NOTICE OF MEETING CONSERVATION ADVISORY BOARD6.2 HCA Strategic Plan – CAB Consultation ~ Menyes ....

NOTICE OF MEETING

CONSERVATION ADVISORY BOARD

Thursday, October 18, 2012

7:00 p.m.

at Woodend

AGENDA

1. CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS ~ Topalovic

2. DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

3. DELEGATIONS

3.1 Mike Sheehy regarding Webster’s Falls

4. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT ON BOARD OF DIRECTORS ACTIONS ~ Topalovic

4.1 CA 1215 – Niagara Escarpment Commission – Strategic Plan CA 1216 – Emerald Ash Borer Proclamation CA 1217 – Red Hill Creek Watershed Stewardship Action Plans

5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

5.1 Minutes – Conservation Advisory Board (September 13, 2012) ~ Topalovic 6. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

6.1 CAB Tracking Report ~ Kenny 6.2 HCA Strategic Plan – CAB Consultation ~ Menyes

7. NEW BUSINESS

7.1 Low Water Conditions Update ~ Breton/Ragaz 7.2 Niagara Escarpment Parks and Open Space System Council

– 2011-2012 Annual Report ~ Bell

8. OTHER NEW BUSINESS

9. NEXT MEETING – Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.

10. ADJOURNMENT

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HAMILTON CONSERVATION AUTHORITY

Conservation Advisory Board

MINUTES

September 13, 2012

Minutes of the Conservation Advisory Board meeting held on Thursday, September 13, 2012 at the HCA’s Woodend Administration Building, commencing at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Maria Topalovic, Chair

John Barkovic Rob Booth Dan Bowman Kristen Brittain Lydia Cartlidge James Howlett Donna Kydd Cheryl Larocque Chris Michels Morgan Pirie John Shaw Mary Tice

REGRETS: Sean Botham, Santina Moccio, Duke O’Sullivan, Marie

Robbins STAFF PRESENT: Darren Kenny, Kathy Menyes, Sheila O’Neal, Jaime Overy,

and Scott Peck OTHERS: Diane Bloomfield – Hamilton/Halton Source Water Protection 1. CHAIR’S REMARKS

Maria Topalovic, Conservation Advisory Board (CAB) Chair, welcomed the members to the meeting.

2. DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST There were none. 3. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT ON BOARD OF DIRECTORS ACTIONS

3.1 CA 1212 – Designation of Provincial Offences Officers

Conservation Advisory Board September 13, 2012

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Maria Topalovic reported that the resolution forwarded to the Board of Directors for designation of Elizabeth Berestecki (Watershed Officer) and Nora Jamieson (Watershed Planner) as Provincial Offences Officers was endorsed.

4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

4.1 Minutes - Conservation Advisory Board (July 12, 2012) There were no requested changes to the minutes.

CA1213 MOVED BY: John Shaw

SECONDED BY: Morgan Pirie THAT the minutes of the Conservation Areas Advisory Board meeting held on July 12, 2012 be accepted.

CARRIED

5. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

5.1 CAB Tracking Report Darren Kenny briefly reviewed the September tracking report, highlighting the recent HCA Board of Director resolution regarding the Provincial Offences Officer designations as well as the approval of a recommendation at the June, 2012 meeting authorizing staff to enter into a lease for the Eramosa Karst Feeder Lands from the Province of Ontario. Darren also informed the members that the HCA will be holding a Public Information Centre (PIC) for the Meadowlands Conservation Area Master Plan at the HCA Administration Building (Auditorium) at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012. This PIC is in response to direction provided by the HCA Board of Directors. This item will be added to the October tracking report.

