ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT and TREE CONSERVATION REPORT

PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT

PART of LOTS 7 and 8, CONCESSION IV GEOGRAPHIC TOWNSHIP of GOULBOURN CITY of

RIVERBEND SUBDIVISION

A report prepared for:

2396251 Ltd.

by Muncaster Environmental Planning Inc.

Revised December, 2015 MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION...... 1 1.1 Scoping the Environmental Impact Statement ...... 4

2.0 METHODOLOGY ...... 5

3.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS ...... 6 3.1 Terrestrial Features ...... 6 3.1.1 Jock River and Dowdall Riparian Corridors ...... 6 3.1.2 Other Terrestrial Features ...... 6 3.2 Aquatic Features ...... 15 3.2.1 Jock River ...... 15 3.2.2 Dowdall Municipal Drain ...... 16 3.3 Species of Interest ...... 20

4.0 DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL ...... 23

5.0 POTENTIAL IMPACTS ...... 23 5.1 Water Quality and Quantity ...... 23 5.1.1 Water Taking ...... 23 5.1.2 Septic Systems ...... 24 5.2 Terrestrial Habitat ...... 24 5.3 Aquatic Habitat ...... 25

6.0 MITIGATION MEASURES and RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 26 6.1 Tree Conservation Report ...... 26 6.2 Aquatic Habitat ...... 28 6.3 Stormwater Mitigation ...... 30 6.4 Erosion and Sediment Controls and Monitoring ...... 30

7.0 SUMMARY ...... 31

8.0 REFERENCES ...... 33

FIGURES

Map 1: Natural Environment Features with Current Vegetation ...... 2 Map 2: Draft Plan of Subdivision and Proposed Conserved Vegetation ...... 3 Figure 3: Butternut Locations in Proximity to Potential Site Disturbances ...... 22

APPENDIX

A Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Correspondence

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

Rural residential and commercial use is proposed for this 17.67 hectare site is located between Franktown and Copeland Roads to the south and north, respectively, and is bounded by the existing Riverbend Golf and Country Club golf course and rural farms to the east and the Heron Lake rural residential subdivision to the west (Map 1). The site is within part of Lots 7 and 8, Concession IV, in the Geographic Township of Goulbourn, City of Ottawa, Ontario.

Since the original Environmental Impact Statement was completed in 2009 the Riverbend Golf and Country Club was sold to new owners (2396251 Ontario Ltd.), who initiated a severance application to separate the golf course area from the subdivision lands. The golf course lands are no longer part of the subdivision application and were transferred to new owner-operators (8300895 Inc.) who continue to run the Riverbend Golf and Country Club. Six of the original golf course holes were realigned to provide a greater setback from the Jock River and to remove golf course play from the proposed subdivision lands.

The subdivision lands north of the Jock River were also transferred to the golf course operator, who is now listed as a co-applicant on the Draft Plan of Subdivision. It is intended that Block 19 adjacent to Copeland Road will be transferred back to the subdivision owners while Block 20 will remain part of the playable area of the golf course.

A typical house will have a footprint area between 200 and 300 m2 with four to five bedrooms and a garage of 50 m2. Each home will be serviced by an individual water well and private sewage system with a capacity of 3500 L/day.

The proposed work also includes modifications to the floodplain of the Jock River through cutting an area in the east portion of the existing golf course in the vicinity of Holes 13 and 14 (see orange line on Map 2) and filling areas in the proposed subdivision in the vicinity of Lots 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11 (see purple lines on Map 2).

Surrounding land uses to the site include:

 The existing golf course to the east of the site and south of the north commercial block;  Rural farms further to the east, south and north of the site;  A 200 metre wide deciduous forest to the north of the site, north of Copeland Road; and,  The Heron Lake rural residential subdivision to the west of the site, with active agricultural land and the DND Dwyer Hill Training Centre further to the west, east of Dwyer Hill Road.

The site is designated General Rural Area on Schedule A of the City of Ottawa Official Plan (City of Ottawa, 2010). There are no Provincially Significant Wetlands, Rural Natural Features or Natural Environment Areas in proximity to the site. Schedule K and the Schedule L2 Overlay in the Official Plan identifies a landform feature in the vicinity of Franktown Road, approximately 170 metres to the east of the site. This feature is the Jock River Stromatolites, a

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MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC.

Provincially Significant Earth Science Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) discussed in Section 3.2. A floodplain and unstable slopes along the Jock River are also shown on Schedule K. There are no other components of the City’s Natural Heritage System on or adjacent to the site as shown on the Schedule L2 Overlay other than a 75 meters wide forest edge south of Franktown Road, approximately 50 metres to the southwest of the southwest corner of the site. The mixed forest to the north of Copeland Road is not part of the Natural Heritage System. The former Region of Ottawa Carleton’s Natural Environment System Strategy did not identify any Natural Areas in the general vicinity of the site (Brunton, 1997).

The Jock River is the dominant natural environment feature in the general area. The site is located within the north-central portion of Reach 3 of the Jock River, as identified in the Jock River Watershed Management Plan (RVCA, 2001). The Watershed Management Plan identified environmental features for Reach 3 of the River, but only the Jock River Stromatolites are in proximity to the site (OMNR, 2009, Map 1). The Provincially significant Richmond Fen is in the southeast corner of Reach 3, west of Richmond, and the Marlborough Forest is along the south portions of the Reach, south of the Jock River. White sucker spawning at the Ashton Dam at the upstream end of reach 3 is reported by RVCA (2001). In addition to the Jock River Stromatolites, RVCA (2001) also identified an Earth Science ANSI along Franktown Road in proximity to the Richmond Fen, approximately 5.5 kilometres to the east of the site.

The Watershed Management Plan notes that riparian vegetation is lacking in some stretches of Reach 3 and the water quality is impaired with high counts of nutrients and bacteria. Flow and associated water depths are limited in the summer months with much of the Reach reported as non-navigable (RVCA, 2001). Improvement of riparian vegetation was a recommendation in the Watershed Management Plan for the general area of the site.

The Jock River in the vicinity of the site provides warmwater aquatic habitat, with limited flows in the summer months. The identified natural environment features of special interest in the Jock River system are not in proximity to the site outside of the Jock River Stromatolites. In addition to the aquatic habitat and other functions of the Jock River system, the Dowdall Municipal Drain joins the Jock River from the west in the middle portion of the site.

This Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been completed due the presence of fish habitat within the Jock River and the Dowdall Municipal Drain.

1.1 Scoping the Environmental Impact Statement

This EIS was prepared in accordance with Section 4.7.8 of the City of Ottawa Official Plan (2010) following the EIS Guidelines and the Guidelines for City of Ottawa Tree Conservation Report, found at http://ottawa.ca/en/development-application-review-process-0/environmental-impact-statement- guidelines and http://ottawa.ca/en/env_water/tlg/trees/preservation/guidelines/index.html,with guidance from the Natural Heritage Reference Manual (OMNR, 2010). This report includes the components of an Environmental Impact Statement as identified in Section 4.7.8.11 a) through i) of the City of Ottawa Official Plan (City of Ottawa, 2010).

