Richardson Ridge Phase 4 Development Environmental Impact Statement Addendum #1

Transcription

1 Development Environmental Impact Statement Addendum #1 September 2017 Prepared for Richardson Ridge Inc. McKINLEY ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS Ottawa, Ontario

2 September INTRODUCTION Background Site Overview Tree Clearing and ESA Permit Update NATURAL HERITAGE DESIGNATIONS EP Zoning South March Highlands Candidate Life Science ANSI Large Tree Inventory KIZELL PSW DESCRIPTION AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT Wetland Boundary Kizell PSW Drainage Feature Turtle Compensation Wetland Location Stormwater Management Plan Hydrological Impact Assessment PATHWAYS AND LANDSCAPING Open Space Pathways Landscaping and Planting CLOSURE REFERENCES... 20

3 September 2017 LIST OF FIGURES Draft Plan of Subdivision Figure 1: Site Overview Figure 2: Vegetation Communities Figure 3: Kizell PSW Boundary Turtle Habitat Compensation Location Plan (IBI Group)

4 September INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background McKinley Environmental Solutions (MES) was retained by Richardson Ridge Inc. to prepare a Detailed Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Tree Conservation Report (TCR) for the proposed development (Part of Lot 7, Concession 1, Geographic Township of March). The development is located south of the arc of Terry Fox Drive in Kanata (Ottawa), Ontario (Figure 1). The EIS and TCR were completed in July 2016 and were previously submitted to the City of Ottawa (the City) and the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) for review. Technical comments from the City and MVCA were received on December 5 th, 2016 and November 14 th, 2016 (respectively) (City File: D ). The purpose of the current report (EIS Addendum #1) is to provide additional detail in response to the City and MVCA s technical comments. This EIS Addendum #1 should be read in conjunction with the reports entitled Development Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Development Tree Conservation Report (TCR) (Revised) (MES 2016). For brevity, natural heritage features that were previously discussed and adequately addressed in the EIS and TCR are not revisited in this EIS Addendum #1. Refer to the EIS and TCR for additional detail on surveying methodology, existing conditions, impact assessment, and mitigation for any natural heritage features not discussed in this EIS Addendum #1. Note that several figures previously included in the EIS and TCR have been updated and are included in this EIS Addendum #1. Figures included in this report replace any previously submitted figures. Per the comments received from City and MVCA staff, several items are addressed in this EIS Addendum #1. These include the following: EP Zoning: Further detail regarding the EP Zoning and a map showing the current EP Zoning Boundary were requested; South March Highlands ANSI: Further detail regarding the South March Highlands Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) and a map showing the feature boundaries were requested; Large Tree Inventory: The City of Ottawa requested that a large tree inventory be completed for the portions of the Site that have not already been cleared; Kizell PSW Boundary: A map showing the Kizell Provincially Significant Wetland (PSW) boundary and setbacks relative to the development was requested;

5 September Kizell PSW Channel: A map showing the drainage feature that is present at the western side of the Kizell PSW was requested. Additional detail on this feature was also requested; Stormwater Management Plan Update: It was requested that the EIS be updated to reflect changes made to the Stormwater Management Plan; Hydrological Impact Assessment Update: It was requested that the EIS be updated to reflect changes made to the Hydrological Study; Open Space Pathways: Further detail was requested regarding the concept for the proposed open space pathways; and Landscaping and Planting: It was requested that information on landscaping and planting recommendations be included in the EIS. Each of these items is addressed in the following sections.