5.2 Source Water Protection Plan

Diane Bloomfield (Project Manager, Drinking Water Source Protection) provided a PowerPoint presentation outlining the source water protection planning process and the progress of the Hamilton/Halton Source Water Protection Committee to date. Diane re-iterated that the current legislation and source protection plans are strictly focused on the protection of municipal drinking water supplies. Currently, there are 21 drinking water threats that have been identified in the HCA watershed including septic systems and the wastewater treatment plant. Some recommendations for Source Water Protection policies in the HCA watershed include the continuation of existing incentive programs, assistance


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with educational programs, and inter-agency interpretation and sharing of hydro-geological and climate information. The Source Protection Committee is now awaiting formal Ministry of Environment review of the Draft Source Protection Plan which is predicted to be completed in spring 2013. This will be followed by preparation of an implementation guide and finalization of a plan amendment by the end of 2014. In the meantime, the committee and staff are continuing technical work on the project. The members asked Diane some questions and thanked her for her presentation. 5.3 HCA Comments on Draft Great Lakes Protection Act and Strategy Kathy Menyes reviewed her report and mentioned that both Conservation Ontario (CO) and many individual Conservation Authorities (including HCA) provided comments on the document. Some of the key concerns of our Authority that were outlined in the comments included:

• The need for a clearer purpose for the proposed Guardians Council as well as the need for inclusion of Conservation Authority representatives on the council

• The need to develop an implementation strategy to ensure that the strategy goals are met

• Concern over possible duplication of effort and regulations and the need to stream line existing/future regulations and review processes

• Consideration of different watershed management approaches such as integrated watershed management and adaptive resource management

CO and HCA comments were copied to our member municipalities, all CAs, NGOs and local MPPs. Kathy also mentioned that the Ministry of the Environment has recently held public meetings on the strategy and that she attended a recent meeting in Toronto. The meeting focused on discussion of the community action fund, the proposed Act and draft Strategy.

5.4 HCA Strategic Plan – CAB Representation at Workshops Kathy Menyes reviewed her report for the members. Kathy mentioned that the HCA has already completed some consultation with external stakeholders and will be undertaking consultation workshops with HCA staff in September. A formal, facilitated planning workshop is also scheduled for October 20, 2012 and Kathy asked for volunteers from the CAB to participate in this workshop. In order to include input from those CAB members not able to attend the workshop, Dan Bowman suggested that perhaps a brief consultation could be held at the October CAB meeting using the list of questions from the previous survey of the Board and CAB Chair/Vice-Chair. It was agreed by the members that this would be done at the October meeting. It was also agreed that the HCA would poll those members who offered regrets


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to the September meeting to see if they were willing to volunteer for the October 20 workshop. CA1214 MOVED BY: Morgan Pirie

SECONDED BY: Dan Bowman

THAT the Conservation Advisory Board recommends to the HCA Board of Directors:

THAT the CAB representatives noted below participate in the upcoming Planning Workshop for the HCA strategic planning exercise to be held in October 20, 2012:

1. Rob Booth 2. Donna Kydd

CARRIED

6. NEW BUSINESS

6.1 Niagara Escarpment Commission – Strategic Plan Scott Peck reviewed the staff report and mentioned that due to the commenting deadline of August 31, 2012, HCA staff provided comments of the draft Strategic Plan to the Niagara Escarpment Commission in a letter dated July 25, 2012. Scott summarized the report for members with specific attention to the need to including climate change issues within the plan and regarding the need for improved partnering, communication and monitoring to be addressed in the draft Strategic Plan. Rob Booth mentioned that environmental data being collected by CAs and other agencies does not seem to be consistent or co-ordinated and asked if Conservation Ontario is attempting to co-ordinate these efforts in the future. Scott stated that to his knowledge, CO was not considering any broad-scale co-ordination of monitoring efforts across the CAs. Scott then asked for member endorsement of the HCA comments on the Draft Strategic Plan. CA1215 MOVED BY: Cheryl Larocque

SECONDED BY: Dan Bowman

THAT the Conservation Advisory Board recommends to the Board of Directors: THAT the Board of Director’s of the Hamilton Conservation Authority endorse the report entitled “Niagara Escarpment Commission - Draft Strategic Plan 2012-2016”.

