Ashbridges Bay Erosion and Sediment Control Project Class
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Ashbridges Bay Erosion and Sediment Control Project Class Environmental Assessment DRAFT Baseline Environmental Inventory November 28, 2013 DRAFT – DO NOT COPY DISCLAIMER This report has been prepared in a working draft form and has not been finalized or formally reviewed. As such it should be taken as an indication only of the material and conclusions that will form the final report. The findings and conclusions presented here may be changed or altered and should not be taken to reflect Toronto and Region Conservation Authority opinions or conclusions. 2 DRAFT – DO NOT COPY TABLE OF CONTENTS Disclaimer .................................................................................................................................. 2 List of Figures ............................................................................................................................ 7 List of Tables ............................................................................................................................. 9 1.0 Introduction .........................................................................................................................10 1.1 Class Environmental Assessment Process ......................................................................10 1.2 Purpose of Undertaking ...................................................................................................12 1.3 Description of the Study Area ..........................................................................................12 1.3.1 Regional Study Area .................................................................................................12 1.3.2 Local Study Area .......................................................................................................12 1.4 Description of the Undertaking .........................................................................................13 1.5 Rationale for the Undertaking ..........................................................................................16 2.0 Background .........................................................................................................................17 2.1 History of the Problem .....................................................................................................17 2.2 Previous Studies ..............................................................................................................19 2.2.1 Planning Documents .................................................................................................19 2.2.2 Studies and Reports ..................................................................................................19 2.3 Justification of Conservation Authority Involvement .........................................................20 3.0 Baseline Environmental Inventory .......................................................................................22 3.1 Location ...........................................................................................................................22 3.2 Environmental Description ...............................................................................................22 3.2.1 Physical ....................................................................................................................22 3.2.1.1 Unique Landforms ..............................................................................................22 3.2.1.2 Existing Mineral or Aggregate Resources Extraction Industries ..........................25 3.2.1.3 Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest – Earth Science .....................................25 3.2.1.4 Niagara Escarpment/Oak Ridges Moraine ..........................................................26 3.2.1.5 Specialty Crop Areas ..........................................................................................26 3.2.1.6 Agricultural Lands or Production .........................................................................26 3.2.1.7 Agricultural Tile or Surface Drains ......................................................................26 3.2.1.8 Air Quality ...........................................................................................................27 3.2.1.9 Noise Levels and Vibration .................................................................................27 3.2.1.10 Water Levels .....................................................................................................28 3 DRAFT – DO NOT COPY 3.2.1.11 Bathymetry .......................................................................................................30 3.2.1.12 Wave Climate ...................................................................................................35 3.2.1.12.1 Offshore Wave Climate ..............................................................................35 3.2.1.12.2 Nearshore Wave Climate ...........................................................................39 3.2.1.13 Sediment Transport ..........................................................................................41 3.2.1.13.1 Review of Dredging Records ......................................................................41 3.2.1.13.2 Average Annual Sediment Transport Characterization ...............................42 3.2.1.13.3 Sediment Transport Descriptive Model .......................................................46 3.2.1.13.3.1 Sediment Budget .................................................................................46 3.2.1.13.3.2 Lakebed Morphology Measurements ...................................................48 3.2.1.13.3.3 Sediment Transport Modeling – Representative Waves .......................58 3.2.1.13.3.4 Descriptive Model ................................................................................60 3.2.1.13.4 Sediment Modeling for Typical Storm .........................................................62 3.2.1.13.4.1 Typical Storm Conditions .....................................................................63 3.2.1.13.4.2 CMS Modeling – Typical Storm ............................................................66 3.2.1.14 Existing Surface Drainage and Groundwater Seepage .....................................66 3.2.1.15 Groundwater Recharge/Discharge Zones .........................................................67 3.2.1.16 Water Quality ....................................................................................................67 3.2.1.17 Soil/Fill Quality ..................................................................................................70 3.2.1.18 Sediment Chemistry .........................................................................................71 3.2.1.18.1 Surficial Sediment Monitoring at Ashbridge’s Bay Yacht Club Boat Basin ..71 3.2.1.18.2 Coatsworth Cut Surficial Sediment .............................................................72 3.2.1.19 Existing Transportation Routes .........................................................................72 3.2.1.20 Microclimate .....................................................................................................73 3.2.1.21 Climate Change ................................................................................................74 3.2.2 Biological ..................................................................................................................75 3.2.2.1 Life Science Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest ...........................................75 3.2.2.2 Environmentally Significant Areas .......................................................................76 3.2.2.3 Wildlife Habitat ....................................................................................................77 3.2.2.4 Habitat Linkages and Corridors...........................................................................77 3.2.2.5 Wildlife and Bird Migration Patterns ....................................................................78 3.2.2.6 Vegetation ..........................................................................................................78 4 DRAFT – DO NOT COPY 3.2.2.6.1 Terrestrial Vegetation ...................................................................................78 3.2.2.6.2 Aquatic Vegetation .......................................................................................84 3.2.2.7 Wildlife Population ..............................................................................................84 3.2.2.8 Fish and Fish Habitat ..........................................................................................88 3.2.2.9 Species of Concern ............................................................................................95 3.2.2.10 Non-native Species ...........................................................................................96 3.2.2.11 Wetlands ..........................................................................................................97 3.2.2.12 Unique Habitats ................................................................................................98 3.2.3 Cultural .....................................................................................................................98 3.2.3.1 Traditional Land Uses .........................................................................................98 3.2.3.2 Aboriginal Reserve or Community ......................................................................99 3.2.3.3 Outstanding Native Land Claim ..........................................................................99