A WATERSHED PLANFOR DUFFINS CREEK AND CARRUTHERS CREEK

AUGUST, 2003

A Report of the Duffins Creek and

Carruthers Creek Watershed Task Forces

5 Shoreham Drive, Toronto, Ontario M3N 1S4

phone: 416-661-6600fax: 416-661-6898

w w w . t r c a . o n . c a

© T o r o n t o a n d R e g i o n C o n s e r v a t i o n

2 0 0 3

ISBN 0-9732764-0-1

I

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T SPage

CARRUTHERS CREEK TASK FORCE MEMBERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VIDUFFINS CREEK TASK FORCE MEMBERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .VIIEXECUTIVE SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

1.0 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171.1 Purpose of the Watershed Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191.2 The State of the Watershed Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191.3 The Role of the Task Forces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201.4 Public Involvement and Consultation with Stakeholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

2.0 INTRODUCTION TO WATERSHED MANAGEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

3.0 THE VISION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .273.1 The Management Philosophy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283.2 The Colour Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

4.0 THE STUDY AREA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .314.1 The Carruthers Creek Watershed Study Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .314.2 The Duffins Creek Watershed Study Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

5.0 THE DUFFINS CREEK AND CARRUTHERS CREEK WATERSHEDS - PAST . . . . . .355.1 The Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek Watersheds - Present . . . . . . . . . . . . . .375.2 Common Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .375.3 Climate and Climate Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .375.4 Air Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .385.5 Environmentally Significant Areas and Terrestrial Natural Heritage Approach . . . .39

5.5.1 Environmentally Significant Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .395.5.2 Terrestrial Natural Heritage Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

5.6 The Carruthers Creek Watershed – Current Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .415.6.1 Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

5.6.1.1 Groundwater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .425.6.1.2 Geologic Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .425.6.1.3 Hydrogeology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .435.6.1.4 Surface Water Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .445.6.1.5 Fluvial Geomorphology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .465.6.1.6 Surface Water Quantity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .475.6.1.7 Stormwater Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

5.6.2 Habitats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .495.6.2.1 Aquatic Habitat and Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .495.6.2.2 Terrestrial Natural Heritage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

II

5.6.3 Public Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .525.6.3.1 Greenspace, Trails and Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

5.7 The Duffins Creek Watershed – Current Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .525.7.1 Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

5.7.1.1 Groundwater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .565.7.1.2 Geologic Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .565.7.1.3 Hydrogeology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .575.7.1.4 Surface Water Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .605.7.1.5 Fluvial Geomorphology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .635.7.1.6 Surface Water Quantity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .645.7.1.7 Stormwater Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65

5.7.2 Habitats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685.7.2.1 Aquatic Habitat and Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685.7.2.2 Terrestrial Natural Heritage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .695.7.2.3 Habitat Size and Shape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

5.7.3 Public Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .735.7.3.1 Greenspace, Trails and Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

6.0 MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .756.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .756.2 Technical Analysis and Integration Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .766.3 Overall Management Context . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84

6.3.1 Consistency with Task Force Management Philosophy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .846.3.2 Effectiveness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .866.3.3 Long Term Sustainability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .866.3.4 Feasibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .866.3.5 Consistency with Great Lakes Basin Management Objectives . . . . . . . . . . .87

6.4 Management Strategy Framework and Ratings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .876.5 Surface Water Quantity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .886.6 Groundwater Quality and Quantity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1076.7 Surface Water Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1166.8 Aquatic Habitat and Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1286.9 Terrestrial Habitat and Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1366.10 Public Use and Outdoor Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1446.11 Human Heritage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1516.12 Sustainable Communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1556.13 Integral Management Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164

7.0 THE SUBWATERSHEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1677.1 Carruthers Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1707.2 Duffins Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1707.3 Management Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1777.4 Management Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177

7.5 Community Action Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1777.6 Partnerships in the Subwatersheds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180

8.0 IMPLEMENTATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1838.1 Government Initiatives in the Watershed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1848.2 Implementation Mechanisms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1858.3 Planning and Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1858.4 Stewardship and Regeneration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1878.5 Land Securement and Acquisition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1898.6 Education, Awareness and Advocacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1928.7 Monitoring and Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1938.8 What Can You Do? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200

9.0 FINAL MESSAGES FROM THE DUFFINS CREEK AND CARRUTHERS CREEK TASK FORCE MEMBERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .205

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .210Background References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .214

III

L I S T O F F I G U R E S

PageCHAPTER 1

Figure 1.1 - Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) Jurisdiction . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

CHAPTER 3Figure 3.1 - Navigating the Waters - Complementary Interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

CHAPTER 4Figure 4.1 - Carruthers Creek Watershed – General Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32Figure 4.2 - Duffins Creek Watershed – General Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

CHAPTER 5Figure 5.1 - Environmental Significant Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40Figure 5.2 - Stormwater Controlled Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50Figure 5.3 - Federal and Provincial Land Holdings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54Figure 5.4 - Duffins Creek Basin Conceptual Groundwater Flow Model . . . . . . . . . . .58Figure 5.5 - Duffins Creek Watershed – Unit Flow Relationships – Equations . . . . . .66

