Chapter 3 (PDF / 13 MB)

Transcription

GTA
West
GTA West Corridor Planning & Environmental Assessment Study – Stage 1
Overview of Environmental Conditions and Constraint Working Paper December 2010
3.
N ATURAL E NVIRONMENT
In order to develop a broad understanding of the natural environment features and functions
within the GTA West Preliminary Study Area, relevant, regional-level 1 secondary source
information was collected and analysed.
Secondary source information was obtained primarily from the regional-level Provincial Land
Information Ontario (LIO) and Natural Resource Values Information Systems (NRVIS)
databases and was augmented with regional-level information from other sources (i.e.,
municipalities and conservation authorities), as available.
The collection and analysis of secondary source information should be seen as the first step in
the overall study process. Each subsequent stage builds upon the information and decisions of
the preceding step. Therefore, the regional-level information collected during this step of the EA
process will be carried forward to subsequent steps of the process, where it will be refined and
augmented with more detailed information as needed for evaluating and selecting a preferred
Area Transportation System Planning Alternative (Transportation Development Strategy), as
well as for the Preliminary Planning Alternative phase.
The collection and analysis of secondary source information is a dynamic process. This section
will be refined as information is collected. Input will be received from and shared with the public,
stakeholders, municipalities and regulatory agencies as new information becomes available.
3.1 PHYSIOGRAPHY AND LANDSCAPE
The physical landscape of the Preliminary Study Area is complex and encompasses portions of
seven main physiographic regions. The most well-known, the Niagara Escarpment, divides the
Preliminary Study Area into two distinct areas.
3.1.1 Niagara Escarpment
The Niagara Escarpment is essentially a ridge of durable cap rock over comparatively soft and
extensively fractured shale and sandstones several hundred metres high in some locations.
The Niagara Escarpment crosses through the middle of the Preliminary Study Area as shown
on Exhibit 3-20. Through the Preliminary Study Area, the Escarpment is covered by thin till
with many exposures of dolomite and shale rock cliffs visible above highly-eroded long lower
slopes and is cut by numerous watercourses (e.g., Credit River).
1
Regional-level refers to information that is available and comparable across the Preliminary Study Area
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3.1.2 West of the Niagara Escarpment
Horseshoe Moraines
A collection of discontinuous, individual moraine ridges occur west of the Niagara Escarpment.
The local topography is irregular, sloping generally to the south and southwest, with a scattering
of small, isolated knobs and equally isolated small basins (“kettles"). From the edge of the
Escarpment, the moraines (such as the Paris Moraine) form a belt of moderately hilly relief
passing through the west portion of the Preliminary Study Area. Associated with the moraines
is a system of spillways with broad sand and gravel terraces and swampy valley floors. Within
the Preliminary Study Area, the soils are coarse, stony tills with traces of red shale.
Flamborough Plain
A relatively level Flamborough Plain is in the southwest part in the Preliminary Study Area. The
Plain is an isolated area of shallow tills overlying limestone bedrock and is characterized by
numerous wetland pockets and complexes. Numerous drumlins are scattered across the plain.
Guelph Drumlin Field
Centering on the City of Guelph, the Guelph Drumlin Field contains approximately 300 drumlins
of all sizes on a sloping plain. The stony tills of the drumlins and the deep gravel terraces of old
melt water channels are covered by a shallow veneer of loam.
3.1.3 East of the Niagara Escarpment
South Slope
The South Slope is the southern slope of the Oak Ridges Moraine and, within the Preliminary
Study Area, is located north of the Peel Plain. The South Slope is a gently rolling till plain,
characterized by numerous drumlins oriented upslope. Melt water streams cut sharp valleys in
the till, locally exposing the underlying sediments.
Peel Plain
Between Lake Ontario and the South Slope, the Peel Plain is an expansive area (encompassing
the central portions of the Regional Municipalities of Halton, Peel and York and the
northwestern portion of the City of Toronto), characterized by level to undulating topography
with a general uniform slope toward Lake Ontario. Across this plain, the Credit River and
Bronte Creek have cut deep stream valleys into the clay soils. It is also of agricultural
significance due to its unique till soil.
Oak Ridges Moraine
The Oak Ridges Moraine is one of the most distinctive physiographic regions in southern
Ontario. It extends over 160 km from the Niagara Escarpment to the Trent River, ranges in
width from 5 to 15 km, and reaches an elevation of approximately 400 m in some places. The
Oak Ridges Moraine forms the drainage divide between water flowing south into Lake Ontario
and water flowing north. Its hummocky, knob-and-kettle surface topography reflects the variety
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of glacial and melt water processes that led to its formation. The hills are predominantly
composed of sand and gravel, but some, including the highest, are composed of till. The Oak
Ridges Moraine is located in the north-eastern corner of the Preliminary Study Area as shown
on Exhibit 3-20.
3.2 GROUNDWATER
3.2.1 Geology
Quaternary Geology
The quaternary (surficial) geology of the Preliminary Study Area consists of glacial, glaciofluvial,
melt water channel, and glaciolacustrine deposits of Pleistocene age (Singer et al., 2003).
Specifically, the predominant deposits are the Wentworth Till and the Halton Till. Exhibit 3-1
illustrates the general quaternary geology of the Preliminary Study Area.
Wentworth Till
The Wentworth Till occupies a broad tract of undulating ground in the vicinity of the City of
Guelph, and east towards the Niagara Escarpment. This sandy-silt to silt-matrix till is
interspersed with ice-contact and outwash deposits of sand and gravel at or near the surface.
The combined thickness of these surficial deposits in this area can reach 80 m (Golder
Associates Ltd, 2006).
Halton Till
The Halton Till occurs over much of the Preliminary Study Area east of the Niagara Escarpment,
and as a thin strip along the edge and over the lower slopes of the Escarpment (Singer et al.,
2003). This silt to clayey-silt till is representative of the last Wisconsinian ice advance out of the
Lake Ontario basin (MOE, 2001). The reddish colour of the till is due to the colour of the
underlying Queenston Shale, which makes up the parent material (CVC, 2002). Ice-contact
deposits are also prevalent near Georgetown, Huttonville, and Milton, and in the vicinity of
surface watercourses. Overburden thickness in this portion of the Preliminary Study Area
ranges between 10 to 20 m, though it can reach 50 m in some places (Singer et al., 2003).
Significant glaciolacustrine deposits are located in the vicinity of Milton and
Woodbridge/Kleinburg. The thickness of the deposits is generally less than 1 m and consists of
clay, silt and fine sand overlying the Halton Till.
Melt water channel deposits of gravel and sand was deposited in old glacial melt water channels
associated with the various ice lobes that infringed on the Preliminary Study Area.
One
channel system occurs along the Black River and Silver Creek, and extends to Georgetown. A
second channel extends from the settlement of Albion outside of the Preliminary Study Area
towards Inglewood. Below/south of Inglewood, the channel tracks beneath the East Credit
River to Terra Cotta where it re-emerges and continues to Glen Williams (MOE, 2001). The
thickness of the deposits associated with the melt water channels is highly variable (generally
between 10 to 30 m).
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King City
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Albion
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Bolton
Caledon
Kleinburg
Sandhill
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Inglewood
Hillsburgh
Victoria
Erin
Woodbridge
Mayfield
Exhibit 3 - 1
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Brucedale
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52a
Glen Williams
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Norval
7
40
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Acton
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Hi
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Municipal Boundary
400 Series Highways
Highways
Quaternary Geology
Paleozoic Bedrock / Till Vaneer
Wentworth Till
Halton Till
Undifferentiated older till
and stratified sediment
Ice-contact stratified deposits
Glacio / fluvial deposits
Glacio / lacustrine deposits
Coarse-textured
glacio / lacustrine deposits
Alluvial deposits
Littoral-foreshore deposits
Eolian deposits
0
01
Organic deposits
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3
Rockwood
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Eramosa
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Limehouse
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Legend
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Ballinafad
53a
Bramalea
Terra Cotta
General Quaternary and
Bedrock Geology of the
Preliminary Study Area
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GTA West Preliminary
Study Area
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Corridor Planning
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Study - Stage 1
Overview of
Environmental
Conditions and
Constraints Working
Paper
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Brookville
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Bedrock Geology
53a Guelph Fm
53c Amabel Fm
53d Clinton Gp, Cataract Gp
52a Queenston Fm
52b Georgian Bay Fm, Blue Mountain Fm, Billings Fm,
Collingwood Mb, Eastview Mb.
51a Ottawa Gp, Simcoe Gp, Shadow Lake Fm
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Campbellville
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Streetsville
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Milton
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Man-made deposits
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Lake Ontario
Data were provided by the Ministry of Natural Resources
through the Land Information Ontario (LIO) and Natural
Resources Value Information Services (NRVIS) databases,
and by the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines,
Ontario Geological Survey, Surficial Geology of Southern
Ontario, Miscellaneous Release 12, and Bedrock Geology,
Data Set 6.
1
Kilbride
Lowville
Mapping was prepared by Ecoplans Limited under licence
with the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of
Northern Development and Mines.
(c) the Queens Printer for Ontario
0
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4 km
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3.2.2 Bedrock Geology
General bedrock geology of the Preliminary Study Area is shown on photos in the forthcoming
sections, as well as on Exhibit 3-1. The bedrock units within the Preliminary Study Area consist
of Palaeozoic sedimentary rocks composed of limestone, dolostone, sandstone, and shale
sequences that overlie Precambrian bedrock (CVC, 2002). Outcrops are uncommon due to the
thickness of overburden deposits that cover the rock, except along the Niagara Escarpment and
in river valleys.
Above (west of) the Escarpment the Amabel Formation forms a cap rock (resistant rock
covering layers of more erodible rock). The Amabel Formation is composed of grey-blue
bedded dolomite up to 30 m thick. The top of the bedrock surface is slightly irregular and dips
to the southeast overall. Underlying the Amabel Formation (top to bottom) is:
 The
Cabot
Head/Fossil
Hill
Formation of the Cataract Group:
greenish grey and red-silty shale,
and
fossiliferous
dolostone,
respectively; and
 Manitoulin/Whirlpool Formation of
the Clinton Group: grey dolostone
with shaley interbeds, and grey to
reddish sandstone, respectively.
All of these units are of Silurian age.
Below (east of) the Escarpment, the
Queenston Formation underlies the
Niagara Escarpment (typical)
Halton Till. This formation consists of
Source: Wikimedia- David Sky (2008)
thin to thick-bedded red shales of
Ordovician age. Fine-grained iron oxide deposits (hematite) create the distinctive red colour,
though green bands of shale are also present. The maximum thickness of the Queenston
Formation below the Escarpment ranges between 130 to 140 m (Singer et al., 2003). The
bedrock surface generally slopes to the east and southeast, although a number of bedrock
valleys are apparent (CVC, 2002; Singer et al., 2003). These bedrock valleys generally
converge in the Georgetown area, and are infilled with melt water, channel deposits, and Halton
Till deposits of variable thickness.
The Queenston Formation is underlain by grey and blue shales, siltstones and limestones of the
Georgian Bay Formation, which is not exposed at the surface within the Preliminary Study Area.
3.2.3 Hydrogeology
Overburden Aquifers
In general, the availability of groundwater in the overburden ranges from good to poor within the
Preliminary Study Area. Most wells in the overburden aquifers are used for domestic supplies
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and livestock watering, but some are quite productive and provide a number of municipalities
with water supplies.
There are three aquifers documented within the Preliminary Study Area (Singer et al., 2003).
The Lower Chinquacousy Aquifer is located within the Municipalities of Brampton and Caledon.
The aquifer consists of sand and gravel deposits with thicknesses ranging from a few metres
up to 17 m, with average well yields ranging from 5.0 to 1.35 L/min.
The Kleinburg Aquifer is located in the vicinity of Kleinburg. This local aquifer consists of sand
and gravel deposits ranging in thickness from a few metres to 22 m, with average well yields
ranging from 20 to 200 L/min.
The Woodbridge Aquifer is located in the Woodbridge area, south of Kleinburg. This confined
aquifer is covered by glaciolacustrine clay deposits and consists of sand and gravel deposits
ranging in thickness from a few metres to 21 m. Average well yields range from 25 to 225
L/min.
Melt Water Channels
Two melt water channels are
located within the Preliminary Study
Area and act as significant sources
of water.
The Black Creek Bedrock Valley
System extends from Acton to
Georgetown, and is considered to
be the major aquifer system for the
Region of Halton’s local municipal
wells (Holysh, 1995). See adjacent
photo.
The Caledon East Melt Water
Channel
extends
from
the
settlement of Albion to Inglewood.
The Melt Water Channels have a
variable composition of gravel,
Black Creek near Georgetown
coarse to fine sand, silt, and clay
Source: flickr.com 2008
which results in a wide range of
water yielding capacities.
The
specific capacity (potential well yields) ranges from 0.1 to 2,993 L/min.
In addition to the above aquifers within the Preliminary Study Area, the ice-contact deposits
near Georgetown, Huttonville, and Milton serve as an important source of potable water for
domestic and municipal needs (Singer et al., 2003).
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Bedrock Aquifers
Above the Escarpment, the Amabel Formation is one of the most important and productive
bedrock aquifers in the Preliminary Study Area and the Lake Ontario basin, a regionally
significant transmissive aquifer (Singer et al., 2003; MOE, 2001). This formation has an
abundance of networked fissures, joints, bedding planes, and solution cavities to provide
favourable conditions for the storage and transmission of groundwater.
Below the Escarpment, only the top 3 to 5 m of the Queenston Formation is weathered and may
provide sufficient quantities of water to meet domestic requirements. Specific capacity values
range from 0.5 to 20 L/min (Singer et al., 1994; 2003). The Georgian Bay Formation, which
underlies the Queenston Formation, is not considered to be a significant source of water.
Groundwater only occurs in the top 3 to 5 m of the formation, with average specific capacities of
0.5 to 10 L/min (Singer et al., 1994; 2003).
The Kelso Bedrock Valley, located in the Campbellville / Milton area, is a buried bedrock valley
which begins near Campbellville and runs in a northeast direction through Kelso to Milton
Heights. In this area, a secondary buried bedrock valley oriented along the base of the
Escarpment joins the main Kelso Valley from the northeast. The Kelso Valley then splits into two
buried valleys. The first valley is oriented in a southeast direction to Lake Ontario. The west and
main branches of Sixteen Mile Creek generally follow this valley. The second valley is oriented
in a northeasterly direction toward Hornby, followed by an easterly direction, where it ultimately
passes out of the watershed to connect with the bedrock valley associated with the Credit River.
Groundwater Flow
Groundwater is subject to continuous movement, the rate of which is a function of the
hydrogeologic characteristics of the material in which it moves, and the existing hydraulic
gradients and temperature. Groundwater moves well through more permeable materials such
as sand, gravel and fractured bedrock, and more slowly through silts and clays.
The Niagara Escarpment acts as a regional topographic and groundwater flow divide. Above
the Escarpment, overburden and bedrock groundwater flow is directed predominantly towards
west-southwest. Below the Escarpment, the water table gradients are steep near the base, and
tend to flow towards Lake Ontario to the south-southeast (CVC, 2006).
The Escarpment also acts as a sink through which groundwater flows under steep slopes to
Lake Ontario (Singer et al., 2003). The water table is not constrained to surface water features
such as creeks and/or tributaries located above the Escarpment. This was confirmed by Credit
Valley Conservation Authority (CVC) in 2001, when most of the tributaries above the
Escarpment were either dry or stagnant.
Groundwater Recharge and Discharge
Above the Escarpment, most infiltration recharges the underlying Amabel Formation aquifer.
The hummocky topography and overburden composition serve to enhance the downward
migration of infiltrating water. In addition, overburden deposits near the edge of the Escarpment
are thin or absent resulting in the relatively permeable Amabel Formation being near the
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surface. The CVC theorized in 2006 that a significant quantity of water infiltrates the Amabel
Formation and discharges to tributaries at the face of the Escarpment. Due to the lower
hydraulic conductivity of the Cataract Group, the Cabot Head Formation inhibits downward
migration of groundwater. The remaining groundwater is thought to recharge deeper into the
bedrock, or discharge near the base of the Escarpment as flow to headwaters.
The Halton Till deposits below the Escarpment are of low permeability with reduced water
streams or overburden aquifers. Therefore groundwater discharged at or below the Escarpment
is the likely source of most of the baseflow to surface watercourses to the east. Locally
significant overburden aquifers consisting of sand and gravel at depth are under confined
conditions and are likely recharged via groundwater interflow rather than the infiltration of
precipitation.
Similarly, overburden aquifers below the Escarpment tend to recharge
groundwater to the regional (deep) groundwater table, rather than discharge to surface
watercourses.
Groundwater Protection Areas
Wellhead Protection Areas (WHPA) and “Aquifer Vulnerability” are regional groundwater
protection designations within the Preliminary Study Area.
A WHPA is a designation applied to the recharge area of a well in order to minimize, through
land use restrictions, the potential for contaminants to enter well water. As the entire recharge
area for a well is often too large to be managed effectively, the most sensitive areas are
delineated and managed. Delineating sensitive areas is achieved through the establishment of
time-of-travel capture zones. These zones are based on the direction and speed of
groundwater flow to a well. These zones represent the horizontal distances that water is likely
to travel through the aquifer towards the well over a set period of time (e.g., 0 to 2, 2 to 10, and
10 to 25-years). Exhibit 3-2 shows the wellhead protection areas available from various
municipalities. Note that Wellington County combined aquifer vulnerability mapping with WHPA
to develop WHPA 1, 2 and 3 (with 1 being the most sensitive and 3 being the least).
Another designation is aquifer vulnerability, which is a determination of the susceptibility of an
aquifer to contamination as a result of surface contamination. Aquifer vulnerability is generally
based on factors such as depth to water, hydraulic conductivity and geologic material type and
thickness. In general, it is related to the recharge areas discussed above. As all groundwater is
vulnerable to some degree, vulnerability is relative characterizations of the state of susceptibility
within the area assessed. As such, aquifer vulnerability is study specific and not necessarily
comparable between studies (i.e., across the Preliminary Study Area). In addition, aquifer
vulnerability information is not available consistently across the Preliminary Study Area.
Therefore, aquifer vulnerability has not been included in this Overview.
3.3 SURFACE WATER
A list of the watersheds within the Preliminary Study Area is tabulated in Exhibit 3-3. Four
watersheds comprise nearly 75% of the Preliminary Study Area as described below.
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Bolton
Caledon
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Exhibit 3 - 2
Wellhead Protection
Areas within the
Pine Grove
Inglewood
Hillsburgh
Victoria
Erin
Woodbridge
Peel
Region
Mayfield
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Claireville
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Snelgrove
Norval
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Limehouse
41
Municipal Boundary
Highways
!
2 Year
0
5 Year
10 Year
25 Year
100 Year
3
