HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-06-111 - Huron Natural Area Update
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Community Services
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Report To:
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Community Services Committee
November 20, 2006
Ken Currier, Director of Operations (ext. 2657)
Dan Ritz, Supervisor of Design & Development (ext. 2348)
Dave Schmitt, Urban Forestry Technologist (ext. 2891)
Ward 4
November 6, 2006
CSD-06-111
HURON NATURAL AREA UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION:
For information purposes only.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The purpose of this report is to update Community Services Committee on the status of the
implementation of the Huron Natural Area (HNA) as approved by the Huron Natural Area Board
of Directors in January 2001.
Throughout 2006, the City has undertaken a number of initiatives to implement and update the
HNA Master Plan while at the same time being consistent with the HNA vision and goals, which
are to preserve and improve the ecological integrity of the HNA while at the same time providing
community opportunities for passive recreation and environmental education. Ongoing
initiatives include:
· Retaining an environmental consultant to implement and update the HNA Master Plan.
· Land severance of 4 acres of land on Trillium Drive to complete the City's obligation to
the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB).
· Refining the governance structure of the HNA Board through a Joint Venture Agreement
with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) and the WRDSB.
· Preparing the SuperBuild agreements with the Ministry of Natural Resources and the
Region of Waterloo. Extension of the SuperBuild completion date until June 30,2007.
· Updating of the HNA Master Plan, database, environmental studies and ten year
management plan.
· Holding a public information meeting.
· Environmental monitoring of Strasburg Creek.
Report No: CSD-06-111
· GRCA approvals for site development occurring adjacent and within the Provincially
Significant Wetland and the Strasburg Creek.
· Stage 1 & 2 Archaeological Assessments.
· Site development plans and implementation for the main access point off Trillium Drive,
trails construction, management of sensitive areas and restoration of deteriorated areas.
These initiatives will continue throughout 2007 in order to complete the initial phase of the HNA
vision. A ten year management plan will be developed through the current Master Plan update
to set the long term direction of this valuable natural area.
BACKGROUND:
The HNA land base is just over 100 hectares (250 acres) in size; it is bounded by Westmount,
Bleams and Huron Road. It is bisected by Strasburg Creek a cold water creek. The natural and
cultural history of the area has created a diverse natural area that includes; Provincially
Significant Wetlands, climax maple beech forests, cultural meadows, pine plantations and rare
plant species. In total there are sixteen (16) different vegetation zones found within HNA and
many of these are sustained by a complex glacial and hydro-geological system. Considering its
size, ecological quality and diversity it is Kitchener's most valuable natural area.
In 1990, the City of Kitchener, the WRDSB (-formerly Waterloo County Board of Education) and
the WCDSB (-formerly Waterloo Region Roman Catholic Separate School Board) made a
commitment to preserve and protect the site, legally known as the Huron Strasburg Natural Park
Conservation Project but more commonly referred to as the Huron Natural Area or HNA. To
achieve this it was necessary for the City to change the Huron Community Plan (1994), since all
of the developable lands had been zoned for industrial use. In creating HNA the three partners
have spent approximately 2.1 M dollars to acquire lands which are now key parts of HNA.
Addition expense has also gone into studying and planning the HNA over the last several years.
In May 1995, the HNA was incorporated as a legal entity separate from any of its three major
partners: City of Kitchener, WRDSB and the WCDSB. The HNA Board operated through a
defined vision, mission and specific goals.
Between 1991 and 2001, the project partners, and others prepared a comprehensive Master
Plan to guide the parks management. This plan was approved by the Huron Natural Area Board
of Directors in January 2001 and provides the basis for the implementation plan to move the
project forward. The two guiding principles for HNA are:
1. to maintain or improve the ecological integrity and stewardship of the park, and
2. to facilitate the understanding of the Waterloo Region's indigenous ecosystems by
visitors to the Huron Natural Area site.
In 2002, the City of Kitchener applied for and received approval to have the HNA included as
part of the SuperBuild Program. The HNA received funding approval from the Provincial
Government in the amount of $703,000 with supporting funding of $700,000 from the City of
Kitchener and $100,000 from the WRDSB for a total development budget of $1,503,000.
In January 2005, the City of Kitchener received the Leisure Facilities Master Plan for
information. Recommendation 29 - Park Master Plan Implementation and Under-Serviced
Areas Approach, recommended "that the city support the general direction of the Huron Natural
Area Park Plan, and continue to facilitate and give strong direction to resolving some of the key
Report No: CSD-06-111
challenges that have emerged within that planning process." That direction is being
implemented during the first phases of the HNA development.
REPORT:
The City and its consultants acting as the lead have undertaken several initiatives during 2006
to move the HNA Project forward and to ensure that the available Superbuild Funding is fully
utilized. A summary of these actions to date, many of which will continue into 2007 are provided
below.
Consultina / Desian Team
In April 2006 the Expression of Interest (E06-039) for Consultant Services for the HNA, was
awarded to Dougan & Associates. Their team includes ecologists, landscape architects,
hydrogeologist, environmental designers, engineers, and fisheries/aquatic experts. In addition to
updating the HNA Master Plan, this team will also develop a ten year management plan, and
design/facilitate the Phase 1 works that are being partially funded through SuperBuild.
