The Kawarthas, Naturally Connected

Transcription

1 The Kawarthas, Naturally Connected A Natural Heritage System for the Kawartha Lakes Region Terms of Reference For the Scenario Planning Team and Steering Committee Endorsed by the Scenario Planning Team On December 6, 2011 Peterborough, Ontario

2 Table of Contents Table of Contents... List of Key Project Abbreviations. 1.0 Background Project Area Description Purpose Vision statement Goals Guiding Principles System Design Goals Project Deliverables Project Governance/Structure 3.1 Scenario Planning Team. o Role.. o Composition. o Term of Office. o Selection Process.. o Scenario Planning Team Coordinator.. o Role of the Scenario Planning Team Coordinator... o Facilitator. o Role of the Facilitator.. o Meetings... o Decision-making and Conflict Resolution Steering Committee..... o Role.. o Composition. 4.0 Project Communications Goal & Objectives Protocol... Appendix A Resources.... Appendix B Project Needs Identified by the Scenario Planning Team

3 List of Key Project Abbreviations ARN Assessment Role Number CA Conservation Authority CKL City of Kawartha Lakes DEM Digital Elevation Model DFO Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada DRAPE Digital Raster Acquisition Project - East EBR Environmental Bill of Rights ELC Ecological Land Classification ESA Endangered Species Act (2007) FRI Forest Resource Inventory GIS Geographic Information System KHC Kawartha Heritage Conservancy KRCA Kawartha Region Conservation Authority MMAH Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing MNR Ministry of Natural Resources MPAC Municipal Property Assessment Corporation NAESI National Agri-Environmental Standards Initiative NCC Nature Conservancy of Canada NGO Non-Governmental Organization NHIC Natural Heritage Information Centre NHRM Natural Heritage Reference Manual NHS Natural Heritage System OBM Ontario Base Map OGDE Ontario Geospatial Data Exchange OP Official Plan ORCA Otonabee Region Conservation Authority OWES Ontario Wetland Evaluation System PPS Provincial Policy Statement PSW Provincially Significant Wetland PVM Predicted Vegetation Modelling SLC Soil Landscapes of Canada SOLRIS Southern Ontario Land Resource Inventory System SAR Species at Risk SPT Scenario Planning Team TSW Trent-Severn Waterway WIA Woodlot Improvement Area 2

4 1.0 BACKGROUND: Natural Heritage Systems design is the process of identifying critical areas on our landscape which serve as a landscape backbone a set of natural areas and linkages that are important to maintain the health of the landscape. The mapping of and information about this backbone is useful to support land use planning, stewardship, restoration activities, the conservation of biodiversity, provision of ecosystem services, and other benefits. A healthy environment is the foundation upon which a healthy community is built. The Kawarthas, Naturally Connected project is a collaborative, engagement process in which community members, practitioners, and other stakeholders in the Kawartha Lakes region develop a natural heritage system (NHS) using the best-available data and tools. Among other uses, this NHS will be available as an optional tool to assist in land-use decisions on public and private land, inform recreation routes, and provide a rationale for sustainable economic pursuits. 1.1 Project Area Description: The project area is composed of the 33 quaternary watersheds that overlap the City of Kawartha Lakes and the City and County of Peterborough (see Fig. 1 below) plus a 5 kilometre buffer. The core focus area includes the 8 lower tier municipalities in the County of Peterborough, the City of Peterborough, the City of Kawartha Lakes, and all of the jurisdictions of Otonabee and Kawartha Conservation. This ecologically based area is an appropriate scale for designing a regional natural heritage system. Figure 1. The project area (purple outline) 3

5 2.0 PURPOSE: This Terms of Reference will guide the development of the NHS by a collaborative of stakeholders representing different interests from within the project area. This stakeholder collaborative will subsequently be known as the Scenario Planning Team. The activities of the Scenario Planning Team will be supported by a group of partner organizations that make up the Steering Committee. The first meeting of the Steering Committee took place in February This Terms of Reference was developed using material from other similar projects as a starting point and it was reviewed and edited by the Steering Committee on April 7, The Scenario Planning Team reviewed and finalized this Terms of Reference on December 6, Our agreed-to vision, goals, and guiding principles will guide the direction of the project. 2.1 Vision Statement A landscape that supports the needs of people and nature in a way that preserves and enhances the unique character of the Kawarthas. Tag line: The Kawarthas, naturally connected 2.2 Goals This region is vast, there are many different players, and resources are limited. The goals of this project are to: 1. Identify and map a connected system of natural areas that can inform and support: a) sustainable land use planning and resource management decision-making b) strategic priorities for stewardship and restoration projects c) priorities for conservation land acquisitions, and d) priorities for inventory programs and research projects. To achieve number 1: 2. Bring together organizations that represent local communities to work collaboratively and provide a greater understanding of the value of a healthy natural heritage system that supports healthy communities. 3. Engage in an open, transparent and respectful process. 2.3 Guiding Principles These principles express the fundamental values that will guide the development of a natural heritage system for the landscape. The process of developing the natural heritage system will: 1. Be ecologically-based 2. Engage stakeholders in its design and development 4

