The
Ottawa Forests and Greenspace Advisory Committee (OFGAC) provides advice and
guidance to Ottawa City Council, through the Planning and Environment Committee
and the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee. Its mandate is to help safeguard the environment of the City,
promote a sustainable, biodiverse landscape and promote the protection and
conservation (wise use) of trees, forests, natural systems and greenspace by:
·
Providing input into
plans, strategies, policies, programs and budgets related to greenspace
preservation, biodiversity and the management of urban and rural forests
including remediation and new forest development;
·
Recommending ways in
which the City can meet its greenspace, biodiversity and forest related
objectives as outlined in the Official Plan and other planning documents; and
·
Promoting public
awareness of the role of greenspace and forests in protecting and enhancing
quality of life.
DEFINITIONS
The urban and rural
forest includes individual city trees and other vegetation as well as
woodlots and forests within the City of Ottawa.
Greenspace is land, water and wetlands that are in their natural, undeveloped state
as well as a land in private and public ownership that has been developed only
to the extent consistent with natural systems protection, recreational uses, or
agricultural and forest production.
The Ottawa Forests and Greenspace Advisory Committee shall be
responsible for:
OFGAC focuses its work in four areas: Policy and Planning; Emerging Issues and Requested Advice; Outreach; and, Management as summarized in the table that follows the highlights report.
Policy and Planning
OFGAC members participated in a variety of fora related to the updating of the Official Plan – the Rural Summit workshops follow-up: Settlement Outside Villages Working Group, Natural Heritage Working Group, Groundwater Resources Working Group and contributed to, reviewed and commented on the White Papers and Discussion Papers as presented at these meeting or as posted on the city website, including the Climate Change White Paper. As per our mandate, our focus was on the conservation of trees, forests, greenspace and wetlands. Members also attended consultations and provided comment to staff on a number of planning documents, among them the Greenfields Development guidelines, the Transit-oriented Guidelines, the final meeting to present the Slater-Bronson Escarpment Design and others. The Terms of Reference for the Biodiversity Strategy received considerable attention and was modified to meet OFGAC concerns. OFGAC looks forward to participating in the next stage in all of these processes. Regrettably, there was little movement on the Good Forestry Practices bylaw or the implementation or development of the Urban and Rural Greenspace Master plans, respectively. OFGAC was briefed by staff on a number of proposed or ongoing policy initiatives and was able to provide oral and written comments.
Emerging Issues and Requested Advice
Issues relating to proposed or ongoing land developments occupied much of our attention. South Barrhaven (including Longfields and South Nepean, the Berrigan Transitway and its nut tree grove) along with the many consultations relating to the Official Plan Amendment that would have allowed the Mahogany subdivision in Manotick and the possible destruction of a mature Sugar Maple bush – a NESS site, were also the focus of many hours of meetings and discussions with residents, developers and staff.
In addition, OFGAC reviewed 57 of the 110 development proposals sent for comment. A continuing problem identified by OFGAC is the lack of attention paid to the principles enunciated in the Official Plan in regard to the preservation of natural features and the failure of proponents to “design with nature” and the landscape plans that feature exotic species, some of which are invasive. Another continuing problem we noted is the frequent clearance of a site before a site plan is approved. One notable example involved the Orleans Arts Centre in which Ottawa is one of the funding partners. Not only was the description of the vegetation on the site incorrect, but the site description ignored the presence of mature Sugar Maples which were bulldozed before the site plan was approved and which, according to our review, could have been incorporated into the landscaping plan.
On the other hand, not all development proposals are bad: in two developments we reviewed in Orleans, the vegetation descriptions were accurate and the consultants’ recommendations for maintaining and enhancing the forest and surrounding greenspace were all that we could have wished for. It is possible for developers to hire good people and to adhere to the good design with nature principles in the Official Plan.
Another OFGAC success story is the preservation and enhancement of the Butternut and Black Walnut groves in the Strandherd/Greenbank/Berrigan transitway developments. We met with the city’s project engineers and consultants and after extensive discussions not only were fifty nut tree seedlings planted near the existing butternut grove, OFGAC had a historian prepare the wording for a commemorative plaque which recognizes the early settlers of the area and their role in planting the original nut trees.
OFGAC made nine presentations to Council committees in 2007 ranging from topics related to City budgets to development proposals and Official Plan Amendments to support for city initiatives (see Appendix A).