6 APPROVED UNDER SECTION 51 OF THE PLANNING ACT BY THE CITY OF OTTAWA. THIS DAY OF, STEPHEN WILLIS, MCIP, RPP GENERAL MANAGER PLANNING, INFRASTRUCTURE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT CITY OF OTTAWA PLAN 4M- I CERTIFY THAT THIS PLAN IS REGISTERED IN THE LAND REGISTRY OFFICE FOR THE LAND TITLES DIVISION OF OTTAWA-CARLETON NO. 4 AT _ O'CLOCK ON THE DAY OF _, AND ENTERED IN THE PARCEL REGISTER FOR PROPERTY IDENTIFIERS AND THE REQUIRED CONSENTS ARE REGISTERED AS PLAN DOCUMENT NO. LAND REGISTRAR This plan comprises all of the land identified by PIN. OPTION A PLAN OF SUBDIVISION OF PART OF LOTS 7 And 8 CONCESSION 1 Geographic Township of March CITY OF OTTAWA Surveyed by Annis, O'Sullivan, Vollebekk Ltd. Scale 1 : Metres Metric DISTANCES AND COORDINATES SHOWN ON THIS PLAN ARE IN METRES AND CAN BE CONVERTED TO FEET BY DIVIDING BY SURVEYOR'S CERTIFICATE I CERTIFY THAT : 1. This survey and plan are correct and in accordance with the Surveys Act, the Surveyors Act and the Land Titles Act and the regulations made under them. 2. The Survey was completed on the _ day of _,2017. Date Edward M. Lancaster Ontario Land Surveyor OWNER'S CERTIFICATE THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT : 1. Lots 1 to 85, both inclusive, Blocks 86 to 101, both inclusive, the Streets, namely, Streets 1 to 4 and the Reserve, namely, Block 102 have been laid out in accordance with our instructions. 2. The Streets are dedicated as public highways. Dated the day _ of _,2017 XXX, President XXXXXX. I have the authority to bind the corporation. NOTES AND LEGEND denotes Survey Monument Planted. " Survey Monument Found SIB " Standard Iron Bar. SSIB " Short Standard Iron Bar. CC " Cut Cross. IB " Iron Bar. CLF " Chain Link Fence BF " Board Fence (AOG) " Annis, O'Sullivan, Vollebekk Ltd. (P1) " Plan (P2) " Plan All planted survey monuments are IB's unless otherwise noted. Distances shown on curved limits are Arc distances unless otherwise noted. Distances shown on this plan are ground distances and can be converted to grid distances by multiplying by the combined scale factor of xx. Bearings are grid, derived from Can-Net 3.0 Real Time Network GPS observations on reference points A and B, shown hereon, having a bearing of Nxx xx'xx"w and are referenced to Specified Control Points and , MTM Zone 9 ( 76 30' West Longitude ) NAD-83 (original). Coordinates are derived from Can-Net 3.0 Real Time Network GPS observations referenced to Specified Control Points and , MTM Zone 9 (76 30' West Longitude) NAD-83 (original). Coordinate values are to urban accuracy in accordance with O. Reg. 216/10. Y:\REGIONAL GROUP\ Richardson Ridge Sub\Drawings\ Regional Pt Lts 7 8 C1 MA ph4 SUB D11-OPTION A D1.dwg, 30/05/ :12:25 AM Northing Easting Northing Easting Point A Northing Easting. Point B Northing Easting Caution: Coordinates cannot, in themselves, be used to re-establish corners or boundaries shown on this plan Concourse Gate, Suite 500 Nepean, Ont. K2E 7S6 Phone: (613) / Fax: (613) Nepean@aovltd.com

7 EIS Addendum #1 September 2017 Residential Development Proposed by Others Kizell Cell Retained Turtle Habitat Block Richardson Ridge Phase 3 - Development Boundary - Boundary of NEA Lands & Buffer (open space) - EP Zoning Boundary Please Note: This is not a legal land survey. All dimensions and locations are shown as approximate.