6 3. Seek to represent the wide geography, stakeholders and governments involved on this landscape 4. Consider ecological, economic, social, and cultural values 5. Be based on the best-available science and community information 6. Be open and transparent in reporting on process, methods, outcomes and results 7. Be dynamic and adaptive 8. Incorporate or build on previously completed planning processes, natural heritage work, and community, First Nation and traditional knowledge and information 9. Recognise the many values of natural, rural and developed areas 2.4 System Design Goals The system design goals outline the types of features and areas that the natural heritage system will include. 1. The natural heritage system for the project area will consist of a network of natural core areas, regional connections and local linkages, and include: a) The diversity of ecological communities and native species b) Areas for restoration and recovery including representative and threatened natural areas c) Significant natural heritage features as defined in the 2005 Provincial Policy Statement d) Surface water and other aquatic habitats, and sensitive groundwater features e) Known occurrences of species at risk and their habitats f) Protected areas and public lands, and 2. The natural heritage system respects existing and approved land uses, including but not limited to: a) conservation lands b) agricultural lands c) urban development d) tourism and recreational development e) resource extraction and mining f) transportation and infrastructure g) energy production h) other resource uses 5

7 2.5 Project Deliverables A consensus derived vision for a Kawarthas natural heritage system which can be expressed by: 1. A package of information and data layers compiled through the process including: input layers, cumulative abundance of values, and targeted areas based on the preferred scenario selected by the Scenario Planning Team. a. This deliverable requires GIS capability to be able to manipulate or run analyses on the data (e.g. run impact analyses) b. This deliverable does not require GIS to be able to view the data (e.g. free software such as ArcExplorer or conversion to Google Earth format could enable viewing if desired) 2. Other specific hard copy maps or other products identified by Scenario Planning Team members during the process a. These deliverables do not require specific skills to access (but do require an understanding of what the map product represents). 3. Project report summarizing a. the process b. inputs c. identified data gaps 4. Communication plan and materials The intent is to enable all partners to have equal access to interpret, store and manage the information of interest after completion of this project. 3.0 PROJECT GOVERNANCE/STRUCTURE Overview The Kawartha Natural Heritage Strategy will be composed of two groups: Scenario Planning Team Steering Committee The Scenario Planning Team seeks to include a balance of interests from municipalities, conservation authorities, First Nation communities, farmers, landowners, naturalists, hunters and anglers, various local industries (real estate, aggregates, forestry, agriculture, etc ), NGOs, and other conservation organizations. The team will work collaboratively toward the identification of objectives and targets to direct the development of NHS scenarios. The Steering Committee (including the Project Lead and MNR Analyst and Support Team) will provide strategic direction and administration to support the activities of the Scenario Planning Team. The Steering Committee will ensure access to the relevant technical and professional advice, data and information, and analytical expertise required by the Scenario Planning Team to 6