CARRIED


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6.2 Emerald Ash Borer Proclamation

Scott Peck reviewed the staff report and mentioned that the focus of the proclamation is urban areas, not rural forests. He stated that by supporting the proclamation, the HCA is not committing itself to any future action related to borer control, it is simply asking for the Federal and Provincial governments to take action on the issue. John Shaw expressed concern that the proclamation seemed to indicate that the HCA was expanding its mandate to include ash borer control. Scott re-iterated that the HCA is not expanding its mandate, but that the HCA was encouraging the government to play a strong role which may include funding to CAs for implementation of local control measures. Scott then asked for CAB endorsement of the staff recommendation. CA1216 MOVED BY: James Howlett

SECONDED BY: Mary Tice

THAT the Conservation Advisory Board recommends to the Board of Directors: THAT the HCA Board of Directors endorse the following proclamation. A Federal and Provincial Role in Urban and Watershed Forestry WHEREAS over 80% of Canadians now live in urban areas and have come to rely on the environmental, ecological and economic benefits of urban forests; AND WHEREAS the health of Canadians is sustained by their urban forests which provide services through improving air quality, cooling city streets and buildings, acting as a windbreak, shading from harmful UV rays, and filtering storm water, as well as beautifying our communities; AND WHEREAS neither the federal nor provincial governments currently include urban forestry in their mandates except in a limited role with respect to exotic, invasive pests; AND WHEREAS the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has not been able to stop the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer throughout Ontario and Quebec; AND WHEREAS the Emerald Ash Borer is expected to cost Canadians over $2 Billion dollars in treatment and replanting;


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AND WHEREAS Canadian forestry programs and research are solely focused on industrial forests and do not at present include urban tree planting, appropriate species research, and insect control and management; and

AND WHEREAS other jurisdictions such as the United States Forest Service and the European Urban Forestry Research and Information Centre include urban forestry as a program and research area; AND WHEREAS Canada engages municipalities in a number of substantial infrastructure programs; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Hamilton Conservation Authority calls on the Federal and Provincial governments to take leadership roles in recognizing the need to support urban forestry, by establishing urban forestry mandates and programs which includes funding assistance to municipalities and conservation authorities for the control and management of catastrophic infestations of insects and diseases, such as the Emerald Ash Borer - as well as the creation and funding of programs designed to support the ongoing sustainable management of urban forests. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That this proclamation and that this resolution be distributed to The Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food; The Honourable Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources; The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities; The Honorable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance; Local Federal Members’ of Parliament David Sweet, David Christopherson, Wayne Marston and Chris Charlton; AND to Honourable Michael Gravelle, Minister of Natural Resources; Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; Honourable Dwight Duncan, Minister of Finance; Local Provincial Members’ of the Ontario Legislature Ted McMeekin, Monique Taylor, Paul Miller, Tim Hudak, MPP, Leader of Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario and the Opposition Party; Andrea Horvath, MPP, Leader of the New Democratic Party of Ontario; Association of Municipalities of Ontario; Federation of Canadian Municipalities. AND THAT the Hamilton Conservation Authority distribute this report and call to action to our area partners, including


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the City of Hamilton and the Township of Puslinch, and all conservation authorities in Ontario.

CARRIED 6.3 Red Hill Creek Watershed Stewardship Action Plans

Jaime Overy (Project Planner) reviewed her report outlining HCA plans to extend the Steward Action Plans to the Redhill Creek watershed and detailing the proposed phasing and implementation of the plan across the component subwatersheds. Jaime stated that the plan will be developed over 2 years and that it will address the findings of the previous 1997 Red Hill Creek Watershed Planning State of the Watershed report. Jaime also mentioned that the first public open house on the project will take place on September 25, 2012 at the Mohawk Ice Centre. Lydia Cartlidge asked if the stakeholder advisory committee was going to be different for years one and two. Jaime replied that the committees will be different as the focus moves from the upper watersheds to the lower watersheds, but that there will be some overlap. Lydia expressed interest in participating on the committee in year two. Jaime then asked for CAB approval of the proposed plan schedule and requested CAB representation on the stakeholder advisory committee. CA1217 MOVED BY: John Shaw

SECONDED BY: Lydia Cartlidge

THAT the Conservation Advisory Board recommends to the HCA Board of Directors: THAT the schedule for Red Hill Creek Stewardship Action Plans planning process (2012-2013) be approved; and further THAT Morgan Pirie, member of the Conservation Advisory Board, be appointed to the Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC) for the Red Hill Creek Stewardship Action Plans Project.

