990_FINAL_Don_Report.qxp 5/17/2007 9:24 AM Page 1 Dedicated efforts by the Don Watershed Regeneration Council (DWRC), Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) and its partners are producing tangible results. A walk through the valley today reveals kilometres of new parkland trails and interpretive signs, thousands of fresh plantings and hundreds of nesting boxes for local wildlife. Litter and debris is being collected and hauled away. Abandoned industrial sites are being reclaimed. Stormwater ponds are being created to control flow levels. And dams and weirs reconstructed to allow fish to pass upstream. But despite all the progress, there are difficult challenges ahead. The integrated watershed management plan being developed will not only have to maintain the current momentum for change, it must also address emerging environmental concerns about global warming and air pollution, the threat of invasive species, and the ecological stress caused by development and population growth. The Don Watershed Regeneration Council (DWRC) is a volunteer, watershed-wide advisory committee established by TRCA in 1994 to help restore the Don River watershed to a healthy, sustainable, natural environment. The DWRC is a sub-committee of TRCA’s Watershed Management Advisory Board and is composed of community members, elected officials and representatives from municipalities, agencies, businesses, environmental non-governmental organizations and academic institutions located within or concerned with the future of the watershed. Forging a new deal for the Don, 2006 | 1 990_FINAL_Don_Report.qxp 5/17/2007 9:24 AM Page 2 welve years isn’t a very long time in the lifecycle of a river. We realize that we can only highlight a handful of the important Don River Watershed: Legend On the geological scale, it’s little more than a ripple breaking initiatives that have been launched, and hope to present a represen- T BAYVIEW AVE. Survey of Stormwater Control Municipal Boundary across the water’s surface on a still summer’s day. Or the flash tative sampling of the hundreds of remediation projects undertaken DUFFERIN ST Pond or Reservoir (conditions as of 2005) of silver as a trout flicks away and down into a dark pool. and conservation work that’s been started. Watercourse KIRBY RD. Major Road . Nevertheless, the last 12 years have marked a critical shift in Much of this work remains unfinished. Reversing two hundred ORM Boundary 404 HWY the fortunes of the Don. Over that time, the river’s slow decline years of ill use and neglect takes both time and money. Polluted Patt Creeers Area Controlled on Richmond has been checked, and the first steps towards the watershed’s storm water and runoff still flows unchecked into the river every k Hill Quantity Control Only resurrection as a healthy, vibrant ecosystem have been taken. time it rains. Contaminants are carried in from combined sewer Vaughan MAJOR MACKENZIE DR. Quantity and Quality Control Only overflows and illegal cross-connections between storm and sani- Westminster We st Don Cr German Mills eek Greenbelt/Rural Area Since the publication of the regeneration strategy Forty Steps to Ri Creek ve tary sewers, and seep in from dozens of abandoned landfills. Air r Developed, no control Cu mmer Cr a New Don in 1994, thousands of volunteers and business people, ee STEELES AVE. pollutants drift into the watershed from smokestacks hundreds Markham k Ea 400 HWY st Don kilometres politicians and government agencies, citizens’ groups and environ- Ri ve of kilometres away, and from the tail pipes of cars and trucks D r uncan C reek mental professionals have worked both independently and together WARDEN AVE. on local roads. Fi sher York Creek DON MILLS RD. with Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) to translate that vi lle ambitious environmental blueprint into reality. We have to keep our focus. Governments forget their promises. 407 HWY. Toronto YONGE ST Whitchurch- KEELE ST. Business leaders shift priorities. Activists tackle other challenges. Mono Stouffville Adjala-Tosorontio Uxbridge W Both collectively and individually, we are striving to protect what e Aurora st King The media moves on to the next calamity or crisis. Even concerned Don . is healthy, regenerate what is degraded and take responsibility River Richmond Pickering citizens can be lulled into complacency. Hill Rouge for the Don. Markham Ajax Humber DeerlickCreek Caledon After 12 years of hard work, we again stand at a pivotal point in VE. W East Vaughan ilket Work has just begun. We have laid the groundwork, forged part- River Don EGLINTON A Highland the life of the watershed. We know what needs to be done, the Cr eek Toronto nerships, won the support of residents, and shown politicians at all . plans are being drafted and the call for funding has gone out. lson 401 HWY Wi Brampton e Brook Brook levels of government what can be accomplished—and what more Burk We can