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Milton
Heights
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Kilbride
7
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City of
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Area 1: 0 to 2 Year
Area 2: 0 to 2 Year and
2 to 25 Year
Area 3: 2 to 25 Year
7
Date: May 2010
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Lake Ontario
and Wellington County and the Regions of Peel, York and
Halton.
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Well Head Protection Areas
Wellington County
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Well Head Locations
Well Head Protection Zones
Regions of Peel, Halton and York
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Brookville
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Region
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City of
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Halton
Region
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Speyside
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Acton
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Brucedale
City of
Guelph
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Study Area
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Ballinafad
Eramosa
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Bramalea
Terra Cotta
Wellington
County
Overview of
Environmental
Conditions and
Constraints Working
Paper
Maple
Kleinburg
Sandhill
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Region
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Orangeville
King City
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Dufferin
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Corridor Planning
And Environmental
Assessment
Study - Stage 1
Palgrave
Mono Mills
with the Ministry of Natural Resources
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Exhibit 3-3: Watersheds within the Preliminary Study Area
Main Watercourses and
Tributaries within the
Watershed Area
within the Preliminary
Study Area
(approximate ha)
Conservation
Authority
Watershed Name
CVC
Credit River
Conservation
Halton (CH)
Sixteen Mile Creek
Sixteen Mile Creek
24,100
Bronte Creek
Mountsberg Creek
5,690
Grand River
Conservation
Authority (GRCA)
Eramosa River
Speed River
Toronto Region
Conservation
Authority (TRCA)
Credit River
Black Creek
Fletchers Creek
Mullet Creek
Rogers Creek
Silver Creek
Snows Creek
Middle Sixteen Mile Creek
Eramosa River
Blue Springs Creek
Richardson Creek
Speed River
Lutteral Creek
Marden Creek
35,670
22,060
16,200
Mill Creek
5,610
Grand River
1,750
Humber River (total)
44,000
West Humber River
Main Humber River
East Humber River
West Humber River Lindsay
Creek
Salt Creek
Humber River
Emery Creek
East Humber River
Etobicoke Creek
Spring Creek
Mimico Creek
Etobicoke Creek
Mimico Creek
Don River
18,630
15,590
9,780
12,990
2,600
950
Source: Land Information Ontario (2007)
Humber River (West, Main and East Subwatersheds)
The entire Humber River watershed (including the Main, West and East subwatersheds)
encompasses approximately 90,800 ha and stretches from the Oak Ridges Moraine in the north
to Lake Ontario in the south. About 25% of the watershed is developed primarily within the
lower reaches in Toronto. Existing rural land use is 40% of the watershed, with natural cover
comprising approximately 30% (TRCA, 2007).
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The West Humber River (approximately 43 km in length) begins in Caledon, on the South
Slope, and flows over the Peel Plain before joining the Main Humber River in Toronto. With the
majority of the subwatershed in the Peel Plain, baseflow in the West Humber River tributaries
tends to be low, with even large tributaries often drying up in the summer months. The upper
half of the subwatershed remains primarily agricultural. However the Brampton portion has
been developed, predominantly for residential purposes.
The Main Humber River flows approximately 126 km from its source on the Niagara Escarpment
and Oak Ridges Moraine to Lake Ontario. The headwaters of the Main Humber River originate
in the Niagara Escarpment and in the Oak Ridges Moraine. The permeable soils and
hummocky terrain of the Oak Ridges Moraine result in relatively high recharge, high baseflow
rates, and low surface runoff of the tributaries. The Main Humber River flows down the South
Slope onto the Peel Plain where the clay soils have much lower and reduced infiltration rates
resulting in a larger portion of precipitation becoming surface runoff under natural conditions.
Most of the Main Humber River subwatershed is agricultural with significant natural areas and
some urban settlements including Bolton, Caledon East, Palgrave, Kleinburg, and Woodbridge.
The East Humber River, approximately 65 km in length, also originates in the Oak Ridges
Moraine. Soils in this subwatershed tend to be clay loams, with large pockets of sandy-loam,
loam, and silt. The East Humber subwatershed contributes considerable baseflow to the
Humber River system (about 20% of total flow), particularly from tributaries on the Oak Ridges
Moraine. Land use remains predominantly agricultural, though the settlements of Oak Ridges,
King City, Nobleton, and portions of Woodbridge are within the subwatershed.
Credit River
The Credit River watershed has an area of approximately 100,000 ha with the headwaters
located above the Niagara Escarpment and the mouth at Lake Ontario (CVC, 2008). Within the
Preliminary Study Area, the Credit River flows through a steep-walled valley through the
Niagara Escarpment and South Shore. Much of this distance is characterized by rapids and
steep cliffs of shale. Numerous minor short streams drain the lower Escarpment slopes directly
into the Credit River valley. Forest cover in this zone tends to slow runoff and increase
infiltration of water into the ground. Immediately below the Escarpment, the river cuts through
Peel Plain and is characterized by steep-walled valleys with floodplains of varying widths.
About a third of the watershed, primarily in the middle and upper sections, is covered by forests,
valleylands, wetlands and meadows, while urban development dominates the lower watershed
(CVC, 2008).
Sixteen Mile Creek
The Sixteen Mile Creek watershed consists of approximately 42,000 ha. The headwaters
originate above the Niagara Escarpment and flow through the Peel Plain into Lake Ontario. The
Main and Middle branches of Sixteen Mile Creek originate in the bedrock plain west of the
Escarpment and descend through the Escarpment through narrow bedrock cuts. Groundwater
seepage from the steep escarpment slopes provides baseflow to the Creek. The Creek cuts
through the South Slope through shallow overburden valleys. The East and Middle branches of
the Creek merge just south of Hornby. Below the Escarpment, Sixteen Mile Creek flows onto
the Peel Plain where the clay soils have much lower infiltration rates resulting in higher surface
runoff and limited groundwater recharge of the Creek (Regional Municipality of Halton, 1995).
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Within the Preliminary Study Area, the Sixteen Mile Creek watershed is predominantly
agricultural, with a significant amount of natural area, in the Town of Milton and Town of Halton
Hills.
Eramosa River
The Eramosa River watershed has an area of approximately 27,420 ha and is significantly
smaller than the watersheds identified in the in previous sections. The river is located on the
eastern side of the Grand River watershed just northeast of the City of Guelph where it is
adjoined with the Speed River. Its headwaters drain a significant portion of the Orangeville
Moraine and the Paris Moraine. Downstream, the Eramosa River provides a significant amount
of groundwater recharge. The land use within the watershed is predominately agricultural, with
an extensive network of large forests and wetlands (GRCA, 2005).
3.4 FISH AND FISH HABITAT
As per the federal Fisheries Act, “fish” includes parts of fish, shellfish, crustaceans, and marine
animals. The definition of “fish habitat” includes the spawning grounds, nursery, rearing, food
supply, and migration area on which fish depend directly or indirectly in order to carry out their
life processes.
The determination of fish and fish habitat sensitivity is complex and requires detailed information
on the characteristics of the habitat and communities. For broad area studies, thermal regimes
(or temperature) of waterbodies are widely used as a coarse measure of habitat sensitivity by
the Department Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and others coupled with information
regarding the presence of fish Species of Conservation Concern.
3.4.1 Thermal Regime
In general terms, the sensitivity of fish communities and habitats increases with decreasing
temperature (i.e., warmwater is less sensitive than coldwater). However, there are a variety of
classification systems in use. For the purposes of this study, the current definitions from the
GRCA are used. The three major community types are defined below (Wright and Imhof, 2001):
 Coldwater: Fish community comprised primarily of fish species intolerant of water
temperatures that exceed 22ºC in the summer and are usually found only in groundwater
rich areas;
 Coolwater/Transitional water: Fish communities comprised of species that can tolerate
more variable water temperatures and conditions. This will include species that are cool
water tolerant and some species of salmonids (often migratory) that can tolerate
maximum summer temperatures up to 24ºC for brief periods of time. Communities are
often found where occasional groundwater discharges occur; and
 Warmwater: Fish communities comprised of species that are highly tolerant of wide
temperature and flow fluctuations and can withstand temperatures in excess of 26ºC for
prolonged periods of time.
26
GTA
West
As detailed in Exhibit 3-4, aquatic systems in the Preliminary Study Area are a mix of
coldwater, coolwater, and warmwater types. As shown in Exhibit 3-5, most watercourses
possess a mix of thermal designations and fish community types along their length, depending
on a variety of factors such as the physiography/hydrogeology and groundwater influence and
anthropogenic disturbance.
Exhibit 3-4: Watercourse Length by Thermal Classification
Conservation
Authority
CVC
CH
GRCA
TRCA
Length within the Preliminary Study Area
(approximate km)
Watercourse (and
tributaries)
Cold
Cool
Warm
Unclassified
Total
Credit River
30
29
0
0
59
Black Creek
9
0
0
0
9
Fletchers Creek
0
8
4
0
12
Mullet Creek
0
0
7
0
7
Rogers Creek
0
3
0
0
3
Silver Creek
5
0
0
0
5
Snows Creek
3
0
0
0
3
Middle Sixteen Mile Creek
0
0
0
<1
<1
Sixteen Mile Creek
3
0
0
0
3
Mountsberg Creek
25
0
0
2
27
Eramosa River
8
0
25
0
33
Blue Springs Creek
1
0
0
1
1
Richardson Creek
1
0
0
0
1
Speed River
0
0
12
0
12
Lutteral Creek
1
0
0
0
1
Marden Creek
0
0
1
0
1
Mill Creek
21
0
0
9
30
Grand River
18
0
0
0
18
West Humber River
0
0
29
0
29
Lindsay Creek
0
0
4
0
4
Salt Creek
0
0
5
1
6
Humber River
0
49
8
0
57
27
GTA
West
Conservation
Authority
Length within the Preliminary Study Area
(approximate km)
Watercourse (and
tributaries)
Cold
Cool
Warm
Unclassified
Total
Emery Creek
0
0
0
<1
<1
East Humber River
0
9
0
0
9
Etobicoke Creek
0
0
25
0
25
Spring Creek
0
0
5
0
5
Mimico Creek
0
0
3
0
3
Don River
0
0
0
10
10
125
98
128
25
375
Total
3.4.2 Fish Species of Conservation Concern
Species of Conservation Concern is a term for federal and provincial Species at Risk,
provincially rare species and locally designated species. Federal and provincial information is
available on a regional level.
The purpose of the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA) is to protect wildlife species at risk in
Canada. Within SARA, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada
(COSEWIC) is an independent body of experts responsible for identifying and assessing
species considered to be at risk. Species that have been designated by COSEWIC may then
qualify for legal protection and recovery under Schedule 1 of the SARA. Species that require
reassessment will be listed under Schedules 2 and 3. Once the species on Schedules 2 and 3
have been reassessed, the Schedules themselves will be eliminated, and species will simply be
listed or not listed under the Act.
The Province’s status designations are the product of complementary review and assessment
processes implemented at national and provincial levels. The provincial review process is
implemented by the MNR's Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO).
The designations assigned to species on the Province’s Species at Risk list are, in most cases,
in agreement with those assigned to the species by COSEWIC. However, the MNR has
assigned certain species a status designation that differs from the national designation.
Species designated endangered by COSEWIC are protected under the Province’s Endangered
Species Act. Species in the status categories “Endangered-Regulated”, “Endangered-Not
Regulated”, and “Threatened” are also considered “significant resources” under the PPS of the
Planning Act. Many Species at Risk are also listed as Specially Protected Wildlife in Schedules
under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.
The provincial rarity ranking system (S-rank) is used by MNR to set protection priorities for rare
species in Ontario. These ranks are not legal designations, although many of these same
species are also designated by COSEWIC and MNR/COSSARO. Provincial rarity ranks range
28
2010\05\05
AY
LI 6
N
E
6
D
ay
7
Brookville
ig
H
AD
RO
AD
ay
6
R
AD
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7
Legend
hw
Hig
ay
Study Area
401
Municipal Boundary
ST
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Morriston
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E
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7
40
ay
hw
wa
y4
ay
41
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D
H
ig
hw
D
Conservation Authority
0
Watershed Boundary
01
Thermal Classifications
Cold Water
40
ay
City of Bronte Creek Lowville
ay
6 Hamilton
Kilbride
ROA
Highways
3
gh
Hi
400 Series Highways
City of
Toronto
hw
ay
40
Cool Water
Warm Water
Unclassified
7
Hi
g
Date: May 2010
hw
ay
40
3
Lake Ontario
Resources Value Information Services (NRVIS) databases.
EA
LD
SH E
H
ig
Campbellville
Aberfoyle
hw
VE
RI
01
ay 4
Milton
Heights
hw
Streetsville
Moffatt
Mill
Creek
IG
RO
w
High
Hornby
Sixteen Mile Creek
hw
IT Z
H
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SP
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WATERLOO
RO A
0
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T
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OA D
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SAW
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a
hw
E
Exhibit 3 - 5
Aquatic Resources
hw
S
AY
A
Halton
Region
N
W
E
ay
U ND Y R
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hw
MARYH
IL
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40
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7
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G
H
T
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ay
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E
Speed
River
hw
Glen Williams
hw
BE
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Eramosa
River
Brucedale
H
ig
ay
N
O
Wellington
County
H
ig
EI
SE
R
Mimico
Creek
Ballinafad
H
ig
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7
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Bramalea
Terra Cotta
hw
N
U
EN
AV
R
E
MM
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CU
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Claireville
Etobicoke
Creek
Snelgrove
Credit River
W
Woodbridge
West Humber
River
Mayfield
H
ig
TO
Peel
Region
E
AD
H
Y
LI
N
Victoria
Overview of
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Conditions and
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E
AN
Paper
NL
EE
GR
Pine Grove
Erin
7
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E
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Kleinburg
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10
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EE
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H
ig
GTAWestExhibit3-5AquaticResourcesMay2010.mxd
O
T
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hw
ST
R
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A
T
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York
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Don
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hw
East Humber
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R
LA I
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T
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H
ig
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ay 9
GTA West
Corridor Planning
And Environmental
Assessment
Study - Stage 1
7
W
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2
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N
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hw
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IR
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19
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GTA
West
from S1 (critically imperilled/extremely rare) to S5 (secure/very common). For this document,
species having an S1 (critically imperilled) to S3 (vulnerable) rank were included.
The federal and provincial aquatic Species of Conservation Concern and their designations
within the Preliminary Study Area are listed in Exhibit 3-6. The list is developed from the
provincial Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC) database and the Species at Risk maps
from DFO.
Exhibit 3-6: List of Aquatic Species of Conservation Concern Potentially within the Preliminary
Study Area
Common Name
Scientific Name
COSEWIC1
MNR2
S-Rank3
Fish
Atlantic Salmon (L.Ont. pop.)
Salmo salar
EXP
EXP
SX
Redside Dace
Clinostomus elongatus
END*
END
S2
Shortnose Cisco
Coregonus reighardi
END
END
S1
Blackfin Cisco
Coregonus nigripinnis
DD
DD
SU
Greenside Darter4
Etheostoma blennioides
NAR
-
S4
Acroloxus coloradensis
DD
DD
SU
Mollusc
Rocky Mountain Capshell4
1 Federal
COSEWIC status from COSEWIC list (September 2007) as shown on DFO's Species at Risk mapping.
DD (Data Deficient [formerly Indeterminate]) - Available information is insufficient to resolve a species' eligibility for assessment or to permit
an assessment of the species' risk of extinction.
END (Endangered) - A wildlife species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.
SC (Special Concern [formerly vulnerable]) - A species that may become a threatened or an endangered species because of a combination
of biological characteristics and identified threats.
THR (Threatened) - A wildlife species likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed.
NAR - Not at Risk
* Species not currently on Schedule 1 of SARA, but anticipated "to be listed” in Schedule 1 in 2007-2009.
2 Provincial
MNR/COSSARO status from Species at Risk in Ontario List (June 2006).
DD - A species for which there is insufficient information for a provincial status recommendation.
ESP (Extirpated) - A species that no longer exists in the wild in Ontario but still occurs elsewhere.
EXT (Extinct) - A species that no longer exists anywhere.
SC - A species with characteristics that make it sensitive to human activities or natural events.
THR - A species that is at risk of becoming endangered in Ontario if limiting factors are not reversed.
3 Provincial
S-Ranks from NHIC (2006).
S1 (Critically Imperilled) - Critically imperilled in the nation or state/province because of extreme rarity (often 5 or fewer occurrences) or
because of some factor(s) such as very steep declines making it especially vulnerable to extirpation from the state/province.
S3 (Vulnerable) - Vulnerable in the nation or state/province due to a restricted range, relatively few populations (often 80 or fewer), recent
and widespread declines, or other factors making it vulnerable to extirpation.
S4 (Apparently Secure) - Uncommon but not rare; some cause for long-term concern due to declines or other factors.
SU (Unrankable) - Currently unrankable due to lack of information or due to substantially conflicting information about status or trends.
29
GTA
West
SX (Presumed Extirpated) - Species or community is believed to be extirpated from the Province.
4 Data
from NHIC database.
The information within Exhibit 3-6 has limitations:
 The NHIC database contains information on natural species, plant communities and
Species of Conservation Concern in Ontario. Records should be considered preliminary
as many rare species are designated ‘historic’ (i.e., older than 20-years) and may not
reflect current conditions. Also, the database uses “Element Occurrences” to show
locations of species. An Element Occurrence is defined as an area of land and/or water
on/in which an element (e.g., species or ecological community) is or was present. For
protection purposes, exact locations are not provided. Also, NHIC contains 35 Elemental
Occurrences designated only as “sensitive species”. MNR withholds species names from
the public for protection purposes. Therefore, aquatic species, in addition to those listed,
may occur in the Preliminary Study Area.
 DFO Species at Risk maps have colour-coding for the presence of three groups of
Species at Risk within the area (there is no differentiation of species in a particular
waterbody):
o
Protected under SARA: The known and potential distributions of fish and/or
mussels designated as Extirpated, Endangered, or Threatened on Schedule 1 of
the federal SARA;
o
To be listed in 1yr+: Those species that are not currently on Schedule 1, but are
anticipated to be listed in Schedule 1 from May 2009 onwards; and
o
All Special Concern Species: (Schedule 1 and 3, and newly listed) species of
concern but not protected under SARA.
Exhibit 3-7 shows the locations of Element Occurrences for aquatic and terrestrial species of
concern and aquatic Species at Risk. From the DFO mapping, the following is a summary by
Conservation Authority.
CVC:
 Numerous reaches of the Credit River and its tributaries contain species to be listed under
the SARA (Endangered and Threatened); and
 Numerous reaches and some tributaries of Roger’s, Snows, Silver, Black, Middle Sixteen
Mile, Levi, Fletcher’s, Sawmill, May Fix, Lornewood, and Sheridan Creeks also contain
species to be listed under the SARA (Endangered and Threatened).
CH:

