PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE No.1 November 21 st , 2007 Mount Pleasant - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE No.1 November 21st, 2007

Mount Pleasant Secondary Plan Landscape Scale Analysis and Subwatershed Study for Huttonville and Fletcher’s Creeks

Background Information

• The City of Brampton completed the “North West Brampton, Environmental Open

Space Study” in March 2005 for the North West Expansion Area. That study was part of the assessment to determine the long-term development potential for North West Brampton and to determine whether it would be appropriate to expand the City’s urban boundary.

• The Open Space Study was a one of five component studies intended to fulfill the

technical requirements for a Regional Official Plan Amendment.

• As part of the Open Space Study, Terms of Reference were developed for further

detailed environmental studies required to support Secondary Planning.

• Concurrently, the CVC worked consultatively with the City of Brampton, Region of

Peel, MNR, and Landowner Representatives to develop formal Terms of Reference for the Landscape Scale Analysis (LSA) and the Subwatershed Studies for Huttonville and Fletcher’s Creek.

North West Brampton

Subwatershed Planning Process

• What are the stressors?
• How will impacts be evaluated?
• What are the impacts from the stressors?
• What is the status of City initiatives?
• What are pros and cons of all solutions
• What is the preferred solution & the criteria for

selection?

Phase 1

Subwatershed Characterization

Phase 2

Impact Assessment

Phase 3

Management Strategies and Implementation

Phase 4

Long-term monitoring

• What information do we already have?
• What are the information gaps?
• What are the resources?
• What are the functions & linkages between

environmental resources?

• What are the needs of City initiatives (i.e.

transportation studies, etc.?

• What are the goals for the subwatershed?
• Who will be responsible for addressing the

recommendations?

• What is the status of City initiatives?
• Have goals been met?
• Are the original assumptions appropriate?
• Should parts of the plan be modified when

more information is available?

• What is the status of City initiatives (i.e.

transportation studies, etc.) ?

• How do you integrate science, management and

public needs?

LSA

Credit River Water Management Strategy

identifies:

• Sources of

contamination

• Key issues
• Goals
• Preliminary mitigative

measures

• Water Resource

targets

• Resource constraints
• Summary of City Initiatives (i.e.

initial thought on community planning, transportation and public works, etc.)

• Initial development of NHS

framework and sustainable management practices

• Provide Subwatershed and LSA

findings to city initiatives

• Public Meetings
• Summary of City Initiatives
• Refinement of NHS priorities (in

relation to LSA) and sustainable management practices

• Provide Subwatershed and LSA

findings to city initiatives

• Public Meeting
• Summary of City Initiatives
• Final NHS with restoration
• pportunities, priorities (in relation to

LSA) and sustainable management practices

• Provide Subwatershed and LSA

findings to city initiatives

• Public Meeting
• Develop monitoring program that

addresses measurable subwatershed goals

• Develop an Adaptive Environmental

Management program (AEM) to evaluate assumptions, recommendations

• Public Meeting
• Develop protocol to identify triggers

for updating the Subwatershed Study and Landscape Scale Analysis

Integrated Land Use Planning Process

North West Brampton

Study Area – Arial (See Display Board)

North West Brampton

Municipal Class EA Process

North West Brampton

• Many projects related to municipal systems are similar in nature, are carried out

routinely, and have predictable and mitigable environmental effects which are investigated according to the Municipal Engineers Association "Municipal Class Environmental Assessment,” (June 2000) document.

• Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) process categorizes

proposed municipal projects according to their anticipated environmental impact, and calls for increasingly stringent review requirements as the magnitude of the anticipated environmental impact increases.

• The Class EA defines a Master Plan as:

“A Long Range Plan, integrating infrastructure requirements for present and future land use with environmental planning principles. The Plan examines the whole infrastructure system in order to outline a framework for planning subsequent projects and/or developments (Class EA, 2000).”

• The Subwatershed Plans being prepared for North West Brampton constitute

environmental management Master Plans.

Municipal Class EA Process

Phase 1 Identify and Describe the Problem(s) Phase 2 Alternative Planning Solutions Phase 3 Alternative Design Concepts For the Preferred Solution Phase 4 Environmental Study Report Phase 5 Implementation

• Compile an

Environmental Study Report (ESR).

• Place ESR on public

record for review for 30 days.

• Notify the public and

government agencies of completion of the ESR and of the Part II Order provision in the EA Act.

• Proceed to construction
• f the project.
• Monitor environmental

provisions and commitments.

Problem Statement Preferred Solution ESR

Agency and Stakeholder Consultation Agency and Stakeholder Consultation

Preferred Design

• Identify reasonable

alternative planning solutions.

• Evaluate the alternative

solutions, taking into consideration environmental and technical factors.

• Identify a preferred

solution to the problem(s).

• Identify alternative

designs to implement the preferred solution.

• Inventory natural,

social/cultural and economic environments.

• Identify the impact of

the alternative designs after mitigation.

