SUSTAINING OUR ENVIRONMENT, PLANNING FOR OUR FUTURE Key Recommendations to Inform the 2015 Provincial Review of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan APRIL 2015
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS TO INFORM THE 2015 PROVINCIAL REVIEW OF THE OAK RIDGES MORAINE CONSERVATION PLAN The Oak Ridges Moraine is one of the single most significant landforms in the Province. In recognition of this, the Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation (ORMF) was established in 2002 to provide support and encouragement for activities that preserve, protect, and restore the environmental integrity of the Oak Ridges Moraine, and support a trail through it. The ORMF has led a comprehensive consultation among stakeholders to provide input and detailed analysis of the effectiveness of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan in protecting the Moraine. Out of this consultation the Foundation is offering provincial officials this context and key recommendations to inform their review. BACKGROUND One of the most important issues facing the planet is the protection of our water supplies and the challenge the human race faces in ensuring it has the water necessary for food production and consumption. Since the Walkerton tainted water crisis in May of 2000, the Province has made a commitment to protect municipal supplies of drinking water for Ontarians. The Ontario Government set a clear policy framework to protect the Oak Ridges Moraine by enacting the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act in 2001, and then by establishing the Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation and the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan (ORMCP) in 2002. With the Act and Conservation Plan to protect the Moraine, the Province affirmed its commitment to protect south-central Ontario s water resources, natural heritage and green space systems. It offered support to the already established Niagara Escarpment Plan and would be supported by the Greenbelt Plan enacted some three years later. The Oak Ridges Moraine divides the watersheds draining into western Lake Ontario from those draining north into Georgian Bay, Lake Simcoe and the Trent River system. It shapes the present and the future form of the Greater Toronto region and its ecological functions are critical to the region s continuing health. 1 Since 2002, more than $14.1 million of the original provincial investment, as well as an additional $35.8 million leveraged through the ORMF s partners, has been allocated to 177 projects in the areas of land securement, land stewardship, education, research, and support for the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail. During this period, the ORMF has played a critical role in the protection of the Moraine. Most recently, the key focus has been to: Facilitate cross-moraine coordination for the protection and stewardship of water and natural resources; Explore and implement legacy projects to celebrate the Moraine; Continue to seek re-investment from the Provincial and Federal Governments; and Coordinate and ensure effective preparation for the 2015 Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan (ORMCP) review. THE ORMF HAS A STRONG REPUTATION WITH ITS MANY PARTNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS FOR EFFECTIVELY WORKING TO MAXIMIZE THE IMPACT OF PROVINCIAL FUNDING AND HELP ENSURE A ROBUST GREENBELT. 1 www.mah.gov.on.ca - 1 -
Ontario s Growth and Planning Context In the years since the Plan was originally developed, there have been monumental economic, social and environmental changes. Ontario s population has increased from 11.4 million in 2001 (one year before the ORMCP was announced) to 13.7 million in 2014. The GTA accounts for 47.6% of the entire provincial population 2. Since 2002, a number of critical environmental statutes and initiatives have been launched such as the Greenbelt Plan and Greenbelt Act (2005), Provincial Policy Statement (2005, 2014), Clean Water Act (2006), the Great Lakes Strategy (2012), and, Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2006). The landscape of planning in Ontario has never been more complex. Adding to the complexity are the increasing demands by the public and many stakeholders who are better informed and more engaged and who are calling on government at all levels to protect against threats to human health and environmental degradation. As urban densities increase, the public value of open space, natural heritage systems and effective resource management becomes more imperative. Human health is intimately connected with the health of our environment. It is incumbent on provincial decision makers to ensure that the integrity of our green spaces is protected now and for future generations. Protecting the integrity of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan is an essential component of the government s commitment and responsibility and has never been more important. THERE IS AN ONGOING PROVINCIAL COMMITMENT TO THE PRINCIPLES OF SMART GROWTH. OUR NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE VALUES WILL ONLY INCREASE IN IMPORTANCE