Existing and Future Conditions
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Chapter 3 – Existing and Future Conditions 407 TRANSITWAY - KENNEDY ROAD TO BROCK ROAD MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION - CENTRAL REGION 407 Transitway – Kennedy Road to Brock Road G.W.P #252-96-00 3. EXISTING AND FUTURE CONDITIONS Contaminated Properties and Waste This section describes the existing and future conditions (without the implementation of the 407 Transitway) Based on the existing land use information obtained to date, there are some properties within the study area found within the study area. The study area includes a one kilometer wide corridor centered on 407 ETR from which would require further environmental investigation to assess the potential presence of subsurface east of Kennedy Road to east of Brock Road. The description of the existing and future conditions provided a impacts. In general, properties currently or historically developed as service garages, gas stations, vehicles baseline for the generation of alternatives, assessment of environmental impacts and the identification of sales centres, auto body repair shops, manufacturing facilities, industrial properties and construction yards environmental protection measures and monitoring plans. The identification of the environmental features represent issues of potential environmental concern and contaminated materials may be encountered during (i.e. transportation infrastructure, natural, social and cultural environment) involved collection of primary and construction activities. secondary source data including consultation with technical agencies. This was done in two steps, an inventory and analysis of existing conditions and an investigation as to how these conditions might change in Drainage the future. In general, the existing and future conditions can be categorized into the following topics and are The present study focuses on the development of a drainage and SWM plan for the proposed Transitway that presented in the associated sections: will minimize impacts on the existing watercourses and drainage patters. A hydrologic and hydraulic analysis . Natural Environment; was undertaken for the proposed water crossings and mitigation measures are proposed where necessary. Socio-Economic and Cultural Environment; The proposed Transitway crosses a significant number of watercourses, some being major branches of creeks . Transportation; and, (such as Lower Rouge, Little Rouge, West Duffins Creek, Brougham Creek and others) and their tributaries, . Utilities. while others represent runoff conveyance systems such as ditches at highway ramps/interchanges or outlet channels from existing SWM ponds (especially within Rouge River Watershed in the City of Markham). Natural Environment Approximately 45 crossings have been identified within the study limits. A hydrologic analysis using Visual OttHymo was conducted for the creek crossings and tributaries, whereas Physiography and Soils for the other runoff conveyance systems (ditches, SWM pond outlet channels) a separate analysis was carried The study area is located within the Peel Plain and South Slope physiographic regions, which extend through out to ensure the proposed culverts were properly sized to convey the existing flows across the proposed the central portions of the Regions of York and Durham. The Peel Plain is a level to undulating tract of clay Transitway. A HEC-RAS analysis was undertaken for the creek crossings using the existing HEC-RAS models soils with imperfect drainage, through which the Rouge River and its tributaries have carved deep valleys. The from TRCA and updating them. In the instances where data was unavailable, new HEC-RAS models were South Slope is an interlobate moraine characterized by scattered drumlins pointing directly up-slope, with created. Proposed culverts/bridges were sized such that they meet MTO standards. Subsequent to finalizing streams, including those of the Petticoat Creek and Duffins Creek watersheds, cutting sharply sloped valleys the hydraulic analysis of each creek crossing and tributary, floodplain mapping was generated/updated. (Chapman and Putnam, 1984). Groundwater Soils surrounding 407 ETR in the study area are classified as: Peel clay and clay loam; Berrien sandy loam; Malton clay; Milliken loam; and, Woburn loam (Olding et al., 1956 and Hoffman and Richards, 1955). Shallow local groundwater flow within the study area is expected to reflect local topography and be toward surface water features. Deeper regional groundwater flow is expected to be to the south. Based on the Regional Geology surficial geology of the study area, significant areas of groundwater recharge are not expected within most of the study area. A relatively higher level of groundwater recharge is likely occurring