1. A Path to Identifying Priority Areas For Restoration and Protection: Developing Criteria Southern Georgian Bay Shoreline Initiative January 26, 2016

2. Presentation Outline  Expanded Scope and Terms of Reference  Identifying Priorities: Rationale and Examples  Criteria Selection : Themes, Examples and Discussion  Common Elements  Defining Priority Areas  Defining Social Values  Discussion and Identifying Criteria

3. SGBSI: Scope and Terms of Reference  See handouts  Due to changes in FA and PLA  Water levels and fewer dredging permits – now hardening and protection  A more integrated and comprehensive approach to strategically target watershed stressors/needs/opportunities  Acknowledge and support existing and new groups e.g., Framework for Community Action  Major Changes to TOR: Less focus on regulatory needs and harmonization – still a need for coastal conservation

4. SGBSI Purpose, Goals and Objectives  Purpose: discuss, identify and implement actions to balance development with the needs of the environment  Goals:  multi-stakeholder partnership that coordinates conservation measures  Enhance the capacity of management agencies to make sound decisions and recommend BMPs to landowners  Outreach, engagement, community-based action  Implement, track and evaluate program effectiveness  Objectives: See TOR  Gov’t support and longevity of SGBSI  Information assembly, assessment, reporting  Develop Strategy

5. Rationale and Examples  Beside the fact that it makes good sense: GLWQA; COA; Regional Strategic Approaches  Directs Funding Programs – COA, Clean-Up Fund, Limited Agency Resources Examples:  Great Lakes Biodiversity Conservation Strategies  Southeast Shores Priority Sub-watersheds  Eastern GB Tributary Assessment – Decision Analysis  Western L. Erie Basin  Southern Grand  Integrated Coastal Zone Management

6. Southeast Shores Example  Community acceptance/interest in project  Potential for improvement e.g., bmp’s  Environmental issues at the beach/nearshore  Local capacity to deliver technical work  Technical feasibility  Relevant studies/monitoring completed, on-going  Shoreline that is used for beach recreation  Existing initiatives in place, e.g., activities underway  Part of a priority shoreline area Watersheds Criteria 1Criteria 2Criteria 3Criteria 4Criteria 5Criteria 6Criteria 7Criteria 8Criteria 9Total St. Clair Region CA Cow and Perch Creeks (266 km2) 3.63 5 451.63 32.4 Plympton Shoreline Tributaries (includes Hickory Ck)(239 km2) 2.33.6351.644.31327.8

7. Possible Criteria by Themes GIS Based Management Directed Public Consultation Ecological Significance Natural Processes Stressors Existing Models & Assessments Degree of Alteration Proposed Developments Future Threats Level of Protection Existing Management Plans and Field Studies Feasibility Degree of Interest or Concern Existing Initiatives Recreation Active Groups Public Interests and Values Degree of Interest or Concern

8. Wetland area; Richness of tracked species; Richness of wetland types Coastal: Land cover, complexity, beach types, Tracked species, systems. GIS for Priority Areas: Synthesis of wetland, coastal, Island, etc. Natural Heritage Strategies for Wasaga and Collingwood

9.  Natural processes  Substrate, Sediment sources/sinks, Bathymetry, Wave energy, Dynamic beaches, Littoral zones  Currently Identifying Aquatic Ecological Units with Baird & Associates using bathymetry, substrate, wave energy, maybe littoral cells, proximity to river mouths etc.

10.  Stressors  Density of roads and buildings (completed)  Non-point sources  Run-off from urban centres or agriculture  maintenance products used at marinas  Climate Change and water level implications  GLEI and GLEAM combined data sets (completed)

11.  Existing models and assessments  CANWET  Watershed Report Cards

12. Management Directed Degree of Alteration Proposed Developments Future Threats Level of Protection Existing Management Plans and Field Studies Feasibility

13. Management Directed Degree of Alteration Proposed Developments Future Threats Level of Protection Existing Management Plans and Field Studies Feasibility The Simcoe Sub-area is facing strong development pressures and is forecasted to grow to 667,000 people by 2031, compared to 437,100 in 2006 (MMAH).  Proposed developments  Look to Official Plans for development planning and zoning maps  Priority areas to help determine areas in need of restoration and protection from development Wetlands Restoring lake and tributary connectivity Restoration and protection of significant habitats

14. Management Directed Degree of Alteration Proposed Developments Future Threats Level of Protection Existing Management Plans and Field Studies Feasibility Water level fluctuation, shoreline alterations, climate change, nutrient and sediment pollution etc.

15. Management Directed Degree of Alteration Proposed Developments Future Threats Level of Protection Existing Management Plans and Field Studies Feasibility

16. Management Directed Degree of Alteration Proposed Developments Future Threats Level of Protection Existing Management Plans and Field Studies Feasibility.  Uncertainty  Feasibility  Must involve other agencies and experts to make implementation more effective

17.  Achieved via public surveys?  Outreach to cottage associations?  Areas of high ecosystem service- recreation, fishing, beach use ….  Recognize BPBA, BRWG,NWIP, SSEA Existing Initiatives Recreation Active Groups Public Interests and Values Degree of Interest or Concern

18. Defining Social Values Socio-economic, cultural, scientific or educational value include :  Special importance where use of the shoreline and aquatic resources are of cultural or historical importance (e.g., for the support of traditional subsistence activities for food, social or ceremonial use; significant historical and archaeological sites). Need to work with First Nations and Metis;  Public use and enjoyment: an area that offers outstanding recreational opportunities and aesthetic and/or spiritual values (e.g., boating, sea kayaking, wildlife viewing);  Education: an area that offers an exceptional opportunity to demonstrate particular natural phenomena (e.g., outreach programs that inform the public  Areas with high economic importance for fishing, tourism  Is this gut instinct or public survey of interests, values, uses etc??

19. Possible Contracts  Public values and attitudes to shoreline management  GIS contract to delineate nearshore areas with nested shoreline reaches – spoke with Baird  Participatory Mapping with UofW  Public and Municipal Workshop facilitation and proceedings

20. CRITERIA DISCUSSION ShorelineWatershedComments Restoration: Protection:

21. CRITERIA DISCUSSION ShorelineWatershedComments Restoration: Protection:

22. Thanks For Your Participation!

23. Summary  How does this relate to what we have done?  The creation of a Management Strategy will also SGBSI to utilize previous science and mapping into one document  Will build on past Municipal presentations and meetings  Will create a product to be used by all groups and agencies on the Georgian Bay landscape

24. Common Elements - Road Map  Select criteria, define reaches/aquatic units and assess  Ecological, social, and economic importance  Identify and quantify issues, problems, stressors, threats and their sources and causative factors  Identify risks, vulnerabilities, and priorities for protection and restoration (with stakeholder input)  Recommend management actions and performance measures  Consensus, adoption by local municipalities/ agencies  Recommend alternatives and bmps  Communication and stakeholder engagement (ongoing)  Implementation  Track, Report, Evaluate, and Adapt

25. Defining Priority Areas  Need to develop criteria for priority areas:  Areas currently, or in the future that are under stress (vulnerability)  Knowledge of sources of stress and threats  Areas with high ecological value and existing protection measures (need criteria, but this does exist, e.g., MPAs, biodiversity strategies)  An area that has high scientific interest and/or provides suitable baseline conditions (e.g., an area considered to be in a natural or near-natural condition)  Key natural heritage features including wetlands, significant woodlands, significant coastal reaches, and other natural areas  Key physical features - sedimen  River mouths  SAR