Numerous reaches of Bronte Creek, and the West Middle and Eastern branches of
Sixteen Mile Creek, including some branches and their tributaries, contain species to be
listed (Endangered and Threatened).
TRCA:
30
R OA
SID E
CO
UN
Albion
H
ig
E
LI
N
7
hw
ay
40
Limehouse
ZIG
Municipal Boundary
400 Series Highways
y4
hw
ay
41
City of
Toronto
0
Highways
Elemental Occurances of Species
of Conservation Concern
(Ontario's Natural Heritage
Information Centre, 2007)
Endangered
01
Threatened
Vulnerable
Others
ay
Hornby
H
ig
ay
ay
hw
Milton
Heights
hw
ST
EA
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hw
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7
Kilbride
Lowville
To be listed in 1yr+ (EN, TH)
All Special Concern Species
(Sch. 1, 3 and newly listed)
7
hw
ay
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3
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40
City of
Hamilton
W
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Morriston
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ay
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Streetsville
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H
ig
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hw
Halton
Region
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w
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Exhibit 3 - 7
Species of
Conservation
Concern
Legend
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3
H
ig
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Eden Mills
D
WATERLOO
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7
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hw
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hw
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ay
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hw
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ig
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4
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Bramalea
Terra Cotta
Wellington
County
ay
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Claireville
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DE
O
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E
H
ig
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H
w
gh
Hi
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MM
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27
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Woodbridge
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R
Victoria
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Overview of
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10
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GTAWestExhibit3-7SpeciesAtRiskMay2010.mxd
SE
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H
O AD
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R
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0
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GTA
West

Numerous reaches of the Humber River and Mimico Creek, including some branches
and their tributaries such as Salt, Cold, Purpleville, Emery, Lindsay, Black, and King
Creeks, contain species to be listed (Endangered and Threatened); and

A few tributaries of Etobicoke Creek, including Spring Creek, contain species to be listed
(Endangered and Threatened).
GRCA:

Some species of concern were indicated for reaches or watercourses within the GRCA.
3.5 TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
3.5.1 Wetlands
Wetlands are lands that are seasonally or permanently covered by shallow water, as well as
lands where the water table is close to or at the surface favouring the dominance of either
hydrophytic plants or water tolerant plants (PPS, 2005).
MNR’s Natural Heritage Reference Manual (MNR, 1999) outlines many of the natural functions
that wetlands provide including:
 Groundwater recharge/discharge;
 Flood attenuation through water storage;
 Wildlife movement corridors;
 Habitat for flora and fauna;
 Shoreline stabilization and erosion reduction; and
 Water filtration.
The MNR uses the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System to evaluate the significance of wetland
communities. Once evaluated, the MNR can designate a wetland as either a Provincially
Significant Wetland (PSW) or not PSW. Non-provincially significant wetlands are termed
Locally Significant Wetland (LSW). Until categorized by the MNR, wetlands are treated as
“unevaluated”.
As detailed in Exhibit 3-8, there are 67 evaluated wetlands (approximately 10,460 ha) and 2368
unevaluated wetlands (approximately 1922 ha) listed in the provincial databases within the
Preliminary Study Area. Generally, the wetlands are found along riparian systems, as isolated
blocks, or as components of wetland complexes. The evaluated wetlands within the Preliminary
Study Area and their significance status are listed in Exhibit 3-9, and their locations are shown
on Exhibit 3-10.
31
GTA
West
Exhibit 3-8: Summary of Evaluated Wetlands in the Preliminary Study Area
Number of Wetlands
PSW
CVC
GRCA
CH
TRCA
Total
1Provincially
1
LSW
Wetland Area (approximate ha)
2
Total
PSW1
LSW2
Total
8
16
8
10
11
0
9
5
19
16
17
15
144
6,230
2,236
276
137
0
81
62
1,579
6,230
2,317
338
42
25
67
10,184
280
10,464
Significant Wetland; 2Locally Significant Wetland
Evaluated wetlands are located predominantly west of the Niagara Escarpment in the
Preliminary Study Area. As well, the three largest wetland complexes (greater than 1,000 ha
each) are situated west of the Escarpment:

The Eramosa River-Blue Springs Creek Wetland Complex is a large wetland complex
(1766 ha swamp and marsh in GRCA/CVC);

The Halton Escarpment Wetland (1334 ha swamp in GRCA/CVC/CH); and

The Speed-Lutteral-Swan Creek Wetland Complex (1159 ha swamp and marsh in
GRCA).
East of the Niagara Escarpment, there are fewer evaluated wetlands, which are generally
associated with the Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) (see Section 3.6). The
largest wetland east of the Escarpment is the Heart Lake Wetland Complex (88 ha in TRCA).
Exhibit 3-9: List of Evaluated Wetlands in the Preliminary Study Area
Map
Code
Conservation
Authority
Name
Area
(approximate ha)
Provincially Significant
C1
C2
Acton-Silver Creek Wetland Complex
Ballinafad Ridge Wetland Complex
CVC
692
CVC
358
GRCA
224
total
582
C3
Black Creek at Acton Wetland Complex
CVC
88
C4
Caledon Mountain Wetland Complex
CVC
126
C5
Churchville Wetland Complex
CVC
45
32
GTA
West
Map
Code
Conservation
Authority
Name
CVC
C6
Eramosa River-Blue Springs Creek Wetland
Complex
71
GRCA
1695
total
GRCA
C7
1
1333
total
Hungry Hollow Wetland
CVC
Arkell-Corwhin Wetland Complex
1335
62
GRCA
C9
1766
Halton Escarpment Wetland
CH
C8
Area
(approximate ha)
509
CH
3
total
512
C10
Arkell Bog Complex
GRCA
47
C11
Clythe Creek Wetland
GRCA
127
C12
Cranberry-Oil Well Bog Complex
GRCA
2
C13
Guelph North-East Complex
GRCA
282
C14
Halls Pond Complex
GRCA
30
C15
Hanlon Creek Swamp
GRCA
197
GRCA
369
C16
Knatchbull Wetland
CH
12
total
C17
C18
Marden South Complex
Mill Creek Wetland
GRCA
597
GRCA
854
CH
31
total
C19
Speed-Lutteral-Swan Creek Wetland
Complex
GRCA
33
381
885
1159
GTA
West
Map
Code
Conservation
Authority
Name
Area
(approximate ha)
C20
Speed River Wetland Complex
GRCA
14
C21
Torrence Creek Swamp
GRCA
124
C22
Badenoch-Moffat Wetland Complex
CH
477
C23
Guelph Junction Wetland Complex
CH
354
C24
Lower Mountsberg Creek Swamp Complex
CH
12
C25
Mountsberg Reservoir Marsh
CH
12
C26
Black Duck Wetland Complex
TRCA
24
C27
Bolton Wetland Complex
TRCA
6
C28
Cold Creek Wetland Complex
TRCA
37
C29
Campbell's Cross Wetland Complex
TRCA
80
C30
Castlederg Wetland Complex
TRCA
6
C31
Heart Lake Wetland Complex
TRCA
88
C32
King Creek Marsh
TRCA
4
C33
King-Vaughan Wetland Complex
TRCA
1
C34
Eaton Hall-Mary-Hackett Lakes Wetland
Complex
TRCA
31
C35
Nobleton Wetland Complex
TRCA
1
Locally Significant
D1
Ballinafad Woods Wetland
CVC
42
D2
Belfountain Wetland
CVC
>1
CVC
11
TRCA
30
D3
Cheltenham Wetland Complex
total
D4
Claude Swamp
CVC
16
TRCA
11
total
34
41
27
GTA
West
Map
Code
Conservation
Authority
Name
Area
(approximate ha)
D5
Credit River
CVC
1
D6
Erin Town Line Wood Swamp
CVC
20
D7
Grange Woods Wetland Complex
CVC
7
D8
Levi Creek Headwater Wetland Complex
CVC
3
D9
Norval Wetland
CVC
2
D10
Springbrook Wetland Complex
CVC
16
D11
Winston Churchill Boulevard Wetland
Complex
CVC
18
D12
Ashgrove
CH
3
D13
Chudleigh Swamp
CH
7
D14
East Oakville Swamp
CH
3
D15
Hornby Swamp Wetland Complex
CH
19
D16
Milton Heights Marsh
CH
5
D17
Milton Wetland Complex
CH
10
D18
Morriston Marsh
CH
>1
D19
North Mansewood
CH
21
D20
Scotch Block Wetland Complex
CH
13
D21
Mimico Headwater Wetland Complex
TRCA
7
D22
Sandhill Wetland Complex
TRCA
7
D23
Tormore Wetland Complex
TRCA
6
Source: Land Information Ontario (2007) and updates by MNR (2007)
3.5.2 Wildlife, Habitats, and Movements
Wildlife
Wildlife species is defined in the SARA as:
“A species, subspecies, variety or geographically or genetically distinct population of animal,
plant or other organism, other than a bacterium or virus, that is wild by nature and is a) native to
35
ID
5S
H
ig
Speyside
H
ig
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Brookville
IT Z
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ig
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ILL
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C23
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Waterloo
Region
Moffatt
C10
hw
C12
WATERLOO
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C21
ig
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AD
RO
AD
RO
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hw
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ay
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City of
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OA
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7
H
ig
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41
Highways
0
Wetlands
1
Provincially Significant
Locally Significant
3
0
y4
ay
400 Series Highways
ay
40
hw
ay
40
hw
Other Wetland
Unevaluated
7
Hi
g
D17
Lowville
a
hw
Study Area
City of
Toronto
H
ig
H
ig
Conservation
Halton
Kilbride
40
hw
ay
D13
hw
Streetsville
hw
ay
Date: May 2010
40
3
Lake Ontario
AY
Eden Mills
g
Hi
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Region
D20
7
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40
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OAD
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ay
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hw
S
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7
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H
ig
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LUNDY
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City of
Guelph
hw
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H
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6
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ay
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A
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hw
hw
R
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7
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H
T
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ay
R
IG
C6
hw
E
C19
D11
H
ig
h
Hig
Legend
401
ay
E
E
Wellington
County
C1
7
Exhibit 3 - 10
Wetlands
R IV
B
Ballinafad
40
E
Claireville
Bramalea
Terra Cotta
D1
gh
Hi
y
wa
NU
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E
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Woodbridge
Snelgrove C31
D3
C4
Peel Mayfield
Region
D21
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LAIR
E
Grand River
Victoria
D7
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Toronto Region
Overview of
Environmental
Conditions and
Constraints Working
E
AN
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NL
E
E
27
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wa
W
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10
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ig
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hw
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C34
GTA West
Corridor Planning
And Environmental
Assessment
Study - Stage 1
Q
EW
Credit Valley
C27
King City
C26
C35
C28
C30
IN
W
GTAWestExhibit3-10WetlandsMay2010.mxd
H
Albion
Caledon
FFII
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HH
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ay 9
y 400
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2 LI
JO
Orangeville
AD
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a
Highw
Dufferin
County
hw
Hig
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17
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Mono Mills
D
EROA
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1
ST R E
2010\05\05
U
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H
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0
2
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¯
GTA
West
Canada; or b) has extended its range into Canada without human intervention and has been
present in Canada for at least 50-years.”
Wildlife in the Preliminary Study Area is generally characteristic of southern Ontario and the
Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Lowlands forest region. The common and widespread wildlife
habitats of this area are remnant woodlands, wetlands (treed and open), and old fields (cultural
meadows). Generally, the greatest natural area cover in the Preliminary Study Area occurs
along the Niagara Escarpment and river valleys. These areas provide habitat for wildlife, as
well as potential bird migration and wildlife movement corridors where there is appropriate
contiguous cover. The wooded slopes and numerous crevices that occur at bedrock exposures
and on the talus slopes of the Niagara Escarpment provide potential herpetofauna and small
mammal den sites, making it a ‘hot spot’ for small wildlife activity (Jacques Whitford, 2005).
Information and records presented in the Atlas of the Mammals of Ontario (Dobbyn, 1994)
indicate that approximately 44 species of mammals occur within the Preliminary Study Area.
The largest mammal present is the White-tailed Deer. Other common mammals include the
Coyote, Red Fox, Raccoon, Striped Skunk, Woodchuck, Eastern Gray Squirrel, Eastern
Chipmunk, Meadow Vole, Eastern Cottontail, and Virginia Opossum (Dobbyn, 1994).
The most recent Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas (2001-2005) identified 175 species as possible,
probable, or confirmed breeders within the Preliminary Study Area (Bird Studies Canada, 2006).
Generally, the birds of the Preliminary Study Area are a large and diverse group, although the
most common and widespread species are those that occur widely across southern Ontario.
These include the Canada Goose, Mallard Duck, Red-tailed Hawk, Mourning Dove, Northern
Flicker, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, American Robin, European Starling, Song
Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, and House Sparrow.
The reptiles and amphibians of the Preliminary Study Area are typically those characteristic of
most of southern Ontario, south of the Canadian Shield. Information and records presented in
the Ontario Herpetofaunal Summary (Oldham and Weller, 2000) indicate approximately four
turtle species, seven snake species, and 17 amphibian species present in the Preliminary Study
Area. Some common species include Eastern Garter snake, Little Brownsnake, Midland
Painted Turtle, Common Snapping Turtle, Spring Peeper, Chorus Frog, and Eastern Redbacked Salamander.
Significant Wildlife Habitat
Significant wildlife habitat is identified for consideration in the PPS and is defined as:
“Areas where plants, animals and other organisms live, and find adequate amounts of food,
water, shelter and space needed to sustain their populations. Specific wildlife habitats of
concern may include areas where species concentrate at a vulnerable point in their annual or
life cycle, and areas that are important to migratory or non-migratory species.”
The Province provides guidance on the identification of significant wildlife habitat through the
MNR’s (1999) Natural Heritage Reference Manual (NHRM) and the MNR’s (2000) Significant
Wildlife Habitat Technical Guide (SWHTG). The SWHTG provides detail on the techniques and
approaches to identify and prioritize significant wildlife habitat. The identification and evaluation
36
SI
ID
5S
UN
2010\05\05
CO
S
19
ER
Palgrave
Albion
O
A
D
H
E
W
A
T
A
T
Y Y6
LI
N
E
Bramalea
Terra Cotta
E
A
S
Marden
Eden Mills
Speyside
6
Arkell
Halton
Region
7
Brookville
ay
SP
IT Z
H
ig
Milton
Heights
hw
ay
40
40
400 Series Highways
Highways
Deer Wintering Areas
Raptor Nesting Sites
#
1
3
ay
0
ST
E
GOR
D
ROA
ay
6
OA D
Kilbride
hw
ay
40
3
Lake Ontario
7
Lowville
40
hw
City of
Hamilton
W
AY
EA
Puslinch
Hi
g
ay
6
Morriston
Date: May 2010
hw
ay
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S
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7
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7
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gh
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Streetsville
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hw
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hw
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7
Study Area
40
ay
HILL R
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hw
T
Eramosa
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ay
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City of
Guelph
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ay
wa
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hw
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hw
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City of
Toronto
H
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D
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Glen Williams
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ig
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Wellington
County
hw
R
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7
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a
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Exhibit 3 - 11
Wildlife Habitat
NU
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Overview of
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GTAWestExhibit3-11WildlifeHabitatMay2010.mxd
Orangeville
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a
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hw
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17
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West
of significant wildlife habitat is a planning authority (e.g., municipality’s) responsibility under the
PPS and the SWHTG has been developed to assist them with this assessment.
Wildlife habitat information from the LIO database for the Preliminary Study Area includes
seasonal concentration areas (winter deer yards) and specialized habitats for wildlife (raptor
nesting areas). This information is summarized in the following sections, and shown on
Exhibit 3-11.
Winter Deer Yards
Deer yards provide important refuge habitat for deer during winter months, providing food and
suitable cover during harsh weather conditions. The availability of wintering areas plays a key
role in sustaining deer populations as deer from a very large catchment of adjacent summer
range congregate in specific wintering areas. For example, winter deer habitat may be
considered more important in jurisdictions having relatively few winter concentration areas (deer
yards), but less important in others with many yards.
Deer wintering is associated with the natural areas and interior forest habitat described above.
Exhibit 3-11 shows the greatest concentrations of deer wintering habitat coincides with the
large Halton Forest ANSI/Halton Escarpment Woods area. Additional deer wintering areas are
associated with the Eramosa River Valley and Blue Springs Creek forests/wetlands, Mill Creek
Wetland, Hanlon Creek wetland, and Brisbane Woods.
A summary of deer wintering areas is provided in Exhibit 3-12.
Exhibit 3-12: Deer Wintering Areas in the Preliminary Study Area
Municipality
Area (approximate ha)
Halton
3930
Peel
0
Wellington
3038
Total
6930
Source: Natural Resources and Values Information System (2007) and Natural
Heritage Strategy (Phase 2 Draft), Dougan and Associates (July, 2008)
Raptor Nesting Areas
Raptor nesting sites are identified in Appendix Q of the SWHTG under Specialized Habitats for
Wildlife. As shown in Exhibit 3-11, the only the nesting sites are found in Wellington County in
the north-west portion of the Preliminary Study Area.
3.5.3 Woodlands and Other Vegetated Areas
Woodlands are defined in the PPS as:
37
GTA
West
“Treed areas that provide environmental and economic benefits, such as erosion prevention,
hydrological and nutrient cycling, provision of clean air and the long-term storage of carbon,
provision of wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation opportunities, and the sustainable harvest of a
wide range of woodland products”.
‘Significant Woodlands’ are identified for consideration in the PPS. The NHRM provides a
number of criteria recommended by the MNR for evaluating woodland significance. However,
the identification and evaluation of significant woodlands is a planning authority responsibility.
Various municipalities may have their own additional significant woodland criteria. Significant
woodlands may be identified within open space, ‘greenspace’, or environmental protection area
designations in local/regional Official Plans. Woodlands may also vary in significance at the
local, regional and provincial levels.
The NHRM provides guidance for the identification of significant woodlands. “Suggested
“factors” outlined in Attachment A4 of the NHRM that can be determined on a regional level
from the data in LIO include:
 Size (related to percent forest cover in the planning area, which for this report is the
Preliminary Study Area);
 Ecological function (interior forest and linkage-overlap); and
 Uncommon characteristics (woodlands greater than 100-years old).
Size
In the Preliminary Study Area, 21% is wooded with a total area of approximately 36,730 ha (as
per the 2006 ‘wooded area’ layer from LIO) and includes ‘treed’, ‘hedgerow’, and ‘plantation’
areas. Therefore, as per NHRM, (Attachment A4) woodlands greater than 40 ha in size should
be considered for significance. Using GIS analysis of the wooded area layer from LIO, 202
wooded areas are 40 ha or larger, with a total area of approximately 18,730 ha. This represents
51% of the total wooded area in the Preliminary Study Area, and 11% of the total area. Exhibit
3-13 is a detailed list of analysis results by Conservation Authority. Significant woodlands are
shown on Exhibit 3-14.
Exhibit 3-13: Significant Woodland Areas in the Preliminary Study Area
Number of Significant
Wooded Areas (over 40 ha)
