1353 Scharfgate Drive, Manotick Tree Conservation Report and Environmental Impact Statement

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1 October 7, 2014 Mr. Chris Collins Ontario Inc. c\o Planning and Land Management Thomas Cavanagh Construction Ltd Cavanagh Road RR # 2 Ashton, Ontario K0A 1B0 Dear Chris: RE: 1353 Scharfgate Drive, Manotick Tree Conservation Report and Environmental Impact Statement This Tree Conservation Report (TCR) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) addresses the existing vegetation, potential tree retention and potential Species at Risk utilization on a 6.78 hectare site (PIN ) at the north end of the current cul-de-sac on McManus Avenue in the west portion of Manotick, City of Ottawa. The site is described as Part of Lot 2, Concession A (Broken Front), Geographic Township of North Gower, City of Ottawa. The riparian corridor of Mud Creek is to the east of the site. Ploughed agricultural lands dominate the site, with deciduous trees along much of the site peripheries. For the purposes of this report McManus Avenue is assumed to be in a north-south orientation. Background and Project Description Sixteen detached residences and a linear park in the southeast corner are proposed for the site as shown on Map 2. The minimum lot size is 0.27 hectares with the lots in the east portion of the site adjacent to the Mud Creek corridor between 0.4 and 0.72 hectares. McManus Avenue will be extended to the north and then curve to the west to meet Cabrelle Place to the west of the site. All sixteen residences will access directly off the McManus Avenue extension. Each residence will have a septic bed and drilled well. The site is designated Village on Schedule A of the City of Ottawa Official Plan and is zoned Village Residential (V1). The Mud Creek corridor to the east of the site is part of the Natural Heritage System, as shown on the Schedule L2 overlay of the Official Plan. There are no Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest, provincially significant wetlands or natural areas on or adjacent to the site, as identified in the former Region s Natural Environment System Strategy. 491 Buchanan Crescent, Ottawa, ON K1J 7V2 Tel (613) , Fax (613)

2 Methodology This EIS was prepared in accordance with Section of the City of Ottawa Official Plan (2010) following the EIS Guidelines and the Guidelines for City of Ottawa Tree Conservation Report, found at and guidance from the Natural Heritage Reference Manual (OMNR, 2010). This report includes the components of an Environmental Impact Statement as identified in Section a) through h) of the City of Ottawa Official Plan (City of Ottawa, 2010). The major objective of this EIS is to determine the feature and functions of the on-site and adjacent natural environment conditions and to assess the anticipated impacts associated with the proposed village residential development on these features and functions. To attain this objective, the draft concept plan was reviewed and mitigation measures developed as required based on field observations of the features and functions of the natural environment. The following items were identified for particular attention in this EIS, recognizing that many of these issues are interrelated: what are the terrestrial habitat features of the site and adjacent lands and the associated sensitivities?; is there any aquatic habitat potential on the site such as tributaries to Mud Creek? as required what are the recommended areas of tree retention and other mitigation measures to avoid unacceptable impacts on any significant natural heritage features? and, does the site support any other natural heritage features, including Species at Risk, that should be considered in development of the site? Colour aerial photography ( ) was used to assess the natural environment features in the general vicinity of the site. A field review of the site was conducted on October 2 nd, The weather conditions included sunny skies, a light breeze and an air temperature of 18 C. No frost had occurred to date. In addition to a survey of the vegetation communities, observations were made on wildlife usage and potential for wildlife habitat. The field survey and this report were completed by Bernie Muncaster, who has a Master s of Science in Biology and over twenty-five years of experience in completing natural environment assessments. The purpose of the Tree Conservation Report component is to establish which vegetation should be retained and protected on the site. The owner of the site is Thomas Cavanagh Construction Limited ( ). It is proposed to remove the woody vegetation not to be retained in 2015 outside of the breeding bird season. MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. 2

