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Tay River Watershed Management Plan – “Gap Analysis”
Updated May 22, 2008 - following Stakeholders Meeting of May 6, 2008 |
Recommended Action |
Activity in 2006 and 7 |
Activity Planned for 2008 |
Areas requiring Action |
Proposed Players |
1. Distribute and Promote the TRWP |
Promoted awareness of Plan, through events: FoTW AGM, Maplefest; GBCLA AGM; Watershed Discovery Evening (WDE); Doors Open Perth; Perth Market; Native Plant Workshop; Printed and distributed watershed CD - Plan; reports; etc. Completed Tabloid in 06 Wide distribution of Tabloid to neighbouring watershed areas; No more printed copies of Interim Report |
Continue promotion at Maplefest 2008; GBCLA AGM; WDE; Perth Market; AOBG; Re-print Tabloid (seek funding); FoTW participate in Historica Fair Continue printing/distribution of watershed CD; Consider organization of a Tay River sub-watershed plan; |
Supplement information in plan regularly using web sites, links Print more copies of Interim Report. RVCA does annual monitoring reporting High priority All public events and fairs Make reports available by CD (all watershed reports and maps) |
Friends of the Tay RVCA All Stakeholders |
2. Develop Communications Network/Strategy for Implementation |
No Annual Implementation meetings held in 07 FoTW published newsletters, Established ‘’Perspectives on Water” speaker series, with First Nations speaker at WDE; RVCA produced annual monitoring reports
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Annual Stakeholders meeting (May 6 08) FoTW to continue 2-3 newsletters per year RVCA to release annual monitoring reports FotW Continue “Perspectives on Water” with DU talk Feb 13, Maude Barlow Sept 24 and WDE Nov. 4 |
Need regular newspapers columns highlighting activities on the Tay Continue implementation meetings every 2 years Participate in committees as needed to address particular issues e.g. water quality, water levels, land use, recreation, biodiversity, municipal liaison committees Include business community in implementation |
RVCA and/or FoTW FoTW/RVCA RVCA to take lead role, all stakeholders to particpate Business Community/FoTW |
3. Update Official Plans to include Goals of watershed plan (Promote inclusion of watershed plan goals in Ops) |
RVCA does plan input and review for development near water in Tay watershed (45 Planning applications in Tay Watershed 14 sec 28) FoTW Participation in and presentation to Official Plan meetings of TVT, DNE, Central Frontenac, South Frontenac, & Rideau Lakes, re recognition of TWMP and of upcoming management plans from area lakes; MNR updating OPs with fish habitat information |
Ongoing plan input review activities by RVCA (50+ anticipated for 08) Lake associations with completed lake plans influencing OP and ZBL’s to reflect findings of Lake Management Plans Follow up approaches to twps. where final reply not received (South Frontenac); Monitor watershed related issues in six twps. and Perth; Bobs and Crow lakes attempting to influence OP of S. Front with findings from completed LMP |
Have municipalities circulate pertinent amendments to FoTW Compare and Standardize OP’s, ZBL’s across watershed (consistency) Have municipalities do blanket OPA to incorporate recommendations of the plan Have municipalities post all amendments, permits etc on their CGIS system and make available to public Monitor OP’s , variances, by-laws Have municipalities include information and recommendations of Lake Plans in all OP’s and ZBL/s |
Municipalities/FoTW Municipalities/FoTW/RVCA Municpalities Municipalities, FoTW, Lake Associations, etc. FoTW, Lake Associations, etc Lake Associations, Municipalities |
4. Create an Information Repository |
RVCA has Watershed Information System (WIS) up and running FoTW Participated in annual OMYA water-taking data presentation (Feb. 15); Maintained website as major source of watershed information; Disseminate watershed CD;
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WIS updated regularly and posted on RVCA website Participate in annual OMYA water-taking meeting; Secure acceptance of OMYA water data in HYDAT database; Disseminate watershed CD;
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RVCA to continue updating WIS Need commitment from all players to feed into data base any new studies/reports, etc. Make dbase 2 way Agreement that everyone in Tay watershed share information – co-ordinate information sharing Facilitate access to information through advertising d base Encourage groups to feed into information sharing e.g. events, upcoming studies, projects, initiatives (need bulletin board on websites) |