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The major objective of this EIS is to determine the anticipated impacts associated with the proposed change in land use on the significant features and functions of the Jock River and Dowdall Municipal Drain systems and, as required, to provide the methodology to mitigate any negative impact, or enhance positive impacts, on the significant natural heritage features and functions in the area. To attain this objective, the original conceptual draft plan of subdivision was reviewed and recommendations made for revisions based on field observations of the features and functions of the natural environment. In addition, mitigation measures are presented in Section 6 of this EIS to reduce the potential for impacts on the features and functions.

The following items were identified for particular attention, recognizing that many of these issues are interrelated:  what are the anticipated direct and indirect potential impacts on the adjacent fish habitat within the Jock River and Dowdall Municipal Drain?;  what setbacks are required to provide adequate protection for the adjacent fish habitat?;  what are the features and functions of the terrestrial features, including wooded areas, wetlands, other vegetation communities and wildlife habitat on the proposed subdivision and the cut areas within the existing golf course, and as required how can these features and functions be protected and enhanced?;  is there any significant habitat for Species at Risk on or adjacent to the site?;  what are the features and functions of the Jock River Stromatolites Earth Science ANSI and how does the site interact with these features?;  what are the features and functions of the woodlot to the north of Copeland Road and how does the site interact with this woodlot?;  will increases in impermeable surfaces result in impacts on infiltration and groundwater?; and,  what are the potential impacts associated with the construction and operation of potable water and septic facilities?

2.0 METHODOLOGY

Environmental information was collected and summarized through information on the Jock River and Dowdall Municipal Drain, including the Jock River Watershed Management Plan, correspondence with Kemptville District Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (Appendix A) and the City of Ottawa, and a review of the Natural Heritage Information Centre database.

Colour aerial photography (1976-2014) was used to assess the natural environment features in the general vicinity of the site. Field observations were conducted on October 19th, 2009 and June 25th, 2014, both on and adjacent to the site. Weather conditions on June 25th included an air temperature of 20° C, a light breeze and overcast skies. In addition field observations were completed along the Jock River corridor on December 22nd, 2006, June 20th and 27th, 2007 and August 13th, 2010.

Ecological units were defined based on species present, the wetness index of the species, dominant species, drainage observations, health, age, topography and soil conditions. Records of wildlife were made through direct sightings and observations of tracks and scat. Other aspects of

14/12/15 REVISED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT – RIVERBEND GOLF Page 5 MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. the surveys included photographs of site representative features and observations on the level of disturbance from human activities and other disturbances such as non-native flora.

NHIC (2015) and Muncaster and Brunton (2005) were used for the current status of the flora and fauna observed.

3.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS

3.1 Terrestrial Features

The topography is generally level, with the maximum relief across the site estimated by BluMetric (2015) to be less than two metres. BluMetric (2015) noted that site drainage is controlled by local topography, with precipitation inferred to be primarily infiltrating into the shallow overburden along with some localized overland flow towards the Jock River. Sandy silt to silty sand textured till soils are on the site, with thickness of overburden varying from 0.6 to 3.4 metres (BluMetric, 2015).

Based on site topography, the inferred groundwater flow direction within the shallow overburden on site is towards the Jock River following local ground surface and bedrock surface topography (BluMetric, 2015). BluMetric (2015) concluded that the hydraulic connection between the bedrock aquifer and the Jock River is negligible and the river’s influence on local bedrock groundwater flow is also minimal.

3.1.2 Jock River and Dowdall Riparian Corridors

Adjacent to the site on the existing golf course lands scattered woody vegetation is within the Jock River setback area, including a line of white cedar trees up to 34cm diameter at breast height (dbh), along with a couple of mature basswoods up to 45cm dbh to the south of Copeland Road. Scattered regenerating stems of Manitoba maple and a mature coppice crack willow with individual stems up to 40cm dbh are further south of Copeland Road on the east side of the Jock River. Several red-osier dogwoods have been planted in the buffer along the east side of the Jock River. The setbacks are well vegetated with ground cover including reed canary grass, brome grass, bluegrass, witch’s grass, wild cucumber, chicory, calico aster, common milkweed, wild carrot, tall agrimony, stinging nettle, and Canada goldenrod, riverbank grape, Canada thistle, wild parsnip, tall goldenrod, blue vervain and ostrich fern. No signs of surface erosion were observed in proximity to the Jock River.

The riparian corridor along the Dowdall Municipal Drain is a combination of treed and open areas associated with the former golf course holes (Photos 1 and 2). The setback between the channel and the maintained sections of the golf course generally varies between 5 and 10m, with short sections near the pathway crossings where the riparian corridor adjacent to the channel is manicured and woody vegetation is lacking. The largest trees in the corridor are white ash up to 60cm dbh on the north side of the channel and white cedars up to 39cm dbh on the south side. Ash is the dominant species in the corridor with white elm and white cedar well represented, and bur oak, balsam poplar, trembling aspen and basswood also present. Some of the ash had

14/12/15 REVISED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT – RIVERBEND GOLF Page 6 MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. reduced leaf-out in late June of 2014. Regenerating white elm and bur oak stems are common in the corridor along with common buckthorn and red raspberry shrubs.

3.1.2 Other Terrestrial Features

The lands proposed for the rural residential lots and commercial use are dominated by former golf course holes, with pockets of woody vegetation (Photo 5). The cultural meadow habitat among the former golf course holes in the area of the proposed rural residential lots is dominated by non-native and/or invasive vegetation including bluegrass, reed canary grass, brome grass, meadow grass, timothy, common dandelion, wild parsnip, New England aster, small white aster, Canada goldenrod, narrow-leaved goldenrod, flowering dogbane, Canada thistle, bull thistle, Canada anemone, daisy fleabane, wild grape, stinging nettle, purple loosestrife, wild carrot, curled dock, common mullein, cow vetch, lesser chickweed, common burdock, common milkweed, ox-eye daisy, St. John’s wort, red clover, white clover, white-sweet-clover, black medic, tall buttercup, wild cucumber, wood sorrel and silvery cinquefoil. In lower lying areas in the vicinity of the proposed fill areas, such as in Lot 6, wool grass and path rush are present.

Scattered shrubs in the meadow habitat adjacent to the former golf course holes include red raspberry, common elderberry, pussy willow, Bebb’s willow, glossy buckthorn, apple and red- osier dogwood, along with regenerating ash stems. Scattered stems of Manitoba maple, green ash, trembling aspen and white cedar up to 22cm dbh are in the cultural meadow south of Copeland Road.

Recent deciduous and coniferous plantings are also scattered on the site between the former golf course holes (Photos 3 and 4). These stems are up to 15cm dbh and include white ash, red ash, white cedar, sugar maple, Scot’s pine and white spruce. These planted stems also represent the woody vegetation within the cultural meadow habitat in the proposed fill area between Holes 13 and 14 of the existing golf course (Map 2). Larger trees among the former golf course holes on the subdivision site are white ash, green ash, Scot’s pine, Colorado spruce, white cedar and white spruce up to 35cm dbh.