8 September Site Overview The proposed development will include construction of a fully urbanized subdivision development. This will include approximately 159 units including 85 single lots and 74 townhouse units on 9.56 hectares of developable land. The Site will receive municipal servicing. It is proposed that Stormwater Servicing for the Site will be undertaken following the practices utilized for Richardson Ridge Phase 1, 2 & 3, where quality control was provided and quantity control was not required. The stormwater management system will service and portions of the adjacent Richcraft owned Kanata Highlands Phase 1 development (located to the north). Quality control will be provided by a mechanical separator to be located in Block 91, which will outlet through an existing culvert under Terry Fox Drive to the Carp River. A secondary outlet for surface drainage will also be present in Block 88, outletting to the eastern side of the KPSW. The stormwater management plan is discussed in greater detail in Section 3.4 (below). Block 94 will include a 0.7 ha Community Park (Refer to Draft Plan of Subdivision). Figure 2 shows the vegetative community composition at the time of the original EIS preparation. As discussed below, portions of the Site have been cleared following approval of the TCR and completion of the EIS. At the time of the EIS preparation, approximately 60% of the Site consisted of predominantly open areas with sparse tree cover. The remainder of the Site was a mixture of Cultural Woodland and forest habitats, including several vernal pools. Refer to the EIS and TCR for additional detail on vegetative communities and tree cover found within the Site. The lands south of the Site represent a westward extension of the Kizell Provincially Significant Wetland (KPSW). The block of land between Terry Fox Drive and the City-owned NEA lands (Block 90) will be dedicated. Block 90 includes both the western extension of the KPSW and a 30 m buffer of terrestrial habitat around the wetland. The eastern portion of the NEA lands are currently owned by the City. Once Block 90 is dedicated, this will effectively create a corridor of protected habitat from Goulbourn Forced Road west to Terry Fox Drive. The preservation of Block 90 and the remainder of the NEA lands ensures protection of the highest quality forest in the area and protection of the KPSW. Block 86 and Block 87 in the eastern portion of the Site have been designated in order to preserve one (1) vernal pool that is utilized by Blanding s Turtles (Pool #3).

9 EIS Addendum #1 September 2017 Residential Development Proposed by Others Retained Turtle Habitat Block 1 NEA Lands - Development Boundary - Boundary of NEA Lands & Buffer (open space) 1 - Cultural Meadow 2 - Cultural Woodlot 3 - Sugar Maple Ironwood Deciduous Forest Type FOD5-4 Please Note: This is not a legal land survey. All dimensions and locations are shown as approximate.

10 September Tree Clearing and ESA Permit Update As discussed in detail in the EIS, Butternut Trees (endangered) and Blanding s Turtle (threatened) are Species at Risk (SAR) that occur within the Site. It is anticipated that a total of nine (9) retainable Butternut Trees will be removed by the proposed development, as will areas of Butternut habitat and Category 2 and 3 habitat for Blanding s Turtle. Extensive consultation has been undertaken with the Ontario Ministry of Resources and Forestry (OMNRF) through the application process for an Overall Benefit Permit under clause 17(2)(c) of the Ontario Endangered Species Act (ESA) (the Overall Benefit Permit). The Overall Benefit Permit (#KV-C ) was issued by the OMNRF in August Refer to the EIS for additional detail regarding the extent of SAR habitat, anticipated impacts to that habitat, proposed mitigation, and the compensation measures that are to be undertaken as part of the Overall Benefit Permit. Following approval of the TCR and submission of the EIS, the City, MVCA and OMNRF approved tree clearing west of the EP zoning line (Figure 1), excluding areas where Butternut Trees, Butternut habitat, and Category 2 Blanding s Turtle habitat were shown to occur. This allowed approximately the western 2/3 rds of the Site (the Phase 1 tree clearing area) to be cleared in the winter of The City of Ottawa has issued a Tree Permit (Permit #D ) to allow clearing of the remainder of the development area (the Phase 2 tree clearing area). It is anticipated that clearing of the remainder of the development area will occur between October 16 th, 2017 and April 1 st, Tree clearing will be undertaken in compliance with the timing and mitigation requirements outlined by the Overall Benefit Permit and the City Tree Permit.