CHAPTER 6Figure 6.1 - Duffins Creek Watershed – Existing Land Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77Figure 6.2 - Duffins Creek Watershed – Future Land Cover – Municipal Official Plans 77Figure 6.3 - Duffins Creek Watershed – Future Land Cover – Municipal Official Plans

and Natural Heritage Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77Figure 6.4 - Carruthers Creek Watershed – Existing Land Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78Figure 6.5 - Carruthers Creek Watershed – Future Land Cover – Municipal Official

Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78Figure 6.6 - Carruthers Creek Watershed – Future Land Cover – Municipal Official

Plans and Natural Heritage Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78Figure 6.7 - Typical Valleyland Components and Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80Figure 6.8 - Watershed Response Model – Hierarchy of Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85Figure 6.9 - Duffins Creek Watershed – Per cent Impervious – Existing . . . . . . . . . . .90Figure 6.10 - Duffins Creek Watershed – Per cent Impervious – Future . . . . . . . . . .90Figure 6.11 - Base Flow Measurement Locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91Figure 6.12 - Subwatershed Baseflow Contributions (1995 Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92Figure 6.13 - Baseflow Discharge (2000 Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93Figure 6.14 - Peak Flow Change – Future Land Cover Compared to Existing

Land Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96Figure 6.15 - Peak Flow Change – Future Land Cover and Enhanced Natural System

Compared to Existing Land Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97Figure 6.16 - Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek Watersheds – Flood Line and

Fill Regulation Line Index Mapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98

IV

Figure 6.17 - Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek Watersheds – Valley and StreamCorridor Mapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99

Figure 6.18 - Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek Watersheds – StormwaterManagement Flood Flow Criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100

Figure 6.19 - Duffins Creek Watershed – Groundwater Infiltration Rates . . . . . . . . .108Figure 6.20 - Duffins Creek Watershed – Groundwater Recharge Deficit

Under Future Land Cover Scenario . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108Figure 6.21 - Decline in Water Table Elevation under Future Land Cover Scenario . .109Figure 6.22 - Active Permits to Take Water (September 2001) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112Figure 6.23 - Duffins Creek Watershed Predominant Sources of Watershed Sediment

Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119Figure 6.24 - Carruthers Creek Watershed Predominant Sources of Watershed

Sediment Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120Figure 6.25 - Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek Watersheds – Fisheries

Management Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130Figure 6.26 - Duffins Creek Watershed – Change in the Proportion of Total Annual

Flow from Groundwater Sources under Future Land Cover Scenario . .132Figure 6.27 - Duffins Creek Watershed – Change in the Proportion of Total Annual

Flow from Groundwater Sources under Future Land Cover Scenario with Enhanced Natural Heritage System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132

Figure 6.28 - Carruthers Creek Watershed – Existing Natural Habitat . . . . . . . . . . .138Figure 6.29 - Terrestrial Natural Heritage Patch Size Score – Existing Land Cover . .139Figure 6.30 - Terrestrial Natural Heritage Patch Size Score – Future Land Cover

Enhanced Natural Heritage System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139Figure 6.31 - Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek Watersheds – Existing and

Proposed Trails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

CHAPTER 7Figure 7.1 - Duffins Creek Watershed – Subwatersheds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168Figure 7.2 - Carruthers Creek Watershed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169Figure 7.3 - Duffins Creek Watershed – West Duffins Creek Subwatershed . . . . . . . .171Figure 7.4 - Duffins Creek Watershed – East Duffins Creek Subwatershed . . . . . . . .172Figure 7.5 - Duffins Creek Watershed – Ganatsekiagon Creek Subwatershed . . . . . . .173Figure 7.6 - Duffins Creek Watershed – Urfe Creek Subwatershed . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174Figure 7.7 - Duffins Creek Watershed – Millers Creek Subwatershed . . . . . . . . . . . .175Figure 7.8 - Duffins Creek Watershed – Lower Duffins Creek Subwatershed . . . . . . .176Figure 7.9 - Caledon East Wetland Community Action Site Opportunities Map . . . .179

V

C A R R U T H E R S C R E E K T A S K F O R C E M E M B E R S

Chair: Dr. Neil Burnett, resident, Town of Ajax

Vice-Chair: Regional Councillor Scott Crawford, Town of Ajax

Municipal Representatives: Councillor Pat Brown (Alternate), Town of AjaxAlex Georgieff (Alternate), Regional Municipality of DurhamRegional Councillor Rick Johnson (Alternate), City of Pickering Mayor Steve Parish, Town of Ajax, appointed by the RegionalMunicipality of DurhamCouncillor David Pickles, City of Pickering

Residents: Jane Brooke, Town of AjaxDavid Clark, City of PickeringSteven Yourt, Town of Ajax

Stakeholders: Neil Acton, Deer Creek Golf Course, representing WatershedGolf CoursesJackie Fraser, Aggregate Producers Association of Ontario (APAO)Alan Kimble, Urban Development Institute (UDI), DurhamChapterGordon McKay, Citizens for CarruthersCindy Mitton-Wilke, Ontario Ministry of Transportation

Supporting Staff Agenciesand Municipalities: Chris Darling, Regional Municipality of Durham, Planning Department

Robert Flindall, Town of Ajax, Engineering DepartmentSteve Gaunt, City of Pickering, Planning DepartmentKevin Heritage, Town of Ajax, Planning DepartmentTom Melymuk, Division Head, Corporate Projects and Policy,City of PickeringTim Rance, Ministry of Natural Resources

