Metrolinx Vegetation Guideline (2020) Table of Contents Glossary of Terms .......................................................................................................... i Executive Summary .................................................................................................... vii 1 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 1 2 BACKGROUND ....................................................................................................... 2 3 VEGETATION COMPENSATION ............................................................................ 5 3.1 Potential Compensation Approach Options and Guidance Documents ............. 6 3.1.1 Initial Business Case for the Metrolinx Vegetation Policy ............................ 6 3.1.2 Ontario Power Generation Biodiversity Policy and Procurement Program .. 7 3.1.3 TRCA Ecosystem Compensation Protocol .................................................. 7 3.2 Implementation Framework for Vegetation Compensation ................................ 8 3.2.1 Determining Compensation Approach ....................................................... 11 3.2.1.1 Metrolinx Right-of-Way ........................................................................... 11 3.2.1.2 Public/Private Lands ............................................................................... 11 3.2.2 Determining Compensation Ratios ............................................................ 11 3.2.2.1 Baseline Compensation ......................................................................... 11 3.2.2.2 Bylaw Compensation .............................................................................. 11 3.2.2.3 Ecological Compensation ....................................................................... 12 3.2.2.4 Bylaw + Ecological Compensation ......................................................... 14 3.2.3 Implementing Compensation ..................................................................... 14 3.2.3.1 Compensation for Public Lands .............................................................. 15 3.2.3.2 Compensation for Private Lands ............................................................ 15 3.2.3.3 Compensation for Metrolinx Lands ......................................................... 15 3.2.4 Procurement for Ecological and Baseline Compensation .......................... 16 4 TREE END USE ..................................................................................................... 16 Metrolinx Vegetation Guideline (2020) 4.1 Potential Tree End Use Options and Guidance Documents ............................ 16 4.1.1 Initial Business Case for the Metrolinx Vegetation Policy .......................... 17 4.1.2 Toronto Directory of Urban Wood Products and Services ......................... 17 4.1.3 Ontario Municipalities ................................................................................ 18 4.2 Identifying Higher Value Trees ......................................................................... 18 4.3 End Use Options for Removed Trees .............................................................. 19 4.3.1 End Use Options for Higher Value Trees................................................... 21 4.3.2 End Use Options for Lower Value Trees and Other Tree Materials ........... 22 4.3.2.1 Chipping and Mulching ........................................................................... 22 4.3.2.2 Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and Ash Trees .............................................. 23 4.3.2.3 Wood Residue Volume and Biomass ..................................................... 23 4.4 Tree End Use Partners .................................................................................... 24 4.5 Implementation Framework for Tree End Use .................................................. 24 4.5.1 Transportation and Storage Plans for Trees .............................................. 25 4.5.1.1 Equipment Requirements ....................................................................... 25 4.5.1.2 Storage Strategy .................................................................................... 26 4.5.1.3 Access Requirements ............................................................................ 28 4.5.1.4 Transportation ........................................................................................ 28 4.5.2 Distribution and Re-Use Plan for Trees ..................................................... 29 4.5.2.1 Higher Value Trees Distribution .............................................................. 29 4.5.2.2 Tree Distribution Logistics ...................................................................... 29 5 INTEGRATED VEGETATION MANAGEMENT ..................................................... 29 5.1 Potential IVM Approach Options and Guidance Documents ............................ 30 5.1.1 Initial Business Case for the Metrolinx Vegetation Policy .......................... 30 5.1.2 Other Relevant Guidelines for Integrated Vegetation Management .......... 30 Metrolinx Vegetation Guideline (2020) 5.2 Integrated Vegetation Management in a Rail Corridor ..................................... 31 5.2.1 IVM in an Electrified Corridor ..................................................................... 31 5.2.2 IVM in a Non-Electrified Corridor ............................................................... 32 5.3 Implementation Framework for Integrated Vegetation Management ................ 33 5.3.1 IVM Step No. 1: Understanding Pest and Ecosystem Dynamics in the Corridor ...................................................................................................... 34 5.3.1.1 Initial Inventory ....................................................................................... 34 5.3.1.2 Bi-Annual Monitoring – Pre-Treatment ................................................... 35 5.3.2 IVM Step No. 2: Setting Management Objectives and Tolerance Levels .. 36 5.3.2.1 Key Determinants of Treatment Thresholds in Rail Corridors ................ 37 5.3.2.2 Compatible and Incompatible Vegetation ............................................... 37 5.3.2.3 Integrated Vegetation Management Zones in Electrified Corridors ........ 40 5.3.2.4 Integrated Vegetation Management Zones in Non-Electrified Corridors 42 5.3.2.5 Incidental Observations and Ad-Hoc Treatments ................................... 44 5.3.2.6 Summary ................................................................................................ 44 5.3.3 IVM Step No. 3: Compiling Treatment Options .......................................... 45 5.3.3.1 Chemical Control Methods ..................................................................... 45 5.3.3.2 Mechanical and Manual Control Methods .............................................. 48 5.3.3.3 Cultural Control Methods ........................................................................ 48 5.3.3.4 The Mixed Method/Combined Approach ................................................ 49 5.3.3.5 Selection Criteria .................................................................................... 50 5.3.4 IVM Step No. 4: Site-Specific Implementation of Treatments .................... 54 5.3.4.1 Chemical Techniques and Application Technologies ............................. 54 5.3.4.2 Mechanical Techniques .......................................................................... 56 5.3.4.3 Cultural Techniques ............................................................................... 58 5.3.4.4 Selection Criteria and Best Practices ..................................................... 61 Metrolinx Vegetation Guideline (2020) 5.3.5 IVM Step No. 5: Adaptive Management and Monitoring ............................ 63 5.3.5.1 Bi-Annual Monitoring - Post-Treatment .................................................. 64 5.3.5.2 Adaptive Management ........................................................................... 65 5.3.5.3 Reporting ................................................................................................ 66 6 REFERENCES ....................................................................................................... 68 List of Tables Table E1: Compensation Approach Based on Tree Location ..................................................... vii Table 1: Compensation Approach Based on Tree Location ......................................................... 9 Table 2 Ecological Compensation Ratios Based on Basal Area ................................................ 12 Table 3: Ecological Compensation Costing ................................................................................ 13 Table 4: Ecological Compensation Ratios based on Individual Tree Size .................................. 14 Table 5: High, Medium and Low Value Tree Species (Hilts and Mitchell, 2009) ........................ 18 Table 6: Integrated Vegetation Management Zones and Treatment Thresholds for Electrified Corridors ..................................................................................................................................... 41 Table 7: Integrated Vegetation Management Zones and Treatment Thresholds for Non-Electrified Corridors ..................................................................................................................................... 43 Table 8: Herbicide Selection ....................................................................................................... 46 Table 9: