ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE AGENDA January 18, 2018 10:00 AM Page 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 2 - 5 - November 16, 2017 - EAC Meeting Minutes - Minutes - Detail 4. PRESENTATIONS 6 - 49 - CRCA - Michael Daiken - Wiltse Creek 5. BUSINESS - Official Plan Review Process - Waste Management Provincial Policy Changes - EAC Working Group Meeting 50 - 53 - Idling By-law Update 6. INFORMATION ITEMS 54 - 60 - December 11, 2017 Council Meeting Minutes 61 - Creating Invasive Plant Management Strategy Workshop 7. ADJOURNMENT Page 1 of 61 CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF LEEDS AND THE THOUSAND ISLANDS ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE November 16, 2017 at 10:00 AM Members Present: Chair Emily Conger Councillor Last Cathy deKroon Matt Fiene Kurt Liebe Staff: CAO, Greg CAO Deputy Clerk, Kimberly Almeida Regrets: Councillor Huff The Committee met in regular session on the morning of November 16, 2017 at 10:00 AM in the Lansdowne Council Chambers. 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST None. 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES - October 19, 2017 EAC Meeting Minutes Resolution #026-17 (DeKroon, Last) THAT the October 19, 2017 EAC meeting minutes be adopted as circulated. Carried. Resolution #027-17 (deKroon, Last) Page 2 of 61 Environmental Advisory Committee Minutes - November 16, 2017 THAT the EAC recommends that Council approve an amendment to the EAC Terms of Reference pertaining to minutes, such that any changes or additions required, be made before adoption of the minutes as opposed to usual practice of adopting as amended. Carried. 4. PRESENTATIONS - Invading Species Program Ms. Powell presented an Invasive Species Powerpoint presentation and recommended that the Invasive Plant Council do a deputation to Council to spread awareness of the issues and serve as an education for the public. Resolution #028-17 (Conger, Last) WHEREAS there are many invasive plant species within the Township boundaries (giant hogweed, dog strangling vine, garlic mustard etc.); AND WHEREAS the EAC's mandate provides that the Committee offer input on the potential impacts that human activity or development has on the natural environment; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the EAC recommends that staff invite the Ontario Invasive Plan Council to do a deputation to the Township Council on the Ontario Invading Species Awareness Program to promote education and remedial efforts of these invasive species. Carried. 5. BUSINESS - Wiltse Creek - Update Ms. Conger stated that she contacted Queens university regarding the algae bloom exploration project regarding Wiltse Creek. The CAO and the Chair will meet with the Queens University representatives and CRCA to discuss this project. Page 3 of 61 Environmental Advisory Committee Minutes - November 16, 2017 - Environmental Technologist - Update The CAO will handle this item, no update at this time. - Gananoque Watershed - Update No Update at this time. - Budget Discussion The Committee spoke about the request received from the CAO to present a powerpoint during the budget deliberations regarding a high-level overview of the achievements and expectations in 2018 of the Committee. - Waste Management Organics Reduction The Committee spoke about the previously developed waste management working group and how to begin promoting organic waste reduction and diversion in lieu of an EAC meeting in December. Potential dates are the week of December 6-8 and December 11-14. - Round Table Discussion The Committee spoke about the round table discussion on the agenda as a standing item for visitors to be able to speak further on their subjects at this point. - Official Plan Process Mr. Liebe provided an update on the Official Plan visioning sessions beginning on November 20, 2017. The Committee spoke about their involvement in the Official Plan Process. The members will reach out to FAB to come to the Committee to speak to their input on the Official Plan. Page 4 of 61 Environmental Advisory Committee Minutes - November 16, 2017 6. ADJOURNMENT Resolution #029-17 (deKroon, Fiene) THAT the EAC adjourn. Carried. ________________________ ________________________ Chair, Emily Conger Secretary, Kimberly Almeida Page 5 of 61 DATE: SEPTEMBER 27, 2017 REPORT # IR-072-17 TO: FULL AUTHORITY BOARD FROM: MICHAEL DAKIN RESOURCE PLANNER 1.0 TYPE OF REPORT CONSENT ITEM [ ] ITEM FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION [ ] 2.0 TOPIC WILTSE CREEK 3.0 RECOMMENDATION THAT report IR-072-17, Wiltse Creek, BE RECEIVED; and, THAT staff BE DIRECTED to continue to communicate and share expertise with stakeholders involved in the Wiltse Creek water levels matter and to promote water quality and wetland best management practices and stewardship activities to landowners in the watershed. 