Phase 1: Baseline Report
Environment Strategy
November 2013
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ... I 1.0 OVERVIEW OF REPORT ... 1-1 1.1 INTRODUCTION... 1-1 1.2 PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES ... 1-2 1.3 KEY FOCUS AREAS ... 1-3 1.4 REPORT FRAMEWORK... 1-6 2.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES... 2-8 2.1 AIR ... 2-9 2.2 CLIMATE CHANGE ... 2-12 2.3 HABITAT AND WILDLIFE ... 2-13 2.4 POLLUTION AND WASTE ... 2-16 2.5 WATER ... 2-18 2.6 SEVERE WEATHER ... 2-20 3.0 REGULATORY / POLICY DRIVERS ... 3-22 3.1 FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL REGULATORY AND POLICY FRAMEWORK ... 3-22
3.1.1 Federal Government... 3-22 3.1.2 Provincial Government ... 3-23 3.2 TRCA AND YORK REGION REGULATORY AND POLICY FRAMEWORK ... 3-26 3.2.1 Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) ... 3-26 3.2.2 Regional Municipality of York ... 3-27 3.3 RICHMOND HILL - STRATEGIC PLAN AND OFFICIAL PLAN ... 3-28 3.4 REGULATORY AND POLICY DRIVERS FOR EACH KEY FOCUS AREA ... 3-30 3.4.1 Air Quality ... 3-30 3.4.2 Water Resources ... 3-36 3.4.3 Land Resources ... 3-43 4.0 BENCHMARKING AND BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ... 4-54 4.1 METHODOLOGY ... 4-54 4.2 SUMMARY OF KEY OUTCOMES ... 4-55 4.2.1 Promotion of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficient Practices ... 4-56 4.2.2 Presence of Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Local Action Plans ... 4-56 4.2.3 Measures to Reduce Energy Demand and GHG Emissions ... 4-57 4.2.4 Presence of Green Fleet ... 4-58 4.2.5 Promotion of Active Transportation... 4-58 4.2.6 Implement Transportation Demand Management ... 4-59 4.2.7 Development Standards that Promote Sustainable Infrastructure ... 4-59 4.2.8 Promotion of Green Built Form in Development Communities ... 4-61 4.2.9 Partnerships and Programs in Watershed Management ... 4-61 4.2.10 Low Impact Development Guidelines and Techniques ... 4-62
4.2.11 Water Quality Monitoring of Streams and Rivers ... 4-63 4.2.12 Stormwater Management and Monitoring ... 4-63 4.2.13 Alternatives to Stormwater Quality/Quantity Control ... 4-65 4.2.14 Salt Management Plans ... 4-65 4.2.15 Examples of Protection of Groundwater ... 4-66 4.2.16 Presence of Invasive Species Strategies ... 4-66 4.2.17 Waste Reduction and Diversion Programs ... 4-67 4.2.18 Presence of Waste Standards for New Development ... 4-68 4.2.19 Programs with Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Sectors ... 4-68 4.2.20 Community Gardens, Farmer’s Markets and Urban Agriculture ... 4-68 4.2.21 Innovative Practices to Grow Food in Urban Areas ... 4-69 4.2.22 Programs to Purchase Locally Produced Food ... 4-70 5.0 REPORTING AND MONITORING ... 5-71 5.1 PURPOSE ... 5-71 5.2 METHODOLOGY ... 5-71 5.3 WHY IS MEASURING AND MONITORING IMPORTANT? ... 5-71 5.4 CURRENT STATE OF THE TOWN OF RICHMOND HILL ... 5-72 5.5 SELECTING ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE METRICS ... 5-73 5.6 HOW DO MUNICIPALITIES TRACK ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE? ... 5-74 5.7 HOW DO MUNICIPALITIES REPORT PERFORMANCE? ... 5-75 6.0 CONCLUSIONS ... 6-77 7.0 REFERENCES ... 7-79
LIST OF APPENDICES
Regulatory and Policy Reviews:
Appendix A York Regional & Toronto Region Conservation Authority Plans/Policies Review Appendix B Richmond Hill Strategic Plan & Official Plan Overview
Appendix C Table 1: Summary of Federal and Provincial Environmental Legislation Appendix D Table 2: Summary of Town Environmental Policy, Plans and Programs Benchmarking Results:
Appendix E Table 3: Selection of Municipalities used for Benchmarking Appendix F Table 4: Summary of Benchmarking Results
Background Studies:
Appendix G Invasive Species Management Appendix H Wildlife Management
Appendix I Protection Against Biodiversity Loss
Appendix J Ecological Restoration Practices (Urban Forestry Focus) Appendix K Community Energy Conservation Programs
Appendix L Rehabilitation Practices for Streams and Rivers
Executive Summary
The Richmond Hill community is strongly committed to protecting the local environment. The Town has been recognized as a leader in waste management, stormwater management, clean air programs and stewardship programs for natural systems. These green initiatives have been highly successful and have garnered many awards of recognition.
The Environment Strategy will direct management of Richmond Hill’s natural environment through a holistic approach aimed at preservation and restoration in a parallel process as urbanization occurs.
The Strategy will define the vision, goals, targets and strategic actions necessary to manage Richmond Hill’s environment in a way that is consistent with the directions and policies set out in the Richmond Hills Strategic Plan and Official Plan.
The objective of this report, Phase One – Baseline Research and Background Studies, is to
research the macro and micro challenges facing Richmond Hill from an environmental perspective, to undertake research to develop an understanding of these challenges and possible responses.
This report also provides information on municipal best practices and innovative options for municipal management in each of the Key Focus and Sub-Focus areas. This work has been undertaken to complete baseline research and background studies that will:
• Identify the macro and micro environmental challenges facing Richmond Hill
• Identify applicable environmental regulatory and policy drivers
• Benchmark Richmond Hill’s environmental programs against municipalities with similar attributes;
• Research methods for tracking environmental performance metrics at the municipal level;
and,
• Conduct background studies in key areas of environmental concern.
The information gathered in both Phase One – Baseline Research and Background Studies, and Phase Two – Consultation, will be used to generate recommendations provided in Phase Three - Key Findings and Future Directions, and ultimately in the final Environment Strategy.
1.0 Overview of Report
1.1 INTRODUCTION
The Town of Richmond Hill covers an area of approximately 102 square kilometres in the southern portion of York Region, and is one of 29 municipalities within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
York Region has been described as one of the fastest growing urban areas in North America. With a current population of about 185,000, it is projected that Richmond Hill’s population will increase to 242,000 by the year 2031. Today, the Town can be described as a predominately urban municipality with over 65% of its area occupied by urban land uses. It has been recognized as the first municipality in York Region to effectively ‘build out’ to the limit of lands designated for urban land use, and the Regional Centre at Yonge Street and Highway 7 has been identified as an Urban Growth Center within York Region through the provincial growth plan, Places to Grow. The population in York Region is anticipated to grow 17% by the year 2026 and it is expected that Richmond Hill will accommodate a significant portion of this growth.