11 September NATURAL HERITAGE DESIGNATIONS 2.1 EP Zoning A portion of the eastern part of the Site is shown as part of an Environmental Protection (EP) Zone. The current EP zoning line is shown in Figure 1. The EP zoning includes the area within Block 90 as well as a portion of the Site west of the retained turtle habitat (Blocks 86 and 87). Currently the boundary of the EP zone does not follow any specific environmental feature and it includes areas that are comparatively highly disturbed by historic farming. Currently, the EP zone boundary does not reflect either the limit of Blanding s Turtle habitat, the KPSW, the limit of designated retained blocks, or the limit of any specific vegetative community. It is believed that the current position of the EP zone boundary is the result of a surveying error, and it is not clear what rationale was utilized to designate the EP zone in its current position. It is recommended that the EP zone boundary be adjusted so that it is continuous with the City owned portion of the NEA lands and the edges of Blocks 86, 87 and 90 (the retained habitat blocks). This will ensure that the EP zone encompasses the highest quality areas of retained Blanding s Turtle habitat, as well as the KPSW and all designated open space areas. 2.2 South March Highlands Candidate Life Science ANSI The South March Highlands Candidate Life Science Area of Scientific and Natural Interest (ANSI) is located in the vicinity of the Site. Because the Life Science ANSI is still a candidate area and is not yet officially designated by the OMNRF, the limits of the feature are not well defined. Mapping showing the extent of the ANSI is not currently available on either the OMNRF or the MVCA s publically available natural heritage mapping sites (MVCA 2017; OMNRF 2017). However, it is understood that the South March Highlands Candidate Life Science ANSI is likely to apply to the conservation lands of the South March Highlands Conservation Forest and the associated South March Highlands Provincially Significant Wetland, both of which are located northwest of the Site (on the opposite side of Terry Fox Drive). The South March Highlands Conservation Forest, and by extension the Candidate Life Science ANSI, are entirely separated from the Site by Terry Fox Drive, and there is no direct connectivity to these areas as a result of the presence of the road. It should also be noted that the area directly west of the Site (on the opposite side of Terry Fox Drive) consists of agricultural lands, and that the nearest forested/wetland areas to the Site on the opposite side of Terry Fox Drive are approximately 250 m northwest of the Site. This suggested that the closest area which may be designated as part of the South March Highlands Candidate Life Science ANSI would be approximately 250 m from the Site and separated from the Site by Terry Fox Drive. Therefore, the Site is sufficiently separated from the South March Highlands so that the

12 September development is unlikely to directly impact the area which may be designated as part of the ANSI in the future. 2.3 Large Tree Inventory The City of Ottawa requested additional detail regarding the potential presence of large trees within the Site. This request was discussed with Matt Hayley and Mark Richardson of the City of Ottawa during a Site visit on April 26 th, During the Site visit it was determined that the majority of large trees occurring within the Site will be preserved within the designated open space blocks (Blocks 86, 87 and 90), as well as the City owned portion of the NEA lands. It was agreed that additional surveying of large trees was therefore not required. As discussed above in Section 1.3, the City of Ottawa has issued a tree permit to allow clearing of the remainder of the development area.

13 September KIZELL PSW DESCRIPTION AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT 3.1 Wetland Boundary The Kizell Provincially Significant Wetland (KPSW) is located within the NEA lands south of the Site. As described in greater detail in the EIS, the KPSW extends from Terry Fox Drive east to the Kizell and Beaver Ponds, which are located on either side of Goulbourn Forced Road. The western extension of the KPSW is located south of, while the remainder of the wetland is located to the southeast. The portion of the wetland south of the Site is predominantly a hardwood swamp. Paterson Group (2017) note that the high water level in the area south of the Site reached a maximum elevation of approximately 0.3 m above ground surface (ags) during spring flooding in 2016, with an average elevation closer to 0.15 m ags in the spring of In the summer of 2016, the area was observed to be predominantly dry and the water level was below the surface, and standing water was limited to isolated pools in small depressions. It should be noted that 2016 was a drought year, and water levels were observed to be higher in Further east, the Kizell Pond includes marsh areas and an open water pond. The KPSW was designated as a Provincially Significant Wetland (PSW) in 2011 after it had functioned as a stormwater management facility authorized by the Ministry of the Environment for more than a decade (Stow 2011). The boundary of the KPSW and the 30 m setback line are shown in Figure 3. The wetland edge and the 30 m setback from this edge were determined and mapped in consultation with Nick Stow of the City of Ottawa and the OMNRF in The NEA lands were designated to protect the KPSW and a minimum 30 m buffer of terrestrial habitat around the wetland. As shown in Figure 3, the extent of the NEA lands is such that the minimum buffer distance between the wetland edge and the development boundary is approximately 30 m, although the buffer is wider in the eastern part of the Site. As discussed in the EIS, overland stormwater flow to the KPSW and the retained vernal pools will be minimized by the presence of the vegetative setbacks around these wetland features, which will help to slow overland water flow and to improve water quality. The eastern portion of the NEA lands is currently owned by the City. The block of land between Terry Fox Drive and the City-owned NEA lands (Block 90) will be dedicated. This will effectively create a corridor of protected habitat from Goulbourn Forced Road west to Terry Fox Drive. The preservation of Block 90 and the remainder of the NEA lands ensures protection of the highest quality forest in the area and protection of the KPSW.

