Minutes of Natural Heritage Advisory Committee

Thursday, September 30, 2021 at 6:30 P.m. - 8:30 P.m.

Remote meeting via Cisco Webex

Member:

• M. Litchfield, Chair
• L. D'Andrea
• E. Damstra
• T. Nicholls
• M. Puddister
• J. Richardson
• E. Wilkinson

Staff:

• J. Elliott, Planner II, Environment
• L. Lefler, Planner II, Environmental Planner
• A. Sandor, Planning Clerk - Policy
• D. Tremblay, Board and Committee Co-Ordinator

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1.

Call to Order

The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.

1.

First Nations Acknowledgement

The First Nations Acknowledgement was delivered by Member T. Nicholls. Chair M. Litchfield delivered an acknowledgement for the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. 

2.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

There were no disclosures. 

3.

Approval of Minutes

• Moved by: M. Puddister
  Seconded by: T. Nicholls

  THAT the minutes from the May 13, 2021 meeting of the Natural Heritage Advisory Committee be approved.

  Carried

2.

Committee Items

1.

Clythe Creek Subwatershed Study Update

The presentation was delivered by Leah Lefler, Environmental Planner. 

The Committee provided the following comments on the Clythe Creek Subwatershed Study Update. 

General Discussion:

• Regular updates to the Watershed Plans were discussed, and movement toward a subwatershed planning cycle was suggested.
• The budget and scope for the Clythe Creek Subwatershed Study was discussed. 
• The importance of cold water fish habitat and the management of riparian areas within the Study Area was discussed.
• The need to refine the Clythe Creek Subwatershed boundary was discussed.
• The Clythe Well and its effects on the Clythe Creek Subwatershed was discussed.
• The importance of including the terrestrial system and its linkage with the water resource system was discussed.
• The Silver Maple trees along York Road and their importance was discussed. 
• The importance of cutting-edge stormwater management in the Clythe Creek Subwatershed was discussed. 

Discussion 1: What do you know about the Clythe Creek Subwatershed?

• The Committee noted the beautiful old Silver Maple trees on the south side of York Road.
• The Committee discussed how many Guelph residents may not know what watershed they live in. A map of Guelph’s subwatersheds is available through the City of Guelph at: https://guelph.ca/plans-and-strategies/natural-heritage-action-plan-2/

Discussion 2: What themes should be captured in the visions, objectives, goals and targets?

• The following themes were suggested: 
  • Climate change and its effects on subwatersheds;
  • Management of cold water fish habitat;
  • Tree canopy cover and urban forestry;
  • Water quality;
  • Integration between natural heritage system and water resource system;
  • Integration between drinking water supply and the natural environment;
  • Stormwater management;
  • Long-term funding to implement the plan, monitor and adapt, etc. and;
  • Social, cultural and environmental aspects of the subwatershed.

Discussion 3: Who should we engage, how should we engage, and how frequently?

• Engagement with the following was suggested:
  • Indigenous communities;
  • Neighbouring municipalities and the Grand River Conservation Authority; 
  • Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry;
  • Local environmental groups, such as Yorklands Green Hub, Nature Guelph and the Guelph Hiking Trail Club;
  • Faculty at the University of Guelph, including the School of Environmental Sciences and;
  • Local community members. 
• Engaging residents by posting large-format watershed maps in public spaces, such as the Guelph Farmers’ Market, was suggested.
• Engaging community members in stewardship of the subwatershed was discussed. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Program was suggested as an implementation tool.
• The use of public art displays was suggested as a way to engage community members.  

Discussion 4: What are your thoughts on the Subwatershed Steering Committee? What are your thoughts on a Technical Advisory Committee?

• The following stakeholders were suggested:
  • urban forestry and stewardship;
  • other municipalities in the subwatershed and;
  • Heritage Guelph.
• The difference between the Steering Committee and the Technical Advisory Committee was discussed. The Steering Committee would focus on making project-related decisions, while the Technical Advisory Committee would offer technical advice.

Discussion 5: What are your thoughts on standardizing an approach for subwatershed studies in Guelph? 

• The following ideas were suggested:
  • Define minimum requirements for subwatershed studies while providing for flexibility in the scope of each subwatershed study to allow for the inclusion of area-specific considerations and; 
  • Use a ’Watershed Report Card’ to track key indicators of watershed health across Guelph’s subwatersheds.

• Moved by: J. Richardson
  Seconded by: E. Wilkinson 

  THAT the Natural Heritage Advisory Committee receive the staff presentation ‘Clythe Creek Subwatershed Study Update’; and

  THAT the comments provided by Natural Heritage Advisory Committee Members on the Clythe Creek Subwatershed Study Update be provided to staff for their consideration in the preparation of the project terms of reference. 

  Carried

2.

New Advisory Committees of Council Governance Policies

The presentation was delivered by Donna Tremblay, Board and Committee Coordinator. 

3.

Chair and Staff Announcements

1. One member of the Committee will be resigning at the end of 2021. This vacancy and the existing Committee vacancies will be filled through the fall recruitment drive.
2. The City of Guelph has initiated a vaccine policy that applies to members of Committees of Council attending in-person meetings. Information on the vaccine policy, including privacy concerns, will be provided to Committee Members by the Clerks Department.
3. Trees for Guelph is having tree planting events on October 23^rd and November 6^th, 2021. 

4.

Adjournment

• Moved by: T. Nicholls
  Seconded by: E. Damstra

  THAT the meeting of the Natural Heritage Advisory Committee be adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

  Carried