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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-09-010 - Upper Blair Creek Functional Drainage StudyI~TCx~~~ Development& Techrrica~ Services Report To: DTS Committee, Chair - Christina Weylie Date of Meeting: February 9, 2009 Submitted By: K. Grant Murphy, Director, Engineering Services Prepared By: K. Grant Murphy, Director, Engineering Services Ward(s) Involved: 4 -South Ward Date of Report: February 3, 2009 Report No.: DTS-09-010 Subject: UPPER BLAIR CREEK FUNCTIONAL DRAINAGE STUDY RECOMMENDATION: That the Upper Blair Creek Kitchener) Functional Drainage Study, prepared by Stantec Consulting Ltd., substantially in the form of the Final Report dated February 2009, be received and approved with the proviso that the Director of Engineering may approve minor revisions to the text required as a result of the resolution of the Ontario Municipal Board Appeals (Cases Numbered PL061250, PL061251 and PL070696) to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Upper Blair Creek Functional Drainage Study (FDS) and associated update to the Doon South (Phase 2) Community Plan were commissioned to determine if residential development, of higher density forms than allowable under current planning designations, can be accommodated and potential impacts sufficiently mitigated to achieve the recommendations established within the Blair, Bechtel and Bauman Creeks Subwatershed Plan (CH2M Gore & Storrie et al., 1997) (BBB Study). The Upper Blair Creek FDS deals with the technical issues pertaining to the hydrologic and hydrogeologic characteristics of the subwatershed existing conditions and a range of post- development conditions and associated stormwater management (SWM) measures that can be implemented to minimize the changes from current conditions. The Upper Blair Creek subwatershed area is located near the southwest boundary of the City of Kitchener, as illustrated on Figure 1 (attached), and represents the headwaters of the Blair Creek system that outlets to the Grand River approximately 9 km downstream at the Village of Blair. The Terms of Reference (TOR) required that the FDS analysis for this area provide the City, GRCA, and RMOW with the understanding and technical basis necessary to determine the suitability of the lands to accommodate future urban development in accordance with the objectives of the BBB Study. The BBB Study recommended a maximum ICL of 25% for the Upper Blair Creek watershed in Kitchener. The functional drainage study will establish an appropriate strategy, to be developed and implemented on a subwatershed level, to achieve the objectives of the BBB Study. For the purposes of the functional drainage analysis, the Study Area was divided into two parcels, East and West, based on existing planning designations. The delineation of the two Study Area components is illustrated on Figure 2 (attached), and described further below. The East Study Area represents the lands located to the east of Reidel Drive and generally reflects the extent of the City Urban Area and the Doon South Community Plan -Phase 2 Area. The West Study Area represents the lands located to the west of Reidel Drive, which are outside of the current urban development boundary as defined by the approved Regional Official Policies Plan and the City of Kitchener Municipal Plan. In 2003, the Upper Blair FDS was started in cooperation with the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA), the Region of Waterloo and the City of Kitchener. The City took the lead in completing the study. In 2004 a Technical Steering Committee was formed which included the GRCA, the Region, the City, and members of the Waterloo Region Homebuilders Association (WRHBA). Stantec Consultants were retained to complete the Upper Blair Creek FDS with extensive monitoring, research and analysis taking place along with consultation with the public, development industry and other government agencies. In mid-2007, the final draft of the FDS was issued for comment and discussion by the Technical Steering Committee, with the report coming before the Board of the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) on October 26, 2007 for their consent and approval. In January of 2007 Monarch/Dodge Drive appealed their respective subdivision and zoning by- lawamendment applications to the OMB because no decision had been made within the statutory time frame. In addition, an appeal of the Activa and Hallman subdivision and zoning by-law amendment applications was submitted in August of 2007 to the OMB and subsequently these files were consolidated with the other applications (Monarch) already before the OMB. The applications currently before the Ontario Municipal Board are the following: • Activa Holdings Corporation Inc. OPA Doon South Community Phase 2, • Activa Holdings Corporation Inc Plan of Subdivision 30T-06203 • Activa Holdings Corporation Inc ZC 06 /29/S/DR • Monarch Corporation Limited Plan of Subdivision 30T-07202 • Monarch Corporation Limited OPA MP07/08/N/JVW • Monarch Corporation Limited ZC 07/15/N/JVW • Monarch Corporation Limited (Dodge Drive) Plan of Subdivision 30T-07204 • Monarch Corporation Limited (Dodge Drive)OPA MP07/10/D/JVW • Monarch Corporation Limited (Dodge Drive) ZC 07/17/D/JVW • Hallman Construction Limited Plan of Subdivision 30T-07203 • Hallman Construction Limited ZC 07/16/G/JVW As these development applications are now before the OMB, the final decision concerning these applications rests with the OMB and not with Council. During the OMB appeal process, a series of mediated technical sessions were established to scope the issues that were before the Board. These sessions were utilized to review issues related to a variety of planning and engineering issues, including the Upper Blair Creek FDS. As such the Upper Blair Creek FDS was not presented to Council for their final approval until such time that technical issues were resolved. 