CARRIED

7. OTHER NEW BUSINESS No items of new business were brought forward.


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8. NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the CAB is scheduled for Thursday, October 18, 2012 at 7:00pm. The meeting date was changed with member agreement to allow HCA staff and the Spencer Gorge/Webster’s Falls Master Plan project consultant time to complete additional public consultation and bring a draft report and management alternatives to the October meeting.

9. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting was adjourned.

Memorandum To: Members of the Conservation Advisory Board

From: Steve Miazga, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

Prepared by: Darren Kenny, Watershed Officer

Date: October 4, 2012

Re: October 18, 2012 CAB Tracking Report

Meeting Date Formal Recommendation Idea/Comment Board Approval

Action/Status

September 13, 2012

THAT the CAB representatives noted below participate in the upcoming Planning Workshop for the HCA strategic planning exercise to be held in October 20th, 2012:

1. Rob Booth

2. Donna Kydd

October 4, 2012 Board of Directors approved this recommendation at their October meeting.

Meeting Date

Formal Recommendation Idea/Comment Board Approval

Action/Status

September 13, 2012

THAT the Board of Director’s of the Hamilton Conservation Authority endorse the report entitled “Niagara Escarpment Commission - Draft Strategic Plan 2012-2016”.

October, 2012 Board of Directors approved this recommendation at their October meeting.

September 13, 2012

THAT the HCA Board of Directors endorse the Emerald Ash Borer proclamation – “A Federal and Provincial Role in Urban and Watershed Forestry”


September 13, 2012

THAT the schedule for Red Hill Creek Stewardship Action Plans planning process (2012-2013) be approved; and further

THAT Morgan Pirie, member of the Conservation Advisory Board, be appointed to the Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC) for the Red Hill Creek Stewardship Action Plans Project.


December, 2011

Admission Fees – Recommendation that the daily walk in admission fee for the Dundas Valley Conservation Area be removed; and that the establishment of fee stations for conservation areas be considered as part of the annual budget report approved by the Board; and that admission fees for vehicles be applied at the Eramosa Karst Conservation Area (EKCA) and Tiffany Falls Conservation Area for 2012; and further that the daily admission fee for vehicles at the Eramosa Karst Conservation Area and Tiffany Falls Conservation Area be set at $5.00 and $3.00 per vehicle respectively for 2012.

April, 2012 Vehicle admission fees for Eramosa Karst Conservation Area and Tiffany Falls Conservation Area were approved. HCA staff will be looking at option for charging hourly fees. * Hourly Fees of $2.00/hr have been applied to both properties

Meeting Date


Action/Status

August, 2011

Veldhuis Property Restoration Plan - Recommendation to approve the Landscape Restoration Plan for the Veldhuis property and forward the plan to the City of Hamilton and Royal Botanical Gardens.

September, 2011 Board of Directors approved this recommendation at their September meeting. HCA and City staff have met to discuss comments provided by the Public Works and Planning departments and will be continuing to dialogue regarding the project.

June, 2011 Meadowlands Conservation Area Management Plan - Recommendation to approve a revised version of the trail network along with the balance of the management plan

Tabled Board of Directors tabled the report and directed staff to consult further with the neighbourhood to arrive at an acceptable approach to a trail network. There have been some problems with scheduling the follow-up consultation session with the Meadowlands neighbourhood but it is hoped this can be undertaken this Spring. *HCA held a public information centre (PIC) for the Meadowlands Conservation Area Master Plan at the HCA Administration building on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012.

Nov 25, 2010

HCA Strategic Plan – 2012 to 2016 – The members advised that the next strategic plan should address human resource needs, not just financial needs – job training/retraining; the members also suggested that the HCA may wish to contemplate a 3-year strategic plan this time as things change quickly in the world today and a shorter plan may allow for HCA to react to changes more easily.

N/A HCA staff will take these suggestions to the Steering Committee that will be established to guide the development of the strategic plan.

Meeting Date


Action/Status

June, 2010 Confederation Park Master Plan Update

N/A The City of Hamilton is undertaking several reviews and assessments of Confederation Park to determine the costs and feasibility of implementing the development concepts presented in the plan. City and HCA staff have been involved in discussions during this process.

