THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

AGENDA FOR CONSERVATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING

NOTICE OF MEETING

CONSERVATION ADVISORY BOARD

Thursday, April 10, 2014

6:30 p.m.

at Millgrove Works Yard 594 5th Concession Road West, Flamborough

At the start of the meeting, we will have a tour of the facility. Meeting will take place

after the tour. Please meet at Millgrove Works Yards (directions attached)

A light dinner will be served

AGENDA

1. CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS ~ Topalovic

2. DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

4. DELEGATIONS

5. MEMBER BRIEFING

5.1 Millgrove Works Yard – Tour of Facility ~ Don McConnell 5.2 Climate and Weather Outlook ~ Hazel Breton

6. ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN ~ Topalovic

7. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT ON BOARD OF DIRECTORS ACTIONS ~ Topalovic

CA1413 Hermitage Ruins: Recommended Stabilization Concept CA1414 Coyote Information

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8. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

8.1 Minutes – Conservation Advisory Board (March 13, 2014) ~ Topalovic 9. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

9.1 CAB Tracking Report ~ Kenny 9.2 Christie Pond Project – Progress Update (verbal) ~ Peck

10. NEW BUSINESS

10.1 Future Use of the CAB Tracking Report ~ Kenny 10.2 HCA Planning & Regulation Policies and Guidelines ~ Mike Stone - Policy Review and Update 10.3 HCA Managed Forest Program Review and Update ~ Mike Stone 10.4 Project Technical Advisory Committee –

- Hamilton-Halton Watershed Stewardship Program ~ Sheila O’Neal 10.5 MOTUS Project – Long Point Bird Conservatory (Walk On) ~ Peck

11. OTHER NEW BUSINESS

12. NEXT MEETING – Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.

13. ADJOURNMENT

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HAMILTON CONSERVATION AUTHORITY

Conservation Advisory Board

MINUTES

March 13, 2014

Minutes of the Conservation Advisory Board meeting held on Thursday, March 13, 2014 at the HCA’s Woodend Administration Building, commencing at 7:00 p.m.

PRESENT: Maria Topalovic, Chair

Sean Botham Kristen Brittain Frank Cucullo Donna Kydd Cheryl Larocque Chris Michels Morgan Pirie Marie Robbins Mary Tice

REGRETS: John Barkovic, Rob Booth, Dan Bowman, Lydia

Cartlidge, Dianne Crosbie, James Howlett, Santina Moccio, Duke O’Sullivan, Robert Pasuta, and John Shaw

STAFF PRESENT: Sandy Bell, Brittany Berlinghoff, Gord Costie, Chris

Firth-Eagland, Bruce Harschnitz, Tony Horvat, Judy Love, Darren Kenny, Anuja Ramgoolam, and Sofia Stanidis - HCA Staff

OTHERS: Richard Leitner - Media 1. CHAIR’S REMARKS and APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Maria welcomed all to the meeting and passed on regrets from those members not able to attend. Maria noted the addition of a walk-on information report on coyotes and suggested that the Election of the Vice-Chairman be postponed until the April, 2014 CAB meeting due to Dan Bowman’s absence.

Conservation Advisory Board March 13, 2014

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CA1410 MOVED BY: Donna Kydd SECONDED BY: Kristen Brittain THAT the March 13, 2014 Conservation Areas Advisory Board agenda be approved as amended.

CARRIED

2. DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST There were none. 3. DELEGATIONS

There were none. 4. MEMBER BRIEFING

4.1 Event at Christie Lake - “Colour Me Rad”

Gord Costie introduced Sofia Stanidis (Business Development Co-ordinator) who provided a brief presentation on the “Colour Me Rad” event and the plans for the event in 2014. Sofia also introduced Brittany Berlinghoff who will be assisting her as the new Special Event Assistant. Some statistics regarding the event are as follows: 2013

• 3,102 registered participants, $11,397.50 in revenue and a $11,699 donation made to the Hamilton Conservation Foundation

2014

• event date is Saturday, August 2 • expected attendance is 4000-600 people with expected revenue of

$13,000 - $19,500 • minimum charitable donation expected of $10,000 • some changes are being made to the run route and facility set-up to

minimize any potential conflicts with other park users during the event

Sofia informed CAB that she requested a $5,000 deposit for the event to cover the average attendance revenue in the event of low attendance or poor weather conditions on event day.