AS OUR URBAN DENSITY INCREASES. Linking Environmental and Human Health There are many compelling reasons to continue to protect the Oak Ridges Moraine through a plan that focuses specifically on protecting its hydrological and ecological functions. Water availability and supply is a foundation for human life and a pillar of healthy sustainable communities. A mammoth effort to advance a multi-barrier approach to safe drinking water has been led by the Province in concert with Ontario s Conservation Authorities and municipalities. Resourcing commitments have been made to advance the source water protection agenda, and, as the 19 Source Protection Regions secure approval of their Source Protection Plans, there will be an accompanying shift from plan development to plan implementation in the very near future. Protecting the integrity of the Oak Ridges Moraine supports the Province s commitment to effective water management and acknowledges the need to think strategically about the importance of water availability and supply for the hundreds of thousands who rely on it. 2 www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/economy/demographics/quarterly/dhiq2.html - 2 -
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE 2015 REVIEW To ensure that the ORMCP remains relevant and reflective of current government priorities, there is a proviso that requires the Plan to be reviewed every ten years to determine whether any revisions should be made. We look forward to participating in an open, transparent and robust engagement process that allows for full public input during the 2015 ORMCP Review. We acknowledge First Nations contributions to the ORMCP and we need to ensure we have appropriate consultation with these communities as part of the Review process. It is against the backdrop of the upcoming 2015 Provincial Review of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan that extensive research, stakeholder consultations, and individual interviews were conducted by the ORMF to evaluate the Plan and compile key findings in a comprehensive report. Based on that wide-ranging research, and with the intent of assisting the Province, the Premier of Ontario, and designated Ministers of the Crown in defining the scope and process for the Review, the Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation Board of Directors offers these recommendations: Recognize and Grow the Greenbelt Recognize the unique and critical importance of the Oak Ridges Moraine through a renewal of its commitment to the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan. Reaffirm its responsibility to maintain and increase preserved lands on the Oak Ridges Moraine. Continue its support of and investment in stewardship, restoration and the securement of properties crucial to the protection of significant hydrologic and ecological features and functions on the Oak Ridges Moraine. Promote Safe and Sustainable Agriculture Support additional permitted uses of agricultural land that are in keeping with the rural and/or agricultural character of the area. Support greater economic viability, social and environmental sustainability of rural communities and rural areas, including sustaining existing farms and their ability to compete. Provide clear and consistent policy direction for common sense application of the ORMCP policies as they apply to small scale additions and accessory uses such as decks, sheds, pools and barns. - 3 -
Protect the Environment - Ensuring Clean Water, Air and Land Revisit and strengthen the water resources policies of the ORMCP to further integrate and promote new initiatives like the Drinking Water Source Protection Plan, Watershed Plans, water budgets, water conservation plans and improve linkages to other water and protection legislation. Consider the strong linkages between healthy communities, human health and environmental health. Apply the most stringent provisions for the importation of fill to the ORM and that in so doing, the hydrological and ecological integrity of the ORM is maintained. Develop a provincial regulation on large scale commercial fill. Prohibit any new aggregate operations in the Natural Linkage areas. Amend the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan to require rather than encourage the completion of comprehensive rehabilitation plans for aggregate pits. Consider the implications of Climate Change in all guidelines, plans, natural heritage and hydrological evaluations. Encourage Land Conservation and Preservation Include a policy to require municipalities to enact (or update existing) tree management by-laws to reflect the policies of the Plan. Support policies to facilitate lot creation and the conveyance of land for natural and cultural heritage conservation purposes. - 4 -
