9/17/2015 Environmental Assessment Updates & Belfountain Concept Plans Stakeholder Advisory Committee Meeting September 3, 2015 Introductions 1
9/17/2015 Agenda • Belfountain Dam and Headpond Class Environmental Assessment Update • Belfountain Complex Concept Plans – Themes – Phase I – Phase II • Consultation Schedule Environmental Assessment Belfountain dam & headpond 2
9/17/2015 Review • Class Environmental Assessment Process, Purpose and Approach • Objectives and Evaluation Criteria • Evaluation Process • Evaluation Alternatives • Mitigation Measures & Ideas Conduct Prepare Initiate Class Establish Evaluate & Impact Baseline EA CLC Select Alt. Analysis Analysis Inventory Inventory Can All Environmental Impacts be Avoided? Yes Uncertain No Prepare Prepare Prepare ESR Project Plan Individual Environmental Assessment Initiate Class Are Impacts EA Acceptable? Publish Prepare and Notice of file notice Minister of Filing Filing Environment No All Concerns Reviews Part II Addressed? Order Request Project Approval Request Denied 3
9/17/2015 Class EA - Objectives 1. Maintain a Fisheries Barrier between upstream Brook Trout and downstream non-native and invasive species 2. Reduce/minimize risk to visitors, staff, affected property and downstream dams 3. Maintain or improve the visitor experience 4. Conserve and enhance cultural heritage attributes Class EA - Objectives 5. Promote natural stream function 6. Strive for long-term sustainability including economic viability 7. Conserve and enhance natural heritage attributes 4
9/17/2015 Baseline Inventory Report • Cultural Heritage Assessment and Stage 1 Archaeological Report • Topographic Survey • Stream Morphology Study (physical properties of the WCR) • Sediment Quality & Quantity Analysis • Structural Analysis of Dam • Geotechnical Study of Retaining Wall Cultural Heritage Assessment • Cultural Heritage Landscape • Mack Park and Willoughby Industrial Heritage Site are registered archaeological sites • Importance of both the dam and the headpond • If the features are altered, thorough documentation must take place • New interventions must be visually and physically compatible 5
9/17/2015 Sediment Analysis Estimated sediment volume is 2500m 3 • • Sediment is intermittent layers of silt, fine sand and organic matter • Quality does not pose implications for disposal or remediation (remediation and use could take place onsite) • Quality does not pose threat to downstream transport Stream Morphology • Change in geology at Dam (bedrock to shale) – as such general downstream characteristics are not only a result of the dam (but also of the geology) • Channel widening is major geomorphic process • Headpond associated with accumulation of sediment and overwidening of upstream section • Lack of fine sediments located downstream could be attributed to high velocity flows (absence of dam may not improve downstream sediment quality) 6
9/17/2015 Ecology • High quality woodland and valleyland environments • Several Species at Risk (terrestrial and aquatic) in the area (measures need to be taken if any construction is required) • Pond has limited value to wildlife and is warming the water throughout the reach Structural Analysis of Dam • Overall, dam structure is in good condition but does not meet current safety factors – mitigation will be required if the dam remains • North retaining wall is unstable during flood or flood-earthquake conditions and will require mitigation if dam remains 7
9/17/2015 Next Steps • Public Consultation – Review of Purpose and Process – Review baseline information and objectives – Opportunity to provide comment • Evaluation of all alternatives and recommendation for preferred alternative in November Belfountain Complex Management Plan 8
9/17/2015 Process Review Background Report Strategic Directions Report ( Phase I: Directions ) Strategic Directions Report ( Phase II: Recommendations ) Advisory Committees Strategic Directions Report ( Phase III: Decisions ) Final Management Plan Themes 9
9/17/2015 Main Themes • Parking & Traffic • Capacity • Working with our Partners • Aesthetics Parking & Traffic • Traffic congestion during the Fall Colours Season • Parking within the community and walking to BCA • Connectivity between the Hamlet and BCA 10