Conservation Advisory Board March 13, 2014

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5. ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN

This item was postponed until the April, 2014 CAB meeting due to Dan Bowman’s absence.

6. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT ON BOARD OF DIRECTORS ACTIONS

Maria reported that recommendations for the following items were all approved by the HCA Board of Directors at the March 4, 2014 meeting.

• CA1405 Maplewood Hall • CA1408 Crooks’ Hollow Conservation Area – Draft Management Plan • CA1409 Dundas Valley 50 Year Vision and Strategy

Maria then asked Tony Horvat for a brief update on the plans for demolition of the Maplewood facility. Tony stated that the HCA is currently completing a hazard assessment for the buildings prior to demolition and that the NEC application has been submitted. The building is tentatively slated for demolition in June/July, 2014. The restoration plan is on-going and will likely be brought to CAB for endorsement in 2 months.

7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

7.1 Minutes – Conservation Advisory Board (February 13, 2014) CA1411 MOVED BY: Cheryl Larocque

SECONDED BY: Frank Cucullo THAT the minutes of the Conservation Areas Advisory Board meeting held on February 13, 2014 be accepted.

CARRIED

8. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

8.1 CAB Tracking Report Darren Kenny briefly reviewed the March tracking report. CA1412 MOVED BY: Morgan Pirie

SECONDED BY: Marie Robbins

Conservation Advisory Board March 13, 2014

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THAT the March, 2014 tracking report be received as presented.

CARRIED

8.2 Hermitage Ruins: Recommended Stabilization Concept Tony Horvat reviewed his report on the Hermitage Ruins: Recommended Stabilization Concept. Tony stated that the wall heights of the main building may vary depending on cost and the strength of the existing foundation. The foundation is currently being assessed and the options under consideration are to lower the grade surrounding the building by 18 inches or to repair the foundation and re-establish existing grades post-construction. This will be finalized in detailed design. The stabilization work will be carried out over 2 years and $95,000 has been budgeted for work this year. Tony then asked for CAB endorsement of the report recommendation. CA1413 MOVED BY: Frank Cucullo

SECONDED BY: Morgan Pirie THAT the Conservation Advisory Board recommends to the Board of Directors: THAT the HCA staff be authorized to pursue the detailed design and required permits to implement a restoration of the Hermitage Ruins as per Concept No. 7 (drawings attached) at an estimated cost of $144,000 to $194,000, and further

THAT staff report back to the HCA Board with final design and estimates for final approval prior to commencing work on site.

CARRIED

9. NEW BUSINESS

9.1 Coyote Information Darren Kenny briefly reviewed the information report on behalf of Scott Peck. CA1414 MOVED BY: Chris Michels

SECONDED BY: Cheryl Larocque

Conservation Advisory Board March 13, 2014

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THAT the coyote information memorandum be received as presented.

CARRIED

10. OTHER NEW BUSINESS There was none. 11. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the CAB is scheduled for Thursday, April 10, 2014 commencing at 7:00 p.m. Location to be determined.

12. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting was adjourned.

Memorandum To: Members of the Conservation Advisory Board

From: Chris Firth - Eagland, CAO

Prepared by: Darren Kenny, Watershed Officer

Date: March 31, 2014

Re: April 10, 2014 CAB Tracking Report

Meeting Date Formal Recommendation Idea/Comment Board Approval

Action/Status

March, 2014 Hermitage Ruins Stabilization Concept – Recommendation to pursue the detailed design and required permits to implement a restoration of the Hermitage Ruins as per Concept No. 7 (drawings attached) at an estimated cost of $144,000 to $194,000 and to report back to the HCA Board with final design and estimates for final approval prior to commencing work on site.

Pending

August, 2011 Veldhuis Property Restoration Plan - Recommendation to approve the Landscape Restoration Plan for the Veldhuis property and forward the plan to the City of Hamilton and Royal Botanical Gardens.