Outreach
OFGAC continued its very successful Walks in
the Woods program, with five walks in various parts of Ottawa and on topics
ranging from a tour of the Vanier Sugar Bush to forest/woodlot
certification. Our website, run by a
volunteer, continues to gain attention and credence as an authoritative source
of information and portal for citizen concerns and it is now linked to an even
wider variety of related websites.
OFGAC members continue to attend meetings and events sponsored by other
organizations and to serve as links with them. The OFGAC Chair and several committee members were interviewed
by the Ottawa Citizen, CBC Radio, Radio Canada and other Ottawa media
outlets. The most extensive coverage of
tree and greenspace issues arose from the three-page Citizen article in
November followed up by letters to the editor on the Citizen website and in
print.
Management
OFGAC updated its mandate to clarify its scope
of activities. The Chair and Vice Chair attended meetings with staff on a wide
variety of issues (meeting the new PTE Deputy City Manager to brief her on
issues of importance to OFGAC), meeting the other Chairs and Vice-Chairs to
discuss issues of common concern, and with staff to be briefed on Bill 130, the
Governance Review and Recruitment etc.
We also initiated a joint meeting with RIAC focused on the Mahogany
development proposal, the activities of the Rideau Valley Conservation
Authority and the 2008 Official Plan Review.
The numerous staff and public presentations (Appendix B) provided
learning opportunities for all OFGAC members.
2007 OFGAC Workplan Summary for Annual Report
|
A:
Policy and Planning: Corporate Initiatives |
B:
Emerging Issues and Requested Advice |
C: Outreach |
D: Management |
|
A1 2008 Official Plan Review |
B1
Development Activities ·
B1.1 Community Design Plans ·
B1.1.1 Rockcliffe Airbase ·
B1.1.2 South Barrhaven ·
B1.2 Development Applications (OP Amendments,
Zoning Changes, Subdivisions) ·
B1.2.1 Minto Mahogany Development Plan ·
B1.3
Surplus City Land Disposal, Road Closures |
C1
Communications ·
C1.1 Media outreach and publicity ·
C1.1.1 OFGAC Web site ·
C1.1.2 Multi-media and Event Display ·
C1.2 Community Outreach and Awareness ·
C1.2.1 Walk
in the Woods series ·
C1.2.2 Councillor Open Houses and Other events |
D1
Committee Management ·
D1.1 Committee Leadership ·
D1.2 Training for
members |
|
A2 Greenspace Master Plan A2.1 Implementation of Urban GMP A2.2 Development of Rural GMP |
B2
Presentations to Standing Committees |
C2 Networks
and AC Cross Attendance |
|
|
A3
Forest Strategy |
B3
Inventories ·
B3.1
CITYGreen™ Forest Cover Evaluation |
C3 Notable
Trees |
D3
Committee Member Recruitment for 2008 |
|
A4 Special
Planning Studies incl. Subwatershed Studies ·
A4.1 Follow-up and Monitoring
Implementation Strategies ·
A4.1.1 UNAEES ·
A4.1.2 Riverside South CDP ·
A4.1.3 East Urban CDP Phases 1 and 2 ·
A4.2 Ongoing Studies ·
A4.2.1
N-S LRT ·
A4.2.2
E-W LRT ·
A4.2.3 Greenfields Development Guidelines ·
A4.2.4
Transit-oriented Development Guidelines |
B4 Requested Advice ·
B4.1
Pocket Parks ·
B4.2 Transportation Master Plan ·
B4.3 Prototype Development
Application |
C4
Exotic Pest Management (including invasive plants and insects) |
|
|
A5
Plans and Standards ·
A5.1 Maintenance Plans for Community Forests ·
A5.1.1 Torbolton ·
A5.1.2 Marlborough (incl. Long Swamp,
Corkery) ·
A5.1.3 Cumberland ·
A5.1.4 Carp Hills ·
A5.1.5 South March Highlands ·
A5.2 Maintenance Standards for Trees and
Community Forests |
·
B5.2
Natural Drainage and Ditching |
|
|
|
A6 Bylaws ·
A6.1 Good Forestry Practices in Sensitive Natural Areas ·
A6.2 Comprehensive Zoning |
B6
Council Performance Indicators ·
B6.1 Corporate Plans ·
B6.2 Community Impact Indicators |
|
|
|
A7
Capital Standards ·
A7.1 Stormwater Management Planning Guidelines ·
A7.2
Strategic Lighting Plan |
B7 Input to City Budgets ·
B7.1
Development and expression of OFGAC priorities for Budgets 2007 and
2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
A9 Air
Quality and Climate Change Adaptation Strategy |
|
|
|
|
A10 Biodiversity Strategy |
|
|
|
A: Policy and planning
3 An updated Official Plan that increases protection for trees and ecologically valuable land (forests, wetlands, greenspace etc.)