2 The primary focus of the FDS the anticipated short to medium term development of lands east of Reidel Drive to be within the East Study Area and as such the recommended development/ stormwater management scenario for these lands include the development of all non- Greenspace areas at "typical" impervious coverage densities complete with a range of stormwater management BMPs, with an emphasis on infiltration and control of potential runoff as close to source as possible. The Study has addressed the lands within the West Study Area, which are not within the City Urban Area, and based on modeling of current conditions in the sub-watershed and potential post-development conditions, the Study concludes that modeling results indicate that it would be technically feasible, using engineering solutions, to develop those lands using a similar approach. In the event that consideration is given to future designation of lands in the West Study Area of the Blair Creek watershed in accordance with applicable legislation and Provincial, Regional and City policy, an update of this Study shall be completed which shall include (but not be limited to) the requirements of Sections 5.1 and 5.2 of the FDS. In summary, this report presents the recommendations of the Upper Blair Creek FDS report to Council for approval. Staff from the City of Kitchener, Grand River Conservation Authority and the Region of Waterloo support the technical findings of the Upper Blair Creek Functional Drainage Study and are recommending the adoption of the study, in its entirety, by Council. BACKGROUND: The Blair, Bechtel, and Bauman Creeks Subwatershed Plan (CH2M Gore & Storrie, et.al., 1997) (BBB Study) was completed and approved in 1997 and serves as the foundation for the Upper Blair Functional Drainage Study (FDS). The study was completed in order to address the management and enhancement of surface and groundwater regimes, the maintenance of stream and aquatic systems and the conservation of the natural heritage features. The middle and lower reaches of the Blair Creek are characterized as a Coldwater fishery which is highly dependent on groundwater recharge and discharge. The Upper Blair Creek subwatershed area is located near the southwest boundary of the City of Kitchener, as illustrated on Figure 1, and represents the headwaters of the Blair Creek system that outlets to the Grand River approximately 9 km downstream at the Village of Blair. The Doon South (Phase 2) Community Plan area is located within the Upper Blair Creek subwatershed east of Reidel Drive. The study area for the FDS is approximately 617 hectares and was divided into an East and West Study Area. The East Study area incorporates the lands between Pinnacle Drive and Reidel Drive that are currently designated limited service residential in the Official Plan. The West Study area incorporates the lands west of Reidel Drive that are currently outside the City Urban Area limits, as defined in the Regional Official Policies Plan and the City of Kitchener Municipal Plan. The FDS study deals with the technical issues pertaining to the hydrologic and hydrogeologic characteristics of the subwatershed existing conditions and a range of post-development conditions and associated stormwater management (SWM) measures that can be implemented to minimize the changes from current conditions. In 2003, the FDS was started in cooperation with the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA), the Region of Waterloo and the City of Kitchener. The City took the lead in completing the study. In 2004 a Technical Steering Committee was formed which included the GRCA, the 3 Region, the City, and members of the Waterloo Region Homebuilders Association (WRHBA). In 2003, Stantec Consultants were retained by the City of Kitchener to complete the Upper Blair Creek FDS which included extensive monitoring, research and analysis taking place; along with consultation with the public, development industry and other government agencies. In mid-2007, the final draft of the FDS was issued for comment and discussion by the Technical Steering Committee, with the report coming before the Board of the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) on October 26, 2007 for their consent and approval. In January of 2007 Monarch/Dodge Drive appealed their respective subdivision and zoning by- lawamendment applications to the OMB because no decision had been made within the statutory time frame. In addition, an appeal of the Activa and Hallman subdivision and zoning by-law amendment applications was submitted in August of 2007 to the OMB and subsequently these files were consolidated with the other applications (Monarch) already before the OMB. The applications currently before the Ontario Municipal Board are the following: • Activa Holdings Corporation Inc. OPA Doon South Community Phase 2, • Activa Holdings Corporation Inc Plan of Subdivision 30T-06203 • Activa Holdings Corporation Inc ZC 06 /29/S/DR • Monarch Corporation Limited Plan of Subdivision 30T-07202 • Monarch Corporation Limited OPA MP07/08/N/JVW • Monarch Corporation Limited ZC 07/15/N/JVW • Monarch Corporation Limited (Dodge Drive) Plan of Subdivision 30T-07204 • Monarch