November 10, 2005 and May 11, 2006

Generic Regulation - The members suggested the HCA speak to the City’s Agricultural Committee, representing many agricultural interests, about the regulation as well (May/06)

N/A Staff has been waiting for confirmation to attend a future meeting of the City’s Agricultural Committee and will be contacting the City again to set a date. Given that this could not be arranged in recent years, HCA staff has contacted City staff in 2011, to determine if this Committee still exists, and if so, arrange for a presentation on the regulations to the next Agricultural Committee. The City will contact HCA staff when appropriate.

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Memorandum TO: Members of the Conservation Advisory Board FROM: Kathy Menyes, Director Watershed Planning & Engineering DATE: October 5, 2012 RE: HCA Strategic Plan – 2013 to 2017 CAB Consultation BACKGROUND As discussed at the September CAB meeting, the HCA is undergoing its next 5-year strategic planning exercise. At the meeting last month, the CAB recommended to the HCA Board of Directors that CAB members Rob Booth and Donna Kydd participate in the October 20th Planning Workshop, where HCA staff, Board members, Conservation Foundation members and some key external stakeholders will review the results of the stakeholder research and determine the key priorities for the HCA in the next 5 years. The HCA Board approved the participation of the noted CAB members in that Workshop at its’ meeting of October 4th, 2012. At the September CAB meeting, the members also asked that HCA staff engage the CAB as a whole in discussions about the HCA and future directions. As such, the attached one-page outline has been prepared to assist in guiding some discussions at the October CAB meeting. The Conservation Advisory Board members assist the HCA Board of Directors in making important decisions. Your input is vital to the success of the organization. As such, please give the attached some consideration prior to the CAB meeting and please be prepared to share your thoughts and opinions at the meeting.

HCA STRATEGIC PLAN – 2013 TO 2017 Conservation Advisory Board

Discussion Guide

HCA MISSION

“Leading in the conservation of our watershed’s natural environment”

HCA VISION

“HCA works to ensure healthy streams and healthy communities in which human needs are met in balance with needs of the natural environment, now and in the future.”

In light of our Vision and Mission, you are asked to answer the following questions in order to help complete our SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis of the HCA.

1. What does the HCA do best? What are our Strengths? (3 Things) – please elaborate

2. What are our shortcomings? Where can we improve? (3 Things) – please elaborate

3. What Issues or Trends do we have to contend with in the future? (3 Things) – please elaborate

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Memorandum TO: Conservation Advisory Board Members FROM: Steve Miazga, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) RECOMMENDED BY: Tony Horvat, Director of Land Management PREPARED BY: Sandy Bell, Manager of Design & Development DATE: October 3, 2012 RE: Niagara Escarpment Parks and Open Space System Council 2011-2012 Annual Report This memorandum is for information. The Hamilton Conservation Authority is a member of the Niagara Escarpment Parks and Open Space System Council as the HCA has a number of Conservation Areas designated as part of the Niagara Escarpment Parks and Open Space System (NEPOSS) through the Niagara Escarpment Plan 2005. Attached is the 2011-2012 Annual Report from the NEPOSS Council which was sent to the Ministry of Natural Resources which has overall responsibility for NEPOSS. The report provides some background on the purposes of the Council and information on the Council’s activities in the last two years since staff updated the Advisory Board and Board of Directors.

NIAGARA ESCARPMENT PARKS AND OPEN SPACE SYSTEM COUNCIL

(NEPOSS)

2011 – 2012 ANNUAL REPORT

Chair’s Report to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Director of Natural Heritage, Lands, and Protected Spaces

Bruce Peninsula National Park

Respectfully Submitted by: Robert Edmondson Chair NEPOSS Council

September 17, 2012

Preface

The Niagara Escarpment Parks and Open Space System Council is comprised of park and natural space agencies that manage and/or own public land in the Niagara Escarpment Parks and Open Space System (NEPOSS), including the Bruce Trail. The NEPOSS Council was organized to advance the NEPOSS objectives identified in the Niagara Escarpment Plan (2005). It was created in recognition of a need to foster dialogue on NEPOSS issues and improve liaison, shared resources, and coordinated action among various NEPOSS agencies. In March 2009, the NEPOSS membership developed a terms of reference for the NEPOSS Council. Section 10 of the Terms of References requires that the Chair submit an annual report to the Ministry of Natural Resources Director of Natural Heritage, Lands and Protected Spaces Branch. The annual report shall provide a summary of the NEPOSS Council’s activities and achievements during the fiscal year. This is the first annual report produced by the Niagara Escarpment Parks and Open Space System Council (NEPOSS Council) since its inception in 2009.

