HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO 04-14From:
Subject:
Tony Prevedel
Chief Administrative Officer
Report to
Council
Report Number: CAO 04-14
Date: May 20, 2014
Eurasian Water-Milfoil Weed-Frenchman's Bay
File: A 1440
Recommendation:
1. That Report CAO 04-14 of the Chief Administrative Officer regarding Eurasian
Water-Milfoil Weed-Frenchman's Bay be received;
2. That staff be directed to provide Allies of the Frenchman's Bay Association with
funding for Eurasian Water-Milfoil Weed control in the form of a grant to a
maximum of $21,875 for 2014 which is to be used solely for the introduction of
milfoil weevils;
3. That the Allies of the Frenchman's Bay Association be required to provide
evidence that the City funding was directed solely for the purposes of introducing
weevils for the control of the Eurasian Water-Milfoil Weed; and
4. That staff report back to Council annually regarding the status of the milfoil weed
presence in Frenchman's Bay.
Executive Summary: Over the past few years, Eurasian Water-Milfoil (EWM), an
invasive aquatic weed has been quickly re-colonizing in Frenchman's Bay, causing
problems for boaters and paddlers. A community group has formed the Allies of the
Frenchman's Bay Association (AFBA), with the focus of jointly combating the milfoil
weed problem. They have been researching the various methods for controlling EWM
and have prepared a Management Plan.
In early August 2013, approximately 20,000 milfoil weevil eggs and larvae were stocked
in the bay adjacent to Bruce Hanscombe Park. The association is recommending that
the Weevil stocking program be continued in 2014. As weevils are less effective in high
activity areas, the association is recommending that dredging be undertaken in key
navigational channels and around docks. They are also recommending a pilot project
using the laminar flow aeration system. Measuring and evaluating the effectiveness of
the management efforts and overall plant growth in the bay will be undertaken by the
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.
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Report CAO 04-14
Subject: Eurasian Water-Milfoil Weed
Frenchman's Bay
May 20, 2014
Page 2
At the Executive Committee meeting of May 12, 2014, Report No. CAO 03-14 regarding
EWM control grant funding, was discussed and referred back to staff. This revised
report contains additional recommendations that stipulate how the City's funds shall be
allocated.
Financial Implications: In 2013, Council approved a grant for up to $30,000 as the
City's share for the first year of the program. Due to a cool ,spring, the EWM did not get
established very early and fewer weevils were stocked. As such, the City only
contributed$8,325 in 2013.
, As part of the 2014 Current Budget, Council approved a grant of up to $21,875 as the
City's share for the Eurasian Water-Milfoil Weed control program. Ontario Power
Generation have donated $10,000 to be applied to the City's share of this program with
the balance of the City's share being funded by property tax.
AFBA's Funding Contribution Plan for the EWM Action Plan 2014 is valued at a total of
$81,675. The City's share represents approximately 26% of the total budget, with the
balance of the funds being provided by the Pickering Harbour Company, Swans Marina,
Frenchman's Bay Yacht Club, Dockominium, Dragon Boat Club, Pickering Rouge
Canoe Club, PARA, TRCA, and fundraising/donations. The EWM Action Plan is also
forecasting funding requirements for the following 3 years. The City's share is estimated
to be $20,000 for 2015, $10,000 for 2016 and $5,000 for 2017. Costs beyond 2017 are
unknown and will be determined at a later date based on the success of the ongoing
control measures.
Discussion: Over the past few years, Eurasian Water-Milfoil (EWM), an
invasive aquatic weed has been quickly re-colonizing in Frenchman's Bay. During the
summer of 2012, the weed grew so aggressively that it became a problem for boaters
and paddlers by binding up propellers, keels and paddles. Members of the boating
community and residents around the bay formed the Allies of the Frenchman's Bay
Association (AFBA), with the focus of jointly combating the milfoil weed problem. The
group have been researching the various methods for controlling milfoil weed and have
prepared a Management Plan that proposes an integrated management approach.
Staff have met with representatives of the AFBA to discuss their approach for this year's
program. Their plan is to continue with introducing more milfoil weevils into the bay
when the conditions are suitable. AFBA are also planning to introduce a test site using
the laminar flow aeration system, to be located on the west side of the bay. Funding for
this pilot project, including· the hydro required to run the compressor system, will be
provided from other sources. Further dredging is being done by the Frenchman's Bay
Yacht Club, to maintain the channel from their site to the harbour entrance. Pickering
Harbour Company are 'dredging around their docks as well as providing a deeper
channel from their site to the harbour entrance. Swans Marina have indicated plans to
CORP0227-07/01 revised
Report CAO 04-14
Subject: Eurasian Water-Milfoil Weed
Frenchman's Bay
May 20, 2014
Page 3
dredge around their docks as well. The dredging work is not an AFBA initiative and is
not being funded by them.
Attachments:
Not Applicable
Prepared By:
Arnold Mostert, OALA
Senior Coordinator
Landscape & Parks Development
AM:am
CORP0227 -07/01 revised
Approved/Endorsed By:
Richard Holb fn, P. Eng.
Dire~6r, Engineering & Public Works
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