RVCA/All stakeholders RVCA/All Stakeholders
RVCA/CGIS/CSW/Municipalities/
All Stakeholders FoTW/RVCA FoTW, groups in TRW |
5. Distribute Educational Materials to all Stakeholders (workshops, demonstrations, etc) |
FOTW completed Tay Tabloid and distributed Promote FOTW distributing other group’s materials e.g. LLGreen, REAL, CSW Bedford Mining Alert active in influencing policy regarding private land claims and changes to Mining Act New group (Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium) working on education of impacts of mining. Report to be produced Annual Watershed Discovery Evening held (Oct. 18); Display at Lake Links Workshop; Board member at Rideau Waterway Symposium (27/11); Provided presenter at province-wide Latornell Conservation Authority Symposium, Nov. 14 2007; |
FoTW Annual Watershed Discovery Evening, Nov. 4; Distribute watershed teaching materials to local schools (Cons. Ont.); Display at Lake Links Workshop; Display, workshop, & award at Historica 2008; Continue Perspectives speaking series – DU, Feb. 13; Maude Barlow, Sept. 24; WDE, Nov. 4; to continue distributing information BMA and CCAMU continuing to lobby gov’t towards changes to Mining Act
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Encourage two way communication with schools, libraries, NGO’s, municipalities, government agencies, etc Promote use of internet as source of information |
All stakeholders
RVCA/CGIS/FoTW/CSW |
6. Conduct Studies, collect data and monitor as required |
RVCA expanded monitoring program includes: water quality of lakes and rivers, water levels, fisheries habitat, precipitation, groundwater RVCA has 22 stream monitoring sites, 2 watershed watch lakes, 1 lake partner lake and 14 lakes for invasives monitoring in 07 RVCA has 19 baseflow sites (since 03) Queen’s U undertaking water study Perth undertaking study of dams (see #23) Four permanent water quantity gauges exist in watershed monitoring water levels and flows (includes OMYA gauges) RVCA has 1 precip gauge Two groundwater wells monitored for levels RVCA has 6 Ontario Benthic Baseline Network monitoring stations Formatted and printed for distribution ‘Mining and Geology of Tay Watershed’ report; MNR updating fish habitat information Joe Slater (Bobs Lake) contributing hydrologic data within watershed to HYDAT – Env’t Canada’s dbase. Have created over 230 years of data
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RVCA to continue stream sampling, will undertake all Tay Lakes for Watershed Watch Program, invasives monitoring to continue, continue baseflow monitoring Queens’ U Study continuing Source Protection Plans underway (RVCA and municipalities) Water quantity, quality, baseflow and OBBN monitoring to continue by RVCA in 08 RVCA to apply Macro Stream Protocol to 6 small watercourses in the Tay Watershed in 2008 to classify thermal regimes, assess fish community structure RVCA continues to provide support to the Marsh Monitoring Program. RVCA working with MNR Kemptville to develop criteria for identifying and mapping significant woodlands. Continue to collect and enter hydrologic data to HYDAT FoTw promote dev’t of volunteer watershed reporting network for data collection Provide award at Historic Fair 2008 for river and canal history Use community status to support RVCA student hiring for summer assessment work |
Identify opportunities for co-ordination of monitoring and study efforts
Expand volunteer monitoring opportunities in areas of precipitation, water quality, water levels and flows, invasive specifies, wildlife and habitat as priorities Also monitor for: Water takings, surface/groundwater exchange, baseflow/seepage, effects of heat pumps, pits and quarries, Identify how land use impacts groundwater and surface water Identify how groundwater effects ecosystem and role baseflow plays Monitor effectiveness of stewardship programs Monitor septic systems (re-inspections) for effectiveness Monitor water quality “hot spots” Monitor groundwater quality Undertake Study to identify in-stream needs of aquatic life Undertake beaver dam surveys – role re: hydrologically, biologically Determine the value of water Identify and monitor critical habitat and linkages Evaluate all wetlands in watershed. Determine hydrologic and biological role of wetlands. Determine assimilative capacity of water bodies Undertake property assessments of all shoreline properties. Assess for BMP’s. provide report/guidelines to improve BMP’s.
Report on major projects within watershed
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All stakeholders involved in studies/monitoring RVCA/watershed residents
RVCA
?? ?? RVCA Municipalities, Volunteer monitoring MoE/FoTW Volunteers, RVCA MoE, MNR, RVCA, Academic RVCA, academics, schools MNR
MoE, RVCA, Lake Associations, FoTW, Stewardship Councils, CSW, RVCA, LLGreen Queen’s University
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7. Establish a Tay Watershed Management Working Group |
FoTW support an innovative approach to managing this watershed through a trial coordinating “board” |
Ongoing
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Monitor effectiveness of present working situation further discuss formation of more formal management board if needed Participate in Source Protection Plans and other such planning mechanisms as appropriate Assess effectiveness of watershed management at each annual reporting |
FoTW
FoTW
FoTW/RVCA |
8. Support Friends of the Tay (build capacity) |
RVCA supports through publication of tabloid in 06, implementation of watershed plan FoTW Increased number of formal exchanges with organization from 23 to 26 orgs.; Maintained association structure (incorpn. & charitable status); Carried out minor membership promotion; Developed Honorary Patron position (Hon. James Bartleman); Concluded fund-raiser - “Wee Lassie” lottery, April 28; FoTW linked with Ottawa Riverkeeper to keep lines of communication and support open |
RVCA to Continue to support implementation, support of group FoTW to Maintain & expand association network and relationships; Continue recruitment of volunteers; Maintain incorporation status of association; build & maintain provincial links through Water Guardians, OEN; Ottawa River Keeper Consider new fund-raising activities |
Continue with support for FoTW by all stakeholders Seek funding to support FoTW (sustainability, capacity) and its projects as required |
All stakeholders FoTW |
9. Create New and Promote Existing Stewardship Programs and Activities |
Rural Clean Water Program running in watershed Tree plant programs active – RVCA planted 6,000 trees in 06 and 07 RVCA has new regulations that may affect development on shorelines. Limited to 2 lakes now, more later FoTW Member of Rural Clean Water Cttee. of RVCA; FoTW Cooperate with Town of Perth in addressing sewage capacity challenges; Otty Lake completed shoreline survey MNR applying CFWIP program (in conjunction with Fish Habitat Mngt plan) WellAware program running providing guided self assessments of well use and assessment |
RVCA plans to plant 19,000 trees in 08 FoTW Cooperate with Town of Perth in addressing sewage capacity challenges; Organize a shoreline naturalization demo. site at Code Park; FoTw continue support REAL/ LL Green Well Aware Program RVCA to continue Rural Clean Water Program, expect 120 water quality projects in 2008 Anticipate Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program to expand to program delivery in 08 Well Aware in 2nd of 3 year program funded by MoE Real Deal re-opening in June
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Continue existing stewardship programs Co-ordinate stewardship programs and activities Identify and promote opportunities to engage in existing programs eg. Clean water program CFWIP, MAPLE, Living by Water, shoreline visits, Well Aware, Great Lakes Habitat Fund All groups to promote others’ programs FoTW to actively promote programs that meet the goals of the watershed plan e.g. MAPLE, CWIP, Well Aware, Create bursary/scholarship for students working on improving health of Tay watershed Expand shoreline visit program to include all shoreline properties in the watershed
Infuse funding into MAPLE program Encourage Participation in Wetland Habitat Fund Invite DU to be stakeholder in TRW Encourage better co-ordination of programs to avoid overlaps |
All stakeholders FoTW/RVCA All players, FoTW, RVCA, MNR, Lake Associations,
All players FoTW
FoTW, LSC
CSW, FoTW, Lake Associations, Stewardship Councils MAPLE, FoTW WHF, FoTW, RVCA/MNR FoTW, DU All applicable stakeholders |
10. Determine Water Budget of Watershed |
Queen’s U undertaking modeling exercise of Tay RVCA completed hydrologic and hydraulic modeling of Tay RVCA undertook Mike 11 modeling upstream to Glen Tay Water Budgets being completed by RVCA through Source Protection Planning Mike 11 model extended to Christie Lake in 06 |
Part of Source Water Protection |
Support Queens and RVCA work – Groups to provide update of their work Participate in Source Protection Co-ordinate efforts under actions 10, 13, 14, 19 via water budgets |
RVCA, Queens, FoTW, watershed community FoTW/Municipalities/Stakeholders MoE/RVCA through SPP |
11. Undertake Groundwater Study and Aquifer Vulnerability Study |
RVCA monitors 2 provincial groundwater wells FoTW: County study included in watershed CD; Tour of Queens U. Tay River groundwater migration study site |
Topographic mapping undertaken through SPP Groundwater quality monitoring to be undertaken by RVCA in -08 Promote information on Queens U. Tay River Groundwater Research; Work being done through SP by CAs; |
Information from groundwater study needs to be released to the community and partners e.g. well quantity and quality data – All stakeholders to implement recommendations of the plan Expand monitoring efforts of groundwater throughout watershed: quality and quantity |
RVCA/MVC
FoTW/RVCA, All stakeholders Volunteer Monitoring community RVCA, FoTW, volunteers |
12. Undertake Septic System Surveys |
Tay Valley Township now has annual septic Re-inspection program (through RVCA) – report complete Re-inspection programs new to S. Front., Rideau Lakes Twps 300 re-inspections in above 3 municipalities FoTW Supported lake management planning initiatives aimed at increased septic controls and re-inspections; Septic system booth at Watershed Evening; 6 lake associations sponsored workshops on septics in 06 and 07. 6 workshops also held at TVT
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Continue TVT re-inspection program. Program to continue to South Front. And Rideau Lakes Twps. Anticipate 200 re-inspections in 08 Continued support via LMPs; D/NE to commence septic re-inspection Health Unit to undertake 50 septic re-inspections on Otty lake portion of North Elmsley Continue discussion with other municipalities re: septic re-inspection |
Encourage all municipalities to undertake re-inspection programs Combine with shoreline assessments and assess effectiveness of existing systems Report on effectiveness of programs |
All Municipalities, FoTW Lake Associations, LLGreen, CSW Municipalities |
13. Identify methods to determine Environmental Requirements for Surface Water |
RVCA doing modeling. Could be used as background information re: flows MoE researching methods to determine flows for in-stream needs |
RVCA has Mike 11 model available to estimate changes to hydrologic regime |
Support and encourage MoE efforts to complete Assess feasibility of applying findings to Tay watershed
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Moe, RVCA, FoTW MoE, RVCA |
14. Inventory all Water Takings |
Ongoing monitoring of water-taking permits; |
Monitor MOE work and water-taking permits; Work being done through SP |
Encourage Queen’s to include in their study MoE to report to FoTW all new water taking applications FoTW to regularly monitor EBR Determine non permit water takings – hire student |
Queens, FoTW, RVCA MoE FoTW FoTW, RVCA, MoE |
15. Identify Terrestrial habitats and existing and potential corridors throughout watershed |
FoTW Hosted Ducks Unlimited to Perspectives series presentation (Feb. 13); MNR leading ecological land classification system A2A Conservation Association goal to connect/link Algonquin Park and the Adirondacks Region with terrestrial linkage
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Shoreline classification of Tay River to be done 2006 (desktop) by RVCA Land Classification of Off-Shield areas to be done in Lanark County (MNR) Establish wetland monitoring sites (RVCA) Begin discussion on Conservation Blueprint to create natural heritage system network (RVCA, NCC, MNR) RVCA working with MNR Kemptville to develop criteria for identifying and mapping significant woodlands. FoTW Establish cooperation with A2A; Continue cooperation with Ducks Unlimited; |
Undertake ecological land classifications in Tay watershed Identify linkages and potential linkages throughout watershed Identify significant forest areas and undertake landscape connectivity project
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RVCA RVCA FoTW, EOMF, schools, LSC, MNR All Stakeholders RVCA
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16. Undertake Fisheries Habitat Management Plans |
Fisheries management plan completed in 2003 used by RVCA to comment on development applications Disseminate Habitat Study MNR applying Fish Habitat Plan where applicable |
RVCA to continue to apply recommendations of report FoTW to Disseminate Habitat Study |
Apply recommendations of plan in plan input and review and other water management decisions Undertake fisheries updates on a regular basis on major reaches and lakes throughout watershed Undertake recommended fisheries habitat rehab and enhancement projects |
Municipalities, RVCA
MNR, DFO, R VCA
FoTW, local fisheries group, lake associations |
17. Celebrate the Watershed |
Many interest groups holding and participating in fairs, festivals FoTW: Assisted in bringing the Voyageur canoes to Perth weekly; Annual watershed awards; Provided information to canoe/kayak visitors to the watershed including information on website; |
Promote organization of celebration of Tay Canal 175th Ann. 2009; Continue annual watershed awards; Consider establishment of a Legacy Fund; Several display booths; |
Continue to have parties to celebrate the Tay Establish “Tay Days” or other festival with focus on water |
All players FoTW and community |
18. Establish a “Tay Discovery Centre” |
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No STATUS |
Continue supporting centre if interest continues Seek funding to permanently establish |
All players Perth, FoTW |
19. Define Rules for the use of water |
Modeling being done by RVCA |
Monitor EBR postings to monitor new water use applications; |
See 10 and 13 above. Include this aspect in Queen’s study |
Queen’s U. |
20. Undertake Lake Management Plans |
LMP’s completed by – Bob’s and Otty Lake Associations Complete 3 year LMP pilot program in July Christie and Pike Lakes part of program Trillium application submitted to continue and modify program another 3 years List of all lake associations updated annually Other lake associations outside of program undertaking plans (e.g. Farren) FoTW Continued activity in Lake Management Planning Committee (supported by Trillium and other grants); MNR assisting with Otty, Chrisite, Farren Lake plans Lake Networking group evolving and has 45 lake associations in partnership |
Bring first LMP Program to successful conclusion (August 2008); FoTW and RVCA to Secure Lake Management Planning Program funding and expand beyond Tay watershed and township RVCA looking at new ways to determine Lake Capacity Pike lake to complete State of Lake Report, do volunteer fish habitat and shoreline surveys, continue to monitor landfill and impacts on lake Lake networking group continue to spread word, work together about lake issues
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Encourage all lake associations to undertake LMP’s All government agencies and applicable NGO’s support lakes in their quest Municipalities to incorporate findings of lake plans into OP and ZBL’s Undertake Lake Capacity Modeling as part of Lake Management Planning (determine methods) |
Lake Associations, Municipalities RVCA All government and NGO’s All municipalities in watershed RVCA, MoE |
21. Develop School Education Programs to focus on Tay Watershed and its issues |
schools all have Tay maps Encourage continuation of Envirothon program Published and distributed Tay Tabloid |
FoTW to continue distributing materials to schools Obtained classroom teaching materials from Cons. Ont., for presentation to local schools; Promote teaching materials at displays, eg. Historica; provide ongoing support for students (high school, univ ) doing essays/projects on Tay Watershed Sponsor watershed Grade 4 student for Eastern Ontario Water Fesitval |
Incorporate monitoring program through schools Develop school program focusing on Tay and incorporate into curriculum e.g. vegetative cover, habitat inventories Create scholarship for works focusing on Tay watershed Ensure all schools and libraries have LRC Product Line
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RVCA, FoTW, Schools FoTW, Schools
FoTW LandOwner Resource Centre |
22. Establish a Volunteer Data Collection Strategy |
RVCA uses volunteers in Watershed Watch and invasives monitoring, precip and water level monitoring and OBBN FoTW Provided an informal information clearing centre for the watershed on a continuing and volunteer basis |
Continue encouraging volunteers where opportunities exist Continue information clearing service for the watershed; Support RV student hiring for summer assessment work; Promote development of volunteer watershed reporting network for data collection; |
Complete volunteer monitoring strategy document outlining what, how, where of volunteer monitoring to include precipitation, water levels, water flow, water quality (surface and ground), invasive species, shoreline health, etc. opportunities |
RVCA. FoTW, lake associations, watershed community, Queens U |
23. Review the Status of Dams and Dam Operations |
Study completed in Spring 2004. Feasibility study completed in 05. Rec. to replace Haggart Dam with concrete weir FoTW Provided input to review of Haggart and Rainbow Dams; MNR participating and advocating for fish ladders |
Decision to replace both weirs in Perth and Rainbow bridge (cost $850k) Perth and RVCA have secured 50% of funding, other 50% from province is pending (should know in May) Dam inventory being undertaken province wide Parks Canada developing Emergency Preparedness Plan for dams |
Apply recommendations of dam study Inventory all dams, their condition and function in watershed Review status and effectiveness of emergency response re: dam failures |
Perth, RVCA MNR, RVCA, Parks Canada Municipalities/RVCA/Parks |
24. Undertake Flood Plain Mapping |
RVCA completed air photo coverage of river corridor. Updated flood information RVCA produced new flood plain data and maps to come from Glen Tay to Christie Lake |
New flood plain mapping on Tay River upstream from Glen to Christie Lake coming in 2009; FoTW promote new flood plain mapping |
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RVCA, municipalities |
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Protect wetlands in the Tay watershed
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General support RVCA running Mike11 model to determine hydrologic response to wetland removal FotW cooperate with DU Hosted talk by DU |
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Cooperate with DU; |
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Monitor water-related policy, legislation and regulations
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Monitor and provide input to water-related policy discussion; Submitted comments to Environmental Bill of Rights on source protection cttees; Supported Frontenac initiative to ban Hydro use of Garlan 4 herbicide; Submitted comments to EBR on Clean water Act, May 11; FoTW Board member appointed to regional SWP Cttee.; Support to anti-uranium mining group (CCAMU); Member of Advisory Committee to Minister on Ont. Drinking Water Stewardship Program; Continue participation in regional SWP committee; Continue support to anti-uranium mining activity (CCAMU);
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