rescue, rehabilitate and revitalize the Don if we can stay WILLIAM R. ALLEN RD. ey needs to be done. And there is so much more that must be done. Walmsl the course, build on our successes and maintain the momentum. Brook Mississauga Taylor/Mass ey TRCA Jurisdiction (DWRC’s) Creek In this, the Don Watershed Regeneration Council’s We must also be prepared to respond to new environmental threats Don River Watershed fourth Progress Report, we celebrate some of the notable successes Yel lo C as they arise—and be afforded the political, corporate and communi- reek w enjoyed over the last 12 years. These stories mirror the intercon- ty support needed to meet them—if we are to get on with the job. Low er D nected themes of the regeneration workplan set out in Forty Steps T. on . BLOOR S River to a New Don: Caring for Water, Caring for Nature, Caring It’s time to forge a new deal for the Don. QUEEN ST for Community and Getting it Done. Lake Ontario Toronto Harbour Forging a new deal for the Don, 2006 | 3 990_FINAL_Don_Report.qxp 5/17/2007 9:24 AM Page 4 caring forwater lanning is well underway for Heavy rains can cause combined Toronto’s sewer use by-law, rewritten On April 1, 2004, Toronto’s landmark P the naturalization of the mouth sewers to overflow. The untreated in 2000, is designed to keep heavy pesticide by-law came into force, of the Don, finally restoring the eco- sewage bypasses the treatment plant metals, waste oil, solvents, grease banning the outdoor use of herbi- logical link between the river valley and is discharged directly into the and other dangerous toxics out of cides, insecticides and fungicides and the waterfront. Combining the Don River or Lake Ontario. The City the city’s sewers. Industrial waste on public and private property. The area around the Keating Channel, of Toronto is developing an environ- enforcement officers routinely sample move shuts off one of the major the proposed Don Greenway and mental assessment study which pro- sanitary and storm sewer discharges. sources of poisonous contaminants the adjoining Commissioners Park, poses to twin the Coxwell sanitary The by-law also requires industries into the river. Richmond Hill, Mark- some 60 hectares of derelict land will trunk sewer and further define the in certain sectors to prepare manda- ham and Vaughan have all adopted be transformed into green parkland, system of underground storage tory pollution prevention plans. strategies to reduce pesticide use: interlaced with pedestrian walkways facilities needed to contain storm- Contravention can bring fines as Markham has endorsed a pesticide- and bike paths. Spectacular views, water overflow until it can be prop- high as $100,000 a day. York Region free parks project; Vaughan’s policy treed enclaves, secluded wetlands erly treated. Both the Don Council The City of Toronto is planting trees and also adopted a tough new sewer use covers city-owned property, while shrubs to reduce stormwater runoff and and a restored shoreline will provide and local community groups have enhance the natural heritage of key woodlots. by-law in January 2005. Both Toronto Richmond Hill’s includes private habitat for wildlife, while protecting long advocated the need for such and Vaughan have established sustain- property. All these municipalities the neighbourhoods to the south stormwater management facilities. Approximately 140 ponds have been ability programs to help small-and encourage residents to adopt pesti- and east from flooding. completed or are currently underway, medium-sized businesses embrace cide-free lawn and garden practices. One way to keep rainwater out including those at Earl Bales Park, pollution prevention (P2) practices. of storm sewers is to divert it onto The City of Toronto’s Water Pollution Terraview Willowfield Park, Killian- Technical and financial assistance our gardens and lawns. Unlike most Solution, approved in September Lamar Pond, Harding Park, Rupert’s is available, through their association new homes, the downspouts of 2003, provides a blueprint for the Pond, Pioneer Park, Leitchcroft Pond with the Ontario Centre for Environ- many older residences in the City remediation and management of and Moccasin Trail Park mental Technology Advancement stormwater and combined sewer of Toronto are tied directly into the (OCETA), for conducting P2 assess- storm sewer network. The city will overflows for the entire city. The first Road salt degrades river ecosystems ments that can slash sewer discharges, disconnect a homeowner’s eave- 25-year phase of the 100-year plan, and groundwater resources, corrodes air pollutants and hazardous wastes. strough downspout free of charge which will cost $42 million a year to municipal infrastructure, and poses a In addition, a Trillium Grant has and add a splash pad, extension or implement, gives priority to dealing risk to terrestrial and aquatic life. New been awarded to OCETA to conduct rain barrel, if necessary.