Notwithstanding this high level of past and projected growth, Richmond Hill boasts one of the most diverse assemblies of healthy natural areas within York Region. In past decades,
urbanization and farming practices in the Town interfered with natural environment features and functions; however Richmond Hill’s current Official Plan provides strong policy protection for these sensitive areas.
Strategically located at the centre of the GTA, Richmond Hill is a community influenced by common trends within the larger GTA, such as intensification, traffic congestion and changing community profiles. Consequently, the Town is facing a number of environmental challenges including but not limited to climate change, air quality considerations (e.g. smog), and a call to protect green space and water resources. Through the development of Richmond Hill’s Strategic Plan, the community identified that new development should occur in a way that protects and, where ever possible, enhances the benefits provided by a healthy natural environment. The Plan also identified that the protection, restoration and enhancement of the Town’s environment should continue through the implementation of programs that encourage clean air, energy conservation, and waste reduction.
The environment in Richmond Hill has been shaped by thousands of years of evolution. It is unique and rich with valuable natural features including kettle lakes, headwaters and tributaries of the Don, Rouge and Humber watersheds, significant wetland complexes, woodlands, and a portion of the Oak Ridges Moraine (ORM). The unique physical land features of the ORM forms the watershed divide between the Lake Simcoe and Lake Ontario watersheds, and also plays an essential role in the recharge of both stream and groundwater systems.
Over 65%
of Richmond Hill’s area is occupied by urban land uses.
“Throughout the development of our Strategic and Official Plans we continually heard from the community that protecting the environment should continue to be a top priority”
Mayor Dave Barrow Richmond Hill has an estimated 2.6M trees growing on both public and private land. These trees provide countless benefits for the community and contribute to approximately 25% canopy cover across the Town. Natural areas occupy about 35% of Richmond Hill’s land area and many of these natural areas are concentrated in the northern portion of Richmond Hill where they are protected under the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and the Greenbelt Plan.
Richmond Hill’s natural environment is not only essential for the environmental functions it serves but also for the social and economic benefits that it provides to the community such as enhanced landscape aesthetics, increased property values, unique educational resources and the availability of space for recreational opportunities. Through the protection, restoration and enhancement of the environment, Richmond Hill’s natural systems will be better equipped to regain their capacity for long-term health and survival. This would result in enhanced species abundance and diversity, greater availability of natural areas, improved water, air and soil quality as well as an ultimately healthier community and improved quality of life for the residents of Richmond Hill.
1.2 PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
The Richmond Hill community is strongly committed to protecting the local environment. The Town has been recognized as a leader in waste management, stormwater management, clean air programs and
stewardship programs for natural systems. These green initiatives have been highly successful and have garnered many awards of recognition.
Through the People Plan Richmond Hill process, the Town heard that Richmond Hill should continue to protect, restore, and enhance Richmond Hill’s environment while putting into place projects and programs that contribute to clean air, healthy rivers and streams, and strong ecosystems.
Following the recommendations of the Richmond Hill Strategic Plan, Town Council approved direction for creating Richmond Hill’s Environment Services Division in 2011. A key element of the Division’s mandate is to integrate Richmond Hill’s green initiatives into one coordinated strategy; the Environment Strategy.
The Environment Strategy will direct management of Richmond Hill’s natural environment through a holistic approach aimed at preservation and restoration in a parallel process as urbanization occurs. The Strategy will define the vision, goals, targets and strategic actions necessary to manage Richmond Hill’s environment in a way that is consistent with the directions and policies set out in the Richmond Hills Strategic Plan and Official Plan.
In addition, the Environment Strategy will align with corporate directions set out in Richmond Hill’s other strategic documents such as the Transportation Master Plan, Parks and Recreation Master Plan, the Cultural Master Plan, and the Pedestrian and Cycling Master Plan and Joint Waste Management Strategy.
To develop the Environment Strategy, the Town will undertake several phases of work. The objective of this report, Phase One – Baseline Research and Background Studies, is to research the macro and micro challenges facing Richmond Hill from and environmental perspective, to undertake research to develop an understanding of these challenges and possible responses, and, to provide information on municipal best practices and innovative options for municipal management. This work has been undertaken to complete baseline research and background studies that will:
• Identify existing policies, plans and programs at the Local, Regional and Conservation Authority level;
• Identify federal and provincial environmental legislation that apply to municipal environmental management;
• Determine Richmond Hill’s environmental challenges;
• Benchmark Richmond Hill’s environmental programs against municipalities with similar attributes;
• Research methods for tracking environmental performance metrics at the municipal level;
and,
• Conduct background studies in key areas of environmental concern.
This information will inform recommendations on the preferred practices and approaches for environmental management in Richmond Hill, to be outlined in the Phase Three - Key Findings and Future Directions Report, and ultimately in the final Environment Strategy.
1.3 KEY FOCUS AREAS
Three key focus areas were identified during the initial planning stages of the Environment Strategy: air quality, water resources and land resources. As a starting point for research and consultation efforts, issues of environmental concern having clear ties to areas of municipal management and responsibility were selected as a foundation for further exploration. These sub-focus areas are summarized in the following chart.
Key Focus Areas
Air Quality Water Resources Land Resources
Sub- Focus Areas
-Sustainable Energy Use
-Sustainable Transportation
-Watershed Management -Surface and Stormwater -Quality and Quantity -Groundwater Protection -Water Conservation
-Green Development -Natural Environment Management
-Solid Waste Management -Sustainable Urban Agriculture and Local Food Production
During the research, it was found that a sub-focus area related to toxic substances and air contaminants (e.g., ozone depleting substances, or precursors of smog) were not identified.
These contaminants have the potential to result in local environmental challenges including impacts to human health, reduced air quality, and damage to natural environments and wildlife.
While toxic substances and air contaminants can contribute to climate change, some, such as chlorofluorocarbons, represent significant contributors to global warming. This sub-focus area is one largely of compliance to existing legislation and regulations and should continue to be addressed as an operational compliance issue.
Further, in light of feedback received during the consultation and information produced during the research phase of the Strategy, refinements to the manner in which sub-focus areas are grouped will be addressed in the draft strategy to align more suitably with the municipal management structure within Richmond Hill.
The preliminary focus and sub-focus areas are described in more detail below:
Air Quality
Various aspects of air quality are recognized to have an impact on Richmond Hill residents, and conversely, the actions of Town residents have an effect on local air quality. Although Richmond Hill cannot control air quality in the GTA, local activities contribute to overall airshed health and the Town can take responsibility for its own contribution in several ways, including:
• Sustainable Energy Use
○ Use of renewable energy and energy efficient practices in both Town operations and the community.