September, 2011

Board of Directors approved this recommendation at their September meeting. HCA and City staff have met to discuss comments provided by the Public Works and Planning departments and will be continuing to dialogue regarding the project.

Update: City of Hamilton will not support the plan to close King St. E. between the CSO facility and Olympic Drive. An alternative approach to this segment of the Desjardins restoration will need to be developed. HCA has commenced restoration works on the Veldhuis segment.

June, 2010 Confederation Park Master Plan Update

N/A The City of Hamilton is undertaking several reviews and assessments of Confederation Park to determine the costs and feasibility of implementing the development concepts presented in the plan. City and HCA staff have been involved in discussions during this process.

Report TO: Conservation Advisory Board FROM: Chris Firth-Eagland, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) RECOMMENDED BY: T. Scott Peck, MCIP, RPP, Director, Watershed Planning

& Engineering PREPARED BY: Darren Kenny, Watershed Officer DATE: March 21, 2014 RE: Future Use of the CAB Tracking Report STAFF RECOMMENDATION THAT for 2014-2016, the Conservation Advisory Board Tracking Report be produced for information twice per year (mid-year and year end) and that the future use of the tracking report be re-assessed in early 2017. BACKGROUND At the end of 2011 when the two previous advisory boards were amalgamated into the Conservation Advisory Board (CAB), the members were asked if they wished to continue using the tracking report which had been in use by the Water Management Advisory Board for several years. It was agreed at that time that the report would be useful to track formal CAB recommendations and suggested actions which had not yet received approval by the Board of Directors. However, it has been noted by staff that over the last several months there have been very few recommendations or actions that have lagged in the approval or implementation process. Therefore, much fewer items need to be monitored and this has resulted in the tracking report often simply duplicating the comments made by the CAB Chair as part of the “report on board of director’s actions” item of the meeting agendas.

STAFF COMMENT In an effort to minimize the redundancy of the tracking report, staff are recommending that going forward, the tracking report be produced only twice per year - mid-year and year end. This process could be followed for the short term (two years) and be re-assessed by CAB at that time. Not only does staff feel that this would this be more efficient, but would also aid in further reducing our paper use. STRATEGIC PLAN LINKAGE The initiative refers directly to the HCA Strategic Plan 2014-2018:

• Strategic Goal #5 – Organizational Excellence o Strategic Objective – lead by example in the environmentally sustainable

management and maintenance of the organization AGENCY COMMENTS Not applicable. LEGAL/FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS Not applicable. CONCLUSIONS Staff believe that the recommendation for bi-annual use of the tracking report will still provide the committee the opportunity to monitor progress made on the various projects of the HCA while reducing duplication and helping to meet our objective of sustainable operations. In addition, staff are committed to reporting to CAB on recommendations, projects and programs to ensure CAB is aware of project status.

Report TO: Conservation Advisory Board FROM: Chris Firth-Eagland, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) RECOMMENDED BY: Scott Peck, MCIP, RPP, Director of Watershed Planning &

Engineering PREPARED BY: Mike Stone, MCIP, Manager of Watershed Planning

Services DATE: March 27, 2014 RE: Planning & Regulation Policies and Guidelines Review STAFF RECOMMENDATION THAT the Conservation Advisory Board receives this report as information. BACKGROUND The Hamilton Conservation Authority’s (HCA) Planning & Regulation Policies and Guidelines were developed to support and guide the implementation of HCA’s planning and regulation programs. The policies and guidelines provide HCA staff with direction when reviewing and commenting on planning matters, including, but not limited to, the following types of applications and studies:

• Applications for land use change and development under the Planning Act; • Permit applications under Ontario Regulation 161/06, HCA’s Development,

Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses Regulation;

• Development permit applications under the Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act; and

• Studies carried out under the Environmental Assessment Act. The Planning & Regulation Policies and Guidelines manual provides direction to staff on a wide variety of subjects, including matters relating to the determination of hazard limits, development in and adjacent to hazard lands, the protection of natural heritage features, sediment and erosion control, and stormwater management.