·
Participated in Rural
Issues working group on Development Outside of Villages and working group on
Natural Environment as well as the Groundwater Resources Working Group –
providing input to ensure protection of trees, forests, greenspace and wetlands
·
Participated in the
Natural Heritage working group –
providing input to ensure protection of trees, forests, greenspace and
wetlands.
·
Received staff
presentation on Greenspace 2003 Official Plan Amendment and provided verbal
comment. This amendment will be carried
forward to 2008 OP.
Objective
3
Provision of advice to PEC[1] and city staff during the implementation of this
plan
Activities / Outcomes
Activities / Outcomes
Objective
3
A Forest Strategy that provides the
framework for the management and conservation of municipal forests and other
important wooded areas in Ottawa
Activities / Outcomes
·
Forest Strategy still in
development. City staff expected to release early 2008.
Objective
3
The UNAEES Implementation
Strategy is approved and funded by Council
3
The process of acquiring
ecologically valuable land, as identified in the UNAEES is commenced
Activities / Outcomes
·
Strategy and funding approved.
·
Provided advice to PEC on the implementation of the
UNAEES report and proposed future directions and activities.
·
Supported the acquisition of Innes Wood and the two
Nepean woodlots as part of UNAEES Strategy and supported at PEC the UNA
Strategy to acquire lands identified as having moderate to high ecological
value.
Objective
3
Future development in Riverside South follows the principles outlined in
the CDP
3
Retention of significant trees and forests and best
use of greenspace in this community
Activities / Outcomes
·
Reviewed and commented on development reviews
and subdivision plans with close attention to preservation of hedgerows,
significant trees, wetlands and greenspace.
Objective
3
Implementation of the East Urban Community Design Plan follows
principles in the CDP
3
Retention of significant trees and forests and best
use of greenspace in this community
Activities / Outcomes
·
Development proposals in this area
reviewed against principles of the CDP and comments provided to staff.
Objective
3
Preservation
of greenspace and trees and an environmental perspective as reports are
reviewed by Council
3
Ottawa chooses a light rail route that does minimal
damage to environmentally sensitive areas while remaining economically viable
Activities / Outcomes
·
The
project was cancelled by City Council.
A4.2.2
East-West Light Rail
Objective
3
Provision of OFGAC perspective on forest and
greenspace protection through Public Advisory Committee participation
3
Ottawa chooses a light rail route that does minimal
damage to environmentally sensitive areas while remaining economically viable
Activities / Outcomes
·
Further
to the NS LRT project
cancellation by City Council, the EW LRT is on hold.
A4.2.3
Greenfields Development Guidelines (Ottawa Design Study)
Objective
3
Greenfields Development guidelines follow
principles outlined in the Ottawa Design Study and appropriate attention is
given to tree protection and preservation
Activities / Outcomes
·
Attended
public consultations and provide comments to staff on draft guidelines;
provided comments and support to PEC when guidelines proposed for final
approval.
·
Provided
comments to staff on the initial draft and final guidelines.
·
Final
guidelines incorporated OFGAC suggestions.
A4.2.4 Transit Oriented Development Guidelines
(Ottawa Design Study)
3
Transit Oriented Development guidelines follow
principles outlined in the Ottawa Design Study and appropriate attention is
given to tree protection and preservation
Activities / Outcomes
A5 Plans and Standards for Forests and Trees
A5.1 Maintenance
Plans for Trees and Community Forests
Objective
3
Network of stakeholders is established and consultative meetings with
interested parties are productive
3
Advise on the development or updating of management plans for community
forests
3
Provide a forum for public input into these management plans as they are
developed
3
Provide ongoing policy advice on community forests and advice to City
during development or updating of community forest master plans
Activities / Outcomes
·
Advised the Torbolton Forest Advisory Committee on its community program
to collect oak seeds for native hardwoods regeneration.
