Thames River Clear Water Revival...Thames River (Deshkan Ziibi) Shared Waters Approach TO Water Quality and Quantity *Water Management Plan A component of the Thames River Clearwater

Thames River (Deshkan Ziibi) Shared Waters Approach TO Water Quality and Quantity *Water Management Plan

A component of the Thames River Clearwater Revival * Watershed Strategy

Jeremiah the Bullfrog represents all the interactions of land, water, plants, animals and people in the watershed.

OUTLINE 1. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE THAMES RIVER

WATERSHED

2. THAMES RIVER CLEARWATER REVIVAL (Watershed Strategy)

3. SHARED WATERS APPROACH (Water Management Plan)

a. Traditional Knowledge b. Quality c. Quantity

4. NEXT STEPS

THAMES RIVER WATERSHED Names: “Deshkan Ziibi“ (Anishinaabe) “Askunisippi“ (Neutrals) “La Tranche” (French fur traders) “The Thames” (Simcoe) Area: 5,825 sq km (Thames watershed only) Length: Tavistock to London - 86 km London to Lake St. Clair - 187 km Total - 273 km Highest Elevation: 420 m (east of Stratford)

THAMES RIVER WATERSHED

• 4-10 days from headwaters to Lake St. Clair • River elevation change: 210 m • Major dams and flood control structures • 50% tile drained

ELEV

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DISTANCE

MOUTH / OUTLET

HEADWATERS

THAMES RIVER CLEAR WATER REVIVAL

The Thames River Clear Water Revival (TRCWR) is a long-term partnership that is committed to a healthy and vital Thames River watershed, which will ultimately benefit Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie.

TRCWR = Watershed Strategy

COMPONENTS OF A WATERSHED STRATEGY

Water Management Plan

HOW DID THE STRATEGY BEGIN?

2008/2009 City of London began discussing the idea of a regional wastewater infrastructure initiative to help communities along the Thames River improve water quality.

Various meetings were held and as additional partners came on, the focus shifted to developing a watershed strategy that would first update and build on the 1975 Thames River Basin Study.

THAMES RIVER (Deshkan Ziibi) SHARED WATERS APPROACH

• TRCWR Steering Committee determined first component of the watershed strategy was to develop recommendations for water quality and quantity issues in Lake Erie that considered ecological health and spiritual needs .

• Recognizing the importance of partnerships and the need for a more holistic approach, the Steering Committee wanted a new approach – the Shared Waters Approach

• Approach is 20 year plan with regular updates

PARTNERS

First Nations • Aamjiwnaang First Nation • Caldwell First Nation • Chippewas of the Thames

First Nation • Walpole Island First Nation • Oneida Nation of the Thames - Delaware Nation of the Thames

participated in the past, and receive updates

- Chippewa of Kettle and Stony Point and Munsee-Delaware Nation have also been invited to participate

Federal & Provincial Governments • Environment & Climate Change Canada • Ministry of the Environment,

Conservation & Parks • Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural

Affairs • Ministry of Natural Resources &

Forestry

Local Conservation Authorities • Lower Thames Valley CA • Upper Thames River CA

Municipalities • City of London • Ingersoll

FIRST NATION PARTNERS

• The watershed is the traditional territory of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendt, Attawandaron and Lenape Indigenous peoples.

• The watershed is covered by

six Upper Canada Treaties: 2,3,6,21,25, and 29.

HOW FIRST NATION PARTNER OBLIGATIONS WERE ADDRESSED

• TRCWR steering committee placed high priority on establishing a First Nation Outreach and Engagement Committee.

• TRCWR steering committee supported the vision developed by this First Nation Committee that First Nation youth initiatives are key in sharing knowledge, enhancing education and furthering traditional knowledge.


• A proposal for a First Nation Youth Engagement Program was developed and long term (5 year) funding was earmarked by MECP for a youth stewardship program called the Antler River Guardians From The Four Directions (ARGFT4D).

