Edmonton (Alta.) - 1995-Unknown - Conservation of natural sites in Edmonton’s table lands_1995

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1995 ANNUAL REPORT @ffonton

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

JANUARY 1996

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THE POLICY

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"The City of Edmonton will encourage the conservation and integration of as many environmentally sensitive and significant natural areas into Edmonton's future urban environment as are sustainable and feasible. The identification of environmentally sensitive areas and significant natural areas has no legal implications for the respective owners and,

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with the exception of

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the information

requirements, participation in this policy is voluntary."

Policy Statement

On July 25, 1995 Edmonton City Council approved the Conservation of Natural Sites in Edmonton's Table Lands policy, fulfilling direction from Objective 6.D of the General Municipal Plan, Bylaw 9076. The policy's focus is on encouraging the voluntary conservation of natural sites (environmentally sensitive areas or significant natural areas) identified on Edmonton's table lands (suburban and agricultural lands, annexed to the City in 1982 - see attached map).

The natural sites were identified in 1993 due to their ecological sensitivity or significance to Edmonton.

The sites range in size from 2 to 50 ha. and contain features such as old growth forest (trees 100 to 130 years old), young woodlots (trees 20 years old), native prairie, rare plants and birds, sand dunes, and lakes.

The policy promotes the voluntary participation of landowners and requires an assessment of the sustainability of any site proposed for conservation.

The policy is to be implemented through: • the development of a private conservancy program, • an education program, • negotiation on individual development proposals with landowners at the time of development, and proactive conservation of the four regionally significant environmentally sensitive areas identified on Edmonton's table lands (see map).

The policy demonstrates City Council's interest in conservation of Edmonton's natural environment for future generations. It is anticipated that as Edmonton grows, the retention of natural sites will enhance Edmonton's and Edmontonians' future environment and lifestyle in the same way that conservation of the river valley and ravine system has enhanced Edmonton.

1995 Annual Report, Conservation of Natural Sites in Edmonton's Table Lands

2 "The City of Edmonton is committed to conscientious and responsible environmental management, practices and stewardship on all aspects of its corporate activities."

Corporate Mission Statement on the Environment

CONSERVATION COORDINATOR The policy states that a Conservation Coordinator (appointed by the City Manager) is responsible for policy implementation. When approving the policy, Council acknowledged that successful policy implementation would require one full - time staff position and a supporting budget to oversee and implement the policy. On August 17, 1995 the City Manager appointed one staff person from the Planning and Development Department to perform the duties of the Conservation Coordinator until the end of December 1995.

The position of the Conservation Coordinator was proposed as an additional budget requirement for the Planning and Development Department in the 1996 budget. Council did not approve the proposal.

PROGRESS - AUGUST TO DECEMBER '95 Pursuing Partnerships

"it (is) crucial that steps are taken immediately to protect wetlands in Alberta's urban areas and the City of Edmonton is setting the example and leading the way for

the rest of the province."

• 11 organizations (educational institutions, conservation groups, City departments, provincial departments, private companies) have expressed interest in developing partnerships with the City to develop an education program, explore conservation of regional sites, provide advice, provide funding or provide ecological assistance.

• 19 organizations or individuals were invited to

partner the City in conserving natural sites or developing conservation programs.

Ducks Unlimited

• The Edmonton Natural History Club initiated work on conserving a natural site in northeast Edmonton.

• The Natural Heritage Protection and Education Branch, Parks Services, Alberta Environmental Protection initiated site assessments of provincially owned natural sites in Edmonton.

1995 Annual Report, Conservation of Natural Sites in Edmonton's Table Lands

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3 Responding to Inquiries • 8 inquiries from private citizens, private associations and other municipalities were dealt with.

• 4 mayoral or aldermanic inquiries were received. 3 required the development of specific implementation strategies, and are still in progress.

• 7 inquiries from within the Corporation were received, requiring ongoing involvement and advice from the Conservation Coordinator.

Broadcasting Information • An information pamphlet on the policy and the information requirements was prepared.

• The media release about Council adopting the

policy and the appointment of the Conservation Coordinator was picked up by the Edmonton Journal and City Link.

• 55 letters about Council adopting the policy and the appointment of the Conservation Coordinator were sent to conservation organizations, interested individuals and interested staff within the Corporation. "most people are willing to accept the concept of sustainable development so that our descendants can have a reasonable quality of life."

Stan Wilson, member of Alberta Round Table on Environment and the Economy 1993

Developing Guidelines • Terms of Reference (interim) for Management Plans were drafted.

• Terms of Reference for Information Requirements were initiated.

• Terms of Reference for proactive conservation of the four regionally significant environmentally sensitive areas were drafted.

• Terms of Reference for Management Plan Guidelines were drafted.

1995 Annual Report, Conservation of Natural Sites in Edmonton's Table Lands

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Administration • 1995 annual report was prepared.

• Funding, assistance and conservation programs to be approached in the future were researched.