·
Attended meetings of Torbolton Forest Advisory Committee and provided
OFGAC and ecological perspective.
·
Advised on the rare plant inventory and management of those plants, and
the second phase of harvesting of the forest.
Activities /
Outcomes
·
Attended two meetings of Marlborough Forest Advisory Committee and
provided OFGAC perspective and its support for the forest Initiatives regarding
trail maintenance and other projects such as the development of nesting boxes
for ducks.
A5.1.3
Cumberland
·
No requests from staff or the public for advice
were received; no meetings to discuss Cumberland Forest issues were called.
A5.1.4
Carp Hills
A5.1.5
South March Highlands
·
Attended November meeting where Dan Brunton provided
information on his findings for the environmental inventory. The inventory was only cursory but indicates
that the area is still in good shape since his last assessment.
·
Provided OFGAC perspective in discussions on the
parameters of the management plan which was going to be developed by an outside
consultant.
·
Provided comments on the ToR.
·
Provided OFGAC perspective in the discussion on
mountain biking in the area (this is not a sustainable use of a sensitive
natural area; however it was made clear that this use will continue).
·
Noted that OFGAC will endeavour to ensure that
requirements for measurable, monitored minimal impacts on flora and fauna are
incorporated into the management plan to ensure long term protection of the
ecological diversity and health of this important natural area. To this end OFGAC has requested that it be
explicitly stated in the management plan that ecological integrity is the
priority when considering management options.
Objective
3
Standards of care for trees, forests and greenspace
that are appropriate for Ottawa are implemented. Development of rational for appropriate funding for 2007 and 2008
Budgets
Activities / Outcomes
·
Supported appropriate funding levels in 2007 and 2008 Budgets.
·
Council approved advocated/required funding levels in both years.
Objective
3
Passage of the bylaw in 2007
·
Continued to meet with senior staff members and Councillors to urge
passage of the by-law.
·
Provided new City staffer with background on the development of the
existing draft, and information for a draft staff report for use by Standing
Committees and Council.
·
No staff progress other than a situation review on this initiative in
2007.
Objective
3
Protection of greenspace for conservation and
passive use recognized in bylaw
3
Land immediately adjacent to watercourses and UNAs,
UNFs and RNFs is zoned for low-rise development with appropriate buffers and
setbacks built in
3
Environmental Protection (EP) and other protective
zoning designations reflect true ecological boundaries, not only land-ownership
boundaries
3
Standards documents, strategies and plans reflect
protection of trees, forests and greenspace philosophy and practice
·
No request for input
into Capital Standards in 2007.
A7.1
Stormwater Management Planning Guidelines
3
Review strategies and reports as they
are made available by staff and comment to staff and the appropriate Standing
Committee
Activities /
Outcomes
·
Arranged for a staff presentation on
the draft Guidelines and provided verbal comment.
Objective
3
Review strategies and
reports as they are made available by staff and comment to staff and the
appropriate Standing Committee
Activities / Outcomes
·
Arranged for a staff presentation on
the draft Guidelines and provided verbal and written comment regarding the policy’s impact on trees.
·
Final policy incorporated
OFGAC’s concern for trees.
·
Lighting
was raised as an issue with respect to trees during the redesign of Wellington
Street as part of the Community Design Plan for the Hintonburg Area.
Objective
3
The 1998 EIS Guidelines are updated and improved to 2007 standards
Activities / Outcomes
·
No progress by City Staff on this initiative in 2007; to be done in 2008.
3
OFGAC perspective in regard to role of trees, forests,
greenspace and wetlands in adaptation to climate change
is incorporated in the Adaptation Strategy
·
Reviewed
and provided comment on the White Paper: Climate Change and the Official
Plan Review
·
Air Quality and Climate
Change Strategy still in development. City staff expected to release early
in2008.
Objective
3
OFGAC perspective in regard to role of trees, forests,
greenspace and wetlands in the preservation and enhancement of native
biodiversity is incorporated in the development of the draft
Terms of Reference as mandated by the CSED and Council in October 2006
Activities / Outcomes
·
Participated in the development of the Terms of
Reference for the Biodiversity Strategy in anticipation of consultations on and
subsequent writing of the Strategy in 2008.
·
Strategy TORs proposed for presentation to PEC
revised at OFGAC urging and revisions to ToRs made for presentation in January
2008.