The HCA first developed planning policies in 1978. These policies have been revised and updated periodically to ensure currency and consistency with provincial (and federal) legislation and policy. The Planning & Regulation Policies and Guidelines were most recently updated in 2011 (approved by the Board of Directors October 6, 2011). Staff experience implementing the current policies and guidelines since 2011 has resulted in the identification of a number of areas where policy/guideline revisions and/or clarifications are required. Since 2011, there have also been some important changes to the provincial and federal legislative and policy framework. This includes recent changes to the federal Fisheries Act and the release of a new Provincial Policy Statement (April 2014) under the Planning Act. The review and update of the Planning & Regulation Policies and Guidelines will proceed in stages during 2014-2015 and the Conservation Advisory Board will be kept advised as the project moves forward. Once complete, the updated manual will go to the HCA Board of Directors for approval. STAFF COMMENT A review and update of HCA’s Planning & Regulation Policies and Guidelines (October 2011) is being carried out to address policy deficiencies that have been identified based on experience working with the current manual since 2011. Updates are also required to reflect recent changes in federal and provincial legislation and policy. Keeping our policies and guidelines current is critical to implementing HCA’s planning and regulations programs. STRATEGIC PLAN LINKAGE A review and update of HCA’s Planning & Regulation Policies and Guidelines (October 2011) contributes to the achievement of the following strategic goals, as identified in the HCA Strategic Plan 2014-2018:

• Strategic Goal #1 – Water Management o Strategic Objective – Minimize the impacts of erosion and sedimentation on

watershed streams, creeks, rivers and receiving water bodies. o Strategic Objective – Maintain and enhance surface and ground water quality

from the headwater source to Hamilton Harbour and Lake Ontario.

• Strategic Goal #2 – Natural Heritage Conservation o Strategic Objective – Minimize the impacts of urban and rural land uses on

natural heritage features.

AGENCY COMMENTS Not applicable. LEGAL/FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS Not applicable. CONCLUSIONS An update to HCA’s Planning & Regulation Policies and Guidelines (October 2011) is being carried out to ensure policy direction remains current and effective for the implementation of the planning and regulations programs.

Report TO: Conservation Advisory Board FROM: Chris Firth-Eagland, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) RECOMMENDED BY: Scott Peck, MCIP, RPP, Director of Watershed Planning &

Engineering PREPARED BY: Lesley McDonell, Terrestrial Ecologist

Mike Stone, MCIP, RPP, Manager of Watershed Planning Services

DATE: March 27, 2014 RE: HCA Managed Forest Program STAFF RECOMMENDATION THAT the Conservation Advisory Board receives this report as information. BACKGROUND In 2007 and 2010 (Westfield only) Managed Forest Plans (MFP) were developed for forested sections on HCA owned lands (400 Ha in total). The following HCA properties and Conservation Areas participate in the MFP, Fletcher Creek, Valens, Beverly Swamp, Christie Lake, Dundas Valley, Mount Albion, Vinemount, Fifty Point and Westfield Heritage Village. With these plans in place, HCA registered under the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP) administered by the government of Ontario. MFTIP provides a 25% tax rebate for registered properties/sections. The Managed Forest Plans are detailed plans that indicate the types of forest cover in each discrete forest unit, including both coniferous and deciduous forests. Based on the MFP’s, and through staff observations, forest units were identified that appeared suitable for harvest. In 2010, in response to a request for proposal issued by HCA, Silv-Econ Limited submitted a proposal that outlined the actions and costs that would be associated with developing harvesting prescriptions based on the MFPs. In the summer of 2013, Silv-Econ was hired to assess all units within HCA’s MFPs for harvest potential. This