Corporation Limited (Dodge Drive)OPA MP07/10/D/JVW • Monarch Corporation Limited (Dodge Drive) ZC 07/17/D/JVW • Hallman Construction Limited Plan of Subdivision 30T-07203 • Hallman Construction Limited ZC 07/16/G/JVW As these development applications are now before the OMB, the final decision concerning these applications rests with the OMB and not with Council. During the OMB appeal process, a series of mediated technical sessions were established to scope the issues that were before the Board. These sessions were utilized to review issues related to a variety of planning and engineering issues, including the Upper Blair Creek FDS. As such the Upper Blair Creek FDS was not presented to Council for their final approval until such time that technical issues were resolved. Blair, Bechtel and Bauman Creeks Subwatershed Plan In 1993, a partnership consisting of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), the GRCA, the RMOW, the City, and the City of Cambridge commissioned the Blair, Bechtel, and Bauman Creeks Subwatershed Plan (BBB Study). The Study was undertaken in order to address the management and enhancement of surface and groundwater, the maintenance of stream and aquatic systems, and the conservation of natural heritage features. The Consulting Team of CH2M Gore & Storrie Ltd., Gartner Lee Ltd., Mark L. Dorfman, Planner Inc., and Schroeter and Associates completed the Study in January 1997. Within the BBB Study, the middle and lower reaches of Blair Creek system were characterized as a sensitive cold water fishery that is highly dependent upon the groundwater recharge and discharge characteristics and sensitive to changes in flow and thermal regime, such as those that generally result from an increase in impervious coverage (i.e., development) across the contributing drainage area. In particular, Blair Creek headwaters were described as follows: "The Blair headwaters drain the ice-contact sand/gravels and intervening sand/silt till units of the Waterloo Moraine. The majority of soils overlaying the moraine are sandy loams that may be 4 classified as having medium soil permeabilities. As a result of its physiography and soils, the Blair headwaters produce measurable runoff but also promote significant infiltration. The headwaters of the Blair Creek have their source in wetland areas west of Reidel Drive. From the headwaters to Reidel Drive, the creek flows intermittently through lowland/wetland areas with fairly good riparian cover at a moderate slope of 0.8%. A permanent tributary drains agricultural areas southwest of the headwater wetland and joins the Blair Creek just west of Reidel Drive. Blair Creek is classified as an intermittent stream from its headwaters to west of Dodge Drive. South of Dodge Drive, Blair Creek enters a 5 ha marsh before its confluence with the Roseville Swamp tributary east of King's Road. South of New Dundee Road, increased baseflow contributions generate a perennial flow. The Blair Creek, from its headwaters to the Roseville Swamp, is a locally gaining/losing stream. Some groundwater inputs, although minor compared to those entering through the Roseville Swamp, emanate from the overburden aquifer and through interflow during wet periods. The Blair Creek headwaters convey little baseflow, but measurable amounts of runoff during wet conditions. [Analysis] shows that, during dry periods, the Roseville Swamp may convey 10 times the flow of the Blair headwaters, while during wet periods the swamp may convey 2 to 4 times the headwater flow. The field data and model calibration indicates that a large component of water that infiltrates into the ground in the uplands moraine does not appear as baseflow in this reach of the creek (about 1,500,000 m3 during the calibration period or a flow of about 0.070 m3/s). It is inferred that this water contributes to (semi)regionallyftowing groundwater and may flow to the northeast out of the subwatershed or southeast into the Roseville Swamp. This conclusion is supported by the hydrogeological interpretation [outlined previously]. Water well record data indicates that groundwater levels are below the elevation of the creek in the headwaters which supports this hydraulic conclusion."1 The BBB Study identified the following primary issues relating to potential urban development of the Upper Blair Creek watershed that any proposed stormwater management approach must be designed to mitigate: • Change in water balance within the system (reduction in infiltration and evapotranspiration, leading to a greatly increased surface runoff) • Increase in flood flows from the developing areas especially relating to loss of major natural depression storage areas and land use change • Increased stream erosion potential above critical thresholds resultant from increased flow volumes and durations associated with standard, extended detention-type stormwater management facilities • Increased durations of elevated stream temperatures from SWM facility discharge to the stream Recommendations ofthe BBB subwatershed Study provided a number of measures that could be implemented to protect the stream from the impacts of future development, including: • Impervious Cover Limits (ICLs) to limit the built over, paved areas and other hard surfaces within the watershed and maximize opportunities for `at-source' infiltration of precipitation • "Best Management Practices" (BMPs) to control the quality and the quantity of stormwater discharging to the Blair Creek system • Protection and conservation of natural heritage features and functions within a