A row of white pines up to 18cm dbh, with smaller Scot’s pine, white spruce and Bebb’s willow is along the north edge of the site west of the Jock River, at the north edge of Lot 9. A deciduous hedgerow is immediately adjacent to the west edge of the site, north of Franktown Road (Photo 6). White ash, white spruce and balsam poplar up to 35cm dbh, along with smaller green ash, basswood and Scott’s pine are common in the deciduous hedgerow. Some of the white elms appear dead. Where the tree cover in the deciduous hedgerow is intermittent, nannyberry, hawthorn and prickly ash shrubs are common along with regenerating ash stems.

A mature weeping willow tree is adjacent to the laneway leading to a barn from Franktown Road (Photo 7). The willow appears to be entering senescence with major limb damage. However leaf-out remained good. White elm, Manitoba maple, white elm and white spruce in the 26cm – 37cm dbh range are also adjacent to the laneway.

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Scattered trees dominated by Norway spruce are along the north portion of the east site boundary south of Copeland Road. A 58cm dbh white elm has some broken branches but generally appears to be in good condition. Manitoba maple, butternut (an endangered species discussed below) and green ash in the 25cm – 35cm dbh range are also in the hedgerow along the east site boundary. Regenerating white spruce stems and nannyberry, common buckthorn, apple and hawthorn shrubs are among the deciduous hedgerow trees. Wild grape coverage is common on many of the lower branches of the woody vegetation in the hedgerow.

Within Block 20 among the existing golf course holes several cultural woodland areas of larger white cedars, white ash, white elm, sugar maple and trembling aspen are north and west of the Jock River, between the south portions of the existing golf course holes. The white cedars are up to 50cm dbh. Some of the larger trees have been pruned. Many butternuts are in Blocks 19 and 20 (Figure 3). Many of the butternuts are very young and some are in poor condition (Photo 11). A coppice, over-mature crack willow with major trunk and branch damage is in Block 20 just south of the Block 19 boundary. The individual stems of the crack willow are up to 70cm dbh. Some of the larger elms and ash have trunk damage and broken major limbs. The ground among the trees is generally mowed, with some slender and pussy willow shrubs.

Within the south portion of Block 19 small areas of cultural woodlands contain white elm, trembling aspen and white elm up to 45cm dbh, white cedar up to 38cm dbh, and green ash in the 15cm – 26cm dbh range (Photos 8 and 9). Small areas of cultural woodlands are also present in the portion of the subdivision lands to the north of the Dowdall Drain (Photo 10, Map 1). White ash, white elm, trembling aspen, balsam poplar, Scot’s pine, red maple, white birch and white cedar are the common tree species in the cultural woodlands, with the largest tress white ash and trembling aspen in the range of 30cm dbh. Regenerating poplar, ash, white elm and Scot’s pine stems along with red raspberry, glossy buckthorn, Bebb’s willow, narrow-leaved meadowsweet, prickly ash and red-osier dogwood shrubs are also present. The ground flora is generally reflective of disturbed conditions and includes reed canary grass, common milkweed, wild grape, heal-all, common strawberry, ox-eye daisy, white clover, bird’s-foot trefoil, scouring rush, thicket creeper, cow vetch, common burdock, purple loosestrife, yellow sorrel, New England aster and Canada goldenrod. Wild grape is extensive on the lower portions of much of the woody vegetation.

The forest north of Copeland Road, on either side of the Jock River is a young dry-fresh mixed forest of red ash, white cedar and white elm, with white ash also represented (Photo 12). The maximum tree size is 30cm dbh, with most stems less than 20cm dbh. Ice storm damage is present in the forest and common buckthorn is well established in many areas of the understorey. The 200 metre width of the forest precludes forest interior habitat conditions. The rectangular forest is about 10 hectares in size. Swales on both sides of Copeland Road lead to the Jock River and prevent any direct hydrological connection between the site and the forest north of Copeland Road outside of the Jock River.

Wildlife observations during the field surveys included white-tailed deer, red squirrel, northern leopard frog, green frog, ring-billed gull, great-blue heron, American woodcock, red-tailed hawk, mourning dove, American robin, European starling, northern flicker, dark-eyed junco, golden- crowned kinglet, great-crested flycatcher, eastern phoebe, eastern kingbird, blue jay, black-

14/12/15 REVISED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT – RIVERBEND GOLF Page 8 MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. capped chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, blue jay, common yellowthroat, yellow warbler, red- eyed vireo, song sparrow, ruby-throated hummingbird, American crow, American goldfinch, grey catbird, cedar waxwing, common grackle and red-winged blackbird. Woodpecker activity was noted in some of the older white cedars. A green heron was observed flying overhead.

There is no forest interior habitat on the site. The linkage function along the Jock River corridor is reduced by the lack of forests in the corridor on and to the south of the site. The forest in the Jock River corridor to the north of the site extends for about 500 metres north of Copeland Road. No natural areas are in proximity to the site, with the closest natural area about one kilometre to the south of the site.

Photo 1 – Riparian corridor of Dowdall Municipal Drain. View looking upstream (west)

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Photo 2 – Riparian corridor of Dowdall Municipal Drain looking upstream (west) in the vicinity of the proposed road crossing

Photo 3 – Cultural meadow habitat and plantings are typical of the subdivision lands. This example is in Lot 5 looking north, with the woody vegetation along the Dowdall Municipal Drain in the background

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Photo 4 – Typical plantings along edges of former golf course holes in the subdivision lands

Photo 5 – Cultural meadow habitat and scattered deciduous trees on the former golf course holes in the north portion of the subdivision lands south of Copeland Road (Block 19)

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Photo 6 – Deciduous hedgerow along the west edge of the subdivision lands north of Franktown Road.

Photo 7 – Mature weeping willow in Block 18 north of Franktown Road and east of the existing laneway

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Photo 8 – Grove of white cedars in the southwest portion of Block 19 (Area ‘C’ on Map 2)

Photo 9 – Grove of white cedar and other trees to be retained in the south portion of Block 19 (Area ‘B’ on Map 2)

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Photo 10 – Small area of cultural woodland in an area of proposed fill in Lot 10 north of the Dowdall Municipal Drain

Photo 11 – Butternut in poor condition along the east edge of the site in Block 19

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Photo 12 – Young mixed forest to the north of the site, north of Copeland Road

3.2 Aquatic Features

3.2.1 Jock River

Despite environmental stresses on the aquatic ecosystem such as high nutrient loadings, low summertime base flows and barriers to fish movement, the Jock River supports a high quality and diverse cool and warmwater fishery. Fish species in the Jock River include brown bullhead, white sucker, common carp, northern pike, muskellunge, johnny darter/tesselated darter, banded killifish, pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, silver redhorse, shorthead redhorse, golden shiner, common shiner, spottail shiner, bluntnose minnow, fathead minnow, creek chub, central mudminnow, bridle shiner, greater redhorse, rock bass, walleye and logperch (MNRF correspondence).

The Jock River Watershed Study (RVCA, 2001) emphasized the importance of the muskellunge population within the Jock River and stated it was the only natural small muskellunge stream in . A small sampling of anglers by RVCA (2001) suggested that the Jock River has the second highest catch per unit effort for muskellunge in southeastern Ontario, although no specific significant biological features were identified in Reach 3 of the Jock River watershed outside of the Earth Science ANSI at Franktown Road. Recommendations applicable to the study area in RVCA (2001) include improved riparian vegetation.