Total Area of Significant
Wooded Areas
(approximate ha)
Conservation Halton
50
6330
Credit Valley Conservation
58
4960
Grand River Conservation Authority
67
5570
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
27
1880
Total
202
18730
Source: Interpreted from LIO (2007) data.
38
SI D
E
CO
GTAWestExhibit3-14WoodedAreasMay2010.mxd
Dufferin
County
Orangeville
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ig
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hw
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hw
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hw
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hw
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ST
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ROA
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hw
Date: May 2010
ay
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Kilbride
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AY
hw
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hw
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Exhibit 3 - 15
Interior and Deep
Interior Forest
Analysis
E
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GTAWestExhibit3-14InteriorHabitatMay2010.mxd
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Ecological Function
Interior forest habitat refers to the sheltered environment away from the influence of forest
edges and open habitats. The presence of forest interior is directly related to the woodland’s
size and shape. Large woodlands with round or square outlines have the greatest amount of
forest interior, while narrow, linear woodlands are less likely to support interior forest habitat.
Certain forest wildlife species are edge-intolerant or area sensitive and require the conditions
found in interior forest to survive and maintain viable populations, although tolerance of edge
disturbance should be considered on a species by species basis. Interior forest has been
classified as being 100 m from the forest edge and deep interior forest as being 200 m from the
forest edge (Environment Canada, 2004). Estimates of interior and deep interior forest habitat
within the Preliminary Study Area were identified by delineating the 100 m and 200 m
perimeters from the LIO wooded area dataset. Interior forest and deep interior forest habitats
are shown on Exhibit 3-15. A summary of woodland areas (hedgerow, plantation, and treed)
within the Preliminary Study Area organized by Conservation Authority and watershed is
provided in Exhibit 3-16. A summary of interior forest and deep interior forest habitat by
wooded area is provided in Exhibit 3-17. Note there is no interior or deep interior forest habitat
associated with hedgerows.
Also as per the NHRM (Attachment A4), overlap with other natural heritage features can be a
component of determining woodland significance. Of the wooded area within the Study Area,
30% is part of other either regionally or provincially significant features such as ANSIs or
evaluated wetlands.
Exhibit 3-16: Summary of Wooded Areas Within the Preliminary Study Area By Watershed
Watershed
Name
Watershed
Area
(ha)
Watershed
Wooded Areas
Total
No.
1
Area
Treed
Total
No.
Area
(ha)
Total
Total
No.
(ha)
Area
(ha)
Area
(ha)
% of
Watershed
Area
CVC
Credit River
35,671
372
238
165
397
887
8,297
8,932
25.0%
TOTAL
35,671
372
238
165
397
887
8,297
8,932
25.0%
Eramosa River
22,061
287
292
208
734
452
5,760
6,786
30.8%
Grand River
1,745
41
26
4
22
35
293
341
19.5%
Mill Creek
5,606
53
25
109
221
184
1,617
1,863
33.2%
GRCA
Speed River
TOTAL
16,196
170
164
87
247
268
2,307
2,718
16.8%
45,608
551
507
408
1,224
939
9,977
11,708
25.7%
5,689
100
90
52
126
180
1,826
2,042
35.9%
CH
Bronte Creek
Sixteen Mile
Creek
TOTAL
24,097
301
189
83
204
433
6,754
7,147
29.7%
29,786
401
279
135
330
613
8,580
9,189
30.9%
TRCA
39
GTA
Watershed
Name
Watershed
Area
Watershed
Wooded Areas
Total
No.
(ha)
Don River
Area
1
Treed
Total
No.
Area
(ha)
Total
Total
No.
Area
(ha)
% of
Area
Watershed
(ha)
(ha)
Area
952
9
3
-
-
32
28
31
3.2%
9,778
133
57
47
94
456
2,084
2,235
22.9%
Creek
12,991
41
13
10
15
309
773
801
6.2%
Humber River
15,591
95
35
55
77
607
2,162
2,274
14.6%
Mimico Creek
2,599
3
1
-
-
31
36
37
1.4%
East Humber
River
Etobicoke
West Humber
River
TOTAL
18,630
191
76
51
53
591
1,399
1,528
8.2%
60,541
472
185
163
239
2,026
6,482
6,906
11.4%
171,606
1,796
1,209
871
2,190
4,465
33,336
36,735
21.4%
TOTAL
Interpreted from Land Information Ontario (2007) data.
1
No. means the number of the specific type of wooded areas
Exhibit 3-17: Summary of Forest and Deep Forest Habitat
Woodlands with Deep Interior Forest
Woodlands with Interior Habitat
Total
CA*
Watershed
Area
CVC
(ha)
Plantation
Treed
Total
No.
Total
No. of
Area
of
Area
areas
(ha)
areas
(ha)
Habitat
% of
Total
Area
Plantation
Treed
Total
No.
Total
No. of
Area
of
Area
areas
(ha)
areas
(ha)
-
% of
Total
Area
Credit River
35,671
8
9
119
1,273
3.6%
-
TOTAL
35,671
8
9
119
1,273
3.6%
-
31
205
0.58%
31
205
0.58%
22,061
16
37
109
937
4.4%
2
>0.1
26
152
0.69%
Grand River
1,745
1
1
10
19
1.1%
-
-
-
-
-
Mill Creek
5,606
4
1
33
341
6.1%
-
-
11
106
1.89%
Eramosa
GRCA
River
Speed River
16,196
4
12
54
312
2.0%
1
0.1
10
32
0.20%
TOTAL
45,608
25
50
206
1,610
3.6%
3
0.2
47
290
0.64%
5,689
5
3
46
247
4.4%
-
-
7
18
0.32%
Bronte Creek
CH
West
Sixteen Mile
Creek
24,097
6
1
83
1,750
7.3%
-
-
19
558
2.32%
TOTAL
29,786
11
3
129
1,998
6.7%
-
-
26
576
1.93%
40
GTA
Woodlands with Deep Interior Forest
Woodlands with Interior Habitat
Total
CA*
Watershed
Area
(ha)
Don River
Plantation
Treed
Total
No.
Total
No. of
Area
of
Area
areas
(ha)
areas
(ha)
Habitat
% of
Total
Area
Plantation
Treed
Total
No.
Total
No. of
Area
of
Area
areas
(ha)
areas
(ha)
% of
Total
Area
952
-
-
1
>1
>0.1%
-
-
-
-
-
9,778
1
>1
36
100
1.0%
-
-
1
2
0.03%
Creek
12,991
1
>1
21
33
0.3%
-
-
1
1
0.01%
Humber River
15,591
1
>1
27
92
0.6%
-
-
3
6
0.04%
Mimico Creek
2,599
-
-
1
>1
>0.1%
-
-
-
-
-
River
18,630
-
-
27
48
0.3%
-
-
-
-
-
TOTAL
60,540
3
>1
113
273
0.5%
-
-
5
10
0.02%
171,605
47
63
567
5,154
3.0%
3
0.3
109
1081
0.63%
East Humber
River
Etobicoke
TRCA
West
West Humber
Total in Preliminary
Study Area
Source: Interpreted from Land Information Ontario (2007) data.
*CA - Conservation Authority
Uncommon Characteristics
In Attachment A4 of the NHRM, a “Suggested Standard” is that woodlands greater than 100years old (i.e., older woodlands) should be protected. In NRVIS data set “Designated Old
Growth Forest” (Oak Ridges Moraine Study) areas are shown at the north-east boundary of the
Preliminary Study Area in York and Peel Regions. There are approximately 20 Designated Old
Growth Forests shown, and they are generally associated with the southern edge of the Oak
Ridges Moraine. The locations of these forests are shown on Exhibit 3-14.
3.5.4 Terrestrial Species of Conservation Concern
Species of Conservation Concern is a ‘catch-all’ term for federal and provincial Species At Risk,
provincially rare species, and locally designated species. Section 3.4.2 outlines the terminology
and classification methods used for Species of Conservation Concern.
Exhibit 3-18 is a list of the NHIC observations by species. The list of species should be
considered preliminary. As noted in Section 3.4.2, many of the NHIC records of Element
Occurrence for rare species are designated ‘historic’ (i.e., older than 20-years) and may not
reflect current conditions. Also, an Elemental Occurrence may have ‘sensitive species’ instead
of a species name.
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GTA
West
Exhibit 3-18: Terrestrial Species of Conservation Concern Recorded within the Preliminary Study
Area
Common Name
Scientific Name
COSEWIC1
MNR2
Provincial
S1-S3
Rank3
Vegetation
Hawthorn Tree Species
Crataegus dissona
S3
Moss Species
Astomum muehlenbergianum
S2
American Hart's-tongue Fern
Asplenium scolopendrium var.
americanum
Bee-balm
Monarda didyma
Butternut Tree
Juglans cinerea
Carey's Sedge
Carex careyana
S2
Fringed Puccoon
Lithospermum incisum
S1
Honey Locust
Gleditsia triacanthos
S2
Mousetail (wildflower)
Myosurus minimus
S1
Muhly (grass)
Muhlenbergia sylvatica
S2
Rugulose Grapefern
Botrychium rugulosum
S2
Sharp-leaved Goldenrod
Solidago arguta
S3
Slender Sedge
Carex gracilescens
S3
Wild Bean
Strophostyles helvula
S3
Eastern Pipistrelle (bat)
Pipistrellus subflavus
S3?
Small-footed Bat
Myotis leibii
S2S3
SC*
SC
S3
S3
END*
END
S3?
Mammals
Birds
Black Tern
Chlidonias niger
SC
S3B,SZN
Cerulean Warbler
Dendroica cerulea
SC*
SC
S3B,SZN
Henslow's Sparrow
Ammodramus henslowii
END*
END-R
S1B,SZN
Hooded Warbler
Wilsonia citrina
THR*
THR
S3B,SZN
Least Bittern
Ixobrychus exilis
THR*
THR
S3B,SZN
Loggerhead Shrike
Lanius ludovicianus
END*
END-R
S2B,SZN
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Common Name
Scientific Name
COSEWIC1
MNR2
Provincial
S1-S3
Rank3
Louisiana Waterthrush
Seiurus motacilla
SC
SC
S3B,SZN
Northern Bobwhite
Colinus virginianus
END*
END
S1S2
Prairie Warbler
Dendroica discolor
Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatus
NAR
SC
Yellow-breasted Chat
Icteria virens
SC*
SC
S3S4B,SZN
S2S3B,SZN
Insects
Clamp-tipped Emerald
Somatochlora tenebrosa
S2
Elfin Skimmer
Nannothemis bella
S3
Halloween Pennant
Celithemis eponina
S3
Harpoon Clubtail
Gomphus descriptus
S3
Midland Clubtail
Gomphus fraternus
S3
Mottled Darner
Aeshna clepsydra
S3
Painted Skimmer
Libellula semifasciata
S2
Rapids Clubtail
Gomphus quadricolor
S1
Rusty Snaketail
Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis
S3
Sleepy Duskywing
Erynnis brizo
S1
Williamson's Emerald
Somatochlora williamsoni
S3
Zebra Clubtail
Stylurus scudderi
S3
Amphibians and Reptiles
Jefferson Salamander
Ambystoma jeffersonianum
THR*
THR
S2
Jefferson X Blue-spotted
Salamander, Jefferson genome
dominates
Ambystoma hybrid population 1
(jeffersonianum genome dominates)
S2
Northern Threetooth
Triodopsis tridentate
S3S4
Spike-lip Crater
Mesodon sayanus
Molluscs (Terrestrial)
1 Federal
NAR
COSEWIC status from COSEWIC list (September 2007).
EXT (Extinct) - A species that no longer exists.
EXP (Extirpated) - A species no longer existing in the wild in Canada, but occurring elsewhere.
43
NAR
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GTA
West
END (Endangered) - A species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.
THR (Threatened) - A species likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed.
SC (Special Concern [formerly vulnerable]) - A species that may become a threatened or an endangered species because of a combination of
biological characteristics and identified threats.
NAR (Not At Risk) - A species that has been evaluated and found to be not at risk of extinction given the current circumstances.
DD (Data Deficient [formerly Indeterminate]) - Available information is insufficient to resolve a species' eligibility for assessment or to permit an
assessment of the species' risk of extinction.
* On Schedule 1 of federal SARA.
2 Provincial
MNR/ COSSARO status from Species at Risk in Ontario List (June 30, 2008).
EXT - A species that no longer exists anywhere.
EXP - A species that no longer exists in the wild in Ontario but still occurs elsewhere.
END (Endangered [Not Regulated]) - A species facing imminent extinction or extirpation in Ontario which is a candidate for regulation under
Ontario's Endangered Species Act.
THR - A species that is at risk of becoming endangered in Ontario if limiting factors are not reversed.
SC - A species with characteristics that make it sensitive to human activities or natural events.
NAR - A species that has been evaluated and found to be not at risk.
DD - A species for which there is insufficient information for a provincial status recommendation.
3 Provincial
S-Ranks from NHIC (2006).
S1 Critically Imperilled - Critically imperilled in the nation or state/province because of extreme rarity (often 5 or fewer occurrences) or because of
some factor(s) such as very steep declines making it especially vulnerable to extirpation from the state/province.
S2 Imperilled - Imperilled in the nation or state/province because of rarity due to very restricted range, very few populations (often 20 or fewer),
steep declines, or other factors making it very vulnerable to extirpation from the nation or state/province.
S3 Vulnerable - Vulnerable in the nation or state/province due to a restricted range, relatively few populations (often 80 or fewer), recent and
widespread declines, or other factors making it vulnerable to extirpation.
S4 Apparently Secure - Uncommon but not rare; some cause for long-term concern due to declines or other factors.
S5 Secure - Common, widespread, and abundant in the nation or state/province.
S#S# Range Rank - A numeric range rank (e.g., S2S3) is used to indicate any range of uncertainty about the status of the species or community.
SZN - Non-breeding migrants/vagrants.
SZB - Breeding migrants/vagrants.
Within the Preliminary Study Area, there are 78 Element Occurrence observation records of 42
different known Species of Conservation Concern. Eleven species are federally designated by
COSEWIC with ten species also included on Schedule 1 of the federal SARA. Thirteen species
are designated at risk by MNR and 42 species have an S1 (critically imperilled) to S3
(vulnerable) rank. Exhibit 3-19 provides a summary of the Species of Conservation Concern in
the Preliminary Study Area. There are 35 Elemental Occurrences with ‘sensitive species’
instead of a species name. Therefore, additional species may be present in the Preliminary
Study Area.
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Exhibit 3-19: Summary of Terrestrial Species of Conservation Concern in the Preliminary Study
Area
COSEWIC
MNR
Provincial
S1-S3 Rank
Type
Total
END
THR
SC
Total
END
END-R
THR
SC
Vegetation
2
1
0
1
2
1
0
0
1
14
Mammals
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
Birds
9
3
2
3
10
1
2
2
5
10
Insects
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
Amphibians
& Reptiles
1
0
1
0
1
0
0
1
0
2
Molluscs
(terrestrial)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
Total
12
4
3
4
13
2
2
3
6
42
END (Endangered) - A species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.
THR (Threatened) - A species likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed.
SC (Special Concern [formerly vulnerable]) - A species that may become a threatened or an endangered species because of a combination of
biological characteristics and identified threats.
END-R (Endangered [Regulated]) - A species facing imminent extinction or extirpation in Ontario which has been regulated under Ontario's
Endangered Species Act.
END (Endangered [Not Regulated]) - A species facing imminent extinction or extirpation in Ontario which is a candidate for regulation under Ontario's
Endangered Species Act.
Sensitive Species indicates that MNR has withheld the species names from the public for protection purposes.
3.6 DESIGNATED AREAS
As defined by MTO in their Environmental Protection Requirements, “Designated Areas” are
areas identified by resource agencies, municipalities, the government and/or the public, through
legislation, policies, or approved management plans, to have special or unique values. Such
areas may have a variety of ecological, recreational, and/or aesthetic features and functions that
are highly valued.
Within the Preliminary Study Area, Designated Areas related to the natural environment include:
 Provincially designated areas;
 Niagara Escarpment;
 Oak Ridges Moraine;
 Greenbelt;
 ANSIs - provincially or regionally significant Life and Earth Science;
45
GTA
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 Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs); and
 Locally/regionally designated features and areas.
There is frequent overlap of designations in a single area. For example there are ANSIs within
the Niagara Escarpment Planning Area. In addition, there are different policy frameworks for
provincially significant features and locally/regionally significant features. These natural areas
are summarized below.
3.6.1 Niagara Escarpment
The Niagara Escarpment encompasses a range of unique habitats and land uses. The
Escarpment bisects the Preliminary Study Area crossing Highway 401 (in the south) between
Campbellville and Milton, and extends northerly to the Caledon area. The size and
environmental significance of the Niagara Escarpment make it a key feature in the Preliminary
Study Area. Natural attributes of the Niagara Escarpment include a number of factors as
described below:
 The Niagara Escarpment is designated as a 194,340 ha UNESCO World Biosphere
Reserve. Its management is governed by the Niagara Escarpment Commission and the
Niagara Escarpment Plan;
 Approximately 120,000 people live on the Niagara Escarpment lands and an estimated
seven million people within 100 km of the Reserve (including the City of Toronto and
Upper New York State);
 Escarpment sites include geological formations (exposed rock faces, waterfalls, and
gorges), ANSIs and ESAs, conservation areas and parks, wooded areas, aquatic
systems, rare species, and habitat for significant species;
 The Niagara Escarpment is a key hydrological feature in the Preliminary Study Area. The
headwaters of regional watersheds lay in the Escarpment and the area is important for
groundwater recharge; and
 Pockets of gnarled Eastern White Cedar trees (Thuja occidentalis) at the cliff edges and
on the cliff faces have been found to be hundreds of years old, some of the oldest in
eastern North America.