comprehensive, connected greenspace system The BBB Study recommended the use of ICLs in order to maximize `at-source' infiltration of precipitation. The supporting references for the implementation of ICLs originated from various macro scale studies that had demonstrated a correlation between watershed imperviousness and degradation of watercourses and aquatic habitat, especially incold-water fisheries. A similar approach has also been adopted in the Oak Ridges Moraine legislation and Conservation Plan. At the time of completion of the BBB Study, the ICL approach was recommended to reduce the following risks that can be associated with land use change and development: • Designation for higher density development in the absence of sufficiently detailed soils and groundwater information that properly evaluates the feasibility of implementing necessary infiltration measures (e.g., under current planning approval practices, development projects often reach final design level before determination of the suitability of soils to achieve infiltration targets) • Implementation, operation and maintenance of certain infiltration measures can be cost prohibitive and are often not financially sustainable for the municipality • Reliance on engineered SWM systems and facilities to achieve infiltration of precipitation is a relatively recent approach to SWM • Infiltration measures currently demonstrate high failure rate • Infiltration of runoff from road surfaces can increase the potential for contamination of the groundwater system While recommending the adoption of an ICL based, privately serviced development approach, the BBB Study was also careful to note that while "very low density development onwell- designed, sited, and maintained septic tank /the field systems may be appropriate from a technical perspective in subwatershed areas where the maintenance of recharge is of fundamental concern, [it must also be considered that] Provincial and RMOW policy dictates the feasibility of both full municipal servicing and communal wastewater treatment systems be addressed before servicing on conventional septic tank /the fields systems is contemplated." In keeping with the established servicing policies of the Province and the Region, the City investigated the potential for servicing the sanitary requirements of the Study Area within existing or proposed systems. The resultant Study, completed by KMK Consultants Ltd. in March 1998, determined that capacity was available within the existing Doon South and Strasburg sanitary conveyance and treatment systems to provide service to the East Study Area. Therefore, to satisfy the Region's hierarchy of servicing approach, any new development within the Study Area should utilize municipal servicing. Having determined that the potential development areas can, and therefore must, be serviced via full municipal servicing, the primary outstanding question with regard to the provision of these services to very low-density development areas pertains to the economic feasibility of such an approach. In addition to economic considerations, low density land development (25% ICL in accordance with the BBB Study) presents other planning and community design concerns including viability of public transit, transportation networks, walkability and compact development form. The BBB Study notes repeatedly that the economic aspect of the recommended implementation strategy will require further study. While completion of an economic feasibility analysis is not a component of the current Study, it can be qualitatively stated that the per capita cost of providing full municipal services is reduced as the population 6 serviced by that system increases. In other words, it is economically more desirable to maximize the development density to the extent feasible. It is expected that fully serviced development is economically feasible within the entire study area. Subsequent to the completion of the BBB Study, the GRCA carried out the following specific activities relating to the stream hydrology and the continuing evolution of SWM technologies. • Installation of longer term continuous flow gauges on Blair Creek • Additional temperature monitoring on Blair Creek • Update of the BBB (Blair Creek) GAWSER hydrologic modeling reflecting revised calibration based on additional flow records and incorporating infiltration measures within post-development /SWM scenarios • Review of recent infiltration based SWM measures applied in other areas of the GRCA watershed • Review of pollution prevention measures The Blair Creek Watershed Hydrology Model: Revisions Draft Summary Report (Schroeter & Associates, March 26, 2001) determined, at a conceptual level, that stream targets could potentially be achieved under apost-development condition provided sufficient precipitation could be infiltrated at source. The GAWSER modeling could be used as the basis for the establishment of hydrologic targets in subcatchment areas (water balance, infiltration, stream erosion, flood flows). As a result of the above noted review of SWM approaches and pollution prevention measures, the following SWM strategies are recommended: • Maximizing at-source infiltration of precipitation • Disconnection of all impervious surfaces from direct contribution to end of pipe SWM basins and discharge to the stream system • Areal distribution and redundancy of infiltration facilities including the location of facilities high in the landscape (i.e., upstream of the outlet point) rather than at the lowest point (where SWM ponds are typically sited) • Infiltration