The Jock River meanders through the Riverbend Golf Course, varying in width between 8 and 36 metres (Photo 13). Features of note include a good diversity of exposed substrate, including gravel and cobbles, beds of submergent and emergent aquatic vegetation, with larger areas of

14/12/15 REVISED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT – RIVERBEND GOLF Page 15 MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. vegetation at the extended outside bends of the meanderings about 600 and 825 metres north of Franktown Road, clear water colour, boulders, and woody debris. There is a diverse combination of pool and riffle morphology (Photo 14). As described in Section 3.1.1, the riparian corridor of the Jock River is generally lacking in continuous woody vegetation cover through the site (Photo 13), although the local trees and shrubs do have overhanging branches that assist in bank stability, while providing some shading and food and nutrient inputs to the Jock River system. The diversity in substrate and vegetation and other in-stream structure is important in providing spawning, nursery and feeding habitats for the fish communities. No barriers to fish migration were observed along the Jock River in the vicinity of the site. The golf paths cross the Jock River with removable bridges, with no in-stream structures.

The significant feature at Franktown Road is the Jock River Stromatolites, a Provincially Significant Earth Science ANSI. This ANSI is approximately 170 metres east of the southeast edge of the site. The fossils representing the ANSI and preserved in the grey dolomitic Oxford Formation, are reported to be between 1 and 3 metres in diameter and are located within the bed of the Jock River (Billings, 1975). The stromatolites were created by communities of blue-green algae when the area was covered by warm salt water. The calcite produced by the algae and the normal sedimentation of minerals became trapped within the sticky algae, which then settled and hardened each night. Over time a solid mound is formed with a new algae colony growing on top. This feature eventually fossilizes and is partially flattened by glaciation and other erosion mechanisms. The best known and readily observed stromatolites in the area are on the Quebec side of the to the west of the Champlain Bridge (Billings, 1975).

3.2.2 Dowdall Municipal Drain

The main channel of the Dowdall Drain is classified by RVCA as type E (permanent warm water top predators) with the branches tributary to the main channel assigned type F (intermittent). No tributaries of the Dowdall Drain are on the site, with Branch # 8 to the west of the site, east of Roger’s Creek Way.

Muncaster (2008) netted thirteen fish species from the Dowdall Municipal Drain, representing a good diversity of cool and warm water fish species. In addition to a diverse assemblage of forage fish, rock bass and pumpkinseed were present at all sampling stations between the Jock River and Dwyer Hill Road (Muncaster, 2008). White sucker, johnny darter/tessellated darter, black crappie, longnose dace, creek chub and fallfish were also reported from the Dowdall in MNRF correspondence. Muncaster (2008) concluded that several attributes of the Dowdall Municipal Drain system are important to a variety of species, including coarse exposed substrate, pools and riffles and aquatic vegetation (Photos 16 and 18). In addition to several direct spawning area observations (Photo 17), the capture of several young-of-the-year forage fish, pumpkinseed and rock bass indicate spawning activity is common in the system. No apparent blockages to fish movement were observed between the confluence with the Jock River and a weir upstream of Lakewood Drive.

The Dowdall Municipal Drain is channelized with a straight east-west orientation between the confluence and the west boundary of the site. Fines (clay and silt), cobble, gravel and sand are all present as exposed substrate. The channel morphological units consisted of run (90%) and

14/12/15 REVISED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT – RIVERBEND GOLF Page 16 MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. riffle (10%). Although the channel on-site has no meandering, several positive aquatic features were noted. Riffles are present adjacent to the existing Hole 3 green, cobble, gravel and boulders are common, and several spawning areas were observed among the gravel (Photos 16 and 17). In addition to the boulders, emergent vegetation, including cattails, water plantain, common coontail, lesser duckweed and sedges, and undercut banks provide in-stream structure. Several live fingernail clams were observed, along with a couple of live Unionids (Elliptio sp.).

The canopy cover is good in areas where the riparian corridor is well vegetated with live deciduous and coniferous trees, with white cedar density thick in along much of the banks. The cedar branches provide good overhanging vegetation in many areas. Erosion is common, especially along the south bank east of the Hole 3 green, but most of the banks are generally well vegetated with the trees, reed canary grass, tufted vetch, white clover, common milkweed, red raspberry, goldenrods and black-eyed susan.

RVCA (in Muncaster, 2008) report smallmouth bass utilizing the on-line pond west of the site, west of Lakewood Drive, with the bass observed during the spring spawning period. Rock bass, central mudminnow, black crappie and other cyprinids are also reported in the Dowdall system in the RVCA records.

The Dowdall Drain system is managed for baitfish production by OMNR, with an active baitfish license utilized. The baitfish harvester indicated that he collects creek chub and common shiner from the Dowdall system in the vicinity of Dwyer Hill Road (Muncaster, 2008).

Photo 13 – Jock River in the central portion of the site. View looking downstream (east)

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Photo 14 – Jock River in the northwest corner of the site, south of Copeland Road. Note riffle habitat. View looking downstream (south)

Photo 15 – Jock River to the northwest of the site, north of Copeland Road. Note overhanging vegetation. View looking upstream (north)

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Photo 16 – Riffle morphological unit in the Dowdall upstream of confluence with the Jock River

Photo 17 – Evidence of spawning activity in the Dowdall upstream of confluence with Jock River

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3.3 Species at Risk

Except for butternut, an endangered species, all of the flora and fauna species observed are considered very common in Ontario, demonstrably secure (NHIC, 2015). No species of interest were identified in proximity to the site in the Jock River Watershed Management Plan (RVCA, 2001). Other databases were reviewed to determine whether any species at risk are likely to occur in the general area. During a search on November 12th, 2015 no Species at Risk were identified in the Natural Heritage Information Database on the Ministry of Natural Resource and Forestry’s Make a Map Application for the one kilometre squares including the site and adjacent lands (18VQ29-58, -59, -68 and -69). The Jock River Stromatolites Provincially Significant Earth Science ANSI at Franktown Road is identified in the database. Two fish species of interest are reported from the Jock River system, bridle shiner a species of special concern and the provincially rare greater redhorse.

Eastern whip-poor-will, least bittern, bobolink, eastern meadowlark and barn swallow are Species at Risk reported in the Breeding Bird Atlas for the 10 kilometre square that includes the site and general area (18VQ29). Eastern whip-poor-will utilize rock or sand barrens with scattered trees, savannahs, old burns or other disturbed sites in a state of early to mid-forest succession, or open conifer plantations. There are no on-site forests and the understory growth in the mixed forest to the north of Copeland Road is too dense and closed for whip-poor-will use. Bobolink and eastern meadowlark utilize large grassland areas including hay fields, habitat not present on or adjacent to site. The cultural meadow habitat is not cut and contains too much regenerating woody vegetation for grassland Species at Risk use. No bobolink or eastern meadowlark have been observed during the surveys. No barn swallows or evidence of barn swallow nests were observed at a barn north of Franktown Road (Photo 18). Bird access to the inside of the barn did not appear feasible. Large marsh areas are required for least bittern nesting. Suitable marshes are not present on or adjacent to the site.