• Sustainable Transportation
○ Active transportation – policy, planning, programs and infrastructure that support active transportation.
○ Transportation Demand Management (TDM) – planning for transit ready
communities, advocacy for transit-friendly projects, and, local business programs (e.g. car pooling).
○ Corporate Fleet - Town green fleet management.
Water Resources
Protection of water resources is an important consideration for not only Richmond Hill, but for the whole of the GTA. The ORM provides the headwaters for many of the streams and rivers in Richmond Hill. In many cases, Richmond Hill’s activities are the first influence on watercourses that later pass through other municipalities. As with air quality, the Town cannot control the GTA water system, but it can address its local impact on water resources in a variety of ways:
• Watershed Protection
○ Working with Conservation Authorities and local partners to establish best management practices and implementation tools for watershed management.
○ Low Impact Development (LID) techniques applied to both community development and municipal infrastructure.
• Surface and Stormwater Quality and Quantity
○ Management of Town activities that impact surface water, including rivers, streams and lakes.
○ Management of stormwater, including impacts to both the linear and green systems with a focus on flood protection and water quality treatment alternatives.
• Groundwater Protection
○ Protection of high vulnerability aquifer areas on the Oak Ridges Moraine.
• Water Conservation
○ Water conservation through community education and conservation practices.
Land Resources
Richmond Hill’s natural environment plays an important role in contributing to local quality of life.
As with all aspects of the environmental management, the relationship is reciprocal; local activities affect the health of the natural environment, and the environment affects the health and well being of local residents. Land resources and natural heritage features can be protected, enhanced and restored in a number of ways:
• Green development efforts
○ Standards and specifications that promote environmentally-responsible infrastructure.
○ Tools to encourage green built-form in developing communities.
• Natural environment management strategies, including the protection, restoration, enhancement and stewardship of urban forest and soils.
• Provision of connected greenspace to protect biodiversity and therefore resiliency of our local ecosystems
• Management of invasive species
• Wildlife management (e.g., terrestrial animals, such as beavers, that reside on or impact land and can pose a risk to persons or property)
• Ecological restoration and management of natural features such as woodlands, wetlands and valley lands.
• Solid Waste Management through waste reduction and diversion
○ Municipal policies (e.g. garbage bag limits).
○ Community education (curb-side, high-rise and mixed-use).
○ Planned opportunity for wise waste management (e.g. Waste Development Standards, currently underway).
○ Education and partnerships in the IC&I sector.
• Sustainable Urban Agriculture and Local Food Production
○ Community gardens, farmers’ markets and urban agriculture opportunities.
As described above, these focus and sub-focus areas served as a starting point for the research undertaken in Phase One of the Environment Strategy. The results of the baseline research, in combination with information discovered through the background studies provided as
Appendices to this report, has lead to a number of refinements that will be put forward in subsequent reports.
1.4 REPORT FRAMEWORK
This Report includes the outputs of the baseline research. It is divided into the following topics:
Environmental Challenges
• Significant existing and/or emerging environmental issues that have bearing on the municipal environment and/or municipal services in Richmond Hill and that Richmond Hill affects, leading to the identification of sub-focus areas for the Strategy.
• Environmental challenges are categorized into air, climate change, habitat and wildlife, pollution and waste, water, and weather.
Regulatory/Policy Drivers
• Existing federal/provincial government legislation and regulations relevant to environmental management at the municipal level in Richmond Hill.
• A summary of Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and York Regional and plans and policies relevant to the Strategy.
• An overview of the Richmond Hill’s Strategic Plan, Official Plan and master plans as they relate to the Environment Strategy.
• For each Key Focus Area, a summary of environmental regulatory and policy drivers, as well as existing Richmond Hill plans, policies, programs, studies and bylaws.
Benchmarking & Best Management Practices
• Benchmarking of the Richmond Hill’s environmental programs against similar municipalities selected from local, provincial, North American and international jurisdictions, with a
summary and review of trends, best management practices and innovative tools and techniques used for municipal environmental protection.
Reporting & Monitoring
• Methods for tracking environmental performance metrics at the municipal level.
Section 3.0 of this report includes a list of references used to complete the baseline research, and the detailed information used to compile the body of the report is provided in the
appendices.
Background Studies
In addition to the baseline research provided in the body of this report, several background studies were undertaken in key areas of environmental concern. These include:
• Rehabilitation Practices for Streams and Rivers
• Ecological Restoration Practices (Urban Forestry Focus)
• Invasive Species Management
• Wildlife Management
• Protection Against Biodiversity Loss
• Community Energy Conservation Programs
These reports are intended to be stand-alone documents that will help inform the recommendations of the Environment Strategy. They have been included as appendices to this report.
2.0 Environmental Challenges
Environmental challenges arise as a result of disturbance to natural process and are most often attributed to the harmful aspects of human activity on the environment.
In Richmond Hill, over two hundred years of intensive land use, including land clearing for farming early in Richmond Hill’s history, and rapid urban development has impacted the health and amount of Richmond Hill’s environment through:
• Removal of over 80% of the natural vegetation cover to accommodate farming and urban use;
• Increased stress on remaining natural areas through impacts from nearby human land uses that can reduce the quality of water, air and soil and quantity of water supporting these areas;
• Increased contacts and conflicts between humans and nature through human population growth;
• Introduction of invasive and non-native plants and animals that directly compete with native species; and
• Over-harvest of native plants and animals. (Environmental Policy Review Background Report)
In the larger context of the global impacts of human activities, changes to our environments at global, national and local scales are occurring as well. These changes can represent
environmental challenges which have the potential to negatively affect our environments, our health, our infrastructure, our way of doing work and our way of life.
The main environmental challenge topic areas identified as relevant to Richmond Hill, based on information provided by Environment Canada, are:
• Air
• Climate change
• Habitat and Wildlife
• Pollution and Waste
• Water
• Severe Weather
What is smog?
The term “smog” was coined more than fifty years ago to describe a mixture of smoke and fog. Today, smog refers to a noxious mixture of vapours, gases and particles that appears as a yellowish- brown haze in the air.
Smog is formed in the lower atmosphere, just above the Earth’s surface, when a variety of sources such as factories, power plants and vehicles release pollutants into the air. The pollutants are usually warmer than the surrounding air and tend to rise. While rising in the air, heat and sunlight cause chemical reactions to occur between pollutants.
