DRAFT. Dufferin Aggregates, a division of Holcim (Canada) Inc. Acton Quarry Extension Updated Ecological Enhancement Plan. May 7, 2012.

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1 Dufferin Aggregates, a division of Holcim (Canada) Inc. Acton Quarry Extension Updated Ecological Enhancement Plan DRAFT May 7, 2012 Prepared by: Goodban Ecological Consulting Inc. 879 Cabot Trail Milton, Ontario L9T 3W4

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 Introduction Greenlands Features Proposed for Removal Significant Woodlands Other Wetlands Phase 4 Other Wetlands Phase 5/6W Other Wetlands Proposed Ecological Enhancement Plan Tree-planting Reforestation Active Thicket and Woodland Management Grassland Creation and Management Amphibian Pool/Wetland Creation Wetland Enhancement Salvage of Suitable Forest and Wetland Soils Summary Off-site Ecological Enhancement Plan Proposed On-site Enhancement Plan (within Licence Area) and Progressive/Final Rehabilitation Enhancement Plan Benefits for Jefferson Salamander Summary of Acton Quarry Extension Ecological Enhancement Plan Conclusions List of Figures Figure 1 Extraction Area Revisions Figure 2 Greenlands B Significant Woodlands Figure 3 Greenlands B Other Wetlands Figure 4 Updated Off-Site Ecological Enhancement Plan Figure 5 On-Site Ecological Enhancement Plan Phase 4 Figure 6 On-Site Ecological Enhancement Plan Phases 5 to 7 Figure 7 Forest and Wetland Soil Salvage Areas Figure 8 Dufferin Aggregates Land Holdings Final Landform

3 1.0 Introduction Dufferin Aggregates, a division of Holcim (Canada) Inc., filed applications to permit the Acton Quarry Extension in March As part of Dufferin Aggregates application for the Acton Quarry Extension, a proposed Ecological Enhancement Plan was included in the Level 1 and 2 Natural Environment Technical Report, referred to herein as the Natural Environment Report (Stantec et al. 2008). The plan focused on Dufferin lands that were not proposed for aggregate extraction. The details of the Enhancement Plan were provided in Section 7.2 (pages 7.2 to 7.14) and Figures 7.1 to 7.5 of the Natural Environment Report. Since the preparation of the initial Ecological Enhancement Plan, Dufferin Aggregates has made a number of changes to the application, including a reduction in the licence area from ha to 90.6 ha and a 32% reduction in the proposed extraction area, from 99 ha to 66.5 ha (Figure 1). Dufferin has updated the Ecological Enhancement Plan in response to the footprint changes and comments from the agencies and peer reviewers. The revised extraction area includes approximately 8.6 ha of Greenlands features (5.5 ha of Significant Woodland and 6.0 ha of Other Wetland, with 2.9 ha of overlap between the two.) The Region of Halton Official Plan and the Town of Halton Hills Official Plan permit the removal of Greenlands features subject to consistency with the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) and the overall application resulting in a net gain, taking into consideration measures initiated by the applicant prior to, during and post-extraction. Included in this report is a description of the features to be removed and the proposed ecological enhancement to provide net gain for the 8.6 ha of Greenlands features proposed for removal. The Ecological Enhancement Plan also includes measures to provide an overall benefit to Jefferson Salamanders. Overall, the Ecological Enhancement Plan includes measures over and beyond those required to provide a net gain for the removal of the Greenland Features. 2.0 Greenlands Features Proposed for Removal 2.1 Significant Woodlands Figure 5.3 in the Natural Environment Report (Stantec et al. 2008) presented a map showing the interpreted boundary for Significant Woodlands within the study area. The Region of Halton provided Significant Woodland mapping on December 1, 2011, prepared by the Regional Forester (Figure 2). The Region s delineation of woodland polygon boundaries differed slightly Page 1

4 from Dufferin s assessment in the Natural Environment Report, but the differences are generally minor and not in dispute. As shown on Figure 2, approximately 5.5 ha of woodland unit WD-4 is proposed for extraction, of which approximately 2.9 ha was also mapped as Other Wetland by MNR (see Figure 3 and Section 2.2, below). The Region of Halton mapped WD-4 from 22nd Sideroad to 17th Sideroad, covering approximately ha; this woodland extends south of 17th Sideroad to 15th Sideroad, covering an additional ha. The approximate overall size of woodland unit WD-4 is ha. In turn, unit WD-4 is part of the Halton Forest which covers around 3,500 ha or 35 km 2, although it is separated from the rest of the Halton Forest by Regional Road 25. The following Ecological Land Classification (ELC) community types occur within the 5.5 ha of Significant Woodland proposed for removal: Fresh-Moist White Cedar Coniferous Forest Type (FOC4-1) Dry-Fresh White Cedar Mixed Forest Ecosite (FOM4) Dry-Fresh Sugar Maple-White Ash Deciduous Forest Type (FOD5-8) Swamp Maple Mineral Deciduous Swamp Type (SWD3-3) 2.2 Other Wetlands Five (5) other wetland features are located within the proposed quarry extension footprint, identified by MNR as other assessed wetlands (Figure 3). These assessed wetlands were evaluated by MNR under the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System (OWES) and determined not to have form and function sufficient for inclusion in the Halton Escarpment or Black Creek at Acton provincially significant wetland complexes. MNR has indicated that the other, assessed wetlands are in a degraded condition and/or have limited function. X Phase 4 Other Wetlands Other wetland X3 is a small, 0.22 ha patch of cattails within an active agricultural field (row crops). Feature X3 is periodically cropped. U28 Other Wetland U28 is a former farm pond now colonized by a monoculture of Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea); it is approximately 0.49 ha in size. It contains little to no standing water during the spring period and the very short duration of flooding indicates this area is not viable for amphibian breeding. Farm buildings and a residence are located immediately adjacent to this feature. Page 2

5 W2-a Other Wetland W2-a is a 1.29 ha Swamp Maple Mineral Deciduous Swamp (SWD3-3). It contains little standing water during the spring period and the flooding duration (hydroperiod) is too short to support amphibian breeding functions. Further discussion on Other Wetland W2-a is provided in the Natural Environment Report (pages 5.18 to 5.20). W2-b Phase 5/6W Other Wetlands Unit W2-b covers 2.9 ha and comprises Swamp Maple Mineral Deciduous Swamp (SWD3-3) and Willow Mineral Thicket Swamp (SWT2-2) vegetation communities. Associated with the willow thicket swamp are patches of Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea) and a small dug pond (H1). Most of the treed swamp component of W2-b no longer floods in the spring and invasive upland groundcovers like Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) and Herb-robert (Geranium robertianum) are now well established. The thicket swamp and pond H1 receive surface discharge from Phase 3 when dewatering is underway. Further discussion on Other Wetland W2-b is provided in the Natural Environment Report (pages 5.22 to 5.24). Unit W2-b was also identified as a Significant Woodland by the Region of Halton. U9/U10 Other Wetland U9/U10 is a 1.08 ha meadow marsh that occurs in a hay field west of 3rd Line. Until recently U9/U10 was part of an active agricultural landscape. It includes a mix of wetland, facultative and upland plant species. This feature has a short hydroperiod and low wildlife use. 3.0 Proposed Ecological Enhancement Plan The Enhancement (Off-site and On-site) and Rehabilitation Plans for the Acton Quarry Extension have been designed to enhance the ecological features and functions of the Regional System. The Plans include a combination of: immediate and short-term off-site enhancements that are part of a broader, landscape level restoration plan that ties together the existing Acton Quarry rehabilitation plan, the Acton Quarry Extension rehabilitation plan and the surrounding natural landscape; and progressive and final rehabilitation measures for the Acton Quarry Extension. The core principles applied in the Plans are: maintain, restore and enhance landscape connectivity; enlarge significant woodlands; Page 3

6 establish additional amphibian breeding pools/wetlands; improve and provide habitat for target species; use locally sourced native plant stock; and provide a net gain in biological diversity of habitat types. The main components of the Ecological Enhancement Plan are described in more detail below. The main enhancement plan components include: Tree-planting Reforestation Active Thicket and Woodland Management Grassland Creation and Management Amphibian Pool/Wetland Creation Wetland Enhancement Salvage of Suitable Forest and Wetland Soils 3.1 Tree-planting Reforestation Tree-planting/reforestation is proposed for 36ha of Dufferin land at Acton, outside of the proposed extension licence area (Figure 4). On lands adjacent to Phase 4, and in proximity to the proposed removal of 5.5 ha of Significant Woodland in Phase 5/6W, 11ha will be planted within 5 years of licence issuance (Figure 4). In addition, 4.6ha within the licence area will also be planted during this initial period, giving a combined total of 16.1ha of treeplanting/reforestation enhancement plantings during the first 5 years. The removal of Significant Woodland in Phase 5W on the Acton south lands will not commence for at least 10 years after licence issuance. A further 25ha will be planted between 6 and 15 years after licence issuance. During this period, it is anticipated the some regeneration of species such as Sugar Maple and Trembling Aspen will occur, and this will be augmented by the plantings over time. Good regeneration of Sugar Maple is evident in the local area, adjacent to existing woodlands and mature hedgerows. All of the proposed 36ha of off-site tree-planting/reforestation is located in proximity to Significant Woodlands within the Regional Greenlands System, and over time will result in the considerable expansion of Significant Woodlands on Dufferin land at Acton. This will enhance conditions for a variety of species dependent on larger blocks of forested habitat, including the Jefferson Salamander and area-sensitive forest bird species. Woody Species Selections Reforestation strategies will vary depending on site-specific environmental conditions such as aspect/sunlight, soil type, moisture regime, topographic position, and surrounding habitat types. The woody species selected for planting and the forest types targeted are complementary to and reflective of the surrounding landscape. Tree planting will occur in open areas with little woody cover, as well as in areas where some tree and shrub establishment is occurring. Page 4

7 A mix of pioneering species like Trembling Aspen (Populus tremuloides), Bigtooth Aspen (Populus grandidentata), White Birch (Betula papyrifera) and Pin Cherry (Prunus pensylvanica) will initially be planted along with longer lived, more shade-tolerant species; predominantly Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum ssp. saccharum), with White Ash (Fraxinus americana), Basswood (Tilia americana), Ironwood (Ostrya virginiana), Eastern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) and others. Shrubs such as Alternate-leaved Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) and Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) will also be planted. The proportion of pioneering species will be higher in more open areas, while the proportion of longer lived, more shade-tolerant species (e.g. Sugar Maple) will be higher adjacent to existing woodlands and hedgerows with mature trees. The pioneering species should grow rapidly and form an overhead canopy; over time they will also improve soil conditions. Some separate clusters of Red Oak (Quercus rubra), Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa), Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata) and White Pine (Pinus strobus) will also be planted. Planting Approach Prior to planting, any non-native woody species such as Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) and other non-desirable species (e.g. Manitoba Maple Acer negundo) will be removed and stumps treated with herbicide to prevent re-sprouting. Suitable native woody regeneration will be retained. Nodal planting cells will be established. Planting cells will consist of a minimum of 3 staggered rows of trees. Trees within cells will be planted on irregular 2.5 to 3.5 m centres. The cells will contain a minimum of 100 trees per 1000 m 2 of planting cell. The nodal planting cells should cover 60-70% of each planting area. Two (2) to 3 year old bareroot nursery stock (30-40 cm in height) and/or container-grown stock will be planted. Seedlings of pioneering species may also be planted. Planting will occur during early spring or late fall, to minimize transplant shock. Nursery stock derived from local seed sources will be used to the extent feasible. On lands which are currently or were formerly under cultivation, the planting sites will be graded finely to create pit and mound microtopography prior to planting. Maintenance and Monitoring Competing herbaceous vegetation will be controlled by placing mulch around each planted tree or shrub (up to 50 cm radius of mulch around each planting, depending on conditions). Rodent protection will be installed as necessary. Where access permits, plantings will be watered during periods of drought (defined as a 30 day period between May and September with less than 25 mm of precipitation) until establishment has occurred. Plantings shall be monitored on an annual basis for at least 4 years following planting. In the first year of monitoring, if fewer than 60% of the planted trees have survived, the replacement of the dead trees shall occur in the second or third year, using a mix of those species that have demonstrated the highest survival rates. Page 5

8 Five years after the initial planting, gaps between the planting nodes that lack natural woody regeneration will also be planted, using the same approach described herein, but increasing the proportions of those woody species with the highest survival rates where appropriate. The management objective is to have the planted trees and shrubs achieve a free to grow state, meaning that a seedling or small tree has achieved a height such that it is free from direct competition from other trees, shrubs, grasses, or herbaceous plants. Once free to grow conditions have been achieved, planting areas will be managed as described in the following section. 3.2 Active Thicket and Woodland Management Community types proposed for active thicket and woodland management include several types of shrub thicket and early successional forest stands with the following characteristics: unstable assemblages of mostly early-successional trees or dense stands of young shade-tolerant trees; stands potentially requiring thinning or planting; cultural woodlands; stands with heavy cover of the invasive alien Common Buckthorn, etc. Approximately 39ha are proposed for active thicket and woodland management (Figure 4). Approximately 29ha are outside of the Significant Woodland limits mapped by the Region of Halton, mainly comprising successional shrub thickets with substantial tree regeneration, with some cultural woodlands with semi-open canopies, hedgerows, etc. The main management goal is to promote woodland conditions and expand Significant Woodlands. Management objectives will include promoting woodland conditions over time (releasing suppressed trees to become free to grow), removal of Common Buckthorn and other invasive species, removal of remnant non-native residential/ornamental trees and shrubs, retention of hawthorn thickets, etc. A further 10ha occur within Significant Woodlands; these mainly comprise early successional forest stands that will benefit from some management. As the various enhancement planting areas reach a free to grow state, they will be included in the active thicket and woodland management prescriptions, as necessary. 3.3 Grassland Creation and Management The grasslands in the local landscape are mainly old fields or cultural meadows located on a range of soil depths with variable moisture regimes, but generally characterized by an abundance of grass and forb species (both native and exotic) and a scarcity of woody plants. Some areas were in hay production or used for grazing in the past. Over time, if no disturbance takes place, tree and shrub species will invade and gradual reforestation will result. Many bird species that originally nested in naturally occurring grassland habitats, such as prairies and alvars, are now more dependent upon old fields for breeding habitat in the local landscape. Page 6

9 North of Phase 4 there is an area of Dufferin-owned land that is in active agricultural use; in 2011 it was in corn. This area is proposed as a grassland management area (Figure 4). Management prescriptions will include: Removal of a hedgerow which presently splits the open agricultural land into two compartments; Planting the agricultural fields with a suitable grass/forb seed mix to establish old field vegetation; Installation of short sections of farm fence (wood posts with wire strung between) for perches for grassland birds; and, Periodic mowing to prevent encroachment by woody vegetation and maintain open grassland conditions. With the hedgerow removed, the grassland management area covers 10 ha. Around 7 ha of grassland will be located more than 25 m from adjacent woodlands, perimeter hedgerows, etc. Site preparation (e.g. hedgerow removal, fence installation) will occur within the first 2 years after licence issuance. The area will be seeded by the third year or earlier. Once the grassland is established, a key management objective will be to prevent colonization by woody vegetation. Periodic mowing will take place in mid- to late fall after the dominant grasses and forbs have produced mature seed and ground-nesting birds have migrated. Mowing may also occur in alternating sections (rather than across the entire grassland area), to provide more diversity in terms of vegetation structure. Old field grasslands may provide habitat for species at risk such as the Eastern Meadowlark (nesting), Bobolink (nesting) and Barn Swallow (foraging), raptors such as American Kestrel and Red-tailed Hawk, and other grassland birds such as Eastern Kingbird, Vesper Sparrow and Savannah Sparrow. 3.4 Amphibian Pool/Wetland Creation A focus of the enhancement plan on Dufferin s Acton south lands is to enhance habitats and provide an overall benefit for the Jefferson Salamander, including creating new amphibian pools/wetlands, tree-planting/reforestation, and active thicket and woodland management. Within the south portion of the Acton Quarry Extension study area, Jefferson Salamander complex breeding activity has been documented in several created/altered features, including H3 (dugout livestock pond), H15 (deepened thicket swamp feature) and H38 (dugout livestock pond within deciduous swamp), which indicates that the creation of additional breeding pools is feasible. Breeding ponds are the greatest limiting factor to the Jefferson Salamander as each pond has a finite food supply and the larvae are cannibalistic. Thus a given pond can produce only a certain number of juveniles regardless of the number of females that breed within the Page 7

10 pond. Creation of additional breeding habitat is the main management approach that has the potential to increase the population of the Jefferson Salamander. Examples of other amphibians that will benefit from the creation of amphibian pools/wetlands include Spotted Salamander, Spring Peeper, Wood Frog, American Toad and Northern Leopard Frog. Reforestation and thicket or forest management will improve foraging, overwintering, migration and dispersal habitat for salamanders (see Sections 3.1 and 3.2, above). The Natural Environment Technical Report for the Acton Quarry Extension (Stantec et al. 2008) identified 3 potential salamander breeding pool locations: the Northwest Pool, Northeast Pool, and Southeast Pool. Descriptions of them are provided on pages 7-6 to 7-12 of the NE report and conceptual drawings of these ponds are provided on Figures 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5. As part of further investigation into potential benefits for the Jefferson Salamander, an additional 12 potential pool locations have been examined in the field. All 15 potential pool locations are shown on Figure 4 and listed in Table 1. The 15 potential pool locations were strategically selected for their location, site characteristics, and potential to provide new habitat for breeding amphibians. Descriptions of the additional 12 pool locations have already been provided to MNR. Dufferin proposes to construct 6-8 suitable/potential pools. Six (6) have been identified on Figure 4 as proposed pools and in consultation with the agencies, Dufferin proposes to select 2 additional pool locations as shown on Figure 4. Pool G has already been constructed as a pilot project. The short-term goal is to establish suitable/potential breeding pools for Jefferson Salamander. The criteria used by Aurora District MNR to identify suitable pools are as follows: suitable hydroperiod; amphibian breeding (by any species); no predatory fish; egg attachment sites present; and, within 1 km of JESA breeding pool, connected by suitable habitat for dispersal. Page 8

11 Table 1: Candidate Amphibian Pool Summary Proposed Action Quarry Extension Candidate Pool Location Within Niagara Escarpment Plan Area Within PSW Within JESA Regulated Habitat Area Page 9 Notes Northwest No No Yes Adjacent to PSW (W3). Northeast Yes Yes Yes Within Speyside Forest ANSI/ESA. Southeast Yes Yes Yes Within ditched/altered section of PSW (U18). A Yes Yes Yes Within small pool with short hydroperiod (PSW). B Yes No Yes Potential alternate to location A and Northeast Pool. C Yes No Yes Within Speyside Forest ANSI/ESA. D Yes No Yes Within Speyside Forest ANSI/ESA. E Yes No Yes Alternate to Southeast Pool. F No No Yes Adjacent to PSW. G No No Yes Adjacent to PSW. H No Yes Yes Within ditched/altered section of PSW (W5). I No No Yes Alternate to H. J No No No Adjacent to PSW. K No No No Adjacent to PSW. L No No No Adjacent to PSW. Dufferin constructed Pool G in the fall of 2011 as a pilot project, with authorization from MNR and a permit from Conservation Halton. Pool G is adjacent to an existing monitoring well and test-pits and additional monitors were installed at this location prior to construction. Pool G is supported by groundwater, with some surface water contribution. The bottom elevation of the pool was selected using water elevation data from existing monitoring well OW76-09, mini piezometers MP39-11, MW40-11, MW41-11, MP42-11 and test pits TP01-11 and TP Pool G will be monitored and results used to refine the design of pools to be constructed subsequently. Pools F, I, J, K and L are proposed to be constructed within 5 years of licence issuance. Pool B has a very high potential to be used by the Jefferson Salamander as it is situated within ideal habitat where there is a known concentration of Jefferson Salamanders. Construction is proposed following licence issuance.

12 3.5 Wetland Enhancement Five (5) small areas covering approximately 0.5 ha in total within PSW s are proposed for wetland enhancement activities (Figure 4). The wetland areas proposed for restoration and enhancement include old farm lane crossings with deep rutting, a dugout pond, ditch lines within a deciduous swamp, and a wetland swale with limited woody cover. These wetland features will benefit from minor alterations. Wetland enhancement strategies will be implemented infrequently and only in very specific situations. Enhancements will be limited to restoration from past disturbances, improvement of hydrologic conditions, establishment of desirable wetland vegetation and control of undesired species. All of the proposed wetland enhancement areas are situated outside of the proposed licence area and within PSW s identified by MNR. The proposed wetland enhancements are proposed to be implemented within five (5) years of licence issuance. The five proposed wetland enhancement areas are as follows: Wetland Enhancement Areas 1 and 2: Wetland Enhancement Areas 1 and 2 are located in the upper of wetland W2-N, immediately downstream of wetland W1 (adjacent to Phase 4). These areas have been used as crossing locations for farm equipment, resulting in extensive rutting within the wetland. Proposed enhancement measures include minor re-grading of ruts, creation of small pools and planting with suitable wetland shrubs (e.g. shrub willows and Red-osier Dogwood) and groundcovers. A suitable vehicle access across this area would be established for occasional access for monitoring and maintenance. Wetland Enhancement Area 3: Wetland Enhancement Area 3 is located on the upper west arm of wetland W4, on Dufferin property that fronts onto Regional Road 25. This enhancement area is a dug-out pond with deep sides and limited shrub willow vegetation around the margins; this feature supports a fish population. Proposed enhancement measures include: Expansion and re-contouring the dug-out pond feature to promote water levels and hydroperiod more typical of seasonally flooded wetlands that dry out to some degree in late summer and early fall; Addition of a layer of suitable wetland soil salvaged from within the licence area; and, Installation of suitable woody plantings (e.g. Red-osier Dogwood, shrub willows, Swamp/Hybrid Maple). Page 10

13 Wetland Enhancement Area 4: Wetland Enhancement Area 4 is located in the southern or lower portion of wetland W5. This feature is a Swamp/Hybrid Maple deciduous swamp which has been ditched in the past to increase the drainage of water from this wetland feature. Partially blocking or altering the flow paths will slow the rate at which water drains from the swamp, resulting in an extended hydroperiod. Wetland Enhancement Area 5: Wetland Enhancement Area 5 is within wetland U12/U13, located immediately downstream from Area 4 (southern/lower portion of W5). In this area the wetland is essentially a narrow swale that crosses formerly active agricultural land. Suitable tree and shrub species will be planted along the wetland margins (e.g. Red-osier Dogwood, shrub willows, Red Maple, Green Ash). 3.6 Salvage of Suitable Forest and Wetland Soils Where feasible, suitable forest and wetland soils will be salvaged from within the proposed extension extraction areas and may be used as part of the Off-site Ecological Enhancement Plan. Forest soils will be salvaged and reinstated in target areas. Wetland soils will be salvaged and used in the creation of amphibian pools/wetlands (see Section 3.4 above). Notes have been added to the draft Site Plans to allow for this. Soils that support invasive species will not be salvaged. Figure 7 shows candidate soil salvage areas. 3.7 Summary Off-site Ecological Enhancement Plan The following is a summary of the components of the Updated Off-site Ecological Enhancement Plan: Tree-planting/reforestation = 36 ha (20ha within NEPA) o 11ha within 5 years of licence (9ha within NEPA) o 25ha within 6 to 15 years of licence (11ha within NEPA) Active Thicket and Woodland Management = 39ha (36ha within NEPA) o 29 ha outside Significant Woodlands (future woodland communities) (26.3 ha within NEPA) o 10.4 ha within Significant Woodlands Grassland Creation and Management = 10 ha (10 ha within the NEPA) Amphibian Pool/Wetland Creation = 6-8 pools (approximately 450 m 2 each) (1-3 within NEPA) (Pool G was constructed in fall 2011) Wetland Enhancement = at least 0.5 ha at 5 locations (0.2 ha within NEPA) Page 11

14 4.0 Proposed On-site Enhancement Plan (within Licence Area) and Progressive/Final Rehabilitation Within the proposed extension licence area, tree-planting will occur on land that will not be extracted. The planting areas include enhancement plantings aimed at expanding significant woodlands, buffer plantings where extraction will occur adjacent to significant woodlands, and visual screen plantings (Figures 5 and 6). The enhancement and woodland buffer plantings cover 4.6 ha; planting will occur within 5 years of licence issuance. Tree-planting will also occur as part of the progressive and final rehabilitation of the extraction areas. Details for the enhancement, visual screen and rehabilitation plantings are shown on the draft Site Plans prepared under the Aggregate Resources Act (ARA). Tree-planting/Reforestation Areas Within the licence area, tree-planting/reforestation will occur on land that will not be extracted, in coordination with the Off-site Ecological Enhancement Plan to provide contiguous planting areas at the licence boundary (Figures 5 and 6). The planting details are as described on the draft Site Plans, similar to that described above in Section 3.1 for the off-site planting areas. In Phase 4, on land currently under cultivation, the planting sites will be graded finely to create pit and mound microtopography prior to planting. The tree and shrub plantings will be implemented within 5 years of licence issuance. Areas Adjacent to Significant Woodlands Buffer Enhancements In areas where natural regeneration is absent or limited, the 5 m no-touch portion of the setbacks to significant woodlands will be planted with suitable native tree species (Figures 5 and 6). Woodland edges with north and east exposures will be planted mainly with Eastern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) and to a lesser extent White Pine (Pinus strobus). Woodland edges with south and west exposures will be planted mainly with a mix of Red Oak (Quercus rubra), Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa), Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata) and White Pine (Pinus strobus), with some clusters of Eastern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis). Buffer plantings will commence around Phase 4 and then proceed to Phase 5/6W and 7. Trees planted around the limits of Phase 5/6W and 7 will have been in place for at least 5 years before extraction proceeds beyond Phase 4. Visual Buffer Plantings Approximately 1.3 ha of visual screen plantings will be established within 1 year of licence issuance (Figures 5 and 6). Native tree and shrub species will be planted, as shown on the draft Site Plans. Page 12

15 Progressive and Final Rehabilitation The progressive and final rehabilitation of the extraction areas will include the establishment of lakes, cliffs, shoreline wetlands and wooded slopes. Details for the various rehabilitation treatments are provided on the draft Site Plans. The Natural Environment Report also provides details on the Rehabilitation Plan in Section 7.3 (pages 7.14 to 7.22). Phase 4 (Figure 5) Lake = 23 ha Shoreline Wetland = 1.0 ha Woodland planting as part of progressive rehabilitation = 2.0 ha Phases 5/6W and 7 (Figure 6) Cliff = 2 km (average cliff height over lake 4 m, ranging from 2 to 6 m) Lake = 32 ha Shoreline Wetland = 3.0 ha Woodland planting as part of progressive rehabilitation = 4.0 ha Rehabilitation Summary Cliff = 2 km (average cliff height over lake 4 m, ranging from 2 to 6 m) Lake = 55 ha Shoreline Wetland = 4.0 ha Woodland planting as part of progressive rehabilitation = 6.0 ha 5.0 Enhancement Plan Benefits for Jefferson Salamander A key focus of the enhancement plan on Dufferin s Acton south lands is to improve habitats and provide an overall benefit for the Jefferson Salamander, including the creation of new amphibian pools/wetlands, tree-planting/reforestation, and active thicket and woodland management. Creation of additional breeding habitat is the main management approach that has the potential to increase the population of the Jefferson Salamander (see Section 3.4 above). Reforestation and thicket or forest management will improve foraging, overwintering, migration and dispersal habitat (see Sections 3.1 and 3.2, above). A range of other forest-dwelling wildlife species will benefit from the proposed enhancements. Amphibian Pool/Wetland Creation: Pool G was constructed in fall 2011 as a pilot project. At least 6 additional pools are proposed in relatively open areas adjacent to wetlands (Pools F, I, J, K and L) and all are situated outside of the NEPA. Pool B is also proposed, within the NEPA and the Speyside Forest regional ANSI. Page 13

16 Two (2) additional pools are also proposed to be constructed, so between 7 and 9 amphibian pool/wetland features will ultimately be constructed on Dufferin land. Pool locations J, K and L are situated outside, but immediately adjacent to, the regulated habitat area. If suitable pools are successfully constructed at these three locations, following the mapping procedures used by MNR, an additional 23 ha of land could be regulated as Jefferson Salamander habitat, because locations J, K and L are all within 1.0 km of confirmed pools H3, H4, H34 and H39 and the intervening habitat is suitable for salamander dispersal. Tree-planting/Reforestation within Jefferson Salamander Regulated Habitat: Tree-planting/reforestation within 300 m of confirmed breeding pools = 24ha (13ha within NEPA) o 8 ha within 5 years of licence (6 ha within NEPA) o 18 ha within 6 to 15 years of licence (7 ha within NEPA) Tree-planting/reforestation elsewhere within regulated habitat area = 2 ha Active Thicket and Woodland Management within Jefferson Salamander Regulated Habitat: Active Thicket and Woodland Management = 21 ha (18ha within NEPA) o 7.3ha outside Significant Woodlands (future woodland communities) within 300 m of confirmed breeding pools Active Thicket and Woodland Management elsewhere within regulated habitat area = 3 ha Summary of Enhancement Plan Benefits for Jefferson Salamander: Increasing the Number of Individuals of the Species If any of the 7 to 9 suitable pools that are created are used by the Jefferson Salamander for breeding, this will increase the local population of the species. Planting open areas to tree cover may help to increase numbers by providing superior habitat for migration and dispersal. Salamanders moving in forested habitat are less likely to suffer predation or desiccation than those travelling in open areas. Increasing the Distribution of the Species Within its Natural Range Successful establishment of suitable ponds at Pool L will potentially increase the local distribution of the Jefferson Salamander. Once these ponds are deemed suitable habitat, the area that may be regulated under the ESA can be increased by 23.6 ha west of the site to connect Pool L. Page 14

17 Increasing the Viability and/or the Resiliency of the Existing Populations The proposed Off-site Ecological Enhancement Plan will result in the creation of 7 to 9 new suitable breeding ponds. Simply having additional potential breeding pools within the local range of the population will increase its viability and resiliency. The conversion of open habitats to forested areas will also improve the viability of the population. Animals crossing these open areas are less likely to suffer from predation or desiccation once they become forested. The literature suggests that salamanders may avoid crossing open areas when there is available forest cover to move through. Provision of forest cover instead of open areas may actually shorten migration or dispersal distance by allowing salamanders to travel via more direct routes instead of having to avoid open areas. This may also help to improve the local survival rate, particularly of dispersing juveniles. Increasing the Quality and Amount of Habitat for the Species at Risk The enhancements proposed will increase both the quality and amount of habitat for the Jefferson Salamander. 6.0 Summary of Acton Quarry Extension Ecological Enhancement Plan The Acton Quarry Extension includes an Off-site Ecological Enhancement Plan, on-site enhancements and progressive and final rehabilitation, all of which contribute to the final landform and natural features shown on Figure 8. A combined summary is provided below in Table 2: Page 15

18 Table 2: Ecological Enhancement Plan Summary Feature Within 1 Year of Issuance Within 5 Years of Issuance Within 6-15 Years of Issuance Part of Progressive and Final Rehabilitation Total Reforestation 1.3 ha 15.6 ha 25.0 ha 6.0 ha 47.9 ha Active Thicket and Woodland Management 39 ha management plan will commence and be on-going 39 ha Grassland Creation Amphibian Pool/Wetland Creation 10 ha 10 ha up to 9 pools to be created 0.4 ha up to 9 pools 0.4 ha Cliff 2 km 2 km Shoreline 4.0 ha 4.0 ha Wetland Lake 55 ha 55 ha 7.0 Conclusions Within the proposed Acton Quarry Extension footprint there are approximately 8.6 ha of Greenlands B features; 5.5 ha of Significant Woodland and 6.0 ha of Other Wetland, with 2.9 ha of overlap between the two. Overall, the draft Updated Ecological Enhancement Plan will result in a significant net gain to the Regional Greenlands System, mitigate removal of the Significant Woodlands and Other Wetlands, and result in an overall benefit to Jefferson Salamander. In summary, the Off-site Ecological Enhancement Plan will result in a net increase in forest cover of 66 ha through treeplanting/reforestation and active thicket management to promote woodland cover (not including tree-planting/reforestation for on-site enhancements [4.6 ha] and progressive/final rehabilitation [6.0 ha]), the creation of 6 to 9 amphibian pools/wetlands, establishment and management of 10.0 ha of grasslands, and other enhancements. A large portion of the enhancements will be implemented before the proposed aggregate extraction proceeds beyond Phase 4. Page 16

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20 25TH SIDEROAD GLEN LAWSON ROAD m WD-1 3RD LINE WD-2 PHASE 1 WD-5 22ND SIDEROAD WD-4 PHASE 3 PHASE 2 WD-4 3RD LINE 4TH LINE REGIONAL ROAD 25 WD-4 WD-4 APPROX. 5.5 HA OF SIGNIFICANT WOODLAND IS WITHIN PROPOSED QUARRY FOOTPRINT. WOODLAND UNIT WD-4 IS 633 HA IN SIZE. 17TH SIDEROAD LEGEND PROPOSED EXTRACTION LIMIT SIGNIFICANT WOODLANDS AS DETERMINED BY HALTON REGION figure 2 GREENLANDS B - SIGNIFICANT WOODLANDS ACTON QUARRY AERIAL PHOTO DATED APRIL 30, (PRES057)GN-WA001 APR 20/2012

21 U26 BCA-1 U25 U1 BCA-2 GLE m U2 BCA-3 U3 U4 U31/X2 X3 +/- 0.22ha U5 3RD LINE W1 U28 +/- 0.49ha U24 PHASE 4 U23 W2-a +/- 1.29ha PHASE 1 W2-N 22ND SIDEROAD W2-S PHASE 3 PHASE 2 W2-b U6 +/- 2.92ha W3 PHASE 5/6 WEST U8 U7 U30 W9-N W U9 +/- 1.08ha U10 3RD LINE W9-X U17 W9-S U19 W10 U27 U11 U18 LEGEND PROPOSED EXTRACTION LIMIT PROVINCIALLY SIGNIFICANT WETLAND (MNR OCTOBER 2011) OTHER WETLANDS U16 figure 3 GREENLANDS B - OTHER WETLANDS ACTON QUARRY AERIAL PHOTO DATED APRIL 30, (PRES057)GN-WA002 APR 20/2012

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