[All] Fw: Letter to Catherine Fife and Peter Braid re: ECO report

Thu Jul 10 12:56:21 EDT 2014

Hi folks

I shared this with City of Waterloo and Regional Council as well.

Lulu 

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Louisette Lanteigne <butterflybluelu at rogers.com>
To: "peter.braid at parl.gc.ca" <peter.braid at parl.gc.ca>; "catherinefife at on.ndp.ca" <catherinefife at on.ndp.ca> 
Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2014 12:53:51 PM
Subject: Fw: Environmental Commissioner's Climate Change report

Hello Mr. Braid, Ms. Fife

I just sent the email below to the City of Waterloo and Waterloo Regional Council and wanted to relay this information to you as well.

The challenges we face by climate change are mainly focused on storm water infrastructure and the lack of ministry support to address issues specific to floods and water management issues. This information comes by way of the Insurance Bureau of Canada and is noted in the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario's latest report "Looking for Leadership-The Costs of Climate Change Inaction".

It is absolutely critical we secure updated flood maps that are realistic, objective and beyond political influence if we are to prevent tragic consequences for communities in Ontario. We need money allocated to secure the best data possible simply to assure a reasonable emergency response and to assist with planning matters, especially as massive infrastructure projects are being discussed such as Enbridge Line 9. 

I was a delegate at the Line 9 National Energy Board hearings.  I pointed out the risks regarding the fact that all the shut off valves as currently designed, will be on the wrong side of the river if flow is reversed. Just recently Enbridge had to move the shut off valve adjacent to the Grand River, out of the floodplain area. There is no benefit to having a manual shut off valve submerged under water. Without reasonable mapping of flood zones how can we assure the prevention of such risks? Communities, energy sectors, industry and our government all need access to this data and it must be accurate. 

Currently conservation authorities, the ministries and municipalities rely on developer paid for reports to form the baseline information for flood management and storm water management but often times this data base has no regard to actual post-development impacts which may be introducing far more run-off and risks than the current system recognizes. By including data from industry, post secondary institution and NGO groups we can get a better quality data to plan with.

Water is a public commodity. The data on it should be too. Coke likely has more information on Canada's water supply than our Federal Government has. We have the power to mandate that industries submit their water information to a provincial or national data base to facilitate better water management and risk prevention to protect our National Interest. 

Our Prime Minister secured in the first throne speech of his leadership, the creation of a National Water Policy for Canada. Where does that project stand to date? How much money has been allocated for this and what has been achieved? Are there any timelines for this proposal? Please respond in writing. I would like to know the details of this. 

For years I have reviewed plans specific to projects that place groundwater and the Grand River at risk. The weakest link I've dealt with, is poor hydrological data that undermines risk for the sake of approvals. Here is how poor data is crafted:

-Modflow models are a computer program designed to map groundwater. It requires values to be entered into a computer program but often times little explanation is given regarding where those numbers came from. Modflow reports are difficult to replicate and are often subjective. We need to back up the information being entered with clear notes regarding the source of the values being entered. This should be mandatory.  

-There is no policy to omit the use of scientifically outdated data for planning approvals.  For example: The Highland Quarry pit application in Melancthon used bore hole data taken from 1945.  Since 1945, there have been significant post development impacts that have augmented those initial values so when we use outdated data to create data required for current environmental impact studies it skews results to such an extent that it defeats the purpose of doing the reports. The data gleaned is scientifically so flawed it's irrelevant. 

-We need to secure proper monitoring of creek flow, flow rates and water quality. 12-24 month creek studies should be mandatory for creeks and for bore hole data to include monitoring during spring thaw and road salt runoff scenarios and to reasonably monitor for fish and benthic data. Some headwaters contain fish during spring thaw early summer. We cannot miss monitoring during these critical periods. Too often tests are limited to just a couple of visits in a given year. In Waterloo we have flood year drought year trends so we need year to year monthly assessments, not just one or two site visits in a given year. 

-Bore hole data for various projects are often too shallow or to few to reasonably mitigate risks. Proper mandatory guidelines are needed to address this but base requirements may vary by region so engage the experts at the Geological Survey of Canada who have mapped Ontario's moraines. They can assist in setting proper guidelines. 

-Establish local, provincial or federally mandated standardized test times and methods for required EA studies including hydrological studies. 

-Mandate that new storm water systems will be designed to withstand 200 year floods rather than 100 year floods. It is cheaper to mandate this for new builds than pay for the consequences of a do nothing approach. 

-Mandate standardize units of measurements for both planing processes and emergency response. ie: 3 cubic meters and 3000 Litres are the same value but in a time of emergency, don't juggle between the two values. Standardize it now and use it consistently so we can assure a swift accurate response at times of emergency.  

Below is the letter I've sent to the City of Waterloo and Regional Council for your reference.

Please provide adequate funding to secure proper flood maps to protect Ontario. Make it a top priority. Lives depend on it. 

Thank you kindly for your time. 

