Comments on the Official Plan
Planning and Development Committee, November 4, 2002
Text for OFAC Power Point Presentation on the Official Plan – November 4, 2002

After long and careful consideration, Ottawa Forests Advisory Committee has identified four key areas of the City of Ottawa’s draft Official Plan on which we would like to submit comment, and we thank you for providing us with the opportunity to do so.  We have been involved with discussions and considerations of the OP since the process began, and we will continue to offer our services to staff and council through the completion of the OP and beyond.

This is an amazingly complex process, and we would like to first commend the hard work and commitment of the staff involved.  As you may know, OFAC recently presented an OP workshop with city staff, and we have collected some very interesting information which will be submitted to staff for consideration.

Slide 1: Redefining Greenspace

The first area of consideration in our submission today is to extend a suggestion to modify the definitions and general approach to what is currently defined as greenspace.  Greenspace is a general definition, which appears to be all inclusion, so lumps soccer fields and forests together.  We would propose that ‘greenlands’ replace greenspace in natural areas such as forests, and that greenlands be identified based upon principles of ecology – considerations of related functions, attributes and linkages, so basically natural environment areas such as forests, wetlands, and corridors which adjoin otherwise fragmented and isolated areas. 

One aspect of sustainability is to recognize the importance of retaining and protecting the checks and balances found in healthy ecosystems, and to effectively protect the inherent functions and linkages occurring within these systems.  Over hundreds of years, our local landscape has been constantly altered, until we are left with only remnants of what was once an area which was largely forested.  As members of a caring community, we have an obligation to protect what is left of our natural heritage.  We must also provide linkages between fragments of greenlands wherever possible.  An overall greenlands network should be identified for permanent protection within the OP, and would include NEA lands, significant woodlands, and significant wetlands.  Permanent protection of relatively intact ecosystems would, in turn, contribute to better water and air quality and an enhanced quality of life, something the residents of Ottawa have always held in high esteem.

To accomplish this would require completion of natural systems inventories, and development of identifying maps for inclusion as OP schedules.  Clear statement of protection of these areas would also be required within the text of the OP.

Slide 2: Planning for Trees and Forests

In defining the importance of trees and forests within our city, we must first acknowledge the important contributions that they make to the health of our community, as previously mentioned.  Improving air quality and water quality are only two of the many contributions of mature trees and functioning woodlands.

Identification of specific tree and forest resources within the city, and their contribution to the greenlands network as a whole should be mapped and included as schedules.

Strong policies for protection of urban and rural trees and forests must be developed and identified as a priority if we wish to reverse the trend of woodland destruction that we are now witnessing.  Policy, not strategies, will be effective in encouraging the development of conservation initiatives that will receive recognition in all aspects of planning our community.  As a city, we have the obligation to decide what is important to protect, and where future development will occur.  As a community, we have an obligation to recognize that protection of some special natural areas will strengthen our sense of place, and these special areas will be our gift to future generations.

 Designation of sufficient resources towards process development in planning and development, which support conservation strategies at the implementation level, will ensure that principles of Design with Nature and sustainability are recognized and followed.

As well, it is imperative that conflicts within the system be identified and resolved, and that conservation and preservation of natural features, and specifically of trees and forests, be identified as a priority.  This will be an ongoing challenge in our attempts to reduce land usage while remaining green, and will demand innovative solutions.

Slide 3: Effective Implementation

We see the greatest challenge in this process as being the evolution of basic statements of principle into components of the process that actually goes on to shape our city.

Protecting natural areas such as forests, and important natural features such as mature urban trees requires a multi-faceted strategy.  Factors in implementing such a strategy must include:

• Commitment of resources for development of monitoring of activities
• Development of processes supporting basic principles, within each department
• Setting expectations for Environmental Impact Studies, which would provide adequate data to make informed decisions on land use.  Just as a comprehensive business plan is expected by investors to conduct risk analysis and consider the validity of the proposal, so should a comprehensive impact study provide detailed information on the site being considered for development.  Without an adequate amount of information with which to make informed decisions on land use changes and their potential impacts, we cannot possibly identify embedded potential costs and risks.
• Development of education and awareness of why trees and forests must be protected.  Education and awareness would only be effective in it is carried out both with the public through outreach programs, and internally with staff.  Understanding and “buy-in” by staff of all levels would go a long way in ensuring a successful outcome.
• Recognition of the need for regulation as a deterrent

Slide 4: Measure Success

What are we proposing be measured?  Just as the strategy is multifaceted, so will be the measurements of how effective efforts are. 

One measure of success would be in increasing the total tree cover across the city, but this is not enough.  Increased coverage in communities which have a low percentage of tree cover should be a priority, but the quality of trees and tree cover must also be a consideration. 

One mature tree provides the daily supply of oxygen for four people, so removal of a healthy, mature tree cannot be sufficiently offset by planting two or three replacement saplings, which have little chance of surviving in the present conditions of an urban environment for more than a few years.  Protection of our precious mature trees, especially those found in urban areas, must be seen as a priority, and they must be inventoried, and monitored.

Recognition and permanent protection of greenlands, through inventorying and mapping will help us to successfully protect our remaining forests.  Monitoring of projects such as this, through incorporating systems of data collection and reviews for systematic analysis of progress, is crucial in ensuring that projects are meeting objectives.  Follow-up reports and reviews of specific projects such as tree planting and environmental remediation will highlight success and problems, and encourage increased efficiency in future projects.

The most important measure of success will be in our ability to retain not just tree cover, but to protect and maintain healthy, viable ecosystems within our city limits.  The knowledge is there, the tools are available – it is certainly within our reach, if we wish to rise to the challenge.

Thank you for your time.