The Niagara Escarpment Plan, as discussed in Section 2.5 provides the policy framework for
protection of the Escarpment. Exhibit 3-20 is a map of the features that have been included in
the Niagara Escarpment Parks and Open Space System. Exhibit 3-20a lists the type of area
(i.e., Escarpment Access, Natural Environment, Nature Reserve, Resource Management Area,
and Historical). Of greatest interest from a natural environment perspective are the Natural
Environment and Nature Reserve features, however, many of the other features also serve to
protect associated natural areas.
46
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Date: May 2010
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Within Preliminary
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Outside Preliminary
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7
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Victoria
GTA West
Corridor Planning
And Environmental
Assessment
Study - Stage 1
Exhibit 3-20
Niagara Escarpment
Parks and
Open Space
Pine Grove
40
LI
N
GR
Inglewood
Hillsburgh
Maple
Kleinburg
Sandhill
10
ay
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Bolton
Caledon
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FT
TH
King City
Albion
ER
15 SID
GTAWestExhibit3-20NECParksMay2010.mxd
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Orangeville
O AD
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Dufferin
County
hw
Hig
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17 S
S TR E E
2010\05\06
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GHWAY 40 4
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¯
GTA
West
Exhibit 3-20a: Niagara Escarpment Parks and Open Space/Types of Areas
Site Number
Name
Classification
76
Cheltenham Badlands
Escarpment Access
37
77
Terra Cotta Forest Conservation
Area
Nature Reserve
132
78
Terra Cotta Conservation Area
Natural Environment
173
79
Silver Creek Conservation Area
Nature Reserve
448
80
Scotsdale Farm
Natural Environment
212
81
Limehouse Conservation Area
Natural Environment
76
82
Speyside
Resource Management
Area
20
83
Speyside Nature Reserve
Nature Reserve
27
84
Tirion Tract
Resource Management
Area
20
85
Esquesing and Escarpment Tracts
Escarpment Access
43
86
Hilton Falls Conservation Area
Natural Environment
665 (Conservation
Halton) + 393 (Region
of Halton)
87
Kelso Conservation Area
Recreation
397
88
Country Heritage Park
Historical
32
H1
Scotch Block
Channel
33.2
Esquesing
Resource Management
Area
15.2
H2
Moffat-Badenoch Swamp
Resource Management
Area
160.5
H3
Tirion
Resource Management
Area
20.1
H4
Escarpment
Resource Management
Area
30.5
H5
Kiwanis
Resource Management
Area
41.2
H6
47
GTA
West
Site Number
Name
Classification
Plaikner
Resource Management
Area
22.4
H7
Kassam
Resource Management
Area
16.6
H8
Speyside
Resource Management
Area
26.2
H9
Shanahan
Resource Management
Area
68.5
H10
H11
Hilton Falls
Conservation Area
655.5
H12
Mountsberg
Conservation Area
556.9
H13
Burns
Conservation Area
31.0
Source: Niagara Escarpment Plan (2005)
3.6.2 Oak Ridges Moraine
The Oak Ridges Moraine has a unique concentration of natural environmental features that
make its ecosystem vital to south-central Ontario. The Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan
is an ecologically based plan established by the Ontario government to provide land use and
resource management direction for the 190,000 hectares of land and water within the Oak
Ridges Moraine. The Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan is discussed in Section 2.6.
The Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan divides the Moraine into four land use
designations: “Natural Core Areas” (38% of the Moraine), “Natural Linkage Areas” (24% of the
Moraine), “Countryside Areas” (30% of the Moraine), and “Settlement Areas” (8% of the
Moraine). The natural environmental designations are discussed below:
 Natural Core Areas protect those lands with the greatest concentrations of key natural
heritage features that are critical to maintaining the integrity of the Moraine as a whole.
Key Natural Heritage Features include:
o
Natural Linkage Areas protect critical natural and open space linkages between
the Natural Core Areas and along rivers and streams; and
o
Countryside Areas provide an agricultural and rural transition and buffer
between the Natural Core Areas and Natural Linkage Areas and the urbanized
Settlement Areas. Prime Agricultural Areas as well as natural features are
protected.
As shown in Exhibit 3-20, small areas of each of the above types of land uses are present
within the Preliminary Study Area:
48
GTA
West
 Natural Core Areas - approximately 430 ha;
 Natural Linkage Areas - approximately 420 ha; and
 Countryside Areas - approximately 400 ha.
Hydrologically sensitive features are protected within the Oak Ridges Moraine. Within the
Preliminary Study Area, these include permanent and intermittent streams (see Section 3.3) and
wetlands (see Section 3.5.1). Kettle lakes, seepage areas and springs are considered
hydrologically sensitive features within the Oak Ridges Moraine. However, none were evident
within the Preliminary Study Area based on initial compilation.
3.6.3 Greenbelt
As discussed in Section 2.4, the Greenbelt is a plan established by the Ontario Government to
protect environmentally sensitive and agricultural land in the GGH from urban development and
sprawl, and it includes and builds on the Niagara Escarpment Plan and the Oak Ridges Moraine
Conservation Plan. However, unlike the Niagara Escarpment or the Oak Ridges Moraine, the
Greenbelt is not specifically a physical feature. Within the Greenbelt, there is the Natural
System policy area made up of a Natural Heritage System and a Water Resource System that
often coincides given ecological linkages between terrestrial and water based functions.
The Natural Heritage System includes areas with the highest concentration of the most sensitive
and/or significant natural features and functions (Key Natural Heritage Features). These areas
are managed as a connected and integrated natural heritage system with functional interrelationships and builds on the natural systems contained in the Niagara Escarpment Plan and
the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan. Together with the landscape surrounding the
Greenbelt, these systems currently comprise and function as a connected natural heritage
system. The Key Natural Heritage Features within the Preliminary Study Area include:
 Significant habitat of endangered species, threatened species, and special concern
species (Section 3.4.2 and 3.5.4);
 Fish habitat (Section 3.4.1);
 Wetlands (Section 3.5.1)
 ANSI-Life Science (see discussion below);
 Significant valleylands and significant woodlands (Section 3.5.3); and
 Significant wildlife habitat (Section 3.5.2).
The Water Resource System is made up of both ground and surface water features and their
associated functions. The Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and Niagara Escarpment
Plan include very significant elements of, and are fundamental to, the Water Resource System.
The areas to which these plans apply contain primary recharge, headwater and discharge
areas, together with major drinking water aquifers, within the Greenbelt. The countryside
includes several areas of hydrologic significance, including:
49
GTA
West
 The upper reaches of watersheds draining to Lake Ontario to the west of the Niagara
Escarpment;
 Lands around the primary discharge zones along the toe of the Escarpment and base of
the Oak Ridges Moraine; and
 The major river valleys that flow from the Oak Ridges Moraine and the Niagara
Escarpment to Lake Ontario.
These areas of hydrological significance incorporated into the Greenbelt function together with
other hydrological features (“Key Hydrologic Features”). Key Hydrologic Features within the
Preliminary Study Area include:
 Permanent and intermittent streams (Section 3.3);
 Lakes (Section 3.3);
 Seepage areas and springs (Section 3.2.2); and
 Wetlands (Section 3.5.1).
3.6.4 Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest
According to the PPS:
ANSIs are “areas of land and water containing natural landscapes or features that have been
identified as having life science or earth science values related to protection, scientific study or
education.”
The ANSI program designates natural features in two broad biophysical categories, Earth
Science (geological) or Life Science (biological) depending on the features present. Life
Science ANSIs are dynamic ecosystems that are representative examples of the biodiversity
and natural landscapes in Ontario (e.g., valleys, wetlands, forests, native flora and fauna).
Earth Science ANSIs are representative examples of geological processes in Ontario (e.g.,
exposed bedrock on road cuts, fossils and landforms) (MNR, 1999).
There are two levels of ANSI significance: provincially or regionally significant. In the PPS, only
provincially ranked ANSIs are considered ‘significant’. However, regionally significant ANSIs
have local importance.
There are 65 ANSIs within the Preliminary Study Area, as summarized in Exhibit 3-21.
Exhibit 3-21: Summary of Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest within the Preliminary Study
Area
Type
Significance
Number
Life Science
Provincial
20
4,660
Life Science
Regional
21
2,910
Earth Science
Provincial
16
2,630
Earth Science
Regional
8
370
50
GTA
West
Type
Total
Significance
Number
65
10,570
Source: Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) - Natural Heritage Value Information
System (NRVIS)
Earth Science and Life Science ANSIs are predominantly found in the west end of the
Preliminary Study Area, within Wellington County and the Region of Halton. The general
distribution of both Life Science and Earth Science ANSIs can be described as follows:
A distinct series of ANSIs follow the line of the Escarpment across the Preliminary Study Area.
Escarpment related sites include features such as badlands, cliffs, slopes, gorges, waterfalls,
escarpment plain forests, and wetlands (e.g., Badland Topography of Queenston Shales,
Halton Forest, Speyside Forest, and Silver Creek Valley).
West of the Escarpment, the Life Science ANSIs are generally large wetland features
(predominantly swamp, with some bog and fen) or river valleys.
In the Preliminary Study Area, 50% of the Earth Science ANSIs are found at its west end, within
Wellington County. They are generally post-glacial features including moraines, drumlin fields,
eskers, and melt water channels.
East of the Niagara Escarpment, the ANSIs (both Life and Earth Science) are fewer in number
and of a smaller size. The largest cluster in this portion of the Study Area is associated with the
Humber River in Vaughan.
The Life Science and Earth Science ANSIs within the Preliminary Study Area are listed in
Exhibit 3-22 and Exhibit 3-23, respectively, and their locations are shown on Exhibit 3-24.
51
GTA
West
Exhibit 3-22: Life Science Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest within the Preliminary Study
Area
Map Code
A1
A2
A3
Area
(approximate
ha)
Name
Significance
Ballinafad Swamp & Bog
Provincial
15
Halton
Region
Provincial
57
York Region
Provincial
6
Boyd Conservation Area
and Adjacent Lands
Caledon Mountain Slope
Forest
Halton
Region
Peel Region
Wellington
County
379
2
A4
A5
Campbell's Cross Bog
Cold Creek Headwaters
Provincial
Provincial
387
10
99
A6
Eramosa River Valley
Provincial
953
A7
Hall-Thompson Kettle Lake
Provincial
1
A8
Halton Forest North
Provincial
704
A9
Halton Forest South
Provincial
1448
A10
A11
Heart Lake Forest & Bog
Little Credit Headwaters
Provincial
Provincial
140
1
A12
Moffat Moraine
Provincial
130
A13
Silver Creek Valley
Provincial
421
A14
Terra Cotta Forest
Provincial
264
total
Peel Region
York Region
Wellington
County
York Region
Halton
Region
Halton
Region
Peel Region
Peel Region
Halton
Region
Halton
Region
Halton
Region
Peel Region
Wellington
County
2
30
296
A15
Blue Springs Creek
Wetlands
Regional
total
Halton
Region
Wellington
County
234
1
235
Municipality
total
Wellington
County
Halton
Region
Halton
Region
A16
Brisbane Woods
Regional
580
A17
Brookville Swamp
Regional
218
A18
Georgetown Credit Valley
Regional
267
Regional
429
York Region
Regional
Regional
48
53
Peel Region
York Region
A19
A20
A21
Humber River ValleyKleinburg
Inglewood Forest
Kleinberg Woodlots
52
GTA
West
A22
Knatchbull Swamp
Regional
399
A23
Laskay Lakes
Regional
57
A24
Mountsberg Wildlife Centre
Regional
55
A25
Speyside Forest
Regional
572
Halton
Region
York Region
Wellington
County
Halton
Region
Exhibit 3-23: Earth Science of Natural and Scientific Interest within the Preliminary Study Area
Map Code
Name
Significance
Area
(approximate
ha)
Municipality
B1
Arkell Meltwater Channel
Provincial
39
Wellington
County
B2
Badland Topography of
Queenston Shales
Provincial
45
Peel Region
B3
Eramosa Esker Channel
Provincial
145
Wellington
County
B4
Everton Area
Provincial
5
Wellington
County
B5
Exhumed Silurian Reef
Provincial
2
Halton Region
B6
Gooseville Moraine
Provincial
79
Peel Region
B7
Guelph Correctional Centre
Quarry
Provincial
2
Wellington
County
B8
Guelph Drumlin Field
Provincial
856
Wellington
County
B9
Highway 7 Road Cut
Provincial
1
Wellington
County
B10
Linton - Kelly Lake Channels
Provincial
12
York Region
B11
Milton Heights
Provincial
41
Halton Region
B12
Paris, Galt & Moffat Moraines
Provincial
792
Wellington
County
538
Halton Region
1330
B13
Rockwood Conservation Area
Provincial
53
69
total
Wellington
County
GTA
West
Map Code
Name
Significance
Area
(approximate
ha)
Municipality
B14
Woodbridge Pleistocene Cut
Provincial
1
York Region
B15
Amabel Formation (Eramosa
Member)
Regional
2
Wellington
County
B16
Brampton Buried Esker
Regional
167
Peel Region
B17
Credit Valley Quarry
Regional
19
Peel Region
B18
Drumlin in Outwash Gravel
Regional
4
Wellington
County
B19
Guelph Interstadial Site
Regional
2
Wellington
County
B20
Quarry Northeast of Limehouse
Regional
12
Halton Region
B21
Rockwood Caves
Regional
2
Wellington
County
B22
Strange Till Plain
Regional
164
York Region
3.6.5 Locally/Regionally Designated Features and Areas
Each upper tier municipality has its own approach to identifying and protecting (i.e., designating)
natural environmental features and areas as set out in their Official Plans. As such, the set of
features and areas and their designations vary across the Preliminary Study Area. Exhibit 3-24
lists the locally/regionally designated features and areas for each upper tier municipality as they
relate to the natural environmental factors (such as Fish and Fish Habitat) discussed in previous
sub-sections.
54
SI
CO
UN
5 SI
GTAWestExhibit3-24ANSIMay2010.mxd
Albion
Erin
A3
A16
Ballinafad
A1
B4
Brucedale
H
ig
Norval
7
A18
ZIG
Milton
Heights
A9
H
ig
hw
ay
40
B11
EA
ST
E RO
AD
Kilbride
7
Lowville
RO A D
Areas of Natural and
Scientific Interest
A#
Life Science
B#
Earth Science
Outside Preliminary Study Area
Life Science
Earth Science
7
hw
ay
40
3
Lake Ontario
NW
AY
AD
GOR
y6
City of
Hamilton
Highways
Within Preliminary Study Area
40
6
RO
VE
0
ay
ay
R
Morriston
Hi
Puslinch ghwa
B5
A24
D
Aberfoyle
hw
VE
RI
RI
ND
01
Streetsville
Hi
g
OA
ig
H
AD
D
L DO
SH E
w
41
Campbellville
B18
401
gh
Hi
4
ay
ay
ay
Hornby
A8
Moffatt
RO
OA
way
High
hw
City of
Toronto
40
7
ay
Halton
Region
A12
Waterloo
Region
Municipal Boundary
3
H
ig
A22
Brookville
hw
Glen Williams
Limehouse
A17
H
ig
T
SPI
R
LL
D
ay
Speyside
B12
WATERLOO
R OA
hw
A25
Arkell
Study Area
01
y4
hw
A15
B1
B7
wa
Q
EW
7
B19
D
B21
Eden Mills
H
ig
6
D
H
ig
Acton
Rockwood
h
Hig
H
ig
Marden
B9
ay
ST
B13
Bramalea
UE
400 Series Highways
A13
B20
hw
EA
ay
D Y RO A
L RO A
E
B3
B15
Eramosa
hw
MARYH
IL
LI
N
City of
Guelph
B8
A10
N
AVE
Exhibit 3 - 24
Areas of Natural and
Scientific Interest
E
Legend
B16
7
A6
Terra Cotta
4
G
BYN
NU
B15
Claireville
40
Wellington
County
ig
H
LIN E 8
6
AD
A14
A16
Snelgrove
ay
ME
UM
VE
RA
7
O
TH
Mayfield
ay
A6
w
gh
Hi
C
07
Overview of
Environmental
Conditions and
Constraints Working
E
AN
L
Paper
N
EE
2
y4
R
H
GR
wa
EI
G
A21
Woodbridge
hw
AD
A6
G
B2
Victoria
E
BE
H
AT WA
TY Y
R
6
R
LI
IE
N
R
E
IN
O
A
E
ST D
R
EE
T
W
EL
LI
N
G
TO
N
7
R
O
AD
R
A20
B17
1
LI
N
A19
h
Hig
IG
E
A11
hw
O
Inglewood
Hillsburgh
Peel
Region
A4
40
H
R
D
Belwood
H
ig
E
E
N
E
ay
LI
N
O
Kleinburg
B6
Maple
A2
hw
LI
N
York
Region
Pine Grove
H
ig
ST
LI
N
LI
N
Sandhill
10
ER
SE
C
D
H
ay
ID
SE
IR
Bolton
Caledon
hw
A23
A7
A5
King City
B22
y 400
FI
R
BE
B10
O AD
TH
EN
ay 9
H
ig
GTA West
Corridor Planning
And Environmental
Assessment
Study - Stage 1
T
Orangeville
O AD
a
Highw
Dufferin
County
hw
Hig
R
ID E
17 S
Palgrave
Mono Mills
FI
FT
BA
19
ER
15 SID
LIN E
ES
DE
S TR E E
2010/05/06
15TH
GHWAY 40 4
NT Y
ESLIE
CO U
Date: May 2010
0
2
4 km
¯
GTA
West
Exhibit 3-25: Details of Locally/Regionally Designated Features and Areas from the Official Plans
of Upper Tier Municipalities
Factor
Details
WELLINGTON COUNTY
General
Groundwater
Surface Water
Fish and Fish
Habitat
Terrestrial
Ecosystems
The Greenlands System is intended to include those features and areas that are part of
Wellington’s natural heritage or areas in which natural or human-made conditions may pose a
threat to public safety. The Greenlands System is divided into two broad categories: Core
Greenlands and Greenlands. “Core” areas have greater sensitivity or significance, and are
identified in policy and protected.
Greenlands within the Greenlands System includes the following Designated Areas:

Provincially or Regionally significant ANSI’s; and

ESAs (see below for description).
Groundwater resources occur throughout the County and are not confined to the Greenlands
System. See Section 3.2 Groundwater for discussion of WHPAs and Aquifer Vulnerability
which are designated by the municipality.
Core Greenlands:

Floodway Areas - the area of the floodplain as regulated Greenlands; and

Some streams and valleylands, ponds, lakes, and reservoirs.
Core Greenlands:

Habitat of Endangered or Threatened species Greenlands;

Fish habitat, often as part of other defined natural heritage features; and

Some streams and valleylands, ponds, lakes, and reservoirs.
Wildlife, Habitats, and Movements:

Core Greenlands:
o Habitat of Endangered or Threatened species.

Greenlands:
o Wildlife habitat, often as part of other defined natural heritage features; and
o Natural links - the boundaries of many natural heritage features overlap and interrelationships frequently exist between these areas.
Wetlands:

Core Greenlands:
o All wetlands.
Woodlands and Other Vegetated Areas:

Greenlands:
o Plant habitat, often as part of other defined natural heritage features; and
o Woodlands over 10 ha in area (considered significant by the County).
HALTON REGION
General
The Greenlands System is a group of connected natural areas and open space designated in
an effort to preserve the more sensitive parts of Halton Region’s natural environment.
The Greenlands System consists of the designations of:

Niagara Escarpment Natural Area;

Regional Waterfront Parks;

Greenlands A; and

Greenlands B.
The Greenlands A and B include the following Designated Areas:

Public Open Space as identified in The Parkway Belt West Plan;

Provincially and Regionally Significant ANSIs (both Life Science and Earth Science); and

ESAs.
The Greenlands A have greater sensitivity or significance, and are identified in policy and
protected.
55
GTA
West
Factor
Groundwater
Surface Water
Fish and Fish
Habitat
Terrestrial
Ecosystems
Details
See Section 3.2 Groundwater for discussion of WHPAs and Aquifer Vulnerability which are
designated by the municipality.
Greenlands A:

Areas included in the Regulatory Flood Plains.
Greenlands A:

Significant portions of the habitat of Endangered and Threatened species, as determined
by the MNR.

Greenlands A:
o Significant portions of the habitat of Endangered and Threatened species, as
determined by the MNR.

Greenlands A:
o PSWs.

Greenlands B:
o LSWs.

Greenlands B:
o Significant Woodlands;
o Carolinian Canada sites; and
o Halton Regional Forests.
PEEL REGION
General
Groundwater
Surface Water
Fish and Fish
Habitat
The Greenlands System supports and expresses the Region’s vision for the protection of the
natural environment.
The Greenlands System consists of:

Core Areas;

Natural Areas and Corridors; and

Potential Natural Areas and Corridors.
The Greenlands System includes the following Designated Areas:

Core Areas:
o ESAs;
o Provincial Life ANSIs; and
o Niagara Escarpment Plan - Natural Areas.

Natural Areas and Corridors:
o Escarpment Protection Areas of the Niagara Escarpment Plan.