facilities in municipal ownership to ensure long-term maintenance and operation • Seasonal disconnection of infiltration facilities conveying road runoff to reduce chlorides entering the groundwater system • Management of road de-icing operations In addition to economic considerations, low density land development (25% ICL in accordance with the BBB Study) presents other planning and community design concerns including viability of public transit, transportation networks, walkability and compact development form. The BBB Study notes repeatedly that the economic aspect of the recommended implementation strategy will require further study. While completion of an economic feasibility analysis is not a component of the current Study, it can be qualitatively stated that the per capita cost of providing full municipal services is reduced as the population serviced by that system increases. 7 Upper Blair Functional Drainage Study- Objectives The primary objective of the FDS is the demonstration that a comprehensive SWM implementation strategy, with the capacity to mitigate the potential hydrologic and hydrogeologic impacts associated with development at typical urban densities and impervious coverage (compared to the 25% ICL recommended in the BBB Study), can be designed to achieve the environmental objectives of the BBB Study. The FDS is expected to provide the City, the RMOW, and the GRCA with an improved understanding of the potential environmental impacts of the future development within the Doon South (Phase 2) Community Plan and Upper Blair Creek areas, and the technical basis necessary to review the future development applications and proposed mitigative measures associated with fully serviced residential development across the subject lands. This study is intended to provide sufficient documentation such that the study may serve as an Implementation Plan to be referenced by future detailed design proposals. The Implementation Plan component of the study will provide agency staff and the development industry with design criteria that must be achieved within given development areas and a stormwater management "tool-box" with which to achieve those goals. The SWM "tool-box" is intended to provide developers with a variety of viable options that, when implemented as amulti-component approach, have the capacity to achieve the required level of control; it is not intended to represent a "cookbook" set of SWM techniques to be followed to the letter. Finally, it is an objective of the FDS to provide a comprehensive maintenance, monitoring and mitigation plan to minimize the potential for environmental impacts in the event that components of the SWM system do not function precisely as designed, and to allow for revisions to the stormwater management approach as development proceeds, should observations indicate that the receiving system is reacting to upstream changes in unpredicted and undesirable ways. Implicit in the proposed strategy is the development of a monitoring program that will serve to identify any changes to the receiving system and, ideally, pinpoint the cause of such impacts so that remedial steps can be undertaken. Following completion of the Blair-Bechtel-Bauman Sub-watershed Study, Regional Council passed a resolution on February 13,1997, (contained in Report PC-97-008/E-97-009) that detailed future study requirements that are required to be addressed in order to complete the BBB Study to the Region's satisfaction. The portions of the resolution relevant to the current study are outlined as follows: THAT the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take the following action with respect to the completion of the Blair-Bechtel-Bauman Creeks Sub-watershed Management Plan: 1) Endorse the following principles pertaining to the matters of Regional interest defined in Policy 3.1.4 of the Regional Official Policies Plan, and require that they be incorporated in the detailed implementation plan for the watershed study: a. maintaining the quantity and quality of recharge to aquifers in the study area which have been identified as supplying existing Regional well fields, b. prohibiting land uses having the potential to contaminate major supply aquifers from the recharge areas in the sub-watersheds, c. examining the viability of groundwater resources identified in the study pending the outcome of the Region's Long Term Water Supply Strategy, d. preventing or minimizing adverse effects of future aggregate extraction in the sub-watersheds upon baseflow to the creeks and on groundwater recharge, 8 e. evaluating two high quality natural areas identified in the study as potential new Environmental Sensitive Policy Area designations, f. working with Area Municipalities and the GRCA to protect a greenspace system recommended by the study within the context of the Natural Habitat Network, g. ensuring the possible future upgrades of Regional infrastructure in the sub-watersheds does not adversely affect significant natural features identified in the studies 2) Direct Water Services and Planning and Development staff to work with staff of the Grand River Conservation Authority, City of Cambridge and City of Kitchener to prepare an implementation plan for the recommendations of the study, and to submit relevant sections of the implementation plan to Council for approval, pursuant to Policy 3.1.5 of the Regional Official Policies Plan 3) Direct staff to request permission from landowners west of Reidel Drive, Kitchener, and between Fountain Street and Old Mill Road, Cambridge, for members of the