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15. uRBAN NATURAL AREAS
ENVIRONMENTAL |
Committee recommendation
That Council approve the Urban Natural
Areas Environmental Evaluation Study, Addendum – 2005 Fieldwork Results Report
(Muncaster and Brunton, March 2006).
Recommandation du Comité
Que le Conseil municipal approuve le rapport intitulé Étude d'évaluation
environnementale des espaces naturels urbains, Ajout - Résultats des études sur
le terrain de 2005 (Muncaster et Brunton, mars 2006).
Documentation
1. A/Deputy City Manager's report
(Planning and Growth Management) dated
2 June 2006 (ACS2006-PGM-POL-0046).
2. Extract of Draft Minute, 27 June 2006
to be issued prior to the Council meeting.
Report
to/Rapport au :
Planning and Environment Committee
Comité de l'urbanisme et de
l'environnement
and Council / et au Conseil
Submitted by/Soumis par : John Moser, Acting Deputy City Manager/
Directeur municipal adjoint par
intérim,
Planning and Growth
Management/Urbanisme et Gestion de la croissance
Contact
Person/Personne ressource : Carol Christensen, Manager, Environmental
Sustainability
Planning, Environment and Infrastructure
Policy/Politiques d’urbanisme, d’environnement et d’infrastructure
(613) 580-2424 x 21610,
Carol.Christensen@ottawa.ca
REPORT RECOMMENDATION
That Planning and Environment Committee recommend City Council approve the Urban Natural Areas Environmental Evaluation Study, Addendum - 2005 Fieldwork Results Report (Muncaster and Brunton, March 2006).
RECOMMANDATION DU
RAPPORT
Que le Comité de l'urbanisme et de l'environnement
recommande au Conseil municipal d'approuver le rapport intitulé Étude
d'évaluation environnementale des espaces naturels urbains, Ajout - Résultats
des études sur le terrain de 2005 (Muncaster et Brunton, mars 2006).
BACKGROUND
In June of 2005, City Council approved the Urban Natural Areas Environmental Evaluation Study, Final Report (Muncaster and Brunton, March 2005).
Council approved the study methodology, evaluation framework and evaluation criteria as the standard approach to assessing the relative environmental value of urban natural areas in Ottawa.
A total of 187 natural areas were identified in the urban area for study. A total of 114 sites were evaluated based on 2003 fieldwork. Of the 114 sites, 29 rated high, 41 rated moderate and 44 rated low. The remaining 73 sites were not evaluated as field investigations were not undertaken due to field season limitations or landowner permission not granted.
Council approved proceeding with further fieldwork in 2005 for the remaining unevaluated sites. The consulting services of Muncaster Environmental Planning and Daniel Brunton Consulting Services were obtained to undertake the fieldwork and evaluation of the remaining sites applying the Council approved Urban Natural Areas Environment Evaluation Study (UNAEES) methodology and evaluation framework. The subject of this report is to present the findings of the 2005 UNAEES fieldwork program and recommend approval of the Addendum - 2005 Fieldwork Results Report (March 2006). The Addendum Report is listed as Document 1 of this report, distributed under a separate cover.
The 73 unevaluated sites were carried forward for field investigations and environmental evaluation in 2005. Further examination of identified sites as well as new information resulted in five additional areas being identified, bringing the number of UNA sites to 192. Three new sites were identified due to boundary modifications made to three original sites. Two other sites were newly identified in 2005 and added to the overall site list. This resulted in a total of 78 sites being considered for field investigations in 2005.
During the preparation of the fieldwork component, 15 sites were not evaluated because:
Significant site alterations had taken place on four UNA sites associated with approved development;
Approval to access properties was not obtained for 10 of the sites; and,
Tenth Line Road Woods (#192), a new site, was identified after the field season.
Access approval was not a reason to delete a site from the list of candidate sites. The site remains an urban natural area. However, the site was not evaluated in detail and no overall rating was assigned.
The 63 natural areas that were field investigated were carried forward for evaluation. The UNAEES evaluation criteria were applied to rate the ecological value of the urban natural areas: 1) connectivity, 2) absence of disturbance, 3) habitat maturity, 4) natural communities, 5) regeneration, 6) representative flora, 7) significant flora and fauna, 8) size and shape, and 9) wildlife habitat. Each criterion was rated 1 through 5, with a rating of 5 being the most ecologically valued or least disturbed. These nine individual ratings were then combined to give an average rating for the natural area. This rating was used to generally group the natural areas into three levels:
a rating of less than two - Low Environmental Value
a rating from two to less than three - Moderate Environmental Value
a rating of three or greater - High Environmental Value
Table 1 summarizes the overall rating of each evaluated site by geographical sub-area.