3 Existing Conditions The topography of the site is virtually level, with a very gentle slope from west to east. The native soils on the site are primarily a topsoil thickness of about 0.8 metres underlain by silty clay or silty sand (Houle Chevrier, 2013). Sand seams were noted in four of the five boreholes assessed (the southeast borehole did not contain sand seams). Glacial till was encountered by Houle Chevrier (2013) between 7.6 and 10.4 metres below ground surface at three of the five boreholes (no glacial till observed in the central and northeast boreholes). Mapping assessed by Houle Chevrier (2013) indicates that the depth to dolostone bedrock of the Oxford Formation is between 15 and 25 metres below ground surface. Houle Chevrier (2013) reported groundwater levels ranging from 0.4 to 1.5 metres below ground surface. Grade raise restrictions between 1.2 and 1.5 metres were recommended by Houle Chevrier (2013). No channels with potential aquatic habitat were observed on or adjacent to the site, outside of Mud Creek to the east. At the closest point, Mud Creek is approximately 32 metres to the east of the southeast corner of the site, with the west edge of an on-line pond approximately 23 metres to the east. The site is isolated from an environmental perspective due to extensive village residential developments to the east and south and cultivated fields to the north. Deciduous forests are to the west of the site, between the site and First Line Road. Portions of the forests have been removed for residential development along Cabrelle Place and applications have been submitted for additional residential developments in the forest as a continuation of Cabrelle Place to the north and east. Terrestrial Features The site is dominated by an agricultural field ploughed in 2014 (Photos 1 and 2). Cultural meadow vegetation along the edges of the field includes brome grass, tall goldenrod, Canada goldenrod, meadow grass, New England aster, small white aster, tufted vetch, wild carrot, bull thistle, evening primrose and common yarrow. Red raspberry, Bebb s willow and red-osier dogwood shrubs and regenerating poplar and ash stems are also present. A small area of regenerating Manitoba maple stems up to 5cm diameter at breast height (dbh) is adjacent to the ploughed field along the southeast edge of the site. This area is shown as a cultural woodland (vegetation community `2) on Map 1. South Periphery A sparse deciduous hedgerow is along the south edge of the site (Photo 3), with denser representation of trees east of the McManus Avenue cul-de-sac. The largest trees are white ash up to 38cm dbh (marked as Tree `A` on Map 1). Trembling aspens are up to 35cm dbh (a 35cm dbh example is marked as Tree `B` on Map 1). A 34cm dbh gren ash is marked as Tree `G`on Map 1. Two butternut stems, 6cm and 34cm dbh, are also present (see orange labels on Map 1), along with smaller butternuts. Common buckthorn shrubs along with regenerating trembling aspen, eastern cottonwood and ash stems are among the trees. The following table summarizes the trees in the south intermittent deciduous hedgerow: MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. 3

4 Tree Species South Deciduous Hedgerow dbh range Distribution Variability, Condition and other Comments Trembling aspen 8-35 cm 15 % Regenerating stems present White elm 6-18 cm 15 % Sugar maple 8-18 cm 8 % Regenerating stems present White ash cm 20 % Some trees with trunk decay Green ash cm 25 % Butternut 6-34 cm 5 % Regenerating stems present Manitoba maple cm 10 % Most trees coppice Basswood 24 cm 2 % West Periphery A denser deciduous hedgerow is along the west edge of the site. Many of the tree trunks in the west hedgerow were on the west side of the barbed wire fence along the west side edge. Basswood and trembling aspen were dominant with a good representation of sugar maple and green ash. Trembling aspens up to 48cm dbh are the largest trees in the hedgerow (a 48cm dbh example is marked as Tree `E` on Map 1). A 28cm dbh sugar maple is marked as Tree `F` on Map 1. A 34cm dbh butternut was also noted (see orange label on Map 1). Grape growth was common on the lower branches of many of the basswood and ash trees. The following table summarizes the trees in the west deciduous hedgerow: Tree Species West Deciduous Hedgerow dbh range Distribution Variability, Condition and other Comments Trembling aspen cm 30 % White elm cm 10 % Sugar maple cm 18 % More common in the south portion Green ash cm 15 % More common in the south portion Butternut 34 cm 2 % Basswood cm 25 % More common in the north portion, Grape growth on some lower branches A fresh-moist maple-poplar forest extends west of the west hedgerow, to the west of the site (Photo 4, Map 1). Sugar maple, red maple and trembling aspen are dominant, with green ash, bur oak and white elm well represented. Sensitive fern is the dominant ground flora in many areas of the off-site forest with white snakeroot, false nettle, helleborine and ostrich fern examples of other ground flora. MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. 4