• Evaluate alternative

designs.

• Identify a preferred

design.

North West Brampton

Flow Management Study Other:

• NHS
• Fisheries

Water Quality Management Study Credit River Water Management Strategy Adaptive Environmental Management Strategy Provide direction to local municipalities on land use, environmental and stormwater management implementation Water Budget Study

CRWMSU Objectives, Indicators and Targets

4 P reserve a n d re-esta b lish th e n atu ral h y drolog ic cy cle In d icator M ea su ra b le P ara m eter T arg et R eferen ces / N otes W atersh ed P eakin ess 1 R ip arian F lo w C o m p ared to B aseflo w (Q 2 5/Q ba se flo w ) T o b e m o d eled fo r each su b w atersh ed . R ip arian F lo w C o m p ared to B aseflo w is an in d icato r o f flo o d in g ch aracteristics. H ig h er ratio s th an th e h isto ric co nd ition in dicate a less n atu ral flo o din g reg im e. W atersh ed P eakin ess 2 B an k fu ll F lo w C o m p ared to B aseflo w (Q ba nk fu ll(0.8 xQ 2 )/Q base flo w ) T o b e m o d eled fo r each su b w atersh ed . B an kfu ll F lo w C o m p ared to B aseflo w is an in d icato r o f n atu ral in -stream flo w ch aracteristics. H igh er ratio s th an th e histo ric con d itio n in d icate a less n atu ral flo w reg im e. F lo w T im e S eries R atio o f a F lo w T im e S eries (Q 2 ;Q 5 ;Q 10 ;Q 2 5 ;Q 50 m 3 /s)C o m p ared to H isto ric T im e S eries E ach ratio sh o uld b e less th an 1 .5 tim es th e co m p arab le h isto ric valu e. R atio o f a F lo w T im e S eries C o m p ared to H isto ric T im e S eries is an ind icato r o f th e exten t to w h ich th e n atu ral h yd ro lo gy o f th e stream h as b een altered . 5 M a in tain , en h an ce or resto re n atu ral strea m pro cesses to ach ieve a b ala n ce of flow an d sed im en t tra n sp o rt In d icator M ea su ra b le P ara m eter T arg et R eferen ces / N otes In stream E ro sio n P o ten tial 1 R atio o f th e C u rren t B an k fu ll F low C o m p ared to H isto ric B an kfu ll F lo w (Q ba nk fu ll relative to h isto ric valu e) T o b e calcu lated fo r each su b w atersh ed . T h e target is to m ain tain th e existin g ratio o r ach ieve a n et red u ctio n. R atio o f th e C u rren t B an kfu ll F lo w C o m p ared to H isto ric B an kfu ll F lo w is an in d icato r o f ch an gin g ero sion al/dep o sition al stresses o n th e geo m etry o f th e stream ch an n el. In stream E ro sio n P o ten tial 2 E ro sion T h resh o ld (sh ear stress or o th er variab le). T o b e d eterm in ed fo r each su b w atersh ed . T h e target to b e d evelo p ed b ased o n m o n ito rin g S tab le B ed S ed im en t R egim e P article S ize D istrib u tion and M ean P article S ize

• f B ed S ed im en ts (D 50; D 8 5 p article size)

T o b e d eterm in ed fo r each su b w atersh ed . T argets to b e d evelo p ed b ased o n m o n ito rin g. P article S ize D istrib u tion and M ean P article S ize o f B ed S edim en ts is an in d icato r o f th eir stability. A sh iftin g tren d in th is d istrib u tio n ind icates ch an n el in stab ility. 6 M a na g e strea m flow to red u ce erosio n im p a cts o n h ab itats a n d pro p erty In d icator M ea su ra b le P ara m eter T arg et R eferen ces / N otes P ro tection o f P ro p erty an d S tru ctu res R isk to S tru ctu res w ith in A reas P ro n e to E ro sion (th e nu m b er o f a ffected stru ctu res u n d er a Q 5 even t) T o b e d eterm in ed o n a su b w atersh ed b asis. T arget is n o in crease o r a n et d ecrease in n u m b er o f affected stru ctu res. T h e R isk to S tru ctu res th at are w ith in areas p ro n e to ero sio n (th e nu m b er o f affected stru ctu res u nd er a Q 5 even t) in creases w h en th e ero sion stress in th e ch an n el is in creased . If flo w s o f a certain d u ratio n in crease, m o re stru ctu res m ay b eco m e ero sio n p ron e. 7 M in im ize risk to h u m a n life a n d pro p erty d u e to floo d in g In d icator M ea su ra b le P ara m eter T arg et R eferen ces / N otes P ro tection o f L ife an d P ro p erty R eg u lato ry P eak F lo o d F lo w T o b e calcu lated fo r each su b w atersh ed . T h e target is n o in crease o r a n et redu ction in th e regu lato ry flo o d flo w . A n in crease in th e R egu lato ry P eak F lo o d F lo w (th e Q 1 00 o r Q reg io na l eve nt (m 3 /s) can in crease th e risk to life an d p ro p erty fro m flo o d in g. 8 M a in tain g ro u n d w ater levels a n d b a seflow s (g rou n d w ater d isch arg e to strea m s) to su stain w atersh ed fu n ctio n s, h u m a n u ses a n d clim ato log ica l ch a n g e In d icator M ea su ra b le P ara m eter T arg ets R eferen ces / N otes B aseflo w s in S tream s R atio o f B aseflo w to M ean A n n ual F lo w T o b e d eterm in ed fo r each su b w atersh ed . T h e R atio o f th e B aseflo w to th e M ean A n n u al F lo w (b aseflo w as a p ercen tage

