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		July 19, 1999 Mayor and Council Members Etobicoke Community Council Etobicoke Civic Centre 399 The West Mall Etobicoke, ON M9C 2Y2 Attention: Molly Sutherland Dear Mayor and Council Members: Re:Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Strategy - Task Force Initiation In the Spring of 1999, The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority initiated a watershed strategy for the Etobicoke and Mimico Creeks. A stakeholders workshop and a number of information sessions were held to inform the public of the study process and how they can become involved. A task force will be initiated in the Fall of 1999, to assist in the development of an Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Strategy to achieve sustainable, healthy watersheds. At Meeting #6/99 held on June 25, 1999 (minutes enclosed), the Authority adopted Res. #A166/99: "THAT the membership selection, reporting procedures and terms of reference for the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Task Force, as described in the report dated June 1999 (attached), be approved; THAT the Authority direct staff to confirm, with local and regional municipalities within the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds, the appointment of a council member and alternate to the Task Force by September 1, 1999; THAT the Authority direct staff to request selected federal and provincial agencies to appoint a senior employee and an alternate to the Task Force by September 1, 1999; THAT the Authority direct staff to invite applications from the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek watershed residents to participate on the Task Force; THAT the Authority direct staff to invite community groups, residents associations, and education representatives to apply for membership on the task force; Mayor and Council Members Etobicoke Community Council- 2 -July 19, 1999 THAT the Authority authorize staff to take all other necessary actions to form an Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Task Force to prepare an Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Strategy; THAT staff report back to the Authority on the proposed membership of the Task Force for endorsement and formal appointment." Further, Amendment Res.#D38/99: "THAT Councillor Cliff Gyles, City of Mississauga, and Councillor Irene Jones, City of Toronto, assist in the interview process for citizen members of the Task Force." In this regard, the Authority requests that a member of Etobicoke Council be appointed to the Watershed Task Force. Councillor Irene Jones has expressed an interest in participating in the strategy development. The appointment of an alternate is also requested. The alternate may be a member of council or a municipal staff person. Watershed strategies are developed to provide context and recommendations for natural systems protection, restoration, environmental education, recreation, and cultural and heritage planning initiatives. To date, the TRCA has established planning task forces and completed watershed management strategies for three of the nine watersheds within its jurisdiction. In 1990, the first watershed management strategy, The Comprehensive Basin Management Strategy for the Rouge River Watershed, was produced. In 1994, Forty Steps to a New Don, was completed by the Don Watershed Task Force. In 1997, Legacy: A Strategy for a Healthy Humber and its companion document A Call To Action - Implementing Legacy: A Strategy for a Healthy Humber, were produced by the Humber Watershed Task Force as an integrated watershed management strategy for the Humber River. Each of these documents has been adopted by the Authority. The Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Task Force will have a membership of approximately 30 people. Members will include elected municipal representatives, provincial and federal agency staff, and representatives from business, industry, community groups, ratepayers associations, education, and citizens residing within the watersheds. This cross-section of interests, background, and expertise will help to build the strong partnerships needed for planning and implementing the strategy. If you have any questions or require additional information regarding the Task Force or the strategy development, please contact the undersigned at (416) 661 6600 extension 240 or Nancy Gaffney, Acting Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Specialist at extension 313. The Authority is prepared to make a brief presentation at Council if this would be of benefit to Council members. Yours truly, J. Craig Mather Chief Administrative Officer cc:Councillor Irene Jones Councillor Dick O'Brien TO:Chair and Members of the Watershed Management Advisory Board, TRCA Meeting # 3/99, June 18, 1999 FROM:Brian E. Denney, Director, Watershed Management Division RE:ETOBICOKE AND MIMICO CREEKS WATERSHED STRATEGY Report on the Membership Selection, Reporting Procedures and Terms of Reference for an Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Task Force KEY ISSUE Membership selection, reporting procedures and terms of reference for the formation and operation of the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Task Force. RECOMMENDATION THE BOARD RECOMMENDS TO THE AUTHORITY THAT the membership selection, reporting procedures and terms of reference for the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Task Force, as described in the report dated June 1999 (attached), be approved; THAT the Authority direct staff to confirm with local and regional municipalities within the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds a council member and alternate to the Task Force by September 1, 1999; THAT the Authority direct staff to request selected federal and provincial agencies to appoint a senior employee and an alternate to the Task Force by September 1, 1999; THAT the Authority direct staff to invite applications from the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek watershed residents to participate on the Task Force; THAT the Authority direct staff to invite community groups, residents associations, and education representatives to apply for membership on the task force; THAT the Authority authorize staff to take all other necessary actions to form an Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Task Force to prepare an Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Strategy; AND FURTHER THAT staff report back to the Authority on the proposed membership of the Task Force for endorsement and formal appointment. BACKGROUND At Authority meeting #1/99, held on February 19, 1999, the Authority adopted Res. #54/99: "THAT staff be directed to proceed with the initiation of a watershed strategy for the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds, including meeting with community groups, municipalities, elected representatives, and watershed residents to seek their input into the strategy development and task force initiation process; THAT staff report by the Spring of 1999 on the proposed process for the development of an Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Strategy, including such issues as the formation of a task force and its terms of reference; THAT staff be directed to circulate the State of the Watershed Report: Etobicoke and Mimico Creeks (December, 1998) to community groups, municipalities, other agencies, and elected representatives in the watersheds; AND FURTHER THAT staff continue to apply for provincial funding to support the development of the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Strategy." On May 5, 1999, Authority staff held a workshop with municipal and other agency staff, elected representatives, residents, educators, and community groups to seek their input into the strategy development and task force initiation process. Approximately 50 people attended this session, discussing technical and community interests within the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek watersheds. The Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Task Force will have a membership of approximately 30 people. Members will include elected municipal representatives, provincial and federal agency staff, and representatives from business and industry, community groups, ratepayers associations, education, and citizens residing within the watersheds. This cross section of interests, background and expertise will help to build the strong partnerships needed for planning and implementing the strategy. The Chair and Vice Chair of the Task Force will be elected from among its members. Lorna Bissell, Regional Councillor, City of Brampton, has agreed to participate as Interim Chair until this election occurs. The Task Force will communicate to the Authority through the Watershed Management Advisory Board. The Task Force Chair will be required to coordinate communications to this Board with the assistance of Authority staff. In June, a number of Information Sessions have been scheduled to launch the development of the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Strategy. These information sessions will provide general information to individuals interested in knowing more about the Authority, watershed strategy development or becoming an Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Task Force representative. The Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Task Force will include seven citizens residing within the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek watershed. The mandate of this Task Force is to: (a)Develop an Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Strategy to achieve a sustainable, healthy watershed using an ecosystem based approach. Thus, the interrelationship between natural and cultural heritage, biological and economic processes, and the integration of conservation, restoration and economic activities will be considered. Restoring health to the watershed will be of paramount concern. Some of the management issues that the watershed strategy will deal with will include: actions required to address water, aquatic and terrestrial habitat, and other watershed based resource and environmental management issues; actions required to protect, link, and regenerate greenspace resources within the watershed; provision of controlled public access and recreational opportunities that are compatible with environmental management objectives; provision for integrating the protection of the watershed's heritage resources with the regeneration of the natural resources; actions required to ensure that the management of environmental issues considers economic factors; the development of reach plans (as defined in the State of the Watershed Report: Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds, December 1998); establishment of targets and indicators for watershed issues that will be used to measure progress over time (as discussed in the State of the Watershed Report: Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds, December 1998); and the mechanisms and integration required to protect, regenerate and sustain a healthy watershed. (b)Assist and encourage individuals, interest groups, communities, business, industry, and government agencies in resource planning, stewardship, and management activities within the watersheds. These activities could include: pilot or demonstration management projects; community "Adopt a Stream" initiatives; water quality public awareness; revegetation projects; watershed education including natural and cultural heritage; and public information including displays, newspaper articles, television and radio coverage and communications to municipal councils. (c)The Task Force membership shall: consult and involve individuals, interest groups, communities, business, industry, and government agencies in the development of the watershed strategy; report progress, on a quarterly basis, to the TRCA through the Authority's Watershed Management Advisory Board; report progress to their respective agency, group or general public as required to maintain effective communications between all partners; participate on technical working groups; review and comment on draft Task Force documents; assist with consultant selection; host local meetings so members become familiar with all geographical areas; follow the Authority's Policies and Procedures with respect to purchasing, hiring of consultants and all other matters; and provide a draft strategy document to the Authority by June 30, 2001. DETAILS OF WORK TO BE DONE Two members of the Watershed Management Advisory Board are required, along with one senior Authority staff, Watershed Management, to form a selection committee to review citizen applications. A selection process will be developed, in consultation with the selection committee. Applications and information kits will be prepared for distribution to those people interested in applying to become a Watershed Task Force member. Applications will be accepted until August 13, 1999. The interview process will take place in late August, early September to accommodate a Task Force start in late September 1999. Authority staff will make all the necessary arrangements. Brief interviews will be scheduled in the evening over several days. Advertisements will be submitted to local papers inviting citizens residing within the watershed and interested in serving on the Task Force to submit applications/resumes and to attend an