associated with the The surficial geology of the study area consists of three main distinct areas: relatively sandier portions of the glacial lake sediments in the vicinity of Kennedy Road and McCowan Road. shallow glacial lake sediments of sand, silt and clay in the western portion (Kennedy to McCowan Roads); Groundwater discharge in the study area is expected to be limited primarily to the lower elevation stream . transition to glacial deposits of fine-grained to sandy tills (east of McCowan Road to Brock Road); and, valley areas, with potentially a minor component within shallow stream features in the till deposits. silt, sand and gravel glacial lake deposits in the lower elevations within the Duffins Creek valley (east of Aquifers within the western and central portions of the study area have been reported at between 20 m and Brock Road). 50 m below the ground surface and lie within sand and gravel deposits. Wells drilled within these areas show In addition to the three main surficial geologic areas, watercourse valleys that cross the study area will contain water levels above the aquifer indicating that the aquifer is under artesian pressure. In the vicinity of Brock recent stream deposits. Road to the east, the aquifer is shallower (approximately 10 m below ground surface). No areas of significant groundwater discharge are expected within the study area. Any groundwater discharge will likely be associated with the watercourse valleys only. Environmental Project Report 3-1 407 Transitway – Kennedy Road to Brock Road G.W.P #252-96-00 Well records indicate that water wells have been used throughout the study area historically. However, with Rouge River Fisheries Management Plan (MNR and TRCA 2010) and correspondence with the MNRF (2015), the urbanization of the City of Markham in the west, well use is not expected west of Donald Cousens tributaries of the Rouge River that occur within the study area support warmwater, coolwater and coldwater Parkway. East of this area, water well use is expected and will likely be associated with residences and/or fish communities. However, according to field work completed by LGL Limited in 2003 for the Highway 7 agriculture. According to mapping from the Regional Municipalities of York and Durham, wellhead protection Transitway, many of the Rouge River tributaries, including the main branch, have been classified as coldwater areas and municipal wells are absent from the study area. According to MOECC’s Source Water Protection or coolwater (LGL Limited 2005). The main branch of the Rouge River is known to support migratory salmonid Map, there are no Source Water Protection Areas/Intake Protection Zones within the study area. runs, however the extent of natural reproduction is currently not known (MNR and TRCA 2010). Fish and Aquatic Habitat The Draft Rouge River Fisheries Management Plan (MNR and TRCA 2010), Aquatic Species at Risk Mapping (DFO 2014), and, personal correspondence with the MNRF indicate that Redside Dace habitat (recovery or Background information was collected from several sources including the MNRF and TRCA. The study area contributing) occurs within several tributaries, including the main branch of the Rouge River within the study spans three separate watersheds: Rouge River, Petticoat Creek and Duffins Creek. All three watersheds are area. Below, there are descriptions of each of the watercourses that are being affected by the 407 Transitway managed under the jurisdiction of MNRF Aurora District and TRCA. corridor and proposed station locations. A search of the NHIC database, DFO, and TRCA aquatic species at risk mapping (2014) was completed and One aquatic Species at Risk, Redside Dace (Clinostomus elongatus) occurs in the Rouge River Watershed revealed one Aquatic Species at Risk: Redside Dace (Clinostomus elongatus) as occurring within the study within the study area. This species is regulated as ‘Endangered’ under the Ontario ESA, 2007. Redside Dace area. This species is regulated as ‘Endangered’ under the Ontario ESA. habitat (direct or contributing) occurs within several tributaries, including the Main branch of the Rouge River within the study area (DFO/OMNR/TRCA 2014). In accordance with the MTO Environmental Guide for Fish and Fish Habitat (2009) (Fish Guide), a project notification and MNRF information request letter was sent to the MNRF Aurora District Office on August 5, Pettitcoat Creek Watershed 2014, requesting information regarding the thermal regime, habitat information, available data, fisheries management considerations, sensitivity and in-water timing windows for construction. A response was Pettitcoat Creek crosses the Transitway corridor west of York-Durham Line, and according to the Petticoat received from the Aurora District Office on May 11, 2015. Field investigations were conducted on April