. #JK23/07 - SEATON TRAIL MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE Moved by: Seconded by: Colleen Jordan Clyde Smith THAT the Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group (DCWRG) receive this progress report on the development of the Seaton Trail Management Plan; THAT the Seaton Trail be recognized as an important component of the trails strategy as outlined in A Watershed Plan for Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek; September 12, 2007 DUFFINS CARRUTHERS RESOURCE GROUP #3/07 JK36 THAT the Oak Ridges Trail Association (ORTA) and staff at the City of Pickering, DEL Management Solutions and the Ontario Realty Corporation (ORC), be recognized for their contribution to the Seaton Trail Management Plan Project Management Committee; AND FURTHER THAT the Ontario Realty Corporation and DEL Management Solutions be recognized for the trails improvement work to be completed this fall CARRIED BACKGROUND Located on lands owned by both ORC and TRCA in the North Pickering Planning area, the Seaton Trail stretches 11 kilometres along the West Duffins Creek valley and is used for hiking and cross country skiing. DEL Management Solutions has been contracted to manage the land, including the trail, on ORC's behalf. In 2004, TRCA requested that ORTA assemble a report on the condition of the Seaton Hiking Trail. This report evaluated the trail and contained a series of recommendations for improvements. In addition to recommendations made by the ORTA report, the Seaton Trail is recognized in the Watershed Plan for Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek as being a key component of a continuous interregional trail system. A key recommendation in the State of the Watershed Report is the creation of a management plan for the Seaton Trail. At their meeting #2/06, held on April 19'h, 2006, the DCWRG was provided with a report on the submission of a proposal to the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) for the preparation of the Seaton Trail Management Plan. This is a joint funding proposal by the TRCA, City of Pickering, and ORTA and is supported by ORC and DEL Management Solutions. The proposal to the OTF was approved in the amount of $21,700.00. The management plan is being developed by a project management committee composed of representatives from ORTA, TRCA, the City of Pickering, and with the support of ORC and DEL Management Solutions. Broader consultation with various stakeholder groups and members of the public will take place throughout the management planning process. Throughout the development of the management plan, the project committee will ensure that regular contact is maintained with the lead groups involved in the development of the master plan for the Seaton Natural Heritage System to minimize overlap and coordinate planning efforts. A work plan for 2006 -2008 has been developed. Key deliverables include the assessment of trail conditions and identification of hazards; survey of trail use; development of a trail route in connection with the provincial trail planning process for Seaton, including GPS of trail route, closing of undesired trails and development of new trail heads if necessary; establishment of "Friends of the Seaton Hiking Trail "; development and installation of trail signage; establishment of trail maintenance responsibilities; and the development of the five -year management plan. Completed work to date includes the identification of trail conditions, including existing routes and hazards, survey of trail uses, launch of website for the trail, and an initial public meeting. JK37 DUFFINS CARRUTHERS RESOURCE GROUP #3/07 September 12, 2007 DETAILS OF WORK TO BE DONE: The priority actions for the remainder of 2007 include the identification of hazards that should be addressed immediately and work with ORC. RES. #JK24/07 - TIMBERS BROTHERS GRAVEL PIT REHABILITATION Moved by: Seconded by: Neil Burnett Neil Acton THAT the proposal to establish a partnership with the Ontario Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (OSSGA) to rehabilitate the Timbers Brothers Gravel Pit be received and endorsed by the Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group (DCWRG); AND FURTHER THAT the DCWRG be updated regularly on the progress of this partnership CARRIED BACKGROUND The Timbers Brothers gravel pit was purchased in 1998. The property is approximately 100 acres and includes an abandoned sand and gravel pit, along with meadow, hedgerow, forest, and wetland communities. Sections of the rear of the property are designated an Environmentally Sensitive Area and a Provincially Significant Earth Science ANSI, respectively. Rehabilitation of the pit has occurred in three phases, 1998 -2000, 2000 -2002, and 2007 -2009. Between 1998 and 2002, this rehabilitation work included grading the slope faces of the gravel pit, berm construction, habitat structures, addition of topsoil to slopes, the removal of cobble stones and other debris remaining from the gravel pit operation, and re- vegetation with both seedings and plantings. Work planned for 2007 -2009 includes both restoration activities and trail improvement activities. Trail improvements include constructing and installing lookout points, re- routing, upgrading and expanding trails, and installing interpretive signage. Restoration work includes plantings, addition of wood debris to reduce browse, excavation of wetland habitat and installation of habitat features. The rehabilitation of the Timbers site has achieved varying degrees of success. In some areas, the slope has been stabilized and re- vegetated; in other areas, despite re- grading and seeding of the slope, vegetation establishment has not been successful and significant erosion continues. One approach to addressing ongoing issues with the rehabilitation of the site is to collaborate with experts in the aggregate pit rehabilitation industry. Through the exchange of knowledge and ideas, innovative approaches to rehabilitation techniques can be developed and implemented at the Timbers site. September 12, 2007 DUFFINS CARRUTHERS RESOURCE GROUP #3/07 JK38 TRCA staff met with the Ontario Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (OSSGA's) Rehabilitation Committee on September 5'h 2007 for a tour of the Timbers Brothers site and to discuss