• Other partner agencies provided additional funding (ECCC), supported training opportunities (MNRF), or provided technical training to the youth (City of London, Conservation Authorities).

• Youth program was developed to improve community connections and cross-cultural learning opportunities, as well as inform future planning for the TRCWR

ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE CANADA

• Federal lead for: Great Lakes Water

Quality Agreement Canada – U.S. Agreement to restore and protect the chemical, physical and biological integrity of Great Lakes basin ecosystem.

Canada – Ontario Agreement (to coordinate efforts with variety of partners at local level to restore Great Lakes basin to healthy, prosperous and sustainable ecosystem by anticipating and preventing environmental problems).

HOW ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE CANADA PARTNER OBLIGATIONS WERE ADDRESSED

• Provide recommendations for key water quality parameters as well as information for initiatives such as the Lakewide Action and Management Plans.

ONTARIO MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT, CONSERVATION AND PARKS

• Provincial lead on Canada – Ontario Agreement with Environment Canada (to coordinate efforts with variety of partners at local level to restore Great Lakes basin to healthy, prosperous and sustainable ecosystem by anticipating and preventing environmental problems).

• Two initiatives under the Canada – Ontario Agreement that are directly supported by efforts in the Thames watershed include: Lake St. Clair Management Plan Lake Erie Lakewide Action and Management Plan.

ONTARIO MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT, CONSERVATION AND PARKS

• Administers 20 pieces of legislation, including 4 related to water: Ontario Water Resources Act (designed to protect and manage Ontario’s

surface and groundwater resources for efficient and sustainable use by, for example, governing water takings and effluent discharge limits).

Ontario Environmental Protection Act (designed to limit the discharge of contaminants to protect the natural environment).

Great Lakes Protection Act (to protect and restore the health of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin and create more opportunities for individuals and communities to get involved in local protection and restoration efforts).

Nutrient Management Act (establishes framework and standards for best practices in nutrient management. Gives the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, along with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs , the ability to regulate nutrient storage, transport and land application on expanding and large existing livestock farms to increase the efficiency of nutrient use and limit the risk of nutrient losses to surface and groundwater).

HOW ONTARIO MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT, CONSERVATION AND PARKS PARTNER OBLIGATIONS

WERE MET

• Provide recommendations for key water quality initiatives and support actions outlined in the Canada-Ontario Lake Erie Action Plan, as well as provide information of low water conditions and water uses for decision-making in the permit-to-take-water program.

HOW ONTARIO MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS PARTNER OBLIGATIONS WERE

MET

• Responsible, along with the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, for directing and implementing the Nutrient Management Act

• Provide recommendations for key water quality initiatives as well as encouraging uptake of programs such as the Environmental Farm Plan and agricultural Best Management Practices.

HOW ONTARIO MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND FORESTRY PARTNER OBLIGATIONS WERE MET

• Responsible for directing and implementing: Lakes and Rivers

Improvement Act (to manage and protect Ontario lakes and rivers)

• Provide recommendations to protect lake and river ecosystems as well as Ministry stewardship initiatives.

HOW CONSERVATION AUTHORITY PARTNER OBLIGATIONS WERE MET

• Conservation Authorities a clear role in watershed –based planning and regulations.

• Conservation Authorities Act (empowers Conservation Authorities to act to reduce the risk from natural hazards, to protect natural resources other than gas, oil, coal and minerals, and to undertake programs to conserve, restore, develop and manage natural resources).

• Provide recommendations to reduce risk from natural hazards and protect natural resources.

HOW MUNICIPAL PARTNER OBLIGATIONS WERE MET

• Operate under several areas of provincial legislation • Two Acts with the greatest scope are the Municipal Act

and the Planning Act (give municipalities the responsibility for passing by-laws to govern their jurisdiction and manage land use, including the floodplain and providing services to their residents).

• Provide recommendations on managing lands that may impact the river, as well as provide information to inform management of infrastructure, tourism and recreational activities associated with the river.

