Grey County Natural Heritage System Study

Transcription

1 Grey County Natural Heritage System Study Green in Grey Technical Advisory Committee Meeting #1 February 25, Labrador Drive, Unit 1, Waterloo, Ontario, N2K 4M8 Tel: (519) Web:

2 Overview Introduction to the study Definition Background NHS Components NHS Components Which are Difficult to Map Significant Valleylands Significant Wildlife Habitat Habitat of Endangered and Threatened Species

3 Overview Continued Creating the NHS Cores and Linkages Policy Implementation Discussion Next Steps

4 Team of NRSI and MSH Introduction to the Study Purpose is to identify and recommend a NHS for Grey County Section of the PPS (2014) Natural heritage systems shall be identified in Ecoregions 6E & 7E, recognizing that natural heritage systems will vary in size and form in settlement areas, rural areas, and prime agricultural areas. Natural Heritage Reference Manual guidance Made in Grey approach

5 Map 1. Study Area

6 Definition A Natural Heritage System is defined by the Province as: a system made up of natural heritage features and areas, and linkages intended to provide connectivity (at the regional or site level) and support natural processes which are necessary to maintain biological and geological diversity, natural functions, viable populations of indigenous species, and ecosystems. These systems can include natural heritage features and areas, federal and provincial parks and conservation reserves, other natural heritage features, lands that have been restored or have the potential to be restored to a natural state, areas that support hydrologic functions, and working landscapes that enable ecological functions to continue.

7 Public input is being solicited Background Mail outs, public open houses, stakeholder meetings, project website NRSI has completed the following to date: Compiled species lists Reviewed other NHSS (Oxford, Huron, Middlesex) Reviewed Natural Environment section of the OP Reviewed SWH Criteria for the Eco-Region 6E Reviewed SAR list for Grey County Preliminary criteria for the NHS Created base maps

8 NHS Components Many natural heritage features have already been identified: Provincially Significant Wetlands (PSWs) Other wetlands (non-provincially significant, unevaluated) Significant Woodlands Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSIs) Fish habitat Several natural features are not identified or mapped: Significant Valleylands Significant Wildlife Habitat (SWH) Habitat of Endangered and Threatened Species Linkages

9 Map 2. Significant Features

10 Map 3. Significant Woodlands and Other Woodlands Criteria: 40ha ( 4ha in Settlement Areas) Or 2 of the following: Within 30m of a Sig. Woodland Overlaps with a PSW or ANSI Interior habitat 8ha

11 Map 4. Geological Features

12 Map 5. Fish Habitat

13 NHS Components Which are Difficult to Map Significant Valleylands Significant Wildlife Habitat (SWH) Habitat of Endangered and Threatened Species

14 Creating the NHS Previous NHS studies and mapping for Grey County Big Picture 2002 (MNRF & NCC) Great Lakes Conservation Blueprint (Environment Canada & MNRF) Greenway (Ontario Nature & NCC) Niagara Escarpment Plan

15 Ontario Nature Greenway Used combination of size, fragmentation and landscape context to identify cores Linkages are 1.5 km wide with good natural cover Identified Priority Stewardship Areas

16 Great Lakes Conservation Blueprint for Biodiversity Terrestrial and Aquatic Protected Areas and Priority Stewardship Areas to protect biodiversity

17 Niagara Escarpment Plan Area Legend Green Natural Area Pink Protected Area Orange Rural Area Hatch Public Ownership Dash Policy Amendments to NEP Red Settlement Areas

18 Creating the NHS Natural Heritage Reference Manual guidance as well as other studies as examples (Middlesex, Huron, etc.) Scale Landscape context (i.e. Grey has approx. 40% forest cover) Made in Grey approach Criteria for Cores and Linkages Groupings of habitat patches with potential for restoration, size, shape, overlapping features, proximity Understanding that the NHS does not capture all features

19 Policy Implementation Policies for identified and mapped features Significant features (existing and newly mapped) Difficult to map features Linkages, supporting features, restoration areas Features not represented within NHS Features outside of the NHS Consistent policy language and approach Best Practices Guide to NHS Planning provides examples (Georgina, Central Frontenac, Vaughan, Clearview Township)

20 Discussion

21 Significant Valleylands Approaches range from quantitative to more qualitative Middlesex and Huron Counties method Region of Waterloo method Already represented by other designations (in part)? Other methods? Combination of methods?

22 Significant Wildlife Habitat Collect known SWH records from MNRF (deer yard/winter areas, etc.) Screening using Ecoregion 6E criteria Already represented in other designations (in part)? Not represented?

23 SWH included in already identified and mapped features Seasonal Concentration Areas Waterfowl Stopover and Staging Areas (Aquatic) Bat Maternity Colonies Colonially - Nesting Bird Breeding Habitat (Tree/Shrubs) Deer Yarding Areas Rare Vegetation Communities - Woodlands - Wetlands - ANSIs Old Growth Forest Specialized Wildlife Habitat Waterfowl Nesting Area Bald Eagle and Osprey Nesting, Foraging and Perching Habitat Woodland Raptor Nesting Habitat Seeps and Springs Amphibian Breeding Habitat (Woodland) Amphibian Breeding Habitat (Wetland) Habitat for Species of Conservation Concern Marsh Bird Breeding Habitat Woodland Area-Sensitive Bird Breeding Habitat Terrestrial Crayfish Animal Movement Corridors Deer Movement Corridors

24 SWH not represented Cultural meadows and thickets Large grasslands >30ha in size 15ha of CUM and CUT adjacent to woodlands pastures, hayfields Large areas of successional habitat >10ha Hibernacula sites (bats, turtles and snakes) Rare vegetation communities Seasonal Concentration Areas Waterfowl Stopover and Staging Areas (Terrestrial) Shorebird Migratory Stopover Area Raptor Wintering Area Bat hibernacula Snake hibernacula Colonial - Nesting Bird Breeding Habitat (Bank and Cliff) Colonial - Nesting Bird Breeding Habitat (Ground) Rare Vegetation Communities Cliff and Talus Slopes Sand Barrens Alvars Savannah Tallgrass Prairie Rare Vegetation Community Specialized Wildlife Habitat Turtle Nesting Area Habitat for Species of Conservation Concern Open Country Bird Breeding Habitat Shrub/Early Successional Bird Breeding Habitat Animal Movement Corridors Amphibian Movement Corridors

25 Habitat of Endangered and Threatened Species Known occurrences of SAR from MNRF, wildlife atlases Screening using MNRF list for Grey County Already represented in other designations (in part)? Cerulean Warbler, Ginseng, Redside Dace Not represented Bobolink, Meadowlark, American Badger

26 Is ELC mapping available? Questions Have watercourses and water bodies been identified correctly on Map 2? Should additional features be labelled? Should Drinking Water Source Protection Areas be considered in the NHS mapping? Areas that require reconnaissance (road survey or aerial flight) Additional information Mapping of aggregate areas, recreation areas Linkages

27 Next Steps Provide additional comments by to NRSI Minutes will be prepared and distributed Public Open House #1 March 30 & 31 (Owen Sound, Durham) Stakeholder Meetings #1 March 31 TAC Meeting #2 (June / July?) Application of the draft criteria Preliminary NHS for review and comment

28 Thank You!