These reactions form ground-level ozone, one of the two principal components of smog – the other being particulate matter.
cleanaircommute.ca/what-is-smog/
This section provides a discussion of how each environmental challenge identified above affects Canadian municipalities with a focus on how the challenge directly affects Richmond Hill. An evaluation of how Richmond Hill affects or could affect an environmental challenge is also provided. An analysis of the overlap between these two areas will identify sub-focus areas to be included within the Environment Strategy. This is illustrated in the figure below.
2.1 AIR
Air quality has been identified by Canadians as a significant contributing factor to quality of life. Several commonly measured contributors to reduced air quality are ground-level ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. These pollutants largely occur in the lowest part of the atmosphere — which holds the air we breathe. Poor air quality occurs when pollutants reach high enough concentrations to endanger human health and/or the environment.
How Air Affects Us
Ground level ozone and particulate matter are the two primary air pollutants identified as contributing to smog. Smog appears as a haze in the air, which has been linked to adverse effects to both health and the environment. Smog has been shown to increase health risks in high risk individuals including children, individuals with asthma, lung diseases and heart conditions and seniors. Smog, which includes chemicals and particles, causes irritation and inflammation in the human respiratory system, which can result in breathing difficulties, and shortness of breath.
Over time and repeated exposure can lead to chronic health issues throughout the body. Individuals who are of good health are also at risk during high smog levels if they are engaged in outdoor activities and sports.
In 2008, the Ontario Medical Association found that there were 9,500 premature deaths related to smog in Ontario with 590 of these deaths occurring in York Region (OMA, 2008). It is
reasonable to anticipate that increasing smog levels will further exacerbate problems associated with health complications and premature death from smog. Smog also damages plant life by inhibiting its natural ability to make and store food through photosynthesis. Smog also weakens plants that are more susceptible to disease, habitat stressors and pests. Consequently, these plants die out and become unable to contribute to the ecosystem (e.g. oxygen replenishment, shade/cooling, etc.). The nitrogen oxides in smog can also kill fish in water habitats by
increasing levels of nitrates and nitrites in the water, which in turn causes the growth of algae that deplete oxygen in the water required to support and maintain a healthy aquatic
environment.
In 2012, the Ministry of Environment issued 12 smog alert advisories for the Province of Ontario, lasting a total of 30 days. This is an increase from three alerts lasting a total of four days in 2000 (MOE, 2012). As noted previously, the presence of smog may result in respiratory complications in humans, especially those with existing medical conditions, children and the elderly. As a result, during times of smog alerts, increased frequency of use of emergency response services such as fire and ambulance may occur due to health impacts on residents. Smog alert
advisories may also result in lost productivity of Richmond Hill staff performing activities outdoors, if smog conditions require stoppage or modification of work.
Air pollution has been shown to contribute to acid rain, occurring through the deposition by precipitation of nitric and sulphuric acids onto soil and into lakes, streams and rivers. The result is reduction of the quality of soils and damage to organisms in receiving waterways which reduces the health of these systems. A decrease in pH of receiving waterways is toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms and acid rain causing rapid reduction in pH below 5 will kill the majority of organisms in an aquatic ecosystem (EPA, 2012).
How We Affect Air
Air quality in Richmond Hill is affected by industrial pollution and other pollution originating from sources outside of Richmond Hill including
neighbouring municipalities, provinces and even countries. For this reason, air quality issues can be difficult to manage within municipal boundaries.
However, smog and greenhouse gases can be influenced by decisions at a local level relating to energy use and transportation choices. Decisions relating to energy use and transportation choices are made at the local level and while municipal governments do not have control over climate change policy, they have exclusive control over local solutions such as public transportation, active transportation, and public education regarding energy conservation. These types of decisions can have a large influence over individuals’ choices which in turn will affect air quality.
While municipal
governments do not have control over climate change policy, they have exclusive control over local solutions such as public transportation, active transportation, and public education regarding energy conservation.
Transportation
Vehicle use by the community and Municipal operations generates greenhouse gas emissions, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds commonly associated with negative impacts to air quality. Richmond Hill has three major transportation corridors that include Highway 404, Highway 407, Highway 7 and Yonge Street. With continued population growth and urbanization in Richmond Hill, additional pressure will be placed on existing transportation routes by
vehicular traffic, pedestrians and cyclists. Richmond Hill has identified that road infrastructure cannot be widened indefinitely to expand capacity for vehicular transportation, due to limited space and resources. Traffic patterns identified in the Transportation Master Plan (2006) indicate that Richmond Hill faces an increased demand for road space as the traditional north- south residential traffic has progressed to include a significant influx of east-west mobility
demand that contributes to a growing level of congestion and gridlock throughout Richmond Hill.
Congestion on arterial roads increases travel times, diverts traffic to residential streets, and, causes delays in transit schedules deteriorating the quality of transit service. Based on projected population growth of 33% between 2006 and 2021, the average morning commuter travel time for a Richmond Hill resident in 2021 is estimated to increase by 40%. The impact on air quality as a result of increased congestion is estimated to be an increase in annual
greenhouse gas emissions associated with vehicle travel in Richmond Hill from 73,000 tonnes per year in 2006 to 110,000 tonnes per year by 2021 (TMP, 2006). Increased particulate matter and volatile organic compounds are also associated with traffic congestion, are primary
precursors to the formation of ground level ozone and the main constituents of smog. Trips by community members to and from grocery stores to purchase their food, and the transportation of food into Richmond Hill from other areas by truck, are examples of transportation activities resulting in the production of greenhouse gas emissions.
Energy
Energy use from non-renewable and fossil fuel derived resources in Richmond Hill by the community and in Municipal operations contributes to the generation of greenhouse gas emissions, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds commonly associated with negative impacts to air quality. An increase in population will impose increasing demands on energy. Higher energy use will increase the amount of GHGs, particulate matter and smog precursors emitted to the atmosphere.
Another potential source of air pollution is caused by chemicals such as ozone depleting substances. The Town along with its residents and the commercial and industrial sectors use these substances in air conditioning and fire suppression systems. If these systems are not properly maintained and serviced, these substances can be released to the environment resulting in a negative impact on air quality and are a major source of smog.
2.2 CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change is defined as the change in weather patterns in a region’s overall weather pattern (e.g. precipitation, extreme weather, cloud cover, etc.) caused by increased emissions of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere (CCCSN, 2012).
Canada and its communities have experienced more dramatic temperature
increases as a result of climate change than other countries around the world. The average annual temperature in Canada has risen by 1.3 °C since the middle of the 20th century (US Global Change Research Program, 2009). Between 1948 and 2008, the average annual temperature in Ontario has increased by up to 1.4°C, with the greatest warming in the western part of the Province (MOE, 2011). For
Richmond Hill, the mean annual temperature is anticipated to increase 1.2°C in the 2020s from 1971-2000 baseline levels (Environment Canada, 2012b). This
forecasted increase in temperature may not seem significant to the average Canadian, however, it is anticipated to manifest itself in a number of new environmental pressures, including increased extreme precipitation events, increased potential drought, increased number of heat waves and ecosystem and species composition changes.