VI

D U F F I N S C R E E K T A S K F O R C E M E M B E R S

Chair: John Nemeth, resident, Town of Ajax

Vice-Chair: Councillor Mark Carroll, Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville

Municipal Representatives: Mayor Wayne Arthurs, City of Pickering, appointed by theRegional Municipality of DurhamCouncillor Joe Dickson, Town of Ajax Councillor Peter Dobrich (Alternate), Town of Whitchurch-StouffvilleLilli Duoba (Alternate), Town of Markham Alex Georgieff (Alternate), Regional Municipality of DurhamBarb Jeffrey (Alternate), Regional Municipality of YorkRegional Councillor Rick Johnson (Alternate), City of Pickering Councillor Randy Low (Alternate), Town of Ajax Mayor Gerri Lynn O’Connor (Alternate), Township of UxbridgeRegional Councillor Susan Para, Township of Uxbridge Councillor David Pickles, City of Pickering Councillor Erin Shapero, Town of Markham Regional Councillor Tony Wong, Regional Municipality of York

Residents: Dr. Doug Dodge, Town of AjaxDeanna Fry, Town of Ajax, Environmental Advisory CommitteeMargie Kenedy, Town of Whitchurch-StouffvilleJudy Sullivan, City of Pickering

Stakeholders: Neil Acton, Deer Creek Golf Course, representing WatershedGolf CoursesJackie Fraser, Aggregate Producers Association of Ontario (APAO)Alan Kimble, Urban Development Institute (UDI), DurhamChapterPatricia Short-Galle, Transport Canada

Supporting Staff Agencies and Municipalities: Chris Darling, Regional Municipality of Durham, Planning

DepartmentRobert Flindall, Town of Ajax, Engineering DepartmentSteve Gaunt, City of Pickering, Planning DepartmentKevin Heritage, Town of Ajax, Planning DepartmentTom Melymuk, Division Head, Corporate Projects and Policy,City of PickeringTim Rance, Ministry of Natural Resources

VII

E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y

The Duffins and Carruthers Creek watersheds lie to the east of Toronto and drain into the northshore of Lake Ontario. These two river systems connect communities across Durham Regionand York Region including the City of Pickering, the Towns of Ajax, Markham and Whitchurch-Stouffville, and the Township of Uxbridge. They are among the healthiest of watersheds in theGreater Toronto Region, yet they are also exhibiting signs of stress from land use activities. Although the "footprint" of the proposed Pickering Airport and the Seaton land developmentwas not available during the time this Plan was written, we do know these two watersheds willface pressure from this future urban growth, road widenings, and construction. TheManagement Actions contained within the Watershed Plan and its associated technical reportsprovide a watershed perspective and clear direction for these undertakings. However, thesewatersheds also hold the potential for innovative management associated with their extensivepublic land holdings and position relative to the protection afforded by the newly enacted OakRidges Moraine Act (2001).

This Watershed Plan is a blueprint for action. The Plan includes a brief summary of currentwatershed conditions and identifies the issues to be addressed and the opportunities that exist. It sets out a vision for the future, a management philosophy, and a framework of managementstrategies including watershed management goals, objectives, and the required actions. It out-lines a set of effective implementation mechanisms, and provides guidance for implementationpriorities at a subwatershed scale and areas within the watershed where initial implementationactivities should focus.

This Watershed Plan comes from a commitment by Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA)in its 1989 Greenspace Strategy to guide the preparation of a watershed management strategy foreach of the nine watersheds in its jurisdiction. Building upon commitments made in theGreenspace Strategy, and with over 45 years experience in protecting and restoring the environ-mental health of one of the most rapidly expanding city regions in the world, TRCA has defineda new vision for its work, The Living City:

The Living City VisionThe quality of life on Earth is being determined in the rapidly expanding city regions. Our vision is for a new kind of community, The Living City, where human settlement can flourish forever as part of nature’s beauty and diversity.

The Living City is a way of living in city regions that promotes a healthy coexistence betweeneconomy and nature. In a Living City, the ecosystem is seen as the foundation for the CityRegion. Nature is protected and enhanced for its ability to sustain the health of its importantfunctions in the regional ecosystem; a system in which all living things are interdependent andexist in a delicate balance.

1

The Living City vision has three objectives: healthy rivers and shorelines, regional biodiversity,and sustainable communities. In support of The Living City vision and building upon the experi-ence gained from previous watershed planning initiatives, TRCA has advanced its community-based process and technical approaches in the development of this Watershed Plan.

T W O T A S K F O R C E S A N D O N E P L A N

TRCA continued its very successful model for empowering watershed stakeholders and formedtwo Watershed Task Forces in 2000. Membership of the two Task Forces included electedmunicipal representatives, watershed residents, and representatives from key stakeholder groupsand agencies.

The Task Forces were charged with the responsibility of developing this Watershed ManagementPlan. Despite their difference in size, the Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek watersheds arediverse and contrasting landscapes that share many of the same opportunities and challenges.Therefore, the Task Forces prepared one management plan for the two watersheds.