The potential Species at Risk reported for the overall City of Ottawa historically and in May 26th, 2015 correspondence from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (Appendix A) and their habitat requirements were also reviewed. The potential species include butternut, American ginseng, eastern prairie fringed-orchid, wood turtle, spiny softshell, Blanding’s turtle, eastern musk turtle, Henslow’s sparrow, loggerhead shrike, eastern meadowlark, barn swallow, bank swallow, bobolink, eastern whip-poor-will, bald eagle, golden eagle, least bittern, little brown myotis, northern long-eared bat, eastern small-footed myotis, olive hickorynut, eastern cougar, common gray fox, lake sturgeon, cerulean warbler and American eel.

The habitat requirements of these species along with those listed as special concern were reviewed. No wetland habitat is on the site outside of the immediate corridors of the Jock River and Dowdall Drain. The wetland habitat does not extend beyond the top of slope along the corridors. No Blanding’s turtle, eastern musk turtle or other turtle species were observed on-site and are not expected due to the lack of suitable wetland habitat. The trees with woodpecker cavities were not in forests and thus are not considered potential summer maturity nesting cavities for bats.

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The only potential Species at Risk anticipated to be on or adjacent to the site is butternut, an endangered species but present in many areas of Ottawa. An initial search for butternuts was completed by Shaun St. Pierre, a certified butternut health assessor, on September 15th, 2015. Butternuts health assessments will be completed during the leaf-out period in 2016 on all butternuts within 25 metres of site alterations that may harm the trees. The initial search identified 105 butternuts in the general area, with the stems concentrated in the north (in Blocks 19 and 20) and east portions of the butternut search area (Figure 3). The vast majority of the butternuts were very small, with 87 of the butternuts 4cm dbh or less. Note that this initial search did not include the portion of the site just south of Copeland Road. Prior to any site alterations in this portion of the site the area will be searched for butternuts, butternut health assessments completed during the leaf-on period, and as required a compensation plan implemented.

Photo 18 – No evidence of barn swallow nesting was observed on this barn north of Franktown Road in Lot 1

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MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC.

4.0 DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL

The draft plan of subdivision includes 16 rural residential lots, with a minimum and typical lot size of 0.8 hectares (Map 2). The 16 rural residential lots will be accessed off the north side of Franktown Road, in the vicinity of a historical driveway. A crossing of the Dowdall Municipal Drain will be required to access the north four lots (Lots 7 – 10). Two commercial blocks will front onto Franktown Road. Block 19 in the north part of the site will also be a commercial block fronting onto Copeland Road. As all buildings and septic systems must be located outside of the 1:100 year floodplain of both the Jock River and the Dowdall Municipal Drain fill areas are proposed within the subdivision lands north and south of the Dowdall Municipal Drain, with an associated proposed cut area in the existing golf course to the east of the Jock River (Map 2).

A typical house will have a maximum footprint area of 200 - 300 m2, with four to five bedrooms and a garage of 50 m2. Each home will be serviced by an individual water well and private sewage system with a capacity of 3500 L/day.

The lands identified for development were recently part of the existing golf course, with areas of woody vegetation between the golf course holes and along the riparian corridors.

A Conceptual Site Servicing and Stormwater Management Report (NOVATECH, 2015) has been prepared for the site. The report describes how the site characteristics will be utilized to design stormwater mitigation in the form of Best Management Practices, as described in Section 6.3.

5.0 POTENTIAL IMPACTS

The potential impacts of the proposed development considered critical to the local natural system were scoped from features identified in the review of existing information and field visits to the site and adjacent lands.

5.1 Water Quality and Quantity

5.1.1 Water Taking

A terrain and hydrogeological study undertaken by BluMetric (2015) concluded that the water quantity and quality associated with the bedrock aquifer encountered at depths of up to 27 metres below ground surface is suitable to be used for residential and/or small scale commercial drinking water supply. New water supply wells should be completed to a maximum depth of 27 metres below ground surface within the limestone bedrock aquifer, which has been characterized by the results of the hydrogeological assessment to provide a suitable quantity and quality of water for residential and/or most small scale commercial uses. Wells drilled to depths greater than 27 metres below ground surface may encounter groundwater quality conditions with elevated concentrations of total dissolved solids (BluMetric, 2015). BluMetric (2015) also

14/12/15 REVISED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT – RIVERBEND GOLF Page 23 MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. concluded that the potential for notable well interference with surrounding land uses is low and acceptable for the proposed development.

5.1.2 Septic Systems

The aforementioned terrain analysis and hydrogeological report concluded that no notable adverse impacts to the groundwater resource are anticipated on property or off property related to the proposed private sewage system servicing of the development. Based on predictive nitrate dilution calculations BluMetric (2015) concluded that lot specific maximum daily sanitary sewage flows of 4,500 L/day can be supported by each of the proposed commercial lots.

Suitable soil is generally available throughout the site above an unacceptable layer (bedrock) and above the water table level (Paterson, 2009). A minimum separation of 15 m (18 m for fully- raised systems) is required between a well and sewage system, whether they are servicing a single lot, or are on neighbouring lots. It is important to ensure the separation criteria for the relative position of the home, sewage system and well is maintained, and that the separation criteria are applied to the adjacent lots as well. Where possible, the sewage system should be placed down slope from any nearby wells. BluMetric (2015) recommend tertiary treatment be required for each of the commercial septic systems.

5.2 Natural Habitat

The Plan of Subdivision has utilized Design with Nature concepts to minimize the potential for impacts on the natural habitat, and to enhance the long-term site conditions by increasing the setbacks between the Jock River and the original golf course holes. All site alterations, including the proposed fill and cut areas, will be a minimum of 30 metres from the Jock River (see red dashed line on Map 2).

The majority of existing woody vegetation on the rural residential and commercial lots is along the periphery and will be retained. Some tree removal for the proposed fill areas will be required in the small cultural woodlands north of the Dowdall Municipal Drain. The amount of tree removal required is minimal as the majority of the cut and fill areas are on former or existing golf course holes. Significant tree retention occurred in Block 19 and other parts of the golf course as part of the relocation of golf course holes.

Butternut health assessments will be completed on any butternuts that will be within 25 metres of the proposed fill area or within twenty-five metres of site alterations on the north commercial lot. It is important to note that no site alterations can occur within 25 metres of the butternuts until the health assessments are completed during the leaf-out period and as required compensatory plantings or other measures to provide an overall benefit to the species are registered and/or agreed to with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

Forest interior habitat is absent from the site and lands adjacent to the site. No new forest edges will be created. The potential for significant wildlife habitat was assessed using the guidance in

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OMNR (2010) and MNRF (2015). Other than two amphibian species and green heron observations discussed below no other flora, fauna or ecological conditions identified in the background review or field surveys that would trigger a significant wildlife habitat designation with respect to the ELC communities present were observed on or adjacent to the site. For example the cultural habitats do not support waterfowl stopover or staging areas, colonial nesting bird breeding habitat or other examples of seasonal concentration areas. No rare vegetation communities as noted in MNRF (2015) or rare or specialized habitat including seeps or springs are on the site. No Species of Special Concern or other species of conservation concern were observed. Two amphibian species, northern leopard frog and green frog, were observed along the Jock River corridor but the amphibian observations were not in sufficient diversity and numbers to meet the defining criteria in MNRF (2015). Green heron is another species referenced in MNRF (2015). A single green heron was observed flying overhead on June 25th, 2014. As there was no indication that this species was nesting on the site and marsh habitat is not present the observation does not represent significant wildlife habitat.