• f M ean A n n u al F lo w ) is an ind icato r o f th e su itab ility o f a w aterco u rse to

su p po rt d ifferen t typ es o f fish co m m u n ities. G ro u n d w ater D isch arge E xistin g S tream B aseflo w N o R ed u ctio n. T o b e d eterm in ed o n a su b w atersh ed b asis (o r

• th er fu n ctio n ally related area).

T h e E xistin g S tream B aseflo w is an ind icato r o f th e m in im u m h ab itat availab le fo r fish an d affects stream th erm al stab ility (M easu red B ase F lo w s). R ech arge A reas A verag e R ech arge o n a S ub w atersh ed B asis N o R ed u ctio n. T o b e d eterm in ed o n a su b w atersh ed b asis (o r

• th er fu n ctio n ally related area).

T h e A verage R ech arge o n a S u bw atersh ed B asis is d irectly related to th e n atu ral w ater b alan ce. A n y red u ctio n in rech arge o ver th e area o f th e su b w atersh ed m ay in d icate in creased ru n o ff an d d ecreased stream b aseflo w . W ater T ab le E levatio n s A verage W ater T ab le E levatio n N o R ed u ctio n. T o b e d eterm in ed o n a su b w atersh ed b asis (o r

• th er fu n ctio n ally related b asis).

T h e A verage W ater T ab le E levatio n is an in d icato r o f th e n atu ral w ater tab le elevatio n . A lo w erin g o f th e w ater tab le m ay in d icate a red u ctio n in gro un d w ater su p p lies an d a red u ctio n in grou nd w ater d isch arg e to stream s.

CRWMSU Objectives, Indicators and Targets

9 Maintain or enhance water and sediment quality to achieve ecological integrity Indicator Measurable Parameter Targets References / Notes Dissolved Oxygen Minimum Dissolved Oxygen 6 mg/L (coldwater and mixed water) 5 mg/L (warmwater) Provincial Water Quality Objectives Water Temperature 1 Absolute Maximum Summer Water Temperature 26 C (coldwater) 28 C (mixed water) 30 C (warmwater) Source: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans. no date. A simple Method to Determine the Thermal Stability of Southern Ontario Trout Streams Personal Communication: Jim Bewlby and Jack Imhof Water Temperature 2 Daily Maximum Summer Average Water Temperature 20 C (coldwater) 23 C (mixed water) 26 C (warmwater) Source: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans. no date. A simple Method to Determine the Thermal Stability of Southern Ontario Trout Streams Personal Communication: Jim Bewlby and Jack Imhof Copper 75 percentile 0.005 mg/L Provincial Water Quality Objectives Iron 75 percentile 0.3 mg/L Provincial Water Quality Objectives Zinc 75 percentile 0.02 mg/L Provincial Water Quality Objectives Total Phosphorus 75 percentile 0.03 mg/L Provincial Water Quality Objectives Nitrate – Nitrogen 75 percentile 2.9 mg/L Federal Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Guideline (CCME) Suspended Solids 75 percentile <25 mg/L (dry) Federal Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Guideline (CCME) Chlorides 75 percentile <250 mg/L Canadian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines/ Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards 15 Protect, restore or enhance the integrity of the watershed ecosystem, through an integrated network of natural areas, habitats and connecting links Indicator Measurable Parameter Targets References / Notes Riparian Cover 1 Width of the Riparian Buffer 15 m back from each streambank (warmwater) 30 m back from each stream (coldwater) The Width of the Buffer (width in m) in natural vegetation is an indicator of the buffer's ability to provide key functions (attenuation of water quality/quantity, stream microclimate, shading, etc.). (Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service, 2004, How Much Habitat is Enough? A Framework to Guide Habitat Rehabilitation in Great Lakes Areas of Concern. Second Edition. Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada. Downsview.) Riparian Cover 2 Percent of Stream Length Buffered 75% of stream length in natural vegetation The Percent of Stream Length Buffered (length of natural stream buffer along the stream) is an indictor of its ability to provide key functions. (Environment Canada, 2004. ) Forest Cover Percent of the Subwatershed Forested To be calculated on a subwatershed basis. The Percent of the Subwatershed Forested is an indicator of the sustainability of the natural environment and an indicator of the ability of native forests to provide sustainable watershed benefits such as improving air quality, sequestering carbon, etc. (Federal Great Lakes target >30% on a watershed basis). (Environment Canada, 2004.) Wetland Cover Percent of the Subwatershed in Wetlands To be calculated on a subwatershed basis. The Percent of the Subwatershed in Wetlands is an indicator of the sustainability