Climate Change is recognized as an important issue facing the Town. The Official
Plan recognizes and promotes proactive measures aimed at mitigating fluctuating water levels, monitoring bio-indicator species, encouraging development to mitigate heat island effects, and working with partners to prepare for climate change impacts such as flooding.
How Climate Change Affects Us
Environment Canada predicts that the probability of daily extreme precipitation events in Canada will increase by a factor of at least 2 by the end of this century as a result of changing climate (Environment Canada, 2012). Increased precipitation can result in runoff causing
reduced surface water quality; an issue which will be explored further in the water environmental challenge. Conversely, changing weather patterns due to climate change have the potential to result in periods of extended dry weather or drought. Conditions of drought and water scarcity are explored in greater detail in the water environmental challenge.
As global temperatures rise, so does the potential for prolonged heat waves experienced by communities in southern Canada. By the end of this century, the number of days per year exceeding 30°C in southern Canada could increase by four to six times their current number (NRTEE, 2010). If an average annual global temperature increase of 2°C occurs, the number of deaths caused annually by heat waves in Canada could double. Environment Canada estimates that by 2055, Toronto could experience as many at 10 days per year with temperatures
exceeding 35°C, and this number could rise to 20 days per year by 2090 (Environment Canada, 2012). In the last decade, there have been an average of 2.4 Heat Health Alert days per year in Toronto; but by 2050, averages of 7.4 Heat Health Alert days are estimated to occur per year.
Heat Health Alert days and heat waves may also result in lost productivity of Richmond Hill staff performing activities outdoors, as high temperatures represent a health risk to employees which may require stoppage or modification of work.
Climate change is defined as the change in weather patterns in a region’s overall weather pattern (e.g.
precipitation, extreme weather, cloud cover, etc.) caused by increased emissions of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Due to rising temperatures, scientists predict that ecosystems will change in composition and move northward, with some species thriving in a warmer climate and others being out-
competed. These shifts in ecosystem ranges represent opportunities for invasive species to expand their ranges as well and could threaten the biodiversity of Canadian ecosystems (NRTEE, 2010). Similarly, there will be significant changes in the composition of species in aquatic habitats like lakes, rivers, and wetlands. With warming water temperatures, cold and cool water fish will lose habitat while warm water species will gain habitat (MOE, 2011). These issues will be explored further under the environmental challenge of wildlife and habitat.
How We Affect Climate Change
The two most significant activities performed by the community and the Municipal Corporation of Richmond Hill contributing climate change relate to transportation and energy use and their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. As discussed in the environmental challenge section for air, based on projected population growth of 33% between 2006 and 2021, the average morning commuter travel time for a Richmond Hill resident in 2021 is estimated to increase by 40%. This has the potential to result in an increase in annual greenhouse gas emissions associated with vehicle travel in Richmond Hill from 73,000 tonnes per year in 2006 to 110,000 tonnes per year by 2021 (TMP, 2006).
An increase in population will also impose increasing demands on energy resources. Higher energy use from non-renewable sources such as fossil fuel will increase the amount of GHGs emitted to the atmosphere in Richmond Hill.
By exploring opportunities to generate energy locally within the municipality such as district energy, preferably through the use of renewable source of energy rather than fossil fuels, and promoting support for the creation of renewable energy sources across the Province, Richmond Hill may affect climate change by helping to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy use
Richmond Hill operations include the handling and use of chemicals with the ability to impact climate change if released to the environment. These substances include substances such as chlorofluorocarbons, which are
refrigerants with global warming potentials of 3000 to 13000 times greater than carbon dioxide that can contribute to global warming if released into the
environment (BBC, 2009).
2.3 HABITAT AND WILDLIFE
Canada is home to a quarter of the world’s boreal forests and wetlands, and contains many globally important ecosystems. The country is home to approximately 70,000 species of wild plants and animals, with more than 500 of these being listed as Species at Risk (Environment Canada, 2010). Habitat and wildlife represent the biotic component of Canadian ecosystems, and are inextricably linked to abiotic factors such as weather, water and climate. Impacts of climate change on habitat and wildlife which affect us are explored further in this section.
By exploring opportunities to generate energy locally within the municipality such as district energy, preferably through the use of renewable source of energy rather than fossil fuels, and promoting support for the creation of renewable energy sources across the Province, Richmond Hill may affect climate change by helping to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy use.
However, the environmental challenges relating to water and weather will be explored further in their respective sections.
How Habitat and Wildlife Affects Us
As a result of climate change, scientists predict that species’ ranges will begin to shift northward and ecosystems will change in composition. Some species will thrive in a warmer climate and others will be out-competed. Shifts in ecosystem ranges and compositions have implications for parklands and areas currently designated for habitat conservation. Park systems have been established to preserve significant ecosystems in today’s climate, which may not necessarily reflect significant ecosystems in the climate of the future (NRTEE, 2010). In addition, changes to species composition of ecosystems may result in reduced biodiversity within that ecosystem.
Shifts in ecosystem ranges as a result of increasing temperatures also present opportunities for invasive species, such as the mountain pine beetle, to expand their ranges and could threaten the biodiversity of Canadian ecosystems (NRTEE, 2010). Reduced biodiversity may result in compromised ability of the ecosystem to provide the services that humans rely on to sustain our quality of life, including clean air and water, nutrient cycling, flood control and crop pollination (Environment Canada, 2010).
Further, warmer temperatures have already begun to allow the appearance and spread of mosquito and tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease and West Nile Virus, and the potential spread of malaria (MOE, 2011). Although these diseases are largely a concern to human health, West Nile Virus is known to infect birds, occasionally resulting in death.
Climate change will result in the changing composition of species in aquatic environments, with cool and cold water species losing habitat and warm water species gaining habitat. As a result, the productivity of recreational fisheries may be reduced. Changing species composition will also affect the biodiversity and health of aquatic ecosystems. For example, cool water species such as Northern Pike (Esox Lucius) may become less prevalent in kettle lakes such as Lake Wilcox due to increasing temperatures; as the species avoids areas with air temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius (DFO, 2009) A reduction in predatory species in Lake Wilcox has the
potential to allow plankton eating forage species to thrive, which could impact water quality of the lake (Richmond Hill, 2012).
Some wildlife species such as Canada geese, coyotes and raccoons have been able to thrive in close proximity to humans. As a result, excessive populations of these species and the close proximity of habitat to humans have resulted in negative interactions between humans and wildlife. Examples of these interactions include Canada geese overgrazing parks and soccer fields and coyotes and raccoons scavenging residential garbage. Another species whose
activities negatively affect Richmond Hill is the beaver. The building of dams by beavers has the potential to result in flooding, damaging property and infrastructure. Beavers may also remove trees in parks and open space, which may have to be replaced at a cost to Richmond Hill.
