Ottawa Forests Advisory Committee
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Ottawa Forests Advisory Committee

Annual Report 2001/2002

INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

The first ten months of the Ottawa Forests Advisory Committee’s (OFAC) existence may justly be described as one of major organizational progress and solid achievement despite much uncertainty, growing pains and a major unexpected diversion. 

 OFAC has made substantial contributions to city policy on trees and forests by providing written submissions on:

·        Preliminary Drafts of the Ottawa Official Plan

·        Interim Measures to Control Tree Cutting

·        Quarry Forest

·        Rezoning of Carp Ridge Natural Environment Area “A”

·        Development Proposals on Ogilvie Road, Walkley Road

·        Ottawa Forests Awareness Day

 Members of the committee participated in discussions toward:

·        Woodland Preservation Bylaw

·        Woodland Assessment Study

·        Resolution of the Kanata “tree massacre”

·        Preparation of a rare plant inventory of Torbolton Forest

·        Management of community forests

OFAC has also established a City of Ottawa presence among forestry organizations by organizing a symposium on the urban forest, “Urban Forests: Challenges and Opportunities,” by participating in the Eastern Ontario Model Forest, the national Urban Forest Conference, the Eastern Ontario Urban Forest Network and National Forest Week, and the Kemptville Winter Woodlot Conference, and by inviting speakers to monthly meetings.

OFAC has also increased public awareness of our urban and rural forests through

·        Website, http://www.ottawaforests.ca/

·        Pamphlet

·        Newspaper articles

·        Interviews on radio and television

·        Public displays at local events and the Museum of Nature

·        Public workshop to be held in October 2002

·        Citizen presentations at monthly meetings. 

These tasks were accomplished in the face of frequent personnel changes, both internally and externally.  OFAC was established in October 2001 with 12 members.  Two resigned in May and five new members were appointed in August for a total of 15 members plus two additional reserve members.  At the first meeting, Robin Higham was elected Chair and Joanna Dean Vice-chair.  Three months later, in January 2002, this structure was changed to one of two Co-chairs, with Joanna Dean and Ronald Daigle occupying the positions.  Iola Price replaced Ronald Daigle as Co-chair in August 2002. OFAC’s primary liaison with City staff and the Council is through the Committee Coordinator. Over the period October 2001 to September 2002, OFAC has had six Coordinators, culminating with the appointment of Robbie Tremblay in June. 

OFAC’s work was interrupted in mid June, when members were informed of a staff proposal to amalgamate the OFAC with the Environmental Advisory Committee.  The need to address this issue caused a diversion in time and energy from productive work.  By decision of Council on August 28, 2002 this issue has been deferred to the end of the current term of Council, at which time there will be a full review of all advisory committees.  

WORK PLAN AND BUDGET

OFAC first met on October 28, 2001, and was mandated to prepare its first work plan before the end of November.  This deadline, and the lack of guidelines as to budget, allowable expenditures and activities, made planning difficult.  A subcommittee was formed and proposed a work plan based on its mandate: 

“The mandate of the Ottawa Forests Advisory Committee is to provide advice and guidance to Ottawa City Council, through the Environmental Services Committee, which will help safeguard the environment of the City through the use of trees and tree cover, and provide input into tree and forest management related policies and budgets.   The Committee will also encourage and support promotion of public awareness of the City’s trees and forests and citizen’s knowledge of the role of trees in protecting and enhancing quality of life.”

A budget of $8,900 was proposed.  (Staff later added additional funding for simultaneous translation services for a public forum.  This addition, which increased the final proposed budget to $15,800, was removed by OFAC when we were informed of alternate methods for delivery of a bilingual public forum.)  OFAC discussed and approved its workplan on November 19, 2001.

As the work plan states

“In this first year of its existence the OFAC considers it should concentrate on a few basic objectives.   If these can be achieved they will be the advisory committee’s most useful initial contributions to Council and citizens of Ottawa in the quest for adequate and appropriate forests and tree cover throughout the new City in the coming years.  The work plan for 2002 therefore focuses largely on broad objectives such as providing advice, acting as a sounding board, and advocating for the restoration, conservation and sustainable management of Ottawa forests.  These objectives are, in turn, aimed at the following long-term goals:

1.      A comprehensive Ottawa Forests Plan;

2.      A tree and vegetative cover for the city which is appropriate in species mix and varied according to location;

3.      A dynamic and effective partnership among individuals, community groups, organizations and agencies in the development and conservation of Ottawa forests and tree cover.”