14 September Kizell PSW Drainage Feature During periods of flooding/high water, drainage from the western side of the Kizell PSW accumulates in a poorly defined channel, which flows through a culvert under Terry Fox Drive to the Carp River. The location of this feature is shown in Figure 3. The channel was not discussed in detail in the EIS, as the feature is located within the center of Block 90, which will be dedicated in future to preserve the westward extension of the KPSW. The channel is located approximately in the middle of the wetland, where the wetland meets Terry Fox Drive. There are no development activities proposed within 30 m of the channel feature. Due to the fact that the channel is contained within the KPSW, it is effectively part of that feature, and so the results of the hydrological impact assessment (discussed below) apply equally to it. 3.3 Turtle Compensation Wetland Location As discussed in the EIS, the Overall Benefit Permit requires construction of a new wetland to offset the planned removal of Blanding s Turtle Category 2 habitat within the development area. The location of the new wetland relative to the KPSW and the drainage channel within the KPSW is shown in Figure 3. The Turtle Habitat Compensation Plan (prepared by IBI Group) is included below for reference. The new wetland will be built immediately south of the KPSW boundary. The new wetland will consist of an offline pond built more than 30 m from the drainage feature within the KPSW, and the new wetland will not be directly connected to the drainage feature. There are therefore no impacts to the wetland or drainage feature anticipated. The new wetland will be built in an area that is dominated by terrestrial grasses beyond the edge of the KPSW, but within the regulated area around the KPSW. The construction of the new wetland constitutes a habitat enhancement project, and ultimately it is expected to have a beneficial effect on the KPSW by expanding the extent of open water, wildlife habitat, and aquatic vegetation beyond the current KPSW boundary. It is understood that a permit will be required from MVCA to allow construction of the new wetland, as it falls within the regulated area around the KPSW. The detailed wetland design will be provided to MVCA during the permit application and review process.

15 EIS Addendum #1 September 2017 Residential Development Proposed by Others Retained Turtle Habitat Block Kizell Cell Wetland Channel Richardson Ridge Phase 3 Future Location of Turtle Compensation Wetland - Development Boundary - Boundary of NEA Lands & Buffer (open space) - PSW Boundary (Defined by City and OMNRF 2011) - 30 m Setback Line From Wetland Boundary Please Note: This is not a legal land survey. All dimensions and locations are shown as approximate.