Table of Contents

Background........................................................................................................1 Purpose .............................................................................................................2 Council Membership ..........................................................................................2 Governing Objectives and Commitments ..........................................................3 Work Plans and Accomplishments ....................................................................4 Going Forward ...................................................................................................8 Appendix 1: NEPOSS Council Membership ......................................................i Appendix 2: NEPOSS Council Web Site ...........................................................ii

Background

The Niagara Escarpment Parks and Open Space System (NEPOSS) is comprised of a series of publicly owned lands along the Niagara Escarpment. They are subject to the Niagara Escarpment Plan (2005) polices that form Part 3 of the Plan and the properties that make up NEPOSS are listed in Appendix A of the Plan and on Map 10. The properties are owned and/or managed by a number of public bodies or approved conservation organizations and linked in most part by the Bruce Trail. The concept of a Niagara Escarpment Parks and Open Space Council (NEPOSS Council) was initiated during the first review of the Niagara Escarpment Plan in 1990. The Hearing Officers recommended that a coordinating council be established to create a supportive network to assist park managers in learning from each other’s triumphs and mistakes, and to bring about a progressive development of service delivery in Escarpment Parks. Also during that time period, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized the Niagara Escarpment as a World Biosphere Reserve. UNESCO encourages collaborative efforts among park managers to promote the sustainability of local economies and communities, as well as the conservation and stewardship of the Escarpment ecosystems. A council was initiated in the early 1990s to discuss common issues and exchange information; the council discontinued in 1996.

Tews Falls

The 1993 Hearing Officers Executive Summary stated:

‘We consider the Niagara Escarpment Parks System vital to the success of the Plan. The System, as it was drawn up, depends on cooperation among municipalities, conservation authorities, the Bruce Trail Conservancy and other agencies whose lands, together, make up the System. It is time to expand and strengthen that cooperative approach, making it clear that the participating governments and agencies own not just some of the land in the Park System, but a piece of the System itself. We believe this will bring a renewed commitment from all partners to help the System thrive.”

The reestablishment of the NEPOSS Council was initiated by Conservation Authorities at a NEPOSS related meeting with the belief that more could be accomplished in NEPOSS as a collective than as individual parks and natural spaces. Through participating in the initial NEPOSS Council, these members support that the sustainability and success of the NEPOSS Council is dependent upon the active support, cooperation, and ownership of its members.

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Purpose

The NEPOSS agencies are responsible for managing public land on the Niagara Escarpment and for developing and supporting NEPOSS initiatives and programs. The NEPOSS Council will provide advice to the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and the Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC) on NEPOSS policies and programs and bring awareness to NEPOSS Council issues.

Council Membership

The NEPOSS Council strives to maintain a membership that has strong geographic representation to ensure the diverse needs of the park agencies are met. The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC) staff are non-voting advisors. Council:

Bruce Trail Conservancy Conservation Authorities

Credit Valley Conservation Conservation Halton Grey Sauble Conservation Hamilton Region Conservation Niagara Peninsula Conservation Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Toronto Region Conservation

Country Heritage Agricultural Society Municipalities/Cities

Regional Municipality of Halton City of Burlington City of Hamilton City of Owen Sound County of Grey Town of Blue Mountains

Niagara Parks Commission Ontario Heritage Trust Ontario Parks Parks Canada Royal Botanical Gardens St. Lawrence Seaway Authority

Advisors:

Ministry of Natural Resources Niagara Escarpment Commission

Please note that the NEPOSS Council membership are identified in Appendix 1.