B: Emerging Issues and Requested advice
B1.1
Community Design Plans
Objective
3
Community Design Plans are models of sustainability,
reflecting a perspective that respects the environment and preserves trees,
greenspace, wetlands to the maximum extent possible
B1.1.1 Rockcliffe Airbase Redevelopment
·
Provided OFGAC perspective to Public Advisory
Committee (PAC) and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) in the development of
the Community Design Plan.
·
Promoted an environmental perspective and the
preservation of greenspace including the adjacent Urban Natural Area and the
retention of mature trees on the site; attended Design Open House for in-depth
discussions.
·
Attended all PAC meetings and sat as an alternate
on the TAC. Comments provided to Canada
Lands Company and their Consultants.
·
Airbase re-development on hold pending resolution
of Native Land claims.
B1.1.2
South Barrhaven
·
Promoted an environmental perspective and the
preservation of greenspace.
·
Recommended that natural features be adequately
preserved during the implementation of the SB CDP.
·
Reviewed the proposed subdivision plan for Phase 1
of the SB CDP as well as other adjacent “Development Reviews”, as they were
circulated to advisory committees.
·
Visited the site and monitored the preservation of
the natural features as outlined in the preservation plans and SB CDP.
·
Provided comments and recommendations to staff and
developers.
·
Provided OFGAC perspective on development issues to
Public Advisory Committee.
B1.2 Review Development Applications (OP Amendments, Zoning Changes, Subdivision proposals)
3
OFGAC
perspective (relating to potential impact on trees, forests, greenspace and
wetlands and impact on native biodiversity) is provided to Council, city
planners
Activities / Outcomes
·
Received 110
development proposals for review and provided comments on 57 of them to city
planners preparing reports to Director of Planning on development proposals or
Council on Zoning change or Official Plan Amendment proposals.
·
Appeared
before PEC or ARAC to provide verbal and written comments on 9 development
proposals.
·
Staff and
council decisions on past developments collated to prepare for a possible
assessment in 2008 of the OFGAC process.
·
Major
large-scale developments reviewed included the Carp Airport, Mahogany Harbour,
South Barrhaven, Longfields.
B1.2.1 Minto Mahogany Development Plan
·
Provided city, developer and community stakeholders with opportunities
to provide their views on the Minto plans for Mahogany Harbour, a 2,000-unit
community that would double Manotick's current population of 5,250.
·
Reviewed the OPA and accompanying documentation, commenting on where and
how ecologically sensitive land could be preserved from development.
·
Provided other feedback for company officials, consultants and
interested residents on a path forward.
·
Final Minto OPA proposal recommended retention of important ecological
areas, including the mature Sugar Maple woodlot.
·
ARAC and Council have refused the OPA.
B1.3 Review
Proposals to Sell Surplus Land, Close Roads, Change Land Use
Objective
3
Real
Property and Asset Management (RPAM) staff are advised of OFGAC’s views on
disposals and closures or proposed changes to the use of city-owned land
3
Lands in
municipal ownership with forest, greenspace or wetlands value are retained by
the city in their natural state
Activities / Outcomes
·
Reviewed 34
disposal/road closure proposals and provided comment to RPAM on a timely basis.
·
Provided
reasons for objections to disposal on 3 proposals of which one was not a
disposal but for land on which the City had no background information which
OFGAC was able to provide.
3
Articulation of OFGAC perspective and recommendations on issues relating
to trees, forests and greenspace (including wetlands) and impact on native
biodiversity
Reviewed
background material on issues relating to the OFGAC mandate and the general
public.
Objective
3
An up-to-date forest cover evaluation for the city in 2007 updates the
1995 analysis of canopy cover and demonstrates the economic value of trees and
greenspace in Ottawa
Activities /
Outcomes
B4
Requested Advice
Objective
3
Provision of timely and accurate advice on issues/questions raised by
Council, Standing Committees, Councillors, members of the public
3
B4.1 Pocket Parks
Objective
3
A report on the feasibility and proposed location of smaller parks in
Ottawa
Activities / Outcomes
·
Follow-up to OFGAC survey that determined citizen attitudes toward and
amenities desired in pocket parks.
·
Project evolved into reclaiming
City Right of Ways for greenspace/tree usage using the examples of the trees
that were planted around the parking lot at Gilmour, Lewis, and Derby Place by
the Centretown Citizens Community Association in conjunction with the City.
