Report to:
Development Services Committee Report
Date: April 21, 2009
SUBJECT: Rouge
River Watershed Plan Implementation
Guide
PREPARED BY: Learie
Miller, Senior Environmental Policy Planner, Ext 6922
Soran Sito, Senior Environmental Engineer, Ext 2521
RECOMMENDATION:
1)
That the staff report entitled Rouge River Watershed
Plan Implementation Guide be received;
2)
And That this staff report be forwarded to the Toronto
and Region Conservation Authority, Region of York and the Rouge
Park as the Town’s response to the
Rouge River Watershed Implementation Guide;
3)
And That the Town continue to work with the TRCA and
other stakeholders on how best to meet the overall objectives of the Guide in
the context of respective roles, responsibilities and funding capabilities;
4)
And That staff report back regarding future capital and
operational costs associated with these guidelines as well as potential funding
sources;
5)
And That the Town explore with the TRCA the possibility
of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) if deemed appropriate, to address roles
responsibilities and funding arrangements.
And that Staff
be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this
resolution.
The purpose of this report is to
provide Council with an overview of the Rouge River Watershed Plan
Implementation Guide (RRWPIG), and to provide staff comment with respect to
next steps in addressing the actions proposed within the Rouge River Watershed
Plan.
The purpose of the RRWPIG is to facilitate implementation
of the watershed planning study recommendations. The document contains in
excess of 100 implementation actions which are prioritized by the TRCA.
Appendix ‘B’ (attached) lists all the activities to be undertaken within a 5 to
10 year horizon. Implementation of the projects will involve local and regional
municipalities, the TRCA and other stakeholder groups. This is the first time a
TRCA watershed plan is accompanied by a separate stand alone Implementation
Plan. Previous watershed plans incorporated the implementation component into
the watershed plan. By creating a stand
alone document, the TRCA are elevating the implementation expectations in the
Rouge Watershed. It should be noted
that, while the TRCA consulted with municipalities on the watershed plan, the
RRWPIG was finalized and approved by the TRCA Board without input from Rouge
Watershed municipalities.
The Rouge River Watershed Plan identified three paramount
actions for the watershed:
1.
Expand Terrestrial Natural Cover;
2.
Build more Sustainable New Communities and retrofit
older ones to improve their sustainability; and,
3.
Recognize and Develop a Regional Open Space System.
The RRWPIG identifies the actions and projects needed to
achieve the paramount actions identified in the Watershed Plan, which they
would like to be undertaken. Appendix ‘C’ attached hereto,
is an Executive Summary of the Rouge River Watershed Plan.
Actions and projects fall into the areas of:
·
Policy;
·
Regeneration;
·
Land Securement;
·
Stewardship and Education;
·
Operations and Maintenance;
·
Enforcement; and
·
Monitoring.
Town staff generally support the
objectives of the Rouge River Watershed Plan and Council has funded and
supported numerous pilot projects and initiatives in 2008 and 2009 in support
of the Town’s environmental goals and Building Markham’s Future Together, that
are consistent with the actions suggested in the Plan to be undertaken by
municipalities. Appendix ‘D’ provides
examples of some of the actions proposed, including the significant investment
the Town has made in environmental protection and enhancement since 2008.
However, notwithstanding the
alignment of numerous TRCA and Town projects, staff from planning, urban
design, engineering and operations have concern with some of the projects
proposed in the RRWPIG relative to timelines proposed, technical issues and most
importantly funding requirements, especially as related to stormwater
infrastructure, trail development and erosion retrofits which require
significant funding and staff resources. Some actions present technical challenges such
as requirements to implement
infiltration measures within Markham that are not flexible enough to address
the areas which are dominated by fine-grained soils (silt and clay) which
provides limited opportunity for successful infiltration solutions.
The TRCA recommendations with respect to infrastructure
maintenance and retrofits should be coordinated with Town priorities and
projects, and available funding. For
example, a stormwater management pond sediment
removal and maintenance activity would range between $100 -
$120 per cu metre and could therefore cost $400,000 - $500,000 depending
on the size of the pond. The Bridle Trail Phase 3 Pond retrofit is estimated to
be in excess of $630,000. The Town is
currently exploring a cost sharing initiative under the 16th
Avenue Environmental Improvements
Initiative for retrofitting to bring Aitken Circle Pond up to current
stormwater management standards, at a total projected cost of $425,000. The Town needs to prioritize these expensive
works and fund the improvements through a process which examines and weighs all
other municipal priorities and needs.
Staff recommend that the Town not endorse the
Implementation Guide at this time, but rather continue to work with the TRCA on
how best to meet the overall objectives of the Watershed Plan in the context of
actions that are considered to be practical and feasible to Markham. Staff will report back to Council on the
capital and operating costs, and funding sources associated with these
guidelines, in the context of municipal priorities and needs.
In the meantime, the Town will have regard for the goals
and objectives of the Rouge
Watershed Plan in the Town’s Growth Management strategy
exercise.
The implementation of the RRWPIG will have long term cost
(both in terms of capital and operations) implications for the Town, and will
affect a number of Departments including Engineering, Operations and Planning.
Although the Implementation Guide does not contain cost estimates, it is
anticipated that future funding for projects will be expected from
municipalities and possibly the Province. However, there are no specific requests
for funding at this time.
Not Applicable
A significant amount of the proposed implementation
activity is consistent with the Building Markham’s Future Together strategic
priority on the Environment as it focuses on sustainable development practices
in the context of the overall Rouge River Watershed Plan.
The Rouge River Watershed Implementation Plan was
circulated internally to the Policy Planning, Engineering, Heritage, Operations
and Parks and Open Space departments and their comments where provided, have
been incorporated in this report or will be forwarded to the TRCA.
RECOMMENDED BY:
________________________ _______________________________
Alan Brown,
C.E.T Valerie
Shuttleworth M.C.I.P., R.P.P
Director of
Engineering Director of
Planning and Urban Design
_______________________________
Jim Baird
M.C.I.P., R.P.P
Commissioner
of Development Services
Appendix ‘A’:
Map showing Rouge River Watershed Plan Boundary
Appendix ‘B’:
Rouge River Watershed
Plan Implementation Guide - Projects
Appendix ‘C’:
Executive Summary: Rouge River Watershed
Plan
Appendix ‘D’:
Examples of Town Initiatives Currently Underway
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RPA\Rouge Watershed Task Force\DSC Report April 21, 2009.doc