16 DRIVE FOX LIMIT OF ST AGE 2 SEWER W MH1002A SITE TERRY WP PHASE 4 N KEYPLAN NOTES : ALL MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION IS TO BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CURRENT CITY OF OTTAWA STANDARD DRAWINGS & SPECIFICATIONS OR OPSD/OPSS IF CITY DRAWINGS AND SPECIFICATIONS DO NOT APPLY. 2. THE CONTRACTOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING THE EXACT LOCATION, SIZE, MATERIAL AND ELEVATION OF ALL EXISTING SERVICES AND UTILITIES PRIOR TO CONSTRUCTION AND SHALL PROTECT AND ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL UTILITIES WHETHER OR NOT SHOW ON THESE DRAWINGS. 3. FOR GEOTECHNICAL INFORMATION REFER TO GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION BY PATERSON GROUP PG3695-1, DATED JULY 14, FOR GEODETIC BENCHMARK AND GEOMETRIC LAYOUT OF STREET AND LOTS, REFER TO TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY AND PLAN OF SUBDIVISION PREPARED BY ANNIS O'SULLIVAN VOLLEBEKK. BENCHMARK BASED ON CAN--NET VIRTUAL REFERENCE SYSTEM NETWORK. 5. SILT FENCE TO BE ERECTED PRIOR TO EARTH WORKS BEING COMMENCED. SILT FENCE TO BE MAINTAINED UNTIL VEGETATION IS ESTABLISHED OR UNTIL START OF SUBSEQUENT PHASE. 6. STRAW BALE SEDIMENT TRAPS TO BE PLACED AND MAINTAINED IN EXISTING AND CONSTRUCTED ROAD SIDE DITCHES. TRAPS TO REMAIN AND BE MAINTAINED UNTIL VEGETATION IS ESTABLISHED (IF APPLICABLE). 7. THESE DRAWINGS ARE NOT TO BE SCALED OR USED FOR LAYOUT PURPOSES. WP EB99 WPX TOP OF WALL WP REVISIONS No. By Date OM EXISTING CART PATH 30m SE T BACK F R IBI GROUP Preston Street Ottawa ON K1S 5N4 Canada tel fax ibigroup.com Project Title RICHARDSON RIDGE PHASE 4 TERRY FOX DRIVE WP WP 30m SETBACK FROM TERRY FOX DRIVE LIMIT OF WETLAND N 26/05/17 Drawing Title TURTLE HABITAT COMPENSATION LOCATION PLAN ESCARP MENT CR ESCENT Scale 1:750 Design Date RM Drawn MAY 2017 Checked EH Project No DGY Drawing No. 800

17 September Stormwater Management Plan It is proposed that Stormwater Servicing for the Site will be undertaken following the practices utilized for Richardson Ridge Phase 1, 2 & 3, where quality control was provided and quantity control was not required. The stormwater management system will service and portions of the adjacent Richcraft owned Kanata Highlands Phase 1 development (located to the north). Quality control will be provided by a mechanical separator to be located in Block 91, which will outlet through an existing culvert under Terry Fox Drive to the Carp River. A secondary outlet for surface drainage will also be present in Block 88, outletting to the eastern side of the KPSW. The outlet in Block 88 was previously located further east, close to the southeast corner of the property. A Site visit was completed on April 26 th, 2017 to discuss the outlet location. The Site visit was attended by Mark Richardson (Forester, City of Ottawa), Matt Hayley (Environmental Planner, City of Ottawa), and Matt Craig (MVCA), and it was agreed that the outlet location would be moved from its original location to Block 88. Locating the outlet within Block 88 minimizes the need to remove mature trees within the NEA lands during the outlet construction. The outlet pipe at Block 88 is expected to pass through a future retaining wall, with the outlet channel proposed to meander around existing trees and to include rip-rap and other measures to control flow velocity and prevent erosion. This arrangement is anticipated to provide surface drainage to maintain the moisture regime in the eastern part of the wetland, without significantly negatively impacting mature trees in the area. 3.5 Hydrological Impact Assessment The pre- and post-development water budget analysis has been updated in 2017 to reflect MVCA comments (Paterson Group 2017). The water budget analysis was completed for the study area to estimate potential impacts of the development on the hydrology of the wetland. Two separate postdevelopment water budget analyses were conducted due to the future development of a portion of the Richcraft owned Kanata Highlands Phase 1 lands, located to the north of Richardson Ridge Phase 4. The analysis of the interim condition () indicated that infiltration and runoff would increase by approximately 2.3% and 13.7% (respectively). The analysis of the ultimate condition ( and a portion of Kanata Highlands Phase 1) indicated a decrease in infiltration of approximately 32.9% and an increase in runoff of approximately 14.9%. Additional water budget analyses were conducted for the expected high and low points of the hydroperiod of the KPSW (April and August respectively). The results of this analysis indicate that during the driest month (August), there would be an expected 26.1% increase in runoff, which would add approximately 41.4 m 3 of runoff. This amount equates to a dispersion of approximately 0.4 mm of water over the KPSW surface area in August (Paterson Group 2017).