information session scheduled for June, 1999. Requests will be sent to the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek watersheds, local and regional municipalities, to confirm a Council representative appointment to the Task Force. Selected community groups, residents associations, and educational institutions will be invited to apply for representation on the task force. Requests will be sent to selected Etobicoke and Mimico Creek watersheds interest groups and federal and provincial agencies for the names of their Task Force representative. A staff report will be prepared recommending to the Authority the membership of the Task Force and subsequently, the persons selected to the positions of Chair and Vice Chair. FINANCIAL DETAILS The Authority will budget for and administer the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Strategy project. Funding will be allocated from the project budget for: �Task Force strategy development and related initiatives; �staff secretariat support; and �Etobicoke and Mimico Creek watersheds regeneration activities. The development of the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Strategy will be subject to available funding and a work plan developed by the Task Force and approved by the Authority. Staff will continue to investigate funding opportunities with federal and provincial agencies and other sources to undertake components of the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Strategy that relate to the implementation of the Toronto and Region Remedial Action Plan. Report prepared by: Nancy Gaffney, extension 313 For information contact: Nancy Gaffney, extension 313 and Brian Denney, extension 242. Date: June 8, 1999 Attachments (1) Attachment 1 THE ETOBICOKE AND MIMICO CREEK WATERSHEDS TASK FORCE MEMBERSHIP SELECTION REPORTING PROCEDURES AND TERMS OF REFERENCE The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority June 1999 THE ETOBICOKE AND MIMICO CREEK WATERSHEDS TASK FORCE 1.0AUTHORITY DIRECTION At Authority Meeting #2/99, held on February 19, 1999, the Authority approved Resolution #A54/99 which states: THAT staff be directed to proceed with the initiation of a watershed strategy for the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds, including meeting with community groups, municipalities, elected representatives, and watershed residents to seek their input into the strategy development and task force initiation process; THAT staff report by the Spring of 1999 on the proposed process for the development of an Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Strategy, including such issues as the formation of a task force and its terms of reference; THAT staff be directed to circulate the State of the Watershed Report: Etobicoke and Mimico Creeks (December, 1998) to community groups, municipalities, other agencies, and elected representatives in the watersheds; AND FURTHER THAT staff continue to apply for provincial funding to support the development of the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Strategy. 2.0TASK FORCE MEMBERSHIP SELECTION Members of the Task Force will be appointed by the Authority for a term ending June 30, 2001, subject to an annual review by the Authority. 2.1Size of the Task Force The Task Force shall consist of thirty (30) members including: the Chair of the Authority or other Authority member as designated; one elected representative from each of the four local and two regional municipalities within the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek watersheds which include: - City of Toronto - Regional Municipality of Peel - City of Toronto (Etobicoke) - City of Brampton - Town of Caledon - City of Mississauga five senior Federal and Provincial representatives; seven citizens residing within the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek watersheds; three representatives from community groups; three representatives from residents associations; one representative from the formal education sector (primary, secondary, or post-secondary); one representative appointed from each of: - the Toronto Remedial Action Plan - the Waterfront Regeneration Trust - Urban Development Institute - Greater Toronto Airports Authority - Agriculture Representative 2.1.1Local and Regional Municipality Representatives The local and regional municipalities will be requested by the Authority to confirm the participation of a council member, and an alternate to the Task Force. A municipality may appoint a current Authority member. Alternate municipal Task Force members will have voting privileges on all matters of business. 2.1.2Federal and Provincial Representatives Selected federal and provincial agencies will be requested by the Authority to appoint a senior employee and an alternate to the Task Force. Alternate members will have voting privileges on all matters of business. 2.1.3Citizen Membership An advertisement will be placed in local papers requesting interested individuals residing within the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek watersheds to apply for appointment to the Task Force. The selection of seven citizens who reside within the watersheds will be carried out by a three person committee comprised of two members of the Watershed Management Advisory Board, and one senior Authority staff. Seven citizens will be recommended to the Authority for approval. 2.1.4Other Community Representatives Other community partners including community groups, residents associations, and the formal education sector will be invited to have representation on the task force. The selection and approval of these members will follow a process similar to that of citizen members. 2.2Membership Selection Criteria for Citizen and Other Community Representatives In recommending citizens for appointment, the selection committee will take into consideration the following: demonstrated interest and/or active participation in watershed management, community and heritage issues; the ability of the applicant to meet the potential time commitments; representation of rural, urban, environmental, recreation, education, heritage and business interests. The selection committee will take into account similar criteria for community group, residents association, and education representatives. 2.3Attendance by Task Force Members at Meetings Members will be required to attend on a regular basis. It is anticipated that evening meetings will be held once per month. Technical working groups may be required to deal with specific issues. Additional meeting time will be required in these cases. Members unable to fulfil this commitment will be replaced after missing three consecutive meetings to ensure broad and effective representation on watershed issues. 2.4Selection of Chair and Vice Chair of the Task Force The Chair and Vice Chair will be elected by the Task Force from amongst its members. 2.5Reporting Relationship The Task Force will communicate through the Watershed Management Advisory Board. The Task Force Chair will be required to coordinate communications to this Board, with the assistance of the TRCA staff secretariat. Refer also to 6.1 (b)(c). 3.0RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THE TASK FORCE 3.1TRCA Secretariat The secretariat will include: - Project Manager; - Environmental Technician; - Secretary (part-time position); - Writer (part-time position). The secretariat's role will be to attend all meetings and to assist the Task Force in all activities related to the development of the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Strategy. 3.2Technical Working Groups and Consultants Technical specialists representing specific disciplines will be requested from agencies, business and other sources to assist the Task Force in the development of the strategy and to provide technical advice or review of key reports. The technical specialists will also provide a communications link to planning and resource managers, within affected agencies and groups. Technical specialists may include one or more person(s) with expertise in: -Water Quality -Groundwater -Hydrology/Hydraulics -Terrestrial Ecology -Land Use Planning -Restoration Ecology -Municipal Operations and Maintenance -Local/Regional, Provincial and Federal Government Programs -Fisheries Management -Community Involvement/Public Consultation -Data Management/GIS -Tourism -Recreation -Cultural Heritage -Education -Services and Utilities -Marketing/Communications. The Technical Working Group(s) will be formed following the appointment of the Task Force members as the need is identified. 3.3Budget The Authority will budget for and administer the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Strategy project. Funding will be allocated from the project budget for: - Task Force strategy development and related initiatives; - Staff secretariat support; and - Etobicoke and Mimico Creek watersheds regeneration activities. The development of the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Strategy will be subject to available funding and a work plan developed by the Task Force and approved by the Authority. 4.0COMPENSATION OF TASK FORCE MEMBERS For regular Task Force meetings, members will be eligible for travel expenses according to Authority policy. 5.0RULES FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE TASK FORCE The Task Force will follow the Rules of Conduct of the Authority (The Metropolitan Toronto and Region Conservation Authority), as adopted by Resolution #3 of the Authority Meeting #2/86, or as may be amended. A quorum will consist of a majority of the members of the Task Force. 6.0TERMS OF REFERENCE The goal of the Authority through the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Task Force is to develop a management strategy for the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek watersheds which will be adopted and supported by municipal and agency politicians and staff; community groups; business and industry; watershed residents; and the general public. The watershed strategy must also empower everyone to become actively involved in watershed management, stewardship activities and raise public awareness and understanding of environmentally sensitive planning and planning issues. 6.1Mandate of the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Task Force The mandate of the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Task Force is to: (a)Develop an Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds Strategy to achieve a sustainable, healthy watershed for the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek watersheds using an ecosystem based approach. This approach recognizes the interrelationship between natural and cultural heritage, physical, biological and economic processes, and the integration of conservation, restoration and economic activities to ensure the continued health of the watershed. Some of the management issues that the watershed strategy will deal with will include: actions required to address water, aquatic and terrestrial habitat, and other watershed based resource and environmental management issues; actions required to protect, link, and regenerate greenspace resources within the watershed; provision of controlled public access and recreational opportunities that are compatible with environmental management objectives; provision for integrating the protection of the watershed's heritage resources with the regeneration of the natural resources; actions required to ensure that the management of environmental issues considers economic factors; the development of reach plans (as defined in the State of the Watershed Report: Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds, December 1998); establishment of targets and indicators for watershed issues that will be used to measure progress over time (as discussed in the State of the Watershed Report: Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds, December 1998); and the mechanisms and integration required to protect, regenerate and sustain a healthy watershed. (b)Assist and encourage individuals, interest groups, communities, schools, business, industry, and government agencies in resource planning, stewardship, and management activities within the watersheds. These activities could include: pilot or demonstration management projects; community "Adopt a Stream" initiatives; water quality public awareness; revegetation projects; watershed education including natural and cultural heritage; and public information including displays, newspaper articles, television and radio coverage and communications to municipal councils. (c)The Task Force membership shall: consult and involve individuals, interest groups, communities, business, industry, and government agencies in the development of the watershed strategy; report progress, on a quarterly basis, to the TRCA through the Authority's Watershed Management Advisory Board; report progress to their respective agency, group or general public as required to maintain effective communications between all partners; participate on technical working groups; review and comment on draft Task Force documents; assist with consultant selection; host local meetings so members become familiar with all geographical areas; follow the Authority's Policies and Procedures with respect to purchasing, hiring of consultants and all other matters; and provide a draft strategy document to the Authority by June 30, 2001.
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