V I S I O N

The Duffins and Carruthers Creek Watersheds Task Forces hold the following vision for thefuture of these watersheds:

The VisionDuffins Creek and Carruthers Creek watersheds will be healthy, dynamic, and sustainable watersheds that continue to have clean, safe water. These watersheds will have functioning wetlands and be diverse with self-sustaining communities of native plants, fish and wildlife, where natural and human heritage features are protected and valued. Residents will recognizethe watersheds as essential community resources that enhance their quality of life. All stakeholders will participate in the stewardship of the watersheds and growth and development will reflect this vision and the importance of protecting and enhancing this priceless legacy.

M A N A G E M E N T P H I L O S O P H Y

The vision for the Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek watersheds is supported by a managementphilosophy that promotes five key elements.

Net Gain• Improve upon existing features and functions throughout the watersheds.• Use the unique opportunities provided by extensive public land holdings in the watersheds.

2

Environment First• Manage the watersheds as a "system," considering the environmental function first.• Protect and enhance the natural features and functions as a first step in a hierarchy of other

management approaches.• Emphasize prevention over remediation, recognizing that prevention is more cost efficient than

remediation.

Balance Land Use• These watersheds, adjacent to one of the largest cities in Canada, must support a combination

of natural, urban and agricultural land uses and systems.• Apply the principles of Smart Growth.• Recognize through land use actions, the concept of balance, thus ensuring integrity of water-

shed functions.

Human Health and Safety• Recognize linkages between human health and the health of the environment.• Minimize risk to human health and safety.

Everyone Counts – Ownership, Commitment and Follow Through• Demonstrate sustainable living and sustainable community design.• Build upon existing leadership, stewardship, and good decision making practices.• Strengthen existing and develop new partnerships.• Make the appropriate lifestyle choices, change behaviours, and encourage innovation in

thoughts, words, and actions.

T E C H N I C A L F O U N D A T I O N F O R T H E P L A N

State-of-the-art watershed management today not only addresses a broader range of issues thanprevious initiatives, but also considers the interrelationships among these issues. Issues are con-sidered in both the current and future planning context, in order to take a more proactiveapproach to management. Given the rich information base existing within the Duffins andCarruthers Creek watersheds, and the extensive experience of TRCA and its partners with water-shed planning, the Task Forces were able not only to employ, but advance, state-of-the-artmethodologies for watershed planning.

To understand key functions and issues operating within the watersheds, the Task Forces and thetechnical support team defined and evaluated three land use scenarios in terms of the effects theywould impose on watershed health. The three scenarios included: existing land use, future landuse (as per the approved Official Plans), and future land use with enhanced natural cover. Thesescenarios reflected the primary drivers of change expected in the watersheds, including urbangrowth and opportunities for natural area protection. The results of the evaluation enabled theTask Forces to benchmark the watersheds’ response along a continuum.

3

Recognizing that the watershed ecosystem is a complex network of interrelated features and func-tions, the task forces reduced the watershed ecosystems to a set of simpler component systems inorder to understand the response to each of the three land use scenarios. Studies were undertak-en within the following technical areas:

• surface water quantity;• groundwater quantity and quality;• surface water quality;• aquatic habitat and species; • terrestrial habitat and species; • human heritage; and • public use – outdoor recreation.

An innovative aspect of this work was the degree to which the findings of each technical studycomponent were integrated and interpreted from the perspective of other interrelated compo-nents. A watershed response model guided the integration and interpretation of results arisingfrom each individual technical component study. For example, increases in vegetative cover pre-dicted changes in groundwater levels and stream baseflow, which in turn predicted an effect onthe aquatic community composition in certain stream reaches. Details of this approach and eachof the technical component studies are summarized in the Technical Analysis and IntegrationProcess Summary Report (TRCA, 2003) and in the full set of supporting technical reports.These reports build upon information previously published in the Duffins and Carruthers CreekState of the Watershed Reports (TRCA, 2002).

M A N A G E M E N T A P P R O A C H

The Task Forces have recommended that the most effective approach for managing the Duffinsand Carruthers Creek watersheds involves achievement of an enhanced natural heritage system,together with the application of best management practices in all aspects of land use activities.The concept of an enhanced natural heritage system at a watershed scale is described in the"Future Land Use (as per Official Plans) with Enhanced Natural Heritage Cover" scenario.

Implementation of this management approach will involve a review and realization of opportuni-ties for achieving an enhanced natural heritage system at subwatershed and site scales.

The selection of this approach was based on the following considerations:

• its consistency with the Task Forces’ Management Philosophy;• its effectiveness for meeting multiple watershed management benefits;• its ability to provide the foundation for a sustainable watershed;• its feasibility; and• its consistency with other provincial and federal basin management objectives.

4

GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND BASELINE REPORT CARD

A set of eight goals and 25 objectives make up the overall management strategy of this WatershedPlan (Table E-1). A rating has been assigned to each goal and objective, based on an evaluationof the state of current watershed conditions in relation to the management direction provided bythe specific goal and objectives. These ratings form a baseline "Watershed Report Card" fromwhich the effectiveness of implementing the Watershed Plan can be measured. Details of the rat-ing analysis are documented in the Ratings Report for the 2003 Duffins and Carruthers CreekWatersheds Report Card (TRCA, 2003).