• f the natural environment (Federal Great Lakes target >10% on a watershed

basis). (Environment Canada, 2004.) Interior Forest/Core Habitat Percent of Forested Habitat > 100 m from Edge Subwatershed target is a net gain over existing conditions. To be calculated on a subwatershed basis. The Percent of Forested Habitat > 100 m from edge (a cumulative total of this area over the total watershed) is an indicator of a high quality terrestrial habitat that supports a unique assemblage of species that are generally intolerant of urban environments. (The watershed target is a minimum of 10% over the entire watershed). (Environment Canada, 2004.) Large Habitat Units Percent of Natural Vegetation in 200 ha or Larger Patches Subwatershed target is a net gain over existing conditions. To be calculated on a subwatershed basis. The Percent of Natural Vegetation in 200 ha or larger patches over the entire watershed is an indicator of a high quality terrestrial habitat that supports a unique assemblage of species that are generally intolerant of urban

• environments. They also represent large expanses of natural habitat that serve as

natural refuges and centres of ecological and genetic diversity that preserves biosphere-scale biological diversity. (The watershed target is a minimum of 10%

• ver the entire watershed). (Environment Canada, 2004.)

CRWMSU Objectives, Indicators and Targets

16 Protect, restore or enhance native terrestrial and aquatic plant and animal species, community diversity and productivity Indicator Measurable Parameter Targets References Aquatic Indicator Species 1 Healthy Populations of Representative Fish Communities Small Warmwater targets are: creek chub, blacknose dace, stickleback, bluntnose minnow, fathead minnow, white sucker. Large Warmwater targets are: smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike, river chub, shiners (emerald, spottail, rosyface, spotfin) Cool/Warmwater targets are: migratory salmonids, central mudminnow, northern redbelly dace, redside dace. Cold/Coolwater targets are: brown trout, rainbow trout, rainbow darter, fantail darter, northern hogsucker, stonecat, mottled sculpin, American brook lamprey. Coldwater targets are: brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, mottled/slimy sculpin. Representative fish communities - cold, mixed, warm - have specific habitat requirements that must be present on a subwatershed basis in order for the species that make up the community to persist. Healthy Populations of the Representative Fish Communities are indicators that the stream environment is healthy. Aquatic Indicator Species 2 Productive Capacity of Habitat Fish biomass per unit area or fish biomass IBI scores. Target is a net gain on a subwatershed basis, to be determined by monitoring. The Productive Capacity of Habitat relates to DFO's Fish Habitat Policy. Productive Capacity of Habitat (DFO Fish Habitat Policy) or amount of fish produced by the aquatic habitat in a waterbody is a measure of the waterbody's productive capacity. Generally, better quality habitats produce more fish, and the federal policy is to achieve an overall increase in the productive capacity of aquatic habitats. The total weight of fish produced per unit of habitat (fish biomass) or a relative score based on the species of fish present and their relative biomass (fish biomass IBI score) is a measure of productive capacity. Species At Risk Number of Special Status Species Present and Amount of Species At Risk Recovery Habitat Present Watershed target to be established through monitoring. Target is a net gain over existing conditions on a subwatershed basis. Number of Special Status Species present is an indicator of ecosystem health, as is the amount of Species At Risk recovery habitat present. Vegetation Communities Average Number of Different ELC Community Types per Vegetation Patch The average number of ELC communities/unit natural area is to be determined through monitoring on a subwatershed

• basis. Target is a net gain on a subwatershed basis

The Average Number of Different ELC Community Types per Vegetation Patch is an indicator of diversity. Higher numbers of communities indicate higher diversity of natural habitats. Ecological Land Classification is a standard classification system for characterizing natural habitats based on vegetation. Vegetation Indicator Species 1 FQI minus the Number of Floral Species Typical of Presettlement Vegetation Communities The FQI is to be determined through monitoring on a subwatershed basis. Target is a net gain on a subwatershed basis. The FQI minus the Number of Floral Species Typical of Presettlement Vegetation Communities is an indicator of ecosystem health. Vegetation Indicator Species 2 FQI (Percent Native Species) The number of special status species is to be determined through monitoring on a subwatershed basis. Target is a net gain on a subwatershed basis. FQI (Percent Native Species). The Floral Quality Index is a ratio of the total number of native vegetation species present in an ELC community relative to the total number of vegetation species present. Higher FQIs indicate less disturbed environments.