Ecological and Environmental Advisory Committee to enter upon those lands to determine whether natural features identified in the watershed study fulfill criteria for designation as Environmentally Sensitive Policy Areas, pursuant to Policy 4.3.4. Of particular concern to the FDS portion of the current Study are Sections 1(a) and 2 of the resolution, with 1(b), 1(e), and 1(f) to be addressed through a Municipal Plan Amendment. Key Activities of the Upper Blair Creek FDS With the Blair, Bechtel, and Bauman Creeks Subwatershed Plan (CH2M Gore & Storrie, et.al., 1997) (BBB Study) serving as a foundation document, the current Study was completed to determine, through detailed analysis, an appropriate implementation strategy for development within the headwater area of the Upper Blair Creek Subwatershed, located in the southwest portion of the City of Kitchener. The primary goal was to determine if residential development, of higher density forms than allowable under current planning designations, could be accommodated, and potential impacts sufficiently mitigated, to achieve the recommendations established within the original BBB Study. A Study Team consisting of civil, water resources, and geotechnical engineers, hydrologists, hydrogeologists, planners, landowners, and Municipal and regulatory agency representatives combined efforts to further detail a comprehensive understanding of the Upper Blair Creek watershed in its existing and developed forms. Key components of the project included: Completion of geotechnical and hydrogeological investigations of the soils in the Study Area using existing and new information. The purpose of this work was to identify the potential to implement infiltration practices and included an analysis of topographical mapping, the completion of boreholes and test pits, determination and mapping of infiltration rates, and groundwater monitoring Completion of an update to the most recent existing conditions hydrologic model for the Study Area, last revised in 2001, incorporating model refinements and validation to reflect subcatchment delineation, recharge depression reservoirs, and drainage paths based on detailed topographic mapping, and site investigations. Model revisions were also completed to reflect drainage modifications and additional subcatchment breakdown as required to reflect anticipated development patterns within the Upper Blair watershed and with existing or committed development in the adjacent Doon South Creek watershed 9 Completion of an environmental scan of stormwater management technologies and the effectiveness of applicable "best management practices" which have been implemented on lands with similar constraints in other jurisdictions. This included a review and investigation of potential SUVM techniques implemented in other moraine areas and jurisdictions, including evaluation of risks, long term effectiveness, and maintenance costs and requirements. The prevention-based approaches such as reducing impervious coverage can provide significant benefit by reducing the potential for negative downstream impacts and minimizing SWM infrastructure, and should be encouraged wherever possible. A review of recent road salt application and chloride contamination studies and policy direction regarding chloride effects in evaluation of risks on receiving systems was also undertaken Generation and evaluation of alternative development/stormwater management strategy scenarios within the Study Area. This evaluation used both single event and on long-term, continuous hydrologic analysis to confirm that the proposed development /SWM approach meets existing conditions targets in subcatchment and in-stream areas for water balance, flows (return period, Regional and continuous), low flow response, erosion regime and stream temperatures. Amass balance spreadsheet analysis was also completed to predict loading and impacts of chlorides on the receiving system A detailed assessment of erosion potential within the Creek was completed by Parish Geomorphic. The Erosion Assessment (January 2009) confirmed that the hydrologic impacts predicted through the detailed modeling should have no significant erosion impact on the receiving Creek system Creation of an overall stormwater management strategy specifying, the requirements for all developable areas and the provision of a "tool-box" of approaches and Best Management Practices that can be implemented to achieve the required level of control The development of a comprehensive Monitoring, Maintenance, and Mitigation (MMM) program designed to provide all stakeholders with sufficient physical data to assess any ecological, hydrological, hydrogeological, or geomorphological impacts related to the development of the Study Area, identify the source of such impacts, and adopt a strategy to reverse, eliminate, or minimize the potential for future repetition MTE Consultants Inc. and Naylor Engineering Associates Ltd. have carried out other work, involving the collection of detailed soil and groundwater information and determination of infiltration feasibility both prior to and during the study process. This information has been incorporated into subsequent sections of this report. While data collection was limited to specific land parcels, the work indicates a spatial variability in soil and groundwater conditions throughout the subject area, which would limit the generic application of infiltration measures. As part of an Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) appeal filed for lands within the Study Area, a mandated mediation process was initiated that included representation of the City, GRCA, RMOW, and landowner consultants. Outcomes from this technical committee have been incorporated into this Study. COMMUNICATION: In May 2004, a Public Information Centre was provided to review aspects of the Study and share the mandate with the public. There have been several meetings with the Technical Steering Committee and many technical meetings with staff and other agencies, throughout the progress of the Study. In June 2007, a draft report was issued by the City to members of the Technical Steering Committee for their comments. City and Stantec received these comments and met with 10 stakeholders to discuss these issues in greater detail. In October 2007 a final draft report was issued and approved by the GRCA Board on October 26, 2007. During 2008 OMB appeal process, staff have been meeting with proponents in a series of mediated technical sessions that were established to scope the issues that were before the Board. These sessions were utilized to review issues related to a variety of planning and engineering issues, including the Upper Blair Creek FDS. As such the Upper Blair Creek FDS was not presented to Council for their final approval until such time that issues were resolved. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: An ongoing Upper Blair Creek monitoring program will be funded from the Development Charges Engineering Studies account. CONCLUSION: With the support of the detailed analysis, it is the conclusion of this Study that typical, urban development densities accompanied by amulti-component, infiltration-focussed SWM strategy can be implemented within the Upper Blair Creek subwatershed, and achieves the objectives as outlined in the governing watershed study (BBB). In other words, this Study confirms that from a hydrologic perspective, future modifications to the urban boundary to incorporate the West Study Area into the City urban area could be supported if appropriate SWM controls are implemented. By maintaining existing conditions in the Upper Blair watershed area, this strategy also ensures no impact on conditions downstream through Cambridge. The conclusions of this study confirm that there is no specific impervious cover limit required for development applications within the study area. The critical design requirement is that a development application meets the targets, which will ensure that the watershed hydrologic goals will be achieved. The delineation of potential development portions of the Study Area into hydrologic subcatchments was based on topography, soils, surface water and groundwater flow characteristics, and property boundaries. The associated SWM implementation strategy is illustrated on Figure 14 (attached), and summarized in Tables 5.2 - 5.10 in the FDS. The detailed erosion assessment work (Section 4.3.3.2 and Appendix E in the FDS) concluded that the proposed stormwater management strategy would maintain the existing Blair Creek erosive regime. Based on recommendations from this assessment, one component of the monitoring program (Section 6 in the FDS) examines in-stream conditions to confirm this assessment. Detailed road salt loading and associated groundwater and surface water chloride impact analysis (Section 4.4 and Appendix D in the FDS) concluded that the Reasonable Use Criteria target concentrations can be achieved, given current application rates and anticipated road widths and lengths. It is still recommended, however, that planning and engineering efforts aimed at reducing the total road length and/or the extent of `higher risk' roads continue to be investigated as a means of minimizing the loading that would be required. This has been partially achieved already through the Community Planning process whereby the length of arterial roads has been minimized. The City of Kitchener and Region of Waterloo should also continue to pursue methods to minimize salt application rates and consider alternative de-icing material. The infiltration focused stormwater management approach will result in surface runoff volumes equal to or less than existing conditions for events up to a 25 mm storm, and an associated increase in recharge. When combined with cooling measures implemented at outlet points for surface discharge, the temperature mass balance analysis contained herein (Section 4.5 and 11 Appendix D for more detailed discussion in the FDS) concludes that no negative impacts to in- stream thermal conditions are anticipated. Ongoing monitoring (Section 6 in the FDS) will verify this assessment. It is recommended that the comprehensive monitoring, maintenance, and mitigation program outlined in Section 6 (in the FDS) be implemented as a means of confirming existing background characteristics, design assumptions contained herein and within future model updates, and minimizing the potential for negative impacts on the receiving system. In the event that consideration is given to future designation of lands in the West Study Area of the Blair Creek watershed in accordance with applicable legislation and Provincial, Regional and City policy, an update of this Study shall be completed which shall include (but not limited to) the requirements of Sections 5.1 and 5.2 (in the FDS). In summary, staff from the City of Kitchener, Grand River Conservation Authority and the Region of Waterloo support the technical findings of the Upper Blair Creek Functional Drainage Study and are recommending the adoption of the study, in its entirety, by Council. K. Grant Murphy, Director, Engineering Services 12