M O N I T O R I N G A N D R E P O R T I N G

A formal, coordinated multi-agency monitoring program is not intended to be the sole form ofwatershed monitoring in the Duffins and Carruthers Creek watersheds. Many of the recommen-dations tabled in Chapter Six of this Plan are in fact initiatives that require frequent performanceassessments. These performance assessments are considered to be elements of watershed moni-toring. It is also recognized that observations of stream and terrestrial ecosystem health by resi-dents, stakeholders, and non-government organizations are important metrics of the effectivenessof this Watershed Plan.

Periodic reviews of this Watershed Plan are an integral component of TRCA’s watershed manage-ment process and allow for: systematic improvements to the plan, the incorporation of new scien-tific understandings of the watersheds, and emerging initiatives such as "sustainability". At thesame time, the original assumptions of the Watershed Plan can, if necessary, be adjusted. Timingof major reviews should be coordinated with the preparation of a Watershed Report Card, inadvance of major land use changes in the watershed.

5

6

TO

PIC

Surf

ace

Wat

erQ

uant

ity

Gro

undw

ater

Qua

lity

and

Qua

ntity

GO

AL

Duf

fins

Car

ruth

ers

Ove

rall

Rat

ing:

Goo

dG

ood

To

mai

ntai

n th

e ex

istin

ghy

drol

ogic

func

tion

of t

hew

ater

shed

.

Ove

rall

Rat

ing:

Goo

dFa

ir

To

prot

ect

grou

ndw

ater

qual

ity a

nd q

uant

itygr

ound

wat

er le

vels

and

disc

harg

e fo

r w

ater

shed

func

tions

.

OB

JEC

TIV

ES

Obj

ectiv

e #1

M

aint

ain

the

exis

ting

wat

er b

alan

ce w

ithin

the

w

ater

shed

.

Obj

ectiv

e #2

M

aint

ain

or e

nhan

ce b

asef

low

s.

Obj

ectiv

e #3

M

inim

ize

or r

educ

e ri

sks

to h

uman

life

and

pro

pert

ydu

e to

floo

ding

.

Obj

ectiv

e #4

M

aint

ain

or r

esto

re n

atur

al s

trea

m c

hann

el s

tabi

lity.

Obj

ectiv

e #5

M

aint

ain

or e

nhan

ce g

roun

dwat

er le

vels

and

di

scha

rge

for

wat

ersh

ed fu

nctio

ns.

Obj

ectiv

e #6

Pr

otec

t gr

ound

wat

er q

ualit

y to

ens

ure

prov

isio

n of

sa

fe w

ater

sup

plie

s an

d ec

olog

ical

func

tions

.

Obj

ectiv

e #7

E

nsur

e su

stai

nabl

e ra

tes

of g

roun

dwat

er u

se.

Duf

fins

Goo

d

Goo

d

Goo

d

Furt

her

stud

yre

quir

ed

Goo

d

Goo

d

Furt

her

stud

yre

quir

ed

Car

ruth

ers

Goo

d

Fair

Goo

d

Furt

her

stud

yre

quir

ed

Fair

Goo

d

Furt

her

stud

yre

quir

ed

RA

TIN

GS

TA

BL

E E

-1:S

umm

ary

of m

anag

emen

t go

als,

obj

ectiv

es a

nd r

atin

gs

7

TO

PIC

Surf

ace

Wat

erQ

uant

ity

Aqu

atic

Hab

itat

and

Spec

ies

GO

AL

Duf

fins

Car

ruth

ers

Ove

rall

Rat

ing:

Fair

Fair

To

prot

ect

and

impr

ove

surf

ace

wat

er q

ualit

y.

Ove

rall

Rat

ing:

Goo

dFa

ir

To

prot

ect

aqua

tic h

abita

tan

d sp

ecie

s.

OB

JEC

TIV

ES

Obj

ectiv

e #8

Man

age

the

qual

ity a

nd q

uant

ity o

f run

-off

from

rura

l and

urb

an a

reas

to

mai

ntai

n in

-str

eam

use

s.

Obj

ectiv

e #9

Min

imiz

e in

-str

eam

sed

imen

t as

soci

ated

with

co

nstr

uctio

n ac

tivity

.

Obj

ectiv

e #1

0 R

educ

e w

ater

qua

lity

cont

amin

atio

n as

soci

ated

with

w

aste

wat

er d

isch

arge

s.

Obj

ectiv

e #1

1Pr

otec

t an

d re

stor

e na

tive

aqua

tic s

peci

es a

nd

com

mun

ities

.

Obj

ectiv

e #1

2Pr

otec

t an

d re

stor

e th

e ri

pari

an z

one

and

asso

ciat

ed

func

tions

.

Obj

ectiv

e #1

3M

aint

ain

or r

esto

re t

he n

atur

al v

aria

bilit

y of

ann

ual

and

seas

onal

str

eam

flow

s.

Duf

fins

Goo

d

Poor

Poor

Goo

d

Fair

Furt

her

stud

yre

quir

ed

Car

ruth

ers

Goo

d

Poor

Not

App

licab

le

Fair

Fair

Furt

her

stud

yre

quir

ed

RA

TIN

GS

8

TO

PIC

Ter

rest

rial

Hab

itat

and

Spec

ies

Publ

ic U

se -

Rec

reat

ion

GO

AL

Duf

fins

Car

ruth

ers

Ove

rall

Rat

ing:

Fair

Fair

To

prot

ect

and

enha

nce

terr

estr

ial h

abita

t an

dsp

ecie

s.