Mount Pleasant Community Vision and Objectives

• Plan for a well designed, mixed-use pedestrian friendly community that is of the highest quality built form for both public and

private uses that provides a variety of housing forms and densities, employment opportunities and promotes public safety. 2. Establish a comprehensive transit and transportation strategy that maximizes that is designed to reduce the overall number of private automobile trips with the Mount Pleasant GO Station and the surrounding Village Core as the centrepiece of the community. 2. Identify a natural heritage system that balances the protection, preservation and enhancement of natural features and functions with the development principles of the Growth Plan to achieve a compact and complete community that takes into account the limited financial resources of the City. 4. Recognize and integrate the existing Fletcher’s Meadow Community, and edges of Mayfield Road in the Town of Caledon and Mississauga Road in the North-West Brampton Urban Development Area when preparing the Mount Pleasant Secondary Plan. 5. Ensure that the provisions of the Province’s Places to Growth Plan and the City’s Growth Management Strategy are implemented by the Mount Pleasant Secondary Plan to ensure that growth occurs in an orderly fashion commensurate with the availability of infrastructure and community services. 6. Include appropriate, cost effective and innovative planning and development standards to guide the development of the Mount Pleasant Community including, flexible zoning standards, on street parking, reduced road right-of-way widths and laneways. 7. Identify a public open space system that is designed for a highly urban context that contains both active and passive facilities that are oriented towards the Transit Spine and linear pedestrian connections and where local serving facilities are within an easy walk of neighborhood precincts. 8. Incorporate policies that encourage practical and cost effective innovations to support the development of a sustainable community that encourages the application of low impact development in appropriate locations, promotes green building designs, sets targets for an urban forest canopy and provides incentives for enhancing natural features.

• 1. To integrate information/analysis from CVC Effectiveness Monitoring Plan, previous

studies and Landscape Scale Analysis

• 2. To evaluate environmental constraints and opportunities
• 3. To develop subwatershed goals and objectives for:
• Natural cover/linkage points
• Surface and groundwater quantity and quality
• 4. To delineate recharge areas, groundwater resources and patterns including water

balance/budget

• 5. Inter-relate information from and provide input to companion studies (land use,

servicing, transportation)

• 6. Provide direction to future studies (EIR, FSR, SWM)
• 7. To develop an implementation plan
• 8. To provide a monitoring plan

Key Study Goals and Objectives

North West Brampton

What is a Subwatershed Plan?

• A document created cooperatively between government agencies and the community, to

manage the present and future interactions within the watershed, including those between: water, land/water interactions, aquatic life and aquatic resources with subwatershed systems to protect the health of the ecosystem as land use changes.

What will it tell us?

• Defines the area’s water-based resources, where they are and how they work, which are

the most important

• Outlines how the watershed and its resources have been (and will be) impacted by past,

present and future land use changes (e.g. deforestation, wetland draining, agriculture, urbanization, etc.)

• Establishes a set of actions/opportunities to protect, restore and enhance the respective

resources.

• Offer strategies that will provide direction on how best to manage potential impacts on

water resources and natural heritage systems, in the context of land use planning documents.

Subwatershed Study

North West Brampton The Subwatershed Study will be completed as four General Phases: 1. Subwatershed Characterization and Integration

• Characterization of resources within each subwatershed by each discipline (i.e. hydrology/hydraulics,

hydrogeology, water quality, stream morphology, aquatic and terrestrial ecology). Integration of the individual environmental resources is conducted by the Team, to provide a holistic characterization. In addition, initial goals and objectives will be established. 2. Subwatershed Impact Analysis

• The impacts from potential land use scenarios are evaluated against goals and objectives developed as

part of Phase 1. The impacts would be determined by using modeling and qualitative assessments based on experience and knowledge of disciplines. 3. Management Strategies and Implementation

• Based on the Impact Analysis in Phase 2, a set of management solutions, including preferred land use

designations and form, will be established to achieve the Phase 1 objectives and goals. An Implementation Plan will be prepared to ensure compliance in the following areas: Planning and Policy, Rehabilitation and Retrofit, Stewardship, Monitoring and Research and Development. 4. Long-Term Monitoring Plan

• A long-term monitoring plan will evaluate the effectiveness of the management strategies and the

implementation by assessing whether the assumptions made are appropriate and predictions made are correct, and determining if parts of the plan should be modified (The implementation of the Long-Tem Monitoring Plan is not part of the current study)

Subwatershed Study

Landscape Scale Analysis

• The Landscape Scale

Analysis will address 2.5 km outside of the North West Brampton Study Area and related subwatershed boundaries.

• The Mount Pleasant

Community Subwatershed Study includes Huttonville Creek (subwatershed 7, north of Highway 7 and centered on Mississauga Road) and Fletcher Creek (subwatershed 5, north of Wanless Road).

• Purpose – to provide landscape level guidance for planning of the

Fletcher’s/Huttonville Subwatershed area and other subwatershed planning in the vicinity

• Approach – use GIS (Geographic Information System) analysis to assess

natural features and functions in the LSA study area, which extends 2.5 km beyond the subwatershed boundaries

• Intended Products – map analyses and principles which help to refine

corridor design, habitat protection, and restoration efforts within the Subwatershed and in the broader LSA landscape

• Results: 9 maps built upon GIS analysis, summarizing:

– Regional Context – Natural area features, functions and importance – Stream ratings and barriers – Corridors and Linkages – Original landscape habitat cover, current cover, and recent changes in cover

Landscape Scale Analysis

Guiding Principles for Mt. Pleasant

1. Incorporate natural features that contribute to flow moderation, water quality protection, and potential linkages to regional systems, as well as air pollution management. 2. Improve existing corridors, and create new corridors and linkages that integrate urban and natural heritage objectives, and help to define well-planned, densified development within the subwatershed. 3. Adopt urban designs that promote public familiarity and awareness of regional and local environmental features and functions.

Landscape Scale Analysis

North West Brampton

LSA Dougan

North West Brampton

Groundwater Characterization

• Characterization of existing groundwater and hydrogeology through

fieldwork, background information and groundwater modeling

• Fieldwork has included spotflow measurements at 15 locations, 4 drivepoint

piezometers and baseflow (groundwater) quality sampling

• Study area consists of fractured Halton Till overlying Queenston Shale, with

glacial sediment deposits and organic soils with forest areas

• Varying depths of sand and gravel within the top 5 m of Halton Till
• Low groundwater recharge
• Perennial flow only within the downstream main branch of Huttonville Creek

and it’s east tributary

• Baseflow water quality is generally hard with elevated total dissolved solids,

calcium, sodium, alkalinity, sulphates and nitrates

North West Brampton

Site Characterization – GW Drawing G1 – Groundwater Monitoring Locations (PEL)

North West Brampton

North West Brampton

Surface Water Characterization

• Characterization fieldwork, background information review and hydrologic and hydraulic modeling.
• Fieldwork has included continuous flow measurements at 4 locations within Huttonville and 1 location within Fletcher’s

Creek, 3 staff gauges and 1 rainfall gauge. During 2006, 3 dry weather events and 10 wet weather events observed, while in 2007 only 1 wet weather event observed.

• Two hydrologic models have been prepared, one each for Huttonville Creek and Fletcher’s Creek. Hydrologic

models have been prepared using the existing topography, land use, soil conditions and stormwater management

• facilities. The hydrologic models provide the flow conditions within each creek for various storm frequencies, including

the Regional Storm Hurricane Hazel.

• Hydraulic models have been prepared for both Huttonville Creek and Fletcher’s Creek, based on existing

topography and crossings to determine the flow characteristics within each creek.

• The fractured Halton Till, acts as a storage system, which when saturated results in a quick runoff response. As- such

during 2006 with the above average levels of rainfall the drainage system produced numerous runoff responses. During 2007, with the drought conditions, the Halton Till had large amounts of available storage, resulting in no runoff responses to rainfall.

• The flat topography, coupled with channels lacking definition results in wide floodplains. The existing road crossings

typically do not have flow capacity to convey the Regulatory storm event without significant overtopping of the road. The CNR crossing of Huttonville Creek has a significant backwater affect resulting in significant flood storage upstream of the crossing.

• Within Fletcher’s Creek Subwatershed there are 22 existing stormwater management facilities, while Huttonville Creek

Subwatershed has 0.

North West Brampton

North West Brampton

Stream Morphology Characterization

• A detailed fluvial geomorphic study has been undertaken. The study inventories and characterizes

the form and function of local channel systems . It also includes a specific focus on headwater channels, since the majority of the North West Brampton Study Area is comprised of a headwater drainage network.

• Field work has involved walking the channels, documenting areas of active erosion, measuring

channel dimensions and obtaining an understanding of the active channel processes.

• Eight monitoring sites have been established for determining channel erosion, and 3 detailed

monitoring sites have been used to evaluate channel geomorphic processes.

• A headwater swale assessment has been conducted using 3 monitoring sites. Headwater swales have

in the past typically been replaced with storm sewer systems when urban development occurs. The purpose of the assessment has been to evaluate the water and sediment movement within the headwater area swales and thereby determine the importance of headwater swales in providing system benefits.

• Most of the channels in the headwater system are poorly defined as agricultural swales. South of

Wanless Drive, Huttonville Creek gradually takes on more form until you reach the lower Huttonville Creek where the creek flows within a more defined valley feature.

• The volume of water and sediment being transported suggests that swales may play a much more

important role in watershed-scale processes than what conventional wisdom would suggest.

North West Brampton

Stream Morphology – Monitoring (See Display Board)

North West Brampton

North West Brampton

Fisheries Characterization

• Has involved an assessment of flow status for approximately 40 drainage features/road crossings. At

Mayfield Road most features were dry or hard standing pools. At Wanless Drive, most features were flowing or had standing pools. In 2007 most features were dry.

• Benthic (invertebrate) sampling program to establish baseline conditions. Existing habitat is best in

Huttonville Creek and mid-Fletcher’s Creek, worst in Upper and Lower Fletcher’s Creek.

• Fisheries sampling conducted in spring and fall. Species found at low-mid Huttonville – Creek Chub,

Blacknose Dace, Northern Red Belly Dace, Brook Stickleback and YOY Largemouth Bass. At specific headwater sites captured fat head minnows and brook sticklebacks.

• CVC Fish Habitat Classes identified and mapped:
• Permanent Habitat
• Seasonal Habitat

– Type 1: High groundwater discharge or extended wetland flow. – Type 2: Intermittent or ephemeral surface flows Intermittent or ephemeral surface flows through natural vegetation communities Intermittent or ephemeral surface flows with some natural vegetation

• Complex Contributing Habitat
• Simple Contributing Habitat

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North West Brampton

Site Characterization –Fisheries Classification (See Display Board)

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Terrestrial Characterization

• Wildlife inventory fieldwork included amphibian surveys, breeding bird surveys, wildlife
• bservations natural features sampling and egg mass surveys.
• Botanical surveys conducted in spring, early summer and late summer.
• MNR field observations integrated.

15 regionally significant breeding bird Less than 1% of natural cover is within defined valley areas (Huttonville Creek) 12 ‘area sensitive’ breeding bird species 26 locally significatn breeding birds Monarch documented (designated “Special Concern” in Canada and Ontario) Natural riparian cover along watercourses represents less than 15% of composite watercourse length 21 invertebrate species (butterflies, odonates, crustaceans) Most vegetation features are associated with creek channels (stream order 1-3) Wildlife Terrestrial Terrestrial Characterization Key Statistics 75 bird species (62 species with breeding evidence) Forest Cover - 5.5% 5 amphibian species; 1 reptile species Cultural, agricultural, anthropogenic (built) cover - 94% 9 mammal species Wetland Cover (marsh and swamp) - 2% 111 Wildlife species documented Natural Cover - 6%

• Existing natural cover is limited and highly fragmented, but has local function benefits.
• Provincial Policy findings:

– Wetlands Present – Significant Woodlots – No Significant Valleylands – No ANSI’s (in full) – No Significant habitat of endangered and threatened species – Indicators of Significant wildlife habitat (e.g. habitat of provincially rare or special concern species)

North West Brampton

North West Brampton

North West Brampton

Water Quality Characterization

• Water quality monitoring and assessment to determine baseline conditions.
• Field Monitoring has included 4 sites in Huttonville Creek with automated samplers and 1 automated sampler in

Fletcher Creek. Grab sampling conducted at 1 site in headwaters of Fletcher Creek. Temperature sampling conducted at all sites.

• Sampling 10 wet weather events and 3 dry events each year, integrated with CVC’s monitoring program.

Sampling included full suite of parameters including but not limited to E.coli, Total Suspended Solids, Dissolved Oxygen, pH, Nitrite and Nitrates.

• Water quality modeling based on Credit River Water Quality Model Methodology. Model calibrated using flow

data collected in 2006 and 2007. Parameter loading based on Event Mean Concentration (EMC’s) and monthly runoff volumes. Water quality model integrated with surface water and groundwater models.

• Exceedences of the Provincial Water Quality Objectives during wet weather events typically occur for the

following parameters:

• Aluminum -

Iron

• Cadmium -

Total Phosphorus

• Cobalt
• Vandium
• Copper
• Zinc
• E Coli
• Generally there is an increase in water quality parameter concentrations during the initial response to a rainfall

event, prior to the peak flows being observed.

• Water quality has been impaired by the existing agricultural land use and practices.

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Site Characterization – WQ Figure WQ-1 – Water Quality Monitoring Locations (PEL)

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Natural Systems Integration

• In order to better understand the fundamental elements of the respective

subwatersheds, in terms of environmental features, attributes and associated function, it is necessary to integrate the various component parts (i.e. disciplines) and associated assessments.

• Environmental features have varying attributes and functions.
• Not all environmental units are considered by each study discipline however the

hydrologic water cycle generally links the systems (i.e. movement of water).

• Subwatershed Team and Agency consultation required to:

– Identify the units, – Develop enhanced understanding of significance and sensitivity, – Establish management approach in context of urbanized land form.

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Natural Systems Integration

• Each of the primary environmental elements to varying degrees requires an integrated assessment

in order to establish the significance and associated sensitivity of the unit, particularly in the context

• f the urbanizing setting; the following provides some associated guidance in this regard:

1. Wetland/Woodland Units

• number and diversity of species
• potential for corridor
• presence/absence of fluvial unit
• local catchment area
• groundwater influence to sustainability
• wildlife usage
• verall size

2. Recharge (Discharge) Areas

• rate of infiltration
• size
• proximity of watercourse receiver
• terrestrial units
• interflow rate
• 3. Watercourses
• presence/absence of form/stability
• baseflow – perennial?
• groundwater discharge
• presence/absence of riparian corridor
• bankfull/riparian/flood flows
• floodplain
• sediment transport
• fisheries production
• benthics
• temperature/water quality
• The foregoing factors/considerations have been summarized as they relate to the respective

environmental units and documented on display boards NS1 and NS2.