18 September The results of the analysis indicate that the flow contributions to the wetland would increase negligibly post-development. It is therefore expected that water levels and hydro-period in the wetland will, at a minimum, remain the same, but could also have the potential to increase slightly under post-development conditions (Paterson Group 2017). It is important to note that the increase in runoff volumes associated with the development are likely to be minimal, with subsequently minimal increases in water levels and hydro-period expected (Paterson Group 2017). A minimal increase in water level and/or hydro-period would not be likely to significantly impact the overall vegetative composition or functionality of the wetland. Water levels within wetlands vary considerably both annually and inter-annually due to many factors including weather, seasonal patterns, inter-annual differences in rainfall, and due to beaver activity. As noted previously, tree staining suggests that the maximum water level within the wetland fluctuated seasonally between 0.15 m above ground surface (ags) and 0.3 m ags in 2016 (Paterson Group 2017). The minimum water level observed in mid-summer of 2016 was essentially zero, or possibly below the ground surface, with standing water only found in isolated depressions. It should be noted that the 2016 water measurements were taken in a drought year, and water levels were observed to be greater in Variability estimates based on measurements taken in a drought year are inherently conservative, as the degree of natural variability would be expected to be greater in a wet year. Therefore, the estimated natural variability in water level (+/- 0.3 m ags), based on 2016 water measurements, can be considered a conservative estimate of the wetland s tolerance to water fluctuation. The anticipated post-development increase in flow, and potential for increases in water level and/or hydro-period, is expected to be of a much smaller scale compared to this existing annual and interannual variability within the wetland (Paterson Group 2017). As noted above, approximately 0.4 mm of water would be distributed over the surface area of the KPSW in August, compared to an estimated variability of +/- 300 mm ags based on 2016 measurements. From a biological perspective, impacts from changes in water level of the magnitude anticipated post-development are essentially undetectable, as they are likely to fall well within the range of existing natural variability. The scale of change which may occur in the wetland is negligible compared to existing natural variability, and therefore the development is not likely to substantially impact the wetland hydrology, vegetative composition, or the wetland habitat functionality. In terms of the biological values of the wetland, the presence of threatened Blanding s Turtle within the KPSW can be considered the highest management priority. Threatened Least Bittern are also present east of the Site in the Kizell Pond, but the habitat utilized by that species is up-gradient from, and hence would not be anticipated to be impacted by the development. Under current conditions, much of the KPSW adjacent to the Site is hardwood swamp, which is a

19 September wetland type that is not optimal for Blanding s Turtle habitat compared to other wetland types (e.g. marsh, hemi-marsh, etc.). With respect to Blanding s Turtle, hydrological impacts to the wetland that will have either no discernable impact on hydro-period and/or standing water, or which will slightly increase these values, would be expected to either have no impact on Blanding s Turtle or to represent a negligible benefit to the species by increasing the suitability of the habitat. Therefore, the results of the pre- and post water budget analysis suggest that hydrological changes will either have no impact on the habitat of Blanding s Turtle or a negligible benefit. As discussed in the EIS, there are five (5) vernal pools found in the vicinity of Richardson Ridge Phase 4. Pools #4 and #5 are authorized to be removed by the Overall Benefit Permit. Pools #1 and #2 are located east of the Site within the City of Ottawa owned First Line Road Allowance, and will be preserved. Pool #3 is within the property and is designated to be preserved within Block 87. Pool #3 appears to be separated from the remainder of the Richardson Ridge Phase 4 Site by a large bedrock outcrop, and so it is assumed that Pool #3 does not receive significant water input from the development area under current conditions. The topography surrounding Pool #3 is such that it appears to be fed by surface run-off coming from the northeast and east. The areas northeast and east of Pool #3 are designated NEA lands which are either owned by the City of Ottawa or scheduled to be preserved as part of KNL Phase 7. Therefore, it is anticipated that Pool #3 will continue to receive surface runoff from the northeast and east in the future.