Ove

rall

Rat

ing:

Goo

dFa

ir

To

prov

ide

appr

opri

ate

sust

aina

ble

publ

ic u

se t

hat

prom

otes

env

iron

men

tal

awar

enes

s an

d en

hanc

e-m

ent.

OB

JEC

TIV

ES

Obj

ectiv

e #1

4In

crea

se t

he p

er c

ent

of n

atur

al c

over

to

a qu

antit

y th

at p

rovi

des

targ

eted

bio

dive

rsity

and

sup

port

sre

crea

tiona

l use

s.

Obj

ectiv

e #1

5 Pr

otec

t th

e na

tura

l sys

tem

qua

lity

and

func

tion

from

the

influ

ence

of s

urro

undi

ng la

nd u

ses.

Obj

ectiv

e #1

6Pr

otec

t an

d re

stor

e al

l nat

ive

vege

tatio

n co

mm

unity

ty

pes

and

spec

ies

to t

arge

ted

leve

ls.

Obj

ectiv

e #1

7C

reat

e co

ntin

uous

wat

ersh

ed t

rails

in t

he g

reen

spac

esy

stem

link

ing

Lak

e O

ntar

io a

nd t

he O

ak R

idge

s M

orai

ne.

Obj

ectiv

e #1

8M

anag

e th

e gr

eens

pace

sys

tem

for

sust

aina

ble

uses

an

d pu

blic

enj

oym

ent.

Obj

ectiv

e #1

9Im

prov

e gr

eens

pace

acc

essi

bilit

y w

hile

ens

urin

gco

mpa

tibili

ty b

etw

een

socia

l ben

efits

and

eco

logi

cal

healt

h.

Duf

fins

Goo

d

Fair

Furt

her

stud

yre

quir

ed

Fair

Goo

d

Goo

d

Car

ruth

ers

Fair

Fair

Furt

her

stud

yre

quir

ed

Fair

Poor

Poor

RA

TIN

GS

TA

BL

E E

-1:S

umm

ary

of m

anag

emen

t go

als,

obj

ectiv

es a

nd r

atin

gs

9

TO

PIC

Hum

anH

erita

ge

Sust

aina

ble

Com

mun

ities

GO

AL

Duf

fins

Car

ruth

ers

Ove

rall

Rat

ing:

Fair

Fair

To

pres

erve

and

inte

rpre

tou

r ev

olvi

ng h

uman

he

rita

ge r

esou

rces

.

Ove

rall

Rat

ing:

Goo

dFa

ir

To

achi

eve

a be

havi

oura

lsh

ift in

life

styl

es, c

omm

u-ni

ty d

esig

n, a

nd r

esou

rce

use

in k

eepi

ng w

ith t

heen

viro

nmen

tal o

bjec

tives

for

the

wat

ersh

eds.

OB

JEC

TIV

ES

Obj

ectiv

e #2

0Id

entif

y an

d do

cum

ent

hum

an h

erita

ge r

esou

rces

for

prot

ectio

n.

Obj

ectiv

e #2

1In

crea

se a

war

enes

s an

d ap

prec

iatio

n of

the

inhe

rent

valu

e of

hum

an h

erita

ge r

esou

rces

.

Obj

ectiv

e #2

2A

pply

a s

tand

ardi

zed

appr

oach

to

prot

ectin

g hu

man

heri

tage

res

ourc

es a

t al

l lev

els

of g

over

nmen

t.

Obj

ectiv

e #2

3In

crea

se a

war

enes

s of

wat

ersh

ed is

sues

and

use

of

avai

labl

e w

ater

shed

kno

wle

dge

in d

ecis

ion

mak

ing

tofo

ster

sus

tain

abili

ty a

nd s

usta

inab

le li

fest

yle

prac

tices

.

Obj

ectiv

e #2

4Pr

omot

e lif

esty

les

that

are

eco

logi

cally

sus

tain

able

.

Obj

ectiv

e #2

5U

se s

usta

inab

le u

rban

des

ign

appr

oach

es t

o gu

ide

urba

n gr

owth

and

dev

elop

men

t.

Duf

fins

Fair

Fair

Fair

Furt

her

stud

yre

quir

ed

Furt

her

stud

yre

quir

ed

Fair

Car

ruth

ers

Fair

Fair

Furt

her

stud

yre

quir

ed

Furt

her

stud

yre

quir

ed

Furt

her

stud

yre

quir

ed

Fair

RA

TIN

GS

T E N I N T E G R A L M A N A G E M E N T A C T I O N S

The Task Forces recommended a detailed set of management activities for the achievement ofeach objective. A number of these actions are common, in that they contribute toward the fulfill-ment of numerous objectives. Certain benefits are considered especially important because theycan happen well beyond their site of application. These particular management actions are soimportant that they are integral to the overall health of the watersheds and should be affordedtop priority for implementation. The Integral Management Actions are:

1. Protect existing meadows, wetlands, and forests identified in the enhanced terrestrial naturalheritage system and secure lands to be restored.

2. Actively restore areas within the enhanced natural heritage system, which contribute multiplewatershed benefits, and allow passive restoration to occur in the remaining areas.