On January 22, 2002 OFAC presented its proposed work plan and budget to the Environmental Services Committee (ESC), which approved the work plan in principle but deferred funding until the 2002 City budget deliberations.  In March 2002, City Council approved an amount of $150,000 to be divided among all the advisory committees; on April 23, 2002, the ESC allocated OFAC $8,823 to carry out its activities.  OFAC’s fiscal year effectively started on that day. 

WORK PLAN ACTIVITIES 

1.0 Ottawa Forest Plan

1.1 Inventories

·        Discussions with University of Toronto and University of Guelph professional forestry staff on matters relating to optimal tree cover and best practices for inventories of urban and rural tree cover.

·        Pilot evaluation of a rapid street tree inventory method by OFAC members and a professional forester.

·        Discussions with the Ottawa Girl Guides on their past activities conducting tree inventories.  

1.2 Pilot Projects

·        In connection with the assessment of the possibilities and costs of developing comprehensive plans, members investigated the prospects for community support through consultation on a pilot project.

1.3 Network with Related Groups

·        Participation in the formation and development of the Eastern Ontario Urban Forest Network.  OFAC attended three meetings in Kemptville to establish operating procedures and to exchange information and expertise with representatives from various municipalities including Brockville, Cornwall, Gananoque and Perth. 

·        Participation in ongoing discussions concerning the development of generic information themes and materials for use by the Eastern Ontario Model Forest.  The Model Forests’ renewed mandate now includes a requirement to focus on urban forest issues.  The OFAC has been invited to join the network's steering group.

·        Participation in a working group to identify and select agenda topics for the 5^th Canadian Urban Forest Conference to be held in Markham, Ontario October 7 - 9.  Ottawa's City Forester will be one of the presenters at this conference and one member of the OFAC has volunteered to attend this major event and deliver a report to the committee on his return.

·        Attendance at and participation in Kanata Community Association meetings held to discuss the aftermath of the “tree massacre”.

Presentations by the following have been made at OFAC meetings:

·        Ottawa-Carleton Wildlife Centre

·        Canadian Forestry Association 

·        Eastern Canada Society of Nut Growers 

·        Ruffed Grouse Society 

·        Greenspace Alliance

·        Rideau Valley Conservation Authority

2.0 The Official Plan

2.1 Input to the Official Plan

Recommendations

·        Written submission: Comments and Recommendations on Ottawa 2020:Charting A Course, February 25, 2002.

·        Participation in Ottawa 2020 Open Houses.

·        Written submission and presentation to the Committee-of-the-Whole in response to the release of Charting a Course: The Next Step, June 2002.

2.2 Tree Cover

·        Provision of information about the percent tree cover in Ottawa to Councillor Wendy Stewart

·        Provision of reference material to Ottawa 2020 staff on benchmarks for tree cover and measurement of forest management success at request of Councillor Jacques Legendre

2.3 Partners Forum

·        OFAC’s first significant public event, held in May 2002 was organized in collaboration with the Canadian Institute of Forestry (Ottawa Valley Section) and with financial assistance from ScotiaMcleod Inc.  The symposium – "Urban Forests: Challenges and Opportunities" was designed to permit 60 expert and engaged individuals from Council, City Staff and the environmental and land development communities to engage in knowledgeable discussion of issues associated with environmental (particularly forest) protection in a period of urban growth.  Andrew Kenney, professor of urban and community forestry at the University of Toronto provided the keynote address after which differing perspectives on the symposium's theme were provided by a panel of experts in several fields.  There then followed a lively and well-informed exchange of views and comments from the audience.

3.0 Public Outreach

3.1 Community Outreach

·        OFAC Website 

·        OFAC Pamphlet

·        Torbolton Forest tour and workshop - January 2002.  Coverage of the tour and OFAC objectives appeared in the Ottawa Citizen.

·        Monthly column on trees and their value for the Rockcliffe Park Residents Association Newsletter

·        Environmental Advisory Committee Workshop, at City Hall in March 2002.  A display was assembled with information on urban and community forests in Ottawa.  Several OFAC members actively participated in the breakout groups at the EAC event, providing a tree and forest perspective to the broader environmental focus.

·        Torbolton Forest Cleanup, April 2002:  Mounted a display on community forests.

