Presentation to the Environmental Services Committee on the draft City of Ottawa Budget for 2003
December 13, 2002

OFAC is mandated to provide advice through you, the Environmental Services Committee, to City Council, on trees and forest-related policies, programs, bylaws, regulations and budgets.  We have reviewed the draft operating and capital budget for 2003.  This written brief expands on the oral presentation of December 13, 2002.

Our remarks are not intended to take away from the welcome and important activities outlined under the Greening Program and the Community Forest Program on pages 822 and following.  This is necessary and essential work.

Yet it is evident despite the current and forecast activity that the Ottawa forest (in its widest sense being the community forests, woodlots of public and private land, city street trees and the trees and shrubs in city parks) is being degraded by development, by harmful City practices such as applying excessive amounts of road salt, and by lack of collaborative research, planning and management.  A high-level and comprehensive City-wide Ottawa Forests Management Plan is needed to guide the full range of city activities to ensure the health of the forests and city trees in Ottawa, and ensure on-going economic and social benefits from them for our citizens.

Our number one recommendation is for the creation of a new professional-level position in the city’s Forestry Services group.  That group needs to participate in planning and management at the strategic- and city-wide level and to carry out essential work at selected forest sites.  The new person would initiate the development of a long-term forest strategy (the Ottawa Forests Master Plan.  The Ottawa Forests Advisory Committee views this as an important step in ensuring the long-term health of the “Ottawa Forest.”  We hope that there would be close collaboration with us on the development of the Master Plan as such a Plan is a key outcome of our long term Work Plan submitted to ESC on October 2002.

Operational and site plans for local initiatives are indeed required to meet urgent and current needs, but a strategic, integrated Forests Management Plan is required in order to help all stakeholders work confidently and in an informed way towards the vision and goals of Ottawa 2020 and the new vision for Ottawa that we expect to see in the next draft of the Official Plan in January 2003.  We do not find that the proposals in the currently proposed budget go far enough toward that vision. Accordingly,  the Ottawa Forests Advisory Committee urges you to consider the following:

Forests Master Plan:  In preparing the Long-Range Financial Plan, that we expect will be reviewed by Council in 2003 for approval in 2004, we recommend that the Forest Services staff be provided with the resources (one new professional-level officer and funds) to develop a Forests Master Plan (as outlined in OFAC's 2003 Work Plan) and that it be developed in conjunction with OFAC and modeled on other North American city forests plans such as in Oakville’s Official Plan, North York’s Greening Strategy, Syracuse NY’s Forest Master Plan etc.

Inventories:  We recommend that there be a budget line established for science-based forest inventories.  We cannot adequately manage our trees and forests if we don't understand what we have in trust for the future.  Street tree inventories exist for some parts of the new city but by no means all and some are outdated.  Rural inventories are practically non-existent.  City plans or private sector development proposals may have adverse impacts that remain unknown, as the value of the lost ecosystem was not appreciated.

Woodlands Preservation Bylaw:  We recommend further development and public consultation on the woodlands preservation bylaw and that when passed, staff given some training in forestry issues carry out bylaw enforcement.

Each “Proposed Projects in your Neighbourhood” should contain a forest site plan, so that where and when Ottawa invests in infrastructure, it also invests in its forest in a timely and coordinated way.

These forest site plans should be co-ordinated and each one should accompany the specific plans that are forecast in the 2003 CAPITAL Budget and Four-Year Forecast items for planning.  Specifically they include:

• Water and Growth page 246-70;
• Sewer Growth, pages 272-332;
• Road Development and Road Reconstruction, pages 528-586 and
• Solid Waste Services Landfill Management and Expansion, page 816,

If these forests plans are developed as we recommend, we will have a city that invests in its forest in a timely and co-ordinated way at the same time as it invests in its infrastructure.  Co-ordinated planning like this will be cost effective over the longer term and will produce a green, leafy and attractive city with a healthier environment and citizenry.

Community Studies: We recommend the creation of a budget line for studies such as those undertaken by the city of Syracuse.  Such studies might be undertaken in partnership with the private sector.

Further comments

Page	Department	Branch	Comments
222	Emergency and Protective Services	By-law Services	Reductions in by-law enforcement will hamper the city's ability to protect forests and trees in the woodlands preservation by-law is implemented.  OFAC supports effective enforcement of all city by-laws.  This activity is essential and should not be reduced without consideration of the implications.
324	Development Services	Planning and Infrastructure	OFAC supports Vision involves development in a cost effective and environmentally sensitive manner.  Objectives include public consultation with respect to land use; land use, parks planning and engineering approvals; and a streamlined approval process.  Objectives need to be clarified to ensure the protection of Ottawa’s green space. Objectives should also consultation with the Forest Services group in TUPW to ensure the development of a Forests Master Plan.
334	Development Services	Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure Policy	OFAC supports  Vision mentions sustainable development.  Mission is to provide leadership and direction in the development of land use, environmental management and infrastructure policy. One of the service outcomes is to protect our natural area.  Another service outcome should be the restoration of Ottawa’s green space in consultation with the Forest Services group in TUPW.
514	Transportation, Utilities & Public Works	Infrastructure Services	OFAC supports  Objectives include providing construction services that are environmentally responsible. Specifically, provisions should be made to ensure that the needs of the city's trees and forests are taken into consideration at the early planning stages and that adequate tree protection strategies are provided for in cost estimates and before any construction projects commence.
524	Transportation, Utilities & Public Works	Surface Operations 2 programs	OFAC supports  Vision includes the general maintenance of trees and forest operations in an efficient and cost-effective manner.  Objectives include the preservation, protection, and enhancement of parks, green spaces and forest cover for public use.  The development of a Forests Master Plan should be an essential part of the current objectives with a new professionally qualified staff officer engaged for that purpose. Road Operations East/West Parks Operations Program includes an increase in maintenance costs for roads, parks, and sports fields to service growth areas $506. City Wide Forestry Operations & Central Parks Program includes an increase in maintenance costs for parks and sports fields to service growth areas $25.  The program also includes an increase in Municipal operating/replacement charges from Fleet based on 2002 Forecast Actual Usage, total branch impact $1,032, central parks and forestry share $140.

