Shoreline Development and Management within the Areas of Interference of Bluff Hazards Adjacent to Lake Huron by Mollie Kuchma A Thesis Presented to The University of Guelph In partial fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science (Planning) in Rural Planning and Development Guelph, Ontario, Canada © Mollie Kuchma, April, 2014 ABSTRACT SHORELINE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT WITHIN THE AREAS OF INTERFERENCE OF BLUFF HAZARDS ADJACENT TO LAKE HURON Mollie Kuchma Advisor: University of Guelph, 2014 Dr. John FitzGibbon Shoreline ecosystems in the Great Lakes basin are among the most dynamic ecosystems on the planet. As climate change and development pressures continue to threaten natural hazards, such as the bluff hazards on the Lake Huron shoreline, a comprehensive shoreline management plan needs to be developed to guide future and existing development in the areas of interference adjacent to the hazard. This paper aims to provide recommendations guiding the future of shoreline development and management along the Lake Huron shoreline within the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority watershed jurisdiction in Huron County. These recommendations take into consideration both protection and prevention measures, contributions to bluff hazards specific to the study area as well as information provided from professionals working in shoreline ecosystems within the Great Lakes basin. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would first like to thank Dr. John FitzGibbon for the incredible knowledge, guidance and encouragement that he provided throughout the last two years throughout the planning and writing stages of this research project. I would also like to thank the staff and faculty within the Rural Planning and Development program for the support and guidance that has been provided throughout the completion of this degree. I would like to thank the planners, engineers and other professionals who offered their time, experience and expertise throughout the completion of this research project. Without their help, this project would not have been possible. Finally, I would like to thank my family and friends for the patience and support they have provided throughout all the highs and lows of this project. Without their support, this would have been a very difficult task to tackle alone. iii Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 1 2.0 Summary ................................................................................................................................................. 3 3.0 Purpose & Significance........................................................................................................................... 6 4.0 Goals ....................................................................................................................................................... 8 5.0 Objective ................................................................................................................................................. 9 6.0 Study Area ............................................................................................................................................ 10 6.1 The County of Huron ........................................................................................................................ 10 6.2 Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Township ........................................................................................ 12 6.3 Maitland Valley Conservation Authority Watershed ........................................................................ 13 7.0 Methods & Procedures .......................................................................................................................... 15 7.1 Literature Review ............................................................................................................................. 15 7.2 Questionnaire .................................................................................................................................... 20 7.3 Key Informant Interviews ................................................................................................................. 22 8.0 Findings ................................................................................................................................................ 25 8.1 Questionnaire .................................................................................................................................... 25 8.2 Key Informant Interviews ................................................................................................................. 28 9.0 Causes of Erosion & Contributions to Bluff Hazards ........................................................................... 32 9.1 Toe Erosion ....................................................................................................................................... 33 9.2 Sheet Erosion .................................................................................................................................... 35 9.3 Splash Erosion .................................................................................................................................. 37 9.4 Gully Erosion .................................................................................................................................... 38 9.5 Development ..................................................................................................................................... 38 10.0 Prevention Methods ............................................................................................................................ 41 10.1 Provincial Policy Statement ............................................................................................................ 41 10.2 Municipal Legislation & Land Use Control ................................................................................... 42 10.2.1 Huron County Official Plan ..................................................................................................... 43 10.2.2 Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Official Plan ........................................................................... 43 10.2.3 Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Comprehensive Zoning By-law ............................................. 46 iv 10.3 Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources ........................................................................................... 47 10.3.1 Conservation Authorities Act .................................................................................................. 48 10.3.2 Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act ......................................................................................... 50 10.3.3 Public Lands Act ...................................................................................................................... 51 11.0 Protection Methods ............................................................................................................................. 52 11.1 Structural Methods .......................................................................................................................... 52 11.1.1 Revetments ............................................................................................................................... 54 11.1.2 Groynes .................................................................................................................................... 56 11.1.3 Breakwaters.............................................................................................................................. 58 11.2 Non-Structural Methods ................................................................................................................. 58 11.2.1 Vegetation ................................................................................................................................ 59 12.0 Recommendations ............................................................................................................................... 61 13.0 Summary & Next Steps ...................................................................................................................... 67 14.0 Glossary .............................................................................................................................................. 68 15.0 Appendices .......................................................................................................................................... 70 Appendix A: Correspondence to Professionals for Involvement in Project ........................................... 70 Appendix B: Questionnaire Questions .................................................................................................... 71 Appendix C: List of Questionnaire Participants ..................................................................................... 72 Appendix D: Key Informant Interview Questions .................................................................................. 73 Appendix E: List of Key Informant Interview Participants .................................................................... 74 16.0 References ........................................................................................................................................... 75 v LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES Figure 1. Research Process Framework Figure 2. Location of the