Potential Natural Areas and Corridors:
o Provincial Earth Science ANSIs;
o Open space portions of the Parkway Belt West Plan Area; and
o Potential ESAs identified as such by the Conservation Authorities.
Potential Natural Areas and Corridors:

Sensitive groundwater recharge areas.
Core Areas - selected valley and stream corridors (e.g., main branches of the Credit River,
Etobicoke Creek, Mimico Creek, West Humber River, and the Humber River).

Natural lakes and their shorelines;

Valley and stream corridors that have a drainage area of 125 ha or greater which have not
been defined as part of the Core Areas; and

Headwater source and discharge areas.
Potential Natural Areas and Corridors of the Greenlands:

Valley and stream corridors that have a drainage area of less than 125 ha.
Core Areas:

Habitats of Vulnerable*, Threatened, or Endangered species; and
56
GTA
West
Factor
Terrestrial
Ecosystems
Details

See Surface Water (above).

Core Areas:
o Habitats of Vulnerable, Threatened, or Endangered species; and
o Selected valley and stream corridors (e.g., main branches of the Credit River,

o Natural lakes and their shorelines; and
o Valley and stream corridors that have a drainage area of 125 ha or greater which
have not been defined as part of the Core Areas.

o Valley and stream corridors that have a drainage area of less than 125 ha; and
o Open space portions of the Parkway Belt West Plan Area.
Wetlands:

Core Areas:
o PSWs (Class 1-3).

o LSWs (Class 4-7).

o Unevaluated wetlands.

Core Areas:
o Woodlands that are a minimum of 30 ha in area; and
o Selected valley and stream corridors (e.g., main branches of the Credit River,

o Woodlands that are greater than 3 ha in area, up to 30 ha.

o All other woodlands; and
o Open space portions of the Parkway Belt West Plan Area.
YORK REGION
General
The policies of the Official Plan identify, protect and help restore definable natural areas and
functions such as Environmental Policy Areas, Regionally Significant Forests and Wetland
Areas. Most of these areas form part of the Greenlands System which links together natural
areas and corridors.
Significant Natural Areas include the following Designated Areas:

Environmental Policy Areas:
o Environmentally Significant Areas;
o Life Science ANSIs; and
o Habitats of Vulnerable*, Threatened, or Endangered Species.

Wetlands (PSWs).
Forest Resources:

Regional Forests (forested areas that are owned and managed by the Regional
Corporation for multiple benefits, including wood production, recreation, and wildlife
habitat); and

Regionally Significant Forests (including Regional Forest), not including those areas such
as Christmas tree farms that are greater than 20 ha in area.
A Greenlands System is natural areas (wetlands, forests, lakes, river systems, and landscape
features) and corridors linked together. It includes:

Environmental Policy Areas (most but not all);

Regionally Significant Forests (most but not all);

Significant landscapes (e.g., many portions of the Oak Ridges Moraine, the former Lake
Algonquin shoreline); and

Overlaps Natural Core Areas, Natural Linkage Areas and Countryside Areas of the Oak
Ridges Moraine.
57
GTA
West
Factor
Groundwater
Surface Water
Fish and Fish
Habitat
Terrestrial
Ecosystems
Details
Greenlands System:

Lakes and river systems.
Significant Natural Areas:

Environmental Policy Areas:
o Environmentally Significant Areas, contain distinctive or unusual features, perform a
key ecological function and/or provide habitat for significant plant and/or animal
species; and
o Habitats of Vulnerable*, Threatened, or Endangered Species Greenlands System.

Lakes and river systems.

o Environmental Policy Areas:

ESAs, contain distinctive or unusual features, perform a key ecological
function and/or provide habitat for significant plant and/or animal species; and

Habitats of Vulnerable*, Threatened, or Endangered Species.

Greenlands System: linked natural areas (wetlands, forests, lakes, river systems, and
landscape features) and corridors.

Forest Resources:
o Regional Forests; and
o Regionally Significant Forests.
Wetlands:

o Wetlands (PSWs).

o Environmental Policy Areas:

Environmentally Significant Areas.

Forest Resources:
o Regional Forests; and
o Regionally Significant Forests.

Greenlands System - linked natural areas (wetlands, forests, lakes, river systems, and
landscape features) and corridors.
* Ministry of Natural Resources has recently replaced the term Vulnerable with Special Concern.
3.6.6 Environmentally Sensitive Areas
ESAs (also known as Environmentally Significant Areas) are areas defined by municipalities.
Started in 1978, ESA planning was applied across Ontario. As detailed in Exhibit 3-25, ESAs
are, (with the exception of York Region), incorporated into most municipal Greenlands Systems.
3.7 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANCE/SENSITIVITY OF NATURAL ENVIRONMENTAL
CONDITIONS
The following is a summary of the broad natural environment features and functions within the
Preliminary Study Area based on relevant, regional-level secondary source information. The
information collected will be carried forward to subsequent stages of the process, where it will
be refined and augmented with the more detailed information from municipalities, agencies, and
stakeholders during the study.
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3.7.1 Legislative and Policy Protection
In the previous sections, legislation and policy were discussed for the various environmental
features and functions identified for the Preliminary Study Area. Exhibit 3-26 is a summary of
the environmental features and functions for the Preliminary Study Area and their associated
legislative and policy protection.
Included in the table is reference to the Ministry’s
Environmental Protection Requirement (see Section 2.2).
Exhibit 3-26: Summary of the Environmental Features and Functions Identified For the
Preliminary Study Area and their Associated Legislative and Policy Protection
Feature and/or Function
GROUNDWATER
SURFACE WATER
FISH AND FISH HABITAT
Legislative and Policy Protection*
Ontario Water Resources Act
Safe Drinking Water Act
Environmental Protection Requirement GW-1 to GW-6
PPS
Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act
Canada Water Act
Conservation Authorities Act
Planning Act
PPS
Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act
Canada Water Act
Canadian Environmental Protection Act
Ontario Environmental Protection Act
Ontario Water Resources Act
Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act
Environmental Protection Requirement SW-1 to SW-10
Fisheries Act
Species At Risk Act
Environmental Protection Requirement FISH-1 to FISH-12
Fish and Fish Habitat Sensitivity
Fish Species of Conservation
Concern
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
Wetlands
Wildlife, Habitats, and
Movements
Woodlands and Other Vegetated
Areas
Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation
PPS
Environmental Protection Requirement WET-1 to WET-2
Greenbelt Plan
Canada Wildlife Act s.1-19
Migratory Birds Convention Act
PPS
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act
Environmental Protection Requirement WLD-1 to WLD 2 and WLD-5 to WLD-9
PPS s.2.1.2, 2.1.3 (b), 2.1.4 (d)
Forestry Act
Environmental Protection Requirement VEG-3 to VEG-8
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Feature and/or Function
Terrestrial Species of
Conservation Concern
Legislative and Policy Protection*
York Region Official Plan
Peel Region Official Plan
Halton Region Official Plan
County of Wellington Official Plan
Species At Risk Act
Ontario Endangered Species Act
Environmental Protection Requirement WLD-3 to WLD-4 and VEG-1 to VEG-2
DESIGNATED AREAS
Niagara Escarpment
Oak Ridges Moraine
Greenbelt
ANSIs
ESAs
Niagara Escarpment Planning & Development Act
Designation of Area of Development Control
Designation of Planning Area
Development Within the Development Control Area
Environmental Protection Requirement NE-1 to NE-35
Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act
Environmental Protection Requirement ORM-1 to ORM-28
Greenbelt Act
Environmental Protection Requirement GB-1 to GB-8
Environmental Protection Requirement DA-1 to DA-5
PPS
Greenbelt Plan
Environmental Protection Requirement DA-1 to DA-5
* The information is provided as a convenience only and should not be relied on as authoritative. The letters and
number in brackets, for example (FISH -1), are the reference to a specific Environmental Protection Requirement
(see Section 2.2).
3.7.2 Designated Areas
The Niagara Escarpment, a recognized UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, is the most
significant feature in the Preliminary Study Area from a fish and fish habitat, terrestrial
ecosystem, surface water, and groundwater perspective. Alterations to the Niagara Escarpment
must include an evaluation of the potential visual impact on the Niagara Escarpment. In
addition to the Niagara Escarpment, there are 65 ANSIs within the Preliminary Study Area.
Locally/regionally designated features and areas generally coincide with valleys. The sensitivity
of ANSIs or locally/regionally designated features and areas are specific to the characteristics of
the feature or area.
3.7.3 Groundwater
In general, the Amabel Formation (above the Escarpment) is one of the most important and
productive bedrock aquifers in the Preliminary Study Area and Lake Ontario basin, which is a
regionally significant, transmissive aquifer. Above the Escarpment, most infiltration recharges
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the underlying Amabel Formation aquifer.
Below the Escarpment, Amabel Formation
discharges groundwater to tributaries at the face of the Escarpment, and is the likely source of
most of the baseflow to surface watercourses to the east. Shallower overburden aquifers are
more important east of the Escarpment and provide a number of municipalities with water
supplies. The wellhead protection zones for these wells are scattered throughout the
Preliminary Study Area.
In general terms, three hydrogeological indicators are used to determine which areas are the
most sensitive to the potential impacts of transportation infrastructure:
 Proximity to groundwater recharge areas;
 Highly vulnerable aquifers;
 Proximity to groundwater discharge areas; and
 Proximity to water wells set in shallow, unconfined aquifers.
Recharge areas are the water source for the groundwater system. Therefore, the proximity of
infrastructure to such areas may affect water resources that are used by humans and/or support
the natural environment. The proximity to a discharge area is also significant because the
infrastructure will exhibit groundwater upwelling that supports aquatic habitat. Reductions in
upwelling in groundwater-fed wetlands could reduce vegetation diversity by starving those
species that require more water. Given the reliance of so many animal species on wetland
habitat, animals may be displaced or unable to survive. Similarly, such disruption may redirect
groundwater discharge, which could lead to flooding of low-lying areas. Reduced discharge into
particularly sensitive reaches of streams could also impact fish habitat and spawning grounds.
The proximity of water wells set in shallow, unconfined aquifers is significant for two reasons.
First, the building of infrastructure may temporarily lower the water levels of nearby shallow
wells. Nearby water wells set in the same shallow aquifer could also be affected. Another longterm effect could be the permanent lowering of the water table created by permeable bedding of
services. Secondly, these wells are sensitive to inadvertently introduced contaminants entering
the groundwater system. Shallow, dug wells relying on tile joints to allow water entry are
particularly susceptible to contamination due to the short travel distance necessary to reach the
aquifer and the absence of any extensive aquitards to intercept the contaminants.
3.7.4 Surface Water
Four watersheds comprise nearly 75% of the Preliminary Study Area. Of these, the Humber
River, and to a lesser extent the Credit River, have the most urbanized watersheds while
Sixteen Mile Creek and Eramosa River have predominately agricultural and natural watersheds.
3.7.5 Fish and Fish Habitat
Within the Preliminary Study Area, there are seven Species of Conservation Concern as well as
approximately 47 km of coldwater, 61 km of coolwater, and 117 km of warmwater habitat.
Coldwater streams and their fish communities are considered the most sensitive aquatic
resource in the Preliminary Study Area. Coldwater fish and their communities are considered
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intolerant to disturbances such as changes in water chemistry or changes in thermal regime,
particularly when related to the loss of, or change in, the quality of groundwater discharging to
the streams. Coldwater fish species are typically found where forested riparian cover is intact,
water quality is good, and baseflow is sufficient to maintain flow rates and moderate stream
temperatures. The absence or impairment of these conditions can undermine the viability of
fish populations. In particular, coldwater fish, such as Brook Trout, are dependant on
groundwater direct discharge for successful egg incubation. Therefore, groundwater discharge
that contributes functionally to these fish communities must be protected.
Warmwater streams and many warmwater species may also be sensitive. However they
typically support fish species that are more tolerant to environmental disturbance. Common
warmwater fish species, particularly in urbanized areas, can usually withstand changes to
habitat and fluctuating environmental conditions without any significant influence on the
community.
3.7.6 Terrestrial Ecosystems
Of the 67 evaluated wetlands in the Study Area, there are 42 that are considered PSWs. These
are located predominantly west of the Niagara Escarpment in the Preliminary Study Area. Also
situated west of the Escarpment are the three largest wetland complexes within the Preliminary
Study Areas, each greater than 1,000 ha.
Wildlife in the Preliminary Study Area is generally characteristic of southern Ontario and the
Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Lowlands forest region. There are 78 occurrences of 42 different
known Species of Conservation Concern. Eleven species are federally designated with
protection under the federal SARA.
Significant wildlife habitats within the Preliminary Study Area include Deer Wintering Areas
(approximately 6930 ha), and Raptor Nesting Sites. As identification and evaluation of
significant wildlife habitats is a planning authority (municipal) responsibility, it is anticipated that
information on other significant wildlife habitat that is not currently in the provincial databases
will continue to be collected from municipalities, agencies, and stakeholders during the study
process.
Within the Preliminary Study Area, there are 202 Significant Wooded Areas totalling
approximately 18,730 ha and approximately 20 designated Old Growth Forests associated with
the southern edge of the Oak Ridges Moraine. As well, there are over 5,200 ha of interior
woodlands (3% of the Preliminary Study Area), and approximately 1,000 ha of deep interior
woodlands (0.63 % of the Preliminary Study Area).
The proximity to infrastructure of any of these features may affect the feature/species, habitat,
or their functions and is recognized as a high constraint to transportation development. For
example, reductions in surface water or groundwater contribution to wetlands would potentially
compromise the biodiversity of both wildlife and vegetation. Fragmentation of interior forest
habitat would potentially compromise the ability of certain birds and wildlife species to carry out
life processes. The removal of their habitat would lead to a reduction in abundance and
biodiversity at a broader level.
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Chapter 3 (PDF / 13 MB)

Transcription

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