Page	Project name and number	Total Budget Funding (000s)	Allocated Years	Comments
216	Environmental Management (90004)	475	2003, 2004, 2007	OFAC Supports  Green Team has been established.  OFAC supports the need to put funding in place to support coordination amongst departments.
218	Environmental Resource Areas Acquisition (900138)	2590	2004 to 2007	OFAC Supports  The continuation of the acquisition program for lands designated Natural Environmental Area A and B, Waterfront Open Space and River Corridor areas.  Several key natural areas and assets on the fringes of the developing area will require protection.  Future lands for acquisition include additional Natural Area A and B lands and it lists 3 areas where work has already taken place (Marlborough Forest, South March Highlands and the South Gloucester Urban Community Woodlands).  The project commitments also state that to determine funding, further development of this program is required.  This project should also involve the Forests Services group as the latter develop the recommended Forests Master Plan, a comprehensive forest inventory, and community studies.
220	Environmental Restoration Projects (902203)	1375	2004 to 2007	OFAC Supports  Projects include restoration of aquatic and terrestrial habitats that were affected by existing development. Priority will be established through studies such as environmental management plans.
224	Central/West – Area Planning and Design Studies (901112)	2450	2003 to 2007	OFAC Supports  Studies considered under this project include: Parks Policy and Design Study; Parkland and Open Space Delivery System; Richmond Lagoon Enviro-Park Feasibility Plan; and the Goulbourn-Parks, Open Space and Trails Master Plan.
226	Park Development Central/West (901128)	3272	2003 to 2007	OFAC Supports  The portfolio includes the development of new parks primarily in Ward 4 and Ward 6.  They will be developed according to previously prepared parks and open space master plans for the development communities. 23 parks are to be developed. Every effort should be made to preserve trees in existing and in these new parks.
228	Park Development East/South (901129)	21052	2003 to 2007	OFAC Supports   Includes next phases of the Sports Park, Scala Park and Provence Park and for the construction of parks east of Trim Road.  The project also includes ongoing work for Petrie Island Park. Within the south district, development of Beryl Gaffney Park will continue.  23 parks are to be worked on.  Every effort should be made to preserve trees in existing and in these new parks.
230	Area Planning and Design – East/South (901130)	1107	2003 to 2007	OFAC Supports  Involves undertaking studies related to development. It is recommended that forest planning be a part of all studies related to development.
234	Comprehensive Zoning By-Law (900852)	315	2004	OFAC Supports  With the amalgamation there is a need to harmonize and update the existing zoning by-laws.  Funds have been added for 2004 to accommodate a defense of the new Zoning By-law at the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).
236	Official Plan (900854)	225	2004	Document will provide broad direction for future development and redevelopment with economic, community and environmental considerations in mind.  OFAC recommends that a part of the plan include a specific section on forest management.
242	Environmental Planning Studies (902216)	2115	2003 to 2007	Studies will provide essential information to guide in the protection and enhancement of environmental values to guide municipal projects.  The studies could include examining and evaluating natural features (woodlands, wetlands, and watercourses).  OFAC recommends that this project Include community studies and forest inventory studies.
822	Greening Program 1. Tree Planting (901107)	2130	2003 to 2007	OFAC Supports  Program provides support to ensure life cycle management of existing green assets and adherence to its greening policies and legislation.  The program is comprised of Tree Planting initiatives.  Key projects include: partnership initiatives with matching funding coming from the private sector; community tree planting partnership projects, tree planting along streets and roadways with local residents (Trees in Trust) and on rural property with landowners (Green Acres); and planting trees on city owned lands in parks and at facilities. There should be a reference to the Woodlands Preservation bylaw and a forest inventory.
826	Community Forest Program 1. Forest Resource Management Planning ( 901111) 2. Resource Interpretation (901110)	1. 310 2. 64	2003 to 2007	OFAC Supports  Program manages over 10,000 hectares of city forest land and includes Cumberland forest, the Marlborough forest, the Carp Hills, Pinery-Long and Swamp forests and Torbolton forest.  Key components include forest resource management planning and resource interpretation. Key projects of interest include: Cumberland Forest Resource Management Plan; Plantation Management Regulatory Signage; Interpretative Program; and Rare Plant Study. The Rare Plant Study should be part of an overall inventory. The OFAC supports the proposals in regard to the Community Forest Program and further proposes that work commence on the development of the Ottawa Forests Master Plan, a longer term and strategic plan for the entire Ottawa city forest. We question an apparent reduced allocation of funds - why was this done?  The citizens of Ottawa value their forests (witness the city-wide outcry over the "Kanata Tree Massacre").