The Rouge River Fisheries Management Plan Draft 2010 Measuring Success Are We There Yet, Mom?
Watershed Based FMP Development Partnership Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) and Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Technical Committee TRCA, MNR, Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Rouge Park Public and Stakeholder Consultation Linked to Rouge Watershed Pan
Rouge River Watershed
Biodiversity in the Rouge FMP It plays a very prominent role..
Overall FMP Objectives Aquatic Biodiversity and Species at Risk Protect and enhance native fish species richness and abundance Long-term goal to improve habitat suitability for all native fish species including Atlantic salmon Health and persistence of SAR are priority concerns with focus on redside dace protection and recovery planning Hydrology Drainage Affects Fish! Recognition of the integral relationship between hydrology, land use change and healthy, functional aquatic systems Stocking Assess the level of achievement of Lake-based Fisheries objectives to have sustainable, self-reproducing rainbow trout. Implementation Committee Plan won t sit on the shelf active promotion!!!
Biodiversity in the Rouge Is it an issue right now?
Figure 3: Dots represent RWMP sampling sites across the TRCA jurisdiction. Colours of dots represent assigned grades based on the average Observed vs. Expected Native Fish Species Richness ratio.
Figure x: Regression analysis of native species richness vs. Road Density (km/sqr.km). p <0.0001 R 2 adj = 0.24, N = 797, Native Species Richness = 9.07 0.518 * Road Density. Using Road Density as a surrogate to measure effect of Urbanization on Fish Species Richness
Species Richness as a Metric A measure of FMP success? OR One of MANY response measures to the protective and restorative initiatives taken as a result of implementing the FMP?
Success. A matter of perspective. A matter of time
Measuring FMP Success Planning and Projects 1. Holistic uptake into land use planning process Early stages, All Groups/Agencies Can start now 2. Complete Implementation Projects Do the ones that the FMP recommends first
Measure 1: Plan Uptake Municipal Growth Planning - MESP, Secondary Plans, and Detailed Design Transportation Planning Construction Activities New and Retrofit Rouge Park Management RAP delisting criteria TRCA, MNR, DFO Compensation Project Planning NGOs
Land Use Planning Recommendations Percent Impervious Cover - thresholds Water Balance Water Taking Stormwater Management - LID Infrastructure Location Cumulative Effects Drainage Affects FISH!
Measure 2: Implement FMP Projects Addressing limiting factor(s) for target species production Addressing cumulative impacts first headwater protection Undertaking projects that are spatially tight and linked to overall objectives Intends measurable ecosystem response Respecting time horizons
What s Been Done in the Rouge
FMP Project Recommendations
If we got it right, Biodiversity should improve over time 2 to 50+ years???
But can we wait that long? Impacts to Biodiversity In the Rouge River
Rouge River Flow Regime
Chemical Spills (2007)
Stream Temperature
Sediment Release and Frac-Outs
Endangered Species Redside dace (Clinostomus elongatus) pretty much everywhere development is going.
What If The main driver(s) of ecosystem health (e.g. hydrology) are not addressed does doing everything else equate with success? There is no monitoring of expected project outcomes and objectives does just spending money equate with success? The FMP is not required guidance for development will only due consideration in the land use planning process going to achieve the FMP objectives?
Are we there yet? NO..
... we are getting there journey starts Jan 2011 on TRCA website Thank You
Where is TRCA?
Fisheries Management Zones
FMP Vision and Goal Vision A collaboration of public agencies and private interests working together to ensure progressive watershed based planning and effective protection of the rivers, streams and aquifers that define the Rouge River watershed. Goal A healthy aquatic ecosystem that supports a diversity of native habitats and communities and provides sustainable public use opportunities.