8 help inform decision making. The Steering Committee will also lead the external communications for the project. 3.1 Scenario Planning Team: Role: Scenario Planning Team members will: a. Actively participate in the Scenario Planning Team including learning, sharing knowledge, and reviewing and advising on matters relating to the development of the NHS (i.e. goals and objectives, setting targets, issues and concerns, information needs, etc.). b. Review NHS scenarios, advise as to their modification, and identify agreed-to scenarios as final products of the project. c. Express views on behalf of their organization(s) and sector d. Provide frequent communication back to home organizations and sector on progress, solicit input for key decisions, and ensure their organization(s) receives the final documentation. e. Assist with identification and selection of members, replacements, and new members. f. Provide for an alternate to attend a meeting if they cannot. g. Assist with project communications and community consultation. h. Champion the NHS planning process by assisting with communicating and promoting the results and supporting the recommendations and opinions of the Scenario Planning Team as a whole. Composition The Scenario Planning Team (SPT) shall consist of people who represent the various interests and perspectives in the area, are local residents or business owners, and have an interest in the management and use of local land and natural resources. The Scenario Planning Team will be composed of the following members: Facilitator Kerry Coleman Participant Organization or Interest Represented 1. Doug van Hemessen Victoria Stewardship Coordinator, Kawartha Chapter Ontario Woodlot Association 2. Michael Benner Planner, City of Kawartha Lakes 3. Iain Mudd Planner, County of Peterborough 4. Richard Straka City of Peterborough 5. Richard Scott Planner, Trent Severn Waterway 6. Rob Stavinga Kawartha Conservation 7. Meredith Carter Otonabee Region Conservation Authority 8. Ruth Pezzack Havlock-Belmont-Methuen Lake Association and FOCA 9. Ian Attridge Kawartha Heritage Conservancy 7

9 10. Roz Moore Environment Council for Clear/Ston(e)y/White Lakes 11. Al McPherson Trans-Canada Trail; Victoria Stewardship Council 12. David Carruthers Planner & mapping consultant to First Nations 13. Stephen Hill Professor, Trent University 14. Dave Mowat First Nations 15. Andy Millar CKL Agricultural Advisory Board 16. Bev Quirt Tourism 17. Donna Churipuy/ Richard Oveharovich Health Unit 18. Denis Carter-Edwards Peterborough Historical Society 19. Matt Demille Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters 20. James Holland Ducks Unlimited 21. Mike Scott Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association 22. TBD; Ptbo Homebuilders assoc; Development Community 23. TBD; Ontario Power Generation/renewable energy Individuals with expertise or interest in a specific aspect of the SPT process may be invited to participate on an ad hoc basis. Term of Office It is desirable, given the degree of information and technical background provided, that the Scenario Planning Team members remain with the project for its full length. This will include approximately 8-10 meetings over a 12 month period. Additional meetings can be scheduled as required or requested by members. It is anticipated that the Scenario Planning Team will disband at the end of the project and this Terms of Reference will dissolve. The Scenario Planning Team will review these guidelines as the need arises. Selection Process Scenario Planning Team members are voluntary representatives of stakeholders within the project area. The best possible efforts will be made to ensure a reasonable balance of representatives from various interest groups, and people of ranging demographics and geographic interests. These efforts will be fully documented to ensure we can demonstrate that every effort was made to invite key stakeholders. Scenario Planning Team Coordinator The Scenario Planning Team shall select by consensus one member to be the Scenario Planning Team Coordinator. The coordinator will be selected by the Scenario Planning Team upon acceptance of this Terms of Reference (or when required). A member of the Steering Committee will be selected as an alternate to assist the Scenario Planning Team Coordinator. The Scenario Planning Team Coordinator and alternate will be: Doug van Hemessen Mike Hendren (alternate) 8

10 Role of the Scenario Planning Team Coordinator: In addition to the duties of a Scenario Planning Team member, the coordinator and/or alternate will also perform the following duties: Ensure adequate notice to members of upcoming meetings and agenda items. Distribute meeting agendas and minutes. Facilitate communication between the Scenario Planning Team and the Steering Committee Address issues on behalf of the Scenario Planning Team if required Facilitator The Facilitator will be a neutral third party that will assist the Scenario Planning Team in meeting its mandate. The Facilitator will be hired by the Steering Committee to facilitate the NHS planning process. Role of the Facilitator Overall conduct of meetings. Basic administration & adherence to this Terms of Reference. Assist in building consensus. Review and advise on matters relating to the development of the project (i.e. issues and concerns, goals and objectives, information needs, etc.). Meetings Meetings will be held at a designated location that is accessible by the Scenario Planning Team members. Minutes will be kept at each meeting and will be approved by the Scenario Planning Team at each subsequent meeting. Steering Committee members may attend meetings in the capacity of advisory or resource persons and may provide the committee with data and information on matters related to the project. Invitations to attend a meeting may be extended to individuals or representatives from other organizations who are not Scenario Planning Team members but have information of value to the group. The Scenario Planning Team should be notified and agree on the invitation/agenda in advance. Information for discussion at meetings should be distributed at least one week in advance, so that members have an opportunity to review. Scenario Planning Team members shall poll members of their organizations/constituencies for input prior to meetings so that all interests may be appropriately represented. Despite diverse representation on the committee, there is a need for understanding that we are working toward a common goal. Scenario Planning Team members will periodically review goals and objectives to ensure that all participants are still engaged and that we are making progress toward these goals and objectives. Members will have a living participant binder that can be passed along in the event of a replacement in the membership. 9