3. Provide stormwater quantity and quality controls for new and existing development, includ-ing transportation corridors.

4. Manage land uses and water withdrawals to maintain or enhance infiltration patterns,groundwater pathways, and resultant baseflows.

5. Eliminate the remaining point source of pollution (i.e. Stouffville Water Pollution ControlPlant) and manage non-point sources of pollution, in particular stormwater runoff and infil-tration from urban land uses, transportation corridors, and rural contributions.

6. Enforce stringent erosion and sediment controls for construction and infrastructure mainte-nance activities.

7. Protect and restore natural streams and stream processes by managing runoff and sedimentloss at source, protecting valley and stream corridors, and naturalizing altered streams.

8. Remove and/or mitigate human-built barriers to fish passage and sediment transport, includ-ing on-line ponds, where recommended by the Fisheries Management Plan.

9. Maintain self-sustaining, resident/migratory fish and wildlife populations as barometers of ahealthy natural heritage system.

10. Identify and raise awareness of past and present human influences on the watersheds and thestrong link between human heritage, watershed recreation, and human and environmentalhealth.

10

M U L T I P L E B E N E F I T S O F N A T U R A L C O V E R

The protection and enhancement of terrestrial natural heritage cover through the achievement ofthe enhanced natural heritage system is central to the Task Forces’ management approach.Technical analysis of the watersheds’ response to the "Future Land Use (as per the Official Plans)with Enhanced Natural Heritage System" scenario repeatedly demonstrated the multiple water-shed benefits that can be realized by achieving an enhanced natural heritage system. In additionto benefits associated with terrestrial habitat and species objectives, a natural heritage systemwould contribute to the management of hydrological, hydrogeological, water quality, aquaticresource, recreation, and human heritage concerns.

At a watershed scale, the protection of a viable natural heritage system will provide the founda-tion for a sustainable watershed. By protecting the ability of natural systems to carry out water-shed functions, there will be less need for costly maintenance of infrastructure, less risk withunproven technological solutions to watershed management, and cost savings in taking a preven-tative approach rather than a reliance on remedial or "end-of-the-pipe" solutions. In addition,choices made at the community and site scales within the watershed will contribute to overallwatershed sustainability.

I M P L E M E N T A T I O N F R A M E W O R K

A Tool Kit of Implementation MechanismsCommon to many watershed plans in Ontario, the key implementation mechanisms include: pol-icy and planning, regulations and permits, stewardship and regeneration activities, land acquisi-tion/securement, and education and awareness.

Both the province, under the Oak Ridges Moraine Act (2001) and Conservation Plan (2002),and Justice O’Connor in his Part Two Report of the Walkerton Inquiry (2002) have endorsedthe important role municipal land use planning and other government permitting processes playin implementing a watershed plan. The Duffins and Carruthers Watershed Task Forces have alsorecognized the importance of developing a model policy framework to assist in the transitionbetween the watershed plan and its implementation through these other planning and policytools. Initial work has been completed in developing model policy framework; further work is apriority implementation activity.

GIS-based mapping has been prepared for each watershed to identify the areas targeted for activestewardship, regeneration, land acquisition and securement.

Subwatershed Scale DirectionA more detailed identification of key management considerations and actions has been providedat the subwatershed level. For this purpose, the Duffins Creek watershed was divided into sixdrainage areas including: West Duffins Creek, East Duffins Creek, Ganatsekiagon Creek, Urfe

11

Creek, Millers Creek, and the Lower Duffins Creek. The Carruthers Creek Watershed makes upthe seventh area. Opportunities have been illustrated on a map for each subwatershed.

Community Action SitesThe task forces have identified six sites within the watersheds as potential "Community ActionSites". Sites were selected to demonstrate the implementation of many aspects of the watershedplan; the expected interest, enthusiasm, and support of implementation partners; and the feasibili-ty of design and implementation at the site level. Community Action Sites have been successfulin other watersheds as a means of facilitating the transition from plan to ground level action andin providing a sense of early accomplishment for partners implementing the plan.

Roles and ResponsibilitiesImplementation of the Watershed Plan requires the involvement of everyone, including residents,businesses, schools, and all levels of government. Specific recommendations are provided as to arole for each partner.

T O W A R D F U L F I L L M E N T O F N E WP R O V I N C I A L D I R E C T I O N S

The release of this report could not come at a better time as it complements recent recommenda-tions of the Walkerton Inquiry, the Oak Ridges Moraine Act and Conservation Plan, and theproposed North Pickering Land Exchange and its principles for development of the Seaton lands.These decisions, combined with planning for the extensive federal government land holdings fora proposed regional airport in the Duffins watershed, suggest that we are at a point in time whencritical decisions concerning the protection and enhancement of these areas need to be made.

Walkerton Inquiry Call for Source Protection

The Walkerton Inquiry’s Part Two Report, A Strategy for Safe Drinking Water, was releasedby the Ontario Government in May 2002 and contains 93 recommendations for improvedpublic policy and programs that will ensure the safety of Ontario’s drinking water supply.The report focuses considerable attention on the importance of protecting drinking watersources as the first step in a multi-barrier approach to drinking water supply management.Specifically, the report calls for the preparation of watershed-based source protection plansand outlines the role of conservation authorities in this effort.