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Governing Objectives and Commitments

The initiatives of the NEPOSS Council and the corresponding work plans are based on the 2005 Niagara Escarpment Plan, NEPOSS objectives and the NEPOSS Council commitments:

NEPOSS Objectives as cited in Section 3.1.1 of the NEP (2005)

To protect unique ecological and historical areas; To provide adequate opportunities for outdoor education and recreation; To provide for adequate public access to the Niagara Escarpment; To complete a public system of major parks and open space through

additional land acquisition and park and open space planning; To secure a route for the Bruce Trail; To maintain and enhance the natural environment of the Niagara

Escarpment; To support tourism by providing opportunities on public land for discovery

and enjoyment by Ontario's residents and visitors; To provide a common understanding and appreciation of the Niagara

Escarpment; and To show leadership in supporting and promoting the principles of the

Niagara Escarpment’s UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve Designation through sustainable park planning, ecological management, community involvement, environmental monitoring, research and education.

NEPOSS Council Commitments as confirmed in the 2009 Terms of Reference

Report and respond to the Ministry of Natural Resources as requested; Report to their respective organizations on Council initiatives; Provide effective leadership for coordinated park management and

stewardship; Protect natural and cultural heritage features of NEPOSS; Support the growth of NEPOSS through land securement initiatives; Develop a centralized strategic marketing and communication process; Build strong relationships with key stakeholders (e.g. Nature Conservancy of

Canada, Coalition on the Niagara Escarpment, etc) and Aboriginal Communities to address common park and open space issues and interests; and

Work together to provide an interconnected system of trails and educational and recreational opportunities.

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and recreational opportunities

Work Plans and Accomplishments

While the NEPOSS Council is required to meet twice per year according to the Terms of Reference, additional workshops are coordinated to support the NEPOSS Council in meeting its objectives and commitments. Four subcommittees comprised of members of the NEPOSS Council have been formed to carry out the initiatives of the NEPOSS Council and develop work plans. Each subcommittee has its own Chair. The subcommittees include the following topics:

Park Management Land and Park Planning Sustainable Funding Marketing and Communications

Terra Cotta Conservation Area

Park Management Subcommittee Objectives:

1. Identify best management practises for parks and natural spaces

2. Consider on-going management issues, e.g. managing the impact of visitation on park features

3. Identify successes and challenges in park and natural space infrastructure; showcase parks that are utilizing innovative / green infrastructure design

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Accomplishments to Date:

Coordinated and posted resources to meet public accessibility standards for parks and open spaces

Credit Valley Conservation provided information on visitations and use of trail counters. Credit Valley Conservation has installed 10 in their conservation areas; the report relating to use of the counters was posted on the NEPOSS Council website.

Land and Park Planning Subcommittee

Objectives:

1. Coordinate and manage information/resources for the Council, e.g. invasive species management

2. Initiate review of NEPOSS acquisition areas

3. Provide resources to assist park agencies in completing management plans; addressing the backlog of management plans.

4. Provide a review of Part 3 of the Niagara Escarpment Plan.

Current Action Items:

Conduct workshops relating to best management practices, e.g., trail management, invasive species management and other pertinent topics to the benefit of the NEPOSS members;

The last review of land required to complete NEPOSS was conducted in 1991. Identify properties to be purchased to complete NEPOSS through review of original file submissions and refinement based on new information from recent natural heritage inventories, completed management plans, and changes in the needs of park organizations.

Conduct an analytical and comprehensive review of Part 3 of the Niagara Escarpment Plan for the 2015 Plan Review.


Organized a Risk and Recreation Lands workshop for the NEPOSS Council Membership and their staff in August 2012; this workshop received partial funding from the MNR

Provided a critical review and constructive recommendations for the draft NEPOSS Planning Manual. The NEPOSS Planning Manual was finalized and circulated by the MNR in March 2012.