opportunities for rehabilitation of the Timbers site through an ongoing partnership between TRCA and OSSGA. DETAILS OF WORK TO BE DONE TRCA staff and OSSGA will continue to explore rehabilitation options at the Timbers Brothers site. RES. #JK25/07 - MEMORIAL PARK AND BETHESDA PARK MASTER PLANS Moved by: Seconded by: Neil Acton Colleen Jordan THAT the report on the Memorial Park and Bethesda Park Master Plans be received; THAT the presentation on the Memorial Park and Bethesda Park Master Plans be received; AND FURTHER THAT the Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group (DCWRG) continue to be updated on the development and implementation of the Memorial Park and Bethesda Park Master Plans CARRIED BACKGROUND In October, 2004, the Town of Whitchurch - Stouffville initiated a planning process that will result in master plans being prepared for Memorial and Bethesda Parks. The intention of the plans are to create new linkages and enhance existing linkages to nearby parks and to link both parks to downtown Stouffville. Two other planning initiatives which were influential to the parks' master plans were the Strategic Plan of Action for Downtown Stouffville and the Park Drive Extension through Memorial Park. Memorial Park The plan for Memorial Park will account for the extension of Park Drive through the site and the retirement of the water pollution control plant in the next few years. The Memorial Park plan is to include South Park (south and west of the Lebovic Leisure Centre); Franklin and Thicketwood Parks; the Town Works Depot and Recycling Centre; 19 Civic Square (Old Town Hall); Civic Square; and the lands containing the skateboard park and associated parking lot, the Region of York Water Pollution Control plant; and the creek from Main Street south to Hoover Park Drive. Altogether, these lands total 23 hectares (57 acres). To make room for the extension of Park Drive, some facilities will have to be re- located within the park and /or moved to another park. JK39 DUFFINS CARRUTHERS RESOURCE GROUP #3/07 September 12, 2007 Bethesda Park Purchased by the municipality in October, 2003, Bethesda Park is an undeveloped property within the Oak Ridges Moraine. The park, which is a former sod farm, comprises 20.6 hectares (51 acres) of land and is located on the south side of the Bethesda Sideroad, east of the Ninth Line. It is bordered on the west side by the Stouffville Creek, a tributary of Duffins Creek. The focus of Bethesda Park will be on outdoor sports facilities. A key prerequisite of the development of facilities will be respect for and enhancement of on -site and adjacent natural features and attributes. Since the site is located within the "Countryside Area" designation as defined by the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, a 'compliance exercise' had to be completed to identify any constraints for the introduction of major sports fields on the ecological /hydrological function of the Moraine and key natural heritage features located within the park and within 120 metres of the site. The master plan is to consider a 'landlocked' parcel of land to the south of Bethesda Park that comprises 10.1 hectares (25 acres) which may be available for purchase by the municipality. This adjacent property has a developable area of 4.8 hectares (12 acres). South of that property lies the Stouffville Reservoir and other lands owned by TRCA. South of the reservoir lands is the developed limits of the Stouffville urban area. Planning Process Over the past three years, the Town has undertaken an extensive planning and public consultation exercise which included several community workshops and open houses. TRCA attended a number of these public meetings and also met with the Town and their consultants to discuss a Zink between the two parks and the Stouffville Reservoir and Greenway. This planning process culminated in the presentation and approval of both the draft master plans by Whitchurch - Stouffville Council on June 19, 2007. The draft Master Plans can be found at: http:// www .memorialandbethesdaparks.ca/ Impacts on Watershed Maintenance and enhancement of natural heritage features are goals of both the Memorial and Bethesda Park Plans. The plan for Bethesda Park includes naturalization buffers along Stouffville Creek and a trail connection to the reservoir, downtown Stouffville and Memorial Park. The Memorial Park Plan includes some sites that will need to be addressed further such as a creek crossing (extension of Park Drive). Creek edge improvements such as riparian plantings are planned, as well as plantings within the existing Sangster Grove and southern woodlots. September 12, 2007 DUFFINS CARRUTHERS RESOURCE GROUP #3/07 JK40 RES. #JK26/07 - Moved by: Seconded by: STOUFFVILLE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL PLANT DECOMMISSIONING Neil Acton Colleen Jordan THAT the presentation on the Stouffville Water Pollution Control Plan be received; AND FURTHER THAT the DCWRG continue to be updated on the decommissioning of the Stouffville Water Pollution Control Plant and related issues or actions that arise CARRIED BACKGROUND The Watershed Plan for Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek identified that the phosphorus level found in the West Duffins Creek, due to effluent from the Stouffville Water Pollution Control Plant, was the most noteworthy point source of pollution within the watershed. It was also suspected that aquatic biota in reaches immediately downstream from the plant were stressed by chlorine and ammonia levels associated with the effluent. Decommissioning of the sewage plant was one of the key recommendations of the Watershed Plan. It was expected that water quality in the stream would improve following its scheduled decommissioning. The Stouffville Water Pollution Control Plant was taken off-line in 2006; however, the building has not yet been demolished. NEW BUSINESS Source Water Protection Committee Appointment Susan Self has been appointed as Chair of the CTC Source Protection Committee. The Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Resource Group wishes Susan much success in her new role. TERMINATION ON MOTION, the meeting terminated at 8:20 p.m., September 12, 2007. Adele Freeman Brian E. Denney Director, Watershed Management Secretary- Treasurer /Jp