20 September PATHWAYS AND LANDSCAPING 4.1 Open Space Pathways The City of Ottawa has communicated their intention to close the First Line Road Allowance to pedestrian access (Nick Stow, personal communication). Closure of the First Line Road Allowance will likely prevent any pedestrian connection from the eastern side of to adjacent areas, as the areas east and southeast of the Site are owned by the City (the NEA lands and the First Line Road Allowance). Conceptually, walking connections from the western side of would be provided to the Community Park (Block 94) through a pathway block (Block 89). From the Community Park (Block 94), it is proposed that a pathway connection would be provided that would cross the KPSW and connect to the pathway system in the northern part of Richardson Ridge Phase 3. The conceptual layout of the pathway relative to the KPSW and the turtle habitat compensation project is shown above in the Turtle Habitat Compensation Plan (prepared by IBI Group). The pathway connection between the Community Park in Richardson Ridge Phase 4 and the pathways in the northern part of Richardson Ridge Phase 3 would follow an existing walking trail. The walking trail has existed for decades, and was historically used as a cart path when the Site was farmed. Conceptually, the existing walking trail would be graded and would have wood chips added to define a 2 m wide pathway. The upgraded pathway would occur in the same location as the existing walking trail, and hence would not result in any loss of Blanding s Turtle habitat. A portion of the existing walking trail runs through a low point in the KPSW, which is periodically inundated with standing water. It is proposed that this section could be bridged by adding an elevated boardwalk approximately 20 m long and 2 m wide. Conceptually, the boardwalk would be built with widely spaced gabion basket footings a minimum of 60 cm tall. This design would allow Blanding's Turtles to walk under the boardwalk, although they could also walk around it since it will only be 20 m long. It is anticipated that this layout will have minimal impacts on Blanding's Turtle, as there will not be any significant obstruction to movement. Because the pathway would be upgraded where the existing walking trail already occurs, there would be no new habitat loss required. The pathway would be >30 m setback from the new compensation wetland, minimizing impacts on any turtles that might use that feature in future. It is anticipated that if no formal pathway is provided in the area shown, it is likely that residents would advance/maintain an informal walking trail, due to the fact that an informal walking trail already exists in the area. The pathway concept was provided to the OMNRF Kemptville District for review. In consultation with OMNRF, it was determined that the pathway connection is not included within the scope of the existing Overall Benefit Permit, as the pathway lies outside of the subdivision development area. As such, the pathway will be subject to a separate review process under the Ontario ESA. The ESA

21 September review process for the pathway connection will be initiated in future, once the design concept for the pathway is finalized. 4.2 Landscaping and Planting Where landscaping is required during the development of the lots, it is recommended that planting should emphasize the use of native trees and shrubs. Planting of Ash trees should be avoided due to the high likelihood that any planted Ash trees will become infested with Emerald Ash Borer. Specific planting requirements should be identified through a Landscaping Plan, which will be developed at the detailed design stage.

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23 September REFERENCES Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) (2017) MVCA Public Mapping Site. < bf0> (Accessed August 12 th, 2017). Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (OMNRF) (2017) Natural Heritage Information Center < tage&viewer=naturalheritage&locale=en-us> (Accessed August 12 th, 2017). Paterson Group (2017) Hydrogeological Study, Ottawa, Ontario. Report Number: PG3823-1R. Stow, N. (2011) Re-evaluation of the Kizell Drain Wetland Complex. Application for Designation as a Provincially Significant Wetland (PSW).