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Coordinated the following speaking engagements to improve best practices and develop effective partnerships:

o Hamilton Conservation Authority: Community Outreach and Education at Dundas Valley Conservation Area

o Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters: Invasive Species Management

o The Ontario Access Coalition: Sustainable Climbing on the Escarpment

o Ontario Parks: Developing an Effective Visitor’s Survey

o Ontario Nature: Building Land Securement Partnerships

o International Mountain Biking Association: Introduction to Trial Management

Shared approved management plans as examples to help those agencies currently working on management plans and to alleviate the backlog of management plans

Shared resources for deer management (harvest, habitat capacity, cull, public consultation)

Sustainable Funding Subcommittee

Objectives:

1. Develop an operational business plan for the NEPOSS Council

2. Research and identify funding opportunities for NEPOSS Council members

3. Consider funding options to properly care for the existing park system


Develop a list of potential smaller projects ($15 to $20K) so that NEPOSS

members have ready to go projects should funds become available Develop Capital/Infrastructure and Operational Funding needs for each agency;

can be based on current master plans such as those completed by Conservation Halton

Develop an operational business plan for the NEPOSS Council


Developed and sent a letter on behalf of the NEPOSS Council to the Minister of Natural Resources regarding available funding for Niagara Escarpment funding initiatives

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Wrote a letter on behalf of the NEPOSS Council to the Nature Conservancy of Canada to introduce NEPOSS and inquire about available funding

Marketing and Communications Subcommittee

Objectives:

1. Create a profile brand for NEPOSS

2. Develop a website for the NEPOSS Council; the website is intended to be the primary branding mechanism for NEPOSS

3. Facilitate collaboration and the creation of partnerships among conservation, stewardship, and recreation minded organizations

4. Develop a communications and marketing strategy, identifying NEPOSS objectives and operating priorities


Create a NEPOSS Council power point presentation that is available to all members for parks and open space community outreach and partnership development

Finalize the draft NEPOSS Council Marketing Communications Strategy

Circulate NEPOSS updates, news releases and stories via MNR, NEC and

partner agency newsletters and websites

Bring forward NEPOSS nominations for outstanding parks and open space achievements for the Niagara Escarpment Achievement Award Series in 2014


Collaborated with a consultant to develop a visual identify and brand for the NEPOSS Council with financial support form the MNR

Contracted a consultant to work with this subcommittee to design and develop a NEPOSS Council web site (http://www.niagaraescarpmentontario.ca/) with financial support from the MNR (See Appendix 2)

Council members post relevant park management content on the web site regularly to share information

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http://www.niagaraescarpmentontario.ca/

Going Forward

The NEPOSS Council will continue to address its objectives and implement its work plans. The NEPOSS Council is based on cooperation amongst its membership, partners, the Niagara Escarpment Commission and the Ministry of Natural Resources. The long term development of NEPOSS significantly depends on this cooperation and a sense of common purpose. The recreation of the NEPOSS Council is a significant step forward in meeting that purpose.

Middle Bluff – Cabot Head

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Appendix 1

NEPOSS Council Members

Bruce Trail Conservancy Beth Kummling

Bruce Trail Conservancy Neil Hester

Credit Valley Conservation Judi Orendorff

Conservation Halton Bob Edmondson

Grey Sauble Conservation Authority Chris Hatchey

Hamilton Conservation Authority Sandy Bell

Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority Darcy Baker

Nottwwasaga Valley Conservation Authority Byron Wesson

Toronto Region Conservation Authority Mike Finney

Country Heritage Experience David Natress

Region of Halton Richard Clark

City of Burlington Ingrid Vanderbrug

City of Hamilton Steve Barnhart

Town of Blue Mountains Shawn Everitt

Niagara Parks Commission Debbie Whitehouse

Ontario Heritage Trust Kendrick Doll

Ontario Parks Brian Huis

Ontario Parks Tim Marchand

Parks Canada Sean Liipere

Royal Botanical Gardens Tys Theysmeyer

Ministry of Natural Resources Advisor Susan Cooper

Niagara Escarpment Commission Advisor Karen Carruthers

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Appendix 2

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NOTICE OF MEETING CONSERVATION ADVISORY BOARD6.2 HCA Strategic Plan – CAB Consultation ~ Menyes ....

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Transcript of NOTICE OF MEETING CONSERVATION ADVISORY BOARD6.2 HCA Strategic Plan – CAB Consultation ~ Menyes ....