SHARED WATERS APPROACH

a. Traditional Knowledge b. Quality c. Quantity

INDIGENOUS TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE

INDIGENOUS TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE

• First Nations have a strong spiritual connection with water. Water is considered a living entity and is sacred.

• Respect for nature and its offerings are strongly emphasized. Water must be respected, not polluted or wasted.

• Waters are a way of life. First Nation peoples have a variety of cultural and social practices that involve water including: places of prayer; bathing; oral stories; purification ceremonies; medicine making and transportation. Water is essential to archival and oral traditions, history, knowledge and identity of First Nation peoples.

• Waters are also a food source. First Nations people harvest fish resources long before European influence and fish were a major contributor to sustaining life. The watershed is also important as a hunting ground.

INDIGENOUS TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE MISSION STATEMENT

THE IMPORTANCE OF INDIGENOUS TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE (ITK) IN RESOLVING ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IS RECOGNIZED AND INCLUDED IN DECISION-MAKING AROUND WATER PROTECTION.

GOAL 1: Formalize a process where the spirit of the water is recognized GOAL 2: Improve involvement of First Nation communities GOAL 3: Improve awareness of First Nation communities


Examples of recommendations: • Acknowledge the spiritual value of the

water with seasonal ceremonies. • Conduct a spiritual value assessment for

the Thames River. • Engage First Nation communities to gather

stories of spiritual connection to water. • Identify activities, projects and programs

that bring people back to the river, help link people with the river and maintain that connection.

• Incorporate teachings from Water Gatherings and other ceremonies


• Make connections through interactive social events and meals. • Meet with chief and council, Environmental Committees, Elder

and Youth Advisory Councils. • Identify cooperative opportunities to share professional

experience and offer volunteer and paid opportunities to build interest and capacity.

• Tailor engagement process to each First Nation community. • Consider Indigenous Traditional Knowledge in all decision and

policy making exercises around water protection. • Provide cultural awareness and sensitivity training. • Encourage teachings of natural law in the district school

boards. • Acknowledge traditional territory and treaty lands.

WATER QUALITY

Currie Road

WATER QUALITY MISSION STATEMENT To protect and improve water quality in the Thames River watershed in order to improve stream health and the potential impact of the Thames River on Lake St Clair and Lake Erie. The partners developed 3 common goals to achieve the water quality mission. Each partner also developed independent recommendations and actions to meet these goals in 3 areas: • Research and monitoring • Stewardship and outreach • Acts, policies and regulations

WATER QUALITY GOALS GOAL 1: Reduce total and dissolved phosphorus loads in the Thames River watershed. GOAL 2: Reduce soil erosion from land and maintain geomorphic processes across the watershed. GOAL 3: Improve water quality to support improved stream health, including aquatic life.

EXAMPLES OF RESEARCH AND

MONITORING RECOMMENDATIONS Enhance/ coordinate monitoring along river and edge of field to

identify sources of nutrients / contaminants Ensure First Nations are involved in monitoring, including youth. Investigate exchange of nutrients / contaminants between ground

and surface water Determine optimal cover for natural features to filter nutrients /

contaminants and develop priorities for enhancement. Undertake pilot project using new technologies as an alternative to

conventional tertiary treatment. Promote routine maintenance and enforcement of erosion control

structures and assess impact of barriers on stream health.

EXAMPLES OF STEWARDSHIP AND OUTREACH RECOMMENDATIONS

Share Indigenous Traditional Knowledge and improve spiritual connection with water

Expand adoption of urban LID and rural BMP that will have the most significant impact in reducing nutrient / contaminant runoff by supporting education and outreach.

Use demonstration sub watersheds to engage landowners, increase BMPs, measure benefits, and to educate and motivate broader watershed community through experiential opportunities.

Support stewardship work with partners and landowners to increase quantity and quality of natural vegetation cover and decrease habitat loss, especially wetlands.