North West Brampton

North West Brampton

Opportunities – Stormwater Management

• To address the impacts to surface and ground water from urban development various stormwater

management practices need to be considered as follows: 1. Quality Management of:

• Pollutants
• Thermal inputs

2. Quantity Management of:

• Baseflow
• Erosion causing flows
• Adverse flooding

4. Watercourse Management – Shading – Riparian Corridor 5. “Do Nothing” – cash-in-lieu contributions to off- site regional management systems 3. End-of-Pipe − infiltration basins − wet ponds − wetland − Hybrids 2. Conveyance − enhanced grass swales − protect existing swales/watercourses − pervious pipes − hybrid roadway drainage system − Etobicoke Exfiltration System

• 1. Source

−

• n-site ponding areas

− green roofs − Bioswales

Quality Management Opportunities

North West Brampton

Opportunities – Stormwater Management

2.Erosion Control – extended detention (storage) – hard lining, bio-engineering, hybrids of channels – Natural Channel Design

• 3. Flood Control

– Flood Storage (Detention) – Diversions – Floodproofing – Regulation

• 1. Baseflow/Infiltration

– infiltration basins and trenches – swales – soakaway pits Quantity Management Opportunities

North West Brampton

Opportunities – Low Impact Development

• Low Impact Development is a

comprehensive land planning and engineering design approach with a goal of maintaining and enhancing the pre-development hydrologic regime of urban and developing watersheds.

• LID's goal is to mimic a site's

pre-development hydrology by using design techniques that infiltrate, filter, store, evaporate, and detain runoff close to its source.

Opportunities – Natural Corridor

• Wetlands and woodlots are mostly

located along watercourses; all wetlands, and woodlots over 2 ha are considered significant in Brampton

• Existing watercourses are intensively

impacted by farming

• Future development will combine

most woodlots, wetlands with enhanced watercourses (planted natural corridors)

• Upland linkages will also be added

through the future urban area

Opportunities – Natural System

• Natural heritage systems consist of vegetation,

wildlife, soils and water, that together provide many services to humans

• Past human activities have reduced the vegetation

cover, overall diversity and sustainability of the natural heritage system

• Urban planning will protect existing natural

heritage, enhance to better buffer and connect, for a more sustainable natural heritage system

• Four Options under consideration:

– Islands of Green – protect significant habitats; add stream linkages – Green Linkages – integrate significant habitats with strategic riparian linkages and limited upland linkages – Linked Green Blocks – functional enhancement of priority habitat complexes, with massing of compatible land uses, and stronger (wider and more complex) linkages – Green Development – focus on improving functions of built area

North West Brampton

Opportunities – Natural Channel Design

• Natural channel design can take on varying forms depending on the existing channel characteristics,

adjacent land uses, stream flow regime, property constraints and other factors.

• Natural channel design can use armouring, vegetated bank treatments, alterations to creek meander

pattern, pool/riffle sequences and more. Some examples of natural channel design are provided below:

• 1. Vegetated Rip Rap Bank treatments
• 2. Riffle/Pool Bank Treatments
• 3. Vegetated Bank Treatments
• 4. Fascine Plantings
• 5. Armour Stone
• 6. Brush

Mattress

• 7. Crib Walls

North West Brampton

Opportunities – Groundwater

• Efforts should be made to maintain or enhance the volume of recharge in areas

where the overburden is thin, bedrock outcrops , where layers of sand and gravel are found near ground surface or in areas that can be characterized as such, during site specific studies.

• BMP’s to address stormwater recharge should be designed to provide for an

acceptable water quality prior to recharging any local aquifer systems in order to protect the integrity of local well users.

• Bringing water from outside subcatchment areas or the subwatersheds can

increase local recharge and potential baseflow.

• Locations of services can short-circuit groundwater flow through the permeable

underfill and may modify local groundwater flow systems, so site specific field assessment and design should be carried out to protect groundwater feeding local discharge.

Next Steps

• Receive public comments by December 5, 2007.
• Receive comments and Update Phase 1: Subwatershed Characterization in light
• f comments received from the Public.
• Proceed to Phase 2: Impact Analysis of a conceptual land use form.
• Present results of Phase 2: Impact Analysis to City, CVC, Peel, Land owners and
• thers.
• Receive comments on Phase 2: Impact Analysis proceed to Phase 3:

Management Strategies and Implementation.

• Present results at next PIC scheduled for mid-2008.

North West Brampton

How to Provide Your Comments

• Complete a comment sheet
• By Mail
• By Phone
• By Fax
• By e-mail to rscheckenberger@philipseng.com
• r mirella.palermo@brampton.ca

Thank you for your Participation!

North West Brampton