[All] tentative Cambridge plans to discharge stormwater into Barrie's Lake Wetlands.

[Gregory C. Michalenko]

Dear Grenlings,

Lulu forwarded a request by a Cambridge group (see below) to oppose stormwater discharge into Barrie's Lake, a fine natural area and marsh just west of Cambridge.  I asked Chris Gosselin, an ecological planner for the Region for clarification of the proposal.  Here's his reply.  ESPA = environmentally sensitive policy area; ESL = Environmentally Sensitive Landscape (a new planning designation covering large areas with valuable natural amenities); EEAC = Ecological and Environmental Advisory Committee.  EEAC has about 16 member volunteers and any proposal in the Region that could affect designated high quality natural areas, such as an ESPA like Barrie's Lake, is subject to evaluation and assessment by EEAC.

It may be appropriate to hold off taking sides or offering comments on this issue until the proposed servicing plan is made public and different options can be considered.  Barrie's Lake is shallow and last year's drought hit it hard.  Hence it is worthwhile considering alternatives to assure stability of water levels and selecting the best option.  Of course, expressing concern and demonstrating that there is public support for maintaining the health of our natural areas is always a good thing.

- Greg Michalenko
________________________________
From: Chris Gosselin [CGosselin at regionofwaterloo.ca]
Sent: Friday, July 05, 2013 4:52 PM
To: Gregory C. Michalenko
Subject: RE: [All] Cambridge plans to discharge stormwater into Barrie's Lake Wetlands.

Hi Greg,
The Cambridge West Master Environmental Servicing Plan is nearing completion. At this time, it is only developing options which will be submitted to the public later this year. One of the conceptual stormwater management scenarios for future development proposes to discharge from a limited area to Barrie’s Lake, and the other only has limited surface flow to maintain water balance. The preferred alternative has yet to be selected and approved.
Whatever alternative is chosen, Barrie’s Lake is an E.S.P.A. within an E.S.L. As such, any development contiguous to the lake, including any stormwater management plan, will be subject to review by E.E.A.C.  and other agencies. The natural heritage work done to date for the study area has really highlighted the high habitat and wildlife values of the area, Barrie’s Lake included, and the agencies are aware of their responsibilities to protect these features from future development.
Chris

Christopher Gosselin, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.,
Manager of Environmental Planning,
Planning, Housing, and Community Services Department,
Regional Municipality of Waterloo,
150 Frederick Street,
Kitchener, Ontario, N2G 4J3.
Phone: 519-575-4501
Fax: 519-575-4449

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_____________________________________________________

SAY NO TO CITY OF CAMBRIDGE PLANS TO DISCHARGE SUBDIVISION STORMWATER INTO BARRIE'S LAKE WETLANDS
The  City of Cambridge has asked the public to send comments on their 255 acre Cambridge West Subdivision plans. The City plans to discharge Stormwater from the proposed Cambridge West Subdivision into Barrie's Lake Wetlands on Roseville Road in North Dumfries.
Barrie's Lake Environmentally Sensitive Policy Area 57 is:
•        Provincially Significant Wetlands
•        in an Environmentally Sensitive Landscape
•        a vital habitat for fish, wildlife and migratory birds
•        ecologically sensitive and unable to survive this abuse

The turtle population is already at risk. Hundreds of turtles have been killed crossing Roseville Road to lay their eggs. The City has plans for Collector Roads to re-align Blenheim and Roseville Roads between the wetlands in the path of wildlife. Collector Roads may be connected with roundabouts.

70% of Ontario's wetlands have already been destroyed or degraded. In parts of southwestern Ontario, over 90% of the original wetlands are gone. These are among the highest recorded losses of wetlands anywhere on Earth.

Stormwater from heavily populated areas such as subdivisions has been shown to contain harmful substances such as sediment, heavy metals, household cleaning agents, commercial soaps, solvents and paint residues.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources "The capacity of wetlands to neutralize harmful substances is limited; too much runoff can degrade or destroy the wetlands killing fish and wildlife."

One Region of Waterloo Councillor has said "there's no way to see if groundwater protection efforts required in developments actually work. Nobody goes back to check."

Please email the City of Cambridge and Say No to Stormwater Discharge into Barrie's Lake.

The public can address comments to the following to become part of the public record.

SouwandA at cambridge.ca<mailto:SouwandA at cambridge.ca>        and        dcurrie at mhbcplan.com<mailto:dcurrie at mhbcplan.com>
519-740-4650  ext 4601                                     519-576 -3650

This plan was only made public on June 18th, 2013. The City of Cambridge wants your comments now.
Planners are going to finalize the preferred options in July.

Only public comments can save the wetlands and wildlife. Please send your comments today.

For more information see the Cambridge West website:
http://www.cambridge.ca/planning_services/planning_operations/cambridge_west_master_environmental_servicing_plan_mesp

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