EXAMPLES OF ACTS, POLICIES AND

REGULATIONS RECOMMENDATIONS. Develop agricultural management laws in First Nation communities

to address nutrient / contaminant use and discharge on leased land. Enhance environmental surveillance, inspection and enforcement of

regulatory requirements to protect local water quality and stream health including fish and aquatic life

Encourage responsible nutrient application and storage. Protect and enhance natural vegetation cover including wetlands and

watercourse buffers on the landscape. Carry out periodic reviews and updates of all wastewater bylaws. Encourage / implement natural vegetative cover along watercourses

through policy (e.g. Official Plan, development agreements). Continue to support the proper installation and maintenance of

erosion control structures and promote compliance with approval documents with respect to erosion and sediment control.

WATER QUANTITY

WATER QUANTITY MISSION STATEMENT To encourage a flow regime that provides sustainable environmental flow (eflow) while reducing flood risk.

The partners developed 4 common goals to achieve the water quality mission, and each partner developed recommendations and actions to meet these goals.

WATER QUANTITY GOAL 1 AND RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Develop an understanding of the aquatic, semi-aquatic and riparian-dependent faunal and floral assemblages and human water uses.

2. Determine sustainable eflow needs (e.g., high and low flows) for aquatic, semi-aquatic and riparian-dependent faunal and floral assemblages and human water uses.

3. Use a water budget to assess the sustainability of eflow needs

UNDERSTAND, DEVELOP AND RECOMMEND ENVIRONMENTAL FLOW (EFLOW) NEEDS IN THE THAMES RIVER WATERSHED.


IMPROVE UNDERSTANDING AND MITIGATION OF HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH FLOODING AND EXTREME FLOWS IN THE THAMES RIVER WATERSHED.

1. Modernize hydrologic an hydraulic analyses and models

2. Regularly update flood and erosion hazard mapping

3. Improve and maintain flood forecasting and warning program

4. Improve emergency response to flooding 5. Develop a watershed-wide flood risk

assessment of the built environment 6. Improve flood resiliency of the built

environment


RESEARCH AND RECOMMEND MECHANISMS TO ACHIEVE ACCEPTABLE EFLOW WHILE REDUCING FLOOD AND DROUGHT RISKS. 1.Develop and / or update operation and maintenance (O&M) plans, where appropriate, to reflect optimization of water control structures considering eflows and flood risk 2.Increase infiltration and reduce runoff through stormwater management low impact development (lid) and rural best management practices (BMPs), where conditions permit 3.Update local planning, policy, and regulatory tools that address flood and drought risks to include climate change and eflow needs.


EXPAND WATER QUANTITY MONITORING TO IMPROVE UNDERSTANDING OF EFLOW NEEDS, FLOOD AND DROUGHT RISK, AND CLIMATE CHANGE.

1. Maintain and enhance a sustainable surface water quantity monitoring program

2. Improve existing groundwater monitoring program

3. Assemble and analyze historical climate, surface water and groundwater monitoring data, together with interpretations of future climate change projection data, to better understand the local impacts of climate change.

NEXT STEPS

NEXT STEPS • Final report by December 2018 • Endorsement by all the Steering

Committee Partners (FN Chiefs and Councils, agency Directors/ Managers, municipal Council)

• Develop implementation and outreach plans

• Ongoing participation and involvement with Steering Committee and First Nation Engagement Committee as plan is implemented

UTRCA IMPLEMENTATION Strategic Plan: Targets

1.Improve each subwatershed’s water quality score by one grade by 2037 2.Establish and restore 1,500 ha of natural vegetation cover, windbreaks and buffers by 2037

3.Reduce flood and erosion risk by updating flood models and hazard mapping for all UTRCA subwatersheds by 2020, then integrate climate change scenarios into the updated models and develop climate change adaptation by 2030 4.Reach 1 million people annually with conservation messages through access to UTRCA lands and demonstration of green infrastructure by 2030

THANK YOU!

Tara Tchir UTRCA [email protected]

Thames River Clear Water Revival...Thames River (Deshkan Ziibi) Shared Waters Approach TO Water Quality and Quantity *Water Management Plan A component of the Thames River Clearwater

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