Ethier Avenue Lots

Presentation to Corporate Services and Economic Development
16 May 2006

The Ottawa Forests and Greenspace Advisory Committee supports the staff recommendation to retain city ownership of these four wooded lots. It is the right thing to do for the future of Orleans and of Ottawa.

You have heard eloquent pleas for the retention of these lots. There is more than the esthetic value of trees involved.

There are at least 6 trees with diameters of 80 cm or more (24 inches dbh) on the 9 lots abutting Ethier and Fifth Ave and probably more in the ravine. These are mature pines and oaks that are providing the seed source for the next generation.

There are smaller trees, shrubs, and flowering plants in the understorey. They provide food and shelter for all kinds of wildlife (salamanders, toads, butterflies, moths, etc.)

Two recent studies in the bird literature demonstrate new findings that small woodlots serve as "bachelor pads" for first year non-breeding male songbirds, affording them a place to live and to practice next year's courtship routines. So, they have ecological value that is just now being recognized by the biological community.

Almost every week, OFGAC receives email or calls from Ottawa residents who are upset about the loss of a tree or woodlot. They want us to "do something" about those losses - to stop the tree cutting now or, if it has already happened, to prevent future losses. So we appear here and at Planning and Environment to make the case for tree, woodlot, forest, and greenspace retention and to reiterate the need to live up to the Official Plan commitment of 30% canopy cover.

Selling this land would be bad economics and bad for the environment
Removing anywhere from 480 to 2000 sq m from the new Hiawatha Park Urban Natural Area would remove some of the large pines on the site and reduce the size of the urban natural area, diminishing its current and future ecological value.

The new analysis of the Urban Natural Areas Environmental Evaluation Study shows that the entire 3.74 ha site warrants a "Moderate" ecological rating. We believe that is a fair and accurate determination.

The city is spending large sums of money to buy land elsewhere. Keeping what we now own makes good sense to us, especially in this area that is lacking in greenspace and canopy cover.

The number of listed Urban Natural Areas in the City has increased from 187 to 192. There are now 24 in the area east of Green's Creek (up from 22 that I reported to you in November 2005).

But consider that an area representing 1/4 to 1/3 of the urban land mass has only 12% of the number of Urban Natural Areas. In comparison to other parts of the city, I would have expected 50 to 60 Urban Natural Areas.

Of those 24 UNAs, only 9 or 10 are in municipal ownership. Four are owned jointly by the NCC and the private sector. That means that they and the others might be developed at any time. It makes sense to retain what we already own.

Summary
OFGAC thanks you Councillor Monette, RPAM, and Planning and Growth management staff for their work on this file. We urge CSED to vote Yes and support the staff report that recommends retention of the four lots in municipal ownership in the new Urban Natural Area Hiawatha Park Ravine (UNA No 191).

If it is possible, we will work with the residents to create a management plan that will respect the area and that may help to move it along to a higher ecological rating some day.