5 North Periphery A deciduous hedgerow is also along the north edge of the site (Photo 5), with the hedgerow up to 20 metres wide continuing to the north of the site. Manitoba maple is dominant with green ash and trembling aspen trees well represented. A 42cm dbh white elm is the largest tree in the hedgerow (marked as Tree `D` on Map 1) but appears to be in poor condition with major trunk damage. The larger Manitoba maples and green ash are in the range of 36 38cm dbh. A 21cm dbh butternut in the central portion of the north hedgerow appears to be in relatively good condition (see orange label on Map 1). The following table summarizes the trees in the north deciduous hedgerow: Tree Species North Deciduous Hedgerow dbh range Distribution Variability, Condition and other Comments Trembling aspen cm 25 % More in west end. Grape coverage on some lower branches White elm cm 10 % Larger trees with trunk damage Apple cm 3 % Green ash cm 25 % Butternut 21 cm 2 % Manitoba maple cm 35 % Lots of grape coverage East Periphery A cultural woodland dominated by Manitoba maple is immediately to the east of the site (Photo 6). The canopy cover of the woodland is quite open, in the range of percent. The Manitoba maples range in size from 14cm to 38cm dbh (Photo 7, a 38cm dbh example is marked as Tree `C` on Map 1) and represent about sixty percent of the trees in the woodland. White elm is also common, with a size range of 8cm to 26cm dbh and representing about twenty-five percent of the trees. Green ash, sugar maple and butternut stems less than 15cm dbh represent the balance of the cultural woodland trees. Common buckthorn and red raspberry shrubs are common. Wildlife observed during the fields survey included Canada goose, turkey vulture, ring-billed gull, American crow, northern flicker, American goldfinch, mourning dove, song sparrow, European starling, American robin, black-capped chickadee, eastern bluebird, grey squirrel and white-tailed deer. No evidence of critical habitat utilization was observed. MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. 5

6 Photo 1 Site from the southwest corner. View looking east to cultural woodland adjacent to the east edge of the site Photo 2 East portion of the site dominated by a ploughed field. View looking east to adjacent cultural woodland adjacent to the east edge of the site MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. 6

7 Photo 3 Intermittent deciduous hedgerow along the central portion of the south edge of the site. View looking east Photo 4 Fresh-moist deciduous forest to the west of the west edge of the site. MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. 7

8 Photo 5 Deciduous hedgerow along the north edge of the site. View looking east Photo 6 Cultural woodland adjacent to the east edge of the site MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. 8

9 Photo 7 Manitoba maple adjacent to the north-central portion of the east edge of the site. Species at Risk Several butternuts, an endangered species, were observed around and adjacent to the periphery of the site. Some of these butternuts, which ranged in size from 2cm to 34cm dbh, displayed canker evidence on the tree trunks while others appeared to be less impacted. A butternut health assessment will be completed on these trees in the spring of 2015 during the leaf-out period. Given that the butternuts are at the periphery of the site it is unlikely that any site disturbances will occur within 25 metres of the butternuts with the exception of the extension of McManus Avenue. Any butternuts that are assessed as healthy and are within 25 metres of the proposed road work or other site alterations will need to be compensated for with off-site plantings of pure butternut seedlings. It is anticipated that ten or fewer healthy butternuts will be harmed or removed and thus the proposed compensation plan can be submitted on-line to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. The Ontario Ministry of the Natural Resources Make a Map: Natural Heritage Areas website was reviewed ( This site allows for a search of Threatened and Endangered species covered by the 2008 Endangered Species Act, as well as other species of interest. A search was conducted on the 1 km squares including the site and adjacent lands (18VR40-46, 47, 56 and 57). One Species at Risk was identified for these squares, the endangered Henslow`s sparrow. The endangered Henslow s sparrow utilizes unmaintained tall weedy fields (Ehrlich et al., 1988). No Henslow`s sparrow nests were reported in the City of Ottawa during the last Breeding Bird Atlas field work. MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. 9

10 The breeding birds listed in the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas for the 10 km square 18VR40 identified eastern meadowlark, barn swallow and bobolink as Species at Risk in the overall 10 km square. Bobolink and eastern meadowlark utilize larger areas of grasslands, including hay fields. The ploughed field does not represent suitable nesting habitat for these grassland Species at Risk. Aerial photography suggests that a hay field was historically present on the site. If the site was to return to this use, additional surveys should be completed for potential grassland Species at Risk. Barn swallow utilizes barns and other structures with open beams for nesting and forages in open areas for flying insects. No suitable structures were observed on or adjacent to the site. The potential Species at Risk in the City of Ottawa and those listed on Parts 1 4 of Schedule 1 of the List of Wildlife Species at Risk provided by the Government of Canada's Species at Risk Act Public Registry, with input from the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) Canadian Species at Risk, were also reviewed. Many endangered and threatened species have historically been reported in the overall City, including butternut, American ginseng, eastern prairie fringed-orchid, flooded jellyskin, wood turtle, spiny softshell, Blanding s turtle, musk turtle, Henslow s sparrow, loggerhead shrike, little brown myotis, northern long-eared bat, olive hickorynut, chimney swift, eastern meadowlark, barn swallow, bobolink, whip-poor-will, bald eagle, golden eagle, cerulean warbler, least bittern, eastern cougar, common gray fox, lake sturgeon and American eel. The habitat requirements of the above species along with those listed as special concern were reviewed. The only Species at Risk considered to have the potential to be on the site is butternut, which is described above. Impact Analysis and Recommendations Other than butternut, an endangered Species at Risk, no natural heritage features, as identified in the Provincial Policy Statement and OMNR (2010), were observed on the site which is dominated by a ploughed field. The hedgerows along the site periphery contain a variety of species but many are dominated by tree species with poor longevity or susceptible to disease including ash, poplar, white elm, butternut and Manitoba maple. The riparian corridor of Mud Creek is part of the City`s Natural Heritage System and the ownership of the land east of the site has been transferred to City. Thus no impacts will occur directly on the Mud Creek corridor. Indirect impacts from light, dust and noise will be avoided due to the wooded nature of the lands east of the site and the distance of the nearest residences from the corridor. Given that the lots in the east portion of the site are extra deep, with depths ranging from 110 to 147 metres the east edge of the footprint of the residences is anticipated to be in the range of 50 meters west of the east edge of the site. In addition the park will be adjacent to the Mud Creek corridor where the corridor is at its narrowest point and Mud Creek itself is closest to the site. Other important mitigation measures are recommended below to protect the features and functions Mud Creek and its riparian corridor. MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. 10

11 As shown on Map 2 all trees on the site will be retained except where the extension of McManus Avenue crosses the south and west hedgerows. No new forest edge will be created and tree removal will be minimal. As construction through the west hedgerow may not occur at this time the trees in the road alignment in the west hedgerow will also be retained at this time. Note that there are no trees greater than 15cm dbh where the extension of McManus Avenue crosses the south hedgerow. Plantings of native vegetation as part of the development will provide a diversity of natural environment and aesthetic features. To provide a natural appearance, trees and shrubs should be planted in a random, cluster fashion rather than in a grid system. Potential native species to plant include nannyberry, elderberry and dogwood shrubs along with sugar maple, red maple, basswood, balsam fir, white cedar, bur oak, red oak and white spruce trees. Sourcing native species from local seed sources is strongly recommended to ensure adaptability and longevity. Due to the clay soils in many areas tree and shrub species that have a high water demand are generally not recommended. These species include willow, poplar and elm. The butternuts on and adjacent to the site will be assessed by a qualified butternut heath assessor in late spring of Any healthy butternuts that will be removed or within 25 metres of site alterations will be compensated for with plantings of pure butternut seedlings at a suitable offsite area as outlined in a planting plan to be registered with the Ministry of Natural Resources. The number of compensation plantings will depend on the size of the butternut affected and whether it will be removed or harmed. Trees and shrubs to be retained along the site periphery are to be protected with sturdy orange construction fencing at least 1.3 metres in height installed from the tree trunk a minimum distance of ten times the retained tree diameter. As there is lots of room on these lots, it is suggested that the fencing be installed in the range of ten metres to the rear of the alteration footprint. Signs, notices or posters are not to be attached to any tree. No grading, heavy machinery traffic, stockpiling of material, machinery maintenance and refueling or other activities that may cause soil compaction to occur within five metres of the critical root zone of the trees to be retained and protected. The root system, trunk or branches of the trees to be retained are to be protected and not damaged. If any roots of trees to be retained are exposed during site alterations, the roots shall be immediately reburied with soil or covered with filter cloth, burlap or woodchips and kept moist until the roots can be buried permanently. A covering of plastic should be used to retain moisture during an extended period when watering may not be possible. Any roots that must be cut are to be cut cleanly to facilitate healing and as far from the tree as possible. Exhaust fumes from all equipment during construction will not be directed towards the canopy of the retained hedgerow trees. All of the supports and bracing for the protective fencing should be placed outside of the protected area and should be installed in such a way as to minimize root damage. Also, since the desired effect of the barrier is to prevent construction traffic from entering the trees critical root zone, the barrier should be kept in place until all site servicing and house construction has been completed. MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. 11

12 To protect breeding birds, the tree or shrub removal should not occur between April 15 th and July 31 st, unless a breeding bird survey conducted within five days of the woody vegetation removal identifies no active nests in the trees or shrubs. No stick nests or other evidence of raptor utilization on or adjacent to the site was observed. As outline in exp Services (2014) given proper implementation of stormwater management and erosion and sediment control no impacts on water quality leaving the site is anticipated. Enhanced grass swales, perforated pipes, reduced lot grading, discharge to grassed areas and infiltration trenches along the roadway and rear yards will be used to provide enhanced water quality treatment (80% removal). The infiltration trenches and other mitigation measures recommended by exp Services (2014) will avoid discharging water with an elevated temperature. Thermal impacts n Mud Creek are anticipated to be less than 1 C. No quantity control requirements for stormwater are required (exp Services, 2014). Other Mitigation Measures The extent of exposed soils is to be kept to a minimum at all times. Re-vegetation of exposed, non-developed areas is to be achieved as soon as possible. The objective with respect to erosion and sediment controls will be to ensure that the surface water runoff leaving the site is not degraded with respect to water quantity or quality. Erosion and sediment control will focus on best management practices such as grassed swales with a reduced slope and direction of roof and rear yard runoff to the vegetated rear of the lots. Additional recommended mitigation measures for sediment and erosion control and general environmental protection include: The homeowners are to be provided with a conservation handbook that will emphasize the importance of the Mud Creek corridor to the east and provide important measures to protect the environment in general; As part of the handbook recommendations homeowners will be reminded of the importance of keeping on existing pathways in natural areas, avoiding backyard creep and other encroachments into the natural area, maintaining control of their pets at all times and not removing plants or other components of the natural areas; Outdoor lighting is to be kept to a minimum and not directed towards to Mud Creek corridor; The building footprints are to be as close to the extension of McManus Avenue as feasible; Where groundwater must be removed from work areas, the groundwater will be pumped into a proper filter mechanism such as a sediment trap or filter bag prior to release to the environment; Seepage barriers such as silt fencing, straw bale check dams and other sediment and erosion control measures will be installed as required to OPSD requirements in any temporary drainage ditches and around disturbed areas during construction and stockpiles of fine material. These control measures must be properly maintained to maximize their function during construction; MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. 12