How We Affect Habitat and Wildlife
Richmond Hill’s northern landscape is predominately composed of natural features such as the Oak Ridges Moraine, where the south area of the municipality has undergone heavy urban development, resulting in two drastically different areas that require different management. Sixty five percent of Richmond Hill’s total land area is urban, with the remaining 35% being natural areas, of which 14% is forested. As Richmond Hill expands, it will be challenged with
balancing growth with the preservation of natural landscape and the ecosystem services it provides. Development and land use planning will be influenced by legislative pressures, such as the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act and Plan, which protect what is considered to be one of Ontario’s most significant landforms.
Preservation of the Oak Ridges Moraine will limit development in the north while further intensification of the urban south will result in impacts to the natural environment associated with population growth.
Challenges relating to realizing ‘green development’ include a conflict between the desire of residents to live in low density developments versus the preferred model for sustainable communities based upon higher density living. While Richmond Hill is not completely ‘built out’, the majority of planning has been completed and approvals for lower intensity / density of residential housing forms in new developments have been granted. This presents the challenge of achieving the intensification of existing built areas, while maintaining green space linkages in order to preserve biodiversity.
Valley systems inhabited by wildlife within Richmond Hill have become narrower due to the encroachment of urban development. As development expands and natural area is lost, there is greater potential for interactions between wildlife and humans to occur. Many of these interactions are negative for both parties.
Urban development also results in light pollution. The introduction of light at night affects organisms and ecosystems. Light pollution contributes to negative impacts on plants and animals, especially nocturnal wildlife, by confusing animal navigation, altering competitive interactions, changing predator-prey relations and causing physiological harm. Light pollution is also believed to prevent zooplankton from eating surface algae in surface waters, helping contribute to algal blooms that kill plants and lower water quality (Moore et al., 2000). Lights on tall structures are also known to disorient migrating birds, resulting in a higher mortality rate as a result of birds flying into these higher buildings.
An increase in population has the potential impact of creating increased strain on natural environments due to higher pedestrian/cycling traffic, particularly for recreational purposes, in natural areas. Residents who enjoy outdoor activities and exploration, but do not necessarily understand the ecological sensitivity of natural areas, may feel compelled to create their own footpaths and cycling paths. This activity results in the destruction of natural areas, which will be compounded by the increased traffic of a larger population.
Invasive species are plants, animals and microorganisms that are introduced through human influence to areas outside of their natural range. When a foreign invasive species is introduced to an ecosystem, it upsets the balance of that ecosystem. In their new environments, invasive
Sixty five percent of Richmond Hill’s total land area is urban, with the remaining 35%
being natural areas, of which 14% is forested. As Richmond Hill expands, it will be challenged with balancing growth with the
preservation of natural landscape and the ecosystem services it provides.
species become predators, competitors, parasites, hybridizers and diseases of the native and domesticated flora and fauna. The ecological effects of this are often irreversible and, once established, invasive species are extremely difficult and costly to control and eradicate Examples of invasive species threats to Richmond Hill include the Emerald Ash Borer (insect), Giant Hog-weed (plant), European Fire Ant (insect) and West Nile Virus (microorganism).
2.4 POLLUTION AND WASTE How Pollution and Waste Affects Us
Waste management in York Region is a two-tier system where the Region provides processing and disposal of materials and the lower tier municipalities provide curb-side collection services and promotion/education to their residents. While there are no landfills within Richmond Hill, the effects of landfills upon the natural environment must be considered as the generation of waste in Richmond Hill contributes to the use of landfills. The production of solid waste requires the creation of landfills to properly and safely dispose of these unwanted materials. As a result, lands must be consumed to create additional landfill space. As well, the effects of such facilities often have impacts on other related and/or nearby ecological areas and functions.
Improperly constructed and operated landfills can result in contaminants leaching into groundwater sources, and contaminating these sources so that they are no longer fit for human consumption (Environment Canada, 2010c). In addition, the contamination of groundwater can result in far reaching effects of contamination to soil and plants.
Contaminated sites are commonly unsafe for human habitation, and must be remediated through costly and time consuming processes.
As waste stored within landfills is broken down by microbial organisms, landfill gas is produced as a by-product. This gas is commonly characterized as being composed of carbon dioxide and methane, both of which are recognized as having global warming potential (EPA, 1991). Methane has a global warming potential 20 times greater than carbon dioxide and can have a significant impact on climate change.
York Region is taking a multi-pronged approach to waste reduction and management, with reduction and diversion as the first approach, followed by energy recovery and then landfill. This includes the Dongara pelletization project to compress waste into fuel pellets, and the Durham/York Energy-From-Waste Facility (EFW), with landfill disposal remaining as the final and least preferred option. The approved Environmental
Assessment for the Durham/York EFW facility limits all material processed at the facility to be free of diversion program materials.
Energy from Waste (EFW) is part of the planned waste management program within York Region but capacity at the Durham/York Energy Centre is limited – operating capacity is 30,000 tonnes per year allocated to York Region, representing 20-25% of the anticipated residual waste with provisions to increase this in the future. For the foreseeable future, landfill disposal of residual waste will continue to be required.
York Region is taking a two- fold approach to waste reduction and management, with reduction and diversion as the first approach, and will manage residual waste in the near future primarily through energy recovery.
Although there are benefits to incineration (i.e. energy to power approximately 10,000 homes when at capacity) there are still the disadvantages such as operating costs and environmental impacts including emissions from transporting and incinerating waste. Diversion through reduction and reuse strategies is the preferred approach, must be demonstrated as part of the Environmental Assessment approval process required for incinerators.
Pollutants and harmful toxins emitted by human activities into the environment can bio-
accumulate in other organisms. Plants and other autotrophic organisms passively absorb toxins from the environment, introducing them into the food chain when plants are consumed by
herbivores and omnivores. As predatory species eat other organisms, toxins are concentrated in their bodies at much higher levels. The result of bioaccumulation can be death or decreased health and/or reproduction of predatory species. Additionally, as humans consume many predatory species such as tuna and other fish species, human health can be negatively impacted. A common example of bioaccumulation impacting human health is methylmercury from contaminated fish impairing reproduction, growth, neuro-development, and learning ability (Environment Canada, 2010b).
How We Affect Pollution and Waste
As the population of Richmond Hill grows, community activities will generate more solid waste.