In many areas among the former golf course holes that are part of the subdivision site the existing young woody vegetation within proposed building footprints can be transplanted to portions of the rural residential lots that are not part of the building envelopes. The transplanting and plantings of native vegetation at the rear and sides of the rural residential lots will be important to offset woody vegetation removal required for the development.

As the Jock River Stromatolites, a Provincially Significant Earth Science ANSI is within the Jock River and are approximately 170 metres east of the southeast edge of the site there will be no direct impacts on this feature and due to the extended distance and presence of golf course holes between the ANSI and the southeast edge of the site no indirect impacts are anticipated.

The terrain analysis (BluMetric, 2015) indicates that there should be no potential impacts associated with an increase in nutrient inputs.

5.3 Aquatic Habitat

The site characteristics including level topography, good infiltration, lack of surface water runoff and no erosion observed along the Jock River reduce the potential for indirect impacts on the Jock River system. It is anticipated that most of the surface water from the rural residences will infiltrate in proximity to the development portion of each lot. There will be a minimum of 30 metres from the normal high water mark of the Jock River to the closest fill areas or other site alterations on the site. The west boundary of the north commercial area (Block 19) has been shifted to be at least 30 metres from the east side of the Jock River.

Stormwater management measures outlined in the Conceptual Site Servicing and Stormwater Management Report (NOVATECH, 2015) will be designed to ensure that the development can proceed without adversely affecting the receiving watercourses in terms of water quality or peak flow rates. Due to the proximity of the subdivision lands to the Jock River and the large upstream tributary area (more than 200 km2), no quantity control requirements were

14/12/15 REVISED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT – RIVERBEND GOLF Page 25 MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. recommended for this site by NOVATECH (2015). The terrain analysis and hydrogeological report (BluMetric, 2015) concluded that there would be no detectable impacts on the water quality and quantity from operation of the septic systems and water taking. Best management practices identified in Section 6.3 will ensure that the water quality of the Jock River and Dowdall Municipal Drain will not be impacted. An Enhanced level of water quality protection (corresponding to a long-term average total suspended sediment removal rate of 80 percent) is required for this site (NOVATECH, 2015).

No site alterations, other than the road crossing described below, will occur within 15 metres of the top-of-slope of the Dowdall Municipal Drain as part of the rural residential subdivision. A 20 metre wide road crossing of the channel will be required to access Lots 7, 8, 9 and 10. With a road culvert between 15 and 18 metres in length, the net impact on the drain bed is anticipated to be in the range of 30 – 40 m2. Approximately 1.3 hectares of subdivision lands that currently are in the Dowdall Municipal Drain catchment area will become drainage to the Jock River directly (NOVATECH, 2015). This small area is not anticipated to have a detectable impact on the flows or associated aquatic habitat within the very large catchment areas of the Municipal Drain and the Jock River.

6.0 MITIGATION MEASURES AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This section outlines recommendations to minimize potential impacts to the natural environment features within and adjacent to the site.

This section also provides a Tree Conservation Report and further addresses the Design with Nature concepts. The Design with Nature concept encourages ways to maintain and use the natural features of the site.

6.1 Tree Conservation Report

The field surveys and this report were completed by Bernie Muncaster, who has a Master’s of Science in Biology and over twenty-seven years of experience in completing natural environment assessments. The purpose of this Plan is to establish which vegetation should be retained and protected on the subdivision site. The subdivision site is owned by 2396251 Ontario Ltd. As described above, a mixed rural residential and commercial development is planned for the subdivision lands. It is proposed to remove or transplant the woody vegetation not identified in this report for retention in 2016, outside of the breeding bird season.

Retention of healthy trees and regenerating tree stems are easily done given the relatively small portion of each lot that will be occupied by the residence, septic system, driveway and other infrastructure. An 8000 m2 lot will be occupied by a 200 - 300 m2 footprint for the house and garage, and another 300 m2 for the in-ground leaching bed. Even after considering room for driveways and lawns, this will allow for significant tree retention within the lots. It is estimated that less than thirty percent of each lot will be disturbed for construction, with more disturbances in the proposed fill areas. Scattered removal of white ash and trembling aspen up to 50 and 30cm dbh, respectively, along with smaller red ash and Scot’s pine trees will occur in Lots 7 - 12.

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Tree retention will assist in providing a future source of seeds and regenerating stems. On most lots there is minimal woody vegetation. Examples of specific trees recommended for retention are shown on Map 2 and listed here:

A. a 58cm dbh white elm near the north end of the deciduous hedgerow along the east side of Block 19; B. a grove of white cedars up to 38cm dbh in the south portion of Block 19, along with mature white ash, white elm and trembling aspen; C. a grove of white cedars up to 31cm dbh in the southwest portion of Block 19; and, D. white cedars up to 26cm dbh along the west shared boundary of Lots 13 and 14.

Trees will also be protected along the Dowdall Municipal Drain corridor in the north portion of Lot 11 and south portion of Lot 7.

Consideration should be given to transplanting to open areas on the residential lots the younger stems that will be in conflict with the building envelopes.

The above tree retention can be enhanced by minimizing the extent of vegetation removal as much as possible. Pruning of branches on trees to be retained will improve their condition and anticipated longevity.

The trees and belts of trees to be retained and their associated critical root zone are to be protected by installing sturdy temporary fencing at least 1.2 metres in height a minimum distance of ten times the tree diameter from the trunks of the outer trees. No grading or activities that may cause soil compaction such as heavy machinery traffic and stockpiling of material are permitted within the fencing. No machinery maintenance or refuelling, storage of construction materials or stockpiling of earth is to occur within five metres of the outer edge of the dripline of the trees to be retained and protected. The existing grade is not to be raised or lowered within the fencing and no digging is permitted within the fencing. The root system, trunk or branches of the trees to be retained must not be damaged. Exhaust fumes from all equipment during future construction will not be directed towards the canopy of the retained trees. If any roots of trees to be retained are exposed during site alterations, the roots shall be immediately reburied with soil or covered with filter cloth or woodchips and kept moist until the roots can be buried permanently. Signs, notices or posters cannot be attached to any trees to be retained.

To protect the scattered woody vegetation to the west of the site, no excavations, grade raises or other site alterations should occur along the west boundary of Block 18 and Lots 1 – 8 where woody vegetation is present immediately to the west of the site. This setback area should extend for ten times the trunk diameter of the adjacent trees, or 4 metres as the largest trees are in the range of 35cm dbh.

There are no specific sensitivities for plantings on the site. Homeowners are encouraged to plant a mix of native species such as sugar maple, red maple, tamarack, white spruce, white cedar, red

14/12/15 REVISED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT – RIVERBEND GOLF Page 27 MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. oak, bur oak and basswood. It is important that the stock is of local seed origin whenever possible.