STATUS OF NATURAL SITES Conservation means managing resources so they will continue to support the human family. Envisaged is a state of harmony between people and the natural treasures around them... What greater challenge than that of bringing wise and generous guardianship to the natural heritage?"

Honourable J. W. Grant MacEwan

The 1993 Inventory of Environmentally Sensitive and Significant Natural Areas, City of Edmonton identified 38 environmentally sensitive areas, 27 significant natural areas and 246 natural areas within Edmonton's table lands. An additional inventory, done at the request of Council in 1993, covered four areas experiencing development pressures. The additional inventory identified 16 environmentally sensitive areas, 4 significant natural areas and 23 natural areas. Table 1 outlines the criteria used by the consultants to identify these areas.

The policy concentrates on conserving the 54 environmentally sensitive areas and the 31 significant natural areas.

A review of neighbourhood structure plans approved since January 1993 shows that the plans proposed conserving portions of three environmentally sensitive areas and one significant natural area. The plans proposed developing portions of four environmentally sensitive areas and one significant natural area.

In summary, 50 environmentally sensitive areas and 30 significant natural areas remain in Edmonton, based on available information.

1995 Annual Report, Conservation of Natural Sites in Edmonton's Table Lands

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NEXT STEPS The scope of activities related to the policy are broad and much needs to be done to ensure it is implemented for the benefit of the citizens of Edmonton. Still to be tackled are: • acting to conserve the four regionally significant environmentally sensitive areas; • developing partnerships to promote voluntary conservation; • finalising guidelines for the Corporation and the public for a co-ordinated approach to conserving natural sites; • developing a conservation education program; and • developing a private conservancy program for

Edmonton. "this policy is the legacy that council

leaves for future citizen's enjoyment plus the extended benefits of eco-tourism and civic reputation."

Claire Radke, member Edmonton Natural History Club

INTO THE FUTURE

Fulfilling the mandate of the Conservation of Natural Sites in Edmonton's Table Lands policy requires continuing commitment from the Conservation Coordinator and civic departments in developing supporting programs.

Successful partnerships and citizen action can conserve Edmonton's natural environment, further improving Edmonton's quality of life.

1995 Annual Report, Conservation of Natural Sites in Edmonton's Table Lands

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City of Edmonton Table Lands

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Regionally Significant Environmentally Sensitive Area

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Table Lands

FA Restricted Development Area 0 08 1

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kilometres

The City of Edmonton disclaims any liability for the use of this map.

THE CITY OF ,

Edmon on t PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT NFORMATION SYSTEMS SERVICES

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Table 1 Detailed Decision Structure for the Identification of Natural Areas, Significant Natural Areas and Environmentally Sensitive Areas (Approved by City Council August 24, 1993)

Natural Area

Criteria

Environmentally Sensitive Area

Significant Natural Area

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Size

• more than 0.1 ha for wetlands • more than 1.0 ha for forested areas

Vegetation

• existing natural vegetation

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• more than 1.0 ha for wetlands • more than 2.0 ha for forested areas

• more than 1.0 ha for wetlands • more than 2.0 ha for forested areas

• good ex ample of one or more types of vegetation

• presence of rare plant species • high plant species diversity • old-growth forest

_ Wildlife

• existing vegetation provides potential habitat for wildlife • may provide habitat for only a portion of a species life cycle

• habitat for local wildlife • habitat for only a portion of a species life cycle

• habitat for vulnerable, threatened or endangered species • high habitat diversity • high wildlife species diversity • provides critical habitat for maintenance of all or significant component of species life cycle

Landforrn

Not applicable

• good example of local landform

• unique geological or landform feature • steep, usually unstable slopes, slumps, bedrock or landform failure (hazard lands) • landforms highly sensitive to disturbances

H ydrology

Not applicable

• temporary (ephemeral) wetlands

• provides critical function in maintaining or balancing local hydrology • permanent wetlands • permanent open water • groundwater discharge/springs

Table 1 (continued)

Corridors/ Linkages

Not applicable

• provides linkages between ESAs and SNAs within the table lands

• provides critical linking function to ESAs identified outside the city • provides critical linking function to ESAs identified within the North Saskatchewan River Valley and Ravine System

Ability to Sustain Use

Not applicable

• highly sensitive to intensive forms of disturbance (e.g. major access routes, industrial, commercial and residential development) • low to moderate levels of sensitivity to less intensive disturbances (e.g. cross-country ski trails)

• highly sensitive to all forms of disturbance

Present Use

• used by residents for recreational - purposes

• used by communities and organizations for educational purposes

• site recognized for its value by scientific organizations; used for research purposes because of its unique qualities

PalaeontolgicaU Archaeological!

Prehistoric

Not applicable

Not applicable

• recognized or documented site of significance

Historical Resource

Not applicable

Not applicable

• recognized or documented site of significance by a federal, provincial or municipal government

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