Louisette Lanteigne
700 Star Flower Ave.
Waterloo ON.
N2V 2L2

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Louisette Lanteigne <butterflybluelu at rogers.com>
To: "regionalcouncillors at regionofwaterloo.ca" <regionalcouncillors at regionofwaterloo.ca>; BRENDA HALLORAN <bhalloran at rogers.com>; "Karen.Scian at waterloo.ca" <Karen.Scian at waterloo.ca>; "diane.freeman at waterloo.ca" <diane.freeman at waterloo.ca>; "Mark.Whaley at waterloo.ca" <Mark.Whaley at waterloo.ca>; "angela.vieth at waterloo.ca" <angela.vieth at waterloo.ca>; "jeff.henry at waterloo.ca" <jeff.henry at waterloo.ca>; "melissa.durrell at waterloo.ca" <melissa.durrell at waterloo.ca>; "scott.witmer at waterloo.ca" <scott.witmer at waterloo.ca>; "DRoewade at regionofwaterloo.ca" <DRoewade at regionofwaterloo.ca>; "EHodgins at regionofwaterloo.ca" <EHodgins at regionofwaterloo.ca>; "cgosselin at regionofwaterloo.ca" <cgosselin at regionofwaterloo.ca>; "keby at regionofwaterloo.ca" <keby at regionofwaterloo.ca>; "newsroom at therecord.com" <newsroom at therecord.com>; BobVrbanac <BVrbanac at waterloochronicle.ca> 
Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2014 11:12:47 AM
Subject: Environmental Commissioner's Climate Change report

Dear Hon. Council Members, members of the press as well. 

I am so proud of our community right now. 

The Ontario Environmental Commissioner (ECO) report: "Looking For Leadership - The Costs of Climate Inaction" is now on-line at this link: http://eco.on.ca/

First off, I'd like to give my sincere thanks to City and Regional staff and Councils for their outstanding innovation and leadership in leading the way to programs to reduce storm water runoff. This was highlighted in the report as an example to assist other communities to help fund infrastructure upgrades for their storm water systems. I am so proud to come from a community who creates such tools like this for others to work with. This is a legacy our council and community can be very proud of. Such systems will not only save many dollars for taxpayers but it will very likely save lives and property as well. Thank you so much for leading the way on such an important initiative. 

I have created a brief list of highlights taken from this report for your information as a quick reference. 

-Insurance Bureau of Canada estimates 40 years storms are now predicted to occur every 6 years. 
-2013 due to catastrophic weather totaled $3.2 billion across Canada. 
-Insurance Bureau of Canada: Toronto flood July 2013 cost $940 million: Ontario's most expensive natural disaster. 
-Year-end losses in 2013 due to catastrophic weather in totaled $3.2 billion across Canada 
-70% of Ontario’s housing was built before 1990, the year that energy efficiency requirements were introduced. 
-Spray polyurethane & polystyrene foam insulation generates so much green house gases. Just 50% of the gas released by this product negates all benefits of use.
-GHG emissions associated with electricity production in Ontario declined 43% per cent by 2012 . 
-Partially offsetting these reductions, however, has been the 24 per cent increase in emissions from the transportation sector since 1990
-It appears Can. Fed Gov't has been oddly augmenting the results of true Green House Gas studies. For example, one Industrial complex had it's emissions categorized under electricity use than later on this same idustrial facility had their emissions allocated to the iron and steel sector in the 2013 reports.
-the ECO wants Ontario-specific GHG inventory with all its assumptions and methodology clearly documented.
-Can Fed. Gov't standard for natural gas-fired turbines & boilers is to be in effect by July 2015 however to date there is no published data yet. 
-Undisturbed forests can store up to 7x's the carbon as the above-ground forest biomass. 
-Once disturbed, forest soils can lose up to 50% of their carbon content. 
-The use of forest biomass to generate electricity contributes to tipping point – we simply cannot afford. 
-Eco report speaks of soil health and how healthy microbes increase carbon sequestering potential. (pesticide use can impact)
-Property insurance claims in Canada were mainly fires in the past. Today it's high winds and flooding. 
-Insurance is adapting to climate change but will do so in a manner that will not increase premiums. Strategies to achieve this means issues such as wet basements may not be covered. More homes will be uninsurable due to floods. (What are the potential impacts to our existing municipal facilities?)
-Ontario municipalities face $6.8 billion deficit for repair & replacement of storm water infrastructure.
-Waterloo Region's impervious surface fees was used as an example of how communities can recover funds to pay for storm water management.
-Waterloo Region was recognized for it's programs to credit home owners and businesses who reduce runoff or improve water quality via rainbarrels and green roofs. 

-In Ontario there is no clear lead ministry responsible for addressing urban flooding. 
-Upstream areas of watersheds paved over, increases runoff & may dramatically alter downstream flooding patterns. 
-When it comes to climate change: Changing precipitation patterns are also not reflected in old maps.
-Ontario's floodplain maps are outdated – the estimates range from 50 to 80%.
-On average, Ontario’s floodplain maps are 22 years old. Cost to update them for emergency planning is estimated at $24 million. 
-Ont. Insurance Agencies call for independent, science-based flood plain mapping: less subject to political influence. 

-Ontario can choose to either support proactive planning now or pay disaster relief again and again. 

I encourage staff and council to review the full document to glean further data to help plan the future of our community. This report is a great launching point for us to keep the momentum going on water management issues.  It notes various funding opportunities available as well.

Again, I must state how proud I am and how happy I am to see how progressive our municipalities and the GRCA are with the issue of storm water management. Thank you so much for all your work and for creating the planning tools that Canadians need to see to face the challenges of climate change. 

Louisette Lanteigne
700 Star Flower Ave.
Waterloo Ont.
N2V 2L2
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://gren.ca/pipermail/all_gren.ca/attachments/20140710/161801eb/attachment.html>