As indicated above, the vegetation not identified for retention and protection is proposed to be removed in 2016 outside of the breeding bird period. Forestry Services of the City of Ottawa is to be contacted after the protective fencing is installed and at least 2 business days prior to any tree removal so that Staff can verify the fencing has been properly constructed. To protect breeding birds, no tree or shrub removal should occur between April 15th and August 15th, unless a nesting survey conducted within five days of the woody vegetation removal identifies no breeding activity.

6.2 Aquatic Habitat

No direct impacts will occur on the Jock River and the river will be protected from indirect impacts with a setback of at least 30 metres. On Block 20 the additional setback from the Jock River will permit naturalize of a much greater area of the riparian corridor than previous conditions. Over time the additional trees and shrubs will improve water quality by treating any surface water flow before the flow reaches the Jock River. The root networks of these plantings will further stabilize the banks of the River and the foliage will increase stream cover and food inputs for the aquatic habitat. Food and cover will also be increased for terrestrial habitats.

Application of herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers will be continued at the least amount possible. Currently spot chemical treatment is applied only to the greens as required, and this restrictive practice should continue. Chemical applications are to occur only during proper weather conditions of minimum wind and moderate temperatures.

The aquatic habitat in the Dowdall Municipal Drain will be protected with a setback of 15 metres on either side of the channel. This setback is considered sufficient given the straight nature of the channel, disturbances associated with the municipal drain functions, and flat topography with good infiltration adjacent on the lands adjacent to the channel. The tree removal along the south side of the Dowdall Municipal Drain for the road crossing and elsewhere on-site should be kept as minimal as possible.

A culvert is required at the Dowdall Municipal Drain for the road crossing to Lots 7 – 10. The road culvert will be embedded between 10 and 20 percent. The following mitigation measures are important to reduce as much as possible potential impacts on the fish habitat of the Dowdall channel and the downstream Jock River system:

1. timing - all in-water work should be completed between July 1st and September 15th and must be completed outside of the more sensitive period for spawning and rearing of March 15th to June 30th. The summer period is recommended due to generally reduced flow, decreased potential for sediment input and the greater growing season afforded for re-vegetation of disturbed areas. If the proposed timing of the in-water work is to take place between October 15th and March 15th, it will be necessary to have all exposed areas

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along the banks to be covered with erosion control blankets to keep the soil in place and prevent erosion from occurring during the spring freshet time period;

2. the culvert installation will not be initiated when flows are elevated from local rains, storm events or seasonal floods, or when significant rains are forecasted;

3. all in-water work should be completed in the dry by de-watering the work areas as required and pumping flows around temporary cofferdams of clean shot rock, sandbags or steel plates placed at the limits of the work area. Any fish trapped within the isolated work areas must be safely relocated downstream outside of the enclosed areas. Dewatering from the work areas will be treated in a sediment trap or similarly effective sediment control prior to downstream release. If necessary, pumps and hoses will be used to convey the flow of the watercourses during the culvert installations. Rock flow checks, following the specifications in OPSD 219.211, along with a turbidity curtain (OPSD 219.26) will be installed downstream of the work areas. Existing flows should be maintained downstream of the de-watered work area without interruption, during all stages of the work. There should be no increase in water levels upstream of the de- watered work area. Silt or debris that has accumulated around the temporary cofferdams should be removed prior to their withdrawal;

4. the bed of the watercourses and banks will be stabilized with clean shot rock one metre upstream and downstream of the culvert after installation. Smaller and rounded material will be placed over the larger rock protection to provide more habitat utilization potential;

5. all material to be placed in the watercourse is to be clean and free of fines;

6. it is important to ensure all banks are stabilized as soon as possible after the maintenance works are completed and exposed soil is kept to a minimum at all times;

7. additional mitigation measures to minimize the potential for inputs of sediments and other contaminants into the watercourse and the environment in general include proper maintenance on construction equipment with respect to refueling, washing and fluid changes, and proper disposal of fluids, filters and other waste materials; and,

8. although mentioned above it is very important that monitoring be completed at all times and any water quality issues such as elevated turbidity levels be address immediately with cessation of work until proper sediment and erosion controls are in place.

Detailed information pertaining to the culvert installation and associated alteration to the watercourse will be required for review by the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority for Section 28 of the Conservation Act and Section 35 of the Canada Fisheries Act to obtain the necessary permits that will be required for work around or in the watercourse

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6.3 Stormwater Mitigation

The Conceptual Site Servicing and Stormwater Management Report (NOVATECH, 2015) identifies how the site characteristics will be utilized to design stormwater mitigation in the form of Best Management Practices. Outside of the fill areas the subdivision will utilize the existing topography of the land as much as possible with only the right-of-way and areas surrounding the houses and septic systems requiring grading (NOVATECH, 2015). This will maintain the natural landscape or pre-development conditions, promoting infiltration and minimizing downstream erosion and sediment loading.

Quality control for the right-of-way and the front yard areas of the residential units will be provided by a combination of lot level “Best Management Practices” and conveyance controls (NOVATECH, 2015). Quality control for the three commercial blocks is to occur on-site based on the specific individual site uses and will be addressed through the Site Plan Approval process. The lot level Best Management Practices will include minimizing grade changes on the lots, minimizing the disturbed area on each lot and encouraging builders to direct roof leaders to grassed areas. Rain barrels are also recommended to capture rainwater to allow for watering of the landscape. The roadside ditches and outlet swales constructed at minimum grade where possible will be designed as water quality swales by NOVATECH (2015). This will promote infiltration and reduce outlet velocities and associated erosion potential of the storm runoff. The vegetative swales will be treated during construction with rock flow checks to promote infiltration and trap sediment.

Given proper implementation of the above Best Management Practices, the low density of development and infiltration and associated passive treatment, no impact of stormwater runoff from an estate-lot rural and commercial development on the water quality, erosion potential or associated wildlife habitat of the natural environment, including the Jock River system is anticipated.

6.4 Erosion and Sediment Controls and Monitoring

NOVATECH (2015, Section 4.5) outlines the erosion and sediment controls to be undertaken during construction. The following items are part of the erosion and sediment and erosion plan for the development:

 installing silt fences between the work areas and the Dowdall Municipal Drain;  rock check dams with filter cloth and/or straw bale barriers will be placed in the outlets leading from the site;  conducting regular street sweeping once the roads are completed; and,  stockpiles of cleared materials as well as equipment fuelling and maintenance areas will be located away from the channels, swales and other conveyance routes.

As mitigation measures may break down and environment conditions do change, monitoring is an important component of the overall objective to minimize potential impacts of the

14/12/15 REVISED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT – RIVERBEND GOLF Page 30 MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. development. Monitoring is important to ensure the recommendations and mitigation measures identified in this assessment for the construction and the post-construction operation periods are implemented and are effective in preventing adverse impacts on the environment.

During operation of the subdivision the roadside ditches will act as water quality swales.

Sediment and Erosion Control during Construction

The effectiveness of the sediment and erosion control measures must be monitored during construction of the subdivision. Straw bale check dams and other sediment and erosion control measures will be installed as required downstream of disturbed areas. These control measures must be properly maintained to maximize their function during construction.

All sodding, seeding and tree and shrub planting are to be conducted correctly and as soon as weather and construction activity permits. The success of all vegetative plantings will be assessed for two years through visual inspections in the spring and autumn following planting. Any plantings that are dead or dying will be replaced.