13 Silt fencing is also required along all work areas. The fencing must be properly keyed in to filter runoff and maintained as required including repair of broken panels and removal of accumulated sediment; Municipal by-laws and provincial regulations for noise will be followed and utilities will be located as required in the vicinity of the site prior to construction; and, Waste will be managed in accordance with provincial regulations. The contractor will have a spill kit on-hand at all times in case of spills or other accidents. Schedule of Proposed Works It is proposed to remove the small amount of woody vegetation for the McManus Avenue extension in 2015, after the breeding bird season. City of Ottawa staff (Forester Planning) is to be contacted at least two business days prior to any tree removal so that staff have the opportunity to verify that the protective fencing has been properly constructed. Cumulative Effects The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) defines cumulative effects as the effects on the environment caused by an action in combination with other past, present, and future human actions They occur when two or more project-related environmental effects, or two or more independent projects, combine to produce an augmented effect. These cumulative effects may be positive or negative. The Mud Creek corridor to the east of the site will be retained and protected. No other significant natural heritage features are on or adjacent to the site. The adjacent forest to the west has been severely impacted by village residential developments and will continue to be impacted as development moves north and east. With proper implementation of the mitigation measures described in this report it is anticipated that the construction and operation of the village residential subdivision in an agricultural field will not increase the potential for cumulative effects in the general landscape. Conclusion Sixteen village residential units and a park are proposed for the site. The minimum lot size is 0.27 hectares with the lots in the east portion of the site adjacent to the Mud Creek corridor between 0.4 and 0.72 hectares. The residences will be accessed via an extension of McManus Avenue to the north and west. No potential aquatic habitat, significant woodlands, rare communities, flora or fauna, significant wetlands, steep slopes or valleys were observed on the site, with the Mud Creek corridor to the east of the site. Butternut was the only Species at Risk observed. Several butternuts were noted along the site peripheries. The butternuts will be assessed in 2015 and any healthy butternuts that will be within 25 metres of site disturbances will be compensated for. Tree removal will be very minor and will be limited to the extensions of McManus Avenue. No new forest edge will be created. No site alterations will occur within approximately 100 metres of Mud Creek and the trees in the creek corridor closer to the site will be retained and protected. MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. 13

14 Plantings of native species with local seed sources should over time add to the vegetation cover and associated local wildlife habitat on the site. It is important that other mitigation measures outlined in this EIS and TCR are properly implemented and maintained to protect the adjacent Mud Creek corridor and the environment in general. References City of Ottawa City of Ottawa Official Plan. As adopted by City Council, May, 2003 and Updated Publication: pp & Sched. Ehrlich, P. R., D. S. Dobkin and D. Wheye The Birder's Handbook. Simon & Schuster Inc., New York, New York. 785 pp. exp Services Inc Manotick Subdivision. Stormwater Management Report. Project No. OTT A0. 18 pp & append. Houle Chevrier Engineering Ltd Geotechnical Investigation. Proposed Residential Subdivision, McManus Avenue. Manotick Ontario. July 11, Ref: pp & Append. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Natural Heritage Reference Manual for Natural Heritage Policies of the Provincial Policy Statement, Second Edition. March pp. Please call if you have any questions on this Tree Conservation Report and Environmental Impact Statement. Yours Sincerely, MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. Bernie Muncaster, M.Sc. Principal \manotickeis MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. 14

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