Land Severance
In February 2006, the City of Kitchener accepted the offer of purchase of four acres of Trillium
Drive WRDSB land from Blue Top Properties for the purchase price of $135,000 per acre and
advanced $250,000 of that sale to the WRDSB completing the obligation to the WRDSB.
(Report CSD-06-015) This block was previously a disturbed area and the removal of these 4
acres will not have an impact on HNA goals.
Governance Structure
In June 2006 Council approved the authorization of the Joint Venture Agreement (Report CSD-
06-091) with the WCDSB and the WRDSB. This agreement which is expected to be in place by
the end of November 2006 will give the City full responsibility for the operations and long-term
management of the HNA.
SuoerBuild Aareement
Staff are presently finalizing the SuperBuild agreements with the Ministry of Natural Resources
and the Region of Waterloo and anticipate fully executed agreements to be in place in early
2007. The project completion date has also been updated to June 30, 2007 to allow for the
successful completion of the work scope as outlined in the proposed agreement.
Master Plan Uodate
An update of the Master Plan is presently being undertaken throughout 2006 as part of the
current implementation plan. A public meeting was held on June 28, 2006 to update the public
on the status of the HNA and to introduce the development strategy for 2006. Further public
consultation will occur in early 2007 to introduce the current site works and bring forward the
updated Master Plan to Council for their endorsement. The Master Plan will include cultural
context (archaeological evidence), biophysical context (geology, groundwater, soils, aquatic,
terrestrial), database update, ecological assessment, management issues, education &
stewardship plan, passive recreational opportunities and a ten year implementation plan.
Report No: CSD-06-111
Environmental Monitorina
Monitoring of Strasburg Creek has been occurring for the last three years, which has included:
benthic invertebrate, sediment chemistry, and base flow monitoring. As part of the large master
plan update this monitoring will be reviewed and expanded in the management plan.
GRCA Aoorovals
With more than a third of HNA being classified as Provincially Significant Wetland and Strasburg
Creek being a cold water fishery, Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) approvals are
required for construction within these areas. Initial approvals were provided in September 2006
for entrance and trail works. A decision by the GRCA Board regarding the second submission
for further trail and boardwalk works is expected in November. A third GRCA submission for
trails along the southern edge, and a new crossing of Strasburg Creek will be made in late 2006
with a decision expected in early 2007.
Archaeoloaical Studies
Recognizing the high archaeological potential of the area (i.e. Village of New Abredeen - 1850's
and Aboriginal Archaeological Site - Late Woodland) identified from past development in this
area, a Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment was prepared in July 2006 for the HNA lands. This
facilitated the need to carry out a Stage 2 assessment which was prepared in September 2006.
The Ministry of Culture has stated that the planned works can proceed in all of the proposed
areas, except for one area on the southern edge of HNA. This area will require additional review
and possibly a Stage 3 assessment before any trail construction, etc. can occur. One of the
proposed educational themes of HNA will be to educate people about the cultural and
archaeological history of the area.
Site Develooment
Through an environmentally sensitive design process City Staff and the City's consultants have
initiated works previously approved and identified as priorities by the HNA Board, this includes:
· Access Point -development of a new access point for HNA off of Trillium Drive (area will
include parking lot, drop area for school buses, washroom/canopy area with green roof
technology, interpretative signage/gateway to the HNA and an open event area for
environmental events. This work is scheduled to be tendered in early December 2006,
with work completed by May 30,2007.
· Trails -construction of a hierarchy of trails throughout HNA, along with connections to
other trail systems, parts of trail will be fully wheelchair accessible, along with
educational and interpretative nodes. Construction of the trails commenced in
September 2006 by City Operations staff and will continue into 2007.
· Management -public access and management to limit public access to sensitive
habitats and control unauthorized use, e.g. motorized vehicles. This ongoing work will
continue into 2007.
· Restoration -ecological restoration and site restoration (protection of southern edge,
planting of disturbed areas, controlling of invasive species, e.g. dog strangling vine).
Work proposed in 2007.
The HNA priorities are being achieved by a combination of in-house, City Operation Staff forces
and tendered work by outside contractors in order to complete the many portions of the HNA
plan. Work funded by SuperBuild will be completed prior to June 30, 2007.
Report No: CSD-06-111
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
There is presently $1,503,000 approved in the current Capital Budget for site development.
Operational costs will be included in the Annual Operating Budget as site development
advances. Future Capital and Operating Budgets will be reviewed and updated on approval of
the HNA Master Plan update in order to ensure that the vision and goals of the HNA are
respected.
COMMUNICATIONS:
The HNA Board, City Council and the public will be notified of all public meetings with respect to
the HNA Master Plan update.
A SuperBuild construction site sign will be erected to satisfy the conditions of the SuperBuild
agreement.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Region of Waterloo will be provided project updates as
per the conditions of their respective SuperBuild agreements.
CONCLUSION:
As we move forward with the current initiatives, we acknowledge the importance of keeping in
check with the HNA vision ... to create a special and precious place where people can play,
learn, relax and enjoy while setting standards of community stewardship and harmony with our
urban area.
Ken Currier
Director of Operations
AP