·        Participation in the National Forest Week Working Group in planning National Forest Week activities in the National Capital Region, including the evening public lecture held at the Museum of Nature – May 8, 2002.

3.2 Education and Support Public Awareness

·        OFAC requested a Council declaration of May 4, 2002 as Ottawa Forests Awareness Day;

·        Kemptville Winter Woodlot Conference:  Maps, charts, photographs and pamphlets were assembled to inform the participants from rural Ottawa of the environmental and economic benefits of properly managed forests in their area.

·        Community display for the Museum of Nature, June 2002:  Prepared an exhibit on trees and forests and their value in the urban setting.

3.3 Public Forum

·        Preparation for a public forum in October 2002 (in the former Vanier City Hall located adjacent to the Vanier Sugarbush) to increase awareness of urban forest issues in the community.  This will also be an occasion to receive public input to the Official Plan on tree-related matters.

OFAC’s mandate also includes the requirements to provide “a forum for citizens interested in trees and tree cover to raise issues and concerns.”  In this regard, OFAC received presentations at its meetings from the following:

·        Private citizen concerned about the removal of mature trees prior to the renovation of a private house in residential downtown Ottawa.

·        Private citizen with a report on the microburst that destroyed many trees in Fallowfield Village.

·        Private citizens from Perez Crescent concerned about the loss of tree cover on the proposed development at 1298 Ogilvie Road  [City File No. OCP 2002-0012; OZP 2002-055, OSP 2002-0105].

ADVICE TO COUNCIL

OFAC also participated in a broad range of other activities that could not be anticipated at the time the work plan was created.  Most fall under that part of the OFAC mandate to provide advice and guidance to Council on safeguarding the environment of the City through the use of trees and tree cover and to provide input into tree and forest management related policies and budgets.

Kanata Tree “Massacre” and ensuing Tree Preservation Bylaw

·        Participation in Kanata Community Association meetings held to discuss the aftermath of the “tree massacre”.

·        Motion for Council to support a staff inquiry into the creation of a tree cutting by-law that recognizes a need for distinction between the urban and rural context.

·        Attendance at the Kanata Recreational Master Plan meeting.

·        Written submission on the staff report, Interim Measures to Control Tree Cutting and to Develop a Trees Bylaw.

·        OFAC representation on the working committee to develop the new tree bylaw  (Woodland Preservation Bylaw) by request of the Planning and Development staff

Harmonization of Service Standards

·        Participation in Open Houses (phases 1 and 2) on the Harmonization of Service Standards, including criteria for services that touch on tree and forest issues. 

Assessment of Urban Woodlands

·        Representation on the steering committee that will re-evaluate criteria for the assessment of urban woodlands, by request of Planning and Development staff.

Budget 2002

·        Input to the 2002 City budget discussions.

Motion for Council

·        Support of the Eastern Ontario Model Forest’s Phase III proposal to the Canadian Forest Service. 

Planning and Development Proposals

·        Carp Ridge Rezoning:  Written submission; Comment on Proposed Rezoning of Carp Ridge Natural Environment Area ‘A’ in the South March Community.

·        Quarry Forest:  OFAC review of the Quarry Forest Report, referred by Councillor Janet Stavinga; Memorandum and talking points presented to Council on the Quarry Forest Report.  [City File No.  ASC 2002-DEV-APR-0127 06T 99029 Block J]

·        1298 Ogilvie Road:  Investigation and report on loss of tree cover associated with a proposed development at 1298 Ogilvie Road.  [City File No. OCP 2002-0012; OZP 2002-055, OSP 2002-0105]

·        Walkley Road: Comments on proposal for site on Walkley Road.  [City File No. OZP 2002-0113]

·        Constance Creek:  Investigation of tree loss caused by a development in Constance Creek and its possible violation of the City’s planning process.  [City File No. OLV 2002-0024 West Carleton].

·        Frieman Woods: Comments on ways to preserve trees and enhance tree cover input to Environmental Advisory Committee report.  [City File No. OSP 2002-0021, OVL 2002-004, OSP 2002-0028].

Community Forests

·        Torbolton Forest: preparation of material for a rare plant inventory.

·        Marlborough Forest: advice to City staff in regard to a request from a commercial enterprise to continue using the forest for paintball games.

·        OFAC member liaison to staff for Torbolton and Marlborough Community Forests.