Table 1: Overall Natural Area Rating by Urban Sub-Area, 2005 SitesSub-Area within the City of Ottawa's Urban AreaSites Rated High OverallSites Rated Moderate OverallSites Rated Low OverallTotal Sites Evaluated in 2005Sites not EvaluatedWest23166Central4713242South 299204East472133Totals1226256315
For the 2005 evaluated sites, 12 natural areas were rated High overall, 26 natural areas rated Moderate and 25 rated as Low overall. Document 2 lists the 2005 evaluated sites and overall environmental rating or evaluation status.
Table 2 summarizes the overall ratings for all 177 sites evaluated to date by geographical sub-area as well as representation citywide.
Table 2: Overall Natural Area Ratings by Urban Sub-Area - All Sites Evaluated
Percent = the percentage of all sites evaluated to date Sub-Area within City of Ottawa's Urban AreaSites High Overall
Sites Moderate OverallSites Low OverallTotal Sites Evaluated to Date Sites not EvaluatedNo.PercentNo.PercentNo.PercentWest8281345828296Central202131324547962South51812431139284East8331146521243Totals41236738693917715
In total, 41 sites rated High, 67 sites rated Moderate and 69 sites rated Low. Of the 177 sites evaluated, 23% rated High overall, 38% rated Moderate and 39% rated Low.
The Addendum Report contains an updated citywide Site Results Map to reflect the rating or evaluation status for all 192 sites. For the 63 urban natural areas evaluated, the Addendum Report contains a CD of the individual site summary report, evaluation matrix and site map (Annex B) for these areas.
The Greenspace Master Plan and associated Official Plan Amendment identifies the Urban Natural Features Strategy as one of several strategies proposed to achieve Council's greenspace objectives. The Urban Natural Features Strategy identifies new urban natural areas that are priority for securement through acquisition or other means. These priority areas were identified based on their overall environmental value determined through the Urban Natural Areas Environmental Evaluation Study and Addendum Report as well as the planning status of the properties comprising the natural area. Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) decisions, Council and planning approvals, as well as on-going Community Design Plans, OMB appeals and active development applications were examined to determine if there is still an opportunity to protect the urban natural area. The ability of the City to protect new urban natural features will rely on a commitment to secure locally significant natural areas, where opportunities still exist.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS
The Urban Natural Areas Environmental Evaluation Study provides a consistent environmental methodology to assess the environmental value of urban natural features in Ottawa. This consistent level of analysis allows for the relative ecological value of urban natural areas across the city to be understood such that a uniform policy direction and protection priorities can be established.
The evaluation of the remaining 63 natural areas now provides a comprehensive understanding of our inventory of urban natural features and their relative environmental value, city-wide. This information will assist the City with moving forward on strategic directions for urban natural features as set out in the Official Plan.
The Council approved Urban Natural Areas Environmental Evaluation Study (UNAEES) had a significant public consultation component. The public, study Steering Committee and Public Advisory Committee were consulted throughout the process on methodology, evaluation framework and results. As the 2006 Addendum Report applies the same methodology and evaluation process, no further consultation was undertaken for these components.
The main objective for the Addendum Report is to disseminate the results of the 2005 fieldwork program. The Urban Natural Areas 2005 evaluation results were presented at the May 2, 2006 public open house associated with the urban Greenspace Master Plan. A joint meeting of the UNAEES Steering Committee and Public Advisory Committee was held on May 10, 2006 to provide them with an update on the findings and evaluation results of the 2005 fieldwork. In addition, the site evaluation results were shared with members of the Ottawa Carleton Home Builders Association at a meeting held on May 16, 2006. The UNA site evaluation results have also been shared with the three Conservation Authority Partners.
The following activities will be undertaken once Council has approved the report:
Distribute the report to City staff, Steering Committee, Public Advisory Committee, OCHBA and Conservation Authority Partners
Letter sent out to all affected landowners advising them of study completion and availability of the report
Update City Website
Distribute report to libraries and Client Service Centres
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
There are no financial obligations with approving the Urban Natural Areas Environmental Evaluation Study 2006 Addendum Report as the document presents environmental findings only. Some of the recommendations for the management of sites that are already in City ownership may impact current maintenance and management programs. These costs will be incorporated into the budgetary process subject to City Council approval.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Document 1 Addendum
Report (distributed under separate cover)
Document 2 2005
UNAEES Site Results
DISPOSITION
1. Environmental Sustainability Division will promote and distribute the Addendum Report to City staff, study partners, interested public and landowners.