11 Decision-Making and Conflict Resolution It is desirable that recommendations of the Scenario Planning Team be arrived at through consensus decision-making. Where consensus cannot be achieved, majority and minority view points will be noted. Where decisions are required in order for the project to continue to move forward and meet its objectives, majority decision will provide direction. Meetings will be scheduled to ensure as many Scenario Planning Team members can attend as possible. Decisions can be revisited if some members cannot attend. 3.2 Steering Committee: Role: The Steering Committee will: a. Provide overall administration of the project and strategic direction. b. Lead external project communications through the development of relevant materials (e.g. project website, brochure, news releases, etc.) and assist with issues management. c. Ensure communications materials are shared in a timely and accurate manner. d. Identify and encourage participation by members of the Scenario Planning Team and Steering Committee. e. Champion the NHS planning process by communicating and promoting the results and supporting the recommendations and opinions of the Scenario Planning Team as a whole. The MNR Analyst and Support Team will: f. Deliver on the best available science and technology in support of the project, provide resources for logistics, data collection, update, preparation and analysis. g. Make available to the Scenario Planning Team pertinent background information and advice including science and technology information to support the project and help identify ecological priorities. h. Assist with bringing Scenario Planning Team members who miss a meeting up to speed before the next meeting. i. Integrate traditional knowledge into the analysis if possible. j. Conduct the NHS analysis using the best available information, the inputs recommended by the Scenario Planning Team, and Marxan - a decision-support tool for NHS planning. At the Request of the Scenario Planning Team, multiple learning scenarios can be run through Marxan and presented to the Scenario Planning Team for discussion to see how each potential scenario will help achieve the identified objectives. k. Provide training and knowledge transfer on the use of the output layers. Composition: The Steering Committee consists of a variety of partners that have been involved in the formation and launching of the Kawartha Natural Heritage Strategy. The project partners include: 10

12 Members: Organization: Mike Hendren, Project Lead Kawartha Heritage Conservancy Doug van Hemessen Victoria Stewardship Coordinator Michael Benner City of Kawartha Lakes Bryan Weir County of Peterborough Peter Southall City of Peterborough Joan Chamberlain Trent Severn Waterway Peter Waring/ Dave Pridham Kawartha Conservation Rob Little Environment Council for Clear/Ston(e)y/White Lakes Bev Quirt Tourism Andy Miller/Doug Plaunt Agriculture Doug Williams First Nations Dave Tellier, Silvia Strobl, Kazia Milian, Ministry of Natural Resources Analyst Elizabeth Spang and Support Team 11

13 4.0 PROJECT COMMUNICATIONS 4.1 Goals and Objectives: The primary communications goal is to: Build a broad-based understanding of the concept and benefits of natural heritage systems planning and encourage public engagement in the process to ensure that the key values within the community are used in decision-making circles. The objectives that support this goal are to: Allow the public to shape the process with their values and participation; Build trust and encourage buy-in/participation from target audiences (e.g. municipal planners, decision-makers); Engage all audiences in the process and encourage the planning community and stakeholders to use the results; Integrate community values (social, cultural, economic, and environmental) and information into the plan for general knowledge, planning purposes and other interests; and Introduce the concept of ecosystem services to ensure that we are recognizing the benefits we all derive from a healthy natural environment, including food, clean water, nutrient cycling, flood control, recreational opportunities, etc. 4.2 Protocol The Steering Committee will lead the external communications for the project, and will provide key messaging for use by the Scenario Planning Team. Communications should be 2-way between the Scenario Planning Team and the Steering Committee. Public and media communications should be agreed-to by both the Scenario Planning Team and the Steering Committee. There should be communications on the progress of the Scenario Planning Team meetings as required. The progress reports and final products from the Scenario Planning Team will be available for viewing on a public website in order to keep the broader public engaged and informed. Releases to the media will not occur unless there is consensus from both the Steering Committee and the Scenario Planning Team on content, method and timing. 12