involved a thorough on the ground assessment of all MFP units on HCA owned and managed lands. As a result of this work, 200 Ha of coniferous plantation was identified as being suitable for harvest. HCA staff are proposing to harvest portions of the coniferous plantations identified in the Silv-Econ report at Christie Lake Conservation Area (CLCA) in the winter of 2014/2015. The area proposed to be harvested at CLCA is approximately 90 Ha. This would involve having Silv-Econ develop prescriptions for the harvest area, mark the wood to be removed, work with HCA staff to develop a tender for harvesting services, tender out the process and monitor the harvest until complete. The purpose of the harvest is to transition HCA’s pine plantations to hardwood forests. As such, staff will be completing funding proposals to support under planting parts of the harvested plantations with deciduous trees. HCA staff are aware there are trail and other recreational uses associated with the plantation lands at CLCA, including a fairly extensive network of mountain bike trails. The potential impacts of the harvest on trails/mountain bike trails and other recreational uses is being considered as part of the planning for this work. HCA staff also plan to host a public information center (PIC) regarding the harvest at CLCA and contact all known user groups to attend the PIC (i.e. mountain biking club, disc golf club etc.). HCA has been advised by Silv-Econ that harvesting costs and revenues can be expected to be approximately equal. Once work has been completed at CLCA, HCA would again engage Silv-Econ to assist in preparing harvesting prescriptions for the remaining 110 Ha identified for harvest in the original assessment report. HCA staff have contacted the City of Hamilton and spoken to the woodland conservation by-law officer to ensure that all requirements under the City’s by-law will be met. STAFF COMMENT A harvest of the coniferous plantations at CLCA will help to transition these lands to hardwood forests that are more representative of the original forest types found in the watershed, and that will support greater biodiversity. STRATEGIC PLAN LINKAGE The Managed Forest Plan initiative contributes to the achievement of HCA’s Strategic Plan 2014-2018, including the following:

• Strategic Goal #2 – Natural Heritage Conservation o Strategic Objective – Maintain and enhance the natural heritage features of

HCA lands and manage these lands on an environmentally sustainable basis.

AGENCY COMMENTS Not applicable. LEGAL/FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS Not applicable. CONCLUSIONS In 2007 and 2010 Managed Forest Plans were developed for approximately 400 ha of HCA owned lands. As part of implementation of these plans, approximately 200 ha of coniferous plantation have been identified as being suitable for harvest. The purpose of harvesting is to transition HCA’s pine plantations to hardwood forests that are more representative of the original forest types found in the watershed, and that will support greater biodiversity.

Report TO: Conservation Advisory Board

FROM: Chris Firth-Eagland, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) RECOMMENDED BY: Scott Peck, MCIP, RPP Director, Watershed Planning

and Engineering PREPARED BY: Sheila O’Neal, Watershed Stewardship Manager, HHWSP

DATE: March 25, 2014 RE: Project Technical Advisory Committee Hamilton-Halton Watershed Stewardship Program STAFF RECOMMENDATION THAT the Conservation Advisory Board recommends to the Board of Directors: THAT the responsibilities of the Project Technical Advisory Committee for the Hamilton-Halton Watershed Stewardship Program be approved as identified in the staff report of April 11, 2013; AND FURTHER THAT the members on the Committee be appointed for the period of April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014. BACKGROUND The Hamilton-Halton Watershed Stewardship Program (HHWSP) has been in place since 1994. The HHWSP is a program that is jointly funded by the Hamilton Region Conservation Authority and Conservation Halton with the staff shared between the two organizations. The program has been highly successful over the years and has resulted in the contact of over 4,000 landowners with at least half of these being in the Hamilton watershed. Many of these contacts have resulted in the establishment of Landowner Stewardship Agreements that are recognized annually by both organizations. The stewardship staff interact with many of these landowners and provide practical advice on improving their properties. In addition, as of December 2013, 112 landowners in Hamilton Conservation Authority’s watershed have undertaken projects on private

properties to improve habitat and/or water quality. These projects for the most part have involved financial contributions from the HHWSP. The HHWSP has been viewed as a model for establishing stewardship programs in other areas of the province and has received awards such as the Trillium Great Grants Award for the Environmental Sector (Ontario Trillium Foundation) and Countryside Canada Natural Stewardship Recognition Award (Wildlife Habitat Canada) for its accomplishments. While both the Hamilton and Halton Conservation Authorities contribute funding to the program for staffing and landowner contact, funds for the capital programs involving projects on private lands have typically been raised through different sources. Examples over the years include the following:

• Ontario Trillium Foundation • Environment Canada’s Great Lakes Sustainability Fund • Ministry of the Environment • City of Hamilton (well decommissioning program) • Environment Canada’s Habitat Stewardship Program (Species at Risk) • Canada/Ontario Agreement Funds (Ministry of Natural Resources) • Ducks Unlimited Canada • RBC Blue Water Project • TD Friends of the Environment