2. Environmental Sustainability Division will update the City's website.
DOCUMENT 2
2005 UNAEES SITE RESULTS
Site # |
Site Name |
Overall Rating |
|
4 |
Klondike
Woods |
Evaluation
Outstanding |
|
5 |
Shirley's
Brook Corridor |
Evaluation
Outstanding |
|
6 |
Fourth
Line Woods |
Site
Altered |
|
7 |
Cunningham
Woods |
Low |
|
8 |
Banchory
Woods |
Low |
|
11 |
Herzberg
Woods |
Evaluation
Outstanding |
|
23 |
Judy
Laughton Park |
Moderate |
|
28 |
Upper
Poole Creek Wetland |
High |
|
29 |
North of
Hazeldean |
Evaluation
Outstanding |
|
30 |
Lower
Poole Creek Corridor |
Moderate |
|
33 |
Palladium
Interchange |
Evaluation
Outstanding |
|
35 |
Ottawa
Beach |
High |
|
39 |
Gilbey
Park |
Low |
|
48 |
South
Nepean Park |
Low |
|
50 |
Highway
416 |
Moderate |
|
51 |
Strandherd
Woodlot |
Low |
|
53 |
Strandherd
at Fallowfield |
Low |
|
54 |
Riverstone
Shore |
Moderate |
|
55 |
Rideau
Glen Ravine |
Moderate |
|
56 |
Jock
River Conservation Area |
Low |
|
57 |
Cambrian
Road Woods |
High |
|
60 |
Chapman
Mills - West Woodlot |
Moderate |
|
61 |
Chapman
Mills - East Woodlot |
Moderate |
|
62 |
Sach's
Forest |
Moderate |
|
64 |
Stonebridge
Golf Club |
Low |
|
65 |
Deerfox
at Woodroffe |
Site
Altered |
|
76 |
Centre
Park |
Low |
|
79 |
Lafarge 1 |
Evaluation
Outstanding |
|
80 |
Lafarge 2 |
Evaluation
Outstanding |
|
87 |
Innes
Park Woods |
Moderate |
|
88 |
St.
Joseph Blvd. Woods |
Moderate |
|
92 |
Petrie
Island & Mainland |
High |
|
93 |
Taylor
Creek Valley |
Moderate |
|
94 |
Cardinal
Creek Valley |
Moderate |
|
95 |
Nantes
Street Woods |
Low |
|
96 |
Notre-Dames des Champs Woods |
Moderate |
|
97 |
Navan
Road at Page Road |
High |
|
98 |
Riverside
South Forest |
High |
|
99 |
Spratt
Road Woods |
Moderate |
|
100 |
Armstrong
Road South Woods |
Moderate |
|
101 |
Mosquito
Creek Corridor |
Moderate |
|
102 |
Leitrim
at Limebank |
Evaluation
Outstanding |
|
103 |
East of
Limebank, North of Armstrong |
Evaluation
Outstanding |
|
104 |
Canyon
Walk Woods |
Low |
|
105 |
Del Zotto
Woods |
Low |
|
106 |
East of
Albion Road |
Evaluation
Outstanding |
|
107 |
Albion
Industrial Park |
Low |
|
108 |
Findlay
Creek Woodlot |
Low |
|
109 |
CLC lands
at Lester |
Site
Altered |
|
110 |
Sawmill
Creek Community Centre Woods |
Low |
|
111 |
Mather
Award Ditch at Russell |
Low |
|
112 |
Mosquito
Creek Valley at Limebank |
Moderate |
|
113 |
Upper
Mosquito Creek |
Moderate |
|
114 |
Wolf
Point Woods |
Low |
|
115 |
Britannia
Bay |
High |
|
121 |
Carlington
Woods |
Moderate |
|
122 |
Hampton
Park Woods |
High |
|
131 |
Victoria
Island Woods - West |
Low |
|
132 |
Fernbank
Wetland |
High |
|
133 |
Arboretum
Woods |
Low |
|
141 |
Sawmill
Creek Woods |
Moderate |
|
148 |
River
Road Woods |
High |
|
149 |
Mountain
Crescent Woods |
Low |
|
150 |
Cahill
Drive Woods |
Low |
|
156 |
McEwan
Creek at Hawthorne |
Low |
|
157 |
Hawthorne
Marsh |
Site
Altered |
|
161 |
Hospital
Woods - West |
Moderate |
|
171 |
Montfort
Woods |
Moderate |
|
177 |
Rockcliffe
Park East |
Moderate |
|
180 |
Billberry
Park Woods |
Moderate |
|
181 |
Parliament
Hill |
Low |
|
185 |
Poole
Creek North |
Moderate |
|
187 |
St. Louis
Woods |
High |
|
188 |
Petrie
West (from 92) |
High |
|
189 |
Rockcliffe
Shores (from 177) |
Low |
|
190 |
North
Sawmill Creek Park (from 110) |
Low |
|
191 |
Hiawatha
Park Ravine |
Moderate |
|
192 |
Tenth
Line Road Woods |
Evaluation
Outstanding |
uRBAN NATURAL AREAS ENVIRONMENTAL
EVALUATION STUDY ADDENDUM - 2005 FIELDWORK RESULTs
ÉTUDE D'ÉVALUATION ENVIRONNEMENTALE DES ESPACES NATURELS URBAINS,
AJOUT - RÉSULTATS DES ÉTUDES SUR LE
TERRAIN DE 2005
ACS2006-PGM-POL-0046 CITY-WIDE / À L'ÉCHELLE DE LA VILLE