14 Appendices APPENDIX A: Resources Local Resources: City of Kawartha Lakes Official Plan. September Available at: Clear, Ston(e)y, White Lake Plan. Available at: PLAN/CLEAR-STONEY-WHITE-LAKE-PLAN.html County of Peterborough Official Plan. Consolidation January Available at: Panel on the Future of the Trent-Severn Waterway. (2008). It s All About the Water: Report of the Panel on the Future of the Trent-Severn Waterway. Available at: Others TBD Provincial Policy/Direction: Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Provincial Policy Statement. Queen s Printer for Ontario. Available at: OMNR Natural Heritage Reference Manual for Natural Heritage Policies of the Provincial Policy Statement, 2005 Second Edition. Available at: OMNR Protecting What Sustains Us: Ontario s Biodiversity Strategy. Available at: Landscape Planning: Canadian Integrated Landscape Management Coalition. May Integrated Landscape Management: Applying sustainable development to land use. Available at: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources A Proposed Modelling and Scenario-based Approach for Identifying Natural Heritage Systems in Southern Ontario Discussion Paper. Available at: Stakeholder Engagement: Lenihan, D Rethinking the Public Policy Process: A Public Engagement Framework. Public Policy Forum. Available at: Ecodistricts of Ontario: Crins, W.J.; Gray, P.A.; Uhlig, W.C.; and Wester, M.C The ecosystems of Ontario, Part 1: Ecozones and Ecoregions. Inventory, Monitoring and Assessment Section, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough, Ontario. [contact steering committee for copy of this document] 13

15 Appendices OMNR Ecological Land Classification Primer: Central and Southern Ontario. (Ecozones, Ecoregions, and Ecodistricts). Available at: Tools and Targets: Ardron, J. H.P. Possingham and C.J. Klein (Eds.), Version 2, Marxan good practices handbook. University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia, and Pacific Marine Analysis and Research Association, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Available at: Ball, I.R., and H.P. Possingham, MARXAN (V1.8.2): Marine Reserve Design Using Spatially Explicit Annealing, a Manual. Available at: Eastern Ontario Model Forest Evaluation of Existing Data and Tools to Assess Potential for Incorporation into Natural Heritage System Modelling. Report submitted to GeoConnections on behalf of the eastern Ontario integrated landscape management project partners. [contact steering committee for copy of this document] Environment Canada How much habitat is enough? A framework for guiding habitat rehabilitation in Great Lakes Areas of Concern. Second Edition. Canadian Wildlife Service. Available at: Environment Canada Beyond Islands of Green: A Primer for Using Conservation Science to Select and Design Community-based Nature Reserves. Available at: Environmental Law Institute Conservation Thresholds for Land Use Planners. Available at: e%20planners.pdf Gray, Paul et al OMNR. Ontario s natural heritage areas: their description and relationship to the IUCN Protected Areas Classification System. Available at: Henson, B.L., Brodribb K., and Riley, J.L Great Lakes Conservation Blueprint Project for Terrestrial Biodiversity: Volume 1. Nature Conservancy of Canada and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Available at: Jalava, J.V., Sorrill, P.J., Henson, J., and Brodrib. K The Big Picture Project: developing a natural heritage vision for Canada's southernmost ecological region. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Available at: 14

16 Appendices APPENDIX B: Project Needs Identified by the Scenario Planning Team The Kawarthas Naturally Connected: Needs for a Natural Heritage System Identified by Scenario Planning Team September 27, edited November 1 (Note: the full details of the needs identified by each member can be found in the minutes from SPT meeting 1 - Sept ) Sector involvement and consensus: Planning/policy development and administration: Seek a balanced plan Ensure sector views are recognized and incorporated Relationship building and understanding Map significant woodlands and valleylands Tool to assist with pre-consultation (for applications and plans) Ability to easily explain the values associated with an area identified Support update to plan - mapping of connectivity/corridors Provide landscape context for municipal decisions Inform identification of areas requiring conservation while still allowing for development Securement/ management: Priority lands for securement Identify linkages to features/corridors between parks Identify aquatic values and data as best as possible Provide landscape context/data for lake plans Stewardship: Inform stewardship and restoration project planning Identify data gaps Direction for research and future inventory Communications: Education/advocacy Sharing information/data/traditional knowledge Information to inform discussions with Counties on land use and development Inform advocacy and policy development re: link between environment and human health People know about the area and what it offers, parks, trails etc. Learn how NHS supports values such as water quality and quantity, sustainable agriculture Understand how features contribute to primary productivity and wildlife Communication with public and organizations about the project and benefits 15