·
·
Identified areas along road
allowances etc. that could be potential sites for “greening” in the Hintonburg
area at the Annual General Meeting in September 2007.
·
Photographed these sites which
will be incorporated into either the Neighbourhood Improvement Plan or the
Community Design Plan currently being undertaken by the City of Ottawa in the
Hintonburg area.
B4.2 Transportation Master Plan
·
Participated in the Transportation Master Plan Interactive Workshop on
Dec 4 2007, to provide input to the city regarding proposed transportation
priorities and potential solutions for the city.
B4.3 Prototype Development Application
·
Participated in the Planning Branch’s review of a prototype for the
provision of development application information on www.ottawa.ca.
·
Provided an OFGAC perspective to the Planning Branch and Information
Management Services, when doing development reviews on behalf of an advisory
committee.
B5 Wetlands and Natural Drainage
B5.1 Wetlands
Objective
3
City decisions favour the protection of provincially and “regionally”
significant wetlands
Participation in
community forums to promote wetland conservation
Greater appreciation by
citizens of Ottawa on the value of wetlands to Ottawa’s well-being
·
Articulated OFGAC perspective on the value of
wetlands to the entire community in key forums (RIAC, OP review).
·
Monitored land development proposals and city land sales and
provided comments on wetland conservation/protection.
·
Attended meeting of Wetlands Working Group and provided OFGAC
perspective; provided comments to city consultant on Public
Education Program on Wetlands and Municipal Drain Management.
B5.2 Natural Drainage and Ditching
Objective
3
Natural drainage channels are preserved to the maximum extent possible
3
Ditching activities strike a balance between protection of wetlands and
protection of farmlands
Activities / Outcomes
·
As part of Wetlands Working Group, received information on proposals for
ditching and diversion/conversion of streams (Flowing Creek and other municipal
drains) and provided comment to staff – see B5.1.
·
Attended meetings on ditching, groundwater management and stormwater
management.
B6 Council Performance Indicators
B6.1 Corporate Plan Review
Objective
3
Revisions
to Corporate Plans include OFGAC perspective on trees, forests, greenspace
(including wetlands) and native biodiversity
Activities
/ Outcomes
·
No activity in 2007
B6.2 Community Impact Indicators
Objective
3
OFGAC perspective on trees, forests and greenspace incorporated into the
Community Impact Indicators analysis in 2007
Activities / Outcomes
·
No activity in 2007.
B7 Input to City Budgets
B7.1 Development and expression of OFGAC
Priorities for Budgets 2007 and 2008
Objective
3
OFGAC perspective on priorities considered and
accepted by City Council in 2007 and 2008
Activities / Outcomes
·
Reviewed and analyzed 2007 and 2008 budget
documents to develop OFGAC priorities.
·
Attended Councillors' candidate election meetings
to outline OFGAC priorities.
·
Members held discussions with individual
Councillors and candidates to promote OFGAC priorities.
·
Prepared for formal presentation of OFGAC priorities at
Council Committee of the Whole in 2007 and 2008. All of OFGAC priorities were
funded.
·
Attended Ward Presentation and presented OFGAC priorities to
Councillors in attendance, and raised awareness that the Acquisition Fund was
not being provided for in 2008 although it had been agreed to and approved in the
2007 budget.
C: OUTREACH
C1
Communications
3
Increased public awareness and appreciation of the value of trees,
forests, and greenspace (including wetlands)
Increased support for
city tree, forest and greenspace (including wetlands) and biodiversity
initiatives
Activities / Outcomes
·
Responded to several media requests for information /
interviews over the course of the past year:
o
Ottawa Citizen feature November 18 2007 three pages on
urban trees and the difficulties of maintaining tree canopy in the city. Coverage included OFGAC and its role. Letters to the editor continued the
discussion among residents of Ottawa.
o
OFGAC Chair interviewed by Maria Cook of the Ottawa Citizen
on the subject of the Rockcliffe Airbase
re-development and greenspace and tree protection.
o
OFGAC Chair interviewed by Mathieu
Nadon of Radio Canada on the subject of the Rockcliffe Airbase re-development
and greenspace and tree protection.
·
The Outreach subcommittee worked to profile OFGAC and / or OFGAC
areas of interest through various creative means, such as by:
o
Writing a feature on OFGAC for the Ottawa Citizen’s Our
Town Kudos ‘n Applause published February 25, 2007.
o
Adding OFGAC
website as a resource on trees and greenspace to popular and other online
environmental networks, such as Wikipedia.ca, planetfriendly.net; nature.ca
(Canadian Museum of Nature); ottawastart.com/nature.php; greenottawa.ca/#parks,
greenspace-alliance.ca; eomf.on.ca (Eastern Ontario Model Forest).
3
Public visits to OFGAC Web site increase awareness
of the value of trees, forests, and greenspace and support for city tree,
forest and greenspace/wetlands and biodiversity initiatives
Activities
/ Outcomes
·
Maintained and regularly updated the OFGAC website
< www.ottawaforests.ca > in
terms of planned activities (Walk in the Woods Series), summaries of events
throughout the year and creation of new material for
the OFGAC website.
·
Timely production of OFGAC agendas, minutes for
Ottawa.ca website and OFGAC presentations on the OFGAC website.
·
Posting of City Forestry Service information (or
redirection to City website as appropriate).
·
Responded to or re-directed 39 public enquiries
received via the website (in English and French according to language of
original inquiry).
3
The creation of custom, interactive media (print, electronic, etc.) for
delivering current, high quality information on Ottawa area forests and
greenspace issues
·
Continually updated and created new material
for the OFGAC table display boards.
·
Developed a generic OFGAC PowerPoint slide show
that can be customized according to audience and subject matter.
3
An engaged Ottawa-area community, informed of the
environmental, economic and social values of the forests and greenspaces of
Ottawa
·
Conducted five public “Walk in the Woods” events:
March – Vanier Sugar Bush; April – Spring flowers; June – Landscape Planning in
Suburban Environments; August – Socio-ecological interfaces of community and
forest; November – Forest Certification.
·
Each walk was attended by 20-50 people.
Activities / Outcomes
·
Presented OFGAC and its role to the Stonebridge
Community Association at an official community meeting where attendance was
over one hundred people. Identified the
key areas in which OFGAC’s South-Barrhaven Sub-Committee are involved. Prepared illustration boards highlighting
the projects involved in within the community’s surrounding area.
·
Promoted trees
and their value in the urban landscape as members of the Continuity Task Force
for the Community Design Plan and the Neighbourhood Improvement Plan being
undertaken by the City of Ottawa in the Hintonburg Area
·
Presentation of
OFGAC Objectives and Activities to Eastern Ontario Chapter of Nut Growers.
All
members
Objective
3
Increased cooperation and information exchange between and among OFGAC
and other tree- and greenspace-oriented community groups and other Advisory
Committees
Activities / Outcomes
·
Maintain ongoing relations with other tree-, forestry- and
greenspace-related groups
Environmental Advisory Committee
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee
Rural
Issues Advisory
Committee
Marlborough
Forest Advisory Committee
Torbolton
Forest Advisory Committee
Canadian
Institute of Forestry, Ottawa Valley Section, Eastern Ontario Model Forest
Canadian
Urban Forestry Network
Fletcher
Wildlife Garden
Friends
of the Jock River
Stonebridge
Community Associations
Greenspace
Alliance of Canada's Capital
Ottawa
Field-Naturalists Club
Tree
Canada Foundation
Friends
of Petrie Island
Ontario
Heritage Tree Alliance
Ontario Urban Forest Council;
Ottawa
Stewardship Council
Continuity Task Force – Hintonburg Community Design
Plan and Neighbourhood Improvement Plan.
All members – their
community associations
On his own resources, an OFGAC member attended the Ontario Urban Forest
Council Annual meeting as a member of its Advisory Board, and Chaired a session
on Climate Change and Urban Forestry.
3
Development of a notable tree recognition program for Ottawa
Activities / Outcomes
·
Continued discussion on
criteria for notable trees or stands of trees taking into account the work of
the Ontario Heritage Tree Alliance (OHTA).
·
Helped develop pilot
projects with Glebe and Hintonburg Community Associations.
·
Glebe Community
Association tree inventory proposal funded (OFGAC provided letter of support).
Objective
3
Advice to PEC, ARAC and staff on exotic forest pests and
diseases that could threaten Ottawa’s trees and forests during development of
the city’s forest services protocol
Increased
public awareness of exotic invasive forest pests and their potentially adverse
impact on Ottawa’s trees and forests and timber industry
Activities / Outcomes
·
Informed OFGAC (via periodic distribution of
material, and updates at OFGAC meetings) about exotic forest pests and their
potential effects on Ottawa trees and forests, with particular emphasis on the
most current invasive threats (ongoing).
·
Prepared material for the OFGAC Website on
specific current exotic insect and plant pests threatening urban trees and
forests in Canada – Asian Long-Horned
Beetle (ALHB); Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).
D: MANAGEMENT
D1
Committee Management
D1.1 Committee Leadership
Objective
3
OFGAC deadlines are met and comments provided to Councillors and staff
on a timely basis.
Timely production of
agendas, delegation of tasks to OFGAC members, OFGAC position papers are
reviewed and approved prior to onward transmission
OFGAC recognised as a
positive force and contributor to the City
·
Developed agendas, reviewed draft minutes prior to
distribution to members; continued 24-48 hour transmission of Action Items
table to facilitate “Who does What by When”.
·
Reviewed OFGAC position statements and other
material prior to distribution to Council, staff and the public.
·
Updated OFGAC mandate.
·
Attended
Chairs and Vice Chairs meetings and presented OFGAC perspective on issues
relating to the Advisory Committees.
·
Initiated
joint meeting with Rural Issues Advisory Committee.
·
Met
with new Deputy City Manager PTE to brief her on OFGAC issues – Good Forestry
Practices bylaw, urgent need for an Ottawa Land Trust and OFGAC concerns about
the development review process.
·
Attended
Planning Primer I and II to improve OFGAC knowledge of the planning process,
Municipal Act and Planning Act.
Objective
3
Knowledgeable, effective and up-to-date OFGAC
members
·
Investigated the potential to provide media
training for OFGAC members.
·
Provided information on free media training (in
French) availability.
·
Arranged for staff and members of the public to
make 13 presentations to OFGAC (see Appendix B for list) in order to provide
opportunities for staff to explain new policy and program activities and to
facilitate exchange of ideas with staff and the public; result is enhanced
information flow and understanding of issues and policies.
Objective
·
Attended meeting of
Chairs and Vice-Chairs called by city on Governance, Recruitment etc. at which
some staff insight into Bill 130 implications was provided.
·
Attended separate
meeting of only Chairs and Vice-Chairs to share information on issues of common
concern.
D3
Committee Member Recruitment for 2008
Objective
3
Recruitment and appointment of candidates with
excellent qualifications and a commitment to the trees, forests and greenspace
of Ottawa
Activities
/ Outcomes
·
Reviewed and updated selection criteria in
anticipation of 2008 recruitment interviews.
·
Reviewed
and updated interview questions in anticipation of 2008 recruitment interviews.
Appendix A — OFGAC Presentations to Standing
Committees
Committee of the Whole
q
Budget 2007
– 19 February
q
Strategic Directions – 9 July
q
Budget 2008
– 3 December
Planning and Environment
q
Oppose Zoning 4798 Bank St (Leitrim Wetland) – 13
February
q
Support Acquisition of Innes Park Woods (UNA 87)
and OPA to designate it an Urban Natural Feature – 13 February
q
Support Urban Natural Features Strategy – 24
April
q
Present 2006 Annual Report and 2007 workplan – 22 May
q
456 Lansdowne development – 6 city mature Sugar
Maples endangered – 27 November
q
Support Continuation of Green Partnership
Program – 18 December
Appendix B – List of Public and Staff Presentations
to OFGAC
Staff presentations
q
Mahogany Development and Official Plan Amendment
q
Getting Greener
q
2008 Official Plan review process
q
Natural Heritage Systems in the Official Plan
review
q
Development Charges
q
Rights of Way Street Lighting Policy
q
Stormwater Management Policy
q
CITYGreen™
Public Presentations
q
Petrie Island Management Plan – Friends of Petrie Island
q
Green Streets Canada presentation of $38,000 grant
to Ottawa – Tree Canada Foundation
q
Marlborough Forest Management Plan and Agreement
with City – Ducks Unlimited
q
Activities and Objectives of Tree Canada
Foundation – Michael Rosen, President
TCF
q
Rockcliffe Airbase Redevelopment – Canada Lands Company
[1] PEC = Planning and Environment; ARAC = Agriculture and Rural Affairs; CSED = Corporate Services and Economic Development