Due to the nature of the grants and their respective requirements, the criteria may change from grant program to grant program in regards to the type of project funded, the grant rate and the upset amount of funding available for any particular project. This may also vary across the watershed as funds provided by the Great Lakes Sustainability Fund, for example, are only available for projects within the Hamilton Harbour Watersheds (e.g. Spencer Creek). Ideally, with these types of projects, there would be one funding source with one set of criteria. In receiving grants for the projects, many grant programs require the establishment of a local technical advisory committee that would provide a review of the project submissions with respect to their eligibility and merits in meeting habitat and water quality objectives. The committees also have the benefit of providing peer review advice, as many of the committee members are landowners themselves. The Project Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) was formally established by the Advisory Boards and the full Boards of Directors of the two conservation authorities in 2009. The PTAC acts as a review and approval committee for funding applications under the HHWSP’s Water Quality and Habitat Improvement Project. Attached is the terms of reference that has been established for this committee and a list of the individuals who have volunteered to sit on the committee for the next term. Staff is recommending that the committee be formally endorsed by Hamilton Conservation Authority. The term of appointment would run from April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015, which coincides with the typical fiscal year of the majority of the granting

organizations. Recognition of the committee by Hamilton Conservation Authority would provide for formal support of the contribution made by the members of the committee to projects that are undertaken by the stewardship program. A summary report will be brought back to the Conservation Advisory Board and the Hamilton Conservation Authority after the end of each program year (April to March). STAFF COMMENT Staff of the HHWSP appreciates the commitment that Project Technical Advisory Committee members have made to date to assist in the delivery of this program to watershed landowners. This report and resolution serves to formally recognize their work. STRATEGIC PLAN LINKAGE The initiative refers directly to the HCA Strategic Plan 2014-2018:

• Strategic Goal #1 – Water Management o Strategic Objective – Minimize the impacts of erosion and sedimentation on

watershed streams, creek, rivers and receiving water bodies. o Strategic Objective – Maintain and enhance surface and ground water quality

from the headwater source to Hamilton Harbour and Lake Ontario.

• Strategic Goal #2 – Natural Heritage Conservation o Strategic Objective - Minimize the impacts of urban and rural land uses on

natural heritage features.

• Strategic Goal #4 – Education and Environmental Awareness o Strategic Objective – Collaborate with agencies and organizations to promote

the importance and value of the watershed environment. AGENCY COMMENTS Funding agencies such as Environment Canada’s Great Lakes Sustainability Fund and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment require these types of committees to review and approve projects and are very supportive of this committee. Conservation Halton will be approving a similar report to ensure formal recognition of the work of this committee. LEGAL/FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS The members on the committee are not paid for their services but they are undertaking work on behalf of Hamilton Conservation Authority. By formally recognizing the

committee, the volunteer committee members can be provided with insurance for their decisions through the Conservation Authority’s insurer. Adding the members as volunteers to our insurance does not affect the Hamilton Conservation Authority’s premiums. Annual endorsement of the PTAC members is recommended for insurance purposes. CONCLUSIONS The Hamilton-Halton Watershed Stewardship Program has been successfully utilizing this volunteer committee for the review of projects that are undertaken on private lands. Staff is recommending that Hamilton Conservation Authority formally recognize the committee and the contribution that they make to assisting the Conservation Authority and the Hamilton-Halton Watershed Stewardship Program in this important initiative.