Facilitate Strong Environmental Governance and Policy Development Adopt a consistent set of definitions across all plans and policies. Appoint a Minister without Portfolio or a Parliamentary Assistant to be responsible for the ORM. Provide support for a community-based partnerships-focused implementation body with an emphasis on the vital role of Conservation Authorities in watershed management. Support more restrictive policies where more than one exists. Ensure that the existing natural core area and natural linkages and boundaries are upheld in the 2015 Review. Adopt one rule that applies equally to all new infrastructure development and takes a strong position prohibiting large-scale infrastructure in the natural core or natural linkage areas in a manner consistent with the Niagara Escarpment Plan. Give legislative primacy to the ORMCP Act as it pertains to infrastructure development on the Moraine. Provide investment for continued monitoring and reporting on the ecological and hydrological health of the Moraine. Support Culture, Heritage and Tourism Provide clarification on the definition of low intensity recreation. Commit to complete and maintain the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail and involve willing landowners and interested stakeholders. - 5 -
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS PROTECTING THE OAK RIDGES MORAINE HONOURS AND ADVANCES THE CRITICAL PLANNING PRIORITIES OF THE PROVINCE, INCLUDING SOURCE PROTECTION PLANNING, HEALTHY SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES AND VALUING OUR NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE. Since its inception, the Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation, a community-based implementation body, has been dedicated to upholding the intent and purpose of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan. Looking to the future, the Foundation Board of Directors remain united in the belief that a plan specifically for the Oak Ridges Moraine is needed. This belief comes from the Board s view that the Oak Ridges Moraine is a landform feature so unique that it deserves continued and focused provincial protection and policy oversight. The world is not the same as it was when the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan was enacted. More people call southern Ontario home. There are pressures for increased urban intensification and broad recognition of the importance of healthy, safe, sustainable communities. As our population ages and as our urban centres increase in density and intensity of use, places like the Oak Ridges Moraine will be increasingly rare and increasingly valued. Over the course of the Plan, a number of achievements have been realized, and despite this, much remains to be done. Having a plan that focuses on the Oak Ridges Moraine will ensure that there is a sense of shared ownership, and an agreed upon plan of action for the Moraine moving forward. The 2002 Plan makes reference to the need to both maintain and enhance the Moraine. Policy and planning rigour are needed now more than ever before. A focused provincial policy oversight in the form of a renewed commitment to the Oak Ridges Moraine as a result of the 2015 Review is essential. Also needed is a governance model that builds on the success of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan; a community-based implementation body dedicated to supporting the plan; and, a renewed dedication to stewardship and land securement. THE 2015 PROVINCIAL REVIEW OF THE OAK RIDGES MORAINE CONSERVATION PLAN MUST PUT THE MORAINE FIRST. A RENEWED COMMITMENT TO THE MORAINE BY THE PROVINCE IS A VITAL STEP IN CONTINUING TO ENSURE THAT OUR HYDROLOGICAL AND ECOLOGICAL FEATURES REMAIN VALUED AND PROTECTED AND SECURED FOR OUR FUTURE. - 6 -
About the Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation The Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation was founded in 2002 as a governing body dedicated to the enhancement and preservation of the Moraine as a healthy and vibrant ecosystem. Comprised of an independent board of directors, the Foundation diligently distributed in excess of $14.1 million in grants since 2002. Working closely with Moraine partners, the ORMF leveraged an additional $35.8 million in funding for land securement; stewardship; education and public awareness; Oak Ridges Moraine Trail; and research programs. The Foundation has successfully supported 177 new conservation and protection projects on the Moraine. Board of Directors of the Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation April 2015 Caroline Schultz, Chair Rob Messervey, Vice-Chair Don Prince, Secretary Graham Whitelaw, Treasurer Cindy Sutch, Director Michael Jolliffe, Director To be appointed Executive Director, Ontario Nature Nominee of the Government of Ontario Chief Administrative Officer, Kawartha Region Conservation Authority Nominee of Conservation Ontario Land Securement, Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust Nominee of the Federal Government Queen s National Scholar and Assistant Professor, Queen s University Nominee of The Nature Conservancy of Canada Immigration & Public Relations, CFE Inc. Nominee of Save The Oak Ridges Moraine Coalition Senior Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and Corporate Development, Tetra Tech Nominee of the Government of Ontario Nominee of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. 120 Bayview Parkway, Newmarket, Ontario, L3Y 4X1 (289) 279-5733 @ormoraine oakridges.moraine www.moraineforlife.org