4.0 PURPOSE The purpose of this report is to confirm direction from the Full Authority Board on the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority’s (CRCA) role and responsibilities with respect to Wiltse Creek and the Wiltse Creek Marsh. Specifically, this report provides information regarding CRCA’s role relative to high water level issues in the creek and watershed. This report is intended to provide insight regarding the nature and complexity of the problem and the challenges associated with maintenance activities. The report also provides recommendations for how CRCA can best contribute to a long-term solution that aligns with its mandate. Page 6 of 61 CATARAQUI REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY REPORT IR-072-17 – WILTSE CREEK SEPTEMBER 27, 2017 P a g e | 2 OF 10 5.0 BACKGROUND Wiltse Creek is a tributary watercourse that drains into the Gananoque River. The subject area of interest (Attachment #1) is located in the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands between the outlet of Charleston Lake and where Wiltse Creek enters the Gananoque River. This portion of the Creek is relatively flat and low-lying with a broad floodplain. The area is dominated by the provincially significant Wiltse Creek Marsh. Wiltse Creek conveys flows from a large upstream drainage area including Charleston Lake and many tributaries. A municipal drain system known as the Smith-Bolger Drain (Black Creek) is also located on the system. The Conservation Authority owns property in the vicinity at Eden Grove and Marble Rock that includes both marsh and upland areas. Water levels in the Wiltse Creek system are controlled upstream by the Charleston Lake Dam at Outlet and downstream by the Marble Rock Dam on the Gananoque River. Both dams are operated by Energy Ottawa (formerly “Fortis”). The regulatory floodplain (1% probability event) covers a relatively large area around these waterbodies. The surrounding area has experienced recent flooding during heavy rainfall and freshet events (e.g. spring 2014, spring and summer 2017). Cattail mats, beaver activity, and sediment build-up in the Wiltse Creek Marsh may contribute to high water levels from time-to-time. For several years CRCA staff have discussed the impact of high water levels along Wiltse Creek with various stakeholders, including the Township, landowners, Ontario Ministries of Natural Resources and Forestry, and Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Leeds County Federation of Agriculture, etc. These impacts include reduced navigability of the creek, poor agricultural drainage, and occasional backflooding in upstream waterbodies. CRCA staff have also completed an initial assessment of the characteristics of Wiltse Creek (Wiltse & Black Creeks Depth and Blockage Investigation, S. Watt, October 2015 – Attachment #2). This report was prepared in light of concerns expressed about sediment accumulation and blockages in the watercourse channel. Page 7 of 61 CATARAQUI REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY REPORT IR-072-17 – WILTSE CREEK SEPTEMBER 27, 2017 P a g e | 3 OF 10 To date, the topic has not been discussed directly at the CRCA Full Authority Board. The Wiltse Creek area was part of a Full Authority watershed tour in May of 2015 and there was some discussion of the impacts of the spring freshet of 2014 in the Wiltse Creek area provided in reports IR-048-14, 2014 Flooding Events – What We Learned and Possible Changes, and IR-055-14, 2014 Flooding Events – Supplementary Report. The primary focus of CRCA staff to date has been to keep an open dialogue with stakeholders, monitor and assess conditions and continue to fulfill CRCA’s flood forecasting and warning role. Recent flooding events (e.g.127 mm of rain measured at the Outlet Dam in less than 24 hours between July 24 and July 25, 2017), upstream site alteration activities (municipal drain cleanout, farming practices adjacent to creek and tributaries) and other factors (sediment accumulations, cattail blockages) reported by some of the stakeholders have led to calls for more direct CRCA involvement. Specifically, there have been requests from landowners and members of the agricultural community for CRCA to coordinate and fund maintenance activities at the mouth of the creek and potentially elsewhere in the channel including a large- scale dredge. 6.0 STRATEGIC PLAN This report supports Goal ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ in the Strategic Plan, Cataraqui 2020. Goal B: To implement policies that will protect life and property from natural hazards such as flooding and erosion. • Implement preventive policies for lands which may be subject to natural hazards. Goal C: To conserve woodlands, wetlands and natural habitat • Protect significant natural heritage features through planning policies and procedures. • To cooperate with other partner agencies to fulfill terms of agreement to review impact of development proposals on fish habitat. Page 8 of 61 CATARAQUI REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY REPORT IR-072-17 – WILTSE CREEK SEPTEMBER 27, 2017 P a g e | 4 OF 10 Goal D: To facilitate protection of natural resources in order to conserve, restore, develop or manage them. • Implement a land management program reflecting the different types of properties under CRCA ownership. • Enhance the Authority's technical advisory program to member municipalities and the public to protect or enhance natural areas and functions. 7.0 INPUT FROM OTHER SOURCES This report stems from previous discussions over the last several years between CRCA staff and various stakeholders, as outlined in Section 5.0 above.