9/17/2015 Parking & Traffic – Proposed Policies • Increased parking capacity on-site • Off-site parking with shuttle service during fall colours • Exploring walking connections Capacity – Proposed Policies • Exploring programs to promote weekday visitation, and off- peak visitation • Limit picnic reservation sizes; promote other conservation areas • Require reservations for larger group picnics • Ongoing environmental and property monitoring 11
9/17/2015 Capacity - Events • Size of events will be limited • Event season will likely be limited • Length of events will be limited Working with our Partners • Working with the Region and Town to address traffic congestion issues • Several solutions are possible (parking, signage, travel routes, etc.): 2015 focus on data collection related to local tourism • Working with agency partners to develop plans and strategies cohesively (Tourism, Active Transportation, etc.) 12
9/17/2015 Aesthetics • Gardens (demonstration, native, formal) • Signage (subtle, discrete, minimal) • Interpretive Methods (Online, Audio, Tours) • Ancillary Features (benches, picnic tables, rest areas) Concept Plans 13
9/17/2015 Concept Plan Development • Consultant hired to create concept plans: Brook McIlroy – Comments consolidated and forwarded – Initial meetings and site visits – Development of concepts and architectural sketches Project Area #3: Forecourt • Entry Experience • Pedestrian access • Accessible access & drop-off • Def ine picnic area • Formalize water access • Naturalization 14
9/17/2015 Option 1 15
9/17/2015 Option 2 Option 3 16
9/17/2015 PRECEDENTS Project Area #1: Parking Lot and Visitor Centre • Visitor centre as g ateway • Park ing capacity • Saf ety • Optimize Operations • Views • Def ine Picnic Areas • Restore Slope 17
9/17/2015 Option 1 18
9/17/2015 Option 2 Option 3 19
9/17/2015 PRECEDENTS Project Area #2: Hillside Garden • Restore Slope • Views • Naturalization • Def ine Picnic Areas 20
9/17/2015 Option 1 21
9/17/2015 Option 2 Option 3 22
9/17/2015 Project Area #4: Bridgehead & Portico • Prominent Gateway Site • Visual Connection • Interpretive Node • Enhance Pumphouse • Activate River Crossing This area will not be presented during the first consultation – the preliminary concepts are awaiting the outcome of the Class EA. 23
9/17/2015 Option 2 Option 3 24
9/17/2015 25
9/17/2015 Project Area #5: Heritage Gardens • “Follies” • Improve natural heritage f eatures • Return to the swimming pool • Enhance views • Def ine circulation • Improve Boardwalk • Address Railing s T h is a r ea will n o t b e p resented d uring t he f irst T h is T h is T h is a r ea will n o t b e p resented d uring t he f irst a r ea will n o t b e p resented d uring t he f irst a r ea will n o t b e p resented d uring t he f irst c onsultation – c onsultation – t he p reliminary c oncepts a re t he p reliminary c oncepts a re c onsultation c onsultation – – t he p reliminary c oncepts a re t he p reliminary c oncepts a re a waiting t h e o utcome o f t he Class EA. a waiting t h e o utcome o f t he Class EA. a waiting t h e o utcome o f t he Class EA. a waiting t h e o utcome o f t he Class EA. 26
9/17/2015 Option 1 27
9/17/2015 Option 2 Option 3 28
9/17/2015 PRECEDENTS Trails & Restoration (Project Areas 6,7) • Trail plan is in development – Pond Loop trail is awaiting outcome of the Class EA – Minor trail improvements (re-routes, boardwalks) proposed • Restoration Plan is underway – Planting plans for areas identified in Strategic Directions Report I 29
9/17/2015 Feedback & Consultation Feedback on Concept Plans • Online survey to scope and record comments • Broad comments or stakeholder positions are welcome 30
9/17/2015 Consultation Schedule September 22 nd 2015 : Public Information Centre for the • Environmental Assessment and Management Plan – Includes a presentation and opportunity to talk with staff and consultants working on the project – Opportunity to review poster boards and provide input – 6pm – 9pm at the Caledon Ski Club Consultation Schedule September 26 th , 27 th ,October 2 nd and 3 rd : Outreach and • Consultation in the Conservation Area – Visitors to the conservation area and members of the community will be invited to discuss both projects with CVC staff – Opportunity to provide input – 11am – 4pm in Belfountain Conservation Area 31
9/17/2015 Questions 32
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