Drinking water sources within the Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek watersheds includeboth lake-based (urban portions of the City of Pickering and the Town of Ajax) and ground-water-based supplies. The regional municipalities of Peel, York, and Durham have beenassembling information to address components of groundwater source protection, and TRCAis committed to a program of coordinating the integration of all of this information within an

12

integrated watershed management and source protection plan.

The preparation of source protection plans for watersheds that are predominantly served byLake Ontario may require a slightly different approach than areas influenced mostly by localsources. Although the Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek watersheds affect the nearshoreLake Ontario environment, contaminant sources also arise from upstream in the Great LakesBasin and from "imported" sources, such as atmospheric deposition.

Toronto and Region Conservation is working with Conservation Ontario and its representa-tives on the Provincial Advisory Committee that has been established to recommend a frame-work for the preparation of Source Protection Plans in Ontario.

Oak Ridges Moraine Act and Conservation Plan

After a six month moratorium that froze development on the Oak Ridges Moraine, and dur-ing which time a strategy was developed and public consultation undertaken, (Bill 122, TheOak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act) was passed in the Ontario Legislature and receivedRoyal Assent on December 14, 2001. On April 22, 2002 the Oak Ridges MoraineConservation Plan was approved and filed as a Ministers Regulation (O. Reg. 140/02). Thepurpose of the Plan is to provide land use and resource management planning direction toensure the protection and ecological and hydrological integrity of the Oak Ridges Moraine.

The Conservation Plan provides for four land use designations. The first two are NaturalCore Areas and Natural Linkage Areas, where very limited new land uses are being permit-ted. The Countryside Areas are largely identified for agricultural, rural, recreational, andresource areas and, finally, the Settlement Areas are restricted to existing urban or settlementarea boundaries.

Municipalities are directed in the plan to recognize these land use designations, setbacks, andfurther study requirements in their Official Plans and zoning by-laws within set timeframes.In addition, it requires that detailed water management studies (i.e., watershed plans, waterbudgets, and conservation plans) be completed and their results be incorporated into munic-ipal Official Plans before any major development proposals may be approved.

In summary, the Conservation Plan was written and designed to be implemented by munici-pal governments. Many of the requirements of the Plan involve tasks or studies that conser-vation authorities have traditionally undertaken for their member municipalities.

Prior to the enactment of the Oak Ridges Moraine Act and Plan, the nine conservationauthorities with watersheds on the Oak Ridges Moraine formed a coalition to advocate forthe protection of the Moraine. This Conservation Authorities Moraine Coalition has pre-

13

pared a proposal to be submitted to its member municipalities outlining the aspects of theConservation Plan, which could be delivered by conservation authorities. The preparation ofwatershed plans like this one, water budgets, and mapping of environmental features areamong the items being proposed by the coalition.

W O R K I N G T O G E T H E R F O R T H E F U T U R ED U F F I N S A N D C A R R U T H E R S W A T E R S H E D S

This Watershed Plan will be successful if it remains a living document, one that is revisited andimplemented when and where appropriate. We will know that we have made a difference if westrive to meet multiple objectives during implementation and continue to further understandingof the technical work that supports management strategies and their direction.

What is Success?As we move forward and evolve with the times and the places that are unique to these two water-sheds we should be able to look back and say that we have:

• protected and enhanced the natural systems and sustainability of communities within theDuffins Creek and Carruthers Creek watersheds;

• strengthened foundations for managing the watersheds using a formal monitoring and report-ing system in place;

• improved water quality in Carruthers Creek and Duffins Creek for improved habitats and theprovision of safe drinking water;

• increased our knowledge of human and natural heritage resources in these watersheds anddeveloped educational and outreach programs that support and apply this new knowledge basein the two watersheds and beyond;

• provided opportunities for watershed residents and stakeholders to have a greater say in howthese watersheds are used and managed;

• expanded our knowledge and refined our planning and management practices to sustain theseriver systems;

• built on existing and established new watershed partnerships that reflect the importance of theDuffins Creek and Carruthers Creek watersheds in the Regional Municipalities of Durham andYork and beyond; and

• encouraged private landowners to manage and exercise good stewardship of their lands to pro-mote watershed sustainability.

14

Good decision making is based on sound science and an accurate, reliable knowledge base. ThisWatershed Plan identifies a series of actions that are based on sound science. These actions haveemerged as a result of detailed analysis and consultation. For practical purposes, these manage-ment strategies are to be initiated and monitored over the next five years. Many of these actionswill be completed during this time. For those actions that require implementation over a longertime period, significant progress will be made during the next five years and a foundation estab-lished for continued action.

Periodic reviews of this Watershed Plan are an integral component of TRCA’s watershed manage-ment process allowing for systematic improvements to the Plan, and the incorporation of new sci-entific understandings of the watersheds and emerging initiatives, such as "sustainability". At thesame time, the original assumptions of the Watershed Plan, if necessary, can be adjusted. Timingof major reviews should be coordinated with the release of Watershed Report Cards, or advanced,if unanticipated major changes in land use occur.

Many individuals and groups have collaborated to develop this strategy. Many more will beinvolved in its implementation. But its success hinges on the vigour with which each partnerpursues the vision, management philosophy, and accompanying management strategies. Twohealthy, dynamic and sustainable watersheds are attainable for Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek.

15

16