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HAMILTON-HALTON WATERSHED STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM’S

PROJECT TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Agricultural Organization Henry Swierenga, Member Service Representative, Ontario Federation of Agriculture City of Hamilton (also representing Halton-Hamilton Source Protection Committee) Chris Shrive, M.Sc., P. Ag., Senior Project Manager, Source Protection Planning, Infrastructure & Source Water Planning Section, Environment & Sustainable Infrastructure Division, Public Works Department Conservation Halton Samantha Mason, Senior Aquatic Ecologist Jennifer Roberts, Forestry Technician Hamilton Conservation Authority Lesley McDonell, Terrestrial Ecologist Halton Region (also representing Halton-Hamilton Source Protection Committee) Tom Renic, Senior Hydrogeologist, Public Works, Water Services Individual Landowner Vic Cairns Philip Krakar John Shaw Paul Smith Charles Tilt Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Lorraine Norminton, District Planner Royal Botanical Gardens Andrea Court, Ecologist

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HAMILTON-HALTON WATERSHED STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM STAFF RESPONSIBLE FOR PRESENTING LANDOWNERS’ GRANT APPLICATIONS

TO PROJECT TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Cherish Elwell, Watershed Stewardship Technician for Hamilton Conservation Authority Phone: 905-525-2181, Ext. 181 Fax: 905-648-4622 Email: celwell@conservationhamilton.ca Colleen Lavender, Watershed Stewardship Technician for Conservation Halton Phone: 905-336-1158, Ext. 2263 Fax: 905-336-6684 Email: clavender@hrca.on.ca Kent Rundle, Watershed Stewardship Restoration Technician for Hamilton and Halton Conservation Authorities Phone at Hamilton: 905-525-2181, Ext. 189 Fax at Hamilton: 905-648-4622 Phone at Halton: 905-336-1158, Ext. 2319 Fax at Halton: 905-336-6684 Email at Halton: krundle@hrca.on.ca Sheila O’Neal, Watershed Stewardship Manager for Hamilton and Halton Conservation Authorities Phone at Hamilton: 905-525-2181, Ext. 164 Fax at Hamilton: 905-648-4622 Email at Hamilton: soneal@conservationhamilton.ca Phone at Halton: 905-336-1158, Ext. 2315 Fax at Halton: 905-336-6684 Email at Halton: soneal@hrca.on.ca

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TERMS OF REFERENCE

FOR THE PROJECT TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

GOAL To assist the Hamilton-Halton Watershed Stewardship Program (HHWSP) in the implementation of its Water Quality/Habitat Improvement Program (WQHIP) which serves to provide landowners with the technical and grant assistance necessary to improve water quality and habitat in the watersheds of Hamilton and Halton Conservation Authorities. MANDATE The Project Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) is a voluntary advisory committee that approves grants for water quality and habitat improvement projects. PTAC has been established by HHWSP in accordance with these adopted Terms of Reference. PTAC members are bound by these Terms of Reference and are ultimately responsible to the Hamilton Conservation Authority and Conservation Halton. PURPOSE The purpose of PTAC is to: 1. Sit as the grant approvals committee when it may:

a) recommend eligible items under the WQHIP including grant rates and grant ceilings;

b) ensure that the WQHIP is administered on a priority basis; c) review landowners’ grant applications submitted to the HHWSP; d) approve eligible grant applications under the WQHIP; and e) review WQHIP effectiveness as required.

2. Provide a forum for the exchange of information on agricultural, rural and urban issues and initiatives and to advise on potential concerns; and 3) Encourage public awareness and education of agricultural, rural and urban issues. MEMBERSHIP PTAC consists of the following volunteer members which are appointed for a term of three years with an option for a second term.

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• Agricultural Organizations • City of Hamilton • Conservation Halton • Halton-Hamilton Source Protection Committee • Halton Region • Hamilton Conservation Authority • Individual Landowners • Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources • Royal Botanical Gardens PTAC members represent a variety of natural resources management, agricultural organizations and landowners. The representatives of organizations or agencies should have special urban, rural and agricultural qualifications, water quality and habitat interests and abilities, as well as the ability and willingness to devote the necessary time to PTAC. MEETINGS PTAC meets, annually, or as required. Agendas for meetings will be made available to PTAC one week in advance of meeting. Flexibility will allow meetings to be held in various locations throughout the communities that are most convenient for PTAC members. Meetings will be used to review Water Quality and/or Habitat Improvement Funding Application and Agreement forms, WQHIP program success, WQHIP Terms of Reference, and other determined topics. SUPPORT STAFF HHWSP staff will be assigned to provide secretariat and research support to PTAC. PTAC meeting minutes will be provided to PTAC members following each meeting.