7.0 SUMMARY

The site is dominated by former golf course holes, with the Jock River the dominant natural heritage feature in the area. The Dowdall Municipal Drain enters the Jock River from the west in the middle of the site. The proposed draft plan of subdivision includes 16 rural residential lots, with a minimum lot size of 0.8 hectares, and three commercial blocks fronting onto Franktown and Copeland Roads. Fill areas are proposed within the subdivision lands in the vicinity of the Dowdall Municipal Drain, with an associated proposed cut area in the existing golf course to the east of the Jock River.

Some tree removal is required for the proposed fill areas north of the Dowdall Municipal Drain, although some of this removal would have occurred for the building footprint on each lot. It is anticipated with the naturalization of the riparian corridor and the non-building portion of the lots, the extent of woody vegetation on the site will not be significantly impacted over time. Transplanting a representation of the smaller stems from the building envelopes to non- developed portions of the lots should be considered.

No high quality specimen trees, significant woodlands, natural areas, rare communities, significant wetlands, steep slopes or valleys were observed on or adjacent to the site. The only Species at Risk identified was butternut, with many small butternuts and a few larger stems in Blocks 19 and 20 and in the vicinity of the proposed cut area. The only butternuts in the vicinity of the proposed rural residential lots and the south commercial blocks are three stems adjacent to the Jock River in the north portion of Lot 10. No site alterations, including in the proposed cut and fill areas, is to occur until butternut health assessments are completed during the leaf-out period and as required compensation is developed for the harm or removal of healthy butternuts that will result in an overall benefit for the species.

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No direct impacts will occur on the Jock River, the Dowdall Municipal Drain or the Provincially significant earth science Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) at Franktown Road. Indirect impacts are anticipated to be avoided with 30 and 15 metre setbacks of any site alterations from the Jock River and Dowdall Municipal Drain, respectively, in combination with proper implementation of the important mitigation measures identified in this report. There is no potential for indirect impacts on the earth science ANSI as it is an extended distance, approximately 170 metres, from the site.

Areas of proposed tree retention and examples of trees to be considered for retention have been provided in this report. These trees represent a range of size classes of the more desirable species on the site. Minimizing the work areas and careful siting of the building envelopes will allow for other tree and shrub retention on the site.

This EIS identifies many important mitigation measures for protection of the aquatic habitat and the woody vegetation to be retained and protected. The EIS concludes that the construction and operation of the proposed rural residential and commercial development will not have a detectable impact on the Jock River and Dowdall Municipal Drain habitat and the natural environment in general.

The following is a summary of the proposed mitigation measures:

1. In many portions of the subdivision lands in the vicinity of the former golf course holes and the proposed fill areas, the existing young woody vegetation should be considered for transplanting to portions of the residential lots that are not part of the building footprint. Areas of tree retention will occur wherever possible on the subdivision lands, including the areas shown on Map 2. Trees to be retained will be protected with temporary fencing along the perimeter of the critical root zone and other measures described in Section 6.1; 2. Tree and shrub removal will occur outside of the breeding bird period of April 15th to August 15th unless a nesting survey shows no breeding activity in the woody vegetation to be removed; 3. Floodplain storage lost on the west side of the Jock River will be replaced with a compensating excavation of a cut area on the east side of the Jock River; 4. Stormwater management measures outlined in the the Conceptual Site Servicing and Stormwater Management Report will be designed and implemented to ensure that the development can proceed without adversely affecting the receiving watercourses in terms of water quality or sediment and erosion. Erosion and sediment control and other Best Management Practices identified in Sections 6.3 and 6.4 will be provided both during construction and on a permanent basis. Frequent monitoring will be completed during construction; 5. Other than a road crossing of the Dowdall Municipal Drain, the aquatic habitat of the Drain will be protected with a 15 setback to any site alterations and no site alterations will occur within 30 metres of the Jock River;

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6. The culvert for the road crossing the Dowdall Municipal Drain will be sized so as not to adversely impact the function of the Dowdall Municipal Drain. Additional mitigation measures are presented in Section 6.2 to ensure the aquatic habitat of the Jock River and the Dowdall Municipal Drain are not impacted during the culvert installation and other aspect of the subdivision development; and, 7. The only Species at Risk observed and anticipated for the site is butternut. Butternuts health assessments will be completed during the leaf-out period in 2016 on all butternuts within 25 metres of site alterations that may harm the trees. An initial search in September, 2015 identified 105 butternuts in the general area, with the stems concentrated in the north and east portions of the butternut search area. The vast majority of the butternuts were very small, with 87 of the butternuts 4cm dbh or less. No site alterations can occur within 25 metres of the butternuts until the health assessments are completed during the leaf-out period and as required compensatory plantings or other measures to provide an overall benefit to the species are registered and/or agreed to with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

8.0 REFERENCES

Billings, M. D. 1975. Geological Sites and Features in the Regional Municipality of Ottawa- Carleton. October, 1975.

BleMetric Environmental. 2015. Terrain Analysis and Hydrogeological Investigation. Proposed Riverbend Mixed Use Subdivision, Part of Lots 7 & 8, Concession 4, former Township of Goulbourn, now City Of Ottawa. October, 2015. Project No. CB12835-00-00 V1.2. 38 pp & append.

Brunton, D. F. 1997. Summary: Natural Area Reports for Natural Areas West of (500 series). Prepared for the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton, Planning and Development Approvals Department. Report No. 28-08d. 164 pp.

City of Ottawa. 2010. City of Ottawa Official Plan. As adopted by City Council, May, 2003. Publication: 1-28. 227 pp & Sched.

Muncaster, B.W. and D.F. Brunton. 2005. Urban Natural Areas Environmental Evaluation Study. Prepared for the City of Ottawa.

Muncaster Environmental Planning Inc. 2008. Dowdall Municipal Drain. Fish Habitat and Fish Community Assessment. Goulbourn Ward, City Of Ottawa. Revised October, 2008. 32 pp & append.

NOVATECH. 2015. Conceptual Site Servicing and Stormwater Management Report. Riverbend Subdivision, , Part of Lots 7 & 8, Concession 4, former Township of Goulbourn, now City Of Ottawa. File 109097. Revised April 27, 2015. Ref No. R-2015-165. 9 pp & attach.

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Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 2009. Correspondence from Kemptville MNR District, Shaun Thompson. May 4th, 2009. 2 pp

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 2010. Natural Heritage Reference Manual for Natural Heritage Policies of the Provincial Policy Statement, 2005. Second Edition. March 2010. 233 pp.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. 2015. Significant Wildlife Habitat Criteria Schedules for Ecoregion 6E. January, 2015. 38 pp.

Paterson Group. 2009. Hydrogeological Investigation. Riverbend Golf and Country Club.

Rideau Valley Conservation Authority. 2001. Jock River Watershed Management Plan. November 2001. 51 pp

Robinson Consultants. 2010. Engineer’s Report - Dowdall Municipal Drain Modifications and Improvements. Goulbourn Ward and Township of Beckwith. Revised November 2010. 33pp. & append

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APPENDIX A

MINISTRY of NATURAL RESOURCES and FORESTRY

CORRESPONDENCE