This waste will result in an increase in waste removal truck trips, which will contribute to traffic congestion and GHG emissions. The municipality and its residents will incur increased costs to collect and process wastes. The increased volumes of solid waste being generated will result in reduced availability of landfill space, and, the destruction of natural environments for the
creation of additional landfill space. Increased amounts of solid waste may also result in the requirement for reduced bag limits for collection, which would result in a challenge to residents to manage their wastes differently through alternatives such as backyard composting.
The purchasing decisions of Richmond Hill, both corporately and by individual citizens and companies, contribute to the production of solid waste. Current manufacturing processes make it easier and cheaper for consumers to buy new products than to repair/reuse the products they currently own. This promotes a disposable lifestyle and contributes to a greater need for
disposal and diversion programs. Unnecessary consumption of disposable materials as well as the selection of products with excessive packaging results in the creation of additional physical waste which must be sent for disposal. The correct source separation of materials at the end of their useful life will help to divert the majority of this material to recycling and composting. Waste diversion represents an activity that is undertaken by the Municipal Corporation for the
community in Richmond Hill to reduce the negative impacts associated with waste. Conversely, irresponsible actions are highly visible, and contaminate our environment, and these materials may not be captured and managed appropriately.
Activities of Richmond Hill operations as well as the activities of households and IC&I facilities have the potential to generate substances characterized as hazardous wastes. Hazardous wastes are defined by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment as substances which pose risks to both human health and the environment if they are not disposed of properly (MOE, 2011).
These substances include paint, batteries, used oil and hundreds of other products. Failure to
divert these products from general waste can result in negative impacts to natural environment and human health. If these materials are allowed to enter the ground and water at a site, either through accidental spills or negligent disposal, the result can be contamination of soil and groundwater which is costly and time consuming to remediate.
The primary contributors to airborne pollutants such as ground-level ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are transportation and energy use for heating and cooling buildings. These activities have been discussed under the environmental challenge of air quality. The release of toxic substances and other air contaminants also
contribute to air pollution and reduced air quality.
2.5 WATER
Canada is ranked the third country in the world with respect to available quantity of renewable fresh water, and 18 percent of the world’s fresh surface water is estimated to be in the Great Lakes (Environment Canada, 2009). For this reason water is inherently linked to the identity of Canadians, and, it is important to understand how we affect this resource and how it affects us.
How Water Affects Us
As was identified in the climate change section, shifting weather patterns and increased global temperatures have the potential to effect water. Issues relating to water and climate change which will be explored in further detail in this section include drought and water scarcity, flooding and increased volumes of runoff.
Historically, periods of dry weather and low water levels or drought have been relatively
uncommon in Ontario (about every 10-15 years). However, recent studies on changing weather patterns indicate low water levels may become more common, potentially compounded by the province's steadily increasing demands for water. During the spring and summer of 1999, southwestern and eastern Ontario experienced an extended period of low rainfall and high temperatures. These weather conditions resulted in some of the lowest surface water levels and driest soils recorded for several decades (MNR, 2012). Low water levels or drought can result in reduced stream flow and/or baseflow, reduced soil moisture and reduced groundwater storage.
Reduced stream flows impact aquatic life and threaten biodiversity as well as contribute to a decline in water quality. This is particularly a concern for the Oak Ridges Moraine, which is the area’s prime groundwater recharge area. As soil moisture drops, the productivity of farm land is threatened and crops may be lost or the types of crops that must be grown must change, which may impact food supply and the economy. Dry forested areas also increase the potential for fires.
Environment Canada predicts that the probability of daily extreme precipitation events in
Canada will increase by a factor of at least two by the end of this century (Environment Canada, 2012). Due to the increasing amounts of paved areas and rooftops in the urban environment, the amount of water that permeates into the ground is being drastically reduced, causing ever- larger amounts of water to run-off over land. Runoff related to intense precipitation events may
capture more chemical pollutants, nutrients and sediments, increasing turbidity and decreasing the quality of water resources (NRTEE, 2010).
Extreme precipitation events and high volumes of runoff also result in flooding and erosion of stream and river banks, which in turn cause erosion, damage to infrastructure, poor water quality and loss of fish and other habitat. An example of how Richmond Hill may anticipate impacts to infrastructure as a result of stream flow changes from precipitation is the
development of a 10 year Valleyland Capital Plan to prioritize capital works in valleyland systems. This type of Plan will help ensure the protection and function of Richmond Hill valleyland systems and associated watercourses and infrastructure.
How We Affect Water
Urban development has the potential to increase stream flows and reduce quality of water entering watercourses as a result of increased runoff from impermeable surfaces. Urban water runoff results in temperature increases in receiving waters, impaired water quality, reduced biodiversity and overall degradation of water resources and related natural systems. The entry of high volumes of stormwater into urban streams may flood downstream areas, erode stream banks, damage surrounding natural systems (such as adjacent woodlands/vegetation) and fish habitat, and increase the concentration of waterway pollutants.
When streams are unstable, bank erosion can occur at a rapid pace. This erosion can put both public and private infrastructure at risk as channels widen or deepen and begin to expose pipes or migrate towards roads and buildings. Municipalities and community stakeholders face potential costs associated with maintaining ground stability and/or relocating or repairing affected
infrastructure. There may be devastating impacts due to the sudden loss of the infrastructure.
Stormwater runoff has the potential to significantly affect the quality of surface water resources and demands on Richmond Hill’s stormwater management system. Concerns regarding erratic and unusually large runoff episodes are being exacerbated as a result of climate change as changing weather and precipitation patterns have the potential to result in increasingly severe and
unpredictable weather events such as 100 year storms and floods.
Stormwater management facilities (SWMF) are designed to assist with the attenuation of flows before runoff is discharged to a receiving watercourse. Ensuring post-development flows are released at pre-development rates has helped protect receiving watercourses from flooding and erosion. The erosion potential for a stream and the potential to transport pollutants increase with higher runoff volumes entering a stream, even at pre-development flow rates. If flow and volume are not mitigated, runoff from urban sources will further reduce water quality, due to the availability of sources of physical (e.g. sediment), chemical (e.g. petroleum hydrocarbons) and nutrient (e.g.
phosphorus) pollution related to urban activities.
An increase in population will generate increased demand on water services. Demands on water services lead to increased withdrawals from source waters, which may affect other
receiving water courses resulting in low and high flows, stream habitat and ecology damage and altered groundwater levels. Of increasing concern are the discharge of toxic substances and chemicals that conventional treatment plants cannot remove, including pharmaceuticals,
antibiotics and endocrine disrupters that inhibit reproduction and other biological processes in aquatic organisms. The impacts related from liquid waste into natural water bodies are realities today. Population growth will intensify these impacts.
2.6 SEVERE WEATHER
Severe weather represents a critical abiotic factor influencing ecosystems and affecting human activities. Climate change has a significant impact upon the unpredictability and severity of weather events, and has been identified as a primary driver of the effects of severe weather on us outlined in this section.
