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Toward a Safe Harbour

Toward a Safe Harbour. The Case for a Permanent Rock Island Fish & Wildlife Habitat Wavebreaker at LaSalle Park Marina . Update to the Burlington Waterfront Committee with respect to the Trumpeter Swans and Observed Winter Ice Conditions

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Toward a Safe Harbour

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  1. Toward a Safe Harbour The Case for a Permanent Rock Island Fish & Wildlife Habitat Wavebreaker at LaSalle Park Marina Update to the Burlington Waterfront Committeewith respect to the Trumpeter Swans and Observed Winter Ice Conditions Councilor Marianne Meed-Ward, Committee Chair LPMA February 19, 2014

  2. Trumpeter Swans like LaSalle Park Marina Protected from shore side predation and harassment, swans often spend the night inside the safety of LaSalle Park Marina~ Photos Michael Manych June 2013 Photos Courtesy of H. Siebert

  3. 2014 Winter at LaSalle On Ice, Trumpeter Swans takeoff in less than 50 feet Video: J Birch January 23, 2014

  4. 2014 Winter at LaSalle TSRG Contention: “Trumpeter Swans need 200 metres takeoff”Fact: Less than 50 feet on ice Photos: J Birch January 23, 2014

  5. 2014 Winter at LaSalle TSRG Contention: “Trumpeter Swans have no predators”Fact: Bald Eagle attacking and killing Trumpeter SwanCoyotes have been spotted Photos: Colleen Gravelle January 2014 Photos: Colleen Gravelle

  6. Current conditions at LaSalle Hamilton Harbour has been frozen for 7 weeks and will not thaw until March 2014 and there is no Safe Harbour The Trumpeter Swans are surviving only with an aggressive Unregulated Daily Feeding Program On Ice, Trumpeter Swans takeoff in less than 50 feet Video J Birch 30/01/14

  7. Current conditions at LaSalle Hamilton Harbour has been frozen for 7 weeks and will not thaw until March 2014 The Trumpeter Swans are surviving only with an aggressive Unregulated Daily Feeding Program On Ice, Trumpeter Swans takeoff in less than 50 feet Brief thaw 31/01/14Videos J Birch

  8. Current conditions at LaSalle Hamilton Harbour has been frozen for 7 weeks and will not thaw until late March 2014 The Trumpeter Swans are surviving only with an aggressive Daily Feeding Program this far north Example: 2 x 50kg of corn, little if any observed tagging Photo J Birch 06/02/2014

  9. Current conditions at LaSalle The Trumpeter Swans are surviving only with an aggressive daily feeding program Example: More corn 06/02/2014

  10. LaSalle has been frozen for 7 weeks and will not thaw until March 2014 The Trumpeter Swans are surviving only with an aggressive Unregulated Daily Feeding Program Often this feeding is indiscriminate Example: More corn simply tossed to the birds 06/02/2014

  11. Current conditions at LaSalle Hamilton Harbour and LaSalle has been frozen for 7 weeks and will not thaw until March 2014 The Trumpeter Swans are surviving only with an aggressive feeding program Example: More corn, no observed tagging Photo J Birch 31/01/2014

  12. Current conditions at LaSalle Hamilton Harbour has been frozen for 7 weeks and will not thaw until March 2014 The Trumpeter Swans are surviving only with an Aggressive Unregulated Daily Feeding program Stopping between feedings to hand out Swan Coalition Flyers Barrels of More corn, no observed tagging Photo J Birch 31/01/2014

  13. If the LaSalle Safe Harbour were in existence today the Water would be open Video J Birch 29/01/14 Trumpeter Swan Takeoff Distance is under 50 feet on ice Takeoff Distance about 100 – 150 feet on water

  14. If the LaSalle Safe Harbour were in existence today the Water would be open Video J Birch 31/01/14 During brief thaw • Note, Water quality and ice filled with bird feces • Note, Trumpeter Swans congregate near shore, not where the Marina would be when built • Note, Ice melts first near shore due to geothermal effect of shallow water

  15. If the LaSalle Safe Harbour were in existence today the Water would be open Light Blue Line = 100 Metres Dark Blue Line = 200 Metres Green dotted line = 1 metre depth contour Southern limit of natural feeding zone 100 meters linear 200 meters linear

  16. This harsh winter has tested many assumptions TSRG Contention: The LaSalle Project will cause early and prolonged freezing. If the LaSalle Harbour freezes, the Trumpeter Swans will either die or be driven away. Besides, de-icers are unreliable.Fact: Hamilton Harbour & LaSalle have been frozen for over 7 weeks now, yet the Swans remain – Why, because they are fed. If the Safe Harbour were in existence today, the water would be open. Unreliable ? Air-O-Lator and many de-icing companies have existed over 40 years. If they were not reliable, they’d be out of business long ago. We don’t care that they are feeding the Swans, we care that TSRG appear to either misunderstand, or are not being entirely forthcoming about their apparent feeding program and dire predictions. Either way – We like the Swans Photo: Air-O-Lator Corp Feeding & Freezing

  17. If the LaSalle Safe Harbour were in existence today the Water would be open Photos courtesy Dr D W Bryant PhD Example: HMCS Haida inside the Wavebreak at Parks Canada De-icing systems in place & effective

  18. LaSalle Winter Visa Pier is tied up with docks Parking is reduced due to docks on Pier Birds struggle for shelter from wind & waves Vista is hindered due to docks on Pier

  19. LaSalle Safe Harbour is a Synergy Project Significant Vista improvement to LaSalle Pier Parking is freed-up as docks no longer stored on PierBirds gain shelter from wind & waves behind Bioengineered Wavebreak Habitat Island Swans and other birds gain additional natural feeding habitat along perimeter of Wavebreak, where none exists today Swan & Marina seasons do not overlap Swans gain protection from shore side predation & harassment, can shelter and loaf on docks behind security gate Swans & other birds gain protection by forcing unregulated Public Trailer Launch boats from intruding into the feeding shallows Unregulated Public Trailer Launch boats are forced to exit South through Channel in the offseason De-icers would keep water open regardless of harsh winter providing safe refuge

  20. LaSalle Safe Harbour Proposal is entirely an Offshore Build Wavebreak EA ESR Identified Preferred Alternative Concept On water circulation, plant growth & sedimentation: Opinions of Water Quality Scientist Murray Charlton, and Harbour & Watershed Fisheries Management Plan Author Jim Bowlby OMNR as highly unlikely to be problematic. Reasonable probability Water Clarity at LaSalle could reach RAP goals before the rest of Hamilton Harbour. Bringing to Burlington, Ontario’s 400th Safe Harbour

  21. Environmental Assessment Stakeholders The Agency Stakeholders involved : ·        City of Burlington; ·         Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO); ·         Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR); ·         Environment Canada (EC) · Hamilton Port Authority  (HPA); ·         Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan (RAP); · Bay Area Restoration Council (BARC) ·         Transport Canada; ·         Canadian Coast Guard; ·         LPMA; Conservation Halton ; ·         Hamilton Conservation Authority, who had deferred to CH as being the relevant Authority in this case;

  22. Bronte Outer Harbouris shallow, LaSalle is not

  23. Trumpeter Swans at Bluffers Park Marina Complex And they breed there, but nowhere is there a 100metre dia.takeoff area Photos Courtesy of H. Siebert

  24. Bluffers Park Marina Complex Trumpeter Swans are at Bluffers Park Marina Complex And they breed there, but nowhere is there a 100metre diameter takeoff area

  25. Vision 2012 EA ESR Identified Preferred Alternative Concept Trumpeter Swans at LaSalle would have more than 100metre diameter takeoff areas and 200 meter as well Green dotted line = 1 metre depth contour 100 meters linear 200 meters linear

  26. Halton Region Boating Feasibility & Capacity Study PIC December 5 2013 Confirms Market Demand Key Takeaways There are currently 1445 slips in Halton Current shortage of slips 830 All Marinas running at 96.8% capacity (95% considered full capacity) Need for 2,400 more slips over next 20 years Quantifies user demographics Average Boating participant family income $40 – $79,000 14.5% of population minimum boating participation in area Participation rises to 17.4% by 2020; to 19.6% by 2030 Need for 4 more Area Safe Harbours over 20 years Market Demand validates LaSalle Safe Harbour Case LaSalle Project is Halton Area’s most refined proposal

  27. Helps to replace Habitat Lost Hamilton Harbour & Watershed Fisheries Management Plan

  28. LaSalle Safe Harbour concept proposal in Harmony with the Harbour Fisheries Plan Ministry of Natural Resources Reps Confirm proposal can Complement its Harbour Fish Species Habitat Goals • Use mixed stone & rock aggregate in the design: • attractive for spawning by Cisco (lake herring); • lake whitefish; • walleye; • pike; • smallmouth bass; • largemouth bass; • muskie, • a variety of smaller species (minnows, darters, sunfish, etcetera) and;  • habitat for a variety of other species, including American eel.

  29. Background Hall Coastal Canada Ltd: 'A Study on Wave Agitation Levels at LaSalle Park Marina' ~ November 2001 Findings: unacceptable wave action and damage occurs within the MarinaRecommends Remedies

  30. Dillon / ShorePlan Conduct Environmental Assessment on LaSalle Wavebreak • Process • Detailed Study of Problem, Consultations and Options • All Floating Caisson replacement; • Rock Spit / Concrete Caisson hybrid; • Full Rock Fish & Waterfowl Habitat Wavebreaker; • or do nothing • ESR Findings • Problem confirmed • Recommendation • Permanent Full Rock Fish & Waterfowl Habitat Wavebreaker Island

  31. Every Safe Harbour Built : Has been Municipally Driven; Has been Partnered; Has received 3rd Party Co-Funding; Has brought lasting tangible community benefits. There are no examples of a Safe Harbour that has been Built by a Marina or Boat Club alone Burlington is a waterfront community. Boating is part of a vibrant waterfront community

  32. Construction Level Engineered Design • Detailed Design addresses the questions raised in the EA Part II Order requests made to the Ministry of the Environment; • Detailed Design allows DFO modeling; • Detailed Design quantifies project cost; • Finalizes Business Case; • LPMA guarantees City full recovery of all City’s co-share of the EA & Design when Safe Harbour Built • Every Safe Harbour has been Municipally Driven; Has been Partnered; and Has received 3rd Party Co-Funding. LPMA, not the City, will service all the debt

  33. Opportunity Cost Example • Transient Boat Visits 2013To Oakville • 850 • To Burlington • 62 • Oakville has 3 Safe HarboursBurlington has no Safe Harbour • Burlington is the only Community on Lake Ontario without a Safe Harbour

  34. The Safe Harbour Project ProposalComplements City’s Strategic ObjectivesEnhances: • Burlington’s Business Community BIA’s • Recreation & Leisure • Tourism • Community & prosperity initiatives • City Asset at No net cost to the City • Environmental Opportunities - improves Fish & Waterfowl Habitat

  35. Burlington is the only Community on Lake Ontario without a Safe Harbour Burlington is a waterfront community. Boating is part of a vibrant waterfront community.So too are the Swans, a vibrant part of a waterfront community. There is no reason not to celebrate both the Swans and the Marina. Thank you for your consideration, and for Council & Staff’s continuing efforts on this proposed project We seek Safe Harbour

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