How Severe Weather Affects Us
Municipal infrastructure may experience more frequent damage as a result of severe weather events such as storms and floods, ice and wind storms, and rapid temperature changes.
Richmond Hill’s buildings and linear assets may experience more wear and tear from high winds and extreme temperatures. Watermains may be influenced by significant swings in
temperatures. Increased frequency and severity of weather events have the potential to increase the costs of regularized maintenance of the Town’s infrastructure. Municipalities in York Region have already experienced some of the impacts of severe weather such as
downbursts, flooding in older urban areas, and more recently, a tornado in the City of Vaughan.
These severe weather events have damaged both municipally owned natural spaces and trees and infrastructure such as power lines, as well as private property.
More frequent and severe weather events come with negative consequences to the environment. In particular, severe winds result in wind erosion, which is a major source of land/soil degradation, evaporation, harmful airborne dust and vegetation damage. Wind erosion becomes more severe during times of drought.
Increased surface water run-off and larger inflows from severe precipitation events will generate a larger demand on Richmond Hill’s stormwater management system. Richmond Hill’s current infrastructure for stormwater collection may become inadequate for the larger flow and
treatment strategies required to manage severe weather events and may need to be reviewed and further measures implemented to mitigate increased flows.
Increased demand on cooling and heating systems, as well as emergency back-up power systems is expected to keep pace with increasing severe temperatures and frequency and duration of power outages related to severe storms. This includes arena cooling systems needed to maintain ice during the warmer winter months and in hotter summers. In addition to the higher operating costs, more frequent maintenance and repair may be required due to the increased demand during heat waves and higher temperatures.
Heat waves and severe weather events may increase the number of emergency service calls made to the Fire Department. Richmond Hill is also responsible for the planning, management and execution of a community Emergency Response Plan which is tested annually through mock scenario planning. More frequent and severe weather events will continue to be a
consideration in the resources required to implement the Emergency Response Plan effectively.
Heat waves may also create demand for community centres and other buildings to serve as cooling centers.
Historically, periods of dry weather and low water levels or drought have been relatively
uncommon in Ontario (about every 10-15 years). However, recent studies on changing weather patterns indicate low water levels may become more common, potentially compounded by the province's steadily increasing demands for water. During the spring and summer of 1999, southwestern and eastern Ontario experienced an extended period of low rainfall and high temperatures. These weather conditions resulted in some of the lowest surface water levels and driest soils recorded for several decades (MNR, 2012).
How We Affect Severe Weather
No activities performed by either the community of Richmond Hill or municipal operations have the potential to directly affect severe weather. However, the frequency and severity of extreme weather events is directly affected by climate change, which is largely being driven by human activities. As previously mentioned, the three activities performed in Richmond Hill with the greatest influence upon climate change are energy use, transportation, and the release of toxic substances and other air contaminants. These issues were explored in detail under the climate change environmental challenge.
3.0 Regulatory / Policy Drivers
In order to identify key regulatory and policy drivers relevant to development of the Environment Strategy, a review and summary of federal, provincial and local legislation and policy was conducted.
3.1 FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL REGULATORY AND POLICY FRAMEWORK 3.1.1 Federal Government
The Canadian environment is addressed in several areas which fall under various Federal and Provincial legislative powers depending on the nature or scope of the issue. The Federal Government has primary jurisdiction over matters of national or international concern, such as toxic substances and cross-border air and water pollution and waste disposal. The majority of these matters are governed by Environment Canada and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
Many key Acts for which the Federal government is responsible for administering and enforcing were identified in an Environmental Policy Review as part of the development of Richmond Hill’s Official Plan. Two of the most significant pieces of Federal legislation to consider in terms of environmental protection at the local municipal level include the Species at Risk Act, 2007 and the Fisheries Act, 1985.
The Species at Risk Act is enforced by the Environment Canada and is intended to prevent Canada’s wildlife from becoming extinct or extirpated, secure the recovery of extirpated,
endangered and threatened species on the SARA list and manage species of special concern to prevent them from becoming endangered or threatened. This Federal legislation is implemented by building an accord with the Provinces and other stakeholders to protect species at risk through fostering complementary stewardship programs with its partners and by developing recovery plans in partnership with its partners. Assistance from Richmond Hill in implementing SARA is expected through renewed direction from the Province once developed.
The Fisheries Act is administered by the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and manages aquatic resources in Canada by: management and monitoring of fisheries;
conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat; and, pollution prevention. Although this legislation is administered by the Federal government, the authority for its application and
enforcement is delegated to either the Ministry of Natural Resources or Conservation Authorities within most jurisdictions of Ontario. Projects that may affect fish habitat require authorization permitting the modification of fish habitat under conditions applicable to the specific project.
A complete list of Federal legislation applicable to the Richmond Hill’s Environment Strategy is outlined in Appendix C. For each Act and Regulation, the relevant Key Focus Area and Town Department impacted by the legislation are identified.
3.1.2 Provincial Government
Initiatives related to the environment that fall under Provincial legislative powers include
property and civil rights. Provinces regulate land use, mining, manufacturing and other impacts from business activities such as air and water emissions that could pollute the environment. The provinces have authority to regulate permitting associated with air quality, waste disposal sites, water and wastewater treatment. Provinces also have the power to authorize municipal
institutions to enact regulations for local activities that impact the environment, such as zoning, construction, water purification, sewers, and garbage disposal. Specifically, in Ontario, the Municipal Act, 2001, allows municipalities to have certain powers in management of land uses, and prohibiting and regulating outdoor illumination and may pass bylaws that are not in conflict with provincial or federal legislation and orders, licenses and approvals.
Many key acts for which the Provincial government is responsible for administering and enforcing were identified in an Environmental Policy Review as part of the development of Richmond Hill’s Official Plan. These include the Endangered Species Act, 2007, Lake Simcoe Protection Act, 2008, Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act, 2001 and Plan, Greenbelt Act, 2005 and Plan, Places to Grow Act 2005 Planning Act, 1991 and the Provincial Planning Policy Statement, 2005 and the Ontario Water Resources Act, 1990.
The Endangered Species Act 2007 is administered by the Ministry of Natural Resources and aims to identify and protect species that are at risk and to encourage stewardship for the protection and recovery of these species. Several species found in Richmond Hill are designated by this Act. The Act also provides for the development of recovery strategies for each endangered and threatened species.
The Provincial Policy Statement (PPS, 2005) contains clear, overall policy directions on matters of provincial interest related to land use planning and development. The PPS is adopted under section 3 of the Planning Act, 1990 to provide policy direction on matters of provincial interest related to land use planning and development. Municipalities must ensure their Official Plans and decisions on land use policies are consistent with the PPS which: